Reincarnation Pain Seal

The Acupoint martial arts Scripture is a Martial Art specialized in suppression and restraint rather than lethal force. Among them is a technique called *Reincarnation Pain Seal*, which, as the name suggests, is an Acupoint Striking Method that causes pain 'periodically'. Above the collarbone, at an irregular acupoint where the heart meridian and qi meridian intersect, if one injects internal energy into this hidden acupoint, which belongs to no existing meridian, and then severs its flow as if snatching it away... Kuaaaahk!! Such intense pain could be inflicted, a pain deep within the nerves, like nerve bundles tearing one by one. Hoo-eok, hoo-eok. Then, after a brief moment, the pain would vanish as if it had never been there, as if one had merely suffered a terrible nightmare. W-what's wrong? Everyone was dumbfounded, watching the rude Chinese man who had suddenly screamed. Why is he suddenly like that? Kang Tae-won asked, looking at the man who was drenched in cold sweat. Well, I'm not sure... Songtan shrugged. "Isn't he just faking it because he doesn't want to be taken away?" "Wasn't that scream a bit too realistic for faking?" But he's fine again now. Hmm... Kang Tae-won and Yoo Gyeong-ho were trying to deduce the situation. Keu-heok! The bald Chinese man, mouth agape, showed abnormal symptoms once again. A short while later, the man trembled and clutched at his own body. From an observer's perspective, it was an utterly bizarre sight. "Hey, Tani. You ask him. What's wrong with him?" "Understood." Songtan, his eyes gently crinkled, squatted down and spoke to the bald man in fluent Chinese. "Are you feeling a bit more lucid now?" "You! What... what did you do to me...?" "What did I do?" "Clearly... clearly to me... Keu-euk." The man couldn't continue speaking as the pain started again. A pain he had never experienced in his life, one that truly made his mind go blank. He almost wished he would just die then and there. What was even more maddening was this: Hoo-eok, hoo-eok. After just a little while, everything would vanish as if it were a lie. As he learned that the pain would repeatedly return, his mental fortitude began to crumble. It seems you're not feeling well. Shall I take you to the hospital? Though I'm not sure if they can treat it there... S-save me! Please! From this pain... Keu-heok. As the pain resumed, the man grabbed Songtan's pant leg. His earlier drunkenness had long since been washed away by the overwhelming pain. All that remained was the primal desire to be freed from this torment. If you promise to cooperate well and not cause any more trouble, I will help you. How does that sound? The bald Chinese man nodded frantically, as if he needed to hear nothing more. The fear of not knowing when the next wave of pain would strike completely paralyzed his reason. Tani, why is this guy acting like this? Does he have a chronic illness? Songtan replied nonchalantly to Yoo Gyeong-ho's question. He seems to have a panic disorder, and the symptoms suddenly appeared. He says he'll be fine after some rest. He's not just playing a trick to avoid being taken away, is he? It doesn't seem like it. He's just asking for a little time to calm down. Ugh, he's really something else. Alright, keep a close eye on him. We'll go clean up outside. Kang Tae-won added, as if to help. "Keep a good watch. It'll be a real mess if he tries to escape." "Understood." Once they were alone, Songtan smiled, held up three fingers, and then folded them down one by one. When all his fingers were folded. Keu-heok. Only after a terrifying wave of pain, so intense he couldn't even scream, had swept over him, did the man, eyes wide, tremble violently and his eyes rolled back. Hoo-eok, hoo-eok, please! Save me. Please. The man desperately clutched Songtan's pant leg. He was terrified of this young police officer who was smiling so brightly in front of him. He couldn't even begin to guess what had been done to him, nor could he think of how to react. The only certainty was the instinctive feeling that the Korean Police Officer before him was the one who could end this pain. "Will you promise to follow my instructions *Docilely* from now on?" "Yes! *Absolutely!* *Absolutely!*" Songtan looked at the man for a moment, then patted his shoulder. At first glance, it was the heartwarming sight of a kind police officer gently comforting even an arrogant person deemed beyond rehabilitation. Then, surprisingly. "Oh!?" Even after some time had passed, the pain was gone. A wave of relief, accompanied by goosebumps, spread across his entire body. This confirmed that the source of the pain was indeed that Korean Police Officer. If you come to someone else's country, you should enjoy yourself and leave peacefully. Why cause trouble after drinking? Ah! Th-that's... I lost all my money gambling at the casino... and the alcohol made me feel so resentful and wronged... So you're saying you took it out on a small restaurant like this? I was wrong! I committed a grave sin. You shouldn't apologize to me, but to the Restaurant Owner. If you don't receive proper forgiveness, I'll have no choice but to make you suffer again. The man, his face completely drained of color, approached the Restaurant Owner, who looked troubled, and bowed his head. He repeatedly uttered "duibuqi" (I'm sorry). As the bewildered Restaurant Owner just stood there blankly, the Chinese man eventually slammed his head against the floor. The startled Restaurant Owner finally helped the man up. "W-why are you doing this, sir!?" "He says he's truly remorseful and wants to apologize." Huh, for goodness' sake. Just a moment ago he was acting like a madman, and now this. Still, the deep worry that had been etched on the Restaurant Owner's face had somewhat eased. Is that enough!? Songtan shook his head at the Chinese man's question. An apology is an apology. But you also need to compensate for the damaged property here, for disrupting business today, and finally, for the physical and emotional damage to the Restaurant Owner and staff. Naturally... you'll do that, won't you? The bald man, meeting Songtan's emotionless eyes, nodded his head so vigorously that it seemed his neck might break. I! I will compensate for everything. Of course, I must. Having settled the situation, Songtan relayed the details to Kang Tae-won and Yoo Gyeong-ho. “He really said he’d do that?” The two men were dumbfounded. Yes, he said he'll cooperate faithfully with the investigation, take compensatory measures, and accept his punishment willingly. Huh... It was an unbelievable story. What kind of intoxicated person would so *Docilely* follow the Korean Police's words? But such an unbelievable thing was happening right before their eyes. My goodness... The foreign man, who had been charging with a broken beer bottle, was now as gentle as a lamb, getting into the patrol car on his own. Not only that, he sat with his back perfectly straight, like a rigidly disciplined private. What... what did you say to him? I just responded according to the manual: Even if they're foreign, if they cause trouble in Korea, they must docilely follow the instructions of the Korean Police. And if they refuse, they can face appropriate punishment. You just said that, and a person who was acting like a complete scoundrel changed like that? It seems sincerity truly gets through. .......... It was unsettling, but they couldn't question it further. Thanks to Songtan, an incident that would have taken two hours was resolved in just 30 minutes. I really don't get it. And so, Kang Tae-won could only scratch his head in bewilderment again today. *** Goodness, in all my years working for the Foreign Affairs Team, I've never seen anything like this. Inspector Pyo Sejun let out a hollow laugh, looking at the four Chinese men sitting huddled together like baby birds, silent as mice. What's wrong with these people? Kang Tae-won explained the situation to him. Then, Pyo Sejun, who had come from Annam Police Station, turned his gaze to Songtan. "When did you learn Chinese?" "I taught myself when I was young." Taught yourself? Since he couldn't very well say he was an ancient Chinese person in his past life, Songtan had no choice but to answer this way. "Can you speak any other foreign languages?" "I speak a little English, but not as well as Chinese." So, communication is sufficient, then? From that moment, the Detective from the Foreign Affairs Team's eyes sparkled, as if he had found a delicious prey. If you have any questions about the Foreign Affairs Team, feel free to contact me. I'll be happy to tell you. The Detective winked and slipped a business card into Songtan's front pocket. I'll be going now. Everyone, keep up the good work. Afterwards, the Foreign Affairs Team Detective coolly disappeared, taking the four Chinese men with him. Yoo Gyeong-ho, who had been watching furtively, clapped his hands and approached. The more you dig into our monster Probationer, the more endless things keep coming out. Why didn't you say you were good at Chinese?" "I didn't have the..." "Don't even say 'timing'! You annoyingly humble Junior Partner." Kang Tae-won let out a small laugh and stood up. Well, thanks to our Youngest Member, we'll finally get to leave on time. Let's head home now. It's a Macheon Precinct where work-life balance is maintained. Other Police Substations would be shocked to hear that. With that, the Senior Officers left the Police Substation first, and Songtan and Woo Seung-tae, the youngest members, prepared to leave a little later. While changing clothes in the locker room, Woo Seung-tae nudged Songtan's shoulder. "Tani, got anything planned after work today?" "No, nothing." "Then how about a quick drink? We haven't had one together since we came here." Songtan readily nodded. He also had something he wanted to ask. The two headed to a humble, old pub near the Police Substation. It was run alone by an old woman, and the snacks were cheap, making it a favorite spot for Police Officers. Kuh, this is the best. Woo Seung-tae downed a glass of soju, then picked up a cartilage bone and crunched on it. Senior, how's Police Substation life for you? Woo Seung-tae grinned and nodded. Honestly, when I first got assigned here, I was a bit nervous, but I'm fine now. I adapted more quickly than I thought. And I don't get chewed out by my Mentor much anymore. No, not that. I mean, are you suffering any disadvantages because of me? The chopsticks heading for the snack stopped abruptly. Then, Woo Seung-tae silently poured himself another glass of soju. "Kuh, wouldn't I?" "I asked because I thought you might be." They were both from the same class, transferred to the Police Substation on the same day. Moreover, Woo Seung-tae was five years older. It would have been strange if they hadn't been compared. To be frank, it was really tough at first, you know? You caught a wanted criminal on your first day, while I was getting chewed out for not even being able to use the radio properly. Haa... Honestly, back then, I just wanted to quit. It felt like this path wasn't for me. Songtan refilled his empty glass, and Woo Seung-tae continued to grumble. My life motto is that comparison is the seed of unhappiness, so never compare yourself to others, right? So normally, I don't pay any attention to what others do... But wow, I couldn't *not* pay attention to this. The comparison was just too much. Honestly, it was embarrassing too. This was something Songtan had secretly worried about. That Woo Seung-tae might quit because of him. As if reading his thoughts, Woo Seung-tae flashed a smile. But I'm fine now. You could say I've regained my mental composure. Woo Seung-tae refilled Songtan's glass, Songtan staring at him. Seriously, kid. I'm not just saying it. I'm really okay now. Do you know why? *Clink!* Woo Seung-tae clinked glasses with Songtan and quickly downed his soju. A difference has to be just right for someone to turn dark, but this... it's an insurmountable wall from the very beginning, so I don't even think that way. Now, what should I say... it's like, even though you're my junior, I feel respect? Ah, was this guy truly born to be a Police Officer? How can he do that? Even if I lived 20 years as a Police Officer, died, and then regressed, could I do that? When thoughts like that came, it just clicked. Ah! Since it's a level I can't even aspire to reach anyway, what's the point of being petty, envious, and jealous? It's a sweet deal if I just stick close and pick up the crumbs. Woo Seung-tae chuckled to himself, then looked intently into Songtan's eyes. And you've helped me a lot. You intentionally took on more Requests for Support for our team. I know it, even if you think I don't. I'm truly grateful. Their glasses clinked once more. "So don't worry about me, and just soar even higher. So high that I can't even keep up with you. I think I'd feel even more relieved then." "Even higher than this? No. This level is just right for now." You heartless guy. You never say you can't do something. Here! Drink this liquor from your passionate classmate. Yes, Senior. Don't forget me when you succeed later. What are classmates for? You gotta pull me up a bit. Same goes for you, Senior. If I'm ever in trouble, you have to be the first to help me. You're stating the obvious so seriously. Feeling a bit awkward, Woo Seung-tae slowly stood up. I'm going to the restroom, so don't be cheap and drink alone. Alright. Songtan watched intently as Woo Seung-tae opened the door and left the establishment. I'm blessed with good people. It was easy to say, but truly difficult to feel that way. It also meant that his character was upright and his capacity was great. The saying 'The bond among classmates is a powerful thing' is true. Just as he resolved to pay a little more attention to his only classmate. *Buzz-* The phone he had placed on the table vibrated loudly. It was an unfamiliar number. "Hello." [Is this Police Officer Songtan?] "Yes, it is." [This is Inspector Pyo Sejun from the Annam Police Station Foreign Affairs Team. Can you talk for a moment? It's urgent...] "Yes, I can." [You know, those Chinese men we handed over earlier? What... what exactly did you do to them?] Songtan flinched, but feigned ignorance and asked. "What do you mean by that?" These guys aren't just simple intoxicated troublemakers. Especially that bald Chinese man whose hair was half gone, you know? After an investigation, circumstantial evidence has emerged that he might be an Intermediary for a Voice Phishing Organization. But this guy is causing a ruckus here again, unlike at the Police Substation. So, about that... Pyo Sejun hesitated for a moment, then trailed off. Could Police Officer Song help us out a bit? I'll speak to the Precinct Chief separately.