Kwak Yeon poured himself into training, trying to forget his sorrow.
Jang Gu-sam wouldn’t have wanted to see me faltering .
After his daily routines, Kwak Yeon worked with Ha Gang to address weaknesses in their combat techniques.
Once their training concluded, he would find a quiet place to practice the Celestial Meridian Map and Danjeon Breathing.
It was common knowledge that innate energy was something one was born with. But Kwak Yeon believed it could be cultivated and increased.
The rapid recovery from fatigue he had experienced in the past could only be explained by the growth of his innate energy.
Even though it can’t be sensed or measured, innate energy undeniably exists.
Hearing about the circumstances of Jang Gu-sam’s death had only strengthened this belief.
Jang Gu-sam gave up on life. When he let go of his will to live, his innate energy dispersed, leading to his death.
This reinforced Kwak Yeon’s understanding that innate energy was tied to one’s will to live.
The extreme fatigue I felt for days must have been due to my disrupted energy flow.
Convinced of this, Kwak Yeon dedicated himself to consistent practice of Danjeon Breathing and the Celestial Meridian Map.
They say innate energy cannot be controlled because it can’t be felt. But just because I can’t feel it doesn’t mean it isn’t flowing.
While performing the Celestial Meridian Map exercise, Kwak Yeon imagined his innate energy moving within him.
If the technique itself is based on visualization, there’s no harm in imagining this as well.
When he finished, his fatigue had noticeably lessened.
Is it just my imagination?
Unlike before, he felt a surge of vitality coursing through him, as though he had woken from a deep, restful sleep.
This newfound insight into innate energy felt like a gift from Jang Gu-sam.
Yet the realization that he was no longer mourning Jang Gu-sam with the same intensity left him feeling melancholic.
What pained him most was the helplessness he had felt, unable to do anything for Jang Gu-sam.
He burned with indignation at the knowledge that the Division Leader had driven Jang Gu-sam to his untimely death for personal gain.
But what could he do? Becoming a Main Sect disciple was the only concrete step within his grasp.
Even that wasn’t guaranteed. With the Gap-rank exam approaching, Ha Gang’s increasingly troubled demeanor mirrored Kwak Yeon’s own doubts.
“Why the sigh, old man?”
Before he realized it, Seok Jangsan had appeared beside him.
“It’s nothing,” Kwak Yeon replied.
“‘Nothing,’ you say? You were so lost in thought you didn’t even notice I was here.”
Kwak Yeon turned to look at Seok Jangsan, who was shedding his boyish appearance.
From the beginning, Seok Jangsan had a sturdy, well-proportioned physique. Training at the dormitory had only enhanced it—his broad shoulders, muscular arms, lean waist, and powerful legs made him look like a tiger in motion during sparring.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
Kwak Yeon sighed lightly.
“You’re truly a natural-born martial artist. Compared to you, I’m…”
“What about you?” Seok Jangsan interrupted.
"It’s true I was born with a strong frame, but you’ve built yourself up through sheer effort. That means you’ll catch up to me soon enough."
Despite Seok Jangsan’s reassuring words, Kwak Yeon’s expression remained gloomy.
Seeing this, Seok Jangsan clapped him on the shoulder.
"They say hard work never betrays. You’re living proof of that."
Still, the gap between natural talent and effort felt insurmountable.
“Anyway, are you alright?” Seok Jangsan asked suddenly.
“Your stomach. You haven’t had any trouble?”
Seok Jangsan gave him a curious look.
"Hah! Seems like you’re fine. I came thinking you might be struggling."
“What are you talking about?”
"You don’t know? A lot of the trainees in the dormitory have been suffering from stomach issues lately."
Kwak Yeon suddenly remembered Ha Gang complaining about feeling unwell.
He had been too preoccupied with mourning Jang Gu-sam to notice what was happening around him.
“Why are they having stomach issues?”
"Because the food’s awful, obviously. It was so much better when Jang Gu-sam was the head cook. These days, all we get are wilted or spoiled vegetables, and the meat reeks terribly when it’s served."
"It’s disgraceful! Even with food, there should be some standards. If we Gap-rank trainees—who are used to the dormitory food—are struggling, imagine how the newcomers in Byeong-rank are faring. Some of them are probably collapsing."
Kwak Yeon had noticed the drop in food quality but hadn’t thought much of it since he hadn’t fallen ill.
"But the trainees need proper nutrition to build their strength. For most of them, mealtime is the only bright spot in this grueling life."
Kwak Yeon nodded in agreement. Having reaped the benefits of the Jianche Yangsheng Method, he understood the importance of a good diet better than anyone.
This situation could lead to serious issues with the trainees’ physical development.
He recalled his own frail, malnourished self from before.
"Wouldn’t the instructors and assistants be aware of this problem?"
"They’re aware but can’t say anything. The Division Leader turns a blind eye—or rather, he’s the one behind it. What can anyone do?"
The fact that the Division Leader was embezzling funds was an open secret.
He had ruthlessly ousted Jang Gu-sam, who had spent his entire life in the Kitchen Hall, just to further his scheme.
Kwak Yeon couldn’t stand by and watch such atrocities any longer.
I have to do something.
He couldn’t dismiss the issue with the excuse that he was unaffected. The trainees, though competitors, were like brothers to him.
But what could he do in a dormitory where the Division Leader held absolute power?
If not within the dormitory… then outside.
If the Main Sect learned about the situation in the dormitory, things would surely change.
But how can I inform them?
Going to the Main Sect directly was impossible.
Leaving the dormitory for any reason would mean expulsion.
Even if Kwak Yeon managed to cross the Haegumji (The Martial Border) boundary, he’d be cast out. And even if someone listened to him, they’d assume he was a troublemaker trying to slander the Division Leader.
After all, Division Leader Hyun Gong was a first-generation disciple.
If the instructors and assistants couldn’t speak out, what could a mere trainee possibly accomplish?
Does that mean I just have to stand by and watch?
Kwak Yeon didn’t want to give up.
Deep down, he knew his anger was fueled by Jang Gu-sam’s unjust death.
Seok Jangsan’s comment about the younger trainees in Byeong-rank struggling more than anyone came to mind.
If an outbreak of illness disrupted training on a large scale, it would have to be reported to the Main Sect.
The infirmary physician, Hyun Ik, would also be forced to acknowledge the severity of the issue.
Kwak Yeon recalled a method Jang Gu-sam had taught him when saving Mae Jang-so from mushroom poisoning.
“Is this really enough to cure him?”
When Kwak Yeon expressed doubt about the powder Jang Gu-sam had prepared, he had replied,
“Every food has its toxins. That doesn’t mean they’re all harmful. Used correctly, even toxins can heal.”
Jang Gu-sam had explained the principle of food and medicine sharing the same origin , emphasizing that detoxifying the body was often the best cure.
“Remember, the first priority in any treatment is to remove the toxins.”
Using Jang Gu-sam’s wisdom, Kwak Yeon believed he could restore order to the Kitchen Hall.
It felt as if Jang Gu-sam’s care for the Kitchen Hall had inspired this solution.
Kwak Yeon made up his mind.
Turning to Seok Jangsan, he asked,
"Jangsan, do you have any money on you?"
Seok Jangsan gave him a puzzled look.
"I do. I still have some emergency funds my father gave me before I came here."
Seok Jangsan’s father, the head of the Seok family, had insisted on providing the money.
"But why are you asking all of a sudden?"
It was a reasonable question—money had no use inside the dormitory.
"Can you lend me some? Please don’t ask why."
If things went wrong, even Seok Jangsan could face repercussions.
"As much as you can spare."
"I could just give it to you. It’s not like I need it. But I’d still like to know why you need it."
"If you’re planning to cause trouble, drop it. There was already that incident in the Eul-rank dormitory."
The mushroom poisoning incident had landed Kwak Yeon in the infirmary, where he was interrogated by the physician.
When Kwak Yeon remained silent, Seok Jangsan sighed and shook his head.
Knowing Kwak Yeon’s generous nature, Seok Jangsan realized there must be a compelling reason for his secrecy.
Still, he couldn’t refuse. Once Kwak Yeon set his mind to something, there was no stopping him. If denied, he’d likely go to greater lengths to obtain the money, potentially causing even more trouble.
Looking defeated, Seok Jangsan said,
"Just promise me you won’t do anything to get on the Division Leader’s bad side."
"I won’t. Not if everything goes as planned."
Later that night, Kwak Yeon visited Assistant So Jin-sam at the Byeongpal Dormitory.
"Well, well, what brings you here?" So Jin-sam asked, his tone curt but not entirely unkind.
Despite his gruff demeanor, So Jin-sam was pleased to see Kwak Yeon, though he didn’t show it.
"I have a favor to ask, Assistant So."
This kid… So Jin-sam’s gaze turned stern.
"It’s pretty bold of a trainee to come asking an assistant for a favor. I didn’t take you for such an arrogant brat."
So Jin-sam’s expression grew more severe as he continued,
"If you think you can leverage the results of my treatment to get something out of me, think again. Get lost."
"It’s not that at all. I came to you because no one cares for the trainees more than you do."
So Jin-sam’s eyes narrowed.
"What are you trying to say?"
"My fellow trainees are suffering from severe stomach issues. Every time they eat, they end up in pain. That never happened when Jang Gu-sam was here."
Of course, So Jin-sam was already aware. The Byeongpal Dormitory had plenty of trainees suffering from stomach problems.
"Then take them to the infirmary. Isn’t that the logical thing to do?"
"You know it’s not an illness. That’s why there’s no special treatment available."
"I’ve heard that the best way to treat stomach troubles is to empty the digestive system first."
"So I was hoping you could help me get some castor powder. It’s highly effective for clearing out the system."
Castor seeds, if not properly processed, were a potent toxin that caused severe diarrhea. Jang Gu-sam had used their properties to treat Mae Jang-so’s poisoning.
Hearing this, So Jin-sam looked at Kwak Yeon in shock.
"How do you know about that?"