Chp 16: Need for Sticks

After Mo Hong vowed his full loyalty to his new Queen, Yun Zhi had him look for a special type of tree. In a moment, he called a friend who worked in a furniture business. His friend was a bit mature, and already finished high school two years ago. He was his senior, a former thug. When he got into the job market, he settled in. He was no longer as hot-headed as he was during high school.

When they met, Mo Hong conveyed his lady’s wish, asking for advice. When the guy asked if she was searching for special wood for furniture, she denied it.

“Not wood, part of a tree. I want to make some good sticks.”

“Y-yes? So you’re searching for a certain wood… I mean, tree? Stick?”

“Yeah. Is there any tree with a lot of life force? I just need a part the size… like my arm,”

“Err…”

He turned to look at his bald junior.

A lot of life-force? What the heck was that? Seeing him all confused, Yun Zhi knew the fault lay in her. She explained;

“Any tree which can live long, and strong, tough, durable... It can withstand the weather… heat, cold, and flood for many days, no problem. Also can resist splitting, cracking, termites, fungus, weathering… Oh, also rotting and warping. Finally, if it is made into furniture, it can last for at least… a hundred years, even more?”

“Huh?”

So specific!

What the heck? Are you reading it out of a book?

How does your mind work?

Listening to her explanation, only one tree came into mind.

It was quite a popular material and considered a bit high-end.

“You mean teak tree? Its quality is famed for what you said just now,”

“Teak tree? Can you show me?”

“Ah yes… We have several high-quality pieces of furniture made from it. I’ll show you,”

He showed the two the best furniture made using the said tree. It was expensive, and the artwork was awesome. The beauty of it was a feast to the eye. However, it was the material that matters most to her. He explained;

“In Southeast, the tree itself was called Jati tree. It had a relation to the word ‘pure’? Well, just maybe. I suspect the old wisdom knew things we do not,”

“Sometimes, that’s the case.”

Responding, she nodded. Perhaps the old wise men in ancient times did know. Touching the furniture, she could sense the Qi flowing into it without much resistance. It was a lot better than the stick she used before. However, she also felt like… much of its original quality had been lost.

In the process of cutting and modeling it into furniture, much of its life force had been taken away. She figured it might even be as much as ninety percent or more. The very quality of the tree itself was broken. Turning such a wonderful tree into furniture, was such a pity. Humans could only use the tree in such a primitive way.

It was akin to turning a juicy girl into a steak…

Wait, something was wrong here… never mind.

If its branch, fresh from its best tree, landed on her hand…

How powerful her Qi strike would be? She suspected it could even go as much as thirty, even fifty times better than that random stick she picked up in the forest. At such a rate, wouldn’t she pretty much open common people’s Qi veins even faster than the best elixir in this world, remodel their dantian, and create pathways for future experts?

For a backward world like this, with thin Qi and skewed talents, this would be a great change. It could even bring about either a destructive revolution, or…

She said;

“…I’m interested in the material itself, fresh. Is it possible to order a fresh branch, from the best tree? It must be the very best.”

“Well… Unfortunately, not here. But I can ask around, but I dare not guarantee… I know! You could also try searching online. If not, you could also ask around several groups of tree enthusiasts. You could make a request there, or online. These days many could fulfill your request… for a fee.”

“Tree enthusiasts? Who are they?”

“Oh, they’re old-timers who love trees. Some of them do come here just to admire the materials, some just weep… said we’re killing trees. Since they didn’t cause any harm, we just treat them how we would the elderly. I know some of them, the better ones. I’ll ask them for info,”

“Alright, thanks. If you have any useful info, please tell brother Mo. We’ll compensate,”

“No, no… It’s my pleasure to help out a friend. Just that, if you need any furniture in the future, you can come to me. I’ll give you the best price!”

“Heh, alright. Thanks,”

As she had no intention of buying any furniture, for now, both of them thanked him and went on their way… Back on their bike, she instructed him to mobilize all his goons… eh, buddies, to scour the internet for the best teak branches. As the second leader in his school, he had around thirty or so subordinates.

They were all familiar with online shopping or forum. It would be great if they could secure the very best, so she reminded him not to hold back, and promise them a reward if they did a good job. Realizing the importance of this mission, Mo Hong promised to get more funds from his mom, even if he had to beg for it!

Yun Zhi was amused. This new goon of hers knew how to please his master.

Not bad.

For a thug.

“When we got those sticks, I’ll try them on you first,”

“M-my Queen… I shall do my best!”

“Em, that’s the spirit!”

Her work turned out to be easy sailing for now.

Her expenses so far, all came from him. She realized she couldn’t rely on Mo Hong for money in the long term. For now, this would do. However, she ought to secure a way to get more funds later. Thinking of what advantage she had over this world, some ideas emerged in her mind.

It had been a few days.

Within this period, she pretty much had a tranquil life. The new blankets and pillows smuggled by Mo Hong’s buddy were so comfy! Thanks to that, she improved her sleep quality. Being woken up by the aunties was also a pleasant thing. Since she was becoming closer and closer to her old self, it was easier to wake up early.

During breakfast, she had good meals with the homeless.

With boiled eggs and veggies, it was no longer torture to finish a bowl. Instead, it was pleasant, enjoying such meals with good-natured people. For other meals, with the money from Mo Hong, the stalls outside the park gave good arrays of choices.

In addition, with the new clothes she bought, she could change her attire each day. Only by now did she realize the joy of changing into new, clean clothes often. She would also use the paid shower outside the park. With a tiny fee, one could refresh the mind and body with fresh, clean water…

Just taking a shower, already filled me with joy…

I guess I did take things for granted before…

Reflecting on these simple pleasures of life, she wondered why humans even bother with conflicts, greed, envy, and jealousy…

Life is temporary.

Happiness is fleeting.

Why bother being busy?

Chill out and go… sleeping?

Eh, not quite…

Again, she was composing a terrible poem.

After the shower, she lazed around. Lying on a cliff by the lake, she relaxed, merely observing the park visitors. From her high position, she could see people running through the park’s track. Some of them did have traces of Qi. The amount of Qi-able people was even higher than she thought.

From what the internet suggested, only 1% of the population could use Qi. However, it might be more than that. Well, this world was designated as Murim world, after all. The population seemed a lot stronger than her previous, normal earth. The park suggested around five percent, though that seemed a bit too high.

“Maybe Qi-able people just enjoy being active?”

Perhaps that was the case, as the park was quite a nice location to relax or do physical activity. It had great scenery, a clean environment, a cool lake, and useful utilities. People naturally were attracted, especially active people. It was well-maintained and had some measure of security too. Well, how the homeless could bypass this security was still a mystery to her. The park opened at 6.00 am and closed at 10.00 pm. However, she had seen them going in and out outside this schedule… Hm, Old Li must have a hand on it.

This place could also be used to make a few connections, without forcing it, of course.

The few old grandpas who were practicing Tai Chi or whatnot by the lake, were also martial arts experts. Her eyes were able to pierce through to see it, all too clearly. An old man in a white Tai Chi robe, around seventy or so, was even at fourth Qi layer. Ah, was this the same old man from before? He sure was diligent.

In this world, he should be considered a named expert. There were several others too, slightly weaker. However, she did not wish to mingle with these old experts, not yet.

These days, she was just enjoying the tranquillity of life…

However, it was not like she had gone back to being a neet either.

It would be too shameful if big sis Xue knew. She had no regard for that jerk uncle immortal, but big sis…

I shouldn’t go back to my cursed self.

Let’s at least plan things…

Planning her next move, she already got a fine idea of the hierarchy of the bike gang. With leader Fang as their number one, there were also five others. One of which was leader Fang’s woman. Through them, he had all the schools within the region heeded his will. All of them were good fighters, so she suspected them to be third-rate warriors, those who at least, could sense Qi.

Those who could sense Qi already activated their Qi sense.

Having Qi sense did not mean having Qi layers or could use Qi. It merely meant that, compared to a common human, they could absorb a minuscule amount of Qi into their body. Such practice, plus their Qi sense, made their reaction time and five senses much more acute compared to others. During fights or intense conditions, this kind of advantage could not be said to be small.

And, when Qi had nurtured their body much further, it would evolve into a Qi-rich body. This kind of body allowed one to be faster, and stronger than third-rate warriors. They were thus called, second-rate. Able to fight multiple third-rate warriors, second-rate warriors, though their name was not intimidating, were admired by these high-schoolers.

They could perform feats only seen in movies back in Yun Zhi’s previous normal world. Jumping from car to car, or building to building, they were still human, but… A normal human would not dare to consider them their peers. Jumping from moving cars? Lorries?

Too fast, too furious!

“Well, I should also be, second-rate?”

Judging from her condition, Yun Zhi concluded she could be considered a second-rate warrior, for now. Without any Qi layer, she could not draw Qi directly from within her body. She could only draw the Qi from her surroundings and placed the Qi inside a stick, or in theory, any natural element. However, integrating Qi into elements such as water was too strenuous for one without a Qi layer. She had tried many times, only for the Qi to disperse after some minutes.

However, her condition could be said to be much better than expected. In fact, she could be said to be infinitely close to a first Qi layer. She called out the notification system and checked her mission.

[Mission 1: Submission]

OBJECTIVE:

Suppress at least 1000 thugs into submission

SUPPRESSED THUGS: 5/1000

REWARD: Qi Refinement Layer 1 + Others (Optional)

TIME LIMIT: 14 Days (10 Days 9 Hours Left)

Looking at her notification, she knew what the reward was, or what a first-rate meant.

“A first Qi layer. I could use Qi from inside again,”

Using Qi from inside meant that she would have storage of Qi. It was similar to having a little battery for use. Using Qi from the surroundings was not quite effective. It was similar to generating power using solar panels, but… without a battery. She could use it directly, but it was slow.

Without battery… no, Qi layer, how effective could she be?

Quite limited.

This meant that she could not do much destruction in this world, even if she wanted to. There were bound to be people who came to stop her rampage. Perhaps, this was what Immortal Yen, that jerk uncle, meant by maintaining balance. Her role was not to force them down their oppressive habits through force.

It was just to deliver a message…

‘The One in Heaven observed, do not oppress, do not be oppressed… Live well.’

“Spoiling these people…”

She could hardly believe it.

That jerk uncle immortal, still considerate of mortals? If he released her into this world with her 13th Qi layer right away, she was like a walking bunker-buster launcher, able to generate such power infinitely, given enough time. This world’s suppression was too lax, so her power here got magnified. Not to mention the police, even the army wouldn’t be able to stop her. After all, she could just hide among the crowd, and the army wouldn’t be able to nuke her.

Without being nuked, she was pretty much invincible!

That way, her work would be so simple.

Just get straight to the politicians, people of power, clans, and corporation bigshots… make them submit!

Grovel at my feet, mortals!

Obey your Queen!

“…Aiish,”

“That won’t do. We want them to make their own choice, without forcing them. Freedom of choice is a big deal for us. If you put the Sword of Damocles above their head, what choice could they make? You’re there just as a reminder,”

She remembered what Big sis Xue said.

They wanted to give them the freedom of choice. That way, they could see or prove which among mortals, was truly deserving. The devil leader had said that he would corrupt all humans, and he shall prove that humans truly did not deserve the high praise of the Lord.

That was his promise.

With a bet of showing that he was correct, that guy was given time and stages for it. For guardians like Immortal Yen and big sis Xue, they had no authority to stop the devils. They just had to ensure the whole thing was conducted fairly. Any law-bending by the devils, they would use that as leverage to interfere.

And as for them, the messenger had to be human too.

And had to be balanced with the world as well.

“So I had to do my work, with both hands tied… aii,”

And Yun Zhi was the one who had to bear it all.

Her Qi layers taken, her storage ring, and all treasures confiscated, all for the sake of ‘being fair’. What the frick! You stripped me of everything… Well, nearly.

She was glad at least, not to be yeeted down here all naked. But… right now, among the Murim people, she was considered at the bottom. If she offended a much higher Qi layer master, wouldn’t she be stepped to death?

Nope nope nope!

Courting Death, not my business!

I’m just a messenger…

A mailman!

Even if it’s police summon, or a court order…

Do you beat up the mailman delivering a mail you didn’t like?

Well, some crazies do that!

Damn those Karens!

She pitied her weak condition. Still, her body was a tempered body.

Being so close to achieving Foundation Establishment, plus with her secret Jade Qilin Transformation Method, she suspected her body alone could fight a 2nd Qi layer without any Qi. She thought back to her analogy of being able to slap an elephant and got away with it…

It turned out, she should be able to do even better. The law in this world was so lax. If there was any mammoth here in this world, she should try to slap it silly. She was confident she could either knock it out, or if not possible, run.

Then again…

Why invite trouble?

Even if she was any stronger than this, it was better not to provoke big powers in this world. Being hidden and unknown, was her greatest protection, her greatest insurance!

Should you show your wealth out for the world to see,

Without the ability to protect it from organized crime?

That would be utter foolishness!

Well, for her first mission, it would be fine for her to show just a bit. Thugs pretty much only know the language of violence and strength. Money would be fine too, but right now, she had no access to that. She already had some idea, but it required her to have at least first Qi layer for it to be effective. For now…

She had a call.

It was Mo Hong, with good news. It turned out, there were several sellers of teak tree branches. The highest quality was a tad bit expensive, but it was still within their budget. With videos and pictures provided by the sellers, she was able to see signs of Qi. Thus, she was able to decide.

Among twelve available, she ordered the best five.

“Well, time to fulfill my promise to my first goon,”

Time to try some sticks.

With some cakes.

=== Chapter 16 Ends ===