98 – Lifeline (3)

Lifeline (3)

Just as the Sect leader was about to move, someone else acted first.

It was Baek Ryeo-il, who had been tense all along. He shot out like a ray of light and knocked away Yak Seon’s hand.

Kwaang—!

A tremendous impact sound erupted as hand collided with hand.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Baek Ryeo-il stood, shielding Seong Mu-yeon with his body.

“Who are you?”

Yak Seon, seemingly not expecting a Mount Hua disciple to attack her, took a few steps back. She lightly shook her throbbing wrist.

Baek Ryeo-il warned Yak Seon in a low voice.

“Do not touch him.”

If only one person was protecting the Demonic Cult Young master, it might have been understandable. But then Ma Jin-cheon also stepped forward, protecting his disciple and blocking Yak Seon, and Gang Woong, suppressing his fear, stood beside them. Seomun Yuha, who had crawled out from under the bed at some point, also stood shoulder to shoulder with Gang Woong, his face pale. Wang Ho-jun and the Hall of Medicine Lord were the same.

Everyone was united in protecting Seong Mu-yeon.

Finally, the Sect leader himself stood at the very front, facing Yak Seon.

“It was my fault for not saying so in advance. I was trying to put out the urgent fire first, but I misjudged. I sincerely apologize for that. Please, calm down, Teacher So.”

Yak Seon cried out in astonishment.

“Have you all gone mad? That man is the Demonic Cult Young master!”

“Of course, we know.”

“Ha! It’s enough to make the heavens weep to see how tarnished Mount Hua, once a prestigious orthodox sect, has become.”

“We saw a person. Why do you think so many people are protecting Young master Seong Mu-yeon?”

“…….”

Yak Seon glared at them, grinding her teeth.

She looked ready to turn everything upside down at any moment, but there were too many people surrounding Seong Mu-yeon. Considering that they were even within Mount Hua territory, there was nothing she could do.

After a moment, Yak Seon dusted off her sleeves and turned away.

“Do as you please! I’m leaving.”

Yak Seon strode across the Hall of Medicine as if she had nothing more to hear. But she was soon blocked by Baek Ryeo-il. His stance revealed a strong determination not to let her pass.

Yak Seon’s patience reached its limit.

“……Do you truly wish to taste bitterness?”

Her hand twitched, and her muscles tensed.

Surprisingly, Baek Ryeo-il bowed.

“Please help him. I beg you.”

“…….”

Everyone, including Ma Jin-cheon, froze.

Who would have imagined that they would see Baek Ryeo-il not only apologizing but also bowing?

Yak Seon was just as surprised. As the other party adopted a humble posture, Yak Seon’s heart softened slightly, and she abandoned her offensive stance, standing askew and looking down at Baek Ryeo-il with a haughty gaze.

“You’re telling me to save the Demonic Cult Young master? What a ridiculous thing to say. He’s going to die soon anyway.”

“You can save him now, can’t you?”

“Why should I waste medicine on a Demonic Cult brat? And why is a Mount Hua disciple going to such lengths to save him?”

“That’s…….”

Baek Ryeo-il’s face clouded over. He moved his lips several times, but ultimately, no answer came out.

“Enough. I have nothing more to say. There’s no reason for me to be here.”

Yak Seon took a step, trying to brush past him. At the same time, Baek Ryeo-il turned like a ray of light and reached out to grab her with a Geumna hand technique.

But Yak Seon widened her eyes and slipped out of his grasp like the wind. Then, she unleashed a fist technique toward Baek Ryeo-il’s face.

Tak!

A kick followed, aimed at his side, after he caught her fist. Baek Ryeo-il knocked away her leg with his other hand and rolled away. But before he could even regain his posture, Yak Seon, using footwork to close the distance in an instant, aimed her knee at his chin.

As the fight suddenly broke out, Gang Woong looked at the adults with wide, startled eyes. They seemed to have no intention of stopping it, merely watching the situation unfold. Only Gang Woong and Seomun Yuha wrung their hands anxiously, unable to do anything.

The Sect leader, noticing his unease, smiled gently.

“It’s alright. Once she vents her anger like that, she’ll feel much better.”

He didn’t sense the same murderous intent as before.

The two exchanged dozens of moves in an instant without using weapons. Yak Seon’s eyes gleamed.

‘Not bad?’

The fist techniques used by the much younger junior were quite surprising. Her attacks were not landing properly and were being blocked every time. Even though she had devoted herself solely to medicine, considering that she had lived twice as long as Baek Ryeo-il, it was enough to make her stick out her tongue. If they were to compete seriously, she couldn’t guarantee victory.

As the perfectly timed exchanges began to excite her, a faint smile appeared on Yak Seon’s lips.

However, experience could not be ignored.

“Keuheok!”

Yak Seon’s fiercely extended palm struck Baek Ryeo-il’s chest accurately. Baek Ryeo-il staggered back a step with a groan and bent his knees.

Yak Seon looked down at the top of his head with a satisfied smile.

‘Master Baek!’

Gang Woong was worried sick about his Master, who couldn’t straighten up.

In the midst of this, he suddenly noticed Yak Seon staring intently at her palm. Soon, her gaze turned to the bed where Seong Mu-yeon was lying.

‘Why is she doing that?’

Yak Seon’s face, alternating between looking at Baek Ryeo-il and Seong Mu-yeon, looked confused.

Suddenly, Yak Seon let out a burst of hollow laughter and called out to Baek Ryeo-il.

“Hey.”

“……?”

When Baek Ryeo-il raised his head, there was a medicine box in front of him.

“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll let him live for now. You better consider yourself lucky.”

As Baek Ryeo-il blankly accepted the box, Yak Seon strode away. The Sect leader followed behind her. Before leaving, he did not forget to instruct Baek Ryeo-il to give the medicine quickly.

Baek Ryeo-il, who had been dazed until then, startled back to his senses and quickly returned to Seong Mu-yeon’s bed.

“Whew, what’s with that person?”

As the tension was released, Seomun Yuha couldn’t control his trembling legs and collapsed to the floor. Gang Woong vehemently agreed with his words. He wanted to collapse like Seomun Yuha, but he was worried about Seong Mu-yeon.

Baek Ryeo-il pushed the medicine into Seong Mu-yeon’s mouth. He seemed worried that Yak Seon would change her mind and come back to take it away, so his movements were hurried.

Everyone watched the scene with bated breath.

After a while.

Seong Mu-yeon’s complexion noticeably improved.

Ma Jin-cheon quietly let out a sigh of relief, and Baek Ryeo-il relaxed the facial muscles that had been stiff all along.

“Ryeo-il.”

At Ma Jin-cheon’s call, Baek Ryeo-il turned his eyes to look at his Master. Ma Jin-cheon moved his lips repeatedly as if he had a lot to say.

“Why?”

Baek Ryeo-il asked back, unable to wait any longer. His voice was no different from usual.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Ma Jin-cheon encouraged the people to return to their daily lives. Those who had been clutching their wildly beating hearts due to the sudden incident were exhausted and returned to their respective residences.

Seong Mu-yeon, who woke up several hours later, was startled to see the surroundings in ruins. He was even more surprised when Gang Woong and Seomun Yuha explained what had happened in the meantime. He never imagined that Yak Seon would appear while he was asleep.

But before he could fully digest the shocking news, he fell asleep again. He had to spend a full day lying in bed to recover from the shock of the seizure.

“……So Master Baek Ryeo-il and Yakseon Daein fought?”

“Yes. It was so scary.”

The Hall of Medicine was no longer a suitable place for a patient to stay, so Seong Mu-yeon was moved to his bedroom in the Emerald Pavilion last night. And he received Gang Woong’s utmost care.

“Did you finish eating? I’ll clean up.”

While Gang Woong was clearing away the porridge bowl, Seong Mu-yeon’s face clouded over as he fell into thought.

‘This isn’t good.’

Baek Ryeo-il and Yak Seon fought.

Fortunately, she was still not leaving Mount Hua, but it didn’t seem to be because of Seong Mu-yeon. He heard from the Sect leader that she was staying for other business, but her feelings seemed to be hurt beyond repair.

Of course, they would be. Baek Ryeo-il had no sociability whatsoever.

Seong Mu-yeon rubbed his forehead.

He should have been careful and even more careful to win Yak Seon’s favor, but instead, he not only smashed her laboratory to pieces but also got into a physical fight.

Moreover, Yak Seon had already tried to kill him once.

‘Will I……be able to live?’

He swallowed tears of blood.

But on the other hand, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Baek Ryeo-il had confronted Yak Seon head-on to save him. Moreover, he heard that other people had also protected him.

“You shouldn’t overdo it yet.”

As Seong Mu-yeon got up, Gang Woong quickly approached and tried to support him. Seong Mu-yeon gently refused his help.

“I’m alright. I’m fine now.”

It wasn’t a lie. Seong Mu-yeon felt even lighter than before the seizure. As expected, Yak Seon’s reputation was not something she had earned from a gambling den. After personally confirming her great skills, Seong Mu-yeon became even more desperate.

‘I must get Yak Seon’s help.’

As he was preparing to go out, he felt a sense of incongruity and looked around.

“What’s wrong?”

“No. It’s just that……it feels strangely quiet.”

Seong Mu-yeon, who had been quietly looking around, suddenly raised his head.

“Where is Master Baek? Where is he?”

Baek Ryeo-il was nowhere to be seen.

The sense of incongruity he felt was the emptiness created by Baek Ryeo-il’s absence.