Chapter 207
Chapter 207
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 207
Chapter Title: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
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I decided to set aside the trip to the North Pole for the time being, as Mangnyang suggested, and instead delve into the martial arts of the Flame God Style. If I hopped on Bi-eung right now and flew north to feed Mokya blood and plant it in the ground, I could probably reach the Second Seal. But that felt far too risky—like sudden death could strike out of nowhere. So I resolved to gather everything I could before attempting it.
"My direct master is none other than Han Baekryeong, the Dharma Protector Lion of the Flame God Style."
"She must be a grandmaster of the Flame God Style... to become her direct disciple in one go..."
From what I knew, the Flame God Style housed a great many transcendent experts. Some of them likely rivaled Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong in skill. Standing at the pinnacle of those star-like masters of the Flame God Style was the Dharma Protector Lion Han Baekryeong herself. Becoming her direct disciple was a fortuitous encounter in itself.
"It means the cult leader greatly valued your merit in curing the Young Cult Leader's strange illness. Thanks to that, I was able to learn the Flame God Style's martial arts with ease."
Whoosh!
As he replied, Mangnyang unleashed Flame Spirit Qi from his hand. It wasn't a material flame, but his internal energy had vaporized into a vivid glow. I let out a low groan upon confirming its impressive size and form.
"Impressive. To reach this level of proficiency in just one year!"
Having mastered the Thunder Dragon One Qi Art myself and obtained Thunder Spirit Qi, I knew full well how difficult and finicky it was to wield natural qi. Unlike ordinary internal energy, natural qi was extremely pure and dense, requiring extensive refinement to use properly.
Mangnyang continued his explanation.
"The Flame God Style has many internal arts, but the mainstream one is the Flame Spirit Divine Art. It probably corresponds to the Thunder Dragon One Qi Art, and its defining feature is the instantaneous acceleration ability."
"Instantaneous acceleration?"
"Watch closely. I'll now channel the Flame Spirit Divine Art."
Mangnyang assumed the fist art's starting stance and calmly stared ahead. Even though he hadn't trained much in martial arts, I could tell his posture had few openings and was remarkably steady. Considering how long it usually takes beginners to eliminate flaws in their stance, Mangnyang's martial talent was undoubtedly extraordinary.
Flash!
In an instant, Mangnyang's body shot forward, thrusting out a single fist straight ahead. After observing the shift and speed, I gave a curt assessment.
"Extremely fast... and that single fist contains numerous feints woven in."
"Hoo... indeed."
Mangnyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, as if he'd expended some energy.
"This technique is called the Flame Spirit Divine Art's essence: Dragon Fang. It ignites the inner Flame Spirit Qi to boost speed in a burst."
Flame Spirit Divine Art Essence: Dragon Fang!
Of course, Mangnyang's burst speed was still far below that of those called transcendent experts. But at his current level, the instantaneous acceleration was visibly unbelievable to the naked eye. He could weave three changes into a simple single-fist motion, meaning a martial artist on his level would likely suffer a fatal wound out of nowhere.
It was undoubtedly a technique with high practical combat value.
After pondering, I said,
"It's like Thunderclap."
"Probably so."
"But it feels different in several ways. It seems to consume far less internal energy than Thunderclap, but the acceleration falls well short."
This wasn't me favoring my own Thunder God Style's arts. Dragon Fang pursued something fundamentally different from Thunderclap. Thunderclap was a decisive essence for shattering level gaps and aiming for a killing blow, while Dragon Fang seemed like a technique with lower limits.
Mangnyang nodded.
"Thunderclap is a killing essence in its own right. Dragon Fang pales in comparison. But the true value of this technique lies in how freely it can be mixed into ordinary moves."
A moment later, he drew the Azure River Longsword he'd set aside and said,
"This is the Flame God Style's secret swordsmanship that I've learned: Infinite Dragon King Sword. Watch closely."
Slash slash slash slash!
Soon, the forms of the Infinite Dragon King Sword began to unfold from Mangnyang's hand. He connected the motions so fluidly, as if imaginary foes floated in the air—it seemed he'd mastered all the forms of Infinite Dragon King Sword. Watching its flow suddenly reminded me of my fight with Han Baekryeong, making my body shudder.
'I see... Han Baekryeong wields this too!'
The level differed, but the similarities were plain to see. Each form Mangnyang displayed now would evolve, as one's skill grew, into lethal killing moves capable of slaying peak experts in a single strike. As I calmly observed his Infinite Dragon King Sword forms, I noticed something peculiar.
"Hmm..."
Finally, Mangnyang concluded the Infinite Dragon King Sword with its 24th form. He stared at me steadily and said,
"Did you feel the power of Dragon Fang?"
"Indeed. By accelerating instantaneously, you can derive follow-up variations between standard forms... making the changes in the sequence effectively infinite."
"You saw well. Pure Infinite Dragon King Sword has its limits, but since Dragon Fang is a body technique that ignites Flame Spirit Qi, it can be blended into any martial art."
"Urgh...!!"
I grasped the meaning of Mangnyang's words.
Igniting natural qi: Flame Spirit!
It meant turning a single-form motion—originally executable only once—into two or three options in a flash, or expanding a fixed angle into a wide arc. In theory, if one could wield Dragon Fang freely, the same martial art could be operated on an entirely different dimension.
'This is undoubtedly an essence rivaling Thunderclap.'
As I mulled it over, Mangnyang said,
"Then let's compare the secrets of Thunderclap and Dragon Fang. Perhaps something even better will emerge."
"Agreed."
Over the next three months, I learned from Mangnyang every technique, internal art secret, and characteristic of the Flame God Style he knew. When he was away, I'd research it on my own. After quite some time like this, I finally got a feel for the Flame God Style's martial arts.
Mangnyang asked,
"Any results?"
I shook my head at his question.
"It's all good, but analyzing and comparing Thunderclap and Dragon Fang to create something superior is impossible. Both are peerless martial arts—my comprehension can't extract just their strengths."
No, even a genius might not manage it. Thunderclap was for short, decisive battles with extreme speed boosts, while Dragon Fang enhanced the power and versatility of ordinary techniques through bursts. Each had sacrificed aspects to maximize its strengths. Merging them into the ultimate technique felt like overreaching for now.
Mangnyang thought for a moment, then said,
"How about incorporating Infinite Dragon King Sword into your Myriad Victory Sword Arts?"
"That won't be easy either. Simply adding forms won't dictate the art's power. Even fully grasping both swordsmanships with profound insights would be touch-and-go."
"Hmm... Then all we've gained is knowledge of the Flame God Style's weakness."
"Exactly."
I sighed and said,
"The Flame God Style's weakness... I'm satisfied knowing their defenses are vulnerable."
The Flame God Style's martial arts boasted tremendous offensive power. To the point where, in terms of destructive force, they surpassed even the Thunder God Style, which yielded to no one. In fact, I'd sparred with Mangnyang whenever possible, and his continuous attacks leveraging Dragon Fang's strengths were a nightmare to block or evade. If it were a transcendent expert of the Flame God Style fighting me, it would surely end in a short battle with one of us dead.
But in exchange for that offense, their defenses were frail. They could use Dragon Fang to bolster defense, but that would negate their strengths—so right after unleashing powerful sword strikes, they'd expose extreme vulnerabilities to counters.
In short, to handle the Flame God Style easily, one needed ironclad defenses and superior counterattack ability!
Mangnyang said,
"Don't jump to conclusions. What I learned from Han Baekryeong is just a fraction of the Flame God Style. The deeper you go, who knows what secrets lurk? Haven't you felt that over years of training in the Thunder God Style?"
"Truly so."
I nodded, for his words rang true.
The White Lotus Church's Four Great Martial Styles were massive schools refined over a thousand years by geniuses and masters. They contained countless techniques and realms, endless to explore. I'd felt that to my bones while studying under Lee Gwang.
Feeling the heat, Mangnyang sat on the edge of the hall and said,
"By the way, I wonder when Lady Miho will overcome her embarrassment."
I silently gazed at the nearby mountain before Jinrang Valley. The bright moon illuminated the peaks, and atop a tree, Miho stood with her tail swishing. Over three li away, but my expert eyesight caught her form clearly.
After showing me those memories, Miho wandered near Jinrang Valley without approaching. If I cautiously called out when she ventured inside, she'd startle and flee. I'd never seen her like this, so I was at a loss on how to handle it.
Unable to figure it out, I asked Mangnyang,
"Is it that embarrassing? Why is Miho acting like that?"
"Hahaha... You need to understand what emotions mix into the feeling of shame."
"What..."
"Lady Miho has probably calmed by now. Go talk to her yourself. She'll hear you out now."
"Got it."
Flash!
The next instant, I used Bi-eung to reach the peak where Miho was.
"Ah!"
Miho, perched on the tree, startled at my sight and tried to flee with Godly Phantom Step again. But I had no intention of letting her escape, so I seized her at max speed with Thunderclap and Soul Extermination Step. As my arm wrapped around her waist, Miho froze in surprise.
I brought Miho down under the tree and said,
"Miho. What's wrong?"
"......"
Miho fidgeted, eyes darting, staring only at the ground. I grasped her hand earnestly and pleaded,
"This isn't the time for this. I desperately need your power. Come back to me."
"...Baek Woong."
After hesitating long, Miho suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tight. She'd initiated hugs before, but this embrace felt different. Holding me, Miho said,
"Do you know what feelings arose in me after seeing those memories?"
"......"
"That obsidian conveyed, fresh and vivid, every emotion you saw and felt from your perspective. Even the thoughts you had while regarding the 'Miho' up till now were transmitted along with it."
Then, in a slightly choked voice, Miho said,
"You fool. Just how many decades... did you suffer alone? How long did you live, holding yourself together single-handedly?"
"Miho..."
"Learning you were always sincere toward me... I simply couldn't bear it..."
I clamped my mouth shut.
I knew that in every reincarnation, though Miho treated me kindly, she'd rarely harbored true romantic feelings. Mostly, she'd approached as a human she had to protect under Queen Mother of the West's orders. Otherwise, she'd never lost her poise as a lofty great yokai.
Yet, despite that, I loved Miho.
I'd loved her until now, and I would forever.
It didn't matter if unrequited. My feelings wouldn't fade until my death. If just gazing sufficed, wasn't that a blessing for a reincarnator like me?
Miho released the hug, pulled back slightly, and sat down right there. I sat facing her, meeting her eyes. Miho stared at me steadily, then said,
"Baek Woong. Come with me to the Heavenly Realm."
"The Heavenly Realm...?"
"Yes. Once the ten-year protection contract ends, I can return to the Heavenly Realm. Let's go together then."
As I gazed at her blankly, she smiled with a somehow sorrowful expression.
"If you stay in the human world like this, won't you just drift endlessly like duckweed? Better to finish everything and go with me..."
"......"
Silently, I pulled Miho into an embrace. I felt her body heat.
"Yeah."
Going to the Heavenly Realm with Miho... didn't sound bad.
I'd gained a new goal.