Chapter 28

I am the youngest disciple of the Murim's hidden mastermind.

Episode 28

***

“I’m back!”

I returned to Cheongsanbong with one hand firmly holding Master’s and the other holding Danhwi’s.

Even though the youngest had returned from her first journey into the jianghu, Gwang-eum remained holed up in his room and didn't show so much as a hair on his head.

On the other hand, Senior Brother Hyeonhak was waiting for me at the Medical Hall!

“Just like you said, Senior Brother, it wasn't scary at all!”

When I greeted him energetically, Hyeonhak let out the loudest laugh I had ever seen from him.

“I am glad you returned without injury, junior disciple.”

“Do people get hurt often?”

Oing.

I hopped onto the chair Hyeonhak provided and asked absentmindedly. At that, Hyeonhak, who was rattling around preparing medical tools for an examination, let out an awkward laugh and didn't answer.

“Haha….”

“…Where do they get hurt?! Did—did Senior Brother Danhwi get hurt a lot before?”

It must be true.

When I intentionally put on a frightened expression, Hyeonhak seemed to realize his slip and finally began to explain properly.

“Getting injured in the jianghu is a common occurrence. One might clash with those who have mastered martial arts, or someone might give chase…. Danhwi usually doesn't get hurt often, though. When Master suddenly said he was going to Hwangun County, I wondered if perhaps one of you had been injured….”

“Ah.”

Now that I looked, there were many more medicines and medical tools laid out behind Hyeonhak than usual.

He must have been worried.

Eigoo. Senior Brother Hyeonhak is truly something else.

I didn't know at first because he seemed so blunt, but he might have the softest heart of anyone on Cheongsanbong.

“To think you were worrying about me like this….”

While I looked at Hyeonhak with sparkling eyes, he kindly smiled as he rolled down the hem of my trousers.

“I have confirmed that you returned safely without a single small scratch. My mind is at ease. Now, you may head back. Take some sweets as well.”

“Wow!”

Kind Hyeonhak did not forget to offer me a sweet after finishing the check-up.

I became certain once more.

As expected, there is no one but Hyeonhak who can help me with ‘this plan.’

Accepting the sweet, I spoke up naturally as if the thought had just occurred to me.

“Oh, right! I, while I was out this time….”

“Yes.”

“…Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

“……?”

When I intentionally held back, the kind Hyeonhak asked back, looking puzzled as to why I was hesitating.

“What is the matter?”

“Well…. Um, actually… it’s nothing. It’s fine.”

I stood up from my seat, fidgeting as if I were hiding something.

I could feel Hyeonhak’s gaze lingering on the sweet in my hand, which I hadn't even put in my mouth yet.

Normally, I would have eaten it the moment I received it. Saliva pooled in my mouth as I struggled not to eat it.

But I have to endure!

I exerted all my mental strength to control this young body.

“…….”

Then, the understanding Hyeonhak—the one who had considerately helped me hide my fake illness from Master and Danhwi before—did as expected.

“Speak freely, Soyoung-saje. I will not tell anyone.”

Indeed, he caught me and didn't let me go.

I bit my lip hard, then looked up at Hyeonhak cautiously and asked.

“…Not even Master?”

“Yes.”

Great. First gate cleared.

I twisted my body, tapping my toes on the floor.

“Well… um, it’s because there’s a favor I wanted to ask of Senior Brother Hyeonhak….”

“What kind of favor is it?”

“But, thinking about it again, I think it’s okay if you don’t listen. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, Senior Brother….”

When I rolled my eyes and looked up at Hyeonhak, he remained silent with a thoughtful expression.

“…….”

I suppose so. It must sound like ‘if you hear it, you have to do it.’

However, after a few seconds of silence, Hyeonhak met my eyes and spoke.

“I am not uncomfortable. I will help with whatever I can.”

“Re—really?”

“Of course. A senior brother’s role is to help his junior.”

“Waaa!”

Second gate cleared!

I grabbed Hyeonhak’s hand and blurted out.

“There is a child I want Senior Brother Hyeonhak to treat!”

Q. How can I make the future Heavenly Demon my ally while avoiding involvement with the Demonic Cult?

The answer to this seemingly ironic question was simple.

Because Sa Mok-seon had already told me.

‘Just because a tiger has been pierced by a crow’s feather doesn't mean you must push it off a cliff.’

That is….

I just have to pull the future Heavenly Demon out of the Demonic Cult!

Even without the protagonist, the Demonic Cult will continue to run rampant. Therefore, becoming close with the protagonist, who is destined to become the supreme master of the land, was indeed the only way for me to survive, just as Sa Mok-seon said.

Anyway, the protagonist is only recognized as the Heavenly Demon near the game's ending.

To do that, I had to remove the Gu poison from Ryang’s body.

‘Normally, it would be impossible, but….’

If Hyeonhak, the physician trusted by the Murim's hidden mastermind, personally examined him, there might be a way.

I squeezed the hand I was holding and looked up at Hyeonhak, who asked with a curious face.

“Is it a child you knew before coming to Cheongsanbong?”

“No, not that….”

“Then is it a child you met during this journey into the jianghu?”

“Yes!”

I nodded quickly and added.

“I’m not asking you to cure every sick child. I know that would be impossible. But… Senior Brother Hyeonhak, you know the ahjussi named Sa Mok-seon, right?”

“I do. Is he not Master’s close friend?”

“Yes! He said that if I cure that child, it will help me survive in the jianghu. So….”

Looking up at him, I sent him a beaming, puppy-eyed look.

“Could you please help? Senior Brother Hyeonhak is the best physician I know.”

“Hmm.”

Hyeonhak looked into the air for a moment as if contemplating.

This was the third gate I had set.

After this, I would have to slowly break the news that he would have to descend Cheongsanbong to see the boy….

Just as I swallowed hard, Hyeonhak spoke readily.

“Since you say it is a child, it will be impossible for him to climb Cheongsanbong alone.”

“……!”

“I suppose I have no choice but to go down and examine him myself.”

“Y—you’ll do that for me?”

“Yes. I told you earlier, didn't I? It is a senior brother’s role to help his junior.”

This readily?

I had passed the next gate in an instant.

“I will need to make a few preparations. Very well.”

Hyeonhak patted my head and pulled out another sweet, pressing it into my hand.

“Then let us go together around tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. Fatigue has likely accumulated in your body from the outing without you realizing it. It is important to rest well and recover.”

“Yes…!!”

With that kind dismissal, I left the room feeling dazed.

No matter how thoughtful Hyeonhak was, I didn't expect him to agree so easily to a sudden request to treat someone….

It was as if he had known I would make such a request.

“…….”

I came to a sudden halt, stopping my cheerful steps.

…Could it be?

***

Inside the room where the oil lamp flickered.

Hyeonhak entered carrying a tray with a bowl of medicinal broth.

“It is a tonic.”

“I am not ill anywhere, am I?”

“I brewed it after quite some time.”

Clack. Hyeonhak set it down before Master and slowly knelt on the opposite side.

“Hmm.”

The first thing Cheong-ui Sanin brought up, while staring at the tonic without a word, was the name of his youngest disciple.

“Was Soso alright? There is no telling what Sa Mok-seon might have done.”

“There were faint traces of demonic energy remaining, but they were driven out early and will disappear naturally in a few days. That wouldn't have been the guest's doing anyway.”

“True.”

Cheong-ui Sanin nodded slowly.

“…….”

“…….”

With two men of few words sitting across from each other, the conversation did not flow easily.

“Master.”

It was Hyeonhak who spoke first.

“I have carried out what you requested.”

With his head lowered, the slight glint in Hyeonhak’s dark blue eyes flickered as he looked up.

“What you said about granting whatever request Soyoung-saje might make.”

It was an incredibly strange command.

Master had suddenly rushed out as if something had been weighing on his mind during a mission that wasn't even that dangerous, and upon his return, the very first command he gave was this:

‘Soso will soon ask you for a favor. See to it that you grant it.’

‘……? Without even knowing what the favor is?’

‘Yes. You must grant it.’

That was the reason Hyeonhak had so readily accepted Soso’s request.

Cheong-ui Sanin wore a faint smile, as if thinking of Soso.

“Indeed. Did she ask right away? She is quite fast.”