Chapter 287: Preparation Complete (1)
Three days later.
“Now, let us rest here for today.”
The group, which had departed the previous evening, arrived at the banks of the Yangtze River.
While they were unpacking and resting, Gi Wu-hui approached Muk Bi.
“Excuse me…”
“Yes?”
“How should I address you?”
Muk Bi blinked her eyes.
“Me, me?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I am Muk Bi, a Vice Commander belonging to the Evil-Annihilating Army.”
“Then I shall call you Vice Commander Muk.”
“Ah, yes.”
“It is nothing else, Vice Commander Muk. Your internal injuries have not been fully suppressed yet, have they?”
“A little remains, but…”
“It is not just a little.”
“Pardon?”
Gi Wu-hui spoke with a somewhat stiff expression.
“Vice Commander Muk is a possessor of remarkable martial prowess. From what I can see, you seem to be practicing two types of internal energy cultivation methods simultaneously. Is that correct?”
Surprise appeared on Muk Bi’s face.
“That is correct. How did you know?”
“I have looked after thousands of patients for over ten years. A significant portion of them were martial artists. I can tell most things at a glance.”
“Ah!”
Muk Bi looked at her with newfound admiration.
Gi Wu-hui shook her head.
“That is not the problem right now. Judging by the flow of the external energy that occasionally bursts out, it seems you have treated your internal state with good medicine for internal injuries. Even though it looks fine on the surface, the burden on your heart must have become quite heavy.”
“Wha- What?!”
“May I check your pulse?”
Muk Bi unconsciously looked toward Yeon Ho-jeong.
Yeon Ho-jeong simply nodded his head without even turning his gaze.
“Ah, yes. Here…”
After checking Muk Bi’s pulse, Gi Wu-hui soon let out a sigh.
“As I thought, it is so.”
“Is it very bad?”
“Is the foundation of Vice Commander Muk’s martial arts not based on active arts?”
“T-That is correct.”
“You must have trained severely since childhood. But that is exactly the problem. Through training that transcends imagination, the density of your muscles has improved remarkably and your cardiopulmonary capacity has also surpassed that of a human. However, the issue is that your heart is in a state of being overdeveloped compared to other organs.”
“Ugh!”
“Still, the fortunate thing is that, thanks to the other internal energy cultivation method, the balance of your internal organs is being maintained in its own way. If not for that cultivation method, even if your life was not in danger, you would have had to suffer through a severe ordeal for several years.”
Muk Bi’s eyes wavered.
The other internal energy cultivation method referred to the Great Heaven Qi that Yeon Ho-jeong had passed on to her. Although it was not an internal energy cultivation method counted among the top few in the Jianghu, there was no cultivation method like the Great Heaven Qi when it came to managing the accumulation of qi and internal energy.
She was told that thanks to that Great Heaven Qi, the balance of her internal organs was being maintained. It was truly a stroke of immense luck.
“It is something often experienced by those who have constantly overworked their bodies since childhood to improve their physical abilities. Since the heart is also an organ made of large muscles, the cardiac muscles also overdevelop and cause great problems.”
“I see…”
“When one practices internal energy, the internal organs balance themselves, so it is difficult to find such cases among internal masters. However, since Vice Commander Muk practiced a cultivation method focused on active arts, it seems this balance was not achieved.”
“It is not a big problem, right?”
Gi Wu-hui wore a smile.
It was a smile that reassured the patient. Just looking at that smile, one would think her nature was that of a physician.
“Of course. As I said, the amount of internal energy itself was originally so great that your life would not have been in danger even if you continued like this. It is also thanks to the other internal energy cultivation method. However, this time, perhaps you were in a hurry, but it seems you treated your internal injuries too hastily.”
Gi Wu-hui took out a needle case from her robe.
“I will apply acupuncture for a moment. For about one double-hour, your body may feel lethargic or your senses may become dull, but after that, it will improve on its own.”
“Ah… thank you.”
“It is nothing. I have already received a great favor just by being brought safely to this place.”
Thus, Muk Bi received treatment from Gi Wu-hui.
Watching the two of them, Murong Yu asked Yeon Ho-jeong.
“What happened?”
“About what?”
“I heard you reached a settlement with Physician Gi. Did you not say you would tell me the exact details later? But looking at it now, it seems she has turned to our side.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“Hmm?”
“She asked for a few days to think.”
Murong Yu’s eyes deepened.
“And you accepted that proposal, Brother Yeon?”
“Yes.”
Murong Yu, who had been quietly observing Yeon Ho-jeong, suddenly smiled.
“You endured well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong snorted.
“There was nothing to endure. Just as you said, Brother, she seemed to have her own circumstances. My heart wanted to crush her head right away, but the situation did not necessitate it.”
“Yes, that is why I said you endured well.”
“In any case, a decision must be made within today. Since I told her I would wait until midnight.”
Murong Yu nodded his head.
“I also do not wish for anything beyond that. It should not be that way, either.”
“Hmph.”
“It might be a bit embarrassing to say, but Brother Yeon is an outstanding person in all aspects. However, I felt that if you became just a little more prudent, you could soar much higher than you do now.”
“…”
“I hope that Brother Yeon becomes a person who can persevere in necessary moments in the future as well.”
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
“I am grateful. It is not quite a reward, but I shall give you a gift as well.”
Murong Yu smiled.
“Do not hesitate at the decisive moment. Is that not what you wish to say?”
“…Can you read my mind now?”
“I have heard it so many times from Brother Yeon that it has become ingrained. But, Brother. You are right. One must not hesitate at an important moment.”
“Good that you know.”
“And…”
Murong Yu’s eyes deepened.
“It is not something to say right now, but thinking about it, it does not seem to be content that requires setting a specific atmosphere, so I shall say it.”
“Hmm?”
“Regarding the position of the Murim Alliance Leader.”
Yeon Ho-jeong’s eyes flashed.
Murong Yu continued speaking calmly.
“After Brother Yeon informed me of the identity of ‘them,’ I thought about it alone. Whether I truly have the qualification to become the Murim Alliance Leader.”
“You do.”
“Haha, thank you for saying so.”
Murong Yu looked at Yeon Ho-jeong with clear eyes.
“I still find the position of the Murim Alliance Leader far too burdensome. I also believe I do not have the capability for it.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“If it is that kind of talk, forget it. Even if you continue to think so, there is nothing you can do for now.”
“Do you mean you will continue to persuade this elder brother?”
“I have told you before, have I not? That I will make it so.”
“Even if I say I do not wish to?”
“…”
“Even if I say I will absolutely not sit in the seat of the Murim Alliance Leader?”
“…Yes.”
“Why? Are you not a person who respects the free will of others, Brother Yeon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
That smile, which somehow looked bitter yet cold, made Murong Yu’s heart ache.
“Because if it is not you, Brother, it feels like the Central Plains will be submerged in a sea of fire.”
“…”
“Even if an absolute threat approaches, a person’s free will should rightfully be respected. However… exceptions exist.”
Murong Yu let out a sigh.
“I have been curious for a long time. Exactly what do you see in me, Brother Yeon, that you try to seat me in the Alliance Leader’s chair?”
“The person.”
“…?”
“I see the person named Murong Yu himself.”
“Look here, Brother Yeon.”
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
“We are on a mission. Let us stop here for now. Let us discuss the remaining talk after returning to the Alliance.”
“…Very well, let us do that.”
Yeon Ho-jeong turned his head.
Standing there with a blank expression was Gang Ryang.
“Hey, you. Why are you standing there so blankly?”
“Ahem! It cannot be helped. One side is receiving treatment, and the other side is having a serious conversation. I have nothing to do.”
“This fellow, not knowing how precious time is. You should be swinging your sword even if you have to split that small amount of time. You are just sitting there blankly resting? This will not do.”
“Urgh! Is it training again?!”
“I will not see blood, so do not worry.”
Yeon Ho-jeong took Gang Ryang and went into the nearby forest.
Watching the two disappearing far away, Murong Yu let out a lament.
‘Brother Yeon. Sometimes, your blind trust can be burdensome.’
Murong Yu truly liked Yeon Ho-jeong.
It was not because Yeon Ho-jeong was outstanding, nor was there any specific reason. In the first place, it was he who had asked to become sworn brothers without even knowing much about Yeon Ho-jeong.
One could say the process and result had been reversed. However, Murong Yu thought such things were meaningless. No matter what, Yeon Ho-jeong was his one and only sworn younger brother.
However, it was burdensome at times.
No, to be more honest, he felt disappointed.
Yeon Ho-jeong definitely had something he had not told him. And he still had not told him.
He knew it was not because he distrusted him. However, when he pushed for something that was not easy for him to accept like this, he felt disappointed every now and then.
Murong Yu looked up at the sky.
The sky where the sun was setting, the red sky coupled with the cold night air, was extremely beautiful.
“…Still, I shall wait. Even if a day comes when you betray me, I will never betray you.”
That night, at midnight.
“How is Muk Bi?”
“She is fine. If she pays a little attention from now on, it will not be long before the balance of her internal organs perfectly aligns.”
“That is a relief.”
Splash!
The Yangtze River was wide.
Looking down from the sky, how could its width be compared to the sea, but at least looking at the Yangtze River from the ground, it was large enough to be reminiscent of the sea.
It was even more so on a night full of starlight.
“So.”
Thump.
Yeon Ho-jeong, who had set the Crazy Dragon Axe on the ground, spoke with a calm voice.
“Have you made a decision?”
Gi Wu-hui nodded her head with a smile.
“Yes. I have made a decision.”
Whatever decision she had made, judging by her expression, she seemed to feel refreshed. At the very least, she did not seem to regret her judgment.
Yeon Ho-jeong looked at Gi Wu-hui without a word.
Gi Wu-hui closed her eyes.
“I have hated the behavior of the organization I belong to since I was a child. And I knew it. That they were not right, and that it should not be that way.”
“…”
“But even then and now, I feel the same way. You might think I am indecisive, but I… the Cult…”
It was then.
“Shh.”
“…?”
“Quiet.”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Ho-jeong looked around with sharp eyes.
It was not just him.
Rustle. Rustle.
The hand of Murong Yu, who had been leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, moved toward the Demon-Sweeping Greatsword. Muk Bi, who had been sitting and performing meditative breathing, was also touching the quiver on her waist belt.
Gang Ryang was the same. Although he did not yet have the same razor-sharp senses as them, he was beginning to read the atmosphere of the battlefield.
Yeon Ho-jeong spoke calmly.
“Gi Wu-hui.”
It was the first time he had called her by her full name. And Gi Wu-hui did not even have the chance to perceive that.
“Y-Yes?”
“I hope you feel something from this fight right now.”
In an instant, Yeon Ho-jeong grabbed her by the collar and threw her straight toward Gang Ryang.
“Ack!”
Yeon Ho-jeong shouted at Gang Ryang, who caught Gi Wu-hui.
“Do not let her be taken away under any circumstances!”
It was then.
Boom!
Bursting through the surface of the Yangtze River, hundreds of black-clothed men lunged toward the group.