Chapter 64: Divine Doctor (1)

I thought I was seeing things.

Wouldn’t you? I rubbed my eyes, woke up in the morning, and suddenly there was an old man in my room.

And he wasn’t just any old man.

Plum Blossom Immortal (梅華仙), Peach Blossom (桃花).

The current Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect (華山派), a Taoist master revered as the most respected immortal.

He’s an absolute sword master, mentioned alongside Sword Master (劍尊) Wi Hyo-gun whenever swordsmanship is discussed.

A master who was among the best even in my past life was sitting in my room.

Slurp.

He even brought tea, though I don’t know where he got it.

Not just tea, what is that…? It looks like some kind of skewer?

“Excuse me.”

As I tried to speak, Plum Blossom Immortal raised his hand to stop me.

I wondered why, but then he suddenly took a bite of the skewer.

“My apologies, I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“…Pardon?”

“You see, it’s quite difficult to move when I’m hungry. It’s tough getting old.”

“…Ah, yes.”

What is this?

What the heck?

What is this awkward feeling?

[…What a uniquely crazy bastard.]

At Old Man Shin’s words, I involuntarily coughed.

‘Is it okay to judge your direct successor so harshly?’

[Direct successor my ass… When that brat was born, I was already a corpse, you punk.]

Brat…

Strictly speaking, Plum Blossom Immortal was indeed much younger than Old Man Shin.

It felt quite strange.

Plum Blossom Immortal, who had been steadily eating the skewers with tea, finished the last bite and wiped his mouth.

“My apologies, I was going to come straight here, but the stuff sold at the street stall looked so delicious…”

“No…. It’s alright.”

“Hoho, what a good child.”

Plum Blossom Immortal, having finished his tea, cleared his throat a few times and faced me.

“So, you’re Gu-ryun’s child.”

“…No, I am not Elder Yi’s child.”

“Hm? Aren’t you Gu-ryun’s grandson?”

“Yes.”

While it’s true that I share blood with Elder Yi, making me his grandson in a way.

Strictly speaking, I wasn’t his biological grandson.

“That’s strange. I thought you were sending your grandson, so I assumed as much.”

“Elder Yi has never married.”

“I know that too, but one never knows if perhaps he had a child somewhere else.”

“Yes…?”

Could that possibly happen?

The more we talked, the more unconventional he seemed.

[He’s the guy who gambled away a sacred artifact for booze, so of course he’s not ordinary.]

Old Man Shin’s sharp remark almost made me gasp.

That’s right.

Did this person gamble the sacred artifact at a drinking party?

He doesn’t look the type…

He truly had the exact impression one would expect from a Taoist master.

“If you knew I was coming, does that mean you received a letter from Elder Yi?”

“Yes, it said my grandson would be coming with the stone, so treat him well.”

Grandson… It felt a bit awkward, making the situation slightly peculiar.

It really seemed like something Elder Yi would write.

Plum Blossom Immortal looked at me and said.

“I apologize for showing up so early in the morning. I heard from the disciples that you had arrived, and I couldn’t just wait around.”

So that’s why he barged into my room while I was sleeping and sat down…?

Of course, if it’s because the sacred artifact represents the sect, and there’s that kind of symbolism…

“…Hoo, thinking about how the elders nagged me when I lost the sacred artifact still makes me shudder.”

“….”

Hmm.

It must be out of responsibility or guilt for losing the sacred artifact, right?

Right, Old Man Shin?

[…Don’t ask me.]

Old Man Shin’s trembling voice clearly held embarrassment.

“But, that’s all over now… If I ever drink with those guys again, I’ll be a beast, not a human. A beast.”

When he says ‘those guys,’ does that include Elder Yi and others?

What kind of gathering is this that such a big shot is involved?

Thanks to this, my imagination and ideal image of a Taoist master, which I had associated with Plum Blossom Immortal, were shattered in less than an hour.

Almost down to Old Man Shin’s level.

[Why is my story suddenly being brought up there!]

‘Just look at what you’ve been doing. Does it inspire respect or not?’

[Damn it… I’m not someone who should be treated like this.]

Right, you shouldn’t be treated like this, because you’re a ghost.

Plum Blossom Immortal, perhaps frustrated, let out a deep sigh and spoke to me.

“Alright, child, where is the sacred artifact?”

After facing each other and talking for quite some time, Plum Blossom Immortal finally asked me for the sacred artifact.

“I have brought the sacred artifact safely.”

“…That’s a relief. Then.”

“However, I cannot give it to you just yet.”

“Hm…?”

Plum Blossom Immortal reacted with apparent surprise to my refusal.

I adjusted my posture formally.

“The family clearly instructed me to hand over the sacred artifact only upon meeting the Sect Leader directly.”

“Yes, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua is right before your eyes.”

“Could it not be so?”

At my unwavering reply, Plum Blossom Immortal wore a momentarily blank expression before suddenly letting out a ‘Hah!’

Then, seemingly incredulous, he burst into laughter that filled the room.

“Do I look like a fake to you?”

“No. Although I, your junior, am still lacking and weak, I am certain that you are the true Plum Blossom Immortal, a master who has reached a sublime state.”

The plum blossom fragrance emanating from him even while still, the energy within my body that had been wriggling uncontrollably.

From the sublime aura that prevented me from daring to look directly into his eyes, I was convinced he was Plum Blossom Immortal.

Plum Blossom Immortal asked.

“Then?”

“However, unlike him, I believe I must be certain. I, Gu Yangcheon of the Shanxi Gu family, have come representing the family to deliver the sacred artifact to the Mount Hua Sect.”

Even as I spoke, saliva went down my throat with a gulp.

Having to do something this chilling first thing in the morning.

It felt truly crappy.

[Why don’t you just hand it over already.]

‘Don’t say things you don’t mean. The stage was set from the very beginning….’

[You’re only quick-witted when it comes to this… Where did the rest of your common sense get thrown, into a cesspit perhaps.]

Who could have predicted someone would show up like this first thing in the morning.

Plum Blossom Immortal didn’t interrupt me, just watched me silently.

As if willing to listen.

“In such a situation, I cannot hand over the sacred artifact in a place like this, rather than at the Mount Hua Sect.”

“You are resolute… However, child, there is something lacking in your words.”

I wanted to ask what it was, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

My body trembled under the pressure crushing my shoulders.

The overwhelming internal energy emitted from Plum Blossom Immortal’s frail body instantly filled the room.

“How can you not know that I can simply take it by force without listening to your words?”

Enduring the pressure, I circulated the Blazing Sun Wheel Technique (九炎火輪功) within me.

Honestly, it was half forced, but I had no choice if I wanted to breathe.

I could vaguely sense that all of this was Plum Blossom Immortal’s intention from the start.

If I were to cite evidence.

First, there’s the fact that Old Man Shin, usually so talkative, isn’t saying much.

Second.

‘I can circulate my internal energy.’

As if watching to see what I would do, Plum Blossom Immortal gave me a slight opening.

I don’t know why such an obvious setup was arranged, but what can I do? If they tell me to jump, I jump.

In this damned world, if you’re weak, that’s just how it is.

As the internal energy slowly began to circulate around my body, the crushed shoulders started to ease slightly.

“…Ho….”

A short exclamation of admiration escaped Plum Blossom Immortal’s lips.

Barely holding on, my voice came out weakly.

“…I don’t think you would do that.”

“And why is that?”

Squeeeeze!

As if to counter my endurance, an even heavier energy pressed down on my body.

Damn it, what kind of crappy situation is this, asking me why while preventing me from answering?

“Nngh….”

Groaning, I fully circulated my internal energy.

I figured this was better.

[Don’t overdo it. He might act up again.]

‘I know…!’

Red haze rose along my shoulders.

I compressed it without emitting flames.

Thanks to that, the situation became much more bearable, allowing me to speak more clearly.

“As I mentioned earlier, it’s because I am confident that you are the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”

A spark lit up in Plum Blossom Immortal’s eyes.

“Even so, what would you have done if I didn’t like your actions and decided to take it by force?”

“If it were like that, it couldn’t be helped, could it? I wouldn’t die… I think I can just go back and explain the situation.”

“Hoho… You don’t think much about the consequences, do you? You’re just like that Gu-ryun fellow.”

What did you say…?

‘That’s the most offensive thing I’ve heard all year…’

But I couldn’t show my displeasure, so I forced a smile.

[…What’s with that weird expression.]

‘….’

As Plum Blossom Immortal spoke, the internal energy filling the room vanished in an instant.

“Are you outside?”

At Plum Blossom Immortal’s words, Shin Hyeon, who had returned to the sect last night, opened the door and entered.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

But he just called him so casually?

…Does he even know this is my room?

“Tell the elders that the guests from the Gu family will head up slowly once their preparations are complete.”

“Understood.”

Shin Hyeon went outside, and Plum Blossom Immortal looked at me, slightly tired, and said.

“In the past, Gu-ryun mentioned you to me.”

“Elder Yi, you mean?”

“Yes, he said you caused a lot of trouble and were a headache.”

“…Haha.”

How much did that old man badmouth me behind my back out there…?

“But that guy has recently been bragging, even writing things he never used to write.”

“…Are you talking about me bragging?”

“Yes, he was so eccentric, it was quite an unsightly sight for someone his age.”

“…Ahem.”

Tsk, tsk, Plum Blossom Immortal chuckled.

“I apologize. Not only did I show up this morning, but I also suddenly displayed such a rough side.”

After Plum Blossom Immortal’s words, I cleared my throat briefly and composed my voice.

“…Although my limited mind cannot grasp the reason, I believed you acted with purpose.”

[Your tongue seems coated in sugar. You’re a guy who speaks sickeningly oily words….]

I had to say something; the person before me was a superhuman who could easily erase a neighborhood mountain if he set his mind to it.

“Gu-ryun, that guy begged me for years to give him the sacred artifact, but I never paid him any mind. Do you know what he bet as the condition for giving it?”

“I don’t know.”

“He asked me to give you my teachings.”

“…What?”

That was a surprising statement.

Elder Yi said something like that?

I thought he just gave it to me carelessly because he couldn’t be bothered to come.

…Meanwhile, the fact that he had won another sect’s sacred artifact in a bet and hadn’t returned it for years was even more terrifying.

As if unaware of my thoughts, Plum Blossom Immortal continued with a chuckle.

“…From my perspective, it doesn’t seem necessary, though.”

“No. How could I….”

“Child, excessive humility is poison. I was certain that the Sword Dragon (劍龍) of Mount Hua was the greatest prodigy (奇才) of this era, but seeing you, my mind has changed.”

I was speechless.

It was a novel feeling, as I had never heard such words in my past life.

Hearing them only after regressing made me feel a sense of guilt.

‘What can I do now….’

I was also half resigned.

I even considered just shamelessly gobbling it up.

“So, what should we do?”

“…About what?”

“No matter how I look at it, your teachings don’t seem particularly necessary for you… And giving you an inner core (內丹) seems insufficient.”

“No, an inner core seems sufficient….”

“Oh! Right, this should work.”

“What?”

“Yes, let’s discuss this in detail later when you come up.”

What the heck, man…!

You should at least tell me before you leave, why are you deciding on your own and leaving…?

“Yes…. I’ll see you later.”

[And yet you can’t refute any of it.]

‘…Ahem.’

“Yes, come find me when you come up. We seem to have a lot to talk about, like the promised compensation.”

Saying this, Plum Blossom Immortal pointed towards my dantian with his fingertip.

“And about the energy contained within it.”

“…!”

I couldn’t help but tremble at Plum Blossom Immortal’s smiling words.

As expected, did he notice?

“…Understood.”

“Yes, have breakfast before you come. You can’t function on an empty stomach.”

Having said that, Plum Blossom Immortal suddenly went out the window…

Wait, why did he leave through the window instead of the door?

[…The end times… It’s the end times.]

‘…’

…This time, I couldn’t help but agree with Old Man Shin.

---

After a typhoon seemed to have swept through, I came outside with a dazed expression.

Mu-yeon was waiting with a stiffly frozen expression.

“What are you doing?”

“…No…thing.”

He looked like he had seen a ghost.

Ignoring Mu-yeon for the moment, I looked around for Wi Seol-ah.

Because the guy who should have come and knocked on the door much earlier hadn’t shown up.

“Where did he go?”

“You mean Wi… the attendant?”

“Yeah, why are you frozen like that?”

“…I shook hands with the elder Plum Blossom Immortal.”

“…Huh?”

“I have no regrets, even if I die now.”

“…Uh, right.”

Seeing the supposed bodyguard completely lose his composure, I shook my head.

I wondered what face he’d make if he knew this guy had unknowingly eaten and chatted with the Sword Master, the idol of all sword masters.

I became slightly curious.

“So where did he go?”

“I heard he had an appointment with Old Man Wi early this morning and went somewhere.”

“With Old Man Wi?”

Went somewhere with the Sword Master? All the way here to Shanxi?

‘What’s going on?’

Mu-yeon handed me something.

“This is the document with the family head’s permission that Old Man Wi left.”

The Gu family’s seal was stamped on the front of the paper, so it must be correct.

Besides, it didn’t seem like the Sword Master would lie about something like this.

‘Since he’s with the Sword Master, there shouldn’t be any problems.’

As I thought that and was about to go get breakfast, a nearby door opened and someone walked out.

It was Namgung Bi-ah, appearing while rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“…Ah.”

Namgung Bi-ah spotted me and gave a small wave.

Is that a morning greeting…?

She had a nonchalant expression, completely unaware of whatever had happened this morning.

I looked at her with mild displeasure and said.

“Want to get breakfast?”

In response to my question, Namgung Bi-ah nodded slightly.