Binghak Sama So.
In his past life, Wi Jicheon had never personally met the man.
He had only heard the rumors — whispered back when he was still a student.
And yet, those rumors had left such a strong impression that he still remembered them clearly.
'He was one of the most famous among the Ten Peaks (십봉).'
Was it because his medical skill stood out above the rest?
Not exactly. Among the Ten Peaks, their medical abilities were already near perfection — there was little room for comparison.
No, Binghak Sama So was renowned for another reason.
'He was notorious for being utterly rigid.'
To call him "rigid" was putting it mildly.
A stubborn fanatic.
A merciless tongue from hell.
That was how people described him.
They even said that when Binghak Sama So walked through town, quacks and frauds would flee in terror, fearing he might strip them of their healer's licenses on the spot.
'Not bad. In fact, the perfect person to use.'
To be honest, Wi Jicheon had no doubt that the Divine Healer's House would take the top score in the upcoming examination.
He had no fear of losing — none whatsoever.
But victory alone wasn't enough.
"Jang Bok, do you know what day it will be twenty days from now?"
"The day of the medical examination, isn't it?"
"Wrong. It's the day the greatness of the Divine Healer's House will be announced to the entire world."
"Ah… right."
Jang Bok gave him a look that said, 'Here we go again, my young master and his nonsense.'
But Wi Jicheon was perfectly serious.
He planned to make sure the results of this year's examination would echo throughout the medical world.
Merely performing well wouldn't suffice.
'But with Binghak Sama So… it's possible.'
A wicked little spark flashed in his mind.
At the Divine Healer's House medical hall.
The new disciples were gathered, waiting eagerly for their lesson to begin.
"Today, Senior Brother Wi Jicheon will teach us again, right?"
"To think he was such a genius! I still can't believe it."
"I'm so glad I joined this house."
All of them brimmed with admiration for Wi Jicheon.
And why wouldn't they?
He had both kindness and skill — a rare combination.
Even Dan Yeo, though she puffed her cheeks and muttered, "Hmph! I'll definitely beat Senior Brother someday!", had long since acknowledged his brilliance.
'Usually, geniuses are supposed to be eccentric, but Senior Brother Wi Jicheon feels like a saint descended from the heavens.'
If Jang Sam had heard that, his face would've gone stone cold.
The new disciples were still blissfully unaware of what kind of "lesson" awaited them.
"Did everyone sleep well? A pleasant morning to you all."
"Good morning, Senior Brother!"
Their voices rang with excitement.
Wi Jicheon smiled warmly.
"I'm truly proud of how hard you've all been working. Today, I've prepared something special."
A special class?
Everything he'd taught so far had already been excellent — could there be something even greater?
The disciples' anticipation soared.
"Please stand. Our medical hall is too small for this kind of lesson. For a while, we'll be holding class elsewhere. I've already discussed the details with Brother Wi Jigang."
By now, Wi Jigang trusted him completely and had left the teaching entirely in his hands.
The disciples nodded without hesitation.
If their Senior Brother said to go — they would go.
That was how absolute their trust had become.
That trust began to crack the moment they saw the destination.
"…Senior Brother, this place is…?"
"Yes, this will be our classroom for today."
"…Why… here, of all places?"
The Black Ghost Sect (흑귀문).
A notorious dark faction that dominated Nanyang's southern region.
Why on earth would they come here for a medical cultivation lesson?
"Ah, the disciples of the Black Ghost Sect will be assisting with your training today. There'll be no elders or fathers around to get nervous and interfere."
The disciples exchanged confused glances.
Perhaps they were to treat the sect's members as part of hands-on training?
That was the only reasonable explanation they could think of.
'But… why would the Patriarch and Brother be afraid of this place?'
Once they entered, the great gates slammed shut behind them — clang!
For some reason, it felt less like a classroom door closing and more like the sealing of their escape route.
Their instincts screamed danger — but Wi Jicheon's bright, harmless smile silenced that voice.
"Let me introduce our assistants: the great hero of Nanyang's South, Jang Sam, and the valiant members of the Black Ghost Sect."
"Welcome, young healers."
Jang Sam was smiling.
Not his usual "chewing dung" scowl — a full, toothy smile.
And yet, it wasn't a pleasant sight.
There was something unsettling in it.
The older, more seasoned disciples — those who had lived through hard times — recognized that expression instantly. It meant, "You're all going to suffer."
Still, they forced themselves to ignore the dread.
Wi Jicheon's gentle smile made them believe everything would be fine.
"So, what kind of lesson is this, Senior Brother?"
"Jang Sam, if you would."
"Boys, tie them up."
"??"
With a rustle and a snap, the disciples were seized by the Black Ghost men.
Bound tightly — and then rolled up in straw mats.
"Senior Brother…?"
Still dazed, they looked toward Wi Jicheon for answers.
He approached, his usual bright expression unchanged — and then tapped several points on their bodies.
"!!"
Their eyes went wide. They tried to speak, but no sound came out. Their throats were sealed.
"Now, we can begin the lesson. The points I've struck are the Mute Points (啞穴). You can unlock them by applying the seventh form of the Earth Spirit Medical Art."
"?!"
'What nonsense is this, Senior Brother?!'
Their eyes screamed the question, but Wi Jicheon only smiled brighter.
"Ah, but just unblocking meridians would be too easy, wouldn't it? So, I've prepared something extra. Jang Sam?"
"Heh heh heh. Bring it in."
The Black Ghost disciples lit sticks of incense — thick, oily smoke rising.
An ominous fragrance filled the room.
Wi Jicheon struck a few more points on their bodies.
"That was the Crying Voice Point (哭聲穴), located where the Upper Dantian and Outer Pulse intersect. Normally, nothing happens when you touch it. But when the fumes from this incense circulate through your meridians, the sealed Crying Voice Point will stimulate the Upper Dantian. This helps you control your qi more precisely."
It did sound miraculous — except for the tone he said it in.
'Then… why isn't this famous?' someone would've thought, if they could still speak.
"The method is called the True Immortal Meridian Art (神仙眞穴大法). It's… somewhat forgotten due to minor side effects."
"??"
"It hurts a little as time passes."
"???"
"Well… maybe a bit more than a little."
"..."
"The more pain you endure, the sharper your qi control becomes. Even beginners will be able to master their inner energy perfectly."
"!!"
Then came the pain.
It was indescribable — a searing torment that spread through every nerve.
Through their clenched teeth and twitching bodies, they could still hear Wi Jicheon's bright, cheerful voice.
"I believe in you, disciples! Endure it well!"
Ah.
The new disciples finally understood.
Their Senior Brother wasn't cruel.
He meant no harm.
Everything he did — it was all for their sake.
Of course, that didn't change the fact that—
'He's a genius. But he's insane.'
And so began their first true lesson in medical cultivation, accompanied by the silent wails of agony echoing through the Black Ghost Sect's training hall.
The Divine Healer's House stood on the southern road of Nanyang.
Coincidentally, both the fallen South Zhong Medical House and the Black Ghost Sect were located in that same region.
Nanyang itself was divided into several quarters — and surprisingly, the wealthiest people didn't live in the south, but on North Road (북로).
The central district, by contrast, was home to the poor and destitute.
The city's beggars roamed there in droves.
But the worst of all was not the center — it was East Road (동로).
Even beggars avoided it.
For even they needed someone to beg from.
The air was thick with despair and decay.
And then, about a month ago — something strange appeared there.
Before a shabby old building, a line of people began to form each morning.
Binghak Sama So had opened a temporary clinic in East Road!
While waiting for the medical examination, he had chosen to spend his time treating the poor.
'Truly impressive. No wonder he's one of the Ten Peaks.'
Wi Jicheon was genuinely impressed.
The standards for a great physician were different from those of a martial master.
A martial artist needed only to prove his strength — sometimes, fame could come overnight.
But a physician had to achieve more than skill.
He had to leave behind deeds worthy of his art.
For all his cold temperament, Binghak Sama So had accomplished enough to earn his place among the Ten Peaks.
'And that's exactly why using him will have the biggest impact.'
"Are you ready?"
"…Yes."
Jang Sam's expression had returned to its usual "chewing dung" scowl as he nodded stiffly.
"But… are you really going to do this?"
"Why?"
"…No reason."
'You lunatic. Are you out of your mind?'
Jang Sam bit back the urge to scream.
The more he saw of this boy, the more certain he became — Wi Jicheon wasn't just a schemer.
He was a deranged demon.
"Let's go."
The two of them joined the line outside the clinic.
People stepped aside at the sight of Jang Sam, recognizing him instantly — but Wi Jicheon shook his head.
"Hero Jang Sam doesn't cut in line."
"…Right. I'm a man of order. Even as a dark hero."
After a long wait, it was finally their turn.
"Wi Jicheon of the Divine Healer's House greets Master Binghak Sama So."
Binghak Sama So, who was brewing medicine inside, glanced up.
His gaze was as sharp and chilly as the rumors described.
"The third son of the Divine Healer's House?"
There was confusion in his eyes.
'What's this? That clarity in his gaze… wasn't the third son rumored to be a fool?'
Wi Jicheon's transformation — and his sudden brilliance — was still known only within the house.
In fact, his father, Wi Jiseon, had nearly run out shouting, "My son's a genius! A genius!" to the entire city, but Wi Jicheon had stopped him.
He had plans.
"What business do you have? If you've come to waste my time with formalities, get out."
Binghak's voice was curt.
Since opening this clinic, countless physicians and students had visited, hoping to curry favor.
A true healer wouldn't bother him with pleasantries.
"I know you're busy with patients, so I wouldn't dare come for idle greetings. I've come to request treatment for this man — Hero Jang Sam."
"Treatment? He doesn't look seriously ill."
"Well…"
Wi Jicheon lowered his voice, glancing around cautiously.
"As a matter of fact… he's poisoned."
"What?"
Binghak Sama So's brows shot up.
There was no sign of illness on Jang Sam at all.
"It's Taeul Rage Poison (太乙瞋毒). It coils deep within the dantian — undetectable by normal pulse reading."
"How could you possibly know that? Its properties mimic tonic herbs so closely that even seasoned physicians miss it unless they suspect it."
Wi Jicheon smiled inwardly.
'Because I'm the one who gave it to him.'
The Taeul Rage Poison could act as a restorative — or a deadly toxin — depending on how it was handled.
Still, bringing Jang Sam to Binghak Sama So meant it would likely be neutralized into a tonic. So, in a way, this would benefit him too.
"Hero Jang Sam is like family to us at the Divine Healer's House. I couldn't bear the thought of him in danger, so I came here personally to beg for your aid. Please, Master Binghak — save him!"
'You little bastard,' Jang Sam thought, forcing a smile through gritted teeth.