Bab 64. Tempat Rahasia Naga Surgawi (2)
Ruang di balik dinding batu itu jauh lebih luas daripada yang dibayangkan Baek So-cheon. Rasanya seperti sedang menyusuri gua dan tiba-tiba muncul di sebuah aula yang sangat besar. Namun, tempat ini tidak berada di bawah tanah. Sinar matahari masuk melalui jendela-jendela kecil yang terletak tinggi di dinding, dan sebuah anak sungai jernih mengalir melintasi ruangan. Bunga dan rumput tumbuh di seluruh penjuru tempat itu. Menilai dari pemandangan di depannya saja, sulit untuk percaya bahwa ia sedang berada di dalam ruangan.
Fitur yang paling mencolok adalah sebuah pemandian air panas kecil di tengahnya. Ukurannya cukup untuk dua atau tiga orang dewasa, dengan uap yang mengepul tipis dari permukaannya. Jika berada di tempat lain, mungkin ia akan terlihat seperti pemandian biasa. Namun di sini, tempat itu membawa aura yang luar biasa.
“Ini disebut Mata Air Naga. Berendam di dalamnya dapat menyembuhkan luka dalam, dan mengalirkan energi di sini akan menghasilkan energi dalam yang lebih besar daripada berkultivasi di luar. Ini juga memulihkan vitalitas tubuh. Seharusnya aku membawamu ke sini tiga tahun lalu.”
Jika Ak So-gun melakukannya, mereka pasti sudah berusaha keras memperbaiki dantian Baek So-cheon di tempat ini. Namun, begitu Racun Dendam Surgawi merasuki tubuhnya, keinginan untuk membawa Baek So-cheon ke sini pun sirna.
“Seharusnya aku membawamu lebih awal…”
Baek So-cheon menghiburnya saat mendengar penyesalan dalam suara sang Ketua Aliansi.
“Jangan memikirkannya. Itu bukan kehendak Anda, Ketua Aliansi.”
“Tidak ada kata-kata penenang yang bisa mengubah kenyataan bahwa akulah yang gagal mengatasi racun itu.”
Mungkin celaan diri yang terus-menerus itu tak terelakkan. Ak So-gun berdiri di puncak Peringkat Murim. Mungkin butuh waktu lama baginya untuk benar-benar bangkit dari apa yang telah terjadi.
“Apa itu?”
Lebih dari sepuluh guci besar berdiri bersandar di satu dinding.
“Perbekalan untuk siapa pun yang berlatih di sini dalam waktu lama.”
Guci-guci itu berisi pil penahan lapar dan berbagai makanan yang bisa disimpan dalam jangka waktu lama. Sinar matahari masuk, sirkulasi udara bebas, dan ruangan itu sangat nyaman. Bahkan ada tempat tidur untuk beristirahat dan jamban di satu sudut. Dengan ruang yang begitu terbuka, ini adalah tempat yang ideal untuk berkultivasi ilmu bela diri.
“Tetaplah di sini untuk sementara waktu guna memulihkan diri. Mata air saja mungkin tidak cukup, jadi…”
Ak So-gun mengeluarkan sebuah kotak yang tersimpan rapi dari salah satu sudut Tempat Rahasia Naga Surgawi.
“Aku menyimpan ini untuk keadaan darurat. Dengan kemampuanmu, mungkin kau bisa menggunakannya bersama Mata Air Naga untuk mencari cara memulihkan dantianmu.”
Ia membuka kotak itu. Sebatang akar Ginseng Salju terbaring di dalamnya, memancarkan aroma obat yang tajam. Mata Baek So-cheon membelalak.
“Ini adalah…”
“Ya. Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun.”
Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun. Di antara tanaman spiritual medis, ini adalah salah satu obat mujarab terbaik yang pernah ada. Dihadapkan pada ketulusan Ak So-gun, Baek So-cheon tahu sudah saatnya mengungkapkan kebenaran. Ia berniat menunggu sampai energi dalamnya pulih lebih banyak, tetapi sekarang setelah sang Ketua Aliansi menawarkan Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun, ia tidak bisa lagi menyembunyikannya.
“Ketua Aliansi, sejujurnya saya sudah berhasil memulihkan dantian saya.”
Ak So-gun menatapnya lekat-lekat.
“Benarkah? Kapan?”
“Belum lama ini.”
Baek So-cheon menjelaskan bahwa ia telah bertemu Ban Yun-saeng dan memperbaiki tubuhnya. Ia juga mengungkapkan bahwa transformasi tersebut telah membunuh racun di dalam tubuhnya.
“Oh! Itu luar biasa! Sungguh luar biasa! Langit belum meninggalkan kita.”
Ak So-gun bersukacita seolah itu adalah kesembuhannya sendiri. “Kalau begitu, kau harus mengambil Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun ini.”
“Tidak. Jika dantian Anda sudah pulih, Anda lebih membutuhkan obat ini. Gunakan untuk mengisi kembali energi dalam yang Anda butuhkan.”
“Kau saja yang mengonsumsinya, Ketua Aliansi.”
Saat Baek So-cheon menolak lagi, Ak So-gun berbicara dengan lembut.
“Seperti yang kau tahu, aku sudah memiliki energi dalam yang cukup.”
Semakin banyak energi dalam yang dimiliki seorang ahli bela diri, semakin sedikit manfaat yang mereka peroleh dari obat-obatan. Secara sederhana, seorang ahli dengan tiga siklus mungkin perlu menghabiskan ratusan ribu nyang untuk obat-obatan hanya demi menambah satu atau dua tahun energi dalam. Ak So-gun saat ini memiliki tiga setengah siklus. Ketua Aliansi Langit Kegelapan diketahui memiliki sekitar empat siklus. Baek So-cheon pernah bertarung imbang dengannya saat ia memiliki tiga siklus sebelum akhirnya kalah. Itu saja sudah merupakan pencapaian yang luar biasa.
“Paling banyak, Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun ini hanya akan memberiku sedikit lebih dari sepuluh tahun energi. Jika kau mengonsumsinya, kau mungkin bisa mendapatkan sebanyak dua siklus penuh.”
Baek So-cheon merasakan betapa tulusnya Ak So-gun peduli padanya. Tanpa ketulusan itu, ia tidak akan pernah membuka Tempat Rahasia Naga Surgawi atau menawarkan harta karun seperti itu tanpa ragu.
“Terima kasih, Ketua Aliansi.”
Baek So-cheon berhenti menolak. Untuk menyelesaikan krisis yang dihadapi dunia persilatan, ia harus memulihkan kekuatannya secepat mungkin. Baek So-cheon kini memiliki lima puluh satu tahun energi dalam yang sangat murni. Menambah empat puluh tahun lagi akan seperti mendapatkan sayap keduanya.
'Dan bagaimana jika aku menyuling Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun di dalam Mata Air Naga?'
Mungkin ia bisa mengumpulkan lebih dari empat puluh tahun. Kejujuran Baek So-cheon memberinya imbalan lain.
“Jika kau bisa menggunakan energi dalam lagi, kau seharusnya bisa mempelajari ini juga. Ikutlah denganku.”
Ak So-gun membawanya ke rak buku di samping tempat tidur. Lusinan buku memenuhi rak tersebut. Ini adalah ruang terakhir yang sebenarnya dari Perpustakaan Sepuluh Ribu Buku Aliansi Murim. Kitab-kitab di sini bahkan lebih unggul daripada yang tersedia di bagian yang hanya bisa diakses oleh ketua paviliun. Satu buku diletakkan terpisah di rak paling atas. Ak So-gun mengambilnya dan menyerahkannya kepada Baek So-cheon.
“Sekarang setelah energi dalammu kembali, ini akan membantumu.”
Baek So-cheon memeriksa kitab itu dan terpaku.
“Ilmu bela diri ini!”
Itu adalah salah satu dari empat ilmu bela diri yang dipuji sebagai yang tak tertandingi sepanjang zaman. Pedang Dewa Asura Seribu Tangan Tathagata. Itu adalah satu dari dua kitab yang tersisa yang dicari oleh Baek So-cheon. Ia mengira itu akan menjadi yang paling sulit didapatkan, namun kini kitab itu jatuh ke tangannya.
“Ini terlalu berharga untuk saya.”
“Aku berniat memberikannya padamu. Itu seharusnya menjadi imbalanmu karena telah menghentikan perang. Jika bukan karena kau, Ketua Aliansi Langit Kegelapan pasti sudah berendam di Mata Air Naga itu sekarang. Kau lebih dari layak menerimanya. Ambilah.”
“Anda seharusnya mempelajarinya sendiri.”
“Sudah terlambat bagiku. Dan membiarkan ilmu bela diri sehebat ini hilang tanpa dipelajari akan menjadi dosa bagi praktisi bela diri mana pun. Kau harus menerimanya.”
“Kalau begitu saya tidak akan menolak lagi. Terima kasih, Ketua Aliansi.”
Baek So-cheon membungkuk. Ia merasa sangat malu karena telah meragukan orang baik seperti dia.
“Mungkin tidak akan terjadi, tapi jika Aliansi Langit Kegelapan memenangkan perang berikutnya, ilmu bela diri ini bisa jatuh ke tangan pemimpin mereka. Aku tidak akan membiarkan itu. Hafalkan seluruh isi kitab, lalu bakarlah. Sebelum kau mati, wariskan kepada seseorang yang layak.”
“Saya mengerti.”
Baek So-cheon menerima kitab itu dengan hormat.
“Aku dengar obat-obatan kini sulit didapat. Meski begitu, aku akan mencarinya sebanyak yang kubisa.”
Baek So-cheon melambaikan tangan menolak. “Itu tidak perlu. Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun ini sudah lebih dari cukup.”
“Itu tidak cukup bagiku.”
Ak So-gun tampak bertekad untuk menebus setiap sikap dinginnya selama tiga tahun terakhir.
“Ketua Aliansi Langit Kegelapan belum tahu saya sudah memulihkan energi dalam. Saya rasa kita harus merahasiakannya untuk saat ini.”
“Baiklah. Untuk saat ini, hanya aku yang tahu.”
“Terima kasih.”
“Aliansi Langit Kegelapan dan Kultus Darah telah bergabung. Aku menyesal harus mengatakannya, tapi kami membutuhkan kekuatanmu lagi. Baik aku maupun dunia persilatan membutuhkanmu.”
“Jika kita tidak bisa memecah aliansi mereka, menghadapi mereka akan sangat sulit.”
Aliansi Murim dan Aliansi Langit Kegelapan berimbang selama perang terakhir. Aliansi Murim dan Aliansi Langit Kegelapan seimbang. Tidak, dalam kekuatan militer murni, Aliansi Langit Kegelapan memiliki keunggulan tujuh banding tiga. Baek So-cheon sendirilah yang menaikkan kekuatan Aliansi Murim menjadi lima banding lima.
“Itulah sebabnya kau harus pulih dengan cepat. Mulai sekarang, tempat ini milikmu. Jangan khawatir tentang urusan di luar. Berlatihlah sesukamu dan keluarlah saat kau sudah siap.”
“Terima kasih.”
Saat Ak So-gun berbalik untuk pergi, Baek So-cheon memperingatkannya.
“Sekarang setelah rekonsiliasi kita menjadi rahasia umum, siapa pun yang merencanakan ini mungkin akan mencoba rencana lain. Anda harus berhati-hati dalam segala hal.”
“Aku mengerti.”
Ak So-gun meninggalkan Tempat Rahasia Naga Surgawi. Sendirian, Baek So-cheon menarik napas dalam-dalam.
“Haruskah saya mulai?”
Ia pertama-tama membawa Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun ke Mata Air Naga. Setelah melepas pakaiannya, ia masuk ke dalam air. Begitu ia terendam, panas yang nyaman menyelimutinya. Baek So-cheon perlahan mengalirkan Teknik Kultivasi Raja Kebijaksanaan Tak Tergoyahkan. Perbedaannya sangat nyata. Energi dalam terkumpul tiga kali lebih cepat daripada di luar. Itu bukan segalanya. Saat ia berkultivasi, vitalitas yang kuat melonjak melalui setiap meridian di tubuhnya.
Begitu ia menyelesaikan beberapa sirkulasi penuh, Baek So-cheon membuka kotak Ginseng Salju Sepuluh Ribu Tahun. Jantungnya berdegup kencang. Ia mulai mengunyah ginseng tersebut. Aroma manis dan pahit meledak di lidahnya. Setelah mengunyahnya dengan saksama dan menelannya, ia mulai menyulingnya. Apakah karena ia berada di dalam Mata Air Naga? Ia menyerap lebih banyak energi daripada yang seharusnya diberikan oleh obat itu. Pada akhirnya, ia mengumpulkan lima puluh tahun energi dalam. Ia mengharapkan empat puluh, namun mata air itu memberinya tambahan sepuluh.
“Ya!”
Baek So-cheon berseru girang. Digabung dengan lima puluh satu tahun yang sudah ia miliki, ia sekarang memiliki total seratus satu tahun energi dalam. Dan energinya jauh lebih murni daripada apa pun yang pernah ia miliki sebelumnya. Namun, ia masih belum cukup kuat untuk pertempuran panjang.
'Tidak. Ini masih belum cukup.'
Ketua Aliansi Langit Kegelapan memiliki lebih dari empat siklus. Pemimpin Kultus Darah tetap misterius, namun kekuatannya tidak mungkin kecil. Masih terendam di Mata Air Naga, Baek So-cheon diam-diam membuka kitab Pedang Dewa Asura Seribu Tangan Tathagata dan mulai membaca.
Chapter 64. Heavenly Dragon Secret Grounds (2)
The space behind the stone wall was far larger than Baek So-cheon had expected.
It felt like wandering through a cave and suddenly emerging into a vast cavern.
Yet the place was not underground. Sunlight streamed through small windows set high in the walls, and a clear brook flowed across the chamber. Flowers and grass grew throughout the space.
Judging only by the scenery before him, it was difficult to believe he was indoors.
The most striking feature was a small hot spring at the center.
It was large enough for two or three adults, and steam curled gently from its surface. Had it existed anywhere else, it might have looked like an ordinary hot spring. Here, however, it carried an unmistakably extraordinary air.
“It is called the Dragon Spring. Soaking in it heals internal injuries, and circulating energy within it produces more internal energy than cultivating outside. It also restores the body’s vitality. I should have brought you here three years ago.”
Had Ak So-gun done so, they would have made serious attempts to repair Baek So-cheon’s dantian in this place.
But once the Heavenly Grudge Gu entered his body, all desire to bring Baek So-cheon here had vanished.
“I should have brought you sooner…”
Baek So-cheon comforted him when he heard the regret in his voice.
“Do not dwell on it. It was not your will, Alliance Leader.”
“No reassurance changes the fact that I was the one who failed to overcome the gu.”
Perhaps his repeated self-reproach was inevitable.
Ak So-gun stood at the very top of the Murim Rankings.
It would likely take him a long time to fully move beyond what had happened.
“What are those?”
More than ten large jars stood against one wall.
“Provisions for anyone training here over an extended period.”
They contained fasting pills and various foods that could be preserved for a long time.
Sunlight entered, the air circulated freely, and the chamber was remarkably comfortable. It even held a bed for sleeping and a privy in one corner. With so much open space, it was an ideal place to cultivate martial arts.
“Remain here for a while to recuperate and treat yourself. The spring alone may not be enough, so…”
Ak So-gun retrieved a carefully stored box from one corner of the Heavenly Dragon Secret Grounds.
“I saved this in case of an emergency. With your ability, perhaps you can use it together with the Dragon Spring to find a way to restore your dantian.”
He opened the box.
A single snow ginseng root lay inside, releasing an intense medicinal fragrance.
Baek So-cheon’s eyes widened.
“This is…”
“Yes. Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
Among medicinal spiritual plants, it was one of the finest elixirs in existence.
Faced with Ak So-gun’s sincerity, Baek So-cheon knew it was time to reveal the truth.
He had intended to wait until recovering more internal energy, but now that the Alliance Leader had offered even the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, he could no longer hide it.
“Alliance Leader, the truth is that I succeeded in treating my dantian.”
Ak So-gun stared at him.
“Truly? When?”
“Not long ago.”
Baek So-cheon explained that he had met Ban Yun-saeng and repaired his body. He also revealed that the transformation had killed the gu inside him.
“Oh! That is wonderful! Truly wonderful! Heaven has not abandoned us.”
Ak So-gun rejoiced as though it were his own recovery.
“Then you should take this Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”
“No. If your dantian has been repaired, you need this elixir even more. Use it to replenish the internal energy you lack.”
“You should consume it, Alliance Leader.”
When Baek So-cheon declined again, Ak So-gun spoke gently.
“As you know, I already possess sufficient internal energy.”
The more internal energy a martial artist possessed, the less benefit they gained from elixirs.
Up to two full cycles, one could absorb nearly the entire effect. Beyond two cycles, the benefit fell by more than half, and after three cycles the efficiency became abysmal.
In simple terms, a martial artist with three cycles might need to spend hundreds of thousands of nyang in elixirs merely to add one or two years of internal energy.
Ak So-gun currently possessed three and a half cycles.
The Dark Heaven Alliance Leader was known to possess roughly four.
Baek So-cheon had fought him evenly with three cycles before ultimately losing. That alone had been an extraordinary achievement.
“At most, this Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng would give me a little over ten years. If you consume it, you may gain as much as two full cycles.”
Baek So-cheon felt how sincerely Ak So-gun cared for him.
Without that sincerity, he would never have opened the Heavenly Dragon Secret Grounds or offered such a treasure without hesitation.
“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
Baek So-cheon stopped refusing.
To resolve the crisis facing the martial world, he needed to recover his strength as quickly as possible.
A martial artist who consumed Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng could gain between one and a half and two cycles of internal energy.
Baek So-cheon’s realm would allow him to absorb the full two cycles. Since his new dantian retained only one third of an elixir’s energy, that should become forty years of internal energy.
He already possessed fifty-one years of exceptionally pure internal energy. Adding another forty would be like regaining his second wing.
‘And what if I refine the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng inside the Dragon Spring?’
Perhaps he could gather even more than forty years.
Baek So-cheon’s honesty earned him another reward.
“If you can use internal energy again, you should be able to learn this as well. Come with me.”
Ak So-gun led him to a bookshelf beside the bed.
Dozens of books filled its shelves.
This was the true final chamber of the Murim Alliance’s Library of Ten Thousand Books. The manuals here were superior even to those available in the section accessible only to pavilion masters. Rare volumes impossible to obtain on the market stood among them as well.
One book had been placed separately on the highest shelf.
Anyone could tell it was the most precious volume there.
Ak So-gun took it down and handed it to Baek So-cheon.
“Now that your internal energy has returned, this should help you.”
Baek So-cheon examined the manual and stiffened.
“This martial art!”
It was one of the four martial arts praised as peerless across all ages.
The Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword.
It was one of the two remaining manuals Baek So-cheon had sought.
He had believed it would be the hardest of all to obtain, yet it had now fallen into his hands.
“This is too much for me.”
“I intended to give it to you as well. It was to be your reward for stopping the war. Had it not been for you, the Dark Heaven Alliance Leader would be soaking in that Dragon Spring now. You have more than earned it. Take it.”
“You should learn it yourself.”
“It is too late for me. And allowing such a magnificent martial art to disappear unread would be a sin for any martial artist. You must accept it.”
“Then I will no longer refuse. Thank you, Alliance Leader.”
Baek So-cheon bowed.
He felt deeply ashamed for having doubted such a good man.
“It must never happen, but if the Dark Heaven Alliance wins the next war, this martial art could fall into their leader’s hands. I will not allow that. Memorize the entire manual, then burn it. Before you die, pass it to someone worthy.”
“I understand.”
Baek So-cheon accepted the manual respectfully.
“I hear elixirs have become difficult to obtain. Even so, I will find as many as I can.”
Baek So-cheon waved his hands in refusal.
“That is unnecessary. This Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng is more than enough.”
“It is not enough for me.”
Ak So-gun seemed determined to repay every cold act of the last three years.
“The Dark Heaven Alliance Leader does not yet know I have recovered my internal energy. I believe we should keep it secret for the time being.”
“Very well. For now, only I will know.”
“Thank you.”
“The Dark Heaven Alliance and the Blood Cult have joined forces. I am sorry to say it, but we need your strength again. Both I and the martial world need you.”
“If we cannot break their alliance, confronting them will be extremely difficult.”
The Murim Alliance and Dark Heaven Alliance had been evenly matched during the last war.
No, in raw military strength, excluding Baek So-cheon, the Dark Heaven Alliance had held roughly a seven-to-three advantage.
Baek So-cheon alone had raised the Murim Alliance’s three to five and forced the conflict into a ceasefire.
“That is why you must recover quickly. From now on, this place is yours. Do not worry about affairs outside. Train at your own pace and emerge when you are ready.”
“Thank you.”
As Ak So-gun turned to leave, Baek So-cheon warned him.
“Now that our reconciliation has become public, whoever plotted this may attempt another scheme. You must be cautious in everything.”
“I understand.”
Ak So-gun left the Heavenly Dragon Secret Grounds.
Alone, Baek So-cheon drew a deep breath.
“Shall I begin?”
He first carried the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng to the Dragon Spring.
After removing his clothes, he entered the water.
The moment he submerged himself, pleasant heat enveloped him. Even the energy touching his skin made it clear this was no ordinary hot spring.
Baek So-cheon slowly circulated the Immovable Wisdom King Cultivation Art.
The difference was unmistakable.
Internal energy accumulated more than three times faster than outside. An ordinary martial artist might have achieved at most twice the effect, but Baek So-cheon’s realm combined with the extraordinary efficiency of the Immovable Wisdom King Cultivation Art increased it beyond threefold.
That was not all.
As he cultivated, powerful vitality surged through every meridian in his body.
There was only one way to describe the Dragon Spring.
Once you entered, you never wanted to leave.
After completing several full circulations, Baek So-cheon opened the box containing the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
His heart pounded as he looked down at it.
He had consumed many elixirs while building his former three cycles of internal energy, but never one of the very highest grade like this.
He began chewing the ginseng.
A sweet, bitter fragrance burst across his tongue. It was finer than any elixir he had ever tasted.
After chewing it thoroughly and swallowing, he began refining it with the Immovable Wisdom King Cultivation Art.
Sssssss!
Was it because he was inside the Dragon Spring?
He absorbed more energy than the elixir should normally have provided.
In the end, he gathered fifty years of internal energy.
He had expected forty, yet the spring granted him an additional ten.
“Yes!”
Baek So-cheon cried out in delight.
Combined with the fifty-one years he already possessed, he now held a total of one hundred and one years, only nineteen years short of two full cycles.
And the energy was incomparably purer than anything he had possessed before.
He remained somewhat disadvantaged in a prolonged battle, but he could now unleash attacks with power close to his former prime.
‘No. It is still not enough.’
The Dark Heaven Alliance Leader possessed more than four cycles.
The Blood Cult Leader’s internal energy remained unknown, but it could not be insignificant.
Still immersed in the Dragon Spring, Baek So-cheon quietly opened the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword manual and began reading.
* * *
Three days later.
Baek So-cheon stood at the center of the Heavenly Dragon Secret Grounds with the Ghost Shadow Sword in his hand.
For three days, he had carefully memorized every formula of the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword. After checking repeatedly to ensure he remembered it perfectly, he obeyed Ak So-gun’s instruction and burned the manual.
Before his death, he would either transmit the martial art to a disciple or leave behind another manual.
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