Chapter: 68
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Immortal Healer (5)
“How are you feeling?”
These were the words of the Celestial Plum Blossom after successfully claiming a place in the hut following quite the standoff.
I also slipped in gently once the atmosphere had calmed down a bit.
“You must be really busy—what brings you all the way here…?”
“I just happened to drop by, so there’s no need for sarcasm.”
“…Lord.”
The Plum Blossom Sword smiled wryly at the Celestial Plum Blossom.
The Immortal Healer continued to glare at him but chose not to speak further.
‘The Immortal Healer, huh…’
I was quite taken aback when I realized that the old man was actually the Immortal Healer.
He was known to be unparalleled in the craft of healing.
Although he was said to be capable of curing almost any ailment, his wandering lifestyle made him nearly impossible to summon, even by esteemed families.
But to run into the Immortal Healer here…
‘…Didn’t see that personality coming, though.’
“Since ancient times, those who master a particular field tend to have something odd about them.”
‘…Ah, so that’s the reason…’
His strange demeanor certainly added credibility to that saying.
“What! What do you mean by that!?”
Putting aside the matter of the Immortal Healer, the real puzzle was Zhuge Hyuk.
I couldn’t help but be drawn to him, calmly seated and staring blankly into space.
‘Zhuge Hyuk is the Immortal Healer’s grandson?’
I had heard that he had left with his grandfather, but I didn’t expect for the grandfather to be the Immortal Healer himself.
‘What in the world is going on here…?’
What could have happened to cause him to change?
If this was indeed the Zhuge Hyuk I knew, what had happened that made him ally with the Heavenly Demon?
The tale he shared with me was completely different from the scene unfolding before my eyes.
Of course, I didn’t believe all he said back then, but I never once thought he would turn out to be the Immortal Healer’s grandson.
Is this somehow tied to his transformation down the line?
‘Why is it that everything just keeps getting more complicated?’
Seriously, how could something as simple as this spiraled into an over complicated mess?
I glanced at Zhuge Hyuk and pondered.
…Could I genuinely kill him?
…Or should I even kill him?
And if I do, when should that happen? What kind of mess would that cause?
“Child.”
“…Huh?”
“Wake up.”
At Elder Shin’s sharp voice, I held my throbbing head.
Turning my gaze towards the newly arrived voice, I found the Celestial Plum Blossom looking at me.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m fine…”
“Tae! The child says he’s sick!”
“Be quiet!”
The Immortal Healer bellowed angrily at the Celestial Plum Blossom while continuing to boil the medicated herbs.
He carefully prepared the concoction and handed it to the Plum Blossom Sword.
“Drink this and lie down. You’ll feel drowsy soon enough.”
“…Thank you.”
Gu Ryunghwa nervously watched from the side, concerned she might drop the medicine.
On the outside, she looked like a frail old woman, but both the Celestial Plum Blossom and the Immortal Healer referred to her as a Swordmaster.
Moreover, my sister, Gu Ryunghwa, was her disciple.
Only then did I realize why Yung Pung referred to Gu Ryunghwa as his senior.
That was probably also why Gu Ryunghwa was treated as a second-generation disciple despite having joined after the third-generation ones.
Why didn’t I know she was a student of the Plum Blossom Sword?
In my previous life, we didn’t converse much, yet I had never heard anyone mention that Gu Ryunghwa was a disciple of the Swordmaster of Mount Hua.
That likely meant the information wasn’t widely known.
How did Gu Ryunghwa even become her disciple in the first place?
And what on earth had happened that kept the student of the Plum Blossom Sword in the shadows?
I merely knew that Gu Ryunghwa was a martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect and little else.
The Plum Blossom Sword was a revered Swordmaster among many swordswomen of the martial world.
If I were to list the top martial artists of the Mount Hua Sect, the Plum Blossom Sword would be mentioned alongside the Celestial Plum Blossom.
A female Swordmaster who didn’t hesitate to charge headfirst into danger to save those in need.
When the demonic portal opened in Shaanxi, not only did she ensure the safety of the townspeople, but she also heroically held off the demons until the Celestial Plum Blossom arrived.
Yet, following her sudden disappearance， there were many discussions about her decision to hide from the world.
Was it due to her illness?
Clearly, she didn’t seem fine.
Just the fact that she appeared older than the Celestial Plum Blossom, despite being younger, was enough to reach that conclusion.
While I was staring at her, suddenly, our gazes locked.
I was startled and flinched back, but the Swordmaster merely returned a kind smile.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Huh?”
“I should have met you much sooner, but it seems time slipped away too quickly.”
“You know me?”
Did she hear anything from Gu Ryunghwa?
My anxiety grew as I naturally assumed Gu Ryunghwa hadn’t spoken highly of me.
But the words that came from the Swordmaster’s mouth were entirely unexpected.
“You strongly resemble Cheonhee.”
“…!”
Those words were unimaginable; the name I had nearly forgotten.
How does she know that name?
“Do you… know my mother?”
Cheonhee—the name of my mother.
Not just her name, but even the image of her smile and the voice she used to call me had faded from memory.
The Swordmaster’s expression turned into a bitter smile after my question.
“She was quite the friend… a very close friend.”
“My mother was a friend of yours…?”
How?
I had no clue about my mother’s past experiences, but I often heard that she had led an ordinary life…
‘…It hasn’t got too weird, though.’
Thanks to examples like Wi Seol-Ah, it wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary.
Nevertheless, after my regression, I was finding out too much around me.
“…He doesn’t resemble her at all.”
This came from Gu Ryunghwa, nestled in the Swordmaster’s arms, glaring at me.
“Ryunghwa…?”
“That guy looks absolutely nothing like my… mother. My mother looked like a rabbit, while he resembles a mantis…!”
“A mantis…”
“See, I never said you looked like a mantis for no reason!”
Why mantis, precisely?
There are scores of cute and cool creatures out there, and she chooses a mantis?
“Why can’t you think that maybe you just don’t look cute or cool?”
‘…Elder Shin, enough already.’
How painful this is…
The Swordmaster gently patted Gu Ryunghwa’s head as she spoke.
“Ryunghwa, regardless of that, it’s rude to insult someone who came all the way for you.”
“…But that’s not….”
“Now, apologize to your brother.”
Gu Ryunghwa’s lips curled in a displeased pout when saying this.
She was still just a child.
“…So…rry.”
Her expression spoke dark curses, while her words stumbled out as an apology.
Yet, she appeared to listen to the Swordmaster’s request nonetheless.
Seeing Gu Ryunghwa act this way brought a warm smile to the Swordmaster’s face, and she continued.
“Four years ago, when I visited the Gu Clan, I wanted to see you as well… but you weren’t there at that time.”
Four years ago?
‘Ah, that time…’
When I barely began to glimpse the darkness within the Gu Clan.
The period when everything started to descend into chaos.
It wasn’t a fond memory for me.
Blissfully unaware, the Swordmaster smiled at me, oblivious to my thoughts.
“I’m just grateful we can see each other now…”
“Me?”
“Of course! It was a huge disappointment when I couldn’t see you back then.”
…Why?
Is it simply because I am her friend’s son?
Everything started making sense now. This explained why Gu Ryunghwa left for the Mount Hua Sect just about a year after the Swordmaster’s visit.
Surely, when an esteemed Swordmaster wanted to take her as a disciple, my father or the elders would not have voiced any objections.
Of course, that decision might have been further motivated by my very existence.
“You look so much like Cheonhee.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at the Swordmaster’s words.
The statement I felt completely disconnected from.
“I don’t remember my mother looking quite as fierce…”
“Appearance aside, your energy is quite like hers.”
“In the meantime, even this woman isn’t denying that your face is indeed fierce.”
‘Do you have to be this brusque with me?’
Energy, huh? What does that even mean?
It was increasingly difficult to unravel what she meant, as my memories of my mother were nothing more than a blur.
All I could recall was the warmth.
That warmth was the only part of her existence that remained ingrained in my mind.
As I began drifting into my own thoughts, I felt something nudging at me from the side.
Upon checking, I found it was Zhuge Hyuk that startled me.
‘What now?’
Is that a towel? What does he want me to do with it?
“What is it?”
Even as I inquired, he simply stared at me, silent.
Earlier, Gu Ryunghwa remarked that he was mute.
Yet, I recalled him conversing with no issue in my previous life.
Was this some side effect of the Heavenly Demon’s power?
So it can even silence those who are unable to talk?
Is this really what it means to be human?
After noticing my lack of response, he tucked the towel back into his pocket and resumed his seat alongside the Immortal Healer.
Was he truly like this before?
That future Zhuge Hyuk who wore that sinister smile and led thousands at a whim without any hesitation seemed altogether a different person.
Could it be that this same kid standing before me became a cultist?
So what on earth caused Zhuge Hyuk to turn to the demonic sect?
“Alright then.”
The Immortal Healer shot a glance at the Celestial Plum Blossom.
“You cheeky bastard… what brings you here?”
“Seriously, calling the Lord of the Mount Hua Sect a cheeky bastard….”
“Do you wish for me to take my leave?”
“Call me whatever you like… I came to check on my disciple.”
“Don’t speak nonsense! Your face screams you have some ulterior motive.”
“Ahem…”
“Is this about that kid?”
The Immortal Healer’s gaze landed on me.
“Well… since I’ve come this far, might as well hit two birds with one stone—”
The Celestial Plum Blossom quickly averted his gaze after being caught.
It seemed like the Immortal Healer’s eyes were about to shoot flames after witnessing such a scene.
“The agreement between us ends with the Swordmaster. You clearly know this.”
“…Hmm.”
It was a genuinely uncomfortable situation for me.
I had approached without any prior explanation—only to learn that my presence was the real reason for their visit to the Immortal Healer.
“Uh… what’s—”
“Geez! Can you just let it go? That’s what friends are for, right?!”
“Now you’re downright shameless! You know how costly it is to hire me for such a thing?”
“Are you really going to be that petty?”
“Petty my ass, I’m about to soak you in this medicinal brew.”
What is this low-quality dialogue I’m being subjected to?
Is this really how the top Taoist, the Celestial Plum Blossom, and the legendary healer, the Immortal Healer, converse?
The Plum Blossom Sword simply smiled throughout the exchange as if she were accustomed to it.
She had the look of someone who had witnessed all this before.
“Regardless, my answer remains no.”
“Come on now…”
“It’s clear he’s not well, and if I’m taking care of him, I can’t give my all to the Swordmaster here, so do you think that’s okay?”
“Huh?”
My eyes widened at the Immortal Healer’s statement.
Not in a normal condition? Who’s…?
Me?
I have been eating well, sleeping well, even walking around completely fine—how could I not be in good condition?
If it were anyone else, I would dismiss it as nonsense, while the fact that it was the Immortal Healer saying so made all the difference.
“Seeing how you reacted, you must not have been aware, and you want me to fix it?”
“Hey, I never asked you to fix it—just check—”
“Shut it, Dohwa.”
The Immortal Healer’s voice dripped with irritation.
“The responsibility of a healer is to care for the injured. Are you saying I should ignore a patient I know is hurt?”
“…Tae.”
“Furthermore, there’s someone I need to attend to right in front of me—”
“Would the Leaf of Dragon’s Candle suffice?”
– Pause.
The Immortal Healer froze, stunned by the Celestial Plum Blossom’s suggestion.
Everyone was shocked, myself included.
‘He possesses the Leaf of Dragon’s Candle?’
The Dragon’s Candle was a sacred herb, famously difficult to procure even for those with deep pockets.
Legends say one root could create a multitude of the world’s best medicines.
And he just offered to give it away?
It wasn’t strange for the Mount Hua Sect to have Dragon’s Candle, but surely not for a mere health check.
Not to mention, he was offering leaves, not even roots!
The Immortal Healer seemed to share those doubts and turned back to the Plum Blossom.
“Dohwa, are you serious about that?”
“If my words turn out false, I’ll bark like a dog right in front of you.”
Even so, a sect leader barking like a dog…
That’s hardly something a leader should say, but it does lend a bit of credibility coming from him—
“…You rascal, I saw you do that last time! You barked like it was nothing…!”
The room fell into stunned silence at the Immortal Healer’s unexpected confession.
The head of the Mount Hua Sect actually barked like a dog? Surely the Immortal Healer must’ve been pulling our leg… right?
I glanced back at the Celestial Plum Blossom, but he merely wore a perplexed expression.
“Hey! There are children around…!”
“You dimwit, you’ve caused so much chaos—there’s no way it can get worse at this point.”
Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
…Is Mount Hua really okay like this?
‘Elder Shin…’
“…Don’t talk to me.”
‘Are you really fine with Mount Hua being in this state?’
“What the heck is Mount Hua? I can’t remember lately… Is it possible I have dementia?”
This old man isn’t normal either.
Shrugging off everything as him being a ghost?
“…It seems this isn’t working.”
“You—”
“Then if it turns out I was lying, I’ll step down as Lord of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Lord!”
The Swordmaster gasped, turning to the Celestial Plum Blossom in shock.
She couldn’t believe he would wager his very position as the lord of the sect.
But for someone who once staked their clan’s treasures on a drinking gamble, it was hard to believe he would take this lightly.
With that, the Immortal Healer set his gaze on me again.
It seemed he was starting to believe the Celestial Plum Blossom after such a bet.
“Hmm…”
“What say you?”
The Immortal Healer looked deep in thought.
Is the Dragon’s Candle genuinely that valuable?
Soon enough, he sighed…
“Fine, I’ll only check him out… If anything unusual is found, I won’t make any claims about it.”
After contemplating for a while, the Immortal Healer finally acquiesced to the Celestial Plum Blossom’s request.
“Oh, that’s perfect!”
“Uh… pardon me, but what about my opinion?”
“…I’ll never ask anything of you ever again.”
“Then I’ll just keep coming to you until you change your mind.”
“Kindly shut your mouth, please.”
With that, the Immortal Healer reached out toward me.
“Pull up your sleeve and lend me your arm.”
My hesitance surfaced again at the Immortal Healer’s request.
I realized the real reason they had dragged me here was that the Celestial Plum Blossom knew about the energy of the Mount Hua Sect circulating within me.
However, I doubted if he could determine the condition of that energy. Furthermore, if he did manage to, I worried he’d uncover my demonic abilities.
“Lend him your arm.”
‘Elder Shin?’
“The more time you take hesitating, the more suspicious you appear. I’ll handle the concerns you have, so just go ahead and extend your arm.”
Heeding Elder Shin’s advice, I rolled up my sleeve and extended my arm toward the Immortal Healer.
“But in return, I hope to hear about what you were worried about.”
‘…Yes.’
The Immortal Healer grabbed my arm and began feeling my pulse gently.
As he touched my arm, a faint trace of energy flowed in from the tips of his fingers.
It seemed that even a healer possessed some amount of energy themselves.
“…Oh dear.”
After some time, the Immortal Healer finally spoke, astonished.
Hearing his words left my mind blank.
“You’re not just unwell. At this rate, you’re a walking corpse!”
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