C2 Machine Arts

In the early hours of the morning, the last of the patrons had trickled out of Guan's establishment, leaving the tavern quiet once more. A few stocky bartenders busied themselves with sweeping and dishwashing, their laughter echoing warmly, like that of a close-knit family.

Yet, beneath the tavern, life was still in full swing. The dim glow of the lights cast a cozy ambiance over a square table adorned with two pints of beer and several plates of grilled meat. Seated around the table were four individuals: two adults and two children, facing each other.

Donglin drew on his cigar, exhaled a perfect smoke ring, and smiled with satisfaction. "There's nothing like a good smoke and a drink to feel at ease," he remarked.

Across from him sat a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, his face marked with scars that spoke of a tumultuous past. He chuckled heartily, "If you ever wanted a drink, people from all over the world would line up to offer you one. And if it's a smoke you're after, you'd have a queue from the Silent Sea to the Death Domain ready to supply you."

This man was none other than Guan, the proprietor of Guan's Hotel. Despite being past fifty and showing signs of age, his presence still commanded the respect befitting a man of his standing in the martial world.

On the docks, where life was a mix of rough and smooth, everyone from all walks of life showed Guan due respect. In his heyday, he was a figure of renown.

No one underestimated Guan, not for his martial prowess, but for his extensive network of connections that spanned from the common folk to the most influential families. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that a single stomp from Guan could send tremors through half of Zither Island's harbor.

Yet, in the presence of Donglin Chenmu, Guan seemed to hold a certain reverence. There was no hint of constraint in their conversation, only mutual respect.

Jie Mu, though young, had grown up in this environment and had developed a keen sense for people. He observed quietly, trying to deduce the identity of the man before him. But his youthful experience was limited, and even with all of Zither Island at his disposal, he couldn't place Donglin.

With a hearty swig of his beer, Donglin chuckled, "It's not that I'm averse to smoking and drinking; it's just that I have a wise wife at home who insists I quit."

"To have you so well-disciplined, my sister-in-law must be quite skilled indeed."

Guan took a sip of wine and glanced at the young girl sprawled across the table, seemingly asleep. "Jie Mu, would you escort our guest to their room?"

As Jie Mu attempted to rise, he found himself immobilized. Surprised, he turned his gaze to the man across from him.

Donglin gestured dismissively, and the energy restraining Jie Mu vanished instantly. "There's no need. With her level of cultivation, she'll be fine without sleep for one night."

Jie Mu, having heard various tales of the martial world, had been doubtful about the existence of an Almighty. Today's encounter, however, made him a believer, at least to some extent.

Guan refrained from further comment, took another drink, and asked with a twinkle in his eye, "Did you visit your old friends on this trip?"

Donglin shook his head. "I traveled by water this time, coming via the Silent Sea, so I didn't stop by. But I'm sure those fellows are living well. What about you? Don't you ever think of leaving this rundown place?"

He indicated the peeling plaster on the nearby wall. "It's rather humble here."

Guan replied, "At my age, I'm not keen on moving. Plus, I've run this tavern for many years; I couldn't just shut it down. It'll do for now."

He then turned his attention to Jie Mu, patting him affectionately. "I do worry about the boy, though. He's not learning much from me. I've been considering finding him a master these past few days."

Donglin observed the bright-eyed youth and smiled. "Have you found someone yet?"

"Not yet," Guan admitted. "A good master isn't easy to come by. I'll have to wait a bit longer and see what luck brings us."

"After the prime age for laying the foundations, martial arts training becomes much harder," Donglin remarked.

Guan let out a wry laugh. "Isn't that the truth? If all else fails, I might just have to take him beyond the city limits and implore an old friend for help."

Donglin shook his head and said, "That individual is too wealthy and busy to take on the task of teaching you. It would be impossible for them to impart all their knowledge to you."

As he spoke, his expression grew stern, and he continued with gravity, "Mr. Guan, I'll be frank. The reason for my visit is to take Jie Mu under my wing. I intend to personally instruct him in martial arts."

Guan was taken aback by this revelation. "Are you serious?"

"Why would I joke about such a matter? Jie Mu's potential is quite promising," Donglin affirmed.

Guan hesitated, glancing at his foster son. He was well aware that the boy's abilities were merely above average, not quite matching up to his own at that age.

He was also cognizant of the fact that Donglin's previous disciples were all exceptional talents. Despite their reclusive lives away from the mundane world, any one of them could astonish the common folk with their prowess.

Noticing Mr. Guan's prolonged silence, Donglin prompted, "Mr. Guan?"

The address "Mr. Guan" jolted him, snapping him back to the present.

"Chenmu, I don't mean to belittle our child, but as brothers who have known each other for many years, I must speak the truth. My son's aptitude is merely average."

"Every father dreams of his son's success, but I also don't want him to fail and besmirch your reputation."

Donglin offered a reassuring smile. "You're always thoughtful, Old Brother. While Jie Mu's martial skill may be ordinary, his aptitude for Machine Arts is genuinely impressive."

"Machine Arts!"

At the mention of these words, the previously tipsy Mr. Guan instantly sobered up. "You're saying you want to teach him Machine Arts?"

Jie Mu, who had been attentively following the exchange, was startled by his father's reaction. Mr. Guan had more than once expressed a desire to send him to a master for martial arts training, so the idea of leaving was not unwelcome to him.

Yet the term "Machine Arts" was new to him. Judging by his father's reaction, though, it seemed to be something remarkable.

Donglin relaxed in his chair, sipping his beer and puffing on his cigar with an air of ease. "I've long recognized that the boy has a natural gift for Machine Arts."

"I've been quite busy over the past few years, but now that I've finally found some free time, I've entertained the idea of taking on a disciple again. That's why I came straight to you."

"I won't keep you in the dark about my intentions. I want to train Jie Mu to become a researcher who specializes in Machine Arts, to help Terrin's Machine Arts scale new heights."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Guan took a large swig of wine, his eyes reddening and his voice catching with emotion.

After a moment, he managed to say, "Good, my good brother, you've fulfilled one of my long-held desires. Wonderful!"

Donglin smiled once more, "Old brother, you're making it sound like we're strangers. After all these years of friendship, that's just not right. Come on, let's have another drink."

They clinked their glasses and drained them in one go.

...

The next morning, a passenger ship sailed away from Zither Island.

Onboard, a young boy leaned over the railing, gazing back at the receding Zither Island with eyes full of innocent reluctance.

Donglin joined him at the railing, seemingly out of nowhere.

"What's the matter, little guy? Having second thoughts?"

Jie Mu glanced at him and shook his head, "No regrets. Dad said I'm going to learn skills, and with those skills, I can make a name for myself in the martial world."

Donglin tried to keep a straight face but couldn't help a mix of laughter and helplessness. The word 'dominate' was probably beyond the boy's comprehension at his age.

Jie Mu continued to watch Zither Island fade into the distance and asked with a hint of wistfulness, "Master, Dad says you're very skilled. So, what can you teach me?"

Donglin produced a folding fan from nowhere, opened it, and said, "The things I have to teach you are numerous. You might spend a lifetime and still not learn them all."

Jie Mu pouted, "You don't look that old. How much skill can you really teach? Besides, Dad always said, 'The master provides the entryway, but the practice is up to the individual.' What you pass on is merely a method."

Donglin paid no mind to the child's mutterings, but his gaze drifted to a different expanse of the sea.

Jie Mu followed his gaze, and a jolt of alarm shot through him. He called out urgently, "Pirates! Quick, raise the Zhao Family flag! Arm yourselves, and prepare to defend!"

No sooner had he shouted than Jie Mu remembered he was aboard a passenger ship, not the private vessel he'd been on for leisurely sea outings. The ship was ill-equipped for combat, and his face paled at the realization.

This was no laughing matter. Pirates were ruthless killers, and they were now far from Zither Island. Even the Zhao Family's influence might not reach this far.

Though unsure of what Jie Mu was yelling about, the seasoned sailors on board had already spotted the pirate ship bearing down on them.

Tension mounted, but there was nothing to be done. They were merely a passenger ship, lacking the size and strength of larger vessels, and utterly unprepared for a pirate attack.

Panic swept through the passengers, men and women, young and old, their screams and cries adding to the tumultuous atmosphere as they faced what seemed like certain doom.

These passengers knew all too well the dire consequences of a pirate encounter.

Donglin remained serene, as if the pirates were of no concern to him. He turned to Jie Mu and smiled. "It looks like you've handled similar situations before."

Jie Mu's face was a picture of distress, his shoulders slumped in defeat. "I can't fathom how you can still smile. These are desperate outlaws. They might even have military-grade weapons. Just one cannon could spell the end for us."

"A cannon? You're familiar with cannons?"

Donglin's interest was piqued. Knowledge of cannons wasn't common among children in Terrin. It appeared that Mr. Guan had his secrets over the years.

"Of course. Cannons use gunpowder to unleash their power, far surpassing the might of ordinary crossbows. Not even martial arts masters can withstand them," Jie Mu replied, his voice tinged with urgency but devoid of fear or panic.

Donglin pushed himself up, stretching and loosening his joints, his smile unwavering. "Jie Mu, while a cannon is indeed powerful, it's not the strongest force in this world."

"It relies merely on external power. The true strength lies within, in the internal force each person harbors."

Jie Mu watched Donglin in action, his expression one of confusion. He couldn't fathom what Donglin was about to do.

"Machine Arts," Donglin explained, "involve using tools, harnessing the energy within oneself as a power source to generate even greater strength."

No sooner had he spoken than Donglin lifted his hand, and the large box he held levitated, the character "Yao" gleaming brilliantly.

The next moment, the sky erupted in brilliance, and a cerulean light swept across the entire sea. The glare was so intense that all onlookers had to avert their eyes.

Jie Mu, though nearby, was spared the blinding light by a special pair of glasses that had appeared over his eyes.

What he witnessed next would be etched in his memory forever. For the first time, he experienced the most awe-inspiring power imaginable!

The sea roiled, thunder boomed, and a figure ascended step by step into the sky.

A blue bracer enveloped his entire right arm, from fist to shoulder, while Electronic Patterns traced across his body.

A punch was thrown, and the unparalleled light transformed into a colossal fist that crashed down onto the distant ship.

By the time the ship's crew came to their senses, they found that the pirate had vanished without a trace.

Jie Mu stood agape, at a loss for words. The notorious pirate, who had once terrorized the sea, had disappeared without even showing his face.

Could this truly be the power of a human?

Could inner strength and martial skill reach such heights?

Or perhaps, was this the manifestation of the so-called Machine Arts?