Reincarnation of the Fist King Chapter 87

< The King of Fighters, Birds of a Feather 2 >

After Danwoo Seong and the unidentified man left, Cheolmyeongho was left alone in the underground training grounds, tilting his head in confusion.

"Errand by chance? What the hell are you talking about? Damn it."

Errands are a nuisance, and chance is a blessing. Because the fanatic had offered to run an errand while he was briefly unconscious, Cheol Myeong-ho couldn't figure out the true nature of this chance. All he knew was that the unidentified man was far more powerful than the likes of the Palryongmunju.

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“Haha, you said you used the Samjae Sword Technique three hundred thousand times?”

On the way to the top of the galaxy, Gwangsin asked and Danwoosung answered.

"yes."

“By yourself? Or because you told me to.”

“I ordered it. I stimulated it a little.”

“So how many times did you do it in total?”

“A million times.”

The fanatic responded with a surprised expression.

"This is a unique and arduous training. It might even lead to possession by the spirit of the Buddha."

“He’s originally crazy, so he’ll be okay.”

After coming to his senses, Cheol Myeong-ho followed behind and shouted at the two people heading towards the upper reaches of the galaxy.

“If it’s an errand, it’s an errand, and if it’s fate, it’s fate. Are you kidding me?”

As Gwangsin and Danwoosung finally burst out laughing, Cheolmyeongho shouted.

“Are you laughing? Is it funny?”

Danwoo Seong said, waving his hand.

“Just wait and practice. I’ll call you soon.”

“If you call me, should I go?”

Gwangsin spoke to Danwoo-seong as if he had realized Cheolmyeongho's true identity.

“Ah, now I understand his personality. And I understand why you ordered him to do it.”

“Will it work?”

The fanatic smiled.

"I don't know. Some people swing their sword a million times without thinking. It's possible to swing it so many times that one day, you suddenly realize the power of the sword. It might be a small number of swings to realize the power of the sword, or, depending on your intellect, it might be enough. But isn't life all about the sword?"

Danwoo Sung felt a pleasant thrill run down his spine as Gwangshin spoke, as if he had seen through his thoughts.

“Yes.”

Gwangsin said that he felt better after seeing Cheolmyeongho.

"If that guy can swing it a million times and sharpen himself and his attitude toward life like a straight sword, it will be meaningful and sufficient even if he doesn't realize the sword. It will be a wonderful training. You would have wanted it too, and becoming stronger is a different matter."

Gwangshin's way of thinking was similar to that of Danwooseong.

“That’s enough for me.”

And this, he thought, was what Cheol Myeong-ho needed. In the past, if only the life of a man counting his daily earnings while running a gambling establishment could be transformed into a million swings, that would be enough.

Just like Jinsohan.

Just as a sword dance that had no particular meaning one day became the basis of the Taoist technique performed by the best in the world.

When does Kang Ho-in become stronger? He had no choice but to become stronger every day. This was the same for Gwangsindo Dan Woo-seong and Cheol Myeong-ho.

Danwoo-seong, who had reached the top of the galaxy, spoke with a faint smile.

"I have someone I'd like to introduce to you, hyung. I'll keep his identity a secret from everyone else. Is that okay?"

“I’m going to introduce you to someone, so can I look forward to it?”

“Yes.”

“Surely he’s not another crazy guy like Cheol Myeong-ho?”

Danwoo-seong burst out laughing. The laughter was even more intense when Gwangshin seemed to have memorized the name Cheolmyeongho.

“No, don’t worry.”

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Of course, the next person Gwangsin met after Cheolmyeongho was Baekyak. He deliberately kept Gwangsin's identity hidden from the Galaxy, but Baekyak had no choice. Danwoosung knew the two would be shocked the moment they saw each other.

How could these two rare masters not recognize each other? Since they were more than just passing each other once or twice, Dan Woo-sung arranged a meeting in the reception room.

As expected.

As soon as Baekyak saw Gwangsin, he blinked his big eyes in surprise and then bowed politely.

“Senior, it’s called Baekyak.”

So, Baekyak and Gwangsin faced each other. Baekyak found Gwangsin fascinating. Despite his prayers being perfectly concealed, he felt he was by no means weaker than himself. This was a completely different presence from when he had met the leader of the Yu Jeonghong clan.

"Ah, you're Senior Samshin. But why are you so young?"

The fanatic was equally surprised. He felt Baekyak's prayers and asked.

"I've never heard of Baekyak before. By the way, how did you accumulate such skill? Your strength is disproportionate to your age. It's been a long time since I've been this surprised."

Baekyak smiled and recited an old saying.

“The heads of the families who endured hardships in this bitterly cold place sent me here.”

The fanatic's eyes grew wide.

“Ah, you are the descendant of Baek Mu-jin.”

"Yes, sir. I heard that the Three Gods were at the forefront of martial arts at the time. The god of swordsmanship, the god of medicine who saved people, and······."

The fanatic chuckled.

"and."

Baekyak said nonchalantly.

“I heard a rumor that there is a god of madmen.”

The fanatic burst into laughter.

“Hahahahahahaha… That’s me. You’re so good at recognizing me. By the way, how is it that Baek Mu-jin’s descendant is at the top of the Milky Way?”

Baekyak looked at Danwooseong and replied.

“I met my brother at the Yongbongdaeyeon.”

The fanatic nodded.

“You two were the male and female winners, Yongbong.”

"yes."

"Then I understand your existence. I miss you. What Baek Mu-jin was like."

As Baekyak watched with tension, Gwangsin slightly extended his index finger. Baekyak asked.

“Oh, can I put my fingers together?”

"No. Concentrate your energy and strike with your technique. The more energy you pour out, the better."

Baekyak hit the fanatic's index finger with his finger filled with ice.

Taang!

The fanatic's hands began to turn white, and in an instant, a coldness spread to his wrists.

The fanatic looked at his hand with a surprised expression.

“This is an ice ball.”

Even Gwangsin was a martial artist to the core. Feeling the chill enveloping his hand, he imagined Baek Mujin. Who wouldn't want to be the man who would bring all his opponents to their knees? Gwangsin was no exception. Furthermore, in Gwangsin's time, there were an inordinate number of masters. The other Samsin were his challenges, and so was he.

It was a time when the position of the best in the world was vacant.

In that sense, Baek Mu-jin's descendants were welcome in many ways.

As the fanatic clenched his fist, the cold air that had been dyed white disappeared as if a shell was peeling off.

Gwangsin looked at Danwooseong.

'What a strange guy.'

The son of the top man had Baek Mu-jin's descendants around him. He was also one of the three gods. With his unique personality, he attracted people, so it was bound to be a curious sight. Furthermore, it wasn't just the well-to-do who surrounded him; he even took care of errand boys who, to anyone who saw them, appeared to have lived a life of poverty, calling them his friends.

This is the kind of world that Gwangsin thought and hoped for when he was young.

The world of martial arts was a place where the talented and the incompetent lived together, torn by the storms of life. Contrary to this ideal, the man who lived a life marked by bloodshed, revenge, training, and asceticism was Gwangshin.

The fanatic said.

“Junior.”

Baekyak replied.

“Yes, sir.”

The fanatic chuckled.

“Will I be able to see the magic freeze with my own eyes in the future?”

Baekyak nodded.

“I will show you.”

Gwangsin looked back and forth between Danwooseong and Baekyak, then nodded as if satisfied.

“Look forward to it.”

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Danwoo Seong was finally able to reunite with Baekyak after guiding Gwangsin to the guest's quarters. Because there was a lot of snow on the upper floor, the two went for a walk along Yangpyeong Lake for the first time in a while.

As soon as Baekyak and the two were left alone, he immediately asked a question.

"Brother, your prayers have changed. Please stand for a moment."

Baekyak looked up at Danwooseong's face. Then he reached out and carefully touched Danwooseong's cheek.

“What happened?”

When asked if there was a coincidence, Dan Woo-seong smiled and said.

"I drank some natural liquor. Because of Senior Gwangshin. I was going to tell you anyway. Let's talk on the way."

The two headed to Yangpyeong Lake.

“If you are a yin-yang person, you could take the remaining natural liquor.”

"Even if you don't have yin-yang delay, the elixir will help. However, since I've never learned the martial arts of the extreme yang, there's no need to take risks. Let's just see how fast you've become…"

Danwoo Sung and Baekyak made eye contact for a moment, then simultaneously performed lightness attacks and disappeared from where they were standing.

Danwoo Seong, who had never been able to shake off Baekyak even once, was startled as soon as he ran. Baekyak's lightness was no longer as quiet as before. Because Danwoo Seong's speed had increased significantly, Baekyak, who had been quietly unfolding his techniques like a feather falling, had switched to a fierce, furious movement, chasing him.

Rather, Danwoo had to slow down to match the assistance.

Because before that, Baekyak always kept pace.

Baekyak said.

“Brother, isn’t it too fast?”

Only then did Danwoo-seong slow down and respond.

“I feel a bit sorry. It feels like I ate something good alone.”

Baekyak smiled as if she was okay. Baekyak was also the woman who monopolized the family's elixir. Besides, becoming stronger takes time. Even if Danwooseong was faster now, he thought he could catch up with training. A while later, the two walked hand-in-hand along Yangpyeong Lake, relishing their reunion.

Of course, the brain and cold air were constantly clashing in the hands they held.

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The expedition, destined for the Murim Alliance, could only depart after ten days. The most crucial factor, of course, was the number of skilled warriors participating. Because they had to be particularly adept at chariot driving, Baekyak's subordinates were the most likely to participate.

Three large wagons were all that was on the list.

Danwoosung was at the very front, Baekyak in the middle, and Gwangsin on the last wagon. All bulky items were deliberately excluded. In essence, the expedition was carrying funds from the Galactic Merchant Corps, supporting the Murim Alliance. Since the funds were provided in the form of vouchers, the luggage was essentially simple.

The combination of Danwoo Seong, Cheolmyeongho, Gwangsin, and Baekyak had a truly strange aspect.

Because the atmosphere was filled with Son Oh-gong, Sha Wujing, a madman, and a female monk from afar carrying offerings instead of Buddhist scriptures, it felt like a parade of offerings. Even though they wore the Seopungpyo nation's insignia and clothing, they appeared to be an ordinary parade of offerings. However, in the event of a fight, they possessed the power to devastate not just sects but even so-called alliances.

Among them, Cheolmyeongho was the most bizarre.

When he wasn't running errands, Cheol Myeong-ho would swing his iron umbrella from horseback. Even Baekyak's onlookers could only shake their heads in disbelief, a madman in his own right.

Also, Cheolmyeongho was a great pleasure for fanatics.

The fanatic often opened the curtain of the carriage and looked at Cheolmyeongho, then asked.

“Hori, how many times?”

“It’s thirty-one thousand nine hundred and forty-three.”

Gwangsin smiled broadly. That was the extent of their conversation. Gwangsin couldn't quite figure out why he felt so happy whenever he saw Cheolmyeongho. Then, he guessed the reason.

'I wonder if it's because he's crazier than me.'

Who would have thought there was someone on earth who could perform the Samjae Sword Technique from horseback? Even in the long history of the fanatic martial arts world, there had never been a similar case.

After a while, Gwangsin called Cheolmyeongho again.

“Hori.”

Cheol Myeong-ho shouted.

"Oh, brother, how many times did you ask me? I forgot. How many times was it?"

The fanatic replied.

“It’s thirty-one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine. Just do it one more time.”

"All right."

Cheolmyeongho struck vertically with his iron umbrella. He had now reached 320,000 strikes.

The fanatic applauded and praised Cheol Myung-ho. He seemed like a man I somehow wanted to root for. Because he'd told Dan Woo-seong not to reveal his identity, Cheol Myung-ho still thought of himself only as Dan Woo-seong's sworn brother, a man of considerable martial prowess. Therefore, he found Cheol Myung-ho's rudeness amusing.

The fanatic pointed to a quiet inn and said:

“I’m hungry, so let’s go get some dumplings and take a break.”

Cheol Myeong-ho sighed and replied.

“Understood. Dumpling Giyeon, let’s go.”

Cheol Myeong-ho shouted to the procession while riding his horse skillfully.

"Okay, I'll take your order. If you tell me to buy something when I get back, you'll both die. Take your order."

The reporters said this with a hearty laugh.

"it's okay."

“Have a nice trip.”

Cheol Myeong-ho shouted to Dan Woo-seong as he passed the lead carriage, kicking his horse.

“Hey, you fucking punk, is this fate?”

Danwoo Seong answered, pulling back the curtain.

“Go buy some beef jerky.”

Cheol Myeong-ho glanced at Dan Woo-seong, then turned his horse and ran back to the inn. He was furious.

"Anyway, let's hope it's not fate. Your two sworn brothers will die by my hand. Buy me some dumplings from Cheol Myeong-ho. Buy me some beef jerky. It'll only happen once or twice. What a fucking life."

Baekyak belatedly gathered his inner strength and shouted.

“Your Majesty, just one ice cream······.”

Cheol Myeong-ho muttered while hitting his horse with a club.

"Did that misty maiden ghost in the early morning come to the Central Plains because she couldn't eat ice cream? She's been telling me to buy ice cream all day, you idiot."

<The King of Fighters, Birds of a Feather 2> End

ⓒ Eugene Sung