Chapter 203
Chapter 203
"Namgung, brat." I have finished calculating your Grace. If you are thinking of demanding a price from our Young lady using this as an excuse…”
Namgung Hwi hurriedly opened his mouth at the suspicious gaze.
“That is not it, Elder. I am just worried. Her last appearance lingers in my mind… I cannot set my mind at ease.”
“No. Your existence has the potential to confuse her memories.”
Dang Jung shook his head firmly.
He had no intention of showing her that appearance to others, and he simply did not want to confuse the child.
Her Qi was so weakened that she could not stay awake for even half a Shichen a day, and even when she woke up, she could barely recognize his face and was not in her right mind.
She would often repeat some incomprehensible words about having to go somewhere before falling asleep.
In this situation, how could he allow a stranger’s visit to stimulate the child?
Namgung Hwi’s expression turned serious at Dang Jung’s refusal. He carefully chose his words before asking cautiously.
“Perhaps, does Dang Sojeo not remember that day?”
“I have no reason to tell you, an outsider.”
Namgung Hwi’s lips stiffened at the answer, which was as good as an affirmation.
Dang Jung glared at Namgung Hwi with a stern expression.
“I will not stop you from staying nearby. But do not come looking for her without my permission. There is a limit to how much I can overlook. You have already undergone the ceremony, so when will you stop acting like a reckless, ill-mannered fool?”
“I will keep that in mind, Elder. If there is anything I can help with…”
“There is nothing. I know your intentions well enough, so be gone.”
Dang Jung waved his hand, making it clear that he did not want to talk any further.
Namgung Hwi hurriedly opened his mouth at the renewed dismissal.
“Wa, wait a moment, Elder!”
“What is it?”
“Please do not tell Dang Sojeo about me.”
Dang Jung frowned, turned to Namgung Hwi, and tilted his head.
“…What do you mean? Are you saying you do not want her to know about the Grace you bestowed?”
“Yes. I do not want to hinder Dang Sojeo’s recovery.”
“Nonsense. It is not something that can be hidden by concealing it. How could she not know when the Inner Energy she possesses has changed?”
“I know. But if she has problems with her memory, as you said, it is better if she does not remember me. Recalling the moment when her life was on the line will only deepen her Heart Demon.”
“……”
“I beg you, Elder. Please do not say anything. Then, I will take my leave.”
Namgung Hwi bowed politely and slowly turned away.
Dang Jung watched his receding figure and swallowed a sigh, then closed his eyes tightly.
His mind was troubled, making it difficult to control his anger.
‘Even a complete stranger cares this much, yet those who are supposed to be her blood relatives drove the child to her death…’
As Dang Jung tried to calm his anger, Im Seol-yak approached and spoke.
“Do not needlessly fret and go see the child. She is fidgeting, so it seems she has regained consciousness.”
“Our puppy woke up?”
Dang Jung’s eyes widened, and he smiled brightly as if he had never been troubled, then disappeared.
“……Tsk. That fool.”
Im Seol-yak clicked her tongue and glared at the dust swirling in the spot where Dang Jung had been standing, then crossed her arms.
“Yes. Child. It is Grandfather.”
The voice of someone coaxing the child could be heard from afar. Im Seol-yak snorted and turned away.
‘Having a disciple must be good. To think that an old man who was like a corpse can laugh and cry at the child’s gestures.’
It was an unsightly sight, but still…
It was not unpleasant to see.
Im Seol-yak stopped in front of the gate and hesitated for a moment, then soon made up her mind.
‘This much meddling should be okay.’
It was just a trivial whim.
It was definitely not because she was worried about the brat who was waiting for her in the Bamboo Sea.
And it was definitely not because the child’s eyes, burning with longing, reminded her of someone, which made her worry even more.
Having finished rationalizing, she focused her Energy Perception.
She sensed the Qi of the brat slowly descending the mountain, as if he could not bear to leave.
Im Seol-yak quickly chased after him and blocked Namgung Hwi’s path, saying.
“You. Let us talk for a moment.”
“Ghost Hand Divine Doctor?”
Namgung Hwi’s eyes widened at the unexpected appearance of the person.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw a familiar face.
I stared blankly at the dark blue eyes and blinked.
Was it a dream?
“…Grandfather?”
I called out cautiously, and a metallic sound came from my throat. Grandfather, with a forced smile, stroked my cheek.
“Yes. Child. It is Grandfather.”
“When, did you come?”
“I came when our child was sleeping.”
“Ah……”
Ah, Uncle Geun-myeong sent a letter. That Grandfather’s closed-door training had ended…
And…….
What was it?
Everything was vague, as if I was wandering in a fog. It was as if a part of my memory had been dyed black.
I struggled to recall the hazy memories and opened my mouth with difficulty.
“Grandfather. I have to go……”
“Why do you keep saying you have to go somewhere? You must not move yet, child. Lie down.”
“I have to go……”
Grandfather’s smile cracked at my muttering. He distorted his face, muttering curses as if he could not bear to watch my state.
Soon, a warm palm covered my eyes.
“Sleep more. Grandfather will take care of everything. Do not worry and sleep soundly, child.”
I had to go…… I did not have time for this……
Unlike my desire to get up from the bed and run out immediately, my body did not move as if it was crushed by a rock.
The moment my consciousness began to sink, Grandfather’s True energy flowed in.
The blue Qi in his Core Conduit pushed back the darkness, repainting the world in a clear blue.
……Blue?
That was strange. My Internal Martial Arts had never had such a light. Neither had Grandfather’s.
It felt like something was about to come to mind, but everything was blurry, and I could not remember anything clearly.
But my body naturally tried to circulate Energy.
When I tried to circulate True energy following Grandfather, Grandfather smiled as if he was proud of me.
“That is right. You are doing well now. Let us do a little more.”
The sound of laughter tickling my ears relaxed me a little. It was as if I had returned to a day when I was just learning martial arts.
But that was it, even after completing the Microcosmic Orbit, my body did not listen to me.
Grandfather, who frowned and groaned, wiped the cold sweat with a soft cloth and whispered.
“Child. Just rest well without thinking about anything. You have to get well soon so we can go home with Grandfather. Okay?”
“Yes……”
I answered with a mumble, feeling the warmth of Grandfather’s hand holding mine tightly, and fell into a slumber.
After that, I helplessly repeated the act of falling asleep as if fainting, waking up, falling asleep again, and waking up again.
I could not tell how much time had passed.
I could not even tell if it was day or night, summer or winter. Everything felt distant, as if I was submerged in water.
Sometimes, my whole body was pierced with Poison Needles, and sometimes, my whole body was submerged in Medicinal Decoction.
There were also times when I regained consciousness from the sensation of Grandfather sending True energy.
One thing did not change. Whenever I opened my eyes, Grandfather was there.
I could tell that I was not alone because of Grandfather’s presence, who deliberately made his presence known while staying by my side.
“The recovery is slow. It seems that ordinary things will not be enough to replenish the lost Innate true energy. Let us use the Inner Core of the Human-faced Spider that I have.”
“What should I get?”
“I need an Elixir to neutralize the extremely Yin Qi. Perhaps the Tang Clan has……”
Sometimes, I faintly heard Grandfather’s voice talking to someone.
Judging from the unique way he spoke, I thought it might be the Ghost Hand Divine Doctor.
Why was the Ghost Hand Divine Doctor here?
I was puzzled for a moment, but the thought soon scattered like clouds blown by the wind.
I felt sleepy, and soon the surroundings became as calm as a quiet lake. I slowly sank into the deep water.
The sunlight streaming through the sliding paper door poured onto my face.
The sound of leaves rustling in the wind could be heard faintly.
I slowly lifted my heavy eyelids and realized that my body was not in its usual state.
Today, my body was not as heavy as a stone. I could even push the blanket away myself.
My head was still hazy, but when my body moved as I wanted, I did not want to lie still.
I moved my hands and feet around, then supported myself on the bed and raised my upper body.
My left shoulder ached with a tingling sensation, but it was bearable.
It was fortunate that it was only this much, considering that it was the arm that I had tied up with the determination to cut it off.
If it was this much even after being pierced by a sword…….
……Huh.
Was I pierced by a sword? Why?
I clutched my left shoulder and pondered, but nothing came to mind, as if someone had painted over my memories with ink.
I massaged my faintly trembling left arm and looked around.
It was an unfamiliar room, but judging from the familiar structure, it seemed to be one of Grandfather’s secret houses.
As I blinked, trying to come to my senses, I heard someone’s voice.
“Have you regained consciousness?”
I was startled and turned my head, and a familiar face came into view. It was the Ghost Hand Divine Doctor.
“Stay still. You must be very dizzy.”
The Ghost Hand Divine Doctor, who stopped me when I tried to clasp my hands in greeting after our eyes met, reached out to me.
At that moment, before I could even think properly, my body tensed up.
I reflexively pushed away the approaching hand and threw a punch,
Bang!
And slammed my face into the blanket.
