Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 211

Nine Dragons Chronicle (211)

“Sealed? What’s that?”

The young masters of the Twelve Families, who had stepped forward to help the Daeri Family in Yunnan Province and sustained injuries, were enjoying a comfortable time under the guise of treatment. Baek Gun-seong and Lee Seo-won, having experienced fighting opponents stronger than themselves to the point of exhaustion, were dedicating a lot of time to martial arts training.

While they were spending their time like this, Hwa-rin was in the underground training hall of the Daeri Family, separating the venom of the Poison Demon from the Heavenly Jade Treasure as if absorbing the energy of a monster. As expected, the Poison Demon was helpless against Hwa-rin, who was immune to all poisons.

Hwa-rin was able to absorb even the Poison Demon’s venom. In the process, she learned the location of the Bottomless Pit where Asura was imprisoned and the method to break Asura’s seal, which reassured her.

To break the seal of the Bottomless Pit where Asura was imprisoned, the power of the Six Demons was needed, and the Bottomless Pit could not be opened if even one of the Six Demons was missing.

Since Hwa-rin had absorbed the energies of the Monster Demon and the Poison Demon, there was no chance that Asura would come out of the Bottomless Pit, at least for now.

“Then let’s just gloss over Asura and make an accomplice to avoid any future problems.”

In the underground training hall, there were dozens of pills in front of Hwa-rin. These were elixirs for enhancing inner energy, created by removing the Poison Demon’s venom from the Heavenly Jade Treasure and injecting small amounts of pure energy into the pills.

Hwa-rin put the elixirs into her spatial pouch, kept only the two smallest ones in her possession, and left the underground training hall.

When she came out of the training hall, Baek Gun-seong and Lee Seo-won were sparring in the courtyard, mixing their swords so fiercely that anyone would think they were mortal enemies.

“Looks like you’ve regained your senses. Sparring is only worthwhile when you risk your life.”

Hwa-rin sat comfortably on the porch of the detached building and watched the two spar.

A smile appeared on Hwa-rin’s face as she watched them for a while.

“As expected, people need to experience the boundary between life and death at least once.”

Baek Gun-seong’s Death Spirit Demonic Art was different from before. Although he was still no match for his father, Baek Mu-gi, she thought that if she took him around and trained him a little more, he could be of great help in researching Baek Mu-gi’s Death Spirit Demonic Art.

Clang!

The two swords collided in the air, creating countless sparks.

“Seo-won has also improved a lot.”

Lee Seo-won’s Dragon Blood Sword was also felt differently, and it could be seen that the two had become stronger than when they left Seoseo Province.

“If the martial arts they are learning through experience reach a state of perfection, they will be able to face the wall of enlightenment.”

That enlightenment could come within a month, a year, ten years, or never, but what was clear was that if they did not lose their current mindset, they would soon be able to face the wall of enlightenment.

However, that did not mean they could overcome the wall of enlightenment in an instant, but it was a time when they had to think about what they should do and how they should do it, so they would be stronger than they are now.

Hwa-rin saw that the sparring was coming to an end and said to the two.

“Wrap it up.”

As soon as Hwa-rin finished speaking, the two separated, took a breath, sheathed their swords, and lightly bowed to end the sparring.

“You two seem to be very different.”

Hwa-rin tapped her head with her hand and said.

“My head is different?”

“I said your thinking is different. You have to understand when I give you a hint. Do I have to teach you everything one by one?”

The two made displeased expressions.

“Come here and sit down.”

Hwa-rin pointed to the floor of the porch towards the two and said.

“Why, do you have something to say?”

“I told you before. The head of the Daeri Family said that he removed the Monster Demon’s demonic energy and absorbed the pure energy.”

“You did.”

Hwa-rin took out two pills from her chest.

“What is this?”

“Think of it as an elixir made from the pure energy obtained by removing the Poison Demon’s venom from the Heavenly Jade Treasure.”

“An elixir?”

“An elixir that can not only enhance your inner energy but also give you some resistance to poison.”

The two’s eyes turned to the elixir.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

“But why are there only two?”

“You sly things, why are you asking when you know they’re yours? I couldn’t make any for the others. So, you two just take them and wipe your mouths.”

A faint smile appeared on the two’s faces.

“But you need to know something.”

“What?”

“The moment you take this and increase your inner energy, you become accomplices.”

“Accomplices?”

“Accomplices in ruining the function of the Heavenly Jade Treasure, which can be said to be a treasure of the Tang Family.”

“Hmm….”

The reason Hwa-rin mentioned accomplices to them was simple. No martial artist would give up an elixir in front of them. Moreover, no one would know if they didn’t say anything, so it was pointless to ask.

“I just have to keep my mouth shut, right?”

“That’s right.”

Baek Gun-seong picked up an elixir without even thinking.

“You’re making my hand awkward.”

Lee Seo-won also chose an elixir.

Through their experience of fighting to the death, they were learning martial arts that would work against the younger generation, but they felt that they were no match for the older generation.

They were struggling even against the monks of the Small Thunder Sound Temple, who were not even among the Hundred Great Masters, so they thought that they would not even be able to face the well-known martial artists of the older generation, let alone the Hundred Great Masters of the Murim [martial arts world].

Hwa-rin smiled at their choice.

“So, what should I do? Are you going to absorb it on your own? Or should I help you fully absorb the energy of the elixir?”

“Is that even a question? We’re in the same boat, so we’re going together.”

“Then let’s move the location.”

Hwa-rin told them to go to the underground training hall.

“Let’s do that.”

A smile appeared on Hwa-rin’s face.

‘If I remember how Baek Gun-seong circulates the Death Spirit Mind Art, I’ll be able to find a way to break Baek Mu-gi’s Death Spirit Demonic Art.’

Hwa-rin wanted to gain two benefits with one elixir.

‘It’s definitely possible.’

Baek Gun-seong and Lee Seo-won were sitting cross-legged in the underground training hall, and Hwa-rin was watching from one side.

Hwa-rin helped the two fully absorb the energy of the elixir, and in return, she indirectly experienced and understood the paths of the Death Spirit Mind Art and the Dragon Blood Martial Art.

‘The Death Spirit Mind Art and the Dragon Blood Martial Art have one fatal flaw.’

Normal inner energy cultivation methods circulate through the blood vessels and meridians [energy pathways], but the Death Spirit Mind Art and the Dragon Blood Martial Art circulate through the blood vessels, meridians, and bone marrow throughout the body.

‘Transporting energy through the bone marrow has the advantage of strengthening the bones and speeding up the movement of inner energy, but the problem is that the bone marrow also affects the brain.’

Hwa-rin was able to understand in an instant why the Death Spirit Demonic Art was classified as a demonic art.

‘The Reverse Blood Tendon Changing Marrow Washing Technique can improve it to some extent. If the great technique is successful, the Death Spirit Mind Art could be reborn as another divine art.’

Hwa-rin was thinking while keeping her eyes on the two who were circulating their energy.

Goo-ooo-ong!

Changes occurred in the two’s bodies. The pure energy of the Poison Demon seemed to be of great help.

However, Hwa-rin’s interest was focused on the Death Spirit Mind Art and the Dragon Blood Martial Art rather than them.

‘The problem is that the Reverse Blood Tendon Changing Marrow Washing Technique is useless for adults.’

The great technique had to be performed on a very young child who was just starting to grow in order to maximize its effect.

‘If I go back and perform the great technique on So-cheon and So-woon and teach them martial arts, I’ll be able to achieve the best results.’

A faint light flowed from the two’s bodies, and their figures floated slightly into the air.

Hwa-rin narrowed her eyes slightly at the sight.

“Is it because they still lack enlightenment and experience?”

As Hwa-rin had expected, the two lacked enlightenment and experience and could not overcome the wall they faced. However, this alone was as good as achieving a great result.

They would make countless efforts to overcome the wall they faced, so she thought they would soon be able to overcome it.

“Sa Do-joon would have been able to overcome the wall, but it’s a shame. I wonder if my friends are doing well.”

* * *

The young assassins who were spending a hard time to the point of exhaustion were becoming more and more mentally strong than before, even though their bodies and minds were exhausted.

It was safe to say that they had achieved their training goals with this alone.

They were lying sprawled out in the cave, all breathing heavily as if they were struggling.

“You guys really suffered this time.”

Sa Do-joon, who was leading them, praised his colleagues for their hard work.

Although it was an illusion, in that illusion, they faced situations where swords actually pierced their abdomens, arms were cut off, and necks were severed.

It was so painful that they felt real death, and they were growing little by little as they experienced experiences they never wanted to experience again.

“Il-yeong, is your arm that flew off still attached well?”

“Yes, Brother. I almost became an arm cripple and had to take the next test, but fortunately, I passed the test and will be able to take the next test in perfect condition.”

If you fail the Illusionary World Maze, you must take the next test in an injured state. If you die in the previous test, you will not be able to take the next test.

In this repeated situation, they realized one thing.

The one who dies early cannot gain as much practical experience and will die early again. The more times that happens, the more they will fall behind in this group and will not be able to stand out.

Having realized this fact by experiencing it with their bodies, they chose to live even if they lost an arm or a leg, and they were gradually getting stronger as they gained more experience.

In addition, their bond became deeper, and they were gradually changing into people who could move for the benefit of the organization rather than their own benefit.

“How is Hyeon-soo? Can you handle it?”

“Yes, Brother. I can handle it. No, I will handle it. Why didn’t you tell me that I can get stronger if I just endure it?”

“It’s not that I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t have time to tell you. You’ve experienced it inside, too.”

Nak-yeong Il of the Bloodshed Gate answered as if he was making an excuse, but in reality, he only said what was necessary when entering the test, and he hardly made any jokes or private conversations.

Jokes and private conversations were only allowed during the half-hour break given after passing the given test, and they said everything they could and couldn’t say at this time.

In the meantime, one person got up from his seat, went to one side of the cave, and practiced with his sword.

“Yeong-woo, let’s take a break.”

“You guys take a break. I have to swing my sword even once more to assist you.”

As Dam Yeong-woo of the Ghost Killing Gate started training, some people got up and trained with him, and others sat cross-legged and circulated their energy.

Sa Do-joon, who was leading them, thought of one person when he saw this.

‘Everyone is getting stronger because of you. The moment we finish training and go out into the Murim, there will be no more neglected assassins.’

At first, he resented being pushed into a place like this, but now he felt more gratitude than resentment.

He thought that he had probably become several times stronger than before he came here.

‘I overcame the wall I was facing a while ago. And now I’m moving forward to meet a new wall. All of this is thanks to you.’

Sa Do-joon was sincerely grateful to Hwa-rin.

Ding… Ding… Ding…….

The sound of a bell rang in the cave, and those who were training stopped their actions.

“No time. Hurry up and eat and prepare for another test.”

The sound of the bell was to announce mealtime.

Sa Do-joon took a few children and went to the place they had promised each other, and there was a lot of food laid out.

“You guys are suffering a lot.”

The person who greeted them was Lee Do-moon.

“It’s suffering, but everyone is enjoying it, so I can’t even say it’s suffering.”

“Then that’s a relief. The Sect Leader will be happy to hear your news. He can also relieve some of the burden on his mind.”

“Burden on his mind?”

“He said that it would be a difficult test for you, and that many people would curse the Sect Leader in the meantime.”

“Ah… I cursed a lot at first. But as I gradually adapted, I didn’t even have time to curse, so I’m just focusing on training.”

Lee Do-moon nodded.

“Anyone hurt or sick?”

“No one. Ah, Bae Young-hwa gained enlightenment this time. He said he overcame the first wall he faced.”

Lee Do-moon’s eyes widened.

“Really? This is news that the Black Faction Leader will like.”

“Besides that, there are quite a few people who are agonizing in front of the first wall right now, so I think everyone will overcome the first wall when they leave this place.”

Lee Do-moon nodded.

“I’ll let the leaders of each sect know this fact.”

“Thank you. Ah, and next time you come, we need a little more supplies.”

“Supplies?”

“It wouldn’t be a big problem if it was just men, but there are quite a few women, so starting with clothes….”

Sa Do-joon talked about the necessities of life, and Lee Do-moon said that he would prepare everything and deliver it next time.

“Then we’ll go back in to take the test.”

“Suffer a lot.”