Chapter 34

Repeatedly speaking, in the martial world, the value of martial arts is undeniably sacred.

For martial arts, fortunes are exchanged, and for martial arts, lives are thrown away.

When ancient martial arts manuals or records of legendary masters’ secret locations emerge, it causes a storm in the martial world, all because martial arts hold such precious value.

Even ownerless martial arts are treated this way, let alone those with owners.

When the quality of martial arts is equal, it’s always more, never less. To avoid losing one’s martial arts, some choose suicide, and those who steal martial arts become sworn enemies, destined to be hunted down.

This isn’t just in the secular world. Even in sects that aim to transcend desires and achieve immortality, or in Buddhist sects seeking nirvana, it’s the same.

Disciples who learn the sect’s martial arts but break the rules or leave without permission face severe punishments, such as having their dantian destroyed and their meridians severed.

It’s not for nothing that those who leave without properly repaying their debt are marked as martial world outlaws.

Thus, the martial arts of the upper echelons are more precious than human life.

The Paeng Family is no exception.

To maintain the secrecy of their martial arts within the clan, the Paeng Family strictly prohibits the leakage or transmission of their techniques. The Enforcement Hall exists to punish those who break these taboos.

But.

In that case.

“Are you saying you will pass on your martial arts to Ye-ryeong?”

Unable to believe it, Moyong Hye asked again.

Moyong Hye, being from the Moyong Family, understands the significance of martial arts leakage better than anyone.

Originally from the Moyong Family, she was subjected to a sealing technique when her political marriage to the Hapbuk Paeng Family was decided. The Moyong Family couldn’t bear to destroy her dantian, so they used a spell instead.

Even family members are treated this way.

But what is Paeng Ye-ryeong to Namgung Woo?

Just a stranger.

If Namgung Woo were an ordinary late-blooming prodigy, Moyong Hye might have understood.

Ah, this young man wants to become a member of our Paeng Family—she might have thought.

Sacrificing one’s martial arts to become a member of a prestigious family through marriage. It’s a plausible story.

But does Namgung Woo really need to do that?

Only twenty-six, though not certain, definitely not over thirty. A supreme peak master at that age, perhaps even beyond.

What value does the Hapbuk Paeng Family hold for such a martial artist? Hard to say. It’s not a place worth sacrificing one’s martial arts for.

‘The number one genius of the White Path… How old was Hagyeong Jinin when they became a supreme peak master?’

One of the Nine Sects and One Gang, the pillar of the Cheongseong Sect.

The prodigy who lifted the half-ruined Cheongseong Sect back to being the top sect in Sichuan.

Only Hagyeong Jinin, who reached the realm of enlightenment at thirty, could compare to this young man.

‘So, what this young man desires isn’t just to become a member of the Hapbuk Paeng Family. He could become a son-in-law if he wished.’

Pure altruism.

A true chivalry rarely seen even in the righteous martial world.

While Moyong Hye was lost in shock, the man who didn’t inspire trust sought a reason.

“Why?”

Paeng Ja-ryeong couldn’t believe it. He wanted to, but it was hard.

Because he couldn’t do it himself. If asked to teach the Paeng Family’s martial arts to save someone, he would have chosen the martial arts nine times out of ten.

“Your martial arts must be a divine art. Are you really going to share such a treasure with a stranger?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Not being a martial artist, even as he reflects on himself and learns about this world, Namgung Woo’s essence is that of a modern person. To him, martial arts are just tools.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taught the Thirteen Lightning Flash Swords to the Yang Brothers.

Namgung Woo isn’t ignorant of the value of martial arts. He has no intention of carelessly spreading them to anyone.

But.

“Is it precious?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Is martial arts that precious? More than the life before your eyes?”

“Of course…”

As Paeng Ja-ryeong was about to say, he realized the implication and stopped, mouth agape.

The demeanor of a great hero.

Paeng Ja-ryeong himself had set aside the Four Beginnings for the sake of his family.

Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. The title of “Lord” should belong not to him, who merely imitates, but to this young hero.

“I also have no intention of teaching just anyone or any martial art. I was lucky. Among the martial arts I’ve mastered, there’s only one I can give to the Paeng Family.”

Only this one martial art can be given to the Paeng Family.

Perhaps only the Yang Brothers truly understood what that meant.

They realized it wasn’t the Namgung Family’s inherited martial arts but something Namgung Woo had learned separately.

The Paeng Family members also vaguely sensed that Namgung Woo originally belonged to another faction.

But what does it matter?

In the end, sharing his divine art is the same.

“Mother!”

“Madam!”

Exclamations of shock erupted from all around.

Moyong Hye, still seated, bent her body, placing her hands and forehead on the ground.

To someone willing to sacrifice their precious possession to save her child, Moyong Hye couldn’t bear to lift her head.

“…Please, do as you wish, benefactor.”

“Please rise. It’s too much.”

“Benefactor, I regret to inform you that the master of our house is away. Thus, we cannot promise any reward. However, though I cannot promise in the name of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, I promise in the name of Moyong Hye. I will never forget the great favor you’ve bestowed.”

Namgung Woo, giving up on forcing Moyong Hye to rise, decided to end the situation quickly.

“That will suffice.”

Moyong Hye, despite her noble position as the lady of the Hapbuk Paeng Family, willingly bowed for her child, and Namgung Woo, showing the demeanor of a great hero, didn’t even discuss repayment.

Moved by their actions, many wiped tears or clenched fists to hold back emotions.

Paeng Ha-ryeong also looked at Namgung Woo with teary eyes, and even Paeng Ja-ryeong bowed his head in admiration. Yet, as always, someone disrupted the atmosphere.

“So, am I your disciple now?”

At Paeng Ye-ryeong’s question, Namgung Woo chuckled and slowly removed her hand from his head.

“Disciple? More like a fellow disciple.”

Unlike other martial arts, Namgung Woo had no master for this one.

The idea of sharing martial arts without a master-disciple relationship shocked everyone, but Paeng Ye-ryeong seemed more curious about something else.

“Um… can you tell me in advance? Is there?”

“Feel free to speak.”

“Ah, tell me the name.”

The name wasn’t something to hide.

Though many were listening, Namgung Woo readily revealed the martial art’s name.

“Void Spirit Divine Art.”

§

The day after leaving seclusion, Namgung Woo entered the training cave again.

But this time, he wasn’t alone. Across from him was Paeng Ye-ryeong.

It was her first time in the training cave, and despite it being where she lived, she looked around curiously, busy exploring.

She didn’t seem nervous about the martial arts transmission that would determine her fate.

“Let’s begin. Focus.”

“Okay.”

Though he said they’d start, Namgung Woo hesitated, unsure where to place his hands.

Since it’s an Upper Dantian martial art, touching a nearby area would be best…

“Should I hold her head?”

It might look strange, but there’s no one here to see.

As he reached for the Baihui acupoint on her crown, Paeng Ye-ryeong grabbed his wrist.

“Closer to the Upper Dantian’s acupoint, right?”

“Right?”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to press our foreheads together?”

“Foreheads?”

Not a bad suggestion.

Pressing foreheads together would bring the Upper Dantian acupoint very close. It would be easier to transmit energy than covering the Baihui acupoint with a palm.

‘But isn’t that a bit awkward?’

It’s funny to bring this up in a life-or-death situation, but still, there’s a distinction between genders.

Even though Paeng Ye-ryeong is only 14, a full zodiac cycle younger than 26-year-old Namgung Woo, the situation feels微妙. It’s not about her as a woman but the act of pressing foreheads with someone not close.

Seeing Namgung Woo hesitate, Paeng Ye-ryeong, perhaps impatient, pushed his hand aside and pulled his head towards her, pressing their foreheads together.

“Focus.”

Receiving his own words back, Namgung Woo stared blankly at Paeng Ye-ryeong. Her eyes, filled with determination, reflected his face in their dark pupils.

The distance was incredibly close. Her skin was so smooth that pores weren’t visible, but it was close enough to see them.

‘Come to think of it, I should be using Azure Tranquility Eyes… but since it’s in my field of vision, it’s fine, right?’

Even with Azure Tranquility Eyes, a 360-degree view isn’t possible, but it’s wider than a normal person’s. This position should suffice to see all the acupoints in Paeng Ye-ryeong’s head.

“Let’s begin. I’ll recite the口诀, and you absorb the energy entering your Upper Dantian.”

“Okay.”

Namgung Woo focused his mental strength on the Void Spirit Energy in his Upper Dantian. The energy, vastly different from ordinary internal energy, required immense mental strength.

Speaking while manipulating such energy was a challenging task for Namgung Woo.

“Void Spirit means emptying the spirit. But it doesn’t mean losing consciousness. Fullness empties, and emptiness fills. Like the tides of the sea, the phases of the moon, the cycle of seasons. The world repeats fullness and emptiness, being empty yet not empty. Know that emptiness and energy are the same.”

Void Spirit.

Emptying the spirit.

Thus, a new spirit resides in the emptied heavenly vessel.

“Serene and formless, this is the innate. Gather intent to condense into one energy. Thus, the acquired is born, the acquired being pure and empty.”

Serene and formless.

Without desire, pure, its form is free.

Pure and empty.

Like a tranquil well, clear and deep, the unified energy ultimately becomes empty yet forms the origin.

“Energy is emptiness, and within emptiness lies truth. Pure and empty must exist and never be nothing. Existence is emptiness, and emptiness is existence.”

The Void Spirit Energy connected their Upper Dantians through their pressed foreheads.

The energy formed a bridge, and thoughts flowed.

“The essence of original energy is serene, empty, and pure. Energy is inherently static, thus yin.”

Paeng Ye-ryeong intentionally emptied her Upper Dantian.

If energy accumulates, the heavenly gate opens faster.

Thus, Paeng Ye-ryeong already knew emptiness.

The space left by the innate was filled by the acquired energy Namgung Woo provided.

“Thus, this practice is the practice of Void Spirit, the practice of Great Void.”

The Void Spirit Energy circulated through their heads along the same path.

And when the energy reached the Baihui acupoint.

Their consciousness leaped into the realm of ascension.

There, they saw.

The burning landscape of Beijing.

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