Chapter 57
When it comes to the three great treasures of the martial world, its people refer to these three:
An elixir that instantly enhances internal energy.
A divine weapon of miraculous ability.
A manual left behind by a legendary expert of the martial world.
Of these three, elixirs come in a great many varieties.
Some are born naturally from the workings of nature itself,
others are crafted through the painstaking efforts of master physicians akin to gods.
However, in the present martial world, where martial arts have reached an extreme level of sophistication, the truth is that most elixirs are produced using secret alchemical methods passed down for generations within great sects.
Now, Jaseong had attained a power equal to, or even surpassing, those great sects.
Specifically, he possessed the alchemical techniques of the Celestial Realm, superior to any alchemy found in the world.
[Chapter Six – Elixir Alchemy]
Seeing the new script appear on the translucent manual, Jaseong was so astonished that he was momentarily at a loss for words.
'Alchemy...? But this isn't a martial art...'
Until now, the Heaven Evading Way had relentlessly passed down Lu Dongbin's martial arts to Jaseong.
Mental cultivation techniques, sword techniques, footwork, even secret arts.
Yet now, suddenly, alchemical arts for making elixirs?
It was, of course, a chapter that would make anyone confused.
But despite the confusion, Jaseong felt as though Heaven was smiling upon him.
If he could make elixirs directly using the Heaven Evading Way's elixir alchemy?
Jaseong would be able to amplify his internal energy even further.
Moreover, as he expanded his following, it would be a revolutionary means to strengthen his subordinates.
In truth, it wasn't even a time when Jaseong could handle newly acquired martial arts.
He still needed more training in the techniques he'd recently obtained.
'... Heaven Evading Flash Sword still requires relentless training, and the Shadowless Body Technique I earned from White-haired Blade Elder is only at the first stage, Light Spirit True Step.'
In other words, there was still a mountain of things he needed to further master.
So it was better now to learn a practical craft like alchemy, instead of immediately receiving another new martial technique from the Heaven Evading Way.
Since there was still some time before the Seven Sages of the South Sea from the Hainan Sect would reach the Mocheon Sect, Jaseong headed alone to an empty cave.
He unfurled the Heaven Evading Way.
Swish!
Sitting in the lotus position, Jaseong carefully read the newly opened sixth chapter, "Elixir Alchemy".
That was when he realized that alchemy, too, shared similarities with martial arts.
"... There really are similarities to martial arts. The process of infusing ingredients with internal power to refine an elixir...."
At that moment—
Hwiaaa—
Suddenly, an extraordinary wind swept through the area surrounding the cave.
Next, his crown of the head grew hot, and his Samadhi Eyes activated on their own.
Swaa—
As Jaseong's consciousness entered the Samadhi State, he saw the heavens split and torrents of light pour forth.
Within that light, a figure gradually began to materialize.
A "previous executor" who would pass down martial arts to Jaseong was arriving.
'I wonder which executor of Heaven's Mandate it'll be this time... Last time, it was Baek Cheon-gwang, so maybe this time it'll be Hong Gukyul?'
The whirlwind of light soon dissipated.
But the moment he saw this new executor, Jaseong's eyes widened a little.
This executor of Heaven's Mandate was someone he'd never seen before.
Moreover, it was a woman.
Looking to be in her thirties, her beauty was such that the phrase 'an enchantress capable of toppling kingdoms' came to mind.
Her slender, long eyes evoked the image of willow leaves in spring, and her red lips shone with the gloss of ripe cherries.
Her black hair flowed like a waterfall down to her waist, and her white skin glowed softly, as if absorbing moonlight.
While Lee Rin and Hyang-I both possessed a fresh, innocent charm, the woman before him exuded a mature, alluring grace.
"Who are you?"
Jaseong asked as he gazed upon the stunning beauty who had appeared.
"There are people who no longer recognize me, eh? The martial world has changed much indeed over the years."
The woman spoke with a faint smile on her lips.
"I am the third executor of Heaven's Mandate, and in the martial world, I was once known as the Immortal Physician, Dongfang Hwabin."
... Immortal Physician?
Jaseong's eyes lit with intrigue.
In the over-a-thousand-year history of the martial world, only one person had ever borne the title "Immortal Physician".
A supreme expert active centuries ago, said to have revived even the dead with her medical arts.
To allies, she was the Immortal Physician; to her enemies, she was the Dissecting Demoness, and many feared her.
The medical texts she left behind were still considered essential references by physicians to this day.
"Ha. Truly, it's been a while since I've drawn the air of the world into my lungs."
Dongfang Hwabin breathed in deeply and stretched her body.
Despite her title as Immortal Physician, every one of her movements exuded seductive charm.
'Seeing the legendary Immortal Physician with my own eyes... But the atmosphere is less like a healer and more like a witch...'
But as Jaseong watched Dongfang Hwabin's every gesture,
Shuak!
Dongfang Hwabin abruptly advanced right in front of Jaseong.
'So fast...!'
Not even Jaseong, who single-handedly annihilated Three Souls Hall, could react to her speed.
And now that she stood before him, Dongfang Hwabin did something quite unexpected.
"... What are you doing?"
Jaseong frowned.
Dongfang Hwabin was running her hands over his shoulders and chest.
"It's been a while since I've encountered such a solid physique...."
Her eyes gleamed strangely.
"These bloodlines... I wonder what sound they'd make when dissected."
... Dissection?
A chill ran down Jaseong's spine.
"Well, I can't very well dissect one personally chosen by the sword immortal."
"......."
"But it seems this time's executor of Heaven's Mandate is rather interesting."
Dongfang Hwabin stepped back with a laugh.
"Now, let us get down to business. As the reward for completing the fifth directive of Heaven's Mandate, I shall pass on to you Heaven Evading Alchemy."
"Heaven Evading Alchemy...?"
"It must seem strange to suddenly be taught alchemy instead of martial arts. But know that this is all part of Sword Immortal's profound arrangement.
Do you know what Sword Immortal became most interested in upon entering the Celestial Realm?
That was alchemy.
Within the Celestial Realm, it was common to train by consuming elixirs, pills, and inner cores.
So Sword Immortal thought: had he regularly consumed high-quality elixirs while still in the world, he would've ascended far more quickly.
Thus, he added alchemy to the Heaven Evading Way."
The more Dongfang Hwabin explained, the more Jaseong realized the necessity of alchemy.
And a sense of anticipation rose within him.
With the alchemy he stood to learn now, he felt as though he could become much stronger, much faster.
"But Immortal Physician, if I'm to practice alchemy, won't I need ingredients?"
Jaseong's question was natural.
To make an elixir, one would first need medicinal herbs.
But Dongfang Hwabin shook her head.
"No, ingredients can come later. You must first learn the method of alchemy. The first thing is to learn how to make the vessel."
"Vessel?"
"To channel internal energy in refined streams, a special vessel unique to Heaven Evading Alchemy is required."
Jaseong found her words puzzling.
Learning how to make a vessel?
Was she telling him to become a potter?
However, despite referring to it as a 'special vessel', Dongfang Hwabin casually produced a rustic earthen bowl from her robe.
Jaseong wondered if perhaps there was some kind of special inscription hidden on it, but no, that wasn't the case either.
"You can turn any bowl into a vessel for Heaven Evading Alchemy, so long as you know how."
Supporting the earthen bowl with her left hand, Dongfang Hwabin brought her right hand over its rim.
Srrr—
From her fingertips, a transparent energy began to flow.
That energy, thin and soft like a skein of silk, seeped slowly into the bowl.
Vmmm—
The bowl began to vibrate faintly.
Dongfang Hwabin's internal power coiled within the bowl, spinning in a spiral.
One turn, two turns, three turns...
With each passing revolution, an invisible path was being shaped inside the bowl.
"Look. This is the first stage of Heaven Evading Alchemy, the 'Creation of Spiritual Veins'."
Dongfang Hwabin showed the bowl to Jaseong.
Outwardly, it seemed unchanged, but with his Samadhi Eyes, Jaseong could clearly see the spiral ki passage within the vessel.
"If you can't create this pathway inside the bowl, you can't use Heaven Evading Alchemy."
Watching Dongfang Hwabin's demonstration, Jaseong thought that Heaven Evading Alchemy was indeed a very advanced craft.
'It's like sword intent... No—it's an even more complex art.'
With her demonstration complete, Dongfang Hwabin spoke.
"As you saw, this Heaven Evading Alchemy is no ordinary craft. You need a natural talent for moving energy with exquisite finesse. Barely one among ten thousand martial artists possesses such a gift."
"One in ten thousand...."
"I've heard tales that, among the executors of Heaven's Mandate throughout history, you rank at the very top in innate ability. But whether you can truly grasp this art remains to be seen. Alchemy cannot be mastered just by repeated training like martial arts. You need talent specifically for alchemy."
Talent for alchemy...
Jaseong was deep in thought.
He'd heard often how outstanding his martial talent was, but alchemy seemed to require a different kind of skill.
"But if one manages to create the vessel, is the rest of the process easy?"
"Umm... I suppose so. If you can make the vessel, that proves you have the talent for alchemy. The other two steps should be simple."
"That's good to hear."
"Heh. 'That's good'... My successor, making the vessel is by no means easy. Even I, who was called Immortal Physician, took quite some time to get the knack of it. This is not ordinary alchemy, but an art imbued with Sword Immortal's enlightenment."
"......."
"To be honest, I don't really understand why Sword Immortal instructed me to pass down such a difficult craft to you already..."
But then, just as Dongfang Hwabin was rattling on,
"Hmm...?!"
She suddenly paused mid-explanation.
Vrrrr!
Her intelligent eyes froze.
Jaseong was already forming a spiral ki pathway within the earthen bowl.
The golden ki leaking from Jaseong's fingertips permeated the bowl, forming an exact spiral conduit—just as Dongfang Hwabin had demonstrated.
One turn, two turns, three turns...
The speed and precision were identical to Dongfang Hwabin's example.
"Is this the correct way?"
"W-what in the world... How...."
Dongfang Hwabin just blinked, as if lost in a dream.
Unlike previous executors of Heaven's Mandate, Dongfang Hwabin had taken on countless disciples.
She'd hoped to spread her medical skills all throughout the Central Plains.
But out of all those disciples, none had shown such aptitude for alchemy as Jaseong did.
To replicate the creation of spiritual veins after seeing it only once—was this even human...?
Watching the dumbfounded Dongfang Hwabin, Jaseong broke into a sly grin.
'Who would've guessed the Samadhi Eyes would be so suited to alchemy...'
As Jaseong activated his Samadhi Eyes, blue strands of ki traced their paths in the air.
It marked the path of true ki circulation in Heaven Evading Alchemy demonstrated by Dongfang Hwabin moments before.
Jaseong moved his true ki along that path, exactly as it was shown.
Though the ki circulation pattern was extremely intricate, by slowing time with the Samadhi Eyes, it became absurdly easy.
'Having mastered the Celestial Gate Opening Art, this is honestly a piece of cake.'
But the moment Jaseong finished the first step of Heaven Evading Alchemy—creating the vessel—in a single try,
"Hehe... Hehehe...."
Suddenly, Dongfang Hwabin's lips curled into a strange smile.
Then, trembling slightly, she approached Jaseong.
"Hehe. I really... want to do it."
"... Want to do what?"
"Dissection."
"What??"
Jaseong could hardly believe his ears.
'... This woman... Is she really the Immortal Physician...?'
That seductive smile and odd glimmer in her gaze.
In that moment, Dongfang Hwabin's expression was unmistakably more suited to her moniker of Dissecting Demoness than Immortal Physician.