Chapter 027

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‘ ‘ for thoughts.

“ “ for speech.

<> for non-verbal communication like telepathy

Please point out any mistakes/inconsistencies you find and feel free to comment on anything regarding this FF.

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Warning: May contain mature content (18+) of an adult nature. Read at your own risk.

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Note:

Although the full name mentioned here are Chinese style, (example: Fang Hao, surname Fang first then given name Hao), the names clubbed with descriptions are description and then given name instead of description and surname (example Fatty Hao and not Fatty Fang).

Btw, I read all your comments, but may not reply to each and every one separately.

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A/N: Surprise Chapter! Or Not. I am trying to maintain at least 2 chapters/week schedule…Even though it is difficult with overtime and that I don't own a PC/Laptop yet. So this is no hard and fast commitment. Please consider rating/reviewing/thanking this fiction if you enjoy reading this stuff. Seriously a simple “Thanks” comment goes a long way in motivating me. If not, feel free to bitch about it in the comments.

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Fang Hao diligently donned his armor. First he wore the layer of padded leather, then the chainmail, and lastly; the full helm, half-breastplate demi-gauntlets and full plate greaves. He tried moving a bit and felt somewhat encumbered. He tried various movements like jumping, running rolling on the ground and cartwheeling to get a feel for the added weight. ‘Hmm good I didn’t go for full-plate armor …it would be difficult, if not impossible, to cartwheel in that steel suit. I reckon this whole set of armor weighs a little more than me…so it should be around 70 to 90 kg.’ He clenched and unclenched his fingers testing his dexterity, nodding satisfied.

‘Even though I am getting tired faster in this armor, I guess my stamina and speed can compare with those at my cultivation. Hah, wearing this I can probably barrel into battle and slap the shit out of my opponent in nonlethal arena. Or break some bones. Let me see how well I can perform the moves of the Divine Vajra Body Scripture in this armor. This armor can be both my defense, and my training gear!!’

He calmed himself from his daydreams of slapping and breaking his opponent’s bones and recited the chants for the 7th move of the Divine Vajra Body Scripture in his mind. He slowed his breathing as he harmonized the Qi Circulation within him with the chants. Once he was ready, he started moving according to the instructions in the scripture. Unknown to him a coal black man with shoulder length white hair was invisible, floating in midair just outside his courtyard. He was invisible to Fang Hao, and had an interested look on his face.

‘Hmm. Brother Zhu’s Disciple sure seems interesting. Now that Brother Zhu is communing with the Devils, I have to look after this little fatty. His Armored Dancing seems to be a bit strange…I can almost sense some sort of indescribable Dao from his movements…an unfelt grace. Is it some body-refining scripture? Or is he just trying to lose weight moving in armor?’ As the coal black man observed Fang Hao, he seemed more and more interested in Fang Hao’s dance like movements. Meanwhile, Fang Hao was completely unaware of being watched but he did feel a slight itching at the back of his neck. He observed a bit…but attributed it to the sweat and stuffiness in the armor. He soon exhausted his Qi. He moved quite a bit slower that when he practiced without armor…and depleted his Qi faster.

‘So exerting more physical stress while practicing this scripture should lead to some advantages I suppose… as the main point of this scripture is to move as fluidly as possible while under the restrictive pressure generated. My Qi cultivation is progressing rapidly, almost comparable to the topmost silver ranked talent but my Body Refining Scripture is still lagging behind by a level despite my increased Qi capacity and tireless practice. I usually use the spirit wine I obtain from Master Zhu to practice the Sublime Qi Manual for Bonus Spirit and stats. Since I have a jug of wine with me…I wonder what will happen if I drink the wine and practice the Divine Vajra Body Scripture?’ After Exhausting his Qi practicing the Divine Vajra Body Scripture, Fang Hao retreated to his cottage and bought the wine flask made of vines to his courtyard.

He took a small sip of the metallic liquor inside and immediately felt a rush of Qi rising from his dantian. He harmonized his mental chant and Qi circulation before performing the 7th move of the Divine Vajra Body Scripture. To his surprise, he moved significantly quicker, despite the additional weight of this armor and the restrictive pressure he encountered while practicing the scripture. Meanwhile the invisible figure observing him was deep in thought. ‘That spirit liquor he has should be of decent value to Qi Condensation Disciples. Even, Foundation Establishment Disciples should have benefits from drinking it before practicing… and Brother Zhu gave a late Qi Gathering Disciple this spirit liquor? Looking at this fatty, it looks like he is practicing a scripture of some sort…otherwise he wouldn’t be able to assimilate that much Qi from the spirit liquor in less than an hour. Looks like he has very good karma to get such a fortuitous encounter in the mortal world. No wonder, Brother Zhu surely values him a lot… even if this grade of spirit liquor is worth nothing much in his eyes.’ Smiling once, his invisible figure faded from the scene.

Meanwhile, Fang Hao was practicing his body refining scripture with the aid of the spirit liquor from his master. He was in a trance-like state as he progressed with leaps and bounds with the Divine Vajra Body Scripture and soon it was dawn. Despite practicing for the entire night, he didn’t feel fatigued in the least. Best of all He had barely finished an eight of the spirit liquor. ‘This is the good stuff! This jug will last me a little over a week. But my generous and benevolent master will refill my supply of spirit liquor next week!’

Soon it was the date of his scheduled duel with Zhen Ji. He was quite accustomed to the armor he was wearing and proudly went to await his transportation with all of his gear donned. He was getting strange looks from his fellow outer disciples. Steel armor was clearly visible on the parts not covered by his outer disciple robe…but he paid it no mind. Zhen Ji had also arrived and had noticed the fatty equipped in sizeable armor. He was barely able to keep his emotions in check as he was fuming mentally. ‘This damn fatty is too shameless! He is actually equipped almost as good as a mortal palace guard!’ He strode towards the glittering steel meatball as he roared in anger, “You shameless fatty, you actually wore so much armor for our duel?! Don’t you have any face?”

Fang Hao sneered as he said, “Brother Ji, I am an upright and honest cultivator! Unlike you, who hid his chainmail under our sect robe in our last fight…I wear it openly! Even if I bribe my enlightened opponent s during group fights…I pay them in front of everyone! I have a lot more face than you. It is you who has no face, you sneaky coward! Are you not armored with chainmail under your robes, fellow apprentice-brother?” Hearing the fatty’s counter…Zhen Ji was silenced and had an ugly expression on his face as he silently retreated.

While the other outer disciples were waiting for their transport to arrive, there were murmured discussions going on in the back ground. “This is the new celebrity in the non-lethal brawling arena...Lord Lard. Why is he wearing armor though?” “I heard Zhen Ji, whose elder brother is a core disciple, challenged him to a duel!” “Oh he surely lives up to his name. Lord Lard looks fatter in his armor. I wish to fight against him in a group fight or a free-for-all” “Why? Do you want to be beaten up?” “No…I will turn on my teammates and help that fatty! That way…I am assured some fasting pills even if I lose…” “…”

Hearing this chatter, Fang Hao was pleased. He is rate of earning fasting pills was quite solid with his weekly arena fights. Even if he had to bribe some of his opponents with a third of his winnings in a group match/free for all…it still gave him more xp on an average!