Chapter 120
120
“What a grand welcome.”
At the barbed words, Dang Geunmyeong bowed deeply.
“I apologize, Elder. This happened because I was unaware of your visit. Please forgive me.”
“Hmph.”
With a snort, Im Seolyak slowly retracted his whip.
Only then did the air, which had been pressing down on the space, lighten. The sound of several Martial Artists coughing and gasping for breath could be heard.
“I seem to remember seeing you a few times… Weren’t you the boy who attended to the Poison King?”
“Yes, Elder. The Poison King is currently away.”
“I didn’t come to see that old man, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes? Then who…”
“Young Master Dang-un. Escort me.”
“Yes, Elder.”
A look of surprise flickered across Dang Geunmyeong’s face, but it was fleeting.
Quickly composing himself, Dang Geunmyeong led him into the inner compound before Im Seolyak could change his mind.
It was the first time Im Seolyak had set foot in the Tang Clan manor since leaving the Alliance.
Perhaps because it was a place he used to visit as if it were his own home, traces of the past lingered everywhere.
‘Seolyak, look! Dang Jung made a sword tassel for Cheoncheon.’
‘Dang Jung made that himself? He must have ordered a Maid to do it. How could a Young Master from a prestigious family make something like that?’
‘Hwayeon helped him. But the knot is clumsy here, isn’t it? Look. Cheoncheon must have tied it himself. Isn’t it cute?’
‘Ok-hwan, you’re the only one who thinks that Poison brat is cute.’
‘But he really is cute.’
Ok-hwan’s smiling face vividly came to mind. It was as if his long-gone friend was whispering right beside him.
Im Seolyak pressed hard on his throbbing temples.
‘…Shouldn’t have come.’
He shouldn’t have set foot in the Tang Clan in the first place. What did he care about the Poison King’s grandson?
If it weren’t for the promise he made to the spirited child who found Bidong to save her brother, he wouldn’t have even set foot in Sichuan.
Im Seolyak groaned, barely suppressing the urge to turn back immediately.
Although he was capricious, he wasn’t so faithless as to break a promise.
As Im Seolyak’s pace slowed, Dang Geunmyeong also reduced his speed to match. After guiding Im Seolyak deep into the inner compound, Dang Geunmyeong said politely.
“This is the place, Elder.”
“You may leave.”
“Yes. I will be waiting nearby. Please call me when you are finished.”
Im Seolyak nodded and slowly opened the door to the residence.
It was a neat and tidy building.
Evergreen conifers that did not lose their greenness even in the winter wind were planted beautifully, and an Ancient Zither was placed on a small pavilion.
The windows of the building were half-open, and a hazy smoke leaked through the gaps, as if several braziers were lit inside.
“Trying to suffocate me to death.”
Im Seolyak scoffed and moved in the direction where he sensed a presence.
In the distance, he saw the back of a man with light-colored hair.
Wearing a thick fur cloak, he stood in front of a stylishly curved bonsai pine tree. It seemed he had come out to get some fresh air.
Im Seolyak, looking at the man’s fragile shoulders that seemed as if they would break if touched, spoke to him.
“Are you the Tang Clan’s Young Master Lee Dang-un?”
“Ah. Excuse me. I didn’t realize we had a guest.”
The man replied calmly and slowly turned around. His wheat-colored hair, with its white-faded ends, sparkled like snow melting in the sunlight.
“…Ah.”
Im Seolyak, facing the man, involuntarily exclaimed.
He was a man as beautiful as a snowflake in a snowfield.
He was said to be from the Tang Clan’s direct line, but he didn’t resemble the Poison King at all.
Im Seolyak asked with suspicious eyes.
“Are you really a Tang Clan descendant?”
“I am called Dang-un of the Tang Clan. May I ask who sent you as a physician?”
“How did you know I was a physician?”
“I heard the sound of a medicine bag.”
“You have good ears.”
Im Seolyak replied, gazing at Dang-un.
The man with a gentle smile seemed to be looking at Im Seolyak’s face, but his eyes were unfocused.
Im Seolyak stared into his transparent eyes, which seemed to draw him in, and replied.
“Your sister sent me. Her name is… Ah, I didn’t ask her name. She was a disciple of the Poison King.”
Then, a look of joy spread across Dang-un’s pale face.
“If she is my grandfather’s disciple, then she is my youngest sister. Her name is So-hye.”
“So that’s her name.”
“Has my sister been well? Was she injured?”
“Not at all. Judging by how headstrong she is, she seems like she’ll do well anywhere. Is she a beloved sister?”
“She is a child I have cared for since I was young. I was worried because I hadn’t heard from her, but I am relieved that you have brought me news of her well-being. Thank you for your consideration.”
At the polite greeting, Im Seolyak felt a little awkward.
Dang-un seemed happier to hear that his youngest sister was doing well than to hear that a physician had come to examine his illness.
‘Kya-ha-ha! Brother! Faster!’
‘…He’s treating his brother like a horse.’
‘Ahaha, look at Cheoncheon. Seolyak, isn’t it cute how he’s so bad at taking care of children, but he’s trying so hard to play with his sister?’
‘Stop with the creepy talk, Ok-hwan. You’re the only one who thinks that Poison brat is cute.’
The image of Dang Jung carrying a young Hwayeon on his shoulders and laughing together came to mind.
Im Seolyak shook his head to forget that obnoxious face.
Seeing himself becoming sentimental, he felt he needed to quickly take care of his business and leave this unpleasant place.
Dang-un, mistaking Im Seolyak’s actions for being cold, apologized gently.
“I’m sorry. It’s cold, and I’ve kept you standing outside for too long. How about we go inside and talk? Is white tea alright?”
“I decline the tea. I don’t drink tea unless I brew it myself.”
Even at the cold reply, Dang-un didn’t lose his smile.
“I see. But I hope you can warm up. Shall I prepare a tea set?”
It was an unusually gentle response for a Young Master from a prestigious family. Im Seolyak’s expression became strange.
To be able to smile kindly even when being refused with the statement that he wouldn’t touch anything he offered. He was a strange man.
Im Seolyak blinked and muttered softly.
“…I suppose.”
\ \ *
The inside of the building was sweltering with the heat from the braziers. Dang-un opened the window as if he felt stifled, but then brought a thick blanket and covered Im Seolyak, worried that he might be cold.
The blanket had a faint fragrance of orchids.
Im Seolyak stared blankly at the blanket covering his knees, a look of bewilderment on his face.
“What are you doing?”
“Ah, I apologize. I’m in the habit of taking care of my younger sisters.”
Im Seolyak was dumbfounded by Dang-un’s apology. It had been over a hundred years since he had reached the state of being impervious to heat and cold. Did he know who he was, treating him like a mere babe?
Im Seolyak snapped sharply.
“You siblings are the same. You have no fear. How dare you touch my body so carelessly? What if your neck were broken?”
“I must accept it as the price for my rudeness. But you are cold. It would be best if you kept it on for a while.”
Again, a soft, gentle reply came back. Im Seolyak frowned but didn’t remove the blanket.
“Sit here so I can take your pulse. I’m worried you might break a bone wandering around like that, unable to see.”
“Yes, Physician.”
At the slightly softened tone, Dang-un smiled and rolled up his sleeves, extending his arm.
His pulse, frozen cold, had no trace of Yang Qi.
The Qi and Blood Points throughout his body were twisted, and his pulse was irregular, as if it would stop at any moment.
He was barely holding on with the Energy Flow of an Elixir; his body was on the verge of collapse.
“The balance of Yin and Yang is completely broken. It must be incredibly painful. How are you enduring it? It’s a wonder you can even walk.”
“I’m used to it, so it’s alright.”
At the calm response, Im Seolyak narrowed his eyes.
As a physician, he had met countless patients.
People with Qi and Blood Points as twisted as this usually didn’t last more than three days.
Most of them would beg and cling to him, crying out to be saved, then faint from the extreme pain and never wake up.
Even Martial Artists who prided themselves on their skill were not much different. Some even committed suicide because they couldn’t bear the pain.
But the man before him was different.
He was maintaining his daily life without breaking down, even in the face of pain that would cause him to lose his human dignity.
Im Seolyak stared intently at Dang-un and murmured softly.
“I’ll take back my question about whether you’re really a Tang Clan descendant. Judging by the Poisonous Energy, you’re definitely a Tang.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It is a compliment. I thought you were a delicate orchid, but you’re a resilient weed. I like that.”
He replied, reaching out to Dang-un’s face. Im Seolyak lifted his long eyelashes and examined his transparent eyes before asking again.
“When did your eyes become like this?”
“About a year ago.”
“This isn’t because of damaged meridians. Poison is blocking the Jeongmyeong and Chanjuk points.”
“Ah… So it was my stepmother.”
“It seems you have an idea. Why did you leave it as it is?”
“What does it matter if I can see or not? There’s no need for someone who will soon depart to cause trouble.”
At the words that seemed to have given up on everything, Im Seolyak scoffed.
“Nonsense. You want to live, don’t you?”
“…”
“Who are you trying to fool? If you had resigned yourself and accepted death, you wouldn’t be alive now. Ordinary people can’t endure pain that twists their bones and flesh like yours. You’re clinging to that thin thread because your will to live is so strong.”
At the scathing remark, Dang-un smiled bitterly.
“You’re right, Physician. I… I think I still want to live.”
The man who readily admitted it was as fragile as a dandelion seed that could be blown away by a small breeze. But his voice was as strong as a solid rock.
Im Seolyak was intrigued by the incongruity.
“You are strong.”
“I am a body that has not even mastered proper Martial Arts Technique.”
“Martial Arts is just a secondary element. The important thing is willpower. No matter how sharp a sword is, it’s useless if its owner collapses. You haven’t broken.”
He could have become arrogant and unruly, lamenting his situation, but instead, he wore a strong armor of etiquette.
He was calm enough to look after those around him and considerate of others, and he was standing tall, struggling not to waver even in the face of pain that tore at his flesh.
His efforts to avoid succumbing to illness, to die as a human rather than a beast, were clearly visible.
He was a different caliber than petty men. It was a waste to let him go like this.
For some whim, Im Seolyak wanted to see life return to those transparent eyes.
“I will fix your eyes.”
“Yes?”
“I can’t guarantee your life, but I will try to treat you. No one in the Central Plains but me can touch you.”
At the voice filled with arrogant confidence, Dang-un nodded without realizing it.
“I will tell them to prepare Guest quarters for you.”
“No. It would be better to give me the room next to yours. I need to keep an eye on you.”
“Yes, Physician. But… If it’s not too much to ask, may I ask your name?”
“Im Seolyak.”
For a moment, a look of bewilderment crossed Dang-un’s usually calm face. He hurriedly rose and bowed respectfully.
“…I didn’t realize that a god had come. I, Dang-mo, apologize for my rudeness.”
“No. Call me Seolyak.”
“Yes?”
“Seolyak.”
After hesitating, Dang-un smiled and replied.
“Yes, Seolyak.”
Only then did Im Seolyak have a satisfied look on his face. He raised the corners of his lips and picked up Dang-un.
“Seo, Seolyak? Please wait a moment…!”
“You’re too slow. Let’s go to the bedroom first.”
“This is… That… Yes. Seolyak.”
Dang-un, stiff with tension, awkwardly placed his hand on Im Seolyak’s shoulder.
‘Now that’s a human reaction.’
Im Seolyak, hearing the patient’s pounding heartbeat, gave a languid smile.
A person who gave him excitement had appeared in his life, which had been boring and tedious. He couldn’t miss this opportunity.
