Transmission (2)
Late at night.
Kang Yeon and Nang Hyeon stood facing each other in the inn’s backyard. Off to one side, Jo Seol was practicing the breathing method Kang Yeon had taught her. Sensing an unexpectedly pure current of internal energy, Nang Hyeon looked on in open astonishment.
“Miss Seol has been learning martial arts as well?”
Kang Yeon glanced toward Jo Seol.
“Not martial arts, exactly. I just taught her something light—enough to keep her healthy.”
Nang Hyeon wore a hollow expression. A veteran of many years, he could tell at once that the breathing method Jo Seol was circulating was no ordinary art. Every time she moved and breathed, the surrounding qi rippled and surged; there was no mistaking it.
“Anyway, the reason I called you out separately is the Blood Wolf Gang.”
At the mention of that name, Nang Hyeon’s face darkened. Because of him, West Lake Number One Inn had become entangled with the Blood Wolf Gang for no good reason.
“I’m sorry… all of this is because of me…”
“Don’t worry about it. Whatever the cause, the ones who harmed the inn were them. In exchange, though, you’ll have to settle the grudge with the Blood Wolf Gang yourself.”
Nang Hyeon accepted the words as only natural, yet unease still stirred in him. The Blood Wolf Gang was a fairly well-known outfit around West Lake, and neither Gwak Sa nor the vice-leader Gwak Pung were men to take lightly. Kang Yeon merely looked at him and spoke in the same calm tone.
“If I stepped in, it wouldn’t be a problem. But the grudge with the Blood Wolf Gang is something you have to resolve with your own hands. That’s the way of the Murim.”
Nang Hyeon nodded. Resolve hardened in his eyes.
“I understand, Young Master. I’ll settle the score with the Blood Wolf Gang myself. I swear it.”
Kang Yeon smiled at the firm set of Nang Hyeon’s face.
“Good. That’s the spirit. But don’t worry too much. I’m not just talking for the sake of it. Right now, facing the Blood Wolf Gang alone would be too much for you.”
Nang Hyeon agreed completely. Unlike Gwak Sa, Gwak Pung was a cold, calculating man. He had already sent the Silent Sword Guest, Jang Cheon-roe, to test Kang Yeon and had confirmed the overwhelming power he possessed. Now there was every chance Gwak Pung would not simply meet force with force, but would weave some other scheme.
“Young Master, how should I prepare?”
Nang Hyeon asked with complete seriousness. Kang Yeon fell silent for a moment, his gaze deep and still.
“First, we stabilize your dantian. The newly born dantian has great potential, but it’s still unstable.”
Nang Hyeon’s expression clouded at once. With Kang Yeon’s help a new dantian had been born, yet it remained unsteady. He had worked every day and recovered a measure of internal energy, but the pace was agonizingly slow.
“For now, I’ll teach you a new set of martial arts.”
Nang Hyeon’s eyes went round.
“Pardon?? Martial arts… to me?”
Nang Hyeon already knew how strong Kang Yeon was. On top of that, even the breathing method Jo Seol was practicing had come from him. Nang Hyeon’s heart began to pound.
“If you’re going to settle things with the Blood Wolf Gang, this is the best way.”
“Yes, that’s true. But why go about it in such a roundabout fashion…?”
If Kang Yeon simply stepped forward, the matter would be finished in an instant. Why go so far as to transmit martial arts to him?
“Hmm… I was trying to put up with it if I could. But they’re starting to cross the line, so I’m moving first. Like I said, it would be easier if I handled it myself—but that’s a hassle.”
Nang Hyeon scratched his head at the answer. The idea of refusing to act simply because it was a bother was hard to understand, yet many high-level martial artists had eccentric temperaments. He decided to leave it at that.
“Anyway, what I’m about to teach you is one heart method and one fist art.”
Nang Hyeon’s ears pricked up; his concentration sharpened to a razor edge. His talent had never been poor—the reason he had never reached a higher realm was the limits of the arts he had learned. His heart raced with anticipation, wondering what kind of martial arts Kang Yeon would pass on and how powerful they would be.
“Shall we begin?”
Kang Yeon flicked his hand lightly. A gentle current of energy wrapped around Nang Hyeon.
“Wh-what?”
Nang Hyeon flinched at the energy enveloping him, then quickly recognized the same restorative qi that had once healed him. His mind settled.
A low hum filled the air.
Kang Yeon’s energy flowed straight into Nang Hyeon’s dantian.
“First, the heart method I’ll teach you is called the Blue Flowing Cloud Heart Method. The more you circulate it, the more it refines the flow of your mind and emotions, letting you keep your composure even in the middle of battle. It also draws the flow of qi as naturally as clear water, which lessens the buildup of fatigue and speeds recovery from internal injuries. It’s a perfect match for your current condition.”
As soon as the explanation ended, Nang Hyeon’s dantian began to tingle. A tiny spark of energy bloomed inside it and at once spread through every meridian of his body. The qi moved of its own accord, and Nang Hyeon panicked.
“Don’t be alarmed. Just leave it to me.”
Kang Yeon’s voice reached him. Nang Hyeon closed his eyes and focused. With effortless, natural precision, Kang Yeon laid the foundation of the new heart method inside him.
A deep, resonant hum. Then another, longer and fuller.
While Nang Hyeon remained lost in circulation, Kang Yeon reached into empty air. Space parted, and he casually drew something out. Two slim booklets rested in his hand. One was a manual of the Blue Flowing Cloud Heart Method; the other was the fist art he intended to give Nang Hyeon. He set them aside and waited for Nang Hyeon’s circulation to finish.
At that moment Dan U-ryeong appeared in the backyard.
He glanced at Nang Hyeon, still deep in cultivation, and his expression hardened.
“Don’t tell me… you’re transmitting martial arts right now?”
Kang Yeon nodded.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“I’m surprised. Breaking a promise you made yourself?”
“Hmm… I was going to put up with almost anything, but those bastards touched the inn. You know that falls outside the oath I made.”
Dan U-ryeong’s face showed understanding.
“Ah… so that’s how it is. The Blood Wolf Gang, was it? They came to the inn looking for trouble and brought it down on their own heads.”
“I didn’t teach him anything earth-shattering—just something useful. If he masters it properly, he should reach the very edge of the Super-Peak Realm.”
“Ha? You’re the only person in the entire Murim who could call a technique like that ‘useful.’”
Dan U-ryeong sounded half-exasperated. Kang Yeon merely shrugged.
“It’s just the truth.”
While the two of them spoke, Nang Hyeon finished his first circulation. The breath he exhaled carried a far steadier energy than before.
“Hoo… that was incredible.”
Still slightly dazed, Nang Hyeon noticed Dan U-ryeong and quickly offered a greeting.
“Young Master Dan, good evening.”
“Congratulations, Nang Hyeon. You’ve just joined the ranks of those who’ve learned martial arts from this guy.”
Nang Hyeon’s eyes sparkled.
“Has Young Master Kang taught many other martial artists?”
“There used to be quite a few. Every single one who received his teaching…”
Kang Yeon cut in.
“U-ryeong. That’s enough.”
Dan U-ryeong stopped mid-sentence, looking a little sheepish. Kang Yeon turned back to Nang Hyeon.
“I taught you the heart method myself, but you’ll have to learn the fist art on your own. If you run into anything you don’t understand, ask me. Starting today, train your body every single day. And…”
He paused and looked Nang Hyeon straight in the eye.
“Keep a close watch on the Blood Wolf Gang’s movements. Gwak Pung doesn’t seem like the type to give up easily. Sooner or later he’ll make a move of some kind. That will be the moment you have to step forward yourself.”
Nang Hyeon engraved every word in his heart and nodded. He felt that Kang Yeon had not only granted him a new opportunity but was also teaching him the path a martial artist ought to walk.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Meanwhile, the leader’s chamber of the Blood Wolf Gang was heavy with silence. Gwak Sa still had not recovered from the terror of his encounter with Kang Yeon. His dantian was empty; it would take at least several months to restore his internal energy. His haggard appearance was already shaking the confidence of the gang members.
Gwak Pung faced his older brother in the chamber and spoke carefully.
“Elder Brother, the atmosphere in the gang is not good. Discontent among the members is growing.”
Gwak Sa answered in a feeble voice.
“They all look down on me now that I’ve lost my internal energy…”
Gwak Pung sighed at his brother’s weakness. He decided he would have to devise a new plan if the Blood Wolf Gang’s power was to be preserved. Kang Yeon’s strength was overwhelming; Gwak Pung no longer believed that force alone was the answer. Rather than make an enemy of Kang Yeon, he wanted to find a way to use that power—or at least keep it in check.
“Elder Brother, I’ll visit West Lake Number One Inn myself and speak with Kang Yeon. I have no intention of picking a fight. I’ll propose cooperation.”
Gwak Sa lifted his head and stared at his younger brother, eyes full of unease.
“Cooperation? With us?”
Gwak Pung answered firmly.
“From what I can see, Kang Yeon is interested only in protecting his inn. If we offer to support his establishment and jointly manage the Five Flower Sect’s territory, he at least won’t treat us as enemies.”
Gwak Sa hesitated, then finally nodded.
“All right… but do not anger him under any circumstances. If you do, that man could wipe every last one of us out.”
Gwak Pung smiled at his brother’s warning. He had already confirmed Kang Yeon’s power through Jang Cheon-roe. Yet he could not simply give up; he intended to meet Kang Yeon face-to-face and sound out his intentions. Selecting a few of the most trusted members of the gang, he prepared to visit the inn.
A few days later, Gwak Pung arrived at West Lake Number One Inn with several of his men.
“Good day.”
He entered with a courteous demeanor. Nang Hyeon tensed at the sight of him, yet followed Kang Yeon’s instructions and received the visitors politely.
“What brings you to West Lake Number One Inn?”
Anger flared in Gwak Pung’s eyes the moment they met Nang Hyeon’s, but he quickly mastered it and spoke.
“I wish to see Young Master Kang Yeon.”
Nang Hyeon nodded and relayed the request. Kang Yeon stepped out of the kitchen and looked Gwak Pung over.
“Gwak Pung, is it… What does the Blood Wolf Gang want this time?”
His face was full of open annoyance. Gwak Pung bowed respectfully.
“Young Master Kang, I am Gwak Pung, vice-leader of the Blood Wolf Gang. I have not come to pick a fight today. I have come to propose cooperation.”
Kang Yeon smiled faintly and took a seat.
“Cooperation… interesting. Let’s hear what kind of cooperation you have in mind.”
Gwak Pung chose his words with care.
“I would like the Blood Wolf Gang and West Lake Number One Inn to jointly manage the Five Flower Sect’s former territory. With your power, Young Master, no one would dare encroach upon it. In return, the Blood Wolf Gang can support your inn so that you may conduct business safely in this area.”
Kang Yeon lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and regarded Gwak Pung.
“Gwak Pung, you’re sharper than your brother. But I’m interested only in running my inn. I have no desire to get involved in Murim power struggles.”
It was the answer Gwak Pung had expected, yet he was not ready to give up.
“Young Master, there are far more terrifying factions around West Lake. Plenty of men stronger than the Silent Sword Guest Jang Cheon-roe. If you join hands with the Blood Wolf Gang before those greater powers start watching you, at least your inn will be safe here in West Lake.”
Kang Yeon gave a short laugh.
“Safe, is it… Gwak Pung, I protect my own inn. I don’t need your help. But as long as you don’t cause trouble, there will be no problem between us. Now, I have a business to run, so would you kindly leave?”
The dismissal was unmistakable. Gwak Pung’s face twisted for an instant, then smoothed again as he clasped his fists in formal salute.
“I hope you will reconsider the Blood Wolf Gang’s proposal.”
Gwak Pung and his men departed. Kang Yeon looked at Nang Hyeon.
“Nang Hyeon, it seems the time is drawing near.”