Chapter 127: Transmission (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: Transmission (3)
Protective Astral Qi.
It was a technique that wove Internal Energy into a fabric, armor, or barrier.
Martial Artists described Protective Astral Qi in various ways, but the common consensus was that it granted them an extra life. This was because, far beyond simply protecting the body, it offered various functions depending on the martial art, introducing countless variables into battles of life and death.
Some forms could disperse or deflect an opponent's attacks, while others focused less on pure defense and more on counterattacks and offense.
Protective Astral Qi was a superior martial art that, as a rule, could only be properly wielded by Supreme Experts who had reached the realm of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown. Properly wielding it required the ability to instantly wrap one's entire body in Internal Energy—or concentrate it on a specific area—while maintaining its strength and function with profound reserves of power.
Aside from the speed of channeling Internal Energy and a unique sense of timing, Protective Astral Qi was another factor that created the immense gulf between a Supreme Expert and a Peak Expert.
“Protective Astral Qi.”
The disciple admired the raiment of lightning his master had draped over him.
It felt as if she had taken off her own clothes to dress him in them, leaving a gentle warmth lingering within the Protective Astral Qi. Beneath the silk-like barrier covering his entire body, lightning circulated without restraint. Flashes of thunderous light flickered constantly, as if dozens of lightning bolts were writhing with life.
Every time Namgung Jun moved his limbs, a Qi Wave, gathered like clouds, writhed around him, repeatedly dispersing and condensing in irregular patterns to subtly conceal his movements.
Watching the Protective Astral Qi shift endlessly as if it were alive and breathing, Namgung Jun spoke.
“The interplay of substance and void. That is the intent forming this Protective Astral Qi.”
Nodding, Lee Se-ha took three steps back.
“I’m going to strike you lightly. Keep your Protective Astral Qi active.”
Lee Se-ha unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Palm Technique toward Namgung Jun's solar plexus. Though the strike was executed with considerable ferocity, all he felt was a faint, soft pressure rippling across his Protective Astral Qi.
This was despite the fact that the blow possessed enough power to shatter a massive boulder in an instant.
‘The Palm Force seeps into the Protective Astral Qi and is forced to circulate by the Thunder Qi.’
The Protective Astral Qi created by Lee Se-ha possessed the function of dispersing and mitigating incoming impacts across the entire body, minimizing damage.
Just as clouds scatter in a raging wind.
‘Moreover, a portion of the dispersed impact is absorbed into the Protective Astral Qi and recycled to bolster its strength.’
This would ease the burden on his Internal Energy when maintaining the Protective Astral Qi during prolonged battles.
Crackle!
Meanwhile, Thunder Qi surged violently around Lee Se-ha's palm where it made contact. The mere touch triggered a backlash, causing the Thunder Qi to crawl up her wrist like branching veins.
Lee Se-ha tilted her head, gesturing for him to observe this.
“And upon contact, the Thunder Qi rises through the subtle principles of the Internal Heavy Hand Technique. The moment an attack lands, it burdens the enemy in some way.”
It was a Protective Astral Qi that perfectly captured the freedom and ferocity of Thunder Qi alongside the emptiness and warmth of clouds.
“My original Protective Astral Qi was different from this one.”
“Is that so?”
“Rather than defense, its function was focused on absorbing and reflecting the impacts accumulated on the barrier, all to better execute the Lone Soul Sun-Gazing Sword.”
Lee Se-ha lowered her gaze slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“My original Protective Astral Qi was a martial art refined solely for revenge, so I felt I couldn't teach it to you, Jun.”
After staring into empty space for a moment, the master looked at her disciple. Two pairs of eyes, both harboring lightning, locked onto each other.
“But as I spent time with you, my mindset and realizations changed. I began to hope that you could roam the Jianghu without getting hurt, and I started to care about my own safety as well.”
The smile on Lee Se-ha's lips grew wider. The bitterness had vanished before she knew it, replaced by a warm gentleness.
“Because my dear disciple would be sad if anything happened to his master. Right?”
“Of course.”
When the disciple answered without a moment's hesitation, the master's face brightened even more.
“I'm glad. This Protective Astral Qi is a new technique I created while thinking of you. Solely for you.”
“I like it very much.”
Namgung Jun looked down at the blue fabric wrapping his body once more and asked, “What is the name of this Protective Astral Qi?”
“Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder.”
A cloud embracing lightning laden with worry.
It was a name infused with a master's affection and concern for her disciple.
“It is a truly wonderful name.”
Namgung Jun felt a deep warmth spread through his mind and body. With this Protective Astral Qi wrapped around him, he felt he would never be alone again.
Feeling his master's love and worry so clearly, the disciple made a resolution. He wouldn’t just stay by her side; as her disciple, he would sweep away the shadows that lurked behind her.
“However, the Jianghu is a forest of blades and a mountain of swords; it will be difficult to survive with only a warm Protective Astral Qi.”
“That's true, isn't it?”
Namgung Jun spoke as he looked at Lee Se-ha's hand, which had suffered from the recoil of executing the Lone Soul Sun-Gazing Sword.
“You need a fitting sword technique, and the Lone Soul Sun-Gazing Sword does not suit the master you are now. Please bury it deep within your mindscape.”
When Lee Se-ha only pursed her lips without answering immediately, Namgung Jun added, “I will teach you the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.”
“How could I have the face to learn that? It's a unique martial art you created yourself, Jun.”
Seeing Lee Se-ha shrink back slightly, Namgung Jun's smile deepened.
“That is precisely why I am teaching you. A master should naturally know their disciple's unique martial art. Realization does not only flow downward; sometimes, it ascends from below. The circulation of realization is what truly defines the bond between master and disciple.”
After fixing her large eyes on Namgung Jun for a long moment, Lee Se-ha finally nodded, letting out a soft sigh. However, her sigh was laced with joy and deep emotion.
“I'll accept it, though I feel shameless. Thank you, my disciple.”
“Very well.”
The disciple's eyes grew solemn as he reached for the hilt of the Eternal Righteous Sword.
He hoped his master would never have to wield that sword technique again. Even if she were to face a mortal enemy in the future.
His master's sword technique was far too sorrowful and lonely. Because it was a sword technique with no path of retreat, it was all the more solitary and futile.
‘Your disciple does not wish for you to meet such an end, Master.’
The Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique was a sword technique that embodied his bond with his master. Naturally, his master had to know it, and once guided by her hands, the technique would grow even stronger.
With the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique embraced by master and disciple together, they would fear no Divine Art or Peerless Technique in the Jianghu.
‘Master. I will wrap your lonely soul within the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique.’
Hummmm!
A blue mist billowed softly from the upright Eternal Righteous Sword.
From this day forth, the master would weather the storms of the Jianghu with her disciple's sword technique.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course.”
Namgung Jun unleashed a blue Sword Strike toward Lee Se-ha while whispering his Martial Insights and Mnemonic Formulas via Voice Transmission.
The freely spreading blue mist swallowed Lee Se-ha in an instant.
Even though the surroundings were filled with Sword Strikes, Lee Se-ha's face, as she swung her sword with all her might, was incredibly bright and pure.
Boom!
The blue mist, shining brilliantly under the sunlight, drew the master and disciple together.
Along the path of the two ceaselessly moving swords, a silk of light, dyed in deep azure, was rapidly woven. Though the positions and distance between master and disciple shifted endlessly, an indigo wave continuously connected them.
The training of master and disciple continued day and night.
* * *
After taking a brief rest following last night's final training session, Namgung Jun stepped out of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
While training with Lee Se-ha, he had focused on the Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder and the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique. Rather than stopping at simply transmitting the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique to Lee Se-ha, they had put their heads together to further refine its various Forms.
As they held a Sword Discussion on the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique, many Martial Insights and Groups were exchanged. Although Lee Se-ha had only just begun learning the technique, she demonstrated the ability to converse on equal terms with Namgung Jun.
As master and disciple observed and analyzed side by side, the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique was able to reach an even higher realm.
Of course, it wasn't only the Vast Sky Boundless Sword Technique that showed dazzling Achievement.
‘I've received an unexpected gift.’
The raiment of lightning and clouds that the master had personally draped over her disciple.
Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder.
Had he not obtained this Protective Astral Qi, he would have had to adapt a technique from the Self-Reflection Martial Repository or Namcheon Palace. Instead, he had been transmitted a Protective Astral Qi created by his master.
And it was a Superior Peerless Art of a caliber rarely seen in the Jianghu.
Viewed objectively, the Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder was far superior to the Protective Astral Qi of Namcheon Palace that the Sword Emperor of his past life had used. When he confirmed its overwhelming superiority, even Namgung Jun was slightly surprised.
That was how flawless the Mnemonic Formulas and Groups of the Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder were, leaving no need for refinement or adjustment. Just reciting the Mnemonic Formulas made it clear how much deep thought and extraordinary care had been poured into it.
Because she had created it not for herself but for her disciple, she seemed to have put more effort into it than ever before.
‘Master, too, possesses a talent rare under heaven.’
Achieving Three Flowers Gather at the Crown at the age of a Rising Star was indeed a marvelous Achievement. However, creating a new martial art was an entirely different matter. Quickly mastering a martial art and creating one from nothing required completely different levels and qualities of talent.
If she continued to refine her skills over the years, she had the potential to one day reach the realm of a Grandmaster. Seeing the structure of the Lone Soul Sun-Gazing Sword and the Cloud Mantle Embracing Sorrowful Thunder, his conviction grew stronger.
‘In step with my own growth, Master is also steadily growing. My prediction that we would stand together on the front lines to face the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult was not wrong.’
Namgung Jun recalled the moment he first met Lee Se-ha.
‘It is no exaggeration to say that the moment I met Master was the true beginning of this life.’
Once again, Namgung Jun felt that the bond of master and disciple he had formed in this life was truly precious. Without Lee Se-ha, Namgung Jun might have harbored the two characters for "lonely soul" in his own heart as well.
“You're wearing a very happy smile. Is going on a mission with me that pleasing to you?”
At the voice that suddenly spoke up right beside him, Namgung Jun's expression instantly stiffened.
Right next to his stiffened face, the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord, wearing a ridiculous mask, had leaned in close.
Namgung Jun immediately took two steps to the side.
Even as he widened the distance and glared at the Sword Lord, he could not sense his presence at all. Perhaps because of his exceptionally flamboyant attire, the complete lack of presence felt even more jarring.
Was this what it felt like to see a ghost in broad daylight?
He had hoped that after seeing him a few times, he might be able to detect even a sliver of his presence, but that was not the case. Indeed, it was a Return to Simplicity and Truth worthy of one who claimed to be the world's greatest.
He felt certain that the reason the Heaven-Reliant Sword Lord had been able to escape safely even after losing a duel with the Cult Leader was also thanks to his Return to Simplicity and Truth.
“Sword Lord. Could you please make at least a little bit of noise when you approach?”
“Haha. Your sensory training is lazy. You must devote yourself more. Though your swordplay was quite a sight to behold, of course.”
Watching Jang Mu-yeon chuckle to himself, Namgung Jun made a quiet vow. He would absolutely raise his Achievement and one day pierce through the world's greatest Return to Simplicity and Truth.
Exhaling softly and composing his expression, Namgung Jun asked, “Shall we depart soon?”
“Hmm. It's not an urgent mission, so let's take our time.”
“Is that really alright?”
At Namgung Jun's skeptical question, Jang Mu-yeon nonchalantly clasped his hands behind his back.
“Of course. We can perform a sword dance here and there and move at a leisurely pace.”
The two members of the Cloud Rank walked leisurely, as if embarking on a simple journey.
Their destination was Hunan Province, where Fierce Battle Valley was located.