The Former Absolute Supreme - Chapter 67: Yeom Hwa-sin (3)
The carriage continued onward to some unknown destination.
"Have you been here before?"
Baek So-cheon shook his head at Cheon-geuk's question. Despite clashing so fiercely with the Black Heaven Alliance, they had never pushed this far inside. This was his first time here too.
He had imagined a place teeming with rough, brutal types, but the people coming and going seemed utterly ordinary.
Martial artists chatting noisily as they passed, others laughing over some joke, groups idly gossiping. If not for that, they could have passed for Murim Alliance warriors without a second glance.
But they were unmistakably different.
They worshipped the law of the jungle, saw chivalry as hypocrisy, hesitated at nothing when it came to killing, and lived solely for their own gain. Of course, with so many people around, there had to be exceptions. Not every Murim Alliance warrior put righteousness first, after all.
The carriage didn't head for the alliance lord's residence. It pulled up in front of a guesthouse deep within the inner quarters.
Yeom Hwa-sin didn't dismount. Instead, he spoke to Na-sa-rin.
"It must have been a tiring journey. Rest today—we'll start the treatment tomorrow."
"Thank you for your consideration."
As the three of them stepped down, the carriage departed once more.
A waiting maidservant led them to their guest rooms.
There was one room for Baek So-cheon and two for the women. Fit for honored guests, the accommodations were luxurious.
The beds were vast and plush, promising instant sleep; the bedding was spotless. The furniture was elegant and finely crafted.
"I'll retire first."
"Rest well, Elder."
Na-sa-rin entered her room first.
It was too early to sleep, so Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk decided to share a drink.
They asked the maidservant in charge of the guest quarters, and she soon brought fine liquor and exquisite side dishes to Baek So-cheon's room. Rare vintages, paired with the best accompaniments.
Cheon-geuk tested the food and drink with a silver needle for poison. They had brought her here for treatment, so poison seemed unlikely—but she was cautious regardless.
"No poison."
"Yeom Hwa-sin isn't the type to use it. He's got too much pride in his own martial arts."
"Still, better safe."
Baek So-cheon nodded and raised his cup.
"Cheers."
"Yeah."
They clinked cups and drank.
"Phew. Without you, I might not have made it through these past few days."
"You'd have done even better without me."
The Cheon-geuk he knew wasn't one to lean on others. If it had just been her and Na-sa-rin here, she would have been even more focused.
"Sorry. For dragging you into my mess."
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm investing in you for me and my alliance."
Baek So-cheon chuckled softly.
Cheon-geuk gazed out the window at the bright full moon.
"I figured the moon here would summon ghosts or something... but it's just as bright and pretty."
The next day, the three were escorted to a secluded chamber.
Waiting there with Yeom Hwa-sin was another man.
Yeom Sa-won.
Son of Yeom Hwa-sin and heir to the Black Heaven Alliance.
He wasn't as massive as his father, but the resemblance was unmistakable.
The vibe was different, though.
Where Yeom Hwa-sin had a bold, wicked charisma, Yeom Sa-won exuded a dark, sinister malice—like something slithering up from the shadows. His cold eyes put one in mind of a serpent.
You could tell just from his presence. His father concealed that evil meticulously; he flaunted it.
His attitude toward the three confirmed it.
"No need for greetings. Let's get started."
Baek So-cheon's side had no desire to exchange pleasantries either.
Na-sa-rin wrote out a list of herbs on paper.
"First, prepare a decoction as listed here. Make enough for two people."
Yeom Hwa-sin sent a trusted subordinate to brew it.
They had to wait there while it was prepared.
Yeom Sa-won addressed Baek So-cheon.
"You're Baek So-cheon?"
"That's me."
"The one who ruined our alliance and my father's great cause."
"Matter of perspective, isn't it?"
"Heard you lost your inner power, but your mouth's still full of it."
The blatant mockery hung in the air. Normally, one wouldn't provoke someone before treatment.
Yeom Sa-won didn't care. And Yeom Hwa-sin made no move to stop him.
This alone revealed their relationship—and Yeom Hwa-sin's approach to raising his son.
"I know my father thinks highly of you. I don't."
Baek So-cheon could sense the source of his hatred: jealousy.
He glanced at Yeom Hwa-sin. Maybe he's using me to prod his son.
Baek So-cheon silently turned away, ignoring him. Yeom Sa-won snorted derisively but, mercifully, dropped it.
Baek So-cheon wasn't offended. If anything, he was pleased. Organizations often crumbled from within due to leaders or their kin.
Yeah, strut while you can.
When his head rolled, there'd be no more strutting.
Soon, the medicine was ready.
Yeom Hwa-sin said to Na-sa-rin,
"My son first."
Putting the heir last in case of tricks.
Na-sa-rin handed Yeom Sa-won the prepared draught.
"Drink."
Yeom Sa-won hesitated, glancing at his father with distrustful eyes. Yeom Hwa-sin nodded firmly.
He drank and lay on the bed as instructed.
Na-sa-rin inserted needles and pressed the acupoints in sequence.
Treatment complete, Yeom Sa-won suddenly bolted up and vomited violently.
"Keurgh!"
He collapsed back into sleep.
Na-sa-rin picked a wriggling worm from the vomit with chopsticks.
"Cheon-oe Won-go."
Yeom Hwa-sin, who already knew, nodded calmly.
He immediately roused his son.
"He should rest a day."
Na-sa-rin's protest fell on deaf ears.
"No need."
Regaining his senses, Yeom Sa-won stared blankly, then spotted the worm.
"Filthy bug!"
He lunged, snatched it, slammed it to the floor, and crushed it mercilessly.
Splat.
He bellowed at Na-sa-rin.
"You freak! Don't just stand there—get that filthy thing out of my father!"
Cheon-geuk seethed inwardly.
That insolent brat!
This was why the place was dangerous. An heir without manners, and a father who let it slide.
I don't know if you're the strongest in Murim... but your parenting's a disaster.
Maybe that filth was required to survive as heir here.
Now Yeom Hwa-sin's turn.
He drank, and Na-sa-rin pressed his points.
She was startled. The feel of his skin was unlike anything in her eighty-four years.
Beyond mere hardness—a profound strangeness.
Would needles even pierce? Yet they slid in easily. More astonishing still.
She removed the worm the same way.
Moments later, Yeom Hwa-sin vomited it up.
Most slept after; he didn't even doze. Exceptional, even in recovery.
Splat.
Yeom Sa-won rushed over and stomped it viciously.
His rage spilled elsewhere.
"Father, wipe them all out now. If word gets out we lost to worms, it'll be the ultimate humiliation."
Yeom Hwa-sin eyed Baek So-cheon with amusement.
"What do you think? You must have seen this coming."
Baek So-cheon was unflappable.
"I figured even if you couldn't repay the favor, you wouldn't kill us."
"Misjudged me?"
"Did I?"
"Me, sure. But my son? You should have planned for him."
"Of course. I worried it was overkill, but seeing your boy, it was just right."
Na-sa-rin continued seamlessly—per Baek So-cheon's prior transmission.
"While extracting the worm, I cast Seop-hon-sul on your son. If any of us three dies within five days, he kills himself."
Her calm words chilled Yeom Hwa-sin's expression.
"You dare Seop-hon-sul on my son?"
Na-sa-rin turned icy too. An uncharacteristic shout erupted.
"And you dare plot to kill our alliance lord?"
"This damn hag?"
"Look at me closely. See what this 'damn hag' is capable of."
Her fury was a first—and terrifying. Her aura rivaled Yeom Hwa-sin's.
"Just hold you five days."
"Release us now, or I end it myself. Once resolved to die, no one stops me."
She was certain.
"Curious? Test it."
Tense silence. Yeom Hwa-sin yielded first.
"Hahaha. Old ginger is spicy. My boy's prank—forgive him."
He glared at Yeom Sa-won.
The son grudgingly cupped his fists.
"Just youthful mischief. If overdone, my apologies. I'll repay the debt later."
It sounded more like vengeance.
Na-sa-rin nodded indifferently, her tone softening.
"Fine. It'll fade after five days."
Yeom Sa-won stormed out without thanks.
Yeom Hwa-sin, however, expressed gratitude.
"You have my thanks."
"No trouble."
He turned to Baek So-cheon.
"You, stay. We need to talk. The rest of you, out."
Yeom Hwa-sin left first.
Alone with Cheon-geuk, she vented about Yeom Sa-won.
"Don't stop me later. I'll cut that brat's head off myself someday."
He'd ignored even Na-sa-rin, their savior—calling her a freak.
Baek So-cheon thanked her.
"Thanks to you, we're all alive."
"More importantly, something for you."
Na-sa-rin's urgent words stunned.
"Touching Yeom Hwa-sin... his body isn't normal. He may have reached Geum-gang Bul-goe Ji-che."
"...!"
Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk froze.
Geum-gang Bul-goe.
Ultimate external defense: impervious to blades, fire, water—any physical force. Even sword qi or gang wouldn't sever it, only shock.
If true? Yeom Hwa-sin, no less.
Already a monster to kill. Now with wings.
Three or four chances in ten? Hardly. Now, less than one.
Murim Seol-yeol-log's top spot reverted to him.
So this was his confidence?
That pale aura on his body.
His carriage words: delights in thrill, not folly.
Untouchable certainty. Boldly approaching Murim Alliance HQ. Demanding a hundredfold sacrifice to catch him.
"I'll step out."
"Do."
Baek So-cheon followed.
Cheon-geuk tended Na-sa-rin. Not the giant's body that worried her, but this frail frame before her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
Cheon-geuk gave thanks.
"We all lived thanks to you, Elder."
"Not me."
"Huh?"
Na-sa-rin looked out the window. Far across the courtyard, Baek So-cheon approached Yeom Hwa-sin, hands behind his back.
Only then did Cheon-geuk realize Baek So-cheon had arranged it all with Na-sa-rin beforehand.
Gazing at him, she repeated her vow about Yeom Sa-won—but opposite.
"...Don't stop me later."
She didn't specify, but Na-sa-rin guessed: not vengeance, but something else.
Yes, I won't. Love freely.
She hoped her lord lived passionately. She'd guard him coldly to the end.
Wishing only that her small body endured as long as possible.