Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Yin and Yang
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The Zhongli Pure Heart Method enveloped his entire dantian.
Meanwhile, the poison from the Demon Poison Bear was weakening the energy of the Hongmong Great Law, while the internal energy converted from the Blood Tonic of the Fierce Scar Immortal Flower was locked in a tense standoff against the Hongmong Great Law's energy.
It was a razor-edge situation where no one could predict what would happen next.
But appropriate tension could also be a source of vitality.
So right now, Han Ibi was overflowing with so much power that he could barely contain the energy surging through his body.
Still, not knowing the full intricacies of this internal struggle, he couldn't shake the fear that the poison might have ruined his body.
'I need to study up on poisons... But I doubt the Sichuan Tang Clan would teach me even if I asked... Hmm.'
'This won't just end me in one hit, will it...'
Slam.
At that moment, the sound of the door opening rang out.
It was none other than Pang Mo-ha.
Pang Mo-ha stared at him with wide eyes, as if he couldn't believe it.
"What are you doing up? Your body still isn't fully recovered."
Han Ibi was equally startled and awkwardly rose to his feet.
"Ah, Instructor Pang."
"Instructor Pang? That's too much. The training's already over."
"Aha. Right. Physician Pang."
Han Ibi scratched his head vigorously, putting on his most apologetic expression as he continued.
"Last time, I went a bit too far. My nerves must have been on edge."
Pang Mo-ha eyed him suspiciously, wondering what had gotten into him all of a sudden.
Going too humble here might just arouse more suspicion.
Han Ibi said,
"But any martial artist would find it hard to ignore insults to their sect."
Pang Mo-ha cleared his throat awkwardly a few times, looking embarrassed.
"Ahem. I suppose I owe you an apology on that front too."
"No need, Physician Pang."
Then, bowing politely, he casually asked,
"By the way, if you have any books on poisons or antidotes, could I borrow them? Haha. As you know, I know a bit about herbs... but I'm a complete novice when it comes to toxic plants. After brushing so close to death, I really want to learn."
"For poisons, there's the Sichuan Tang Clan."
"Come on, that's poison arts. What I want to study is antidotes. Surely a renowned physician like you has researched toxicology too?"
Pang Mo-ha let out an 'ahem' and cleared his throat once more.
Just as expected—this type danced to flattery.
"Of course. I've never once neglected my studies on poisoning."
Han Ibi beamed and said,
"Perfect. Then could I borrow some books on toxicology? I'd be grateful."
Pang Mo-ha pondered for a moment, slowly eyeing Han Ibi up and down.
Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically.
"Wait... Wasn't... wasn't your skin always pale?"
Han Ibi frowned and replied,
"It was pale. But it hasn't always been that way."
"Not always?"
"That's right. Actually, I consumed the Thousand Petal Flower."
In truth, it felt more like the flower had consumed him...
Pang Mo-ha exclaimed in shock,
"The Thousand Petal Flower? You ate the legendary Thousand Petal Flower?"
"Well... you could say that."
"Heavens... The Thousand Petal Flower is infamous for its extreme yin nature."
Then, as if realizing something else, he turned his gaze back to Han Ibi and said,
"And just recently, you consumed the Blood Tonic of the Fierce Scar Immortal Flower?"
"I did it to survive, not on purpose..."
"Oh ho! What a truly unique case. The Blood Tonic of the Fierce Scar Immortal Flower possesses extreme yang properties."
Doubting Pang Mo-ha's reaction, Han Ibi asked,
"Has my appearance changed that much?"
Pang Mo-ha nodded vigorously.
"Yes. Check your complexion later."
Indeed.
Han Ibi looked down at his arm and saw it had returned to a normal flesh tone.
He jumped in alarm.
After inspecting various parts of his body, he muttered,
"What the hell happened...?"
But Pang Mo-ha ignored him completely, mumbling to himself in thought before saying,
"I see... That could explain it."
"Explain what?"
"...Extreme yin and extreme yang. Opposing natures harmonizing..."
Mumble, mumble, mumble.
Pang Mo-ha continued muttering to himself for a while before finally turning to Han Ibi.
"Very well."
"Pardon?"
"I'll lend you my books on toxicology."
"Ah! Thank you, Physician."
"But on one condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes."
"What kind... If it's money, I..."
"Research."
"Research? On what?"
"I'll research Young Master Zhongli's body."
"My... my body?"
Han Ibi's pupils dilated sharply.
Han Ibi didn't think his condition was all that bad.
No, in fact, it was quite good.
He hadn't participated in training for over a week.
So it was natural for impatience to creep in.
He informed Pang Mo-ha of his intent to resume training.
But the Medical Society wouldn't allow it.
They wanted him to rest until fully recovered.
With insistence like that, he had no choice but to comply.
A few more days passed, and he could finally mingle with the other trainees.
He asked the easygoing Gil Son-rok to share the training notes.
Gil Son-rok said,
"Here, these are the notes I took. Make sure to return them."
Han Ibi replied,
"Of course. Haha, thanks a ton."
The current lessons covered demonic cult martial arts and lightness skills, but they were mostly tedious theoretical lectures.
The instructor was Maeng Kap-son.
He was the one who had greeted Han Ibi, Jong Ri-hyeok, and the others when they first arrived at the Martial Alliance.
Then Gil Son-rok glanced at Han Ibi cautiously.
"By the way..."
Han Ibi looked at him.
Gil Son-rok shook his head and prepared to leave.
"No, nothing. Rest up."
"What? You're killing me with curiosity. Spit it out."
"It's nothing. Rest well. I'm heading back."
"Hey! Tell me quick, or I'll die of suspense!"
Only then did Gil Son-rok cautiously open up.
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"That... you bit that weasel-looking guy to death..."
"What? This Martial Alliance is hilarious. They gag me, but the rumors are already everywhere?"
Gil Son-rok gasped in surprise.
"Eek! So it's all true?"
"I don't know. I never confirmed it. So I'm not breaking any orders."
Gil Son-rok glanced around carefully and said,
"Brother Jong, there's a lot of talk about you lately."
"Huh? Talk?"
"They say you smashed up the Sichuan Tang Clan's precious poisons? Wow... How did you take down those terrifying poisons..."
Han Ibi looked at him incredulously.
"You don't actually believe all that, do you?"
"Not just me—everyone's whispering. The formation incident, the poison arts... Some are saying you're a demonic cult spy."
Whoa...
Things were snowballing.
This is why you can't take time off.
Han Ibi said,
"So what's your take?"
Gil Son-rok smiled awkwardly.
"Well, I figured it was nonsense, obviously."
"Good enough."
"Th-then I'll head out."
"See ya."
"Yeah."
As Gil Son-rok left, he kept glancing at the table.
Han Ibi tilted his head and followed his gaze.
'Oh crap! Forgot to put them away!'
Indeed.
Piled there were all sorts of toxicology books lent by Pang Mo-ha.
Compendium of Poisons, History of Martial Poisons, Symptoms of Poisoning, and more...
Han Ibi smacked his lips thoughtfully.
'Tsk. No wonder it looks suspicious. But toxicology... it's pretty intriguing...'
Han Ibi had to stay there a few more days.
But his body itched unbearably.
With Pang Mo-ha's permission, he stepped outside.
Better to practice than sit idle.
And check his current state while at it.
He slipped into a secluded grassy area nearby.
It was training time anyway, so no one should spot him here.
He opened his status window.
[Player's Current Status Displayed]
[Player Information]
[Internal Arts]
[External Arts]
[Forms]
[Lightness Skills]
[Other Martial Arts]
[Lower Structure (Rare Skill)]
'Tsk.'
He still wasn't thrilled about "Tea Master," but his steady progress was clear.
Plus,
'Reputation finally hit break-even. Ah... truly moving.'
He scanned the various entries thoughtfully.
'Even in games, you gotta climb the skill tree right... Too spread out for my liking.'
Han Ibi decided to prioritize and focus on a sequence of these arts.
He resolved to test each one out.
Zhongli Pure Swordsmanship, Light Slice Mutilating Sword, Demon Phantom Blade Technique...
Then he circulated the Zhongli Pure Heart Method, the pure heart art of the Zhongli Clan.
This grand energy enveloped the internal energy gathered in his dantian.
If it weren't akin to Daoist pure internal energy, he couldn't have controlled these complex origin powers.
Thus, time and space fused into one.
I am the world. The world is me.
Yesterday is today, tomorrow is yesterday...
Infinite, profound, clear consciousness embraced every moment.
And so,
His ears caught the sound of a single ant rustling through grass leaves, and his mind was clearer than the blue sky...
Swish.
What? Swish?
Han Ibi's consciousness snapped back to the present.
His meditation broken.
But he didn't act rashly, quietly perking his ears.
Swish.
Again, the sound of clothing brushing grass leaves.
Someone was definitely there.
In this utterly silent moment, pitch-black tension flowed.
At that instant, Han Ibi's eyes flashed open.
He'd sensed a predatory energy targeting him.
He said quietly,
"Who's there!"
Silence followed.
Han Ibi raised his voice slightly.
"Whoever's there! I've already noticed, so no use pretending."
His gaze fixed on a massive zelkova tree.
A fleeting moment passed...
Then squelch, squelch—the hem of clothing emerged.
Han Ibi stared unwaveringly.
That was when.
His pupils widened.
An utterly unexpected figure stood there, smiling.
(To be continued in the next chapter)