Light Novel: Volume 1 Episode 5
Manhwa: Chapter 3
Chapter 2 Episode 5. Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same (2)
Dam-ho stepped outside.
His face had grown quite pale over the past few days. It was because he had been shut away, immersed in the Heavy Sky Heart Technique.
After reading it a couple of times, he had memorized the Heavy Sky Heart Technique perfectly. But Dam-ho didn’t stop there— he continued to read the Heavy Sky Heart Technique over and over again.
While Dam-ho was absorbed in the Heavy Sky Heart Technique, the doors of Hyun-so’s training hall remained closed. This was because Hyun-so knew that Dam-ho was deeply engrossed in his practice.
When Dam-ho finally emerged outside, the expression on his face looked much more refreshed and cheerful. It was because he had seen a certain possibility in the Heavy Sky Heart Technique, something he had long desired.
But nothing was clear yet, and there was no guarantee that he would achieve what he wanted. But the fact that even a slight possibility existed made his heart race.
“Hoo!”
As Dam-ho took a deep breath of fresh air—
“Junior Brother!”
A clear voice suddenly called out.
When he turned his head, he saw a woman with a graceful aura. There was only one woman in all of Mount Hua who could exude such an atmosphere.
“Senior Sister.”
It was Han Soyu.
She approached him.
“Is something the matter?”
“No.”
“Then why haven’t you shown yourself?”
“Pardon?”
“You used to climb up and down Mount Hua every day, but I haven’t seen you do so for days, so I got worried.”
“Oh, I had some matters to attend to.”
“Really? You’re not sick, are you?”
“No.”
Han Soyu looked deeply into Dam-ho’s eyes. Dam-ho did not avoid her gaze. Then Han Soyu smiled.
“Is that so? Then, thank goodness.”
“Is that why you came?”
“I had something to tell you, so I came for both reasons. You haven’t heard yet, have you?”
“Heard what?”
“As expected, no one has told you.”
A slight wrinkle formed on Han Soyu’s brow as she looked at Lotus Flower Peak with a hint of dissatisfaction.
“Senior Sister.”
“Ah, sorry. Soon, all of the first-generation disciples will be gathering at the True Martial Temple.”
“True Martial Temple?”
The True Martial Temple symbolized the martial power of the Mount Hua Sect. For disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, entering the True Martial Temple was a long-held desire. However, the threshold to the True Martial Temple was high and narrow– it was a place that not just anyone could enter.
Even among the first-generation disciples, only a few were allowed to frequent the True Martial Temple. Naturally, Dam-ho was still not among those who could enter.
“Why are we gathering at the True Martial Temple?”
“Junior Uncle Hyun-geom has finally emerged from seclusion. He has ordered all the first-generation disciples to assemble.”
Han Soyu’s face flushed slightly, indicating her excitement.
Sage Hyun-geom was the master of the True Martial Temple and widely recognized as the foremost martial artist of Mount Hua in this generation.
Six years ago, he entered seclusion to refine his enlightenment. This was even before Dam-ho had joined the Mount Hua Sect. As a result, Dam-ho had only heard stories of Sage Hyun-geom and had never seen him in person.
He was said to be the one who had grasped the ultimate essence of the Mount Hua Sword.
It was said that when he wielded his sword, plum blossoms would bloom in full.
Some people even went as far as to claim that–
Sage Hyun-geom’s current martial prowess could rival that of the Heavenly Sky Sage from decades ago.
That was how highly regarded Sage Hyun-geom was.
“He’s the one who called the disciples together?”
“That’s right!”
“Why?”
“Perhaps he intends to share his insights with the disciples?”
Han Soyu said, her face now fully flushed with excitement.
To receive guidance from Sage Hyun-geom, the First Sword of the Mount Hua Sect, was a rare and precious opportunity, and because of that, the entire sect was currently in an uproar, buzzing with anticipation.
“It’s not just the first-generation disciples. It seems like he’s planning to see the second-generation disciples and even the outer disciples as well.”
“Hmm!”
“So make sure to prepare well, Junior Brother. Who knows? If you catch his attention, he might pass down an insight that’s perfect for you.”
Her words were loaded with meaning.
Dam-ho nodded silently. Seeing his reaction, Han Soyu chuckled softly.
“You’re so serious as always… Anyway, I’ll be off now. Someone will come and call for you later, so I’ll see you then.”
“Thank you, Senior Sister.”
Han Soyu waved her hand as she walked away.
Dam-ho stared at Han Soyu’s retreating figure for quite some time.
Han Soyu was one of the few people in the Mount Hua Sect who saw him for who he was. Her eyes held no light of pity or sympathy. She just looked at him as an equal, a fellow disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, and for that, he was grateful.
“Junior Uncle Hyun-geom…”
Dam-ho looked toward the summit of Cloud Terrace Peak. Although hidden by the trees, somewhere at the top lay the True Martial Temple. And within it, Sage Hyun-geom would be there.
He didn’t know what kind of teachings Sage Hyun-geom would impart, but at that moment, Dam-ho couldn’t afford to pay attention to that right now.
The meeting with Sage Hyun-geom was something that hadn’t yet happened, so there was no point in getting excited about it prematurely.
Dam-ho first tied a sandbag around his left ankle. He planned to resume what he had stopped doing when he unexpectedly obtained the Heavy Sky Heart Technique which was climbing up and down Mount Hua.
With the sandbag on, he began descending the mountain. Climbing down the steep cliffs of Mount Hua was even harder than climbing up. One wrong step would lead to an immediate fall.
Yet, Dam-ho descended the path, one that even the able-bodied found challenging, with great speed. It was as if his disabled and impaired leg was not a problem.
The past five years of grueling effort and hard work had made Dam-ho’s sense of balance extremely developed. Thanks to that, he was able to descend the mountain safely.
Dam-ho paused briefly to catch his breath. When his breathing stabilized, he began to climb Mount Hua again.
Descending the mountain required a high degree of balance while climbing the mountain required strong leg muscles and cardiovascular endurance. Dam-ho gritted his teeth and climbed the stairs, step by step.
Time flew by, and Dam-ho’s entire body soon became drenched in sweat. The sandbag on his left ankle made it even harder, but he did not stop climbing.
By the time he reached his dwelling, Dam-ho was completely exhausted. He collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.
“Huff, huff!”
His mouth was dry, and his heart felt like it was about to burst. Every muscle in his body screamed in pain, but Dam-ho forced himself to stand.
After catching his breath for a moment, he began stretching and twisting his body. Even if he was greatly exhausted, he wanted to practice martial arts.
The first technique he unfurled was the Bamboo Leaf Hand. It was the first martial art that all aspiring Mount Hua martial artists would learn.
He began with the first form, Bamboo Leaf Cuts the Air.
Shhh!
Dam-ho’s Bamboo Leaf Hand was sharp. His hand sliced through the air as his waist turned like a spinning top.
Next, he performed the second form, Flying Leaf Travels a Thousand Miles.
Dam-ho’s hand movements undulated like waves, but the energy they exuded was razor-sharp.
Whoosh!
The next form he performed was the last move of the Bamboo Leaf Hand, the Leaf Pierces the Sun. Dam-ho’s hand sliced through the air like a flash of lightning.
Dam-ho’s movements as he performed Bamboo Leaf Hand were fluid. At the same time, the sharp energy radiating from him extended like a blade.
His movements returned to the beginning. He once again executed the first form, Bamboo Leaf Cuts the Air.
The air rippled as he seamlessly transitioned into the second form, Flying Leaf Travels a Thousand Miles, and then the third form, Leaf Pierces the Sun in quick succession.
Dam-ho forgot about the passage of time as he practiced the Bamboo Leaf Hand over and over again.
The greatest characteristic of Bamboo Leaf Hand was that it could be performed without any special footwork. At first, Dam-ho executed the technique while remaining stationary, his feet planted firmly on the ground.
After a while, when the Bamboo Leaf Hand reached its peak, Dam-ho began to cautiously move his legs.
One step forward, then one step back.
It was a simple and repetitive back-and-forth motion that was way far from being called a refined footwork. Using his injured left foot as a support, he stepped forward with his right. If the elders of the Mount Hua Sect had seen it, they would have surely reprimanded him for such sloppy footwork. However, this was the best that Dam-ho could do at the moment.
Thud!
Each time Dam-ho stepped with his left foot, his face twisted slightly.
Although the visible and outward wound had healed, the pain still lingered. But Dam-ho stubbornly ignored the throbbing pain he felt beneath his knee.
‘This kind of pain won’t stop me.’
Dam-ho pressed his left foot down even harder.
Thud!
At that moment, his momentum changed.
The Bamboo Leaf Hand transformed into Crouching Tiger Fist, and the sharp energy became heavier and more imposing.
Crouching Tiger Fist was a martial art that imitated the movements of a tiger. Although nowadays it was considered as a mediocre martial art primarily learned and practiced by the outer disciples, in reality, it was an exceptionally well-designed fist technique.
Dam-ho had a question in his mind.
‘Are sharp teeth and claws the only weapons of a tiger? Is biting and clawing really the best way for a tiger to attack?’
Dam-ho thought otherwise.
‘The tiger’s massive body is its greatest weapon. The paralyzing fear and overwhelming pressure that animals experience when the tiger’s heavy mass is about to pounce leave them unable to move. So, Crouching Tiger Fist shouldn’t just be about swinging fists and feet—it must utilize the human body to its fullest.’
Shhh!
Dam-ho’s fist cut through the air.
In order to utilize Crouching Tiger Fist’s powerful momentum, he needed to have strong leg muscles. His legs should be able to withstand the intense recoil generated by its force.
Still, there was no change in Dam-ho’s footwork. He advanced forward, then quickly retreated.
When Crouching Tiger Fist reached its peak, Dam-ho’s movements suddenly changed. His fists shot out in all directions.
Six Harmonies Fist.
Along with the Bamboo Leaf Hand and Crouching Tiger Fist, it was one of the core fist techniques of the Mount Hua Sect. While its variations were simple compared to other techniques, it carried a fierce momentum.
Dam-ho lost track of his fatigue and fell into a trance, continuously performing the three fist techniques one after another.
Of all the martial arts in the Mount Hua Sect, the ones Dam-ho was most absorbed in were these three foundational fist techniques.
For the past five years, he had practiced these techniques every day, to the point where he could now perform them with his eyes closed. Yet, Dam-ho poured all his effort into refining them further.
Even within the Mount Hua Sect, there was no one who trained as diligently as Dam-ho with just the basic techniques. Most people sought to learn higher-level martial arts, and there were plenty of such profound techniques within the sect.
“Huff!”
In the empty clearing, only the sound of Dam-ho’s heavy breathing and the cutting of the air could be heard.
And so, just like that, time passed for Dam-ho.
By nightfall, when Sage Hyun-so returned to his residence, he saw Dam-ho nearly passed out on the platform, fast asleep.
Sage Hyun-so was not surprised. This was a sight he had seen every day for the past five years. Instead, he gazed at the marks left on the ground.
Dam-ho’s footprints were imprinted in the clearing. A straight line of footprints stretched out behind him.
Sage Hyun-so looked at Dam-ho with a look of pride in his eyes. Dam-ho was still in a deep sleep.
Sage Hyun-so carefully sat down next to Dam-ho and began massaging his legs.
“Repetitive routine may seem tedious and boring, but enduring that tedium and continuing to train will only make a person stronger, Dam-ho.”
Sage Hyun-so gently massaged Dam-ho’s legs with care.
After repeatedly doing this for the past five years, Sage Hyun-so’s skill in acupuncture and blood circulation techniques has reached a considerable level. He worked on loosening the tense muscles and soothing the joints with great precision.
The area he paid the most attention to was Dam-ho’s left foot. Since it wasn’t in a normal condition, the muscles were more severely knotted and stiff.
As Sage Hyun-so massaged Dam-ho’s left foot, his hands radiated warmth. Feeling this warmth, a faint smile appeared on the lips of Dam-ho, who had fallen into a deep sleep, almost as if he had passed out.
Only when Sage Hyun-so confirmed that Dam-ho’s tight muscles had been gently loosened did he remove his hand.
“Phew!”
With a deep breath, Sage Hyun-so stood up.
Though it was late at night, his work wasn’t finished yet. He pulled out a book from his robe.
Book of Heavenly Yin Pill Refinement.1
It was an old book that had been buried in the Spirit Treasure Palace of the Mount Hua Sect.
He had read it long ago, but now he had taken it out again for Dam-ho’s sake.
Sage Hyun-so stayed up until dawn reading the Book of Heavenly Yin Pill Refinement. By his side was Dam-ho deeply asleep.
* * *
Dam-ho rose to his feet.
“Mmm!”
His entire body felt refreshed, as if he had taken a long bath. After stretching for a moment, Dam-ho then noticed Sage Hyun-so sleeping beside him.
“Master has done it again…”
He didn’t need to confirm it to know. Sage Hyun-so had once again performed acupuncture and blood circulation techniques on him.
Beside Sage Hyun-so was an open book that Dam-ho had never seen before. Dam-ho closed the book and carefully carried it into the room with Sage Hyun-so.
Only after making sure Sage Hyun-so could sleep comfortably did Dam-ho step outside. The night sky was still full of stars.
The breeze carried the scent of plum blossoms. Sitting on the platform, surrounded by the fragrance, Dam-ho began to circulate his qi. Although he had spent the past few days studying the Heavy Sky Heart Technique, this was his first time actually putting it into practice.
Even though it was his first time attempting it, which could have made him anxious, Dam-ho didn’t hesitate and quickly immersed himself in the deep focus required for qi circulation.
Before him lay an uncharted path, one that no one had traveled in hundreds of years.
What awaited him at the end of this path? Dam-ho didn’t know.
The breeze, full of the scent of plum blossoms, gently brushed against his body, but Dam-ho was so absorbed that he didn’t even notice it.
The Heavy Sky Heart Technique wasn’t a method that could build internal energy quickly. Nor was it as varied and ever-changing as the Lesser Clear Heart Technique that the main disciples practiced.
As its name suggested, the Heavy Sky Heart Technique was heavy. While the internal energy cultivated with the Lesser Clear Heart Technique was as light and ethereal as the wind, the internal energy from the Heavy Sky Heart Technique was thick and slow, like a sticky swamp. That made it difficult to handle.
Beads of sweat quickly formed on Dam-ho’s forehead. But a cool breeze blew in which quickly dried it down.
Dam-ho lost track of time as he became fully immersed in the Heavy Sky Heart Technique.
When Dam-ho opened his eyes again, the sun was already hanging over the Lotus Flower Peak. He had begun circulating his qi early at dawn, but now it was already morning.
After finishing his qi circulation, Dam-ho shook his head.
“This won’t be easy.”
If he had been practicing another internal energy technique, he would have completed at least three cycles by now. However, he had only completed one cycle during that time. This meant that building internal energy with this technique was three times slower than with other methods. Yet, because it produced a higher density of energy, the power he could wield at the same internal energy level seemed to be far more intense.
The question was how he could accumulate the same or even greater amount of internal energy than others.
Dam-ho shook his head once more.
“I’ll have to sleep less.”
Sleep less and work harder than everyone else. That was the conclusion Dam-ho came to.
From that day on, Dam-ho cut down on his sleep.
He would just sleep for about two hours and then wake up, devoting the entire dawn to practicing qi circulation. Then once the sun had risen in the morning, he strengthened his body by climbing up and down Mount Hua. In the afternoons and nights, he spent his time refining the martial arts techniques of the Mount Hua Sect that he knew.
And thus, time passed like that for Dam-ho.
SoundlessWind21’s Notes:
If there are any errors, whether it be grammatical, spelling, translation, or website-related issues, feel free to let me know. (´◡`) Anyway, thank you for reading!
You cannot copy content of this page