Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: A Debt and a Grudge
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jin Jo-un, who had been listening in silence, spoke in a low voice.
“Surely, saving a person’s life is not something to be held as a grudge, is it?”
Yang Il-so paused for a moment before speaking again, his tone firm.
“Sect Leader, I urge you to recall the purpose of that joint petition. To create a place where the orthodox sects cannot enter—do you truly believe that is acceptable?”
“Wuwai is a remote region, no different from the outlying territories. It’s an area we’ve never paid much attention to, as our influence doesn’t extend that far. Besides, didn’t our sect receive help from the Divine Physician in the past?”
Yang Il-so remained unyielding.
“In that case, wouldn’t it be right to offset the debt to the Divine Physician with the grudge against the Demonic Physician? In the end, we owe them nothing. Therefore, we have no reason to grant their request.”
Jin Jo-un’s brow furrowed in distress.
Yang Il-so spoke again.
“Let’s say we repay the debt to the Divine Physician with the joint petition. That still leaves the grudge against the Demonic Physician.”
“...?”
“Shouldn’t we demand a clear settlement for the damages the Demonic Physician inflicted upon our sect?”
“Do you have another method in mind?”
“Something like the Sacred Hand Divine Pill should suffice, don’t you think? It would be even better if we could obtain the formula.”
Jin Jo-un’s expression hardened.
He was well aware of the rumors circulating in the martial world about the Sacred Hand Divine Pill.
Obtaining it would undoubtedly be a great boon to the revival of the Hengshan Sect.
‘But…’
It was excessive greed.
Coveting something small could lead to losing something much greater.
Above all, their guest was a cherished visitor who had come to Hengshan with good intentions. Jin Jo-un was not so shameless as to demand something from him over a grudge that had nothing to do with him.
Jin Jo-un looked around.
Most of the elders were watching Yang Il-so, remaining silent.
A few, however, looked intrigued at the mention of the Sacred Hand Divine Pill.
“I will give that matter more thought.”
In the end, that was all Jin Jo-un could say.
As soon as the meeting concluded, Yang Il-so rose from his seat. Jin Jo-un followed him out.
“Senior Brother, may I have a word with you?”
Yang Il-so glanced around and frowned.
“Sect Leader. I have told you time and again not to address me that way in public. Though we may be martial brothers, in public, we are the Sect Leader and an Elder. Therefore, your title…”
“What does it matter? It’s just us.”
Jin Jo-un offered Yang Il-so a gentle smile.
“I know better than anyone that you care for the sect more than anyone else, Senior Brother.”
“…”
“But just this once, could you not lend me your support? I am concerned that it may appear as if we, as martial brothers, are at odds with each other.”
Yang Il-so stared at Jin Jo-un.
The eyes that had once burned like molten steel in a furnace were now as calm and clear as brewed tea.
That made them all the more burdensome.
“Do you believe my words and actions are undermining the Sect Leader’s authority?”
At Yang Il-so’s question, Jin Jo-un smiled and shook his head.
“Of course, I don’t think that.”
Though he phrased it gently, the meaning was clear.
After a moment of silence, Yang Il-so finally spoke.
“The position of Sect Leader is one where you must bear the full weight of its authority alone.”
A look of disappointment flickered in Jin Jo-un’s eyes.
He was not so foolish as to miss the true meaning behind those words.
*Don’t lean on me; establish your own authority.*
In other words, *It’s none of my business, so handle it yourself.*
Just before turning away, Yang Il-so added.
“As Sect Leader, shouldn't you prioritize the sect's practical interests above all else? Before you get swayed by some empty honor like being one of the Nine Great Sects…”
“…”
Watching Yang Il-so’s retreating back, Jin Jo-un let out a sigh.
It wasn’t the first or second time he had disagreed with his decisions. But it was happening more and more frequently. Lately, he had begun to worry that they might cross a line from which there was no return.
‘Just where did it all go so wrong?’
No matter how he racked his memory, he couldn’t figure it out.
And that made the current situation all the more frustrating.
***
At the entrance to the Hengshan Sect’s mountain path.
“It feels empty without Auntie here.”
At Dan Ak-seon’s words, I Rip gave a bitter smile.
“Although it’s an ill-fated connection from a previous generation, we don’t know how the Hengshan Sect will react, so it’s better to be cautious.”
“An ill-fated connection?”
Dan Ak-seon’s question was met with troubled expressions from I Rip and Hong Jeok-mun.
“It’s not our place to speak of it when the person involved isn’t here. You should hear it from her directly later.”
Dan Ak-seon was intensely curious but buried his curiosity with a nod.
He didn’t want to make things difficult for them.
For that reason, only I Rip and Hong Jeok-mun were escorting Dan Ak-seon.
The group passed through the Lingxing Gate, the Coiling Dragon Pavilion, and the Main River Gate in succession as they ascended Mount Heng.
The slope was quite steep, but the climb was not dull.
As the largest palatial ancient architectural complex in the south and the grandest among the temples of the Five Great Mountains, there was an abundance of sights to see.
But there was something peculiar.
Alongside the Taoist temples, Buddhist temples were also scattered throughout the area.
The quick-witted I Rip pointed to their surroundings.
“Strictly speaking, while the Hengshan Sect has Taoist leanings, it is not a purely Taoist sect. It is a place with a generous spirit that embraces all cultures under the name of Hengshan. And that is what has allowed the Hengshan Sect to exist as it does today.”
As befitting the leader of the Beggar’s Sect, I Rip was very knowledgeable.
Time flew by as they listened to the legends and background stories associated with each landmark.
After walking for some time, they arrived before the Hall of the Sagely Emperor.
In front of the main hall, where the most important rituals were performed, many people were already lined up, waiting for them.
An elderly man at the head of the group smiled and greeted Dan Ak-seon’s party.
“On behalf of myself, Jin, I sincerely welcome the distinguished guests who have graced our sect with their visit.”
I Rip smiled and clasped his hands in return.
“This old beggar is humbled by the Sect Leader’s warm welcome.”
At those words, Dan Ak-seon looked somewhat surprised.
He realized the man standing before him was Jin Jo-un, the Sect Leader of the Hengshan Sect.
Gently curved eyes and a benevolent smile.
His seemingly frail appearance, like a scholar who had failed his exams, was completely different from what he had heard.
He possessed a gentle aura that made it hard to believe he was the master of a sect.
It was difficult to imagine this was the same man who had fought fiercely against the Green Forest's Grand Protector, Ak Ho-gun, until they were both on the brink of collapse.
But contrary to his ordinary first impression, he was an exceptional swordsman, said to be one of the top ten in the entire Central Plains.
Dan Ak-seon quickly bowed his head toward Jin Jo-un.
“Dan Ak-seon, a nameless physician, greets the Sect Leader of the Hengshan Sect.”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon, a strange light flashed in Jin Jo-un’s eyes.
“Haha. Nameless, you say… Your modesty is far too great. Rumors of you treating the Martial Alliance Lord’s daughter, a case all the physicians in the world had given up on, have spread far and wide, even to this place.”
That wasn’t all.
His deeply composed gaze, posture, and gait all bore the marks of well-honed martial arts.
‘Well…’
Recalling something, Jin Jo-un nodded to himself.
Although they weren’t with him now, rumors were rampant that three great masters who made the martial world tremble were accompanying the boy before him.
As his eyes met Jin Jo-un’s, I Rip smiled and said.
“You don’t need to mind us beggars. We are merely here as this child’s escorts.”
Jin Jo-un nodded and turned to introduce the elders of the Hengshan Sect.
They were all his martial brothers, with Yang Il-so being the only senior among them.
“I am Yang Il-so.”
I Rip frowned.
Unlike the other elders who exchanged pleasantries with proper courtesy, his attitude was exceptionally cold.
I Rip tried to dismiss it as nothing, but Hong Jeok-mun was different.
“I know a dog is bolder in its own backyard, but this is just too much.”
Hong Jeok-mun, who had spoken out of turn, glared at Yang Il-so.
“Did you chew on bitter herbs for breakfast? Or were you just born with a face like that? If it’s the latter, I apologize.”
Hong Jeok-mun’s words momentarily flustered Yang Il-so.
But his face soon flushed with anger. No matter if his opponent was the renowned master of the Beggar’s Sect, Swift Hand As You Wish, this was the territory of the Hengshan Sect.
He had crossed a line, a big one.
“Haha. It seems there has been a misunderstanding.”
Jin Jo-un hastily stepped in to mediate, but Yang Il-so cut in.
“There is a reason I cannot show you the proper courtesy.”
With an openly displeased expression, Yang Il-so cast a cold glare at Dan Ak-seon.
“While the son of the Divine Physician is indeed a cause for welcome, I cannot welcome the son of the Demonic Physician.”
“Elder Yang!”
Jin Jo-un called him by his title in an attempt to stop him, but Yang Il-so seemed to have no intention of backing down.
“Isn’t it natural for a son to take responsibility for his mother’s wrongdoings? If not, then he shouldn’t expect to ride on his father’s coattails either.”
Dan Ak-seon looked up at Yang Il-so with a bewildered expression.
“What do you mean by that?”
Yang Il-so snorted coldly.
“Are you telling me you don't know about the incident with the Ghost King Demonic Wheel, Jo Go? Or are you planning to feign ignorance because it’s a thing of the past?”
Jin Jo-un was aghast.
He had never witnessed such rudeness.
Hadn’t he politely requested several times that the matter not be brought up? And if it had to be mentioned, it should have been done when the time was ripe, after a conversational atmosphere had been established.
“Haa…”
Jin Jo-un sighed as if the ground would collapse.
Even in this moment, he was blaming himself.
The Primal Ape Treasured Sword.
He felt the heavy weight of this entire situation, believing it was all happening because of the absence of the sacred artifact that symbolized the Sect Leader's authority.
Though he was the Sect Leader, having lost the artifact, he was nothing but a sinner who had committed an unforgivable crime against his sect.
In contrast, I Rip found the current situation quite interesting.
To see someone disrespect the Sect Leader right to his face! Even if he was a senior martial brother, it was unheard of.
It was tantamount to disrespecting his own sect leader.
Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.
He realized how incredibly fortunate it was that Han Seol-hwa had not come with them.
He knew how fiercely protective she was of Dan Ak-seon.
If she had been here, the area would have already been laid to waste in response to this insult.
If she decided to wipe out the Hengshan Sect, not only the people present but even the sect's founder, Ha Won-il, would be powerless to stop her.
Oblivious to I Rip’s thoughts, Yang Il-so continued triumphantly.
“It might be a different story if you yourself admit that this visit is solely as the son of the Divine Physician, not the Demonic Physician.”
*Was he telling him to deny his own mother?*
“Senior Brother!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Jin Jo-un roared.
Just then, Dan Ak-seon, who had been standing silently, spoke up.
“I am sorry for your sect’s misfortune. But is that a reason to blame a physician for saving a life?”
“Isn’t it obvious? If the Life and Death Demonic Physician hadn't saved that dying man, none of this would have ever happened.”
“By that logic, shouldn’t you also blame the master who taught him martial arts, or even the parents who gave birth to him? Wouldn’t that be unreasonable?”
“What did you say?”
“And by that same token, you would also have to blame the person from the Hengshan Sect who made an enemy of him.”
“...!”
“According to you, Elder, it seems that everyone associated with that man is a sinner in the eyes of the Hengshan Sect.”
Faced with Dan Ak-seon’s unflinching gaze, Yang Il-so faltered.
He had expected to easily resolve the matter by intimidating and coaxing the boy, but his eloquence was extraordinary.
Without giving him a moment to breathe, Dan Ak-seon continued.
“I admit that my mother may face criticism. But that criticism should be for not saving someone. The same goes for my father.”
Flustered, Yang Il-so couldn’t offer any rebuttal.
Then, Dan Ak-seon delivered the final blow.
“No one can blame a physician for saving a life.”