The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 351

“Instead of forcing internal energy, you can compensate for the lack of power by applying the rotational force of the Jeonsagyeong [a technique focusing on rotational force]. That would give you more room to breathe, and you could fully convert the remaining energy into defense or offense.”

“Ah!”

Bihwa-ryeong exclaimed at Dan-ak-seon’s explanation.

She felt as if the fog before her eyes had cleared in an instant.

A flash of brilliant inspiration struck her mind like lightning.

Immediately, Bihwa-ryeong picked up her sword and began to wield it continuously against an imaginary enemy.

After linking her stances for a while,

her sword underwent a change.

She applied the principle of Jeonsagyeong as Dan-ak-seon had mentioned.

As a result, the flow between the previously conflicting stances became very natural and smooth.

After repeating this several times, the power itself changed noticeably.

Then, at some point,

the fierce, storm-like swordplay violently shook, and an intense surge of sword energy, like a tsunami, engulfed the area.

A wave of blue sword energy scattered into the air, leaving behind dazzling afterimages.

Bihwa-ryeong, unable to sheathe her sword, stared blankly at it, her eyes filled with undisguised joy.

The process of capturing and integrating the sudden enlightenment into her sword.

Through this, she could feel that she had grown one step further.

The exhilaration and sense of accomplishment were so thrilling that they were hard to describe in words.

After a while,

Bihwa-ryeong, who had been standing still for a long time, paused.

Then, she gave Dan-ak-seon a troubled look.

“But can we still call this the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords?”

Certainly, the weaknesses had been compensated for, and the power had become much stronger than before, but it had become difficult to maintain the basic stances of the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords in their original form.

“Are we only allowed to call it the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords when we confine it to fixed ideas and restrictions?”

Bihwa-ryeong’s eyes widened at Dan-ak-seon’s question.

Indeed, that was true.

Although it was a secret art of her sect, what she had been practicing was a very old form of swordsmanship.

As such, its limitations were clear.

Stances that focused excessively on maintaining form in order to realize the power of the original swordsmanship.

It was possible to reach a certain level through this, but it was impossible to aim for higher realms beyond that.

However, the swordsmanship that had broken away from the existing restrictions and limitations had gained new life, escaping the clichés of ancient manuals.

New possibilities for advancing to higher realms had opened up.

“Thank you. I’ve had a great awakening thanks to you.”

Dan-ak-seon smiled and shook his head at Bihwa-ryeong’s words.

“No, I’ve also gained enlightenment thanks to you.”

It was then that Cho-ak-ryang opened his mouth.

“One need not fear the one who can unleash a thousand stances, but fear the one who has perfected a single stance.”

The crowd, puzzled by the sudden remark, turned their heads following Cho-ak-ryang’s gaze.

There stood Neung So-mil, wearing an awkward smile.

In his hand was a practice sword.

“I’m sorry. As I was watching, my heart couldn’t help but get excited…”

Dan-ak-seon smiled and shook his head.

“What’s there to be sorry about? We started this joint training to learn from each other from the beginning.”

On the other hand, Bihwa-ryeong approached Neung So-mil with a gleam in her eyes.

“Could you show me the swordsmanship you just performed again?”

Certainly, even if it was the same swordsmanship, there was a clear difference depending on who performed it.

Although the connection of stances was not perfect and felt somewhat clumsy, the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords performed by Neung So-mil had its own uniqueness.

“Go ahead, quickly.”

When Beom Gye-wi even pushed him on the back, Neung So-mil raised his sword again.

After taking a deep breath, Neung So-mil began to unfold his own reinterpretation of the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords.

Surprise flashed across the eyes of the onlookers as they watched.

The clumsy movements had become quite settled in the meantime, and now he was skillfully restoring a considerable portion of Bihwa-ryeong’s movements.

How long had it been?

Cho-ak-ryang suddenly opened his mouth.

“The chronic ills that appear when one tries to learn too many things indiscriminately are clearly evident.”

Neung So-mil paused and looked at Cho-ak-ryang.

At this, Cho-ak-ryang snorted briefly and continued.

“In that way, one cannot fully imbue the sword with pure sword principles. One does not know the details of sword techniques, and the direction itself becomes ambiguous. This is why one must take steps one by one and gradually pursue depth.”

Dan-ak-seon nodded and elaborated on the words.

“It’s the same meaning as when you said that seeing a hundred times is not as good as learning once, and learning a hundred things is not as good as one completeness.”

“That’s right.”

Cho-ak-ryang added an explanation.

“The decisive difference between a master and a novice is proficiency. No matter how many stances one learns, what determines life and death in a crucial moment where fate is at stake is a single stance that has been repeated tens of thousands of times and engraved in the body. The mysteries contained within so-called divine arts and supreme techniques do not lie in knowing many things, but in refinement. That is why it is also expressed as deep affection.”

“Hmm… I’m sure swordsmanship doesn’t suit Uncle Neung.”

“Is that so?”

Seeing Neung So-mil’s somewhat disappointed expression, Dan-ak-seon smiled and continued.

“From my perspective, it seems to be due to the difference in internal energy cultivation methods.”

“The difference in internal energy cultivation methods?”

“Yes. Uncle Neung specializes in close combat based on tenacity and perseverance. Due to the nature of the Namhae Thirty-Six Swords, which involves explosive sword energy, it needs to be supported by an internal energy cultivation method that pursues sharpness and concentration, but the Wihwa Divine Art [a cultivation technique], which focuses on continuous sustainability, rather diminishes its power.”

“Ah!”

“Why don’t you try not giving your opponent any distance? For example, by using short weapons like daggers or throwing knives to continue fighting at close range. In such situations, the Wihwa Divine Art might actually be a strength.”

“…!”

Realizing something, Neung So-mil turned his head and shouted towards Sa-mu-sim.

“Brother, please! Indulge me for a moment!”

“Gladly.”

Sa-mu-sim smiled and accepted the practice sword that Neung So-mil handed him.

Neung So-mil also held two practice daggers, each about a foot long, in both hands and faced Sa-mu-sim.

Then, at some point, they flew towards each other.

A dizzying exchange of short attacks and defenses.

The two, who had exchanged over a hundred moves in an instant, stepped back again, keeping their distance.

Cho-ak-ryang smiled slightly and nodded.

“Well, this is a bit better.”

“Is that so?”

Neung So-mil’s face brightened at once at that one word.

Considering Cho-ak-ryang’s usually harsh evaluations, he knew that this alone was a huge compliment.

“Wait a minute.”

Dan-ak-seon stepped forward and stopped Neung So-mil.

“Your movements just now were a little awkward. Is your right shoulder uncomfortable by any chance?”

“Yes? Ah, now that you mention it, I felt a slight muscle pull.”

Dan-ak-seon approached Neung So-mil, touched his shoulder area, and smiled.

“Using unfamiliar stances that suddenly changed has put a strain on muscles you don’t normally use. The accumulated damage isn’t that great, but you need to be more careful.”

Dan-ak-seon took out needles and placed them near Neung So-mil’s shoulder and the back of his neck.

“As expected!”

Neung So-mil exclaimed and stared at Dan-ak-seon with a fresh look.

The tingling pain disappeared, and a cool sensation spread throughout his shoulder in an instant.

“You know that the Wihwa Divine Art itself is most effective when used as a body-preserving force, right?”

“Of course.”

“If you circulate the Wihwa Divine Art through your meridians to continuously alleviate internal shocks, you can obtain the effect of Qi [life energy] circulation and healing itself.”

Furthermore, if that realm is elevated, the naturally manifested protective energy will protect the entire body from external shocks as well.

Even Dan-ak-seon was still far from that realm, but he was gradually gaining confidence as his achievements deepened recently.

“But in the process of expelling impure energy…”

Neung So-mil carefully mentioned the part where he had encountered a wall while learning the Wihwa Divine Art.

“In the event that the true energy circulating through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians [energy pathways] and gathered in the Sea of Qi [energy center] becomes unstable, how exactly do you resolve it…?”

“Ah, that’s when you don’t forcibly suppress the true energy gathered in the Sea of Qi, but release it in short bursts…”

After that, the two naturally moved beyond stances and engaged in questions, answers, and discussions about internal energy cultivation methods.

A deep conversation continued for a long time, to the extent that even the Simma Three Venerables, Bihwa-ryeong, Sa-mu-sim, and even Ju Jang-myeong listened attentively.

The conversation ended after a full hour had passed.

“Then, I’ll take everyone’s pulse one by one.”

As always, Dan-ak-seon carefully examined the bodies of the group.

Bihwa-ryeong, watching the scene, exclaimed without realizing it.

“Where else in the world would you find training like this?”

Dan-ak-seon never overlooked even minor injuries, so they could always concentrate fully on training in optimal condition.

Not to mention the elixirs that were given out from time to time, the guidance and teachings of the best experts in the world were leading everyone to new heights almost every day.

Sa-mu-sim and Neung So-mil also nodded as if they fully agreed.

“I never thought training could be so enjoyable.”

“What other opportunities are there?”

“That’s right. These moments right now are opportunities in themselves.”

At this time, Beom Gye-wi suddenly opened his mouth.

“It’s all thanks to Doctor Dan.”

Neung So-mil, who was puzzled, turned pale at Beom Gye-wi’s next words.

“If Doctor Dan wasn’t here, it would have been hell itself, wouldn’t it?”

Neung So-mil couldn’t deny those words.

On the other hand, Dan-ak-seon wore an awkward smile.

“Is it just because of me? It’s possible because we all put our hearts together and worked together.”

This training brought more results than expected in many ways.

Except for the occasional injuries to spectators when Cho-ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa sparred, it was almost perfect.

And…

Three months passed quickly like that.

* * *

Early dawn, as the sun began to rise.

Sa-mu-sim and Neung So-mil, who had prepared to leave early, bid farewell to the group.

“Then, we’ll see you again in fifteen days.”

The two, who had heavier responsibilities than the others, had to return to their respective positions a little earlier to check on the situation in Muwi [a region or city].

“I’m sorry I have to go with you.”

Sa-mu-sim smiled and shook his head at Dan-ak-seon’s words filled with apology.

“There are still about fifteen days before the official opening. Master Gokju only needs to show his face briefly on the day.”

The project that Sa-mu-sim planned and Neung So-mil promoted with the Emperor’s permission.

The all-encompassing business, where various entertainment, recreation, and even trade took place in one place, had already gained a considerable foothold within a specific area named Muwi Hall.

Although it had not yet been officially declared, all the merchant guilds of the Central Plains were flocking to Muwi due to its unprecedented scale, reminiscent of a city that never sleeps.

Even the Emperor, who had permitted this, was paying attention to the situation.

As such, Sa-mu-sim and Neung So-mil also needed to personally complete the final inspection on-site.

“Then, please do your best.”

Neung So-mil nodded with a confident expression.

“Just leave it to us.”

After exchanging greetings, Dan-ak-seon approached the formation he had set up at the entrance of the Sinma Valley.

A pile of stones stacked at the entrance.

Dan-ak-seon picked up one of the stones placed on top of it.

Then, the thick mist that had been swirling around the valley entrance began to clear as if by magic.

“Huh?”

“Oh!”

Dan-ak-seon turned his head at the two people’s bewilderment.