Chapter 20: In the Jianghu, One's Body is Not One's Own (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: In the Jianghu, One's Body is Not One's Own (9)
“…My body feels a bit heavy.”
He had pushed himself to the limit with his qinggong cultivation the day before. On top of that, he’d had a few cups of alcohol for the first time in his life. That was likely the cause.
Yeon So-wol quickly rose, opened a window, and lit the incense burner.
His personal blend of myrrh and spikenard ignited, a single wisp of smoke unfurling into the room. The stale air that had settled overnight dissipated, replaced by a sweet, refreshing fragrance that warmed the space.
He savored the scent as he loosened his limbs with the Soft Willow Art. He was more meticulous than usual, taking his time with every movement. By the time he finished, a full half-hour had passed.
“Is it that time already? I need to go pay my morning respects.”
He washed quickly, straightened his clothes, and grabbed his fragrance pouch.
“Right. He told me to bring this, too.”
The elixir he had received as a gift from Lee Yu-baek: the Dragon Scale Mushroom. Today was the day he would consume an elixir for the first time in his life.
“It will be dangerous and difficult again today, but…”
He was no longer as afraid as he used to be.
“If I have to do it, I’ll do it.”
The experience of overcoming hardship time and again supported Yeon So-wol’s heart like a sturdy foundation. Breathing in the cool morning air, he deepened his Fire Phase.
“Fuuuuu…”
Fwoosh—
A flame ignited within his body. The Turbid Qi mixed in his Eight Extraordinary Meridians was incinerated, and billows of white smoke flowed out of him. As the scorching heat refined his bones and flesh, his body grew lighter.
Flying Wind Drift.
Tap.
He slipped on his shoes and kicked off the stepping stone. His body floated up as if weightless. He landed lightly on the wall, leaped again, and in a few bounds, he arrived at Lee Yu-baek’s quarters.
“You… Your progress with the Flying Wind Drift…?”
The eldest of the Three Gentlemen of Pungryu, Kang Mu-hyeok, stared with wide eyes.
At the First Stage, one is merely light.
At the Second Stage, one also knows weight.
At the Third Stage, one can wait for the wind and fly.
So read the preface of the Flying Wind Drift manual.
For a technique with ten stages of mastery, reaching the Third Stage meant one had firmly completed the introductory phase and was beginning to handle the technique in earnest. It was a study that was by no means easy, requiring intellect, sensation, and physical conditioning. Even the fastest genius usually took seven days and nights, while the slowest could take a year.
Yet, to anyone watching, Yeon So-wol’s Flying Wind Drift had clearly reached the Third Stage.
The second brother, Seon Je-hun, exclaimed dramatically.
“Whoa. What is this? How are you already at the Third Stage? Didn’t you just start learning Flying Wind Drift yesterday?”
At that, the youngest, Mo Cheong, suddenly puffed out his chest.
“Aha! Senior Brothers, you didn’t know? So-wol just fell bam! into a State of Selflessness while training with me yesterday, and then whoosh, he was riding the wind!”
The two senior disciples’ eyes widened further.
“A State of Selflessness? No. That doesn’t make… Wow. I knew he was a genius, but this…”
“No wonder Master seemed to be in such a good mood yesterday.”
Both of them were struck with astonishment. But they didn’t dwell on it for long. The eldest, Kang Mu-hyeok, gripped So-wol's right shoulder, and the second, Seon Je-hun, gripped his left. They each gave him a firm, proud squeeze before moving past him.
“Congratulations. Master will be delighted that his youngest brother’s achievements are so outstanding.”
“Well now, our young master. This is great! The Pungryu Sect has another reason to be proud.”
Watching the two of them take the lead, Yeon So-wol felt a strange sense of pleasure. Their congratulations were affectionate and close, but not cloying.
…I’ll work even harder.
A new passion surged within him. This thing called martial arts was so savage and brutish it felt insane at times. But seeing his skills improve by leaps and bounds as he endured and strove was more fun than he could have imagined. The reactions of those around him were also growing more and more favorable.
Learning martial arts was still nerve-wracking and frightening. But now, it was also thrilling.
“Let’s go, So-wol.”
“Okay.”
Yeon So-wol followed Mo Cheong and his senior brothers into Lee Yu-baek’s quarters.
Lee Yu-baek was drinking again today. He held a small cup, staring blankly at the sky as he sipped slowly.
Kang Mu-hyeok’s eyes lit up. “Are you drinking Jade Crown Red today?”
“Ah. So I am.”
Lee Yu-baek grinned, then turned to look at Yeon So-wol.
“Hah.”
A look of admiration bloomed on his face.
He’s unparalleled.
All of his disciples followed his teachings, keeping their bodies clean and their attire neat. But Yeon So-wol was on another level.
From the height of the gaiters cinching his trousers, to the length of the knight-errant’s robe worn underneath and the overlap of its front, to the subtle drape and fold of the dopo worn over it all—everything drew the eye. There was an inexplicable, exquisite quality to it.
In truth, even back in 21st-century South Korea, Yeon So-wol had been a student who was often told he had a great sense of style. As a result, his adjustments to length, his sense of fit, and the way his clothes sat on his frame were imbued with a sensibility a thousand years ahead of its time.
Those who didn’t know any better would just think, ‘He’s rather eye-catching. Is it because he’s handsome?’ and move on. But those with a discerning eye, like Lee Yu-baek, could feel it. This is exquisite!
My other disciples never get it right, no matter how much I nag them.
Style was something one couldn’t possess without personal effort. To see his adopted son display it so naturally, as if born with it, filled Lee Yu-baek with nothing but delight.
“You. Truly. You must have been exhausted from training yesterday, yet you are the same every day. That conduct of yours may be of great help today.”
With a firm nod, Lee Yu-baek turned to his disciples.
“Today, So-wol will take the Dragon Scale Mushroom. You three will stand guard.”
In that instant, the air in the courtyard grew taut. Yeon So-wol sensed the tension and glanced around, puzzled.
“Master. Are you going to guide him personally?”
“I must. I did the same for all of you, didn’t I? I can’t discriminate against him, not when he’s my son in all but name.”
“But aren’t you rushing things? If you’re going to guide him yourself, shouldn’t we prepare more…?”
“Don’t speak nonsense.”
Lee Yu-baek quickly waved his hand, cutting Kang Mu-hyeok off.
“In any case, you three will stand guard outside. So-wol, you follow me inside.”
Lee Yu-baek headed indoors. Yeon So-wol furtively gauged the three disciples’ reactions.
Why is the atmosphere so tense?
“Hurry inside.”
At Lee Yu-baek’s urging, he had no choice but to trail hesitantly after him. Inside the room, Lee Yu-baek wore a very gentle smile.
“If you don’t mind, would you sit here for a moment? Yes. This close.”
Yeon So-wol felt an unidentifiable sense of unease.
Is he in a particularly good mood today?
For now, he did as he was told and sat on the floor, close to Lee Yu-baek.
Lee Yu-baek spoke with a placid smile. “Yesterday, you learned about Refinement. Correct?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Today, you will learn Susin.”
Susin (修身). To cultivate the body. It meant bodily training.
“Is that the same susin from ‘cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world’?”
“My goodness! You know it well? You truly are brilliant.”
“…”
Now, Yeon So-wol was certain. Why is he acting like this? Something was off about Lee Yu-baek today.
“However, while the characters are the same, the meaning is different. Confucius spoke of Susin after first rectifying the mind. We martial artists, on the other hand, first cultivate the body before we can temper the mind.”
What is he talking about now?
Seeing Yeon So-wol’s bewildered expression, Lee Yu-baek smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t mind it. To be honest, I don’t know either. I’ve only heard it’s a story about a distant realm. In any case.” Lee Yu-baek’s smile vanished, his tone turning serious. “Susin refers to the permanent Refinement of the body.”
“But isn’t that a bad thing?” Yeon So-wol asked reflexively.
Permanent Refinement of the body? Didn’t that mean destroying the body? Hadn’t Lee Yu-baek said with his own mouth that one shouldn’t do that?
Watching the confused Yeon So-wol, Lee Yu-baek nodded.
“Exactly! Your comprehension is outstanding! Truly wonderful, So-wol! You are right. However, our Pungryu Sect’s Susin is limited only to the meridians. So you have no need to worry. The meridians are fundamentally channels made of Qi, not matter. No matter how many times you refine them, there is only benefit, no harm.”
“I… see.”
As he replied, Yeon So-wol thought to himself, But why is he being so kind?
“Yes, So-wol. Have you been steadily observing the meridians in your body?”
“…Yes. I observed them this morning while practicing the Soft Willow Art.”
“And how were they? Compared to before you started learning martial arts.”
“They’ve become much wider and warmer than before.”
“I see. So that’s what you think.”
Rustle.
Lee Yu-baek turned his back to him.
“Here. Place your palm on this spot. That is the Mingmen Acupoint.”
As Yeon So-wol hesitantly placed his hand there, Lee Yu-baek said, “Channel your Gathering Fire into me.”
“Father?”
“I’m telling you to take a look at the meridians inside me. As long as you move carefully, there will be no problem, so go ahead.”
So that was it!
Yeon So-wol realized the reason for Lee Yu-baek’s gentle tone. The Mingmen Acupoint was the largest of the gateways through which Qi flowed. To offer it to another was, in effect, to entrust one’s life to them. This would explain, to some extent, Lee Yu-baek’s strangely kind demeanor.
I guess so. This was really nerve-wracking.
When Lee Yu-baek had held his Zhangmen Acupoint and channeled Gathering Fire into him, Yeon So-wol had been secretly terrified that he would melt into a puddle of meaty broth.
“Go on.”
Still, Lee Yu-baek’s voice was soft and calm. Yeon So-wol swallowed hard and slowly sent his Gathering Fire flowing. Through his own Qi, he examined Lee Yu-baek’s meridians, starting with the Twelve Standard Meridians and moving through every corner.
Fifteen minutes passed.
“Fuuuuu…”
“Huuuuu…”
The two men exhaled at the same time, and Yeon So-wol removed his hand from Lee Yu-baek’s Mingmen Acupoint.
“It’s… completely different.”
“Yes. You see it now, don’t you?”
Yeon So-wol slowly observed his own meridians. Then he recalled the feel of Lee Yu-baek’s meridians from his fingertips.
“Yes. If my meridians are a narrow path where sand, gravel, dirt, grass, trees, and wide flagstones are all jumbled together in a messy pile… Father, your meridians were like a cool promenade shaded by lush, green bamboo.”
Yeon So-wol said what he felt. Lee Yu-baek was surprised.
“Your Qi Sense never ceases to amaze me. That was perfectly accurate. The bamboo you felt is called Soseon Bamboo. It means a Qi that is like well-chosen bamboo. It’s a type of energy that can be achieved through our Pungryu Sect’s secret arts.”
“Soseon Bamboo…”
“Yes. The types of Essence and Qi. Do you remember what they are?”
“There are the 22 Stems and Branches and the 108 Baleful Stars.”
“Correct. Among them, there is better Essence and worse Essence. Your meridians are currently formed from a disorderly mix of the lowest and lower-grade Essences. As one ages, Turbid Qi accumulates, and it naturally becomes that way.”
Yeon So-wol realized that while he had dealt with the major impurities in his meridians, he had never touched the channels themselves. Suddenly, his body felt itchy. The filth inside him felt unbearable.
“But as it happens, you have a Dragon Scale Mushroom, which is the perfect elixir for cultivating the meridians. To use an analogy, it’s like clearing out the tangled gravel and sand in your meridians and planting green bamboo there instead. Then, the flow and nature of the Gathering Fire that travels that path will change completely.”
Lee Yu-baek took the Dragon Scale Mushroom from Yeon So-wol, placed it in a bowl, and poured hot alcohol over it. The alcohol wasn’t originally hot; Lee Yu-baek had heated it with his internal energy.
Chiiii—!
White steam rose from the bowl, and the scent of alcohol and mushrooms hit him in a wave.
“Through Susin, you can build a constitution. Once you have a constitution, the speed at which you master martial arts will be completely different.” Lee Yu-baek smiled faintly and said, “A constitution like yours is called a Disordered Constitution.”
Yeon So-wol nodded silently. After having looked inside Lee Yu-baek’s meridians, he could hardly stand his own.
“Let’s make it quite a bit neater today. I will personally plant green bamboo along your meridians. Now! Turn around.”
Yeon So-wol slowly turned his back and sat.
It’s starting.
Following the internal cultivation method Soft Willow Art and the qinggong Flying Wind Drift, this was his third lesson: taking an elixir and cultivating his body.
It’ll be hard. But it’s okay. I can do this.
Yeon So-wol steeled his heart and, filled with resolve, asked, “Is there anything I should be careful of?”
“Hm. There’s nothing like that.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon So-wol was so startled he couldn’t help but ask again. He tried his best not to question Lee Yu-baek, but he couldn’t stop himself.
Nothing to be careful of…? While learning martial arts? That doesn’t make sense.
“Hm. Nothing. Just gather your Gathering Fire neatly in your dantian so it doesn’t interfere with my Fire Phase. That’s enough. Until I withdraw my Fire Phase, do nothing.”
“Uh… but isn’t there something I should be careful about? It’s dangerous, isn’t it? Susin is a martial art, too.”
To which Lee Yu-baek replied, with a very warm and leisurely smile, “Hm. That’s right. It is dangerous. But it’s okay. Aren’t all martial arts a little dangerous?”
…A little?
His voice was strangely gentle. Yeon So-wol felt his back grow damp with sweat. Thoughts raced through his mind.
Come to think of it, why did the direct disciples stand guard outside…? Why was that necessary…?
“Now, now, would you try swallowing the Dragon Scale Mushroom? All at once with the alcohol in the bowl, don’t chew. That’s it, that’s it. It’s okay. Just don’t do anything. All you have to do is follow my guidance.”
From behind, Lee Yu-baek reached around and personally placed the bowl with the Dragon Scale Mushroom into Yeon So-wol’s hands. Before he knew what was happening, Yeon So-wol had gulped it down.
As the bitter, hot alcohol slid down his throat and the fragrant mushroom scent lingered in his nose, he heard Lee Yu-baek’s voice.
“Then let’s begin. I’m just going to place my hand on your Mingmen Acupoint for a moment. Is that all right? Haha. It’s nothing. You just have to trust me.”
Since when did he ask for permission for things like that…?
Just as the horrified Yeon So-wol was about to say something, thud.
Lee Yu-baek’s palm covered his Mingmen Acupoint.
“You must not open your mouth from now on. Understood? I’m asking you nicely.”
Lee Yu-baek’s awkwardly kind voice drifted to him. At the same time, a searing hot Gathering Fire flowed into his Mingmen Acupoint.
Mingmen (命門).
Into the Gate of Life.