Chapter 74
At the unexpected answer, Yang No widened his eyes.
“You think this old man is a martial arts master?”
“Yes. You didn’t even flinch while roasting that huge bear, and you grabbed Uncle’s arm like it was nothing. My uncle’s super strong, you know. Just anyone can’t grab him like that. And Grandpa, didn’t you use to beat people up back in the day?”
He had traveled the central plains, smacked people around left and right, and maybe not dragons, but he said he could take down tigers with his bare hands. Denying he was a master now just sounded funny.
“Most people tremble when they find out I’m a hidden master. But you… you don’t seem scared at all.”
“That’s ‘cause Grandpa is nice.”
“I am?”
“Yes! You play with a kid you just met, tell all kinds of fun stories! If you were a bad person, you’d have gone ‘You little punk!’ by now, right? And somehow, when I’m around you, I feel really at ease!”
She wasn’t just being polite.
Being near him really did make her feel lighter, like she was back home.
“Baekwoon seems to like Grandpa too. He doesn’t go near anyone but me, usually.”
Baekwoon had nestled between Yang No’s legs like it was his rightful spot. Even Dokgo Ryong, let alone Tang Jinak, couldn’t get close to him unless they offered jerky. He was a picky dog.
Yang No smirked at Eun Sowol, who looked proud as if she had just declared the obvious.
“Compared to your uncle, what do you think? Who’s stronger?”
“Hmm…”
Eun Sowol glanced across at Dokgo Ryong.
Not long ago, he’d been glaring daggers at Yang No. Now, as if that never happened, he was calmly turning the remaining meat into jerky.
“Uncle’s probably stronger.”
Probably.
To Sowol, even Tang Jinak looked like a master, so it was hard to judge objectively.
‘But to me, Uncle is number one.’
In her heart, Dokgo Ryong would always be first.
“Brother, something good happen? You’re smiling—ah! Why’d you hit me?!”
Suddenly, things got noisy as Dokgo Ryong swung a branch at Tang Jinak, who began running around frantically.
“Then, can your uncle do this?”
As soon as the playful voice rang out, a wave of intense heat hit them from the front.
Fwoosh!
“Whoa!”
Flames were blazing in Yang No’s hand. It looked like he had plucked fire straight from the campfire.
‘No—hotter than that!’
It was smaller than a campfire, yet burned even hotter. And this…!
“Isn’t that True Flame of Samadhi?!”
At Eun Sowol’s shocked cry, both Dokgo Ryong and Tang Jinak snapped their heads around, eyes wide.
Even stoic Dokgo Ryong looked genuinely surprised.
Yang No grinned proudly at their stares.
“This is a more advanced technique than that. A secret passed down through my lineage.”
“Wow… Grandpa, you’re really strong!”
“Cool, right?”
“Yes! Super cool!”
“Then, want to learn it?”
Eun Sowol tilted her head, wondering if she’d heard him right.
“My martial lineage is passed down to only one person at a time. But I haven’t found a suitable disciple yet.”
“Huh…?”
Realizing he wasn’t joking, Sowol was stunned.
“If you become my disciple, I’ll teach you not just what you saw, but many powerful techniques. They rival even those of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families. So, what do you say? Will you become this old man’s disciple?”
A single-inheritor? Secret arts? Disciple?
Words she’d never even considered made her head spin.
Anyone else might’ve accepted the offer on the spot.
Characters in martial arts stories usually dream of finding a great master to grow stronger.
But not Eun Sowol.
“I’m sorry, Grandpa… I can’t be your disciple.”
“Naturally, you should—what?! You can’t?!”
Yang No, who had nodded thinking she’d accept, was now shocked.
“Why not? Ah! I didn’t say which sect I’m from. It’s called Hwayangmun, the greatest school of fire energy in the world—!”
“It’s not that… I can’t learn martial arts.”
Yang No stopped mid-sentence.
“You can’t learn martial arts? That can’t be. I can feel the pure yang energy flowing through your whole body—”
“Can people with severed meridians learn martial arts?”
In no martial arts novel had she ever seen someone with severed meridians practicing martial arts—unless they somehow overcame it first.
“Severed meridians? That’s hard to believe. Let me check—”
“That’s enough.”
Dokgo Ryong, who had approached without anyone noticing, grabbed Yang No’s arm, stopping him.
It was the complete opposite of their first meeting.
“…She has severed meridians?”
“It’s true. I don’t know what you saw in the kid to want her as a disciple, but in her current state, she can’t learn martial arts. And—”
Squeeze—
Dokgo Ryong’s grip on Yang No’s arm tightened, his eyes flashing.
“You should be discussing a child’s future with her guardian, not sweet-talking a five-year-old into running off with you…”
“Ho… Do you even know who I am?”
“If you’re the sole inheritor of Hwayangmun, then there’s only one possibility. You’re the Fire King.”
At that name, Eun Sowol was shaken.
‘F-Fire King?! So he’s one of the Ten Kings?!’
In the original story, there were many powerful masters.
Among them, the Ten Kings were legendary.
A “King” title was given to those who led a great sect or had overwhelming power.
Even Tang Jinak was known as the Poison King, one of the Ten Kings in the future.
And Yang No—was that kind of absolute master?!
‘I… I didn’t mess up too badly in front of him… right?’
Eun Sowol wanted to slap her past self for joking and teasing the Fire King.
“Yes. I am Yang Hwichun, the Fire King. And you don’t even flinch hearing that? Or are you just a hot-blooded fool who doesn’t know his place?”
“Hot-blooded or not, as her guardian, I can’t just watch while some old man tries to whisk her away.”
“Whisk her away? If she accepted, she’d become my true disciple and walk the path I’ve walked. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance!”
“Most people call that kidnapping.”
Dokgo Ryong firmly let go of Yang Hwichun’s arm, which had turned red from the pressure.
With no hint of apology, he picked up Eun Sowol in his arms.
“She seems full now, so it’s time for you to leave. We won’t be seeing you off.”
“Even the heads of the Nine Great Sects dare not treat me so rudely… You’re quite the strange young man. What’s your name?”
“……”
Dokgo Ryong remained silent.
Sensing that he didn’t want to reveal his name, Eun Sowol spoke up instead.
“He’s Gwangryong! They say he’s the undefeated troubleshooter!”
“Gwangryong, huh… A fitting title for such a brazen brat. I’ll take my leave for now. But next time, I’ll have to fix that attitude of yours. If it weren’t for Sowol, I’d have blasted your stomach with my Flame Palm.”
“That’s not going to happen, so don’t worry. And stop eyeing someone else’s child.”
“Hah, still so insolent. Fine! You’ve got quite the sharp tongue for someone so young.”
Yang Hwichun scowled at Dokgo Ryong, clearly annoyed.
But then he turned to Eun Sowol and gave a warm smile.
“Let’s meet again, Sowol.”
Whooosh—
As he finished speaking, a strong gust of wind blew. Eun Sowol reflexively raised her arms and closed her eyes tightly.
When the wind passed, only Baekwoon stood there, tilting his head in confusion.
“…Grandpa’s gone.”
At her murmur, Tang Jinak finally let out the breath he’d been holding.
“Whew! Brother, why did you do that…?”
“What?”
“Father said to never offend the Fire King if we ever met him. His temper’s like wildfire—one wrong move and he’ll burn the whole place down. I was so scared he’d blow up any second!”
Eun Sowol imagined the world turning into ashes from a firestorm.
To her, the Fire King had only been a kind neighborhood grandpa.
She couldn’t picture him flying into a rage.
“I know. But people that stubborn won’t understand unless you’re blunt. Luckily, the kid turned him down first…”
If she had nodded without knowing better, he might’ve just taken her and disappeared into the wind.
Feeling Dokgo Ryong’s hand ruffling her hair, Sowol clutched his clothes tightly.
‘Ugh, what a waste! Why do I have to have severed meridians?!’
She had to refuse because of her condition, but she’d still missed out on the chance to learn the Fire King’s secret martial arts!
She had never once thought about learning martial arts or getting stronger before, but knowing that someone else would’ve jumped at this chance made her feel crushed.
Of course, if Dokgo Ryong found out, he might faint on the spot.
