Chapter 207
207
My body, which had felt heavy as a thousand pounds, began to respond only after a season had passed, thanks to the Elixir Grandfather had obtained.
Strength returned to my limbs, and I could manage daily life without anyone's help.
As I stopped suddenly vomiting blood or collapsing while gasping for breath, Gwisu-sin prepared to leave.
He reasoned that Grandfather could now take care of me well enough on his own.
"The balance of your essence, Qi, and spirit has been restored, so there should be no more danger. Take care of the rest yourself."
"Alright. You've worked hard."
Grandfather seemed a bit regretful but didn't stop the person from leaving.
Instead, he asked about Dang-un's situation.
"When are you going to send Woon back to the Tang Clan?"
"I'll have to go back and see. It won't be long. He's gained as much stamina as other children his age now. And he eats well."
"That kid? The one with such a small appetite he eats like a bird, not complaining about food? What trick did you use?"
"I ransacked the Secret cave. I'll send the child back when the time comes, so don't worry."
"Alright. Please take good care of him."
Judging from the conversation with Grandfather, it seemed he intended to return to the Bamboo Sea to treat Woon.
Gwisu-sin, discussing the condition of Grandfather and Dang-un, had the same expression as always.
His plain tone relieved me.
Right. Kyung-ah must have misunderstood. There's no way.
I must have been mistaken, I reassured myself. But only for a moment, as I met Dang Geunmyeong's eyes, who was trying to avoid my gaze while struggling to hide his discomfort.
"……."
"……."
……No. It seems only Grandfather doesn't know.
"Um, Uncle."
"Ahem, don't say anything."
As I cautiously broached the subject, Dang Geunmyeong cleared his throat as if he knew nothing and closed his eyes.
His stiff posture showed he didn't want to get involved in whatever relationship the two had.
I don't want to get caught in the crossfire. I should pretend I don't know either.
"Yes."
As I awkwardly answered and licked my lips, Gwisu-sin's sharp gaze reached me.
Startled by the strange look, I instinctively flinched, and Gwisu-sin sighed softly and swept back his hair.
Gwisu-sin, who had been quietly watching me, looking visibly nervous, said calmly.
[Don't walk the same path as your master. You're too young to burn the rest of your life with revenge.]
My body trembled as the Telepathic transmission struck my mind like lightning.
At the same time, Yeon-ryang's voice flashed through my mind.
'Don't let my brother ruin you, and don't make enemies.'
But……. But……!
Unable to speak and only moaning, Gwisu-sin clicked his tongue and turned away.
Grandfather, with his hands behind his back, followed him and asked.
"What did you say?"
"It's nothing you need to know."
"How boring."
I couldn't hear what Grandfather was muttering.
I blankly stared at the backs of the two people walking away and then dropped my head.
Red maple leaves fluttered and scattered.
Dang Jung, walking silently through the thickly piled fallen leaves, opened his mouth in a low voice.
"Im Ga. The Inner Core you wrote……."
"It's fine. I told you I don't need it."
Im Seol-yak, cutting him off bluntly, didn't even look at Dang Jung as he continued walking.
Dang Jung, quietly watching his profile, narrowed his eyes as if something was strange.
"You're really strange. Why do you keep saying you don't need it when you're usually the type to squeeze every last penny out of someone?"
"Guess it's my time to die."
"What nonsense is that old monster, who's sure to live another hundred years, spouting……."
Dang Jung, scoffing and scolding, soon changed his expression and pointed his finger.
"You, don't tell me that's why you gave me the Secret cave……!"
"I'm just moving my residence, so don't get your hopes up. Who said I'd die willingly?"
Im Seol-yak cut him off as if it were ridiculous. But there was a strange lack of strength in his cold voice.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"I have no reason to tell you."
"Well, that's true. Fine. I won't pry, but let me know when you move. Even the Beggars' Sect can't find your whereabouts."
"We'll see."
Im Seol-yak, replying casually, kept looking back at the direction of the safe house as if something was bothering him.
Then, he sighed and met Dang Jung's gaze.
"He's your disciple, so I'm sure you'll take care of him, but……. Even if something happens to make you angry, don't push the child too hard. That little one must have been greatly shocked too."
"What are you talking about, Im Ga."
Dang Jung's voice trembled slightly as he asked back. Im Seol-yak looked at him with pity.
"I'm just saying, don't do anything you'll regret when you don't have much time left to live."
"Tell me in detail. What on earth……!"
"Hear it directly from the child. It's not something to hear secondhand."
He replied as if he didn't want to get involved, and then disappeared.
Dang Jung, left alone, frowned and pressed his temples.
'Greatly shocked, you say?'
What happened?
Dang Jung's face twisted horribly as he pondered Im Seol-yak's words.
As if the days of bickering with Gwisu-sin had been a lie, Grandfather became less talkative.
Instead, he often stared blankly into the air with his long pipe in his mouth.
A deep shadow lay on Grandfather's face as he was lost in thought.
It seemed Gwisu-sin had said something to him.
Nevertheless, Grandfather took care of me with utmost devotion, without asking about the details.
The longer Grandfather's silence lasted, the more anxious I became, like a child fearing being caught for wrongdoing.
How should I react if Grandfather brings up Yeon-ryang's matter?
Would he listen if I earnestly begged him?
No, I can't drive a wedge into Grandfather's heart.
……But I have to bring him back quickly. It's already too late.
My heart leaped up and down dozens of times a day.
Whenever my heart leaned towards asking Grandfather for help, Gwisu-sin's sharp shout echoed in my mind.
'If the Poison King finds out that the reason his disciple, whom he cherishes enough to give his liver and gall, is in this state is because he's protecting a Demon, do you think he'll be in his right mind?'
When I resolved to become stronger and go get him myself, Yeon-ryang's staggering figure, soaked in blood, flickered before my eyes.
'……I'm sorry.'
Every time I loathed myself for weighing the two, my stomach churned as if someone was squeezing my intestines.
As I crumpled the blanket and tried to catch my breath, Ju-ryeong, who had been watching me, jumped onto the bed.
"Kyukk."
The creature rubbed its head against my hand with an affectionate cry.
A faint smile crept onto my lips at the adorable comfort.
"Want some meat?"
"Kit!"
Ju-ryeong, answering vigorously at the mention of meat, darted out like an arrow and brought back the jerky pouch itself.
I put a small piece of jerky in its mouth.
It seemed that it had been scolded by Gwisu-sin and Grandfather in various ways, as it had become subtly timid and its fur was less lustrous than before.
It couldn't be helped, as the person who used to give it food whenever it begged had disappeared.
Usually, Yeon-ryang would give it snacks…….
…….
Ju-ryeong tightly hugged my finger with its front paws as my expression darkened.
I stroked its fur and took a breath.
The world, where I couldn't hear the sound of someone wielding a sword or the bustling sounds of preparing breakfast, was only quiet.
As dawn broke and I left the room, Grandfather, who had been in the opposite room, approached, making a sound.
Seeing his worried face, I deliberately smiled brightly and greeted him good morning.
"Did you sleep well, Grandfather?"
"Did you have another restless night?"
"Ahaha, no. I slept soundly."
"Your eyes are dark, you little liar."
Grandfather, swallowing a sigh, gently stroked under my eyes and said worriedly.
"You can't sleep well at all. Is it because of the pain? Call Grandfather right away if it hurts."
Clicking his tongue, Grandfather lifted me up and placed me on the platform.
Then, he infused his deep blue True energy to boost my Qi.
After finishing the Energy circulation, I quietly looked down at my Dantian.
Thanks to Grandfather's Core Conduit, my body felt much better, but my heart was uneasy.
The Inner Energy, with a different color from Grandfather's, felt awkward and not like my own.
Although it had become more turbid than before due to the Poison, the clear light that couldn't come from my own cultivation method was only puzzling.
Where on earth did the blue that circulated through my Energy Channels come from?
Why did the nature of my Inner Energy change?
The clear True energy, so clear it made my eyes sting, wasn't something that could accumulate just by absorbing the Spiritual energy of the Elixir.
It was a pure Energy Flow that I would have believed even if someone had used a major cultivation technique to transfer it.
'Grandfather. This Inner Energy…….'
'Don't worry about it. The Poison will fill up over time.'
But no matter how many times I asked, only the answer not to worry about it came back, and Grandfather didn't seem to want to explain.
It seemed he meant for me to focus only on recovery without thinking about anything.
……Right. He'll tell me when I get better.
Reassuring myself, I suppressed my curiosity about the unknown blue.
As I didn't ask further, Grandfather also tried to erase his troubled expression and asked kindly.
"Shall we have breakfast and go for a walk with Grandfather? You need to start climbing the mountain little by little to regain your strength like before."
"Yes."
I nodded with a faint smile.
