Chapter 25: The Fist King, A Destiny Greater Than Fortune
The Fist King, A Destiny Greater Than Fortune
Chapter 25: The Fist King, A Destiny Greater Than Fortune
The Supreme Elixir was a legendary medicine that martial artists could only dream of obtaining.
Only a handful of elixirs could rival its potency—the Heavenly Wine Fruit, the Moonbloom Flower, and the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng. Of course, there might be other unknown elixirs hidden in the world, but these four were universally recognized as the rarest and most powerful, their names and effects well-documented yet nearly impossible to acquire.
Where had this come from?
Why had someone simply gifted it under the pretense of friendship instead of consuming it themselves?
Was it because the sender was a man embroiled in a battle for supremacy as the wealthiest merchant in the Central Plains?
How could a mere merchant obtain something even martial masters struggled to acquire?
Dan Woo-sung's thoughts swirled with conflicting emotions.
Yet, regarding the elixir in the vial, he harbored no doubts. Its scent and hue unmistakably matched the Supreme Elixir. In his past life, he had barely managed to drink a few drops—yet here, the vial contained even more than that.
The backlash from consuming it would be immense.
Ingesting a potent elixir was akin to waging war against one's own body until it fully absorbed the energy.
Some fools believed that gulping down rare medicines without proper foundation or internal energy would only bring benefits. But depending on the elixir's nature, an unprepared body could rupture its meridians, bleed from every orifice, and die in agony.
The Supreme Elixir was one such medicine with severe backlash.
Steeling his resolve, Dan Woo-sung drank it all in one go, prepared for battle. Not a single drop remained.
Drenched from head to toe, Lee Ja-eon cautiously asked:
"Honored seniors, might this junior treat you to a meal?"
Joo Ja-ryang fanned himself with his Crane Feather Fan and replied dryly:
"What meal could you possibly serve in these treacherous mountains? Were you planning to hunt a pheasant? With your skills, you'd be lucky to catch a rabbit by sundown."
"Ah, my private estate isn't far from here."
When Lee Ja-eon referred to the Silver River Merchant Group's villa as his own, Sa Ma-geuk inwardly scoffed.
As if that belongs to you. The audacity.
Hungry as they were, Joo Ja-ryang casually added:
"Elder Brother, it wouldn't hurt to accept a warm meal from our junior. I've grown weary of pheasant and wild boar. If you taught him a technique or two, wouldn't that suffice as repayment?"
Sa Ma-geuk stood.
"A meal is hardly a burden. Very well."
Lee Ja-eon bowed repeatedly and guided them toward the villa.
"This way, please. Mind the rocks—it's slippery. The path wasn't like this before; it must have changed over time."
Sa Ma-geuk and Joo Ja-ryang exchanged glances before looking away.
Leading the way, Lee Ja-eon couldn't hide his delight. If a single meal could earn him martial techniques, this was nothing short of a windfall.
This is what they call fortune! Absolutely!
With utmost deference, he escorted them inside.
After the meal, once tea had been served, Lee Ja-eon hesitantly ventured:
"If I may be so bold... might this junior inquire about your esteemed names?"
Sa Ma-geuk answered plainly:
"My friends call me the Sword Saint. My real name lost its meaning long ago, so I discarded it."
Lee Ja-eon gasped.
"W-what?!"
"Why so surprised?"
"N-no reason! It's just—I was taught that 'Sword Saint' was the title of a legendary master who once vied for supremacy as the strongest under heaven!"
Sa Ma-geuk didn't deny it.
"It's just a title. Pay it no mind. I left the martial world's grudges behind long ago."
When Lee Ja-eon turned to Joo Ja-ryang, the scholar introduced himself:
"I know nothing of martial arts. My friends call me the Scholar Immortal. Among recluses, Elder Brother and I are known as the Jiuhua Twin Immortals."
Lee Ja-eon nodded eagerly.
So they really are eccentric masters in seclusion! Of course—how else would I not have heard of them? But if he's called the Sword Saint, he must rank among the Ten Great Masters... This is incredible!
He swallowed hard.
Are they taking disciples?
Meanwhile, Sa Ma-geuk studied Lee Ja-eon with narrowed eyes.
Why does this fool idolize the martial world? Why does he crave strength?
Now that he considered taking him as a disciple, he grew curious about the man himself.
Sa Ma-geuk asked:
"And you—"
"Yes!" Lee Ja-eon answered eagerly.
"What brings you deep into these treacherous mountains to train? With wealth enough to own such an estate, you should want for nothing. What drives you?"
Joo Ja-ryang chimed in:
"He's an earnest young man."
Mistaking this for a Zen-like test, Lee Ja-eon answered carefully:
"There... may be many reasons. But ultimately, I simply wish to grow stronger."
Sa Ma-geuk suddenly nodded, then stood with a frosty expression.
"I see. The meal was appreciated. May you achieve your strength."
As he rose, Joo Ja-ryang added:
"Thank you for the hospitality. But don't interrupt Elder Brother's training again. 'I just want to grow stronger'—what an arrogant, empty answer. Hmph."
Their push-and-pull was masterful. Lee Ja-eon's pupils trembled in shock.
"T-this junior misspoke!"
He leapt up, dropped to his knees beside the table, and slammed his forehead against the floor with a thud. Even among martial fanatics, Lee Ja-eon was exceptional.
Joo Ja-ryang scoffed.
"If fate wills it, we'll meet again. May you grow strong—though who knows what you'll do with that power. Elder Brother, this is why I despise martial arts."
Having polished off the meal, the two strolled leisurely toward the exit as if they had no further business here. Lee Ja-eon chased after them, shouting:
"I—I'll protect the weak!"
Sa Ma-geuk turned back with a displeased frown.
"Pfft. Ridiculous. Do we look so easily fooled? 'Protect the weak'? Are you trying to play the righteous hero? You don't strike me as the type."
Joo Ja-ryang asked pointedly:
"Have you ever once helped the weak?"
"N-no, I haven't."
Sa Ma-geuk sighed.
"People rarely change. To think the first junior I meet in years would be all talk. Tch."
As he walked away, Joo Ja-ryang hurried after him.
"Elder Brother! Don't be angry. Kids these days are all like this. The martial world's virtues have long since crumbled."
Lee Ja-eon stared blankly as they retreated. Fortune had come knocking—only to slip through his fingers.
No... This can't be. Where else would I find a master of the Sword Saint's caliber?
Desperate, he sprinted after them and dropped to his knees.
"Forgive this junior's thoughtless words! I'm a fool. Even I know my reason for seeking strength was laughable—I lied to save face. Please, teach me!"
Sa Ma-geuk nodded slowly.
"Why do you truly wish to grow stronger? Speak honestly. I don't know you—but I want to know if you're sincere."
A difficult question indeed.
After a pause, Lee Ja-eon answered truthfully:
"Well... Lately, I've wanted to hit my brother."
Sa Ma-geuk and Joo Ja-ryang jolted in shock.
Lee Ja-eon continued hastily:
"I—I know it's absurd! But that's the truth. I'll rid myself of such thoughts! Of course, that's not the only reason. The merchant group's situation is dire, and... doesn't a man's life hold meaning in strength? I've had such disjointed thoughts. I've spoken honestly."
Sa Ma-geuk's eyes widened at this rambling confession.
You dare?! My friend?! After all the suffering your brother and we endured because of you?!
His face burned crimson. Joo Ja-ryang's did too. Their youngest's mindset was even more pathetic than expected.
"You want to hit your brother?!"
Lee Ja-eon paled, realizing his blunder.
"N-no! I was the one who got hit! It's just... we don't get along, and childish resentment made me—I won't do it even if I grow stronger!"
He truly was immature—untested by hardship.
Sa Ma-geuk, now thinking not as a master but as Lee Ja-eon's elder brother, recalled his friend's pleading expression and tone. That soft-hearted fool, always too generous—even now, scheming for his brother's sake. And this brat wanted to hit him?! It made Sa Ma-geuk's blood boil.
Suppressing his rage, he said coldly:
"If you wish to grow stronger, you'll need to rebuild your mindset first."
"I'll change!"
"Since we've eaten your food, I'll teach you a few techniques."
"Thank you!"
Joo Ja-ryang interjected:
"Though he calls it 'a few techniques,' this still establishes a master-disciple bond. Skip the formalities—just offer the Threefold Bow to Elder Brother. And since you'll be his disciple, you'll naturally become my martial nephew. Keep that in mind."
Lee Ja-eon nodded vigorously.
"Of course! Master, Uncle. This disciple shall bow."
As Lee Ja-eon performed the ritual, Sa Ma-geuk and Joo Ja-ryang accepted with stern expressions.
They had no intention of going easy on him.
Given their friend's request for harsh training, they finally understood why.
Sa Ma-geuk glared icily at Lee Ja-eon.
Ja-eon, you're in for hell. And I'll endure hell to put you through it. Let's train until we drop dead.
Joo Ja-ryang felt the same.
If I don't make you human, I'm not human myself.
He planned to drill Confucian teachings into him—clearly, the boy's mindset needed correction.
Sa Ma-geuk spoke calmly again:
"Ja-eon."
"Yes, Master!"
"Rest today. Return before dawn tomorrow—to the waterfall."
Lee Ja-eon answered eagerly:
"Understood!"
Sa Ma-geuk added:
"Slack off even once, and I'll expel you."
Joo Ja-ryang nodded.
"And we'll take back every technique we taught."
Sa Ma-geuk resolved to discipline himself first—to be worthy of molding this brat. Thus began the strange unfolding of Dan Woo-sung's arranged fortune.
Still uneasy about his blunder, Lee Ja-eon bowed again.
"Master, Uncle. This disciple deeply regrets his words. Please forgive me."
Sa Ma-geuk walked away, replying:
"Words are easy. Action is hard. We'll see."
He steeled himself to teach properly, honoring his friend's request. To shape this fool into a man, he himself had to become one.
What name could be given to such a destiny?
Perhaps it was something greater than mere fortune.