The moment he saw the old man, Pyo-wol felt a chill as if he had fallen into an ice pit.

He had come across numerous people with strong martial arts until now.

Mu Jeong-jin of the Qingcheng sect who is a swordsman capable of unifying a region, and Hyeolbul of the Xiaoleiyin Temple who is a person worthy of looking on top of the world.

He also met a super strong person who called himself as the Wind Saint, and just a little while ago, he also competed with the Wolf King, King Gujin.

There was not a single one among them who was easy to deal with. Pyo-wol had to risk his life when he faced them.

And even against those opponents who Pyo-wol could easily win over, he still did his best. He would consider countless possibilities and choose the most efficient way to fight them.

In this way, Pyo-wol was able to win the fight and save his own life.

Pyo-wol was able to survive every time since he desperately dug into the enemys weaknesses.

However, there was no such thing as a weakness in the man in front of him.

Just as it is natural for water to flow down from a high place, the old man appeared naturally as if he had been here from the beginning.

Pyo-wol thought that fighting against King Gujin with his life on the line was worth it. However, against the old master who is in front of him, he didnt even have that kind of heart.

It wasnt a matter of incompetence.

Just the very existence of the old man made it impossible for him to feel that way.

Pyo-wol rarely showed or felt any emotional agitation, but in front of the old man, he had no choice but to put on a puzzled expression without even realizing it.

The old mans gaze turned to Pyo-wol.

Is it you? The one who chased the wolf away?

.

Youre quite good. Hes still one of the few warriors in the world who is known for being savage, yet you managed to chase him away.

The old man smiled.

His smile was so bright and pure as if he didnt even have a speck of dust.

Pyo-wol asked unknowingly,

Who are you?

Pyo-wol is usually the one who did not initiate a conversation except when he had to deliberately disguise his identity. It was only now that he spoke first without even realizing it.

The old man scanned Pyo-wol up and down and said,

Im called Il-gum. I live in Wudang Mountain. What about you?

Yes?

Its the first time in a long while since Ive met such a foolish guy. Hoo!

The old man, who identified himself as Il-gum, exclaimed as he looked at Pyo-wol.

If someone else had acted like this towards Pyo-wol, he would not have stayed still. But, he didnt feel that way towards the old man.

He strangely felt at ease.

Pyo-wols nerves, which had been tense like a bowstring pulled to its fullest, loosened.

The old mans gaze suddenly turned to Soma, who was laid down on the ground in the distance.

That guy will die soon.

Like what he said, Soma was severely paralyzed.

Because Pyo-wol left Soma unattended while fighting King Gujin, Somas wounds got worse.

The old man said to Pyo-wol,

Carry that little guy on your back and follow me.

Pardon?

Are you going to let him die? Tch!

At the old mans urging, Pyo-wol hurriedly carried Soma on his back.

When he turned his head again, the old man was nowhere to be seen.

At that moment, the old mans voice rang in his ears.

What are you stupidly looking around for? Look up.

When Pyo-wol looked up, he saw the old man floating in the air.

He was as light as a feather. Whenever he stepped on a branch, he would go as far as a dozen feet. It was the representative qinggong of the Wudang sect, the Cloud Ascending Ladder.1

However, the realm was so high that it seemed like walking in the air.

Pyo-wol chased after the old man with Soma on his back.

Pyo-wol ran down the mountain at a terrifying speed. But even then, he found it difficult to follow the old man. If he slowed down even slightly, the distance between him and the old man would widen, making him lose sight of him.

Il-gum?

Pyo-wol already knew that there was once a great warrior who retired a generation ago in the Wudang sect.

Prior to Sang-jin, there was another warrior who was called the Wudang sects Number One Sword. Pyo-wol learned that the warriors name was Il-gum while staying in the Wudang sect.

Pyo-wol had assumed that the difference between Il-gum and Sang-jin would not be that great.

Even if Il-gum is said to be the Wudang sects Number One Sword a generation ago, a persons strength and senses decline with age. To some extent, this would offset the strong internal energy and experience that had accumulated over the years.

All in all, the overall ability of the person had no choice but to go down the curve.

Pyo-wol thought that even Il-gum would not be able to escape the same fate. However, only after seeing it for himself like this did he realize how wrong his thoughts were. He finally could finally see how great the power of the prestigious sect was.

He didnt know how many more masters like Il-gum were still in the Wudang sect. All he knows is that several more masters of the same generation as Il-gum were still alive. Their martial arts may be inferior to Il-gum, but they will never be inferior to the current Wudang sect elders.

Pyo-wols heart became heavy.

If the Wudang sect is like this, how many more great masters are there in the Insane Martial Arts sect or Cheon Mujang?

Pyo-wol realized how wide Jianghu was.

He wasnt disappointed though.

Pyo-wol had once started from the bottom where he was nothing. Yet he still managed to get where he is right now.

In the future, as long as he continues to work diligently while keeping his guard up, he will not die in vain.

As Pyo-wol was running after Il-gum, he arrived at an unknown mountain peak.

It was one of the numerous rock peaks on Wudang Mountain.

This was the abode of the Il-gum.

After retiring from the Wudang sect, he lived alone in a rock peak where there were few people.

There was a shabby house on one side of the rock.

Pyo-wol looked around with Soma on his back.

He felt a strong sense of dizziness that he couldnt detect in the Wudang sect. This seemed to be the reason why Il-gum chose this place as his hiding place.

Put him down on the bed.

Pyo-wol put Soma down on a bed inside the house.

The wooden bed was made by Il-gum, and it was barely maintaining its shape.

Il-gum muttered as he checked Somas condition.

The wolfs hands are just as cruel as before. Tch! I should have killed him then. Anyway, what is this

Il-gum rolled up his sleeves as he murmured to himself.

He turned the unconscious Soma, making him lie flat with his face downwards.

Pyo-wol silently watched the monks actions.

He wondered about the red color on Il-gums finger, which he used to stab Soma on the back.

Puk! Puuk!

Somas body shuddered every time he was poked.

This guy is also strange, really strange. He looks like he learned the Shaolins techniques, but why is he twisted like this? The older brother is strange, while the younger brother is also strange.

Il-gum shook his head, but he didnt stop poking Soma with his fingers.

What he did was a qi circulation technique called the Qi Yang Finger.2

It was originally a technique used to destroy evil energy, but Il-gum was using it to drive out King Gujins energy that had penetrated Somas body.

Il-gum has already risen to the level of a great master so he was able to use the same martial arts in an infinite variety of ways.

The same was true for the Qi Yang Finger.

He was saving Soma by using the mysterious energy of the Qi Yang Finger.

The appearance of Il-gum left a strong impression on Pyo-wol.

Kerhyuk!

Soma suddenly vomited blood.

Only then did Il-gum stop moving his hands with a satisfied smile.

Since Ive treated him, as long as he takes good care of himself, he would have no problem in eating and packing.

He got up from his seat and made Soma lie on his back.

Pyo-wol bowed his head in gratitude.

Thank you for your help.

I didnt do this to receive your gratitude, so dont be too polite. I felt like I just got hives on my body. More than that, where did you come from? How could I not have known that such a freak like you was here? Did you come here to attend Chongjins birthday party too?

Yes.

Anyway, those taoists are not training diligently. How could they throw such a loud party? Tsk tsk!

Il-gum criticized the leaders of the Wudang sect.

Not only Chongjin, the sect leader of the Wudang sect, but also the other elders could not escape his criticism.

I was resting here and was quietly trying to ascend, but those kids are so noisy that I cant go up.

Is there such a thing as heaven?

How would I know that?

Pardon?

Im not dead yet, so how can I know if there is heaven or not?

But earlier you

We will only know when its over. I havent done nearly as many bad things as others, so if heaven really exists, wouldnt I go up there anyway? Stop doing bad things and be good. Anyway, what kind of evil qi is in this guys body. Its like hes going to rot.

.

Now tell me. How on earth can you have the eyes of an old man at such a young age?

Il-gum spat out words without hesitation. Even so, the reason Pyo-wol didnt feel bad at all was because of the old mans warm eyes.

Il-gum was looking at Pyo-wol and Soma with pitying eyes.

Eyes which were full of compassion broke through the barriers surrounding Pyo-wols heart.

Still, Pyo-wol did not speak what was on his mind so easily, so Il-gum jumped up from his seat.

Its very expensive. Are you really not going to say it? You bastard! Dont you need to say whats on your mind once in a while to loosen up?

He grumbled and brought a jar that had been placed on one side of the house.

What is that?

Alcohol! Doesnt a person have to be drunk for them to open their mouths? This is the sake I brewed 30 years ago. Hurry up and drink this so you can finally talk about yourself.

I dont drink.

Damn it! Just drink when I give it to you. You rotten bastard!

Il-gum opened the seal of the jar.

A great pine scent came out. The scent of pine that refreshes the depths of the heart made Pyo-wol swallow his saliva without even realizing it.

Il-gum scooped up the wine from a gourd and poured it into Pyo-wols cup.

Drink!

Can taoists even drink?

What would an old man who is waiting for his death going to do if not drink? You should drink it to your hearts content. You wont be able to taste it twice so drink it all without leaving a single drop.

Pyo-wol looked at his cup for a moment.

It was not an ordinary drinking cup. It was almost the same size of a bowl.

After looking at the cup for a while, Pyo-wol brought it to his mouth.

As the sake in the cup swayed, the scent that lingered became even stronger.

Pyo-wol closed his eyes and drank the sake.

He felt a burning sensation in his mouth which then continued to his esophagus down to his stomach. He felt like his entire body was on fire. But he didnt totally hate the feeling.

Heh heh! Look at you. Youre drinking well. Have another drink.

Il-gum burst out laughing and filled Pyo-wols cup again.

Pyo-wol did not refuse and drank.

Now, tell me.

I

Pyo-wol began to tell the story of his life.

Right! I see. So?

Il-gum agreed and sympathized with Pyo-wols life. He also expressed regret.

Pyo-wol drank from his cup and continued talking about his story.

Whenever Pyo-wols cup becomes empty, Il-gum responds by replenishing it with sake.

Pyo-wols story continued late into the night, and Il-gum was deeply immersed in his story.

The two didnt know how much time had passed.

It was only when the wine in the jar ran out when Pyo-wols story ended.

I see, I see.

Il-gum shook his head.

He looked at Pyo-wol for a long time. However, Pyo-wol could not see the expression on Il-gums face. Its because he had already lost his mind under the influence of alcohol.

It was impossible for a master who had reached the same level as Pyo-wol to lose consciousness because of drunkenness.

This is because if more than a certain amount of poison accumulates in the body, the persons internal energy will either automatically drive the toxin out or purify it.

This was the same reason why Pyo-wol received the alcohol without hesitation. However, what Pyo-wol did not expect was that the sake he drank was not an ordinary alcoholic beverage.

Il-gum had brewed countless sakes over the decades, but only that sake was completed as he had intended.

A lot of people came, including Chongjin, but no one was able to get a glass of that sake and drink it.

Il-gum doesnt know if Pyo-wol knows.

How precious the alcohol he drank.

Ilg-um who came out of the house, looked at the night sky.

Countless stars seemed to form a sea in the cloudless sky.

Is this fate, too? I cant believe I met this child at this moment.

Like the stars in the night sky, the agony in his heart was shining.

Thank you for reading~ If there are any errors let me know!

Cloud Ascending Ladder. Raws: Jeunjong, (). t ladder, steps, stairs; lean yn clouds; Yunnan province zng, sng, cng indulge in, give free reign to. Qi Yang Finger. Raws: Jeokyangji, (). ch red; communist, red; bare yng male principle; light; sun zh finger, toe; point, indicate