Chapter 74
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: One More Day
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He wasn't ignorant of Dan Ak-seon's tender nature, but seeing him try to endure and bear it all alone was truly heartbreaking.
At the same time, the current situation was incredibly frustrating.
He wanted to be a source of strength, but he didn't know how.
“Hah.”
Beom Gye-wi drank straight from the bottle.
In an instant, Beom Gye-wi drained all three bottles, his face flushed as he called out to Cho Ak-ryang.
“Brother Cho.”
“…?”
“How about we just leave?”
“What?”
“Seeing Physician Dan suffering like this… I think it's because of us.”
Cho Ak-ryang frowned.
“How is that our fault? Those bastards from the Jangrak Sect were after Physician Dan from the start.”
“But what if we weren't here? Would the Jangrak Sect still have targeted Physician Dan?”
“What are you talking ab—”
Cho Ak-ryang trailed off.
He had realized the meaning behind Beom Gye-wi's words.
“We were the reason he went to the Martial Alliance in the first place, and the reason his identity was revealed. And now he's living in hiding like this because he's afraid we'll be exposed.”
Cho Ak-ryang couldn't answer.
Beom Gye-wi asked him again.
“If we were to leave, what do you think would happen to Physician Dan?”
After some deliberation, Cho Ak-ryang finally spoke.
“He would be freer than he is now.”
Beom Gye-wi nodded.
“Physician Dan would have no reason to live in hiding. And even without us, the witch is here, so there's no need to worry about him.”
Unlike them, Han Seol-hwa was not one of the Ten Great Villains, so she didn't need to worry about the eyes of the martial world.
Just then, Sa Mu-sim, who had been listening quietly, spoke up cautiously.
“But will you be alright?”
“With what?”
At Beom Gye-wi's question, Sa Mu-sim expressed his concern.
“Unlike Senior Cho, don't you require constant treatment, Senior Beom?”
He was right.
Cho Ak-ryang's treatment had progressed significantly.
His internal injuries were already fully healed, and time would take care of his depleted internal energy.
Beom Gye-wi's situation, on the other hand, was a little different. Although he was better than before, without the divine pills and Dan Ak-seon's help, there was no telling when his madness might relapse.
“Well, I'll manage somehow.”
Seeing the lingering worry in Sa Mu-sim's eyes, Beom Gye-wi let out a small laugh.
“This is more than enough for now. I've lived my whole life in worse situations, so what's this?”
Beom Gye-wi grinned at Cho Ak-ryang.
“Isn't that right?”
At that moment, Han Seol-hwa, who had been watching the situation in silence, threw out a single word.
“Idiot.”
Han Seol-hwa glared at Beom Gye-wi with a look of disapproval.
“He's a child already grieving the loss of someone. What if you suddenly leave? Have you ever thought that would make things even harder for him?”
“Instead, if we leave, he can form many more connections.”
“What?”
“Look at the Beggar's Sect, who rushed all the way here. They came to protect Physician Dan, didn't they? And the Martial Alliance Leader, who's indebted to Physician Dan, won't just stand by either. Last time I saw, those snub-noses from Huashan were also very friendly toward Physician Dan.”
It wasn't exactly wrong, so Han Seol-hwa was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Being with us, and being without us. Realistically, which is more beneficial for Physician Dan?”
“…!”
Han Seol-hwa was inwardly dumbfounded.
She never thought she'd live to see the day she'd lose a war of words to Beom Gye-wi.
*'Is it because he's been drinking?'*
Just then, Beom Gye-wi let out a sigh.
“This is enough to make a man sick.”
He then raised a hand and pointed to his chest.
“I can endure a headache, but I can't stand the ache here.”
At those words, Cho Ak-ryang's expression turned complicated. To think such words would come from the mouth of the notoriously infamous Mang Mountain's Thistle.
“Brother Cho, pack your things.”
“…”
“Let's leave.”
“Wait. This isn't a matter to be decided so lightly.”
“What's so difficult? If it weren't for us, Physician Dan would have lived happily. We should make that happen for him, even if it's now.”
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Neung So-mil glanced at Han Seol-hwa.
He was secretly hoping she would stop them. But soon, he was overcome with bewilderment.
Han Seol-hwa said nothing, merely casting an icy glare, as if extremely displeased.
As the situation reached this point, Neung So-mil suddenly grew anxious.
No matter how he thought about it, this didn't seem right.
Above all, he could vividly picture Dan Ak-seon steeped in sorrow after the two of them disappeared.
He didn't want to see that, if nothing else.
*'Damn it!'*
Neung So-mil suppressed his presence as much as possible and quietly left.
A short while later.
Having heard Neung So-mil's story, a startled Dan Ak-seon came rushing over, out of breath.
“Even if we're leaving, it shouldn't be like this. We have to say goodbye to Physician Dan.”
“I don't think I'll be able to say it if I see his face. So let's just go.”
As they were talking, they heard the sound of urgent footsteps approaching and froze on the spot.
His gaze wavering, Dan Ak-seon confirmed the travel packs Beom Gye-wi had prepared and spoke with a worried expression.
“Where are you going?”
“Uh? Well…”
Beom Gye-wi, who had even packed his Great Thistle Staff, was at a loss for words.
After a moment of hesitation.
Beom Gye-wi, who had planned this, spoke first.
“Brother Cho and I are planning to leave this place.”
Dan Ak-seon asked, startled.
“What? Why?”
“It's suffocating living like this. As you know, we're not the kind of people to hide like rats, are we?”
“But you promised me that day. That you wouldn't leave this place on a whim anymore.”
Beom Gye-wi was left speechless.
Recalling that moment, he felt a fresh surge of emotion. After his master, Dan Ak-seon was the only one who had ever worried about him.
This time, Dan Ak-seon turned to Cho Ak-ryang and asked.
“Are you leaving too, mister?”
“I am considering it.”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon on the verge of tears, Cho Ak-ryang spoke in a soothing tone.
“You should think about it carefully. If only we weren't here, you could achieve anything you wanted.”
“What I want?”
“You wouldn't have to hide here, and you could establish the medical family you've always dreamed of.”
Cho Ak-ryang didn't miss the wavering in Dan Ak-seon's eyes.
“You said you would face your destiny on your own, didn't you? Perhaps this is the first step.”
“…”
“I've taught you the basics of martial arts, so you can complete the rest with Sister Han's help. In fact, just by mastering Sister Han's martial arts, you will one day possess the greatest skills under heaven.”
As Dan Ak-seon lowered his head in silence, Beom Gye-wi suddenly felt anxious.
Cho Ak-ryang's heart was just as heavy.
How much time passed like that?
“Do you know something?”
Dan Ak-seon lifted his eyes to meet theirs.
“Even if you gave me all those people, how could they compare to you two?”
Wondering what he was suddenly talking about, they soon recalled the conversation they had with Han Seol-hwa.
Someone had told Dan Ak-seon about it.
Just in case, they looked around and spotted Neung So-mil quickly hiding in the distance.
Beom Gye-wi's eyebrow twitched.
*'That bastard?'*
At that moment.
“I'll find a way.”
As their eyes met, Dan Ak-seon spoke again.
“So please, just give me one day.”
Cho Ak-ryang couldn't hide his inner surprise.
A gaze so intense it would make even him flinch.
Seeing this side of Dan Ak-seon for the first time, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi finally relented.
“Thank you.”
Leaving those words behind, Dan Ak-seon turned and disappeared back into his pavilion.
“Such idiots.”
Han Seol-hwa, who had approached at some point, chided Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.
Beom Gye-wi's gaze instantly turned fierce.
It was like getting slapped when he already wanted to cry. However, Han Seol-hwa's next words left him speechless.
“Do you really not know why that child is trying so hard?”
Casting them a pathetic look, Han Seol-hwa turned away coldly.
***
That night.
Staring blankly at the flickering candlelight, Dan Ak-seon let out a deep sigh.
*'In the end, is this the only way?'*
In truth, there was a method he had been considering for a long time.
He had merely postponed it until he could find a better way. That was why he had asked Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi for a day's time.
It wasn't to find a method, but because he needed time to make a decision.
Dan Ak-seon walked to his study and took out two booklets.
They were the clinical record books that accompanied the Sacred Hands Record and the Life and Death Record.
As he turned the pages one by one and confirmed their contents, Dan Ak-seon's eyes wavered with conflict.
But soon, he nodded.
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.
Thinking of the two of them, he steeled his resolve.
It was dawn the next day when Dan Ak-seon left his pavilion again.
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi had spent the entire night pacing in front of the pavilion, where the light had never gone out.
Facing the two of them, Dan Ak-seon smiled quietly.
Then he turned his head to meet Cho Ak-ryang's gaze.
“Going out into the world is good, and establishing a medical family is good, but…”
With an expression that seemed somehow much lighter, Dan Ak-seon continued.
“What I truly want is to continue living with you two. Just like we have been.”
“Physician Dan…”
Cho Ak-ryang trailed off, his expression complicated.
The words he had said to Dan Ak-seon last night.
This was the answer to his claim that Dan Ak-seon could achieve what he wanted if they were gone.
This time, Dan Ak-seon spoke to Beom Gye-wi.
“And there's no need to hide anymore.”
“…?”
Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly.
“Because I found a way.”
***
A corner of the Muwi market.
In a spot with the best view of the passersby, I Rip, who had spread out a straw mat, sat upon it and stretched languidly.
“Hah, perfect weather for begging.”
Leaning leisurely against a wall with a drowsy look in his eyes, I Rip suddenly felt a sharp gaze on his face.
When he turned his head, he found Hong Jeok-mun had approached him and was staring intently.
“What is it now, so early in the morning?”
“But really, why did you come here?”
“Why? Am I not allowed here?”
“The position of a Sect Leader isn't that leisurely, is it?”
“Getting interested in the Sect Leader position, are we? Just say the word anytime. I'll immediately name you as my successor…”
“Stop with the nonsense.”
Seeing the unusually serious look in Hong Jeok-mun's eyes, I Rip gave a deflated chuckle.
“Because I was worried.”
“…?”
“Knowing your personality, I figured you'd cause some trouble.”
“Where did that come from? Why would I cause trouble?”
“Because of those guys.”
“What does that mean… Huh?”
Following I Rip's gaze, Hong Jeok-mun turned his head and his face contorted.
“Why are those bastards here?”
Spotting a group of martial artists entering the market, a murderous aura flickered in Hong Jeok-mun's eyes.
In that instant, a tattered coat flew in from the side and covered Hong Jeok-mun.
Having hidden Hong Jeok-mun, I Rip smiled quietly.
“Watch what I do and learn.”
I Rip retracted his aura, hiding it deep within.
Instantly transforming into an ordinary beggar, I Rip stayed put and waited for the martial artists to pass.
Then, at a certain moment, he swiftly threw the gourd bowl he was holding.
*Crack.*
A martial artist who happened to be passing by stepped right on it.
The position and timing were so perfect that it was impossible to avoid.
“…?”
The moment the martial artist was flustered.
Not missing the opportunity, I Rip jumped up and started shouting at the top of his lungs.
“Oh, you heartless bastards! You can't even spare a coin, so you break my bowl instead? Damn you! You deserve to be boiled in filth! Don't you fear the heavens?”