Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy was something that was usually only done between those who shared a close relationship.

First, because of its difficulty. It required the practitioner to continuously infuse precise amounts of internal energy into the correct acupoints, which meant that both the giver and receiver had to be completely at ease.

More than simply allowing someone into your personal space, it meant letting them directly inject their qi into your meridians.

That was why Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy was something only entrusted to those who were both skillful and trustworthy.

Similarly, those who could perform it often hesitated to offer it. Unlike Bone Cleansing Acupressure, which purified one's meridians, or Qi Transfer Technique, which directly passed on internal energy, this technique simply accelerated healing and promoted general well-being—hardly an ability that was deemed necessary.

I had performed it for Seol Lihyang multiple times, but that was a special case.

Back before my regression, various circumstances had led to it, and besides, the current Seol Lihyang was unfamiliar with many of Murim’s unspoken rules. More importantly, she trusted me completely, making it an easy decision.

From that perspective, it was quite surprising that Seorin—who was well aware of such conventions—was offering to do this for me.

Even before my regression, when we had spent far more time together, she had never made such a suggestion.

“…You mean Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy? I must say, this is quite unexpected.”

“Why so? Don’t tell This One that you don’t trust—”

“Of course, I trust you, Senior Seorin. But is there really a need to go that far? It’s just a month of recovery. Besides, we’ve left traces everywhere, not to mention the fact that we’re practically announcing our presence to the world. It won’t be long before the Murim Alliance sends people our way.”

“…So you’re saying you won’t accept it?”

Seorin’s face fell slightly, looking a little dejected. I chuckled and shook my head.

“Of course not. If it’s your Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy, I’ll gladly accept it. I was just curious about the sudden offer.”

“Hmph. As This One said before, it is because This One feels responsible for your injuries. More than that, is it not a parent’s duty to care for their sick child?”

“…You’re still holding on to that? Look, I acknowledge that I’ve learned the Seo Mun Clan’s martial arts, and I don’t mind considering you my teacher. But suddenly gaining a foster mother at my age is a bit…”

I carried all my memories from before my regression. Even if I added up my past life and this one, I was still younger than Seorin, sure.

But that didn’t mean my sense of age had changed.

Perhaps she wasn’t too pleased with my stubbornness. Seorin frowned slightly and tapped the bed again.

“We shall discuss that later. For now, lie down.”

“…Fine.”

I nodded and slowly turned onto my stomach. If I moved too roughly, something might tear open again, but as long as I was careful, it should be fine.

Shortly after settling in, I felt a slight weight press down on my lower back—Seorin had climbed on top of me.

“…Huu. A-Alright, let us begin.”

“Why are you trembling…? Oh.”

I had been concerned at the tremor in her voice, but—

The moment her small hands settled onto my shoulders, followed by a gentle pressure and the flow of qi into my meridians, any lingering doubts faded away.

Now that I thought about it, I had performed Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy for others before, but I had never been on the receiving end.

The warmth entering through my shoulders spread throughout my body, intensifying with each touch as Seorin’s hands slowly moved downward.

Unlike when I performed my own qi circulation, this sensation was different—almost like a languid, comfortable energy filling me from within.

Yes, it was similar to… lying on a wooden porch on a sunny day, a cool breeze blowing, dozing off under the warm rays of the sun.

Even as I thought it, I found the comparison absurd—but it really did feel like that.

No wonder Seol Lihyang would turn into a puddle of mush every time I did this for her.

…Or was it a bit different for her?

Regardless, even though Seorin had only just begun, the effects were already apparent.

The flow of my internal energy had become smoother, and the damaged areas of my meridians were gently wrapped in warmth, accelerating their healing.

I wasn’t sure exactly how much of a difference it would make, but it was clearly far more effective than simply circulating my own qi.

Squish, squish.

Seorin’s hands, which had reached my lower back, slowly glided up again to my shoulders.

The flow of qi momentarily paused. Taking advantage of the break, I let out a slow, contented sigh.

“…Huu.”

“Ah! Was that alright?”

“Yes. This is my first time receiving Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy, but it feels better than I expected.”

“Fufu. This One was slightly nervous since it is also This One’s first time performing it, but seeing your satisfied expression, it seems This One is doing well. However… there is one problem.”

“…What is it?”

Seorin hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath and speaking.

“…This One cannot reach.”

“…Pardon?”

“This One is too small. Sitting on your back, This One struggles to extend her arms all the way to your shoulders.”

“I never thought you were that small, though.”

“W-Well, of course, if This One really tries, it is possible! But… This One had hoped to replicate something seen before, yet it seems to be quite difficult for This One.”

Was it because my body wasn’t fully healed yet?

She mumbled softly, her last words almost inaudible.

Instead of answering me directly, Seorin simply leaned in closer and reached forward.

Her soft palms pressed against the back of my shoulders.

Her breath—warm, almost ticklish—brushed against my ear.

“…Ah.”

Now I understood.

She could reach, but doing so meant she had to press in too closely.

It wasn’t quite full contact, but considering her actual age despite appearances, she was probably somewhat conservative about such things.

Just as I was feeling a bit disheartened at the thought that she might stop after just one attempt—

“I-Insolence! Do not look at This One that way! There is a solution!”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“O-Of course! For swordsmen, only after reaching higher realms and achieving Sword-Heart Unity can they wield their blades with true mastery. However, for martial artists like This One, the body is the foundation, and thus, such techniques can be learned much earlier.”

“That makes sense.”

“But This One is capable of something even more impressive.”

“…More impressive?”

“Yes! Beyond simply utilizing the body to its utmost limits… This One can, to some extent, surpass the very restrictions of the physical form itself!”

“…And what exactly does that mean?”

"Fist techniques must be executed with fists, palm techniques with the palm, and kicking techniques with the legs—that’s just a conventional notion that does not truly bind martial arts.”

“Ah.”

In the end, both arms and legs were part of the body. So was there really any meaning in the distinction between punches and kicks?

Seorin’s answer was clear—no, there wasn’t.

At first glance, it seemed trivial. But when considered deeply, it was an incredible realization—an integration of martial disciplines.

A singular, unwavering insight that connected all of one's martial arts—an understanding that became more profound the higher one's mastery grew.

I was still absorbing the weight of her words when she suddenly added something that made me freeze.

“In other words, This One can use her feet just as well as her hands!”

“…Surely not.”

“Indeed! Would it not be simple to perform Qi Circulation Acupoint Therapy with my feet instead?”

…Was this really correct?

A storm of doubts raged in my mind, but before I could voice them, Seorin abruptly stood up and placed her foot on my back.

Somehow, she had taken off her socks, and I could clearly feel the soft, smooth texture of her small foot pressing against me.

“Well then, let us begin once more.”

“W-Wait a moment—”

Press.

With just the right amount of pressure, Seorin's foot pressed down on my shoulder.

It seemed she wasn’t just boasting—because surprisingly, the effect was excellent.

Though the point of contact had changed, the force of the pressure was nearly the same, and the qi she infused into my acupoints was just as steady as before.

“…Huh? What was that?”

“…Nothing. I was just saying thank you.”

“Hearing it out loud makes This One a little embarrassed.”

With a light chuckle, Seorin began pressing and kneading my back with her feet.

As the drowsy relaxation set in and her qi guided a smooth circulation through my meridians, I closed my eyes and let myself drift.

It looked a bit odd, but the effectiveness was undeniable.

***

The Dragon and Phoenix Gathering Had Been Temporarily Halted.

The legendary grandmaster, the White-Haired Rakshasa, had appeared in her rejuvenated state—only to kidnap the Tang Clan’s prospective son-in-law and vanish.

And she had even traveled alongside him for a brief while.

What an incredible tale.

The Murim gossipmongers found this far more intriguing than the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering itself.

Of course, the real reason the Murim Alliance had suspended the tournament was their desperate need to salvage their plummeting reputation.

After all, wasn’t it a member of the Five Supreme Clans, the Tang Clan no less, whose kin had been abducted?

Considering the Tang Clan's extreme sensitivity to matters of vengeance, the Alliance had to tread carefully.

Still, outright canceling the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering would have been a humiliating defeat.

Thus, they settled on a temporary suspension while secretly directing all their efforts into tracking down Cheon Hwi-da—just as I had predicted when I spoke to Tang Sowol.

Finally, their patience bore fruit.

“So that is why we have come.”

“It is an honor that the Alliance Leader himself is showing such concern.”

“Hah! There is no need for gratitude. Though we have found another trail and are pursuing it, I suspect we will soon receive the same frustrating reports as before.”

Gwak Hu, the Divine Fist of Righteousness—Leader of the Murim Alliance. Few dared to speak to him so bluntly.

Unless it was someone like Tang Jincheon, the Poison King, a master of the Flowering Stage and the leader of a Supreme Clan, who had also just lost his future son-in-law.

Tang Jincheon stood with his arms crossed, seemingly restraining his temper… or at least giving that impression.

When he first heard in Wuhuan City that Cheon Hwi had been kidnapped, he had erupted in fury, nearly summoning both the Blood Venom Unit and the Dark Soul Unit on the spot.

But Tang Sowol had stopped him, secretly informing him that Cheon Hwi had been taken intentionally.

So he knew the situation wasn’t as dire as it seemed.

Even now, his sharp demeanor was mostly an act, reinforced by Sowol’s words.

But the Murim Alliance Leader, unaware of this, continued speaking with firm conviction.

“This time, it is not just a trail—we have confirmed information. He has been staying in a small village in Anhui Province.”

“…What?”

Tang Sowol's eyes widened.

Cheon Hwi had assured her that he would return on his own.

If he successfully escaped and returned of his own will, it would strengthen their argument that Seorin was not a monstrous demon but a victim of circumstance.

But now he was staying somewhere?

Something must have gone wrong.

A grave look crossed Sowol’s face. Seeing his daughter’s concern, Tang Jincheon spoke up.

“Alliance Leader. You know as well as I do that with the White-Haired Rakshasa involved, a mere tracking unit won’t be enough. You were already planning to go yourself, weren’t you?”

“That is precisely why I brought it up.”

The Alliance Leader nodded without hesitation.

Thus, Tang Jincheon, Tang Sowol, and even Seol Lihyang joined the expedition to Anhui Province—where Cheon Hwi was supposedly staying.

And when they arrived, they were met with an unexpected sight.

“Eiht! Eiht! Is that still not enough?”

“No. Please step a little harder.”

There, lying face down, was Cheon Hwi.

And on top of him, pressing her feet into his back, was Seorin.