Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation-Chapter 454: Emergency Training (4)

When Seol-Hwi checked Cheong Heo’s condition, countless scenarios for saving him flashed through his mind.

What if he used a good spiritual pill?

Of course, it would help.

However, it would only assist in maintaining a proper balance; a fundamental cure was impossible.

Moreover, there was a concern that using too potent a spiritual pill could further harm his health.

This was because powerful spiritual pills contained strong yang or yin qi, which could be toxic to those with weak innate qi in the body.

In the end, there was no way to revive the nearly extinguished innate energy.

Certainly, he hadn’t forgotten the ‘resurrection ability’ that was expected to be gained by eliminating the mission.

However, considering the timing and the nature of the person known as Siming Star, he was inevitably hesitant about using that ability.

‘What about responding through physical changes according to the level?’

This was the most realistic method Seol-Hwi had come up with.

Of course, it didn’t refer to the level from first-rate to peak warrior, and from peak to master.

It was about phenomena like the Unity of Mind and Sword, or the State of Enlightenment, or the Extreme Path.

In other words, it was something that would require a world-altering event, significant enough to remodel the body.

Coincidentally, since Cheong Heo’s level was already near enlightenment, wouldn’t he reach the State of Enlightenment with just a little help?

‘That too, in the end…….’

Seol-Hwi saw that it would ultimately hasten his demise.

Because his innate qi was so weak, there was a high possibility that his vitality would not withstand and dissipate upon reaching the State of Enlightenment.

In other words, after entering enlightenment, a phenomenon like a final blaze could occur.

Therefore, he tried to avoid the level increase.

‘But if this could be the opportunity to resolve Master’s regret…….’

In another world, Cheong Heo would truly live a difficult life.

It could be a miserable life, dying lonely in an empty room.

If he thought of it that way, in this life, Seol-Hwi hoped that Cheong Heo himself, not others, would be recognized by Qingcheng.

Even if he lived miserably in another world, for Cheong Heo too, wouldn’t it be truly a welcome thing?

“Are you saying that a martial arts tournament with the three sects will be held?”

Cheong Heo asked.

He seemed somewhat surprised by the fact that not disciples, but elder-level figures would participate.

‘Even if one is not attending, it’s a significant matter for the sect, yet there’s no one to inform Master.’

It wasn’t yet widespread enough to reach the ears of the second-class disciples, but still, Cheong Heo was of a rank among elders, or even at the level of Taoist Hall Leaders.

Seol-Hwi felt a tinge of bitterness about Cheong Heo’s position but did not show it.

“Yes. From what I hear, it’s a competition where Taoists of each state and above participate, a true martial contest.”

“Hahaha. Such a thing could easily escalate into a pride fight between sects, a highly dangerous affair…….”

“Perhaps that’s why they asked my sahyung to mediate.”

“Ah. Yes, the world’s best person has come to our sect.”

Cheong Heo now understood and lightly tapped his head.

He felt embarrassed about worrying in front of a Taoist representing Wudang.

“Are you interested?”

Seol-Hwi observed Cheong Heo’s reaction and cautiously broached the subject.

“Haha. There’s an old saying to look where you lie down before stretching your legs. I’m concerned about whether I can handle even one of the sect’s disciples with this body, let alone compete against warriors representing Kongtong and Kunlun.”

“Does it only find meaning if you win there?”

“What do you mean?”

“I wondered if the meaning of displaying martial arts is solely about defeating others, crushing them, and trampling on them.”

“Well….”

Cheongh Heo’s eyes wavered, almost uttering the obvious.

A question about why one learns martial arts.

In a way, it was a question about what kind of attitude one has towards martial arts.

“What does the martial art of Qingcheng mean to you, elder Cheong Heo?”

Despite Seol-Hwi’s repeated questions, Cheong Heo merely twitched his lips, unable to answer immediately.

Just as a brief silence enveloped the surroundings.

“I understand the meaning of what you said, Taoist.”

Cheong Heo softly began to speak, then bowed his head.

“Yet, I fear that only my inadequacies will be exposed like a hollow echo.”

“What if you’re a bit lacking? What if you’re a bit clumsy?”

“…….”

“If you could show me what the sword of Qingcheng means to you, it would be a great lesson for a Taoist like me.”

As Cheong Heo looked at him, Seol-Hwi showed his respect.

“Actually, I’ve always thought I’d like to witness the martial arts of Qingcheng if given a chance. Would you grant me this teaching opportunity?”

“Wudang Taoist…”

“I really want to learn. What the sword of Qingcheng is, no, what the spirit of Qingcheng is.”

The fear that Cheong Heo harbored.

Seol-Hwi decided to address that firmly first.

The Training Hall Leader was briefly out in the backyard prepared behind the Taoist temple.

After the event, he was enjoying a sweet rest during a short break.

“It feels like life is tangled somehow…”

He had already visited two or three places since participating in the morning event.

Then, he managed to slip away here during a short break.

But he couldn’t afford to be careless.

He heard that there was a suggestion to attend a seminar with the elders scheduled for the afternoon.

“Still, thanks to his help, I’m having some amazing experiences.”

The Training Hall Leader was increasingly realizing that he had reached a new level.

Every time he met someone from Qingcheng, he could tell what level they had reached and what level of enlightenment they were staying at.

He had even reached the point where he could sense the other’s emotions without having to examine them himself.

It felt like he had become a god.

“To think that there are beings I cannot subdue even with this level of power, just how strong are they… hmm.”

The Training Hall Leader stopped himself mid-sentence. He realized that the presence he felt from behind earlier had approached him.

“Were you here?”

“Huh? What brings you here, Taoist?”

The Training Hall Leader flashed a bright smile.

This time, it wasn’t an act.

It was because the person in front of him was known as the strongest in Qingcheng Sect.

“I hope I didn’t disrupt your peace by coming here. Despite that, I earnestly found my way here, shamelessly.”

“How could you say that? If Taoist Cheong Mu, known as the pillar of Qingcheng, has come here, there must be a reason. It is an honor for me as well.”

The person was Cheong Mu.

He was the figure pointed out as the representative master of Qingcheng at the tournament, and the only Taoist in Qingcheng who had reached the Supreme level.

“Please, have a seat next to me.”

A stone chair happened to be opposite the Training Hall Leader, and he gladly followed the suggestion.

“But, what is the matter?”

Upon hearing that the visitor had come earnestly, the Training Hall Leader skipped unnecessary compliments and got straight to the point.

Cheong Mu seemed to catch on to this intent and did not beat around the bush any further.

“Could you first take a look at my Clear Wind Sword Technique?”

Seol-Hwi and Cheong Heo moved to a secluded clearing with few people around.

This was to avoid any misunderstanding by the sect members who might witness the scene.

“What technique will you demonstrate?”

Seol-Hwi asked about the martial arts his master was about to show.

“The Clear Wind Sword Technique.”

“Ah, indeed.”

It was a choice befitting Cheong Heo.

The core of Qingcheng Sect is the Clear Wind, after all.

“I will begin.”

As his sword dance commenced, Seol-Hwi became serious.

The essence of the Clear Wind Sword Technique, which he usually knew and used, was based on the philosophy of his former master, Cheong Heo.

Although it had been refined and passed down over time, the philosophy left by his master remained unchanged.

Therefore, he couldn’t help but be curious about where Cheong Heo stood now.

“Ha. Haha.”

As the technique unfolded, Seol-Hwi’s expression gradually brightened.

Cheong Heo was no longer at the stage of evaluating the smoothness of technique connections achievable only at the peak.

A person who had surpassed the pinnacle and reached transcendence.

He was demonstrating the unique flow of techniques that only those who entered that realm could execute.

The currents generated within that flow contained significant meaning, which was why his expression brightened.

‘Ah! Master already possesses it.’

As the Clear Wind Sword Technique neared its end, Seol-Hwi was amazed to see it being executed at a higher level than expected.

When one reaches the state of transcendence, not only the flow of qi but also a philosophy infused with the learning disciple’s interpretation begins to be contained within martial arts.

The Clear Wind Sword Technique possesses the freedom to move anywhere like the wind.

This becomes the essence of creating whirlwinds upon reaching the level of enlightenment.

However, what surprised Seol-Hwi was not just discovering this.

The Clear Wind Sword Technique needed to be accompanied by a controlled comfort that sometimes felt like a sanctuary.

That was the most difficult part to understand and interpret.

Most of the Qingcheng Sect did not understand the meaning of controlled comfort and normal comfort.

‘Well, Master knew from the beginning. Looking down from above was something Master always said.’

Whether it was martial arts or life.

Seol-Hwi didn’t know where that philosophy originated, but it was truly the right path.

Comfort that can be controlled by oneself.

This, when reaching the state of transcendence in the future, causes the qi’s permeating the whirlwind to create a thunderous phenomenon, acting as ultimate power.

In other words, it becomes a phenomenon where comfort transforms into ferocity.

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Therefore, the Clear Wind Sword Technique was a sword technique that contained this dual meaning within it.

‘It’s just that even though the interpretation was sufficiently well done, the reason Master couldn’t reach the level of enlightenment was because he couldn’t harmoniously resolve this duality.’

Only then did Seol-Hwi seem to understand his master’s current position.

And the teachings of his master, who had guided him onto the right path, were considered immensely precious.

If he had learned from someone else in Qingcheng, there would have been no guarantee of reaching the state of transcendence.

The Training Hall Leader was experiencing a mysterious experience where joy and awkwardness coexisted.

Watching the Taoist Cheong Mu perform the Clear Wind Sword Technique brought back memories of a moment in the past when he almost faced death.

‘The martial arts that Myung Hwi displayed.’

Thinking that the martial art from back then was the Clear Wind Sword Technique, how could he not feel a sense of familiarity?

Yet, at the same time, he felt awkwardness due to a strange sense of alienation.

Of course, even if what he experienced was the final, evolved form of the Clear Wind Sword Technique, the swordsmanship that was being displayed by Taoist Cheong Mu before his eyes felt somehow off.

‘This isn’t the dual aspect of the wind from back then?’

He remembered the events of that time clearly.

The thunder contained within the vortex.

Although the full power is only unleashed upon reaching the Hyeon level, at least someone who has reached the Supreme level should be able to mimic it to some extent.

However, Cheong Mu seemed to be using only one side of the dual aspect of the wind that the Clear Wind Sword Technique possesses.

As a result, the air currents he unleashed with qi felt merely strong and powerful, without any particular impression.

It was embarrassing compared to the stormy thunder that had once driven him to the brink of death.

Swoosh—

“Phew.”

Cheong Mu let out a long breath after finishing the technique.

Although he didn’t release a strong internal qi, the refined sword still required considerable concentration.

It allowed the Training Hall Leader, who was watching, to imagine what it would be like if the internal qi were released.

“What did you think?”

“I watched very well.”

“Thank you.”

Cheong Mu expressed his gratitude and then continued speaking.

“I’ll be straightforward. There’s always been a question that has followed me while using this sword technique.”

“What is it?”

“It’s that I feel I cannot progress any further from here.”

Stagnation.

To put it simply in one word, it was that.

Of course, all martial artists experience this, but in Cheong Mu’s case, it was a bit different.

It felt as if any clue itself had disappeared.

The Training Hall Leader understood well enough without further explanation that it meant such.

“……Therefore, I can no longer find any further meaning. Do you perhaps have any insights, Training Hall Leader?”

The Training Hall Leader stroked his chin in silence.

Then he subtly glanced at Cheong Mu’s reaction, lifted his head, and then, with a groan, bowed his head again as if deep in thought.

He casually blurted out the words.

“It seems you have taken the wrong path.”