The Earth Emperor's Hasty Arrival (2)
About a month had passed since the day Moyong Seol's funeral celebration turned into a celebration of her Jeolmok Jeong cure and our engagement ceremony.
In the meantime, Yodong Castle—home of the Moyong Family, and especially its bustling downtown at the heart of the vast Yodong region—saw countless martial artists coming and going.
Most who left had shown up for Moyong Seol's funeral, only to depart in shock. They had to pack their bags one by one on the day they witnessed Jeolmok Jeong—Gu-eum Jeolmok, no less—cured without a hitch, shaking their heads in awe.
Some packed early and fled Yodong just in case something happened. Those who sensed some impending chaos at the Moyong Family returned to their homes to avoid murim's turmoil.
They had to go home anyway. The Central Plains murim wasn't right next door if something flipped over. They couldn't leave their homes empty forever, and even if Yodong Castle seemed off-kilter, they couldn't stay indefinitely.
And so, nine out of ten headed back to their bases.
So why had the remaining one stayed near the Moyong Family's vast estate? Why shell out the exorbitant inn fees for long-term lodging, ears perked for any Moyong Family news?
Most were connected to Jeolmok Jeong patients—not direct family, but relatives, sectmates, or those linked by a degree or two. They'd booked rooms at inns near the Moyong Family, keeping a close watch while ready to shove a registration slip under their noses if they started a "first-come, first-served Jeolmok Jeong treatment."
Prior ties meant nothing against the Moyong Family. They'd overlook it for other matters, but on Seok Mu Wol—the Divine Dragon Physician—they reacted with extreme sensitivity, prioritizing the Moyong Family above all.
"Please, sir! Our niece!! I beg you!!" Even to a master pounding at the main gate, pleading for his niece's Jeolmok Jeong treatment upon her arrival in Yodong, the Moyong Family gave no verbal promises, responding with ironclad precision.
"Treatment starts with emergencies first."
"Who said that?!"
"The Divine Dragon Physician Seok Mu Wol. The only doctor who can produce Geukyang Jihwan to cure Jeolmok Jeong."
"......"
"Of course, arrive quickly and you might get registered and seen first. But we won't treat the dead, so bring them alive if you want a cure."
Moyong San, the deputy family head, handled all matters regarding Seok Mu Wol and Jeolmok Jeong treatments. He treated high and low equally, offering no favors even to the Nine Great Clans, Five Great Families, or equivalent murim powers.
Not even to the Murim Alliance.
If anything, his talks with the Alliance involved mutual aid—like the Alliance leader ordering an inn hastily bought and converted into Alliance lodging, linked to the Moyong Family for coordination.
Of those at the banquet hall, only about 2 or 3 out of 100 remained nearby, falling into two main groups.
One: Murim Alliance members handling and assisting with Jeolmok Jeong treatments.
Two: Relatives of Jeolmok Jeong patients.
Early chaos—like Geomhu banging on the main gate and attempting assaults—had settled into order over time.
It had to. The Moyong Family had publicly declared they would treat Jeolmok Jeong patients who came.
Geukyang Jihwan production was limited, but any patient arriving would receive it and be cured like Moyong Seol.
Without that declaration, murim folk would suspect monopolization. Why hoard the miracle while other sects' daughters died? What scheme kept them from sharing?
That would've sparked total chaos. Even with Sword Saint Moyong Cheon as murim's strongest, a one-sided bloodbath against desperate people would've been too burdensome.
Harboring such thoughts, people awaited the Moyong Family's gates opening.
Rumors swirled of Ja Geom Mun members entering, but none leaving—perhaps long-term care? Curiosity piqued, ears stayed sharp.
No sign of Geomhu either.
Word had it a stunning beauty swordswoman appeared. Dark tales claimed Ja Geom Mun insulted Moyong Seol and got slain by the Sword Saint.
Even malicious whispers: Seok Mu Wol was a Magyo assassin blinded by love, killing his target? No, saving her.
Amid the chatter, those at nearby inns watched the Moyong Family daily.
Waiting for some major change.
If it happened, it'd shake murim.
And it did.
"People from Habuk Paengga have arrived!"
Habuk Paengga. The world praises the five families—Namgung, Dogok, Moyong, Paeng, Jeogal—as the Five Great Families.
And Habuk Paengga? House of the Dohwang, Earth Emperor. His domineering blade was said unbeatable even by prime Geomhu; without Moyong, they'd claim top spot north of the Yellow River's east.
Such Habuk Paengga arrived at Moyong Family with 50 warriors.
"N-No way...!"
"War?!"
The family head himself.
No prior notice known, but Habuk Paengga's head came to Yodong and knocked on the main gate.
Kiiiek.
The gate opened, and deputy head Moyong San greeted him.
A month. The main gate, unopened to outsiders save Ja Geom Mun's patient and Geomhu's sword check, now swung wide.
People thought: "Allying with Habuk Paengga...?"
Something was definitely happening.
[A moment later, in Seongnakwon's pavilion.]
Using Geukyang Jihwan [Hair Restorer] to revive hair. Revive the Earth Emperor's hair, forging a formal alliance with Habuk Paengga.
"To the outside world, Habuk Paengga and Moyong Family seem like neighboring powers facing each other across close territories, so it'll look like a trade of interests."
I slowly spoke to the one middle-aged(?) elder sitting across from me.
"Whether martial exchanges or whatever external events to distract eyes, Habuk Paengga allies with Moyong Family."
"That alliance ultimately hinges on this seat's will."
Look at this old man snapping at me with arrogant, gruff tones. Arms crossed, radiating killing intent my way, smacking his lips restlessly.
"Is that your plan, Physician Seok?"
"Yes, Earth Emperor senior."
Dohwang. Black martial robes, bamboo hat. And now directing hostility at me.
"Those outside still think I came with my son to visit Moyong Family."
"Naturally. I heard from our family head it's hard for you to show yourself publicly."
"......."
"I can cure it. I'll restore what you've lost, Earth Emperor senior."
"Insolent fool."
Dohwang let out a hollow laugh.
"How do you bring back what's gone?"
"Geukyang Jihwan's power makes it possible. And what seals it is will—your faith, Earth Emperor senior."
"My faith?"
"Yes. This."
I produced two medicines.
"Take the pill-form Geukyang Jihwan, then apply this Geukyang Jihwan Liquid—looks like Geumchang-yak—to your scalp."
"......."
One was the same pill for Jeolmok Jeong patients; the other, a white, oily ointment like wound salve.
"I don't know what our family head wrote in his letter to you, Earth Emperor senior. But at minimum, it said this Seok Mu Wol could cure your ailment. Directly."
"...This seat has one last question."
Dohwang stared straight at me.
"Can you... cure it?"
"Yes. The effect isn't in the drug—it's in your true desire. The pill responds to your will."
"...Then."
Dohwang removed his hat.
Flash.
His sidelong hair lifted with it, revealing his true form.
"Mock this seat's baldness, and Moyong spills blood on Paengga's path."
"Of course."
I handed him the meds. Skeptical, he swallowed the pill and slathered the restorer on his scalp.
And then.
"My wish is...."
As he slowly voiced his desire.
"Ugh, urk...!?"
Dohwang clutched his head.
A desolate street.
A silent land where not a single blade of grass grew on withered soil.
Rustle.
From a crack in the split rock, a single reed peeked out.