Chapter 70: The Great Art (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 70: The Great Art (2)
Namgung Jun recalled the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master’s explanation of the Great Art.
‘The Essence-Steeling Great Art.’
The effects of the Essence-Steeling Great Art were simple. It was a grand art that strengthened the physical body using a meticulously blended mixture of medicinal herbs and spirit elixirs.
Of course, undergoing the Great Art didn't mean one's external arts would instantly leap to a higher level.
“Originally, the Essence-Steeling Great Art was a grand art that fell out of use.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the consumption of herbs and spirit elixirs is immense, yet the effects are negligible.”
The Azure Medicine Pavilion Master calmly continued his explanation.
“The Essence-Steeling Great Art was not created for martial artists. It was originally conceived to elevate those born with extremely weak bodies to a normal level of health.”
“Does that mean it’s useless for a martial artist who has already trained their external arts?”
“Indeed. For someone with even the average physical strength of an Iron Tower Hall member, the Great Art would have almost no effect. At best, it might slightly increase their stamina and alter their constitution to recover a bit faster.”
Namgung Jun understood immediately.
He had been born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian in a male body, and having spent his childhood as a sword attendant, he had never received proper care. When he first reincarnated, his physical condition had been beyond pathetic—it was critical.
Although he had significantly improved his condition through adequate nutrition, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, and external art training at the Iron Tower Hall, he was still far weaker than an ordinary martial artist. He had only managed to endure this long by compensating for his deficient body with his internal energy, techniques, and the experience of his past life.
‘Among Essence, Qi, and Spirit, I lack Essence the most.’
Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
Essence was the physical body.
Qi was internal energy.
Spirit was the will.
Currently, Namgung Jun’s greatest weakness was indeed his Essence. If he could just elevate his physical body to the level of an ordinary martial artist, it would be an immense achievement.
‘Even without the Great Art, my body would eventually reach a normal level someday.’
But that would take a very long time. Part of it was due to his unique constitution, the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, but it was also because he simply hadn’t been training his external arts for very long.
Under these circumstances, raising his physical level through the Great Art would be of immense help, both for his martial progress and for overcoming the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.
“An ordinary martial artist wouldn't see much effect, but it will be different for you,” the Pavilion Master had said.
“I agree.”
“Furthermore, the Great Art you will undergo this time is different from the standard Essence-Steeling Great Art.”
Curiosity flickered in Namgung Jun’s eyes. “How so?”
“This old man hasn’t just been idling away. I have devised a way to suppress the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, even if only a little, through the Essence-Steeling Great Art.”
The Azure Medicine Pavilion Master showed him medical texts stacked high like towers and sheets of paper densely covered in writing.
“We will slightly alter your constitution through the Essence-Steeling Great Art.”
“Is that possible?”
“Calling it a ‘constitution’ is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is nothing grand. We are simply tuning your body to naturally draw in more Yang Qi and making it more receptive to that energy.”
Much of the detailed explanation that followed was difficult for Namgung Jun to understand. It was filled with the names of countless medicinal herbs, as well as advanced medical knowledge that even ordinary physicians would struggle to comprehend.
However, he could clearly see just how much care and effort the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master had poured into researching the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.
Namgung Jun bowed respectfully to the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master once more.
“I place myself in your hands.”
* * *
After drinking the medicinal decoction prepared by the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master, Namgung Jun headed to the large bath inside the Azure Medicine Pavilion.
Inside the hot bath, which was not yet filled with water, various pouches of medicinal herbs were stacked densely. Around the bath, other physicians stood waiting with heaps of medicinal pouches in their arms. Since the size and contents of each pouch differed, it seemed they would be added sequentially over time.
“An immense amount of herbs is being used for this Great Art.”
“Indeed. This is enough herbs to last us nearly half a year.”
“How long will the Great Art take?”
“I cannot say for certain, but I expect it will take about two days.”
The Azure Medicine Pavilion Master drew a needle case from his robes.
“Sit cross-legged. I will administer the acupuncture while you are in that position.”
Namgung Jun sat cross-legged in the center of the tub. Rolling up his sleeves, the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master immediately opened the needle case and began inserting needles into Namgung Jun’s major acupoints.
His movements were incredibly swift and precise, driving the thread-thin needles home without a moment's hesitation. The display was comparable to the swift sword of a master, leaving the waiting physicians unable to tear their eyes away.
Before long, Namgung Jun’s entire cross-legged body was densely covered in needles.
He looked just like a hedgehog.
Having concentrated intensely and expended a significant amount of mental energy, the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Now, we will fill the tub with the medicinal liquid. Begin your Qi circulation when I give the signal.”
“Understood.”
As soon as the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master stepped out of the bath and gave the order, the waiting physicians began pouring the pre-heated medicinal liquid into the tub.
Once the dark brown liquid rose to just beneath Namgung Jun’s chin, the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master shouted, “Begin your Qi circulation!”
Hummm!
Namgung Jun immediately closed his eyes and circulated the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula.
‘It’s hot.’
In reality, the liquid touching his body was only lukewarm. Yet, shortly after he began his Qi circulation, it felt scalding hot, as if it were boiling. This wasn't actual heat; rather, it was a phenomenon caused by the medicinal energy permeating his body through the Great Art.
‘It’s not unbearable.’
Although a heat that felt as if it were slowly cooking his flesh enveloped his entire body, Namgung Jun continued his Qi circulation without wavering. The internal energy of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula circulated through his meridians with fierce momentum, and he could feel the medicinal energy that had seeped into his body acting upon his entire system.
‘Hmm?’
In the midst of the Great Art, Namgung Jun felt an anomaly.
The Nine Yin Severed Meridian, which had remained dormant until now, suddenly writhed to life.
‘Why?’
He had even drunk the special decoction prepared by the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master to prevent this very thing. Despite that, the Nine Yin Severed Meridian had awakened, violently spewing a massive amount of Yin Cold Qi throughout his body. If left alone, it would undoubtedly trigger a seizure.
Hummm!
Reacting to the flood of Yin Cold Qi, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula and the medicinal energy of the Essence-Steeling Great Art faltered and began to clash violently against it.
‘Did it awaken because of the sudden surge of Yang Qi in my body?’
Just as Namgung Jun grasped the situation, he heard the voice transmission of the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master, who had also sensed the anomaly.
– Are you alright? It seems your severed meridian is acting up!
– Yes. I am on the verge of a seizure.
Upon hearing Namgung Jun’s reply, the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master’s beard trembled.
‘I prepared and prepared, yet it still came to this.’
His moment of self-reproach was brief. He made a swift decision.
– We must halt the Great Art. Can you do it?
– I don't think I can.
If he stopped his Qi circulation, the three clashing energies—the Yin Cold Qi, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, and the medicinal energy—would surely run wild. In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to severe internal injuries or even put his life in danger.
Halting the Great Art was not an option.
– Can you control the energies running wild right now?
– Controlling them is not the answer.
– What do you mean?
– Pavilion Master. Do not stop replenishing the herbs until I stop my Qi circulation. Especially those containing Yang Qi.
After sending his final voice transmission, Namgung Jun focused entirely on his internal state. The Azure Medicine Pavilion Master's concern was valid; any attempt to control the three rampaging energies was highly likely to fail.
Therefore, Namgung Jun chose a different path.
‘Clearing.’
He would direct the destructive force generated by the clash of the three energies toward the second acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian. He intended to concentrate the backlash, which could otherwise ruin his entire body, onto a single point to force it open.
Hummm!
Guided by Namgung Jun’s will, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula and the medicinal energy of the Essence-Steeling Great Art shifted their course. The cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, which had been locked in a power struggle, fiercely pursued them.
Consequently, all three energies surged downward with immense force. Their destination was the second acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.
With nowhere else to go, the three energies tangled and violently repelled one another at the dead end.
Boom!
A series of loud explosions erupted inside Namgung Jun as the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula and the medicinal energy battered the second acupoint. The shock of Scorching Yang Qi and Yin Cold Qi colliding created fierce waves of energy that erupted repeatedly around the blocked point.
‘Ugh.’
Namgung Jun clenched his teeth. He had to endure not only the shock of the clearing but also the backlash of the three energies clashing simultaneously. While he had used the power of the Solar Fire Internal Core to push through the first clearing all at once, this second clearing was a continuous battering of countless impacts, both minor and major.
It was like a battering ram pounding against a castle gate.
The shocks shaking his entire body assailed him endlessly and irregularly. It wouldn't have been surprising if he lost consciousness right then and there.
Yet, Namgung Jun did not stop.
‘I will not lose to a mere clearing process like this.’
Boom! Boom!
Namgung Jun barely held onto his consciousness amidst the excruciating pain. Meanwhile, unable to withstand the clash, the meridians around the second acupoint began to tear. As internal injuries spread and blood welled up in his throat, he still did not stop.
How long had he been battering it?
KABOOM!
The three wildly tangled energies finally pierced through the second acupoint and surged throughout his entire body.
The second acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian was cleared.
As it opened, the surrounding meridians that had been frozen by the Yin Cold Qi unlocked. The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula raced fiercely along the newly opened pathways.
Hummm!
The Yin Cold Qi that had been clumped at the second acupoint unraveled like thread from a spool and intertwined with the internal energy of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula. The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula gradually grew in size as it devoured the cold energy.
Meanwhile, a portion of the Yin Cold Qi clung to the medicinal energy of the Essence-Steeling Great Art, triggering a different kind of transformation. As the Yang-natured medicinal energy and the cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian intertwined, a pure, refined energy was forged. Perhaps because it was weaker than the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, it achieved a harmony of Yin and Yang, transforming into something new.
‘This is...!’
The pure energy, moving alongside the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, permeated his entire body, guided by the profound principles of the Essence-Steeling Great Art.
Not only did the meridians torn by the shock of the clearing gradually heal, but they also widened. Furthermore, the energy began to affect his entire body, just as the Great Art was originally intended to do.
His body heated up once more. While it had been scalding hot before, now it was merely warm.
Namgung Jun realized instinctively that the medicinal energy fused with the Yin Cold Qi was incomparably more potent than before. The current pure energy was no different from having consumed a precious spirit elixir. This more refined energy acted positively on his physical body, meaning the efficacy of the Essence-Steeling Great Art was now on a completely different level.
The clearing of the second acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridian.
The energy forged from the union of Yin and Yang.
The profound principles of the Essence-Steeling Great Art.
As these various elements overlapped, a new transformation occurred within Namgung Jun’s body.
Whoosh!
A blue Thunder Qi swirled from Namgung Jun's entire body, and under its power, the medicinal liquid that filled the bath rapidly evaporated.