Chapter 21
“Can I… get the scroll?”
After forming her danjeon (energy core), there were many things she began to long for.
The Harmony Nerve Technique (조화신경) might have just been a common painting to ordinary people, but for Woonyeong, it was a precious artifact.
As a Heavenly Martial Body, Woonyeong had the qualities of a grandmaster and was granted the opportunity to access countless martial arts manuals at once.
Others might have gotten lost in the flood of information, but Woonyeong was able to pick out only what she needed.
While reciting many martial arts formulas, she identified only the deeper essences (奥義), deconstructed and recombined them endlessly, eventually creating entirely new formulas.
“At first, I thought it was the Harmony Nerve Technique.”
At first, she didn’t even realize it was something she had created. She assumed it was part of the preexisting Harmony Nerve martial art technique.
Since the martial world was full of stories, it wasn’t strange to believe some martial arts had been passed down in special ways.
But she soon realized that wasn’t the case—because she was able to modify the formulas she had come up with.
“The scroll was just an artifact that helped with meditation. Even Elder Deung thought it was just a rare, old painting.”
Woonyeong’s self-developed martial art, Harmony Formula, had begun on Mount Hwangsan and was completed on the battlefield.
Though it was already nearly perfected, just before her death, Woonyeong had glimpsed a new realm. So further advancement was still possible.
The scroll wasn’t essential—but having it would be beneficial.
“How should I ask for the scroll? That old man is sharp as a hawk.”
But it wasn’t time to worry about that yet. Meeting Elder Deung was the first priority.
“First, I need to meet Elder Deung and that smart guy Jegal. And I also need to take those elixirs… but I can’t go outside. Ugh.”
There was so much to do.
She felt increasingly pressed. She couldn’t just sit back and slowly get stronger anymore.
The realm she had achieved as the Sword Ghost might seem like an easy path now, but that could actually be a trap—too tempting, too comfortable.
“I mustn’t be impatient.”
Impatience in martial arts cultivation was poison.
A heart demon wasn’t anything fancy—it could simply be a small doubt about the path you were walking. Even that could hinder reaching a higher realm.
Woonyeong hadn’t even taken her first real step yet, and what she needed to guard against most was impatience.
“No, for now I’ll do what I can. To improve efficiency… hmm… I guess I’ll start with Yongsacho (容巳草).”
Determined, Woonyeong called for Hyanga.
“Hyanga, did you dry the Yongsacho?”
“Yes, miss. But… what are you going to use this weed for?”
“Let’s see.”
“You never answer directly… Here it is.”
Though she pouted, Hyanga handed over a basket filled with well-dried Yongsacho. Woonyeong carefully inspected each leaf.
“There’s quite a lot.”
“Well, it’s a common weed. Grows everywhere.”
“You dried it nicely. This will do. Good job, Hyanga.”
Woonyeong praised her as she set the basket down.
“Hehe. I am good, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you did well. Now take it and grind it into powder.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Also, keep collecting and drying more Yongsacho from now on.”
“Yes, miss.”
Hyanga left the room with the basket.
“Guard Bang, did you bring the Gold Wound Medicine (금창약)?”
“Y-Yes, miss.”
Bang Gijin, who had been standing awkwardly, held out a bundle.
After her first martial arts training, Woonyeong had declared Bang Gijin her personal guard. Both Seol Jadan and the captain of the Tiger Guard, Geum Cheongsan, had readily agreed.
‘If fate has brought us together, then so be it. I’ll make you strong—faster and to a higher level than before.’
With a pleased look, Woonyeong stared at Bang Gijin.
‘It’ll be tough though… maybe to the point of death? Or a little beyond that? Either way, you’ll get strong.’
Unaware of her thoughts, Bang Gijin quickly laid out the bundle of Gold Wound Medicine on the table. His hands were quick, despite his nervousness.
“Hmm. Let’s take a look.”
Gold Wound Medicine was used to stop bleeding and treat external wounds from swords or spears.
Some came as powder for quick coagulation, others in ointment form for sustained application.
Martial artists frequently suffered injuries during training. And without treatment, they couldn’t resume, making this medicine a necessity.
Woonyeong had asked Bang Gijin to gather various types because each pharmacy or physician used different formulations.
“There’s quite a variety.”
“Yes, some said they preferred what they were using before they came to Seol Manor, so I got samples from everyone.”
“Hmm. I see. You’ve worked hard.”
“No, miss. Everyone gladly shared since you asked for them.”
Seol Manor also provided high-quality Gold Wound Medicine to their guards, but individual preferences still varied.
To Woonyeong’s eyes, however, the quality was all unsatisfactory.
‘Has the Sangchungok version of Gold Wound Medicine not appeared yet? Ah… that only came after Sangchungok disappeared.’
She bit her lip, recalling fragments of the past.
“Guard Bang. Have you ever been in real combat?”
It wasn’t a fitting question from a girl who had just started martial arts training, but it made Bang Gijin tense.
“Not yet, miss.”
Woonyeong’s gaze cooled as she looked at the medicine.
War was full of ironies.
While countless lives perished, the means for survival improved tremendously.
The idea that real combat made warriors stronger was common knowledge in the martial world.
Even first-timers who survived deadly battles often saw huge skill gains. Over and over, each brush with death made them stronger.
“Hm. I heard somewhere that repeated real combat makes you stronger.”
“I’ve heard that as well, miss.”
Martial arts development also flourished in wartime. Techniques for rapid inner energy circulation became widely shared. Forms and strikes evolved through cross-training between sects.
‘Desperation led to discovery—just one move that could save your life was enough.’
Not only did individual skill improve, but so did the tools for survival.
From Gold Wound Medicine for treating cuts, to strange medicines for internal injuries, to Vitality Pills for energy, and elixirs that boosted inner power.
Even small doses became highly efficient.
“To save more lives, medicine had to evolve too.”
Woonyeong’s quiet murmur didn’t reach Bang Gijin.
“Pardon? Did you say something, miss?”
“No, nothing.”
Weapon quality had also improved drastically, along with armor and everyday tools for martial artists.
‘We were so short on supplies, we tried everything to reuse what we could. That desperation led to innovation.’
Suddenly, Woonyeong felt faint.
It was like she was standing in the middle of a battlefield again. The scent of blood brushing her nose overwhelmed her.
“Miss, I’m coming in.”
Hyanga’s voice brought her back, and she took a deep breath.
“Okay, come in.”
She was relieved by the warm sunlight and the scent of golden osmanthus. Hadn’t she decided to protect this peace?
“I ground the Yongsacho like you asked. But… what are you going to use this for?”
“I’ll show you now.”
Woonyeong, fists trembling, replied to Hyanga.
“Forget the rest. I’m going to mix the ointment-type Gold Wound Medicine with the Yongsacho powder.”
She chose a common, versatile formulation and got to work.
“What? You’re mixing it with weeds? What a waste of good medicine…”
Hyanga trailed off as she saw Woonyeong’s eyes. Though still a young girl, her determination was rock-solid. There was no talking her out of it.
However, her hands were clumsy and unskilled. Hyanga rolled up her sleeves and stepped in.
“Good grief, just give it to me. I’ll do it.”
“Alright. That might be best.”
Hyanga’s nimble hands began to work quickly. The powder and ointment blended better than expected.
“Stop. That looks good.”
“What are you using it for?”
Hyanga’s face was full of curiosity. Woonyeong could only smile.
“For training.”
“What? You’re going to train with this?”
Even Bang Gijin was shocked.
“Yup. Apply it to your body while training. It works really well.”
“You’re going to train with this stuff?”
Hyanga looked scandalized.
“I’m serious. Guard Bang, try applying this while you train.”
Woonyeong handed him a small bowl of the mixture.
“Uh… alright…”
Bang Gijin took it reluctantly, and Woonyeong couldn’t help but grin.
“I wonder what kind of face you’ll make when you ask for more later.”
In the past, it was Bang Gijin who had taught Woonyeong this method:
—“If you mix Yongsacho with Gold Wound Medicine and apply it, it helps your muscles absorb energy better.”
On the battlefield, bleeding was common, and supplies were short. People often yanked weeds like Yongsacho to stop the bleeding.
Someone had discovered it.
When Yongsacho was used to stop bleeding, and Gold Wound Medicine was applied on top, wounds healed faster.
And when they fought again in that condition, their muscles responded better.
Later, it became a common method passed from mouth to mouth—but for now, Woonyeong was the only one who knew.
This was the weapon that would make Woonyeong, Bang Gijin, the warriors of Seol Manor, and countless martial artists stronger.
“And if I can make money off this too, all the better.”
Woonyeong just smiled.
