Silence hung over the air.
The Single acupuncturist could not understand Taesan's true thoughts.
Why was he taking part in a bet he was going to lose.
If the chosen category was something else he wouldn't be curious
But it was a one on one with him
'And I've already taken his pulse.'
Taesan's body that the Single acupuncturist examined was not normal.
He could fully understand why the golden wall clan was fixated on finding famous doctors.
And why they had asked him to visit when a famous doctor like the great doctor was by their side.
That was how bad Taesan's condition was.
'And I'm guessing that is a better state than before with the great doctor's treatment.'
There might have been even bigger pulses that were disconnected. It was likely that the great doctor must have narrowly pieced them together.
Rationally and honestly, if what the great doctor had just said was true, he had to admit that the great doctor's skill was slightly better than his.
Anyways, right now, the guy with his rag like body was asking him for a match.
'Does he intend to die while fighting me?'
It seemed like his research was about right.
If he got hurt while fighting than he should know it would reduce the chances of recovery even if he received his treatment.
And still, here he was, risking his life, he couldn't' understand why.
"You, do you intend to die?"
The Single acupuncturist looked at Taesan and asked.
"Are doctors always this talkative?"
"Of course note. But as I told you before, by engaging in a conversation with the patient, it increases rapport and builds on their relationship. Sometimes when we are not able to detect a pulse we can detect it by engaging in a conversation with the patient. This reminds me of the time I was passing by the Hyung mountain. Below the Hyung mountain, there is a small village…."
Taesan lifted his hand to stop the great doctor from talking.
If he was allowed to continue talking it would never end. The number of casualties from his endless stories was numerous.
"So are you going to do it, or not?"
Taesan forced the Single acupuncturist for an answer.
And the Single acupuncturist couldn't find a reason not to. Which was why he felt more cautious and suspicious.
The secret behind the Single acupuncturist's many success in a bet was because he only took part if he was sure of winning.
Even then, there had been some losses. Which was why you should take part only when you are more than 100% sure.
Because the results are irreversible.
"Location?"
"There's a training hall right next to us. If you want, we can go someplace else."
The Single acupuncturist looked suspiciously at Taesan.
"What do you think are the chances of you winning this match?"
"I'll win for sure. So stop wasting time and let's get started."
There wasn't a single one who was able to deliver a win after claiming it like that.
The Single acupuncturist decided to do confirm one last time.
"Let me take your pulse one last time."
Taesan looked at him speechlessly than directed his gaze towards the great doctor.
"Are doctors always this suspicious?"
"Of course not. But to treat someone else's body…."
Taesan stopped him once more.
The Single acupuncturist looked at them with bright eyes.
'He definitely…stole a breath. So it wasn't a coincidence just now?'
The Single acupuncturist wasn't able to deepen his thoughts. Taesan's hands were placed in front of him.
He took a hold of his wrist and tried to study his pulse.
And it was the same results as just now.
"Fine. Let's go. Let's fight. Don't resent me even if you die."
The Single acupuncturist stood up.
Taesan shook his head.
"It's so draining to ask for one fight. I think you're too different from the rumors? I thought you always jump at the opportunity to make a bet."
The great doctor added on to his statement.
"He's too suspicious. I would have been like that too. No, if it was me I would have refused.
He probably agreed because he likes making bets."
"Well, at least he's agreed."
The great doctor's face darkened slightly at Taesan's words.
"My prince. Are you sure you will be alight? The Single acupuncturist is entirely different from the one's you've been up against until now."
"I can tell. Do you think I didn't measure him out myself?"
The great doctor couldn't help but feel nervous.
The Single acupuncturist had taken a close look at Taesan's condition. He will probably use that to his advantage.
'Then it will be a disadvantage to the prince….'
In any case, they have already rolled the dice. The only thing left now was to sit back and wait for the outcome of this match.
***
"Your training hall is not bad."
That was an understatement, the training hall was well taken care of and spacious.
And there were already people training inside.
It was Gyeongwan and Yoo.
They were not in a match since the great doctor wasn't around to be the referee, but they were busily swinging their swords.
The two seemed taken aback by the sudden appearance of the Single acupuncturist.
This was Taesan's private training hall, it wasn't a place where anyone could enter.
Gyeongwan and Yoo were able to train here only with Taesan's consent, if not they would have gone to the training hall further from here.
While the two were looking at the Single acupuncturist with a curious look, Taesan entered the training hall.
The moment he arrived, Taesan checked on Gyeongwan and Yoo.
Taesan shook his head after reading their expression.
"I guess you haven't reached that stage yet."
They weren't able to identify that Single acupuncturist possessed the skills of martial arts.
The Single acupuncturist was highly skilled at hiding his power. So there was a big difference in Taesan's first impression of him and now.
As Taesan appeared, Gyeongwan and Yoo were able to figure out who the Single acupuncturist was.
They were aware that he would be coming by for a visit soon.
The two started to observe him more intensely, now that they knew who he was.
They started to identify small differences that they had missed out before.
Taesan nodded as he saw the change in their expression.
"It's good that we came here."
Today will be a good experience for them as well.
Because it wasn't easy to find a professional who could hide his powers so well.
From Taesan's point of view, the Single Acupuncturist was better at hiding his powers as compared to his martial arts skills.
"Where are you focusing on when I'm right in front of you!"
The Single Acupuncturist yelled at Taesan from the middle of the training hall.
Taesan paid no attention and leisurely strolled towards him.
"Shall we start? Do I attack first?"
The Single Acupuncturist shook his head.
"That won't do. You must stand at least 10 sheets away from me and I will signal when to start."
Taesan smirked.
"Guess there's another scaredy cat here."
Taesasn glanced at Gyeongwan.
He sensed the slight change in Gyeongwan's gaze at the word sacred cat.
Even though his expression was the same.
But the Single Acupuncturist's eyes remained the same.
"It's better to be called a scaredy-cat than to lose a bet."
He then walked to a distance he felt was far enough. Then he gestured to Taesan to move back.
Taesan took a few steps backward.
He could read into what the Single Acupuncturist was trying to do.
This fella was trying to start a match of earth.
His calculation was probably to use his internal power to pressure Taesan continuously from a safe distance and tire his already weak body.
And this was exactly what the great doctor had been worried about.
Everyone here was considered a skilled warrior.
So they were immediately able to guess what the Single Acupuncturist was about to do. Everyone looked grim.
But Taesan was still indifferent.
"When do we start?"
The Single Acupuncturist replied as he gathered his internal power.
"Now."
Taesan didn't move and stood still.
The Single Acupuncturist had expected Taesan to rush into an attack but seeing how he stood still, started to move slowly.
He moved to the side while maintaining the distance. Then he blew a strong wind attack towards Taean.
Whoosh!
The entire strong wind passed Taesan, nearly coming into contact with him.
Not even one managed to reach him.
The Single Acupuncturist increased the speed of his attacks. He consecutively sent wind attacks while moving around Taesan.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Surprisingly all the wind attacks missed Taesan.
Again, not a single one was able to reach Taesan.
Those watching were confused and unable to differentiate if the Single Acupuncturist was intentionally doing this or making a blunder.
Taesan spoke to the Single Acupuncturist as he stood still.
"It was a good attempt."
At that moment Taesan disappeared from view.
"But this is the outcome."
Taesan was right in front of the Single Acupuncturist.
The Single Acupuncturist was about to take out a needle.
His eyes were full of anger.
Taesan tapped the Single Acupuncturist's arm.
"Gaah!"
The Single Acupuncturist ended up pinning the needle to his own heart due to the sudden movement of his arm.
The Single Acupuncturist tried hard to retaliate.
It wasn't a poisoned needle so all he had to do was bear the pain.
But it was impossible.
Taesan had moved in a blink of an eye and moved to block the Single Acupuncturist's path by holding a leg out and tapped on his shoulder.
Tumble!
He fell in a comical way. His whole body started to feel like it was broken.
The Single Acupuncturist remained flat on the floor and looked up at Taesan with a look of disbelief.
This was impossible.
"You…can use your internal power? How?"
Taesan did not answer. The internal power he just used wasn't his own but the ones he had collected through the soul collecting power he had.
It would only make things complicated by trying to explain.
It was best to let him get lost in his own imagination.
"Do you surrender?"
Taesan looked down at the Single Acupuncturist with indifferent eyes.
This was very stressful for the Single Acupuncturist.
"Groan."
The Single Acupuncturist got to his feet. Then pulled the needle out from his chest.
He realized. It's useless to use a needle against someone like him.
"I can't do that. Not when I've bet even my soul."
The Single Acupuncturist glared at Taesan.
"Seems like you won't admit defeat until you either pass out or die."
Taesan replied before disappearing one more time.
The Single Acupuncturist thought he was going crazy. It was exactly the same as just now. He was looking at him with eyes wide open, but he lost sight of him again.
He even channeled his internal power to his eyes so as not to lose sight of him.
Bang!
He felt great pain to the back of his head. Then the whole world started spinning and went black.
***
The Single Acupuncturist blinked his eyes. He saw blue skies.
He was lying on the ground of the training hall.
And the great doctor was seated next to him.
"You just lost your consciousness from the sudden impact. There are no injuries."
He couldn't hear him very well.
'I lost? Me? To that novice?"
No, could he be called a novice? This was the first time he was defeated like this before.
Something had felt fishy from the start and now it has come to this.
"So, are you going to keep your promise?"
The Single Acupuncturist's mind started to go into overdrive at the great doctor's query.
He had bet himself and his soul. He wasn't sure how he could offer them, to begin with.
In all honesty, he didn't even think it would be possible to lose.
"I don't know. What I'm supposed to do now."
"I cast a few restraining spells on you, just in case."
The Single Acupuncturist frowned.
"What do you take me for! Did you think I would run away without keeping my end of the bargain!"
"That's why I said just in case. Really just in case. I mean today is the first time I met you, so how am I supposed to know what kind of person you are? There's nothing wrong with benign careful, right? I'm sure you would agree. Since we're both doctors."
The Single Accupunctuist stared blankly at the great doctor.
Then the great doctor smiled widely.
"Let's get along."
The Single Acupuncturist felt annoyed as it felt like the great doctor was looking down on him.