Chapter: 400
“I wanted to surpass human limitations.”
Upon hearing that, my face was filled with questions.
It was hard to fully grasp what had been said.
“As the first step to that, I needed to dismantle and fix the vessel. That’s the process you’re experiencing.”
I was already feeling it.
I was gradually aware that my body was changing. Along with that, my movements were also changing.
As the Venerable said, a strong and painful transformation was taking place within my vessel.
Is it any wonder I labeled this an artificial metamorphosis?
“The second step is the blending of the mind and body.”
“Mind and body…?”
“If you have prepared the vessel, shouldn’t you now fill it completely with your mental energy?”
“That…”
I recalled the ‘transcendence’ that the Venerable mentioned last time.
It was clearly referred to as the state in which martial arts and martial artists become one.
If it’s a mixture of mind and body, isn’t that different?
“If you’re contemplating the difference between that and transcendence, it’s not different.”
“…!”
“Rather, it was intentionally crafted, so it can’t be helped. But since it was artificially raised, its value will undoubtedly be lower.”
Are you suggesting that I’m inept in transformation yet trying to artificially touch a higher realm?
‘How on earth did they create such a martial art?’
Just hearing the words made me understand why the Venerable referred to his martial arts as being crafted to transcend human limitations.
In other words, it felt like the martial artist yearned to reach the domain of the gods.
“Reaching a state of selflessness can often be seen as a double-edged sword.”
That’s right.
The term selflessness is just a fancy way of saying hyper-focus. It’s not quite the same as losing control of your body.
Moreover, the flow of energy was erratic, which meant if I got caught off-guard during an attack, my blood vessels could get tangled like a spaghetti mess.
“One, that’s precisely why I think it’s more correct.”
“That means…?”
“Since all your senses are handed over to your instincts, it puts you in a state more suited for martial arts. Besides, if you manage to completely control your sensations at that time, it would be incredible.”
To perfectly control the state of selflessness that is surrendered to instinct…
That’s just absurd.
As much as there’s nothing better for gaining enlightenment than this.
Why would selflessness be called selflessness?
It’s a state where you forget yourself and focus solely on martial arts, and that’s why it gets labeled as such.
‘How on earth do you control it in that state?’
I wanted to refute the Venerable’s words fiercely with rational thought.
But alternatively, I wondered if it was possible exactly because it was that Venerable.
Then,
Hearing the Venerable’s words made me realize that the sensations I had experienced were a result of the Tuapacheonmu’s aftereffect.
There was some credibility to what he just said.
‘…That feeling, then.’
While everything around me felt hazy,
The only clarity in it was the fluidity of my movements.
That sensation—everything flowing in the direction I wanted without any effort to direct it—felt like pure euphoria as a martial artist.
“Your expression has changed.”
“…!”
“I understand how you feel, but as I’ve said multiple times, don’t rush it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to, as my disciple, you will inevitably reach that point.”
“Yes…”
At my reply, the Venerable let out a hearty laugh.
“You mentioned once that you didn’t possess much talent for martial arts.”
“…”
“Back then and even now, I don’t quite resonate with your assessment.”
Saying so, the Venerable pointed at my back.
Turning my gaze to follow the direction of his hand,
I spotted the wall I had been smashing to pieces in my intoxicated state of selflessness.
No.
In the place where a wall should have stood, there was an empty space, letting the sunlight stream in like a warm spotlight.
“Don’t label yourself as inadequate. At least, regarding my martial arts, you are exceptionally outstanding.”
Five days.
The result of dumping my night in a cave and focusing entirely on training.
Finally, I succeeded in completing the homework the Venerable had set for me.
As soon as I confirmed that success, I staggered and sank to the ground.
That was because fatigue blitzed through my already worn-out body all at once.
Observing me, ready to collapse any second, the Venerable said,
“Congratulations. Now you can learn the Ikwon (One Fist).”
It seemed like something significant was unfolding.
Yet at that moment, the Venerable’s congratulatory words barely registered in my mind.
Perhaps it was due to the fatigue, but all I felt was a desire to flop onto the floor and forget my worries.
I quietly closed my eyes.
Just as thoughts of needing to rest seeped in, the Venerable spoke to me.
“It’s about time we should get going. Are you really okay just collapsing like that?”
Those words jolted my eyes wide open.
My weary body jumped upright, almost like magic.
“…What time is it right now…?”
Thinking it over, this certainly wasn’t a time to be dozing off.
Five days had dragged on, and now, the sun was shining high in the day.
That meant it was the very day to depart for Sacheon.
When I urgently inquired, the Venerable tilted his head as if pondering.
“Well? Can’t we just skedaddle for now?”
“…Ah.”
I had to grit my teeth at his words.
That meant I was supposed to go in this sweaty, dusty, and completely disheveled outfit.
When we hastily dived out of the cave and reached the previously discussed spot,
True to expectations, everyone else was gathered there except me.
From a distance, upon spotting my father, I paused briefly and asked the Venerable.
“…Come to think of it, how did your conversation with Dad go?”
“Hmm?”
“You mentioned that you met him last time.”
“Oh.”
After hearing my premonition, the Venerable nodded.
“We met.”
“What happened?”
“What’s there to say? We just met.”
“…”
Is this really something you can answer that simply? I gazed at the Venerable in disbelief as he pouted and said,
“Don’t worry too much; I have your father’s blessing.”
“Blessing?”
“He was surprisingly okay with it, no fuss whatsoever.”
“…”
That statement left me puzzled. Was he indicating that my father allowed me to learn the Venerable’s martial arts?
“I would’ve found it a nuisance had he said no, but thankfully it means I’m in the clear.”
“A nuisance, you say?”
“I suppose using force would be quite tricky at this moment.”
“…”
Upon hearing that the Venerable had casually contemplated using force to resolve matters, my expression crumpled.
What kind of mindless statement is this…?
“Regardless, I’ve already solved everything, so don’t worry about it and just focus on your responsibilities.”
“…Understood.”
Though I felt somewhat uneasy, I decided to trust the Venerable since he asserted everything was fine.
As long as no issues arose, I could manage.
What concerned me more than anything at the moment was…
‘What on earth am I going to do about this mess?’
I was worried about what I might look like after neglecting proper care due to urgency.
To top it off, I was drenched in sweat, which did not help my appearance.
While I had tried to change clothes here and there, remnants of my previous state remained, making me look quite shambolic.
Honestly, I usually didn’t care too much about appearances.
But considering the occasion, there were certain standards to meet.
‘…Damn it.’
That accursed selflessness—what good did it cause this situation?
Though I could try to mask the smell with some evasive maneuvers, how could I conceal my disheveled state?
Approaching with hesitant strides caused the eyes of the assembled crowd to turn toward me.
In the crowd, several unfamiliar faces appeared.
Both of them were middle-aged men.
At the moment when I was trying to identify who each of them was,
“Sorry for being late!”
The man beside me suddenly bowed to someone.
It was an unidentified middle-aged man on my left. The man who received the greeting from the Venerable had his eyes shifting nervously.
‘Ah.’
I quickly realized who that man was.
That guy was the head of the Bi Clan.
Watching that ambiguous reaction, the Venerable raised his head and looked at the man.
The man flinched, then forced a smile and directed some words to the Venerable.
“…Uh, right. Be careful next time…”
“Yes, Father.”
Had I not known of the Bi Clan’s head, I might have thought it was an odd reaction.
Knowing his true identity made me feel oddly sympathetic toward the head of the household.
‘What should I say about this?’
It’s an understatement to say the current position of the Venerable was the most elevated one in the universe.
As if disguising that person as my son weren’t enough, he had to perform over-the-top antics too.
I’d wager that old man wasn’t exactly in a joyous mood either.
‘What about the other fellow?’
If one of them was the Bi Clan’s head,
The other middle-aged man stood out as the head of the Pae Clan.
‘Indeed. He looks just like Pae Woo-cheol.’
Larger than the already hefty Pae Woo-cheol, he had a mighty presence.
If he was the head of the Pae Clan, he was someone I had vaguely heard of.
He was a martial artist who rose among the top hundred champions of the Central Plains, just like his father.
Observing that man, I also bowed my head to my father.
“…Sorry for being late.”
“Okay.”
My father’s crisp reply marked an end to the dialogue.
Having thought things might loosen up after the last incident, it seemed my father’s original persona remained intact.
The only thing I could note was my father’s eyebrow barely twitching as he examined me.
Evidently, my state wasn’t very pleasant in his eyes either.
Just as I was about to awkwardly chuckle and step back,
“Yangcheon-ah.”
“…Yes?”
The pretty lady beside me suddenly stepped forward and addressed me.
“I heard that your training is intense, but you’re meeting important individuals, and your appearance is rather lacking.”
“Sorry…”
Those words caught me off guard.
It was almost rare for Mrs. Mi to scold me like this.
Strangely enough,
That scolding somehow didn’t feel all that unpleasant.
As I blurted out my apology, Mrs. Mi’s hand brushed through my hair.
“Your hair has become quite damaged.”
“Madam… right now, I’m in no condition for you to get your hands dirty.”
I warned her not to touch, given my dust-laden status.
Yet, Mrs. Mi continued to touch my hair here and there, seemingly unconcerned.
It looked like she wanted to tidy me up a little, even though my condition was hardly fit for it.
Despite her efforts to fix my hair, Mrs. Mi kept talking to me.
“I’ll send some good remedies through someone, so don’t hesitate to take them.”
“…Yes? Yes…”
“I’m sure the head of the Tang Clan will treat you fairly well. But if any issues arise, consult the Baekhwasangdan in Sacheon… and….”
“…”
Was it just me or was this conversation getting a bit long-winded?
Next to us, I could see the request for a nap beginning to creep into my father’s eyes.
Mrs. Mi seemed oblivious to that, just chattering away.
“…Lastly….”
That final remark was rather extended.
Have I really heard “lastly” at least four times already, or was that merely a trick of the mind?
“Just don’t get hurt.”
“…”
“While you needn’t worry about every detail I mentioned earlier, it would be great if you could follow this one.”
Mrs. Mi’s words somehow pierced through my heart.
“…Yes….”
As I responded, I felt an inexplicable twitch in my throat.
What the heck should I label this sensation?
I really don’t know.
After finally escaping Mrs. Mi’s compass, the next person to approach was the Venerable.
“Did you wrap up your conversation well?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Haha. That’s fortunate.”
Perhaps due to the vast number of guests around, the Venerable reverted to his original tone.
It was as if he was someone completely different, accent and expression all changed. How does that even work?
While I admired the Venerable’s transformation,
Suddenly, my gaze was drawn to the individual standing behind the Venerable.
It wasn’t simply an error; it was because that person looked rather unusual.
There were several attendants, or so they appeared.
“…?”
Among those servants, my gaze landed on one person.
‘What’s this?’
An ordinary-looking man with a face dotted with freckles.
For some reason, as I looked at him, an unexplainable shiver surged up my right arm.
Why was that?
I couldn’t help but scrutinize that individual.
-You’re quite perceptive.
“…!”
A voice shot through my ear.
Upon hearing that, I struggled to keep my breath steady.
There was a chilling chill embedded in their tone, along with a strange sensation in my arms.
That was a feeling I had recognized before.
I gulped down involuntarily while gazing at that servant.
It couldn’t be helped.
The identity hiding beneath the façade of that regular servant was none other than…
-Quite impressive.
The master of the night, acclaimed as the king of assassins.
The Dark King himself.
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