36. The Heart Races (3)
Each time I completed a Lesser Heavenly Circulation, my inner power grew bit by bit. It wasn't as fast as during a rampage, but finishing one cycle every chon-gak—about fifteen minutes—was an astonishing speed. The accumulation of inner power was palpable enough to feel in real time.
By the time I finished several cycles, the entire night had passed. Thanks to the continuous meditation, I felt perfectly alert without a wink of sleep. It was the day I finally understood why martial artists needed so little rest.
"Young man, by any chance..."
Hyeong Tae-seong, who came looking for me early in the morning, hesitated as he spoke, gauging my reaction. I'd been expecting him.
"They want me to heal some other people too?"
"...How did you know?"
Hyeong Tae-seong had claimed to be an upright official who cared deeply for the common folk. Even if he weren't, it was only natural for the authorities to seek out someone who could treat the plague right now.
I nodded, eager not to miss this chance to rack up a debt with the future prime minister. But unexpectedly, Myeong-gyeong stepped forward before I could.
"No way. My priest needs to rest right now."
"Huh?"
"You saw the blood in the room. Treating must've taken a huge toll on his body."
Hyeong Tae-seong's expression turned grave at Myeong-gyeong's words. It seemed he hadn't considered that.
"...I see. It looks like I've been putting undue pressure on you."
"Priest. Say no."
Myeong-gyeong was firmer than I'd expected. I couldn't help but find her adorable, lips pursed like she wouldn't allow even a hint of compromise, so I patted her head.
"What's a little delay? Nothing's more important than human lives."
"I said no."
"It's fine, my lord."
Hyeong Tae-seong's eyes shone with emotion at my words. Of course, I had no intention of sacrificing myself to heal others. With Unyielding Spirit active and one successful try under my belt, I figured I could do it without bloodshed this time.
Besides, even without demonic qi, using the Kongha method and Si-ryeong decoction wouldn't lead to fatalities. The one who died before had excess yang energy boosted by a warming tonic despite the yin symptoms. I remembered those who toughed it out without treatment eventually recovered naturally.
So I could've just shared the treatment method and warned against yang-boosting prescriptions. But this was an opportunity. Only fools let opportunities slip.
"Of course I'll help."
"Are you sure? If it's a burden on your body, I won't force you."
"Not at all. Though I'm a Lay Disciple, I'm still of the Wudang Sect. How could I stand by while the people suffer?"
"They say Wudang folk are paragons of heroism, and it's no exaggeration."
Honey practically dripped from Hyeong Tae-seong's gaze. Saving his daughter and now the commoners—he must've seen me as some hero.
But my motives weren't so noble.
First, Hyeong Tae-seong would become prime minister someday. Earning his favor now would surely pay off later.
"Then gather the patients at the county office. With the Kongha method and Si-ryeong decoction, we can see improvement, but to root it out, I'll need to examine them personally."
"Understood. I'll handle that."
I smiled at Hyeong Tae-seong's resolute tone.
The second reason was to build my inner power during the treatments. I could've just prescribed remedies, but who knew how the demonic qi in my body might affect the patients? Removing the ominous energy for them and gaining inner power for me—it was a win-win.
"No time to waste, then. The people are suffering even now."
Outside, a carriage waited, as if they'd anticipated I'd come along.
"You're really going?"
Myeong-gyeong followed, her voice laced with worry. I chuckled softly.
"I'll be fine."
"Then I'm coming too."
"No. Plague patients will be there—what if you catch it, senior brother?"
"...I'm the senior brother, and everything's off-limits for me."
Myeong-gyeong grumbled, but she was a good kid at heart. When I said I needed someone to watch the girl here, she didn't press further.
"Don't get hurt."
"Of course not."
I smiled at her and boarded the carriage with Hyeong Tae-seong. Urgent business—the carriage set off the moment I climbed in.
"Hoo."
Peering out the window, the streets looked quite desolate. No one ventured out because of the plague.
Why was demonic qi lingering in that plague, anyway? Was the Demonic Cult behind it? What would possess them to do such a thing?
More importantly, though, demonic qi had taken root in my own body.
Demonic qi.
A Wudang Lay Disciple with demonic qi? If word got out, the Murim Alliance would brand me a Demonic Cult spy and execute me on the spot. No one would buy my excuse about eating a Divine Demon Pill in my past life.
But the demonic qi was already deeply embedded. Learning another type of inner power would lead to qi deviation. No choice but to keep accumulating it.
A breeze slipped through the window. The chill air racing down the alley felt even colder without anyone to share warmth with. I huddled, chin to collar.
Lost in thought, we arrived at the county office. Hyeong Tae-seong sprang into action immediately, rallying help to gather patients as I'd instructed.
"That young man can really cure it?"
"He saved my daughter. Why would I lie?"
Some officials eyed me skeptically. Even renowned physicians from Wuhan had balked at this disease—naturally, they'd doubt.
But Hyeong Tae-seong's reputation exceeded my expectations.
"If Lord Hyeong says so, it must be true."
"I'll have the constables post announcements."
With the county office's full support, notices went up across Wuhan in no time. Fortunately, the plague hadn't spread to other prefectures in Hubei, so containing it here would end it. In my past life, it had started in Wuhan and engulfed all of Hubei.
"People are starting to gather, one by one."
They'd planned tents outside the office, but the crowds swelled like thunderclouds. Far more had been afflicted than expected.
"...You sure you'll be okay?"
"Yes. Before I examine them, have the physicians perform Kongha and prepare Si-ryeong decoction."
No breaks once patients flooded in. The office summoned nearly every physician in Wuhan to manage them. I checked the pulses of those who'd finished Kongha.
Symptoms were textbook identical, unlike Hyeong Tae-seong's daughter. I placed my hand on their backs instead of wrists—far easier for channeling qi.
Knowing how to handle my inner power made it smoother than before. The demonic qi buildup varied per patient, but its swift nature meant absorption times were similar.
Guardians who came along marveled as limbs warmed from ice-cold, bowing in gratitude.
"Thank you so much, my lord. I thought my mother was done for..."
"It's fully extracted now. Let her rest with congee."
"You're my Bian Que and Hua Tuo."
Some tried deep bows, but constables held them back—plenty more waiting.
Patients poured in like a tide, but I wasn't tired. I was gaining energy from them. If anything, I felt invigorated the more I treated.
To the constables, though, I must've looked overworked. One even advised me.
"Lord Jin of the Household Bureau says to rest if you're strained."
"I'm fine. If I rest, their suffering drags on."
I wiped nonexistent sweat from my brow with my sleeve. Little acts like these would build my reputation as a warm-hearted tale.
I hadn't planned to act this humbly, but knowing a high official cared made it natural. A third-rank Household Bureau counselor was watching—a huge opportunity.
I lost track of how many I treated after a hundred. But practice sped up absorption, shortening times.
Treatment from noon to around 3 a.m.—half a day plus three hours. No physical fatigue from absorbing demonic qi, but mental exhaustion left me drained.
Slumped in my chair, the door creaked open cautiously.
"The people have all gone home. You did great."
Hyeong Tae-seong entered first. A middle-aged man followed—clearly higher rank, so I straightened up.
"No need to stand. Rest sitting."
"Lord Counselor of the Household Bureau."
He'd told me to sit, but with his rank revealed, I couldn't.
"Muk Hwi-yeong."
"Jin Mu-byeok, Household Bureau Counselor for Hubei."
"An honor to meet you, Lord Jin."
"Honor? You're the one who saved my neck."
Jin Mu-byeok clasped my hands warmly, praising me. His gratitude felt genuine. If the plague had spread province-wide like in my past life, he'd have lost his head, along with the county magistrate.
I didn't know the name Jin Mu-byeok. Probably dismissed midway in my previous life—explains why. To him, I truly was a benefactor.
"We were all terrified as it worsened daily, but you solved it."
"Good we caught it before it spread."
"Indeed. The county office will laud your merits too."
"Just did my duty. Such praise embarrasses me."
"Ha ha. So humble after such a feat."
Jin Mu-byeok patted my shoulder approvingly.
"You've overworked today, and it's late. Rest here at the office—we've prepared quarters."
"My thanks for the accommodations."
"No need."
I followed Hyeong Tae-seong to a pavilion for on-duty officials, cleared for me.
Alone, I quietly circulated my qi. My inner power had visibly increased. Even fragmentary demonic qi from hundreds of people added up.
...Can I become a martial artist too?
Strictly speaking, some merchants were highly skilled. The leader of the world's top trade group, Tianxia Merchant Alliance, held the top seat among the Five Great Swordsmen.
I'd envied swordsmen roaming the world with a single blade while living as a merchant. But it was beyond my reach, so I'd given up early.
Now, something faintly glimmered within grasp.
A sensation I hadn't felt after growing older, settling into position.
My heart... was racing.