Chapter 98 : Dao’s Horizon (2)
Chapter 98: Dao’s Horizon (2)
After examining the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword manual dozens of times, Namgung Jun sat in the lotus position and immersed himself in meditation.
He forgot every cultivation formula, diagram, insight, and principle of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.
Only its name remained in his memory.
The accomplishments of his previous life gradually faded like sunlight dissolving into the horizon.
To find a new path using the same martial art with only fragments of its incomplete cultivation formulas was no easy task.
It might even prove inferior to simply following the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword of his previous life.
'It doesn't matter.'
The mistakes, missteps, and even stagnation of this moment would one day become nothing more than footprints left behind as he advanced forward.
The incomplete cultivation formulas of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword drifted through Namgung Jun's mind.
Guiding Horizon.
The intent of guiding oneself toward the end.
In his previous life, the Sword Emperor had cultivated the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword with the determination to witness the ultimate pinnacle of the heavy sword.
But what about now?
Namgung Jun thoroughly dismantled every remaining cultivation formula of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.
The formulas felt both familiar and new.
The insights and inspirations left behind by the successive Changcheon Society Masters as they sought to restore the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword intertwined within his thoughts.
Unlike the Sword Emperor, the successive Changcheon Society Masters had never been bound solely to the heavy sword.
The Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword was a sword art the Sword Emperor had created late in his previous life.
Naturally, none of the Southern Heavenly Palace disciples had ever begun cultivating it.
Most of them had only heard of its existence and had never even seen it.
Other than the Sword Emperor himself, the manual had been the only means by which anyone could understand the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.
With even that manual mostly destroyed, it was understandable that the successive Changcheon Society Masters had struggled to find even the slightest clue.
Perhaps because they had never witnessed the Sword Emperor's Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword firsthand, nor possessed any clear direction or historical records—
The successive Changcheon Society Masters had attempted to reconstruct the supreme sword art by supplementing its missing portions with their own imagination.
As a result, its cultivation formulas and principles never became rigidly confined within the branch of the heavy sword.
Instead, they possessed the freedom to extend in any direction.
'That's right. In my previous life, I forcefully condensed every realization into the framework of the heavy sword.'
Even while reviewing only fragments of the cultivation formulas, a thought suddenly crossed Namgung Jun's mind.
'Was there really any need to do that?'
When he had first created the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword in his previous life, he had overflowed with confidence, believing there was no heavy sword art in the martial world that could compare.
But now?
There was no denying it remained an immensely powerful heavy sword art.
Yet he could clearly sense its limitations.
It had become far too heavily biased toward a single path.
There was even a hint of stubbornness and obsession within it.
Namgung Jun realized something.
His vision had been obscured by the wall he himself had erected.
'I will let go of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword of my previous life.'
He slowly dismantled the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword preserved within his memories.
During that process, the principles of the Great Expansion Sword Art and Azure Sky Vast Expanse flickered through his mind.
The cultivation formulas of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword gradually filled the loosened gap that appeared where the Great Expansion Sword Art transitioned into Azure Sky Vast Expanse.
'The destination I seek now is different from that of my previous life.'
When the destination changes, the road leading there must also change.
The essence of Guiding Horizon remained firmly within Namgung Jun's mind.
It no longer needed to exist as the central essence of a sword art.
Merely remaining as a fragment of his insight was enough.
After all, the insight and core principle he now pursued was Azure Sky Vast Expanse.
Thus, the stirring inspiration settled deeply within him.
Boom!
At that moment, a thunderous roar exploded within his consciousness.
The cultivation formulas of the Azure King Pure World Qi crashed into the center of his mind like lightning.
The uniquely free and boundless cultivation formulas of the Azure King Pure World Qi intertwined with those of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.
Their shared intent became a bridge of enlightenment connecting the Great Expansion Sword Art and Azure Sky Vast Expanse.
It was as though the cultivation method and sword art had originally been created to complement one another, their insights and cultivation formulas intertwining naturally.
An azure radiance spread across Namgung Jun's consciousness like the sky itself.
Yet before it could extend to the horizon, it abruptly stopped halfway.
His realization had not yet fully taken shape.
“Hoo.”
Letting out a long breath, Namgung Jun steadied himself.
He had not attained any definitive enlightenment.
But he had undoubtedly found his direction.
'I no longer need to remain bound by the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword of my previous life.'
Namgung Jun took another steadying breath.
He finally understood why Ha Hu-seon had given him the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword manual.
He looked down at the manual once more.
He already knew every cultivation formula by heart.
There was no longer any need for him to keep it.
Having made his decision, Namgung Jun immediately headed toward the Changcheon Pavilion.
---
As usual, Ha Hu-seon welcomed him while carving a wooden practice sword.
“So, you've encountered a bottleneck?”
“No.”
Namgung Jun held out the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword manual.
“I've come to return this manual.”
“For what reason?”
“Because I realized that, although you wished to restore the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword, it cannot truly be restored.”
Ha Hu-seon quietly studied Namgung Jun before smiling faintly.
“You give up more quickly than I expected.”
Namgung Jun shook his head.
“Instead, I obtained a new realization.”
Surprise appeared in Ha Hu-seon's eyes.
“I would like to hear what realization you gained.”
“I've organized it, however imperfectly.”
Namgung Jun produced a new manual.
“I'll read its contents aloud. If you believe it has value, please preserve it.”
After listening through Voice Transmission to the contents of the manual Namgung Jun had prepared, Ha Hu-seon remained silent for a long while before gently setting down the wooden sword he had been carving.
“The successive Changcheon Society Masters each dreamed of their own Guiding Horizon, connecting their insights and cultivation formulas as they raced toward their destination. Yet you... have abandoned the road entirely and, by letting it go, begun pursuing your own Guiding Horizon.”
Where the successive Changcheon Society Masters had attempted to complete the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword by filling its missing portions, Namgung Jun had instead made it not his destination, but the beginning of a completely new path.
'Such a profound realization in so short a time?'
The realization Namgung Jun had presented was truly precious.
“Hah.”
When he had entrusted Namgung Jun with the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword manual, Ha Hu-seon had admittedly held certain expectations.
Given Namgung Jun's remarkable talent and inspiration, he had believed the young man might accomplish what none of the previous Changcheon Society Masters had managed—the restoration of the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.
Instead, Namgung Jun had exceeded every expectation by presenting an entirely new path.
'Truly astonishing.'
As Ha Hu-seon savored the realization Namgung Jun had shared, Namgung Jun spoke once more.
“May I offer one opinion regarding the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword?”
“Of course. Speak.”
“I do not believe it is necessary to remain fixated upon restoring the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.”
“Indeed. Your realization followed a direction completely different from restoration.”
Namgung Jun paused briefly before continuing.
“Rather than trying to patch together something whose true conclusion is unknown, I believe it would be better to devote ourselves to the martial arts that still remain complete. The Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword is sufficient exactly as it is now.”
“I see.”
Ha Hu-seon gently brushed his hand across the manual before rising to his feet.
“Would you care to walk with me for a while?”
“Yes.”
Ha Hu-seon and Namgung Jun walked side by side.
Behind the Changcheon Pavilion stood a small bamboo grove.
The gentle sound of the wind brushing through the bamboo calmed the heart.
“The Azure King Pure World Qi that I taught you, along with the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword, are martial arts that belonged to a sect destroyed long ago.”
Ha Hu-seon gently stroked one of the tall bamboo stalks.
“The Changcheon Society was founded by a survivor of that destroyed sect. That survivor's bloodline has now been passed down to me.”
“What was the name of that sect?”
“The Southern Heavenly Palace.”
Namgung Jun simply nodded quietly.
He had already expected as much, so it did not surprise him.
Still, hearing someone else speak the name Southern Heavenly Palace caused his heart to stir.
“The successive Changcheon Society Masters have all seemed intent on preserving the legacy of the Southern Heavenly Palace while leading the Changcheon Society. The Azure King Pure World Qi and the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword stand as proof of that. Though, of course... we were never able to restore the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword.”
“Are you bound by the Southern Heavenly Palace?”
“Perhaps I am. The Changcheon Society Masters carry not only the burden of leading the Changcheon Society, but also the weight of being descendants of the Southern Heavenly Palace.”
After pondering for a moment, Namgung Jun asked,
“What kind of place was the Southern Heavenly Palace?”
“What do you mean?”
“I do not believe a sect's legacy is preserved solely through its martial arts. If the will and philosophy the sect pursued continue to live on, then that too is a continuation of its lineage. If a sect's identity endures, then that intent naturally becomes embedded within its martial arts as well.”
Ha Hu-seon was unable to answer immediately.
Nevertheless, Namgung Jun continued.
“If the Changcheon Society has truly inherited the identity of the Southern Heavenly Palace, then I do not believe you need concern yourself too greatly.”
“You mean there is no need to remain fixated upon restoring its martial arts.”
Naturally, martial artists would each hold different opinions on the matter.
But as the final Palace Master of the Southern Heavenly Palace, this was Namgung Jun's belief.
Unlike the Azure King Heart Method, the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword had lost so much that it was no exaggeration to say its original form had disappeared entirely.
Only its name remained.
Rather than clinging to such a martial art, he believed it was necessary to move toward the future.
Of course, valuing the past, reflecting upon it, and growing through it remained essential.
Yet at the same time, one also needed the courage to let go of the past and step forward with bare hands and bare feet.
There was no single correct answer for moving forward.
What mattered was taking the first step.
Thus, Namgung Jun merely offered Ha Hu-seon another possible path.
“If the Guiding Horizon of the Southern Heavenly Palace and that of the Changcheon Society are the same, would that not be enough?”
“The Changcheon Society's Guiding Horizon... I see. So that was it.”
Lost in thought, Ha Hu-seon eventually sat down in the lotus position.
Something seemed to have come to him.
As Ha Hu-seon entered meditation, Namgung Jun stood guard over him.
Half a day passed.
When the sky had become dyed crimson—
Ha Hu-seon's eyes slowly opened.
“Society Master.”
“You stood guard for me. Thank you.”
Helping Ha Hu-seon to his feet, Namgung Jun watched the old man smile.
“For my entire life, I devoted myself to restoring the Southern Sky Guiding Horizon Sword. Yet after hearing your words, it feels as though a Heart Demon I carried for decades has finally disappeared.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
“Thank you.”
Ha Hu-seon gently brushed the back of Namgung Jun's hand.
Warmth seeped from between the deep wrinkles carved into Ha Hu-seon's weathered hand.
---
“Hoo.”
Namgung Jun barely managed to sit upright on his bed.
A long-awaited flare-up of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians had once again thrown his body into chaos.
'As expected, the more meridians I open, the worse the attacks become.'
His internal energy had grown stronger, and he had become increasingly adept at reducing the pain by controlling his internal energy during each episode.
Yet the severity of the attacks had increased proportionally.
Still, there was no alternative.
Opening all of the blocked meridians at once was virtually impossible.
His body would never survive it.
He simply had to continue opening them one by one, enduring the suffering each time.
'Even so, opening them remains the correct path.'
Every successful opening increased his internal energy more than consuming almost any precious elixir.
Especially now.
Although his Essence, Qi, and Spirit had achieved harmony, they had not yet become one.
They had only reached a rough balance.
The finer adjustments had yet to occur.
It was proof that both his body and his internal energy still had room to grow.
Just then—
He heard a set of familiar and welcome footsteps approaching from afar.
“Jun. Did you have another attack?”
“Yes. I'm fine now.”
“Really? Then we'd better prepare quickly.”
“Prepare for what?”
Lee Se-ha revealed a meaningful smile.
“Opening your meridians.”
Namgung Jun's eyes widened.