Chapter 64. This Child Is

"Did you hear that? The young master beheaded the leader of Hwayang Clan."

Rumors spread swiftly. Jecheon Kang’s triumphant return was the talk of the town, with those who had participated in the battle boasting about it proudly. Thus, the young master became the hottest topic.

"

Hmph.

At the end of the day, he’s a mere orphan. He’ll be discarded soon.”

"What did you just say, Punk?"

"Do you think a lowborn like him stands a chance against the Wiji family?”

Among the three great families of the Divine Sect, the Wiji family stood tall. It was no secret that Wiji Chun-Ho, the eldest son, coveted the position of the young master. Compared to him, Jecheon Kang was merely an orphan who happened to be accepted as a disciple because he caught the religious leader’s eye.

Furthermore, the religious leader had dozens of disciples, and Wiji Chun-Ho was one of them. Aside from their common background, the only distinction was their family background.

"You better watch your mouth, you bastard!"

"Watch your own mouth. How do you expect to survive when you’re so blind?”

Clang—!

A cup was thrown at the mocking person, turning the inn into a battleground. The fight that started at one table soon spread across the entire floor, leaving only the innkeeper hiding in a corner, trembling.

Meanwhile, at that moment, Jecheon Kang returned to his residence, where a child awaited him.

"You’re back."

The child had thin wrists and pale skin that had never seen sunlight. Though his features were masculine, resembling Jecheon Kang, he couldn’t hide his frail impression.

He was Jecheon Seong, who was three years younger than Jecheon Kang. Due to his frail health, he’d always been bedridden.

"The rumors of your extraordinary achievements have reached here...

Ah...

”

Despite Jecheon Seong’s warm greeting, Jecheon Kang merely passed by him. The latter looked displeased for some reason. Jecheon Seong seemed dejected.

Thanks to his natural wit and the environment of the Divine Sect, Jecheon Seong’s intelligence surpassed that of most adults. Regardless, he couldn’t hide his sadness. He was only an eleven-year-old child, after all.

Kim Do-Joon’s gaze sharpened as he watched the entire scene, especially at the sight of Jecheon Seong.

Does this child suffer from the same condition as So-Eun?

If his guess was correct, Jecheon Seong must be the one Jecheon Kang spoke of with such regret. His attention naturally focused on Jecheon Seong.

Jecheon Kang walked past, followed by his subordinate, who nodded politely to Jecheon Seong.

"Thank you for always helping my brother, Sir Chul."

Jecheon Seong, who had been upset by his brother’s neglect, smiled and spoke to the subordinate.

"I’m just doing my duty."

The subordinate, Chul Mu-Ryong, replied curtly and followed Jecheon Kang inside.

Jecheon Seong, left alone at the entrance, kicked at some stones before heading to his room.

At that moment, Jecheon Kang was practicing controlling his internal energy in the underground training hall. As the heat enveloping his body subsided, his red eyes gradually returned to normal. Despite being only fourteen, he had a build comparable to an adult. Moreover, he had reached a level where he could defeat Yang Dae-Ryong, the Hwayang Divine Sword, in one fell swoop.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

His remarkable achievements were largely due to his mastery of the demonic arts. The Scarlet Blood Demon Art, like other demonic arts, allowed for rapid early progress.

However, he had to bear the burden that came with it.

“Ha...”

That did not matter though. From the moment he first met the religious leader and received the Asura Technique, he had been prepared for it.

After some time had passed, Jecheon Kang, who had been meditating endlessly, was interrupted by Chul Mu-Ryong entering from the entrance of the training hall.

"Master."

"What is it?"

Annoyed by the interruption, Jecheon Kang spoke curtly. Despite his tone, Chul Mu-Ryong remained unperturbed.

"The Demon Healer has arrived."

***

"Ah, it's been a while, Young Master. I heard you took down the leader of the Hwayang Clan with just one strike?"

The visitor was an old man with grotesquely twisted hands. His grinning face had an unsettling effect on anyone who saw it. Despite his top-notch medical skills, he was widely avoided due to his bizarre appearance and even more twisted personality.

Jecheon Kang didn’t hide his displeasure either.

"Did you come here just to spout nonsense?"

"Oh no, oh no. Our young master is still as impatient as ever," the Demon Healer replied.

Jecheon Kang glared at him, signaling him to get to the point. The old man, known as the Demon Healer, leisurely fiddled with his sleeve. He seemed to deliberately take his time just to irritate him.

"Now, where did I put it...

Ah!

Here it is," the Demon Healer muttered.

Finally, he pulled out a small wooden box, which Jecheon Kang received. Even without opening it, he could feel the intense heat emanating from within. Inside, he found a pure red jade pill.

"What is this?" Jecheon Kang asked, frowning.

"It's the inner elixir of the Millennium Dragon.”

The Millennium Red Dragon was a colossal, mystical creature with red scales. Its inner elixir was imbued with extreme yang energy. Though not as potent as the elixir of the Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon, it was still considered a rare and ancient medicine.

For the Demon Healer to give him such a precious elixir at this time, Jecheon Kang knew what it was about.

"...The pressure from the Wiji family must be intense," Jecheon Kang said in a low voice.

Then, the Demon Healer chuckled.

"What are you talking about? I'm just a doctor. I merely offered medicine for your brother, who suffers from an Absolute Meridian condition. This alone won’t cure him, but it should show some improvement."

Observing this, Kim Do-Joon unconsciously clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palm. If not for his Invincible Body, his hand would’ve bled.

Can an elixir with yang energy really be effective?

This information was more crucial than anything he’d learned so far. His ears perked up, intent on catching every word.

"Come to think of it, the martial art you've been practicing is also based on extreme yang energy. Quite a coincidence," Demon Healer remarked slyly, his eyes narrowing mischievously.

“..."

"Well, I must be off. I'll be watching with great interest to see who leads the sect in twenty years – you or that Wiji brat.

Heh

."

With a click sound from the door knob, Demon Healer exited, leaving Jecheon Kang and Chul Mu-Ryong alone in the room.

Jecheon Kang silently stared at the wooden box for a while, then he spoke up.

"Stand guard," he ordered Chul Mu-Ryong without a hint of hesitation.

"Yes sir," Chul Mu-Ryong responded without any objection.

To him, questioning his lord’s orders was unthinkable. Then, Jecheon Kang promptly swallowed the Millennium Dragon’s inner elixir.

Soon, he felt a searing heat as if his blood was boiling. Despite the agony, he didn’t utter a single word. Calmly, he regulated the elixir's energy, ensuring not even a speck of its power was wasted.

Fortunately, the Scarlet Blood Demon Art he practiced had an advantage in such situations. It minimized the loss of internal energy when dealing with yang-based elixirs.

Approximately four hours later, Jecheon Kang's eyes snapped open. They gleamed with a fierceness, naturally emanating with red energy, which he had to consciously suppress.

"

Ha...

"

Jecheon Kang concluded his energy circulation with a deep breath. Chul Mu-Ryong had stood guard without moving for the entire four hours.

Suddenly, Jecheon Kang asked him, "Do you think I'm heartless?"

"No," came the immediate reply. "I am merely my lord’s sword. A sword does not think."

It was an answer as steadfast as his appearance. Hearing his response, Jecheon Kang grinned fiercely.

***

After experiencing the benefits of working with the Demon Healer, Jecheon Kang continued to maintain a close relationship with him. He’d regularly receive yang-infused elixirs. Although none were as potent as the Millennium Dragon's elixir, Jecheon Kang's internal power increased at an alarming rate.

The Wiji family tried to pressure the Demon Healer with threats and complaints, but to no avail. The Demon Healer was not one to be intimidated easily. He also had the perfect excuse—he was prescribing medicine for Jecheon Kang's brother, Jecheon Seong, who suffered from Absolute Meridian.

It was a flimsy cover, as anyone could see that the rapidly strengthening Jecheon Kang was the true beneficiary of the elixirs.

"Isn't he a bit too much? Those elixirs could actually help his brother get better," one person remarked.

"Don't be foolish! Do you think Absolute Meridian is something that can be cured with a few elixirs? The Young Master's judgment is correct," another retorted.

"But his brother is...”

"He has no choice. The weak will be weeded out."

Their actions sparked considerable controversy, and opinions were divided. In this sect, where only strength was respected, many supported Jecheon Kang's decisions.

Then, one day, the Demon Healer handed Jecheon Kang another elixir.

"Here, a pill made from the White Flower Herb."

"Not bad," Jecheon Kang replied.

"Brother?"

Jecheon Seong had seen the exchange. His face turned pale. Despite hearing the rumors about his brother and the Demon Healer, he’d chosen to ignore them. However, witnessing the exchange firsthand was far more shocking.

"I'll get going," the Demon Healer said, smirking at Jecheon Seong before departing.

Jecheon Kang glanced at his brother and then walked silently to the training ground.

"Kang," Jecheon Seong called out, grabbing his brother's sleeve subconsciously.

Jecheon Kang turned around. His gaze at his ailing brother was devoid of any emotion.

"What?”

The coldness in Jecheon Kang's eyes made Jecheon Seong release his grip immediately.

That night, Chul Mu-Ryong visited Jecheon Seong’s room, where he was studying by lamplight. It was surprising, as it was his first private visit.

"Are you all right?" he asked in his usual curt manner.

Though his tone was blunt, Jecheon Seong felt like he might burst into tears.

However, he suppressed his emotions and answered calmly, "What do you mean?"

"You know... everything,” Chul Mu-Ryong replied.

Jecheon Seong turned a page in his book, though he was not done reading it.

"My brother's choice is the right one. Even if I take those elixirs, it might only extend my life by a year. It's better for him to take them and secure his position as the Young Master."

Jecheon Seong's expression had become composed. Despite his young age, he’d learned to control his emotions. Living in such an environment, he had no other choice.

"If my brother loses his position as the Young Master, he’d be killed, right?"

"You mean by Wiji Chun-Ho?" Chul Mu-Ryong asked.

"It could be him, or anyone who’s trying to impress him," Jecheon Seong replied.

At his response, Chul Mu-Ryong was inwardly impressed. Such insight from an almost ten-year-old was remarkable.

I do remember people say Absolute Meridian is a curse from the heavens upon those with great talent but...

This was an old saying. Those born with Absolute Meridian were known to possess exceptional martial talent and natural wit.

"My brother has always protected me since we were young. He’d beat up anyone who bullied me for being an orphan," Jecheon Seong reminisced.

This was before they joined the Divine Sect, before Jecheon Kang caught the leader's eye and learned the Scarlet Blood Demon Art.

"At night, we used to talk about our dreams. I wanted to become a great scholar and serve the emperor, and my brother wanted to become the greatest martial artist and leave his mark on history."

"..."

Chul Mu-Ryong listened silently, and it was enough.

Jecheon Seong's face brightened as he talked about the past but soon darkened again. The current Jecheon Kang showed none of his former warmth.

Jecheon Seong wasn’t upset about not receiving the elixirs. He believed it was more important for his brother to maintain his position as the Young Master. If Jecheon Kang had offered him the elixirs, Jecheon Seong would have refused.

What pained him was his brother's cold and arrogant demeanor.

"Thank you for listening to my boring stories," Jecheon Seong said.

"It's nothing."

Jecheon Seong gave a bitter smile and saw Chul Mu-Ryong off. His gaze returned to his book, but he could not read another word until the lamp burned out.

***

Five years passed, and Jecheon Seong, now sixteen, sensed that the end was near.