Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Even Strength Works (4)
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Murong Bi was utterly dumbfounded.
‘Wudang Sect?’
The Mixed Origin Heart Method was the Murong clan's proprietary heart technique.
Even if other restored martial arts might have some discrepancies, the Mixed Origin Heart Method and Mixed Origin One Qi Technique were perfect embodiments of the Murong family's arts, unchanged from their original forms before they were lost. He was that confident.
Yet they were mistaking it for Wudang Sect techniques? How could that even be possible?
Moreover, Sujing didn't even know the Mixed Origin Heart Method existed.
"I've heard that Wudang Sect's internal energy cultivation is uniquely free-form compared to other sects'. They say you can handle qi proficiently without reaching some lofty realm."
"......Is that so?"
"If someone in your frail condition could unleash Force Emission and even bring down the Black Tiger Gang, the only explanation is that you've mastered freely manipulating your internal energy."
Now he understood why she had come to that conclusion.
‘Guess I can breathe a sigh of relief.’
Earlier, when she'd recognized the origins of Physician Yang's martial arts without much surprise, it seemed she'd been pondering that very point all along.
Murong Bi let out a sigh.
"No, it's not like that."
"......Really?"
"Of course."
From the start, the wild techniques of those featherbrains wouldn't suit him anyway.
‘You fool, why would I learn from them when our clan's true arts rival even Shaolin and Wudang?’
Muttering inwardly, Murong Bi let out a deep sigh.
"Sister, about this matter......"
"Then that's fine."
"Huh?"
Murong Sujing's expression grew much more composed.
"I was just curious if you'd learned Wudang techniques. That's all I asked you to answer."
Well, that was true.
"Bi-ya."
"......"
"I trust you."
For some reason, it gave him chills.
Sujing's affectionate gaze was truly endearing—like he wanted to carry her around all day, telling her she'd been through so much.
But his body recoiled. Not his mind or soul, but a primal instinct from his flesh.
It was as if his instincts were screaming.
‘What kind of sister looks at her little brother like that in this world! Rein in those emotions, you maniac!’
Unable to voice his instincts, Murong Bi stayed silent.
"People say worry and trust are different things. I thought so too."
"......"
"But there were times when worry overwhelmed my trust. I didn't know what to do then."
To Murong Sujing, Murong Bi was both a reliable little brother and the source of her guilt.
That made her worry even more, and while she showed her true feelings, she couldn't bring herself to outright deny what wasn't true.
Then that very brother had appeared before her, transformed in a way she never imagined.
"Right now, you've shown up with trust that overshadows my worries."
"Ahem."
"Now I need to change too. I'll say what needs to be said. Since you've forgiven me, I can treat you as your sister, not just the Acting Patriarch, right?"
Her voice trembled faintly at the end.
Hearing words she'd mustered her courage to say, Murong Bi could somewhat understand her feelings.
For Murong Sujing, her brother's change was a once-in-a-lifetime shock, but even that paled before his ‘forgiveness.’
She'd thought he might hate her forever, yet he'd saved her life, even expending his vital energy.
Finding out when and how he'd learned martial arts was important, of course. But restoring their sibling bond properly was far more crucial.
Murong Bi gave a wry smile.
"I was just wandering astray. You're the one who needs to forgive, and I'm the one seeking it."
These were words from him as her little brother—and as her granduncle.
"Thank you."
"No need."
With that, the two fell silent for about fifteen minutes.
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Murong Bi subtly lifted his hips.
"Anyway, you look much better. Still, don't overdo it since you're not fully recovered."
"Where are you going?"
"I came to talk about the Black Tiger Gang and check on you. We've talked, you're fine, so I should head back and rest."
Murong Sujing said urgently.
"Don't go—let's eat together. You haven't eaten out, have you?"
He really hadn't eaten anything.
‘Ah, but I did drink.’
He figured he shouldn't drink for a while. His body wasn't up for it, and it'd just worry her unnecessarily.
"I'm fine. I don't want to disturb your rest."
"Disturb? What are you talking about?"
"Just rest well......"
Then, a rumble echoed from his stomach.
With everything on his mind, he hadn't noticed his hunger until his gut thundered.
Murong Sujing's face lit up instantly.
"Let's eat together."
Murong Bi couldn't refuse anymore.
"Alright."
A little later.
Seok Ung personally brought their meals. It was a simple spread with few side dishes, but gentle on the stomach.
‘Delicious.’
Murong Bi's face brightened.
‘It's close to that taste.’
Honestly, it wasn't cooked by the main house's chefs, so it couldn't match home cooking.
Still, it felt comforting and familiar. More than the dishes themselves, it was who he was eating with and where that mattered.
Murong Bi polished off five bowls. His internals ached from his injuries, but with his internal energy, his body was ready to absorb nutrients.
Murong Sujing watched him with a smile.
Thus, they finished their meal in silence.
No real conversation, but it was a warm time.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
Waking up, Murong Bi felt refreshed.
"How long has it been since I slept this soundly?"
Maybe from eating so much, he'd crashed the moment he entered his quarters.
Exaggerating a bit, it felt like he'd blinked and morning was here.
"Let's see."
Sitting cross-legged, Murong Bi immediately began circulating his energy.
How much time passed?
‘Ho?’
His internal injuries were one thing, but surprisingly, his damaged vital energy had slightly recovered.
External nutrients and quality sleep greatly aided recovery. Even accounting for that, this was remarkable.
Murong Bi quickly pinpointed the reason.
‘It's the breathing.’
The breathing method fully ingrained by the Brain Gate Heart Technique.
This pinnacle breathing of a top-tier master was on another level. Even the same method absorbed natural qi differently.
‘Thanks to the Mixed Origin Heart Method too. Full restoration of damaged vital energy is impossible, but its restorative power is exceptional.’
His internal injuries had improved greatly. Since they stemmed from overexertion and energy overuse rather than external attacks, proper rest would restore him soon.
‘Damn.’
Regret made a smacking sound escape his lips.
‘If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered learning the Brain Gate Heart Technique......’
The Brain Gate Heart Technique? Undeniably profound—why else would the Murongs call it a secret art?
But he was an expert who knew its worth. Abandoning it might slow initial progress but avoided side effects.
‘It does give more options. Still, living sane beats going mad like a lunatic.’
Regrettable, but done was done.
Instead, relearning it more cautiously would be better for his mental health.
‘Anyway, this is enough for now.’
After an hour of circulation to loosen up, Murong Bi stood.
Gurgle.
His stomach protested vigorously.
Once fed, it was demanding more. Clutching his hungry belly, Murong Bi headed straight to the warriors' mess hall.
Half an hour later.
"Burp! Good stuff!"
Having downed five bowls energetically from the morning, Murong Bi left the mess hall.
"Nice weather today."
With food in him, his mind felt even clearer.
‘I wonder if Sujing slept well.’
He wanted to teach her the Mixed Origin Heart Method right away, but now wasn't the time.
Everything had its order. Having regained a healthy body after so long, he needed time to readjust.
Thinking fondly of Murong Sujing, Murong Bi's face suddenly soured.
"......Speaking of Sujing, what about the youngest?"
He had to pass martial arts to Murong Suhyang too.
At sixteen without meridian blockage, she was free of the hereditary disease. No need for Mixed Origin One Qi Technique then.
"There are arts that suit her."
......How much must she hate her brother to refuse?
Smacking his lips, Murong Bi steeled himself again.
"It'll work out somehow."
Worst case, abandoning a path to strength out of pride was absurd.
"If she absolutely refuses, I'll force her."
Beat her into it if needed.
She might hate him more, but then beat the hatred higher. She'd grit her teeth and train to beat him once.
Clenching his fist with resolve, Murong Bi soon sighed and slumped his shoulders.
‘What a trash personality.’
Yeah, he knew his ways were baseless.
He didn't want to, but twenty years of war taught him beating kids into shape was best.
And his nature made him master it effortlessly—at least in bullying, he was unrivaled.
Those brutal times demanded beatings to get them moving......
"No, find another way."
He could do it to subordinates, but not to his grandniece. Especially not his granddaughter.
Murong Bi slapped his own cheeks. A self-punishment for the ugly thought.
"Anyway, the three siblings need to get strong. And soon."
Murong Bi recalled yesterday.
"Ten Sword Sect?"
He had no need to dawdle anyway, but rushing internal consolidation was due to external threats.
‘No matter how desperate, they won't act rashly. They're local players with some clout.’
Still, contact was likely today or tomorrow. He'd revealed the ledger.
‘They'll verify if it's real first. If fake, it'd prove ties to Black Tiger Gang after getting hyped.’
Even as Martial Alliance Leader, plenty got caught shielding underworld scum.
Even in wartime. Having dealt with so many, their moves were predictable.
‘The escort saw my skills, so no sudden assault. They'll investigate how I got strong and if I have backing.’
No need to strike first. The patient side had advantage here.
"......Ugh."
Nodding as he analyzed, Murong Bi sighed deeply.
"My read might not be perfect?"
Considering the worst made him anxious.
"No way. They won't. But if they brazenly charge anyway?"
He couldn't stop them.
Not at his current level.
"Damn, the clan's forces are just me and the three siblings, plus about ten...... Huh?"
Murong Bi blinked.
"Come to think of it?"
About ten swordsmen.
Just a glance, but gauging their skill was no issue.
"They looked troublingly weak......"
Considering the martial manuals left in the annex, getting stronger there was tough. Even their stipends were questionable.
But.
"They're the clan's spear and shield, right?"
Pondering, Murong Bi stood.
"Yeah, I need to check them first."
At minimum, their potential.
A warrior's greatest talent wasn't physical gifts or intellect, but the grit to move mountains with a pickaxe. Skill gaps close with grit in martial arts.
Murong Bi headed straight to the Flower Sword Squad's training grounds.
There, Squad Leader Jin Gwang was sternly drilling the swordsmen. With the Acting Patriarch recovered, training resumed today.
Jin Gwang bellowed thunderously.
"Back to Vertical Sword Form from the start! One!"
"Don't count to two."
"Don't count to two...... Huh?"
Startled, Jin Gwang turned.
Murong Bi waved awkwardly.
"Hey there."