The parts I once knew as game knowledge began to be understood more realistically.
“The sword’s qi is a different form of energy than that of a sword master. While the qi is trapped within the sword, that very fact makes it even more deadly and piercing when the sword touches another’s body. To explain this point requires various understandings… Hmm, this part isn’t something I can easily explain either. From here on, it’s purely in the realm of realization.”
The realm of realization, huh.
“In order to handle the sword’s qi, you have to infuse qi into the sword. To infuse qi into the sword, you must understand the sword as you do your own body. Just as every martial art’s qi and body are diverse, each martial artist’s understanding of their own sword is also different. Only you can awaken what kind of sword you envision in your heart.”
“…I see.”
“Then, how about you practice aiming for the release of qi, Honorable Person? Martial arts do not allow for shortcuts; you cannot leap two or three steps at once.”
Yeo Il-ye laughed as she observed the Black Cat lingering behind.
“It seems like the Black Cat Miss has something to say. Given that she’s spent a long time with the Honorable Person and has reached the peak stage, she might have noticed something.”
“…..Hmm.”
The Black Cat, receiving the gaze from both me and Yeo Il-ye, crossed her arms and spoke.
“You’re too insensitive, Senior!”
“….”
“Ahhahahaha! That’s definitely true..! Huhuhuhuh!”
Yeo Il-ye burst out laughing.
“Setting aside your personality, Senior, your sensitivity to qi is also quite dull!”
“My sensitivity to qi is dull?”
“Usually, it’s just average, but when it comes to actual combat, there are times when it feels like your sensitivity has completely disconnected. Focusing inward is fine, but you should also pay sufficient attention to the outside.”
“Certainly, that is the case. Do you remember when we faced off this morning? Putting aside the level difference between the Honorable Person and me, you allowed my internal energy to invade too carelessly.”
“…Hmm. Perhaps there’s an issue with your internal energy management.”
There it is, a problem with the spiral method.
That was certainly a valid point. My unique internal energy operation method was designed to control the impurities lodged within my meridians. Although I was at the crossroads of life and death, ultimately, the spiral method stemmed from a momentary flash of inspiration.
To put it bluntly, it was an unverified method in the end.
It wouldn’t be surprising if there were unforeseen side effects.
“We can just check it out.”
Ssss…
Yeo Il-ye’s aura dominated the surrounding space. Feeling the flow of her energy, I began to operate the spiral method. As I rotated my energy, spreading it across my body based on the principles of Cheonwon Heart Method and my usual practices, at that moment…
“….Ah.”
Yeo Il-ye’s aura began to rapidly weaken.
No, this wasn’t just Yeo Il-ye’s aura weakening. My sensitivity to qi was dulled. I couldn’t feel the flow of Yeo Il-ye’s aura that I had sensed perfectly just moments ago.
Did I have such side effects?
Once I recognized the problem, there were many signs indicating that the spiral method had issues.
The most decisive one… was during my training retreat in Paldun Hyun.
In Paldun Hyun, I repeatedly engaged in matches with the Black Cat more times than I could count. The Black Cat needed someone to test her newly learned techniques, and I was checking my own achievements through our bouts.
However, I had hardly felt the Black Cat’s aura during those matches.
Considering the time in the Platinum War when I distinctly sensed both our energies and felt moved by it… it was clearly bizarre that I had never sensed the stronger aura of the Black Cat up until now.
Seeing my expression, the Black Cat opened her mouth.
“It seems we need to improve your internal energy management first, Senior.”
*
The spiral method.
My own internal energy operation method, realized during the Cheonyeo Millennial Illusion.
Without using the spiral method, I couldn’t display my true skills as a first-class practitioner. Before I realized the spiral method, even if all the masters had surrounded me, I couldn’t even properly unleash the basics of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword.
In the end, it meant I had to fundamentally overhaul the spiral method.
But how am I supposed to change the spiral method?
With that thought weighing on me, I contemplated my inner self.
Kugurur…
Recognizing the side effects, I seemed to understand why my sensitivity to qi rapidly diminished when I operated the spiral method.
The spiral method was an operation that rotated impurities in the qi meridians to clear the path at the center. The impurities displaced from the center would gather at the periphery, creating an effect similar to a barrier. Naturally, the internal and external energies became isolated, resulting in my sensitivity to qi being shut off.
Analyzing the cause wasn’t that hard, but the problem lay in the solution.
Having cleared the center allowed my internal energy to flow through my body.
But because I cleared the center, the perimeter became blocked.
I needed to break through this situation.
I had to create a new structure of internal energy management that maintained the internal flow while considering the interference of impurities, connecting to the outside.
An answer surely existed.
The Poison Doctor predicted that if one consumed the seven elemental spiritual medicine, they might reach the peak stage, and even now, having consumed all seven elements, my current limit had indeed changed to the peak.
Yeah, it’s all my fault for being lacking.
The system guaranteed I could reach the peak, so not being able to achieve it simply meant I lacked effort and determination.
Oh boy.
Muttering to myself, I decided to change the flow of my energy.
Alright. First… how about creating a flow that opposes the spiral method? Let’s push the impurities back to the center.
With that flow changed…
I grandly failed.
Rather than forming a spiral flow, my internal energy scattered chaotically in all directions before such a flow could even materialize. It turned into a huge waste of my energy, expelling it into thin air.
It certainly wasn’t easy.
If only there were a simple solution for the spiral method, like adding one plus one.
One plus one equals two…
That was truly a fleeting thought.
The concept of a spiral, and the thought of “two” flitted through my mind.
I adjusted the flow of my energy in a trance. If the flow within my meridians isn’t single, then what shape would the flow take?
A singular flow of the spiral method emerged. Just like before, it stirred the impurities and cleared the central path of the spiral method. Seeing this flow, I thought about how I could add another flow to it.
The answer came quickly.
I twist it.
By greatly twisting the structure of the spiral, a space would open up for another flow to squeeze in.
The linear flow of the spiral method began to bend like a spring. A single rod might easily enter, but two rods wouldn’t fit. As the obstructing rod spiraled, an opening was created.
A space emerged for another spiral to fit in.
Kugururur…
Compared to the original spiral method, a wavering new rotation began to establish itself. Watching this new rotation take shape bit by bit, I desperately adjusted the flow of the spiral method.
The existing spiral method flailed wildly. I had suppressed it, which had been freely traversing the meridian highway, and twisted it, so how could it stay still? Instead of tracing a stable spiral, it seemed poised to rip through the meridians at any moment.
The spiral method behaved like a horse for the first time with reins attached. It resisted with all its might against this newfound constraint.
And I had to somehow rein it in.
That wasn’t all.
I also had to set in a new spiral method within the wildly thrashing one.
The internal meridians seemed to scream, as if they would tear apart.
The spiral method thrashed violently.
The new spiral method appeared to be on the verge of being absorbed by the existing one.
My entire internal energy roiled, and I felt my insides twist painfully, while nausea rose from my throat.
As I controlled the thrashing flow of the spiral method, I thought about whether I should give up. Perhaps this was too hasty a challenge. The moment I lost control over the flowing spiral method, a real disaster could strike.
Losing control over qi.
Completely losing the flow of my internal energy and straying from the principles could reduce my body to a pulp.
Having gained a moment’s insight, it would be wise to process this realization and wait for the right time to challenge it.
Yes, that would certainly be a wise thing to do.
So I gritted my teeth.
I firmly grasped the reins of the spiral method.
How long would it take for that wise choice to bear fruit? If I grew more adept at handling my internal energy, trained my body further, and reinforced my meridians, I wondered when that moment might come.
A few months? A few years?
In that time, I’d remain a first-class expert, idly watching the Platinum War from the audience.
I want to reach the peak stage.
Like the Jaso-gyeong and Da Jeryong I saw today, I want to spread my experiences.
I want to ignite the splendid blue sword qi that Yeo Il-ye displayed onto my sword as well.
So I fought with all my might to control the rampaging spiral method.
I had walked a long road to reach the peak. In the summer, I nurtured Hwari, and I toppled the Hwang Gold Clan in Sacheon City.
I sweated in the Jeomchang Faction, visited Nangyang, entered the imperial palace, gambled in the Celestial Pavilion, and became a Training Instructor of the Golden Guards.
And I worked hard throughout the cold winter, sweating profusely.
I consumed spiritual medicine and infused my qi.
I swung my sword, understood the methods, and here I am now, at this moment.
So, spiral method, no matter how much you rampage and thrash, it won’t matter. I’ve decided to reap the rewards of the struggles and tribulations of the past as I worked hard to reach the peak.
The spiral method bends. Through the path formed as it curves, the new spiral method delves in. Though the existing spiral method seemed to be determined to ride the currents alone, it was already too late.
While I desperately bent the existing spiral method, the new one gradually stabilized into a single flow.
The flow began stabilizing.
As the new spiral method grew, the existing spiral method lost its strength. Whilst they seemed like individual beings, the energy constituting the spirals was still my own energy.
When the two forces reached a complete balance…
Gradually, my sensitivity awakened.
Two swirling spirals of energy. The impurities aligned along these spirals swirled in a dynamic dance, moving actively.
An inner dual spiral, one that could connect both the internal and external worlds.
It felt as if, up to that point, the chaos was merely a momentary play, as I gazed upon the stabilizing curves of the two spirals with a faint smile.
My awareness, previously submerged, sprang to life.
Only then did I realize my whole body was drenched. The metallic taste of blood tickled my throat, suggesting I might have sustained some internal injuries.
Taking a deep breath made my body quiver faintly.
Far from being in perfect condition, my state was at its worst.
Despite this, I forced strength into my legs and raised my body. I sensed someone around me flinch, but I didn’t have the luxury to focus my attention there at this moment.
I felt it.
The energy scattered across the world. And the energy flowing through my body’s meridians.
I pulled my arms.
I can do it now. I had never shot my qi toward the world, but I felt such certainty in my mind. The energy starting from my dantian spiraled, funneling into my center.
I had subdued the wildly thrashing spiral method. I could now wield my internal energy to my will.
I can create a qi attack.
I extended my fist.
The punch was undeniably weak and devoid of strength, but as I observed that punch, my heart raced more than ever.
The qi.
The energy I produced embroidered the air beautifully.
This is my internal energy, and the color of my internal energy.
The brilliant blue of Yeo Il-ye’s energy. And the shining crimson light of my own, distinctly different from the Black Cat’s black sheen, scattered through the air, and I felt overwhelmed with emotion.
As the energy I released scattered and faded, leaving me unable to feel it in my sensitivity anymore, I swallowed my regret. I wanted to shoot my energy multiple times and admire that radiant color, but my body was practically in shambles.
Only after the regret faded did I become cognizant of the presence that had been silently observing, perhaps afraid of interrupting my lingering moment. My heightened sensitivity from reaching the peak didn’t allow me to clearly distinguish who was there, but I turned my head to address them.
“Thank you.”
“Congratulations on your achievement, Senior Ho.”
And there, smiling, stood Tang Do-yeon.
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