45 — The Master’s Stratagem

Even after waking, Je So-yeon, whose dantian had been ruined, did not seem deeply despondent. From the start, she had poured her heart more into medicine than martial arts, and a physician did not need martial skill to heal.

But those who watched her thought she only pretended to be fine—for Neung Je-gang’s sake, so that he would feel less guilty. She was that kind, that wise.

“Master, is there a way to restore So-yeon’s dantian?”

Neung Je-gang wanted nothing more than to return her body to its former state.

“With a practitioner of great cultivation using the Great Reconstitution Method, a destroyed dantian can be restored. But the inner energies must be of similar nature. As you know, So-yeon possessed the unique inner energy of the Ice-White line…”

It meant it was difficult. Yet Neung Je-gang found hope in it.

“But Master, I too am cultivating the Ice-White Cold Soul Art, am I not?”

“That is true. But the problem is that your Yin energy contains poison.”

“Poison…”

Neung Je-gang struck his forehead.

Yes, even though it was the same Ice-White Cold Soul Art, his version carried venom.

“So-yeon might die instantly from poisoning. Part of the reason your venom grew stronger was to balance your rising cultivation—it developed its own strength.”

“What?”

“The human body must balance Yin and Yang. Your arts lean toward the Yang-based line. So the venom, aligned with Yin, grew stronger to balance it. That is why I told you to temper yourself with the Demonic Mara Energy Method—it seems to be the only technique that can hold both Yin and Yang. Of all the manuals you revealed to me, only that one could be called complete.”

“Then what do we do?”

“For now, we wait. I already sent word to the Soul-Returning Divine Doctor. If anyone can find a way, it is him.”

Nam Yeong always saw a step further. While Je-gang troubled himself, his master was already preparing solutions. He was not called the greatest problem-solver of the martial world for nothing.

Days passed. The awaited Soul-Returning Divine Doctor did not arrive, but welcome faces appeared instead.

“Boss!”

Majil came running, searching frantically. He could not recognize Je-gang’s changed face.

“Boss! Hey, where are you?”

Concluding the Boss wasn’t there, he shouted while peering around.

Puhk!

Thud.

Majil went flying. Neung Je-gang would never overlook such insolence. It looked like a heavy blow, but it was more of a toss than a strike.

“Hey! Who hit me?”

Majil glared at Je-gang, then studied his face. Finally, he sighed.

“Damn it. How come he gets to look like that, and I’m stuck with this mug? It’s unfair! Ugh, fine. But was it you who just hit me? You looking for a fight? Is today the day Majil turns some pale-faced guy into soup?”

He grumbled as he stood and assumed a stance.

“Come on, then!”

“How have you been?”

Je-gang ignored him and bowed to Geum Mo-seo, Bibun the Golden-Furred Rat, who had arrived behind.

“…Could it be?”

Bibun was nothing like reckless Majil. He knew Je-gang would have changed his face, being a wanted criminal.

“Yes, it’s me—Neung Je-gang.”

“Oh! You really changed. Impressive. I’m glad to see you again. But thanks to this brat, I’ve suffered.”

“Suffered how?”

“He’s a leech. I thought it was just a name, but no—he really sucked me dry. I’ve given him everything I had.”

Though he complained, Bibun’s tone carried reluctant praise for Majil’s talent.

“Ha, let’s head inside. Master is waiting.”

“Your master doesn’t even come out to greet guests?”

Bibun strode in ahead of him. No guiding was needed.

Majil, watching, stumbled closer.

“Wait… Boss? Is it really you?”

“Now you notice?”

“But your face is completely different.”

“Changed with illusion arts. Remember, I’m a wanted man.”

“Wow! Boss, can’t you teach me that illusion thing? Please? Pretty please? Teach me, Boss!”

Majil clung to him. But clinging was a trick that worked on lesser foes—not Je-gang, his natural nemesis.

Whoosh!

Thud.

He slammed into the ground again, against his will.

“Majil!”

Je-gang barked firmly.

“Yes, Boss!”

Majil sprang up at once.

“You don’t have inner energy, so learning it would be useless. Forget it. Still… it’s good to see you. You look healthier.”

Je-gang extended his hand.

“Heheh, good to see you too, Boss!”

Majil grinned and grasped it. Onlookers whispered at the sight of such peculiar guests.

---

“Shadow, can I leave my disciple here with you?”

Bibun asked Nam Yeong.

“Why, doesn’t he obey?”

“He does, mostly. But I’ve taught him everything I can, and now he wanders, bored, making trouble. I can’t handle him anymore.”

“How much could you have taught him that you can’t manage him?”

“My mistake, really. I fed him the Hwari Inner Core you gave me. I wanted to raise him properly, so I gave him the core and taught him the True Fire Energy. Sure enough, with such a spirit treasure, he mastered it quickly.”

“And?”

“It was fun teaching him, so I kept going.”

“That much is understandable.”

Nam Yeong, having taught many at Kuaiji Mountain, understood.

“So I also taught him the Earthen True Energy. I taught him everything I know.”

“Don’t tell me you even taught him thievery?”

“…!”

Bibun fell silent.

“You bastard!”

Nam Yeong leapt up to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“To warn the Fortress folk to be careful!”

“Wait! Hear me out. I taught him, yes—but he never actually steals.”

Bibun clung to him.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem is the True Fire Energy. He loves fire too much. He keeps setting things ablaze, and I’ve lost nearly all my savings paying damages.”

“And you want to leave such a menace here? To burn down the Fortress?” Nam Yeong shot up again. Fire was far worse than theft in the mountains.

“There’s someone here who can control him—your disciple. Last time I saw, he couldn’t defy him at all.”

“You want to leave him with my disciple? Then make it clear. If he belongs to the Fortress, I refuse. If he belongs to my disciple, I won’t oppose it.”

“What difference is that? Either way, he stays here.”

“It’s different. If my disciple’s companion burns things, the disciple pays. He earns hundreds of thousands in gold. The Fortress can’t afford it.”

Bibun sighed at his shrewdness. But in the end, Nam Yeong and Bibun summoned Je-gang and Majil.

“This mole says he wants to leave his disciple with you. What do you think?”

Nam Yeong asked.

“I don’t mind. But it depends on him…”

Je-gang looked at Majil.

“I—I’m fine with it,”

Majil stammered, shrinking before Nam Yeong’s presence.

“Good. You may go.”

Nam Yeong dismissed them. Bibun and he exchanged satisfied smiles. Their scheme had worked.

---

“So he’s obsessed with fire?”

“Yes. He learned the Earthen True Energy, he even learned thievery, but flames drive him mad.”

“Perhaps it’s not the True Fire Energy. Could it be the Fire Carp Inner Core you fed him?”

“…What should I do? I agreed too hastily earlier, but what if he causes trouble here?”

“It’s fine. We’ll house him where fire can’t spread. The quarry, where the Fortress cuts stone—there’s nothing but rock there.”

Bibun brightened.

“Ah, good. And Je-gang can even train him there.”

The next day, Je-gang brought Bibun and Majil to the quarry. Other than a shabby hut for workers, it was barren stone.

“Do we live here?”

Majil grimaced. He had forgotten the horrors of the Forbidden Demon Prison.

“That’s just for resting workers. Build your own place.”

“How?”

“There are rocks and trees. Use them.”

Bibun suddenly stiffened when he heard Je-gang say he would teach Majil the Metal True Energy.

“You—you found that? So soon?”

“I was lucky.”

Je-gang nodded. Indeed, the Lightning Scripture had contained it.

He recited the formulas of the Metal True Energy.

Of the Five Element Divine Arts, each energy gathered in different organs: Earth in the spleen and stomach, Fire in the heart and small intestine, Metal in the lungs and large intestine. The more energies one could accumulate, the further one transcended the human realm.

“This art hardens the body like steel, granting defense akin to the Golden Bell Shield. It also empowers brute force for close combat.”

Bibun, amazed, offered Je-gang the Earth True Energy manual in return.

“I’ve chased this all my life, but it seems destined for you. You should have it.”

Je-gang accepted without protest. Such things could shape martial history.

“Take care of him,”

Bibun said, departing swiftly to train himself.

---

Je-gang stayed with Majil, building a hut together. He also taught him movement skills to make up for the flaws of the Five Element Divine Arts.

“Think of the Earth True Energy—how it pushes the ground aside. Imagine pushing with your foot.”

Majil blinked.

“Boss… I already learned that. My master taught me first.”

Je-gang sighed.

“What do you want, then?”

“To fly! To run on water like you.”

“Ugh, Majil…”

Je-gang groaned.

“That’s impossible. Flying? Forget it. Running on water—you’d need the Water True Energy. Until then, swim or take a boat.”

Majil pouted.

“Must you shatter dreams?”

“You can already burrow through earth and walk through fire. Others would envy that. Focus on the Metal True Energy. Don’t die following me around.”

“What are you planning?”

“First, we’ll deal with the Japanese pirates. Then, I’ll annihilate the assassin organizations of the martial world. The Eight Great Assassin Orders—destroying them is my first goal, beyond vengeance.”

Majil blanched. For someone like him, assassins were the ultimate terror.

“C-can’t we skip that part?”

“That’s why you’ll master the Metal True Energy. It’ll keep you alive. I promise.”

“And if I die?”

“Then I’ll toss you in your beloved fire and cremate you.”

“Damn it! Why did I come here?”

“Was that for me to hear?”

“No, no, you misheard! Heheh!”

Majil laughed nervously, then fled to practice.

Watching him, Je-gang mused,

“The Metal True Energy… This quarry is perfect. I should ask Master if Kuaiji Mountain has iron mines.”