"Myung."
"Yes."
"To know what is inside your body, you must know how you came to have it."
It was a curiosity he had endured for a long time.
Now that the opportunity to resolve that curiosity had come, he had to wait patiently for Cho Myung to speak, without being impatient.
Old Man Ban waited.
For Cho Myung to think enough and be able to speak.
"Those grandfathers are scary."
Cho Myung, who had opened his mouth after a long time, released his horse stance and sat down on the spot.
Old Man Ban slowly approached Cho Myung's side and sat down next to him. And he patted his shoulder without a word.
Cho Myung, who had drawn up his knees and was crouched, just sat like that for a long time.
Old Man Ban just sat silently and filled the space next to Cho Myung.
But that alone was a great strength to Cho Myung. It meant that he trusted and relied on Old Man Ban that much.
"The Taoist grandfather who bought me took me to a high mountain. There were other grandfathers and a pitiful person there."
"A pitiful person?"
"Yes. His whole body was tied up. There were things like swords stuck in his body..."
Cho Myung, who trembled for a moment as if the thought alone was terrible.
"I was going to work hard at everything, but the grandfathers spoke scary words and... they tried to kill me... ugh!"
He didn't need to hear the rest to know.
Old Man Ban was so surprised that his eyes widened.
'To try to kill a child this young! What kind of people are they to do such a heinous thing! They are demons wearing human skin!'
Old Man Ban was greatly surprised and angry.
If his body had been whole, he would have gone to find those people.
To erase them from this world.
But now his body was not in a state to do so, and the priority was to comfort Cho Myung, who was trembling like a sparrow in the rain.
"It's okay. It's okay. It's already over."
When Cho Myung even made a groaning sound and trembled, Old Man Ban hugged him. But as soon as Old Man Ban's words ended, Cho Myung shook off his fear.
"Grandfather."
"Yes?"
"The thing in my body just moved again."
"How so?"
"The scary thing is gone."
"...!"
"Hehe! It was so scary, but now it's okay again."
"That's very strange."
Old Man Ban played along appropriately, but inwardly he was quite surprised.
The internal energy of martial artists usually has a natural healing power. That's why martial artists heal faster than ordinary people.
The so-called divine arts have even greater power, so someone who was so seriously injured that they couldn't even lift a finger would fight again after circulating their qi.
But even such a divine art does not protect the body on its own as if it had a spirit. Not until it becomes one with the body and is integrated.
That means that only when the mind and qi are one can one have a reflexive response to the point of repelling external attacks or invasions.
In Old Man Ban's view, Cho Myung had not yet become one with the power in his body.
Nevertheless, the power in his body moved on its own and caused Cho Myung's body to undergo a bone and marrow cleansing. Not only that, but when the body was tired, it moved on its own to help, and it was also responding to mental pain.
Just from that, he could tell that it was much more extraordinary than the decent divine arts that were showing their might in the world.
"So how did those grandfathers... no. Tell me about the person who was tied up."
Old Man Ban changed the subject, worried that fear would wash over Cho Myung again if he talked about the grandfathers who had done such a cruel thing.
"That person seemed to have fought with the grandfathers. They were shouting scary things at each other."
"By any chance, did you not hear a name?"
"I heard it."
"What did they say?"
"The monk grandfather called the tied-up person Benefactor Dugu."
"Dugu?"
"Yes."
Old Man Ban's face hardened.
As soon as he heard the surname Dugu, one person came to mind.
'It can't be him, can it?'
Old Man Ban, with a surprised face, asked again.
"Do you not remember any other words?"
"That person said something to me."
"What did he say?"
"What he said was, um... it was a bit long. He said the grandfathers were trying to kill me and him together. He said something about the Ten Orthodox Heavens not being able to do anything to this sovereign, so they were going to kill me with him. And... um, you detestable and atrocious bastards! A hundred million lives? What a load of bullshit! That was the last thing he said, and I remember it clearly."
"The Ten Orthodox Heavens! Did he really say the Ten Orthodox Heavens?"
"Yes."
"...!"
When Old Man Ban was so surprised that he couldn't speak, Cho Myung, who had tilted his head for a moment, remembered hearing a person's name.
"Ah, one grandfather's name was Changtian Sword."
"Changtian Sword, Nangong Huang!"
"Isn't Changtian Sword a name?"
"Changtian Sword is a title, and the name is Nangong Huang."
"Ah, I see."
Cho Myung, who nodded as if he understood.
Old Man Ban, who was staring at such a Cho Myung, was half out of his mind.
Putting Cho Myung's words together, he could fully guess what they were trying to do with Cho Myung.
'Immortal Divine Demon! The Nine Heavens Supreme Venerable, Dugu Wujung, was called the Immortal Divine Demon because he was an undying demon. Immortal Demonic Aura! It seems he was really immortal! So the Ten Orthodox Heavens took Cho Myung and tried to kill Dugu Wujung by making him a sacrifice for a vicious grand art!'
It was still just a prediction.
To be sure, he had to ask more.
But he was afraid to ask.
It was terrible to even imagine how scared the young Cho Myung must have been.
"That person said something at the end. He told me to remember the faces of the grandfathers there and to bow before King Yama and appeal my grievance. Then King Yama might summon the grandfathers to hell."
"Hah!"
There was no need to ask any more.
The so-called Ten Orthodox Heavens had made the young Cho Myung a sacrifice under the pretext of having to kill the Immortal Divine Demon.
Something must have gone wrong in the middle, and the Immortal Divine Demon's Immortal Demonic Aura was passed on to Cho Myung.
"...!"
Old Man Ban, who was shuddering at the cruelty of the Ten Orthodox Heavens, had a sudden thought and his heart sank.
"Hey, younger brother, tell me about the clothes of the people who hurt you."
Jeok Yorap's bed was closest to the entrance.
So he had been able to hear everything Cho Myung had said so far.
"They were young men. They were clean... ah, there was a crane on the sleeve."
"Kunlun!"
The place called the Western Regions and the martial artists in martial robes with cranes embroidered on their sleeves.
The Kunlun Sect was the first thing that came to mind.
"Myung."
"Yes."
"By any chance, was there a man with a black beard among the grandfathers?"
"Yes. There was."
"By any chance, did he have a long scar like this on his face?"
Old Man Ban made a gesture of crossing his face with his hand.
"Yes, that's right. How did you know?"
"Huashan Divine Sword, Lee Yeoncheong! He's the person who did this to this master."
At Old Man Ban's words, Cho Myung's face became tearful.
Old Man Ban stroked his head, saying it was okay. But at the same time, he gritted his teeth.
"Lee Yeoncheong! It seems it's an unavoidable ill fate with that person. Myung."
"Yes."
"You have to become strong. If the martial art this master teaches you and the power in your body become one, you won't have to be afraid of those grandfathers either. So don't think of doing it half-heartedly and learn hard."
"Okay."
"And one more thing, don't tell this story to anyone. Only you, this master, and your grandfather should know."
"Even to my big brothers?"
"Yes. You can't tell your big brothers either. Do you understand?"
"Okay."
Old Man Ban, with a heavy face, began to think about the future.
'If the opponent is the Ten Orthodox Heavens, I'll have to increase the intensity of the training.'
Old Man Ban decided to revise Cho Myung's training plan.
He had learned that the energy in Cho Myung's body was the Immortal Demonic Aura, also called the Immortal Divine Art, and he had learned that the identity of the enemies chasing Cho Myung was the Ten Orthodox Heavens, so he needed to adjust to that.
'Hundred Strikes Art and Immortal Demonic Aura! Myung will stand tall above you, the Ten Orthodox Heavens!'
Old Man Ban's eyes shone fiercely.
***
A few days later.
Lately, the work that Hua Sochen was spending the most time on was related to the purchase of herbs and medicinal ingredients.
Originally, this was the responsibility of the head of the pharmacy, but since the relationship with Hundred Herb Forest had suddenly soured, they had to make a thorough plan for the purchase of medicinal ingredients for a few months, so they put their heads together.
"The herbs that Myung finds are quite a lot, but they are limited to a certain part. He says he can't find poisonous insects like scorpions or centipedes at all, so I think we'll have to get those medicinal ingredients from other cities."
"We can check in Yaoshan or Chengdu. No matter how strong the influence of the master of Hundred Herb Forest is, it won't dare to reach that far."
"Yes. The medicinal ingredients we buy there will be a big loss, but since we're making a lot of profit on this side, we should be able to handle it."
"The current inventory is enough to last for about three months, so we just need to find a new supplier within that time. I'll go and see in a few days."
"Yes. Please take the trouble."
"More importantly, are you going to leave the relationship with Hundred Herb Forest as it is?"
"I don't want to bow my head. And it will be difficult for now, but if we just hold on for a few months, won't they come back to us in the end?"
The place where Hundred Herb Forest's transaction volume is the largest is the Hua Family Clinic. It means that it is a place that Hundred Herb Forest should never lose.
"If we hold on as we planned, it will be so."
"Then that's fine. Let's not show a weak side until they come to us first."
"Yes, if that's what you want, let's do that."
It was when the two had reached an agreement like that.
"Young lady, a person has been sent from Hundred Herb Forest."
At the sound from outside the door, Hua Sochen and the head of the pharmacy looked at each other.
"Don't tell me, already?"
"Well. Let's meet them first."
Hua Sochen, who had nodded, shouted towards the outside.
"Let them in."
Soon, the door opened and the person sent by the master of Hundred Herb Forest came in.
"The master of the forest sent you?"
The head of the pharmacy stepped forward and asked.
But the person sent by the master of Hundred Herb Forest did not reply and said, looking directly at Hua Sochen.
"This is a message from the master of the forest. There were people who dared to invade the territory of this hall and dig for herbs, and when we caught them, they said they were from the Hua Family Clinic. Because of our past relationship and because there was a kid involved, we were going to cut off their arms and legs, but we've locked them up for now, so come and confirm their faces. If you're late or if there's any sign of you trying to get help, you'll never see their faces again. That is all."
After just relaying the words of the master of Hundred Herb Forest, he went outside.
Hua Sochen and the head of the pharmacy were so surprised that their complexions changed, and they just widened their eyes.
"W-what do we do? What do we do about this...!"
It was when the head of the pharmacy was flustered and didn't know what to do.
Hua Sochen gritted her teeth and shouted.
"The territory of Hundred Herb Forest! What an absurd statement!"
The mountain where they went to dig for herbs has no owner.
What did he mean by the territory of Hundred Herb Forest!
"That's true, but what do we do?"
"I'll have to negotiate."
"Will a negotiation work with someone who has locked up the children?"
"I have to make the negotiation work. You go to the Iron Wall Sect, head of the pharmacy. I'll go to Hundred Herb Forest."
"You heard him too, that if we try to get help, we'll never see their faces again!"
"But we can't just be taken advantage of. I'll buy time or negotiate, so go and bring the master of the Iron Wall Sect quickly."
"I understand. Let's do that."
The two moved quickly.
Hua Sochen gathered all the able-bodied workers of the clinic and headed to Hundred Herb Forest, and the head of the pharmacy stopped by Longevity Hall to inform them of this and then ran to the Iron Wall Sect.
***
Hundred Herb Forest.
When Hua Sochen arrived with seven able-bodied workers from the clinic, the main gate of Hundred Herb Forest was wide open.
Hua Sochen steeled her resolve and crossed the main gate.
"They are waiting for you."
In the front yard of Hundred Herb Forest, about thirty strong men were lined up on both sides, as if they had already made full preparations.
They were the workers within Hundred Herb Forest and the gangs of the Demonic Path that were under the influence of the master of Hundred Herb Forest.
The able-bodied workers that Hua Sochen had brought were intimidated by the number that was more than four times their own, and they were daunted by the fierce impressions.
Hua Sochen said to the strong men.
"The reason I brought you is to prove that I came here. Do not fight at all and just hold your ground."
"Yes, young lady!"
One of the strong men bowed his waist and indicated that he had understood Hua Sochen's words.
At the words not to fight, the other strong men were also relieved and clutched their chests.
At that sight, the gangs on the Hundred Herb Forest side openly sneered and spat.
"They're scared just because there are a few more of them. You call yourselves men!"
"Leave them be. How pathetic must they be to be bowing under a young girl."
"You fucking idiots, if it were me, I'd spread her legs and show her the dignity of a man."
At the sneer that did not hesitate to include lewd jokes, Hua Sochen finally stopped walking and looked back.
"What's your name over there?"
"It's Dokjil. Why? Do you want me to teach you the dignity of a man?"
"Dokjil, I'll remember that name, so I hope you don't get stabbed. The main family will never treat you."
"What are you talking about! Do you think you're the only doctors?"
"There are many doctors. But no matter how you look, there are no doctors in the vicinity who can fix a person who has been stabbed deep in the stomach and has their organs cut, except for the main family."
"...!"
Dokjil's face hardened slightly.
"What are you so worried about? You just have to not get stabbed."
"Are you mocking me, you bitch!"
"Watch your mouth. If you run your mouth so carelessly, you'll get stabbed without anyone knowing, that's your world, isn't it?"
"Y-you bitch...!"
"I have a good memory, so I remember words and faces very well."
Hua Sochen cut off Dokjil's words and looked around at the Hundred Herb Forest gang.
At that gaze, the momentum of the gangs, which had been so high, was slightly broken.
As Hua Sochen had said, their world was one where someone would get stabbed and someone would die overnight, so the person they visited more often than the prostitutes in the brothels was the doctor of the clinic.
When the gangs of Hundred Herb Forest and the Demonic Path closed their mouths, Hua Sochen left a cold smile and started walking again.
(End of Chapter)