Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Treatment - 1
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There's an old saying that when times are tough, forget the comforting words and just hand over some cash for a good meat meal. But if I tried that line on Namgung Hye right now, I'd probably catch a fist to the face. So I held my tongue, even as she only managed half a bowl of porridge before setting it down.
"Must be because it's been so long since she last ate."
"S-Sorry. I just... can't... ugh... eat any more."
If it's a mental block keeping the food down, there's no forcing it.
She tried to muster a smile through the strain, but it twisted into something awkward instead. With that odd expression lingering, Namgung Hye rose from her seat.
She hesitated for a moment, then approached me and gently took hold of my arm.
"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. Back then... you must have been suffering so much. And I... I didn't know anything..."
Okay, let's think this through. What happens if I accept her apology right here?
I'd heard about those gripped by heart demons from Yu Ye-ryeon before.
Once the heart demon takes hold, you lose yourself and become ruled by your emotions. In the worst cases, you drown in those waves of feeling and turn into a raving madman, unable to break free.
So what's Namgung Hye's situation like now, lost to her heart demon?
She's spiraling into guilt over me—guilt that's utterly pointless. If my words sway her emotions in this state?
In the worst case, she could end up dependent on me, reduced to a hollow shell incapable of independent thought.
Namgung Je seemed to sense it too, rushing over with an urgent look on his face.
"Hye, this isn't the time to be talking with Young Hero Jin."
"Ah... ugh... y-you're right. For someone like me to even talk to Jin Hyun..."
Someone like me? What does that even mean? It's not like I'm some big deal.
Maybe the interruption snapped her out of it? Her darkened expression lifted for a moment as she bowed her head deeply. She stepped away from me, hesitated, then stole a glance my way.
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"I'll come again tomorrow. Is there anything you want to eat?"
"...I-I'm fine with anything."
"Then that's settled. See you tomorrow."
A maidservant led the struggling Namgung Hye inside. Watching her go, Namgung Je let out a heavy sigh that seemed to shake the ground.
"Her condition is getting really bad."
"It shows. Has the family found no way to help her?"
"A way...? Escaping a heart demon has to come from within. No one on the outside can force it."
"I see..."
"Still, she seems to have opened up to you a bit, since you're connected to this... But if you're not careful..."
"Yes. I've heard it could lead to dependence and obsession."
"Mm. So please, be cautious when you talk to her."
"Understood."
"We've prepared lodgings for you in the meantime. Go rest there. Oh, and if you need anything, just say the word."
"Actually, there is something. I'm planning to make meals and snacks for Namgung Hye tomorrow."
"Good thing you know your way around the kitchen. She hasn't been eating or drinking properly because of the heart demon."
I shrugged at Namgung Je's bitter words. It wasn't intentional on my part, but if my cooking could help, that was a stroke of luck.
"When do you think she'll be able to move around properly?"
"Hard to say. If you're willing, why not give her some medicine along with your meals?"
"Mm. Sure."
She's in no shape to do anything right now anyway.
With the Namgung family's tonic medicines, she'd recover her strength in no time.
A healthy body houses a healthy mind, after all. Getting her physical state right first was something Namgung Je and I both agreed on.
As we talked, we arrived at my quarters. He promised to bring what I needed and left.
Left alone, my thoughts drifted back to Namgung Hye from earlier.
Figuring out exactly why she's drowning in guilt is priority one.
A short while later, a maid arrived, and I listed the ingredients I needed. Once I had the stuff for porridge and caramel, I started on the caramel first while mulling over what came next.
"You're the one."
I nearly jumped.
As the sugar melted, a middle-aged man had slipped in without a sound.
He shared Namgung Je's features, watching me with sharp, piercing eyes before shifting his gaze to the ladle in my hand.
"What are you making?"
"Western candies. Namgung Hye likes them, so..."
"I see."
"Ah, and greetings are overdue. I'm Jin Hyun of Sword Heaven."
"Namgung Hyeok. Patriarch of the Namgung family and her father."
Namgung Hyeok. One of the characters who popped up in the novel's Namgung family episodes. He dies fighting the Blood Cult, too.
Son of Namgung Cheon, the current Sword Saint.
"Disciple of Sword Heaven, they say?"
"Not quite a disciple. I just learned a bit of his martial arts."
"Hmmm..."
He scanned me from head to toe, then raised a hand. An outdoor chair flew through the air into his grasp—air-grasping control, a feat beyond most masters. Without a word, he eyed the pot.
"Not making it?"
"Ah. Yes, sir."
Curious about the recipe? I had no intention of hiding it, but I hadn't expected the family patriarch to care.
He watched in silence as I finished the caramels, only speaking once they were done.
"More complicated than I thought."
"You get used to it."
"True. Familiarity simplifies everything. But raising someone? That never gets easier, no matter how much you do it."
"Is that so?"
"Teacher and student are one body, as they say. So my disciples are like my children. And yet... they're not. I've raised countless pupils over the years, but it's nothing like raising a daughter. What do you think?"
"Because children and students are different, I'd wager."
No matter the teacher-student bond, it can't match blood ties.
Even among ten fingers, one always hurts the most.
A flesh-and-blood daughter is bound to be cherished more.
"Is that it... Sigh. It's hard. So hard."
"How about something sweet to take the edge off?"
I offered him a fresh caramel. He took it, stared at it a moment, then popped it in his mouth as he spoke.
"My daughter loves these Western candies. Do you know why?"
"No idea."
"When she was little, she trained under me as the next patriarch. Whenever the studies or practice got too tough, she'd run crying for her mother. It broke my heart, so I'd sneak her these candies when no other disciples were around."
"Ah."
"Her tear-streaked face lighting up with that big grin... it was the most beautiful sight. I'd even seek out more just to see it again."
"I see."
A tale as old as fatherhood itself. What dad wouldn't melt at his pretty daughter's smile?
Even as head of the mighty Namgung family, he was no exception.
Especially with a beauty like Namgung Hye.
"That's why I can't bear to see her like this now."
Helplessness gnawed at him—he could do nothing. I stood as I regarded him.
"They say escaping a heart demon is up to the person themselves... but I believe the ones closest to them need to stay by their side."
"...Do you."
"Yes. So please, stand firm and unwavering."
"Sigh. Talk of my daughter turns me into this every time... It's not easy."
"What in this world is?"
Only then did he flash a wry smile and rise. He turned away, the caramel still in his mouth.
"In any case, I'm counting on you."
"Yes. I'll do my best."
Not that I can promise a full cure from the heart demon.
With everything prepared, I headed to my room. It was lavish and spacious—far nicer than my quarters at Sword Heaven.
I wondered if a guy like me even belonged in a place like this. Grabbing my sword, I stepped outside.
Nice room or not, training couldn't wait another day.
I ran through the Three Ultimates Sword Art as usual: vertical slice, horizontal sweep, then thrust.
Among them, the vertical slice and horizontal sweep—Mount Tai Pressing Down and Sweeping Away Heavenly Armies—had seen some progress with fresh insights. But Immortal's Path? No breakthroughs there.
The immortal's path. What answer lies in this thrust?
No, before that—can I even grasp the full meaning of the Three Ultimates Sword Art?
"Haa."
They say heart demons strike those who doubt themselves, but clearly not everyone falls to them...
- Rustle!
"Ha, haat!! S-Sorry. Did I... s-scare you...?"
There in the dark brush stood Namgung Hye. Her pale face caught the moonlight, giving me a real jolt. She startled at the grass herself, shrinking her shoulders in panic.
"...D-Did I... d-disturb you...? S-Sorry. I just... wanted to see you..."
"Nah, no bother at all. Wanna sit and rest now that you're here?"
I cleared a spot for her, and she fidgeted before sitting down. Hugging her knees, she began stealing glances at me.
"Something you wanna say?"
"...Yeah. Um, it's..."
She twisted her fingers, at a total loss, then cautiously checked my expression.
"...Today. Can you... stay with me?"