Cheonwon Heart Method.

This is the new heart method I started to practice today. You could say it’s a higher-level version of the Samwon Heart Method.

In fact, at the lower levels, martial arts that deal with weapons like sword techniques are all pretty much on the same level, whether they’re low-tier or high-tier martial arts. There might be differences in power and depth, but fundamentally, they’re the same.

However, there’s a clear distinction between Iryu heart methods and high-tier heart methods.

From the high-tier, the inner strength method acquires an “attribute.” You often hear things like volcanic disciples smelling like plum blossoms or Shaolin disciples having a golden aura. These phenomena arise from the “attributes” in inner strength.

The attribute of the Cheonwon Heart Method is “harmony.”

Honestly, the harmony attribute isn’t very preferred. This harmony property is characterized by making it easier to meld things that don’t match.

It smoothly connects martial arts that have incompatible styles. But when you familiarize yourself with compatible martial arts, there’s no need to worry about how they connect, so it’s really a characteristic for learning various arts haphazardly.

Usually, martial artists who stick to one weapon or one martial art struggle to prefer this kind of attribute.

But for me, the Cheonwon Heart Method is the best fit.

I need to consume all seven kinds of spiritual medicine with seven attributes. Since it’s said some of the medicinal effects remain after consuming, it means I have to embrace the energies of all seven medicines with their seven attributes.

To control the conflicting and complementary energies, the harmony attribute of the Cheonwon Heart Method was essential.

I could feel my inner energies swirling around chaotically. From their perspective, they had been following the Samwon Heart Method and suddenly were told to switch to the Cheonwon Heart Method, so they seemed at a loss.

But soon, my inner energies began to move along the path of the Cheonwon Heart Method without much problem.

The characteristic of the Samwon Heart Method is that it creates inner strength from the natural energy with minimal processing. Since it’s closer to natural energy, it’s easier to process into other attributes’ inner strength.

I attempted to circulate my energy using the Cheonwon Heart Method.

“Unki” literally means the act of circulating energy throughout the body. Why do we circulate the energy? To grab the natural energy that comes through my breath, based on the processed inner strength, to grow my physique.

Even the gentlest inner strength of the Samwon Heart Method has its unique color. I have to operate it carefully until that color drains completely and it becomes pure Cheonwon Heart Method inner strength.

I had to repeatedly capture and redirect my inner energies that occasionally tried to stray back to the Samwon Heart Method.

Finally, I stabilized my energy flow and finished my energy circulation.

“Whew.”

My whole body was drenched in sweat. While the Samwon Heart Method’s inner strength moved along the path of the Cheonwon Heart Method without any major issues, there were still minor problems.

The aftermath of those minor issues has resulted in my current sweaty state.

Losing control over Qi isn’t a big deal. It just means losing control over the inner strength. While inner strength can be a powerful force, it can also be dangerous. Just a little instability in my operations was enough for my body to break out in cold sweat.

After completing the circulation, I relaxed the control over my Qi.

I felt the inner strength processed through the Cheonwon Heart Method slowly circulating within my body, restoring my condition. After observing this flow for about an hour, it didn’t seem like any issues would arise from the instability.

This might be a benefit of the harmony property in inner strength methods.

As I contemplated the effects of the Cheonwon Heart Method, I opened the window to breathe in the fresh early morning air. Ah, this cool and humid air. This is the taste. Opening the day with this flavor is what a true martial artist’s life should be.

The fresh air I usually inhale on my way back from the gambling house felt especially sweet today.

Huh, me. It seems I’ve unconsciously gotten intoxicated by my own “emotions.” Even though it’s just another daily feeling, it feels somehow fresh… heh.

Coming back to reality, I checked my condition. I can say it’s not in perfect shape. After parting ways with the Poison Doctor, the accumulated fatigue from the long journey hasn’t fully dissipated, and I felt a slight impact from just applying the new inner strength method a moment ago.

“There you are.”

In the training hall, the Outcasts had gathered, and at the center stood Jeong Sam with his arms crossed.

Looking around, I saw Black Cat on the first-floor roof, munching on rice crackers, while Yu Sa-yeon looked down from the fourth floor.

“I recognize your talents. Gambling and clever thinking… however, not in martial arts.”

Jeong Sam stared at me with a serious look.

The Sacheon Outcasts are folks obsessed with martial arts. You could say it’s a form of obsession. The Sacheon Outcasts don’t get to build the reputation they’re supposed to as martial artists. Why? Because they have no name. Their faces are hidden by Heuknip.

Considering that many martial artists risk their lives for fame, it’s truly a great sacrifice.

Moreover, they can’t show off their martial arts skills either. While they could win freely in ambush requests or match requests, they have to fake defeat in other areas.

The only thing the Sacheon Outcasts can freely pursue is their martial arts. They are exposed to an environment where they can easily become devout practitioners, honing their martial arts.

“I also recognize your talent in martial arts. Back when we just became Sacheon Outcasts with Yeo Jin-sang, we were on the same level. But for the past two years, I’ve felt a wall against you. You’ve strengthened day by day. I believe you’ll reach the top tier within two years.”

Swoosh.

Jeong Sam pulled out the Half-Moon Blade. There’s no need to explain a weapon like the Moon Blade. The Half-Moon Blade he uses is just as sharp as a Moon Blade. The only difference is the length of the handle.

Unlike the long weapons used in the martial world, the spear or moon blade here is relatively short. The handle is usually around three to five feet. The weapon Jeong Sam uses has a handle of about 1.5 feet with the blade length, hence it’s called the Half-Moon Blade.

“However, you hit a wall and fell into indulgence. How many years have you wasted in the void? Isn’t it over four years now?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m glad to see you, Ho Cheon-an, finally coming to your senses. But you should be aware of how lazy you’ve been.”

Yeah. I get it.

Even among the Outcasts in the Outcast Inn, Jeong Sam stands out a bit, though. Still, I’ve unknowingly given him a few pointers here and there. I could say it’s more his own sweat and effort than my helping him produce his current skills.

But Jeong Sam sticking around is likely to make me experience how much he’s improved since we became Outcasts around the same time and motivate me.

I was slightly touched.

These guys. I thought they were just here to tease me, but they’ve actually been thinking seriously about me!

“…Thank you.”

“Thank you? It’s too early to be moved.”

Jeong Sam smiled. Seeing him and the Outcasts smiling warmly, I felt my heart swell. These guys… Why make me emotional and nearly cry? What did they prepare?

Did they perhaps gather some money to buy me a simple spiritual medicine?

“To help you truly realize the reality. All the Outcasts agreed to cooperate.”

… Huh?

“I mean, technically, I’m a six-year veteran of the Sacheon Outcasts, right? So it’s only ‘natural’ for me to win against you. It’s my job to clearly show how far behind you are.”

Jeong Sam’s face twisted as he tried to suppress a grin.

“Tomorrow will be Year 5, the day after Year 4, and so forth, until it’s finally confirmed you are the ‘weakest’ of the Sacheon Outcasts!”

Ah. I see.

I looked at the cheerful Outcasts. Seeing them made me put down the bat I had envisioned in my mind and replace it with a hammer.

What a fool I was, thinking I could re-educate these troublemakers. I’ve realized now that these guys were all going to blow my head off.

“Okay, I understand your intentions well. It seems you all truly think I’m the ‘weakest’ of the Sacheon Outcasts.”

“Face reality! Can you, who just reached the top tier, defeat other top-tier Outcasts with experience in actual combat?”

Jeong Sam added fuel to the fire.

“Today, I’ll make sure you realize the ‘wall’ of time!”

“Kyaah~, a wise saying!”

Yeo Jin-sang clapped and cheered. Now I understood that these two were leading this situation and were enjoying it the most.

“From today onward, let’s hold a ranking competition.”

“Ranking competition?”

I laughed heartily.

“Of course. Since you’re all making such an effort for me, how could I just overlook your kindness?”

Currently, there are 28 Sacheon Outcasts active in the Outcast Inn.

“I’ll accept your consensus and place myself at rank 28 as the ‘weakest.’”

Only then did the Outcasts realize the situation was taking a strange turn and began to harden their expressions.

“If you defeat me, you move up the ranks, and if you lose to me, you go down. Don’t you think that will provide a metric of skill? Hahahaha!”

Dare you conspire and frame me with collective deception? Then I’ll hit you with the facts!

“Jeong Sam, if you lose to me, you’ll become the ‘weakest’ at rank 28!”

Jeong Sam’s complexion turned pale.

“Now, let’s begin the match.”

You’ve really signed your death warrant today.