Volume 2 Chapter 6 Gen Shuuyoku, Talking With Her Daughter
──From Gen Shuuyoku's Perspective──
"Touri. Are you okay?"
"Yes, Mother. Touri is fine."
Touri answered in a faint voice.
She knew she was trying to be strong.
On the thin futon, Touri was breathing heavily.
This happened to her a few times a month.
Still, her symptoms had gotten lighter.
Just a few years ago, she was having high fevers almost every day.
Touri was able to survive because she met Gyoun.
Thanks to his and Shuyoku's treatment, Touri was able to stay alive.
And because of the guiding method he created, she had managed to live this long.
'This child has suffered deep wounds in her body's "ki" flow──meridians──because of that technique.'
Gyoun had said.
'She cannot completely heal it. But there is hope. My disciple Raikou has inherited my martial arts. She might be able to raise someone who can save this child.'
──If someone with a large amount of 'Divine Energy' exists, they could heal Touri.
──This continent is vast. There might be someone born with a lot of 'Divine Energy' somewhere.
──It might be good to search for a user of 'that technique.' If they understand how the technique works, they could heal Touri.
──Until then, you must continue the guiding without fail. That way, her lifespan will be extended.
──However, she must not use martial arts. If Touri's 'ki' gets disturbed, her lifespan will shorten. That was Gyoun's advice.
After doing everything they could, Gyoun disappeared into the mountains.
"Still, Touri is lucky."
Gen Shuuyoku murmured while looking at the girl lying down.
'──She didn't die even after receiving the Four Fiends' technique. Your daughter is strong enough. If she can grow, she might surpass you.'
She hoped Gyoun's words were true, especially now that Touri had a chance to survive.
"Master Gyoun. Thanks to you, she met someone with a lot of Divine Energy... Kou Tenhou. She can't believe a boy like that exists..."
Gen Shuuyoku sighed.
To heal Touri, they needed to either exchange 'Qi' with someone who had a lot of 'Divine Energy' or figure out the mechanism of the 'Four Fiends' technique' she received.
They had been wandering around searching for these things.
They were looking for a 'Divine Energy' user as a traveling doctor.
They needed to find a user of the 'Four Fiends' technique or discover a Martial Arts Manual to uncover the secrets of the technique.
Of course, they also relied on Raikou.
But even she couldn't heal Touri.
Still, Gen Shuuyoku didn't give up.
Even if it meant living a life of wandering forever, she was determined to find a way to heal Touri.
"We have to thank Kou Tenhou."
Gen Shuuyoku murmured absently.
"All the 'ki' in his body has turned into 'Divine Energy.' If he exchanges 'ki' with Touri, she should be healed. But, is it really okay to let him and Touri do that...?"
"Mother."
"Yes?"
"She thinks Tenhou is a good person."
Touri, feverish, stared intently at her mother.
"When she saw Tenhou, she was surprised. He had such a serious expression."
"That's true. She thought so too."
"That person is just looking for a 'ki' energy (nairyoku) mentor, right? But... he looked so desperate, as if his own life depended on it. She realized he lives as seriously as Touri does."
"Maybe Master Gyoun really did guide us."
──To change Touri's fate.
──To save Touri from unavoidable death.
"Still, normally, one wouldn't think there would be a 'Tekizan town' at the mountain's peak."
"Mother."
"Yes?"
"If it's Tenhou, Touri can trust him with everything."
"...That's right."
Seeing her daughter's expression, Gen Shuuyoku made up her mind.
"Okay. That boy is trustworthy. She will teach him the secret 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.'."
"Yes. She also wants to do 'guidance' with him."
"We have found hope. So for now, rest, Touri."
Gen Shuuyoku gently stroked Touri's forehead.
"It will be a journey of several days to Aika Country. For now, take your time to rest your body."
"Yes... Mother."
Seeing that Touri had slept, Gen Shuuyoku left the house.
Then──quietly, she began her martial arts training.
(The ones who hurt Touri... She will settle this eventually. She can't leave people like that in the future of Touri.)
The moment when Touri was injured is still burned into her memory.
It was when Gen Shuuyoku was still a martial artist and working as a bodyguard.
The enemy took the young Touri hostage.
And then, when Touri tried to escape, they used the 'Four Fiends Technique' on her.
(They were laughing. Because Touri wouldn't obey them, she was going to die from the 'Four Beasts Technique.' Looking down at the fallen Touri!)
Even now, remembering it makes her anger rise.
They said that Touri's serious injury was 'fate.'
They claimed it was punishment for Gen Shuuyoku opposing them, and that Touri's death was 'fate.'
(She will eventually take them down. Even if it costs her life. But before that, she must pass on her technique──'Finger Control Art.')
'Finger Control Art' is the secret of the Pressure Point Technique. The person she teaches must be someone she can trust.
The best choice is Touri, but she can't let her use martial arts.
So then──
(She should teach Raikou's disciple... Kou Tenhou, or his senior disciple.)
Thinking this, Gen Shuuyoku tilted her head.
(By the way, the Pressure Point Technique didn't work on Tenhou. Is it really the power of 'Divine Energy'? Or could it be another reason?)
When Gen Shuuyoku checked Kou Tenhou's 'ki', she used the Pressure Point Technique──hitting the opponent's pressure points to affect his body with 'ki' energy.
It's the weakest form. It only has a slight effect, like making the hand feel a little numb.
Yet, it didn't work on Kou Tenhou.
She doesn't know if the Pressure Point Technique just didn't work or if it was instantly canceled.
She wants to solve that mystery.
If she does, her 'Finger Control Art' might evolve even further.
(What a deep karma. Even if she quit being a martial artist and became a traveling doctor, is this all there is?)
She hopes the next generation of Touri will be peaceful.
Without fighting over strength, just calm and serene.
While wishing for that, Gen Shuuyoku continued her martial arts training.
──Tenhou's Perspective──
A few days after visiting Tekizan, we left Souma Country.
The King and Queen of Souma Country, along with Shouou's mother and half-siblings, saw us off.
I think we accomplished our mission to strengthen the friendship between Aika Country and Souma Country.
We decided to send engineers for flood control and irrigation, as well as for mining development, and it was also agreed that both countries would regularly exchange messengers.
Shouou's treatment changed too.
She was still a hostage, but if she applied and got permission, she could return to Souma Country anytime.
To be honest, it was like she was just a guest.
Her mother was smiling as she saw Shouou off.
It seemed like she felt more at peace after returning to her hometown.
At the moment of parting, she called Shouou over and whispered something in her ear.
Shouou turned bright red, but I wonder what they were talking about.
After that, once we left the capital, we met up with Shuu-sensei and the others in a nearby town.
Shouou was dressed as a boy, but when she was checked for 'ki', it was immediately clear she was a girl.
As expected of an expert in 'ki' energy.
According to Shuu-sensei's assessment, it seems that 'Divine Energy' is also developing within Shouou.
It's less than mine, but it's still a sufficient amount.
After discussing it, we decided that Shouou would also receive guidance from Shuu-sensei.
Seirei would join too. Since she also did 'Beast Body Guidance' with me, she should have 'Divine Energy' as well.
I'll make sure to talk to Seirei about it when we get back.
With that, our journey continued smoothly──
We safely returned to the capital of Aika Country, Hokurin.
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