Chapter 122: Unexpected Guests (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 122: Unexpected Guests (1)
“Ahem.”
Inside the Sect Leader’s quarters, located a short distance from the Grand Purity Hall of Mount Qingcheng, Song Jeong sat with a grave expression. His eyes were fixed on the Heaven Pillar Heart Method.
He had begun reading the first page with extreme caution, but at some point, he had become completely absorbed by the text.
The harmony between Demonic Qi and the energy cultivated through the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method.
From the very beginning, this was supposed to be an impossible feat.
Demonic Qi was a malevolent force. Without a religious oath or mental conditioning, it was an energy that brought nothing but ruin if harbored within the human body.
To invite such energy in? To circulate it alongside the pure, righteous energy of Qingcheng?
No matter how many subtle truths were hidden within the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method to help a practitioner maintain their sanity, Demonic Qi was still Demonic Qi. It was self-evident that the body would eventually fail to endure it, and the mind would shatter.
“To think he suppressed it using Taiji Empty Heart and the Dark Heaven Bracelet.”
He considered the utility of Taiji Empty Heart.
Though it was said one could easily obtain the basics of the art in any common marketplace, it was a martial art that varied wildly depending on the sincerity of the practitioner. As with most orthodox arts, its primary purpose was to harmonize the internal energies and ensure a smooth flow.
From that perspective, this Taiji Empty Heart must have played the role of a stabilizer, preventing the Demonic Qi and Qingcheng’s energy from clashing and going berserk.
And then there was the Dark Heaven Bracelet.
If the flow of energy within the body was controlled through the Taiji principle, the Dark Heaven Bracelet would have assisted on the mental front. It acted as an anchor for both the qi and the mind, minimizing the corrosive side effects of the Demonic Qi.
‘But can this truly prevent a total collapse?’
Having grasped the general direction of the heart method, he shook his head.
Demonic Qi possessed a truly destructive power. Was Azure Cloud Taoist really the only one who had ever coveted that strength?
While Qingcheng had obsessively collected and analyzed the martial arts of the world, other prestigious orthodox sects also had groups like the Cheongundo operating in the shadows.
In particular, it was said that "all martial arts under heaven originate from Shaolin." Since the dawn of the martial world, Shaolin had maintained specialized organizations dedicated to researching the techniques of other sects.
However, even Shaolin—the sect with the greatest mastery over Demon-Subduing Evil-Destroying arts—had admitted that Demonic Qi was not easily controlled.
In other words, it was a power that refused to be subjugated. It was a force that reacted even more violently the more one tried to force it into submission.
That was the nature of Demonic Qi.
Therefore, in the end, the result should have been no different from what he had predicted.
“What?”
As he turned a few more pages, Song Jeong’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had just read a mnemonic for controlling Demonic Qi using a method he had never even imagined.
“Treating the energy of Qingcheng as External Qi and the Demonic Qi as Internal Qi… is such a thing even possible?”
It was a method of circulating the energies separately without letting them mix. Then, at a specific moment, they would be unified through a powerful impact.
One would think the body couldn't possibly endure such a strain unless it was made of "Golden Clamp and Iron Walls," but…
‘…Still, according to this, it isn’t impossible.’
Song Jeong stared at the secret manual, contemplating the flow of the heart method for a long time.
The energy of Qingcheng, sharp and cold as frost.
The Demonic Qi, like an untamable wild beast.
The two energies fight. If they do, both sides lose. Energies that are polar opposites lead to a massive explosion.
But if they are allowed to coexist…
Just as the Geon and Gon (Heaven and Earth) of the Taiji symbol revolve around each other, Qingcheng would chase the Demonic Qi, and the Demonic Qi would chase Qingcheng. In that constant rotation, the energies would grow even more powerful as they became familiar with one another.
Entwined and chasing for an eternity. If that flow of coexistence could be maintained…
Knock, knock.
“Ah…”
The sound of someone knocking on the door snapped Song Jeong out of his trance.
It was deeply regrettable. He had finally encountered a profound koan that could have served as the catalyst for his own personal breakthrough.
“What is it?”
However, he quickly set his lingering regret aside. If he were to prioritize his own martial arts above all else, he would have simply dug a hole in the mountain and shut himself away years ago.
“I have brought Song Gwan.”
“Tell him to enter.”
Song Jeong rose from his seat.
The Sect Leader. It was a heavy responsibility that involved guiding and managing the numerous disciples of Qingcheng. It was a position that did not allow for a single moment of idleness.
*
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“A-ah, no, thank you.”
Having entered the room, Song Gwan felt a wave of awkwardness at the Sect Leader’s hospitality.
Strictly speaking, he was not someone who should have been part of the Song generation. His master had been a "named disciple" and had not officially entered Song Gwan into the Qingcheng Sect’s register.
It was the current Sect Leader who had insisted on treating him as a member of the Song generation. Because of this, Song Gwan always felt a mixture of gratitude and guilt that made it difficult for him to face Song Jeong.
“Looking at your face, I think I know how you feel without you having to say a word.”
“No, it’s just… back at the Grand Purity Hall, I failed to consider your position, Sect Leader…”
“No. It was only natural. I, too, am someone who favors Seok Myeong, so I was actually pleased.”
“You were, Sect Leader?”
Song Gwan looked at him in surprise. Song Jeong gave a subtle smile and nodded.
“At the time, I reacted harshly because of the many deaths of our disciples and the mention of the Demonic Energy Absorption Art. As you might realize if you were in my shoes, the position of Sect Leader requires a strict distinction between public and private matters.”
“That… is true.”
“I’m glad you understand. At any rate, since you were one of those who experienced the incident firsthand, could you tell me the situation in detail? I’ve heard bits and pieces, but the more I hear, the better I can understand.”
“Yes. It happened like this…”
Song Gwan nodded and began to recount everything he knew.
From the initial appearance of the nameless monsters to Seok Myeong’s arrival, and finally, the mysterious woman who appeared later.
As he listened, Song Jeong’s face repeatedly hardened and relaxed.
When he heard about the inhuman monsters, a shadow fell over his eyes, and he seemed to blame himself for failing to protect his disciples. When Song Gwan described Seok Myeong’s arrival and how he drove the monsters back, a look of relief appeared on the Sect Leader's face.
Then, when Song Gwan described Seok Myeong’s martial arts during the fight against the Black-Clad Woman, his shock became evident.
“You say Black Ink Energy erupted right before your eyes?”
“That is correct.”
“Even though Seok Myeong swung his sword from a distance of more than three jang?”
“Yes.”
“It didn’t fly toward the target as a projectile?”
“No. He swung from a distance where he couldn't possibly reach, but an energy I had never seen before surged up right above the target's head.”
At those words, Song Jeong frowned.
A distance of three jang, and energy erupting directly above the head. If the energy surged up as if blooming, without being fired as a projectile or being channeled through an object, there was only one explanation.
‘Could it be… the Ninth Initial Form of the Heaven and Earth Sword?’
That was the only possibility.
However, it was hard to believe that Seok Myeong had manifested it. No matter what efforts the Cheongundo made or what means they devised, the Ninth Initial Form of the Heaven and Earth Sword was the ultimate martial art of Qingcheng.
Without enlightenment, immense internal energy, and years of experience—without all of those things being perfectly aligned—it was difficult even to attempt the technique. Much less for a member of the Cheongundo…
‘It’s impossible.’
Even Song Jeong, who thought highly of Seok Myeong’s diligence, found this nonsensical. If it were true, it would lead to the conclusion that the traditional teachings of the Qingcheng Sect were insufficient, moving beyond the question of whether the Cheongundo was right or wrong.
“I understand. You may go.”
Regardless, this was a matter that required much thought and a careful approach. At the gentle dismissal, Song Gwan bowed his head.
“Please… please show Seok Myeong some consideration.”
“I am considering him in my own way. My current actions are intended to avoid an extreme situation, so do not worry too much.”
Once Song Gwan bowed again and left, Song Jeong sank back into thought.
The Ninth Initial Form of the Heaven and Earth Sword.
There were many cases where Qingcheng’s sword techniques had been slightly altered or modified to fit a specific constitution by the adventurous hands of the Cheongundo. But even so, the Heaven and Earth Sword had never been included.
It wasn't that the Cheongundo hadn't tried to modify it; it was that no one could use it, so they couldn't even touch it. This was because the Heaven and Earth Sword represented the highest realm of Qingcheng’s martial studies. In Shaolin terms, it would be equivalent to one of the 72 Unique Skills.
‘It would be better if what Seok Myeong unleashed was indeed that.’
Song Jeong chuckled hollowly and shook his head.
It was a realm that no one had reached since the Great Ancestor who founded Qingcheng. As the Sect Leader, he shared the same thirst for the Heaven and Earth Sword, which had not been successfully performed for several generations.
*
“Whew…”
Seok Myeong sat blankly inside the cave for a long time. Now that his body was at rest, a flood of thoughts rushed into his mind.
The deaths of his junior brothers, the bloodthirsty eyes of the monsters, and the scenes of Qingcheng plunged into pain and screams still flickered before him.
‘That day.’
A corner of his chest ached.
That day, during the examination to select the Qingcheng Sword Sovereigns. If he had ignored the presence of the Demonic Person and moved on. If he hadn't left for the Jianghu. And if he hadn't intervened in the matter of his senior, Song Woo-yeong.
Perhaps these tragedies would not have befallen Qingcheng. Such thoughts kept rising as bitter regrets.
— Do not be shaken by useless talk.
— This would have happened eventually, even without you.
— Your arrogance is excessive. Do you really think there hasn't been anyone like you in the long history of Qingcheng?
But the one who shattered Seok Myeong’s regrets was, thankfully, a single remark from Elder Song Ha-myeong. It was as if the Elder had known he would struggle with such thoughts.
“No, Elder. You are absolutely right.”
Thanks to those words, Seok Myeong escaped his futile ruminations. Besides, he didn't have the time to waste on self-pity.
‘Demonic Energy Absorption Art.’
He had certainly learned the Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art of the Cheongundo. But no matter how much he claimed it was a martial art of Qingcheng, in the eyes of some, it would only look like a demonic art.
He didn't know what decision would be reached at the Grand Purity Meeting, but in the worst-case scenario, his martial arts could be crippled, and he might have to live out the rest of his life as a criminal.
That was the one thing that must not happen.
He would rather lose his life than let the efforts of his master and so many legendary predecessors go to waste—he had to prevent the Cheongundo from being completely erased.
Scritch.
Once his mind was made up, Seok Myeong looked for a stone on the ground. Since he had left his brush and paper back in the Heaven Pillar Prison, he had no choice but to express his martial arts like this.
He picked up a particularly hard and sharp stone fragment and approached a flat section of the wall.
Time was short. If his martial arts were crippled, all the techniques dwelling within his body would vanish. He had handed the heart method to the Sect Leader, so the records would remain, but there were still countless experiences and insights that he hadn't been able to include in those pages.
They were the legacy of the Cheongundo members who had harbored the Absorption Art in their bodies before fading away.
‘Can I really leave all of that behind in this small space?’
Seok Myeong recalled the martial arts he had learned. There wasn't a single one he could speak of with absolute certainty. Conversely, there were no parts so flawed that he could easily point them out.
Each martial art had its strengths, and each was sophisticated enough to reach the ultimate peak if mastered. The Basic Sword Techniques hid true essence within their simplicity; the Heterodox Sword Techniques had their own unique flair; and the Absolute Realm martial arts had their own pursued paths.
It was nearly impossible to capture everything these many martial arts sought in a single thing.
“…”
Perhaps because of that, Seok Myeong stood still for a long time, stone in hand. He had created a rough sketch up to the Third Initial Form of the Qingcheng sword techniques, but the forms beyond that were incredibly difficult to touch.
Tap.
The sharp stone fragment touched the wall. While countless martial arts flickered like fireworks in his mind, he stood there for a long, long time.
Screeeech.
Slowly, he began to carve a single sword path.