Brrrrr.
Nae Bihon, who had been roaring like a thunderclap, suddenly clamped his mouth shut and began to tremble violently.
Thud.
He fainted dead away.
“Brother Thunder.” Bu Eunseol once again pressed against the Myeongmun acupoint and infused the Ban-Geuk Method energy.
After a while, as pure, refined energy flowed in—
Flash!
Nae Bihon’s eyes snapped open. He looked around with a dazed expression, as if awakening from a long slumber.
“What… what happened?” Unlike before, his gaze was crystal clear, his voice gentle.
He looked like a patient who had finally been cured of madness and regained his original mind.
“Where am I? And who are you—urgh.” Nae Bihon, alternating glances between Bu Eunseol and Soyo, suddenly clutched his Cheonryeonggae acupoint as if his head ached.
“Brother Thunder, are you all right?”
“Brother Thunder?” Nae Bihon stared fixedly at Bu Eunseol.
“Who… who am I?”
His eyes were clear, but it seemed no memories surfaced at all.
“You don’t even know who you are?”
“That’s right.” Nae Bihon shook his head.
Then he stared intently at Bu Eunseol’s face.
He had only ever seen Bu Eunseol disguised as Seon Woojin. He had never seen the mercenary Seolso.
“If I’m your hyung…” Nae Bihon tilted his head. “Are you saying you’re my younger brother?”
Nae Bihon, now free of madness, had the eyes and speech of an ordinary scholar.
Realizing that his gaze and tone were utterly different from usual, Bu Eunseol drew a deep breath.
‘He’s lost every last memory.’
Bu Eunseol himself had once suffered a great shock, lost his memories, and become the beggar Mumu. And Nae Bihon’s current state matched exactly the amnesia Bu Eunseol had experienced.
‘Does that mean I have to become Fatty now?’
Even after losing to Hyeok Ryeon-eung and his memories, Bu Eunseol had regained his original memories and power. That was because a benefactor called “Fatty” had appeared.
Now Nae Bihon, too, had lost to a descendant of the Blade Emperor, lost his memories, and all his power.
It was Bu Eunseol’s turn to become the benefactor and restore his strength.
“Yes.” Bu Eunseol instantly softened his eyes and voice, making them warm and familiar. “We’re fighting the same enemy, aren’t we?”
“The same enemy?”
“The Three Realms.”
“Three Realms? Three…”
At the mention of the Three Realms, Nae Bihon clutched his head in pain. Evidently the gruesome sight of his child, killed by the Three Realms, had flashed before him.
‘I should avoid that topic as much as possible.’
“But why am I in this forest like this?”
“Brother Thunder was gravely injured fighting a powerful foe. We must hurry.”
He had merely rekindled vitality with the Yeolha Great True Energy. Not a single part of Nae Bihon’s body was uninjured. If treatment was delayed, the damage could be permanent.
Float.
Bu Eunseol invoked his Grasping Technique, lifting Nae Bihon’s body.
“Where are we going?”
“We need a physician, don’t we?”
“A physician. Hmm.” Nae Bihon docilely entrusted himself to Bu Eunseol, nodding as if he understood.
Pat.
Bu Eunseol lightly tapped his acupoints.
Once Nae Bihon fell asleep—
Crack.
Bu Eunseol restored his face to its original appearance.
“Where are you planning to go?” Soyo asked with worry.
There weren’t many physicians in the world capable of treating the Thunder God—especially one who had lost both memory and power.
“Geumwang Mountain.”
“So that’s where.” Soyo nodded.
The physician on Geumwang Mountain had the skill to treat the Thunder God, and fortunately he resided not far from here.
“Right. That’s the place.” Bu Eunseol immediately leaped into motion.
The destination, carrying Nae Bihon, was the manor of the Needle King, Jongri Sahyeon.
Jongri Sahyeon was stunned.
Bu Eunseol, who had been slapped by both him and his granddaughter before leaving, had returned to the manor—that alone was shocking. But now he suddenly brought an injured man and begged for treatment?
And that patient was none other than the world-renowned Thunder God among the Four Gods and Seven Kings—Nae Bihon?
“Please treat him.”
Without even asking for details, Jongri Sahyeon began treating the deeply sleeping Nae Bihon.
He had instantly grasped the severity of the injuries.
“No, this won’t do. I must use the Primordial Golden Needle Technique from the start.” While pressing acupoints, Jongri Sahyeon noticed Nae Bihon’s breathing grow uneven.
He carried him to the treatment room and began inserting golden needles.
His movements were exceedingly cautious, as befitted the gravity of the condition.
Finally, when he inserted a long golden needle into the Baekhoe acupoint, Nae Bihon’s breathing stabilized.
Jongri Sahyeon let out a deep sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his brow.
“What on earth happened?” He gazed at Nae Bihon, now covered in densely packed needles and sunk into deep sleep, and asked again. “Why is he in this state?”
To Jongri Sahyeon’s question, Bu Eunseol had no choice but to lie.
“I don’t know. He seems to have been ambushed by an incredibly powerful master.”
“Ambushed?”
“Yes.”
It was a lie for Nae Bihon’s sake.
Bu Eunseol could not bring himself to say that Nae Bihon’s family had been massacred by the Three Realms and that he had gone mad because of it.
Yet Jongri Sahyeon said something unexpected.
“The Three Realms again?”
“You knew?”
“He’s been chasing the Three Realms for a long time.” Surprisingly, Jongri Sahyeon knew well the story of Nae Bihon that was unknown to the martial world. “The reason he fell into madness was because the Three Realms’ forces slaughtered his family.”
Bu Eunseol’s expression remained calm, so Jongri Sahyeon narrowed his eyes.
“You knew too.”
“Yes. I never imagined the elder would know such a story.”
“I spent half my life trying to eradicate the inner cores and puppets created by the Three Realms.” Jongri Sahyeon smiled faintly. “I’ve clashed with the Three Realms as much as you have.”
“Then you must have met Brother Thunder while fighting them.”
“Indeed. Inevitably colliding with them, I naturally saw Nae Bihon often—he pursued them with dogged obsession.” Jongri Sahyeon wore a faint smile.
“You must have met him the same way. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. I received Brother Thunder’s help several times.”
“Heh heh heh. To befriend him while he was mad—impressive.”
“Is there no way to cure Brother Thunder’s incomplete mind?”
Jongri Sahyeon looked at the sleeping Nae Bihon and shook his head. “In the past, his condition wasn’t this severe. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t catch the Three Realms’ tail… so the madness only worsened.”
He let out a deep sigh.
“At least his tremendous recovery, rooted in the Thunder God Spirit Energy, kept him going. If he were an ordinary man, he would have gone insane long ago.”
“…”
“I heard he witnessed with his own eyes his child and wife’s skulls split open and their spinal cords ripped out. Yet after all that time, he couldn’t even find the culprit, let alone take revenge… how could his mind remain intact?”
In a way, Nae Bihon’s story resembled Bu Eunseol’s own.
Feeling pity, Bu Eunseol asked, “Then can his body recover fully?”
Bu Eunseol wore a grave expression.
“When I found him, he had completely lost his memory.”
“If the Thunder God Spirit Energy is restored, his memories will return as well. The damaged brain meridians will be repaired by it.” Jongri Sahyeon pointed to Nae Bihon’s sleeping Baekhoe acupoint. “But if the body recovers through the Thunder God Spirit Energy, the brain meridians will be shocked again.”
He clicked his tongue.
“As a result, he won’t remember the time when he lost his memories. He’ll probably forget that you saved him.”
‘That’s even better.’ Bu Eunseol had changed faces multiple times in front of the injured Nae Bihon.
If all that were forgotten, it would actually be for the best.
“However, that recovery is, in practice, impossible.”
“What do you mean?” Bu Eunseol looked puzzled. “You said recovery is possible if the Thunder God Spirit Energy is awakened.”
“Yes, I did.” Jongri Sahyeon sighed. “But the only thing that can awaken the Thunder God Spirit Energy is the Thunder God Spirit Energy itself. Do you understand?”
“So… to wake Brother Thunder, we need another Thunder God who can use the Thunder God Spirit Energy?”
“Exactly.”
In short, to awaken his power, someone with Thunder God Spirit Energy rivaling Nae Bihon’s was required. But in the entire martial world, the only person born with the Thunder Spirit Body was Nae Bihon…
Unless another Thunder God with the same power existed, awakening the Thunder God Spirit Energy was impossible.
Bu Eunseol pondered, then his eyes flashed.
“The Thunder God Spirit Energy is a force of nature. Can’t we borrow nature’s power?”
“You’re sharp, as expected.” Needle King Jongri Sahyeon nodded. “In the past, a Thunder God did reawaken the Thunder God Spirit Energy that way.”
He shook his head.
“But it’s no longer possible.”
“If a Thunder God of the past succeeded, we can too.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Jongri Sahyeon stared into the void, as if frustrated. “You must precisely drop the Thunder Spirit Energy falling from the sky onto his body, and you need a medium to purify it and guide it into the body.”
Blinking as he recalled distant memories, he shook his head.
“Even for you, that’s impossible.”
“Is there anything truly impossible in this world?” Bu Eunseol spoke with utmost seriousness. “If you tell me the method, I will try.”
“It could shake your position. You understand what I mean?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter?” Jongri Sahyeon looked puzzled. “Are you not the successor of Majeon? Why risk shaking that position to help him?”
Bu Eunseol, too, had lost his family to the Three Realms, so he felt great kinship with Nae Bihon.
Moreover, Nae Bihon had helped him multiple times.
It was only right to repay that.
“As I said, Brother Thunder helped me several times. The enemies of the Three Realms attacked me, and he saved me.”
“Such a thing happened?”
“Yes. Twice, in fact.”
As Majeon’s successor, Bu Eunseol’s movements were hidden by the Death Spirit Corps. And when he went out, he always traveled with suitable escorts.
For the Three Realms to target Majeon’s successor directly?
That made no sense.
“Sometimes I survey the state of the martial world without my subordinates.” Sensing Jongri Sahyeon’s suspicion, Bu Eunseol calmly fabricated. “They never missed an opportunity to strike.”
“I see.”
Jongri Sahyeon was naturally a suspicious man.
There were plenty of holes in Bu Eunseol’s story, but he didn’t press.
Because he no longer saw Bu Eunseol as an outsider—he thought of him as his beloved granddaughter’s prospective husband.
For Jongri Sahyeon, who had walked the righteous path for generations, accepting a demonic successor as son-in-law was no easy matter.
Perhaps it was only possible because he had met the free-spirited, unbound demonic swordsman of Majeon, Bu Zhanyang.
“But think carefully. Even with your status, it won’t be easy.”
“I will definitely succeed. Please tell me the method.”
Jongri Sahyeon opened his mouth as if he had no choice. “First, you must obtain the sacred treasure of the Wild Beast Palace, the Field of Divine Spirits. Only with it can you precisely draw the lightning falling from the sky—the Thunder Spirit Energy—into the body.”
The Wild Beast Palace.
A mysterious sect in Namman, they wielded the arcane art of Ten Thousand Beasts, commanding all beasts scattered across the world. They were also famous for the Wild Beast Style, martial arts modeled after beast movements, and the Power of the Wild, a secret that granted the power of beasts.
The problem was that the Wild Beast Palace had no contact with other sects and absolutely never allowed outsiders inside.
“That’s difficult.”
To enter the Wild Beast Palace, which shunned all external contact, and take their sanctified treasure?
But that wasn’t the end.
“Next, to accept the Thunder Spirit Energy from the sky into the body, you must go to the Valley of Lost Souls.”
“The Valley of Lost Souls?”
“Yes. You need the Profound Hunt Stone there to guide the Thunder Spirit Energy into the body without harming it.”
The Valley of Lost Souls.
Also in Namman, it was less a sect and more a place where people lived according to the way of inaction. Only those who had suffered pain and torment could enter.
Once inside, they said, one forgot everything and lived happily.
In the past, families or sects suspicious of the Valley of Lost Souls’s truth and intentions had forcibly entered several times.
—To make one forget everything and live happily—does that make sense?
—Surely the Valley of Lost Souls is a cult!
But the reality was entirely different.
It was truly a paradise like the Peach Blossom Paradise, where people cherished one another and lived simple lives. The happiness there was so profound that once someone entered, they never wished to leave.
‘The Wild Beast Palace and the Valley of Lost Souls.’
Bu Eunseol’s mouth fell open.
Jongri Sahyeon’s claim of impossibility was no exaggeration.
“Up to here, there might still be a way.” Then Jongri Sahyeon continued. “But it’s because of the third task, that I say it’s utterly impossible.”
“What is it?”
“The place where powerful Thunder Spirit Energy falls constantly—that is the Pool of Demon Blades inside the Divine Water Palace.”
Bu Eunseol inwardly exclaimed. ‘So that’s why he said it was impossible.’
The Thunder God and Water God had been at odds for generations.
Their powers were polar opposites, and thus, the Thunder Spirit Gate and the Divine Water Palace had feuded for ages. The Divine Water Palace Lord would never open the Pool of Demon Blades to help revive the Thunder God.
“What do you think?”
“It’s impossible… but I will do it.”
“You truly intend to try?”
“Yes.”
“Think carefully.” Seeing the firm conviction in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Jongri Sahyeon drew a deep breath. “All three sects have no relation to the demonic path and wield immense power and influence. If you act rashly, it could escalate into a sect war.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
But Bu Eunseol’s expression did not waver.
“I will definitely succeed.”
Bu Eunseol had two reasons he absolutely had to restore Nae Bihon’s power.
His injury had occurred because of Bu Eunseol. And before losing his memory, Nae Bihon had discovered the identity of the monstrous old man.
If Nae Bihon regained his power, those memories would return too.
Then he could uncover the hidden identity of that monstrous old man and cut him down.
“I have no choice. I wish you success.”
“Thank you.” Bu Eunseol bowed politely, clasping his hands.
Though a righteous figure, Jongri Sahyeon had given generous advice and concern to a great demonic master. For that alone, Bu Eunseol could bow without hesitation.
‘Come to think of it, it’s different from last time.’
Only now did Jongri Sahyeon sense something odd. When Bu Eunseol had come to apologize for hiding his identity… the atmosphere had somehow lightened.
And it seemed he hadn’t advanced much in martial arts.
But now, looking again, the aura of a supreme master gazing over the world overflowed.
And the atmosphere was like moonlight in the night sky—clear, unclouded.
‘That fellow, I really like him.’
Last time, though he accepted the apology, he thought Bu Eunseol unfit for Sayu. But now, he wanted to make him his son-in-law even if it meant turning his back on the world.
“Ahem, by the way, I heard from Sayu earlier.” Jongri Sahyeon cleared his throat.
“Your thoughts haven’t changed from then?”
Bu Eunseol hadn’t received a proper explanation from Seo Jinha. But seeing Jongri Sahyeon’s warm, kind eyes, he sensed it hadn’t ended badly.
“Yes… it is as I said.” When Bu Eunseol hedged, Jongri Sahyeon made a frustrated sound.
“You’re frustrating too. How can the successor of the Ten Demonic Gates dawdle and blush like a nun of the present gate?” When Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened, Jongri Sahyeon spoke in a friendly voice. “Flowers bloom red for eleven days. Youth and beauty are but a moment—they don’t last long.”
“…”
“Otherwise, that girl will wander the martial world like she is now, dispensing medicine, and wasting her prime years.”
Instantly, Seo Jinha’s bright smile as he left the Jongri family flashed in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘He didn’t make some strange promise, did he?’
“I have many duties.”
“Yes, that’s what you said. And Sayu understands that too.” Hearing the reply, fortunately it seemed Seo Jinha hadn’t made any absurd promise.
“Nae Bihon’s body will recover soon.” Jongri Sahyeon spoke in a low voice, as if he had no choice. “But absolutely do not overreach. They are all outer sects, and touching them will cause headaches.”
Bu Eunseol once again clasped his hands politely.
“Understood. Thank you.”
Nae Bihon sat in the Jongri family’s recovery room, eating a meal.
Jongri Sahyeon’s acupuncture and medicine were miraculous; all internal and external injuries were healed. Only, because the brain meridians were damaged and the Thunder God Spirit Energy vanished, he had lost both the Thunder God’s power and memories.
Slurp. Slurp.
He ate the warm noodle soup filled with meat, provided by the Jongri family, as deliciously as someone who had starved for days.
He looked not like the Thunder God who shook the world, but like an innocent scholar.
“Brother Thunder.” When Bu Eunseol opened the door and entered, Nae Bihon wiped his mouth and smiled warmly.
“You’re here.”
“Do you recognize me?”
Bu Eunseol’s face had changed from Seon Woojin’s face to Seolso’s and now, back to his own face.
Yet Nae Bihon recognized him without surprise.
“Of course. You’re my younger brother.” Nae Bihon chuckled softly. “Changing faces is easy for martial artists.”
Watching his pure smile, Bu Eunseol suddenly felt a pang in his chest.
Destroyed in body and mind by the Three Realms, living only for revenge… in the end, Nae Bihon had lost all memories. Yet now he looked like a refined scholar with a bright, clear smile. As if he had always lived cherishing only happy memories.
Suddenly, a strange conflict arose in Bu Eunseol’s heart.
‘Is restoring his power truly the right thing?’
Nae Bihon, who had witnessed his son and wife’s gruesome deaths, had lived as a madman under immense shock. But Nae Bihon without memories looked utterly at peace.
‘Brother Thunder.’ Bu Eunseol bit his lip.
Having lived in constant pain…
Nae Bihon had the right to forget it.
If someone wished to forget the past, one must never interfere.
“You look like you’re about to cry.”
Then Nae Bihon said something odd.
“Like a child who is sad but trying to look strong.”
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