Dantian Restoration (1)
Won Gyeong-dan, the Life-Death Divine Physician, who had met with Baek So-cheon, headed straight to see Palace Lord Seo Bing-bing.
"Did things go well with Hero Baek?"
"Thanks to you, we had a good talk. And so, I have one request for you, Palace Lord."
"Please speak."
"I'm thinking of treating Baek So-cheon's dantian."
Seo Bing-bing was startled. She hadn't expected Won Gyeong-dan to make up his mind after just one meeting.
How did he change the Divine Physician's heart?
She thought Baek So-cheon must be remarkable, but she was also curious about his situation with Ak So-gun.
"Can you provide the necessary herbs?"
"Of course."
Seo Bing-bing answered without hesitation. Having the Divine Physician heal Baek So-cheon was exactly what she truly desired. Yeom Hwa-sin had said he would lift the Absolute Ban only if Baek So-cheon's dantian was restored.
"Thank you."
"But what are the odds of successfully healing Hero Baek's dantian?"
"Fifty-fifty."
"What happens if it fails?"
"He'll die."
He spoke of death without a hint of restraint. It wasn't because the patient was Baek So-cheon. Throughout his life of healing, he had never placed great value on life and death.
Live if you live, die if you die.
He felt no guilt whatsoever toward those who died under his care. He always gave his all to save his patients, so he stood tall with confidence, and no one ever criticized him for it.
Perhaps that very attitude had made him the greatest physician. It suited his title, which encompassed both life and death.
As soon as the Life-Death Divine Physician left, Sim Na-hu came to the palace lord's chambers.
She had been keeping a close watch on his movements as well.
"Why did the Divine Physician come here?"
"He said he'll treat Baek So-cheon."
"You must absolutely not allow it, Palace Lord."
Sim Na-hu's firm opposition left Seo Bing-bing looking troubled.
"I have no grounds to refuse."
"No grounds?"
"He's a divine physician. What grounds do I have to stop him from treating a patient?"
"Didn't Yeom Alliance Lord say he'd lift the Absolute Ban in return if we heal Baek So-cheon?"
"That's Yeom Alliance Lord's thinking. I don't want the ban lifted."
"Is that truly how you feel?"
"Of course. I love this North Sea. I have no desire to get involved with the Central Plains Murim at all."
Of course, it was a lie. She was sick and tired of the North Sea. She didn't want to stare at snow her whole life.
Sim Na-hu knew well that stifled frustration of hers. The young warriors yearned for the Central Plains, and it was the role of us elders to persuade and restrain them. The palace lord might not believe it, but she too had once dreamed of the Central Plains in her youth.
"As you know, the Life-Death Divine Physician is practically a benefactor to our palace. Refusing his request would tarnish our palace's honor and invite finger-pointing for abandoning human decency."
Honor was what Sim Na-hu valued most, so such words usually worked. But not this time.
"There may be some who criticize our palace as you say, Palace Lord. However, restoring Baek So-cheon's dantian is no simple matter. What if he sides with Yeom Hwa-sin and turns against us?"
"That won't happen."
"You're truly naive. Yeom Hwa-sin and Baek So-cheon are men who've weathered every storm. Heaven itself couldn't guess what schemes brought them to our palace."
"So what do you propose?"
"I absolutely cannot approve this treatment. I'll take my leave then."
Having declared he would never yield, Sim Na-hu left the palace lord's chambers.
Seo Bing-bing let out a sigh.
"It's not easy after all."
Yi-dan, her trusted aide, stepped forward from behind.
"If Grand Elder Sim doesn't permit it, we won't be able to supply the materials on time."
"First, look into other options."
"Yes."
She rose from her seat.
"I need to meet Hero Baek."
Seo Bing-bing, upon meeting Baek So-cheon, explained her situation frankly.
"Grand Elder Sim opposes it strongly, so treating you won't be easy, Hero Baek."
"What's the problem?"
"The lord of the herb hall needed for the treatment is Grand Elder Sim's confidant. If he makes excuses and withholds the herbs, the treatment can't proceed."
"I understand perfectly."
"As palace lord, I'm truly ashamed."
"I've spent my life in organizations too. I fully understand your position, Palace Lord."
Baek So-cheon thought Seo Bing-bing was a smart woman. Better to lay it all out openly like this than to fumble a clumsy fix and make things worse.
"What can I do to help?"
"Arrange a meeting with Grand Elder Sim."
"Even meeting her directly won't change her mind."
"Leave it to me, just once."
Baek So-cheon's calm demeanor inspired trust instead.
"Very well. I'll contact you soon."
As she rose to leave, Baek So-cheon asked,
"If you go to the Central Plains, what's the first thing you'd want to do?"
Seo Bing-bing smiled faintly and replied,
"Meet a handsome man like you, Hero Baek?"
Once she left, Yeom Hwa-sin appeared. He had been playing the role of a thorough spectator.
"Didn't she just flirt with you?"
"You already forgot? Why the Life-Death Divine Physician got so obsessed? Interpreting idle chatter like that is what caused the mess."
"You're not using the Divine Physician as an excuse because she's not your type?"
"If we're splitting hairs, she's not my type either."
"Good thing. A woman like Palace Lord Seo is exhausting."
"Why's that?"
"Her ambitions are too grand. The problem is they're bigger than her abilities, which could bring disaster."
"You can see that much?"
"I see it clearly. The size of that woman's ambitions."
He'd met her several more times than Baek So-cheon, so he knew precisely—but even without that, a woman like Seo Bing-bing was exactly the type Yeom Hwa-sin could read best.
Advancing to the Central Plains was likely her long-held dream, but personally, he wanted to dissuade her. No matter how she schemed, she couldn't escape the palm of his hand.
At that moment, a North Sea Ice Palace warrior arrived.
"I'll escort you to Grand Elder Sim."
Baek So-cheon said to Yeom Hwa-sin,
"I'll be back."
Yeom Hwa-sin smiled and replied,
"No need to say goodbye. I'm always by your side."
Sim Na-hu was waiting for Baek So-cheon at her residence.
"You wished to see me?"
"Yes, I have something to discuss privately."
"What honeyed words do you bring for this old woman?"
It was a jab implying he'd sweet-talked the Life-Death Divine Physician and Seo Bing-bing.
"Grand Elder Sim."
"Yes?"
"I've spent my life serving the Murim Alliance Lord. I believe you're doing this to protect the Ice Palace and the palace lord. Am I wrong?"
"You see well."
"I thought so. I respect your lifelong dedication to guarding the Ice Palace."
Baek So-cheon spoke with as much sincerity as possible. Yet Sim Na-hu still didn't trust him.
"What are you getting at?"
Now Baek So-cheon's real gambit began.
"I'm trying to save you, Grand Elder. And in turn, save the Ice Palace."
Sim Na-hu flinched in surprise.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly as I said. The Ice Palace is in danger as things stand."
"Explain in detail."
Her eyes remained wary and suspicious.
"Yeom Alliance Lord and I travel together, but we're clear enemies."
"Then why travel together?"
"I'm a hostage."
"Fine, let's say that's true. What do you mean the Ice Palace is in danger?"
"You've heard Yeom Alliance Lord plans to start a war? He publicly declared at the martial tournament that peace would last only one year."
"We heard."
"If the Ice Palace lifts the Absolute Ban and advances to the Central Plains, Yeom Alliance Lord intends to use you as the vanguard to strike the Murim Alliance."
"……!"
"That's why you opposed lifting the ban, isn't it?"
"Yes."
She affirmed it, but she'd never once considered the Ice Palace being used to attack the Murim Alliance.
"If you refuse to lift the ban, the North Sea Ice Palace holds no value to Yeom Alliance Lord."
"Surely you're not saying he'll attack us?"
"We can't rule out the possibility."
"Hmph! Our palace won't fall easily."
"No, you will fall easily."
"Listen here, Hero Baek!"
"Common sense says Yeom Alliance Lord alone couldn't take on the Ice Palace. But his martial prowess has transcended common sense. If he sets his mind to it, he could kill you or the grand elders single-handedly and slip away unscathed."
"Watch your words!"
"A hundred warriors, two hundred—it won't stop him. That's Yeom Alliance Lord's power now. The Murim Alliance won't fare much better. It'll just take a bit longer."
Mentioning the Murim Alliance left Sim Na-hu speechless.
"Moreover, Yeom Alliance Lord has reorganized the Sa-do-chil-ga and allied with the Blood Cult of the outer reaches. Do you have the confidence to handle them all?"
Sim Na-hu couldn't answer confidently.
"Then what do you propose?"
"Help me restore my inner power. I'll stop Yeom Alliance Lord."
"And you'll also block the lifting of the Absolute Ban?"
"I can't promise that."
Baek So-cheon answered honestly. That's what had worked with the Life-Death Divine Physician too—admitting what couldn't be done. He must never forget: problems start when you claim the impossible is possible.
"To be frank, if Yeom Alliance Lord is determined, the Absolute Ban will be lifted eventually."
"That must never happen!"
"May I say something about the Absolute Ban itself, separate from Yeom Alliance Lord?"
"Speak."
"I believe the current method makes the Absolute Ban ineffective."
"What do you mean?"
"For it to work, Palace Lord Seo and the young warriors must experience the Central Plains firsthand. They'll see the dark, ugly underbelly behind its beautiful martial world and realize how safe and wonderful this place is. Otherwise, their longing will only grow. People always crave desperately what they can't have."
It struck a chord, drawing a deep sigh from Sim Na-hu.
Baek So-cheon pressed further.
"If I may be bold, what happens after you pass, Grand Elder? Imagine the palace lord—whom you see as immature—leading an advance to the Central Plains without you. Think of the decisions she'd make."
"……!"
"Better to go with them now and let them experience it under your watch. Not someone else— you, Grand Elder Sim, personally protect the palace lord and the Ice Palace warriors."
Baek So-cheon sensed Sim Na-hu's resolve wavering. Though she blocked Seo Bing-bing's wishes, it wasn't for her own safety. It was to protect the Ice Palace.
"I'll help then too. I swear on my name. If the Ice Palace doesn't ally with the Black Heaven Alliance, the Murim Alliance will aid you. I promise. Of course, if Yeom Alliance Lord kills me first, I can't help—but by then, everyone will die anyway. Righteous factions, you all alike."
Even good words grow tiresome if overdone, breeding resistance. Baek So-cheon rose.
"Think it over and let me know."
As he turned to leave, Sim Na-hu asked,
"If you regain your inner power, what are the odds you kill Yeom Alliance Lord?"
"About thirty percent."
"Thirty percent."
"Even that's optimistic."
His honesty carried weight because it was sincere.
After staring at Baek So-cheon for a moment, Sim Na-hu hardened her resolve.
"Very well. I'll trust you once, Hero Baek."
The decisive factor was his words about personally protecting the Ice Palace Lord while alive.
Added to that, she knew Yeom Hwa-sin well—how vast his ambitions, how terrifying he was.
Thus, she judged it advantageous to grasp Baek So-cheon's hand while she could.
Baek So-cheon politely cupped his fists in gratitude.
"Thank you."
When Baek So-cheon returned to his quarters, Yeom Hwa-sin appeared with a wronged expression.
"Is this how you do it? You painted me as the ultimate villain."
Indeed, even in Sim Na-hu's heavily guarded residence, he had secretly eavesdropped on the entire conversation.
"First, let's correct that. You were already the ultimate villain, so I didn't make you one."
"Haha, fair enough."
"Sorry, but you're the only one I can use without a pang of conscience."
"Shameless. No one's ever been this shameless to my face."
"I'm starting to resemble you. So understand."
"Of course I do. Haha, you handled it brilliantly."
"You're too kind."
Yeom Hwa-sin looked intrigued.
"Now the final hurdle remains. How about it? You have to stake your life on a fifty percent chance. Nervous?"
Baek So-cheon nodded.
"Honestly, yes. Dying in battle feels less unfair. Lying helpless on a sickbed and fading away? That's truly unappealing."
Baek So-cheon clapped twice, pressed his palms together, and prayed.
"Heavens, please let me live."
It was a fresh, unfamiliar side of Baek So-cheon, who always seemed to transcend life and death.
That's why Yeom Hwa-sin laughed heartily and added his own prayer.
"Hahaha! You damned heavens! If you don't want to see me go berserk, grant that prayer!"