That will be enough. (10)
Jo Geol swallowed nervously.
Before him was Baek Cheon, simultaneously engulfed in flames and ice, with Heo Gong standing by, his hand resting on Baek Cheon’s forehead, eyes closed.
Jo Geol couldn’t begin to comprehend what he was seeing.
Was this really possible?
Could Wudang’s martial arts heal someone that even the medical skills of the Tang clan couldn’t cure…? Was it truly possible?
“Sahyeong, do you think Sasuk will be alright? Please, tell me…”
“…”
“Sahyeong!”
“Be quiet!”
Yoon Jong’s voice was sharp as he scolded Jo Geol. At this moment, even the smallest disturbance could be catastrophic. The situation was so dangerous that not only Baek Cheon but even Heo Gong could lose his life if anything went wrong.
Yoon Jong bit down hard on his lower lip.
‘Damn it, how would I know?’
Who here could possibly know? This was uncharted territory. No one could predict the outcome. The only thing they could rely on was…
“There’s a saying, ‘All streams return to the source [만류귀종(萬流歸宗)]’.”
“What…?”
“At the end, everything converges into one. But… that also means that until you reach the end, everything is different.”
“…”
“Though both Hwasan and Wudang practice Taoist martial arts, the truth is that their arts are distinctly different. What Hwasan can do, Wudang cannot, and what Wudang can do, Hwasan cannot.”
Yoon Jong watched Heo Gong intently, his face set in a grim expression.
“What I know is that when it comes to mastering and guiding opposing energies, there isn’t a sect in the world that can rival Wudang.”
Jo Geol listened to Yoon Jong’s words and stared at Baek Cheon with unwavering focus.
Even within Wudang, Heo Gong was an exceptional figure. Jo Geol had already witnessed it – the sight of Heo Gong deploying the Taiji Sword, harmonizing Yin and Yang, all rooted in his supreme mastery of internal energies.
Therefore, in the end, if Heo Gong couldn’t save Baek Cheon, no one could.
‘Please…’
A profound sense of desperation filled Jo Geol’s eyes.
Wooooong.
Meanwhile, Heo Gong’s consciousness was sinking further into the depths.
It is no easy task to peer into the energies within another’s body, especially when that body has been so thoroughly ravaged.
‘It feels like a ball of fire.’
But even that description fell short.
It felt like diving into the heart of boiling magma. It was astonishing that anyone could survive with such an immense amount of Yang energy contained within them.
‘…Is that so?’
At first glance, Baek Cheon, unconscious and collapsed, seemed to have let go of everything.
But now, Heo Gong realized something – the Vice Sect Leader of Hwasan was fighting more fiercely than anyone else in the world right now.
Even when everyone else had succumbed to despair and hopelessness, Baek Cheon alone refused to abandon his own potential, fighting desperately against the overwhelming heat within him.
A faint smile curled at the corners of Heo Gong’s lips.
Perhaps this is what it means to feel true respect. It was different from the awe he felt when he encountered Chung Myung. This was not admiration for someone’s martial prowess, but for the person himself.
When was the last time he felt something like this?
Wooooooong!
The energy of the white elixir that had flowed into Baek Cheon’s body now shaken violently in the midst of the molten sea within him. The Yang energy left behind by the Sun Palace Lord was formidable, but the Taiji Divine Pill was also a peerless elixir. If two such potent energies clashed directly, a human body would be torn apart in an instant.
Thud!
Sure enough, the moment the two energies collided, Baek Cheon’s body jerked violently, as if struck by a massive club.
“Sahyeong!”
“Sasuk! Damn it!”
A commotion broke out around them, but Heo Gong blocked out all external sensations. He focused all his senses and attention solely on the interior of Baek Cheon’s being.
‘I will save him.’
He had to.
Wooooooong.
A clear, serene energy began to radiate from Heo Gong’s hand, flowing steadily into Baek Cheon’s body.
The searing Yang energy, like molten lava, and the bitterly cold Yin energy that could freeze everything around it – compared to these, Heo Gong’s energy seemed infinitely weak. It appeared almost insignificant against the raging collision of the two powerful forces.
Yet, Heo Gong continued to infuse his energy steadily.
From the beginning, he had no intention of overpowering or suppressing the two clashing energies.
Heo Gong’s energy slowly infiltrated the boundary where the Yin and Yang energies collided. Despite appearing fragile, as if it could be crushed at any moment, this delicate energy maintained its strength and gently enveloped the spot where the two forces met in conflict.
‘What is it?’
Is it dangerous? Is it strange?
No, it is neither.
This is the nature of the world. Where there is light, there is shadow; where there is a parched desert, there is a frozen ice wall. In the world, Yin and Yang exist side by side.
The two energies that emerged from the primordial chaos formed the world. Yet, Wudang does not seek the original chaos, the Wuji.
Wuji, or the state of absolute nothingness, may attract the human heart, but in truth, there is nothing there. If the energies had not separated, the world would not have come into existence, and without conflict, humanity would not exist.
Thus, embracing the separation as natural – that is the teaching of Wudang.
So, what difference does it make? How is the body of the Vice Sect Leader, which harbors both Yin and Yang, any different from the Taiji that Wudang seeks?
Heo Gong’s clear energy began to gently wrap around and circulate through Baek Cheon’s body, softly entwining with the Yin and Yang energies within him.
Harmony is not something that remains static. The world, though it seems eternal, is always in flux. It doesn’t stay still – it revolves. Sometimes, Yin becomes Yang, and Yang becomes Yin.
And that is the essence of Taiji.
Wooooong.
The immense, chaotic Yin and Yang energies, which had been rampaging as if they would destroy everything, slowly began to move under the guidance of Heo Gong’s energy. It was a subtle change, but it was there – clear and unmistakable.
Yoon Jong, who had been holding his breath, twitched and stared intently at Baek Cheon.
‘Something has changed.’
The frigid Yin energy that had frozen Baek Cheon’s body and the scorching Yang energy that seemed poised to consume the rest of him were still present.
But Yoon Jong could feel it – something was shifting. Whether it was a positive or negative sign, he couldn’t yet tell.
Heo Gong continued to keep his hand on Baek Cheon’s forehead, his eyes closed in deep concentration. Beads of sweat had begun to form on his brow, glistening like pearls.
‘What’s happening?’
A sense of urgency gnawed at him. The instinct to reach out and check Baek Cheon’s condition was strong, but he didn’t dare move.
Yoon Jong, forgetting how he had scolded Jo Geol just moments ago, softly called out to Tang Gunak.
“L-Lord Tang… right now…”
Tang Gunak, who had been watching the situation with a grave expression, nodded heavily. His eyes, filled with a mix of deep surprise and faint hope, reflected the scene before him.
“It’s only a slight change… but it seems to be stabilizing.”
“R-Really?”
Tang Gunak bit his lip slightly, betraying his anxious thoughts.
“Of course… it’s still too early to be relieved. Even the slightest misstep could lead to irreversible consequences.”
As he spoke, Tang Gunak couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Heo Gong. If the treatment could continue to the end, Baek Cheon’s life might indeed be saved.
But the real question was: could Heo Gong endure until the treatment was complete?
His complexion was pale, and sweat was pouring down his face. It was clear just how much energy he was expending on this treatment.
Already gravely injured, could he hold on until the very end of this process?
At that moment, a voice broke through the tension.
“It will be fine.”
The answer to the unspoken question came unexpectedly.
“…”
“There’s no need to worry about the Elder. He might bend and break, but he’s never been one to let go on his own.”
Mu Jin spoke calmly as he looked at Heo Gong, but a subtle emotion lingered in his gaze, something he couldn’t entirely conceal.
And understandably so – this situation was not one that Mu Jin could merely take pride in. For him, this was far more complex.
“If it’s the Elder, he will undoubtedly succeed.”
Tang Gunak and the disciples of Hwasan could only nod in agreement.
At this moment, they had no choice but to place their trust in him – in Heo Gong and Wudang.
Thump!
But at that moment, Baek Cheon’s body suddenly jerked upwards again.
“What!”
Whoosh!
The Yin and Yang energies surged wildly from his limp body, as if they were desperately trying to escape what felt like a suffocating prison.
“Ugh!”
Before anyone could give orders, Five Swords rushed over and pressed down on Baek Cheon’s body. They were careful not to crush the weakened body, but the grip was firm, determined not to let go.
Ssssssss!
“Ah!”
Jo Geol’s hands, who was also holding Baek Cheon down, began to smoke and sear from the intense energy. The others weren’t in much better situation either.
“What’s happening all of a sudden…? Lord Tang!”
Tang Gunak quickly assessed Baek Cheon’s condition, his face tense.
“His body is failing to contain the energy.”
“What?”
Jo Geol’s eyes widened in shock.
“His physical body can no longer hold the energy inside.”
“W-Wait a minute. What does that mean…?”
Yoon Jong’s face turned ashen with fear.
A body unable to retain its energy – this is what martial artists refer to as the brink of death.
“Fortify the Vice Sect Leader’s body! Don’t let even a single strand of energy escape from him!”
“What?”
“Seal the energy within him. Immediately!”
Tang Gunak urgently summoned his energy, directing it to envelop Baek Cheon’s body.
“Damn it!”
Yoon Jong gritted his teeth.
Enveloping another person’s body in energy, leaving no gap for the internal energy to escape? It was something unheard of. Even a master capable of wielding their internal energy with precision couldn’t do this for someone else.
But now was not the time to debate whether it was difficult or impossible. It had to be done. Even if it seemed impossible, they had no choice but to try.
In the end, Five Swords and Hye Yeon also rushed forward, gritting their teeth as they extended their energy to surround Baek Cheon’s body.
“Damn it! We’re not going to make it-”
“We’ll help!”
Even Mu Jin and Jin Hyeon joined in, channeling their energy to reinforce the barrier around Baek Cheon.
Woooooong!
After a tense moment, the wild, rampaging energies within Baek Cheon’s body gradually began to settle.
“Is it… working?”
“It’s too soon to relax! We have to maintain this until the treatment is complete,”
Tang Gunak warned.
Jo Geol forced himself to nod, clenching his teeth. As he did, his eyes met Jin Hyeon’s, who had a faint smile on his lips.
Awkwardly, Jo Geol gave a slight bow of his head.
“Th-Thank you…”
“Fate is a powerful force, Dojangs,”
Jin Hyeon replied softly.
Five Swords found themselves nodding unconsciously at Jin Hyeon’s words. When they had first met, none of them could have imagined that their paths would cross again in this way.
“Indeed, life is full of unexpected turns.”
“Certainly…”
Five Swords agreed, nodding as they continued to channel their energy. But just as they did, a strange voice echoed in his ears.
“Fate, you say… I’ve always been fond of that word.”
Everyone froze, turning their heads sharply toward the door of the medical hall. Through the open door, they could see the large courtyard beyond. A group of strangers had arrived, so silently that no one had noticed their approach.
The sight of them sent a wave of despair crashing over Five Swords, so deep it was hard to fathom. The newcomers were wrapped head-to-toe in blood-red bandages, their appearance enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine.
“I have a bit of a connection with the one lying there,”
the voice continued, dripping with malice.
“I’d like to share in the joy of our reunion. Could you spare me a moment?”
Though his face was hidden, the sinister shadow around the mouth of the Blood Cult Leader was unmistakable. Even without seeing it, everyone could sense the vile smile lurking beneath those bandages.
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I cannot imagine how it was for the people who had been reading this chapter as an ongoing.
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