Chapter 201
201
‘……It’s a wonder he hasn’t gone mad.’
It was as if someone had gathered the few things that could shake that indifferent old man and molded them into this situation.
Clicking his tongue, Im Seol-yak took Dang So-hye’s wrist and carefully channeled True energy into her.
As he calmly examined Dang So-hye’s body, his brow furrowed.
The child’s Inner Energy was piecing together the cracked vessel, but that was all; the restoration of her body was strangely slow.
The flame of life was so faint it seemed ready to extinguish at any moment.
If her condition was this bad even with someone like Dang Jung by her side, she must have been as good as dead at first.
“Did the child use even her Innate true energy?”
“Yes.”
“Incompetent fool. What was that so-called master doing to let the child get into this state? You don’t deserve to be a master.”
“You’re right. I don’t deserve it.”
Dang Jung, replying gloomily to the harsh criticism, ran a hand over his face.
“What’s with that face, as if you’ve done something great? Instead of looking so pathetic, go and….”
Im Seol-yak, who had been snapping, tilted his head.
Looking again, the Inner Energy the child possessed was foreign. The Inner Energy, which should have been dark blue like her master, was a clear sky blue.
‘Namgung? Azure Sky Grand Evolution Divine Art, perhaps.’
Though tainted with Poison, its characteristics were distinct. The Qi that only a direct descendant of Namgung would possess was enveloping the child, as if protecting her.
It was clear that someone had forcibly held the vessel together as it was about to break.
Im Seol-yak gave Dang Jung a look that seemed to ask what this was all about.
“Whose crazy handiwork is this? If this is the amount left in the child’s body, the one who transferred the power wouldn’t be in good shape either.”
“There’s one such nuisance.”
“That nuisance is better than the master. Thanks to him, the child has survived.”
Dang Jung could only groan in anguish and say nothing. Im Seol-yak snorted and said brusquely.
“Stop acting like a fool and go prepare the Medicinal Decoction. Gather only pure Qi and get rid of that stinking Poison.”
Only then did a light of relief appear in Dang Jung’s eyes.
“…Thank you. Im Ga.”
“No thanks are necessary. This person is doing it because he has something on his mind as well.”
Replying, Im Seol-yak pulled back the blanket covering Dang So-hye, took off her outer garment, and carefully examined her left arm.
The flow of Qi was particularly slow, and the Energy Channels connecting her shoulder and arm were half severed, barely connected.
Dang Jung said in a pained voice.
“A sword pierced through. The Demonic Bloom has been erased, but I don’t know if she’ll be able to move as before.”
Im Seol-yak lightly pressed Dang So-hye’s left arm.
There were signs of severe damage, but fortunately, the form was intact. With the aid of True energy, it seemed it wouldn’t be difficult to recover.
“Will she get better?”
“You’re distracting me, so shut your mouth and get out.”
“Understood.”
Annoyed, Im Seol-yak chased Dang Jung out and took out his Acupuncture Needle Case from his pocket.
As he slowly closed and opened his eyes, his jet-black pupils turned golden, reflecting the pale face of the girl.
Soon, pure golden Qi enveloped Im Seol-yak’s body.
Im Seol-yak, channeling Inner Energy into the Golden needle, carefully began to insert the needles into Dang So-hye’s body.
\ \ \
It was half an hour later that Im Seol-yak came out of the room.
Dang Jung, who had been anxiously chewing on the mouthpiece of his long pipe, jumped up as soon as Im Seol-yak came out and scrutinized his expression.
Im Seol-yak asked coldly.
“The Medicinal Decoction?”
“It’s ready.”
“Be grateful to that nuisance. If it weren’t for his pure Inner Energy, you would have had to cut off her arm.”
“Then….”
“Don’t worry. There’s no major problem.”
A bright smile appeared on Dang Jung’s face at the words that she would be able to use her arm.
“Thank you. Thank you, Im Ga.”
“I told you no thanks are necessary. Just don’t come at me later saying you’re going to kill me.”
“When did I ever come at you like that? You’re always the one trying to kill me.”
“Hmph.”
Snorting and turning his head, Im Seol-yak was relieved inwardly. The old man still seemed to know nothing.
If so, he would just have to make sure he never found out.
Having made up his mind, he subtly changed the subject.
“The problem isn’t the arm but the Heart Demon…. I don’t know if the child will be able to overcome it. You must take good care of her.”
“Yes. I will.”
As Dang Jung’s cheeks trembled slightly, Im Seol-yak said consolingly.
“She’s a strong-willed child, so she won’t break down easily. Someone who uses this master like a courier service can’t be ordinary.”
“…Did our puppy make you run errands?”
“She shamelessly ordered me to deliver Elixir all the way to Sichuan. It was absurd.”
Im Seol-yak chuckled and took out a small pouch from his pocket and handed it over.
“Feed her two pills every six hours. Don’t forget to guide her Core Conduit after feeding her.”
“I will.”
Dang Jung, replying, opened the pouch and scratched his cheek.
“Im Ga. I think you gave me the wrong thing. What is this? She hates anything with a scent, so why a Scent Pouch….”
Im Seol-yak, his face reddening at Dang Jung’s question, snatched the Scent Pouch back and stuffed it into his pocket.
“I made a mistake. Give me that.”
Dang Jung, receiving the new pouch, narrowed his eyes and asked.
“This skill looks familiar. That embroidery, isn’t it Woon-i’s work?”
“…That’s right.”
“Why are you carrying that around? You seem to have become quite close with Woon-i?”
At that, Im Seol-yak looked away and tightly shut his mouth.
Dang Jung, looking at Im Seol-yak with a puzzled expression, soon thought nothing of it.
‘Woon-i is good at flattering the old folks. To melt that eccentric old monster and act like a tongue in his mouth again.’
Concluding that, he put his hands behind his back and looked up at Im Seol-yak.
“That guy’s needlework is quite good. He sometimes gives the things he embroiders to his sisters when they’re lonely; his craftsmanship is better than most young ladies.”
He subtly boasted about Dang-un’s skill, not seeming to care why Im Seol-yak had the Scent Pouch.
Im Seol-yak replied, trying to appear calm.
“Since he’s a Tang Clan, his skill won’t go anywhere.”
“That’s right. It would have been great if he had been given Hidden Weapons….”
Dang Jung clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed.
“Anyway, I’m relieved thanks to you. I’ll repay you handsomely. How is Woon-i?”
“If he’s managed well, his Energy Channels won’t be blocked.”
As anticipation appeared in Dang Jung’s eyes, Im Seol-yak frowned.
“Huh? You should be moderate in your greed. He’s a child nearing twenty. It’s too late to achieve great Martial Arts now.”
“Not only those who have achieved great Martial Arts can lead the family. What’s more important than the level of Martial Arts is a broad perspective and judgment. Woon-i….”
“What burden are you trying to place on a child who has just started to breathe again? Just leave him alone.”
Im Seol-yak cut him off firmly, but Dang Jung didn’t give in easily either.
“That guy is the Tang Clan’s Eldest Son / Heir. Since he was born that way, he must fulfill his duty.”
“Get a grip. You crazy old man. Your disciple ended up like that because you were so fixated on the family, and you’re still talking about the family; are you senile? Are you carrying your head around just for show?”
“….”
At the fierce rebuke, Dang Jung’s expression darkened. Im Seol-yak glared sharply and snapped.
“I said that if he’s managed well, his Energy Channels won’t be blocked, but I didn’t say he’s completely healed. Stop thinking about putting a leash on a sick person and focus on your disciple.”
“…Understood.”
“If you understand, go soak the child in Medicinal Decoction. I don’t want to see that dark face of yours.”
Im Seol-yak, losing his temper, pointed to the door. Dang Jung swallowed a bitter smile and opened the door.
As he said, not letting go of the family even in this state might be his obsession.
But he had lived his whole life like that. How could he find a way to live differently now?
With so many problems piled up, regretting the past was meaningless.
Pushing aside his distractions, taking care of the child was the priority.
\ \ \
After Im Seol-yak came, Dang So-hye’s Qi and Blood Points quickly stabilized.
As the panting breaths that seemed about to give out became comfortable, the pale Dang Jung’s complexion also regained its vitality.
“Im Ga. Is there anything else you need? Just say the word. I’ll prepare it right away.”
“Get lost.”
“Do you need Poison? I have a very fine Poison that’s been aged for ten years….”
“I told you not to bother me and get lost. Seriously, who keeps shoving stinking Poison in my face?”
“Or how about herbs? You coveted the herbs from the Thousand Poisons Forest before. Will you take them? Shall I open the forest for you?”
“Do you think this master would be sad just because I don’t have some measly weeds? Go take care of your business. It’s time for the child to wake up.”
Im Seol-yak glared at the old man, who was following him around like a stray dog, and became annoyed.
But Dang Jung, who would have usually raised his voice without backing down, didn’t show any displeasure.
“It’s already this time. I’ll be back.”
He even greeted Im Seol-yak with a pleasant face.
Im Seol-yak frowned.
He didn’t want to see the unlucky old monster suffering, but the face that had become radiant as if he had never been on the verge of death was just as unpleasant to look at.
‘……Still, this is better than calming down a crazy person with eyes rolled back.’
Im Seol-yak, rubbing his furrowed brow, decided to think positively.
If something happened again that made the Poison King lose his reason, no one would be able to stop him this time.
At that moment, someone knocked on the gate of the residence. Im Seol-yak looked at the gate with indifferent eyes.
Even if he didn’t bother to answer, the uninvited guest would open the door on his own.
One.
Two.
“Last Crane of the Martial Forest Namgung Hwi pays his respects to the Divine Doctor.”
Three.
Im Seol-yak muttered at the sight of the man opening the door precisely on three and clasping his hands in greeting.
“The nuisance has arrived.”
