Book 3 Chapter 3

Patient with Plum Blossom Hypersensitivity

As soon as they finished their meal, Hyoryong, Janghong, and Biryuyeon, who had been standing idly, dragged Yoon Junho into the room.

Then, after forcefully seating him in a chair, they asked him directly.

Although they had met for less than a day,

Seeing that this introverted, gentle soul looked frustrated,

They had finally caught a clue to the cause.

The existence of a cause meant the existence of a solution. Furthermore, it was a story that didn't need to be re-mentioned that removing the cause was the solution. Of course, it wasn't an easy task, but for Biryuyeon, who had lived without knowing impossibility, he naturally chose to try. It was the same for Hyoryong and Janghong.

"Why can't you use the Plum Blossom Sword technique?"

Hyoryong and Janghong asked simultaneously, their eyes shining with intense curiosity. However, the answer to that question was enough to shock the two men.

"What did you say?"

It was utterly impossible to accept such a bizarre incident logically. Then, what was the problem? Even a joke, if it was this much, would be too much to praise. A disciple of the Hwasan sect, admitted to the Cheonmu Academy on the recommendation of the former sect leader, being unable to perform the Plum Blossom Sword technique, the signboard and essence of Hwasan sect martial arts, was a lame joke so unfunny that a passing dog would choke on it.

The person who devised such a wicked joke would undoubtedly be subject to the stinging gazes of everyone and have their wit and ingenuity questioned, with no room for excuses.

Yoon Junho himself seemed ashamed of the fact and lowered his gaze, fidgeting.

"Uh, well…"

Yoon Junho began to confess things about himself in a stuttering voice. He spoke with a voice overflowing with regret, detailing every bit.

"What did you say!"

Yoon Junho's voice was barely a whisper, but Biryuyeon, Hyoryong, and Janghong, who had acquired hearing tens of times superior to others through rigorous martial arts training, could only widen their eyes again.

"To shock us twice without batting an eye, that's something to be praised."

Janghong said with a somber face, mixed with a hint of complaint. There was even a sense of futility in his tone. He thought this kid was truly audacious.

Hypersensitivity…

Plum blossom hypersensitivity…

What kind of thing is this that a passing mutt would die laughing? A Hwasan sect disciple, for whom it's questionable if there are any other flowers left besides plum blossoms, is a plum blossom hypersensitive patient. It seemed more realistic than a ghost eating myrobalan seeds.

"They say dogs that die laughing aren't tasty, let alone nutritious, even if you boil them…"

Janghong said with a truly serious tone. He seemed to have tried to be funny. Of course, the results were disastrous for his efforts.

"Sir, that joke isn't funny at all."

Hyoryong looked at Janghong with eyes that clearly implied not to interrupt the story.

'Sir, sir…'

The word 'sir' was one of the things he hated most in the world. Janghong was slightly offended. Moreover, he felt even more depressed as if his excellent sense of humor had been wholesale discounted. Of course, this was under the premise that delusion is free.

Yoon Junho continued his story. The more he listened, the more incredible his story became. And at the same time, it was pathetically laughable. It was truly an absurd story. His story contained a strange power(?) that made people shake their heads.

Yoon Junho had a severe hypersensitivity to plum blossoms, especially their scent, to the point where just smelling them would cause hives all over his body, and in severe cases, paralysis. At first, the sect had tried to give up on him, a possessor of such a strange constitution.

The Hwasan sect, a leader of the Old Nine Sects with a proud tradition and history, had thrown in the towel for him, who was absurd and unbelievable, and showed no sign of improvement despite all efforts. He had barely managed to avoid expulsion by begging and pleading. At that time, for reasons unknown, the Great Master Taesa, the Plum Blossom Swordmaster Yu Hwankwon, reportedly provided crucial help.

Although the crisis of expulsion was narrowly averted, due to his constitution, he couldn't even dare to approach Nak-an Peak within Hwasan, where the entire mountain was covered in red plum blossoms. Therefore, whenever the plum blossom season arrived, he had to focus on his solo training on Geommu Peak, next to Nak-an Peak, where the density of plum blossom trees was low.

That peak was a scenic spot with numerous interconnected caves, often favored by disciples of Hwasan for training. Thus, it was a place where traces of training by senior disciples could be encountered in various caves.

He also found a training cave there and practiced sword techniques until the plum blossoms fell. At first, it was fine, but as practicing alone in one place became too monotonous, he gradually began to explore other caves. One day, while practicing sword techniques outside a cave as usual, he inadvertently swung his sword, and a corner of the hillside where he was practicing suddenly collapsed. And miraculously, a small cave entrance appeared behind the pile of collapsed earth. The cave, buried by dirt for many years, was revealed by his sword.

The small, dark opening tempted the young man, and unable to resist his curiosity, he pushed himself into the cave. The entrance to the cave was much narrower than elsewhere, but upon entering, the inside was three times wider than the entrance. The depth of the cave also appeared three to four times longer than others, and he couldn't suppress his curiosity, so he decided to explore the cave. As he had nothing else to do, it was a perfect way to pass the time. Thus, his cave exploration began.

After walking aimlessly for a long time, he finally reached the end. The end of the cave formed a wide and smooth hemisphere that amazed him. Even with his limited eyesight, he could tell that it was not a naturally formed place but one that had human intervention. Therefore, his surprise grew.

Standing in the center of the hemispherical plaza, he held up a torch and examined the smooth walls, noticing fine lines like capillaries spread out like a spiderweb. As a direct disciple of the prestigious Hwasan sect, he could recognize at a glance that those countless lines were traces left by sword energy of an incredibly profound level. Witnessing the traces of that astonishing realm, he was overwhelmed by a lightning-like tremor that ran through his entire body and stared blankly for a long time.

After a considerable time, he examined the floor and found footprints, presumably left by a senior swordsman who had trained there, made according to a consistent principle (Warrior's Reason). He could recognize at a glance that the marks on the floor were traces of footwork. However, at first, he couldn't understand how a human could operate such complex and confusing footwork variations.

The last thing he discovered there was a sword technique verse left by an unknown deceased person written on a corner of the wall. The name of the sword technique was the Seven Plum Swords, the last remnant and most precious trace of the deceased who ultimately left no name, and it appeared to be at least two hundred years old. The deceased who left no name was likely one of the senior disciples of Hwasan who endured bone-grinding training and patience for a new interpretation and higher attainment of the Plum Blossom Sword technique, just like his predecessors.

From that moment on, he became obsessed with the Seven Plum Swords. He immersed himself in the verse day and night, forgetting even to eat and sleep. He was filled with the dream of recreating the countless sword lines left on the hemispherical ceiling with his own body. As the senior swordsman started and finished in the same place, the sword lines on the hemispherical wall were not chaotically entangled but overlapped in multiple layers following the same single trajectory, which made it very convenient for his training.

His ability to understand martial arts seemed to be not bad. Perhaps there was a high probability that he possessed qualities beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Otherwise, it would be absolutely impossible to reach the realm of sword aura at that age. In any case, he practically lived in the Seven Plum Cave that winter.

The verses of the Seven Plum Swords were based on the theories and principles realized through the deceased's enlightenment in his later years, so there were many parts that were difficult and confusing to understand with the senses at that time. It wasn't that they were impossible to interpret, but the effectiveness of executing them according to the theory was questionable.

He assumed that the Seven Plum Swords were an unverified sword technique, and decided to inform the sect if it proved to be a proper sword technique later. He focused on training first. According to the cautionary notes written separately below the verses, it was a rapid cultivation method with an unparalleled speed of progress, and there was a friendly warning that there was a high possibility of falling into a deviant path of cultivation if done incorrectly. Furthermore, it was even written that he would not recommend it to others if he could help it, and that they should not blame him if they fell into a deviant path of cultivation, as he had already warned them. So, how could he dare to report it to the sect?

Fortunately, there were no major problems with his training at first. Most of the content of the verses focused on understanding and applying the Plum Blossom Sword technique from a new perspective, but it wasn't so difficult as to resent his own brain.

Thus, day by day, his training progressed, and he felt his skills improving. He was filled with secret joy and reveled in his happiness. Unfortunately, such joy did not last long.

Perhaps the goddess of fate, sending her ardent jealousy upon his joy and overflowing happiness, despair came unexpectedly from a very strange direction. After that cursed nightmare, he fell into a tragic state where he could no longer properly perform the Plum Blossom Sword technique, let alone the Seven Plum Swords.

He had tumbled from the heavenly garden of ultimate joy and happiness into the thorny bush of despair at the very bottom, completely unprotected and without any cushioning. It goes without saying that he was then branded a fool in the sect for being unable to perform the Plum Blossom Sword technique.

Thus, the bizarre incident of a direct disciple of the Hwasan sect being unable to perform the Plum Blossom Sword technique occurred. And he had to endure the contempt, disdain, and ridicule of his fellow disciples.

"Even hearing it ten times, it's hard to believe."

Janghong stared intently at Yoon Junho's face with a half-believing expression. Yoon Junho's face was flushed red with shame. But he didn't seem to be lying.

"B-but it's the truth."

"Who would believe such an absurd story? I myself find it unbelievable. With all due respect, I am currently feeling a serious doubt about your sincerity."

Janghong said, looking at Yoon Junho, the protagonist of this absurd comedy.

"No one in the sect believed my story either."

Like Hyoryong and Janghong, his fellow disciples in the sect did not believe his physical dilemma. They dismissed it all as a flimsy excuse and mocked him further.

"I wish all those facts were fiction. If so, I couldn't ask for more. It's embarrassing to be seen with such a foolish story."

Yoon Junho was very disheartened at the moment. The meeting with his senior and junior disciples seemed to have taken most of his motivation away. However, it was understandable how he felt, having been rejected by those he should have relied on, his senior and junior disciples.

"At first, there were no problems learning the Plum Blossom Sword technique. But after a few years, one day, when I performed the sword, plum blossoms bloomed like a mirage, and the scent of plum blossoms swirled around me. At that moment, my mind reeled, and I almost collapsed. The rest was obvious. In an instant, my whole body was covered in hives, and my nerves became paralyzed. In the end, I dropped my sword and fainted. I couldn't hold it because it was so itchy. Since then, I haven't even dared to attempt the Plum Blossom Sword technique, let alone the Seven Plum Swords."

He finished his story and waited for the laughter of the listener, but no one laughed. The usual mockery that followed his stories did not come today. Instead, a serious atmosphere dominated the entire room.

Hyoryong looked at Janghong with a meaningful gaze. Janghong nodded as if responding to his gaze.

"You think so too?"

Janghong opened his mouth cautiously. Hyoryong nodded.

"Yes, if my thoughts are not mistaken, it is…"

"The realm of Sword Aura."

The two spoke in unison, confirming each other's intentions once more. Although it was a short phrase, it contained deep and countless meanings.

"The realm of Sword Aura? What is that?"

Biryuyeon, unable to suppress his curiosity, asked. The two whispering to each other and agreeing about something he didn't know was not a pleasant sight for Biryuyeon. He felt like he was being left out.

"I don't know the details either, but…"

Janghong began his explanation.

"It is a unique characteristic and independent realm of the Hwasan sect's Plum Blossom Sword technique, and its cause and reason have not yet been precisely identified. It is only passed down through generations - including some personal accounts - that when the Plum Blossom Sword technique reaches a certain level, specifically a very high level, a subtle scent of plum blossoms emanates from the sword energy. In other words, the sword emits fragrance as if it has become a plum blossom tree. It's a rare phenomenon. The Hwasan sect calls that astonishing and wondrous realm the Realm of Sword Aura (劍香之境). There are countless speculations about this, but the most plausible theory is that it is not unrelated to the Hwasan sect's unique internal energy cultivation technique, the Zihaingong, which is cultivated within the Hwasan sect, where the essence of plum blossoms blooms abundantly."

Zihaingong is the Hwasan sect's supreme unique internal energy cultivation technique, a legendary divine skill transmitted only to direct disciples. The reason this divine skill is called Zihaingong is that as the level of internal energy achievement increases, the emitted energy takes on a purple hue. It is one of the two divine skills that support the Hwasan sect, along with the Plum Blossom Sword technique. There was a prerequisite that to achieve the maximum power of the Plum Blossom Sword technique, one must have cultivated the Zihaingong to a certain level or higher.

Before Biryuyeon could even ask, Janghong generously explained Zihaingong in detail. He thought that someone who didn't know the Plum Blossom Sword technique would naturally not know about Zihaingong. His guess was, of course, perfectly accurate. Thanks to Janghong's prior explanation, Biryuyeon was spared the effort of asking questions.

Janghong explained everything he knew, despite claiming not to know much. He knew the realm of Sword Aura, which few in the martial arts world knew, in great detail. In that context, Hyoryong, who guessed the realm of Sword Aura after only hearing Yoon Junho's story, was undoubtedly an extraordinary person.

"Really? That's amazing. Humans emitting fragrance, not being flowers. They could be used as human air fresheners."

Biryuyeon scanned Yoon Junho's entire body with a meaningful gaze. At that moment, Yoon Junho felt goosebumps rise all over his body and a chilling sensation, but he didn't know the cause.

"Moreover, no one other than Hwasan sect swordsmen has ever experienced the realm of Sword Aura. It means that realm is currently confined to the Hwasan sect. Few people in the Hwasan sect know about this."

"Why?"

"Because the number of people who have reached the realm of Sword Aura is that scarce. In the last hundred years, the number of people who have reportedly reached the realm of Sword Aura can be counted on one's fingers."

"The creator of the Plum Blossom Sword technique must have been a plum blossom fanatic who loved them dearly, right?"

Biryuyeon looked at Janghong, seeking his agreement.

"Probably."

Janghong conceded, as if reluctantly.

"Perhaps that person, out of their excessive love for plum blossoms, wanted to become a plum blossom tree. So, did they intentionally create a martial art that could reach such a realm? I'm sure they did."

Biryuyeon concluded that the creator of the Plum Blossom Sword technique must have been someone who loved plum blossoms so much that they wished to become a plum blossom tree itself. But then, why could this strange hypersensitive patient, who recoils from plum blossoms as if they were ghosts, reach such a realm? Perhaps that's why the world is an interesting place.

"The realm of Sword Aura…"

Janghong and Hyoryong knew well what this realm was. A dream-like realm that ordinary people could never easily enter; a sword emitting fragrance like a flower, how could it be an ordinary realm? It was clear that one could never reach it with shallow attainment of Zihaingong and weak enlightenment of the Plum Blossom Sword technique. Yet, this frail-looking fellow was the owner of that realm… It was still hard to believe.

Hypersensitivity is a term referring to physical side effects that occur when exposed to a specific substance or scent. In other words, according to cause and effect, there must be a cause for the result; there's no way side effects could occur without a scent. Then, where did the scent that triggered his hives come from? Did it fall from the sky, or did it suddenly erupt from the ground without warning?

Of course, it meant it came from his sword, or rather, his body. In other words, it establishes that he has reached the realm of Sword Aura, where he can emit the scent of plum blossoms from his sword. Without the realm of Sword Aura, there was absolutely no way to make plum blossom fragrance naturally emanate from a human body. No other methods or cases have been reported. It was certain that he would never find any other way besides the Realm of Sword Aura, no matter how long he searched the world until his death.

'Is it really that fantastical realm? Am I dreaming or making a serious mistake?'

Janghong looked at Hyoryong with a gaze seeking confirmation again. Hyoryong nodded, indicating his agreement with Janghong's opinion. It wasn't that they thought Janghong was a crazy person, but rather that they agreed with the speculation that Yoon Junho had experienced reaching the fantastical realm of Sword Aura.

It was puzzling why a direct disciple of the Hwasan sect would not know such a fact, but the realm of Sword Aura, where the scent of plum blossoms blossomed fantastically, was a high realm that could only be encountered when the Plum Blossom Sword technique and the supporting Zihaingong were cultivated to 10 stars or more. Furthermore, he claimed to have seen plum blossoms bloom when he swung his sword along with the fragrance.

A mirage of blooming plum blossoms!

The illusion of plum blossoms drawn by sword energy was a high realm that one could only glimpse a few blossoms when the Plum Blossom Sword's realm reached the realm of Sword Energy Blooming Flowers (劍氣劍花), a realm that ordinary people could not easily reach. It was undoubtedly a higher realm than the realm of Sword Energy Blooming Flowers.

Therefore, this fellow had accomplished something incredibly great without even realizing it. If the elders of the Hwasan sect had known, they might have rejoiced and celebrated the emergence of a child prodigy. Of course, if he couldn't perform it, it would be a useless trinket to have.

In any case, it was clearly proven that Yoon Junho, even if his current skills were unknown, was a talented and outstanding individual. Then the problem was the fact that he had learned it but couldn't use it…

"What should we do in such a situation?"

Janghong asked for opinions around him without much thought. It was an absurd and difficult problem, not a serious congenital illness like five yin meridian blockage or nine cavern lung blockage, or an incurable disease, but merely a trivial illness like hypersensitivity that caused him to plummet from a peak expert to a pathetic novice. Naturally, such matters could not be handled alone. Unless he was a god or a superhuman, he certainly needed help from those around him.

Silence ensued for a while, for contemplation and improvement of countermeasures. It would be more unusual than common sense to expect such a matter to be resolved instantly without any deliberation.

"In such a situation, it's right to…"

Biryuyeon, who had maintained a spectator's position due to his lack of knowledge in the series of conversations, was the first to speak, as if a good idea had occurred to him. Immediately, the gazes of the three men focused on Biryuyeon's mouth. No one had expected that the solution would come from him first. This was because Biryuyeon had been treated as useless and a bystander in this conversation.

"It's right to…"

A silent pressure was applied to Biryuyeon to continue without stalling.

"Human modification!"

Although he had expected it, the answer seemed to be very far from a constructive opinion.

"What, human modification?"

Biryuyeon nodded again and smiled. Seeing his smile, Janghong and Hyoryong thought, 'Is this guy in his right mind?' but also knew it wasn't a completely absurd story.

"Yes, human modification. If the body reacts negatively to the scent of plum blossoms, the only way is to modify the body. Isn't correcting what is wrong the shortcut to solving the problem?"

Although it sounded somewhat unsettling, as if something was stuck in his throat, it was a plausible statement in its own way. However, it still sounded absurd and unbelievable. Therefore, it was a solution with many problems that wouldn't easily convince others.

"It would be lucky if he doesn't get lost and become a stray."

"Or fall off a cliff or walk through a thorn bush."

"Let's search for more constructive and progressive methods instead of such trivial suggestions."

It was clear that both of them had not yet grasped Biryuyeon's intention.

"Hmph, I'm telling you, this is the most certain method. Do you have any other good ideas?"

Of course, there wasn't any such thing.

Everyone became speechless, like a mute with honey in their mouth. So, they decided to give it a try and consider it positively. Fortunately, they had a tendency to advance aggressively and boldly once they set a direction.