Chapter 14: Dual Flow Exchange Technique (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: Dual Flow Exchange Technique (1)
By the time the twelfth character for "correct" (正) was carved into the cave wall—each stroke marking a single day—two months had passed.
Swish. Swish. Whoosh.
Having risen early, Seok Myeong was deep into his sword training. He had decided to set aside his usual routine today in favor of intensive swordsmanship practice.
Step. Step. Flare!
Seok Myeong’s sword forms were surprisingly refined. While he hadn't trained as rigorously as the first-generation disciples, he had never been negligent in his practice.
Slash! Clang!
As Seok Myeong swung his sword in every direction, the blade vibrated, emitting a faint, trembling hum. Though the sword's raw intensity was still developing, the transitions between his movements were smooth and natural. This was a result of his personal martial philosophy; he prioritized the "line" over raw speed.
Ch-ch-ch-ring!
At that moment, the blade trembled ever so slightly. Sword resonance only occurs when a warrior becomes truly synchronized with their weapon. Such a clear resonance was proof that Seok Myeong had achieved perfect synchronization with his blade.
"As expected... it's difficult to follow the Heaven and Earth Sword from the fifth form onward."
Seok Myeong, who had been performing the forms in sequence, found himself unable to continue after the fourth. It was a matter of insufficient internal energy. To execute the fifth form, one had to emit a powerful burst of inner qi and utilize the resulting recoil. At the very least, it required a body lightness law capable of propelling the body through the air in rapid succession, supported by a deep reservoir of internal energy.
"Should I rest for a bit?"
Seok Myeong sat down on the floor, drenched in sweat. Time had passed, but his situation remained unchanged. Watching his martial arts stall, he was beginning to feel skeptical about this period of seclusion.
The isolation itself wasn't as stifling as he’d imagined. Perhaps it was because only two months had passed, or perhaps it was because he had always been a loner.
"Hmm..."
While resting, Seok Myeong’s gaze drifted toward the stack of books on one side. Among them, the three volumes in the center were those left by his master.
"Do I really have to convert demonic qi into pure energy?"
Stuck on an unsolvable problem, Seok Myeong blurted out the thought as it came to him. Then, he shook his head vigorously.
"I'm going crazy. To even think of something so ridiculous."
Seok Myeong chuckled. Because he had been obsessing over the Heaven Pillar Heart Method—which he had integrated with the Demonic Energy Absorption Art—he was starting to have delusions. It was a nonsensical thought that disregarded all the efforts of the Azure Cloud Taoist and his peers.
"Damn it, I can't get it out of my head."
Yet, the idea lingered. The more he thought about it, the more his own words circled in his mind. No matter how many times he tried to dismiss it, the concept wouldn't leave him.
"Is there simply no answer?"
Seok Myeong had entered seclusion with high hopes, but exhaustion was setting in. While he had seen results in his training of swordsmanship, leg techniques, and fist techniques, there was almost no progress in his internal energy. Since no solution for the Demonic Energy Absorption Art had presented itself as time slipped away, he felt no sense of accomplishment.
Sitting there blankly, Seok Myeong suddenly shouted.
"Why? Why do I assume it won't work? Is it absolutely necessary to merge them? Combining energies isn't the only truth. Just as strength can sometimes overcome softness, can't I just let both flow without obstructing each other?"
Seok Myeong’s monologue continued, his voice growing more animated.
"Divide them into two distinct streams—demonic qi in one, and pure energy in the other. Then the two energies will naturally possess equal power. If the demonic qi tries to run wild, the pure energy of equal strength will suppress it... Ah!"
Seok Myeong’s expression froze. He looked shocked by his own realization. He immediately scrambled to the corner of the cave where the martial arts manuals were kept.
"Dual Flow Exchange Technique!"
It was a heart method he had discovered by chance in the Azure Moon Storehouse. It was a technique that allowed a practitioner to operate two types of energy simultaneously using a single imaginary point. Seok Myeong had found his path within that obscure martial art.
"With this... perhaps..."
Picking up the book, Seok Myeong was filled with a sudden surge of anticipation. He would generate two types of energy separately. One would be through the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method. The other would be the demonic qi absorbed through the Demonic Energy Absorption Art. Even if the direction of the qi circulation differed, the nature of the energy itself wouldn't change. He would hold each energy and let them grow while keeping each other in check.
"It's possible. It has to be."
Seok Myeong opened the book and re-read the contents of the Dual Flow Exchange Technique, focusing on the most critical passage.
To circulate two types of energy simultaneously, one must decide where to place the primary imaginary point.
Should it be in the lower dantian, the middle dantian, or the upper dantian? Each has its pros and cons, but I believe placing it in the lower dantian is the most correct. This is because the source of internal energy resides in the lower dantian. Furthermore, the lower dantian is the best focal point for circulating both the internal and external heavenly circuits.
With shining eyes, Seok Myeong activated the Demonic Energy Absorption Art.
*
He had formed a new plan.
While operating the Dual Flow Exchange Technique, he would draw in pure energy with the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method in one channel and demonic qi with the Demonic Energy Absorption Art in the other. Then, the two energies would meet at a single imaginary point. At this stage, he would use the Taiji Empty Heart to prevent the energy from leaking out of his body.
Instead of trying to force them to merge as he had done before, he would assign the Taiji Empty Heart a supporting role to ensure the energies moved smoothly. Then, using the power of the Dark Heaven Bracelet, he would transform the demonic nature of the energy into something more supple. Before the internal energy settled in his body, some heterodox energy might seep in, but it would be different from pure demonic qi. As the two energies flowed through his body, they would be neutralized into an energy that was neither purely orthodox nor entirely evil.
"Let's do this."
Seok Myeong opened the manual. Once his mind was made up, he began to learn the Demonic Energy Absorption Art. The activation method was written as chaotically as a shamanic spell. Only after keeping the energy in a state of standby around his body for a considerable amount of time was he able to begin the absorption.
"Ugh!"
As the strange energy surrounding him entered his body, Seok Myeong let out a sharp groan. It didn't seep in naturally; it felt as if it were carving wounds into his flesh, forcing its way through the cracks.
Thump!
Just as he was experiencing this harrowing sensation, a powerful shock rocked his internals. Although it had been modified, the Demonic Energy Absorption Art was essentially no different from the Demonic Cult's energy-draining arts. The energy absorbed through it was a demonic qi so potent that a single mistake could lead to loss of consciousness and immediate qi deviation.
'Ngh!'
This time, Seok Myeong recited the mnemonic for the Dual Flow Exchange Technique. A moment later, something flashed and split inside his body. Two types of energy began to flow slowly through his meridians.
'Now!'
Seok Myeong summoned the Taiji Empty Heart. As the energies fluctuated wildly, he tried to calm them. However, the demonic qi refused to obey. It moved of its own accord, violent and erratic.
'What? That shouldn't be possible!'
As the demonic qi surged, the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method began to circulate along with it. Under the influence of the Dual Flow Exchange Technique, they began to move in tandem.
At that moment, Seok Myeong’s face turned deathly pale. This was unexpected. The energies were circulating on their own, but they were slipping beyond his control. It felt like a ballooning pressure within his vessels that would burst at the slightest touch. Operating two heart methods simultaneously was difficult enough, but Seok Myeong now found himself in a situation where four distinct energies were roaming his body at once. It was only natural that he was struggling to maintain his senses.
Wooooong—!
Just as he was caught in a deadlock, unable to move or breathe, the Dark Heaven Bracelet wrapped around his arm began to vibrate. Energy originating from his wrist instantly spread to every corner of his body, suppressing the demonic qi that was swirling around his lower dantian.
"Th-this is incredible."
It was astounding. The energy he thought he could never control was suppressed in an instant. The demonic qi became as docile as if it had never been wild to begin with.
"Ah..."
Had he been circulating his qi for about four hours? Seok Myeong gathered the energy into his dantian and examined his body. He couldn't yet judge exactly what changes had occurred. The Azure Wind Origin Heart Method wasn't naturally a fierce energy, but perhaps because of the demonic qi, it now reacted with intense vigor.
The physical transformation was remarkable. Seok Myeong stood up and gripped his sword. He took a stance, looking forward. He attempted a sword-throwing technique where one infused the blade with qi before launching it.
Swish!
BOOM!
Seok Myeong froze. The explosion was far greater than he had anticipated. He had become stronger—significantly so. He was shocked that he could gain such massive energy in just four hours.
On the other hand, he felt a cold sense of dread. He hadn't even reached half a cycle (30 years) of energy yet, but he was strong enough for the "Azure Wind" to manifest from his body. If so, what would happen once he surpassed one cycle? How strong would he become after two or three cycles? And if that energy ever ran wild, would he truly be able to stop it?
"By then, I'd probably have to undergo a metamorphosis just to survive..."
Seok Myeong stood there for a long time, his expression a complicated mask that was neither a smile nor a cry.
*
Early in the morning, the area in front of the Palace of Supreme Clarity was bustling. Over five hundred people had gathered, creating a dense crowd. Among them were elderly men dressed in Azure Sutra Robes. Seeing that Song Mun and Song Hak were also present, it appeared the Elder Council had come out personally to receive someone.
"He is coming."
At the sound of a voice, all eyes turned. A dozen or so people were climbing the mountain path in a line. The elders hurried forward to meet them.
"You have returned."
Song Hak stepped forward and offered a formal greeting. Seeing this, the disciples of Qingcheng bowed in unison. The sight of hundreds of martial artists performing the same movement simultaneously was a grand spectacle.
"There was no need for everyone to come out like this."
A man who stood barely five feet tall spoke with a smile. He was an elderly man with a hunched back, drooping eyelids, and a gentle expression, looking no different from any other grandfather. However, he was Song Jeong, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng, a man who had once set the martial world ablaze with his name. He was infinitely benevolent toward those of Qingcheng, but he was a man who strictly demanded etiquette and formality when dealing with outsiders.
"Did everyone arrive safely?"
Song Jeong spoke while looking to his side. He was addressing Song Mun, who had approached and was bowing low.
"Yes, I arrived in advance as per your orders, Sect Leader."
"And the task I instructed?"
"Yes, we searched diligently as you said, but..."
Song Jeong’s expectant eyes fixed on him.
"Unfortunately... nothing special was discovered."
At those words, a brief flash of disappointment crossed Song Jeong’s face, but it quickly returned to his usual calm. Song Jeong stroked his beard.
"Mmm, I suppose so. It is not an object that can be found so easily. It might not even exist."
Song Jeong stroked his beard and glanced back. Perhaps because he had been traveling for a long time, his face showed signs of fatigue.
"I have something to discuss privately. You two, follow me."
"Yes."
Song Hak and Song Mun bowed together. Having finished the brief conversation, Song Jeong spoke in a loud, clear voice.
"Everyone looks exhausted, so let us unpack first."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
Once the Sect Leader gave the word, the elders finally began to move. Most of the Qingcheng swordsmen returned to their quarters, while the heavy luggage was sorted and handled by the disciples.
"Will Taoist Mueun and Taoist Mujeong join us as well?"
The Sect Leader, who had been watching the sect members move about busily, spoke softly. No one was looking at him, and his voice was very low, yet Song Jeong spoke as if addressing someone standing right beside him before walking away.
He had barely taken a few steps when it happened.
Slide. Slide.
From the shadows, two elders with expressions as stiff as wood appeared behind Song Jeong. One had a cloth wrapped around his eyes, and the other had something covering his ears. They looked as rugged and weathered as wild men of the mountains.