Chapter 25

Gongqing Oil is an elixir that martial artists can only dream of.

Only a few elixirs can rival it: the Natural Wine Fruit, the Moon Dan Flower, and the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.

Of course, there might be elixirs unknown to the world. However, these four were the highest-grade elixirs whose names and effects martial artists clearly knew, yet were extremely difficult to obtain.

Where on earth could they have obtained it?

Why would someone send these as a gift under the name of friendship, rather than consuming them themselves?

Was it possible because he was a man vying for the title of the wealthiest man in the Central Plains?

How could a merchant have obtained something even martial artists find hard to acquire?

Danwooseong was filled with mixed emotions as various thoughts crossed his mind.

Yet, regarding the elixir in the vial, he felt no doubt. Its scent and color matched that of the pure crystal oil. In his previous life, he had barely sipped a few drops, but the vial contained far more.

When consumed, the aftereffects would be immense.

Consuming a potent elixir was akin to waging war against one’s own body until its effects were fully absorbed.

There are often those who think that if someone with no foundation or cultivation takes potent elixirs indiscriminately, it will inevitably be beneficial. However, depending on the nature of the elixir, there have been cases where they couldn’t withstand the excessive energy, causing their blood vessels to burst or bleeding to death from every orifice.

The Crystal Stone Elixir was a potion with a backlash.

Danwooseong, steeled his resolve, then downed the Gongcheongseokyu in one gulp, as if declaring war. Every last drop vanished into Danwooseong’s mouth.

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Lee Ja-eon, soaked through, asked cautiously.

“Seniors, this junior would like to at least treat you to a meal.”

Ju Zaliang retorted as he sent off Xue Xuan.

“What kind of meal could you possibly serve in these rugged mountains? Are you going to hunt down a pheasant? With your skills, I doubt you’d even catch a rabbit before sunset.”

“Ah, I have a villa not far from here.”

When Eunhasangdan introduced his family residence as his villa, Sima Gyeok inwardly sneered.

‘How could that possibly be yours? You shameless bastard.’

Since both men were feeling peckish, Zhu Ziliang casually retorted.

“Brother, it wouldn’t be so bad to get a warm meal from a junior after so long. I’m tired of just hunting pheasants and wild boars. If you could teach us even one martial arts move, wouldn’t that be worth the cost of our meals?”

Sama Gyeok stood up.

“What’s so hard about sharing a meal? Very well.”

Li Ziyan repeatedly bowed as he led the two men toward the inn.

“This way. Watch your step. There are many slippery spots. This path wasn’t like this before; it seems to have changed a lot.”

Sama Gyeok and Ju Jaryang exchanged glances before turning their heads away.

Lee Ja-eon stood at the front, unable to hide his delighted expression. After all, learning martial arts for a single meal was nothing short of a windfall.

‘This is fate, isn’t it? Yeah, that’s exactly it.’

Lee Ja-eon guided the two men with a solemn expression and courteous demeanor.

“This way.”

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Lee Ja-eon waited until the two had finished their meal and were drinking tea before cautiously asking.

“By the way, may I ask the names of you two seniors?”

Sama Gyeok replied.

“My friends call me Sword Sage. I discarded my name long ago—it held no meaning.”

Lee Ja-eon bellowed.

“Yes?”

“Why are you so startled?”

“Ah, no. I was taught that ‘Sword Sage’ is the pseudonym of a master who competed for the title of the world’s greatest swordsman since ancient times.”

Sama Gyeok did not deny it.

“It’s just a nickname. Don’t give it a second thought. The grudges of the martial world are long forgotten.”

When Yi Zayan looked at Zhu Ziliang, Zhu Ziliang also introduced himself.

“I know nothing of martial arts. My friends call me Hakseon. Among the recluses, they refer to my senior brother and me together as the Nine-Flower Twin Sages.”

Li Ziyan nodded.

‘So he really was a reclusive prodigy. Of course. A prodigy like that, how could I possibly know? Anyway, being called the Sword Sage in the martial world means he’s at least among the top ten masters… Holy crap.’

Lee Ja-eon swallowed hard.

‘Are you not taking on disciples?’

Sama Gyeokdo, who claimed to be the Sword Sage, stared at Lee Ja-eon and pondered.

Why does this foolish boy yearn for the martial world?

Why does he want to become strong?

Having already decided to accept him as a disciple, he found himself curious about the man Lee Ja-eon himself.

Sama Gyeok asked.

“But what about you?”

Ji Zayan replied boldly.

“Yes!”

“What could possibly drive someone to venture deep into these rugged mountains to train in martial arts? With the wealth to afford such a villa, one should live comfortably and have few worries.”

Zhu Ziliang chimed in.

“What a commendable young man.”

Understanding this as a Zen-style question-and-answer exchange befitting a monk, Yi Ja-eon cautiously replied.

“There must be another reason. I simply wish to become stronger.”

Sima Ju suddenly nodded, then rose with a cold expression.

“Ah, I see. That was a good meal. I hope you grow strong.”

As Sima Ju stood up, Zhu Ziliang also rose to his feet.

“Thanks for the meal today. But don’t ever interfere with my execution again. Just wanting to get stronger? That’s some pretentious answer I haven’t heard in ages. Hmph…”

The back-and-forth between the two was already fresh-level stuff. A tremor occurred in Lee Ja-eon’s pupils.

“Ah, this junior has spoken out of turn!”

Leaping to his feet, Lee Ja-eon knelt beside the table and slammed his head down so hard it made a thud. Lee Ja-eon was no ordinary martial artist.

Zhu Ziliang sneered.

“If fate brings us together again, we’ll meet once more. I’ll just pray you grow stronger. Though I don’t know where you’ll put that strength to use. Brother, this is why I detest martial arts.”

After the two finished their meal cleanly and walked out of the inn as if there was nothing more to see, Lee Ja-eon followed them out and called out.

“Ah, I’ll help the weak!”

Sima Jue turned back with an unpleasant look.

“Hmph, how ridiculous. Do we two look that weak? Help the weak? Are you talking about being a knight-errant? To my eyes, you don’t look like the sort to become one.”

Zhu Ziliang asked.

“Have you ever helped the weak even once?”

“Ah, no, I have not.”

Sama Gyeok said.

“People don’t change much, do they? Who’d have thought the martial arts junior I met after so long would be nothing but a smooth-talker. Tsk.”

As Sima Ju sighed and walked away, Zhu Ziliang hurried after him and said.

“Senior Brother! Please let go of your anger. Kids these days are all like that. The way of the martial world fell long ago.”

Li Zaiyan watched the two figures recede into the distance. He’d thought a chance encounter had come his way, but it was slipping away just as quickly.

‘No… No. Where could I possibly go to meet another martial artist of such high caliber as Geomseon?’

Frantic, Lee Ja-eon chased after the two and dropped to his knees.

“Please forgive this junior’s rash words. I am a worthless fool. Even I realize how absurd my reasons for wanting to grow stronger are, so I lied just to get out of this situation. Please teach me.”

Sama Gyeok nodded.

“Why did you want to become strong? Speak honestly. I don’t know what kind of person you are. I only want to know one thing first: whether you are an honest man or not.”

Indeed, it was a difficult problem.

After some thought, Lee Ja-eon answered honestly.

“Ah, that… Lately, I’ve been wanting to beat my brother up a bit.”

Sama Gyeok and Ju Jaryang were startled.

Lee Ja-eon continued.

“Yes, it’s an absurd thought. But that was truly how I felt inside. I’ll start by completely changing this way of thinking. Ah, of course, that’s not the only reason. The situation at the merchant guild is also becoming too urgent. A man’s life… doesn’t its meaning lie in becoming stronger? I’ve had these kind of rambling thoughts too. I’ve truly told you honestly.”

Sama Gyeok’s eyes widened at Lee Ja-eon’s rambling.

‘You dare? My friend? Because of you, your brother and we are suffering like this?’

Sama Gyeok’s face turned bright red. Ju Ja-ryang’s face was flushed too. The youngest’s way of thinking was unexpectedly terrible.

“Hit your brother?”

Yi Ja-eon also realized his slip of the tongue and was startled.

“No. I was the one hit. Ah, it’s because my relationship with my brother isn’t good, and in my childish mind… Even if I get stronger, I won’t do that.”

He was definitely immature.

Because he had never truly suffered.

Sama Gyeok thought not as a master, but as the older brother of Lee Ja-eon. He kept recalling his friend’s expression and tone when he’d made the request. He was the kind of friend who’d always give generously, like a sucker. That friend had planned this out of concern for his younger brother, yet this bastard wanted to hit his own elder brother. It made Sama Gyeok seethe with rage.

Sama Gyeok suppressed his anger for a moment before speaking.

“If you want to become stronger, it seems you must first overhaul that state of mind.”

“I will.”

“Since you can’t stop dwelling on that one free meal, I’ll teach you a few martial arts moves.”

“Thank you!”

Zhu Ziliang said.

“You speak of martial arts techniques, but that too is a solemn bond between master and disciple. Nine bows are too cumbersome; offer your senior brother the three-bow ceremony instead. And if you take him as your master, you naturally become my disciple. Keep that in mind.”

Lee Ja-eon nodded.

“Of course. Master, Senior Brother. Your disciple will now perform the bow.”

As Yi Ja-eon performed the three bows, Sima Gyeok and Ju Ja-ryang received them with stern expressions.

They had no intention of leaving him alone after accepting him as a disciple.

Of course, since my friend had specifically requested to be treated harshly, I was only now truly understanding his meaning.

Sama Gyeok stared at Ija Eon with a cold expression.

‘Jia-yuan, you’re going to suffer like hell. For your suffering, I’ll endure that suffering too. Let’s train together until we die.’

Zhu Ziliang felt the same way.

‘If I don’t make you human, then I, Zhu Ziliang, am no human.’

He planned to teach him the classics in his spare time. Since his mindset was not right, it was necessary to start by teaching him the words of Confucius.

Sima Ju spoke again in a calm tone.

“Ziyuan.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Today, go inside and rest. Come out before dawn breaks tomorrow and head to the waterfall.”

Lee Ja-eon answered briskly.

“Understood.”

Sama Gyeok said.

“If you slack off even for a single day, you’ll be expelled.”

Zhu Ziliang nodded.

“When you are expelled, the martial arts you taught will be taken back.”

Sama Gyeok intended to be diligent himself first, to treat this worthless disciple harshly. It could be said that Danwooseong’s arrangement of fate had begun to turn in a peculiar way.

Li Ziyan, seemingly unable to shake off the guilt of his slip of the tongue, once again sought forgiveness from the two.

“Master, Senior Disciple. Your disciple has made a grave mistake in speech. Please forgive me.”

Sama Gyeok replied as he walked away.

“Words are easy. Actions are difficult. I will watch over you.”

Sama Gyeok was preparing his mindset to teach Lee Ja-eon. He took his friend’s request seriously. To mold his unworthy disciple into a proper person, he himself had to become a righteous man first.

What could one possibly call such a fate? In a way, it could be said to be even greater than a stroke of luck.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong

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