Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 165 – Variables (1)

On the main road not far from Baek Clan, about twenty martial artists from Baek Clan were cleaning up the surroundings.

The one commanding them was Baek So-gang, the External Chief Administrator of Baek Clan and the second son of Poison King Baek Sa-ha.

“Oh my.”

Baek So-gang clicked his tongue as he looked at the aftermath around him.

It was a mess, as if a battle had taken place.

Although his fame was not as high as his father Baek Sa-ha or his elder brother due to being overshadowed by them, he was also an expert who had reached the early stage of the Transcendent Realm.

Therefore, he could roughly guess what kind of fight had occurred just by looking at the traces of the aftermath.

‘I’ve heard from my father, but…’

The sword marks filling the ground were truly shocking.

It was worthy of being called a confrontation between peerless masters who had crossed the threshold.

In fact, Baek So-gang couldn’t help but worry after hearing about this matter.

Although his father, Poison King Baek Sa-ha, had broken through and reached the Transformation Realm, his opponent was the most likely candidate to succeed the Heaven and Earth Society.

Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang had numerous supporting forces under him.

If they were to become enemies with them, it would put Baek Clan in a precarious situation.

However,

[What? He, he crossed the threshold?]

[Shh. Keep it down. This fact should be kept hidden from the outside for a while.]

[How can this be…]

Baek So-gang, the second son, doubted his own ears.

Mok Gyeong-un, the newly accepted disciple of his father, had gained enlightenment and broken through the threshold while confronting Young Master Na Yul-ryang.

It was something unbelievable even after hearing it.

However, looking at the aftermath of the battle left here, it was definitely not the trace of being one-sidedly defeated.

‘…Is this really possible?’

The speed at which he was growing stronger was beyond imagination.

Even those who were called Grand Leaders or legends of the martial world probably couldn’t have progressed this quickly.

Was he truly a once-in-a-millennium genius, as his father had said?

Considering the current situation, it was not an exaggerated statement at all.

However, there was a concern.

‘Is my father’s choice the right one?’

Although he possessed astonishing talent, it seemed as if his father had staked their fate on one person without any consultation with the family members or relatives.

The orders of the family head were absolute, but this time, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Phew.”

Anyway, they had to clean up this place quickly.

Fortunately, it was an inner city area managed by Baek Clan, so if they hurried, they could erase most of the traces within half an hour.

“Uh… Chief Administrator.”

At that moment, a martial artist from Baek Clan approached and spoke to him.

“What is it?”

“About… What should we do with Eldest Young Master?”

They had brought bandages and medicine to provide temporary treatment and had laid him on a stretcher.

However, the martial artists of Baek Clan were hesitant to move the severely injured Young Master to his residence, fearing the consequences.

Understanding their sentiments, Baek So-gang spoke.

“I will accompany you, so you all carry the stretcher and follow…”

-Whoosh!

In an instant, the surroundings were shrouded in dark shadows.

Baek So-gang stood with his mouth open, and the martial artists of Baek Clan, who were cleaning up the surroundings, also froze in place, maintaining the posture they were in.

It was a strange phenomenon, as if everyone’s time had stopped.

However, there was someone who was the only one moving in this place.

-Thump thump!

A man in a gray martial arts uniform with the yin-yang symbol walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

He was Cho Tae-cheong, the chief disciple of In Seo-ok, the former Pavilion Master of the Primal Killing Pavilion.

Cho Tae-cheong’s eyes were peculiar as he walked around casually, looking at the surroundings while everyone else was frozen.

“Hmm. This is definitely the right place.”

Cho Tae-cheong stroked his chin and let out a groan.

He had sensed an immense spiritual power here, even if only for a moment.

It was no exaggeration to say that it was a wandering spirit he had never seen in recent times.

‘At least on the level of Blue Spirit.’

Blue Spirit.

A wandering spirit that had existed for over a hundred years.

A wandering spirit of this level was no different from a strange being like the ghost sorcerer, so if left alone, the surroundings would turn into a mess or suffer great negative influence.

Then, the corners of Cho Tae-cheong’s mouth twitched, and he opened his mouth with a completely different expression from before.

“No. It’s beyond that.”

A slightly more ominous and hoarse voice flowed from his mouth.

Then, the muscles on Cho Tae-cheong’s face twitched again and returned to normal.

“Beyond that?”

Cho Tae-cheong furrowed his brows.

Then, he formed a hand seal with his fingers and closed his eyes.

It was to examine the remnants of the lingering spiritual power.

However,

‘Crafty bastard.’

There were no traces of spiritual power left in the surroundings.

Like this, tracking was impossible.

Cho Tae-cheong, who was clicking his tongue, seemed to have lost interest and tried to leave this place.

But as he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped.

Cho Tae-cheong looked down at a being lying on a stretcher.

It was none other than Young Master Na Yul-ryang.

As he looked down at him, the muscles of Cho Tae-cheong’s lips twitched again, and his expression changed.

In that state, Cho Tae-cheong bent over and brought his hand to Na Yul-ryang’s face.

-Swish!

Touching the bandaged right eye area, Cho Tae-cheong furrowed his brows.

The furrowed brows twisted and contorted slightly.

Then, Cho Tae-cheong muttered in a small voice as if he was displeased.

“You lost what I gave you in this way?”

***

At the same time,

“Aah.”

At that moment, her slender waist arched backward.

Wi So-yeon’s eyes trembled.

That was because the rampaging energy of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians was being absorbed through Mok Gyeong-un’s palm.

‘What, what is this?’

The Central Floodgate acupoint of the Conception Vessel meridian was no exaggeration to say it was the center of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians.

It was because the True Divine Yin Energy spreading from there blocked all the meridians and caused Absolute Meridian symptoms.

How did Mok Gyeong-un figure this out?

But that wasn’t the important thing.

-Whoosh!

Due to the True Divine Yin Energy being rapidly absorbed, the immense cold energy emitted from her subsided.

‘This is…’

Her master had said this.

[The yin energy of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians is colder than the storms of the Northern Sea, so there is no way to control it by ordinary means.]

[Then do I have to live in such a precarious state for the rest of my life?]

[Yes.]

[Can’t Master’s profound internal energy do anything about it?]

[If I try to forcibly suppress your energy with my yang and strong true energy, there is a nine out of ten chance that your life will be in even greater danger. Can you bear that?]

[Is there no other way?]

[Another way… There is one more, but it is practically impossible as well.]

[What is it?]

[The Central Floodgate acupoint, which can be considered the center of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians, is like an inexhaustible spring for you. That is why the True Divine Yin Energy is unceasing. However, if that energy can be temporarily dried up…]

[Then can it be cured?]

[If all the blocked Absolute Meridians are opened at that time, there is a slight possibility.]

[Can’t Master do it?]

In response to her question, the Society Leader shook his head.

[Why?]

[As I said before, if I try to forcibly suppress the True Divine Yin Energy with opposing energy, you may lose your life immediately.]

[Then? Then how can the energy be dried up?]

The True Divine Yin Energy of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians is an inexhaustible energy.

But by what means is it possible to achieve this?

[Didn’t I tell you? This is also impossible.]

[…]

[Even if there is someone who has mastered the Ritual of Binding, known to sever the meridians, and can absorb your True Divine Yin Energy to cut it off even for a moment, there is a possibility, but who can do such a thing? The moment they absorb that immense amount of True Divine Yin Energy from the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians, their body will freeze and die.]

That’s why her master said there was no way to completely cure the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians.

But an unbelievable thing was happening.

This man was absorbing her True Divine Yin Energy.

Even her master had said it was absolutely impossible because the cold energy was so severe.

-Whoosh!

Is this man really okay?

As she was wondering, she raised her tilted head and looked at Mok Gyeong-un.

Despite the immense cold energy, which would make one feel as if their body was freezing while absorbing it, Mok Gyeong-un was silently absorbing the energy without saying a word, exhaling white breath.

Seeing him like this, Wi So-yeon suddenly felt strange.

‘This man…’

Why is he going this far?

He must have immediately realized how difficult it was to endure the energy the moment he absorbed her True Divine Yin Energy.

‘Why… are you risking your life?’

Wi So-yeon truly couldn’t understand.

Risking one’s life for others was not an easy thing to do.

Why else would there be a saying about a lifetime?

Dedicating one’s only life to someone was akin to sacrifice.

‘Mok Gyeong-un…’

Do you desire me to the extent of risking your life?

Is that really the case?

The look in Wi So-yeon’s eyes as she gazed at Mok Gyeong-un was clearly different from a moment ago.

It had evidently become closer to affection.

Of course, contrary to her change in feelings, Mok Gyeong-un was simply focusing on making this new energy with a different constitution his own.

‘As expected.’

The core of Mok Gyeong-un’s current energy was demonic energy.

However, its origin stemmed from the energy of the dead, which could be called death energy.

Although its nature was different from the yin energy possessed by death, there was no way the True Divine Yin Energy could compare to it.

-Whoosh!

However, unlike yang energy, the True Divine Yin Energy did not dissipate within the body.

This meant that he could make this new energy called True Divine Yin Energy his own.

If he could fully absorb this energy, it would become twice as much as the energy he had gained upon entering the early stage of the Transformation Realm.

Mok Gyeong-un absorbed her energy even faster using the Ritual of Binding.

And when it reached its peak,

‘Now!’

Wi So-yeon could feel the True Divine Yin Energy rising from the Central Floodgate acupoint temporarily dry up.

She didn’t miss that moment.

As Mok Gyeong-un continued to absorb the energy from the Central Floodgate acupoint, an opportunity arose to challenge it.

“Phew.”

Wi So-yeon circulated the energy in her danjeon using a breathing technique.

And she simultaneously sent all the remaining energy towards her blocked Absolute Meridians.

-Boom boom boom boom boom boom!

Her true energy collided with the blocked meridians.

An immense pain, as if all the blood vessels in her body would burst, came over her.

“Aaaargh!”

A groan escaped Wi So-yeon’s mouth.

She was in so much pain.

However, seeing Mok Gyeong-un in front of her, not showing any sign of suffering, she steeled her resolve.

‘I can do it too.’

-Crack! Crack!

The main acupoints on her body bulged out and made sounds.

The blocked Absolute Meridians had begun to react.

Steam rose from her body, which had been overflowing with cold energy, and beads of sweat flowed down her now naked body.

-Crack!

And in an instant, all the blocked Absolute Meridians,

-Boom boom boom boom!

Were opened.

Along with it, a change occurred in the energy that had dried up due to the Ritual of Binding.

The rampaging energy was being controlled.

‘The energy?’

Mok Gyeong-un, who seemed to have sensed this as well, stopped the Ritual of Binding and ceased absorbing the True Divine Yin Energy.

Then, he began the process of making the absorbed energies his own through the Reverse Meridian Circulation Technique.

As each of them entered an important moment,

‘This is my chance.’

Cheong-ryeong emerged from the wooden puppet and manifested.

She had been waiting for the optimal state to continue possessing the body.

If Wi So-yeon overcame the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians by fully opening the meridians, she would enter a different realm from before.

Before that, she had to take the body now.

-Swoosh!

With that, Cheong-ryeong merged into Wi So-yeon’s body.

But the moment her body overlapped about halfway,

‘!!!!!’

Cheong-ryeong’s expression distorted.

Then, as if struggling, Cheong-ryeong tried to get out of Wi So-yeon’s body.

However, strangely, Wi So-yeon’s body seemed to be pulling Cheong-ryeong’s spiritual body, as if it was being absorbed.

-Urgh!

As a result, Cheong-ryeong had no choice but to increase her spiritual power for a moment.

-Boom!

Since she had reached the level of Blue Spirit, an immense spiritual power was unleashed.

Thanks to that, Cheong-ryeong was able to avoid being absorbed and escape.

Having narrowly avoided possession, Cheong-ryeong looked at Wi So-yeon with a stiff expression.

‘What the hell is this?’

That body… something is strange.

This was a phenomenon different from possession.

It was as if her spiritual body was trying to take root in that body.

Originally, it should have collided with the original owner’s soul, but instead, it was trying to be absorbed, which was extremely strange.

Startled by this, Cheong-ryeong had no choice but to leave.

‘This mortal wench, seriously…’

-Startled!

At that moment, Cheong-ryeong looked somewhere.

Then, she bit her lip tightly.

‘Annoying bastard.’

Once again, a vast curse power spread in all directions, detecting her presence.

If he could sense the spiritual power she had raised for a moment even from a distance, he must not be an ordinary diviner.

It seemed he would soon rush to this place.

-Mortal… Ah!

She was about to hurriedly ask to be sealed back into the wooden puppet, but Mok Gyeong-un was preoccupied with absorbing the True Divine Yin Energy.

As a result,

‘I need to escape for now.’

If that guy came to this place, a rather troublesome situation would unfold.

She had to lure him to another location and hide her presence.

-Swoosh!

Then, she flew into the air and headed northeast.

Not long after Cheong-ryeong disappeared, Mok Gyeong-un was able to fully digest the absorbed True Divine Yin Energy and make it his own.

The three types of energy – demonic energy, poison energy, and True Divine Yin Energy – achieved balance within his body.

Thanks to that, his entire body was filled with energy, making him feel refreshed.

‘Not bad.’

With this level of energy, it seemed he could sufficiently compete with Young Master Na Yul-ryang.

Mok Gyeong-un untangled his legs from the cross-legged position and looked at Wi So-yeon, who was lying naked in front of him.

“Haa… Haa…”

Coincidentally, she had just succeeded in opening all her Absolute Meridians and completely controlling the energy of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians.

As the meridians opened and the waste was expelled, her body was filled with a healthy glow.

However, she seemed exhausted, her hair, face, and entire body drenched in sweat, and her breathing was still rough.

‘Meridians… I opened the meridians.’

Wi So-yeon’s eyes reddened.

She had been living with the fear that if the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians went out of control to the point where even the Forbidden Gate Secrets couldn’t control it, she could die at any moment.

She couldn’t contain her joy.

There was no longer any risk of the Heavenly Yin Absolute Meridians going out of control, so she had essentially obtained the best physique.

A smile spread across Wi So-yeon’s face.

But then, someone suddenly poked their face in front of her.

“How is your body? Are you alright?”

It was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

“Eek!”

For a moment, seeing Mok Gyeong-un asking if she was okay while she was naked, Wi So-yeon realized that she herself was also in a naked state.

As a result, her face turned red like a beet in an instant.

Wi So-yeon hurriedly covered her chest with both arms.

‘Huh?’

Seeing her reaction, Mok Gyeong-un raised one eyebrow.

What’s this?

Hasn’t Cheong-ryeong taken over the body?

Her reaction feels somewhat different from Cheong-ryeong’s.

As he was puzzled, Wi So-yeon spoke with an embarrassed face that had turned bright red.

“You… Are you really okay?”

“Pardon?”

“You absorbed the True Divine Yin Energy, are you okay?”

Upon hearing her question, Mok Gyeong-un could instantly realize.

The woman in front of him was Wi So-yeon.

Cheong-ryeong was not possessing her.

-Cheong-ryeong?

With that, Mok Gyeong-un looked around and opened his spiritual sense to search for Cheong-ryeong.

What on earth happened?

But then, Wi So-yeon spoke in a trembling voice.

“What’s wrong? Is something wrong?”

In response to her question, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head and replied.

“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

More importantly, something had gone wrong with the plan.

Cheong-ryeong should have been possessing Wi So-yeon’s body, but suddenly, her energy had moved quite far away.

He didn’t know what had happened.

But then, Wi So-yeon asked again.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes. I said I’m fine.”

Then, Wi So-yeon, still blushing with embarrassment, spoke with relief.

“That’s a relief.”

She had hoped for Mok Gyeong-un, who was no different from her savior, to be safe.

But to think he had survived even after absorbing that immense cold energy, she was genuinely relieved.

Perhaps because of that, her heart was strangely pounding.

-Thump! Thump! Thump!

Why was her heart acting like this?