Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Trust in the Next Generation
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He had regained consciousness, but his body still couldn't move freely.
His organs and qi blood stabbed with sharp pains more than his mangled right arm. It wasn't enough to completely immobilize him, and Wi Seongcheon was familiar with such pain.
Forcing any movement would only worsen his internal injuries, though. So he lay on the bed, passing the time.
Peng Yeonhwa, Dang Heeran, and Bang Jun visited him often. Beyond them, Yeongjin, Tae Heiming, and Cheong Ubin also came by to check on Wi Seongcheon with concern.
Hwangbo Seongu and Haji Tae visited as well. It wasn't surprising. The scar right in the middle of his face made his impression even fiercer, but the Hwangbo Seongu that Wi Seongcheon had seen wasn't as rotten as his face or rough speech suggested.
The way he kept the sectless, family-less Haji Tae as a friend and looked after him, or how Haji Tae had raged at Hwangbo Seongu's injuries, showed he had surprisingly deep feelings.
“You should've just kicked the bucket.”
His speech matched his fierce looks, though.
“...Thanks for that time.”
The unexpected visitor was Sang Irin. She came in person to express her gratitude to Wi Seongcheon, then hurried off.
“How are your internal injuries?”
Dang Seona visited too.
Among those attacked by the Poison Blood Ghost Demon, her condition had recovered the best.
The beast nest camp had its own physicians, but Dang Seona handled Wi Seongcheon's treatment. Her skills far surpassed the camp's doctors.
The medicine for internal injuries she gave him was bitterly foul, a torment to swallow, but Wi Seongcheon gulped it down without complaint. It was all to recover as much as possible before the Yicheonje.
“I'm fine.”
Wi Seongcheon cleared his throat lowly under the Taiji Sword Lord's piercing gaze as he spoke.
The Taiji Sword Lord grinned, clearly amused by something.
“Since you took such precious medicine.”
“I'm not gonna make you spit it back up, so no need to act coy.”
“Ahem. I heard it's incredibly rare medicine.”
“It is precious. When Jinchung gave it to me before, there were only three left, I think. I took two, and fed one to Yeonjun.”
“How can I ever repay this grace.”
“Just survive without dying. That's more than enough. Jinchung gave me the Dawn Heavenly God Pills, telling me to use one on the young Heavenly Being and the rest at my discretion.”
“...It's too extravagant a elixir for someone like me.”
After replying like that, a sudden curiosity struck Wi Seongcheon, and he asked the Taiji Sword Lord.
“Why didn't you take the Dawn Heavenly God Pill yourself, Sword Lord?”
“Because it wouldn't make much difference.”
The Taiji Sword Lord smiled faintly as he answered.
“I've trained in martial arts for decades and consumed no small share of elixirs. Eating one more at this point won't change much. But you young ones are different. That's why I didn't take it.”
“Sword Lord.”
With those words,
Wi Seongcheon paused for a moment.
The Taiji Sword Lord didn't press him, just gazed at him with that faint smile.
“You believe the Ten Heroes of this era can never defeat the Demonic Cult.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because all your actions are for the 'future' after your death.”
“You're right.”
The Taiji Sword Lord nodded without denial.
“A few years ago, I thought... I could end it with my own hands.”
That wasn't baseless arrogance. He was one of the Ten Heroes, the Taiji Sword Lord. Mount Wudang's greatest swordsman, a man who could claim the title of the world's finest.
“It's not just because I was exceptional. The Ten Heroes of this era outshine any experts from the orthodox factions' past.”
The Poison Martial Queen Dang Sa-yeong was the greatest master in Tang Clan history. The Transcendent Spear Jiminguk was stronger than any spear master who'd shaken the world for centuries.
Moon Shadow Immortal Baek Cheongu was the top expert of the mystic Cheongnim Sect and a grandmaster of qi arts unmatched even among the orthodox peaks. The Eccentric Beggar Hero Jang Beom was hailed as the greatest in Beggars' Sect history.
Over hundreds of years, the orthodox murim had produced countless masters.
They weren't all called Ten Heroes back then, but every one of this era's Ten Heroes was worthy of being called the greatest in orthodox history.
“But it wasn't enough. I realized that a few years ago. I... no, the Ten Heroes of this era cannot surpass the Demonic Cult. We cannot overcome the Heavenly Demon.”
“Have you seen the Heavenly Demon?”
“No.”
The Taiji Sword Lord smiled bitterly.
“You don't need to see it with your own two eyes to know. Without absolute conviction in myself... my sword can never reach the Heavenly Demon. That's why I came to the Heavenly Academy. It's where the true future of the orthodox murim gathers.”
“Do you think we of the next generation can do what the Ten Heroes cannot?”
“I have to believe.”
The Taiji Sword Lord's qi withdrew as he examined Wi Seongcheon's qi and blood. He released the wrist and instead gripped his hand firmly.
“I have no choice but to believe. That the next generation can achieve what I couldn't. I... saw that potential.”
He had secretly followed the students heading out to subjugate the beasts. Not because he anticipated a Demonic Cult raid—though he thought maybe, just maybe, they might come.
What moved the Taiji Sword Lord was his desire to witness the next generation's potential with his own eyes.
Even in a fight against weakened beasts, on a real battlefield where lives were at stake—who could shoulder the future of orthodox murim?
“They were all outstanding.”
The Taiji Sword Lord released Wi Seongcheon's hand.
“All of them, outstanding. You're still young. That's why so many possibilities are open to you, unlike me. I... am certain. Someday, when I and the Ten Heroes of this era step aside, you will represent orthodox murim.”
“...Me too?”
“I believe you'll rise as the greatest master.”
Ah.
Tears threatened to well up again. Wi Seongcheon clenched his fist to steady his emotions.
It wasn't even a Heart Sword strike, yet the Taiji Sword Lord's words cut sharper than one into Wi Seongcheon's heart.
“You speak as if it's your last words.”
“Haha! Now that you mention it, you're right. I am old enough to write a will. I've lived nearly a century, after all.”
The Taiji Sword Lord laughed heartily and patted Wi Seongcheon's shoulder.
“But don't think I'm retiring like some washed-up has-been. I'm old, but my body's still spry. These days, I wonder why the young ones are so frail.”
“Pardon?”
“Heiming. He bawled and bowed when I said I'd take him as direct disciple. Then earlier, he grabbed my pant leg begging me to spare him. If your body were in shape, I'd have dragged you along for training too.”
The感動 quickly cooled.
“Good thing my body's not up to it.”
As he sighed in relief, he suddenly realized Peng Yeonhwa hadn't visited today.
“Don't tell me Yeonhwa's training too?”
“Not just Yeonhwa. The others as well. For now, with the other students watching, I couldn't push properly, but starting tomorrow, I'll train them harshly.”
The Taiji Sword Lord smiled brightly, utterly devoid of malice.
As he said, tomorrow the other students would return to the Heavenly Academy first.
Wi Seongcheon and the others who'd gone to the nest would leave the camp in a week, citing recovery.
“If you're feeling better, at least come observe.”
“Uh... I'll think about it.”
Wi Seongcheon replied, sweat beading on his brow.
* * *
Dozens of carriages rumbled away.
Wi Seongcheon watched from his bed. Bang Jun was probably riding in one of them. No one was around to see, but he waved toward the carriages anyway.
The students returning first would freely gossip about what happened at the camp.
He wondered how much the gazes at the Heavenly Academy would have changed. Wi Seongcheon thought about it and smirked.
Even so, those who hated him would keep hating him. People were like that.
‘Especially jealousy.’
Now, rather than contempt for the Cheonhwa Sect, outright jealousy toward him would show. Wi Seongcheon actually welcomed it. Who in the world envies someone inferior to them?
When he'd first arrived at the Heavenly Academy, no one envied him.
Wi Seongcheon straightened from leaning by the window and sat cross-legged.
A week at the camp. Estimating two weeks to return made it just shy of a month. How to use that time was key.
‘Fully recovering... might be impossible.’
His mangled right hand was an issue, and so were the internal injuries. The silver lining was that the Dawn Heavenly God Pill had greatly boosted his inner power... and...
‘My channels are tougher.’
He tested running the Cheonhwa Ilryeon Art with reverse flow. Pain like tearing channels hit, but he could still circulate the technique. Even with injuries, the reverse flow backlash was fiercer than before.
And that wasn't all.
‘It was a karmic encounter.’
Once qi accumulates in the lower dantian and the middle dantian opens, one can form qi externally. That's entry into true aura.
Wi Seongcheon's middle dantian hadn't fully opened before. He could still use aura thanks to the Cheonhwa Ilryeon Art's reverse flow.
Twisting channels to force inner power for aura strained the body greatly.
But the Dawn Heavenly God Pill had cleared his three channels. Meaning his middle dantian was fully open, allowing aura without reverse flow.
‘As expected.’
Wi Seongcheon raised his left hand.
The qi flow, which should be smooth, felt off. Due to internal injuries.
He closed his eyes and focused on the Grand Circulation.
‘A month won't cut it.’
No matter how many checks, the verdict stayed the same. Even improved as he was, full recovery in a month was impossible.
‘My opponent is Shaolin's Jinu... Can I manage?’
Fighting while nursing injuries... With middle dantian open and using reverse flow.
‘I know what to do. Find the optimal channels for the month.’
Avoid badly injured channels. Can't risk worsening injuries. Repeated reverse flows to carve new smooth qi paths.
It'd be a hellish month. Grand Circulation alone hurt this much; repeated reverse flows...?
A chill ran through him, but Wi Seongcheon grinned. Better than lying idle.
After finishing Grand Circulation and opening his eyes, the sun had set.
Meticulous checks on channel damage had left him soaked in sweat. Wi Seongcheon wiped his forehead and turned his head.
“Having fun?”
Muyeonjun sat near the bed. He'd been there watching for a while.
“What're you on about.”
“Watching me. Fun?”
“Intriguing.”
Muyeonjun narrowed his eyes as he said it.
“Planning another reckless stunt.”
“Came to stop me?”
“I'd like to, but you won't listen.”
“Yeah, I won't. And it's not as dangerous as just watching.”
“Looks that way. Your body's... seriously weird.”
Muyeonjun fell silent for a moment.
First face-to-face since the nest. Even Sang Irin visited, but Muyeonjun showed up now.
It didn't bother him. They weren't that close, and he'd heard about Muyeonjun's circumstances.
“What've you been doing in your room?”
“What're you talking about?”
“Heard you've been holed up since returning to camp?”
“Replayed the fight with the Poison Blood Ghost Demon.”
Hardly a real fight, though. Muyeonjun muttered with a straight face.
“But it was worthwhile. Helped me realize my powerlessness.”
“Four days of self-pity?”
“Awakened to my deficiencies.”
Muyeonjun slowly shook his head.
“Replayed fighting the Poison Blood Ghost Demon hundreds of times. But I couldn't win. No matter how many times, I died.”
“So?”
“Wanted to say thanks.”
Muyeonjun stared at Wi Seongcheon with half-lidded eyes. Wi Seongcheon looked back squarely, then snorted a laugh.
“What for?”
“You staked your life in the fight with the Poison Blood Ghost Demon.”
“Nope, never. I had zero intention of dying.”
“Really?”
The piercing stare annoyed him. Wi Seongcheon glared back without answering.
“When the Poison Blood Ghost Demon first appeared, you tried to run. But you didn't, and you threw the boldest gamble of anyone there.”
“Just judged I couldn't escape.”
“Maybe. But you didn't need to stake your life. The Poison Blood Ghost Demon had no intent to kill us. Yet you did.”
A thin smile bloomed on Muyeonjun's expressionless face.
“That's what I'm thankful for.”
“Grateful for the weirdest things.”
He recalled their conversation the night before leaving for the nest.
Then, Muyeonjun had said he felt a kinship with Wi Seongcheon. Demon-Slaying Physique. Demon-Slaying Fate.
Wi Seongcheon had never once thought he bore such a fate.
That night, he'd felt pity for Muyeonjun saying those words.
“And I'm sorry about this incident.”
Muyeonjun said abruptly.
Thanks first, then sorry? He didn't get the thanks, but the apology was obvious.
“If I'd been stronger. Heavenly Being worthy, you wouldn't have needed to stake your life.”
As expected.
Wi Seongcheon waved it off with an annoyed look.
“Why drag up the past? Cut the depressing talk, and if you're done, get out.”
Wi Seongcheon flopped back down. Muyeonjun stared at his back for a moment, then stood.
‘...Couldn't reach.’
As he left the physician's quarters,
The thought that had trapped him in his room gripped his ankle again.
‘I couldn't reach.’
He'd replayed the Poison Blood Ghost Demon fight countless times... but the result was the same.
Current Muyeonjun couldn't handle a Ten Demons yet. Even going all-out for mutual destruction, no confidence.
But Wi Seongcheon's martial arts had reached the Poison Blood Ghost Demon.
That... twisted Muyeonjun's emotions strangely. He was stronger than Wi Seongcheon. Undeniably. Confident of winning any number of spars. So why did Wi Seongcheon's arts reach?
Muyeonjun stopped and looked back.
The physician's building glowed in sunset hues.
“I see.”
Muyeonjun nodded slowly.
He understood this unfamiliar feeling.
‘Want to fight him.’
First time feeling this... Born a Heavenly Being, trained under a Ten Hero.
Never felt rivalry toward peers at the Heavenly Academy. Not just students—even Ten Heroes or other masters.
A Heavenly Being's role was slaying demons. Rivalry wasn't needed for that mission.
But a Heavenly Being was human too.
‘Fight and... what do I want?’
He knew the answer.
To win.
Win and prove himself the Heavenly Being.
“Ha.”
Muyeonjun mocked himself for the feeling.
“No, I didn't see how you fought the Poison Blood Ghost Demon, but I heard from the others about your feats.”
“I got lucky. The Poison Blood Ghost Demon... never intended to kill us from the start.”
“Lucky, yes, you're right. But your 'luck' applied to every kid there. And when the Poison Blood Ghost Demon held back, you were the one who threatened him. I think my judgment's sound. Sorry for Heiming, but... he understood too.”
“Did you take Senior Tae Heiming as your disciple?”
“Yes.”
The Taiji Sword Lord nodded. Answering so, he seemed relieved.
“I received much from my sect, but gave back little. Taking a disciple now is far too late... but Heiming will carry on my arts faster than I could make up for lost time.”
The Taiji Sword Lord reached out. Wi Seongcheon offered his left hand without asking why. The Sword Lord grasped his wrist and slowly sent qi flowing in.
The foreign qi entering his channels felt deeply uncomfortable, but Wi Seongcheon didn't resist.
“...Much improved, but don't overdo it. Your martial arts burden you too heavily.”
“Yes.”
“Good thing, though. Injuries that'd take years to heal are recovering fast.”
“Because of the good medicine.”