Chapter 60: Heavenly Strength Big Dipper Formation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 60: Heavenly Strength Big Dipper Formation (2)
“What do you think, My Lady?”
Hyeok-jin asked, his voice laced with alarm.
Though they hadn't traveled together for long, this was the first time he had seen Seok Myeong struggle so much. Even when facing Cheol Gun, the man hadn't looked this pained.
“No, it’s not time for us to step in yet.”
Cheol So-yeon held him back. Seeing the dissatisfaction written all over Hyeok-jin’s face, she continued, “Don’t you know how much pride that guy has?”
“I know, but…”
“If you know, then shut up.”
Cheol So-yeon snapped at him again, but Hyeok-jin didn’t retort. In that brief moment, he had reached the same conclusion.
Seok Myeong was here representing the name of the Qingcheng Sect. If they were to interfere now, it would make him look utterly pathetic.
“Stubborn bastards like him always have something up their sleeves. He must have stepped out there with a plan,” Cheol So-yeon muttered. She criticized Seok Myeong, but her expression didn't quite match her words. Her eyes were trembling ever so slightly, betraying her inner turmoil.
She was deeply concerned.
In her estimation, the sword formation currently deployed was merely a taste of what was to come. Its true power had yet to be unleashed.
Hyeok-jin looked at Cheol So-yeon and spoke up. “By the way…”
“What?”
“Why do you keep speaking so casually to me?”
At that, Cheol So-yeon snorted. “If it bothers you that much, feel free to do the same.”
“…”
*
“Deploy the Three-Point Movement!” the seven-foot giant roared.
At his command, another man stepped forward and thrust his sword.
Seok Myeong, who had been desperately holding on through the Two-Point Movement, showed a flicker of panic in his eyes.
“Ugh!”
As the Heavenly Strength Big Dipper Formation shifted into its Three-Point Movement, the pressure blasting toward Seok Myeong intensified several times over.
I have to find it. A way to sustain my external styles and increase their power enough to break the seal.
Seok Myeong’s concentration was at its peak, but his outward appearance suggested otherwise. To the observers, he looked like a man on the verge of collapse, clutching his stomach and staggering.
“Four-Point Movement!”
In an instant, the atmosphere turned frigid.
The sudden surge of energy was so immense that it blanketed the entire area, reaching Cheon Wi-seol’s group, Hyeok-jin, and Cheol So-yeon, who were all standing thirty paces away.
Yet, no one moved to stop it.
“Cough!”
Seok Myeong collapsed to one knee, vomiting blood. Then, his body trembling violently, he began to force himself up again.
He was at his limit. Once the formation reached the Four-Point Movement, even his external styles were barely enough to withstand the pressure.
“Just say you forfeit.”
A young man’s voice, tinged with excitement, drifted from the back. It was Cheon Wi-jin. Though he tried to hide it, he was clearly filled with joy. His tone was noticeably higher than usual.
Just as Seok Myeong was about to respond—
Vroom.
The energy inside his body began to churn.
Due to the Golden Restraint Technique, he had less than ten percent of his usual energy available. Perhaps it was because his body was sensing a mortal threat, but the energy that had refused to budge even by his will began to run wild.
This is dangerous.
Seok Myeong realized the gravity of the situation. If his true qi went berserk at a moment like this, he wouldn't be able to concentrate. Furthermore, even with such a small amount of energy, a major shock could easily lead to Qi Deviation.
“Guh!”
Seok Myeong tried his best to suppress the energy. However, the qi was no longer responding to his will.
Vroom, vroom.
The stronger the opponent’s pressure became, the more violently the energy inside him thrashed. Blood began to trickle from his ears and mouth once more.
What am I supposed to do?
The internal qi was moving in an unexpected way. Even if it was only a tenth of his original power, it was still an amount of energy he couldn't afford to ignore.
Wait. Internal strength is external strength… and external strength is internal strength, isn't it?
Suddenly, Seok Myeong’s eyes snapped open.
After agonizing over the problem, an answer finally surfaced. It was a fundamental realization. Since both external and internal qi were ultimately energies under the control of the martial artist, why couldn't they be made to flow into one another?
He had considered this method before but dismissed it as impossible. Now, however, he found himself questioning why he had ever thought it was impossible in the first place.
“Five-Point Movement!”
“Ah!”
As another man stepped forward at the command, the internal energy of five men focused entirely on Seok Myeong.
For the first time, Cheol So-yeon’s expression shifted. Hyeok-jin also watched the scene with a deep scowl.
Crack, crackle.
The sheer force of the concentrated energy caused the ground beneath them to splinter and crack. At the same time, a cloud of dust and sand rose, engulfing Seok Myeong. The energy continued to swell, blanketing the entire sparring ground.
How much time had passed?
By the time the thick, suffocating haze cleared, Seok Myeong was sprawled on the ground, his body contorted. A spray of crimson blood erupted from his mouth, arching ten feet into the air.
At that sight, the seven-foot giant halted the sword formation. Cheol So-yeon and Hyeok-jin dashed toward Seok Myeong like arrows.
*
It was evening, about eight hours later.
Hyeok-jin tried to wake Seok Myeong once more. “Brother Seok Myeong, are you awake?”
At the sound of his voice, Seok Myeong’s fingers twitched a few times before he slowly opened his eyes. “Where… am I?”
“You’re—”
As Seok Myeong struggled to speak, a woman’s voice cut in.
“Where else? You’re in a guest room at the Cheon Estate. Did you get beaten so hard you can’t even recognize where you are?”
Hyeok-jin immediately scolded her. “Who got beaten? Brother Seok Myeong was just momentarily overwhelmed because they ganged up on him while he wasn't feeling well.”
“Overwhelmed? He was lying spread-eagled on the ground, drifting in and out of consciousness.”
“Your words and actions really don't match, do they? Weren't you more worried about him than anyone else just a moment ago?”
Cheol So-yeon’s brow furrowed instantly. “Why would I worry about a guy like him? What happens to him is none of my business.”
“I’m sure you have your reasons, even if I don't know them.”
“What? Just because this guy is being nice to you, do you think you can—”
“That’s enough.”
Seok Myeong intervened as Hyeok-jin and Cheol So-yeon began their usual bickering. From their conversation, he could piece together what had happened. He had failed to withstand the power of the sword formation and had eventually collapsed, losing consciousness.
“Ugh.”
Seok Myeong sat up. A hot energy was churning beneath his chest and his entire body ached, but it was bearable. It seemed his internal injuries, which had been healing, had flared up again.
“Brother Seok Myeong, are you really okay? In this state, the duel…” Hyeok-jin spoke with a worried expression.
The situation was already dire; he feared what would happen if the Cheon family pushed for the duel now. If Seok Myeong refused, it would bring great shame to the name of Qingcheng.
Hyeok-jin continued, “Maybe we should just tell them you’re unwell and come back another time…”
“Hey, do you think a formal duel is as easy as going to the outhouse? Stop talking nonsense,” Cheol So-yeon chimed in again.
“I know that! But fighting in this condition will only hurt us!”
“Hmph! That’s only true for weaklings like you. I guess minor sects in the Jianghu can’t be helped!”
“Wh-what? Are you done talking?”
“Stop. Don’t worry too much. I think I can handle it now.”
Seok Myeong calmed the two down. They stopped their bickering and looked at him. His face actually looked brighter than usual.
“It wasn't exactly a fruitless endeavor.”
“…?”
I found a way to break my Martial Uncle’s seal.
He couldn't bring himself to tell them yet, but he had gained a tremendous epiphany.
*
Inside a beautifully decorated studio, colorful flowers and young trees were arranged. Beyond the sliding doors at the end of the room lay a space filled with formal decorations and ceramics, a stark contrast to the garden.
In the center sat a well-crafted table, around which the key figures of the Cheon family were seated.
“What did you think?” Cheon Wi-seol asked for Cheon Wi-jin’s thoughts first. He was curious about how the youngest brother evaluated the Qingcheng Taoist’s abilities after seeing them firsthand.
Cheon Wi-jin replied with a bright face. “I think I was far too nervous before. If I had known his skills were only at that level, I would have just taken a long nap instead.”
The Qingcheng Taoist he saw at the sparring ground had been shocking in many ways. He had acted with nothing but bluster and exaggeration, only to be tripped up by his own provocation and fall flat on his back.
And that wasn't all. His martial arts were so poor that his body staggered even under the pressure of the One-Point Movement. Even if the sword formation was composed of squad leaders, it was still pathetic.
“Still, his words are worth considering. He pointed out things we failed to see because our emotions got the better of us.”
“There’s no need for that. That guy is just a blowhard.”
Cheon Wi-jin was certain. He felt it would be embarrassing even to fight such an opponent. He looked at Cheon Wi-seol and continued. “It was a sword formation made of squad leaders, but does it make sense for him to vomit blood and collapse after only five points of energy were combined? The rumors about him being an equal match for Cheol Gun must have been fabricated by someone.”
Even Cheon Wi-jin could withstand the Five-Point Movement. Occasionally, he could even hold out against the Six-Point Movement. But that wasn't the point. It wasn't just about enduring; he could still move within that pressure, even if it was difficult.
The Qingcheng Taoist, however, had faltered at the One-Point Movement and looked completely lost by the Three-Point Movement. At that level, his skills weren't even worth discussing. His inability to withstand the formation’s qi was proof that his internal strength was abysmal.
“I can tell just by looking at his eyes. He’s a complete novice with less than half a Gapja—no, probably not even ten years’ worth of internal energy.”
That was his conclusion. He found it hard to believe that such a low-level fighter could be a disciple of a prestigious sect.
“Well, regardless, the duel must go on. The reputation gained from defeating a disciple of Qingcheng isn't something that’s easily earned.”
“Ha! You’re right. That’s true.”
Cheon Wi-jin nodded at Cheon Wi-seol’s words. Then, he turned to Cheon Wi-hyeon, who had remained silent, and asked, “What did you think, brother?”
Cheon Wi-seol’s gaze also shifted toward him.
The eldest son didn't have a deep understanding of martial arts, but he was well-versed in many academic subjects and often made insightful observations that pierced through to the truth. Even Cheon Wi-jin, a natural-born martial artist, sometimes sought his help.
“…”
When Cheon Wi-hyeon remained silent, Cheon Wi-seol spoke up. “You’ve been quiet for a while. Is something the matter?”
Cheon Wi-seol sensed something was off. Now that he thought about it, it was strange. Ever since they met the Taoist, Cheon Wi-hyeon had been wearing a grim expression and hadn't said much. It was a rare sight for him.
“Father.” Finally, Cheon Wi-hyeon spoke.
“Yes, go on.”
“That martial challenge letter… who exactly did you receive it from?”