The Black Snake (9)
Jeon Myeong-hoon stretched his hand toward the sky.
This was the basic step of opening the Heavenly Insight, the fundamental spiritual perception that connected the atmosphere of the heavens with his own qi to observe the heavenly rhythms.
That was the Chilseong-je, the Seven-Star Ceremony.
He performed the ritual with dignity, sincerely asking the heaven and earth for their blessings.
‘Once I pass this stage only…’
Only the training of the paired water stage remained, the very stage he had dreamed of for so long.
And that was the moment when Jeon Myeong-hoon and Geum Jin-chan were about to begin their proposed ritual.
Ureung, ureurung!
“Hmm?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s eyes filled with confusion.
“Master, I cannot read the astronomical phenomena because of the dark clouds…?”
“Hmm…”
Geum Jin-chan stared at the dark clouds and his expression grew rigid.
“…Let us wait a moment. It could be a temporary phenomenon.”
He gritted his lips tightly and spoke.
“If the wind blows, it will disappear soon.”
At those words, Jeon Myeong-hoon sat and waited.
Though Jeon Myeong-hoon himself did not know, many elders and elders of the Geumsincheonroemun sect watched intently from every corner of the sect.
And Seo Eun-hyun was one of them.
Seo Eun-hyun sat cross-legged on the eastern peak, watching the dark clouds with a faint smile.
“Indeed, how will you overcome the heavenly resistance.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon and even Geum Jin-chan had initially seemed willing to wait, but as the dark clouds refused to dissipate, both grew increasingly anxious.
“Master… isn’t it almost time for the sun to rise…?”
“I know! Just wait… those clouds can’t stay in place until the sun rises!”
But the impossible had become reality.
The dark clouds never moved from their spot.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Geum Jin-chan looked up at the dark clouds in vain and greeted the morning that way.* * *
Two months had passed.
“Ha, hahaha… This is ridiculous.”
Geum Jin-chan flipped through the ancient texts of Geumsincheonroemun, speaking to himself in a trembling voice.
“A heavenly resistance phenomenon…? Did even my ancestor experience the same phenomenon?”
No matter what method they used for two months, Jeon Myeong-hoon’s Chilseong-je was always blocked by the dark clouds.
As a result, Supreme Sect Master Geum Byeok-ho became furious, and the elders and elders searched through the archives to find similar cases.
And finally, they reached the truth of the ‘heavenly resistance phenomenon.’
Geum Jin-chan investigated the fact and went to see Geum Byeok-ho.
“The heavenly resistance phenomenon?”
In the Golden Thunder Hall, the majority of the elders of Geumsincheonroemun gathered and began their meeting.
Geum Byeok-ho drummed his fingers on the armrest of his seat with an uncomfortable expression.
“…Yes, my ancestor experienced the same phenomenon, I hear?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“…Did records not mention how my ancestor overcame it?”
“Yes… It is regrettable, but it is only recorded that he overcame it with extraordinary talent.”
“What exactly is that extraordinary talent…!”
“I am sorry.”
Geum Jin-chan lowered his head.
Geum Byeok-ho let out a sigh.
“Can law artifacts not solve it?”
Geum Byeok-ho pressed his throbbing head and asked.
According to his analysis, the phenomenon Jeon Myeong-hoon was currently experiencing was a form of heavenly tribulation.
Not of the lightning tribulation type, but a heavenly tribulation that had deliberately set out to hinder the ritual.
In such cases, even if a law artifact were used to pierce through it oneself, the problem would remain.
“If it is an artifact above the product level, it should be able to pierce through the dark clouds.”
“Then, if we provided the product-level artifact…”
“However, operating an artifact above the product level requires at least Qi Condensation peak-level spiritual power.”
“……”
To operate a product-level artifact, one needed Qi Condensation peak spiritual power.
But to reach Qi Condensation peak spiritual power, one needed to be able to operate a product-level artifact.
This was a contradiction.
“Without the strength of a monster like Goe-gun, no one would be able to create a product-level artifact that can be used with Qi Condensation early-stage spiritual power. The same applies even if we searched everywhere in the Gwanghan Realm.”
“……That is correct. Of course, there is no way I would send for that mad old man to borrow his puppets… Well, what am I to do.”
Geum Byeok-ho pressed the bulging veins on his forehead and suppressed his irritation.
At that moment, his gaze naturally fell upon Disciplinary Committee Head Jin Hwi.
“Disciplinary Committee Head Jin Hwi, have you never experienced such a heavenly resistance phenomenon when training Seo Eun-hyun? Ah, well, of course not. I have never heard of a heavenly resistance phenomenon occurring with a Thunder Body.”
“In truth… Seo Eun-hyun has also experienced a similar phenomenon.”
“What…!”
At Jin Hwi’s next words, Geum Byeok-ho’s eyes widened in shock.
“Why didn’t you say anything until now!!!”
“I am sorry. Seo Eun-hyun, no, Elder Seo simply tore through the dark clouds with ease and performed the Chilseong-je… In truth, I didn’t even know it was a heavenly resistance phenomenon.”
“Hmph… Well, it is fine. Then, how exactly did Seo Eun-hyun overcome the heavenly resistance phenomenon so easily?”
In response to Geum Byeok-ho’s question, Jin Hwi spoke with an awkward expression.
“Um… When Elder Seo raised his hand, a thick lightning bolt shot out from his hand and instantly tore through the dark clouds, and the Chilseong-je proceeded as usual.”
“……”
“That is all.”
“Heh heh…”
Geum Byeok-ho let out a dry laugh at Jin Hwi’s statement.
It was of no help at all.
But at the same time, it was good for the sect to have an outstanding disciple.
Yet, at the same time, it was incomprehensible to Geum Byeok-ho why a disciple with a Thunder Body could pass the ritual so easily, while the Thunder Body owner Jeon Myeong-hoon was struggling so desperately.
‘Now that I think about it, it was that way from the beginning.’
Geum Byeok-ho pressed his throbbing temples and mentally compared Seo Eun-hyun and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Thinking back, Seo Eun-hyun had already achieved Void Shattering on his own, yet possessed a will at the peak of the Nascent Soul level.
The moment he received the Thunder Body, he soared to the sixth star in a single day, and even including the time for the Chilseong-je, it took less than ten days to reach Qi Condensation peak.
And now, less than a year and a half after his entry.
He had reached Qi Condensation early peak and was working day and night to leap to the mid-stage, was it not strange that he was not showing it?
In comparison, Jeon Myeong-hoon, from the moment he entered, had not learned the cultivation method but had to receive etiquette training first because he lacked the manners, and even after being put through the cultivation with high expectations, he had fallen far behind Seo Eun-hyun.
Moreover, according to Jin Hwi’s words, both Seo Eun-hyun and Jeon Myeong-hoon had experienced the heavenly resistance phenomenon, but Seo Eun-hyun had somehow resolved it in one go.
Then, why was a person with even greater talent, Jeon Myeong-hoon, struggling to resolve the heavenly resistance?
‘The physical talent is superior in Jeon Myeong-hoon, but in terms of talent, Seo Eun-hyun is the greater genius who dominates the five elements?’
When both the Thunder Body and the Thunder Body owner entered the sect, Geum Byeok-ho had been thrilled to death.
But now that the Thunder Body owner Jeon Myeong-hoon kept giving him trouble, another thought crossed his mind.
‘If only Seo Eun-hyun had been born with that talent…’
It was unbearably regretful.
‘If that had been the case, he truly would have been my ancestor’s reincarnation. How pitiful…’
Geum Byeok-ho clicked his tongue inwardly.
“First, bring Elder Seo to the Golden Thunder Hall. I want to hear Elder Seo’s opinion on how he overcame the heavenly resistance phenomenon.”
He had called Seo Eun-hyun to investigate how the heavenly resistance phenomenon had been overcome so easily.
* * *
“It’s simply done that way.”
I spoke to Geum Byeok-ho with a calm expression.
“Then… can you tell me the exact method of that ‘simply done that way’?”
Geum Byeok-ho asked with a pained expression.
But I could not answer honestly.
To claim that I had stored up the heavenly tribulation in advance and then released it would seem too suspicious, would it not?
‘And I cannot claim that I took another’s heavenly tribulation instead of theirs either.’
If Jeon Myeong-hoon once took another’s heavenly tribulation instead of his own, the tribulation would grow stronger and stronger.
Unless Jeon Myeong-hoon would attach himself to that person for life to take their tribulation instead, such a method would only hasten their death.
Then what should I say?
‘If I were to do it, I could tear off Jeon Myeong-hoon’s arm in place of Goe-gun, modify the arm, and attach my face on it so that I could fire the Soul Lord’s face, and the heavenly resistance phenomenon would be solved immediately.’
But the problem was that Geum Byeok-ho, who had suffered greatly from Goe-gun, would immediately distrust me if I did that.
‘Borrowing a puppet would not work, nor would learning an even stronger secret technique in the five elements. And if I taught him the methods of the Changcheon Gaegyeonmun or Yusu Gongbeop, he would take decades to master them, as he lacked the perseverance.’
The martial arts were even worse.
The pinnacle or Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown were not realms that could be ascended by playing around with them, and the Five Qi Consorting with the Origin and Deungbongjogeuk were even more so.
‘I swear that it would take four hundred years to bring Jeon Myeong-hoon to Deungbongjogeuk.’
Being one of the great masters of martial arts, I could say this with conviction.
He had no talent at all in martial arts.
Then how could I give Geum Byeok-ho a satisfactory answer?
‘What would my master have done?’
I recalled my master.
Cheongmun Ryeong, how would he have helped his disciple in this situation?
As I pondered, it occurred to me that this place was ‘Gwanghan Realm.’
‘Yes, Gwanghan Realm has far more heaven and earth qi.’
Then perhaps that method would work.
“…The method I used may not help Jeon Myeong-hoon.”
“Determining that is my job. So, tell me…”
“However, I believe there is a method that could help Jeon Myeong-hoon.”
“Hmm…!?”
I explained my idea to Geum Byeok-ho.
Geum Byeok-ho’s eyes, and those of the gathered elders, sparkled with hope.
“Indeed… if it is such a method…!”
* * *
Crack, crackle!
Jeon Myeong-hoon had pulled a vast amount of brain qi into his body with the Thunder Body.
“Damn it!”
He shouted in frustration.
“Why! The Seven-Star Ceremony isn’t working!”
His outburst made the surrounding brain qi surge and grow even stronger.
“Damn it!”
He was shouting wildly.
“Shouting won’t change anything. Just worry quietly.”
A clear voice approached Jeon Myeong-hoon.
It was the golden-robed woman, Geum So-hae.
“The elders are working day and night to find a way to overcome the heavenly resistance, but you are just sitting there. Find a method.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s eyebrows twitched.
“…I am looking for a method too. But what exactly should I do? Law artifacts don’t work, and if Master removes the clouds instead of me, the ritual ends, but I can’t remove the clouds no matter what!”
“Tsk, what I mean is a matter of attitude. Honestly, you are sleeping when you have time and resting when you should be resting, and you are looking for a method.”
That was the case.
Jeon Myeong-hoon slept at night and scheduled rest times, resting comfortably for several shijin.
But Jeon Myeong-hoon did not understand Geum So-hae’s words.
“Of course, when a person has time to sleep, they sleep. What are you saying?”
“If you have decided to walk the path of cultivation, it is better to reduce sleeping time as much as possible. Among the elders, there are those who sit in seclusion for tens of years without sleeping.”
“…Huu.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon wanted to say ‘If they are at elder level, they are not human but monsters, so it is possible,’ but he held it back.
‘If she hadn’t been so pretty, I would have told her to disappear long ago…’
Honestly, Geum So-hae’s face was exactly to Jeon Myeong-hoon’s taste, so he had no choice.
“Well, then, what am I supposed to do?”
“Ah, I came to talk a little about that. There is a friend who wants to help you.”
“A friend who wants to help me?”
And at the same time, a long, dark shadow shot up above Jeon Myeong-hoon.
“Eek!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon shuddered at the sight.
No matter how many times he saw it, it never became familiar.
The giant centipede monster, Hong Beom.
“One of the monsters of an elder, and I have become quite close with him recently.”
[Hello, we met last time, didn’t we?]
“Ah, hello. Just now… I was screaming, sorry.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon greeted the centipede awkwardly.
[No. It is quite possible. If I were to reach the Nascent Soul soon and undergo the burning, the problem would be solved, but I am sorry for frightening you.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon shook his head at the polite words of Hong Beom.
“No, I am sorry. By the way… you don’t stumble over your words anymore?”
[I have learned a lot about language from Miss Geum So-hae. Recently, I have been learning to speak human language properly, not just animal language.]
“Oh… Impressive. Indeed, a monster of a Nascent Soul elder…”
[Fufu, my master has always helped me with my training whenever he has time and kindly explains things I do not understand.]
“Indeed, an impressive elder.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded and asked.
“By the way, is that guy here to help me?”
[Yes, that is correct. When my master occasionally explains the principles of yin and yang during his explanation of the Thunder Body method, I heard him say that Jeon Myeong-hoon had been struggling lately, so I asked Miss So-hae to help and came together.]
“Oh, how will you help?”
[I want to help you understand the Thunder Body method you are currently learning, the Thunder Body.]
“…What? You understand the Thunder Body?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon asked in confusion because he could not understand the centipede’s words.
However, Hong Beom spoke calmly.
[My master is a master of the Seon Gak Houtong. I heard an explanation of the Thunder Body from him, and if I can pull out all ten layers of the power of the Thunder Body, Jeon Myeong-hoon can also overcome the heavenly resistance with the power of the Thunder Body, can he not?]
“Hmm… I know a little about Seon Gak Houtong, but does it have such incredible power?”
[Of course. Come and listen once and decide.]
A while later, Jeon Myeong-hoon listened to Hong Beom’s lecture on Seon Gak Houtong.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon’s eyes sparkled.
“Indeed…! Amazing. The parts I couldn’t understand are now clear! He explains extremely well!”
[It is only because I have learned it well from my master.]
“Even so, your main method is not the Thunder Body but the monster’s Yusu Gongbeop, and yet you explain it like this… You are an amazing fellow!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon praised Hong Beom and, at the same time, a deep respect rose in his heart for the Nascent Soul elder who was Hong Beom’s master.
‘The master of the Seon Gak Houtong who resides in Geumsincheonroemun… Even the monster he raises is this deeply versed in the foundation of the martial arts…’
[If you wish, I will help you study the Seon Gak Houtong directly under my master.]
“Hmm…”
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon looked at Geum So-hae’s eyes and hesitated.
Geum So-hae spoke in front of Hong Beom.
“I am sorry, but Hong Beom, it is not recommended to learn something from someone other than one’s own master in the main text. If it is a close person like the dual cultivation partner, it is allowed to learn from each other, but if it is an entirely different master, it can be seen as betrayal of one’s own master. Especially since your master is an elder, but Jeon Myeong-hoon’s master, Geum Jin-chan, is an elder, it could cause even more sensitive issues.”
[Ah, I see. I have spoken out of turn. However… then helping Jeon Myeong-hoon by passing on my master’s words to the extent that I am a monster would be fine, would it not?]
“Um… that might be okay. There are no rules regarding monsters.”
At those words, Hong Beom looked at Jeon Myeong-hoon and said.
[I understand. Then I will pass on my master’s teachings to Jeon Myeong-hoon in his place.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon asked Hong Beom.
“But… why are you helping me so well?”
[That is… my master is always worried about Jeon Myeong-hoon. My master said that Jeon Myeong-hoon must grow as a Thunder Body owner for the sect to be stable, so as someone who serves him, it is my duty to help you as much as possible.]
“What…!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked at Hong Beom with emotional eyes.
He was moved by Hong Beom, and he developed a deep respect for the Nascent Soul elder who was Hong Beom’s master.
‘Someone who thinks of his juniors to that extent should be in the position of sect elder.’
“Tell me the name of that elder. No, wait. No. I will go find him myself after I reach the next realm. Until then, there is no need to tell me.”
[Yes, well… If you wish, I will do so. Then, from now on, you will listen to my lectures on Seon Gak Houtong?]
“Yes, please, Hong Beom!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon knelt before Hong Beom and requested the teachings.
There was no shame in kneeling before a monster.
Hong Beom’s cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment level, and he was undoubtedly a monster who had walked the path of cultivation longer than himself.
And his master, the Nascent Soul elder, was undoubtedly a noble person.
‘I will definitely learn the theories of Seon Gak Houtong from Hong Beom and awaken the true power of the Thunder Body.’
And I will definitely pass the Seven-Star Ceremony and tell my master and the elders of the sect what I have accomplished.
That I am the ‘winner.’
And ten years passed.* * *
“Heaven!!!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon gnashed his teeth as he looked at the dark clouds.
Crack, crackle!
The brain power of the Thunder Body surged around him.
Thick lightning flickered, reddening the air around Jeon Myeong-hoon.
The lightning turning red was a characteristic that only appeared when the Thunder Body reached its extreme.
Jeon Myeong-hoon had trained for ten years until he could completely dissect the beginning and end of the Thunder Body using the Seon Gak Houtong method.
But.
“Why! I! still can’t!! reach Qi Condensation seventh star!! Heavens, heavens, heavens!!!!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon gnashed his teeth with bloodshot eyes.
Kurrurung!
Using Hong Beom’s help at the Qi Condensation sixth stage, he awakened the true intention of the Thunder Body.
The red thunder rose toward the sky and touched the clouds.
But that was all.
At the Qi Condensation sixth stage level, even with the awakened true intention of the Thunder Body, it was insufficient.
The red lightning only brushed the edge of the dark clouds and dissipated.
A powerful force that could not be confronted at the Qi Condensation sixth stage level, yet it was not enough to pierce through the clouds that blocked the heavens.
“Why! I! still! can’t pierce even the seventh star!!!”
From beside Jeon Myeong-hoon, Geum So-hae, Hong Beom, and several others from Geumsincheonroemun who had become close to him looked at him with pitying eyes.
The fact that Jeon Myeong-hoon had failed to overcome the heavenly resistance phenomenon for ten years was famous within the sect.
And for ten years, Geum Jin-chan had not shown his face whether Jeon Myeong-hoon performed the Chilseong-je or not.
The elders had also stopped paying attention to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Only a few close friends supported Jeon Myeong-hoon by his side.
Jeon Myeong-hoon felt a sense of betrayal toward everyone except Geum So-hae, Hong Beom, and a few others.
‘They help you when you seem useful, but when you seem useless, they toss you aside like a used rag?’
According to rumors, countless elders had gathered in Seo Eun-hyun’s eastern region to do something with Seo Eun-hyun.
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s mind was filled with inferiority toward Seo Eun-hyun, betrayal and anger toward the sect, and frustration.
‘The stronger the anger, the more the Thunder Body reacts.’
But recently, Jeon Myeong-hoon felt a change in the Thunder Body.
‘The method is reacting to emotions. Perhaps… if I have even greater anger…’
The feeling that the method itself was about to evolve filled him.
‘Yes, it must be that.’
And Jeon Myeong-hoon waited for that moment.
‘If I succeed in evolving the method, I can pierce the Seven-Star Ceremony!’
If he could only pierce the Seven-Star Ceremony, Jeon Myeong-hoon thought the path ahead would be smooth.
‘Ascend the realms quickly… and take revenge on those who ignored me!’
Crack!
He gritted his teeth and looked at the sky.* * *
“…It has already been ten years.”
Hong Su-ryeong entered my eastern region and said while sipping tea.
“Even ten years ago, I thought you were a crazy guy.”
I snorted at Hong Su-ryeong’s words.
“I would not like to hear that from a senior who caught healthy newcomers for human experimentation.”
“I did not mean it in a bad way. I simply said that your ability is too beyond the standard.”
She folded her arms and looked at the countless lightning currents swirling around me.
“When I heard that you would fully master the Geumsincheonroemun Thunder Body method, I thought you were a lunatic… but I never expected you to actually do it in ten years. You have mastered even the lowest achievement to the third star, amazing.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
“There… you have also been taking the lead in planning for Jeon Myeong-hoon. What do you think the Supreme Sect Master is saying?”
“What is he saying?”
“He said why I chose you as Jeon Myeong-hoon’s dual cultivation partner. He said he should have forced his great-great-granddaughter into it and is shedding tears of blood. Heh heh…”
She smiled faintly.
I also smiled faintly.
“Perhaps even if he says that, Geum So-hae has already developed deep affection for Jeon Myeong-hoon over the ten years…”
Honestly, I did not know why Geum So-hae liked Jeon Myeong-hoon.
But she liked Jeon Myeong-hoon.
To be honest, I did not know why.
‘Perhaps it is fate that she will fall in love with Jeon Myeong-hoon.’
“By the way, did you come to talk about that?”
“Of course not. I came to ask because you have successfully mastered all 9562 of Geumsincheonroemun’s methods.”
“……”
“Among the elders, it is only a rumor, but it is said that all the successive Supreme Sect Masters of Geumsincheonroemun have shared this secret.”
I sensed what she was about to say.
“All the methods existing in Geumsincheonroemun are incomplete. The methods of the main text complement each other. All the methods of the main text were created to imitate the Supreme Sect Master’s Thunder Body owner. Because of these facts, the elders always had such rumors.”
She looked at me and said.
“Perhaps the methods of the main text are not incomplete, but the rumor that they are fragments of the ‘original complete method’ divided into nine thousand or so. And the rumor that by mastering the ‘complete method’ one can obtain the ‘Thunder Body owner’ like my ancestor.”
Hong Su-ryeong’s eyes became serious.
“The successive Supreme Sect Masters seemed to know something about these rumors but always did not share the facts. Yes, after mastering all the methods, what do you think? Is Geumsincheonroemun’s method really a fragment of the original one?”
“…That is…”
* * *
Jeon Myeong-hoon was training the method that day too.
At that moment.
Boom!
A loud sound rang out, and someone appeared above him.
“Ah, Master!”
Jeon Myeong-hoon greeted Geum Jin-chan with courtesy.
“What business do you have?”
“What business? I came to see your achievement. Isn’t it natural for a master to view his disciple’s achievement? I heard that you have awakened the true intention of the Thunder Body recently. Show it to me.”
“Yes, understood.”
‘His tone… he has been paying attention as usual. Annoying…’
He unleashed the Thunder Body politely while inwardly complaining about Geum Jin-chan.
Crack, crackle!
The red lightning surged around him.
Geum Jin-chan nodded his head while looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon’s achievement.
“Hmm, good. You have indeed reached the extreme of the basic method, the Thunder Body.”
“Yes, that is correct. Your disciple has been working day and night…”
“By the way, Myeong-hoon. Even though you have reached the extreme of the Thunder Body, the elders’ conclusion regarding you at the Qi Condensation sixth stage is one conclusion.”
“Yes…? What is it?”
Jeon Myeong-hoon felt an ominous feeling from Geum Jin-chan’s cruel expression.
“Even if you have the Thunder Body, it is useless. Therefore, your body is to be turned into a pill, and the spiritual root of that Thunder Body owner is to be handed over to another person.”
“……???”
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s brain stopped for a moment as he could not understand.
“Yes…? What does that mean…”
“You do not need to understand.”
Kurrung!
Geum Jin-chan extended his hand to Jeon Myeong-hoon with a cold smile.
“Come here. I have already invited an excellent alchemist from the Samari sect, an expert in pill making, through the alliance of the Demon Road Sect.”