Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 128: Reaching a New Realm of Martial Arts (1)

For the next four days, I indulged in a life of utter laziness.

It was true that I had been living far too tensely lately. I didn't pick ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up a sword just to work myself to the bone like this. Deciding it was time to actually enjoy myself, I made a conscious effort to be as idle as possible.

Even so, there was one thing I did more diligently than eating: energy circulation. Even if I spent the day lounging, eating, and sleeping, I made sure to practice energy guiding techniques more than three times a day. It made my body feel light and my mind so refreshed that I couldn't bring myself to skip it.

I sat in the lotus position and slowly began to circulate my true qi. I was working hard to fully assimilate the one jiazi of internal energy that Chu Bong-hwa had left behind.

Oh! Oh! It’s finally moving.

The internal energy from the Blood Witch, which had been sitting stubbornly in my dantian like a squatting toad, finally began to stir. As expected, the internal power of the Circulating Dantian was highly effective at harmonizing even disparate types of energy. This was because the Circulating Dantian possessed a strong nature of circulation and emission rather than mere condensation.

Four days of circulating energy like my life depended on it has finally paid off.

By the time I completed a Major Heavenly Cycle and opened my eyes, a full two hours had already passed. Since it was still too early for breakfast, I decided to loosen up my body.

Do I finally possess two jiazi of internal power now?

I stood up. Now that I had achieved two jiazi, I intended to properly execute the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword.

First, I performed the Right-Step Rain, utilizing the footwork based on Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven. I had reached a level where I could fully control the movements of this technique. Even making sharp, right-angle turns didn't strain my body.

In footwork and lightness skills, the most difficult maneuvers are making 90-degree turns or suddenly retreating in the opposite direction of one's momentum. If one attempts such unreasonable movements without sufficient internal power, the muscles can reach their limit, leading to paralysis or even rupturing.

Bizarre footwork and profound lightness skills refer to moving at these impossible angles, making it difficult for an enemy to land an attack. However, to move this way, one fundamentally needs a solid base of internal power—usually at least two jiazi.

I moved at right angles and reversed my direction several times, yet my body felt no strain. If I had possessed this level of lightness skill before, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I wouldn't have been suppressed by the Blood Witch, Chu Bong-hwa, in just a few moves.

"Now I can finally perform Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven properly."

I finally understood why one needed two jiazi of power for the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword to manifest its true might. Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven is a technique that involves thirty-two consecutive attacks while making near-right-angle turns. Previously, my lack of internal power meant my turning angles were too shallow, preventing the technique from reaching its full potential.

I drew my sword. My heart pounded at the thought of what kind of power the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash would hold with two jiazi of energy.

I took a stone slab about two inches thick and placed it atop a tree branch. With one jiazi, the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash could pierce a tree trunk, but a stone slab was out of the question. If I could pierce this slab, who would dare try to block this strike? Even the master of Yu Hong, the creator of the Asura Body Protection Art, wouldn't be able to stop it.

"Tch!"

With the shout that had become a habit, I executed the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, pouring the full force of my two jiazi of internal power into it.

A powerful boom echoed through the air. The air itself seemed to explode from the sheer pressure emitted as I unleashed the strike. This was a sensation I had never felt back when I only had one jiazi.

Good, let’s keep this going.

The elastic path energy began to gather slowly in my wrist. After fully unleashing the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, I threw the Ghost Sword.

Thwack!

Is it still not enough?

Far from piercing the stone slab, the Ghost Sword had merely embedded itself in the surface. It was incredibly disappointing. I could have achieved that much with the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash even with only one jiazi.

That’s strange. I definitely felt the energy was much stronger than before.

I walked over to the slab and pulled out the Ghost Sword.

"Wait, that's...!"

I discovered a startling sight. I had placed the slab on a branch of a tree that stood close to a stone wall. That wall, nearly ten feet high, separated my quarters from the rear garden.

On the same line where the stone slab had been positioned, a hole the size of my fist had been punched clean through the stone wall, allowing me to see the garden beyond.

"Did I... did I just punch a hole through a stone wall a foot thick?"

Unbelieving, I examined the hole from various angles. There had definitely been no hole in the wall before this. It had appeared the moment I unleashed the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash. The edges of the hole were smooth, as if someone had carved it with precision.

"Is this the true Scattering Light Red Sun Flash?"

A mix of wonder and fear washed over me. Who could possibly survive such a strike?

Woo Cheong-rin must have been a genius of the ages.

I felt a newfound respect for the man who had created this sword art. I suppose it makes sense; only someone of that caliber could have fought a lonely battle against the Divine Light Sect, an organization created by monsters who had reached the realm of Half-Immortals.

And I’m that man’s son.

I let out a long sigh. Unintentionally, I had become the son of that incredible man. Well, it wasn't as if the Sword Demon and the Demon of Chaos would go around blabbing that fact, so I felt somewhat relieved. Perhaps this truth would never be revealed until the day I died—as long as I kept my mouth shut.

Taking comfort in that thought, I calmed my mind, regulated my breathing, and performed Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven. I whirled in all directions, striking simultaneously.

Finally, I’ve succeeded in landing thirty-two attacks in a single breath.

Riding this momentum, I moved straight into Galaxy Needle Poison Tube. The air around me screamed as it tore, sounding like the ripping of fine silk. Once I finished the technique, dozens of fist-sized craters were gouged into the ground around me. It was only natural, given that every single sword strike was infused with elastic path energy.

I caught my breath and took the starting stance for the fourth form. I had already mastered up to the third form, Galaxy Needle Poison Tube, in the past; now, I intended to unleash the fourth form, Dark Sky Flying Explosion, with my two jiazi of power.

Dark Sky Flying Explosion was a technique built upon the framework of the Three Calamities Sword. It consisted of three moves: a vertical split, a horizontal slash, and a thrust. Long ago, when I first practiced this, I had mocked the creator, thinking they had lazily inserted the basic Three Calamities Sword into the middle of a high-level art.

However, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as I savored the oral formula for Dark Sky Flying Explosion, I realized it hid a startling secret. This technique allowed one to split the sword glare dwelling within the blade into two.

For instance, if I struck down using the Straight Path Yellow Dragon method, the sword glare would split to the left and right of the blade. An enemy who focused only on defending against the physical sword would be cut apart by the split sword glare.

Who could block that? In the heat of a desperate battle, no one would imagine that the sword glare would detach from the blade and fly toward them. That was the subtle mystery hidden within Dark Sky Flying Explosion.

I unleashed the technique toward the stone wall. It was the only thing nearby capable of withstanding the full force of the move.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three parallel lines, each an inch deep, appeared on the wall. It was as if two invisible swords had struck alongside my own. But the surprise didn't end there.

Wait, the oral formula for Dark Sky Flying Explosion mentions 'Activation.' That means the sword glare can be moved. Is that actually possible?

Thinking it over, splitting sword glare didn't seem like it would be that difficult for true masters. High-level experts could emit multiple strands of sword glare at once.

If that's all it is, it's not that special of a technique. But if I can actually move the split sword glare...

I realized that the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword was an unprecedented martial art; it wouldn't be something so simple.

Let’s try it. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Leading Formula to be included in the Dark Sky Flying Explosion mantra.

There was no other reason for a formula that pulls and moves sword glare to be there. I once again injected my two jiazi of internal power into the sword. Then, I executed the Straight Path Yellow Dragon move from the Dark Sky Flying Explosion set.

As I struck down, I operated the Leading Formula and the Movement Formula according to the mantra. The two strands of sword glare that split from the blade moved—one upward and one downward.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sword glare from my downward strike left a long vertical mark in the center of the wall. Above it, another long horizontal line was carved, and yet another horizontal line appeared near the base of the wall. Seeing the true power of Dark Sky Flying Explosion, I was left speechless.

Once I grew accustomed to this, it meant I could control the sword glare at will to attack my enemies. However, the moment I finished the technique, my two jiazi of internal power felt as though they had been instantly drained. Moving split sword glare with internal energy inevitably consumed a massive amount of power.

I shouldn't use this technique unless my life is in grave danger. If I exhaust my internal power with a single move, how will I deal with other enemies?

A powerful technique always demands a corresponding amount of internal energy. Thus, I couldn't afford to use Dark Sky Flying Explosion recklessly.

Then, I let out a gasp of admiration. I finally understood the intent behind the forms of the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword.

I realized that Scattering Light Red Sun Flash was centered on Speed, Whirling Wind Overturning Heaven on Path, Galaxy Needle Poison Tube on Weight, and Dark Sky Flying Explosion on Stealth. Furthermore, the fifth form, Thunderbolt Shaking Heaven, was based on Lightning, and Soaring Clouds Without End was based on Willow.

I finally grasped the profound mysteries of the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword. However, my excitement was soon met with disappointment.

The fifth form, Thunderbolt Shaking Heaven, required the use of lightning energy. It was impossible to generate such energy with a simple mental cultivation method. There was likely a specific mental cultivation method suited for the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword that gathered lightning energy. In other words, from the fifth form onward, I wouldn't be able to perform the techniques due to the difference in internal energy cultivation.

"Ah, what a shame!"

I had wanted to see the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword through to the end if possible.

"Wait... if I learn the mental cultivation methods of the Sword Demon or the Demon of Chaos, who both use lightning energy, maybe I could use Thunderbolt Shaking Heaven too."

But I shook my head. There was no way they would just hand over their secret methods, and the mere thought of the suffering required to learn a new mental cultivation method was horrifying.

"I suppose I should be satisfied with this for now."

I sat for a moment to replenish my depleted internal power before standing up. I intended to finish my training by practicing the Six Harmonies Fist Art. It was the only fist style I knew.

I slowly went through the motions of the Six Harmonies Fist, loosening my stiff muscles. I threw a straight punch, infusing it with internal power.

Woooong!

Suddenly, a strong vibration erupted from my right wrist.

Why is the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet acting up all of a sudden?

As I threw the punch and let my internal power flow, the bracelet shook as if it were about to shatter. As a test, I gradually increased the output of my energy. The Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet began to vibrate and hum violently.

Zzzzt! Zzzzt!

I pushed my internal power to the full two jiazi and injected it into the bracelet. I wanted to see how much it could take, but the result was entirely unexpected.

Ping!

Suddenly, the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet snapped off my wrist and began to circle through the air. The launched bracelet sliced through the tree branches in front of me as it flew.

Startled, I raised my hand and pointed at the bracelet. It immediately moved toward the direction my finger was pointing.

Huh? Can I move this with the Leading Formula too?

The Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet flew exactly where I pointed.

Swish!

When I pointed at a tree, the bracelet flew toward it with ferocious momentum.

Snikt! Snikt!

Branches as thick as my arm were sliced away wherever the bracelet passed. When I raised my finger upward, the bracelet flew back to my wrist and fastened itself as if nothing had happened.

The Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet moves exactly as I intend. This is practically remote weapon control.

I had been feeling disappointed about my lack of progress with the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword, but obtaining another incredibly powerful treasure completely cleared my gloomy mood. Who would have guessed that the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet would launch itself if injected with two jiazi of power?

I thought I understood why it had happened.

The internal power of my Circulating Dantian is based on circulation and emission. Because of that nature, when my energy permeates the bracelet, it causes it to launch.

Even so, I couldn't help but marvel at the craftsman who had made the bracelet capable of such a feat. If I distracted an opponent with the Ghost Sword using remote sword control and then launched the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet, who could possibly stop it? Moreover, if I unleashed it simultaneously with the Scattering Light Red Sun Flash, it would be truly unstoppable. Linking it with other forms would only double its lethality.

Between the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword, the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet, and the Snow Pellet Art, I possessed a terrifying arsenal. I was so surprised by my own potential that I felt goosebumps.

"Let’s call this the Draw Sword Instant Kill: Ring Control Flow. Since it can be used like remote sword control, the name fits."

I was just regulating my breathing to try using all three techniques at once when Po Zhongyin approached. Regrettably, it seemed today's training would have to end here.

"My Lord, what happened to all these branches?"

"Just practicing my martial arts."

Po Zhongyin, who was usually obsessed with martial arts, didn't even ask what kind of technique it was before speaking. For a martial arts fanatic like him to act this way meant something serious was happening.

"A large number of martial artists have gathered at the gates of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress."

"For ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what reason?"

Po Zhongyin’s face was filled with worry.

"It’s... they say they’ve come to take revenge on the Blood Witch you are keeping here."

"What?"

It felt like I’d been struck on the back of the head. Why hadn't I thought of that? The Blood Witch was a public enemy of the Murim; she had left a trail of resentment across the martial world. The number of people she had killed was not small.

The only reason she hadn't been hunted down by the Nine Great Sects was that she had been meticulous about avoiding their members. She was cunning enough not to draw the ire of the major powers. And as I later found out, even when she practiced the Yang-Stealing Yin-Supplementing Art, she targeted villains and demons to avoid the collective wrath of the great sects.

While her reputation was infamous because the art itself was considered wicked, a closer look revealed she hadn't gone around killing innocent people. Because of that, I hadn't given it much thought, but I hadn't expected those with grudges against her to swarm here.

I rushed toward the main gate of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. Chu Bong-hwa was already there, facing off against dozens of martial artists. Because of the commotion, the Sword Palace Squad had been deployed, and the Blood Wind Squad was on standby, ready for whatever might happen.