The Jihwang Magaja Soondan is the secret elixir of the Hwasan Sect.
It is said that skilled practitioners have spent decades refining it to create just one.
Having experienced it myself, I understand.
The power contained within is not inferior to its reputation.
A force akin to melting plum blossoms circulated within Jeong Yeon-shin's body.
From the point below the navel, the Gokgol-hyeol, to the Tian-tuo-hyeol between the collarbones, it moved in a large circle across the upper body, including the Yuktang-hyeol at the solar plexus.
It was an area where the central dantian resided.
The energy constantly stimulated it. 'It works.' I felt the activation of my abilities.
I became aware of noticeable changes.
The energy of the Jaso-dan, along with the true energy of Jeongga Donggong circulating through the Daejucheon, was becoming thicker as it passed through the central dantian.
This must be the endurance that Baek Mi-ryeo spoke of. 'It’s not fully opened yet.' It felt only half-opened.
It seemed I had to break through with the true energy that had become part of me.
Even this much was an extraordinary achievement.
A master who had refined the central dantian said that their internal energy would not waver in any situation.
Without further training in my own true energy, I had stepped into the realm of a true master.
I had shortened an immense amount of time.
Jeong Yeon-shin felt satisfied and moved his hands.
He placed his palm firmly on the center of Yu Hyun's back and began to pour the circulating energy of the Jaso-dan into him.
“Already...!” I heard Cheonju's voice.
Jeong Yeon-shin intensified the force he was pouring and spoke. “Yu Hyun. Wake up.” Even while speaking openly during the flow of energy, the force did not waver.
It was the characteristic of Jeongga Donggong, which allowed for the manipulation of internal energy, and a natural dominance over it.
Perhaps Cheonju had closed his mouth, for no sound was heard. “I said to wake up.” With those words, he firmly grasped Yu Hyun's nape with his left hand.
He had pressed on the blood point.
Once he had made it impossible to speak, it was easy.
He continuously circulated the energy, stimulating the boy's internal state.
His consciousness had no choice but to awaken. “It’s the energy of the Jaso-dan. I will give you all of it, so use the Jahasin-gong.” Jeong Yeon-shin said as he sensed the greatly rising pulse of Yu Hyun.
He felt the tumultuous emotions of Yu Hyun at his fingertips.
Jeong Yeon-shin transferred all his energy and withdrew his hand.
This was called Gyeokgye Jeonryeok, the act of transferring energy to another.
It was said to naturally accompany extreme physical exhaustion.
Jeong Yeon-shin was different.
Perhaps because he had greatly opened his central dantian, he felt an overflow of strength throughout his body.
He straightened himself and stepped back.
The hand of Ma Jin, who was about to support him, awkwardly brushed through the air.
“What are you doing?” “Nothing.” The three of them waited in silence for Yu Hyun's energy cultivation to finish.
Finally, when Yu Hyun stood up, Cheonju's eyes widened as he held Yu Hyun's wrist and checked his pulse.
Jeong Yeon-shin had completely melted the energy of the Jaso-dan and infused it into Yu Hyun's body without any loss.
A master of the Hwasan Sect would have noticed immediately. “Your power...!” The Hwasan Sword Master was momentarily speechless.
After taking a few breaths, he finally murmured. “You completely transferred this much released energy? Such a thing in the world...” His expression, looking up at Jeong Yeon-shin, was filled with shock and admiration. “You are truly a great person!” “I trust you will take care of it.” “Indeed, but...” The emotions displayed on his face did not easily fade.
Yu Hyun looked at Jeong Yeon-shin with similar eyes.
He had always felt a sense of admiration, but now it was as if he was looking up to a fellow disciple. “You saved the future of Hwasan. You treated the Hwasan Sect with the demeanor of a great hero, so there should be a reward.” Cheonju spoke without hiding his reverence.
His tone had changed.
The condescension of the Hwasan Sword Master felt awkward.
It was merely that he had passed on cumbersome energy due to a lack of time to become the leader of the Divine Sword Sect.
“Of course, I do not intend to repay your kindness with material goods. It is merely a sentiment, so please accept it. Hyun said he would visit Jihwangseong. At that time, I will send this boy along with him.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yeon-shin replied with a bow and glanced at Ma Jin.
“Is the mission over?”
“Yes. You did it all.”
“What?”
Cheongmyeong took the left hand of Tu Gwi and made him return on his own.
The powerful group of Blood Flame Sect had been defeated by Ma Gwang-ik and the Hwasan Sect.
Jeong Yeon-shin had merely placed a spoon in the bowl, yet inadvertently brought all events to a close.
The Jaso-dan, which had been the source of turmoil, had returned to the disciple of the Hwasan Sect’s leader.
It could not have been cleaner than this.
The mission was completed even before support arrived from the main sect.
He expressed immense gratitude to the masters of the Hwasan Sect and promised to meet again.
Perhaps he felt the change in Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy once again through the central dantian.
Cheongmyeong smiled, and Baek Mi-ryeo shook her head in agreement.
The return journey felt like a tour of the martial world, carried by the winds of Hyeonwon.
The results of this mission were that significant.
Ma Gwang-ik returned leisurely under Ma Jin's tacit approval.
It had been a long time.
Upon entering Yangyang, the sight of the Jihwangseong fortress felt both welcoming and unfamiliar.
During that time, Jeong Yeon-shin had suppressed his impatience and honed his martial arts.
He hoped to achieve great results in the next mission as well.
Originally, he had planned to ask the lord of Jihwangseong for martial arts as soon as he returned.
Now, it was different.
He had the Gwanghwa Sword Technique and the Hwanik Shield, which he had never imagined obtaining when he set out on the mission.
There was still much room for improvement.
He did not know what martial arts would be needed, so he decided to hold back. “Are you going to the training hall again? You must be tired after all that travel.” It was Hyeonwon-chang, whom he met in the large hall of Ma Gwang-ik's residence.
His face was shadowed, as if he had eaten and drunk too much during the journey.
Jeong Yeon-shin pushed his chin away. “I’m fine.” He had not even touched a drop of alcohol in order to achieve his internal energy.
Now that he had opened his central dantian considerably, he felt an infinite amount of stamina.
He left Hyeonwon-chang, who shook his head in amazement.
As he headed toward the training hall, he heard various praises and whispers from his seniors. “Seomye! They say you achieved something unbelievable.” “Is it true that you severed the neck of the Palhyung Nachal Sword?” “They say you cut it down using the Charyun technique.” “Charyun technique? The white-clad master of Hwasan killed the Palhyung Sect’s elder. Is there a martial artist in Jihwangseong who would belittle that?” “The blue robe suits you very well. If needed, I’m willing to lend you mine.” It was incomparable to when he had killed the Blood Sect Sword.
The response was tremendous.
There were even seniors knocking on the door to visit.
The elder of the Thirteen Heavens was said to be a master so powerful that even the white-clad warriors of Jihwangseong struggled to handle him.
No matter how he had killed it, it would inevitably become a huge topic of discussion. “They say you also saved the life of the Hwasan Sect’s leader.” “Did you make friends with several masters of the old sect during the two missions?” “From Jongnam to Hwasan. I should ask for Seomye to be dispatched when going on missions to Shaanxi.” Responding to each one was exhausting.
He did not expect the fatigue he felt from the activation of his central dantian to come from his mouth.
Eventually, he forced a smile and passed through the large training hall.
In the small training hall made of private rooms, he reflected on the martial arts he had gained from the mission.
He wondered if he could infuse even stronger power into the flow of the Gwanghwa Sword Technique, and how he could take the second step of the Hwanik Shield.
He could not stop the creation of the Shihwa Muguk-kwon either. 'I can’t grasp it right now.' Inspiration did not come immediately.
It seemed he needed to broaden his horizons. 'I heard there’s a good place.' Jeong Yeon-shin turned his steps directly.
The land used by the Seventeen Generals of the Divine Sword Sect in Jihwangseong was vast.
It had to accommodate not only the martial artists of each faction but also servants and attendants.
The martial arts of Ma Gwang-ik and the Cheongcheon Sword Technique of the Changcheon faction were different.
The seventeen martial forces under the Divine Sword Sect were likened to independent sects.
While their numbers were similar to those of small and medium-sized factions, there was a significant difference in their martial strength.
In the expansive grounds, different martial arts existed.
If left alone, it would be difficult to interact. 'It should not become a narrow well but should meet and form a sea.' Ma Jin's words came to mind.
Jihwangseong was a collective of innovative martial arts.
The imperial family had broken the unbreakable taboo of official affairs to create it.
They had tried various methods to sharpen the sword of the Great Ming Empire.
It was inevitable that there would be radical changes. “Who are you?” The middle-aged scholar who was currently asking Jeong Yeon-shin was seated in a place that was equally impressive.
The neatly spread training hall behind him was truly magnificent.
There were even small steps set up for spectators.
Strange martial artists were scattered around, gazing at the center, and as Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze, he saw various martial arts he had never encountered before.
Bang! Bang! It was a scene where the white and blue warriors of the other seventeen factions clashed hands.
It was a training hall where all the martial artists belonging to the Divine Sword Sect freely engaged in sparring.
It was a place where the martial arts of the seventeen factions intersected. “Is this Mu-Wool-Ram?” “Yes. The blue-robed boy swordsman... you must be Seomye from Ma Gwang-ik. I am Do Yu-won from the General Headquarters.” “I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Ma Gwang-ik.” The two exchanged greetings.
Do Yu-won opened his mouth.
The kindness reflected in his expression was peculiar.
“I have heard much about Ma Gwang-ik Seomye. All news from Jihwangseong gathers at the General Headquarters. It is our job to classify the achievements you have made. Truly remarkable.”
When Do Yu-won, with a sharp impression, smiled, he appeared quite kind.
“At such a young age, you are building a name as a hero... seeing you brings me joy. I will secretly let you in on something.”
“What...?”
“If you complete even a small mission, you will be promoted to blue. Each of your achievements is substantial, so you received many points. It is enough to pass the exam as a formality.”
“Ah.”
Jeong Yeon-shin's short exclamation came from the heart.
He was indeed making clear progress.
He knew that the achievements he had accumulated through three missions, including the Jongnam faction, were not small.
However, hearing it directly from the scholar of the General Headquarters was something else.
He was someone who managed the personnel within Jihwangseong.
To Jeong Yeon-shin, he was a figure even more significant than Ma Jin. “Congratulations in advance.” Do Yu-won smiled slightly. “In any case, you have come to a good place. It must be rewarding to be in charge of the management of the training today. You will also be able to see the sparring of young masters, won’t you?” “You said young masters?” Jeong Yeon-shin’s tone unconsciously became more respectful.
He felt a significant difference compared to dealing with his incompetent uncle, Ma Jin.
Ma Gwang-ik? Facing him made it clear.
The people holding the power of appointment were like kings. “I see you didn’t know. Right over there, the heir of the Jihwang Magaja is training.” There was a familiar figure in the direction Do Yu-won pointed.
He had a youthful appearance reminiscent of Cheongmyeong’s childhood.
He was the grandson of his maternal grandfather, Ma Yeonjeok.
Now, he was wearing a white martial robe with the character ‘Hwang’ from Jihwangseong.
Memories of founding the Shihwa Muguk-kwon with his help came to mind.
He was utilizing the flow of his developed experience effectively.
Gratitude rose once again. 'It was a good stronghold.' While he was reminiscing, Do Yu-won continued speaking. “Indeed, there are many praises for the Jihwang Magaja. He has been winning consecutive victories against other white warriors here in Mu-Wool-Ram. It is even more astonishing since it has been less than a month since he passed through Jihwang City, right? Thanks to that, the surroundings of the main sect are quite lively.” “Is that so?” Just as Jeong Yeon-shin nodded, his eyes met with the boy from a distance.