A leisurely journey unfolded after quite some time.
This was because they were adjusting their speed to arrive in Imchang around the same time as Jeokgwi Daebyeol.
Clop! Clop!
Of course, saying it was a leisurely journey didn’t mean that the speed of Bicheongmacha had slowed down.
The scenery outside rushed past pleasantly.
At this speed, any regular cart would worry about breaking its wheels or axles.
The cart began to slowly decelerate.
“Let’s take a break here for today.”
Clang!
With the announcement from the guide and coachman, Tang Do-yeon, the sound of the safety lock being released echoed.
“Thank you for your hard work, Miss Tang Do-yeon.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
When I got off the cart and greeted Tang Do-yeon, she descended from the driver’s seat with a somewhat regretful expression.
“It feels sluggish when we try to go easy.”
Let’s reiterate, the speed we just had was enough for any regular cart to worry about not smashing somewhere. It seemed like driving at peak speed was considered ‘leisurely’ for Tang Do-yeon.
She seemed fidgety, eagerly moving her hands and licking her lips, indicating that her patience was wearing thin.
Perhaps I should prioritize a plan for Tang Do-yeon over the Odokmun strategy?
As this serious thought crossed my mind, Tang So-yeol slapped my shoulder.
“Make preparations for the campsite, my disciple.”
“Yes, yes.”
Bicheongmacha could cross a distance that Jeokgwi Daebyeol would take an entire day to cover in just one hour. Therefore, the distance we traveled in a day was about an hour.
That’s what makes it a leisurely journey.
The group prepared the campsite with familiarity. They set up tents and gathered firewood. Once Tang So-yeol laid out the folding camping gear, it was done.
“Ha.”
Tang So-yeol nearly lay back on their chair, slouching comfortably.
“After resting comfortably in the cart, you should move a bit.”
“I have no interest in martial arts, so you can work hard alone.”
Tang So-yeol waved their hand dismissively. I shook my head and turned to my companions.
The Black Cat had entered a meditative state inside Bicheongmacha. I guess it was part of the process to suppress the Nine Yin. Like a bridge that got dyed, some strands of their hair returned to black. The ratio was one black to nine white, though.
“Senior Ho, I’ll stretch a bit.”
“Sure.”
Hyeok Gi-rin and Miss Yeo Il-ye moved to a place out of sight at the campsite. Although Yeo Il-ye was teaching me swordsmanship, Hyeok Gi-rin seemed to find something lacking and engaged in one-on-one sword training.
I too lightly stretched and grasped the form of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
Following the principles of Gyeongun Heart Method, which I hadn’t gotten used to yet, I gradually guided my Qi. Compared to the Cheonwon Heart Method, which was stable and harmonious, making it easy to operate, the flow of Gyeongun Heart Method felt truly rough and perilous.
If the Cheonwon Heart Method was a gentle, obedient puppy, then the Gyeongun Heart Method was indeed like a wolf. The rough flow of Gyeongun Heart Method would often stray from its path, and the Qi Meridians, seemingly suffocated, would twitch around excitedly.
It was truly a thorny fellow.
Swish!
At the same time, it was a heart method that exhibited tremendous strength, enough to understand its troublesome nature.
Carefully, I began to link the initial forms of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
The nature of my inner energy had become more aggressive, so expanding the softness I had demonstrated with the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword no longer held meaning.
Even though a quarter of the technique I had painstakingly learned flew away, conversely, it could be said I preserved three-quarters of the swordsmanship I had while switching to a different inner energy method.
This aspect indeed justified the hardships taken to master the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
As I displayed my swordsmanship, my focus dispersed, causing the still-unfamiliar Qi of Gyeongun Heart Method to begin to rampage. I struggled to wrangle and coax it, occasionally forcibly pushing it into the meridians, and barely managed to unfurl the initial forms of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
In reality, running the inner energy method so roughly like this is known as a taboo in the Martial World. If I were to mess up and allow the flow to spill into a different meridian…
It could lead to injury or losing control over Qi.
If my training was observed by a master or fellow disciples, they would likely be aghast at my training method.
Following the advice and guidance of my master or fellow disciples would minimize risks while learning martial arts, so why would I choose to embrace danger and face heavy reprimand instead?
But for me at this moment, this method was the only way.
The Martial Sage, Seo Hak, had passed away a long time ago, and no one could teach me the Gyeongun Heart Method, so in order to understand it, I could only learn through trial and error with my own body.
“Ha.”
After repeating the initial movements of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword a few times, my whole body was drenched in sweat. While some of it must have been sweat from cooling my heated body, the result of using the Gyeongun Heart Method carelessly was cold sweat.
“Take a break. You look like you’re about to collapse.”
Tang So-yeol, who had been watching my training, intervened.
“Ha. But am I not becoming somewhat useful?”
“Your martial arts were usable from the start. The downside is that there’s no opportunity for a turnaround, but your body is sturdy and your inner energy is strong, so you probably won’t find yourself in a defensive position too often. Surely, having acted solo in the Outcast Faction’s realm gave you opportunities to wield your sword?”
“Well…”
Thinking back, it was true.
Against U-reung, I failed to control my strength, and when I struck lightly, it flew away, complicating things, and there wasn’t anyone among the peak masters of I-seol’s Subordinate who could match me.
“You’ve been at the peak for barely over six months, yet you’ve developed to the point where only the renowned disciples of the Nine Great Sects can pose a challenge to you. So, don’t push yourself too hard and take it easy.”
Tang So-yeol spoke as they lit a cigarette, casually, but their tone carried a hint of reprimand.
“Why scold me? Honestly, catching up to Jeong Cheol might even be a stretch, so I need to push myself hard.”
“You foolish one. You’re definitely like one of those Bicheongmacha types.”
“…yes?”
Hold on, seriously? Comparing someone to that soul-reaping machine is a bit too harsh, don’t you think?
“To be honest, you know it too, right? That the Bicheongmacha driven by Tang Do-yeon won’t topple over. Even knowing it’s safe, would you still want to ride Bicheongmacha?”
“Uh, um…”
“You’re the same. You thought it was safe and still think it’s slow, right? But do you really think others will view you in the same light?”
How do others think, I wonder?
“…hmm.”
“You’re not seeing yourself clearly. You possess unparalleled talents that others can’t replicate in trickery or gambling. Plus, your talent as a martial artist is outstanding, having reached the peak within half a year. That is why you plunged into dangerous things alone and made it out safely. How do you think Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye feel watching you?”
…Does this mean I’ve been so active that Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye felt a sense of crisis?
I never considered that those two might be feeling anxious.
“When we separated to infiltrate the Dark Dragon Sect, they regretted not being with you. Regardless of how you think, sneaking alone into enemy territory is a risky endeavor. Yet you stirred things up thoroughly and returned casually. When Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye heard that news, they silently redoubled their training.”
“If you keep blindly rushing forward, they will also fall away. The Taeyoom philosophers? The Jeomchang Faction’s Ten Prodigies? They are inadequate to keep up with you at present. Will you just keep running ahead until everyone falls behind?”
“…”
“Focus on your objective, Ho Cheon-an. Is defeating Jeong Cheol truly your primary task? Do you not care if everyone around you falls away in the process?”
“That’s…”
A sigh escaped me.
So Black Cat and Yeo Il-ye were experiencing loss. I never would have thought.
“There’s no need to look so grim. Concentrating solely on your path like me can be one option too.”
“Hearing that makes me see things differently. Thank you for the advice, Master.”
“Good. Do your best. I’ll just watch from the sidelines.”
When I saw Tang So-yeol smirking at my conflicted expression, it made my mood even worse.
“…If someone falls away, I feel like you’d be the first, Master.”
“Oh really? I need to be careful then.”
Tang So-yeol took a deep drag from their cigarette, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. Surely, hidden behind the smoke, I must have made a hateful expression.
I’m really itching to slap them right now.
Knowing that Tang So-yeol was to become the world’s greatest master, speaking any further would only put me at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Tang So-yeol’s words were indeed painfully true.
In the prologue, those two had stepped back for my sake. I took that for granted and didn’t pay them any mind.
No, I should say I unconsciously avoided them.
That was an attitude I shouldn’t have taken, regardless of what conclusions I reached.
“This is difficult.”
“You chose this path. Bear it with stubbornness.”
“Master, when I reach the Peak Stage, the first thing I’ll do is slap your forehead.”
“To go from reaching the Peak Stage to slapping your master first? You’re quite the extraordinary brat.”
Seeing Tang So-yeol giggle, I couldn’t help but sigh. My half-dried sweat completely cooled down, and with the gentle breeze coming in, my body felt chilly.
“Are you considering talking now?”
“I think I will.”
“Then you can start right now.”
Suddenly, the door of Bicheongmacha opened, and Black Cat appeared.
Huh? How did this person know I’d finish my meditation at the same peak? Is this the power of the Combine Technique?
Tang So-yeol patted my shoulder and walked off somewhere whimsically.
What a mysterious person.
“…Senior?”
Black Cat met my gaze and tilted her head.
