Chapter 84

Were wild ginseng, heavenly fish, and peaches truly that special?

Or was it the act of striking his qi and blood while inhaling the waterfall that had a special effect?

In the early stages of beginning his qigong practice, Danwoo Seong hadn’t fully grasped the profound effects of the overlapping elixirs. But after commencing the Great Circulation, as he harnessed the surging, fiery energy of extreme yang, Danwoo Seong was on high alert.

This was no ordinary wild ginseng, nor was it common peach. Especially the peach was practically an elixir of immortality, the sort one might only find in the Peach Blossom Spring. What made it even more potent was the explosive convergence of three types of yang energy. It raged within Danwooseong’s body to the point of near madness. Had he not consumed excessive water from the waterfall, the heat would have scorched his entire body.

The madness of fanaticism was steeped in experience.

Obtaining this depended entirely on Danwooseong’s character, five elements, luck, and destiny—and Danwooseong was absorbing it perfectly. Thus, it was the fruit born from the combination of heavenly fortune, Danwooseong’s effort, and the fanatic’s madness.

Dan Wooseong steadily subdued the energy and slammed it into his dantian.

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Gwangshin watched Dan Wooseong, who was practicing qigong with his eyes closed. It had been a long time since he’d watched someone else train.

He felt nothing but satisfaction.

He was pleased because he wasn’t a worthless fool.

He liked that he was a bastard with a nasty temper, just like himself.

Kwang-shin watched Dan-woo-seong with a calm expression, then moved with his hands behind his back.

The Land of Oblivion spread out before Gwangshin’s eyes.

‘Things are turning out quite interesting.’

Elevating one’s realm to such heights required a compelling reason. Therefore, it was right to yield this opportunity to his junior rather than keep it for himself. A junior who hadn’t been turned away at the door by the god of madmen deserved it.

Gwangshin circled around, examining the base of the peach tree.

A junior of that caliber seemed capable of handling this martial world, even if the Three Spirits ascended to heaven and the leader of the Yujinghong faction passed away after a full life.

‘I suppose I can trust you with this.’

Kwangshin was fond of Danwooseong, so they were in the process of creating a story together. Thus, Kwangshin wandered around searching for natural wine and fruit in a place full of peaches.

Natural refers to something formed in its original state without human intervention, while fruit wine originally meant wine and fruit. However, the natural fruit wine spoken of by martial artists resembled the essence of the heavens, signifying the state where the nectar of elixirs had condensed like aged wine. Thus, natural fruit wine was the very essence of elixirs.

Kwangshin’s reason for examining the natural wine fruit here was simple.

This very place, the Land of Oblivion, is no ordinary location.

If the Natural Wine Fruit were absent here, it would mean it was nowhere to be found in the martial world of this era.

Of course, he had examined the Nameless Garden before, but found no trace of the Natural Wine Cellar. Yet, the fanatic clearly sensed that his junior’s unexpected visit was no coincidence. With the intention of not taking it himself, but giving it to his junior, he meticulously examined the Nameless Garden once more.

In Gwangshin’s mind, there was only one possible next step for the Nohwa Suncheong.

The world speaks of “returning to simplicity and truth” or “reverting to youth,” but to Kwang-shin, the state of “returning to youth” and “returning to simplicity and truth” were nearly the same realm, while “reverting to youth” seemed a rather fantastical notion. If one must describe it, reaching the stage of “returning to purity and truth” where the body transforms is “returning to youth and childhood”—meaning the level where Gwangshin’s hair is turning black again.

In other words, Gwang-sin’s realm of aging-reversing and youth-restoring was, realistically, the final stage. Beyond that lay only the path of ascending to the pinnacle of martial arts.

Kwang-shin knew that throughout the entire history of the martial world, only a handful of martial artists had ever reached this level of Ascension to the Peak of Perfection.

Even after combing through historical records and biographies, it was clear that Baek Mujeen had ascended to the highest rank almost entirely on his own merits. It was then expected that Jin Sohyeon would have reached that rank after turning thirty.

Kwang-shin, who had been searching for the Natural Wine Pavilion, gazed intently at Dan-woo-seong.

He planned to first guide that young junior into the realm of Nohwasunchung, then leave the rest to the junior’s destiny.

Reaching the stage of ‘Nohwasunchung’ at that age meant a pace comparable to Baek Moo-jin’s youth. He expected that one day, he would ascend to the ‘Dengfeng Zhaojue’.

Gwangshin was already well over ninety years old, so his greed for the Dengfeng Zogyeok was excessive.

‘Where on earth is it?’

Finding the Natural Wine Fruit was no easy task for the average eye.

Suddenly feeling his mind grow restless, Gwangshin immediately sat down where he was and began regulating his qi and breathing. Controlling his mind was always a critical matter for Gwangshin. He never knew when that madness might surge out of control again.

As Gwangshin and Danwooseong froze in the peach orchard, the world began to stir.

Clouds shifted, the sun rose, and the wind blew.

Cheongyak Mountain resumed its natural activities in harmony. Since Gwangshin and Danwooseong were not causing significant harm to the mountain, it continued its breathing with all things in heaven and earth while embracing the two.

Thus, Cheongyak Mountain, Gwangshin, and Danwooseong exchanged breath.

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After a long while, Danwooseong quietly opened his eyes and extended his palm. The energy of the Ten Thousand Battles Ten Thousand Deaths Palm gathered at the center of his palm. Somehow, the once violent energy of the thunder qi felt refined, as if tamed into something docile.

Dan Woo-sung molded the shape with the thunder energy blossoming from his heart.

Somehow, there was a belief that the form of qi would manifest according to one’s intent.

The signature form of the White Flower Divine Art used by Baekyak is a single ice flower crafted from pure, icy coldness.

Danwoo-seong, having reached a new realm with the Baekjeon Sipdan Gong itself, fashioned that form on his palm like a creator. It was cast in a state where intention and instinct mingled, where the realms of the five senses, enlightenment, and the unconscious overlapped.

It was neither a flower nor a weapon.

A thin yet distinct white thread writhed. Moreover, the energy channeled into the palm hadn’t even reached the first level.

What should this be called?

Describing its form directly, it was white silk.

To Danwooseong, this delicate white thread appeared heartbreakingly beautiful. On his palm, a single strand of white silk swayed and danced about as if in sheer delight.

Danwooseong knew that by increasing his power and unleashing it, this white sand would become a whip, the whip would become a thunderbolt, and the thunderbolt would ultimately become a thunder dragon.

This vision was so vividly clear that Danwooseong was deeply moved.

The fundamental anxiety of wondering, “Have I truly lived diligently all this time?” had vanished.

The reward was right before his eyes.

In the martial world, happiness comes in the moment you confirm you’ve grown further by faithfully living each day.

Dan Woo-seong was happy today, for once.

All of this was also due to Gwangshin, Baekdo’s senior. The man reputed as the craziest in the martial world had drastically altered Danwooseong’s fate.

When Danwooseong turned his head, he saw Gwangshin also sitting cross-legged, deep in concentration.

Dan Wooseong closed his eyes again to avoid disturbing his senior and began the Great Heavenly Circuit once more. This was a precious opportunity gained after a long time and many twists and turns. He couldn’t help but be desperate. The food he had eaten excessively seemed to have been consumed in preparation for this moment, digesting within Dan Wooseong’s body.

After a long while, Gwangshin spoke with his eyes still closed.

“Junior.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Have you heard of the name Cheonnyanju-gwa?”

“I have.”

“See if it will be part of your destiny. If it cannot be found in the Land of Oblivion, it will not appear in the martial world for the time being.”

“Understood.”

“The most delicious liquor in the martial world is Natural Dew Fruit. Its appearance resembles clear dewdrops, and while its scent varies, here it would likely be similar to peach blossoms. It might be at the base, pooled on a branch, or waiting in a place we never expected. I believe the essence of the Nameless Garden lies somewhere.”

Danwooseong stepped forward as if taking turns with Gwangshin, surveying the nameless garden before soaring into the air. From the highest vantage point, he gazed down as if observing the battlefield.

Of course, Danwooseong knew about the Celestial Fruit.

The reason Oryo-mun lived in the mountains was because he lived like a hermit searching for elixirs. To perfect the martial arts of Extreme Yang, an endless supply of elixirs was necessary. Of course, finding natural elixirs or the Gongcheong Stone Oil was no easy task.

It was almost as if their absence was the natural state of things.

Danwooseong had no desire to tear through this nameless paradise to the point of destroying it.

Having reached the opposite cliff, Dan Wooseong examined how the peach trees spread out before gazing at the precipice.

The pebble pushed from Danwooseong’s toes tumbled down the cliff. Kwangshin, who had already risen from his cross-legged position, approached and looked down the cliff with him.

Dan Woo-sung said.

“Senior, it seems there’s nothing here.”

Kwang-shin nodded.

“I searched for quite a while too, but couldn’t find it. It’s only natural it’s not here.”

Dan Wooseong stared at Gwangshin like a madman.

“But we should check below this cliff.”

Kwang-shin burst out laughing.

“Hahahahaha…”

It was a sheer, bottomless precipice. Dan Woo-sung joined Gwang-shin in his laughter.

“Hahahahaha…”

They were two people whose minds and natures were in perfect harmony. Gwangshin said to Danwooseong.

“If you want to check, you’ll have to try it. Don’t die. It’s quite high.”

“Watch your back, senior.”

“Let’s go.”

“Let’s go.”

Both men leaped off the cliff simultaneously. Gwangshin fell through the air with his arms crossed, and Danwooseong quickly mimicked his posture.

They were truly madmen.

There was absolutely no guarantee that the elixir was down there. The two falling figures, of course, weren’t looking out over the cliff’s edge. As they plummeted, sweeping along the cliff face, they simultaneously unleashed a surge of force into the air, then clung to the cliff like lizards climbing up and down it.

The two clung to the cliff face, locked eyes, then shot upward into the air. As if by mutual agreement, they spun their bodies, swung their arms, and landed on a ledge jutting out midway up the cliff. A cave appeared before them. Looking up, the entire peak seemed split in two from this cave, its end stretching all the way to the Land of Eternal Bliss.

Kwang-shin said.

“Let’s go in.”

The cave interior was spacious. Looking up at the ceiling, faint rays of light streamed down. From somewhere, the sound of dripping water echoed rhythmically.

Drip… drip… drip…

The two who followed the sound arrived, stood with their arms crossed, gazed at the ceiling and the pool of water, then looked around.

Dan Woo-sung felt his heart flutter involuntarily.

Kwang-shin spat out a single word.

“Damn it.”

Dan Woo-sung looked around as if he couldn’t believe it either. Juice from peaches that had fallen from the Myeongmyeong Garden pooled in various spots. The places where it pooled were bizarre too. It pooled like egg yolk on stalactites that jutted up from the floor like icicles. This pooled water looked exactly like a miraculous elixir, like natural fruit wine.

Kwang-shin spoke.

“I don’t know what to make of this either. I can’t even tell if it’s a natural fruit wine.”

If it had been confined to just one spot, Gwangshin would have recommended it to Danwooseong, but this was something he didn’t need to concede.

Dan Woosung was utterly stunned.

This was a spiritual elixir that could only be obtained by a master of at least the Baekyak level. Even knowing the location, only a handful of masters could enter here. In that sense, Danwooseong was already more than qualified to receive such a stroke of luck.

Dan Wooseong said.

“You’ll know once you taste it. Senior, have a drink.”

Kwang-shin retorted.

“You might die. For all things in heaven and earth come without explanation.”

Dan Wooseong gazed at the yolk pooled in a single stalactite. Even now, fruit juice dripping from the ceiling followed the stalactite clinging to it, making a plop sound. Dan Wooseong slurped down the natural fruit juice that seemed ready to overflow, then swallowed it with a gulp.

Instantly, Dan Wooseong’s face flushed bright red.

Kwang-shin asked anxiously.

“How is it?”

Danwooseong replied, feeling the heat rising throughout his entire body.

“It’s liquor. Have a drink. Ha ha ha ha, you won’t die. Drink up.”

Danwooseong burst out laughing as he wandered around inside the cave, and Kwangshin responded while watching Danwooseong’s expression and gestures.

“You’re drunk. After just one glass? Pathetic…”

As soon as Gwang-shin downed a glass of the natural wine, his face flushed and he immediately started hiccuping. Dan Woo-sung had already moved on to the next stalactite and was drinking more natural wine.

Gwang-shin squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them and said.

“Junior.”

Dan Wooseong replied in a drawn-out tone.

“Yes, Senior. This is natural liquor, right?”

Kwang-shin said.

“Ah, that sounds about right. Let’s just drink this today and die.”

Dan Wooseong waved his hand dismissively.

“Senior, what kind of weak talk is that… Drink up, and we’ll take over this place. Three shots, coming right up.”

The two drunks began chugging the natural liquor.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong