“Don’t tell me you’re going to settle this in the Murim fashion?”

“That’s right. I don’t expect them to defeat me. I’ll grant them a three-move handicap. If they can so much as tear the hem of my robe, I will permit them to become your human shield wall.”

A human… shield wall. In modern terms, it meant a meat shield. It was an arrogant proclamation. And it put Jin Cheon-hee in a difficult position.

Is he saying that to test their qualifications to become my brother, the Heavenly Demon himself is going to take up his sword and try to crack their skulls? What is this, a vehicle durability test? ‘Let’s see if they survive the crash?’ Is that it?!

The words themselves sounded cool, admittedly. They had that unique Murim flair. But Jin Cheon-hee, the doctor, couldn’t help but worry about the cleanup afterward.

“Let’s just not do the sworn brother thing, Ha-ryoon-ah.”

“Hyung, no. Those bastards wouldn’t have proposed it with such a shallow resolve. And if by chance they did, they must pay for that sin with their lives.”

Yeo Ha-ryoon’s eyes glinted bleakly. The distinctive red glow of the Star of Heavenly Slaughter even began to shine fiercely. “Let’s see just what they’re made of.”

Watching this unfold, Jin Cheon-hee’s mind drifted off into space. The kids won’t accept the offer, right? I really hope they don’t. But if they do… I hope the dueling spot is somewhere close to the White Qilin Medical Pavilion. No, you know what? Just do it inside the White Qilin Medical Pavilion.

He figured they were sensible kids, so they’d probably decline.

Ugh, even if it’s the ‘Murim way,’ they’ve got brains. Why would they accept that? They won’t.

Thinking that, he felt a little lighter.

***

Time passed. Jin Cheon-hee monitored Yeo Ha-ryoon’s condition and, in his spare time, treated patients at the Demonic Cult branch. Bloodborne Elder Eccentric spent a delightful time with Jin Cheon-hee, exchanging medical knowledge.

“So, the herbs used in jiangshi-taming arts are also helpful for anesthesia?”

“If you use them right, you can induce a state of suspended animation in a patient for a long time. It slows the metabolism, too. Of course, the old or weak might just die from it.”

“Hoh. What about patients whose bodies have been deformed by demonic arts?”

“That would depend on the demonic art. I classify them broadly into four types: Hardening, Hypertrophic, Malleable, and Atypical.”

Surprisingly, they got along great.

While he was at it, he learned some hidden weapon techniques from Bloodborne Elder Eccentric and, in turn, shared some of the knowledge he possessed.

“So, that’s how you’d deal with a jiangshi. An interesting method. But did you ever consider that now that I know your counter, I, this grandmaster, can just devise a counter to your counter?”

Jin Cheon-hee smiled at her words. “Even if you did, I trust you’re not the type to go telling other Taoist priests about it.”

“Hahaha! Now that you’ve said that, I can’t possibly tell anyone. I see now why White Qilin is so hopelessly devoted to you.” She tossed her light brown hair back and laughed heartily. In front of Jin Cheon-hee, Bloodborne Elder Eccentric always changed her form into that of a young woman about his age. It was a thoughtful choice, made out of concern that he might be frightened of her true appearance.

But from Jin Cheon-hee’s perspective, it didn’t matter what she looked like; she was just a fellow eccentric and a research colleague.

Bloodborne Elder Eccentric was finding it increasingly difficult to not grow fond of him.

“Oh, by the way. I recently created a jiangshi whose body hardens like a withered tree.”

Ancient Wood Blood Demon. Jin Cheon-hee understood immediately.

“I see.”

“I made a bet with that whelp. I told him that if he won, he would receive even greater power, but if he lost, he would become my jiangshi and be worked to death even after he died. He must have wanted to beat you, because he took the bet, and now he’s a jiangshi.”

Jin Cheon-hee didn’t reply, simply nodding his head.

“I’m telling you this in advance in case you’re shocked when you see him. Don’t pay it much mind. That whelp’s own greed led him to ruin.”

“Understood.”

Jin Cheon-hee offered a silent prayer for Ancient Wood Blood Demon’s soul. The bet Bloodborne Elder Eccentric proposed could not possibly have been an easy one. Even a five-year-old on the street would know that. Yet, humans are blinded by the desire for greater power.

This has turned into an indirect assassination.

If he had just trained honestly and challenged Jin Cheon-hee, he would have been defeated, and it would have ended with his danjeon being destroyed and his limbs’ meridians being mangled. But now, he would be Bloodborne Elder Eccentric’s servant for eternity, never even finding rest in death.

This, too, was the way of the Murim.

Jin Cheon-hee decided not to think too deeply about it.

***

The day of his departure arrived.

Jin Cheon-hee performed a final check on Yeo Ha-ryoon’s hand. “This looks good enough to start physical therapy.” He had taught Yeo Ha-ryoon some light physical therapy exercises. Yeo Ha-ryoon just smiled faintly, used Void-Grasping Art to call his distant sword to his hand, and gripped it.

Tak—

“This is my training, Hyung.”

“Still, do the exercises consistently.”

“Got it.”

“It’s healed so well that I doubt there will be any problems, but still.”

Yeo Ha-ryoon nodded at Jin Cheon-hee.

“Oh, and I taught the Heavenly Thunder Hawk the location of the Demonic Cult branch. If you want to send me a letter, just give it to any of the three birds, and they’ll deliver it straight to me.”

“…How did you manage that?”

“They learned pretty quickly once I bribed them with food.”

Am I raising spiritual beasts, or am I raising pigs?

Sure enough, when he was reunited with Hwang-gu, Noe-jin, Cheon-jin, and Nan-man, they were all plump and well-fed.

Woof-woof! Ppiyak! Ppi-ppik!

The four of them rushed at him at once. Even without using his Dharma Treasure, he could tell what they were saying. After the emotional reunion, Jin Cheon-hee shouldered his pack. Just as he had arrived, he was leaving.

“Hyung.”

“Hm…?”

Yeo Ha-ryoon waved at him. “Stay healthy. If you don’t, I’ll have to pay with my other fingers next time.”

“Ahahaha.”

Jin Cheon-hee broke out in a cold sweat at the heartfelt threat. Outside, his Master was waiting for him, his face veiled.

“Black hair suits you, Master.”

At Jin Cheon-hee’s words, his Master’s eyes narrowed slightly. “It can’t be helped. Many troublesome things happen when I go out. But looking at your entourage, it seems like troublesome things are bound to happen to you regardless.”

One dog as big as a pig… no, a wolf. Three giant birds. Even if they used a Muscle-Shrinking Art-like technique to shrink themselves, having so many animals following him would inevitably draw attention.

His Master led Jin Cheon-hee out of the inn. He tossed a few coins to the attendant, who brought them two horses he had left in their care. Two magnificent steeds.

“One of them looks familiar.”

“The Namgung Clan’s Reigning Dark Horse. And this is its foal. It’s grown into a fine steed.”

“Did you borrow them from the Namgung Clan?”

“…Yes. Thankfully, when I said I was going to find my disciple, the Patriarch graciously lent them to me.”

He was certain it hadn’t been a “normal” loan, but Jin Cheon-hee played dumb and mounted the horse.

“This will be a comfortable ride back.”

“Indeed.”

Jin Cheon-hee patted the horse’s neck. He was finally on his way home.

On the long ride, Jin Cheon-hee received an earful from his Master about all the reckless things he had done, to the point where his ears felt like they were bleeding.

“My Hee is truly fortunate. I should have been boasting about your luck, not your medical skills. This master of yours didn’t realize it.”

The hidden meaning was: You should have been dead long ago, but you survived by sheer dumb luck.

“It was a good thing I was able to track you so well. What would have happened if I had gone to the wrong place? No, isn’t that, too, a matter of luck? Truly, my disciple is fortunate.”

The hidden meaning was: You should be praising your Master for having the skill to find you.

Jin Cheon-hee’s ears were bleeding, but he did his best to appease his Master.

“The only reason I survived was thanks to Master’s teachings. I’m so glad you were close by. Right, Hwang-gu?”

Woof, woof! —Judging by the hand signal… ah! You want me to do a backflip! Got it!

Hwang-gu, in the middle of a full run, did a backflip.

Jin Cheon-hee clapped frantically. “Wow, Hwang-gu says Master is the best!”

“You’re resorting to cheap tricks again, Hee-ya.”

This time, he had literally made a “dog” (gae) do a “trick” (sujak), so it was indeed a gaesujak (means cheap trick or dog trick).

Even for a master, witnessing his disciple’s desperate attempt couldn’t help but ease his anger. Zhuge Rin sighed, “It’s a miracle to have one great fortuitous encounter in a lifetime, but to have several… What am I supposed to do with you…?”

The nagging finally subsided.

Jin Cheon-hee finally spoke, “Hehehe, I believe it would be beneficial for you to learn the Dual Principles Cultivation Art, Master. Even if you don’t use it for medicine, simply being able to circulate two lines of thought is good for your health. Oh, and I’ve even made some modifications to make it compatible with the Five-Elemental Divine Art.”

“The Wudang Sect isn’t likely to be pleased about that.”

Jin Cheon-hee nodded. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”

“Hahaha! I’ve said it before, but you’re really not like a people of Murim. At times, you seem less like a warrior and more like a scholar or a transcendent being.”

Zhuge Rin said only that, then fell into thought.

“You are an eccentric who exists outside the laws of the Murim, but you are undoubtedly a good person. And yet, you are not the type to be picky about the ways and means to achieve that good. I… do not dislike that about you.”

“…”

His Master, lost in thought, then said, “Alright. Let’s try it.”

Jin Cheon-hee instructed Hwang-gu and Noe-jin to find a secluded cave, far from any human presence. He then commanded all the spiritual beasts to retreat. His Master’s expression remained unchanged, but Jin Cheon-hee sensed a hint of amusement, akin to a child about to play a prank. Seated in a meditative posture, his Master began to circulate his internal energy, following the incantations Jin Cheon-hee recited. As the final incantation was spoken, Jin Cheon-hee noticed a slight twitch in his Master’s brow.

A flash of enlightenment.

Woooong—

A wave of qi surged forth from his Master, causing his hair and robes to billow dramatically. Simultaneously, a ‘Five-Colored Cloud Mist’ rose in tandem with the pulse of his qi.

Has he broken through the wall of enlightenment?

Jin Cheon-hee immediately stood guard. The moment a warrior breaks through a wall of enlightenment, they’re most vulnerable. He wasn’t sure how long had passed, but it was two shichen later that Zhuge Rin opened his eyes.

I guess a complete ‘Metamorphosis’ was too much to ask for.

There was still some lingering disappointment. However, his Master’s eyes shone with a profound light he had never seen before.

“My Hee, you are a true blessing.”

“Master, did you achieve a great advancement?”

“Hahaha, not quite a ‘great’ advancement. If so, I would have shattered the wall and reached the legendary Profound Realm. But… it does feel as though that wall has crumbled quite a bit. I feel I’ve reached the very edge of the Transformation Realm.”

That meant it truly wouldn’t be long before he reached the Profound Realm.

Jin Cheon-hee clenched his fists in joy. “That’s incredible! At this rate, you’ll become the strongest under heaven, won’t you?”

“It’s not that much. Even if I am at the extreme heights of the Transformation Realm, there are still at least three others in the Murim who are stronger than I.”