Chapter 206
206th Episode
“Young lady, this old man…….”
Im Seol-yak blocked his ears with a fed-up expression at the same old song about ‘young lady.’
He was annoyed by the unsightly voice of the doddering old man.
‘How old does he think I am to treat me like a baby? If he keeps this up, he’ll try to pick my eye boogers for me.’
He frowned in displeasure and raised his head to check the time.
It was almost time to meet Gaeryeok.
As Im Seol-yak prepared to leave, Dang Geunmyeong, who had been watching from afar, approached and asked politely.
“Elder, is there anything you need?”
“No. Just look after your master. I’ll be back in two hours, so tell the Poison King if he asks.”
“Yes, I underst…….”
Before Dang Geunmyeong could finish his reply, Im Seol-yak stepped over the threshold of the residence and began walking along a deserted mountain path.
His steps were so mysterious that not even a small trace remained where he had passed.
Im Seol-yak, who walked lightly like a breeze through the grass, soon stopped in front of a small manor.
“I can’t understand the extravagance of these noble families. They’re only a couple of bodies, yet they rent a manor.”
He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it, and then opened the gate without hesitation.
Namgung Hwi, who had been standing in front of the gate, greeted him with a sly bow as if he had been waiting.
“Have you arrived, Divine Doctor?”
He didn’t seem at all flustered by Im Seol-yak’s sudden entrance.
Im Seol-yak nodded and strode past Namgung Hwi into the inner quarters.
Jeokroe, who had been brewing herbal medicine in the corner, jumped up and bowed.
“No need to bother with formalities. Are the ingredients ready?”
“Yes, Divine Doctor. I have prepared them as you instructed.”
“Let me see.”
He examined the medicinal herbs that Jeokroe handed him, roughly tied up the bundle, and put it in his arms.
“I’ll make it into pills and bring them back. It won’t be as much of a help as the Ten Thousand Poisons Pill, but it will help to completely dissolve that Qi, so make sure he takes it on time.”
“I will. Thank you for your Grace, Divine Doctor!”
As Jeokroe replied happily and energetically, Im Seol-yak shrugged as if it was nothing to worry about.
“Your master saved a Tang Clan brat, didn’t he? Consider it payment for that.”
“Yes?”
“Because there’s a little one who would be sad if that brat were to die.”
Im Seol-yak replied casually and turned his gaze to Namgung Hwi, who had quickly approached.
He had a bright smile on his face, as if something good had happened. Im Seol-yak scolded him.
“What’s so good that you’re smiling? What’s there to smile about when your Inner Energy is halved?”
Im Seol-yak frowned at the calm reply, momentarily speechless.
“……I can’t understand it. I don’t believe you’re betrothed to the Tang Clan young lady.”
“Yes, I am not.”
“Then why go to such lengths……. No, never mind. Don’t answer. What can’t you do when you’re crazy in love? You must be blind to everything.”
Im Seol-yak waved his hand as if he didn’t want to know, but Namgung Hwi smiled and opened his mouth, unconcerned.
“Isn’t the first time special for everyone?”
“The first time? You’re not old enough to be sharing passionate love affairs. Did you have your first kiss with the Tang Clan young lady or something?”
Namgung Hwi’s eyes widened at Im Seol-yak’s question, and his face turned bright red.
He fanned himself with his hand, stammering as if he had imagined something.
“Wh, wh, what are you saying, of course it would be nice if that were the case……! No, that’s not it!”
Im Seol-yak’s expression became fierce at the embarrassed reaction.
Jeokroe, who had been standing far away, also turned his head away, pretending not to notice, and wiped his face with his hands.
‘He looks decent enough. Was he the Young Patriarch? The Namgung led by this brat will either be a great success or a complete failure.’
Im Seol-yak, having come to a rough conclusion, crossed his arms and scanned Namgung Hwi from head to toe.
His mind seemed to be gone, but his body was perfect, no matter how many times he looked at it.
What kind of Sword path would unfold if he were to put a sword in those hands?
Im Seol-yak recalled the Namgung’s sword from his distant memories and asked.
“The last Namgung I crossed swords with used the Gale Sword. Was that your father?”
“Gale Sword Namgung Wi-cheon is my grandfather.”
“Your grandfather? That brat has a grown grandson. Time has already passed that much. But that’s not the important thing. Show it to me.”
Namgung Hwi blinked at the incomprehensible words and asked softly.
“Are you talking about my sword?”
“Yes. I’m curious about your sword.”
It was a rude request, but Namgung Hwi obediently drew his sword without complaint.
The sharply honed sword reflected the sunlight and shone coldly.
Im Seol-yak admired the beautiful figure of the sword and his eyes sparkled.
“Hoo.”
He had expected him to be carrying around a piece of trash adorned with jewels, but the core was a masterpiece that would be difficult to obtain even with a thousand gold.
“I have to give it to the extravagance of these noble families. They must have poured a fortune into getting a sword like that.”
Im Seol-yak clicked his tongue and gestured with a languid expression for him to swing it once.
At that signal, Namgung Hwi slowly tightened his grip on the sword. He showed no signs of tension even in front of an Absolute Master.
Soon, a pure Qi that could be mistaken for that of the Taoist school wrapped around the blade.
It was only a faint light on the surface of the blade, but Im Seol-yak was inwardly impressed.
‘He can wield Strong Energy with that body?’
If he could emit that much light now, it must have originally shone so brightly that it dyed the sword blue.
A bitter smile appeared on Im Seol-yak’s lips as he watched the Martial art move that Namgung Hwi unfolded.
“Namgung’s madness is still the same. They’re obsessed with the insane act of pursuing heaviness and dominance with a sword that isn’t Taoist, and they’re finally going to pull it off.”
Im Seol-yak, who had given a favorable review in a tone that seemed like criticism at first glance, soon thought.
‘He’ll get along well with those Poison maniacs. I don’t know if there will be a time to work together, but…….’
It was a flashy sword that attracted the attention of both enemies and allies.
It would compensate for the shortcomings of the Tang Clan’s martial arts, so regardless of preferences, they would get along well.
“It’s usable. If you fix a few bad habits, it’ll be perfect.”
Namgung Hwi grinned as if he knew he would receive praise from Im Seol-yak.
“You flatter me. It’s still a lacking sword.”
Unlike the humble words, Im Seol-yak narrowed his eyes at the confident tone.
But it wasn’t an empty compliment.
How many Rising Stars from noble families had Im Seol-yak seen over the years?
Even if the elders of the family stuck to them, grooming them and feeding them good Elixir every meal, if their innate talent was lacking, they would collapse before even reaching the threshold of the elite.
But the brat in front of him was showing the skills of an elite even with a body that was as good as tied up.
His talent itself was different from that of insignificant small fries.
He could say with certainty that if he recovered his lost Internal Qi and continued to train properly, he would become a powerhouse that no one could surpass in the future.
Im Seol-yak said with genuine regret.
“It’s a pity that you’re a direct descendant of the Namgung.”
‘He’s a brat who would be fun to teach.’
Then Namgung Hwi, who understood the unspoken words that Im Seol-yak had swallowed, smiled and knelt down.
“What are you doing?”
“What does family name matter when forming a master-disciple relationship?”
Namgung Hwi’s blue eyes, which were looking up at Im Seol-yak with his hands neatly clasped on his knees, curved softly.
Im Seol-yak snorted, dumbfounded.
“How presumptuous. Who would want to teach a noble family brat?”
Unlike the tone that implied he was hearing nonsense, a subtle conflict spread across Im Seol-yak’s face.
Hidden behind the alias of Ghost Hand Divine Doctor, many people overlooked the fact that Im Seol-yak was also a Martial Artist.
A Martial Artist who had honed his sword all his life could not be without desire for a successor to continue his progress.
He had lived half-resigned, as he couldn’t find a suitable talent to take under his wing, but in his heart, he had wanted a disciple, and Namgung Hwi was a talent he coveted.
But the brat in front of him had a Sect. Not just any insignificant School, but the heir to the Namgung.
Instead of continuing Im Seol-yak’s progress, he would extract only the best parts and melt them into the Namgung’s sword. In the end, not even the original form would remain.
‘That won’t do.’
In that case, it would be better to create a Secret Manual and hope for a lucky encounter in the future.
He had no intention of doing good deeds for those unlucky noble family bastards.
“Don’t get your hopes up and get up. I have no intention of taking you in.”
“All the masters who have taught me have said that I learn quickly. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“I have to admit that you have a talent for gilding your own face. But there’s a limit to how presumptuous you can be. Don’t anger me.”
Im Seol-yak warned in a low voice, but Namgung Hwi didn’t budge.
He simply looked up at Im Seol-yak with clear eyes.
‘Seol Yak. Don’t be angry.’
Im Seol-yak’s lips loosened at the eyes that reminded him of someone.
“Seriously. One brat who shamelessly crawls up to me is enough.”
Im Seol-yak’s expression, muttering in a softened tone, was already gentle.
That’s right. It might not be a bad thing to fix the Namgung family brat’s sword.
Wouldn’t this brat be able to defeat that damned old monster’s disciple?
Besides, if the Poison King were to see his sword in the hands of a Namgung brat he hated even the shadow of, he might collapse clutching his neck.
‘……That’s fine. If he sees his precious disciple being pushed back by the sword I was struggling with, he’ll be bedridden. His distorted face will be a sight to see.’
It was quite a pleasant thought.
Im Seol-yak, wearing a wicked smile, slowly spread his fingers.
“Three moves.”
“Yes?”
“Try to withstand my three moves. Don’t misunderstand, it doesn’t mean I’m taking you as a disciple.”
“Now?”
“Yes. If you withstand the three moves safely, I’ll fix your bad habits.”
Im Seol-yak, with one corner of his mouth raised, drew his sword with an elegant motion.
The tip of his sword was pointed at Namgung Hwi.
