Chapter 129: Last Day

After the debacle with her brother, Song Song and I settled back into our routine. Days passed without any visitors since Song San left.

Many things weighed on Song Song''s mind, both from her past and her thoughts. But she didn''t seem to want to talk about it. If she ever needed someone to confide in, I was here for her as any good friend would be. And if she never spoke of it, I was okay with that also.

However, as she watched me train on the newly charred ground, she certainly had plenty to say then.

"You still haven''t replaced your lousy movement technique?" Song Song gasped in mock shock. "I saw you using the same technique last time, too. Please don''t tell me you went to the Song Clan Library— arguably the library with the most secret techniques on this side of the world—and didn''t pick up a better movement technique?"

"It''s not just about picking a new movement technique," I explained. "It''s also about how compatible it is with me."

Of course, we both knew I had gotten too excited and forgotten about it. I had let my emotions get the better of me, grabbed the Otherworldly Demons book, and couldn''t wait to read it.

Song Song smirked knowingly, as if this was all just a fun little game for her. "Give me a better excuse."

"Well, I didn''t want my hard work to go to waste, so I was looking for a technique similar to my previous one. While I might be able to learn a new technique at an acceptable level, if they aren''t similar, the insights and enlightenment I had won''t transfer over." I gave a long-winded explanation and stared at her like an honest man awaiting judgment.

"It was good until you started talking about ''enlightenment'' and other lame things like that," Song Song shrugged, delivering her merciless verdict. "What do you think enlightenment is? Common candy or something?"

Despite the playful nature of our jokes, there was often a hint of truth in them. Song Song stood up from the wooden porch and walked toward the charred grass. A green book with brown letters appeared in her hand, and she offered it to me.

"This is a technique I learned when I was younger. It''s no longer useful for me, but it should work well with your style," Song Song said.

I took the book from her and read the title, "Galloping Horse Power..."

The name rolled nicely off the tongue, but it was unusual for techniques like this. "The name is simple and self-descriptive."Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

"You say that like it''s a bad thing?" She raised an eyebrow.

"A bit boring, if nothing else. I always expect techniques to be complicated nowadays," I smiled.

"Mhm," she rolled her eyes and returned to the porch. Before she began cultivating, she said, "You would learn it faster if you bathed in horse blood while practicing the technique."

I stopped in my tracks just as I opened the book and looked at Song Song, narrowing my gaze, trying to see if she was joking. "Actually?"

"Yes, actually," she nodded.

I shrugged and said, "Nah, I won''t do that."

But just as I was about to return to my job, I asked her again, "This isn''t actually a demonic technique, right?"

"If you don''t use human blood, it isn''t," Song Song smirked.

Was she teasing me? She looked like it. But there was a good chance this was also true. This would mean that the Galloping Horse Power might be a variant of a demonic technique.

As I read the book, I realized it was a technique very similar to Rushing Bull Steps. But instead of stomping through the ground, it was more like trotting, and I could easily change directions. Not only was it a usable movement technique, but it also strengthened the user''s lower body, meaning even my kicks would become deadlier. As expected of an Earth Grade technique, it was better in every way.

"Anyway, now that I taught you one of my most valuable techniques, you should teach me your most valuable one too," Song Song smiled.

"You said it was something you didn''t really use," I returned her smile. At this point, we were just messing around and having fun.

I shrugged. "You really need to get used to this technique; it''s slow."

After saying that, I used the jade strings to pull me to the side again. Song Song then swung her sword, shooting a red flying slash and adjusting her attack. This time, it was fast enough that I couldn''t dodge!

Instead of going through that effort, I dismissed my daggers and formed a translucent longsword. Grabbing the handle with both hands, I parried the attack. Song Song''s gaze followed me like a hawk, indifferent to where her slash would land next as it cut through the ground like a razor.

"Ready for a new technique?" She asked with a teasing glint in her eyes, knowing just the right words to make me go along with her brand of craziness.

"Of course," I answered.

As soon as those words came out of my mouth, a chilling effect spread through my body. I felt lightheaded and like I was going to pass out as a heaviness settled on my chest.

I barely noticed that she had released her killing intent technique or that I had instinctively stopped using Dancing Jade Armor. It escaped my notice as she calmly walked toward me until she was too close for it to have been feasible in a real fight.

"Use Qi to circulate the blood in your heart and calm down. You will have to manually pump the blood," Song Song advised as I hunched over, and she patted my back.

I followed her instructions with a precision I rarely achieved in situations where my life wasn''t threatened. I pushed the effect of her technique away, and my heartbeat and senses returned to normal.

After that ordeal, I was left with sweat on my forehead and breathing heavily as if preparing to get my money''s worth at a buffet.

But there was a more worrying thought at the forefront of my mind. Whatever Song Song used, it was like she was forcing my blood to stop moving.

When did she fulfill the conditions to activate such a technique on me? I had no idea. But one thing was for sure: Song Song''s killing intent technique was meant for mass massacres. She could kill many Qi Gathering Cultivators at once.

How many would be able to figure out how to pump blood through Qi if she didn''t tell them?

We didn''t have time to discuss it as we sensed someone approaching. Whatever tiredness I was feeling, I brushed it off, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and straightened my posture while sharpening my gaze.

No matter what, Song Song and I had to put up a strong front. We had only each other in the Inner Sect. Everyone else was a potential enemy.

"Can you tell who it is?" I asked her.

"No, but they''re using a technique to hide their cultivation that I''m familiar with. Probably some Core Elder," Song Song glanced at me. "How confident are you in escaping if things turn hostile?"

"You know the answer to that. Also, why would you ask something like that?"

"Well, worst-case scenario, this will be our executioner as they''ve finally had enough of us. Clearly, you couldn''t buy any time for me to escape. But I should be able to hold them back enough for you to escape. Just make sure to take revenge for me if something happens," Song Song said nonchalantly before adding, "Of course, this is assuming the worst case possible."

I didn''t need to answer as a white-masked man wearing a black cloak appeared. His breathing was almost inaudible despite my keen hearing.

"Liu Feng, your information was right. Under orders from the Sect Leader, from now on, Song Song is free from her imprisonment," the masked man informed us.

Despite the tiredness, I felt from sparring with Song Song, a wave of relief washed over me, and I felt rejuvenated.

I turned toward Song Song, thinking about celebrating together. But while she had a smile, it wasn''t the kind of smile someone would have when freed from confinement.

Her gaze was filled with clear murderous intent, and the aura around her promised that a massacre was about to take place. It was as if all the relative normalcy that had grown around us had exploded, turning into endless killing intent.