Chapter 159
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Silent Dragon and a Pitiful Friend
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This was Dan Ak-seon, who had already gained renown for his medical skills, worthy of the title Divine Physician, in addition to the three legends of the martial world who moved with him.
Yet the subject of these rumors was completely unaware.
“By the way, shouldn’t you give that fellow a name?”
At Muk-bi’s words, Dan Ak-seon caressed the staff he was holding.
He did so for a moment.
“Silent Dragon… I’ll call it Silent Dragon.”
Cho Ak-ryang wore a puzzled expression. But after pondering its meaning, he soon nodded.
“A silent dragon…”
The more he thought about it, the better the name seemed.
This was because only Dan Ak-seon, who had learned the Dignified Fire Divine Arts, could properly draw out the true power contained within the staff itself.
Normally dormant, it would only reveal its true majesty when unleashed within the clouds of the Dignified Fire Divine Arts.
Muk-bi, too, seemed to like the name, nodding his head emphatically.
It was the culmination of his life’s work, created with all his heart and soul by a man who prided himself on having the greatest skill.
It was a name worthy of this once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece, forged by combining Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, possessing the chill of the ultimate yin, with Blazing Cinnabar Iron, possessing the heat of the ultimate yang, and adding meteoric iron to the mix.
“Ah, and…”
Belatedly remembering something important, Muk-bi took out a long wooden box from his robes and handed it to Dan Ak-seon.
“What’s this?”
Dan Ak-seon tilted his head as he accepted the wooden box, which was about the length of a child’s arm. However, his expression brightened at Muk-bi’s next words.
“It’s the item you requested.”
“Could it be?”
After opening the box and checking its contents, Dan Ak-seon was speechless for a moment.
A large needle, well over a foot long.
Its size was so immense, exuding a tremendous sense of pressure, that even Han Seol-hwa frowned.
“That’s supposed to go into a person’s body?”
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi grimaced as if they had seen something horrible.
“Isn’t that a weapon?”
“It looks more likely to kill someone than save them.”
Muk-bi, on the other hand, had a look of overflowing confidence.
In a way, the large needle before them was a masterpiece into which he had poured even more effort and passion than the Silent Dragon.
And just as expected.
“Ah!”
Dan Ak-seon, who had unconsciously circulated the Dignified Fire Divine Arts, couldn’t hide his surprise.
As the Dignified Fire Divine Arts were accepted into the needle’s head, the energies of ultimate yang and ultimate yin began to churn violently within, and from the sharp tip, clear streams of auspicious energy began to flow.
“This needle will save countless people!”
At those words, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi met each other’s gaze and swallowed dryly.
The sight of Dan Ak-seon joyfully holding the massive needle suddenly felt terrifying.
—Suddenly, I’m afraid for the future.
At Cho Ak-ryang’s telepathic message, Beom Gye-wi shook his head as if to ward off the ominous feeling.
—No way. It… can’t be.
However, it wasn’t long before their fears became reality.
“Now, it’s time for your treatment. Since your body was broken for my sake, I’ll restore it back to its original state.”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon grinning from ear to ear while holding the large needle, Muk-bi’s expression gradually hardened.
“Will that needle be used in the treatment process, by any chance?”
“Of course. If I didn’t have it, that would be one thing, but not using such a magnificent medical instrument would be a sin.”
Led by Dan Ak-seon’s hand like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse, Muk-bi disappeared into the inner chamber.
A faint scream soon echoed from within, sending shivers down Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi’s spines.
Feeling his back grow damp without realizing it, Cho Ak-ryang spoke in a low groan.
“I’d better not get hurt from now on.”
Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa silently nodded in agreement.
* * *
Dan Ak-seon stayed at the Muk Family Forge for ten days, dedicating himself to treating the forge master, Muk-bi.
Fortunately, Muk-bi’s condition improved daily, and he had now recovered to a state close to his usual self.
It was thanks to Dan Ak-seon’s medical skills and the large needle he had named Silent Dragon’s Fang.
Despite its vicious appearance, the efficacy of the Silent Dragon’s Fang was truly remarkable.
Of course, the method of inserting the needle to directly channel internal energy required enduring a little (?) pain, but the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.
Above all, its ability to significantly speed up recovery had made it an incomparable treasure for Dan Ak-seon.
His other treasure was, of course, the Silent Dragon.
Dan Ak-seon kept the Silent Dragon with him even while administering treatment.
He even had it by his side when he ate and slept, never letting it leave him for a moment.
Especially after finishing his treatments for the day, he would lose track of time, training late into the night, brandishing the Silent Dragon.
The power of his Dignified Fire Divine Arts was advancing at a rate incomparable to before, to the point that even the other three were astonished.
By repeatedly absorbing the amplified Dignified Fire Divine Arts through the Silent Dragon, Dan Ak-seon was progressing toward a higher realm at a dazzling speed.
Watching Dan Ak-seon train from a distance, Beom Gye-wi nodded his head with an expression of admiration.
“Our Physician Dan will surely become the greatest under heaven.”
Cho Ak-ryang also agreed.
“If we guide him well, it won’t be an impossible feat.”
Han Seol-hwa, on the other hand, let out a soft sigh.
“It would be better if I just taught him by myself…”
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi chuckled.
Then their expressions instantly turned cold.
At first, they thought she was joking, but Han Seol-hwa’s face was utterly serious.
The two men glared at Han Seol-hwa.
Not to be outdone, Han Seol-hwa glared right back at them.
At that moment, Dan Ak-seon, having finished his energy circulation to conclude his training, settled his internal energy and opened his eyes.
The gazes of the three mentors converged on him.
His aura was certainly changing day by day.
Not only was his presence subtly and naturally revealed, but now a considerable weight could be felt in his eyes.
Dan Ak-seon ran toward the three and shouted at Beom Gye-wi.
“Please teach me staff techniques.”
“Of course! This time, it’s time to learn the *swish-swoosh-thwack*, right?”
“That’s right. The one where you deflect, then counter to lock the opponent’s movements.”
Cho Ak-ryang shook his head.
He still found it amazing how Dan Ak-seon could understand Beom Gye-wi’s incomprehensible explanations as if by magic.
“You seem to be quite fond of the Silent Dragon.”
At Cho Ak-ryang’s words, Dan Ak-seon hugged the Silent Dragon and grinned.
“Yes, I really love it.”
Beom Gye-wi was suddenly struck by curiosity.
“Compared to elixirs?”
“It’s as good as an elixir. No, it’s much, much better!”
The three of them wore satisfied smiles at Dan Ak-seon’s unhesitating reply.
All else aside, if Dan Ak-seon was happy, that was all that mattered.
Five days later.
Dan Ak-seon’s party bid farewell to Muk-bi.
In just a fortnight, Muk-bi was regaining his former self.
Muk-bi extended his plump hand and clasped Dan Ak-seon’s.
“Come again anytime.”
“Thank you for everything. I won’t forget the kindness you’ve shown me, Master.”
“May the protection of the Red Emperor be with you.”
As his profession required him to always handle fire, he offered a blessing for the future in the name of Zhurong, the god of fire he worshipped.
Leaving the Muk Family Forge, the group left the quiet path and soon entered the main road.
“Where is our next destination?”
At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Dan Ak-seon answered without hesitation.
“We’re going to Hunan Province.”
“Hunan?”
“I plan to visit a place called Clear Deep Pond.”
“Ah!”
Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“Are you going to meet Dam Jeong, the Flying Shadow Divine Whip?”
“Yes.”
Although he was not the leader of a sect or faction, he was one of the respected masters within the orthodox martial world.
“I’m going to get his signature and also meet up with my friends while I’m at it.”
A mischievous smile spread across Dan Ak-seon’s face as he thought of Un Jung-san and Bang So-bang.
* * *
An inn near Mount Wudang.
The moment he set down his luggage, Dan Ak-seon grabbed the Silent Dragon and quickly dashed outside.
“I’ll be back!”
Dan Ak-seon had been bubbling with excitement for days at the prospect of meeting his friends after so long.
The three mentors smiled warmly at the sight.
“Look how happy he is.”
Leaving the three smiling mentors behind, Dan Ak-seon headed straight for Mount Wudang.
“Un Jung-san? That child…”
In front of the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate.
The young Taoist in charge of greeting visitors showed a momentarily troubled expression at Dan Ak-seon’s request to see Un Jung-san.
“Why? Can’t I see him now?”
“Hmm. No, that’s not it. Please wait a moment.”
With those words, the young Taoist disappeared beyond the gate.
Left alone outside the gate, Dan Ak-seon began to pass the time idly while waiting for Un Jung-san.
Just as he was growing weary and bored from the wait.
“Ak-seon!”
A voice called out to him from a distance.
“Jung-san!”
Dan Ak-seon ran toward Un Jung-san, who was flying toward him.
Without needing to decide who went first, the two embraced, unable to hide their joy, and began chattering nonstop.
“Huh? But you’ve gotten taller?”
“You too. At first, I wasn’t sure it was you.”
“In just one more year, I’ll be able to officially have my name added to the Taoist registry.”
“You’re going to be a real Wudang disciple then?”
“That’s right.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly at the sight of Un Jung-san puffing out his chest with a proud expression.
His appearance had changed slightly, but his stiff, old-man-like way of speaking was the same as ever.
“By the way, what’s that you’re holding?”
Un Jung-san’s curiosity was piqued upon spotting the Silent Dragon in Dan Ak-seon’s hand.
“This? Hehe.”
Dan Ak-seon smiled slyly and held out the Silent Dragon as if to show it off.
“Its name is Silent Dragon.”
“Silent Dragon?”
“Yep. It’s my signature weapon.”
Un Jung-san’s eyes gleamed with envy.
As an unnamed probationary disciple, he was not yet permitted to have a real sword.
Only upon formal initiation would he be bestowed with a sword, along with a Taoist name.
“It’s magnificent. May I touch it?”
“Be my guest.”
Taking the Silent Dragon from Dan Ak-seon, Un Jung-san examined it closely and let out an unconscious gasp of admiration.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the Silent Dragon’s extraordinary appearance, which was clearly no ordinary weapon.
“Let’s go show it to So-bang. We can have a spar too, it’s been a while.”
At Dan Ak-seon’s words, Un Jung-san’s expression darkened.
“Visiting him is fine… but sparring will probably be difficult.”
“Huh? Why?”
“So-bang is badly hurt.”
Dan Ak-seon was startled.
“Hurt? How badly?”
Un Jung-san let out a sigh.
“It would be better for you, a physician, to see for yourself.”
The two hurried down the mountain toward a hut on the outskirts of the village where Bang So-bang was staying.
Pushing aside the straw mat covering the entrance, Bang So-bang, who was lying down with a splint, saw them and his eyes went wide.
“Huh? Ak-seon! Ugh…!”
Inadvertently trying to sit up, Bang So-bang let out a groan and collapsed back down.
A swollen face.
Spotting the numerous bruises all over him, Dan Ak-seon was speechless for a moment.
“What happened?”
At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Bang So-bang responded with his characteristic bravado.
“The life of a hero is always hard. Of course, a young punk like you wouldn’t know that yet.”
“…”
“Anyway, let’s talk outside. The fleas in my house are having a party. They’re saying a rare delicacy has appeared.”
But Dan Ak-seon silently took out a wooden box containing needles from his robes.
As he placed the needles on Bang So-bang’s body, Dan Ak-seon sighed.
He had been beaten so badly that it was harder to find a spot that wasn’t injured.
Not to mention the internal injuries, his finger was also fractured.
On top of that, he had a hairline fracture in his rib.
An injury like this would make every breath painful, yet Bang So-bang acted as if nothing was wrong.
But there was something he couldn’t hide.
The cold sweat that had begun to bead on his face over time was now pouring down like rain.
“Is it something you can’t tell me?”
Bang So-bang flinched at Dan Ak-seon’s worried tone.
“Tch.”
As feelings of injustice and anger belatedly washed over him, Bang So-bang raised his arm to cover his face.
A single tear streamed out from behind it.
Dan Ak-seon raised his eyes to look at Un Jung-san.
Un Jung-san sighed and began to explain why Bang So-bang was injured.
“In this village, there’s a man named Yeon Dae-ya, who became a magnate after his family amassed wealth over several generations.”
He had a son, born late in his life, who had a truly rotten personality.
And at Un Jung-san’s next words, Dan Ak-seon was shocked.
“He promised to give the young beggars a silver coin for every punch they took?”