Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Chengdu Sichuan Tang Family (2)
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"Grove Lord, before we dive into the main topic, I have a few questions I'd like to ask. Would that be alright?"
The Tang Patriarch spoke up, so I set aside my attention on the young lord.
"Go ahead."
"I've heard the reason you came to the Tang Family. And I know you're sheltering the Namgung children. In that case, are you a man of the righteous factions?"
"Well, if you're asking whether I'm one of the righteous folk, it's hard to give a clear answer. I have no intention of defending those scoundrels who go around doing despicable things just because they're called righteous."
"Any proper righteous sect would think the same."
"Not necessarily."
"As I said, proper righteous sects."
"No, that's not it. They might think it's right and the best path, but from afar, it could be utterly ugly. Such things exist everywhere. The righteous factions are no exception."
"Hmph. I understand what you mean, Grove Lord. I'll take it that way."
The Tang Patriarch's words sounded almost like he wished I were one of the righteous factions.
Probably because, after the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War, they're weakened and showing this kind of reaction.
Right now, they desperately need even one more expert who could turn the tide.
That's why he's yielding like this.
"Good. Then it's my turn now? Can I ask one thing too?"
"Speak."
"Doesn't it bother you? I'm speaking to you like a subordinate, even though I'm the patriarch of the renowned Sichuan Tang Family of the world."
"Not at all. I've long since discarded face and pride. Right now, it's a time to discuss survival and self-respect only."
The Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War had clearly changed many things.
The Sichuan Tang Family I knew were arrogant and stiff-necked. That's how they were generally portrayed.
But the ones I faced now were not like that.
People who had cast aside unnecessary things one by one for the sake of survival.
All that remained for them was pride.
"Alright. Then let's continue like this. Now, you. The young lord, right?"
"...Yes. Tang Myeong-un."
A man's voice. But I could tell. This wasn't his real voice.
Still, since I'd decided not to pay it any mind for now, I let it slide.
"Your patriarch has given his understanding, so won't you stop glaring now? It's a bit burdensome."
"My apologies."
"Haha. Forgive him, Grove Lord. That child cares more for the family than us old folks. Look upon him kindly."
I could understand. Yes, of course it could be that way.
He still couldn't gauge my level properly.
So he saw my attitude toward the patriarch as rude.
A puppy doesn't fear a tiger, right?
Vague terror is less frightening than a cockroach right in front of you. That's why he could act like that.
"Then... shall we get to the main point? May I ask first?"
I nodded, and only then did the Tang Patriarch voice what he really wanted to ask.
"How did you extract that thing from inside your body? How is that possible?"
"Ha. That..."
He'd asked this earlier too, but I had no idea how to answer.
If I just said "well," they'd hate it, right?
But it's hard to answer anything else.
It's like asking a baseball player, "How do you distinguish that pitch?" or a soccer player, "How did you see the shooting angle from there?"—they can't give a clear answer.
Well... if pressed to explain, I could.
The problem is explaining things like osmosis or the siphon principle at this era's level of understanding would be a bit tough.
"...Are there people addicted to that stuff? It's hard to explain; better to show directly."
"What? You'll do it!? Then I'll prepare right away! Myeong-un."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"Tell the Medical Pharmacy Hall. The Grove Lord will take a look... Yes, prepare Jeong-cheol."
Tang Myeong-un looked slightly puzzled at the patriarch.
"Do it now. Hurry."
"Yes. Understood."
Only after the patriarch spoke again did Tang Myeong-un bow and leave.
In the meantime, I quietly sent a transmission to Yeonhwa.
[Grandfather? Isn't he the young lord? Not your father?]
[Originally, the Tang Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Family was Brother Myeong-un's father. Lord Tang Cheon-so, who is now the current patriarch's son.]
[Ah. So what happened? Don't tell me the Great War?]
[Yes...]
I see.
The former patriarch Tang Cheon-so died, the young lord is still young, so the Poison King, who had already stepped down to Grand Patriarch, took up the patriarch position again.
"Grove Lord. Do you need anything? If there's something specific, please tell me in advance."
"Nothing in particular. Just for removing that."
At my words, the Tang Patriarch's eyes deepened.
Hm... Did I sound too nonchalant? They can't do it themselves.
Anyway, after a short wait, Tang Myeong-un returned and reported that preparations were ready.
"Grove Lord... may I ask the favor?"
"Of course. Let's go."
We all rose and headed to the Medical Pharmacy Hall.
Several Tang family servants managing the medical hall. And among them, a man lying there.
A state similar to when I first saw Yeonhwa. But worse than her.
"Should I examine him right away?"
"We beg you earnestly."
I grasped the man's wrist and sent in qi to peer inside.
As expected, the internal state was the same as Yeonhwa's. Dantian shattered, whole body meridians filled with impurities.
"Normally, to do this, you have to shatter the dantian first. Uncontrolled qi leaks wildly from the broken dantian, wrecking the brain, organs, everything. This guy's been sleeping all day too, right? Can't even eat properly?"
The Tang members of the medical hall confirmed my words.
"Shatter the... dantian? Is there truly no other way? For one who has learned martial arts... to shatter the dantian... Haah."
The patriarch gazed at Tang Jeong-cheol with a regretful expression.
Probably. Tang Jeong-cheol had lost his dantian for a similar reason. That's why.
"Don't worry. Shatter it and make a new one."
"Make a new one!?"
The patriarch's eyes bulged as he practically shouted at me.
He was really shocked. He was using informal speech just a moment ago.
Well, remaking a dantian isn't easy.
"Oh dear. My apologies. I got too excited. But... is that even possible? How could a dantian..."
"We have good examples right here. Two of them. I personally shattered and remade this one's dantian. I didn't shatter this one myself, but I remade it all the same."
Not just the patriarch, but the medical hall Tangs all looked at Seolha and Yeonhwa with expressions like this was madness.
Thanks to that, the two smiled awkwardly, a bit embarrassed.
But is this okay? Feels like I'm revealing too much.
Of course, incurring a debt from the Tang Family isn't bad. They're capable and excellent physicians too.
I don't get sick, but if Seolha or Yeonhwa does, I might need to rely on them.
So it's not bad... but it costs too much "favor," you know?
"Alright. I made a promise, so I should show that first. He's not ready yet, so someone else. Tang Jeong-cheol?"
"Y-Yes!?"
"Remaking a dantian isn't hard anyway. Ah, were you hit by that stuff too? That's why you lost your dantian?"
"...Yes."
"Then you're perfect. I'll demonstrate, so watch closely. Ah, Patriarch. Put your hand on Tang Jeong-cheol's body. Feel how it's done inside."
With that, I placed my palm on the cross-legged Tang Jeong-cheol's back and extracted the impurities from his body.
Since Tang Jeong-cheol was already quite old, there was no need to reinforce or thoroughly clean his meridians.
So first, I showed burning the impurities. Then expelling them from the body.
No need to spend ten days meticulously on it. He could do that himself later.
"How... this... Hah. No wonder. Now I understand. This... requires an immense amount of qi. That's why we couldn't do it."
The patriarch muttered to himself. Tang Jeong-cheol felt his own body's state directly, unable to hide his shock.
"That's enough. Now to make the dantian... I'll need a spirit medicine for that."
"Spirit medicine? Name as many as you want! This is the Tang Family! We have every spirit medicine there is!"
The patriarch declared proudly. Not for nothing did only survival and pride remain.
Yes. Without that pride, even living wouldn't be living.
Sometimes, it's better to die upholding pride with dignity than live wretchedly.
Of course, I'll live and be dignified too.
"The spirit medicine that suits Tang Jeong-cheol best. From your clan would be even better."
"Go fetch the Seven Poisons Vitality Pill right now!"
At the patriarch's shout, one man from the medical hall rushed inside and soon returned with a wooden box.
Opening it released a highly fragrant scent. But that fragrance was dangerous.
Like colorful poisonous mushrooms or a vivid poison frog's back?
Tempting, somehow. Urging you to eat it quick. But whispering nonstop that life isn't guaranteed.
"As expected of the Tang Family. Perfectly fitting spirit medicine."
With that, I popped the Seven Poisons Vitality Pill into my mouth.
"No!!!"
"Gah!!!"
The Tang people freaked out at my action.
"Sheesh. Don't panic. I have to move it from my body to his."
"N-No, that's not it! The Seven Poisons Vitality Pill is made purely of seven deadly poisons! If someone without poison resistance eats it..."
"Don't worry. I'm immune to all poisons."
Interrupting him, the patriarch's face turned to utter disbelief.
Ah, right. Come to think of it. The patriarch is the Poison King, isn't he?
So this reaction is natural. I'm like a hard counter to the Tang Clan.
"Anyway, let's hurry. It'll be over quick."
With that, I began forming the dantian.
But for a man—and an old one at that—I had no desire to mix my qi.
So I thinly wrapped my qi around the spirit medicine that entered my body, compressed it well, placed my palm on the cross-legged Tang Jeong-cheol's back, and transferred it.
Third time, so it was familiar work. It finished quickly, and a small dantian formed inside Tang Jeong-cheol's body.
"See? Understand how it's done?"
"My goodness. How is this possible..."
"Did you see well? Can you do it? Just say if you get it or not."
"No... This... No. I can't do it. No one can just do this. How..."
"You can't?"
"Grove Lord, you... truly don't realize what an incredible feat you've accomplished..."
The patriarch muttered in bewilderment.
Ah, he's shocked? Anyone can't do this? This is a problem.
If the patriarch says so, it must be true.
Then what, do I have to remake dantians for all the ones who lost them? Such a hassle?