Chapter 1728
I can’t afford to lose it. (8)
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“Um…”
A weak, or more accurately, a drained voice quietly seeped out.
“This is my room, but everyone…”
“Be quiet.”
“You’re in the way.”
“Amitabha. I believe it would be best if you refrained from speaking, Siju.”
“Uh, my apologies.”
A vague sorrow settled in Jo Geol’s eyes.
‘These damn people.’
This was unmistakably the room that Wudang had assigned to him.
Moreover, Wudang, being a Taoist sect, values frugality as a virtue. Therefore, it was only natural that the private room they provided was small and uncomfortable.
But why on earth were so many people crammed into this already tiny room!
The bed had been taken by Yu Iseol and Yoon Jong, and the remaining space was occupied by Hye Yeon and Namgung Dowi. Jo Geol, who could barely crouch by the doorway, kept grumbling out of sheer frustration.
“No, but why here of all places…”
“There’s nothing else to do, is there?”
“If you have nothing to do, you should be training!”
“Training in someone else’s sect is a bit…”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Amitabha. That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Come to think of it, you really do have a lot of nerve, Jo Geol Dojang.”
“…”
Jo Geol simply gave up on the conversation and closed his eyes. Talking to the wall would be better than talking to them.
As soon as Jo Geol closed his mouth, silence once again descended upon the room. Normally, these people would chatter endlessly whenever they gathered, but today, it was as if they had all agreed to stay silent, passing the time aimlessly.
The one to break the silence was Hye Yeon.
“It’s been two days since Vice Sect Leader hasn’t come out of his room.”
Everyone’s gaze drifted aimlessly into the empty space. It was something they all knew but hadn’t dared to speak about.
“Shouldn’t we at least… go and check on him?”
It was a reasonable suggestion. Of course, it was. Having suddenly lost the use of both arms, Baek Cheon must be struggling even with the most basic daily tasks. Someone needed to take care of him.
But even though they all understood this, none of them dared to even consider knocking on Baek Cheon’s door.
“I know it’s difficult, but… how long are we going to…”
Unable to let Hye Yeon continue mumbling to himself, Jo Geol sighed and finally spoke up.
“I know. We all know… but it’s not that easy, Monk.”
“…Amitabha.”
“Sahyeong, instead of us, should we try sending someone else?”
“Someone else? Who?”
“…Like, I don’t know, the Lord of Beast Palace or someone.”
Yoon Jong immediately shook his head.
“A lot of people have died or been injured. And Sapaeryeon is still encamped not far from here. We don’t know when the war might start again.”
“But…”
“In such a situation, asking someone to check on an injured person in detail is asking too much.”
“Asking too much? But Sasuk…!”
“My feelings are the same as yours. But there’s no reason for people from other sects to see Sasuk the way we do, is there?”
Jo Geol bit his lower lip hard. Yoon Jong sighed and continued.
“And the same goes for us. Right now…”
As he hesitated, unable to finish his sentence, Jo Geol’s eyes turned fierce.
“What? Are you saying we shouldn’t be concerned with Sasuk’s injury and should instead focus on preparing for the next battle?”
“…”
“How could you even… Argh!”
At that moment, Yu Iseol suddenly extended her sheathed sword and struck Jo Geol on the head with a thud. Jo Geol’s eyes widened in shock.
“Why, why did you hit me, Samae!”
“Stop taking out your anger.”
Yu Iseol glared at Jo Geol with icy eyes.
“You know perfectly well why.”
Jo Geol silently lowered his gaze.
Yu Iseol was absolutely right. Jo Geol knew that Yoon Jong’s words didn’t reflect his true feelings. If Yoon Jong truly believed what he was saying, he wouldn’t be sitting in this cramped room with them.
Yoon Jong was simply saying what needed to be said from his position. Jo Geol mumbled.
“I’m just worried if Sasuk is even eating properly…”
“Again.”
“Alright, alright. I just…”
Jo Geol hesitated, trying to apologize for his earlier outburst. But in that moment, Namgung Dowi murmured to himself.
“A warrior who once cleaved mountains and leaped over rivers…”
Everyone’s gaze turned toward him.
“…now can’t even eat himself.”
A heavy silence fell over the room. His words could easily be seen as disrespectful, especially to the disciples of Hwasan, who might usually react with anger.
But no one in the room could bring themselves to get angry, because Namgung Dowi’s words were filled with so much regret, bitterness, and sorrow.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how Vice Sect Leader must feel right now. If I were in his position…”
Unable to continue, Namgung Dowi let out a deep sigh.
It suddenly became clear to them all.
The life they had aspired to as warriors had always been filled with light. Perhaps Baek Cheon’s life had been the same. The path Baek Cheon had walked so far had shone so brightly that even Namgung Dowi couldn’t help but feel envious.
However, the brighter the light, the darker the shadow that follows. Baek Cheon was likely struggling in a deep, bottomless pit of despair.
Tap. Tap.
The only sound breaking the silence was Jo Geol’s fingers drumming the floor absentmindedly.
“Is there really no way? Anything at all, no matter how small, if there’s any way…”
“And if there is a way, what will you do?”
“Of course, I’d go get it! Whatever it takes, wherever it is! Even if it’s in the heart of the Demonic Cult or the Imperial Palace!”
As Jo Geol’s impassioned voice filled the room, Yoon Jong sighed. His feelings were no different from Jo Geol’s.
But not everything in the world has a solution. Even Tang Gunak, Chung Myung, and Pung Yeong Shin Gae of the Beggars Sect, who gathers all the information in the world, had thrown up their hands in defeat.
There was nothing they could do. Yet, Jo Geol, unwilling to give up, shouted desperately.
“Monk! Wouldn’t the Great Revitalization Pill [대환단(大還丹)] from Shaolin work?”
“Amitabha…”
Hye Yeon answered with a troubled expression.
“I have been excommunicated from the sect, so…”
“Can’t you talk to Monk Hye Bang and ask him for help?”
“It might be possible to obtain it… but the truth is, the Great Revitalization Pill isn’t something that heals the body.”
“What?”
“The elixirs are indeed intended to fortify the body, but they differ conceptually from medicinal pills like the Great Revitalization Pill. They’ve gained their reputation primarily because their side effects in healing the body are so pronounced.”
“Ah…”
“The current condition of the Vice Sect Leader cannot be treated with an elixir, no matter how potent. Not with the Great Revitalization Pill, nor with any other elixir in the world.”
“What kind of situation is this…”
Just as Jo Geol was about to grumble in frustration, a voice interrupted him.
“That’s absolutely right.”
“Argh!”
The door suddenly swung open with force, slaming Jo Geol on the head, him cry out in pain as he tumbled to the floor. The person who had forcefully opened the door walked in, not offering a single apology for the incident, but instead frowned at the scene.
“Tsk, tsk. How can someone who calls themselves a martial artist not even dodge something like this?”
“And how can a person just barge into someone else’s room like that? Huh?”
“Doors are meant to be opened, and martial artists are supposed to dodge.”
“This bandit really… I’ve had enough of this!”
Jo Geol rolled his eyes in exasperation. But Im Sobyong, holding a fan, walked in casually and continued as if nothing had happened.
“The Monk is correct. The elixirs of Gangho have earned a reputation as rare and valuable, almost like panaceas, but they weren’t originally designed specifically to heal wounds. They were made to enhance internal energy, and any healing effects are just a beneficial side effect.”
“Then what about the Origin Energy Pill [혼원단(混元團)]? Medicine Immortal made the Origin Energy Pill, and that’s an elixir, right? He was a healer who treats people.”
“That’s why that man was associated with Gangho. Otherwise, he would’ve become a royal physician in the Imperial Palace!”
“Oh? Now that you mention it, that makes sense… Huh?”
Trying to make sense of the world through the lens of martial arts knowledge was making Jo Geol’s head spin. His thoughts were all jumbled.
“So… you’re saying there’s really no way?”
When Yoon Jong cautiously asked, Im Sobyong narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
“Who knows?”
“Hmm?”
“Just as martial artists are obsessed with elixirs, the powerful are obsessed with tonics. Their obsession might be even greater than that of martial artists’ for elixirs.”
“…”
“I’ve heard that, although rare, there are a few such items in the world. Legendary medicines that can make any patient rise from their bed fully recovered.”
“Wh-Where can we find those?”
“If I knew, I would have already gone and secured them for myself, wouldn’t I? It’s just a legend, as I said. I always get this impression, but you really lack understanding.”
“You insufferable…!”
As Jo Geol started to rise, eyes rolling in frustration, Yoon Jong lightly nudged him with his foot, causing him to flip back down.
“…Is there any place we could get information about this?”
“If there was any information, the Beggars Sect would have already informed us.”
Im Sobyeong poked his cheek with his fan, as if indicating that even his own thoughts were muddled.
“As you know, items like this don’t appear just because you search the world thoroughly. You just have to… hope that fate brings them to you.”
‘…Fate.’
Yoon Jong repeated the word to himself and then let out a small, bitter laugh.
Sometimes, hearing such things is worse than not hearing them at all. Hope that can never be realized is often more painful than despair.
“Damn it. Just spouting obvious nonsense. Did you come all this way just to say that? You must have a lot of free time.”
“Ah.”
Im Sobyong suddenly snapped open his fan and fanned himself lightly.
“Oh dear, I almost forgot the reason I came here. This is why one needs to keep their head straight.”
A look of confusion crossed everyone’s faces. Im Sobyeong glanced around at everyone in the room and spoke.
“Alliance Leader has arrived.”
“Oh…”
The disciples of Hwasan sprang to their feet as if they had been struck by lightning, but it was difficult for them to greet this news with their usual enthusiasm. Instead, their faces quickly darkened.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Retired Sect Leader!”
“Have you arrived?”
They ran outside and saw Hyun Jong surrounded by people. Although his exhaustion was evident from the long journey he had to rush through, he still looked much like Hyun Jong they all knew.
“But…!”
Five Swords, who were about to run towards Hyun Jong, suddenly hesitated and couldn’t take another step. The people surrounding Hyun Jong were so formidable that they dared not interrupt.
“Sahyeong.”
“Let’s wait…”
“Yes.”
They were suddenly reminded that Hyun Jong was not only the retired Sect Leader of Hwasan but also the Alliance Leader of Cheonumaeng. After such a major battle, there would be many important duties for him to attend to as the Alliance Leader. They couldn’t afford to act childish at a time like this…
Just then, Hyun Jong turned his head and their eyes met by chance. Jo Geol, who had been unsure of what to do, began to quietly step aside, but Hyun Jong firmly addressed those around him.
“Excuse me, I have something I must attend to first.”
His voice was gentle yet resolute, and those around him nodded and respectfully stepped back.
Without any hesitation, Hyun Jong took long strides towards Yoon Jong, Jo Geol, and Yu Iseol.
As Hyun Jong drew closer with each step, the faces of the three disciples grew more tense. But before they could fully grasp the reason for the unease rising in their chests, Hyun Jong reached them and gently patted their shoulders. His touch was soft.
“You’ve truly… been through so much.”
“…”
“You’ve done well.”
In an instant, Jo Geol’s head dropped down. A surge of emotion overwhelmed him, bubbling up from a place in his heart that he hadn’t been consciously aware of until this moment when he faced Hyunjong.
“Sect Leader…”
Hyun Jong, as if understanding their feelings, quietly patted each of their shoulders.
At that moment, someone approached them and spoke up.
“You’ve worked too hard, Sahyeongs.”
“Soso…”
Tang Soso’s face was gaunt, her features markedly worn. Though it was likely due to the burdensome workload she had been under, Yoon Jong instinctively knew there was more to it than just that.
Tang Soso had always been full of bright and vigorous energy. For her expression to be so dark…
‘She must have heard the news.’
It was clear that she already knew. She knew about Baek Cheon’s condition.
Tang Soso’s burden might be heavier than theirs, perhaps because she was a physician. No, it went beyond that. She had always warned and worried that something like this might happen to the disciples of Hwasan. The deep sense of guilt in her large eyes was likely because of this.
From a rational standpoint, there was no reason for Tang Soso to blame herself. She had always done her utmost to prevent such things. It was Baek Cheon and the others who hadn’t heeded her warnings.
But no matter how much they reassured her, Tang Soso would not be able to stop blaming herself.
There were many things they wanted to say, and many things they needed to say, but the words didn’t come easily. The reason was simple. If Tang Soso knew, it meant that…
“So, where is he?”
Hyun Jong lowered his hand, which had been comforting his disciples, and asked.
“Where is Baek Cheon?”
The atmosphere grew heavier, as if the air itself had thickened, and the shoulders of the three disciples standing in front of him slumped under the weight of the question.
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