Chapter 219
Chapter 219
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
I felt that the training process was flowing similarly to before. The Sword Demon, true to his mastery of swordsmanship, sparred with me a few times and immediately grasped my current level of martial arts and condition. He reached the conclusion that I needed techniques to consciously handle intent.
"Alright, then let's start the hellish training."
Of course, if I took those words at face value, it would lead to the same result as before: a month of bone-grinding effort that exhausted my stamina and energy without any achievements. I had already experienced the outcome of pointless training once. So I hurriedly said to him,
"I am not particularly gifted in talent. Wouldn't seated meditation be better instead?"
The Sword Demon tilted his head.
"Hmm? You are clearly a prodigy..."
"......"
"Well, if that's what you want, then we shall do it. You know your own condition better than I do."
And just like before, the Sword Demon taught me the sword forms of the Shadowless Soul Severing Swordsmanship while guiding me in meditation training.
Seated meditation was not simply a matter of sitting and concentrating the mind. Unlike the Zen meditation practiced by ordinary Confucian, Buddhist, or Daoist disciples for enlightenment, the seated meditation guided by the Sword Demon was akin to training in unifying the mind while focusing on a single point. With eyes closed and nothing visible, one clearly observed a single self amid the void.
Rooooar...
As internal energy subtly leaked from my body, the Sword Demon said,
"Conceal your qi."
"I'm sorry."
I hurriedly lowered my presence, and his explanation continued.
"You are unskilled at concealing your own qi. Even though your internal energy has surpassed the human level, this means you lack techniques for controlling qi. And one who cannot fully command their own qi cannot easily attain the realm of intent."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Now, self, concentrate."
I thought as if piercing a single point in the darkness. Cultivating concentration, reducing dependence on qi, and elevating one's pure intent to the limit—that was the essence of seated meditation.
'How can I completely conceal my qi?'
The realm of completely concealing qi was called Return to the Natural State. And only those at the Dharma Protector level or equivalents had attained it. Somehow, I felt that even if they possessed internal energy at my level, they could conceal it effortlessly.
After two more hours of seated meditation, I asked the Sword Demon,
"I have a question about Return to the Natural State."
"I thought you might ask that. What specifically are you curious about?"
The Sword Demon seemed to have seen through my mind. I nodded and asked with serious eyes while seated.
"Is concealing qi also a technique of intent?"
"Half right, half wrong."
The Sword Demon gazed at me with deep eyes and explained.
"The ability to conceal qi can indeed be strengthened with intent. But that technique is not the essence of Return to the Natural State. It is clearly a different realm."
"Please explain."
"Heh heh, countless experts would stake their lives to hear this explanation."
He chuckled heartily for some reason and slowly extended his index finger forward. As my gaze concentrated on his index finger, the Sword Demon slowly said,
"Only the foremost supreme experts in the martial world attain Return to the Natural State, completely concealing their qi. So, why do you think the Return to the Natural State phenomenon occurs?"
"Hmm..."
"With qi so overwhelmingly powerful that it overflows, it should naturally spill out, right?"
"It's difficult."
I had never really thought about it. As I pondered, the Sword Demon calmly began his explanation.
"It is about [gathering], you see."
"Gathering?"
"Yes. Qi that has reached its extreme converges into a single point for maximum efficiency. It is something vaguely called the dantian... a single focal point, from which one can explosively emit true qi. It is a state naturally adjusted to that condition."
A rather difficult explanation. But I somehow understood and responded to his words.
"Because if power spreads loosely throughout the body, it leads to waste."
Concentration rather than dispersion.
Hearing my words, the Sword Demon smiled faintly.
"Exactly that. Moreover, when qi is extremely elevated, it burdens both mental and physical strength. The human body instinctively seeks to protect itself from the immense pressure of that qi. Thus, under the pretext of efficiency, it guides the vast qi into a single point."
"Hmm..."
Even though the Eight Extraordinary Meridians are not actual acupoints that greatly affect the body, with internal energy vast enough for Return to the Natural State, it seems that is not the case. Excess truly leads to overflow.
"Supreme experts utilize this phenomenon and further control it easily with their intent. As a result, the qi is completely locked within the meridians, without even a strand leaking outward. That leads to the realm called Return to the Natural State."
Not fully understanding, I asked the Sword Demon,
"I do not sense that focal point..."
"That is because your internal energy is so immense compared to your control power. It is a problem of 'technique' separate from mental strength. Since it is not internal energy accumulated through normal training, it is in a state you cannot easily tame."
Explaining up to that point, the Sword Demon tapped my shoulder with his wooden sword.
"In short, once you attain intent, you can fully control your qi and easily reach Return to the Natural State."
"I understand."
I realized that there were great benefits to attaining intent in many ways.
Until now, I had used the Hua Family's acupuncture techniques to deliberately conceal my internal energy. But if I could completely control my internal energy with intent, there would be no need for that. Reaching the realm of Return to the Natural State would greatly reduce such troublesome efforts.
However, as I repeated the meditation training for another two months, I realized a serious problem.
'It's too boring...'
No matter how much mental strength I poured into seated meditation, there was a limit. Humans are ultimately animals, so remaining still was even harder. Sitting and focusing for several hours a day was an immense ordeal. Especially for me, with little experience in such training, it felt like my mental energy was depleting more and more.
Perhaps sensing my mood, the Sword Demon spoke up.
"Now do you somewhat respect the Daoist monks?"
"Yes. They truly are remarkable people."
How could they do such a boring thing from dawn until night for decades?
"Kukuku."
Seeing me fidget restlessly, the Sword Demon laughed.
'He laughs more than I expected.'
It was a side I had not seen much during our previous training together. I could tell that the Sword Demon held great goodwill toward me. Probably because I was his daughter's benefactor, and my diligent approach to training pleased him.
At that moment, Seo Mun-hye entered the training hall carrying a large tray of refreshments.
"Break time. Have some while you rest."
"Ah, thank you."
There were not many types of refreshments, but each one was fresh and precious, something commoners rarely saw. It seemed the Shadowless Sect had its own separate orchard for growing fruits. The Sword Demon picked up a fruit, crunched into it, and said,
"Hye-ya. Do you like Baek Woong, the Dharma Protector?"
"Huh."
I was startled by the Sword Demon's sudden question. Seo Mun-hye smiled faintly and replied,
"Yes."
"So that's how it is, Baek Dharma Protector."
"......"
What was I supposed to say!
But I could not utter a word. The Sword Demon's gaze seemed nonchalant with a hint of playfulness, yet it exerted an inexplicable pressure on me. Though he had never said it directly, he inwardly wished for me and Seo Mun-hye to become a couple.
'Ugh... what to do...'
It was not entirely unexpected, but the problem had arrived faster than anticipated. If I continued cultivating here in the Shadowless Sect, my martial arts would certainly advance, but eventually, under intensifying pressure from the Sword Demon, there was a high chance I would be half-forced into marriage with Seo Mun-hye.
Anyone hearing this might curse me as an ungrateful wretch making a fuss despite being blessed beyond measure. Seo Mun-hye was a peerless beauty with silvery hair, a peak expert of the jianghu, and the Sword Demon's heir. Marrying her also meant easily ascending to a position leading the Central Plains' righteous and demonic factions.
But I did not want that. What I sought was solely the enhancement of my martial prowess, and marrying Seo Mun-hye was an endlessly burdensome matter.
'No. I do not want to give affection to anyone else anymore.'
I shared unbreakable bonds with Mang-ryang and Mi-ho, but even managing those was difficult.
'What if I give her affection... and fail to protect Seo Mun-hye.'
Even now, in my memories, I could see Mang-ryang's neck from his tragic end due to my mistake. And Mi-ho's final moments, dying to protect me. The mental shock I received then was enough to drive an ordinary person mad or shatter their personality.
What if I connected with Seo Mun-hye and lived a fully happy life?
I might be happy. No, it would surely be that way. Have sons and daughters, live joyfully together.
But such a family was impossible in this life. As long as I pursued my goal, death was unavoidable. And to abandon a beloved wife I had grown attached to, fail in my duties as a husband, and die—that too would greatly destroy my spirit.
Moreover, in my heart, there was only Mi-ho. Having devoted all my purity and love to Mi-ho, I could not even consider intimacy with another woman. It might be a foolish notion that only I clung to—but I did not want to bond with anyone other than Mi-ho.
In that instant, I resolved myself.
Once I attained intent, I would leave the Shadowless Sect at the first opportunity.
At that moment, Seo Mun-hye, who had come beside me before I knew it, said,
"Baek Woong Dharma Protector. Why do you have such a troubled expression?"
"Ah? Young Sect Leader... just... um..."
Seo Mun-hye smiled brightly and took my hand.
"If you have worries, tell me as well. Baek Dharma Protector is now part of the Shadowless Sect family."
"Uh... um..."
In that instant, the Sword Demon sent me a transmission with terrifying momentum.
[Your worries—speak them quickly!]
"......"
At this rate, even nonexistent worries would arise from the pressure. Reconfirming how immensely he doted on his only daughter, I sorted my thoughts. And then slowly said to Seo Mun-hye,
"Do you know that the Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade is in the hands of the Twelve Rhythm Lord?"
"......"
"......"
In that instant, the atmosphere cooled. The Sword Demon, who had been watching us half-jokingly flirt, hardened his face, and Seo Mun-hye's complexion paled slightly. Then Seo Mun-hye said in a heavy voice,
"How does Baek Dharma Protector know that fact?"
The Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade was the grand prize of the previous Dark Classic Martial Tournament. She had participated in the tournament because of information that it was a supreme treasure containing the world's greatest martial art. However, I had heard at the end of my 14th reincarnation that the Twelve Rhythm Lord had won and taken the Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade.
"When rescuing the Young Sect Leader, I heard the information from the Pirate Island chief. That man knew the full details of the martial tournament, as if connected to the organizers."
I patched together words on the spot as best I could. Fortunately, it seemed natural enough, as the Sword Demon listening beside snorted,
"Hmph! That Fighting Demon—I will definitely kill him at the upcoming Eight Demons Gathering."
"Eight Demons Gathering?"
"Anyway, continue speaking. Why bring up that story now, Baek Dharma Protector."
As the Sword Demon looked at me, I calmly continued the tale.
"It is simply that I am dying of curiosity about what the supreme martial art hidden in that Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade is. A crescent moon blade is not a weapon well-suited for becoming a supreme expert, and this is the first time I have heard of a martial art being secreted within the weapon itself. That is what I was pondering."
"Ah... that is..."
Hearing my words, Seo Mun-hye seemed at a loss, hesitating over what to say. Unable to watch, the Sword Demon interjected,
"Hye-ya. You go in first."
"Yes, Father."
Seo Mun-hye quietly vanished from the hall. As silence continued, the Sword Demon looked at me and said,
"Baek Dharma Protector. Hye-ya has already told me that story. And while I was obtaining information on the Dark Classic Martial Tournament, I also learned what martial art is in that Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade."
"You found out?"
"Yes. But it was such an absurd tale that I paid it no mind."
Saying that, the Sword Demon crunched into a fruit and continued,
"...The rumor was that the Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade could manipulate time and space."
"Yes?"
Dumbfounded, I retorted, and he shrugged his shoulders as he said,
"They say that if you unwrap the black cloth wrapped around the Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade, time and space will move erratically. The Fighting Demon probably thought that was the mystic function of some artifact, but quite a few thought it was a martial art in itself. That is why the information spread as a peerless supreme art capable of manipulating time and space."
"I see."
"Baek Dharma Protector. We will speak of this later. The Purple Spirit Crescent Moon Blade is not something the Shadowless Sect absolutely needs right now. What is more important is the upcoming Eight Demons Gathering."
Curious, I asked him,
"What is the Eight Demons Gathering?"
"You should know as well. It is the meeting of the Eight Demonic Path Masters who lead the Central Plains' demonic factions; that is called the Eight Demons Gathering."
"I have never heard such stories during my jianghu travels."
At that, the Sword Demon gave a wry smile.
"There is no shortage of jianghu folk aiming for the necks of the Eight Demons, leaders of the Eight Demonic Sects. If the location where the Eight Demons gather became known, hordes would come charging in by the hundreds. Why would they leak such a secret to the jianghu?"
"Ah..."
"The next Eight Demons Gathering is in five months. Baek Dharma Protector, raise your skills by then and attend the Eight Demons Gathering with me."
Embarrassed, I said,
"My skills do not even reach the Lord's toes."
The notion of me escorting the Sword Demon was absurd. At that, the Sword Demon waved his hand dismissively.
"Ha ha, it is not to that extent. You are being overly modest. I believe I will definitely need Baek Dharma Protector's power."
Feeling something ominous in the Sword Demon's words, I asked,
"There is a possibility of... a clash of force?"
The Sword Demon nodded and said,
"To be precise, I plan to initiate it."
"......!!"
A barely concealed killing intent flickered in the Sword Demon's eyes. Though not directed at me, the killing intent was so eerie that I involuntarily flinched. Though he treated me kindly, the one before me was, after all, the foremost expert of the evil factions and lord of the Shadowless Sect—the Sword Demon Seo Mun Dae-ryong.
"Because of the Dark Classic Martial Tournament that Fighting Demon stirred up, Hye-ya became a slave to pirates. At the Eight Demons Gathering, I will tear off that bastard's limbs and track down his entire clan to make them suffer the same fate."