Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Dawn Heaven God Pill
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"I've burned away the demonic qi."
Mu Yeonjun said.
Mu Yeonjun's Heavenly Eye could perceive the flow of qi that even the Taiji Sword Lord couldn't see clearly.
The Taiji Sword Lord nodded as he approached Wi Seongcheon.
The Taiji Sword Lord grasped Wi Seongcheon's wrist and channeled his internal energy.
The Taiji Sword Lord's pupils trembled violently. He couldn't tell where or how the energy he sent in was flowing.
He already knew this, but Wi Seongcheon's meridians were different from a normal person's. It wasn't just the meridians. The flow of qi itself was so erratic that any ordinary person would have suffered qi deviation long ago.
"......Ugh......!"
Cold sweat beaded on the Taiji Sword Lord's forehead.
Burning away the demonic qi from the other students and professors was no difficult task with his profound cultivation. But now......
The Taiji Sword Lord focused his internal energy and examined Wi Seongcheon's qi and blood.
It was a mess.
Not only the flow of qi, but the qi and blood were tangled up in chaos. It wasn't just different—it was severely damaged. The Taiji Sword Lord sighed as he withdrew his energy.
"Your internal injuries are severe. Fortunately, swift action was taken before the demonic qi and poison could erode your bone marrow...... but you're still in a critical state."
"What should we do?"
"We'll have to stay here for a day."
With that, the Taiji Sword Lord plopped down onto the ground. He took a small wooden box from his bosom.
A refreshing fragrance wafted out. Tae Huimyeong, who had approached with a worried expression, widened his eyes.
It wasn't just Tae Huimyeong. The other students gazed in astonishment at the pill the Taiji Sword Lord took from the box.
"That's...... the Dawn Heaven God Pill."
Dang Seona said, composing her surprise.
One of the Ten Heroes who held no allegiance to either the righteous or demonic factions—the eccentric physician Yeomyeong, Jin Chung.
The Dawn Heaven God Pill he created was said to surpass the Shaolin Great Reversion Pill and the Wudang Supreme Purity Pill as a miraculous elixir.
"I received it from Jin Chung over a dozen years ago. ......Huimyeong, I'm sorry."
"Pardon......?"
"I had originally intended it for you."
Yeomyeong Jin Chung had not taught Mu Yeonjun alongside the righteous Ten Heroes. Instead, he had given two Dawn Heaven God Pills, saying to use them if needed. Mu Yeonjun had consumed one as a child, and the remaining one was meant for a junior from his sect.
Sword Dragon Tae Huimyeong.
As the genius produced by Wudang after the Taiji Sword Lord, he was more than worthy of receiving the Dawn Heaven God Pill.
Tae Huimyeong shook his head vigorously.
"Grandmaster, I don't mind at all. I've never lacked for elixirs, and I've never felt any deficiency in my inner power. Besides, the one who needs this elixir now is Junior Wi Seongcheon, not me. Please...... don't hold back on my account."
Tae Huimyeong meant every word. He felt no regret whatsoever.
At those words, the Taiji Sword Lord gazed at Tae Huimyeong with softened eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Please don't say that. There's no reason for you to apologize to me."
"How could I deny that the foundation of who I am today is my sect's martial arts? I've received much from my sect...... but given back little in return."
"Just having you fills us juniors with immense pride in our sect's martial arts. You say you've given back little, Grandmaster, but you...... are Wudang's pride."
At those sincere words, the Taiji Sword Lord smiled faintly.
"Yeonjun, come help me."
"What do I need to do?"
"This child can't chew the elixir on his own right now, so we have to guide it in."
Mu Yeonjun nodded and sat beside Wi Seongcheon.
Paeng Yeonhwa, who had still been shedding tears, suddenly lifted her head and looked at the Taiji Sword Lord.
"Um, what can I do?"
"Hm?"
"If it's about...... chewing it with my mouth, I can......"
Paeng Yeonhwa said hesitantly. For her, it was an act of tremendous courage.
She didn't know why tears kept flowing as she looked at the unconscious, limp Wi Seongcheon, but if he were to die here of all places, her mind would shatter.
"Uh, erm...... I'm grateful you offered, but I don't think that'll be necessary."
Even the Taiji Sword Lord hesitated at Paeng Yeonhwa's bold words.
At that, Paeng Yeonhwa blinked before jumping in shock. Only then did she realize how embarrassing her words had been.
Paeng Yeonhwa's tail thrashed about, mirroring her inner turmoil.
"Y-Yes...... r-right......?"
Paeng Yeonhwa clutched her wildly flailing tail as she replied. Her arms and legs, which had turned beastly, returned to normal.
The Taiji Sword Lord cleared his throat and nodded approvingly at the sight.
"Impressive."
"Pardon?"
"You didn't lose control to excitement, and even hearing about the plague, you weren't consumed by rage. Heh heh...... My teachings weren't in vain."
At those words, Paeng Yeonhwa's cheeks flushed slightly.
The Taiji Sword Lord smiled faintly at Paeng Yeonhwa before tilting Wi Seongcheon's head back to open his mouth.
He carefully placed the Dawn Heaven God Pill inside, and it melted without needing to be chewed, flowing down Wi Seongcheon's throat.
"Yeonjun."
"Yes."
Mu Yeonjun and the Taiji Sword Lord each took one of Wi Seongcheon's hands.
Normally, the Taiji Sword Lord could guide the qi alone, but because Wi Seongcheon's meridians were so unusual, Mu Yeonjun—with his divine sight—was assisting.
Paeng Yeonhwa swallowed her embarrassment and watched anxiously.
"Where are you going?"
Cheong Wubin asked Tae Huimyeong, who suddenly stood, wincing at his throbbing headache.
Tae Huimyeong looked bitterly at his broken sword and said,
"I need to fetch the soldiers. We're staying here for a day."
"I'll come with you. You're not in great shape either."
Yeongjin staggered after Tae Huimyeong.
As the three left the valley, Hwangbo Seongu regained consciousness. He spat curses as he rose and looked around.
"......Hey, you dead?"
Hwangbo Seongu prodded the nearby Ha Jitae.
"Nah, still alive. Though I'd be better off dead with how nauseous I feel."
"How long you been awake?"
"Before you."
"......What the hell happened?"
Hwangbo Seongu dragged his feet as he asked.
In that state, he hoisted the still-unconscious professors Seok Ijin and Seo Il over his shoulders and returned.
Ha Jitae watched with half-lidded eyes as Hwangbo Seongu carefully set the two professors down.
"We survived thanks to one of the Ten Demons' mercy."
"......Kek!"
Hwangbo Seongu let out a dry laugh before turning his head and spitting. He too had internal injuries, and his spit was thick with black, dead blood.
"You look like hell."
It was true—they had survived due to the Poison Blood Demon Fiend's mercy. Had he harbored killing intent from the start...... they all would have died before the Taiji Sword Lord arrived.
Mu Yeonjun knew that too.
He had been able to pressure the Poison Blood Demon Fiend only because Wi Seongcheon had inflicted severe internal injuries on him first. Even so...... the Poison Blood Demon Fiend had held back throughout his clash with Mu Yeonjun.
'The bastard...... didn't even use his full intent properly against me.'
Mu Yeonjun bit his lower lip.
It was humiliating. Born clutching the fate of demon extermination and raised as the Heavenly Demon's nemesis...... yet he couldn't properly handle even one of the Ten Demons. His young age was no excuse.
"You did well."
The Taiji Sword Lord said, seeing Mu Yeonjun's stiff expression.
Ruuuuuumble......!
The Taiji Sword Lord's body was enveloped in dazzling white light. Within that glow, he half-closed his eyes and looked down at Wi Seongcheon.
The Dawn Heaven God Pill's qi flowed through Wi Seongcheon's qi and blood, guided by the Taiji Sword Lord and Mu Yeonjun.
"I didn't do well. I couldn't handle the Poison Blood Demon Fiend on my own."
"How many in the current martial world could face one of the Ten Demons single-handedly?"
"It was my masters who taught me I must become the martial world's one and only."
Mu Yeonjun stared at the Taiji Sword Lord as he spoke. At that gaze, the Taiji Sword Lord gave a bitter smile.
How could he deny it?
A five-year-old boy who had only recently begun to speak.
Rather than destiny or duty, at an age for curiosity and toys, they made him learn martial arts.
They forced the unwilling child to sit and pushed him through harsh training.
The Taiji Sword Lord remembered his first meeting with Mu Yeonjun.
Mu Yeonjun had been just five years old.
Intimidated by the sudden adults yet sparkling with curiosity in his eyes, the boy—when they met again at eight—had eyes devoid of any light.
Dokmuhu, who taught him for three years from age five, had eradicated the child's rightful innocence.
"I've never forgotten those teachings. I've lived to become that existence. But...... I fell short. I realized it this time."
"It's unavoidable. You're not yet...... complete. But Yeonjun, your achievements are undeniably phenomenal."
"......Is that so?"
Mu Yeonjun murmured, glancing at Wi Seongcheon.
Was it really? Mu Yeonjun harbored that doubt.
It was Wi Seongcheon who had inflicted the fatal internal injury on the Poison Blood Demon Fiend. Mu Yeonjun couldn't be sure he could have done the same.
Of course, various factors had aligned.
The Poison Blood Demon Fiend hadn't known Wi Seongcheon's martial arts, hadn't guarded against him, and hadn't used lethal force from the start.
Even so, Wi Seongcheon's martial arts that threatened the Poison Blood Demon Fiend were undoubtedly phenomenal. Though the burden was immense, it rendered the vast gap in skill meaningless in an instant.
'Phenomenal.'
The Taiji Sword Lord looked down at Wi Seongcheon's body, shrouded in light. Color was rapidly returning to his pale face. The tangled and torn qi and blood were healing.
Part of it was the Dawn Heaven God Pill's efficacy surpassing the Great Reversion Pill, but Wi Seongcheon's recovery speed and assimilation of the energy were phenomenal.
And rightly so.
Though the Taiji Sword Lord didn't know, Wi Seongcheon had fully assimilated the Summoning Pill's energy in half a day.
The Reverse Flow and Heavenly Flower Chain Art, which enabled a variant of the Energy Absorption Method, were optimized for taking in qi.
"Miss."
Dang Seona laid the still-unconscious Dang Heeran on her lap.
The Twin Poison Snakes approached feebly and sat beside Dang Seona. They hadn't directly clashed with the Poison Blood Demon Fiend, but having transferred most of their body's poison to her, they looked utterly exhausted.
"I'm fine."
The Twin Poison Snakes reached to take Dang Heeran, but Dang Seona shook her head.
She stared intently down at the closed-eyed Dang Heeran.
She had...... received help. From her far inferior little sister.
Dang Seona accepted it as humiliation. At the same time, affection for her sister welled up.
Dang Heeran had charged at the Poison Blood Demon Fiend without regard for her own body. She had been lucky; otherwise, the poison would have invaded her and cost her life.
Humiliation at receiving help from her far inferior little sister.
Affection for the sister who had thrown herself in recklessly.
All of it sent chills down Dang Seona's spine.
Dang Heeran's eyelids fluttered.
Dang Seona composed her expression as she waited for her sister to open her eyes.
"S-Sis?"
"How's your body?"
Dang Heeran startled and tried to rise, but Dang Seona's hands gently pressed down on her shoulders.
Dang Heeran panicked and tried to shake off her sister's hands, but it was futile resistance.
"I-I'm fine. So......"
"Why did you do that?"
Humiliation and affection.
Anger surged alongside them.
Dang Seona looked down at Dang Heeran with cold eyes and asked.
"Pardon......?"
"You were lucky not to die. Why do something so reckless?"
"You were...... in danger......"
"I wasn't. The Poison Blood Demon Fiend had no intention of killing me."
"But he said he was taking you away......"
"Wouldn't my disappearance make you happy?"
Dang Seona asked in a frosty voice.
Dang Heeran's face paled, her lips trembling, making Dang Seona's heart race.
"Th-that's not true."
"Why? You've always wanted me gone. Without me, you'd have everything I enjoyed."
At those icy words, resentment filled Dang Heeran's eyes. That was the look Dang Seona wanted to see.
Dang Seona smirked and released the pressure on her sister's shoulders. Dang Heeran shook off her hands and stood.
"Don't."
Dang Seona said to Dang Heeran, who turned away.
"Do something that reckless again. That's not what your life's for."
"......How I use my life is my choice."
At the curt reply, Dang Seona just smiled silently.
In the end, she never thanked her sister.
* * *
My consciousness is hazy.
This must be a dream. I thought that blankly in the midst of it.
Why I was dreaming this, or what had happened before the dream—such thoughts didn't arise. Dreams are like that.
They come suddenly, and in them...... consciousness isn't free.
I knew it was a dream, but I didn't want to wake. I couldn't do as I pleased just because it was a dream. All I could do was watch it.
'It's been a long time.'
One of the memories I could never forget.
The first time I met my brother.
At ten years old. After seeing my father humiliated at the Murim Alliance, meeting Paeng Yeonhwa, and returning to Heavenly Flower Sect, I didn't practice martial arts for a while.
Before that, I'd trained diligently as Father commanded, but the reality of Heavenly Flower Sect I faced at the Murim Alliance stole all my motivation.
Then, a brother appeared.
Not even months later, Father suddenly brought a boy three years older and told me to call him 'brother.'
I loved it. I was the only boy at Heavenly Flower Sect. There were peers at the mountain's base, but even as a child, the distance between us—those uninterested in martial arts—was vast.
The first child from a martial family like mine to befriend was Paeng Yeonhwa, but I couldn't meet her again.
Then my brother appeared, changing everything. He was different from Father or Inspector Woo. As a child, I could rely on him.
Brother excelled in every way yet was never arrogant.
After training, we'd roam the mountains until sunset.
I shared all my worries with Brother, not Father. Even when I spouted nonsense, Brother never got angry—he just smiled.
Just a three-year difference...... yet Brother was so different from me.
'What do you want to do when you grow up?'
A question from three years ago. Sudden, as always.
Our usual spar. I went all out but lost to Brother, as always.
Rubbing my bruised jaw, I looked up at him. The blinding sun hovered above his head, obscuring his face.
What had I answered then?
Brother had laughed, haha.
'And what do you want to do, Brother?'
He hadn't answered. That was normal too. Brother sometimes dodged like that.
As I reached for his outstretched hand to stand, I snorted.
'What, so grand you won't even say?' I'd asked laughing, and Brother laughed too.
That night, Brother left Heavenly Flower Sect.
His silence and smile lingered as long regret and lingering attachment for Wi Seongcheon.