“Phew.”
A gentleman shows how to draw a bow, but does not shoot an arrow. If the teaching follows the right path, those who want to learn will master archery themselves.
Understanding the hearts of children has just begun, but the efforts of the Masters are valuable simply for being efforts! The Masters’ dedication to the sect is surely the right way, and by merely witnessing the Elders maintain that path, the Disciples of the Jeomchang Faction must have gained enlightenment, so chin up!
That was the intent behind my words.
But really, where would I have heard such a scholarly saying? I might have picked up some lines here and there from reading martial arts novels, but most of the higher-level realizations in the enlightenment database are composed of such impressive phrases.
“I knew you would get into trouble, Senior.”
The Black Cat commented while looking out of the guest house.
“So, was this all part of your plan? Or just a coincidence?”
“Honestly, I just wanted to boost the spirits of the Masters…”
“Seriously, why can’t I trust a word you say? You trick people so often that it’s hard to believe you.”
With a suspicious gesture, the Black Cat shook her head while looking at me.
“Anyway, you know this is a problem that even the Wolbok-dang cannot handle.”
“I know.”
Master Un-jong will probably enter the Hyeong-gyeong. Even if the Jeomchang Faction is considerate and hides this news from me, it’s such a big event that word cannot help but spread. The news of a new master appearing in Hyeong-gyeong will be enough to stir the entire Martial World.
Everyone will certainly investigate how Master Un-jong was able to ascend to the Hyeong-gyeong. They will try to catch even a sliver of the reason he could grasp that realization.
In that process, my existence would inevitably become exposed.
Wasn’t it said that the Outcast who gave enlightenment to Master Un-jong also gave enlightenment to Miss Yeo Il-ye? And isn’t there also the situation where Tang Do-gyeong created new martial arts at the Outcast Inn?
More and more martial artists will start focusing on me.
Through the guest house’s window, the Jeomchang Faction looked serene. During ordinary times, the sound of training would fill the air, but now, they were holding their breath to not disturb Master Un-jong’s realization.
Looking down, I could see the Qi surrounding Master Un-jong becoming denser. It seemed as though his whole body was covered in strong energy. As I watched him rise with that state, it looked like he was about to begin a profound transformation.
Though ascending to Hyeong-gyeong doesn’t necessarily require such transformation… well, he was a Master of the Jeomchang Faction, so he certainly wouldn’t be lacking in inner energy.
Transformation is related to inner energy. In theory, as long as one’s inner energy reaches a certain level, anyone can undergo transformation. The problem is that without the corresponding realm, one cannot accumulate that level of inner energy.
Generally, one must enter the Hyeong-gyeong to match that level of inner energy, which is to say the same.
For this moment, both the Black Cat and I held our breaths as we gazed down. Where could one witness the moment a martial artist rises to Hyeong-gyeong, or the moment transformation occurs?
The transformation was more tranquil than I had expected. I had anticipated bone-cracking sounds as his whole body underwent the process. Instead, Master Un-jong simply floated quietly, wrapped in strong energy.
However.
A gentle storm of Qi was swirling around that cocoon, encompassing the entire Jeomchang Faction.
What my eyes saw was an unchanging, static scene.
Yet, what I sensed was the Qi of the Su-nam Mountain moving around Master Un-jong. The energy of the entire mountain was being drawn into the cocoon created by Master Un-jong… it was a spectacle that could only be described as enchanting for someone training in martial arts.
“…Incredible.”
I nodded subconsciously at the Black Cat’s mutter.
The energy was naturally and smoothly gathering without any roughness, yet it carried a pressure that could weigh someone down. It was easy to imagine what would happen when that power condenses and erupts.
I had lost track of how long I had been lost in contemplation of the flow of Qi.
Swoosh!
A wind blew around Master Un-jong. The cocoon that had isolated him burst open, revealing Master Un-jong.
On the surface, there didn’t seem to be much of a change apart from his skin appearing slightly smoother, but what had changed was not his appearance but the Qi settling within him. Calmly contained, yet… immense things emit their presence simply by existing.
Just because an elephant curls up does not mean it looks small. Master Un-jong, who had opened the lofty realm of Hyeong-gyeong, showed a completely different energy than before.
“Congratulations on your achievement.”
“Congratulations on your achievement.”
“…Thank you, everyone.”
Master Yeong-ul asked, representing everyone’s curiosity.
“Have you reached Hyeong-gyeong?”
Without saying a word, Master Un-jong raised his hand. A sword floated into the air.
Using Qi to control the sword.
Slowly, Qi began to bloom on it. The strong energy that had risen above the bowl that the Masters had pointed at slowly began to cover the sword.
“Oooo…”
The environment changed. Since the sword is now the subject, should we call it the Qi controlling the strong sword?
It proved that it is now possible to create strong energy from places that one cannot reach, going beyond just spreading energy externally.
Master Un-jong showcased that he had entered the realm of Hyeong-gyeong.
—
“It seems I’ve relied on you again, Outcast.”
Three people sat before me now.
Though it had now become two, just a day ago, the only master of the Jeomchang Faction Hyeong-gyeong, Master Cheongheo. And lastly, today’s ascendant, Master Un-jong.
“Having bestowed enlightenment to both Il-ye and Master Un-jong, I’m unsure how to repay such kindness now.”
“Hoo, it’s merely a coincidence that overlapped, nothing more.”
“Of course, you say that. This world is vast, filled with many extraordinary Qi Persons, yet how many can actually impart enlightenment to others?”
I swallowed hard at Sa Kong-myung’s words.
“It’s merely the weaving of fate and destiny coming together to form one shape. The heavenly patterns must have connected you, Outcast, with the Jeomchang. So, there’s no need for you to feel burdened or humble about it. Whether it’s coincidence or destiny, what does it matter?”
“The Jeomchang Faction has received enlightenment from the Outcast twice, so we just want to express our gratitude. So… is there anything you wish for?”
Sa Kong-myung’s words complicated my thoughts. Did that mean he was willing to pretend that I had the ability to impart enlightenment?
“Cough. If the excessive attention directed at you feels burdensome, I intend to not pay too much attention to outside matters.”
From Master Un-jong’s words, I started to catch on a little.
Having two masters with Hyeong-gyeong would change the status of the sect dramatically. There are numerous sects among the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans that lack masters of the Hyeong-gyeong. If Jeomchang were to have two of them? They would surely occupy a unique position among the Nine Great Sects.
This meant that the Jeomchang Faction would set aside such gains to accommodate my preferences.
“…Are you really okay with this?”
“Haha, of course. If the fact that Il-ye and Un-jong gained enlightenment is destiny tied to you, then it is also destiny that you struggle because of it. It is only natural that Jeomchang would accompany you on that journey.”
Am I being a bit too shameless here?
Honestly, it’s true that I inadvertently stoked the flames of enlightenment, allowing Master Un-jong to achieve Hyeong-gyeong. Though it was unintentional, I had delivered a master to the sect, which is undoubtedly a great gain for the Jeomchang Faction.
“Can I adjust the length of my stay at the Jeomchang Faction then?”
“Of course. If you wish, you can stay as long as you’d like.”
That’s refreshing.
“And I would like the news of Master Un-jong’s ascendance to be officially announced only after I have left.”
Sa Kong-myung nodded readily even on this point.
Should I ask for spiritual medicine too, while I’m at it? I obtained the Inner Dan from cultivating a hundred-year-old flower in an underwater cave, purchased the Wood Attribute spiritual medicine, and acquired Sound Attribute and Metal Attribute elixirs from the Hwang Gold Clan’s warehouse that Samayeom confiscated.
Since I had an agreement with the Jeomchang Faction to manufacture the Fire Attribute elixir, I now need to find the Earth Attribute elixir.
“And you mentioned you needed the Seven Jewels Attribute elixir? I believe we can produce the Fire Attribute elixir here at the Jeomchang Faction.”
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
Despite producing a master of Hyeong-gyeong, my bold requests made my face flush with embarrassment. After all, even if I’m not pulling the roots out from the foundation, requesting so many things in one go was certainly shameful.
Yet, the Seven Jewels Attribute elixirs aren’t merely for advancing to the next level; they also aid in the smooth operation of my Qi. Hence, I needed to obtain them quickly since I have to become stronger as soon as possible.
When it comes to obtaining the Earth Attribute elixir, I can’t think of any viable methods right now… for the time being, I should train and leverage the information network of the Black Cat and the Jeomchang Faction.
“Anyway, if you want to obtain all the elixirs, you’ll need to stay in Jeomchang for a while. If you think of anything later, just let Hyeok Gi-rin know.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
As I left the Sect Leader’s office, the Black Cat and Hyeok Gi-rin were waiting for me.
“Weren’t you supposed to be training? What are you doing here?”
“Someone caused a big scene, so how could I possibly train peacefully?”
With the Black Cat’s jibe, I scratched the back of my neck. I recounted what had transpired in the Sect Leader’s office to the Black Cat and Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Hmm. So I have to live in the Jeomchang Faction for a while? That’s great. I’ll get to be with Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin, and the children are cute too. Don’t you think?”
As she said this, the Black Cat playfully nudged Hyeok Gi-rin’s shoulder. Hyeok Gi-rin’s previously gloomy expression melted into a slight smile at my concern.
“Yes. While you’re with the Jeomchang Faction, I will ensure your safety.”
Truthfully, even the current measures amount to little more than pissing in the snow. Sooner or later, the fact that I’m a pouch of enlightenment will spread throughout the Martial World. It won’t matter if my level is the best or the highest at that point.
The only thing I could do for now was this much.
However, seeing the two people glad about my decision to stay long-term in the Jeomchang Faction lightened my heart a bit.
“Senior, stop worrying so much.”
“Hmm?”
The Black Cat smacked my shoulder lightly.
“Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you should be all stiff. You took down the Golden Line’s party in Sacheon, so you’ve got the smarts, right? Since you were promised protection while staying at the Jeomchang, just relax and let that cleverness run wild.”
“Haha. While that might sound a bit much, your actions in Sacheon truly were commendable. In the end, you completely wiped out the criminals from the Yeo-ga Mountain Villa led by the Golden Line, implementing justice. I will protect you at the Jeomchang until you devise a good plan.”
“Hah.”
What do these two think of me, really?
But their words were awakening. I had made a colossal blunder. If I had made the same mistake I made before meeting Il-ye and the Black Cat, what would have happened? I don’t know what would have occurred, but I might have quaked in fear and set off on a desperate journey back home.
Watching these two, I recalled the word “fate” that Sa Kong-myung had mentioned earlier. Yes, being at the Jeomchang, witnessing the Masters flagging, and then comforting them led me to inadvertently blurt out some enlightenment.
Yet Sa Kong-myung merely mentioned that the current situation is simply destiny.
Perhaps what Sa Kong-myung said is correct. By mingling with Jeomchang, I unwittingly spoke profound truths… and thanks to mingling with Jeomchang, I could now receive their help.
The weaving of fate and destiny.
“Now, let’s go, Senior. Let’s grab some fried rice cakes and ponder over it.”
“Yes, I shall try to add a few more thoughts, even if I’m not much of a help.”
As I was dragged along by the two, I thought maybe I had stumbled but hadn’t fallen. Perhaps the threads of fate were supporting me to prevent me from collapsing.
Just like how these two are firmly connected with me right now.
“Ha…”
As I was being pulled away by them, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Well then.
We can think of the solutions together from here on out.
