"If you get any money, you squander it all on medicinal herbs."
At Cho Ak-ryang's lament, Dan Ak-seon chuckled sheepishly.
"That's because expensive herbs are very effective. Honestly, I even want to get my hands on a Celestial Clear Jade Elixir, but apparently, it's not on the market."
"If you can buy it from a herbalist, then it's not real Celestial Clear Jade Elixir. And even if you did find some, it would definitely be a fake. So if anyone tries to sell it, you need to verify it multiple times."
Beom Gye-wi suddenly cut in.
"How?"
"Huh?"
"Cho hyung, have you ever actually seen a Celestial Clear Jade Elixir?"
Cho Ak-ryang was momentarily at a loss for words.
He hadn’t even glimpsed it, let alone caught its scent. That’s how rare and mythical the Celestial Clear Jade Elixir was reputed to be.
Beom Gye-wi, as if expecting this, delivered a sarcastic remark.
"How on earth would you tell if it’s real or fake?"
"Well… wouldn’t we be able to tell if we at least tasted a little bit of it?"
After much deliberation, Cho Ak-ryang offered this awkward response.
Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa.
The two stared at Cho Ak-ryang with looks of pity, causing him to flare up.
"Then what, do you two have any better ideas?"
"Just don’t eat it in the first place, right?"
"What?"
"If you don’t get greedy, you won’t get scammed."
Caught off guard by Beom Gye-wi’s unexpected answer, Cho Ak-ryang was momentarily stunned.
— Even a fool like him knows that…
The ensuing comments turned Cho Ak-ryang’s insides upside down.
Dan Ak-seon, smiling, stopped the three of them.
“Don’t worry. I can at least tell if it’s true or not.”
All three gazes turned to Dan Ak-seon at once. Noticing the question in their eyes, he spoke casually.
“I’ve tried it a few times when I was young.”
A look of surprise rose in the eyes of the three.
At that moment, Dan Ak-seon wrapped the wild ginseng back in silk cloth and headed toward the pavilion.
“It’s going to take a while to prepare, so I’d better hurry. Feel free to continue your conversation.”
After Dan Ak-seon left.
Lost in thought, Cho Ak-ryang finally spoke to the other two.
“There’s something I want to discuss.”
Han Seol-hwa and Beom Gye-wi looked at Cho Ak-ryang with curious eyes.
“About Doctor Dan…”
After a brief pause, as if he had made up his mind, Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“It seems I should teach him martial arts.”
To this, Beom Gye-wi immediately agreed.
“Right. We can’t let him be threatened by those weaklings.”
Beom Gye-wi thumped his chest with his fist.
“In that case, leave it to me! I’ll teach him everything I know.”
Cho Ak-ryang frowned.
“With martial arts skills that only rank you as the third of the Ten Great Evils? Spare me. I’ll be the one to teach Doctor Dan martial arts.”
“Then what about me?”
“Cheer him on or something.”
"My martial arts weakness can be solved by Doctor Dan! In terms of pure martial skill, my Samyang… whatever-it-is, is the best!"
Han Seol-hwa let out a quiet laugh through voice transmission.
— Are you even capable of teaching it properly? It would be the perfect setup for an energy deviation.
Beom Gye-wi growled in Han Seol-hwa's direction.
"What? You jealous, witch?"
— Nonsense. I have no interest in joining your foolish antics.
At Han Seol-hwa's words, the sharp looks from Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi softened just a bit.
For now, at least, one strong competitor was out of the way.
But it didn’t take long for Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi’s gazes to clash intensely again.
"Why don’t you just give up?"
Beom Gye-wi shot back, refusing to back down.
"And why should I?"
"Are you planning to ruin Doctor Dan's life? He's the sole descendant of both the Divine Doctor and the Demonic Doctor, so he has to carry on the line."
Beom Gye-wi’s face flushed red as he shouted.
"And what about you, Cho hyung? Using martial skills that nearly got you killed by just a few guys?"
Han Seol-hwa watched them bicker and bicker, an exasperated look in her eyes.
How much time passed as the two kept up their quarrel?
"Fine. Let’s leave it up to Doctor Dan to decide!"
"Agreed!"
After agreeing that they’d accept whatever decision Dan Ak-seon made without any complaints, the two flashed self-satisfied smiles.
'I’m not called one of the Five Supreme Masters of the World for nothing!'
'Since I'm closest to him, he’ll choose me!'
The two people waited for Dan Ak-seon while each had different thoughts.
Soon after, Dan Ak-seon returned.
"Are you interested in martial arts?"
"Yes. Whose martial arts would you like to learn?"
As Dan Ak-seon hesitated, Beom Gye-wi spoke up.
"You saw my light-foot technique, right? If you learn martial arts from me, you’ll be able to fly around on your own!"
Seeing Dan Ak-seon's face brighten, Cho Ak-ryang quickly interrupted.
"If you learn *geumnasu* (a martial art technique that allows restraint without injury) from me, you’ll be able to subdue anyone without hurting them. Isn't it a bit odd for a doctor to hurt people? Beom Gye-wi’s martial arts are too intense and dangerous."
"What? Too dangerous? Are you really saying that about my martial arts, Cho hyung?"
The two of them competed to convince him to learn their respective martial arts. Watching them, Dan Ak-seon carefully spoke up.
"But isn’t aptitude essential for learning martial arts?"
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi both nodded in agreement.
"Plus, I heard it’s best to start young…."
The two paused.
Now that he mentioned it, it was indeed a bit late to start learning martial arts.
Typically, people begin training around the age of seven. After that, as muscles and energy channels began to harden, it's hard to expect rapid progress in martial arts.
"So, I suppose we should confirm that first," Cho Ak-ryang said, turning to Dan Ak-seon.
"Would it be alright if I check your physical condition?"
"Yes."
Cho Ak-ryang approached Dan Ak-seon and began examining his muscles and bones by pressing on his arms, legs, and other parts of his body.
However, his expression was more serious than ever.
“From now on, I’ll begin transferring internal energy. Don’t be alarmed.”
Cho Ak-ryang, who was holding Dan Ak-seon’s pulse, bit his lip lightly. A moment later, he withdrew his hand and let out a deep sigh that seemed to shake the ground.
“As I thought, it's a little late.”
“Why? What’s the problem?”
In response to Beom Gye-wi’s question, Cho Ak-ryang shook his head, his face grim.
“It’s too difficult for him to master high-level martial arts.”
“Is Doctor Dan’s talent that ordinary?”
“Yes. There’s no need to look further.”
With Beom Gye-wi visibly disappointed behind him, Cho Ak-ryang looked at Dan Ak-seon and spoke.
“It’s fine. There’s a saying, ‘Even a dull horse can complete a long journey if given enough time.’ Natural talent can be overcome with effort. Of course, that’s assuming you’re learning proper martial arts from an excellent master.”
Then he smiled quietly.
“I know because I went through the same thing. You can trust me.”
“You’re saying Uncle Cho’s talent was ordinary?”
“Yes. That’s why you should learn martial arts from me. I became the best martial artist in the world despite my average talent, so I know better than anyone else how to make it happen.”
With a serious gaze, Cho Ak-ryang continued.
“If you follow my path, one day, you too can become the greatest martial artist in the world after me.”
At that moment, as Cho Ak-ryang gave hope with a smile, Han Seol-hwa, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward.
Cho Ak-ryang blocked her way.
“Why?”
“It seems suspicious.”
Cho Ak-ryang flinched at Han Seol-hwa’s response.
“Suspicious? About what?”
“You talk too much.”
“I’m telling you, there’s nothing more to see.”
“You’re too desperate for that to be the case.”
As Cho Ak-ryang hesitated, pondering his reply, Han Seol-hwa’s figure moved ever so slightly. Cho Ak-ryang reached out hurriedly to stop her, but Han Seol-hwa was already gripping Dan Ak-seon’s pulse point.
Han Seol-hwa looked at Cho Ak-ryang intently.
But something about the atmosphere had shifted.
Her eyes, normally cold and calm, flickered with an unusual intensity.
Then, all of a sudden—
Han Seol-hwa pulled Dan Ak-seon into a tight embrace.
“This one’s mine.”
Cho Ak-ryang burst out in anger.
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t involve yourself in foolishness?”
“I changed my mind.”
Han Seol-hwa answered indifferently, glancing at Dan Ak-seon.
“I can’t just leave a talent like this in your hands.”
“What? You said he was ordinary, didn’t you?”
“...”
Cho Ak-ryang averted his gaze awkwardly, causing Beom Gye-wi to seethe with rage.
“You deceived me, didn’t you?”
Feeling embarrassed by the situation, Cho Ak-ryang gave a small cough.
"Ahem. Then let's go back to the beginning and let Doctor Dan decide whom he wants to learn martial arts from among the three of us…."
"Cho hyung, you’re out."
"And why's that?"
"You're already disqualified for trying to deceive us."
Cho Ak-ryang flinched, but Beom Gye-wi ignored him and pointed at Han Seol-hwa.
"You’re out too, Witch!"
"And why is that?"
"Because you gave up from the start!"
Han Seol-hwa remained unfazed.
"I’ll take a bit of criticism if it means avoiding wrongdoing."
"Wrongdoing? What wrongdoing?"
"Leaving this child’s talent in your hands when I’m fully aware of it—knowing better and still letting that happen would be irresponsible. My martial artist’s conscience won’t allow it."
"Oh, so your *conscience* was what drove you to lie? Hand over Doctor Dan right now!"
"Why don’t you try taking him from me?"
"Hah! You want to settle this with strength? Fine! Let’s make it clear once and for all who’s superior. The winner teaches Doctor Dan."
Cho Ak-ryang hurriedly shouted,
"Only using techniques!"
But Han Seol-hwa and Beom Gye-wi both scoffed at him as if he wasn’t even worth considering.
Right now, all that mattered was reducing the number of competitors.
"You two really think I’m a joke?"
By now, Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze had turned murderous, his anger visibly rising. The three exchanged intense glares, their fierce expressions interlocking in a whirlwind of tension.
It was truly a hair-trigger situation.
What loosened that tense thread was a low sigh.
“Please let go now.”
It was Dan Ak-seon.
Freed from Han Seol-hwa's embrace, Dan Ak-seon looked toward Cho Ak-ryang.
“Do I really have potential for martial arts?”
Cho Ak-ryang chuckled wryly and nodded.
“Your natural physique is extraordinary, beyond what words can describe. Even among the Nine Great Sects, known for their rigorous selection of disciples, none can match up to you.”
Han Seol-hwa also agreed.
“Not only are your Ren and Du meridians unblocked, but you have already attained mastery of the Life and Death Apertures. Your Eight Extraordinary Vessels and Twelve Main Meridians are well refined, too.”
Dan Ak-seon nodded.
“I see.”
The gazes of the three were fixed on Dan Ak-seon.
“Did you know this already?”
When Cho Ak-ryang asked, Dan Ak-seon gave a slight smile.
“To some extent.”
Then he continued speaking.
“My mother told me that while I was still in her womb, she intentionally consumed rare medicinal elixirs. Right after I was born, I underwent the procedure of ‘Purging Hair and Washing Marrow.’”
The three looked at Dan Ak-seon with eyes widened in surprise.
This technique, known as ‘Purging Hair and Washing Marrow,’ was a secret art of the Reforming Great Law, designed to transform a person’s body into one suited for martial arts.
However, there was a considerable drawback to this technique.
The first point was that the caster must expend a tremendous amount of internal energy.
Many who attempted to use the art of Purging Hair and Washing Marrow exhausted even the very essence of their life force and lost their lives. For this reason, even Shaolin, regarded as the pinnacle of Buddhist martial arts, refrains from attempting it lightly.
However, if Purging Hair and Washing Marrow does succeed, the power it bestows is truly astonishing.
Take, for example, Monk Beom Ryo, known as one of the Five Supreme Masters of the World and the greatest expert of Shaolin.
A martial arts prodigy, he began training at the age of five and by the time he reached adulthood, had mastered over half of the seventy-two Shaolin techniques.
People called him Walking Library as if he were a walking collection of Shaolin scriptures.
Long ago, when the Demon Sect invaded, his divine prowess became legendary at Songshan Mountain after he defeated their elite with nothing more than a stick.
It was known that he, too, received the Purging Hair and Washing Marrow technique when he was young.
“I also consumed rare medicinal herbs as a child. My parents even administered acupuncture frequently to make me stronger.”
The three people were even more stirred.
They rolled up their sleeves and began debating in earnest why Dan Ak-seon needed to learn their respective martial arts.
The atmosphere started heating up again.
Eventually, murderous intent filled the air.
Dan Ak-seon intervened to stop them.
“Is it absolutely necessary to choose just one of you?”
Cho Ak-ryang nodded.
“Since it’s a unique skill, there’s no other way.”
“Hm…”
Dan Ak-seon fell into serious thought. The other three waited in silence for his decision.
How much time had passed?
“Alright, I’ve made my decision.”
No sooner had Dan Ak-seon spoken than the three moved in close, waiting eagerly.
But Dan Ak-seon just smiled at them and said with a grin:
“I’ve decided—I won’t learn any martial arts at all.”
Hmm, true what’s the point if I can’t learn all three of them, lol
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