Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Because You Are the Sect Leader
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Upon hearing Mu-heun’s words, the Elders and the Sect Leader stood frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded.
It was truly hard for them to believe.
‘They are fully cured.’
The condition of the two Un-ryongs had to be kept secret from the world, so the visits of every physician who came to Kunlun were kept confidential. It wasn't well-known, but countless physicians had come and gone over the years.
That was how much effort Kunlun had poured into saving the two Un-ryongs. Yet, when no improvement was seen, they had requested help from the Sichuan Tang Clan, renowned for their expertise in poisons.
However, even the physicians sent by the Tang Clan showed no progress in the treatment.
In response to their request for Sichuan’s Divine Doctor, the Tang Clan had claimed that the Demonic Cult had kidnapped him and that the Golden Fang Poison Claw, who had tried to retrieve him, was also killed by the cult. They then asked for help themselves.
Despite this, Kunlun couldn't refuse the Tang Clan’s demands because they had nowhere else to turn.
A sliver of hope they had to grasp, even knowing it was likely false.
A belief that even though Sichuan's Divine Doctor was dead, his three exceptional disciples remained, and if just one of them came, there would be hope.
Pae-seon placed his fingers on the necks and wrists of the two reclining Un-ryongs.
He checked their complexions and channeled his vital energy to stimulate the internal energy residing in their energy centers.
‘…!’
“Their… their color is truly returning, and their energy is coming back.”
At Pae-seon’s confirmation, the dumbfounded Elders, who had been staring blankly, began to cheer.
“Woooooah!”
“Waaaaaah!”
“Where, where! Let me see too!”
“Me too!”
They then rushed forward to check the pulses of the two Un-ryongs and were utterly astonished. They recalled the numerous demands the Sichuan Tang Clan had made, using the promise of sending the Divine Doctor’s disciple as leverage.
But they still hadn't sent a disciple, and their martial brothers’ conditions were only worsening.
It was resentful, but they tried to understand.
Because their martial brothers’ symptoms were so severe.
Because it wasn't a matter that could be solved by a single physician's visit…
Because they had to be cautious about whom they sent.
Though it was infuriating, they tried to understand it that way.
But what unfolded before their eyes now was nothing short of a ‘complete cure.’
Not a trace of poison remained. Life, blood, and vital energy flowed through their eight extraordinary meridians, which were now perfectly clear.
It was truly a miracle.
“A m-miracle! It’s a miracle!”
“A miracle has happened, Sect Leader!”
Just then, the Sect Leader of Kunlun, Un Hyeon-jong, approached Mu-heun.
‘…!’
The Sect Leader’s action surprised all the Elders, including Pae-seon. The reason was that Un Hyeon-jong had bent his waist in half and bowed his head.
“S-Sect Leader, why are you doing this? Please raise your head.”
Mu-heun was also slightly flustered.
‘This old man really hasn’t changed!’
Un Hyeon-jong straightened his back and lifted his head. His eyes were red, and the corners were moist.
“Right now, I am repaying this kindness as the Sect Leader of Kunlun. If I were here as an individual, I would have knelt and prostrated myself, but the title of Sect Leader does not permit even that… I am deeply sorry.”
“N-No, this is more than enough. I only did what was necessary.”
“Hahahaha, my heart sank when I heard that Sichuan’s Divine Doctor had passed away, but now it feels as if the Divine Doctor has returned in a new body.”
“…!”
Mu-heun was quite surprised by the Sect Leader’s joke.
‘What… what is this sharp intuition? This guy has a good sense for the strangest things…’
However, the Sect Leader paid no mind to Mu-heun’s reaction and continued to express his gratitude.
“Thank you once again.”
Mu-heun waved his hands dismissively as he accepted the thanks, explaining that follow-up measures were needed for the two Un-ryongs to regain their original strength.
“The poison is cured, but they will need consistent care. Also, their internal energy is quite scattered, so they will need elixirs to enhance it.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“Yes. In that case…”
The Sect Leader immediately understood Mu-heun’s intention. He entrusted the two Un-ryongs to the other Elders and then guided Mu-heun to the Sect Leader’s office.
***
- The Office of the Kunlun Sect Leader
The Sect Leader served a chrysanthemum tea with a subtle fragrance and spoke.
“Physician. I will be direct. Kunlun has no intention of repaying this debt with words alone. Please tell me what you desire, anything at all, and I will do my utmost to grant it within the scope of my authority. Is there anything you wish for?”
“Something I wish for…”
“Please speak freely.”
“I simply wish for you to believe my words. And that you would lend me your strength just once when a decision needs to be made.”
Hearing Mu-heun’s words, the Sect Leader’s expression turned peculiar, but he soon smiled and said.
“…Repaying a debt while considering face or position is what hypocrites do. I have no intention of being one. Even if I were to step down from my position as Sect Leader, I promise to support you… is what I would like to say.”
Un Hyeon-jong took a brief pause before continuing his explanation.
“There must be a reason why you would make such a statement, Physician. However, as the Sect Leader who leads Kunlun, that kind of request is not something I can easily accept. I hope you understand.”
“Of course. I fully understand the Sect Leader’s position. That is why I will add one condition.”
“A condition?”
“If you believe that what I ask goes against your convictions as the Sect Leader, you do not have to lend me your strength.”
“…”
“Will you accept?”
The Kunlun Sect Leader, Un Hyeon-jong, looked at Mu-heun, who seemed barely past his youth, and felt an emotion he had never experienced in his entire life.
Unwavering eyes filled with conviction.
Decisiveness unbefitting his young age.
A bold treatment, risking the lives of Kunlun’s two Un-ryongs using a method he had never seen or heard of involving the Myriad Fragrance.
A strange sense of experience and composure.
More peculiar than anything else was the way he spoke, as if he knew him well.
‘To entrust it to my convictions, what does that even mean? This man trusts me… But when has he ever met me?’
“To say I don’t have to agree if I think it goes against my convictions… Physician, why on earth do you trust me? Are we not complete strangers?”
“That’s obvious…”
Mu-heun pointed to the characters engraved on the office desk and said.
“Because the person I am speaking with is the Sect Leader of Kunlun.”
“…!”
Because he was the Sect Leader of Kunlun.
It was a truly simple and clear statement.
How many people in the current Orthodox Sects held such faith? Those who had experienced the heartlessness of the martial world would never show such trust.
This was because the martial world was dominated by hypocrites, and not all Orthodox Sects were the same.
‘But this young physician says he trusts me for the sole reason that I am the Sect Leader of Kunlun. Me, a man he has never met in his life. Has this young genius’s view of the martial world not yet been tainted?’
From Mu-heun’s perspective, it was clear that Un Hyeon-jong was overcome with emotion.
‘He’s mistaking me for a completely pure physician. So naive… The reason I trust you is because I’ve met you countless times while hanging out with Pae-seon in my past life. Good grief, you naive fool.’
“Very well. As the Sect Leader of Kunlun, I will act according to my convictions, and as long as it does not go against them, I promise to support you, Physician.”
“Thank you. That is more than enough.”
“Ha!”
“I will now return to see Elder Pae-seon and, while I’m at it, check on the condition of his disciples…”
“P-Please, do. Thank you again.”
“Yes.”
Mu-heun stood up and left the Sect Leader’s office.
Un Hyeon-jong recalled Mu-heun’s departing figure as he contemplated the future.
“Hah… A debt is a debt, but now, what to do about the Tang Clan…”
Before meeting the hidden disciple of Sichuan’s Divine Doctor, Hyeon-jong had wanted to reject all of the Tang Clan’s requests and cut off support.
It was only natural. The Tang Clan, who were actively leading the current situation, were notorious among the Central Plains’ Orthodox Sects for their ill character, and it was obvious that this incident was the result of their unilateral actions.
However, it wasn’t easy because the two Un-ryongs were at stake. The Tang Clan had pushed the pretext of Orthodox solidarity, but they knew Kunlun’s weakness well and had coerced them into cooperating with the Kongtong Sect, which followed Kunlun.
And so, they had joined forces with the Kongtong Sect to help suppress the Demonic Cult. As one of the Nine Sects One Alliance, the pillars of the Orthodox Sects, it was natural to keep the Demonic Cult in check, but…
The problem was that the Demonic Cult was by no means an easy opponent.
Continuously taking risks on the front lines was not a sustainable option. Besides… what if the justification presented by the Sichuan Tang Clan wasn't true? Kunlun would be the first victim of the war between the Orthodox and Demonic.
Therefore, this situation—where the two Un-ryongs were cured and the falsity of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s medicine was revealed to the world—was both an opportunity to reverse their decision and a crisis.
“This is a crisis and an opportunity. The problem is convincing the Elders… If I suggest we stop antagonizing the Demonic Cult and take a defensive stance, will they listen?”
***
Mu-heun left the Sect Leader’s office and went to find Pae-seon. Pae-seon was drinking bamboo leaf liquor, his eyes red and teary.
‘That crazy old man. There’s still so much to do, and he’s losing his mind!’
Conscious of his surroundings, Mu-heun picked up a stone. He erased all traces of his presence and imbued the scent of the Myriad Fragrance into the bamboo leaf liquor. He made it so that Pae-seon couldn’t perceive the stone's trajectory and threw it at the back of his sentimental head.
*Thwack.*
However, Pae-seon easily caught the flying stone with the hand that wasn't holding the liquor bottle.
“Hmph, what bastard dares…”
“It’s me.”
“You brat…!”
Pae-seon threw the bottle of bamboo leaf liquor he was holding at Mu-heun. He threw it with considerable speed, enough to kill someone untrained in martial arts if it hit them.
*Snatch.*
However, Mu-heun caught it lightly with his right hand and said.
“It’s not over yet, so how long are you going to be sentimental? You need to go provide direction and persuade them.”
“Ah, ahem. Ahem! Right. I understand. You certainly know how to get things done.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“You spoke to the Sect Leader properly, I assume?”
“Of course.”
“Tch, you’re fast. I’ll be on my way, then.”
Mu-heun nodded, and Pae-seon immediately took a few key Elders and headed for the Sect Leader’s office. He had gathered all the major figures who convened to handle Kunlun’s important affairs.
***
Mu-heun went to find Pa-sun and Un-pyo, who were resting in a spacious, separate building. After being poisoned, Pa-sun and Un-pyo were the ones who had expelled the most impurities from their bodies after inhaling Mu-heun’s fragrance.
It made sense. The martial artists of Kunlun, who practiced orthodox techniques, constantly trained to purify their impurities. In other words, they cleansed their bodies with pure internal energy and maintained a righteous body and mind.
Physicians, too, strive to keep their bodies righteous…
In contrast, Pa-sun and Un-pyo had always walked the line between life and death, accumulating fatigue in their bodies. Even if impurities entered them, they ignored it and focused solely on becoming stronger, so it was only natural that they had more accumulated impurities than others.
“Pa-sun, Un-pyo.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Begin your meditation. I will check on your bodies.”
“Yes, sir!”