Chapter 170
Chapter 170
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 170
Chapter Title: Treating the Wounded
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Jeokjae, who was guarding the mountain gate of the Mount Hua Sect, wore an utterly gloomy expression.
"Haa, I never thought it would come to this."
His mind was in turmoil.
It had been a joint operation that seemed destined for smooth success.
And how could it not? It was the combined forces of the Mount Hua Sect and the Jongnam Sect, after all.
Yet contrary to expectations, both had failed, leaving him to return to the desolate Mount Hua Sect alone.
"Haa."
As he bit his lip with a sigh.
"That is..."
A small dot appeared at the base of the mountain path.
Thinking it was a visitor, he prepared words of refusal.
"Heup!"
The tiny dot suddenly grew larger, soon transforming into the shape of a person.
"Ch-Cheonhwi Martial Uncle?"
His expression brightened.
After all, the only one who hadn't returned from the joint operation was Cheonhwi.
He had been worried.
Fortunately, Cheonhwi was returning without a single wound, filling him with immense joy.
"You've returned..."
As he waved his hand to welcome him.
Swaeaeaeak!
Cheonhwi passed him like the wind.
Arriving at the Medical Hall after unfolding Sky-Soaring Steps.
"Heup!"
The Medical Hall members gulped at the sudden appearance of Cheonhwi.
"Ch-Cheonhwi Martial Uncle?"
"Where is Jeokgeom?"
"He's inside there."
Cheonhwi brushed past the Medical Hall member pointing with his index finger and entered.
Several people recognized Cheonhwi and tried to speak, but they were overwhelmed by the chilling aura he exuded and said nothing.
"Over there?"
Cheonhwi moved toward the place harboring a faint energy.
Soon, he reached the door.
"...!"
Seollan, who had been dozing against the door, startled and jumped to her feet.
"Martial Uncle?"
"You look just fine."
Cheonhwi scanned Seollan, who appeared unscathed and perfectly healthy, and asked.
"Where is Jeokgeom?"
Seollan bit her lip as if holding back tears and replied in a voice wet with moisture.
"He's... insi... de."
Druk—
Cheonhwi opened the door and entered.
Inside were Jeokgeom, pierced with needles all over his body, and the Divine Physician beside him, sweating profusely as he took his pulse.
"Who told you to enter so casuall..."
The Divine Physician frowned at the sound of the door opening.
Turning his head and meeting Cheonhwi's eyes, he sighed and said.
"It's you."
Cheonhwi nodded.
"I heard you helped treat the wounded."
"Mount Hua fed me, so I lent a hand. More importantly, sit down if you're here."
Cheonhwi plopped down beside him.
"How is his condition?"
"See for yourself."
The Divine Physician passed over Jeokgeom's hand that he had been holding.
After taking the pulse for a moment, Cheonhwi's face grew icy.
Having suffered a major shock, his lower dantian was incomplete, and his internal energy was raging wildly.
"He's passed the critical hurdle."
The Divine Physician spoke softly, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve before continuing.
"Still, he'll need at least a year of motionless qi circulation to stabilize somewhat."
Cheonhwi released the hand taking the pulse.
"You must have had it rough. Stabilizing it like this isn't easy."
"Feeling some respect now? If you want to learn medicine that badly, I can teach you even now."
As the Divine Physician's nose rose high, seizing the opportunity to entice Cheonhwi.
"Ma... Martial Uncle. Have you... returned?"
A faint voice came.
Jeokgeom, barely opening his eyes, looked at Cheonhwi and moved his trembling lips.
"I-I'm glad you're... safe."
"Shut your mouth. Asking about my well-being in that state doesn't make me feel good at all."
"......"
"You heard the Divine Physician elder too, right?"
Jeokgeom nodded weakly.
"But a year is too long."
With those words, Cheonhwi rolled up his sleeve, prompting the Divine Physician to ask in bewilderment.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Stabilize the lower dantian."
"I-Is that possible?"
"I've never tried, but it should work."
At Cheonhwi's irresponsible words, Jeokgeom's pupils shook like an earthquake.
But Cheonhwi paid no mind and placed both hands on Jeokgeom's lower dantian.
"Don't groan no matter how much it hurts. It'll all be for nothing if you do."
The moment those words ended.
Hwaaaak!
The Plum Blossom Divine Art engulfed the room.
"...!"
The Divine Physician's eyes widened.
A dense internal energy, as if submerged in water, enveloped his body.
Even he, ignorant of martial arts, could roughly gauge that this scene required reaching an exalted realm.
"Was he this level of an expert?"
As he looked at Cheonhwi with newfound surprise.
Hwaaak!
Cheonhwi erupted his internal energy.
The watery internal energy formed a vortex and poured entirely into Jeokgeom's body.
Jeokgeom's body trembled.
"Let's see. To stabilize the internal energy, I need that... Found it! As expected, not fully absorbed yet."
Cheonhwi drew out the energy of the Platinum Pill in the corner of the lower dantian and mixed it with the Plum Blossom Divine Art's internal energy before circulating it.
A change occurred.
The internal energy of the Plum Blossom Qi Art, stabilized by the Divine Physician's exquisite acupuncture, writhed greatly once and soon formed a flow.
"Recite the Plum Blossom Qi Art incantation continuously, even if your head hurts right away."
At Cheonhwi's words, Jeokgeom forcibly endured the throbbing pain and repeatedly recited the Plum Blossom Qi Art incantation.
Then.
Hwoooo—
Plum blossom fragrance bloomed between them.
"Now, if we complete the microcosmic orbit..."
Cheonhwi guided and gathered the Plum Blossom Divine Art's internal energy according to the Plum Blossom Qi Art incantation.
Soon, the macrocosmic orbit began.
The internal energy circulating through the torn meridians gradually expanded the pathways.
"Must taste like death."
Cheonhwi let out a smirk.
Forcibly widening the meridians would be painful enough to wish for death. And as expected, Jeokgeom's complexion was turning pale.
"Keuk!"
Right now, Jeokgeom's mind was blank.
It hurt, but this was too much.
"Guk! I-I didn't know it would hurt this much; I should've just rested for a year!"
Regret surged belatedly.
But what could he do?
It had already happened.
Unable to endure the pain in the end, a single tear drop trickled from his eye, wetting the pillow.
Seeing it, Cheonhwi clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, stop being pathetic and recite the incantation properly."
Rebuking Jeokgeom regardless of his pain, Cheonhwi's eyes gleamed.
"Oh, look at this?"
Perhaps because the meridians had expanded, the unabsorbed Platinum Pill energy swirled along and merged with the Plum Blossom Qi Art.
"They say lucky bastards succeed at anything."
This was an opportunity beyond opportunities.
But that was when fully absorbed; not yet.
"This next part hurts more, so bite down hard. If you scream, it'll all scatter."
Cheonhwi poured all the completed macrocosmic orbit internal energy into the lower dantian.
Jeokgeom's eyes bulged wide.
It already felt like death, and it would hurt more!
As the terrified Jeokgeom trembled.
Shwaaaa—
The internal energy crashed in waves upon waves like tides.
Along with excruciating pain beyond words!
"Kuaaaak!"
As Jeokgeom screamed inwardly, the internal energy gathered fully in the lower dantian.
Dudung!
Jeokgeom's body jerked upward sharply.
Following, his eyes glazed over, and a foul stench swallowing the plum fragrance emanated.
At the same time, his robes were soiled with waste and excretions.
Cheonhwi immediately distanced himself from him.
"At least it's stabilized now."
After dusting off his hands, he looked at the bewildered Divine Physician and said.
"He'll be extremely fatigued now, so prescribe some tonic herbs."
The Divine Physician hurriedly took Jeokgeom's pulse. After a moment, his eyes widened.
"No, this unstable lower dantian has become so stable and firm..."
Exclaiming in admiration, the Divine Physician focused deeper on the pulse diagnosis, scrutinizing the interior thoroughly.
"You expanded the meridians to move the violently raging internal energy, merged it with the Platinum Pill energy, and stabilized it."
Cheonhwi looked at the Divine Physician with fresh eyes.
Was he truly a divine physician?
Just from taking the pulse, he had almost grasped what happened and was mumbling on.
Then the Divine Physician blinked.
"But it's strange. Martial artists can't interfere with another's internal energy, so how did you do this?"
The Divine Physician's gaze fixed on Cheonhwi.
Facing eyes filled with deep curiosity, Cheonhwi smirked and replied.
"Because the root of the internal arts is the same."
Cheonhwi said nonchalantly.
Internal arts stemming from the same root: Plum Blossom Qi Art and Plum Blossom Divine Art.
Moreover, the Plum Blossom Divine Art was practically the root itself, making it possible.
The Divine Physician stroked his beard.
"In other words, it requires a spirit medicine or equivalent energy inside, and cultivating the same internal art method."
"In short, yes."
The Divine Physician stuck out his tongue.
Simple to say, but difficult.
It required thorough knowledge of meridians and the skill to handle internal energy precisely.
"Probably impossible for anyone else, even with the same internal art."
As the Divine Physician shook his head in disbelief.
"Where is the Martial Training Pavilion Lord?"
Cheonhwi asked.
According to Jin-gae, there were currently two people in critical condition at Mount Hua.
One was Jeokgeom before him, and the other was the Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
"He's at the Martial Training Pavilion now."
"I heard his condition was serious. How is it?"
The Divine Physician frowned.
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's injury was fatal.
Especially for a martial artist.
"When I first saw him, the tendons and muscles of his right arm were severed. Fortunately, treatment succeeded, so with rest, he should be able to move the arm as before. But..."
Recalling the gruesome arm wound where bone was visible, the Divine Physician continued.
"He'll never be able to wield martial arts or swing a sword with his right arm again."
That severe?
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed.
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's skill wasn't exceptional among the elders, but he was still an elder of Mount Hua Sect.
Far from being something one could lose to ordinary foes.
"Something happened."
With cold eyes, Cheonhwi stood. And flung open the door.
"Ma-Martial Uncle? What about Senior Brother..."
"He's fine. He'll regain consciousness soon."
"Really?"
Relieved by Cheonhwi's answer, tears welled up in Seollan's eyes.
"More importantly, where did Jeokgeom go?"
"...To the Evil Ghost House."
The answer came from behind.
"Senior Brother!"
At Jeokgeom's words, who had just regained consciousness, Seollan startled and tried to enter but hesitated.
"What's wrong, Junior Sister?"
Jeokgeom, puzzled by Seollan's sudden stop, tried to rise but froze.
His lower garments were wet and heavy.
"......"
As cold sweat beaded on his forehead, Seollan awkwardly smiled and said.
"I-I'll get some clean robes."
"Huk! Ju-Junior Sister! It's not what you think! This is because of the treatment just now..."
Jeokgeom desperately reached out and shouted, but Seollan had already left.
As he hung his head.
"Was the Evil Ghost House that strong?"
At Cheonhwi's question, Jeokgeom collected himself and answered.
"It differed from the known information."
Recalling that day, Jeokgeom bit his lip as frustration surged.
"...The Evil Ghost House had a female expert comparable to the Martial Training Pavilion Lord, and three or four peak-level experts, though not quite matching her. For a single unorthodox faction, it was remarkably strong."
Cheonhwi's eyes sank darkly.
He grasped the situation instantly.
"Like those Divine Brush Elites or the ones behind the unorthodox factions made their move."
The faction behind that Cheon Ig-ae mentioned flashed in his mind and vanished.
"But still, to be defeated so helplessly? At this rate, when will we become the world's greatest sect."
Cheonhwi grumbled inwardly.
"Without me, nothing changes."
Mount Hua Sect's reputation had risen recently, but it was an empty shell.
The sect's forces remained largely the same.
They had taken in the Three Great Disciples, but less than a year had passed.
Ultimately, the number who could fight with martial arts was still around a hundred.
Even with Hyeondo reaching the Heavenly Martial Realm and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards growing somewhat, it was far short.
"If only we had time."
He smacked his lips with a 'tch'.
It hadn't been long since he properly resolved to make Mount Hua the world's greatest sect.
He had set up the Plum Blossom Seven Halls, Dark Fragrance Unit, and new martial arts, but they weren't complete immediately.
At least a year was needed.
"Tch, I was waiting for time to pass lazily, but no choice."
Originally, he just needed to strengthen step by step. But the world wouldn't wait.
As he pondered whether to move in earnest, swallowing his laziness.
"But first, find out who made Jeokgeom like this."
His eyes deepened like an abyss.
"Daring to touch my subordinate?"
From ancient times, wasn't caring for subordinates the duty of a superior?
Cheonhwi looked at Jeokgeom and asked.
"Who messed up your lower dantian like that?"
Whoever it was, no ordinary vicious bastard.
They had deliberately inflicted pain with an attack mixed with insidious infiltrating energy to shake the internals.
No great malice, and they wouldn't do such a thing.
Jeokgeom ground his teeth and answered.
"...The Evil Ghost House Lord."
"Evil Ghost House Lord? Was that guy comparable to the Martial Training Pavilion Lord?"
"No. He was slightly above my level."
"You got careless and lost."
"......"
"Got it. The Evil Ghost House Lord, huh."
Cheonhwi's eyes sank coldly.
Then he turned and headed out.
"Where are you going?"
"To check on the Martial Training Pavilion."
"I-I'm coming too."
"I don't care, but you're going like that?"
Cheonhwi smirked, his gaze heading toward Jeokgeom's soiled lower garments.
Realizing his forgotten state, Jeokgeom's face flushed slightly.
"I-I'll change and come!"
At Jeokgeom's urgent words, Cheonhwi chuckled and turned.
"Come later."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Heuk! Heuk!"
In the rear garden of the Martial Training Pavilion, the Pavilion Lord, his right arm splinted, swung his sword with his left hand, sweating profusely.
"Kuk!"
Unaccustomed to his left hand, he repeatedly dropped the sword several times.
Then.
Jeobuk— Jeobuk—
He turned at the footsteps.
Seeing the owner of the footsteps, the Martial Training Pavilion Lord awkwardly sheathed his sword and greeted with a bright expression.
"You returned safely."
"Yeah. How's the arm?"
Cheonhwi's gaze captured his right arm, bandaged tightly and propped on the splint.
Noticing the gaze, the Martial Training Pavilion Lord smiled softly and said.
"It's not a big wound."
He spoke as if to reassure, but Cheonhwi's eyes sank very coldly.
"I heard everything from the Divine Physician elder."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord smiled bitterly.
"You heard it all..."
"Can I take a look?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord started to refuse but nodded upon seeing Cheonhwi's eyes.
"Do as you wish."
Cheonhwi unwrapped the bandages.
The wound was gruesome.
The gash from shoulder to wrist was stitched, but slightly agape, hinting at its severity.
"Can't touch this anymore. Moving the arm in this state would be a miracle."
Shaking his head, Cheonhwi rebandaged and asked.
"Who made this wound?"
"...The Evil Ghost House Lord."
"Same guy who did Jeokgeom like that."
The name Evil Ghost House Lord engraved deeper in Cheonhwi's mind.
As someone to kill immediately.
"But his mental fortitude is impressive. Can't swing a sword and must be disheartened, yet training with left hand right away."
His hair was soaked in sweat, and his left palm was blistered and mangled.
Cheonhwi looked at the left hand and asked.
"How is it? Trying the sword with left hand—manageable?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord gave a wry smile.
"It's difficult."
"Still, you were practicing diligently."
"'Diligently' and 'well' are different. No matter how diligently, if skill doesn't follow, it's futile."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord was realistic.
And that fitted Cheonhwi's taste perfectly.
"Exactly the talent Mount Hua needs."
Cheonhwi grinned and spoke.
"Then, want to learn a proper left-hand swordsmanship this time?"