Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: In the Jianghu, One's Body is Not One's Own (9) "…My body feels a bit heavy."
I had pushed myself far too hard with my Qinggong training the day before. On top of that, I'd had a few glasses of alcohol—the first I'd ever tasted in my life.
Yeon So-wol quickly stood up, opened the window, and lit the incense burner.
A single plume of smoke rose from his personal blend of myrrh and spikenard. The stale air that had accumulated overnight vanished, replaced by a sweet, refreshing fragrance that warmed the room.
Savoring the scent, he loosened his body with the Soft Willow Art. He took his time, being even more meticulous than usual. By the time he finished, more than half an hour had already passed.
"Is it that late already? I have to go pay my respects."
He washed quickly, straightened his clothes, and made sure to grab his fragrance pouch.
"Right. He told me to bring this, too."
It was the Dragon Scale Mushroom, the elixir he had received as a gift from Lee Yu-baek. Today was the day he would consume an elixir for the very first time.
"Today will probably be dangerous and difficult, too, but…"
He was no longer as afraid as he used to be.
"If I have to do it, I'll do it."
The experience of overcoming challenges time and again supported his heart like a solid foundation. Yeon So-wol deepened his Fire Phase as he breathed in the cool morning air.
"Huuuu…"
Whoosh—
The flames within his body flickered to life. The Turbid Qi mixed within his Eight Extraordinary Meridians was incinerated, and thick plumes of white smoke billowed out. As he refined his bones and flesh with the intense heat, his body grew lighter.
Flying Wind Drift.
Tap.
The moment he put on his shoes and lightly kicked off the stone step, his body floated into the air. He leaped nimbly onto the wall and bounded across, reaching Lee Yu-baek's quarters in no time.
"You… Your achievement in the Flying Wind Drift?"
The eldest of the Three Gentlemen of Pungryu, Pungryu-rang Kang Mu-hyeok, widened his eyes.
At the First Stage, one is merely light.
At the Second Stage, one knows how to be heavy.
At the Third Stage, one can fly by waiting for the wind.
These were the lines written in the preface of the Flying Wind Drift.
In a technique where the Tenth Stage represented mastery, reaching the Third Stage meant one had firmly passed the introductory phase and had begun to truly handle the technique. It was a difficult study that required brains, intuition, and physical conditioning; even the fastest learners usually took seven days and nights, while the slowest could take a year.
Yet, Yeon So-wol's Flying Wind Drift was clearly at the Third Stage.
The second senior, Jilpung-rang Seon Je-hun, made a fuss.
"Whoa. What the? Why are you already at the Third Stage? Didn't you just start the Flying Wind Drift yesterday?"
Suddenly, the youngest, Mo Cheong, began to act smug.
"Aigoo, Sahyungs. You didn't know? While So-wol was training with me yesterday, he suddenly plunged into the State of Selflessness and just started riding the wind like whoosh!"
The two seniors stared in shock.
"The State of Selflessness? No, even so… Wow. I knew he was a genius, but…"
"No wonder Master seemed to be in such a good mood yesterday."
Both were wide-eyed with surprise. However, they didn't linger on it for long.
The eldest, Kang Mu-hyeok, squeezed So-wol's right shoulder, and the second, Seon Je-hun, squeezed his left as they passed by.
"Congratulations. Master will be pleased to see his disciple's achievement is so outstanding."
"Heh, not bad, Young Master. We've got another reason for the Pungryu Sect to be proud."
Watching the two walk ahead, Yeon So-wol felt strangely good. It was a warm, intimate congratulation that wasn't overbearing.
'…I should work even harder.'
Enthusiasm welled up within him. Martial arts were savage and ignorant to the point of madness, but there was nothing more enjoyable than seeing his skills improve in direct proportion to his endurance and effort. The reactions of those around him were becoming increasingly favorable as well.
Learning martial arts was still nerve-wracking and scary, but now, it was also exciting.
"Let's go, So-wol."
"Yeah."
Yeon So-wol followed Mo Cheong and entered Lee Yu-baek's quarters with his Sahyungs.
Lee Yu-baek was drinking again today. He held a small cup, staring blankly at the sky as he sipped slowly.
Kang Mu-hyeok's eyes gleamed.
"Are you drinking Jade Crown Red today?"
"Yeah. That's how it turned out."
Lee Yu-baek smirked and turned to look at Yeon So-wol.
"Hoh."
Admiration colored his face.
'He truly is unparalleled.'
His disciples all followed his teachings to keep themselves clean and their clothes tidy. But Yeon So-wol felt like he was on a different level.
From the height of the gaiters tightening his trouser hems to the length of the inner robe and the overlap of the collar—even the subtle way his outer robe draped and folded drew the eye. There was an inexplicable, exquisite sense of style.
In truth, back in 21st-century Korea, Yeon So-wol had been a student known for dressing well. Consequently, his sense of proportion, fit, and silhouette carried a sensibility that was a thousand years ahead of its time.
Those who didn't know better would simply think, 'Something about him stands out. Is it because he's handsome?' but those with an eye for detail, like Lee Yu-baek, could feel it. This is exquisite!
'No matter how much I nag my other disciples, they never look this put-together.'
Style was something that couldn't be achieved without personal effort. Seeing his adopted son display such grace as if it were natural made Lee Yu-baek feel nothing but pride.
"You… It must have been exhausting training yesterday, yet you are as consistent as ever. That conduct of yours might be a great help today."
Lee Yu-baek nodded deeply and looked back at his disciples.
"So-wol is taking the Dragon Scale Mushroom today. I want you all to stand guard."
In that moment, the air in the room grew taut. Sensing the tension, Yeon So-wol glanced around in confusion.
"Master. Are you going to guide the energy yourself?"
"I have to. I did the same for all of you. He's my son; I can't discriminate."
"But aren't you rushing things? If you're going to guide him personally, perhaps more preparation…"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Lee Yu-baek hurriedly waved his hand to cut Kang Mu-hyeok off.
"Anyway, you three stand guard outside. So-wol, follow me inside."
Lee Yu-baek headed into the inner room. Yeon So-wol stole a glance at the three disciples.
'Why is the atmosphere so tense?'
"Hurry up and come in."
At Lee Yu-baek's urging, he had no choice but to follow him inside.
In the room, Lee Yu-baek wore a very gentle smile.
"If you don't mind, would you like to sit here? Yes, this close."
Yeon So-wol felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
'Is he in a really good mood today?'
For now, he did as he was told and sat on the floor close to Lee Yu-baek.
Lee Yu-baek spoke with a soft smile.
"Yesterday, you learned about Refinement, didn't you?"
"Yes, Father."
"Today, you will learn Self-Cultivation."
Self-Cultivation (修身).
To polish the body. It referred to the discipline of the physical form.
"Is that the same 'Self-Cultivation' as in 'Cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world'?"
"Heavens! You know it well. As expected, you truly are clever."
"…"
Now Yeon So-wol was certain.
'What is wrong with him?'
Lee Yu-baek was acting strange today.
"However, while the characters are the same, the meaning is different. Confucius said one must first rectify the heart before cultivating the self. On the other hand, we martial artists cultivate the self before we can polish the heart."
'What on earth does that mean?'
When Yeon So-wol looked puzzled, Lee Yu-baek laughed and waved it off.
"Don't mind it. To be honest, I don't really know either. I just heard it was a story regarding a distant, profound realm. Anyway."
Lee Yu-baek wiped the smile from his face and spoke seriously.
"Self-Cultivation refers to the permanent refinement of the body."
"But isn't that forbidden?"
Yeon So-wol reflexively questioned him. Permanently refining the body? Didn't that mean destroying the physical form? He was sure Lee Yu-baek himself had said that shouldn't be done.
Seeing Yeon So-wol's confusion, Lee Yu-baek nodded.
"Indeed! Your comprehension is outstanding! You are absolutely right, So-wol! But our Pungryu Sect's Self-Cultivation is limited only to the meridians. So there is no need to worry. Meridians are not physical matter but pathways made of Qi. No matter how many times you refine them, there is only benefit and no harm."
"I… see."
As he answered, Yeon So-wol thought to himself:
'But why is he being so kind?'
"Yes, So-wol. Have you been steadily observing the meridians within your body?"
'…Have you?'
Yeon So-wol felt an inexplicable chill.
"…Yes. I observed them this morning while practicing the Soft Willow Art."
"How was it? Compared to before you learned martial arts."
"They feel much wider and warmer than before."
"I see. So that's what you think."
Rustle.
Lee Yu-baek turned around, showing his back.
"Here. Place your palm on this spot. That is the Mingmen Acupoint."
As Yeon So-wol tentatively placed his hand, Lee Yu-baek spoke.
"Circulate your Gathering Fire into me."
"Father?"
The Gathering Fire?
"I'm telling you to take a look at the meridians inside me. As long as you move carefully, there won't be any problems, so try it."
'So this was it!'
Yeon So-wol realized why Lee Yu-baek's tone had been so gentle. The Mingmen Acupoint was the largest of the gates through which Qi flowed. To offer it up was essentially entrusting one's life to another. This explained why Lee Yu-baek was being so bizarrely kind.
'Then again, this must be incredibly nerve-wracking.'
When Lee Yu-baek had grabbed Yeon So-wol's Zhangmen Acupoint and poured in his Gathering Fire, So-wol had been secretly terrified that he would melt into a puddle of meat.
"Hurry."
Even so, Lee Yu-baek spoke softly and calmly.
Yeon So-wol gulped and slowly sent his Gathering Fire forward. Through his own energy, he inspected Lee Yu-baek's meridians, starting from the Twelve Standard Meridians.
Fifteen minutes passed.
"Huuuuu…"
"Hyuuuuu…"
Both men exhaled simultaneously, and Yeon So-wol pulled his hand away from Lee Yu-baek's Mingmen Acupoint.
"It's… completely different."
"Yes. You see it now, don't you?"
Yeon So-wol slowly observed his own meridians. Then, he recalled the meridians he had felt through his fingertips in Lee Yu-baek.
"Yes. If my meridians are a narrow path where sand, rubble, dirt, grass, and wooden planks are piled up haphazardly… Father's meridians were like a cool walking path lined with lush green bamboo."
Yeon So-wol spoke exactly as he felt. Lee Yu-baek was surprised by the description.
"Your Qi sense amazes me every time I see it. You were very accurate. The bamboo you felt is called Soseon Bamboo. It means an energy like carefully selected bamboo. It is the energy that can be achieved through the secret techniques of our Pungryu Sect."
"Soseon Bamboo…"
"Yes. Do you remember the types of Acquired Essence?"
"There were the 22 Stems and Branches and the 108 Fiendish Stars."
"Right. Among them, there is better essence and worse essence. Currently, your meridians are in a state where the lowest and low-grade essences are mixed without order. As you age, Turbid Qi accumulates, and it naturally becomes that way."
"Ah."
Yeon So-wol realized that while he had cleared the major waste products from his meridians, he had never actually touched the pathways themselves. Suddenly, he felt an itch. It was as if he couldn't stand how dirty his insides were.
"But you happen to have the Dragon Scale Mushroom, which is the perfect elixir for cultivating the meridians. To use an analogy, we're going to clear away the rubble and sand tangled in your meridians and plant green bamboo there instead. Then, the flow and nature of the Gathering Fire traveling that path will change completely."
Lee Yu-baek took the Dragon Scale Mushroom from So-wol, placed it in a bowl, and poured hot wine over it. The wine hadn't been hot to begin with; Lee Yu-baek had used his internal energy to heat it.
Sssssss—!
White steam rose from the bowl, and the scent of wine and mushrooms wafted up.
"Through Self-Cultivation, you can create a constitution. Once a constitution is formed, the speed of your martial progress will change entirely."
Lee Yu-baek smirked and said, "A constitution like yours is currently called a Disordered Constitution."
Yeon So-wol nodded silently. Ever since he had looked into Lee Yu-baek's meridians, he found his own hard to bear.
"Let's make it quite tidy today. I will personally plant the green bamboo along your meridians. Now! Turn around."
Yeon So-wol slowly turned his back.
'It's starting.'
Following the Soft Willow Art and the Flying Wind Drift, this was his third lesson: consuming an elixir and cultivating his body.
'It'll be hard, but it's okay. I can do it.'
Yeon So-wol steeled his heart and asked with determination, "Is there anything I should be careful of?"
"Hmm. Nothing in particular."
"Pardon?"
Yeon So-wol asked back in surprise. He tried his best not to question Lee Yu-baek, but he couldn't help it.
'Nothing to be careful of?'
How could that be possible when learning martial arts?
'That makes no sense.'
"Hmm, nothing. Just keep your Gathering Fire gathered quietly in your Dantian so you don't interfere with my Fire Phase. That will be enough. Don't do anything until I withdraw my energy."
"Uh… but shouldn't there be something to watch out for? It's dangerous, isn't it? Self-Cultivation is also a form of martial arts."
To this, Lee Yu-baek replied with a very warm and relaxed smile.
"Well, yes. It is dangerous. But it's fine. Isn't martial arts always a bit dangerous?"
'…Fine?'
His voice was strangely sweet. Yeon So-wol felt his back grow damp with sweat. Thoughts raced through his mind.
'Come to think of it, why did the direct disciples stand guard outside…? Why was that necessary…?'
"Now, now. Why don't you try swallowing this Dragon Scale Mushroom? All at once with the wine in the bowl, don't chew. There, there. It's alright. Just don't do anything and follow my lead."
Lee Yu-baek reached out from behind and personally placed the bowl containing the Dragon Scale Mushroom into So-wol's hands. Before he knew it, So-wol had gulped it down.
As the bitter, hot wine slid down his esophagus and the fragrant scent of mushrooms lingered in his nose, he heard Lee Yu-baek's voice.
"Then, I shall begin. I'm going to place my hand on your Mingmen Acupoint for a moment. That's alright, isn't it? Haha. It's nothing. Just trust me."
'Since when did he start asking for permission…?'
The moment the terrified So-wol tried to say something—
Thud.
Lee Yu-baek's palm covered So-wol's Mingmen Acupoint.
"You mustn't open your mouth from now on. Understood? I'm counting on you."
Lee Yu-baek's awkwardly kind voice reached his ears. Simultaneously, a searing heat of Gathering Fire flooded into his Mingmen.
The Mingmen (命門).
The Gate of Life.
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