"What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Please, just hear me out. I assure you, it won't be anything unpleasant for you, Great Hero. Unless…"
Wi Jicheon smiled brightly.
"Surely the famed Great Hero of the southern roads of Namyang, the mighty master of the Black Ghost Sect himself, wouldn't be afraid of a mere child like me, would he?"
"!!"
The onlookers froze, eyes wide.
'What on earth is this boy saying?'
The merchants who had always found Wi Jicheon endearing quickly stepped forward in panic.
"Oh heavens, he's gone mad! Great Hero, you know this boy's a little slow! Come on, you fool, apologize to the gentleman!"
But Wi Jicheon kept smiling — that same serene, innocent smile — staring straight into Zhang Sam's eyes.
Calm. Bright. Unwavering.
It was a smile far too incongruous for the moment — to the point one might wonder if he truly had lost his mind.
And yet, what Zhang Sam felt was the exact opposite.
'This brat…'
He frowned deeply.
'Something feels… wrong.'
Come to think of it, he'd felt that same discomfort yesterday when they first met — that uneasy sense behind the boy's pure and harmless demeanor.
Zhang Sam had clawed his way through the dark underbelly of the martial world, surviving countless life-and-death struggles. His instincts were sharp.
Whenever such dread stirred within him, he knew the best course was to walk away.
But the fact that his opponent was just a boy dulled his judgment.
"Fine! Come in then! I'll hear what you have to say! But if it turns out to be worthless chatter, I'll tan your hide until you can't sit for a month!"
Wi Jicheon bowed lightly to the anxious merchants as if to say, Don't worry, and stepped into the Black Ghost Sect's compound.
The merchants stamped their feet in dismay.
"That foolish brat! What does he think he's doing, walking into a den of thugs?"
"What do we do? What do we do?"
"What do you mean, what? Tell the magistrate!"
"I'll go warn the Divine Healer Clan!"
And just like that, all of South Street in Namyang was thrown into chaos.
No one realized it yet — but everything was unfolding exactly as Wi Jicheon had planned.
"So," Zhang Sam said, crossing his arms, "let's hear this grand tale of yours."
"No tea for your guest?"
"Hah! Someone bring some cold water!"
They were in Ghost Lord Hall, the Sect Master's private chamber.
It was lavish, darkly ornate — as befitted a sect of the demonic path, flaunting their master's power.
Wi Jicheon looked perfectly at ease amid the gloomy decor, smiling as he waited for his drink.
Zhang Sam's expression hardened.
'What's with this kid? Is he fearless? Or just an idiot?'
There are only two kinds of people who act calm inside a tiger's den.
The first are fools too stupid to realize they're surrounded by fangs.
But even fools usually recognize a tiger when they see one.
The second kind…
'No. It can't be.'
Suppressing his creeping unease, Zhang Sam growled, his tone menacing.
"Speak. The more foolish your words, the more I'll decide how many times to whip you."
"Send your men out first. This isn't something others should hear."
"Hah! You insolent—"
Grinding his teeth, Zhang Sam waved his hand.
The others withdrew.
The doors shut with a heavy thud.
Now, only the two of them remained.
Inside, the hall was dim.
The faint light filtering through the window fell across Wi Jicheon's face, his expression calm and unreadable.
A strange chill crawled up Zhang Sam's spine, as if he were standing before a ghost.
"Speak!" he barked. "What's your business here?!"
"I told you earlier," Wi Jicheon replied softly. "I came to teach you how to be human."
"…What?"
Zhang Sam thought he had misheard.
Teach me?
And that tone — it wasn't deferential. It was command.
"You impudent brat—"
He froze mid-sentence.
The cup in Wi Jicheon's hand was boiling.
Steam hissed upward — until the water evaporated entirely.
Samadhi True Fire.
To manifest one's Qi externally in physical form — to let one's will ignite the air itself — was a feat only a master of the Peak Realm could perform.
And not just any peak master. Only one who had reached complete perfection within that realm.
Zhang Sam realized, far too late, what kind of person remained calm in a tiger's den.
'A tiger stronger than the rest.'
Then—
Tap.
Wi Jicheon set down the empty cup and rose from his seat.
He was smiling again — that same bright, innocent smile.
Zhang Sam shivered. The warmth of that expression was more terrifying than any killing intent.
"Count yourself lucky," Wi Jicheon said softly. "In the past, I would've killed you outright. But today, I'll grant you something rare — a chance to become human."
"W-what do you mean?"
"You'll understand soon enough. There's no better way to tame a beast than through a good beating. Let's begin."
And then—
Thwack!
Zhang Sam's personal hell began.
At that same moment, within the Divine Healer Clan, the air was heavy.
It was because of Zhang Sam's rampage that morning.
"What will you do about this, Patriarch?"
"We'll have to talk with him first, see if we can reason."
"Reason? With that animal?!"
"What choice do we have? We have no power. The Southern Heavy Healer House backs the Black Ghost Sect — no one in Namyang will side with us."
Wi Jiseon sighed deeply.
"They must want something. If we give it to them, perhaps they'll stop pressing us."
He had a good guess what that "something" was.
The Southern Heavy Healer House likely wanted him — the so-called Healer Immortal of Namyang — to bow his head and acknowledge their superiority.
"My title must have offended Kim Yeohwi, the head of that house," Wi Jiseon muttered.
Namyang was home to two famed physicians, the leaders of the two Earth-ranked Healer Houses known collectively as the Two Sages of Namyang.
But as Wi Jiseon's renown grew, people had started saying Kim Yeohwi's skill no longer measured up — that only Wi Jiseon deserved the title of One of the Two Sages.
"Still…"
Wi Jikang clenched his fists.
They had done nothing wrong. And yet, they were expected to bow and submit.
Even then, he knew the Southern Heavy Healer House wouldn't stop there — they'd find a way to smear his father's name further.
"It's all right," Wi Jiseon said quietly. "As long as you're all safe, I don't mind lowering my head. If that's all it takes to end this, then so be it."
"…Father, what if we sold everything? Our land, our house — and hired assassins from the Silmun Guild to take care of Zhang Sam and Kim Yeohwi both?"
"…You've gotten bolder with your jokes."
"It's not a joke. Or we could rally the Physician Sword Unit and fight to the death—"
"They'd all run away before drawing their blades. Enough. I'm happy these days."
"…Happy?"
"Yes. Haven't you noticed how Cheon has changed? He's matured. Truly grown. He might even pass the apprenticeship exam this time."
At that, Wi Jikang frowned.
'He's changed, all right… but into what?'
Out loud, he scoffed. "Maybe. Or maybe he's just pretending, embarrassed after that… incident with his pants."
"Oh, please. You're proud of him and just won't admit it. Always so stubborn."
"Who's stubborn! I'm just saying he'll cause trouble again any day now—"
Just then, the servant Jangbok burst in, gasping.
"Patriarch! Terrible news!!"
"What is it?"
"The young master — the youngest — he's stormed into the Black Ghost Sect!!!"
"…What?"
"He went alone! He's there right now!"
Silence fell. Father and son stared at each other.
"You said he'd matured?"
"You were right. That fool hasn't changed a bit!"
Wi Jiseon roared and sprang to his feet.
"Grab your clubs, all of you! If anyone lays a finger on my son — Zhang Sam or whoever — I'll turn this whole city into their funeral pyre!!"
Wi Jiseon, Wi Jikang, Wi Jisang-ah, and the entire household stormed toward the Black Ghost Sect, armed with wooden staves and fury.
The sight of gentle physicians charging through the streets like an angry mob drew astonished stares from every direction, but Wi Jiseon didn't care.
'Demon sect or not — if they touch my boy, I'll burn them all to ash!'
When they reached the gate, Wi Jiseon bellowed,
"You bastards! Give me back my son!"
"Please, Master Physician, calm down," a constable urged. "We've already sent word inside—"
"Calm down? While those beasts have my son?!"
"Let's just wipe them out, Father," Wi Jikang growled.
"Wipe them out?"
For a moment, it seemed Namyang would witness the first all-out brawl between healers and a demonic sect.
The constables paled.
"P-please, let's assess the situation first!"
"Assess? We'll assess after we burn the place down! Set fire to the gate!"
"Should we start with the constables?"
And then—
Creak.
The heavy gates opened.
Out stepped Wi Jicheon — and behind him, Zhang Sam.
"Cheon!!"
To everyone's relief, Wi Jicheon looked unharmed.
But Zhang Sam… his face was ghostly pale.
And then — to everyone's astonishment —
Thud.
Zhang Sam dropped to his knees before Wi Jiseon.
"Great Master, this fool begs forgiveness for his sins!!"
"…What?"
"I have been blind and arrogant! I committed grave offenses against you! Please, have mercy!!"
Thud!Thud!
He slammed his forehead into the ground repeatedly.
"From this day forward, I swear to atone by serving the Divine Healer Clan! No — use me as your foot servant, your dog if you must! I will dedicate my life to you!!"
The entire street fell silent.
All eyes turned to Wi Jicheon, who stood behind him, serene as ever.
Wi Jicheon shrugged casually.
"There's no need for alarm. I merely had a brief conversation with Great Hero Zhang Sam."
"…A conversation? About what?"
"We discussed the proper conduct of a human being. Isn't that right, Great Hero?"
"Y-yes… I mean, yes!!"
Zhang Sam flinched but nodded vigorously.
"They say even a wise man can learn from a child," Wi Jicheon said pleasantly. "I must commend you, Great Hero, for your openness to enlightenment. Thank you for accepting my words so graciously."
"H-ha… ha. N-no, not at all."
Zhang Sam forced a grin — one that looked more like the grimace of a man suppressing tears.
Then, in his ear, a voice like a blade whispered:
Do you want to die? Then fix your expression.
Zhang Sam jolted. And then he shouted with all his might:
"I, Zhang Sam, swear before Heaven and Earth that any who oppose the Divine Healer Clan shall henceforth be enemies of the Black Ghost Sect as well! From this day forth, Zhang Sam and the Divine Healer Clan are one and the same!"