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Chachachang!
The sharp sword movements lightly filled the training hall, along with the sound of metal.
Dozens of sword movements were pushed forward, but Jin Song-baek managed to easily dodge it all with his footwork.
-He’s seriously amazing. He is definitely one who is worthy of being called one of the Eight Great Warriors.
Iron Sword exclaimed this in my head. It was understandable that my efforts didn’t seem to work.
I thought I had attained enlightenment and reached a level comparable to that of a Great Warrior, but my father saw through all my techniques.
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-You are almost out of moves.
It wasn’t quite to that extent yet. I still hadn’t used the second half of the Blood Demon Sword’s technique or even the New Xing Ming technique.
In the first place, it was difficult to use the Blood Demon Sword techniques without the sword itself.
-But you can use other martial arts.
This was a simple spar, though, this wasn’t a life or death fight, so there was no good reason to use them.
The True Blood Diamond Body and the Blood Demon Will were different.
This was a spar, for my father’s sake, who wanted to see how much martial arts I could learn and how well I could transition between them.
It was necessary to accurately exercise one’s internal and external qi and understand it fully.
-Still, shouldn’t you show him something? Your father’s expression doesn’t look that good.
As she said, my father’s expression was becoming stiff as we sparred. I was feeling the same thing as if I had missed something.
-Show him something plausible.
Shall I unleash the New Chasing Till the End Sword?
The power held by the second half of the technique was diverse. If something was disappointing now, I should display a suitable technique.
At that moment, my father moved and held out his hand.
“Let’s end it here.”
“Uh?”
“I have seen enough.”
Hmm.
It felt like he didn’t want to see anything else.
Once Iron Sword was sheathed, Jin Song-baek spoke.
“All of them are martial arts with the same form, so it is strange.”
“What do you mean?”
He was worried.
Perhaps learning a lot of martial arts was having a negative effect on me. However, these words from my father’s mouth were unexpected.
“Each of the martial arts you have learned has strong energy, making it difficult to coexist, but it doesn’t seem to affect the use of it.”
“Not affecting it, by which you mean…?”
I was puzzled, but then father drew something with his sword on the training floor.
Chachacha!
It seemed to be the first martial art that I had used. The first was the Xing Ming Sword’s method, while the other was the Blood Heavenly Asura Arts.
They were two major martial arts and sword techniques, but the only martial art that could be performed without the Blood Demon’s will or its cultivation technique was the Xing Ming Sword which didn’t require innate qi.
Chachka!
It seemed that what was leaving traces now was the Shadow Throwing Dagger technique.
Chachka!
What was left now was the first trace of a fist technique.
If the mid dantian was utilized for the Xing Ming Sword technique, the top dantian would be activated for the Named Wheel Arts.
My father, who left these marks, then said,
“If you learn martial arts, there is always a cultivation method that suits the body. A unique qi suitable for your martial arts is then cultivated inside.”
“Ah…”
“The more martial arts you learn, the more the qi deviates. It is inevitable.”
I didn’t know this.
The only teacher I had for martial arts was Hae Ack-chun. However, since he hid many things in general, I would never have received such advice from him.
So was I in a dangerous state right now?
I looked worried, and my father said,
“But it is odd how your martial arts do not seem conflicted.”
“Uh?”
“Seeing that even though all of them are martial arts which have been further amplified with time, there is no conflict in the qi, and all are being expressed naturally. It was as if something related to the innate qi that was handling this.”
I also told my father that I had opened up my innate qi.
Actually, it’s been open since I returned to this life, but I couldn’t say that.
“Then, is it because you digest the martial arts using qi… wait, mid dantian?”
My father made eight marks on the floor after saying those words.
Chachahcak
Fist, palm, kick, finger, claw, blade, sword, and spear
“The martial arts are divided into 8 types. Since the martial arts all share the same cultivation, my order has less conflict between them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t collide within.”
Then what could it be?
I still couldn’t forget it.
When my father fought, he would simultaneously unleash all 8 forms of martial arts. It wasn’t like he learned to use innate qi.
Hearing this, father smiled.
“My ancestor who created the order made a vision of our family. He wanted there to be harmony between the eight forms of martial arts.”
“A harmony.”
“The more you realize the harmony, the more you achieve the harmony of martial arts and techniques.”
“What does that have to do with the mid dantian…”
“In order to be of the highest level, one has to overcome their own walls and open up their qi. Even after opening up the qi points in the body, I couldn’t find out the secret to make it work, but seeing that the four martial arts didn’t conflict, I think I know the reason.”
“Ahh!”
I think I understood what he was talking about. Unlike the qi, which was accumulated through cultivation and absorbed through nature, the innate qi was something we hold within. It was the most suitable for creating harmony.
“The person who made this innate qi that could be used and opened seemed to be a warrior that no one could deal with.”
Father seemed to be admiring the person who made the Xing Ming Sword. This technique wasn’t invented by the South Heavenly Swordsman.
He, too, had found this by accident.
Who was the person or originator who had this idea to tap into the innate qi? I was curious now.
At that moment, father said,
“Anyway, that is fine. Actually, if the sword technique, cultivation, and martial arts you have learned are superior to those of this order, it would be more helpful when learning the eight forms.”
The human heart was an odd thing.
Even after learning such excellent martial arts, my heart was pounding at the thought of learning something new.
Father, Jin Song-baek, then said this while using unique footwork.
“Before that, I will teach you the Wind Shadow steps, which can be considered the foundation of the eight forms.”
Wind Shadow Steps!
The footwork technique that led to my father being called the Wind God.
“I would love to teach you more if I had more time, but it is a pity.”
I felt bad too, but then a thought entered my mind.
“Father.”
“What is it?”
“Is there a sword that you used?”
“Sword? There is one I used before crossing the wall, but why?”
I smiled after hearing this.
Noon of the next day.
The streets of Fu’an county.
“You look quite tired. Are you alright?”
“… I am fine.”
I replied to my father like this, but I was quite tired since I couldn’t get any sleep.
I had looked into the memories of the Orderly Wind Sword, one of the eight weapons my father used, which had made me fatigued.
-You should have done with some limit.
Unfortunately, I had to return the sword. To be honest, I had asked him about borrowing the sword for a while at first.
But then father said that his sword had been a gift from mother. This resulted in me not sleeping to make sure I got the right results.
“You must have been trying to polish the harmony all night, do not overdo it.”
That seems to be the case as well. The more I used the heavenly qi, the more innate qi was consumed.
“Is it there?”
Father asked with a trembling voice, pointing to the physician’s place.
I nodded, and my father approached it first. It seemed like he wanted to see my grandfather immediately.
I could understand that as well. The fact that he was meeting his father-in-law, who he thought was dead, must be surreal.
I saw my father kneeling before my grandfather while sobbing when I entered the clinic.
“Elder! I apologize for being late.”
“This man. Why are you crying now?”
My grandfather already had tears as his eyes were red. It had been 20 years, after all.
Seeing this tearful reunion of two adults made my eyes sting as well. I had already cried too much yesterday and didn’t want to shed more now.
How nice would it be if mother was here?
-Your mother will be happy watching you from above.
My tears fell as well after hearing Short Sword’s words. Someone was also wiping away the teardrops running her cheeks at that moment.
“Miss Sima?”
It was none other than Sima Young.
I thought she would be with her father, so I didn’t expect her to be here.
Had she been looking after my grandfather until now because of what I had asked her to do?
Sima Young looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Ehh. I am also in tears for no reason.”
She, too, seemed to have shed tears at this scene. Who wouldn’t be moved by such a touching scene?
“Thank you for taking care of my grandfather, Miss Sima.”
“Thank you. Young Lord suffered a lot because of me for no reason.”
She seemed troubled by this, at which I shook my head. My grandfather then called me.
“Wonhwi.”
“Grandfather.”
“Come here with that child.”
Grandfather, who called us closer, spoke to us while holding Jin Song-baek’s hand.
“Look. Son-in-law.”
“Tell me. Elder.”
“Did you know that our Wonhwi is in a relationship with this child?”
‘Ah…’
He wasn’t fond of Sima Young, the daughter of Sima Chak, not that long ago, but now the way he was speaking about her was softer.
Jin Song-baek nodded and said,
“I know.”
Hearing this, my grandfather calmed down and spoke.
“Son-in-law. Please do not be surprised and listen.”
In an instant, I smiled.
Seeing him speak this cautiously, it seemed he was trying to reveal her true identity. He seemed sure my father would be shocked, but he only smiled as he already knew about her.
“I know, elder.”
“You know?”
“Isn’t she the daughter of the Wicked Moon Sword?”
“Hehehe. Wonhwi must have told you.”
“No. The Wicked Moon Sword came to our tower.”
Seeing that this surprised my grandfather. It seemed like Sima Young had avoided saying anything to him to avoid worrying him.
It worked out well as a result, so I hoped that she didn’t feel too bad. My grandfather then took a deep breath and said.
“A relationship is something which comes from the heavens, and you know better than anyone that it isn’t something which can be blocked.”
“…”
“Would it be fine if the two kids want to be together?”
“Grandfather.”
Sima Young was thrilled at his words. It was probably because my grandfather, the eldest adult in my family, had acknowledged her.
She, who clearly liked this, then looked at my father nervously. I guess she was scared of what the answer would be.
[Do not worry, Miss Sima.]
I told her silently.
This was a conversation I had already had with my father. I knew the answer, and father looked at her with a smile.
“If the two kids like it, why would I stop them?”
Hearing these words, tears began to flow down Sima Young’s eyes. She was embarrassed that she had broken into tears.
Jin Song-baek, who was a bit shocked at this, then said to my grandfather.
“But I don’t know if Wicked Moon Sword has the same thoughts.”
The problem wasn’t my father or grandfather. It was her father who didn’t like me.
And that problem was amplified because of Baek Hye-hyang.
That was why I had to come to terms with all this. I then asked her.
“Where is your father?”
There was a bamboo field on the western side of Fu’an County.
I was told Sima Chak, Sima Young’s father, was waiting there.
-Is it alright without your father?
Short Sword asked with some worry.
I came here alone with Sima Young. Father said he wanted to join, but I refused.
It was to stop things from escalating further.
“Young lord.”
Even Sima Young looked anxious as she knew her father’s character better than anyone else.
But this was something we had to do, so I smiled and reassured her.
-There it is
I know.
I knew because of the metal sound of Sima Chak’s sword that rang in my head. Sima Chak was sitting on a large rock in the middle of the field while reading something.
Looking at him like this, he didn’t seem so evil.
“Father!
At the cry of Sima Young, Sima Chak closed the book he was reading and then looked at me.
I greeted him.
“Jin Wonhwi greets senior.”
It was now I who had decided to follow my father’s name. I wasn’t used to this, but since I wasn’t a member of the Ikyang So family at all, it felt right.
While I was still in a state of adjusting to it, Sima Chak opened his mouth.
“I don’t know what happened, but things seem to have changed.”
As expected of this man.
As soon as we met, he noticed that my internal qi had increased, similar to that of my father’s.
“There was a small change.”
“It seems like your father taught you.”
It wasn’t that I had reached enlightenment with my father, but I didn’t deny it. There was no need to tell everyone about it.
Sima Chak sighed and smiled.
“And this is his blessing. Anyway, seeing that you came here alone, you don’t lack courage.”
He must have thought that I would bring father along. However, I realized now that I had made the right choice in coming alone as he opened his book.
“That child isn’t here yet, so wait.”
“He will not come.”
Sima Chak asked me with a frown.
“What do you mean?”
“It turned out that his father was working with Mu Ack.”
“With Mu Ack?”
I explained to him what had happened in response. After hearing all this, he shook his head without hiding his disappointment.
“It seems like he was no tiger.”
A tiger’s cub was no dog.
Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but feel that Sima Chak didn’t really care.
Why did he even propose the thought of becoming his in-law?
As I wondered this, he closed his book and stood up. He then put his hand behind his back.
“In the end, you are the only one who got a chance.”
Chak!
I bowed and spoke in a polite tone.
“I will not disappoint you. Please allow me to court Miss Sima.”
Hearing my words, he replied in a dry voice.
“Then you will pass my test.”
There was no way to skip this. However, because there was no opponent, I should be able to pass it normally.
Sima Chak walked towards me and said,
“If you want to court my daughter, block my techniques ten times.”
‘…!?’
Sima Young was angry and jumped in as soon as he said it.
“Aren’t you being too much? You need to admit it, but now you are saying he has to endure this?”
This was absurd from her point of view. Her father was the Wicked Moon Sword, after all.
To top it off, he was equal to the top five of the Eight Great Warriors. Asking me to stop his technique ten times was clear disapproval.
Asking me to stop ten hits from him was his outright disapproval.
He then replied to her words.
“Everyone was disqualified because of my title. Besides, he’s the Blood Demon. He is in a position to have as many enemies as me. How can I be careless and entrust my daughter to such a person?”
She was unable to respond to this. I thought he would be stubborn, but I didn’t realize he had a reason for it.
I could understand him after hearing this.
Sima Chak told me.
“The path that you, who haven’t yet fully mastered even the Blood Sect, to fight for the role is to walk on a thorny path. Isn’t it right that you prove your strength to take my daughter?”
“… why would I deny it?”
“Then, defend against 10 attacks. If you can, then I will entrust my daughter to you.”
Chak!
I showed my determination by standing firm.
“I will take this test, senior.”
Seeing that, Sima Chak snorted. It felt like he just dismissed me.
Sima Young looked at me with worried eyes. I told her it was fine.
“Young lord…”
As she stepped back, I stood in front of Sima Chak. One of Murim’s strongest warriors was standing in front of me.
As he released his energy, the air around us became stuffy.
“You can have the first hit.”
Sima Chak said this without drawing the sword.
What reason would there be for refusing to give up the first attack?
“I will do my best.”
“That will do. And the technique…”
Gooo!
Before he could even finish, I opened up my mid and upper dantian at the same time.
It wasn’t quick enough, so I had to use the Blood Demon Will quickly.
Woong!
Then, thick smoke came from my body.
‘…?!’
Sima Young’s eyes widened at the sight. Even Sima Chak’s expression, which had been relaxed while he held his left arm behind his back, hardened instantly.