Chapter 400: To Sichuan (1)

After learning that his goal was to surpass the human limit, I furrowed my brows.

What exactly did he mean by that?

“In order to do that, I first had to rebuild my vessel. This is also the step you are currently taking.”

I noticed it myself too.

I felt my body, and the movements it was making, slowly change.

Like the Dishonored Venerable said, through all the pain I experienced, my body was undergoing a big change.

Saying that I was artificially reshaping the bones in my body wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.

“Second, is the process of combining one’s mind with their body.”

“One’s mind and body…?”

“Once your vessel is ready, you need to fill it with a Mind Art, no?”

“Oh.”

I was reminded of the Transcendent Realm that the Dishonored Venerable mentioned last time.

The stage where a martial artist became one with their martial art.

Is combining one’s mind with their body different from that?

“If you are trying to compare it with the Transcendent Realm, they aren’t different.”

“…!”

“I created it with the intention of reaching that level. It’s just that there is a clear difference compared to reaching the Transcendent Realm properly, since this martial art makes a martial artist artificially reach that stage.”

Not only does this martial art reshape one’s body, but it artificially pushes them to the Transcendent Realm?

How did this man even create this martial art?

I now understood why the Dishonored Venerable said that this martial art existed so that he could surpass the human limit.

In other words, it was almost akin to reaching a divine territory through martial arts.

“In some ways, the state of selflessness is actually the process of putting oneself in danger.”

He wasn’t wrong.

In a positive sense, the state of selflessness was described as a state of extreme focus, but in reality, it was no different from losing control of one’s body.

Moreover, one also had to consider the serious danger of permanently damaging one’s blood vessels when being hit due to their Qi also flowing uncontrollably.

“However, these are also the reasons why I see it as the right path.”

“As in…”

“By entrusting all your senses to your instincts, your martial art will be at its peak. Moreover, if you are able to also take control while in that state, then it’ll be even better.”

To remain in perfect control while entrusting all your senses to your instincts at the same time…

It was an unbelievable thing to think about.

This type of enlightenment would be an amazing asset, but it was called the state of selflessness for a reason.

It received its name because it’s a state where one puts all of their focus into their martial arts after losing control of themselves.

So how would I control a state focused around the loss of control?

The rational part of me wanted to immediately refute what he said, but I also somewhat believed him because it was said by the Dishonored Venerable himself.

Not only that, but the Dishonored Venerable also said that the sensation I felt was the ripple effect of the Heaven Destruction Art, which made him sound more convincing.

…The sensation I felt earlier.

While the whole world around me felt fainter, my movement was the only thing that felt clear to me.

The perfect unconscious movement I performed back then felt euphoric to me as a martial artist.

“Your expression changed.”

“…!”

“I know how you feel, but as I always say, don’t be too desperate about it. Even if you don’t want to, you’ll eventually reach that level, you are my disciple after all.”

“Understood…”

The Dishonored Venerable laughed loudly hearing my response.

“You said this to me once. You said you had no talent in martial arts.”

“…”

“But whether it be now or back then, I don’t agree with you on that.”

After finishing with that sentence, the Dishonored Venerable pointed behind me with his finger.

When I turned around, I saw a the wall I destroyed while in the state of selflessness

No.

In a spot where the wall should be, I saw the sunlight shining into the cave instead.

“Don’t tell yourself that you lack talent. At the very least, in my eyes, you possess more than enough talent to master my martial art.”

Five days.

The result of putting my all into training while barely sleeping

In the end, I was able to finish the homework that the Dishonored Venerable assigned.

After checking the result, I collapsed.

I was already tired, but my exhaustion hit me all at once after I saw that sight.

The Dishonored Venerable spoke to me, who was about to pass out any moment.

“Congratulations. It seems like you’ll be able to learn the Single Strike now.”

It sounded like he was talking about something important, but I couldn’t hear what he had said.

Because of my exhaustion, I only wanted to lie down for the time being.

I quietly closed my eyes.

Right as I was about to drift away, the Dishonored Venerable spoke to me.

“Can you afford to lose your consciousness when you have to go soon?”

I then opened my eyes widely and proceeded to lift my exhausted body up in an instant.

“…How… How long has it been…?”

I realized that I couldn’t afford to sleep at this moment.

It had already been five days and now the sun had risen, and that meant that it was the day for me to start heading to Sichuan.

When I hurriedly asked the Dishonored Venerable, he tilted his head in response.

“I don’t know? Maybe you’ll make it if you start running.”

“…Oh.”

I had to clench my eyes shut.

I came to the realization that I had to go to Sichuan in a disheveled state, covered in sweat and dust.

Leaving the cave in a hurry, I finally arrived at the meeting place. Everyone else besides me was already gathered, as I expected.

When I noticed Father from far away, I paused and asked the Dishonored Venerable a question.

-…Now that I think about it, how did your conversation with my father go?

-Hmm?

-Didn’t you say you met him?

-Oh.

The Dishonored Venerable nodded after hearing my telepathic message.

-I did indeed see him.

-How did it go?

-What do you mean how did it go? We just had a talk.

-…

How could he give such a simple response? As I stared at the Dishonored Venerable in disbelief, he poked his lips out and spoke.

-Don’t worry about it, I got your father’s approval.

-Approval?

-Unlike my expectations, he didn’t seem to mind at all.

-…

His statement confused me. Did that mean that Father approved of me learning the Dishonored Venerable’s martial art?

-It might’ve become a bit annoying if he refused, so I’m glad it turned out this way.

-Annoying?

-After all, it would be a bit difficult for me to solve this problem with sheer strength right now.

-…

My expression crumbled when I heard the Dishonored Venerable expressing his willingness to solve his problems with his strength alone.

How could he be so reckless…

-Anyway, I took care of everything, so you focus on your own problems.

-…Understood.

I was still extremely concerned, but I decided to ease off for the time being since the Dishonored Venerable told me to.

His problem didn’t affect me much anyway.

I did, however, have a bigger problem to worry about right now.

What should I do about my disheveled appearance?

Because I was in a hurry, I wasn’t able to properly get ready. I couldn’t wash myself and I was also drenched in my own sweat.

I managed to change into a spare set of clothes, but it still wasn’t a good look for me due to all the dust marks over me.

I wasn’t the type to care about my appearance and only did the bare minimum for important events but…

…Fuck me.

I didn’t expect that damned state of selflessness to turn me into such a mess.

I was able to hide my stench using my Qi, but I wasn’t able to fix my overall appearance.

I walked forward with a bit of hesitation, and everyone began to gaze at me.

I saw a couple faces I wasn’t familiar with as well and they appeared to be middle-aged men.

Right as I was about to figure out who they were…

“We apologize for being late.”

The Dishonored Venerable, who was standing besides me, suddenly bowed to someone.

It was directed to the middle-aged man on the left that I was unfamiliar with, and the man’s pupils started shaking when the Dishonored Venerable greeted him.

Oh.

Seeing his reaction, I was able to identify him.

That man was the Lord of the Bi Clan.

The Dishonored Venerable then lifted his head up and looked at the man.

The man flinched and forced a smile on his face as he responded.

“…Ah… yes. Be sure to be cautious next time…”

“Yes, Father.”

This sight would’ve looked strange if I didn’t know Bi Eejin’s true identity, but because I did, I felt pity for the Lord.

How should I say this?

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the Dishonored Venerable currently had the highest position in the Bi Clan.

Yet the Lord had to pretend as if the Dishonored Venerable was his son.

That man must have been having a hard time because of this.

Now the other man.

If one of the middle-aged men was the Lord of the Bi Clan, it seemed like the other man was the Lord of the Pe Clan.

He looks identical to Pe Woocheol.

He was even bigger than Pe Woocheol and wore a very fierce expression.

I was a bit familiar with the Lord of the Pe Clan myself.

He was one of the Hundred Masters of the Central Plains, like my father.

While observing the man, I also lowered my head to Father.

“…I’m sorry for being late.”

“It’s alright.”

Father gave a short response to my apology.

I wondered if Father would loosen up a little after last time, but it seemed like his personality wasn’t going to change that easily.

The only reaction he had was his eyebrow slightly flinching after seeing my appearance.

Even Father seemed to think that I looked horrible right now.

Right as I was about to pass it off with an awkward smile…

“Yangcheon.”

“…Yes?”

Lady Mi, who was standing next to him, suddenly called me over.

“I heard that you were doing intense training, but this is an important place with important people. Your appearance is too messy.”

“I’m… sorry.”

I couldn’t help but be a bit astonished as this was basically the first time Lady Mi had scolded me.

Funnily enough though, it didn’t feel that bad.

When I apologized to her, Lady Mi’s hand started to touch my hair.

“Your hair looks awful.”

“Lady Mi… Your hands will get dirty if you touch my hair right now.”

I warned her as she touched my dust filled hair, but she continued brushing my hair with an unbothered expression.

It seemed like she was at least trying to make it into a presentable shape, but even that wasn’t easy as my hair was a complete mess.

While continuing to touch my hair, Lady Mi spoke.

“I’ll send good medicines through someone, so be sure to take them.”

“…Huh? Understood…”

“I’m sure the Lord of the Tang Clan will treat you nicely, but make sure to visit the White Flowers merchant associations in Sichuan if you run into any problem, and…”

“…”

For some reason, the conversation was growing longer and longer.

I saw Father showing a slightly tired expression as he stood next to her.

Without caring about him, Lady Mi continued to speak.

“…And lastly…”

It felt like an eternity.

I could’ve sworn I heard her say that like four times by now.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“…”

“I’m fine if you don’t do any of the things I mentioned prior, but I hope that you will at least promise to not get hurt.”Lady Mi’s words strangely warmed my heart.

“Got it…”

I had to let out an awkward cough as I responded to her.

What was this emotion I was feeling?

I couldn’t describe it.

After I barely managed to escape Lady Mi, the Dishonored Venerable walked up to me.

“Did you finish your conversation?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Haha. I’m glad to hear that.”

The Dishonored Venerable was acting as Bi Eejin again due to the many people watching us.

He almost seemed like an entirely different person with his new tone and expression. How was that even possible?

When I continued to fascinatingly stare at the Dishonored Venerable, I accidentally gazed at the person standing behind him.

There was a reason why I suddenly gazed at one of the servants.

While there were a few servants who were standing around…

“…?”

One in particular caught my eye.

Huh?

It was an ordinary looking man with freckles.

For some reason, I felt a vibration from my right arm as I continued staring at him.

Why was that happening?

Right as I focused on the man wondering who he was…

-You’re quite sharp.

“…!”

A telepathic message echoed in my ears.

I had to hold myself from gasping out loud when I heard his voice.

I felt a dense killing intent from his voice along with a strange sensation on my arm.

It was a sensation I felt before.

I gulped nervously as I continued to stare at the servant.

It was understandable.

That ordinary looking man wearing the mask of a servant was-

-I’m impressed.