Chapter 112: The Sword Techniques of Qingcheng (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: The Sword Techniques of Qingcheng (2)
“Instructor.”
“…….”
“Instructor!”
“…Hmm?”
Lost in thought, Seok Jun flinched and turned his head at the sound of someone calling him. A young child, drenched in sweat, was looking up at him expectantly.
“I’m not sure which form comes next.”
Hearing the child’s words, Seok Jun looked around with a dazed expression. The other children behind him had all stopped their practice and were staring at him. Only then did Seok Jun remember the last movement he had taught them.
“Weapons that strike like staves are fundamentally composed of linked movements: striking the side, dropping low, and then rising back up.”
The children focused intently on Seok Jun’s words.
“The best way to counter this is not to thrust your sword blindly, but to observe how the enemy attacks and act accordingly. For example, if the opponent aims for your lower body, you must use a sword technique that targets their upper body instead. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then we shall conclude for today.”
“Yes, sir!”
As soon as the lesson ended, the child who had spoken earlier shouted to the others. In an instant, the children gave Seok Jun a formal fist-and-palm salute and hurried back into the Martial Arts Hall.
“I’ve been so distracted lately.”
Watching the children move away, Seok Jun sat down on a chair placed at the edge of the training ground.
“Huh?”
As Seok Jun was staring at the trees planted along the perimeter, someone walked onto the grounds. It was Seok Hu, who had recently been appointed as the assistant instructor.
“Where have you been?” Seok Jun asked, curious about Seok Hu’s sudden disappearance.
“I was just at the Azure Peak Pavilion.”
“The Azure Peak Pavilion? Why?”
“Well, that is…”
Seok Hu’s voice trailed off at Seok Jun’s question. However, unable to withstand Seok Jun’s piercing gaze, he continued.
“There are rumors circulating about Seok Myeong Sahyung.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“They say the Five Dragons are now the Six Dragons—and that the new Sixth Dragon is Myeong Sahyung…”
Seok Jun’s eyes widened. “Is that true?”
“The rumor seems to have spread quite far through the Jianghu. It’s so prominent lately that it was even announced in the official reports sent to the Azure Peak Pavilion.”
“Hahaha…”
As Seok Jun let out a laugh, Seok Hu stole a glance at his expression. To his surprise, Seok Jun didn’t look displeased. There was no hint of pretense in his laughter.
“Are you not angry?”
“About what?”
“That Myeong Sahyung became one of the Six Dragons before you, Jun Sahyung.”
“Why should I be angry?”
“Well…” Seok Hu started to speak his mind but stopped. He felt it might make the atmosphere awkward.
As if reading his thoughts, Seok Jun said with a smile, “Seok Hu, I’m fine.”
“Pardon?”
“In fact, I feel quite good. How long has it been since a disciple of Qingcheng was chosen as one of the most outstanding rising stars in the Jianghu?”
“Seok Jun Sahyung…”
Seok Hu hesitated. It was difficult to tell if the man was being sincere. However, Seok Jun’s following words made him realize that his senior was truly different than before.
“Seok Hu, listen.”
“Yes, Sahyung.”
“I want to be strong. I truly want to become powerful.”
“…….”
“That is why I will let go of my pride. I am willing to do anything to become stronger.”
For my own sake.
To make my vessel even larger.
He swallowed the rest of his words. Even for him, saying such things aloud felt a bit embarrassing.
*
After completing the Azure Origin Heart Method, Seok Myeong began to devote himself day and night to his new sword technique.
He named it the Qingcheng Sword Technique.
The Qingcheng Heart Method and the Qingcheng Sword Technique.
In a way, the names were so grand they seemed to encompass everything about the sect, yet in another sense, they were humble in their simplicity. Seok Myeong chose these names because of his own resolve. He wanted to create a sword technique and a heart method that symbolized the Qingcheng Sect.
His wish was to create martial arts that would make people think of the sect immediately upon hearing the name—much like Shaolin’s Marrow Cleansing Classic and Muscle Tendon Changing Classic, or Wudang’s Taiji Fist.
Therefore, in creating the sword technique, the most important factor was not inventing something entirely new, but how harmoniously he could integrate the existing martial arts.
There were now about fifty initial forms that could no longer be condensed through meditation alone. As Seok Myeong practiced the forms, he only managed to exclude four more over several days. Finding overlapping parts was an incredibly difficult task.
Having organized the forms from beginning to end, Seok Myeong now turned his attention elsewhere. It was the question of how to structure the very first form.
“Should I emphasize the powerful momentum of the Heaven and Earth Sword? Or should I use a starting stance like the Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword to respond to the opponent’s attack? Or perhaps I should hold the sword at an angle and use it like an ordinary technique?”
Since this was his first time creating a sword technique, it wasn't easy. Every option seemed good, yet upon further reflection, every option seemed flawed.
Seok Myeong began to stay up through the nights once again. Since the first form would determine which subsequent forms to keep and which to discard, his mind was inevitably filled with complexity.
A few more days passed.
Seok Myeong visualized all the sword techniques he knew. Without any specific agenda, he simply pondered how those techniques had been created. The forms of each sword technique represented something the creator desired. Through the flow of qi and the intent behind the movements, they spoke to the descendants who would learn the arts.
When he thought of the Heaven and Earth Sword, he felt as if he had become a wild beast. Contained within the technique was a tenacity that refused to retreat even against a stronger foe, and the spirit that supported that resolve.
The Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword was imbued with the spirit of Qingcheng. It felt as though it proclaimed that there was nothing the sword could not do, and no one the sword could not defeat.
The Pine Wind Sword… it pointed toward the wind blowing through Mount Qingcheng. It moved as it came and advanced as it went—was that not the very wind of Qingcheng? That was what it seemed to say.
Seok Myeong visualized his own Qingcheng Sword Technique in his mind. Then, the magnificent spirit of Qingcheng, rising alone amidst the misty mountains, appeared before his eyes.
As he looked deeper, he saw many Taoists living within. Each was living diligently, harboring their own dreams. He saw disciples who had mastered the orthodox martial arts, and those appointed as Azure Cloud Taoists to research techniques. Though their immediate tasks differed, they all looked toward the same place.
To live a life worthy of Qingcheng!
He felt their intense pride, as well as their stubbornness and persistence, but their eyes were fixed on a single point. It was the spirit of an Orthodox sect that would not compromise with injustice.
The stubbornness of Qingcheng.
The Gang of Qingcheng.
It completely filled his vision. In that moment, Seok Myeong stood up. He drew the sword from his waist.
“Softness cannot overcome hardness.”
The moment Seok Myeong drew his sword, someone seemed to whisper to him. Even though he hadn't taken any action yet, it was as if the voice knew exactly what he was about to do and offered a comment in advance.
Seok Myeong raised his sword. Since the voice had spoken, it was now his turn to answer. He moved, pouring the words he wanted to say into his blade.
The strength of Qingcheng is not a closed-off strength.
It is not a mere burst of power.
It is an inner strength, a strength against injustice. It is a terrible patience and a thorough discipline.
The strength of Qingcheng is… to persevere until the very end of one's life.
Seok Myeong expressed those words through his sword. A powerful current of air flowing along the blade swirled endlessly within the cave.
*
It was exactly fifteen days after Cheol So-yeon’s arrival that Cheol Mu-jin returned to the Golden Martial Association. As soon as he returned, he called for Cheol So-yeon and went straight to his room.
Sitting on the floor, he closed his eyes as if deep in thought and remained motionless for a long time.
“It is Cheol So-yeon.”
“Come in.”
When Cheol So-yeon entered, he greeted her while sitting with his back perfectly straight. When he finally opened his eyes, dark shadows were visible beneath them, as if he were burdened by some great worry.
Cheol Mu-jin spoke first. “I heard you had a safe journey.”
“Yes.”
“I am glad to see you look healthy. There must have been many dangers; you’ve done well.”
“I told you, I’m all grown up now.”
Cheol So-yeon accepted his praise and immediately asked a question in return. “But Grandfather, are you ill?”
“Hmm? Why do you ask?”
“Your expression is darker than usual…”
Cheol Mu-jin touched his face and asked playfully, “Do I really look that way?”
“Yes.”
“Haha, perhaps it is because it’s almost time for me to die.”
“Don’t say such things.”
When Cheol So-yeon glared at him, Cheol Mu-jin nodded as if conceding.
“By the way, what happened with that boy?”
“Pardon?”
“The Qingcheng Taoist. The one who went with you.”
“We parted ways, of course.”
“Nothing happened between you?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Tsk… what a shame.”
“Grandfather!”
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”
Cheol Mu-jin let out another small laugh. Cheol So-yeon didn't say much in response. Normally, she would have launched into a long lecture, but seeing Cheol Mu-jin acting so unlike himself gave her an uneasy feeling.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes.”
“About his martial arts.”
For a moment, a spark returned to Cheol Mu-jin’s eyes. It was the look he had when his curiosity was piqued.
Cheol So-yeon hesitated for a moment before continuing. “It seemed like standard Qingcheng martial arts.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, there was nothing particularly unusual about it.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Cheol Mu-jin seemed to drift into old memories for a moment. But it was brief. His expression hardened again, returning to the state it was in before Cheol So-yeon had entered the room.
“I’ll be going now.”
Cheol So-yeon decided she should leave quickly. Since Cheol Mu-jin had never been like this before, she didn't want to bother him unnecessarily.
“Child. If, by any chance…”
It was just as she turned around to open the door. Cheol Mu-jin called out to her.
“This is just a hypothetical, but…”
When Cheol So-yeon looked back, Cheol Mu-jin paused. Then, he turned his gaze forward and spoke.
“If I were to go under the Samu Alliance, what would you do?”
“Under the Samu Alliance?”
Cheol So-yeon asked again, sounding bewildered. Cheol Mu-jin nodded with a heavy expression.
“Yes. The Samu Alliance.”