Chapter 197
When Tang Jincheon and Seo Mun-Hwarin brought Tang Sowol and me down from the peak of the Thousand Poison Gate while we were unconscious, Naturally, they made sure to grab a few of the sect’s martial arts as well.
Time was short, and we lacked manpower, so they couldn’t take much...But apparently, they managed to secure all the important ones.
Right now, the martial scholars of the Tang Clan are likely busy dissecting and researching those new poison techniques, which had developed under their own unique system.
I skimmed through a few of them too, but all I could confirm once more was that poison arts just don’t suit me.
That said, a few techniques stuck with me... among them was an experimental martial art created to counter the techniques of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, the ruling power in Yunnan.
It makes sense—the Five Venoms Sect was annihilated by the Beast Palace, and its survivors were gathered by the Poison Demon to form the Thousand Poison Gate with the Tang Clan’s help.
If you’re recruiting subordinates with the promise of revenge, at least pretend to be preparing for it.
That’s how I came to indirectly learn about the martial arts of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace—and they were even more unique than I expected.
It’s not surprising they’ve taken the forms of beast-style martial arts, like tiger or mantis styles from the Central Plains, to their extremes.
But the astonishing part is that they can freely communicate with beasts, teach them martial arts, turn them into artificially created spirit beasts, and perfectly sync their movements. The Thousand Poison Gate had viewed this bizarre quality as the Beast Palace’s true strength, so they studied and analyzed it intensely.
Eventually, they discovered that although it looked like they were communicating verbally, in truth, it was through gestures.
Some beasts were even capable of expressing emotions through specific repetitive behaviors.
For example, the wolves often seen in the Beast Palace would spin in circles chasing their tails when feeling anxious.
Just like Seol Lihyang is doing right now.
“Sit down already, you’re making me dizzy.”
“Ah, yeah...”
Seol Lihyang obediently sat down with a blank expression.
On the way from the Jeomchang Sect to the Murim Alliance in Wuhuan City,
We were preparing a light lunch while waiting to reach the next village by dinnertime.
Seol Lihyang had started spinning in circles while the water boiled, unable to sit still,
But as I’d suspected, she eventually realized she was overexerting herself and toned down her training.
Now, she just gets anxious when she’s not actively training.
I gently pressed down on her twitching shoulder and spoke up.
“I said this last time too, but you really don’t need to get so worked up. You’re doing just fine.”
“I know. I know... but once I start thinking I’m falling behind, it just keeps bothering me. Haven’t you ever felt like that, Cheon Hwi?”
“Of course I have. I’d say most martial artists go through it at least once.”
“Really?”
“Really. The anxiety you’re feeling isn’t because you’re weak right now. It’s because you don’t feel like you’re improving.”
“Right! So you really have felt this too, huh? I thought you were just saying that to be nice.”
“When people can envision the future, they can endure the hardships of the present. But once they can’t see what lies ahead, they start to break.”
That’s exactly why martial artists fall into deviation when they hit a wall.
It’s been some time since Seol Lihyang reached the Peak Stage. With her growth rate, she’s probably now able to faintly glimpse that wall from afar.
And when you combine that with the guilt of feeling like you achieved nothing while someone else advanced—yeah, it hits harder.
I let out a short chuckle and continued.
“Well, most of the time, that kind of anxiety turns out to be a misunderstanding or illusion.”
“Huh?”
Things like impatience, insecurity, the inferiority complex from comparing yourself to others—even your perception of yourself.
They all seem like massive problems at the time, but looking back, they’re often no big deal.
Not that I’m denying it felt important at the time.
But I can admit I made a big deal out of it back then too.
“Widen your perspective. Accept things as they are. Don’t obsess over the little stuff.”
“You’re younger than Sister Seo Mun but sound just like her. You do know that’s easier said than done, right?”
“Hick?!”
Beside us, Seo Mun-Hwarin flinched while roasting jerky over the fire.
Startled by the age comment, she slightly burned the tip and sent me a resentful look.
But Seol Lihyang and I just carried on with our conversation.
“Of course it’s not easy. I never said you had to do it right now. More importantly...”
“More importantly?”
“For your martial arts to progress, Seol Lihyang, you need a massive amount of Yin energy. But that’s not easy to find in the Central Plains.”
Though not formally of the Tang Clan, Seol Lihyang was being treated like an honored guest.
Thanks to her exceptional abilities and Tang Sowol’s strong recommendation, she had been receiving decent support.
She sometimes received Yin-imbued elixirs and access to related martial texts...
But these were rare and hard to come by, so the support couldn’t be frequent.
It wasn’t just in her head that she felt better during winter. Nowhere else in the Central Plains had such an abundance of Yin energy.
Up to now, she had grown rapidly thanks to her Pure Yin Physique’s naturally dense Yin energy, But to go from Peak Stage to Sub-Perfection, she would need even more.
That her growth was slowing was inevitable.
“‘Slowing down’ is the wrong phrase. It’s more accurate to say you’re returning to your natural pace.”
“Tch. I figured as much. I’ve been feeling it lately too.”
“Right. Tang Sowol was born with a Poison Spirit Constitution and raised in the Tang Clan, masters of poison arts—it all lined up perfectly for her.”
“Not everyone can be that lucky, huh.”
“Exactly. And even then, the age at which she reached Sub-Perfection was...”
“Cheon Hwi?”
Tang Sowol’s voice came from behind.
It was her usual gentle tone, but for some reason, it felt colder than most Yin-based internal energy techniques.
She’s twenty-four. Not even that old. Even in noble families, people rarely reach Sub-Perfection before their thirties.
“It’s done boiling. Let it cool and eat slowly.”
With her voice now calm, Tang Sowol served me my share of food.
As I sighed in relief, Seol Lihyang clicked her tongue and shook her head.
“You’d better treat Sister Tang well, Cheon Hwi. I’ve seen a lot, but I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“I already do.”
“Then treat me well too.”
“Haven’t I been doing that already...?”
“I mean more.”
With a laugh, Seol Lihyang took a bite of her meal and smiled contentedly. When I tasted it, it wasn’t bad at all.
“Anyway, I get what you’re trying to say. It’s not that I need to try harder—what I need is time or an environment to accumulate Yin energy, right?”
“That’s right.”
“And instead of pushing myself in frustration, I should look for alternatives.”
“Exactly.”
“Yeah. Thinking of it that way makes me feel better. If it’s not a lack of effort but a lack of internal energy... maybe I should visit the Northern Sea Ice Palace sometime? They should have plenty of Yin energy there.”
“Not a bad idea. Honestly, I’ve felt a little guilty dragging you all around just so I can see swords I want to study. Maybe next time, we go somewhere you, Tang Sowol, or Sister Seo Mun wants to visit.”
“Really? But... is that okay? I mean, the Glacial True Qi I use came from that Ghost Shadow Thief Elder, right?”
“Well, the Ice Palace’s situation seems rough lately, so they probably won’t make a fuss. But they might try to recruit you into their ranks.”
“Yeah, no thanks. I don’t want to go that far. Even if I don’t go all the way to the palace, just being nearby should offer more Yin energy than the Central Plains.”
“Fair. Let’s think about it.”
After finishing our meal with a now-still Seol Lihyang, we resumed our light footwork.
It didn’t take long to reach the Murim Alliance.
Maybe it was because I’d gained a name for myself, or because word was spreading that I’d reached the Flowering Stage.
With so much information circulating and many important figures coming and going, the Murim Alliance—center of the orthodox martial world—recognized me immediately.
“B-Blood Flame Sword Demon, sir! What brings you here unannounced?”
“Can I not show up without a reason?”
“N-not at all! I only meant to say—if you let us know your purpose, we’ll assist you right away!”
It was a simple joke, but the gatekeeper freaked out and shook his head.
This wasn’t just any place—it was the Murim Alliance. Its gatekeepers were first-class warriors, even Peak Stage-level in some cases.
Was it my cultivation level? Or the story that I had destroyed the Thousand Poison Gate alone?
The gatekeeper had gone stiff with nerves.
Tang Sowol sighed and smacked me lightly on the back.
Smack!
“Please don’t tease him so much, Brother Cheon.”
“Hmm. He seemed overly tense—I was trying to lighten him up... didn’t expect that kind of reaction.”
I shrugged and pulled out the letter I’d received from Master Jeong Hyeon.
The gatekeeper carefully accepted it, and upon seeing Shaolin’s official seal, his face turned serious.
“This... It’s genuine. From the Abbot, no doubt. Due to certain circumstances, I’m delivering it in his stead.
It concerns an important matter. I would like a private audience with the Alliance Leader.”
“I will escort you immediately. However, there is another guest already here. So instead of going directly to the office, we’ll first lead you to the VIP guest hall.”
“He’s a busy man. Since we came unannounced, that’s fair. As long as we can meet today, I don’t mind.”
“Thank you. This way, please.”
After exchanging hand signals with another gatekeeper to switch shifts, he led our group inside.
When I’d stayed at the Murim Alliance before, I was in the guest quarters. I’d never used the VIP rooms.
The one we entered was quite impressive—tastefully ornate, neat, and comfortably equipped.
Even the Tang Clan didn’t go this far with hospitality. Tang Sowol began scanning the place critically, as if taking notes for later.
Meanwhile, I silently observed her rare expression, trying to burn every detail into memory.
A maid appeared and informed us it was our turn.
Following her, we reached the office. And when we opened the door—finally facing the Alliance Leader again—we encountered an unexpected scene.
“There’s really no way...?”
“We’ve already made many concessions.”
Several warriors, dressed entirely in white, were pleading with desperate expressions, while the Alliance Leader shook his head uncomfortably.
It seemed the previous guests were still inside.
As the door opened, their eyes naturally shifted to us. Then, one of the pleading visitors widened their eyes and pointed at Seol Lihyang.
“We found the Young Palace Lord...!”
“Ah.”
Startled, Seol Lihyang hid behind Seo Mun-Hwarin. Though...she wasn’t exactly well-hidden.