SWORD OF THE DEMON WOLF

BENGGALA'S STORY

Seeing the vacant look in Xiao Chen’s eyes after he gripped the sword, Zhang Wei was puzzled. He tapped the young man’s hand to snap him out of it.

"Xiao Chen, what’s wrong?"

The young man stammered, shaking off the vision he had just seen.

"What is it? You look as though you were watching something," Zhang Wei asked again.

Xiao Chen glanced at Zhang Wei before turning his gaze back to the Devil Wolf Sword in his hands.

"I saw a man wielding a sword exactly like this one, surrounded and attacked by many martial artists. Around him lay countless corpses, drenched in blood."

"And what else did you see?"

Xiao Chen took a deep breath, then looked toward the mouth of the cave. There, Benggala was sleeping under a large tree.

"One of the martial artists attacking the man called him ‘Benggala.’"

Zhang Wei frowned, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. "Are you sure you heard correctly?"

"I’m not sure whether what I saw and heard was reality or just some meaningless illusion, but it all felt real. I clearly heard them call him Benggala," Xiao Chen replied.

Zhang Wei shifted his gaze toward Benggala, who was sleeping soundly after eating a wild chicken. The old man then reached for a manual whose cover read DEVIL WOLF, and opened to the last two pages.

"It’s written here that the owner of this manual was indeed named Benggala," Zhang Wei said, glancing again at the great wolf.

For a while, both Zhang Wei and Xiao Chen fell silent, each lost in thought.

"Could he be the reincarnation of the man I saw in my mind, Grandpa?" Xiao Chen asked, guessing.

"I’ve thought the same thing," Zhang Wei admitted. "I first met Benggala when I was about your age. When I entered this cave, I found him sleeping, clutching both this manual and the sword."

Zhang Wei set the DEVIL WOLF manual down in front of Xiao Chen.

"At that time, I didn’t dare take them. But when I turned to leave—thinking I’d be his next meal—Benggala woke up. As it turned out, my fear was unfounded. He wasn’t as savage as other wolves. Instead, he made me his friend."

"Then the question is—if he truly is the reincarnation of the man I saw—who is he really?" Xiao Chen asked in confusion.

"You don’t need to think about that for now. Let me be the one to find the answer. What’s important now is that you study this manual. Once you’ve mastered one technique, practice it until you can execute it flawlessly without thinking."

"Alright, Grandpa. I’ll study it until I master it."

Zhang Wei smiled and stood up. Taking a deep breath, he walked out of the cave.

Days passed quickly. Before he knew it, Xiao Chen had been there for more than two years. He had mastered every hand-to-hand and sword technique contained in the DEVIL WOLF manual.

In that time, he had explored every corner around the Thousand Ghost Hills. Wherever he went, Benggala accompanied him. Sometimes, when tired, Xiao Chen would ride on Benggala’s back.

Seeing how rapidly Xiao Chen had advanced, Zhang Wei decided it was time to teach him inner energy cultivation—so that each technique he performed would be even more perfect.

One day, the old man took Xiao Chen to a certain place. Along the way, Zhang Wei explained how inner energy training worked, and why this particular location was important. Benggala was left behind to guard the cave while they were gone.

When they arrived at a waterfall, Xiao Chen—who was used to bathing there with Benggala—was surprised. He could hardly believe that the place contained so many elements that could help him cultivate inner energy.

"I come here often with Benggala, Grandpa," Xiao Chen said.

"Really? Why has Benggala never told me that?" Zhang Wei asked in surprise.

"Since when can Benggala talk?" Xiao Chen shot back.

"I’ll tell you everything I’ve learned in the past few months later. For now, go into the pool and stand directly under the waterfall," Zhang Wei instructed.

Xiao Chen pouted slightly, curious about the story Zhang Wei was withholding.

"Don’t be childish, Xiao Chen. Do as I say—submerge yourself with only your head above water!"

Without removing his clothes, Xiao Chen stepped into the frigid pool. Luckily, he was used to bathing here and could handle the cold.

"Once you’re under the waterfall, focus your mind on erasing the cold from your body. In essence, shut down all your senses, and let the power within you emerge on its own!"

"How long do I stay here, Grandpa?"

"Until you succeed. It could be quick, or it could be slow—it depends on your effort and determination."

"How long did it take you?"

"About three weeks." Zhang Wei smiled at Xiao Chen’s stunned reaction.

The young man’s face was full of shock. Three weeks in this freezing water? I’ll turn into ice! he thought.

"Remember, it all depends on your willpower. You might even be faster than I was. Now get to it—I’ll leave you to it!" Zhang Wei said, vanishing into the forest.

On the first day, Xiao Chen felt as though his bones were being pierced by thousands of needles. The cold seeped deep into his marrow. But the twenty-two-year-old, who never gave up easily, kept focusing his mind as instructed.

As per Zhang Wei’s teachings, he had to shut down all his senses so his inner power could be released.

Days passed quickly, and soon a week had gone by. During that time, Zhang Wei never visited him, and even forbade Benggala from approaching the waterfall—so as not to disturb Xiao Chen’s concentration.

One night, as Zhang Wei lay down in the cave to rest, he found himself unable to sleep. His mind simply refused to settle.

The over-a-century-old man sat up and leaned against the cave wall. It was strange—he had never experienced this in all his years living there.

Around midnight, his eyes were drawn to a bundle of cloth containing Xiao Chen’s clothes. From within it, he saw a bright blue light seeping out.

But his curiosity had to wait—because just then, a loud explosion echoed through the silent night.