IDWBE -Chapter 304 Regret

The Han Nian in Luo Han’s memory had been small and skinny. Who would have imagined that he would now grow into such a tall figure with fair, refined features? If the memory hadn’t been so vivid, Luo Han wouldn’t have dared recognize him.

“The cycles of the six realms bind deep karmic ties;
One day enlightenment comes, and one seeks refuge.”

The monk said calmly, “This too is my fortune. Benefactor, you need not feel regret for me.”

“Who’s regretting it for you?” Luo Han said bluntly. “I’m regretting it for the old Han family. You’re the only remaining sprout of their line. Seeing you like this truly pains me.”

From his tone, one might think he had been a lifelong friend of the Han family, deeply concerned about their descendants.

Duo Mazi, who had never had much interaction with Luo Han, couldn’t help snapping, “What the hell are you rambling on about? What he chooses to do has anything to do with you? Like a dog catching mice—meddling in others’ business.”

Though hot-tempered, Duo Mazi wasn’t reckless—he sized people up before lashing out.

Even if Luo Han had come from Prince He’s residence, Duo Mazi was certain he wasn’t particularly capable. If he had any real ability, the Prince wouldn’t have assigned him to be a mere night watchman.

What status did a night watchman have in the yamen? None at all. Just hired help—lowly folk.

More importantly, Duo Mazi had noticed Tao Yingyi’s attitude toward Luo Han—utterly indifferent.

In short, an insignificant nobody.

And yet here he was, puffing himself up like a donkey in a mill. Duo Mazi couldn’t stand it and had to knock him down a peg.

“What’s it to you? If you’re not convinced, let’s settle it!” Luo Han barked, drawing the blade from his waist.

He had once been the head of the Dongfeng Escort Agency. Skilled fighters had served under him. In the martial world, both righteous and shadowy factions gave him some respect.

He wasn’t someone any random nobody could push around!

If he didn’t teach Duo Mazi a lesson today, how could he hold his head up in the future?

“As if I’d be afraid of you!” Duo Mazi’s blade slid halfway out of its sheath.

“Gentlemen, why harm your harmony over this humble monk? There’s no need, no need.”

The monk stepped forward, placing one hand lightly on each of their blade hilts.

Luo Han instinctively resisted. He exerted force—but the hilt didn’t budge.

He had thought he’d underestimated the monk. After all, he himself was Sixth-rank. A mere Third-rank trying to match strength with him was like a mantis blocking a chariot.

With disdain, he quietly increased his force.

The harder he pushed, the deeper his frown grew.

He was already using half his strength.

The monk’s pale hand pressing on the blade remained completely still.

Unwilling to accept it, Luo Han gritted his teeth and used all his strength.

His face flushed red.

The monk’s expression didn’t change at all.

Suddenly, Luo Han felt as though he were pushing against a mountain. No matter how much strength he used, it wouldn’t move.

In that brief instant, a sense of powerlessness arose within him.

Was it an illusion?

He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

In front of so many people, losing face like this was unacceptable. Just as he was about to use internal force, he heard Duo Mazi chuckle.

“Lose and you lose—nothing shameful about it. Just don’t be stubborn. The Chief Steward said that when the monk’s Shiwuwei Seal is cultivated to the extreme, it may not have many other uses, but in sheer strength alone, he rivals a grandmaster.”

When the monk’s hand had pressed his blade, Duo Mazi hadn’t even thought to resist—he’d simply sheathed it.

After all, using internal force against one’s own people was no different from internal strife. Even winning wouldn’t mean much.

Truthfully, he pitied the monk.

With such talent, why abandon the excellent Huiyuan Technique and instead train Golden Bell Shield, Iron Cloth Shirt, and Shiwuwei Seal—these purely external, hard-style arts?

Now he was stuck at Third-rank, neither advancing nor retreating.

Outsiders watching grew anxious for him.

Why be so stubborn?

If he had focused on Huiyuan Technique, even if he couldn’t catch up to Blind Master, he wouldn’t lag far behind!

“I—”

Luo Han was stunned.

He had truly used every ounce of strength!

How could a Third-rank render a Sixth-rank helpless?

This wasn’t normal.

Yet everyone around acted as if it were perfectly normal.

Was his Sixth-rank status fake?

“Enough. Stop embarrassing yourself,” Tao Yingyi said, knocking Luo Han’s blade back into its sheath with a clang. “Even I, at Seventh-rank, can’t beat him in raw strength.”

“Damn… how do you train that?” Luo Han felt much better upon hearing that even Seventh-rank Tao couldn’t overpower the monk. Curious now, he asked, “How did you build such strength? Han Nian, I saved your life—you’ve got to teach me.”

“The method’s simple. In Baiyun City, everyone knows it,” Duo Mazi said mockingly. “No internal force. Carry iron buckets weighing several hundred jin up and down the mountain, from morning till night. Do that for three to five years, and if you achieve half his level, you’re lucky.”

Many had tried.

Anyone at the Transforming Force stage could manage it.

But without internal force?

No one could.

Because no one had that kind of willpower—year after year, day after day.

“Carrying water? In iron buckets?”

Luo Han didn’t believe Duo Mazi and looked to the monk, who nodded.

“In that case, only a fool would practice such a stupid method,” Luo Han declared.

Everyone burst into laughter, clearly agreeing.

It was indeed a foolish method.

Aside from brute strength, what use was it?

Tao Yingyi mounted his horse again. With a whistle, the patrol resumed.

The monk watched the group recede into the distance. Just as he turned to leave, a white figure appeared beside him.

Without looking, he knew who it was.

“Miss Xie, you should leave. If they see you, it will only cause trouble.”

“Monk,” Xie Xiaoqing said, hands clasped behind her back, pouting. “So I’m not the only one who says you practice a foolish method.”

“I know,” the monk replied calmly.

“Monk,” she said with a grin, “though I can’t teach you Chunshan City’s martial arts, I can help you find some advanced manuals. Stop practicing such a foolish method.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Miss, but there’s no need.”

“Why not? You’re only Third-rank! I’m Ninth-rank!” Xie Xiaoqing huffed. “With your current ability, my master definitely won’t look twice at you. Then I won’t be able to bring you to see him.”

The monk blinked in confusion. “Why would I need to see your master? I’m not from Chunshan City.”

Xie Xiaoqing was left speechless.

After a long pause, she sighed. “You’re not now—but that doesn’t mean you won’t be in the future.”

The monk shook his head. “This humble monk is from Baiyun City. I will not change my allegiance and go to Chunshan City.”