Chapter 311 - A Spark of Evil (4)

Ice arts.

A martial art that makes yin energy visible and uses it.

In theory, it is simple, but manifesting that energy in practice is not easy.

The greatest difficulty is that while these ice arts remain inside the body, they continuously gnaw away at it.

A human's body temperature must always remain constant, but ice arts keep lowering that temperature and gnaw away at a person's life.

That is why, unlike Yang-style internal arts, which are extremely numerous, ice arts can be counted on one hand.

After all, the way humans use qi is by borrowing the power of that energy, not by manifesting the nature of qi itself.

'Except for those crazy Demonic Cult bastards, of course.'

Those bastards kicked the very idea of common sense far off into the Western Regions from the start, so they draw out the nature of qi itself to breathe fire and shoot ice.

This was not something that was taken for granted within the natural order of things.

In any case, using ice arts is difficult.

They have to suit your constitution, you need stable ice arts, and beyond that, you have to give up other martial arts.

The nature of ice arts is opposed to other internal arts, especially Yang-style internal arts, which make up the majority of martial arts, so learning both is no different from slathering your whole body in oil and walking into a pit of fire.

Among all martial arts in Jianghu, the only art that can handle yin and yang at the same time is roughly the Wudang Sect's Two Modes Taiji Divine Art.

... And yet, right now, I am using it.

"Haha, I must have had too much to drink. To think I am using ice arts."

I set the cup down, picked up another cup, and drew up my internal energy just as before.

SSSSSS!

The wine cup turned cold once again.

"Haha, fuck."

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

I felt as though my mind had not quite returned to normal, so I slapped myself across the cheek three times.

"Oh my!"

The woman who had demonstrated ice arts beside me was startled and backed away, but now was not the time for me to pay attention to that.

This time, I picked up the wine bottle and drew up my internal energy.

SSSSSSSS!

"..."

As I watched the wine bottle freeze cold, I poured the wine into a cup and drank it, wondering if it could really be true.

"Ah! That's refreshing."

"..."

"..."

It was not really something to say in this situation, but since it genuinely went down nice and cold, the wine tasted twice as good.

"... Young Master, by any chance."

Haeryeong asked carefully.

"Did you perhaps learn the Two Modes Taiji Divine Art from the Wudang Sect?"

Isn't that something only the Wudang Sect Leader or the disciple who will inherit the next generation is taught?

Even within the Wudang Sect right now, the people who have learned it can probably be counted on one hand.

"... Then, perhaps, are you a demonic practitioner...?"

"..."

"Uh, um, you are not, right? Right?"

"..."

I do not know either.

I do not know, and it is driving me insane.

#

Haeryeong sent out the woman who used ice arts.

Because she could not be allowed to hear any more.

... And besides, now I can chill Flower Ice Dew myself and drink it.

Holding the wine bottle, I asked.

"Is she someone you can trust?"

If it were ever known that I had used ice arts...

"You may trust her. If she were not trustworthy, I would not have taught her martial arts in the first place."

GLUG GLUG.

Perhaps the sight of me pouring wine did not look very good, because Haeryeong frowned.

"... You can drink at a time like this?"

"I am drinking it for the experiment."

"What do you mean..."

"I need to figure out what is going on."

First, as I emptied one bottle of Flower Ice Dew, I tried all sorts of experiments.

First, the power of the ice arts is not that strong.

It is not that the yin energy is strong because I controlled it that way.

No matter how much internal energy I poured in, the temperature did not drop below a certain point.

In other words, it only emitted enough yin energy to make the wine just right to drink.

It could not freeze anything or anything like that.

'Can this even be called ice arts in the first place?'

So, I can use ice arts, but it is not at a level that can be used as a martial art.

In other words, I can do about as much as that woman from earlier did, pouring wine at a tavern.

'... I doubt the customers would like that very much.'

"Young Master, what are you thinking..."

"Ahem, nothing."

Second, there was no change in my internal energy.

This was the part I understood the least.

No matter how much I examined my Dantian or circulated my energy, my internal energy was the same.

The nature of the Taiyi energy I originally possessed had not changed.

But when I drew up this Taiyi energy and changed it into the basic operation of ice arts...

WHOOSH...

... Cold energy poured out.

'This is driving me insane.'

In other words, I simply could not understand the After Completion mechanism by which this cold energy came out.

Moreover, the so-called operation of internal energy was only roughly imitating the mechanism of ice arts, not something proper.

'This is a serious problem.'

If a martial artist does not properly understand his own internal energy, that eventually becomes a matter of life and death.

It is no different from having a Thunderbolt Bomb inside your body that could explode at any moment.

"... Young Master?"

Did they sense that my expression was unusual?

Haeryeong and Yang Gunbaek asked carefully.

"Are you all right?"

I need to investigate a little more.

Instead of answering, I lifted the wine bottle.

"Do you perhaps have more Flower Ice Dew?"

"..."

"I think I need to experiment more."

For the first time, a crease formed between Haeryeong's brows.

"My life depends on it."

"... Haa."

I had asked seriously, though.

#

After emptying two more bottles of Flower Ice Dew, Haeryeong chased me out, saying there was no more wine.

'Stingy! Even after I brought them such good information.'

Even after emptying a total of three bottles of Flower Ice Dew, there was not much more I learned.

For now, as long as my internal energy continued, a faint chill would continue to be emitted.

And even if I stopped the operation midway while using ice arts, there was no foreign sensation in the internal energy that returned.

In other words, it could be converted into ice arts, but there was no major problem when I returned it to its original state.

'What a relief.'

On that point, I felt somewhat relieved.

Whatever the case, it meant there was not a problem with my Dantian.

Haeryeong persistently asked me how I had come to learn ice arts, but I could not give her any answer.

Because I had never learned ice arts in the first place.

If I had to pick one thing that seemed suspicious...

'This damned Jade Dragon Bracelet...'

For some reason, this thing, which seemed like it would poke its head out and say, "Why are you only bitching at me?" was the most suspicious.

Because if I had to name something that had recently brought a dramatic change to my body, it was Je Geumhak, that bastard, and nothing else.

Moreover, Je Geumhak had also been a yin-yang person who handled yin energy and yang energy at the same time.

Since I had been beaten so badly that my mind was hazy, I do not remember it clearly, but the only time there had been a change in my Dantian was when I sucked away Je Geumhak's internal energy with the Jade Dragon Bracelet.

Looking at it that way, the suspect is definitely this Jade Dragon Bracelet.

With the Great Star-Absorbing Art, one can only absorb the opponent's internal energy; one cannot dissolve it into one's own internal energy.

The opponent's internal energy manifests as it is.

If the Jade Dragon Bracelet absorbed Je Geumhak's ice arts and I am now using those ice arts...

'The situation more or less fits.'

There were records that those who had learned the Great Star-Absorbing Art in the past also scattered energies of different natures.

Go Jungak, the Bloodsucking Demon who had been the owner of the Jade Dragon Bracelet in my previous life, had used as many as ten different kinds of energy.

Of course, because of these energies that would not harmonize, they ultimately either became madmen or suffered qi deviation.

That is why everyone knows full well that, even aside from the fact that it is on the list of forbidden arts declared by the Murim Alliance, it is not something to be learned recklessly.

But if there is a problem, it is that my situation is slightly different.

The reason I first began using the Jade Dragon Bracelet was also because the energies in my Dantian did not separate from one another.

Even now, I had been relieved because the energies were not separating from one another, so why had I suddenly become able to use ice arts?

Whatever the case, one thing is certain.

'Fuck, those Demonic Cult bastards...'

This is all the fault of those Demonic Cult bastards.

If not for them, there would have been no reason for my body to become this bizarre.

Just as I was spewing curses at Je Geumhak and the other demonic practitioners...

I sensed a presence behind me.

"... What are you doing?"

"Ha... How did you know?"

"What do you mean, how did I know? At least make an effort to hide. I can sense your presence like this."

The one who poked her head out and came to stand beside me was none other than Saryeon.

"I am practicing stealth arts, but it is really hard."

"Why bother when you have Turtle Breath Footwork?"

"Turtle Breath Footwork reacts slowly to internal energy. They say stealth arts can hide your presence even while using internal energy... Wouldn't that be better in actual combat?"

True, for assassination or infiltration, stealth arts would be better.

"There is a decent stealth art in Manseogo, so read it later."

"You read all of Manseogo too?"

Yes, in my previous life.

"Seriously... what kind of person are you?"

Saryeon shook her head with an expression that said she did not understand.

"But where are you coming back from at this late hour?"

"Then where are you coming back from at this late hour, Senior Brother?"

"I went out to attend to important business."

Does this girl know that I run around day and night for the peace and safety of the Taiyi Sect?

She probably does not.

And it is right that she does not know.

This is the weight and responsibility of being the Eldest Senior Brother...

SNIFF SNIFF.

"What are you..."

"Stay still!"

Saryeon suddenly brought her nose close and shot me a suspicious look.

"I smell alcohol."

"... Important business always involves alcohol."

"So, what was that important business?"

"Ahem... It is still too early. I will tell you when the time comes. But what is that?"

When I hurriedly changed the subject and pointed at the bundle Saryeon was carrying in her arms, she answered.

"Sweets and snacks. The junior disciples trained hard, so I was going to reward them."

"..."

Tsk.

I suddenly feel guilty for going to Sohwa Pavilion alone.

I am sure I went there for work, though.

"... How admirable. Junior Sister Ryeon."

When I patted her head, Saryeon quickly dodged away.

"What are you doing!"

"This is the kind of thing the Eldest Senior Brother should originally take care of."

"If you know that, then do better."

For some reason, I felt ashamed of myself for having cursed Gye Cheolyeong so much in my previous life.

Now that I had actually become the Eldest Senior Brother, I wondered how different I was from Gye Cheolyeong...

'No, that's not right. No matter what, comparing myself to that son of a bitch was a bit too much. Sorry, myself.'

How much had that bastard lorded it over us?

Putting him and me on the same level in the first place is practically an insult to me.

Yes, of course it is.

As I tried somehow to shake off that thought, Saryeon abruptly blurted out,

"Forget it. Senior Brother... you are doing more than enough as a Senior Brother."

"Hm?"

While I tilted my head, Saryeon continued.

"You found Great Martial Ancestor's true inheritance, and... even though it was insane, you took the junior disciples and sat for the standard exam. Just that alone means you are doing well."

"Did I take them? They followed along well."

Saryeon, who had been walking one step behind me, suddenly stopped.

"Hm? Why all of a sudden? Did you see a ghost?"

"Eunho once said something like that. When he was taking the standard exam, it was so hard and painful that he wanted to give up, but he saw your back in front of him, Senior Brother... So he said he just looked at your back and followed."

"..."

"He said that when he simply followed while looking only at your back, he had arrived at Murim Academy."

What on earth does this Eunho go around saying?

Feeling awkward, I just babbled whatever came to mind.

"What are you talking about? Back then, Lady Namgung and Lady Seong were with us too."

For some reason, Saryeon let out a long sigh.

"What kind of conversation can I even have with you, Senior Brother..."

Then she met my eyes again.

"Eldest Senior Brother, keep moving forward like that. I will take care of the junior disciples."

For some reason, Saryeon said that as though making a vow, then began walking again.

This time, one step ahead of me.

Seeing her back, I felt apologetic and, at the same time, proud.

After all, it would be impossible for me to protect the Taiyi Sect by my strength alone in the Jianghu that the Orthodox-Demonic Great War would sweep over.

I could not have been more relieved that they were all following along with me so well like this.

I moved my feet to follow behind her, then suddenly remembered what had happened during the standard exam.

'Huh?'

Thinking about it, I had also used the Jade Dragon Bracelet against the Dark Soul-Severing Squad on the Puyang Plains.

And...

'My Dantian expanded then too, didn't it?'

I stopped walking and looked down at both my hands.

If I had absorbed Je Geumhak's internal energy and absorbed the nature of that bastard's internal energy... then perhaps I had also absorbed the nature of the Dark Soul-Severing Squad when I absorbed their internal energy.

That thought occurred to me.

But when I thought about it, until now, bone swords had never shot out of me like theirs, nor had my flesh ever separated.

'Well, that requires undergoing a procedure only madmen would accept.'

It is horrifying just to think about.

If bone swords suddenly shot out at Murim Academy, or if my skin split open and closed again in front of countless figures of the Orthodox faction, I would be declared a public enemy of Jianghu with no room for argument.

In any case, it is fortunate that there has been no external change.

The problem is internal change.

The specialty of the Dark Soul-Severing Squad was [Dark Assimilation].

There is absolutely no clue by which one can find them in the darkness.

Wait...

'Wow... fuck.'

Does that mean... I gained the ultimate stealth art?!!!

I suppressed my excitement and called Saryeon.

"Saryeon."

"Yes?"

Saryeon, who was walking ahead, tilted her head.

"I am going to try something from now on... Even if you see it, do not be too surprised."

"... What?"

"It seems something has happened to my body."

"What?"

"And you must keep this secret."

"... Senior Brother."

Before Saryeon could continue speaking, I began to perform the stealth art I had seen in Manseogo.

It is not an especially outstanding stealth art, but if I had stolen [Dark Assimilation], then this stealth art would likely reveal itself in the same form as the one the Dark Soul-Severing Squad used.

In other words, I would be able to completely hide myself.

I performed the stealth art and slowly walked toward Saryeon.

Then I spread both hands wide and waved them through the air.

"..."

Saryeon showed no reaction.

I went behind Saryeon and waved my body around, waved beside her, and once again waved in front of her.

All the while, Saryeon had no reaction at all.

Whew, what am I supposed to do with this?

Perhaps I had become someone capable of returning to demonic practitioners the fear that the people of the Central Plains had felt.

Through this [Dark Assimilation], those bastards too would feel the same fear...

"Senior Brother..."

Saryeon suddenly called out to me.

Then she turned her head.

... And looked toward me.

Hm?

Toward me?

Huh?

How can she see me?

Before long, Saryeon wore the exact same expression Haeryeong had made and let out a sigh.

"Senior Brother, are you drunk? Why do you keep walking back and forth like a crazy person?"

"..."

"Is the problem not with your body, but with your head?"

... Hm, so I did not get [Dark Assimilation]?

I hurriedly turned and walked forward.

"It seems your realm has truly risen high, so your Eldest Senior Brother could not be more pleased."

"... Why are you suddenly lowering your voice?"

"Ahem! My, the moon is quite bright tonight."

Unspeakable shame surged over me like a wave.