The Perfectly Mended Immortal Physician (1)
The sensation of Namgung Gang, the head of the Baekcheon Merchant Group, piercing my throat with his sword still felt vividly real.
The despair, rage, sorrow, and all those emotions I'd felt back then...
They were now etched across my master's face.
He suppressed them deep within his chest. But he didn't touch the Silver Mist Sword.
Before long, his expression returned to its usual calm.
Yet his reddened eyes told me I hadn't imagined it.
"Allow me one question. You said the sword came to your hand on its own?"
I nodded in response.
"Yes. And I believe it's right to return it to its rightful owner."
"There's no need. Since the sword has acknowledged you, its master is you, my lord."
His words made me tilt my head in confusion.
"Does that mean it acknowledged me because I didn't go mad like that warrior in the cave?"
My master continued with visible effort.
"When the sword's acknowledged master is dead and gone, pulling it out does no harm. It simply won't unleash its power."
That explained why the imperial palace's experts who solved the Wuchul Musang incident and the Murim Alliance leader emerged unscathed.
"The sword connects to its acknowledged master, slipping from its sheath into their hand whenever they desire it."
"......"
"That's proof of true ownership—and in that state, no one else can draw it."
So this sword is useless in anyone else's hands but mine. No, they couldn't even wield it.
"Therefore, you must wield it, my lord."
"So I can't return it?"
"Not unless you die."
"......"
Fine then. Looks like I'll have to use it myself.
But there was a problem.
"People will recognize this sword. Then..."
"That won't happen."
"Pardon?"
"The sword changes its appearance based on its master, transforming into the form best suited for them. It's a divine sword."
"A divine sword..?"
"Yes. Its true name is the Silver Mist Divine Sword."
"......"
It changes form to suit its owner...
It was astonishing.
"When you became its new master, it changed form—so no one will recognize it as the Silver Mist Sword."
I nodded at his firm assurance.
"Understood."
"Then let us begin your training."
Watching him, I couldn't help but admire his resolve.
Even after glimpsing the scars of his clan's destruction, he composed himself, fulfilling his duties as a master with unflinching calm.
To honor that spirit, I threw myself into training with even greater fervor than usual.
But a question lingered.
How did Master recognize this as the Silver Mist Sword?
"Whosoever the Silver Mist Divine Sword chooses as its master shall become the Palace Lord of Seolpung Palace."
Kwak Myeonghyeon stepped out of the Mun-gok Hall with a bitter smile.
To think I'd lay eyes on the Silver Mist Divine Sword like this...
Though called the Silver Mist Divine Sword, its blade bore the inscription "Silver Mist Sword" because it was a divine blade only in the hands of its true master—mere ordinary steel for all others.
It was the sacred treasure passed down through generations to the lords of Seolpung Palace.
But one day, it vanished without warning, and soon after, Seolpung Palace was utterly destroyed.
He had been away on a mission by his father's orders and returned to find everything in ruins.
The corpses were all burned beyond recognition, leaving no clue to the culprits.
Kwak Myeonghyeon still remembered that day vividly.
Afterward, his life changed completely.
Using hidden wealth, he established an escort agency and installed his deputy as its nominal head.
Posing as an ordinary escort leader, he roamed the Central Plains for over twenty years, investigating the fall of Seolpung Palace.
And today, he had encountered the utterly unexpected.
The Silver Mist Sword, Han Hosu, and Yu Deokjin.
"Yu Deokjin, you dog of a bastard..."
Now he knew why the Silver Mist Divine Sword, Seolpung Palace's treasure, had vanished.
Suddenly, he recalled the legacy passed down in his clan.
According to that, Eun Seo-ho is the Palace Lord of Seolpung Palace.
Han Hosu still has an uncanny nose for money, though.
Choosing Eun Seo-ho as master, of all people.
In truth, Han Hosu was less the palace's guardian spirit and more the lord's personal protector.
For it only chose a master who met two conditions:
Mastery of ice arts.
And immense wealth.
Among those who fulfilled both, the wealthiest became palace lord.
Perhaps he'd half-expected this ever since learning of Eun Seo-ho's Present Dragon Physique.
And to reach the peak realm before even turning twenty!
That prophecy kept echoing in his mind.
Still, he couldn't burden Eun Seo-ho with it yet.
This must be a master's heart, Father...
After Master left, I sprawled out in the courtyard.
Ah, today was brutal too.
Training extra hard to repay his dedication had left me utterly drained.
"Kku?"
The little guy climbed onto my chest and tilted his head.
His gaze seemed to say, "That's all it takes to wear you out?" It irked me for no reason.
"Ugh, I said it's really tough."
Then he patted my chest with his paw.
Now my pride's hurt.
Come to think of it, this guy's a guardian spirit of Seolpung Palace.
Since he's chosen me as master, I should give him a proper name.
"Hey, what do you want your name to be?"
"Kkui?"
"Your name, dummy. Can't keep calling you 'the little guy' forever."
"Kkukku."
"You agree? Let me think... what suits you?"
Gazing at him perched on my chest, all round and plump like a little bell...
Bell...
A money-eating bell...
I chuckled.
"Decided. From now on, you're Gold Bell—Geum-ryeong."
At my words, he—no, Geum-ryeong—seemed to smile.
Even cuter when he grins.
.
.
.
After washing up and changing, I headed to the dining hall.
It had been ages since the whole family gathered for breakfast.
The maids served the food.
Chicken porridge for this morning.
Seeing everyone seated together stirred fresh emotions.
Jin-ho hyung and I both...
We'd come so close to shattering this harmony.
This ordeal taught me: even if changing the future brought unforeseen troubles, I'd step up and fix them.
No more despair.
Then Mother spoke.
"Oh, but I've heard rumors of an epidemic spreading in Yichang lately. I hope it's nothing serious."
"I've been worried about that very issue myself."
Epidemic?
Don't tell me it's that one?
Before I turned eighteen, an epidemic had broken out in summer, claiming countless lives until the next year.
"If it worsens, we might have to relocate the headquarters temporarily."
Father's words jogged my memory.
The epidemic had raged, forcing Eunhae Merchant Group to shift headquarters to Honam temporarily.
It protected our people and families, but it was a mistake.
We lost the hearts of Sungyang County's residents.
We later poured resources to mend it, but our growth stalled because of it.
.
.
.
After breakfast, I handled Hyungpung Nation affairs, then slipped out to the market for a breather.
To meet the old man at the sundries shop.
He sat at his table as always, leisurely watching passersby.
He'd pondered moving the shop but decided to stay put.
"Here you are."
I cupped my fists in greeting.
"It's been a while, elder."
I pulled a Blood Response Pill from my pouch and placed it on the table.
"Thanks to you, I found my brother."
"Good. That's enough."
The old man snatched it up and tossed it behind him.
Click.
Magically, it slotted perfectly back into place.
"Anyway..."
He grinned at me.
"Looks like you've had a fateful encounter."
"Pardon?"
"That thing hiding in your sleeve."
"Ah..."
As expected, he noticed right away.
I drew Geum-ryeong from my left sleeve and showed him.
"I named him Geum-ryeong."
"Fitting name."
The old man nodded.
"Raise him well."
"Yes."
His words implied he knew about Geum-ryeong.
"Do you know about him, elder?"
"Saw him once at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, on His Majesty's orders."
"I see."
I sat before him and offered a silver coin.
"What's this?"
"Consultation fee."
"Consultation?"
"Yes. I have something to ask you."
He chuckled wryly.
"Fine, what is it?"
"An epidemic's broken out in Yichang."
"Ah... yes, I've heard."
"Is there a way to stop it?"
"You think I'm a divine physician? How should I know?"
"I thought you would..."
He snapped.
"Brat! Who said I don't?"
"You just did..."
"I said the Immortal Physician would know."
"The Immortal Physician..?"
"Yeah. The Perfectly Mended Immortal Physician's said to be there now."
Perfectly Mended Immortal Physician.
One of the divine physicians, he wandered in rags, treating the poor for free.
His name came from mending his tattered clothes ten thousand times.
He charged the wealthy exorbitant fees, using the money to buy herbs and treat the destitute gratis.
His skills were unparalleled; the rich paid fortunes for his care.
His specialty: epidemics.
Poor, malnourished folk died first in outbreaks, making him an expert by necessity.
"He'll know. What it is, and how to cure it."
.
.
.
On the way back to Eunhae Merchant Group, Yi Pil the warrior asked.
"My lord, are you thinking of going to Yichang?"
"Yes."
I halted and said,
"If you're reluctant to go where the epidemic rages, you don't have to. I won't hold it against you."
Palgap jumped in quickly.
"Don't you dare think of leaving me behind, young master! I'll stick right by your side!"
Yeo Eung-am and Yi Pil followed.
"It's only natural we follow you."
"Exactly."
Yi Pil continued,
"What I'm curious about is why you're going."
"To stop the epidemic, obviously."
"Then you're not heading to Honam?"
"No."
I nodded.
"I—no, we—won't go. This is where Eunhae started; why flee?"
"......"
"Our prosperity owes to these people. Abandoning them would be betrayal."
Yi Pil's eyes reddened.
Why's everyone getting emotional?
"From now on, I pledge my utmost loyalty."
"I'll serve loyally even in death."
A bit... overwhelming.
That afternoon,
I submitted a business trip request to Father.
"Hm? A trip? Wait... to Yichang?"
"Yes."
"You know the situation there?"
"I do. That's why—the epidemic. I'm going there."
"......Why?"
"The Perfectly Mended Immortal Physician is there. I'll ask him how to cure it."
"Then send someone..."
"To a plague-ridden place?"
"......"
"As the son of Eunhae Merchant Group's leader, I've never forgotten my duty to advance this group."
"......"
"That's my sole focus now. Hence, I'm telling you."
I pressed on.
"We mustn't relocate headquarters, even temporarily."
Even with family at risk, I said this for a reason.
The epidemic loomed near Sungyang County but hadn't spread inside yet.
In my past life, we'd panicked and fled anyway.
That's why we drew such scorn.
Had it reached Sungyang, I might've chosen differently.
Families' lives hung in the balance.