Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: A Matter of Course
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A Matter of Course
Byeok Taesan sat on his bed, his eyes gently closed.
The reason he had decided not to leave for a month was that it was time to tend to the meridian channels he had reconnected with spiritual energy.
During his visits to the brothel, Byeok Taesan had used the spiritual energy absorbed through the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts to reconnect his meridian channels.
However, this only restored the function of the channels using spiritual energy; it hadn't fundamentally healed the severed meridians.
That was why the Divine Doctor of the Ages had been so bewildered when he took his pulse.
Meridian channels connected by spiritual energy moved a little differently from real ones. In fact, their effect was even greater than that of genuine meridians.
The problem was sustainability, and that was what Byeok Taesan was now trying to solve.
Now, he had to spend about a month healing the channels he had reconnected.
In the process, most of the spiritual energy used to connect them would likely be consumed.
But in return, he would gain strengthened meridian channels—ones so extraordinary they couldn't be compared to those of an ordinary person.
Of course, what he could achieve this time was only a small fraction.
But there was still plenty of time. If he continued to visit the brothel and gather spiritual energy, he would one day obtain a perfect body.
Byeok Taesan devoted all his time, except for meals, to healing his meridian channels.
He didn't even sleep.
‘The nature of this spiritual energy... it's definitely changed.’
The spiritual energy he had obtained through the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts during his time as the Heavenly Demon was extremely violent and destructive.
It raged within his body every day, threatening to sweep away everything in the world.
Byeok Taesan could crush most of his enemies simply by releasing that energy.
But the act of simply releasing it was incredibly difficult.
Without control over his internal energy that had reached its absolute limit, one couldn't even dream of it.
And that peak level of control was the very beginning of the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
So, how difficult must it be to learn and use the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts?
But the newly reborn Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts, achieved through enlightenment at the moment of death, was different.
The spiritual energy obtained through it was incredibly tenacious and resilient.
That wasn't to say it was easy to control.
In fact, in some ways, it was much trickier to handle.
But Byeok Taesan was a man who had reached the pinnacle of the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts. Though it hadn't been the proper path, the experience and ability he had gained from reaching that point were not to be dismissed.
Byeok Taesan skillfully manipulated the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts, slowly mending his severed meridian channels.
He didn't rush.
It didn't matter if it took several days to connect a single one. What was important was how thoroughly and sturdily he healed them.
Byeok Taesan's treatment proceeded very smoothly.
* * *
Cheon Gyeongwan was on his way to the office of the Golden Jade Trading Company's master.
His whole body felt like it was creaking. But that was just a feeling; in reality, his physical condition was better than ever.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages was truly worthy of his title.
He recalled the doctor's confident declaration that there were only five physicians in the world superior to him.
At this level, he had no choice but to acknowledge it.
No, it was almost strange to think that there were physicians of an even higher caliber than this man.
Who on earth were those five physicians above the Divine Doctor of the Ages? Were they even human?
The question of whether they were human naturally led his thoughts to Byeok Taesan.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages had said Byeok Taesan's condition was so severe that it was questionable whether he was truly alive.
All his meridian channels were severed. It was said that even those born with conditions like the Nine Yin Severed Meridians or Seven Yin Severed Meridians were geniuses who could shake the world.
How much more so for Byeok Taesan?
‘Did he hide it all this time because he believed it was incurable?’
Byeok Taesan could be divided into two phases: before and after he started visiting the brothel.
The Byeok Taesan from before was a wreck of a man, living with cynicism, dissatisfaction, anxiety, and despair.
But the Byeok Taesan after that was a completely different person.
‘It's strange.’
Strange, yet a matter of course.
Because lately, he had been keenly feeling just how powerful a human's will to live was.
“Haa.”
A sigh escaped him at the thought of his training. He gritted his teeth, and a shiver ran down his spine.
Lost in thought, he soon arrived at the office of Byeok Taesu, the master of the Golden Jade Trading Company.
The office door was wide open, and through it, he could see Byeok Taesu sitting at a large desk, reviewing some documents.
He looked like a painting.
‘Still, our Young Master...’
Byeok Taesu was much older than Byeok Taesan. He didn't know the exact age, but he was at least in his twenties.
He had heard that Byeok Taesu's son, Byeok Jehyeok, was a year younger than Byeok Taesan. Of course, this wasn't certain either. Honestly, he hadn't been very interested.
Though that had changed a little now.
In any case, the sight of Byeok Taesu at his desk was quite impressive. He possessed the most ideal appearance one could have at that age.
That appearance had likely been a very positive asset in his trading company business.
Still, compared to Byeok Taesan, whose complexion had recently improved, he was somewhat lacking.
When Byeok Taesan reached that age, he would probably be far more remarkable.
Cheon Gyeongwan stepped into the office, entertaining such idle thoughts.
Byeok Taesu, seeming to notice him just then, set down his documents and slowly raised his head to look at Cheon Gyeongwan.
“It has been a while. We should see each other more often, but I've been so busy lately that I haven't been able to pay you proper attention.”
“Not at all. I know you've been quite considerate. I have no discomfort at all and am very satisfied with my life here.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
Byeok Taesu rose from his seat and walked over to a separate table nearby. He gestured for Cheon Gyeongwan to sit first before taking his own seat.
The two men sat facing each other across the table, a brief silence falling between them.
It was Byeok Taesu who spoke first.
“Somehow, your complexion... doesn't look too well. Do you have any worries these days?”
Cheon Gyeongwan shook his head.
“No. It's just that the intensity of my training has been a bit high lately. My body is in excellent condition, so you need not worry.”
“Ah... I see. That's remarkable. You truly train hard.”
Cheon Gyeongwan gave a bitter smile.
It was true that he was training hard. But he had only started doing so recently.
In fact, he had lived under the delusion that he had been training fiercely all this time.
Then, with the Divine Doctor of the Ages' help, he began his recent training and was now acutely aware of how comfortably he had been training before.
“More importantly, what is the reason you summoned me so suddenly?”
Even at this very moment, Yu Seoyeon was likely gritting her teeth and swinging her sword.
And that brief moment of time would create a gap, a gap that would return to him entirely as pain.
So he wanted to get to the point quickly.
“First, I wish to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude?”
“I heard that you've been taking good care of Taesan. I don't know if he has expressed his thanks, but even if he hasn't, please don't take it to heart. He has been ill since he was young and is still naive about the ways of the world.”
Cheon Gyeongwan stared at Byeok Taesu with a look of disbelief.
Naive? Who? *That* Byeok Taesan?
Byeok Taesu slightly bowed his head. Seeing this, Cheon Gyeongwan quickly came to his senses and spoke.
“Please, don't do this. If anything, I am the one receiving help. I have no intention of leaving the Young Master, no matter what. Even if you were to drive me away, I would cling to him tenaciously.”
Byeok Taesu smiled brightly.
“I sincerely thank you for your kindness, Sir Cheon.”
Cheon Gyeongwan was about to say that wasn't it, but he stopped himself. It seemed pointless to argue here, and it would only prolong the conversation.
“And perhaps... what about the Divine Doctor of the Ages?”
“He is... a truly great physician. A remarkable man.”
This he could say with certainty, as he was experiencing that remarkableness with his own body.
“Ah, is that so? That's a relief.”
Once again, Byeok Taesu's face brightened.
“I did my own research, but I couldn't be certain with that alone, so I was worried. That's why I'm checking with everyone who has seen him up close.”
Cheon Gyeongwan shook his head firmly.
“There's no need for confirmation. In my opinion, he is... the best under heaven, aside from transcendent beings like the Medicine Saint or the Poison Demon.”
“To that extent?”
Byeok Taesu's eyes widened. He had known to some extent from rumors and information he had gathered, but he hadn't been certain.
But with Cheon Gyeongwan's firm assertion, he felt that inviting the doctor had been the right decision.
“Then... do you think the Divine Doctor of the Ages can cure our Taesan's illness?”
Cheon Gyeongwan couldn't answer right away.
Strictly speaking, Byeok Taesan was curing the illness himself. He would surely be completely cured.
Watching Byeok Taesan's words and actions, he was certain that he would be cured.
Then he would be cured.
If Byeok Taesan was certain, who would dare to argue?
Strictly speaking, it wasn't the Divine Doctor of the Ages who was doing the curing. But the illness would be cured.
“I am certain he will be completely cured.”
At Cheon Gyeongwan's words, Byeok Taesu nodded emphatically.
Cheon Gyeongwan was taken aback to see tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.
“That's truly... a relief. I was actually looking for other physicians in case the Divine Doctor of the Ages gave up. But finding one more skilled than him proved to be incredibly difficult. I was deeply worried, but now I can rest easy.”
Byeok Taesu's words were filled with heartfelt sincerity.
Cheon Gyeongwan spoke cautiously.
“Master... you truly cherish our Young Master.”
“Isn't that a matter of course? He is my younger brother.”
Byeok Taesu's gaze grew distant for a moment before he continued.
“I remember when he was first born. Truly... it was so fascinating to see such a tiny thing squirming around...”
Byeok Taesu composed himself, changing the mood as he spoke again.
“To be honest, Taesan is like a son to me. When a child is sick, the parent feels even more pain. So I intend to do everything I can.”
Cheon Gyeongwan looked at Byeok Taesu with a hint of admiration.
“By the way... I heard there have been a few incidents around Taesan recently.”
“Yes.”
Cheon Gyeongwan answered just that. He figured Byeok Taesu probably knew more about what had happened than he did.
“That is why I'm bringing this up. I would like to increase Taesan's guard slightly. I wanted to see you to get your permission and hear your opinion.”
Although Cheon Gyeongwan was a warrior belonging to the Golden Jade Trading Company, his relationship was closer to a partnership, so it was better to seek permission even for such trivial matters.
At least, that's how Byeok Taesu saw it, and he had always respected that.
Moreover, when treated this way, Cheon Gyeongwan would usually accept most requests without refusal.
But this time, it was slightly different from what Byeok Taesu had expected.
“I believe the proper course of action is to first confirm the Young Master's intentions.”
At those words, Byeok Taesu's eyes lit up.
“Sir Cheon... you've truly become Taesan's man.”
“Didn't I say so from the beginning? That I would never leave the Young Master's side.”
Byeok Taesu bowed respectfully.
“I ask for your continued favor in the future.”
Flustered, Cheon Gyeongwan bowed in return.
Byeok Taesu raised his head with a bitter expression and said.
“Then, Sir Cheon, please find out Taesan's intentions for me. It is... awkward for me to meet him directly.”
“I understand.”
He hadn't before, but now he understood.
If Byeok Taesu were to visit Byeok Taesan directly, his wife and son wouldn't look upon it favorably.
“I will speak to the Young Master. And even if he refuses the guards, please do not worry too much.”
Byeok Taesu gave a bitter smile and nodded.
“I understand.”
It was entirely possible. Byeok Taesan would surely resent him.
How could brothers who rarely saw each other maintain a good relationship?
To this Byeok Taesu, Cheon Gyeongwan spoke calmly.
“The Young Master is a far more remarkable person than you think, Master. So if he says he doesn't need guards, it means he truly doesn't need them or that they would be a hindrance. No personal feelings will be involved.”
Byeok Taesu looked at Cheon Gyeongwan with surprised eyes.
The Cheon Gyeongwan he knew was a man who thought only of martial arts.
But after their conversation today, he was clearly different from before.
He didn't know if this change was because of Byeok Taesan or if it was just a matter of timing.
But it was certain that their conversation that day became a catalyst for Byeok Taesu to rethink his impression of Byeok Taesan.
* * *
Once the treatment of his meridian channels was mostly complete, Byeok Taesan left his room.
Until then, he truly hadn't taken a single step out of his room.
He ate in his room and washed in his room.
Thanks to investing all his time, he was able to exhaust all the spiritual energy he had gathered in just half a month.
As soon as he left his room, Byeok Taesan headed for the training ground.
Waves of energy were constantly emanating from that direction.
“Well now, shall we see if they're training properly?”