Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Secret of the Black Swordsman
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“What do you mean by different from ordinary people?”
Uiseon asked, calming his emotions. Dan Hyeong-u replied in an emotionless tone.
“Her qi flows in reverse. Didn't you know?”
Uiseon's mouth fell open. He had pinpointed it exactly. This was something Uiseon had discovered only after investing nearly a year of effort, yet Dan Hyeong-u had seen it at a glance.
“H-how did you know?”
Dan Hyeong-u had no intention of answering. Keeping his gaze fixed on Yeom Hye-mi, he continued reading the flow of her qi. The qi coursing through her body was extremely complex, making it hard to grasp properly.
“Is she going to be okay?”
Uiseon nodded gravely at Dan Hyeong-u's question.
“That's the best we can do.”
The Sword King looked puzzled at Uiseon's response this time.
“What do you mean? The best? Didn't you say you could cure her?”
“She is undoubtedly better off. But we can't change her innate constitution. I told you about that beforehand, didn't I?”
The Sword King nodded at Uiseon's words. Uiseon had indeed said as much.
That his granddaughter's unique constitution meant the illness could be cured, but she would still be very different from ordinary people. And that cultivating martial arts would be difficult for her as well.
“I see. So that's what you meant by her unique constitution.”
The Sword King finally understood. If her qi flowed in reverse, she couldn't possibly cultivate any internal energy-based martial arts.
Well, she could, but only if martial arts specially tailored for Yeom Hye-mi's body were created from scratch. Of course, ordinary people couldn't comprehend her constitution, so crafting proper martial arts for her was impossible.
“Still, we have to try. Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I was afraid you might attempt something reckless, Sword King. With her qi flowing backward, I worried you might intervene directly to correct it.”
The Sword King had no choice but to concede the point.
“You're right. Back then, I probably would have. I wasn't in a state to think things through.”
Uiseon quietly turned his gaze to Dan Hyeong-u.
“By the way, who is this...?”
“The man who's going to be my son-in-law. Impressive, isn't he?”
Uiseon flinched in surprise at the Sword King's words. Meanwhile, Umun Hye, standing nearby, bristled indignantly.
“Can you really decide that on your own? Don't put our Young Master Dan in an awkward spot.”
Jegal Lin unwittingly nodded at Umun Hye's words, then blushed in shock at her own reaction.
The Sword King glanced at Umun Hye and frowned. No matter how he looked at her, her beauty was overwhelming. Yeom Hye-mi was beautiful too, but not quite on Umun Hye's level.
“Tch, these young ones nowadays have no manners.”
Umun Hye bristled again at the Sword King's remark but held her tongue. With her falling silent, an awkward hush settled over the room.
Then Dan Hyeong-u spoke up.
“Is there no way?”
Uiseon pondered deeply at Dan Hyeong-u's question. He had racked his brains for ways to improve Yeom Hye-mi's constitution, but nothing seemed feasible.
For starters, her vitality and qi were too frail for any forceful methods. Yet reversing the flow of qi required immense power. In short, there was no method.
Even if the flow could be reversed, it would likely only be temporary. Without addressing something more fundamental, her body's qi flow couldn't truly change.
Uiseon laid out everything he had considered. The group marveled at his vast knowledge and his ability to explain it so clearly.
But after hearing it all, they felt there was no solution. If even Uiseon couldn't think of anything, who could?
While listening to Uiseon, Dan Hyeong-u quietly examined Yeom Hye-mi's condition. The blockages that had been sealed by Uiseon's needles were mostly cleared now. This must have been nearly the final treatment.
“All the paths are open now.”
Dan Hyeong-u muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming.
At his words, Uiseon approached Yeom Hye-mi and checked her pulse. He nodded.
“Indeed. The treatment is complete for now.”
Uiseon removed the needles from Yeom Hye-mi's body. Since they were only in her face, neck, arms, and legs, it didn't take long.
Even after all the needles were out, Yeom Hye-mi remained asleep. Seeing the Sword King's worried gaze, Uiseon added,
“She'll wake in about an hour, so don't worry too much.”
“You've done well.”
The Sword King gripped Uiseon's hand tightly.
“Thank you so much. Thanks to you, our Hye-mi is alive. I'm truly grateful.”
“I only did what needed to be done.”
Uiseon bowed slightly and stepped back. He glanced at Dan Hyeong-u. An inexplicable sense of anticipation welled up within him.
In truth, the real issue with Yeom Hye-mi's body lay ahead. Her reversed qi flow was a far graver problem than it seemed. She could live like a normal person, but strenuous activities would be impossible.
And constant strain on her body would inevitably shorten her lifespan.
'Have I really grown old? To harbor such pointless delusions...'
Uiseon chuckled inwardly. What could Dan Hyeong-u, a complete novice in medicine, possibly do? Expecting anything from him was absurd.
Yet Dan Hyeong-u continued staring at Yeom Hye-mi with deeply sunken eyes. His silent presence brought another hush to the room.
This silence stretched on much longer. Though Dan Hyeong-u simply stood there, his heavy aura pressed down on everyone, stifling any attempt to speak.
After a long while, Dan Hyeong-u suddenly reached behind his back. He grasped the Celestial Saber strapped there.
“I've found the one fated for it.”
His murmur shattered the rigid silence in the room.
“What do you mean?”
The Sword King couldn't hide his curiosity. Dan Hyeong-u unstrapped the Celestial Saber from his back and handed it to him.
The Sword King took it, staring at Dan Hyeong-u in bewilderment. But Dan Hyeong-u said nothing more and simply left the room.
Everyone in the room was greatly flustered by his actions.
The Sword King, in particular, stood there dazed, holding the saber. What was he supposed to do with it? Jegal Lin finally snapped him out of it.
“Young Master Dan said he's found the one fated for it.”
At Jegal Lin's words, the Sword King came to his senses and looked at her. She gazed longingly at the Celestial Saber in his hand and continued.
“Its new owner has been decided.”
The Sword King's eyes widened like saucers at Jegal Lin's words.
“Y-you mean...?”
“Yes. Your granddaughter has become the new owner of the Celestial Saber.”
Her words sent ripples through the others in the room.
“How can Lady Jegal be so sure? She hasn't read Young Master Dan's mind.”
Umun Hye spoke up, and Tang Moon-young chimed in as well.
“Exactly. The Celestial Saber is a blade for extraordinary people. What if she can't handle its energy? Wouldn't that be disastrous?”
Jegal Lin couldn't hide her regret. But she had to explain—that was Dan Hyeong-u's will.
“I've studied the Celestial Saber extensively. It harbors a special energy that will aid her. It's not harmful to the body. For an ordinary person, it might barely be noticeable. But for someone as frail as her, it will be a great help. And Young Master Dan must have seen something else—something the rest of us can't.”
Even with Jegal Lin's explanation, no one was convinced.
“This makes no sense. I'll go ask him myself.”
Umun Hye stormed out immediately. She wouldn't feel at ease without hearing it straight from Dan Hyeong-u.
As Umun Hye left, Jegal Lin let out a quiet sigh. Truth be told, she had coveted the Celestial Saber herself.
She had closely observed how Dan Hyeong-u handled it. And recently—ever since that spectacular display of lightning on the ship—his attitude toward it had changed dramatically.
It felt as if he had let go of any attachment. She had quietly hoped, seeing signs that he might simply give it away. She had even caught him glancing at her with a hint of hesitation.
'It wasn't my imagination...'
Jegal Lin looked at Yeom Hye-mi with regret. Had Yeom Hye-mi not appeared, Dan Hyeong-u would surely have given it to her. She was certain of it.
As Jegal Lin wallowed in regret, Umun Hye returned, her face slightly flushed.
She spoke with a deeply aggrieved expression.
“Lady Jegal was right.”
Umun Hye's voice was almost a whisper. More than the fact that Dan Hyeong-u had given away the Celestial Saber, it stung that Jegal Lin had instantly understood his intentions while she hadn't. It felt like she was falling behind Jegal Lin.
The others looked even more baffled and confused. Uiseon felt the same.
“What could that possibly mean...?”
To Uiseon, it truly meant nothing. Yeom Hye-mi couldn't cultivate martial arts normally. Giving a saber—let alone the unparalleled Celestial Saber—to such a person.
“Heh, is it great magnanimity or just thoughtlessness...?”
Uiseon's mutter pierced the hearts of everyone in the room.
And so, the Celestial Saber's new owner was decided. In the halls of the Uiseon Sect.
Chapter 5: Secret of the Black Swordsman
Yeom Hye-mi's eyelids slowly lifted. She was finally awakening from the deep slumber.
The first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was the Sword King gazing down at her with worried eyes.
“You're awake?”
“Grandfather...”
Calling out to him, Yeom Hye-mi slowly sat up. Her body felt much lighter than before she fell asleep. The heavy pain that had always crushed her chest like a heavenly punishment was gone.
With trembling eyes, Yeom Hye-mi looked at her legs. If only they would move, she would be perfect. Her legs responded to her will, moving slowly.
Without anyone's help, Yeom Hye-mi got down from the bed and stood straight.
Tears of gratitude welled in her eyes. The Sword King's eyes also glistened faintly as he watched. His heart felt as light as a feather. He had finally cured his granddaughter's illness. Gratitude toward Uiseon welled up anew.
“Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness. It all worked out.”
Yeom Hye-mi tightly hugged the Sword King, who was mumbling that it had worked out. She was so thankful to her grandfather, who had cured her illness and erased her pain.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“You should thank the one who actually cured you.”
At the Sword King's words, Yeom Hye-mi finally let out a gasp and pulled away, turning to Uiseon. He was looking at her with a pleased expression.
Yeom Hye-mi bowed deeply.
“Thank you so much.”
“Well done. It was your strong will that made this possible, so have more confidence in yourself.”
A smile formed on Yeom Hye-mi's lips. Only then did she notice the people standing around her. Besides the Sword King and Uiseon, there were three more women in the room where she had received treatment. All stunningly beautiful.
“Who might these ladies be...?”
“Guests.”
At the Sword King's curt reply, Yeom Hye-mi smiled brightly and greeted the three women.
“Ah, I see. Nice to meet you.”
Jegal Lin and the others returned her greeting. Yeom Hye-mi's bright aura made it impossible not to.
Jegal Lin sighed inwardly. This girl possessed what she lacked—a natural brightness. Such a radiant woman would suit Dan Hyeong-u far better.
“It might be best to give her the Celestial Saber now.”
Jegal Lin buried her true feelings and spoke to the Sword King. He hesitated, looking somewhat reluctant. He wasn't entirely sure if it was safe to give such a thing to his granddaughter. What if something went wrong?
“What is the Celestial Saber, Grandfather?”
Yeom Hye-mi asked innocently. The Sword King slowly raised it.
“This is the Celestial Saber.”
“Wow, what an incredible saber.”
Though Yeom Hye-mi had no martial arts training, she was the Sword King's granddaughter. Having observed him for so long, she had keener insight than most.
She could tell at a glance how extraordinary the Celestial Saber was. Of course, still sheathed, she couldn't confirm it fully.
The Sword King hesitated a moment before sighing.
“Sigh. No helping it. I have to trust that guy.”
The Sword King decided to trust Dan Hyeong-u. Having watched him closely, and knowing he had reached realms far beyond his own, surely Dan Hyeong-u could perceive what ordinary eyes missed. He wanted to believe that.