Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Overflowing Cup
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After the explanation wrapped up, Sima Hwa-yeong nodded and spoke.
"Indeed, if that lord hadn't passed on the Dharma Iron Body to you, it would've been a disaster."
"Is that so? But even with my Infinite Body, it was still dangerous?"
"Hmm... To give an example, hold on a moment."
Sima Hwa-yeong gathered cups of various sizes and placed them on the Go board.
She pointed to the smallest one and said,
"This cup right here is your dantian before consuming the summoning pill. Pretty small, right?"
"Yeah, it is."
Hearing Yi Ho-chang's reply, Sima Hwa-yeong poured water from a pitcher into the cup as she continued.
"And this water is internal energy. For most people, it would drip in drop by drop, but because you're Infinite Body, you can fill it up like this."
Sima Hwa-yeong kept pouring until the cup overflowed, then pointed to the spilled water.
"Could you drink this overflow?"
"...No, you couldn't."
"Exactly. This is internal energy that couldn't fit in the dantian. A lot goes to waste, doesn't it?"
"So that's why you need to expand the dantian."
"Right. You're blessed with free-flowing qi, but your dantian isn't particularly large. Of course, it's bigger than most late-stage learners. Now, here's a question: What happens if this small cup takes a direct hit from a waterfall?"
"Hmm, it'd shatter?"
"Correct. And that waterfall is the energy of the summoning pill."
Yi Ho-chang understood instantly from the explanation.
"Ah, so the Dharma Iron Body made this cup tougher?"
"Spot on."
Honestly, he'd braced for some obscure terminology when she said she'd give an example, but this was straight out of a Noryangjin cram school textbook.
Sima Hwa-yeong held out a larger cup than the previous one and continued.
"Of course, now that you've absorbed the summoning pill properly, your dantian should be about this size. Bigger and sturdier."
"Then without the Dharma Iron Body procedure...?"
"I don't even want to imagine it. If you hadn't trained in martial arts, maybe not, but for people like us, a shattered dantian could've turned us into cripples."
"I see..."
We really dodged a bullet.
Yi Ho-chang felt newly grateful to Nangyo.
Yi Ho-chang nodded and said,
"Still, absorbing it in half a day must be thanks to the Infinite Body, right?"
"Definitely. Even I would've taken a full day. Hehe."
After that, the three chatted for quite a while.
By the time the bright sky had darkened, Yi Ho-chang finally stood.
"Well then, I'll be off."
"Sure, it's late. Your brothers are probably waiting."
"Yes, Elder. Baek Hwi's lesson should be wrapping up too, so I'll head out with him."
"Alright, go ahead."
"Yes, then. I'll see you again, Miss Sima."
"Take care."
Yi Ho-chang made his way to where Mae Hyang and Baek Hwi were training, seeing them off.
As he drew closer, Baek Hwi's shouts rang out.
"Haat! Tat!"
The wooden sword clashing against the straw dummy sounded satisfying.
Stepping inside, Yi Ho-chang's eyes widened at the sight of Baek Hwi.
'Huh?'
Baek Hwi spotted him too and tossed his wooden sword aside, rushing over.
"Big brother!"
"Wh-who are you?"
"Aw, come on! It's your number one little brother, Baek Hwi!"
"The Baek Hwi I know was a bit chubbier and more baby-faced..."
He was genuinely shocked, not joking.
The kid claiming to be Baek Hwi had grown into a handsome youth who could make girls swoon.
'They say dieting is the best plastic surgery...'
Old sayings never lie.
Mae Hyang approached from behind Baek Hwi and greeted him.
"Young hero, you're back."
"Yes, Master. How have you been?"
"Same as always. And you?"
"I made it back in one piece, somehow... I'd love to tell you all about it, but it's too late. Maybe next time. Speaking of, are you free tomorrow?"
"I'm free. See you then?"
"Yes. I have something to show you too, so tomorrow it is. But... has Baek Hwi caused any trouble?"
"Haha, Baek Hwi's too good-natured for that. No issues."
"Good to hear. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, take care."
Yi Ho-chang clasped his hands in respect to Mae Hyang, then headed toward the Dragon Pearl Gang outpost with Baek Hwi.
On the way, Yi Ho-chang said,
"Baek Hwi, let's grab some food for the brothers on the way."
"Yes, big brother!"
The mild breeze under the moonlight felt soothing rather than unpleasant.
He quietly looked forward to a long, deep sleep on the first night of well-earned rest.
*
The next morning dawned.
Yi Ho-chang rose early.
Ever since returning from Shaolin, he'd been squeezing in training time.
'This time, I realized something.'
His Infinite Body gave him a different starting line from others.
That had bred some complacency.
But young beasts don't spare half-grown imugis.
Here, he'd nearly died three times already.
'I need to hone myself steadily.'
What scared Yi Ho-chang most now were those already ahead of him.
Of course, his Shaolin trip had brought satisfying growth.
But there was no room for complacency.
Not when he'd wasted so much time on this body until now.
"Hup! Tat!"
His training focused on mastering the martial arts he'd learned.
On top, he adapted techniques he'd eyed from others into his own style.
It wasn't hard.
His innate body worked tirelessly.
"Tat! Ha!"
Yi Ho-chang exhaled sharply at the end.
By the time the dawn sun climbed midway, his session ended, clothes soaked in sweat.
'Maybe wash up.'
Heading to a nearby stream, Yi Ho-chang found it deserted—perfect for a peaceful bath.
Just in case, he stripped only his upper body before entering.
"Hoo, ha. Refreshing."
The dirt clinging to his skin washed away.
The cool water pleasantly cooled his heated body.
After enjoying the chill for a bit,
Yi Ho-chang stared at the bushes and said,
"Why don't you come out already?"
"..."
"I know you're there. Hurry up."
Someone rose from the bushes.
Not one, but several.
Seol Ye, deputy squad leader Yu Rok, and Squad 5 leader Jun Hyo.
Yi Ho-chang asked,
"What are you all doing here?"
"...Gathering firewood."
"Firewood?"
"The gang leader told us to fetch firewood to brew the decoction with the inner core."
"I see. Then what about today's begging?"
"Well..."
As Jun Hyo started to reply, Seol Ye cut in.
"The gang leader said we don't need to beg anymore."
"The gang leader? Why?"
This was news to him.
Seol Ye continued,
"Finances are flush now, he said. Even talking about buying a building for us. He mentioned it this morning. Didn't you hear?"
I see.
Morning? I was out training before sunrise.
Still, he'd said something like that?
Yi Ho-chang recalled Bok Jung-ho's drunken words at Shaolin.
"It's been passed down since the previous leader... but I feel sorry for the gang members even if I don't say it..."
Drunk words, but true feelings nonetheless.
Either way, positive news.
'Makes sense, with all that repair money.'
Including savings, they could buy a building and more.
'A building, huh...'
Bok Jung-ho aimed to found a sect, so this was a step toward his dream.
Starting with welfare and a base for the members.
'Dragon Pearl Gang's gearing up to become a proper sect.'
Yi Ho-chang suddenly asked Seol Ye,
"Do you like the Dragon Pearl Gang?"
He wondered what the members thought, given how much Bok Jung-ho cared for them.
Seol Ye answered without hesitation.
"Of course. Without Uncle Chun Seom or the gang leader, we'd have starved already. Right, Yu Rok?"
"Yeah. Jun Hyo thinks so too."
"True. They're our lifesavers. Always grateful."
Yi Ho-chang chuckled.
Nice company.
Leader and members full of loyalty.
"Glad to hear it."
"You too, right?"
"Sure."
"Hey, Ho-chang, heard the news?"
"What news?"
"You know Dam Hu, Squad 2 leader?"
Dam Hu—the guy he'd scolded at the Dragon Pearl Association.
Why him all of a sudden?
Yi Ho-chang asked, and Jun Hyo whispered,
"Heard he went to the Red Tiger Gang."
"Red Tiger Gang?"
"Yeah, slyly left two days before the gang leader returned from the escort."
"Why'd he go?"
"Why do you think?"
Everyone stared at Yi Ho-chang.
"Why stare at me? You think it's because of me?"
"Yeah. How embarrassing must it have been for him?"
"Jeez..."
Kids these days.
Defect over something like that?
Whatever, not his concern.
No paradise in a runaway's haven—how long would he last there?
Yi Ho-chang shook his head.
"If he leaves over something like me, it'll be the same wherever. Don't worry about it."
"You sure? Dam Hu was pretty strong. Doesn't this weaken the gang?"
"Strong? Him?"
You haven't seen real strength.
Yi Ho-chang splashed water on his face, slicked back his hair, and said,
"If he was really strong, he wouldn't run. He's weak. Forget him."
"I-is that so?"
"Yeah. And with me here, who cares?"
"Oh."
"True..."
"Yeah."
They all nodded at Yi Ho-chang's words.
Then Jun Hyo, watching him, said,
"I've thought this before, but you're really something else, Ho-chang."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You've never been ordinary. Reviving Squad 6, the way you think now... Super mature."
Seol Ye chimed in approvingly.
"Right, just like the gang leader."
"Isn't he?"
"Yeah. And look at Squad 6 kids lately—they're better off than Squad 1 members. Like rich kids."
"Ho-chang, what magic did you use? Squad 5's all jealous!"
Listening, Yi Ho-chang couldn't help but chuckle.
Minutes ago, fretting over gang strength—kids would be kids.
Yi Ho-chang climbed out, dried off with a cloth, and dressed.
"Magic? Hard work did it. Gather that firewood diligently. I'm off."
He left.
Watching him go, Yu Rok crossed his arms.
"He's so cool."
"Gotta admit it."
"Can we be like Ho-chang? Right, Seol Ye?"
Jun Hyo turned to her.
But Seol Ye's face was beet red.
"What? You sick?"
"N-no! Let's go gather firewood!"
Seol Ye stormed ahead.
Yu Rok and Jun Hyo exchanged looks, then shrugged.