Chapter 97
Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Obstructed Blood, Severed Meridians
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In Mu-heun's past life, when he was the Divine Doctor of Sichuan.
The Sect Leader of the Qingcheng Sect had come to see him. The reason was to ask him to examine a Qingcheng disciple born with Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians. At the Sect Leader's request, he went, and it was indeed a case of Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians.
Gu Mok-yeong.
He was a cheerful man, but his body was constitutionally unable to accumulate internal energy, as the meridians through which ki flowed were almost completely blocked.
However, he didn't blame his body for its inability to build internal energy. Rather than resent his reality of being unable to master martial arts, he was the kind of person who trained in external arts and strived to contribute to the Qingcheng Sect in any way he could.
I had felt incredibly sorry for Mok-yeong.
As a child, he had lost his family for the same reason I had and joined the Qingcheng Sect. He met a true master and followed him well, but... that master got into a dispute with Dang Baek-ho, engaged in a life-or-death duel, and ended up dead.
I don't know the reason, but it seemed that Dang Baek-ho, then the heir of the Tang Clan, had pulled some trick on the promising martial artist from Qingcheng.
A man who had lost both the parents who gave him life and the one who raised him like a parent. On top of that, how much must he have suffered among martial artists, a man naturally forsaken by internal energy?
The poor bastard...
I could vividly picture the years Mok-yeong must have endured. That's why I wanted to heal him, but it was impossible in my past life.
But,
now it's different!
You who smiles so thoughtlessly, just wait a little longer.
As the recollection ended, Pae-seon, Mu-heun, and Paeng Ri-hyeok entered the office of the Qingcheng Sect Leader.
* * *
Pae-seon recounted the atrocities of the Sichuan Tang Clan exactly as Mu-heun had instructed. He spoke of everything, from the publicly known incidents to the hidden ones, including all the information the Divine Doctor of Sichuan from his past life knew.
The Qingcheng Sect Leader said there were some things he already knew and some that were new to him. However, he showed no sign of surprise.
After conveying all these circumstances through Pae-seon, he revealed that a war between the Demonic Cult and Qingcheng was not far off.
“I would like the Qingcheng Sect to seal its gates for a while, just like the Emei Sect. Then, after we have cut out the rotten roots of the Sichuan Tang Clan, please join forces with Emei to drive us out.”
If the Demonic Cult were to crush the Tang Clan, one of the five great powers of the Orthodox Sects, on Sichuan soil, and both Emei and Qingcheng turned a blind eye, the world would point its fingers in accusation.
Therefore, he advised that after the event, Emei and Qingcheng should take the form of driving out the Demonic Cult.
The Qingcheng Sect Leader accepted this proposal positively.
“In that case, we will create a pretext for sealing the gates. However, we need something to divert the attention of those within Qingcheng.”
The Sect Leader looked at Mu-heun and spoke.
The Emei Sect Leader had already informed the Qingcheng Sect Leader that Ha Na-rin had been treated, so his intention was, in a way, clear.
And that reaction from the Sect Leader was ultimately what Mu-heun had guided him toward.
“I will treat Gu Mok-yeong's Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians.”
“……!”
“After declaring that the disciple born with Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians has suddenly been cured, if you announce that you will seal the gates and focus on martial training... it may be a hollow excuse, but it will serve as a pretext.”
“Hah, hmm...”
“I have heard from my master that his theories on external arts are already the best in Qingcheng. If you add theories on internal energy to that, all the disciples of Qingcheng will flock to interact with him.”
“You know quite a bit. Was all of this, by any chance, your master's last wish?”
“……Yes, it was.”
“Very well. A pretext can always be created. But there is something I'm curious about.”
“Please, ask.”
“No matter that you are the disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan, how do you know the situation in Sichuan so well? And why would you, who has never even visited the Sichuan Tang Clan, go to such lengths to plot their downfall? What is your reason?”
The Qingcheng Sect Leader had pointed out what needed to be addressed. Compared to how naturally everything was unfolding, the motivation of the one orchestrating it all seemed weak.
However, Mu-heun had already prepared an answer.
“The first reason is to avenge my master, rescue my martial brothers, and prevent future disasters.”
“The first reason... Then what is the second?”
“The second is that the Central Plains can only survive if the Qingcheng and Emei Sects flourish, Kunlun and Kongtong thrive, and the Tang Clan is reborn.”
“……”
“A great war is coming. When it does, it won't be a matter of distinguishing between the Demonic Cult, Orthodox Sects, or Unorthodox Sects. Everyone will have to join forces for the survival of humanity.”
Mu-heun prepared to bring up the story he had heard from his master, the Heavenly Demon. Of course, he would omit the part about hearing it from the Heavenly Demon and instead frame it as a discovery made after research with his master—that new beings exist and their arrival is imminent.
Just then, the Qingcheng Sect Leader gave a response that Mu-heun himself had not anticipated.
“……Where did you hear such information?”
“……!”
Mu-heun's eyes widened at the Qingcheng Sect Leader's reaction.
“You knew.”
“I've heard whispers. That there are beings from beyond the heavens, and that this is all caused by five gods originating from the Five Elements. From what I've heard, they were the Evil God, Ghost Spirits, and Monsters...”
“……!”
This time, it was Pae-seon who asked in surprise.
“Could you please explain in more detail?”
“……I trust that you, Lord Un-ryong, have some inkling of this, so I will speak. Recently, those who have lost their way in the mountains have sometimes reported encountering and experiencing a strange kingdom.”
“A strange kingdom?”
“Indeed. Compiling the testimonies of eyewitnesses, the beings there are similar to the Five Element Officials recorded in mythology.”
“The Five Element Officials... you mean Wu Qiang, Gou Mang, Zhu Rong, Ru Shou, and Hou Tu.”
“That's right. The problem is that they harbor malicious intent and have captured Ghost Spirits and spiritual beasts to build their own forces... Well, there has been such a legend.”
‘My suspicions were correct. This even somewhat aligns with what that fellow Yeok Mu-gi was blathering about to the beauties in the brothel. If so, the end of the world might come sooner than I thought...’
Mu-heun composed himself.
‘This is no time to dawdle. I need to get stronger quickly, cultivate the strong, and find the hidden masters. I have to prepare for the beings from beyond the heavens.’
Just then, the Qingcheng Sect Leader interrupted the story and said.
“First, please take care of the Tang Clan's problem. Let us discuss this matter further next time.”
“Yes. Then, please call for Gu Mok-yeong first. I will treat him.”
“Understood.”
Mu-heun, Pae-seon, and Paeng Ri-hyeok bowed to the Sect Leader and left. As Mu-heun walked out the door, the Sect Leader watched him and said.
“They say that even when the sky falls, there's a way out...”
In Qingcheng, known as one of the Nine Sects One Union, there was a legend passed down through generations. It was about a great war that took place 300 years ago and the contents of the *Three Books on the Advent of the Chaotic Heavens' Inhuman Beings*.
“I can see hope.”
* * *
After leaving the Sect Leader, Paeng Ri-hyeok couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer and spoke up.
“What on earth was that conversation about? I couldn't follow it at all.”
“It's exactly as you heard.”
“Are you really going to wipe out the Tang Clan? And what were the names of those five gods?”
“You heard everything. Don't ask, think for yourself. Young people these days don't think for themselves.”
“That's why you lack enlightenment.”
“Th-That's...”
Pae-seon and Mu-heun chided him, and Paeng Ri-hyeok fell silent. He was a more naive fellow than expected. Pae-seon added an explanation for his sake.
“Gou Mang governs Wood, Wu Qiang governs Water, Zhu Rong governs Fire, Ru Shou governs Metal, and Hou Tu governs Earth. They are beings known as ancient gods.”
“Are you saying such beings truly exist?”
“Each of them possessed power far surpassing that of martial artists. It is said they descended to the mortal world long ago, only to suddenly vanish without a trace.”
“……Isn't that just a legend?”
“The reason they vanished is that the heroes of the early martial world drove them out through war. But what if they didn't die and were instead preparing for the next war?”
“That's……”
Just then, after entering the room for the treatment, Mu-heun spoke.
“That's enough. Call Gu Mok-yeong to this room and everyone else, please leave.”
Mu-heun sent Pae-seon and Paeng Ri-hyeok out, and a moment later, Gu Mok-yeong entered.
“Greetings, hidden disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan.”
“Greetings.”
“Can you truly treat my Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians?”
“You're quite impatient.”
“Even your master, the Divine Doctor of Sichuan, was ultimately unable to cure my severed meridians. Are you saying that you can?”
“Why else would I have called for you?”
“……”
“Just lie down. It's going to be a rather painful time.”
“What? Painful?”
“That's right. Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians refers to a condition where blood vessels and ki meridians are blocked and do not flow. The problem is that while it's possible to clear the meridians temporarily, the condition will simply recur unless the vessels themselves are thickened.”
“Then what must be done?”
“I will activate the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation left by my master here. Then, I will pour my ki into your Dantian, Great Warrior Gu Mok-yeong, without filtering it.”
“Th-Then what will happen?”
“Then all of your blood vessels will burst.”
“What?”
“Do not worry. The burst vessels will be restored by the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation. And in the process of recovery, your major and minor meridians will widen and thicken, becoming much stronger than they are now.”
“What...”
“This is a task entrusted to me by the Sect Leader. However, if you'd rather not, you may continue living as you are. I won't stop you.”
Mok-yeong hesitated for a moment.
Live as I am? In other words, I'm supposed to live my entire life as a second-rate warrior, unable to be of greater help here in Qingcheng, which is no different from my home, all while having these obstructed meridians?
Mu-heun's words were like a sharp dagger.
Mok-yeong had lived suppressing himself, pretending to be docile while cultivating the Way, but he wasn't such an empty shell as to ignore an opportunity like this.
“Can you truly cure my severed meridians, doctor?”
“Of course. Though it will be accompanied by immense pain.”
“I don't care about the pain. Compared to the mental anguish I've suffered until now, physical pain is nothing.”
“Then stop talking and get undressed.”
“Ah……. Yes.”
Mu-heun clicked his tongue as he looked at Mok-yeong.
‘Anyway, guys like him are always so talkative, rambling on about their resolve and their thoughts.’
He soon drew the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation and added the essence of Myriad Fragrance to the Yin-Yang and Five Elements energy breathing within his Dantian.
He also drew a formation on the floor and lit purple flames in various spots.
“Endure it, no matter how painful.”
“Of course. I may look like this, but…! Gaaah!”
Mu-heun placed 128 needles all over the prostrate Mok-yeong's body, stimulated his acupoints, and then injected the finely processed energy of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements into his back.
“Shut your mouth and focus on circulating your ki as I guide you.”
Mu-heun's energy flowed into Mok-yeong's ki meridians.
As expected, Mok-yeong's already paper-thin ki meridians couldn't withstand Mu-heun's energy and burst instantly. However, the ruptured meridians were quickly restored by the power of the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation.
“Gaaah!”
Amidst excruciating pain, the process of his ki meridians bursting and being restored repeated countless times.
“Gyaaaaaaaah!”
The ceaseless screams echoed within the room. This was because Mu-heun had already circulated his true ki to block any sound from leaking outside.
The restored meridians were much larger, thicker, and more resilient than before, so they no longer burst from the same amount of energy. Each time, Mu-heun increased the amount of energy he channeled into him.
“Gyaaaah!”
He pushed the energy in more forcefully and violently, mercilessly bursting the blood vessels and ki meridians. With each rupture, Mok-yeong's meridians grew wider and stronger, to the point that one could believe he was a normal person, not someone with Obstructed Blood and Severed Meridians.
But Mu-heun did not stop. He repeated the process again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, until his own energy was depleted.
For four hours, it was a cycle of bursting and restoring, bursting and restoring.
Mok-yeong had now grown accustomed to the pain and no longer had the strength to scream.
“Hoo.”
Mu-heun wiped the sweat from his brow and said.
“It's over.”
“……”
“I said, it's over. Hm?”
When there was no reply, Mu-heun looked down at the floor to see that Mok-yeong had already passed out.
“Hah... What's a so-called martial artist to do if he can't even endure this much.”