Chapter 86

Translator: Ryuma

Chapter: 86

Chapter Title: Two Steps to Nan-chang

Dan Hyeong-u said nothing as the three women grabbed hold of him and simply took a step forward.

Whoosh!

A fierce pressure poured down. It was so intense that it felt like his eyeballs might burst if he didn't close his eyes, but Jegal Rin endured it to the end.

And with that, one step came to an end.

Before they knew it, the group had arrived in Nan-chang—right in front of the Healing Immortal Sect, no less. This time, since everyone was holding directly onto Dan Hyeong-u's body, no one got left behind.

"This is the Healing Immortal Sect."

Jegal Rin muttered weakly. He couldn't see a thing. Whether it was due to the overwhelming pressure or some other reason, his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠entire field of vision had turned pitch black, no different from having his eyes closed.

"Truly impressive, Young Master Dan. To reach Nan-chang in a single breath like this."

Umun Hye spoke while clinging tightly to Dan Hyeong-u. Jegal Rin and Tang Mun-young had already let go and stepped back, but Umun Hye paid no mind to the surrounding stares and continued hugging him from behind.

"We're here now, so you can let go."

Unable to stand it any longer, Jegal Rin spoke up to Umun Hye. She shot him a glare for a moment before slowly loosening her arms.

With Dan Hyeong-u at the lead, the group entered the Healing Immortal Sect. The main gate of the Healing Immortal Sect remained wide open as always.

The Sword Demon was no different from the hero who had saved the Healing Immortal Sect, so he received considerable hospitality.

Sitting alone in his room, the Sword Demon closed his eyes and sank into meditation. There was only one thing on his mind: the Golden Demon Art.

Like the Sword King, the Sword Demon had pushed his body to the limit in his rush here. But the actual results were vastly different from the Sword King's. The Sword Demon had arrived at the Healing Immortal Sect with a substantial reserve of internal energy. Thanks to that, he had averted the Sword King's crisis and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saved the sect.

'It's all because of the Golden Demon Art.'

A long-ago encounter with the Golden Demon Art came to mind. Back then, the one who had unleashed it wasn't the current Martial Alliance Leader Dugun Un, but his father, Dugok Seong.

Dugun Un hailed from the Hundred Sword Sect. But the Golden Demon Art was not one of the Hundred Sword Sect's secret techniques. It was a divine art that Dugok Seong, Dugun Un's father, had obtained by chance. And thanks to it, Dugun Un had become the Martial Alliance Leader.

At that time, the Sword Demon had faced Dugok Seong, the lord of the Hundred Sword Sect, and experienced the Golden Demon Art firsthand.

'I thought all the meridians in my body were going to rupture.'

Dugok Seong's mastery of the Golden Demon Art had been incomplete back then. That's how the Sword Demon had barely survived. He'd even managed to regain his martial arts. Had it been otherwise, he would have either lost his powers completely or died.

The Sword Demon shuddered once. Even thinking back on it now sent chills down his spine. But he had to think about it.

'That was definitely the Golden Demon Art.'

The technique unleashed by that man in yellow robes he'd encountered not long ago was unmistakably the Golden Demon Art. He knew because he'd experienced it once against Dugok Seong. And that man's version was far more refined than Dugok Seong's had been.

'And yet it didn't work? Why on earth?'

The Sword Demon pondered deeply but gained no insights. In the end, he opened his eyes, got down from the bed, picked up his sword, and left the room.

The Healing Immortal Sect had even prepared a private training ground for the Sword Demon to use. Their disciples wouldn't have time to train anyway, being so busy, so it was a gesture of goodwill.

At any rate, the Sword Demon was pleased to have a space where he could swing his sword freely. He had no intention of leaving until the Sword King departed.

Arriving at the training ground near his room, the Sword Demon lightly drew his sword. When his thoughts were this tangled, immersing himself in the sword and forgetting everything was one way to clear his mind. Overthinking like this didn't suit his nature anyway.

Standing still in the center of the training ground, the Sword Demon began to move slowly. It was the Sword Dance—a precisely restrained demonic energy that erupted in dazzling splendor.

As the Sword Demon was fully immersed in his Sword Dance, people entered the training ground.

With even his eyes closed in concentration, the Sword Demon sensed the uninvited guests and opened his eyes. He had no intention of stopping, but he had no choice. He was too stunned by who he saw.

"How...!"

It hadn't even been a few hours since he'd saved the Healing Immortal Sect from crisis. How could that man be here? Had he followed him or something?

The Sword Demon halted his Sword Dance and stared at Dan Hyeong-u in bewilderment.

"Wow, as expected of the Sword Demon. What a magnificent Sword Dance."

The Sword Demon snapped back to his senses at Umun Hye's words, delivered with a bright smile as she stood practically glued to Dan Hyeong-u's side.

"When on earth did you arrive?"

Unable to hide his astonishment, the Sword Demon asked. But it wasn't Dan Hyeong-u who answered—it was Umun Hye.

"In one step. No, two steps. Ahaha."

Umun Hye burst into laughter, finding her own answer amusing. Jegal Rin and Tang Mun-young, standing beside her, also cracked bitter smiles. It wasn't wrong, after all.

Exactly two steps. From Mount Hyeong to Nan-chang here.

Dan Hyeong-u and the three women entered the Sword Demon's room. The Sword Demon followed, of course. He heard an explanation from Jegal Rin about how they'd gotten here.

But even after hearing it, he could scarcely believe it. How could a human do such a thing? It was hard to accept without experiencing it firsthand.

The Sword Demon looked at Dan Hyeong-u. Then he nodded. No matter how unbelievable, if it was Dan Hyeong-u, it seemed possible. And that thought led straight to the Golden Demon Art.

"Of course!"

The Sword Demon smacked his knee without realizing it. Connecting Dan Hyeong-u to the Golden Demon Art sparked a flash of realization in his mind.

The three women jumped at his sudden action, eyes widening. The Sword Demon shut his mouth with a slightly embarrassed look. But the smile on his lips wouldn't fade. It was the thrill of solving a complex riddle.

"What is it?"

Umun Hye couldn't contain her curiosity. The Sword Demon merely smiled and glanced at Dan Hyeong-u.

From his behavior, the three women realized it had something to do with Dan Hyeong-u. But their curiosity only grew.

Silence fell. The Sword Demon sank into thought, while the three women alternated glances between him and Dan Hyeong-u with eager expressions. Dan Hyeong-u simply stood there quietly.

How much time passed like that? Dan Hyeong-u finally spoke.

"Where's the Sword King?"

At his words, the Sword Demon snapped out of his reverie.

"With his granddaughter."

"Ah, right. You mentioned treating his granddaughter's illness. It seems the treatment isn't finished yet."

The Sword Demon nodded at Jegal Rin's comment.

"It turned out to be quite a rare condition. But it looks like it's almost done now."

It was fortunate that both the Sword King and Sword Demon had arrived at the Healing Immortal Sect right on time. Otherwise, even the Sword King's granddaughter might not have been saved. After such an ordeal, both the Sword King and his granddaughter had been badly shaken. That's why the Sword King decided not to leave her side until the treatment was complete.

"Let's go see."

With that, Dan Hyeong-u left the room. The Sword Demon chuckled softly and shook his head before following.

Dan Hyeong-u was always direct in his words and actions, without hesitation. Sometimes that boldness felt burdensome or intimidating, but at times like this, it was enviably refreshing.

The three women following behind the Sword Demon felt the same way.

The grand hall where the Healing Immortal Sect's sect leader resided was quite spacious. It also housed patients with ailments no one else could cure. And Yeom Hye-mi, the Sword King's granddaughter, was staying there for her treatment.

The Sword King quietly watched as Yi-seon inserted needles into Yeom Hye-mi's body. He suppressed his presence as much as possible to avoid any disturbance and vigilantly scanned the surroundings for any approaching visitors.

"Whew..."

Yi-seon inserted the last silver needle into Yeom Hye-mi's body and straightened up. Yeom Hye-mi lay on the bed with her eyes gently closed, having drifted into a light sleep from Yi-seon's acupuncture.

"Leave her like this for about an hour, then remove the needles."

The Sword King nodded gratefully at Yi-seon's words.

"Thank you. Without you, I couldn't have saved my granddaughter."

"Haha, no need. If anything, our Healing Immortal Sect survived thanks to you, Sword King. I should be the one thanking you."

"Hahaha."

The Sword King's quiet laughter suddenly froze. He sensed someone approaching nearby. Given the circumstances, he couldn't ignore even the smallest thing.

"Someone's coming. Did you summon any disciples, by chance?"

Yi-seon shook his head.

"I instructed no one to approach while treating Hye-mi."

The Sword King's face hardened further. He rose from his seat.

"Looks like I'll have to step out for a bit. Focus on the treatment. Isn't this the final stretch?"

The treatment grew more difficult toward the end, demanding even greater concentration. Yi-seon nodded and looked at Yeom Hye-mi, who was still asleep.

The Sword King exited the hall.

To deal with the uninvited guest. If it was just a visitor, that would be ideal, but if not, he'd have to subdue them as quietly as possible. The Sword King was capable of that.

Even if that Demonic Alliance unit leader returned, he could manage it. His internal injuries were mostly healed now. He wouldn't lose to anyone.

'Anyone except that one guy.'

Dan Hyeong-u suddenly crossed the Sword King's mind. If he were here now, it would be a tremendous help. At least he wouldn't have to worry about enemies storming in.

The Sword King hurried forward. He leaped toward where the intruders were. They were just passing through a side gate into the inner courtyard of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the hall.

The Sword King's body came to a halt. His eyes widened. It was a reaction no different from the Sword Demon's.

"Wha-how...!"

"You're well."

Dan Hyeong-u's indifferent words echoed quietly.

The number of people at Yi-seon's residence had increased. With Dan Hyeong-u, the three women, and even the Sword Demon barging in, that made five more. But the hall was spacious enough to accommodate them all.

"How is your granddaughter doing?"

Jegal Rin was the first to consider the Sword King's feelings. At her question, the Sword King glanced at Yi-seon, who nodded and replied.

"A few more days of rest, and she'll be up and about energetically."

Everyone sighed in relief at Yi-seon's answer. They'd been worried ever since hearing what had happened at the Healing Immortal Sect.

"That's a relief."

The group cautiously entered the room where the Sword King's granddaughter lay. Yeom Hye-mi was still deep in sleep on the bed.

Dan Hyeong-u gazed steadily at Yeom Hye-mi. He could perceive the flow of qi permeating the surroundings as if holding it in his hand. There was no way he couldn't discern the qi coursing through her body.

Yeom Hye-mi's qi flow was markedly different from a normal person's. And it was blocked in several places. That was likely the cause of her illness. The needles currently inserted were working to unblock those flows.

But that was all. They could clear the blockages, but not reshape the flow to match an ordinary person's.

As Dan Hyeong-u continued staring at Yeom Hye-mi, the Sword King approached with a grin.

"What do you think? Even at a glance, she's no ordinary girl, right? No matter where I've gone, I've never seen a child better than my Hye-mi. Far superior to the kids here too. Isn't she?"

Dan Hyeong-u let the Sword King's words flow past him as he kept examining Yeom Hye-mi's body. Sure enough, the qi flow was abnormal.

But he only knew it was abnormal; he had no idea what effects it had or how it functioned in the body. He lacked any knowledge in that area, so it was only natural.

"It's strange."

Dan Hyeong-u muttered, turning to Yi-seon. When their eyes met, Yi-seon shuddered. Dan Hyeong-u's gaze seemed to pierce straight through his mind.

"Wh-what's strange?"

Like the Sword Demon, Yi-seon couldn't speak casually to Dan Hyeong-u. He looked young, but the pressure was overwhelming. Moreover, he exuded the aura of someone with vast life experience.

"It's different from a normal person. Is that okay?"

Yi-seon's eyes widened at Dan Hyeong-u's words. It had been nearly a year since he started treating Yeom Hye-mi. He'd taken her pulse countless times and investigated her constitution. Only then had he barely figured it out and begun treatment.

The qi flowing in Yeom Hye-mi's body ran in the opposite direction of a normal person's. That's why it couldn't flow smoothly and was blocked in various places.

Unblocking those required vast amounts of rare elixirs. The Sword King had bought ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠them all with the gold from the Golden Lotus. Recently, they'd used the sect's secret acupuncture to clear the paths.

It wasn't a one-time procedure. Clearing one blockage could cause another. That's why Yeom Hye-mi hadn't been able to walk until recently.

They'd cleared the qi around her heart—the most crucial area—but it blocked the flow to her legs.

With the qi flowing backward, it placed far greater strain on her body. Even after full treatment, she probably wouldn't have a perfectly healthy constitution. But with care, she could live out her natural lifespan.

All this had been discussed with the Sword King in advance.

He'd been told it couldn't be done all at once and that even if successful, her body would remain much weaker than normal. But he hadn't mentioned the specifics of her constitution yet—just that it was unusual.

Yi-seon believed Dan Hyeong-u couldn't have grasped all that from a single glance. So he looked to the Sword King. If he'd mentioned the unusual constitution, that would explain it.

But the Sword King looked utterly clueless.