Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The New Direct Disciple
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Before the sun had risen, in the early dawn.
As always, Cheonhwi woke from sleep, washed his body simply with cold water, and was about to open the door of his hut.
"Hm?"
His steps halted midway.
"Ah..."
There were uninvited guests waiting for him in front of the door.
"What brings you here?"
Hyeonryeo had placed Danmokin beside her.
"I've come to introduce you to the new direct disciple I've taken."
Cheonhwi tilted his head.
"Didn't you say you weren't taking any more direct disciples?"
As he recalled something he'd heard long ago and asked, Hyeonryeo smiled softly.
"I've changed my mind."
Her gaze, filled with his image as she looked up at him, grew warm.
The reason she hadn't taken a direct disciple before was that there was no one but her to manage Mount Hua Sect's finances.
But now things were different.
Thanks to Cheonhwi, they had some leeway.
So as she was considering taking a direct disciple, Danmokin had come to her.
To her, who was similar in having cut all ties for just one person.
'You've shaken my heart.'
Normally, she would never involve herself in such complicated matters, but she stepped forward, thinking it was fate.
Danmokin was similar to her, yet different.
Unlike her, her talent overflowed.
A brilliant talent comparable to the Sword Empress.
'Unlike me, this child can become Cheonhwi's pillar of support in the future.'
The corners of Hyeonryeo's mouth relaxed.
"She said she knows you."
"We're acquainted, sure."
"Then it's perfect. While handling Mount Hua Sect affairs, would you stay with Rin?"
"That's a hassle."
"Please. You're the only one I can trust right now."
Cheonhwi sighed.
From past experience, he knew well that if she showed this side, she would never back down.
"Fine."
"Thank you. You go ahead."
A moment later, Hyeonryeo left, leaving just the two of them in the hut.
"Benefactor."
Danmokin approached with a bright smile.
Then suddenly, she twisted her body bashfully and spoke to Cheonhwi.
"Ah! From now on, I should call you senior brother, right?"
Cheonhwi looked at the embarrassed Danmokin with displeasure.
'What a pointless thing to do, making her useless.'
What was the reason he'd made a deal with her?
For the power of the Danmo Clan.
But Danmokin had severed ties with the Danmo Clan, reducing the forces he could call upon in a pinch.
Right now, the one before him, Danmokin. No.
Counting the Iron Sword Righteous Hero, it was just two.
'At least the Iron Sword Righteous Hero is useful.'
The Iron Sword Righteous Hero was a peak realm master, so he had value, but she did not.
Of course, it would have been different before.
She would have been a master too.
But what did that matter?
Now, having overcome the Taiyin Deficiency Constitution, the internal energy she'd accumulated had scattered, leaving her around the level of a third-rate master.
'The silver lining is her outstanding talent, so she'll become a master again.'
That was the only reliable point.
Her aptitude was already top-class in the world from birth.
And now, having overcome the Taiyin Deficiency Constitution, even her body was perfect.
She would surely learn anything quickly and accumulate achievements.
'But that's far in the future.'
Whoosh—
Cheonhwi ignored her as she bashfully bowed her head and moved his feet.
"...Senior brother!"
Danmokin belatedly came to her senses and followed the walking Cheonhwi. Soon after, the two arrived at a sheer cliffside rock.
"What a beautiful view!"
As Danmokin admired the spectacular sight of Mount Hua Sect below,
Thud—
Cheonhwi plopped down on the ground.
For a moment, she panicked, but when she saw what Cheonhwi did next, her eyes widened round.
"Qi circulation meditation...?"
Qi circulation meditation was training that severed mind from body, entering a defenseless state.
Yet he was doing it right in front of her.
It was something he absolutely wouldn't do unless he trusted Danmokin.
Clasping her hands, she was moved to tears.
"You trust me."
With those words, she took up the dharma protector position.
As Danmokin focused her eyes to guard in repayment for Cheonhwi's trust,
"So here you were."
The Iron Sword Righteous Hero climbed the hill.
"Uncle!"
Danmokin, about to greet him happily, hesitated and straightened up again.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Danmokin, who would normally run over joyfully, standing still, he was slightly flustered.
"I'm standing guard."
The Iron Sword Righteous Hero belatedly noticed Cheonhwi hidden behind her back and laughed.
"Hahaha, entrusting you with guard duty—looks like you've grown close."
"Yes!"
Danmokin replied spiritedly.
Because she thought being entrusted with guard duty meant he trusted her.
And the Iron Sword Righteous Hero thought the same.
However, there was something the two overlooked.
Cheonhwi could perceive the situation even during qi circulation meditation and respond immediately.
Thus, he heard their conversation perfectly.
'Guard duty my foot.'
Scoffing inwardly, Cheonhwi refocused on his qi circulation.
'First finish the meditation, then think about what comes next.'
Meanwhile, seeing Danmokin look at Cheonhwi with affectionate eyes, the Iron Sword Righteous Hero smiled like a plum blossom in bloom on Mount Hua.
'What a sight.'
Just the disappearance of her former dark, world-weary demeanor made him feel good every time he saw Danmokin.
How desperately had he prayed to see this?
'It's all thanks to young hero Cheonhwi.'
Naturally, his gaze toward Cheonhwi filled with indescribable emotion.
'Now I just hope Rin gets along well with young hero Cheonhwi...'
Suddenly recalling yesterday's events, he asked Danmokin.
"Is your master a good person?"
"She's wonderful."
Danmokin beamed.
As she said, Hyeonryeo was a good person.
In character and temperament.
And not only that.
'She even offered to help after hearing about young hero Cheonhwi.'
Recalling how she'd confessed the reason for entering Mount Hua Sect last night, her cheeks flushed.
Hyeonryeo had promised full support. Danmokin clenched her fist.
"Hm?"
At the sudden voice, both turned simultaneously, then froze upon seeing the old man's face.
"Divine Physician Grandpa?"
"...Divine Physician Senior?"
Singui, who had climbed the hill, tilted his head at the two.
"Why are you two here?"
"It's been a while."
The Iron Sword Righteous Hero quickly cupped his hands in greeting, but Singui scowled fiercely.
"Never mind that. Why are you here? I remember you saying you were returning to the Danmo Clan."
"Rin wanted to enter Mount Hua Sect this time, so we visited."
"What? Enter the sect? Are my ears going bad?"
Singui dug at his ear in disbelief, then looked at Danmokin.
"You said you're entering Mount Hua Sect?"
"Yes."
Singui turned away from her innocently pure eyes.
"What nonsense is this child spouting?"
Singui spoke to the Iron Sword Righteous Hero as if it were absurd, but
"It's true."
The response was equally ridiculous.
"You mean such a crazy thing is possible?"
"...She severed ties with the clan."
"What, severed ties?"
Singui's eyes widened.
Who would cut ties with their family to join a hostile sect?
"I thought no one in the world was as reckless as me, but here you are."
Shaking his head, Singui looked at the Iron Sword Righteous Hero and spoke.
"Then you cut ties too?"
"No. I'm just here as her escort."
"So you're leaving this child alone on Mount Hua?"
"Yes."
"You're more extreme than I thought."
"Actually, my absence makes it safer for Rin now. Without me, her whereabouts won't be known."
"Tsk, you have it rough too."
"Haha, it's not that bad."
"Still, those guys'... Hm?!"
Then Singui abruptly cut off and leaped somewhere.
"Done now?"
Having finished his qi circulation, Cheonhwi, rising, asked with an extremely annoyed expression as Singui clung to him.
"Why are you here today?"
"Why? You said you'd learn medicine if you had time to spare."
"I don't have much time."
At Cheonhwi's words, Singui grew urgent.
He had to draw his interest somehow.
"Don't be like that, look at this. This'll make even your eyes pop."
"What is it?"
"With our sect's acupuncture..."
Meanwhile, Singui and the Iron Sword Righteous Hero, watching the two, rubbed their eyes in shock.
"How is this possible?"
"For Divine Physician Senior to cling like that..."
Who was Singui?
A man afraid of nothing in the world. Yet here he was, flustered.
And to teach, no less.
"Wait a moment."
Singui, looking around, spotted the two and beckoned.
"You two, come here."
The pair panicked at Singui's sudden call and gesture.
"Pardon? Ah, yes."
"Y-Yes."
As they approached, Singui immediately looked at Cheonhwi and asked.
"You know her condition has changed, right?"
Pointing at Danmokin, Cheonhwi scanned her up and down.
"Doesn't seem any different."
"No difference? Look here. She's grown in all sorts of ways."
Singui pointed here and there at Danmokin, and Cheonhwi's gaze followed.
She had grown.
Still girlish, but now she looked like a sixteen-year-old woman.
Danmokin's face flushed at their suddenly appraising gazes.
"D-Divine Physician Senior..."
She spoke bashfully, but
"Curing this child's congenital defect was impressive. But!"
Singui paid no mind.
He was busy explaining.
"Her meridians were completely blocked, so normally she wouldn't have grown this much."
"Hm, true."
Cheonhwi partially agreed.
Though he'd fully cured the Taiyin Deficiency Constitution, Danmokin's condition back then had been severe.
Then Singui spoke to Danmokin.
"Is your body better?"
"Yes."
"No more pain anywhere?"
"My stomach feels bloated sometimes..."
"The decoction I gave you?"
"Um, I finished it all..."
"Tsk, I'll make more."
Singui massaged Danmokin's shoulders and head, then swiftly inserted needles.
"Close your eyes calmly."
As Danmokin closed her eyes,
"Hoo."
Singui concentrated.
At that moment, yin energy gathered at the needle tips, and cold frost began to form.
Hm? Qigong...?
Cheonhwi examined Singui closely.
The amazing qigong technique in his flashy hand movements stimulated the needles in Danmokin's body, activating her meridians and organs.
After some time passed.
Schuk!
Singui pulled out the needles.
The frost-covered needles emitted cold vapor, gleaming pure white.
Residual yin energy from her body.
Singui flicked away the frozen needles, frowning deeply.
"Tsk! You haven't been properly maintaining it these past few days!"
Regaining her senses, Danmokin looked troubled.
"I've been busy lately..."
"Enough! I've driven out the stagnant yin energy for now, so just manage your body. But this isn't enough—come find me later for regular acupuncture."
"I-Is that okay?"
"I can't rest easy unless I properly treat what I've started."
Danmokin's face lit up.
Getting treatment from Singui was like plucking stars from the sky.
Yet regular sessions!
"Thank you."
Danmokin bowed deeply, moved.
"No need to make a fuss over nothing."
Singui brushed it off, but actually quite drained, he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
Afterward, he turned to Cheonhwi, who had been watching from afar, with a confident expression.
"Well? Want to learn?"
A fusion of qigong and medicine.
'Interesting.'
But that was it.
Cheonhwi, who had shown far greater before, felt no excitement.
"No. Busy today."
Hearing the same refusal as always, Singui's face twisted.
"Didn't you say you'd learn?!"
"I said I'd learn if I had time."
"So now..."
"Have to go to the Plum Fragrance Hall."
"What? Plum Fragrance Hall...?"
Singui's face turned beet red.
"You said that last time too!"
"That was then, this is now."
"...You brat! Again!"
Cheonhwi kicked off the ground in one go, leaving the exploded Singui behind.
Watching Cheonhwi shrink in the distance, Singui stomped his feet and yelled.
"You thunderbolt-headed bastard! Stop right there!"