Chapter 65: Immortal Healer (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: Immortal Healer (2)
Thud!
Thud!
Deep within the cave, the clash of metal echoed relentlessly.
A sickly, pungent odor hung thick in the air, so potent it made him grimace.
Baechong’s legs trembled as he ventured deeper into the cavern. Following the torches sputtering on the walls, he eventually found a massive man seated upon an even larger chair. Leaning against it was a giant sword, its size rivaling that of a full-grown man.
Approaching the colossus, Baechong slowly knelt.
The owner of the giant sword eyed him with displeasure before speaking, his voice dripping with dissatisfaction. "They caught our trail?"
Baechong swallowed hard. "Yes, sir… I believe the Mount Hua Sect is onto us."
"Hmm… I suppose kidnapping the Tidal Sword was too ambitious of us."
Shinchung, the Plum Blossom Swordsman known as the Tidal Sword. They had snatched him when the opportunity arose, but the people of Mount Hua had caught their scent sooner than expected.
"It's probably too risky to target any more of their sect members now that they're alert."
"I will report this to the main palace."
"Don't be late. You saw what happened to the last man who was tardy, didn't you? Lost an arm."
"...Yes, sir!"
The large man pulled out a letter and tossed it at Baechong as he crunched on some fried scorpions. "Baechong."
"...Yes, sir."
"I heard another problem cropped up in Yeoncheon. Do you know what it is?"
"...I heard the Raccoons appeared."
"Raccoons? How did they find out?" 'Raccoon' was a derogatory term for the Hao Clan. Of all places, they caught on to us there? I know the Hao Clan has an extensive information network, but this is hard to believe.
"Hmm… is there a traitor among us?" It was impossible to be certain, but it was difficult to imagine a traitor working for a clan like the Hao instead of an organization like the Murim Alliance.
The large man's hand stilled. He had run out of fried scorpions.
Baechong, noticing immediately, spoke up. "I'll have the men bring more."
"I like your quick wits." The large man smiled and stood up, his immense physique dwarfing those around him.
Baechong continued. "There was an order from the main palace."
"Go on. I'm listening."
"The Immortal Healer is said to have appeared in Shaanxi."
The large man's eyes widened. "The Immortal Healer?"
"Yes, sir."
"Last I heard, he was in Anhui. Now he's in Shaanxi? That old man has plenty of energy."
"We've already dispatched people to pinpoint his exact location."
At this, the large man bared his yellowed teeth. A threatening aura erupted from him, shaking the very cave. "Baechong."
"Y-Yes! Sir…!"
"I don't recall ordering you to send our men after him." His hand shot toward Baechong's heart.
Before it could connect, Baechong blurted out, "The leader gave the order himself…!"
The man's hand halted, and the oppressive aura slowly receded. "Is that so?"
"Yes… Here is the letter sent directly to me." Baechong handed over the note with trembling hands.
The large man took it, broke the seal, and scanned the contents. The leader's personal stamp was clearly marked, causing his expression to sour with dissatisfaction. "Sending a letter without informing the branch manager… I know the leader is busy, but this is a bit hurtful."
"...Indeed! He must have been swamped." It's because you're incompetent, you pig! Baechong screamed inwardly, but he swallowed the words back down.
"So, what are my orders? Kill him?" The details were all in the letter, but the man clearly couldn't be bothered to read it thoroughly. Baechong could do nothing but comply.
"...The order is to capture and imprison him."
"...Hmm, imprisonment again."
"Yes. The leader's orders are clear: no matter what, we are not to harm his hands or eyes."
"Lame." The large man's face twisted into an unhappy scowl.
Baechong suppressed his rising anger. It was infuriating that this man held the position of branch manager. But his strength alone justified the appointment.
Ya Hyeoljeok, the Giant Oni. His power was worthy of the main palace, but his excessively brutal and nasty fighting style had gotten him exiled, landing him here as a branch manager. In short, despite his stupidity, his monstrous strength had secured his position even after being cast out.
"Oh, I can tear apart anyone who gets in the way, right?"
"...Yes, as long as the Immortal Healer is captured alive."
"Good, good. I hope we find him soon… It would be even better if more of those Mount Hua brats show up." With that, Ya Hyeoljeok hefted his giant sword. Though undeniably massive, it seemed almost small in his grasp.
Swish!
"...!" A blade of wind shot from the sword, passing right over Baechong's head.
CRASH!
Baechong's heart hammered in his chest as the sound of destruction echoed behind him.
Ya Hyeoljeok, completely indifferent, flashed a yellow-toothed smile. "The Sword Dragon, huh? I heard he's decent amongst the youngsters… I hope I see him soon. Nothing makes me happier than crushing little kids like him." He giggled.
Screech.
Baechong clenched his eyes shut as the giant sword scraped across the ground. Only after Ya Hyeoljeok had walked past him and finally left the dark cave did Baechong dare to release the breath he'd been holding.
"Damn it…" He couldn't take this anymore. He couldn't continue working under that maniacal pig.
* * *
After my conversation with the Celestial Plum Blossom, I had breakfast and began the journey to Mount Hua. The mountain was so absurdly high that we couldn't bring the servants, taking only a few escorts, including Muyeon. Namgung Bi-ah also wanted to follow, so I told her to do as she pleased. I knew she wouldn't listen even if I forbade it.
We began ascending the seemingly endless Lotus Peak of Mount Hua. The me from a few months ago would have collapsed after barely climbing a quarter of the way. But thanks to persistent training, it wasn't too bad. Of course, I was still so exhausted halfway up that I had to start circulating my qi.
"Young Master! We're almost there!" Yung Pung called out.
I frowned. "...You said that earlier."
"We're really almost there this time!"
How is he so energetic? Yung Pung had climbed all those stairs alongside me, yet he wasn't even sweating. Namgung Bi-ah, following close behind, also didn't seem particularly tired. She was glistening with a light sweat, but it didn't seem to bother her.
…Am I just weak?
[Back in my day—]
Stay quiet if you were about to go on about your 'Back in my day' stories.
[…]*
I had correctly guessed Elder Shin's intention, and he fell silent.
After an endless climb without rest, the gates of the Mount Hua Sect finally came into view.
"We're here…!"
"...Finally." Having conquered the hellish mountain, I turned to look at the view from the summit. The scenery from such a height was indescribably beautiful.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Yung Pung said.
I nodded. It seemed I wasn't the only one awestruck.
[…It's still… still beautiful. Thank goodness…] Elder Shin's voice was emotional, lighter and different from usual.
As I gazed at the breathtaking vista, I heard the gate creak open behind me.
Creeak.
"What are you doing standing there?"
Yung Pung, startled, quickly bowed. The person emerging from the gate was none other than the Celestial Plum Blossom himself.
What kind of sect leader personally greets guests at the gate…?
"G-Greetings, My Lord."
"Ah, Yung Pung. Good work." The Celestial Plum Blossom patted Yung Pung's head. The Gu Clan escorts froze upon seeing him. Even the usually stoic Namgung Bi-ah and Muyeon had their eyes wide with surprise.
I also bowed respectfully. "I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu Clan."
"We already had our intense meeting this morning; why the formal greeting again?" The Celestial Plum Blossom laughed. "Come in. I hope you won't be too disappointed; there isn't much to see here."
We followed him into the Mount Hua Sect. Inside, trees heavy with plum blossoms bloomed in full glory, despite it not being the season. It felt as if we were still in the heart of spring. I suspected this was related to their qi. The qi of Mount Hua was called Spirit Qi, no doubt named for its ability to influence the surrounding nature.
Walking through the flowering plum groves, I saw ancient-looking buildings sprawled across the area. Though they showed their age, there were no signs of decay; they must have been meticulously maintained.
After passing several smaller buildings, we arrived at one situated at the very end.
"Come in." It was the sect leader's residence. "Ah, everyone else please wait outside. Except for that child." He pointed at me.
I paused, surprised, but after assuring my escorts I would be fine, I followed him inside. Namgung Bi-ah looked a little disappointed, but there was nothing to be done; it was the leader's order.
The interior of the residence belonging to one of the heads of the Ten Sect Alliance was surprisingly sparse, containing only the bare essentials.
The Celestial Plum Blossom began brewing tea in the center of the room.
Oof, this is more uncomfortable than I expected…
"This old man has nothing to offer you but this plum tea…"
"I like plum tea."
"Oh… that's good. It seems most young men nowadays don't care for it." I didn't particularly like it, but I didn't dislike it either. The plum tea he brewed had a rich, dense aroma. Taking a sip, I found it much sweeter and tangier than expected, which I enjoyed. Wi Seol-Ah would like this, too.
Even at a time like this… I found myself thinking of Wi Seol-Ah because of something as simple as a sweet taste. I was becoming increasingly aware of how often she crossed my mind.
"It seems it's to your liking." The Celestial Plum Blossom smiled. Had I been drinking that conspicuously?
"I would offer you something to eat, but I have nothing else."
"It's no trouble. The tea is more than enough." After drinking a bit more, I carefully handed him the box I had brought—the one containing the treasure.
The Celestial Plum Blossom opened the box and unwrapped the cloth. A shining light filled the room, accompanied by the scent of plum blossoms.
"Whew…" He let out a sigh of relief. Then, he wrapped the treasure back up and casually tossed the box—
He threw it!?
Thump!
The box containing the precious treasure landed in a corner of the room.
"...What?"
"Thank goodness… Now that the stone is back, the Elders will stop nagging me."
…Can he really treat a sect treasure like that? Elder Shin, is this really— Elder Shin?
I kept calling mentally, but Elder Shin didn't respond.
Huh? When had it started? Elder Shin hadn't spoken for the past several minutes. It didn't seem like he was being quiet on purpose.
"First." The Celestial Plum Blossom's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He had something to say. "I thank you for returning the treasure, child of the Gu Clan." His tone was serious and filled with respect.
I straightened my posture. "It was no trouble, My Lord."
"It must have been a difficult journey, coming all this way."
"Not at all."
"I have already sent my thanks to the Lord of the Gu Clan, but please convey to him directly that this old man is truly grateful."
"Yes, I will not forget to deliver your message."
The Celestial Plum Blossom produced a letter and stamped it with a plum blossom seal. This officially concluded my mission to deliver the treasure to Mount Hua.
As I carefully tucked the letter into my pocket, the Celestial Plum Blossom spoke again. "Child." He had returned to his usual, lighter tone, the formal business between our clans concluded.
"Yes, My Lord."
"Now that the matter of the treasure is settled, let us discuss what you carry within you."
"…"
The topic had finally arisen. A cold sweat trickled down my back. I had expected to be found out… but not this quickly.
As I looked at him with uneasy eyes, he simply sipped his tea. Is he waiting for me to speak first? What should I do? Should I pretend I don't know?
While I was lost in thought, he began speaking. "The presence I feel within you is undoubtedly that of Mount Hua."
…Damn. Lying is out of the question. It seemed that even with Elder Shin suppressing the Mount Hua power, it wasn't enough to hide it from the Celestial Plum Blossom.
"I am curious why it is inside you." It would be nice if Elder Shin were here to help me now… but I couldn't hear him at all. I wasn't sure if the Celestial Plum Blossom was the cause.
I couldn't think of anything plausible to say. I wasn't confident I could deceive the Celestial Plum Blossom's sharp eyes.
In the end, I took a deep breath and began to tell him everything that had happened on my journey to Mount Hua.