Chapter 118: Wind-Thunder Wall (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 118: Wind-Thunder Wall (2)
He began to practice the dynamic art the boy had taught him.
As a result, three flower buds formed above the crown of his head.
All three glowed with a blue light, but upon closer inspection, their hues were distinct.
One flickered wildly with a deep, irregular blue light. Another flowed gently like the heavens, glowing a soft sky-blue. The last held a subdued azure hue, as if harboring the freezing cold of a harsh winter.
Even after the three distinct flower buds had emerged, Namgung Jun’s practice of the dynamic art showed no signs of stopping.
As if unaware that the buds had even formed, Namgung Jun continuously drew circles with his entire body, reciting the mnemonic formula as he circulated his qi.
Thuuuum!
Every time he drew circles, large and small, with his hands and feet, waves of qi carrying the colors of the three flower buds rippled out from his body in turn.
The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, the Spear King Azure Aura, and the Yin Cold Qi of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.
Despite these three energies flooding his meridians, no seizure occurred.
This was thanks to the three currents endlessly interlocking and achieving a delicate, precarious harmony in accordance with the profound principles of the dynamic art.
In the process of achieving this harmony, the energies were also being tempered and balanced.
Although the Yin Cold Qi was the largest in volume, it was gradually being tempered and brought into balance by the energies of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula and the Spear King Azure Aura.
It was small and humble, but it was undeniably a miniature Taiji.
The dynamic art taught by the boy did not stop at merely suppressing the seizures of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian by harmonizing his energies.
The internal energy, drawing endless circles in accordance with the mnemonic formula, spread throughout his entire body and circulated without end.
Crack!
His physical body, already tempered by the Sword-Root Foundation Art, began to transform once again, bit by bit.
Starting from the deepest part of his body, the dantian, the transformation sequentially affected the thousands of branching capillary vessels, the acupoints, the meridians, and finally, his bones and muscles.
By practicing this new dynamic art, the levels of his physical body—his Essence—and his internal energy—his Qi—gradually elevated.
As his mastery of the dynamic art deepened, the growth of his physical body and internal energy accelerated.
Hummmm!
As the quality of his Essence and Qi steadily rose, the waves of qi emanating from him grew increasingly powerful.
The harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit that Namgung Jun had achieved was largely sustained by the enlightenment and sensory awareness rooted in his past-life memories.
If the quality of his Essence and Qi had been any lower, it would have been impossible to force them into harmony, no matter how profound his enlightenment and senses were.
The Spirit imbued with the memories of the Sword Emperor was just that massive.
Normally, he would have had to spend much more time refining his physical body and internal energy to purify them.
But there was no longer any need for that.
The dynamic art taught by the boy had accelerated Namgung Jun's progress at an incredible rate.
By the time Namgung Jun's mastery of the dynamic art reached fifty percent—
The boundaries between his Essence, Qi, and Spirit blurred, gradually interlocking before merging into one.
It was like the formation of a Triple Taiji.
A perfect Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
The flower buds at the crown of Namgung Jun's head bloomed all at once.
Three Flowers Gather at the Crown.
The realm symbolizing the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
It was the symbol of entering the ranks of those called supreme experts in the jianghu.
The three beautifully bloomed flowers cast their light in all directions before dissolving into fragments of light that cascaded over his entire body.
Only then did Namgung Jun stop practicing the dynamic art and regain his full awareness.
As he slowly opened his eyes, his eyebrows twitched.
The boy's teachings had been transmitted directly into his mindscape through telepathic intent.
To absorb them, he had naturally fallen into a selfless state, focusing solely on digesting the teachings.
He only realized the changes to his body after the fact.
‘Not only have the seizures from the Nine Yin Severed Meridian subsided, but the quality of my body and internal energy has also risen. And the result of that is…'
Namgung Jun looked around at the Wind-Thunder Wall.
It was the same scenery as before, yet it looked completely different.
Due to the Unity of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, his very perception of creation had changed.
After scanning the entirety of the Wind-Thunder Wall, Namgung Jun's gaze finally landed on the boy standing before him.
The boy, too, looked different than before.
Staring calmly at him, Namgung Jun asked, “What is the martial art you have taught me?”
“The Taiji Taoyuan Technique.”
As if he had expected the answer, the light in Namgung Jun's eyes grew even calmer.
The Taiji Taoyuan Technique.
It was a dynamic art of the Wudang Sect, a foundational technique containing the very essence of Wudang.
Personally created by Zhang Sanfeng, it possessed the miraculous ability to transform one's body, making it exceptionally easy to initiate into the martial arts of the Wudang Sect.
It was a divine art, a peerless technique comparable to Shaolin's Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic.
“I am not a disciple of the Wudang Sect. Why have you bestowed such a teaching upon me?”
“Does one need to belong to a sect to cultivate the mind and temper one’s nature? Hundreds of rivers ultimately flow into the great ocean.”
The boy's tone and expression were utterly free, as if he were unbound by the world's conventions.
“You and I met here. That fact alone is enough.”
The moment the boy’s gaze met Namgung Jun’s, Namgung Jun felt the illusion of the vast universe rushing over him.
“To address the karmic bond between us, I offered the Taiji Taoyuan Technique. What is your answer?”
What did he mean?
Was he asking for a martial art or a reward of equal value?
Namgung Jun shook his head.
He knew it wasn't such a simple exchange.
After deep deliberation, Namgung Jun replied, “This junior will answer with the martial path I walk from this day forward.”
“You will answer with your Dao? The simplest things are often the most difficult. Yet you choose this path, knowing that.”
“It seems that is just the kind of person I am.”
As Namgung Jun smiled faintly, the boy nodded in return.
“It seems the time for me to remain at the Wind-Thunder Wall is drawing to a close.”
“Once your work is done, do not linger on the accomplishment. When a deed is complete, one must naturally withdraw. The same applies to you.”
The boy raised his hand and pointed in a certain direction.
“There lies the first step of the answer you will present.”
Namgung Jun turned his head to look at the wall.
A small passage, which had been invisible before, came into view.
He turned back to bid his final farewell.
But the boy was gone.
In the spot where he had stood, colorless starlight shimmered, despite it being broad daylight.
“Daoist Master.”
Namgung Jun bowed deeply toward the starlight, showing his utmost respect.
“Though I cannot fully become a disciple of the Wudang Sect, I will ensure that I never bring dishonor to your name.”
At that moment, one of the scattering motes of starlight touched Namgung Jun’s body.
[It is said that fame and fortune, past and present, are but dust. Of what use is renown, old or new? It is merely dust.]
A single strand of telepathic intent echoed from the starlight.
With that final message, the light slowly dispersed, as if it had descended to the earth only to rise back to the heavens.
After staring for a long time at the spot where the boy of starlight had stood, Namgung Jun bowed once more and turned around.
It was time to climb the passage of the Wind-Thunder Wall and return to the Wudang Sect.
‘Master. I will return quickly.’
Thinking of Lee Se-ha and the Heavenly Sword Hall, Namgung Jun quickened his pace.
*
The Sword Unbinding Pond.
The area was in disarray following a surprise attack by practitioners of the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult a few days prior.
“Huh?”
A second-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect standing guard at the Sword Unbinding Pond doubted his own eyes.
The very youth the Wudang disciples had been desperately searching for was now walking toward them on his own two feet.
“Young Master Namgung? Ah! It really is Young Master Namgung!”
“You're safe!”
Watching the second-generation disciples rush over, Namgung Jun clasped his hands in greeting.
“We heard you fell from the cliff during your battle with the Divine Thief, so our sect's disciples have been searching all over Mount Wudang.”
“We are so glad to see you safe and sound.”
“Yes. I was very lucky.”
Namgung Jun smiled bitterly. Hearing their words, he felt indebted to the Wudang Sect in many ways.
“Please, come inside first.”
The second-generation disciples guided Namgung Jun into the Sword Unbinding Pavilion.
Hyeonsa, who was still in charge of the pavilion, stared at Namgung Jun with wide, startled eyes.
“To think you would return so completely unharmed! What a relief. Primordial Heavenly Venerable.”
“I heard the Wudang Sect aided in the search for me. Thank you very much.”
“It was only natural. Do not give it another thought.”
As Namgung Jun drank the tea brewed by Hyeonsa, his expression was slightly subdued.
Originally, the Heavenly Sword Hall was supposed to assist in guarding the Sword Unbinding Pavilion.
The fact that not a single member was in sight meant the situation must have taken a sudden turn.
“How have things developed since the attack by the Divine Thief and the demonic practitioners?”
“I will be brief. We managed to repel the Demonic Cult's night raid on the Sword Unbinding Pavilion, but in the end, the Divine Thief escaped.”
Hyeonsa continued, holding his teacup.
“Meanwhile, the situation on the front lines worsened. The Heavenly Sword Hall, which had been scouring Mount Wudang to find you, had to leave the search to our sect and head to the front lines as reinforcements.”
Having confirmed the reason for the Heavenly Sword Hall's absence, Namgung Jun drained his tea in a single gulp.
“I must follow the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
“My boy, by the looks of you, you’ve been wandering Mount Wudang ever since you fell from the cliff. Wouldn't it be better to rest, even if just for a moment?”
Namgung Jun smiled bitterly at Hyeonsa's gaze, which was scanning him from head to toe.
His appearance was certainly a mess. He had lost his bamboo hat when he fell from the cliff, and his hair was disheveled. His indigo martial uniform was covered in dirt and dust, having long since lost its original color.
Yet, despite his outward appearance, his condition was better than ever, thanks to the fortuitous encounter at the Wind-Thunder Wall.
Namgung Jun smiled and shook his head.
“Thank you for your concern. However, I am in perfect condition, so I will head straight to the front lines.”
“My word.”
Namgung Jun pulled the Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip from his chest pocket and handed it to Hyeonsa.
“I retrieved this from the Divine Thief just before falling from the cliff. I am returning it to the Wudang Sect.”
“Gasp!”
Hyeonsa gasped in shock as the Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip appeared in Namgung Jun's hand.
‘I naturally assumed the Divine Thief had escaped with the Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip.’
Holding the bamboo slip in a daze, Hyeonsa hurriedly spoke as Namgung Jun prepared to stand.
“Young Master Namgung! Wait a moment!”
Hyeonsa had Namgung Jun sit back down to hear a detailed account of what had happened.
It wasn't that he doubted Namgung Jun.
But the head disciple, Hyeonmang, was currently bedridden after being ambushed by the Divine Thief at the Supreme Harmony Palace. On top of that, the stolen Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip was the Wudang Sect's most precious sacred relic.
The situation was so grave that he needed to understand exactly how Namgung Jun had recovered it.
If he simply accepted the Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip without knowing the exact circumstances, the Sect Master would surely fly into a massive rage later.
“...And that is how it happened.”
“To think you threw yourself off a cliff for our sect's Purple-Spotted Bamboo Slip... Young Master Namgung, you are no different from a savior to our sect.”
He had merely pursued the Divine Thief to slay him, but Hyeonsa seemed to interpret his actions in a much nobler light.
However, Namgung Jun felt that wasting time to clear up the misunderstanding was a luxury he could not afford.
His mind was already on the front lines where the Heavenly Sword Hall had gone.
“Then, I will depart immediately.”
“Ah! Very well. Oh, take this with you as well.”
Hyeonsa quickly searched the room and handed him a small pouch.
“It contains our sect's healing medicine, gold sore ointment, bandages, and inedia pills. I hope they prove useful.”
“I will accept them gratefully.”
“Young Master Namgung. The Wudang Sect will never forget what you did today. We will surely repay this debt of gratitude in the future. Please, return safely.”
As Hyeonsa bowed first, Namgung Jun clasped his hands in return and quickly descended Mount Wudang.