The Qi Arts Master Chapter 85
“Kek!”
Tian Ailang choked and coughed harshly.
Gulp.
Go No and Hwaun swallowed the liquor in their mouths with an audible gulp.
Clang.
Moyongdan dropped his glass.
Drip, drip, drip.
Ice Palace Lord Seol Eom let the liquor spill from his mouth.
A heavy silence fell over the room, no one daring to speak first.
“Ahem. My daughter.”
Seol Eom wiped the liquor from his lips and called to Seolhwa.
“Yes, Father?”
Seolhwa replied with an innocent expression, prompting Seol Eom to press a hand to his forehead.
“Well... marriage isn't something you propose like a duel challenge.”
“What's wrong with that? I like him. He's stronger than me, young, perfect. And handsome to boot—it's the icing on the cake.”
Seol Eom stared at her in bewilderment.
“Doesn't the other person's opinion matter...?”
He sighed at his immature daughter's bluntness.
Seolhwa had grown up in the North Sea Ice Palace with little contact from the outside world. After starting her martial arts training, she'd spent more time with warriors than the village women, making her bolder than most men. The female warriors of the palace were no different—tough specimens far removed from any femininity.
As the princess of the Ice Palace, Seolhwa could have enjoyed every luxury, yet she showed no interest in gold or jewels. Her one obsession was mastery of the martial arts. That's why she'd long declared that her future husband had to be stronger than her.
Seol Eom had assumed marriage was a distant prospect, since no one in the palace except himself could match her. He'd even thought there might be no suitable groom her age in the world.
“And yet... here he is.”
Seol Eom murmured to himself, glancing awkwardly at Tian Ailang. It didn't seem so bad. On second thought, there wasn't anything bad about it. No—this was a golden opportunity.
From what he'd heard, Tian Ailang needed the Ice White Corps not for personal gain, but to save a precious sworn brother. A man of righteousness. Excellent connections, proven prowess, young, and clan leader without a proper foundation. Perfect as a son-in-law.
“Sounds good...?”
Seol Eom swallowed hard, unable to tear his eyes from Tian Ailang.
At that moment, Tian Ailang turned to Seolhwa with polite resolve.
“My apologies. I appreciate the kind words, but my path ahead is one of blood and vengeance.”
Far from discouraged, Seolhwa brightened at his courteous refusal.
“A real man needs that kind of spirit. It's fine—I'll support you on that path of revenge.”
“The target is the Demonic Cult.”
Tian Ailang hinted at the perilous future, declining once more.
“Even better. The North Sea Ice Palace can no longer share the same sky with the Demonic Cult. If my lord wipes them out, it'll avenge our fallen warriors too—one stone, two birds.”
Tian Ailang's eyes wavered in sheer astonishment.
“Didn't we just meet today?”
“What else could you call it but fate? I felt it today.”
Tian Ailang began to sweat profusely. It felt like assaulting an iron fortress.
“Well... I have a connection already, a woman I've shared my heart with.”
A crack finally appeared on Seolhwa's ironclad facade. But she quickly smiled and pressed on.
“Have you promised marriage?”
Tian Ailang shook his head awkwardly.
“Not exactly, but...”
Clap!
Seolhwa smacked her hands together loudly.
“Then you're still nothing to each other.”
Cold sweat dripped down Tian Ailang's back. At this rate, he'd fall into a trance. He decided on a bold strike.
“I don't like you, Lady Seolhwa.”
The onlookers—Ice Palace Lord, Go No, and Hwaun—watched like an audience at a dramatic opera, holding their breath. Now they swallowed in shock, eager to see how Seolhwa would counter Tian Ailang's sharp words.
Surprisingly, Seolhwa just shrugged nonchalantly.
“That's fine. We just met today, right? It happens. But live together a while, and you'll warm up to me.”
“Daughter, that phrasing is a bit...”
Seol Eom coughed awkwardly, his discomfort plain.
But Seolhwa ignored him with a grin. Tian Ailang shook his head gravely.
“I couldn't bear to do it without feeling. Nor spit empty promises I can't keep. Let's end this talk.”
Tian Ailang spoke coldly, determined to give a clear answer even if it hurt her.
A brief silence fell over Seolhwa. Unexpectedly, she backed down.
“...Understood.”
Tian Ailang blinked in surprise at her ready retreat. Her earlier fervor had screamed unbreakable resolve.
With the situation resolved—like the curtain falling on a play—the group exhaled in relief.
Seolhwa calmly returned to her seat, laughing merrily as she steered the conversation elsewhere, as if the commotion never happened.
What an unusual woman.
Tian Ailang chuckled inwardly, excused himself from the group, and stepped out for some air.
Outside, the North Sea moon breathed an even colder chill than the day. The snowfields sparkled like lakes under its light.
Around the inner fortress, warriors gathered in clusters around bonfires, drinking. Mostly Ice Palace warriors and the Heavenly Center Moyong Corps, with locals serving liquor and snacks as gracious hosts.
Commander Juwon's troops, being numerous, camped in the outer fortress, resting in their own way.
The North Sea Ice Palace without war is truly beautiful and peaceful.
Tian Ailang savored the rare leisure, breathing deeply. He turned at the presence behind him.
“Clan Leader Tian. Spare a moment?”
Go No approached with an embarrassed smile. Tian Ailang smirked and nodded.
“Let's find somewhere quiet.”
“The Ice Palace Lord mentioned a spot. I'll lead.”
Go No strolled ahead with hands clasped behind his back, employing lightfoot skill casually. Tian Ailang followed at a leisurely pace.
They reached a remote snowfield behind the inner fortress, alone.
“I know you need rest, Clan Leader Tian, but I've been dying to ask. Forgive my greed.”
Tian Ailang shook his head.
“It's fine. You want to restore Baekdu Sword Sect's swordsmanship, right?”
Go No nodded eagerly.
“Yes. To reclaim Goguryeo's supreme sword from the Qi Arts House exchange days.”
“Then, may I see that sword first?”
“Of course.”
Go No drew the sword he'd brought. He gripped the hilt with both hands, drawing it close to his chest.
“There are drawing techniques and various stances, but I'll start with Baekdu Sword Sect's common one.”
His front foot glided forward, wrist flicking subtly. The blade whipped left and right like a rattlesnake's tail—deflecting two incoming enemy swords.
“In forests thick with trees, minimal motion for maximum effect is key.”
His front knee bent lightly; the sword swept down softly then thrust straight ahead.
In Tian Ailang's mind's eye, Go No and a phantom foe came alive. Now, he parried a thrust, seamlessly countering with his own.
“In endurance battles, balance of offense and defense is vital.”
Without retracting, Go No twisted his waist and core with immense power, slashing horizontally. His lower body anchored like a thousand-jin weight, supporting the acrobatic upper body.
Whoosh!
“Baekdu swords include sweeping arcs like a saber.”
Go No yanked the blade back, punched with his free hand, then hurled the sword like a spear before closing in with barehand combat—subak, the unarmed martial art.
“Weapons on the battlefield aren't just swords.”
Blazing forward with subak, he snatched the sword mid-air, then footworked across the ground, wielding it freely.
After a long demonstration, Go No stopped, regulating his breath.
“Baekdu Sword Sect developed forms for war: armored or not, mounted or foot, archery or none—tailored to every scenario.”
“I see. Highly adaptable to changing situations.”
Go No nodded lightly.
“Indeed. What improvements do you suggest?”
Tian Ailang shared his thoughts from the display.
“Among Qi Arts House techniques, the biggest boon for your swordsmanship would be learning to read the wind's grain.”
“Wind's grain?”
Go No tilted his head curiously. Tian Ailang extended his hand into the air.
Whoosh!
A gust brushed Go No's cheek like a blade.
“Whoa...”
Go No marveled. It wasn't mere sharpened qi like sword aura—something different.
“Just a simple example of channeling qi along the wind's grain. Master that, and your sword's speed and power will advance leaps and bounds.”
“Ha, haha...”
Go No exclaimed in excitement.
“What must I do?”
“To read the wind's grain, first sense its energy. It's sensory—sit in lotus position.”
Go No dropped into position without hesitation.
“Meditate as usual, but attune to the external energies flowing in.”
Go No began. Tian Ailang extended his qi, drawing the wind. Cold North Sea gusts swirled around them. They ignored the chill.
Go No focused senses with eyes shut; Tian Ailang sustained the wind's pull, observing.
Over two hours passed. Go No opened his eyes slightly, sweating despite the cold from intense focus.
“I felt a slender, fluttering line of energy. Was that it?”
Tian Ailang's eyes gleamed as he nodded.
“Yes. I'll keep drawing it—focus deeper for a solid grasp.”
“Got it.”
Go No closed his eyes again. Another two hours. He exhaled deeply, ending meditation. Tian Ailang still stood watch.
“Whoa... I get a sense of the wind's energy and its grain now.”
Tian Ailang smiled at Go No's awe. Return to the source, indeed—even at his level, he grasps it this quickly. He'd only pointed the way; full Qi Arts power might elude him. But it would help.
“Train to sense that energy in any situation. It'll boost not just your sword, but archery too.”
Go No rose and bowed deeply with clasped hands.
“My deepest thanks. I'll never forget this grace.”
“Qi Arts House and Baekdu Sword Sect were good neighbors. Let's keep it that way.”