Chapter 2

The Demon's Blade (2)

Early morning.

As the sunlight dispelled the dim dawn and spilled over the windows of this floor, Danaksun opened her eyes, feeling the warmth on her face.

"Haa."

Still lying on the bed, Danaksun stretched lazily and opened the window.

Swish.

A refreshing waterfall cascaded, striking the pond.

The mist rising majestically and the sunlight breaking through it sparkled like jewels.

Danaksun enjoyed the scenery before her for a moment.

Even though she saw it every morning, she never tired of it.

After a while, Danaksun moved towards the stairs leading to the lower floor.

A jar placed on one side of the first floor.

She took a handful of barley from inside and put it in her pocket before leaving the hall.

Then she headed straight for the pond.

The pond was so transparent that the bottom was visible, and the water was extremely cold. Washing her face with it made her feel refreshed.

It was then that she noticed something shining in the water.

Danaksun smiled.

"Hello, little ones."

Various colored fish had already gathered in front of Danaksun.

Danaksun put her hand in her pocket.

Then she sprinkled the barley she had taken from the jar into the pond.

The fish became busy eating the food.

Watching them contentedly, Danaksun headed to the room where Chaoakliang was staying.

"I'm coming in."

Chaoakliang, who was meditating with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and smiled quietly.

"Please come in, Mr. Dan."

"Don't call me that. It's embarrassing."

"Haha, I understand. Mr. Dan."

Thinking that Chaoakliang was teasing her, Danaksun puffed her cheeks.

Seeing her slightly pouting face, Chaoakliang smiled awkwardly.

"I understand. If you really feel that way, let's speak more casually from now on. Instead of 'Mr. Dan,' calling you 'Doctor' should be fine, right?"

Only then did Danaksun's expression relax.

"Yes. How is your body?"

Chaoakliang smiled wryly.

"I'm trying my best, but it's still too early to practice martial arts."

"Don't rush it."

Worried that Chaoakliang might make a mistake, Danaksun continued.

"Your meridians are twisted, and your dantian is injured. You've lost a lot of blood, and your internal organs are severely damaged. In fact, you're still in a dangerous state."

Danaksun pointed to Chaoakliang's chest.

"If you overexert yourself, it could get worse. The wounds are still not fully healed."

Danaksun sighed.

"You were really lucky. If the chest wound had been just a little deeper, you would have died on the spot."

"It wasn't luck."

"Huh?"

"The Imperial Sword Formation (帝王劍形) unleashed by the Southern Palace's elder is not something that can be handled by luck."

The chilling sword energy that had penetrated his protective aura.

Thinking about it now, it was still a chilling moment.

"The Southern Palace? The top sword family in the world?"

Danaksun showed her curiosity.

Chaoakliang nodded at her bright eyes. Danaksun's speech quickened.

"I heard from my father before. The Southern Palace is the ancestor of swords, and that's why they are called the Sword Dynasty."

"Hmph!"

Chaoakliang let out a cold laugh.

"Those who die with their throats cut by my sword are not the Sword Dynasty."

"That's similar to what my mother said."

"Really? What did the Demon of Life and Death say?"

"They are fools who don't even know which direction their sword points. Ultimately, their swords will harm them."

"Indeed, the Demon! What a remarkable insight. The Southern Palace is merely a fox replacing the tiger."

As Chaoakliang emitted a killing aura, Danaksun tried to calm him down.

"Excessive excitement is not good. If your breathing becomes rough, your broken ribs could pierce your organs."

"Be careful."

Although he said that, Chaoakliang couldn't easily calm his anger. Thinking about the energy that had penetrated his side made his anger surge again.

Then he noticed Danaksun's expression.

Her face clearly showed curiosity.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

After hesitating, Danaksun spoke carefully.

"I want to ask about the injury on your side. Knowing the cause will make treatment easier. Of course, I'm also curious."

"Curious?"

"Yes. I've never seen broken ribs with such regular spacing. But I was afraid you might get angry if I asked."

Chaoakliang smiled without realizing it.

She was grateful and impressed that Danaksun was still worried about her.

"It's the Lion's Niyama (獅子牟尼引), a secret technique of the Shaolin Temple. It shakes the internal organs with shock and is specifically designed to destroy protective aura."

"The Shaolin Temple? I've heard it's one of the pillars of the martial world."

Along with the Southern Wu Dang (南尊武当), the Northern Shaolin (北崇少林) is one of the two pillars supporting the righteous martial world.

"My mother said they are crazy people who believe they become strong just by shaving their heads."

Chaoakliang nodded.

"There was a crazy person named Ryofan. He was the head of the Arhat Hall."

Danaksun suddenly felt something was off. Chaoakliang had used the past tense.

"Is he not now?"

In response to Danaksun's question, Chaoakliang answered nonchalantly.

"He died with a broken neck."

Pointing to his shoulder, Chaoakliang continued.

"He was the one who made this wound. After crushing my sternum, he struck my heart."

Thinking about it, Chaoakliang revealed a fierce killing aura.

'Old men who don't know shame.'

Thinking about it again, it was absurd.

Each of them was a renowned figure in the martial world. Of course, there was a skill gap between them and him, so he could understand the wheel battle (車輪戰).

But to attack together.

They deserved to die miserably.

What kind of title is 'renowned' for people with no self-respect!

At that moment, Danaksun ran out of the room and returned a short while later with something in her hand.

She was wearing thick leather gloves.

"It was the hidden weapon embedded in your shoulder."

It was a metal dart.

When Danaksun touched the side, the body of the dart emitted hooks in the shape of reverse scales with a click.

"Actually, this was the most difficult. It was really hard to remove. It was even coated with poison."

"It's called the Death Dart (絶命栓)."

Chaoakliang added.

"It's a hand-thrown dart. It's a secret hidden weapon used only by the head and elders of the Tang family."

"It was incredibly intricate."

Danaksun nodded, seemingly understanding the reference to the Poison Family (毒本) Tang.

"What did the Demon say about the Tang family?"

Although he asked calmly, Chaoakliang was very curious about the Demon's evaluation.

"A petty coward. He said, 'How could they have nothing to show but poison to elevate themselves?'"

"Kuk! What a fine evaluation. That's exactly it."

"My father agreed with that part."

"Really? The God of Medicine too?"

"He hated the Tang family. He said they were small-minded people who didn't know the way of a gentleman."

With that harsh evaluation, Chaoakliang was able to laugh genuinely for the first time in a long while.

But the laughter didn't last long.

Chaoakliang looked at Danaksun's expression and asked carefully.

"Even so, aren't you afraid of me?"

Because Danaksun remained calm even after hearing that he had killed three people.

Danaksun looked up at Chaoakliang.

"To be honest, I'm more curious than afraid."

"Curious?"

Danaksun nodded.

"You survived so many powerful techniques with your bare body."

Danaksun continued.

"As a doctor, it's a miraculous thing."

Chaoakliang chuckled.

If he hadn't met Danaksun, that miracle wouldn't have happened. Regardless, Danaksun took out a box of needles and said.

"I need to place the needles early today. I have to go to the village."

"Are you going to sell medicinal herbs?"

"Yes, and to buy some too."

Chaoakliang sighed softly.

"Every time I rely on you... I feel so ashamed."

"I'll take care of it. Don't worry."

"When I get a little better, I'll find the money for the medicine myself."

If he could just visit his residence, money wouldn't be a problem. Danaksun's expression brightened at this.

"Bring as much as you can. Using good herbs will speed up the treatment. But for now, it's absolutely forbidden."

Chaoakliang burst into laughter.

"Absolutely forbidden. You really sound like a doctor."

Danaksun's expression turned awkward, and Chaoakliang realized his mistake.

"I'm sorry. I misspoke. I meant that you sound like a doctor... that's all."

Danaksun silently took out a box of needles.

Seeing this, Chaoakliang flinched.

"You don't need to be tense. Today, I'll use my father's method."

Chaoakliang awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Hem, hem, what tension? I can endure the Demon's method."

Despite his words, Chaoakliang inwardly sighed in relief.

Danaksun smiled and spoke.

"My father's method is slow but stable and less painful. On the other hand, my mother's method is fast but rough and extremely painful. But both are necessary."

"I have no worries. To save my life, I'm willing to endure this pain."

"Then I'll start."

Danaksun began placing the needles.

It was then that Chaoakliang spoke.

"When you go to the village, it's better not to talk about me."

"I won't."

Danaksun's easy nod made Chaoakliang curious.

"You don't ask why?"

"Originally, martial artists have many stories."

Chaoakliang looked at Danaksun silently. Her innocent face showed no hint of suspicion.

"My name is Chaoakliang."

After a moment, Chaoakliang spoke.

"I am one of the Five Greats of the World, the Fist Absolute (拳絶)."

"Ah! Fist Absolute Chaoakliang! I've heard of you! One of the five strongest in the current martial world!"

"I'm more famous as the leader of the Ten Great Evils."

Chaoakliang observed Danaksun's reaction.

But Danaksun's reaction was lukewarm.

She only nodded once and continued to focus on the treatment.

"Doesn't my presence make you uncomfortable?"

To Chaoakliang's question, Danaksun answered nonchalantly.

"Have you forgotten who my mother is?"

That one sentence made Chaoakliang laugh. She was the most notorious in the martial world for her bold personality and eccentric behavior.

Then Danaksun spoke.

"All martial artists are the same."

"......?"

To Chaoakliang's puzzled look, Danaksun continued.

"My mother and father both said that. Once you are in the martial world, the distinction between good and evil is meaningless."

"Meaningless?"

"A person who harms ordinary people is a bad person. The rest are all the same."

Danaksun looked up at Chaoakliang.

"Which one are you?"

"I swear, I have never killed anyone without a grudge or who is not a martial artist."

"Then you are the latter."

"Hehe."

Chaoakliang let out an awkward laugh.

It was a simple but clear logic. Then, Chaoakliang asked something he had been curious about.

"What did they say about me?"

At that moment, Danaksun's shoulders twitched.

The calm child was flustered by the question.

"I don't want to say."

"What did they say that...?"

"It's better not to hear it."

"Umm......"

"But my evaluation is different. The Mr. I've met directly doesn't seem so wicked, nor does he seem to live only in the moment without thinking about the future."

Chaoakliang smiled bitterly.

It felt like he had heard it all, even without listening.