episode_0016

“Hmm…”

Bang So-un let out a long yawn.

Right now, he was in the secret library of the Golden Dragon Battlefield.

But it wasn’t just any library, it was a secret library that only the head and those permitted by the head could enter.

Rare and valuable books and secret scrolls were stored here, difficult to obtain elsewhere.

Even though his current martial arts skills were mediocre at best, he had come here with the thought of finding and mastering new martial arts techniques.

However, things weren’t going as planned.

As expected, there were limits to what money could buy in terms of martial arts scrolls.

Not to mention the top-tier martial arts of the prestigious factions, even the mid-tier martial arts of the lesser-known factions were nowhere to be found.

Of course, they wouldn’t sell their lifeblood for a few coins.

Once martial arts were leaked to the outside, they were essentially dead martial arts.

There was a world of difference between encountering an opponent who knew your martial arts techniques and one who didn’t.

Still, there were some decent martial arts scrolls scattered around.

If he were to master them, he would probably be able to receive the treatment of a top-notch martial artist.

In the past, he would have been ecstatic, giving up food and sleep to diligently practice and improve his skills…

But now, he found it bothersome.

Was it really necessary to learn martial arts?

There was an old saying that those who only relied on their own abilities were inferior, while those who knew how to utilize others’ abilities were superior.

Rather than spending years sweating and toiling to master these mediocre martial arts, it would be much simpler to just lure a top martial artist to his side with a few tricks.

Yes, he was the head. If he could utilize people effectively, that would be enough.

In the end, he abandoned the idea of finding and mastering new martial arts techniques.

Bang So-un decided to browse through the books on martial arts techniques for a pleasant evening.

As he scanned the shelves, a book located in the farthest corner caught his eye.

For some reason, he felt compelled to open it.

It might just be a passing feeling, but for some reason, he couldn’t shake it. He walked over and picked up the book.

*Crackle.*

Bang So-un coughed.

Dust flew everywhere as he pulled the book out, turning his clean white robe into a dusty mess.

Frowning, he brushed off the thick layer of dust on the book.

Then, he placed the book in a corner and shook his clothes to rid them of dust.

The floor of the library where he stood was quickly covered in dust.

Bang So-un picked up the book and moved to a cleaner spot, where the sunlight streamed in warmly.

Sitting down, he looked at the first page of the now dust-free book, which had no title.

How did a book like this end up in the secret library of the Golden Dragon Battlefield?

Or maybe he shouldn’t be surprised.

If he were to fall off a cliff, the Millennium Snow Ginseng and the Celestial Stone Oil would be waiting with the deceased ancestors, and the old man who recommended becoming a disciple at the market would turn out to be a master of the mysterious martial arts of the One-Inheritance Sect, while the hut he stumbled upon in the mountains was where the reclusive swordsmen resided, with only the swordsmanship left after they ascended.

And the conclusion was always the same – thank you, gulp, now I am the best in the world – how he envied those protagonists from stories he heard when he was young.

Whether it was true or fabricated, who knows.

For some reason, this book exuded a sense of adventure.

With a subtle sense of anticipation, Bang So-un turned the page.

There was only one line written there.

-Written by Mu Gamja.

Mu Gamja, huh.

For someone with such a peculiar name, there seemed to be no backstory, no master to speak of.

Gradually, something seemed off.

Quickly, he turned the page.

-I am a peculiar human being. But truly, I wanted to be ordinary. This book is a record of my life, seeking normalcy throughout my entire existence.

Peculiar?

Wanted to be ordinary?

The author’s sadness of not being able to mingle among ordinary people due to his high level of skill is palpable.

And was there ever a weakling who referred to himself as “I”?

A sense of unease crept up on him.

Banso-un’s hand trembled slightly as he turned the page.

-From birth, I could not feel sensation, touch, pressure, cold, or heat. I was unable to experience all the senses that every human knows. I truly wanted to feel the coldness of the eyes, the warmth of fire, the heaviness of stone, the softness of flesh, the pain of a blade.

Oh, for goodness’ sake.

Was he really Mu Gamja?

Banso-un’s expression turned sour.

The scent of hay… was it the scent of tearing up grass?

Nevertheless, out of curiosity, he continued to flip through the book, but there was not a single mention of skill throughout.

The entire story revolved around his journey to find a way to cure his disability.

Yet, the grandeur of his journey was narrated so engagingly that Banso-un found himself engrossed in his tale.

When he read about crossing the Thousand Rivers and reaching the Western Territories, he couldn’t help but think that he was truly an extraordinary person.

However, even in the Western Territories, he could not find a way to cure his disability.

Ah, what a pitiful man.

Unable to even form a family like others, wandering his whole life to cure his disability and become ordinary.

Most pitiful of all was not being able to feel the vibrant, soft, and elastic sensations of a woman’s breast and buttocks.

To wish for skill or mastery for such a pitiful person was truly a disgraceful thought.

When there were only a few pages left, he came across a passage that caught his eye.

-When I returned to the Central Plains after twenty years, my body was already old and ailing. Naturally, I could tell that the remaining days of my life would not be many. Ah, my lifelong passion was worn out in front of the years. I headed to my hometown in search of a place to die. And there, I met him. Yu Baek-gi, a man whose title of “Divine Healer” suited him better than any other.

Yu Baek-gi?

The man known as the Divine Healer, Yu Baek-gi, only knew one person.

The greatest physician in the history of the martial world, known as the Absolute Divine Healer.

Could he be given the title of “Absolute” to signify that there was no one in the world to compare him to?

-After listening to the story of my life, Yu Baek-gi was deeply moved. After examining me briefly, he diagnosed my sensory impairment as a result of abnormalities in the part of my skin that perceives sensation. He said that even he could not cure it. To a discouraged me, he hesitated and added, “However…” He said he could produce a medicine that could temporarily increase skin sensation by dozens of times. It was a dangerous medicine to be released into the world, but he couldn’t just overlook my plight. When I asked why it was dangerous, he explained that if an ordinary person, not someone like me with a disability, were to use it, the pain of a needle prick alone could cause shock death. I promised to use it with caution. Four days later, he gave me three small pills of the miraculous medicine.

“Ah… as expected, it’s Yu Baek-gi.”

Bang So-un let out a sigh.

No member of the central court, nor any official from the Heaven and Earth divisions, could find a way to temporarily overcome the obstacles. Why did fate bring this unfortunate person to the world only after aging to the point of releasing Yu Baek-gi?

The contents of the book were nearing its end now.

-As they entered the Kiro, everyone looked at them strangely. The grand and splendid places were chased away at the entrance. They had no choice but to enter the most shabby Kiro. The owner glanced at their shabby attire and after a while finally led them into a room. It was a woman with sad, sorrowful eyes. In those eyes, the owner’s figure was reflected. Ah, if this woman was the one, it was enough. How did the owner end up being captivated by a beautiful woman in the end?

“Damn, this is sad.”

Bang So-un’s eyes widened.

In their heart, they wanted to send a beautiful farewell to the Golden Dragon Field in the book.

-The owner swallowed the pill with a nervous heart. And embraced the woman. Ah, was this sensation in their hands the softness of a woman’s body? Was what they felt on their skin the warmth of a human body? Was the sagging breast pressing against their skin transmitting something profound? These unfamiliar sensations were confusing as to what they were, but one thing was certain. The owner could finally become an ordinary person. Ah, thank you. Yu Baek-gi.

Finally, the last chapter.

-The owner only used one of the pills given by Yu Baek-gi. It was not only to fulfill their own wish in life, but also for the future, for those who would be born with disabilities like the owner. There was no guarantee that a god like Yu Baek-gi would exist at that time. Fortunately, this pill was not a great elixir or a clear pill, so ordinary people would have no use for such a pill. However, those who read this book to the end would know that this pill had its dangers. It had to be handled carefully to prevent any harm to those who mistakenly used it. Reader, I only wish. If you meet someone like the owner with disabilities, please pass on this pill.

A piece of cloth was folded neatly at the very end of the book.

Curious, they unfolded it to find two pills clearly mentioned in the book.

“Should I call this a miracle drug…?”

Bang So-un scratched their head with a complicated expression.

They would definitely pass it on if they met someone with such disabilities… but they probably wouldn’t.

In that case, they could freely use it.

Where should they use it?

It was a miracle drug with vague utility.

It temporarily amplified the sense of touch by tens of times.

They didn’t know now, but there must be a place where it could be useful.

If not, why would heaven give them such a peculiar connection?

Seeing how thick the dust had accumulated, it felt like they were the first to read the book after it was moved to the Golden Dragon Field.

“Well, I’ll think about it later.”

It was time to go to Jang-il, who had completed the conquest of the Jeolhwa Cliff from Hwang Bo-seol.

After putting the book back in its place, they tucked the pill into their pocket and Bang So-un left the study.

***

They opened their eyes, but all they could see was darkness.

Their eyes were covered with black cloth.

The sensation on their back felt like the back of a chair.

They were seated in a chair, with both hands tied behind their back.

Their ankles were spread shoulder-width apart and tied to the chair’s legs.

The ropes binding their body were loose, as if inviting them to break free.

First, they assessed their physical condition.

There was no sign of the Mountain Air’s energy within them, but strangely, their internal energy did not gather as it should.

It seemed like their inner energy was being blocked in a different way.

For a long time, her mind felt heavy as if she had lost consciousness and couldn’t think properly.

Yeon Soo-rin furrowed her delicate brows, trying to organize her memories.

She had entered the study of Jangju, intent on killing that damn Jangju while addicted to mountain gongdok.

However, she ended up humiliated, even to the point of being stripped by the sorcery of Jangju’s bodyguard.

After that, it seemed like she eventually fainted due to the power of the sorcery, unable to recall anything.

She had no idea how much time had passed since then.

“Ugh.”

She groaned belatedly as she became aware of the pain.

The pain radiated from her anus and genitals.

Her nipples stung and ached.

Although she was still wearing her intentions and chest covering, she could instantly realize that she had been violated.

“Aaaah!”

Overwhelmed by the surging shame and anger, she couldn’t regain her composure.

Her chest boiled and her whole body trembled.

Except for her late husband who had died unexpectedly, she had been defiled by those filthy scoundrels in a sacred place she had not allowed anyone to touch.

The humiliation inflicted unimaginable mental anguish upon her.

Blood trickled from her cracked lips.

In the midst of the excruciating pain of her torn chest, the thought of wanting to die fleetingly crossed her mind.

If she were to cut off her life and die, she could escape from this maddening sense of shame.

She wouldn’t have to endure any more humiliation from those wicked individuals.

Perhaps if she had been alone, she might have chosen to do so.

But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

My daughter.

My poor daughter who hadn’t even reached her first birthday, not knowing her father’s face.

I can’t leave Cheong-a alone like that.

Yeon Soo-rin tried to calm her tumultuous heart filled with shame and anger with deep breaths.

She must survive.

No matter what disgrace she faced, she had to survive.

For Cheong-a, more precious than her own defiled body or anything else, she could endure being humiliated by those villains again.

Thud.

The sound of the door opening was heard, and a presence was felt.

As footsteps approached, a rough man’s hand untied the black cloth covering her eyes.

The man who entered her newly sighted eyes was that bodyguard.

Jang-il brought a chair from a corner and sat in front of her without a word.

Yeon Soo-rin glared silently at Jang-il.

“Oh, unexpectedly quite calm, aren’t you, pretty lady?” Jang-il spoke in a mocking tone.