Chapter 162 - The Black Flame Dragon Quelling the Chaos (7)

"You're kicking your blankets off again in your sleep."

Kang Yuseong covered his sisters with their blankets once more and quietly stepped out of the room.

Darkness quietly settled over the surroundings, and the chirping of insects from afar signaled that it was late into the night.

Paying it no mind, Kang Yuseong walked slowly toward the small training ground.

This was Kang Yuseong's set routine.

It was a habit he hadn't skipped a single day.

'Eldest Senior Brother mentioned he can already draw six Ten Thousand Swords.'

Compared to his Eldest Senior Brother's realm, which he heard about through the missive, he was currently at a state where he could barely manifest two.

Considering that the time they started studying the Taiyi True Scripture wasn't much different, impatience naturally arose within him.

'Am I doing this right?'

But then, thinking back to the days when he cared for his sisters alone without anywhere to lean on, a deep sigh of relief escaped him.

If he hadn't met Eldest Senior Brother that day, what would have happened?

If Eldest Senior Brother hadn't told him to come to the Taiyi Sect, what would have happened?

Thanks to him, he and his sisters were now eating three solid meals a day in a comfortable and cozy place.

Moreover, he was learning the martial arts he had dreamed of so much.

Truly, Eldest Senior Brother Jin Sowoon and the Taiyi Sect were like a parents' embrace to Kang Yuseong.

'I must repay this debt of gratitude.'

Rubbing his drooping eyes, Kang Yuseong quickly made his way to the small training ground.

"Haat!"

SWISH!

A clear shout rang out along with a jingling sound.

Things like iron fragments sharply pierced the scarecrow set up in the training ground.

The figure standing in the center created illusions while fluttering their loose martial robes, and from their obscured hand, iron fragments were scattered once again, containing the profound mystery of illusion (幻) that made them appear as tens or hundreds.

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH!

The scarecrow, having received a baptism of iron fragments, eventually couldn't hold out and snapped, falling over.

'Senior Sister Wang?'

Only then did Kang Yuseong realize who the previous occupant was, and he quietly tried to slip out of the small training ground.

It was something he learned after coming to the Taiyi Sect; among martial artists, secretly watching another's training process was considered a very grave offense.

Just as he turned around and tried to find another spot.

"Junior Brother Kang?"

Wang Soso, who was catching her breath, called out to Kang Yuseong.

"Did you come to train?"

"Yes, Senior Sister. I can use another place, so you may continue using this one."

"Really? Well, since you're already here, want to train together?"

"Pardon?"

"Why? Am I too low of a level for you?"

"No, how could... you say such a thing."

"Then come here."

As Kang Yuseong approached, Wang Soso patted his head.

Though he was a mature adult in front of his sisters, in front of Wang Soso, Kang Yuseong turned into something like a youngest sibling.

"You work hard, Junior Brother."

"... Ahem. But what brings you out until this late hour, Senior Sister?"

"Yeah. When I go home, my father doesn't let me practice. He tells me to sleep early because it's tiring. Not training is even more tiring, though."

"..."

Kang Yuseong looked at Wang Soso as if she were fascinating.

"Senior Sister... May I ask you one thing?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"You mentioned that your father heavily sponsors the Taiyi Sect, and you also said you would become a merchant later on... So why are you working so hard?"

Wang Soso tilted her head.

"What does providing a lot of sponsorship and becoming a merchant have to do with working hard?"

"Pardon? Ah... um, that is..."

Thinking he had made a slip of the tongue, Kang Yuseong's words began to twist.

Wang Soso's eyes grew a little sharp.

"If someone provides a lot of sponsorship and becomes a merchant, are they not allowed to work hard? Did I do something wrong?"

"... No! That's not it...!"

As Kang Yuseong panicked and didn't know what to do, Wang Soso burst into laughter.

"You swing a sword like a ghost, but your personality is so weak; what use are you?"

"... That's too harsh, Senior Sister."

"So what are you really curious about?"

Kang Yuseong hesitated for a moment before looking Wang Soso straight in the eye.

"I mean... I have received a lot from the Taiyi Sect, but I have no way to repay it. That's why I'm at least training hard. However, I was curious why you, who are giving so much to the Taiyi Sect, are training so diligently."

At Kang Yuseong's sincere answer, Wang Soso offered a soft smile.

"Ah! Was that what was bothering you? Hmm... Well. Because I like the Taiyi Sect?"

"You like the Taiyi Sect?"

"Well, to be exact, it's because I've received a lot from Brother Jin, but either way, I figured there would come a day when I could repay him."

Doubt flickered in Kang Yuseong's eyes.

To him, Eldest Senior Brother seemed like a strong existence who didn't need anyone's help.

"... Isn't Eldest Senior Brother already incredibly strong? I wonder if we could ever be of any help..."

"Of course he's amazing... In fact, he's absurdly strong. I know this from frequently meeting martial artists while doing merchant work, but it seems there aren't many people in the same age group who can compare to our Brother Jin."

For some reason, Wang Soso shrugged her shoulders as if she were boasting about herself.

"Still, there will be a moment when he needs help."

"When?"

"That, I don't know. Regardless, even if that's not the case, us getting stronger will be a huge help to Brother Jin. At the very least, we won't be a hindrance to him, right?"

A hindrance. It was something he had never even considered. Kang Yuseong asked back.

"... A hindrance?"

"Of course. Special people like Brother Jin are bound to make many enemies in the world. Among them, some might mess with his sect or family because they can't do anything to Brother Jin himself."

"My word! How could they be so cowardly!"

"Right. Exactly. We have to work hard so we don't drag Brother Jin down. That way, he'll be able to achieve whatever he desires."

Wang Soso, who was stroking Yuseong's head as if treating a youngest brother, soon patted his shoulder like knocking on solid wood.

"Furthermore, if the Taiyi Sect becomes strong, no one will be able to treat Brother Jin lightly."

"So in the end, us getting stronger is a massive help to Eldest Senior Brother."

"Exactly!"

Kang Yuseong put on a refreshed expression, as if a worry he had harbored for a long time had been resolved.

"I'll work even harder."

"Hmm... I think you're doing enough already. Well, working hard is a good thing."

"Yes! By the way, what kind of training were you doing just now, Senior Sister?"

"Me? I was practicing throwing arts (投術) right now."

"Throwing arts?"

Yuseong tilted his head.

"Yeah. The sword is nice too, but I find throwing arts a bit more fun."

"Then may I help you?"

"Would you?"

"Yes! I was actually practicing Ten Thousand Swords right now. I'll go bring the hidden weapons."

"Thanks, I'll catch my breath for a bit."

While Wang Soso picked up the canteen she had placed nearby and drank some water.

Kang Yuseong approached the scarecrow.

'Huh?'

Kang Yuseong, who was about to pull out the hidden weapons lodged in the scarecrow, tilted his head at the strange shape of the hidden weapons and looked at Wang Soso.

"... Senior Sister, by any chance, have you been training with these all along?"

"Hm? Ah! I actually wanted to use flying daggers, but my father told me not to use them because they're dangerous."

"..."

"While looking for something suitable... That's what we happened to have the most of at home."

Kang Yuseong looked at the hidden weapons lodged in the scarecrow once more.

"..."

They had an overall round shape with a square hole in the middle, designed to be easily strung on a thread.

However, most people didn't carry them around strung on a thread.

Because of the risk of theft, they usually put them in small pouches and kept them deep within their robes.

In other words, what Wang Soso had been recklessly throwing was precisely...

"... You're using silver coins as hidden weapons?"

"Yeah. So stop asking and hurry up and bring them here!"

"..."

Kang Yuseong became curious.

If these hidden weapons were to dig into his flesh, would they become his?

If so, how many hits would he be able to endure?

* * *

"Urgh."

Vomiting a mouthful of blood cleared my stuffy chest.

"Haa, haa, haa."

As I gasped for breath, my senses returned a little.

'What the hell went wrong?'

I clearly followed the exact movements of the Sword Demon, Baek Haegwang.

My tattered muscles had morphed into a shape somewhat similar to his, and thanks to enduring the bone-grinding pain, my bones had also altered into a state sufficient to execute the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

Even the oral chants and key principles were perfect.

But whenever I tried to unleash the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms, the circulation of my internal energy abruptly cut off, and it felt like my internal organs were twisting inside out.

I copied everything perfectly, but in the end, I couldn't even manifest the First Form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

"My goodness... Young Master Jin."

When I turned my head in a daze, I saw Namgung Seonhwa's pale face.

"Just what on earth happened to you?"

"... Nothing happened."

"Then what is all this blood?"

"..."

Only then did I look around, seeing the dark, congested blood I had vomited covering all four directions.

This looked as though I had just fought a life-and-death battle against a mortal enemy.

"I was in the middle of training, but it seems something went wrong."

"This is training?"

Namgung Seonhwa looked around in disbelief before handing over the canteen she was holding.

Without a break, I drank almost half the water in the canteen.

"Haa... haa... haa..."

"..."

What the hell went wrong?

With the time for the sparring match approaching, my desperate heart churned.

"... Master Jin, Young Master Jin!"

"Yes?"

Startled, I turned my head to see Namgung Seonhwa looking at me with a face full of worry.

"Which part is blocked exactly?"

"Which part?"

"Yes. Isn't everything you spat out here blood?"

"It is."

"The circulation of your internal qi isn't flowing properly. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you might suffer from qi deviation."

"..."

It was obvious that the circulation of my internal qi wasn't flowing properly.

No, to be exact, my internal qi was running rampant, and I was in a state where I couldn't control it.

If I hadn't reinforced my meridians and Dantian with the power of the Nine Spirits Divine Herb, I would have suffered qi deviation ten times over by now.

'Did that Sword Demon guy give me the wrong chants?'

I shook my head, discarding that thought.

To begin with, he was the one who handed it to me first. If his goal was to kill me, doing it with his own hands would have been more than enough.

The chants were perfect, the movements were perfect, and the proficiency was perfect.

Then why couldn't I properly execute the sword form?

"Lady Seonhwa."

"Yes?"

"Did you learn the Sovereign Sword Technique from the Divine Sword?"

"I did, yes?"

"Could you tell me how much you've achieved with it?"

Namgung Seonhwa's face stiffened.

Carelessly asking about another's martial realm was one of the rudest offenses among martial artists.

I continued speaking.

"I mean, I want to know what level you are at compared to the Divine Sword."

"... Compared to my grandfather?"

Relaxing her expression, Namgung Seonhwa cupped her chin with her fingers and put on a thoughtful look.

"About the blood of a bird's foot (鳥足之血)?"

"... Is that a figurative expression? Or a literal one?"

"It's kind of both."

"Is it because of the difference in internal energy?"

"... Not really. As you know, to master the Sovereign Sword Technique, you have to learn the Heavenly Thunder Sovereign Divine Art, but once you reach a certain level, there isn't much strain in executing the Sovereign Sword Technique."

It was just as I had thought.

No matter how incredible the Sword Demon Baek Haegwang's internal energy level was, with my current internal energy, there shouldn't be much strain in executing the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

"Then where does the difference in achievement between you and the Divine Sword come from?"

"... It's probably due to time."

"Are you talking about proficiency?"

"That's part of it, but..."

"Then if you were to execute it with the exact same movements and posture as the Divine Sword, would you achieve the same level of mastery as him?"

In my case, I had matched the chants, the internal energy, and even the time required for proficiency.

If anything, it was stranger that the sword form wouldn't manifest.

Namgung Seonhwa, who had been tilting her head, slowly began to stiffen her face.

"Just what are you scheming?"

Thinking I might cause her to worry, I made up a suitable excuse.

"I was just curious. Our sect doesn't have a supreme expert like the Divine Sword, right? I simply wondered why there would be a difference in achievement even if one learned identically from someone like the Divine Sword."

Even though I said that, Namgung Seonhwa didn't look like she believed me at all.

"You suddenly became curious about that in this critical situation?"

Namgung Seonhwa looked dumbfounded at the blood soaking the ground.

I answered without a speck of shame.

"Should a martial artist's training be restricted by time and place?"

Staring me down, Namgung Seonhwa let out a small sigh.

"... I don't trust you, but I'll tell you anyway. Something somewhat similar happened within the noble clan. One of my uncles followed my grandfather around every day and tried to copy not only his sword forms but also his actions and habits."

Oho, to think there was someone in the Namgung Clan who had the same idea as me; I somehow felt a sense of kinship.

"How was his achievement? Was it similar to the Divine Sword's?"

"Not at all."

Eh?

"It didn't increase at all. Rather, his achievement was lower than those who started at the same age."

"... Why is that?"

"Grandfather later said that blindly copying another person's without having your own enlightenment only leaves you feeling awkward, like wearing clothes that don't fit."

"..."

"He said that Emptiness (空) must be built by one's own power. If a hundred people learn one martial art, it becomes a hundred different martial arts."

"...!"

The images in my head vividly surfaced.

The White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms executed by the Sword Demon.

And the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms executed by me.

Even though we swung the exact same sword, the profound mystery harbored within the blade was entirely different.

When I overlapped the two images into one, they didn't perfectly align despite performing the exact same movement.

In the end, even if I copied the Sword Demon's sword exactly, I couldn't produce the same level of power as the Sword Demon.

"Still, Grandfather said it wasn't a bad method. He mentioned it was a way to internalize the achievements built up by a high-level master over a long period into your own in the fastest time possible. Even though he himself hated other people clinging to him."

"How did that uncle of yours actually turn out?"

"He is currently serving as the Vice Pavilion Master in the Disciplinary Pavilion."

"You mean the Great Warrior Azure Dragon Jade Sword (蒼龍玉劍) did something like that in the past?"

Even in my past life, the Azure Dragon Jade Sword Namgung Seonmyeong was someone who enforced Alliance laws based on rules and discipline rather than a person's background.

Because the influence of his noble clan was so strong, and his own formidable martial prowess placed him in the ranks of the Top Hundred Experts of Jianghu, no one dared to pressure the Azure Dragon Jade Sword externally.

"Yes."

"..."

If that was the case, then copying him exactly wasn't wrong.

It was just that until now, I had only been pursuing the Sword Demon's enlightenment instead of my own.

What was important was that, beyond merely copying identically, there had to be one's own enlightenment within it.

"Ah!"

Before the thought flashing in my mind could fly away, I hurriedly sat in a lotus position.

"Lady Seonhwa, if anything happens to me, please do not wake me."

"... No, just what..."

I closed my eyes before even hearing Namgung Seonhwa's response.

In my mind, I began to manifest the Sword Demon holding a tree branch.

One person... eight people... fourteen people... thirty people...

At the same time, I also manifested myself holding the Black Dragon Sword.

Like that, thirty Sword Demons and thirty of my illusions simultaneously began to execute the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

Even though I was focusing on nothingness, I could feel the heat rising in my head.

To cool down my head, which was so hot it could steam at any moment, I quickly sent my internal qi to my upper dantian to stabilize it.

Every time the respective thirty figures executed the Martial Moves, heat began to rise not only in my head but throughout my entire body.

Before long, a thick metallic scent permeated both of my nostrils, and I felt liquid trickling down.

The Sword Demon's sword forms were identical across all thirty of him.

Even if they started differently, their movements were exactly the same, and they finished simultaneously.

However, my forms were all different.

They started at the same time but finished differently.

I pulled out one illusion of the Sword Demon and one of myself to begin a sparring match.

Three Forms.

In merely three forms, my illusion disappeared.

COUGH.

Without me even realizing it, congested blood burst from my mouth.

"Young Master Jin...!"

Although I could hear Namgung Seonhwa's voice, I ignored it and continued the sparring match.

Second sparring match...

Defeat.

Fourth sparring match...

Defeat.

Seventh sparring match...

Defeat.

Thirteenth sparring match...

Defeat.

When my preceding illusion suffered defeat, the succeeding illusion received those memories and responded differently.

The Sword Demon's illusion remained exactly as he was when we met in Manseogo.

The words he had spoken over the past month vividly came to mind.

["The profound meaning of the First Form is extreme speed. In order to be the fastest, you must not carry anything."]

Eighteenth sparring match...

Defeat.

Twenty-first sparring match...

Defeat.

Twenty-ninth sparring match...

Defeat.

Thirtieth sparring match...

Defeat.

My mind snapped to attention, and something massive shot up from my overturned stomach.

"Urgh!"

My black martial robes were stained with blood.

"Young Master Jin! Stop! You'll die at this rate!"

I reached out a hand toward Namgung Seonhwa.

"Please... stand guard for me."

And once again, the thirty Sword Demons and thirty of me began to clash.

Thirty-fourth sparring match...

Defeat.

Thirty-ninth sparring match...

Defeat.

Forty-sixth sparring match...

Defeat.

["You can only be the fastest when you are in your lightest state. A speed that nothing can catch up to is something that nothing can block."]

Fifty-first sparring match...

Draw.

Fifty-fourth sparring match...

Draw.

["An incomplete sword is nothing but a sandcastle that can shatter at any moment. Break it before it is completed into the lightest and fastest sword."]

Fifty-sixth sparring match...

... Draw.

Fifty-ninth sparring match...

Sixtieth sparring match...

My entire body trembled violently, and my eyes snapped open.

Due to the spasms dominating my entire body, my muscles and bones became paralyzed and began to twist uncontrollably.

CRUNCH, CRUNCH. SNAP. SNAP.

A knotted nausea from deep within my body surged backward, quickly rising up my esophagus.

"... Urghh!"

I vomited blood and foam, much like when one has drunk an unbearable amount of alcohol.

"Young Master Jin!"

Namgung Seonhwa's faint voice could be heard from far away.

And like that, I finally let go of my fading consciousness.