Acing the Oral Exam and Harvesting Jangbaeksan's Elixirs
Han Kangwoo's second test had begun. Having read the original novel, I knew every correct answer to this oral exam. So, I didn't feel the slightest bit of tension. This must be what it's like taking a test with the answer key right in your hand. Fuck, there was so little pressure it almost made living honestly feel like being a total idiot. As expected, the cheaters are the ones who come out on top in this world.
"Martial arts are tools for the warrior. Just like a butcher's cleaver or a blacksmith's hammer, they're instruments used to achieve what the warrior desires."
His eyes changed at my crisp, hesitation-free response. He neither affirmed nor denied my words. But this atmosphere was definitely positive. I calmly focused my mind on his mouth, bracing for the next question. I knew that one too, along with its model answer.
"Tools, you say? The Taoists of Wudang cultivate the Taiji Sword to refine their character, while the eminent monks of Shaolin temper themselves through the 108 Arhat Forms. The profound principles for ascending to immortality are the very essence of Wudang martial arts, and the deep teachings of the Buddha form the core of Shaolin's. How dare you belittle martial arts as mere human tools?"
The question came flying like a counterpunch, reeking of high-pressure interview vibes. But to me, who knew Gong Wooseon's pre-written response, this was weaker than a kitten's paw swipe.
"If principles are embedded in sword strokes, then every kitchen maid chopping vegetables should have ascended to immortality by now. If the Way is found in punches, we'd have to see the Buddha's will in the fists of street thugs causing mayhem. The belief that you can fathom the meaning of all creation from a blade's edge, or measure a person's character by the degree of violence—that's just an excuse to justify the strong preying on the weak. If martial arts truly contained the Way, then why does the blood tribulation never cease in the martial world? Because they swing their swords less?"
My retort left Han Kangwoo speechless. His eyes flashed as he stared at me, like a man whose mind had been read. In the original novel, Jongchil took half a shichen to answer, but I didn't need even one gak. I looked at him smugly. It almost felt like I could read his thoughts.
My god. I have to take this young man as my disciple! Something like that, right? If not, whatever.
Han Kangwoo picked up his empty teacup and stood.
"An interesting opinion."
"I'm glad you see it that way."
He turned as he spoke at my bold reply. I'd just passed Han Kangwoo's second test. Only one trial remained.
"Bring the golden spring breeze. If you wish to become my disciple, that is."
That was his final test. I tossed back the last of my tea and nodded. Everything had gone perfectly according to plan so far.
"Understood."
*-*-*
I knew the answer to Han Kangwoo's final test, but I didn't rush. There were plenty of opportunities in Jangbaeksan for me to claim. I'd come all the way from Hubei to Jangbaeksan—I couldn't settle for just one. My main goal was Han Kangwoo, but grabbing other opportunities on the side was the best approach.
I descended the cliff via Eagle Leg Pass, riding the spirit eagles. They'd taken a real liking to the marbled Hanwoo beef I'd fed them and followed me obediently. These were exceptionally intelligent beasts that understood human speech.
"Do you know where there's a lake that glows jade-green, by any chance?"
When I asked the eagles, one flapped its wings and shot up with a cry, leading the way at a leisurely pace I could follow. Feed them, and they're easy to use. Nice.
Things are going smoother than expected.
After about one gak of walking, a lake formed by pooled stream water appeared. Dense foliage hid it so well that without knowing the exact spot, you'd have a hell of a time finding it. Even Gong Wooseon in the original novel had stumbled upon it by chance. The guiding eagle flapped impatiently, demanding meat. I pulled beef from my inventory and tossed it over. Junk like this wasn't worth sparing.
There were two opportunities here: Azure Stone Dew and Snowflake Golden Moss. Azure Stone Dew was dew formed where natural energy gathered abundantly. Even in a place brimming with spiritual energy like Jangbaeksan, it accumulated just one drop every hundred years—a rare elixir. The dead drank it and lived, the living became superhuman, and superhumans became half-immortals. In the original novel, Gong Wooseon drank a mouthful and boosted his internal energy by about one jiazi. As expected, no place was better for growth than a wuxia world.
I dug up the entire area around the lake by hand. Using Earth Control recklessly could let the precious dew soak into the soil and vanish. The process was tedious, but I endured, thinking of the reward. This jade-green lake was one of Jangbaeksan's strongest spiritual energy convergence points.
After an hour wrestling with the dirt, I found the Azure Stone Dew. Just as described in the novel, it was a milky white liquid. Cupping some in my hand, it smelled like maple sap. One sip, and you'd feel invincible.
"Heh. Perfect."
I lowered my head and sucked it up. Barely a mouthful, but it was enough. A scorching heat slid down my throat and into my stomach.
The most important thing after consuming an elixir is absorbing its energy.
For a warrior to gain effects from an elixir, meditative breathing was essential. Just swallowing it might make you healthier, but boosting internal energy required fully integrating the elixir's natural qi into your innate true qi. I sat cross-legged and circulated the Yin-Yang Union Technique, my one and only martial art. It was technically a sex art, but its effects went far beyond.
One of its branch skills, Multiple Bodies, put most cloning techniques to shame. For absorbing the Azure Stone Dew's energy, meditative breathing was key—didn't matter if it came from a martial art or a sex art. As the novel described, the dew held tremendous power. The tiny amount I'd drunk was barely enough to wet my throat, yet the natural energy surging into my body felt like a massive tidal wave. I strained to keep my mind steady against the onslaught.
Consuming an elixir during meditation was a warrior's most vulnerable moment. Meditation itself was risky, and clashing with the elixir's overwhelming energy left you open—even a minor external stimulus could send you into qi deviation.
Luckily, no one's around. And those eagles are standing guard for me.
The spirit eagles sensed my meditation and circled protectively overhead. Grateful bastards, worth more than the meat I'd fed them. I relaxed and focused on the breathing exercise. The elixir's fiery energy spread from my dantian to my extremities. As I meditated, my senses sharpened several times over. The chirp of a tiny insect battered my eardrums, fresh earth scent assaulted my nose. The energy was steadily absorbing into my body.
Smooth sailing.
I spent about half a shichen fully integrating the elixir's power. When I finished, my body was utterly drained.
[The Yin-Yang Union Technique skill level has increased.]
[Congratulations! You've acquired the B-rank branch skill Wave Spirit Semen.]
[Congratulations! You've acquired the D-rank branch skill Return Vitality.]
[Congratulations! You've acquired the C-rank branch skill Whispered Lewd Delight.]
←Skills→
◆ Root Skill
[Yin-Yang Union Technique 8 Stars] (B-rank)
↳Allows use of the sex art Yin-Yang Union Technique.
◇ Branch Skills
[Sweet Flesh Juices 5 Stars] (C-rank)
↳All bodily fluids become sweet and delicious. They also contain high nutrition and calories.
[Youthful Child Skill 5 Stars] (C-rank)
↳All sex-related skills increase in effect by 10%. However, sex with minors causes all sex-related skill levels to drop by 1.
[Multiple Bodies 5 Stars] (A-rank)
↳Can split body into up to 6 parts. Each has 70% of original stats. Split bodies share memories, emotions, and experiences via contact. Bonuses, credits, and inventory are shared as one.
[Beauty Devour 4 Stars] (C-rank)
↳Sex with women makes their body scent fragrant, fluids sweet, and beauty increase.
[Body Union Qi Transfer 4 Stars] (B-rank)
↳Can insert penis into woman's vagina to share qi.
[Wave Spirit Semen 1 Star (B-rank)]
↳Infuses semen with mystical power to heal wounds and restore stamina. Direct internal absorption is more efficient; absorption via vagina or anus yields maximum effect.
[Return Vitality 1 Star (D-rank)]
↳If unable to ejaculate after depleting semen, recovers 10% vitality. Usable once per hour.
[Whispered Lewd Delight 1 Star (C-rank)]
↳Lewd verbal abuse restores semen and reduces target's mental resistance by up to 10%.
←Skills→
The elixir consumption was a success. The Yin-Yang Union Technique had reached 8 Stars, and all branch skills leveled up significantly.
Especially the Multiple Bodies level-up—that's huge.
Now I could create up to six clones.
With this, I can do gangbangs or even full-on orgies.
Thoughts of all the plays I could try lifted my mood. But the opportunities didn't end there. After Azure Stone Dew came Snowflake Golden Moss. Like the dew, it was moss that grew naturally where spiritual energy was abundant. Inferior to the dew but still top-tier among elixirs. It was the main ingredient in Shaolin's iconic Great Return Pill. Uniquely, it contained both yang and yin energy. They said women who ate it could melt iron rods with their pussies, and men could punch through steel plates with their dicks.
Of course I have to take this too!
I stripped naked and dove into the jade-green lake. The cold gripped my body—the spiritually condensed water was as frigid as a winter reservoir. Without circulating internal energy for protection, you'd go into cardiac arrest. Drunk and slipping in? Instant death.
Snowflake Golden Moss is at the lake bottom.
Unlike the dew, I found it quickly. Of course, easy to find meant no dew-level effects.
Save this for later, after learning other martial arts. The Yin-Yang Union Technique is great, but investing both elixirs in it feels wasteful.
I stored the Snowflake Golden Moss in my inventory. Taking it after Han Kangwoo's tutelage wouldn't be bad.
That's enough for today.
Absorbing the dew's power had drained my stamina quite a bit. I could recover with jujubes, but mentally exhausted too—better to rest. Plenty of days left anyway.
As I turned to leave, the eagles circling overhead let out warning screeches. They'd detected someone approaching.
If the eagles are warning, it's not Han Kangwoo—someone else.