Chapter Fourteen: Martial Arts Realms

Imperial Palace.

Feeling unbearably bored, Zhu Yu wandered aimlessly through the imperial gardens. Suddenly, he recalled that he had yet to properly understand the martial hierarchy of this world, and casually posed a question to Eunuch Wu at his side.

“Eunuch Wu, are you familiar with affairs of the martial world?” he asked.

“Your Majesty must be jesting,” the eunuch replied, smiling. “I have always served within the palace and rarely ventured beyond its walls. I know little of the martial world’s affairs.”

“That is true. I suppose even if I asked about martial arts realms, you wouldn’t be able to say much.”

Eunuch Wu arched his brows and smiled, replying, “Though I know little of the martial world, I do have some knowledge of its martial arts realms.”

With his curiosity piqued, Zhu Yu found a place to sit, eager to hear more. “Then speak, and enlighten me,” he urged.

Eunuch Wu cleared his throat, took a moment to compose himself, and began.

“In the martial world, realms are divided into the Unranked, Third-rate, Second-rate, First-rate, followed by Prodigy and Grandmaster, and finally the Supreme Grandmaster.

The Unranked refers to those who have yet to cultivate inner energy; it is the foundation for most, and though it serves little purpose for many, it is separated because it is the basis for external martial arts. The stronger the foundation, the higher one’s potential in external arts. Most who lack superior techniques will learn one or two external skills.

Third-rate and Second-rate realms are determined by the amount of inner energy and one’s understanding of martial arts, and each is further divided into Superior and Inferior grades.

The sign of a First-rate expert is the opening of the two vital energy channels. Within First-rate, there are Upper, Middle, and Lower grades. Upon reaching the Upper grade, one’s inner energy transforms into true qi, which is more powerful than an equal amount of inner energy—often double, though the exact increase varies from person to person.

After First-rate comes the Grandmaster realm, but the martial world divides it further. If one breaks through before the age of fifty, they are called a Prodigy. If the breakthrough happens after fifty, or if one reaches fifty after breaking through, they are called a Grandmaster.”

Because it is said in the martial world that only those who break through the First-rate realm before fifty have a chance to ascend to the Supreme Grandmaster realm.

Supreme Grandmasters, also known as Earthly Immortals, are exceedingly rare. The difference between them and Grandmasters is like heaven and earth; it is possible for one to defeat a hundred foes, and by that, I mean a hundred Grandmasters.

Before reaching the Supreme Grandmaster realm, talented individuals often defeat those of higher realms, for no matter how skilled a person is, mistakes can be fatal—a blade to the heart is death. But with Supreme Grandmasters, that is no longer a certainty.”

Eunuch Wu moistened his dry lips, and seeing Zhu Yu’s continued interest, he pressed on.

“Now that I’ve explained the realms, allow me to describe the classification of martial arts. Martial arts are divided into Peerless Arts, Legacy Arts, Common Arts, and Third-rate Arts.

Peerless Arts are rare. Legend has it that they can be cultivated directly to the Supreme Grandmaster realm. Though rare, they do exist; every top sect in the martial world possesses at least one Peerless Art as their most treasured secret. Yet despite many cultivating them, few ever reach the Supreme Grandmaster realm—for example, the Six Meridian Divine Sword of the Duan family in Dali, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms of the Beggar Clan, and the Seventy-two Supreme Skills of Shaolin, which include at least three or four Peerless Arts.

Legacy Arts, though not numerous, are commonly seen in the martial world. They are slightly less powerful than Peerless Arts but still formidable. However, Legacy Arts lack the mystical qualities of Peerless Arts—like the Violet Mist Divine Skill of Mount Hua, the Seven Injury Fist of Kongtong, or the Energy Absorption Technique practiced by Deputy Chief Liu Xi.

Chief Cao’s Heavenly Gang Child Skill is also a Legacy Art. As for the skill practiced by Chief Yu, I have never witnessed it.

Common Arts are the mainstream techniques of the martial world, nothing special and not worth mentioning. For example, the martial arts preserved in the Wen Yuan Pavilion of our palace—the weakest among them are still Legacy Arts.

Third-rate Arts were initially derived from Common Arts; a single Common Art can be broken down into several Third-rate Arts. Because Third-rate Arts are simple, Grandmasters can easily create them, and even talented First-rate experts can devise such techniques. Their simplicity makes them the primary means of instruction for disciples in Second-rate sects.”

Eunuch Wu paused, observing Zhu Yu’s continued enthusiasm, and gave a wry smile. “Your Majesty, I have spoken all I know; if I say more, it would just be embellishment.”

“Very well.” Zhu Yu, listening as if to a story, felt a bit disappointed at the abrupt end. Then a flaw in Eunuch Wu’s earlier words occurred to him, and he asked, “Hold on, Eunuch Wu. You said only Peerless Arts possess mystical qualities, but isn’t Liu Xi’s Energy Absorption Technique quite extraordinary?”

“Your Majesty, I have heard that the Energy Absorption Technique was derived years ago by a master from a fragment of the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, a Peerless Art. The Energy Absorption Technique can absorb up to thirty percent of an opponent’s inner energy, but it has many drawbacks. It is said that the Northern Darkness Divine Skill can absorb at least sixty percent, and those with exceptional talent can absorb all of it, and it has no major flaws,” Eunuch Wu replied.

Zhu Yu nodded thoughtfully, his desire for the Northern Darkness Divine Skill growing ever more intense.

At the same time, he resolved that once the Sword Rain affair concluded, he would immediately dispatch men and personally travel to Mount Wuliang.

Just then, Eunuch Wu recalled a common fact about martial arts and added, “Your Majesty, one more thing. In the martial world, Peerless Arts and Legacy Arts are collectively referred to as Supreme Skills, though most are Legacy Arts. Every year, countless newcomers stumble over this distinction.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, aren’t you?” Zhu Yu said, somewhat surprised.

“Knowledge is too generous, Your Majesty. When I was younger, I dreamed of the martial world, and I learned these things from many inquiries,” Eunuch Wu replied, embarrassed.

“I never would have guessed you had such dreams. It’s a pity you’re now old and frail, with not a single black hair left. Otherwise, I’d fetch a Peerless Art from Wen Yuan Pavilion for you to practice.” Zhu Yu teased.

“Your Majesty flatters me. It was only idle dreaming. Even if I were twenty, given a Peerless Art, I doubt my talent would allow me to master it,” Eunuch Wu said with a bitter smile.

“Enough, I won’t tease you any longer. I haven’t seen Yun Luo in days—come, let’s go visit her.” With that, Zhu Yu rose and began to walk out.

Seeing Zhu Yu move, Eunuch Wu hurriedly called out toward the palace entrance, “Prepare the carriage! To Princess Yun Luo, Shuxiang Hall!”