Prison Break (4)

“Demon Doctor…”

Having heard everything about Neung Je-gang’s ties to the Demon Doctor, Nam Yeong fell silent in thought.

“I still can’t guess how he changed your body. Even if you’ve pierced the Gate of Life and Death, no one can master orthodox and demonic inner arts all at once…”

“If it’s good for me, why fuss about it?”

Bibun looked at Neung Je-gang with open envy.

“It’s not that simple. Mimicking orthodox or demonic forms is one thing—many can do that—but if they discover your inner energy works the same for both, some will make it an issue. In the martial world, when someone surpasses them, people—orthodox or demonic—turn viciously jealous. Why do you think they created forbidden arts to keep others from growing too strong? Mole, your Five Element Divine Art is itself one of those forbidden paths—how do you not see it?”

“You’re saying the Five Element Divine Art was branded forbidden for that reason?”

Bibun shot back.

“Each element alone seems unimpressive, hardly ‘martial arts.’ But the more of the five you master, the power multiplies. Complete all five, and even with just five-star proficiency you’ll be untouchable—unless they use the same forbidden arts.”

“T-then what if I learn True Fire Energy?”

“True Fire Energy? That would suit you best. In the cycle of mutual generation, fire gives birth to earth, so your True Earth Energy would strengthen greatly; with fire’s nature added, you won’t have to cower before sword-bearers. You’d be at least four times stronger than now. But why ask—did you get your hands on it?”

“Eh? N-no. I’m just saying… it’d be nice if I did.”

Bibun trailed off and edged away, clearly hiding that Neung Je-gang had promised to teach it.

“If you did get True Fire Energy, then the Fire Carp inner core would be better used on you, Mole. Want it?”

Nam Yeong had caught on and prodded him.

“R-really? You’d really give it to me?”

Bibun took the bait; this was why he could never best Nam Yeong.

“So you did get True Fire Energy. Heh-heh-heh.”

Nam Yeong chuckled darkly.

“Planning to learn it and then challenge me? To make up for all the times I pushed you around?”

“N-no!”

Bibun jumped.

“Even with True Fire Energy, you’re no match for me, foolish Mole. Here. Eat up and grow fast—so I can put you to work when needed.”

Nam Yeong flicked the gold-cased pellet to Bibun.

“Gasp! You’re actually giving me this? I thought it was for your disciple!”

Bibun’s voice shook; he hadn’t expected to receive the Fire Carp inner core.

“If he’s pierced the Gate of Life and Death, he can fix a dantian without such a treasure. Worst case, I’ll find another. Besides, you paid a price to get this kid out—I meant to do something for you anyway.”

“Th-thanks. Thanks, Shadow.”

Grinning, Bibun tucked the gold pellet away, his face cycling through a dozen expressions.

“Now—where were we before the tangent? Ah, forbidden arts. Bottom line: if the secret of your inner energy spreads, the martial world may brand you a public enemy. So keep it hidden until you’re truly invincible. That’s my worry.”

“What must I do to become invincible?”

“You… are nearly there already. However broad the martial world, no one at your age has pierced the Gate of Life and Death. Even among those alive today, such masters are few. All you need is to avoid exposure and wait for them to die. Then the martial world will be yours.”

“Then to avoid exposure, I should use only one side’s techniques—orthodox or demonic.”

“If possible, use orthodox skills. Dabble in demonic arts and you’ll raise people’s guard. It’s also easier to travel openly.”

“Understood.”

Neung Je-gang ended the talk and, eyes closed, organized the arts in his head by orthodox and demonic.

‘It’s true—most are demonic. For orthodox inner arts I can use right away, there’s the Three Yang Energy Art I learned from Master, the Blazing Sun Fiery Heart Art, Zhu Rong’s Extreme Flame Art, Ice-Soul Freezing Spirit Art… what is this, all extreme Yang or extreme Yin? Still, better extreme Yang than extreme Yin—let’s go with the Blazing Sun Fiery Heart Art. Weapons… I’ll use the concealed-blade art Master taught me; sword-linking from the Depot Martial Academy might be recognized, so skip it. For Yang-aligned inner force, Zhu Rong’s Great Heaven Sword and the One-Slash Severing Saber fit… wait, Master said forms don’t matter much. Then I’ll just mix forms as needed on the fly.’

Having decided, Neung Je-gang opened his eyes—straight into Bibun’s gaze.

Smirk.

Neung Je-gang smiled. Those were the eyes of a child—having secured the Fire Carp core from his Master, he was now begging for True Fire Energy.

[From now, I’ll recite the mnemonic verses of True Fire Energy—listen carefully and memorize.]

Bibun nodded.

Neung Je-gang repeated the verses three or four times.

Bibun focused on memorizing, heedless of anything else.

Majil was off cutting grass to make a soft bed—apparently for Bibun, trying to earn his favor any way he could.

Whoosh.

Neung Je-gang leapt away and returned with an armful of dry wood. As he fed the fire and Majil came near, he asked:

“From what Master said, it seems with my current cultivation I could repair a dantian. If you wish, I can fix yours. What do you say?”

“I’m fine. If I get power again, I fear I’ll go back to my old crimes.”

Majil truly seemed reformed; he even guarded against himself.

But who knew about the future? Hardship could drive a man back to old ways.

‘Heh—nature doesn’t change. Not even a day outside, and I’m already suspicious again…’

Neung Je-gang allowed himself a wry grin.

“Go sleep. Your master will be up late.”

Majil lay down on his bedding.

Neung Je-gang fed more wood to the fire. Others could rely on inner energy against the cold, but Majil—now weaker than an ordinary man—could be harmed by the mountain chill.

Thus ended their first night since escaping the prison.

At dawn, Bibun and Majil left on their own. Nam Yeong and Neung Je-gang traveled day and night to Nam Yeong’s hideout, Kuaiji Mountain in Zhejiang Province.

Kuaiji Mountain.

Once the seat of the famed Daoist Mosan Sect, a sacred peak of the martial world. After the sect’s mysterious massacre and downfall, people shunned the mountain as ill-omened, and no one settled there.

But Nam Yeong made it his base, gathered people, built a mountain stronghold, and took them in.

He wasn’t a bandit chief. Those he gathered were refugees—people who’d lost families and livelihoods to pirate raids. Nam Yeong trained them and waged the anti-pirate campaigns the authorities failed to carry out.

Yet the pirates grew every year. No matter how hard he fought, one man could not handle them all.

Worse, generals and troops sent from Beijing to suppress pirates merely kept themselves safe and asked to be reassigned. Some even hacked off the ears of ravaged commoners after raids, passing them off as pirate trophies to earn promotions.

With a government so lawless, even martial artists who once helped gradually turned away. They earned no thanks, and at the slightest mistake the court slandered them as scapegoats for failed suppression.

Knowing they could not touch officials with impunity, they withdrew their strength—and the pirates’ depredations reached a climax.

“From now on, you will be called Secret Shadow.”

“Secret Shadow… Isn’t he an actual person? You were once known together as the Twin Shadows of North and South… but didn’t he die? I think I heard that.”

“He did. But I occasionally impersonate him—to make it seem like he still lives. Keeps hired killers from running wild.”

“Ah! I never knew you and Secret Shadow were friends.”

“When minds align, one becomes friends. In any case, you’ll be the second Secret Shadow. We’ll set you up as his successor.”

“Understood.”

“The issue is learning the same illusion arts Secret Shadow used—but with your ability, that won’t take long…”

“I already know two illusion arts.”

“Oh? Good. Which ones?”

“Two: the demonic Death-Demon Current, and the orthodox No-Shadow Ultimate Secret Lineage.”

Thud!

Nam Yeong slapped the table, visibly excited—a side of him Neung Je-gang had never seen.

“Death-Demon Current? How could that be in the prison?”

“Master, why does it matter…?”

“Mm…! Death-Demon Current is one of the demonic forbidden arts I told you about. Master it, and you become the martial world’s public enemy.”

“Then I shouldn’t learn it?”

“No—learn it. Not learning what you know of is the act of a fool. What I don’t understand is: who learned Death-Demon Current and still got imprisoned? Likely someone without the talent to master it.”

“Should I really learn it?”

Neung Je-gang hesitated. He didn’t need a forbidden art—he already had another illusion technique.

“Learn it. Just don’t use it lightly. Save it for life-and-death moments. Better a public enemy than a corpse. You’re already a high traitor of the Ming—what’s left to fear?”

“Understood. Then I’ll learn both.”

“Do that. I don’t know the level of No-Shadow Ultimate Secret Lineage, but Secret Shadow’s skills were never public, so it’s fine. Learn it and formally appear in the martial world as Secret Shadow.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I’ve also sent people to Beijing to find that boy, Cheong Yeon. If he still lives, they’ll bring him here—no need to worry.”

“Yes. Thank you, Master.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m your master—you’re like my own child.”

Nam Yeong’s affection warmed Neung Je-gang’s heart.

While at Kuaiji Mountain, Neung Je-gang learned illusion arts and changed his face. At Nam Yeong’s suggestion—“make it very handsome while you’re at it”—he chose a striking visage.

The illusion would not break unless his inner force ran dry or his true energy channels were severed by a grave injury; no one would recognize his real face.

“Hah! Handsome enough to make Secret Shadow jealous.”

“Secret Shadow was handsome?”

“Yes, the most handsome man in the martial world. Some women even called him ‘Beautiful Shadow.’ Thanks to that, I was sometimes called ‘Ugly Shadow.’ People loved to compare our faces—damn them…”

“Hahaha!”

At that, Neung Je-gang burst out laughing.

He also announced his new moniker—Secret Shadow—to the world. His first feat was during the suppression of a massive pirate raid in the Shangshan region of Zhejiang, where he made a dazzling debut as the second Secret Shadow, named disciple of Nam Yeong.

Those sent to Beijing to find Cheong Yeon returned empty-handed. There had been no prisoners jailed three years ago in connection with Neung Je-gang’s case; and the Eastern Depot agent named Cheong Yeon had deserted after Neung Je-gang’s imprisonment and vanished without a trace.

‘What on earth happened to Cheong Yeon?’

Frustration weighed on Neung Je-gang’s heart like a stone; guilt toward Cheong Yeon settled in his chest like a boulder.