Translator: Nox
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: This Wasn’t Even a Secret Technique
#1
What is a secret art?
As the name suggests, something handed down in secret.
To martial artists, it usually referred to inner cultivation methods, saber techniques, or sword arts—techniques refined over time, becoming a family’s legacy.
They guarded them with their lives.
Why?
Because they revealed the family’s history—and its weaknesses. If exposed, they could be countered.
But now—
What was Hyeon-do doing?
He was distributing a martial art—one traditionally taught only to direct blood descendants—to the general disciples?
“You brat—! I should’ve known you were too quiet!”
Peng Jin-mu dashed toward the Grand Training Hall using his light footwork.
He had to stop this.
There could already be spies lurking inside.
But Peng's power was too weak to be picky about methods—it needed strengthening, even if it meant making sacrifices.
So Hyeon-do had acted.
Still, he had to be stopped.
But—
He was too late.
“Ooooh—!”
“This is the Geon-Gon Shin-Gong, right, Young Master?!”
“It’s not a divine art, it’s just a cultivation method.”
Several disciples had already begun practicing the technique, some showing promising signs.
Was it their talent? Or Hyeon-do’s teaching?
The qi they emanated was unmistakable.
[You brat—! What do you think you’re doing?!]
Jin-mu couldn’t hold back and roared with his full internal energy.
In the corner, Jin-hyeok was tied up.
Why was he restrained again?
From afar it looked comical, but for Jin-mu, it was a nightmare.
His oppressive presence crushed the excitement in the training hall.
The young disciples froze, eyes wide with fear.
It wasn’t their fault.
No—this was the fault of the kid who leaked the family’s techniques.
“Oh, Patriarch, you’re here. I was just about to explain, but the meeting was running long, so I went ahead.”
“Do you realize what you’ve done?”
“Of course. I taught the disciples an enhancement method.”
Enhancement method?
Geon-Gon Shin-Gong wasn’t just that.
It was one of the few remaining divine arts of the Peng Sect.
“You know it was for direct bloodline heirs only. You've broken family law.”
“Patriarch, how long will we cling to Geon-Gon Shin-Gong? Our family holds techniques far greater than that.”
“Such as?”
Crack—!
Lightning sparked from Hyeon-do’s palm.
He didn’t care about hiding it.
It wasn’t as if danger would avoid him for staying quiet.
“If you read my letter, you know what I’m capable of.”
“You mean—”
“Before I left for the Jegal Clan… it wasn’t here?”
Hyeon-do smiled knowingly.
Jin-mu stared at the flashing lightning.
Yes—now it made sense.
He recalled the steward whispering something before Hyeon-do left.
<Patriarch, change may be coming. I felt something in the Young Master’s cultivation. Something I can’t describe…>
A name long forgotten.
A lightning art used during the golden era of the Peng Sect—back when they were among the strongest in Murim.
Why had their ancestors trained so hard for strong bodies?
The answer sparkled before him.
Blue Lightning Divine Art.
And Hyeon-do was wielding it.
“Geon-Gon Shin-Gong should now be common training. Drop the ‘divine’ from the name.”
“…”
“From now on, we will reclaim our lost techniques.”
Behind Hyeon-do stood Peng Mu-hyeok, arms crossed, nodding.
[Who can stop those who reclaim their own history?]
Looking around at the patriarch, steward, and elders, Hyeon-do declared:
“Geon-Gon Shin-Gong? It’s just a cultivation method.”
“This wasn’t even a secret technique.”
#2
Shaolin has the term “Diamond Body.”
A state where the body becomes harder than steel.
They reached it through brutal training and spiritual refinement.
Did the Peng Sect not have something similar?
Of course they did.
While Shaolin strengthened the body against external attacks, Peng did the opposite.
[Geon-Gon Mi-Heo Shin-Gong strengthens the meridians from within, eventually reinforcing the skin with internal energy.]
It was the foundation of their use of divine strength and body arts.
The groundwork for lightning cultivation.
This was the true legacy of the Peng Sect.
Why could Hyeon-do use the Blue Lightning Art right away?
Because he was a Heavenly Martial Physique.
Born with everything.
He didn’t need groundwork.
“Mi-Heo Shin-Gong, huh…”
“I’ll teach you the formulas now. Ancestor will demonstrate.”
“I shall receive it with reverence.”
Inside the Small Martial Hall—
Only Patriarch Jin-mu and Jin-hyeok were present.
This was a true Peng legacy—only the worthy could learn it.
‘Ancestor, I’ll leave it to you.’
[Yes. I shall pass this down through my spiritual medium.]
Hyeon-do nodded.
His eyes glazed over as he began to channel the ancestor.
Jin-hyeok, watching from the side, felt chills.
...
[Truncated for length]
