Chapter 98
Chapter 98
“You asked to meet Hyeon-gang?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Hwa Ryeong appear to have taken interest in Hyeon-gang, Youngho let out a faint chuckle.
“His skills are decent, aren’t they?”
“They were excellent.”
“Do you wish to take him as a disciple?”
“I would like to… but….”
“Is there something that troubles you?”
“In truth, there is little for me to teach him. If he were to remain by my side for half a year to a year, he would be worthy of being called a future Divine Physician.”
“His medical skill alone is quite remarkable.”
“His realm did not appear low either…?”
“If he is to become a future Divine Physician, should he not at least reach the State of Transformation? Like you now.”
Perhaps she liked Youngho’s straightforward choice. Hwa Ryeong smiled faintly as she spoke.
“Then are you granting permission?”
“Yes. As his master, I will respect Hyeon-gang’s opinion. Please speak to him directly about the rest.”
“Thank you.”
“More importantly, I wished to hear what has happened until now….”
Sensing that people were waiting outside the door, Youngho let out a faint laugh.
“Well, the others will explain the rest.”
“Indeed, that would be so. It seems the child I was searching for has also come here. You may enter.”
The moment Hwa Ryeong gave permission, the door opened, and Sopyung, Kang Chowon, and the others under Youngho entered with worried expressions as they looked at him.
“Young Master, are you alright?”
As Sopyung spoke tearfully, Youngho burst into laughter.
“I will not die from something like this. So there is no need to worry.”
“I was truly worried!”
“More importantly, are the others alright?”
Realizing that Youngho was speaking to him, Horyeung nodded.
“Yes. Aside from Jongpal, they have only minor injuries.”
“And Jongpal?”
“His left arm has been fractured.”
“Is it serious?”
From the anxious tone in his voice, it was clear how much Youngho cherished his subordinates.
As if to reassure him, Horyeung spoke calmly.
“There is no problem at all. We were told it will simply take some time for the bone to mend.”
“That’s a relief.”
Only then did Youngho let out a deep sigh of relief, as though finally setting down a heavy burden.
Looking at Hyeon-gang, Youngho spoke.
“Hyeon-gang, I am busy, so I will speak plainly.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“The Divine Physician wishes to teach you medicine. Do you have the intention to follow her?”
It was an unbelievable statement. The Divine Physician wished to personally teach him medicine?
Yet right before his eyes, the Divine Physician nodded, looking at him as though gazing upon a treasure. Without realizing it, Hyeon-gang let out a shallow breath.
“I-Is that truly so?”
“Yes. I respect your decision. If you wish to go, then go.”
“N-No, but why me…?”
“How would I know? From now on, the Divine Physician will explain.”
At that, Hwa Ryeong gazed at Hyeon-gang with a gentle smile.
“As expected, you carry the scent of life.”
“Pardon?”
“The scent of saving people, the scent of life. Come with me. I have much to say.”
As Hwa Ryeong seized his wrist and attempted to leave the room, Hyeon-gang suddenly remembered the words Youngho had spoken when they first met.
—You carry the scent of life.
Words he had used to bring him along.
Whether he knew Hyeon-gang’s feelings or not, Youngho met his eyes with a meaningful smile.
‘I never expected I would end up like this as well.’
The words he had once used to bring Hyeon-gang along were words the Divine Physician often said.
That those who strive to save others carry the fragrance of life, and those who strive to kill carry the fragrance of death.
Suddenly, Youngho wondered what scent would emanate from his own body.
‘Should I ask the Divine Physician, even now?’
Muyeon could not see his own true nature. In truth, even Youngho himself could not grasp his own essence.
He had hidden it for far too long, and altered it for far too long.
Someone like the Divine Physician would likely be able to tell—his true nature. Yet seeing that she did not say anything….
‘It must not be a pleasant scent.’
As Youngho’s pupils trembled slightly, Sopyung sensed that something was amiss.
“By the way, Young Master, when will you be able to get up?”
At her question, Youngho came to his senses and displayed a beautiful smile as usual.
“They said it will take three days.”
“Really?!”
It was not only Sopyung who was shocked.
Horyeung asked Youngho with a face that showed utter disbelief.
“I-Is that truly so?”
“Why? Is there something strange about it?”
“Well….”
When Horyeung hesitated to speak, Kang Hosan beside him spoke instead.
“Young Master, your condition was no joke. You looked so serious that it would not have been strange if you had died at any moment.”
“I must be quite strong. This much is nothing.”
At Youngho’s nonchalant attitude, Kang Chowon frowned unconsciously.
“You should take better care of your body.”
“Alright.”
“Ah, come to think of it, Young Master,”
“What is it?”
“The Murim Alliance Leader and the Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance asked that you visit them briefly once you are able to move.”
“For what reason?”
“I do not know. They only said that, and both of them wished to be alone for a while. Perhaps they did not expect you to awaken this early?”
Youngho grinned.
‘Have they attained enlightenment?’
In truth, Youngho himself had gained greatly from Cheon Sangmu this time.
Perhaps Han Yonghu and Cheonung had also perceived something from his movements.
‘I should organize my own enlightenment as well.’
After sending his companions away, Youngho began immersing himself in his own world.
Even Sopyung noticed that Youngho had attained enlightenment and immediately stepped aside.
Thus, for a long while, Youngho moved his body within his Mindscape.
Four days passed like that.
When Youngho awoke from meditation, white vapor flowed from his mouth.
“Haaah….”
Like breath steaming in the biting winter air, the vapor lingered briefly at his side before dissipating.
“…Have I grown stronger?”
Compared to before his Regression, his enlightenment had deepened considerably. Now, the important question was whether his body could withstand that enlightenment.
‘More than eight-tenths of my body has healed.’
The recovery was proceeding smoothly.
‘By the way….’
He had not noticed at first, but it seemed he had ingested Clear Sky Stone Milk.
Otherwise, his Internal Energy would not have increased nor become so refined.
Youngho clenched his fist tightly—so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh and blood trickled down.
‘Still not enough.’
If he were to contend with the Heavenly Demon, this was far from sufficient.
‘At the very least, I must become strong enough to buy time against the Heavenly Demon.’
Otherwise, this time as well, Youngho—no, the Martial World—would face a devastating defeat.
Youngho slowly rose to his feet.
Crack, crackle.
Bones and muscles that had stiffened from lack of movement busily readjusted, as if rejoicing at returning to their proper roles.
“Then should I go see Master now?”
“There is no need for that.”
Cheonung opened the door as he answered Youngho’s words.
“I have come. You have awakened at just the right time.”
Cheonung observed Youngho’s body for a moment before speaking.
“It seems you are much better now.”
“Were you worried?”
“Not at all.”
Though Cheonung flatly denied it, Youngho chuckled.
He still remembered it clearly—Cheonung anxiously checking his consciousness, and Master being unable to leave his side out of overwhelming concern.
Perhaps realizing the meaning behind the laughter, Cheonung frowned.
“You brat….”
“More importantly, congratulations on your great attainment, Master.”
Under Youngho’s bright, sparkling gaze, Cheonung let out a low groan.
“You could sense it?”
“Yes. You have grown incomparably stronger.”
“I have not neglected physical training for even a single moment. As my enlightenment deepened, strength naturally followed.”
Wearing a satisfied smile as he examined his own hand, Cheonung suddenly looked intently at Youngho.
“…I still cannot see your realm.”
“I have grown as well.”
“To grow even further from there….”
While Cheonung could not conceal his admiration, Youngho rolled his neck and said,
“So, what was it you wished to say to me?”
Cheonung slowly took a seat before speaking.
“Yonghu has not yet left his room, so I will speak briefly. How do you think the Heavenly Demon regards you?”
Though it was a question that warranted consideration, Youngho answered without hesitation.
“If I am nearby, he would wish to toy with me. If I am not, then I am merely an insignificant existence.”
“…….”
It was too accurate. And because it was so accurate, it was astonishing. How could someone who had only just passed the age of coming-of-age understand the Heavenly Demon so well?
Many questions arose, but Cheonung answered first.
“Yes. That is precisely your current standing. However, within the Demonic Cult, there are those who are, in another sense, more dangerous than the Heavenly Demon.”
“Are you referring to the Demon Brain?”
Correct. Setting aside how he knew so much about the Demonic Cult, Cheonung found it strange that Youngho remained so calm.
“Are you not uneasy?”
“What is there to be uneasy about?”
“It is a grave matter to have those who target you.”
“May this disciple dare speak to Master?”
“Speak.”
“For a Martial Artist, what is the closest companion?”
A chilling sensation swept through the room.
The answer seemed evident just from Youngho’s sunken gaze. He was not trying to pressure Cheonung—Cheonung knew that well. Yet at times, the unreasonable pressure that slipped from Youngho made even Cheonung forget to breathe.
He did not have a large build. At a glance, he appeared ordinary. Yet the Martial Presence emanating from that body was strangely profound.
It was neither meant to oppress nor to comfort—simply the pure aura of the person himself.
Cheonung repeatedly clenched and unclenched his tingling hand before answering.
“…Death.”
“Yes. At least, that is how this disciple sees it. Even knowing that it stands right beside me, I am not so weak as to fear it.”
“…I had intended to offer advice, yet I find myself receiving it instead.”
Cheonung slowly closed his eyes for a moment.
He had forgotten. Because he possessed such overwhelming strength. No—more accurately, he had grown complacent.
The lofty position of Lord of the Unorthodox Alliance, and the absence of any third party daring to target him.
He had no longer even imagined that death could stand beside him.
‘But now it is different.’
The Heavenly Demon alone was not the harbinger of his death. Cheonung silently thanked Youngho for reminding him of this and continued.
“From now on, whenever you step beyond the protection of the Unorthodox Alliance, the Demonic Cult will pursue you.”
“That is fine.”
“Hmm?”
This was unlike Youngho’s usual cautious attitude whenever matters concerning the Demonic Cult were discussed.
But at the words that followed, Cheonung could not help but smile.
“Other than the Heavenly Demon, there is no one who can kill me now. And above all….”
Youngho spoke toward those scattered about, secretly eavesdropping on their conversation.
“My subordinates are all exceptionally capable.”