Era of Mist

The Hard Qi Technique this man taught was an incredible Power Skill. It was absolutely not the common variety found in martial arts gyms, but a genuine secret art.

The system immediately provided a corresponding evaluation.

[You have received the teachings of an Absolute Grandmaster. The teaching is rated “Holding Nothing Back.” Your learning is rated “Complete Focus.” Aptitude requirement reduced by 40%. Chance of Qi Deviation reduced by 50%. Cultivation speed increased by 40%. Initial progress increased by 50. Effective for twenty days.]

[You have received a martial arts inheritance and comprehended the Power Skill: Hard Qi Technique. Current cultivation progress: Unqualified.]

[Hard Qi Technique: This Cultivation Technique is a compilation of multiple defensive Power Skills. It is divided into three layers. You have received the teachings for all three layers.]

A Power Skill Method with three whole layers!

This meant that the level of this Hard Qi Technique was much stronger than the likes of the basic Essence Nourishment Technique or basic fist arts. It was precisely because it was so strong, its effects so significant, and the distinction between each layer so clear that the system had divided it into three layers.

The man’s explanation of the Hard Qi Technique was brief, even crude. It was direct and used very few words. But the three-layer rating was no lie. This was already the strongest Power Skill Shi Tiexin had ever obtained.

‘This dream training camp was worth it!’

‘Standing at attention just now was also worth it!’

As he was still savoring the moment, another man appeared before his eyes.

This man was tall and slim, with eyes like a hawk.

He didn’t set up any tests, nor did he waste a single word.

“We will now begin shooting practice.” With a flip of his hand, the man produced a pistol as if by magic. “First, I’ll teach you the basics of using a pistol. I’m only going to say this once. If you remember, you remember. If you don’t, it means you’re not suited to be here.”

Shi Tiexin immediately focused his mind and began to learn with his full attention.

The tall, slim man spoke quickly. His language was concise, and his pace was so fast it was almost difficult to follow. Perhaps this was also a hidden test, just not as direct as standing at attention earlier.

Concealing, drawing, gripping, disassembling, and maintaining the weapon—the man covered it all, but only the relatively basic, superficial parts. Aided by his psychic energy, Shi Tiexin could just barely keep up. After quickly running through each topic, the tall, slim man began the proper shooting portion of the lesson.

“Pistols are different from medium-to-large firearms like rifles. Their advantages are that they’re easy to carry, conceal, and are lightweight. The disadvantages are their weak firepower, low ammunition capacity, slow rate of fire, and the recoil has to be absorbed entirely by your wrist. Plus, look at a pistol’s barrel. The accuracy on this thing is atrocious.”

“It almost sounds like a completely useless firearm.”

“But every weapon is suited for a specific environment. Pistols are intended for close-range, small-area, low-intensity firefights that start suddenly. And that kind of engagement is actually the norm for our missions, which is why the first thing you must master is pistol shooting.”

“Talking about accuracy without considering the range is bullshit. When you practice pistol shooting, the key is landing precise hits at close range.”

“A pistol bullet is still lethal even after traveling two hundred meters. But after two hundred meters, who knows where the hell it’ll end up? The real operational range for a pistol is between ten and thirty meters. Any closer is too dangerous; any farther is a crapshoot.”

“And in terms of accuracy, no one’s going to ask you to hit the eight-ring or ten-ring. Hitting rings is for sports competitions. Hitting the target is for the battlefield.”

“The enemy’s head. I don’t care if you hit them in the eye or the temple. As long as six out of ten shots are on target, you’re a Divine Shooter.”

“Sounds easy, right? Look at that poplar tree over there.”

The tall, slim man pointed into the distance, and Shi Tiexin followed his gaze.

“The poplars are planted five meters apart. Count to the sixth one from here—that’s exactly thirty meters. There’s a scar on that tree, about the size of a human face. Assume that’s your bad guy. Try aiming at it.”

Shi Tiexin looked at the sixth poplar tree. There was indeed a scar on it the size of a bowl. Thirty meters didn’t sound far, but when Shi Tiexin raised the pistol and aimed down the sights, he found the scar looked tiny in his field of vision. It was about the same apparent size as a coin held at arm’s length.

‘This is really hard to aim.’

‘But it’s not completely impossible.’

His psychic energy circulated, and a cool sensation spread through his mind. Shi Tiexin felt himself gradually finding his aim.

The man suddenly ordered, “Fire!”

BANG!

He pulled the trigger, and flames erupted from the muzzle. Shi Tiexin was already braced for the recoil, following the tall, slim man’s instructions to firmly suppress the muzzle and prevent it from jumping. But after the shot, Shi Tiexin saw a small hole appear a foot below the scar. The bullet had obviously missed the target.

‘It really is harder than I thought.’

The tall, slim man said expressionlessly, “Congratulations. You’ve successfully shot the hostage.”

Shi Tiexin was instantly embarrassed.

“This is just a stationary target. There are also moving targets and true-or-false targets. On top of that, there’s long-range shooting at forty or even fifty meters, as well as ultra-close-range defensive shooting within ten meters. The real battlefield is ever-changing. You must hone your skills to perfection to be responsible for every single bullet you fire.”

The tall, slim man clapped Shi Tiexin on the shoulder, a slight smile suddenly appearing on his serious face. “You do have some talent. Keep practicing. Once you’ve mastered the pistol, I’ll teach you other things.”

[You have received the teachings of an Absolute Grandmaster. The teaching is rated “Meticulous Instruction.” Your learning is rated “Complete Focus.” Aptitude requirement reduced by 25%. Chance of Qi Deviation reduced by 35%. Cultivation speed increased by 25%. Initial progress increased by 35. Effective for twelve days.]

[You have received a knowledge inheritance and comprehended the Mind Skill: Basic Shooting Technique, Layer One. Current cultivation progress: Unqualified.]

[Basic Shooting Technique: This Cultivation Technique is a compilation of multiple practical shooting techniques. It is divided into three layers. You have received the teachings for the first layer.]

‘Another Cultivation Technique with three layers!’

Basic Shooting Technique. This Cultivation Technique might not be useful in the Main World Line, but in this turbulent, unstable world line, it was an excellent skill. Even just the first layer—the pistol part—was still extremely practical.

More importantly, this wasn’t a skill you could learn just because you wanted to. If he hadn’t completed this world line’s Mandate Mission, a student from a peaceful era would never have been able to learn a shooting-type Mind Skill.

Shi Tiexin wanted to thank him, but by the time he came back to his senses, the tall, slim man had vanished without a trace.

The two men had come and gone in a flash, leaving behind only two new techniques. Shi Tiexin didn’t even know who they were or what their names were.

‘Besides, Hard Qi Technique, shooting, the lessons in the dream, the training I once truly experienced—just who is this “me”?’

‘And what kind of organization is the “Third Front”?’

‘It seems “I” in this world line am not just some street punk trying to make a name for himself in the underworld.’

‘Could it be… I’m an undercover cop?!’

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