197 - Murim Login

Chapter 197 Balmosaesu (伐毛洗髓). This ancient technique, which literally means "removing hair and cleansing the marrow," is a procedure practiced only by prestigious martial sects with deep-rooted traditions. It involves artificially refining muscles and bones using internal energy, and removing accumulated waste from the body, thus transforming one’s constitution to better learn martial arts. Balmosaesu is carried out steadily over several sessions, but the challenge lies in the extremely stringent conditions and process involved. Hearing Jeok Cheon-Gang’s explanation, I asked him. “Is it really that complicated?” Jeok Cheon-Gang nodded. “Changing a person’s innate physique artificially—do you think that could ever be simple or easy? If it were, there wouldn’t be anyone who isn’t a master in the world.” That was true. Normal people have to endure months of rigorous exercise just to sculpt one six-pack on their abs. Changing one’s entire physique and constitution through Balmosaesu would certainly be a whole different level of difficulty. “There are three conditions necessary for Balmosaesu.” Only three conditions, despite the claimed difficulty? Whatever fleeting thoughts I had were quickly dispelled by Jeok Cheon-Gang’s following words. “First. Performers of this ritual must possess internal energy of at least 120 years’ worth, which is considered a superior master’s level power.” “……Wow.” The difficulty is evident right from the start. 120 years' worth of power is quite substantial. Just how many out there possess such energy in the world? Certainly, they are a select few, and Jeok Cheon-Gang standing before me is one of them. He raised two wrinkled fingers. “Second, wealth.” “Why wealth?” “One must procure medicinal herbs for the recipient to absorb. The caster has to circulate and guide the energy filling the recipient's body. The methods vary by sect, but suffice it to say, it involves an exorbitant cost.” “It sounds like it’s only feasible for the likes of the Nine Great Schools or Five Noble Families.” “Not just difficult, it’s extremely challenging. Take Baek Moo-Seong, for instance. That kid from Mount Hua seemed to have received Balmosaesu.” This is, quite literally, an investment—a selection of promising disciples from sects with a bright future potential, candidates to undergo Balmosaesu. Given Baek Moo-Seong’s stellar capabilities, it was likely that even Mount Hua deemed him a worthy investment. “What about Cheong Poong?” “Do you really think the Sword Saint just observed? He likely refined him a little from a very young age.” Damn, I was the only one left out. I thought being a member of the Taiyuan Jin family meant I was at least a silver spoon in the martial arts world, but compared to the diamond spoon equivalents receiving Balmosaesu like it’s double eyelid surgery, I didn’t stand a chance. “And the third, final condition?” “Endurance.” “Pardon?” “Balmosaesu involves changing the innate muscles and bones. The process of twisting and re-aligning them inevitably comes with excruciating pain.” “How painful are we talking about?” Jeok Cheon-Gang bluntly stated. “Painful enough to die.” “……Die?” “Some really do die.” “Gasp." “At Sichuan Tang Clan, they fill a jar with a thousand kinds of poisons… The more he spoke, the more I felt my stomach tighten. Gulping, I asked. “T-that’s just their way of doing it, right?” “Of course. Each sect has its own secret techniques.” “It's not like they stack a thousand logs and set them on fire with you standing on top, or something…” “Oh, it's not that. Sorry." “What in the world does your sect teach you?” Jeok Cheon-Gang, who had been glaring at me, shook his head in disbelief. “Balmosaesu can't be prepared overnight. Today, I’ll just use my energy to straighten your muscles and bones—you can handle the medicinal consumption and other formalities later.” "Oh, okay.” Come to think of it, Jeok Cheon-Gang had come empty-handed. If he intended to perform a full Balmosaesu, he would’ve brought along the necessary items, including herbs. “So, should I take off my clothes?” “Ask me again, and I’ll strip your skin instead.” I swiftly stripped off my clothes at lightning speed. Jeok Cheon-Gang’s eyes examined my bare body from head to toe, and his gaze turned peculiarly intense. “This is…” “Pardon?” “Ah, nothing. Forget it.” What is it? The atmosphere suddenly shifted. As I pondered the old man’s behavior, I realized something and grinned. “Oh, come on, no need to be awkward among familiar faces.” "...?" “To be honest, this size is exceptionally rare. Even I was surprised at first. Do you know about the Amazon? They have something called Black Anaconda there." “While it's understandable to be shocked, touching is a no-go. Understood?” Whoosh, thump! A clenched fist struck my temple with a swift wind sound. Ding. - Status ailment, [Unconscious], has been cleared. As I came to with a system alert, staring at the familiar ceiling, I muttered. "Damn, he could’ve just said he wouldn't touch. Why hit me?" Was he really aching to touch it? Did I wound his pride with my stern refusal? I rubbed my sore temple as I got up. Before me, system messages I hadn’t yet read hovered. “Huh? Balmosaesu is finished?” Looking around, Jeok Cheon-Gang was nowhere to be seen. It appeared he completed the Balmosaesu and left while I was knocked out. Judging by the system message. - [Balmosaesu] has been successfully completed. - [Muscle] and [Sinews] have increased by 5 each. - [Strength], [Stamina], and [Agility] have increased by 1 each. “Wow…” A weary exclamation escaped me. It was undoubtedly beneficial. I was certainly a step up from before. This is the kind of effect you’d typically earn from diligent training upon leveling up once. But… “This is it?” Form is temporary, but class is permanent. No matter how impromptu without proper preparations, Balmosaesu is still Balmosaesu. I was expecting something extraordinary, and I was feeling not just disappointed but slightly bewildered. “What is this?” In martial arts novels, it’s almost like a cheat code. Metamorphosis, Balmosaesu. These two are basically prerequisites for main characters. Even the weakest, sickly characters would turn into powerhouses, roaming the martial arts world after undergoing these. So why am I like this? “Did he do it too half-heartedly?” As I muttered complaints, Hui Mu-Jin opened the door slightly and peeked in. “May I come in… Oh gosh.” As I pulled on the clothes strewn across the floor, I warned, “Just in case you're thinking of something weird, I’ll crack your skull. Just so you know, a 'skull' is a head.” “Then why are you naked?” “That old man wanted to check my body.” “Checking your body, stark naked?” “…Your choice of words is odd, you know.” Hyeok Mu-Jin flinched and quickly waved his hands to deny any implication. “No, that's not it. I just came to see if something happened since the expression on Jeok Daehyeop's face was so unusual when we crossed paths.” “His expression was odd?” “Yes. His face was so tense, like he was startled or angry.” “Really?” “Yes. It was so intimidating I couldn’t even bring myself to talk to him.” “Why?” “How would I know?” I tilted my head in confusion. Did something unexpected happen? Jeok Cheon-Gang moved with his mind preoccupied. Those who recognized him bowed their heads, but his thoughts were consumed by just one person. ‘Jin Tae-Kyung.’ In just a few days, his evaluation of him had changed multiple times. From an interesting guy to a shameless one who burned a sect’s secret manuals. And today, upon seeing Jin Tae-Kyung’s bare physique for the first time, Jeok Cheon-Gang thought. ‘What a peculiar individual.’ Jin Tae-Kyung’s muscular and skeletal structure was impressive even at a glance. It felt like a waste to let him wither in a remote place like this. But seeing his body, previously hidden under clothes, was beyond what he had imagined. ‘Such a balanced body.’ A human body grows and changes over time, but achieving balance is another matter. Even a slight habitual posture or small daily habits can ruin that balance. For instance, swordsmen who wield with their right hand tend to develop more muscle and strength on the right arm. It’s as natural as water flowing downhill. But Jin Tae-Kyung was different. ‘…What is this guy?’ The length and angle of his bones, the form and shape of his muscles. Every aspect was perfectly balanced. As if some omnipotent being had sketched half of Jin Tae-Kyung on an empty scroll and then folded and unfolded it. ‘Could he have been undergoing Balmosaesu consistently since he was young? No, it’s impossible even with Balmosaesu.’ Jeok Cheon-Gang remembered the efforts and research he had put into improving Jang Cheon’s subpar physique, eventually settling on Balmosaesu as the best method. The result was successful, but from that experience, he had learned one thing. ‘Even Balmosaesu has its limits.’ The term 'perfect balance' doesn’t suit the human body. No amount of wealth could completely remove even the slightest of flaws. Yet, Jin Tae-Kyung was different. Jeok Cheon-Gang examined his unconscious body from head to toe, feeling the tough and elastic skin, and sensing the power filling both the outside and the inside. He funneled his energy into Jin Tae-Kyung's body, confirming his extensive and robust muscular network. And then he was astonished. ‘How could such a body exist!’ Truly perfect. It was as if he had undergone the legendary transformation known as Hwan-gol, Daltai (换骨奪胎), transitioning into a new form beyond imagination. Throughout his life, Jeok Cheon-Gang had met numerous supreme masters, including the unparalleled Sword Saint Mae Jong-Hak. But he could confidently say Jin Tae-Kyung’s physique was the finest he had ever witnessed. ‘Could it be…’ He was lost in thought for a long time until a sudden idea made him shiver. In the martial arts world, there were age-old legends passed down like myths. They spoke of the Cheon Mujiche (天武肢體), a martial saint physique said to be born from a once-in-a-century twist of fate. ‘Cheon Mujiche, am I out of my mind?’ Yet, the more he examined Jin Tae-Kyung, the deeper his doubts grew, and his mind became entangled. There was virtually nothing on his physique that needed improvement. After performing what could unashamedly be called a nominal Balmosaesu, he was deep in contemplation. ‘If that boy truly has a Cheon Mujiche, what path will he tread with superior martial arts and the absorption of powerful elixirs?’ The thoughts continued as he exited the mansion and walked away, until deep in his heart, a slumbering desire slowly raised its head. “…What if I teach that boy?” Jeok Cheon-Gang was startled by the words that had escaped his lips. A disciple? His only disciple had betrayed the sect and was no longer in this world. The wound from that betrayal had not yet healed, yet here he was, considering taking a new disciple. Also, he was over a century old, with his mind already dulled by the ailments of old age. ‘Even if it’s not me, Mae Jong-Hak, that friend, could find an excellent talent to continue the legacy of this sect.’ He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, but Jeok Cheon-Gang had planned to visit Mae Jong-Hak immediately after leaving Taiyuan Jin. Mae Jong-Hak, who possessed famed skills in martial arts, and no personal greed, was the ideal candidate to entrust with the future of the Yeol-hwa door. ‘But now, what is this absurd thought? You foolish, simpleton Jeok Cheon-Gang.’ As Jeok Cheon-Gang sighed deeply while staring up at the sky, a polite voice interrupted him. “Jeok Daehyeob, are you troubled with something?” The owner of the voice was none other than Jin Wi-kyung, a giant of a man. Jeok Cheon-Gang, who had just been thinking about Jin Tae-Kyung, flinched. “Uh, yes?” Already on his third day staying with the Taiyuan Jin family, Jin Wi-kyung asked cautiously, having noticed the unusual demeanor. “Is there something making you uncomfortable?” “Oh, no. It’s nothing.” “Glad to hear. Is there anything you need to tell me?” “Nothing at all.” “Are you sure?” “Yes, indeed! Don’t worry about it and continue with what you’re doing.” “...Jeok Daehyeop?” “What now!” At Jeok Cheon-Gang's sudden outburst, Jin Wi-kyung hesitantly spoke. “You're standing in front of my office, Jeok Daehyeob.” “Would you like to come in for a cup of tea and a chat?” After a slight pause, Jeok Cheon-Gang cleared his throat awkwardly. “Ehem. Tea is fine, but perhaps some wine instead.” His mind might have been elsewhere, but Jeok Cheon-Gang’s feet followed his heart honestly.