Book 25 Chapter 9

Confronting the Master

—Unreasonable

"Shilla Gak," the most famous inn in the Jianghu, on the island of Ganghorando.

In the backyard of Shilla Gak, in a detached house he had rented, an old man was slowly sipping "Dew of the Moon," the most renowned liquor in the Jianghu.

Thanks to selling his boat recently, he didn't have to worry about the cost of liquor for a while. And for most other things, Jang Wuyang, the master of the Jungyang Security Agency, was looking out for him. As a result, the old man's only tasks were to sit by the window, gaze at the meticulously landscaped backyard, pour the transparent, amber liquor into his white jade cup until it was almost full, then savor its rich aroma, and take a light sip. Just as its name suggested, the crisp and sweet taste of the clear droplets, like dew from the moon, ran along his tongue with its profound fragrance.

"This is wonderful! Just as good as a fine woman."

It was his first outing in the Jianghu in a long time, and his first visit to Dongting Lake in a long time. Much had changed in a hundred years, but nothing had appealed to him. The place with the ridiculous name, the "Won T'ong Stadium," was no different. Inside, only the base desires of humanity swirled, offering no charm to behold. There was only one thing that pleased him. Only this "Dew of the Moon," aged for over a hundred years, could satisfy the old man's heart as it had back then. The only difference was that then he drank it without knowing its name, and now he drank it knowing its name. But the taste of this liquor, even after a hundred years, was unforgettable.

'Was it that beautiful young man who poured the wine back then?'

He remembered meeting that fellow somewhere near Dongting Lake.

'I picked him up somewhere around here…'

More than a hundred and ten years had passed, and his memory was growing hazy.

'To think my only disciple would run around disguised as a woman, and not respect his master. At times like this, he should be here, serving his respected master his wine.'

The old master, completely oblivious, had forgotten that his disciple was struggling due to the "rental fee for the Thunderbolt" that he had demanded.

"That damn disciple! Disciples are truly useless, even after raising them."

He poured more wine into the cup again. Carefully, so as not to spill a single drop. However, the stream of wine was protected by the old man's continuous internal energy, so no matter how roughly he poured, it never splashed or overflowed. Someone entered the backyard just as the white-haired old man was bringing the cup to his lips.

'Huh? Isn't that my damn disciple?'

It was Bilu Yeon, who had returned to his original form, entering with a slightly urgent look on his face.

As soon as Bilu Yeon entered the backyard, he felt his master's aura and turned his head in that direction. The master and Bilu Yeon's gazes met. The master spoke first.

"Huh? What brings you here? Dressed as a man?"

"I am originally a man."

The old master began to scrutinize the face of his impudent disciple, who answered curtly.

'Who on earth is this?'

The disciple standing before him had a face he had never seen before. He doubted if it was the same person he had taken in and taught.

Raising a disciple was similar to raising a child. It was a tedious process of creating a work of art. It was a challenging journey of adjusting the direction of education, considering numerous external factors. Therefore, one must always observe the situation and take appropriate measures as needed. Just as no child grows exactly as their parents imagine, no disciple grows exactly as their master wishes. He too had learned that fact, at a great cost. Children, and disciples alike, are living beings, humans. Living beings grow by giving and receiving within the vastness of nature. Wishing for things to go according to one's will is like defying nature, the world. Unnaturalness only breeds distortion. In his eyes, his disciple was still incomplete. But he had not been this unstable, as if he could crumble at any moment.

"What is it? With that foolish expression on your face. Is the money ready?"

If Jang Hong or Hyo Ryong were nearby, they would have been shocked. "A grandfather bold enough to demand money from Bilu Yeon!"

"Stop talking like a low-level kidnapper. I can't right now. I have something I need to do first."

"No, is there something more important than bringing me the money you promised this master? Have you forgotten? That money is the rental fee for borrowing the sect's hidden treasure. And I even reduced it with my boundless generosity."

"Your generosity is so wide and deep that it's drowning me."

His tone was similar to before, but lacked strength. The old man keenly sensed the difference. He was answering perfunctorily. His mind was elsewhere.

'What could have broken this kid to this extent?'

It couldn't have been just any shock. And it was undoubtedly related to why he had come to see him without the money.

"What is it?"

The old master asked in a gruff tone.

"What do you mean, 'what is it'?"

"The reason you came here without money. If you came here to get a glass of this 'Dew of the Moon,' give up. No way."

"Don't treat me like some drunken old man. I wouldn't drink it even if you gave it to me."

"Then what is it?"

"I have a request, Master!"

Bilu Yeon said in a serious voice. At his words, the old master's brows furrowed.

"A request? From you to me? What a strange thing to happen. Tomorrow, the sun will rise from the west."

"The sun will still rise from the east tomorrow. Don't exaggerate for a mere request."

"Oh? And what is this request?"

The old man spoke in a very uneasy and worried tone.

"I need something."

"Is it something that you have to beat around the bush to say you need? This is getting more and more unsettling."

He meant that there was no need to drag it out any longer. Bilu Yeon decided to comply. He was short on time too.

"I need the Thunderbolt."

"No!"

"Please lend it to me."

"No! Absolutely not!"

"Please lend it to me. I desperately need it."

"No."

"Really no?"

"Really, really no."

"Then please rent it to me. I'll pay the rental fee."

"I don't want to rent it."

"Why?"

"I just don't. Do I need a reason? It's because I don't want to rent it."

"Are you really doing this to your only disciple?"

"If so?"

"I understand. I can't help it."

"I'm glad you finally understand. It means the conversation and persuasion were futile."

"It's a shame you only realize that now. Your comprehension has declined significantly compared to before."

Feeling that further conversation was useless, Bilu Yeon turned around and walked forward. After three steps, he stopped.

"Why do you stop?"

"To save Yerin, I absolutely need it, the Thunderbolt."

Bilu Yeon said without turning back.

"I still have no intention of lending it to you."

"Then…"

"Then? Are you going to try and take it by force?"

The old master scoffed.

"…"

Bilu Yeon offered no rebuttal. Instead, his silent back was his answer.

The old master's eyes widened. The aura emanating from his disciple's back was undeniably fierce fighting spirit.

"You fool! Are you crazy?"

Bilu Yeon turned around and replied.

"Perhaps."

His face was now completely expressionless, unlike before. He looked like someone devoid of all emotion. The disciple who had turned around now had a face he had never seen before.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course."

Bilu Yeon answered in a very dry voice.

"Why is your voice suddenly like that? Where did you sell your emotions?"

"I just threw them away."

Bilu Yeon replied in a detached voice.

"Why? Why would you throw away something useless? Are you trying to destroy the environment?"

The master said mockingly.

"Because it's dangerous."

Despite the master's mockery, Bilu Yeon remained expressionless.

"Why is it dangerous?"

"If I have something like that, I might go mad."

"You're already quite mad."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not mad enough yet. It's nothing compared to what I'm about to do."

A wry smile appeared on Bilu Yeon's lips.

"You didn't throw away your emotions, you threw away your reason!"

The old master exclaimed, raising his eyebrows.

"I only discarded the emotion of 'fear.' I am more rational than ever."

Bilu Yeon replied in a very serious tone. The old master let out a hollow laugh.

This guy is really gone, the old master was convinced. Does he think he has a chance? Or is he grasping at straws? It must mean he's in a serious predicament.

'What could have driven this disciple to this extent mentally?'

He must have acquired something precious in his absence. But the world isn't so easy that acquiring something to protect instantly makes you strong. That's what it means to be an adult.

"Hah, have you ever seen a madman admit he's mad? The fact that you're talking so seriously means you're not normal, you fool!"

Unable to hold back any longer, the old master exploded in anger.

"Did you think you could challenge me if you went mad, you damn disciple? Ridiculous! If you were going to challenge me, you should have attacked from the start!"

*Whoosh!*

As soon as he finished speaking, the old master's index finger moved like lightning, splitting Bilu Yeon precisely in half at the waist, along with space. It was a move made without a moment's hesitation.

*Swish!*

Bilu Yeon's body, cut in half at the waist, dispersed into the air like a mirage. Seeing this, the old master's eyes widened.

*Swoosh!*

Bilu Yeon's body reappeared behind the old master like an illusion. It was an unfathomable movement technique. But his opponent was none other than the old master.

*Flash!*

The old master, who had spun halfway around, unleashed his finger sword once more without hesitation.

"Did you think you could fool this old man's eyes with such a mere afterimage? You're too soft!!"

A thin, faint light beam extending from his index finger cut through Bilu Yeon's body like a sword.

*Chuuuuuuu!*

Bilu Yeon's body was once again precisely cut from shoulder to waist.

*Swish!*

Bilu Yeon's body dispersed into mist once more.

"No! No way!"

This time, the cut was also an illusion.

"I knew that wouldn't work!"

*Swoosh!*

Bilu Yeon's body reappeared to the master's left.

Phoenix Dance, Ultimate Technique

Triple Shadow, Secret Art

The Three Talents' Strike

Heaven, Earth, Man

This technique, unlike the traditional Triple Shadow that simply displayed three overlapping afterimages in a straight line, was the pinnacle of Phoenix Dance, creating illusory figures in the directions of Heaven, Earth, and Man in a triangular formation. Because the illusions and the real body intersected in three directions, it was almost impossible to distinguish which was which.

Finally, a vulnerability appeared in the old master's body.

"Opening!"

Bilu Yeon thrust his Hyuncheon Silver Scale with all his might towards the fleeting gap. He had prepared it, as it seemed difficult with bare hands.

*Clack!*

From the tip of the Hyuncheon Silver Scale, a blade sprang out.

*Sparkle!*

A white light burst from the spear, crackling with sparks. It was Spear Qi. Bilu Yeon was serious.

*Thwack!*

However, the attack was caught with ridiculous ease by the master's right hand. He had effortlessly caught a thrust filled with all his might. Yet, there was no change in his expression. Moreover, to catch Spear Qi, which could cut through iron like tofu, with bare hands? It was unbelievable. Even if he had mastered external body-strengthening techniques like Golden Bell Shield or Iron Cloak, one couldn't catch qi like 'Sword Qi' or 'Spear Qi' with bare hands. The skin and muscles would burn to charcoal. Yet, the old master's hand, holding the spear emitting Spear Qi, was unharmed.

"It's commendable that you've made me use both hands! But with this skill, can you hope to defeat me? Without the Thunderbolt? Of course, even with the Thunderbolt, you wouldn't stand a chance against me."

A smug smile spread across the master's lips.

"Impossible!"

Bilu Yeon finally exclaimed in shock. It was a clear mistake. Because he was supposed to be the one to surprise his opponent, not be surprised himself. There wasn't enough time to figure out why. In such rapid exchanges of dozens of moves in the blink of an eye, there was no time for leisurely riddle-solving.

Ignoring Bilu Yeon's frustration, the old master continued.

"The Triple Shadow Secret Art, Heaven, Earth, Man, that you just used, is the legendary ultimate technique of Phoenix Dance, which interweaves illusions and reality in a triangular formation, not a straight line. You've managed to master it that far."

It was a simple yet obvious statement: creating illusions in a pattern is more difficult than creating them in a straight line. This technique required much more superhuman ability.

"I'll praise you for showing me an opening. But with your current state, can you really keep exerting yourself like this? You haven't recovered from your internal injuries yet, have you?"

"How do you know that?"

"I know everything. Can I call myself a master if I can't even assess my disciple's condition?"

The master added one more thing.

"Give up."

In fact, Bilu Yeon's qi and blood were in disarray due to the rebound force transmitted through the sealed Hyuncheon Silver Scale. He felt like he was going to vomit a mouthful of blood at any moment. Even when he was in perfect condition, it was impossible to gauge the outcome of the fight, and now, with his internal organs in such a mess, there was no way he could win. But giving up was even less of an option.

*Crack!*

The Hyuncheon Silver Scale, held in the master's hand, unfurled. The shadow of the umbrella hid Bilu Yeon's body like the moon during a lunar eclipse.

"What kind of trivial trickery is this!"

As the master clenched his fist, the unfurled umbrella was forcibly folded. However, Bilu Yeon's figure was no longer behind it. Without the Thunderbolt, he had abandoned his only weapon. The master was "somewhat" surprised by this audacious attempt. He could feel his disciple's determination.

'Look at this guy!'

Bilu Yeon's disappeared body reappeared behind the old master. The Triple Shadow Ultimate Technique, Heaven, Earth, Man, had been deployed once more.

Bilu Yeon, who had once again managed to get behind the master, now held the umbrella handle of the Hyuncheon Silver Scale in his hand.

Sam Bok Gu Ta Bong Beop (Three Strikes to Beat the Dog Method)

Heaven and Earth are Indestructible, Every Single Part

*Pabababababat!*

The staff in Bilu Yeon's hand split into hundreds of branches, engulfing the sky and earth. If the master's hand could catch even Qi, he had no choice but to use attacks that couldn't be caught. Attacks that were ever-changing!

*Swaeswaeswaeswaeswaes!*

The master's body seemed to falter, then he walked leisurely through the rain of staff shadows, avoiding them.

Phoenix Dance Ultimate Technique

Walking in the Rain Without Getting Wet

It was an exquisite movement technique, like walking in a downpour without getting a single drop of rain on your clothes. In the past, Bilu Yeon had also used this movement technique to…

"Where did you learn to swing a stick that looks perfect for beating a dog?"

The master asked, moving freely through the falling staff shadows. The mockery in his voice indicated he was completely at ease.

"Don't you know? I learned it by watching people with the most talent for beating dogs."

Bilu Yeon said, not stopping his hand speed, but increasing it.

"Where is that?"

The master asked, without halting his footwork. While the speed of the staff increased, his footwork remained constant.

"The Beggars' Sect. Do you know of it?"

"No. It might have existed, or it might not have."

It was a moment of utter disrespect for the entire Beggars' Sect. However, Bilu Yeon was not surprised at all. If any sect managed to catch the eye of that stingy master, it would be strange.

The more relaxed the master was, the more anxious Bilu Yeon became. He hadn't even managed to brush past his master's clothes.

There is a saying in Buddhism:

"Brushing clothes is an affinity of three lives." It is a miracle in itself. And that is extremely true.

But for Bilu Yeon, who was experiencing that saying firsthand, its weight was unbearable. He still hadn't even touched his master's clothes.

He had always thought no one knew his master better than himself. Of course, that was true, but even so, there were many aspects he didn't know. He had even tried "Shadow Fights" secretly. He had fought in his mind, as if in a virtual reality. It was a kind of one-man sword debate. He had never slacked off mentally in preparing to fight his master. But not knowing the depths meant he hadn't fully grasped his true worth. Even if there were hidden aspects, he thought he had seen at least five-tenths. In other words, he had assumed that the abilities he knew were about seven-tenths of his master's strength. He had taken precautions and paid attention to him as a master. But how was it now, fighting again? As he attacked with the resolve to win, hidden aspects kept revealing themselves.

'I thought the unknown parts were about three-tenths, but was it only three-tenths that I knew?'

No matter how many layers he peeled off, like an infinite onion, there was no end in sight. Nothing was more frightening than the unknown. But to simply collapse in fear was to flee. Only by overcoming that fear could one progress to a higher level.

'What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?'

*Swoosh!*

The next moment, Bilu Yeon's body multiplied into three, overlapping in a straight line.

"Did you think ordinary Triple Shadow would work when even Heaven, Earth, Man didn't?"

Still with an air of leisure, the old master unleashed another finger technique without using the Thunderbolt. That meant that if he couldn't make him use the Thunderbolt, defeat was certain. Or he had to defeat him while he was holding back the Thunderbolt.

The thunder god's strike flashed from the tip of the old master's index finger, piercing through the three overlapping afterimages in a straight line like lightning. The hearts were accurately pierced in a straight line from the first to the third afterimage.

"Cough!"

Bilu Yeon bent over, clutching his chest in pain.

"Oops! Was my move too excessive?"

As he reflected his killing intent like a mirror, he seemed to have overreacted without realizing it. But it was too late.

*Swish!*

However, at that moment, Bilu Yeon's body, bent halfway over, dissolved into mist. Then, he appeared to the master's right. All three separated bodies were holding the black umbrella canopy of the Hyuncheon Silver Scale, which the old master had casually thrown aside. It was called Hyuneol.

Hyuncheon Silver Scale

Sam Wol Ya (Three Moon Night)

The three bodies simultaneously launched the Hyuneol.

*Chwararararak!*

As the black full moon left Bilu Yeon's hand, it filled the air with shadows of black moons. It was as if the sun was obscured and night had fallen.

Immediately after unfolding Sam Wol Ya, Bilu Yeon's body disappeared again, this time appearing to the master's left.

It was the position corresponding to 'Heaven' in the ultimate technique, Heaven, Earth, Man.

Phoenix Dance Ultimate Technique

Heaven, Earth, Man

Variation

Triple Heaven, Earth, Man

Bilu Yeon, thinking that he couldn't defeat the master with just Heaven, Earth, Man, combined Heaven, Earth, Man with Triple Shadow. The physical burden was naturally three times greater than the ordinary Heaven, Earth, Man.

The figure of Bilu Yeon that appeared at the 'Heaven' position was also separated into three afterimages, and all of them held the Hyuncheon Sword. There was only one sword technique that could be performed with this sword.

Heart Sword

Triple Muk Rae Sal

It was Muk Rae Sal unleashed simultaneously from three figures. The darkness and silver lightning mixed, filling the sky and earth. There seemed to be nowhere for the old master to escape. There was only one technique that could break this Heart Sword Muk Rae Sal.

"Haa, I have no choice."

The old master sighed with a hint of resignation. At the same time, his movements seemed to have completely stopped. However, it was merely the calm before the storm. The old master's lips twitched slightly.

"Wind God!"

There were no preliminary movements. There was no aura.

*Pawooooooong!*

With an enormous explosion, a storm raged. It was not a mere whirlwind, but a massive vortex of silver light, seemingly connecting heaven and earth.

*Kwakwakwakwak!*

At first, the single tornado split into two, then they began to coil around each other in a spiral, as if devouring each other.

Wind God

Ultimate Technique

Twin Dragon Vortex

*Kwaaaaaaaaang!*

The silver vortex wind swept away all the sword qi filling the space in an instant. What remained around it was only vacuum.

*Bang! Bang! Kwakwakwakwang!*

*Bang! Bang! Kwakwakwakwang!*

Two sounds echoed simultaneously. With a loud roar like the beating of heavenly drums, Bilu Yeon's body was sent flying backward and slammed directly into the wall. The wall vibrated, and spiderweb-like cracks completely covered it.

As the momentum of the giant twin vortexes gradually subsided and completely vanished, the old master's figure finally appeared. However, surprisingly, the old master was not one, but two. And both seemed to be real, not afterimages.

Phoenix Dance Ultimate Ultimate Technique

Twin Gods

This movement technique was far superior to the Triple Shadow Heaven, Earth, Man. Both were illusions and both were reality.

*Swish!*

The figures of the old master, which had appeared on both sides of Bilu Yeon, disappeared and converged into one.

"Oof, I almost twisted my ankle doing this for the first time in a while."

He said, patting his shoulder, his demeanor exuding ease. In contrast, Bilu Yeon, buried in the rubble of the wall, with not a single strand of hair visible, showed no reaction, dead or alive. Only white dust swirled around him like a mirage. The master's eyes, gazing at the pile of stones where his disciple had been buried alive, were calmly lowered.

"You foolish creature! Did you really think you could defeat me with these amateur techniques you learned from who knows where?"

There was no answer from the pile of stones, but the old master didn't care.

"I'll give you credit for making me use Wind God."

He hadn't intended to use the Thunderbolt, but he had no choice in the end. He had broken his own rule.

"But to be so helplessly defeated by Wind God. You foolish boy, judging by your state, you haven't reached the realm of Thunder God yet. Tsk tsk."

Still with no reaction, the old master said with a sneer.

"I know you're not dead yet. Come out."

Only then was there a reaction from the pile of stones.

"Cough! Cough!"

With a series of cracks, dozens of stones rolled out in various directions, and Bilu Yeon revealed himself. He looked surprisingly intact. However, he couldn't walk three steps before hastily bending over.

"Ugh!"

Bilu Yeon couldn't hold back and vomited blood. His condition was indeed not normal. Even if the master had gone easy on him, Wind God was Wind God. It was a miracle that he was alive after being hit.

"Ouch, I'm bleeding. How will you take responsibility?"

Bilu Yeon grumbled.

"So, did getting hit wake you up a little?"

"If getting hit made everyone wake up, then the world wouldn't need teachers, would it? Anyone with a stick could be an educator, so why bother with teachers? Right?"

"It's not like pampering you will make you wake up either. Don't you know the saying that to ruin someone, you just give them everything they want?"

"That's not something a violent master should say."

Towards the jeering disciple, the master's wrathful roar descended.

"You fool! You still don't realize why you were hit! Did you think you could surprise me with a novel martial art? Don't make me laugh! No matter how novel it is, if it lacks depth, you can never defeat me! Have you forgotten? The only martial art that can defeat a disciple of the Thunderbolt Sect is the martial art of the Thunderbolt Sect. You should have used the martial art of the Thunderbolt Sect to defeat me!"

If he hadn't added, "Of course, even then you wouldn't have won," it would have been much better. Bilu Yeon, unable to hold back, shouted. He had something to say about this.

"Damn it! Does it even make sense to perform the martial art of the Thunderbolt Sect without the Thunderbolt?"

"It doesn't make sense. But what does that have to do with me?"

The master said with feigned ignorance.

"Nothing to do with you?"

Bilu Yeon retorted incredulously.

"Of course! That's your problem to solve, not mine!"

Bilu Yeon, whose shamelessness was rumored to be as strong as reinforced steel fat, would have wept. He still had a long way to go to surpass his master's shamelessness. He was caught in a strange sense of defeat.

"Even without the Thunderbolt, if my condition were normal, I wouldn't have lost."

Bilu Yeon, who hated the feeling of always losing to his master, felt he had to say something.

"Pfft, what use are hypotheticals after the result is decided? Are you thinking of going back to the past? Or denying the present? If making excuses makes you feel better, then keep making excuses all you want. But what you really needed to do was at this very moment, wasn't it? What does the you of moments other than this one matter?"

"Crrk. Damn it!"

Because it was undeniably true, Bilu Yeon could offer no rebuttal. What was the point of all this if he couldn't obtain the Thunderbolt at this very moment? Would he come back after recuperating in a few days to try again? By then, it would already be too late.

"If you continue like this, you'll never even brush the hem of my robe in your lifetime."

Then, Bilu Yeon wiped the blood from his lips and blurted out.

"I did."

"Did what?"

"I brushed your robe."

The old master, startled, raised his arm and checked the cuff of his sleeve. His sleeve was already tattered.

"How is it? Really."

After looking at the torn sleeve for a moment, the old master slowly opened his mouth.

"…I quite liked this robe, and you ruined it… You've improved a little."

The master's heart was displeased when his disciple was too sluggish.

Bilu Yeon tidied his rumpled clothes and stood up. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and red blood stained it. However, wearing a black martial robe, it wasn't very noticeable. Moreover, it was even worse inside. Even in such a situation, his eyes shone with a brilliant golden hue.

"You haven't given up yet?"

His eyes shining golden meant he had not yet abandoned his will to fight.

"Given up? What is that? Did you ever teach me that?"

Bilu Yeon said with a smirk.

"Did I?"

"'Giving up is impossible. What is that? Does a dog eat it? There is no giving up in our Thunderbolt Sect! If you're going to give up, don't start at all!' You taught me that, didn't you? So, you must take responsibility for those words."

"Everything is an exception for this master. Didn't you know that?"

"I don't know such convenient theories. And I don't want to know. I still believe you will lend me the Thunderbolt."

"What is the basis for that absurd belief? I'm suddenly curious."

"Because if you don't, I won't be able to receive the prize money of 300,000 nyang."

"What?"

*Thump!*

Suddenly, Bilu Yeon knelt down and shouted.

"Master!"

The old master's eyes widened with disbelief.

"Wh-what is it, you brat? What kind of conspiracy is this?"

"It's not a conspiracy."

"Then you've gone mad. Or become an idiot. Why don't you see a doctor? I can introduce you to a good one."

For him, who was so stiff-kneed, to call him 'nim' again, which he never used before, it was enough to worry that today's sun would be the last and the sun wouldn't rise from tomorrow.

"Whether I'm crazy or not, none of that matters right now!"

Bilu Yeon shouted in a clear voice. Despite kneeling, his posture was more imposing. His amber eyes, revealed through his slightly cut bangs, blazed like gold.

"Oh my, you startled me. My heart almost dropped."

The master, encountering such a sudden reaction from his disciple for the first time, felt a flicker of curiosity. What could have driven this kid to this extent? This kid who always responded with cynicism to most things, but would never compromise his pride.

"Then what is important? You tell me."

Then, Bilu Yeon said in a serious voice.

"There is someone I must save."

"And then?"

"A woman."

"And then?"

"Her… I will…"

At that moment, the old master's movements froze. His thoughts seemed to have stopped. It was only after an eternity that the old master's body, stiff as a statue, began to move.

"Hmm… I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

It seemed to be for his own mental well-being.

"You can call me an idiot. Because for her, I can be an idiot."

"Is that so? Idiot."

Then, a blue vein popped on Bilu Yeon's forehead.

"It's not like you have to call me an idiot."

"What's so complicated about it, you idiot disciple?"

*Pop.*

"An.y.way! What I need right now is just one genuine Thunderbolt. Nothing else matters at this moment. I'll handle the rest."

"Hmm… You know, as an idiot disciple, you also know that it's a weapon with an unbelievably strong killing intent. You can't save someone with something like that. It's an object meant to kill people thoroughly, not save them."

It was the so-called established theory. But such theories held no value for Bilu Yeon.

"I need a weapon to fight. Because to save something precious, I must fight first. And I have absolutely no intention of evading this fight. Please, Master. She is precious to me."

At those words, the old master burst into hearty laughter.

"My, my! A precious person… You could do that too?"

It seemed his disciple had acquired a peculiar talent after venturing into the Jianghu.

"I'm a much more proper human than you, Master."

"Are you on medication?"

"No."

After a moment of silence, the master asked again.

"She's a woman, right?"

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

"No, everyone has different tastes. You even cross-dressed recently, so I wondered if you had interests in that direction."

"You were the one who made me cross-dress to earn money, Master. Don't blame my tastes now!"

What happened then was merely an act of a pitiful child laborer who was forced to do it under coercion. But the master, the culprit, feigned ignorance and asked again.

"Is she beautiful?"

"Extremely beautiful."

"Hmm, beauty is indeed a precious treasure. It's a shame for such beauty to be defiled. No matter the circumstances."

Seeing that he was slightly moved, Bilu Yeon seized the opportunity and said.

"I guarantee that there is no beauty that can compare to her."

Bilu Yeon's answer was without hesitation.

"Hmm… You're not only on medication, you're blind too. To say such flattering things without batting an eye."

"The symptoms are quite severe," the old master muttered.

"Master!!"

Bilu Yeon exclaimed "Master!!" once again.

"Why, I'm not used to being called 'Master.' You seem like a different person, my idiot disciple."

"Master…"

Bilu Yeon called out to the old man as usual. His voice was subtly agitated. Then, the old master said with a benevolent smile.

"Add 'nim'!"

His voice was as sharp and resolute as a blade.

"The story is different!"

His actions and words were completely different.

"One last thing. What do you mean by not being able to receive 300,000 nyang?"

"The sponsor who has to give the prize money is an accomplice."

"What!"

"Besides, he ran off without giving me the prize money."

Then the old master shouted angrily.

"You should have told me something like that earlier!"

Geum Jeok Sin Don Wang was the owner of the Won T'ong Stadium and the organizer of the tournament. All prize money came from his pocket. But he had disappeared with all his hidden fortune, so if he wasn't found, it was the end. For the old master, it meant losing the opportunity to gain immense profit. Of course, it was the same for Bilu Yeon, who was forced to pay the rental fee for the Thunderbolt.

"Here!"

The master presented the Bong Roe Ham he was carrying.

"No, what is this?!"

Bilu Yeon was surprised when he opened the Bong Roe Ham, the dedicated storage for the Thunderbolt.

"Why?"

"There's only half of it!"

"There's half of it! You should have a more positive outlook."

"Do you think this is a water glass? Why is there only half? You couldn't have traded it for something else, could you?"

The answer was simple.

"Not the whole thing. You might run off with it."

Bilu Yeon was speechless.

"Can't you trust your disciple?"

Then the old master looked around. The meaning of his actions was clear. He looked around as if checking if there were any other disciples here.

"Huh? A trustworthy disciple? Where? Are you by any chance referring to yourself?"

The master was not so senile as to trust him readily. The bright eyes beneath his white eyebrows seemed to say so.

"I give up."

Bilu Yeon realized it was a waste of time to talk further. One should talk to someone who can understand.

"Isn't that enough? Or would you like me to reduce it to two?"

Then, Bilu Yeon slammed the lid of the Bong Roe Ham shut, stood up, and shouted.

"I'll use it and return it, Master!"

And then he turned his back and dashed away.

Looking at his disciple, who had quickly become a black dot, the old master let out a hollow laugh.

"I'm so dumbfounded that I don't even feel like chasing after him. Well, I'll watch a little longer? To see my disciple's performance?"

It seemed like it would be a satisfactory amusement. He still had wine left in the bottle, so he had plenty to do.

"Still, I wonder if he'll be alright in such a state of mind. Well, it's none of my business, though."

He was indeed an incredibly indifferent master.