Chapter 9
Now is the time.
Previous memories drenched Seol Unhui’s entire body.
It was a familiar sensation.
The strange tremor at the moment when the dantian opens.
Seol Unhui clearly remembered this.
A path once walked.
Now, simply retracing it.
虚实相合成真空 (Xu Shi Xiang He Cheng Zhen Kong).
The meeting of emptiness and reality forms the true void.
正邪交融达至道 (Zheng Xie Jiao Rong Da Zhi Dao).
Good and evil merge, reaching the ultimate path.
先天纯净血魔势 (Xian Tian Chun Jing Xue Mo Shi).
The primordial purity and the power of blood magic.
合而化之显玄机 (He Er Hua Zhi Xian Xuan Ji).
Unifying and transforming, revealing the profound mechanism.
Although faint, the distinct essence of the Void began to manifest in Seol Unhui’s body.
The energy handled countless times in a past life. But the current body was too weak. The energy was less than half the size of a fingernail, yet even this seemed like a massive vessel holding an ocean.
It was alright.
Really, it was alright.
Seol Unhui recalled the Taixu Xian Xue Xin Fa (Great Void Immortal Blood Heart Technique) in his mind.
太虚玄血通万理 (Tai Xu Xuan Xue Tong Wan Li).
The mysterious blood of the great void connects with all principles.
The incantation echoed, and understanding seeped in. Even a small vessel was fine. The path to the Dao follows steps, and for now, simply opening the first gate was enough.
先天血气化真空 (Xian Tian Xue Qi Hua Zhen Kong).
The blood essence of the primordial transforms into the true void.
With a dull resonance, the dantian opened. Two lights rose. It was as it had been in his past life. In that fleeting moment, where purity and sharpness coexisted, a faint light began to tint Seol Unhui’s mind.
万法归一显大道 (Wan Fa Gui Yi Xian Da Dao).
All methods return to one, revealing the great way.
The light mixed harmoniously. A small change, but the beginning of a significant flow.
The Void energy started to flow through his meridians. The blood vessels were still impure, and the dantian was narrow. But it was okay.
Those who know the Dao do not rush.
Moonlight shone upon his body.
Past memories and his current body.
Bridging the gap was his task at hand.
It would be a long journey.
Seol Unhui opened his eyes.
The first stage of refining qi (training energy).
He had reached the Yang Guang Yi Xian (Two Appearances of the Sunlight).
Leaving my room, I smiled, feeling the cold wind.
It had been a long time since I felt this refreshed.
Compared to the state I had reached in my past life, this was a near-bottom level, but still, it was fine.
Reaching this state meant I had opened my dantian, which allowed me to use the Void energy, even if only faintly.
That was enough.
I casually draped the Baekho Cheon-ui (White Tiger Heavenly Robe) over my shoulder.
This garment, known for its excellent warmth, was also a symbol that proved I was of the bloodline of the Eternal Snow Palace.
Sitting at the entrance, I looked up at the sky.
The full moon hung in the sky.
It wasn’t just night, but early morning—an hour when few people were active.
I had wondered how long it had been inside, but clearly, it had taken at least a day.
I quietly felt the night wind there.
One time passed.
An hour passed.
Then two hours passed.
From the entrance, someone began to walk toward me.
It was the bloodied Cheonpung.
He quietly set down three heads before me and also placed a small bundle next to them.
Then, he kneeled in front of me.
He had seemed a bit dazed, but surprisingly, he did his job properly.
Cheonpung said nothing, and I also remained silent.
Another hour passed.
Four of the Bunta Yuan returned, each carrying two heads.
Despite being wounded, all five of the Bunta Yuan returned safely.
They brought the heads of the traitors.
Of course, they also recovered the items.
I silently watched them.
In this cold weather, their eyes were clear.
Now, I was somewhat satisfied.
With this, I was sure I could use them as tools.
But before using them, the level I had reached was too unsatisfactory.
I spoke in a quiet voice.
“Excellent.”
The five Bunta Yuan looked up at me.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to kill all of them. But not only did you return alive, you also completed the task perfectly. Now, it’s my turn to fulfill my promise.”
Their eyes sparkled.
Each of them said, one after another:
“The Heavenly Kill Wolf Star Secret will be written down separately and distributed. But before that, I want to teach you the heart technique that can use the Heavenly Kill Wolf Star Secret. The incantation is simple, and the contents should be simple as well. You should memorize it here.”
There was no one else around us but the five of us. I didn’t know how good their memory was, but they would certainly remember it.
“What I will teach you is the Tianxiang Heart Method.”
At my words, all of them leaned in, their expressions serious.
“The key to this heart method is to observe heaven and earth and understand their principles. Watch the movements of the heavens, feel the flow of the wind, understand the flow of water.”
I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them slowly.
“The first step of practice is to sit quietly and observe everything around you. At first, you will see nothing. But over time, you will begin to sense the subtle changes in heaven and earth.”
I raised my hand and pointed to the air.
“A breeze, the movement of clouds, every snowflake—they all contain the principles of heaven and earth. When you understand this, your inner strength will take a leap.”
I slowly recited the incantation.
观天察地 万象生 (Guan Tian Cha Di Wan Xiang Sheng).
Observing heaven and earth, the shapes of all things arise.
心合自然 永不灭 (Xin He Zi Ran Yong Bu Mie).
The heart merges with nature, never to fade away.
万籁归心 道自明 (Wan Lai Gui Xin Dao Zi Ming).
All sounds return to the heart, and the Dao becomes clear.
一念通天 化无形 (Yi Nian Tong Tian Hua Wu Xing).
One thought reaches the heavens and transforms into formlessness.
When I finished, the air around us vibrated slightly.
“The true value of this heart method lies in increasing the purity of your inner strength. Many focus only on increasing the quantity of inner strength, but that is superficial. True strength comes from qualitative growth.”
The Bunta Yuan’s eyes lit up. They could already feel the value of this heart method. In fact, if they didn’t, they would be dead by now.
The Tianxiang Heart Method.
This was at least a heaven-level heart method.
“Look at the sky, look at the earth, and see everything in between. That is the beginning and end of this heart method.”
I repeated the details of how to circulate the blood vessels during cultivation, then sent them inside to practice.
Quietly, I turned my head toward the pillar at the entrance and spoke.
“Seong Chong-gwan.”
At that, Seong Chong-gwan appeared from the pillar.
“Eavesdropping is not a good habit. I didn’t know you had such a hobby.”
“I wasn’t listening because I wanted to. I was just worried since you’ve been outside in this cold weather.”
I chuckled.
“What about the people from the Cheongun Sect and the Open Sect?”
“They came and went ‘yesterday.’”
“No issues?”
“None. The insurance contracts were standard. As expected, Yi Jeong-chang from the Open Sect came with information about the death of Yao Un-sang.”
“I see.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
“Scared?”
“Yi Jeong-chang. The master of the Three-Fire Purification.”
I smiled faintly.
“Someone once said that the master of the Three-Fire Purification is the ‘strongest among the strong.’”
“…You mean the two Bunta Yuan who died?”
“Unfortunately, while the Three-Fire Purification is an impressive level, it’s not quite ‘the strongest among the strong.’”
“…Although your development and achievements are extraordinary, you’re not yet able to face a master from the Three-Fire Purification.”
“Why do you think that?”
“…”
“I know Seong Chong-gwan’s ‘experience’ is vast, but don’t think that experience can explain everything in this world. People call that arrogance.”
“…Young Master…”
“And, tell those inside to bring food, and let them rest tomorrow.”
For a moment, Seong Chong-gwan stayed silent.
I wondered why, but it was probably because of my tone.
I wasn’t speaking formally but casually, and that might have caused it. But I found this way of speaking more comfortable.
He replied.
“…Understood. But why aren’t you angry?”
“Angry?”
“I overheard what you said. The Tianxiang Heart Method. Even I can tell it’s not an ordinary method. That… it must be a heaven-level method, one that only the most elite among the Cold Spirit Guardians could learn… far superior to the Heavenly Kill Wolf Star Secret, which is only mid-tier in the heaven-level methods. It’s practically a top-tier heaven-level method. How did you acquire it?”
I looked up at the sky. It was still cold.
Since we were in the mountains, it was expected, but today felt unusually cold.
“I have a lot of questions. Should I answer them all at once?”
“…You don’t have to answer them all.”
“Since Seong Chong-gwan is curious, I’ll answer.”
I smiled slightly.
“How many years has it been? Since you’ve been with me?”
“…About 16 years.”
Sixteen years.
“It’s been a long time.”
“It has.”
“Since I was a child, you’ve protected and watched over me. You were originally a housekeeper at the main estate, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. I came to Seol-ap with you when you took over the position, and I was promoted to Chong-gwan.”
“I trust you, Seong Chong-gwan.”
“…”
“Even if you eavesdrop, ambush me, or strike me in the back, I’d allow it. If it were anyone else, I’d have torn them apart, but for you, Seong Chong-gwan.”
I smiled gently.
“It’s alright. There must have been a reason for it.”
“…Why do you trust me so much?”
“Is there any reason not to?”
“…”
“Am I not the closest person to you, Seong Chong-gwan?”
“…Maybe… yes?”
“What more do I need?”
Seong Chong-gwan scratched his head.
“And the Tianxiang Heart Method—I created it.”
At those words, Seong Chong-gwan’s eyes widened.
“I broke down the methods I had learned and pieced them together into something new.”
I had taught many disciples at the Bone-Moon Blood Sect.
The method I created for them was the Tianxiang Heart Method.
With this heart method, the Bone-Moon Blood Sect became stronger and now has one of the most formidable martial arts sects in the Central Plains, with hundreds of experts.
“…You didn’t inherit it, you created it?”
Looking at Seong Chong-gwan’s disbelief, I spoke quietly.
“Unfortunately, I’ve never lied to you, Seong Chong-gwan. I didn’t exaggerate or minimize anything. I just told you the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. I don’t think there’s any need to say more.”
“…”
“So, when do you think Yi Jeong-chang will arrive?”
“…He was furious. If he’s quick, he’ll be here today. If not, he’ll come tomorrow.”
I nodded.
It seemed like it was going to be a long day.
