Chi and the Secrets of the World

The city of Jeonghwa pulsed with an energy that Jin still did not understand. The Qi flowed through the streets, invisible but palpable to those who knew how to feel it. Jin now worked at the Seokjin Transport Company, carrying boxes, cleaning carts, and trying not to draw much attention. But at night, the loneliness consumed him.

It was on one of those nights, while he watched the movement of the moon through a crack in the roof, that Chi reappeared.

— Comfortable in your new life as a peasant? — the voice sounded soft, almost mocking. Chi materialized, sitting atop an empty barrel, legs crossed, eyes gleaming like embers. — I thought you were the heir to something great, but now you just look like a lost orphan.

Jin did not respond immediately. He simply stared at Chi for a long time. There was something darker in Jin's eyes now. Something Chi noticed but did not comment on.

— So? Are you going to stay mute now? — Chi smirked. — If you're going to ignore me, at least do something useful. You carry a monster inside your chest, kid. And you keep acting like a scared peasant.

— You know me well enough to know that I won't give up — Jin muttered, his voice low but firm. — Teach me.

Chi raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

— Teach? And what exactly do you want to learn? How to carry boxes or how to slay monsters? — Chi slid off the barrel, his feet touching the ground softly. — Because to slay monsters, you first need to understand the world you're in. And kid, you know nothing about it.

Chi began walking in circles around Jin, hands clasped behind his back.

— In this world, strength is not just about fists and swords. It's about Qi. You can already feel it, but you don't know how to use it. So, I'll start with the basics. There are five main levels in the martial path: Awakened, Disciple, Master, Lord, and King. Each one demands different levels of control and sacrifice.

Jin listened intently, his mind absorbing every word.

— Disciples learn to channel Qi. Masters mold it. Lords impose it. And Kings... well, they transcend it. But there is another level beyond these: the Spiritual Sovereigns. Those who can manipulate the very essence of reality. — Chi stepped closer, his eyes gleaming intensely. — And the Saisei no Chi was made to reach that.

Jin swallowed hard. There was a weight in those words that he still did not fully understand.

— So, where do we start? — Jin asked.

Chi smiled, satisfied. — First, you learn not to be an easy target. The technique of the Sliding Wind. — Chi took a step forward and, in an instant, disappeared. When he reappeared, he was behind Jin. — Speed, lightness, and control. We'll start with the basics. And, Jin... — Chi stopped, his face close to Jin's. — Don't expect mercy. You carry a monster. And monsters attract monsters.

Jin clenched his fists. He was ready. Or at least, he thought he was.