Chapter 39
Chapter 39
The Generosity of Emei (3)
'Become the Divine Doctor's disciple?'
The completely unexpected proposal left me stunned.
But it made sense.
A male disciple in Emei Sect—a sacred ground where men were forbidden.
It seemed my efforts to ease Abbess Abbess Geumhwa's wariness had led to this outcome.
Se-woon was so shocked that he pretended to be at a loss for words while rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
Boyeon, the Tiger-Subduing Divine Doctor.
The former leader of Emei Sect and one of the Ten Great Masters of the martial world—a peerless expert.
'Hmm, she was clearly just one step below the Martial Alliance Leader.'
During the confrontation with I Hoseong, the Divine Doctor had appeared alongside the Alliance Leader, unmistakably demonstrating mastery of the Mystic Realm.
In her prime, the number of demonic cultivators who had fallen to her hands were beyond counting.
Even Poison Demon Yayul Seung would have become a cold, lonely ghost before exchanging more than a few blows with her.
'But Boyeon's true prowess lies in her medical arts.'
Even after a generation had passed, she still firmly held the title of Divine Doctor.
Her medical skills were so renowned that even the imperial palace would urgently summon her when the emperor fell ill.
If I accepted Abbess Geumhwa's offer and learned the Divine Doctor's techniques...
'......It might be possible. Overcoming my congenital disability.'
Combining Dokma's medical arts with the Divine Doctor's, perhaps I could truly resolve my disability completely.
As Se-woon appeared lost in thought, Abbess Geumhwa's eyes gleamed as she spoke again.
"If you're worried about being tied to Emei and unable to attend to your clan's affairs, you needn't be. I intend to request that my master accept you not as an inner disciple, but as an external one."
"—!"
"Wouldn't that resolve your concern about being unable to leave your family?"
At Abbess Geumhwa's words, Ha-young and Cheong Yeon's eyes widened as if they might pop out.
An external disciple becoming the former sect leader's disciple?
It was an unprecedented offer—one that would never be repeated.
It showed just how much Abbess Geumhwa wanted Se-woon as Emei's disciple.
For a moment, Ha-young's gaze lingered on Se-woon.
The expression of the man lost in deep thought entered her vision.
'If he becomes the Divine Doctor's disciple... he'd be my martial uncle, wouldn't he?'
If Se-woon became Boyeon's disciple, he would share the same seniority as Abbess Geumhwa, making him Ha-young's martial uncle.
Living alongside Se-woon within Emei's gates...
The moment Ha-young unknowingly imagined such a scene—
Thump.
'......?'
For some reason, her heart beat slightly faster than usual.
What was this?
Just as she blinked in confusion at this unfamiliar bodily reaction—
"I..."
After a long silence, Se-woon finally spoke.
The gazes of Abbess Geumhwa, Tang Mu-yeol, and everyone else turned toward him.
But contrary to the expectations of Emei's three—
"......My apologies. While I'm deeply grateful for the Abbess's offer, I'm afraid I cannot accept."
"—!"
Se-woon did not take the path of becoming the Divine Doctor's disciple.
Though the offer was undoubtedly tempting, its drawbacks were just as significant.
Just as Dokma had appeared unexpectedly this time, reality remained unpredictable despite his regression.
Thus, he needed to move as swiftly as possible.
'If I'm tied to Emei, my freedom to maneuver will inevitably shrink.'
In this situation, becoming the Divine Doctor's disciple would likely bring more losses than gains.
Abbess Geumhwa let out a short sigh at Se-woon's refusal.
"Sigh, what a shame."
"I beg for your understanding, Abbess, with a heart as vast as the sea. Moreover, how could someone as lacking as I ever become the Divine Doctor's disciple?"
"What nonsense! I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't believe in you."
Abbess Geumhwa raised her voice.
She was utterly sincere.
A man willing to stake his life for his captured clansmen—such remarkable loyalty.
The extraordinary mental fortitude to endure the horrors of his congenital disability in silence.
And his martial prowess—undoubtedly among the top three of his generation.
In Abbess Geumhwa's eyes, Se-woon was truly a pillar capable of playing a monumental role in the righteous martial world's future.
"Thank you for your kind words, Abbess. Please understand that I would never look down on or disregard Emei."
"I know your character well enough. Don't trouble yourself with such needless worries. This old nun is merely disappointed."
"I can only express my gratitude for your understanding."
"Sigh, now I understand the Alliance Leader's bitter feelings."
As Abbess Geumhwa exhaled deeply, Tang Mu-yeol wore nothing but a dazed expression.
'No matter how I look at it, I still can't believe this.'
The situation before him felt utterly surreal.
His son had received offers to become the Martial Alliance Leader's disciple and the Divine Doctor's disciple—
And had voluntarily refused both.
It felt like a dream rather than reality.
A look of pride shone in Tang Mu-yeol's eyes as he gazed at Se-woon.
'......When did he grow so much?'
A parent's greatest joy is their child's growth.
Yet alongside the swelling pride came the memory of those days spent teetering between life and death, leaving a lump in his throat.
At that moment, Se-woon clasped his fists respectfully toward Abbess Geumhwa and continued.
"However, if you ever need assistance in treating someone, do not hesitate to call upon me, no matter the time or place. I will rush to Emei's and the Abbess's aid without fail."
"Hmph, do you think such belated consolation will work after coldly rejecting me?"
"Ah, no—that's not what I—"
Caught off guard by Abbess Geumhwa's unexpected response, Se-woon stammered in panic.
Seeing this, Abbess Geumhwa suddenly broke into a bright smile.
"Haha, I'm teasing. At times like this, you still seem like a boy your age."
"Ahh..."
As Se-woon sighed in relief, everyone in the room curled their lips upward.
"You truly are mischievous, Abbess. Even I was fooled for a moment."
"Oh? Even the clan head was deceived? It seems I've discovered a hidden talent."
"Haha, indeed it seems so."
Amid the warm atmosphere—
Golden sunlight streamed brilliantly through the open window.
If asked to name the martial sect representing Gansu Province, people would unanimously point to Kongtong Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.
However—
If asked to name Gansu's most influential faction, the answer would immediately change.
Everyone would mention the Lee Family Trading Company, headquartered in Lanzhou, Gansu's capital.
Lee Ja-myeong, head of Gansu's foremost trading company, had from a young age pursued profit without hesitation, engaging in all manner of shady and dirty dealings.
Through ruthless means, he had climbed to a position where even the provincial judicial commissioner dared not treat him lightly—
All thanks to the solid connections he had built with higher-ups in the imperial court through bribery.
Having secured unrivaled power in Gansu, Lee Ja-myeong turned his gaze downward.
The fertile hunting grounds of Sichuan caught his eye.
To achieve his grand ambition of extending his reach from Gansu to Sichuan—
He had first sent his only son to join the Qingcheng Sect as part of his grand scheme.
Just days before his son was to officially become the Martial Alliance Leader's youngest disciple—
I Hoseong returned home with one arm severed and incurable madness.
Deep in the night's darkness—
In the innermost sanctum of the Lee Family Trading Company—
Drip.
Lee Ja-myeong poured tea for someone with practiced etiquette.
Clad in silk robes worth several brothels in Luoyang, his sharp features resembled a finely honed blade.
Yet the man seated across from him presented a starkly shabby contrast.
"How is the tea?"
Lee Ja-myeong spoke respectfully to the man, who appeared barely past twenty.
Shockingly—
"Ptooey. Disgustingly bitter."
The young man took a sip before grimacing and spitting it out boldly beside him.
Anyone from Gansu witnessing this would have been horrified—
Such behavior toward Lee Ja-myeong would have instantly cost them their head.
Yet Lee Ja-myeong showed not the slightest flicker of emotion at the man's audacity.
"My apologies. I should have prepared more expensive tea."
"Nah, forget it. I hate bitter stuff. Bring me something sweet—candied fruits or honeyed pastries."
"As you wish."
The moment the man finished speaking, Lee Ja-myeong signaled a maid with his eyes.
Soon, a tray piled high with candied fruits was brought in.
"Oho!"
The man's eyes lit up as he devoured the treats like a starving man.
Munch, munch.
Silently observing this gluttonous display, Lee Ja-myeong slowly spoke.
"You know..."
"Gulp. Hmm?"
"The wealthy call our Lee Family Trading Company the greatest in Gansu."
For a moment, their eyes met—
Lee Ja-myeong's gleaming with a chilling light.
"But had I wished to elevate my company further, one of the Four Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains would have lost its name that very day."
The Four Great Trading Companies—the four wealthiest merchant groups in the Central Plains.
Lee Ja-myeong was boldly claiming that, had he wished, he could have taken a place unchallenged for over a century.
Swish.
Lee Ja-myeong slid a sheet of paper toward the man.
"Huh? It's blank."
"The number you write on that blank space will determine your reward."
It was a blank financial document—
A promise to pay any amount written upon it.
As silence filled the room—
Lee Ja-myeong finally voiced his desire to the man.
"So bring me the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan's last heir."
Lee Ja-myeong was ordering Se-woon's assassination.
Indeed—the man before him was none other than an assassin.
A thick killing intent radiated from Lee Ja-myeong's entire body.
"Tsk, write whatever amount you want. Pretty impressive, old man."
The man scratched his head as he spoke.
"But sorry to say—you're out of luck."
"—!"
The unexpected rejection made Lee Ja-myeong's pupils tremble as if struck by an earthquake.
Then—
Screeeech!
Kyaaaa!
A horrifying shriek—the kind to raise goosebumps—erupted from beyond the door.
"Y-Young Master! Please, spare—!"
"Grrr! Tang Se-woon! D-Tang Se-woooon!"
Schlick!
Crunch!
Amid the gruesome slicing sounds—
The room's door split in half, revealing I Hoseong gripping a sword.
Thud.
Simultaneously, the maid who had brought the candied fruits collapsed lifeless into the room.
"Kihihi! I killed him! I killed Tang Se-woon!!"
Drooling with glee, I Hoseong stared at the corpse.
Pointing at him, the assassin spoke.
"That guy. Looks like he had it coming."
"—!"
For the first time, Lee Ja-myeong glared at the assassin.
He wanted nothing more than to cut down this insolent brat immediately.
But he barely restrained himself through sheer willpower.
The assassin and his backers were not to be trifled with.
Swish.
The assassin pushed the blank document back toward Lee Ja-myeong.
"Sorry. We're not some cheap outfit that kills for money."
A legendary assassination group—one that thoroughly vetted both clients and targets, killing only those who deserved death.
Yet once a contract was accepted, they had never failed in history—the undisputed greatest assassins of all time.
"......You'll regret this."
"Ah, why's that, old man?"
As Lee Ja-myeong gritted his teeth, the assassin grinned cheerfully.
"I'll pay you back for the candied fruits later. Well then, I'll be off—"
"Grraaah! Tang Se-woon—!"
"—!"
Whoosh!
Suddenly, I Hoseong lunged at the assassin with his sword.
It happened too fast for Lee Ja-myeong to intervene.
'What a nuisance.'
Yet even in this life-threatening situation, the assassin merely frowned in annoyance.
Rustle.
Then—I Hoseong's sleeve slipped down as he charged.
The gruesome scar where his arm had been severed came into view.
"—!!"
And in that instant—
The assassin's aura transformed completely.
Whooosh!
A terrifying killing intent flooded the entire space.
Thud.
I Hoseong collapsed mid-charge, unconscious.
"Gurgle! Grrg!"
"......Why?"
Though I Hoseong foamed at the mouth and convulsed, the assassin paid no mind, staring instead at his scar.
For the first time, a spark of interest flickered in his hollow eyes.
This is interesting.
Wearing a bright smile, the assassin turned back to Lee Ja-myeong.
"Changed my mind."
"......What?"
"I'll take your job."
"......!"
"Hmm. Let's say... this much for the fee."
Scritch, scratch.
He dipped his finger in the blood pooling on the floor and wrote an astronomical number on the blank document.
Then, without hesitation, he turned to leave—
Heading straight for Sichuan.
Lee Ja-myeong urgently called out to stop him.
"W-Wait."
"Hmm?"
"......Why the sudden change of heart?"
In response—
Grin.
The assassin simply smiled before leaping out the window.
Whoosh!
Vanishing into the moonless darkness—
'I need to find out how that Tang bastard knows my techniques.'
Nameless, heir to the Assassin's Gate, swallowed those words silently.