Part 1,
Chapter 46. Eleven Qi Flows
"To contain both yin and yang energies at once is a dangerous thing. If you fail to dispel the cold energy... You won't be able to handle the backlash."
"Yes. It's a tricky matter. But I believe Elder Muso can do it."
So-hwa didn't explain further.
Muso would know more about manipulating internal energy than she did. Few handled internal energy as well as an elder of a prestigious sect.
Moreover, she believed that Muso would be fully capable of expelling the heat by himself.
In any case, Myungdan was not dead yet, so the heat could not be immediately fatal.
'Of course, even carrying this much heat is painful, and it'll take time for the body to recover.'
So-hwa felt there was no further need to persuade him.
Because Muso had already made his decision.
He took the leaf that was in So-hwa's hand.
At that action, Han-won and the rest of the Tang Clan's martial artists all stepped back, and Tang Hak carefully supported the divine physician's arm and led him to the doorway.
On the other hand, the branch leader stepped forward.
"I will stand guard."
At the branch leader's words, Muso briefly glanced at him. Seeing Muso's still sharp gaze, the branch leader gave a bitter smile.
"Right, my presence would only be a source of anxiety. I'll call those waiting outside."
"That won't be necessary. Just observe from there."
For the first time, Muso showed trust toward the branch leader, but that was his final word.
He examined Myungdan's body and immediately placed the Extreme Ice Grass in his mouth.
Though the room was clearly silent, So-hwa heard a sound like tearing wind.
Her cheeks stung from the fierce cold wind that raged like a typhoon. It was because the suppressed internal energy exploded as Muso began to gather his energy in his lower abdomen.
Muso's intensely blazing true energy fiercely resisted the cold energy entering him.
So-hwa's brow slightly furrowed.
Just observing made her skin feel as though it would tear—how agonizing must it be to contain that storm inside one's body?
Yet outwardly, Muso's expression remained calm.
He allowed the raging flow of energy within him to clash as it was. He did not try to forcefully suppress it or push it to one side. He simply opened his acupoints little by little, widening the path for the two energies to fight comfortably.
The dormant heat gradually rose above the cold energy.
The moment the heat completely overtook the cold energy, balance was achieved as if by magic.
Muso did not miss that fleeting moment and inserted only the cold energy that had sunk into Myungdan's body. The heat belatedly twitched, but it immediately subsided because all the cold energy had cleanly escaped.
Myungdan's body convulsed as it suddenly received the cold energy.
Muso reopened his energy channels and gently pushed in a very small amount of warm internal energy. It was a minute amount of warmth, but because it caused the cold energy to start running, the cold energy began to flee rapidly.
The cold from the Extreme Ice Grass raced through Myungdan's meridians.
Then, just as So-hwa had said, the heat hidden in Myungdan's organs began to slither out. The escaped heat immediately clung to the energy channels.
The heat slowly permeated the cooling blood vessels.
As soon as the heat entered the blood vessels, it immediately pursued the cold energy.
Naturally, the speed of energy circulation increased.
Consequently, the Qi flows around the blood vessels also intensified.
The heat that had permeated the organs was swiftly and easily drawn out.
The moment Myungdan's heat brushed past Muso's fingertips, he opened his meridians and absorbed the heat into himself.
So-hwa had been watching the entire flow.
She was inwardly impressed. Although it was a theory she had spoken of, she hadn't expected it to work this perfectly.
The one who had succeeded didn't let down his guard and simply repeated the process. Contrary to his rough exterior, Muso continued to perform delicate internal energy techniques, gradually drawing the heat from Myungdan into himself.
Gradually, Muso's body became soaked with sweat. In contrast, Myungdan's skin tone brightened, and his breathing also began to steady. It was truly a remarkable change.
When no more heat was being drawn out, Muso retrieved the remaining cold energy into his own body. Though it had been somewhat depleted after circulating countless times through Myungdan's meridians, it was still a significant amount.
But worrying about the elder of a prestigious sect was as meaningless as anything could be.
Muso quickly organized his own energy. After calming the rampaging energy within his body, he slowly withdrew his hands.
As he removed his hands, the sound of breathing returned to the room.
Everyone had unconsciously been holding their breath.
Opening his eyes, Muso immediately checked Myungdan's complexion.
Relief spread across the face of the elder of Mount Hwa Sect, who had been looking upon his disciple. Myungdan's face was clearly different from before. His skin had brightened with a yellowish hue, and even his lips, which had been cracked and pale, were now showing a faint flush of color.
The divine physician, who had been watching, couldn't hold back and rushed to Myungdan. He hurriedly examined Myungdan's body.
"Ha."
The old physician let out a hollow breath.
"The body of a martial artist is always astonishing to behold. His pulse and temperature have both returned to normal. However, since his organs were once damaged by the heat, we'll need to continue monitoring his condition."
At the divine physician's words, the tension on Muso's face completely dissolved. He nodded in response to the divine physician's diagnosis.
"I'll leave him in your care."
"Yes, do not worry."
Muso immediately rose to his feet. He gestured a silent thanks to the leader of the Shaanxi branch as he passed by.
There was no longer any sharpness in his demeanor.
Was that his way of showing gratitude?
'He really is a strange man.'
Tang So-hwa had thought the unfamiliarity she felt came from seeing a face that looked twenty years younger than what she remembered—but the Plum Blossom Sword before her was a completely different person from the Muso she knew.
But just then, as Muso passed the branch leader, he suddenly stopped in front of So-hwa.
His massive body blocked the lantern light, casting a shadow across her view. Yet contrary to the darkened atmosphere, Muso's voice was gentle.
"Thank you."
"Young Taoist Myungdan has not yet woken."
When So-hwa didn't accept the thanks, Muso tilted his lips slightly.
"Even so, you gave me the Ice Extreme Grass and were prepared to risk leaking the clan's secret techniques."
"Leaking? ... I clearly told you I had no intention of leaking anything."
So-hwa furrowed her brow.
That was dangerous talk.
She knew exactly what kind of punishment awaited anyone who leaked the Tang Clan's secret techniques.
As So-hwa's expression twisted, Muso unintentionally let out a faint chuckle.
It was as light as a breeze, but it was a big enough change to make him seem like a different person.
For a brief moment, she saw the Muso she remembered.
"I misspoke—I'm a bit out of it. Either way, it's thanks to you."
"... I'll accept your thanks once young Taoist Myungdan wakes up."
Having a man old enough to be her father keep showing her such formality was terribly uncomfortable. When So-hwa pushed away the thanks once more, Muso straightened up with a faint smile.
"Let's hope Myungdan opens his eyes soon."
"Since the divine physician is here, he should be able to wake up soon."
Tang Hak replied, as if to comfort Muso, but So-hwa didn't add anything.
They had passed the critical point, but it was still too soon to feel at ease.
Now it was truly up to the patient's resilience and the divine physician's medical skill.
The Tang Clan party remained at the Shaanxi branch to monitor Myungdan's condition.
And a few days later—
News finally spread that Myungdan had opened his eyes, and a commotion broke out at the Shaanxi branch.
***
"Myungdan, Myungdan!"
Muso roughly shook Myungdan by the shoulders. But Myungdan only swayed blankly, unable to push him away.
Muso's face twisted in frustration as he turned to the divine physician next to him.
"Why is he like this? Is there still heat left inside him?"
The divine physician replied in a regretful voice.
"It seems some of his damaged organs haven't recovered yet."
Though he administered a tonic to sharpen the senses and used all the medical techniques he knew, Myungdan showed no response, like someone lost in a daze. It appeared he had suffered a head injury from the heat.
A young Plum Blossom Swordsman beside Muso spoke urgently.
"Divine physician, is there really no other way? What if we try some kind of elixir or anything? Please, just tell us what to do. We'll find whatever it takes!"
The divine physician shook his head.
"I've never seen an injury caused by heat channeling like this before, so I can't give you a definitive answer. I apologize."
Since the treatment method wasn't his own idea, the divine physician couldn't hastily suggest an alternative.
No, nothing came to mind.
In the warm room bathed in sunlight, silence fell.
The young Plum Blossom Swordsmen, apparently close to Myungdan, twisted their faces and wept.
Amid the grim atmosphere, Muso struggled to contain his emotions. He roughly wiped his face with one hand and turned toward the branch leader.
"I'll take Myungdan back to Mount Hua. There's no point in keeping him here—it won't help the branch."
The branch leader nodded.
It wasn't that Myungdan was unnecessary.
He simply meant that returning to the main sect and focusing on recovery might be better for Myungdan.
Muso was a man of action. As soon as the branch leader gave permission, he immediately moved to lift Myungdan.
"Elder, let me do it!"
The Taoists of Mount Hua, who had been standing behind them, rushed forward as if they had been waiting and supported Myungdan. As Muso began to head out with them, he halted for a moment and turned his head to the divine physician.
"But where is Young Lady Tang So-hwa?"
"The Young Lady is at the Medical Hall."
When Muso narrowed his eyes slightly, the divine physician gave a weary smile.
He understood what Muso was suspecting. It was a suspicion that he had sent the Young Lady Tang So-hwa to the Medical Hall to steal her credit.
"Since arriving at the Shaanxi Branch, the Young Lady has spent all her time in the Medical Hall. I believe she's trying to leave behind a treatment method in case this kind of incident happens again."
At those words, Muso flinched without realizing it. His mind had been so occupied with his disciple's condition that he hadn't thought of anything else.
The Blood Sect bastard was still freely roaming the Central Plains.
More victims were bound to appear.
And yet a girl from another branch—no, not even affiliated with the branch—had not overlooked that fact. The thought that he had shown less foresight than a young physician not even half his age filled Muso with shame.
'Members of other sects are also someone's disciples, someone's seniors and juniors. I failed to see that they too were in danger.'
No, there was no need to even think about other sects. Mount Hua's martial artists still remained at the Shaanxi Branch.
'I only considered my own feelings...'
His cultivation was still lacking.
Muso felt as though a heavy stone had settled in his chest. To hide his embarrassment, he let out a forced cough.
"Is it taking that long?"
"Yes. It seems there are medicinal ingredients that are hard to find here in the Shaanxi Branch, so she's been discussing the treatment method with the Lord of Medical Hall daily. Also, there's disagreement on how to divide the Extreme Ice Grass, so their conversation hasn't been wrapping up easily."
The divine physician let out a rare, small sigh.
"The Young Lady believes the Hubei Branch is also in danger, so she wants to distribute the Extreme Ice Grass there and to other branches as well, but... the Lord of Medical Hall is making rather... excessive requests..."
"Excessive requests?"
"Yes. The Young Lady said a single leaf is enough to be effective and was willing to part with three leaves, but the Lord of Medical Hall is insisting on taking the entire root, saying he'll pay for it—so the conversation keeps dragging on."
"What the Young Lady says is reasonable, but wasn't it in Shaanxi that the bastard appeared? We're in a situation where we need to pursue him, so three leaves won't be enough. We can pay whatever it costs, so please try to persuade the Young Lady."
The branch leader cut in. It seemed he had already been informed of the matter by the Lord of Medical Hall.
At that, the divine physician responded with an awkward expression.
"But... it belongs to the Young Lady, so I can't say anything on her behalf."
"Three leaves are plenty. Just tell Young Lady Tang So-hwa not to worry about it."
At Muso's words, the branch leader quietly furrowed his brows. But before he could say anything, Muso spoke again.
"I'll procure Extreme Ice Grass and deliver it myself. You can pay me."
"That's not something easily found. Even in the North Sea, it's a rare elixir. How can you be so sure?"
"I suspect Tang So-hwa received the Extreme Ice Grass from the Black Sky Demon."
"What?"
Surprised, the divine physician asked again, and Muso gave a bitter smile.
"I think I know the route through which the Black Sky Demon acquired the Extreme Ice Grass. So, branch leader, please don't worry and stop bothering the Young Lady."
Though the words were rude, the branch leader said nothing further.
Truthfully, it had weighed on him to ask someone who had already helped them to give up even more. So Muso's offer to find the Extreme Ice Grass himself came as a welcome relief.
But Muso had no interest in the branch leader's change of heart. He immediately asked the divine physician the one thing that had been on his mind.
"Then, is it alright for Young Lady Tang So-hwa to leave the Medical Hall now?"