Chapter 96: Ma Ui
The chaotic first day had passed, and the next morning dawned.
Sa Wol was still meditating in front of the Muhonjibyeok. Well, it wasn't uncommon for martial artists to immerse themselves so deeply that they forwent food and sleep for days on end.
I wasn't a real martial artist, though, so even sitting cross-legged felt awkward to me.
Fortunately, despite yesterday's commotion, the highest-grade rice cakes were intact. I filled my stomach with them and washed my body in the clear stream that ran to my quarters.
"Family Head! Family Head!"
Tak Horak came rushing over in a frenzy again. From what I'd observed of him so far, that level of agitation meant it was probably something serious.
"What's going on this early in the morning?"
"There was an incident last night."
"An incident?"
Tak Horak nodded.
"Yes. A fire broke out in the Jin Family's quarters."
I felt a wave of indifference. For martial artists who had reached a certain realm, a fire in their quarters wasn't a big deal. But Tak Horak's eyes held a meaningful glint.
"Did the fire cause any problems?"
"They say Jin Yeong Ryeong and the entire Jin Family retinue were found with severe burns."
"......Lead the way."
"Yes, sir."
The Jin Family quarters, where Tak Horak guided me, already had a few people gathered.
"You sure took your sweet time, you heavy-assed bastard. What kept you?"
Cheol Mu Geuk grumbled a greeting.
"What happened?"
"As you can see. Those charcoal lumps over there are the Jin Family folks."
"......"
Three pitch-black, charred masses came into view. They were gruesome to behold.
But then.
"Who's that......?"
"Can't you tell? It's Ma Ui."
A stern-faced middle-aged man in pristine white robes was crouched in front of the three masses. His eyes, visible through his glasses, were sharp as daggers.
"They're all experts who've cultivated the Jin Family arts, so they didn't die, but their injuries are severe. That's why we called in Ma Ui."
Of all people.
I'd already heard from Cheol Mu Geuk that Ma Ui had taken an interest in me. I'd been avoiding him as much as possible.
After examining the masses for a while, Ma Ui stood and spoke to Kwak Ri Yeon, who was standing nearby.
"They won't die. However...... the Jin Family Head's cultivation has regressed. She's no longer at the Super Peak."
"Is that true?"
"Do you doubt my diagnosis?"
"Of course not. But this is quite the bizarre turn of events."
"It seems like a case of Deviation into Devil. Perhaps the Jin Family Head herself started the fire in a fit of madness."
Pa Cheon spoke to me upon hearing Ma Ui's words.
[Looks like your guess was right.]
'Told you.'
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was the king of all demonic arts. Not just any king—a tyrant.
Its energy rejected all other energies and seized their territory.
Having entered Jin Yeong Ryeong's body via the Sound Blood Heaven Dance, the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy had likely expelled all the rest. Just like when Sado Gwang had greedily tried to cultivate it.
Unlike Sado Gwang, though, Jin Yeong Ryeong had only received a tiny amount through my blood, so it hadn't gone further than that.
In other words......
'What the hell is this Heavenly Demon Divine Art, anyway?'
In Murim Returner, it wasn't depicted as being used this way. Mu Jin had only used it to make his body tougher and recover quickly from injuries.
[We should look for Muhon once we head out into the jianghu. There might be other clues about Cheon Gi-ja there too.]
I gave a small nod at Pa Cheon's words.
"Still, the Jin Family arts are so peculiar that she might regain her realm."
"That's a relief."
"But if left like this, they'll die as surely as anything. Their skin and muscles are all fused together—no way to even insert needles."
"Then?"
"Nothing beats blood for restoring the Jin Family. Ideally from someone young and healthy...... Oh!"
Ma Ui, who had been scanning the surroundings, lit up upon spotting me.
"Isn't that the Sado Family Head!"
"Greetings, Divine Physician."
As I bowed respectfully, Cheol Mu Geuk muttered beside me, "Hey, we're the same age—why doesn't he bow to me like that?" I ignored him lightly.
"Perfect. With the Sado Family Head's blood, these folks will recover."
"That doesn't sound like a good idea."
"......Not a good idea?"
Ma Ui's already sharp eyes narrowed even further at my response.
"Are you denying my diagnosis? Saying I'm wrong?"
"No, Divine Physician."
Kwak Ri Yeon hurriedly intervened, explaining yesterday's events to Ma Ui. Upon hearing it, Ma Ui's eyes widened.
"Hmm...... If that's true, it might not work. Too strong a vitality could turn from medicine to poison. In that case...... you there, you'll do nicely. Yes, the one by the Sado Family Head."
Tak Horak blinked in confusion. "Me? Huh?" I gave him a subtle shove in the back.
"Come here."
"Me, sir?"
"I don't like repeating myself. Keep making me, and I might stick a needle in some weird pressure point."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Tak Horak paled and shuffled over to Ma Ui like a wooden puppet.
"Hmm. Let me see."
Ma Ui pressed his face close to Tak Horak's, then began the examination—probing his temples, flipping up his eyelids, and so on.
"Your Sun Acupoint is bulging, putting you at the early Peak...... Clear under-eye means no anemia. Any chronic illnesses? Diabetes? Insomnia?"
"None."
"You don't look dumb enough to have any. Diseases come from overthinking, after all."
"Pardon?"
"Means you're healthy. Good."
"Haha! An honor! When else would I get examined by the Divine Physician himself!"
"Yes, yes. You get it. Now come here."
I wanted to smack my forehead. I was already regretting calling my left arm reliable yesterday.
Ma Ui sliced Tak Horak's palm with a small dagger and pressed it to Jin Yeong Ryeong's lips. A few drops of blood fell.
Her mangled, unrecognizable form began to regenerate.
At that moment.
"?!"
Jin Yeong Ryeong's eyes flew open—
"No! Blood! No! No!"
She shook her head violently, rejecting it.
"Hm? What's wrong? Just drink the blood and you'll recover in no time."
"No! Kyaaah!"
Jin Yeong Ryeong let out a shrill scream.
Having tasted the Heavenly Demon Divine Art's energy, she might have developed a phobia of blood itself.
[A practitioner of Sound Blood Heaven Dance fearing blood...... What a sight.]
Pa Cheon seemed even more pissed than me. Given how precious he was about his own body, he probably hated Jin Yeong Ryeong for directly threatening it.
"Patients can't refuse treatment. This is treatment, treatment."
"Kyaaah!"
"Hold her."
Ma Ui was no ordinary man. He firmly restrained the writhing, screaming Jin Yeong Ryeong and forced Tak Horak's blood into her mouth.
Her burned hair regenerated, and her twisted facial skin reverted.
Only after restoring her up to her neck did Ma Ui finally stop.
Tak Horak asked cautiously.
"Um...... Divine Physician? Is it okay if I feel this dizzy?"
"Fine. Your face is pale now—quite the handsome fellow, aren't you?"
"Haha, thank you."
"Alright. Next patient."
The Jin Family's young master and protector, unlike Jin Yeong Ryeong, craved the blood, but Ma Ui cut them off decisively.
The "treatment" continued until Tak Horak's face was ghostly white.
"Ugh...... Feels like I drank too much......"
"Normal. You just lost a lot of blood."
"Isn't that dangerous......?"
"Hmm. You'll live. Off you go."
Pa Cheon growled angrily in my mind.
[Even if Tak Horak's an idiot, he's my subordinate. You gonna just watch him get bled dry? For the one who tried to kill me, no less.]
'Just wait.'
Anyone could make that diagnosis without Ma Ui. No need to let Tak Horak suffer needlessly.
So I crossed my arms and scowled like anyone would. Seeing it, Ma Ui cleared his throat awkwardly, as if caught off guard.
"Ahem. Uh. You. What's your name?"
"Tak Horak."
Ma Ui stopped Tak Horak, who was shambling back to me like a zombie.
"Come here and open your mouth."
As Tak Horak obeyed, Ma Ui popped a small pill into it.
"Bo Hyeol Dan. It'll get your blood flowing soon."
"It's so bitter."
"Good medicine always is. Packed with top-grade herbs—you'll gain 1-2 years' worth of internal energy once absorbed."
"Thank you!"
About time. Trying to get a free ride, huh?
A blood transfusion for 1-2 years' cultivation wasn't bad for Tak Horak.
"Emergency treatment's done. They'll be mobile soon."
"The Jin Family Head won't make the meeting, then."
"Kwak Family. If you wanna handle corpses, go ahead."
"Can't have that."
"Aigoo, this old body's aching from the trip. Could use some tea."
He was slyly aiming at me. Naturally, someone I wanted to avoid.
"I'll head back now. My subordinate's in rough shape."
"Oh, right."
Ma Ui's eyes gleamed.
"Tak-something? He lost a lot of blood—might be risky. I should watch him."
"Jin Yeong Ryeong seems more critical."
"She drank blood. She'll recover fast."
Ma Ui was stubborn. I sighed.
Flat-out refusing here would look odd. Most would beg to befriend the Divine Physician.
"To my quarters, then."
"Ha! Good. Kwak Family—call folks to move those bodies."
"You think I'm your errand boy?"
"Back when you were a kid, you—"
"Fine, fine! Go on, you cranky old coot."
"I'll help."
Cheol Mu Geuk tactfully approached Kwak Ri Yeon to give us space. That old man......
Back at my quarters with Ma Ui, Sa Wol was waiting. Her eyebrows shot up at the sight of Tak Horak staggering with my support.
She greeted Ma Ui politely but asked me,
"What happened?"
"Treatment. I'll explain later—bring some tea."
I plopped Tak Horak on the floor. Tension gone, he started snoring.
"As you see, quarters are cramped."
"Fine. A palace compared to others."
Sa Wol brought the tea.
As she poured, Ma Ui spoke with eerie calm.
"So...... how'd you cure the meridian blockage, Sado Family Head?"
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon