Chapter 94: Preparation (3)
Around the time the Mount Hua Sect was busy preparing for the Sworn Conference, I returned to my quarters after finishing my afternoon training.
Originally, I should have been preparing to return to the clan by now…
‘But things got a bit twisted.’
Since Gu Ryunghwa had stated her intention to return to the clan with me, I needed to delay my plans a bit.
Not to mention that she had also mentioned wanting to go to the Sword Master.
‘So she’s going with her?’
Since Gu Ryunghwa was planning on heading to the clan, I figured that it meant she would be going together with the Sword Master.
Well, I could always hear it directly from her, as she had said she would come speak to me later.
I recalled that the Immortal Healer had also mentioned he would come by as well…
It was about time I started wrapping up my affairs here.
‘First, I should visit the Celestial Plum Blossom.’
Even if I didn’t go to him right away, it was very likely that he would eventually come to see me. However, as the junior, I felt it would be more respectful for me to visit him first.
I had a request to make too, after all.
‘To do that, I need to see the Sword Master first.’
I was planning to ask the help of the Plum Blossom Sword during my visit.
So, I needed to inform the Sword Master about my plans beforehand.
As I sorted my thoughts and returned to the lodge, I spotted Wi Seol-Ah in the distance, coming toward me after hanging the laundry.
“Young Master!”
“What’s up? I barely saw you lately.”
Her face had only appeared during mealtimes recently, so it felt quite curious to see her now.
‘Is she swamped with work? She looks quite exhausted.’
I noticed the subtle signs of fatigue on Wi Seol-Ah’s face. However, given her usual incredible stamina, it didn’t seem likely that she would tire from just having a lot on her plate.
“Did something happen?”
“Huh?”
“You look really tired.”
I just asked outright.
If Wi Seol-Ah, of all people, looked tired, something serious must’ve occurred.
Wi Seol-Ah smiled brightly at my question.
“I’m fine! Nothing’s wrong!”
Then she stood up straighter.
It was almost as if she was trying to showcase her health and vitality.
Seeing that made me chuckle as I ruffled her hair.
“Take this!”
This was behavior I wouldn’t have dared to perform before, and yet now it felt completely natural.
Wow, look at how much I’ve changed since my former self!
After messing around with her hair for a bit, I spoke to Wi Seol-Ah again.
“Wanna go down to the city today?”
“Huh?!”
Wi Seol-Ah looked utterly shocked by my question.
Is it really that shocking?
I normally didn’t suggest going out unless there was a specific reason…
Her eyes practically bulged out, reflecting her surprise.
“W-When… now?”
“Busy? If you’ve got work left—”
“No! I have none! I did everything! There’s nothing left!”
“R-Right, glad to hear that.”
She practically shouted as if she was worried I’d cancel on her.
I suppressed a grin that threatened to spread across my face at Wi Seol-Ah’s eager antics and spoke up again.
“I’ll be back quickly after showering, so wake her up and bring her along.”
“Okay… Huh? Bring her?”
“Yeah?”
“Huh?”
Wi Seol-Ah stared at me, seemingly unable to comprehend my words.
But then she figured out I was talking about Namgung Bi-ah and shot me a fierce glare.
“…It’d be rude to leave her behind, right?”
I attempted a poor excuse, but of course, it fell flat.
Naturally, Wi Seol-Ah merely glared at me momentarily and kept quiet afterward, showing her amiable nature.
She sighed, almost like an exasperated puff of air, and then set off to wake Namgung Bi-ah.
I felt a bit guilty but figured there wasn’t much alternative.
‘I can’t believe I’m facing such dilemmas now.’
I was even surprised at myself for starting to care about others.
After washing away the sweat I had worked up during training and changing into clean clothes, I stepped out of my room only to see Namgung Bi-ah draped over Wi Seol-Ah.
“…Ughh… sis, you’re heavy…!”
“Mmmph…”
“What are you two doing?”
Namgung Bi-ah seemed still half-asleep, and due to their physical differences, it looked like Wi Seol-Ah was getting buried beneath her right now.
‘Has Namgung Bi-ah been sleeping more lately? Did something happen?’
“Feel like going back to sleep? We can manage without you.”
As soon as I suggested that, Namgung Bi-ah bolted upright.
She still looked a bit tired, but it seemed she wanted to prove she’d be fine accompanying us.
Soon, she rifled through her pocket and pulled something out.
“A mask…?”
Surprisingly, it was a mask.
‘Does she keep that with her now since I told her to cover up?’
Even though people still stared at her for her beauty with the mask on, it definitely lessened the attention she would normally gather.
It was evident that she felt uncomfortable when so many people looked her way, especially since she wasn’t used to busy streets.
‘I guess that mask is convenient for Namgung Bi-ah.’
“You’re well-prepared.”
“This… is comfy.”
“Young Master! Should I call brother Muyeon?”
“Hmm?”
I thought he would have already been ready to leave with us by now since I had informed the escorts earlier.
‘A rare occurrence for Muyeon not to be prepared.’
Realistically, I could choose to leave him behind, but knowing Muyeon, he would scold me later for leaving him.
I had already endured his tongue-lashing due to the injury I sustained from that ominous incident before.
He constantly asked me why I insisted on going places alone without any escort.
‘I had no choice due to how urgent it was, back then.’
That’s typically how worried Muyeon was. Had something happened to him this time?
To my surprise, Namgung Bi-ah answered my question.
“He went to participate in a duel.”
“A duel?”
“Against a disciple from the Mount Hua Sect.”
“A disciple? Who?”
Given the limited number of Mount Hua Sect disciples she knew, and the fact that it likely wasn’t Gu Ryunghwa, there was only one person left who could be.
“Are you talking about Master Yung Pung?”
“Yeah.”
‘Muyeon went to duel Yung Pung?’
‘What kind of bizarre turn of events is this?’
‘He always turned down duels from Namgung Bi-ah and others because of his duties as an escort.’
“He even dueled with me too.”
“What…?”
I couldn’t help but ask that question after hearing Namgung Bi-ah.
‘Did he duel with Namgung Bi-ah too? This is the first I’m hearing of it.’
I had no idea how Namgung Bi-ah interpreted my reaction, but she quietly added…
“…And then he lost.”
I didn’t need to ask who lost, for I could tell simply from her downcast expression.
‘If someone intends to challenge Muyeon…’
Despite having absorbed all the energy during my lifetime, Muyeon still held a higher martial rank than I did.
I remembered the time when various swordsmen urged Muyeon to return to their ranks while I was still in the clan.
‘Clearly, Muyeon isn’t your average martial artist.’
His talent might not compare to someone like Yung Pung, but that certainly didn’t mean Muyeon was untalented.
It wasn’t typical for a man barely over twenty to reach such a martial level unless they were a young prodigy from a prominent clan.
“A duel, huh… I wonder if something spurred him on.”
Namgung Bi-ah gazed at me in silence for a moment after I said that. I felt prompted to ask why she was looking at me in such a manner.
“What’s up?”
“I can… understand him a bit.”
She returned to her usual impassive expression after mumbling that.
With Namgung Bi-ah wrapped around Wi Seol-Ah’s waist, she seemed to be silently asking when we would depart with her eyes.
I guessed that Muyeon wouldn’t have known about our outing since I hastily informed the escorts.
‘Then I can just go without him, right?’
After all, there were still other escorts around…
As I completed my preparations to leave, Namgung Bi-ah suddenly spoke to me.
“When we return… let’s duel…”
“…”
I paused upon hearing Namgung Bi-ah’s words.
‘Oh, right…’
I had completely forgotten that I had promised to duel her.
Considering that I had already sparred with Yung Pung, it should be fine.
‘Though it’s a little bothersome being reminded of the past.’
But I couldn’t keep turning her down, so I should just accept the invitation.
“After we come back, if I’m free, let’s do it.”
“…!”
A rare look of astonishment graced Namgung Bi-ah’s face at what I said to her.
‘Moreover, that smile…’
I found myself grinning as I watched the corner of her mouth gradually lift, then I resumed walking.
‘Is this really enough to make her happy?’
It might well be nighttime by the time we got back,
but it should be fine to take a little time for her as long as nothing came up.
‘Last time during the duel with Yung Pung, everything was okay, so this should be fine.’
Unless I used too much Qi like I did against Ya Hyeoljeok, I figured I’d be good to duel anyone.
After exploring the city streets and filling our bellies with various delicacies, we returned to the lodge.
But we couldn’t carry out the duel that Namgung Bi-ah had eagerly awaited.
Because work had come up for me.
“You finally showed up.”
Upon returning to the lodge, I noticed the Immortal Healer sitting in my room, waiting for me.
Lately, it felt like I had been receiving a lot of guests.
Including Yung Pung, Gu Ryunghwa, the Sword Master, and now even the Immortal Healer.
‘I did hear he would be dropping by…’
I recalled that the Sword Master had mentioned it a while ago. But he had come alone when I expected him to arrive with her.
“What brings you here…?”
“I came to check on your health. Why so surprised?”
“I’m not, sir. Just a bit confused.”
I felt Namgung Bi-ah’s penetrating glare directed at me, unlike any time before, but there wasn’t much I could do…
After all, he had come to check on my well-being.
I signaled to Namgung Bi-ah with my eyes that we could set the duel for another time, and she left with a slightly disgruntled look on her face.
“Hmm… Did I come at an inconvenient time?”
The Immortal Healer seemed to catch on to the tension and cleared his throat.
“It’s alright, sir. You came after clearing your schedule.”
“I appreciate that you say so; now, sit.”
The examination didn’t take long.
There were no issues with my body aside from the Demonic Qi still lingering.
“Hmm… You truly possess a remarkable physique. I wonder what caused the energy within you to stabilize like this…”
Though he’d labeled it a checkup, it felt more like he was conducting research on me.
I could see it in the intent behind his eyes.
‘What if he actually tries to cut me open?’
He’d been joking last time, I’m sure of it…
I answered the various questions he threw my way as coherently as possible.
The Immortal Healer showed a keen interest in the Gu Clan’s martial arts that rid the body of impurities, but I felt that explaining it would be convoluted, considering he wasn’t a martial artist.
That was the excuse I came up with to dodge this conundrum.
In reality, I had no way to properly explain it.
Saying something like, “I guess our clan just has that ability! But I don’t know much!” should suffice for now.
Although if the Immortal Healer decided to visit our clan to inquire about those abilities, that would be troublesome.
‘But I doubt he’d come just for this.’
The Immortal Healer was a doctor who was requested at numerous locations across the world.
So it wouldn’t be a shock for him to visit the Gu Clan without any invitation.
I assumed.
The Immortal Healer sighed in disappointment, evidently unable to find much of note about my abilities.
“Well… it seems you’re in good health.”
“…Why are you saying that with such a tone of disappointment?”
‘Am I imagining things, or is he not satisfied that I’m healthy?’
“Do you really think I would be disappointed?”
“I must have been mistaken, right?”
The Immortal Healer subtly evaded my question, pulling out a wooden token from his pocket.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“Can’t you tell by looking? It’s a wooden token.”
“I can see that, but I’m asking what it’s for.”
“As a wandering doctor, I don’t have much to offer you.”
The Immortal Healer was presenting me something. I was already content with the free treatment he had provided, so I wondered why he was offering me more now.
“I don’t have anything grand to gift, but you should receive favorable treatment from the Beggar’s Sect if you present this to them.”
“Why are you giving me something like this?”
I could tell at a glance that this was a valuable item.
Moreover, if it involved the Beggar’s Sect…
I suddenly recalled the black wooden pass that Peng Woojin had given me before and felt a strange sense of unease.
“I initially wanted to gift this to someone I was searching for, but since I couldn’t find him, I’m giving it to you instead. Consider it a payment for a service.”
“A payment for… a commission?”
“Correct, I have a request of you after all.”
I knew it; something this significant couldn’t simply be handed over for free…
He had ulterior motives for giving me this pass.
‘He isn’t really going to ask if he can cut me open, right?’
If that’s the case, I’d have to dash away immediately.
“I heard that the Sword Master is also joining when you depart.”
“…Oh, I heard that too, but I’m not sure yet.”
As the person in charge of our group, I needed to approve if the Sword Master wanted to accompany us.
And I wasn’t certain if I could allow her to leave the Mount Hua Sect after just recovering.
The concern, however, stemmed from what the Immortal Healer mentioned next.
“I, too, have some business at the Gu Clan, so I might need to tag along.”
“Huh?”
“I informed Dohwa already, and it should be fine since I’m not unwelcome anywhere.”
The Immortal Healer implied he had already mentioned his plans to the Celestial Plum Blossom. It seemed he assumed that I would certainly approve of his joining.
“…Why?”
“Hmm?”
I couldn’t help but voice that question.
It seemed far too absurd.
‘Why is everyone choosing to flock to my home when there are other pleasant towns?’
‘Is honey smeared all over my house or something?’
I even entertained such nonsensical thoughts at that moment.
– I understand what you desire, but do you truly believe I can accomplish something like that?
– While I noticed something in that girl, I refrained from examining her as Dohwa told me not to.
– I cannot heal everyone just because I’m known as the Immortal Healer.
After hearing the Immortal Healer’s cold remarks, the Sword Emperor spoke after having been silent for a while.
– So, are you saying even you find this impossible…?
– …
The Immortal Healer never lied concerning healing someone.
The Sword Emperor, of course, recognized that fact.
This was the reason he could deduce the answer simply through reading the Immortal Healer’s expression and silence.
The Immortal Healer could only breathe a sigh of resignation, knowing the Sword Emperor had caught on.
– It’s exceedingly difficult for me to recklessly meddle with the energy of a being who isn’t even human, let alone a martial artist.
– Not only am I going to require an excessive amount of time, but the materials needed might involve uprooting an entire clan’s foundation.
– …That I can…
– Alliance Leader.
The Immortal Healer interrupted the Sword Emperor’s words.
– Before you bring that to me, please fulfill my request first. I believe that takes priority.
– …
– Until then, I won’t entertain any answer from you.
It was a short yet decisive statement.
If the Sword Emperor didn’t wish to comply with his request, then that was the end of it.
However, he was not in a position where he could easily discard such an opportunity.
This was a speck of light shining down into an abyss of insurmountable darkness.
The Sword Emperor composed himself once reminded of the face of his granddaughter smiling at him joyfully.
He then began to write a letter.
Carefully, he inscribed words onto the blank white page, densely filling it in.
At the forefront of the letter was inscribed the word, Murim.
This letter was none other than for the current leader of the Murim Alliance— the Harmonious Sword, Jang Cheon.
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