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Dark Heaven Village

About a year had passed studying medical techniques and acupuncture. I was noted for my exceptional memorization skills, so I had already managed to apply simple memorized knowledge up to the Thunder Spirit Classic level. However, since truly applying medical skills requires cool-headed, intuitive judgments, I felt like I was hitting a wall.

Hwa Seong-myeong always kept quiet, as if regretting something.

“Hmm… You’re smart, but being a bit slow is a flaw, huh.”

What kind of evaluation is that?

I couldn’t get angry, so I just stared blankly at him, and he continued.

“Don’t worry. You still learn faster than most physicians. But if only you had a little bit more insight, you could have been an unparalleled genius.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“Especially your speed in mastering acupuncture is impressive.”

Hearing him praise me in the one field where he actually recognized some talent made me feel good. As he said, among various medical fields, I could show my talent in acupuncture.

Acupuncture involves subtle differences in manipulating the meridian points and the flow of qi, and my developed qi sense allowed me to read the body’s flows perfectly. Thanks to my high internal power, my hands wouldn’t shake or falter, and my physical strength overwhelmingly surpassed that of ordinary physicians. Other fields like herbal medicine, surgery, or medical techniques didn’t yield as good results, but I was confident with acupuncture.

‘I do have something I’m good at.’

Having lamented my lack of talent until now, I felt a surge of joy. Seeing me like that, Hwa Seong-myeong hesitated before speaking.

“… Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Don’t you want to become a physician? Why not quit this guardian warrior business and heal people instead?”

“Hmm…”

After contemplating, I replied, “If I have time in the future, I’d definitely like to.”

Right now, there are things I need to do, but if I could stop the Golden Eagle Guard’s conspiracy and live my life, that would be good too. It was a thought I could have because I was genuinely enjoying learning acupuncture. After a moment of consideration, Hwa Seong-myeong suddenly said,

“For a whole year, I never told you why my Hua Clan, which once stood as one of Hebei’s prestigious families, has fallen.”

I paused my work organizing herbs and glanced at him. Hwa Seong-myeong slowly continued while sitting on a chair and warming his hands by the fire.

“It was entirely because of me. Because I accepted the White Lotus Sect’s offer.”

“What do you mean?”

Clatter.

He stared blankly at the fire, tossing in a piece of tinder. Flames leaped higher.

“About ten years ago, I was recognized as one of the Five Great Physicians of the renowned Hua Clan in Hebei.”

Past tense.

“……”

“Even now, I think no one can compare to my medical skills besides Dongbang Mu-gyeol and Gang Jeon-gil. Because of that, my pride in my medical skills was sky-high. Maybe it was inevitable that I attracted the interest of the White Lotus Sect.”

I set down the herbs and sat across from him, getting ready to listen intently.

“There was a young master from the White Lotus Sect. He had a very serious illness. I was asked by the envoy from the White Lotus Sect to cure him.”

“What kind of illness was it?”

“Hmm… At that time, he didn’t tell me. But he offered me an astonishing amount of treasures, a whopping two hundred pieces of gold, as an upfront payment and promised that the White Lotus Sect would provide full support for the future of the Hua Clan. He also provoked me by saying it would be tough to cure, and I fell for it.”

Hwa Seong-myeong spat out the words.

“Well, since the Dharma Guardian personally visited my home, there was no way I could refuse.”

“The Dharma Guardian?”

“Yes. He was the one wearing a gray fox mask.”

As I muttered the phrase “gray fox mask,” Hwa Seong-myeong continued,

“I followed the Dharma Guardian to the White Lotus Sect. While I couldn’t meet their leader directly, all the Five Great Physicians, including myself, were already gathered there. It seemed they had also received invitations from the White Lotus Sect.”

“So they had gathered the greatest physicians in the world just to cure the young master?”

“Right. That showed how desperate the White Lotus Sect was.”

I felt like I was hearing astonishingly significant news. Considering ten years ago, it wasn’t so far back in my previous life. Learning that the top physicians of the world had gathered at the White Lotus Sect to treat the young master’s illness back then was unexpected!

As I listened carefully, Hwa Seong-myeong lowered his head and continued.

“However, that day, my pride shattered into pieces. Not a single one of us among the Five Great Physicians, including me, was able to cure the young master. Dongbang Mu-gyeol identified the disease’s nature, I managed to stabilize with acupuncture, and the other two helped as well, but… it simply wasn’t enough. We had all the invaluable herbs from the White Lotus Sect at our disposal, but we still couldn’t heal him.”

I was taken aback.

“……!! Is there really such an illness?”

“There was. And for an entire year, we lingered at the White Lotus Sect, disheartened because we couldn’t heal the young master. We thought he would soon perish, and his family would face annihilation.”

But he’s still alive. As I gazed at Hwa Seong-myeong blankly, he smiled faintly.

“On the last day, I could see the leader of the White Lotus Sect from a distance. He seemed to not want to show his face, speaking from the back, saying, ‘It can’t be helped,’ and simply sent us off. For some reason, I felt the leader of the White Lotus Sect had known all along that we couldn’t cure the young master.”

He knew we couldn’t heal him. Yet, he still called upon us. Why?

‘Something… This doesn’t seem like simple desperation…’

While I racked my brain, Hwa Seong-myeong said,

“Shortly after, the matter exploded. The other Four Great Physicians and I became known across Jianghu for failing to cure the young master of the White Lotus Sect. The martial artists criticized us for siding with the Evil Sect, and visitors stopped coming to the Hua Clan in an instant. No matter how renowned a physician you are, if no one comes to get treated, you’re powerless…”

“And this news got out? Did the White Lotus Sect leak it?”

“I don’t know. But the timing of the information leak seemed too convenient, so I suspect it was from the White Lotus Sect. It was likely some form of punishment from them.”

The leader of the White Lotus Sect probably thought that killing the Five Great Physicians himself wouldn’t look good. So instead, he deliberately leaked the news to Jianghu, turning us into ‘traitors’ instead. In this case, the arrows would surely only be pointed at us, the Five Great Physicians.

I was baffled and said, “You didn’t consider this possibility from the start? Why engage with the White Lotus Sect…”

“I told you I had no choice. The Dharma Guardian of the White Lotus Sect came directly to plead. If I had rejected him, my clan could have been exterminated on the spot. I could only accept, whether it led to death or life.”

“Hmm…”

With a gulp, Hwa Seong-myeong drank some water beside him. Upon closer inspection, it appeared he was consuming a pre-filled bowl of bamboo leaf tea. Sighing after a moment, he continued.

“I felt I couldn’t live in Jianghu anymore and sought ways to live elsewhere. I thought of moving my ancestral home to Goryeo. I believed I wouldn’t be ostracized there, as it wasn’t associated with Jianghu.”

“So you joined the Jeong Clan as a guest?”

“Yes. Even though I serve as the primary physician to the leader of the Jeong Clan, he promised to naturalize the descendants of the Hua Clan in Goryeo. That’s why I can never forget the grace of the Jeong Clan’s leader and can’t refuse his requests.”

As he spoke that, Hwa Seong-myeong shot me a glare. Well, considering his situation, he would have been busy with his duties as a primary physician while suddenly having to take me as a disciple; he wouldn’t be pleased. The nature of medicine is rather closed-off, especially regarding their secrets, making him hesitant to pass on his treasured teachings.

“However, my blood relatives from the Hua Clan have yet to come to Goryeo. Half of them are still remaining in Jianghu, ostracized and struggling.”

“Why not?”

“Because of money. We lack the funds.”

Hwa Seong-myeong murmured with a hint of lamentation and drank another cup of bamboo leaf tea. “No matter how kind Jeong Cheol-wook is, he’s not the type of person who would provide enough funds to move an entire clan from Jianghu to Gaegyeong. Everything I earned as his primary physician has been used for the naturalization of the Hua Clan. Yet, I still fell far short, feeling despondent.”

“What do you mean? Isn’t it costly to travel from Hebei through Shandong to here?”

“That’s a foolish thought. A physician’s life depends on ancient medical texts, and my ancestral home is filled with treasure-like materials, herbs, and knowledge. Just moving that to Goryeo would require enough funds for two or three shipping warehouses. Are you suggesting I abandon hundreds or thousands of years of accumulated wealth in the Hua Clan?”

“Hmm…”

Hwa Seong-myeong looked at me with droopy eyes.

“In the meantime, you appeared and gifted me a root of Sacred Lotus. I managed to sell that root over the course of a year, and with that money, I could move twenty members of my clan and medical texts to Goryeo. Thanks to you, I received considerable assistance.”

“With that Sacred Lotus root, your internal power will soar in no time…”

“Haha, you think I’d let my kin suffer for my internal strength? I am a physician, not a martial artist. So what matters to me isn’t internal power.”

Gulp…

This time, Hwa Seong-myeong took the entirety of the bamboo leaf tea container to his lips. It seemed to be a struggle to talk without drinking. He said,

“Honestly, I had no intention of passing down the Hua’s 108 Needles or Huatuo’s Five Animals Play to you. Only a fool would trust someone blindly with their family’s secrets. And usually, it takes a typical person ten years just to learn their basic principles, often dropping out before that, so I was planning to keep it simple. But over the past year, my feelings have changed.”

Ah, so you were considering taking advantage of me.

I wasn’t surprised because I had half-expected it. Giving him the black and white sacred lotus was worth it if I could learn medicine from a master. I casually replied, “What changed?”

“You don’t seem to have much talent. Although you possess excellent memorization skills, physical strength, and precision needed for medicine, it’s still true that your understanding is somewhat lacking. It will only get harder as you aim for higher medicine.”

“……”

“However, you possess sincerity and practicality. I appreciate that.”

After saying that, Hwa Seong-myeong cleared his throat.

“If you wish for it, I want to formally take you on as my disciple and pass on my medical skills. I want to teach you everything I know.”

“Is that because it would benefit the Hua Clan?”

“It would be a lie to say no. However, you need to recognize your own value a bit more. There may be countless talented people in the world, but no one wouldn’t drool over you if they saw you. Talent aside, just your incredible internal power is enough to make you an extraordinary genius.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of people who’d feel differently.”

I recalled Samjeol Lee Kwang. Hwa Seong-myeong shook his head.

“No matter who your mentor is, he likely had overly high expectations for you. But a true mentor-student relationship isn’t like that. It’s about trust and teaching each other, and further, seeing the path ahead in life. I just want you to become a physician that simply fulfills their duties.”

Expectations, huh.

I remembered the look in Lee Kwang’s eyes. When he taught me seriously, it definitely felt like he showed desperation and fierceness. Looking back now, I probably had no idea of the towering expectations he had for me. And the greater the expectation, the greater the betrayal must have felt. I thought inwardly, ‘Right. Maybe if there were no expectations from the start, it wouldn’t have been an issue.’

At that point, I asked Hwa Seong-myeong, “Is there a way to conceal my qi?”

“Of course, there is. You’ve been pondering that, haven’t you?”

Hwa Seong-myeong smiled brightly as he answered.

“I can’t give you the level of Return to Simplicity, but if you apply the Hua’s 108 Needles and execute the Heavenly Blood Sealing Technique, you will be able to minimize the qi that flows out of you. This way, you won’t be dragged into unnecessary arguments.”

As I heard those words, I nodded without a second thought.

“I will become your disciple.”

“Then let’s perform the Nine Prostrations Ritual.”

“Yes.”

I performed the ritual and formally became his disciple. Unlike the previous psychological warfare we were both playing on each other, we were now in a genuine mentor-disciple relationship.

Time flew, and eight years passed.

During that time, I worked as a guardian warrior for the Jeong Clan and spent the remaining time learning medical techniques from Hwa Seong-myeong. Even though I wasn’t out doing guardian work every day, I still had about three days per week available. Over those eight years, I learned enough medical skills from Hwa Seong-myeong to reach a significant level, earning remarks that I was contributing ‘as one person’.

One day, while gazing at the autumn sky and reading a book, I muttered, “I’ve lived longer than ever in my life.”

Currently, my body had fully matured, and I was in my mid-twenties. I was surviving far longer than my previous records. At the same time, I realized just how much I’d squandered my life away before. With the peace of daily life, I even started to miss the chaotic times.

However, my martial arts hadn’t improved much. During this time, I had poured all my mental energy into mastering Hua’s 108 Needles and Huatuo’s Five Animals Play, merely practicing the basic techniques every day just to ensure I didn’t forget them. Although that was disappointing, it couldn’t be helped. Even if I were to die later because of the Nine-Tailed Fox, learning Hwa Seong-myeong’s skills was the real deal—and the fact that I was learning it was already a fortuitous encounter.

‘Damn it… if I die, I die.’

Such skills could not be learned later.

And Hwa Seong-myeong had received an additional root of Sacred Lotus from me eight years ago and had successfully moved his entire clan to Goryeo. With no particular obstacles, I had continued living a normal life while studying medicine.

That was when Hwa Seong-myeong walked in through the door and said, “Baek Woong. Do you understand well the section on great blood from Hua’s 108 Needles?”

“It’s a bit difficult.”

“The fact that you’ve grasped seventy percent of Hua’s 108 Needles is already impressive. Work a bit harder.”

“Yes.”

I smirked. I’d assumed Hwa Seong-myeong would be leeching off me, but it seemed he genuinely meant it those eight years ago. He was sincerely considering me as his direct disciple, and I also held him in high regard as my master.

Then, Hwa Seong-myeong subtly ventured, “How about marrying my granddaughter? I’ve mentioned it before…”

“Um… it seems your granddaughter really dislikes my looks.”

“Hmph. Looks aren’t everything, that ungrateful girl.”

Hwa Seong-myeong got irritable. Indeed, my face had taken quite the toll as I matured. While my profound internal power made my appearance less offensive, I still naturally possessed a face that wasn’t flattering. When Hwa Seong-myeong introduced me to his fifteen-year-old granddaughter, Hua Yeong-yeong, she had looked ready to faint at seeing my less-than-attractive face.

Hwa Seong-myeong said, “I’d like to personally perform surgery on your face, but are you really okay with it as is?”

“Yes, as you said, looks aren’t that important.”

“Ha… if you change your mind later, just let me know. Though at your level, you might manage by yourself anyway.”

With a sigh, Hwa Seong-myeong got to the point. “Step outside for a moment. It seems there’s a guest here to see you.”

“A guest?”

I tilted my head, puzzled. Other than duties as a guardian warrior for the Jeong Clan, I hadn’t mingled outside of its members, Hwa Seong-myeong, or people from the Hua Clan. There shouldn’t be any guests visiting me now.

However, as I stepped outside, I saw a man in a black feathered cloak. I recognized that cloak as belonging to the Xueshan Clan, one that I had grown particularly familiar with. More precisely, it was an outfit I could never forget.

Moments later, the man removed his hood and smiled, saying, “Long time no see, Baek Woong.”

“Mangnyang…!!”

There stood Mangnyang. Unlike before, he radiated a superior aura with an air of confidence about his face. Not only that, but four subordinates stood behind him, appearing to be quite capable as well. I glanced at them and said, “You created the Bancheon Alliance?”

“Hahaha! That name I suggested last time stuck with me. I couldn’t come up with anything else.”

Mangnyang burst into laughter. He looked quite different now. While he had previously been a carefree and lazy free spirit, he now exuded the dignity of a leader directing an organization. I stared at him blankly when he said, “I received permission from Jeong Cheol-wook. Let’s step out and have a chat.”

“Let’s do that.”

I followed Mangnyang to a nearby inn where we booked a room. At the door, Mangnyang instructed his guards, “Keep watch.”

“Understood!”

Swish! They vanished under first-class light body techniques. I watched that spectacle and remarked, “So those guys are also members of the Bancheon Alliance?”

“That’s right. They’re gathered here for righteousness.”

Once we entered the room, there was a moment of silence. I broke the ice first.

“What have you been up to all this time? I’ve been spending my time in Goryeo trying to find the whereabouts of the Third Sea.”

“I know. Using the black and white lotuses and the Water Element Divine Sword you gifted me, I’ve grown and built the Bancheon Alliance to resist the Imperial Family.”

“Has the Golden Eagle Guard gathered the Seven Luminaries and become even stronger?”

Then, Mangnyang lightly shook his head.

“If we were to follow the original historical narrative, by now, that should be the case. However, I still don’t see any signs of that. They haven’t produced a large number of demon beasts or summonors yet. They probably haven’t obtained the Seven Luminaries.”

“Is that so?”

For some reason, I fell into a doubt upon hearing Mangnyang’s words. In truth, I had been determined to figure out the whereabouts of the Seven Luminaries in this life, half-giving up on the chaos in Jianghu. It wouldn’t have been strange for the Golden Eagle Guard to have caused a stir by now, yet oddly enough, Mangnyang said they hadn’t.

‘Did I unwittingly influence the Golden Eagle Guard during this life?’

I ruminated but couldn’t pinpoint anything in particular.

While I was in thought, Mangnyang smiled and said, “To be honest, I asked my master a few years back. Is the Third Sea the Seven Luminaries?”

“……?!”

“My master said that while it is definitely the Seven Luminaries, acquiring it would be the hardest endeavor among them. So, I thought you wouldn’t have to endure any more suffering, and that’s why I came back to talk to you.”

I was flabbergasted.

To think such a method existed!

Even though my master disliked meeting me, Mangnyang, who cherished me as a treasured disciple, could simply approach his master and ask. I let out a deep sigh, saying, “Ha… it feels like I’ve been digging myself into a hole. If you knew that, why didn’t you let me know sooner?”

“In truth, I’ve heard your news through members of the Bancheon Alliance in Goryeo. There’s even one among the Jeong Clan.”

“Huh?!”

“I have kept hearing that you’ve died too quickly and frequently, and I wanted to give you the time to build your strength. I feared that if you got caught up in the affairs of Jianghu carelessly, your chances of dying would increase.”

I was taken aback by Mangnyang’s consideration. At the same time, realizing how much he had built up the Bancheon Alliance sent chills down my spine. To be able to hear about me from far away Goryeo, he had an immensely vast network, and he had emerged to a level where he could easily negotiate with the Jeong Clan, the largest influencer in Goryeo, with elite martial artists as his guards. I hadn’t thought he would become such a significant figure in under a decade.

I said to Mangnyang, “If you wanted me to meet with you, you could’ve just asked. Why go through the trouble of visiting all the way here?”

Mangnyang shook his head.

“That wouldn’t be polite. You’ve bestowed such a monumental fortuitous encounter upon me, suffering the journey to Goryeo for your goals. Could I simply send a messenger to you to come to Jianghu? If you’re a friend, it’s only natural to come in person.”

“……”

I felt a swell of warmth that made me look away for a moment.

‘Meeting Mangnyang might be the greatest fortune of my life.’

He seemed lazy, but he was a genius filled with an inner passion, talent, and camaraderie. The words that Mangnyang was favored as his cherished disciple by Master Mangnyang and could have risen to a status similar to Zhuge Liang or Sima Yi in troubled times were surely no exaggeration.

As I struggled to continue, Mangnyang said, “That’s one aspect, but the state of Jianghu seems unusual, so I felt it was necessary to come to Goryeo for a while. If I stay in Jianghu right now, I feel I might get swept up in something.”

“What’s happened?”

“Don’t get alarmed, just listen well.”

Taking a deep breath, Mangnyang spoke, “The White Lotus Sect has declared its establishment in the Jianghu.”

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