Treatment (4)
Morning dawned, and shortly after, the Divine Physician returned carrying medicinal herbs.
It seemed he had brought what the Huashan Sect provided.
'With that frail-looking body, how?'
Even a normal person would find the round trip difficult, but the Divine Physician was going back and forth effortlessly with his aged body.
Probably a disciple brought it to him and he just received it? Otherwise, it would be too much.
"...To think the turbid qi has truly all disappeared."
Those were the words the Divine Physician uttered while examining the Sword Empress's body.
Fortunately, it seemed the demonic qi had all vanished.
Yesterday, while the treatment was underway, I lost consciousness and collapsed, and they said the Sword Empress also fainted right after.
When the Divine Physician urgently examined her, the turbid qi inside the Sword Empress's body was already gone.
And he said there didn't seem to be any major problems with my body either.
The fact I could gather from this was...
'As expected, the Divine Physician cannot sense the demonic qi in my body.'
Considering the Divine Physician, who seemed capable of sensing others' demonic qi, made no mention of the demonic qi in my body during the examination, it seemed highly likely he hadn't noticed it.
'Why is that?'
To say it wasn't there, I could clearly feel the demonic qi even now, swirling starting from my dantian.
'Fortunately, it seems to be purifying.'
The demonic qi in my body was being consumed little by little by the Nine Flames Wheel Art and purified.
It was just that the amount was so large that it wasn't very noticeable.
'It doesn't seem like the demonic qi is running rampant, nor does it cause any pain.'
That was the most fortunate part.
I had worried about what to do if the absorbed demonic qi went wild.
For now, no such problem was apparent.
Perhaps knowing this, the Divine Physician told me to return and rest if there were no issues with my body.
He said from what he had checked, it seemed fine.
However, he added that if there was a problem, I should call him immediately.
I wondered why the Divine Physician was being so friendly this time.
'To actually push out the turbid qi... I need to check exactly what method was used...! Opening up the body would be the easiest way, but I can't do that, so then how...'
'...'
Feeling like I shouldn't hear the rest, I just came down quickly.
As I was about to head out, the Sword Empress said she would visit me later and give her thanks then.
With the words that she didn't need to thank me, I returned to my quarters.
And now.
"You told me to come back before dinner... and I stayed out all night?"
It seems I'm screwed.
Two pairs of cold gazes were directed at me.
A cold sensation brushed my back, as if I were standing on frost.
'...I'm screwed.'
Wi Seol-a looked at me, then whipped her head away.
Namgung Bi-a was staring at me without blinking once.
She already had a cold impression, but with her face looking like she was glaring, it gave the illusion that snow was falling around her.
"No, well..."
How did I end up getting scolded like this...?
The sudden thought made my words stick in my throat.
...Why am I getting scolded?
The situation was flowing somewhat strangely.
I almost blurted out an excuse without realizing it.
'...I'm the master of this place, yet I'm getting scolded for staying out one night.'
Of course, it was true that I was told to come back before dinner and didn't show up.
But I had my own circumstances, you see.
What was even more absurd was...
'To know that, yet not be able to say a single word...!'
My instinct was telling me.
To just keep my mouth shut right now.
If I rashly opened my mouth, I would be the one suffering.
In the end, I just kept my mouth shut and only exchanged glances with Namgung Bi-a.
Namgung Bi-a, who had been staring at me for a long time, soon stood up.
She moved as if going to train, then tossed out words at me.
"...Next time, at least tell me..."
Saying that, she disappeared to train.
For the record, I had to eat the quietest meal since my regression during dinner that day.
Namgung Bi-a was originally a woman of few words, but surprisingly, even Wi Seol-a didn't say a single word.
Now that I'm saying it, I really almost choked.
Like that, the next day arrived.
Wi Seol-a was originally the type to get over things quickly once upset, so unlike yesterday, she soon approached me brightly and chattered away.
In Namgung Bi-a's case, I couldn't confirm whether she kept it inside or not, but from what I could see, she didn't seem to particularly mind.
'...Did I survive?'
Only then did I feel like I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Checking my body condition, the demonic qi was still circulating, but it was in a calm state. The purification was also continuing.
Wondering if the demonic qi contained in my body might show, I tried flowing my internal qi, but fortunately, only my internal qi other than the demonic qi inside my body was being used.
It felt as if something was pressing down, preventing the demonic qi from being used.
'...Is this also related to the voice I heard?'
The voice I heard while absorbing the Sword Empress's demonic qi.
That chilling and ominous voice still remained in my mind.
'Or perhaps, the disappearance of the Divine Elder...'
I couldn't erase such thoughts.
Where did the Elder who was swept along go?
Did that guy who devoured so much really reach out to the Elder as well?
It wasn't some ridiculous thought of already missing him, even though not even a few days had passed.
I had definitely grown attached, but more than that...
'How far can that guy reach?'
If there was something, I needed to know what that something was.
And I needed to know what it wanted.
Was the guy the Divine Elder said he was suppressing the same one as yesterday?
I couldn't be sure, but ultimately, nothing else came to mind.
'Is this also the fault of the Demonic Art?'
The Heavenly Demon's Demonic Art that came along with my regression.
With this disgusting power, I could do many things in my past life, but I didn't want to repeat the same things now.
"...I'm tired."
Suddenly, I had the illusion that someone in my head was saying, "Even if things go well, it's still bullshit."
Did the Divine Elder truly disappear completely?
To say so, I had a hunch, for some unknown reason, that he hadn't disappeared.
As I was sitting in the lotus position and circulating my mental cultivation method, I sensed a presence outside.
-Young Master, it's Hongwa.
At the voice, I immediately stopped applying my internal qi.
Since my concentration was already broken, it would be useless to continue.
"What is it?"
Rattle.
At my question, Hongwa carefully opened the door.
"...A guest has arrived."
"A guest? Who."
I wondered if it was Yeongpung again.
The only guests who visited without regard for time were Yeongpung and Maehwaseon.
Given the current situation, Maehwaseon would be very busy, so it must be Yeongpung.
Overturning that expectation, an unexpected name popped out of Hongwa's mouth.
"The youngest young lady has arrived."
"Huh...?"
Gu Ryeong-hwa had come to visit.
And not alone, but as a pair.
Following Hongwa's guidance, people entered the room.
Gu Ryeong-hwa, who seemed to be reading the room, and another woman followed her in.
"I'm sorry for visiting so suddenly."
"It's... fine."
I was so flustered that I unknowingly stuttered.
The one who came with Gu Ryeong-hwa was none other than the Sword Empress.
The problem was that it took me a while to figure out who she was, even after seeing her.
Her appearance had changed that much.
'I thought it would just end with her getting a little younger.'
Her white hair tinged with gray had all turned black, and the wrinkles of the Sword Empress, who had looked older than Maehwaseon, were completely gone.
The woman's appearance looked to be past thirty; even giving her the most generous estimate, she wouldn't be past forty.
'Can just absorbing demonic qi change someone this much?'
The internal qi that was only used to prevent the demonic qi from spreading must have started functioning again as soon as the demonic qi in the Sword Empress's body disappeared.
I had directly experienced the Sword Empress's pure and elegant internal qi yesterday, so I knew how outstanding it was.
But I never dared to imagine it was to this extent.
"...It's a relief that you look healthy."
"You look very surprised."
Yes, I was extremely surprised.
Where did the old woman, slowly aging under the weight of time, go, and a woman with a graceful atmosphere appeared instead...?
She had definitely grown younger than when I saw her yesterday.
Perhaps conscious of my gaze, the Sword Empress smiles slightly.
"I was very surprised too. I never even thought I could return to my original form, but to return so soon..."
'It doesn't seem to be Rebirth of Flesh and Bone.'
Seeing as she calls it her original form, she must have originally had that appearance.
Besides, achieving Rebirth of Flesh and Bone all at once was an absurd notion.
"The Divine Physician also said that becoming like this in just one day was absurd, and when he tried to come find you, I told him to calm down first."
"Ah, I am truly grateful for that."
The face of the Divine Physician, whose eyes had shone as he said he wanted to research my body, came to mind.
I definitely felt a faint madness in his expression.
'I'll have to avoid him for a while...'
It was a bit scary.
"I came like this because I haven't yet conveyed my gratitude to you."
"You really don't have to..."
"How could I not? It's not just anything else, but a debt of my life."
Saying that, the Sword Empress courteously observed her etiquette and bowed her head to me.
I was so startled that I tried to stop her, but the Sword Empress's words were faster.
"Thank you. You saved the life of this lacking woman..."
"Sword Empress..."
"Thanks to you, I can see the next year I wouldn't have been able to see, and I was able to eliminate the lingering attachment of leaving my disciple alone, so how could I not convey my gratitude?"
"I just did what I could."
"I know better than anyone that that is the hardest thing to do."
Is that really so?
The Sword Empress's words must have been sincere, but it was a story I couldn't understand.
Not to mention, it wasn't an action born from a pure conviction like she said.
For me, it was just a vain desire to repay my sins.
The Sword Empress said to me, who felt that way.
"If there is anything you wish for, tell me. The life I saved from you in the first place—if you want it, I can give it to you anytime."
"Master...!"
Gu Ryeong-hwa called out to the Sword Empress in surprise, but the Sword Empress's eyes were firm.
At that sight, I let out a hollow laugh.
"I went through the trouble of saving you, so why are you offering your life first?"
I went through all that trouble to save her yesterday, and now she's trying to give her life just like that.
I took it to mean that the Sword Empress's gratitude toward me was that deep.
'Above all.'
I glanced at Gu Ryeong-hwa.
Perhaps noticing my gaze, Gu Ryeong-hwa, who met my eyes, gave a fake cough and averted her eyes.
'If anything, I think I repaid my debt to you.'
Useless thoughts.
I quickly shook my head to brush them off.
"Your life is fine, but I think there will be a favor I need to ask of you, Sword Empress."
"Speak, I will listen to everything."
"No, how do you know what I'm going to ask that you say you'll listen to everything?"
What if I suddenly asked her to betray the Huashan Sect or to kill someone? Why would she say that?
Did she catch my thoughts? The Sword Empress let out a small laugh.
"Whatever favor you ask, I don't think you would ask for something to harm others or for the sake of doing so."
Where does she get that idea?
Feeling burdened by the Sword Empress's trust, this time it was I who averted my gaze.
'I was the one who burned down this Huashan Sect.'
Because I decided not to forget and to face it, it was an even more terrifying truth.
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Until all the disciples of the Huashan Sect died, and the lofty Mount Tai disappeared into a handful of ashes.
My eyes, which watched all those scenes, still remembered that time.
"...It's not a favor I need right away, so I will visit you soon."
At my words, the Sword Empress smiled softly.
"Ah, and there is one thing I want to ask you."
"Me?"
"Yes. It's something I've been wanting to ask for a while... but I didn't bother to ask."
Saying that, the Sword Empress told Gu Ryeong-hwa to wait outside.
Gu Ryeong-hwa showed signs of wanting to stay, but the Sword Empress was firm.
"Step out for a moment."
"Yes..."
In the end, Gu Ryeong-hwa left with a sullen face.
The Sword Empress quickly erased her smile and took on a somewhat serious expression.
What on earth was she trying to ask?
Soon, when I told her she could ask, the Sword Empress spoke as if she had been waiting.
Along with a deep sigh.
"Do you perhaps know the whereabouts of Cheon-hee?"
What the Sword Empress was curious about.
It was about my mother.