Chapter 53: Metal Generates Water
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Metal Generates Water
"I don't know how to thank you..."
Ki Mu-hyeok stared at the Five Elements Divine Art in his hands, an expression of disbelief on his face.
He had never imagined he would obtain it so easily.
He had even been planning to meet the Martial Alliance Leader in person, strategizing how to persuade him, and even considering a trade using his knowledge and information from the future.
'Indeed, a grand senior of the Orthodox Martial World is different.'
He couldn't help but admire the Martial Alliance Leader's magnanimity, readily handing over the Five Elements Divine Art—the original copy, no less—without any conditions.
"You don't look particularly pleased, do you? I even set up a sound barrier beforehand, thinking you might scream."
"I am extremely pleased. It was precisely what I needed most right now. But..."
"But?"
Any martial artist would naturally desire a Divine Martial Art.
However, there was one thing Ki Mu-hyeok had learned the hard way in his previous life.
"I believe the level of a martial art doesn't necessarily equate to a martial artist's strength."
While other vagrants chased after stronger martial arts and spiritual medicines like moths to a flame, Ki Mu-hyeok focused on ceaselessly refining what he already possessed.
In the end, it was he who survived and proved his strength.
"...I suppose I must put in effort befitting this divine art to achieve a commensurate level of strength."
At his calm reply, which didn't sound like empty boasting, Yeo Pil-geuk's lips subtly curved upwards.
"That's a good attitude. Not everyone who learns a Divine Martial Art can become an expert. But for someone with your talent and diligence, it can give them wings."
Having said that, Yeo Pil-geuk sat cross-legged on the floor and spoke.
"Sit down. I need to personally examine your constitution before I can offer any advice."
"Huh?"
Ki Mu-hyeok looked at Yeo Pil-geuk with a bewildered expression.
It wasn't so much the offer to check his constitution, but rather the fact that Yeo Pil-geuk, whom he expected to leave immediately, had settled down with a relaxed demeanor.
"Alliance Leader, didn't you say you were short on time just a moment ago?"
"I said I was short on time because I have much to give. Did you really think I'd just hand over the manual and leave?"
"As expected of the benevolent Orthodox Faction..."
Impressed, Ki Mu-hyeok obediently sat facing Yeo Pil-geuk and extended his wrist.
Among martial artists, one wouldn't carelessly entrust their pulse to another, even a fellow sect member, but his interlocutor was the Martial Alliance Leader.
'He's an expert who could easily take my life if he wished. There's no reason to resist needlessly.'
A moment later, the Alliance Leader, who had been carefully examining Ki Mu-hyeok's pulse, gave a meaningful smile.
"You rascal. I had a hunch, but you've indeed concealed your constitution."
"...I apologize. I was worried that if my unique constitution were discovered, it would cause a commotion around me, disrupt my training, and potentially harm my family, so I underwent a procedure to falsify the readings."
Ki Mu-hyeok spoke as honestly as possible.
His interlocutor was the Martial Alliance Leader. He wasn't so naive as to be fooled by clumsy lies.
Sure enough, Yeo Pil-geuk nodded as if he had already suspected as much.
"It wasn't a good thing to do, but I know how much children like you suffer from the media and various sects... so I won't punish you. However, you must properly correct it later."
"Would it be alright if I correct it after I become a Peak Master?"
"What did you say? Hahahaha!"
At his confident demeanor, certain that he would become a Peak Master, Yeo Pil-geuk burst into laughter.
As the Martial Alliance Leader, and as a martial artist himself, Yeo Pil-geuk felt grateful towards Ki Mu-hyeok.
'The Martial Alliance received great help from this child. And personally, too...'
If not for Ki Mu-hyeok, the Martial Alliance wouldn't have even been able to respond to the assassin's infiltration and would have merely watched events unfold.
And he himself would have been recorded as an incompetent leader, forced to step down in disgrace.
Therefore, a transgression like concealing his constitution was something he could easily overlook.
"So you're saying that once you become a Peak Master, you'll be confident enough not to be swayed by others? Very well. Do as you wish."
"Thank you."
"Now, take a look at the manual."
Yeo Pil-geuk watched Ki Mu-hyeok, who didn't immediately flip through the pages of the Five Elements Divine Art but instead meticulously examined the title first, and asked with a small nod of admiration.
"I could have made a copy of the Five Elements Divine Art and given it to you, but why do you think I specifically brought the original?"
"I believe it's so I can grasp the intentions of the martial art's creator, and even their most minor habits."
At the correct answer, which came immediately after he asked, Yeo Pil-geuk clicked his tongue.
"A disciple with no fun in teaching, he said. Now I understand what the Sword Demon meant."
Even a single dot unconsciously made by the martial art's creator on the original, the grime from their hands, or a faint stain left between passages could become a crucial clue for enlightenment for future generations.
Handing over the original was an intention and a consideration, so he wouldn't miss even one of those details.
'The Sword Demon wasn't just boasting idly, after all.'
Yeo Pil-geuk felt it as he met and conversed with Ki Mu-hyeok in person.
The bold techniques and excellent musculature he had witnessed during the License Exam.
And today, the superior constitution and outstanding comprehension he had personally verified.
'He said he would soon become a martial artist surpassing himself...'
Choi Geon wasn't just being a doting master, making a fuss for no reason.
Even to Yeo Pil-geuk, Ki Mu-hyeok was a rising star who possessed all the qualities a martial artist should have.
However, once one ventured into the wider world, martial artists with conditions as excellent as Ki Mu-hyeok's were abundant everywhere.
"I heard your goal is to participate in the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament and defeat Richard Han. Is that true?"
A mischievous, yet somewhat bitter, smile appeared on the Alliance Leader's lips as he asked.
Ki Mu-hyeok slowly averted his gaze from the Five Elements Divine Art, looked directly at the Alliance Leader, and replied.
"Yes. My dream is to win the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament."
Ki Mu-hyeok replied with the face of a calm martial artist who accurately assessed his own abilities, a demeanor unsuited for his age.
Yet, his words never came across as arrogant.
This was because his eyes held a resolve to never give up and achieve his goal, even though he knew how difficult it would be.
"...That's a magnificent dream."
Facing those resolute eyes, Yeo Pil-geuk felt as if he was transported back to his own passionate youth.
So much so that he found himself bringing up an old story he didn't necessarily need to tell.
"In the past, this old man also participated in the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament."
The Martial Alliance Leader, Yeo Pil-geuk, was still a formidable martial artist, but at the time he participated in the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament, he was always among the first mentioned when speaking of Korea's Greatest Swordsman.
'Though he now appears as a kind-faced old man, in the past, he was classified as a high-risk martial artist by international organizations and wore a Black Armband.'
Yeo Pil-geuk had participated in the tournament in his forties, intending to conquer the world with the peak harmony of his physique and internal energy, combined with the experience he had accumulated traveling the globe.
Ki Mu-hyeok knew the outcome.
Because it was the best result achieved by a Korean martial artist before Richard Han.
"Of course, I know. I recall you reached the quarterfinals in the World Tournament."
"Haha. And then I was eliminated after meeting the martial artist known as the Sword King of Europe."
Yeo Pil-geuk nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The barrier of the World Tournament was higher than he had ever imagined.
So much so that he had to dedicate several years to recovery and rehabilitation due to an injury sustained in his final match.
Afterward, he focused on nurturing future generations domestically and eventually rose to the position of Martial Alliance Leader, but looking back, he wasn't without regrets.
'If only I had recovered from my injury and challenged the world stage one more time...'
Regardless of the outcome, he would have poured out his entire being as a martial artist, leaving no lingering regrets.
Hoping that the rising star before him wouldn't experience such regrets, Yeo Pil-geuk sincerely cheered for Ki Mu-hyeok.
"I look forward to the day you and Richard Han face off in the finals of the World Tournament."
"Since the Alliance Leader has given me the Five Elements Divine Art, I believe that day will come much sooner."
"Hahahaha! If possible, make sure it happens before this old man steps down from the Alliance Leader position!"
Yeo Pil-geuk, who had been laughing so hard that tears welled in his eyes, quickly adopted a serious expression and spoke.
"For the past hundred years, no one with a Five Elements Affinity has officially appeared. Therefore, no one can claim to truly understand this martial art."
Although martial arts scholars had researched and interpreted the Five Elements Divine Art manual, Yeo Pil-geuk had not brought those annotations.
This was because there might be incorrect information, and he wanted Ki Mu-hyeok to ponder it himself and make it truly his own.
"However, there is one point everyone unanimously agrees on: that one who wishes to master the Five Elements Divine Art requires all the energies of the Five Elements. I shall give you one last gift."
"What you've given me so far is already more than enough..."
Swoosh...
As a subtle golden energy began to rise like a shimmering heat haze from the body of the Alliance Leader, who sat cross-legged, Ki Mu-hyeok was speechless.
"Turn around and sit with your back to me. I will infuse you with the pure Metal Energy among the Five Elements."
Golden Ape Meteor Fist.
It was the name of the Martial Alliance Leader Yeo Pil-geuk's signature ultimate technique.
The internal energy Yeo Pil-geuk had cultivated for decades was filled with pure Metal Energy.
He intended to share a portion of it with Ki Mu-hyeok.
'I never thought I'd repay my debt to that friend, the Sword Demon, this way.'
If giving the Five Elements Divine Art was his repayment as the Martial Alliance Leader for the recent events, then sharing his internal energy was to somewhat repay the emotional debt he owed the Sword Demon from the past.
"...Are you saying you're going to give me your internal energy, Alliance Leader?"
"Anyway, as one ages, internal energy tends to overflow uselessly. And who said I'm giving it all away? I'll just give you a taste."
Though he spoke as if it were nothing, Ki Mu-hyeok knew well that transferring even a portion of one's lifelong cultivated internal energy to another was by no means an easy feat.
After a moment of contemplation, he respectfully performed a Fist Salute and turned to sit with his back to the Alliance Leader.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I won't refuse."
"Good, no unnecessary squabbling."
Yeo Pil-geuk chuckled, then extended both hands and placed his palms on Ki Mu-hyeok's back.
And he guided a portion of his internal energy into Ki Mu-hyeok's dantian.
It was nearly a tenth of the internal energy he had accumulated over decades.
With that tenth, Ki Mu-hyeok instantly gained enough internal energy to be considered among the top-tier rising stars.
'This should be enough. Now...'
However, the moment the Metal Energy settled into Ki Mu-hyeok's dantian, something Yeo Pil-geuk hadn't anticipated occurred.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The Extreme Yin Energy, which had been dormant deep within Ki Mu-hyeok's dantian, began to react upon contact with the newly introduced Metal Energy.
Metal Generates Water.
According to the Five Elements' generative cycle, the Metal Energy stimulated the Water Energy.
As the Extreme Yin Energy, which had been solidified within his body, began to flow like soft water, the energy within his body started to expand.
The Metal Energy grew even firmer as it guided the path of the Water Energy, and as the water flowed powerfully through it, the Water Energy also grew stronger and stronger.
"…!"
Ki Mu-hyeok felt an indescribably immense sense of fullness from the two energies surging within his body.
His body trembled violently with fervor.
"Hahaha..."
Yeo Pil-geuk, his face a little drawn, removed his hands from Ki Mu-hyeok's back and stared blankly at the astonishing sight.
Ki Mu-hyeok's hair shot upwards, and golden and blue energies alternately appeared, coiling around his body.
"Astonishing, truly astonishing..."
However, for now, they merely asserted their individual colors like oil and water, unable to perfectly blend.
[Alliance Leader! What's happening? A powerful surge of qi is suddenly leaking outside the sound barrier...]
Just then, the Sword Demon's sound transmission, filled with alarm, reached Yeo Pil-geuk's ears.
Yeo Pil-geuk sent a sound transmission back to the Sword Demon, who was outside the door.
[See for yourself later. You, my friend, have taken on an absurd disciple in your old age.]
[Could you please tell me more?]
[No, I'm too jealous.]
After confirming that the two-colored energies were slowly settling into Ki Mu-hyeok's body, Yeo Pil-geuk rose from his spot.
Ki Mu-hyeok still had his eyes closed.
It would likely take him quite some time to fully control the rampant energies within his body.
"Well then, I'll see you at the next exam."
Yeo Pil-geuk, smiling gently, looked at Ki Mu-hyeok with an expression full of anticipation, then vanished as suddenly as he had arrived.
He imagined how much Ki Mu-hyeok would have changed by their next meeting, and the thought alone seemed enough to bring him joy for a while.