Chapter 62
Chapter 62
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Helping Ha Jin (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Merciless Physician! Is that true?”
Ha Jin, who couldn't possibly be unaware of the Merciless Physician's infamous reputation, shot to his feet and shouted.
Thanks to his daughter suffering from an incurable illness, he had planned to seek out the Merciless Physician multiple times and knew him well.
“Of course. To be precise, he's currently at the Ghost Sword Manor in Yonyeong, but one letter from me and he'll come running.”
“I see. Very well.”
Ha Jin nodded as if it were now a simple matter.
“If you just arrange for me to meet the Merciless Physician, I'll offer my life in exchange for him treating my daughter.”
Ha Jin steeled himself with a resolute expression.
It was just one life he had been ready to throw away anyway, and for Ha Yeon-seol, he could give it without hesitation.
That was the heart of every parent in the world.
“What?”
“Doesn't the Merciless Physician demand a family member's life or another life in exchange for treating a patient? So I'll gladly...”
“You don't know, do you?”
“Pardon?”
The Heavenly Demon spoke with a look that said he couldn't believe Ha Jin didn't know this.
“You don't have to offer a life anymore. Our physician has changed. After meeting me, he reformed his wicked ways.”
“Pardon?”
“It means he no longer demands a life as payment for treating patients. If I ask him, he'll treat them unconditionally.”
“R-Really?!”
Ha Jin was too stunned by the miraculous news piling up one after another to close his mouth.
“Uncle! I'll somehow cover the spirit medicines needed for my sister's treatment.”
Sek Geum-yeong had agreed to bear the cost of all the rare and expensive spirit medicines and herbs required for Ha Yeon-seol's treatment.
Now, the conditions weren't just the same as Sek Ho-gwi's proposal—they were even better. This reignited Ha Jin's will to live.
“But I've committed too many sins for that...”
Ha Jin still felt guilty toward Sek Geum-yeong, who had taken good care of him and whom he had loyally followed, so he bowed his head.
“Can't you repay those sins by living and making amends?”
At that magnanimous demeanor, not only Ha Jin.
'Truly befitting the rightful heir of the Stone Clan Manor.'
The Heavenly Demon inwardly admired her consideration and magnanimity, having no choice but to acknowledge it.
“Where's your daughter? If her condition is poor, we should treat her as soon as possible.”
Due to the commotion in the middle of the night, the luxurious ship had already reached the dock heading toward the Stone Clan Manor.
“Oh, right!”
Urged by the Heavenly Demon, Ha Jin suddenly remembered and opened his mouth with a darkened expression.
“Yeon-seol is currently... being held captive in the True Medicine Party, Sek Ho-gwi's maternal family home.”
Sek Ho-gwi was cunning.
Fearing Ha Jin might change his mind or betray him midway, he had confined Ha Yeon-seol deep within the True Medicine Party under the pretext of treatment, not even allowing visits.
“The True Medicine Party is a medical house active in the martial world, full of physicians as well as martial artists.”
Yang Hui-gun, who was slowly recovering from the effects of the potent aphrodisiac Cheon Il-hyang, offered his advice.
“That's right. Especially the True Medicine Party—they treat numerous experts and renowned elders, keeping them as honored guests. Even I, a peak master on the path to transcendence, couldn't breach their formidable forces carelessly.”
Ha Jin had scouted the True Medicine Party's defenses in case he needed to forcibly rescue Ha Yeon-seol.
The results were astonishing: they possessed forces superior to those of an average mid-sized sect.
“I'll help you.”
The Heavenly Demon stepped forward.
His principle was that if he was going to help, he might as well do it properly.
“We'll secure your daughter Yeon-seol first, then head straight to the Stone Clan Manor main grounds to begin her treatment.”
The letter to the Merciless Physician was already prepared; upon docking, they planned to meet him in front of the Stone Clan Manor.
Thus, the remaining task was rescuing Ha Yeon-seol.
That had to come first.
Inside the True Medicine Party, located near the Stone Clan Manor in Hebei Province.
A secretive meeting was underway in its deepest inner chambers.
“Has Ha Jin's group still not arrived?”
A young man who seemed far removed from medicine asked, in a place famous for its physicians and apothecaries.
His refined attire and noble air immediately suggested he was from a prestigious family.
This was none other than the culprit behind everything, Sek Ho-gwi—the second young master of the Stone Clan Manor who had tried to kill Sek Geum-yeong.
“They said they're arriving at the dock by river soon... Contact should come any moment.”
Responding deferentially to Sek Ho-gwi's urging was Jang Cheon-ak, the third chief steward of the Stone Clan Manor. He served Sek Ho-gwi with utmost devotion and was the core of his faction.
“They're a bit late. How's the girl?”
Sek Ho-gwi asked.
The girl was, of course, Ha Yeon-seol, Ha Jin's daughter.
“Until a few days ago, she was at least conscious, calling for her father. But since yesterday, she's fallen into a deep fever and lost consciousness. She might not last... beyond seven days and nights.”
Jang Cheon-ak, whose long, lustrous beard had earned him the nickname Beautiful Hair Duke, stroked it with pity.
Though he had orchestrated Ha Yeon-seol's kidnapping via his subordinate Golden Staff Chaser, it was only natural to feel sorry for a child wandering on the brink of death.
But Sek Ho-gwi was different.
“Heh heh heh. She was so noisy crying a few days ago, but now she's finally quiet. Good.”
Even at the news that Ha Yeon-seol had lost consciousness and was at death's door, he didn't bat an eye—instead, he was pleased that she had quieted down.
Jang Cheon-ak, a loyal follower, was shocked and inwardly disappointed, but he hesitantly spoke up.
“But if the girl dies, Invincible Golden Ha Jin will go berserk, won't he?”
That was exactly what Jang Cheon-ak was worried about.
Regardless of what anyone said, Invincible Golden Ha Jin was the strongest among all the honored guests and retainers of the Stone Clan Manor.
Hadn't even the Stone Clan Manor Lord acknowledged this fully by assigning him as bodyguard to his most cherished and promising heir, Sek Geum-yeong?
If Ha Jin rampaged, it would take the full might of a small sect to handle him.
“Hmph, do they think my maternal True Medicine Party is a joke? We've long had deep ties with high officials and even the imperial family, and we maintain good relations with the Martial Alliance by supplying them medicines. Ha Jin may be fierce, but he's like a lone wolf hunting solo. Our forces here are more than enough to stop him alone.”
Sek Ho-gwi wasn't a fool; he had anticipated Ha Jin's backlash.
If Ha Yeon-seol died, Ha Jin would surely go mad.
“I never intended to keep my promise anyway. Would I go insane and summon expensive spirit medicines and my esteemed grandfather the Medicine Sage for one lowly wench?”
Ha Jin's fears had been spot on.
Sek Ho-gwi had seduced Ha Jin into betrayal with sweet promises of treating Ha Yeon-seol, but he had no intention of following through.
“Once Sek Geum-yeong is dead, Ha Jin is next.”
“So, as planned: Ha Jin, Miss Geum-yeong's direct bodyguard, goes mad, kills her, and then takes his own life...”
“Heh heh heh, of course!”
Since they planned to pin all the crimes on Ha Jin anyway, there was nothing to fear.
And the timing was perfect!
“Chief Steward! Young Master Sek Ho-gwi! Finally... a letter has arrived from Ha Jin! He says he'll stop here after completing the plan in full!”
The long-awaited news had come.
Sek Ho-gwi's cherished dream: the elimination of the frontrunner heir, Sek Geum-yeong.
“Perfect! At last!”
Sek Ho-gwi clenched his fists tightly and cheered in triumph.
With the thorn in his side, Sek Geum-yeong, disposed of, he—who had been designated as the next in line—would surely take her place.
'Everything's going perfectly. Heaven itself is protecting me!'
From Sek Ho-gwi's perspective, he had mobilized every resource and means at his disposal to eliminate Sek Geum-yeong, and the flawless success left him soaring with joy.
“Oh, right! But why is Ha Jin coming here? After dealing with that wench Sek Geum-yeong, I clearly instructed him to return to the Stone Clan Manor and await further orders.”
Caught up in the euphoria of Sek Geum-yeong's death, Sek Ho-gwi suddenly had a doubt.
“Hmm, well... He probably wants to check on his daughter's well-being personally.”
Jang Cheon-ak said hesitantly.
“Fair enough. Heh heh heh, but what a shame.”
Sek Ho-gwi's eyes gleamed slyly as he drew a finger across his own throat.
“If Ha Jin leads his group here to see me, slaughter them all and silence them.”
Sek Ho-gwi thought it was actually better this way.
In the heart of his home turf, the True Medicine Party—like his own backyard—he could dispose of Ha Jin without a trace and ensure no leaks.
“They're coming soon, so just wait a little longer.”
“Good. Everyone, prepare to kill Ha Jin—the traitor who dared betray the Stone Clan Manor's direct bloodline and drove Geum-yeong to her death!”
Listen to that cunning tongue: he was the one who killed Sek Geum-yeong, yet he was framing Ha Jin. Utterly typical of Sek Ho-gwi.
Sek Ho-gwi and Jang Cheon-ak waited for Ha Jin, and soon after, Ha Jin entered deep into the True Medicine Party, escorting a luxurious carriage with his fellow guards.
“Oh, Hero Ha Jin, you've arrived?”
As soon as Ha Jin arrived, Sek Ho-gwi greeted him with overly polite speech, treating him like the most precious person in the world—though it didn't suit him at all.
How could outward appearance and true nature differ so starkly?
“You've worked hard. Your complexion looks a bit poor.”
“Thanks to you.”
Ha Jin's demeanor was the same as their first meeting.
Still prickly, and somehow anxious.
This was likely due to his worry over his daughter Ha Yeon-seol.
“You handled the job properly, I trust?”
Sek Ho-gwi stared at Ha Jin with his characteristic cruel yet playful expression.
“Of course. As per our agreement, I've brought the young lady's body inside the carriage, so no need to worry.”
“Excellent, excellent.”
Sek Ho-gwi smiled in satisfaction at Ha Jin's clean work.
“I'm sorry for coming here first instead of the Stone Clan Manor. I was worried about my daughter.”
“Ah, I understand. How much you must miss your daughter.”
“Is Yeon-seol doing well?”
“Of course. She's sleeping soundly, waiting for her one and only father.”
As Jang Cheon-ak watched Sek Ho-gwi lie without batting an eye, even he broke into a cold sweat.
“May I see Yeon-seol now?”
Ha Jin stepped forward with a serious face.
But Sek Ho-gwi had no intention of granting that request.
“Before that... let me see my little sister Geum-yeong first.”
Sek Ho-gwi was no pushover.
From a young age, he was full of suspicions and trusted no one unless he saw and confirmed it himself.
“Yes.”
As Sek Ho-gwi eyed him suspiciously, Ha Jin bowed and stepped back from the carriage.
It meant he could look as much as he wanted.
At that bold response, Sek Ho-gwi somewhat dispelled his doubts and smirked.
“Geum-yeong~ What are you doing? Sleeping?”
Sek Ho-gwi called toward the carriage interior with a disturbingly twisted expression.
As Jang Cheon-ak inwardly frowned at him acting this way toward his already-dead little sister, something earth-shattering occurred.
“Why are you calling me, big brother?”
From their perspective, the dead Sek Geum-yeong—who shouldn't be able to respond—answered back more spirited and cheerful than ever.