Chapter 10: The Four Primary Paths

"Alright, Ha-Ru," Seung-Jin began, his voice steady and commanding. "Let's start by explaining the Four Primary Paths a martial artist can take." From the folds of his worn robes, he produced four small, mysterious orbs, each one glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. They seemed to pulse with energy, as if alive, their surfaces swirling with colours that shifted like the tides of the sea.

Ha-Ru's eyes widened as Seung-Jin carefully placed the orbs on the ground, arranging them in a perfect square. Each orb radiated a distinct aura, and Ha-Ru could feel the subtle vibrations of their power even from where he stood.

Seung-Jin stepped behind one of the orbs, his expression thoughtful. "This orb," he said, gesturing to the one at his feet, "represents The Path of Harmony. It may sound familiar to you, as this path focuses on balancing Yin and Yang Qi to achieve perfect equilibrium." He paused, his gaze meeting Ha-Ru's. "You've already spent time on this path—meditating on the mountain, training at the Temple of Eternal Balance, learning to harmonize the Heavenly Demon's Qi with your own. It's a path of balance, of unity, and of inner peace."

Ha-Ru nodded, his mind flashing back to those gruelling days of meditation and struggle. "So, I should focus on the Path of Harmony?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

Seung-Jin raised a hand, his expression calm but firm. "Yes… and no," he replied cryptically. "Your situation is unique, Ha-Ru. The extra soul that resides within you complicates things. You won't be able to focus on just a single path. You'll need to master more than one."

With that, Seung-Jin moved to the second orb, its light brighter and more intense than the first. "This orb," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "represents The Path of Ascendancy. This path is all about maximizing Yang Qi to achieve dominance through sheer strength. Martial artists who follow this path are known for their overwhelming physical power, enhanced speed, and the ability to generate explosive Qi at will. It's a path of raw power and unyielding force."

Ha-Ru's eyes gleamed with curiosity, his mind racing. "So, what path have I been using this whole time?" he asked, already trying to decide which path to focus on first.

Seung-Jin let out a sigh, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Ha-Ru," he said, his tone gently chiding, "please let me finish explaining before we get to you."

Ha-Ru scratched the back of his head, a guilty chuckle escaping his lips. "Sorry," he said, grinning sheepishly. "I'm just… excited."

Seung-Jin stepped toward the third orb, its surface shimmering with an eerie, dark light. "This orb," he began, his voice low and deliberate, "represents The Path of Subjugation. It focuses on harnessing Yin Qi to dominate through fear and destruction. Those who walk this path excel in stealth, assassination, and debilitating techniques. They can drain the Qi of others, create illusions, and even manipulate shadows. The Black Viper assassins are masters of this path."

At the mention of the Black Vipers, Ha-Ru twitched, his body tensing as memories flooded back. "Wait a minute," he said, his voice sharp. "I remember killing the leader of those bastards." His mind flashed to the raid on the Black Viper fortress, the chaos, the bloodshed, and the victory he had shared with Li Mei and Suyin.

Seung-Jin's expression grew serious, his gaze piercing. "That's right, I forgot to mention that," he said slowly. "But the person you faced that day… it wasn't the Black Viper's leader. I can guarantee you that, Ha-Ru."

Ha-Ru's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How could you know that?"

"Because," Seung-Jin replied, his tone grave, "if you had faced the true leader, you wouldn't be standing here alive."

Ha-Ru's mind raced, his thoughts spiralling. "But—" He suddenly remembered Suyin, her past as a former Black Viper member. "What about Suyin? She mentioned she used to be part of the Black Vipers. She must know who their leader is." A wave of doubt washed over him, his voice faltering. "You don't think she lied, do you?"

Seung-Jin placed a reassuring hand on Ha-Ru's shoulder, his touch steadying. "Calm down, Ha-Ru," he said gently. "The Black Viper sect is unlike any other. Its leadership and operations are shrouded in secrecy, even from its own members. But they undoubtedly know she betrayed them, which means she now has a target on her back." His gaze shifted toward Suyin, who was tending to the wounded in the distance, his expression softening with concern.

"Suyin…" Ha-Ru murmured under his breath, his heart heavy with worry.

"OKAY!" Seung-Jin's voice boomed, snapping Ha-Ru out of his thoughts. The old man spun him around, his face breaking into a wide, encouraging smile. "Let's get back to business!" He strode over to the final orb, its light pure and radiant, like a beacon in the darkness.

"This," Seung-Jin said, his voice filled with reverence, "is The Path of Transcendence. It focuses on transcending the duality of Yin and Yang to achieve a higher state of being. This path is reserved for those who manage to go beyond the rank of Grandmaster. Only two people in history have succeeded in mastering it—"

"No way!" Ha-Ru interrupted, his eyes wide with shock. "There are actually people who went past Grandmaster!?"

"Yes," Seung-Jin replied, a proud smile spreading across his face. "And both of them share your blood, Ha-Ru."

Ha-Ru let out a disbelieving laugh, falling backward onto the ground. "Hahaha, how the hell am I supposed to live up to this family's reputation?" he said, staring up at the clouds. But then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought struck him. He sat up abruptly. "Woah, woah, woah, wait a second. I get how my Mother could've mastered the Path of Transcendence, but how could my father do the same when he had that disgusting Qi running through his body?"

Seung-Jin stroked his long white beard, his gaze drifting away as if lost in memory. "Oh? Who said anything about your father being one of the two who mastered it?" A smug grin crept across his face.

Ha-Ru froze, his mind struggling to process the implication. "…Gramps!? No way." He scrambled to his feet, his energy surging. "Then does that mean you were stronger than the Heavenly Dem—" He caught himself, correcting his words. "I mean, stronger than Father?"

Seung-Jin's expression darkened, his eyes clouded with the weight of painful memories. "Ha-Ru," he said, his voice heavy, "allow me to clarify. Technically speaking, your father did study the Path of Transcendence and was progressing at a much faster rate than I or your mother. But he pushed his body too hard. He began cutting corners, seeking shortcuts, and that led to his inability to fully transcend. His inner darkness quickly became his downfall." He turned to face Ha-Ru, his gaze intense. "Whatever you do, please don't push yourself too hard. Listen to your body. Listen to your friends. Please."

Ha-Ru stepped closer to his grandfather, the two of them now standing side by side, gazing at the horizon where the clouds had begun to part. "Gramps," Ha-Ru said, his voice steady and resolute, "I promise you, here and now, I'll never let the same darkness become my end."

They turned to each other, their eyes meeting, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. A warm, loving smile spread across Seung-Jin's face. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude and hope.

"So, what's the point of these orbs anyway?" Ha-Ru asked, glancing back at the small, glowing spheres resting in the grass. Their light seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive, and he couldn't help but feel a strange pull toward them.

Seung-Jin followed his gaze, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Ah, that's right! Come here, boy," he said, ushering Ha-Ru into the centre of the orbs. "Now, I want you to meditate between them. As you do, slowly pour your Qi into each orb until you get a response. Understand?"

Ha-Ru frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Uhm, yeah? But what kind of response am I looking for?"

Seung-Jin chuckled, settling onto a nearby rock. "You'll know," he said cryptically, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Okay then," Ha-Ru muttered, closing his eyes and focusing on his breathing. He inhaled deeply, letting the air fill his lungs before exhaling slowly, his breaths becoming smooth and rhythmic. Gradually, he began to channel his Qi, the energy swirling around him like a gentle breeze. Soon, his entire body was enveloped in a shimmering aura of sky-blue Qi, radiant and serene.

"Stop," Seung-Jin's voice cut through the stillness, sharp and commanding.

Ha-Ru's eyes snapped open, the aura around him dissipating. "What? I was just—"

"I said slowly pour your Qi into the orbs, not wear it like a robe," Seung-Jin said, resting his chin on his hand with a teasing grin. "You're not being attacked, boy."

Ha-Ru scowled, his annoyance evident. "If you would let me focus—" But before he could finish, his Qi vanished entirely, leaving him feeling hollow and frustrated. "Dammit!"

Seung-Jin crossed his arms, his gaze steady and unyielding as he studied Ha-Ru. "What is it?" Ha-Ru asked, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Have you ever fought without using your father's Qi?" Seung-Jin's question was pointed, his tone serious.

Ha-Ru paused, his mind racing through his past battles. "No," he admitted slowly. "In fact, the only time I've used my own Qi was when I was on the mountain with you and when I entered the Temple of Eternal Balance."

"I see," Seung-Jin said, rising from the rock and stepping behind Ha-Ru. "So, the only time you used your Qi was to suppress the Heavenly Demon's energy, correct?"

"Yeah, pretty much," Ha-Ru replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "Although it clearly wasn't helpful." The memory of his battle with General Wu flashed in his mind, the dark energy surging uncontrollably, the moment he had lost himself.

"Focus on meditating again," Seung-Jin instructed, his voice calm but firm. "This time, don't think about me or the Demon's Qi. Just focus on your own energy." He knelt behind Ha-Ru, placing a hand on the young man's back. Slowly, he began to synchronize his breathing with Ha-Ru's, their rhythms merging into one.

The world grew quiet, the only sounds the rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant chirping of birds. Ha-Ru's Qi began to flow again, a gentle stream of light that shimmered like sunlight on water. At the same time, Seung-Jin channelled a trickle of his own Qi, weaving it subtly into Ha-Ru's energy.

But then, without warning, the dormant Demon Qi within Ha-Ru surged violently, lashing out at Seung-Jin as if defending itself. "What the—!?" Seung-Jin leapt back in an instant, his hands flying up to erect a powerful Qi Barrier. The dark energy crashed against it like a tidal wave, relentless and furious.

"AGHHH!!" Ha-Ru cried out, collapsing face-first into the grass, his body convulsing in agony.

"HA-RU!" Seung-Jin shouted, his voice desperate as he struggled to maintain the barrier against the onslaught. "GATHER AS MUCH QI AS YOU CAN! DO IT BEFORE YOU COMPLETLEY LOSE CONTROL!"

Ha-Ru, though wracked with pain, forced himself to focus. He clawed at the ground, gritting his teeth as he gathered every ounce of his Qi, pushing back against the raging darkness. Slowly, the chaos began to subside, the storm within him quieting.

In a flash, Seung-Jin was at Ha-Ru's side, his hands glowing with a warm, golden light as he placed them on the young man's chest. Carefully, he channelled his Yang Qi, restoring Ha-Ru's strength and soothing his battered body. His face was a mask of rage and worry, his voice a low, venomous whisper. "Yeon Ji-Hoon, you despicable bastard… How could you do this to your own son?"

Minutes passed, and Ha-Ru's breathing steadied. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself lying by a crackling fire, the worried faces of Li Mei and Suyin hovering above him.

"Ha-Ru?" Li Mei's voice was soft but laced with worry as she knelt beside him. "How do you feel?"

Ha-Ru blinked, his mind still foggy as he sat up slowly. "I'm a lot better, I think?" he said, scratching his head and offering a weak smile. As he began to stand, Suyin stepped forward, her sharp eyes narrowing.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded, her tone a mix of concern and disbelief. "The Demonic Qi that came from your body was far more intense than when you used it during the battle." She glanced around, lowering her voice to a near whisper. "Grandmaster Zhang isn't very happy, you know." Her eyes flicked toward the edge of the clearing, where Grandmaster Zhang stood speaking to Seung-Jin, his expression stern and unreadable.

Ha-Ru followed her gaze, watching as Grandmaster Zhang bowed deeply to Seung-Jin. "I understand, Master Seung-Jin," the grandmaster said respectfully before turning to leave.

Li Mei's eyes widened in shock. "Woah, did Grandmaster Zhang just bow?" She spun back to Ha-Ru, her curiosity bubbling over. "Hey, Ha-Ru, who is that old man?"

Ha-Ru couldn't help but chuckle, a genuine smile breaking through his weariness. "My grandfather," he said, the words carrying a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Seriously!?" Li Mei exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. She quickly glanced back at Seung-Jin, who was now looking in their direction, and immediately bowed, her gesture filled with respect.

Suyin, however, remained focused, her expression serious. "Ha-Ru," she said, her voice steady but intense, "was your grandfather the one who erected that massive Qi Barrier?"

"That's right," Ha-Ru replied, noticing the gravity in her tone. "Why do you ask?"

Suyin's gaze didn't waver. "A Qi Barrier that size… it's not possible, not even for a martial artist at the Grandmaster level."

Ha-Ru let out another chuckle, though this one carried a hint of pride. "You're right," he said. "But you see gramps has went and mastered the Path of Transcendence. He's become something far greater than a Grandmaster."

"WHAT!?" Li Mei and Suyin shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the clearing. Suyin's head snapped toward Seung-Jin, her eyes wide with awe. "I thought the Path of Transcendence was a myth," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is he here to teach you?"

"Apparently so," Ha-Ru replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Although the only thing I've learned so far is the meaning of each of the Four Primary Paths and how it feels to have my insides ripped apart by my own father's Qi—" He stopped abruptly, realizing his mistake too late. His eyes darted to Suyin, but she was too engrossed in watching Seung-Jin approach to notice his slip. Li Mei, however, had caught every word.

"Father?" she murmured to herself, her voice a confused whisper. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Ha-Ru, a thousand questions swirling in her mind.

Ha-Ru quickly turned away, striding toward Seung-Jin to meet him halfway. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of his unintended revelation pressing down on him. He could only hope Li Mei wouldn't press the matter—at least not yet.

"Ha-Ru," Seung-Jin said, his voice low and serious. He placed a firm hand on Ha-Ru's shoulder, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "We must return to the mountains."

Ha-Ru blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? We're in the middle of a war, Gramps. It's not like I can just up and leave, especially after getting everyone to agree to fight," he argued, his tone a mix of confusion and defiance. He gestured toward the camp, where the resistance fighters were regrouping, their faces etched with determination and exhaustion.

Seung-Jin's gaze hardened, his eyes piercing. "Ha-Ru, right now, you are more of a danger to these warriors than you are a help to them. What if you lost control on that battlefield? You would've killed everyone, including yourself." His words were blunt, cutting through Ha-Ru's resistance like a blade. The young man faltered, his arguments crumbling under the weight of his grandfather's logic.

"I… I can't leave Li Mei and Suyin here alone," Ha-Ru said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I won't—"

Before he could finish, Li Mei and Suyin stepped forward, their presence grounding him. "It's fine, Ha-Ru," Suyin said, her voice calm and reassuring. Ha-Ru turned, surprised to see them standing there, their expressions resolute.

"But—" Ha-Ru started, only to be cut off once more.

"Grandmaster Zhang has decided to hold our position here until you return," Suyin explained, her tone steady. "Our new goal is to stop the Murim Alliance from reaching you until your training is complete." She gave him a small, encouraging smile, her confidence unwavering.

Li Mei stepped closer, tapping Ha-Ru on the arm in a friendly gesture. Her smile was bright, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Learn as much as you can, got it? You better not come back until you're at least a Grandmaster," she said, her tone light and teasing, as if becoming a Grandmaster were a simple feat.

Ha-Ru's heart swelled with gratitude, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Thanks, guys," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I promise not to be gone too long. Wait for me, and make sure to watch each other's backs." He turned to Seung-Jin, his resolve firm. "I'm ready now."

Seung-Jin's eyes sparkled with approval, a hearty laugh escaping his lips. "Hahaha! Good, good. Now let's waste no time," he said, his voice brimming with energy. Without another word, he took off toward the mountains, his movements swift and effortless, like the wind itself.

"HEY!" Ha-Ru shouted, startled by his grandfather's sudden departure. He glanced back at Li Mei and Suyin, a grin tugging at his lips. "I'll see you soon, guys!" he called out, his voice growing fainter as he sprinted after Seung-Jin, his figure quickly disappearing into the distance.

Li Mei's smile faded as she watched Ha-Ru vanish from sight, her expression shifting to one of heartbroken sadness. "I guess we won't be hearing from him for a while now, huh?" she murmured, her voice tinged with longing.

Suyin stepped closer, draping an arm around Li Mei's shoulders. A mischievous grin crept across her face. "Aww, don't tell me you're falling for him so soon," she teased, her tone playful.

Li Mei's cheeks flushed crimson, and she quickly pushed Suyin's arm away. "Shut it!" she snapped, her embarrassment evident. Without another word, she turned and marched back toward the camp, her steps brisk.

Suyin chuckled, following close behind. "This is going to be fun," she said, her grin widening as she continued to tease her flustered friend.

To Be Continued....