Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Return
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It didn't take long to treat all the seriously injured patients.
In fact, they healed with just a touch.
After treating even those with shattered dantians and damaged eyes, Yuseong became the biggest topic among the Sichuan Branch warriors.
"As expected of the Divine Physician—there's a reason for the rumors."
"My arm was injured, but he even perfectly healed a burn scar from my childhood. Wow... how is that possible? It was from twenty years ago..."
"Really? I talked to a comrade at the main headquarters once before, and he said old wounds couldn't be healed..."
"You must have misheard. But the main headquarters guys were hogging this for themselves?"
"Ah... next time, I have to get back to the main headquarters no matter what."
In a situation where main headquarters duty was already more popular than branch duty,
this incident made the warriors even more eager to serve there.
***
Following the seriously injured, the lightly wounded also received Yuseong's touch.
"You must be tired, yet treating us too... Thank you, Medical Pavilion Master."
"Not at all. If I hadn't been in a rush before, I should have treated you then. It's good I finally got the chance. Any other discomforts?"
"Well... sometimes this area throbs..."
As one lightly injured patient clutched his chest, Yuseong drew a silver needle and infused it with Divine Power.
'Inflammation?'
No need to labor over an exact diagnosis.
Knowing the location was enough for treatment.
[Healing]
"That should be fine now."
"Oh, thank you!"
Believing Yuseong's words infallible, the patient thanked him once more.
Divine Power welled up.
'Good. Much more efficient. Now I can treat patients without holding back.'
Combining Healing with acupuncture using Heavenly Fortune Stone needles had accelerated his Divine Power accumulation.
Once Yuseong finished all treatments and cleanup,
thud—!
The unused holy water containers were stored back in the carriage.
"All done, Yuseong."
"I can do it..."
"Yes, yes. You could do it plenty well, Yuseong. But I like doing this stuff, so leave it to me next time too."
In the end, he couldn't wrest the holy water from Nangong Yurin.
No helping it when she insisted with a smile.
Someday the misunderstanding would clear up.
'Well, it's fine since Yurin's doing it out of kindness. If it were Dang Harin... she might have smirked the moment I grumbled.'
Wonder how she's doing.
Should have at least said goodbye.
But having come this far near the inspectors, they'd return straight to the Murim Alliance headquarters, so maybe not see her for a while—or ever.
Even if the Sichuan Tang Clan sent reinforcements, they wouldn't send their precious Poison Person.
At the time the clan head promised full support, Dang Harin hadn't officially been a Poison Person yet,
and given the past incident.
***
"You've worked hard treating them, Medical Pavilion Master. The reaction from the warriors here was tremendous. Maybe we should call it immortal arts instead of medicine or Divine Arts! You treated Han Bugyeom too, I hear?"
"Who's Han Bugyeom?"
"The one whose eyes you healed. He's a spear master—I know him since we did a mission together at the main headquarters before."
"Ah... I see. It was tough before, but I gained something on this Sichuan trip that let me treat him."
"Hohoho... then perhaps..."
Finishing his talk with the branch leader, Cheongun Elder's gaze turned to Nangong Yurin.
A silent question: could her older brother be healed too?
Nangong Yurin understood and answered.
"Yes, Yuseong agreed to treat my brother."
"Excellent! The Sword King will be thrilled. He was heartbroken seeing his grandson like that... It's a blessing we have someone like you in the orthodox sects."
"...Thank you."
Cheongun Elder explained the situation on the way back to Yuseong.
"Seems the captured guy knew some important information."
"He was Peak Realm and skilled in stealth, so I thought he was an assassin, but maybe from an intelligence group?"
"Could be. Tsk, should have taken him when heading to Qingcheng Sect... But it's rude to bring prisoners to other sects, so I left him here, never expecting the Demonic Cult to send even a Sword Demon. He moved so secretly no one noticed."
Even the Demonic Cult doesn't have many Transformation Realm experts.
With the risk of exposure and encirclement by the orthodox sects,
deploying someone of Sword Demon rank meant the prisoner had immense value.
"And right before the Sword Demon appeared, he spilled something."
"Really?"
"When asked our attackers' goal, he mentioned your name."
"My name? Exactly what did he say..."
"When questioned on the attack's purpose, he uttered your name's two characters, then the Sword Demon caused a commotion and interrogation stopped."
"..."
"As you know, an assassin slipped in soon after and killed the prisoner, so no more details."
"Me as the target..."
"Not sure if elimination or capture, but stay cautious."
Listening in, Nangong Yurin voiced a question.
"Could they be planning another great righteous-demonic war?"
"A great war?"
"Yes, Elder. There's no one like Yuseong in the Central Plains. He heals superbly, uses combat-boosting Divine Arts, excels at detoxification... With him alive, it'd disadvantage them in a war, so maybe they struck first."
Sincere?
Cheongun Elder scrutinized Nangong Yurin.
'No matter how I look, she's serious. Truly believes it.'
Her points were all valid.
No one as versatile and excellent across fields as Yuseong so far.
But the Demonic Cult was the largest single force.
Would they fear one person?
Yet.
'It makes sense. Not just post-battle healing, but combat support alone is outstanding. If applied only to Transformation Realm experts...'
He recalled the previous battle.
Warriors boosted with speed effects dominated Demonic Cult foes of equal skill.
'Invaluable in combat too. No wonder they targeted the Medical Pavilion Master. I didn't know about the speed Divine Art then—shows their intelligence prowess...'
Among great sects, from Qinghai Kunlun Sect closest to the Demonic Cult.
No full-scale war like a great righteous-demonic conflict, but elders always warned of their terror.
He'd unconsciously overestimated their power.
Realizing this, Cheongun Elder saw Yuseong anew as even more impressive.
***
The next day, the group departed the Sichuan Branch.
Destination: Luoyang Murim Alliance headquarters.
Losing the Demonic Cult Peak Realm prisoner was regrettable, but with other major gains, safe return was all that remained.
Fearing Demonic Cult tricks, they bolstered vigilance with Beggars' Sect aid.
This setup should detect large-scale attacks like before.
"Watch for the Sword Demon. A late report from a Demonic Cult mole says he left."
Someone picked up Cheongun Elder's words.
"Why report such crucial news so late... Delayed info nearly doomed the Sichuan Branch."
"Security tighter than before—hard to transmit. Something ominous brewing inside, but details unknown."
"I see."
"Still, check thoroughly for oddities like last time."
Vigilance strengthened, but unlike to Qingcheng Sect.
No obstacles, no tampered horses at stables.
Treating village patients en route: no incidents.
The group arrived safely at Luoyang Murim Alliance headquarters.
***
"Welcome back!"
"You've worked hard, Cheongun Lay Disciple. Medical Pavilion Master too. Much happened."
Yuseong's group received a grand welcome.
Yuseong locked eyes with a beaming woman.
'Hope you fared well?'
Her lip shape; she clutched her head with a woebegone expression in reply.
'Headaches again, I see. Must have used up the holy water I gave.'
After reports, treat Jegal Yeongyeong first.
"The Sichuan Tang Clan birthed its youngest Poison Person in three centuries. All thanks to the Medical Pavilion Master. Sending elites, a huge boon ahead!"
"Yucheon Immortal safe too—can't lose a Transformation Realm lightly. Qingcheng Sect sending more warriors."
Sichuan Branch reports via messenger birds informed headquarters of all.
Plus, another hot topic.
"Didn't know Nangong Young Lady was so outstanding. Your grandfather must be delighted!"
Nineteen and Peak Realm: Nangong Yurin.
She gazed up at Yuseong.
"My achievements are all thanks to Yuseong."
"I just did my part. Thanks to your talent, Yurin—no, Nangong Young Lady."
"Hoho, you two got close. Speak freely. Young folks look good together."
Elders smiled warmly at the successful group.
But in this heartwarming mood,
Yuseong's body trembled faintly for some reason.
'This damn debuff trait is busted again.'