Chapter 91: Treatment (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 91: Treatment (4)
The Immortal Healer returned with medicine the morning after. He must have procured it from Mount Hua.
How does he manage it with such a frail constitution?
For an ordinary person, merely ascending and descending the mountain would be a trial. Yet the Immortal Healer moved as if it were nothing.
He must have it delivered, right?
Otherwise, the strain on his body would be too severe.
“…All the turbid energy has been purged.”
That was the Immortal Healer’s verdict after a thorough examination of the Sword Queen’s condition. Fortunately, the Demonic Qi festering within her had been completely extracted.
He explained that after I lost consciousness during the procedure, the Sword Queen had also succumbed. When he later checked on us, he found the corrupt energy within her had vanished entirely. He also assured me that my own body appeared to be suffering no ill effects.
This confirmed one thing.
As I suspected, the Immortal Healer cannot perceive the Demonic Qi within me.
That seemed the most logical conclusion. He had detected the impurity in the Sword Queen, yet made no mention of the demonic energy residing in my body.
…But how?
It wasn't that I lacked it; even as I pondered, I could feel the Demonic Qi writhing inside me.
Thankfully, it seems to be undergoing purification.
The destructive Gu Flame Wheel Art circulating within me were slowly consuming and purifying the Demonic Qi. The process was just so gradual it was barely noticeable.
I don’t feel the Demonic Qi running wild, nor any pain whatsoever.
That was my greatest relief. I had been anxious about the consequences if the absorbed energy went berserk. But for now, that hadn't happened.
Satisfied with my condition, the Immortal Healer advised me to return and rest. While I looked fine, he insisted I summon him immediately should any problem arise. I was taken aback by this unexpected kindness from him.
-He truly eliminated the turbid energy. I must discover how he accomplished it! Dissecting him would be the most straightforward method, but that's not feasible now. What should I…
…
Feeling I was overhearing something I shouldn't, I made a swift exit. As I was leaving, the Sword Queen called out, saying she would visit me later to express her gratitude. I replied that thanks were unnecessary and returned to the lodge.
And now, in the present moment…
“You told me to return before the meal… yet you stayed out the entire night?”
I think I’m in deep trouble.
* * *
Two pairs of cold, furious eyes were fixed on me. Their icy glares made me feel as though I were standing in a blizzard.
…I’m truly fucked.
After staring at me for a moment, Wi Seol-Ah scoffed and turned her head away. However, Namgung Bi-ah continued her unblinking glare. Her expression was naturally cool, but now it felt like a snowstorm was swirling around her.
“Uh, well…”
How did I end up in this situation…?
I paused, genuinely considering the question.
…Why am I the one being reprimanded right now?
The flow of events felt strangely off. For a moment, I almost blurted out an excuse.
…I’m the master of this place. Why should I be scolded for staying out overnight?
Admittedly, I was partly at fault for instructing her to return before the meal and then not following through myself. But I had pressing matters to attend to.
What felt even more absurd was…
Since I know that, why can’t I just say it…!?
My instincts screamed at me to remain silent. Any attempt to explain would only dig the hole deeper. So, I kept my mouth shut and met Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze.
After a long, silent standoff, she finally moved. Just as I thought she was leaving to resume her training, she spoke.
“…At least… tell me next time…”
With those words, she departed. That evening, I experienced the quietest meal since my regression. Namgung Bi-ah was never talkative, but even Wi Seol-Ah was completely silent. The oppressive atmosphere was honestly enough to make me feel ill.
The next day arrived. Wi Seol-Ah was the type whose mood would reset after a night’s sleep, even if she had been sulking. True to form, she approached me with a bright smile, and we conversed normally. As for Namgung Bi-ah, I couldn't tell if she was still upset about the previous day, but she didn't seem to be dwelling on it.
…Am I saved?
I felt I could finally breathe again.
When I checked my internal condition, Demonic Qi still flowed within me. However, the ongoing purification process had rendered it significantly calmer. I even circulated my Qi experimentally, checking to see if the Demonic Qi had become detectable. Thankfully, the energy I released showed no trace of corruption.
It felt as though the Demonic Qi was being suppressed by something—an external force preventing it from acting out.
…Could this be related to that voice I heard?
The mysterious, ominous voice I’d heard while absorbing the Demonic Qi from the Sword Queen resurfaced in my mind, stirring concern.
Perhaps the reason Elder Shin disappeared was…
I couldn't shake the thought. Where else could that incessant old man's voice have vanished to? Could whatever was devouring Qi inside me have reached even Elder Shin?
It wasn't that I missed him after just a few days, though I had admittedly grown somewhat attached. More importantly, I needed to know…
How far does the reach of this thing extend?
If something resided within my body, I had to identify it. I also needed to discern its intentions.
Is this entity the monster Elder Shin was suppressing?
I wasn't entirely certain, but I had no other plausible explanation.
Is this also a consequence of my Demonic Art?
The Demonic Art that had inexplicably followed me even into this resurrected life… In my past life, I had accomplished many things with this abhorrent power, but I had no desire to repeat those actions.
“…How exhausting.”
…
For a fleeting moment, I thought I heard an old man's voice, chiding me for still complaining when everything had ultimately turned out fine.
…Did Elder Shin truly disappear?
It felt wrong to say that, because somehow, it didn't feel like he was completely gone. But I didn't understand why.
While I was meditating, I sensed a presence outside.
-Young Master, it’s Hongwa.
Hearing the voice, I ceased my Qi circulation. My concentration was already broken; continuing was pointless.
“What is it?”
-Slide.
Hongwa carefully opened the door after I responded.
“…A guest has come to see you.”
“A guest? Who?”
Yung Pung immediately came to mind. He and the Celestial Plum Blossom were typically my only visitors. Given the recent events, the Celestial Plum Blossom was likely preoccupied with resolving matters, so Yung Pung seemed the most probable.
However, an unexpected name came from Hongwa’s lips.
“The Young Lady has come to visit you.”
“Huh…?”
Gu Ryunghwa had come. And not alone; she was accompanied by another.
* * *
Following Hongwa’s guidance, they entered the room. Gu Ryunghwa stepped in, looking visibly uncomfortable, alongside another woman.
“I apologize for visiting so unexpectedly.”
“…It’s… no trouble at all.”
I was so shocked I stammered. The person accompanying Gu Ryunghwa… was none other than the Sword Queen.
The problem was, it took me a moment to recognize her. The change was that drastic.
I thought she might look a bit younger…
But this was far beyond ‘a bit younger’. Her previously white hair was now a deep, lustrous black. The wrinkles that had made her appear older than the Celestial Plum Blossom had vanished completely. She now looked to be in her thirties… perhaps forty at most.
…Is it normal to change this much just from having Demonic Qi absorbed?
The Qi she had been using to combat the Demonic Qi had likely been restored to its original state after the extraction. I had witnessed the purity of the Sword Queen’s Qi yesterday, but I hadn't realized it possessed such rejuvenating power.
“…I’m glad to see you in much healthier condition.”
“You seem quite surprised.”
Yes, I was utterly astonished.
Because the elderly woman you resembled is gone, replaced by an elegant lady…
She was unmistakably younger than she was yesterday.
Noticing my thoughts, the Sword Queen offered a light smile.
“I was surprised as well. I never imagined I could return to my original appearance, let alone see such a dramatic change in just a few days…”
…I see. So her bone structure didn’t change after all.
Since she referred to this as her ‘normal appearance,’ that must be the case.
To be fair, altering one's bone structure in a single day is probably impossible to begin with.
“The Immortal Healer kept insisting such a rapid transformation was impossible. He was so agitated he wanted to find you immediately, but I managed to calm him down.”
“Oh, for that, I am truly grateful…”
I recalled the look on the Immortal Healer’s face when he expressed a desire to ‘examine’ my body. I had definitely seen a spark of madness in his eyes.
I should avoid him for the next few days…
The thought was genuinely frightening.
“I came today because I haven’t yet properly thanked you.”
“You really don’t need to…”
“How can I not, when I am indebted to you for saving my life?”
With those words, the Sword Queen respectfully bowed her head to me. Startled, I moved to stop her, but she was faster.
“Thank you. You have saved this unworthy woman’s life…”
“Sword Queen…”
“It is solely thanks to you that I can see the light of a new year I should never have witnessed, and that I did not have to bear the guilt of abandoning my disciple. How could I not thank you?”
“I only did what I felt was right.”
“I know better than anyone that doing what is right is often the most difficult path.”
…Is that truly so?
She had spoken with complete sincerity, yet it was something I couldn't comprehend. My actions weren't motivated by the nobility she assumed. I had done it solely to atone for my sins.
The Sword Queen continued, “If there is anything you desire, please tell me. This life was saved by you, and I am prepared to relinquish it for you whenever you wish.”
“Master!”
Gu Ryunghwa cried out in shock, but the Sword Queen’s eyes held a deadly seriousness.
I managed a faint smile. “How can you offer your life when it has only just been saved?”
The fact that she would make such an offer mere days after her recovery spoke volumes about the depth of her gratitude.
Besides…
My gaze flickered towards Gu Ryunghwa. Our eyes met briefly before she let out a fake cough and quickly looked away.
I believe I am the one indebted to you.
It was a pointless thought. I shook my head to dismiss it.
“Rather than your life, there is perhaps a request I might make.”
“Please, name it. I will do anything.”
“Um, isn't it rash to promise ‘anything’ without knowing the request?”
What if I asked her to betray Mount Hua, or to kill someone? What would she do then?
The Sword Queen let out a soft laugh, seemingly reading my thoughts. “Whatever request you make, it does not seem like it would be something to harm others.”
What does she see in me to have such faith?
Uncomfortable with her overflowing trust, I averted my eyes.
I was the one who burned Mount Hua to the ground.
I had vowed not to run from that truth, but that very resolution made it all the more terrifying. I had watched until the very end, until every soul in Mount Hua had perished and everything was reduced to ash. I remembered every detail with painful clarity.
“…I will visit you later to make my request, as it is not something urgent.”
The Sword Queen smiled at my words.
“Oh, and there is one more thing I wish to ask you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. It is something I have been curious about for a long time… but never found the opportunity to ask.”
After saying this, the Sword Queen instructed Gu Ryunghwa to wait outside. Gu Ryunghwa seemed reluctant, but her master insisted firmly.
“Please wait outside for a moment.”
“Yes…”
Sulking, Gu Ryunghwa left the room. As the door closed behind her, the smile faded from the Sword Queen’s face, replaced by a grave expression.
What could she want to ask me?
I nodded for her to proceed. The Sword Queen paused, releasing a deep sigh before she spoke.
“Do you know about Cheonhee’s disappearance?”
“!”
The subject of the Sword Queen’s curiosity…
It was about my mother.