Chapter 194
Chapter 194
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Tang Clan's Breakthrough and Homecoming
The Tang siblings were radiating joy from every inch of their bodies.
Baek Yang-hui slumped to the floor, savoring a languid sense of exhaustion as he watched the scene unfold.
'Thank goodness. It worked on the first try.'
He'd believed it was possible, but he hadn't been entirely confident it would succeed right out of the gate.
Using an ice crystal was already a deviation from orthodox martial principles, after all.
Most people mistakenly thought of ice crystals as a type of spiritual medicine, but in truth, they weren't something you could consume to build up your internal energy.
'They're more like a condensation of natural earthly qi.'
Whether it was a spirit beast's inner core or an ancient spiritual herb that had matured over long years, their essence ultimately stemmed from life itself.
In other words, natural earthly qi was taken in by life, refined once, and accumulated as energy—but it wasn't pure natural qi.
Thus, ingesting spiritual medicine was akin to one form of life absorbing the energy of another.
That was why ice crystals weren't spiritual medicine, and though rare, they didn't command exorbitant prices.
It was true they contained a massive amount of condensed energy, making them useful as anchors for formations, but beyond that, they didn't have much practical application.
'That's why I thought the odds were low.'
The ice crystal was just the starting point; he'd planned to experiment with various things.
For instance, century-old snow ginseng was a spiritual herb that actually built yin qi in the dantian, making it superior to ice crystals when it came to handling energy.
Yet he'd chosen the ice crystal for his first attempt because...
'It has energy so densely packed that it achieves crystallization.'
To swiftly perfect the Three Origins Return to One Art, the key was to condense energy into a mass using yin qi, much like the yang and poison qi already accumulated within him.
In short, the ice crystal was the most difficult but also the most optimal choice.
"Congratulations, Lady Tang."
"It's all thanks to you! Eeeek!"
"I truly owe you, Brother Hui!"
For this first attempt, he'd had to guide their energy through the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art's mysteries for a full six hours.
But having succeeded with the first sip, things would be much easier moving forward.
With the three origins manifested in their dantians, they could now fill in the gaps in their martial knowledge.
"I'll get permission and try manifesting the Three Origins Return to One Art myself!"
The Tang Clan erupted in chaos upon receiving Dang Gun's report.
Combining the insights gleaned from Dang Yeon over several days, they attempted to manifest the three origins using an ice crystal—without Yang-hui's help this time.
The result?
"Success! Brother Hui! We did it!"
It took quite some time, but Dang Gun successfully formed the three origins in his dantian.
From that point on, all the later-generation disciples challenged themselves to manifest the three origins using ice crystals.
"We've now had over ten successful cases of manifesting the three origins!"
The Tang Clan's decision was swift.
In just a few days, the clan's top eccentric, Tang Yang, attempted the manifestation.
An elder-level master stepped up to conduct the experiment personally.
With his vast internal energy reserves, he required more ice crystals than most, but he managed to succeed somehow.
"Whew. I nearly fell into qi deviation there."
"Elder, that's not something to say with such a relieved look on your face."
"It worked, didn't it? This proves that everyone in the main clan can manifest the three origins."
That was true. Regardless of one's internal energy quantity or cultivation level, the Three Origins Return to One Art could be applied to all.
'We can basically call this the successful creation of a new internal energy cultivation method.'
There were no flaws in the foundational martial principles.
It wasn't yet worthy of being called a divine art, but if every Tang clansman devoted themselves to its development...
The Three Origins Return to One Art would evolve into the Three Origins Return to One Divine Art.
'For now, it contradicts the principle of return to one, so the three energies can't be used separately. But that will change in time.'
Martial arts inevitably advanced with the passage of time.
Perhaps it could even reach the level of the Wudang Sect's Yin-Yang Divine Art, allowing separate manipulation of yin and yang qi, maximizing power through the mysteries of mutual generation and restraint.
Well, from here on out, it was the Tang Clan's affair.
'This should be enough to free the Tang Clan from their shackles.'
As evident from the recent spar between Dang Gun and Namgung Cheon-hu, the Tang warriors were inherently disadvantaged against orthodox sects and the Five Great Clans in terms of elemental affinities.
But that would change from now on.
The Three Origins Return to One Art. And the Jade White Flower Transformation Technique.
These two gifts would transform the Tang Clan into an entirely different martial house.
'I'm looking forward to the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.'
With dragons and phoenixes gathered, a martial tournament was inevitable.
The Tang Clan had never achieved good results in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly's tournament before.
This time would be different.
'I can't wait to see the faces of the later-generation disciples from the Nine Sects and Five Great Clans.'
The ones feeling this sentiment most intensely were, of course, the Tang clansmen themselves.
"In the name of Tang Clan Lord Tang Seong, I declare here and now: From this day forward, the Three Origins Return to One Art shall be the foundation for all warriors of our clan."
"Waaaaah!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Waaaaah!"
Watching the Tang clansmen cheer without exception, Yang-hui smiled with deep pride.
'I've more or less wrapped up my business in Sichuan now.'
It had been a full year since arriving at the Tang Clan. The time to return to Baek Clan Manor was approaching.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Clop. Clop.
Five wagons piled high with luggage rumbled along a quiet official road.
-Kreee-ah!
A falcon flying in from afar perched on Yang-hui's forearm, flapping its wings as it chattered away.
Of course, he couldn't understand the falcon's words directly; he interpreted them through a spiritual link.
"Chui-dal. So. They're about half a shichen ahead. Go sweep them clean."
"......"
"......"
After a long silence, the two finally spoke up.
"Brother... I feel like I'm gonna die......"
"Need... a break......"
"Hey now. Want to train all night again tonight? Execute."
"Ex, execute......"
"Damn it......"
The two staggered off into the distance. Yang-hui remained unflappable at the sight, but the man beside him fidgeted anxiously and spoke up.
"Young Master Baek. Are you sure this is okay?"
"It's fine, Young Clan Leader."
The companion was Jin Dal-bong, the only son of Jin Yeong-gil.
On the way back to Baek Clan Manor, he'd joined them at Jin Yeong-gil's request.
"Both of them are utterly exhausted. What if they slip up and something big happens?"
"Ah, no worries. I've warned them thoroughly: if they get hurt, it's hellish training."
They wouldn't dare slack off if it meant enduring training worse than death.
"Deliberately choosing a bandit-infested route, even scouring every nook to wipe them all out along the way. Is this really necessary?"
It was a valid point.
They were carrying precious goods gifted by the Tang Clan and Jin Yeong-gil, after all.
But there was a pressing need to train his two younger brothers.
"At their age, they're still just low-tier first-rate experts."
"......First-rate?"
"Low-tier first-rate."
"......Yes. But reaching first-rate at fifteen or sixteen—isn't that incredible?"
Another valid point, so he changed the subject.
"To maximize gains, one must always aim for two birds with one stone. Escort duty and training—killing two birds with one stone, right?"
"Not two birds, but reckless... Ahem. I can see why Heaven-Covering Baek Clan grew so fast."
"Thanks for the praise."
It didn't sound much like praise, but he took it as such.
'They're growing faster than expected, but it's still not enough.'
Baek Clan planned to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
To score well in the tournament, he had to grind them hard.
"By the way, Young Clan Leader, you said this is your first time leaving Sichuan. We'll reach the main clan soon—how do you feel?"
"Excited, but a bit nervous. They've received the advance payment, so they know I'm coming, but as the young division leader, I'll still need to discuss terms."
"Everyone there is good folk, so no need to worry. Just trust me."
"......I heard you weren't permitted to return......"
"......"
The two fell into companionable silence.
Returning home didn't require permission per se, but since he'd been sent to Sichuan more like an exile, it felt a bit awkward.
Surely after a whole year, his father wouldn't beat him black and blue?
"Young Clan Leader. I rushed back to the clan because you asked me to."
"What?!"
"Let's go with that!"
"Didn't you tell me to trust only you! I can't even help with your life at Baek Clan!"
"That's what life is—trusting and helping each other. On that note, let's drop the formalities, Brother Jin."
"Brother Baek! Don't ruin my first impression for your own sake!"
The two bantered back and forth until Chui-dal and Baek Heon-so returned.
"Tch. Fine. I'll take the scolding alone."
"You bet."
His excuse was gone, but inwardly, Yang-hui smiled.
'He's finally opening up a bit.'
Jin Dal-bong had used formal speech from the moment they'd met.
Different people had different ways, but to Yang-hui, it smacked of wariness.
'We'll be working closely together from now on, so better to break the ice quick.'
In the distance, the scenery of Ak-an County—home to Baek Clan Manor—began to come into view.
'So much to do once we arrive.'
Having proposed the Yangtze River escort network as a blueprint to unite under the One Wing Alliance banner, preparations were in order.
For example, creating new martial arts.
He'd demonstrated the Responsive Tiger Formation Convergence, but only he could perform it live.
'Learning both Heaven-Covering 108 Swords and sonic arts is too difficult.'
So, it would be best to craft a new technique suited for fighting bandits—adding it to the two existing ones—and distribute it to the clansmen.
To that end, he'd left the Tang Clan immediately after laying the foundation for the Three Origins Return to One Art.
He could've stayed longer to refine it further, but there was too much to do back home.
'Plus, I have to deal with Black Mirror Gang.'
To run Yangtze escorts in Jiangxi, they needed to seize the Gu River area.
In other words, confront Black Mirror Gang, which controlled the Gu River and Yuan Province.
But Black Mirror Gang had backing, so that had to be factored in...
'Somehow, the to-do list just keeps growing.'
Upon arriving home, he'd report in and tackle tasks one by one.
That was Yang-hui's plan, but...
"Hui. You're back."
"Father! Your son has returned!"
"Good. Off you go."
"Pardon?"
A whirlwind swept through, and his vision flipped upside down.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Now, let's sort out the situation.
He'd arrived at Baek Clan Manor with the others.
Instead of the gatekeepers, his father and the heavyweights had opened the ebony front gate themselves and were waiting in the outer courtyard.
They'd exchanged warm greetings, and then his father bid him farewell.
And now...
"It's been a while, Young Master."
Atop a sheer cliff. A beautiful fifteen-year-old girl smiled down at him.
"Master. Isn't kidnapping me right after reunion a bit much?"
"Nothing else to say?"
Yang-hui flinched. He had way too many guilty thorns to prick him.
'Just elevating Seol-ha to peak realm would displease her, for starters......'
And there was plenty more. Plus... he planned to add a couple more soon.
Whatever. In times like these, the best defense was a good offense.
"Master!"
"Speak, Young Master."
'Better to skip the groveling and dive straight into a new topic.'
He needed a technique that aggressively used sonic arts to crush bandits anyway.
And personally, he wanted advice on boosting his own martial prowess.
"This disciple requests his master's aid!"
He'd deliberately omitted specifics, but Yin Hu nodded.
"Perfect timing. Steel yourself, Young Master."
"Pardon?"
Yin Hu's expression was chillingly cold.
This wasn't what he'd expected.
Did she know something he didn't?
"Master."
"Speak."
"What happens to me from here?"
"There's only one kind of help a warrior master can give a warrior disciple."
She meant grind him to death, probably.
'Maybe for someone else, but me? Suddenly? Why? What's the reason?'
He figured it out immediately.
Yin Hu ground her teeth as she spoke.
"Young Master, you'll participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, right? There's someone you must defeat."