Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Letter Left by the Moonshadow Divine Thrower
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Having prior experience removing the demonic energy from Yi Mokseong made purging the demonic energy from Seop Hyeonrok and the Qingcheng Taoist far from difficult.
Above all, with three strands of spirit energy now rotating and my inner power greatly increased, it was far easier than when I'd dealt with Yi Mokseong's demonic energy.
'I absorbed about ten years' worth of inner power from Dang Pae's dantian, so my secondary dantian has ballooned with inner power.'
The Qingcheng Taoist's demonic energy was in a transferred form anyway, so I removed it all at once.
But I didn't remove Seop Hyeonrok's all at once.
Because Seop Jeon might change his mind and withhold support from Sammu County.
'I feel a bit guilty playing games with people's lives like this, but since Seop Hyeonrok is such a total scumbag, I don't really feel sorry for him.'
I planned to milk as much support from Seop Jeon as possible by toying with Seop Hyeonrok.
If some elder removed Seop Hyeonrok's demonic energy before that, there'd be nothing I could do—but that wasn't likely to happen.
I spent one shichen purging the demonic energy from both men, then caught my breath.
Afterward, I pulled a letter from my bosom.
I'd obtained the Spirit Mountain Flower and this letter from the Tang Clan ancestor's tomb, but things had unfolded so urgently that I hadn't even had a chance to open the one left by the Moonshadow Divine Thrower.
I was curious about its contents but didn't hold high hopes.
It might contain nothing much, since it had been scribbled while fleeing.
The hurried brushstrokes confirmed it had been dashed off in pursuit.
If you've found this, it must surely be my descendant. I left various clues so that my descendant could uncover it. If the Spirit Mountain Flower is still here, it means I met my end at the hands of my pursuers. With the Spirit Mountain Flower in hand, save one person. Save him using the flower from this place, and you shall claim all that is mine. The three linked rings I left behind are the key to my secret vault. The one you must save resides in Yeo Family Manor, encountered while heading from Honam Anroksan toward Dongjeong Lake. He knows the location of my secret vault. I entrust my final wish to you, my descendant.
As far as I knew, the theft of the Spirit Mountain Flower from Potala Palace and the subsequent flight had occurred fifteen years ago.
'After fifteen years, is the person whose illness can be cured with the Spirit Mountain Flower even still alive? And the ailments treatable by the Spirit Mountain Flower are mostly incurable pulse blockages.'
I also had to consider what might remain after treating Mother.
Half the Spirit Mountain Flower might suffice for Mother, leaving the rest for him—but I couldn't rule out the possibility that it wouldn't.
'First things first, treat Mother.'
I opened the door and stepped outside.
Seop Jeon, who had been pacing outside waiting for me, rushed over like a flustered rooster.
"How did it go?"
Seop Jeon fixed me with a gaze brimming with desperate hope.
"Fortunately, I was able to shrink the demonic energy. But it's still potent, so it'll need several more treatments."
"Is there anything we should be cautious about?"
"He can move about, but he must avoid strenuous activity. And for the time being, stay away from alcohol and women."
"Alcohol, I understand—but women too?"
Seop Jeon asked with a worried expression.
"Arousal stirs vital fire, and that vital fire activates the demonic energy. Embracing a woman would severely damage his organs, making daily life a struggle."
"Such...!"
"Forgive me, but he might have to avoid women for life. Regrettably, the demonic energy has destroyed his perineum acupoint, rendering arousal impossible."
"Heavens! How could this...!"
I spoke to the distraught Seop Jeon.
"It's still better than dying."
I'd deliberately sealed his lower body's erectile channels with spirit energy so that, unless I released it, he couldn't use it except for bodily functions.
Even a physician examining him wouldn't detect it, since I'd handled it with spirit energy.
"But if I stake my life on removing the demonic energy later, he might yet sire heirs."
Seop Jeon clung to my arm at those words.
"Scholar Cheon! I beg you. I know it endangers your life... but please save my son. He's my only child. I need grandchildren to carry on the family line."
"Given your plight as family head, I'll do my best. Later, send your young master to Sammu County where I reside, and I'll continue tending him while purging the demonic energy."
"Understood. Whatever Scholar Cheon desires, I'll provide."
"Your support for Sammu County's people is gratitude enough."
Since I'd humbled myself sincerely, Seop Jeon couldn't glimpse my scheming heart.
"They say the Scholar Sword Saint has made his name in medicine as a divine physician too, and now I see the wandering swordsmen's tales ring true. Who else could purge demonic energy?"
Seop Jeon showered me with praise.
"How fares my disciple?"
Qingcheng elder Hong Myeong had addressed me rudely upon first sight but now honored me.
"Taoist, your demonic energy is fully purged. You should have no trouble with daily life."
Hong Myeong cupped his hands to me.
"This grace I shall repay one day. My thanks."
As an elder of a righteous sect, Hong Myeong had his pride and conscience.
He showed me respect for saving his disciple.
"May I go in and check on him?"
I nodded.
"Please do."
Seop Jeon pondered for a moment before speaking to me.
"Truth be told, my son was set to become engaged next month to the young lady of the Tang Clan leader in Dang Garyeong. But from what Scholar Cheon says, we must call off the betrothal."
"Heavens, such a thing? What a pity."
"No matter. My son pushed it due to his fondness for the Tang young lady, but to save him, we mustn't proceed."
"Truly unfortunate. That's how dangerous the demonic energy is. It seems the Demonic Cult schemed against your son to seize Seop Family Manor. They must have thought if he defected, they could turn the manor to their side."
Seop Jeon ground his teeth.
"To infect my son with demonic energy? Unforgivable. From now on, the Demonic Cult and Seop Family Manor are blood enemies."
"Always beware those approaching you, family head. I'll help however I can, so contact me if trouble arises."
"Ah, now I truly understand why the wandering swordsmen call the Scholar Sword Saint a saint of the martial world."
Seop Jeon gazed at me with awe, then hurried into his son's room.
Pang Soun, who had watched the whole exchange, approached.
"Brother, you're incredible."
"What is?"
"Seop Family head Seop Jeon is notorious for his suspicion and stinginess. Yet he lavishes gifts on you and trusts you implicitly. Teach me that method."
"If you really want to learn, I'll tell you."
Pang Soun cupped his hands half in jest.
"This foolish little brother wishes to learn as well."
I placed a hand on Pang Soun's shoulder and said,
"Give those in desperate need what they require. But when you give, infuse it with sincerity, smile warmly, and offer kind words. Sincerity makes them feel liked, the smile keeps you from seeming miserly, and warm words touch them deeper than fine silk robes."
"Isn't that too easy?"
"Think about it—how many actually do this?"
Pang Soun pondered briefly, then spoke with an enlightened expression.
"I see. This little brother has gained great insight."
"If you've truly grasped it, rumors will shift from scoundrel Pang Soun to sage Pang Soun."
"Hmm. That sounds more like an insult than praise."
"Depends on how you hear it."
Nangong Seongjin watched the two, deep in thought.
'Only someone of Scholar Cheon's caliber could reform Pang Soun? Just who is Scholar Cheon, really? Are all the wandering swordsmen's tales true?'
Nangong Seongjin suddenly recalled a letter from his father.
His father had unexpectedly expressed intent to marry off his sister Nangong Munseol to the scholar, prompting Nangong Seongjin to briefly wonder if his father had lost his wits—an unfilial thought.
Nangong Munseol was a rare heroine of the martial world, a genius who could one day rival even the Martial Marquis.
She had a tendency to look down on others, but her stunning beauty turned it into haughty charm.
Yet Father sought to pair such a sister with some mere scholar? He couldn't comprehend it.
Observing the scholar, though, he realized this was no talent to bind to the Nangong Family.
The more he learned of the scholar, the clearer it became he was beyond any single clan's grasp.
'Now I understand Father's intentions. Pairing her with him would elevate our house to the pinnacle of martial families.'
Nangong Seongjin couldn't even guess the extent of Cheon Taesan's potential.
I left the branch office and headed to the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan was abuzz with post-battle cleanup.
Many Tang family homes lay half-destroyed, casualties plentiful, yet there was no sense of defeat.
The enemy had retreated after the Tang Clan's poisons gained the upper hand—it was victory enough.
p>Being the first major victory over the Demonic Cult in Sichuan in recent years, the Tang Clan seemed invigorated.
Moreover, repelling the enemy from Tang Garyeong must have bolstered their pride.
I headed to the guesthouse.
Fortunately, it was unscathed.
It stood apart from Tang Garyeong proper, attached to the Tang Clan grounds, so the Demonic Cult hadn't reached it.
Entering my room, I found Yeoseol alone.
Yeoseol smiled at me meaningfully.
"You, come here!"
At my stern tone, Yeoseol approached with a giggle.
"Why?"
She hugged me tightly and looked up.
She used to peer up from my navel; now her head reached my solar plexus.
"You little rascal, why follow me all the way here?"
I hadn't even noticed Yeoseol trailing me.
The Ghost Weaving Spirit Technique was so exquisite, even I hadn't sensed her presence.
Had I scanned blood flows a hundred zhang out, I might have, but focused on the Demonic Cult battle, I hadn't checked that far.
Only when she later shot energy at Nubheo did I realize.
It was too familiar.
Pure natural energy laced with icy cold—impossible to mistake.
"Sorry. But I was worried about you, big brother. I watched from afar, ready to step in if it got dangerous."
"Big brother isn't weak, you know?"
"I know. But I have power too, and sitting idle feels wrong. I only planned to intervene if it was truly dire."
I understood Yeoseol's feelings and couldn't press further.
"It's because if others spot you, it'll complicate things."
"I know. That's why I was careful. I hid so no one would know. Even you didn't notice, right?"
"Sigh..."
For the future, I needed a better solution.
Leaving her behind like this just made exposure likely if she stepped in.
'In that case, better to teach her the Reverse Appearance Technique.'
On a whim, I taught Yeoseol a decent Reverse Appearance Technique I'd seen at the Murim Alliance.
While big brother was briefly away at the Tang Clan, Yeoseol practiced the Bone Shrinking Skill.
She tried the technique big brother taught her, then pouted.
"It's decent, but..."
It didn't quite satisfy her.
Her body was already small; shrinking it further didn't appeal.
"Big brother probably knows it, but won't teach me."
Suddenly, Yeoseol's body cracked and popped.
Her height shot up by a full head.
"Time to make use of the Ice Shadow Bone Transformation Skill from now on."
She muttered to no one in particular.
"Thank you, sister."