Chapter 3

Master and Disciple (2)

Crackle!

Blue lightning writhed violently in Lee Seha's hand.

"I practice the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, a cultivation method that accumulates true yang energy. My plan is to teach you this martial art so you can gradually open your blocked meridians."

She added,

"If you were a woman, this method wouldn't stand a chance of working."

Namgung Jun nodded in agreement.

The Nine Yin Severed Meridians was not a physique that could be overcome simply by learning a yang cultivation method.

Even if one cultivated a yang art, the yin-cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians grew at an overwhelmingly faster rate.

More often than not, people only hastened their deaths by creating a clash between yin and yang through half-baked cultivation.

"But it's different for a man. If you combine your innate yang energy, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, and various spiritual medicines to accumulate true yang energy, there is a chance you can overcome the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. And I'll actively help you through the process."

As Namgung Jun mulled over her explanation, he calculated the possibilities.

The key lies in how quickly I can increase my mastery of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art. If it's me, it's possible.

There was neither deception nor exaggeration in Lee Seha's reasoning.

Even the Southern Heavenly Palace never possessed a cultivation method that accumulated true yang energy. And judging from the lightning aura she displayed, this is undoubtedly a supreme martial art.

That was not all.

If he could absorb the residual energies left behind by the blocked meridians during treatment, his achievements would surely be extraordinary.

Nine Yin Severed Meridians. Right now it is clearly an obstacle, but if I overcome it, it could become the foundation that allows me to surpass my previous life.

After organizing his thoughts, Namgung Jun asked,

"I am a complete stranger. Why choose me as your disciple?"

Lee Seha mischievously imitated his voice.

"One who does not take responsibility for his own martial path has no right to wield a sword."

Then her expression became serious.

"I don't want disciples who swing a sword lightly. I want them to possess a righteous heart."

"A righteous heart..."

Namgung Jun considered her words before asking another question.

"What if I refuse your offer?"

"You'll continue to be hunted by the demonic cultists. It would be troublesome if the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult captured you."

Lee Seha held up two fingers.

"You would either stay in a safehouse provided by the Azure Heaven Society, or live hidden away in a remote mountain village under secret protection."

Both options would require considerable effort from the Azure Heaven Society.

Namgung Jun probed cautiously.

"Wouldn't it be easier to eliminate the problem at its root by killing me?"

"If we did that, we'd be no different from the demonic path. What can be protected should be protected."

"There is also a saying about losing the greater for the sake of the lesser."

Greedy for the small, lose the great.

In this situation, the "small" thing was Namgung Jun himself.

For the first time, the smile vanished from Lee Seha's face.

"There are many people who say the small must be sacrificed for the greater good. Most of them will choose to grasp the greater thing."

"That is true."

"Then shouldn't there also be people willing to hold on to the small things?"

After a brief pause, she spoke with unwavering certainty.

"I want to be that kind of person."

Namgung Jun's lips curved faintly upward.

Someone who chooses to hold on to the small things.

Very few people willingly expend effort to protect things that seem insignificant and worthless.

Those who did invariably possessed a conviction of their own.

She has her own sense of righteousness.

Namgung Jun acknowledged her.

The bond between master and disciple was not a light thing.

He had no desire to become a disciple in name only just to obtain a new yang cultivation method.

A disciple should sincerely serve his master.

That was the proper way.

Even though his survival was at stake, this was not something he could compromise on.

It was simply his nature.

But now that he had learned what kind of person Lee Seha was through their conversation, there was no longer any hesitation.

She was more than qualified to be his master.

"I was suspicious of you because your proposal came so suddenly. I apologize."

"Huh? So that's what it was?"

Lee Seha's face flushed slightly red, and her lips puffed out.

Then the lively sparkle returned to her eyes.

"So? After talking with me, what do you think? Do you like me?"

Namgung Jun looked at her tilted head.

Fate, perhaps.

The encounter had been remarkably fortuitous.

To him, Lee Seha was practically a heaven-sent opportunity.

Had he not met her, he would have been worrying about how to survive rather than how to oppose the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult.

In truth, he should have been the one kneeling and asking to be accepted as a disciple.

Yet she had come to him first.

Besides, the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult cannot be opposed alone.

Unlike his previous life, the Southern Heavenly Palace no longer existed.

He needed a new home.

And new comrades.

"Yes. I do."

Hearing such a direct answer seemed to embarrass Lee Seha slightly.

She looked away and cleared her throat.

Meanwhile, Namgung Jun straightened his clothing.

He neatly adjusted the front of his robe and smoothed the wrinkles from his sleeves.

Every movement carried respect and solemnity.

The old-fashioned dignity of his actions naturally drew Lee Seha's attention.

After arranging his appearance, Namgung Jun slowly clasped his hands together.

"Disciple Namgung Jun."

Then he bowed deeply.

The motion was so disciplined that it resembled the execution of a martial technique.

"I respectfully greet my master."

His steady voice filled the room.

At that moment, the bond of master and disciple was formed.

***

Now officially master and disciple, Lee Seha raised both fists enthusiastically as she looked at her first-ever student.

"Gungjun! Let's start martial arts training immediately!"

"...It is Namgung."

"Huh? I knew it was Nam! I've just never heard that surname before!"

Slowly lowering her fists, Lee Seha pretended nothing had happened and handed him a book.

Though her fingertips trembled slightly, Namgung Jun politely pretended not to notice.

"My disciple, this is the manual for the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art."

Her form of address had naturally changed.

He chose not to point it out.

In fact, he preferred this title.

"Maybe it's because you lived as a sword attendant? It's fortunate that you already know basic martial world knowledge and can read. My disciple is outstanding."

Lee Seha began explaining the first verses of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art in meticulous detail.

I could probably learn it on my own just by reading the manual.

Nevertheless, Namgung Jun listened quietly.

This was his first time cultivating a true yang art, and her explanations were immensely helpful.

They would save him a great deal of time.

Moreover, with every explanation, his understanding of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art deepened.

He felt that once he actually began cultivation, his progress would soar.

While receiving instruction, Namgung Jun naturally gauged the depth of Lee Seha's martial attainment.

At the age of a younger-generation expert, she has already reached the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. A genius for the ages.

Her talent would not lose even when compared to the Sword Emperor of his previous life.

It was a level of aptitude that inspired genuine admiration.

When the time eventually came to confront the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult in earnest, Lee Seha would undoubtedly become a tremendous ally.

***

While the disciple evaluated the master—

Why is my disciple so intelligent? His comprehension is extraordinary. Is it because he was born with blocked meridians?

The master was evaluating the disciple as well.

As she explained the formulas of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, she occasionally sprang questions on him to test his understanding.

Not once had he failed to answer.

On the contrary, he sometimes offered unexpectedly profound insights that opened entirely new avenues of thought.

Because of that, it no longer felt like she was simply teaching a disciple.

It felt more like discussing martial arts with an equal—or perhaps someone even greater.

It's like I've stumbled upon a living heaven-sent opportunity.

The confidence and certainty in his voice made him seem astonishingly reliable.

"So in this passage, you should circulate your internal energy more forcefully and pass through the Jade Center Acupoint as quickly as possible. Rather than letting it flow naturally, it's more like you're pushing it through."

"Exactly. My disciple never gets anything wrong."

Lee Seha raised her teacup to her lips, only to realize the tea had long gone cold.

Looking out the window, she saw that dawn was just about to break.

"Has that much time already passed?"

They had spent the entire night discussing martial arts without rest.

"Should we get some sleep now?"

Lee Seha asked apologetically, but Namgung Jun shook his head.

"I've memorized all the formulas. I'd like to begin circulating my qi immediately."

After a moment of consideration, Lee Seha nodded.

"Normally, you can't feel qi the moment you learn a cultivation method. So don't be disappointed if you don't sense anything right away."

Namgung Jun sat cross-legged.

Lee Seha took a seat behind him, prepared to intervene immediately should anything go wrong during cultivation.

"Hoo..."

As Namgung Jun began breathing according to the formulas of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, his eyes twitched.

Something had happened that even he had not anticipated.

I can feel qi? Already?

Even prodigies blessed with extraordinary talent usually required seven days and nights before sensing qi for the first time.

In his previous life, Nam Yeongshin had needed four full days.

Yet this body sensed qi immediately.

After only a single cycle of inhalation and exhalation.

Though astonished, Namgung Jun remained calm and continued circulating the cultivation method.

The internal energy flowing in with each breath gradually became clearer.

Qi traveled through the Tiantu Acupoint and Zhongfu Acupoint, racing along the prescribed circulation route.

The strength and width of these meridians are absurd.

Cultivation naturally tempered the meridians, but innate talent also played a major role.

There was a reason martial artists examined bones and meridians when selecting disciples.

If the meridians of ordinary geniuses were like narrow mountain paths, the meridians of this body were broad highways wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side.

The difference was enormous.

With the memories of my previous life and this body...

Namgung Jun dared to be certain.

He could surpass the Sword Emperor of his former life.

As long as he held a sword, there would be nothing to fear.

As he sank deeper into cultivation—

Hummm!

Lee Seha, who had been carefully observing him, widened her eyes.

He's already sensing qi?

She had been preparing words of encouragement in case his concentration broke.

Instead, Namgung Jun was smoothly refining qi into internal energy according to the formulas of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.

At this rate, he might even establish his dantian during his very first cultivation session.

"That's impossible. It took me four days to sense qi! Is this real?"

Though nervous that something might go wrong, excitement overwhelmed Lee Seha.

She had become convinced that Namgung Jun possessed talent far beyond her expectations.

Talent greater than mine. Have I used up all the luck I'll ever have by taking a disciple like this?

As she watched him with eager anticipation, her mouth slowly fell open.

Crackle!

Blue lightning flickered faintly around Namgung Jun's shoulders.

It was weak and barely visible.

Yet it was unquestionably the lightning qi of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.

Impossible!

The meaning of that faint lightning was simple.

Not only had he formed a dantian—

His mastery of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art had already reached the Fourth Stage of Accomplishment.

The moment he entered the art, he had skipped three entire stages.

Has anything like this ever existed in martial history?

Lee Seha seriously pondered the question.

Her mouth remained hanging wide open.

What do I do? My disciple is a genius.

Her dark eyes sparkled with excessive excitement.

Meanwhile, Namgung Jun observed the internal energy flowing through his meridians.

The nature of this cultivation method was completely different from the arts cultivated by the Sword Emperor in his previous life.

The experience was fascinating.

Thanks to the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, the reality of his reincarnation suddenly felt tangible.

So this is true yang energy.

The warmth residing within his dantian was faint and weak.

Yet because his body was filled with cold yin energy, it felt all the more distinct.

After finishing his cultivation, Namgung Jun slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Lee Seha sitting before him with clasped hands trembling uncontrollably.

"Master? Are you all ri—"

He could not finish.

Lee Seha suddenly threw her arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Disciple! Amazing! Outstanding! You deserve praise!"

She hugged him tightly and bounced in place.

By contrast, Namgung Jun remained perfectly composed.

"Please calm yourself, Master."

Only after a long while did Lee Seha settle down.

She brushed her disheveled hair behind her ear.

"I checked your meridians, and the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art has settled perfectly within your dantian. There doesn't seem to be any problem."

Releasing his wrist, she tilted her head in wonder.

"How is this level of achievement possible, no matter how talented someone is?"

"It is thanks to your instruction, Master."

Namgung Jun answered modestly.

Lee Seha immediately shook her head.

Then she raised her right hand.

"Want to try something?"

Crackle!

Lightning qi manifested clearly in her palm.

She intended to examine how well Namgung Jun could control his internal energy.

There's no need to hide my abilities.

There was an old saying in the martial world that one should never reveal one's true strength casually.

But Lee Seha was his master.

Rather than concealing his talent, it would be better to display it and learn stronger martial arts sooner.

This much is easy.

Namgung Jun immediately circulated lightning qi into his hand.

Compared to Lee Seha's lightning, which branched into dozens of vivid arcs, his merely flickered weakly.

Yet he had undeniably guided internal energy from his dantian through his meridians and into his hand.

"Just as I thought—my disciple is a genius!"

Lee Seha covered her mouth with both hands and cheered.

Namgung Jun, already adapting to his master's enthusiasm, calmly asked,

"Master. I would also like to learn other martial arts. Sword arts and movement techniques, for example."

"Of course! Once we return to the Azure Heaven Society, I'll immediately find martial arts that suit you."

New martial arts.

Few words could make his heart race more.

Certainly, he still remembered all the martial arts of the Southern Heavenly Palace from his previous life.

But he had no intention of simply retracing that path.

He regretted the past.

And he did not believe he could change the present using the same martial arts that had failed him before.

One lifetime of regret was enough.

Since he had been given an opportunity to learn something new, he intended to seize it fully.

And while doing so, I will create a martial path that surpasses the arts I used in my previous life.

Making that silent vow, Namgung Jun clenched his fist.

"Then shall we depart immediately?"

"Yes. Let us go."

Gathering their belongings, Lee Seha and Namgung Jun set out at once.

Toward the Azure Heaven Society—

Toward a new home.