The Gathering ended, and now it's time for all the tribes to separate and settle in their summer spots. It's not as if they're going to leave me, but I feel like I need to learn as much as I can. I need to survive in this wilderness if I get lost, and this is the time to learn. They take turns teaching me various things: Aycecek teaches me archery and hunting; Temurcin teaches me how to ride a horse while herding the livestock; Temurel teaches me how to handle their weapons to fend off enemies; and Aylaqun teaches me how to manage things in the everyday routine, like how to milk animals, process dairy, spin wool, cook, or set up the yurts. While much of this is considered women's work, it's still common knowledge that an outsider like me has to learn. At night, she tells me ancient stories, tales, and songs, filled with knowledge of herbs, medicines, animals, lands, spirits, people, and the Gods. In turn, I will teach them the basics of my internal art, as they ask. Except for Aylaqun, who isn't really interested in fighting.
After a few weeks, when they had more free time. I started to teach them my martial art, useing their own familiar freestyle wrestling as a basis for the external framework, fusing it with my internal art methods. I taught them how to use Natural Force and generating Internal Force. As for the Usage Method, I told them to think for themselves first, because those first two methods alone would make them far superior to any brute force users.
Luckily, my language improved a lot after having the chance to talk to everybody in the clan, so it was easier to teach them. And the results were quite interesting. The father-son duo struggled to relax and switch to using the Internal methods, which is normal for someone who only knows how to use their own external strength to overcome an opponent's force. Meanwhile, Aycecek, who normally used techniques and refined force to overcome the strength of male warriors, was doing really well. I pointed this out and told them that they needed to train their body and mind tremendously to achieve a perfect self for the art, which includes stretching and releasing the body, relaxing and concentrating the mind. And you also have to rewrite the muscle memory in your brain to forget the old external habits.
I tried wrestling with Temurcin to show off my full internal methods and pushed him away ten meters, landing on his feet without any harm. They were totally shocked, then I told them this was only a training method or to show off internal strength level. "If I went for a kill, I would condense that force into short-range striking, aimed at vital points for a one-hit kill." I told them with a very serious face.
They looked in awe while Temurel asked me, "Can you use part of that power on me, son-in-law?"
I answered with caution, "Of course. I will inject one tenth of my strength into your diaphragm. You will be out of breath. But don't worry, I can fix that too."
They all looked at me with curious faces. Then Aycecek asked, "Are you also a shaman, my Sky Wolf?"
"No, I'm just an ordinary fighter who had to study the human body to perfect the art." I answered without looking back.
After we finished talking, I told Temurel to relax and prepare to receive the force. Then, I struck him while he was breathing out, making his diaphragm sealed and causing him to become out of breath. I let them know that, then I hit him from the back, sending some force to release his diaphragm.
"My son-in-law, the Sky Wolf, you are truly a God-sent messenger, a Sage among men. Your killing hand is also a healing hand." Temurel told me with a sincere voice.
I didn't know how to reply to that, so I just bowed my head.
Then Temurcin talked, "Brother, I knew you were a mighty warrior, but this is a different story. Are you a War God or a Battle Sage, mighty Sky Wolf?"
Aycecek also asked, "My Sky Wolf, are you really a mortal man, not a divine being?"
"Please calm down, everyone. I'm a Messenger of Gods and also a mortal man. Please keep this Divine Art a secret, don't teach it to outsiders or bad people. After you train yourselves enough, I will teach you the Divine Usage Method, then show you my personal method, so later you can create your own Usage Method." I lied to them in their face, about the divine part.
"Divine Art!" They said in unison then nods.
After Aylaqun learned about this, her curiosity about the Divine Art grew, and she asked me to teach her. Surprisingly, she has become my most advanced student. I believe her philosophical background as a shaman allows her to readily grasp the Taoist principles within my art. However, this understanding has primarily enhanced her internal skills, not her internal strength. While she might be capable of defending herself against an average person, but not be able to contend with an expert fighter or athletes who possesses true strength.
So I told her, "Wise Aylaqun, this Divine Usage Method is also the Way of the Sky and Earth. One who already knows the Way, already knows true art, the Divine Art. Your hand is truly a healing hand, Mother-in-law. You don't have to learn the Divine Usage Method with others, but if you truly wish to wield divine power, you must first transform yourself into a divine body. I will demonstrate My Usage Method later, and you can observe it with everyone. But I must warn you, mine is a method of killing. If you learn it, it will turn your art into a killing art, and your hand will become a killing hand. So watch but do not learn, Wise One."
"Thank you for your praise, holy Sky Wolf. I will practice the Art as you instructed. Now I understand what my husband was talking about, you are truly a Sage among men. One touch for death, one touch for life – truly a Divine Art. May I send a message to the Shamans close to me and our tribe, telling them about your knowledge?" Aylaqun replied.
Why has it become like this again? If things continue in this direction, I might drastically change the course of history. So I thought for a moment before replying, "Please wait until I am officially marked as one of the Tagh Boru and already married to your Little Flower. That will remove any doubt in my word."
"Next year's Gathering then. I know in my heart that you two will pass the Winter Trials easily. Cecek already knows both Ergene and Tagh Boru knowledge. As for you, Holy One who knows the Way, you cannot fail any trials. Hmm… May I personally tell this sacred news to my family in the Ergene tribe? Their camp are not far away from here, Wise Wolf." Aylaqun replied and asked me.
I thought I couldn't stop her, so I answered, "I permit that, Mother-in-law, but do not tell them about the Divine Art yet."
"As you wished, Holy One." She accepted my request willingly.
Not long after, Aylaqun returned with her younger sister, "Aykuz" the Moon Shadow. Considering how close she is to Aylaqun, I decided to show Aykuz the basic form of my martial art. Before demonstrating my personal method to them. "My method is all about surviving the fight by doing everything to stop opponents. So, we will use pain to strike fear into them, every touch will hurt, every control will involve broken joints and bones. Every neutralized, unconscious, injured, or dead opponent brings you one step closer to survival."
"My Brother, your land must be filled with horrible people to make you create this cruel art. Even "Erlik," the Lord of Underworld, would acknowledge this art." Little Iron said with a pale face.
"I will show you a part of my method, My Brother. It will be painful but not really harmful. please believe in me." I said with a smile.
Then I shook his right hand, squeezed it, and pulled his hand to move his arm and body. Then, controlling and rotating his right elbow upwards, I moved behind him and pressed down on the elbow, threatening to break it. He shouted in pain, "Please stop, Brother!"
"If I wanted to, his elbow would be broken, and his right rib cage would also be shattered by the strike. That, I would inject into his liver, bringing him immeasurable pain, and finally kill him before he could have any other thoughts on his mind." I spoke with a dead serious tone.
"That's a terrible thought to have before you die. Do you really come from the Sky, not the Underworld, my Kirisen?" Aycecek said, her voice laced with doubt.
I stood there without replying, waiting for other opinions. Temurel seemed lost in his thoughts and didn't say anything.
The Moon Sisters discussed for a while, then Aykuz spoke her mind, "May I learn both of your Arts, Holy One? Both the Divine and the Gruesome one. Our clan, the Argin, still practices the Old Way, worshipping Lord Erlik. We promise to keep the Art from the infidel, only passing it down to direct disciples and apprentices, using it to protect those who practice Our Way, in the shadows!"
Whoa! Am I going to start a murderous assassin sect or something? What should I do now? I must stop showing my Art to others, or else I'm going to become the Founder of some shadow cult. I thought about it for a long time without replying. Then I answered them, "By the name of the Sky and Earth, under the eyes of all the Gods and Spirits, incorporate this Art into your knowledge. Wise Shamans, use this Art to judge the unjust, right the wrong. Protect our people first, then our lands, then our beliefs. Lead but do not rule, not all infidels are bad. I forbid you to use the Art to kill without a just reason."
Aylaqun and Aykuz brought out knives, cut their hands, and mixed their blood together in the cup. They then dropped it into the burning flame and onto the ground. Aylaqun swore for both of them, "Under the eyes of all the Gods and Spirits—the Sky, the Earth, and Lord Erlik please be our witness. By the name of the Moon, we the Moon Sisters, promise to pass down the Art of the Divine Wolf to protect our people, our lands, and our beliefs. One for healing, one for killing—killing to right the wrong, healing people to heal the lands, leading to show Our Way, not to rule over them. If these vows are broken by one of us, may the moon cease to bless their path with her light, and may their steps lead them into the endless night without a dawn. From here on, we the Moon Sisters, will forever be your disciples, as if we are your shadows, Sky Wolf, Master Kirisen!"