Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 47: Chapter 45: Stealing the Celestial Secret, Taming the Tiger Vajra

BANG!

Wan Ze closed the door. Father Wan was leaning against the sofa, reading a newspaper. Dressed in dark blue pajamas, his brow was furrowed as if he had seen some infuriating news.

Seeing Wan Ze return, he looked up, quickly put down the newspaper, and asked with great concern, ”You’re back? Have you eaten? Should I make you something?”

”I’ve eaten.” Wan Ze didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He casually took off his jacket and hung it on the rack by the door. ”Where’s Mom?”

”Your Aunt Xu from across the hall invited her over to do some crafts this afternoon. It’s pretty rare.” Father Wan didn’t give it much thought, instead turning his attention to the Dragon Eagle Martial Arts Hall. ”I saw on the news today that there was a big explosion in the Western Suburbs of Saint City. It seemed to have something to do with you Dragon Eagle folks...”

Wan Ze froze. ”A big explosion? When did that happen?”

Seeing his reaction, Father Wan snatched the newspaper from the sofa and pointed to one of the columns. ”It says it happened this morning. It looks like there were casualties... How can practicing martial arts be so dangerous?”

”I’ve heard some of the senior brothers at the hall mention it. Some official organizations hire the more skilled senior brothers and sisters from our hall to carry out missions... High risk, high reward, I guess,” Wan Ze explained, looking at the news in the paper.

Father Wan immediately grew worried. ”Xiaozhe, does that mean you...”

Wan Ze looked up and smiled. ”The money I’m earning isn’t that complicated. Besides, even if I wanted to participate in something like that, the hall wouldn’t agree... With so many experts, why would they let a rookie like me join in? Wouldn’t I just be dragging them down? So, Dad, don’t you worry.”

”That’s true. Your old dad’s getting muddled.” The thought of moving to a new house made Father Wan excited again. ”I looked at quite a few properties today. Take a look and pick one...”

”You and Mom can decide. Just let me know if there’s not enough money,” Wan Ze said as he walked away, taking the newspaper with him.

Father Wan opened his mouth, then resignedly said, ”Alright then... If you’re free this weekend, how about we all go take a look in person?”

”I’m fine with that.”

Wan Ze returned to his room and took out his communicator to call Lei Ming, but the call didn’t connect.

He frowned slightly.

A few unsettling theories crossed his mind.

He looked down at the newspaper again.

[...On the 17th, an explosion was heard in the Western Suburbs of Saint City. At least three cars were involved in a collision, and the number of casualties is still under investigation... (Image)]

The picture happened to show the Dragon Eagle emblem.

’Maybe it was just an accident?’

Wan Ze pondered for a moment.

So far, there had been no word from the martial arts hall.

He pushed the thoughts aside, then took the notebook transcribed by Sun Fan from his bag. Flipping to the first page, he had to admit that Sun Fan’s handwriting was elegant. The entire text was neat and clear at a glance.

...

[”Theft of Heaven and Earth from the myriad things, theft of the myriad things from man, and theft of man from the myriad things. When these three thefts are in accord, the three powers are at peace.”]

[The Celestial Secret is the pivot upon which Heaven and Earth operate... To steal is not theft in the common sense, but to take in accordance with the flow, to use at the opportune moment, to unite with the celestial and human, not to seize recklessly against the Dao...]

[Its mechanism of theft is hidden and difficult to perceive...]

...

The desk lamp illuminated the paper as Wan Ze read with extreme care. These hundred-odd characters were enough to clearly explain the meaning of ”Stealing Celestial Secret.”

To put it in one sentence, it was borrowing cosmic energy!

Borrowing the Power of Heaven and Earth...

However, the text didn’t clearly explain *how* to steal the Celestial Secret... or rather, what actions would be judged as Stealing Celestial Secret.

He then looked at the last sentence... [”Its mechanism of theft, none in the world can see, none can know. A gentleman who obtains it strengthens his character; a petty man who obtains it takes his life lightly!”]

Under the night sky, Wan Ze was lost in thought.

...

「The next day.」

Wan Ze held the standing stance of the Taming the Tiger Vajra Skill. As his qi and blood converged within him, a faint rumble emanated from his body.

He knew a breakthrough was imminent.

As time passed.

CRACK!

A sharp snap echoed from his bones and tendons, and a torrent of airflow rushed back into him.

Inside the data frame, the word ”Basic” for ”Taming the Tiger Vajra Skill” successfully changed to ”Intermediate.”

...

[Illustrated Guide: Taming the Tiger Vajra Skill] (Intermediate Mastered)

[Effect: Physical Strength +0.02; Endurance +0.02; Power +0.02]

[Skill High Level Satisfying Conditions: Qi and Blood Convergence 500 times, and Blood Tempering Second Transformation]

...

’The stat increase is that strong?’

Wan Ze couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.

He quickly looked at his personal attributes.

...

[Physical Strength: 0.89]

[Intelligence: 0.84]

[Agility: 0.79]

[Endurance: 0.82]

[Power: 0.84]

[Coordination: 0.81]

...

’It’s really strong...’

As for the High Level requirements, he actually breathed a sigh of relief.

The Blood Tempering Second Transformation was just around the corner.

His gaze swept over the data frame again.

The ”Mystic Round Innate Qi Cultivation Technique,” which he had obtained from Tie Qingyang last night, had now successfully completed its Basic requirements.

...

[Illustrated Guide: Mystic Round Innate Qi Cultivation Technique] (Basic Mastered)

[Skill Intermediate Satisfying Conditions: Meditate for three hours] (Progress: 89%)

...

’I’m starting to look forward to seeing how much this Qi Nourishing Technique will benefit me.’

Wan Ze closed the notebook and put it in his bag.

Besides the ”Mystic Round Innate Qi Cultivation Technique,” his ”Mysterious Shadow Step” was also nearing the completion of its requirements.

Outside the door, his little sister was already up and running around barefoot, earning a scolding from their parents. Her little mouth chattered back at them nonstop.

Just as Wan Ze was about to leave, his communicator suddenly rang.

The caller ID read... Lei Ming.

”It’s me. Senior Brother, are you alright?”

”Things have gotten serious.” Lei Ming gave a bitter laugh. ”We underestimated how ruthless the Secret Palace is. Everything was going according to plan until last night... Last night, Lie Hu brought their Secret Palace’s Tiger Talisman. After combining the two pieces... you have no idea how incredible it was! It used the moonlight to project a mysterious address!”

Wan Ze raised his eyebrows slightly, guessing, ”The Imperial Mausoleum?”

”I think so too, but I can’t be sure... Then those bastards from the Secret Palace just turned on us! Professor Song was injured and is still in emergency care... Fuck, I only just realized that when Lie Hu called his boss that night, they were actually using a secret code. They completely fooled us! If Senior Brother Tan Xiao hadn’t risked his life to carve a path out for us, you wouldn’t be seeing your big brother me anymore.”

Wan Ze’s expression darkened. ”Did you manage to kill Lie Hu and all his men?”

”No... Senior Brother Tan Xiao and Lie Qi traded injuries for injuries, creating a chance for us to escape... The Secret Palace only lost a few grunts. In the end, that bastard Lie Hu got away with both Tiger Talismans completely unscathed!” The moment Lei Ming mentioned it, he was so angry he could die, wishing he could charge back in for revenge.

Wan Ze mused, ”What did Master have to say about it?”

”If Senior Brother Tan Xiao wasn’t so seriously injured, the old man probably would have beaten us all to a pulp. We still got an earful, though... We really made a fool of ourselves this time... Ugh, it’s all my fault.” Lei Ming laughed bitterly.

Wan Ze offered some words of comfort, and the two only ended the call when his sister’s urging voice came from outside the door.

After breakfast, Wan Ze took his sister to school. But after dropping her off, he turned and headed straight for the martial arts hall.

It was still early, so there weren’t many people at the hall. It also seemed that no one knew about the secret battle with the Secret Palace.

”Junior Brother Wan, the Hall Master wants to see you. He’s waiting for you on the second floor.”

”Alright, I’ll go right now.”

Upon hearing this, Wan Ze headed straight for the back courtyard.