Chapter 77: Guiding True Qi (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 77: Guiding True Qi (1)
When they arrived at the Azure Heaven Pavilion, Hahu Seon, the Azure Heaven Association Leader, was carving a wooden sword as he always did.
—Let us wait a moment.
At Yun Gyeong-jong's voice transmission, Namgung Jun also stopped in his tracks.
As the blunt block of wood slowly took the shape of a sword, Hahu Seon's eyes were incredibly clear as they reflected the sight. His delicate, unhesitating hand movements transcended the skill of a master craftsman, carrying a reverence akin to that of a high monk polishing an alms bowl.
Perhaps because of this, the worn Azure Heaven Pavilion felt like a small temple nestled on a sacred mountain.
The grip.
Namgung Jun focused on the wrinkled fingers smoothly shaving the wood. Hahu Seon's fingers moved as if gripping a sword, and the Qi Waves concentrated at his fingertips shifted endlessly.
Strangely, the Qi Waves emanating from the wooden sword did not scatter but instead condensed inward infinitely. Despite the massive amount of Qi Waves being continuously channeled into it, the neatly shaved wooden sword did not move in the slightest.
This, too, was surely thanks to Hahu Seon's exquisite control over his Qi Waves.
Was this a training method unique to the Azure Heaven Association Leader?
This is no ordinary training.
As Namgung Jun watched for a long while, a realization flashed through his mind.
A single, extraordinary sword strike.
Though he could not tell exactly what it was, it seemed to be a special training method designed to deliver a single, transcendent sword strike.
Crack!
When the condensation of Qi Waves reached a critical point, a fine crack appeared on the wooden sword Hahu Seon was carving. The crack gradually spread until, finally, the blade began to crumble into dust and scatter.
Whoosh!
The sword-art Qi Waves concentrated within the wooden sword were released all at once, like a tempest battering a mountainside.
"Hmph!"
It was then that Yun Gyeong-jong let out a low groan and stepped in front of Namgung Jun to shield him.
The rapidly overflowing torrent of Qi Waves froze instantly, as if suppressed by a massive, invisible hand. With a flutter of Hahu Seon's sleeve, the violently surging Qi Waves dispersed as gently as a spring breeze.
Swoosh!
Except for the wide-open windows rattling slightly, the Azure Heaven Pavilion regained its original tranquility.
Hahu Seon watched the wooden sword drift out the window like fine dust before turning his gaze to Namgung Jun.
"You have arrived."
Namgung Jun, who had placed his hand on his sword hilt to brace against the Qi Waves, clasped his hands in greeting.
"Greetings, Association Leader."
"You are on the verge of achieving the harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. When I last saw you, you were in complete imbalance. You have made a great achievement."
"It is thanks to the Essence-Steeling Great Art that you bestowed upon me, Association Leader."
Hahu Seon shook his head.
"I heard from the Azure Medicine Pavilion Master. Though an issue arose with the Essence-Steeling Great Art, you not only resolved it with your quick wit but even elevated it to a better state."
Hahu Seon reached out and picked up a new block of wood. He began carving a wooden sword once again.
"I must thank you once more. Thanks to you, the Mount Song Gathering, which could have been a difficult affair due to this old man's shortcomings, was resolved smoothly."
As Namgung Jun bowed humbly, Hahu Seon's smile deepened.
"While the official reason is a reward for your contributions, it is also true that this old man's personal feelings have been stirred."
"Your personal feelings, you say?"
"I wish to take you as my disciple."
Yun Gyeong-jong, who was listening quietly from the side, remained silent. He had expected this to some extent. As a martial artist, it was only natural to covet a talent of Namgung Jun's caliber.
Perhaps he possesses the greatest talent among all the rising stars in the current Jianghu.
If the Heavenly Sword Hall Master had not acted first, Namgung Jun would have naturally become the disciple of the Azure Heaven Association Leader.
Even so, this is the first time I have seen the Association Leader bring this up so directly.
Yun Gyeong-jong glanced at the profile of the boy, who maintained a straight posture despite the unexpected proposal.
Is he truly different, after all?
Just as Yun Gyeong-jong had walked down the steps after seeing Namgung Jun during the entrance exam, had the Association Leader also seen something different in him? This was the first time Hahu Seon, who had encountered countless talents in the Azure Heaven Association, had ever spoken of taking a disciple.
"However, the Heavenly Sword Hall Master would be furious, so I cannot do that. In the first place, meddling in an established bond between master and disciple is against the righteousness of the Jianghu."
"Yes. That is correct."
At Namgung Jun's firm reply, Yun Gyeong-jong's breath caught in his throat. Usually, even the Hall Masters who acted as they pleased maintained an extremely respectful attitude in front of the Association Leader. Yet, Namgung Jun seemed entirely unbothered by the weight of his presence.
No matter who he was speaking to, Namgung Jun's attitude was always consistent.
"Haha."
Hahu Seon's smile widened, seemingly finding Namgung Jun's attitude to his liking.
"But even if we are not master and disciple, there should be no issue with me gifting you a martial art."
Namgung Jun quietly looked at Hahu Seon. Although there was a saying in the Jianghu that learning even a single thing makes someone your master, the Association Leader did not seem intent on being bound by such conventions.
Hahu Seon did not wait for Namgung Jun's response and flicked his hand. At that, the secret manual resting on a table behind him floated gently into the air.
"This is another reward from this old man."
Yun Gyeong-jong was startled when he recognized the secret manual Hahu Seon had lifted with Telekinetic Retrieval.
"Association Leader! That mental method is...!"
Yun Gyeong-jong had expected something. He knew that whatever reward Hahu Seon intended to give would be extraordinary. However, the secret manual now drifting toward Namgung Jun far exceeded his expectations. No matter how he looked at it, this was a reward far greater than what his contributions merited.
"Ink Lord, it is fine."
At Hahu Seon's gentle dismissal, Yun Gyeong-jong composed his expression.
Meanwhile, the secret manual landed softly in front of Namgung Jun.
"Take a look."
With Hahu Seon's permission, Namgung Jun first looked at the name of the secret manual.
Spear King Azure Aura.
Upon seeing the name, Namgung Jun recalled the Spear King Mental Method from his past life. Judging by the name, this appeared to be a mental method developed with the Spear King Mental Method as its foundation.
Stroking the cover of the secret manual, Namgung Jun asked, "May I read the contents of the manual?"
"You may."
Sitting where he was, Namgung Jun quickly scanned the mnemonic formulas of the Spear King Azure Aura.
As expected, the foundation is the Spear King Mental Method of Namcheon Palace.
Various insights and principles were harmoniously interwoven around the Spear King Mental Method, but it was no longer a martial art of Namcheon Palace. Just as the Azure Heaven Association had taken in various sects destroyed by the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult, the Spear King Azure Aura seemed to have been created in a similar fashion.
A faint trace of surprise flickered in Namgung Jun's eyes as he examined the manual. Even though he had not finished reading all the mnemonic formulas, he could tell for certain.
It has surpassed the Spear King Mental Method.
Watching Namgung Jun, Hahu Seon let out a gentle, aged chuckle.
"You recognize the value of this mental method."
"It is a rare Superior Peerless Art."
"An excellent eye, far beyond your years."
Hahu Seon looked at the secret manual of the Spear King Azure Aura.
"Originally, it was the exclusive martial art of the Azure Heaven Association Leader. However, as time passed, the policy changed to pass it down to those of the Cloud Rank who possess outstanding talent or have achieved great merits."
"Is there another Cloud in the current Azure Heaven Association who has learned this martial art?"
His smile fading slightly, Hahu Seon turned his gaze. His hazy eyes rested on the blue sky outside the window. Though it was a clear, cloudless sky, the heavens reflected in Hahu Seon's pupils felt exceptionally empty.
"There was."
It was a brief, simple reply.
Namgung Jun followed Hahu Seon's gaze and looked up at the sky. It felt truly strange that the Spear King Mental Method, which he had handed over as the Sword Emperor in his past life, had returned to him as the Spear King Azure Aura.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy, but Hahu Seon continued with a gentle smile.
"The strength of the Spear King Azure Aura lies in its sky-like tolerance. Unless it is the wicked energy of the Demonic and Heretical Paths, it does not clash with other internal energies. Even if you practice it alongside the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula, which is based on Scorching Yang Qi, it will not cause any strain."
In the Jianghu, it was rare to learn mental methods of different attributes. It was common for internal energies of different natures to clash within the dantian or meridians. Even if one somehow achieved harmony, the overlapping of complex Qi circulation pathways often caused internal injuries and Qi Deviation.
Of course, mastering multiple mental methods simultaneously was not entirely impossible. Martial artists who could handle various types of internal energy occasionally emerged, depending on their talent and martial arts.
The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula is certainly an advanced martial art, but it falls short of being a divine art or peerless technique. Learning the Spear King Azure Aura will undoubtedly be of help to me at some point.
After examining the secret manual, Namgung Jun concluded that initiating himself into this new mental method would benefit him.
"The nature of the Spear King Azure Aura's internal energy is vast yet upright. Since it harbors a resilient, unyielding strength within its majestic flow, it will be of great help in suppressing the Yin Cold Qi of your Nine Yin Severed Meridian."
"Thank you. I will do my best to master it."
Nodding, Hahu Seon gestured to him.
"Come here. I shall assist you in your initiation into the Spear King Azure Aura."
"Association Leader! Please consider your health!"
Startled, Yun Gyeong-jong not only raised his voice but even half-rose from his seat.
However, Hahu Seon shook his head firmly.
"It is fine. Ink Lord, stand guard."
The energy releasing from Hahu Seon's hand gently pulled Namgung Jun's body forward. Drawn by an invisible hand, Namgung Jun ultimately stepped toward Hahu Seon.
"Turn around and sit."
At Hahu Seon's gentle yet firm tone, Namgung Jun had no choice but to show his back. Hahu Seon's single remaining hand gently covered Namgung Jun's Mingmen Acupoint. Though it was merely a palm touching him, Namgung Jun felt a warm heat.
"I will begin Guiding True Qi. Focus on memorizing the movement of the Spear King Azure Aura."
Hummm!
Slowly raising the energy of the Spear King Azure Aura, Hahu Seon gently channeled his internal energy into Namgung Jun's Mingmen Acupoint.
*
"Have you still not found his whereabouts?"
"No, sir."
At his subordinate's report, the Sword-Wailing Demon clicked his tongue.
"Targeting him on his way back from the last Mount Song Gathering would have been the perfect opportunity."
The Sword-Wailing Demon irritably crumpled the paper recording Namgung Jun's movements.
The boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian whom the Sacred Cult was still searching for. He seemed to possess considerable martial prowess for a rising star, but that meant little against him.
He had discovered the boy's movements too late and tried to target his return journey, but the Azure Heaven Association Leader and the Martial Conquest Hall Master had accompanied him. Since it was a fight with absolutely no chance of victory, he had bided his time, but he couldn't help his lingering regret.
He will likely show himself again soon.
The eyes of the Sword-Wailing Demon, who had been steadily gathering information on Namgung Jun, sharpened.
Is it because he was born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian in a male body? His growth is bizarrely fast. If I delay any longer, I might lose the opportunity entirely.
The Sword-Wailing Demon instinctively felt that very few opportunities remained. Therefore, he intended to pour all his strength into capturing Namgung Jun alive.
"When he steps out into the Jianghu for his next mission, we must capture him alive. Do not slacken in gathering information."
After giving the order to his subordinate, the Sword-Wailing Demon licked his lips.
If only I can catch this fellow.
He exhaled softly. While his subordinates tracked Namgung Jun's movements, he had focused his remaining time on eliminating his other rivals. Having finally eliminated the last of them, if he could only achieve the great merit of recovering the one with the Nine Yin Severed Meridian, he would instantly rise to the rank of Bright Mirror Master.
In his current situation, the only thing he lacked was a single great contribution. It was almost certain that his rank would rise the moment he captured Namgung Jun alive.
Dreaming of becoming the fourteenth Bright Mirror Master, the Sword-Wailing Demon let out a sinister laugh.
"Namgung Jun. I look forward to the day we meet."
The Sword-Wailing Demon stroked the sword on the table.