Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Unusual Sign (3)
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Naturally, he couldn't reveal where the Small Purple Spirit Elixir had come from.
If he did, people would surely try to challenge the Plum Blossom Cave, no matter how much of a forbidden zone it was on Mount Hua.
Besides, Dan U-ryeong wasn't benevolent enough to let such people be.
For that reason, Bai Duanxian was the only one who knew the truth.
"The Three Pure Ones simply lent their aid."
The other Taoists understood it as Ouyang Jue having had a divine dream.
Of course, that didn't dispel all their questions.
The Taoists who were stuck at the first-rate level were especially desperate for the elixir.
"Do you happen to know where it was found?"
"..."
Whenever asked, Ouyang Jue would point them to a cave in a corner of Mount Hua.
Bai Duanxian had helped with this.
He knew every detail of where Taoists like Jeong Jung-san had lived in seclusion after the war with the old Demonic Cult twenty years ago.
Although there was no elixir there, they could still learn the teachings of the old sages.
*‘It would be great if they could achieve a grand awakening there and return.’*
Bai Duanxian watched the Taoists heading deep into Mount Hua with their bundles, a look of pity in his eyes.
They might be blinded by the goal of breaking through their current wall, but in the past, they were disciples who had competed with Liu Zhangming.
While Bai Duanxian stroked his beard, Ouyang Jue entered the Plum Blossom Clinic.
"...Ugh!"
Cheong Ho-won and the Two Great Protectors were sweating profusely, focusing all their efforts on treating Ha Jin-ak.
No matter how legendary the Small Purple Spirit Elixir was, this task was incredibly difficult.
Compared to a simple Small Purple Elixir, its condensed internal energy was two to three times greater.
But this immense energy wasn't meant to be stored in one's own dantian; it had to be used to expel the fire energy from another's body, which sent the difficulty skyrocketing through the roof.
And Ha Jin-ak had been on the verge of death, without a single ounce of internal energy left.
Even if the Two Great Protectors stabilized his blood and qi with their immense internal energy, and Cheong Ho-won possessed acupuncture skills bordering on divine, there were limits.
"Kngh..."
Cheong Ho-won, who was examining the Girdle Vessel, the Sea of Qi Acupoint, and the thousand minor meridians, let out a sigh tinged with regret.
"Not now. His body is too weak. We must wait and observe for at least three months. His essence, qi, and spirit need to recover."
"Damn."
Of the Two Great Protectors, Plum Immortal Jeong Pa-ro sighed, genuinely disappointed.
"I wanted to help the disciples just like my younger brother..."
"Actually, there was something I wanted to ask of you, Uncle-Master."
"Hm? Go on."
"As you know, Uncle-Master, Jin-ak's condition is not good. It's a miracle his soul remains in his body when his True Origin, True Qi is completely depleted. I considered the possibility of a curse, but from what I can see, that's not it."
At the word "curse," Jeong Pa-ro's eyes flashed for a moment, but seeing it wasn't a serious matter, he laughed heartily again.
"So you want me to stay by Jin-ak's side and watch over him."
"Exactly. And..."
While Cheong Ho-won continued to explain Ha Jin-ak's current situation, Unextinguished Incense Jeong Jung-san spotted Ouyang Jue and smiled faintly.
"Disciple, have you been well?"
"Yes, Protector Jeong."
Jeong Jung-san looked at Ouyang Jue with interest, noting his polite etiquette.
"Hoh, you've reached a new realm already. How long has it been since we last saw each other?"
"I believe it's been about three months."
"Is that so?"
Jeong Jung-san was surprised, yet he stroked his beard as if in renewed admiration.
"I was thinking how quickly time flies as one gets older, but seeing your accomplishments, I can truly feel that time flows differently for the young."
"It's nothing that impressive."
At those words, Jeong Jung-san glanced to his sides.
"You say things that would shock anyone who heard them. Hoho!"
As Jeong Jung-san said, it was an impossible feat for anyone but a legendary warrior from the history of the martial world—someone like the Hegemon King of the Heavens, Peng Yu-jong.
Still, it wasn't something he could boast about, so Ouyang Jue scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...Haha."
"And you've brought a strange item with you since I last saw you."
Jeong Jung-san's figure seemed to blur for an instant, then shot toward Ouyang Jue's wrist in a flash.
*‘Seeing as there's no force behind it, I suppose it's simple curiosity or an eccentricity.’*
He must have been curious about the unique fire energy of the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor.
Ouyang Jue calmly evaded Jeong Jung-san's hand.
"I will show you myself."
At that, Jeong Jung-san nodded, replaying Ouyang Jue's recent movement in his mind.
Frankly, it was unexpected.
*‘...Hmm.’*
Even though Ouyang Jue had reached the peak at such a young age, he had assumed his experience and adaptability were still at a first-rate level.
After all, like most disciples from prestigious sects, they often failed to utilize more than eighty percent of their martial arts' potential.
But that wasn't the case. The way Ouyang Jue moved was like that of a warrior who had steadily accumulated experience.
As Ouyang Jue took off his glove to reveal the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor, Jeong Jung-san stroked the back of his own hand.
*‘Somehow... he seemed peculiar ever since he took the Small Purple Elixir.’*
Having organized his thoughts, Jeong Jung-san looked at the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor.
"It holds a strange energy."
"..."
"It feels like a sacred artifact from the Shaolin Temple... It seems to have a complicated history. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before."
At those words, Ouyang Jue broke out in a cold sweat.
*‘Come to think of it, didn't the Protector participate in the war against the old Demonic Cult twenty years ago?’*
The Diamond Fist-Seal Armor was buried around that time. It wouldn't be strange if Jeong Jung-san, who fought as an ally, had seen it in passing.
*‘In fact, he might be strict about how I acquired the Diamond Fist-Seal Armor because of that...’*
He wondered if he should prepare an excuse, but Jeong Jung-san spoke nonchalantly.
"It's a fine gauntlet. It's a blessing you found armor that suits your sword. At least your palms won't be injured by its sharp edge anymore."
"Th-thank you."
"Nothing to thank me for. You should be thanking the Three Pure Ones for allowing you to find such a sacred artifact."
Jeong Jung-san laughed heartily and handed Ouyang Jue the glove he had taken off.
"But sacred artifacts can also lead to danger, so you must always be careful."
"I understand, Protector Jeong."
As Ouyang Jue bowed his head again, Jeong Jung-san's eyes widened as if he had just remembered something.
"When are you planning to go on an escort mission?"
"An escort mission, you say?"
"Yes. Isn't it about time you made a name for yourself as the Plum Blossom Sword Hero?"
"...I'm still thinking about it."
Ouyang Jue couldn't bring himself to tattle that Bai Duanxian was holding him back.
*‘To be fair, he has reason to be worried.’*
Ouyang Jue sighed internally.
In reality, Ouyang Jue was the warrior who symbolized the annihilation of the Black Dragon Gang, and the fame of his beloved sword, Severing Manifestation, was growing by the day.
There were even rumors that Bai Wun-hwan had been defeated because Severing Manifestation was a famed sword.
Amidst such overheated speculation and rumors, they were surely worried he would be in danger if he went out into the martial world alone.
Ouyang Jue clenched and unclenched his fist.
*‘I could just catch them all and beat them to death, but...’*
In truth, it was a matter that everyone except Ouyang Jue himself would advise against.
Who would think someone not yet of age could have had so much experience?
Ouyang Jue let out a small, disappointed sigh.
"Then, this disciple will be going to train. It seems Master Cheong will be busy for a while."
At those words, Jeong Jung-san glanced back.
Sure enough, Cheong Ho-won and Jeong Pa-ro had finished their conversation and were concentrating on acupuncture and internal energy treatment, respectively.
He could no longer stand aside, talking with Ouyang Jue.
"Let's see each other again soon!"
Jeong Jung-san saw Ouyang Jue off with a hearty laugh.
* * *
"Your breathing is shallow."
*Thwack!*
Between noon and early evening.
During that time, Liu Zhangming and Divine Demon Fist sparred relentlessly.
Divine Demon Fist's face, in particular, was turning pale.
*‘What in the world is this monster!’*
At first, he had been full of complaints about being forced to join the Mount Hua Sect. He had even thought about running away if Liu Zhangming or Ouyang Jue ever let their guard down.
But now, after some time had passed, his thoughts had changed.
From a prim and proper Taoist to a warrior he should learn from.
*‘Sometimes he looks ordinary, but in the moments he hesitates, he feels like he's on the same level as my master.’*
The problem was that this skill was not in swordsmanship, but in fist arts.
He was only twenty-one.
Twenty years younger than his own master.
And who was his master? The greatest eccentric under the heavens, a powerhouse who ranked among the top five fist masters in the martial world.
To have reached a level where he could be compared, even slightly, to such a master?
Divine Demon Fist shook his head. After sparring for another thirty seconds, he finally realized something was off.
*‘I thought he was using a fist art of an incomprehensible level today... but his internal energy consumption is huge!’*
Even simple foot stomps, an extension of his fist arts, were overly infused with internal energy.
Moreover, Liu Zhangming's expression was unpleasantly distorted.
In all the time Divine Demon Fist had observed Liu Zhangming, he had never seen him like this.
It was understandable, as Liu Zhangming had always been courteous to everyone.
He never scrunched up his face during a solemn occasion like a spar.
Divine Demon Fist let out a hot breath.
"Master, your breathing is off today... Are you constipated or something?"
At those words, Liu Zhangming frowned.
"What kind of thing is that to say to your master...! It's not that."
Ever since reaching the peak, the headache he'd felt during his fight with Cheol Geum-san had been gradually intensifying.
There was also something that occasionally frightened him.
*‘There are times when I unleash martial arts or techniques I've never learned.’*
*Paang!*
Liu Zhangming's twin palms struck Divine Demon Fist in the chest.
"Keugh... Ugh!"
Divine Demon Fist groaned and took a step back. He wondered if this was because he had teased him a little, but Liu Zhangming's state today was frighteningly sharp.
It was even more intense than when he first met Ouyang Jue.
*‘There was clearly no force behind that strike.’*
But when it hit, the impact was enough to send his body flying back. Yet, there were no external injuries, not even internal ones.
*‘It's enough to give me goosebumps.’*
Divine Demon Fist grinned and charged at Liu Zhangming.
Being able to fight an opponent stronger than himself without fear of losing his life was like a blessing.
Even if that opponent was the senior brother of the bastard who dragged him to the Mount Hua Sect.
Divine Demon Fist's fist swung powerfully.
*Whooosh-!*
The moment Divine Demon Fist's body was about to cross paths with Liu Zhangming's.
Ouyang Jue appeared and asked.
"Oh, am I interrupting?"
*Tap.*
The knife-hand Ouyang Jue had swung was now pointed at the charging Divine Demon Fist's Adam's apple.