Chapter 99
Joint Meridian Opening (1)
Namgung Jun asked in a puzzled voice,
“A meridian opening all of a sudden?”
“After the second opening, the severity of your attacks has been getting worse, hasn't it?”
“Yes. But that was unavoidable.”
Opening the nine blocked meridians one by one did not disperse the yin-cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
The meridians had merely been opened; the constitution itself had neither changed nor weakened.
In fact, the yin-cold energy tended to concentrate even more heavily in the remaining unopened meridians.
As a result, the more meridians that were opened, the more difficult subsequent openings became.
There was no realistic way to open all nine meridians consecutively, nor was it likely that the body could survive such a violent process.
Yet if the openings were performed separately over time, each one became progressively harder while the attacks grew increasingly severe.
That was one of the reasons the Nine Yin Severed Meridians was so notoriously difficult to treat.
“I spoke with the Azure Medicine Pavilion Lord. His opinion was the same—opening them as quickly as possible is the best solution.”
“That may be true, but...”
Namgung Jun could not immediately accept Lee Se-ha's proposal.
Having personally experienced the process, he knew how tremendous the burden would be.
More than anything, he was worried about his master.
“Will you really be all right? This will place an enormous strain on you, Master. If something goes wrong, you could suffer serious internal injuries.”
Lee Se-ha lightly clenched his fist and flicked Namgung Jun's forehead.
The master wore a mischievous smile as he casually brushed his disciple's hair back.
“What kind of master hesitates when it's for the sake of his disciple?”
Then he added in a warm voice,
“Besides, didn't I tell you when I accepted you as my disciple? That I would help you with the meridian openings.”
“I remember.”
The large eyes of Lee Se-ha reflected only Namgung Jun.
He understood the risks and burdens involved.
Yet none of it mattered if it was for his disciple.
Reading that determination in his master's eyes, Namgung Jun could only smile.
“With two martial artists who cultivate the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art gathered together, what's a mere Nine Yin Severed Meridians?”
After a brief moment of consideration, Namgung Jun finally nodded.
“I suppose there's no helping it.”
“Besides, if we're going to continue opening the rest together later, we should gain as much experience as possible now. The first and second openings happened too suddenly for us to properly discuss anything.”
Namgung Jun glanced around Lee Se-ha's office.
The bookshelves contained more medical texts on meridians and acupoints than martial arts manuals.
There were even copied manuals provided by the Tang Clan.
It seemed that whenever Lee Se-ha traveled the Jianghu on missions, he made a point of collecting medical texts.
Namgung Jun could clearly see how much research his master had devoted to finding a solution for the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
His master's unwavering sincerity and warmth seemed almost tangible.
“Very well. Then let's go.”
***
The two immediately headed toward the Azure Medicine Pavilion.
They intended to make full use not only of their own abilities but also of the Pavilion physicians' assistance.
When they entered, the physicians were already bustling about as though they had received advance notice.
The Azure Medicine Pavilion Lord looked at the master and disciple standing side by side with a grave expression.
“So you've come. You've decided to attempt it after all?”
Lee Se-ha glanced at Namgung Jun and nodded.
“If anything, we've already delayed long enough.”
“That's true. Ideally, the process should have begun from the very first blocked meridian.”
Namgung Jun merely smiled awkwardly.
The first two openings had occurred under unavoidable circumstances.
There was nothing to be done about that.
This third opening, however, would be performed after thorough preparation.
That alone eased some of the burden.
A lengthy discussion regarding the procedure began.
Not only the Pavilion Lord but also several of the Azure Medicine Pavilion's most skilled physicians participated.
Medicinal decoctions and acupuncture treatments capable of suppressing the cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians were prepared.
Meanwhile, the Pavilion Lord and Lee Se-ha spread out detailed diagrams of the human body's meridians and discussed various possibilities.
“It would be dangerous to think of this as merely lending your internal energy. Since you'll be directly involved in the opening process, suffering internal injuries from the yin-cold energy would not be surprising.”
“I've already prepared myself for that.”
While explaining the route he recommended for the opening, the Pavilion Lord added:
“We've prepared every precaution we can think of. In the end, however, Heavenly Sword Hall Master, you'll have to adapt directly as events unfold.”
“That's fine. I'll handle it.”
Once the discussion ended, Lee Se-ha sat down behind Namgung Jun, who was already seated in the lotus position.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good.”
At the Pavilion Lord's nod, the master and disciple first drank the prepared medicinal decoction before taking out a precious spiritual medicine.
It was a high-grade elixir awarded to Heavenly Sword Hall in recognition of its tremendous contribution to the recent combat evaluation.
Since unexpected complications could arise, they intended to borrow even the elixir's power during the opening.
Wooooong!
The energy of the elixir surged through Namgung Jun's meridians.
Without hesitation, Lee Se-ha placed his palm upon Namgung Jun's Mingmen acupoint.
Feeling the gentle touch of his master's hand, Namgung Jun also entered a state of focused circulation.
As he concentrated inwardly, he sensed the internal energy of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art flowing through the Mingmen point on his back.
It felt remarkably familiar.
Unlike his disciple, Lee Se-ha had already achieved great mastery of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.
Though he had not yet reached its absolute pinnacle, the heat he generated was already astonishing.
At this level, even the yin-cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians would struggle to emerge freely.
Feeling Lee Se-ha's blazing yang energy directly, Namgung Jun became convinced that it would play a crucial role in this meridian opening.
I need to raise my own mastery of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art as quickly as possible.
Recently, Namgung Jun had been so focused on delving into the Azure King Reaching the World Technique that his progress in the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art had largely stagnated.
Once again, he realized that he needed to maintain a proper balance between the cultivation of the two techniques.
Jun. I'm starting.
Yes. I'll circulate my internal energy through the Yunmun Acupoint.
Even while regulating their breathing and energy, the master and disciple continued communicating through voice transmission.
As they had agreed beforehand, each operated the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art through different circulation routes.
The goal was to prevent the yin-cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians from spreading into other meridians as much as possible.
As the two streams of blazing yang energy gradually approached the third blocked meridian, the Nine Yin Severed Meridians reacted as though it were alive.
KWA-A-A-A!
An overwhelming surge of yin-cold energy erupted around the third blocked meridian like a raging tidal wave.
In an instant, the cold energy greedily flooded his entire network of meridians.
As expected, it's much stronger.
The speed and extent at which his meridians stiffened and froze exceeded his expectations.
Yet neither master nor disciple retreated.
Instead, they continued forcing more yang energy forward.
The opposing energies collided throughout countless branching meridians.
Neither side yielded.
The incompatible forces bit, tore, and pushed relentlessly against one another.
KWAGAGANG!
Violent clashes of yin and yang exploded around the third blocked meridian.
Agonizing pain surged through his body, as though it might burst apart from within.
But he had already prepared himself for this.
Maintaining perfect composure, Namgung Jun continued circulating his energy.
“Mm.”
A chill spread through his body, as though he had been struck by the internal-energy techniques of a master who cultivated ice arts.
The impact had to be endured head-on.
Yet Namgung Jun remained steady.
Not only was Lee Se-ha supporting him from behind and dispersing much of the shock, but he also possessed another source of strength that had not existed during the second meridian opening.
Namgung Jun slowly activated the Azure King Reaching the World Technique as well.
Pure and lofty internal energy that had rested quietly within his dantian began flowing outward.
It protected the meridians being torn apart and shaken by the clash of yin and yang, while also reinforcing the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art whenever it lost ground in the struggle.
He had already verified countless times that the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Azure King Reaching the World Technique would not conflict.
The two streams of internal energy could not completely merge into a single force.
But they could certainly support one another.
The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Azure King Reaching the World Technique filled his meridians simultaneously.
Under Namgung Jun's guidance, both energies moved in harmony and pressed relentlessly against the yin-cold energy.
KUUUUNG!
Another tremendous explosion echoed through his body and shook his mind.
For a brief moment, it felt as though his consciousness might be torn apart, but he quickly regained control.
This truly isn't easy.
The third blocked meridian was far thicker and sturdier than the previous two.
Had he attempted the opening alone, success would have been nearly impossible.
Yet he could clearly feel the warm presence supporting him from behind.
KWAAAAAA!
A torrent of Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art descended from another direction like a crashing waterfall.
The thunder energy Lee Se-ha had cultivated stretched forward like a great spear and repeatedly battered the third blocked meridian.
Jun. Are you all right?
I'm still managing. You can increase the output further.
Understood.
The master and disciple continued exchanging voice transmissions as they relentlessly hammered at the third blocked meridian.
Whenever yin-cold energy spread elsewhere, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and Azure King Reaching the World Technique immediately moved to contain it.
Even for Namgung Jun, whose mastery of internal energy manipulation had reached extraordinary heights thanks to the memories of his previous life, this was no simple task.
It felt as though he were responding simultaneously to countless battles breaking out across every corner of his body's meridian network.
It's a shame to use the Azure King Reaching the World Technique this way, but supporting the process is enough.
Since it lacked the blazing-yang nature of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art, the Azure King Reaching the World Technique could only suppress and overwhelm the yin-cold energy.
It could not effectively gather and refine the scattered cold energy.
Any cold energy left uncollected would remain within the meridians, eventually creating new blockages or worsening internal injuries.
Ultimately, every trace of yin-cold energy would have to be fully refined and contained through the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.
KUUUNG!
The struggle raging inside Namgung Jun's body continued to drag on.
Yet neither master nor disciple rushed.
Patiently, steadily, they crushed the yin-cold energy piece by piece.
After a grueling battle, the momentum gradually shifted in their favor.
At that moment, Lee Se-ha finally employed the measure he had been saving.
The power of the high-grade spiritual medicine.
Rather than refining it first, he unleashed its raw energy directly.
The wild medicinal power reinforced the blazing yang energy and struck the third blocked meridian.
Feeling this, Namgung Jun was momentarily startled and sent a voice transmission.
That energy had originally been reserved in case they lacked strength later.
He had never expected his master to use it now.
Master?
Don't worry, Jun. A mere spiritual medicine is nothing. Besides, if its power remains in my disciple's body, there's nothing to regret.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
How many times had they struck it now?
How long had this continued?
His mind seemed to have adapted to the relentless shocks, remaining calm despite the impacts rattling his very brain.
Without question, it was a fierce battle.
But it was undeniably smoother than attempting the opening alone.
He had received outside assistance during the first and second openings as well.
Yet it was incomparable to having his master standing beside him like this.
Truly reassuring.
Across the entire Jianghu, there were few experts who had cultivated blazing-yang energy to such a level.
And even fewer whom he could trust enough to entrust his back to.
That was why this opening felt far easier than the first two.
The third blocked meridian was thicker and tougher than either of the previous ones.
Yet with his master beside him, the thought of failure never once crossed his mind.
KUUUUUUNG!
The previously immovable blockage finally began to shake more violently than ever before.
Jun.
Yes, Master. It's time.
Master and disciple recognized the moment simultaneously.
The streams of Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art that had been attacking from opposite sides merged into one.
Follow the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art exactly as the verses describe.
Understood.
No lengthy explanation was necessary.
They cultivated the same martial art.
Even the circulation of internal energy carried intent within it.
Master and disciple silently recited the same verses of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art as they unleashed their blazing yang energy forward.
KWAAAAAAANG!
The united force surged forward like a raging flood—
And shattered the third blocked meridian.