Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: From Bad to Worse (Part 2)
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"Nnngh!"
Cheon Gyeongwan let out a pained groan, almost a scream, as he took a step.
His entire body felt like it was being torn apart.
But the moment he succeeded in taking that step, the pain vanished as if it were a lie.
Cheon Gyeongwan didn't let his guard down just because the pain was gone.
If he didn't move quickly, a second wave of agony would wash over him.
Pain still came while walking, but compared to the agony of not moving, it was like a gentle massage.
So, he had no choice but to force himself to walk.
"Guhhhk!"
Cheon Gyeongwan's face contorted as he forced his legs to move.
And next to him, Yu Seoyeon was walking with the exact same expression.
A deep regret was etched onto both their faces.
Had they known it would be like this, they would have never listened to the oral formula.
The footwork Byeok Taesan had taught them was the Limitless Steps.
When they first heard the name, they expected it to be a truly incredible technique. How could footwork with such a grand name be anything but?
Their anticipation continued as they listened to the oral formula. It was incredibly abstruse and complex.
After memorizing the entire formula, their expectations grew even higher.
Just reciting it seemed to wrap their bodies in a wondrous energy.
However, as they started walking according to Byeok Taesan's instructions while reciting the formula, they began to feel puzzled.
Their bodies felt heavy the entire time, and it was difficult to move. It was like walking underwater.
The footwork itself wasn't that complicated. The key was the oral formula—the movement of internal energy.
Byeok Taesan had been very kind, breaking down the formula and explaining the path the internal energy should take.
He also taught them the precise steps that corresponded to that path.
After they performed the footwork once, Byeok Taesan gave them a meaningful smile.
They should have realized something was wrong when they saw it.
But Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon went on to perform the Limitless Steps two more times.
That's when hell began.
Limitless Steps meant inflicting limitless pain and burden on the body.
When Byeok Taesan told them its true meaning, they nearly lunged at him.
They felt they wouldn't be satisfied unless they could at least grab him by the collar and shake him.
But that feeling lasted only for a moment.
The pain that followed made it impossible for Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon to think about anything else.
The Limitless Steps was a truly peculiar footwork.
It was just walking, yet their entire bodies felt heavy and wracked with pain.
But if they stopped, an even more severe agony washed over them, as if telling them, "If you don't walk, you will die."
So, they had no choice but to keep walking, fighting back tears.
"Don't stop. If you stop, your bodies might explode."
How could they possibly stop after hearing that?
"This is all for your own good. Once you get used to the Limitless Steps, the circulation of your internal energy will become natural, and your physique will become both hard and flexible. If you train for a long time, you'll even become resistant to poison. Isn't it truly limitless?"
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon cursed him endlessly in their minds.
That all sounded great, but how long did they have to keep this up?
As the two were gritting their teeth and fighting through the pain, someone quietly entered the training ground.
Byeok Taesan turned his head to look at him.
It was a man dressed in the uniform of a Hubei Martial Alliance warrior, but something about him seemed off.
Byeok Taesan's expression turned curious.
"What is it?"
The man bowed respectfully to Byeok Taesan.
"The Divine Doctor and the Eccentric Doctor have sent me to escort the Young Master."
Byeok Taesan let out a short laugh.
"They sent you to bring me?"
"Yes. They said they have something urgent to discuss with you."
Byeok Taesan asked.
"So, where are they now?"
"I will escort you."
"Escorting is one thing, but I asked where they are."
"They are at a small inn on the riverbank, a short distance from the docks."
"An inn? They're not seeing patients, they're at an inn?"
"Yes. It's a very small, nameless inn. They said there were circumstances and to bring the Young Master quickly. I know the way well, so I can take you there immediately."
Byeok Taesan nodded and then glanced at Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon.
The two paid no mind to Byeok Taesan's conversation, completely focused on gritting their teeth and enduring the pain as they walked.
"Should we pause your training and go together?"
Before Byeok Taesan had even finished speaking, the two nodded their heads frantically. They looked at him with desperate eyes.
Byeok Taesan grinned and said.
"That's enough."
As if by some magic, the pain that had constricted their entire bodies vanished like a lie.
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
Then they flinched in surprise.
Byeok Taesan had suddenly grabbed the Hubei Martial Alliance warrior by the throat.
"Gack! Why... why are you doing this?"
"Did you really think I'd believe such a ridiculous story?"
"It's... it's true. Gurgle."
Byeok Taesan threw the man backward.
*Thud!*
The man landed between Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon.
"Subdue him."
The moment Byeok Taesan gave the order, Cheon Gyeongwan moved reflexively, disabling the man by striking his pressure points.
Yu Seoyeon then quickly ran off somewhere and returned with a thick rope, tying the man up tightly.
"Young Master, what is going on? This man is a warrior of the Hubei Martial Alliance. Is this alright?"
"He said the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric sent for me."
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon nodded in unison and said.
"That's an absurd story. He's suspicious."
"Go tell the leader of the Hubei Martial Alliance, or someone with authority. Tell them there are suspicious people at an inn near the docks. Hand this guy over, too."
"Is it a trap?"
"Perhaps. I don't know for sure. But they must have something prepared, so let's leave it to the Hubei Martial Alliance."
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon's expressions darkened slightly.
It seemed there wasn't much for them to do.
And if they had nothing to do, wouldn't they have to resume that hellish footwork training?
Their bodies trembled involuntarily.
"And find out where the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric went today. Check their schedule."
"Pardon?"
"Hurry!"
At Byeok Taesan's shout, the two scrambled into action.
Cheon Gyeongwan hoisted the tightly bound man and took off at a run, with Yu Seoyeon following close behind.
They were in such a hurry that they returned in less than half a quarter-hour.
***
The situation was getting progressively worse.
Twenty warriors from the Hubei Martial Alliance surrounded the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric, fighting fiercely against the black-clad, masked assailants.
Whenever the One-Needle Eccentric found an opening, he immediately flicked needles to strike the assailants' weak points.
Countless assailants had fallen that way.
But just when it seemed they might turn the tide, new assailants leaped over the walls.
Meanwhile, the Hubei Martial Alliance warriors were steadily accumulating wounds. Their movements grew clumsy, and their internal energy began to falter.
The repercussions of overexerting their internal energy were setting in.
They had no choice but to use excessive force. The assailants attacked relentlessly, showing no regard for their own safety in suicidal charges.
It was impossible to defend against them without pushing themselves to the limit.
"It feels like those bastards have been at this for a while, but there's still no sign of reinforcements."
The Divine Doctor's expression hardened slightly.
A considerable amount of time had passed since the fight began. There should have been some kind of response by now, but there was nothing.
At this rate, all the Hubei Martial Alliance warriors would eventually fall.
The One-Needle Eccentric's martial arts were formidable, but holding out against so many would be no easy feat.
If he tried to escape alone, he might find a way out.
"Brother, you should look for a chance to get out of here."
"Get out? Do you think that's even possible?"
"I have a hidden trick up my sleeve. I'll use it, and you can escape in the confusion."
The One-Needle Eccentric's face twisted. He flicked two needles, felling two of the assailants.
"Are you telling me to run away by myself?"
"Let's bet on the higher probability. Get out and find the Young Master. If he comes, things might work out, don't you think?"
"Even the Young Master can't handle this many opponents. It's better to wait for the Hubei Martial Alliance."
"The fact that they haven't arrived yet means something must have happened to the Alliance. For these guys to attack so brazenly, they must have taken all the necessary precautions."
"Damn it. Anyway, I'm not going. No, I *can't* go. I can throw a few needles, but my lightness skill isn't good enough."
"Ha, are you being stubborn at a time like this? The one who can survive should survive. Besides, it's obvious they're trying to capture us, not kill us. So hurry up and go get the Young Master."
"Hey, you punk. Do I look like an idiot to you? I'm not going. And do you think you're the only one with a hidden trick? I have one too. Open your eyes and watch carefully."
The One-Needle Eccentric pulled a needle from his robes. But unlike the ones he'd thrown so far, this one was incredibly long and thick.
"That... looks more like a stake than a needle..."
"It's a needle."
The One-Needle Eccentric glared at the masked assailant standing at a distance, his glittering eyes fixed on them.
It was the same man who had led the attack.
"I don't know about the others, but I'm taking that bastard down with me."
"What do you mean, 'taking him down with you'? Words have power, so stop talking like that. If you're going to throw it, just throw it. I'm about to use my own trick."
The One-Needle Eccentric nodded and gathered his One-Needle Arts.
*Shwiiii!*
A powerful whirlwind of energy formed around him, converging on the stake—no, the needle—in his hand.
The One-Needle Eccentric hurled the needle, which was now pulsing with explosive energy.
*Kwoooosh!*
The massive needle flew through the air, sucking in all the surrounding atmosphere.
The masked assailant, seeing the needle flying accurately and swiftly toward him, was startled and swung his sword.
*Kwwaaaaang!*
The needle collided with the sword, creating a massive explosion.
And with that explosion, countless fine needles hidden inside the stake shot out in all directions.
*P-p-p-p-p-p-p-pak!*
It was an attack that didn't distinguish between friend and foe, one that had to be detonated in the midst of the enemy.
And it was incredibly powerful.
The masked assailant who had blocked the stake was riddled with fine needles. He coughed up bloody foam and collapsed to his knees.
And all those around him fell like puppets with their strings cut.
"How about that? My handiwork."
The One-Needle Eccentric's shoulders puffed out with pride. The Divine Doctor found himself giving a thumbs-up before quickly lowering it.
"So dishonest."
The One-Needle Eccentric said with a smirk. But his expression wasn't very bright.
He had poured too much energy into that attack. From now on, he wouldn't be able to last much longer.
Moreover, despite his efforts, there were still too many enemies left.
"You said you had a hidden trick too, so why aren't you using it? Now's the perfect time. We need to buy more time."
"I was just about to. Stop whining like a child."
"What? A child? Are you really trying to pick a fight with me?"
Even as he yelled at the Divine Doctor, the One-Needle Eccentric flicked his needles, taking down two more assailants.
He had killed so many, yet there were still hordes of them left.
And then, dozens more masked assailants leaped over the wall.
"Fuck, it just keeps getting worse."
the One-Needle Eccentric muttered with a grim expression.
Then, the Divine Doctor threw a fist-sized black orb at the assailants who had just come over the wall.
*Bang!*
The black orb exploded, spreading a dark smoke all around.
The assailants who inhaled the smoke suddenly froze, and then their bodies began to swell.
"I was worried it wouldn't work, but thankfully it did."
Hearing the Divine Doctor's mumble, the One-Needle Eccentric stared at him with a look of disbelief.
And at that moment, the swelling assailants began to explode one by one.
*Pop! Pop! Pop!*
As they burst, flesh and bone fragments flew everywhere.
But that was all.
There were still many assailants left, and the Hubei Martial Alliance warriors were beginning to fall one by one.
The Divine Doctor dragged the fallen warriors inward and began to treat them.
They had to hold on, even if it was just like this.
But the situation was desperate. It seemed they couldn't hold out against them any longer.
"Hah, if only Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon were here, we might have stood a chance."
the Divine Doctor muttered.
The One-Needle Eccentric, who had been nodding in agreement, suddenly widened his eyes.
"Huh. What in the world is that?"
The masked assailant who had been hit by his stake and was coughing up bloody foam was slowly getting to his feet.
A powerful and violent energy was pouring out of the man's body.
"Doesn't it look like he's unleashed his latent potential?"
"It seems so. A man who doesn't value his own life certainly won't value the lives of others. Tsk, tsk."
He clicked his tongue as if pitying the man, but his expression was dark.
Things were already difficult, but if that man charged at them recklessly after unleashing his latent power, the situation would become much worse.
No, perhaps this was the end.
Just as the man who had unleashed his power was about to lunge, someone dropped from the sky. Not one person, but two.
*Ch-ch-ch-chang!*
The moment they landed, they swung their swords in all directions, their momentum fierce and deadly.
Seeing the two newcomers, life flooded back into the eyes of the Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric.
"They're finally here!"
The ones who had appeared were Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon.
The Divine Doctor and the One-Needle Eccentric quickly scanned their surroundings.
And just as they expected, the masked assailants near the gate collapsed one after another, and Byeok Taesan threw the gate wide open and stepped inside.
"You bastards are all fucking dead now."
The One-Needle Eccentric muttered with a grin.