Soso's Grace (3)
As Hong Yeonhwa had said, by the next day, I managed to recover enough to move around somewhat. Of course, my body wasn't back to normal—everything creaked and groaned here and there—but escaping the fate of being pinned helplessly to the bed like yesterday was more than enough.
I slowly sat up. Hong Yeonhwa and Paeng Soso, who had definitely slept beside me last night, were nowhere to be seen. They were probably doing their light morning training by now. Me? Intense movements were still out of the question, so I'd have to make do with meditation for the time being.
I got off the bed and sat cross-legged on the floor. Finding a posture that was neither too comfortable nor uncomfortable, I closed my eyes. My vision darkened, my breathing slowed. Like sinking into water, I let my consciousness gradually submerge deeper.
One by one, my senses faded, leaving only the sense of my own existence. This inner contemplation had become quite familiar by now.
The first thing I felt was my meridians, now broader and sturdier. Even if I drew in more internal energy with the Martial Spirit Divine Art, they could handle it without issue.
One peculiar thing: the internal energy coming in through my breathing wasn't just gathering in my dantian—it was evenly permeating my entire body. Was this the bodily adaptation Hong Yeonhwa had mentioned? Like how muscles destroyed by heavy strain regenerate stronger, or skin repeatedly abraded forms calluses. The muscles and bones swept by that massive internal energy must be transforming to better accommodate it.
Watching my body gradually transcend humanity into something more felt strangely complex... but hey, good things are good.
Normally, I'd end the contemplation here, but today's goal lay deeper.
"Sip... whoo..."
My breathing grew even fainter, like someone who had forgotten how to breathe. My consciousness stretched out, heading further inward.
With my senses gone, even the presence of my flesh vanished, leaving only formless imagery. In the deepest recesses of my mind, where consciousness and unconsciousness mingled in darkness, something shone alone.
Hair like cherry blossoms heralding spring's start, delicate features, sparkling pink jewel-like eyes, a petite frame—and breasts that were anything but. Hong Yeonhwa, looking like she'd rush over beaming any second, glowed vividly in my mind's eye.
I wanted to watch her forever like this... but that wasn't what I was here for this time.
A little further off to the side. A plain sword floating in the void.
Unremarkable in shape, utterly ordinary, yet its blade gleamed sharply and menacingly, befitting its name. This was my definition of a sword.
Forged from all my accumulated training and real combat memories, it bore no gaudy decorations. Just a tool devoted endlessly to the purpose of slashing and thrusting.
Back when I swung it in a trance, I hadn't realized—but now, looking closely, I got it. The sword held no meaning in itself. Only when I gripped and wielded it did it gain purpose.
In my spar with Namgung Hyeok, I held this sword and unleashed the Mount Tai Crushing Strike... and that ideal sword stroke from my mind's eye became reality.
But could I do it again? Probably not easily. Just manifesting this sword in my mind's eye took deep meditation and no small amount of time. Without that guided epiphany last time, it was a technique utterly useless in the heat of real combat, where every second counted.
...My task was clear now. Make manifesting and swinging this sword in my mind faster—even while doing other things. I'd set that as my training goal for now. My body couldn't move much anyway, and I had to hold back on the Martial Spirit Divine Art too, so it'd have to wait a bit.
Feeling my concentration waning, I pulled my consciousness back up. Unlike sinking in, awakening was incredibly swift.
"Whoo..."
Opening my eyes half-asleep, I saw Hong Yeonhwa there, reading a book with heavily sunken eyes.
...I'd rarely seen her with such a serious expression. So absorbed she hadn't noticed me waking, she was muttering to herself. Had something major happened in the meantime? Something in that book related to her world...?
Not wanting to disturb her focus, I quietly shut my mouth and pricked up my ears. Even without circulating internal energy, I could make out her words from this distance.
Holding my breath short, I finally caught her mumbling.
"Eh, how can there be such vulgar attire? And the dance is so frivolous... ...But my perverted husband would surely love this sort of thing. Let's see, if I do it like this...... Eh?"
Hong Yeonhwa, gesturing languidly in the air, met my eyes and froze stiff.
After about three seconds, she snapped the book shut like it was nothing and tucked it into her bosom.
"Ahem. If you're awake, let's go eat."
"Uh... yeah..."
I nodded awkwardly and followed her out of the room. I'd thought Hong Yeonhwa was a genius at provoking my little brother until now... but apparently, she was an effort-type genius.
I had no idea what exactly it was, but she seemed to be preparing something, so I'd play dumb for now.
Following Hong Yeonhwa to the dining hall, Paeng Soso and Paeng Ojin—who had arrived first and were waiting—greeted me.
"Come on in! Son-in-law!"
A bit too enthusiastically. Paeng Ojin shot up from his seat, strode over, and slapped my shoulders with a massive grin.
"I heard from my Soso. The insight you gained this time was a bit much, so your body's out of sorts, eh?"
"Gak! Grak! Yes... so could you maybe... ease up...?"
His strength was immense, and I was weakened, so those "pats" felt like full-body blows...! Noticing my state, Paeng Ojin finally pulled back with an awkward look.
"Sorry about that. Well... pain goes away with good food and sleep, right? We prepared plenty for you—dig in!"
He even threw an arm around my shoulders and personally escorted me to the seat beside Paeng Soso. Now I noticed the vast table, fitting the grand estate, laden with every delicacy imaginable.
What was this? Why the sudden kindness? I'd earned his recognition as a son-in-law after twists and turns, but he'd never been this chummy before.
"Of course, we prepared plenty of the Heavenly Demon's favorite dishes too, so please sit."
"Mm...? Th-thanks...?"
He even addressed Hong Yeonhwa—whom he'd always poked at with "elder," "deceased," "senior"—by her title, casually. As Hong Yeonhwa and I tilted our heads and sat, Paeng Soso, watching, let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... Father's just really impressed by your performance in the Paeng family spar this time. Don't mind it too much."
"Hey now, it's not just the spar. I've always doted on my son-in-law. He's the one my daughter brought home, after all. Of course he's exceptional!"
Paeng Ojin beamed. He looked thrilled.... Up until now, he'd acknowledged me as a son-in-law; now it was son-in-law plus promising martial artist?
Makes sense. Namgung Hyeok had genius talent, the solid backing of the Namgung family, and was famous for his obsession with martial arts. Among the later-generation prodigies, he had no equal... yet I'd not only beaten him but, thanks to that momentary insight, displayed near-super peak prowess at twenty.
In murim, martial skill is ability. I'd basically proven I was top son-in-law material. Hong Yeonhwa seemed to grasp how I must look, puffing up her shoulders and clearing her throat cutely.
Adorable. Anyway, in that great atmosphere, we chatted amiably over the meal. Talk of how Paeng Soso and I might earn Yongbong titles, heading straight to Mount Mosan once the Yongbong Conference wrapped, then visiting the Paeng family main estate in Habeuk afterward—light stuff like that.
Naturally, my martial arts came up.
"Come to think of it, your style isn't demonic arts. You used the Three Powers Sword Art, right? If you're avoiding demonic arts due to stigma, I can whip up something suitable for you."
I already knew the counters to the Five Tigers Gate Severing Saber Art, so it was practically the same as learning it. He'd adapt it for the sword into the Five Tigers Gate Severing Sword Art.
He thought I hadn't learned anything proper from Hong Yeonhwa because of the demonic arts issue. Come to think of it, I'd never told Paeng Ojin about my talent or the Martial Spirit Divine Art.
"Perfect—you're blessed with excellent musculature like our family. It'll suit you well. Of course, converting saber to sword might reduce power a bit... but even accounting for that, it'll be solid."
"Ah, that's... very kind, but with my abilities, I don't think I could learn it."
"Huh?"
Paeng Ojin blinked, as if I'd spouted nonsense. Natural—he saw me as a history-making genius eyeing super peak at twenty.
Well, with Paeng Soso as my wife, Paeng Ojin was an ally anyway. No harm sharing. The Martial Spirit Divine Art wasn't the sort others could counter just by knowing.
So I briefly explained what I'd kept under wraps.
"......That's the gist."
Paeng Ojin, listening silently, nodded.
"Can't be helped with circumstances like that. Then how about external arts instead of swordsmanship?"
"I already have one I'm practicing."
"The Tiger King Art enhances other external arts. Even better if you have one already."
If that's true, I had to learn it. In murim, external arts are often called the vessel, internal the water—both vital. For me, with the Martial Spirit Divine Art boosting internal energy, external arts mattered more.
One hang-up, though...
"D-does it... hurt a lot?"
"Is there any external art training that doesn't hurt?"
His matter-of-fact attitude made me squeeze my eyes shut involuntarily.
The world... sucks...!