Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: In the Cliffside Valley
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Han Ibi spent nearly half a day decocting the Ehamjonsu root over ten times.
Because of its potent neurotoxic properties, failing to do so could endanger the patient instead.
He poured the diluted Ehamjonsu root decoction, simmered multiple times, into a bowl and headed out.
The destination was So Eun-ri.
She had broken out in so much cold sweat that her hair clung tightly to her forehead, and her condition looked even more dire.
Han Ibi turned to Bok Yeon-hwa, who was following behind him, and said,
"Will you administer it, Elder?"
She glanced at the bowl in his hand and replied,
"You do it."
"Understood."
Han Ibi sought permission from the delirious So Eun-ri.
"Lady So. Forgive me for this intrusion."
He set the bowl on the table, then supported her shoulders and back to raise her upper body.
Her limp form rose, supported by his arms.
Holding her back steady with one arm, Han Ibi lifted the bowl to her lips.
Her delicate lips were cracked and split open.
Parched with thirst, she sipped at first, then slowly began swallowing it down.
Han Ibi said,
"Lady So. It must be hard, but for the medicine to work, it's best to drink it all. Just a bit more."
Perhaps hearing him.
So Eun-ri drank the Ehamjonsu root decoction slowly but steadily.
Smiling, Han Ibi said,
"That's enough. You did well."
He gently laid her back down on the bed.
"Phew."
Han Ibi let out a deep sigh of relief.
Bok Yeon-hwa asked,
"When will the effects kick in?"
He turned to her and replied,
"Ehamjonsu is highly effective... but it will take at least a week or two to see any improvement."
Bok Yeon-hwa counted on her fingers, then nodded.
It seemed to align with the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament schedule.
The two gazed silently at So Eun-ri, who had fallen into a deep sleep.
Hearing her steady breathing made things feel much more at ease.
Han Ibi grinned and said,
"Then I'll head back now."
"Sorry about that."
Huh?
Han Ibi doubted his ears.
"Pardon?"
"About last time... I was on edge. That's all."
Han Ibi waved it off.
"Oh, no, Elder. It was nothing. If anything, I should apologize."
Bok Yeon-hwa said,
"You can come help again starting tomorrow."
'What... I'm not even a Qingcheng Sect disciple, volunteering here, and she's saying it like she's doing me a favor.'
But there was no need to argue.
"Thank you, Elder. I'll attend to you starting tomorrow."
Bok Yeon-hwa nodded quietly.
Watching her, Han Ibi suddenly spoke up.
"That said, Elder... you look utterly exhausted."
She nodded lightly.
"I've been busy lately..."
Han Ibi smiled broadly.
"Elder, this kind of fatigue is more mental than physical. How about stepping out for some fresh air?"
"Fresh air? Where would I even go for that?"
Han Ibi clapped his hands with a snap.
"I knew it—I found the perfect spot. You're worried about running into the other disciples, right?"
Actually, the Sect Leader Hong faction, but...
Bok Yeon-hwa said nothing.
Han Ibi took her silence as assent and continued.
"It's a place hardly anyone knows. On the outskirts of Qingcheng Mountain—even the locals don't seem aware. But the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. A paradise like Peach Blossom Land."
Bok Yeon-hwa remained expressionless, but she seemed somewhat intrigued.
Time to push a little harder.
"You won't regret it. Lady So needs time to recover anyway, so rest while you can."
Finally, Bok Yeon-hwa nodded.
"Fine. But if your words don't match reality and this is a waste of time, you'll regret it."
Whoa... this old lady's temper...
"Don't worry, Elder! You'll love it. I guarantee it."
"Are we still far?"
Bok Yeon-hwa's tone was irritated.
Han Ibi chuckled.
"No, almost there. Ah!"
He pointed to a narrow gap in the cliff face.
"Right here."
Bok Yeon-hwa looked puzzled.
"What? This looks like an animal den..."
"No, no. I've checked it out already... Come on in."
He bent down and squeezed into the crevice first.
He vanished from her sight.
Hesitating briefly, Bok Yeon-hwa bent down and followed.
As she crawled about a zhang behind him, she called out,
"It's getting narrower... Is this really the way?"
"Yes, Elder. Don't worry."
Doubtful but trusting, Bok Yeon-hwa continued crawling after him.
Or rather, it was more like crawling than walking.
Then.
Bright light pierced her eyes suddenly...
A cool waterfall's roar tickled her ears at the same time.
Han Ibi, who had emerged first, greeted her smugly.
He was right.
Bok Yeon-hwa's mouth fell open at the stunning vista before her.
She said,
"This... can't be. Such a place exists on Qingcheng Mountain?"
Han Ibi grinned.
"I'm just worried we might disturb an immortal."
Then.
"Ah!"
She spotted it.
An ancient poem carved into the cliff.
She began reading it.
Having read the cliffside poem, Bok Yeon-hwa murmured in a dazed tone,
"Truly... a poem brimming with heartfelt longing and passion."
She glanced at the base of the cliff and gasped in surprise.
It was planted full of flowers.
A riot of red and white blossoms...
Pomegranate flowers and pure white ear grass.
All procured from Gu Jeong-deok's home at Han Ibi's request.
Standing there blankly, she slowly crouched down to examine the pomegranate flowers.
Han Ibi said,
"Pretty, aren't the pomegranate blossoms?"
Bok Yeon-hwa stared silently at the petals.
Then she turned to the pristine white ear grass blooms.
Han Ibi said,
"That's ear grass. Famous for thriving anywhere without care."
Then Bok Yeon-hwa rose.
And slowly... ever so slowly... she stepped toward the cliff with the inscribed poem.
She touched the carved characters with her fingers.
As if they were the most precious treasure.
Han Ibi said,
"The most cherished things are often too precious to even touch. Like beautiful flowers on a sheer cliff... or iridescent bubbles that burst at a touch..."
Bok Yeon-hwa said nothing.
She simply stared blankly at the poem.
Han Ibi continued,
"The essence of any performance is in the staging. Infused with the preparer's blood and sweat."
Tap, tap, tap.
A faint sound.
Dwarfed by the waterfall's roar.
But Han Ibi heard it.
The tear rolling down Bok Yeon-hwa's cheek, splashing onto the ground...
A shiver of感動.
Her face flushed youthfully, beyond her years, her expression like a girl's from childhood.
A storm of emotions raged within.
Joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, love and resentment intertwining.
Deep in Bok Yeon-hwa's heart.
She stood motionless for a time, lost to the world.
But soon, as if struck by a thought, her face hardened slightly.
"However..."
"Yes, Elder."
"...Who are you?"
"My name is Jong Ri-mae. As you know, the infamous Zhongli Ruffian of the martial world. And furthermore..."
Han Ibi met her eyes with a gentle smile.
Their gazes locked.
A moment of stillness. Fleeting tension.
Finally, his lips parted.
"I'm also the sole disciple of the esteemed Elder Song Myeong-cheon."
"Ah!"
Bok Yeon-hwa had suspected, but the shock remained undiminished.
She let out a soft gasp of astonishment.
Han Ibi said,
"Privacy is paramount. In that vein, I must apologize deeply... but it all stemmed from searching for the ancient texts you tasked me with."
Bok Yeon-hwa remained silent.
"I apologize again, but reading your diary revealed this place. I searched tirelessly for so long. And finally... I found it."
Han Ibi beamed proudly.
"Odd, isn't it? No one passes by, yet such beautiful flowers bloom naturally at the cliff's base... One flower a peerless beauty, the other of humble scent, yet together in rustic harmony, their beauty profoundly resonates!"
Bok Yeon-hwa's eyes rimmed red again...
Not wanting to show her tears, she turned away, face to the sky.
As if to hold them back...
After a moment, she spoke.
"He... what happened to him? He must have fled..."
Han Ibi sighed deeply, shaking his head slowly.
"My master... ah..."
He felt her grip tighten on his sleeve.
As if bracing herself...
"He passed away."
"Ahh..."
With a choked cry, she collapsed to her knees.
Her strength utterly spent.
Han Ibi approached slowly.
"As he passed, my master left me this memento..."
Glinting brilliantly in the sunlight...
A shard of Bok Yeon-hwa's jade plaque.
Han Ibi quietly offered it to her.
With trembling hands, she took it and stared at it for a long while.
A whirl of confusion.
A flash of joy.
Then dawning doubt.
Long silence...
"Ah!"
A quiet exclamation.
Finally, fury etched across her face.
Even the jade in her hand quivered with her rage.
The moment Bok Yeon-hwa, at the heart of it all, grasped the full truth.
But the blaze of anger faded quickly.
Soon, she clutched the jade to her chest and began to sob.
Aching longing piled upon her shuddering shoulders.
(To be continued)