Will I Become a Typhoon? (5)
The mention of water brought back a conversation I once had with Cheonma. We had been discussing past wars, and he mentioned battles fought underwater.
“Who were those who attacked me back then?”
“They were the Water Combat Unit.”
“How could they hold their breath for so long underwater?”
“Do you think I’d reveal our school’s secrets so easily?”
Recalling that conversation, I asked Cheonma again.
“The Water Combat Unit?”
“You remembered.”
“Of course.”
“Our school has a secret technique they use. Once mastered, you can stay underwater without needing to breathe.”
“So, you train deep underwater?”
“Exactly.”
“Alright, let’s give it a try.”
Cheonma taught me the secret technique of the Water Combat Unit. He was truly generous, sharing everything he had with me.
After learning the technique, I immediately flew to the deepest river in Hubei using Cheonma’s flight technique.
I dove into the river’s depths. It wasn’t a complex martial art, so I could use it as soon as I learned the incantation.
“I can really breathe underwater.”
“Of course.”
“Your martial arts are truly impressive. I genuinely respect that.”
“Heh, glad you finally recognize it.”
Though I could breathe freely, my movements were still restricted. I used my internal energy to sink to the very bottom.
The skilled members of the Water Combat Unit could last about half an hour underwater, but I could endure for half a day. My profound internal energy and understanding of martial arts were unparalleled.
The water was pitch black, but when I focused my vision, I could see far ahead.
I never imagined I’d be training underwater.
“Shall we begin?”
I started with the first form, the Illusory Sword Storm.
Moving a sword underwater was more challenging than on land, requiring more internal energy.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sword spun and flew continuously. Naturally, it moved slower than it would in the air.
Boom!
The sword energy exploded in the distance, sending vibrations through the water.
I immediately unleashed the second form, the Thunder Sword Strike.
Flash! Crackle!
The electric charge coursed through the water, sending a tingling sensation through my body. Fortunately, it wasn’t a direct hit, so it was bearable.
Dozens of sword-shaped energies appeared underwater.
They aimed in all directions, like trapping someone in a prison of lightning. The third form, the Swarming Sword Prison, was unleashed.
Boom!
Dozens of sword energies crossed a single point. No one could escape this technique. The question wasn’t whether it could be dodged, but whether one could survive being hit.
The fourth form, the True Sword Dance, sliced through a distant rock. It was the farthest my vision could reach.
Swish, swish, swish!
The sword energy continuously cut through the rock. Even though it didn’t physically reach it, the energy still sliced through.
The True Sword Dance was swift and precise.
Next, I unleashed the fifth form, the Light-Speed Flying Sword. Watching the Suramyeongwang Sword slice through the water, I momentarily forgot the underwater constraints.
I executed the forms from the first to the fifth in succession.
Then came the sixth form, the Demonic Sword Blood Rain. This was the form that had previously broken my Heavenly Qi Illusion Technique.
The already dark water grew even darker.
Suddenly, it began to rain underwater.
Whoosh!
Sword energy poured down like rain, cutting through the water.
Vertical bubbles rose all around.
The rain of sword energy underwater was a spectacle unlike any other. It was even more magnificent than on land.
And it was perfect. Being deep underwater meant it went unnoticed outside. It was an ideal training ground.
Moreover, it was a fresh and much more challenging experience compared to previous training.
I felt it. This was it.
“This place is great.”
“Of course. Whose idea do you think it was?”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Despite his words, Cheonma looked quite pleased.
The only regret was that I couldn’t summon Cheonma here. I could use the Heavenly Qi Illusion Technique based on this underwater location.
But I didn’t. The location wasn’t the issue. The Heavenly Qi Illusion Technique would keep breaking, and there was a fear that Cheonma might die if something went wrong.
Yes, after training together for so long, it was time to immerse myself in solo training.
“Shall we begin?”
Song Hwarin couldn’t focus on anything all day.
She couldn’t concentrate on martial arts training or her studies in formations. She lazed around in bed, went for a walk, and even considered drinking, but laughed it off as inappropriate for the daytime.
She couldn’t stop thinking about Byeok Lidan. That day’s events kept replaying in her mind, making her blush and her heart race.
“Miss.”
A voice from behind made her turn.
Suran stood there, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Hmm?”
“I called you several times.”
“Did you?”
Suran asked with concern.
“Is something wrong?”
Of course, something was wrong. Something monumental had shaken her life.
“Did Lady Im scold you?”
“No, nothing like that. Don’t worry.”
“That’s a relief.”
Song Hwarin changed the subject.
“How are things with Gwangmuin?”
With her own love life taking a sudden turn, she was naturally curious about Suran’s.
She thought things were going well, but Suran’s expression darkened slightly. Suran then replied cheerfully.
“We decided to just stay as friends.”
“Why? You two seemed happy.”
“Well…”
Suran trailed off.
“Why?”
Song Hwarin wanted to know. Suran had been her bodyguard for a long time. Her matters were practically her own. Besides, the person in question was Gwangdu, a member of Byeok Lidan’s group. She couldn’t help but be concerned.
“Honestly, I wasn’t confident.”
“Not confident?”
“Gwangmuin is a wonderful person. He’s too good for me.”
Song Hwarin knew she was being sincere. They had been together long enough for her to read her expressions.
“If that’s the case, I’m the same. He’s too good for me.”
“Your case is different, Miss! You’re the one who’s too good for him.”
“You know that’s not true. We have to acknowledge the truth.”
“Miss.”
Suran couldn’t argue. The old Byeok Lidan might have been different, but recently, he had been showing incredible prowess. It was a well-known rumor within the Byeok family that he had mastered the Sword of the Heavenly King.
“Yes, facts are facts.”
What she wanted to say was this:
“When it comes to matters of the heart, it’s not about who’s better or worse. I used to think that way, too. I kept trying to distance myself from him.”
“Not anymore?”
“No, not anymore. If something’s good, it’s good. I’ve decided to be honest with my feelings.”
That decision had led to an unexpected love.
Song Hwarin felt she had done the right thing. If she hadn’t kissed him first yesterday, they wouldn’t have shared that love. Their destinies would have been different.
Suran noticed that Song Hwarin seemed different. She was flushed and exuded a newfound confidence in matters of the heart.
‘The Miss has truly fallen in love.’
What had been mere affection before had blossomed into love.
Song Hwarin asked directly.
“Do you like Gwangmuin?”
After a brief pause, Suran answered.
“Yes.”
Song Hwarin spoke with determination.
“Then don’t let him go. Worry about the future when it comes.”
Cheon Soseon walked briskly towards her destination.
The martial artists guarding the inner courtyard greeted her respectfully.
The key organizations of the Martial Alliance were already under the control of Cheonwanggun and Cheon Soseon.
Most of the martial artists in the alliance were unaware that Macheolgun was merely a puppet leader. They believed Cheonwanggun and Cheon Soseon were top experts brought in by the alliance leader from outside.
Only the leaders who had witnessed Cheonwanggun’s divine prowess knew their true identities and skills.
Cheonwanggun and Cheon Soseon hadn’t brought their original subordinates. They had severed all contact with them while on the run and reorganized before entering here.
However, Cheonwanggun’s martial prowess had grown so formidable that there was no immediate need to bring them into the Martial Alliance.
She headed to the confidential document archive of the Justice Hall located in the inner courtyard. This was where all the information of the Martial Alliance was stored.
The documents were categorized by level, with higher-level documents stored in more secure areas.
She had access to the room where only the alliance leader could view the highest-level secrets.
“Everyone out!”
At her command, the experts guarding the area left.
Alone, she began searching for something.
What she sought wasn’t something that would help locate the Dark Target.
What she was looking for was a way to overcome the crisis she faced. It was a piece of information she had never paid attention to before.
“This is it.”
What she found was a report related to the thief Cheonbomyung.
Cheonbomyung was her great-grandfather, the father of her grandfather.
Cheonwanggun had used the great technique from the secret manual stolen by Cheonbomyung to create Cheonran and implement the technique. He had allied with the dark forces to realize the contents of that manual in reality.
Cheon So-seon read through the information about Cheon Bo-myung carefully, speaking softly to herself.
”…Something went wrong from here.”
Splash!
I burst out of the water.
Using the demonic energy I had gathered underwater, I propelled myself to the surface in one swift motion.
I continued to ascend, using the demonic energy repeatedly, until I reached a height where no one could see me. Only then did I pause to catch my breath.
“Huff, huff.”
The time I could endure underwater was limited. I had to emerge periodically to breathe, using the unique breathing techniques of the Water Sect to regulate my energy and catch my breath.
Training underwater had a definite effect.
It was challenging, to say the least. Even with the secret techniques of the Water Sect that allowed me to breathe, practicing martial arts underwater was no easy feat. And this wasn’t just any martial art—it was the pinnacle of martial arts, the Demonic Divine Art.
Controlling my energy, moving my inner strength, and executing techniques—none of it was easy.
But because it was difficult, the results were undeniable. It was like training with sandbags tied to your legs; it was tough, but once you got used to it, you became stronger when the weights were removed.
What helped even more was that this training method was entirely new to me.
The more skilled you become, the more you learn to endure hardships.
What impacts a master more is the fresh stimulus that comes from novelty.
As one becomes a master, novelty fades because they know everything.
For a child, every day is new and exciting, but what about a hundred-year-old elder? They rarely see or hear anything new. It’s the same principle.
Underwater training brought me back to being a child.
Everything was new and fascinating. The challenges underwater sparked various inspirations within me.
This led to rapid progress.
In just fifteen days of underwater training, I reached the sixth level, and exactly a month later, I attained the seventh level.
I reached the seventh level of the Demonic Divine Art in less than a hundred days. If it were like any other martial art, my progress would slow down from here.
The power of the seventh level of the Demonic Divine Art was incomparable to when I first learned it.
But the real challenge begins now. The seventh level isn’t just a wall; it’s a massive fortress blocking my path. I must overcome this wall.
Having caught my breath, I descended swiftly.
Whoosh!
Splash!
Every time I emerged from the water, I would be different. Bit by bit, ever so slightly.
I would build upon that to overcome the wall.
If he is a storm sweeping through the martial world, I will become an even greater storm to sweep him away.
I will become the true storm that devours the storm.