THBVD 05

Chapter 05

The Divine One Became a Demon 

Sequence Arrangement (1)

After calmly organizing his thoughts, So-baek came to a conclusion.

Upon reflection, the Mugeuk Jeolmaek (Ultimate Vein Blockage) was not the most important issue right now.

‘The immediate task is simply surviving in the Man-dok Sect.’

It wasn’t about surviving for seven or eight years—it was uncertain whether he could even survive until tomorrow.

In terms of a candle, So-baek was one that could be extinguished at any moment.

In that sense, Mugeuk Jeolmaek—like a blazing fire—was not a disadvantage, but rather a potential advantage.

‘Hahaha! I never thought I’d actually see Mugeuk Jeolmaek in real life.’

He laughed softly and checked his pulse again.

No matter how many times he confirmed it, the result did not change.

Even for the Divine Physician, it was an extraordinary talent difficult to fully comprehend at once.

That was Mugeuk Jeolmaek.

‘They say you can’t see your own head—so I only realize it now.’

Some might question how a “Divine Physician” failed to recognize Mugeuk Jeolmaek immediately.

But even the greatest doctor does not constantly look in mirrors or examine his own body. In fact, self-diagnosis was more difficult than examining others.

Swish.

So-baek once again examined his body.

Now even his unusually sharp senses made sense.

They were the result of Mugeuk Jeolmaek—a talent that grants both genius ability and a shortened lifespan.

‘I cannot let this talent go to waste.’

In his previous life, So-baek had learned the Thousand Breathing Technique and a few minor martial arts.

Since survival was the priority, he intended to make use of them.

After all, the night in the dark jungle was long, and movement helped resist the cold.

‘First, I should place Cheonsap-hyang around me.’

Cheonsap-hyang was a herb that repelled beasts and poisonous insects.

So-baek successfully located it.

His deep knowledge of medicinal herbs, as the Divine Physician, was invaluable for survival in the jungle.

Cheonsap-hyang was actually widely used by native tribes in the Southern regions, and So-baek made full use of that knowledge.

After securing a minimum level of safety—

‘In my past life, I learned basic martial arts because I needed to understand warriors while treating them.’

Among them, the most useful right now was:

“Yukhap Fist (Six Harmonies Fist).”

A basic martial art that attacks in six directions—up, down, east, west, north, and south.

It was so basic that even third-rate martial artists no longer learned it.

But for So-baek, who had a small and weak body, it was the only weapon he had.

‘Let’s try it.’

So-baek closed his eyes.

He recalled the simple forms and breathing methods of Yukhap Fist and slowly extended a straight punch.

Then something incredible happened.

Paaang!

A sharp sound like air bursting as if hanging laundry was being stretched.

His thin fist cut through the air perfectly.

“I–impossible!”

Even though he had expected improvement due to Mugeuk Jeolmaek, executing a perfect strike on the very first attempt left him stunned.

Some might scoff at a basic punch, but that would be a mistake.

‘Mastering fundamentals is the hardest part.’

In martial arts—or anything—many people fail to advance because their basics are weak.

Forming a proper punch was harder than it looked.

Curling the fingers tightly, forming a fist like a hammer, and striking forward with proper breathing—that was the straight punch.

‘In my past life, it took me over a month just to learn this properly.’

Yet this small child executed it perfectly on his first attempt.

It was nothing short of a miracle.

In fact, his skill was comparable to someone who had trained for a year or two at a martial hall.

“Remarkable… truly remarkable.”

So-baek sincerely admired it and continued testing the basic forms one by one.

The results exceeded expectations.

Though Yukhap Fist was simple, his Mugeuk Jeolmaek absorbed it like a sponge soaking up water.

‘This is Mugeuk Jeolmaek!’

He was astonished by the difference in talent.

Some people train for a year without mastering basics; others master everything in a month.

That was the difference of talent.

‘In my past life, I struggled even with this simple fist technique.’

Gwak Jeong-won—the Divine Physician—had overwhelming talent in medicine, but almost none in martial arts or physical combat.

Even reaching mid-tier martial artist status was only possible because he treated many masters who guided him.

Without them, he would have remained stuck in the lowest ranks forever.

“If even Yukhap Fist feels this easy…”

So-baek shook his head in disbelief.

As time passed, his mastery grew rapidly.

With the Thousand Breathing Technique, he also cultivated internal energy using medicinal herbs.

In terms of martial progress, one day of So-baek now exceeded an entire year of Gwak Jeong-won’s past training.

‘If I refine Yukhap Fist and breathing technique… I won’t be bullied by other children.’

Except for Il-ho and a few larger kids, most children were similar in strength.

Children’s fights were mostly about confidence and momentum anyway.

And So-baek had another weapon.

“Now then… where are the needle-leaf trees?”

He searched for sharp-leaved plants.

Acupuncture was another specialty of the Divine Physician.

‘Acupuncture can heal—and also kill.’

The difference between healing and killing was very small.

Even using leaves instead of real needles, if infused with internal energy, they could still cause temporary shock or pain.

Swish…

Using his knowledge and experience, So-baek did everything he could to survive.

And soon, dawn arrived.

But even then, his determination did not fade.

Meanwhile…

“Alright, everyone gather!”

As morning came, lower instructors moved first.

They needed to gather all children before the senior instructor, the Poison Eagle Gyo Maeng-yong, arrived.

Flinch!

At the command, Il-ho and I-ho, along with others, grew uneasy.

They had thought nothing serious would happen after abandoning So-baek in the jungle—but now inspection time had arrived.

“I-ho. You think it’s fine?”

“What do you think? How much trouble can one weak kid cause?”

Il-ho scoffed, showing no concern.

Just then—

Step. Step.

Someone walked out of the forest.

It was—

“S-Sam-sip-ho?!”

“What the—how are you…?”

It was So-baek.

Completely unharmed.

Even worse—he looked perfectly fine.

The children murmured in shock.

Only Il-ho remained calm.

“Shut up and line up properly. The senior instructor is coming.”

His cold authority silenced them instantly.

Il-ho then looked at So-baek with a grin.

“You’re lucky. From the swamp yesterday to today… you’ve got quite a long life, don’t you?”

So-baek felt irritation rise.

This was the same person who had used him as a stepping stone in the swamp.

‘You will be punished.’

At first, So-baek had intended to tolerate the children as ignorance.

But Il-ho had crossed the line.

Though he appeared to be a child, So-baek was mentally a Divine Physician with the experience of an old man.

He ignored Il-ho’s provocation and stepped back calmly.

“You worm… how dare you!”

Il-ho clenched his fist in rage.

Their tension deepened until—

Step.

The senior instructor arrived.

Gyo Maeng-yong scanned the group.

‘He survived?’

He noticed So-baek—smallest and last-ranked—still alive.

But he didn’t dwell on it.

“You all look lively this morning. Good.”

He smiled faintly, observing the budding factions among the children.

Humans were the same regardless of age.

There were always rulers and the ruled.

And he preferred those who ruled.

“Now for your second training.”

He smiled meaningfully.

“It is a three-person mounted combat exercise.”

Surprisingly, the second stage of Man-dok Sect selection was mounted combat.

Not ordinary mounted combat—but combat where fighting was allowed.

“Twenty-seven survivors, nine teams. All teams will fight in a chaotic battle. The last surviving team will receive three rewards.”

“First reward: the winning trio will be renamed Il-ho, I-ho, and Sam-ho. The leader assigns all numbers.”

The children reacted immediately.

Their numbers represented hierarchy.

Reassigning them meant reshaping the entire order.

“Second reward: the winner controls food distribution. They can even eat everything themselves if they want.”

The children gasped.

Food meant survival and pleasure.

Controlling it meant absolute power.

“Third reward: warm blankets and sleeping bags for the winning team.”

The jungle nights were cold, and children often huddled together for warmth.

‘This is a chance to reset everything.’

So-baek, who had unintentionally become the lowest-ranked due to his small body, saw this as an opportunity.

“Interesting.”

He smiled.

While others slept, he had spent the entire night preparing.

He was ready for a reversal.