The Qi Arts Master Chapter 45
“Achoo!”
Dam Haung suddenly sneezed, his body shuddering. Tian Ailang, following close behind, asked with concern.
“Patriarch, are you feeling cold somewhere?”
Dam Haung gave an awkward smile. “Ha, haha, no. Just a sudden chill. Must be from gazing endlessly at the snow, lost in the vanity of time.”
The group had gathered in Dam Haung's study, waiting for Dam Soyeon's tea while chatting idly.
“Father, don't just bury yourself in books—keep up your martial arts training and take care of your health.”
At Nim Daegyeok's worried words, Dam Haung puffed out his chest proudly. “Does this brat think his old man's washed up? I'm still in my prime. I can read books for three days straight without rest, and steam most martial artists alive!”
“Sigh... Father, don't you think that's rather unrefined language for the head of a scholarly family that produced even a prime minister?”
Dam Haung chuckled mockingly. “Refined? You know how many 'refined' folks these days mistake cultivation for arrogance? That's far worse.”
“Turning the accumulation of teachings into piling up pride...”
Chan Ho nodded in admiration. Watching his reaction, Dam Haung suddenly posed a question to everyone in the room.
“Exactly. So, what is true cultivation?”
Nim Daegyeok wasn't fazed by his father's abrupt query. From childhood, he'd been taught to ponder such koans and answer for himself—to establish his own resolve.
“Cultivation is just what it says: accumulating teachings. Knowledge gained from books, I'd say.”
Chan Ho answered. “Right enough, but incomplete.”
Song Sogeol raised his hand to join in. “The source feels too narrow. Knowledge from books alone is dead knowledge. True cultivation, I think, comes from applying that book learning to real people in the world and synthesizing it from their responses.”
Dam Haung smiled in satisfaction, praising him. “Excellent insight. That's right too. But still incomplete.”
Tian Ailang shared his view. “I believe everything comes from nature. A book is just the author's enlightenment. And where did that author get it from? Trace it back far enough, and it's humans gaining insight from nature. For me, aside from Grandfather's teachings, everything came from nature.”
Dam Haung nodded with interest. “Hmm. Nature... That's fresh. Right again.”
“Wait, if everything's right, what's the actual answer?”
Song Sogeol muttered quietly. Dam Haung stroked his beard with a faint smile. “You should have studied scholarship. Haha!”
Song Sogeol scowled. Dam Haung eyed him amusedly before turning to Nim Daegyeok. “Daegyeok, do you know?”
Nim Daegyeok nodded calmly. “I learned it from you before, Father.”
“Good. What is true cultivation?”
“It's knowing, in a conflict or clash with others, that you might be wrong too—not just them.”
Dam Haung nodded repeatedly, stroking his beard as he slowly scanned the thoughtful group.
Chan Ho thought of his father and sect members, finding 'consider you might be wrong' a tough pill. He scowled deeply.
Song Sogeol stared into space, racking his brain. Tian Ailang sat with eyes closed, deep in reflection.
What talents. Wrestling insights from a koan like this. Haha, the future's bright indeed.
Dam Haung gazed warmly at them and continued. “Yes, but those who dismiss others and insist only they're right? They've learned much, but it turned to arrogance—hence false cultivation. There's no absolute right in this world. Especially for a strategist in any group: always keep your ears open, doubt every judgment, consider all possibilities.”
Nim Daegyeok realized his father was teaching him through this 'chat.' Seeing his seemingly aloof but caring dad, he smirked inwardly.
When he'd first joined the Red Turbans, Father hadn't approved—but still assigned personal guards.
Tian Ailang felt Nim Daegyeok and Dam Haung's words blend with Grandfather's teachings.
Ailang, our clan gathers those who seek to emulate and embody nature. So what is nature?
Nature? Hmm... The trees and lake over there?
Haha, yes, that's nature. But our clan's insight: nature is emptiness. And also fullness.
Empty and full?
Yes, nature embraces all. How to embrace everything?
A broad mind?
Hahaha, that's right. But there's an easier way.
What, Grandfather?
Empty yourself of all to embrace all. It'll fill naturally.
Ugh... I don't get it.
Hahaha, you will someday. Then you'll near our clan's aspiration. But remember this:
What?
Always stand in the middle observing the world. If your resolve is firm, act without fear. And since there's no high or low in the world, keep possibility open to insight from all.
Ugh...
Don't worry. As a Qi clan's heir, nature will guide you naturally. Hahaha.
Tian Ailang opened his eyes with a happy smile, recalling Grandfather.
“Gasp!”
Dam Haung nearly yelped at Tian Ailang's eyes.
Tiger eyes, arms a bit longer than average... And that mark between brows. No mistaking it—the emperor's visage. And that gaze... Hoo, this Tian Ailang will soon stand at the world's center.
Tian Ailang suddenly stood, clasping hands deeply toward Dam Haung. “Thank you for the profound teaching.”
Dam Haung smiled. “No big deal. I just wanted to chew out this rascal, but you all gained more from it.”
“Thanks to you, Patriarch, my eyes feel opened too.”
Song Sogeol beamed. “What's with two titles? Call me Patriarch or uncle—'Patriarch Uncle'? Anyway, what did you gain?”
Song Sogeol glanced at Chan Ho and grinned confidently. “I always thought Chan Ho's words were nonsense. Now I think I shouldn't dismiss them outright.”
Chan Ho, listening nearby, scowled. “What the—?!”
Song Sogeol edged away. “H-Hey, brother. As our Patriarch said, true cultivation means admitting you might be wrong. Geez, why grab your sword hilt again?”
“Tch.”
Chan Ho clicked his tongue and turned away, ignoring him.
“Hahaha. You two get along so well.”
Chan Ho scowled at Dam Haung. “Absolutely not.”
But contrary to Chan Ho's expression, Song Sogeol bubbled excitedly. “True! We're brothers sworn under the maple tree. Of course we get along. Haha!”
“Maple tree oath?”
Dam Haung asked curiously. Thrilled by his interest, Song Sogeol explained. “Ailang brother, Chan Ho brother, and me—we swore brotherhood like old Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.”
“Oho, intriguing!”
Dam Haung glanced at Tian Ailang while humming approval, then added, “What a shame.”
“Shame about what, Father?”
Dam Haung eyed Nim Daegyeok. “Seeing these three, they seem poised to lead in chaotic times. Shame you didn't join them.”
Nim Daegyeok nodded with a smile. “Yeah. Secretly, I'd love to join that oath.”
Nim Daegyeok eyed Tian Ailang, Chan Ho, and Song Sogeol expectantly. Tian Ailang said, “Your sworn brothers' opinion matters most.”
Tian Ailang refused politely but honestly. He liked Nim Daegyeok and welcomed the bond, but didn't want to burden his brothers by leaning on his connections.
Chan Ho smirked at Tian Ailang. “If you're good with it, I am. This past month, Nim Daegyeok seems upright, loyal, with real grit—unlike most.”
Unlike Chan Ho's quick approval, Song Sogeol shook his head, something bothering him.
“Why? Problem?”
Chan Ho raised a brow. Song Sogeol grew serious. Chan Ho—who'd asked—plus Tian Ailang and the Dam father-son duo tensed.
Song Sogeol spoke carefully. “Ahem... Brother, I really like Nim young master too.”
“But?”
Chan Ho pressed. Song Sogeol paused, then said, “Four's an ugly number.”
Smack!
“Ow!”
Song Sogeol clutched his head, face crumpling. “That's your serious reason?”
Chan Ho scolded. Rubbing his head, Song Sogeol replied, “Aigoo, that hurts. Now you're getting violent, brother. See that, Nim young master? What's the point of brotherhood with a brute like this?”
“Want another?”
Chan Ho raised his palm. Song Sogeol flailed dramatically. “Aigoo~ Help! Chan Ho brother's killing Song Sogeol! Neighbors~!”
Chan Ho smirked and lowered his hand at the antics. “You said four's ugly, so I thought of a fix.”
Song Sogeol tilted his head. “What?”
Chan Ho grinned mischievously. “Kick you out. Back to three like Liu Bei brothers.”
“Gasp!”
Song Sogeol stared at Chan Ho, swallowing air, face frozen in shock.
Seeing it, Chan Ho worried he'd gone too far and apologized. “Hey, sorry. Obviously a joke—get so worked up?”
Song Sogeol's expression stayed stiff. Tian Ailang said softly, “Sogeol, you know Chan Ho doesn't hate you. No way that's sincere.”
Finally, Song Sogeol looked at Tian Ailang. “Ailang brother.”
“Yeah?”
“Guess he finally gets jokes. Used to be a clueless brute. Starting to think now?”
“Uh, yeah?”
Tian Ailang glanced awkwardly at Chan Ho—where a sword blade slid from its sheath.
Shing.
Cold energy rippled through the room. Song Sogeol bolted to Dam Haung's side. “H-Hey, brother! Joke! Joke! Why draw at the drop of a hat? Patriarch's here! Even Demonic Cultists don't flare up like that!”
Chan Ho sheathed it and crossed arms. As Song Sogeol approached apologetically, “Brother, just teasing. Don't be mad~”
Chan Ho pondered, then asked, “Are Demonic Cultists truly that evil?”
Song Sogeol shrugged at the out-of-left-field question. “Comparing to them? Of course they're evil.”
“Why?”
Chan Ho's face darkened. Song Sogeol stated obviously, “Why? Demonic Cult means evil! Right? And all the murders they've committed.”
“Murder? Orthodox do it too. Soldiers too.”
“Well, yeah, but they have cause. Demonic Cultists are just slaughter-crazed. Unfit to associate with.”
Chan Ho sighed softly, glancing at Dam Haung and Nim Daegyeok. “What do you two think of the Demonic Cult?”