Night fell in Naga Teduh Village with a stifling silence, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the rustling of pine needles blown by the mountain breeze.
In the backyard of the Evernight Gate branch office, which had just received an "emergency cash injection," torchlight danced wildly, casting the long shadow of a man wielding a giant sword that seemed too heavy for ordinary hands.
Yoe Choin stood still, his eyes closed. He could feel the pulse of the earth through the soles of his feet as they stomped on the damp ground. Inwardly, he was having a discussion with the real Moen Kang Yo.
"Are you serious about trying the remaining 19 techniques now?"
Moen Kang Yo asked with a tone of doubt he rarely showed.
"Back then, it took me years just to understand the energy flow. Your body is already at Internal Finishing Stage 3, but forcing the synchronization of 24 techniques in one night is beyond the safe limit."
"In a construction project, Boss, if the concrete foundation has fully hardened and the steel frame is securely in place, we don't have to wait years to install other structural components,"
Choin replied calmly, using his foreman's logic.
"I've already reviewed the original manual we received from Instructor Ma. In my foreman's eyes, these techniques aren't just silat moves, but rather a series of very logical gravitational force distribution and momentum management schemes."
Choin unrolled the old leather scroll he'd brought from headquarters. His eyes, glowing blue, began scanning each diagram of techniques 6 through 24.
Choin didn't immediately swing his sword. He spent the first hour simply conducting a mental simulation. He imagined his body as a giant crane that had to rotate a heavy load without breaking its axle.
Technique 6: Vertical Fracture Load.
Technique 12: Dynamic Rotational Torque.
Technique 24: Eternal Structural Collapse.
"Watch this, Kang Yo,"
Choin whispered in their conscious space.
"This 15th technique... the manual tells you to use a Qi blast from your shoulder. But that's inefficient. If I shift the energy's fulcrum to my waist and utilize the law of inertia from the Black Iron Heavy Sword's weight, the damage output will increase thirty percent without wasting any Qi fuel."
The original Moen Kang Yo was silent. For him, sword techniques were about rage and the will to slaughter.
But for Choin, this sword was a giant pile driver that had to be managed efficiently to avoid wasting energy.
Liem, the branch manager, stood at a distance with a look of admiration mixed with emotion. He saw that his Young Master wasn't just practicing, but seemed to be counting something in the air with his fingers.
"Young Master..."
Liem murmured softly, tears threatening to fall down his wrinkled cheeks.
"For years, this place has been considered a wasteland by Elder Gong. But seeing you practicing here... it's as if the main pillar of our sect is being rebuilt with your own hands."
Choin began swinging his heavy sword.
Whoosh! BLAM!
The first swing (Technique 6) struck the air, creating a shockwave that extinguished several torches in the courtyard. Choin didn't stop. He continued to follow the movement without pause.
Because his body was now at Internal Finishing Level 3, his meridians were able to handle the massive Qi pressure needed to propel the mass of the black sword.
Unlike the Moen Kang Yo of old, whose movements were wild and full of emotion, Choin moved with the precision of an industrial machine. Each step (footwork) was at a perfect angle, ensuring his body's static balance never wavered.
"Force distribution... channel to Dantian... joint lock..."
Choin muttered as he continued moving.
Sweat began to pour down his simple robes, soaking through them, but the hot steam (Qi) emanating from his body indicated that his meridian system was functioning at optimal capacity.
He completed technique after technique. The 10th technique, which shattered lateral defenses... The 18th technique, which utilized extreme torsion... until finally, he reached the pinnacle.
"24th Technique: Eternal Star Collapse!"
Chōin leaped high, spinning his body in the air like a giant drill bit. The mass of the black sword, fused with absolute gravity, struck the ground with unimaginable force.
BOOM!
The ground in the branch's backyard cracked deeply, creating a small crater. The tremors were felt all the way to the foundations of the old building behind him. However, Choin landed perfectly steady, without the slightest sway in his posture.
Chōin stood amidst the flying dust. His breathing was steady. There were no signs of extreme fatigue or cracks in his meridian structure, a result of the rapid recovery procedure he had undergone earlier.
"Amazing..."
The real Moen Kang Yo murmured, this time with genuine respect.
"You completed the entire set of 24 techniques in a matter of hours... something that should take even the most brilliant warrior a lifetime."
"That's because I have a great 'assistant' like you for my combat instincts and proper energy management system,"
Choon replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Our body structure is now ready to take on a much heavier combat load. These 24 techniques are now perfectly installed in my memory, not as moves, but as a war machine's operating manual."
Choon turned to Liem, who remained stunned.
"Liem, starting tomorrow, prepare this area,"
Choon ordered in the authoritative tone of a foreman.
"This branch office can't just look good from the outside. I want you to build a physical training area that meets the standards I'll be sending you. We'll train the new students here using the 'K3 Murim' method. If any thugs from the Black Crow Guild come again, they won't be met with beggars, but with a steel wall."
Liem bowed deeply, this time with blazing enthusiasm.
"Yes, Young Master! I will carry out every instruction in your blueprint!"
Choin stared into the darkness beyond the branch office fence. He knew that out there, the Black Crow Guild was watching. However, to the foreman, they were no longer a threat, but rather 'raw material' that must be acquired immediately to expand the reach of his project in the lower reaches of this mountain.
The first phase of land clearing was complete. Now, it was time for tough business negotiations with the thugs.