Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Song of Ice and Fire (2)
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I pushed my concentration to the absolute limit.
Unlike simply aiding her qi circulation through the True Qi Guidance technique.
This time, I had to transfer the overflowing internal energy directly into her.
One wrong move, and I could even pull out the internal energy that had originally taken root in Sister Seol's body.
If I committed such a blunder in this situation.
The delicate balance I'd intervened to maintain would collapse in an instant.
And the future awaiting me afterward?
If I ran, I'd be branded a public enemy of the martial world. If I couldn't run, it'd be the death penalty.
Even the Demonic Cult, judging by the recent atmosphere, would surely reject me with an "Oh, this is a bit much."
Was it a coincidence?
Or inevitability?
The Soul Moon Divine Eyes played a pivotal role in the process.
They let me see clearly: her internal meridians, the internal energy originally in Sister Seol's body, the true qi I'd infused, and even the ice crystal's energy thrashing wildly.
There was a world of difference between simply sensing it and actually seeing it when it came to controlling the flow.
Slowly, very slowly.
While protecting Sister Seol's dantian, I drew any excess energy she couldn't handle into my Longevity Acupoint.
Was it the backlash of handling too much at once?
Blood vessels burst in my eyes, blurring my vision.
Blood trickled from my nose as well.
But bit by bit, inch by inch.
As I absorbed the ice crystal's energy, the strain on my body actually began to lessen.
It was like massive icebergs plopping into a vast ocean.
Those icebergs didn't melt away immediately; instead, they carved out their own domains in one corner of the sea.
The cold no longer bit at me.
The sweat that had poured like rain, forming frost, finally stopped flowing.
Color began returning to Sister Seol's pale face.
Once stability returned, my instincts told me.
This was a stroke of fortune for me too.
A man's constitution, inherently strong in yang energy—even with the Heavenly Martial Body—made it hard to build up yin energy.
Yet the Northern Bright Divine Art accepted it, incorporating it fully.
...Not that I'd intended to.
While aiding her True Qi Guidance, I'd also internalized the circulation path of the Ice Jade Divine Art that Sister Seol cultivated.
I didn't know the full incantation, so I couldn't form it properly, but right now, I felt confident I could wield ice arts.
Wield it. It's already inside you...!
With enough leisure to entertain stray thoughts.
Sister Seol's condition rapidly stabilized.
Now, I just needed to stop absorbing the ice crystal's energy and help the remaining power harmonize within her.
I pulled my hands away from her lower abdomen and chest, scurried behind her, and pressed my Longevity Acupoint to her back again.
Just in case.
What if, hypothetically.
She claimed I'd toyed with her bare skin, even groping her modestly sized breasts that fit neatly in my hand... Waaah, take responsibility!
With the rigid Confucian chastity notions of ancient, barbaric China, that was entirely possible.
...As for that old hag Soon Deok, we'll chalk it up to her Blood Cult background rotting her brain.
Anyway.
I couldn't interfere with Sister Seol's moment of enlightenment.
About an hour passed in that state.
"Huuu..."
Finally, I felt Sister Seol gather her internal energy.
No more True Qi Guidance needed now.
I carefully removed my hand from her back.
Was it from continuously infusing yang-strong qi, or from pressing my palm there so long?
A large handprint was imprinted on Sister Seol's back, like a Buddha's palm strike.
"Euu..."
That must hurt.
Her silver hair, fluttering wildly with the surging qi, began settling back into place.
And then.
"Huuu..."
After witnessing her long, deep sigh.
"I-I'll, uh, take my leave then."
Enlightenment is something to sort out alone, by nature.
Not wanting to meet eyes with the now-conscious Sister Seol in this state, I bolted.
I brushed off the frost clinging to my clothes, circulated my yang energy, and air-dried myself in seconds.
While here, I headed to my personal training hall.
The wall I'd smashed before was perfectly repaired, and the reinforced iron plates I'd ordered with my own money had arrived.
Once is a mistake.
Twice is on purpose...
Having seen Sister Seol's back, Cheon Luri's back popped into my head too.
One of the few downsides to perfect recall.
Shaking off the stray thought, I extended my hand and began slowly circulating the ice energy as I'd felt it before.
One cycle.
Two cycles.
Three cycles.
At first, nothing changed.
But gradually, a damp sensation crept into my fingertips.
A chunk of iceberg floating in my dantian melted into my meridians and trickled down.
The wild dance became a flow, and the flow settled into icy stillness.
I put on my most arrogant expression, struck a pose rivaling a navy admiral, and intoned grandly.
"Ice Age."
I chanted the invocation for an ultimate technique that could freeze even the ocean.
Plop, plip plop.
As the air chilled, a few pathetic ice shards—not even worthy of icicles—fell from my palm to the floor.
"......"
Embarrassed, I glanced around.
Thank goodness no one was nearby.
Can't expect more from crudely mimicking the mental method.
If I snag proper ice arts and memorize the incantation, it'll improve.
For now, conjuring this much moisture from thin air is enough.
At least I won't die of thirst if shipwrecked.
And if I suddenly return to the modern world like this? I could land an ice maker or AC repair gig at a cafe.
In extreme cold that could freeze everything.
Even with all five senses numbed, Moyong Seol desperately focused.
Startled by the pure yin energy far stronger than anticipated, she was immensely grateful for the warm thread weaving through her body.
Following that guidance, she absorbed the ice crystal's energy bit by bit, making it her own.
Before she knew it, the warmth enveloped not just her meridians but her dantian too, filling her with certainty: she wouldn't die here.
How much time passed?
"Huuu..."
After gathering all the energy herself, Moyong Seol opened her eyes and examined herself.
Her instincts screamed she'd come closer to death than ever before.
Yet she felt her internal energy surge more than from any ice crystal she'd taken till now.
A bit more insight into enlightenment, and she'd leap from early Superb to full-fledged Superb in one go.
"Sihyeon?"
She sought Geum Sihyeon to express her gratitude.
But he was already gone.
He'd probably stepped away after providing all the help, leaving her to consolidate it alone.
Guilt welled up.
She'd only meant to ask for light assistance, but now she owed him her life.
"Haa..."
Moyong Seol sighed and lowered her head.
And then.
She saw it.
A large handprint near her middle dantian—on what she modestly called her breasts, not exactly large.
Lowering her gaze further.
Another vivid handprint right above her lower dantian.
Only then did she fully realize the situation she'd been in moments ago.
And exactly how Geum Sihyeon had helped her.
She was a martial artist before she was a woman.
Exposing her back for training was no big deal.
But not her back...
"Hauuu...!"
Moyong Seol's face flushed crimson.
In a panic from the overwhelming shame, she threw on her undergarments, but her pounding heart wouldn't calm.
Of course, she couldn't blame Geum Sihyeon.
Without that method, she'd already be dead.
But.
But, but, but...!
Why did her face burn hotter with every passing second?
He was an academy freshman, a much younger junior, sturdy and cheerful—someone she quite liked, but only as a little brother. Yeah, a little brother's friend, and eight years younger too.
When she first gripped a sword and began grueling training.
Geum Sihyeon was just learning to walk, toddling around adorably... He'd been cute since childhood...
Wait, wait wait wait...!
Moyong Seol's thoughts spiraled wildly.
I spent the weekend at home comfortably—no, not comfortably thanks to that old lady—but returned to the academy.
"Long time no see, Geum boy. Things going well with Soon Deok?"
The moment our eyes met, Moyong Taek spewed nonsense, so I wrapped my arm around his head and wrestled him.
Should've just let Soon Deok kill him back then.
The youngest, Unhak—who should properly greet his senior with a deep bow instead— insolently sat cross-legged, lost in Mind-Image Sword Debate.
"What's with him? He doesn't usually do that."
"You're late to the news."
Moyong Taek handed me a flyer.
1st Junior Clear Mirror Still Water
Mind-Image Sword Debate Championship
VR Iron Fist addicts scaling up, huh.
No.
It's all our Ten Thousand Gold Hall customers.
"What's this about?"
"Exactly as it says: a tournament via Mind-Image Sword Debate. Only young martial artists under 40 can join, and the grand prize is a Great Return Pill."
"What."
"Yawn"-grade usually meant impurities in processing or mistakes, not full potency.
Still, a Great Return Pill.
The elixir of elixirs that propelled me to Supreme Under Heaven.
That thrill of 5% odds sneaking into the abbot's quarters, then 3% more to steal it...
Drool pooled in my mouth.
Sister Seol's... well, anyway, while siphoning ice crystal energy next to her.
Elixirs definitely had grades.
Worlds apart from the low-grade ones I'd shoveled down with family cash—my internal energy had skyrocketed.
With a Great Return Pill?
Superb at twenty.
If I wrote a self-help book, it'd top the martial world bestsellers instantly—a monumental feat.
I snatched the flyer from Useok and devoured it intently.
Realms capped at Peak.
Daring Superb to beat Peak?
Sword aura in 3D debate?
Overwhelmingly positive.
Preliminaries: single elimination, advances by cumulative points.
Finals: bracketed multi-match.
What caught my eye especially.
[For fairness, the Mind-Image Sword Debate Championship will use anonymous dedicated devices provided by sponsor Ten Thousand Gold Hall. Existing devices cannot be used.]
"Anonymous, huh."
So I can use demonic arts—no, divine arts—without issue.
This screams winner.
1st Junior Clear Mirror Still Water Mind-Image Sword Debate Champion: Geum Sihyeon.
The Great Return Pill smiled at me like Buddha himself.
"Where do I sign up?"