Chapter 87: Purple Hue (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: Purple Hue (2)
Drip… drip…
In the fog-shrouded darkness, the sound of dripping water echoed. Along both sides of a long passageway, two rows of figures stood motionless.
And at the far end of that passage, a man was visible, seated comfortably in a chair as he casually sipped from a teacup.
Tap.
The act of setting the cup down after his sip was simple, yet it sent a palpable wave of energy rippling through the air. The teacup itself shattered into pieces the moment it touched the table.
A few seconds of silence passed before the man released a quiet sigh and spoke.
“The Shaanxi Branch was destroyed?”
A voice answered from the gloom.
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Who was the manager stationed there again?”
“It was Ya Hyeoljeok, sir.”
“Hmm…”
The man slowly closed his eyes.
Ya Hyeoljeok.
From what he recalled, Ya Hyeoljeok was a competent martial artist who had reached the Peak level. While he had never broken through to the Fusion level and had remained stagnant at the Peak tier for a long time, his wealth of combat experience was considerable.
However, due to his arrogant nature and unruly behavior, he had been demoted from his former position within the main palace. For most, such transgressions would have meant a death sentence, but Ya Hyeoljeok’s unwavering loyalty to the leader and his undeniable strength had earned him a reprieve, landing him the role of branch manager instead.
The crucial point was this: he was not someone who could be easily defeated.
“Was it the doing of the Celestial Plum Blossom?”
“It does not appear to be so.”
“True. That old man shouldn’t have noticed his movements so quickly.”
The Celestial Plum Blossom of the past would have been a different story, but now, he was little more than a toothless tiger.
“Mount Hua itself isn’t particularly important… but the Immortal Healer is.”
There were many other avenues they could pursue, so Mount Hua wasn’t a critical priority. That was precisely why he had entrusted its oversight to a fool like Ya Hyeoljeok.
Moreover, he had felt that Ya Hyeoljeok’s work had shown recent improvement, which was why he had assigned him the mission of capturing the Immortal Healer.
That had been a mistake.
It would have been far better to simply dispatch a martial artist from the main palace.
Now our targets will be on high alert, and we have nothing to show for it.
He considered targeting other physicians, but given their previous failures, the Immortal Healer was the only viable option left.
“Any traces?”
“…By the time we attempted to investigate the branch, Mount Hua’s people had already secured the area. A thorough examination was impossible. However, judging by the wounds on the corpses…”
The attackers had dealt with everyone—either a small group or a single individual—and they had done it in an instant.
According to the report he’d received, Ya Hyeoljeok had been killed outside the branch. But there should have been at least several dozen guards stationed within.
And all of them were wiped out in a single moment?
Even if the guards weren’t exceptionally powerful, slaughtering every one of them in a single night was a formidable feat. Furthermore, the complete lack of any signs of a struggle was telling…
Did the Shadow King make an appearance?
The Lord of the Night Reapers, a figure said to be capable of killing anyone they pleased. Unless the attacker possessed skill on par with his own, such a clean slaughter should have been impossible.
“Who was it that killed Ya Hyeoljeok?”
“Mount Hua is concealing their identity, so we have little information. But I believe it was one of the younger generation’s prodigies.”
“A young prodigy?”
A Peak-level martial artist was defeated by a mere youth…?
That was the most perplexing piece of news he had heard all day.
Was it the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua? The genius who had stolen the title of ‘Sword Dragon’ right from under the Namgung Clan’s nose. The man had been informed that this prodigy was barely twenty years old.
Remembering this drove home just how rapidly the new generation was advancing.
It’s happening too fast.
The youth wasn’t yet at a level where he could pose a significant threat, but given a little more time, he would undoubtedly become one.
“Acquire information on them as soon as possible.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“As for the Immortal Healer…”
If the Immortal Healer was truly under Mount Hua’s protection, attempting to capture him now would be problematic. Yet, it was a task that absolutely had to be accomplished.
The ideal move would be for the Lord of the main palace to handle it personally, but he could not afford to leave his post at the moment.
“Send a message. Instruct them to capture the Healer, but to avoid detection if at all possible.”
“Understood, my Lord. I shall relay your command immediately.”
After the subordinate who had received the order departed, the leader of the main palace—the man seated in the darkness—opened his eyes.
A pair of eyes glowing with a faint purple hue looked down upon the assembled crowd. Beneath that gaze, the two groups of people stood with their heads bowed, their bodies trembling slightly.
Only a little time remains until we obtain the final piece.
He was only a few steps away from achieving his goal. All for the world he desired.
As the darkness around him seemed to deepen, the man closed his eyes once more.
* * *
After sleeping for another full day, I finally regained the ability to move my body. A dull ache persisted, but compared to the agony I’d felt upon first waking, it was practically nothing. The Demonic Qi that had been raging inside me had almost entirely dissipated, and my body was nearly fully healed.
Shortly after the Immortal Healer told me I could return to my lodge, the Celestial Plum Blossom came to see me.
“I am truly sorry…”
The sect leader’s face was a canvas of complex emotions. It was rare to see the leader of a major sect looking so utterly dejected.
“I’m fine.”
That was all I could say. While I had indeed become entangled in Mount Hua’s troubles, I hadn’t done it for their sake.
“…According to Physician Tae, your condition has improved significantly. Is that correct?”
“Thankfully, it seems so.”
“That means I now have more options regarding what I can give you…”
Was he referring to the medicine he had mentioned before? If so, I would accept it without a moment’s hesitation. After all, my body was still not in peak condition.
“I heard your injuries weren’t too severe. Thank the heavens. It would have been a profound tragedy for a precious scion of another clan to perish on our land.”
I didn’t know how to respond. His sorrow seemed to stem from something deeper, something not directed solely at me. Feeling it was best not to pry, I remained silent.
I’ll ask Yung Pung about it later.
“Even though an outsider was harmed within our sect, I, as the sect leader, was not there for you. For that, I apologize…”
“…It’s really not a problem.”
I wasn’t critically injured, I was being promised a reward, and I’d been treated by the greatest doctor in the world. I didn’t feel I had come out at a loss.
Besides, there was something I needed to ask him, but I decided to save it for later.
…Though it is a problem that I was unconscious for so long.
I had been out for far too long. My original plan was to depart after Gu Ryunghwa finished the tournament, but since she had already declared she wouldn’t be returning to the clan… I had planned to leave yesterday. Somehow, I had ended up staying four days longer than expected.
Come to think of it, wouldn’t the tournament be happening around now? From what I could remember, it should have been scheduled for this time.
“Sect Leader, is the Mount Hua tournament currently underway?”
The Celestial Plum Blossom’s eyebrows twitched slightly at my question.
“Well… originally, it would be. However, we decided to postpone it for a few days due to recent events. Regardless, it will commence soon.”
I schooled my features to hide my shock. They had delayed one of the few major events Mount Hua hosted?
It seems the situation is more serious than I thought.
That reminded me of the fact that Mount Hua disciples had also been disappearing. Was that the reason? It could be something else, but that was the only explanation I could think of.
“This old man must be disturbing your rest. I will visit again another time, so please focus on recovering.”
“Not at all. Since I’m healed, I will be the one to visit you next time.”
A small, weary smile touched the Celestial Plum Blossom’s lips upon hearing this.
“Once you feel fully recovered, you should go outside. I saw someone waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me?”
With those words, the Celestial Plum Blossom took his leave. After he was gone, I began preparing to go out myself.
But… who could be waiting for me?
Is it Namgung Bi-ah or Wi Seol-Ah…?
It was also possible it was neither, as I’d told them to stop visiting me after they had come by too many times.
Maybe it’s Yung Pung…?
“I’m not particularly fond of receiving male visitors, so who do you think it is, Elder Sh-”
I cut myself off mid-sentence.
Elder Shin wasn’t here.
The reminder sent a pang of unease through me.
“…Seriously, where did he go?”
I always treated him like some malevolent spirit, but now that he’s gone, am I actually feeling sad…?
I didn’t know how to describe the emotion. He was just an old man who had become absorbed by Mount Hua’s energy.
Is this also an effect of the Demonic Qi?
Since the Demonic Qi that entered my body had seemingly pacified the conflicting energies within me, was Elder Shin’s disappearance connected to that?
His departure was as sudden as his arrival.
…Is this just the natural order of things?
Or perhaps he has simply fallen into a deep slumber…
I’d prefer it to be the latter.
Step.
I walked outside the building for the first time in four days. It was still early morning, but where exactly was I? I was clearly still within Mount Hua, but this was a building I had never seen before.
Is this an infirmary?
“Ah.”
“Hm?”
While looking around, I heard a faint noise. Glancing towards the sound, I saw a flicker of movement behind a tree.
Is someone… hiding?
“What are you doing over there?”
“…”
The person hiding behind the tree was Gu Ryunghwa. She wore an expression of someone who hadn’t expected to be caught, and then someone gave her a push from behind.
“Oof…!”
It was Namgung Bi-ah, one of her arms wrapped in bandages. Gu Ryunghwa looked hesitant, shifting her weight as if she had something to say but couldn’t find the words.
“…What’s up?”
“…What?”
She averted her eyes when I responded. Namgung Bi-ah, noticing her discomfort, gently rubbed Gu Ryunghwa’s back. Feeling the encouragement, Gu Ryunghwa let out a forced cough and finally spoke.
“…Uh, is it okay?”
“Is what okay?”
“Is your body okay!?”
I was startled by her sudden shout.
Why did she have to yell all of a sudden?
“…I’m fine.”
Frankly, Namgung Bi-ah looked more injured than I was.
“…Okay.”
Having said that, Gu Ryunghwa immediately tried to flee as if she couldn’t bear the situation any longer, but Namgung Bi-ah caught her firmly.
“S-Sis.”
“No.”
Gu Ryunghwa pleaded sorrowfully, but Namgung Bi-ah remained stern. I simply watched the scene unfold, unsure of what to say.
Eventually, after gathering her resolve, Gu Ryunghwa stood before me again. Her shoulders were visibly shaking.
“Th…”
It was barely a whisper, so quiet I considered using Qi to enhance my hearing.
“…Th-Thank you!”
Then Gu Ryunghwa suddenly shouted with all her might. I hadn’t known she was capable of such volume. The moment the words were out, she turned and sprinted away, overcome with embarrassment.
This time, Namgung Bi-ah made no move to stop her.
“…You held her here just so she could say that?”
Namgung Bi-ah nodded in response to my question. I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.
I was grateful… but it felt somewhat unnecessary. Because, before hearing thanks from her, I felt there was something I needed to say to Gu Ryunghwa first.
But I understood that her gratitude was genuine, and I knew why Namgung Bi-ah had orchestrated this.
“Thanks.”
And so, I found myself able to say it easily. I think it was probably the first time I had ever spoken that word to her, including in my previous life.
Namgung Bi-ah froze solid upon hearing the word, as if she had been struck by lightning. Was it really that shocking?
“Why are you acting like-”
I tried to speak, but Namgung Bi-ah suddenly turned and dashed off toward the mountain path. She moved with great urgency.
“Where are you— Come back before mealtime!”
I was a bit late, so I’m not sure if she heard me.
Since her arm was bandaged, she probably wasn’t going there to train. And, now that I thought about it, I noticed the tips of her ears had been burning bright red as she ran off.
* * *
After returning to the lodge for the first time in what felt like ages, I was surprised to find the Sword Venerable there. The sight shocked me.
The Sword Venerable, who had been sweeping the courtyard, lowered his head when he saw me.
“I apologize for my absence these past few days, Young Master.”
“…Ah, it’s no trouble. I heard you had the sect leader’s permission. Did you finish what you needed to do?”
“Yes… Thanks to the Lord’s approval, I was able to complete my task. I heard the Young Master was injured. Are you feeling well?”
“Thankfully, the injuries were not severe.”
A smile of relief touched the Sword Venerable’s lips upon hearing this.
I thanked him for his work and continued on my way. No matter how many times I encountered him, I always found it difficult to be around the Sword Venerable. It was odd, considering I had no such trouble with the Celestial Plum Blossom, who was said to be nearly his equal in rank.
But with the Sword Venerable’s return, I could finally begin preparing for my return to the clan.
Where is Wi Seol-Ah?
She usually came running the moment I appeared, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Did Hongwa take her hostage again?
That was my usual assumption whenever Wi Seol-Ah failed to greet me. Assuming she was simply busy with her duties, I headed towards my room.
My thoughts turned to what needed to be done upon my return to the Gu Clan.
* * *
The Sword Venerable watched Gu Yangcheon’s back as the young master retreated to his room.
He has changed.
The Gu Yangcheon he saw now, after a few days’ absence, was different from before. But he couldn’t tell if the change was for better or worse.
The conflicting energies that had once warred within him were now intertwined, forming a single, cohesive chain. Even the Sword Venerable, with all his insight, could not comprehend how such a thing had come to pass.
He had heard from the Celestial Plum Blossom yesterday that Gu Yangcheon had killed a member of the Black Palace. Furthermore, his opponent had been no low-level martial artist.
Yet, in the Sword Venerable’s eyes, Gu Yangcheon should not have possessed the capability to defeat such a powerful foe. He wondered if his own perceptions had failed him once again.
Even for the son of the Tiger Warrior, his rate of growth was unnaturally fast.
How fascinating.
He knew the Gu Clan was renowned for its prodigies, but even so…
“Grandfather.”
The Sword Venerable turned at the sound of Wi Seol-Ah’s voice. She stood behind him, her expression unusually pensive—a stark contrast to her usual demeanor. Yet, she was still his adorable, beautiful granddaughter.
The Sword Venerable’s face softened into a happy smile.
“Yes, yes, what is it, my dear?”
“Grandfather…”
“What’s the matter?”
Wi Seol-Ah hesitated for a moment before speaking her mind.
“…I want to learn martial arts.”
Thud-clatter!
The broom slipped from the Sword Venerable’s grasp, falling to the ground with a clatter the instant her words registered.