Chapter 184: Qingcheng Sect and Diancang Sect (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 184: Qingcheng Sect and Diancang Sect (1)
“You will feel two distinct energies. Do not be anxious if they feel faint. Simply let them flow naturally.”
For the past few days, a heavy, serious atmosphere had settled over the Azure Martial Hall.
The importance of the basics could never be overstated.
Seok Myeong first used the Dual Flow Exchange Technique to create two distinct pathways within his junior brothers, then began teaching them how to circulate their internal energy according to that specific heart method.
He was preparing the "vessel" within their bodies to hold not only the energy of Qingcheng but also the corrupted energy—the demonic qi.
“Ugh… this is….”
“There is no need to force it.”
Seok Myeong did not rush them.
Whenever a junior brother showed signs of impatience due to slow progress, he immediately pointed it out, guiding them to move through the stages slowly—even more slowly.
A little further, and his junior brothers would enter the same process he once endured: the inevitable moment where the energy of the Orthodox path and the energy of the Demonic path collide.
The only reason Seok Myeong had survived back then was thanks to his master’s preparations and the artifact known as the Gojeong-hwan. Without them, Seok Myeong would have suffered Qi Deviation at best. At worst, he would have transformed into a Giant Demon. He could not allow his junior brothers to face that same peril.
It was simply too dangerous.
Fortunately, unlike Seok Myeong’s situation back then, the current first-generation disciples had a senior who perfectly understood the Qingcheng Heart Method. Seok Myeong reinterpreted every single phrase of the heart method, meticulously preparing for the moment that collision would occur and how to manage it.
He did everything in his power to ensure his brothers would face as little danger as possible during that unavoidable clash.
As expected of Jun….
Among them, Seok Jun’s progress was exceptionally fast.
It hadn't been long since he was taught the Dual Flow Exchange Technique, yet he already possessed a single imaginary point and was moving his energy in two directions simultaneously.
“Good, Jun. This time, try moving even slower.”
“… Whew.”
He even adjusted the speed exactly as Seok Myeong requested. At this level, his control over his energy was seamless.
“Haa… haa…”
Seok Hu was also moving his energy reasonably well, and Seok Mun, though he looked a bit precarious, was gradually becoming accustomed to the movements of the Dual Flow Exchange Technique.
“Hah!”
Swoosh!
There was no need to worry about Seok Jin. He was someone who had already experienced the transformation once. Currently, he was simply matching the pace of the other disciples. If Seok Myeong ever let him off the leash, he looked ready to bolt forward at any moment.
‘The problem is Seok Ho and Yeon-hui….’
Unlike the others, those two were struggling.
Since Yeon-hui was a woman, Seok Myeong had to devise a different method for her from the start. As for Seok Ho, he didn't seem to grasp the fundamental meaning of the Dual Flow Exchange Technique. He struggled with the idea of circulating a single energy through a different cultivation method, and when told to move two energies simultaneously around one imaginary point, he wore a look of utter confusion.
However, Seok Myeong did not give up and continued to teach him with patience. Where there are prodigies, there are also those who learn slowly. And Seok Myeong was someone who considered himself a slow learner rather than a genius.
Because of that, he wasn't worried about Seok Ho’s difficulties. One day, Seok Ho would also achieve complete unity, just as he had. The important thing was to maintain a righteous heart and never stop steady cultivation.
“Think of the qi in your body as a feather drifting in the wind. If you try to consciously grab a small feather, it will only slip away from your hand. Therefore, do not try to control the energy; simply lay down the path. Do not lead the energy; create the path it must take and then wait.”
Do not try to control it; lay down the path.
This was the answer Seok Myeong had found through countless failures.
Generally, the heart methods of almost every sect in the martial world teach the practitioner to imbue the qi with their will when circulating it. Since qi responds to the practitioner’s mind, this is not inherently wrong.
If a rider sits on a horse and lets it go without direction, the horse will play or rest as it pleases. If there is a clear destination, it is only natural for the one holding the reins to provide proper stimulation and guidance.
‘But that applies to standard internal energy heart methods.’
The internal energy method his brothers would learn from now on was the Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art. Its roots lay in the Demonic Cult’s Demonic Energy Absorption Art.
In terms of horses, it was like riding a "Crazy Demon" that could never be controlled. It was an untamable wild horse that would buck even more violently and throw the rider if they yanked the reins or dug in their spurs.
‘Regardless, qi is bound to circulate within the body.’
Seok Myeong knew all too well how violent that "Crazy Demon" would be when it eventually arrived. He had experienced it himself.
Control was impossible. Therefore, one must guide it.
If a sturdy and wide path was prepared within the body beforehand, the violent horse would eventually move its steps toward the most comfortable path after its initial thrashing.
“Hoooo…”
“Hmm…”
When Seok Myeong felt that everyone had sufficiently tempered the energy in their bodies to create sturdy paths in their meridians, he made his decision.
“That is enough. Everyone, stop for a moment and listen. From now on, I will teach you the second stage of the Qingcheng Heart Method.”
This was the stage of the lesson. The ritual of accepting demonic qi.
Just as Seok Jin had done in the past, the first-generation disciples began to accept the energy through the acupoints Seok Myeong specified while they were circulating their qi.
Twitch! Twitch!
Demonic qi, which was practically the antithesis of Orthodox martial arts, began to seep in. An alien and horrific sensation—as if a murky, sticky mass was flowing through their once-clear meridians—hit them all at once.
As panic and tension clouded his brothers' faces, Seok Myeong immediately bolstered his internal energy and raised his voice.
— Do not panic. Never try to force it to move. First, focus on the acupoints at your wrists, ankles, and below your Dantian, then maintain the lotus position. I will check on each of you one by one, so you must endure and remain still.
“…….”
“……!”
Seok Myeong’s thunderous voice crashed into the ears of the panicked disciples.
— Never, ever try to reject or control it. Demonic qi is an energy that is the complete opposite of normal energy. If the practitioner tries to lead it with their thoughts, it will resist violently and attempt to run wild immediately. So, leave it be.
— It will be unpleasant, but do not worry. A path for it to pass through has already been prepared in your bodies. Demonic qi is like an impatient horse. If you wait quietly, it will grow on its own, and as it clashes with your Orthodox internal energy, it will become even stronger and increase in size.
Nod.
Seok Jin, who had experienced it once before, nodded reflexively.
Ssssip.
Thanks to Seok Myeong’s timely reprimand and the example of Seok Jin’s success, the first-generation disciples slowly began to settle their confusion.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Inside their perfectly fine meridians, the disciples felt a bizarre sensation, as if a heart were suddenly beating there. The newly entered demonic qi was moving and clashing with their existing Orthodox energy.
Suppressing the urge to calm the collision, they waited patiently, placing their trust in Seok Myeong.
And then, indeed.
Thump. Thump! Thump.
Though it was a coarse and skin-crawling sensation, the two energies began to merge. To be precise, it felt as though the unpleasant demonic qi was devouring their Orthodox internal energy and gradually growing in size.
‘It’s done.’
Seok Myeong wiped the light sweat from his brow as he observed his brothers' conditions. The most dangerous first moment had passed smoothly.
Though it was still uncomfortable, as they gradually became accustomed to that process, their heart method and their mental fortitude would become even firmer. Once that happened, the demonic qi would no longer be demonic qi.
The demonic qi, which was already a mutated energy, would mutate once more into pure Qingcheng internal energy. And if they grew alongside that energy without trying to dominate it... both the quantity and quality of their internal energy would transform into something as vast and solemn as what Seok Myeong currently possessed.
Ssssip.
Hoooo.
Seeing his brothers' breathing stabilize, Seok Myeong nodded.
“Well done. You endured it very well. If you can just remember this feeling today, you will be able to achieve great mastery within a few months.”
Seok Myeong smiled at his junior brothers. He felt proud, satisfied, and impressed.
When a martial artist discovers an abnormality in the internal energy within their meridians, it is a reflexive reaction to try and suppress it immediately. However, his brothers had trusted and followed Seok Myeong’s words implicitly.
They suppressed their instincts as martial artists and waited, creating a path without being conscious of the demonic qi. And then, it happened exactly as Seok Myeong had said.
The unpleasant energy that had been battering the walls of their meridians seemed to lose interest at some point and began to move along the path created by the Dual Flow Exchange Technique. Even amidst the anxiety of feeling a bomb rolling around inside them, the disciples quietly observed the center of that qi and memorized its path.
“Whew…”
“Senior Brother, what about me…?”
As Seok Myeong took a breath, Yeon-hui pouted with a dejected face.
“Not yet for you, Yeon-hui. Please wait just a little longer.”
“Yes….”
Seok Myeong offered a smile to the sighing Yeon-hui.
“Don't be too impatient. I will definitely find a method that suits you. Actually, I have something in mind, but it needs more verification for now.”
“Ah, really?”
“Of course. Have you ever seen me make empty promises?”
Shake, shake.
Yeon-hui immediately shook her head. If it was her Eldest Disciple, he would surely find a way. She also knew that when it came to martial arts, Seok Myeong never spoke empty words.
“When will that verification be finished?”
“Well… I’m not sure yet. First of all…”
Seok Myeong gave a sheepish smile to Yeon-hui, who seemed a bit less anxious now. In truth, no matter how strong he had become, and even though he had defeated three elders of the Diancang Sect...
“I also have things I need to learn from the Elders first.”
In terms of seniority, he was still a first-generation disciple just like her.
*
A faint red sunset settled over Mount Qingcheng.
Azure Peak Pavilion.
This was the intelligence agency of Qingcheng. Its head, Song Mun, let out a hollow laugh in the small training ground attached to the pavilion.
“You want to receive guidance from me?”
“Yes, Martial Uncle Song Mun.”
Song Mun found Seok Myeong’s answer absurd, yet at the same time, he felt a surge of excitement. Seok Myeong was already a rising star, the most prominent among the first-generation disciples. And such a lad had chosen him as his first teacher. He had even come all the way to the Azure Peak Pavilion to find him.
“Aren't you overestimating me? Myeong, you have already far surpassed this old man’s skills….”
Though his words were humble, the corners of Song Mun’s mouth were already twitching upward.
“Not at all, Martial Uncle. Martial arts cannot be measured by a single yardstick. This disciple is still lacking in many ways.”
And Seok Myeong, being Seok Myeong... he shook his head with even greater humility, and he truly meant it.
“I have achieved some success recently, but it was gained at an unnaturally fast pace. No matter how high one's martial arts may be, if it isn't backed by experience, it will only be a momentary flash.”
“…Is that how you see it?”
“Yes, Martial Uncle Song Mun.”
Seok Myeong’s eyes were incredibly serious. Seeing that, Song Mun chuckled. To think that a lad who could already be conceited and arrogant without anyone complaining still possessed such a desire for improvement. He realized that perhaps it was because he was this kind of person that he had achieved such results at this age.
“I understand. Since the Master of the Azure Martial Hall has personally come here, I should serve up something, however meager it may be.”
“Martial Uncle….”
Seeing Seok Myeong’s troubled expression, Song Mun laughed heartily and said, “It’s a joke. So, which martial art do you wish to learn?”
As the conversation shifted to martial arts, Seok Myeong immediately showed his respect.
“It is the Illusory Lost Track Step. And if possible, I would also like to learn the Flying Stream Step.”
“Oh, those are good choices. I might be treated as a bit of a weakling among the Song generation, but I take great pride in my movement techniques.”
Song Mun laughed again.
Song Hak was renowned as the strongest after the Sect Leader. But even Song Hak could not catch Song Mun if he was determined to run away. Song Mun prided himself on the fact that while he might lose in other areas, when it came to footwork—and specifically, running away—he could even hold his own against the Sect Leader.
Flick.
He gestured with his finger toward Seok Myeong.
“Then show me what you have first.”
“Pardon?”
“If you’ve come to receive guidance, isn't it only natural to see what you’re good at first? Once I see you perform, I’ll be able to tell what problems you have and what I should teach you.”
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
Seok Myeong answered and took a deep breath. It was only natural to feel nervous when demonstrating his movement techniques in front of Qingcheng’s greatest expert in the field.
Inhale.
The Illusory Lost Track Step didn't have a specific starting stance or preparation. Instead, it had a breathing method.
Swoosh!
The moment he took a step, the internal energy in his body was temporarily amplified, followed by a second amplification on the next step.
S-s-s-s-swoosh!
In that manner, he drew up the internal strength for each step, following the unique movements. The speed was irregular, and the path was unpredictable. An opponent expecting normal movement would find themselves overwhelmed by dozens of phantoms while facing only a single Qingcheng expert.
‘Let’s see how much he has improved.’
Flash!
The moment his preparation was complete, Seok Myeong kicked off the ground.
Step! Step! Step!
Seok Myeong’s form appeared and disappeared repeatedly in mid-air. Though it was empty air with no place to step, he emitted qi through the Gushing Spring Acupoints on his soles to change his movements.
S-s-s-s-swoosh!
‘Ho-oh.’
Countless phantoms appeared in the air. But at some point, the number decreased, only to increase again as he covered a vast distance in an instant.
Whirl. Whirl.
After several movements, the phantoms gradually diminished.
Thud!
Seok Myeong landed on the ground and simultaneously offered his respects.
“How was it?”
“…Uh, well.”
Song Mun closed his eyes for a moment in front of the earnestly inquiring Seok Myeong. After a brief silence.
“It was good,” came the answer.
“…….”
For some reason, Seok Myeong felt a bit uneasy. Song Mun said it was good, but his expression looked extremely uncomfortable—or more accurately, displeased.
‘Did I make a mistake?’
Seok Myeong carefully retraced his movements in his mind, but soon shook his head.
‘I don’t know.’
He had shown the best he could do. However, Song Mun was the undisputed master of movement in Qingcheng. There must be flaws that only he could see.
“Thank you for looking kindly upon this lacking disciple. Then, if Martial Uncle Song Mun would now demonstrate….”
“I refuse, you brat.”
“…Pardon?”
Seok Myeong was taken aback. But Song Mun had a defiant look on his face. He even went as far as to say:
“What, you brat? What do you want me to do? You’re faster than me, so why should I bother demonstrating? Do you want me to be humiliated by a green disciple at my age?”
Swish! Swish!
He swung his arms and puffed out his belly.
“…….”
Irreverently, Seok Myeong briefly thought that Song Mun’s behavior was just like a common street thug.
“No, Martial Uncle Song Mun. I think there has been a misunderstanding. This disciple….”
“Look here, Master of the Azure Martial Hall. It’s a joke, a joke.”
Grin.
Song Mun’s expression changed. He now addressed Seok Myeong by his title rather than his name.
“In principle, your Illusory Lost Track Step is faster than mine, and your mastery is higher. However… if you add a few, just a few little tricks, it might become an even more powerful movement technique.”
“……!”
“Actually, I’m not certain myself. But you might just gain a great deal from my tricks. Would you like to hear them?”
It seemed he had something to say. Something that was likely far from trivial.
“I would love to hear them!”
Naturally, Seok Myeong answered immediately.