Chapter 84: The Fist King Gets Drunk
The Fist King Gets Drunk
Episode 84: The Fist King Gets Drunk
Was it the mountain ginseng, the freshwater fish, or the peach that was so extraordinary?
Or was it the act of pounding his meridians while gulping down waterfall water that made the difference?
At the start of his breathing technique, Dan Woo-sung didn't fully grasp the compounding effects of the elixirs. But once he began circulating his energy through the Great Heavenly Cycle, the surging heat of Extreme Yang energy forced him into a state of tense focus.
This wasn't ordinary mountain ginseng, nor was it just any freshwater fish. And the peach—it might as well have been a divine fruit from the legendary Peach Blossom Spring. What made it even more potent was the explosive synergy of the three Yang energies raging inside him. If not for the excessive water intake from the waterfall, his body might have burned up from the sheer heat.
Mad God's madness was steeped in experience.
Whether Dan Woo-sung could absorb it depended entirely on his temperament, innate talent, luck, and fate—and he was absorbing it flawlessly. This was the culmination of heavenly fortune, his own efforts, and Mad God's madness.
Dan Woo-sung methodically suppressed the rampaging energy and forced it into his dantian.
...
Mad God watched as Dan Woo-sung meditated with closed eyes. It had been a long time since he'd observed someone else's training.
He felt pleased.
Pleased that this kid wasn't a disappointment.
Pleased that he was just as foul-tempered as himself.
With a serene expression, Mad God observed Dan Woo-sung before clasping his hands behind his back and walking away.
Before him stretched the Nameless Peach Garden.
'Things are getting interesting.'
Reaching higher realms required equally profound circumstances. So, it was only right to pass this opportunity to his junior rather than keep it for himself. A junior who hadn't been turned away by the Mad God's doorstep was worthy of it.
Mad God wandered around, inspecting the base of the peach trees.
A junior like this could carry the martial world's burdens even after the Three Gods ascended to the heavens and Yoo Jung-hong, the Alliance Leader, passed from old age.
'You'll make things worth watching.'
Because Mad God liked Dan Woo-sung, he was weaving fate alongside him. And so, as he roamed the peach-filled garden, he searched for the Cheon-yeon Ju-gwa—the Natural Wine Fruit.
Cheon-yeon referred to things untouched by human hands, existing purely in nature. Ju-gwa originally meant alcohol and fruit, but in the martial world, it described elixir nectar that had condensed like aged wine—essentially, the purest essence of an elixir.
The reason Mad God was searching for it here was simple:
This Nameless Peach Garden was no ordinary place.
If the Natural Wine Fruit wasn't here, then it might as well not exist anywhere else in the martial world.
Of course, he had searched before and found nothing. But Mad God could tell that this junior's arrival wasn't mere coincidence. Sober and intending to gift this opportunity to his junior, he combed through the garden once more.
In Mad God's mind, there was only one stage beyond Pure Blue of Furnace Flame—the Pure Blue of Furnace Flame.
The world spoke of Banbok Gwichin (Return to Simplicity) and Banro Hwandong (Rejuvenation) as intermediate stages, but Mad God considered Pure Blue of Furnace Flame and Banbok Gwichin nearly the same. Banro Hwandong was more of a fantastical notion—a transformation of the body upon reaching Pure Blue of Furnace Flame, like Mad God's hair turning black again.
In practical terms, Pure Blue of Furnace Flame was the final stage, with only Pinnacle of Cultivation—the Pinnacle of Cultivation—beyond it.
Mad God knew that throughout martial history, few had ever reached that pinnacle.
From records and biographies, only Baek Mujin had unequivocally ascended to Pinnacle of Cultivation, followed by Jin So-han, who likely reached it after turning thirty.
As he searched for the Natural Wine Fruit, Mad God stared intently at Dan Woo-sung.
His plan was simple: first, guide this young junior into Pure Blue of Furnace Flame, then leave the rest to fate.
Reaching Pure Blue of Furnace Flame at this age would put him on par with Baek Mujin's early years. Eventually, he might even climb to Pinnacle of Cultivation.
Mad God, already well past ninety, considered any greed for the pinnacle excessive.
'Where the hell is it?'
Finding the Natural Wine Fruit wasn't something ordinary perception could achieve.
Suddenly feeling impatient, Mad God sat down and began meditating. Controlling his mind was always critical—he never knew when his madness might erupt again.
As Mad God and Dan Woo-sung sat motionless in the peach orchard, the world began to move.
Clouds drifted, the sun rose, and the wind blew.
Blue Medicine Mountain resumed its natural rhythm, embracing the two without harm, breathing in harmony with all creation.
And so, the mountain, Mad God, and Dan Woo-sung exchanged breaths.
...
Much later, Dan Woo-sung quietly opened his eyes and extended his palm. The energy of the White Lightning Ten Stages condensed in his grasp. The once-violent lightning energy now felt tempered, almost docile.
With his mind's intent, he shaped the lightning energy rising from his palm.
Somehow, he believed the energy would take form exactly as he envisioned.
Baek Yak's signature technique, the White Flower Divine Art, manifested as a single blossom of pure white frost.
But Dan Woo-sung's White Lightning Ten Stages had entered a new realm. On his palm, he molded the energy like a creator—intent and instinct blending, wisdom and enlightenment overlapping—until a form representing him took shape.
It wasn't a flower, nor was it a weapon.
A thin, distinct white thread wriggled faintly. And this was with less than a fraction of his full power.
What should he call it?
If he named it literally—White Thread.
To Dan Woo-sung, this delicate thread looked heartbreakingly beautiful. On his palm, it swayed playfully, as if dancing with joy.
He knew that if he amplified his energy, this thread could become a whip, the whip a lightning strike, and the lightning strike—ultimately—a Thunder Dragon.
The vision was so vivid it moved him.
The gnawing doubt—Had I truly lived diligently until now?—vanished.
The reward was right before him.
In the martial world, happiness came when you confirmed your growth after days of relentless effort.
Today, Dan Woo-sung was genuinely happy.
And it was all thanks to Mad God, a senior of the White Path—the man reputed as the maddest in the martial world, who had irrevocably altered his fate.
When Dan Woo-sung turned his head, Mad God was also seated in meditation, deep in focus.
Not wanting to disturb him, Dan Woo-sung closed his eyes and resumed the Great Heavenly Cycle. This opportunity, earned through long trials, was too precious to waste. The excessive feast he'd consumed earlier now digested perfectly, as if his body had prepared for this moment.
Much later, Mad God spoke without opening his eyes.
"Junior."
"Yes, Senior."
"Ever heard of the Natural Wine Fruit?"
"I have."
"See if it's part of your destiny. If we don't find it here, it won't appear anywhere else in this era."
"Understood."
"The finest wine in the martial world is the Natural Wine Fruit. It resembles the Supreme Elixir, with varying fragrances—here, it'll likely smell like peaches. It could be at the base of a tree, pooled on a branch, or somewhere we'd never expect. I believe the essence of this Nameless Peach Garden is hidden somewhere."
Dan Woo-sung stood, as if taking over from Mad God, and surveyed the garden before leaping into the air to scan from the highest vantage point.
Of course, he knew of the Natural Wine Fruit.
The reason the Oryo Sect lived in the mountains was to hunt elixirs like herb gatherers. Mastering Extreme Yang techniques demanded endless elixirs. But finding something like the Natural Wine Fruit or Supreme Elixir was no easy task.
It was almost expected not to find it.
Dan Woo-sung had no intention of tearing apart the Nameless Peach Garden in his search.
Reaching the opposite cliff, he studied the peach trees before peering down into the abyss.
A pebble dislodged by his foot tumbled into the depths. Mad God, having risen from meditation, joined him at the edge.
Dan Woo-sung spoke.
"Senior, I don't think it's here."
Mad God nodded.
"I searched for a long time and found nothing. It's only natural."
Dan Woo-sung looked at him like a madman.
"But we should still check below this cliff."
Mad God burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha—!"
It was a sheer, dizzying drop. Dan Woo-sung laughed with him.
"Hahahahaha—!"
Two kindred spirits, perfectly in sync. Mad God grinned.
"If you want to check, then let's do it. Don't die. It's pretty high."
"Senior, watch your back."
"Let's go."
"Let's."
They jumped simultaneously. Mad God crossed his arms mid-air, and Dan Woo-sung quickly mimicked him.
True madmen.
There was no guarantee of an elixir below. As they fell, neither looked away from the cliff face. Mid-descent, they both expelled energy, clinging to the rock like geckos before locking eyes and leaping again.
Like synchronized acrobats, they twisted mid-air and landed on a protruding ledge halfway down. Before them yawned a cave. Looking up, the entire peak seemed split in two, the fissure extending all the way to the Nameless Peach Garden.
Mad God spoke.
"Let's go in."
The cave was vast. Thin beams of light seeped through the ceiling, and somewhere, water dripped rhythmically.
Drip... drip... drip...
Following the sound, the two found a pool beneath a stalactite. They scanned the surroundings, arms still crossed.
Dan Woo-sung's chest tightened inexplicably.
Mad God muttered a single word.
"Damn."
Dan Woo-sung stared in disbelief. Peach nectar from the garden above had pooled everywhere—but not on the ground. Instead, it clung to upward-jutting stalagmites like egg yolks suspended in mid-air. Each droplet was unmistakably an elixir, no different from the Natural Wine Fruit.
Mad God exhaled.
"I don't even know what to do with this. I'm not even sure if it is the Natural Wine Fruit."
If there had been only one pool, he would've yielded it to Dan Woo-sung. But this was an inexhaustible bounty.
Dan Woo-sung was speechless.
This was something only a master like Baek Yak could obtain. Even knowing the location, few in the martial world could reach it. By that measure, Dan Woo-sung had already proven himself worthy.
He grinned.
"We'll know if we drink it. Senior, care for a glass?"
Mad God snorted.
"Could kill us. Nature doesn't come with instructions."
Dan Woo-sung eyed one of the suspended droplets. As he watched, another trickle slid down the stalactite and plopped into the pool.
He leaned forward and slurped it up in one gulp.
Instantly, his face flushed crimson.
Mad God watched anxiously.
"Well?"
Dan Woo-sung, heat surging through his body, grinned.
"It's wine. Have a drink. Hahaha—won't kill you. Go on."
As Dan Woo-sung staggered around the cave, Mad God studied his expression before sighing.
"You're drunk. After just one sip. Pathetic..."
Mad God downed a droplet himself—and immediately hiccuped, his face turning red. Dan Woo-sung was already at the next stalagmite, gulping another.
Mad God squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them.
"Junior."
Dan Woo-sung slurred.
"Yeees, Senior? 'S definitely the Natural Wine Fruit."
Mad God nodded.
"Yeah... seems like it. Let's drink till we drop today."
Dan Woo-sung waved a hand.
"Senior, none of that weak talk... Let's drink... and take over the martial world. Three rounds—down the hatch!"
And so, the two drunkards began guzzling the Natural Wine Fruit.