Chapter 63: Between Life and Death (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: Between Life and Death (2)
Gan Cheon-seong stared at me for a long moment before letting out a word.
"You are a rare junior, truly hard to come by these days. I am impressed. May I check if the Gu parasite has settled in your dantian?"
When I nodded, Gan Cheon-seong stepped closer and held his palm near my lower abdomen.
"Ugh!"
I let out a groan as a prickly, wriggling pain flared in my dantian.
"It seems to have taken root. Since you have shown me such trust, I shall repay it in kind. This is a signal tube to contact us. Pull this string, and smoke will rise; once you fire it, we will move. Also, keep this hawk with you. If you need to reach us, use it. We will be following secretly behind you from now on, so do not forget that."
Gan Cheon-seong had prepared everything, even the means to contact them.
I have no choice but to trust them now.
Once the masters of Ancient Wood Valley vanished from sight, I gave the order.
"Let’s move!"
No one answered. Their expressions were grim, likely out of guilt toward me.
"If you feel that sorry, everyone can swallow a caterpillar next time. It’ll taste exactly the same."
Only then did they let out a small chuckle at my joke.
"If swallowing a single caterpillar gets us the help of the Ancient Wood Valley masters, it’s a damn good bargain. So, everyone, stop looking so miserable."
I gripped the reins and looked ahead.
While the others were dejected, I actually felt quite good. Having the masters of Ancient Wood Valley on our side made things significantly safer.
As the Gu parasite wriggled in my dantian, my stomach churned.
Dammit, that caterpillar’s squirming is making me need to go.
Wherever we went, a hawk circled above us. And wherever that hawk was, the masters of Ancient Wood Valley would be following. Though I didn't know exactly how many of them there were, they were a very reassuring backup force.
We rode for about an hour and arrived at a slightly secluded area near the main street of Sinryong. Hwang Chu led us toward a large manor situated there.
Hwang Chu pointed at the sprawling estate.
"It’s there."
As we dismounted and slowly approached the manor, a masked man in black perched atop a large tree nearby released a carrier pigeon into the sky.
Flutter!
Seeing that, I immediately thought of the Ghost Pursuit Squad.
Has the Ghost Pursuit Squad already found the location of the manual?
The pigeon was already high in the sky, vanishing from sight.
The Ghost Pursuit Squad member spotted us and leaped down from the tree. Seeing how he didn't seem intimidated as he approached, he appeared to think he could handle all of us alone.
"A Demon Subjugation Group from some nameless sect, I see. If you don't want to die, get out of here!"
What’s gotten into this Ghost Pursuit Squad bastard, making threats like that? Usually, these guys lead with their swords.
Hehe, this brat must be a little intimidated by our numbers after all.
But we didn't just have numbers. We had a real master.
"Little Brother Jeok, subdue him. If subduing him is difficult, you may kill him."
I spoke loudly to Jeok Yeong, wanting to try out the kind of gallant commands high-level masters usually give. Hey, being the protagonist of a martial arts story isn't that complicated.
Besides, I wanted to see Jeok Yeong’s true skill with my own eyes. When we fought the Blood Lama, I hadn't been in any position to observe him properly. Against a member of the Ghost Pursuit Squad, Jeok Yeong’s true strength would have to reveal itself.
"Yes, Brother. Leave it to me."
Jeok Yeong walked out to meet him.
The Ghost Pursuit Squad member stopped in his tracks as he felt Jeok Yeong’s momentum.
"Ho? You actually had a master among you?"
Slash!
Jeok Yeong answered with a sword strike instead of words.
That’s it, exactly. Greeting someone with words isn't the way of a warrior.
The lightness skills of the two were so dazzling it made my head spin.
Swish! Whoosh!
The Ghost Pursuit Squad member was mostly focused on dodging. Since tracking was their primary job, their movement techniques were exceptional.
Driven into a corner, the scout finally clashed blades with Jeok Yeong.
But that was his mistake.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Flash!
After clashing and separating two or three times, a golden light flashed from Jeok Yeong’s sword.
Then, the Ghost Pursuit Squad member’s right arm fell to the ground with a thud.
Despite the injury, the man didn't let out a single groan. He gripped a dagger in his left hand and lunged at Jeok Yeong’s chest. It was a desperate "Double Death" maneuver, intended to take his opponent down with him.
However, Jeok Yeong seemed to have anticipated it and swung his sword again.
Another flash of golden light, and the man’s left arm also hit the floor.
Jeok Yeong stepped in and slammed his knee into the man’s dantian.
"Kugh!"
Only then did a groan finally escape the man’s lips.
The fight between Jeok Yeong and the Ghost Pursuit Squad member didn't last long. The swordsmanship Jeok Yeong displayed in that brief moment was a work of art. And his cold-blooded efficiency in neutralizing his opponent...
In short, he was a younger brother exactly to my liking.
No one will dare mess with me now.
With the skill to subdue a Ghost Pursuit Squad member in an instant, he had every right to be arrogant. Those scouts were close to first-rate martial artists. If he could suppress one without breaking a sweat, he could easily be considered a super-peak master.
I’d believe it if someone said he was a disciple of the Sword Palace or the Sword Queen.
To have such a master by my side—no matter how I looked at it, I had hit the jackpot.
"What did you write in that message you sent?"
"Hehe... do you think I’d tell you?"
"Suit yourself then."
As I moved past him as if I couldn't be bothered, the man spoke up, perhaps out of spite.
"You’d better leave this place. Otherwise, you’ll all be dead soon."
"I take it your reinforcements are on their way? It won't matter. We’ll be gone with the manual soon enough."
I subtly taunted him.
"You won't be able to. Our organization will arrive in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
I had taunted him specifically to find out when they were coming.
"In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea? Do you bastards have wings? It’ll take an hour at the earliest."
"Little Brother Jeok, destroy his dantian."
Jeok Yeong frowned at my words. To a martial artist, destroying the dantian was a fate worse than death.
"Little Brother Jeok, these men are from the Demonic Cult League’s Ghost Pursuit Squad. They are truly wicked people."
Jeok Yeong raised his sword and suddenly slit the man’s throat.
"I apologize for disobeying your order, Brother. Even if he is of the Black Path, I believe it is better to kill a man than to destroy his dantian. I will accept any reprimand later, Brother."
This guy definitely hasn't lost his pride along with his memories. To discuss a warrior's pride in a situation like this...
"I suppose I was a bit excessive myself. You did well, Little Brother Jeok."
"Thank you for understanding."
Well, what can I do? I’m the one without the power, so I have to be the one to compromise.
I pointed toward the place the scout had been watching and spoke to Hwang Chu.
"Is that the place for sure?"
"Yes."
Hwang Chu took the lead.
As we drew closer to the manor, the plaque hanging over the gate came into view. My jaw dropped in shock.
"This place is...!"
Do Yeon answered my astonishment.
"The Sinryong Branch of the Sheng Medical Chong Family."
Those words were elegantly carved into the plaque.
In an instant, I remembered what Chong Ae-hyeon had said when I was leaving Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. She had asked me to visit the Sinryong branch because her father was there.
"Isn't this the clinic branch of the Head of the Medical Hall?"
The members of the Demon Subjugation Group began to murmur.
I entered the clinic first to assess the situation.
*
Seol A-young, Agent No. 4 of the Candlelit Shadows, watched Eo Ja-seo and the Demon Subjugation Group enter the manor and muttered to herself.
"The Ghost Pursuit Squad and the local branch of the Demonic Cult League are heading this way. That ragtag group of hers won't be able to stop them."
Seol A-young decided that her priority was to bring in people who could handle the Ghost Pursuit Squad and the Demonic Cult masters.
"Let’s put out the urgent fire first."
After glancing worriedly at the manor Eo Ja-seo had entered, Seol A-young took to the air like a bird.
*
The clinic was incredibly hectic. Thanks to the recent conflicts, it was overflowing with wounded martial artists.
When over twenty men armed with swords and sabers marched in, a passing physician jumped in surprise. However, after seeing our uniforms, he relaxed and asked, "You don't seem to have any injured. What brings you here?"
Do Yeon stepped forward.
"We are a Demon Subjugation Group from Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. Is the Elder currently here?"
"By Elder, do you mean the Medical Saint?"
"Yes, that is correct."
The physician replied to Do Yeon’s question. "Why do you seek him?"
"We have a matter to discuss with him."
"Please wait a moment."
I let out a sigh of relief. Based on the physician’s words, Chong Samyeong, the father of Chong Ae-hyeon, was definitely here.
A short while later, an elderly man in physician’s robes appeared. His hair was streaked with grey, and he possessed a dignified aura that lived up to his reputation.
"Greetings. I am Eo Ja-seo, leader of the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress Demon Subjugation Group."
"Oh! So you are the Young Hero Eo."
It really is a good thing to have a reputation. You don't have to introduce yourself to everyone, and people tend to view you favorably from the start.
"It is an honor to meet the Medical Saint."
When I bowed politely, Chong Samyeong nodded.
"Why don't we head inside first? Please understand if the smell of medicine is strong. We’ve had a flood of wounded recently."
I ordered the rest of the group to wait outside and entered the room accompanied only by Do Yeon, Jeok Yeong, and Hwang Chu.
It was more of a patient ward than a private room. The scent of herbs was thick, but there were chairs and a table where we could sit.
"What brings you all the way here?"
Just then, a patient with an arm injury suddenly burst into the room and screamed.
"Aigo, Physician! It hurts too much! I feel like I’m going to die! Please, give me some Cherry Blossom Medicine!"
As the patient threw a tantrum, other physicians rushed in to drag him out. Suddenly, the patient’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed on the spot, losing consciousness.
The physicians quickly loosened his clothes and opened his mouth to stabilize his breathing.
The conversation was interrupted for a moment. Once things settled down, I signaled Hwang Chu. We didn't have the luxury of beating around the bush. There was no telling when the Ghost Pursuit Squad would arrive.
"Young Hero Hwang, you should ask."
"I am Hwang Chu, a disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect. Please excuse my disguise; I had my reasons."
"I see. But did you say the Profound Heaven Sect?"
"Yes, Medical Saint."
Chong Samyeong wasn't surprised by Hwang Chu’s words and spoke calmly.
"I have a connection with the Profound Heaven Sect. So you are a disciple of that sect. But what is the matter?"
Seeing our grim expressions, Chong Samyeong’s voice lowered as if he sensed something was wrong.
"Is it possible that my grandmaster visited this place a long time ago?"
When Hwang Chu asked, Chong Samyeong answered immediately.
"He did. He was a man who truly seemed like an immortal."
"Did my grandmaster happen to leave something behind?"
"He did leave something with me. He was ill at the time, and after I treated him, he gave it to me as a gift. He hoped that through that book, many lives could be saved. The book contained many medical secrets. Does this have something to do with you all?"
"In truth, because of that book, the Blood Lama is causing this bloodbath, and other factions are desperate to find it as well. Even just a moment ago, a member of the Black Path was spying on this place."
"What? But it isn't some martial arts manual. It’s a book much closer to a medical text."
"It seems the people of the Murim think otherwise."
"Is that so? You’re saying all this chaos is because of that?"
"Yes. If the secrets in that manual are applied to things like Living Jiangshi, it could allow them to move like living humans."
"Hah, I suppose that is possible."
Chong Samyeong let out a series of hollow laughs.
"Hmm, then what should be done? Should I give the book to you? Or should I burn it?"
I spoke up.
"It’s not that simple. First, we should take it and deliver it to a safer location."
Chong Samyeong thought it over for a moment before speaking.
"That seems like the best way. If martial artists come looking for that book, we won't be able to protect it anyway. Besides, we have a copy at our main house, so we have no need for the original."
"Forgive me for saying this, but please do not mention to anyone that a copy exists. Just say that you only had the original."
Chong Samyeong asked tensely, "Why is that?"
"Wicked forces are currently on their way here to obtain that manual. They will try to take it even if they have to turn this place into a wasteland."
"This is a clinic. How could they commit such a barbaric act?"
The Medical Saint, Chong Samyeong, still didn't seem to understand my warning.
"They are people who value human life no more than the life of a fly. They are worse than the Blood Lama. You must take everyone and leave this place immediately."
At those words, Chong Samyeong looked troubled.
"That will be difficult. There are many patients who will die if they aren't treated immediately. And there are many with severe injuries; moving them to another clinic would take at least a full day."
I spoke with even more force.
"You must move them right now. Otherwise, no one here will survive."