Chapter 12 – Steps at the Edge of Shadows
A thin mist covered the mountain valley, blending with the fading colors of the sky as dusk approached. The cold air bit at the skin, yet Bai Shen stood firm in the middle of the training grounds, his body relaxed yet filled with vigilance.
After his previous lesson, he understood that battle was not just about attacking or defending—it was about controlling the rhythm.
But his trial was not over yet.
The hermit watched him with sharp eyes, as if evaluating just how far the young man had progressed.
"You have learned to fight without a sword, to control your opponent without touching them. Now, let's see… how far you can go with your newfound understanding."
Bai Shen remained silent, keeping his mind clear. He knew this hermit never gave easy lessons.
The wind blew gently, rustling the leaves. Bai Shen sensed the air around him, mapping every subtle shift in his surroundings.
The hermit raised a single finger. "This time, you will face more than just direct attacks."
Bai Shen did not reply, but he could already sense something different.
A new trial had begun.
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Shadowless Steps
Without warning, the hermit's shadow shifted. His movement was so fluid that it was nearly undetectable.
Bai Shen heard no footsteps. No distinct change in air pressure.
Yet… he could feel it.
An attack was coming!
Instead of dodging as usual, Bai Shen chose to follow the flow of his opponent's movement. He didn't block, didn't resist—he merely adjusted his position ever so slightly.
And in an instant—
Whoosh!
The hermit's attack passed through him without making contact.
However, something felt strange.
The attack had not completely missed.
The hermit showed no surprise. Instead, he smiled slightly.
This was a trap.
Bai Shen leaped back just before a wave of pressure swept through the air where he had stood. If he had remained there… he would have been caught in its impact.
Now he understood.
This was no longer just a battle of physical strength.
This was a game between shadows and reality.
---
Facing an Untouchable Opponent
Bai Shen took a deep breath, keeping his mind calm.
If he only reacted to attacks, he would always be a step behind.
He had to move ahead of the hermit.
He began shifting his approach—not just reading attacks, but reading his opponent's thought process.
The wind blew.
The hermit disappeared into the shadows once more.
But this time, Bai Shen did not wait.
He stepped aside before the attack even came.
And sure enough—
Whoosh!
The hermit's strike missed without Bai Shen needing to see or hear it.
But he wasn't done.
Bai Shen took another step, continuously moving between the strikes, forcing the hermit to lose momentum before he could complete his assault.
The hermit chuckled softly. "Good… now you're beginning to understand."
Bai Shen did not reply. He simply kept moving, following a rhythm unseen and unheard.
---
Mastering the Formless Steps
As the battle progressed, Bai Shen became more aware of something.
The hermit's movements were like shadows—unpredictable yet never truly gone.
They left subtle traces in the air, in the sound of breathing, in the shifting balance of the ground beneath his feet.
If he could sense that…
Then shadows were no longer untouchable.
Bai Shen took a single step forward.
The hermit, who was usually unreadable, made a slight adjustment in his position.
And in that brief moment—
Bai Shen found an opening.
With a swift step, he moved in an unexpected direction.
The hermit's eyes widened slightly.
For the first time since their battle began, Bai Shen had forced him to retreat.
---
The Art of Controlling the Battlefield
Now, Bai Shen was not just avoiding attacks—he was applying pressure in return.
Each of his steps was no longer just for defense, but to force the hermit into specific positions.
Bai Shen was controlling the flow of the fight.
If the hermit attempted to strike from the left, Bai Shen had already shifted before the attack was initiated.
If the hermit moved swiftly, Bai Shen slowed the pace, disrupting his opponent's timing.
The hermit's smile widened. "Ah… now you are no longer just defending. You are leading this battle."
Bai Shen finally grasped something deeper.
Victory was not just about strength or technique.
It was about controlling the situation.
If he could manipulate his opponent with precise steps and decisions—then he could win a battle without ever truly fighting.
But even as this realization settled in… Bai Shen knew.
Out in the real world, not all enemies would follow the same rules.
There would be those faster. Stronger. More ruthless.
And to face them… Bai Shen had to become more than just a martial artist.
---
Stepping Into the Murim World
At last, the hermit halted, his gaze filled with quiet pride.
"You are ready."
Bai Shen did not answer immediately.
He looked toward the horizon, toward the vast world beyond this valley.
Out there, many enemies awaited him.
Out there, his vengeance remained unfinished.
But now… he had gained something beyond mere strength.
He had gained understanding.
With that, Bai Shen took a step forward, leaving behind an invisible trace—like a shadow at the edge of the Murim world.