Chapter 96: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (47)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (47)
The area around the training ground included a living space and a single bed. I examined each part of it carefully.
"Young Master Jin, shall I help?"
"Yes, I'll search this side."
A moment later, Seo Ryeo-hwa, who had been checking under the bed, raised her voice.
"There's something here."
She pointed under the bed. I hurried over to where she was indicating. Tucked away in a corner beneath the bed was a small box.
This is it.
I carefully pulled the box out. It was made of old wood, but it seemed to be in surprisingly good condition.
Inside the box was a small pouch. When I opened it, I found what looked like round pills. From the faint energy they emitted, I could tell they were medicinal pills.
"Byeokgokdan pills," Seo Ryeo-hwa said, looking at the contents of the pouch.
"It seems they were prepared for enduring a long time inside this formation."
"Yes, with this many, we won't have to worry about meals for a few days."
I took out two Byeokgokdan pills and handed one to Seo Ryeo-hwa. We swallowed them together.
A bitter taste instantly spread through my mouth, but my hunger was soon sated.
"It's a relief we found these."
I nodded in agreement with Seo Ryeo-hwa.
"Now that we've dealt with our hunger, we should get some rest."
Seo Ryeo-hwa nodded as if she agreed with my suggestion. The fatigue from battle was evident on her face.
"That sounds like a good idea."
My gaze naturally shifted to the single bed in the middle of the room.
"Sword Empress, please use the bed. I'll rest sitting up."
"It's alright. I can just lean against something," Seo Ryeo-hwa said, shaking her head.
"Sword Empress, there's no need to push yourself."
"The same goes for you, Young Master Jin."
We looked at each other and fell silent for a moment.
"Th-then… let's rest on the bed together," Seo Ryeo-hwa said in a small voice, her face blushing.
"But…"
"Besides, in a situation like this, it's important to conserve our stamina."
"I understand."
I replied with a smile, inwardly welcoming the chance to be alone with her, this close.
An unexpected opportunity.
Before lying down, we stood guard for each other and began to circulate our qi. After we finished, we lay down on the bed. The narrow space caused her shoulder to touch my arm. I could feel her body heat right next to me, and a faint, pleasant scent wafted from her sky-blue hair.
Should I get a little closer?
I deliberately shifted my position, moving slightly nearer. I could feel her body flinch almost imperceptibly.
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"I'm fine. How about you, Sword Empress?"
"I'm… fine, too."
Her reply had lost its usual composure and seemed somewhat shaken. Feeling her gaze on me, I turned my head. The moment our eyes met, she quickly looked away.
Hmm, this isn't a bad reaction.
Seeing the tips of her ears turn red, I gave a subtle smile.
"Sword Empress."
"Yes?" she answered cautiously.
"If I'm making you uncomfortable, I can sleep on the floor."
"It's fine. It's just… I'm not used to this kind of situation."
I slowly leaned in, getting closer to her. We were so close I could hear her breathing right beside me.
"It's a bit narrower than I thought. Would it be alright if we moved a little closer?"
She seemed momentarily flustered by my words but soon nodded, forcing a composed expression.
"I… I see. I suppose it can't be helped."
Her voice trembled slightly more than usual.
I smiled at her reaction. Her warmth and scent felt even stronger now. A growing impulse to pounce on her right then and there was building inside me.
I moved a little closer to her. Our bodies were now fully touching, and her body heat felt even more distinct.
Seo Ryeo-hwa said nothing, but I could feel her breathing quicken slightly. It seemed she was also very aware of the situation.
"Sword Empress…"
As I called her name softly, her face turned an even deeper shade of red. I could see her lips trembling slightly.
"Young… Young Master Jin… aren't we a little too close…"
Our eyes met. I could see her pupils wavering.
Maybe I should stop teasing her here. If I rush things, she might become resistant.
I smiled faintly, averted my gaze, and closed my eyes.
"I'm tired, so I'll go to sleep first."
At my words, she seemed to relax a little.
"Ah… yes…" Seo Ryeo-hwa replied, her voice tinged with relief.
Feeling her warmth, I let out a deep breath. The exhaustion from the battle washed over me, and my consciousness began to fade.
*
When I woke up, Seo Ryeo-hwa was sleeping peacefully beside me. Her sky-blue hair was slightly disheveled, a few strands brushing against my face. The faint scent stirred a strange feeling within me.
I watched her sleep for a moment. Her lips were slightly parted, and her even breathing tickled my ear.
I should probably wake her up.
Even with Wi Gwang trapped elsewhere, we couldn't afford to be complacent.
I gently shook her shoulder and said, "Sword Empress, you need to wake up."
Seo Ryeo-hwa furrowed her brow slightly, then slowly opened her eyes. Her clear pupils met mine.
"Young Master Jin… Is it that late already?"
She sat up with a slightly flushed face and looked around. Her sky-blue hair flowed naturally over her shoulders.
"We still have some time, but we shouldn't stay here too long. We don't know when Wi Gwang might come after us again."
"You're right. I was sleeping too soundly."
Seo Ryeo-hwa got up and did some light stretches.
"Would you like to try first this time, Sword Empress?" I suggested. She paused for a moment in thought.
"No. I'll watch you fight first."
I nodded and readjusted my grip on my sword. Thanks to the rest, my body felt fully recovered. I felt much lighter than before.
"Then, I'll begin."
As I stepped onto the training ground, an illusion identical to me was created.
The fight with the illusion began again. Perhaps because I was in better condition than yesterday, the duel felt easier.
However, that didn't mean I had the advantage. The fight against the illusion still gradually turned against me.
In the end, I was defeated once more. The illusion vanished, and I collapsed onto the floor. A deep sigh escaped me.
"Young Master Jin."
Seo Ryeo-hwa approached and spoke quietly.
"Yes, Sword Empress."
"The Iron Mountain Qigong and the sword art you use… they don't seem to suit you well."
At her words, I lifted my head to look at her.
"Is that so?"
"The Jin family's Iron Mountain Sword Art is originally based on the essence of a heavy sword. You may not be aware of it, but your movements are better suited for the essence of a swift sword."
"The essence of a swift sword… I've always tried to follow the path of a heavy sword."
"A heavy sword relies on powerful destructive force and stable defense. However, your movements are closer to that of a fast and flexible light sword."
Her words made me look down at the sword in my hand.
"Perhaps you are naturally following the essence of a swift sword. By forcing yourself to adhere to the heavy sword style, you're limiting your own strengths."
I mulled over her words and slowly nodded.
"Then what would be a better method?"
"A sword art based on fast, continuous attacks would be suitable for you. For example, a style like my Moon Shadow Sky Sword Dance, which flows like water, would be a good fit. It would maximize your agility and flexibility."
"The Moon Shadow Sky Sword Dance…"
Seo Ryeo-hwa smiled faintly at my words.
"Perhaps you are even better suited for the Moon Shadow Sky Sword Dance than Myeong-woo."
I paused at her statement.
"Better than Myeong-woo?"
"Yes. Young Master Jin, would you like to learn the Moon Shadow Sky Sword Dance from me?"
"I would love to. But I have already mastered an internal art…"
At my response, Seo Ryeo-hwa nodded slightly and smiled gently.
"That's fine. I've been observing you from time to time, and strangely, the yang and yin energies in your dantian are flowing in harmony. Such a case is extremely rare."
I tilted my head at her words.
"What does that mean?"
"Normally, if one learns an internal art with a completely different nature from one they've already mastered, the flow of energy becomes disrupted, leading to side effects. However, you seem to have a constitution that doesn't obstruct the natural flow of energy. Thanks to that, it's highly likely that learning a new internal art won't conflict with your existing one."
Reassured by her words, I nodded.
"Then there should be no problem learning a new internal art."
"Correct. However, you will need to practice coordinating your energy while using it alongside your existing art. The Moonlit Clear Light Heart Method, in particular, requires delicate control over the flow of energy."
"That's a relief."
She smiled and continued.
"Young Master Jin, before you learn the Moon Shadow Sky Sword Dance, we must first establish a master-disciple relationship. Given the circumstances, we can't follow the full etiquette, but let's do a simplified version."
"Yes. Master."
I performed the Nine Bows Ritual before Seo Ryeo-hwa.
Service
