“I asked whether this old man couldn’t be your master.”
“Pardon?”
What the hell was he talking about? Taken out of context, that line could put a romance-drama male lead to shame.
I covered my vital areas and slowly backed away.
“What?”
“N-Nothing. But what do you mean?”
“Forget it. Pretend you never heard me.”
Jeok Cheongang’s expression was strange. He stared at me with a face that mixed inexplicable expectation, irritation, and disappointment, then suddenly opened his mouth.
“You possess the Heavenly Martial Physique.”
“Heavenly Martial what?”
Jeok Cheongang frowned at my reaction.
“You don’t know about the Heavenly Martial Physique? Are you making fun of this old man?”
“I’m hearing it for the first time in my life.”
“…”
Heaven truly is heartless. How could it give such a thing to someone like this?
He looked like he genuinely wanted to hit me.
Jeok Cheongang trembled as he clutched his liquor bottle, then let out a sigh.
“Then do you know anything about the Nine Yin Severed Meridians?”
“Oh, the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. I know about that.”
I had seen it plenty of times in the past. Was this the same thing?
I rummaged through my old memories and pulled out a few keywords related to the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
“An unusual constitution. Painful. Intelligent. Dies young instead.”
“…”
“Am I wrong?”
“You have the gist of it. It is a type of severed-meridian condition in which powerful innate yin energy blocks the meridians and leads to death before long.”
“Then what about the Heavenly Martial Physique?”
A sense of unease began creeping up from somewhere in my chest. The fact that he had used the Nine Yin Severed Meridians as an example made it worse.
What if it lets me learn martial arts quickly, but I have some problem that makes me die young? That would be a disaster.
Jeok Cheongang spoke with a solemn expression.
“The Heavenly Martial Physique is a martial constitution bestowed by Heaven, one that appears perhaps once every several hundred years.”
Bones and muscles bestowed by Heaven? It sounded incredible just hearing about it.
Which only made me more nervous. The Nine Yin Severed Meridians were practically a double-edged sword that traded genius-level intelligence for a short lifespan.
I stared tensely at Jeok Cheongang’s mouth.
“And?”
“What do you mean, ‘and’?”
“When am I going to die?”
“Why would you die?”
“I think I’ve been having headaches and feeling nauseous lately. My bones and joints ache even now.”
Doctor Choi Tae—no, Jeok Cheongang—gave me a short and concise diagnosis.
“That’s because this old man beat you.”
“Oh.”
“You didn’t seriously think the Heavenly Martial Physique caused you to die young like the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, did you?”
“…”
“Have you lost your mind?”
Jeok Cheongang shook his head in disbelief.
“The Heavenly Martial Physique and a severed-meridian illness like the Nine Yin Severed Meridians are as different as Heaven and Earth. Do you think it’s called something bestowed by Heaven for no reason? You were born with that body in the first place. You were born blessed by heavenly fortune.”
“Me?”
“I heard from the Lesser Family Head that you’ve only been seriously learning martial arts for three months. Do you truly think your achievements so far would have been possible through effort alone?”
“Not really.”
“You are where you are because you possess a constitution that lets you make any martial art your own faster than anyone else.”
Jeok Cheongang was only half right.
The reason I didn’t bother correcting him was that what had been added to my effort wasn’t an innate constitution. It was the System.
If I really possessed the Heavenly Martial Physique, I wouldn’t have remained Third Rate until I reached twenty.
A promising tree showed its potential from the very beginning.
If the real Jin Taekyung—the previous owner of this body—had been born with such heavenly fortune, he would surely have distinguished himself long ago.
This body doesn’t possess the Heavenly Martial Physique.
I looked down at both my hands. The size and length of my arms and hands, the shape of my muscles, and the strength hidden within them.
Everything was perfectly balanced, without the slightest deviation.
The System.
The points I gained from leveling up and training were converted into stats. And the System distributed those stats evenly.
It ensured that every tiny gear inside my body, down to the smallest and most delicate one, meshed together perfectly.
Since it isn’t innate, it isn’t exactly the Heavenly Martial Physique… But at this level, could I call it an acquired Heavenly Martial Physique?
Jeok Cheongang had seen my body with his own eyes, so it wasn’t strange that he had mistaken it for one.
And from my perspective, it was better to let him continue making that mistake.
It had taken only three months for a Third Rate wastrel who did nothing but drink to become a Peak master.
Without the Heavenly Martial Physique, people might reasonably suspect me of practicing demonic arts.
Either way, this worked out nicely.
The fact that even a Supreme Peak master like Jeok Cheongang could mistake my constitution for the Heavenly Martial Physique proved beyond doubt that my bones and muscles were exceptional.
And since I had none of the side effects associated with the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, it was a complete win.
Is my path finally paved with flowers?
When I thought about everything I had suffered until now, tears welled up in my eyes.
I was lost in my emotions when I suddenly felt someone’s gaze and turned my head.
Jeok Cheongang flinched when our eyes met, then abruptly looked up at the sky.
“T-The moon is bright.”
I followed his gaze and mumbled:
“There are thick clouds covering it.”
“…”
“Did you have something to say?”
“Cough. Ahem.”
After clearing his throat several times, Jeok Cheongang cautiously opened his mouth.
“As you know, this old man owes you a debt.”
“So?”
“I’m asking because I want to settle the matter properly before leaving this place. Is there anything you want from this old man?”
Actually, there wasn’t anything in particular.
If I had to name one thing, it would be for him to take back what he had said earlier.
But there was no chance Jeok Cheongang would do that for the sake of his dignity. I had to come up with a request he could reasonably fulfill.
I scratched my head.
“Well, I haven’t really thought about it in detail, so I’m not sure.”
“Then think about it in detail.”
“Oh, I’ll tell you later if I think of something. You’ll have to stay a few more days before you leave anyway.”
But Jeok Cheongang was firm.
“Right now.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m telling you to say it right now. There’s nothing to think about, is there?”
As he urged me, Jeok Cheongang added in a mumbling voice:
“For example, perhaps you want to learn martial arts from this old man. Or maybe you want to learn martial arts from this old man. Or you might want to learn martial arts from this old man. Something like that.”
“…”
“It was only an example. Don’t concern yourself with it.”
“…”
“Ahem. Is there phlegm stuck in my throat? Ahem!”
I watched him quietly before opening my mouth.
“Great Hero Jeok. I’m asking just in case.”
“Ahem! Ahem!”
“Do you want to take me as your Disciple?”
At that moment, Jeok Cheongang’s body froze in the middle of his loud coughing fit. His pupils shook as though an earthquake had struck them.
“W-What are you talking about?”
“You heard me.”
“H-How absurd. You think this old man wants to take you as his Disciple?”
“…”
Yes. It really looks that way.
At first, I wondered if I was imagining it, but by this point, anyone who still didn’t get it would have to be a fucking idiot.
When I merely stared at him without saying anything, Jeok Cheongang became flustered instead.
“You little bastard! What is that insolent look in your eyes?”
“I’m just looking at you. Don’t worry about it.”
“You seem to be laboring under some serious misconception, but you’re wrong about everything.”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Do you think I would decide so easily on the successor to our sect’s lineage, which carries a long and venerable history?”
“You decided pretty easily earlier. And you said it in front of all those people, so you can’t take it back.”
“Th-That… I can simply take another Disciple.”
“You said it was a single-successor, no-outside-transmission tradition, didn’t you? Regardless, everyone in the world will think I’m the successor to the Fire Gate Clan.”
Jeok Cheongang had been struck right in the heart of the matter. He shouted:
“There isn’t a single reason for me to take you as my Disciple!”
“I possess the Heavenly Martial Physique.”
“Gasp.”
“It took me about three months to go from Third Rate to Peak. I wonder how long it’ll take me to reach Supreme Peak.”
“Y-You bastard. Do you think it’s that easy? Do you think Supreme Peak is some mutt’s name?”
“It was easy for me.”
“…”
How many times had I crossed the threshold of death?
It had been brutally difficult and painful, but from this point onward, it was going to be easy no matter what.
While Jeok Cheongang struggled to find words, I mumbled as though speaking to myself:
“Actually, Supreme Peak might be difficult.”
“Of course it is.”
“Would around thirty work?”
Jeok Cheongang’s mouth fell open.
“Th-Thirty? Supreme Peak?”
“Ah, did I set the goal too far away? I only said that because it seemed difficult.”
I sighed as I glanced sideways at him.
“Still, you must have been much faster than me, Great Hero Jeok. You’re powerful enough to rank among the Ten Kings, after all. And you had the Fire Gate Clan’s martial arts, too. Wow, I’m jealous. If I learned advanced martial arts like those, I’d become strong in no time.”
“!”
Jeok Cheongang stared at me with trembling eyes. I could easily imagine what sort of scene was unfolding in his mind.
What would happen if the Heavenly Martial Physique met the Fire Gate Clan’s supreme martial arts?
I had already displayed unbelievable achievements in only three months. It was possible that an unprecedented monster, unlike anything seen in history, would be born.
I’m almost there.
Unable to speak because of his pride, Jeok Cheongang hesitated. I drove in the final nail.
“Actually, this won’t do. I’m thinking of visiting Huashan once this gathering ends.”
“Huashan? Why would you go there?”
“Because of Great Hero Sword Saint Mae Jonghak. I hear the two of you are quite close, so if I explain my circumstances properly, I might be able to become his Disciple without letting the rumor spread…”
“No!”
The shout burst out before Jeok Cheongang could stop it. He flinched and swallowed dryly.
“If you happen to be considering that…”
“Pardon? I can’t hear you. You’re speaking too quietly.”
“Hoo.”
After steadying his breath, Jeok Cheongang spoke again.
“If you’re interested, this old man could personally oversee your martial arts training.”
I widened my eyes as though genuinely surprised.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course. A debt must be repaid, mustn’t it?”
Perhaps he had belatedly decided that he needed to maintain his dignity. His voice was more stern than it had been until now.
It’s too late for that, old man.
I barely held back a laugh and answered:
“What you’ve already done is more than enough.”
“It is this old man’s principle to repay a debt tenfold, even twentyfold.”
“I see.”
“Exactly.”
“But aren’t you leaving in a few days anyway? You seem very busy.”
“It can be postponed. I plan to leave once you have achieved a certain level of progress.”
“Ah, so you’re the type who sees things through once you start.”
“It’s simply my nature.”
“What if I fail to achieve the level of progress you want, Great Hero Jeok?”
Jeok Cheongang deliberately hardened his expression.
“Hey, you little bastard! How can you decide in advance that you’ll fail?”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t know how many years it might take.”
“Did you already forget what sort of person I said I was?”
“The type who sees things through once you start?”
“Once a martial artist draws his sword, he should see it through—even if he has to cut down a mountain.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. As expected of you, Great Hero Jeok!”
I gave him a thumbs-up and asked in a suggestive voice:
“But at this point, doesn’t that make us master and Disciple?”
“!”
After a brief silence, Jeok Cheongang vigorously shook his head.
“Master and Disciple? What nonsense! I’m merely repaying a debt.”
“Oh, I see. I misunderstood your intentions, Great Hero Jeok. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
“…”
Jeok Cheongang gave an uncomfortable cough before speaking.
“But I think we need to change the way you address me.”
“The way I address you?”
“Although we are not, well, truly master and Disciple, there are people watching. Shouldn’t we at least make it look right?”
“That’s true.”
The way I address him? What should I call him?
After a brief moment of thought, one word slipped from my mouth.
“Then should I call you Master from now on?”
“…”
“Master?”
“H-Huh?”
Jeok Cheongang came to his senses as though he had just woken up and stared at me with a complicated, subtle gaze.
“Yes. That would be good.”
“Yes. Then when it’s just the two of us…”
“Old Master. Call me that.”
“Understood. Old Master.”
I bowed deeply toward him.
The Supreme Peak master whose fame resounded throughout the world, Fire King Jeok Cheongang.
It was the moment my subtle relationship with him began.
After sending Jin Taekyung back, Jeok Cheongang leaned against an old wall.
The voice he had just heard continued to echo inside his head.
Master.
It had been ten years.
Ten years since someone had called him Master.
Jin Taekyung’s build, face, and personality were all different, but Jeok Cheongang was reminded of his dead Disciple when he looked at him.
As Jeok Cheongang quietly sank into thought, a faint smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his wrinkled mouth.
Not bad.
He had never imagined things would turn out this way, but he didn’t feel bad about it.
No, he even felt an expectation for the future and an inexplicable sense of cheerfulness.
“Not bad. Truly.”
Jeok Cheongang gave a quiet laugh and looked up at the sky.
At some point, the clouds had cleared, revealing a bright moon.
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