Feeding Them the Bitter Pill (1)
I ladled the well-boiled Ho-eung Wonche-tang into a bowl.
Glug, glug, glug.
The black medicinal broth filled the bowl.
Ugh! Just the smell was bitter as hell.
I carried it to the backyard.
"Nine thousand nine hundred five!"
"Nine thousand nine hundred six!"
They were nearing the end of the ten thousand sword forms I'd ordered.
I waited until they'd hit the mark, then approached with the tonic.
"Good work. Down it all in one go."
"Huff, huff... what's this?"
"I decocted it myself."
They looked stunned.
"The great hero made it personally?"
"Yes."
I flashed a grin.
"It's expensive stuff. A secret recipe tonic that'll skyrocket your deficient stamina."
Honored, they gulped it down.
"Mmgh!"
"Urk!"
"Ah, it'll be insanely bitter. But bitter medicine does the body good, right? No spitting—chug it all!"
"......"
"Leave a drop or spill any, and it's ten sit-ups per drop."
Grimacing, they drained every last bit without wasting a drop.
"C-can we at least get some water?"
"No. For the next three days, nothing but this tonic. That's all you're allowed."
"......"
They looked utterly defeated, but I stayed firm.
"Jog lightly around the clearing while you listen."
They started circling the open ground, and I explained the tonic.
"......So just endure for three days. No pain, no gain—after that, it'll be like three months of stamina training."
"Huff, huff huff... but why do we need stamina training?"
"Good question."
I nodded approvingly and continued.
"The martial art you're learning draws out your latent power through rage. But the tradeoff is it burns through your qi fast. Remember when I checked your pulses and told you to get angry?"
"Yes."
"I remember."
"You two were already furious from the Black Dao thugs, so your guts signaled right away. Even if it makes you stronger, it won't matter if you can't sustain it."
"You're right."
"That's why stamina training. First, to extend the duration of rage-fueled power. Second, to balance your mind and stamina."
"Hoo, whoo... I see. But......"
The Dae-nok warrior grimaced as he asked.
"Feels like someone's squeezing my whole body. Is this okay?"
"I told you—severe muscle pain. And it's worse because you're moving. Try stopping."
They halted, and moments later...
"Grrraaagh!"
They writhed in agony.
"Moving makes it bearable."
Clenching their teeth, they resumed jogging the clearing.
Watching them, the Myeong-jong and Chang-un warriors curiously dipped fingers into the bowl and tasted it.
And then...
"Bleeech!"
"W-water!"
They bolted for the inn.
.
.
.
It was the second day of the friendly sparring matches.
I gave the two warriors their training orders and headed to the arena.
Stamina building was something they had to do themselves anyway.
Seo-hyang Sojeo and Palgap didn't need to watch the spars, so they stayed at the inn to keep watch.
All the guards came with me.
Witnessing diverse, high-level spars might spark insights for them.
On the way, I ran into Bok-yun Sodanju and we walked together.
"These days, Sa-gang Sodanju's on cloud nine."
I chuckled, recalling him cozying up with Jeong-ryeon Sojeo.
"Good for him, right?"
"True. By the way, when are you planning to marry, Eun Sodanju?"
"Pardon?"
"You're not thinking of staying single forever, are you?"
"......I haven't really thought about it."
Marriage felt distant to me.
Pojungsa Daein from Gwiju Castle had suggested marrying his daughter, which gave me pause...
But my top priority was revenge on the Murim Alliance and Baekcheon Merchant Group.
Dragging a wife into that hardship felt unfair.
"No sojeo who catches your eye and makes your throat dry just watching?"
"......"
Someone came to mind, but...
Sigh, who knows.
That's when it happened.
"......!"
A familiar gait caught my eye.
A man walked toward me, brushed past, and kept going.
His face was unfamiliar, but the vibe wasn't.
Master?
Has Master come here too?
I realized too late and whipped around, but he was already gone.
Dropped Jeong-ho hyung off at the branch, then headed here?
"What's wrong?"
I shook my head at Bok-yun Sodanju's question.
"Nothing."
With Murim Alliance eyes everywhere, I had to be cautious.
For now, I'd just know Master was here.
We soon reached the arena and took our seats.
Parents had left the inn early and were already seated.
Next to them sat Go Il-pyeong Oetonggwan and Jin-ho hyung.
"Oh, you're here."
"Yeah."
I nodded and asked Jin-ho hyung.
"Nervous?"
"Nah. Was on day one, but not anymore."
Confidence laced his words.
He'd probably sensed it too.
The participants' levels weren't as high as expected.
What started as elite masters exchanging techniques for mutual growth had devolved into juniors' ego clashes.
Seniors stayed out to save face.
Officially no age limit, though.
Stagnant water breeds rot.
The Alliance and this event had festered too long.
"Murim's Orthodox Warriors!"
Hong U-geum Geum Yeon-hwa Daju stood on the platform before we knew it.
"The second day of preliminaries for the Murim Grand Festival friendly spars begins now!"
"Woooaaah!"
The crowd roared.
"Revealing the second-day matchups!"
An assistant unveiled the wooden plaques.
"Jinju Eon-ga's Eon Seung-yeon! Opponent: Yeom Clan’s Yeom U!"
Eon Seung-yeon warrior and Yeom U warrior mounted the platform.
Yeom Clan brought back memories of Uncle's incident and the rigged Yongbong Sparring Festival match.
But friendly spars here weren't easy to rig like Yongbong.
Yongbong had wildly varying skills and low stakes; here, skills were even, and clan pride was on the line.
Attempting a fix here...
Well, no need to elaborate.
Dong-!
With the drumbeat, they took stances.
They closed in, iron armor clashing with sword, sparks flying.
Clang! Clang clang! Clang!
Longer weapons usually dominate.
Fist loses to sword, sword to spear.
But Jinju Eon-ga famed for fist arts.
They had techniques to defy that.
Like that one.
Steel Body Technique.
Also called Steel Corpse Art, but now it's Steel Body.
Hardens the body like iron to block long blades.
Eon Seung-yeon warrior burrowed toward Yeom U.
Screeech!
Yeom U's sword grazed him—not flesh tearing, but metal scraping.
Sparring participants were a cut above.
The guy who faced Jegal Yu-a Sogaju at Yongbong wasn't this good.
"Urk!"
Yeom U tried to retreat desperately, but Eon Seung-yeon anticipated and closed faster.
Long weapons turn disadvantageous up close.
But Yeom Clan was prestigious too. They'd prepared counters.
Crack!
One: auxiliary fist-leg arts.
Yeom U's kick dislodged the marker on Eon Seung-yeon's belly.
The back-and-forth thriller ended with Eon Seung-yeon's victory.
"Woooaaah!"
"Well done!"
"Steel Body Fist Hero! Steel Body Fist Hero!"
Fist hero with an iron body... fitting nickname.
Assistants cleaned the platform.
Fierce fight, lots of blood.
Golden Wound Salve would sell well again.
"Next matchup!"
Assistants unveiled the plaques.
"Jongnam Sect disciple Jo Un! Challenger: Eunhae Merchant Group’s Eun Jin-ho!"
Jin-ho hyung stood.
His turn at last.
He shed his robe, grabbed his Blue Dragon Spear, and bowed politely to Father and Mother.
"Sorry for not telling you. Scolding later."
Mother sighed instead of replying; Father gave a wry smile.
"Heh heh heh. Since you're in, win decisively."
"Yes!"
"But no injuries. Lose uninjured, no punishment. Win injured, you'll get an earful."
"I'll remember."
He turned to me.
I grinned.
"Hyung."
"Yeah."
"No posing. Get out there—the crowd's waiting."
"Ahem, ahem."
Embarrassed, he mounted the platform.
Acting cool, hyung?
They affixed seven markers each.
Dong-!
The drum signaled start.
Jongnam disciple struck first.
"Know him?"
Chang-un warrior nodded.
"Yes. My senior brother. Top talent among us, called Jongnam's future by the elders."
Pride shone on his face.
"I see."
I nodded.
"His specialty?"
"Pardon? Planning to send a sound transmission?"
I chuckled.
"You know that's impossible better than me."
Arena had formations blocking transmissions.
To prevent coaching or interference.
He bowed, realizing.
"My mistake. Sorry."
"It's fine. Natural assumption."
"Yes. Briefly: Senior Jo Un specializes in Heavenly Nature Quick Sword."
Jongnam's signature Heavenly Nature Sword, speed-maximized variant.
Individual strikes lack power, but relentless barrage overwhelms.
Victims flail defensively till defeat.
"Might be tough for Second Sodanju."
"That so?"
I smirked.
He didn't know Jin-ho hyung well.
Hyung's skills were no joke, and I'd never seen him go all out.
Taat!
Jo Un's opener.
Basic Heavenly Nature Sword. Testing waters?
Taat-!
Clang!
Clang clang!
Hyung parried easily, countering instantly.
"Haat!"
Blue Dragon Spear danced; six clashes in a blink.
Clang! Clang clang clang clang clang!
"Hoo... I admit it."
Jo Un said.
"Sorry for underestimating you as a merchant. Let's go for real."
Whoosh!
His form vanished post-warning.
No—Heavenly Nature Quick Sword.
Worth calling Jongnam's future.
Most Peak experts couldn't match that speed.
But.
Kkaang!
Jin-ho hyung's spear blocked it. Jo Un's shock was priceless.
Hyung's edge: wide field of view, lightning reactions.
Perfect for spear.
Thud.
Not just block—counter shattered shoulder marker.
"Woooaaah!"
"True Trench Spear Hero!"
Our group cheered his nickname.
"Not yet!"
"Come on! I'm not done either!"
Lip-biting, Jo Un unleashed Quick Sword again.
Must sting.
Serious attack brushed off, counter landed.
Hyung hadn't handled quick swords that calmly before...
Sparring me adapted him to my speed, boosting him.
Ah, if Jo Un loses, my fault...?
I glanced at Chang-un warrior.
Face stiffening.
Hm, better stay quiet.