Even though we place our trusts in the head of each division of the Xia Xing Men, we don't fully trust all of their subordinates yet. Therefore, I plan to place a few secret agents within our company to keep an eye on low-level members and new recruits.
All divisions also need to depend on each other. The Transport and Production Divisions must utilize the Iron Guard as their main guardian, and their operations must be checked and supported by documentation from the Moon Maidens. Furthermore, these two core divisions will receive their main funding from all commercial divisions. The Production Division will need resources from the Transport Divisions, while the Transport Divisions also needs the Production Division to make greater profit.
The Badge Holders I have in mind will likely be the Iron Fists, Branch Leaders, Route Masters, Artisan Masters, Master Smiths, Shop Managers, or Chief Accountants. These individuals are our mid-level commanders who can access our information network and must be absolutely trustworthy. They will have to meet with one of the Great Deities to receive the Command Badge to ensure their loyalty.
As for the new recruits, they will have to pass the trials from the head of their division before they can enter the gate of our secret shrines. The ritual will require them to take the blood oath, drink the mixed blood wine, and be marked by the blood. By being bound by blood, they will be reborn as new Xia Xing Men members, enter the Gate of Lower Form. They will have the right to learn one of my martial arts, if someone who had learned it accepts them as a personal disciple.
We also plan to reward the trusted business owners or leaders who choose to join our organization's network as allies or business partners, by allowing them access to a certain level of benefits, services, and products.
I have invented two secret code systems based on the four fundamental cyclical relationships of the Five Phases: Generator, Generative, Conquest, and Defeat Elements. First, the Xia Xing Code serves as a simple identity check for general members, confirming basic membership and allegiance within the Xia Xing Men. The Challenger will ask a question about a single element, and the Responder must give three sequential answers. The first answer is determined by one of the four phases of time. Dawn, Midday, Dusk, or Midnight. For the subsequent answers, each element is a Five Phases reaction to the previous element stated by the Responder, rather than the original challenged element. The second answer will be the Generative of the first, while the third will be the Conquest of the second.
The second code, the Shang Xing Code, is more complex. The required response elements are recited in an order dictated by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and the Twelve Two-Hour System, ensuring the code is constantly changing by exact date and time and requires continuous awareness of the Five Phases. Only by reciting the required elements in the correct temporal sequence, a member can confirm both their identity as the Badge Holder and their knowledge from the Upper Five Phases.
Aside from those who receive orders directly from us, the Five Great Deities. The Badge Holders with the Five Phases Seals or the Lower Form Badge that possesses a color have the authority to issue our Divine Order. However, they still need to correctly use the Shang Xing Code to issue commands to other Badge Holders across all divisions. Conversely, the Division Order can only command members from its own division. If members ask for simple help from other units or divisions, they will need to identify themselves and using the Xia Xing Code to back that up. But for important tasks that need assistance from other divisions without a direct order, they will always require one of the Badges and the Shang Xing Code.
Erik has already transferred some resources to the Two Emperors, but the regular delivery of the Divine Resources might have to wait until the Han dynasty secures full control over all Chu territory. I am planning to deliver these resources by utilizing the Yangtze River and then continuing the journey by sea to Zhuya Island. This strategy also allows us to expand our maritime trade to include salt, coral, and pearls, while our southern caravans can expand into the trade of gems and ivory from faraway lands. This ensures that our jewelry business is well on its way. Furthermore, we must establish new branches in Chengdu, Jiangzhou, and Jiangxia to support our future operations, even though we may not have full control over these cities as we do in Hanzhong.
Based on all of this planning, we are surely securing our financial stability and also expanding our base of worshippers. Now we can rest assured for a little while. With some time left, I decided to start teaching my martial arts to the head of all divisions and their successors. I called them to meet me at the mansion in one evening and taught the foundation of my martial arts at the courtyard. All of the Methods come from this foundation, centralize yourself with the Natural Force, then amplify it with Internal Force, External Force or use both.
After I taught the foundation, I summoned the Jade Couple and brought all of them into my Personal Space. Not only were they surprised by the moment of the summon, but they were also shocked that the sun was still high in the sky. So, I started to explain, "Don't be afraid, you all are in my domain. These are my subordinates, the Jade Couple, Xiao Feng and Yu Zhen. They are the Deities of Mount Huashan and they will be your guardians from now on."
Then, I tried to show the purest internal path, the Divine Method, by demonstrating it with Jin Shan, the oldest son of the Caravan Merchant Guild leader.
"Xiao Shan, catch me. I will show you the peak of my martial art!" I announced.
I stayed a certain distance from him, moving and dodging around 2.3 m. Before I explained, "One Zhang."
"Master, you're moving like the wind! How can I catch you?" Jin Shan protested.
"Come again, Xiao Shan. This time I will show you, One Cun," I answered.
Jin Shan tried to catch me again, but this time I cut the distance to 2.3 cm.
"Now you're just like a shadow, Master!" He seemed even more surprised.
"This is 'Grasping the Shadow, Catching the Wind,' one of my advanced techniques in the Divine Method," I declared, "Once you achieve the true essence of my martial art, a thousand paths become one, and one path becomes endless possibilities. I will teach you only one method that suits your nature to support your original style."
Then I brought them onto a boat and showed them the fighting method that works well on a boat. This involves using a narrow and dynamic stance, shifting weight and the center of equilibrium according to the wave, following the water, sticking to the deck, absorbing incoming force, and returning it along with a rocking rhythm. Most of this method comes from the Southern Yangtze Boat Fist combined with my martial art. At least, I should honor them by using their name, "This is the Water Method, we will call it 'Boat Fist.' I give this method to the Han River Guild. Later I will teach pole techniques that can be used with a boat pole and paddle to your guild, Jiang Hui."
"I, Jiang Hui. Thank you for your generosity, Venerable Celestial!" he said while bowing on his knees.
"Ah Hui don't use divine or royal prefixes with any of us. I'm Wu Haotian, my father is Wu Xuanming, my wife is Qiu Yuehua, and my two friends are Huang Yi and Jiang Hui. Use an honorable prefix instead, maybe 'Master.' Do you all understand?" I ordered them.
"Yes, Master!" they answered all together.
"Next, I will show you the Maidens Method, which actually is the Wood Method. Silently waving with the wind but still rooted deep down. When you catch an enemy, break them like brittle wood," I spoke while showing this method with Altunay on the shore.
I thought back about the way that Wei Hu fought. Even though the Iron Guard is compatible with the Iron Method, they already trained in a form of fist martial arts. So, I combined them together and tested with the Steel Tiger. While we fought our postures matched each other, but I had more experience in receiving and directly returning the force. After only a few punches, Wei Hu could not take it anymore.
"This is how you combine the Iron Method with your fist technique. You already call this set 'Iron Fist,' right? Such a suitable name," I spoke with Wei Hu.
"What about our guild, Master? Do you have a martial art that makes me stronger?" Jin Shan suddenly asked.
"Son, don't be rude to our Master!" the caravan master criticized his son.
"It's alright, Old Jin, young man should be this enthusiastic. Xiao Shan, you ride a lot, right? Can you show me your Horse Stance?" I ordered Jin Shan.
He showed me his low Horse Stance before I tripped him down. "You still rely on your muscles too much, align yourself with the Earth and Heaven."
"Like this, Master?" he spoke before letting me test his root again.
"Yes, that's it. You are a fast learner, huh? Seems like I really found a Mountain of Gold." I teased his name a bit before continuing, "The Earth Method is quite similar to the one I used with Ah Hu, but it has one major difference. Even though the soil has structure, it can be softened into mud. Now punch at me as hard as you can, Xiao Shan!"
He followed my order and punched me in my stomach before I used the Iron Method to directly return it. "This is the Iron Method. Now punch again."
This time I absorbed his force after distributing part of it on my skin surface, before bouncing his entire body and making him jump back. "Now, this is the Earth Method. Do you know the difference?"
"What is this called, Master?" Jin Shan asked.
I was thinking back and using the older name of my original art, "It's called the Cotton Fist, like steel wrapped around by cotton. It looks soft but is actually very heavy. Now prepare yourself to receive my fist."
He seemed scared but still eager to accept the punch. My fist stopped at his skin but let the force continue. He collapsed onto the ground from the little force I used.
"Master, can I try that punch too?" Wei Hu requested and stepped forward.
"Alright, but for you I will add a little more force, Ah Hu," I replied, and using five percent of my force injected it into him without adding any Divine Energy. He dropped to one of his knees.
"It's your turn now, Huo Deming. Do you have any experience in fighting or martial arts?" I asked the Master Smith.
"I didn't learn any martial arts from any master, but I know how to defend myself, Sir." He simply replied.
"Then show me how you fight first." I spoke while waiting.
"May I borrow your weapons, Wei Hu?" Huo Deming asked before he received the Twin Steel Tonfas.
He wielded each Tonfa like a hammer, throwing them around in a destructive whirlwind. Though the motion seemed aimless, he precisely controlled every powerful swing, focused on one single point. This came from his experience from countless hours spent swinging his blacksmith hammer down on every piece of his work.
"Fascinating! I don't think a mere blacksmith will be the greatest martial artist among all of you. "Alright, I have a few wonderful ideas for you. It seems like your precise skills still need explosive force behind them. Defense, Huo Deming!" I spoke, summoning my Paired Iron Whips and rushing toward him. "Ah Hu, watch this closely!"
I reshaped my Iron Whips, added a Tonfa handle to each, and attacked into Huo Deming's guard by using the added handle as a hook to open his arm. I then sank down and struck with a punching grip, combining it with explosive force that expanded in all directions.
Stepping back, I used a Tonfa punching grip with a high guard, defending and waiting for his attack. When he punched, I slipped my hand inside his arm, sank down, and bent my joint into an elbow strike with the metal end.
When he saw punching wasn't working, he changed and used his Tonfa as a hammer. I blocked one of that attack with a modified Iron Whip, then swung the other Iron Whip with the extended Tonfa grip into a horizontal rib cage strike.
Then I switched back and used them as normal Iron Whips. Using the added handle as a hand guard to help trap all his attacks before redirecting one of them. This created an opening at his side, allowing me to attack with a shoulder strike that was supported by sinking and expanding force.
"The Tonfa can be used in many ways," I explained. "One, a poking strike in a punching grip. Two, an extended-grip swing strike. Three, striking down like a hammer by using the handle. Four, using the handle like a hook. Five, using the guarding Tonfa as an elbow strike. The last method is using it as an Iron Whip, by using the handle as a hand guard and disarming mechanism."
"Thank you, Master! Your knowledge is vast like a boundless sky," Wei Hu expressed his gratitude.
"Huo Deming, do you understand? This sinking force is the Fire Method. It can be used explosively, but with your precise force control, it's almost impossible to defend," I clarified the concept to the blacksmith.
"I understand now, Master. It's such an aggressive method," Huo Deming replied.
"All these methods are only Usage Methods that I modified to fit your need. Now watch my martial arts, Ten Directions Lotus Blossom!" I declared, showing the techniques without sword while reciting all of them.
Taking root, Growing buds
Maiden Bloom's First Expansion
Dewdrop Glides on Lotus Leaf
Twin Lotuses Part the Water
Moon Beneath the Pond
Plucking Flower, Snap Leaf
Split Stalk, Sever Fibers
Wringing Blossom Petal
Whirling Wind, Waving Tide
Blossoming for Thousand Years
"The first nine techniques contain ten main direction forces, while the last one means you need to Travel in All Directions first, before Blossoming for a Thousand Years," I roughly explained. "This martial art also contains the basic forces for the sword. Ten Directions Lotus Blossom is actually a double-edge sword art, but I already created a more simple single-edge blade version for all members. Mi'er!"
Michelle suddenly appeared and handed out slightly curved prototype ring pommel Han Dao for everyone. This is a time before Chinese blades were heavily influenced by Steppe blades and became broader. It's like an early version of the Tang Dao, which later became the main inspiration for the Katana.
"These prototype blades are mainly made for horseback usage, but they are easy to make and very practical for everyone." I said, before starting to show them the single-edge blade version of the art.
After I finished, I just realized that I actually created a martial arts cult right in front of my eyes. I already taught a few martial methods and made these prototype blades as a main weapon for their members. While the Moon Maidens used short swords with hidden weapons in their secret missions, the Iron Guard had their own Tonfa and fist techniques. The Artisans from Yong Ming Guild mostly used their own expertise and familiar working tools as their weapons, like the Hammer for Huo Deming. I also promised to teach the Boat-pole techniques to the Han River Guild, but it seems like I forgot about the Caravan Merchant Guild.
"Jin San, I will teach Whip techniques for your guild later. It's a versatile weapon that can be used both on horseback and on foot. It can also be used for disarming, controlling, herding, or as a signaling tool." I explained.