The Life-Death Divine Physician (2)
Grand Elder Sim Na-hu blocked Won Gyeong-dan, the Life-Death Divine Physician, as he headed to meet Baek So-cheon.
"Won, I have something to discuss with you briefly."
"Please speak, Grand Elder."
The two had always treated each other with utmost respect. One was the benefactor and honored guest of the Ice Palace, while the other wielded real power.
"I'll be direct since you're busy. What happened with the Murim Alliance Lord?"
Won Gyeong-dan's expression hardened slightly at her question. No matter her status as Grand Elder, this was exceedingly rude.
"It's a personal matter, so I'm afraid I can't discuss it."
"This concerns the safety of our palace."
"My personal affairs won't endanger your palace."
"It absolutely must not."
"I'm busy, so I'll take my leave. Until next time."
Both walked away with sour expressions. Sim Na-hu was displeased with Won Gyeong-dan for suddenly stirring trouble, and Won Gyeong-dan could hardly approve of her rudeness.
Watching from afar were Palace Lord Seo Bing-bing and her most trusted aide and guard, Yi-dan. Yi-dan was a strikingly handsome young man.
"This time, we must lift the Absolute Ban somehow."
Yi-dan replied to Seo Bing-bing,
"It depends on the meeting between Baek So-cheon and the Divine Physician."
Seo Bing-bing turned to him and said,
"Make sure the Grand Elder faction doesn't approach where those two meet. She might try to ruin this."
"Understood."
Seo Bing-bing gazed up at the Ice Palace building, gleaming like a jewel in the sunlight.
"Yes, beautiful, isn't it? Beautiful to the point of utter boredom."
Baek So-cheon and Won Gyeong-dan sat facing each other alone. Yeom Hwa-sin had excused himself to grind ink, but he was likely eavesdropping unseen.
"Allow me a formal introduction. I'm Baek So-cheon."
"I'm Won Gyeong-dan."
"I've long heard of the Divine Physician's fame."
"What fame do I have? You're the one the whole world knows."
With greetings exchanged, Won Gyeong-dan got to the point.
"What exactly did the Black Alliance Lord ask you to relay?"
"That was a lie."
"What?"
"It was a lie to draw you out. The Alliance Lord never said such a thing."
Won Gyeong-dan rose with a displeased look.
"Then we have nothing more to discuss. I have no intention of restoring your inner power, so you'd best leave the palace at once."
As he turned to go, Baek So-cheon said,
"If you don't treat me, the Black Alliance Lord will never grant the Divine Physician's wish."
"What?"
Won Gyeong-dan whipped around in shock.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I know what you demanded while treating the Black Alliance Lord."
Won Gyeong-dan's face stiffened. He had begged Yeom Hwa-sin to keep it secret, yet Baek So-cheon knew.
"He promised to kill you for me."
"If he intended to keep that promise, the Murim Alliance Lord would already be dead."
"Killing the Murim Alliance Lord—do you think that's easily done?"
"Is that your excuse? With the Black Alliance Lord's current power, killing the Lord is far from impossible. He's simply choosing not to."
"Why?"
"Because he still needs the Lord."
"Needs him why?"
"He believes he can only control me if the Lord lives."
"Control you?"
Baek So-cheon knew he had to reveal some truth to sway him.
"Don't you see? To the Black Alliance Lord, you're just a tool. Not just you—everyone around him."
Won Gyeong-dan stared at Baek So-cheon, eyes still suspicious.
"Why tell me this? Think it'll make me treat you?"
"Will you tell me what happened between you and the Lord?"
"Why should I?"
"For true revenge."
Having cooked with truth as the main ingredient, Baek So-cheon now added the spice of lies.
"True revenge?"
"That you tried to have the Black Alliance Lord killed means your grudge runs deep, right?"
"And?"
"Then there's a way to inflict greater pain than killing him."
"What way?"
"I know that fact. And he'll know you do too—that he cherishes me more than anyone."
Baek So-cheon explained how Ak So-gun had spared him even after the betrayal with the Heavenly Manuscript.
"That's our bond. But if his shameful secret is exposed, nothing could torment him more. He might even take his own life."
With that, Baek So-cheon apologized inwardly.
'Lord, forgive me. Circumstances demand it.'
The real guilt would come later.
Won Gyeong-dan asked with even deeper suspicion,
"If you're that close, why do this to your Lord?"
"Because we're not as close as the world thinks."
"What do you mean?"
"I realized the Lord has a dual nature."
Won Gyeong-dan's eyes lit up.
"You saw it too? How?"
As expected. He must think the same of Ak So-gun.
Baek So-cheon was gambling. He feared Ak So-gun might have done something unforgivable.
But deep down, he trusted him. Without that, this ploy was impossible.
"Spending years together, I saw his duplicity. Outwardly one thing, inwardly another—a coward."
"A utter scoundrel!"
"He even took back the sword he'd given me."
"Exactly. That's how despicable he is."
Logically, it didn't add up. Reclaiming the sword was Ak So-gun's way of sparing his life. And Baek So-cheon still wore Ghost Shadow Sword.
But Won Gyeong-dan, filled with resentment, fixated only on the surface.
"Fine, I'll tell you honestly."
Suspicion gave way to hatred in his eyes.
"That bastard Ak So-gun stole the woman I loved. He even passed me over as the Alliance's Divine Physician to take her."
Baek So-cheon was too stunned to speak. An utterly unexpected reason.
Won Gyeong-dan glared venomously.
"Why? Can't believe it?"
"No. Please, tell me the details."
"There was a woman I loved. We shared a deep bond. Then Ak So-gun stole her."
"Who was she?"
"Someone you know."
"Are you speaking of Senior On Byeok-hwa, former Bi-gak Lord?"
"Yes, her."
"Ak So-gun is truly shameless!"
He deliberately called him Ak So-gun, not Lord.
But Baek So-cheon felt relief. Anyone else, maybe—but On Byeok-hwa? He knew their deep love well, and her character. She would never love another without properly ending things.
"How did you meet Senior On?"
"I treated her father."
His face brightened at the memory.
"That must have brought you close."
"Yes."
"Who confessed first?"
"We didn't need confessions. We knew we loved each other deeply."
Baek So-cheon realized then: this old, pitiful physician had mistaken gratitude for her father's savior as love.
"Was she your first love?"
"My last as well. I still love her."
Confessing what he'd never told another eased a decade's burden.
"He tried to destroy me utterly. Look how he picked that unskilled Ban Wol-ryang over me."
Once twisted, the mind saw everything askew.
Ak So-gun and On Byeok-hwa likely had no idea of his hatred. Most revenge born of resentment was like that. On Byeok-hwa would be shocked he ever loved her.
His disappearance from Murim coincided with their romance blooming.
"Ah!"
A sigh escaped him.
When he'd asked Yeom Hwa-sin why the Divine Physician held a grudge, he'd said,
"I don't know. Didn't pry. Probably something trivial."
Yeom Hwa-sin would laugh, proven right.
But Baek So-cheon didn't see it as trivial.
To this old physician, who'd never known love, On Byeok-hwa's smile was his life's romance.
It had nothing to do with his genius in medicine.
Even supreme masters had heart's voids martial arts couldn't fill. Yeom Hwa-sin, keeping a woman like his first love close; himself, seeking life's completion in wandering—both the same.
Won Gyeong-dan smiled at the sigh, mistaking it for dismay at Ak So-gun.
"You said he'd keep his promise only if I heal you?"
"Something like that."
"Why heal you?"
Here, his thinking was rational. Only in that romance was he twisted by hatred.
"He wants me as his successor."
Just then, Yeom Hwa-sin's transmission arrived.
-Hahaha! Isn't that what you truly want? From now on, my successor! Hahaha.
Baek So-cheon ignored it and continued.
"Otherwise, why spare the man who stabbed his chest? You treated me—you know."
"If I restore your martial arts, will you kill that Ak bastard?"
The pivotal moment.
Baek So-cheon mixed truth and lies.
"Old ties prevent that. But I'll ensure the Black Alliance Lord honors your pact."
"Really?"
"My word."
Won Gyeong-dan beamed.
"Good. I'll repair your dantian. Haha."
He'd do anything to kill Ak So-gun and reclaim On Byeok-hwa.
After he left, Yeom Hwa-sin entered.
"Hahaha, congrats, you lying successor!"
"Don't joke. Not in the mood."
"Why? Feeling guilty for fooling the old fool?"
"Partly. And bittersweet. To think love between man and woman breeds such deep hatred."
"Not love—obsession. It snowballs. Once it rolls, it never stops growing."
Baek So-cheon nodded. Won Gyeong-dan's heart was packed full, unable to grow more.
If he were in his twenties, he'd rage at the fool. But at thirty-nine, pity outweighed anger. Traveling with Yeom Hwa-sin would have been unthinkable back then too.
"One hurdle cleared, but another remains."
"The Grand Elder?"
"Sharp as ever. Yes. She won't allow the treatment. How do you plan to handle Sim Na-hu? No, don't spoil it—I'll watch."
Yeom Hwa-sin brimmed with anticipation, like watching a street performer's show.
"The most crucial moment of your life. Fail, and your dantian stays broken forever. Do everything you can."
Recalling his stone-faced lies, Baek So-cheon murmured,
"Sometimes I wonder... how far would I go for my goal?"