The Physician Sect (8)
As Dokgo Ryeong settled into her stance, Namgung Woncheong grinned.
Still hasn't lost that fighting spirit.
She was still wavering between man and woman, but either way, Dokgo Ryeong would have to choose.
And Namgung Woncheong intended to give only the slightest nudge toward that choice.
"What do you think a sword is?"
"...Excuse me?"
"Exactly what I said. What is a sword?"
"Uh... a tool for killing people?"
"Simple enough."
Namgung Woncheong held up a tree branch as he spoke.
"This is a sword."
"What?"
"From this moment on, I will kill you with this — so it is a sword. Correct?"
"...You're talking nonsense."
"Isn't that what you just said yourself?"
Namgung Woncheong slowly raised the branch.
"In my twilight years, I've found myself with something to ponder."
"...Like what?"
"What is a sword? What have I been swinging all this time? Idle fretting of that sort."
"And did you find an answer?"
"This is it."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the air around them began to warp under Namgung Woncheong's monstrous inner energy.
This crazy old bastard!
Namgung Woncheong was not bluffing.
He swung that tree branch at Dokgo Ryeong with genuine intent to kill.
"Nngh...!"
Dokgo Ryeong tried somehow to move her body, but she couldn't budge. No — she began to move, very slowly.
Suddenly, everything in the world appeared slow to Dokgo Ryeong.
The branch Namgung Woncheong was bringing down toward her. The leaves falling behind him. She could perceive even the individual grains of dirt beneath her feet — her world had expanded that far.
In that slowed world, Dokgo Ryeong moved solely to escape the trajectory of his swing. Even as her whole body refused to obey, she did not grow impatient — she moved slowly.
At last, the moment she slipped free of the branch's path—
Dokgo Ryeong's world snapped back to normal speed.
She rolled across the ground, sweat pouring from every pore, gasping for breath.
"Hah... hah..."
"Did you see it?"
"...See... what?"
"That was your death."
"..."
"You thought you dodged it, didn't you?"
"What?"
Namgung Woncheong raised a hand and pointed to his own shoulder. When Dokgo Ryeong looked, she saw her clothes already cut open there.
"Huh...?"
She had been certain she'd completely escaped the branch's trajectory. She hadn't.
Namgung Woncheong crouched in front of the dazed Dokgo Ryeong.
"If you simply wish to kill a person, there are many ways. Fist, foot, finger, saber, sword, whip, spear... countless methods."
"...Yes."
"If you simply wish to cut, there are many ways as well. Cut with a sword, cut with a saber, or cut with your bare hand. Once you set your mind to cutting, you can cut anything."
"..."
"In the end, the one who decides is you. You need only choose with what, and what to cut. That is the first step of the Heart Sword."
Namgung Woncheong lifted the branch and waved it before Dokgo Ryeong's eyes.
"What does this look like to you?"
"...I don't know."
"Correct. Until you decide, it can be anything."
He grinned and lightly tapped Dokgo Ryeong on the head with the branch.
"But for now, I decided it was a tree branch."
"...Yes."
As Dokgo Ryeong rubbed the spot where she'd been struck, Namgung Woncheong rose with a smile.
"Whichever way you go, I hope you choose not what is right, but what you want. In the end, people change according to what they set their hearts on — so when you truly cannot see the options, choose as your heart leads."
"I... I've always lived that way!"
"Then keep living that way, keul-keul. Though it seems you still don't properly know your own heart."
"More of that cryptic talk..."
"And tone down that temper a bit."
He rapped her head once more, then left with his hands behind his back, swinging the branch as he went.
Watching his retreating figure, Dokgo Ryeong grumbled.
"What's everyone going on about my heart for, damn it..."
After a simple breakfast, Dokgo Ryeong resolved to forget Namgung Woncheong's incomprehensible rambling and went looking for Unyeong.
"Hey! You in ther—...are you there?"
"Oh my, Young Lady Dokgo. You've come?"
Having barged into the medicine room on word that he was there, Dokgo Ryeong saw Un Sohong with Unyeong and carefully adjusted her speech.
"...When will the inner core be ready?"
Hearing Dokgo Ryeong use formal speech, Unyeong's eyes went round.
"Young Lady Dokgo."
"...Yes."
"Did you eat something wrong?"
"...You looking to die?"
"The core of you seems intact, but something's clearly off. A diagnosis—"
Cut it out, you bastard. You want me talking casual in front of Sohong?
"...Perhaps a diagnosis won't be necessary."
Confirming that Unyeong had quieted down after the scolding, Dokgo Ryeong continued.
"...So how long for the inner core?"
"About a week. The compounding is done, but I need to kill some of the yang energy first."
"Isn't more better?"
"Too much becomes poison."
Taking Unyeong at his word, Dokgo Ryeong was pondering how to spend the week when—
"Elder, I've brought what you asked for."
"...Why are you here?"
No Geukmyeong came in with his arms full of something.
"Ah... well..."
"I asked him to help."
At Unyeong's answer, Dokgo Ryeong glared at him and sent a sound transmission.
Have you lost your mind? That bastard put a blade to your thr—
Just then, Un Sohong took the armful of items from No Geukmyeong.
"Thank you, Hero No."
"Ah... it's nothing. Is there anything else I can help with?"
No Geukmyeong scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his face flushing red.
Un Sohong covered her smile with a hand, bowed her head, and said shyly,
"Then... would you help with some other things as well?"
"Y... yes!"
"This way..."
Un Sohong led No Geukmyeong off, directing him through various tasks.
Watching them, the atmosphere felt... peculiar.
"Mad Demon, over here."
When Unyeong whispered for her, Dokgo Ryeong approached and jerked her chin toward the pair.
"...What's with those two?"
"The mood's rather suggestive, isn't it?"
"No, damn it. What the hell happened?"
"Yesterday that fellow came to me and said he'd do anything I asked, so I figured I'd put Sohong to work having him clean the storeroom."
"...And?"
"And then they ended up like that."
"Ah, for fuck's sake..."
Dokgo Ryeong scowled.
"This is seriously creepy."
"What's creepy about it? Strictly speaking, that No Geukmyeong fellow is a famous young master of a prestigious clan, isn't he?"
"You lunatic. I smashed that prestigious clan to pieces."
"And Sohong is of marriageable age, after all."
"..."
At those words, Dokgo Ryeong's mouth fell open as she stared at Unyeong.
"You... have you lost your mind?"
"Why do you say that?"
"No... that bastard put a blade to your throat, remember?"
"He said he was desperate, didn't he? A fellow like that, if he has something to protect, will go through fire and water to protect his woman."
"You, damn it. You said before you'd keep your daughter with you for life."
At that, Unyeong looked down at Dokgo Ryeong as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Haa... Mad Demon, that was obviously a joke."
"You absolute bastard. Back then you were going on about me spreading my legs, weren't you?"
"Going on? I was merely rendering a physician's judgment."
"You son of a bitch, you deep-fried-in-shit bastard, you dog."
"Eu-ha-hat! Well, so what? Young men and women in their prime fall for each other overnight, you know."
Unyeong laughed heartily, then looked down at Dokgo Ryeong with a sly smile.
"Right, Mad Demon?"
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Hmm... something happen last night, perhaps?"
"Eek?!"
Dokgo Ryeong's hair turned pink, and Unyeong spoke while holding back laughter.
"See, Mad Demon? You of all people would know be—"
"Sh... shut up!"
"Guh!"
In her fluster, Dokgo Ryeong slammed him in the side. When Unyeong collapsed clutching his stomach, Dokgo Ryeong panicked and propped him up.
"A... are you okay?!"
"I... it hurts so much. Be gentler..."
"Aigoo, damn it. You should've learned some martial arts, you bastard. Then it wouldn't hurt as much..."
"What kind of nonsense is that..."
"Ah, damn it, I don't know. It's your fault. Next time I'll control my strength when I hit you."
"Or you could just not hit me..."
"..."
Still, seeing his mouth keep running, she figured it didn't hurt that badly. Dokgo Ryeong ignored him and stood.
"Hey, No Geukmyeong!"
"Y... yes, Young Lady!"
"Come with me a minute. Sohong, mind if I borrow him?"
"Uh... sure."
"And look after your father. Looks like he banged his back on the table."
"...What?"
Ignoring Un Sohong's confusion, Dokgo Ryeong headed outside.
"What did you wish to speak about..."
"Shut up and follow me."
"...Yes."
Arriving at a quiet clearing, Dokgo Ryeong turned to face No Geukmyeong.
"...Do you like Sohong?"
"Pardon?"
"You looking to die? I hate it when people answer a question with a question, so answer properly the first time. Do you like Sohong?"
"Th... that is..."
No Geukmyeong hesitated, then took a deep breath and answered.
"...I do."
"Break up."
"What?!"
"I said break up, you bastard. Damn it, a person has to have some conscience. If you've got any shame, you shouldn't even let yourself feel that way, you bastard."
"Y... Young Lady, why are you interfering?"
"Oh?"
When No Geukmyeong pushed back, Dokgo Ryeong's irritation surged.
"This bastard's been hanging around so long he's lost all sense of his place?"
"Th... that's not it! Why is the Young Lady interfering in this?!"
"You bastard, already forgotten putting a blade to Unyeong's throat?"
"Elder Divine Doctor has forgiven that matter!"
"I haven't forgiven it, you bastard. Your voice keeps getting louder?"
As Dokgo Ryeong quietly began drawing up her inner energy, No Geukmyeong clenched his teeth.
Seeing his hand move toward the sword at his waist, Dokgo Ryeong sneered.
"Going to draw?"
"...I know I've done wrong, and I fully understand that Young Lady's father and our Moyong Clan are on bad terms."
"Draw and you die. Remember when I was about to take your head before?"
"But what am I supposed to do when I've already fallen for her?!"
"So just drop it!"
"Can Young Lady drop her feelings for Young Master Wi?!!"
"Eek?!"
His sudden shout left Dokgo Ryeong flustered.
"Y... you lunatic! Why is Wi Ilcheong coming into this?!!"
"If Elder Mad Demon suddenly appeared right now and said he'd kill Young Master Wi, would Young Lady just let him die?!!"
"I... I wouldn't kill him, you crazy bastard!"
"It's the same for me!!"
No Geukmyeong drew his sword and breathed hard.
"I haven't known her long, but... it was love at first sight! As much as Young Lady loves Young Master Wi! Perhaps even more!"
"Y... you crazy bastard! Why do you keep bringing up Wi Ilcheong?!!"
"Because then you'll understand, won't you?! Young Lady loves Young Master Wi too!"
"I... I don't love him!!"
"Don't lie! Anyone with eyes can tell!"
"Euek?!"
Dokgo Ryeong's hair gradually flushed pink.
Seeing this, No Geukmyeong said,
"Look! Just thinking of Young Master Wi changes your hair color!"
"Th... this is..."
"I have eyes too! Your hair changes color every time you think of the one you love, doesn't it?!"
"Th... that's not it, you bastard!"
"Young Lady is in love yourself — why can't you understand me?!"
"I... I..."
"I wish I could show you a mirror! Right now Young Lady's expression isn't that usual savage look — it's pure woman in love!"
"Eek?!"
Dokgo Ryeong panicked and covered her face.
"While we're at it, let's call Young Master Wi and ask! Whether my loving Young Lady Un is such a great problem!"
"Why the hell are you dragging Wi Ilcheong into this, you bastard!!"
"Young Lady is lecturing me, so I'm asking Young Lady's beloved, aren't I?!"
"He's... he's not my beloved!!!"
"Then what is the relationship between you two?"
Faced with the same question Namgung Woncheong had asked, Dokgo Ryeong floundered.
"Wh... why should I..."
"If you two aren't lovers, what are you?"
"U... uuh..."
"You keep stealing glances at each other whenever you get the chance! Sometimes the two of you vanish somewhere in the dead of night! And when you're together there's this strange atmosphere — and you're not lovers! Are you right on the verge of confessing?!"
"Ah... eek? N... no..."
Dokgo Ryeong's face burned as if it would explode, her eyes darting every which way.
Me... me and Wi Ilcheong are...
No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't figure out what they were.
She'd told Namgung Woncheong they were traveling companions, but it was different from that.
But lovers... that, at least, they weren't.
Dokgo Ryeong stubbornly believed she did not like Wi Ilcheong.
"I... I..."
"Young Lady loves Young Master Wi. Just as I love Young Lady Un."
"N... no..."
"If not, then what is your relationship?"
"U... uuh..."
"Answer me, Young Lady Dokgo!!"
"Uwaah..."
Dokgo Ryeong's hair turned completely pink.
"Answer me, Young Lady Dok—"
"Sh... shut up already!!!"
Bang!
Unable to endure the chaos any longer, Dokgo Ryeong struck the hounding No Geukmyeong.
"Guh..."
As No Geukmyeong collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, Dokgo Ryeong looked down at him, breathing hard.
"Hah... hah... I... I..."
I don't like Wi Ilcheong.
She wanted to say it out loud.
"I... I... I..."
That she didn't like Wi Ilcheong, that she felt nothing.
"I..."
But in the end, Dokgo Ryeong could not finish the words.