Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Believer
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Mosan Sect Elder Jin Yeongju stopped by a merchant caravan on her way back from carrying out an external mission.
The place was run by her relative, and she made a point to visit whenever she ventured out of the sect, so it was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, encountering a certain girl there turned into something quite special.
*Such abundant spiritual energy... A few months ago, it wasn't like this at all. When did her spiritual energy become so full? There's some unknown attribute mixed in, but spiritual energy naturally comes in various forms, so that's no issue.*
Jin Yeongju had no choice but to question the girl, Jin Eunseon.
"Eunseon, has anything major happened to you in the last few months?"
"Pardon? Aunt, what do you mean...?"
"Your body is brimming with spiritual energy right now. There must have been something significant. Do you really not remember anything?"
Jin Eunseon vaguely confessed about nearly dying and meeting a mysterious being, but since Jin Yeongju showed great interest, she had no choice but to explain in detail.
"You've truly overcome a great ordeal. The spiritual entity you met isn't something an ordinary living person could encounter. It seems that brush with death brought you an extraordinary opportunity."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Of course. Because of it, you've opened your Upper Dantian—something even Murim warriors dream of achieving. Your overflowing spiritual energy is proof. If it had been even a little later, you'd have been in mortal danger without a doubt."
"That's what the physician said too. If it had been just a bit later, I might have died or ended up in a fate worse than death."
"I see. Eunseon, then... would you consider coming with me to the Mosan Sect? With your talent, you could become a remarkable Divine Arts practitioner in just a few years."
"Does that mean I'd learn martial arts?"
"It's a bit different from martial arts. Unlike building inner energy to cultivate martial techniques, Divine Arts practitioners cultivate spiritual energy and master spells. The Mosan Sect I belong to is where the world's Divine Arts practitioners gather."
She also emphasized that not just anyone could become a Divine Arts practitioner, unlike ordinary Murim folk. The speed of accumulating spiritual energy through training was far too slow, making it impossible without innate talent.
Jin Yeongju expected Jin Eunseon to agree right away.
From a young age, whenever Jin Yeongju showed her mystical spells, Jin Eunseon had always praised her greatly and been delighted.
But.
"That would make it hard for me to go with you, Aunt."
"What's the reason? To turn down such a golden opportunity? Your father would gladly give his blessing."
Jin Yeongju tried to persuade her repeatedly, reluctant to let such talent slip away.
"Could I at least ask the White-Clothed Physician first and then decide? I have an appointment for a check-up in a few days, so I can ask him then."
"...And who is this White-Clothed Physician?"
"He's the one who saved my life. He told me it would be good for me to learn martial arts."
"Even if he's your lifesaver, do you really need his permission to decide between learning Divine Arts or martial arts?"
"I'm sorry, but his words mean the most to me."
"No helping it, then."
When Jin Eunseon stubbornly insisted, Jin Yeongju agreed to meet Baek Yuseong together and ended up staying at her house for a few days.
And every day, she was shocked to discover that Jin Eunseon's spiritual energy was increasing.
*This isn't the level you can reach through training!*
As far as Jin Yeongju knew, only those born with innate talent could become Divine Arts practitioners. The Mosan Sect's methods mainly focused on efficiently utilizing one's natural spiritual energy—acquiring more afterward was far too inefficient.
*Her spiritual energy is already impressive, but if it keeps growing like this every day, she might reach unprecedented heights. I must bring Eunseon to the Mosan Sect.*
***
The Murim Alliance members Yuseong met every day had now increased to two.
There was Jegal Yeongyeong, who came every morning for treatment of headaches caused by some incident, and the Demon Subduing Division Leader, whom he was treating for cancer.
If he poured all his divine power into it, he could cure the Demon Subduing Division Leader's cancer in half a month, but he saw no need to rush.
Though successfully treating him would greatly increase his divine power, it would hinder his ability to see other patients in the meantime.
Moreover, even without a full cure, the Demon Subduing Division Leader could feel his condition steadily improving and was grateful to Yuseong.
After treating the Demon Subduing Division Leader today as well, the next patient to enter was none other than Jin Eunseon. Instead of her usual guardian, her father, she was accompanied by an unfamiliar middle-aged woman.
"This is Baek Yuseong, the White-Clothed Physician who saved my life. And this is my aunt, who holds the position of elder in the Mosan Sect."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Jin Yeongju."
After exchanging greetings, Yuseong was puzzled about why she was introducing Jin Yeongju to him but first attended to the matter at hand.
"Eunseon, your pulse shows no particular issues. I think we can stop monitoring you now."
"Thank you, Benefactor. But my aunt has something to say about me learning martial arts."
Jin Yeongju stepped forward.
"I hear you advised her to learn martial arts for her health, but is martial arts truly necessary?"
"I didn't insist on martial arts unconditionally. I merely suggested that, given her recent accident, it would be good for her health to learn some."
Jin Yeongju shot Jin Eunseon a glance.
From what she'd heard, Yuseong hadn't strongly recommended it—Jin Eunseon had just been the stubborn one.
"You're acting like you'll even choose your husband based on the White-Clothed Physician's say-so."
"H-Husband?"
*What if the White-Clothed Physician tells me to marry him? What do I do?*
Lost in fantasy, Jin Eunseon bowed her head deeply, while Yuseong continued his conversation with Jin Yeongju.
"But if not martial arts, what do you plan to have her learn?"
"The Divine Arts of the Mosan Sect. It will also keep her body healthy, so it would be good for Eunseon."
"Divine Arts? My knowledge is limited, so I'm not very familiar with the Mosan Sect. Could you explain briefly?"
Jin Yeongju explained the mystical Mosan Sect's Divine Arts. At the same time, she asked Yuseong's opinion on how Jin Eunseon had suddenly gained spiritual energy—and whether her rapidly growing spiritual energy might be a concern.
Since he was the physician Jin Eunseon greatly trusted, and had saved her life using his secret techniques, Jin Yeongju thought he might know something.
Hearing the explanation of her greatly increased spiritual energy, Yuseong recalled that Jin Eunseon prayed to him every day.
*She said she feels a sense of fullness after praying. Could that be divine power accumulating in her body? I felt the same sense of fulfillment when I first prayed to Gaia and gained divine power.*
Yuseong examined Jin Eunseon again. The difference this time was that he wasn't just checking her pulse—he was sending divine power through her.
His divine power, tracing back through her meridians, finally reached the area near her chest. The spot Jin Yeongju called the Upper Dantian.
Whether from game lore or this world's setting, the Upper Dantian was located in the chest.
*No way—there's truly divine power! I can't confirm spiritual energy, but divine power is definitely there!*
An astonishing discovery.
Yuseong had gained divinity and understood it as the ability to use divine power, but he hadn't realized he could play the role of a god.
Jin Eunseon was receiving a portion of divine power back after praying to him.
*It doesn't accumulate just from gratitude. I've checked the area near the Demon Subduing Division Leader's chest with divine power every day, but I've never detected any in him.*
Priests are those who commune with gods.
Then, perhaps those with enough spiritual energy to open their Upper Dantian were qualified to commune with gods?
"Can you sense spiritual energy in me too?"
"Why wouldn't I? Everyone is born with their own spiritual energy. You have more than most, White-Clothed Physician, but it's still not quite enough to become a Divine Arts practitioner."
Yuseong, whose innate spiritual energy had been minimal, hadn't yet reached Jin Yeongju's standards despite accumulating divine power.
"I see. Could you give us a moment alone with Eunseon?"
"We'll be in the waiting room, then. Go talk with the physician."
"Yes, Aunt."
After Jin Yeongju moved away, Yuseong called to Jin Eunseon, who was still hanging her head.
"Eunseon, I didn't mention this to your aunt, but it seems your rapidly growing spiritual energy is connected to your prayers to me."
"Really?"
"That's why I have something I'd like you to do."
Jin Eunseon's eyes sparkled.
"Anything you ask."
Yuseong taught Jin Eunseon a few things before sending her off.
*She'll do well. Her divine power accumulation might even accelerate dramatically. But until it's certain, I should keep it secret from her aunt. Who knows what variables might arise.*
Yuseong's heart raced.
***
While Baek Yuseong was away, the various physicians gathered to chat idly.
Jo Physician scoffed as he brought up how the Demon Subduing Division Leader visited Yuseong every day.
"Yang Physician, do you really think that makes sense?"
"Treating the Demon Subduing Division Leader?"
"Yes. Even Divine Physician said the only option was to cut open the chest and abdomen to resect the organs metastasized with malignant tumors. No matter how skilled the White-Clothed Physician claims to be, he can't possibly treat it. I hear he's just using acupuncture this time too."
Yang Physician agreed with Jo Physician. Unlike heart compression, which anyone could mimic if they knew the method, this was entirely different.
But since the Demon Subduing Division Leader had already chosen Yuseong, they had no say in it.
"Either way, it's not something we can interfere with, so best to leave it be. The White-Clothed Physician must have his reasons."
"Hmph, reasons? He's gotten arrogant from a bit of praise lately and can't make proper judgments anymore."
Cha Physician, who had recently been cozying up to Yuseong, quietly spoke up.
"From what I hear, the treatment is going smoothly..."
Jo Physician's eyes flashed.
"Who said that?"
"The White-Clothed Physician did. He said the Demon Subduing Division Leader's treatment is progressing smoothly."
"Nonsense! Are you falling for such lies too? Wait... Could this be the White-Clothed Physician deceiving the Demon Subduing Division Leader?"
"..."
"No, isn't it? Think about it. There was that cult in the southern regions that preyed on desperate people, wasn't there? Even a Peak Realm master like the Demon Subduing Division Leader can't help but lose judgment in the face of death."
Yang Physician didn't see Yuseong as that type.
"Would he risk something so dangerous? What would the White-Clothed Physician gain?"
"Who knows. Maybe he thinks he can exploit a Peak Realm master somehow. It's heartbreaking to see him wasting his precious remaining time like this."
Jo Physician kept stirring, but the other physicians' responses were underwhelming.
In the past, most would have hung on his every word after Yang Physician, but lately, his standing had plummeted.
On top of that, the Demon Subduing Division Leader now stared at Jo Physician himself with terrifying eyes after whatever Yuseong had told him, refusing even to converse.
*Hmph, this time that bastard has made a grave mistake. Just let the Demon Subduing Division Leader die. I'll request an investigation from the Murim Alliance if I have to and drive him out of the Luoyang Medical Hall for sure.*