If I can get what I need from Mil Do Nim before arriving at the Iron Clad Sect, I can immediately leave and head for my next destination. That would save me a great deal of time. However, it won't be that easy — Yang Zhai silently reflected, his expression unreadable.
He stood up and began walking steadily toward Mil Do Nim, each step quiet and deliberate.
Mil Do Nim noticed Yang Zhai approaching and raised an eyebrow slightly. What does he want now? He wondered silently.
"My name is Yang Zhai. I serve Master Zuh Qil," Yang Zhai stated calmly, his posture composed. "Master said you didn't get a proper chance to use your full strength during your last battle against him. He was wondering if you'd be willing to fight him again. He feels like you might have more to offer than what you previously showed."
"What?" Mil Do Nim muttered, caught off guard. He glanced behind Yang Zhai and spotted Zuh Qil in the distance, watching him intently.
Min Ho and Jin Su, on the other hand, just stared blankly at Yang Zhai. Another battle? That guy just woke up. Besides, isn't it obvious to anyone watching? Zuh Qil is clearly far more powerful than Mil Do Nim.
"He said you can take two days to rest and recover. After that, he will personally challenge you again," Yang Zhai continued, maintaining a straight face. At the same time, he was silently trying to gauge Mil Do Nim's reaction and thought to himself, Even though I made Zuh Qil win with just two punches to avoid any unexpected trouble, but now that the situation is stable I must find a way to make Mil Do Nim use his techniques in front of me. I can't directly ask him — that would be too suspicious.
"Forget it," Mil Do Nim replied, shaking his head. "Even though I couldn't fight at full strength, I'm sure Zuh Qil was also holding back. The result would probably remain the same. Besides, there's no benefit in fighting again."
He's being cautious... At his age, most would jump at a second chance for revenge without thinking. If appealing to his pride won't work, I'll have to use another method — Yang Zhai stayed silent, eyes calm.
"Very well, as you wish," he replied with a nonchalant tone. "Master Zuh Qil was only giving you a chance because he thought losing in two punches might have wounded your pride. He doesn't actually seem interested in the fight itself. He was just trying to help you. If you don't want to save face, I will inform him."
Without waiting for a response, Yang Zhai turned and walked away, leaving behind a strangely heavy silence.
Mil Do Nim: "…"
Did... did he just mock me? But then, why did it sound like he was trying to help me? And how the hell did he say all that with such a straight face? — Min Ho narrowed his eyes, confused by the mixed thoughts.
"Help me? With what?" Mil Do Nim muttered under his breath, still reeling. "Why does it feel like he's trying to lure me into another hopeless fight? Does he enjoy watching others lose or something?"
The next morning, Yang Zhai was stirred awake by the sound of movement outside. As he opened his eyes, he noticed Zuh Qil seated beside him, who was pretending to meditate — but Yang Zhai knew he was subtly keeping watch.
Yang Zhai got up and, along with Zuh Qil, followed the sound of commotion. When they stepped outside the residence, they saw Mil Do Nim and Min Ho engaged in a fierce fight. Yang Zhai said nothing and simply observed from a distance.
Minutes passed.
Strange… It's been quite some time and Mil Do Nim hasn't used a single technique. What's he planning? Does he think Min Ho isn't worth using them on? His techniques are supposed to be his real trump cards — Yang Zhai's mind filled with thoughts.
Even though the fight had drawn a large crowd and the two were fighting with serious intensity, Yang Zhai noticed that Mil Do Nim continued to avoid using any techniques. Meanwhile, Min Ho, though sparingly, was using his methods.
If I want to progress smoothly from here on, I must understand Mil Do Nim's methods. Otherwise, deciphering even the tolls of these techniques will take too long — let alone figuring out how to nullify or resist them. I need to know how Mil Do Nim avoids the side effects that cripple others. And those spirits — how are they formed from something so harmful? If I can understand these techniques, I might understand those spirits too. That will open a new door of knowledge — Yang Zhai watched Mil Do Nim closely, his curiosity growing.
The battle continued to intensify. Mil Do Nim and Min Ho clashed with full force. Despite the brutal exchanges, only Min Ho was using techniques occasionally. Mil Do Nim relied solely on raw physical strength, with his ire activated.
"Brother Yang, why don't you stop them? It's already been an hour," Jin Su walked up and asked.
"Why are they even fighting in the first place?"
"Well, it's because…"
"Go on."
"It's because Min Ho kept mocking Mil Do Nim all night long. Eventually, Mil Do Nim snapped and challenged him to a duel. The condition was that whoever loses will become the other's servant, just like…"
"Just like?"
"Just like you... hehe," Jin Su added with a sheepish grin.
Yang Zhai didn't react at all. He took the words in as if Jin Su had just said something completely ordinary. Instead, his thoughts shifted again: I see. So if someone like Zuh Qil mocks him enough, he might challenge him too. But, I can't do that. They'll start suspecting me. I need another method to force Mil Do Nim to use his techniques — one that doesn't raise alarms. If I can just get him to use them once, that'll be enough to start.
Having made up his mind, Yang Zhai silently activated the green lines, vanishing from perception. Then, hiding his movements, he triggered Earth Capture Ka. A tiny pit appeared beneath Mil Do Nim's foot — right at the moment when he was about to land.
The unexpected pothole caused Mil Do Nim to lose balance. He stumbled, opening a perfect window for Min Ho to land a powerful strike.
Where did this hole come from? I don't have a method like that, not to mention I didn't even use it... Should I stop now? No. I can't back down. This is the only chance I've got. If I can't overpower Mil Do Nim now, I never will. I'll figure out what happened later. There's no rule against winning by trickery — Min Ho's thoughts surged in under a second.
Seizing the chance, Min Ho drove his fist into Mil Do Nim's face, slamming him into the ground. The moment of impact broke Mil Do Nim's ire and canceled it entirely.
Min Ho followed through immediately, delivering a sharp kick to Mil Do Nim's abdomen. Just before his foot connected, he activated a movement-enhancing method, drastically increasing the power behind his strike — beyond what his body could normally produce.
What is happening? I could clearly sense every technique Min Ho used before, but I didn't feel anything when that pit appeared beneath my feet. It completely caught me off guard — Mil Do Nim was shaken, confusion and pain flashing across his mind.
!|!*****!*****!|!