Chapter Index

    “Something doesn’t seem right, Sanggong.”

    Hwasun Yang Yeonhwi spoke up.

    “It’s been a few days since the Golden Dragon Jar was taken in. If Goeui, who fears the martial artists so much, allowed it, there must be something going on.”

    “Hmm.”

    Salgui Akbulbeom stroked his chin.

    “Did Tang-a’s matter resolve well?”

    “Perhaps not, Sanggong? It seems that the item left by the master mentioned by the Golden Dragon Jar was indeed related to Goeui.”

    “Does that concern us?”

    “Didn’t the Golden Dragon Jar promise to relay the message to Goeui when the opportunity arises?”

    “Regardless of whether he is a trustworthy person, it is better not to have excessive expectations.”

    Akbulbeom was cynical.

    Perhaps he didn’t realize that receiving help from humans like Tang-a, whom he disliked, was inherently repulsive to him.

    “I want to grasp even a faint hope like a drowning man clutching at straws.”

    “….”

    Understanding his wife’s feelings, Akbulbeom fell silent.

    He closed his eyes and examined his body.

    ‘How long can I endure?’

    He felt his condition deteriorating.

    Since pain was familiar to him, he was not afraid at all.

    What he feared was how well he could protect his wife.

    Having lived as a wandering swordsman for decades.

    Resentment had accumulated as much as the blood he had shed.

    Perhaps those who were plotting against him were scattered throughout the martial world.

    Especially now.

    Rumors of his deteriorating condition must have already spread.

    But he was still fine.

    He still had the strength to eliminate a few blind fools blinded by resentment.

    Moreover, this was the territory of the Unjung Goeui.

    Many commoners suffering from serious illnesses would not dare to intervene here.

    The problem was when they could not receive treatment and had to leave Unjunggak.

    A beast is a beast when it is healthy.

    Akbulbeom knew well that a wounded beast would be mercilessly torn apart.

    ‘Ultimately, you reap what you sow.’

    It was when Akbulbeom muttered bitterly in his heart.

    “Sanggong, the door is opening.”

    Yeonhwi spoke with hope in her voice.

    Hoping for some good news.

    And that hope was finally fulfilled.

    “What, something doesn’t seem right. They’re coming this way!”

    Akbulbeom’s eyes opened.

    ***

    Goeui.

    Seeing him was also a first for both Akbulbeom and Yeonhwi.

    It was also a first for the patients outside beating the drum.

    But they could tell at a glance that something was different.

    Starting from the aura he emitted, it was on a different level from ordinary people.

    “Doctor, it’s the doctor!”

    “Doctor! Doctor!”

    “Please treat me! Please!”

    “If you save my pitiful life just once, I will serve as a slave in Unjunggak for the rest of my life!”

    The patients rushed forward, begging desperately.

    But.

    “If you don’t quiet down right now, there will be no treatment.”

    Goeui spoke coldly to the followers who relayed his words to the patients.

    “Look here! The doctor said if you don’t quiet down right now, there will be no treatment! I clearly conveyed the message!”

    Gasps.

    In an instant, the patients fell silent.

    Goeui knew well that he was dealing with desperate humans.

    There was no way he would miss any possibility of receiving treatment.

    Shhh.

    As the surroundings quieted down, Goeui raised his hand.

    The followers formed a circle around him, creating a sort of barrier.

    Only then did Goeui slowly approach Akbulbeom and Yeonhwi.

    “Are you the Salgui?”

    “So you are the Goeui. It’s truly difficult to see your face. Oh, is it a mask, not your face?”

    “….Sanggong.”

    Even in front of the person who held the only possibility of treating his injuries, Akbulbeom did not grovel.

    With a personality like his, he had lived his whole life, so there was no sudden change in the face of death.

    The attitude made Yang Yeon-hwi beside him unable to say a word.

    “You must have been wrong to expect to see my face in the martial arts world.”

    Goeui chuckled.

    “But it turned out like this.”

    “The Golden Dragon Master pleaded so earnestly that I couldn’t refuse, considering my indebtedness.”

    The expressions of Akbulbeom and Yang Yeon-hwi changed upon hearing this.

    The Golden Dragon Master.

    He was definitely involved in the current situation.

    Yang Yeon-hwi wiped his chest as if truly grateful and relieved.

    Because he had done more than just keeping his promise.

    Akbulbeom couldn’t deny it either.

    The Golden Dragon Master had abilities beyond what was visible.

    “It is truly a great favor, Sang-gong.”

    “Well, yes.”

    Akbulbeom nodded.

    Fate led to this unexpected encounter.

    He didn’t believe in destiny, but at this point, he couldn’t help but think it was the will of heaven.

    “I will check your pulse first.”

    “Understood.”

    Goeui grabbed Akbulbeom’s wrist.

    The time was fleeting.

    But as if there was nothing more to see, Goeui let go of his hand.

    “Danjeon’s fifth and seventh points are dead, and the Qimae’s seventh point is in shambles.”

    The same diagnosis as with other patients.

    But no other doctor could find out the details so quickly.

    That alone showed the difference in medical skills.

    “Is… is there a chance for treatment?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi asked with a trembling voice.

    Goeui was his last hope.

    So he couldn’t help but be extremely tense.

    “Plenty.”

    Goeui answered without hesitation.

    At that moment, Yang Yeon-hwi’s legs gave out.

    Thud.

    Yang Yeon-hwi, who sank to the floor, sobbed with tears streaming down his face.

    “Th-thank you… Doctor, thank you……”

    “Nothing is decided yet, so please calm down for now.”

    “Y-yes…?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi’s eyes shook severely at Goeui’s words.

    “It seems you have something you want.”

    Akbulbeom calmly remarked.

    “It is unacceptable for me to simply treat a martial artist. I will make a condition.”

    “W-what condition?”

    “You are probably a Hwaseon, right?”

    “Y-yes.”

    “Then let’s make a deal. Draw a picture that I want, and I will give you a day’s worth of medicine for each drawing.”

    Hwaseon is a painter.

    And she belongs to the most distant category from the mercenary painters who would gladly sell their artistic souls for money.

    So no matter who offers her money, she cannot be forced to draw a picture against her will.

    But this time was different.

    “I-I will do it. I will draw a picture, so please give me the medicine.”

    Yang Yeon-hwi pleaded desperately.

    There was nothing more precious to her than her husband’s life.

    “…I’m sorry.”

    Akbulbeom apologized heavily to Yang Yeon-hwi.

    For someone like her, a picture is her pride when she reaches the top.

    Yet she was willing to give up that pride for her own life.

    Only for one thing.

    For her own life.

    It was a bitter feeling, but she had to accept her will now.

    That was respect for her.

    “No, Sang-gong. The Cheoncheop can be very helpful to Sang-gong.”

    Hwaseon smiled.

    It was a smile filled with genuine joy that she hadn’t seen in a long time.

    Because a way to heal her husband’s seemingly impossible injury had finally opened up.

    “Well, alright. Since the situation is serious, let’s start right away from today.”

    “T-thank you. Thank you, Doctor.”

    Yang Yeon-hwi bowed deeply several times to express her gratitude.

    Akbulbeom also silently nodded his head once.

    “By the way, do you have painting tools?”

    “Yes, I do.”

    As a painter worthy of being called Hwaseon, she always carried painting tools with her.

    “Then it’s settled. Follow me.”

    Goeui took a step forward.

    Yang Yeon-hwi followed behind Goeui, startled.

    And so, they disappeared into the Yunjungak.

    A neat and tidy room.

    Quiet and perfect for concentration.

    “How do you like it? I don’t see any issues with drawing here.”

    “Yes, Doctor.”

    Yang Yeon-hwi nodded slightly.

    Indeed, there were no issues.

    It was actually a good environment for drawing.

    Except for one thing.

    There was something that bothered him.

    A large mirror on one side of the room.

    It wouldn’t be a problem if it was a reasonable size, but it almost took up the entire side of the room, making it a bit distracting.

    Nevertheless, he didn’t mention it.

    He could just draw looking in a different direction.

    “Well, that’s fortunate.”

    “What kind of drawing should I do?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi asked.

    He wanted to draw a picture quickly and bring the medicine to the sky.

    “I understand your intention, but first, let’s meet someone.”

    “Yes?”

    “You need to meet someone first.”

    “Oh.”

    Yang Yeon-hwi thought that person must be related to the subject of the drawing.

    Otherwise, there would be no reason to bring it up.

    Thud.

    The door soon opened, and a tall man entered.

    “Huh…?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi’s eyes were filled with doubt.

    It was a familiar face.

    The man who assisted the Golden Dragon King.

    What was he doing here?

    “Oh, Madam. It’s been a while since we last met. I’m here to assist you in drawing.”

    Jang Il smiled.

    “Yes?”

    Yang Yeon-hwi looked uncomfortable.

    He was sure that it would be distracting and bothersome.

    So, he tried to politely decline the offer.

    “Doctor, I…”

    But before he could finish, the man’s body blocked his view.

    “Come on, let’s start by looking into my eyes.”

    His dark, deep eyes met Yang Yeon-hwi’s gaze.

    “Ah…?”

    Suddenly, he felt dizzy.

    His vision blurred, and a severe dizziness overcame him.

    Wha-what…?

    “Now, let yourself completely fall.”

    A large hand, like a pot lid, covered his eyes forcefully.

    In that moment.

    ………………………………….

    ………………………………….

    ………………………………….

    His consciousness was completely engulfed in darkness.

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