The Fire Spirit Mental Art and the As-You-Wish Disordered Flower Sword
Cheonhwa learned a great deal of useful information from Nam Sa-ik.
He had thought that saving the Haedong Merchant Group and elevating it to the greatest merchant guild in the central plains would not be particularly difficult. But after listening to Nam Sa-ik, he realized he had been taking the matter far too lightly.
“First, we need to build connections with the powerful. In that regard, it would be better for Cheon-sang to step forward and meet them rather than me.”
The Haedong Merchant Group belonged to his mother’s side of the family. Since it was not the main family line, Cheonhwa believed it was only right for Cheon-sang, So-ryong, and Jin-hwa to lead it together.
“How should I approach this? Should I use the bribe ledger we obtained from Yiwonjang to create ties with them? Or would it be better to inform Prince Ying’s mansion about the matter, have those officials executed, and then build relationships with the newly appointed ones?”
He pondered the question briefly, but the conclusion was obvious. Someone who had betrayed once would betray again. Even if he used the bribe ledger to move them, they would constantly search for it in secret and harm the Haedong Merchant Group.
“It would be better to inform Prince Ying. He will launch his own investigation and punish them accordingly.”
To do that, however, he needed more detailed information on the officials’ corruption beyond what was in the ledger.
“It might be possible with Haomun’s help. After learning a bit more about Prince Ying, I should visit his mansion with Cheon-sang.”
Instead of heading to the Haedong Merchant Group, Cheonhwa made his way to Sang-a-ru in Taihu.
“Welcome, my lord.”
“You’ve been well, I hope. Madam, you seem to grow more beautiful every time I see you.”
A smile bloomed on Ga-wol’s lips at his words.
“Who could compare to you, my lord? The courtesans of Sang-a-ru are all lovesick because of you.”
“Because of me?”
“They complain that a young, handsome man like you keeps visiting an old woman like me. The younger girls’ jealousy is no small thing. At this rate, they look ready to start swinging knives.”
Cheonhwa stared at her with a dazed expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah, am I really that handsome?”
“Of course. Among all the men I’ve seen in my life, you are the most handsome. If you applied makeup and adorned yourself with flowers, you would be more beautiful than any woman.”
Cheonhwa gave an awkward smile.
“You really shouldn’t tease me by calling me young. Anyway, did the sect leader leave any other messages for me?”
“He said you may access all the information you requested, and that the promised elixir will be delivered within a month.”
“And?”
“Selecting suitable talents is a time-consuming task, so he will finish the process within six months and send them to this branch.”
“Even though Uncle keeps saying he doesn’t like it, he still does everything he can.”
“Uncle?”
“That’s how it turned out. Since I’m not losing anything by it, I decided to call the sect leader Uncle.”
Ga-wol couldn’t help but laugh at Cheonhwa’s brazen charm.
“The reason I came today is that I want to know about Prince Ying’s mansion and Prince Ying himself.”
“About Prince Ying’s mansion and the prince?”
“Yes. I’m told that merchants and those in power share an inseparable relationship.”
“That is correct. Whether they are officials, martial artists, or even the scholars of the academy, the same holds true. If you want to sell them goods, the influence of those with power is absolute.”
“That’s why I plan to report the corrupt officials of Jiangsu Province to Prince Ying so they can all be eliminated.”
“It will not be easy.”
“I know. Still, if word spreads that the information reached Prince Ying’s ears, they’ll at least be more cautious.”
Ga-wol nodded.
“While they’re keeping their heads down, I intend to grow the Haedong Merchant Group even further.”
“The Gangso Merchant Group and Wolyeongmun will not sit idly by. According to rumors, Wolyeongmun is preparing to make a move.”
“That’s exactly what I’m hoping for. I’ve heard that justification is crucial no matter what one does.”
“It is.”
“Because if I want to strike Wolyeongmun, I need proper justification.”
“Wolyeongmun is the greatest unorthodox sect in Jiangsu Province. No matter how strong you may be, my lord, you cannot face them alone.”
Ga-wol spoke in a scolding tone, as if warning him against courting disaster.
“Don’t worry about that. I possess enough power to defeat a sect like Wolyeongmun.”
He spoke so casually that she wondered whether she should actually believe him.
“Even so, it is a dangerous thought. Behind Wolyeongmun stands the Warlord Alliance.”
“We can think about that when the time comes. For now, please tell me about Prince Ying’s mansion and the prince himself. If possible, I’d like details on his family as well.”
“Understood. I will prepare the information in book form.”
“Thank you.”
At the sight of Cheonhwa’s bright smile, Ga-wol felt her heart flutter.
A man shouldn’t be this beautiful…
“You want me to memorize all of this?”
“That’s right. Apparently it’s better to remember it than to simply memorize it.”
Cheonhwa handed Cheon-sang the book Ga-wol had given him, which contained detailed information on Prince Ying’s mansion, the prince himself, and his family.
“But why Prince Ying’s mansion?”
“Isn’t Prince Ying’s mansion the head of the water forces?”
“It is.”
“Then the amount of supplies they consume must be enormous, right? Daily necessities, food supplies, military materials, and everything else.”
“That’s true, but there must already be merchant groups that trade with Prince Ying’s mansion.”
“There probably are. But I think it’s wrong to give up and not even try just because other merchants exist. So I believe it’s important for us to clash with them once and find out exactly what we’re lacking.”
Cheon-sang listened to Cheonhwa’s words and nodded.
“Cheonhwa, you’re always so full of confidence.”
“That’s how I was raised. I still don’t know the world very well. That’s why. On the other hand, you understand how the world works, so you have worries and concerns.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. If I hadn’t grown up on the island but in a city, seeing all sorts of things, I would probably think and act as cautiously as you do.”
“All right. I’ll study this thoroughly.”
“You have a good head on your shoulders, so you’ll pick it up quickly.”
Cheon-sang’s mood improved at Cheonhwa’s praise. Until Cheonhwa had come to the merchant group, he had always been alone. He had followed his father, Yi Ja-saeng, enduring hardships without ever complaining. After Cheonhwa arrived, he had become a great source of comfort.
Now that his two younger siblings had returned to the family and were learning martial arts together, his loneliness had lessened. In fact, he barely had time to feel lonely at all.
Perhaps that was why Cheon-sang always felt grateful toward Cheonhwa.
“Move quickly.”
People hurried about busily.
When the family had fallen into decline, they had let most of the servants go, leaving only the bare minimum of personnel. The vast manor had been practically abandoned. Now, however, quite a few people had returned to the household, filling the grounds with vibrant energy.
All of this had begun after Cheonhwa entered the family. Because of that, Cheon-sang firmly believed that Cheonhwa had brought great fortune to their house.
“I’ll go see So-ryong and Jin-hwa.”
“All right. I’ll study this and do some research.”
After parting with Cheon-sang, Cheonhwa headed to the training ground behind the inner courtyard of the main residence to meet So-ryong and Jin-hwa.
The training ground had been newly built for the two of them. Though somewhat crude, it posed no hindrance to practicing martial arts.
“Hah!”
The sound of their spirited shouts filled the training ground.
They had already reached the point where their sword strikes carried considerable spirit.
Cheonhwa felt reasonably satisfied with their progress.
“You’re doing well now. Since your foundations seem solid, it’s time for you to learn martial arts suited to each of you.”
“Martial arts suited to us?”
“Did you think you would keep practicing the Three Talents Sword, Four Symbols Sword, and Six Harmonies Sword forever? Those are only for building your basics, deepening your understanding of the sword, and developing your stamina.”
“Ah…”
“So-ryong and Jin-hwa will learn different martial arts. This is because we must consider the physical differences between men and women.”
“Thank you, Brother!”
“However, it will be more difficult than what you’ve learned until now. Since you’ve endured well so far, I trust you will do well. If the two of you become strong and help Cheon-sang, the Haedong Merchant Group will surely regain its former glory.”
“We will keep it in mind.”
“Good. Let’s begin. So-ryong, sit in the lotus position first. I will use my energy to show you the formulas of the mental cultivation method and the paths the inner energy takes.”
Once So-ryong assumed the lotus position, Cheonhwa sat behind him in the same posture. He placed one hand on So-ryong’s Mingmen acupoint and moved his energy. It flowed through his hand into So-ryong’s acupoint.
I'll tell you until you remember it all. Nod once you've memorized everything.
So-ryong closed his eyes.
Cheonhwa’s voice echoed directly inside his mind.
The mental cultivation method for the Fire Spirit Divine Art you will learn in the future. As the name suggests, it is a powerful yang-attribute technique. If mastered, it is said one can command the spirit of fire itself.
So-ryong focused with everything he had, trying to remember even a single word more of what Cheonhwa said.
Cheonhwa moved his own energy through So-ryong’s acupoints, clearly explaining which pathways the energy followed when circulating the mental method.
Don't rush or grow impatient. Take your time and feel it with your body until you remember it completely.
Whenever Cheonhwa used his energy to open So-ryong’s blocked acupoints, the boy’s face would twitch slightly.
It must be hard to endure. Just how much abuse did he suffer in the Wulin Alliance…
Cheonhwa was impressed by So-ryong’s determination to memorize the formulas despite the pain.
Endure just a little longer. Then I will help you soar.
About one shichen after Cheonhwa had begun imparting the mental cultivation method, So-ryong nodded.
Circulate the energy on your own and complete one full cycle of the mental method.
So-ryong did as Cheonhwa instructed, moving the small amount of energy in his dantian to complete one circulation of the Fire Spirit Mental Art. During this time, Cheonhwa observed So-ryong’s internal condition, confirming that the energy was flowing along the correct paths.
Well done. Calm your body slowly and conclude the circulation.
After sending the message, Cheonhwa rose from his position and looked at Jin-hwa.
“You sit in the lotus position as well.”
He transmitted the mental cultivation method to Jin-hwa using the same approach, except the martial art itself was different.
Cheonhwa taught Jin-hwa the As-You-Wish Disordered Flower Sword. It was a martial art better suited for women than men. Rather than relying on raw power, it emphasized countless variations and changes.
Because it required considerable flexibility, it was more appropriate for women. That did not mean men could not learn it, but women gained more advantages from practicing it.
Only after teaching the mental cultivation method to Jin-hwa as well did Cheonhwa stand up.
Both of them remained in the lotus position, circulating the mental methods they had just learned from him.
Cheonhwa watched them until the end before speaking.
“Simply working hard doesn’t mean you’re doing it correctly. It literally means you’re just working hard. That will only damage your body. No matter what you learn, you must understand it properly and train effectively so that your body suffers no harm.”
The two listened to Cheonhwa’s words while remaining in the lotus position.
“From now on, practice twice a day—once in the morning when you open your eyes and once at night before you sleep.”
They gave no verbal reply, but he believed they had understood him.
Everyone is working so diligently. The family should rise again soon. Now then, how exactly should I crush the Gangso Merchant Group?