Heir to the Wolf's Blood (2)
Finishing my meditation, I slowly open my eyes. My mind sinks into boundless calm. Body and spirit cleansed, I grasp the truths of all things.
Five Desires and Seven Emotions—the five desires and seven emotions that torment humanity. Freed from the five desires that plague people: craving for wealth, fame, food, sleep, and lust.
Shaking off the seven emotions that toy with the five senses—eyes, nose, ears, tongue, body—clouding true perception: joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, love, hate, and desire.
Liberated from the heavy shackles of desire and emotion, the world feels infinitely small. This is the unshakeable immovable mind. The Immovable Heart Method.
'Ah... have I finally ascended... to the realm of the absolute... Joyous, yet sorrowful.'
I, Sima Mancheon, the genius who deceives even heaven itself. Like Jesus overcoming the devil's temptations in the wilderness, or Buddha attaining enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree, I've reached that very pinnacle. Truly, heaven above, heaven below, I alone am honored.
My soul, ascended to sainthood, sheds its mortal coil and rises to the heavens. A realm above the clouds, bathed in full moonlight—the assembly hall of the saints.
"Hey~ Jesus, why haven't you started the meeting yet?"
"Ah... Mancheon hasn't arrived yet."
They shake their heads. Looks like I'm late.
Gazing at the saints awaiting me: Jesus, Shakyamuni, Socrates... and even my master. Last time he showed up on a Gundam, and now this—he's everywhere, huh.
Anyway, seeing my master after so long fills my heart with childlike joy.
"Whoa~ Hug me!"
For some reason, my legs don't ache. I spread my arms wide and charge toward my master with all my might.
As I step forward, my body grows younger and younger. Back to my childhood. At ten years old, my master stretches out his long arms and scoops me up.
Like airplane rides, he lifts me high—higher—higher. Thanks to his massive frame, I gaze down at the world from higher than the heavens.
Cheers of praise from the surrounding saints ring out.
"Mancheon, you are Murim's treasure."
"Thus have I come~ Shaolin and Emei concede defeat."
"A new guardian of Murim is born! Raise your cups!!"
Thrilled by their recognition, I swing my arms wildly with an innocent grin.
"Hehe~ More~ More~ Praise me more-!!"
"Hoho~ Of course~ We'll praise you plenty~ But—"
Suddenly, my master's benevolent, steadfast face twists into a demonic grimace. Just like the Immovable Bright King's!
"...Huh?"
"I never forgive a worthless disciple who sleeps during training!!"
My master, now the Immovable Bright King, slams me to the ground with his full might. The ultimate high toss and drop.
"Kyeaaaaack-!!"
Normally, you'd scream on impact and be done, but this is the sky. He hurled me so hard I pierce the clouds, plummeting endlessly toward earth.
Flailing limbs in freefall, no handholds, nowhere to brace. A horrific sensation I'd never want to relive.
...But strangely, I wasn't afraid. Fortunately, I'd realized it.
That I was having a damn dream.
"Sleep well?"
Mukgang's calm voice snaps me awake. I blink and wipe the drool from my mouth.
"...Did I fail learning the Immovable Heart Method?"
"No. You succeeded. Too well, in fact—your mind and body relaxed so much you fell asleep."
I remember now. Unlike my worries about meditation, I'd unexpectedly mastered the unshakeable immovable mind, the Immovable Heart Method, with surprising speed. A classic case of reversed cause and effect.
The Immovable Heart Method is meant to attune to the Bright King's energy for unleashing the Immovable Bright King Step. But I'd already reached the theoretical capability through a loophole. Arriving at the result first naturally brought the process along. Call it getting the knack.
Applying the Bright King's energy sank stray thoughts deep into my mind, making meditation far easier.
...Though dozing off means it's not perfect yet.
Still, I'd learned it.
"Meditation's done. Now, the usage of the Immovable Heart Method."
Passed the written exam, huh? Now for practicals.
Music to my ears. I rise with Mukgang. Sitting cross-legged left my body stiff. Rolling my shoulders and stretching my waist, I suddenly sense killing intent.
If I had to compare, it's like happily hiking when a bear suddenly appears. At first, you stare blankly, then terror freezes your mind and body as the overwhelming predator looms.
My unprepared, soft mind is crushed by Mukgang's killing intent. I grit my teeth and endure.
"Unleash the Immovable Heart Method. Calm your mind and body."
'Warn me first if you're gonna do that! Say something!!'
Irritation surges at his blunt words. If I had low blood pressure, it'd be cured today. I'm pissed, but I don't snap. Breathe out, breathe in.
Draw up the Bright King's energy from my dantian. Where the Immovable Bright King Step spikes and drops in an instant, the Heart Method draws it up slowly, carefully—like ladling water from a well—to the heart.
Embrace the heart pounding wildly in deathly fear. Soothe it. This is the core now.
Channel energy through the heart to my trembling limbs, like aspen leaves. Breathe out, breathe in.
...Finally, raise it to the upper dantian—the brain.
Mukgang says true Murim masters draw it like unsheathing a sword in one swift motion, but I'm not adept yet. Can't flick it on/off like a switch. I handle it gently, like cradling a newborn.
A drop—just a drop—to the brain. My head clears. Killing intent lingers, but fear is gone.
Shake off emotions, perceive things truly. Gaze upon the world. Mirror still as clear water—a mind like a pristine mirror and tranquil pond. Immune to fear, charm, mental abnormalities. Bright King Mode: Sima Mancheon complete.
Unyielding to the killing intent, I calmly face Mukgang, predicting his next move and preparing.
Mukgang halts the intent.
"Activation's slow—not battle-ready, but well done."
As I relax the Bright King's energy at his passing grade, Mukgang reaches out to stop me.
"Don't drop the Heart Method yet. In that state, I'll teach the second form of the Immovable Bright King Step."
I sigh inwardly. Honestly, sustaining Bright King Mode long-term is exhausting. Inner energy drains in real-time, and it demands fine control—slight lapse in focus, and it unravels.
...But I've committed to learning. No whining.
And above all, I want the second form of the Immovable Bright King Step. I crave more knowledge.
I nod, maintaining the energy. Mukgang explains the second form in his usual calm tone.
The Immovable Bright King Step has two usages: the first, the pressing stamp he showed initially; the second, evasion.
Evasion—swift legwork—is tough for a lame guy like me. But Mukgang presses on indifferently.
"Watch. Attack me."
I infuse my staff with power. Sidestepping on my left foot, I gauge distance and range.
Mukgang strides boldly into my range, as if daring me.
I slide in low on my left, thrusting the staff upward from below. Aiming for his jaw.
Dog-Beating Stick Technique—Stick Strikes Rabid Dog—smack the mangy mutt from below.
No holding back in training. If I strike, it's real. I won't learn half-assed moves that suit my level.
Full power to test if the second form's worth my time.
Swoosh—
'...Huh?'
One step. Mukgang casually steps aside, evading my full-force technique effortlessly.
He read the gap mid-motion, slipping to the center with minimal movement.
...Given our skill gap, dodging is expected. But something felt off. Beyond the gap—something more.
Mukgang meets my surprise with the faintest smile.
"Worth learning?"
...He'd seen through my arrogant thoughts, but who cares.
Worth it? What kinda question is that? Minimal moves to dodge a killing blow? Insane frame data. Near precog.
'...I want it.'
Even with emotions suppressed, greed bubbles up. Guess I'll never be a saint, dead or alive.
"Overflowing beyond my worth. Teach me now."
A greedy wolf with stars in his eyes grins at the giant. Licking my chops for fresh prey.
A beautifully manicured garden in the Sima Family Manor, birds chirping sweetly. A sharp wind cuts between Sima Bu and Jang Chunhwa, chatting warmly over lunch.
Not even early spring, yet chilling and razor-edged. A filthy gust laced with the stench of killers.
Sima Bu doffs his outer robe, draping it over his beloved wife to shield her from the murderers' intent.
"My lady, the wind's fierce today. Best head inside."
"You're right. Odd for this time of year."
He orders her disguised guards to protect her well and sends her to the inner chambers.
Sima Bu doesn't follow. Alone in the garden's heart, he stands aloof, shedding the sheep's disguise.
Revealing the filthy hypocrite's true face.
The wolf's face.