Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Journey to Sichuan
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The Sichuan Tang Clan was a place Yuseong had decided he absolutely had to visit, if only for the sake of processing the Heavenly Fortune Stone.
Even now, whenever necessary, he would grip the stone and amplify his Divine Power to use it, but compared to crafting it into needles, the efficiency was drastically lower.
In needle form, he could drive it deep into the affected area to maximize the Divine Power's efficiency.
At the very least, for healing purposes, the needle shape was optimal.
For that reason.
‘Going to Sichuan now is the best option. Who knows when I'll have another chance to head there? But with the Qingcheng Sect, can I even squeeze in time to stop by the Tang Clan? It's not like I'm going alone—it's an official Murim Alliance matter.’
He had no worries whatsoever about the Qingcheng Sect's situation.
Unlike the Healing skill, the Detoxification skill didn't have effects divided by stages.
If Yucheon Immortal was truly poisoned, he could cure him as easily as he had the Dao King with Detoxification.
There were two problems.
How to visit the Sichuan Tang Clan after wrapping up at the Qingcheng Sect, and whether they could process the Heavenly Fortune Stone into needles once he got there.
‘I’ve heard they’re swamped making hidden weapons. Will they even take my commission? Processing Heavenly Fortune Stone can’t be easy…’
This wasn’t something he could solve by worrying about it in advance.
He’d have to go and see for himself.
‘Somehow, I’ll make the opportunity happen. Who knows how long I’d have to wait otherwise.’
Having made up his mind, he spoke to the Qingcheng Sect elder.
“Of course we must help. Isn’t the Qingcheng Sect a longtime ally of the Murim Alliance?”
The elder was overjoyed.
“Truly, thank you, Medical Pavilion Leader!”
“But it’ll take quite some time just to get there. Do you think Yucheon Immortal can hold out that long?”
“He’s struggling to move, but he’s enduring through qi circulation, so he should be fine during the journey. Still, it would be best if we could depart as soon as possible.”
“Understood. We’ll leave as soon as we’re ready.”
“Truly, thank you!”
Once the conversation with the Qingcheng Sect elder concluded, Murim Alliance Chief Strategist Jegal Yeongyeong stepped forward.
“Thank you for making this difficult decision, Medical Pavilion Leader. I hate to impose further, but may I ask one more favor? After helping the Qingcheng Sect, could you stop by the Sichuan Tang Clan?”
“The Sichuan Tang Clan, you say?”
“Yes. The situation in the jianghu is unsettled, so we’d like their support. Someone else will handle the persuasion. I just ask for your understanding that the return trip may be delayed.”
Unlike the gentle gaze she’d shown him lately, her eyes in the Murim Alliance meeting hall were sharp as she voiced her opinion.
This must be her usual working demeanor.
And.
Yuseong realized that Jegal Yeongyeong bringing up the Sichuan Tang Clan was for his benefit.
She was one of the few who knew he wanted to visit them to process the Heavenly Fortune Stone.
“Oh, this isn’t something we discussed beforehand, but it’s a fine idea. Their aid would be a great help.”
“I only thought of it because we’re already heading to the Qingcheng Sect anyway.”
It was something that hadn’t been discussed with the other elders in advance.
“Of course.”
‘I should bring back a gift or something when I return.’
***
The next day, Yuseong began preparations to depart for Sichuan.
The Qingcheng Sect elder had seemed eager for a swift departure, leaving no time to dawdle.
After notifying his acquaintances that he’d be away for a long while and handling Medical Pavilion affairs,
“Physician Yang, Physician Cha. I’ll be heading to Sichuan, so please take good care of the Medical Pavilion.”
“Of course. I’ll look after Physician Yang, so handle your business and come back safely.”
Earlier, Yuseong had met privately with Physician Yang and handed over several small jars.
“What’s this?”
He peeked inside one, and his eyes widened.
It was a rare sight for someone who rarely showed strong emotional reactions.
“No way?”
“It’s medicine I made. I’ve named it holy water.”
The jars were filled with the holy water Yuseong had prepared in his spare time.
“A mysterious golden medicine… Could this be the one the Chief Strategist used during that spy incident at the Strategist Division?”
“Exactly.”
“Remarkable. I heard the story and always wanted to see that medicine for myself, but I never imagined the Medical Pavilion Leader created it. If possible, I’d love to learn this Divine Art myself.”
At the time, Jegal Yeongyeong had told everyone it was a medicine she’d obtained by chance.
He’d kept the holy water’s true nature secret to avoid causing a stir if it became public knowledge.
But for filling in during a long absence from the Medical Pavilion like this, nothing beat the holy water.
He entrusted it to the most reliable person there, Physician Yang.
His character was trustworthy.
“Use it only for those who absolutely need it. And if possible, keep it secret.”
“I won’t use it unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ll keep it from my master too, so don’t worry.”
After explaining the holy water’s effects and usage in detail to Physician Yang.
Yuseong received his first and last patient of the day.
It was Jegal Yeongyeong, looking far worse than usual.
“Ugh… qu-quickly…”
She clutched her head and rushed to Yuseong, urging him to apply the needles.
He could tell from her trembling hands just how agonizing it was.
Yuseong quickly felt around Jegal Yeongyeong’s head.
From combing through her hair every day, he’d reached the point where he could locate the Baihui acupoint just by touch, without looking.
He no longer needed to insert precisely into the Baihui, which saved Divine Power—and unexpectedly let him enjoy the feel of her hair—so he finished needling it as usual.
“Haa… I’m saved. Thank you. The pain’s completely gone. I overdid it today…”
“You do look much worse than usual. What happened?”
Jegal Yeongyeong shuddered as she recalled the events from dawn.
‘The second formation from Comprehensive Analysis of Celestial Divination Formations is almost complete. The Medical Pavilion Leader will be away for months, so let’s finish it today.’
To cover in one day what should have taken three, she skimped on sleep and rose at dawn.
More complex than the first formation, but through steady study, she mastered the second one too.
Her sense of accomplishment was short-lived; an unbearable headache drove her to Yuseong.
With him gone now, she’d have to pause studying the third formation for a while.
‘I’d rather keep him here, but we can’t lose a Transformation Realm expert. Besides, the Medical Pavilion Leader has business at the Sichuan Tang Clan too…’
It was a decision for the greater good, but that didn’t make it any less regrettable.
A natural sigh escaped her.
“With the Medical Pavilion Leader away for a while, I pushed myself too hard studying.”
“Ah, for that, I’ve prepared something separately.”
Yuseong retrieved something from inside his treatment room.
A small jar.
“It’s holy water. Not enough for months, but when the headaches become unbearable during your studies, take a little. It’ll help a lot.”
“This much?”
“I have a separate supply for emergencies with other patients, so don’t worry.”
Jegal Yeongyeong knew the value of holy water well.
Aside from Yuseong, she was the only one who had actually used it.
Hadn’t it brought Deputy Strategist Tae Jeongheon back from the brink of death?
She felt grateful to Yuseong for making something so precious—not to save lives, but just to ease study headaches.
“Thank you. I’ll use it sparingly.”
“By the way, that business yesterday about stopping by the Sichuan Tang Clan… That was for my sake, wasn’t it?”
Asking if she’d deliberately inserted the Tang Clan visit because of him.
“You already knew, so why ask? You’re embarrassing me…”
Jegal Yeongyeong shot him a slight glare.
“I’m grateful too.”
“Well, I did think their support would be helpful. As you know, their poison arts are invaluable in group battles.”
“True enough. It’d be great to secure the Tang Clan’s backing.”
“And make sure you succeed with processing the Heavenly Fortune Stone. You wanted to turn it into needles, right?”
“I must.”
Before he left the Medical Pavilion, she left one final word.
“I’d hoped you’d stay somewhere safe, but things turned out this way. Please take care.”
***
Having wrapped up Medical Pavilion affairs, Yuseong packed his belongings.
His main items were, of course, his needle pouch and various medical tools.
And.
Two pieces of Heavenly Fortune Stone.
‘Let’s make this a success.’
As he left home, he met up with the group heading to the Qingcheng Sect.
He first greeted the one leading the group.
“Medical Pavilion Leader. Welcome. I’ll be leading the group this time.”
“Please take care of it, Cheongun Elder.”
Cheongun Elder hailed from the Kunlun Sect.
During the Medical Pavilion exam before, he’d preemptively assumed Yuseong had learned Divine Arts and explained it to others on his behalf.
Thanks to that, Yuseong could pass off his skills as Divine Arts and freely use Divine Power as he did now.
“I should be the one asking. These days, I’m feeling my age—nothing like before. Check me over on the way.”
He dramatically patted his shoulder and grinned, which seemed like whining, but Yuseong had learned much about social graces from Physician Cha.
“Of course. I’ll take responsibility for everyone’s health on the way to Sichuan.”
Yuseong’s bold assurance softened the mood.
Some warriors had already visited the Medical Pavilion multiple times and were familiar with him.
And.
At the rear of the group, Yuseong spotted an unexpected figure.
“Has Lady Nangong volunteered as well?”
“Yes, Medical Pavilion Leader. I’ll be going too. Please take care of me.”
Nangong Yurin gave an awkward smile.
“It’s a trip all the way to Sichuan—isn’t it too far?”
“That’s fine. But when do we depart?”
She kept glancing around, unable to hide her anxiety.
She seemed strangely impatient.