Prime Returns with the First Snow (2)
Baek So-cheon immersed himself in the Dragon Spring and began circulating his energy for meditation.
A fragrant medicinal aroma wafted from the box containing the two roots of millennium snow ginseng given to him by the Alliance Lord.
These were spirit herbs that could grant sixty years of inner power per root once fully absorbed. Previously, Baek So-cheon had consumed one and gained twenty years—only a third of its potential.
But this time would be different. His Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method had reached the fourth stage, and he had the Dragon Spring besides. He expected to gain a few more years' worth of power.
Mighty energy fused with existing inner power. +4 years beyond expectation.
"Good!"
Baek So-cheon consumed the second root as well. This time, he recovered one more year than before—twenty-five years of inner power.
Total gain: 49 years. Combined with original 100 years—149 Years Inner Power.
His previous prime had been three jia—180 years of inner power.
But his current power was far purer, so he could consider himself fully restored to that heyday.
No, he was even stronger now. The purity made up for the thirty-year gap and then some. With supreme arts like the greatest under heaven in both inner and outer techniques, he had surpassed his old self in every way.
Emerging from the Dragon Spring, Baek So-cheon drew up his inner power.
Whoooosh.
Heat radiated from his body, evaporating every drop of clinging moisture.
He extended a hand, and his clothes flew to him. Spreading his arms, the garments moved like living things, dressing him on their own.
Reaching out again, the Ghost Shadow Sword unsheathed and soared into his grasp.
Baek So-cheon poured his inner power to the limit into the Ghost Shadow Sword.
The sword's hum changed.
A far more terrifying wail of ghosts echoed through the stone chamber.
From that sound alone, Baek So-cheon knew.
He was stronger than before.
"Hahaha!"
His delighted laughter echoed through the Heavenly Dragon Secret Chamber.
Now he could face Yeom Hwa-sin properly. Against the old him, he was confident of victory—especially knowing that man's heart wasn't in the right place.
But if Yeom Hwa-sin had achieved the Diamond Indestructible Body, he still lacked confidence.
The sure way to beat him was mastering the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.
Could he reach Great Success before spring?
Even for Baek So-cheon, it was an impossible goal.
But he had no other choice. His hope lay in the sword having only seven forms.
'I'll give it my all.'
What couldn't be achieved despite full effort was just fate.
Baek So-cheon left the Heavenly Dragon Secret Chamber.
Now for serious training. He needed a place to unleash his power freely, away from prying eyes.
Packing rations in his satchel, he headed to his old training spot from his Iron Sword Unit days—a secret place no one knew.
Even masters couldn't reach it easily. It required finding the hidden path and scaling sheer cliffs.
Baek So-cheon leaped over effortlessly. Cutting through the fierce winds between cliffs, he truly felt his return to form.
Passing through dense woods, he reached a clearing ringed by high cliffs—vast enough for solo practice.
"Ah, it's exactly the same!"
Baek So-cheon beamed at the unchanged haven, like reuniting with an old friend.
His intensive martial training began in earnest.
He rearranged his schedule: first the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method, second the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists, and the rest on the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.
This training was different. He poured inner power freely into the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists and Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword, practicing properly at last.
After meditative circulation to calm his mind, he warmed up with the Heavenly Thunder Nine Fists.
Finally, drawing the Ghost Shadow Sword, he etched the sword formulas into his heart.
Prepared, he leaped into the air and swung.
Like heaven's might crashing as lightning, seven sword lines plunged downward.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
How could anyone block strikes this fast? Even the practitioner worried for any foe.
'If it were me?'
Could he block it? As the attacker, he doubted it. Neither old sword arts nor the first three forms of the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword offered a defense.
Each form learned sent shivers through him.
It wasn't easy—but the hardship was worth wielding such arts.
Thus, Baek So-cheon's training continued.
Ten days passed here.
Screeeeech.
The Ghost Shadow Sword whirled around him with a razor wind.
Its thrusting, slashing, downward strokes traced a curve for the first time.
Faster than the first form, it tore through the air in rotation.
Five days in, he had mastered the first form perfectly. Ten days later—today—he conquered the fifth.
He executed the fifth flawlessly, finishing before the first form ended.
To ordinary eyes, it would seem thirty-plus sword lines flashing into existence and vanishing simultaneously.
Training the first and fifth forms taught Baek So-cheon a vital lesson.
He had undervalued his bone transformation. In joy over regained power, he overlooked its true boon.
Executing up to the fifth so swiftly stemmed from inner power surging instantly through his body.
His bone transformation was optimized for supreme quicksword arts.
The more he trained, the more he fell under the quicksword's spell.
His motions felt faster; others seemed slower by comparison.
Baek So-cheon's heart pounded.
Excitement from achievements—and trepidation for what lay ahead.
A massive wall loomed now.
He had breezed through to the fifth, but the sixth baffled him—how to execute, how to channel power.
It was as if it whispered: Humans, stop here.
Baek So-cheon saw this wall not as a foe, but a stepping stone. The sixth and seventh forms yearned for someone to surpass it.
'Wait. I'll master you!'
This barrier would become his foothold to the next.
"It's cold. Come inside."
At Im Choong's words, his son Chan paused training.
"Just half a shichen more, then I'll head in."
Chan was utterly absorbed in martial practice lately.
Im Choong asked Beon Saeng to teach him whenever time allowed. Parenting wasn't easy, and Beon Saeng's skill and talent far outshone his own.
Baek So-cheon had taught on the same day, but the gap was wide.
He felt sorry for Beon Saeng, but his son's future came first. Thankfully, Beon Saeng always taught cheerfully—Im Choong was deeply grateful.
"Father, it's cold. Go inside."
"I'll wait a bit longer. Focus on your training."
"Yes, sir."
Watching his rapidly growing son stirred myriad thoughts in Im Choong—pride, worry over navigating the harsh jianghu.
His wife Ju-ssi always urged faith in their son's destiny, infusing positivity.
Im Choong, planning to leave soon, ended up watching until Chan finished.
"Good work."
The pair walked home side by side.
"You want to join the Murim Alliance?"
"Yes. Once skilled enough, I'll take the entrance exam."
"Isn't it too soon?"
"Since I've set my mind, entering early isn't bad."
His child spoke with surprising maturity.
But inwardly, Im Choong thought it premature. Even if ready, he'd wait till of age.
"Go rest."
"Yes, Father."
As Chan entered, Im Choong lingered, gazing skyward.
Autumn felt like yesterday; now winter had come.
"What is Brother up to?"
He hadn't seen Baek So-cheon in over a month.
Then a familiar voice from behind.
"Been busy."
Im Choong whirled, startled. Baek So-cheon stood there.
"Brother? When did you arrive?"
"Just now."
In truth, much earlier. He'd watched from afar as Im Choong watched Chan's training.
Seeing father and son soothed him—like a purification.
To his madness for strength, it whispered: 'Pause. Remember why you train.'
Martial arts resembled money, he thought.
Abundance brought ease and security, but not happiness.
Yeom Hwa-sin proved it; he wasn't much different.
If asked, "Are you happy?" could he answer without hesitation?
Even pondering it meant he stood one step from true joy.
"Thanks to you, I can step away carefree."
"What have I done?"
"No empty words."
Im Choong met Baek So-cheon's eyes. Less than a year together, yet he knew those words rang true.
Some bonds grew with time; others pierced deep regardless.
"I'm grateful you think so."
"Don't misunderstand—it's not 'work harder.'"
"Pardon?"
"Quite the opposite. Don't just bury yourself in work. Looking back, my life was all battles—no regrets, but I wouldn't choose it again. So don't live only for duty."
"Yes, Brother."
Just then.
Something fell from the sky onto Baek So-cheon's head.
Their gazes turned upward.
"Oh? It's snowing."
Fluttering down like dancers—snowflakes. The first of the year. Im Choong looked up in awe.
"Ah, first snow!"
Glancing back after a moment, he asked Baek So-cheon.
"Do you like snow, Brother? Brother? Brother!"
Baek So-cheon had vanished.
"What kept him so busy he left without farewell?"
Heading inside, Im Choong called loudly.
"Chan! Snow's falling. First snow!"