Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Azure Heaven Nether King Art
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Namgung Hyeok slowly examined the raised blue stone slab and the densely inscribed formulas etched into the floor.
The formulas carved into the stone slab were worn and faded, as if they had fully endured the ravages of time.
Yet the mystery, power, and will embedded within them remained vividly intact.
Namgung Hyeok silently read and contemplated the formulas.
In terms of sheer completion, the formulas he had discovered couldn't be said to surpass the other divine arts of the Namgung family.
But Namgung Hyeok could sense it.
The martial artist who created these formulas had at least aspired to ascension.
The formulas were crafted to leap toward a broader world and higher realm.
Though the end trailed off inconclusively, never reaching the realm of ascension, this person had gazed toward something farther and higher.
Someone who hadn't reached where Namgung Hyeok had stood, but who had looked in the same direction.
A strange sense of kinship welled up.
Seeing another who had walked the same path brought fresh emotions.
He could now see possibilities in a new martial art that had previously eluded him.
Namgung Hyeok stared at the characters engraved at the end of the text.
[Azure Heaven.]
Was this the name of the art? Or the author?
Namgung Hyeok thought it didn't matter.
“This is it.”
It possessed a perfect direction and framework without any shortcomings, plus the potential to evolve further through his own insights, knowledge, and martial arts.
The discovered formulas had much to fill in and much to discard, requiring reassembly and refinement in many areas, but Namgung Hyeok actually liked that.
He had found a martial art with a proper foundation to build upon.
‘Perfect.’
Namgung Hyeok grinned in satisfaction as he committed the formulas to memory.
Then he returned the stone slab he had set aside to its original position.
Thud!
“Damn, it's ridiculously heavy. Should've just left it?”
Namgung Hyeok grumbled while flexing his numb fingers open and closed.
He gazed blankly at the spot containing the formulas.
“Whoever finds it gets to keep it, right?”
He had gone through hell to find it, so the next guy could suffer a bit too.
‘Things gained with difficulty are used with care.’
That was the wisdom of adults.
Of course, he doubted many would dig through the flashy manuals in the Kings' Pavilion to find this.
Even if they did, there'd be no reason to practice an incomplete art.
Namgung Hyeok wouldn't have chosen it either if he hadn't planned to overhaul its system.
Namgung Hyeok stood up. His head spun with a light dizziness.
“Huaaaah!”
Stretching grandly, he massaged his shoulders.
“How much time has passed?”
Unable to see outside, he didn't even know if it was day or night.
The aches throughout his body told him quite a bit of time had elapsed.
‘Or maybe my body's just sore.’
Somehow he suspected the latter, but at least he had the time to study.
His body was fatigued, but his mind was refreshed.
Namgung Hyeok walked out of the Kings' Pavilion in high spirits.
* * *
Back in his room, Namgung Hyeok sat cross-legged.
In the quiet room, only the sound of his steady breathing echoed.
He sank into meditation.
Calming his mind, he released the tension in his body.
Clearing his head, he organized his thoughts.
The internal energy formulas he had found in the Kings' Pavilion surfaced in Namgung Hyeok's mind.
‘I’ll use this as the foundation.’
This internal art would now be his core.
He would root it deep and thick so it wouldn't waver, erecting a sturdy pillar.
Pruning unnecessary branches boldly.
To grow larger branches and bear more fruit.
It was extremely difficult, but he could do it.
For him, who had once stood at the pinnacle of the world and reached the Grandmaster realm, creating a martial art was no challenge.
Namgung Hyeok began refining the ‘Azure Heaven’ he had discovered in the Kings' Pavilion.
‘First, escape the mutual destruction.’
It had to transcend the clash with immortals.
The framework took shape in his mind.
Orthodox arts are slow.
But stable and profound.
Unshakable, thus firm and upright.
‘It needs to be faster.’
Namgung Hyeok took only what was necessary.
Discarding flaws, adopting only strengths.
‘It’s been a while.’
Namgung Hyeok drew forth his lifelong signature ultimate technique.
[Nether King Heaven-Mixing Qi.]
The art that had made him invincible, encompassing all he was.
It was the complete realization that had propelled him beyond the world's pinnacle to the realm of ascension.
The thousand-plus characters of the Nether King Heaven-Mixing Qi formulas arose.
The Nether King Heaven-Mixing Qi formulas overlaid onto the Azure Heaven formulas.
He began fleshing out the bones with flesh and muscle.
The Nether King Heaven-Mixing Qi is greedy.
It devours all energies to cultivate its own power.
Fast and ferocious.
Namgung Hyeok filtered out the flaws.
Focusing on its speed and absorption.
The formulas gradually took shape.
Azure Heaven and Nether King Heaven-Mixing Qi complemented and stimulated each other.
Namgung Hyeok's breathing changed.
The newly conceived formulas emerged in his mind.
Wuuuuung!
It rapidly absorbed external energy.
Yet it remained stable even in rapid absorption.
External qi flowed through his meridians.
Far faster than when operating the Clear Bright Profound Heart Art.
And yet stable and flexible.
Namgung Hyeok filtered out the impurities from the absorbed energy.
Drawing in the pure qi, he guided it to his lower abdomen.
‘Thinly refine it.’
The highest purity qi gathered in his lower abdomen after passing through his meridians.
Then, through one of the expanded meridians among the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, it began circulating through his entire body.
Once, twice, three times… twelve times.
After exactly twelve cycles, Namgung Hyeok exhaled a long breath.
“Huuuuu!”
When he opened his eyes, a clear light gleamed briefly before fading.
Deep into the night.
Seeing the faint moonlight filtering into the room, the corner of Namgung Hyeok's mouth lifted.
“About done.”
He lightly patted his lower abdomen, feeling the stably gathered energy.
A tiny amount incomparable to his invincible days had coalesced in his dantian.
Meager in size, but purer than ever before.
This energy would grow and become the weapon to smash the immortals' heads.
Twitch.
The delightful imagining lifted his mood.
Namgung Hyeok unfolded his legs and stretched grandly.
“Hmm, but what to name it?”
Well, what did the name matter?
He didn't ponder long.
“Azure Heaven Nether King Art it is.”
A rough blend of Azure Heaven, the foundation, and Heaven-Mixing Nether King Qi.
It came out sounding quite chilling yet orthodox.
Namgung Hyeok looked pleased.
“Put out the most urgent fire!”
He had created the desperately needed internal art method.
Now, all that remained was overcoming the so-called Heavenly Punishment of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians with the Azure Heaven Nether King Art, ascending, and crushing the immortals.
Of course, crushing immortals wouldn't happen with internal energy alone.
“Then the next step is clear.”
To wield the hard-earned internal energy well, his body needed to be sturdy.
“Let’s start right away!”
* * *
“He didn't come to the Kings' Pavilion today either?”
Namgung Jangcheon rose from his seat at Total Steward Geum Gwangmo's words.
“I told him not to overdo it, and now he's finally collapsed.”
They said he had pulled an all-nighter, so his stamina must have hit rock bottom.
Otherwise, there was no reason he wouldn't show up for two days despite the pavilion being open for him.
“I told him not to overdo it.”
“The Young Master is so enthusiastic, that's probably why.”
“Excess is as bad as deficiency. He needs to think of his body!”
More than anger, regret washed over him.
‘How frustrated must that young one have been.’
People find even a finger injury inconvenient; he couldn't imagine the frustration and despair of Namgung Hyeok, who had a porcelain body since childhood.
No wonder he was showing interest in martial arts.
“I hope he hasn't collapsed again and is moaning in pain. Summon the Medical Department Head.”
“You'll go yourself?”
“No choice.”
Namgung Jangcheon exited the Family Head's quarters. As he moved, Geum Gwangmo and the other aides followed.
Joining the Medical Department Head and five physicians made a group of twenty.
Namgung Jangcheon headed to Namgung Hyeok's residence with a grim expression.
The heavier, more subdued atmosphere than usual made the aides hold their breath.
‘The Second Young Master has been causing so much trouble lately; the Family Head must be displeased.’
‘He looks colder today.’
‘What if he explodes in rage like last time?’
‘I hope the Second Young Master isn't seriously ill. The Family Head's worry is so great…’
The aides exchanged glances, gauging Namgung Jangcheon's mood.
Namgung Jangcheon entered Namgung Hyeok's residence.
“Gasp! Family Head!”
“Family Head, what brings you here?”
“We greet the Family Head!”
The maids working in Namgung Hyeok's residence jumped in surprise.
Namgung Jangcheon brushed past them toward Namgung Hyeok's room.
But strange sounds came from inside the door.
‘Oh no! Is his groaning that loud?’
Just what state was he in this time?
Namgung Jangcheon's heart grew urgent.
The sounds from the room were far from normal.
But he couldn't show it with the executives behind him.
His mind raced, but his actions remained composed.
Geum Gwangmo opened the door.
Bang!
Namgung Jangcheon's sharp gaze pierced through the gap, then wavered lightly.
‘Hm?’
Pale steam and sweltering heat billowed out from between the door.
Staring piercingly into the sauna-like room, Namgung Jangcheon unwittingly parted his lips slowly.
An unimaginable scene unfolded before him.
A dumbfounded sound escaped Namgung Jangcheon's mouth.
“Uh…….”
His gaze fixed on the center of the room.
At the end of his gaze, Namgung Hyeok was captured sweating profusely, grunting on the floor.
‘What is that?’
His skinny arms trembled as Namgung Hyeok's upper body rose.
Seeing a familiar motion performed by an unfamiliar person made his brain freeze momentarily.
“Huff! Huff! Huff!”
Rough breaths burst from Namgung Hyeok's mouth.
After three steadying breaths, his arms bent again.
“Huuuugh!”
With a shout that was either a kiai or a yell, Namgung Hyeok's chest descended toward the floor.
Namgung Jangcheon blinked.
That couldn't be……
‘Push……ups?’
Push-ups?
Hyeok?
Our son?
Our son was doing that right now?
Namgung Jangcheon rubbed his eyes and looked at Namgung Hyeok again.
A deflating sound leaked from his mouth once more.
“Uh uh…….”
Still unable to believe it, he quietly asked Geum Gwangmo, who was equally stunned beside him.
“Is that kid really doing……push-ups right now?”
In the world.
How was a guy who struggled with freestyle swimming managing this?
Geum Gwangmo nodded as if possessed.
“Yes, the Second Young Master is doing push-ups right now.”
Namgung Jangcheon's eyes widened.
He wasn't seeing things.
“Hyeok?”
“Yes, the Second Young Master…….”
“H-Hyeok, you say?”
“Yes, Second Young Master…….”
Unbelievable.
A miraculous event was unfolding.
One, two, three……
The number of push-ups Namgung Hyeok performed increased.
Arms he had been grateful just stayed attached without breaking or dislocating were now bending and extending in exercise?
Namgung Jangcheon could scarcely believe his eyes.
Had his second son ever shown such vibrant, energetic vigor?
For some reason, something welled up in Namgung Jangcheon, choked and overwhelming.
The following aides stared at Namgung Hyeok with shocked faces.
“G-Good heavens! The Second Young Master doing push-ups?”
“H-How many is that already?”
“His form is perfect too!”
“His arms didn't break!”
Everyone watching was stunned by Namgung Hyeok's unimaginable sight.
Like beholding a phoenix from legend, the onlookers gaped at his actions.
Namgung Jangcheon clenched his fists tightly.
He clamped his mouth shut, inwardly surging with emotion.
Namgung Hyeok continued regardless of the arrivals.
Shiver shiver shiver.
Shaking like a bee's wings, Namgung Hyeok then went wild with push-ups as if gaining momentum.
“Hup! Hup! Hup!”
Crack!
As he descended rapidly, his shoulder suddenly dislocated with a loud pop.
Clunk! Crack!
“Damn it, this shitty body's acting up again.”
Namgung Hyeok muttered.
Then casually realigned his dislocated shoulder.
It was so natural one had to ponder what had just happened.
Creak, crack.
“…….”
“…….”
Silence descended.
Namgung Jangcheon, who had been moved to tears, gaped again.
The nonchalant way he popped his shoulder back in was absurd.
The watching aides' eyes nearly bulged out.
“……Did his shoulder just pop out?”
“And he popped it back in?”
“Y-Young Master?”
“Uwoooooh!”
As the commotion grew, Namgung Hyeok glanced outside.
He saw the executives who had barged in unexpectedly now making a fuss among themselves.
His brows furrowed involuntarily, irritation rising.
‘Got an audience?’
First time seeing a dislocated arm? He'd shown it plenty.
Namgung Hyeok withdrew his gaze, finished realigning his shoulder, and rotated it.
Crack!
“……!”
“……!”
The people froze, halting all movement as they stared at Namgung Hyeok.
“Ah, it's fine. Really, it's okay. Not dying.”
Namgung Hyeok waved it off, turning the crowd into spectators in an instant.
At his relaxed demeanor, Namgung Jangcheon was speechless.
“W-What is…….”
Before the bewilderment cleared, Namgung Hyeok turned, lay on his back, and began lifting his upper body.
‘……Si-sit-ups?’
Now sit-ups?
Push-ups weren't the end.
Indeed, Namgung Hyeok was doing sit-ups.
“One! Two! Three! Four……!”
People swallowed dryly at Namgung Hyeok casually doing sit-ups after resetting his shoulder.
‘Impossible!’
Perfect form, perfect breathing, precise motions again.
But they couldn't just rejoice.
They had already witnessed one shoulder dislocation.
An eerie silence blanketed the room.
Only Namgung Hyeok's counting echoed softly.
He pulled his body up so fiercely his ribs might crack.
Worries arose that his organs might shift.
Namgung Jangcheon turned his head, silently ordering the guests to leave.
The aides slipped away one by one.
Their gazes lingered on Namgung Hyeok's sit-ups until the end.
Confirming the presences receding, Namgung Jangcheon hurriedly grabbed Namgung Hyeok.
“Hyeok! Stop, stop! Your organs will shift!”
Namgung Hyeok glared at the intruder.
‘Jeez, I said it's fine! If you're here, just watch quietly.’
Cheering was a hassle enough; why interfere?
“I need to finish a hundred now. Don't interfere and go back.”
“A hundred?! You brat, I gave you manuals—why train your stamina?!”
“Because you gave me the manuals!”
“No, Hyeok! Medical Department Head! What are you doing?! Pulse diagnosis, now!”
Namgung Jangcheon bellowed, grabbing Namgung Hyeok and calling the Medical Department Head.
The Medical Department Head rushed into the chaos.
“Y-Yes! Family Head!”