Chapter 313: The Wheels Roll (1)
“Now, take this.”
The eyes of Gi Wu-hui deepened as she received the documents and nameplate handed over by Zhuge Wen-hu.
“This is……?”
“The building, the plaque, and most of the medicinal herbs produced in the northern Central Plains are prepared. The number of physicians well-versed in each field is two hundred and fifty in total, and I believe it is sufficient to establish a foundation.”
“…….”
“The name of the medical clinic under the Murim Alliance is the Medical Immortal Pavilion. Divine Maiden, you shall be called the Medical Immortal Pavilion Master from now on.”
A light of perplexity appeared on Gi Wu-hui’s face.
“It is a grateful thing that you look upon me kindly, but it is true that I lack the experience to govern so many physicians.”
Zhuge Wen-hu shook his head.
“Not everyone gathered here expresses doubt about the Divine Maiden’s experience.”
“Strategist.”
“Even if one’s blade work is magnificent, if they cannot face and fight the enemy, it is useless; even if one has learned the words of the sages, if they cannot melt them into life, that too is useless.”
“…….”
“It is a fact that even a three-foot-tall child knows that the Divine Maiden’s medical skills are outstanding. And the reason those outstanding medical skills became widely known is thanks to the Divine Maiden caring for patients for a long time.”
Zhuge Wen-hu wore a smile.
“I believe you have sufficient capability to become the leader of the physicians.”
It was a tremendous compliment, but despite that, Gi Wu-hui’s expression was not bright.
Zhuge Wen-hu, who was staring at her face, asked in a calm voice.
“Is the reason the Divine Maiden hesitates so much because your nature is gentle? Or is it because you truly think your own skills are insufficient?”
“I am……”
“If not that.”
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes deepened.
“Is it because of your past as a person of the Three Cults of Fanaticism, specifically the Divine Fire Cult?”
In an instant, Gi Wu-hui’s complexion turned pale.
Zhuge Wen-hu wore a smile.
“Comander Yeon’s words were correct.”
“……You knew.”
“Of course. I am the Strategist of the Murim Alliance. As I have a certain degree of personnel authority, it is basic to grasp the detailed personal history of a person when selecting them. Commander Yeon also knows that. Furthermore, if the identity of the one called Hidden Shadow Number One had not been revealed, Commander Yeon would have rather been in danger.”
Gi Wu-hui, who was looking at Zhuge Wen-hu with trembling eyes, eventually let out a sigh.
The opponent already knew everything. Yet, he said he would establish her as the Medical Immortal Pavilion Master. She could tell that he would not inflict harm upon her immediately.
Zhuge Wen-hu’s eyes sparkled.
‘Certainly.’
An ordinary person would have been busy trembling in fear.
Even so, Gi Wu-hui quickly governed her heart. It was not that she had let go of everything, but because she saw through the fact that the opponent had no intention of harming her.
‘Her nature is kind and simple. But her spirit is not weak. She is also wise.’
Zhuge Wen-hu had heard of Gi Wu-hui’s circumstances from Yeon Ho-jeong.
Of course, unless one were the person themselves, they would not be able to completely understand how much great hardship they had suffered until now. However, just by hearing, one could tell that Gi Wu-hui had lived a life full of terrible agony.
Gi Wu-hui asked.
“Even so, are you planning to establish me as the Hall Master of the Medical Immortal Pavilion?”
“That is so.”
“…….”
“Do not misunderstand and listen. Apart from the Divine Maiden’s skill, I do not yet trust the person called you. Even so, the reason I am pushing for you as the Medical Immortal Pavilion Master is because I trust Commander Yeon that much.”
The Tiger General of Green Mountain, Yeon Ho-jeong.
Gi Wu-hui thought. That he was a truly frightening yet charming person.
Yeon Ho-jeong’s age was younger than hers. At that young age, he received this much trust from the Strategist, who was one of the highest holders of power in the Murim Alliance.
This was a truly amazing thing. Although she was not well-versed in the ecology of organizations, having experienced the organizational system of the Divine Fire Cult to some extent, she knew how difficult it was to give this much trust to a young rising star.
‘It must not be simply because his ability is outstanding.’
Ability was the basic, and one had to know how to give trust to people. And building that trust would be an impossible task without a natural human charm and a friendship that transcended age.
“Also, would it not be much easier for our side to monitor if you sit in a high position?”
“……I see.”
Zhuge Wen-hu wore a smile.
“I do not trust you yet, but I believe that only the Divine Maiden’s heart, which has bestowed medical skills free of charge for a long time, is sincere. If you truly sever ties with the Divine Fire Cult and burn your body for the Central Plains, one day this suspicion of mine might melt away like snow under the spring sunshine.”
Gi Wu-hui smiled bitterly.
“That could not be.”
“Hmm?”
“Suspecting even a hero of the same affiliation until the very end. Is that not the basic knowledge of every military strategist under heaven?”
Zhuge Wen-hu burst into a hearty laughter.
“I have been hit by this one.”
Gi Wu-hui spat out a single sentence in a voice full of determination.
“Since you say you know my past, I shall speak clearly.”
“Speak.”
“I do not move for the Central Plains. However, I will strive to move for the people who are persecuted without any guilt.”
“Hmm.”
“If the Divine Fire Cult goes beyond reason, I will be hostile to the Divine Fire Cult; if the Murim Alliance goes beyond reason, I will cast off the position of the Medical Immortal Pavilion Master and go out into the world to denounce the Murim Alliance.”
Zhuge Wen-hu nodded his head.
“That is enough. No, I truly hope you will do so. Because that is exactly the number one value of our Orthodox Murim: Righteousness and Chivalry.”
He stood up from his seat.
“The Medical Immortal Pavilion shall formally open its doors in five days. Let us see each other then.”
With those words, Zhuge Wen-hu left the room.
Left alone, Gi Wu-hui suddenly looked out the window.
“The weather is getting warmer.”
The cold wind was still fierce. However, the sky was clear and beautiful.
Gi Wu-hui closed her eyes.
In the cold yet clear wind, her head, which had been confused for a moment, became refreshed.
* * *
Murong Lotus Flower quickly regained her composure.
She also knew from hearing from her father. That Murong Yu had turned to her father’s side.
That must surely be sincere. She believed in her father’s discernment. If so, it was only right to forget the ill fate of the past and build a new relationship again.
Murong Lotus Flower wore a smile.
“It has been a long time since we met.”
“It has indeed.”
“Forget the reaction from a moment ago. I heard that you are with father. If so, I should also forget the things of the past.”
The corners of Murong Yu’s mouth curled up.
It was a smile close to a sneer. For some reason, it was a smile that did not suit him, so it made the viewer feel all the more ominous.
“That is truly interesting words. Even if forgiveness is to be given, I should be the one to give it, and even if forgetting is to be done, I should be the one to forget.”
Murong Lotus Flower did not lose her smile.
Though her eyes became somewhat cold.
“Well. Is it not a ridiculous thing to point out who did wrong at this point? I think the important thing is that we have become comrades who move forward together; is that not precisely it?”
It was absurd words. Though they were not originally a normal uncle and niece in the first place, her way of speaking was certainly excessively stiff.
Of course, in Murong Lotus Flower’s own way, she was enduring quite a bit. Because she had not even met her father yet, she did not want to make things bigger for no reason.
Murong Yu nodded his head.
“It is not a wrong statement. It would be good to forget such trivial conflicts of the past for the sake of the great cause.”
“It is a good mindset.”
“Then shall we start some official conversation.”
Murong Lotus Flower shook her head.
“I also want to have a conversation with you, uncle, but I must see father first.”
“Having a conversation with me comes first before seeing elder brother.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The corners of Murong Yu’s mouth curled up even more.
“Think of it as a light inspection.”
The smile disappeared from Murong Lotus Flower’s face.
“An inspection?”
“Of course.”
“……This is somewhat interesting. Why must I receive an inspection from you, uncle?”
“It is only natural. As elder brother’s closest confidant, must I not check if you are truly a person who will not be a problem?”
Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes narrowed more and more.
“You seem to have forgotten that I am the daughter of the one you call elder brother, have you not?”
Murong Yu shook his head.
“Stop showing such childish behavior. Stubbornness for an unprovable reason is very unpleasant to see.”
He said it could not be proven just for the reason of being kin.
Apart from the unpleasantness, Murong Lotus Flower was quite surprised by such a statement from Murong Yu. Because, at least, the Murong Yu she knew was not a great man who would make such a statement.
A clear sneer appeared on Murong Lotus Flower’s face, which had been cold.
“You have been broken a lot. A relationship formed by the Heavenly Ordinance of blood, do you think I would somehow betray father?”
“The possibility is always open.”
“It might be so in the world where you live, uncle.”
“The world in which elder brother lives is also like that. Elder brother ruined the relationship between brothers to become the Clan Head.”
“……!!”
Murong Lotus Flower’s face stiffened hard.
“Those words just now, are you sincere?”
“Regardless of whether I am sincere or not, it is a fact. And it is also a fact that cannot be ignored that the main family is a clan that developed in that way.”
“……I am curious how father will accept that statement of yours, uncle.”
Murong Yu smiled faintly.
“He will think it is bold.”
“Will it be just that?”
“If you are curious about that, try telling him directly. Of course, you will not be able to cross the gate of the inner fortress until I give permission.”
Murong Lotus Flower’s cheeks trembled.
“Stop it here.”
“No, it starts from now.”
“You must have heard everything about where I am coming from and for what reason.”
“How is it different from the statement from a moment ago that chirped not to suspect while mentioning kin?”
“……!”
“Do not worry. If you are upright yourself, all of this conversation right now will become as if it never happened.”
Now Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes blazed with complete anger.
“Then, in what way will you inspect this niece?”
“Like this.”
Puk!
Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes bulged as if they would tear.
Thump!
She knelt on one knee on that spot. From below the neck to the hip joint, the sensation disappeared in an instant. He had paralyzed exactly that part with an extremely delicate paralysis point.
‘Th-this cannot be!’
It was a terrifying speed. In the meantime, Murong Lotus Flower also had her own achievements, but Murong Yu’s growth surpassed her by far.
Before she knew it, Murong Yu, who stood behind Murong Lotus Flower, placed his hand on her shoulder.
Huuuuuuung.
“Hmm.”
Murong Yu quickly took his hand off her shoulder.
“The identity check is complete. It is the same true qi as I felt before.”
“……!”
“However, you have brought someone you should not have brought.”
“W-what?!”
Murong Yu looked at the attendant.
The attendant flinched. Having seen Murong Yu’s tremendous movement, he had also been startled.
Murong Yu, who was looking at the attendant, tilted his head to the side.
“You cannot enter the inner fortress. Go back now.”
“Ye-yes?!”
“I said go back.”
The attendant looked at Murong Lotus Flower without realizing it.
Murong Lotus Flower shouted in anger.
“What is this behavior! Release the paralysis point right now and……!”
“If it is a Black Dragon, it can be so. Because they might know the situation but not perceive it. But you should not have been like that.”
“……?!”
“The atmosphere of the Alliance is very rigid due to the upcoming selection. If you let such a person in, things could become big. If you had any sense, you should have cut him off at your level in advance.”
“Will you not release this right now!”
Murong Yu let her words pass by his ears.
He spoke toward the attendant.
“Looking at you, you seem to be a person who came from ‘that side’.”
“…….”
“If you have caught my attention to that extent with your aura, your skill is obvious without even looking. Go back.”
The attendant spoke in a stiff voice.
“I cannot do that.”
“Is that so?”
Murong Yu nodded his head.
“That is unfortunate.”
Thwack!
Amazement appeared in Murong Lotus Flower’s eyes.
Before she knew it, the attendant had fallen on the spot with his tongue sticking out.
Murong Yu dusted his hands.
“The inspection is over. I shall handle this person, so go to elder brother now.”