Chapter 13
The elixir, or “Black Muguo Dan,” is essentially a potion crafted from a blend of various materials, making it easier to absorb as internal energy.
However nifty it sounds, forcing it down someone’s throat like a brute turns it into just a fancy health tonic. After taking the Black Muguo Dan, you needed to focus and convert that energy into something actually usable.
“Hmm… huff…”
Chun-bong had endured the same fate, with the Black Muguo Dan stuffed into her mouth against her will.
Determined to not allow her precious elixir to go to waste, she began concentrating hard to absorb it into her internal energy.
‘There’s no reason I can’t do this.’
I swiftly moved behind Chun-bong and placed my hand on her back. As I pressed down and concentrated, I almost visualized the flow of energy coursing through her.
‘The flow of energy is influenced by the practitioner’s mindset. If you believe you can do it, you really can!’
Of course, there was still a chance it wouldn’t work—but even if it didn’t, I’d just lose one elixir. No biggie.
Focusing on Chun-bong’s internal energy flow, I took a deep breath.
Since the Clear Sky Divine Art derived from Yellow Cloud Divine Art, their flows weren’t drastically different. I quickly recognized the subtle distinctions and observed carefully as the energy from the Black Muguo began integrating into Chun-bong.
‘The neutral energy is shifting to Yin.’
This was the Yin energy from the Clear Sky Divine Art. But soon enough, that absorbed Yin energy began freezing up due to the chilling grip of the opposing energy.
‘At this rate, it’s going to be expelled from her body.’
Now was the moment. I had to step in and convert the Black Muguo’s energy to Yang energy.
“Hey Chun-bong, do you trust oppa?”
Imagining her anticipated reply, I felt a golden haze begin to rise from my body.
What’s the difference between Yin and Yang? Yin is calm and still, while Yang is dynamic and lively.
If observed from a modern perspective, there’s not much difference from thermal energy. When the particles in an object are active, its energy increases; when they aren’t, it decreases.
It boils down to the vibration of particles. Though I wasn’t certain if energy was made of particles or waves, a rough understanding was good enough.
‘Wait a minute? So is Tai Chi in a thermodynamic equilibrium state?’
For a brief moment, I got sidetracked but quickly pushed the thought aside. That wasn’t crucial right now.
Since it’s practically impossible to neatly fit martial arts into scientific frameworks, I just had to trust my instincts.
‘Warm and lively.’
I whipped the frozen Yin energy, and suddenly, the once-quiet energy began stirring.
“Mmm…”
As the energy surged, Chun-bong let out a soft moan. If this continued, she’d strain herself.
Controlling the energy’s frenzy, I guided it along the path of the Clear Sky technique through her delicate meridians.
I could feel the energy squeezing through the tiniest cracks in her energy pathways.
‘Okay.’
Got it.
A faint smile crept onto my lips. With an inkling of understanding, it was time to let go of all theories. From now on, I’d just go with the flow.
‘What should I call this?’
Naming it would solidify the image in my mind.
‘Oh, I know!’
Yin-Yang Reversal.
That name felt fitting.
*
Inside, as Chun-bong felt the energy shifting uncontrollably, it felt like someone else was controlling her energy. The bizarre sensation made every hair on her body stand on end.
‘…What insane talent you have.’
Though shocked, she didn’t stop channeling her inner strength. But soon, she could feel the energy from the Black Muguo freezing up completely.
‘So it ended up like this, huh?’
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed. Sure, she held onto some hope, but honestly, this was the natural outcome.
She felt warmth in her chest from the kindness I had shown her.
‘Silly boy. If you had just taken it yourself, it would’ve helped you a lot more. You’d be closer to being a top-tier expert…’
Imagining me as an unbeatable master sent a flare of pride through her. It was a shame she wouldn’t get to witness that transformation.
Me, flaunting her family’s unique martial arts while strutting around the martial world. Just thinking of the commotion that would cause across the realm made her heart flutter with excitement.
‘Well, he’s practically my disciple, so it’s only natural.’
Just when she was about to give up and let the energy go,
Thump—!
Her heart raced as warmth began to envelop her from the inside.
She was shocked as she observed the flow of energy closely.
The Black Muguo energy I had converted into the Clear Sky technique within her was changing—without any warning—into Yang energy.
‘No way… This isn’t supposed to happen!’
But despite her astonishment, the Yang energy spread rapidly, like dye in clear water.
Soon, that warmth permeated into the tiny cracks in her meridians, slowly starting to thaw out the frozen Yin energy.
‘My body…’
It felt as though her body was melting. The warm rays of spring sunshine provided a comforting bath for the body that had always lived in winter.
With the warmth guiding her energy, the flow of her internal energy began to soften.
It was as if the suffocating weight lifted, and her numb fingers gradually warmed up.
The warmth she had long forgotten brought a gentle smile to her face.
*
“Phew…”
I opened my eyes after exhaling deeply. My drenched body was soaked in sweat, and my expression was far from refreshed.
“Did I expect too much?”
I had hoped to completely heal her energy pathways this time, but that was clearly asking too much.
Clicking my tongue, I gently picked up the now-sleeping Chun-bong.
“Kid. You’re ridiculous.”
Her goofy grin finally made her seem like a child my age.
After laying her down flat, I checked her arms and legs; she was definitely warming up.
Before, she’d been as cold and stiff as a block of ice; now she felt soft and warm—like baby skin. And she was seventeen!
Chuckling, I flopped down beside her, a grin stretching across my face.
The Yin-Yang Reversal was as monumental as it sounded; mastering it was not an easy task.
While I smiled, my head felt on the verge of splitting in two.
“…You better repay me later, Kim Chun-bong.”
With that thought, my consciousness faded away.
*
I jolted awake to the sound of chirping birds.
Rubbing my painfully throbbing head, I groaned.
“Ugh…”
Did I overdo it yesterday? While everything was on the line, the Yin-Yang Reversal was definitely out of my league.
‘Well, if it just ends with a headache, it’s not the end of the world.’
Shaking it off, I reached for the water flask nearby. This was the first thing I replaced as soon as I had some money—pure quality water.
Gulp—
“Ahhh…”
Though it still tasted like trash, it was a million times better than the murky water I used to drink.
“Ugh, what a ridiculous world.”
Selling well water like it’s some luxury item. Should I just smash my head against the wall?
Once I regained my senses, I felt something weird around my legs.
“Kid.”
Chun-bong had clung tightly to my legs while she slept. Without thinking, I reached down to pat her head…
“Hey, hey! Oh hell no! Wake up fast!”
“What, what, what?!”
Startled, Chun-bong shot upright, frantically scanning her surroundings. I pointed at her head.
“You’ve got white hair! Why do you have so many gray strands?!”
“Gray strands?!”
Dumbfounded, she gathered her hair and examined it in front of her.
Half black and half white hair. As she stared blankly at it, a chuckle escaped her lips.
“Musta been the Yin energy.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, really. Just a little change in hair color, that’s all.”
Chun-bong waved her arms around.
“My body feels great though! I’m bursting with energy!”
She chuckled cheerfully, and I felt relieved to see her genuinely happy.
“You seem a bit taller now?”
“Really?”
Peeking over, Chun-bong’s head barely reached my chest. Considering how much I had grown in just one year, she’d practically shot up overnight.
“Uh-oh?”
Now, Chun-bong hastily groped her own chest.
Thump thump—
An empty sound echoed. Sure, she had grown taller, but her chest was still as flat as a board. She dropped her head in despair.
“…Damn.”
“Don’t sweat it. There’s a market for that kind of thing too… oof! Why did you hit me?!”
“Shut up!”
It was nice to see that she was healthy again.
*
Now freed from her obsession over her nonexistent chest, Chun-bong looked at me with wide, earnest eyes before bowing her head.
“Uh… well.”
“What?”
“Thanks… to be honest, I didn’t expect this level of support from you.”
The bashful Chun-bong took hold of my sleeve with her tiny hands.
“From storming the Black Tiger Gang to giving me the elixir… and somehow managing to convert the Yin energy into Yang energy…”
With a sly glance, Chun-bong pouted at me.
“Everything is thanks to you, oppa!”
“……”
Chun-bong’s face flushed as she stumbled over her words.
“C’mon say something!?”
As I stood frozen, I slowly reached out. My hand landed between her arms, and with a swift motion, I lifted her effortlessly.
“Yo! Look at this adorable little squirt! You finally called me oppa!”
“W-What!? You’re not letting go, are you?!”
“Of course not! How could I let go of such a cute little brat?!”
Chun-bong began yelling as I squeezed her tighter.
“Let me go, you jerk!”
“Ugh!”
Having taken a hit to a sensitive spot, I flopped down to the ground. Did something break there? Checking, I was relieved to find I was still intact.
“Gah…”
“You alright?”
What was her deal—this wasn’t some medicine?! Chun-bong had smacked her tailbone.
“Stupid girl…”
“Hey, uhh… sorry about that.”
I apologized, and she seemed willing to forgive me. Wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes, I forced a smile.
“…Anyway, I’ll get my hands on another elixir later to fully heal you. You should be okay for the time being, right?”
“Y-Yeah… but are you really okay? You didn’t break anything, did you?”
“I’m fine. Want to touch it?”
“Are you insane?!”
Chun-bong shot me a furious look that clearly had softened a bit.
“Fine, then.”
Now that I’d half-fixed the Black Tiger Gang, maybe I could unify the back alleys?
‘And I’ll also gather clues about that woman.’
The lady I met on my first day in the martial world had crossed my mind a time or two, and I found myself a little worried about her fate.
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