The Immortal Demonic Aura reconstructs the host's body into the most perfect and flawless body in its current state.
That mysterious power had even touched Cho Myung's brain.
So Cho Myung never forgot what he had seen once.
Hua Sochen did not know that Cho Myung had the unparalleled and mysterious power of the Immortal Demonic Aura.
However, she came to know that he had a memory so outstanding that he could be called a genius.
So she was naturally excited and taught him the Thousand Character Classic one by one, making him memorize it all.
Cho Myung memorized the Thousand Character Classic in just three days.
Hua Sochen then taught him the Confucian Forest of Scholars, the Expanded Collection of Wise Sayings, the Precious Mirror of the Mind, and the Lesser Learning, which she had learned when she was young, in order.
Surprisingly, after ten days, Cho Myung was able to read them on his own and think about their meaning.
He came to know the characters that did not appear in the Thousand Character Classic by asking one by one.
By this time, Cho Myung was so happy that he could not express it.
As he became able to read and think about most books on his own, he began to have the expectation that he might be able to learn medicine like Hua Yunhui, whom he had only admired until now.
So Cho Myung's days became more and more enjoyable.
"Hmm? What's this?"
It was when he was learning the Expanded Collection of Wise Sayings from Hua Sochen.
One day, when he was full of confidence in his knowledge of characters, he returned to Longevity Hall and found a book spread out on the table.
Cho Myung opened the book.
And after reading the phrase on the first page, he widened his eyes as if he had been slapped.
- Myung, did you run around a lot today? As this master has always said, the foundation of the Hundred Strikes Art is in the feet. It is because the feet must be firm to exert proper power. That's why there are no techniques that attack with the feet in the Hundred Strikes Art. It is because you must firmly step on the ground at any moment.
It was the martial arts manual that Old Man Ban was writing for Cho Myung.
Although there were occasionally characters he did not know, it was not a big hindrance to reading, so Cho Myung continued to read.
The martial arts manual had a detailed record of the training methods so that Cho Myung could do it on his own even without Old Man Ban.
The reason Old Man Ban had decided to write the martial arts manual was not only because he was worried about what might happen to him at any time, but also because he wanted to organize his thoughts, thinking that since Cho Myung, unlike him, had the rare qi of the Immortal Demonic Aura, the training method should also be different.
So the training methods recorded in the martial arts manual were clearly different from what Old Man Ban had learned from his master.
They were so terrible that anyone who did not know about Cho Myung's condition would have thought that this was not a training method but a way to destroy one's own body.
Old Man Ban had explained the reason why he had to train so terribly, along with the miraculousness of the Immortal Demonic Aura.
Cho Myung came to know a little about how amazing and great the Immortal Demonic Aura in his body was, and because of that, he was completely engrossed in the martial arts manual that Old Man Ban was writing and read it without a care in the world.
Since Old Man Ban had explained in detail why he had to do each training process as if he were having a conversation, there was no difficulty for Cho Myung to understand.
"Can I do it?"
Cho Myung, who had finished reading the martial arts manual, muttered.
Cho Myung, who had read all the parts that Old Man Ban had written so far, was worried.
He was worried that he might not be able to do it properly and disappoint Old Man Ban.
Cho Myung put on the hundred-catty iron armor and went out with a heavy face.
"Why the long face? Do you have any worries?"
Jeok Yorap, who happened to be moving his body in the front yard, asked.
"It's nothing. Where's the master?"
"He's training his muscle strength in the backyard. Are you really okay?"
"Yes."
Cho Myung, who answered without energy and took his basket.
No matter how you looked at it, he seemed to have some worries.
Jeok Yorap approached Cho Myung and spoke kindly.
"Myung."
"Yes?"
"Grandfather and master always think of Myung as the most important."
"Yes, I know."
"If it's hard to live here, just say so. We can leave anytime."
"That's not it. I really like it here. I like my big brothers, and I really like sister, the head of the family."
"Then what's the worry?"
"It's just... I'm just so happy that I'm worried that something bad will happen."
"Is that really all?"
"What?"
"Looking at your face, it seems there's another reason, isn't there?"
At Jeok Yorap's urging, Cho Myung scratched the back of his head.
Then he said in a slightly barely audible voice.
"I'm worried that I'll disappoint my master."
"......?"
"My master told me to learn the Hundred Strikes Art and protect my big brothers and grandfather so that no one can interfere with this happiness. But what if I don't become strong? If my master is disappointed..."
"Myung."
"Yes?"
"Seeing you worry about such things, it seems our Myung has not only grown in height."
"......?"
"Come here."
Cho Myung approached Jeok Yorap's side with a puzzled face.
Jeok Yorap stroked Cho Myung's head and said.
"You want to be a great man, right?"
"Yes."
"Look at that mountain. A great man is like that. A person who is as firm as that mountain is a great man."
Cho Myung looked at the mountain he always climbed.
It was a big and high mountain.
Jeok Yorap also looked at the mountain and said.
"That mountain is always there, firmly in its place. It blocks the blowing wind from that spot. But that mountain can't block all the wind. How can it block the wind blowing from all directions? A great man is also like that mountain. A great man can't do everything. He just does his best as much as he can."
"......"
"Myung."
"Yes."
"Do your best as much as you can. Then there will be no reason for your master to be disappointed in Myung. Rather, he will praise you for being admirable."
"Really?"
"Of course, really. If you just work hard, you don't have to worry about your master being disappointed."
"I understand."
Only then did Cho Myung's voice brighten.
"You rascal, are you going to the mountains now?"
"Yes. I'll go and train hard, and I'll also dig up a lot of herbs."
"Don't go to dangerous places."
"The mountains are not dangerous."
"Still, be careful."
"Yes. I'll be back."
"Okay."
Cho Myung ran to the mountains bravely.
Since he had said that if he just worked hard, his master would not be disappointed, he was planning to work even harder.
And he was confident that he could do better than anyone else when it came to working hard.
"From today, I'll train as my master has written and surprise him later. Hehe!"
Cho Myung, who felt like he could fly just thinking about the surprised and proud face of his master, ran around even more excitedly, looking for herbs.
***
"Is this the Hua Family Clinic?"
A young girl's voice was heard from behind.
It was such a pleasant voice that Seokcheong reflexively turned around and saw a very cute-looking girl and a middle-aged man.
"It is, but who are you?"
Seokcheong asked, looking back and forth between the two.
Then the middle-aged man stepped forward.
"I am the master of the Eun Family Merchant Guild in Chengdu. By any chance, can I see the head of the family?"
"Ah, I'll ask the head of the family. Please follow me for now."
Seokcheong guided the two to the guest room and told them to wait, then went to find Hua Sochen.
Hua Sochen, who was curious about the reason why the master of the Eun Family Merchant Guild, whom she had never met, had come to visit, hurried to the guest room.
"I am Hua Sochen, the temporary head of the family."
"I am Eun Yijeong of the Eun Family Merchant Guild. Although it's late, I pray for the repose of the deceased divine doctor and the head of the family and his wife."
"Thank you."
Hua Sochen was first relieved that Eun Yijeong had not come with bad intentions and expressed her gratitude.
"I'm Eun Soso. Sister, head of the family, you're really pretty."
"Thank you. But I'm about to get jealous because I think Soso will become several times prettier in a few years."
When Hua Sochen smiled and said that, Eun Soso blushed and smiled shyly, then looked at Eun Yijeong.
"Dad, can I say it?"
"Go ahead."
When Eun Yijeong gave his permission, Eun Soso asked Hua Sochen.
"Sister, head of the family, by any chance, did a kid named Cho Myung come here? His grandfather was very sick, so I told him to go to the Hua Family Clinic here."
"......!"
A look of bewilderment appeared on Hua Sochen's face.
It was because she did not know the relationship between the Eun Family Merchant Guild and Cho Myung.
But since she knew that Cho Myung was being chased, she was able to answer appropriately.
"He came."
"Is he still here?"
Eun Soso asked with a happy face.
A look of joy also appeared on Eun Yijeong's face.
At their reaction, Hua Sochen hesitated for a very short time whether to say yes, but she couldn't take the risk.
"No, he's gone now."
As soon as she heard the answer, Eun Soso's face darkened with disappointment.
"May I ask in detail?"
Eun Yijeong asked.
Hua Sochen nodded.
"The child's grandfather was so sick that he was unconscious, but fortunately, he regained consciousness after two days. But that night, he left only the treatment fee and disappeared."
"Ah!"
Eun Soso let out a pitiful sigh.
Eun Yijeong nodded as if he understood what had happened.
'He was being chased, so he left as soon as he regained consciousness.'
Eun Yijeong looked back at his very disappointed daughter, Eun Soso.
"Let's be satisfied that Myung's grandfather is okay. You'll meet Myung again someday, so don't be too disappointed."
"Yes."
Eun Soso, who answered in a barely audible voice as if she were greatly disappointed, even hung her head.
Eun Yijeong patted his daughter's back and said to Hua Sochen.
"If the treatment fee was not enough, please tell me. I will pay for it."
"No. They paid enough and left."
"He was in a life-threatening condition..."
"The patient's condition matched well with the clinic's medical skills, so he was able to overcome the dangerous state. Although he needs more treatment, if he just takes good care of his body, there will be no major problems."
"I see. Thank you."
Eun Yijeong got up from his seat and cupped his fists.
"No. The main family just did what a clinic should do."
"Thank you for your precious time. If you ever need the help of the merchant guild, please visit the Eun Family Merchant Guild in Chengdu. We will serve you with all our heart."
"Yes, I will do so."
Hua Sochen, after sending off the people from the Eun Family Merchant Guild like this, immediately headed to Longevity Hall.
Jeok Yorap, who had heard that Eun Yijeong and Eun Soso had come to visit, first made a deeply moved face.
"They are really good people. It was just a brief encounter, but they were worried and came all the way here."
Jeok Yorap told the story of how he had met the Eun Family Merchant Guild.
Hua Sochen, who had heard the whole story, got up from her seat.
"I will go and find them."
"No. Don't look for them."
Old Man Ban stopped her.
At that, Hua Sochen and Jeok Yorap looked back.
"Since we know they are in Chengdu, we can greet them later. So for now, it would be better to refrain from doing anything that could bring even a little danger. The more people who know, the greater the risk of rumors spreading."
It was a reasonable statement.
She herself had also pretended that he was not here for that reason.
Hua Sochen looked back at Jeok Yorap.
Jeok Yorap, although disappointed, nodded.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
Hua Sochen asked as she sat down again.
But it was at that moment.
The head of the pharmacy came to find Hua Sochen with hurried steps.
He had such an urgent face that Hua Sochen asked first before the head of the pharmacy could speak.
"What's the matter?"
"I have to go quickly. A person has come from the Qingcheng Sect."
"From the Qingcheng Sect?"
Hua Sochen shot up without realizing it.
Qingcheng Sect.
Although it had declined now and was not part of the Seven Great Sects of the World, it was a great sect that had proudly occupied a seat in the Nine Great Sects of the World just half a century ago.
It is said that even if a rich man goes bankrupt, he can last for three years.
Even if a great sect declines, it still controls a region.
The current Qingcheng Sect was like that. Although it was not producing an absolute master who could shake the world, it was still exerting a great influence in the land of Sichuan.
When Hua Sochen hurried over, she saw several people in the guest room.
They were wearing the purple martial robes that symbolized the Qingcheng Sect. Sharp eyes and an aura that made one's heart cold upon encountering them.
They were definitely martial artists.
And they were skilled people who had reached a considerable realm.
"I am the temporary head of the family."
Hua Sochen greeted first.
At that, a strong man who seemed to be in his late twenties stared at her with eyes that glittered like a snake's and then opened his mouth.
"I am Xue Gongdao of Qingcheng. I am looking for a group consisting of one boy and one old man. I have found out that there is such a group here."
It was the moment Hua Sochen's heart sank.
'These people are different from the Eun Family Merchant Guild!'
The feeling they gave off was different, and their way of speaking was also different.
Moreover, he even said that he had found out and come.
It meant that it was not a situation that could be ended with words, like when dealing with the Eun Family Merchant Guild.
Hua Sochen changed her flustered face to a puzzled one.
"There is such a person, but what is the matter?"
"I don't think you need to know the reason, can you call him now?"
Xue Gongdao of the Qingcheng Sect was taking a moderately polite attitude, but the qi that was spewing out from his whole body was no different from a threat.
So at a time like this, one should not show a sign of trying to hide something.
Rather, one should act confidently.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to go and see for yourself?"
Hua Sochen acted as if she would guide them.
"Let's do that."
Xue Gongdao nodded.
Hua Sochen guided them to Longevity Hall.
Old Man Ban and Jeok Yorap watched with considerable tension as Hua Sochen and the martial artists of the Qingcheng Sect came in.
"Uncle Eun, these people are from the Qingcheng Sect..."
When Hua Sochen spoke to Jeok Yorap, Xue Gongdao stepped forward.
"I am Xue Gongdao of Qingcheng. Are you the person who was carried on the back of a child?"
"That's right, but why do you ask...?"
Jeok Yorap looked at him with a face that said he didn't know what was going on.
Then Xue Gongdao approached with a swagger.
"Let me see your wound."
(End of Chapter)