Ep421 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The ability to manipulate the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl elevated him to the ranks of the world's greatest masters. Yet, not everything was satisfactory. Reflecting on life at the end of his broken years, he regretted every moment he wielded his power. If only he had wielded his energies with more finesse. If he had utilized a more diverse array of methods to manipulate nature. [Perhaps I could have commanded the grasslands for a much longer time..., he found himself lamenting.] While the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl held energies unfathomable for a human to bear, it wasn't entirely beyond control. What if he hadn't settled for the power and ability he held, but sought even the slightest potential for improvement? The deep regret that gnawed at his heart left even his broken body restless. He desired only one thing: That a successor inheriting the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl does not live ensnared by the same regrets. To this end, he devoted himself to creating a martial art, crafting it until the brink of his death. [Mokryeong Divine Art.] A specialized martial art with the sole focus of efficiently harnessing the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl. [Master it, and you'll be able to bloom flowers and trees wherever you desire.] Not all trees are the same, nor are all flowers alike. Some trees are sturdy, others flexible. Some flowers smell sweet, while others harbor dangerous thorns. This art was designed to wield them all freely. The essence of the Mokryeong Divine Art was precisely that. Yet, there was one problem: [In theory.] "……?" The Mokryeong Divine Art, conceived in his twilight years, was merely theoretical in its perfection. This was something even he couldn't avoid. By the time he devised the martial art, his body was worn beyond repair. Teaching it to those unable to handle the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl seemed futile. [Everyone knows how many trials, errors, and dangers accompany learning a martial art that's perfect only in theory.] The human body is incredibly delicate and sensitive. Even a seemingly insignificant mistake can cause a significant reaction in the body. Why? Because it was designed that way. No matter how useless something seems, everything must fit together to function. Martial arts inherently require circulating internal energy through specific meridians, affecting various parts of the body. What problems might arise from this process remains unknown. A slight mistake, and one could find themselves lost in a Qi deviation, or worse, lose their life. However. "...I’ll do it." Even before such risks, Seol Su-yeon did not hesitate for a moment. Only one thing mattered to her: Whether her actions would help Baek Woo-jin or not. The Mokhaeng Divine Pearl was something he absolutely needed to acquire. If that were the case, she saw no reason to refuse. However, Baek Woo-jin held a different viewpoint. "It's not something to be decided recklessly." It was undeniable that the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl needed to be acquired. But risking a comrade’s life to obtain it was another matter entirely. "I refuse to risk the life of a lady, no—a saintess, for the sake of just one orb." "Hero..." Seol Su-yeon gazed up at Baek Woo-jin with eyes filled with tender affection. She realized anew why she had turned her back on the world and come to this distant realm for this man. 'It was because of his kind heart.' Perhaps not the mindset befitting a hero meant to fight for the greater good. Yet both hero and saint are human, susceptible to the deep affection for a heart that places one's concern above the world's safety. Realizing this love once more, her resolve grew firmer. "Please, let me do it." "...Miss Seol." "Precisely because it's a dangerous task where my body may be damaged, I'm the one who must do it." While others might find irreparable damage to their bodies, she could recover. As the Saintess. The rumors about her ability to heal anyone from any state as long as they still drew breath were not merely exaggerations. "What I worry about is the process of learning the martial art itself." "The process?" "Yes... As you know, I'm not very confident in moving my body." Truly, it was this aspect that worried her more. Wasn't time on their side? To swiftly obtain the Mokhaeng Divine Pearl and escape this place, she had to quickly learn the Mokryeong Divine Art, a task for which she had little talent. She intended to seize this as an opportunity. Taking Baek Woo-jin’s hand and enveloping it with her own, she began to speak. "So, please watch over me. Ensure I progress well." Her face wore a resolute expression, indicating she would never yield. With a soft sigh, Baek Woo-jin shook his head in mild disbelief. "...If anything goes wrong, you must stop immediately." "Yes!" In response, Seol Su-yeon nodded brightly, her expression filled with unwavering cheer. [You two look ridiculous.] The dry comment from Myomok faintly reverberated in the background, adding a humorous undertone. * * * Who are the most eccentric and bizarre individuals within the Demonic Cult? Pose this question to its members, and every single one of them, without exception, would simultaneously shout the names of two people. "Senior Sword Demon, Senior Fist Demon. We’ll reach the grasslands soon." "The grasslands? Why are we here again?" "Ah, you senile old man! How are you still alive when you can't even remember that?" "Because you’re still kicking around, that's how, hehe." The Sword Demon and the Fist Demon. Old masters of the Demonic Cult active since the era of the previous Heavenly Demon. They brought chaos and calamity wherever they went, renowned for their reckless and violent natures. They sought out strong opponents everywhere to engage in life-and-death duels, cruelly tearing their adversaries to pieces. Anyone who obstructed their path was dealt with mercilessly, often with a hole drilled into their forehead. At times, caught in the throes of madness, they would slaughter entire village populations to quench their thirst with human blood. These major incidents numbered in the hundreds, and the minor skirmishes were too numerous to count. Perhaps more astonishing was their indiscriminate attitude, affecting friend and foe alike. "Who’s this beside us then?" "I am..." "Emergency rations, I suppose." "Then we just slit his throat when we get hungry." "Isn’t it better to roast him alive?" "If you do that, it struggles too much and won’t cook evenly, ruining the taste." "That does make sense!" The man swallowed his dry spit nervously amidst their casual banter. He knew all too well. That these weren’t empty jokes. ‘They are capable of anything.’ These were people who quenched their thirst and filled their bellies with human blood and flesh. In a moment of carelessness, he could end up on the menu. The man silently vowed to himself. ‘I must never let them go hungry.’ The moment they felt hunger, his life would surely end. ‘Like damned old monsters.’ Even within the Demonic Cult, the Sword Demon and Fist Demon were regarded as villains. As mentioned earlier, their evil deeds often targeted their fellow cult members as well. Their atrocities, indiscriminately enacted, warranted punishment, yet they lived on. The reason was quite simple. Even amidst the impressive ranks of the Demonic Cult, they stood out as exceptionally skilled. Their survival under both the previous and current Heavenly Demons was solely due to this reason. ‘The only solution is to complete the mission and part ways swiftly.’ He had not the slightest interest in winning their favor. Even if he were to try, these were not the sort of individuals that could be influenced by such attempts, seeing others merely as food or potential opponents. Winning their favor was close to impossible. Thus, while traversing the grasslands in search of Baek Woo-jin, desiring nothing more than to finish quickly, he dutifully followed orders. At some point, the Fist Demon shielded his eyes, gazing across the expansive plains with curiosity. "Why is there such a dense forest over there?" "Hmm...? Let’s see. You're right! Looks like the trees are reaching for the sky, almost touching it." Puzzled by their cryptic conversation, the man tilted his head in confusion. All he could see was the monotonously vast plains, yet what were they observing? As the man mulled over his questions, the Sword Demon and Fist Demon discussed amongst themselves, smacking their lips in anticipation. "It smells like something delicious over there." "It’s mixed with a nice aroma of blood, and a very strong presence too!" "Shall we?" "Oh, we must!" Before the words had even fully left their mouths, the two dashed across the plains. As they approached the densely wooded area, the scent permeating their nostrils grew even stronger. Arriving slightly ahead, the Fist Demon's eyes first landed on a woman. A beauty with flaming red hair, standing defiantly against the wind, unmistakably a formidable warrior. The Fist Demon exhaled sharply and began to charge. "……?" The Blood Sorceress frowned as she noticed the wild beast—no, the crazed dog—charging towards her. The Fist Demon, voice booming, bellowed loudly. "Marry me, woman!" He was smitten at first sight. A formidable yet stunning woman. And with such red hair, reminiscent of his favorite sight—blood! Heart pounding wildly enough to worry it might burst, he blurted his first confession ever. The Blood Sorceress, with her fist infused with red energy, swung it straight into the face of her attacker. Thwack! "Kkh...!?" The Fist Demon was sent flying back with a speed greater than his initial charge. Without altering her expression, the Blood Sorceress murmured softly toward him. "No." The outcome of the Fist Demon’s first-ever confession was rejection. --- Author's Note: I’ll see you in the next chapter. Thank you, as always, for reading. Have a restful night. (_ _)