Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: I Have to Go
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"Young Master, what will you do?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages asked, watching the back of Seo Mundeok as he left the Golden Jade Villa.
He had just met with Seo Mundeok and heard his story. The situation seemed far more serious than he had imagined.
For one, they hadn't even been able to determine the exact number of half-jiangshi mobilized for the attacks.
It was no exaggeration to say that when Byeok Taesan had been in Yichang before, there had been no proper half-jiangshi attacks.
Because every time the half-jiangshi attacked, Byeok Taesan had intervened.
Moreover, he had later gone to the place where the half-jiangshi were stored and defeated them all, meaning they had almost no real experience dealing with them.
But this time was different.
The attacks were highly organized and came in various forms.
Sometimes, an enormous number of half-jiangshi would attack as if to sweep everything away, while at other times, dozens would launch stealthy raids.
In any case, the damage accumulating in the Hubei Martial Alliance was immense.
Not only the Hubei Martial Alliance, but other martial families and clans based in Yichang also saw their losses steadily increase.
That wasn't the only problem.
A truly powerful master had gotten involved.
This master, perhaps a member of an organization calling themselves Nameless, sometimes moved with the half-jiangshi and sometimes acted alone.
The bigger problem was that there was more than one such master.
On top of that, those who had consumed the Blood Augmenting Pills were running rampant, turning Yichang into a complete mess.
Fortunately, the damage was mitigated thanks to the Black Beads, a countermeasure to the Blood Augmenting Pills created by the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric and delivered to the Hubei Martial Alliance.
But there was a limit to what they could do.
Seo Mundeok's request was for help in fending off the half-jiangshi and for a further supply of Black Beads.
Naturally, he promised adequate compensation.
All that remained was Byeok Taesan's decision.
"I have to go."
With spiritual herbs supposedly scattered everywhere, where else would he go?
He had healed his body, but he was far from done. From now on, he had to seriously start accumulating spiritual energy.
There were several ways to accumulate spiritual energy.
He could cultivate it by circulating the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts internally, or he could absorb it by burning away the impurities clinging to others' souls.
But the best method by far was spiritual herbs.
Hearing Byeok Taesan's decision, Hwaok quickly asked.
"Have you decided who you will be taking with you?"
This task would be extremely dangerous. But in other words, it was also an opportunity to gain significant experience.
Those who went to the Hubei Martial Alliance this time would likely grow rapidly.
If they survived.
Hwaok looked at Byeok Taesan with eyes full of subtle anticipation.
The thought of going with Byeok Taesan was incredibly reassuring. It felt like she could survive no matter what happened.
Byeok Taesan met Hwaok's expectant gaze and fell into thought for a moment.
"Well..."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric stared at Byeok Taesan, their eyes gleaming.
They had instinctively realized that if they stayed here, they would have to live steeped in the smell of medicine until Byeok Taesan returned.
They had to go, no matter what.
A look filled with this sentiment poured from their eyes.
Byeok Taesan saw this and let out a small laugh.
"First, I'll have to take Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon."
Their training in the Limitless Steps was complete, and they were learning new martial arts, so this would be a good opportunity to engrain them into their bodies.
"You'll have to go too."
Hwaok's face flushed slightly.
"Yes. I will prepare."
He needed someone to handle coordination with the Underworld Sect and overall command, and no one could do that job better than Hwaok.
"I should also take a few of the maids."
Who else would attend to Byeok Taesan?
He wouldn't be able to enjoy the same comforts as at home, but he had no intention of giving them all up.
"It should be fine to take all of them."
At Hwaok's words, Byeok Taesan nodded nonchalantly.
"Handle it as you see fit."
Hwaok bowed her head slightly and then asked.
"What about the men from the Ronin Market and the Black Path?"
"Tell them to just keep training hard. It's still a long way before they're useful."
Byeok Taesan said that much and, after a moment's thought, looked at Hwaok.
"Well, that should be enough, don't you think?"
"Miss Yeon..."
"The same goes for her. Now is the time for her to hone her body, not for real combat."
"Understood."
As the conversation came to a close, the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric grew restless.
But Byeok Taesan didn't even glance at the two of them, simply waving his hand at Hwaok.
"Go and prepare."
"Yes."
Hwaok bowed respectfully and withdrew.
The jaws of the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric dropped. Their eyes trembled violently.
"Y-Young Master. Surely you're not abandoning me?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages was the first to speak up. He looked at Byeok Taesan with the most pitiful expression he could muster.
"Young Master, a skilled physician is absolutely necessary for such a mission. Especially! Treating external injuries is crucial. Isn't that obvious? It's a fight, a fight."
Only then grasping the situation, the One-Needle Eccentric stared at the Divine Doctor of the Ages with a look of disbelief and shock.
Not to be outdone, the One-Needle Eccentric stepped forward.
"External injuries are important. But in a fight between masters who use internal energy, internal injuries are far more critical. Moreover, my needles are fast and precise. It has been said since ancient times not to associate with those who just slather on wound salves."
"Ha! Who slathers on wound salves? And you said you don't associate? Then what about you going to the Yonghwa Pavilion with me yesterday... Mmph!"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages couldn't finish his sentence because the One-Needle Eccentric suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Why are you bringing that up here! Are you really trying to take us both down? Aah!"
The One-Needle Eccentric was startled by a tongue suddenly swirling against his palm and snatched his hand away.
His mouth free again, the Divine Doctor of the Ages quickly looked at Byeok Taesan and said.
"So, what I'm saying is, you should take a useful talent like me who can be utilized in various ways, and it would be best to let my brother here continue making medicine, putting his talents to good use."
Having said that, the Divine Doctor of the Ages grinned with a look of accomplishment, as if he had succeeded.
Beside him, the One-Needle Eccentric clenched his fists, his face turning red and purple, but now was not the time to worry about that.
This was a crucial moment that would decide whether he went to the Hubei Martial Alliance or stayed here, steeped in medicine.
"Enough. Both of you get ready to go to the Hubei Martial Alliance. The more physicians, the better."
With that, Byeok Taesan turned and went inside.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric stared blankly at Byeok Taesan's retreating back.
"Brother, you'd better be clear that it's thanks to me you get to come along."
"What? Why is this crazy bastard suddenly spouting nonsense?"
"Isn't it because I passionately argued the need for a physician that the Young Master changed his mind? Originally, we were both supposed to stay here and grind herbs."
The One-Needle Eccentric scoffed.
"You think that's going to stop me from hitting you? Who do you think you're fooling?"
As the One-Needle Eccentric said that and made a fist, the Divine Doctor of the Ages was already fleeing into the distance.
"You disloyal bastard, get back here!"
As the One-Needle Eccentric gave chase, the Divine Doctor of the Ages fled even faster.
"Am I the only disloyal one? Who was it that first insulted me, saying I was at the level of just slathering on wound salves?"
"Anyway, just shut up and stop!"
"Are you crazy?"
"What? Crazy? Hey! I said stop!"
A tense chase ensued for a while.
In the meantime, the others quickly finished their preparations to leave for the Hubei Martial Alliance.
***
Cho Seoran, with a serious expression, watched the physicians from the Heavenly Medicine Hall working hard all over the vacant lot.
No, her gaze was on them, but she was lost in deep thought.
In truth, she had already achieved her purpose for coming here to Wuhan.
Her goal was to take Byeok Taesan's pulse and, through that, find a way to defeat the half-jiangshi.
And today, she had taken his pulse.
The problem was that she had learned nothing.
In Cho Seoran's view, Byeok Taesan was one of the most ordinary people whose pulse she had ever taken.
But they said Byeok Taesan was a master.
That was what the two physicians, who had been sent to the Hubei Martial Alliance and then dragged here to do hard labor, had told her.
Those two physicians had traveled with Byeok Taesan from the Hubei Martial Alliance to Wuhan.
Along the way, they had also fought against the group controlling the half-jiangshi.
Although they hadn't watched Byeok Taesan fight from the sidelines, they could infer how strong he was from the results.
In their eyes, Byeok Taesan was a master whose strength was beyond their comprehension.
Cho Seoran was confused.
Taking a pulse could reveal many things. One of them was the presence of internal energy.
Byeok Taesan didn't have a shred of internal energy.
Yet he was a master. How was she supposed to accept that?
Having learned martial arts herself, Cho Seoran knew.
She knew what a huge difference the presence or absence of internal energy made.
That was why she had taken his pulse three times. And each time, the result was the same.
So it was only natural for her to be confused.
Cho Seoran's expression became resolute.
'I'll have to watch him a little longer.'
She couldn't give up like this. Now that she had confirmed there was nothing to be learned from his pulse, she had to find another way.
'But if it's not his constitution, not his internal energy, and not severed meridians, then what is it?'
What on earth was the reason the half-jiangshi were powerless against Byeok Taesan?
The only way to find out was to see it with her own eyes.
Cho Seoran recalled hearing that Seo Mundeok, the Patrol Hall Master of the Hubei Martial Alliance, had visited earlier.
Byeok Taesan was probably meeting with Seo Mundeok right now. No, perhaps their talk was already over.
'He'll definitely go to Yichang, right?'
He probably would. She had been watching Byeok Taesan closely when they were talking about the half-jiangshi earlier, and he had definitely reacted.
Cho Seoran shot up from her seat.
She was the type of person who charged headfirst once a goal was set, without looking back.
Cho Seoran glanced at the physicians of the Heavenly Medicine Hall.
'Just suffer a little longer.'
She muttered that inwardly and quickly went to find Byeok Taesan.
***
Preparations for the departure to Yichang were finished in an instant.
With ten maids working with determination, everything was ready before anyone else had a chance to lift a finger.
Moreover, since all ten maids had learned martial arts, they didn't need any help from the men.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric prepared a generous supply of medicine to use on the trip.
They had already made a great deal of medicine, so even after packing a lot, a huge amount was left over.
They handed over that enormous quantity of medicine to Yuk Taegu and Jang Gagu.
It was partly because they didn't know what might happen, but also because they knew their training methods were very intense, so they gave it to them to treat injuries immediately.
And with Cho Seoran joining the group, the nine physicians from the Heavenly Medicine Hall had to remain at the Golden Jade Villa.
They decided to make extensive preparations for medicine-making until the group returned.
They couldn't reveal all their secret medicine-making techniques, so they had no other choice.
In the end, the situation was such that the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric would have to do all the finishing touches upon their return.
Thus, all preparations were completed smoothly.
Finally, on the morning after Seo Mundeok's visit, Byeok Taesan's party left the Golden Jade Villa.
At the main gate of the Golden Jade Villa, Yeon Harin, who had heard the news late last night, was watching Byeok Taesan and the rest of the group with a gaze mixed with bewilderment, resentment, disappointment, and anxiety.
Then, Yeon Harin's eyes landed on Cho Seoran.
"There's another new face, I see?"
Yeon Harin said this as she turned her head to look at the Divine Doctor of the Ages. She had a feeling she knew who this stranger was.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages flinched and avoided Yeon Harin's gaze.
"But she's as beautiful as I've heard. Isn't she?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages said hastily.
"It wasn't me."
"Pardon? What wasn't you?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages looked at the One-Needle Eccentric.
"It was my brother, not me. I didn't know either, but they apparently know each other?"
As the Divine Doctor of the Ages deftly stepped aside, the One-Needle Eccentric was flustered.
Yeon Harin's gaze had already shifted to the One-Needle Eccentric.
"No, well... Hey, you bastard! You were the one who suggested it!"
The One-Needle Eccentric shouted at the Divine Doctor of the Ages, but he was already gone, having slipped behind the gathered maids.
While they were doing that, Cho Seoran was too busy enduring the stinging gazes directed at her to pay attention to anything else.
The nine physicians from the Heavenly Medicine Hall who had come out to see her off were staring at her.
If they had resented her or cursed her, she would have felt more at ease, but they were looking at her with such pitiful eyes that guilt pricked her heart.
"Leader... we will serve you more diligently. Please... we hope you obtain what you desire..."
Cho Seoran shuddered.
'Surely they're not doing this on purpose, are they?'
The thought suddenly occurred to her.
Byeok Taesan, who had been quietly observing the whole situation, frowned slightly and turned away.
Then he began to walk away with long strides.
Only then did everyone else startle and hurry after him.
As Yeon Harin silently watched Byeok Taesan's retreating back, a venomous look slowly began to fill her eyes.
All of this had happened because she was weak.
To change that, she had to push herself even harder than before.
Yeon Harin turned and entered the Golden Jade Villa, heading for the training grounds.
She repeatedly vowed that next time, she would never be separated from Byeok Taesan's side.