Chapter 25: The Monster in the Cave (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: The Monster in the Cave (2)
Since he was aiming for my Spirit Command Point, I thought I was as good as dead.
However, what entered through that point was Innate True Qi.
As the Dagger-Killing King Han Ji-sang had said, the Spirit Command Point is also known as the Baekhui Point. I never imagined I could receive energy through this spot, which was typically known as a fatal pressure point.
“Circulate the Innate Heart Method.”
‘!?’
Wait. How does he even know the Innate Heart Method?
I was dying to know how this man was familiar with it.
But for now, I had to accept the surging Innate True Qi. As long as it wasn't intended to kill me, I had no reason to refuse.
“Whew.”
I began to regulate my breathing and guided the incoming Innate True Qi toward my Middle Dantian.
I wasn't even sure if I could properly absorb this.
It is said that internal energy in the Lower Dantian is difficult to take from others because the nature of the energy differs. Usually, a significant portion is lost, making it hard to absorb more than thirty to forty percent at most.
‘Ah!’
The surging Innate True Qi.
The energy was subtly different from my own.
However, its fundamental nature was remarkably similar.
Through this, I realized something.
‘...He’s mastered the Innate Heart Method.’
The similarity in the nature of the energy meant he had practiced the same heart method.
Everything was shrouded in mystery.
But one thing was certain.
Because we practiced the same heart method, the loss of energy would be minimal.
Thump! Thump!
My heart pounded rapidly as the Innate True Qi flooded into my Middle Dantian.
I focused intensely on circulating the Innate Heart Method to internalize it.
The amount of Innate True Qi Han Ji-sang possessed naturally far exceeded mine. As it surpassed the levels I was used to handling, the meridians throughout my body felt as if they were swelling to the point of tearing.
“Ugh...”
“...Endure it.”
Han Ji-sang, who was transferring the energy, also seemed to be struggling, his breathing becoming ragged.
About two quarters of an hour passed.
While the Innate Heart Method served to stabilize the Innate True Qi, the Life Bright Divine Art allowed for its smooth utilization.
One heavenly cycle, two heavenly cycles.
Following the circulation path of the Life Bright Divine Art, the rotation of the Innate True Qi gradually picked up speed.
Then, Han Ji-sang’s voice reached my ears.
“Ha... Ha... Though the principles may seem complex, they are merely void and substance. If you see them clearly, the void becomes meaningless.”
‘!!!’
The moment I heard those words, my mind went blank.
I had been solely focused on the circulation, but now the oral formulas of the Life Bright Divine Art began to form a structure in my mind, manifesting before my eyes.
About half an hour passed in that state.
When I finished the circulation and opened my eyes, I was filled with ecstasy.
It was because my Life Bright Divine Art had reached the 5th stage.
From the 4th stage onward, no matter how much Innate True Qi one possessed, it was difficult to advance without enlightenment.
But thanks to the words spoken by the Dagger-Killing King Han Ji-sang, I had reached the 5th stage.
Furthermore, the Innate True Qi within my Middle Dantian had now formed an essence equivalent to over sixty years of cultivation.
Even I was stunned.
At this rate, I had internalized nearly sixty percent of the Innate True Qi Han Ji-sang had transferred to me.
I had now laid the foundation to reach the 6th stage of the Life Bright Divine Art whenever I gained sufficient enlightenment.
The Namcheon Iron Sword, which had been wary of Han Ji-sang, congratulated me.
And for good reason—if I achieved just one more stage, I would reach the realm the Namcheon Sword Guest had attained in his lifetime.
Though it was thanks to a stroke of luck, the feeling was extraordinary.
Regardless of the circumstances, I felt like I should at least bow to the Dagger-Killing King Han Ji-sang.
‘Has he been like that the whole time?’
Han Ji-sang was sitting in meditation about ten paces away from me.
His face, which hadn't looked good to begin with, appeared even more haggard.
It was only natural for his condition to be poor after transferring so much of his Innate True Qi, which could be considered his very life force.
Slither!
“Ah?”
The thin silver wire wrapped around my arm loosened.
It seemed I could undo it now.
Shururururu!
The moment I unraveled it, the silver wire was suddenly sucked away as if someone had pulled it.
It retracted into a brown bracer-like guard worn on Han Ji-sang’s elbow.
It was fascinating to see it retract on its own even though Han Ji-sang hadn't moved.
‘Is he awake?’
I approached him cautiously.
He still hadn't opened his eyes.
I was about to check if he was still finishing his meditation when—
“Graaaah!”
Suddenly, Han Ji-sang’s eyes snapped open, and he lunged at me.
Looking at him, it seemed he had lost his mind again.
Startled, I quickly used my footwork to retreat.
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
As my Life Bright Divine Art had reached the 5th stage, my movements were much faster than before.
In contrast, Han Ji-sang had become even more sluggish.
After lunging, he soon fell and stared at me while struggling to crawl across the floor.
“Meat... Meat...”
Just like when I first saw him, he seemed to think of me as food. However, perhaps because he had exhausted most of his Innate True Qi, he had become like an ordinary person.
“Hungry... So hungry.”
When he was strong as a monster, he was terrifying, but now his appearance was almost pitiful.
Did he realize he had become weak, even in his madness?
He tried to bite his own remaining arm.
‘Oh no!’
I hurriedly struck Han Ji-sang’s pressure points to keep him from moving.
Now that I thought about it, I believed I had some leftover jerky in my robe.
‘It’s damp from the moisture, but...’
It didn't seem like there would be a problem eating it.
“Meat! Meat!”
I placed a piece in his mouth.
Since I had only struck the pressure points to prevent his body from moving, he began to chew and devour the jerky ravenously.
The Namcheon Iron Sword let out a sigh.
I grew curious about what exactly had happened.
-
‘...What happened?’
I asked the sword cautiously.
After remaining silent for a moment, as if recalling a memory it didn't want to revisit, it spoke.
I had heard this from the Namcheon Iron Sword before.
Back then, it had stopped in the middle of the story.
It seemed this was the untold part of the tale.
-
‘Ah...’
Then, did the Dagger-Killing King deliver the final blow to the Namcheon Sword Guest?
No.
If that were the case, the Namcheon Sword Guest wouldn't have been able to leave the Innate Heart Method in that cave before he died.
The Dagger-Killing King was after the Namcheon Sword Guest’s life?
Well, he had targeted one of the Eight Great Masters before, so it wasn't entirely shocking.
I was more curious about who had commissioned the hit.
That made sense.
He was in a state where even a touch could kill him.
An assassin wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
‘A proposal?’
He coveted the martial arts even in that situation.
Then again, it was the martial arts of the Namcheon Sword Guest, who was being discussed as one of the next Eight Great Masters.
Even the Dagger-Killing King couldn't help but be greedy.
To think there was such a backstory to Han Ji-sang practicing the Innate Heart Method.
‘What was it?’
Ah...
Somehow, I could guess the rest of the story without hearing it.
The reason the Namcheon Iron Sword was so furious must be because he didn't live up to that expectation.
The Lesser Conversation Sword chimed in, sounding annoyed.
‘It wasn't the Golden-Eyed Man who did that?’
I had naturally assumed the Golden-Eyed Man had broken the Namcheon Sword Guest’s legs.
But the real culprit was the Dagger-Killing King, Han Ji-sang.
It was a truly atrocious act.
‘Eh?’
It was a twist upon a twist.
It wasn't a victory for the Dagger-Killing King, who had obtained what he wanted.
The Lesser Conversation Sword chattered excitedly.
It seemed to enjoy the fact that Han Ji-sang had faced karmic retribution.
Truly, one never knows the whims of fate.
Han Ji-sang, experiencing both fortune and misfortune at once, must have felt like he was falling into an abyss.
After hearing this, I understood why the Namcheon Iron Sword was so enraged.
Haeakcheon, who could be considered a rival, had at least ensured that the Namcheon Sword Guest’s legacy wasn't cut off, whereas Han Ji-sang had been punished while only looking out for his own interests.
I think I understood what the Namcheon Iron Sword was saying.
If it hadn't been for Han Ji-sang, I might have lost my life after being swept away by the rapids.
I wouldn't even have obtained this miracle.
I fully understood the Namcheon Iron Sword’s feelings.
He was resentful because Han Ji-sang had driven his former master to a miserable death, yet he was a savior because he had saved me, his current master.
‘........’
In many ways, this man and I were bound by a complex fate.
I looked at Han Ji-sang.
After finishing the jerky, he twitched for a moment and then seemed to lose himself in thought.
Looking at his condition, I could see why he had said there was no time.
Just then, Han Ji-sang lifted his head.
“How long have I been like this?”
He had regained his senses.
Since his mind came and went, he was completely unpredictable.
Still, since I had received Innate True Qi from him, I felt I should show my respect.
Rustle!
I moved to perform a fist-and-palm salute.
“Stop. I have merely repaid a debt.”
“...I understand.”
Having heard the circumstances from the Namcheon Iron Sword, I understood why he said he was repaying a debt.
It seemed there had been many changes in his heart over the past fifteen years.
Then, he spoke.
“Seeing as you’ve struck my pressure points, I must have shown you a sight I shouldn't have for quite a while.”
“Not at all.”
Curious about the situation, I asked him honestly.
“But Senior, why were you here in the first place?”