Chapter 29
At Saheukryeon (4)
The foot of Mount Aknok.
An open space spanning thirty-odd jang in every direction.
So much training had been carried out here that not a single tree stood upright anymore. Other than a few weeds just beginning to sprout, nothing remained in its original form.
This was the forbidden ground of the Black Lotus Sect—
the Red Dragon King’s training ground.
Perhaps he was overcome with sentiment? Old memories flickered across the Red Dragon King’s eyes.
“Though I came from the orthodox sects, my predecessors too pursued domineering martial arts. Based on countless battles, they concentrated on one martial art, and the one who developed it into its current form… is I, Yeom Hwi, the Red Dragon King.”
What words could one add to that?
At this moment, one of the absolute figures of an era was reflecting on his own life.
“Watch carefully.”
The Red Dragon King slowly closed his eyes.
“This is my Flame Spirit Divine Technique.”
He bent his knees slightly, spread both hands, and began to raise his inner force.
In that instant—
Whooooosh—!
The air flowing around them seemed to stop for a moment. A suffocating pressure pressed down on everything.
‘Wow—! Incredible.’
In Kang Yongun’s inner sight, the image of the Red Dragon King wielding the Flame Spirit Divine Technique appeared vividly.
‘It’s different from when I saw it at Honghobyeon.’
From the Red Dragon King’s danjeon, inner energy surged upward like a raging storm, spiraling fiercely.
‘So strong. Too strong.’
Unlike before—when it had only seemed like a small whirlwind—this was now like a miniature typhoon.
“This is the Flame Spirit Divine Technique of my youth.”
On the Red Dragon King’s open palms, a cold, shimmering light appeared.
It flickered like burning fire, emitting a low humming resonance.
“This is called the Flame Spirit Palm.”
The mass of cold light shot from his hand.
It landed precisely at the edge of the forest.
Kuwaaang—!
With an enormous boom, the ground a dozen jang away erupted like a volcanic explosion.
“And then I developed it further.”
Again, a mass of cold light formed on the Red Dragon King’s hands.
It began spinning at a terrifying speed.
“This is called the Spiraling Wheel Force.”
The glowing mass left his hand again.
Flying along a diagonal arc, it struck the edge of the forest directly.
Kuwaaang—!
With a terrifying roar, several towering pines collapsed at once—no, they weren’t just toppled, but shredded apart by the spinning force, exploding violently.
“And what I further condensed from that became my pride, and the secret ultimate technique of the Yeom family—Rotating Crescent Cloud.”
Wiiiiiing—
The cold light swirling in his palms spun violently like a top gone wild, tracing incomprehensible spirals.
Then—
Buuuzzzt—!
The rotating spiral of icy light sharpened into the shape of a crescent moon.
“Behold. All who stand beneath this rotating crescent shall be dyed in blood.”
Kwaaaaaa—!
The crescent left his hands, spinning madly, and slammed into the ground.
Kugugugung—!
A whole stretch of land, ten jang across, flipped upside down.
The shockwave and tremors, greater than anything Yongun had felt even in the life-and-death battle with the Grand Elder, swept him away though he stood twenty jang back. His breath caught in his throat and his body staggered.
‘I-Incredible—!’
There was nothing but awe.
Everything within ten jang had been twisted and shredded beyond recognition, gouged deep and utterly destroyed.
Yongun’s heart pounded wildly.
‘I want to do that too.’
He longed to surpass the Three Talents Sword Art.
Or else, to complete the practical techniques of the Supreme Art’s combat manual—the real battle techniques.
Then suddenly, a thought struck him.
‘Ah! But can’t I receive them directly from those seniors?’
He had promised that if they left behind wills or teachings for their descendants, he would fulfill them.
Couldn’t he use that as reason to receive usable techniques more quickly?
Yongun discreetly raised his Great Heaven Divine Art along with the oral formula. A light flared in the mental imprint left in the firmament.
Before even one breath passed—
As though they had been waiting all along, the beings in the firmament connected to the imprint all at once.
And then—
[Tsk tsk. What a halfwit—!]
[He just keeps condensing power, so of course it ends up like that.]
It was as if they were saying, “Bah, that ruined my eyes. Forget what you just saw.”
They scorned the Red Dragon King’s level inside Yongun’s head.
[That fledgling hasn’t changed.]
[Exactly. Same as when he fought that heretic spawn the other day, or when he sparred with that kid around here.]
[What’s the point of just condensing energy?!]
[Right? If you just practice the technique enough and pick up some tricks, anyone could do that!]
[You need to imbue your will into the technique, and then release it with freedom!]
[Exactly. Only then will the will carried in the technique flow as you desire—to your foe, or anywhere else!]
Thud.
It felt like being struck in the back of the head with a hammer.
This wasn’t just criticism.
‘C-Could this be—?!’
It was a martial formula.
No, more than that—it was like a kind annotation, clearer than any commentary.
‘I need this.’
Quickly, Yongun etched the words of the beings into his memory:
“First, imbue the technique with will.
Then grant it freedom.
Thus, the will carried within the technique will flow straight wherever you intend—whether to your enemy or elsewhere.”
This was something that must be included in the later combat section of the Supreme Art—
the attack techniques yet to be completed.
And—
‘Grandfather.’
Even the Red Dragon King needed this.
Of course, he couldn’t just hand it over recklessly without confirming.
Seizing a moment when Yeom Jungho and Yeom Gijin were absorbed in the Red Dragon King’s martial display, Yongun whispered softly:
“Elders. You said that on purpose, didn’t you? Right?”
There was no reply.
“You wanted me to hear it, didn’t you? Or… was it for him, the old master over there?”
Finally, a curt answer came.
[Of course it was for you, kid.]
[What kind of fool do you take us for? You think we’d gripe just so that old man could hear?]
Good. That was enough.
“Then the realization you just gave me—that’s mine now, isn’t it? Am I right?”
[Well, if you understood it…]
[Even if someone overhears our chatter and finds enlightenment, who’s going to complain?]
It became clear.
‘So it’s entirely up to me.’
In that case, he could pass it on.
The only problem was how.
While he was still considering, the Red Dragon King finished his demonstration.
“Hahaha. What do you think?”
“You’re the best, Grandfather.”
“Of course! Father, I still can’t fully unleash the Rotating Crescent Cloud.”
Proudly shouting, the Red Dragon King made Gijin give a big thumbs up.
Clan Lord Jungho only shook his head in disbelief.
“Grandfather, I couldn’t make sense of it, but… it was magnificent. Truly the best.”
Yongun too gave a thumbs up.
“Hahaha. This is my limit. Through training I climbed one more step, but no further.”
What a surprise—
The Red Dragon King admitted his limits with a simple laugh.
But he still looked to the future.
“Someday, Jungho, you will achieve it. If time runs short, then Gijin, you must inherit and surpass this wall. Understood?”
“Of course—!”
“I will, Grandfather!”
Jungho answered firmly, and Gijin’s loud voice trembled with emotion.
“Youna.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
The Red Dragon King left him words of encouragement too.
“Someday you as well will reach my level—or beyond. Even if I am no longer here, do not forget the Black Lotus Sect. Understood?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
His hand lightly patted Yongun’s back.
It was such a warm touch, it reminded him of the grandfather he never knew.
Thus ended the Flame Spirit Divine Technique demonstration.
Back inside, the Red Dragon King held a grand banquet.
“Why not just stay here?”
“Live here, search thoroughly for traces of Jin Yeonghwirang, and send letters. Wouldn’t that be best, Youna?”
“Yes, stay with us. Please?”
All through dinner, the Red Dragon King, Jungho, and Gijin tried to persuade Yongun.
“I’m grateful, but I’ll continue to chase Grandfather’s traces and his friends on my own.”
Though he no longer considered them strangers, he still didn’t want to live off the Black Lotus Sect.
‘Comfort will only make me lazy.’
It would just waste time—
and feel like betraying the grandfather who might be waiting for him somewhere.
“Ahem. If that’s your will, I’ll respect it.”
Even the Red Dragon King gave up at last.
The regretful night passed, and morning came.
It was time to part.
Yongun had to sling over his back a huge bundle—no doubt packed by Yu Yeonghwa.
The Red Dragon King raised his voice one last time.
“Remember this, Youna. Whether it’s the stuffy leaders of the Martial Alliance or any sect that treats you poorly—speak my name, and the name of the Black Lotus. Understood?”
It was a shocking promise.
To openly use the Red Dragon King’s name if he was wronged?!
Even more surprising, Jungho the Clan Lord nodded as if it were natural.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Knowing their hearts, Yongun answered firmly.
“Here, take this.”
The Red Dragon King handed him a heavy pouch.
Even without looking inside, Yongun could guess what it contained.
“Grandfather, this really isn’t necessary…”
“Nonsense. It’s from me. Take it, no complaints.”
He even glared sharply. Yongun had no choice.
“Yes, Grandfather. Thank you.”
But he couldn’t just accept.
After tucking the pouch away, he handed over a letter he had carefully written overnight.
“Please take this, Grandfather.”
“Hm? What’s this?”
“My feelings. Haha. Just read it once I’ve gone.”
“Not now?”
“No.”
Yongun smiled brightly, gave his final farewell, and turned away.
“Goodbye, Grandfather.”
“Visit when you can.”
“Yes.”
And so he departed.
As Yongun shrank into the distance, the Red Dragon King suddenly remembered the letter. He took it out casually.
“A boy writing letters, tsk…”
Chuckling shyly, he began to read.
Then his eyes shook violently.
And—
“I shall enter closed-door training.”
It was a thunderclap.
“W-What?!”
“Grandfather?!”
Jungho and Gijin cried out, only for him to drop an even greater bombshell.
“Send word in my name to every sect of the Black Lotus. If Kang Yongun wishes something, they must obey as if it were the command of the Clan Lord or myself.”
Jungho and Gijin’s jaws dropped.
This was beyond shocking.
To let him invoke the sect’s name was already extraordinary—but this went too far!
“Lord! Why such a decree…?”
“Read this.”
To Jungho, who had spoken formally, the Red Dragon King handed over the letter.
“This is…?”
It was the letter Yongun had given him.
“My grandson’s words to me. Read, and you’ll understand.”
And so Jungho read—
一劍意負自由
一劍意聯對敵
“Imbue the technique with will, then grant it freedom.
Thus, the will carried in the technique will flow unbroken—toward the enemy, or wherever else you desire.”
It wasn’t just writing.
It was a key.
The new formula Yongun had realized from the firmament beings’ advice at Mount Aknok.
The very key the Red Dragon King had longed for—
the one most crucial to surpassing the wall that blocked his path.
