Chapter 78

True Qi Guidance (2)

Beginning from the Myeongmun Acupoint, where Hahu Seon's palm rested against him, the energy of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art flowed inward.

It was an extraordinarily pure and lucid energy.

It felt as though the sky glimpsed beyond a veil of pale dawn mist had become a gentle breath and seeped into him.

The Spear King Heart Method had also been a remarkably pure internal art, but it could not compare to the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art.

Now that he was experiencing the energy directly, the advancement of the cultivation method became even more apparent.

Improving a martial art was no easy feat.

That was especially true for a high-level art with such a solid foundation as the Spear King Heart Method.

Yet it had been developed to this extent.

That alone was a tremendous accomplishment.

It was not something that could be achieved merely through the passage of time or the accumulation of martial knowledge.

Within the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, Namgung Jun could vaguely sense the determination of generations of Society Leaders who had struggled against the Sun Moon Demonic Cult.

Hummm—

Hahu Seon's True Qi Guidance was both gentle and unstoppable.

With the seasoned mastery of a peerless expert, the energy of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art rapidly filled Namgung Jun's meridians.

The lightning qi of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art stirred at the arrival of the unfamiliar energy, but soon settled down.

As the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art moved along its circulation pathways, the operation of internal energy changed with incredible precision according to each acupoint and meridian.

I see. So this section works like this...

Namgung Jun focused completely on Hahu Seon's energy control.

Some of it could be understood from the manual itself, but there was no better lesson than directly experiencing the operation of internal energy through True Qi Guidance.

That was likely why Hahu Seon had gone out of his way to personally guide him.

Since Namgung Jun had begun learning this method much later than the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, Hahu Seon was helping him achieve rapid progress.

The residual energies from Meridian Opening and the Jeonggang Grand Method remain throughout your meridians. Excellent.

Hahu Seon's voice transmission sounded in his mind, but Namgung Jun did not reply.

He was too focused on uncovering the principles and insights hidden behind the flow of internal energy.

Meanwhile, the movement of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art changed once more.

The pale sky-blue energy that had filled the major meridians began circulating along the prescribed pathways.

Spreading like clouds, the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art gathered every trace of residual energy left throughout the meridians.

These were energies that Namgung Jun had originally intended to gradually absorb through the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.

Though scattered throughout his meridians, the total amount was substantial.

Attempting to collect them all at once would normally carry a serious risk of qi deviation.

Hummmm—

But there was no need to worry now.

Hahu Seon's True Qi Guidance, driven by the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, maintained complete control.

They're gathering together. Not a single bit is being wasted.

If the residual energies within his meridians were added to the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, his initial progress would be extraordinarily smooth.

Moreover, the insights he had gained from cultivating the Spear King Heart Method in his previous life would greatly assist his mastery of the new art.

I may even reach twenty or thirty percent mastery immediately.

It was then.

Namgung Jun sensed something unusual.

Hm?

The flow of True Qi Guidance, which had been proceeding under Hahu Seon's control, suddenly changed.

Hummmmmm—

The Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, which had been spreading throughout the meridians, abruptly ceased its circulation and gathered within the dantian.

The uninterrupted flow that had resembled the endless sky suddenly stopped.

It was as though a length of silk had been violently torn apart.

Fragments of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art remained isolated within the dantian.

"This energy control...!"

Startled, Namgung Jun was about to send a voice transmission to Hahu Seon.

Then Hahu Seon's voice sounded again.

Remain calm and focus solely on the circulation of energy.

The command was so firm—and carried no expectation of a response—that Namgung Jun could only remain silent.

If I move recklessly, everyone could be endangered.

Having no choice, he entrusted himself completely to Hahu Seon's intentions.

The fragments of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art remained within his dantian.

No—could they really be called fragments?

Calling them fragments is misleading. That's a considerable amount of internal energy.

Centered around the portion that Hahu Seon had deliberately separated, the residual energies gathered from throughout his meridians began converging.

At the same time, Hahu Seon's energy manipulation fundamentally changed.

After True Qi Guidance came Energy Transmission Across Bodies.

Humm—

The fragment of the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art that had been infused during the guidance process began settling into Namgung Jun's dantian.

Namgung Jun immediately understood Hahu Seon's intentions.

He's using Energy Transmission Across Bodies, combined with the residual energies from Meridian Opening and the Grand Method, to push my mastery beyond its normal limits!

Even accomplished experts would not dare attempt such a thing.

But Hahu Seon suppressed every variable through the transcendent energy control unique to a peerless master.

Ten breaths passed.

Hahu Seon successfully established the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art within Namgung Jun's dantian.

There was no conflict between the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art.

They had not achieved perfect unity, but they had attained a measure of harmony and coexisted peacefully within the dantian.

"Cough!"

Having completed both True Qi Guidance and Energy Transmission Across Bodies, Hahu Seon slowly withdrew his hand.

Sweat dripped from his face.

The wrinkles on his features seemed deeper than before, as though he had aged another five years in a single moment.

"Cough! Cough!"

"Society Leader!"

His breathing became ragged, and after a series of violent coughs, Hahu Seon finally spat blood.

Alarmed, Yun Gyeongjong hurriedly moved to support him.

"I'm fine."

"How can you push yourself this far? Even the True Qi Guidance alone was excessive. But then you suddenly used Energy Transmission Across Bodies as well!"

"My body can no longer fight properly anyway. Is it not better to use it for the sake of the younger generation?"

Yun Gyeongjong closed his eyes briefly and shook his head.

"There is no stopping your stubbornness, Society Leader."

"I only transferred a very small amount of internal energy. Do not concern yourself."

Namgung Jun stared silently at Hahu Seon, who still could not stop coughing.

You went this far for me...

The amount of internal energy transferred through Energy Transmission Across Bodies was far from small.

Considering how much energy was normally lost during the transmission process, Hahu Seon had sacrificed even more than what Namgung Jun ultimately received.

To transfer such a significant amount of internal energy while already suffering severe internal injuries was little different from suicide.

Even a peerless master whose mastery of internal energy had approached the realm of the miraculous would not make such a choice lightly.

"Society Leader..."

Sensing the heaviness in Namgung Jun's gaze, Hahu Seon casually wiped the blood from his lips and asked,

"Hm?"

"If you feel burdened by this, there is no need. If I can use a portion of my time to bring your future closer, then it is more than worthwhile."

"But you are the pillar of the Society."

"That is precisely why it was the choice I had to make. This is the duty of the Changcheon Society Leader—and my chivalry."

Even now, Hahu Seon's body trembled faintly from the strain and the blood he had coughed up.

Yet the words emerging from his dry lips were unwavering.

Like steel worn down by countless hardships yet refusing to break.

This was the meaning of chivalry as understood by the Changcheon Society Leader.

"Society Leader."

Namgung Jun did not speak at length.

He simply looked for a moment at the chivalrous man before him, then bowed respectfully.

All the while feeling the cool clarity and lofty dignity of the newly established Spear King's Clear Momentum Art within his dantian.

"Check your condition."

At Hahu Seon's urging, Namgung Jun closed his eyes and examined his body.

His senses swiftly swept through every part of himself.

Perhaps because of the True Qi Guidance, even the faint traces of turbid energy that had remained in his meridians after the Jeonggang Grand Method had completely vanished.

Moreover, during the process of adapting to the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art, his meridians had become even stronger and wider.

That would undoubtedly be a great help when he attempted to open the next acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians in the future.

There isn't a single flaw.

Naturally, his final inspection focused on his dantian.

Two energies resided there.

The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art still possessed the overwhelmingly greater presence, but the Spear King's Clear Momentum Art was by no means insignificant.

Considering that he had only just begun cultivating it, the achievement was astonishing.

Recalling the cultivation verses, Namgung Jun immediately gauged his level of mastery.

Thirty percent... no, perhaps even forty percent.

It was no exaggeration to say that such tremendous progress immediately upon entering the art was only possible because of Hahu Seon's True Qi Guidance and Energy Transmission Across Bodies.

Thanks to building such a strong foundation from the outset, harmonizing it with the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art would also be much easier.

My internal cultivation has advanced another step. I've effectively gained at least two or three years of progress.

Not long ago, the Jeonggang Grand Method and Meridian Opening had advanced his Essence (Jing).

Today, through True Qi Guidance and Energy Transmission Across Bodies, his Qi had undergone its own ascension.

An enormous transformation had occurred in the balance of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit, which previously had not even achieved basic equilibrium.

"Hoo..."

After finishing his internal observation, Namgung Jun slowly opened his eyes.

"It is excellent."

His aura had become sharper and more refined than before.

Within his eyes shone a faint radiance, as though they contained the very heavens themselves.

"Hah!"

While supporting Hahu Seon, Yun Gyeongjong examined Namgung Jun's condition and involuntarily gasped.

There's no doubt! Namgung Jun has crossed the threshold.

Namgung Jun could feel that his body had changed completely.

The distorted relationship among his Essence, Qi, and Spirit had finally been brought into harmony.

The perfected balance of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Most martial artists spent their entire lives without ever fully cultivating those three aspects to their limits.

But Namgung Jun's circumstances had been even more extreme than normal.

A male born with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

A mind that remembered his previous life with perfect clarity.

These exceptionally rare traits had made achieving harmony among Essence, Qi, and Spirit extraordinarily difficult.

Yet through countless fortunate encounters and invaluable relationships, he had finally accomplished it.

The pinnacle realm was the stage where one filled the vessel of martiality one had forged with perfected Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

And when that harmony evolved into complete unity—

Only then could one achieve Three Flowers Gather at the Crown.

The realm beyond peak masters.

The first step into the domain of true grandmasters.

The Spear King's Clear Momentum Art... and the Society Leader.

The lacking portion of his Qi had been completed through both the cultivation art and Hahu Seon's assistance.

"Excellent."

While wiping the blood from his beard, Hahu Seon spoke softly.

"Take just one more step from where you stand now, and you will achieve Three Flowers Gather at the Crown."

He looked at Namgung Jun with proud eyes.

"I never imagined that merely beginning a cultivation method would yield such results. You always exceed my expectations."

"It is all thanks to your assistance, Society Leader. After receiving even Energy Transmission Across Bodies, anything less than this would have been embarrassing on my part."

"No. You were already prepared. I merely provided the final catalyst."

Hahu Seon slowly placed a hand atop Namgung Jun's.

"I hope that your sharpened sword will always point in the proper direction. Your martial path has only just begun."

"I will continue forward with steadfast determination."

Apparently pleased by the answer, Hahu Seon smiled and nodded.

"This old man wishes to rest now. I am tired."

At the clear dismissal, Yun Gyeongjong and Namgung Jun quietly left Changcheon Pavilion.

Yun Gyeongjong glanced back toward the pavilion with concern before finally turning away.

His eyes were filled with worry, yet he forced himself to continue walking, relying on his trust in Hahu Seon.

Only after confirming that Hahu Seon's breathing had settled—as though he had fallen asleep—did Yun Gyeongjong turn to Namgung Jun.

"You truly are remarkable. It has not even been a full year since you joined the Society, yet you already stand on the verge of Three Flowers Gather at the Crown."

"It would have been impossible had I not joined the Changcheon Society."

Once again, Yun Gyeongjong realized that his judgment had not been mistaken.

Namgung Jun's accomplishments were simply astonishing.

Even someone who cultivated a peerless demonic art would likely be unable to match such a rate of growth.

For a talent of this caliber to have entered the Changcheon Society was truly a blessing from heaven.

Yun Gyeongjong gently patted Namgung Jun's shoulder.

"Before long, a new Four Fortunes of the Society will be born. I look forward to that day."

Namgung Jun nodded calmly.

"The time the Society Leader invested in me will not be wasted."

He firmly gripped the hilt of the Spirit Reflection Sword.

***

Mokhyang Division – Conference Chamber

As usual, the senior figures of the Society had gathered in the conference chamber for a meeting.

Since Yun Gyeongjong had accompanied Namgung Jun to Changcheon Pavilion, today's session was being conducted solely by the Pavilion Masters and Hall Masters.

Acting as secretary, Kang Mong spoke first.

"The first matter to discuss today concerns the upcoming combat assessment."

At Kang Mong's words, the eyes of the assembled Hall Masters immediately lit up.