Chapter 91: Treatment (4)
As the morning light broke, the Immortal Healer returned with some medicinal herbs.
It seemed he had received them from the Mount Hua Sect.
‘How is he managing with such a frail body?’
For an ordinary person, even making a round trip would be tough, but the Immortal Healer moved back and forth like it was nothing, despite his frail condition.
He must be having them delivered to him, right? Otherwise, it would be impossible.
“…All of the turbid energy is gone.”
These were the words the Immortal Healer uttered while examining the Sword Master’s body.
Fortunately, it appeared that all the Demonic Qi had been successfully eliminated.
I was told that when I fainted during the treatment yesterday, the Sword Master fainted shortly after me.
When the Immortal Healer rushed to examine us, he found that the turbid energy inside the Sword Master had completely vanished.
Moreover, he mentioned that there didn’t seem to be any significant issues with my body either.
What I gathered from this was:
‘As I figured, the Immortal Healer cannot sense the Demonic Qi within my body.’
This seemed likely, as he was able to notice the turbid energy in the Sword Master but said nothing about the Demonic Qi in my body.
‘…But why?’
It wouldn’t be accurate to say it isn’t there, as I could still distinctly feel the Demonic Qi swirling around my dantian.
‘Thankfully, though, it seems to be undergoing purification.’
The Demonic Qi inside me was being slowly consumed and purified by my Flame Art.
It was just that the amount was so vast that it didn’t seem obvious at all.
‘It doesn’t seem like the Demonic Qi is going wild or causing me any pain.’
This was the most reassuring part.
I had been worried about what to do if the absorbed Demonic Qi began to rampage.
But currently, that wasn’t an issue.
Perhaps sensing my condition was stable, the Immortal Healer told me to go back and rest.
He felt everything appeared fine with me, but reminded me to call him if anything went wrong.
Why is the Immortal Healer being so nice all of a sudden?
‘He actually expelled the turbid energy… I need to find out how he did it! Opening his body would be the easiest way to learn, but I can’t do that. What now…’
…
I felt like I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, so I quickly made my exit.
As I was leaving, the Sword Master called out to me, saying she would come visit later and thank me then.
I told her she didn’t need to bother with thanks, and then returned to my quarters.
And now, at present…
“You told me to be back before dinner… so why was I out all night?”
I think I’m screwed.
Two pairs of cold, piercing eyes were fixated on me.
The icy sensation of their glares made me feel like I was standing barefoot on the frozen ground.
‘…I’m toast.’
Wi Seol-Ah glanced my way before quickly turning her head.
Namgung Bi-ah continued to stare at me, not even blinking.
Even without the cold demeanor, her fierce gaze felt like a blizzard was swirling around her.
“Uh, it’s…”
How did I end up in this predicament…?
I paused, pondering the situation that had unexpectedly unfolded.
…Why am I in trouble right now?
It felt almost like everything was flowing in reverse.
I nearly blurted out an excuse.
‘I’m the owner here, so why am I getting scolded for being out late?’
Sure, I did tell her to come back before dinner and I didn’t show up. That much was true.
But I had my reasons!
What was even more absurd was:
‘Why can’t I just say that!? Why am I so tongue-tied!?’
Instinctively, I knew:
Keep quiet!
It was as if some inner voice was warning me: speaking up would only land me in deeper trouble.
So, I remained silent, merely exchanging glances with Namgung Bi-ah.
After staring at each other for a while, she shifted and got up.
As it seemed she was heading off to train, she tossed me a comment.
“…At least let me know next time…”
After saying that, she left to go train.
That evening, my meal was the quietest one I had encountered since my return to this realm.
Namgung Bi-ah was usually quiet, but Wi Seol-Ah astonishingly didn’t utter a single word.
I honestly felt like I was about to choke!
The next day arrived.
Since Wi Seol-Ah was usually someone who would get over a sulk by the next day, she happily approached me with a bright smile and began chatting.
I couldn’t tell if Namgung Bi-ah was still angry with me from the previous day, but she seemed indifferent, at least in my view.
‘…Am I saved?’
Finally, a sense of relief washed over me.
When I checked on my body, the Demonic Qi was still swirling around but had calmed down.
To make sure it wasn’t visible, I even tried using a bit of Qi and thankfully, the Qi released was purely non-demonic.
It felt as if something were suppressing the Demonic Qi, preventing it from going wild.
‘…Is this related to the voice I heard?’
The voice that echoed in my mind while I was absorbing the Demonic Qi from the Sword Master.
That uncanny and ominous voice lingered in my thoughts.
‘Could it be that Elder Shin’s disappearance is tied to this…?’
I couldn’t dismiss this thought.
Where had that loud voice of his suddenly vanished to?
Was there a chance that whatever consumed the Qi had reached Elder Shin as well?
It wasn’t that I missed him just after a few days…
I felt a strange attachment to him emerging, but more importantly, I needed to know.
‘How far does this thing extend?’
If something lay within me, I had to know what that thing really was.
And I had to learn what it desired.
Is this what the monster Elder Shin was holding back?
I wasn’t quite sure, but there were no answers to confirm it.
‘Could this also be attributed to my demonic arts?’
The demonic arts that had somehow accompanied me even in my return…
In my past life, I had done many unspeakable things wielding this vile power; I truly wished to avoid repeating that cycle.
“…I’m so tired.”
…
For a brief moment, a voice echoed in my mind: someone scolding me for still complaining even after everything had ended so favorably.
…Did Elder Shin really vanish for good?
It felt wrong to state that, as I had this feeling that he hadn’t truly disappeared. But I couldn’t pinpoint why.
While I remained in meditation, I suddenly sensed a presence outside.
– Young Master, it’s Hongwa.
Hearing her voice snapped me from my focus.
My concentration had already been disrupted, so there was no use trying to carry on.
“What is it?”
– Creak!
Hongwa gently opened the door upon my inquiry.
“…A guest is here to see you.”
“A guest? Who?”
My first thought was Yung Pung.
The only ones who often visited were either Yung Pung or the Heavenly Plum Blossom.
Given how things were currently, I suspected it was Yung Pung since the Heavenly Plum Blossom was likely preoccupied with various matters.
But then, an unexpected name slipped from Hongwa’s lips.
“The Young Lady is here.”
“Huh…?”
Gu Ryunghwa had come to visit.
And not alone, but accompanied by another.
As guided by Hongwa, they stepped into the room.
Gu Ryunghwa looked slightly uneasy as she entered with another woman.
“I’m sorry for dropping by suddenly.”
“…It’s… no problem.”
I was so taken aback that I stammered.
The woman accompanying Gu Ryunghwa was none other than the Sword Master.
However, it took me a moment to recognize who she was.
She had changed so drastically.
‘I thought she’d just look a bit younger…’
But she didn’t just appear youthful; her previously white hair had transformed into deep black, and the wrinkles that had made her seem older than the Heavenly Plum Blossom had completely vanished.
She looked to be in her thirties and could easily pass for someone under forty.
‘Is it really normal to change this much just because I absorbed her Demonic Qi?’
The Qi she had once been using to fend off the Demonic Qi was probably restored after I drew the Demonic Qi out of her.
I had personally experienced how pure and pristine the Sword Master’s Qi was yesterday, but even I didn’t realize it was this potent.
“…I’m glad that you appear to be in better health.”
“You look quite astonished.”
Yes, I truly was astonished.
Because the elderly woman you used to look like has vanished, and now there stands an elegant lady…
She definitely looked younger than she had even a day prior.
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