Chapter 14: Azure Forest's Peony, Jin Ri-yeon (1)

Chapter 14: Azure Forest's Peony, Jin Ri-yeon (1)

「Originally, even if one possesses the Eye of Pixiu, cultivating True Qi is an impossible task. Only with something like the Dragon’s Orb might it be possible.」

Yi-gang sat in a cross-legged position, appearing lifeless. Beside him, the Immortal Divine Sword guided him.

「However, it’s possible for you, descendant. Because you’re special. Why? Because of that material.」

To the outsider, it merely looked as though he was meditating, but the situation was far from ordinary. As proof, a red light emanated from the necklace in Yi-gang’s hand.

「You saw the spiritual energy with your own eyes, saw me, and touched the sealing rope that doesn’t allow anyone to approach. This means your spiritual eyes have already partially awakened. Originally, one’s cultivation should reach the heavens for the spiritual eyes to manifest.」

That was the reason the Immortal Divine Sword was surprised at Yi-gang.

The spiritual energy emanating from the necklace and floating around; Yi-gang visualized it. It was a realm still not permitted to Yi-gang. If one were to make an analogy, it was like a sparrow with the wings of a phoenix.

Because of that, the Immortal Divine Sword placed its hopes on Yi-gang.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

「True Qi is delicate. If you don’t want to die, focus till the very end!」

Yi-gang had not moved for six hours.

And finally, his eyes snapped open.

“Ugh!”

Black blood gushed out from his mouth.

“Cough, gasp.”

Yi-gang picked up a handkerchief and wiped his mouth.

Born weak due to the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, Yi-gang often suffered from hemoptysis. However, the blood he just expelled was unusually dark.

「During the process of stoking the true Qi, the impurities that were around it have melted away.」

“Wow, it really works.”

Yi-gang, looking at the thoroughly soaked handkerchief with blood, was amazed.

He was not surprised by spitting out blood anymore, but he found it astonishing that real impurities were being expelled.

「There are a lot of things that will surprise you. That just goes to show how dire the state of your physical body was. How does your body feel now?」

“Much better.”

He got up and moved his limbs. His body, which had felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton, was now light.

「Didn’t I mention that the True Qi is life energy? Naturally, it would alleviate some discomfort in your body. However, it might not completely cure your illness.」

“This much is already more than enough.”

「Now, you should be able to use the art of light footwork without any hindrance.」

It was an excellent achievement. Until now, even making his body feel lighter was a challenge.

「And, though only a little, you might be able to challenge the next step.」

“The next step?”

「Didn’t I tell you? If you don’t want to be looked down upon by the youngsters you’ll meet, you need to have some tricks up your sleeve.」

“I’ve heard who might be visiting. The brothers Moyong Tak and Moyong Jin from the Moyong Clan. Peng Mu-ah from the Peng Clan. Jin Ri-yeon from Azure Forest.”

Even Moyong Jin, who was a year younger than Yi-gang, and Peng Mu-ah, of the same age, would likely have exceptional martial arts skills.

Unless they were competing in catching goblins, Yi-gang could not match them.

“A technique...”

「Exactly. A technique that can, if need be, break your arms and legs, but still can crush an opponent’s nose.」

“I can’t have my arms and legs broken.”

「It’s just a figure of speech. Isn’t it worth learning?」

Hearing this, Yi-gang became curious.

「The completed Great Yin Flow you possess, which naturally includes movements that clear the mind, is a nine-form technique. Do you remember the first True Flow you learned after that?」

“Isn’t it the secret art of light footwork, which makes the body light?”

「Yes, if there’s a first True Flow, there’s naturally a second. Now, lift that cute fist of yours.」

Yi-gang quietly raised his fist.

A fist that has not seen sunlight, pale and dry. It did not look adorable, but neither did it seem like the fist of a martial artist.

「What if that fist became as hard as steel? So strong that not even a blade could harm it? Crushing a human’s nasal bone would then be a piece of cake.」

“Are you talking about external techniques to strengthen the body?”

「It’s not that simple. It’s the second True Flow of Great Yin Flow, the secret art of strengthened body.」

It too was a martial art that deviated from the usual. Yi-gang showed great interest.

However, the Immortal Divine Sword had a stern expression.

「Of course, training to the extent of blocking a sword is a far-off goal. I’ll teach you the basics tomorrow.」

“I feel fine now.”

「Excess is only second to deficiency.」

“...I see.”

Yi-gang briefly looked out the window and easily accepted the advice. The sun had already set, and it was almost time for the evening glow.

“More time has passed than I thought.”

「You managed to stimulate True Qi in just six hours, so it’s quite fast. Do you want to rest for a bit now?」

However, Yi-gang shook his head.

“No, it’s time. I’m going out.”

「Going out again? Perhaps I was too lenient with the whip.」

“I got permission for this outing. I’ll also have an escort.”

Saying that, Yi-gang approached the vase next to his bed. He then picked up the white chrysanthemum that was placed in it.

“It’s been almost two months since I last visited, so I thought it might be time to go again,”

Yi-gang spoke while wrapping the chrysanthemum in paper.

「Why the chrysanthemum?」

“When meeting after such a long time, shouldn’t I bring at least a flower?”

「...You’re going to that child’s grave.」

While there was not a custom of taking chrysanthemums to graves in the Central Plains, Yi-gang had personally acquired one.

“Yes, while I’m there, I also intend to meet the Low Down Sect disciple again.”

The task he had instructed to a person named Jeong Gu should be nearing its completion.

Yi-gang tucked the bouquet of chrysanthemums under his arm. His expression was not very bright.



“...Did you know?”

“Of course I knew! I’ve known since the first time I saw him. Isn’t it pretty obvious?”

Jin Ri-yeon only caught on to that much later. For now, she simply nodded in response.

“I don’t like brash guys. Their intentions are too transparent. And I also don’t like those who are wishy-washy.”

“What do you mean by wishy-washy?”

“Their martial arts skills! He acts all tough even though he’s weaker than me.”

“So, to catch your fancy, one would have to be stronger than you?”

“No. They’d have to be stronger than my dad, but honestly, that’s going to be hard. I actually prefer weaker guys.”

That response was quite unexpected.

“Not wishy-washy ones, but the kind that makes me want to protect them!”

Peng Mu-ah said so, showing a cute clenched fist. Despite her adorable appearance, Jin Ri-yeon was well aware of how formidable Peng Mu-ah’s techniques were.

Her blade technique, Five Tigers’ Gate Splitting Blade, would soon gain great renown.

“It’d be nice if you could meet someone like that.”

“Yes, and I also like you, sister.”

“I like you too, Peng Mu-ah.”

Having only brothers, in just a few months, Peng Mu-ah had come to regard Jin Ri-yeon as an elder sister.

“When you’re feeling down, how about taking a walk alone?”

“Hmm...?”

“That’s what I do when dad scolds me. It makes me feel a bit better. Gives me some time to think.”

It was an unexpected suggestion. It seemed Peng Mu-ah had followed Jin Ri-yeon out because she was worried about her.

Touched by her thoughtful gesture, Jin Ri-yeon felt a lump in her throat.

“Maybe I should?”

Peng Mu-ah beamed. Jin Ri-yeon responded with a faint smile.

“It’s getting late, so don’t stay out too long!”

“Alright, take a rest.”

Peng Mu-ah waved repeatedly, seeing Jin Ri-yeon off.

Jin Ri-yeon felt lighter than she had a while ago.

Even though the setting sun meant darkness was imminent, a nighttime stroll would not be too bad.

However, the moment she stepped out of the restaurant’s main gate, she found herself involuntarily stopping.

‘Where should I go?’

She had arrived in Xi’an only this morning. Even if she wanted to take a walk, she was unfamiliar with the geography of this place.

And there was another fact that others were unaware of: Jin Ri-yeon was notoriously bad with directions.

She glanced to the left, then to the right, hesitating for a moment.

Just then, a man wandering around aimlessly caught her eye. An ordinary-looking man in ordinary clothes. Like Jin Ri-yeon, he seemed lost.

Suddenly, the man turned toward Jin Ri-yeon and waved with a friendly gesture.

“Ah, you’re here!”

“...”

She was taken aback. Why would a stranger act like they knew her?

Of course, she had been mistaken.

“Wow, seeing you in person, you’re indeed quite the beauty. Your features are as if they’ve been carved from jade!”

“So you recognized me right away, even without having seen my face.”

A boy brushed past right next to Jin Ri-yeon.

It was this boy whom the man was greeting.

“It’s the young master of Xi’an, isn’t it?”

“Have you carried out what I instructed?”

Jin Ri-yeon became stiff as ice.

Her pupils constricted in shock. All thoughts of a stroll evaporated in that instant.

It was because of the boy who had passed by her side.

‘...I didn’t sense him at all.’

She had not heard even the slightest footstep when he brushed past her.

Jin Ri-yeon, being a highly regarded next-generation master, found it unbelievable that she could not sense such a young boy.

“Here, I’ve enclosed the documents.”

“I’ll look at it later. Good work.”

“Oh, there’s no need for this again. I respectfully decline. Just remember to call upon me again.”

The sight of the man, who appeared much older, humbly refusing the silver coins from the young-looking boy did not register to Jin Ri-yeon.

‘Is it my misconception?’

Even though she thought she had not sensed him at all, the boy’s retreating figure, ambling away, looked completely ordinary once again.

Perhaps she was so lost in thought that she did not hear the footsteps.

Then—

Zing—

Jin Ri-yeon’s bracelet vibrated. It was the Azure Forest artifact, said to tremble when encountering the mystics.

She quickly looked up to see the boy.

“...!”

Just like a moment ago, even though he was definitely walking, there was no sound, as if he were a ghost.

Without realizing it, Jin Ri-yeon started following him.

She decided to trace the steps of that boy. It was not a thought-out plan but seemed more like an instinctual decision. In that moment, the path of her nighttime stroll was determined.

Soon, the front of the restaurant’s grand gate became deserted as even Jin Ri-yeon followed Yi-gang.

However, shortly after, a surprised voice of Jeong Gu echoed from inside the gate.

“...What? They are staying here right now? One of them just left?”

Jeong Gu hurriedly ran out from the restaurant, but by then, both Yi-gang and Jin Ri-yeon had disappeared.