Chapter 394: Mysterious Woman (4)

"Reveal your identity right now!"

"If not, you're putting your life on the line!"

Crack

The bhikkhuni looked wary. While they were shouting, they already surrounded him.

Seol-Hwi's eyes stayed on them for a moment.

I heard the Emei Sect was known to have a temper...

A bhikkhuni who focused on making offerings and practicing meditation. A bhikkhuni of such sort was now threatening his life.

Which meant these were no mere words.

They were all building a formation; it seemed like it was not their first time coming across such a situation.

"Hmm. I am... a member of the Qingcheng sect. I want to receive teachings from the Emei Sect."

Seol-Hwi wanted to resolve this through talks, so he spoke of his past affiliation.

The martial arts of the Qingcheng sect sometimes have a harsh nature, so much so that its martial arts were mistaken to be of the evil faction's martial arts.

But—

"Qingcheng? Don't try to joke!"

"There is a difference between that disgusting thing; it could work in other places, but do you think lying would work in the Emei Sect?"

This.

Unexpectedly, they were stubborn. Judging by what they said, more than other sects, they could distinguish between normal and imperfect energy.

But Seol-Hwi was not backing down either.

"How can things always go the way you want in the world? While learning the martial arts of Qingcheng, some chaotic energy had entered the body. At this rate, I cannot see my master. Since I have no pride to stand by now, I came at the risk of coming out as rude to resolve the matter."

"You! Go away now!"

"Stop talking nonsense, will you not, go back now!"

Such walls.

Seol-Hwi was troubled by the women's unwillingness to listen to anything, let alone try persuading them.

No matter how much one thought about it, fighting was the worst.

The moment they exchanged swords, they were bound to become hostile.

If that happened, problems that could be solved now through conversation became unsolvable. So, while he was thinking that it would be better to resolve with words, the women reacted swiftly.

"That guy is thinking! Attack that guy! Now!"

Shhh. Tak!

At the shout of someone from the back, the women in front began to lower their stance and approach.

It cannot be helped.

Seol-Hwi had no choice but to prepare to fight. But he did not even think about it since this situation arose.

Ugh!

The profound internal qi shook the entire forest.

At the sound of the woman's voice, the bhikkhuni's movements stopped as if they had been put on a leash.

"...?"

When Seol-Hwi, who did not feel any presence at all, was flustered, this person came.

"Put your weapons down! Didn't Satae Jinye say it!"

Only then did everyone put their spears, axes, and swords down.

The bhikkhuni stepped to the side, and there were two women walking between them slowly.

Ah!

Seol-Hwi was surprised to see that. First of all, he was not surprised to see the bhikkhuni.

A woman dressed in Taoist attire and not Buddhist attire was there. And she was coming to him. Next to her was a woman who seemed to be an attendant.

"Did you say you are from... the Qingcheng Sect...?"

The woman stopped her attendant and approached Seol-Hwi. There was a shine in her eyes, and it was clear she knew martial arts.

"Right."

"Then let's check this first."

"Check?"

Shhh

While Seol-Hwi was puzzled, the woman with her hair tied walked back and handed out the sword to the attendant.

Shkk.

Then, as soon as she took the sword, she threw the sword to Seol-Hwi.

"...This?"

Seol-Hwi opened his eyes wide after receiving the sword. It was to ask what her intention was.

But she did not answer.

Pat

This was because she received another sword and ran at him, unsheathing her sword.

Papapapat!

The sudden distance and footwork made Seol-Hwi step back, narrowly avoiding the sword energy that passed by his original position.

Swish!

What is this...?

At first glance, it was not a simple attack but a sword technique.

This was an intention to kill without considering the circumstances.

"What are you doing?"

Seol-Hwi frowned and looked at her.

"What am I doing? Shouldn't you prove it?"

The woman asked as if it was natural.

"Ahh."

Seol-Hwi shook his head.

Even the Qingcheng Sect, which often fought and sparred, was not this fierce. Indeed, the Emei Sect was the best among the Nine Great Sects. Well, it was clearer proof to show once than to say a thousand words.

Tak!

Seol-Hwi raised his sword and assumed a neutral form of the Justice faction of the Clear Wind Sword technique.

He was contemplating using one of the sword techniques which felt right in his grip.

Pat!

However, as soon as he took the stance, the opponent rushed with sword energy. At the same time, he sensed that it was different from before.

As Seol-Hwi felt the silver light move, he swiftly executed the Flying Flow Step and ascended into the air.

Shhh!

The silver sword gently passed over the spot Seol-Hwi had occupied.

What is this...?

Seol-Hwi, having evaded the sword technique, was taken aback.

This phenomenon, where the condensed sword energy passed through without cutting the grass, was later revealed to be the unique form of the Emei Sect known as the One Slash Feeler Moving Sword.

The sword energy was soft and light as a willow branch blowing in the wind, but if struck forcefully, it could split apart.

It was also mentioned that it could escalate into something significant.

Seol-Hwi's movement reconfirmed the silver sword. This time, the sword energy split into dozens, attacking and blocking all retreat paths.

That was when he realized this was going to be tricky.

Ehhh—

The sword energy pierced Seol-Hwi's body but soon dispersed in all directions.

Dozens of illusions materialized and scattered in the wind.

"Illusion Steps!"

A nun, observing the scene, was astonished. It was a moment ago that Seol-Hwi had executed the technique of the Qingcheng Sect.

Tuk

Seol-Hwi reappeared amidst the gusty wind, standing on a tree at the edge of a cliff.

Clack

The tree branch swayed, yet Seol-Hwi remained composed.

"Do you wish to continue?"

In response to Seol-Hwi's query, she shook her head and sheathed her sword.

"You are a Taoist of the Qingcheng sect."

"..."

"Please, follow me. Someone is waiting to see you."

With that, the woman turned around.

Phew...

Only then did Seol-Hwi catch his breath. Despite pushing his body to its limits during training, employing the martial arts of the Qingcheng Sect seemed to be effective to some extent.

Sacred Temple.

A historical temple where Buddhist scriptures were meticulously preserved. For Seol-Hwi, the Emei Sect was a name he had heard of before, albeit in passing.

However, it was easy to discern the path by following the footsteps of the woman leading the way to the temple.

This was because ascending Mount Emei led to the Fuhu Temple.

"But what message did you receive?"

After walking for a considerable time, Seol-Hwi, curious, inquired, but received no response.

All he received was a stern look from the woman, who was his guide.

They seem reticent.

After ascending the mountain path for a while, they reached the main temple.

Just as Seol-Hwi thought they had arrived at the main temple, which he had heard was revered—

"This way."

Step

The woman leading suddenly gave directions.

"...?"

Step. Step.

Unlike the dry mountain path, the ground was slightly damp. After walking down the road for a while, he came across a place that seemed like a cave, and the woman went inside and motioned for him to follow.

The wind blew. The harsh wind from outside rushed into the cool cave.

A cave that was humid but did not have a musty smell.

A dark place with no light, but the rocks and boulders inside quickly became visible.

He could distinguish it because the moss in the cave was glowing faintly.

Step. Step. Step.

After walking for a while, there appeared to be a place with a door attached to a torch, and the woman stopped there.

"My task ends here. There are two people inside, so hurry up there."

I know...

"Ah."

At the familiar name, Seol-Hwi felt that he had come to the right place.

Step

Without saying a word, the bhikkhuni who had led him here left.

Seol-Hwi slowly approached the door and pretended to be welcomed.

"Is anyone inside?"

A brief silence fell.

When he was about to ask again, he heard a sound from inside.

"Please come in."

Seol-Hwi slowly opened the door and went in.

There was a small, unknown Buddha statue in the cave, and a familiar face was visible.

"...My hunch was right, I thought I'd see you again."

Seol-Hwi nodded.

As expected, she spoke confidently and he sat down next to her.

"Then you also know why I came, right? You know, right?"

This time Seol-Hwi felt a bit embarrassed.

Do all the memories of previous encounters not exist for her?

"Huh! Do not be that flustered. We know what you said."

"Ah, right."

Seol-Hwi, who had been worried for a moment, breathed a sigh of relief. If she could not remember, there was no way he would have gotten permission to come this far.

"Let us listen from the start."

"Well, as you know. I failed to combine the Yin and Yang qi. I cannot find a way... and so I am here."

"I did tell you this before too. It is impossible. How can cold and warm be combined? This is against the law of nature."

Seol-Hwi nodded at the words.

"Like the Yin and Yang I said before, I tried to achieve balance by mixing Taiji. But I am having difficulties with the process. If you know a way to achieve the balance, then let me know."

The woman did not respond to his words right then. Rather, she frowned like something was bothering her.

"What is the problem? Why are you trying to balance it?"

"...?"

Seol-Hwi was puzzled and asked again.

"Why shouldn't it be?"

"We should try harmony first then balance. Two different energies and they collide, it adds another energy to it."

What does this mean?

Seol-Hwi was flustered.

If it were the same situation, it would be different from what she said before.

Although he was a bit confused, he was even more convinced with her next words.

"What is the other energy?"

"Dantian."

She continued to speak calmly.

"Lower and middle dantian. These two energies are controlled and harmonized by the upper dantian. In the end, what we accept is the human body and so we create harmony within it and then reach the state of God.

"Why? Did I say something wrong?"

No, it was different. Same thing, same situation.

But she clearly had a different solution than before.