Chapter 57
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: The Birth of a Divine Art
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Neung So-mil asked cautiously.
“But is it really okay to be like that while circulating energy?”
As the gazes of the three fell upon him, Neung So-mil continued.
“You always told me to cast aside distracting thoughts, saying my true energy would be disrupted.”
“Generally, that's true.”
Cho Ak-ryang nodded and looked at Dan Ak-seon again.
Words alone couldn't express Dan Ak-seon's talent.
After all, why else would masters of their caliber have recklessly imparted their internal energy arts to him? And in reality, Dan Ak-seon had perfectly managed to operate the different internal arts of all three.
That alone was an act that far surpassed the realm of ordinary talent.
They had only stopped him from training because as his internal energy accumulated, the conflicting natures of the true energies could clash and lead to Qi deviation.
“In any case, there's no other way for now.”
At Cho Ak-ryang's words, the others nodded silently.
They could only wait anxiously for his energy circulation to finish.
After a long while, Dan Ak-seon slowly opened his eyes.
Then he smiled faintly.
“So this is what it feels like.”
The three approached Dan Ak-seon, who was letting out a soft exclamation, and eagerly asked.
“Physician Dan, how was it?”
“Was there anything that could be a problem?”
“Nothing unusual?”
Dan Ak-seon nodded.
“Yes, it's very good.”
His body felt incredibly refreshed and light, as if he had just woken from a deep sleep.
Only then did the three let out sighs of relief.
“Then let's try training in tandem with the Dignified Fire Therapy.”
At Cho Ak-ryang's words, Dan Ak-seon sat cross-legged again.
Beom Gye-wi sat opposite Dan Ak-seon, while Han Seol-hwa took her place behind him.
When Dan Ak-seon closed his eyes and began circulating his energy, Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa met each other's gaze and slowly nodded.
Beom Gye-wi placed his palm over the Qihai acupoint, where Dan Ak-seon's dantian was located.
At the same time, Han Seol-hwa also pressed her palm against the Mingmen acupoint on Dan Ak-seon's back.
It was a natural movement, honed through countless practice sessions.
Despite this, an undeniable tension showed on both their faces.
This was the Dignified Fire Therapy being performed on none other than Dan Ak-seon.
No trial and error could be permitted.
Exchanging glances, the two simultaneously drew up their true energy.
In that instant, a formidable heat and chill poured from their hands through Dan Ak-seon's Qihai and Mingmen acupoints.
“……!”
The seated Dan Ak-seon flinched.
That was how immense the amount of true energy flooding through his meridians was.
But soon, his face became serene as if nothing had happened.
Two completely different, foreign energies violently clashed and tangled chaotically within him.
Yet, even amidst this, Dan Ak-seon held an unwavering faith in Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa.
So, without panicking, he entrusted his body to their true energy.
How much time had passed?
At a certain point, the energy swirling around Dan Ak-seon began to gradually merge.
And soon, its very nature began to change.
Neung So-mil, who had been watching blankly, unknowingly stepped toward Dan Ak-seon.
At that moment, Cho Ak-ryang, who was standing guard, spoke.
“That's far enough.”
It was a low but firm voice, filled with power.
“……!”
Startled, Neung So-mil came to his senses.
He only then realized he had been dazedly approaching Dan Ak-seon.
It was then that he witnessed the feast of brilliant, misty clouds enveloping the space within a hundred feet.
An energy that was endlessly warm, yet calming just to face. The waves of mist, shimmering like a heat haze, scattering and gathering again and again, were a marvel in themselves.
Neung So-mil couldn't close his gaping mouth.
“What in the world is this demonic art?”
“It's nothing like a demonic art.”
Cho Ak-ryang drew a firm line, speaking with a serious gaze.
“It is a divine art.”
A grandmaster of Cho Ak-ryang's stature had declared it so confidently; Neung So-mil had no choice but to believe him.
“Was it like this when I learned my divine art?”
Cho Ak-ryang let out a dry laugh and shook his head.
“This is only possible because it's Physician Dan. Physical condition aside, it's a method one wouldn't dare attempt without absolute trust in the other parties.”
Neung So-mil readily nodded in agreement.
To simultaneously accept the internal energy of both Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa.
The mere thought of it was frightening, making him break out in a cold sweat.
“Anyway, this is... incredible.”
Even at this moment, Neung So-mil was fighting with himself.
The energy surrounding Dan Ak-seon had a power that drew people in.
Thanks to Cho Ak-ryang, he was barely maintaining his rationality, but a moment's lapse in concentration felt like it would lead to being captivated by the energy before him.
The ultimate art of the Huashan Sect, the Plum Blossom Sword Style.
There was a rumor that using one of its techniques, Falling Plums Forming Rain, would fill the air for ten li in every direction with a faint plum blossom fragrance.
Back then, he had thought it was just an exaggeration by storytellers, but seeing such an unreal situation now, he felt it might actually be possible.
Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“It seems you're not the only one feeling it.”
“Pardon?”
Cho Ak-ryang gestured with his eyes toward the area behind Neung So-mil.
Neung So-mil turned his head, and his face went pale.
“Good heavens!”
Birds that had flown in from somewhere were surrounding them from a distance.
Moreover, all sorts of birds were still flying in from all directions.
The problem was that it wasn't just the birds that were captivated by the energy Dan Ak-seon was emitting.
Intoxicated by the mysterious energy faintly enveloping the entire valley, even four-legged beasts were entering the valley's entrance.
Neung So-mil was flabbergasted even seeing it with his own eyes.
Small animals like rabbits and squirrels, far from fearing predators like tigers and bears, were approaching in herds, sauntering together.
The sight was so strange it felt almost bizarre.
“You'll have your work cut out for you for a while.”
“Me?”
Puzzled for a moment, Neung So-mil gave a bitter smile at Cho Ak-ryang's next words.
“I must stay here in case something happens, so someone has to stop those creatures from approaching, right?”
Neung So-mil sighed and stood in the way of the approaching animals.
Facing countless animals of all kinds was more overwhelming than he had expected.
It couldn't be compared to the Myriad Beast Grand Formation, the secret art of Yunnan's Myriad Beast Manor, but the sense of pressure was no less.
From behind his tense back, Cho Ak-ryang's voice reached him.
“Your hardship won't last long. Physician Dan will quickly become accustomed to handling his true energy. When that happens, troublesome tasks like this will diminish.”
They were not comforting words for the moment, but Neung So-mil had no other choice.
The words of Cho Ak-ryang, his distant senior and an absolute master, were as good as a command from the Jade Emperor.
Neung So-mil gritted his teeth and threw himself into the great wave of beasts.
A moment later.
“Pant… pant…”
Having driven the beasts out of Divine Demon Valley with all his might, Neung So-mil stood guard at the entrance, catching his breath.
Fortunately, the animals, having been given a good scare, didn't dare to enter the valley again.
Only the tiger, the ruler of the mountain, growled from a distance.
But even that didn't last long.
Suddenly, the animals began to leave in a hurry, as if they had come to their senses.
Turning his head toward the inner valley, Neung So-mil could guess the reason.
The misty cloud of true energy emanating from all the pores of Dan Ak-seon's body seemed to surge once, then in an instant, it began to be absorbed back into him, as if sucked in through his nose and the crown of his head.
And not long after, Dan Ak-seon opened his eyes.
Following him, Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa also slowly rose to their feet.
Cho Ak-ryang smiled and said.
“You've worked hard.”
The training of the divine art, enhanced by the Dignified Fire Therapy.
He didn't need to be told whether it was a success.
The sight of Dan Ak-seon examining his own body in astonishment, and the satisfied smiles on the faces of the other two despite their exhaustion, said it all.
***
Ten days had passed since Dan Ak-seon began training his internal energy.
“Incredible.”
Cho Ak-ryang, who was examining Dan Ak-seon's condition, exclaimed in genuine admiration.
He had already heard the explanation from Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa, but he had checked for himself just in case.
The internal energy that had taken root was truly astounding.
The pure and powerful true energy, unbelievable for only ten days of training, was in no way inferior to that of disciples who had trained for years in renowned Taoist sects.
‘No.’
In fact, the purity of the refined internal energy was beyond comparison.
He had been aware of Dan Ak-seon's aptitude and had expected a certain level of progress, but the result far surpassed his expectations, leaving Cho Ak-ryang dumbfounded.
“See, what did I tell you.”
Beom Gye-wi shrugged, looking at Dan Ak-seon with a proud expression.
“I guess this is why everyone is so eager to take on disciples.”
Cho Ak-ryang chuckled dryly.
The reality was often the exact opposite.
Weren't there countless masters who grew frustrated with their disciples' slow progress?
In that sense, they had encountered a rare and fortunate opportunity.
At that moment, Dan Ak-seon stood up and smiled faintly.
“Well then, I'll go organize my things.”
“Are you planning to continue writing a journal?”
Dan Ak-seon nodded at Cho Ak-ryang's question.
“It's unlikely, but I should prepare for the one-in-a-million chance that a problem occurs. Recording the training process and my feelings every day will surely be helpful.”
As Dan Ak-seon headed for the pavilion, Cho Ak-ryang spoke to Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa.
“Looks like we're about to get busy too.”
“What's there to be busy about? Physician Dan is doing just fine on his own.”
“Do you think internal energy alone makes martial arts?”
At Cho Ak-ryang's rebuke, Beom Gye-wi finally understood his meaning.
The Dignified Fire Divine Arts was, after all, an internal energy art.
To properly execute it, an external art capable of fully containing its power was necessary.
“So, do we have to put our heads together and research an external art again?”
Cho Ak-ryang shook his head at Beom Gye-wi's worried question.
“There's no need for that.”
Cho Ak-ryang continued his explanation to the puzzled Beom Gye-wi.
“Even if we create new techniques now, is it likely his understanding or proficiency will surpass existing martial arts? The arts we have mastered are worthy of being called divine ultimate arts. Therefore, we should each just teach Physician Dan the martial art we are most confident in.”
“Brother Cho, what are you planning to teach?”
“What am I better at than grappling arts?”
Beom Gye-wi readily agreed with a nod.
“Then I guess I'll have to teach him how to use a weapon.”
Han Seol-hwa, who had been listening quietly from the side, furrowed her brow.
The thought of Dan Ak-seon swinging that hideous iron flail displeased her.
Noticing this, Beom Gye-wi glared at Han Seol-hwa.
“It's not like that, you know?”
Beom Gye-wi lifted his Great Thistle Staff.
He grabbed the chain part connected to the body and twisted it forcefully.
*Clank.*
The spiky head then detached along with the chain.
The weapon had been designed to be assembled and disassembled like that from the start.
“Now it's exactly the length of an eyebrow-staff, isn't it?”
“……”
“The staff is the beginning of all weapons under heaven.”
Especially since it had no blade, there was no better weapon for Dan Ak-seon, a physician.
It's not for nothing that the monks of Shaolin are obsessed with the staff.
Compared to other weapons like sabers or swords, it is a weapon with significantly less killing intent.
“I didn't say anything.”
At Han Seol-hwa's words, Beom Gye-wi's eyebrow twitched.
“You said it with your eyes!”
“You read my thoughts with that?”
Han Seol-hwa stared at Beom Gye-wi, inwardly dumbfounded.
Beom Gye-wi then growled.
“Who are you calling an idiot!”
For a moment, Han Seol-hwa froze.
Her expression clearly showed that he had hit the mark. Cho Ak-ryang smiled wryly and asked Han Seol-hwa.
“Sister Han, what are you thinking of teaching?”
Han Seol-hwa silently raised her hand.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze over, and then a transparent ice spear materialized in the empty air.
Seeing this, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi nodded.
When it came to wielding astral energy from a distance, who could possibly match her?
And so, through the agreement of the three, the martial arts Dan Ak-seon would learn were decided.