CHAPTER 18

 (Willpower Assimilation)

"…Are you saying someone was following me?"

Namgung Sanyeong instinctively stepped back at the sight of the Sugangshi and asked in surprise.

"That's right."

"So, behind that bastard…!"

"The art of manipulating spirits is quite unique. The level is quite high too. Such techniques are usually passed down only within secretive sects. It seems that your illegitimate son has attracted a rather powerful patron, doesn't it?"

Namgung Sanyeong's expression hardened.

"Hmph, this won't do. The cost-benefit ratio is off. I'll have to add two more coffins."

"What do you mean—"

"This is a level we can't take lightly, you see?"

"You…!"

Namgung Sanyeong clenched her fists at the priest's shameless attitude but soon had to nod.

"Fine. But you must handle this properly. Find out exactly who's behind this, and make sure that illegitimate bastard is dealt with—turn him into a proper corpse."

"The customer is king. How could I dare go against the king's command? Hahaha!"

As the priest shook the bell in his left hand, a shadow opened beside Namgung Sanyeong, and a man appeared.

He was wrapped head to toe in black bandages, exuding a sinister aura.

A disciple and assassin under the priest's command.

"You called for me, Master?"

"Track them."

"Yes. Let's go!"

As the man raised one arm, a hawk, larger than a human, emerged from between the Sugangshi and perched on his forearm.

And then—

Whoosh!

With a black whirlwind, he vanished.

I returned to the White Pavilion with Dang Gujin after finishing the drinking session.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course. But, sister, aren't you going back to your room?"

"What's the point? I'd just be bored alone."

As she spoke, Dang Gujin quickly scanned the surroundings of the White Pavilion.

As if checking for hidden threats.

「It seems he's trying to protect the young master from the possible grasp of my mother.」

「For someone from the Cheongseong Sect, he has quite a righteous nature!」

Knowing Namgung Sanyeong's nature better than anyone, he was likely preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

I considered telling him it was unnecessary, but I knew he wouldn't listen, so I didn't bother stopping him.

If this was what put his mind at ease, then so be it.

Instead, I picked up my staff and assumed a stance, signaling that he shouldn't interrupt my training.

There was something I needed to confirm.

"Why did you challenge me to a duel right after defeating Yuchang at the training grounds?"

"Does a duel need a reason?"

"Actually, yes. For you, just beating Yuchang would've been enough to stage a comeback. But if you lost to me, all of that would've been for nothing."

So this is what he was curious about?

Swish, swish swish—

I slowly executed the Sanhwa Staff Technique as I answered.

"My answer is the same."

"?"

"A duel doesn't need a reason, does it?"

"!"

"At first, I had a few reasons in mind… but to put it simply, I just wanted to fight you. That's all. And the one who taught me that was—"

Whack!

The staff struck cleanly at the scarecrow's neck.

"—you, sister. Isn't that what it means to be a warrior?"

"!!"

Dang Gujin fell silent, as if deep in thought.

It seemed like he was grappling with some dilemma or realization.

Just as she had given me insight into my own mindset, I hoped I could be of some help to her as well.

I refocused on my training.

But my mind wasn't on the staff—I was concentrating on my dantian.

During my duel with Dang Gujin, I had felt something click into place.

Since then, my internal energy flow had become much smoother, and my movements more fluid.

I needed to understand the difference from before if I wanted to improve my training further.

But—

'…There's no difference?'

I didn't notice any particular change in my dantian.

「Is something troubling you, young master?」

「If you need anything, please entrust it to me! I shall assist you!!」

「I once served as an instructor in the Hellfire Palace! I am an expert in training, so ask me anything!」

As my stray thoughts drew the attention of the lingering spirits, they clamored to be of use.

One among them seemed especially promising.

His name in life… I couldn't remember.

I'll just call him Ghost One.

'I'm certain I achieved Yang Guang Yi Xian (Harmonization of Light and Shadow).'

「Ohhh! Such a remarkable accomplishment in just two months of training! Young master's talent is on par with the great first Heavenly Demon—」

'Cut the crap.'

「Yes, sir.」

'Then why does it feel like nothing has changed?'

「If I may be permitted, could I examine your esteemed body, young master?」

'Go ahead.'

Since they were bound to me, they couldn't harm me even if they wanted to.

Ghost One cautiously entered my body, carefully inspecting my internal state before drawing a conclusion.

「It seems… though I cannot say with certainty, that this is due to Willpower Assimilation (義念同化).」

'Willpower Assimilation?'

「Yes. Have you ever felt that your internal energy doesn't quite align, as if it's slightly out of sync compared to your spellcasting abilities?」

'Now that you mention it… I have. I thought it was just because I was unfamiliar with internal energy compared to sorcery.'

Since spellcasting was my specialty, I could easily make micro-adjustments whenever necessary.

But internal energy was new to me, and I hadn't yet fully grasped its nature.

It often felt like it didn't respond as smoothly to my will.

That's why, after my duel with Dang Gujin, I wanted to understand why my energy flow suddenly became so natural.

「Internal energy is also called 'power' or 'karma force' because its depth and quantity vary greatly depending on one's accumulated training. At a certain point, it begins to reflect the practitioner's willpower as an inherent trait.」

'So internal energy is basically the embodiment of a warrior's will, similar to the original soul in sorcery?'

「Precisely. However—」

'But my internal energy is different. It contains the accumulated power of both Yeon Woonhwi and Tang Woonhwi.'

「Indeed. Normally, different energies do not merge easily because every person's soul has a unique nature. That is why techniques that absorb internal energy, like the Devouring Star Technique, have never led to world domination. They simply can't fully integrate what they take.」

'So internal energy isn't supposed to blend?'

「Correct.」

'Then how do you explain what's happening to me?'

「That is…」

Ghost One hesitated, wary of my reaction.

'Explain it properly. If you don't, I'll turn you into a Wraith Pill on the spot.'

「It—it seems that young master has begun to… accept the identity of Tang Woonhwi.」

I froze for a moment.

'I've stopped rejecting Tang Woonhwi's life?'

「To be precise… you've embraced it.」

Now I understood.

Before my duel with Dang Gujin, I had always regarded myself and 'Tang Woonhwi' as separate entities.

I had merely observed his life from a detached perspective.

But during the duel, my mindset changed completely.

I had become earnest about martial arts.

Martial arts are a warrior's life and philosophy—that was Dang Gujin's teaching.

And I had fully embraced it.

In other words, 'Yeon Woonhwi' had consumed 'Tang Woonhwi.'

Drip.

A smirk played on my lips.

Even in sorcery, there was a concept similar to this.

—Spiritual and Physical Unity (靈肉一致).

To fully master spellcasting, one's body, the vessel of the soul, also needed to develop. The synchronization between soul and body was essential.

And now, I had finally reached that stage.

'Then, how far along is this Willpower Assimilation?'

「I estimate the process is about 40% complete and accelerating.」

'The higher the assimilation, the faster my martial arts progression, right?'

「Yes.」

'Good. That's all I need to know.'

I grinned widely.

Who wouldn't be pleased at the prospect of growing stronger even faster?

And if the assimilation boosted my spellcasting as well…

That only made me more determined to push forward.