Chapter: 69
—
A Walking Dead…? (1)
A walking dead? My mind went completely blank at the Immortal Healer’s unexpected words.
With a serious expression, he pressed on, “What the hell did you consume to end up like this?”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“There are numerous Qis flowing inside you, and they aren’t the same. How are you still moving around in one piece?”
He was spot on. I had consumed a multitude of Qis recently, so I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I was sure he was referring to my demonic energy, along with the powers I acquired from Sichuan and the volcanic energy obtained from treasures.
“Is it really that serious of a problem?”
“There’s no way you wouldn’t know this as a martial artist… I’m more astounded that you are still alive despite everything that’s happened to you.”
Is it really that severe?
I knew that the Qi from the Daoist Clan and the Gu Clan didn’t blend well together, but I thought I was managing it okay.
‘Is it because of that beast Elder Shin spoke about?’
It probably isn’t that. What kind of maniac would want to cram two different Qis into their body unless they were seeking death?
‘But that wasn’t my intention either…’
That’s why he’s astounded.
That was my main concern.
If two completely opposite Qis existed within the same body, they would collide incessantly.
And each clash would wreak havoc on my body.
This problem would only worsen with the rank of the Qi.
If I had an average human body, I would have been bedridden a long time ago.
‘Maybe I took it too lightly.’
I had dismissed it nonchalantly since nothing had occurred yet.
But… did that mean the beast Elder Shin was suppressing was the cause of the collisions damaging my body—
That’s not the case.
‘It’s not?’
Yes, based on the healer’s words, the beast is what’s keeping you alive.
‘What does that mean?’
That thing is holding back the Qi that’s wanting to rampage endlessly, even though it itself can explode at any moment…
I couldn’t grasp what Elder Shin was saying at all.
…What on earth is going on inside my body?
Desperately, I asked the Immortal Healer, “Then, what should I do?”
“What do you mean what should you do? You either remove all of that from your body or continue living like this and pray your body doesn’t explode.”
“Pardon…?”
What kind of…?
“Your body could explode at any moment right now. I can’t recklessly tamper with it.”
Even the Immortal Healer couldn’t handle this situation easily?
“I didn’t call you a walking dead for no reason; you could drop dead at any moment—while eating, while bathing, it doesn’t matter. You are in that kind of condition.”
A state where it wouldn’t be surprising if I died at any moment.
This meant that the energy, which was calm for now, could flare up and take my life any time.
‘…I can’t believe I had a ticking bomb inside me.’
I guess I’m guilty for thinking everything was fine after consuming all that?
…But even so, the fact that I hadn’t consumed them on purpose was even more infuriating.
“This is a bigger problem than I imagined.”
The Immortal Healer turned to the Celestial Plum Blossom with a shocked face.
“I thought you told me to check him out because you were aware of this!”
“How was I supposed to know…?”
“You don’t even know this after being dubbed Celestial Plum Blossom!?”
“I noticed it briefly, so I thought I’d bring him over for us to examine it thoroughly.”
While the two elderly men bickered in front of me, my mind remained a tangled mess.
What should I do?
I couldn’t even think about Zhuge Hyuk or the trouble that was about to come because, at any moment, I could drop dead.
‘…What do I do?’
Right now, I was able to endure thanks to the mysterious energy inside me, but even that had been warned to go wild if I burned through too much Qi. So it wasn’t exactly a safe bet either.
And the thought that Elder Shin was suppressing that thing…
‘This is so messed up.’
Basically, it was an all-out war breaking out inside my body.
And all of it happened because of the unwanted energy I was forced to consume.
I wouldn’t feel nearly as frustrated if I had eaten them willfully.
Lost in thought, I heard the Immortal Healer’s voice.
“There’s a way for you to survive.”
“Huh?”
“No, since you’re still alive, it’s more accurate to say you can keep living.”
“May I ask what that is?”
I felt a flicker of hope.
The Immortal Healer spoke solemnly, “If the energy inside you might explode at any moment, just seal off your lower abdomen.”
…?
“The potential for your body to explode begins in the lower abdomen, so if we seal it now while there’s still no problem, it’ll help you maintain your life.”
The Immortal Healer was definitely on point.
If I sealed my lower abdomen, all the energies inside would get destroyed, which would solve the problem. That way, I could survive.
However, it also meant I’d die as a martial artist.
‘I can’t do that.’
It wasn’t because I felt greedy about the power I had built up until now.
But because I would inevitably die if I sealed off my abdomen.
Whether it was going to be at the hands of the Heavenly Demon…
Or the Murim Alliance.
‘…Damn.’
Why was there never an easy option? Couldn’t I have a safe way out for once?
You don’t plan on giving up, huh? I suppose it’s understandable considering martial artists value their abdomen more than their lives.
In a way, it sounded foolish, but that was typically how most martial artists were.
The Immortal Healer observed my expression and commented, “Looking at your face, you seem unwilling to give up your abdomen.”
“….”
“If that’s the case, then I have no other solutions for you aside from praying for good fortune that your body continues to hold out like it has until now.”
“You promised just to check, but you’ve already come up with a solution, Tae!”
“You rotten piece of trash, I told you to scram already!”
What a hassle…
The Immortal Healer signaled with a hand towards the door, clearly wanting us to leave.
“There’s a patient here; if you’re done, go away.”
“As cold as ever…”
“Especially you, Dohwa, get lost.”
The Celestial Plum Blossom wore a friendly smile and rose to his feet.
The Plum Blossom Sword also tried to bow but was halted by a gesture from the Celestial Plum Blossom.
“Rest well; I’ll visit occasionally.”
“Yes… Lord.”
“It gets messy when you show up, so I won’t—”
“I’ll come next time, Tae.”
“Take a hike.”
As the Celestial Plum Blossom stepped outside, just as I was about to follow him,
“W-Wait.”
Turning around to the voice, I found Gu Ryunghwa.
She was looking at me, visibly trembling.
“Huh?”
“…You… are dying?”
“What did you say?”
“Are you dying, I said!?”
Gu Ryunghwa shouted.
What the heck was she suddenly shouting about? It had been so long since I’d last seen her that I wasn’t sure how to respond.
Did she ask because she wanted me dead? Was our relationship that dire—
–Get out of my sight, your mere presence disgusts me!
…It could be that bad.
A sigh escaped me as a memory flitted through my mind. It was undeniably something I’d said.
I looked at Gu Ryunghwa and replied, “I think that might be the case.”
“…Why… why…”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you so calm…?”
“Should I be scared? I’m not dead yet.”
“But they said you could die even tomorrow!”
“But I’m alive right now.”
Gu Ryunghwa’s expression changed strangely at my words.
Was it really that absurd? Also, why did Gu Ryunghwa seem so serious about it?
I didn’t think she had any feelings left for me.
It is indeed strange; a kid who hasn’t even faced death speaks so calmly.
Hmm.
I knew you acted like an adult sometimes, but this is particularly severe. I hope to hear a related story from you later.
How can you be so sure I have a story related to this?
If not, then never mind.
…
Hah.
This pointless conversation added to my growing fatigue.
After taking a deep breath, I turned my attention back to Gu Ryunghwa.
“I’m going back to the clan in a few days, and you need to come along.”
“I’m… not going.”
“You’re not?”
“There’s no way I want to go back to that crappy place!”
“Alright, do as you wish.”
Upon hearing me say she could do whatever she wanted, Gu Ryunghwa’s expression transformed again.
She had been clearly straining against the idea of going back.
“You’re really not going to make me come with you?”
“You said you didn’t want to.”
“Huh…?”
“What do you think Dad would say if I told him I couldn’t bring you along because you were being so stubborn?”
“…”
“Yeah, just as you thought, he’d likely say nothing.”
It would probably just end with him saying something like, “I see.”
But the Heavenly Pill I would receive as a reward… Oh, I had almost forgotten about that.
‘Then again, if I got that now and consumed it, wouldn’t my body just suffer more stress?’
Given that there were already firecrackers inside me, wouldn’t adding more just poison me further?
That seemed problematic.
After glancing between the Swordmaster and Gu Ryunghwa nestled in his arms, I began to wonder if there was even a need for her to return to the clan.
Mount Hua undoubtedly felt more like home to Gu Ryunghwa than the Gu Clan.
Is that the heart of an older brother or something?
Don’t say things that’ll give me goosebumps.
Adding to my worries about dying, now you’re tossing around words meant for brothers…
Just like in my previous life, I decided not to fret about it.
You always speak the opposite of what your heart feels.
I brushed off Elder Shin’s comments and bowed before the Immortal Healer and the Swordmaster.
I locked eyes with Zhuge Hyuk in the process, but I decided to let him slide for now.
For now, at least.
After exiting the hut…
The Celestial Plum Blossom seemed to have already departed; he wasn’t here.
Could he have left without me…?
Thinking I should start heading home soon as night approached, I focused Qi into my legs to leap,
“Wait, I don’t know the way…”
…Huh?
—
“How strange.”
Those words came from the Immortal Healer after Gu Yangcheon left the hut.
It was strange.
Very strange.
To find all those different types of Qi in a boy’s body who wasn’t even twenty.
Alongside the fact that the Qis weren’t exploding, though they were undoubtedly clashing. And even his behavior while listening to the Immortal Healer.
‘I feel like I’ve seen those eyes before.’
His eyes remained calm, even when he was told he could die at any time.
It was understandable if he trembled in fear, but those eyes merely accepted the revelation with remarkable composure.
Those were definitely the eyes that the Immortal Healer had encountered before.
But he couldn’t recall where, perhaps age was catching up to him.
The Immortal Healer turned to Gu Ryunghwa.
“Child, what kind of person is your brother?”
“…Huh?”
At the Immortal Healer’s abrupt question, Gu Ryunghwa froze.
What kind of person was he…?
He was an older brother, just one year older.
Initially, Gu Ryunghwa had been proud of her kind brother, but he had suddenly changed.
Moreover,
He was the one who witnessed their mother’s last moments.
Having been very young then, her memories were faint, but she distinctly knew that Gu Yangcheon was there during that time.
With their father, Gu Cheolun.
“…”
“Ryunghwa…?”
Feeling anxious, Gu Ryunghwa squeezed the Swordmaster’s hand tightly.
“Ahem…”
Upon noticing this, the Immortal Healer turned away.
It seemed he had touched on a sensitive topic.
“Then when and where did I see those eyes—”
…!
Suddenly, it clicked.
The Immortal Healer recalled who the boy’s piercing gaze resembled.
It was a recollection buried for far too long, one he’d momentarily forgotten.
Many years ago, when he had started making a name for himself as a healer, he had treated certain individuals.
In their eyes, he had glimpsed a deep abyss; those eyes contained an emotionless visit to the realm of death.
They appeared to have transcended the dread of mortality, showing no desire for life.
As if to vindicate that notion, they had willingly ended their own lives shortly afterward.
“…But why does that boy have those same eyes?”
The Abyss.
Those eyes resembled the eyes of the survivors from the abyss.
—
Finally, when I struggled my way back to Mount Hua, the sun had already set.
“It’s nighttime already; I didn’t even get dinner.”
Upon finding me, the Celestial Plum Blossom wore a guilty look, as if he just remembered I was there.
He genuinely forgot about me…
Moreover, when I inquired about the qi of Mount Hua swirling within me,
“It’s not like I can take the Qi… So how about you pretend not to know about it since I can’t see any other way?”
That was his slapdash answer.
Why take me there in the first place then…?
The only significant thing I gleaned from following him was that Zhuge Hyuk was the Immortal Healer’s grandson and that I was a bomb with a timer.
‘…My life.’
I never got easy rides, ever!
Had I committed that many sins in my past—
‘Oh, I did, quite a lot…’
Hah.
As I used karma to rationalize my current hardships, I realized it was evident that things rarely went as planned.
Just like this very moment.
“…What could be going on right now?”
I found myself in a guest room generously offered by Mount Hua.
Those sent to guard me were likely nearby, and servants would also be lingering close.
“But what about you?”
The room was an average size—neither too big nor too small.
In the center of the room was someone diligently setting up a bed.
At first, I thought it was a servant, but noticing her distinctive hair color, I realized it couldn’t have been anyone else.
“What are you doing here?”
She turned to me in response to my voice.
Then, she tilted her head in confusion, as if questioning why I was asking.
The one making the bed was Namgung Bi-ah.
“A blanket…”
“Why are you setting that up…?”
“To sleep?”
“Here…? In this place?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Together?”
“Uh-huh.”
“…Why?”
…Just, why?
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