Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Cultivation Through Copulation.

Episode 64: Free Magic Art

What makes a good magic art?

It could be spells with immense power, or ones with strong defensive capabilities that can block any vicious weapon or magic.

By another standard, one might say that versatile spells, which can respond to any situation, is a good magic art.

However, the magic arts mentioned now are all good magic art for the ‘present.’

Magic arts that remain good ‘in the future’ is a different story.

The strongest among future-proof magic arts,

are magic arts that could provide enlightenment over and over again.

Elder Geum elaborated on why Heaven Severing Finger is considered a good magic art.

“The Heaven Severing Finger is good because it deals with truths of a dimension higher than the Foundation Establishment stage, no, even higher than Core Formation stage. The ability to touch the karma and ties of Heaven is a principle allowed only in the realm of the Nascent Soul stage or higher.”

To think karma and ties were that significant.

A principle allowed only to those beyond Nascent Soul?

If Elder Geum speaks of it this way, it truly is a magic art of a high realm…

I knew the magic art obtained through the completion of the Threefold Foundation Establishment was good, but I didn’t realize it was this good.

Elder Geum continued speaking.

“As you deeply understand this Heaven Severing Finger, you will gain more enlightenment about karma and ties. From now on, do not speak of this Heaven Severing Finger to others. Someone coveting it might even cause you harm.”

Yuk-gyeong wanted to share this with his master, who cared for him. The Heaven Severing Finger seen by himself who was in the Foundation Establishment stage, and by someone in the Core Formation stage would surely be different.

But it was frustrating that he couldn’t do so.

“I wish to confess the teachings of this magic art to my Master and seek his guidance, but as this magic art is realized purely through enlightenment, I cannot convey it to anyone….”

“If it’s the legendary Threefold Foundation Establishment technique, it is understandable. Ultimately, you must research and comprehend it on your own. Delve into it thoroughly. Surely, you will gain something from it.”

The master showed no sign of regret. Instead, he seemed pleased that his disciple, Yuk-gyeong, had obtained it.

Elder Geum had not been Yuk-gyeong’s master for long, but he always supported his growth, so it was understandable.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Still, it’s a pity. If only it could be passed on, it could be offered to the Sect and exchanged for the Sect’s secret techniques….”

“Ah, what should I exchange for the method to complete this Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture?”

“If it’s techniques to be exchanged for the Bed Chamber Arts, it’s best to focus on techniques like stealth or evasion1. Since you’re offering bed chamber arts, they probably won’t give you particularly good techniques in return, so I don’t have any specific recommendations.”

“Understood. Thank you, Master. I will now go to exchange techniques.”

“Alright. If you encounter any issues in your training or have any questions, don’t hesitate to come to me.”

Yuk-gyeong bowed deeply to his master and withdrew from his quarters.

Yuk-gyeong returned to the Scripture Pavilion.

At Scripture Pavilion, the usual caretaker was organizing books and jade tablets, while in one corner, someone who appeared to be an elder from the Technique Hall was browsing through books.

Yuk-gyeong approached the caretaker who was tidying up and greeted him.

“Hello.”

The caretaker of Scripture Pavilion looked at Yuk-gyeong, who had returned not long after taking the Foundation Establishment technique, and asked curiously,

“What is it? Is there something wrong with the Foundation Establishment technique? Once you’ve chosen a Foundation Establishment technique, it can’t be exchanged.”

The caretaker’s stubborn response was expected. Occasionally, there were disciples who regretted their choice of technique and came looking to reverse it.

Of course, Yuk-gyeong was not like that at all.

“That’s not it. Actually, I have something to donate to the Sect.”

Only then did the caretaker’s expression soften. He acted like a miser when it came to techniques.

“Something to donate to the Sect? Ah, you’re talking about a technique. If you give it to me, I’ll check whether that technique is already in the Sect or not. If it is, that’s unfortunate, but if not, you can exchange it for a magic art and a technique.”

“I would appreciate it if you could do that.”

Yuk-gyeong immediately began to write down the scripture of the unknown Dual Cultivation Technique he obtained from the ancient ruins.

Yuk-gyeong’s figure, writing with a single stroke of the brush, had an artistic quality to it.

Of course, the only one watching was the old caretaker of the Scripture Pavilion.

“Alright…let’s see. Hmm? Bed Chamber Art? This isn’t an ordinary Bed Chamber Art… This can complement the Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture!”

The Scripture Pavilion caretaker instantly recognized that the Dual Cultivation Technique Yuk-gyeong wrote was a match for the Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture.

He was not an ordinary person, indeed.

“The Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture is one of the three basic Foundation Establishment techniques of the Dark Moon Sect, and if this complements it, it would be a significant achievement.”

The Scripture Pavilion caretaker nodded as he read the scripture in detail.

Wow, but doesn’t this mean that this person can see everything in the Scripture Pavilion without using contribution points or magic arts?

The Scripture Pavilion caretaker is really lucky, huh?

Can’t I do something like that?

While Yuk-gyeong was lost in such thoughts, the Scripture Pavilion caretaker scratched his nose with regret.

“But it seems like a bed chamber art is involved. Bed Chamber Arts aren’t particularly favored in the Immortal Dao….”

The Scripture Pavilion caretaker pondered for a moment before handing a catalog to Yuk-gyeong. At the top, it was labeled as a list of exchangeable magic arts.

On the long parchment, the names of various magic arts were listed.

To be able to write that down on the spot. Could it be that he memorized all the books in this deep, deep Scripture Pavilion?

If the condition to be the caretaker was to memorize all the books, I wouldn’t want to do it…

“Choose one of the magic arts here. I’ll give you the one you pick. If you’re curious about any magic arts, feel free to ask me. I’ll give you a rough explanation.”

Yuk-gyeong received the catalog from the caretaker and examined it closely.

Heavenflow Flying Sword, Frost-Touch Escape, Golden Lotus Fire Breath… There were many technique names he had never heard of. But none seemed particularly powerful or appealing.

As Yuk-gyeong’s eyes continued down the list,

Hmm? This technique?

‘Swordseer Vision.’

The Swordseer Vision, which involves training by watching flying swords, had a simple effect. Enhanced dynamic vision.

“I heard the magic art used by the Dark Moon Immortal is unique.”

“Ah, are you talking about the Heaven Observing Eye? It originally started as a technique called Swordseer Vision, but it was trained to the extreme, allowing one to see through the heavens.”

“How do you know so much about it?”

It was a magic art that appeared in the novel.

A magic art used by the Dark Moon Immortal.

The Swordseer Vision, which had the potential to evolve into the extraordinary Heaven Observing Eye, was on the exchange list. To Yuk-gyeong, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to buy low.

“I’ll take this one. Swordseer Vision.”

“Are you sure you want to exchange it for Swordseer Vision? It’s one of the basic eye techniques. Even if what you are donating is a Bed Chamber Art, if it compensates for the flaws in the Yin-Yang Prodigy Scripture, you can exchange it with a better technique.”

Despite the concerned words of the Scripture Pavilion caretaker, Yuk-gyeong just shook his head.

Why choose something else when this is the best here?

“This disciple is satisfied with this.”

“Alright, if that’s what you truly want, then so be it. Take the Swordseer Vision. The remaining value, between this Bed Chamber Art and the Swordseer Vision, will be credited to you as contribution points.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

Oh, I attained the Swordseer Vision technique and contribution points too? This is the best deal ever. Indeed, buying low is the true way of living.

“Here. This is the jade tablet containing the Swordseer Vision art. Once you’ve read and memorized it, return it to me.”

Yuk-gyeong read the jade tablet containing the Swordseer Vision technique and memorized its teachings.

‘Hmm, so this is how it’s done.’

Yuk-gyeong’s Supreme Comprehension grasped the Swordseer Vision technique just by reading the teachings inscribed on the jade tablet.

“Here it is.”

“Hmm? There’s no need to return it so soon. Once you’ve memorized it, you can return it. Since you can’t make a copy, you’ll have to memorize it here.”

“I’ve memorized it all.”

At Yuk-gyeong’s nonchalant response, the Scripture Pavilion caretaker raised an eyebrow, as if questioning what he was saying, then realized Yuk-gyeong was serious and asked again.

“What? You’ve memorized it all already? You didn’t just skim through it?”

“Yes. I memorized it after seeing it all.”

Memorized it all? Even though the Swordseer Vision technique is part of the basic eye techniques, the teachings alone consist of tens of thousands of characters. To memorize it after just one look.

Is this what they call an extraordinary comprehension?

The Scripture Pavilion caretaker had managed the Scripture Pavilion for many years and had seen many geniuses who were considered top-notch in the comprehension category.

However, even the caretaker had rarely seen a genius of this caliber.

The caretaker of the Scripture Pavilion spoke in a defeated tone.

“I’ve heard that you, the owner of the Single Spiritual Root, had exceptional talent, but I didn’t know it was to this extent. If you’ve memorized everything, you may leave.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Before he knew it, an elder from the Technique Hall had approached and was looking at Yuk-gyeong with fascination.

His expression was even more dramatic than that of the Scripture Pavilion caretaker.

It was as if he had seen an unbelievable monster.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen someone with such talent. In my nearly hundred years as an elder at the Technique Hall, I’ve only seen this level of comprehension once. Elder Han Ryeo-un was the only one. It’s comparable to her earth-shattering comprehension. To have both the exceptional Single Spiritual Root and such comprehension is remarkable.”

The elder from the Technique Hall shook his head in admiration. He seemed to feel a sense of inadequacy. Even though he had reached the Core Formation stage, he wasn’t lacking in talent or skill.

Elder Han was the one who had provided Yuk-gyeong with this Comprehension.

Only she could match Yuk-gyeong’s Comprehension. Or is it the other way around? Is Yuk-gyeong comparable to her comprehension?

If Comprehension had a parent, Yuk-gyeong’s talent came from Elder Han, so you could say it’s like a son’s talent.

‘A son. If I have a child with Ryeo-un, would a son be better, or a daughter? Speaking of which, what about Sister Kang? I didn’t use protection with Sister Kang either…’

Is there going to be a day of reckoning where all the women I’ve been with come holding a child each?

So-hyang eventually left the Dark Moon Sect.

She lost her Fire Control ability and wandered through her life as a junior, finally deciding she couldn’t endure it any longer and chose to leave.

She lost count of how many times she returned to the hearth. But each time, she ended up burning the rice, undercooking it, or making porridge, forcing her to go back to washing the rice.

Feeling like she would never escape being the lowest junior forever, she decided to leave the menial tasks behind.

I’m going to leave these trivial chores and soar to a better place.

Don’t I have a great connection?

It’s Yuk-gyeong!

The lover with whom I share a bond!

Having already erased from her mind what she had done to Yuk-gyeong, So-hyang decided to cling to Yuk-gyeong’s pant leg. She went to the mountain gate, knelt down, and cried out. She shouted, hoping anyone would hear.

“Immortal Lord! Please, someone listen to me! My lover is inside the mountain gate! Please, just pass on my message!”

So-hyang was confident she could cry out here all day long.

She never thought it would be easy to grab hold of the rope that would lift her up.

“Immortal Lords! Please find my lover! My lover!”

So-hyang cried out, shouting at the top of her lungs. In front of the mountain gate, there were no people from the Servant Hall in sight, and it was still dawn, so there were hardly any disciples around.

It was then.

Someone flew out from inside the mountain gate with a whoosh!

The figure of the immortal who flew in like a swallow skimming over water had the demeanor of a true immortal.

The immortal, who seemed to be frolicking with the clouds, exuded an aura unknown to ordinary people.

The first thought that came to So-hyang upon seeing this immortal’s face was,

‘He’s handsome.’

Not as handsome as her lover Yuk-gyeong, but this immortal was handsome too.

However, his snake-like eyes had a chilling quality that sent shivers down one’s spine. Moreover, the pressure he emitted as an immortal made an ordinary person’s legs tremble.

The immortal with snake-like eyes asked,

“Who are you?”

“I am So-hyang, who used to work in the Servant Hall within the gate.”

“What’s your business?”

“There is a disciple named Yuk-gyeong within the mountain gate, and I am his lover. Though he has never visited me even once after that incident, and he is a heartless lover who doesn’t even show his face as I leave, I still wish to convey a word…”

Of course, Yuk-gyeong didn’t know that So-hyang was leaving. But So-hyang said it that way to make him appear more heartless and cold.

If he appeared heartless and cold, it would evoke sympathy for her, and then they would help her.

“Alright, what is it that you wish to convey?”

“I want to ask to be taken inside the mountain gate. Since I am his lover, shouldn’t I fulfill the role of a wife?”

A moment of silence passed.

So-hyang couldn’t fathom what this immortal with snake-like eyes was thinking.

The handsome immortal laughed softly. His expression was nothing but gentle.

“Haha, bees are naturally drawn to flowers. If you have tasted the nectar from a flower, it’s only natural to disappear without a word, yet you are trying to pluck the flower.”

“Huh, pardon?”

“You are not beautiful.”

“Wha-what…”

“Nothing about you is beautiful. Your attitude, your actions, even the malice in trying to cling to the hem of his pants. I despise things that are not beautiful.”

Rumble- Crash!

The sound of the sky collapsing was heard. They say immortals can invoke the wrath of the heavens…

This was the last thing So-hyang remembered….

“Hmm? Is there thunder somewhere?”

As Yuk-gyeong climbed Grass Dragon Peak, he looked up at the sky upon hearing the faint sound of thunder. The sky was clear, not the sort of weather for a thunderstorm.

Someone might be practicing Thunder magic.

Yuk-gyeong thought little of it.

Footnotes:

1: TL/N: Bro… What are you setting Yuk-gyeong up to be…an adulterer? Serial rapist? ↩️