Chapter 14 ….
Chapter 8: Mount of Repentance (1)
The Honyun Divine Art was fundamentally different from ordinary heart-method techniques.
This was because, as Mujin had previously explained, it was a technique that utilized the Innate Vital Energy—the very essence of human life.
Unlike ordinary internal energy, which is usually stored in the lower dantian, innate vital energy is stored in the middle dantian, located between the chest.
Even masters who had reached the highest realms were rarely able to manipulate innate vital energy.
Although innate vital energy is much stronger than ordinary internal energy, it is rooted in the life force of the practitioner.
For that reason, using it recklessly would soon lead to death or permanent debilitation.
However, by employing the Honyun Divine Art, one could increase the amount of innate vital energy stored in the middle dantian and, even if used, replenish it back to its original state.
In other words, it allowed one to wield innate vital energy freely, almost like ordinary internal energy.
When one thinks of the Blood King Cheon Moon-deok, the mind usually jumps to his extreme Quick Sword skills, but in truth, the Quick Sword alone had its limits.
Once a practitioner reached a realm beyond absolute mastery, profound internal energy became indispensable.
Cheon Moon-deok, the Blood King, used the Honyun Divine Art to wield innate vital energy far more potent than ordinary internal energy.
As a result, in terms of internal strength, he was fully on par with other martial masters.
“Master, I wish I could continue training by your side, but it seems I can no longer do so. Please practice diligently within safe limits,” Mujin said cautiously.
It was clear he worried since he could no longer watch over him constantly.
“If you encounter a blockage, do not push yourself too hard. Since this technique deals with innate vital energy, recklessness could endanger your life.”
Mujin spent entire nights passing on the Honyun Divine Art to Yeong-ho.
Ideally, he would have had more time to teach step by step and supervise closely, but reality did not allow it.
Fortunately, Yeong-ho, despite his age and the loss of internal energy, had once held the second-strongest martial power in the Jeomchang Sect, giving him exceptional understanding.
“Truly, thank you,” Yeong-ho said.
Though he had unexpectedly inherited the Honyun Divine Art, many questions swirled in Yeong-ho’s mind.
Yet, rather than dwelling on complex doubts, it seemed wiser, as Mujin had advised, to diligently practice the technique first.
He had questions about controlling innate vital energy itself, but he sensed depth in the hand seals, and above all, he trusted his disciple, Mujin.
“Soon, people from the Hyeong-eui Hall will arrive. Time passes quickly, so you must remain safe until then.”
“Do not worry about me. You should take care as well. Life at Mount of Repentance will not be easy.”
Passing on the Honyun Divine Art left them no time to share farewells; time slipped away quickly.
With only a short time left before those from the Hyeong-eui Hall would arrive, they finally exchanged parting words.
“Mujin.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Take this.”
“What is it?”
Yeong-ho handed Mujin a thick tome.
Mujin could not hide his surprise upon reading the title on the cover.
“The Sail Sword Method…!”
The book contained the essence of the Sail Sword Method, the supreme sword technique of the Jeomchang Sect.
“I should teach you personally, but there’s no other way for now. Since you have already mastered the Bungwang Thirty-Six Sword so well and are exceptionally intelligent, you should be able to understand the Sail Sword Method to some extent on your own.”
“Thank you, Master,” Mujin said, bowing as he carefully tucked the tome into his chest.
‘The Sail Sword Method… this is exciting.’
Having personally experienced its power during Cheon Moon-deok’s era, the anticipation was enormous.
Mujin felt something stir deep within his chest.
By the time the hour arrived, three people from the Hyeong-eui Hall came to Yeong-ho’s residence.
They were the deputy leader Mu-ji and two other hall members sharing the “Mu” generation in their names.
Mujin followed them to the hall and immediately had his internal energy suppressed.
‘The method for suppressing internal energy is always the same,’ he thought.
By deeply embedding specially crafted long needles into the surrounding acupoints centered on the famous acupoints, one becomes incapable of using internal energy.
This was not his first experience with such suppression.
During Cheon Moon-deok’s time, the same method had been used—either to sharpen senses without internal energy or to simulate the worst-case scenario of being completely depleted.
‘This could be a good opportunity. Brings back memories.’
With internal energy suppressed, reliance on it disappears, making sword techniques far more precise.
Although inconvenient, having faced it before, Mujin took it in stride.
He also knew methods to remove the suppression, if necessary.
‘A formation has been set up.’
After the suppression, they set off for Mount of Repentance.
The mount was located at the northern edge of the Jeomchang Mountain Range, and the journey was far from easy.
The terrain was treacherous, and a labyrinthine formation had been set up, ensuring one would get lost if unprepared.
Being well-versed in formations, Mujin immediately sensed the layout.
“Seems you noticed something strange. You really aren’t ordinary,” Mu-ji said, observing Mujin warily but with admiration.
“The path into and out of Mount of Repentance is protected by the Eternal Calamity Formation.”
Mu-ji smiled unpleasantly as he spoke.
“As the name suggests, once you enter, even after eons, escape is nearly impossible.”
“I see,” Mujin replied.
“So don’t even think about running. You could end up trapped and discovered as a corpse.”
“Yes,” Mujin answered calmly, showing no reaction to Mu-ji’s attempts at intimidation.
‘It sounds impressive, but it’s not that complicated,’ he thought.
Despite Mu-ji’s words, the Eternal Calamity Formation was not overly difficult compared to other notorious formations; with time, Mujin could locate an exit.
“Here’s where you’ll spend the next five years repenting for your crimes.”
About an hour after entering the formation, they reached a bleak, modest peak.
This was Mount of Repentance.
Mu-ji, still wearing a foul smile, informed them of their arrival.
“….”
Indeed, the environment was harsh enough to befit those sent to repent.
A rocky peak devoid of vegetation, filled with desolation and loneliness, with only a solitary cave.
There was no house in sight; they would have to live in the cave.
“Food will be delivered every three to four days from the hall. But depending on circumstances, it may come later—or not at all. Heh heh…”
“Damn it…”
Mujin, having tolerated Mu-ji’s sneering, finally snapped.
Though he had intended to stay calm, the harsh environment and the implication that they might even withhold food angered him.
Of course, obtaining food was no challenge for Mujin, but the situation still irritated him.
“What did you just say?”
“Just pointing out…”
“What?”
“You look at people like absolute fools just standing there.”
“What?!”
Mujin’s sudden ferocity stunned Mu-ji and the two hall members, leaving them partly fearful and partly angry.
“This is the perfect place to kill people, isn’t it?”
—Thud.
A murderous aura exploded from Mujin’s eyes.
Overwhelmed by this unprecedented killing intent, Mu-ji and the two hall members collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.
“If I wanted, I could kill you right here and toss your bodies to the ravine—nothing but bones would remain. Right?”
“You… you bastard! Do you think you’ll survive acting like this?!”
“Hahaha, look at him. Still doesn’t get it.”
“Ugh!”
Mu-ji tried to resist with a trembling voice, but Mujin’s killing intent only intensified.
Mujin stretched out his finger, the Death Point, toward Mu-ji’s neck.
“If I decide, piercing your neck is nothing. Still got the nerve to resist, Brother Mu-ji?”
“N… no…”
Fearing for his life, Mu-ji shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I won’t act out again.”
“Good. Go on.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Mujin’s finger began pressing at Mu-ji’s neck. In panic, Mu-ji prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness.
“I won’t act out again. I swear!”
“Finally, obeying without hesitation. Good.”
“Sigh… for now, I’ll endure this as a lesson in cultivation.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Don’t want to see you again, now get lost.”
“W-what?”
“I said, leave.”
“Y-yes! Understood!”
Mu-ji and the two hall members quickly disappeared from sight, fearing Mujin might change his mind.
“Phew… even these worthless pests are irritating,” Mujin muttered, lying flat on the ground.
Who was he? He was Cheon Moon-deok, the Blood King, once one of the leaders of the Sapa Martial Outlaws.
Rebirth had been fine, but immediately after, he suffered beatings, false accusations, and now ridicule from insignificant people…
Irritation surged.
“Good. With my current strength, I cannot conquer the Jeomchang Sect or take revenge anyway.”
Mujin looked at the situation positively.
Being trapped in Mount of Repentance for no crime was frustrating, but it could be the perfect place to focus solely on cultivation.
He regretted not receiving direct training in Jeomchang Sect martial arts from Yeong-ho, but interference from the outside would have been constant if he were elsewhere.
“I’ll train hard for five years and crush everything. Just wait.”
Regaining the full power of the Blood King Cheon Moon-deok would take time, but five years was enough to reach a usable level.
If he fused that with Jeomchang Sect techniques, which complemented his Assassin’s Art, the combined effect could be tremendous.
Mujin’s eyes blazed with murderous light as he steeled his resolve.
