Chapter 25 – Fruitful After the Rain(8)
In martial arts novels, scenes where the master uses internal energy to neutralize poison or pull the protagonist out of dantian deviation could be considered quite common.
However,Mu-Myung, who had rushed over to help Seolhwa, only knew this as a fictional description. When he actually tried to do it himself, he couldn’t understand what was going on.
That was inevitable.Mu-Myung had never learned about blood meridians (혈맥, 血脈) from the old man, nor had he read any wuxia novels that explained blood meridians in great detail.
‘If I disturb someone who is regulating their dantian, their internal energy might surge in reverse, causing them to fall into dantian deviation. But is it right for me to intervene here?’
Simply trusting Seolhwa and not intervening was also an option. In fact, Seolhwa was starting to stabilize somewhat as the poison diminished through the Spear-Sword Mind Technique
But the problem didn’t end there. Dantian regulation involved sitting cross-legged and circulating internal energy through the principles of the mental technique, which could also build a small amount of internal energy in the process.
However, this wasn’t ordinary dantian regulation. Seolhwa was now suppressing her poisonous energy that had reacted to the spirit poison, and naturally, the poison was pushing back, creating a power struggle.
Even by modern standards, there’s a saying that studying ultimately depends on physical strength. How much more so would Dantian regulation to suppress poison require far greater stamina.
‘I can clearly see her strength gradually depleting. If Seolhwa completely exhausts herself and faints… that would truly be the end.’
If Seolhwa had been a proper martial artist, the problem would have been less severe. But Seolhwa had only been learning martial arts for a month—a level that would be embarrassing to even call a martial artist.
“Kuhuk!!”
As her strength diminished, her concentration began to scatter. The poison gained momentum and started to suppress Seolhwa’s Spear-Sword Mind Technique The concern was becoming reality.
‘Oh whatever, I don’t know either.’
Mumyeong finally chose to take the risk and place his hand on Seolhwa’s back. He decided that doing something was better than just watching without taking any action.
But the moment Mu-Myung’s hand touched Seolhwa’s back, surprisingly, Mu-Myung’s internal energy began to move regardless of his will. Or more precisely, it felt like his body remembered.
As if he had experienced this situation firsthand. As Mu-Myung was taken aback, suddenly his vision turned pure white. And simultaneously, a familiar voice began to echo in his ears.
[There’s no time, so listen carefully.]
[I will pass on to you everything I have built up throughout my lifetime.]
[But I cannot dare to be certain whether you will walk the right path.]
[The moment you risk your life to help others……]
A movement close to instinct guided his body. But it wasn’t like being forcibly pulled like a puppet. Rather, it felt like the memory engraved in his body was filling in the missing knowledge.
Thanks to this, Mu-Myung could naturally guide the poison settled in Seolhwa’s dantian like water flowing from upstream. He absorbed all the poison that Seolhwa couldn’t handle.
He couldn’t expel it outward, as it might poison Sua or the villagers. In the process, Mu-Myung also suffered internal injuries from the poison, but he completely burned it away with the Spear-Sword Mind Technique
‘I can feel my internal energy building at an unbelievable rate. Moreover, my internal energy and body are starting to adapt to the Black Plague Faction’s poison to some extent.’
But the internal injuries were well worth it, considering what he gained. First of all, setting aside the internal energy gained from burning the poison, he was even starting to build immunity.
The Endurance Poison, which the Black Plague Faction had created after ten years of bone-breaking effort, could certainly rival or even surpass the Four Rivers Family, but that inversely became beneficial.
Eventually, even the spirit poison that had reacted to the poison was completely burned away by the Spear-Sword Mind Technique Having exhausted all her strength and mental energy, Seolhwa collapsed forward.
Fortunately, Sua, who had been guarding them from the front, succeeded in catching Seolhwa’s body, sparing her from rolling on the dirt. Sua looked at Mu-Myung and shouted.
“Master! Are you alright?!”
“Yes, there’s no problem at all.”
“Thank goodness……”
Sua was startled by her own voice, which came from the bottom of her heart. At first, she had found him irritating like a thorn in her eye and simply wished for him to disappear.
But perhaps she had developed some form of grudging affection? When faced with his potential death, she found herself wanting not for Seolhwa to die but to live. What was her true feeling?
Now even I don’t know. Perhaps because he read Sua’s conflicted expression?
Mu-Myung chuckled and placed his hand on Sua’s head. What a cute adolescence……
“Master?”
“How could there be no quarrels in a relationship like family? Even blood relatives fight with each other quite often.”
“That’s… true.”
“But the ground hardens after rain. After venting all the anger built up inside through quarrels, the bond becomes stronger once more through sincere reconciliation.”
While admiring the words coming from the Master’s experience, Sua engraved those words in her small heart. However, unfortunately, it wasn’t over yet.
The first to react wasMu-Myung. He thrust his body forward like a shield to protect Sua and Seolhwa. Thanks to him, Sua witnessed with her own eyes.
“Master!!!”
The horrific sight of a hidden weapon piercing into her Master’s arm from behind. Blood flowed with the noise of the weapon embedding. Then, a laughter close to madness echoed.
“Did you think everything was over while I, Won-Gi, the leader of this Black Death Squad, am still alive?”
“……”
“I don’t know how you blocked the Spirit Poison… but that must have been the only way! If I just take care of you here…!!”
“As expected.”
“…What did you say?”
Mu-myung, looking completely unfazed, pulled out the hidden weapon from his arm and threw it to the ground. Only then did Won-Gi realize something was wrong. The poison applied to the hidden weapon was none other than the Black Plague Corpse and Green Phosphorus
It not only rots the skin upon contact, but the pain it brings makes it impossible for even a supreme master to maintain an unchanged expression. Despite using such a poison.
Isn’t the opponent moving perfectly fine? And at that moment, Won-Gi’s experience and knowledge, accumulated through numerous hardships, unexpectedly derived a single answer.
No way. That’s impossible. It can’t be. There’s no way such a master would be in this remote village…!!
But no matter how much he tried to deny it, the sight of the old man who was not just fine but even drawing his sword and approaching with a murderous gaze couldn’t be explained otherwise.
Completely immune to any poison. A realm that cannot be violated.
Even among the supreme masters, who are very few in number when combining both orthodox and evil sects. That name, which only about five supreme masters have reached, a realm ordinary people cannot even aspire to.
Immune to All Poisons(萬毒不侵 )
◇
A man who had lost an arm was running with all his might through the darkened mountain. It couldn’t even be called lightness skill—it was closer to an unsightly escape. But it didn’t matter.
Because there was a reason he had to preserve his life at all costs. This fact must be conveyed not only to the Black Plague Faction but also to their collaborators. The Martial Alliance is not the issue right now.
“The enemy we should be wary of was someone else. If I don’t report this… Aaaaargh!!”
With a burning pain felt at his ankle, Won-Gi ended up rolling on the ground. His severed ankle fell before his eyes. There was only one person who could do this.
The only thing shining in the darkness was the old man’s eyes, mixed with anger. The old man, who approached like the god of death slowly walking up to Won-Gi, immediately swung his sword.
Slash.
“Aaaaargh!!”
Along with his fingers being cut off, tremendous pain was felt. But the old man looking down at Won-Gi writhing in pain showed no sign of emotion.
“Why do you think I didn’t capture you, an injured man, in the village?”
“Ugh, how would I know? If you’re going to kill me, just do it quickly…!!”
Stab.
“Aaaaargh!!”
“It would be a bit inappropriate to torture in front of children, wouldn’t it? We still have plenty to talk about.”
This was why Mu-Myung had chased Won-Gi all the way. To get proper information. At Mu-Myung’s words, Won-Gi smiled coldly with blood at the corners of his mouth.
“Do you think I’ll talk?”
“Ah. Don’t misunderstand, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t speak.”
Stab!
“Aaaaargh!!!”
“From what I’ve observed, both our Seolhwa and the villagers seem to have been quite indebted to you and your subordinates?”
He had been lightly stabbing only in places that wouldn’t result in death. So as not to endanger his life. Won-Gi couldn’t help but notice this intention. After all, these were deeds he himself had committed.
“If you don’t say anything… you will spend this long night alive.”
I promise you.
