96 – Lifeline (1)

Lifeline (1)

Gang Woong entered the Hall of Medicine for the first time.

This place, which was in charge of medicine and pharmacology, was actually prepared just to have the appearance of having it.

Martial artist were far healthier and stronger than ordinary people, and their self-healing power was also excellent, so they either overcame illnesses on their own, or if they suffered from illnesses or injuries that were difficult to overcome, they usually died before even setting foot in the Hall of Medicine. As a result, most martial artist died without even being examined by a doctor during their lifetime.

Nevertheless, the head of the Hall of Medicine of Mount Hua was a fairly skilled doctor. When Seong Mu-yeon was carried in, he quickly recognized the seriousness of the situation and immediately began an examination to make a diagnosis.

The already quiet interior of the Hall of Medicine was so silent that Gang Woong found it hard to bear. Not only that, but the strange smell of medicinal herbs floating in the air, Seong Mu-yeon, who seemed to be in a serious condition, and the heavy atmosphere created by the people watching the doctors’ quick movements as they examined him, weighed down on the boy.

Baek Ryeo-il, Ma Jin-cheon, Wang Ho-jun, and Seomun Yuha all looked different and had different personalities, but at this moment, they all had the same serious expressions and quietly watched the situation with bated breath. The emotions raging beneath the surface of that silence were clearly conveyed to Gang Woong, making him feel suffocated. This was because Gang Woong felt the same way.

In the end, Gang Woong retreated, muffling his footsteps. Although they were all martial artist with keen senses, no one paid attention to Gang Woong.

“Hoo…”

Even after coming outside and taking a deep breath of fresh air, the stuffiness did not go away at all.

He sat down on a few steps.

Why was the sky so clear when he felt so gloomy? Even the sound of people passing by, laughing and chattering, felt resentful. No, Gang Woong would rather be one of them. Without experiencing anything and without any worries. The fact that he and those children had been just as happy as each other just a moment ago felt strange.

‘Why?’

He knew that Seong Mu-yeon seemed a little less healthy than other people, but he never imagined that he would see him vomiting blood.

Gang Woong buried his face between his knees.

‘I was the only one who didn’t know.’

His Master, Wang Ho-jun, the head of the Hall of Medicine, and even Seomun Yuha seemed to have already known. The fact that Ma Jin-cheon was as surprised as Gang Woong was of no comfort at all.

It was clear that he had an illness, but no one told him properly. He could only infer that it was a serious illness from the attitude of the adults.

How much time had passed?

When he heard people’s voices from inside the Hall of Medicine, Gang Woong jumped up and went back inside. The doctors who had been busily moving around had already left, and only the head of the Hall of Medicine remained, telling people the results of the examination.

Gang Woong hurriedly took a seat on one side and perked up his ears.

The head of the Hall of Medicine had already said a few words. Baek Ryeo-il suddenly strode up to him as if he was about to grab him by the collar, and said, emphasizing each word between his teeth.

“Please tell me properly. What did you just say…?”

“I said there isn’t much time.”

The head of the Hall of Medicine said calmly.

He frowned as if he was angry, but considering the situation, he did not point out Baek Ryeo-il’s attitude and continued.

“If we don’t find a way to solve it right now, Young master Seong Mu-yeon won’t last long. At most three days, or if it’s short, he won’t make it past midnight tonight…”

…Die?

Gang Woong was greatly shocked and staggered back a few steps.

How could this be?

He looked up at Baek Ryeo-il, whose pupils were dilated as if he was as shocked as he was. He wondered why his Master, who already knew about the illness, had not taken action sooner.

Creak.

He heard the sound of a chair being dragged across the floor from behind. Seomun Yuha had been sitting on a chair near the entrance ever since he entered the Hall of Medicine. It was the sound he made when he got up.

Seomun Yuha had an unusually serious expression on his face.

This was because he slowly crossed the room and approached Seong Mu-yeon, but was confronted by a large man, Baek Ryeo-il, who was blocking his path.

Gang Woong had no idea what was going on. But instinctively, he did not like Seomun Yuha getting close to Seong Mu-yeon. He felt a sense of crisis that he might do something.

The moment Seomun Yuha was about to approach the bed, his body almost jumped out, but instead, Baek Ryeo-il stood firmly in his way like a mountain.

“……”

There was no emotion on Baek Ryeo-il’s face. The anxiety and agitation he had felt until just now had disappeared without a trace from the moment he faced Seomun Yuha.

While Baek Ryeo-il and Seomun Yuha were staring at each other for a moment, Gang Woong was relieved. He could trust his Master. He had a strange belief that he would protect Seong Mu-yeon no matter what. To Seomun Yuha, Baek Ryeo-il was an insurmountable wall.

But then something unbelievable happened.

A look of pain briefly flashed across Baek Ryeo-il’s face, and then he stepped back. He stepped aside as if to clear the way.

It was permission to pass.

Gang Woong couldn’t believe his eyes. Even Seomun Yuha seemed surprised for a moment, but he slowly moved along the path he had given him. After confirming that Baek Ryeo-il was not stopping him, he ran to Seong Mu-yeon.

“Young master! Young master! Can you hear me?”

Seomun Yuha desperately called out his name, holding Seong Mu-yeon’s unconscious hand.

Meanwhile, Baek Ryeo-il did not even look at them, but stared at one corner and then left the room.

Gang Woong immediately chased after him.

“Master! Are you going to leave him like this?”

How could this be happening?

“Master!”

Baek Ryeo-il walked forward with a chillingly cold and upright posture. Gang Woong had to almost run to catch up with his pace.

“Yes? Master! Please say something!”

Eventually, Gang Woong even felt a strong sense of betrayal towards him. Baek Ryeo-il’s back looked like a huge wall. No matter how much he knocked on it, it would only stand firm, a wall itself that did not interact.

Gang Woong suddenly felt tears welling up. But even as he shed tears, he did not stop chasing after Baek Ryeo-il. This was because he had nowhere else to return to. He was afraid to return to the Hall of Medicine, and even more afraid to return to his empty residence.

“Master…!”

Baek Ryeo-il stopped at the last, forcefully squeezed cry.

Gang Woong, who looked up at the building he had arrived at, was so puzzled that his tears disappeared.

“Why are we going to the Sect Leader’s Hall…?”

Baek Ryeo-il strode into the Sect Leader’s Hall. Even considering that the Sect leader of Mount Hua did not force formalities, his attitude was too reckless. The young Gang Woong was frightened and shrank back, wondering if this was okay, but he followed his Master’s shadow.

The Sect leader of Mount Hua, who was always sitting in that spot, supporting the backs of the Disciples, raised his head at the unexpected appearance of a guest.

“This is unusual. For you to come and find me.”

“Sect leader, I have a request.”

The Sect leader’s hand, which had been busily moving the brush, stopped as he strode across the long corridor from the entrance.

Then, with strangely shining eyes, he stared intently at Baek Ryeo-il approaching.

“Why, did Young master Seong Mu-yeon collapse or something?”

Baek Ryeo-il flinched at the pointed remark. Gang Woong was also surprised and opened his mouth.

“How did you know that?”

The Sect leader calmly hung up the brush, rolled up the scroll, and put it away, saying.

“Is there anything I don’t know within Mount Hua? I just received news from the Hall of Medicine. So, what is your request?”

“I know very well that I am currently under house arrest, but please allow me to go out. There is someone I urgently need to find…”

The Sect leader’s eyes shone again.

“Are you going to find Yak Seon?”

“……”

Judging from Baek Ryeo-il’s reaction, the Sect leader’s words seemed to be correct. At this point, Gang Woong wondered if the Sect leader had learned mind reading or something. Anyway, his Master seemed to be planning to find the famous doctor Yak Seon. Gang Woong felt a little embarrassed that he had been angry that he was not doing anything.

“Yes, please allow me. To cure Seong Mu-yeon… the Seventh Young master’s illness, that is the only way.”

“Hmm, that’s right. I heard that most doctors can’t even touch his illness. At least there is no way to treat it within Mount Hua. But I want to ask you one thing. What if I don’t allow it? What are you going to do then?”

“I will receive the punishment after I return.”

He bowed briefly without hesitation and turned away. The flustered Gang Woong was at a loss and wandered around. He was confused whether he should follow Baek Ryeo-il, who had openly declared that he would break the rules in front of the Sect leader, or stay and keep his duty.

“There’s no need for that.”

The voice was low and slow, but it resonated powerfully. The Sect leader gazed out the window as if gauging the time.

“It’s about time he came.”

Just then, someone came to the Sect Leader’s Hall to deliver news.

“Sect leader! A guest has arrived…!”

“Get out of the way!”

The Disciples could not finish his sentence. This was because a woman pushed him away and strode into the Sect Leader’s Hall.

“Oh, you’ve finally arrived.”

The Sect leader said with a smile on his face.

“Yak Seon, So Ja-yeong.”

“I told you not to call me that.”

Yak Seon retorted bluntly with a crooked posture.