Chapter 58: The Fist King, The Hidden Blade
The Fist King, The Hidden Blade
Episode 58: The Fist King, The Hidden Blade
"Was your entire clan away from the Central Plains all this time?"
There had been no news of Baek Mujin's descendants appearing in the martial world until now.
Baek Yak responded to Dan Woo-sung's question.
"Yes. That's correct."
"Then I assume you didn't come solely for the Phoenix Tournament."
"We've only maintained enough activity to ensure the martial arts left behind by the Heavenly Demon wouldn't fade into obscurity."
Baek Yak crossed her arms, mirroring Dan Woo-sung's posture as she continued.
"The place we reside in has its own martial world, much like the Central Plains, but there's no one worthy of being called a rival. It's a barren land. No elixirs, no fierce competition—nothing. The only remnants are the glorious legends of the past. If things continue this way, even the martial arts left by the Heavenly Demon will vanish. That's why I came to the Central Plains. To ensure what we inherited isn't lost."
"Then, your martial arts are—"
Baek Yak answered.
"The White Flower Divine Art and Ice Technique. Our descendants haven't done anything wrong, yet it feels like we're living under a curse. Successors who mastered the White Flower Divine Art appeared sporadically across generations, but now we've reached a point where we must research and restore it ourselves. And there's something else I must correct here in the Central Plains."
Dan Woo-sung asked,
"What is it?"
"Personally, I find it absurd that the Heavenly Demon is still revered by later generations of Demonic Path followers and their insane devotees. Our clan only learned much later that those fanatics had stirred chaos in the martial world. We are not of the Demonic Path. That point—"
Baek Yak tapped the table sharply with her finger.
"—I intend to prove through my actions here in the Central Plains."
Her meaning was clear: if the Demonic Path emerged, she would eradicate them herself. Even during Jin So-han's reign as the Strongest Under Heaven, the largest Demonic Path faction had been Baek Mujin's followers.
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"A noble thought."
As she spoke, Baek Yak's eyelids grew noticeably heavier. She blinked sleepily, glancing around before saying,
"Well, I should return to my lodgings now. Thank you for your hospitality today."
"Let's go."
Dan Woo-sung rose quietly and escorted her to the gate. She was an important guest. Though their goals differed, their stance against the Demonic Path aligned, making her a crucial ally. Moreover, she was a prodigious talent in martial arts.
She wasn't just Baek Mujin's descendant—she was a righteous martial artist with sound judgment, deserving of proper courtesy.
Once they reached the gate and exchanged farewells, Baek Yak walked away alone, her shadow-like escorts reappearing behind her.
Baek Ran, her cousin and bodyguard, approached and asked,
"Already sleepy?"
Baek Yak nodded.
"Mhm."
"That's why I told you to eat less."
Baek Yak waved her hand dismissively.
"It's not like I can control it. The food was good."
"Was there ever a time it wasn't? Look at your stomach."
"Stop teasing me. It's not sticking out."
......
When Dan Woo-sung turned back, Chief Administrator Lee Hwa-eon emerged from inside with the Murim Alliance warriors.
"Brother, are you heading back now?"
The Murim Alliance warriors gathered to bid Dan Woo-sung farewell.
"We're glad the Guyang Clan matter was resolved smoothly."
"Congratulations once again on your victory."
Dan Woo-sung bowed slightly in response.
"Thank you. I expect we'll meet again at the Murim Alliance. Until then."
The warriors also expressed gratitude to Lee Hwa-eon.
"Chief Administrator, we're indebted to you. Thanks to you, we'll be returning a little plumper."
Lee Hwa-eon chuckled.
"No need for formalities... If you ever pass by during your duties, feel free to visit. Not just you—any Murim Alliance member will always be welcomed by the Silver River Merchant Group."
The brothers treated the warriors with such respect that the departing guests left with lighter hearts.
Once all external guests had departed, Lee Hwa-eon finally exhaled deeply, as if releasing tension.
Dan Woo-sung patted his back.
"You've worked hard."
Lee Hwa-eon grinned.
"Hardly. Brother, let's go. I'll guide you."
"Where to?"
"There's something to show you in the warehouse."
As they walked side by side, Lee Hwa-eon explained,
"There were many twists and turns. Fortunately, Mok In-seop from the Escort Team helped often."
"With what?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Dan Woo-sung had a guess—elixirs. The Silver River Merchant Group hadn't previously spent its wealth on purchasing them.
The merchant group's warehouse was vast. It served as both a quality inspection site for externally produced goods and a storage space for items awaiting sale, making it the largest area in the compound.
The warehouse was divided into upper, middle, and lower-grade sections. Lee Hwa-eon led Dan Woo-sung past them all before unlocking a steel door at the far end.
"Step inside."
The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. Dan Woo-sung scanned the room.
'They've gone all out.'
The entire space was packed with elixirs—an excessive amount.
Lee Hwa-eon explained,
"The elixirs in this section are Polygonum Root and Restoration Pill Pills traded through the Midnight Market of the Middle Capital. Luck plays a role even when buying elixirs from the market. The only ones readily available for purchase were low-grade. So, I bought them all."
Dan Woo-sung smirked at Lee Hwa-eon's boldness. His brother continued,
"Word spread to other midnight markets after this. Then, private traders began seeking us out. Some make a living solely by gathering elixirs—independent wholesalers known as 'Herb Path Merchants.' Since I couldn't properly assess quality, I often consulted Corps Leader Han Yeop. When he was unavailable, I bought them anyway."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"Even after being selective, there's still this much?"
"Yes. I'm considering hiring an expert and entering this market properly. I treated it as an investment for study."
"No need to resell. I won't ask how much you spent. We'll consume them all. Though I don't need to touch these myself."
"Why not?"
Dan Woo-sung examined the elixirs as he spoke.
"I've surpassed that level. Start by slowly administering the Polygonum Root to the Escort Team, then send a portion to Mount Jiuhua. After that, proceed with the Restoration Pill Pills and elixirs in order."
"Understood."
Mid-conversation, Dan Woo-sung brushed dirt off a Polygonum Root and chewed it directly. He then sampled one or two of each type—Restoration Pill Pills, elixirs—testing them. While the Centennial Purified Ginseng posed no risk of poisoning, he would detect any toxins with his body.
After chewing a few Restoration Pill Pills from a corner, Dan Woo-sung spat them out.
"You kept records of who sold these, right?"
"Yes, everything's logged."
"They'll return, thinking us fools. Call me when they do. Especially the one who brought these Restoration Pill Pills."
"Understood."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"Discard all the Restoration Pill Pills in this section."
Lee Hwa-eon clenched his jaw and nodded.
"Yes."
"Let's go."
As they exited, Lee Hwa-eon added,
"There was also an elderly Herb Path Merchant who insisted on seeing the person who'd consume the elixirs before selling. He said he'd return and left."
"Did he seem like a martial artist?"
"Hard to say. I'm not sharp in that regard. But his demeanor was calm, and his smile was refined—I naturally treated him with utmost respect."
Dan Woo-sung paused and explained,
"If someone's eyes are bloodshot or clouded—even without illness—they're likely a third-rate martial artist at best. The exception is the Blind Demon Sect. Their eyes are unreliable indicators because their martial arts often affect their physiology."
Lee Hwa-eon studied his brother's eyes before replying,
"Yours are clear."
Dan Woo-sung gestured toward his own skin.
"Rarely, but if an elderly person's skin is flawless—radiant, even—they're likely an exceptional master. That's a hallmark of Bone Forging Body Transformation. Be cautious."
"Understood."
Dan Woo-sung stepped back and observed Lee Hwa-eon.
"Check for imbalances in posture. Most people have uneven shoulders or tilted necks due to habit, standing uncomfortably. Someone without these flaws is almost certainly a martial artist."
"Hmm..."
"Observe their gaze, skin, and posture. If you can sense their aura, you can gauge their level."
"Aura?"
"That's more difficult. Forget it for now. Was the old man a martial artist?"
Lee Hwa-eon, sharp-minded, recalled the elder after a moment.
"He was."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
Lee Hwa-eon sighed.
"Either way, I think I wasted some money."
"No. Even if only the Escort Team and the Double Report Brothers consume them, they'll be worth it. The Youngest will be grateful too. Leave distribution to Corps Leader Han Yeop—don't worry about it. You have enough on your plate."
"Understood."
"You've worked hard."
After parting with Lee Hwa-eon, Dan Woo-sung returned to his quarters and immediately called out,
"Myung-bo! Jin-bo!"
"Yes, Brother!"
"Let's go."
As they headed to the training grounds, Dan Woo-sung remarked,
"About that Lady Baek earlier."
"Yes?"
"She's stronger than both of you."
Yook Myung-bo and Yook Jin-bo exchanged glances before responding.
"Understood."
"We'll train harder."
Dan Woo-sung nodded.
"I'll teach you what I gleaned from observing her. It wasn't wasted time. Of course, she likely learned something from me too."
To be precise, he intended to adapt useful aspects of Baek Yak's movements immediately.
Not stolen techniques—but the Fist King's reinterpretation.
Thus, the Double Report Brothers received teachings akin to rare opportunities with every training session. Just as Murim Alliance Leader Yoo Jung-hong saw Dan Woo-sung as a hidden blade within the White Path, Dan Woo-sung intended to forge these twins into two hidden blades of the Silver River Merchant Group.
......
Back in her lodgings, Baek Yak headed to bed and told Baek Ran,
"You should sleep too."
"I'm not tired yet. Who goes to bed this early?"
"Me."
"I didn't train at dawn, so I'm not sleepy."
Baek Ran watched as Baek Yak lay down and asked,
"So, how were the arm wrestling and hand-to-hand matches?"
"Lost the arm wrestling. Couldn't win the hand-to-hand either."
"That strong?"
"What we saw at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was just a fraction. He's rough and competitive. Picked up my movements instantly."
"What's his personality like?"
"Stoic. Tried to slam me into the ground."
"Seriously... And you just let him?"
"No? I asked him to watch."
"And?"
"He watched."
Baek Ran facepalmed.
"Good heavens, what kind of humiliation is this? You came all the way to the Central Plains—you should've settled it decisively with martial arts!"
"It's not that simple. You know how flashy my techniques are."
"I do. But just looking at that Grand Prince, he seems trained in external martial arts—why challenge him to arm wrestling and hand-to-hand? Did you learn internal energy just to use while eating? This is embarrassing. Next time, teach him a lesson—"
Baek Ran stopped mid-sentence. Baek Yak was already snoring.
"......"
Baek Ran tucked the blanket under her chin and muttered,
"How will you ever get married? That snoring..."
As if in response, the snoring ceased—though Baek Yak remained asleep. Baek Ran stared at her in disbelief.