Before he knew it, a month had passed since Cho Myung came to the Hua Family Clinic.
After Cho Myung came, a big change occurred in the Hua Family Clinic.
They were able to purchase medicinal ingredients from Hundred Herb Forest at half price, and Cho Myung was digging up a considerable amount of herbs almost every day.
As a result, Hua Sochen, who had been freed from financial pressure, threw off the coldness she had forced upon herself with the single-minded determination to protect the clinic and regained her former affectionate self.
She sometimes visited Healing Hall to practice her medical skills, which made Hua Yunhui happier than anyone else.
But the one who had changed the most was Cho Myung.
In a month, he had grown more than a foot taller, so he looked like he was twelve or thirteen, not five.
Not only that, but through one marrow cleansing phenomenon, the muscles of his whole body had become firm, and a lot of the baby fat on his face had disappeared, so he had changed to the point where the original appearance of the five-year-old Cho Myung could not be found.
"If you compare then and now, no one will be able to recognize the two of you. So I think it's okay to live comfortably within the clinic."
That was what Hua Sochen had said, greatly surprised by Cho Myung's changed appearance.
Jeok Yorap, who looked like a completely different person after shaving his beard and changing into the clothes of the Han people of the Central Plains, and Cho Myung, who had grown surprisingly fast.
Since they looked so different from before, it seemed it would be okay to walk around proudly within the Hua Family Clinic.
"Still, you never know what will happen, so it's better to live like this for another year or so."
"Of course. It's a matter of life and death, so we have to be careful, and careful again."
That was the thought of Old Man Ban and Jeok Yorap.
The fortunate thing was that Cho Myung, who was obsessed with the thought of defeating the red-eyed demon and eating the sweet fruit, was not interested in anything other than digging for herbs and training the Hundred Strikes Art, so he did not try to go out to places with many people.
A few more days passed.
"Master! I did it! I did it!"
Cho Myung, who had come down from the mountain, made a fuss and looked for Old Man Ban.
Old Man Ban, who was finishing the martial arts manual he was leaving for Cho Myung, put down his brush and went outside.
"What did you do?"
"Follow me. Quickly!"
Cho Myung, who had put down the basket full of herbs, grabbed Old Man Ban's sleeve and headed to the backyard.
"I did it! Look carefully."
Cho Myung, who was standing in front of the log, caught his breath and concentrated, then began to throw punches. Then, with a thud! thud! sound from the log, fragments flew off. Even though Cho Myung's fist had not touched the log at all.
'Already?'
Old Man Ban couldn't help but be really surprised.
When explaining the realm of martial arts based on internal energy, it is said that the beginning of internal martial arts is the stage where the internal energy seeps to the tip of the weapon and the weapon does not break no matter how hard you strike a rock.
Next, when the internal energy that has seeped into the weapon overflows and is revealed on the outside, and that power is materialized and begins to exert physical destructive power, from then on, one is treated as a true martial artist.
The so-called realm of sword qi injuring people and saber qi injuring people refers to this stage.
It is said that when this realm reaches its peak, one can even cut a rock like tofu.
What Cho Myung had just shown was the beginning of that realm.
The Immortal Demonic Aura had begun to react to Cho Myung's punches and exert physical destructive power.
A five-year-old child, and only about ten days after he had formally learned the Hundred Strikes Art.
'Even if it's the Immortal Demonic Aura... is it thanks to the bone and marrow cleansing?'
He also thought that Cho Myung's progress might be too fast, but Old Man Ban, who believed in the greatness of the Immortal Demonic Aura, quickly brushed off such worries.
"Amazing! To do it so quickly. Our Myung, you must have worked really hard even where your master was not. Good boy."
Old Man Ban smiled with satisfaction and stroked Cho Myung's head.
"Hehehe! Can I defeat the red-eyed demon now?"
"Myung, didn't I tell you that you have to be able to knock down the log to defeat the demon?"
"Ah! That's right."
A look of disappointment quickly spread across Cho Myung's face.
"Don't be disappointed. If you just keep doing as you are now, you'll be able to do it soon."
"Really?"
"Of course, really."
"I'll work harder."
"Yes, do that. Hmm... good. Without further delay, today I will teach you the footwork that is the foundation of the Hundred Strikes Art."
"Footwork?"
"Yes. It's a way of walking to approach the opponent faster and to easily avoid the opponent's attacks."
"Great. Please teach me."
"Yes, yes. I'll teach you."
When Cho Myung urged him excitedly, the smile that had bloomed on Old Man Ban's face bloomed even more.
The foundation of the Hundred Strikes Art is in the feet.
It is because the feet must be firm to exert proper power.
Old Man Ban extended his left foot forward, stood with his feet slightly apart, and then moved one short step in an instant.
"The left foot sets the direction and moves forward, and the right foot must follow behind it. At this time, the right foot should not just follow. It must quickly move to a position where it can be in the most stable posture."
Old Man Ban moved short and fast here and there.
At a glance, it was a simple-looking movement.
But since he was crouching his upper body, he exuded a momentum that seemed to be about to explode at any moment.
"The left foot approaches the opponent in the fastest direction, and the right foot steps on a point where it can firmly support the posture. At the same time, the two fists must strike the fastest and strongest."
Old Man Ban quickly approached the front of the log, threw two punches quickly, and then moved to another spot in an instant and threw another punch.
Then he took a step back again.
"One of the worst things in martial arts is a set movement. If you repeat the same movement, you will easily be counterattacked by an opponent who has figured it out. So, just because it's the right foot, you shouldn't just stay back."
Old Man Ban's movement changed.
Suddenly, his right foot shot out.
Just with that, the position and posture of his charge changed.
His upper body was twisted in the opposite direction, and the order of his two fists was also reversed.
The opponent who faced Old Man Ban would be bewildered by the sudden change.
"Being fast does not just mean being so fast that you can't follow with your eyes. Moving one step ahead of the opponent, and going beyond the opponent's prediction. That can also be called being fast."
Old Man Ban moved really fast, centering on the log.
He repeated approaching and retreating.
He also suddenly moved to the left and right.
He would show a simple movement, and then suddenly his posture would change and he would show a variety of movements.
Cho Myung did not miss a single one of Old Man Ban's movements and memorized them.
Thanks to the Immortal Demonic Aura, his memory and motor skills had developed to the point where they could be said to have transcended human beings.
A moment later, Cho Myung reproduced the movements that Old Man Ban had shown him, surprising him once again.
"Hehehe, should I practice this ten thousand times a day too?"
"Go... ahead."
Old Man Ban realized that having a genius disciple was not always a good thing.
A disciple who could imitate it right away just by seeing it once.
He realized that such a disciple would demote the master from a teacher to just a person who passes things on.
But for him, who did not have much time, it was a real relief to have such a disciple.
A smile appeared on Old Man Ban's lips.
'You rascal, thank you...'
***
It is a starry night.
It was already full summer, and perhaps because it was hot, not a single sound was heard all night.
The wind was calm and held the heat.
The humidity, which is characteristic of Sichuan Province, was also rampant, so even if you slept with the window open, you couldn't sleep deeply and just tossed and turned.
It was past midnight.
It was when everyone was asleep, buried in the fatigue of the day.
"Fire! Fire! Fire! There's a fire! Fire!"
It was a shout that shook the night.
"Fire! Fire! The medicinal ingredient warehouse is on fire!"
"Water! Bring water!"
"Run to the well!"
The people of the Hua Family Clinic rushed out of their respective residences and rushed to the medicinal ingredient warehouse and the well where the fire had broken out.
The people of Longevity Hall were no different.
As soon as the first shout was heard, everyone shot up.
"You two stay here."
"Yes, go quickly."
Hua Yunhui and Seokcheong ran to the medicinal ingredient warehouse.
Old Man Ban and Jeok Yorap, who were still uncomfortable, and Cho Myung, who was in a deep sleep, remained in Longevity Hall.
"Big brother, what's with the sudden fire?"
"I know. We'll find out when the two come back."
"I hope nothing bad happens..."
The two looked at the place that was turning the darkness red beyond the eastern wall with sighs and worries.
Seeing the flames soaring like that, it seemed it would be difficult to handle with human power.
"It looks serious."
It was when Jeok Yorap was very worried.
"Younger brother."
"Yes?"
"Wake up Myung."
"Myung?"
"Hurry."
At the low but firm words, Jeok Yorap hurriedly went inside and woke up Cho Myung.
When he woke up Cho Myung, who was barely getting up, rubbing his eyes, and came outside, he saw human shadows on the wall opposite the fire.
"Who are you?"
Old Man Ban asked majestically.
There are a total of five people on the wall. It seems there are a few more beyond the wall, but those guys must be the leaders.
"I told you. It's all a bluff. That old man was just waiting for the day he would die, and last time, he overexerted himself and vomited a bucket of blood when he got on the carriage."
A sneering voice was heard.
It was one of the five people on the wall.
He was more like a talkative good-for-nothing than a martial artist.
"Is the old man the Fighting Demon?"
The one in the center of the five.
He was even crossing his arms and showing off that he was the leader.
"Who are you?"
Old Man Ban asked.
"The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain."
The answer came back right away.
"The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain?"
"That's right!"
There are many people in the world with the title of Ghost Blade.
But there is only one person who uses just the two characters of Ghost Blade as his title.
Ghost Blade, Tuo Mulu.
The master of the Ghost King Blade, which is said to be feared even by ghosts.
He is known to be an ultimate master who can exert gang qi.
But the one who had come here now was not the Ghost Blade, but the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain.
If so, it must not be Ghost Blade, Tuo Mulu.
If that was a relief, it was a relief.
Old Man Ban turned his gaze to Cho Myung.
"Myung."
"Yes."
Cho Myung answered in a barely audible voice.
Even the young Cho Myung had felt that the atmosphere was not good.
"Those people have come to trample on the happiness of Longevity Hall, and furthermore, the Hua Family Clinic. What should we do?"
"We have to fight."
"That's right. We have to fight. In a fight like this, you must never back down and fight back with all your might."
"Okay."
Hearing Old Man Ban's words, Cho Myung's answer was filled with strength.
"It's too early to teach you, but there is a secret technique in the Hundred Strikes Art called Heaven's Collapse. I will show it to you today."
"Okay."
Old Man Ban, who had deliberately smiled at the answering Cho Myung, turned his gaze to the wall.
"Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain. If you need the fame of having defeated the Fighting Demon, come down here right now."
"Old man, you even vomited blood, are you okay?"
"You foolish brat! There is something that will never change even if you vomit blood twelve times."
"......!"
"That I am the Fighting Demon, and I am right here!"
At Old Man Ban's words, the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain on the wall uncrossed his arms.
And after staring at Old Man Ban in the front yard for a moment, he nodded.
"It is the Fighting Demon."
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain drew a sword from behind his back.
It was a thick broadsword with a blade that looked to be about a handspan wide.
"Even a dying old man is still the Fighting Demon. If I kill the old man, my fame will greatly resound. Hehehehe!"
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain jumped down from the wall.
He was quite a large man.
Old Man Ban was also tall, but since he was of a similar height and had a large build, he looked quite intimidating.
"This is the Nine Section Ghost Slashing Saber. In the past, when martial artists fought, they would shout out the names of their techniques, right? Since you're an old man who will die in a single blow, I'm telling you so you can at least know the name of the saber technique."
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain approached, spinning the broadsword in the air.
Even in the darkness, his white teeth were revealed, so he was definitely smiling.
It must have been a sneer full of arrogance.
Seven steps, seven steps.
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain, who had stopped at that interval.
He would increase his speed in two steps, find an opening in another two steps, and after taking a position in the last step, he would cut the space corresponding to two steps.
One-strike slash.
He would split the entire space in front of him.
The way of the saber users who wield a sword is usually like that.
Because a sword is a weapon specialized in cutting and splitting.
Even more so with a broadsword.
"Fighting Demon, shouldn't you pass on your fame to someone else before you die?"
The moment the words ended.
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain rushed forward.
He rushed in as if piercing through four steps in an instant, then twisted his upper body and swung a thunderous single saber.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound of cutting through the air seemed to show off the power contained in the broadsword.
'An old man who is just waiting for the day he will die, I'll split you in a single blow!'
The moment a cruel confidence twisted the corners of the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's mouth.
Old Man Ban moved.
Forward, towards the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain.
He performed the footwork that was the foundation of the Hundred Strikes Art, simple but fast.
Thud!
The moment the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's saber struck Old Man Ban's side, the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's chin shot up.
"Gasp!"
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain, who staggered back a step with a large body.
Old Man Ban's right hand was clutching his chin.
On the other hand, the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's broadsword seemed to be splitting Old Man Ban's side.
Of course, that was just the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's illusion.
Old Man Ban's clothes were cut and blood burst out.
But since Old Man Ban's left arm was blocking the arm of the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain who had swung the broadsword, it could not inflict a serious blow.
'Damn it!'
If you can't cut, you get hit.
The moment the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's face was distorted with bewilderment.
The dark scene he was looking at tilted in an instant.
Thud!
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain collapsed.
Old Man Ban, who had grabbed his chin, had pushed him with great force and smashed the back of the Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain's head on the ground. The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain had instinctively stepped back, but he had tripped on Old Man Ban's foot and his balance had collapsed even faster.
The secret technique of the Hundred Strikes Art, Heaven's Collapse!
Punching is not the only way to strike an opponent.
You can also strike an opponent by borrowing the power of the hard ground.
That is Heaven's Collapse.
Unless it is a master who can protect the back of their head by exerting a body-protecting qi, there is no one who can be fine after being properly hit.
The Ghost Blade of Emei Mountain was knocked out in a single blow.
(End of Chapter)