Ghost wasn’t a rigid mercenary. With his skills, whether it came to management, drawing, infiltration, intelligence gathering, or assassination, he could definitely adapt well to any role—a quality necessary for top-tier killers and mercenaries.
"Aren’t you afraid that I might have a scheme and am only pretending to agree?" Ghost asked with an unreadable expression.
"Given your style, you wouldn’t indulge in such convoluted matters. Bai Zhengchu might plot and scheme, but as for you, with your personality, he couldn’t direct you," Lin Tian casually mentioned, leaving Ghost without a response. Lin Tian added, "Even if you did come with a plot, it wouldn’t bother me, whether you operate in the shadows or in the open, it makes no difference to me."
Lin Tian was telling a big truth. With Ghost’s strength, whether it was a sneak attack or a face-to-face confrontation, Ghost had no chance at all.
"You’re right, Bai Zhengchu isn’t qualified to command me. I also find that killing is more straightforward—no matter how many schemes and tricks you have, once a person is dead, what use are the rest? So, my choice to follow you is a personal matter, and from now on, I’ll take orders from nobody but you, including your friends and family," Ghost spoke very directly, clearly stating that he would only follow Lin Tian’s orders.
"Of course." Ghost was straightforward, and Lin Tian was just as forthcoming. Compared to Ghost’s exceptional abilities, this was no big deal. When companies recruit a senior manager, they promise all sorts of perks, so Ghost’s single requirement was quite reasonable.
"I have another question. The first time I attacked you, you evaded with a strange movement technique. What skill is that?" Lin Tian was very curious.
At that time, he hadn’t put forth his full effort, but even so, escaping such an attack was no simple feat.
"That was just luck. From what happened just now, it’s clear you didn’t use your full strength back then. The skill I practiced is hardly seen anymore; it’s the Ancient Yoga Skill," Ghost also knew he wouldn’t be so lucky if there were a second time.
Ancient Yoga Skill? Lin Tian felt a bit uneasy just hearing the name because in the modern era, yoga was mostly associated with women’s fitness and body conditioning—and modern-day yoga wasn’t referred to as Ancient Yoga Skill.
So, not knowing what that was, Lin Tian inquired, "What’s the difference between the Ancient Yoga Skill and the yoga practiced by modern women for fitness?"
"Can what those yoga studios teach even be considered yoga nowadays? They just practice a few movements. Anyone who is willing to learn can do it. Some even treat it as a mere accessory to sophistication, thinking practicing yoga is fashionable, using it as nothing more than a tool..." When it came to yoga, Ghost seemed quite indignant about the so-called yoga of today. As he went on to explain in detail, the true Ancient Yoga Skill turned out to be .
Yoga originated in Tianzhu Country and has a history of over five thousand years, making it one of the oldest physical strengthening arts in the East. It is said that the ancient sages of Ancient Tianzhu Country, on the Holy Mother Mountain over eight thousand meters high, observed the changes in nature, and in a deep state of contemplation, comprehended the mysteries of life.
These ancient sages were the very first cultivators who perceived the vastness of nature, extending the principles of life in the natural world to the human body to explore the mysteries of life and establish a set of methods for self-cultivation. This marked the origin of Ancient Yoga Skill, which, after many generations of cultivators’ insights and tempering, formed a complete cultivation system.
The yoga of today has become a simple fashion fitness trend, which is somewhat sad to say. The orthodox Ancient Yoga Skill consists of only six major systems, free from the miscellaneous jumble found in society. The six major systems of Ancient Yoga Skill are Wisdom Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, King Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.
Some of the core practices of yoga have been lost, some are secretly transmitted, and others are handed down among the cultivators in the deep mountains and forests. This is somewhat similar to the practices of Ancient Martial in Huaxia.
"My practice is Kundalini Yoga, the most difficult one among the six major systems," Ghost seemed to be recalling something from the past, his gaze somewhat distant, "When I was ten years old, my family was destroyed, and I was grievously injured. An old man found me. When I woke up, I had lost part of my memory, only remembering my family and the enemy. The old man who found me was an Ancient Yoga Skill cultivator, and I began following him in his practice since I was ten."
"Oh, you grew up abroad, so how do you know you are a Huaxian?" Lin Tian saw that he identified himself as a Huaxian. Since he had amnesia, how could he be sure?
"My master told me that the place where he found me was a Huaxia settlement. Although I forgot other people and things, there is no doubt that my parents were Huaxians," Ghost answered.
Without waiting for Lin Tian to ask further, he continued, "I followed my master in cultivation for ten years, but my master said I had a mental block that prevented me from reaching the high realms of Ancient Yoga Skill, so he advised me to come into the world to cultivate and seek opportunities. After leaving my master, I joined the mercenaries in hopes of finding a chance to kill my enemy. My arch-enemy had significant influence there, and by then had already retreated behind the scenes, leading a secluded life and handing over power to his son. I was unable to kill him, but I killed his son, as he was also one of the culprits behind the destruction of my home and the loss of my family!"
Perhaps to put Lin Tian at ease, Ghost laid out his past simply and candidly, a living example of the saying ’A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years.’
Lin Tian could piece together the rest of the story. Ghost had mentioned before that Bai Zhengchu had helped him, possibly aiding his return to Huaxia and establishing a legitimate identity for him. The nickname "Ghost" was likely made during his time as a mercenary.
So, his revenge wasn’t fully exacted, but having killed his enemy’s son, he surely couldn’t stay there anymore. Even with his knowledge of Ancient Yoga Skill, he couldn’t overturn the heavens. Ancient Yoga Skill is a strength-enhancing technique; it might make you powerful, but how could you fight against a major force with that alone? A major force could employ formidable individuals, and with money and guns, how can flesh and blood contend?
"Don’t worry, the day for revenge will come," Lin Tian patted his shoulder and said, "What I want to know is, what is the high realm of Ancient Yoga Skill that your master spoke of?"
"I practice Kundalini Yoga, also called Snake King Yoga. According to its theory, there are seventy-two thousand qi meridians around the human body, among which the three main meridians and seven wheels form a complete entity. Normally, the qi meridians are closed, and the breath of life travels through the gaps between them. Through cultivation, the life breath awakens the sleeping Snake King within the body, unlocking all qi meridians. The Snake King breaks through the Brahma Cave Wheel at the top of the head, reaching the high realm of Samadhi!"
Ghost conveyed the high realm of his Ancient Yoga Skill practice in simple terms, his tone filled with longing.
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