Most buildings of the Hwanggeum Family had a Sarangbang, and the Deungryeong Shrine was no exception.
The Deungryeong Shrine wasn’t a place for our blood relatives or ancestors alone. Even if one wasn’t direct family, any meritous member of the Samga was enshrined together.
Because of this, the Deungryeong Shrine was one of the buildings in the Hwanggeum Family that saw the most outside visitors, and it was also one of the best-equipped with a Sarangbang.
We each took our rooms, and after washing up, I entered my room. Before I could even fully open the door, I heard a voice from inside.
“You take your time washing.”
“It’s because the smell of blood won’t come off easily.”
I replied and stepped inside. The guest who was already there was Gwak Jindo.
“Your swordsmanship is impressive.”
“You saw it?”
“No. I can tell by how you handle the corpse. Your skill up to the Sambobeom is flawless.”
I was pleased. I didn’t have the eye to recognize such things, but surely, a master like Gwak Jindo could tell the opponent’s level just by examining the clean cuts on a corpse.
“And what’s with that question about whether I was watching? Do you think I’m just someone who idly watches while you guys are in danger?”
“I just came by because I was late compared to the appointed time.”
“You’re not going to complain about being late, are you?”
“Not at all.”
Gwak Jindo looked closely at my face and frowned.
“How can I tell if you’re sincere when your expression’s always like that?”
“I am sincere. Even if you’d been later, nothing would have happened.”
After all, Cheonjuseong was only testing me. If I hadn’t known about Cheonjuseong as an organization, I would’ve given it my all, but I didn’t.
Gwak Jindo took out a Purple Jade Box from his bosom with a suspicious look. Even though he hadn’t opened it, a fragrant scent already filled the room.
“Don’t despise me too much even if you think this is a lie. It was because of this that I was late. When I brought it, those who were late threw a fit…”
It was understandable. The Elixir was the culmination of their Alchemy Arts, a secret within secrets.
Still, I thought it wouldn’t matter if Gwak Jindo hadn’t brought it when I asked. Of course, it was an excellent Elixir, but it didn’t possess any unique ability beyond the others. I thought I could just get it later if needed. Even so, I was glad to receive it so quickly.
Gwak Jindo handed me the Purple Jade Box, and I accepted it respectfully with both hands.
“Thank you.”
Without hesitation, I opened the box. Inside was a small pill matching the box’s color, intricately embroidered with golden thread around its edges, making it look luxurious.
“So this is the Haemo Pill.”
“Yes. In our sect, it’s proudly said to be an Elixir comparable to the Shaolin Grand Elixir. In the Central Plains, few even know of its existence. Only the Haijawhan would be aware. Those are often used by the Myungmun Noble Clans as Balmose.”
Gwak Jindo said that and hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“But honestly, I think the Haijawhan is better for you right now. For the Haemo Pill to produce effects on par with the Grand Elixir, one’s life-and-death view must be aligned, and the Sangdanjeon must be open.”
“Yes, that’s why I requested it.”
Since it was a mountain ridge, the cold wind came through the open window. Gwak Jindo paused as if frozen by the draft.
“So, your Sangdanjeon is open now?”
“Yes.”
“…Hmph.”
Gwak Jindo couldn’t find the words to say. He tried to continue but only made sounds like “hmm,” “ah,” and “uh.” I calmly waited as if watching a child taking their first step.
“I’ve heard it’s extremely rare for a child to have a life-and-death view alignment, but this is my first time seeing it.”
“Is that so?”
“Usually, when it opens in a child, they die. It’s when the Cheonryeonggae open in newborn fetuses. Haven’t you heard about that?”
“Of course.”
From the womb, the Sangdanjeon is naturally open, and since they receive the Yang energy not through the safe Gi phase but the Sangdanjeon, the delicate Cheonryeonggae is born.
“But if it opens later, postnatally, it’s either because the person is suffering from extreme mania or they are a native of Mugokseong…”
Gwak Jindo said that while glancing at me. I knew why he was narrowing his eyes like that—because those born with the nature of Mugokseong are almost always historical heroes with legendary talent.
“…I see. Then your explanation of the Five Star Path makes sense.”
Gwak Jindo seemed to accept that, but I knew the truth. It was the mania from a previous life that caused it. Still, it was better to make him believe I was from Mugokseong rather than reveal that truth.
“I guess I’m from Mugokseong.”
“Since the last time, I’ve felt you have a talent for saying absurd things so calmly.”
I didn’t care whether I was Mugokseong or just mania. What mattered was that I was so heavily biased toward the Sangdanjeon now, and the Haemo Pill’s effect.
As Gwak Jindo said, the Haijawhan is a Balmose-type Elixir that changes one’s constitution. It alters Qi quality, not the body. Unlike other Elixirs, it balances the upper, middle, and lower Danjeons, returning wasted internal power to normal.
If the Sangdanjeon concept is about super-sensitivity, the Hadanjeon is about heavy fortitude. I noticed this during our last fight—unless I delve into the depths of Jinbeop, this Qi was difficult to master.
“Anyway, please watch my back.”
With that, I immediately popped the purple pill into my mouth. The upper, middle, and lower Danjeons simultaneously reacted and emitted some rejection.
The Haemo Pill was a good Elixir, but how much I could absorb depended on how well I could tame my Qi.
Since I was reliving my life, I would absorb as much as I hadn’t before.
I soon entered a state of Mu-Ajigyeong.
***
“This is crazy.”
Gwak Jindo sighed as he watched Gold-necked Hwan silently take the Elixir and perform Qi Circulation and Breathing.
I couldn’t tell if this kid was smart or just pure. Even when I first showed him Jinbeop, I wondered what on earth he believed in to display such power—and what he trusted to swallow an Elixir so lightly.
Putting faith aside, Elixirs absorb external Qi. There are many who suffer Qi collapse after taking an Elixir because the difference between medicine and poison is just dosage.
So no matter how strong the mind, people usually tremble before taking an Elixir, but this kid had none of that.
“You didn’t get possessed by some spirit, did you?”
Gwak Jindo carefully observed Gold-necked Hwan’s face, who was inhaling deeply with eyes closed. Pale skin, clear complexion, large eyes, and a sharp nose. If his hair were longer, he could look like a delicate girl without flaw.
Yet his words were blunt, and his insight chillingly sharp. Looks were clearly deceiving.
“…So you really might be from Mugokseong.”
Experienced martial artists release some Qi outward while taking Elixirs. It’s to manage their Qi because too much is harmful. But Gold-necked Hwan was circulating Qi without losing a single bit.
There were many strange things about this kid, but one thing was clear.
No matter what, he worked hard enough that you couldn’t help but like him.
Hours passed until the owner of Okhwasan came down from the peak, resembling a large salamander on its tail, yet Gold-necked Hwan showed no sign of opening his eyes.
At the Hour of the Tiger, something formed and began to take shape above Gold-necked Hwan’s head. Gwak Jindo almost gasped loudly but held himself back.
It was a Flower Bud that hadn’t yet blossomed.
“…This kid is truly unbelievable.”
The Flower Bud Phenomenon wasn’t a realm of martial artists like Samhwa Chujeong or Qi Circulation and Breathing mastery.
It was a phenomenon that occurred when the depth of enlightenment was great but the body was not yet prepared.
It usually appeared in young disciples but only during the later stages of training.
But Gold-necked Hwan was only twelve, and he had learned martial arts for less than two months.
What kind of monster had accepted him as its disciple? Gwak Jindo stared blankly at the slowly developing Flower Bud.
***
By the time I opened my eyes, it was already morning. I must have fallen asleep right after finishing Qi Circulation and Breathing. Digesting the Elixir was harder than I’d thought.
I barely remembered my thoughts during the practice, only recalling the Flower Bud floating somewhere, a place indistinguishable between cave or lake.
When I checked my body’s minor channels, the previously withered Hadanjeon was now full, and the Jungdanjeon had become a balanced channel. The effect was much better than I’d expected.
I quickly packed up and went outside. My brothers and Gwak Jindo were already waiting.
“You must’ve been tired. I thought you’d be the earliest to wake.”
Geumwolsang was the first to speak. He came closer and inhaled sharply.
“Is that so?”
“No, I felt something odd from you.”
I squinted slightly. Was it the Elixir’s Qi spreading? But Geumwolsang just gave me a sharp look.
Soon I exchanged greetings with Geumsurin. Although I’d felt closer yesterday, I thought she might be cold today, but that wasn’t the case.
She looked at me closely and smiled faintly.
“Have you always looked this pretty?”
“What?”
“I knew you were handsome, but today feels different.”
A compliment about appearance is probably the hardest for a man to respond to. I froze, unsure what to say, when Gwak Jindo interrupted.
“Alright, enough nonsense. Let’s go home.”
“Yes.”
The conversation ended with Gwak Jindo’s words. He glanced at me briefly before averting his eyes with a suspicious look. But Gwak Jindo often looked at me like that, so I wasn’t bothered.
We left the Deungryeong Shrine without saying a word, as if silently agreeing that there was no need to reminisce about yesterday’s memories.
I had intended to descend straight back to where we came up, but instead suggested a gentler sloping path.
It was because I saw Geumsurin and Geumhwacheong’s legs wobbling from aftereffects. Geumsurin gave me a grateful nod, but Geumhwacheong didn’t look at me.
While taking the longer way down, we unexpectedly met a figure.
It was the dead Shrine Keeper. The corpse bore a fatal sword wound.
Without a word, we dug a grave, buried the Shrine Keeper, and held a proper funeral. We were familiar with burying people.
This unknown elder must have been a loyalist of the Samga.
Unlike other grave markers, the Deungryeong Shrine Keeper’s grave only needed to prove one thing—loyalty to the Samga.
“This old man didn’t do anything wrong.”
After the burial, Geumwolsang spoke for the first time.
It was obvious. The old man was simply the unfortunate Deungryeong Shrine Keeper, and the head of the family just happened to come to the Shrine.
“…It makes me angry. Seeing the true Samga members die so unrewarded and meaningless.”
“I think so too.”
I looked at the grave and said quietly. I had always thought this was wrong. It was unjust. I wanted to fix this injustice.
“That’s why I want to change the Samga.”
Geumhwacheong and Geumsurin looked sharply at me. Geumwolsang and Gwak Jindo already knew, but this was new to them.
Afterward, we descended again without another word. But my direction was different. I stopped at a mountain ridge.
“I’ll detour through Yeogang and return. Seunggyeonim and elder brothers should go to the main house first.”
Geumwolsang and Geumsurin looked as if to ask why, but I only watched Gwak Jindo’s expression. He looked at me quietly and nodded.
Behind that grave lay a beast. It was time to prepare the Bisu to take its breath.
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