chsdbacks Chapter 177:
Chapter 177:
A Reversed Fate
Dao Yuetian.
After five years of seclusion, he achieved remarkable martial prowess, but that did not mean he had reached the pinnacle of martial arts when he ended his seclusion.
He grows significantly three times in the novel.
The first is after experiencing the calamity of his clan’s annihilation. The second growth occurs after he unlocks the secrets of the Black Path.
However, Dao Yuetian, with his average talent, did not immediately become powerful just because he acquired the divine techniques of the Black Path.
After toppling Cheonryu Sangdan, he went into seclusion again for a year before he could resume his quest for revenge.
It was only possible for him to emerge in a year because he had perfected the “Swift Lightning One Flash,” the first technique of the Celestial Flash Sword Art.
Dao Yuetian, recognizing his own limitations, chose to master only the “Swift Lightning One Flash” from the Celestial Flash Sword Art written in the Black Path before descending the mountain again.
“Even so, since he acquired it four and a half years earlier this time, won’t his skill progress faster?” Mu-jin wondered, yet Dao Yuetian’s expression appeared rather complicated.
“This sword technique, you say?”
Dao Yuetian, with a troubled look, glanced at his father.
The head of the clan was Dao Ji-hwan, and he believed that his father should be the one to learn the technique first.
It aligned with the era’s sense of duty.
“If things go that way, Dao Yuetian might never master the sword technique, even after many years.”
At over forty years old, Dao Ji-hwan had not yet perfected even a half-baked imitation of the Celestial Flash Sword Art. How long would it take for him to master the real thing?
Luckily, for Mu-jin, Dao Ji-hwan shook his head at his son’s gaze.
“If the words of our ancestors and Master Mu-jin’s story are true, then the martial art written in this Black Path can only be learned by those who have already mastered the original Celestial Flash Sword Art. Even if I start learning now, when would I ever complete it?”
“Father, the same applies to me. I am still struggling with just the Swift Lightning One Flash due to my inadequacies.”
“Master Mu-jin seems to have considered that point and advised you to learn this martial art.”
Indeed, the wisdom of age could not be underestimated. Dao Ji-hwan displayed a keen insight.
“You said Master Mu-jin advised you to focus solely on the Swift Lightning One Flash. Given that our Celestial Flash Sword Art and the martial art written in this Black Path are connected, it seems Master Mu-jin believes you can at least complete the first technique written here.”
Mu-jin added a confirming statement to Dao Ji-hwan’s accurate deduction.
“If Dao Yuetian undergoes grueling training, he can transcend the first technique and reach a level beyond the sword art itself.”
This certainty came from reading the novel.
Perhaps because Dao Ji-hwan and Mu-jin both showed confident gazes, Dao Yuetian took the Black Path with a resolute face.
“Though I am still lacking, I will undergo grueling training to meet your expectations.”
Seeing the image of Dao Yuetian he had imagined while reading the novel, Mu-jin smiled contentedly.
It was a smile that bore a resemblance to the one his father, Dao Ji-hwan, often wore.
For a moment, the warm atmosphere lingered. Dao Ji-hwan then asked Mu-jin an important question.
“Master Mu-jin, when do you plan to leave?”
“I intended to discuss this. If it is agreeable to you all, I propose we go to Shaolin Temple together.”
“Together to Shaolin Temple?”
“Now that the Celestial Flash Sword’s true nature has been revealed, many will target Cheon Seom Moon. For your safety, it would be best to go together.”
“Couldn’t we simply transcribe the essential points of the martial art and encase the Celestial Flash Sword in iron again?”
“The ones who attacked us will not give up after one failed attempt. They will return with stronger forces.”
“Hmm...”
Dao Ji-hwan fell silent at Mu-jin’s explanation.
For generations, they had lived in Jeongan-hyeon under the name Cheon Seom Moon.
“I haven’t read it in detail yet.”
“That’s good. It would be better to master the Quicker-Than-Light Slash from the Cheon Seom Moon manual after moving to Deungbong-hyeon.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to start training as soon as possible? Or is it because my current Quicker-Than-Light Slash isn’t adequate?”
Dao Yuetian’s question made Mu-jin shake his head.
Mu-jin wasn’t aware of the Quicker-Than-Light Slash’s specifics, nor could he ascertain how perfectly Dao Yuetian had mastered it. However, he did know how Dao Yuetian trained and the issues he encountered in the novel.
“The Cheon Seom Moon sword technique is said to be a half-interpretation, but that pertains to the internal energy method. There shouldn’t be significant differences in the forms of each move. As far as I can tell, Dao Yuetian Shiju-nim has reached an advanced level in the form of the Quicker-Than-Light Slash.”
“So why should I avoid learning the Quicker-Than-Light Slash from the Cheon Seom Moon manual?”
“As I mentioned, the form is the same, but the internal energy method is different. You’re currently well-versed with your version of the Quicker-Than-Light Slash. Are you confident you can distinguish and use them accurately, especially in a real fight?”
Dao Yuetian lacked the exceptional talent of someone like Mu-gyeong, who could replicate an opponent’s technique after a few observations. The Quicker-Than-Light Slash required handling the essence of speed. To execute it perfectly, one needed to bypass thought and rely solely on ingrained movements.
Learning a new technique with different internal energy methods but similar stances could slow down his movements or, in severe cases, cause internal energy conflicts leading to serious injuries. In the novel, Dao Yuetian realized this issue and chose to retreat for intense training.
During his year-long seclusion, he focused on forgetting his old internal energy methods and ingraining the new ones. He could only descend the mountain once his body instinctively followed the new internal energy methods whenever he decided to strike.
“While heading to Deungbong-hyeon, there might be unexpected attacks. Until you can fully concentrate on your training environment, forget the Quicker-Than-Light Slash from the Cheon Seom Moon manual.”
“I will do as you advise.”
Dao Yuetian accepted Mu-jin’s advice willingly, finding it reasonable.
“Then, could you put down your sword and mimic my posture for a moment? There’s something I need to check.”
Mu-jin asked Dao Yuetian to perform various postures: standing at attention, bending to touch the floor, balancing on one leg, and walking ten steps.
Dao Yuetian, who had grown to trust Mu-jin significantly, followed these instructions without question. Observing Dao Yuetian, Mu-jin noted, “As I thought... Your body’s balance hasn’t completely deteriorated yet.”
Mu-jin recalled the novel’s description of Dao Yuetian’s body as almost grotesquely twisted from repeated Quicker-Than-Light Slash training. His body had become specialized for the technique, losing its natural balance and appearing abnormal.
To achieve such speed, one had to transform their body into a vessel that executed the Quicker-Than-Light Slash as naturally as breathing, with no visible prelude to the strike. This was why even knowing the move wouldn’t help opponents counter it.
For Dao Yuetian to reach this level, he needed to continue his extreme training, warping his body to an inhuman state. This notion deeply conflicted with Mu-jin, who had studied physical health and rehabilitation.
Yet, for the impending battle with Shinchun, Dao Yuetian’s strength was indispensable, especially after confirming that Hyeok Jin-gang wasn’t the main antagonist behind the hidden forces.
Despite his reservations, Mu-jin focused on what he could do.
“Have you felt any discomfort in your shoulders, waist, or wrists during training?”
“Compared to the grief of losing family and brothers, such pain is insignificant.”
Dao Yuetian’s response, recalling his lost brothers, was heavy with sorrow. Mu-jin sat on the ground, stretching his legs, and said, “Though it can’t compare, you need not endure all the pain. Follow my lead.”
Mu-jin demonstrated various stretching exercises to Dao Yuetian.
“Perform these stretches before and after training to alleviate some pain.”
Mu-jin couldn’t stop Dao Yuetian’s grueling training but hoped to ease his pain during the process.
* * *
Several hours later, as the members of Cheon Seom Moon returned and prepared to depart for Deungbong-hyeon...
Thump! Thump! Thump!
“Is anyone here? We’ve come from Cheonryu Sangdan!”
A visitor arrived unexpectedly at Cheon Seom Moon. A disciple near the entrance opened the door to find a middle-aged man hurriedly looking around the hall.
“Is Kang-hyuk here?”
“I am Choi Kang-hyuk. Has something happened to Cheonryu Sangdan?”
Mu-jin sensed the urgency and asked with concern. The response, however, was slightly tangential.
“This is a letter from Miss Jegal Jin-hee, asking for it to be delivered urgently!”
The middle-aged man handed over a letter from Jegal Jin-hee.