If the evidence of a peak expert is the ability to express the energy flowing within their body externally, then the proof of a transcendent expert is the ability to re-compress that energy once expressed.
The martial artists referred to this as “Gang” (罡), and it could only be formed by those who have reached at least the transcendent level.
Whoosh!
As my fist collided with the Gang, I watched as the rock disintegrated into dust, swallowing hard.
“This is the Gang…”
“If you can form Gang, you don’t even need armor anymore.”
Most attacks can be deflected by the strength of the Gang.
Wolhyang said this while lifting her foot to show me.
She typically walked barefoot, and the reason was that she constantly wrapped her feet in energy.
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to wear armor and have the Gang as well?”
“But not wearing it looks cooler, right?”
“……”
Honestly, I couldn’t argue against that.
This rabbit sure understands the psychology of martial artists.
“Anyway, we’ve achieved our goal. To be honest, when I first started training, I was skeptical if Chilbok could reach this level in time, but somehow, he did.”
“It’s all thanks to Master Wolhyang’s great teaching.”
“Hehe, that’s right?”
Wolhyang scratched the back of her head with a flustered expression.
After nearly two years of battling and living alongside her, I learned one thing: Wolhyang was weak to compliments.
“Oh, by the way, when are we heading to Beijing?”
“We haven’t set a specific date, but the sooner, the better. It’s quite a trip from Chengdu to Beijing after all.”
“Then we still have some time left.”
“Probably, since Rin’s training isn’t finished yet.”
Just as I received training from Wolhyang to become a transcendent expert, Dokgorin was receiving training from Baek Yujin to become a master of the warrior realm.
I heard while eating yesterday that Rin’s training was nearing its end, but crossing the threshold of a realm is not something bound by time, so I wasn’t sure how many days it would take.
“Then let’s wrap up today’s training here. To celebrate the increase in your level, I’ll serve a delicious dinner.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I was smiling ear to ear at the unexpected good news when—
Boom!!!
A huge explosion echoed from afar in the valley, raising a cloud of dust.
“What on earth…”
When I turned with a blank expression, Wolhyang muttered beside me.
“I think another reason to celebrate has just appeared?”
“Are you saying…”
As I said this while looking at her, Wolhyang nodded.
“It seems Dokgorin has also surpassed her limits.”
*
To confirm the explosion’s cause, I headed to the valley where Baek Yujin and Dokgorin were training with Wolhyang.
What we found in the valley was a gigantic pit that probably exceeded a 1km diameter.
“Wow…”
As I stood in shock at the monumental size, a voice came from the bottom of the pit.
“Why are you here during training time?”
The voice belonged to Baek Yujin.
“How could I not come when such a loud noise was made?”
“True, that makes sense.”
As Baek Yujin climbed up from the pit, he glanced around and whistled.
“The impact of the attack was greater than expected.”
“What on earth did you do?”
“It wasn’t anything special. While sparring, we got fired up and let a bit of our seriousness out?”
Dokgorin, who had just risen from the pit, chimed in as if to argue with Baek Yujin.
“For not having a scratch, you sure are casual about it.”
Hearing her voice, I turned my head and, whoa! I quickly turned away.
That’s because Dokgorin was completely naked.
“Where, where are your clothes?!”
Seeing me embarrassed, Dokgorin grinned and said, “They burned away in the explosion. Are you embarrassed to see my naked body? If it’s Chilbok, I wouldn’t mind showing it off.”
“It’s outrageous for a maiden to say such things!”
I shouted as I hurriedly took off my outer garment and handed it to Dokgorin.
Without hesitation, she covered her naked self with the outer garment I gave her.
Finally able to look again, I turned back, only for Dokgorin to suddenly flap the garment.
“Hoi.”
“Whoa whoa whoa!”
As I hurriedly covered my eyes with my palms, I could hear Dokgorin chuckling playfully.
“Hehe, so cute.”
Watching our interaction, Baek Yujin and Wolhyang commented from the side.
“No wonder, it must be hard to live without a partner.”
“Indeed.”
After a commotion like that, Baek Yujin suddenly turned serious.
“Anyway, starting today, Dokgorin, you are a fully recognized master of the warrior realm. The fact that you can last against me in a spar demonstrates that you’ve grown significantly stronger.”
“Yes, I already knew that.”
“But I don’t know how strong the Taoist Yangbang you’re going to face is. So remember this one thing: if you intend to kill, aim for the head, not the heart.”
Saying that, Baek Yujin tapped his temple with his finger.
“Typically, Taoists are crafty; if you let your guard down, they’ll hit you from behind. They’d probably just be floating above the water even if they fell in.”
“I guess you’ve experienced that a lot.”
Baek Yujin gave a bitter smile in reply.
“I used to have dealings with them a lot. When expanding influence, conflicts with local religious factions are inevitable.”
As we continued our conversation, Wolhyang piped up.
“Well, it looks like we have two reasons to celebrate today! I guess I’ll have to prepare dinner in a much grander fashion!”
“Huh? Two?”
“Yes! Chilbok also became a transcendent expert today!”
As Wolhyang spread her arms wide, I felt a little sheepish and lowered my head.
Honestly, I felt that Dokgorin, who had broken through the wall of the warrior realm, deserved more celebration than me.
“Oh, congratulations.”
“You finally crossed the wall.”
However, Baek Yujin and Dokgorin congratulated me with pure expressions, and I thanked them with a sense of unease.
*
That evening’s feast was indeed a lavish spread as Wolhyang had promised.
It seems that because there are no wild animals living in Myoseondong, one has to go to the outside world to get meat, but since today was a joyful occasion, Baek Yujin personally ventured out and bought some.
The chosen menu was samgyeopsal (pork belly), which is usually enjoyed in stews or stir-fries in this era, but I introduced the three of them to the Korean barbecue culture of grilling thin slices of pork belly on a griddle.
Though it was an unfamiliar style of grilling for the Chinese, the three loved it.
Thinly sliced pork, grilled, and eaten with various vegetable wraps was refreshing for them.
After a hearty feast that left us all stuffed, I took Dokgorin for a walk inside Myoseondong for a moment of private conversation.
“Time has flown by; it’s hard to believe two years have passed.”
“Yeah, it really has.”
Gazing up at the artificial star-filled sky created by Wolhyang’s power, I mumbled, and Dokgorin echoed softly.
To be honest, those two years spent in Myoseondong were perhaps the first time I felt truly comfortable after the Dokgo family had fallen.
But now was the time to awaken from this dream.
“When do you plan to head to Beijing?”
I asked directly, and Dokgorin hesitated for a moment before answering.
“I think it’s best to go as soon as possible.”
“…That makes sense.”
Even though thirty days here equate to a day in the outside world, there are now less than ten days until the rising ceremony led by Dokwang Tang Hochang.
If we were to go to Beijing in time, it would be best to leave as soon as possible.
The distance from Sichuan to Beijing is quite substantial.
Yet for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
No, I already knew the reason.
I was reluctant to end my life here.
Though the two years of training had started for the sake of revenge, ironically, I found the thought of continuing to live like this not so bad.
If I could just work the fields with Dokgorin amidst the tranquility of Myoseondong until the end of my days, I wouldn’t have to worry about threats to my life.
Maybe sensing my thoughts from my expression, Dokgorin waited in silence.
Eventually, I made my decision and spoke.
“Then let’s set off tomorrow.”
Instead, Dokgorin asked me.
“Are you sure?”
“What do you mean?”
“If Chilbok wants, we can stay here a little longer before setting out.”
I appreciated her concern, but I shook my head.
“I’m fine. If I delay departing, I might have regrets.”
And there was another reason I couldn’t abandon revenge.
“And remember, I promised Lord Seok I would stay by your side till the very end. So no matter what happens, I’ll be right beside you till the end.”
Hearing my words, Dokgorin looked at me with a blank expression.
“Chilbok…”
As I patted her head, I said, “Once everything is over, let’s come back here and thank the two of them. For now, that will be enough.”
Dokgorin silently nodded at my words.
“Okay. I’ll follow your decision.”
After wrapping up our conversation, we decided to return to the cabin where Baek Yujin and Wolhyang were waiting before it got too late.
Of course, on the way back, we held hands tightly together.
