Thirst
Yuseong had said he could treat his granddaughter.
And Yeonhwa was a patient he kept in regular contact with.
But when the news from Physician Yeon came to an abrupt end, he sensed something was wrong.
Yang the doctor dispatched a man to check, and the report that returned was far from simple.
pGT_GuT>"It appears he did not simply step out for a moment."
pGT_GuT>"More likely something of significance has happened. There are traces of conflict in Master’s residence. Even a Peak Master like Master would not easily fall to ordinary hands."
pGT>The Peak realm.
pGT_EmT>Although the world brimmed with Transcendental Masters, many Mid and Small Sects had their leaders at Peak strength.
pGT>Yet Physician Yeon had vanished.
pGT_EmT>It made sense to assume he had become entangled with something far greater.
pGT>Standing beside Yang who was pacing in frustration, Yuseong’s chest tightened with regret.
pGT_GuT>'If only I had been a little quicker, I could have helped the Physician...'
pGT>Im Yeonhwa suffered from a mysterious ailment that attacked her mind.
pGT>And the skill that could cure it, [Purification].
pGT>If he had been even slightly faster, he might have intervened.
pGT>Guilt twisted in Yuseong’s eyes as he met the resolute gaze of Yang.
pGT_GuT>"My apologies, Chief Strategist, but I feel I must visit Master’s residence myself."
pGT>Respect for his Master ran so deep that the doctor would never tread on his shadow.
pGT>With that resolve, he planned to search for clues.
pGT_GuT>"Then I should accompany you."
pGT_GuT>"No, the Chief Strategist stays here. It is too far to go and return in a short time... someone must guard the Medical Pavilion. I only need to submit a leave request."
pGT>His words were impulsive, yet Yang’s logic held.
pGT>Even with Physician Cha present, two of the three leaving would strain the remaining man to keep the Pavilion running.
pGT>After the recent scolding from Jegal Yeong-yeong, he had warned not to venture out unless absolutely necessary.
pGT_EmT>Yet a leave request.
pGT_GuT>"You intend to move alone?"
pGT_GuT>"It is my own business, so I must."
pGT>Yang’s martial strength remained too low for such a journey.
pGT_EmT>He would not let a Peak Master walk unprotected.
pGT_GuT>"I cannot allow that. A leave request will not be processed, so you must travel with the Pavilion guards. You are irreplaceable, Physician Yang. Return safely."
pGT_GuT>"...Thank you."
pGT>Tae Jeong-heon received the order and dispatched two guards to escort Yang.
pGT_GuT>'I hope nothing goes wrong...' LT>
pGT>***
pGT>In the martial world, anything could happen.
pGT>Even the disappearance of a person who once shared a small connection was no surprise.
pGT>If only he had known in advance, Yuseong would have intervened.
pGT>But now all he could do was stay present.
pGT_GuT>"I will return."
pGT_GuT>"Be careful, Chief Strategist."
pGT_GuT>"If you find it difficult alone, contact me immediately."
pGT_GuT>"Do not worry. You left the Water of Life behind, did you not? If you truly need help, speak without hesitation."
pGT>Yuseong felt deeply moved.
pGT>After assigning Physician Cha to night duty, he headed home.
pGT_GuT>Sniff.
pGT>A familiar back view caught his eye.
pGT>One shoulder bare, the other sleeve loose, heading toward the courtyard behind the Murim Alliance.
pGT>Bukgung Myeong, the Fist King.
pGT_GuT>"Where are you headed?"
pGT>Curiosity drew him along.
pGT_GuT>"What? Not the Chief Strategist?"
pGT>The man’s missing arm changed nothing; his aura was unmistakable.
pGT_GuT>"If you are merely strolling, I apologize. I would be glad to keep you company..."
pGT_GuT>"Apologize? You are the man who saved my life."
pGT>Yuseong stepped beside him.
pGT>The Fist King stared blankly into the distance.
pGT_A distant gaze, as if remembering a disciple like a son.
pGT_EmT>The silence was heavy.
pGT_GuT>'Was I wrong to follow?'
pGT_At that moment the Fist King spoke.
pGT_GuT>"I arrived too late for the funeral. Thank you."
pGT_GuT>"...Eh?"
pGT_GuT>"He flattened the Blood Cult’s nose a while back."
pGT_GuT>"Ah..."
pGT_EmT>The reanimated corpses and the Blood Cult’s masters.
pGT_GuT>"I owe you for that arm."
pGT_GuT>"I was lucky. My shadow art worked perfectly."
pGT_GuT>"Shadow art... truly wondrous. Since you took the revenge for me and my disciple, I wish to repay you somehow. Yet my condition makes it difficult. Still, if ever I can help, do not hesitate."
pGT_GuT>"Your connections in the martial world are formidable."
pGT_GuT>"Your thanks are enough."
pGT_EmT>They spoke of small matters.
pGT_EmT>How the martial arts instructor was doing, who he trained with, the people he knew.
pGT_GuT>"I liked that man. Ugiwan the strategist."
pGT_GuT>"Ugiwan?"
pGT_EmT>The test for Jegal Yeong-yeong’s array research.
pGT_EmT>Ugiwan’s name had surfaced among the other strategists.
pGT_EmT>Yuseong remembered he had been superior to Tae Jeong-heon and possessed excellent array talent.
pGT_GuT>"He sat in the corner over there. He remembered his disciple, his master, wanted a drink... but somehow produced two bottles."
pGT_GuT>"Such a thing happened?"
pGT_GuT>"Ugiwan always reads people well. After that we often drank together."
pGT_GuT>"Physician Cha does the same."
pGT_GuT>"Yet one strange thought crossed my mind."
pGT_GuT>"How does the Fist King drink?"
pGT_GuT>"Does Ugiwan serve it?"
pGT_EmT>A ridiculous notion.
pGT_GuT>"Will you join me?"
pGT>From the Fist King’s robe, a bottle and two cups floated out.
pGT_GuT>'Ah, Hollow Object Manipulation!'
pGT_EmT>A man feeding another man wine was strangely fitting.
pGT>The bottle tilted, pouring into a cup with invisible force.
pGT>More like Telekinesis.
pGT_EmT>From a modern perspective it was supernatural.
pGT_GuT>"No need to stare so amazed. At best the bottle is all I can lift."
pGT>With no arms he needed such skill.
pGT>Yuseong laughed and raised his cup.
pGT_EmT>Wine loosened the tongue.
pGT_EmT>Deeper conversations followed.
pGT>***
pGT_A few days later.
pGT>Yuseong visited the Strategy Bureau on official business.
pGT>Outside the bureau, strategists were stretching and chatting.
pGT_EmT>Working nonstop would break anyone, so they took such breaks.
pGT>Ugiwan spotted him first.
pGT_GuT>"Chief Strategist?"
pGT_GuT>"Ah, Ugiwan. Are the Chief and Deputy present?"
pGT_GuT>"They are in a meeting now. They will return shortly."
pGT>Giving him a moment, Yuseong joined the casual talk.
pGT>Ugiwan had grown noticeably friendlier since the test.
pGT>Yuseong wanted good relations with everyone, so he steered the conversation.
pGT_GuT>"I heard from the Fist King that your son is extraordinarily talented."
pGT>Ugiwan’s face lit with pride.
pGT_GuT>"Heh, any father would say the same about a beautiful and bright child... speaking of which, the boy has loved books since childhood."
pGT_EmT>He spoke only, yet the man spit as he boasted.
pGT_EmT>'At such an age...' Yuseong could not quite follow.
pGT_EmT>Yet he kept pace.
pGT_GuT>"Chief Strategist?"
pGT>Tae Jeong-heon returned from his mission and Yuseong stepped inside.
pGT>***
pGT>Ugiwan returned home and greeted his parents first.
pGT_EmT>His elderly parents were in good health.
pGT_GuT>"Father!"
pGT>His son rushed out.
pGT_EmT>The fifteen-year-old was lively and healthy beyond measure.
pGT_EmT>His size far exceeded his age, as though he would become a formidable martial artist.
pGT>Yet today martial arts training was considered dangerous.
pGT_GuT>"Jinmyeong, straighten your clothes!"
pGT>Half-unbuttoned shirt.
pGT>Even a beautiful child deserved discipline.
pGT_GuT>"I am sorry. It is so hot."
pGT_GuT>"What will you do in summer if you keep this up?"
pGT_GuT>"Hehe... hurry and wash. We must discuss again today."
pGT>Ugiwan smiled and agreed.
pGT_EmT>Discussing with his bright son was one of his joys.
pGT>He was about to bathe when he heard from inside.
pGT_GuT>"Jinmyeong, you drank too much, did you not?"
pGT_GuT>"I am sorry, Mother. I could not stop the thirst."
pGT>Ugiwan opened the door and entered.
pGT>His son was scooping water from an earthen jar.
pGT_GuT>"Do not drink it all, wife. Heat can make one thirsty. We have all felt that."
pGT_GuT>"Yet you drink far too much lately. Especially today."
pGT>His wife’s face showed worry.
pGT_GuT>"How much did he drink?"
pGT_GuT>"He finished more than half the jar alone."
pGT_EmT>A jar large enough for an adult.
pGT_EmT>More than half in one sitting?
pGT_GuT>"Heh, he probably spent the day in the latrine."
pGT_GuT>"No, he only drank."
pGT_GuT>"...Interesting."
pGT>Ugiwan sensed trouble.
pGT_GuT>"Jinmyeong, come here."
pGT>He examined the boy thoroughly.
pGT>Only excessive thirst and heat.
pGT_EmT>But strong and healthy.
pGT_EmT>Too healthy?
pGT_EmT>The doctor knew little medicine.
pGT_At that moment an idea struck.
pGT_GuT>'...I should ask the Chief Strategist.'
pGT_EmT>How many families begged for treatment?
pGT_EmT>Yet asking for the whole family might overburden him.
pGT_EmT>Still, recent conversations with Yuseong had given him courage.
pGT_GuT>'I will ask tomorrow.'
pGT>But that night.
pGT_GuT>"Jinmyeong! Jinmyeang!"
pGT>Ugiwan woke to his wife’s frantic voice.
pGT>Sweat pouring, his son breathing shallowly.
pGT>His hands shook.