Chapter 99 : Joint Meridian Opening (1)
Chapter 99: Joint Meridian Opening (1)
Namgung Jun asked in a puzzled voice,
“Why the sudden talk of opening my meridians?”
“After the second meridian opening, the severity of your attacks has been getting worse, hasn't it?”
“Yes. It couldn't be helped.”
Even if all nine blocked meridians were opened one by one, the frigid Yin energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians would not diminish.
Opening the meridians did not change or weaken the Nine Yin Severed Meridians constitution itself.
Instead, the frigid Yin energy tended to gather even more heavily within the remaining unopened meridians.
That was why the difficulty of opening each successive meridian increased dramatically.
There was no way to open all nine blocked meridians consecutively, nor was there much chance that the body could withstand such a violent process.
On the other hand, if each opening was performed separately, the process would become increasingly difficult over time while the attacks grew more severe.
That was one of the reasons the Nine Yin Severed Meridians was so difficult to cure.
“I've already heard the opinion of the Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion. Even he said that opening your meridians as quickly as possible was the best solution.”
“That is true, but...”
Namgung Jun could not immediately accept Lee Se-ha's proposal.
Having personally experienced the meridian-opening process, he knew better than anyone how great the burden would be.
More than anything, he worried about his master.
“Will you truly be all right? It will place an enormous burden on you, Master. If things go wrong, you could suffer serious internal injuries.”
Lee Se-ha lightly clenched her fist before gently flicking Namgung Jun's forehead.
Smiling mischievously as though teasing him, she brushed his hair back.
“What kind of master would hesitate when it's for her disciple?”
She continued in a warm voice,
“And I told you when I accepted you as my disciple, didn't I? That I would help you with opening your meridians.”
“I remember.”
Within Lee Se-ha's large eyes, only Namgung Jun was reflected.
She understood the risks and burdens involved, yet made it clear that none of it mattered if it was for her disciple.
Reading the feelings in her eyes, Namgung Jun could only smile in the end.
“There are now two martial artists who cultivate the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art. Opening the Nine Yin Severed Meridians should be nothing by comparison.”
After pondering briefly, Namgung Jun finally nodded.
“I suppose it can't be helped.”
“Besides, if we're going to keep opening your meridians together in the future, I need to gain as much experience and familiarity with the process as possible. The first and second openings happened so suddenly that we never had the chance to discuss them.”
Namgung Jun looked around Lee Se-ha's office.
Her bookshelves contained more medical texts concerning meridians and acupoints than martial arts manuals.
There were even copied manuals that had been obtained from the Tang Clan.
Judging by the collection, she had likely gathered medical texts whenever she left the martial world on missions.
It was obvious that Lee Se-ha had quietly devoted herself to researching ways to open the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
He could almost feel the warmth and unwavering determination of his master's efforts.
“Very well. Then let's go.”
Namgung Jun and Lee Se-ha immediately headed for the Azure Medicine Pavilion.
They intended to make full use not only of their own strength, but also of the assistance provided by the physicians there.
---
As they entered the Azure Medicine Pavilion, the physicians were already bustling about, having apparently been informed beforehand.
The Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion wore a grave expression as he looked at the master and disciple standing side by side.
“So you've both come. You've finally decided to try it?”
Lee Se-ha nodded toward Namgung Jun.
“If anything, we're already late.”
“You're right. Ideally, the openings should have begun methodically from the very first blocked meridian.”
Namgung Jun could only offer an awkward smile.
There had been no helping the circumstances surrounding the first two openings.
This time, however, they had thoroughly prepared for the third.
That alone eased much of the burden.
The discussion for the procedure began.
Not only the Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion, but several of its finest physicians also participated.
Medicinal decoctions and acupuncture techniques capable of suppressing the frigid Yin energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, if only slightly, were prepared.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion and Lee Se-ha spread out an anatomical chart detailing the body's meridians and acupoints as they discussed various approaches.
“You mustn't think of this as merely supplementing his internal energy. Since you'll be directly involved in opening the meridian, it wouldn't be strange if you suffered internal injuries from the frigid Yin energy.”
“I've already prepared myself.”
After explaining the recommended pathway for the meridian opening, the Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion added,
“We've prepared every measure we can think of, but in the end, you'll have to respond as the situation unfolds.”
“Understood. I'll do it.”
Once the discussion concluded, Lee Se-ha sat behind Namgung Jun, who was already seated in the lotus position.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good.”
When the Head of the Azure Medicine Pavilion nodded, the master and disciple first drank the prepared medicinal decoction before taking out a spiritual elixir.
It was a high-grade spiritual elixir awarded for Namgung Jun's tremendous contribution to the Heavenly Sword Hall's performance increase during the recent Combat Strength Evaluation.
To be safe, they intended to borrow even the elixir's power for the meridian opening.
Hummm!
As the unrefined medicinal energy flowed into his meridians, Lee Se-ha immediately placed her hand upon Namgung Jun's Mingmen acupoint.
Feeling his master's soft touch, Namgung Jun also entered a state of meditative circulation.
As his awareness turned inward, he sensed the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art flowing through the Mingmen acupoint on his back.
It felt incredibly familiar.
Unlike her disciple, his master had already reached Major Mastery in the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art.
Though she had yet to attain Ultimate Mastery, the heat she generated was already astonishing.
With power like this, even the frigid Yin energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians would find it difficult to emerge.
Experiencing Lee Se-ha's blazing Yang energy firsthand gave him absolute confidence that it would play a decisive role in today's opening.
'I need to raise my own mastery of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art as soon as possible.'
Recently, he had been so focused on studying the Azure King Pure World Qi that his progress in the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art had stagnated.
Namgung Jun was reminded once more that he needed to balance the cultivation of both techniques.
'Jun. I'm starting now.'
'Yes. I'll circulate my internal energy through the Yunmen acupoint.'
Even while regulating their breathing and circulating their Qi, the master and disciple continued communicating through Voice Transmission.
As they had discussed beforehand, each of them circulated the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art along a different route.
The goal was to prevent the frigid Yin energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians from spreading into other meridians as much as possible.
As the two streams of blazing Yang energy gradually approached the third blocked meridian, the Nine Yin Severed Meridians reacted as though it were alive.
Roooar!
An overwhelming wave of frigid Yin energy surged from the third blocked meridian like a raging river.
In an instant, it greedily flooded every meridian throughout his body.
'As expected... it's much stronger.'
The speed and extent with which his meridians stiffened and froze exceeded his expectations.
But neither master nor disciple retreated.
Instead, they continued forcing the blazing Yang energy forward.
The two opposing energies clashed throughout countless branching meridians.
Neither side yielded.
They relentlessly devoured, repelled, and crushed one another.
Boom!
Centered around the third blocked meridian, Yin and Yang violently collided.
Agonizing pain surged through his body as though it would explode from within.
Yet Namgung Jun had already prepared himself for this.
Maintaining his composure, he continued circulating his Qi.
'Hmm.'
A chill spread through his body as though he had been struck by the internal force of a master specializing in Ice Arts.
He had no choice but to endure it.
Even so, Namgung Jun did not waver.
Lee Se-ha supported him from behind, dispersing much of the impact.
Moreover, unlike during the second opening, he now possessed another source of strength.
Namgung Jun slowly activated the Azure King Pure World Qi as well.
Its pure and lofty internal energy quietly rested within his dantian before gradually flowing outward.
It not only protected the meridians that were being torn apart and shaken by the clash of Yin and Yang, but also reinforced the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art whenever it began losing ground.
Through repeated use, he had already confirmed that the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Azure King Pure World Qi did not conflict with one another.
Though the two internal arts could not merge completely into one—
They were more than capable of supporting each other.
The Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and Azure King Pure World Qi simultaneously filled his meridians.
Under Namgung Jun's guidance, the two energies worked together to suppress the frigid Yin energy.
Rumble!
Another deafening roar echoed from within his body, shaking his consciousness.
For a moment, Namgung Jun felt his awareness fading.
But he immediately steadied his mind.
'As expected... it won't be easy.'
The third blocked meridian was far thicker and sturdier than the previous ones.
Had he attempted this alone, success would have been nearly impossible.
But Namgung Jun could clearly feel the warm presence supporting his back.
Roooar!
From another direction, Lee Se-ha's Major Mastery Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art crashed down like a waterfall.
The lightning-infused energy she had painstakingly cultivated stretched forward like a great spear, relentlessly battering the third blocked meridian.
'Jun. Are you all right?'
'I'm still enduring it. You can increase your strength a little more.'
'Understood.'
Master and disciple continuously exchanged thoughts through Voice Transmission while relentlessly striking the third blocked meridian.
Frigid Yin energy erupted repeatedly throughout his body.
Each time, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and Azure King Pure World Qi moved independently to suppress it.
Even for Namgung Jun, who possessed the memories of his previous life and could manipulate internal energy at a peerless level, it was no easy feat.
It felt as though he were responding to countless scattered battles erupting simultaneously throughout every meridian in his body.
'It's unfortunate that the Azure King Pure World Qi can't contribute more, but I'll have to be satisfied with its support.'
Because the Azure King Pure World Qi lacked the blazing Yang attribute, its limit was suppressing and overpowering the frigid Yin energy.
It was of little help in gathering and refining the scattered Yin energy.
Any frigid Yin energy left unrefined would remain within the meridians, eventually forming new blocked meridians or worsening internal injuries.
In the end, only the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art could completely refine the frigid Yin energy.
Rumble!
The struggle raging within Namgung Jun's body dragged on longer and longer.
Even so, the master and disciple did not rush.
Step by step, they steadily suppressed the frigid Yin energy.
After a grueling battle, the balance gradually shifted in their favor.
At that moment, Lee Se-ha finally employed the method she had been carefully saving.
It was the unrefined medicinal energy of the high-grade spiritual elixir.
She forcefully injected its raw power into the blazing Yang energy, further strengthening the assault on the third blocked meridian.
Feeling this, Namgung Jun was startled and immediately sent a Voice Transmission.
That power had originally been reserved in case they lacked sufficient strength.
He had never expected Lee Se-ha to use it this way.
'Master?'
'Don't worry. It's only a spiritual elixir. Besides, if its power remains within my disciple's body, then there's nothing to regret.'
Boom! Boom! Boom!
How long had they continued battering it?
Perhaps because he had experienced the impact so many times, even the violent shocks rattling his mind now felt strangely peaceful.
It was undoubtedly a fierce battle.
Yet one thing was certain.
Compared to attempting the meridian opening alone, everything was proceeding far more smoothly.
He had received outside assistance during the first and second openings as well.
But it was incomparable to having his master's support now.
'She is truly dependable.'
Few masters throughout the martial world had cultivated blazing Yang energy to such a lofty realm.
Even fewer were masters trustworthy enough to entrust one's back to completely.
That was why, despite the third blocked meridian being thicker and sturdier than the previous two, Namgung Jun found this opening even easier.
With his master beside him, the thought that they might fail never even crossed his mind.
Rumble!
The once-unshakable blocked meridian trembled more violently than ever before.
'Jun.'
'Yes, Master. Let's do it.'
Master and disciple sensed the moment simultaneously.
At that instant, the streams of Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art that had been alternately striking the third blocked meridian merged into one.
'Exactly according to the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art's cultivation formula.'
'Understood.'
Since both master and disciple cultivated the same martial art, no lengthy explanation was necessary.
Even the simplest circulation of internal energy naturally carried one's martial intent.
Reciting the same cultivation formula of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art together, master and disciple unleashed their blazing Yang energy forward.
BOOM!
The overwhelming torrent of power merged into a single stream—
And shattered the third blocked meridian.