Chapter 88
In an instant, the Medical Pavilion erupted into chaos.
“Whoa! It’s the young lord!”
Everyone dropped what they were doing and swarmed over.
“Young lord!”
“You’re finally here!”
Chuyeon and Chudam, the siblings, hurried over barefoot to greet him.
“Welcome back!”
Chunseok, still as burly as ever, bounded up to joyfully embrace Tian Ailang.
While Tian Ailang was rooted in place by the trainees’ enthusiastic welcome, a familiar voice rang out.
“You’ve arrived.”
Tian Ailang turned toward the voice to see Ma Chung, the pavilion master and renowned as the Hemp Physician, standing there with a warm smile.
Even amid the commotion, the trainees parted to let Tian Ailang and Ma Chung meet.
“I hope you’ve been well?”
Tian Ailang approached Ma Chung and examined his frame. He looked even gaunter than the last time they’d met.
Reading the concern in his gaze, Ma Chung smiled reassuringly.
To Tian Ailang, Ma Chung was the only one who could directly share memories of his time with Grandpa Cheondanho. That alone made him profoundly important. Seeing even a hint of frailty in such a man unsettled Tian Ailang deeply.
As Tian Ailang’s worry lingered, Ma Chung shook his head.
“When you get old, the body naturally follows. It’s nothing to fret over.”
His words carried a serene detachment.
Tian Ailang nodded at Ma Chung’s firm tone and changed the subject.
“How’s Sogeol?”
“Inside the formation. Neither worsening nor improving—just holding steady. The Dam family head and Hao Clan leader’s vigorous support has been a huge help. Especially the sheer volume of spirit elixirs from the Hao Clan leader—it’s enough to maintain this state for years.”
Tian Ailang felt a quiet relief. He was grateful not only for the Dam family head but for the Hao Clan leader’s tireless efforts. One might say the Hao Clan leader’s devotion was natural since Sogeol was his daughter, but gratitude was gratitude all the same.
“Young lord……”
Just then, Hwalan came rushing up, breathless, her hair disheveled and cheeks flushed.
“You’ve been well?”
Tian Ailang couldn’t help but smile at her healthy vigor. She hadn’t slacked on her training—her energy brimmed over. And thanks to that discipline and the resulting vitality, her skin glowed and her beauty shone even brighter.
The moment Hwalan saw his smile, she dashed forward and threw her arms around him.
Tian Ailang, caught off guard, awkwardly spread his arms to hug her back. He noticed the trainees all covering their mouths, eyes wide with delight.
Ma Chung, standing nearby, simply chuckled, “Heh heh heh.”
Tian Ailang felt his chest growing damp with her tears.
His initial surprise melted into gratitude. She must have worried so much.
He gently patted Hwalan’s shoulder, though his face remained awkwardly flushed.
After a moment, Hwalan sniffled and pulled back. Suddenly shy, her fair skin turned bright red.
“I’m so glad you’re safe.”
She bowed her head deeply in greeting.
“Yeah. You look healthy too—thank goodness. Everyone else does as well.”
Tian Ailang glanced around. They were all beaming. A few trainees wore mischievous grins at the scene.
He chuckled softly and turned to Ma Chung.
“I’d like to check on Sogeol’s condition.”
Ma Chung nodded and started walking.
“Of course. Follow me.”
Only Tian Ailang and Hwalan trailed after him; the others dispersed to their tasks.
“The formation looks reinforced?”
At the formation site, sturdy ritual stones had been added.
Ma Chung nodded at Tian Ailang’s question.
“The Dam family put a lot of care into it. They say they made a special request to the Jegal family, with whom they’ve had prior dealings. From what I hear, these are top-grade ritual stones that even gold can’t easily buy.”
Tian Ailang resolved to visit the Dam family once his urgent matters settled. Their sincerity was no small thing.
Ma Chung continued.
“Thanks to them, the formation’s durability and stability are rock-solid now. Let’s head in.”
Ma Chung stepped into the formation, his figure shimmering and vanishing.
Tian Ailang and Hwalan followed without hesitation.
Wooong—
The disorienting vertigo of warped space washed over them.
Impressive, Tian Ailang thought. Even he, who moved freely through formations, felt the alien density of qi packed into it. The ritual stones had transformed it entirely.
The interior had changed too. The cozy thatched hut remained, but better buildings dotted the area.
“The Hao Clan leader sent people to build them. Spaces for treating patients, storing and handling medicines, a granary, and quarters for us.”
Tian Ailang marveled at Ma Chung’s explanation. The formation felt like a full village now—comfortable even for multiple long-term residents.
The small pond for fresh water had expanded into a gently flowing stream.
“We focused on purer water for the patient. The ritual stones made the formation so robust inside and out that this was feasible.”
Tian Ailang nodded. In his absence, so many had poured their efforts into their roles.
At the formation’s center, where Hwalan had trained, an even higher-grade ritual stone cluster had been added, with a small pavilion at its core.
“Sogeol must be in there.”
Ma Chung nodded.
“Yes.”
Tian Ailang’s heart pounded. Sogeol……
Expectations and worries swirled as he wondered what state she’d be in. Staring at the pavilion eased him somewhat—the formation’s qi visibly converged on it via the stones, likely sustaining her energy.
Just then, an elder emerged from the pavilion. It was Divine Physician Jin Seolju.
“You’re here.”
He greeted Tian Ailang matter-of-factly. He’d guessed his arrival from the earlier commotion when Ma Chung went out.
“It’s been a while. May I go in?”
Divine Physician Jin stepped aside to let him pass.
“Please do.”
“Ah!”
As Tian Ailang headed for the door, he pulled a small box from his robe and handed it to Ma Chung.
“Ice Frost Pills. I assume the rest of the spirit elixirs came via the Hao Clan leader?”
Ma Chung nodded.
“Safely stored. Go see her first, then come back.”
“Understood.”
Tian Ailang passed Divine Physician Jin, heart racing, and opened the door.
A thick medicinal scent billowed out. The air inside was dense, saturated like steeped herbs.
At the room’s center sat a wide treatment bed, and upon it lay a face Tian Ailang knew well.
“Sogeol……”
He approached Song Sogeol. Her complexion was paler than the North Sea Ice Palace women, but her body looked somewhat healthier thanks to the elixirs.
Tian Ailang lightly placed his hand on her dantian and peered inside.
He sensed the elixirs’ qi permeating her, yet dissipating in real time.
He withdrew his hand.
No different from when she first collapsed. At least no worsening—thank goodness.
He sighed in relief. He’d worried constantly while away that her condition might decline. Gratitude flooded him that it hadn’t.
No bedsores, clean body and clothes—Hwalan must have worked hard.
To Tian Ailang, Song Sogeol had always been his cheerful sworn brother, but in truth a woman—so Hwalan had likely handled her care.
For his resolve to save her, two divine physicians, Hwalan, the pavilion trainees, the Dam family, and the Hao Clan leader had all toiled tirelessly. He was deeply thankful.
“I’ll save you soon.”
Tian Ailang vowed, giving her one last look.
As he stepped out, he addressed the waiting group.
“Let’s discuss manufacturing the treatment elixir.”
“To our quarters.”
The two divine physicians brightened and replied eagerly. They’d been anxiously awaiting Tian Ailang, desperate to cure Song Sogeol quickly. Divine Physician Jin especially anticipated an unprecedented feat if it succeeded.
“I’ll watch over her.”
Hwalan volunteered to stay with Song Sogeol.
“Thanks for now—and for everything.”
Tian Ailang encouraged the no-doubt exhausted Hwalan and followed Ma Chung and Divine Physician Jin.
* * *
Tian Ailang, Ma Chung, and Divine Physician Jin sat and dove straight into discussion, skipping even tea.
Tian Ailang began.
“The Great Returning Pill has the highest stability among all spirit elixirs. The Fire Dragon Pill brims with the strongest yang energy, and the Ice Frost Pill with the strongest yin energy.”
Ma Chung nodded vigorously.
“Spot on. They’re the pinnacle in their respective properties—and complete in themselves.”
Divine Physician Jin agreed and continued.
“But their strong individual natures make fusion impossible, or so it’s said.”
Tian Ailang nodded.
“As you guessed, we must still merge all three. And we’ll make it happen.”
“How?”
Ma Chung and Divine Physician Jin eyed him curiously.
Tian Ailang met their gazes with conviction.
“I’ll harmonize them with my qi. To do so without disrupting each elixir’s energy will take at least a month.”
The two stared in shock. Harmonizing top-grade elixirs deemed impossible was stunning enough—but in just a month? Ordinary elixirs, even finicky ones, took months or years to blend. These were the most potent and volatile in the martial world. They couldn’t hide their amazement.
“Incredible.”
“Indeed.”
Tian Ailang pressed on calmly.
“Once I’ve harmonized their qi safely, you two handle merging the elixirs themselves. I’m better with qi manipulation, but no one rivals you in handling the medicines proper.”
Ma Chung and Divine Physician Jin nodded in unison.
“We’ll give it our all.”
“Leave it to us.”
Tian Ailang concluded.
“Before we start, I’ll spend a few days purifying my body and mind. Please prepare your parts in the meantime.”
He planned to refine his physical and mental state. The delicate qi work ahead would last weeks without rest—he wanted perfect readiness. These priceless elixirs allowed no second chances; he’d minimize every variable.
But first, he wanted a day for those who’d labored and waited for him. After all, he was their young lord, and they his retainers.
“Before we begin in earnest, how about a small feast for everyone who’s worked so hard?”
Tian Ailang said with a faint smile.