Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation

Chapter 450: A Noble Guest Of Qingcheng (4)

The miraculous medicines Seol-Hwi was seeking were precisely three types.

The Muscle and Tendon Reinforcing Pill, the White Furry Bear Bile Pill, and the Golden Spiritual Fruit.

While the Muscle and Tendon Reinforcing Pill was not comparable to the Absolute Miracle Medicine Seol-Hwi had previously consumed, it was still a rather revolutionary medicine for enhancing internal qi.

After consuming it and starting meditation in the lotus seated position, one’s internal qi typically increases by about half a level over two weeks.

However, due to its nature, it possessed a strong fire element, posing a certain danger.

Therefore, another medicine to neutralize this energy was also necessary.

That was the White Furry Bear Bile Pill.

Originally, it served as an internal healing medicine for ordinary people who had not learned martial arts, helping them recover their vitality.

However, in the case of martial artists, it exhibited a special property: protecting the body from fierce energy and neutralizing it.

Thus, by consuming these two together, Seol-Hwi aimed to protect his vital energy while inducing an enhancement of more than half a level.

And lastly, the Golden Spiritual Fruit.

This was the medicine intended for Cheong Heo.

While the previous medicines were created by mixing various herbs, this one was a pure natural medicine.

When we consume food, numerous impurities seep into our bodies.

If overexertion or harmful actions continue, it affects the body.

It manifests as blurred vision or reduced stamina, as seen in the master.

To reduce such impurities and strengthen the innate qi, the source of life, this medicine was essential.

Of course, if the innate qi is already severely damaged, miracles like extending life do not occur.

Nonetheless, it was hoped that vision might improve again or that mobility could be managed independently.

Seol-Hwi was able to obtain the three elixirs a day earlier than planned by using his memories of the past.

The sun was high in the sky.

Seol-Hwi was in the yard with Cheong Heo.

On the day he returned with the spiritual pills, filled with joy, Cheong Heo had requested to see Hyuk Jin’s swordsmanship.

This naturally led to an appreciation of Qingcheng’s sword techniques.

“Ha. Haha.”

Clear Wind Sword Art.

Hyuk Jin was demonstrating the representative martial art of Qingcheng.

It currently consists of twenty-two forms, but originally it was eighteen.

Subsequent generations refined it, adding four more forms.

Whirl. Swoosh. Swish!

Cheong Heo had Seol-Hwi watch as each form was displayed.

Since he lacks his own perspective, he wants to hear achievements through the eyes of others.

‘He hasn’t learned it properly yet.’

Seol-Hwi felt a peculiar sense of nostalgia, as it had been a long time since he had seen this sword technique.

He could especially sense how Cheong Heo taught Hyuk Jin.

The swordsmanship of Cheong Heo, Seol-Hwi’s former master, originally emphasized the connection between forms to an almost obsessive degree.

This was akin to the resolve to never lose the upper hand in a fierce battle with an opponent.

Such a method imposes tremendous pressure on the opponent in a sword duel.

Once driven into a defensive position, they become hesitant to attack easily, fearing a setback.

‘Moreover, there are still difficulties in calling it first-rate…’

Commonly, second-rate refers to those who appropriately deploy forms in response to the opponent’s movements.

For an ordinary person, reaching even this level requires considerable training, but disciples belonging to the Nine Great Sects typically reach the second-rate with relative ease.

However, compared to someone who has reached the first-rate level, there is a distinct difference.

One must be able to adapt and apply their own techniques against the opponent’s attacks at any time.

In fact, the connection between techniques that Cheong Heo values can only be skillfully executed when reaching this level.

‘It’s because of experience.’

Seol-Hwi made an overall assessment of Hyuk Jin’s swordsmanship.

The movements of the sword line and posture were very solid.

It was not unreasonable to consider it as first-rate.

The swordsmanship was overly restrained, and at times, the sword was swung excessively.

This seemed to stem from a situation where the master could not teach directly.

Since he couldn’t see, he couldn’t know what stage the disciple was at.

“Whew.”

After displaying all his techniques, Hyuk Jin steadied his breath and took his stance.

Then, as if waiting, Cheong Heo asked.

“How is it?”

“……”

“Is it somewhat difficult to evaluate?”

As Seol-Hwi didn’t answer easily, Cheong Heo asked worriedly.

He roughly knew that Hyuk Jin’s level wasn’t high.

Seol-Hwi shook his head at his words.

“He performed better than I expected.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. The flow of the sword path is very good. Steadfast, and at times fierce. Especially in the connection between techniques… it was executed well without major shortcomings.”

“Ah…”

His master trembled slightly.

Perhaps because his teaching was acknowledged and was not in vain.

Watching him, Seol-Hwi gently smiled.

‘I guess I need to step in personally.’

Although Seol-Hwi gave a harsh evaluation of Hyuk Jin inwardly, he also discovered an unexpected hope.

A simple sword path that seemed almost obstinate.

Everyone dreams of a more splendid and impressive, or efficient sword path.

This is true not only for Qingcheng but for all the Nine Great Sects.

Especially, the stronger the techniques, the more they practice martial arts by changing the order of the techniques.

In contrast, Hyuk Jin’s sword path was steadfast.

It may seem inefficient at a glance.

But Seol-Hwi, who had already reached heavenly skill, knew.

That steadfast, sometimes seemingly foolish sword path is the spirit of Qingcheng Sect.

That strong belief is the pillar that will help overcome numerous future challenges.

There is Mount Hua dreaming of a splendid and grand flight, and Wudang focusing on efficiency and flow.

Then what is it for Qingcheng?

It is firm will.

Sometimes excessively frustrating and inefficient, but ultimately, it rises straight up to the sky and sees the world broadly with such will.

The strength Qingcheng emphasizes lies not in power but in spirit.

“Oh, by the way… You haven’t been seen for a few days, where have you been?”

“Yes. I had a brief matter to attend to.”

Seol-Hwi continued as he looked at him.

“I happened to find a herb on the way here. I asked around, and they said it’s good for restoring internal qi. Would you like to try it?”

“Haha. It’s better for a young Taoist to consume what’s good for the body than an old man like me.”

“They say this medicine is ineffective for young people, and is for those with weakened energy. So I thought it might suit you, and I brought it.”

“Well, still…”

“There’s no one else to use it on anyway, and such things need to be consumed quickly to be effective. I’ll brew some medicine. I heard it should be made like a decoction, so I’ll get started now.”

“Uh, um…”

Without waiting for Cheong Heo’s response, Seol-Hwi moved swiftly.

Perhaps that’s why Cheong Heo couldn’t actively stop him.

“Why are you standing out here? Why not go inside?”

Behind the Food Hall.

Seol-Hwi’s steps halted as he carried a dish of boiled herbal medicine.

He had discovered Hyuk Jin standing idly in one corner of the yard.

“Well…”

Hyuk Jin hesitated, unable to give a clear answer.

Seeing this, Seol-Hwi briefly glanced towards the chamber.

‘Someone must be here.’

He understood the reason.

“Sajae. Is it true that you applied for the martial arts competition this time?”

Before Cheong Heo sat an elder of similar age.

This was an elder known as Cheong Gyeong, responsible for one of the three Taoist temples, a training hall called Three Bladed Hall.

He was known to Cheong Heo as a sahyung and was one of the many figures who occasionally visited this chamber.

“Yes, sahyung. I heard the news about the martial arts competition the other day and applied as well.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Pardon?”

“Think about it. Even though it’s a martial arts competition that includes both great disciples, isn’t it still a place where you represent the Qingcheng Sect? What would people say if your disciple participated in such an event?”

“It’s not about showing off his skills. As you know, my disciple has almost no practical experience. I wanted to broaden his knowledge and perspective through this competition…”

“Hmm. Don’t I know that? But why does it have to be this martial arts competition?”

Cheong Gyeong’s point was this.

If you want to gain experience or broaden your perspective, you can participate in martial events held at Qingcheng Sect, like the Taoist ranking battles.

Yet, all this time, he hasn’t even shown his face at such events, not at Kunlun, nor Kongtong, and even the Qingcheng Sect.

Was he saying that he was going to participate in a martial arts tournament hosted by the three sects together?

And taking along Hyuk Jin, who hasn’t even been verified.

In response, Cheong Heo said,

“As you know, I haven’t had my disciple for even half a year. Moreover, I had to take many days off due to illness back then. During that time, there were many days I didn’t hear about such important events at the main mountain.”

“Yes, I am aware of your unfortunate circumstances.”

Cheong Gyeong said with a bitter smile.

“But this has garnered so much attention in the murim world. So it seems they want to send a more verified Second Disciple from above…”

“Then why didn’t they say from the start that they would only select seasoned warriors? I clearly heard that anyone could participate in this opportunity…”

“Haha. Why are you so oblivious?”

Cheong Gyeong blatantly showed his discomfort.

“Anyone can participate. But is Hyuk Jin just anyone? Who in Qingcheng wouldn’t know that he hasn’t even properly learned the basic techniques yet?”

“Sahyung, you’re going too far with your words!”

“Sigh.”

As Cheong Heo raised his voice, Cheong Gyeong said no more.

Instead, he closed his mouth with a sigh, directing his gaze towards the empty ceiling.

A brief silence followed.

And even without words, the two knew well what emotions each other held.

That’s why this meeting was uncomfortable for them.

“Didn’t I tell you early on?”

Cheong Gyeong broke the silence.

“That it would be better to keep him doing what he’s doing rather than having him train. In fact, the Qingcheng Sect is lacking in people to serve the ancestors and care for the elders.”

“Is that… the reason?”

For a moment, Cheong Heo’s gaze turned sharp.

“About why you don’t want to send Hyuk Jin out. Isn’t it to have him take care of older taoists his whole life?”

“Don’t misunderstand, this is…”

“Sahyung! Hyuk Jin is a warrior!”

Cheong Heo’s hand trembled as he shouted loudly.

Cheong Gyeong was also startled by his disciple’s strong momentum.

“He’s also from the Qingcheng Sect. In a way, he’s lived the most Qingcheng-like life. He has never once avoided or neglected honoring his ancestors or taking care of the elders.”

“……”

“And yet, you won’t even give him a chance. How can you do this? How can Qingcheng do this to him?”

Cheong Gyeong found it difficult to respond to his outburst.

In truth, he too felt a pang of guilt deep down.

How could he not know?

The diligence and effort of that child.

The boy named Hyuk Jin lacked talent in martial arts.

But had he not silently taken care of chores in unseen places all this time?

“Ahem. Anyway, I’ll keep that in mind for now.”

“Sahyung? Fifth Sahyung!”

As Cheong Gyeong stood up, Cheong Heo hastily stood up as well. But his health was poor, causing him to stagger and fall again.

Cheong Gyeong looked at him with concern before eventually turning away.

“…Huh? You are?”

At the doorway, he saw a familiar face.

The famous figure of the Wudang Sect staying here, Seol-Hwi. Or rather, Myung Hwi.