Heavenly Martial God - Chapter 4
Checking and observing his physical condition was not a difficult task.
He had wandered the world, acquiring, understanding, and embodying countless martial arts.
As long as he could breathe, examining his body according to the energy flow was a piece of cake.
‘It doesn’t matter if the physical body is weak. Everyone can breathe.’
Everything between heaven and earth breathes.
Unless you’re a corpse, no matter how fragile the body is, it should be able to breathe properly.
Hiss! Hoo! Hiss Hoo!
Namgung-hyuk’s breathing alternated between long and short.
He drew in external energy and pushed it into his body.
He immediately spread the energy while checking his physical condition.
‘It’s better than I expected?’
Perhaps because his expectations were so low, his condition was much better than he had worried about.
He had worried about his physical body being fragile, but the qi and blood were sturdier than he thought.
Even so, it was only slightly better than an average person’s level, but it wasn’t completely blocked.
‘Is this the effect of the medicine?’
Well, after eating such good things, his qi and blood should be somewhat refined.
‘But I can hardly feel my internal energy. Is this really the Namgung clan’s descendant?’
Even in pain, one must train to be a martial artist; this guy is slacking off.
‘At this level… wait, what is this?’
Namgung-hyuk, who was about to conclude his breathing with satisfaction, frowned.
A strange energy was trapped around his heart.
‘Why is this blocked?’
It was tightly packed like a mass filling a toilet.
Wait, it’s not just one or two places, is it?
How many are blocked like this?
‘One, two, three… nine?’
Counting, he found nine.
There were exactly nine blocked blood vessels around the heart.
‘Nine… nine blood vessels are blocked.’
Namgung-hyuk muttered, his eyes widening.
“Nine?!”
Stumbling.
Startled, he urgently touched his chest.
The energy was cut off at the exact place where the blood vessels were blocked.
Namgung-hyuk’s face turned pale with shock.
“This crazy bastard, was he at death’s door?!”
The blocked blood vessels are referred to as “Jeolmyeok.”
Even if just one energy channel is blocked, a person’s physical condition becomes unstable; this body has as many as nine blocked.
It wouldn’t be strange if he dropped dead right now.
‘Heavens, the Nine Yang Obstruction.’
The Nine Yang Obstruction is typically a disease that strong men with excessive yang energy suffer from, where the body fills with fiery energy.
Those afflicted with the Nine Yang Obstruction are full of vitality, possess superior physical abilities compared to others, and show immense talent when practicing martial arts.
However, because the yang energy is too excessive, they usually do not live long and often die before their twenties.
“No, wait a minute.”
Namgung-hyuk frowned, recalling the Nine Yang Obstruction.
“…The Nine Yang Obstruction should be hot like fire, but why is it so cold?”
Upon reflection, this body was quite far from the healthy body associated with the Nine Yang Obstruction.
His pale face and frail physique were characteristics that could not be associated with the Nine Yang Obstruction.
Yet there were still nine blood vessels blocked, just like in the Nine Yang Obstruction.
If nine blood vessels are blocked like the Nine Yang Obstruction, but the body isn’t hot?
Bam.
It felt like he had been struck hard on the head.
Stumbling.
After stumbling a few more times, he felt the cold energy around his heart travel through his fingertips.
“…Is this guy suffering from the Nine Yin Obstruction?”
It was the opposite of the Nine Yang Obstruction but likewise a disease referred to as “heavenly punishment.”
Due to severe yin energy, it is difficult to survive past youth; this was the Nine Yin Obstruction.
The body is weak, but one’s intellect is unparalleled, or something like that…
Typically, this was a disease that women suffered from.
Yet, this body was clearly suffering from the Nine Yin Obstruction.
His mind snapped back to focus.
“Does this even make sense?”
It doesn’t make sense, does it?
Namgung-hyuk was at a loss for words in shock.
A man afflicted with a disease usually affecting women, slowly dying.
Where else could such a cursed guy exist?
“Wow…”
Sighs flowed from Namgung-hyuk’s lips.
“Wow, damn it.”
Namgung-hyuk picked up the mirror placed in his room and carefully examined the unfamiliar reflection.
Now that he knew he had the Nine Yin Obstruction, the paleness of his face stood out even more.
He looked as pale as if he had been submerged in ice water for three days and then taken out.
“Something is wrong. Yes, something must be seriously wrong for this to be happening.”
His body, as fragile as porcelain, was also being ravaged by the Nine Yin Obstruction.
He would rather believe he was attacked by dark energy.
In that case, he could understand the injustice and filth, but this was not it.
Heavenly punishment, born like this?
It was impossible to explain unless his ancestors had accumulated an immense amount of evil deeds and were cursed.
And Namgung-hyuk knew this guy’s ancestors, and they were definitely not wicked.
So how could he have such a terribly unlucky body?
‘But it’s me who ended up in that damned body.’
Of all people, it had to be me, this cursed Hahuyoung!
His face gradually twisted in anger.
The rage he had tried to suppress surged again.
“You crazy immortals!”
What horrific thing did they do?!
He was someone who possessed the greatest body, surpassing even the indestructible Golden Bone.
And now, he had entered a body that could drop dead at any moment?
“This bastard…! Cough, cough!”
Namgung-hyuk nearly spat out curses but was interrupted by a violent cough.
He barely managed to regain his composure and glared up at the sky—no, the ceiling—with bloodshot eyes.
“Did you throw me into this trash body and call it a chance?!”
More cruel than any sorcery, more vile than the Heaven’s Deceit!
Is this really what humans do?
‘Ah, those bastards are not human. Those damned immortals. Even dogs feel pity!’
Namgung-hyuk clenched his teeth.
He would take revenge.
He would definitely take revenge.
Somehow, he would rise again to the peak and give them the same in return.
Crack…
“…Ah, damn. It hurts.”
Namgung-hyuk quickly relaxed his clenched jaw.
He steadied his breath and calmed his mind.
“I am Hahuyoung. I will never give up. You messed with the wrong person.”
It will be extremely difficult, but I can overcome the Nine Sealed Meridians.
While overcoming it is challenging, if I can succeed, I will gain unbelievable strength, which is the essence of the Nine Sealed Meridians.
Perhaps I might gain a body that rivals, or even surpasses, my previous physical form.
“The blocked meridians can be broken one by one.”
It will take time, but it is not an impossible task.
Originally, I planned to grasp my body’s condition and immediately learn the True Meridian Technique.
However, given the circumstances, I had no choice but to modify my plans.
Reflecting on what the immortals had said, my cultivated energy built up in the past would never be accepted.
I needed a new energy cultivation technique.
Until then, I should learn a temporary technique that would allow me to hold on.
After all, the anxiety of potentially dying without any energy was overwhelming.
‘First, I’ll solidify the foundation of my energy with the Clear Bright Heart Technique. Then, I’ll refine my body with the Heart Muscle Inner Adjustment Technique.’
Alright, I’ve decided.
Although it cannot compare to the martial arts I learned in the past, it would be sufficient to establish a basic foundation.
He recalled the formula in his mind.
[Clear Bright Heart Technique] The martial arts sought after by the masters for ascension.
It was a technique that could eliminate impurities and build a solid and clear energy foundation.
Nothing was better than this for boosting energy and clearing out impurities.
Whirrrrr!
He regulated his breathing and operated the Clear Bright Heart Technique.
As he recited the formula, he absorbed external energy while stimulating his lower abdomen.
Thrum!
Namgung Hyuk let out a hollow laugh.
‘……There’s really nothing. Is this even a fraction of what I need?’
It felt as if he were staring at parched land; the energy in his lower abdomen was almost nonexistent.
Seeing the empty Dantian, Namgung Hyuk couldn’t help but sigh in despair.
‘Don’t worry about it. Let’s build the energy first.’
He followed the formula of the Clear Bright Heart Technique, breathing deeply and gradually gathering energy.
As he repeated his breathing, he began to move the energy he had gathered.
The energy flowed within him, expanding his body as it followed his will.
Namgung Hyuk gradually felt the energy spreading throughout his entire body, filling even his fingertips.
Hiss!
‘Huh?’
Something felt off.
It seemed like the energy wasn’t filling his fingertips but rather escaping.
‘Is the energy not circulating properly? The Nine-Sealed Meridians might have caused blockages elsewhere. But that won’t stop me.’
He pulled the energy in and pushed it out again.
Pop!
With a tearing sound, Namgung Hyuk hurriedly halted his energy circulation and opened his eyes.
“Damn… do I need to rebuild my body first?”
Namgung Hyuk clenched and unclenched his fist, a look of unease on his face.
Pop.
“Hmm?”
He heard the sound of air escaping again.
Whoosh!
A stream of red liquid burst forth from the tendons in his hand.
“……Huh?”
Why was blood suddenly coming out of his perfectly fine hand?
Namgung Hyuk urgently pressed his opposite hand against the bleeding spot on his palm.
Then,
Fwooosh!
“……Huh?”
Now blood was gushing from his wrist.
Namgung Hyuk was dumbfounded as he watched the blood shooting out like a fountain.
“What, what kind of body is this? It’s not even a piece of cloth…”
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh!
As his blood pressure rose, the streams of blood surged even more violently.
Thud.
Namgung Hyuk pressed his palm against the surging blood.
Ping!
Suddenly, he felt dizzy.
Was it because he was losing too much blood, or was his body always like this? Now he couldn’t tell.
Maybe he was so shocked that he was mentally unstable.
Somehow, he felt that all these reasons might be contributing to his condition.
“Y-Yeah. I messed up the order of things. I should build my body first.”
Namgung Hyuk steadied his mind and moved on to the next task.
[Heart Muscle Inner Adjustment Technique] The Heart Muscle Inner Adjustment Technique was a martial art that focused on storing energy in the entire body’s muscles and bones rather than just the Dantian.
It was developed by the founder of the Iron Man Sect, who had become a cripple after damaging his Dantian.
Namgung Hyuk modified this concept in his own way to use it as a basic technique to cultivate his body.
He applied the energy as per the formula, twisting his muscles and moving his bones.
The muscles and skeleton spread apart to create space for the energy.
This process was also excellent for expelling impurities and strengthening the blood and energy.
Furthermore, the growth of the muscles and skeleton was a bonus.
Crack. Crack!
The muscles twisted, and the skeleton began to shift.
The energy surged violently, flowing into the absorbed external energy.
Thud!
Suddenly, a sense of foreboding washed over Namgung Hyuk, causing him to instinctively stop his operation of the Heart Muscle Inner Adjustment Technique and look down at his shoulders with a shaky gaze.
“……”
A brief silence.
Namgung Hyuk quietly raised his arm.
Clunk. Clunk.
“Wow….”
An exclamation escaped Namgung Hyuk’s lips.
“Did my shoulder dislocate?”
Now, it was to the point of awe.
As disbelief reached its peak, a laugh erupted from him.
“Ha ha ha, ha ha ha!”
As Namgung Hyuk laughed, his shoulders jerked, transmitting a shock through his body.
“……Why can’t I use the technique?”
Ah, why?
Whaaaaaaaaaa!
Namgung Hyuk’s body shook violently.
Even that was a small struggle, held back as he feared straining his body.
While he timidly squirmed, worried about another burst of blood, he couldn’t help but sigh in defeat.
“Damn those immortal bastards.”
These bastards really put me in a hopeless body.
He grabbed his dislocated shoulder with the opposite hand and popped it back into place.
A wave of pain was followed by an intense sense of emptiness.
“Ha ha ha, it might be faster to meet the Jade Emperor in death than to ascend with this body.”
No, it seemed almost certain.
“Damn it.”
Was I always this foul-mouthed?
Reflecting on himself, Namgung Hyuk blankly stared at the ceiling, now familiar to him.
He could almost hear the laughter of the immortal bastards mocking him from above.
“Let’s not get too excited. If I think about it, this isn’t necessarily a bad situation, is it? In fact, it might be a great opportunity.”
Namgung Hyuk felt his blood pressure rise, trying hard to cool his head.
“If I can overcome the Sealed Meridians, I can gain the strongest body in the world. No, with my Nine Sealed Meridians, I could potentially attain both yin and yang energy, becoming flawless.”
If that happens, I would gain a body that I couldn’t obtain even in the past.
As the surging emotions settled, the corners of his mouth curled upward.
“Right, all I need to do is break the Sealed Meridians. When that happens, I’ll smash those immortal bastards’ heads too.”
The only issue was time.
The Nine-Sealed Meridians would kill me if all nine blood vessels were blocked.
Still breathing meant that not all blood vessels were completely sealed.
“So how much lifespan do I have left?”
Fumbling.
Namgung Hyuk touched his heart, projecting his energy.
“So, my remaining lifespan is… lifespan…”
Huh…?
Wait a minute, did I see it wrong?
Namgung Hyuk tilted his head and carefully probed his heart again.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
No matter how many times he checked, the same calculation stood.
“……Fifteen days?”
Namgung Hyuk’s eyes widened, almost popping out of his sockets.
“Fifteen days until I die?!”
What kind of ridiculous situation is this?
How long has it been since my reincarnation that I’m dying in fifteen days?!
Namgung Hyuk’s pupils trembled violently.
“T-this, this, this is insane! Was it always planned from the beginning…?!”
Boom!
With the surge in blood pressure, this time, a fountain of blood erupted spectacularly from the top of his head.
Thud.
Namgung Hyuk’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.