Chapter 65: Divine Doctor (2)

Ku-ung!

Deep within a cave, the harsh sound of colliding scrap metal echoed.

A nauseating stench that stung the nostrils made me instinctively frown.

Bae-chong, legs trembling, walked slowly into the cave.

Following the torches lining the cave walls, I walked a little further and saw a man sitting on a massive chair.

The greatsword casually draped over the side of the chair was as huge as an adult man.

Upon reaching the man, Bae-chong slowly knelt on one knee.

The owner of the sword glanced at Bae-chong with a disinterested expression and opened his mouth.

“Your tail got stepped on?”

It was a dull voice filled with annoyance.

Bae-chong swallowed dryly and replied.

“Yes… It seems the Hwasan Sect caught wind of things.”

“Hmm… Was bringing the Yu Ranggeom really too greedy of me?”

Shin Chung, the Plum Blossom Sword Master Yu Ranggeom of the Hwasan Sect.

Just when I thought I’d seized an opportunity and worked hard to bring him in, my tail got stepped on unnecessarily.

It was because the Hwasan Sect’s senses were sharper than expected.

“Since they’ve already noticed something’s amiss, it’s probably impossible to pull out any more.”

“I will report this to My Palace.”

“Make it quick. I saw someone get their arm ripped off for being slow with their work, so you’ll do better, right?”

“…Yes!”

The man, who had been chewing on a fried scorpion placed beside him, pulled a letter from his pocket and tossed it to Bae-chong.

“Bae-chong-ah.”

“…Yes, Branch Manager-nim.”

“I heard there was an incident with Yeokcheon too. Do you know what it was?”

“…I heard Raccoons appeared.”

“Raccoons? How would they know?”

Raccoon was a derogatory term for the Hao Mun.

To notice something in such a deep place, not somewhere else? Even if the Hao Mun were excellent in intelligence gathering, this was something difficult to understand easily.

“Hmm… Could there be a mole?”

I couldn’t be sure there wasn’t, but it was hard to believe the Murim Alliance guys would infiltrate them, let alone the Hao Mun.

The rustling hand stopped.

It was because I had finished eating the scorpion.

The quick-witted Bae-chong saw this and quickly said to the man.

“I’ll have the kids bring more.”

“It’s good that you’re quick-witted.”

The man grinned and stood up.

His eight-foot-tall massive physique was enough to instill sheer intimidation.

Seeing that, Bae-chong hastily added.

“There’s an order from My Palace.”

“Tell me, I’m listening.”

“They say the Divine Doctor has appeared in Shaanxi.”

At Bae-chong’s words, the man’s eyes gleamed.

“The Divine Doctor?”

“Yes.”

“Last time they said he was in Anhui Province, and now he’s come all the way to Shaanxi? That old geezer still has plenty of strength.”

“We’re currently deploying the kids to pinpoint the location.”

The man bared his yellow teeth at Bae-chong’s words.

The cave trembled with the thick killing intent emanating from the man.

“Bae-chong-ah.”

“Y-Yes! Branch Manager-nim…!”

“I don’t think I ever ordered you to deploy the kids?”

My heart felt increasingly constricted.

Facing the approaching hand, Bae-chong quickly blurted out.

“It-It’s a direct order from the Palace Lord-nim…!”

At Bae-chong’s words, the man’s approaching presence stopped, and the suppressed killing intent slowly dissipated.

“Is that so?”

“Yes… It’s a letter sent directly by the Palace Lord-nim.”

As I handed over the paper with trembling hands, the man snatched it and unfolded it.

The letter indeed bore the direct seal of the Palace Lord.

Thanks to that, the man’s expression turned sour.

“To send a letter to a subordinate instead of the Branch Manager… The Palace Lord must have been very busy, but I’m a little disappointed.”

“…That’s right…! They must have been very busy.”

You’re not getting trusted because you do your job like shit, you damn boar.

Grind.

Bae-chong swallowed the words he could never speak even if it killed him, back down into his throat.

“So, what am I supposed to do? Should I just kill them?”

Even though it was all written in the letter, the fact that he asked without even reading it properly was truly infuriating.

However, there was nothing Bae-chong could do about it.

“…The order is to capture and confine them in the branch’s basement.”

“…Hmm. Just confining them again?”

“Yes, they said not to touch their eyes or hands, even if an incident occurs.”

“That’s no fun.”

He wore a bored expression the moment he heard the contents.

Bae-chong suppressed the rising anger within him.

It was amazing that he was still the Branch Manager looking like that, but…

Considering the martial power he possessed, there was no need for any questions.

Great Ghost Ya Hyeoljeok.

Based purely on his martial power, he should have been a martial artist belonging to My Palace.

However, due to his excessive depravity and ignorant fighting style that knew no bounds, he was eventually pushed all the way out here from My Palace.

In other words, despite being foolish, his martial power was monstrous, which is why he was appointed Branch Manager even after being exiled from My Palace.

“Ah, can I tear apart anyone who gets in the way?”

“…Yes, they said as long as the Divine Doctor is captured and confined.”

“Right, right. I hope they find them quickly… And it would be even better if the Hwasan guys show up.”

Saying so, Ya Hyeoljeok lifted his massive greatsword.

It should have been incredibly large, but it looked relatively small when Ya Hyeoljeok held it.

Fwoosh!

“…!”

The gust of wind from the casually swung sword grazed past Bae-chong’s head.

Kwa-aang!

Immediately following the roar from behind, Bae-chong had to calm his trembling chest.

Ya Hyeoljeok, ignoring Bae-chong, grinned, revealing his yellow teeth.

“Was it Geomryong? They said he was one of the decent brats… I hope I get to meet him. I’m so happy when I stomp on guys like that.”

Kkil-kkil. Ya Hyeoljeok laughed.

Kki-gi-gik.

At the sound of the greatsword scraping the ground, Bae-chong squeezed his eyes shut.

Only after Ya Hyeoljeok slowly passed him and melted into the darkness of the cave could Bae-chong finally exhale the breath he had been holding.

“Shit…”

I need to get out of here fast.

I don’t think I can endure any longer under that crazy pig.

---

Just as Maehwaseon had said, after a simple breakfast, I immediately set off for the Hwasan Sect.

The mountain wasn’t ordinarily high, so I couldn’t bring the attendants. I set off with only a few guards, including Mu Yeon.

Namgung Bi-ah also seemed intent on following me to the Hwasan Sect, so I told her to do as she pleased.

After all, I knew she wouldn’t listen even if I told her not to.

I stubbornly climbed towards the summit of the seemingly endless Yeonhwabong Peak.

If it were in the past, I wouldn’t have even made it halfway before collapsing.

It was somewhat bearable thanks to training consistently for several months.

Of course, from the middle onwards, it was so tough that I had to use my inner energy.

“Young Hero! We’re almost there!”

Yeongpung’s words made me frown deeply.

“…Sect Leader, you said that just a moment ago too.”

“We really aren’t far now. Cheer up.”

Why is he so energetic…?

Yeongpung wasn’t sweating at all while climbing all these stairs.

Even Namgung Bi-ah, following beside me, seemed unfazed.

Her cheeks seemed to have a slight sheen of sweat, but it didn’t look like she was straining much.

…Is it possible that I’m the weak one?

[I….]

‘If you’re going to start with ‘Back in my day,’ just stay quiet.’

[…]

As Shin Noya was about to say something, I stopped him first.

It seemed my preemptive action was the right call, as Shin Noya shut his mouth tightly.

Continuing to climb without rest for a long time, the sect’s main gate began to appear.

“We’re here…!”

“…Wow.”

The hellish stair climb finally ended. Looking back, the landscape unfolded below the mountain.

Seen from such a high mountain, it was certainly beautiful.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

To Yeongpung’s question, I nodded.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one captivated by the scenery.

[…Still…. Still beautiful, thank goodness….]

Shin Noya’s voice, filled with emotion, could be heard.

Unlike usual, it was a low and delicate voice.

As I gazed at the magnificent view below the high Hwasan, I heard the sound of a door opening behind me.

Kki-yik.

“What are you doing standing there?”

At the voice, Yeongpung startled and performed a greeting.

The one who opened the door was none other than Maehwaseon.

What kind of Sect Leader opens the door himself to greet guests…?

“G-Greetings, Sect Leader.”

“Oh, Yeongpung-ah, you worked hard.”

Maehwaseon said so while patting Yeongpung’s head.

Seeing Maehwaseon, who had already emerged, the Gu Family’s guards behind me froze stiff.

Especially Namgung Bi-ah and Mu Yeon, who had been expressionless the entire time, seemed to have a slight sparkle in their eyes.

I immediately followed suit and performed a greeting.

“I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu Family.”

“Ah, I saw you so intensely this morning, yet we’re greeting again.”

Maehwaseon let out a laugh.

“Come in, please don’t be disappointed that it’s unimpressive.”

Following Maehwaseon’s calm steps, I entered the Hwasan Sect.

Within the sect, plum blossoms that should have bloomed only in early spring were blooming everywhere despite it being late summer.

Thanks to that, it felt as if the summer heat was forgotten, making one mistake it for spring’s arrival.

All of this was said to be related to the cultivation method.

The Hwasan’s cultivation method is called Divine Skill.

Perhaps it’s only worthy of being called Divine Skill when it can influence nature to this extent.

Walking along the path lined with densely blooming plum blossoms, I noticed various detached houses built here and there.

Though they looked aged by time, they were managed so neatly that they didn’t give off a rusty feel.

Passing by relatively small detached houses along the path, we climbed an uphill slope, and at the end, a single house was built.

“Please, come in comfortably.”

It was the Sect Leader’s residence.

“Ah, only this child may enter; the rest shall wait outside for a moment.”

Maehwaseon spoke, pointing at me.

Because of that, I couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

Although I was momentarily flustered, I told the guards it was alright and followed the Sect Leader into the residence.

Namgung Bi-ah looked somewhat disappointed, but since it was the Sect Leader’s word, there was nothing to be done.

The inside of the residence was surprisingly simple for a place where the Sect Leader of the Nine Great Clans resides.

It felt like it only had the essentials.

In the center, Maehwaseon began brewing tea himself.

Ah, this is more burdensome than I thought…?

“My room only has plum tea to offer, as an old man lives here…”

“I like plum tea too.”

“Oh… That’s fortunate. It seems young folks these days don’t like it much.”

Actually, I don’t particularly like it, but I don’t dislike it either.

The plum tea Maehwaseon personally brewed had a rich aroma.

Taking a sip, it was much sweeter and more sour than expected, a decent taste.

I thought Wi Seol-ah would like it.

‘Even in this situation…’

Now, whenever I see something sweet, Wi Seol-ah’s face comes to mind.

I could clearly feel the gap narrowing.

“I’m glad you seem to like it.”

I chuckled sheepishly at Maehwaseon’s words.

Was I savoring the taste too obviously?

“I’d like to offer you something to chew on, but I don’t have anything brought into the room.”

“It’s alright. Just offering the tea is more than enough.”

After drinking a few more sips, I carefully presented the box I had brought with me.

It was a box containing a precious item.

Maehwaseon opened the box and untied the cloth binding the contents.

Instantly, a brilliant light and the fragrance of plum blossoms filled the room.

“…Hoo.”

Maehwaseon sighed in relief upon seeing it.

Then, he wrapped the cloth around it again, and whoosh! He threw…

Threw it!?

Thump!

The box containing the precious item flew behind Maehwaseon and embedded itself somewhere in the room.

“…Huh?”

“Now that it’s been found, the elders won’t be able to nag me… That’s a relief.”

…Wait, is it okay to do that? It’s a precious item from your own sect!

Is Old Man Shin always like…

‘Old Man Shin?’

I called out to him, but there was no answer. Even calling him repeatedly, Old Man Shin remained silent.

‘What’s wrong?’

Since when? When did Old Man Shin stop talking?

It didn’t seem like he was sulking and being quiet.

“First things first.”

While I was thinking, Maehwaseon’s voice snapped me back to attention.

There was a main point that needed addressing first.

“Thank you for bringing the precious item to the main sect, Young Master Gu.”

Maehwaseon, showing courtesy as the Sect Leader, spoke in a serious tone.

I also carefully adjusted my posture again.

“Thank you for going through the trouble of coming all this way.”

“Not at all.”

“I will send my separate gratitude to the Gu Family Head, but please convey to him once more that this old man is grateful.”

“Yes, when I return to the family, I will not forget to relay it to the Family Head.”

I took out a letter from my pocket and handed it to Maehwaseon.

He took out a seal imprinted with a plum blossom pattern and pressed it firmly onto the letter.

This marked the official handover of the precious item.

As I carefully folded the letter and put it in my pocket, Maehwaseon spoke to me.

“Child.”

His tone returned to how it was before the business between the family and the sect concluded.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“We’re done talking about the precious item, so let’s talk about what you carry within your body now.”

“…”

The time had come.

Because Maehwaseon pointed it out directly, cold sweat trickled down my back.

I hadn’t thought I could hide it… but I never expected to be found out so quickly.

Looking at Maehwaseon with trembling eyes, Maehwaseon was just sipping his tea.

Was he expecting me to answer myself?

What should I do? Should I just deny it? Should I brazenly pretend ignorance?

As I stood there, Maehwaseon quietly added.

“The energy you carry inside is definitely the energy of this sect, but…”

…Shit, denying it would be futile.

Even though Old Man Shin had tried to block the energy from leaking, it seemed impossible to hide it from Maehwaseon.

“How it came to be inside you, that’s what I’m curious about.”

It would have been a little easier if Old Man Shin were here right now…

It seemed Maehwaseon had done something, because Old Man Shin’s voice could no longer be heard.

No matter how much I thought about it, there seemed to be no other way.

I didn’t yet have the skill to deceive Maehwaseon.

Finally, I took a breath and began to explain the events of the journey to Maehwaseon.