Heal the Senior Brother (2)
“It seems I was wrong after all.”
While Hyeon Yucheon was racing back to the Demon Sword Sect like a madman in search of the Frost Condensation Herb, Eum Ji-myeong, blissfully unaware of this, was steeped in a somber mood.
“What do you mean by that, Second Senior Brother?”
Gyeon Jong-o and the elders, including Jeong Inheon, asked in surprise at Eum Ji-myeong's words.
“Due to the affliction of the heart demon... my inner energy circulation has been disrupted, preventing me from fully utilizing my martial prowess. It's been nearly two years now.”
Eum Ji-myeong spoke in a bitter tone.
If one were to name the top three experts currently in the Demon Sword Sect, they would be Eum Ji-myeong, Jeong Inheon, and Gyeon Jong-o.
This was because, after the disappearance of the Demon Sword Ghost Old Man—Cheon Baeksang—many had deserted the sect in his absence.
The fact that Eum Ji-myeong, the sect's foremost master, had been unable to deploy his martial arts for two years signaled a crisis.
“Because I couldn't fight at full strength, the upstart unorthodox faction in Hebei Province, the Black Sword Pavilion, has been eyeing us hungrily.”
Regrettably, his words rang true.
Cheon Baeksang's two other disciples had each taken their elite forces and departed.
And it didn't end there.
The stubborn elders of the Demon Sword Sect had declared retirement and left for elsewhere, refusing to involve themselves in the affairs of the jianghu.
The only senior experts remaining were Eum Ji-myeong and Jeong Inheon.
Eum Ji-myeong's injury was thus fatal to the current Demon Sword Sect.
“Just wait a little longer. Didn't the young lord set out?”
Jeong Inheon jumped up at Eum Ji-myeong's resigned words.
Since Eum Ji-myeong had stepped down as sect leader, the more senior Jeong Inheon had spoken casually with him—and truthfully, Jeong Inheon was half-resigned himself.
“Even if he somehow procures a spiritual medicine... my body can't handle its potent energy.”
His assessment was spot on.
Medicine and poison shared the same origin, after all.
To one in poor health, even the finest spiritual medicine could become a deadly toxin.
That was precisely what worried Eum Ji-myeong now.
It was right then.
“No need to worry!”
No sooner had their conversation ended than a figure burst hurriedly into the sect leader's chamber.
It was, of course, the Mugeom Sword Young Master, Hyeon Yucheon.
“H-How did you return so quickly?!”
“When did you arrive?”
The two men stared at each other in shock at Hyeon Yucheon's sudden appearance.
“I've brought the Frost Condensation Herb.”
Ignoring their astonishment, Hyeon Yucheon revealed the precious spiritual medicine—the Frost Condensation Herb, woven from shards of ice crystals—from his bosom.
Shwaaaaa!
As he unfurled the herb, brimming with intense yin energy and chill, a cool breeze filled the small sect leader's chamber.
“Good heavens!”
“How did you obtain something so precious...”
The two were stunned once more at the sight of the exceedingly rare Frost Condensation Herb.
What kind of spiritual medicine was the Frost Condensation Herb?
Even Cheon Baeksang had known of its existence and deemed it perfect for the Flash Light Flying Gentleman, Eum Ji-myeong.
It was the very medicine Eum Ji-myeong had sought his entire life.
'To buy that Frost Condensation Herb, they'd demand at least thousands of gold taels.'
They never dreamed Hyeon Yucheon would fetch something so invaluable as if plucking weeds from a garden.
“I'm glad, but... I'm not sure I can fully assimilate it. My condition makes it hard to fully absorb the herb's energy—it might even harm me.”
Eum Ji-myeong voiced his concerns.
He lamented his own state bitterly.
'To finally encounter this Frost Condensation Herb in my later years, only to be unable to digest it!'
If his body were healthy, he might have wailed and beat the ground right there.
Absorbing the Frost Condensation Herb would undoubtedly elevate his inner energy and martial realm.
The issue was digesting it.
“Don't worry. Who do you think I am? Didn't I say I've inherited all of Master's memories and experiences?”
Hyeon Yucheon thumped his chest with a laugh.
“What method will you use?”
Even the quick-witted Elder Jeong Inheon pondered deeply before asking.
“Master's unique supreme arts aren't limited to the Formless Flash Quick Sword.”
Hyeon Yucheon answered readily.
Indeed.
Hyeon Yucheon planned to aid Eum Ji-myeong using another of Cheon Baeksang's supreme arts: the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method.
“Of course! Other sects might not know, but for us in the Demon Sword Sect, the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method can provide immense assistance.”
As Jeong Inheon shouted the correct answer, Hyeon Yucheon nodded.
“Exactly. We're senior and junior brothers, so even if our martial arts differ, they share the same origin.”
The Formless Myriad Things Heart Method could only be cultivated by the Demon Sword Sect leader, so Eum Ji-myeong didn't know it—but he practiced its lesser compatible version, the Demon Sword Heart Method.
If Hyeon Yucheon used the vast energy of the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method to melt the Frost Condensation Herb's potent energy and guide Eum Ji-myeong to absorb it, full recovery was possible.
“Hurry! Let's do it!”
With hope in sight, Jeong Inheon raised his voice as if it were his own affair.
“Of course. Elder Jeong, would you stand guard for us?”
* * *
Thus, under the ironclad protection of the Plum Death Gentleman, Elder Jeong Inheon, Eum Ji-myeong's treatment began.
“Second Senior Brother, assume the cross-legged position and slowly circulate your energy.”
Hyeon Yucheon advised, propping up his senior brother's torso.
Eum Ji-myeong's condition was more severe than expected, making even circulation arduous.
—The Demon Sword Sect's most powerful heart method, channeling boundless inner energy.
Hyeon Yucheon possessed the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method, the mightiest among all the sect's heart methods.
Sitting right beside his senior brother, he circulated the method and clasped his hands neatly.
Through those hands, the energy of the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method could be shared.
'Ohhh!'
Suddenly, the inner energy in his dantian, stagnant from the heart demon, began to stir faintly—then raced in circulation like a trio of galloping steeds.
It was as joyful as reforging a rusted sword.
“Now, I'll melt the Frost Condensation Herb and place it in your mouth.”
With circulation and retraction confirmed, all that remained was melting the yin-heavy spiritual medicine and trickling it into his senior brother's mouth.
Nod.
Absorbed in the circulation, Eum Ji-myeong had forgotten to speak.
As he parted his lips slightly, the exquisite spiritual liquid from the melted Frost Condensation Herb flowed straight into him, permeating his entire body.
Shwaaaaa!
The sharp, bone-chilling cold made even the body hairs stand on end.
“Now comes the real battle with the Frost Condensation Herb. Senior Brother, you mustn't relax or halt your circulation. Understood?”
At Hyeon Yucheon's words, Eum Ji-myeong signaled his assent and refocused.
Drip, driiiip!
As the true treatment began, cold sweat drenched Eum Ji-myeong's forehead.
Yet Hyeon Yucheon remained unshaken.
On the contrary, he pressed harder.
—Full power deployment, surging with overwhelming force.
He circulated the Formless Myriad Things Heart Method once more.
This time, far more intensely than the initial light assistance—even at full throttle!
“Grrraaah!”
A scream escaped Eum Ji-myeong's lips from the immense power, but Hyeon Yucheon bit his own lip hard.
'Second Senior Brother, you must endure this stage.'
Nothing worthwhile came without pain.
Hyeon Yucheon envisioned a farther future.
His goal wasn't mere healing—elevating his peak-realm senior brother to super peak.
'Fortunately, Second Senior Brother was originally at the upper peak realm.'
In truth, Eum Ji-myeong had regressed repeatedly from layered misfortunes, just one step from super peak.
Absorbing the Frost Condensation Herb, overcoming the heart demon, and advancing several more steps could propel him into super peak.
“Urk!”
Driiiip!
Just then, thick blood like prophetic ink poured from Eum Ji-myeong's mouth.
“Ji-myeong!”
Jeong Inheon recoiled in shock and moved to approach, but—
“It's nothing! This is the heart demon's stagnant blood being expelled—a good sign!”
At Hyeon Yucheon's stern words, he halted.
Initially skeptical, as time passed, he felt Eum Ji-myeong's feverish face cooling.
Visible improvement swelled Jeong Inheon's heart with pride.
And so, after some time—finally!
Shwaaaaa!
The face of the Flash Light Flying Gentleman Eum Ji-myeong, once ruddy from excess heat and fire energy, regained healthy color. The heart demon's torment vanished.
Most encouraging: behind Eum Ji-myeong shone a dazzling golden radiance!
“Ji-myeong! Finally, finally...”
Knowing full well what it signified, Jeong Inheon choked up.
This was the moment Eum Ji-myeong had dreamed of.
Jeong Inheon knew better than anyone how much Eum Ji-myeong had suffered and struggled to reach it.
'Ji-myeong admired his senior and junior brothers but inwardly envied them.'
As Cheon Baeksang had once said, Eum Ji-myeong's martial talent paled compared to the other two.
The first and third disciples had long attained super peak, yet Eum Ji-myeong lingered at peak, a source of endless shame.
And now!
“I've done it! I've broken through the super peak wall!”
Eum Ji-myeong sprang up, unable to contain his surging energy, and shouted.
Thanks to the Frost Condensation Herb and Hyeon Yucheon's relentless aid—like purging blood—he had cured his heart demon and advanced his martial realm.
Now, the Demon Sword Sect boasted two super peak experts: Hyeon Yucheon and Eum Ji-myeong.
“Thank you... truly, thank you!”
He lost count of how many times he thanked his young junior brother.
With his body fully restored and his martial arts advanced, Eum Ji-myeong bowed repeatedly.
To him, this young junior was a lifesaver and a master who had elevated his arts.
Strictly speaking, possessing all of Cheon Baeksang's knowledge and experience, calling Hyeon Yucheon his master wasn't amiss.
“No need, Senior Brother. Now... use that power to help me lead the Demon Sword Sect back to its former glory as the Central Plains' strongest faction.”
Hyeon Yucheon spoke with sincerity.
He had used the precious Frost Condensation Herb not just because he was his senior brother—but for a far more crucial reason.
'Second Senior Brother Eum Ji-myeong is the most trustworthy figure in the Demon Sword Sect.'
Beyond martial prowess, his talent for handling people and management was essential for leading a sect.
A skill even Cheon Baeksang lacked, making Eum Ji-myeong deserving of utmost respect.
And one more thing.
“You've worked hard safeguarding the Demon Sword Sect all this time. Today's events are but a small recompense.”
Hyeon Yucheon patted his teary-eyed second senior brother and continued.
“Better days lie ahead, so steel your resolve. Understood?”