Chapter 70: Chapter 70
– Wolha Village, Seventh Small Palace.
Jang I-seo woke early, when dawn’s first light touched the sky.
Partly because he was in the room next to his own, partly because of all the recent chaos. But mostly because of the problem staring him in the face.
‘Less than ten days remain.’
The breakfast with the Cult Leader.
A desperate struggle for survival.
He’d already obtained the clue to curing his Nine-Orifice Body. Only the attempt remained.
But Jang I-seo kept hesitating.
‘The Lesser Heavenly Circuit sends internal qi from the dantian down through the perineum at the Huiyin point, ascending along the Governing Vessel through Changqiang, Mingmen, Lingtai, Dazhui, and Yuzhen. Upon reaching the Baihui point at the crown, it descends along the front through the Conception Vessel, from Yintang on the forehead through Tiantu, Danchong, Zhongwan, and Qihai.’
From bottom to top, top to bottom. That was the Lesser Heavenly Circuit.
Once qi completed one full circuit through the Conception and Governing Vessels, earth-shattering power became available.
In other words, he only needed to carve a path from the first hole of the Nine-Orifice Body into the Conception and Governing Vessels.
But routing from the first hole to the ninth had already failed. Which left one option.
‘An acupoint.’
Yes. Creating a new exit from the dantian to the Governing Vessel. And he was confident he could succeed.
The problem was how much his body could withstand. By any measure, he’d get exactly one chance.
‘Reaching this point alone was already difficult. Now I just need to do it. But why… why does this feel so wrong?’
He kept delaying because of one more question that nagged him.
The conversation with the Demon Physician had weighed on him throughout.
‘The Cult Leader occasionally bestows his sacred heavenly demonic internal energy upon those he fancies.’
He wasn’t the first. The Heavenly Demon had transmitted his internal energy to multiple people. But…
‘Then what happened to the others?’
‘They died.’
All of them had perished.
Why?
He possessed the Nine-Orifice Body. His qi leaked, causing demonic aura poisoning and bringing him to death’s door.
But why had the others died? Without the Nine-Orifice Body?
Why on earth?
Jang I-seo shook his head.
Pointless speculation. The plan was solid. Open the acupoint. There was no other way anyway.
‘Stop overthinking.’
Jang I-seo steadied himself, opened his eyes, rose, adjusted his clothes and hair, and headed for Mao’s room.
There was something to do before the final attempt.
“Seventh Young Master, are you awake?”
Rattle. He opened the door and stepped inside. But the bed was empty.
“Where did he go?”
Walking should still be difficult. Urgent need for the latrine? Jang I-seo tilted his head, walked to the window, and looked down.
Then.
“URYAAAAAH!”
Mao, charging toward the main building with a battle cry.
“That bastard…”
Jang I-seo’s face twisted oddly.
What he’d intended to do before the final attempt was train Mao. Because he wasn’t the only one who’d received homework from the Heavenly Demon Jin U-gwang.
But Mao had already started on his own.
A smile spread across his face.
He contained it as he opened the annex door and stepped outside.
Then addressed Mao, who was already groaning on the ground, in a stern voice.
“What do you call this?”
“Jang I-seo…”
“Get up.”
Mao pushed off the ground with difficulty. Trembling legs streamed with cold sweat. Naturally. The physician had said at least two weeks of rest.
Moving like this guaranteed illness.
“Don’t stop me. I have no intention of lying around like an idiot.”
“I’m not stopping you.”
“Huh?”
“Why would I stop you? We don’t have enough time even training all night. Either you die from pain now, or from the Cult Leader’s finger wind in ten days. Same difference.”
“Well, that’s true, but… it feels a bit…”
“We survive. Together.”
The word “together” made Mao’s chest tighten, even though it was nothing special. He scratched his nose and feigned nonchalance.
“Obviously.”
Jang I-seo nodded warmly.
“But you’ll need to be prepared.”
“I’m already prepared. Just can’t figure out how. Blocking with my body means the Cult Leader’s finger wind pierces rock. Dodging… I can’t even dodge that iron weight.”
True. At Mao’s current level, neither option was realistic.
But,
“There is one way.”
Mao jumped for joy despite his battered body.
“Really? Wait, don’t tell me. I think I know. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Finger wind for More-the-Better Palm Wind! Right!”
Was that even a thing? And why palm wind against finger wind? Wasn’t that cheating? Jang I-seo shook his head and spoke firmly.
“Just become harder than rock.”
“Huh?”
“The Seventh Young Master’s greatest asset is the intelligent yang energy within his body, which maximizes recovery and defends against injury. That’s why you can still stand here now.”
From the Demon Physician, he’d realized that internal energy had its own temperament. If the Heavenly Demon’s demonic aura peaked in destruction, Mao’s yang energy was specialized for the opposite: protection.
“So?”
“So if you emit qi in advance before being hit, to absorb the impact. Then… you can withstand even greater attacks.”
Until now, his qi had moved automatically to reduce damage. From here on, he’d concentrate it preemptively for defense.
In other words.
“You’re just telling me to take the beating.”
Mao muttered with a look of disbelief. Correct. But Jang I-seo shook his head with a grave expression.
“Not taking a beating. Enduring. And we’ll call it Iron Bucket Defense.”
“Since when?!”
Starting now. Jang I-seo lifted his chin with conviction and lowered his gaze. As if possessed, Mao nodded.
“Iron Bucket Defense… Actually sounds impressive. I like it. I am… an iron bucket! Hahaha!”
Glad he took it that way.
“Then prepare yourselves. The next ten days will be very painful. But endure. I mean watching the trajectory with your eyes and preparing to emit qi. Then no one can harm the Seventh Young Master. Even if it’s the Heavenly Demon himself.”
“Can I really learn something that incredible?”
“Of course. You’re a genius.”
“I’ll do it. I will. No, I have to. Teach me, Jang I-seo!”
“Good. Then stand right there.”
“Huh? Okay.”
Footstep, footstep. While Mao watched with innocent eyes, Jang I-seo approached.
What. Why was he standing so close? As Mao eyed him nervously up and down.
KRAK!
“Ghk.”
Jang I-seo drove his fist into Mao’s solar plexus. Mao felt his breath lock, glaring at Jang I-seo with bulging eyes.
W-what was this?!
Jang I-seo lowered his gaze coldly and spoke.
“Take it.”
“W-wait… s-someone save… Urggh!”
Ten days remained until the visit to the Heavenly Demon Palace.
Jang I-seo launched a back kick, resolving within.
Both he and Mao would survive the Heavenly Demon.
Without fail.
And…
Time flowed as fast as petals blooming and falling on a spring day.
Training. Training. Training.
Finally, ten days passed.
The day to depart for the Heavenly Demon Palace had dawned.
*
The Seventh Small Palace bustled with people for the first time in a while.
Yong-tae, Mae-gi, and the Black Dragon Faction arriving with sleepy eyes at the crack of dawn. Chwi Hong-ran standing demurely with a worried face.
And a thoroughly irritated Jegal Gwi-ryong.
“Who the hell did this? Who smashed everything so crudely?”
It hadn’t been that long since he built it, and already the entrance was in this state. The iron bars embedded in the walls hung limp like wilted bean sprouts. Everything needed tearing down and rebuilding.
“There was a man like a tiger.”
Jang I-seo emerged from the annex and answered.
“Oh?”
“My.”
But something was different from his usual plain appearance.
A pristine white robe with a high collar. A red belt adorned with ornaments. Hair tied up neatly.
He’d clearly dressed up. The transformation was stark enough to carry an undeniable charm.
“It suits you well.”
Chwi Hong-ran offered a shy compliment, face flushed. That was a relief. Jang I-seo responded with a smile.
Yong-tae’s eyes went round.
“Spring has finally come for Big Brother. Who is she? Which woman finally shook Big Brother’s heart?”
“That’s…”
Chwi Hong-ran panicked, eyes darting. Jang I-seo snorted.
What a woman.
There was no deep reason for dressing up.
He’d dressed up because this might be his final outfit. That was all.
Also,
‘Can’t go around advertising that I’m dying.’
The dark veins had spread from his ankles to his throat.
Yes. This was because he still hadn’t found the answer.
Only Chwi Hong-ran, who’d noticed, forced a smile and hid her worry. Lest she trouble his mind on the day he departed.
“Just rebuild it exactly as before?”
At Jegal Gwi-ryong’s gruff question, Jang I-seo shook off his distracting thoughts and answered.
“Actually, if possible, I’d like it to be as solid as an iron fortress. We get a lot of uninvited guests.”
“Hmm. With enough money and time.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“Hmph. Not favors. I’m getting paid.”
Jegal Gwi-ryong agreed readily. Jang I-seo smiled and nodded.
He wouldn’t have rolled up his sleeves like this without the Third Young Lady’s permission.
‘Should buy her a meal next time.’
Jang I-seo smirked at the thought, then glanced at Yong-tae and spoke again.
“One more request.”
“What?”
“If these friends work out this time, could you teach them a trade?”
“Who? Those thugs?”
“Yes. Nothing grand. Just bring them along and give them work to do.”
B-Big Brother! Yong-tae and the Black Dragon Faction’s faces filled with deep emotion.
He’d been thinking about this since last time.
Thugs, yes, but they hadn’t caused serious harm to others. And while they’d seemed to use Mao, they’d never abandoned their loyalty.
At this level, giving them an opportunity was the right thing for a man of the righteous path to do.
“Hmm. Fine. But you’ll cover the share of anyone who can’t pull their weight. Still fine?”
“Whatever it costs. Bill it to Chiseonru.”
Jegal Gwi-ryong nodded. Permission granted. Yong-tae and the Black Dragon Faction bowed deeply with tearful gratitude.
“Thank you, Big Brother!”
“We’ll work hard!”
Jang I-seo answered with a smile. No thanks needed. He’d just built a bridge. From here, it was their responsibility.
“Though I have to say, you’ve got a good heart too. No different from a righteous sect man.”
At the voice from behind, Jang I-seo slowly turned.
Mao emerged from the main house, dressed in a sharp red robe.
Unlike his former good-for-nothing appearance, his eyes were refined and carried deep confidence.
While everyone marveled, Jang I-seo surveyed them all and spoke low.
“We’ll be back.”
Time to depart for the Heavenly Demon Palace.
“Let’s go, Jang I-seo.”
Starting with Mao’s determined stride, the two finally set out.
To finish the homework that hung over their lives.
To the Heavenly Demon, Jin U-gwang.
They were going to him.