Chapter 2
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Absolute Fist
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Early morning.
As the sunlight dispelled the dim dawn and streamed through the second-story window of the pavilion, Dan Ak-seon’s eyes fluttered open, his face tickled by the warmth.
“Yaaawn.”
Stretching languidly while still lying in bed, Dan Ak-seon opened the window.
Swoooosh.
A waterfall cascaded refreshingly, striking the surface of the pond.
A majestic mist rose from the water, and through it, the refracting sunlight sparkled like jewels.
Dan Ak-seon took a moment to savor the scenery before him.
Even though he saw this view every morning, he never grew tired of it.
A moment later, Dan Ak-seon made his way toward the stairs leading to the floor below.
In a corner of the first floor sat a large jar.
He scooped a handful of barley from inside, put it in his pocket, and left the pavilion.
He then headed straight for the pond.
The pond was so clear he could see the bottom, and the water was incredibly cold. Washing his face with it jolted him awake.
It was then that he noticed something sparkling in the water.
Dan Ak-seon smiled gently.
“Hello, everyone.”
Fish of various colors had gathered before Dan Ak-seon.
Dan Ak-seon reached into his pocket.
Then, he sprinkled the barley he’d taken from the jar into the pond.
The fish bustled about, eager to eat the food.
Watching them with a pleased expression, Dan Ak-seon headed for the thatched hut where Cho Ak-ryang was staying.
“I’m coming in.”
Cho Ak-ryang, who was seated and circulating his energy, opened his eyes and smiled quietly.
“Welcome, Master Dan.”
“I told you not to call me that. It’s embarrassing.”
“Haha, I understand. Master Dan.”
Thinking Cho Ak-ryang was teasing him, Dan Ak-seon puffed out his cheeks.
At the sight of him looking slightly sulky, Cho Ak-ryang gave an awkward laugh.
“Alright. If you insist, I’ll speak more casually from now on. Would it be alright to call you Physician instead of Master?”
Only then did Dan Ak-seon’s expression soften.
“Yes. How is your body feeling?”
Cho Ak-ryang gave a bitter smile.
“I’m trying this and that, but circulating my energy is still too much for me.”
“Don’t rush it.”
Worried that Cho Ak-ryang might make a mistake, Dan Ak-seon continued to explain.
“Your energy meridians are twisted, and your dantian is injured. You’ve lost a lot of blood, and your internal organs are severely damaged. In fact, you’re still in a dangerous condition.”
Dan Ak-seon raised his hand and pointed to Cho Ak-ryang’s chest.
“If you push yourself, things could get serious again, so be careful. The open wounds haven’t even healed yet.”
Dan Ak-seon sighed.
“You were truly lucky. If the chest wound had been half an inch deeper, you would have died on the spot.”
“It wasn’t luck.”
“Pardon?”
“The Imperial Sword Form unleashed by an elder of the Namgung Family is not something that can be overcome by luck.”
The chilling sword energy that had pierced through his protective aura.
Even now, the memory sent a shiver down his spine.
“The Namgung Family? The one they call the greatest sword family under heaven?”
Dan Ak-seon showed his curiosity.
At his sparkling eyes, Cho Ak-ryang nodded. Dan Ak-seon began to speak faster.
“I’ve heard about them from my father before. He said the Namgung Family is the ancestral home of the sword, which is why they’re called the Sword Progenitors.”
“Hmph!”
A cold smile curled on Cho Ak-ryang's lips.
“A man who died with his own sword through his throat—what kind of Sword Progenitor is that?”
“That sounds similar to what my mother says.”
“Oh? And what did the Life and Death Demonic Physician say?”
“She called them fools who don’t even know where the tips of their own swords are pointing. She said that in the end, those swords would be their undoing.”
“As expected of the Demonic Physician! What incredible insight. The Namgung bastards are nothing but foxes pretending to be tigers.”
As Cho Ak-ryang unleashed a wave of killing intent, Dan Ak-seon stopped him.
“Getting too worked up is forbidden. If your breathing becomes ragged, your broken ribs could pierce your organs.”
“I’ll be careful.”
He said as much, but Cho Ak-ryang couldn’t easily quell his anger. The memory of the force that had dug into his side made his fury surge anew.
Then, he suddenly noticed Dan Ak-seon’s expression.
His face was filled with unmistakable curiosity.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
After hesitating, Dan Ak-seon cautiously began to speak.
“I wanted to ask about the injury on your side. Knowing the cause makes treatment easier. Of course, I’m also curious.”
“Curious?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen ribs broken at such regular intervals before. But I was afraid you’d get… angry again if I asked.”
Cho Ak-ryang smiled without realizing it.
He was touched and grateful that Dan Ak-seon was still worried about him, even now.
“It was the Lion Sakyamuni Seal, an ultimate technique of the Shaolin monks. It’s a method that specializes in destroying protective auras, rattling the insides with shockwaves.”
“Shaolin Temple? I heard it’s one of the great pillars of the martial world.”
Along with the Honored Wudang of the South, the Revered Shaolin of the North is one of the two pillars supporting the Orthodox martial world.
“Though my mother called them madmen who believe they get stronger just by shaving their heads…”
Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“Among those madmen was one named Ryobeom. He was the master of the Arhat Hall.”
Dan Ak-seon suddenly felt something was strange. It was because Cho Ak-ryang spoke in the past tense.
“You mean he isn’t anymore?”
To Dan Ak-seon’s question, Cho Ak-ryang answered nonchalantly.
“He died with a broken neck.”
Then he pointed to his own shoulder.
“He went to the afterlife along with the one who gave me this wound.”
Cho Ak-ryang continued, his eyes glinting chillingly.
“I caved in his chest and struck his heart directly.”
Recalling that moment, Cho Ak-ryang exuded a malevolent killing intent.
‘Shameless old fools.’
It was absurd, even thinking back on it now.
Individually, they were all renowned masters in the martial world. Of course, there was a considerable gap in skill between them and myself, so I could understand them resorting to a battle of attrition.
But to think they would attack together.
They deserved their miserable deaths.
What right did such shameless men have to be called masters!
Just then, Dan Ak-seon scurried out of the hut and returned a moment later holding something.
He was wearing thick leather gloves on his hands.
“It’s the hidden weapon that was stuck in your shoulder.”
It was a metal bolt.
When Dan Ak-seon touched its side, barbs shaped like reversed scales shot out from the bolt’s body with a click.
“Actually, this gave me the most trouble. It was incredibly difficult to remove. It was even coated with poison.”
“It’s an object called the Life-Ending Bolt.”
Cho Ak-ryang added.
“A hand-thrown bolt. It’s a secret hidden weapon used only by the Tang Family’s patriarch and elders.”
“It was incredibly intricate.”
Dan Ak-seon nodded as if he understood, remembering they were the Tang Family, the masters of poison.
“What was the Demonic Physician’s assessment of the Tang Family?”
He asked casually, but in truth, Cho Ak-ryang was very curious about the Demonic Physician’s opinion.
“Petty cowards. She asked what they had to be proud of if they had to resort to something as base as poison to prop themselves up.”
“Kekek! An excellent assessment. That’s exactly right.”
“My father agreed on that point.”
“Oh? The Divine Physician as well?”
“He disliked the Tang Family. He called them petty men who don’t know the ways of a gentleman.”
At that harsh assessment, Cho Ak-ryang was able to laugh sincerely for the first time in a long while.
But the laughter didn’t last long.
Cho Ak-ryang watched Dan Ak-seon’s expression and asked cautiously.
“And yet, are you not afraid of me?”
It was because Dan Ak-seon had remained so calm even after hearing that he had killed three people.
Dan Ak-seon looked up at Cho Ak-ryang.
“To be honest, more than scared, I find it fascinating.”
“Fascinating?”
Dan Ak-seon nodded.
“You survived after taking so many divine arts and ultimate techniques with your bare body.”
Dan Ak-seon continued.
“From a physician’s perspective, it’s nothing short of a miracle.”
Cho Ak-ryang let out a dry laugh.
If he hadn’t met Dan Ak-seon, that miracle would not have happened. Regardless, Dan Ak-seon took out his needle case and spoke.
“I think I should apply the needles now. I have to go to the village.”
“Are you going to sell medicinal herbs?”
“Yes, and to buy some things too.”
Cho Ak-ryang let out a low sigh.
“To be in your debt like this every time…, I truly have no shame.”
“I’ll take care of that. So don’t worry.”
“Once my body heals a little, I’ll get the money for the medicine myself.”
If he could just get to his residence, money wouldn't be an issue. At those words, Dan Ak-seon’s expression brightened.
“If you can, please bring a lot. Using good herbs will speed up the treatment. But for the time being, it’s absolutely forbidden.”
Cho Ak-ryang burst out laughing.
“‘Absolutely forbidden.’ You really sound like a physician.”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon’s sulky expression, Cho Ak-ryang realized his mistake.
“My apologies. I misspoke. I meant to say you sound like a proper physician, but…”
Dan Ak-seon silently took out a wooden box containing needles.
At the sight, Cho Ak-ryang flinched.
“You don’t have to be nervous. Today, I’m using my father’s method.”
Cho Ak-ryang let out an awkward cough.
“Ahem, nervous? What nonsense. The Demonic Physician’s method is also bearable.”
Contrary to his words, Cho Ak-ryang was inwardly sighing in relief.
Dan Ak-seon smiled and began to speak.
“My father’s method is slow but stable and less painful. On the other hand, my mother’s method is fast but rough and incredibly painful. But there’s a need for both.”
“Don’t worry. To save my life, I must willingly endure this much pain.”
“Then I’ll begin.”
Dan Ak-seon began to place the needles.
It was then that Cho Ak-ryang spoke.
“When you go to the village, it would be best not to speak of me.”
“I won’t.”
Dan Ak-seon nodded so readily that it made Cho Ak-ryang curious.
“You don’t ask why?”
“Martial artists always have complicated stories, don’t they?”
Cho Ak-ryang looked at Dan Ak-seon silently for a moment. Not a hint of suspicion could be seen on his innocent face.
“My name is Cho Ak-ryang.”
After a short pause, Cho Ak-ryang spoke.
“Among the Five Absolutes Under Heaven, I am the Absolute Fist.”
“Ah! Cho Ak-ryang, the Absolute Fist! I’ve heard of you! The five strongest people in the martial world today!”
“I’m more famous as the leader of the Ten Great Villains.”
Cho Ak-ryang studied Dan Ak-seon’s expression.
But Dan Ak-seon’s reaction was underwhelming.
He only nodded once, still focused on the treatment.
“Does someone like me not make you uncomfortable?”
To Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Dan Ak-seon answered nonchalantly.
“Have you forgotten who my mother is?”
At that one remark, Cho Ak-ryang couldn’t help but laugh. After all, when it came to fiery tempers and eccentric behavior, she was number one in the Unorthodox Faction.
Just then, Dan Ak-seon spoke.
“All martial artists are the same.”
“...?”
Dan Ak-seon continued, speaking to the bewildered Cho Ak-ryang.
“My mother and my father. They both said so. That once you’re part of the martial world, the distinction between good and evil becomes meaningless.”
“The distinction is meaningless?”
“Anyone who harms ordinary people is a bad guy. Everyone else is just the same.”
Dan Ak-seon looked up at Cho Ak-ryang.
“Which one are you, mister?”
“I swear I have never killed anyone who wasn't a martial artist or with whom I had no grudge.”
“Then you’re the latter, mister.”
“Heh heh.”
Cho Ak-ryang let out an awkward laugh.
It was a simple but clear logic. Then, Cho Ak-ryang suddenly asked something he had been inwardly curious about.
“But what did they say about me?”
At that moment, Dan Ak-seon’s shoulders flinched.
The boy, who had been calm the entire time, was flustered by the question.
“I’m not going to tell you.”
“What on earth did they say…?”
“It would be better for you not to hear it.”
“Hmm…”
“But my assessment is different. The mister I’ve gotten to know doesn’t seem so arrogant, nor does he seem like someone who lives only for the moment without thinking of the future.”
Cho Ak-ryang smiled bitterly.
He felt as if he’d heard it all without needing to be told.