Chapter 11: Heavenly Sword Hall (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: Heavenly Sword Hall (2)
Namgung Jun methodically chewed the fleeceflower root. Despite its awkward size, he kept his jaw moving without pause.
As a sharp, pungent aroma filled his mouth, Lee Se-ha's scorching yang qi surged into his meridians through his Mingmen Acupoint.
'As expected of a three-hundred-year-old fleeceflower root.'
Though it wasn't a top-grade spirit elixir, it would be of immense help to Namgung Jun, whose internal energy cultivation was still shallow.
Following the mnemonic formula of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, master and disciple circulated their internal energy together, preventing the fleeceflower root's energy from scattering wildly through his meridians.
The scorching yang qi, rising like a wildfire, rapidly filled his meridians and forcibly drew in the root's energy.
Consequently, the fleeceflower root's energy gradually dissolved into the flow of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula. As she assisted in this process, Lee Se-ha's eyebrows twitched upward.
'My help is part of it, but Jun's control over his internal energy is remarkably proficient.'
Since she was guiding his qi circulation, Lee Se-ha could feel the exquisite details of Namgung Jun's internal energy manipulation.
Her admiration grew with every passing moment.
This was by no means the internal energy control of a boy who had only just begun learning martial arts. It had the seasoned maturity of an old master with decades of training.
In some ways, Lee Se-ha found herself drawing inspiration and learning from his circulation.
'Just what is Jun...?'
Even amidst her endless marveling, Lee Se-ha did not let her focus waver.
She had to help Namgung Jun absorb and refine as much of the fleeceflower root's energy as possible.
As the qi circulation proceeded smoothly, a natural curiosity arose within her.
'How much of it will he be able to absorb?'
Consuming a spirit elixir did not mean one could absorb all of its energy.
Absorbing about half was considered the norm. Those with exceptional internal energy control or an extraordinary innate sensitivity to qi could sometimes claim sixty to eighty percent.
How would Namgung Jun fare?
'Huh?'
Lee Se-ha, who had been infusing her internal energy, gasped inwardly.
Namgung Jun, who had merely been receiving her aid until now, had begun to guide the qi circulation himself.
Though startled, Lee Se-ha did not resist. Trusting in her exceptionally talented disciple's judgment, she let him take the reins.
Lee Se-ha adjusted her own internal energy circulation to follow Namgung Jun's lead. Sensing her intent, the corners of Namgung Jun's mouth softened.
'With Master's help, I can be a bit more daring with my circulation.'
Namgung Jun began coaxing out the stubborn clumps of the fleeceflower root's energy that lingered in the corners of his meridians.
He then spread his internal energy like a wide net, gathering and refining the stray energy. Lee Se-ha supported this movement flawlessly from behind.
Had he attempted this qi circulation alone, his shallow cultivation would have made it difficult. Lee Se-ha's assistance was proving crucial.
Without a single word exchanged, Lee Se-ha naturally followed the flow Namgung Jun directed.
This was no easy feat, even for a supreme expert. Yet, Lee Se-ha matched Namgung Jun's breathing with absolute precision.
'As expected, Master's talent is also extraordinary.'
It was clear that Lee Se-ha had also gained several insights into internal energy manipulation through this process.
Namgung Jun was simply delighted by this mutually beneficial relationship.
"Phew."
With that, the spirit elixir's energy was fully refined, and the qi circulation came to an end.
Exhaling softly, the master and disciple opened their eyes at the same time. Instantly, Lee Se-ha sprang to her feet.
"My disciple. If I am not mistaken..."
Seeing Lee Se-ha trail off, Namgung Jun offered a faint smile. As he lifted his eyelids, a flash of blue lightning sparked in his eyes.
"Yes. You are correct. I have absorbed all of the fleeceflower root's energy."
"That's impossible!"
Even though she had experienced it firsthand while assisting him, it was hard to believe.
She had secretly hoped he might refine seventy percent of it, but she never imagined he would absorb the spirit elixir's energy in its entirety.
She had never heard of anyone absorbing a spirit elixir's energy completely. At least, not within the scope of her knowledge.
It was said that not even the other Hall Masters of the Azure Heaven Association, or the Sword Lord himself, had ever managed to absorb a spirit elixir completely.
'Even with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, to think he possesses this level of talent.'
Lee Se-ha realized once again that Namgung Jun was a martial talent unseen in a thousand years.
Meanwhile, Namgung Jun, having quickly stabilized his internal energy, drew his sword.
As he gripped the hilt and channeled his internal energy, a faint Thunder Qi coated the blade.
Crackle!
Seeing this, Lee Se-ha's gaze deepened.
An expert who could infuse their weapon with internal energy, going beyond simply gathering it in their hands, was considered first-rate.
Those who went a step further to manifest a visible, distinct form of Sword Qi were said to have reached the Peak Realm.
Despite having only recently begun learning martial arts, he had already reached the first-rate realm.
In major sects, reaching the first-rate realm by the age of twenty was usually hailed as genius. Those who went beyond that to reach the Peak Stage were treated as key figures destined to lead their sect's future.
Considering when Namgung Jun had started his training and his current age, this was beyond surprising—it was a miraculous rate of growth.
'He wouldn't have any trouble even if he took the promotion exam right now.'
The rank of Second Cloud in the Azure Heaven Association could only be attained by reaching at least the first-rate realm.
As long as he accumulated some merits through a few missions, Namgung Jun could easily pass.
'Will he become the youngest and fastest to reach the Second Cloud?'
Lee Se-ha clenched her right fist as she looked at her disciple, whose achievements were already on track to surpass her own.
She was dazzled by her disciple's growth and incredibly happy for him, but at the same time, she felt a slight pang of guilt.
It felt as though she hadn't done much for him as a master. Her brilliant disciple was growing by leaps and bounds without much instruction.
"Master. Thanks to you, I have made it this far. I will continue to devote myself to my training."
Startled for a moment by his sudden gratitude, Lee Se-ha soon flashed a bright smile.
"Perhaps the day you catch up to me isn't so far off, Jun."
"I will do my best to make it so."
At Namgung Jun's playful reply, Lee Se-ha gave his shoulder a light, teasing nudge.
"It won't be easy. I'm no pushover either."
Watching Namgung Jun's back as he stepped out of the room, Lee Se-ha recalled their recent qi circulation.
'I feel like I might be able to break through a wall as well.'
Perhaps because she had drawn inspiration from Namgung Jun's internal energy circulation, a certain martial principle kept flickering in her mind.
Lee Se-ha immediately headed toward her office.
She intended to attempt a breakthrough past the wall of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula that had been holding her back.
* * *
After entering the Heavenly Sword Hall, Namgung Jun began training alongside the other members.
The very first thing he undertook was learning the Heavenly Sword Hall's new sword technique.
"While everyone in the Heavenly Sword Hall has their own primary sword technique, there is one technique we all learn in common," Gong Jun-am said as he raised his sword to a mid-level guard.
"A sword technique designed for group battles, I assume."
"Correct. It allows us to execute coordinated attacks and deploy sword formations. That is why you must master it."
"I understand."
"Keep in mind that you must achieve at least fifty percent mastery of this sword technique before you can be sent out on missions."
Gong Jun-am slowly demonstrated the forms, executing the sword technique.
It was a technique that balanced and blended various styles, including the Heavy Sword, Swift Sword, Illusion Sword, and the Soft-Sword Principle.
'It's a fairly decent sword technique. Perfect for an introduction.'
Namgung Jun recalled the name of the sword technique.
The Minor Derivation Sword Technique.
If one fully mastered this Minor Derivation Sword Technique, they could learn the Great Derivation Sword Technique, which was the true sword technique used by the members of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
In essence, the Minor Derivation Sword Technique was created to ease the introduction and mastery of the Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Having demonstrated the Minor Derivation Sword Technique once, Gong Jun-am nodded.
"Give it a try. I will correct any flawed forms immediately."
"Yes."
Taking the opening stance, Namgung Jun executed the first form of the Minor Derivation Sword Technique.
Swoosh!
Namgung Jun's hands and feet moved in a seamless flow, the forms connecting one after another without a single pause.
The flow was so natural that Gong Jun-am and the other swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall could hardly believe their eyes.
"Mmh."
Gong Jun-am let out a surprised groan, and low murmurs broke out among the other swordsmen.
"What in the world..."
"Are we sure this is his first time learning it?"
"Did the Hall Master teach him beforehand?"
Namgung Jun's forms were flawlessly precise.
The strikes of the Minor Derivation Sword Technique sliced through the air, producing sharp, whistling sounds.
Looking at Namgung Jun's sword strikes, the same word flashed in the minds of the Clouds present.
'Grand Mastery.'
Namgung Jun's refined sword momentum was nothing short of full mastery.
Whoosh!
Having executed the final form, Namgung Jun sheathed his sword with a calm expression.
"..."
While the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall stood with their mouths agape, Namgung Jun spoke quietly.
"It seems I can proceed straight to the Great Derivation Sword Technique."
No one could deny it.
When it came to the Minor Derivation Sword Technique, Namgung Jun's forms could only be described as absolute perfection.
Gong Jun-am, momentarily speechless, soon nodded.
"Did the Hall Master give you private lessons?"
"No."
"To comprehend the forms of a sword technique after seeing it just once and perfectly embody it... you're a monster."
The other swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall seemed to share the sentiment, all staring at Namgung Jun as if he were a marvel.
They all compared their past selves to Namgung Jun and shook their heads in disbelief.
Although the Minor Derivation Sword Technique was the introductory technique of the Heavenly Sword Hall, it was by no means simple.
On the contrary, because it bundled various styles together, practicing it incorrectly could easily lead to a muddled mess.
When first learning it, one had to take it slow and master it properly.
That was why everyone here had spent a considerable amount of time just mastering the Minor Derivation Sword Technique to qualify for the Great Derivation Sword Technique.
"Even the current Hall Master wasn't like this."
"We need to work harder. We'll be overtaken by the youngest in the blink of an eye."
"A talent truly fitting for the Heavenly Sword Hall. Our future is secure."
After a moment of deliberation, Gong Jun-am nodded.
"I shall teach you the Great Derivation Sword Technique."
Namgung Jun's training progressed at a blistering pace.
The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall eventually stopped their own training, quietly watching Namgung Jun swing his sword.
It was as if watching Namgung Jun's sword momentum was more beneficial to their own growth than individual practice.
* * *
In the grand conference room, the high-ranking members of the Sword Fragrance and Ink Fragrance Departments were gathered for their regular meeting.
"Jiangxi Province has been unusual lately. The unorthodox sects, which used to repeatedly disperse and gather, are now uniting. Intelligence suggests the influence of the Iron Battle Camp is behind this."
"The Iron Battle Camp has been quiet lately. Are they finally making a move?"
"We must assess the situation and prepare for armed intervention if needed."
"If it comes to that, I shall go."
The meetings held in the grand conference room discussed events occurring throughout the Jianghu, determining future courses of action and assigning missions to the Ten Halls.
As various agendas were processed, they eventually reached the final item.
Kang Mong, who served as the scribe for the meeting, pulled out a new document.
"The next item on the agenda is regarding permission for Namgung Jun, a First Cloud of the Heavenly Sword Hall, to make his official debut in the Jianghu."
At the mention of her disciple's name, Lee Se-ha's gaze sharpened. She couldn't help it.
This agenda was far more critical than it seemed.
Rescuing Namgung Jun from the clutches of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and bringing him here was one thing, but letting him out into the world again was a completely different matter.
Since there was no telling what the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult might try to do with a boy born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, they had to exercise extreme caution.
"Is this even a topic worth putting on the agenda? The answer is obvious."
The first to speak was a middle-aged man with four clouds embroidered on his gently swaying sleeves.
"Namgung Jun's debut in the Jianghu must, of course, be forbidden."
The man's remark instantly plunged the grand conference room into an icy silence.