53 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

**Chapter 53** Cheonhui returned to the secluded hut and sat at the edge of a steep cliff, looking down below. The bustling scene of the Hwasan sect's Taoists, followed by a line of merchants and warriors trailing awkwardly behind, stretched endlessly. They resembled an army of ants from his vantage point. The spectacle of the Hwasan sect, visible from below Yeonhwabong Peak, was changing day by day. "It seems the rumors are spreading more," he thought with satisfaction, as he surveyed the scene. "Master!" The shout of the Red Sword echoed in his ears. Seeming in a great rush, Red Sword sprinted towards him, employing a burst of footwork. "Huff, huff. Master, a... visitor has come for you." "A visitor? Who?" "Well, that's..." At that moment, a gentle breeze ushered in the arrival of the icily commanding Lord of Muryeong Pavilion. “You returned safely?” “Hyun-yang Master?” Cheonhui, surprised by his unexpected appearance, looked at him. ‘Why has he come all the way here?’ It was a perfectly reasonable question for Cheonhui to have. He and the Lord of Muryeong Pavilion maintained a cordial relationship, having often exchanged greetings when they met at Myeonggyeong Pavilion. However, he had never once taken the trouble to visit Cheonhui’s hut personally. "What brings you here?" "I came because there's something I want to ask." “Something you want to ask?” Instantly, he recalled that morning’s events at Hyeoncheong. “What is it?” "What kind of training did you put those disciples through?" Muryeong Pavilion Lord's eyes narrowed. The Plum Sword disciples he met today were completely different from before. Their martial skills and internal power seemed unchanged, but their attitude—their essence—had transformed. Just a short while before setting off for Jianghu, they were naive, yet in just a few days, they had matured into true Plum Sword warriors. It was as though... ‘They've become different people.’ Cheonhui watched the pensive Muryeong Pavilion Lord curiously and asked, puzzled. “Didn’t they tell you what kind of training they received?” “They didn’t." Muryeong Pavilion Lord frowned. He wanted to hear the explanation firsthand. However, when he asked the disciples what training they had undergone, their faces turned pale, and they quivered in silence. "So I had no choice but to come directly to find out what kind of training it was." Muryeong Pavilion Lord's eyes blazed with curiosity. Having witnessed the disciples' dramatic growth yesterday, his curiosity had been relentless. ‘What kind of training could cause such remarkable growth in just a few days? No, have they changed as people altogether?’ Knowing it might be an imposition, he had come nonetheless. "If it’s alright, could you share that method with me too?" "It’s no big deal," Cheonhui replied, observing the eagerly shining eyes of Muryeong Pavilion Lord. "It’s called Byunche Qigong." "Byunche Qigong...?" A puff of astonishment escaped from Muryeong Pavilion Lord’s lips. "It's a type of yoga qigong that maximizes body flexibility. It's quite beneficial." Muryeong Pavilion Lord's eyes widened even more. Flexibility is one of the most crucial virtues for a martial artist, yet achieving it is incredibly challenging. To maximize it... Hearing this explanation, the enhancement in their martial prowess seemed understandable. "It must be an external qigong art." "Well, it’s similar enough." ‘It’s somewhat different, but since the result is the same, it shouldn’t matter.’ Although the explanation was somewhat misleading, a lazy Cheonhui brushed it off casually. “Could you show me this Byunche Qigong?" "Sure, but this technique has its issues while enhancing flexibility." "Issues...?" "It’s quite painful." Appearing to expect a significant drawback, Muryeong Pavilion Lord let out a small laugh. "A bit of pain isn’t..." “Lord!” The Red Sword, who was listening to the conversation, frantically called out to Muryeong Pavilion Lord, his face pale with concern. “Y-you shouldn’t... attempt it.” "What are you saying?" Muryeong Pavilion Lord’s eyes narrowed. "Do you think I can't endure a trivial amount of pain?" Red Sword gulped audibly but didn’t give up. “N-no, but it might be best not to...” “Silence.” Muryeong Pavilion Lord harshly cut off Red Sword’s caution with a steely gaze and approached Cheonhui. "I must see what all the fuss is about and feel the effects of Byunche Qigong for myself without delay." "Alright, you’ll need to sit in the lotus position first." “Lotus position, is it? Hmm, understood.” Muryeong Pavilion Lord complied with Cheonhui’s instructions without hesitation, sitting cross-legged before Cheonhui began touching various points on his energy paths with the precision of a lightning strike. Tatatat! Muryeong Pavilion Lord's eyes widened in shock. ‘Such technique!’ He had no prior knowledge of Cheonhui’s skill, and he was taken aback by the young man’s hands moving with the swiftness of lightning, too quick for his eyes to follow. "In mere moments, he touched eighteen acupoints and meridians..." But that wasn't the end of it. The dexterity of Cheonhui’s hands continued to evolve, and Muryeong Pavilion Lord’s gaze shifted as well. ‘Incredible! For such a swift technique, it's no wonder that Senior Brother Jangmun and Senior Brother Hyundo cherished Cheonhui.’ Finally, he understood why the senior brothers had taken such care of Cheonhui. ‘Hwasan's future is indeed bright!’ A smile formed on his face, warming his previously stern expression. At that moment, Cheonhui stopped his hands. "It's finished now." "Is that so? But you said it would entail significant pain—doesn't..." *Urgh!* Suddenly, Muryeong Pavilion Lord let out a sound like a pig being slaughtered. His entire body began to contort strangely, and veins bulged on his forehead. Crunch! Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, his reddened eyes snapped open. “So this is why they became pale when asked about it…” He finally grasped their feelings. Meanwhile, Cheonhui, watching Muryeong Pavilion Lord endure the pain, observed with newfound admiration. ‘Oh! He can endure it?’ He was aware of how excruciating the pain of Byunche Qigong could be. "I-it's... done now." Cheonhui immediately halted the Byunche Qigong. With a snap and crack, Muryeong Pavilion Lord's contorted body returned to normal. "You’re the first person to endure Byunche Qigong for that long, Master." It was a sincere compliment expressed from the heart. “Is... that so?” Muryeong Pavilion Lord, wiping the sweat from his brow, gave a wry smile as he moved his body slightly. "Astonishing results indeed." Muryeong Pavilion Lord murmured unconsciously as he moved his body around, feeling the newfound lightness and smoothness in his movements. The results were immediately apparent. He felt an urge to introduce this technique to all the disciples of the Hwasan sect right away. But... ‘Will the disciples be able to endure this?’ The pain was so severe that it overshadowed all other benefits. ‘I almost lost consciousness.’ Swallowing dryly, he turned his gaze to Cheonhui. “When did you learn such a unique yoga qigong?” “At Myeonggyeong Pavilion,” Cheonhui replied nonchalantly, telling a harmless lie. ‘Who knows if they have it there or not?’ “At Myeonggyeong Pavilion... I see.” As expected, Muryeong Pavilion Lord accepted the answer. It was already widely known within the Hwasan sect that Cheonhui visited Myeonggyeong Pavilion daily, so there was no reason to doubt him. "Still, I'm amazed. Those boys accepted the Byunche Qigong so willingly..." He paused mid-sentence, noticing Red Sword grimacing. “No way, they must not have accepted it willingly.” “Exactly.” “How did you manage that?” "I gave them two choices." "Choices?" “They couldn’t wield their swords properly in real combat. So, I suggested effective training, and when they refused, this was the only alternative I offered.” The emphasis Cheonhui placed on 'the only alternative' sent chills down the Pavilion Lord's spine. "Did you just say they refused training?" “Yes.” He raised his eyebrows and clenched his teeth, his gaze turning icy like a tundra. “What kind of training did they refuse?” “They refused to practice the Three Talent Sword technique ten thousand times.” “Just the Three Talent Sword... ten thousand times?” Muryeong Pavilion Lord couldn't hide his shock. He thought it was an extraordinary regimen already, but swinging the sword ten thousand times seemed unimaginably grueling just to think about. “Is... is that true?” “Yes.” Muryeong Pavilion Lord rubbed his forehead. Certainly, it was a tough regimen. However... "Even so, to refuse training... Have I been too lenient in their training until now?" He sighed and shook his head. "I apologize. I should have enforced harsher training, but it was you who ended up doing it... You've been a great help." He let out a bitter laugh. ‘I wanted you to stay away from sect responsibilities due to your delicate condition...’ Cheonhui, whom he knew, was a fragile child. Weak in body, gentle in spirit. But no longer. ‘To willingly take on the villain's role for the growth of the disciples, even at the risk of being criticized, speaks volumes of his character.’ He could call him a true Taoist, surpassing his peers within the sect. ‘Kang Yi left us a treasure.’ A smile played on Muryeong Pavilion Lord’s lips. “Oh, and another thing…” He trailed off, moving closer to whisper in Cheonhui’s ear. “Could you teach me that?” “You mean the Byunche Qigong?” Muryeong Pavilion Lord nodded earnestly. “But as you’ve seen, the pain is severe. The disciples won't like going through that, are you sure?” “Hahaha. Then, couldn’t we do the same as you? Offer them the choice of practicing the Three Talent Sword technique ten thousand times a day or undergoing the Byunche Qigong. It’s up to the disciples to decide.” Cheonhui's lips curled up as he met his gaze, his eyes glinting with amusement. ‘Oh, to have endured it yourself and still propose it to the disciples? I like that.’ Cheonhui’s eyes twinkled. “Sure, teaching it is easy enough.” “Then, please do.” “First, you need to focus on the energy meridians...” Cheonhui recited the instructions for the Byunche Qigong. “The process involves stimulating these points, releasing tension in the muscles through this method?” Muryeong Pavilion Lord was filled with admiration throughout the explanation. “You’ve memorized it all, haven’t you?” “I have.” With merely one explanation, Muryeong Pavilion Lord nodded, having retained everything about the Byunche Qigong. “Thank you.” He offered his thanks again, his expression relaxed and content as he met Cheonhui's eyes. “If you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to seek me out... or even if you’re just bored, you can drop by anytime.” “If I ever find a reason, I will.” “Please do so.” With that satisfying reply, Muryeong Pavilion Lord departed Yeonhwabong with a light heart. Meanwhile, Red Sword watched the departing figure with remorse, inwardly apologizing to his fellow disciples. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t prevent this.’ He felt a pang of sympathy. Despite his efforts to halt the dissemination of the Byunche Qigong, it was in vain. Muryeong Pavilion Lord was resolute. “Amitabha.” As he pondered the fate awaiting those disciples soon to endure Byunche Qigong, he wore a sorrowful expression, silently mourning for them. ‘He was quite a decent fellow.’ Cheonhui chuckled to himself, satisfied. Whether the disciples writhed in agony due to the Byunche Qigong didn’t concern him much. He was simply pleased that Muryeong Pavilion Lord accepted it without hesitation, unlike other senior sect leaders who would have likely caused an uproar. ‘I'll have to share something else with him next time.’ Little did anyone know, this brief encounter between the two would become the root cause of tumult within the Hwasan sect in the future.