Chapter 66. What Method Is This?

The tip of the vortex, stirred by Kim Do-Joon, clashed against the old man's sword. The blade soon sliced through the air, rushing toward Kim Do-Joon. Yet, the parted wind didn’t scatter—it converged back, heading toward the old man.

In that fleeting moment, when sword and spear crossed, the old man read Kim Do-Joon's eyes.

...

The old man was somber, an expression unfit for a duel. The only thing he could guess was that Kim Do-Joon had seen his memories again.

Clang!

The old man twisted his sword slightly, the blade narrowly missing Kim Do-Joon's ear. Likewise, Kim Do-Joon's spear grazed past the old man's side.

"Did you see something?” the old man said.

"Yes," Kim Do-Joon replied, his voice subdued.

"How much?"

"...Everything.”

After hearing his response, the old man let out a bitter laugh. Lowering his sword, Kim Do-Joon followed suit with his spear.

"Then I guess there’s no reason to continue this duel," the old man said.

"I'm sorry," Kim Do-Joon apologized for intruding upon the old man's memories.

Although he had apologized before, this time was different. The weight of the memories he had seen was heavier.

"It’s fine. I’m aware of your abilities, and it’s something that has already happened," the old man sighed, sheathing his sword.

The turbulent aura that had filled the space dissipated.

"Karlish, could you step back for a moment?" Kim Do-Joon asked his spear, Karlish.

— Alright.

Karlish was aware that Kim Do-Joon sometimes glimpsed the old man's memories. They had discussed it often, and each time, Kim Do-Joon’s movements had improved significantly. However, this time seemed different.

Sensing the atmosphere, Karlish entered the inventory without further questions. He trusted Kim Do-Joon to explain if needed.

"Come inside," the old man said, turning and entering his place.

Kim Do-Joon followed him.

The two sat across a small table. On the table was a white porcelain bottle and two cups. As the old man poured the drink, a rich peach fragrance filled the room.

"This is homemade. The ingredients are fine, so it should taste quite nice," said the old man.

"Thank you," Kim Do-Joon replied and took a sip.

The peach wine was incredibly delicious, its refreshing aroma permeating his chest. However, it did nothing to lighten the mood.

"My master is dead, Chul Mu-Ryong is dead, and I, too, died and ended up here," the old man began. "So, you’re the only one left. The only one who knows my name among the living."

"So, you are..." Kim Do-Joon hesitated, looking at the old man.

The old man had his eyes closed, showing no signs of stopping Kim Do-Joon.

"Heavenly Demon, Jecheon Seong... That’s your name," Kim Do-Joon continued.

The old man half-opened his eyes, staring at his cup before taking another sip. He’d never told anyone his real name, except for his master, Mok Se-Hyeok, and Chul Mu-Ryong.

No one else knew. Yet, there was someone who discovered it after his death. Someone extraordinary enough to find this place and learn of it. Was it inevitable?

With a complicated mind, the old man answered, "Yes, that's right. My real name is Jecheon Seong."

Kim Do-Joon let out a low sigh.

It was really Jecheon Seong, the one who bore the fatal curse, Absolute Meridian.

[You have discovered the forgotten name.]

[Hidden quest has been completed! Additional rewards will be given.]

The notification about additional rewards buzzed at the edge of Kim Do-Joon's awareness, but he barely paid attention to it. He was too focused on the man before him—a man who had survived despite the fatal curse and had lived a long life.

***

"When I left seclusion, many, including the Wiji family, stood in my way. They aimed to eliminate the Young Master Jecheon Kang," the old man began.

For five years, those who had followed Jecheon Kang scattered. The Wiji family's influence either bought them off, drove them out, or outright eliminated them. Jecheon Kang's followers weren’t a cohesive force; they were simply drawn to his powerful persona. Dealing with such individuals was child's play for someone like the Wiji family.

"As a result, things became easier. Since nearly all factions of the Divine Sect came under Wiji family's control, all I had to do was defeat the Wiji,” Jecheon Seong continued.

As a result, Jecheon Seong’s path became more straightforward and unyielding. Defeating the Wiji family meant reclaiming everything. Facing one large face was easier than dealing with numerous smaller ones that squabble among themselves. The Wiji family was no match for him.

"Within a few years, I rose to the position of religious leader and was given the title Heavenly Demon. The name Jecheon Kang became known throughout the land," Jecheon Seong reminisced.

It was gratifying for him to hear people praising his brother's name in the streets. But Jecheon Seong didn’t stop there. He protected both sect members and ordinary people, striving to improve relations with their sworn enemies.

But it was easier said than done. Whatever he did was met with suspicion and opposition. However, in the martial world, power was absolute. Not only did he master the supreme Nine Yang Demon Art, he’d also harmonized his innate yin energy with the yang of the Nine Yang Demon Art. He was peerless. As the religious leader of the Divine Sect, no one could oppose him.

Ultimately, everything went as he planned. In the long history of conflict between different sects, the reign of the thirty-second Heavenly Demon Jecheon Kang was the most peaceful period. Even those who despised the Demon Sect had to nod in acknowledgment at his name.

"It was only natural. I cannot commit atrocities under my brother’s name," Jecheon Seong explained.

Another reason was his inherently gentle nature, favoring compassion over force. But above all, he could not tarnish his brother's name, which motivated him greatly.

Jecheon Seong’s journey was unwavering, driven solely by the desire to honor his brother's name. Yet, all these actions stemmed from one core emotion.

"This all started because of regret. Why did I live when my brother died? The regret haunted me,” Jecheon Seong confessed, fiddling with his cup.

This was not something his power could resolve. On that fateful day, he had been completely bound by Jecheon Kang. The events of that day weighed heavily on him, like an immovable stone.

"Due to my own desires, I couldn’t even honor my brother's last words," Jecheon Seong lamented.

Jecheon Kang’s final wish was for Jecheon Seong to live his own life. The latter never forgot those words, yet lived under his brother’s until the end. Ultimately, regret and confusion anchored him in this place, neither allowing him to ascend to heavens nor descend to the underworld.

Jecheon Seong's eyes brimmed with the same remorse Kim Do-Joon had seen before.

"Your brother...” Kim Do-Joon began after a pause. "He would have been happy, no matter what name you lived under."

"...?" Jecheon Seong looked confused.

"At least, that’s how I’d feel," Kim Do-Joon continued. "Even if you abandoned your original name, you survived. His loved one lived a long, safe life, albeit under a different name."

Jecheon Seong looked at Kim Do-Joon with slightly widened eyes.

Brother...

The resolute expression on Kim Do-Joon's face reminded him of his brother’s expression from that day. Even after more than a hundred years, that single moment had never faded.

With that, the heavy burden in Jecheon Seong's chest seemed to be alleviated ever so slightly.

Then, Jecheon Seong gave a slight smile. His confusion and regret would not vanish with a single conversation. It’d take much longer for him to completely overcome them. For now, his face showed a hint of relief.

"You had a question for me, right? Is that about the curse of Absolute Meridian?" Jecheon Seong asked.

"Yes," Kim Do-Joon responded, his eyes shining with interest.

That was the very reason for their duel.

"How old is your daughter?" Jecheon Seong asked.

"She's six.”

"And how has her condition been up to now?”

"Well..." Kim Do-Joon began explaining Kim So-Eun's situation.

He detailed how she had spent much of her life in hospitals, and how he had used his abilities to boost her stamina and resistance to cold mana. He also mentioned enhancing her resistance to the four primary elements, along with the presence of Siwelin's divine artifact within her.

"

Hmm...

" Jecheon Seong crossed his arms, contemplating.

Though some of the information was new to him, he grasped the general situation. He understood that Kim Do-Joon's daughter was in better health than he had been at the same age.

"But, there's still a problem.”

"A problem?" Kim Do-Joon asked anxiously.

"I get that your daughter is indeed healthier than most patients with Absolute Meridian, but her body is not as strong as an adult's, correct?"

"Well yes... That is true," Kim Do-Joon admitted.

"She's too young. If she underwent the same treatment as I did, her body might not withstand it. The pain could also break her mind," Jecheon Seong explained.

Jecheon Seong had broken through the curse's meridians at sixteen, an age far older than six-year-old Kim So-Eun. Jecheon Seong shook his head, but Kim Do-Joon still clung to hope. Based on what Jecheon Seong said, it seemed like he was suggesting that Kim So-Eun just needed to grow stronger before undergoing the treatment.

However, Jecheon Seong continued, "The second issue is the vast amount of pure yang energy required to break through the meridians."

Jecheon Seong's own internal energy couldn’t solve this problem. To break through the curse's pure yin energy, equally pure yang energy was needed. Meanwhile, his yin and yang energies had long since balanced into harmony.

"Can't I... can't I do it like your brother did?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

This was his first thought when he saw Jecheon Seong's memories.

Jecheon Seong frowned, "It's not a method I can recommend, considering your daughter. Think of the pain it’d cause those left behind."

Kim Do-Joon bit his lip, his determination unwavering still. Seeing his resolute eyes, Jecheon Seong sighed and shook his head.

"Even if I were willing to help, it is impossible for you to do what my brother did. Your body already has a strong foundation of yin energy," Jecheon Seong explained.

"Damn it!" Kim Do-Joon clenched his fists.

The ice core he had copy-pasted a long time ago was now a hindrance. If he had known, he would have created a core with a fire element instead!

Then, the only solution left was to find an elixir imbued with yang energy.

"If my brother had possessed the inner elixir of a Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon, he wouldn’t have died," Jecheon Seong said.

Kim Do-Joon had no idea what that elixir was all about. One thing was certain: it was many times more precious than the inner elixir of the Millennium Dragon he had seen in Jecheon Seong's memories.

Could he possibly obtain such an elixir? Even the Millennium Dragon inner elixir seemed to be at least a legendary-rarity elixir.

No, I don’t have a choice.

It wasn’t a matter of whether he could or could not. He absolutely had to do it. He now had another potential solution.

One was the Golden Divine Elixir, and the other was strong and pure in yang energy: the Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon inner core.

"Well actually, there is another way, but..." Jecheon Seong began, just as Kim Do-Joon was showing his determined look.

However, Jecheon Seong then quickly shook his head. "No, it's an impractical method."

"What method is this?" Kim Do-Joon asked eagerly.

He wanted to know every possible method, no matter how improbable.

Jecheon Seong, sounding as if he did not expect much, explained, "It is for you to personally teach your daughter Nine Yang Demon Art."

Kim Do-Joon's eyes widened. “What would that accomplish?"

"Nine Yang Demon Art is a technique that accumulates pure yang energy. It disrupts the balance of yin and yang, requiring external yin energy supplementation to survive. But for someone with the Absolute Meridian curse, their innate yin energy would negate that need," Jecheon Seong explained.

Kim Do-Joon gulped.

Jecheon Seong continued calmly, "By teaching her this technique, she’d accumulate pure yang energy herself. But no matter how talented she is, time is an issue due to her Absolute Meridian. Naturally gathering enough energy to break through nine meridians within ten years is impossible."

In essence, this method also required the aid of an elixir. But this approach needed significantly less elixir than that required for the Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon inner core.

However, this was something only Jecheon Seong, who had perfected Nine Yang Demon Art over decades, could teach.

Therefore, Jecheon Seong shook his head.

"Erase this method from your mind. It's impossible for me to meet your daughter.”

Jecheon Seong thought that it was impossible for Kim Do-Joon to bring her here, nor could he descend into his world.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Would you teach her if you could meet her?" Kim Do-Joon asked, leaning over the table toward Jecheon Seong

The old man responded with a curious expression. "I would. I can't stand by while a child suffers from the same curse I did. And if left unchecked, you might try something as reckless as my brother.”

However, Jecheon Seong looked at Kim Do-Joon as if he was clinging to such a hopeless idea.

"Actually..." Kim Do-Joon began, hesitating before he started to explain.

A short while later, in the basement of Kim Do-Joon’s store, Jecheon Seong let out an exclamation.

"Wow!"