Chapter 173: Breaking Through The Gateway Of Life And Death (2)
Yi-gang looked at Dam Hyun.
The place where they were was a flat area in front of a rock that could block the wind.
Yesterday, after achieving the accomplishment of the Five Elements Divine Art and finishing a short period of seclusion training, Yi-gang informed Dam Hyun about the necessity to break through the Gateway of Life and Death.
In order to successfully perform the ritual to turn the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai, and to extend Yi-gang’s lifespan as well, Dam Hyun’s reaction was intense.
Most of it was anger at the near failure to turn the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai, but there might have been a little concern for his junior brother as well.
“First, let’s diagnose your condition.”
“Yes.”
Though the rolling of his eyes might suggest otherwise.
“First, your Ren meridian has been opened. Thanks to your ancestor.”
“That’s right.”
“But when you circulate energy, you don’t do it only through the Ren meridian. You move the energy from the Qihai point through the Ren meridian, up to the Tiantu acupoint on the right shoulder, and then across the elbow to the Neiguan acupoint. Do you know why?”
“To compensate for the inability to use the minor circulation, extending the process of energy circulation to smooth the gathering of energy and to imbue the sword with Qi.”
It was a process both Yi-gang and Dam Hyun knew.
“That’s right, it’s for you to wield the sword better. It’s far from the true meaning of cultivation.”
Dam Hyun stood up and tapped Yi-gang on the top of his head lightly.
“The path up to the Baihui point is clear. And here lies the Gateway of Life and Death.”
“I’ve tried feeling it with my Qi several times, but the Gateway of Life and Death is blocked. Trying to force it open would likely result in death in nine out of ten attempts, or turn one into an idiot.”
Yi-gang had attempted it as well.
But he could not muster the courage to proceed and had given up on opening the Gateway of Life and Death.
“Why do you think it’s called the Gateway of Life and Death? Because it’s the gate where life and death diverge. Only martial artists who have reached the level of the Evolutionary realm dare to attempt opening it.”Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m
“What about those Supreme Peak masters who have not opened the Gateway of Life and Death?”
“Many are too afraid to attempt it. It’s a waste to become a high-level master only to go mad or die in the attempt.”
In conclusion, those of lower levels cannot open the Gateway of Life and Death.
However, Dam Hyun wouldn’t have elaborated without having a solution.
“That’s why we reverse the order. With my help, you will be able to open the Gateway of Life and Death.”
Dam Hyun spread out a white cloth. On it lay the silver needles he had seen before, both large and small.
Dam Hyun, who was knowledgeable in medicine, seemed to imply these were no ordinary items.
“The reason only Supreme Peak masters can do it is because of their incredible control over Qi. It’s so delicate that it’s incomparable to ordinary people.”
It was an explanation that made sense. Yi-gang was known for his delicate handling of Qi with his unique sensitivity.
However, even so, he doubted he could compare to a Supreme Peak master.
“Using a great technique, I’ll elevate your senses to a level similar to that of a supreme master.”
In the martial world, nothing was as ominous as something named a great technique.
“It’s called the Hundred Refined Great Technique.”
“...Isn’t that a demonic art? The name sounds like it.”
“What nonsense! It’s a great technique of the orthodox Taoist sect!”
Dam Hyun retorted sharply, flustered.
However, his credibility was undermined as he brandished a fearsome long needle while speaking.
“Well... it is a great technique that has been banned.”
“...How banned is it?”
“Don’t worry. Using the great technique won’t cripple your martial arts, maybe just a few years locked up in the Repentance Cave?”
“...”
Yi-gang asked why the great technique was banned.
Dam Hyun answered like he had been waiting for that question.
“It’s extremely painful.”
“...And?”
“So... it tends to leave quite a few aftereffects.”
“What kind of aftereffects.”
“Not many people die from it...”
The very fact that people died from using the great technique was the problem.
When Yi-gang glared, Dam Hyun continued to stammer but kept on answering.
“It’s quite common for a few blood vessels to tear by mistake. And Qi deviation is inevitable. From what I see, your mental state isn’t great already, so Qi deviation is a certainty. Heh.”
Yi-gang washed his face with his hands.
He couldn’t deny it.
Lately, his impatience and anxiety had been growing, and he barely remembered the last time he felt at ease.
“So, using the great technique to break through the Gateway of Life and Death, what’s the probability of ending up alright?”
“...Uh, there hasn’t been a case of someone being completely fine. Qi deviation is a certainty.”
Qi deviation might sound trivial, but in reality, it could determine the future of a martial artist.
Yi-gang sighed.
“Phew...”
“So, you’re not going to do it?”
When Dam Hyun asked, Yi-gang answered without hesitation.
“I have to.”
There was no other choice. If he couldn’t overcome the current situation, leaving the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon aside, Yi-gang himself would die within a few years.
Dam Hyun smirked.
“Right, I’ll help you, so don’t worry. Trust your senior brother. Ehehe.”
“Yes, you said he’s in seclusion training. But what on earth prompted him to undertake seclusion training now?”
Ha-jun glanced at Dam Hyun, then said to them, “He’s attempting to break through the Gateway of Life and Death.”
“...What?”
The Golden Needle Phantom, with a face that seemed to question if he heard wrong, asked again, “He’s attempting what?”
“To connect the Ren and Du meridians...”
“Wait, why? No, that shouldn’t be possible. Yi-gang isn’t at that level...”
It was a natural reaction.
Ha-jun relayed the circumstances under which the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox requested it, and that Dam Hyun had agreed to help.
However, the Golden Needle Phantom’s reaction was unexpected.
“There’s no way such a fanciful method exists! If that were the case, the Demon Cult would have already produced Supreme Peak masters. Dam Hyun, you scoundrel!”
“Yes, Senior Uncle.”
“You better give a proper explanation.”
“Would I have lied? Yi-gang is doing well.”
“This guy...”
Ha-jun was taken aback by the Golden Needle Phantom’s words.
If such a method didn’t exist, then was Yi-gang wasting his efforts?
Fortunately, it seemed that was not the case.
Yu Jeong-shin, who had been maintaining a gentle expression, stepped forward.
Having restrained the Golden Needle Phantom, he asked Dam Hyun with a serious face.
“Hyun.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Do not lie to me. What is the name of this great technique?”
“It’s the Hundred Refined Great Technique.”
“You... You fool!”
Yu Jeong-shin, who rarely showed anger, burst out in rage.
“Has your madness recurred? Knowing what that great technique entails...”
“It’s a technique to awaken the senses. It’s the only way to breach the Gateway of Life and Death within two months.”
“You foolish boy!”
Yu Jeong-shin tightly grasped the shoulders of Dam Hyun, who was notably taller than himself.
“Are you trying to kill your junior brother! Why would you teach your junior brother a worthless great technique that would kill or cripple everyone who attempts it!”
Ha-jun’s face turned pale.
However, a smile still lingered on Dam Hyun’s face.
“I did well on my own!”
“You brat!”
Yu Jeong-shin, unable to contain his anger any longer, pushed Dam Hyun away.
But the result was more dramatic than expected.
Instead of just staggering back, Dam Hyun rolled on the ground like a paper doll, surprising even Yu Jeong-shin.
“Ugh. You’re really strong... Cough!”
Dam Hyun tried to stand up but fell back down with a violent cough, spitting out bright red blood.
“You...”
“Cough, cough, didn’t I say I took care of it.”
The Golden Needle Phantom quickly took action.
He laid Dam Hyun back down and began to take his pulse with a grave expression, then gasped in shock.
“You crazy brat, why do you have no Qi?”
“...Because I used it all.”
“The Qi used should naturally recover. It’s against the natural order for the dantian to be completely empty like this.”
“That’s what happens when you use your Innate True Qi.”
“Don’t tell me, you transferred your Innate True Qi to Yi-gang...”
“Otherwise, Yi-gang would have either burst his blood vessels or become crippled. What else was I supposed to do?”
The implication of the Golden Needle Phantom’s words was clear.
Both Pahan and Ha-jun had faces of disbelief.
“Transferring internal energy to Yi-gang...”
“It’s a bit different from that. Yi-gang doesn’t know anything about it. And I didn’t give him all of it. I can’t die before that brat.”
Dam Hyun supported Yi-gang’s great technique by sacrificing his own Innate True Qi and internal energy.
No one expected the characteristically eccentric man to do such a thing for his junior brother.
Dam Hyun retorted bluntly.
“...Why are you all looking at me like that? This is a chance to create a Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox, how could I let it slip away?”
“Ah... Hyun.”
Yu Jeong-shin sighed with mixed feelings at his brazen tone.
For Dam Hyun as a martial artist, his future was essentially blocked.
“Brighten up, Master. Did you really expect two Supreme Peak masters to emerge from just the two disciples you have?”
“That’s not the issue at hand.”
“Not the issue... Don’t worry. I am a genius, aren’t I?” Dam Hyun declared confidently. “One can become strong even without martial arts.”
“...Ah.”
Yu Jeong-shin continued to sigh.