EP.68 Divine Physician (5)
"How is your body?"
Mae Hwa-seon's words, after arguing for a long time and finally succeeding in securing a spot inside the hut.
I also gauged the atmosphere and slipped in.
"You must be busy, so why did you come all the way here..."
"I just dropped by on my way, so don't rebuke me for it."
"...Sect Leader."
Geom Hu looked at Mae Hwa-seon and answered with a bitter smile.
Shin Ui was still glaring at Mae Hwa-seon, but didn't say anything more.
'Divine Physician...'
How surprised was I when I heard that the old man who had been having a staring contest with Mae Hwa-seon the whole time was the Divine Physician.
An old man whom no one could match in medical skills alone.
It was known that there were almost no diseases in the Central Plains he couldn't cure, but because he wandered so much, even the most prestigious noble houses couldn't easily summon him.
To encounter such a Divine Physician here.
'...I didn't know he had such a personality though.'
[Originally, those who have mastered something have always been at least a bit eccentric.]
'...Ah, so that's why...'
When he himself says it like that, it has some credibility.
[What, you brat, why what!]
Putting Shin Ui aside, the problem was Zhuge Hyuk.
The guy sitting quietly beside him, staring into empty space, kept bothering me.
'Zhuge Hyuk is Shin Ui's grandson?'
When looking for him, I heard he left with an old man, but that old man was the Divine Physician?
'What is going on...?'
What kind of connection is this?
If that guy is really Zhuge Hyuk, what on earth happened that he joined the Heavenly Demon's side?
It was a completely different situation from the background he had told me.
Of course, I didn't believe everything he said, but I never imagined he could be the Divine Physician's grandson.
Is this also somehow connected?
'The more I find out, why does everything get so complicated?'
Can there really be nothing at all that's simple?
I glanced at Zhuge Hyuk and thought.
...Can I really kill him?
"...Hey."
Should I even kill him?
When and how, if that happens, it'll be a problem...
"Child."
"...Yes?"
[Snap out of it.]
At Old Man Shin's shout, I covered my throbbing head with my hand.
Moving my head toward the direction of the voice, Mae Hwa-seon was looking at me.
"Is something wrong with you?"
"No, I'm fine..."
"Divine Physician!! The child says he's sick!"
"Shut up!"
Shin Ui just spat out a curse at Mae Hwa-seon and continued brewing medicine.
Shin Ui handed the medicine he had carefully brewed to Geom Hu.
"Drink it and lie down to sleep right away, drowsiness will come soon."
"...Thank you."
Gu Ryeong-hwa supported Geom Hu with an anxious face, lest she drop the medicine.
She looked like a thin and frail old woman on the outside, but both Shin Ui and Mae Hwa-seon called her Geom Hu.
Moreover, Gu Ryeong-hwa was said to be Geom Hu's disciple.
Only then did I understand why Yeong-pung had called Gu Ryeong-hwa "Sago."
Even though the third-generation disciples had all entered the sect, the reason Gu Ryeong-hwa, who entered late, was treated as a second-generation disciple must be because of that.
'Why didn't I know she was Geom Hu's disciple?'
Although we weren't particularly close in my past life, I had never heard from anyone else that Gu Ryeong-hwa was Geom Hu's disciple.
It meant it wasn't properly known to the world.
How did Geom Hu end up taking Gu Ryeong-hwa as her disciple?
And what happened that Geom Hu's successor wasn't known?
I only knew that Gu Ryeong-hwa was a disciple of Huashan.
Geom Hu, a female master walking the path of martial arts whom martial artists respect at least once, or in their hearts.
When speaking of renowned martial artists of the Huashan Sect, one would naturally mention Geom Hu's name along with Mae Hwa-seon's.
A female master who didn't hesitate to discuss righteousness and save the common people.
When the Jinma Gyeongmun emerged like a disaster in the Seoseo region.
The heroic tale of evacuating the common people while alone holding off demonic creatures until Mae Hwa-seon's arrival continued to be told even into the future.
After that, there seemed to be much talk about Geom Hu suddenly disappearing despite being active.
'Was it because her chronic illness worsened?'
Even at a glance, her condition didn't look fine.
Geom Hu was clearly Mae Hwa-seon's disciple equivalent as the sect leader, yet she looked even older than Mae Hwa-seon.
While I was stealing glances like that, I accidentally met Geom Hu's gaze.
When I flinched in surprise, Geom Hu smiled slightly.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Yes?"
"We should have met earlier, but with your appearance and all, it took too long."
"Do you know me?"
Did she hear something from Gu Ryeong-hwa?
If so, she probably wouldn't have said good things about me, so it was a slightly unsettling situation.
But the words that came from Geom Hu's mouth were completely unexpected.
"You look a lot like Cheon-hee."
"...!"
It was an unexpected remark, and a name I had almost half-forgotten.
How does Geom Hu know that name?
"Do you... know our mother?"
Cheon-hee, that was my mother's name which had now faded.
Not only her name, but how she smiled, and even what voice she called me with had become faint.
Geom Hu held back a bitter smile at my question.
"We were friends, very close friends."
"My mother and you...?"
How?
I've never heard about my mother's childhood so I don't know, but I heard she lived an ordinary life...
'...It's not particularly strange.'
Since there are examples like Wi Seol-a.
It was just because there were so many things I only learned after going through regression.
"...You don't look alike at all."
Gu Ryeong-hwa's words, who was in Geom Hu's embrace.
Gu Ryeong-hwa was glaring at me while held in Geom Hu's embrace.
"Ryeong-hwa...?"
"That guy... doesn't look like Mother at all, Mother looked like a rabbit, but that human looks like a praying mantis...!"
"Praying man..."
[See? I told you I said you don't look alike?]
Why a praying mantis of all things...
There are so many cute and cool creatures, why a praying mantis.
[Why can't you think about not looking alike to something cute and cool?]
'...Old man, please stop.'
My heart really hurts...
Geom Hu stroked Gu Ryeong-hwa and said.
"Ryeong-hwa, no matter what, what kind of way of speaking is that to someone who came from far away to find you."
"...That's... not..."
"Hurry and apologize to your older brother."
At Geom Hu's words, Gu Ryeong-hwa's lips stuck out.
She was still very much a child.
"...Sor...ry."
She clearly didn't want to do it, swearing with her expression while apologizing with her mouth.
Still, it seemed she listened to Geom Hu's words well.
Geom Hu looked at Gu Ryeong-hwa with a pleased smile and continued speaking.
"Four years ago, when I visited the Gu family, I wanted to see you too... But they said you happened to be away at that time."
Four years ago?
'Ah, was it that time?'
Around the time when I could see just a little bit of the darkness the Gu family possessed.
And the period when things started to go wrong.
It wasn't a very good memory for me. Unaware of such feelings, Geom Hu only smiled at me.
"I'm glad I can at least see you now..."
"Are you talking about me?"
"Of course, not being able to see you was truly a regrettable thing."
I wonder why.
Just because I'm her mother's son?
If Geom Hu had visited the family four years ago, it made sense that Gu Ryeong-hwa left for Huashan about a year after that.
If it was Geom Hu, not just anyone, who said she would take her as a disciple, my father and the elders might not have said much either.
Though the probability was higher because I already existed.
"You look a lot like Cheon-hee."
At Geom Hu's words, I laughed inwardly.
Because it was a story I couldn't relate to at all.
"I remember my mother didn't look so fierce..."
"Appearance can be like that, but you definitely resemble her, especially the atmosphere."
[In the meantime, you're not denying that your appearance is fierce either.]
'Did you have to pour cold water on it?'
Atmosphere, what could that mean.
Trying to understand it, my memories of my mother had become too faint by now.
Just that she was warm.
I only remembered that.
As I was about to sink into thoughts for a moment, something was handed to me from beside.
When I saw who it was, I couldn't help but be startled because it was Zhuge Hyuk.
'What is this...?'
Cloth? What am I supposed to wipe with this?
"What is it?"
Even when I asked back, the guy just quietly stared at me.
Earlier, Gu Ryeong-hwa had clearly said Zhuge Hyuk was mute.
Thinking about how well he spoke in my past life, it was strange.
Was that also the power of the Heavenly Demon?
That he can make even a mute speak?
Is that really human?
When I didn't react much, the guy put the cloth back in his embrace and went back to sit next to Shin Ui.
Was he originally that kind of guy?
The bloody smile the future guy wore, and the way he drove thousands of people to their deaths with a single word without hesitation.
Is that unrelated to the current guy?
If so, what on earth happened that Zhuge Hyuk became a member of the Demonic Cult?
"So."
Shin Ui asked, looking at Mae Hwa-seon.
"You horse-brained fool, why did you come here."
"...Really, calling the Huashan Sect Leader horse-brained..."
"Am I packing up to leave?"
"Call me whatever you feel comfortable with... I came to check on my disciple's condition, what else would I be here for."
"You'd rather shit from your mouth, it's written all over your face that you have another purpose."
"Kuhum..."
"Is that perhaps related to that guy?"
Shin Ui's gaze turned toward me.
"No, well... since I'm already here, wouldn't it be nice to kill two birds with one stone..."
As if that was the correct answer, Mae Hwa-seon slightly averted his gaze.
Seeing that, sparks flew from Shin Ui's eyes.
"My agreement with you ends at Geom Hu. You should clearly know that, right?"
"...Umm."
It was quite an uncomfortable atmosphere to sit still in.
I came without hearing any explanation beforehand, and the purpose of visiting Shin Ui was me?
"Um... what..."
"Ah! Just do it for me! That's what friends are for, what else!"
"Now you're being shameless! Do you know how much my services are worth that you're asking me for a favor!"
"So cheaply, are you really going to be like this?"
"Cheap my ass, I'll wash your face with this medicine."
What is this low-quality conversation?
Is the conversation between Mae Hwa-seon, said to be the best of the Dao, and the legend of the medical world, really fitting?
Geom Hu just smiled quietly while listening to it.
Somehow it was a familiar face.
"Anyway, no."
"You..."
"Even at a glance she's not in a fine state, if you pay attention to that guy, you won't be able to devote all your attention to Geom Hu, are you still okay with that?"
"Yes?"
At Shin Ui's words, my eyes widened involuntarily.
Not fine? Who...?
'Me?'
I eat well, shit well, sleep well, and even walk around well, so where am I not fine?
The problem was that if someone else had said it, I would have dismissed it as bullshit, but the owner of those words was none other than the Divine Physician.
"Judging from your reaction, you didn't even know what your condition was, and you want me to fix this?"
"No, who said to fix it... I just asked you to take a look."
"You're spouting nonsense, Do Hwa."
Anger could be felt in Shin Ui's voice.
"A physician's responsibility is originally like that. Are you telling me to let go someone my hands have touched, knowing they're hurt, and pretend I don't know?"
"...Divine Physician."
"Moreover, there is someone I need to care for right before my eyes..."
"Would leaves of the Yonghyeoncho be enough?"
Halt.
At Mae Hwa-seon's statement, Shin Ui stopped his movements.
He was so surprised that his hand stirring the medicine had stopped.
Not only Shin Ui was surprised, but I was as well.
'He has Yonghyeoncho?'
Yonghyeoncho was a spiritual herb that was hard to obtain even with money.
They said even the Daehwandan, said to be the most outstanding among spiritual pills, could be made in dozens with just one Yonghyeoncho.
...And he's going to offer that?
The Huashan Sect is one of the Nine Sects One Faction, so it wouldn't be strange for them to have Yonghyeoncho.
But that wouldn't be at the level of offering it just to examine my body.
Moreover, not even a small amount, but just leaves.
Shin Ui also seemed to have doubts about those words and asked Mae Hwa-seon again.
"Do Hwa, are you serious about that?"
"If my words are false, I'll bark like a dog in front of you."
No, Sect Leader, you'll bark like a dog...?
It's not something the Sect Leader of the Dao should say, but saying it to that extent makes it believable...
"...This dog-like bastard, I saw with my own two eyes him barking like nothing after saying that...!"
At Shin Ui's bombshell remark, the surroundings instantly froze.
The master of Huashan barked like a dog? Shin Ui must be joking, surely.
Thinking so, I looked at Mae Hwa-seon, but he only coughed repeatedly.
"Hey! With the kids here...!"
"You crazy bastard, with all the accidents you've caused, do you still have any dignity left to lose?"
I suddenly thought.
...Is the Huashan Sect okay like this?
'Old Man Shin...'
[...Don't call me.]
'The Huashan Sect is in that state, are you really okay?'
[What is the Huashan Sect? I don't know. My memory has been a bit foggy lately... Could it be dementia...?]
'...'
This old man wasn't normal either.
Saying a ghost has dementia because he has no excuse.
"...This isn't working."
"You..."
"Then if these words are false, I'll immediately step down from the Sect Leader position."
"Sect Leader!"
Geom Hu, startled, called out to Mae Hwa-seon.
She looked like she was saying there was nothing else to bet so he was betting the Sect Leader position.
For someone who bet his sect's treasure on a drinking game, well...
He really wasn't trustworthy.
At Mae Hwa-seon's words, Shin Ui looked at me again.
Maybe he thought it was worth believing since he bet the Sect Leader position.
"Hmm..."
"What do you think?"
Shin Ui seemed to be pondering for a long time.
Was the name value of Yonghyeoncho that great?
Shin Ui then let out a sigh.
"...I'll only take a look... Whatever happens, I won't do anything other than that."
Shin Ui, who had been stopped for a long time, finally accepted Mae Hwa-seon's request.
"Oh, then then! That's enough."
"Um, excuse me... elders, what about my opinion?"
"...It's so dirty I'll never come see you again."
"Then I'll come find you."
"Please just shut up."
Shin Ui said so and reached his hand toward me.
"Roll up your sleeve and give me your arm."
At Shin Ui's words, I couldn't help but hesitate.
I knew that the reason Mae Hwa-seon dragged me here was probably because of the energy of the Plum Blossom Connection Stone or the plum blossom scent flowing through my body.
There was doubt about whether a physician could know, and anxiety about being discovered about the demonic arts if they could.
[Give him your arm.]
'Old Man Shin?'
[The longer you hesitate, the more useless doubts will increase. I'll somehow handle the anxiety, so just hold it out for now.]
At Old Man Shin's words, I rolled up my sleeve and reached out to Shin Ui.
[Instead, I'd like to hear the related story later if possible.]
'...Yes.'
Shin Ui grabbed my arm and slowly began to take my pulse.
A very small internal energy flowed from the tips of Shin Ui's fingers touching my arm.
It seemed that even a physician wasn't without internal energy.
"...You brat."
Shin Ui, who had been fiddling with my arm for about an hour, finally opened his mouth.
I could only turn white in my mind at those words.
"It's not that your body is just strange, at this point you're a walking corpse."
What...?