Chapter 253: Enlightenment Through Battle (2)

Yong Hwarin’s body trembled.

‘I already knew the method to become one with body and mind. That’s why I couldn’t realize it. I knew it too early and didn’t recognize that it was already in my grasp. Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art is the method to become one with body and mind, yet I had forgotten it.’

All things possessed their own qi, and Dragon Concealment Heavenly Art was the act of absorbing that inherent qi into the body and assimilating it with one’s true energy.

Yong Hwarin accepted the qi of the sword in his hand into his body.

Since all of his true energy had been released externally, only the sword’s qi entered his body. Yong Hwarin felt as though he had become a single sword.

And instead of drawing his true energy back inside, he wrapped it around himself along with the sword like Protective Energy.

“Sh, Sword Unification!”

In that moment, someone shouted with a trembling voice, as if they had seen a ghost.

“Sword Unification?!”

No matter the swordsman, pursuing Sword Unification was universal.

But although many spoke of Sword Unification, the true state where the human body genuinely felt like a sword existed only in the realm of imagination.

There were many techniques, even trivial ones, with the name Sword Unification, but they were simply named so out of a desire to achieve that state—none were genuine.

Yet now, with a human in front of them who felt like a single great sword, any swordsman beyond first-rate had no choice but to recognize it as true Sword Unification.

“To think I would witness true Sword Unification in my lifetime!”

Myeolhwa stopped walking and trembled all over.

Then, without realizing it, she stepped back.

The Three Chivalrous Sisters behind Yong Hwarin also felt a chill run down their spines, as if a giant sword had been placed before them.

They had to raise their internal energy just to endure the sharp aura. The aura radiating from the Sword Unification spread throughout the entire inn.

Even warriors far away shuddered with chattering teeth from the sheer intensity of it.

In contrast, Yong Hwarin’s expression remained serene.

It wasn’t forced—his aura had simply spread out naturally.

‘The Boundary of the Upper World wasn’t about mimicking nature but about becoming a part of it. I couldn’t grasp The Boundary of the Upper World because I tried to contain nature within martial arts. If I become part of nature, not just mimic it, then I’ll transcend it. The reason the mountain birds didn’t guard against Namgung Yoo or Myeong Gujeong was because they felt like part of the forest. Such creatures aren’t startled by human form, but by a threatening presence. I didn’t understand that. The Boundary of the Upper World is ultimately the state of becoming one with body and mind. One with body and mind! When rephrased, it’s the state of perceiving everything as myself. The reason I couldn’t dodge Myeong Gujeong or Sam Taegong’s sword was because I felt as if their sword was me—there was no sense of dissonance. They had assimilated their true energy with me and erased all disharmony.’

The more his realization deepened, the greater the sword’s aura erupted from Yong Hwarin’s body.

As Yong Hwarin himself became a sword, the aura surged forth on its own.

“Keuk!”

Myeolhwa, trying hard not to retreat, ultimately coughed up blood into the air.

Her blood flew through the air toward where Yong Hwarin stood.

Just before the blood touched his face—

Tsssss!

It vaporized completely, scorched away before it even reached him.

Such tremendous sword force had formed a Protective Energy.

Any object that touched it would likely melt away.

Seeing this, Lee Yung gritted his teeth and shouted.

“Myeolhwa! Fall back!”

At his words, Myeolhwa hesitated, then stepped back.

Until Lee Yung spoke, not a single person dared utter a word aloud.

Everyone, having witnessed the realm of Sword Unification with their own eyes, momentarily forgot how to speak.

Yong Hwarin’s enlightenment showed no signs of stopping.

Normally, one would awaken from meditation if attacked, but the overwhelming Protective Energy intimidated even Lee Yung, making him unable to act.

If this was a blessing, it was a heavenly one. Had it been otherwise, Yong Hwarin’s realization would have ended then and there.

‘The True Man said one must grasp the Grasping Solidity Realm to reach the Life and Death Realm in the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra. So what I feel now is likely the Realm of Intent and Form, not yet the true Life and Death Realm. Then what exactly is this Grasping Solidity Realm?’

Only now did he begin to purely contemplate the Life and Death Realm.

Until now, he couldn’t even sense a hint of it.

But now, he felt like he could grasp its meaning. Having realized The Boundary of the Upper World, he sought to comprehend the Life and Death Realm of the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra as well.

Even without consciously seeking it, Yong Hwarin’s mind naturally yearned for a higher realm and raced toward enlightenment.

But perhaps the heavens were jealous, for it would not grant complete enlightenment all at once.

Just as Yong Hwarin was gaining a clue toward the Life and Death Realm, an unfortunate disturbance occurred.

A commotion stirred as a group entered the inn noisily.

“Kneel, all of you!”

No sooner had they entered than someone shouted.

Then he cried out again.

“The Martial Flower Lord is here! Everyone kneel!”

With the Martial Flower Lord’s entrance, the warriors in the inn lowered their heads and knelt on one knee.

So did Tang Cheolgi and Lee Yung.

Possibly receiving instructions from Lee Yung via telepathy, Myeolhwa and the Gwi Ryeongma-in also knelt simultaneously.

The Three Chivalrous Sisters, with no other choice, sheathed their drawn swords and paid their respects.

With a royal in their presence, standing tall could cost them their heads.

Jeong Minji glanced at Yong Hwarin with a troubled face.

Yong Hwarin still stood with his sword in hand, eyes closed in meditation.

One of the Personal Guards of the Martial Flower Lord spotted Yong Hwarin holding a sword and shouted.

“You dare hold a sword before the Martial Flower Lord! Seize that traitor’s head at once!”

As the Captain of the Personal Guards, Sang Il-do, shouted, the Martial Flower Lord stepped down from the palanquin.

“Enough!”

“But, Lord, he is insulting Your Grace!”

Watching the scene unfold, Lee Yung smiled faintly.

Someone unexpected had appeared to suppress Yong Hwarin.

“Can you not see that he is in meditation!”

The Martial Flower Lord, having surpassed first-rate, instantly recognized Yong Hwarin’s state.

“Still, holding a sword in your presence is a grave offense!”

“You speak as if barging into someone’s house and blaming them for not showing courtesy while asleep. How can you call someone a traitor for merely holding a sword before we even arrived? Then all sword-wielding martial artists in the world would be traitors.”

The Martial Flower Lord immediately recognized Yong Hwarin.

“Rather, look closely. What realm do you think Young Lord Yong has reached? If that isn’t Sword Unification, then what is? It is only after coming into the martial world that I have finally seen a true martial artist.”

The Martial Flower Lord gazed upon Yong Hwarin, who had achieved Sword Unification, with a glint of greed in her eyes—as if wanting to make him hers.

In contrast, Captain Sang Il-do felt a killing intent toward Yong Hwarin.

The sight of his usually stern lord showing softness only to Yong Hwarin stirred up jealousy.

That killing intent instinctively triggered Yong Hwarin’s true energy, breaking his meditation.

And in that moment of confusion, he realized the source of the disturbance.

He soon opened his eyes, withdrew his sword, and paid his respects.

But disappointment clearly lingered in Yong Hwarin’s expression from being pulled out of his meditation.

“I pay respects to the Martial Flower Lord. I was unaware of Your Grace’s arrival and committed the offense of holding my sword. I ask for your forgiveness.”

The Martial Flower Lord smiled softly.

“I forgive you.”

Captain Sang Il-do felt sour as Yong Hwarin was forgiven too easily, and shot a glare at him.

The Twin Flowers Inn was thrown into chaos by the Martial Flower Lord’s sudden arrival.

Though royals had dined at the Twin Flowers Inn before, none were as exalted as the Martial Flower Lord.

The Martial Flower Lord was a favored child of the current Emperor, receiving boundless affection.

So the panic was understandable.

The innkeeper bowed low and asked,

“It is a blessing beyond lifetimes to have the Martial Flower Lord grace this humble inn. Have you come to dine, Your Grace?”

His voice trembled as he spoke, and the Captain of the Personal Guards replied.

“Is Chouhui here?”

“Y-Yes. She is, sir.”

At the innkeeper’s response, the guard said,

“Lead the way!”

As the Martial Flower Lord stepped forward, the kneeling warriors withdrew to make a path.

Climbing the stairs of the inn, the Martial Flower Lord declared,

“Everyone else, leave!”

At that command, the warriors rose and exited the inn.

Tang Cheolgi left with a look of regret. Lee Yung, after glaring at Yong Hwarin, left with Myeolhwa and the Gwi Ryeongma-in.

Yong Hwarin regretted letting him go. From the moment he saw him, he had planned to strike if he made a move.

When Myeolhwa attacked, Yong Hwarin had already resolved to end her, but the sudden enlightenment had made him miss the opportunity.

Now with the Martial Flower Lord’s appearance making any bladeplay impossible, Yong Hwarin planned to chase and kill him and spoke.

“Let’s leave as well.”

At his words, the Three Chivalrous Sisters stood.

“You, come here.”

The Martial Flower Lord addressed Yong Hwarin as he was about to leave.

Looking slightly conflicted, Yong Hwarin walked up the stairs.

No matter how urgent, disobeying a royal command was not an option.

Especially a direct order—that could brand one a traitor.

‘Lee Yung, consider yourself lucky today.’

Yong Hwarin cast a glance at the main door of the inn before ascending the stairs. Then he relayed to the Three Chivalrous Sisters,

“You all stay here.”

As he climbed, Yong Hwarin pondered inwardly.

‘Why would the Martial Flower Lord come to see Chouhui? Could it be… is Chouhui her confidante?’

Otherwise, it made no sense for a royal to seek out a mere courtesan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep