Chapter 400: To Sichuan (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 400: To Sichuan (1)
My brow furrowed upon learning his ultimate goal was to surpass human limits.
What did he mean by that, exactly?
“To achieve that, I first had to rebuild my vessel. This is the very step you are undertaking now.”
I had noticed it myself, too.
I could feel my body, and the way it moved, slowly changing.
Just as the Dishonored Venerable said, through all the pain I endured, my body was undergoing a profound transformation.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the very bones within me were being artificially reshaped.
“The second step is the process of uniting one's mind with their body.”
“Mind and body…?”
“Once your vessel is prepared, you must fill it with a Mind Art, correct?”
“Ah.”
I recalled the Transcendent Realm the Dishonored Venerable had mentioned before—the stage where a martial artist becomes one with their martial art.
Was combining mind and body different from that?
“If you're trying to compare it to the Transcendent Realm, they are not different concepts.”
“…!”
“I created this art with the intention of reaching that very level. The only clear difference is that this martial art allows one to reach that stage artificially, rather than through the proper, natural path.”
Not only did this art reshape the body, but it also artificially propelled one into the Transcendent Realm?
Just how had this man created such a martial art?
Now I understood why the Dishonored Venerable said this art existed for the sole purpose of surpassing human limits. It was akin to reaching a divine territory through martial arts.
“In a certain light, the state of selflessness is essentially a process of placing oneself in grave danger.”
He wasn't wrong.
While positively described as a state of extreme focus, the state of selflessness was, in reality, no different from losing control of one's body.
Furthermore, there was the serious risk of permanently damaging one's blood vessels if struck while one's Qi flowed uncontrollably.
“However, these very reasons are why I see it as the correct path.”
“Meaning…?”
“By entrusting all your senses to your instincts, your martial art reaches its peak. Moreover, if you can exert control while in that state, the results are even more formidable.”
To maintain perfect control while simultaneously surrendering all senses to instinct… it was an unbelievable concept.
Such enlightenment would be an incredible asset, but it was called the 'state of selflessness' for a reason—it was a state where one lost self-control and poured all focus into their martial art.
So how could one control a state defined by the loss of control?
The rational part of me wanted to immediately refute him, but I found myself somewhat believing his words because it was the Dishonored Venerable himself speaking. Not only that, but he had also claimed the sensation I'd felt was a ripple effect of the Heaven Destruction Art, which made him sound all the more convincing.
…That sensation from before.
While the world around me had grown faint, my own movements had felt incredibly clear. The perfect, unconscious movements I had performed then were euphoric to me as a martial artist.
“Your expression changed.”
“…!”
“I know how you feel. But as I always say, don't be too desperate. Even if you don't want to, you will eventually reach that level. You are my disciple, after all.”
“Understood…”
The Dishonored Venerable laughed heartily at my response.
“You once told me you had no talent for martial arts.”
“…”
“But whether now or then, I cannot agree with you on that.”
After saying this, the Dishonored Venerable pointed behind me.
When I turned, I saw the wall I had destroyed while in the state of selflessness.
No—where the wall should have been, sunlight now streamed into the cave.
“Don't tell yourself you lack talent. At the very least, in my eyes, you possess more than enough talent to master my martial art.”
* * *
Five days.
The result of pouring my all into training, barely sleeping.
In the end, I managed to complete the homework assigned by the Dishonored Venerable.
After confirming the result, I collapsed. I was already exhausted, but seeing that sight made the fatigue hit me all at once.
As I teetered on the edge of consciousness, the Dishonored Venerable spoke to me.
“Congratulations. It seems you are now ready to learn the Single Strike.”
His words sounded important, but I couldn't properly hear them. In my exhaustion, all I wanted was to lie down.
I quietly closed my eyes.
Just as I was about to drift away, his voice reached me again.
“Can you afford to lose consciousness when you must depart soon?”
My eyes snapped open, and I instantly forced my exhausted body upright.
“…How… how long has it been…?”
I realized I couldn't afford to sleep. Five days had passed, the sun had risen, and today was the day I was to set out for Sichuan.
When I hurriedly asked the Dishonored Venerable, he tilted his head.
“I don't know? Perhaps you'll make it if you start running now.”
“…Right.”
I had to squeeze my eyes shut.
The realization hit me: I would have to go to Sichuan disheveled, covered in sweat and dust.
* * *
Rushing from the cave, I finally arrived at the meeting point. As expected, everyone else was already gathered.
Spotting my father from a distance, I paused and sent a telepathic message to the Dishonored Venerable.
- …Now that I think about it, how did your conversation with my father go?
- Hmm?
- You said you met him.
- Ah.
The Dishonored Venerable nodded upon hearing my message.
- I did see him.
- How did it go?
- What do you mean, 'how did it go'? We simply talked.
- …
How could he give such a simple answer? As I stared at him in disbelief, he pursed his lips and continued.
- Don't worry about it. I obtained your father's approval.
- Approval?
- Unlike what I expected, he didn't seem to mind at all.
- …
His words confused me. Did that mean Father had approved of me learning the Dishonored Venerable's martial art?
- It would have been troublesome if he had refused, so I'm glad it turned out this way.
- Troublesome?
- After all, it would be rather difficult for me to resolve that kind of problem with sheer strength at the moment.
- …
My expression crumbled hearing the Dishonored Venerable so casually mention solving issues with force. How could he be so reckless…?
- Anyway, I've taken care of everything, so focus on your own problems.
- …Understood.
Though still deeply concerned, I decided to let it go for now since he told me to. His problems didn't affect me much anyway.
I had a bigger problem to worry about at that moment.
What should I do about my disheveled appearance?
In my hurry, I hadn't been able to properly prepare. I hadn't washed, and I was drenched in sweat. I'd managed to change into spare clothes, but dust marks covered me, leaving me looking far from presentable.
I wasn't one to fuss over my appearance, usually doing the bare minimum for important events, but…
…Damn it.
I never expected that damned state of selflessness would leave me in such a mess. I could use my Qi to mask my odor, but I couldn't do anything about my overall look.
Walking forward hesitantly, I felt everyone's eyes on me. I noticed a few unfamiliar faces among them—middle-aged men. Just as I was trying to figure out who they were…
“We apologize for our tardiness.”
The Dishonored Venerable, standing beside me, suddenly bowed to someone.
It was directed at the unfamiliar middle-aged man on the left, whose pupils began to shake upon being addressed.
Ah.
Seeing his reaction, I identified him. That man was the Lord of the Bi Clan.
The Dishonored Venerable raised his head and looked at the man, who flinched and forced a smile.
“…Ah… yes. Please be more cautious next time…”
“Yes, Father.”
This scene would have seemed strange if I didn't know Bi Eejin's true identity. Knowing the truth, I felt a pang of pity for the Lord.
How should I put this?
It was no exaggeration to say the Dishonored Venerable currently held the highest position within the Bi Clan. Yet the Lord had to pretend the Venerable was his son. The man must have been under immense strain.
Now, the other man.
If one was the Lord of the Bi Clan, the other was likely the Lord of the Pe Clan.
He looks just like Pe Woocheol.
He was even larger than Pe Woocheol and wore a fierce expression. I was somewhat familiar with the Lord of the Pe Clan; he was one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains, like my father.
Observing him, I also bowed my head to my father.
“…I apologize for being late.”
“It's fine.”
Father responded to my apology curtly. I had wondered if he might have softened after our last encounter, but it seemed his personality wouldn't change so easily. The only reaction he showed was a slight twitch of his eyebrow upon seeing my state.
Even Father seemed to think I looked terrible.
Just as I was about to offer an awkward smile…
“Yangcheon.”
“…Yes?”
Lady Mi, standing next to him, suddenly called me over.
“I heard you were undergoing intense training, but this is an important gathering with important people. Your appearance is too untidy.”
“I… apologize.”
I was taken aback, as this was practically the first time Lady Mi had scolded me. Strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant.
As I apologized, Lady Mi reached out and began to touch my hair.
“Your hair is a mess.”
“Lady Mi… your hands will get dirty if you touch my hair now.”
I warned her as she touched my dust-filled hair, but she continued brushing it with an unbothered expression. She seemed to be trying to make it somewhat presentable, but it was no easy task given the state it was in.
While tending to my hair, she spoke.
“I will send some good medicine with someone. Be sure to take it.”
“…Huh? Understood…”
“I'm sure the Lord of the Tang Clan will treat you well, but if you encounter any problems, be sure to visit the White Flower Merchant Association merchant associations in Sichuan. And…”
“…”
For some reason, her instructions kept growing longer. I saw Father standing beside her with a slightly weary expression.
Ignoring him, Lady Mi continued.
“…And lastly…”
It felt like an eternity. I was sure I had heard her say 'lastly' about four times now.
“Don't get hurt.”
“…”
“You don't have to follow everything else I've said, but I want you to at least promise me you won't get hurt.”
Lady Mi's words strangely warmed my heart.
“I understand…”
I let out an awkward cough as I responded. What was this feeling? I couldn't quite describe it.
After barely managing to extricate myself from Lady Mi, the Dishonored Venerable approached me.
“Finished your conversation?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Haha. I'm glad to hear it.”
With many people watching, the Dishonored Venerable was fully embodying the role of Bi Eejin again. His tone and expression were so different he seemed like a completely different person. How was that even possible?
As I stared at him in fascination, my gaze accidentally fell upon a figure standing behind him.
There was a reason I suddenly focused on one of the servants. While several servants stood around…
“…?”
One in particular caught my eye.
Huh?
He was an ordinary-looking man with freckles.
For some reason, as I stared at him, I felt a vibration in my right arm.
Why was that happening?
Just as I focused on the man, wondering who he was…
- You're quite sharp.
“…!”
A telepathic message echoed in my ears. I barely suppressed a gasp. His voice carried a dense killing intent, accompanied by a strange sensation in my arm—a sensation I had felt before.
I gulped nervously, my eyes locked on the servant.
It was understandable.
That ordinary-looking man wearing the mask of a servant was—
- I'm impressed.
The ruler of the night, a martial artist known as the king of all assassins.
The Dark King.