Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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When I came to, I was staring up at the ceiling of some dark room. I checked my body's condition—my limbs were intact, and my inner energy had barely diminished. My nerves were all connected, so even just twitching my fingers sent waves of intense pain crashing over me.
'To suppress the pain, I need to select a breathing method.'
Among the Hwa Clan's traditional arts, there was a specific breathing technique designed to alleviate extreme pain. Precisely, it linked the heart meridian with respiration, requiring substantial inner energy, but the undeniable fact was that it reduced pain by more than tenfold compared to normal.
Hua Tuo's Five Animals Frolic
Breathing of the Three Divisions Pulse
As the pain in my body gradually subsided, my limbs retained a faint sensation, like moving a massive shell. The downside was that it dulled limb sensitivity considerably, but no better method existed for pain relief. The drawbacks were needing intense focus and unsuitability for combat, but for self-first-aid, could anything surpass pain suppression?
I sat up and descended to the floor. I grabbed fresh clothes nearby, changed into them, and stepped out of the room when a voice called out.
"Your internals are shaken, so your whole body must ache like hell, yet you're moving already? Impressive hero."
Looking across the hallway, an old man sat in a chair, reading a book. Though it was my first time seeing him, I could tell at a glance he possessed profound inner energy. As I stared at him, the old man spoke.
"I treated you. If your natural healing wasn't so strong, even I couldn't have saved you."
"Who are you?"
"I'm an old man named Hwangbo Yun, currently working for the Han Clan."
He spoke casually, but the moment I heard his name, I was startled.
"Medicine King of the Five Great Physicians!"
"I've been called that before. Can't use the title now."
The Medicine King Hwangbo Yun replied indifferently. But I knew that name was not to be taken lightly.
He held one of the Five Great Physicians' seats and was renowned as the foremost among them in pharmacology alone. However, he wasn't as adept in other medical fields, so overall, he ranked lowest among the Five Great Physicians—or so I'd heard from Hwa Se-myeong. Even so, as a Huangfu Clan expert, he was more martial artist than physician, not delving solely into medicine.
The Medicine King Hwangbo Yun closed his book and looked at me.
"Your belongings are stored separately in the annex. Nothing's been touched, so don't worry."
"Where's the annex?"
"I'll guide you."
I followed Hwangbo Yun to the annex. There lay my wooden armor and the Heavenly Dark Secret Book. The nonuple cauldron was inside the armor, so it wasn't visible separately. I wondered if anyone had rummaged through the armor or seen the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, but the Medicine King Hwangbo Yun caught my suspicion and chided me.
"That spar was the family head's misfortune. The Han Clan isn't so卑鄙 as to rummage through an injured man's belongings."
It seemed pride kept them from touching it.
I tucked the wooden armor and Heavenly Dark Secret Book into my bosom and said.
"Thank you. Then I'll be on my way."
"Where to?"
"Things got awkward face-to-face, so I'll find another way."
Hwangbo Yun replied indifferently to my answer.
"That would be rude. Even if it was the family head's mistake, leaving without a word is unacceptable. Tell the family head and go."
"...Why are you relying on the Han Clan?"
"That's not a story for a stranger on first meeting."
Hwangbo Yun cut him off firmly. Unlike the other Five Great Physicians I'd met, he seemed somewhat aloof and cold. Then he said calmly.
"Stay put. I need to check your condition."
Hwangbo Yun began palpating slowly from my neck and said.
"Your condition's fine. But doesn't it hurt? You should be in too much pain to move."
"I'm controlling the pain with a breathing method."
"Huh, such a breathing method exists?"
"It does."
Hwangbo Yun looked at me with curious eyes. Even the Five Great Physicians' Medicine King didn't know the Hwa Clan's secret art up to the Hua Tuo's Five Animals Frolic profundities.
After a moment's thought, I said to Hwangbo Yun.
"Do you know the cause of the White Lotus Cult Young Leader's strange illness... is a curse from an otherworldly existence? Do you know Dongbang Mu-gyeol of the Heavenly Monsters is closest to the core of that issue?"
Flinch!!
Hwangbo Yun lost his composure. He stared at me with trembling eyes and said.
"What nonsense out of nowhere?"
I said flatly.
"I have more information on this than anyone in the world. For saving my life, I can share that clue. But to hear more, tell me why you sought refuge with the Han Clan."
"......"
Hwangbo Yun wore a stunned expression briefly, then said.
"Bargaining with a life debt?"
"You didn't save me just because you wanted to, did you? Part of it was following the family head's orders."
"You're a strange one. Like an old jianghu veteran who's rolled around for decades."
Grumbling, Hwangbo Yun said.
"Fine. I'll tell my story, so explain what happened."
"Good."
It went as planned. From the Medicine King Hwangbo Yun's perspective, he couldn't ignore information on the White Lotus Cult Young Leader's illness that had upended his fate. Even if it seemed forced, he'd have no choice but to accept my deal.
"It was when the White Lotus Cult's slander tanked the Five Great Physicians' reputation and the jianghu folk started shunning us."
"I know the gist. You each found your own paths."
"If you know that much, it's easier to explain."
Hwangbo Yun continued.
"I decided to seek refuge with the Han Clan, my Huangfu Clan's main trading partner. At the same time, I asked the family head to protect the Huangfu Clan using the Han Clan's influence. So jianghu folk know covertly of our connection but dare not touch the Huangfu Clan lightly."
"The price is you serving as the Han Clan's chief physician."
"No more backstory from me. Now your turn."
Hwangbo Yun urged, clearly unwilling to say more. But I intuited he was hiding something, racking my brain for what. Then I posed a sharp question.
"The Huangfu Clan is one of the Five Great Families. Does that mean the Han Clan has influence to pressure all Five Great Families?"
Hwangbo Yun frowned and said.
"Why ask that?"
"Not answering? Then neither will I..."
As I subtly shifted a step, Hwangbo Yun hurriedly said.
"No. You're right. The Han Clan wields that much influence. From the Nangong Clan at the forefront of martial might, to the Sichuan Tang Clan, Huangfu Clan, Murong Clan, and Hebei Peng Clan—they all obey the Han Clan. Even the Five Great Families' heads can't lift their faces before the Han head."
"......!!"
"In effect, the Five Great Families submit to the Han head."
I let out a groan.
'Han Baek-ryeong has already taken over much of the jianghu.'
Five Great Families!
They referred to the Nangong Clan, Sichuan Tang Clan, Huangfu Clan, Murong Clan, and Hebei Peng Clan. Amid countless minor sects and families, only these five could boast fame across the Central Plains.
Their power and prestige rivaled the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Schools, ruling regions as hegemons through familial unity and wealth. Moreover, their heads were said to have reached the transcendent realm. Thus, no doubt the Five Great Families held at least thirty percent stake in the righteous faction.
Even those Five Great Families' heads couldn't defy Han Baek-ryeong!
Considering Han Baek-ryeong was actually the White Lotus Cult's Dharma Protector and Incarnation Style leader, the Cult's Central Plains conquest was largely achieved by now. With her moving the Five Great Families, checking the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Schools was child's play.
"Why did that happen? Did the Five Great Families submit to the Han head's martial prowess?"
"That's part, but the Han Clan's immense wealth sustains the Five Great Families."
"What do you mean?"
Hwangbo Yun sighed and said.
"The Han head provides total support to martial forces under the Han Clan. This covert aid has continued for twenty years, allowing the Five Great Families to seize hegemony amid local sects through that wealth. Not just might—even fearing the aid's cutoff keeps them from rebelling."
"......"
"That should suffice as an answer."
I groaned again.
To think the Han Clan's power was this vast! Then Han Baek-ryeong could be called the Five Great Families' true leader. In a past life, I'd nearly joined her Incarnation Style, leaving a pang of regret.
"Understood. Then I'll share what I know."
I explained the Young Leader's illness was a curse from the evil entity [Ancient Ruler], and that Heavenly Monster Dongbang Mu-gyeol had gone south to the Southern Barbarians on the Cult Leader's orders seeking a cure. Hearing this, Hwangbo Yun clutched his head and slumped into a chair.
"Uh... tremendous affair. Proof your words are true?"
"I stake my life on it. The Han head will know it's fact."
"Madness... you claim that confidently?"
"Of course."
Believing me, Hwangbo Yun stared blankly at the ceiling. Then he said.
"Pretend I heard nothing. I heard zilch."
"So be it."
Hwangbo Yun seemed overwhelmed just containing the truth I'd shared. No wonder—if true, mere knowledge could get him eliminated by Han Baek-ryeong. I'd expected this, so I shrugged, but he sent a transmission.
[The medicine I gave you was the Monstrous Blood Pill. Your body swirled with extreme yin energy, so I administered an extreme yang elixir to boost healing. I'll guide the meridian flow—follow it to absorb the Monstrous Blood Pill faster and raise your inner energy.]
As he walked slowly, Hwangbo Yun instructed the meridian circulation. I used Brain Purification Scripture to enhance memory, calmly committing it.
'Even with Millennium Snow Ginseng and Black-White Lotus together, the yin energy was stronger.'
I'd balanced yin-yang ingesting elixirs so far, but the Snow Ginseng's yin dominated. Thus my power subtly carried yin. But the Monstrous Blood Pill's yang eased harmony. Circulating as I walked, the energies fused, releasing stronger.
My power grew!
Delighted by the unexpected fortuitous encounter, I smiled. My inner energy progress had slowed from overconsuming Snow Ginseng and Black-White Lotus, but the pill brought a bigger surge. Hwangbo Yun led me to the Han head without meeting eyes.
Soon, I entered the room where Han Baek-ryeong waited. With the compound wrecked, she'd returned to her residence.
"Family head. Baek Woong is here."
Hwangbo Yun bowed politely with clasped fists. Han Baek-ryeong lay half-reclined, long pipe dangling—not seductive, but beautiful. Like a doll's flawless beauty. Beside her sat Han Jin-seong in lotus position.
Han Baek-ryeong gazed at Hwangbo Yun with clear eyes and said.
"You've worked hard."
"Yes."
"For your efforts, I promise greater support to your clan."
Hwangbo Yun trembled.
"I am deeply grateful!"
"Withdraw."
"Yes, understood."
Hwangbo Yun exited cautiously. No one in the world's jianghu—neither Huangfu Clan elder, peak expert, nor Medicine King among Five Great Physicians—would imagine him so deferential. The unparalleled Hwangbo Yun reduced to servant-like humility!
Han Baek-ryeong's eyes gleamed.
"Moving in less than half a day—you've got iron bones, you bastard."
"Thanks to the family head showing mercy at the end."
"That was my error. I apologize for gravely wounding you by mistake."
Han Baek-ryeong apologized sincerely. From her position, it wasn't easy, yet she did so readily, knowing propriety. I nodded.
"Yes. Water under the bridge."
"Good. Rest more starting tomorrow."
"After that, will you teach me swordsmanship?"
"I intended to, but..."
Han Baek-ryeong dangled her pipe and said.
"I can't solve your issue."
"What...?"
"I see your sword styles fail to unify, tangling instead. Overcoming that needs profound insight to control the杂流. But resolving it is too difficult."
She shifted slightly sideways and continued.
"I understand why Dugu Cheng sent you. No path but terrifying training."
"Terrifying training..."
"But it's not mere hellish drills. Requires unimaginable experiences and tempering to carve yourself down. I lack confidence to impose that on you."
Han Baek-ryeong's words were firm. Despair hit me momentarily.
'Then advancing from my current realm is impossible?'
As White Lotus Cult Dharma Protector, only the Cult Leader and Dugu Jun surpassed her. If even sword master Han Baek-ryeong couldn't casually fix my issue, what now? No wonder the Sword Demon and Dugu Cheng struggled in past lives.
As I pondered, Han Baek-ryeong said.
"I could teach you Incarnation Style martial arts, but it'd only deepen your issue. You must somehow straighten the myriad styles' chaos."
"How?"
Han Baek-ryeong shook her head.
"No idea. A Great Law Immortal transcending humans might... Anyway, you're young—think slowly."
That instant.
"......!!"
Great Law Immortal!
I sensed the solution in those words. Stunned briefly, I said.
"Thank you!"
"......?!"
Han Baek-ryeong looked baffled. Understandably—"Great Law Immortal" implied impossibility metaphorically. But having sensed the Heavenly Realm and Great Law Immortals directly, that phrase was my solution.
'Yeo Dong-bin!'
Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin's Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship!
Mastering that transcendent human's swordsmanship to advance realms, with his aid, I could break my current issue.
I'd heard similar from Yi Gwang before, but hadn't connected then. Two at pinnacle realms saying the same gave me conviction to pursue.
I spoke.
"One thing I'd like to ask."
"...Huh? Speak."
Cautiously, I asked my longest-held question.
"Do you know why the Thunder God Style was purged?"
Not just Han Baek-ryeong—even Han Jin-seong beside her stiffened.
Silence reigned briefly before Han Baek-ryeong said.
"Surely Dugu Cheng doesn't know the reason?"
"Yes. Master received a warning from Dugu Jun and has been away, wanting to know why."
"...Hmm. Is that so."
Han Baek-ryeong pondered, then said.
"I know one thing. Thunder God Style Dharma Protector Yi Cheong-un talked with the Cult Leader, it soured into combat."
"I know that far. No real guesses?"
"None."
As if recalling, she said.
"Water God Style Dharma Protector Dugu Jun would know. He was present."
"......"
Another knew the truth.
'What? Then Water God Style experts deliberately targeted only Thunder God Style for purge?'
If the Cult Leader called Water God Style's Dugu Jun to Yi Cheong-un's talk, perhaps premeditated execution. But that ill fit the Cult Leader's stature. Absurd for the invincible to fear one Yi Cheong-un enough for a joint assault.
Something's there.
To uncover that secret, start by digging into Water God Style.
As I mulled, Han Baek-ryeong said.
"No more to say? Then I'll..."
Then.
A middle-aged warrior burst in from outside. His footwork bore Incarnation Style traces, marking him an expert. He prostrated before Han Baek-ryeong and said.
"Family head! Forgive my rudeness. Urgent report..."
"What is it?"
The middle-aged warrior said with trembling eyes.
"Wind God Style's leader, Yong Bi-cheon, has arrived."