Chapter: 416
The world was yellow. The sky, the trees, the grass, and the river—it was all spinning yellow.
For the past five days, that has been my life.
Ugh…
When I spit on the ground, it mixes with blood.
Thud! As I try to stand, my joints scream with pain.
My whole body hurts.
I barely managed to hold on to consciousness, but the price I paid for it was significant.
It feels like my flowing blood vessels are all tangled up.
Right now, my physical condition is a disaster.
The energy that has gone beyond my control is flowing erratically, and my blurry vision made it hard to see what’s in front of me.
Based solely on sensation, it wouldn’t be surprising if I ended up possessed by money.
But I knew.
These broken senses would be back to normal soon.
And not long after.
Crackle-crackle—!!
Ugh…
Just as I thought.
The uncontrolled energy and the tangled blood flow started responding.
The energy, which had been acting violently as if it were furious, was being pulled back into my dantian as if caught by something.
I could feel the sensation of my blood vessels being forcibly straightened out.
The pain that arose from that was beyond imagination.
Right now, gritting my teeth and stifling my screams is all I can do.
“Crazy…!”
Pulling back this energy and restoring the blood flow to its original state.
It was the power of the Tuapacheonmu I learned from Pajeon.
Before I learned any techniques.
Now I understand what Pajeon meant when he said you had to be accustomed to the power of the Tuapacheonmu to learn it.
A cornerstone for utilizing techniques.
Including artificial transformations and forcefully reaching a state of trance.
A kind of dog-like power that forcibly repairs a damaged body with pain.
That’s the power of the Tuapacheonmu.
Of course.
It’s not possible in every situation.
Haa… haa…
Only after the energy and blood flow settled down and the pain subsided to an extent could I lift my head.
And then, I broke into a light laugh at the sight before me.
‘… This truly is insane power.’
Something had swept through this place, which was originally full of trees and rocks, leaving behind only a massive mark.
To compare, it was similar to the marks I left when unleashing the enormous Flame Jade against the Black Dragon Sword.
That mark?
I produced it with just one punch.
A single fist.
This means that what I see now is the spectacle created by the first technique of the Tuapacheonmu.
It sounds like some ridiculous martial art.
But after trying it myself, I understand better.
This martial art deserves to be called a divine art.
“No wonder that old man… his fists pack a punch.”
Thinking back to my previous life when I faced Pajeon.
I think I can understand now why every single one of Pajeon’s strikes felt more like ‘destroying’ than ‘hitting’.
Was it a martial art that aimed solely for destruction and transcendence?
That’s exactly what it is.
However, there was a clear problem alongside the devastating power.
My body began to have issues right after using the technique.
That’s why my blood flow became chaotic, and my energy was moving around wildly.
Last dawn, the day Pajeon attacked me directly.
I could now understand why he said it was faster to learn by taking a hit directly.
I realized it the moment I took the hit.
Because the Tuapacheonmu within me reacted on its own.
A martial art that teaches its practitioner how to wield it themselves?
How ridiculous.
Even having experienced it myself, it still didn’t register.
How is this even possible?
Right after getting hit by Pajeon,
As I gasped in pain, he left me with a single phrase before disappearing.
– “From now on, figure it out yourself.”
What a preposterous thing to say. He hits me then tells me to figure it out? That old man must really be losing it.
I surely thought so back then.
“Why is this possible?”
As Pajeon said, the Tuapacheonmu guides me in how I should move.
If I want to extend my reach, the energy moves first.
It’s as if it forms a path, suggesting how I should move.
From there, it becomes intuitive.
I learn how to apply the energy, where to place my feet, and how to twist my waist.
The energy shows the way.
If I were to move contrary to its flow, pain serves as a signal that it’s wrong.
Checking this, while it sounds impressive, it is, as Pajeon said, not as complicated as it seems.
Because all it takes really is one straight punch.
The energy’s application in that brief moment is what feels absurd.
“It’s hard enough to compress it. Why does maintaining control feel so hard?”
Compressing that wild energy
I gather the energy into a single fist using my body.
However, the effort to maintain that compression makes my body sluggish and cumbersome.
I have to endure and act.
Even while doing this, the pain persists.
I must delicately adjust the chaotic energy in my movements.
Then, at the end of a straight extension, I release the energy with my fist.
That’s how I achieve a single punch.
Although it’s just one movement that barely qualifies as a technique.
I can feel the multitude of enlightenment packed into it.
The problem lies in the overwhelming burden on my body after performing this move.
The fact that it causes such agony that the world turns yellow is a real concern.
Because it’s such raw and chaotic energy, using it warps my blood flow and energy immediately.
Tuapacheonmu restores it with uncanny precision.
But from the perspective of someone trying to endure the pain, it’s excruciating enough to make me hesitant to use it multiple times.
“If you think about it that way, this martial art isn’t cost-effective.”
If it’s like this after just one use, and it’s similar in scale to the Flame Jade, it hardly seems worth using.
What I can gather is—
“This is the extent of power before you’re even accustomed to it.”
I wield this power without any skill at all.
Even with the terrible pain and harsh prerequisites for use,
If this power belongs to a martial art, then it truly is divine.
I stumbled to my feet.
My breathing was still ragged, but I tried to appear composed as I cast a glance behind me.
There stood Pajeon, arms crossed, looking at me with a smile.
His expression conveyed obvious satisfaction.
“Not bad for a first attempt.”
“… Don’t you see that I’m about to die?”
“You’re not dead yet, are you?”
That damn old man…?
I couldn’t help but scowl at his overtly casual words.
“How was it? Think you can manage it?”
“No, I cannot use it twice.”
“So you’re saying you can use it once? I’m glad to hear it.”
“… Why are you always so ridiculously positive?”
“What? Someone’s about to die here, and he’s cheerful?”
“You seem genuinely excited.”
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Much better than I expected.”
“This?”
From the destruction left by the aftermath, it indeed looked like I had used my force properly.
But it was unfortunate that the backlash turned out this way.
Yet, he thought it was well done?
I stared at Pajeon in disbelief.
He chuckled and replied, “I think you’re misunderstanding something.”
“Excuse me?”
“I thought it would take two months, but you’ve done it in just seven days and nights. How could I be displeased?”
Two months?
This was a technique expected to take two months? Just one punch?!
Pajeon stepped closer and continued.
“It may seem like a simple movement. However, despite being the simplest, it was also the one I spent the most effort creating.”
As this can be classified as the introductory technique.
I could vaguely grasp what Pajeon meant when he said he struggled the most with it.
“Anyways, you succeeded in utilizing it, so you ought to realize. You should also know how intricate this really is.”
“Uh… yeah…”
What I had considered simple only referred to the movements.
It may appear simple, but the processes involved internally are exceedingly complicated.
Compress, maintain, regulate, release.
Each of these four steps must be finely tuned so none of them deviate.
If any step is flawed, my energy will explode out and burst inside me.
This leads right to writhing in agony. I have repeated this countless times.
I spent several days in torment, and now, finally, I’ve succeeded.
“Do you not recognize how remarkable it is that you accomplished this in just seven days and nights?”
“… .”
This is not something I can truly relate to. Despite countless hardships, if I can withstand the pain, I could’ve accomplished this easily.
Seeing my expression, Pajeon elaborated.
“I’ve said it numerous times. Not knowing anything else.”
It was clear he genuinely appreciated her joy.
“In regards to my martial art, Ahaha. There’s likely no one better suited to it than you.”
“…”
“Not bad at all. Good job.”
With a playful pat on my shoulder, Pajeon walked past me.
I still found this nickname as a troublesome genius strangely unfamiliar.
‘… A martial art that fits me well.’
But I’ve started to feel it to some extent.
That the Tuapacheonmu is indeed suited to me.
Nothing else.
It is the straightforward truth that enduring and persevering is the best approach.
Then I shook my head and cleared my thoughts.
I felt self-conscious about getting too giddy over such trivial praise.
“Oh, by the way. Just so you know.”
“Yes, elder.”
“I’m saying this out of concern. You are prohibited from using this technique in actual combat without my permission.”
“…”
“Practicing outside my line of sight is also forbidden. You understand why, right?”
“…Yes.”
The reason for the prohibition.
This is a technique that could severely strain your body if misused.
And the only one who could help should an accident occur is Pajeon, hence, the warning to not use it outside his supervision.
Once I gave my answer, Pajeon seemed satisfied and vanished.
Left alone, I immediately flopped onto the floor.
“…Phew.”
The lingering dizziness still persisted, as if the aftereffects were still present.
It was only after Pajeon had departed that I was able to exhale in relief.
‘I succeeded!’
I had many vague worries about what I would do if I hadn’t succeeded.
Thankfully, I was able to succeed.
And yet, a hint of annoyance bubbled up.
‘If I had known this would take two months, I could have been more relaxed!’
Pajeon stated it wouldn’t be that hard, so I thought it would be quick, spending sleepless nights training… only to learn they had expected two months.
“… I guess as long as it worked out in the end, whatever.”
Though I felt a bit aggrieved, I decided to view it positively—if it worked out, then great.
As I lay there daydreaming, I felt a presence approaching from the distance.
The moment I felt it, I slightly propped myself up.
Bam.
Somebody flew in from the distance and landed on the ground.
With a fluttering motion, it was the White Lotus Sword appearing quietly.
“Hello?”
I gave a slight nod at the White Lotus Sword’s cheerful greeting.
“Did you come?”
“What? You arrived just in time, so why are you lying down?”
“… I’m just a bit dizzy.”
I raised my body once more.
The White Lotus Sword tilted her head at my response but didn’t pry further.
“You told me not to come near you while you’re practicing. What’s going on?”
“My training just ended… and I have something to tell you, Baekryeon Sword.”
“Hmm? To me?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing my words, the White Lotus Sword’s eyes sparkled.
I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but it doesn’t seem like anything to get excited over…
Thinking that, I looked at the White Lotus Sword and inquired, “Do you have time this evening?”
Upon hearing my question, Baekryeon’s eyes widened like lanterns.
Immediately after, she flashed a smirk and beckoned to me, saying, “Oh my, what’s this? Are you trying to seduce this older sister? Oh my, oh my. This girl who’s normally temperamental is really bright…”
“That’s not it.”
I frowned, denying the nonsense the White Lotus Sword was spouting.
What is this lady babbling about… Who in the world is she trying to charm?
“No?”
“Absolutely not.”
“…Is that so?”
With a somehow pouty face, Baekryeon fell back, and I decided it was time to get to the point.
“Do you remember… when I asked you to grant me a favor last time?”
“I remember.”
When she expressed her wish to continue my escort.
I placed a few conditions on her.
Among them was the condition that she’d fulfill one request of mine later.
The White Lotus Sword agreed to this.
Even swearing by it.
“I intend to use it tonight.”
At my words, the White Lotus Sword’s expression turned nasty yet again.
“Tonight… oh look at that. Doesn’t this feel tempting…”
“No…”
“…Why isn’t it?”
Why isn’t it? Because it simply isn’t!
Why does she keep drifting towards that line of thought? It’s astonishing.
Baekryeon frowned slightly at my unyielding denial and asked, “Then what is it?”
The request I have for the White Lotus Sword is nothing other than—
“He has come.”
The “guy” must not be far from here.
It should’ve arrived by now.
Even if it hasn’t, I can sense it.
I had set up a “trap” for it in advance.
The favor I’m asking from the White Lotus Sword relates to this.
Tonight.
I plan to go see the Green King myself.
Despite his clumsy physique, he’s sharp-witted, so he wouldn’t make a direct attack on the transport.
Still, he’s not a fool who would rush into a fight with the head of the family and the Poison King at the same time.
He would wait, surveying the situation until he sees an opportunity.
So, I figured it’s better to go to him first.
Since I didn’t want the Poison King and the Green King to face off directly,
This could turn out to be a fortunate coincidence.
Despite the potential dangers of going there in person.
But I had already prepared my countermeasures, so it was fine.
As I was organizing my plans and gradually regaining my focus,
The White Lotus Sword suddenly asked me a question.
“So, what you’re saying isn’t true?”
“….”
Before I could voice my request, I had to wipe my face free of emotions.
I can feel my energy beginning to drain quickly.
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