The Purification Art is more useful than I expected.

Compared to the shaman I met at Wannong before, the skill level was considerably lower, but it was more than adequate as first aid in an emergency.

Thanks to it, the patient recovered enough to maintain consciousness and speak.

“Urgh…”

“You shouldn’t force yourself to walk. As soon as daylight breaks, I’ll take you to a nearby clinic.”

“Thank you.”

The martial artist nodded and lay back down.

His condition was stable enough that I just needed to get him to a local medical facility, and they would help from there.

“This humble man is Young Choo-sam from the Azure Sword Sect. I heard about the discovery of a secret manual and was on my way to investigate when I ran into the unorthodox faction’s Blood Demon Sword. We got into an altercation, and I was struck down.”

Hmm. I don’t know either of them. I’ve never heard these names in the martial arts world, and they’ve never appeared in any novels either, which suggests they’re just extras with little significance…

“Why didn’t you stop the bleeding? If you had sealed the pressure points…”

“Well… it was difficult to locate the exact pressure points…”

Seeing his embarrassed response, Jin Cheonhee was filled with doubt.

Even in smaller martial arts sects, don’t they learn basic pressure point locations?

He secretly sent a voice transmission to Cheon Woo, who replied:

[Memorizing pressure points is harder than you think. And I hate to say this, but… about half of the martial world is illiterate.]

Illiterate.

That much I knew roughly.

In South Korea where Jin Cheonhee came from, the illiteracy rate was originally low, but even in modern times, many countries have high illiteracy rates.

This place? No need to mention it.

This was exactly why he put many illustrations in the family medicine books he distributed.

Well, fifty percent means they’re still somewhat better educated than the average commoner.

From what Jin Cheonhee had experienced, it seemed like about 80% of people were illiterate.

That was just in small to medium-sized cities. In rural mountainous areas, the rate would be even higher.

But another question arose.

[Then how do they learn martial arts in the first place?]

[They can train at places that teach through oral transmission. Usually, martial arts instructors teach that way.]

Oral transmission meant explaining verbally.

Hmm… I see.

He had prided himself on knowing quite a bit about how this world worked by now.

But that wasn’t true.

Come to think of it, though he had shared martial knowledge with many warriors at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, he had never deeply reflected on their lives.

He had only been overwhelmed by the flood of patients and how to treat them.

When you think about it, it makes sense. Most martial artists aren’t from prestigious families—they’re just people born with martial aptitude who stumbled into martial arts training at some academy.

Of course, it’s the Nine Great Sects and Eight Great Clans that move the martial world.

But those who fill the Murim are mostly these kinds of people.

It made him acutely aware of how far he still had to go.

So that’s why Master insisted on hiring martial artists who could explain things well when creating the martial arts city.

It was advice his master had given when building the martial arts city.

“Hee-ya, even if their martial prowess is somewhat lacking, you absolutely need one or two martial artists who can explain things well.”

At the time, he had vaguely thought, “It’s to accommodate martial artists who can’t read.”

But half of the martial world being illiterate! At that level, instructors who could explain things verbally were absolutely essential.

“Um, White-Robed Divine Dragon…”

“Yes?”

The martial artist hesitated before asking:

“Is there perhaps… any food available?”

This one wants food too?

However, he couldn’t allow it.

“I understand you’re hungry, but it would be better not to eat today. Instead, I have an emergency medicinal pill that I made for situations like this…”

“No, no, no! I’m grateful enough that you saved my life. Thank you so much!”

***

As soon as daylight broke, Jin Cheonhee moved the patient to the nearest village.

Fortunately, there was a White Dragon Medical Pavilion branch there.

The physicians at the branch all came out to see Jin Cheonhee as if they were meeting a celebrity.

“Your treatment is impeccable. As expected of Minor Pavilion Master!”

“But to achieve this level with just first aid…”

“I learned some shamanic techniques from outside the central plains and applied them.”

“Ohhh!”

All the physicians’ eyes lit up. One might expect them to be wary of outside shamanic techniques, but they were the kind of people who didn’t discriminate against anything that could save lives.

That’s right, if I could learn more and save patients…

Somehow, he understood that feeling.

“Can we learn that during training at the main headquarters later?”

“Since it’s selective… the chances are probably low.”

“Then…”

“Even so, we plan to send at least one person from each branch for training. That is… if we can secure enough personnel.”

Physicians were always in short supply.

Especially in the martial world, physicians trained in martial arts were even scarcer.

To treat martial artists, learning martial arts was essential, but simultaneously studying medicine meant talented individuals were rare.

But we can’t recruit carelessly either. Good character is also essential.

Whether on Earth or in the martial world, being a physician was a profession where one could easily burn out.

I hope Sama Hye grows well.

He had been receiving reports in between his work, and he heard she was approaching her duties with great enthusiasm.

Her own body required lifelong management, and having thought about death at such a young age due to severe illness gave her a motivating experience.

The saying that hardship brings blessing might sometimes seem like empty words from adults.

But what was shaping her now was Sama Hye herself.

If young physicians like Sama Hye gathered in the system Jin Cheonhee had created, perhaps something greater would emerge.

Even if I were to disappear, medicine could continue at this level.

Cheon Woo would probably get angry if he heard this.

But as a sword cultivator who fought with a blade, Jin Cheonhee had always considered worst-case scenarios.

He would do his best to survive and continue moving forward with what he wanted to accomplish.

But an unlucky day might come eventually.

That’s what life is, isn’t it?

Even the strongest martial artist could return as nothing but a pool of blood one day, and it wouldn’t be surprising.

“With the news of the Eight Great Divine Arts appearing in the martial world, even the branch physicians are anxious.”

That was natural.

Forces targeting the Eight Great Divine Arts would inevitably result in bloody battles. Eventually, the White Dragon Medical Pavilion also decided to send support this time.

“Minor Pavilion Master, please return safely.”

“Without any injuries this time, Minor Pavilion Master.”

“You mustn’t get hurt. If it seems dangerous, just come back.”

“That’s right. No one will blame you.”

Everyone expressed concern for Jin Cheonhee in unison. Jin Cheonhee smiled faintly and replied:

“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful and return safely.”

The oldest senior physician spoke up.

“This might be presumptuous advice, but… Minor Pavilion Master, you are not alone. Please remember that you have many people who depend on you.”

Jin Cheonhee nodded heavily.

***

At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief[1] of the Unorthodox Alliance was examining a map.

Sa-noe[2] of Mount Bukgung.

She, the Commander-in-Chief of the Unorthodox Alliance, was known as Sa-noe.

It meant “Evil Brain,” a title she carried.

Born to the exterminated Bukgung clan, she had risen to her position through intellect alone.

As a strategist of the unorthodox faction, she was known for her cruel and cunning methods.

It was no surprise that she earned the title “Evil Brain.”

In the field tent, she had been studying the map for quite some time.

The map of the central plains was dotted with numerous pieces, scattered like seeds.

The Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult remains quiet, but the Six Demonic Families beneath are moving with greed. The hypocrites of the Martial Righteous Alliance will, as always, quietly sow seeds of discord from behind. Kukukuk…

Tap-

She rearranged the pieces. She placed the pieces representing each sect at locations where she guessed they had moved.

As expected, they’re heading toward the White Dragon Medical Pavilion. If we can capture this young White-Robed Divine Dragon… we’d certainly have a winning hand in this gamble. Hmm…

She tapped the table repeatedly for some time before sinking back into thought.

But then we’d make eternal enemies of the White Dragon Medical Pavilion. Is the Conquering Heaven Peerless Divine Arts worth that much?

No.

Her brain told her it wasn’t worth it. But a strategist was merely an advisor, not a king.

Yet the Unorthodox Alliance says to find a way no matter what blood is spilled…

It was still unreasonable.

But wasn’t a strategist someone who somehow devised methods even for such unreasonable and foolish demands?

Fine. If that’s what they want, I’ll do as ordered, and if it all goes to hell, I’ll run.

Just like a salaryman who processes tasks simply because the chairman ordered it, even knowing the company might be doomed.

Well then. The only method is to kidnap the White-Robed Divine Dragon.

In the martial world without electronic devices or internet,

She had not yet received information that Jin Cheonhee had reached the Transformation Realm.

***

After riding for a while,

The sun had set. Fortunately, a small town was visible in the distance.

“Should we rest there?”

“Yes. I’m done with camping out.”

Romantic notions only last a day or two; now he wanted to sleep in a warm bed without dew falling on him.

Woof!

“Right, Hwanggu, you want to sleep somewhere warm too?”

Noe-jin had already fallen asleep on top of his head long ago.

Finding a decent inn, they went inside, but the attendant waved his hands.

“Sorry, we’re full.”

Looking inside, the inn was already packed with martial artists.

They went around several more inns before finally finding a vacant spot and entering.

So these are all martial artists after the secret manual. No wonder they call it a blood storm.

Things that were just single lines in novels felt so different when experienced firsthand.

The smell of blood wafted through the scent of alcohol.

Some martial artists must have been in bloody battles before coming to the inn.

Even washing a sword in the river doesn’t completely remove human blood and fat.

But that too was the law of this world.

Jin Cheonhee pretended not to notice, ordered a few of the inn’s signature dishes, and slowly sipped his tea while waiting for the meal to be prepared.

Around him, martial artists who had already recognized Jin Cheonhee were whispering.

‘That’s the White-Robed Divine Dragon, right? The big dog, the hawk, and even the medicine chest on his back. It’s definitely him.’

‘More than that, look at his face. Just as rumored, he’s exceptionally handsome. They say all the famous female martial artists are after him. That’s no exaggeration.’

‘Even the sword cultivators from Putuo Temple are after him?’

‘With looks like that, they might even break their vows. And I heard that demonic cult leaders are also after him.’

Jin Cheonhee blushed and pretended not to hear as he sipped his tea, wondering what kind of rumors were circulating.