Chapter 206
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: Siblings
There were six people lying in the infirmary:
Pa-sun, Un-pyo, Cheon Ga-rak, Un-gak, Seo-bong, and Ho-ryang.
Their conditions were all critical.
However, after receiving treatment from Mu-heun and Hyeok,
they had all begun to stabilize.
The Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation, manifested by the Heavenly Demonic Corpse Hyeok, had been more than enough to treat Pa-sun, Un-pyo, Cheon Ga-rak, and Un-gak.
Of course, that didn't mean they were fully healed. They had merely recovered to a point where their lives were no longer in danger and would make a full recovery after a period of recuperation. Still, to be safe, Hyeok continuously monitored their conditions and prepared medicines to aid their recovery.
Just then.
The nuns of the Emei Sect, having completely subdued the Soul Assassination Squad, arrived at the Gyeogimok branch of the Hao Mun.
Most of the Soul Assassination Squad members were dead, and the few survivors had their pressure points sealed and were bound.
The first to greet the nuns was Wu Ui-ja, the branch leader of the Gyeogimok Hao Mun.
“Welcome. I am Wu Ui-ja, the branch leader of the Gyeogimok Hao Mun. It is an honor to meet the heroes of Emei.”
“Branch Leader Wu Ui-ja, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Yeo-rin, an elder of the Emei Sect.”
“So you are Yeo-rin, the Vast Sky Sword, said to be the most exceptional of the Tiger-Taming Warriors—the famed Swords of Emei. It is truly an honor.”
Elder Yeo-rin of the Emei Sect was responsible for the Tiger-Taming Warriors, also known as the Swords of Emei. He was one of only two masters in the Transcendent Realm within the Emei Sect. Since the other, the Sect Leader, rarely set foot on the battlefield, he was the only one active in public affairs.
“Haha, I did have such an embarrassing moniker. In any case, I apologize for arriving without prior notice. I heard the matter was urgent.”
“Not at all. Baek Mu-heun, who carries a Hao Mun golden tablet, gave us a heads-up, so we were actually expecting you. Besides, even if that weren't the case, how could we neglect the heroes of Emei?”
“Baek Mu-heun… He is quite a remarkable person. Still, I thank you for your consideration in welcoming us like this, Branch Leader.”
“Haha, please, come inside. Ah, and who among you is Hana-rin?”
Branch Leader Wu Ui-ja was looking for Hana-rin to pass on Mu-heun's message, and Hana-rin, who had just become a Tiger-Taming Warrior, emerged from the very back of the group.
“Greetings, Branch Leader. I am Hana-rin.”
“Hoh. I've heard the general reason for your visit. Please, follow me.”
“…Yes. I understand.”
The reason the Emei Sect had come was simple.
A warrior from the Southern Wilds, Chu-hon Ga-ha, had urgently sought out the Emei Sect and delivered a message to their Sect Leader.
***
After being captured by Mu-heun in Sichuan, Chu-hon Ga-ha had followed his orders, traveling to and ascending Mount Emei.
Baek Mu-heun had removed the Gu poison that the Ice Demon planted in her body in a single stroke. She knew that disobeying his command meant certain death.
Moreover, her comrades were still captive...
After her trained poison eagle had been taken down by the Heavenly Fragrance Owl, it was unable to move, so she had hidden it with her comrades before leaving.
Since Mu-heun had ordered her to hurry, she had rushed with all her might.
Fortunately, as it was still within the province of Sichuan, reaching Mount Emei didn't take as long as she had expected.
*‘So this is the Emei Sect...’*
Bokho Temple on Mount Emei's Golden Summit Peak.
Just then.
Two nuns guarding the main gate shouted warily.
“This is the land of Emei. State your identity and your reason for coming.”
Chu-hon Ga-ha approached the nuns guarding the gate, cupped her fist, and spoke.
“I am Chu-hon Ga-ha, a warrior from the Southern Wilds. I have come because I have a letter from Master Baek Mu-heun to be delivered to the Emei Sect Leader.”
“Baek Mu-heun?”
The guards seemed to have heard something, as they slightly lowered their guard.
“May I have the letter?”
“…Yes.”
Chu-hon Ga-ha worried for a moment—what if they didn't deliver the letter properly to the Sect Leader?—but she handed it over anyway.
She was in no position to make any strong demands here.
“Please, I ask that you deliver it safely. He seemed to be in a great hurry.”
“Do not worry. For now, I will guide you to the reception hall. Please, come in.”
“…Yes.”
Chu-hon Ga-ha waited in the Emei Sect's reception hall, and Mu-heun's letter was delivered to the Sect Leader without issue.
“…”
The Sect Leader received the letter and fell into deep thought.
*‘I had heard he would be sending word about something, but I never imagined it would be about this...’*
The letter read as follows.
[ Hana-rin's only brother, Seo-bong, was with the Demonic Cult. However, his situation has taken a turn for the worse. He may already be dead. But whether he is dead or alive, he is still Hana-rin's only brother. I ask a favor of you. I want to let the two of them meet.
I apologize for getting straight to the point without a detailed explanation due to the urgency of the situation, and also for sending this message through another.
However, Sect Leader, I have received word that Seo-bong is still alive at the Gyeogimok Hao Mun branch in Qinghai. Although his condition is said to be poor, as long as he is alive when I arrive, I can save him. I can heal him.
Furthermore, if not now, the chance for the two of them to meet may become even slimmer.
So, I ask you once more.
I promise to explain everything in detail later, so I implore you to send Hana-rin to the Gyeogimok Hao Mun branch this time. ]
“What is all this…?”
The Emei Sect Leader began to ponder.
*‘Normally, Baek Mu-heun isn't the type to send such a disjointed letter. But this letter seems rather urgent.’*
A man who was always logical and unhesitating in his actions. The very person who defeated Dang Baek-ho, the man who had reigned as the king of Sichuan, and who was said to have achieved the status of an absolute heroic legend in the Martial Alliance.
Why would such a man suddenly...?
Claim to know Hana-rin's younger brother?
Hana-rin's younger brother... I too had searched for him for a while. But his whereabouts were unknown, and I couldn't find him.
And yet, he knew the boy's location and wanted to let the two of them meet?
Even if it is for Hana-rin's sake, this is still a formal request. This is clearly a matter of Baek Mu-heun becoming indebted to the Emei Sect.
Which makes it all the more incomprehensible.
What on earth does he stand to gain from this?
*‘He is truly an inscrutable man.’*
However.
*‘Hana-rin has mastered the Nine Yin Divine Arts and is a talent who will lead the Emei Sect in the future. An investment of this magnitude for her is not a waste. No, rather, this incident should serve to deepen Hana-rin's devotion to the Emei Sect.
Furthermore, while not official, Baek Mu-heun is a hero acknowledged by the Martial Alliance. There is nothing to lose from forming a connection like this.’*
The Sect Leader quickly made her decision and spoke to one of the first-generation disciples waiting outside.
“Summon the Vast Sky Sword, Yeo-rin.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Yeo-rin came running as soon as he was summoned, and the Sect Leader explained the situation to him with a gentle, benevolent smile.
“So, take Hana-rin to the Gyeogimok Hao Mun branch. You must keep this in mind: under no circumstances is Hana-rin to be put in danger. Let her gain experience, but only to that extent.”
“I will keep that in mind, Sect Leader.”
“Good. That child doesn't need to grow stronger by crossing the line between life and death just yet. I trust you will handle it well.”
“Leave it to me.”
***
Hana-rin heard from Yeo-rin why she had been brought here.
*‘Seo-bong… are you really alive?’*
Her younger brother, Seo-bong. Ten years had passed since they were separated in their childhood.
Afflicted by the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, she hadn't been in any state to search for someone. She had asked the other nuns for help, but the answers she received were all despairing.
He couldn't be found. That meant he wasn't anywhere within reach of the Orthodox Sects in this harsh and unforgiving world of martial arts.
But Hana-rin didn't give up.
She had vowed to find him, no matter where he was.
After Mu-heun treated her severed meridians, the very first thing she thought of was how to find her brother.
But… ten years in a world where anyone could die at any moment. The chances of her young brother having survived were slim. Unless he had been taken in by a large sect like she was, it was safe to assume he was already dead.
*‘I thought I'd be lucky just to find his body… and now, we're finally going to meet?’*
Elder Yeo-rin had relayed the contents of the letter to Hana-rin exactly as they were written.
—Master Baek Mu-heun said your brother was alive when he learned his location. So, he said that as long as your brother is still alive when he arrives, he can treat him and save him.
But, that also means that if he dies before Master Baek arrives, there's nothing to be done… You should prepare yourself, just in case.
The chances were fifty-fifty. He could be dead, or he could be alive.
But Hana-rin believed in Mu-heun. The man who had cured her Nine Yin Severed Meridians, something no one else could easily handle… If it was him… he wouldn't have let her brother die.
He would have arrived in time and saved her brother. She had that faith.
“Here we are.”
Branch Leader Wu Ui-ja led Hana-rin to the front of the infirmary. Seol Ha-ryeong was standing there.
“It's been a while, Miss Hana-rin.”
“...!”
To Hana-rin, Seol Ha-ryeong was like a master of the Ice Arts. She had, in fact, learned how to use the Ice Arts from her, so it was no exaggeration to call her a master, but by the order of the Emei Sect Leader, she was not allowed to refer to their relationship as master and disciple...
Hana-rin had decided to simply call Seol Ha-ryeong her benefactor.
“It has been a long time, Lady Seol Ha-ryeong. It is an honor to meet my benefactor again.”
“Hoho, you've grown at an incredible pace. Master Mu-heun truly has a remarkable eye for talent.”
“…It is all thanks to your excellent guidance. If not for you, Lady Seol Ha-ryeong, I would have collapsed again, unable to control my energy.”
“Hoho, thank you. You speak so kindly, even knowing I am from the Demonic Cult.”
“How could I be disrespectful to the benefactor who saved my life?”
“Have you come to see your younger brother?”
“…Yes.”
“Hoho~ Don't be so nervous. Your brother is alive and well.”
“Really!”
“Yes. Please, go on in. The one on the far left of the room is Seo-bong.”
“Thank you! I will never forget this kindness!”
“You can direct all your gratitude to Master Mu-heun. I didn't do a thing. Hoho.”
Hana-rin cupped her fist to Seol Ha-ryeong and entered the infirmary. Hyeok, having heard the full story from Seol Ha-ryeong beforehand, had moved Seo-bong's bed to one side of the room, allowing Hana-rin to finally meet her brother alone.
At the end of the room, Hana-rin pushed aside the curtain partition and entered. And there she saw him. Seo-bong, lying down, wrapped in bandages.
Tears were already streaming from Seo-bong's eyes as he waved a bandaged hand.
“Sister… have you been well?”
“Seo-bong…”
Hana-rin had so many things she wanted to say when she met Seo-bong. Where had he been living? How had he been? Was it hard? Was he eating well? Did he suffer much? Were things difficult where he was now? Could he come live with her in Sichuan…?
But seeing Seo-bong lying in the hospital bed, only one question came out.
“Are you… are you alright?”
Seo-bong wiped away his flowing tears and spoke.
“Yes. I'm fine. Are you alright, sister? Do you still feel the cold?”
“I… I'm doing well.”
“That's a relief. You have no idea how worried I was.”
“…Me too. I was worried too.”
“As long as we're alive… we can meet again like this.”
“Yes, as long as we're alive… as long as we're alive, most things turn out alright.”
A breeze blew through Gyeogimok. The rustling leaves were no longer green but scarlet. On that day, as the autumn leaves fell, the siblings Hana-rin and Seo-bong shared a quiet conversation.