Chapter 18: Encounter (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 18: Encounter (1)
The Great Tao Temple is situated between Jangin Peak and Geonbok Palace.
It is the largest and most iconic Taoist temple within the Qingcheng Sect. While primarily reserved for annual ceremonies and significant events, the area remains a frequent haunt for many even during ordinary times.
The reason was simple: the breathtaking scenery.
Even within the scenic majesty of Mount Qingcheng, this location was particularly exquisite. On one side, a crystal-clear stream meandered past, while a dense forest of ancient trees surrounded the temple, creating an atmosphere of profound serenity. As a renowned landmark, it was the standard destination for any esteemed visitors from other sects.
At the center of the temple grounds lay a massive martial arts training ground—the largest in all of Qingcheng.
“Still no word?”
Beneath an octagonal roof overlooking the training ground, an old man asked again after receiving a report. His tone wasn't one of anger, but rather of sheer disbelief, as if he couldn't fathom such a situation.
“He was not at the location you mentioned, Elder. I checked with the first generation disciples to see if anyone knew his whereabouts, but they say no one has seen him recently.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. I personally visited and questioned every first generation disciple close to him.”
“Hmm.”
Song Hak wore a troubled expression.
Only four days remained until the examination to select the Qingcheng Swordsmen. He had sent a messenger to check on the boy’s progress, only to find that far from training, the boy was nowhere to be found.
I thought he would at least show up for the exam…
The corners of Song Hak’s mouth twitched upward slightly before his face returned to a neutral mask. Regardless, there was no need to worry about the boy.
Song Hak looked at the man who had delivered the report. “Understood. You may go.”
“Yes, Elder.”
As the man disappeared, Song Hak turned his gaze back to the training ground. Quite a few Taoists were currently immersed in their drills.
The boy had broken the promise he made to himself. That alone was grounds for a reprimand. It proved he was someone who couldn't even uphold the most basic of commitments.
A wise choice. Even I would have wanted to run away.
That was Song Hak’s judgment. No, it was his conviction. The brat had fled like a coward because he lacked the confidence to pass the exam.
“He is exactly what I expected. Of course…”
“Who is exactly what you expected?”
Song Hak turned his head at the sudden voice. He had been so preoccupied with thoughts of Seok Myeong that he hadn't noticed someone approaching.
“What brings you here?” Song Hak asked, eyeing the neat-looking old man walking toward him.
It was Song Mun.
“The exam is tomorrow; shouldn't I come and inspect things personally? I also need to check the list of participants.”
“You certainly take a lot of interest in this.”
“I’ve had nothing better to do lately.”
Song Hak’s expression remained unreadable as Song Mun drew closer. Song Hak was the type of man whose inner thoughts could never be discerned through his smiles or the look in his eyes.
“But what were you saying just now? You said ‘he,’ as if you were referring to someone specific.”
Song Hak shook his head. “Ah, it’s nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“Is that so?”
Song Mun let the matter drop and turned his gaze toward the training ground. Most of the Taoists participating were first generation disciples. Taoists of the elder generation, like Song Mun and Song Hak, all possessed their own private training grounds.
As they watched the disciples train, Song Hak broke the silence.
“By the way, I heard there’s still no progress?”
“So it seems.”
“Does he even exist? We’ve searched the mountains so thoroughly, yet he hasn't been found…”
“He might be there, or he might not. Mount Qingcheng is quite vast, after all.”
“Good grief, how much longer must we search? The thought of Jeok Ma-seong being right under my nose makes it impossible to sleep.”
“Still, you have it better than I do. At least you don't have to go out and search personally. No matter how critically injured the opponent is, how could a powerless old man like me stand against him?”
“Your jokes are as sharp as ever.”
“I’m being serious. Huhuhu.”
After a few more words, they turned their attention back to the field. Various shouts echoed from the training ground, though it seemed the training wasn't progressing as well as expected.
After a brief silence, Song Mun spoke again.
“By the way… do you think he’ll become a Qingcheng Swordsman?”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Seok Myeong.”
“…”
Song Hak listened in silence, thought for a moment, and then spoke.
“Well, it should be interesting.”
“Did you say ‘interesting’?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
Song Mun looked puzzled by Song Hak’s choice of words.
“That boy… he made a proposal himself. He asked if I would acknowledge his master if he became a Qingcheng Swordsman. It seems Seok Myeong knew that I disliked Senior Brother Song Hye.”
“Hey, you…”
“So I agreed. I told him I would completely clear away all the resentment I’ve held toward Senior Brother Song Hye.”
Song Mun looked at him with skeptical eyes. Knowing Seok Myeong’s personality, he couldn't understand why the boy would suddenly volunteer to become a Qingcheng Swordsman.
“Is that truly all?”
“What else would there be?”
“For instance…”
“For instance, what?”
When Song Hak stood his ground so confidently, Song Mun found himself unable to continue. Since it was something he didn't fully understand, he couldn't make reckless assumptions.
“Well, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be going.”
Song Mun tried to ask more, but Song Hak was already walking away. Song Mun’s face hardened as he watched Song Hak until he disappeared from view.
*
How much time had passed?
Seok Myeong opened his eyes. The moment he sensed he was alive, countless worries flashed through his mind.
Had he turned into a Crazy Demon while unconscious and laid waste to Qingcheng? Had he regained his senses only after slaughtering countless people? Or perhaps he had woken up to find his limbs severed? These fears gripped him.
However, those worries soon vanished. He confirmed that he was still inside the hidden chamber within Chaoyang Cave.
“I’m alive. Haah, thank goodness.”
Seok Myeong was more grateful that nothing had happened than for the fact that he was alive. He stood up and surveyed his surroundings.
“…!”
Faint dust was fluttering through the air. These particles, which hadn't been there before, were scattered around as if decorating the cave. Upon closer inspection, they looked like paper ash.
He immediately looked toward the wall where he had stacked the books.
They were gone. As expected, the collection of books had completely vanished.
“It must be because of the changes that occurred in my body.”
It seemed they had all been torn apart or vaporized, swept away by the powerful discharge of external qi.
“At least the things Master left behind are safe.”
Seok Myeong looked at the Azure Clarity Sword his master had left him. He also saw the Dark Heaven Bracelet on his wrist. But as he looked at the bracelet, he realized something was strange.
“What is this? Why is my arm…”
Seok Myeong looked down at his body with a look of shock.
“What on earth!”
It wasn't because his body was covered in dust. He had already seen that the books had been reduced to powder by the external qi; that wasn't enough to startle him like this.
“My frame…”
His physical build had transformed. His once somewhat bulky body had become lean and slender.
“What happened… wait, my face.”
He felt his body, then his face. The texture was different from what he remembered. His skin was soft and smooth, and the space between his cheekbones had narrowed significantly.
Seok Myeong searched for the water jar. Fortunately, being made of stone, it was perfectly intact. There was still water inside.
“Urgh.”
Seok Myeong lifted the jar and positioned the water to catch the light streaming through the hole in the ceiling. As soon as he saw his reflection, he recoiled in horror.
“Heh!”
His face…
His features had completely changed. Previously, his face had been lined with the marks of time, but now he looked incredibly young. He looked like he had barely reached twenty.
Furthermore, his appearance had shifted. If his old face was ordinary, his current one was strikingly handsome. Even though the positions of his features had only shifted slightly, his entire impression was vastly different.
“Just what happened to me…”
Dazed, Seok Myeong began to check his internal condition. He wondered why this change had occurred and if anything else—besides becoming younger—had changed significantly.
But this time, his expression became even more shocked than when he had examined his face.
Vast.
There was no better way to describe the sensation than "vast" and "immense." The energy currently filling his dantian had grown to an unbelievable scale.
Six Gapja.
The energy he felt within his body amounted to a full 360 years of cultivation. All the internal energy that had been on the verge of exploding had been refined and preserved within his body.
And what was even more surprising…
All three energies are present in my body.
The Dual Flow Exchange Technique had evolved. The imaginary point he had placed in his lower dantian had vanished, and all the energies had found their respective places, moving along his meridians in a harmonious blend.
The Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art, the Taiji Empty Heart, and the Azure Wind Origin Heart Method.
Demonic Qi, Taiji, and Azure Wind energy were each occupying their own space within his body, circulating in their own unique ways.
“Is such a thing even possible?”
Seok Myeong let out an absurd laugh at the transformation. After a moment, his gaze shifted to the Azure Clarity Sword lying on the ground, and he gripped it.
The most certain way to explain this condition was to use his internal energy directly. If these energies truly coexisted, he should be able to exert the power of Six Gapja.
“First, the forms of the Heaven and Earth Sword.”
Seok Myeong took the Qi Gathering Stance.
“Sprinting Scratch Sword.”
A moment later, he shouted the name of the first form and lunged forward a distance of thirty feet, swinging his sword.
Rumble—BOOM!
The moment the unleashed energy struck the cave wall, a thunderous roar erupted, and the entire cave shook. Portions of the wall collapsed, and the ceiling began to cave in. The entrance crumbled with pathetic ease.
“How can this be…”
As stone dust and debris filled the cave, Seok Myeong’s jaw dropped. This wasn't just a Sword Shadow; it was Sword Aura.
A blade of energy nearly a foot long.
An unimaginable destructive force had poured from the tip of his sword. He had used only a tiny fraction of his internal energy, yet it carried a power he had never experienced before.
There was one more surprising thing.
The color.
The energy that had shot out and shattered the wall was a blend of three distinct colors. Seok Myeong had seen it clearly.
One was violet, one was blue, and the last was white.
Wung—!
“What is it this time?”
The Dark Heaven Bracelet began to vibrate violently. The bracelet pulsed as if it were alive, resonating within his mind.
Seok Myeong was confused. It was difficult to grasp what these things were and exactly how everything had changed.