The Qi Arts Master Chapter 34
Tian Ailang felt his inner power for the first time in ages.
'I can sense my qi.'
He hadn't been able to detect its presence before, but now he could.
Wooong—
The sword hummed just like before.
'Hm? Is this sword the cause?'
As the blade sang, his qi stirred in tandem—it seemed deeply connected somehow.
Whatever the reason, it was welcome. Tian Ailang seized the moment, focusing intently on his meditation.
Though it had been ages since his last session, he slipped effortlessly into a meditative trance.
Ever since learning meditation and inner power from his grandfather, he'd descended Baekdu Mountain, met the Damga siblings, encountered the Demonic Cult, passed through the Blood Cult and the Geomancer Old Man, and fought Draku—all in rapid succession.
Then came his ties to the Healing Pavilion folk, his sworn brothers, and their shared life together. Tian Ailang had weathered countless joys and sorrows.
Out in the world, he'd felt and learned so much. Bonds with good people had taught him affection, loyalty, and brotherhood, washing away much of his old sense of utter isolation.
He'd fought many battles, but most stemmed from personal vengeance against the Demonic Cult.
Saving others along the way and earning their gratitude had been mere side benefits, trifles of low value.
But extending kindness to his sworn brothers, healing Hwalan of the Healing Pavilion, protecting the porters from Green Forest bandits, and living alongside his brothers had shifted his perspective.
Personal desires might still color his motives, but more often now, he wielded his strength for others.
Naturally, his thoughts turned to the nature of power.
What was power? Personal talent? A gift from heaven? Blessing or curse?
What of martial arts? Why did they pursue them? Mere tools for self-advancement?
Why did they revere the word xia—the righteous hero—so highly? Was it truly so noble?
What was inner power? Truly the fruit of human effort alone? Or did heaven grant a calling for its use?
From this endless chain of questions, Tian Ailang grasped a small enlightenment.
'Treat inner power without prejudice. Harbor no thoughts about it at all.'
Woooong—!
The sword's cry swelled, filling the room.
Until now, Tian Ailang had viewed inner power as a tool solely for one's own use—Chanho's qi was Chanho's, Sogeol's was Sogeol's. Each person's power belonged to them alone; it was obvious.
But reconsidering, he wondered: We all draw breath from the same nature, gathering and storing qi to build inner power. Why, then, was it different for each?
'Let go. Release everything and accept it as it is.'
Wooong—!
Tian Ailang accepted himself fully—as he was, inner power lost; sometimes angry, sometimes joyful with laughter; acting righteously for brothers at times; even harboring vengeful thoughts.
Woooong—!
As he gazed upon his true self, his entire body suddenly opened. The gentle energies of great nature seeped in.
A scant trace of inner power, hidden who-knows-where in his dantian, emerged to envelop his body.
This modest inner power brushed shyly against nature's qi, then gradually dissolved boundaries and merged.
Lower, middle, and upper dantian—all opened, along with his whole body.
Immense pleasure crackled through him.
Tian Ailang's cross-legged form slowly rose into the air.
* * *
The next morning.
"Huh?!"
"Brother Ailang...? What's with that sword?"
Tian Ailang caught Chanho and Sogeol's startled expressions outside the annex.
He smiled softly. "Looks like it was a treasured blade after all. It resonated with my qi under the moonlight and revealed its true form."
"Your aura feels different, Ailang. Related to this?"
At Chanho's question, Tian Ailang thought idly of drawing over a drifting leaf.
Shaaa—
The leaf in his gaze trembled, then floated toward his hand on a breeze-like wind.
Thought, process, result—all collapsed into a seamless point, flowing smoothly without hitch.
Sogeol and Chanho gaped in shock.
"Gasp? Brother, did you just use air-grasping?"
"Impressive, Ailang. Have you finally recovered your inner power?"
"That's the right way to see it."
Tian Ailang nodded at his brothers' amazement.
Sogeol tilted his head. "Huh...? What's with the vague phrasing, brother?"
"Well... hard to put into words."
Tian Ailang chuckled awkwardly. "I had a small enlightenment. Afterward, checking myself, it felt less like drawing inner power from my dantian and more like simply using nature's qi... Not fully sorted yet, so tough to explain."
He sensed he'd entered the fifth stage of qi arts—communing freely with nature's qi even without meditating.
But how to describe this stage to his brothers? He couldn't find the words.
Instead, he shared the Paired Valley Sword's changes last night and his resulting insight.
Chanho, hearing it all, suddenly sat cross-legged and sank into deep meditation. Tian Ailang and Sogeol wisely stepped back to stand guard.
Fortunately, the annex held only the sworn brothers, so blocking the entrance would keep others away.
Once at a proper distance, Sogeol whispered excitedly. "Brother! You're amazing!"
"What is?"
Tian Ailang cocked his head at Sogeol's dramatic face.
Flushed, Sogeol replied, "'The sage does not cling to his own.' That's you to a tee."
"What's that mean?"
"I mean, which martial artist shares their enlightenment like this after gaining it?"
Tian Ailang tilted his head sideways. "Why not?"
Sogeol giggled at his pure innocence. "Martial artists prize their insights above life itself. Even within the same sect, they hush them up."
"Really? But you and Chanho are my precious brothers."
Sogeol flinched, touched. "Brother... Even so, normal masters don't share like this. Why else would they risk life and limb for a high master's insights—their heartfelt realizations?"
"Huh? Can't you just gain enlightenment again? And risk your life for someone else's insight?"
Sogeol's mouth twitched into laugh lines, his face a mask of disbelief. "Whaaat? 'Gain it again'? Look at this guy. Do you know how rare enlightenment is for a martial artist? Especially one that elevates your realm!"
Tian Ailang calmed the spitting, heated Sogeol. "Okay, okay. Did I do something wrong?"
"Ugh! Don't say crap like 'Enlightenment's just what comes from a quick meditation' in front of other martial folks. High or low skill, it'll get you beaten to death—super unlucky words."
Sogeol exaggeratedly mimicked Tian Ailang's face.
Tian Ailang smirked at him. "Haha, got it. I'll be careful." Then, seriously: "Was my face that punchable?"
Sogeol shrugged. "Nah, you're fine. Being so handsome makes you punchable by default."
Tian Ailang's brow twitched. "What?"
Sogeol kept his face straight, eyes sliding sideways innocently.
About half an hour of quiet chat later, Chanho rose silently and approached.
Sogeol and Tian Ailang congratulated him.
"Congrats, Brother Chanho."
"Congratulations."
Chanho beamed purely, delighted. "Thanks."
Dusting his palms, he continued. "To celebrate your recovery, Ailang, and your guys' blessings—I'm treating today! Name what you want to eat!"
Sogeol shot back without thinking. "Yes! Brother, they say the fish head dishes here at Dongting Lake are the best."
"Perfect! Feeling this good, let's eat, drink, and party!"
"Sounds good!"
"Awesome!"
* * *
The sworn brothers left Eoyang Pavilion for an inn called the Peace Inn.
People last night at drinks had raved that its fish head dishes were tops.
The two-story inn was modestly sized but packed despite the early hour.
"Welcome! This is Fish Head One Taste Peace Inn. Fish dishes, booze, basic meals—all available. What'll it be?"
The waiter guided them briskly and took orders as they entered.
They ordered every variety of freshwater fish head dish, plus liquor.
A bit excessive, but Chanho—in high spirits—ordered with gusto.
The food arrived promptly in waves: grilled, steamed, fried; mild and spicy—satisfying every taste.
"Man~ I could live here forever with you brothers, feasting lakeside. Great views, delicious food, chill people. Nice, right?"
Sogeol waved his arms like a theater actor, expressing his joy.
Tian Ailang and Chanho agreed.
"Totally. Glad we listened to our maknae this time."
"You have your uses now and then."
Sogeol wagged his shoulders at Chanho. "Heh heh~ Say that, but you're super grateful inside, huh? Adore your cute lil bro?"
Chanho smirked and downed his drink at the cheek.
As he refilled the brothers' glasses for a toast, Tian Ailang's gaze locked outside the inn.
He shot to his feet.
"Brother Ailang, gotta pee?"
Ignoring Sogeol, Tian Ailang focused his vision, then excused himself to his brothers.
"Someone I have a small old connection with—looks like trouble. Blood on his clothes..."
Tian Ailang glanced apologetically around. Chanho waved it off.
"Oh yeah? Let's check it out."
"Yeah, brother."
Sogeol chimed in.
"...You sure?"
Tian Ailang hesitated, not wanting to ruin the vibe.
Sogeol snickered. "Heh~ Acting like a weary old man shouldering the world's worries again."
"Come on, Ailang. What's the big deal? Let's go!"
Chanho urged him on. Sogeol quickly added to Chanho, "Brother Chanho, settle the bill fast!"
Chanho's brow twitched. "......Yeah, yeah. Tch, rubs me the wrong way."
"Aw, what's that~ Hurry back! Let's go, Brother Ailang!"
Exiting the inn, Tian Ailang swiftly pursued his target.
He caught up in an alley soon enough.
"Hey!"
At Tian Ailang's call, a man turned—and startled badly.