Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Living Immortal Medical House (1)
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Early in the morning, Hwang Gyeom, the previous head of the Living Immortal Medical House, dressed neatly in his physician's robes, stared blankly at the sun rising in the eastern sky.
'His health isn't great, and now this has to happen.'
Bedridden for a while due to old age and his chronic illness, he'd only regained his strength two days ago. Hwang Myeong watched with pity as Hwang Gyeom stood there like the Wang Fu Stone.
"It's time to head to the Council Hall, Grandfather."
Hwang Gyeom slowly turned his head.
"Has it gotten that late already?"
"Yes."
"Is everyone gathered?"
"Everyone except Great Uncle, who's tending to an urgent patient."
"I see. Let's go, then."
The two left the room and headed for the Council Hall, where the house's major decisions were made. Even as day broke, the hall—where lights had burned through the night—still echoed with heated arguments.
"This patient's only just starting to walk again. Are you saying we should throw him to the wolves?"
"Then if he were fully cured, would you give in to their demands? That'd be sending him to his death just the same, wouldn't it?"
"We've done our duty by healing him. What happens after isn't our concern."
"And if he survives and knocks on our door again? What then?"
"No need to worry about hypotheticals."
"How much blood will be spilled over one man? It's not just our household at risk—the patients we're treating will suffer too. How do we handle that?"
"Why assume we'll be trampled by the Demon Cult? They're strong, sure, but our warriors aren't weak. Plus, heroes have rushed here to defend us. The cultists won't rampage unchecked."
"Tch, such idle talk. Have you seen the aura of the ones surrounding us? And the demon heads leading them?"
Hwang Gyeom paused to listen, then took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
His entrance silenced the marketplace-like clamor in an instant. Everyone rose hastily and bowed. Even Head Hwang Jin vacated his seat and stepped aside.
"Sit, all of you."
Hwang Gyeom took the high seat and gestured. Once everyone was seated, he asked,
"Opinions seem divided. No conclusion yet?"
"We've aligned on the big picture. Some are still airing personal views, so we're ironing it out."
Hwang Jin said, scanning the room.
"Ironing it out, eh? Not an easy call. So, what's the verdict?"
"Impossible."
A few started to raise objections, but Hwang Jin's furrowed brow shut them down.
"I see. You know full well what that means, right?"
Silence fell at Hwang Gyeom's question.
"Surely you're not deciding this just for the house's face or traditions, without a thought?"
His pale, sickly face and voice carried a sharp edge.
Great Elder Gu Inhoe, leading the hardliners alongside Head Hwang Jin in refusing the Heavenly Demon Cult's demand, spoke up.
"We've weighed it carefully and shared many views. Even so, we can't hand him over."
Hwang Gyeom's gaze shifted to Hwang Jin.
"I agree with the Great Elder. It's not mere pride or tradition. Our creed—never turning away the sick—is the house's legacy and unbreakable spirit. Demon Cult or not, once he's under our roof, he's just a patient."
"But the house's true purpose is already being twisted. People are eyeing us with suspicion. Even wretched rumors have reached my ears—do you know that?"
"It won't matter."
Hwang Gyeom sensed Hwang Jin's resolve to bear any sacrifice.
"Don't worry. We're not charging in blindly without a plan."
Hwang Gyeom's eyes widened at Gu Inhoe's words.
"Has the Martial Alliance shifted stance?"
"As if. Ungrateful lot."
Gu Inhoe's white eyebrows trembled with rage.
"The Alliance ignored us, but the world's heroes haven't. They started few, wary of the Alliance, but now hundreds have arrived, and more keep coming."
"I've heard..."
Hwang Gyeom's stern face softened slightly, though not much. Without elites from the Alliance's righteous sects, he doubted their impact.
"Our resident guests will help too."
"They've agreed?"
"Of course. Blood ties aside, they're family under our roof. They're even angrier at the Demon Cult than we are."
"Truly grateful."
Hwang Gyeom's expression finally eased a bit. Though not numerous, some guests at the Living Immortal Medical House held considerable fame in the martial world.
"Our warriors are resolved too. We won't yield an inch."
Calls of fighting spirit erupted as Hwang Eun, head of the Martial Heart Hall responsible for the house's forces, showed confidence.
"We'll guard the house to the death."
"No kneeling to Demon Cult scum."
"We'll hold the line."
The hardliners' cries heated the hall. Not everyone joined in—those led by Apothecary Hall Head Hwang Seung, who'd sought to avoid conflict, hid their worry but stayed silent against the tide.
Warm sunlight filtered in as a man slowly opened his eyes.
'Mm.'
He turned to the window—the sun was already high. He'd woken briefly at dawn and dozed off again, but more time had passed than expected.
He pushed off the floor, easing his torso up. A faint ache lingered in his side, but nothing serious.
Birds chirped noisily outside. Through it, faint rough voices carried, along with the sharp clash of metal.
"Already started?"
He steadied his breath, rose, straightened the bedding, and donned the clothes he'd requested. The door opened as the young physician who'd tended him entered.
"You're up? You must've been exhausted—slept quite a while... Wait, why the clothes? Where are you going?"
The youth paled in alarm.
"Thanks for everything."
The man smiled, patting his shoulder.
"No way..."
The startled youth grabbed his arm.
"You can't. Your wounds aren't fully healed. You've just started moving—where do you think you're headed?"
"I've lain here long enough. I'm good to go now. And..."
His gaze drifted outside.
"I have to take responsibility. Can't let this place suffer because of me."
"We told you not to worry. The elders refused the Demon Cult."
The man chuckled softly.
"Exactly. That's why I must go. If I don't, things'll get ugly."
The youth gripped tighter.
"Heroes have gathered to help us. And don't underestimate the house—our forces aren't weak."
"Appreciated, but..."
The man lightly tapped the youth's pressure point.
"You and everyone else don't get it. How terrifying the Heavenly Demon Cult really is."
He gently laid the stiffening youth down, smiling.
"It'll wear off soon. Sorry for the hassle nursing a bedridden guy. I'll repay the kindness by ensuring the Living Immortal Medical House survives. Thanks."
The youth's eyes and lips twitched, but with his mute point sealed too, he couldn't speak. The man grinned once more and stepped slowly out of the infirmary.
A man staggered back. Blood poured from his clutched shoulder, staining the ground with each step.
"Waaah!"
The burly victor raised his weapon, cheers erupting from all sides.
The Heavenly Demon Cult's Assault Demon Division watched grimly. They looked dejected at a glance, but it was suppressed fury.
"How long are we just watching?"
Assault Demon Division Leader White Snake Saber O Gu asked with clear irritation.
"How many have we lost?"
Black-Clothed Venerable Ho San, effectively leading the Cult forces, rolled his sandalwood prayer beads slowly.
"Five so far. That's concession enough."
"He's right. This isn't child's play—one-on-one duels are ridiculous. And we held back, no killing blows. We've built our justification—time to sweep them."
Brain Wall Guard Left Sentinel cracked his knuckles. Ho San glanced left.
"Your thoughts?"
"Agreed with Brain Protector. Strike now. Cult Leader's orders held us back, but I'm about to burst."
Wind Blood Demon Lord Ma Gong Ho, youngest elder, eyed the cheering crowd with thick killing intent.
The excited heroes who'd come to aid the Living Immortal Medical House—several times their number—seemed laughable. One swing, and they'd scatter.
"Some familiar faces."
Black-Clothed Venerable eyed the throng.
"Lunatics. Don't worry—that old guy's mine."
Left Sentinel, who'd spotted Journeyman Wanderer early, narrowed his eyes with a smile hiding murder. Ho San nodded lightly, recalling their deep grudge.
"Nangong Clan? That one's aura looks tough too. Heh heh heh! Leave him to me—I'll snap his neck proper."
Ho San shook his head after eyeing Nangong Kyung briefly.
"Can't lose you here for the Cult. I'll take him."
"Pardon?"
Ma Gong Ho's eyes flared at the unexpected reply.
"Elder, I can..."
"Soaring Heaven High Sword Nangong Kyung."
Brain Wall Guard's quiet utterance silenced Left Sentinel mid-protest.
"No offense to Elder Ma, but he's out of your league."
Left Sentinel bit his lip. He'd never met him, but the name's fame was all too known.
"Assault Demon Leader."
The leader stepped forward at Black-Clothed Venerable's call.
"Yes, Elder."
"Request him one more time."
"Elder!"
"How long will you endure?"
Ho San raised a hand, enforcing silence.
"If they refuse again..."
His gaze turned icy.
"They're dead anyway—advancing the hour won't hurt. Kill them all."
The Assault Demon Leader grinned, clenching his fist.
"Understood!"