Chapter 48
“Gak…… Sword Emperor you say…… Elder, the person you are talking about right now…… By any chance, is it the Sword Emperor that I know?”
“Huh-huh. Are there many people who use the title of Sword Emperor? As far as I know, there’s only one.”
“That’s right! So, the Sword Emperor you’re talking about, Elder…… The former head of the Dokgo Family and the one praised as the One Emperor of the Martial World…… Are you saying it’s Senior Dokgo Hwang, the Sword Emperor, the best of the Righteous Path?!”
“Chuckle, chuckle. Is that so surprising?”
“Oh my god!!!”
One Emperor, Three Sovereigns, Five Kings!
It refers to the nine strongest martial artists who represent the Righteous Martial World, acknowledged by everyone.
Of course, since the world of martial arts is full of eccentric individuals, there are many unknown masters, such as ‘Eccentric Daoist Ju Yeong-cheon’ of the Wudang Sect, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. Nevertheless, there was no disagreement that Sword Emperor Dokgo Hwang was the best in the current Righteous Path.
No.
There couldn’t even be a disagreement.
‘The man who won against the former Demonic Cult Leader in a life-or-death battle…… The strongest man, Dokgo Hwang! You were friends with him?!’
That’s right.
Dokgo Hwang, the Supreme Elder of the Dokgo Family, once wrote history in the world of martial arts by winning a duel against Wi Ji-rok, the former leader of the Demonic Cult and the current Heavenly Demon’s grandfather.
So, who would doubt his martial prowess?
The moment he heard that glorious and great name, Seok Yeon-u felt a thrill, like a lightning-struck old tree.
“Huh-huh. As expected, young people like you are completely swayed by hearing his name.”
“That’s, that’s only natural, Elder. Senior Sword Emperor is an unattainable, legendary hero to young righteous martial artists like me, someone we can’t even dream of becoming. But to think that you were friends with such an amazing person…… I couldn’t have imagined it.”
However……
Master Dongbyeok felt strangely offended by Seok Yeon-u’s words.
Of course.
Master Dongbyeok also knows better than anyone that his friend Dokgo Hwang is a great person.
But is there a law that says he can’t be friends with him?
Master Dongbyeok’s eyebrows furrowed as Seok Yeon-u’s words and actions seemed to be surprised, as if saying, ‘How can an old man like you, who’s nothing special, be friends with such a great person!’
“Ahem, ahem. Look here. That friend is great and all, but…… This old man has also achieved no less in his own field. I have nothing to be ashamed of compared to Dokgo Hwang.”
Only then did Seok Yeon-u realize his blunder and blushed.
“Oh…… Elder. I didn’t mean it like that……”
“Forget it. No need to make excuses. What would you know, you!”
“Ah……”
“There are all sorts of things in the world. Just think about it. Isn’t a guy like you, with mediocre martial arts skills, clumsy, and weak-minded, calling a man like So-yun’s father ‘hyung’?”
“Huh?”
“So, improve your judgment, improve your judgment. Tsk, tsk…… I still don’t understand the Sect Leader. How can he be so close with someone as pathetic as you…… Just, forget it.”
“???”
“Ah. Time has flown by. What are you doing? We need to go for physical training. Today, this old man will personally supervise the training, so prepare yourselves. For your information, I’m more serious about training than the Sect Leader.”
What the……
For a moment, Seok Yeon-u was dumbfounded and speechless.
But……
One thing was certain: today’s training,
‘We’re screwed……’
It seemed like it would be tougher than usual.
◈ ◈ ◈
Evening, Dawn Heaven Sect Main Building, Medical Hall━.
“Heuh, heuh-heuh……”
As he opened the lid of the giant iron cauldron, which seemed to be at least three times thicker than an ordinary cauldron……
A tremendous radiance burst out from within, and seeing it, Master Dongbyeok burst into laughter with a face full of joy.
‘……I finally completed it!’
He then put on specially crafted Heavenly Silkworm Thread gloves and began to take out the contents of the cauldron, transferring them one by one into small wooden boxes.
‘What should I name this precious thing……?’
Even in that moment, the smile didn’t leave Master Dongbyeok’s face.
The reason was,
“That’s it! So-yun Elixir! Since I made it for So-yun to eat, I’ll call it So-yun Elixir. Keuh-heuh!”
It was because the fruits of his year-long, crazy dedication to ‘elixir creation’ had been born today.
‘Although its effects might be weaker than elixirs like Mount Hua’s Purple Glow Elixir, Wudang’s Supreme Clarity Elixir, and Shaolin’s Small Revolving Elixir…… So-yun Elixir is by no means inferior to them! Absolutely not!!’
Dongbyeok Yi Si-jin.
Originally, he wasn’t an expert in alchemy, focusing on creating elixirs and medicinal pills.
However, that doesn’t mean he lacks knowledge in alchemy.
It’s just that, rather than focusing on ‘tonic’ that strengthens the human body and internal organs, Master Dongbyeok was a physician who dedicated himself to ‘healing arts’ that aid the ‘recovery’ of already damaged bodies and organs, taking pity on the sick.
Such a Master Dongbyeok……
Today, he created the ‘So-yun Elixir’ by combining all of his medical knowledge.
And the reason he created So-yun Elixir, even changing his beliefs, was……
Solely for So-yun’s growth.
‘So-yun Elixir is a treasure that completely eliminates the side effects found in other elixirs. It’s safe to take regularly, excellent for health maintenance, and if taken for a long time, it’ll have a significant effect on improving martial arts.’
Furthermore, what was surprising was the extreme ‘cost-effectiveness’ of ‘So-yun Elixir’.
Among the famous elixirs of the Righteous Path are Mount Hua’s Purple Glow Elixir, Wudang’s Supreme Clarity Elixir, and Shaolin’s Small Revolving Elixir.
However, renowned elixirs like Purple Glow Elixir, Supreme Clarity Elixir, and Small Revolving Elixir have complicated manufacturing processes, and the raw materials are so rare that it would take the entire fortune of an average wealthy family to make just one.
But ‘So-yun Elixir’ was different.
From the beginning of the elixir’s design, the focus was on eliminating side effects rather than temporary efficacy, and it was made with the cheapest possible raw materials, keeping in mind long-term consumption.
Therefore, mass production was also possible without significant financial burden.
“Hahaha. So-yun. This old man will make sure you never get sick until you become an adult! And who knows? If you’re interested in martial arts like your father? Perhaps with So-yun Elixir, you’ll easily acquire vast internal energy like the ocean. Keuk-keul!”
Just thinking about So-yun munching on So-yun Elixir.
Master Dongbyeok couldn’t help but smile.
◈ ◈ ◈
Wheezing━.
Softly…… Softly.
Looking at the people walking along the mountain path with the cold wind blowing……
I suddenly felt sorry for them.
Their faces and ears were red from the cold, almost frostbitten, yet the peddlers and merchants carrying heavy loads were struggling like me to make a living.
Of course,
‘Who am I to worry about them?’
Such thoughts of mine quickly disappeared.
Come to think of it, their lives might be better than the lives of those in the martial world.
People in the martial world earn good money for their labor, and depending on their abilities, they can rise to unimaginable heights that ordinary people can’t even dream of……
But there’s the risk of dying if they make a mistake, isn’t there?
It’s like the life of a moth drawn to a flame, you could say?
‘I thought about helping those people carry their luggage…… But let’s just forget it.’
So, I dismissed the thought of doing a good deed for once and silently continued on my way.
After all, who am I?
Why would I offer cheap favors to someone’s fathers who are working so hard?
That would be arrogant.
Pong━ Pong━ Pong━.
At that moment.
An old man with white hair, a chubby build, and short stature approached the group of peddlers with a strange Light Body Technique, making loud noises.
‘What’s that? Is there such a Light Body Technique?’
I was momentarily surprised.
The old man’s Light Body Technique unfolded like a child’s play, hopping and skipping on the ground. Not only was the principle unfamiliar, but its speed was also strangely remarkable.
“Hehehe. Hey kids. Should I carry your luggage for you? It looks heavy. If you keep walking as slow as cows, you won’t be able to cross this mountain before sunset. You might even freeze to death, you know?”
But……
The old man’s words and actions, suddenly appearing and offering to carry the peddlers’ luggage, were a bit……
‘Crazy old geezer.’
Crazy(?).
“Hi, hiik! N…… No, sir. We carry firewood and whale oil for emergencies, so even if we don’t cross the mountain today, we can light a fire and sleep outside.”
As expected, the peddlers were terrified and shook their heads as the old man, who clearly looked out of his mind, approached them offering to carry their luggage.
It’s only natural.
If I were them, I’d think he’s a crazy bastard too.
“Eh? Really? Then alright. I’ll go ahead.”
But fortunately.
The old man seemed to be just eccentric, not malicious, as he soon left the people behind and once again ascended the steep mountain path with his strange Light Body Technique, bouncing on the ground.
‘He’s really fast. What is he?’
It’s not just the old man’s Light Body Technique that’s strange.
What truly surprised me was that he didn’t show any signs of having trained in martial arts.
Of course, if he had gone through Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, Transformation of Bones and Marrow, and Five Qi Returning to the Origin, and achieved Return to Simplicity, it would be possible, but……
But who am I?
I’m a keen observer who surpasses such theories, a possessor of Clairvoyance, a possessor of animalistic instincts that have opened up the sixth sense beyond the five senses, someone who is more sincere than anyone else when it comes to martial arts, a master analyst who can deduce the number of times someone poops just by looking at them.
And I can’t sense the old man’s ‘martial arts’?
‘No way…… It can’t be.’
It can’t be true.
There’s no way that crazy old man has reached the peak of martial arts…… A Transcendent Realm master, right?
Oh, come on!
What kind of delusion am I having right now?
◈ ◈ ◈
Papapang━.
I’m the type who can’t stand not knowing something.
So, I used Fast Whale Steps to catch up to the old man ahead of me, wanting to observe him a little more.
Then,
“Hehe! You have quite a unique Light Body Technique, don’t you?”
The old man asked without a hint of breathlessness, even while running.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Elder.”
“Oh! Your breathing is calm even while running so fast? Wow! You must be strong.”
“Likewise.”
Pong-pong━.
Papapang━.
Just like that, the old man and I each made loud noises with our Light Body Techniques, running on the ground, stepping on the air and flying, sprinting like arrows with the principle of Bow-Body Flickering Shadow……
We arrived at a huge mountain fortress located on the ridge, neither of us clearly faster than the other.
‘It’s influenced by Cloud Soaring Movement.’
I.
After the race(?) with the old man, I figured out where his Light Body Technique originated from.
The old man’s Light Body Technique definitely resembled the Wudang Sect’s Cloud Soaring Movement.
However, it wasn’t a complete Cloud Soaring Movement, it was somewhat clumsy. But funnily enough, that clumsy application seemed to be the secret to maintaining a faster speed and consistent power.
At that moment.
“Kekeke! Look here. Are you planning to cross Mount Anwang?”
Just then, a few figures appeared from the fortress and asked in a leisurely tone.
At that moment, I instinctively knew that they were bandits who had settled on Mount Anwang.
Because just six months ago, I was a bandit, a horse bandit, and a robber hunter.
‘I should slap those guys around and get a meal from the fortress.’
With that thought, I smirked and was about to confront them.
I was about to, but……
“Heuh-heuh-heuh. Who are you guys? Bandits?”
It was the crazy old man who stepped forward first.
“Oh my! What a rude old man. What do you mean bandits? We are righteous martial artists of the Greenwood, protecting Mount Anwang.”
“Hey! Don’t lie, you bastards. Even though Greenwood Chief Leader Jang Beon-pal is a weakling, he’s a true man. He wouldn’t take in pathetic guys like you, would he? Hehehe.”
“What, what is this crazy old geezer saying?!”
“Keuh-heuh. I’m not crazy, you know? I did hurt my head while fighting with the Heavenly Demon when I was young…… But to call me crazy! That’s too much!!”
???
What is this again……
What is he talking about?