Three days.
It’s already been three days since I occupied a corner of the training hall and started circulating my qi.
I thought my whole body was sore from the desperate practice with the spiral technique, but after fasting for three days, it was no wonder I felt weak throughout.
“Congratulations, Honorable Person.”
“Congrats! Senior.”
“Slurp. Mmm! Thank you! Nom nom!”
My stomach, after three days of starvation, demanded food fiercely, and I kept consuming it while receiving the congratulations from the two.
As I swallowed the noodles soaked in the rich broth of Gyeongdu-guksu, I truly realized what it felt like to have food permeate throughout my body.
Each bowl of food restored vitality to my body.
It might just be a feeling, but it seemed like my metabolism was completely different now compared to when I was at the peak level.
No, no, I should check.
“Status Window!”
————————
Name: Ho Cheon-an
Age: 24
Level: Peak
Personality: Average
Strength: 18 -> 25 Agility: 20 -> 28
Stamina: 21 -> 33 Internal Strength: 23 -> 24
Luck: 9 Endurance: 15 -> 24
Bone Density: 8 -> 9 Spirituality: 9 -> 10
Focus: 11 -> 13 Vitality: 9
Five Elements: 11 -> 12
Traits:
[Outcast] – You are unwelcome anywhere. (relationship with others -5)
[Tendon Rupture] – The tendon in your left hand is cut. (Strength -1)
[Underdeveloped Body] – Growth was stunted in childhood, but has somewhat recovered through later efforts. (Bone Density -1)
[Tenacity] – Injury effects are reduced, and survival probability at the brink of life and death increases.
[Stubborn] – Your mental strength is exceptional, regardless of your physical condition. (Focus +1)
[Lowborn Blood] – Your origins are still humble. However, a sliver of potential has been awakened. (Final Level – ?)
[Luck] – Skills reaching the heavens sometimes deceive even the heavens’ scales.
Final Level: Peak
Realization: None
————————————
I, Ho Cheon-an, status window says I’m a Peak Expert.
The additional explanation of the Lowborn Blood caught my eye for a moment, but my gaze naturally shifted to the drastically increased stats.
I chewed on the food while admiring my stats.
Unlike at the pinnacle, it’s really hard to increase levels from Peak, so the rewards at that stage are quite substantial.
While my stats rose as I leveled up, the most outstanding increases were those in stamina and endurance.
With such a leap in stamina and endurance, it seemed my body was recovering just by eating food.
Did my digestion improve, or something? Because I could eat endlessly.
I used to think it was amazing when the Black Cat downed twenty servings of Gyeongbongsam on New Year’s, but now I might be able to do that too.
Only after I polished off about ten bowls of food did I feel full.
“Ahem. I’m sorry. I was just so hungry.”
“It’s proof of achievement, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed. The mind and body are one. When you raise your level or gain enlightenment, the body naturally seeks to grow in tandem, and requiring a large influx of nutrients during that process is only natural.”
“Have you achieved enlightenment?”
“Hmph, just watch.”
After consuming food and sipping a cup of tea, my state had improved rapidly. How should I say this? It felt like a dry sponge absorbing water and becoming moist. It might not be peak condition, but it was certainly well within the normal range.
Though the spiral technique had been quite vigorous, causing some damage to my qi meridians, the dual spiral flow was stable, tracing curves similar to that of a DNA model.
I did want to brag about my achievement to the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye, but equally, I wanted to see my own state.
As I stepped out into the training hall, everyone from Miss Yeo Il-ye, the Black Cat, and Tang Do-yeon to the members of the Sacheon Outcasts rushed over.
“Did Ho-hyung really reach the Peak?”
“Already, and it’s only been less than a year since you became an Expert?”
In the commotion of the Sacheon Outcasts, I spotted Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang, their eyes lit with excitement. Jeong Sam muttered something continuously, while Yeo Jin-sang seemed utterly shocked, biting his sleeve at the news of my peak achievement.
Look at ‘em.
You better witness the might of Peak Expert Ho Cheon-an!
“Haah!”
The qi from the Cheonwon Heart Method flowed through me, dazzling the air around.
“Release!”
“So you really have reached the Peak!”
“Amazing, incredible!”
The amazement of the Sacheon Outcasts erupted. And Jeong Sam and Yeo Jin-sang just stood there, wide-eyed and speechless.
“Indeed, that was a magnificent display.”
“Congratulations on reaching the Peak, Senior.”
Even the calm evaluations from the Peak Experts. Out of nowhere, Yu Sa-yeon, who came close, gave me a pat on the shoulder.
“Really impressive! You’ve reached Peak already; did the blood finally burst?”
“Ho-hyung, congratulations!”
“You are now a Peak Expert!”
And even the congratulatory messages from the Outcasts. I kept a dignified posture befitting a Peak Expert as I graciously accepted their countless congratulations.
Tang Do-yeon also smiled brightly as she said,
“Now, Honorable Person, you’ve achieved your goal and regained your health, so let’s head to the Tang Clan.”
…I just realized I had briefly forgotten.
The reason Tang Do-yeon visited the Outcast Inn.
“To be honest, I feel hurt. How long has it been since you invited us to the Tang Clan, and you send just one letter saying you would go to Nangyang, followed by no news?”
“Ah, I apologize for that…”
“Hehe, it’s fine. I, Tang Do-yeon, have come to guide Honorable Person comfortably with the Bicheongmacha!”
Oh my heavens.
Tang Do-yeon sealed the deal with a bright smile.
“I’m truly delighted to escort Honorable Person, Black Cat, and Miss Yeo Il-ye back to the Tang Clan!”
The expression of the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye immediately turned pale.
The experienced Black Cat with the Bicheongmacha.
And Miss Yeo Il-ye, who left Sacheon because she saw the Black Cat become a victim of the Bicheongmacha.
Our glances quickly crossed.
“Well, shouldn’t we focus on getting Senior back on his feet first?”
“Exactly. Although he’s temporarily recovered, Honorable Person could technically still be considered a patient.”
“Indeed, recovery is paramount.”
Both sighed in relief at Tang Do-yeon’s agreement.
“So let’s reach the Tang Clan and have you rest adequately.”
But of course, it wouldn’t be an easy resolution. Tang Do-yeon, smiling kindly, opened her mouth.
“After all, recovery doesn’t end in a day or two, does it? You can reach the Tang Clan in a day on the Bicheongmacha, so you can rest well there. Hehe.”
“No, it’s just… I don’t think it’s suitable for a patient to ride the Bicheongmacha…”
“Oh, is that what you meant?”
Tang Do-yeon nodded, still grinning.
“Indeed, the Bicheongmacha, the fastest means of transport in the family, leaves little room for misunderstanding.”
“A little room…?”
“Little…?”
“It means that despite the rough external movements, the internal structure is completely safe. Haha! The two of you already understand well the comfort of riding the fast, safe, and comfortable Bicheongmacha, don’t you?”
“Fast, safe, comfortable? Ugh…! My head!”
While the Black Cat voiced a headache, Tang Do-yeon stepped closer and grabbed my hand.
“Ah…! Senior!”
“Ahhh! Somebody help! Tang Do-yeon is taking people on the Bicheongmacha!!”
“Calm down! Tang Miss! Let’s first set down Honorable Person before we talk!”
“Haha, folks. You’re making such a fuss over just riding a cart?”
My hand caught in hers didn’t come free! This person is using qi right now!
What is she doing with that big smile on her face!
“Ah! What’s happening? She’s using qi…! Mmmmmm!!”
“Alright, step on quickly.”
With that, Tang Do-yeon swiftly wrapped me up and dashed out of the inn.
I was held hostage (?), unable to do anything, while the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye watched!
After throwing me into the black coffin known as the Bicheongmacha and buckling me in, Tang Do-yeon smiled brightly.
“Alright! You two, hurry and get in!”
“Ughhh…!”
“…I guess there’s no choice now.”
With a long sigh, Miss Yeo Il-ye sat beside me. The Black Cat also squeezed her eyes shut and jumped into the cart.
Clack!
And at that moment, the Bicheongmacha started moving, closing behind us.
“Hu hu hu, it’s the first time I’ve had this many passengers in the Bicheongmacha.”
“…Is that so?”
I could see Tang Do-yeon’s eyes sparkling from the coachman’s seat. Is this the glint of innocence in those clear eyes? How can she smile so pure even while carrying three souls in the Bicheongmacha?
I apologized, looking at the Black Cat clutching the overhead handle tight with a double belt on, and Miss Yeo Il-ye fumbling with her own seatbelt.
“I’m really sorry to both of you… It’s my fault…”
“Ughhh… I never thought I’d ride this cart twice…”
“It’s fine. In the end, we kind of owe a debt to the Tang Clan. I did intend to visit one day.”
“A debt? The Tang Clan has benefited greatly from Sacheon. If it weren’t for Miss Yeo Il-ye, Honorable Person might not have come to our clan for help, so you could say that the Tang Clan owes a debt to Miss Yeo Il-ye!”
“…If you say that, can I ask just one favor without shame?”
“Of course! As long as it’s not the ridiculous request to drive the Bicheongmacha slowly!”
“….”
Through the window of the coachman’s cabin, I could see Tang Do-yeon’s charming smile.
“The Tang Clan will! Never treat a guest poorly. To travel slowly with the fastest mode of transport in the world would be a disgrace to our guest!”
Thud thud thud thud.
Have we left Sacheon? I could feel the Bicheongmacha starting to speed up.
Miss Yeo Il-ye’s expression turned pale instantly. Well, outside it merely seemed like the cart was speeding, but being a passenger brings a different sense of danger that hits differently.
The scenery flew past rapidly.
Wait a minute, isn’t this too fast already?
“Tang Miss! Isn’t this too fast?! I don’t remember it being like this before..!”
“Hahahaha! It’s okay!”
Tang Do-yeon’s answer was a hopeless one.
“I’ve made this trip between Sacheon and the Tang Clan countless times! The speed today with Honorable Person is different!”
“…Oh.”
“Hu hu hu! I, Tang Do-yeon! Always do my best! I’m doing my utmost to ensure our passengers arrive even a second faster today!”
Clunk! Clunk!!
The cart began to tilt rapidly.
Ah… I see.
Have we already reached ‘that steep hill?’
“…Honorable Person? Honorable Person! Is this okay? Is this really okay?!”
“Hu hu, Miss Yeo Il-ye. No one has ever been injured riding this Bicheongmacha! So don’t worry. Even if we happen to topple over, you won’t get hurt, so bind your worries tightly!”
At least Tang Do-yeon seemed to have some sense of conscience about her wild driving.
Looks like she’s aware of the risk of hurting people’s hearts!!
Of course, those words never reached her lips. Not because I was considering Tang Do-yeon. It had to do with the angle of the Bicheongmacha, which was gradually leveling out.
Here it comes!
“…Hold on tight!”
At my instinctive warning, Miss Yeo Il-ye grabbed the handle with all her might. I too clenched the overhead handle in my seat and gritted my teeth.
Vroooom!!
“AAAAAHHHHH!!”
“KIYAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!”
“AHHHHHHHHH!!”
“KIYAHHOOOUU!!”
Our screams mixed with Tang Do-yeon’s cheers filled the air as the Bicheongmacha raced nonstop toward the Tang Clan!
