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EP.64 Divine Healer (1)

I thought I must have seen it wrong.

Wasn’t it just a typical old man sitting in my room when I woke up rubbing my eyes?

And not just any ordinary old man, mind you.

Maehwa Seon, Dohwa.

The current Sect Leader of Hwasan, and called the most revered sage in the Taoist circles.

Alongside Sword Sovereign Wi Hyogun, he’s an absolute Sword Master often mentioned when talking about swords.

One of the top masters throughout all my previous lives was sitting in my room.

Slurp.

And he even brought tea from who knows where.

Not just tea—what was that…? Some kind of skewer?

“Um.”

As I was about to speak, Maehwa Seon raised a hand to stop me.

Curious about his gesture, he suddenly took a bite from the skewer.

“Sorry, I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s tough to move when you’re hungry; being old is a hardship, you know.”

“…Oh, yes.”

What was this?

What is this awkward feeling?

[This guy is a strange, out-of-the-ordinary lunatic.]

I couldn’t help but cough at Shin Noya’s remark.

‘Is it really okay to evaluate your direct successor so starkly?’

[Direct successor? Heck, I was already a corpse when that little brat was born.]

Little brat…

If we are to be precise, Maehwa Seon was indeed much younger than Shin Noya.

Something felt rather peculiar.

While continuing to munch on the skewer with tea, Maehwa Seon finished the last bite and wiped his mouth.

“Sorry for barging in without notice, but street food looked too delicious…”

“No…. It’s fine.”

“Ha ha, what a kind child you are.”

After finishing his tea, Maehwa Seon cleared his throat a few times before looking at me.

“So, you are Gu Ryoon’s child.”

“…No, I am not Elder Lee’s child.”

“Hmm? Aren’t you Gu Ryoon’s grandson?”

“Yes.”

Though there was some blood relation, I couldn’t strictly say I was a direct descendant.

“How odd, I thought they were sending their grandson.”

“Elder Lee has not married.”

“I know that, but who knows where he might have fathered a child.”

“Uh…?”

Is that even possible?

The more we talked, the more I felt like he was not just an ordinary person.

[He’s the type to gamble with treasures, so I don’t expect normal from him.]

Shin Noya’s blunt remark made me almost exhale audibly.

True.

Did this guy gamble with treasures at a drinking party?

He certainly didn’t seem like that kind of person…

He had the aura of a true sage.

“If you knew I would come, does that mean you received a letter from Elder Lee?”

“Yeah, it stated that the grandson would bring a stone, so take good care of him.”

A grandson… that felt awkwardly embarrassing.

If it were Elder Lee, he probably would have written it just like that.

Maehwa Seon looked at me and said,

“I’m sorry for coming by suddenly this morning. I heard you arrived and couldn’t just wait around.”

So, you just stormed into my sleeping room and plopped down like this…?

Of course, being a representative from the sect, if there’s any particular symbolism to it…

“…Ha, thinking back on how badly they were nagging me when I lost the treasure, I’m still dizzy.”

“….”

Hmm.

So, that guilt and responsibility for having lost the treasure was probably the case?

Right, Shin Noya?

[Don’t ask me about this.]

Shin Noya’s trembling voice undoubtedly reflected his embarrassment.

“However, it’s all over now… if I drink with those guys again, I won’t be a human but a beast, a beast.”

Those guys—does that include Elder Lee?

What kind of gathering could have such an important figure involved?

Thanks to that, my imagination of what a sage would be and reality shattered in mere moments.

Almost to Shin Noya’s level.

[Why is my name being dragged into this all of a sudden!?]

‘Just look at how you’ve acted until now. Do you expect any respect or not?’

[Oh for crying out loud… I’m not a person who deserves this treatment.]

True, he might not be, since he’s a ghost.

Maehwa Seon sighed deeply as if feeling suffocated and finally said to me,

“Tell me, where is that treasure?”

Talking for quite some time, Maehwa Seon finally asked about the treasure.

“I have it safe and sound.”

“…That’s good. Then…”

“But I can’t give it to you yet.”

“Hmm…?”

Maehwa Seon looked flustered at my refusal.

I straightened my posture as it seemed necessary.

“I was told to personally hand over the treasure to the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

“Indeed, the Sect Leader of Hwasan is right in front of your eyes.”

“That might not be so.”

At my unwavering response, Maehwa Seon blanked out for a moment before abruptly bursting into laughter.

Then, he laughed heartily as if he found the situation absurd.

“Do I seem like a fake?”

“No, I absolutely believe the venerable Maehwa Seon is indeed the Sword Master who has reached unparalleled heights.”

The Plum Blossom scent surrounding him and the power flowing like a river within him.

As I met his gaze, I couldn’t even dare to look away; the divine atmosphere confirmed that he indeed was Maehwa Seon.

Maehwa Seon asked me,

“Then?”

“However, I believe it should be properly clarified. I, Gu Yangcheong from the Mount Shan Clan, have come to deliver the treasure on behalf of my clan to the Hwasan Sect.”

As I spoke, I could feel my throat dry up, practically swallowing my own spit.

Having to pull off such an unnerving stunt from morning was truly miserable.

[Then just hand it over without all this fuss.]

‘Please don’t say such dishonest things; everything’s been set from the very beginning…’

[You’re rather quick-witted at such times… Where do you put all the other smarts?]

Who could have expected this when I woke up this morning?

Maehwa Seon continued to observe me silently without interrupting.

It felt like he was waiting to hear more.

“In that situation, I’m afraid I cannot give the treasure here, not at this location, nor when it’s not from the Hwasan Sect.”

“You’re pretty resolute… but child, there’s one thing lacking in your words.”

I wanted to ask what that meant but couldn’t get my lips to part.

The crushing pressure on my shoulders made my body tremble uncontrollably.

The dense air released from that small body soon filled the room.

“Do you not understand that I could simply take it by force without listening to you?”

I focused my energy and started to rotate the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

Honestly, it was somewhat forced, but there was no choice if I wanted to breathe.

I could dimly sense that all of this was part of Maehwa Seon’s intention.

As proof.

The first reason was that normally talkative Shin Noya hadn’t said a word.

The second was.

‘I can just raise the stakes.’

It felt as if Maehwa Seon was giving me a tiny window to see what I would do next.

I couldn’t comprehend why this conspicuous game was laid out this way, but what could I do? If I had to play, then I would.

In this cursed world, weakness was not an option.

As the energy slowly wrapped around my body, the pressure on my shoulders began to relieve.

“…Oh….”

A short exclamation escaped Maehwa Seon’s lips.

Finally able to withstand the pressure, my voice came out trembling.

“…I didn’t think you would.”

“Why do you say that?”

Whoooosh!

As I braced myself, an even heavier force pressed down on me.

Gosh, why would he put me through such a terrible feeling where I couldn’t even utter a word?

“Ugh…”

I groaned as I rotated my energy further.

It felt better this way.

[Don’t go overboard. He might retaliate.]

‘Understood…!’

Crimson wisps of heat began to rise along my shoulders.

I compressed the flames without letting them burst out.

Thanks to that, the situation became a bit livelier, allowing my voice to come out more clearly.

“As I mentioned earlier, I firmly believe you are the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”

A glimmer of interest shone in Maehwa Seon’s eyes.

“Even so, do you intend to act that way when you dislike my actions?”

“Well, there isn’t much else I can do. I wouldn’t die, so… I’d simply go back and explain the circumstances.”

“Ha ha… you don’t seem to be thinking much about the future, huh. Just like Gu Ryoon.”

What!?

‘That was the most unpleasant thing I’ve heard this year…’

But I couldn’t show my displeasure; I forced out a smile.

[…What’s with that grotesque expression?]

‘….’

As Maehwa Seon’s words filled the air, the energy that had enveloped the room vanished in an instant.

“Is someone out there?”

At Maehwa Seon’s words, the door opened, revealing Shin Hyeon, who had returned to the sect last night.

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

But he just called him outright?

…Does he even realize this is my room?

“Let the guests from the Gu Clan know that they will ascend slowly once preparatory work is finished; make sure to notify the elders.”

“Understood.”

As Shin Hyeon exited and caught sight of my slightly fatigued expression, Maehwa Seon said,

“In the past, Gu Ryoon once talked to me about you.”

“Elder Lee, you mean?”

“Yeah, he mentioned how you caused quite the headaches for him.”

“…Ha ha.”

How much did that old man gossip behind my back…?

“That guy, these days, brags about how he’s even taking the time to write, something he hadn’t done in forever.”

“…He’s bragging about me?”

“Yeah, it was so peculiar; for someone at his age, it was quite the sight.”

“…Ahem.”

I coughed lightly as Maehwa Seon chuckled.

“I’m sorry, not only did I show up early in the morning, but I also disrupted your peaceful state unexpectedly.”

I let out a slight cough to gather my thoughts and responded.

“…I may not know the full reason behind it, but I believe you must have acted with a purpose.”

[It feels like you’ve dipped your tongue in sugar, spewing out greasy words….]

I needed to keep talking; the figure before me could easily erase an entire mountain if he felt like it.

“Gu Ryoon, that guy, for several years pleaded for treasures but was ignored; do you know what his condition was to give you one?”

“I do not.”

“He asked me to teach you.”

“…What?”

That was quite a shocking proposition.

Did Elder Lee really say that? I thought he just handed it over out of sheer annoyance.

Not to mention it was even scarier that he sat on someone else’s clan’s treasure for years without giving it back.

Unbothered, Maehwa Seon continued to laugh and spoke.

“…I think it’s unnecessary for that to be a requirement.”

“No, I wouldn’t dare….”

“Child, excessive humility can be detrimental; I was certain the Sword Dragon of this era would be the exceptional talent, but seeing you has made me rethink that.”

I found myself at a loss for words.

Hearing something I couldn’t dare imagine in my previous life felt fresh and striking.

Now that I’ve reincarnated, it also brought about a sense of guilt.

‘What am I to do now…?’

I was half-ready to give up, with thoughts crossing my mind about whether I should just shamelessly accept whatever he hands me.

“Then, what should I do?”

“…Do what?”

“No matter how you look at it, you don’t seem to need my teachings, but it doesn’t seem right to give you the Inner Altar either.”

“No, an Inner Altar would surely be plenty…”

“Oh! That’s it! We can do that.”

“Excuse me?”

“Right, let’s take this conversation in-depth at a later time when you come up.”

What can it possibly be…?

He tells me to hold on to things and makes his own conclusions!

“Okay…. I’ll see you later.”

[And yet you can’t retort at all.]

‘…Ahem.’

“Therefore, when you come by, do look for me; it seems we have much to discuss. Such as the reward for our agreement.”

As he spoke, Maehwa Seon pointed towards my Dantian.

“About the power you carry within there, too.”

“…!”

I couldn’t help but tremble at Maehwa Seon’s words as he smiled.

So, he really noticed?

“…Understood.”

“Now, make sure to eat breakfast. You can’t function on an empty stomach.”

With that, Maehwa Seon swiftly exited through the window…

Why would he leave through the window instead of the door?

[…What a messed-up world we’re in….]

‘…’

This time, I had no choice but to agree with Shin Noya’s words.

After a storm passed, I stepped outside with a dazed expression.

Muyeon stood there with a look of shock.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing…”

He looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Ignoring Muyeon for now, I looked around for Wi Seol-Ah.

She should have come by and knocked on the door by now.

“Where did she go?”

“Are you referring to Seol-Ah?”

“Yeah, why do you look so frozen?”

“…I just shook hands with Elder Maehwa Seon.”

“…Huh?”

“I have no more regrets left in this life.”

“…Oh, okay.”

I shook my head at the sight of my stoic guard losing his wits.

What kind of face would he make if he found out we had eaten together and chatted with the esteemed Sword Sovereign?

Curiosity crept in.

“So where did she go?”

“I heard she went out early for a schedule with Wi Noya.”

“With Wi Noya? Did the Sword Sovereign go somewhere?”

‘What’s going on?’

Muyeon presented me with something.

“This is a document from the clan leader that Noya left behind.”

With the Gu Clan seal stamped on the front, it confirmed it.

It wouldn’t be easy for the Sword Sovereign to lie about something like this.

‘If he’s with the Sword Sovereign, it should be fine.’

Just as I was about to head out for breakfast, one of the nearby doors opened, and someone stepped out.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes was Nangong Bi-ah.

“…Ah.”

When Nangong Bi-ah saw me, she lightly waved her hand.

Is that her morning greeting…?

Her carefree expression showed no clue about what had transpired this morning.

I stared at her in disbelief before saying,

“Would you like to have breakfast?”

At my question, Nangong Bi-ah nodded slightly.

 

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