Chapter 16: Internal and External Heavenly Circuits (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Internal and External Heavenly Circuits (1)
Time flowed like a relentless river.
For Seok Myeong, the days passed even faster than when he had been buried in his books. He structured his life into three disciplined segments.
In the mornings, he researched the theory of martial arts; in the afternoons, he honed his sword techniques; and in the evenings, he immersed himself in heart method cultivation. He did not allow a single breath to go to waste.
His life was on the line.
While his dedication to training had always been exceptional, anyone in his desperate position would have been driven to the same extremes.
One evening, while Seok Myeong was deep in his usual heart method cultivation, a thunderous roar suddenly erupted within his body, accompanied by a surge of agonizing pain.
But the agony was fleeting, quickly replaced by a refreshing, transcendent pleasure. A brilliant light pierced through his mind’s eye, illuminating his entire world.
This happened despite the fact that his eyes were tightly shut.
The Ren and Du meridians have been pierced.
One of the greatest barriers blocking Seok Myeong’s path had finally crumbled.
Previously, Seok Myeong had been nothing more than an ordinary first-class warrior. Now, in a single bound, he had bypassed the level of a first-class master and stood at the threshold of the Peak Realm.
By the standards of the Nine Great Sects, it was a respectable achievement, but in the context of the wider Central Plains, Seok Myeong’s progress was staggering. It was rare to find a master who reached such a realm in their early thirties.
Of course, there were monsters even younger than him who had already achieved the state of Five Qi Converging to the Origin.
Namely, Yeon-hui and Seok Jun.
However, they were outliers in terms of both talent and upbringing, making them poor subjects for comparison.
As Seok Myeong basked in the sensation of his internal energy racing smoothly through his newly opened Ren and Du meridians, something else happened.
What is this?
His body, which he thought would settle, began to tremble violently once more.
His inner qi began to swell like a flash flood, filling him with an overwhelming sense of abundance.
And then...
Something flowing within his body slithered upward toward the crown of his head.
Gleams of azure, red, black, white, and yellow energy spiraled out from his crown, taking on distinct forms. Without him even intending it, his body floated half a jang into the air.
F-Five Qi Converging to the Origin?
Seok Myeong was struck with pure shock.
In the martial world, the Ren and Du meridians are often called the Life-Death Barrier. The name implied they were so difficult to pierce that one might die in the attempt.
He had been celebrating the opening of those meridians just moments ago, but that wasn't the end. He hadn't just cleared the Life-Death Barrier; he had leaped across two or three more stages instantly.
“But why…?”
Seok Myeong was bewildered, but the realization soon dawned on him.
It was because he had rapidly increased his internal energy by absorbing a vast amount of qi in a short time through the Demonic Energy Absorption Art.
However, one question remained.
To reach such a high realm, one usually required a moment of profound enlightenment. Yet, Seok Myeong had experienced no such epiphany when his meridians opened or when he achieved the Five Qi Converging to the Origin.
It had simply happened—sudden, abrupt, and overwhelming.
I thought this realm would only be possible after at least another half a year of training. To think it’s unfolding before my eyes right now.
Seok Myeong was confused, but in truth, this was a natural phenomenon.
He simply hadn't realized it himself. His level of enlightenment had reached that stage long ago. His ability to perceive the essence of things had already grown to rival that of his late master, True Person Song Hye.
Unaware of this fact, Seok Myeong was simply astonished and overjoyed by the changes. Before he knew it, he had more than met the basic requirements to become a true Qingcheng swordsman.
One Cycle… no, it might be even more than that.
His Dantian had expanded to a size that was difficult to estimate. Unlike the shallow lower Dantian of his past, it had become a vast sea of qi. Energy he could never have imagined before was now writhing within his meridians.
Unable to contain his excitement, Seok Myeong stood up and gripped his sword. He wondered if his transformed physical state would bring about a change in his sword techniques as well.
“The Heaven and Earth Sword, Sixth Initial Form… Yes, the sixth form.”
In truth, the Heaven and Earth Sword that Seok Myeong had learned was slightly different from the original.
He had heard that it was a version improved by a man named Azure Cloud Taoist during his grandmaster’s time. After creating the improved Heaven and Earth Sword, the man had vanished without a trace.
Since he was an unknown master, the story lacked credibility, but up until the Fifth Initial Form, the techniques were far more effective and advantageous than the original version.
“If I’ve performed up to the fifth form this excellently, the sixth form shouldn't be wrong either.”
The illustration for the Sixth Initial Form of the Heaven and Earth Sword, as redesigned by Azure Cloud Taoist, depicted a pulling motion, yet the name of the form suggested a pushing motion. Depending on the viewer, the drawing could also be interpreted as the moment just before pushing from the inside out.
If he could find its true meaning, he would be able to grasp the essence of the technique. Furthermore, he might be able to elevate his mastery from five stars to six stars.
“Let’s try it.”
With firm resolve, Seok Myeong moved his sword and drew upon his internal energy.
Then, in an instant—
BOOM!
A deafening roar erupted, and a brilliant white light blanketed the wall.
Thick dust billowed out as a violent wind gusted through Seok Myeong’s vision before dissipating.
Sssshhh.
As his vision cleared, the aftermath of the strike revealed itself. The ceiling of the cave, three feet above, had collapsed.
“I… Sword Aura…?”
Seok Myeong, who had previously only been able to produce Sword Shadows, was stunned.
It was unmistakably Sword Aura—the invisible, cutting force that only those who have reached the Peak Realm can manifest.
Moreover, it was a sharp blade of Sword Aura nearly a foot long.
Seok Myeong stared at the shattered cave wall, his mouth agape.
*
In a terrain filled with rocks as steep as cliffs, an old man was surveying his surroundings.
He wasn't following a proper path, yet he moved skillfully through the jagged gaps. The sharp stones protruding along the way didn't seem to hinder him in the slightest.
Song Gwan was busy as usual, tending to the management of Chaoyang Cave.
“Oh? Senior Brother?”
Walking in front of Chaoyang Cave, Song Gwan encountered another elderly man. It was a face he knew well.
“Have you been well?”
Song Mun greeted him with a look of genuine pleasure.
“Ah… it has been a long time, Senior Brother.”
Though they were technically of the same generation, Song Gwan was an unregistered disciple. Because of that, many elders of the "Song" generation did not truly acknowledge him as a junior brother. They merely regarded him as a first-generation disciple in name only.
However, there were exceptions, and Taoist Song Mun was one of them.
Perhaps because he had been very close to Song Hye in the past, he looked at Song Gwan with the same regard Song Hye once had. Consequently, his attitude toward Song Gwan was different from that of the other brothers.
“If you had given me word, I would have come out to meet you.”
“No need. I didn't come here to be treated with such formality.”
Song Mun offered a bright smile to the cautious Song Gwan. Consideration was hidden in every word he spoke.
After looking down with a benevolent expression and slowly scanning the surroundings, Song Mun continued.
“Let’s sit for a moment.”
Song Mun walked over to a protruding rock and sat down. Even though there was a sheer cliff below where the wind whistled, he seemed perfectly at ease.
Song Gwan soon approached and sat on the rock beside him.
“Has something happened at the main sect? For Senior Brother Song Mun to visit this place personally…”
“Hahaha, do you wish for something to happen at the headquarters?”
“No! Not at all. How could I harbor such a wicked thought?”
“Heh, I’m joking.”
Song Mun grinned and looked at Song Gwan.
“By the way, you haven't changed a bit.”
“Pardon?”
“That habit of your face turning red when you’re flustered.”
Song Gwan looked away awkwardly. It was embarrassing to have a habit he was well aware of pointed out so bluntly.
“How has Seok Myeong been lately?” Song Mun changed the subject.
“I haven't seen him for a while.”
“Why? I heard he was staying nearby.”
“He entered Chaoyang Cave for closed-door cultivation.”
“Since when?”
“It has been a year now.”
“I see…” Song Mun murmured, his voice trailing off.
A strange look flickered in his eyes, causing Song Gwan to tilt his head in confusion.
“It’s nothing. Thinking of the boy just reminded me of Senior Brother Song Hye for a moment.”
Song Mun wore a sheepish expression before continuing.
“Please, look after him, even if it’s just you.”
“…”
“It must be hard for him. Song Hak always despised Senior Brother Song Hye, didn't he? He’ll try to find any excuse to cast the boy out.”
Song Mun had known for a long time that Song Hak disliked Seok Myeong. Though he had feigned ignorance, he believed that Song Hak’s previous actions hadn't truly been for Seok Myeong’s benefit.
“I will do my best to help him. After all, I owe so much to Senior Brother Song Hye.”
“Indeed… Song Hye cherished you more than anyone.”
Song Gwan nodded in understanding.
And so, their conversation began. They talked about everything from the newly admitted second-generation disciples to events that occurred during travels through the Jianghu, and the current ceremonies being held at Qingcheng.
After about fifteen minutes had passed, Song Mun met Song Gwan’s eyes and spoke.
“A thief has entered the main sect.”
“What?”
Song Gwan’s voice rose. A thief on Mount Qingcheng? He looked genuinely shocked.
“How did that happen?”
“I don't know the details myself. That’s just what I was told. I heard he fled here after getting caught up in some conspiracy.”
“Ah.”
Song Gwan appeared calm on the outside, but he was tense inwardly. Though Song Mun called him a "thief," the fact that Song Mun was mentioning it personally meant he was no ordinary burglar.
“If you were the thief, where would you go?” Song Mun asked in a serious tone.
Song Gwan was a man who had been called upon to do various tasks all over the mountain in the past. It was no exaggeration to say that no one knew the geography of Mount Qingcheng better than him.
Song Gwan organized his thoughts for a moment before answering.
“At the very least, not here to Chaoyang Cave.”
“Is that so?”
Song Mun had inwardly suspected it might be Chaoyang Cave. This was a place to honor past masters or for Qingcheng disciples to train. Since no precious swords or spiritual medicines were stored here, the security was generally lax. The fact that Song Gwan, who was weak in martial arts, was tasked with managing the cave was proof of that.
“It may look vulnerable, but natural formations are installed throughout the area. These formations don't serve to block intruders, but rather to preserve traces of them. I manage Chaoyang Cave every day and check for any new signs. As of my inspection yesterday, I found nothing.”
“Then that is a relief.”
Song Mun spoke again.
“If anything happens, let me know immediately.”
“I will do so.”
“Good. I would appreciate that.”
Song Mun patted the dust off his robes and stood up. He had said everything he came to say.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Song Mun called out to Song Gwan as he turned to leave.
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
“When Seok Myeong eventually comes out, tell him this.”
“Tell him what…?”
“Tell him that there are still many people in Qingcheng who like him. They’re just poor at expressing it.”
“Senior Brother Song Mun…”
“I’ll be going now.”
Song Gwan tried to say more, but Song Mun didn't listen. He was already walking away into the distance.
Watching his retreating figure, Song Gwan remembered why he had wanted to join the Qingcheng Sect in the first place.
Perhaps it was the warmth hidden behind a stern exterior.
Feeling the warmth Song Mun had left behind, Song Gwan began walking back toward Chaoyang Cave.