Chapter 33 - Sting
They dispersed from the chaotic evening gathering and returned to their quarters for the night.
Muheo and Jin Hayeon, who had suddenly formed a master-disciple bond; Chusa Hwan, the former Sapa sect leader who now dominated one region and had found a new home; and Han Sowol, who had lived her life confined to a clinic only to step into a new world.
With so many thoughts weighing on their minds, it would be hard for any of them to fall asleep easily tonight.
Chirrr— chirrr— chirrr— chirrr—
The faint candlelight flickered. The sound of crickets filtered softly through the cracks in the window.
The deepening night.
Jin Muhon, too, found sleep elusive.
After washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, he sat at his desk and unfolded a letter.
Something's come up in Sichuan. No threats around Lady Jin Hayeon, so I'll be back soon. — Yeon Jeokhwa
One of the four unit commanders who had been closer and more loyal than anyone during his days as the Sword Demon.
He'd wondered where she'd vanished to, and now it turned out she'd left just a single letter a few days ago and taken off somewhere.
'Sichuan...'
The contents of the letter were brief. There was no clue as to what exactly had happened in Sichuan.
The order Jin Muhon had given Yeon Jeokhwa was to protect Jin Hayeon.
For her to defy that command and embark on such a distant journey meant there had to be a compelling reason.
'Something Yeon Jeokhwa holds dear.'
That was family.
For Yeon Jeokhwa, sold from the Western Regions to the Central Plains as an orphan and enduring all sorts of hardships, her comrades in the cult were her only family.
She was obsessed with them, and sometimes it went too far—like the last time, when she'd rather kill them herself than let Jin Muhon suffer the humiliation of watching.
'Has she found traces of the others?'
His subordinates who had thrown away their lives to block the cult's pursuit in his stead, after he'd lost his inner energy.
Sichuan was close to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, so his guess seemed spot on.
Rustle.
Jin Muhon folded the letter.
The crumpling sound echoed through the quiet room.
"......"
He stared silently at the crumpled paper.
In the old days, he would have set off for Sichuan without hesitation, but not now.
The ties to the cult were remnants of the past, after all.
They were men who always kept death at their side, so even if they lost their lives, it wouldn't matter.
'When the time comes, I'll avenge you.'
With that, Jin Muhon shook off the remnants of his past and extinguished the candle lighting the room.
The next day.
Unbong Jin Family had regained its long-lost bustle.
With news of Jin Muhon's return, Ha Chonggwan from Unbong Pavilion and the managers of key businesses came to report on recent events.
"Hey! Over here! Whoa! Careful! You idiots!"
Oepari was busy directing workers to install new furniture in the quarters for Muheo and Han Sowol, while Chusa Hwan toured the estate with Baek No, assessing the situation.
"Don't let appearances fool you—this Jin Family is a fine house with centuries of history. Though right now, the family head and young lady Hayeon are the last of the bloodline, we'll rise again for sure."
"I think so too, brother."
Chusa Hwan bowed his head to Baek No.
Chusa Hwan was over sixty, advanced in years himself, but Baek No, who had endured the family's decline alongside them, was already past eighty.
Though Baek No knew not a single form of martial arts, Chusa Hwan acknowledged his devotion.
"Hm? Did you just call me brother?"
"Yes. May I?"
"Hoho."
Baek No chuckled good-naturedly, staring straight at Chusa Hwan.
"At my age, you start seeing things you never noticed before."
"What do you see?"
"You don't seem like an ordinary fellow, but a clueless bum like me won't worry about it. Just take good care of the family head and the young lady."
Chusa Hwan smiled softly and nodded.
"Of course. And that includes you, brother."
"Hoho! You rascal!"
"Then I'll take that as permission."
"Hohoho!"
Being called "brother" by someone—how long had it been?
Baek No demurred with his words but clearly enjoyed it, laughing "hoho" for a good while.
"By the way, brother, I don't see Lady Hayeon."
"Ah, the young lady's with the physician right now."
"I see."
Thud!
At that moment, a loud crash echoed from the courtyard.
Startled, they turned to see a worker who had dropped a massive panel he was carrying.
"Aigoo! Do you know how much that costs?!"
Baek No cried out in alarm and hurried over.
Chusa Hwan watched him hobble along slowly on his bad leg, gaze lingering thoughtfully.
Bubble bubble bubble.
A modestly sized room.
It was a makeshift apothecary, but it had everything necessary.
"Brewing nicely."
Han Sowol checked her secret herbal decoction, then turned to Jin Hayeon with a bright smile.
"Lady Jin, lie down there. For the bee venom facial, we need to examine your body first."
Jin Hayeon lay demurely on the bed Han Sowol indicated, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Wearing only thin undergarments, she felt anxious at the thought of someone bursting through the door at any moment.
"Um... sister. Do I really have to be this undressed?"
"Sister?"
Han Sowol, who had been about to administer an application, blinked her large eyes and looked down at Jin Hayeon.
Jin Hayeon met her gaze with a startled expression.
"Ah! You're not my sister? I'm sorry. How old are you, if I may ask?"
"I'm twenty-five. And you, Lady Jin?"
"You are my sister! I'm eighteen this year! Can I call you sister? I have no siblings, and from the moment I saw you, you didn't feel like a stranger!"
"......"
Not like a stranger...
That implied family—like a sibling or spouse.
The thought made Han Sowol's face inexplicably heat up.
Seeing this, she lowered her voice dejectedly.
"Sorry. I overstepped."
"No! Not at all! I was just lost in thought for a second! I like it too. I don't have siblings either."
"Wow! You too, sister?"
"Yes."
A brilliant smile bloomed on Jin Hayeon's face.
Being around Yeon Jeokhwa always soured her mood somehow, but everything about Han Sowol—from her looks to her speech—charmed her completely.
"Sister! Speak casually to me. That way, I can be comfortable with you too."
"Mm... should I?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, my little Hayeon. Let's take a quick look at you then."
"Eek! So embarrassing."
"Hey now. Hold still."
"Eek! Why are you touching there?!"
Wherever and however Han Sowol probed, Jin Hayeon burst into giggles.
Muheo, eavesdropping from outside, couldn't fathom what could be making her laugh like that.
But this was an important process.
Everyone's meridians and blockages varied greatly.
To prescribe the right herbs and needles, one had to pinpoint the exact conditions.
"Now, let's try this."
"Gasp! S-Sister! You're going to prick me with that long one?"
"It won't hurt. Just bear it a little. It'll sting."
"Uuuuuh...!"
"Sting."
Listening to the young women's chatter from beyond the door left him feeling oddly forlorn.
In the end, Muheo sighed deeply and slipped away.
A fortnight had passed since returning to Unbong County.
After resolving the conflict between Ghost Soul Sect and Iron Blood Society, no real threats to Unbong County or Jin Hayeon had arisen.
Days of such profound quiet and peace that they bordered on boredom.
Still, the Jin Family members busied themselves with their assigned tasks.
Hummm. Hummm. Hummm.
"Hm..."
The backyard basked in warm sunlight.
New flowers, likely planted by Jin Hayeon, swayed in clusters here and there.
The spring breeze carried their fragrance, and watching butterflies flutter by melted away idle worries.
Jin Muhon spent most of his days there cultivating Sword Intent.
'Ten.'
Amid the flowers, ten small pebbles floated in the air.
Jin Muhon willed them forward.
They rotated slowly, tracing orbits without colliding.
He'd started with three or four; now ten was effortless.
Of course, the absolute amount of inner energy in his upper dantian remained limited.
But like a tool growing familiar with use, he was growing adept at generating and manipulating it from the upper dantian.
Habitually, he touched under his nose.
Today, mercifully, no nosebleed.
Step. Step. Step.
"......?"
Someone approached the backyard.
Releasing his will, the pebbles clattered to the ground.
"There you are!"
Han Sowol appeared, smiling radiantly as she approached the rock where Jin Muhon sat.
Just like their first meeting in Yichang: white jeogori top and skirt.
Her jet-black hair tied tightly back, her plain makeup only enhancing the glow of her fair skin.
"It's been a while."
"Yes! It has! Family Head!"
Han Sowol bowed deeply before him.
Though they'd shared the same roof, she'd been scarce lately.
Just as Jin Muhon focused on Sword Intent training, Han Sowol had meticulously examined Jin Hayeon to prepare for the bee venom facial.
'Come to think of it, the old man's been scarce too.'
Muheo had avoided him since.
Taking a disciple wasn't as simple as it sounded, it seemed—even for the Dao Destroyer Muheo.
Jin Muhon had no intention of stopping him if he left.
Yet, unable to abandon his hopes for complete transformation, Muheo lingered at the Jin estate.
"Preparations are complete. The spirit medicine you gave me was a great help."
"Good."
For a proper bee venom facial—not some half-baked version like Oepari's—potent spirit medicine was essential.
He hadn't gotten any from Muheo, but Jin Muhon had extorted some from Ak Manho, leader of the Long River Bandits.
The spirit medicine of the Four Emperors' allied lord.
"May I sit beside you?!"
Han Sowol's voice suddenly rose.
Jin Muhon nodded nonchalantly.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you!"
Han Sowol sat awkwardly beside him, smoothing her skirt and clasping her hands neatly atop it.
Jin Muhon regarded her and asked.
Her neck flushed pink, as if with fever.
"No strange energies in the spirit medicine? Nothing eerie?"
"Pardon? Oh, no, none at all. I've never seen medicine so brimming with pure vitality. It'll help immensely."
"I see."
"Now we're just waiting for the best day for Hayeon's condition to start."
Jin Muhon nodded inwardly in admiration.
Even without the Four Emperors' medicine, she would have found a way—though it might have taken longer.
The skill of the woman before him was that extraordinary.
"No issues?"
"Don't worry. Hayeon's will is strong; she'll succeed."
Han Sowol beamed at him.
Her smile, born of a physician's confidence, resembled a blooming flower.
"I'm not worried."
"Oh! You trust Hayeon that much?"
"That's part of it. But I trust you, physician Han."
"......"
Han Sowol's cheeks and neck flushed peach-like.
She quickly averted her eyes from Jin Muhon, fanning herself with her hand.
"Ah! It's getting hot already! This summer's going to be brutal!"
"Perhaps."
"......"
"......"
The conversation cut off abruptly.
Jin Muhon and Han Sowol sat side by side, eyes fixed on the backyard for a time.
Bees buzzing among flowers, white clouds drifting lazily across the blue sky, lotus blossoms on the small pond.
Han Sowol felt a cozy warmth in this little garden unlike anywhere else.
Then, Jin Muhon's voice came softly by her ear.
"Does your master know you possess such divine skill?"
"Divine skill? Ah! The bee venom facial. Oh, it's not that impressive."
"......"
As Han Sowol laughed and waved it off, Jin Muhon quietly regarded her.
Feeling bashful for no reason, she cleared her throat and answered.
"Yes, he knows. He saw me treat Elder Mu first."
"Hm..."
Jin Muhon stroked his chin and looked away.
A centipede on a long blade of grass reared up, stalking prey.
"Did he go to the Nangong Family before or after learning of it?"
"Pardon? Ah... after treating Elder Mu, so he knew."
"I see."
"Why... do you ask?"
Jin Muhon stared at the ripples on the pond.
If Han Sowol's talent became known, various sects and clans would target her.
They'd start with polite requests, but in time, resort to threats.
Just as Ak Manho of the Long River Bandits had.
'Her master seems trustworthy...'
If he'd sold out his disciple to the Nangong Family, he wouldn't have permitted house calls or would have stalled.
Though he might have boasted proudly of her skills there.
'Nangong...'
Step. Step. Step.
Then Chusa Hwan appeared in the backyard.
Han Sowol jumped up from the rock, putting distance between her and Jin Muhon.
"Ah, we weren't doing anything!"
She waved her hands at Chusa Hwan.
He ignored her lightly and bowed to Jin Muhon with a slightly tense face.
"My lord. A guest has arrived."
Unlucky premonitions always came true.
Jin Muhon asked Chusa Hwan.
"Who?"
"From the Nangong Family."
Jin Muhon rose slowly from his seat.