Chapter Thirteen: The Tyrannical Soul Technique (Part Two)

When Moon Worshipper heard this, she was overjoyed yet found it hard to believe. “Is there really a way, even after my power has been completely dispersed?” Stepping Immortal quickly explained the situation, and was about to teach her the Soul Technique when Moon Worshipper suddenly pressed her palm against his chest and asked him seriously, “Did you truly not know this would happen?”

Stepping Immortal was momentarily stunned, realizing she suspected him of having set this up deliberately. Yet there was simply no way to explain—it all depended on whether she chose to trust him or not. How could he possibly prove it? Even if he told her everything about his past, if she harbored doubt, it would remain hard to dispel.

“I did not know.”

Moon Worshipper was silent for a while, then withdrew her hand.

“Tell me, then, how to control this energy.” She thought to herself, whether it was true or not, there was nothing she could do about it now. Stepping Immortal sensed her reluctance to fully trust him; after all, who in the world practices martial arts without understanding the power they wield themselves?

He patiently explained the method of the Soul Technique, guiding Moon Worshipper through each level of cultivation.

Through his divine vision, he saw that as she practiced each layer, the energy within her meridians was gradually assimilated and brought under control. In less than half an hour, Moon Worshipper had fully mastered all the energy. Upon reaching the ninth level, she practiced a while longer, then opened her eyes and shook her head. “I cannot continue today.” She tested the strength in her arms and remarked, “So this is your internal energy? Purely external in nature—it does make one feel immensely powerful.”

Stepping Immortal still blamed himself. Moon Worshipper was innately gifted with inner force, but this Soul Technique did not suit her. Though she had successfully absorbed all the energy and attained the eighth level of Soul Technique, she was actually weaker than before, for her natural talent could not be fully utilized.

“In days to come... I will find a way to remedy this. I will not let your and your sister’s gifts go to waste!”

“That’s enough... Baixing, go check on her quickly.”

Stepping Immortal had already considered this, waiting only to be sure of Moon Worshipper’s condition before going. Without another word, he rose and left.

Left alone in the room, Moon Worshipper pondered quietly for a long time before letting out a long sigh. She wished to believe him, but could not fully trust him. How could anyone not understand the true nature of their own internal energy?

Not long after Stepping Immortal left, the door was knocked upon, and Ghost’s Bane called out, “Master, Master, open the door quickly! Something strange is happening with Bilian...”

Moon Worshipper immediately understood that Bilian too had fallen victim to this bizarre inner power. She straightened her dress, rose, and opened the door. Without waiting for Ghost’s Bane’s surprised exclamations, she said, “I’ll go take a look.”

As she expected, Bilian was weeping bitterly, lamenting how hard she had worked for her inner strength, only for it all to be destroyed in an instant.

Moon Worshipper asked Ghost’s Bane, “This is due to your inner skill—did Left Bank never mention it when teaching you?”

Ghost’s Bane was shocked and shook his head in disbelief. “How could that be! It’s impossible my inner skill would hurt anyone. If it did, Left Bank would never have taught me, and if he had, he would certainly have warned me. I’d never have learned it, not even if it meant never practicing martial arts, let alone harming Bilian... I’d rather know nothing!”

This made Moon Worshipper trust Stepping Immortal’s words a little more, knowing Ghost’s Bane was incapable of such scheming and would never willingly harm Bilian.

“Damn it, I’ll go ask him myself! Where is he?” Ghost’s Bane’s face showed anger, determined to confront Stepping Immortal if his inner skill truly harmed others.

“There’s no need to panic. Bilian’s martial arts are not lost—they’ve simply been transformed by your inner skill. As long as she cultivates your skill, she will recover her powers in no time.”

Relieved, Ghost’s Bane hurried to teach Bilian. She too was overjoyed, thanking Moon Worshipper repeatedly.

“That scoundrel! Why didn’t he say so earlier? He nearly scared Bilian to death just now...”

Moon Worshipper didn’t wish for discord between brothers and quickly said, “He didn’t know either.”

Ghost’s Bane was still skeptical and wanted to curse further, but careful Bilian pulled him back and persuaded him to stop. Ghost’s Bane didn’t understand, but, not wanting to disrupt Bilian’s cultivation, held his tongue. Seeing this, Moon Worshipper let them focus on their practice and quietly left. After she was gone, Bilian scolded Ghost’s Bane, “You fool! Master Moon Worshipper spoke that way because she herself was harmed by this strange inner skill—can’t you see?”

Ghost’s Bane was stunned, then finally understood, hardly able to believe this inner skill could be so insidious as to harm even someone as formidable as Moon Worshipper.

Baixing’s situation was exactly the same as Moon Worshipper’s.

Though saddened, Baixing was comforted to learn her powers could be restored, even if it meant practicing Stepping Immortal’s inner skill. She didn’t mind and felt no resentment. She merely expressed regret at being unable to practice the Twilight Sect’s inner skill anymore. “It’s not that I can’t bear to part with the Twilight Technique, but practicing it always reminded me of the Sect Patriarch...”

Stepping Immortal’s guilt grew heavier; he had harmed both his wives in a single night and could only think of how to make amends. He recalled legends of peerless martial skills that could cleanse one’s meridians and even restore innate talent, but had no idea where to seek such things.

He thought of Lady Li, who was known for her passion for seeking out historical relics—perhaps she would have knowledge of such matters. He resolved to find news of Lady Li in the future and search for those celestial treasures and ancient martial arts to restore his wives’ gifts.

By the time all this was settled, dawn had broken. Moon Worshipper came to check on Baixing, and, assured of her well-being, finally relaxed. Baixing, remembering the events of the previous night, suddenly felt shy and embarrassed, fearing her sister would tease her. She excused herself, saying she needed to instruct the inn to prepare breakfast, and hurried away. Moon Worshipper guessed her thoughts but said nothing.

Stepping Immortal, still burdened with guilt, found it hard to face Moon Worshipper, while she still harbored unanswered questions. With Baixing gone, the two of them sat in the guest room, at a loss for words.

Moon Worshipper realized this was not right. What had happened was already done; to let it become a barrier between them would be pointless and regrettable. After some thought, she spoke: “There is much about you that we do not know. Though I wish to ask, I suppose you have your reasons for not telling us. In time, when you feel you can, you will. If I doubted you before, it was only natural. But if you feel wronged or think I have no true affection for you, I would feel wronged indeed.”

“Not at all,” Stepping Immortal said, embracing her. “I just don’t know where to begin, and it seems pointless to explain. When things settle down at the Black Wolf Army’s camp, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Though we haven’t performed the wedding rites, my sister and I are already your wives—three as one, sharing one life. What knot could not be untied between husband and wife? Marital bonds are unlike any other. There will always be moments of annoyance—if you let those weigh on your heart, you’ll only come to dislike us.”

At that moment, Baixing knocked on the door. “Come down for breakfast!”

They exchanged a smile, joined hands, and went out. Seeing Baixing still blushing shyly, Stepping Immortal took her hand as well. She was no longer afraid of being seen by other members of her sect; clearly, she already considered herself his wife. Though shy, she no longer cared what others might say.

The members of the Twilight Sect were already gathered in the main hall, and when they saw the three arrive, they all rose and saluted.

“Master, Deputy Master, Young Hero Left Bank.”

“Be seated,” Moon Worshipper said as usual, raising her hand, and everyone sat down.

They all sensed something had changed between the three but could not guess what.

After breakfast, the Twilight Sect members went out to purchase supplies. Of the three hundred taels of gold they had brought, fifty were spent, yet they still hadn’t managed to buy tents. There were none available nearby, so they would have to try again elsewhere.

The rented carriages had been waiting outside the inn for some time. As everyone was getting in, a group of unfamiliar martial artists approached from afar, clasped their fists in greeting, and called out, “Young Hero Left Bank, Master Moon Worshipper, please wait!”