Chapter 64: Immortal Healer (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: Immortal Healer (1)
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
To be fair, it wasn’t every day you woke up to find an old man sitting in your room. And not just any old man.
The Celestial Plum Blossom, Dohwa.
He was the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua, a master revered above all others among the Taoist sects. A swordsman so respected, he was often spoken of in the same breath as the Sword Venerable, Wi Hyogun.
And this very master was sitting in my room.
-Sip.
He was even sipping tea from a cup he’d procured from who-knows-where.
And what was that…?
Is that a skewer?
“Uh…”
I tried to speak, but the Celestial Plum Blossom stopped me with a raised hand. Just as I wondered why, he took a bite from the skewer.
“My apologies,” he said. “I haven’t had breakfast yet.”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s hard to move on an empty stomach at my age. Getting old is a pain.”
“…Right.”
Huh?
What…
What kind of guy is this?
[…What an eccentric maniac.]
I nearly choked on my own breath at Elder Shin’s blunt assessment.
How can you say that about one of your own?
[One of my own? When that kid was born, I was already a corpse, you little brat.]*
Kid…
I supposed that from Elder Shin’s ancient perspective, the Celestial Plum Blossom was indeed a mere child. But it still felt incredibly strange to hear.
After finishing his tea and skewer, the old man wiped his mouth.
“I apologize. I meant to come straight here, but that skewer looked far too delicious to pass up…”
“No… It’s fine.”
“Haha, you’re a good kid.”
Setting his cup down, the Celestial Plum Blossom got to the point.
“So, you are Gu Ryoon’s grandson, correct?”
“…No, I am not the Second Elder’s grandson.”
“Hmm? You’re not Gu Ryoon’s grandson?”
“No.”
We shared the same bloodline, but I wasn’t his direct descendant.
“How odd. He told me he was sending one of his grandchildren to our sect.”
“The Second Elder never married.”
“I know that, but who’s to say he didn’t father a child somewhere else?”
“Huh…?”
Was that even possible? The more we talked, the more extraordinary he seemed.
[He’s probably not all there. This is the man who bet a sect treasure on a drinking contest, after all.]
I stifled a cough at Elder Shin’s remark.
Right.
This is the guy who lost a sacred relic over a simple wager.
He really doesn’t seem the type, though…
He looked every bit the part of an ethereal Taoist master.
“Since you knew I was coming, I assume you received the Second Elder’s letter?”
“Indeed. He told me to treat his grandson well, since he was the one returning the stone to me.”
Grandson, huh… It felt strange to be called that, but it made sense for the Second Elder to phrase it that way.
The Celestial Plum Blossom studied me. “I apologize for visiting so early, but I couldn’t wait once I heard you had arrived.”
Is that why you barged into my room while I was still asleep…?
Then again, this involved a treasure symbolic of his entire sect…
“…Phew, I still remember the earful I got from the other elders when they found out what I did with the stone.”
“…”
Hmm?
So he does feel some guilt and responsibility?
Isn’t that right, Elder Shin?
[…Don’t ask me.]
Elder Shin’s voice trembled with clear embarrassment.
“But something like that must never happen again… I’d be less than human if I drank with those scoundrels again.”
By ‘those scoundrels,’ he undoubtedly included the Second Elder. What kind of gathering had that been, to include such figures?
Because of it, my image of the Celestial Plum Blossom’s elegance was shattered almost as thoroughly as my image of Elder Shin.
[Why am I being dragged into this!?]
After everything you’ve done, how am I supposed to respect you?
[For heaven’s sake… I’m hardly in a position to be judged.]
True. You’re not a person; you’re a ghost.
The Celestial Plum Blossom let out a deep sigh. “Well then, where is the treasure, child?”
After all that chatter, he finally asked.
“I have it.”
“…Good. Then—”
“However, I cannot give it to you just yet.”
“Hmm…?”
He looked dumbfounded as I straightened my posture.
“I was instructed to deliver the treasure directly to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”
“And that Sect Leader is standing right before you.”
“It’s possible you are an impostor.”
My response left him stunned into silence for a moment. Then, he suddenly burst out laughing.
“Do I look like a fake to you?”
“Not at all. Though I am young and have much to learn, I am certain I am in the presence of the true master of Mount Hua.”
The faint scent of plum blossoms lingering in the air despite his stillness, the way my Qi stirred the moment I laid eyes on him… Everything confirmed this man was the real Celestial Plum Blossom.
“Then why?”
“Because I must do this properly, unlike a certain someone. I, Gu Yangcheon, have come representing the Gu Clan to formally return the treasure of Mount Hua.”
Even as I spoke, I swallowed hard. I couldn’t believe I had to deal with this so early in the morning.
What a hassle…
[Why not just hand it over now?]
You know very well why. This was the plan from the beginning…
[Your senses are sharp only at times like this… Yet so dull when it comes to other matters.]*
It wasn’t as if I’d known he would appear out of nowhere at dawn.
The Celestial Plum Blossom listened without interruption, letting me finish.
“Therefore, I cannot simply give you the treasure when we are not even on Mount Hua.”
“I see… But child, I think you’ve forgotten something.”
I meant to ask what, but my mouth wouldn’t move. My body trembled under an overwhelming pressure crushing down on my shoulders.
Despite his small stature, his Qi flooded the room in an instant.
“Have you forgotten that I could simply take it by force?”
I resisted the pressure and began circulating my Qi. It might not have been wise, but I needed to breathe. I realized this had been his intention all along.
The first clue was Elder Shin’s unusual silence. The second…
I can still use my Qi.
The Celestial Plum Blossom had left me just enough room to move my Qi, to test my capabilities. I didn’t know why, but if this was what he wanted, I would comply. In this world, if you were weak, you had no choice.
As I slowly circulated my Qi, the weight on my shoulders lessened, allowing me to move again.
“…Woah.” The Celestial Plum Blossom sounded impressed.
Though I was barely holding on, my voice came out weak. “…I don’t think you will.”
“Why not?”
-Pressssss!
The pressure intensified.
This madman, making it harder to answer right after asking a question!
“Ouff…” I groaned, pushing more Qi through my body. Perhaps this was the correct answer after all.
[Not too much, or it might run wild again.]
I know…!
A faint aura of flame flickered around my shoulders. I compressed it, preventing it from growing, and found my voice again.
“As I said, I am certain you are the Sect Leader of Mount Hua.”
His eyes gleamed with interest. “Even so, what if I took the treasure simply because I disliked your attitude?”
“In that case, there would be nothing I could do. I wouldn’t die… so I would simply report the incident to my clan upon returning.”
“Haha… So unconcerned with the consequences. You are very much like Gu Ryoon.”
What…?
That’s the worst insult I’ve heard all year.
But I couldn’t show my annoyance, so I forced a smile.
[…What kind of monstrous expression is that…]
…
As soon as the Celestial Plum Blossom finished speaking, the Qi filling the room vanished.
“Are you out there?”
The man who entered was Shinhyun, who had left for Mount Hua the night before.
“Yes, My Lord.”
Did he just call him in here?
…Do they not realize this is my room?
“Once the guests from the Gu Clan are ready, we will ascend the mountain slowly. Inform the elders.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
After Shinhyun left, the Celestial Plum Blossom looked at my slightly exhausted form.
“Gu Ryoon spoke of you in the past.”
“The Second Elder?”
“Yes. He always said you were a handful, causing nothing but trouble.”
“…Haha.”
That old man was bad-mouthing me to an outsider?
“But recently, he started using words I’d never heard from him before to brag about you.”
“…Brag about me?”
“Yes. He was so different, it was unforgettable.”
“…Ahem.” The Celestial Plum Blossom laughed.
“I apologize. Not only for the early visit, but for roughing you up a bit.”
I cleared my throat. “…While I know I am still lacking, and may not understand your reasons, I trust you had a good one.”
[Did you coat your tongue in honey? You sure know how to talk…]
What else could I do? The man before me was a superhuman who could erase a mountain if he wished.
“Gu Ryoon never listened to my pleas to return the treasure all these years. Do you know what deal we struck for him to finally give it back?”
“I do not.”
“He told me to guide you.”
“…Huh?”
I was stunned. The Second Elder said what? I thought he’d just given me the treasure because he was too lazy to deliver it himself.
…It was also terrifying to learn he’d held onto a treasure won from a drinking bet for years.
The Celestial Plum Blossom laughed, brushing aside my shock. “…But to my eyes, you don’t seem to need it.”
“Not at all, how could I—”
“Child, too much humility is a poison. I was certain the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua would be this generation’s greatest prodigy, but after seeing you, I’ve changed my mind.”
I had no response. In my past life, I wouldn’t have dared dream of such praise. It was a novel feeling, but also brought a twinge of guilt, since I could only hear it after my regression.
What can I do about it, though…?
I gave up and decided to accept the compliments shamelessly.
“So, what should I do?”
“…What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t seem you need guidance… but a mere Qi marble wouldn’t be enough.”
“No, I think a Qi marble would be plen—”
“Oh! Yes, we can do that.”
“Huh?”
“Right, we’ll discuss it once we ascend.”
What in the world…!
Why are you deciding for me without even saying what it is?
“Alright… I’ll see you later.”
[You’re not even arguing back.]
…Ahem.
“Come find me when you come up. It seems we both have much to discuss. A reward, for instance.”
Then, the Celestial Plum Blossom pointed toward my lower dantian.
“And that Qi you’re harboring inside.”
“…!”
I couldn’t help but tremble at his words, delivered with a smile.
Did he notice?
“Yes, Lord.”
“Good. Come see me after breakfast. Starving won’t do you any good.”
With that, the Celestial Plum Blossom leaped out the window—
Wait, why the window and not the door?
[…What a maniac… Truly.]
…
This time, I had to agree with Elder Shin.
* * *
After the storm had passed, I stepped outside with a hollow expression.
Muyeon was waiting for me, his face frozen.
“What’s wrong?”
“No… thing.”
He looked as if he’d seen a ghost. I ignored his dazed state for the moment and looked for Wi Seol-Ah.
Normally, she would be knocking on my door first thing in the morning, but not today.
“Where is she?”
“Are… you asking about Wi Seol-Ah?”
“Yes. And why are you so stiff?”
“…I shook hands with the Celestial Plum Blossom.”
“…Huh?”
“I can die happy now.”
“…Uh, right.”
I shook my head at my starstruck escort. What would his face look like if he knew he’d shared conversations and meals with the Sword Venerable, renowned as the greatest swordsman in the world? The thought was amusing.
“Anyway, where did she go?”
“I heard she went somewhere with Elder Wi.”
“Elder Wi?”
She went off with the Sword Venerable? In Shaanxi?
Where could they be?
Muyeon handed me a slip of paper. “It’s a seal of approval from the clan.”
The Gu Clan insignia on it was genuine. I doubted the Sword Venerable would lie about such a thing.
She’ll be fine with him.
Having put my mind at ease, I headed for the dining hall. Just then, the door to a nearby room opened.
The person who emerged, rubbing sleep from her eyes, was Namgung Bi-ah.
“…Oh.”
She gave a slow wave when she saw me.
Is that her idea of a morning greeting?
She seemed completely at peace, clearly unaware of the morning’s events. After a moment, I spoke.
“Want to get breakfast?”
Namgung Bi-ah gave a slight nod.