Chapter: 87
Dribble…
In the depths of the thickly enveloping darkness, only the sound of dripping water echoed.
There were figures standing stoically in a line on both sides of the passage.
At the end of the passage sat a man on a massive chair, quietly sipping from his teacup.
Tap.
He set down the teacup with a soft touch, yet the sound reverberated through the space with a thud.
Moments later, the fragile teacup shattered.
The man, asserting his presence in silence, finally spoke.
“The Shaanxi branch has been wiped out.”
Someone answered the man’s query.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Who was in charge there again?”
“It was Ya Hyeoljeok.”
“Hm…”
The man slowly closed his eyes.
Ya Hyeoljeok.
To his recollection, he was certainly a seasoned peak martial artist.
While he hadn’t reached the Fusion level and had lingered at the Peak for a long time, his level of skill had to be considerable.
In stark contrast, he was a fool whose ignorance and attitude had caused him to be demoted from the main palace.
Normally, he would have been executed, but due to his loyalty to the leader and undeniable combat prowess, he managed to retain his position as branch manager even after being demoted.
He was not someone to be easily dealt with.
“Did the Celestial Plum Blossom move?”
“It doesn’t seem so.”
“Well, that old man wouldn’t have been quick enough to notice.”
If it were the Celestial Plum Blossom of yore, perhaps, but now he was merely a toothless tiger.
“Mount Hua might not be that crucial… but the Immortal Healer is a different story.”
There were many other matters, so Mount Hua wasn’t necessarily pivotal.
That was why he had entrusted someone as foolish as Ya Hyeoljeok with the task.
It seemed that he had made some progress, which was why he considered sending him to deal with the Immortal Healer.
What a mistake!
It would have been better to send a martial artist from the main palace.
‘Now we’ve only heightened their vigilance, and we’ve gained nothing.’
He thought about bringing in another physician, but looking at the failures across the board, the only remaining option was the Immortal Healer.
“Any signs?”
“…We attempted to confirm the branch manager’s status, but by then the Mount Hua sect had already stormed in, so we could not ascertain clearly. However, judging by the lack of battle traces…”
It indicated that the branch was handled either by a few people or perhaps even just one, and that too in an instant.
The report stated that Ya Hyeoljeok had died outside the branch, but even so, there should have been dozens of guards present.
‘Yet they were all annihilated in the blink of an eye?’
Even if the guards were weak, if this had all happened overnight, it was a different tale.
Moreover, the absence of any signs of combat indicated something else.
‘Could it be that the Shadow King appeared?’
The ruler of the Night Reapers, a being capable of killing anyone at will.
Unless it was someone of equal caliber, such a massacre was unattainable.
“Who killed Ya Hyeoljeok?”
“We’re currently lagging on confirmation as Mount Hua seems to be concealing that information, but according to the intel, it appears to be a young prodigy.”
“A young prodigy?”
A peak-level martial artist was defeated by some mere young gun…?
That was the most perplexing news he’d encountered today.
Could it be the Sword Dragon?
The young prodigy of Mount Hua who had claimed the title of “Sword Dragon” from the Namgung clan.
He had heard this person was barely over twenty.
And this realization brought about just how rapidly the current generation was advancing.
‘That’s incredibly fast.’
He wasn’t at a level that posed a threat just yet, but with a little more time, he wouldn’t be someone to overlook.
“Get me information as rapidly as possible.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And with regards to the Immortal Healer…”
If the Immortal Healer was indeed at Mount Hua, attempting to capture him straight away would pose complications.
Even so, it was a necessary pursuit.
The leader from the main palace moving personally would have been ideal, but he was currently unable to leave.
“Send an order; instruct them to capture him as quietly as possible.”
“Yes, my lord, I shall relay your command.”
After the individual who received the order slipped away, the leader of the main palace, cloaked in darkness, opened his eyes.
A pair of eyes radiating a purple hue surveyed the surroundings.
Beneath those eyes, two rows of individuals stood with bowed heads, trembling.
Just a little more to go until I capture the last piece.
He was merely a few steps shy of achieving his ambition.
All for the world he longed for.
As the shadows thickened, the man shut his eyes once more.
*
After yet another day passed, I finally regained the ability to move my body.
Some minor pain lingered, yet in comparison to the agony I’d felt upon awakening, it was merely a tickle.
The demonic Qi circulating in my body had nearly dissipated, and my body was hardly on the mend.
Shortly after the Immortal Healer informed me that I could return to the lodge, the Celestial Plum Blossom visited.
“I apologize…”
A myriad of emotions was etched onto the Celestial Plum Blossom’s face.
It wasn’t daily that the head of a sect looked this dismal.
“I’m fine.”
That was all I could muster in response.
After all, although I had woven myself into the issues of Mount Hua, it wasn’t for their sake.
“…I’ve heard from Tae that your condition has vastly improved, is that correct?”
“Fortunately, that appears to be the case.”
“Then I have more options available for you…”
Was the discussion related to the medicine he had mentioned before?
If that was the case, I would eagerly accept it.
For my body was indeed in disarray.
“I heard you didn’t sustain any major injuries. Thank goodness! It would be such a sorrowful affair for a cherished child of another clan to perish here.”
I was at a loss for words. It felt like his emotions weren’t merely directed at me.
It seemed wiser to remain silent for now, so I decided against prying.
I’ll have to ask Yung Pung about this later.
“This old man must be a nuisance, bothering you while you’re trying to rest. I’ll come to visit you again; you should rest well.”
“Not at all. Since I’m well, I’ll be the one visiting next time.”
The Celestial Plum Blossom managed a faint smile upon hearing my reply.
Even that smile looked slightly fatigued.
“When you feel fully healed, it would be wise to step outside. I saw someone who’s been waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me?”
After those words, the Celestial Plum Blossom exited. Following his departure, I began to prepare to leave.
But… who could it be waiting for me?
Is it Namgung Bi-Ah or Wi Seol-Ah…?
It was also possible that it was neither, considering I had told them to back off due to their frequent visits.
Could it be Yung Pung…?
‘Wouldn’t mind a visit from them, but who are you thinking of, Elder Sh…’
I halted myself before calling for him.
For Elder Shin wasn’t present currently.
With that reminder, I felt an unsettling tug.
“…Seriously, where did he run off to?”
I always thought of him as a spirit of mischief, but now that he’s gone, am I feeling a touch disappointed?
I couldn’t quite put my feelings into words.
He was simply an old man absorbed by Mount Hua’s energy.
‘Could this also be the work of the demonic Qi?’
Since the demonic Qi that entered my system seemed to have calmed the chaos within, was Elder Shin’s absence tied to it too?
‘His leave was as sudden as his entrance.’
Is this simply the law of nature?
Or has he merely fallen into a deep slumber…?
If possible, I would prefer the latter.
Step.
I stepped outside the building for the first time in four days since awakening.
Setting aside that it was early morning, where was I?
It seemed I was still within Mount Hua, but this building was one I’d never seen before.
Is it a treatment room?
“Ah.”
“Hm?”
While surveying my surroundings, I was startled by a sound from nearby.
Turning to trace the noise, I glimpsed something lurking behind a tree.
Could it be… hiding?
“What are you doing there?”
“…”
The figure peeking from behind the tree was Gu Ryunghwa.
Her expression showed that she didn’t expect to be caught, just then she was shoved from behind.
“Oof…!”
It was Namgung Bi-Ah, who had one arm bandaged.
Gu Ryunghwa looked hesitant, as if she had something to communicate.
“…What’s up?”
“…What?”
She averted her gaze in response to my inquiry.
Noticing Gu Ryunghwa’s evasiveness, Namgung Bi-Ah stepped closer and patted her back.
Upon feeling the touch, Gu Ryunghwa cleared her throat several times and finally spoke.
“…Uh, is it okay?”
“Is what okay?”
“Is your body okay!?”
Her sudden shout startled me.
Why the sudden volume?
“…I’m fine.”
The person who should have been far more injured than I was, was actually Namgung Bi-Ah.
“…Okay.”
With that said, Gu Ryunghwa appeared to want to flee from the situation, but Namgung Bi-Ah restrained her.
“L-Little sister.”
“No.”
She called out somewhat sorrowfully, but Namgung Bi-Ah’s stance was unwavering.
I remained silent, watching the scene unfold, not quite sure what to say.
Eventually, Gu Ryunghwa seemed to have gathered herself and stepped up to me.
Her trembling shoulders held my attention.
“Th…”
I could barely hear her.
It was so faint I nearly activated my Qi to enhance my hearing.
“…Th-Thank you!”
Suddenly, Gu Ryunghwa shouted as if she had been waiting for that moment.
I hadn’t known she could shout like that.
Immediately after her exclamation, Gu Ryunghwa ran off, seemingly flustered.
This time, Namgung Bi-Ah made no attempt to stop her.
“…So you kept her here just so she could say that?”
Namgung Bi-Ah nodded at my remark, and I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a bit awkward.
I was grateful…
But it felt unnecessary.
Because I sensed that before receiving her gratitude, I had things I wanted to convey to Gu Ryunghwa.
Nonetheless, I recognized that Gu Ryunghwa’s words were sincere,
And I understood Namgung Bi-Ah’s motive behind making her express it.
“Thanks.”
Thus, I could respond easily.
This was probably the first time I’d revealed such gratitude towards her, including my past life.
Upon hearing my words, Namgung Bi-Ah froze in place, as if she had received a shock.
Was it really that surprising?
“Why are you acting like—”
I attempted to engage her, but namgung Bi-Ah suddenly dashed up the mountain.
She appeared greatly flustered.
“Where the— Come back before meals!”
I was a bit late in saying that so did she hear me?
Given her bandaged arm, training wasn’t likely her intention.
And as she bolted away, I noticed her ears had turned a bright shade of red.
*
Upon returning to the lodge for the first time in a while, I was astonished to see the Sword Emperor there.
That sight left me momentarily shocked.
The Sword Emperor, who had been tidying up, lowered his head upon seeing me.
“I apologize for neglecting my duties these past days, Young Master.”
“…Uh, it’s all fine. I understand you received permission from the sect leader. Were you able to finish your task?”
“Yes… Thanks to the lord’s consideration, I accomplished it well. I heard you got injured, are you okay?”
“Thankfully, I was not hurt too badly.”
The Sword Emperor wore a small smile of relief after hearing my response.
I thanked him for his efforts and began to move on.
Regardless of how many times I encountered him, I found it hard to be near the Sword Emperor.
Conversely, I experienced far less discomfort around the Celestial Plum Blossom, who was said to be close to the same level as the Sword Emperor.
However, with the Sword Emperor back, I could finally begin preparing to return to my clan.
‘Where did Wi Seol-Ah vanish to?’
She typically rushed to greet me, but not this time.
‘Is Hongwa keeping her hostage or something?’
That thought crossed my mind since that was the usual scenario when Wi Seol-Ah did not show up.
Thinking she was absorbed in her duties, I headed toward my room.
I needed to organize my plans for when I returned to the Gu clan.
*
The Sword Emperor gazed at Gu Yangcheon’s back as he walked into his room.
‘Something’s off.’
Gu Yangcheon, whom he was observing after a few days, seemed noticeably different from his previous self.
He wasn’t sure whether this change was for the better or worse.
Conflicting energies mingled within him, now united as if they’d formed a chain.
Even the Sword Emperor could hardly fathom how such an occurrence happened.
Last night, he heard from the Celestial Plum Blossom that Gu Yangcheon had killed a member of the Black Palace.
Moreover, he learned his adversary was a martial artist of significant stature.
Yet in the Sword Emperor’s eyes, Gu Yangcheon hardly seemed capable of dismantling such a formidable opponent.
Dubiously, he wondered if his insights had been incorrect again.
Though he was the son of the Tiger Warrior, the speed of his growth felt excessive.
‘How intriguing.’
He was aware the Gu Clan possessed numerous talents, yet this felt exceptional…
“Grandpa.”
The Sword Emperor turned around, startled by Wi Seol-Ah’s voice.
Standing behind him was his granddaughter.
It was the first time in a few days that he had seen her, and she seemed troubled, lost in thought.
Even so, she remained his lovely and adorable granddaughter.
The Sword Emperor grinned widely.
“Yes, yes, what is it?”
“Grandpa…”
“What’s wrong?”
Wi Seol-Ah hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“…I want to learn martial arts.”
Thud-Clatter!
The broom the Sword Emperor had been holding fell limply from his grasp at the sound of her request.
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