The Reversal Technique (1)
Joo Cheol-ryong stepped into the leader’s chamber.
“You called for me?”
Ma Cheol-gun, who had summoned him, was sipping wine by the window.
“Come, have a drink with me.”
Joo Cheol-ryong sat across from Ma Cheol-gun. The view from the leader’s seat was impressive, with the lights illuminating the stronghold and the disciplined warriors moving about—a scene unique to the Martial Alliance.
“Here’s to you.”
“Thank you.”
As Ma Cheol-gun emptied his glass, Joo Cheol-ryong followed suit.
“You haven’t fully recovered from your injuries yet. Don’t overdo it.”
“I’m fine.”
Ma Cheol-gun poured himself another drink, his face flushed with intoxication.
Joo Cheol-ryong was tense. Since Ma Cheol-gun became the leader, they had never shared a drink alone.
“The chief investigator examined the room where the explosion occurred. It seems a powerful technique was about to be unleashed.”
“A powerful technique?”
Joo Cheol-ryong feigned surprise, though he knew the truth. The technique could only have been attempted with his silent approval.
“If we interrogate the captive, we might uncover the mastermind.”
Instead of mentioning the prisoner, Ma Cheol-gun abruptly asked, “Why did you ally with them, Joo Dan-ju?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t think of me as a fool. I’ve known from the start that you were in league with them.”
Joo Cheol-ryong stared at Ma Cheol-gun for a moment, then drained his glass.
“Does the reason matter?”
His demeanor shifted, becoming imposing and arrogant.
“They put you in the leader’s seat. Without them, it would never have happened.”
Ma Cheol-gun’s expression tightened, but Joo Cheol-ryong was unfazed.
He had changed his attitude towards Ma Bong-gi in the same way. With Ma Cheol-gun, his son, he was even more unrestrained.
“Be content with your position and curb your ambitions. Then you can remain leader for a long time. I’ll take my leave.”
Joo Cheol-ryong stood and left.
Ma Cheol-gun watched his rude departure in silence.
Soon after, the chief investigator, No Gun-sa, entered.
“The expert suggests it might be the Separation Technique.”
Crash.
The glass shattered in Ma Cheol-gun’s hand, his gaze turning icy.
“So it’s true? And yet he dares to act so arrogantly? When he should be too ashamed to meet my eyes.”
“The prisoner’s words seem increasingly credible. If true, this is a grave matter. We cannot forgive them.”
“I’ll tear them limb from limb and grind their bones to dust.”
For the first time, Ma Cheol-gun used such violent language in front of No Gun-sa, who understood his anger and felt a surge of guilt for not supporting him better.
“You must. But for now, you must hold back.”
“What about the Demon Extermination Squad?”
“The first recruitment test is scheduled for tomorrow.”
Once the squad is formed, his power will be undeniable.
“Endure until the squad is fully under your control.”
“Wise words.”
The recent near-disaster was due to a lack of strength.
“What do you plan to do with the prisoner?”
“Leave him for now.”
“Understood.”
Ma Cheol-gun rose and walked to the window.
The conspiracy had failed. The enemy’s next move was uncertain.
He recalled the prisoner’s words.
“She has come to care for you.”
If that were true, she had helped save him alongside the prisoner.
The thought that her life might be in danger made him anxious. She needed to have escaped, not been captured.
He had to find and rescue her.
The prisoner was the only link to her.
Gazing out the window, Ma Cheol-gun made a decision.
“Though I dislike it… I must summon Ryeong-in.”
Ma Ryeong-in, the head of Cheondo Gate, was entangled with him in a bitter history, yet they were still family, and Cheondo Gate wielded considerable power.
It wasn’t trust, but utility that drove him.
To escape the prison, I first needed to release the suppressed pressure points.
I knew how to do it.
I began gathering the faint internal energy left in my meridians. It was too little to accomplish anything, yet it held significance for me.
It would take time, but I could free the pressure points.
Next, I pondered what to do about the Heavenly Demon.
[No point in worrying.]
The problem was that he could read my every thought.
Fine, I won’t worry.
[But don’t be too indifferent.]
Perhaps because he was reborn into a child’s body, the Heavenly Demon had a playful, innocent side, like an old man becoming a child again.
[Let’s work well together.]
For now, he was a presence I had to carry with me.
Had I been the twenty-year-old Biryedan experiencing this, I might have taken it very seriously.
Yet surprisingly, I wasn’t shocked or overly concerned.
Reflecting on my seventy years of life and this new existence, I was reminded of the saying about life’s ups and downs.
[What about Ma Cheol-gun?]
[Why? Curious about the body you were meant to inhabit?]
[Of course. What happened? Who is this ‘she’ you mentioned?]
I recalled the day of the technique. The Heavenly Demon shared that memory with me.
[You fool! You fell for a beauty’s trap!]
[Maybe it was true love.]
[Love? Hahaha!]
The Heavenly Demon laughed heartily.
[There’s no such thing as love in the martial world!]
After a pause, he asked, startled.
[Do you believe in love?]
He was ready to burst into laughter if I said yes.
Sensing this, I answered differently.
[Perhaps that’s why you lost to me.]
[What nonsense is this?]
[Not believing in love is rooted in distrust of humanity, isn’t it?]
[If you say so.]
[Need more explanation? Selfish people who only care for themselves ultimately lose.]
The Heavenly Demon was taken aback, not expecting such a conclusion, and was furious. Just as he shared my emotions, I shared his.
Though I couldn’t yet understand how we were connected.
Whether he knew all my memories or thoughts, or if there was a way to block it.
He had guessed I was the Heavenly True Man, so he must have accessed some of my memories or experiences.
I could feel his emotions.
Could I learn about his past? Was there a way I hadn’t discovered yet?
Time would tell.
[That’s the most idiotic thing I’ve heard. The Heavenly Demon lost to the Martial Alliance leader because he didn’t believe in love? Hahaha.]
I remained silent. The Heavenly Demon raised his voice.
[You crazy fool! Speak sense!]
Still, I didn’t respond.
What began as a joke had genuinely angered the Heavenly Demon when I didn’t react.
[You bastard! Don’t you think my words make sense?]
Isn’t there a universal truth?
The one who gets angry loses.
Not always, but in most cases, it’s a life truth. The one who laughs is the victor.
I thought it was time to curb the Heavenly Demon’s arrogance.
Otherwise, he’d constantly boast in my mind.
Eventually, exhausted, the Heavenly Demon picked another fight.
[It’ll take you three days to free yourself with that outdated method.]
He was referring to my technique for releasing the pressure points. He was right. I estimated it would take three days to free the suppressed points.
The method was the most powerful and traditional used in the Martial Alliance prison. No one had ever freed themselves from it.
[Listen to the incantation I’m about to recite. With your skills, you can use the Reversal Technique regardless of your internal energy method.]
[Reversal Technique?]
I had never heard of it. Despite extensive research on each other’s martial arts during the war, unknown techniques remained.
[With the Reversal Technique, you can free yourself in a day.]
The Heavenly Demon emphasized a day.
Countermeasures often work well against the opponent’s martial arts. The motivation and depth of research differ. This was likely one of those cases.
[Are you going to refuse because it’s demonic arts?]
[Not at all. At our level, we should be beyond such distinctions.]
[That’s what I like about you. Now, listen carefully.]
The Heavenly Demon began reciting the Reversal Technique’s incantation. I had no choice but to listen, as his voice echoed in my mind.
If I didn’t learn it in one go, he’d surely mock me. He knew we were in a clear symbiotic relationship.
After hearing the Reversal Technique, I pondered it for half an hour.
Then I began using it to free the pressure points.
[Admit it, my way is better.]
[Hahaha.]
I acknowledged it, and the Heavenly Demon laughed heartily.
[You’re quite a decent orthodox martial artist.]
With a quiet smile, I began to practice the Reversal Technique.
Yes, life is full of unexpected twists. Just a day after the Heavenly Demon arrived, I had already learned such an incredible martial art.
“Here is the poison antidote he gave me.”
Jo Myung, the master chef who had just left the Hall of Medicine, came straight to Gong Soo-chan as instructed by Byeok Ri-dan. The fact that he brought the antidote worth a staggering 150,000 nyang without hesitation spoke volumes about his integrity.
“Welcome.”
Having been informed in advance, Gong Soo-chan greeted him warmly.
“What you did, Master Jo, was nothing short of saving the Martial Alliance and, by extension, the entire martial world. You should be proud.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“It would be wise not to return to the Martial Alliance for the time being.”
“I expected as much.”
Yet, Jo Myung’s expression was troubled. He had spent thirty years of his life there. He never imagined he would have to leave the Martial Alliance so suddenly.
Sensing his unease, Gong Soo-chan spoke gently.
“You’ll be able to return to the Alliance soon enough.”
“Do you really think so?”
“When you realize who sent you here, all your worries will vanish. In fact, you might not even want to leave his side.”
Jo Myung looked at Gong Soo-chan with trembling eyes, understanding that his words were not mere consolation.
“Could you cook for us here for a while? Of course, we will compensate you fairly.”
“Haha, if you give me the chance, I should be the one thanking you. Just providing me a place to stay is more than enough.”
The blocked energy channels were gradually clearing. It was happening faster than I had anticipated.
At this rate, it wouldn’t take a day but rather just eight hours to clear them all.
Even the Heavenly Demon seemed surprised, though he didn’t show it. This wasn’t about martial arts; it was about talent. And I was using it for the first time.
[Heh, your martial arts can’t compare, can they?]
[Impressive.]
When I acknowledged it without hesitation, the Heavenly Demon fell silent for a moment.
How much time passed?
[Damn it!]
In the end, the Heavenly Demon couldn’t hide his envy and jealousy.
[How can you be so good at this on your first try?]
He had planned to criticize me for not doing it right and boast about his own skills.
But I was doing so well that he had nothing to say. At this rate, it seemed I might soon surpass him, even in demonic arts.
The Heavenly Demon spoke in an uncharacteristically cautious tone.
[There’s something I must ask you…]