The World’s Greatest Martial Arts Instructor - Chapter 375

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 375. Where Did You Learn That?

 

 

 

 

 

The day was drawing to a close.

 

The carriage had also stopped.

 

The horses were tied up in a suitable place where they could graze on grass.

 

Water was also drawn from a nearby small spring and set aside.

 

When one of the coffins filling the carriage’s cargo compartment was opened, it was packed full of items needed for camping outdoors.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo looked at those items with a disgusted expression.

 

No matter that they were newly made and nothing had ever been put in them before.

 

The thought that these were items stored in a coffin made him instinctively feel repulsed.

 

“Between this tent here and the carriage cargo compartment, which do you prefer?”

 

Ha Mu-baek asked as he took out the items and set up a simple tent where one person could lie down and rest comfortably.

 

Sleep with items that had been inside a coffin, or sleep next to a coffin.

 

Neither option was particularly appealing, but.

 

“I’ll sleep in the tent.”

 

Still, the tent seemed better than next to the coffin.

 

“Get moving.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo also prepared for camping outdoors.

 

Thanks to his experience wandering Gangho for a long time, his movements were natural and practiced.

 

The preparations were finished quickly.

 

They lit a fire and cooked some simple food in a small pot to eat.

 

Countless stars were shining in the night sky.

 

“Well then, I’ll be going in now.”

 

Ha Mu-baek entered the carriage’s cargo compartment.

 

A silent space.

 

The horses must have been tired and fallen asleep too, as no snorting sounds could be heard.

 

“Whew.”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo, who had exhaled deeply, sat cross-legged.

 

He intended to circulate his energy until the food in his stomach was properly digested.

 

After that would be cultivation involving physical movement.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo, who had been absorbed in energy circulation for about half a hour, opened his eyes.

 

There was much to do.

 

Since he had been dragged along by Ha Mu-baek, he had barely done any cultivation after his dawn training.

 

First, he cultivated the Taecho Secret Arts, then practiced the Bright Style.

 

Sweat began to bead up and soon flowed down in streams.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo concentrated and swung his sword with all his might, moving his body.

 

 

 

‘Not bad. I like it. Definitely.’

 

Ha Mu-baek, who had entered the cargo compartment, could sense all of Pyeong Deok-jo’s movements outside.

 

That kind of cultivation wasn’t being done to show Ha Mu-baek.

 

It was for himself.

 

Cultivation done to become stronger.

 

He thought that choosing Pyeong Deok-jo had indeed been an excellent decision.

 

Ha Mu-baek sat cross-legged.

 

If Pyeong Deok-jo was doing his cultivation, then Ha Mu-baek too had to do his own cultivation.

 

Ha Mu-baek delved deeply into his inner self.

 

He had gained much, but organizing it was falling behind.

 

This was because he had gained something else before finishing organizing what he had.

 

Fire energy and ice energy.

 

Added to that, even the seed of Manhwang.

 

Something like an inner core formed by these things achieving an exquisite balance.

 

It was half the result of Ha Mu-baek and the Mugeuk Yeoui Heart Method’s intention, and half the result of the energies moving on their own.

 

‘What should I call this?’

 

Ha Mu-baek thought as he examined the inner core.

 

It definitely wasn’t a dantian.

 

Though it was located in the dantian, it was completely different from a dantian.

 

It was truly like an inner core possessed by spiritual creatures and spiritual beasts.

 

‘A state where three types of energy are intertwined, forming harmony. However…’

 

Even Ha Mu-baek couldn’t know what would happen to this inner core in the future.

 

In fact, hadn’t poison energy entered the place where fire energy and ice energy were swirling in balance, and that poison energy became the seed of Manhwang again?

 

‘For now, should I call it something like a Creation Pill?’

 

Ha Mu-baek’s internal energy gently touched the Creation Pill.

 

The Creation Pill wasn’t just taking up space in the dantian.

 

Thread-like energy was connected to the dantian, and through that, Ha Mu-baek could channel his internal energy into it.

 

Like that.

 

He examined the Creation Pill.

 

What he focused on examining was, as expected, the seed of Manhwang.

 

‘It was said to be divided into eight pieces?’

 

Then the power of Manhwang that Go Hu-rak possessed must also be one of those eight pieces.

 

It was necessary to understand what kind of power it was.

 

If the martial art created from the power of Manhwang that he had released was Cheondok Valley’s Ten Thousand Desolations Soul-Stealing Underworld Poison Art, then there would be commonalities between the two.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s internal energy persistently touched the seed of Manhwang.

 

A very fine crack appeared in the seed’s hard shell.

 

Ha Mu-baek didn’t miss that opportunity.

 

His internal energy penetrated and examined the energy of Manhwang’s fragment.

 

Ha Mu-baek’s internal energy itself was the energy of Infinite Ruyi.

 

Though they were opposing energies.

 

Perhaps because of that?

 

He could feel the characteristics of Manhwang’s energy even more clearly.

 

‘This is…’

 

The more he understood those characteristics.

 

Something came to mind.

 

Why the energy of Manhwang that Go Hu-rak had released combined with poison arts.

 

Where that dampness came from.

 

‘It’s a swamp.’

 

Such was the nature of the energy.

 

A swamp that accepts incoming energy and makes it stagnate.

 

Regardless of type, it accepts everything and pools it.

 

That’s why it harmonized so well with poison too.

 

Seeping in, mixing, accepting, absorbing.

 

That’s why it seeped into the exhausted Pi Dok-ju and emanated that jade-colored energy.

 

Energy with the nature of a swamp.

 

The martial arts that exist in All Under Heaven utilize the energies spread throughout All Under Heaven.

 

Oneness.

 

Yin and yang.

 

Three Elements.

 

Four Symbols.

 

Five Elements.

 

Six Harmonies.

 

Seven Stars.

 

Eight Trigrams.

 

Nine Palaces.

 

The energies utilized by countless internal arts throughout All Under Heaven.

 

The nature of the swamp that Ha Mu-baek sensed.

 

That too.

 

Was among them.

 

‘Tae among the Eight Trigrams.’

 

That was it.

 

The energy of Tae.

 

One of the eight fragments of Manhwang, the energy that is the world itself, was the energy of Tae.

 

In the end, this meant that the fragments of Manhwang were the source of the Eight Trigrams.

 

Of course, this could have been Ha Mu-baek’s hasty judgment.

 

The fragments of Manhwang.

 

If he encountered another fragment, he would be able to confirm whether this hypothesis was correct.

 

‘Interesting.’

 

Ha Mu-baek smiled faintly.

 

The energy of Taecho was different.

 

Though it was said to be six fragments.

 

The Mugeuk, Wish Fulfillment, and Radiance that he possessed.

 

These three had their own unique characteristics that bore no relation to the Six Harmonies.

 

Ha Mu-baek speculated for now that since Manhwang was the world itself, when it shattered into eight pieces, it became the Eight Trigrams and turned into energies of parts of the world.

 

He made this assumption for the time being.

 

After understanding the nature and characteristics and moving his internal energy, there was definitely a response.

 

After finishing his understanding of the energy of Manhwang’s seed.

 

The question that came to him again.

 

‘What is Taecho?’

 

It was a question about the energy of the martial arts he was learning.

 

He had simply thought of it as internal energy, considered it martial arts, and continuously cultivated to become stronger.

 

Thanks to the recent events he had experienced.

 

He had come to know about its origin.

 

The Mugeuk Yeoui Heart Method.

 

This time, Ha Mu-baek tried to delve deeply into it, but.

 

“Tahat!”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo’s cultivation sound awakened Ha Mu-baek’s consciousness.

 

It was different from the cultivation sound he had heard before falling into his inner self.

 

“Has time already passed this much?”

 

Ha Mu-baek muttered as he opened his eyes.

 

Before he knew it, dawn was breaking.

 

It was the sound of Pyeong Deok-jo doing his dawn cultivation.

 

“How diligent.”

 

Ha Mu-baek muttered while looking outside through the small window of the luggage compartment.

 

“Well, today isn’t the only day.”

 

He got up and came out of the luggage compartment.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo glanced at Ha Mu-baek’s movement with a sidelong look, but didn’t stop his cultivation.

 

He continued swinging his sword.

 

Only after completing all his cultivation processes did he greet Ha Mu-baek.

 

“Instructor Ha. Did you rest comfortably?”

 

Ha Mu-baek nodded his head.

 

Then he stared intently at Pyeong Deok-jo.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“That martial art. Where did you learn it?”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.

 

If it had been another martial artist, they might have gotten angry.

 

For asking about their sect so rudely.

 

However.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo was different.

 

He had no sect to speak of.

 

His sworn brother.

 

Worried about the family martial arts being lost, had passed it on to Pyeong Deok-jo out of concern for him.

 

“I learned it from my sworn brother.”

 

“Sworn brother?”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo nodded at the returned question.

 

Ha Mu-baek suddenly recalled that in yesterday’s conversation, Pyeong Deok-jo had mentioned someone he called Elder Brother Cho.

 

“I am…”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo’s mouth moved.

 

The story of the journey he had lived.

 

Ha Mu-baek listened calmly. Though he wasn’t particularly curious.

 

Since it was a story that began with his own question.

 

“A martial art that can reach the level of first-rate if mastered…”

 

Ha Mu-baek muttered.

 

“Is there perhaps a problem?”

 

Ha Mu-baek shook his head.

 

“No. Or is there?”

 

At that muttering, an anxious expression appeared on Pyeong Deok-jo’s face.

 

“You said it was your sworn brother’s family martial arts, but it’s a better martial art than expected. Probably because no one has reached a high level, it’s been passed down through generations with the self-imposed limit of first-rate level…”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo concentrated on Ha Mu-baek’s words.

 

A master of Ha Mu-baek’s caliber was giving advice about his martial arts.

 

This was an opportunity, so he had no choice but to concentrate.

 

“If you set your own limits, the level of martial arts stops exactly there. There’s no reason to set limits first. Because that turns even excellent things into ordinary ones.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“You’re blocking the development of your own martial arts. Because the first-rate level is the limit. Because if it’s first-rate level, it would show this degree of movement. With that as the goal. Even if you cultivate like that. Only up to that point. Moreover, with the unconscious addition that second-rate is probably my limit since I learned it late. Your achievements are bound to be slow compared to your cultivation.”

 

It was sharp criticism.

 

Pyeong Deok-jo thoroughly pondered those words.

 

“If you’ve grasped a sword, try swinging it with the goal of being the best in All Under Heaven. Don’t predetermine your limits.”

 

“Could someone like me achieve that?”

 

Pyeong Deok-jo asked with a bitter expression.

 

“You can.”

 

After giving a short answer, Ha Mu-baek walked toward the spring.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

So Hwi-ung looked at Yeon Ja-gyeong who had come to see him.

 

Two people sitting across from each other at a fairly large table.

 

The tea was getting cold, but neither of them said anything.

 

‘Old monster Yeon. What scheme are you harboring by coming here?’

 

The gazes they exchanged were far from friendly.

 

In Yeon Ja-gyeong’s eyes as he looked at So Hwi-ung, there was regret.

 

‘I should have pushed someone else as Alliance Leader.’

 

So Hwi-ung, whom Yeon Ja-gyeong himself had strongly advocated and recommended as Alliance Leader.

 

Who would have thought he would maintain the position of Alliance Leader for so long.

 

He had been considered as a scapegoat Alliance Leader for the Great Murim War.

 

“Alliance Leader.”

 

Since it was Yeon Ja-gyeong who had come to visit, he had no choice but to speak first.

 

“Please speak, Elder Yeon.”

 

“What do you think about the current educational methods of Gyoryong Hall?”

 

So Hwi-ung frowned.

 

Because Gyoryong Hall had come out of Yeon Ja-gyeong’s mouth.

 

The institution where none other than Ha Mu-baek was involved.

 

If Yeon Ja-gyeong brought it up, it seemed he had bad intentions.

 

Wasn’t it because of the demands of the Righteous Path Council, led by Yeon Ja-gyeong, that Ha Mu-baek was sent there?

 

“What do you mean?”

 

So Hwi-ung asked again.

 

The old schemer who would try to achieve his intended goal by finding fault with any answer was Yeon Ja-gyeong, right before his eyes.

 

“Have you heard that those who graduated from Gyoryong Hall are struggling to adapt to their duties after being assigned to field sites?”

 

Yeon Ja-gyeong’s criticism.

 

This was valid.

 

So much so that it was hard to believe Yeon Ja-gyeong had brought it up first.

 

He had been pondering that very issue with Gongsun Dan-gyeong.

 

Occasionally exchanging opinions with Peng Do-yul as well.

 

“I’m aware of it.”

 

“Then this conversation will be quick. Last year, Instructor Ha Mu-baek did something interesting.”

 

Ha Mu-baek’s name came from Yeon Ja-gyeong’s mouth. So Hwi-ung looked at Yeon Ja-gyeong with an unpleasant expression.

 

“He took the cadets of Maengryong Corps and visited Sanwol Demon Forest.”

 

So Hwi-ung had also received a report about that incident.

 

‘It was when Yeon Baek-ryang died.’

 

So Hwi-ung’s eyes gleamed.

 

For Yeon Ja-gyeong, it was when he lost his own son. What intention could he have for deliberately bringing up that incident?

 

“The purpose was reported as field training.”

 

It seemed he had even checked Gyoryong Hall’s documents.

 

“When I confirmed that, I slapped my knee. I thought, so there was such a method. I also blamed myself, thinking this old man had become too old and rigid in thinking. If they struggle to adapt after field assignment, it seemed like a good solution to send them for training to those field sites in advance.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

So Hwi-ung asked.

 

“How about utilizing the break period to send the cadets of Jamryong Corps and Waryong Corps for field training? To places where they’re expected to be assigned later. After having them experience various places, it would also be good to find out the cadets’ preferred assignment locations.”

 

So Hwi-ung looked at Yeon Ja-gyeong with a strange expression.

 

He couldn’t believe these words came from that schemer’s mouth.

 

It was exactly the direction he had been discussing with Gongsun Dan-gyeong and Peng Do-yul.

 

However.

 

Since it involved changing Gyoryong Hall’s operational methods.

 

He needed the cooperation of the Righteous Path Council. He also needed approval from the elders.

 

Because it meant changing the method of educating the rising talents of each sect.

 

He had been pondering how to resolve their opposition.

 

And Yeon Ja-gyeong brought it up first.

 

‘Why on earth?’

 

So Hwi-ung couldn’t fathom Yeon Ja-gyeong’s intentions at all.

 

“What do you think?”

 

Yeon Ja-gyeong asked, looking intently at So Hwi-ung.

 

A pleased smile hung on his lips.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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