Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Through Jeong Cheol-uk, the challenge letter I sent to the Twelve Rhythms received a reply about a month later. It stated that all the Twelve Rhythms sect leaders had accepted my challenge for a spar, and that I could come anytime I wished. As I received the letter from a messenger of the Jeong family and read it, Hwa Seomyeong spoke up.
"Baek Woong. Are you really planning to clash with the Twelve Rhythms?"
"It's not a clash. It's just an opportunity to test our skills against each other and improve."
"Don't dress it up with fancy words. Do you think I, who once led the Hebei School of Medicine in the Central Plains, don't know how the martial world works? For now, Jeong Cheol-uk's influence keeps them from acting rashly against you, but the Jeong family's protection has its limits. If Jeong Cheol-uk loses power in the political landscape, the Twelve Rhythms will not look kindly on you."
I answered calmly.
"But that would be at least a dozen years from now."
"Of course, what I mentioned is unlikely. The Twelve Rhythms aren't a group of petty small-minded people. But is it worth risking that danger just to advance your martial arts realm?"
Hwa Seomyeong's eyes held concern. I was now practically like his own son, on the verge of inheriting the Hwa family's medical arts as his direct disciple. If something happened to me, it would be a great loss to the Hwa family as well. I closed the medical text I had been reading and replied.
"I still have a long way to go. There are too many things I can't resolve without elevating my martial realm. And without power, I can't protect anything. I'm doing my utmost, and I believe there will be a good outcome at the end of this path."
"Hmm. If you're that determined, I won't say more."
After pondering, Hwa Seomyeong continued.
"How well do you understand the Empty Base Heart, Solid Base Abdomen, Strong Base Sinews, and Weak Base Bones?"
"I've been steadily practicing Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics for seven years now, so I think I have a decent grasp."
Hwa Seomyeong hesitated, then clenched his fist.
"Fine... Then I'll teach you its applications."
"Applications?"
I tilted my head.
Over the years of learning medicine, I had mastered the Hwa Family's 108 Needles and Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics. The Hwa Family's 108 Needles certainly qualified as a martial technique with its power, but Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics was more like a Daoist health exercise. It was too basic to count as proper martial arts—something a neighborhood dojo might teach. Still, since Hwa Seomyeong had insisted I practice diligently, I had done so every day.
Hwa Seomyeong said.
"I was going to teach you once your Hwa Family's 108 Needles improved further, but there's no helping it. The truth is, Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics hides a secret technique."
"A secret technique?"
Hwa Seomyeong poured some single-leaf tea into a cup from beside him. Holding the cup with steam rising warmly in both hands, he said.
"What do you think a physician is in the martial world?"
"Someone who treats the injured and sick, right?"
"That's only the surface. In reality, a physician is the eye of the storm at the center of a whirlwind of grudges and favors."
After sipping his tea, Hwa Seomyeong continued.
"Suppose Person A fights Person B, suffers a fatal wound, and seeks a physician to save his life. If the physician saves A, what happens?"
"He goes back to fight B."
"And if A successfully gets revenge on B, who will B resent?"
"......"
"That's how it is. To B, the physician might be more hateful and resented than A. B was doing his utmost to defend his own life and family, but the physician saved A's life, putting B's in danger. No enemy like this enemy."
At a loss for words, I listened as Hwa Seomyeong went on.
"That's why most physicians try not to get involved in the martial world's affairs. But martial artists, with their lives on the line, desperately seek them out. Any physician with real skill and reputation can't avoid ties to them. If you knew the dirty tricks martial artists pull for proper treatment, you'd be appalled."
"Hmm..."
"That led to physicians caught in grudge cycles being unjustly slain by martial artists' blades in the shadows. So the physicians active in the martial world found countermeasures."
"What are they?"
"The first was developing self-defense techniques. The second was finding powerful backers to protect them. The third was developing a way to die."
"......!!"
"Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics includes self-defense and a way to die. It's thanks to the妙 uses of Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics that the Hwa family endured as a renowned medical house in Hebei for so long without great calamity. Now, I will teach it to you."
Not fully understanding, I asked.
"A way to die? You mean faking death?"
"Exactly. In truth, Daoist breathing and nurturing arts lag far behind medical ones. If you can properly control all the involuntary muscles and internal structures in your body through breath, you can take an opponent's attack with minimal damage and convincingly play dead to survive."
Hwa Seomyeong smiled faintly.
"It might look pathetic, but over the Hwa family's thousands of years of history, hundreds have saved their lives using Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics. It's the ultimate life-saving absolute technique."
"If it's that good, you could have taught me sooner..."
"To execute Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics secret technique, your Hwa Family's 108 Needles must reach a certain realm. You need to understand the true energy and meridian flows used in it. That's why I waited, hoping your medical understanding would deepen."
"I see."
"I don't know what result you'll get from sparring the Twelve Rhythms. But master this secret technique, and you'll return without serious injury."
Over the next half year, Hwa Seomyeong taught me the secret technique of Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics. As he said, it was impossible without knowing the Hwa Family's 108 Needles. Only after that could I set out to challenge the Twelve Rhythms.
My first opponent was the Azure Dragon Sect.
Shwaaa—
On a rainy day, I stood before the large wooden gate of the building. The gatekeeper under the Azure Dragon Sect's eaves took my challenge letter, and soon I was led to the inner sparring ground.
Plop, plop.
Outside, cold dampness and the sound of rain echoed through the windows. Insects chirped loudly now and then. But inside, it was utterly quiet, with about a dozen Azure Dragon Sect disciples seated in meditation, surrounding the sparring ground.
Before me stood the Azure Dragon Sect Leader. He was a hearty-looking middle-aged man with a massive blade at his waist. The master of the Azure Dragon Sect, known among the Twelve Rhythms for wielding giant blades, stood right in front of me.
The Azure Dragon Sect Leader said.
"I was wondering when you'd come, and you make me your first Twelve Rhythms target—I'm honored, Baek Woong."
"I've heard the Azure Dragon Blade Art of the Azure Dragon Sect is one of the world's finest, so I wanted to witness it."
"Haha, who said that? Such flattery embarrasses me."
"The Jeong family head."
At my response, the Azure Dragon Sect Leader narrowed his eyes slightly. Joy and suspicion flickered in his gaze.
"Really? That's truly an honor..."
"I wouldn't lie here where I'd hold back anyway."
"Heh heh. You think a lot for your age."
"I believe sparring you will be a great fortune for me."
Seeing no opening, the Azure Dragon Sect Leader gave a wry smile.
"Fine, fine. Let's see the skill of the Central Plains' genius child that even made the Flying Stream Sect Leader marvel."
Kiiing—
The Azure Dragon Sect Leader's giant blade and my spear were drawn almost simultaneously, emitting an eerie sound. It wasn't the drawing itself, but the clash of our energies creating shockwaves in the air. Some nearby Azure Dragon Sect disciples suffered internal injuries and spat blood.
"Cough!"
"Everyone, gather your qi!"
"My apologies."
The Azure Dragon Sect Leader furrowed his brow as the disciples helped the injured retreat farther away, almost under the eaves getting rained on to watch.
"Have you reached the Return to Origin realm? I've heard your internal energy is immense, yet it feels tightly sealed within."
"Return to Origin isn't a realm to claim lightly. I'm just sealing it with a technique for convenience."
"Honest, I like that. Let's play!"
Kwaaang!
The clash began. Sensing the Azure Dragon Sect Leader was a transcendent expert, I deemed probing useless. Knowing he outclassed me, I had to go all-out from the start to seize the advantage. In an instant, my spear hummed menacingly and unleashed a thrust spinning at terrifying speed.
The Azure Dragon Sect Leader easily deflected it, then widened his eyes.
Kaang!
"......!!"
His giant blade snapped in two, and his body flew back. Though unharmed, he seemed shocked. He planted his foot mid-air and descended with Thousand Catties Drop lightness skill. Staring at his broken blade in astonishment, he said.
"This was forged from refined Azure Steel—what kind of internal energy is that...?!"
"Don't exaggerate. You know if you can't block, just deflect."
"True enough... Then let's continue like this."
Fight me with a broken blade?
My eyebrow twitched as I attacked again. This time, using Thunder Shadow Step's Heaven Piercer, I thrust the spear in curving arcs from multiple angles. Facing the unpredictable assault, he defended with his broken blade, deflecting all my strikes.
Kikikjing.
'This guy's a monster too... Handling Flower Realm techniques so easily with that heavy, crude blade.'
I admired inwardly. Even experts struggle to deflect my qi-infused spear strikes. Yet he read every flow and deflected like willow branches. A transcendent expert where raw power alone couldn't decide.
Soon, he counterattacked. Swinging his blade wide to bat away my barrage, he used the rebound to retreat. Then, in a prone stance with blade on shoulder, he began spinning faster and faster.
Whiiing...
An eerie sound filled the hall as wind pressure gathered around him. His body blurred in rotation, then shot sideways. I was prepared and blocked, but gasped at the six consecutive blade flames flying at me.
"Urk...!!"
As I hastily deflected the blade flames, his spin continued. Pivoting on his left foot, he circled like whirling around the training ground. Trapped by dozens of foes, I gripped my spear tight. To counter, I decided on Thunder Shadow Step's Heaven Piercer.
Paat!
But the result wasn't great. The first attack slipped through easily, but I had no answer for the blade flames trailing the spin. Better to stand and counter—I tensed, stroking the blade wounds on my arm and waist.
'Is this the fabled Revolving Blade?'
A spinning blade art from western barbarians, now unfolding before me. I'd known it was the Azure Dragon Sect's signature, but facing it was far more potent. Driven by special internal arts, the Revolving Blade auto-delivered continuous strikes no ordinary warrior could handle—a deadly art.
Don't panic.
Panic means defeat.
I took a deep breath and thought.
'Empty Base Heart. Solid Base Abdomen. Strong Base Sinews to Weak Base Bones.'
Hua Tuo's Five Animal Frolics wasn't mere qi exercise; it perfectly controlled the Hand Lesser Yin Heart Protector Meridian—one of the Twelve Principal Meridians, from chest to heart protector, through diaphragm to Triple Burner. Normal cultivators used it just for qi flow, but Hua Tuo's allowed activating each channel's unique effects.
'Thumb is Lung. Index is Large Intestine. Middle is Heart Protector, ring is Triple Burner, pinky is Heart...'
Reciting the key mantra inwardly, my insides burned. Concentration dripped like melting candle wax.
'Liver houses the Soul, Lungs the Corporeal Soul. Soul is in the pupils, Corporeal Soul clings to where eyes bulge.'
Paat!
It came.
I felt Hua Tuo's secret technique activate perfectly. Simultaneously, his spinning blade art rushed with wind-shattering force; I agilely moved my spear tip to counter. Again, Thunder Shadow Step's Heaven Piercer against his assault.
The Azure Dragon Sect Leader transmitted mockingly.
[ Foolish! ]
As he said, his Revolving Blade pierced defenses with layered blade qi. Mastering blade flames, he shredded foes easily. My approach would've turned my upper body to minced meat.
But then, something astonishing happened.
Kwaaakwang!!
"Kehehek!!"
Screaming, the Azure Dragon Sect Leader flew, smashing through the wooden wall and crashing into the outer wall. Stone crumbled like cannon fire; disciples collapsed around.
Shwaaa...
Ignoring the rain, I slowly walked out. Leaning against the rubble, the Azure Dragon Sect Leader bled all over. His blade was now just a hilt.
Yes.
In the final clash, my spear had utterly destroyed his blade.
Smoothly deflecting my vast power till then, he couldn't evade the sudden strike and took the reversal. No fatal wound, but clearly badly hurt.
Wiping blood from his face while slumped, he said.
"Haha... What a sight I make. Completely toyed with by feints of empty and solid."
Wiping rain from my cheek, I replied flatly.
"If you'd swapped for a new weapon, I wouldn't have known."
"No. To condense that energy even further to a single point... I never imagined it."
With a wry smile, he rose from the debris.
"What was that final technique? Your sect's secret?"
"Yes."
"Hiding the killing blow, showing fake weakness to lure... You have real battle experience."
Amazed, he said.
"This is my defeat. In real combat, I'd be dead."
"No. You still have one move left, don't you?"
"Heh, humble. If you'd willed it, you could've spread that condensed power to pulverize my upper body..."
"......"
"That's not polite modesty. You've been through hellfields."
I knew beating a transcendent expert in normal exchange was impossible without Thunder Roar. So I deliberately lured him close, then repelled with Hua Tuo's technique.
Hua Tuo's controlled all channels for unique effects; this qi condensation was similar. My qi control was weak for focus or dispersal, but its mantra let me gather and amplify at pinpoint speed. Even those who could deflect my power normally had no answer.
"Then I'll go."
"Hahaha... I thought challenging the Twelve Rhythms leaders was bluff, but you had winning odds. But don't expect too much."
"Pardon?"
"In my eyes, your limit is five wins max. Push beyond, and you die."
"......"
Bitterly, he said.
"You guess it, but skill gaps among Twelve Rhythms leaders vary greatly. Especially the Three Strong—Twelve Rhythms Lord, Old Man Sa, Dawn-Clad Immortal—are another league. Don't overdo it."
"Overdo" meant rashly pushing for wins, offending them to death. Reading between lines, I said.
"Scaring me?"
"Why would I scare you? Just hope you don't hit a wall young and despair..."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Farewell."
I left the Azure Dragon Sect. And thought.
'Without Thunder Roar, smart tactics can beat transcendent experts.'
I'd gained much. Applied Hua Tuo's secret in real combat, learned Revolving Blade's nature. At this pace, sparring all Twelve Rhythms would yield great results.
Full victory was never the goal. Spar to utmost, develop my arts—that was the purpose.
Next, I visited the Protect Country Alliance.
Unlike the Azure Dragon Sect Leader, Protect Country Alliance Chief Yeo Myeong wore Goryeo noble robes. His abode wasn't a typical sect building but a grand hall for Goryeo royalty. Seated on a jade throne, he permitted my audience and said.
"Baek Woong. As you know, our Protect Country Alliance guards Goryeo in the shadows as protectors. I'm Goryeo nobility and royalty. Thus, though I accepted your challenge, facing you directly violates national law."
Royal blood couldn't casually risk in spars—law-protected rarity. His transcendent skill seemed irrelevant.
"What will you do?"
"I'll send my proxy. He's been itching for a rematch anyway."
Swoosh.
A man stepped from behind Protect Country Alliance Chief Yeo Myeong. A familiar face. Groaning, I said.
"Jaryun."
"Long time, Baek Woong. I've awaited this rematch since that day eight years ago."
He was Jaryun, Protect Country Alliance's later-generation talent who faced me on my first Goryeo trip. We'd barely spoken, but shared the Gyeongseong Nine-Tailed Fox subjugation. Time passed; he now looked fully in his thirties.
Gazing at him, I said.
"Do you hold a grudge?"
"Hardly. Sure, losing to a boy then boiled my blood, but it was my clumsiness. Since, I've diligently trained Alliance secrets—you'll be satisfied this time."
Nearby Chief Yeo Myeong added.
"Jaryun's skill now surpasses mine. Protect Country Alliance's top expert."
"Makes sense."
I nodded.
Originally a prodigy reaching Peak Expert in twenties, elder-level in major sects. Ten-plus years honing for revenge breaking transcendent wall? Natural. I regretted not training harder myself.
The duel began.
I fought Jaryun for about 700 exchanges before losing. He seemed a cut above Azure Dragon Sect Leader, freely wielding sword flames, master of illusory sword. No excuses—without Thunder Roar, max Hua Tuo application still fell short.
Victorious, Jaryun lowered his sword and said.
"Old grudge lifted."
"Feel better now?"
"Haha... Hardly."
He turned, face frustrated despite win.
"I've heard of you. Studying medicine, barely training—yet this level... Your internal energy is absurd."
"Hmm."
"But stay alert. In ten years, when we meet again, I'll crush you utterly."
Hearing that, I thought.
'Ten years?'
When did I reach years like that?
It hit me how long I'd lived. This real life?
"......"
The final Twelve Rhythms duel arrived.
Over half a year, I'd visited each, sparring in turn; only the Twelve Rhythms Lord remained. Now en route to Changbai Mountains' Gom-i region to meet him.
Resting on a quiet mountain path, I muttered sighing.
"Azure Dragon Sect Leader had sharp eyes. Exactly five wins."
Victories: Azure Dragon Sect, Iron Fist Division, Wind Garden Flow, Empty Sword Flow, Flying Stream Sect.
Defeats: Haedong Secret Heaven, Protect Country Alliance, Old Man Sa, Dawn-Clad Immortal, Fire Sect, North Sea Sect.
From Azure Dragon Sect Leader to Flying Stream Sect Leader, five similar skills—at transcendent entry. Overwhelming power, tactics, Hua Tuo applications eked wins. Jaryun pure realm gap—no helping.
Haedong Secret Heaven and Fire Sect leaders had different strengths. Superior sorcery overwhelmed; couldn't counter without more magic.
But Old Man Sa, Dawn-Clad Immortal, North Sea Sect leaders were beyond me now. Surviving them fortunate—they were Twelve Rhythms and Liaodong overlords. North Sea Sect aka North Sea Ice Palace spoke volumes.
Reflecting on gains:
'Hua Tuo's now perfect in combat; bonus, condensing/dispersing qi easier.'
Gauged top Twelve Rhythms levels firsthand. Vital experience for my transcendent ascent. Sparring the strongest Twelve Rhythms Lord would end this.
Crossing rugged Changbai peaks to Gom-i basin, I spotted his likely lair. Walked into large village at Changbai foothills—likely Divine Altar Village, Twelve Rhythms base.
Entering Divine Altar Village, a man in puppy mask strode up.
"Hey, welcome Baek Woong. Tough trip?"
"You are?"
"I'm the Twelve Rhythms Lord."
"......"
From the freak in puppy head and full-body suit introducing himself, I realized this final spar wouldn't be smooth.