CRS Chapter 4

Ha Jin-wi looked back and forth between Eunho and the physician, not seeming to understand.

“What do you mean he has a lot of inner energy?”

It didn’t make sense.

How could he have abundant inner energy when he had just formed his danjeon?

“Well…”

The physician was equally perplexed.

After pondering for a moment, he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Young Master, have you perhaps learned any other inner energy cultivation techniques before?”

“No, I haven’t. How could I learn inner energy techniques without a danjeon?”

“That’s not necessarily true. One can practice techniques without a danjeon, but the energy accumulates throughout the meridians rather than in the danjeon, which is problematic.”

In truth, while it wasn’t an inner energy technique, Eunho’s body had been filled with energy throughout all his meridians.

After all, Eunho, formerly a great yokai, had accumulated an overflowing amount of natural energy.

Of course, others couldn’t know this fact.

“In such cases, suddenly forming a danjeon could cause the accumulated energy to rush in all at once, potentially causing a great shock.”

At that moment, the steward stepped forward.

“Is it possible you secretly learned something without our knowledge? Your physical condition has improved rapidly, after all.”

A deep furrow formed between Ha Jin-wi’s brows.

“We’ll have to ask Eunho about that when he wakes up. Anyway, is there anything wrong with his body?”

“No, sir. In fact, not only is there nothing wrong, but his condition is excellent.”

“Excellent?”

How could his condition be excellent when he had collapsed?

“The enormous amount of inner energy forcibly opened his blocked meridians, and even cleared his conception and governing vessels.”

Even greater surprise spread across the faces of the two men.

Clearing the conception and governing vessels meant that, in terms of sheer inner energy quantity, he had already surpassed the peak realm.

“Just how much inner energy does he have? Step aside for a moment.”

Pushing the physician aside, Ha Jin-wi carefully took Eunho’s pulse and sent his energy flowing through his son’s body.

His energy probed every corner of Eunho’s body before approaching the danjeon.

“This… this can’t be…”

Two gaps’ worth.

In my forty years, I’ve barely accumulated just over one gap’s worth…

Yet this damned son of mine, who just formed his danjeon, somehow has two gaps’ worth!

“Such a vast amount of inner energy suddenly converging in one place likely caused great pain as it couldn’t be fully assimilated. To put it simply…”

Just then, a deep voice cut in, interrupting the physician.

“He’s bloated.”

“Yes, he’s bloated… Wait, who are you?”

The physician asked in surprise.

An elderly man had suddenly appeared.

Despite his age, he had a remarkably robust physique, yet his presence hadn’t been noticed at all.

The old man, his white hair tied back loosely, nodded as he gazed intently at Eunho.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that boy. He’s grown so much, I hardly recognize him.”

The first to greet the old man upon recognizing him was Ha Jin-wi.

After all, this was Namgoong Cheong, whom he had invited to be Eunho’s martial arts master.

“Master, have you been well?”

Ha Jin-wi began to bow, but his head stopped midway.

Namgoong Cheong had stepped forward and was supporting Ha Jin-wi’s forehead with his index finger.

“You haven’t changed a bit. I’m not your master, so there’s no need for such formality. We’re just two old men growing older together, aren’t we?”

In truth, there seemed to be quite an age difference between the two for them to be “growing older together.”

“Haha… But Eunho is currently…”

A look of deep guilt spread across Ha Jin-wi’s face.

He thought that if an experienced martial artist like Namgoong Cheong had been by Eunho’s side instead of himself, things might have turned out differently.

Namgoong Cheong sat cross-legged next to Eunho, examining various parts of his body as he spoke.

“It’s not your fault. That aside, this is truly an enormous amount.”

“Yes, I don’t understand how this happened.”

“He’s even achieved a rebirth of flesh and bone, hasn’t he?”

Rebirth of flesh and bone referred to the transformation of one’s bones and muscles into an ideal state for martial arts.

Typically, this was achieved after reaching the transcendent realm and gaining enlightenment.

“While his actual level is low, he’s crudely accomplished it through brute inner energy. Haha, what an unrefined child. By the way…”

Namgoong Cheong’s profound gaze fixed intently on Eunho.

“He wasn’t like this when he was young, but was he always such a cunning child?”

“Pardon?”

“Stop pretending to be asleep and get up.”

Eunho was taken aback.

How long has this old geezer known? Was he just pretending not to notice? He’s the cunning one.

Eunho was torn about whether to get up or not.

He had been quietly listening because the conversation about him was quite interesting, but now he found himself inadvertently pretending to be asleep.

If he got up now, it would be quite embarrassing.

Alright, I’ll stick it out.

As Eunho remained motionless, pretending not to know, anger flashed in Namgoong Cheong’s eyes.

“You brat! How dare you ignore your master’s words! Get up this instant!”

The sudden shout made not only Eunho, but also Ha Jin-wi, Jang Gwan-pyeong, and even the physician jump.

Eunho’s brow furrowed slightly.

Damn it, didn’t you say you weren’t a master to my father? And why are you yelling at a young boy?

Eunho realized he had no other choice.

“Haha…”

Scratching the back of his head, Eunho got up, much to Ha Jin-wi’s surprise.

“Eunho, how…?”

The unspoken part of his question – “Were you pretending to sleep like a thief?” – was clear to everyone.

Namgoong Cheong, who had been glaring with tiger-like eyes, suddenly relaxed his expression and let out a hearty laugh.

“Ho ho, that’s fine. You’re at an age where you have many things you can’t talk about.”

Without wasting any time, Namgoong Cheong picked up Eunho.

Eunho’s brows furrowed.

Huh? Why are you picking me up?

“I’ll take him with me.”

Namgoong Cheong launched himself towards the door.

Crack!

Ha Jin-wi’s expression remained bewildered as he stared at the empty space where the two had been.

“Ho ho, he came in so quietly, but he leaves by breaking down the door.”

Ha Jin-wi thought his master hadn’t changed at all.

***

On a wide field on the outskirts of Cheonha Merchant Guild.

Eunho and Namgoong Cheong stood facing each other, sizing each other up.

“Pay your respects to your master.”

“What nonsense. Why are you my master?”

After humiliating him in front of everyone, why should he show respect to this man?

Despite the somewhat, no, very impertinent tone, Namgoong Cheong’s expression remained unchanged.

“It’s my decision.”

But Eunho was no ordinary person either.

“Is it only your decision that matters?”

“…”

A childishness that belied a thousand years of life.

Even Namgoong Cheong seemed momentarily at a loss for words.

“Fine. If you can so much as graze my clothes, I’ll leave right away.”

“I don’t want that either.”

A thousand years of memories flashed through Eunho’s mind.

This is ridiculous. Do you know how hard I worked for this ordinary life?

But…

It was a proposal he should rightfully refuse. In the past, it wouldn’t have taken even a second’s thought, but in his current state, it was unreasonable.

Yet this damned competitive spirit kept pricking at him sharply.

This competitive spirit had been the driving force that made him the Demon King in his past life, and it was his instinct.

A terrifying aura spread from Namgoong Cheong’s body, making his clothes flutter.

Eunho had never let anyone who displayed their aura before him go easily.

Haa…

In the end, unable to suppress his instinct, Eunho charged at Namgoong Cheong.

Time slowed for the two of them.

Simultaneously, Namgoong Cheong unleashed a palm strike.

Eunho took the hit to his solar plexus and was sent flying with one blow.

He hit hard.

Despite having been airborne for quite some time, Eunho continued to fly for a while.

An ordinary life… might be out of the question now…

Eunho’s consciousness began to fade.

I was fifteen, wasn’t I? Shitty old geezer, you look at least seventy years older than me, yet you show no mercy.

Losing consciousness twice in one day was an unfamiliar experience even for Eunho.

***

Eunho’s eyes snapped open.

An unfamiliar ceiling came into view.

It’s probably somewhere in the inner quarters, I guess.

He had long given up trying to gauge the size of Cheonha Merchant Guild.

As he had expected, this was the manor where Ha Jin-wi had learned martial arts from Namgoong Cheong.

“Are you awake? Your body is weaker than I thought.”

Eunho’s eyes turned fierce.

Weak? Weeeaaak? With that kind of palm technique, even the head of a seasoned general would be shattered in an instant.

“Haha, why are you looking at me like that? Your ‘master,’ that is. Let’s go train.”

Namgoong Cheong emphasized the word ‘master’ and his eyes seemed to be saying, “You wouldn’t dare break your promise, would you?”

“Haah…”

Heaving a sigh deep enough to sink the ground, Eunho got up.

For Eunho, breaking a promise was even more damaging to his pride.

“Good. You’ve made the right decision. I’ll make you into a proper martial artist.”

The two headed towards the training ground attached to the manor.

Though called a training ground, it featured massive rocks, an artificial waterfall, and bamboo stretching endlessly towards the sky.

Even a mere training ground exuded the majesty of Cheonha Merchant Guild.

In Namgoong Cheong’s opinion, what Eunho urgently needed was power control.

Eunho thought, “The old man isn’t going easy on me,” but in reality, Namgoong Cheong couldn’t go easy on him.

He had been startled by the madman who came at him with full force using two gaps’ worth of inner energy, and his body had reacted instinctively without him realizing it.

“Your inner energy rivals that of the Twenty-Four Martial Arts Masters, who are considered the strongest in the martial world. However, your power control is far too crude.”

“Isn’t it good to be strong?”

“No, you foolish disciple. Try extending a palm strike towards that rock using your inner energy.”

“Why should I?”

“Ho ho. Are you planning to break your promise? I won’t stop you if you want to make yourself a coward, but…”

Ugh. Fine, I’ll do it.

Eunho moved his body with the slowest steps possible.

It was the only form of rebellion he could manage right now.

After stopping in front of a rock about the same size as his body.

He extended a palm strike infused with inner energy.

Boom-!

The rock struck by Eunho’s palm technique instantly exploded.

Beyond being shattered into pieces, parts of it were even pulverized into dust that scattered in the air.

It was truly tremendous power.

“Oh.”

“It’s not ‘oh’, you foolish disciple.”

Eunho glared at the word ‘foolish’.

“Why, are you going to charge at me again? Go ahead, try it.”

“I don’t see why not.”

This isn’t breaking the promise.

Isn’t the master himself telling me to try?

If I can shatter a rock in an instant, a mere human…

Eunho launched a palm strike with all his might, just like before.

This time, not towards a rock, but at Namgoong Cheong!

Contrary to his expectation that Namgoong Cheong would dodge, he took the strike head-on.

And with his chest, no less.

Boom-!

However, unlike the rock, Namgoong Cheong remained unscathed.

“Huh?”

Eunho couldn’t shake off his bewilderment. Is this guy’s body harder than a rock?

“This is called a protective energy barrier, disciple.”

A thin line of blood trickled down Namgoong Cheong’s smiling lips.

And then, Namgoong Cheong’s wrinkled palm approached Eunho’s face.

Boom-!

With this, Eunho lost consciousness for the third time.

***

As Eunho regained consciousness, he shook his head from side to side due to a headache.

“Frickin’ old geezer.”

“Are you talking about me?”

Eunho’s shoulders jerked violently at the sudden appearance of Namgoong Cheong from the darkness.

“Ahem.”

What the hell, suddenly popping out of nowhere?

Regardless, Namgoong Cheong’s instruction continued.

“Now, let’s start from the beginning. This time, I’ll teach you ‘proper’ power control.”

Eunho’s eyes narrowed.

Then what was that earlier?

Namgoong Cheong struck down at a rock as if he were striking Eunho.

Boom-!

The rock shattered into pieces.

“Watch carefully.”

This time, he struck another rock, and once again a loud noise was heard.

However, this time, not even a crack appeared.

“Now, look. Depending on how much inner energy you use and how you use it, you get results like this. Of course, it might be difficult at first, but…”

Boom-!

“Like this?”

Eunho perfectly replicated Namgoong Cheong’s strike from earlier.

Namgoong Cheong looked at Eunho with disbelief.

Eunho returned his gaze with a smug expression.

I’ve been handling demonic energy for over a thousand years, you fool. Haha!

During the process of forming his danjeon and the natural energy fusing into inner energy, Eunho had realized that demonic energy and inner energy were only slightly different.

In his past life, Eunho had freely manipulated enormous amounts of energy unimaginable to humans.

Eunho’s shoulders rose high as he looked at Namgoong Cheong.

See that?

But his expression… was too annoying.

“You’re a genius. Yes, being a genius is good. The next step is sparring.”

“Huh?”

It was Eunho’s first time having a master and learning martial arts, but he could sense it.

That sparring wasn’t supposed to come at this stage.

However, Namgoong Cheong’s will was firm.

Once again, a palm strike was extended, and Eunho dodged it.

Boom-!

The powerful energy contained in the palm force shattered the air.

Hmph, you think I’ll fall for the same trick twice? Now it’s my turn.

While dodging the palm force, Eunho twisted his right ankle and strongly pushed off the ground.

Eunho’s fist extended towards Namgoong Cheong’s face.

Swoosh-

Namgoong Cheong dodged by a hair’s breadth.

However, this was also within Eunho’s expectations.

You fool. This is the real deal.

Instead of withdrawing his extended fist, he pushed it even further.

And simultaneously, he bent his arm towards his body and swung his elbow at Namgoong Cheong.

The world’s most brutish two-gap elbow strike bore down on Namgoong Cheong’s chin.

Namgoong Cheong felt a chill run down his spine.

This can’t be avoided.

Namgoong Cheong is a heavenly martial artist. And a martial artist of a very high level at that.

Faced with the sense of crisis, his instinct pumped out profound inner energy from deep within his danjeon, and that same instinct operated his inner energy at full power to strike Eunho.

Boom-!

With a tremendous explosion, Eunho was once again sent flying, landing softly unconscious on the grass.

“Ahem, I made a mistake due to being too flustered.”

Eunho’s strike had been sharper than expected.

Namgoong Cheong approached the collapsed Eunho and carefully placed a finger under his nose.

“Phew.”

He’s alive.

Fortunately, the boy was exceptionally tough.

He had nearly killed his disciple and benefactor Ha Jin-wi’s son with a single strike.

Although he had left the Namgoong clan of his own accord, if this fact became known, he would never be able to return.

There was also a high possibility of becoming a criminal in the martial arts world.

Thank goodness… truly thank goodness…

Namgoong Cheong raised his head to survey the surroundings.

Fortunately, there was no one who had witnessed… or so he thought.

Jang Gwan-pyeong was staring at the two with a dazed expression.

“I, I, I’ll be going now…”

Still with unfocused eyes, Jang Gwan-pyeong hastily moved his feet.

In the empty space he left behind, what had been refreshments and plates just moments ago were now scattered haphazardly on the ground.

“Right. I may have been a bit rough, but he’s an exceptionally tough kid, and surely he wouldn’t complain about his own master?”

Namgoong Cheong’s complacent thoughts were shattered in less than an hour.