Chapter 85: The Proxy (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 85: The Proxy (4)
The Jeongyang Hall of the Dohwa Lineage.
Four Taoists sat before the portly Great Immortal Jeongyang.
Among them, a Taoist dressed in official robes and clutching a Yin-Yang Plate spoke first.
“The restoration of the scriptures should be completed in about three days. Once that is done, the Dohwa Lineage will once again move according to the flow of providence.”
Great Immortal Jeongyang fanned himself with a large folding fan as he replied.
“It has already come to that. Time is as honest as the natural order itself. This was only possible because all of you worked tirelessly, day and night.”
“The disciples also labored hard; how could we claim all the credit for ourselves?”
The Taoist with a flute tucked into his waistband replied humbly to Jeongyang’s praise.
Great Immortal Jeongyang gave him a thin smile and asked, “Everyone has shown great virtue. Come to think of it, you were teaching Un-hwi your skills until yesterday. Is the transmission complete?”
Three years and eight months.
That was the amount of time the eight masters of the Dohwa Lineage had spent teaching Jin Un-hwi.
Aside from the time spent restoring the scriptures and resting, they had devoted themselves heart and soul to passing their techniques on to him.
Though they had been reluctant at first, at some point, the act of teaching him had turned into a subtle competition among the Taoists. Since they were all teaching him on equal footing, no one wanted their particular skill to be seen as inferior.
“The eight masters split three years and eight months between us to teach him. How could we possibly transmit the full depth of our arts in such a time? However, the boy’s talent is terrifyingly brilliant. He has mastered all the basic melodies of the Wood Garden Flower Pine Valley.”
“Ho ho ho. You were so worried because he had never learned music before. That is a relief.”
“In truth, I wanted to take him as my formal disciple.”
At those words, the Taoist holding the Yin-Yang Plate nodded in agreement.
“It seems you feel the same as I do, Senior Brother.”
“You felt that way as well?”
“Since the period wasn't long, I intended to only give him the basics of the Snow Sound Flower Sun Dance while strengthening his foundation in Yin and Yang. But his martial talent was so outstanding that I found myself teaching him all sorts of things without realizing it.”
The woman wearing only one shoe gasped in surprise at the Taoist’s confession.
“Weren't we supposed to teach him only one skill each?”
“Is it not natural for a teacher to grow greedy when the student absorbs everything so well? Did you truly only teach him the Body Transformation Art, Senior Sister Nam?”
“Ahem, ahem.”
The woman with one shoe cleared her throat awkwardly. It seemed she, too, had taught him more than intended.
As several Taoists burst into laughter, she quickly tried to explain herself.
“...The Body Transformation Art doesn't take as long to master as other skills, so I merely gave him a few pointers on other matters.”
“I heard you refined his Body Lightening Method,” the Taoist with the flute remarked.
She replied in a sharp, defensive tone.
“The fastest technique among the ones he knew looked unstable, so I simply gave him some advice, Senior Brother.”
“In the end, you taught him, didn't you?”
“Well, that’s...”
“The more the merrier, I say! Hahahaha!”
As the Taoist with the flute laughed heartily, her face flushed red.
The Taoist with the Yin-Yang Plate then turned to the woman holding a lotus.
“Come to think of it, didn't you finish your transmission the fastest, Senior Sister? Yet you haven't said a single word about the boy. Are you still dissatisfied?”
The woman with the lotus replied curtly.
“Why should I boast and list every little thing I taught him?”
“There you go again. From what I hear, your connection with that boy is as deep as Senior Brother Yeo’s.”
“My connection is deep?”
“If he mastered the spirit treasure left behind by Master Ha in the secular world, he is practically her successor. Shouldn't you have looked after him more?”
“Looked after him? Ha! You say that because you don't know.”
“Pardon?”
“I intentionally tore out and burned the final stage before I left the secular world, yet the brat figured it out on his own. There was almost nothing left for me to teach him from the start, so what more was there to look after?”
“He is that talented?”
“!?”
Realizing she had said too much, she quickly shut her mouth.
Though she had taught him out of necessity, she still harbored a lingering dissatisfaction. She had tried to avoid praising him with her own lips, but she had inadvertently ended up elevating Jin Un-hwi’s reputation.
Great Immortal Jeongyang, who had been listening quietly, let out a boisterous laugh.
“Hahaha, it is a joyous thing that the boy’s talent is so great. Three days is not long. Who is teaching him now?”
“Master Jang said he would finish up within today. For the remaining time, the Sword Immortal himself will instruct the boy.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“I can already see the hardship he'll face.”
The Taoists’ gazes all turned toward a spot outside the window.
Boom!
“Urgh!”
The impact was so immense that the rock wall I slammed into nearly collapsed. Even though I had accurately blocked the trembling spear tip, the force was difficult to withstand. It felt as if my spine was about to shatter.
Through the rising dust, a Taoist approached, wielding a spear wrapped in red cloth.
He was the one I called Master Jang.
For three years and eight months, I never learned his real name. He told me that since he had left the secular world, I should simply call him Jang So-seon or Master Jang, so I went with the latter.
“You’re exaggerating your pain,” Master Jang said dismissively.
I marveled inwardly at how he could say such a thing after going all out during our spar without holding back in the slightest. Since he wasn't the type to listen to excuses, there was nothing I could say.
I practically crawled out of the crater in the wall. As I emerged, a part of my clothing caught and tore, slightly exposing my chest.
“Ahem.”
Master Jang turned his head away and spoke.
“Fix your clothes or release the Body Transformation Art. How long do you intend to stay in that state? Tsk, tsk.”
He clicked his tongue.
—Look at him getting shy in his old age, the Lesser Conversation Sword snickered.
The reason was none other than my current appearance. My chest wasn't a man’s muscular torso, but the soft, rounded shape of a woman’s.
Following the orders of Master Nam, who had taught me the Body Transformation Art, I was maintaining a transformed state even during training to ensure I could keep it up unconsciously.
The day before yesterday, I had taken the form of Sama Yeong; yesterday, it was my father, Merciless Wind God Jin Seong-baek. Currently, I was wearing the face of Baek Hye-hyang.
The disguise aspect of the Body Transformation Art was so profound that it could even change one's gender. Of course, it didn't change internal organs, so becoming a woman didn't mean I could bear children or anything of the sort.
“My apologies.”
I pulled my torn clothes together to cover my exposed chest. At first, I had been quite embarrassed by the Body Transformation Art, but I had grown used to it by now.
Swish!
I reached out, and the spear lying on the ground was sucked into my palm. Since manipulating True Qi had become as natural as breathing, performing Void Object Retrieval was no longer difficult.
As I gripped the spear, Master Jang leveled his own weapon at me.
“The spar does not end until you manage to touch me with your spear, even if only slightly. Do you understand?”
“I will keep that in mind, Master.”
At my words, the Lesser Conversation Sword had a fit.
—I really can’t get used to you using that tone with that face and voice.
The Lesser Conversation Sword didn't particularly like Baek Hye-hyang. Perhaps that was why it always grumbled about the mix of her voice and my polite manner of speaking.
—You need to act from the soul. If you’re wearing the face of that vixen, you should match her speech. Throw in a few haughty snorts while you’re at it.
‘You want me to act arrogant like Baek Hye-hyang toward this fire-tempered Master?’
I ignored the nonsense. I could do that once I was back in the outside world.
During my days as a spy, I had mimicked others countless times. If I could even change my physical appearance at will, acting the part would be child’s play.
“What are you thinking about?!”
Whoosh!
With a shout, Master Jang thrust his spear at me. The spear tip curved like a living snake, lunging for my vital points. It was truly incredible that he could imbue such a simple thrust with such complex variations.
Whoosh!
I thrust my spear in response. I couldn't give my spear tip the same level of vitality, but having sparred with him for so long, I could at least react to it.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!
In a brief instant, our spear tips collided nearly six times. The palms of my hands felt like they were being shredded.
The eight masters had spent so much time in cultivation that their internal energy was incomparable to mine. Of course, that wasn't the sole measure of martial prowess. For instance, in terms of pure martial skill, I was arguably superior to Master Han, Master Ha, or Master Nam even three years ago. However, the cultivation they had built up could not be measured by martial skill alone.
‘Kh!’
I tilted my head to avoid a spear thrust aimed at my face. I quickly tried to use my other hand to knock the incoming spear shaft upward.
In that moment—
Boom!
The spear shaft bent and subtly aimed for my chest. Without thinking, I instinctively tried to dodge using the refined Wind Cloud Step I had recently mastered, but—
“I told you to put everything into the tip of your spear!”
Master Jang’s roar thundered.
Instead of retreating with the Body Lightening Method, I shifted the trajectory of the spear I was holding. I applied a whip-like elasticity from my shoulder down to my elbow and wrist.
Whirl!
My spear curved like a serpent, wrapping around Master Jang’s spear shaft and slamming it downward. Without missing the opening, I stepped onto Master Jang’s spear shaft and leveled my spear tip at his throat.
For the first time, I had successfully executed the Life Spear Strike, the essence of the Golden Spear True Scripture.
Looking at my spear tip trembling just inches from his throat, Master Jang let out a short chuckle.
“You’ve finally become somewhat useful.”
“It is all thanks to your teaching.”
“Nonsense. If you neglect your training in the spear as well as the sword, you will quickly lose this sensation.”
“I will keep that in...!?”
I couldn't hide my surprise as I answered. His foot had stepped inside my guard, and his left palm was stopped right in front of my chest. Looking at his stride, he could have pushed further in. In the end, he had gone easy on me.
—I think he stopped for a different reason.
What are you trying to say? No matter how you look at it, he showed mercy at the very end.
“Move your foot. Or do you wish to continue?”
“Ah!”
I quickly stepped off Master Jang’s spear shaft. He straightened his spear and turned his head to look toward a certain spot.
“My teaching ends today. You can stop hiding now, Junior.”
It was near a small hill covered in thickets. Someone emerged from the shadows.
“I see, Senior Brother Jang.”
It was the Sword Immortal Sunyangja. Even after three years, I couldn't detect him when he chose to completely mask his presence. Master Jang was truly impressive for finding him instantly.
With a few gestures from Master Jang, the length of his spear shortened. Tucking the retracted spear into his belt, he spoke to the Sword Immortal.
“If I had more time to teach him, I could have made him even better with a spear than a sword.”
“I have no doubt about that.”
“Tsk.”
Master Jang clicked his tongue at the Sword Immortal’s humility, gave me one last look, and vanished. The ground shook slightly as he disappeared, but it wasn't a Body Lightening Method. It was the technique known as Ground Shrinking. I had wanted to learn it, but they told me it required at least several hundred years of Taoist cultivation.
The Sword Immortal gave me a warm smile.
“Your spear handling has improved greatly.”
“I still have a long way to go.”
I would only be able to say I truly mastered the spear when I could imbue every movement with the Life Spear Strike. That wasn't something I could achieve immediately; it required long practice and time.
The Sword Immortal asked me, “What will you do? You’ve just finished your training, so would you like to rest for a couple of hours before we begin?”
“No, Master. I have yet to properly master the Great Dao Heavenly Thunder Sword Method. How could I waste the remaining time in idleness?”
The Sword Immortal smiled with satisfaction. In truth, I wasn't just being humble. There were only three days left. The moment the scriptures were restored, the Dohwa Lineage would rejoin the flow of the world. Yet, I had not yet mastered the ultimate essence of the Great Dao Heavenly Thunder Sword Method: the Thunderclap Heavenly Escape.
“By mastering my Thunder Sword Heavenly Escape, you have already reached a realm one step higher than Gyeongjeong.”
“My opponent wields Dharma Tools. How can I be at ease with just that?”
I had memorized everything about the four Dharma Tools that Jagyeongjeong had taken. To face them, the Thunder Sword Heavenly Escape was not enough. I believed that only by mastering the Thunderclap Heavenly Escape—the move the Sword Immortal reportedly used to defeat a Dragon Serpent in the distant past—could I truly guarantee victory.
The Sword Immortal shook his head as if conceding.
“It is no easy feat for a human body that does not cultivate the Dao to master the Thunderclap Heavenly Escape. You haven't forgotten that you nearly died not long ago, have you?”
“...I haven't forgotten.”
I had truly come close to saying goodbye to this world. In fact, it was a miracle I hadn't died during the learning process. If I didn't have a body that recovered quickly, I wouldn't have even dared to try.
“If that is truly your wish, I have no choice. But you must stop the moment you feel it is impossible.”
“I understand.”
Shring!
As the Sword Immortal reached out, the Dharma Tool Cheondun emerged from the scabbard on his back. I needed the power of Cheondun, which could command thunder and lightning.
—Are you really going to be okay?
—Unhwi, don't overdo it.
If I’m going to do it, I have to do it right. It’s better than losing because I learned it half-heartedly. I will suppress that bastard completely and return to where I belong.
“First, I will release the Body Transformation Art.”
“Do so.”
In the state of Body Transformation, my bones and muscles were altered, so I couldn't exert my full martial prowess. At most, I could only use about seventy percent of my strength.
Crack! Crack-crack!
My skeletal structure shifted, and my body grew slightly larger. My shoulders broadened, and my loose clothes now fit properly. Once I returned to my original form, the Sword Immortal raised the Dharma Tool Cheondun toward the sky.
Rumble!
The clear sky turned black as dark clouds gathered. It was a mystical sight no matter how many times I saw it. The power of a Dharma Tool could manipulate the very harmony of heaven and earth. Among the eight Dharma Tools, the Sword Immortal’s Cheondun and the Spirit Treasure Brush Method were said to be the most outstanding, with Cheondun being the most powerful in terms of raw destructive force.
“Give up if you feel you cannot handle it.”
“I understand.”
With those words, I drew the Namcheon Iron Sword and held it high. I gritted my teeth. In that instant, a bolt of blue light, accompanied by root-like lightning from the dark clouds, struck down upon me.
Crackle-crackle-crackle!
A scream tore from my throat as the lightning surged through the Namcheon Iron Sword and into my body.
“Aaaaaaaargh!”
It felt as if every vein in my body was being incinerated. The pain was hundreds, no, thousands of times worse than when I had mastered the Thunder Sword Heavenly Escape. Even though I had attempted this nearly a hundred times, I could never get used to this agony. I had to endure the thunder energy, but it felt like I was dying.
[Adapt. You must not merely endure the thunder energy, but accept it as harmony.]
The Sword Immortal’s advice echoed in my ears. But it wasn't easy. Before I could adapt to the thunder energy, it felt like all my nerves would be burned away.
[This is no good. I am stopping.]
At the Sword Immortal’s sound transmission, I shouted.
“No!”
I couldn't give up again after failing so many times. I would rather faint than stop midway. However, my eyelids were growing heavy.
—Unhwi!
My eyes were beginning to close. Was it another failure? Was the Thunderclap Heavenly Escape truly a realm beyond human reach?
Just then, a voice other than the Namcheon Iron Sword or the Lesser Conversation Sword echoed in my mind.
—Stubborn brat, just like that bloodline of yours.
I couldn't tell whose voice it was. Since it echoed in my head, it was definitely the voice of a sword...
Right then, something unknown flowed into me, as if piercing through my mind. It was something on a completely different level from memories or concepts.
Zap! Crackle!
In that moment, blue sparks flew across my entire body, and I was enveloped in a brilliant flash of lightning.
'!!!'
The Sword Immortal’s eyes trembled as he watched. Seeing his reaction, I realized it.
I had reached the state the Master had spoken of: the Adaptation of Thunder Energy.