Chapter 89: The Protecting Formation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 89: The Protecting Formation (2)
The Cheon family wasn't an especially renowned sect, yet their Heavenly Strength Big Dipper Formation was famous across the Central Plains.
Seok Myeong asked if there was a specific formation used when a group faced a single high-level master.
"Of course. There is the Three Talents Roaring Formation. It is an array that converges the energies of Heaven, Earth, and Man into a single point, preventing anything from encroaching upon a designated area."
"Then can we use it now?"
"It isn't difficult to set up, but the restrictions are heavy," Namgung Ju replied, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"To achieve the formation's full effect, everyone's internal energy must be concentrated into one person. Naturally, the one standing at the vanguard must have the capacity to act as a vessel for everyone’s combined power. Furthermore, because multiple people are involved, their energy must be exceptionally pure to prevent the different natures of their True Qi from clashing and causing a rejection."
By any standard, these were grueling conditions. Namgung Ju had explained them because he believed no one present was capable of fulfilling such a role.
However, to Seok Myeong’s ears, there was one perfect candidate for the job.
"I will take that role."
"Now, wait just a moment..."
As Namgung Ju tried to object, Seok Myeong cut him off.
"My internal energy is pure, as I practice the cultivation methods of the Taoist sects. The only issue is whether the vessel can hold the internal energy of others, but fortunately, I have also mastered a heart method of Wudang. Is it not simply a matter of continuously circulating the energy before the vessel overflows?"
"You learned a Wudang heart method? Which one?"
"The Taiji Empty Heart."
"Hoh... the Taiji Empty Heart! If that is the case, it is possible. This is a stroke of luck."
Namgung Ju let out a bright laugh.
He was curious how a disciple of Qingcheng had come to know a secret technique like the Taiji Empty Heart, but given the dire circumstances, he didn't press for answers. It was enough that they could extinguish the immediate fire.
"Think carefully on this. This is no simple matter. If the formation falters, you will be in grave danger—not from the enemy, but from the internal energy of your own allies."
This time, Peng Ri-gon stepped forward to address Seok Myeong. Despite his significant internal injuries, the elder stood tall as he spoke.
Seok Myeong shook his head, his expression solemn.
"The burden we carry is the same for everyone. I am simply the one stepping forward first."
At those words, the group fell silent.
He wasn't merely avoiding the problem. They were deeply moved by his humility—describing his superior skill as merely being "one step ahead."
"I understand. Namgung Ju and I will be the primary conduits for the energy. Listen carefully."
As Peng Ri-gon accepted the plan, Namgung Ju took charge to finalize the details.
"To project the qi forward, you must first harmonize with everyone's energy. Since you use a Taoist heart method, there shouldn't be much trouble, but I am still concerned. Each of us uses different heart methods and pursues different elemental properties. Can you truly handle the combined energy of myself and the Peng family?"
"I will accept the compatible energy into my Dantian to discharge it alongside my own. As for the energies with conflicting properties, I will divert them through the Taiji to strike the enemy."
At Seok Myeong’s answer, Namgung Ju marveled, "Oho!"
"Good. Then I shall explain the formation."
He snapped a nearby branch and began sketching a diagram in the dirt.
*
"The Three Talents Roaring Formation is implemented by standing in a triangular array. You place your hands on the back of the person in front of you and push your internal energy forward. Since it gathers everyone's strength into a single point, the person at the vanguard must receive the energy from behind and discharge it in tandem with their own. To do that, you need not only vast internal energy but a heart method capable of manipulating an opponent's qi. Can you do it?"
"I will try."
The answer didn't really matter. Seok Myeong was determined to succeed, no matter the cost.
Namgung Ju looked Seok Myeong in the eye. "First, I will open the path for the formation and set the array. Stand in the spot I’ve designated. Behind you, the Peng Elder and I will take our positions. Behind us, Jin-ah and Peng Seo-ju will stand."
Namgung Jin and Peng Seo-ju, standing at the rear, nodded in grim agreement.
Peng Seol-yeon, who had been watching, offered to help, but Namgung Jin shook his head.
"We need purity, not just quantity. If you transmit internal energy clumsily, you will only be a hindrance. Stay inside the perimeter and watch."
Once the orders were issued, everyone moved into position.
Seok Myeong stood at the very front. Directly behind him were Peng Ri-gon and Namgung Ju. Behind them stood Peng Seo-ju and Namgung Jin. Each person extended their hands, pressing them firmly against the back of the person in front of them.
Hyeok Ryeon-mo was excluded due to his heavy injuries. Similarly, Hyeok-jin and Cheol So-yeon stood back, maintaining a calm but alert posture.
*
Rumble!
"It’s coming."
As the monster's silhouette appeared in the distance, the air grew thick with tension. No one could hide their anxiety regarding the unfamiliar formation.
Namgung Ju, who had briefly stepped away to activate the array, quickly returned. "Everyone, get ready! Circulate your internal energy and drive it forward. Since the array is active, there is no need to channel qi through the Gate of Life Acupoint. Just press against the back and release your power!"
At his command, the group began transmitting their internal energy. In an instant, a terrifying torrent of force surged toward Seok Myeong.
Namgung Ju continued his instructions.
"The moment the creature arrives, unleash your power immediately. Do not try to shake it off or push it away. Simply release the energy held in your hands naturally. That alone will subject the creature to the full weight of the array."
The Geomma, entering the zone where the array was active, would be forced to make a choice: retreat or be crushed.
Since everyone's internal energy had become one, the creature would suffer devastating harm if it tried to approach. In essence, it was a formation designed to force a total surrender.
"Kuaaaaah!"
With a massive roar that shook the earth, the monster revealed itself, trampling the ground as it charged.
Namgung Ju shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Now!"
Instantly, a massive surge of internal energy traveled through their hands and flooded into Seok Myeong.
As the various True Qis collided within his body, Seok Myeong momentarily fell into a daze. The sheer volume of energy threatened to cause a violent backlash.
I have to circulate it!
"Ugh!"
Seok Myeong focused desperately, swallowing the metallic taste of blood rising in his throat. Soon, he managed to redirect the terrifying energy toward the monster.
Thud.
For a brief moment, the monster's hand, which had been swinging down toward Seok Myeong’s head, froze mid-air. It remained locked in that position, unable to descend.
Seeing this, Namgung Ju’s expression stiffened.
It was unbelievable. Even though the Geomma was being pushed back by a pressure several times stronger than its own, it refused to yield.
The others wore similar expressions of shock. If the monster moved even an inch more to attack Seok Myeong, the formation would shatter instantly.
It’s... comfortable.
Contrary to everyone's worries, Seok Myeong felt a strange sense of ease.
He had nearly been swept away by the initial flood of energy. However, as time passed, an inexplicable comfort settled over him.
For some reason, even after discharging the energy being transmitted from behind, his Dantian was moving independently, completely unaffected by the strain.
It was a change even he hadn't anticipated.
Instead of the massive internal energy flowing freely through his body, a portion of it was slowly gathering in his Dantian.
It was the work of the Taiji Empty Heart.
The Azure Wind energy residing in his external qi and the pure Demonic Qi that had permeated his body were acting as catalysts, unifying the disparate forces.
His internal energy was growing.
In an astonishing phenomenon, the amount of internal energy in his Dantian began to swell, matching the volume being transmitted from behind.
What is happening?
While Seok Myeong was experiencing this fortuitous encounter, Peng Ri-gon was watching him with a grave expression.
The heart method he practiced was the Primordial Chaos Heart Method, known within the Peng family for its turbid, violent nature. It was notoriously difficult for an ordinary person to accept.
He had transmitted that energy without hesitation, assuming that even with Wudang’s Taiji Empty Heart, Seok Myeong would eventually reach his limit.
Yet, as time passed, Seok Myeong showed no reaction.
If he were in pain, his body should be convulsing, but he was accepting the qi with a look of absolute peace.
Peng Ri-gon glanced sideways and saw Namgung Ju nodding with a relaxed expression. It meant there was no strain in the transmission.
He remains unshaken even while acting as a conduit for all our power? Is the heart method of Qingcheng truly this profound? Or is this boy simply a monster?
Just as Peng Ri-gon’s mind began to race...
The monster began to writhe.
"Kuaaaaah!"
"…!"
Everyone’s eyes widened. The monster was attempting to move even within the crushing pressure of the formation.
"Just how much internal energy does that bastard have!" Cheol So-yeon shouted, unable to contain her anxiety.
Despite the combined weight of their strength, the creature didn't seem significantly damaged. It was actually taking steps forward against the tide of pressure.
As the seconds ticked by, the expressions of Namgung Ju and Peng Ri-gon darkened.
They sensed it instinctively. To withstand this level of pressure, one would need internal energy equivalent to three—no, four full cycles.
"Kh-ugh!"
Just as the creature reached out toward Seok Myeong again, Peng Ri-gon finally coughed up blood. It was thick, dark blood mixed with the power he had cultivated through decades of effort. Already injured, the exhaustion of his internal energy caused his vital blood to flow backward.
"Elder!"
As Peng Seol-yeon screamed and tried to rush forward, Peng Seo-ju shook his head violently.
Touching him now would be fatal. If his composure broke, everyone would suffer a catastrophic backlash.
"This won't do! We must add our strength as well!"
Hyeok-jin stepped up behind Namgung Jin and placed his hands on his back, intending to provide more internal energy. He chose Namgung Jin because their qi properties were more compatible.
"I'll help too."
Peng Seol-yeon joined in. Then, Cheol So-yeon also placed her hands on Peng Seo-ju’s back with a reluctant scowl.
Suddenly, everyone except the heavily injured Hyeok Ryeon-mo was contributing to the array.
Thud.
This can't be...! It’s still moving.
Watching this, Namgung Ju was driven to the brink of despair.
By a rough estimate, they were pumping in over four cycles of internal energy. Yet, the monster continued to advance through that intense pressure. It was a feat that defied logic—unless the creature was a true demon.
At the same time, he feared for Seok Myeong. Even for a direct disciple of Wudang specializing in the Taiji Empty Heart, accepting this much energy for so long was impossible without superhuman mental fortitude.
Ah...
But contrary to their fears, Seok Myeong remained in a relaxed posture. Even as the internal energy grew, he showed no signs of strain.
"You... monster!"
As the creature took large strides and closed the distance to Seok Myeong, Hyeok Ryeon-mo screamed in horror. There was no other word for it.
Common sense dictated this should be impossible.
Everyone was pouring out their life's strength, yet the monster's talons drew closer. The creature finally reached out, slowly attempting to seize Seok Myeong by the throat.
Watching this, the previous scene flashed through Namgung Ju’s mind—the withered, desiccated corpses. He realized what they signified.
Is this truly the end?
He lamented. If Seok Myeong collapsed, the formation was over. They were in the hands of heaven now.
Wooooom.
The moment the creature’s hand neared Seok Myeong’s neck...
The Dark Heaven Bracelet hummed, jolting him from his meditative trance.
As Seok Myeong opened his eyes, he was startled. He felt the monster beginning to drain his True Qi.
The Demonic Energy Absorption Art?
He was certain. The principle of energy absorption was almost identical to the Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art.
In that moment, he understood everything—how this monster possessed such an impossible amount of internal energy.
Before falling into Qi Deviation, the opponent had been a practitioner of the Demonic Energy Absorption Art. The sense of familiarity Seok Myeong had felt from the start was finally explained.
Grrrrk.
The ground groaned as a contest of raw power began. The creature tried to siphon Seok Myeong’s energy, while Seok Myeong fought to repel it.
As the push-and-pull intensified, Seok Myeong shifted his strategy.
If you want it, I’ll give it to you. Energy you cannot possibly handle.
The massive internal energy surging from behind—he would discharge all of it, along with his own, in a single burst. If he delivered an unmanageable volume of energy in an instant, the creature’s "vessel" would surely shatter!
"Haap!"
"Kuaaaaaagh!"
It worked.
The moment Seok Myeong drew up every drop of internal energy from his Dantian, the Geomma let out a horrific shriek and recoiled. Its entire body began to tremble violently. It couldn't even stand, reeling as if it had been struck by a physical mountain of power.
It was their chance.
"Haaat!"
Whoosh!
In that split second, Hyeok Ryeon-mo didn't miss the opportunity. He broke formation and lunged forward, swinging his broadsword. The blade let out a sharp whistle, severing the creature's head in a single, clean stroke.
Crunch! Thud!
"I killed it! I got it! I, Hyeok Ryeon-mo, have slain the Geomma!"
His thunderous roar of triumph echoed through the clearing.
"This is..."
"No, what in the..."
It was a selfish, opportunistic act that left even his allies speechless. While Namgung Jin and Peng Seo-ju stood dumbfounded...
"Hmph!"
Only Cheol So-yeon snorted. Her face said it all: Of course. That’s just like him.