The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 273: The Third Master, More Dangerous Than Manjang Gorge

As soon as my arm had completely healed, I devoted myself solely to energy cultivation for over twenty days.

Somehow, I felt chances like this to secure such quiet time were rare.

Whenever I converted the power of the Heavenly Pearl into internal energy, I’d often be overcome with drowsiness, so I slept without restraint, without regrets.

The rate at which I was building internal energy was so unrealistically fast, it felt like my body was forcibly taking rest. In other words, I understood energy cultivation as a process of elevating the body’s state.

Even while I was lying there, half-unconscious in deep sleep, I would occasionally hear Yoran’s voice outside.

“Third Master, are you still sleeping?”

“Master, aren’t you going to eat?”

“Master, you can’t sleep for too long.”

“Master, did you stay up all night again yesterday?”

I don’t even remember what I answered to those, but her questions kept circling in my head.

One day, I began to wonder if I might end up trapped forever in this trance-like state of energy cultivation, and at that thought, I quit without hesitation. Yoran’s tone had been growing increasingly anxious, so I decided to take things more seriously.

Perhaps I subconsciously accepted her warnings, and my own wariness of the Heavenly Pearl’s side effects. That’s how I finally escaped from the intense trance of cultivation I’d sunk into after so long.

What was this feeling?

It was like I’d risen from the grave that was my bed and arrived at the Zaha Inn again. The whole time I’d been cultivating, it felt like I’d been submerged in deep water, with the boundary between dream and reality so blurred it took a whole additional hour just to come to my senses.

Naturally, there were results.

At some point, I’d reached the transcendence stage of the Golden Nine Free-Wandering Manual.

It was an absurd growth rate. I started wondering—what exactly had I exchanged for this internal energy?

Even for someone not of Jianghu, overworking oneself leads to internal deviation.

Even martial artists, if all they do is train, they eventually descend into madness. So I returned, halfheartedly, to being just a man of Ilyang County with nothing to do.

I looked into the mirror in the inn and blinked at the face staring back—a wrecked appearance no different from a beggar’s top master.

“I should train in moderation too.”

As I came down to the first floor for the first time in a while and breathed in the cold air, the Four Villains sauntered over and took seats nearby.

The Lecher looked at me and said,

“Well well, the town’s deadbeat has appeared. A few days ago, Physician Moyong dropped off something he called paralysis poison. You listening, bumpkin?”

Bumpkin, really?

I glanced at the Lecher and replied,

“I hear you.”

“Do something about that beard. You look like a hick catfish.”

The moment the Lecher started mocking me, my drowsiness evaporated.

Without much thought, I pulled out a Flash Dagger and began shaving. I scraped the beard off my chin, cheeks, and sideburns, then tied my hair back and chopped off the ends. Without thinking, I used the Heavenly Pearl Absorption Technique to lift the fallen hair from the floor, stuck it to my palm, then incinerated it with internal energy and scattered the ashes.

The Lecher silently shook his head as he watched.

As I sat in a daze, Yoran came over with a teapot and poured me a glass of water.

“Third Master, your skin’s so rough. Drink some water.”

I smiled for the first time since waking.

“Yoran, your skin looks like jade. Is that because you drink a lot of water?”

“I know, right? Hurry and drink.”

I downed three glasses in a row and let out a deep breath.

“Wow, I feel alive again.”

As Yoran headed back inside, the Sword Demon asked,

“Leader, you made some progress? Your qi flow seems different.”

“Maybe I got a bit stronger. Just a little. Like seasoning with salt.”

“That’s worth celebrating.”

I nodded.

“I think I managed to focus properly, but it also feels like I just slept. It’s vague.”

The Lecher nodded too.

“It’s the first time we’ve seen you so quiet.”

Only then did I notice the scenery around me had changed.

“Is it about to snow?”

The Drunk looked up at the sky and spoke.

“Does it snow in Ilyang County?”

I nodded.

“It’s rare, but it does. While I was lying down, I kept hearing sword clashes. That must’ve been First and Second sparring, right?”

The Sword Demon and the Drunk nodded together.

“Meeting Second was quite the stroke of luck. Facing him with just the endurance sword techniques helped me get more used to the Lone Heavy Sword style.”

The Drunk nodded again.

“Even if it’s just a sparring match, sometimes I felt like I might die from his blade. That kind of fear helped me train harder.”

Maybe it’s because they’re swordsmen—they actually helped each other improve through sparring. Which means I’m not the only one who’s gotten a bit stronger, like seasoning with salt. If the four of us keep getting swept up together and growing stronger, that’s the best-case scenario.

“Good news.”

Then I said something I’d been thinking about during cultivation.

“I’m going to rest today and head out to Manjang Gorge alone.”

The Lecher asked,

“What for? You got a lover waiting on the cliff?”

“What lover, you lunatic. And even if I did, why would she be at Manjang Gorge?”

Come to think of it, I fell off Manjang Gorge thanks to that bastard.

“According to Physician Moyong, the terrain holds spiritual medicine. If a skilled herbalist says that, maybe I can dig up some fleeceflower or ganoderma. The terrain is rough, so I can’t send the clumsy Moyong Baek. I have to go myself.”

“Who’s it for?”

“Dunno. You have to be fated to receive medicine. If I do find some, I plan to give it to Yoran or Moyong Baek.”

The Lecher looked impressed.

“You’re going that far to get medicine for [N O V E L I G H T] your disciple? What a Master.”

I looked at the Lecher.

“Did you initiate her into ice arts?”

“She’s still memorizing the cultivation method.”

Seems like the Lecher’s been promoted from eldest disciple to junior Master and isn’t slacking either.

The Drunk expressed concern.

“Leader, do you have to go alone? Let me come with you.”

I answered his goodwill with a mockery.

“If you tried to keep up with my light footwork, it’d take you half a day longer.”

“Hmm.”

“You’ve got no chance. You need to train your movement techniques too. Swordsmanship alone won’t keep you alive. Aren’t you the slowest among us?”

The Sword Demon nodded.

“He is.”

“Not good. Light footwork is an extension of movement forms. The more you train it, the more it helps your sword techniques. A fast sword needs fast feet. Defense is good, but toying with enemies works better by dodging.”

The Drunk gave a short reply.

“Got it. I’ll train separately.”

I even gave him specific advice.

“Honestly, the youngest is pretty fast. Don’t train alone like Cha Seong-tae. Practice chasing after the kid. Since he’s annoying as hell, you’ll get mad while chasing him—and that heat’ll make you run faster. I know from experience.”

The Lecher sighed.

“Can’t you just stick to one thing? If you’re gonna compliment him, then compliment him. If he’s a moron, just call him that.”

I looked at the Lecher and replied,

“Moron.”

“......”

“Anyway, now that my internal energy has deepened, I need time to adjust. I plan to move at full speed. Gathering medicine is the goal, but the process is light footwork training.”

The Drunk asked,

“What if the scholar faction tails you while you’re alone? Chu Myeong must be itching for a shot.”

I finally glanced around at the three and shared a change of heart.

“If more than one shows up, I’ll flee without hesitation. Like Deuk-soo said—live long, even if quietly. Honestly, I’ve always been good at running. Nothing new there.”

As I smiled faintly, the three of them chuckled through their noses.

Even if I stepped away from Ilyang County for a bit, strong allies were standing by. Nothing to worry about.

All I had to do was look after myself.

***

I tightened the knot of the pack on my back over my chest once more. It held a change of clothes, snacks, poisons from Moyong Baek, money I packed myself, an empty box, and a small bottle—a light travel load.

Standing before the Zaha Inn, I looked one by one at the faces of Sword Demon, Drunk, Lecher, Deuk-soo, and Hong-shin. Then I knelt on one knee and called out to my disciple.

“Yoran.”

“Yes, Master.”

Yoran approached and met my eyes. When I said I’d be leaving on a trip, her big eyes were filled with both worry and surprise.

How could a child’s gaze contain so many emotions?

Maybe she was startled that all the adults had come out to see me off. If I wanted to erase her needless worries, my only choice was to smile as brightly as I could.

“Third Master is going on a trip. Listen well to the other Masters.”

“Yes.”

“And to First Brother?”

“Of course.”

“And play nicely with that bored Chief Cha.”

“But... aren’t you going to Manjang Gorge?”

“Who told you that?”

“I overheard. Isn’t it dangerous?”

I looked at Yoran and smiled.

“The one more dangerous than Manjang Gorge is your Third Master. That place only gets dangerous once I arrive.”

“I understand.”

“Memorizing the cultivation manual is hard, right?”

“Yes.”

“If your head gets too full, ask Second Master to teach you swordsmanship.”

“Yes, understood.”

Since I had nothing more to say for the farewell, I held out my fist. I meant for her to bump it, but Yoran clasped it with her small hands.

“Third Master.”

“Mm?”

“Come back safely. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Got it.”

I exchanged a glance with Yoran. Now that I think about it, it was the first time in my life I’d ever received such pure support.

I stood, looked around, and gave a short farewell.

“I’ll be back soon... Let’s meet again then.”

The farewells of villains were simple. A glance, a nod, and that was all. Even Deuk-soo and Hong-shin, perhaps for Yoran’s sake, said nothing unnecessary.

I trudged away and looked back at the Zaha Inn. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Villains, and those who could never be villains, were standing in front of the inn watching me. The sight looked like a painting. I’d always thought—even just standing together like this, Deuk-soo never looked weak. It wasn’t that he lacked martial skill; his way of life was simply different. Even in that painting, it was clear Deuk-soo was a man as strong as the Four Villains.

Yoran waved both hands with a bright face.

I stood there like a fool for a moment, smiling. I think making Yoran the disciple of all Four Villains was a good decision—because I hope those monsters too, someday, can smile like fools, just like me.

“I’m off.”

I etched the sight of the Zaha Inn into memory, then used light footwork and left Ilyang County in a flash. Perhaps because my internal energy had deepened, I could still clearly hear Yoran and the villains talking even from far away.

“Wow... Third Master is super fast.”

“Third Master is the fastest at light footwork.”

“Really?”

“Isn’t that right, First Master?”

“Who knows. I’ll have to race him to be sure.”

“So for now, First and Third are tied.”

“Got it. Then Second Master is the slowest?”

“Hmm...”

“Yoran catches on quick. Right. When it comes to light footwork, I’m not the youngest anymore.”

...To be honest, I only took in Yoran because I pitied her.

I never cared about talent in martial arts, temperament, bone structure, or perception. But now that I think about it, the ones who are truly pitiful... are the Four Villains.

Living brightly no matter your circumstances is a blessing. Living in darkness is a curse.

All of us, including me, have dark, stifling sides. Compared to Yoran, we don’t have much going for us.

But if those dark hearts begin to carry concern for a disciple...

That concern might become the very light that brightens the darkness.

That’s why I’m running like a madman to get Yoran her medicine.

It’d be nice if I succeed—but even if I don’t, it’s fine.

I may be running alone now, but the rest of them too, in their own ways, are facing change.

If the other three Masters can raise young disciples like Yoran into proper martial artists...

Then the revolution I once proposed to the White-Robed Scholar will have gained three more villains.

So, the reason I’m running like a lunatic right now...

Is for Yoran and Moyong Baek, yes—but also for Sword Demon, Drunk, and Lecher.

No matter how Jianghu turns, I’ve never forgotten the revolution.