Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Left Envoy - Returning When the Peach Blossoms Bloom
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Still dreaming deep dreams.
I wonder if the children are doing well.
Are my siblings smiling okay?
They need me there.
'Baby.'
Have I ever even been a child?
My body is burning up.
Feels like I'm floating aimlessly.
This is how it felt lying in bed with a nasty flu.
Mom.
Ah, right. I'm an orphan.
'What's wrong with you, why is my disciple like this?'
'There's no issue with the spirit medicine. It's just...'
Shut up.
My body's so hot.
My mind's fuzzy, but strangely, I feel overflowing with energy.
Mmm.
Has anyone ever taken care of me?
'Baby, wake up. Geum-gang.'
I don't know.
Maybe I'll sleep more.
While Geum-gang lay collapsed, the South Heaven Clan was turned completely upside down.
The rear elders even came out to persuade the rampaging Left Envoy, who was screaming she'd kill them all.
"Calm down. Calm yourself, Left Envoy. She just fainted for a moment."
"A martial artist who has cultivated the Golden Body collapsing from a mere fever? Does that make any sense? What kind of inner core did you give her?!"
"There was nothing wrong with the inner core. I swear it, Left Envoy!"
"Look at my disciple lying there like that!"
Geum-gang lay on the bed, groaning in agony.
Even after stripping off her cumbersome clothes and changing her into thin white robes, the cold sweat wouldn't stop.
The physician examined her body, then gave his diagnosis with an impassive expression.
"There's nothing wrong."
"Nonsense! There's a quack here! Chop off his arms and he'll come to his senses!"
Ha Jin spat out rude words that would be hard to say in someone else's home.
No one could restrain the Left Envoy's rampage because, alongside her martial prowess, Geum-gang's collapse was entirely the South Heaven Clan's fault.
"Left Envoy. Master Gam is a renowned physician who treats even the royal family. If there's nothing wrong, we need to look elsewhere."
Hee Ji-jae worked to calm Ha Jin as he approached Geum-gang.
The physician glanced around cautiously before speaking carefully.
"It's common for martial artists. Seems like an issue with qi."
Young martial artists sometimes collapsed from high fevers when they couldn't properly handle their qi.
However...
Ha Jin's sect doesn't use internal energy.
"She has no internal energy, how could...!"
"Then she'll wake soon. For safety, avoid any more spirit medicines for now. We don't know what side effects they might have."
It was an utterly irresponsible statement, but it was the best diagnosis a physician could give.
What could they do if there really was nothing wrong?
'I should have watched more closely.'
In her youth, traveling the Central Plains with what is now the Right Envoy, eating random things they found.
Ha Jin had tried various spirit medicines out of curiosity back then.
She'd been fine.
But just because Ha Jin was unharmed didn't guarantee Geum-gang would be too.
What a foolish mistake.
"Tch...!"
Ha Jin looked at the collapsed Geum-gang with a troubled face.
"Baby. Wake up."
The master should have stopped her.
She should have taken better care.
As Ha Jin blamed herself, clutching her head, she felt soft skin.
"Master?"
"Geum-gang!"
Geum-gang, drenched in sweat, had woken and grabbed Ha Jin's sleeve.
"Baby. Are you okay? Does it hurt?"
"Didn't he say there's nothing wrong?"
Despite his words, Master Gam seemed worried too and hurriedly prepared a medicinal decoction.
Geum-gang stretched her body with a thoroughly groggy expression.
'My head feels so clear somehow.'
After cultivating the Golden Body, she'd never had so much as a cold.
Her mind was always refreshingly sharp.
But now it felt even clearer than that.
Yes, like a summer sky.
Geum-gang grabbed Ha Jin's arms with both hands and called out.
"Master, Master."
"Yes, baby. What do you need? Your master is right here."
Ha Jin touched her cheek worriedly, and Geum-gang beamed.
"It tasted refreshing."
"Huh?"
"The inner core. It was refreshing and cozy."
It was delicious.
Like some precious treat somewhere between mint candy and cotton candy.
"I want to eat it again."
Ha Jin unknowingly relaxed as Geum-gang smiled.
"Baby, do you know how startled your master was? No more inner cores or spirit medicines from now on. Got it?"
"Yes. Hehe."
It felt like she'd had a bad dream, but then a gentle voice reached her.
Bright, warm sunlight.
Geum-gang's heart warmed at this temperature she'd never felt before.
From that day on, Ha Jin guarded Geum-gang fiercely.
While staying at the South Heaven Clan, she insisted on sleeping in the same room.
"No. I can't leave you alone. Come into your master's arms."
There might have been a bit of selfish motive too.
Hee Ji-jae, truly apologetic, checked on her body two or three times a day.
Strictly speaking, Geum-gang had eaten the food recklessly too, but he knew the responsibility of an adult.
Hee Yeon rarely showed her face after getting beaten.
Only appearing briefly at meals.
She'd glare at Geum-gang with her sharp eyes, then quickly look down when their gazes met.
'Wanna die?'
Frightened by Geum-gang's flashing golden eyes, she looked like a dog tucking its tail, utterly dejected.
Whine.
It felt weird, like bullying a child, but as a martial artist, she couldn't tolerate being looked down on.
"Left Envoy. I heard your words yesterday. Our Hee girl needs to decide her position too. The Sacred Fire Festival... it's almost here."
Sacred Fire Festival.
The Demonic Cult's grandest rite, held every five years.
They displayed control over heavenly flames to exalt the Heavenly Demon and Cult Leader's authority, while stirring the followers' loyalty.
On any other day, maybe, but everyone from clans and sects around Heavenly Mountain had to gather at Heavenly Peak for this one.
Even the Cult Leader, who had postponed various rites citing the Heavenly Demon's youth, couldn't ignore this vital ceremony.
During the month-long festival, they accepted new initiates and selected key figures based on the Cult Leader or Heavenly Demon's will.
"Yes, even the Cult Leader can't delay this. The Heavenly Demon will take center stage again."
"Indeed. She should make an appearance then."
"Honestly, I don't know. I haven't seen her since that day in Podal Rock."
"I hope the Cult Leader doesn't cross the line."
Hee Ji-jae glanced worriedly at Geum-gang and Hee Yeon.
"My daughter must join the cult at this festival too. She's of age. When do you plan to go, Left Envoy?"
"I'm sending her this time too. Geum-gang. You okay with that?"
Geum-gang wanted to hole up in the Left Envoy Palace for five or ten years.
Even so.
"Yes, Master. I want to stay together, but..."
She had to become independent before it was too late.
To cultivate her own strength in this harsh world.
"Such a good girl. Even after joining, your master can see you plenty."
Without interference from the Heavenly Demon or Cult Leader, the highest position one could aim for at initiation was Division Leader.
The same held during the opportunity-rich Sacred Fire Festival.
Children of influential cult figures usually started as Division Leaders, or at least squad captains in special units.
Rumors said getting noticed by the Elder Council or Cult Leader could land you in a direct subordinate unit.
Hee Yeon, daughter of the exceptional Hee Ji-jae, aimed for Division Leader like any other Demonic Cult prodigy.
"Father. I won't disappoint you."
"I believe in you, Yeon-ah. Don't push too hard."
Hee Ji-jae seemed to love his daughter dearly, prioritizing her safety over glory.
The old Jung-seok might have found such affection awkward or envious.
"Geum-gang. If it feels wrong, come to your master. We'll live together forever."
But now, it was familiar warmth to Geum-gang.
"Master. I'll do my best."
Geum-gang puffed out her chest and acted mature, but to Ha Jin, she just looked adorable.
"Left Envoy, I'm sorry it's all mishaps during your long-awaited visit."
"No matter. You should be sorry to my disciple, not me."
"True enough. Young lady. If you ever need my help, I'll aid you once without fail."
The massive Hee Ji-jae bent down to meet Geum-gang's eyes.
A clan patriarch kneeling to match eye level.
Feeling his sincerity, Geum-gang took a proper stance.
"Yes, Clan Head. It was partly my fault too. Still, please help if things get too tough someday."
Childhood memories surfaced for Geum-gang.
No one to protect her, no one helping.
She hadn't even known she needed help, nor had anywhere to cry out for it.
This life seemed different.
Receiving in a flood the kindness she'd never gotten before.
Having a place to return to felt this reassuring.
Geum-gang knew better than anyone how precious such goodwill was.
As Hee Ji-jae and Geum-gang finished talking, Hee Yeon peeked out from behind him.
"Yes, Hee Yeon. You had something to say."
"Yes, Father."
Hee Yeon shuffled forward hesitantly, then shouted at Geum-gang.
"Young lady!"
Quite nervous, her tone was off.
Hee Yeon handed over a blue handkerchief contrasting her flushed red face.
"See you at the Sacred Fire Festival. This is a gift... a gift!"
With that, she bolted away.
The handkerchief had clumsy embroidery: '結' – 'knot' or 'bond'.
Maybe meaning to be friends.
Or to settle their rivalry properly.
Really.
'What does it mean?'
Geum-gang stuffed the puzzling handkerchief into her bosom.
After a few weeks at the South Heaven Clan.
Geum-gang returned to the Left Envoy Palace laden with gifts of unclear intent – goodwill or rivalry.
"Let's go home, baby."
"Yes, Master."
From this day, Geum-gang began thinking of the Left Envoy Palace as home.
A warmth unknown in summer.
Geum-gang no longer wanted to leave.
She became the Left Envoy's disciple.
And time flowed on to the present.
The spring heralding the Sacred Fire Festival's start.
At the peach-blossom-laden entrance to Heavenly Peak, Geum-gang stood gripping Ha Jin's hand tightly.
"Master. I'll be back."
"Baby, as I always say..."
"Yes. If it feels off, I'll come right back. Don't worry."
"Good. At the initiation, if you don't like it, just beat them up. With your skills, the examiners..."
Ha Jin couldn't tear her eyes away, so worried. This time, Geum-gang stroked her cheeks.
"I'll be back, Master."
She said confidently, but Geum-gang was worried too.
What would the Demonic Cult's initiation be like?
Would she have to harm people?
Would she eat solitude like in those wuxia tales?
What kind of people were the Cult Leader and Heavenly Demon?
Was the Cult Leader truly the heinous killer rumored?
Was the Heavenly Demon really godlike, as Ha Jin said?
What trials awaited?
Was this a demonic cult or a divine one?
Geum-gang knew nothing for sure.
But now, she had to go.
Into that den of fierce demons.