Chapter 77

True Energy Daoist (1)

When they arrived at Changcheon Pavilion, the Changcheon Society Leader, Hahu Seon, was carving a wooden sword as he usually did.

Let's wait a moment.

At Yun Gyeongjong's voice transmission, Namgung Jun also halted his steps.

A blunt block of wood was slowly taking the shape of a wooden sword, and the eyes reflecting that scene were astonishingly clear.

His delicate yet unwavering movements transcended the demeanor of a mere craftsman, carrying the solemnity of a venerable monk engaged in spiritual cultivation.

Perhaps because of that, the old Changcheon Pavilion felt like a small mountain temple nestled upon a sacred peak.

His grip technique...

Namgung Jun focused on the wrinkled fingers steadily shaving away the wood.

Hahu Seon's fingers moved as though holding a sword hilt, and the aura gathered at his fingertips transformed endlessly.

What was peculiar was that the energy emanating from the wooden sword did not spread outward but condensed without limit.

Despite the immense amount of aura being continuously infused into it, the finely carved wooden sword did not tremble in the slightest.

That too was likely due to Hahu Seon's exquisite control of energy.

Is this the Society Leader's personal method of cultivation?

After observing for a long while, something flashed through Namgung Jun's mind.

A single extraordinary sword strike.

He could not identify it precisely, but it appeared to be a special training method designed to create one transcendent sword strike in a single instant.

Crack!

When the condensed aura reached a certain critical threshold, fine cracks spread across the wooden sword Hahu Seon was carving.

The cracks gradually multiplied until the blade portion finally began crumbling into powder.

Rooooar!

The sword aura that had been concentrated within the wooden sword burst free all at once, like a tempest smashing into a mountainside.

Yun Gyeongjong let out a low groan and moved to shield Namgung Jun with his body.

But at that moment—

The violently overflowing tide of aura abruptly froze.

As though an invisible giant hand had pressed it down.

The sleeves of Hahu Seon's robe fluttered, and the savage aura that had surged upward transformed into a gentle breeze.

Whoosh—

Aside from the open windows trembling lightly, Changcheon Pavilion soon regained its original tranquility.

Hahu Seon watched the powdered remnants of the wooden sword drift out through the windows before turning his gaze toward Namgung Jun.

"You've come."

Namgung Jun, who had unconsciously rested a hand on his sword hilt to disperse the pressure, folded his hands respectfully.

"I greet the Society Leader."

"You are just on the verge of harmonizing essence, energy, and spirit. The last time I saw you, they were in complete imbalance. You've achieved something remarkable."

"It is thanks to the support of the Jeonggang Grand Method that you bestowed upon me."

Hahu Seon shook his head.

"I heard the details from the Master of Cheongui Pavilion. Although problems arose during the Jeonggang Grand Method, you not only resolved them through your own ingenuity but elevated the result into something even better."

Stretching out a hand, Hahu Seon picked up another block of wood beside him.

Then he resumed carving a wooden sword.

"I should thank you once more. Because of you, the Songshan Assembly—which might have become troublesome due to my own shortcomings—was resolved smoothly."

Namgung Jun lowered his head modestly, causing Hahu Seon's smile to deepen.

"The official reason would be to reward your merits. But it is also true that my personal feelings have played a part."

"Personal feelings?"

"I would like to take you as my disciple."

Yun Gyeongjong, who had been listening quietly beside them, fell silent.

It was something he had expected to some degree.

Any martial artist would naturally become tempted upon seeing a talent like Namgung Jun.

Perhaps, among all the younger generation of the current Jianghu, he possesses the greatest natural aptitude of them all.

Had the Master of the Heavenly Sword Hall not acted first, Namgung Jun would undoubtedly have become the disciple of the Changcheon Society Leader.

Even so, this is the first time I've ever seen the Society Leader bring it up personally.

Yun Gyeongjong looked at the boy beside him, who remained perfectly upright despite the unexpected proposal.

Is he truly different after all?

Just as Yun Gyeongjong had seen something special in Namgung Jun during the entrance examination and descended the stairs himself, perhaps the Society Leader had also seen something others could not.

This was the first time Hahu Seon, who had witnessed countless talents within the Changcheon Society, had ever spoken of taking someone as a disciple.

"But the Master of the Heavenly Sword Hall would be furious, so that cannot be. More importantly, interfering with an already established master-disciple bond is contrary to the ways of the Jianghu."

"Yes. That is correct."

Namgung Jun's firm answer caused Yun Gyeongjong's breath to catch for a moment.

Even the most unruly Hall Masters behaved with utmost respect before the Society Leader.

Yet Namgung Jun seemed completely unaffected by the weight of Hahu Seon's status.

No matter who stood before him, his attitude never changed.

"Hoho."

Rather than being displeased, Hahu Seon's smile only deepened.

"Still, even if we are not master and disciple, there is no issue with me passing on a martial art to you."

Namgung Jun quietly looked at him.

There was a saying in the Jianghu that anyone from whom one learned even a single thing could be considered a master, but Hahu Seon did not seem particularly concerned with such conventions.

Without waiting for a reply, he flicked a finger.

A secret manual resting on a table behind him floated into the air.

"This is another reward I shall grant you."

The moment Yun Gyeongjong saw the manual Hahu Seon had lifted through telekinetic force, his eyes widened in shock.

"Society Leader! That cultivation method is—!"

Yun Gyeongjong had expected something extraordinary.

He did not know what reward Hahu Seon intended to give, but he had known it would be far from ordinary.

However, the manual now being offered to Namgung Jun was far beyond anything Yun Gyeongjong had expected.

No matter how he looked at it, it was a reward that exceeded mere merit.

"Mukju, it is fine."

At Hahu Seon's reassurance, Yun Gyeongjong calmed his expression.

Meanwhile, the manual dropped with a soft thud in front of Namgung Jun.

"Take a look."

With Hahu Seon's permission, Namgung Jun first examined the title.

Spear King's Clear Momentum Art .

The moment he saw the name, he recalled the Spear King Heart Method from his previous life.

Judging from the title, it appeared to be a cultivation art that had taken the Spear King Heart Method as its foundation and developed it further.

As he ran his fingers across the cover, Namgung Jun asked,

"May I read its contents?"

"You may."

Seated where he was, Namgung Jun quickly began reading through the cultivation verses.

As expected, its foundation is the Spear King Heart Method of Namcheon Palace.

Centered around the Spear King Heart Method, numerous insights and principles had been harmoniously woven together. Yet it was no longer purely a martial art of Namcheon Palace.

Just as the Changcheon Society had absorbed the surviving remnants of many sects destroyed by the Sun Moon Demonic Cult, the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art appeared to have been created through that same process.

A trace of surprise surfaced in Namgung Jun's eyes.

He had not even finished reading the verses, yet he could already tell.

It surpasses the Spear King Heart Method.

Hahu Seon chuckled as he watched him.

"So, you've recognized its value."

"It is a rare Supreme Art."

"You possess discernment far beyond your years."

Hahu Seon's gaze settled upon the manual.

"It was originally the exclusive martial art of the Changcheon Society Leader. However, as time passed, the policy changed. Those with exceptional talent or great accomplishments were also permitted to learn it."

"Are there others within the current Changcheon Society who have learned this art?"

The smile faded slightly from Hahu Seon's face as he shifted his gaze.

His distant eyes settled upon the blue sky beyond the window.

Though the heavens were clear and cloudless, the sky reflected in his eyes seemed strangely empty.

"There were."

A short and simple answer.

Namgung Jun followed his gaze toward the sky.

It felt strangely nostalgic. The Spear King Heart Method he had passed down as the Sword Emperor in his previous life had now returned to him in the form of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art.

For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to grow heavy.

Yet Hahu Seon continued with a gentle smile.

"The greatest strength of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art is its inclusiveness, broad as the heavens. As long as it is not a demonic or corrupt energy of the unorthodox path, it will not clash with other internal arts. Even if you cultivate it alongside the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, which is based on blazing yang energy, there will be no problems."

It was rare in the Jianghu for someone to cultivate multiple internal arts of different lineages.

Different types of internal energy often clashed within the dantian and meridians. Even if they could be harmonized, overlapping circulation paths frequently led to internal injuries or qi deviation.

Of course, cultivating multiple methods simultaneously was not entirely impossible. From time to time, martial artists possessing extraordinary talent or uniquely compatible arts emerged who could wield several kinds of internal energy.

The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art is undoubtedly a high-level martial art, but it falls short of being a divine supreme art. Learning the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art will certainly be beneficial sooner or later.

After reviewing the manual, Namgung Jun concluded that beginning a new cultivation method would greatly benefit his current self.

"The nature of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art is broad and upright. Beneath its majestic flow lies a force as steadfast as bamboo. It will be of great help in suppressing the yin-cold energy of your Nine Yin Severed Meridians."

"Thank you. I will study it diligently."

Hahu Seon nodded and beckoned him forward.

"Come here. I will help you take your first steps into the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art."

"Society Leader! Please consider your health!"

Startled, Yun Gyeongjong half rose from his seat as he raised his voice.

But Hahu Seon firmly shook his head.

"It is fine. Mukju, stand guard."

A gentle force flowed from Hahu Seon's hand and softly drew Namgung Jun forward.

Guided by that invisible power, Namgung Jun walked toward him.

"Sit with your back facing me."

At Hahu Seon's gentle yet commanding tone, Namgung Jun complied and turned around.

Hahu Seon's remaining hand softly covered Namgung Jun's Myeongmun Acupoint.

Though it was merely a touch of the palm, Namgung Jun felt a comforting warmth.

"I will begin the True Qi Guidance. Focus solely on remembering the circulation of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art."

Hummm—

Slowly activating the energy of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, Hahu Seon gently infused his internal energy into Namgung Jun through the Myeongmun Acupoint.

***

"Still haven't found him?"

"No, sir."

At his subordinate's report, Geomsima clicked his tongue.

"The ideal opportunity was when he was returning from the Songshan Assembly."

He irritably crumpled the report detailing Namgung Jun's movements.

The boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians whom the Divine Cult was still searching for.

For someone of the younger generation, Namgung Jun seemed to possess extraordinary martial prowess, though under normal circumstances he would not have been Geomsima's concern.

They had discovered his whereabouts too late and attempted to intercept him on his journey home.

Unfortunately, both the Changcheon Society Leader and the Master of the Extreme Martial Hall had accompanied him.

There had been no chance of victory whatsoever.

They had been forced to postpone their plans, though the disappointment remained.

He'll likely show himself again soon.

The eyes of Geomsima, who had been diligently gathering information on Namgung Jun, sharpened.

Is it because he was born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians despite being male? His growth rate is bizarrely fast. If we're even slightly too late, there may be no opportunity left at all.

Geomsima instinctively realized that very few chances remained.

That was why he intended to devote all his efforts to capturing Namgung Jun alive.

"When he next enters the Jianghu for a mission, he must be captured alive. Do not become lax in gathering intelligence."

After issuing his orders, Geomsima smacked his lips.

If only I can capture him...

He exhaled softly.

While his subordinates continued tracking Namgung Jun's movements, he focused his remaining time on eliminating his rivals.

He had just removed his final competitor.

If he could now achieve the tremendous merit of securing the boy with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, he would ascend directly to the rank of Bright Mirror Envoy.

At present, the only thing he lacked was a single great achievement.

The moment Namgung Jun was captured alive, his promotion would be virtually guaranteed.

Dreaming of becoming the fourteenth Bright Mirror Envoy, Geomsima revealed a sinister smile.

"Namgung Jun. I look forward to the day we meet."

As he spoke, Geomsima gently stroked the sword resting atop the table.