Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 176

Nine Dragons Chronicle (176)

Birthday Celebration

In her assigned room, Hwa-rin was examining the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo’ [a painting depicting a beautiful woman, often associated with hidden martial arts secrets] she had received from Joo Young-ho. Having already obtained a martial art from one painting, discovering another through a painting wasn’t too difficult.

“Asura Meteor Spear, huh…”

The painting from Joo Young-ho contained a spear technique, but it could also be adapted for use with various weapons like swords and blades.

However, the Asura Meteor Spear was most potent when wielded as a spear, its power diminishing when used with other weapons.

“Now that I have the Asura Meteor Fist and Asura Meteor Spear, all that’s left are the Asura Blood Sword, Asura Blood Palm, and Asura Mind Skill, right?”

Mastering these five martial arts would unlock the ultimate technique of the Asura Demon Tower, the Asura Blood Art.

“Even if I can’t obtain the Asura Blood Art, I hope I can at least get the Asura Mind Skill.”

The martial arts within the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo’ require the Asura Mind Skill to unleash their full potential.

Among the numerous martial arts Hwa-rin had mastered, some, like the ‘Gongmu Dowon Art,’ drew their power from his internal energy [qi or chi], while others didn’t. The Asura Meteor Fist felt like its power was diminished.

Like the Asura Meteor Fist, many of the martial arts Hwa-rin had acquired from vanquishing various sects suffered from reduced power without their original internal energy cultivation methods.

Hwa-rin didn’t neglect any of these martial arts, as they all contributed to the complete martial arts mastery he sought.

“Lord!”

While Hwa-rin was examining the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo,’ Seo Dae-young arrived at the Heungchin Prince’s residence, seeking an audience.

“You’re here?”

Hearing his voice, Seo Dae-young opened the door, bowed lightly, and sat across from Hwa-rin.

Seo Dae-young’s gaze was drawn to the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo.’ Even to him, it depicted a woman of rare beauty, unlike anyone he’d ever seen.

“Is this the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo’?”

“Yes. What do you think?”

“It’s a beautiful woman. It’s amazing that the painting has been preserved so well, considering how much time has passed.”

“A spell was used to protect the painting from damage.”

“But what martial art is hidden within it?”

Seo Dae-young stared intently at the painting, but he couldn’t discern the Asura Meteor Spear within the ‘Seonhwa Yujeongdo.’

“Never mind if you don’t know. It simply means it’s not meant for you.”

“Is that so?”

“Why? Do you want to try and decipher it while I have it?”

“Oh, no. How much more are you going to make me work if you teach me this? It’s already a headache learning what you’ve already taught me. Are you suggesting I learn another martial art? I’d rather not.”

Hwa-rin chuckled.

“Then forget about it. What about the information I asked you to gather?”

“They report that other than routine meetings with existing contacts, there’s nothing new to report.”

“Really? What about the generals who are close to the Prince’s residence?”

“There are a few. Most are affiliated with the Palosuro Army, Heungchin Royal Guard, and Yongcheon Royal Guard, maintaining friendships with former comrades.”

“What do you think of all this?”

“What are you referring to specifically?”

“I’m just wondering if you’ve noticed anything unusual in the information you’ve gathered about the Imperial Palace and the Prince’s residence.”

“I haven’t detected any signs of impending trouble or unusual activity.”

“Really? You’re not being very helpful. I’m going to take a nap, so keep a sharp watch.”

“Don’t worry.”

“‘Don’t worry,’ my foot. Last time I told you to keep watch, you fell asleep.”

Seo Dae-young looked away, feigning ignorance.

“Why?”

“Shouldn’t I prepare your bedding so people don’t get suspicious while you’re sleeping?”

“I’ll take care of it myself, so just focus on your duties.”

The secret arts of the Baegyo [White Night Sect] that his mother had left behind were invaluable to Hwa-rin. Among these, the ‘Dream Illusion Art’ had created a mental training ground that had shaped Hwa-rin into who he was today.

Using this ‘Dream Illusion Art,’ which allowed him to conjure his desired environment through sleep or illusions, or to disorient his opponents, Hwa-rin created a mental room where he could train in martial arts while sleeping, effectively doubling his training time.

This period of sleep was entirely his own, allowing him to practice martial arts, delve into the Baegyo’s secret arts, and even pursue academic studies.

During the day, he appeared to be idly relaxing, giving the impression that he was neglecting his martial arts training, but those who knew him sensed that he was growing stronger every day.

Hwa-rin was currently training in the mental room he had created.

Kwaaaang!

A massive explosion filled the surroundings with thick dust. A long hand reached out through the dust, attempting to seize Hwa-rin’s neck.

Hwa-rin leaned back to evade the attack, then planted his hands on the ground and launched his feet into the air.

He attacked and defended simultaneously, keeping his opponent at bay and creating distance.

Hwa-rin was battling a virtual enemy, the most formidable he had ever faced: the Four Emperors, Baek Mu-gi.

Hwa-rin, employing the ‘Dream Illusion Art,’ could recreate all the martial arts he had encountered or learned within this mental space. Baek Mu-gi was employing the ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art’ to relentlessly press his attack.

The ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art’ used by the virtual Baek Mu-gi differed slightly from the real Baek Mu-gi’s, as Hwa-rin couldn’t perfectly replicate it even with the Baegyo’s secret arts.

To more accurately recreate the ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art’ in his mental room, he had provoked Baek Gun-seong, inducing him to use the technique, but it still wasn’t quite the same as Baek Mu-gi’s.

Even though it was an imperfect version of the ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art,’ it was enough to trouble Hwa-rin.

Baek Mu-gi constantly targeted Hwa-rin’s weaknesses, and Hwa-rin struggled to defend or evade while attempting to counterattack, but instead of gaining ground, he was taking a beating.

Despite this, he stubbornly persevered, seeking opportunities to turn the tide, but the situation remained bleak.

The difference in martial arts prowess between Baek Mu-gi and Hwa-rin was evident.

Kwaaaang… Jjeoeoeoeoeok!

The collision of their immense internal energies shook the mental space violently, as if it were on the verge of collapse.

“Keoeok!”

Hwa-rin couldn’t withstand Baek Mu-gi’s power and was sent flying, tumbling across the floor of the mental space.

“Kulok!”

Hwa-rin spat out a mouthful of blood and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“The fact that I’m struggling to withstand even the power of an imperfect ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art’ indicates that my martial arts are still lacking.”

Hwa-rin frowned as he gazed at Baek Mu-gi, who stood tall and imposing.

The injuries sustained in the mental space had a minor impact on his physical body, so Hwa-rin suffered minor internal injuries from the exchange.

Hwa-rin took a deep breath and assumed a lotus position. Baek Mu-gi’s figure vanished, and the surrounding environment transformed into a lush forest.

“I need to perfectly master the ‘Heaven and Earth Harmony Art’ I obtained from Cheongseong Mountain and then combine it with the ‘Gongmu Dowon Art’.”

Hwa-rin was referring to the ‘Heaven and Earth Harmony Art’ left behind by Geomchi Youngseongjin-in, revered as the greatest swordsman of Cheongseong Mountain.

Not just any mind skill could be combined with the ‘Gongmu Dowon Art.’

Only mind skills that were compatible with the ‘Gongmu Dowon Art’ could be combined, and among the numerous mind skills Hwa-rin had mastered, only a select few met the criteria.

“If the compatibility is right, and I can refine it through the ‘Manja Museo’ [Ten Thousand Character Martial Arts Library, a place for refining martial arts], I might be able to withstand the power of the ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art’.”

Hwa-rin’s primary objective was to withstand the power of the ‘Deathly Spirit Demonic Art,’ even in its incomplete form.

“I can’t compete with Baek Mu-gi with my current skills, so let’s focus on combining the ‘Gongmu Dowon Art’ and the ‘Heaven and Earth Harmony Art’ for now.”

Hwa-rin established his training direction and closed his eyes.

* * *

The Nine Dragons Escort Service, having successfully completed the grain trade in the Trabyl Kingdom, was returning to the Central Plains with a substantial amount of grain.

The official leader of this group was Dong-chun, but above him was Namgung Soo-yeon, who was effectively in charge.

Because they were transporting a large quantity of grain, the Nine Dragons Unit’s warriors and Dong-chun’s disciples weren’t sufficient, so they hired ronin [masterless samurai] to assist with the transport. Among the ronin, some sported conspicuous blue bruises on their faces.

These were the marks they had earned for flirting with Namgung Soo-yeon and Hyang-ran, the only female among Dong-chun’s disciples.

The ronin had personally experienced Namgung Soo-yeon and Hyang-ran’s martial arts prowess, and when they discovered that Namgung Soo-yeon was the renowned Namgung Soo-yeon of the Nine Dragons Unit, they became as cautious as a demure bride on her wedding night.

In the conflict between the Saheol Alliance and the Nine Dragons Unit, the Nine Dragons Unit had technically lost, but in reality, it was a pyrrhic victory for the Alliance.

The Saheol Alliance had received the Nine Dragons Unit’s surrender, but gained nothing of substance, while the Nine Dragons Unit gained instant notoriety, just as Hwa-rin had planned.

Although Hwa-rin and Namgung Soo-yeon didn’t actively seek fame from this conflict, their martial nicknames would soon be coined by gossips, and people would refer to them by their names accompanied by their martial epithets.

“Senior, when you practice martial arts, do you disregard the opinions of others?”

Namgung Soo-yeon was unconcerned with onlookers when she practiced her martial art, the Thirteen Swords of the Emperor. She practiced freely whenever she had the opportunity, regardless of the location, and whenever she did, the Nine Dragons Escort Service’s guards and the hired ronin would watch her.

Dong-chun, disliking this, inquired.

“Do you think they can imitate it just by watching?”

“They may not grasp the profound essence within it, but they can learn the form and style. Wouldn’t that be beneficial?”

“If it’s helpful, there’s no harm in it. Simply living another day as a martial artist who relies on the sword for survival is meaningful.”

“No, what I mean is…”

“If you imitate the form and style of the Demonic God Art, does that mean you’ve mastered the Demonic God Art?”

Namgung Soo-yeon shook her head at the question.

“If you imitate the Dharma Bodhi Palm, does that mean you’ve mastered it?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Namgung Soo-yeon asked, but Dong-chun couldn’t formulate a clear answer.

“Well, the great sects and prestigious families don’t practice in public because they fear their martial arts will be revealed. And it’s also considered impolite to observe someone else practicing martial arts without permission.”

Namgung Soo-yeon chuckled.

“That’s for masters. It doesn’t concern us underlings.”

Dong-chun wore a displeased expression.

“Masters possess the ability to discern and comprehend an opponent’s martial arts through their extensive experience, but underlings lack that capacity. Occasionally, there are geniuses who can intuitively grasp martial arts, but their understanding remains superficial without practical experience.”

Namgung Soo-yeon explained to Dong-chun.

“You’re also learning martial arts to some extent, so if someone weaker than you uses martial arts, you’ll be able to understand it to some degree.”

“That’s true.”

“Then if Hwa-rin Senior uses martial arts and demonstrates it to you, can you understand it?”

“That’s difficult. Hwa-rin Leader’s martial arts are so unconventional that I can’t even begin to comprehend them.”

“Exactly. I’ve also witnessed Hwa-rin Senior’s martial arts countless times, but like you, I can’t even grasp the basics. So I asked Hwa-rin Senior.”

“What did you ask?”

“How can I follow in your footsteps?”

“And?”

“He simply said, ‘Watch and learn from the side.'”

Dong-chun didn’t fully comprehend Namgung Soo-yeon’s words.

“Is that all?”