Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: For Treatment's Sake (2)
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“Heh heh heh. That's right. If it were those stupid, ignorant Embroidered Uniform Guard bastards, they might call it evil.”
“The Tang Clan has always respected the great imperial family and followed them like parents.”
“Mm. That's only natural.”
“We have also cooperated with official events.”
So there was no reason to fear the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
He was innocent, after all.
-The Embroidered Uniform Guard is a place that creates sins where none exist.
‘Saying that here won't end well.’
Dang Yu-wol's response seemed quite satisfactory to him.
In any case, he was trusted by the hidden dragon.
And not only that, he was quite capable.
“Indeed. Both Songjuk and Elder Hwang often speak of you.”
“I am grateful for their kind words.”
“And you freely shared the method to detoxify the poison of the Blood Cult, those filthy heretics?”
“It was merely what needed to be done.”
Dang Yu-wol spoke as calmly as ever.
“I don't believe it merits such praise from the Duke.”
This was sufficient.
Grand Duke Ju looked upon Dang Yu-wol with satisfaction.
“The martial world's tour will visit a few famous sites before heading to the capital.”
“Is that so? Where...”
“I cannot reveal that. I hope you understand.”
“Of course.”
The simple exchange of greetings ended.
As he and Nangong Cheon-gang departed, Dang Yu-wol sat back down.
-Where to, I wonder?
‘Who knows. Mount Untae, perhaps?’
Mount Untae was a famous site in Henan.
It was frequented by low-tier martial artists and travelers based near Henan.
As well as those out on excursions.
-Or maybe Luoyang. It's a place teeming with people too.
Places like the Dragon Gate Grottoes or Baekje Temple there were the same.
‘It could be both, or neither.’
-Right. It's not just a simple tour.
‘Someone of the Second Prince's stature wouldn't tour the martial world without purpose.’
There had to be some reason.
And Dang Yu-wol suspected the Blood Cult, which wielded the Lone Poison Worm, as one possibility.
“Young Master Tang!!”
The door burst open at that moment.
“Miss Seol. Have you come?”
“Is it true?!”
“What's that?”
Seol Ryu-a stomped her feet at Hwan-gyu's question as he sipped his tea.
“Urgh...”
“What's wrong?”
Seol Ryu-a bit her lip fretfully.
-She wants to talk about the Second Prince.
‘Naturally. By now, she's heard we're joining the prince's excursion.’
“Young Master Tang. A word in private.”
“Very well.”
As soon as they went up to the second floor, she spread out her senses.
Worried about eavesdroppers, she spoke cautiously.
“Are you trying to curry favor with His Highness the Second Prince?”
“Who knows.”
Dang Yu-wol's creed was to utilize everything that could be utilized.
But Seol Ryu-a, unaware of this, could only feel frustrated.
“Why are you doing this?”
Knowing full well, Dang Yu-wol grinned.
Finally, Seol Ryu-a let out a deep sigh.
“Power is a fearsome thing.”
A bitter smile touched her lips.
Power was like a sweet poison, something that could not be shared.
“The Emperor is wise and healthy.”
She paused briefly before continuing as if spitting out the words.
“But no one knows what the future holds.”
She was right.
The current Emperor controlled power perfectly.
But would that hold in the future?
“The imperial family's power struggles are utterly sordid and brutal.”
The relationship between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince was far from good, even in empty words.
In the worst case, the Tang Clan could get dragged into that power struggle.
She hoped Dang Yu-wol would stay far from such things.
“I hope you don't get involved in such matters.”
“That's not something to say for someone trying to draw me into the military.”
“The military thinks only of the empire's safety and protecting the imperial family.”
The current Emperor had perfect control over the military.
That was why the Great Empire had repelled the Blood Cult's advance.
So her words weren't wrong.
“I see. Thank you for your concern.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“And I have no intention of meddling in such power struggles.”
He just wanted to give when giving and take when taking.
And, as a bonus, give the Blood Cult a taste of their own medicine.
“Then why are you following His Highness on his excursion?”
“Hmm... How should I put this.”
“Is it serious?”
“Serious if it is, not if it isn't.”
She looked puzzled.
Dang Yu-wol maintained his calm tone toward her.
“His Highness the Second Prince has been poisoned.”
Seol Ryu-a was so shocked she could only gape.
Until she heard the full story, she was utterly confused.
Dang Yu-wol explained the circumstances and their subsequent plans.
Only then did Seol Ryu-a calm down.
“...I see. If detoxification is possible...”
“But aren't you with the Black Armor Corps that follows the Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Wouldn't it be better for you if the Second Prince were poisoned?”
Especially considering the recent tensions between the Crown Prince and Second Prince.
“How can you say something so disloyal... It's not like that.”
-What's the difference?
‘Who knows. That's what a soldier's loyalty is like, I suppose.’
A reincarnated regressor and an existence imprisoned for thousands of years.
Loyalty meant nothing to them.
What mattered to the two were only two things.
Hatred for the Blood Cult.
And making the Tang Clan the world's greatest clan.
“In any case, I understand. You intend to treat it, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Do you need anything?”
“There's always something needed.”
“Then let's go.”
“Pardon?”
“It's for saving His Highness, nothing else.”
“If you insist, I'll gladly accept your help.”
-Perfect. We need more than just one or two herbs.
‘With the military's help, the other ingredients should be easy to obtain.’
Nothing beats buying things with someone else's money.
The two left the inn and headed to where the Healing Immortal Sect was staying.
“The Healing Immortal Sect has contracts with the military, so procuring herbs should be easy... Wow... So many people.”
As she said.
Quite a crowd had gathered where the Healing Immortal Sect was lodged.
“Let us receive treatment from the Healing Immortal Sect!!”
“Do you know who I am!? I'm the Yang Sword Heaven of Guizhou!!”
“Healer of the Healing Immortal Sect, come out!!”
-What a mess.
‘Skilled healers are in demand everywhere.’
Especially if the healers are weak.
Most Healing Immortal Sect physicians didn't know martial arts.
So there were no shortage of those who wanted to capture them and use them as medical slaves.
-And these are supposed to be the righteous faction.
‘Not just them, though...’
-At least they're here.
Crash!!
The door shattered, and a bloodied man tumbled out.
It was a burly fellow with a large facial wound.
“How dare you insolently barge in here and cause a scene.”
“Gasp... The Moyong Clan...!”
An elderly man in sky-blue martial robes bellowed fiercely.
“Listen up!! By order of the Murim Alliance, the Healing Immortal Sect is under the protection of the Moyong Clan!!”
“Heavens...”
“Those bastards...”
“Anyone who threatens or attempts to abduct the Healing Immortal Sect's healers with such nonsense!”
The Moyong Clan elder swept his piercing gaze over the surroundings.
That alone made more than a few bow their heads.
“And those who refuse to pay their treatment fees will all end up like this!!”
Nearly half reacted awkwardly and backed away.
Perhaps those planning to get treated first and skip out later?
-Or maybe they were after the medicines they had.
‘The Healing Immortal Sect's medicines are top-notch.’
They might have been scheming to steal or snatch some for profit.
But with the Moyong Clan stepping in, the commotion died down instantly.
“Get in line quickly.”
“Tch. Wasted time on those fools.”
Those seeking treatment formed a line.
Dang Yu-wol and Seol Ryu-a joined it as well.
When their turn came, the elder from before asked.
“Who might you be?”
“Dang Yu-wol of the Tang Clan.”
A glint appeared in the eyes of the elder who had been glaring at the entrance.
“Sacheon Tang Clan...? Hah. The Poison Dragon?”
“Haha...”
An embarrassing moniker.
But thanks to it, he received a somewhat warmer gaze than before.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Moyong Chu of the Moyong Clan. Call me Severing Sword.”
-Flower Realm. Why is a Flower Realm master here?
‘Indeed?’
Protecting the Healing Immortal Sect's physicians was important, of course.
But did it warrant a Flower Realm expert?
“What brings the Poison Dragon all the way here?”
“To see Divine Physician Yang Ui-ju of the Healing Immortal Sect.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“An appointment... I was introduced by Young Master Yang Ui-seok.”
“Please wait a moment.”
A Moyong Clan warrior behind him hurried inside.
Would they have to wait?
In the brief silence, he glanced at Seol Ryu-a.
“And the lady behind you... Ho. Quite strong. Which sect are you from, heroine?”
“From the military.”
“Mm. I see.”
He had thought her a martial world prodigy, but military.
Awkwardness crossed Moyong Chu's face.
“Do you know General Ga Won-seong by any chance? I owe him much from the past.”
“Not all generals are known just because I'm military.”
“I do.”
At the contrasting responses, Moyong Chu tilted his head.
“Eh? Why do you...”
“Haha. I owe him as well.”
“Ah, right. General Ga is recuperating in Sacheon. How is he?”
“Yes. He's undergoing treatment.”
“...Eh? Treatment?”
Moyong Chu was flustered.
He certainly couldn't be treated even by the Healing Immortal Sect.
That's why he went to Sacheon to recuperate.
“I'm treating him.”
“Wh-what?!”
“He's almost fully recovered now, just resting a bit.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes. He'll return to duty soon.”
“H-how...?”
“Come in!!”
A sturdy elderly man came rushing out barefoot, clearly in a panic.
“Are you the Poison Master Dang Yu-wol?”
Poison Master.
A respectful term for poison art practitioners.
“Please, just call me Dang Yu-wol.”
“Come in, come in!!”
He even grabbed Dang Yu-wol's hand and pulled him inside.
Moyong Chu stared blankly at the departing Dang Yu-wol.
‘He treated the general? Then... that means my granddaughter could be saved too...!!’