The three of them felt their hearts sink with a jolt. Leaving them behind, Dan Ak-seon stood up.
"Where are you going?"
At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Dan Ak-seon smiled faintly.
"I'm going to prepare lunch and dinner in advance."
"Already? Didn’t we just have breakfast?"
"It seems like I'll be busy today," Dan Ak-seon replied, his face brimming with excitement.
"I'm going to brew the wild ginseng we found yesterday."
"All day?"
"Yes. One needs to put in effort for good results," he said earnestly.
Cho Ak-ryang blankly watched Dan Ak-seon as he walked toward the pavilion.
He appeared lost in thought.
Once Dan Ak-seon’s figure completely disappeared, Cho Ak-ryang suddenly spoke up.
"Chaos is boundless."
Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa looked at Cho Ak-ryang with puzzled expressions. However, their expressions shifted when he continued.
"Because nothing is fixed, there are no limits…"
"Cho hyung, are you talking about—?"
Cho Ak-ryang raised his hand to stop Beom Gye-wi and continued reciting for a long while.
"…Entwined movements rise and fall repeatedly, forming the very essence of clear strength and the key to mastery."
Han Seol-hwa and Beom Gye-wi stared at Cho Ak-ryang with astonished eyes.
What Cho Ak-ryang had just recited was a formula from an internal cultivation technique.
"Could it be… your own?" Beom Gye-wi cautiously asked.
Cho Ak-ryang nodded in response.
“If we’re going to do it, we should do it properly.”
Meanwhile, the two people continued to stare at Cho Ak-ryang with astonished expressions.
After all, he was one of the Five Supreme Masters of the martial world.
His confidence in his martial arts was unparalleled.
Yet, here he was, willingly revealing his most treasured secret techniques.
At that moment, Cho Ak-ryang spoke.
“It’s for that child.”
Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze turned toward the pavilion.
“That child is already giving his all for us, isn’t that so? I cannot betray the trust that child has placed in us.”
Beom Gye-wi nodded.
“I feel the same. There’s no one other than Doctor Dan whom I’d even consider passing on my martial arts to.”
Han Seol-hwa shared the same sentiment.
“I don’t want to disappoint that child either.”
The three exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Then, one by one, they disclosed the secret methods of their unique martial arts.
For Dan Ak-seon, they willingly joined forces.
Thus, a martial arts research council was formed—an unprecedented collaboration among grandmasters in the history of the martial world.
* * *
Han Seol-hwa’s ear and jawline.
Carefully inserting a needle between them, Dan Ak-seon asked cautiously.
“How does it feel?”
“There’s still no sensation.”
“Really? Hmm…”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Dan Ak-seon slightly adjusted the angle of the needle and inserted it about half a fraction deeper.
“Could you try circulating your energy?”
Following Dan Ak-seon’s words, Han Seol-hwa slowly drew up her internal energy.
“Ah!”
A soft exclamation escaped Han Seol-hwa’s lips.
“How does it feel?”
“It feels like my face is a little ticklish.”
Dan Ak-seon’s face brightened.
“Really?”
“Why are you so happy about it?”
“Of course, I’m happy. It’s proof that your sensation is coming back.”
Barely finishing his sentence, Dan Ak-seon picked up another needle and swiftly inserted a short one into the pressure point behind the ear.
“How about now?”
“It feels a bit prickly.”
“That’s because this area is densely packed with nerves. When you said it felt prickly earlier, you also slightly furrowed your brow.”
“Did I?”
“Yes.”
Dan Ak-seon glanced around and sighed.
“I wish I could show you, but unfortunately, I can’t. When we visit the village next time, the first thing we need to buy is a mirror.”
At that moment, Han Seol-hwa felt a subtle movement in the muscles of her face.
“Oh! You just smiled.”
Dan Ak-seon beamed brightly at Han Seol-hwa.
“So this is what your smile looks like. It’s so beautiful.”
"This child, really..."
Han Seol-hwa couldn't help but feel deeply impressed by Dan Ak-seon's radiant smile, one that brimmed with pride. She knew just how difficult it was to feel such unclouded joy for someone else.
"Thank you."
"Hehe, it’s nothing, really."
Dan Ak-seon spoke as he carefully removed the acupuncture needles that were embedded all over the body.
"Understanding the flow of internal energy really helped."
"It’s thanks to your exceptional skills."
At Han Seol-hwa’s compliment, Dan Ak-seon shyly let out a bashful smile. But that smile didn’t last long.
A sudden commotion broke out outside.
"Huh?"
Dan Ak-seon cast a puzzled glance out the window.
At the entrance to Shinmagok, a man was facing off with Beom Gye-wi, and the atmosphere was anything but ordinary.
"Uncle Beom! Wait a moment!"
Shouting loudly, Dan Ak-seon hurriedly dashed out of the small house.
Beom Gye-wi couldn’t help but feel baffled.
There weren’t many people in his memory who could endure the killing intent he deliberately exuded so openly. And judging by the man’s trembling legs, he didn’t even seem to have mastered martial arts. Yet, here he was, standing firm.
Even as Beom Gye-wi issued a warning filled with menace, the man refused to back down.
"I heard Sogokju has company, and I take it that must be you, Great Hero?"
Sogokju? Company?
As Beom Gye-wi looked on, perplexed, the man repeated what he had first said.
"Please inform Sogokju that Pung Jin-seong humbly requests an audience."
Clang.
Beom Gye-wi grasped the Daechojagon strapped to his back.
“If Doctor Dan claims not to know you, it will be difficult for you to leave here alive.”
It was then.
“Uncle Beom! Wait a moment!”
A voice rang out in the distance, and Beom Gye-wi hesitated. Far away, Dan Ak-seon’s figure could be seen running toward them.
“Huff, huff.”
Panting for breath, Dan Ak-seon hurried over, and Pung Jin-seong politely bowed toward him.
“Have you been well, Sogokju? Or should I now call you Gokju? Haha, it’s hard to break old habits.”
At Pung Jin-seong’s lighthearted remark, Dan Ak-seon let out a sigh.
“Come inside for now.”
Beom Gye-wi looked at Dan Ak-seon with a puzzled expression.
“Do you know this person, Doctor Dan?”
Dan Ak-seon gave a wry smile and nodded. Feeling awkward, Beom Gye-wi stepped aside.
As they followed Dan Ak-seon into the hall, Pung Jin-seong glanced around.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been here. The scenery is as beautiful as I remembered.”
“You’ve gone through a lot because of me, haven’t you?”
“I was a bit taken aback, I must admit.”
Pung Jin-seong let out a sigh.
The suspicion that Dan Ak-seon was involved with someone from an unorthodox faction, under a kill order, was one thing. But hearing that he had been sent to a branch of the infamous Passa Brigade was truly enough to make one’s heart sink.
‘That man named Gwak Ga had the temperament of a viper.’
This was undoubtedly a mistake stemming from his own poor handling of the situation.
Still, being a member of the Murim Alliance, he never thought they would resort to such shameless actions. Yet, the temporary branch of the Passa Brigade they had reached after an all-night journey was engulfed in flames.
Everyone from Passa Brigade was dead.
Rumors spread that they were too drunk to escape the fire, but Pung Jin-seong couldn’t believe it. How could elite warriors of the Murim Alliance succumb to mere intoxication and be completely annihilated?
The fortunate thing was that Dan Ak-seon had not been present at the scene.
Despite hurrying to resolve the situation, he ended up being tied down for a significant period due to the Murim Alliance's investigation.
And so, after barely wrapping things up, he finally arrived at Shinmagok.
“I’m sorry.”
Dan Ak-seon's words left Pung Jin-seong puzzled.
There was no reason for Dan Ak-seon to apologize. Then, recalling the words spoken during their last meeting, he chuckled softly.
“Are you just going to settle this with words?”
Pung Jin-seong wasn’t one to miss such a rare opportunity.
“Please revoke the expulsion you imposed on me.”
“What?”
Pung Jin-seong smiled faintly.
“The one they call Blood Demon Lord, you've been treating him?”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon’s startled expression, Pung Jin-seong slowly nodded in acknowledgment.
“So, he really has been staying here.”
“How did you know?”
“There were plenty of rumors about him. Plus, I couldn’t ignore the medicinal ingredients Sogokju recently obtained. And your sudden and unexpected expulsion of me didn’t sit right either. So, as I mulled over it... that name came to mind.”
Pung Jin-seong turned to look at Beom Gye-wi, who was standing at a distance.
"Then that person must be... Mangsanchoja."
"...!"
"There's no need to be surprised. With such a fearsome appearance and the Daechojagon, how could anyone not recognize it?"
Pung Jin-seong smiled faintly as he looked at Dan Ak-seon.
"So, what will you do now? I've uncovered the secret you’ve been hiding. Are you still going to expel me?"
"I don’t want you to be put in danger. Once again, because of me…."
"Are you trying to threaten me right now?"
"Uncle…."
Pung Jin-seong took Dan Ak-seon’s hand.
"I understand exactly what you’re worried about. That’s why I took some precautions before coming here."
"Precautions?"
"You must have guessed that I stopped by the Murim Alliance."
As Dan Ak-seon nodded, Pung Jin-seong continued speaking.
"I vouched for the Sogokju’s identity while I was there."
Dan Ak-seon looked at Pung Jin-seong in astonishment. Pung Jin-seong, as if it were no big deal, simply nodded.
"If Sogokju were to become enemies with the alliance, I too would become their enemy. I’ve tied my fate to yours."
"But why...?"
"Haven’t I told you already? Who in this world would abandon their family?"
Pung Jin-seong smiled quietly as he looked into Dan Ak-seon’s face.
"If you were to cast me out now, you’d essentially be telling me to go and die, Sogokju."
When Dan Ak-seon couldn’t respond, Pung Jin-seong continued in his usual lighthearted tone.
"...Sigh."
In the end, Dan Ak-seon had no choice but to give in.
“I’ll rescind the expulsion. And once again, I sincerely apologize. You’ve been through a lot because of me, haven’t you?”
“Haha. When haven’t I?”
Pung Jin-seong, with a satisfied expression, replied to Dan Ak-seon.
“Would you introduce me to them? Since we’re already on the same boat, it’s only natural to exchange greetings.”
A moment later.
Pung Jin-seong stood face-to-face with three people.
“I am Jin-seong of the Pung family. I lead a humble group called Jinseong Medical Clinic.”
“Jinseong Medical Clinic?”
Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes sparkled with interest.
He had already heard rumors about the Jinseong Medical Clinic, which was gaining fame at a frightening pace.
On the other hand, Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa seemed indifferent.
Despite the uncomfortable gazes, Pung Jin-seong didn’t lose his smile.
“I’m quite close with Sogokju, so I ask for your kind support.”
Nodding, Cho Ak-ryang looked at Pung Jin-seong with sharp eyes and asked:
“Very well. I hear you’ve gotten yourself involved with the Murim Alliance?”
“Yes, some recent affairs have led me to form ties with them.”
“The Murim Alliance! Are you saying you’re allied with those despicable people?”
Beom Gye-wi burst out, shouting, but Pung Jin-seong raised his hand to calm him down.
“It’s merely a mutual relationship where we provide assistance to one another.”
“Could he perhaps be a spy for the Murim Alliance?”
Even as Beom Gye-wi continued to show suspicion, Pung Jin-seong nodded as if he understood.
"It seems words alone cannot erase your doubts. However, please know that one of my mentors was the Divine Doctor. Like Sogokju here, I too focus solely on treating patients, without drawing distinctions between right and wrong in politics."
At the mention of the Divine Doctor, some of Beom Gye-wi's suspicion seemed to ease slightly.
At that moment, Pung Jin-seong placed the items he had brought onto the table.
"Since it’s been such a long time since I last visited, and I didn’t think it proper to come empty-handed as a guest, I’ve prepared a small gift."
He unfolded the silk he had brought, revealing a box inside.
“Wow! These are exactly what we needed!”
And rightly so—inside the box were rare medicinal ingredients that were difficult to obtain.
"If you ever need any medicinal ingredients in the future, just let me know."
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Dan Ak-seon hugged Pung Jin-seong tightly. While basking in the warmth of the moment, Pung Jin-seong suddenly froze.
It was because of what Dan Ak-seon said right after.
“In that case, please get me some *Gongcheongseokyu* (refined oil extracted from the bladder of a Chinese softshell turtle).”
For the first time, the smile disappeared from Pung Jin-seong's face.
