You've Been Caught
"Mm."
Ak Bul-beom closed his eyes and sat in meditation, circulating his qi to assess his body's condition.
"...It's definitely improving."
He murmured to himself. His state still wasn't good enough to call it fine even as an empty compliment. But what mattered most was the steady progress every day. That meant Go-eui's medicine was having a consistent effect—and with steady doses, there was real hope for full recovery.
"Heaven hasn't abandoned me after all."
Ak Bul-beom opened his eyes and muttered just as the tent flap rustled.
Whoosh.
Yang Yeon-hwi stepped inside.
"My lord, your humble wife has brought today's medicine."
"You've worked hard."
"Not at all, my lord."
Yang Yeon-hwi offered a slender smile as she carefully drew the pill from her bosom. It looked no different from the ones before—an ordinary-looking medicinal pellet. Ak Bul-beom took it without a hint of suspicion and swallowed it down without hesitation.
Gulp.
In that instant, he missed the faint tremor that crossed Yang Yeon-hwi's face. Even if he'd seen it, he likely wouldn't have grasped its meaning.
"Did Go-eui say to keep painting those pictures?"
"She said once the illustrations for the medical text are complete, there's no need to draw more."
"Hm, good. That's a relief."
Ak Bul-beom's expression softened; he'd been worried about his wife's labors. Then,
"Ah, but my lord."
Yang Yeon-hwi looked like she had more to say.
"Speak."
"Go-eui said she needs to check how your condition has changed."
"When?"
"Right now, she said... though..."
"Ha, summoning me on the spot without notice—classic Go-eui. Well, as a patient, if the healer calls, I go."
Ak Bul-beom clicked his tongue with a wry chuckle and rose to his feet.
"Let's go. I'm curious what she'll say about my progress."
Cloud Middle Pavilion. In its deepest chamber lay Go-eui's quarters. Three figures were there now: Go-eui, Bang So-un, and Jang Il.
"The effect is definite, right?"
"Of course, Master."
Un Jung-seon answered Bang So-un's question with utter confidence. Her master had taught her that to cure all diseases, one must master all poisons. Following that wisdom, she'd studied every toxin in the world until she could never forget them. That's why she could answer with such assurance even before her heavenly master.
The San-gong Poison would absolutely work.
"Reliable as always, my disciple."
"Wh-what? It's just the skills you taught me, Master..."
Un Jung-seon blushed at the praise. Before her master, she was nothing but a shy young apprentice, unable to hide her embarrassment.
"Haha, too modest."
Bang So-un laughed and continued.
"I only asked to confirm. Your skills are beyond doubt, so everything proceeds as planned."
"But what if the poison's effects spread slower than expected?"
Jang Il asked, a hint of unease on his face.
"Hey now, doubting your junior sister? Absurd."
"......"
Bang So-un's deadpan act left Jang Il stunned. Un Jung-seon, meanwhile, beamed with emotion.
"Alright, let's prepare as planned. You three, come out."
At Bang So-un's words, three figures appeared: Yeon Su-rin, I Yeon, and Ju Ok-yeong. The elite female experts he'd brought as guards. They dropped to their knees before him without hesitation.
Un Jung-seon, unused to the sight, watched with wide-eyed curiosity. She knew her master was the Golden Dragon Battlefield leader now. But for masters of that caliber to prostrate like servants, even to a sect head...? It didn't quite compute.
But.
Master is great enough for it.
Un Jung-seon nodded to herself, convinced. To her, no one was greater than her master.
"Hide discreetly around the quarters. When I clap once, burst in and subdue the Death Ghost."
"We obey the Lord's command."
The women shot off like lightning. They'd already scouted the best hiding spots and vanished into concealment.
Normally, hiding from the Death Ghost would be pointless. But not now, Un Jung-seon was certain. The San-gong Poison would cripple even a super peak expert's inner energy and shatter their qi sense. If Go-eui said so, it was true—her medical arts bordered on the divine.
"Our concealment's useless anyway, so we'll stay here."
Bang So-un and Jang Il. Their low martial levels meant even a poisoned Death Ghost could sense them. That's why Bang So-un said it.
"Yes, with Master here, we won't fail."
Un Jung-seon's role wasn't just faking a pulse diagnosis. She had backup poison ready—a paralyzing one—to slip to him naturally. That was her key task.
"I trust you, disciple."
Bang So-un smirked.
"Please, come in."
A maid's voice came from outside.
Creak.
The door opened, and man and woman entered: Death Ghost Ak Bul-beom and Painter Yang Yeon-hwi.
"No welcome. Didn't want to let you in, but had to for the checkup."
Un Jung-seon sat arrogantly, her tone dripping disdain. Pure Go-eui attitude. Ak Bul-beom just snorted.
He knew her type well.
"Do what you want. Just check properly."
Ak Bul-beom strode forward and plopped down before her. Yang Yeon-hwi followed demurely, standing behind.
"Why's he here?"
Ak Bul-beom eyed Bang So-un beside Go-eui.
"Haha, don't be like that. I've been so concerned as a fellow martial artist."
Bang So-un replied with a laugh.
"Grateful, sure. But does that explain you being here?"
"Naturally. Go-eui felt uneasy meeting you alone, so at her request."
Un Jung-seon nodded coldly, as if confirming.
Only then did Ak Bul-beom chuckle.
"Ah, got it."
"No chit-chat. Pulse diagnosis now."
"Hmph, fine."
Ak Bul-beom extended his hand. Un Jung-seon grasped it—for the briefest instant, a mere blink.
She released it abruptly, as if she'd already assessed everything. Astonishing medical skill.
"Dantian recovered five-tenths. Meridians revived seven-tenths."
She stated flatly. Yang Yeon-hwi's face lit up.
"Ahh... Thank you, healer! Thank you!"
"Save thanks till you're fully cured."
Un Jung-seon stayed icy. But that coldness inspired trust in a healer.
"I felt it too—definitely better. Thanks."
Ak Bul-beom said.
"No need. Here's an extra dose."
Coldly, she tore paper, scribbled something, and rang the bell for the maid.
The maid hurried in. Un Jung-seon handed her the scrap.
"Prepare three days' worth as written. Fast as possible."
"Yes, healer."
The maid rushed out. Awkward silence filled the room. Un Jung-seon closed her eyes, signaling no talk. As the owner, her attitude killed conversation.
How much time passed? The maid returned.
"The medicine as ordered, healer."
"Good work."
Un Jung-seon took the pill. The maid left.
"Take one now. Confirm the effect."
She flicked the pellet with her finger. Ak Bul-beom caught and swallowed it without pause. No suspicion— it was from Go-eui.
But then.
"Urk?!"
Black blood trickled from his mouth. His muscles seized rigid. Eyes wide in shock.
"What the...?!"
"What else? You've been caught."
Bang So-un grinned wickedly.
Ak Bul-beom finally grasped it.
"You fucking trash!"
Rage twisted his eyes as he roared like a lion vomiting blood.
"Eek, scary."
Clap!
Bang So-un clapped. Three female experts thundered in.
"Don't kill him."
Bang So-un sneered mockingly.
"Uwaaaah! You bastards!"
Boom!
Collision erupted.