HDCLSSRS Ch 32

Chapter 32 It Wasn’t on Purpose (5)

 

“Then what was that martial art from earlier?”

“…Self-taught. I couldn’t learn demonic arts, and I had nowhere to learn orthodox techniques, so I tried modifying things on my own.”

Baek Ryeoil let out a scoffing laugh of disbelief. Self-taught in martial arts? That, of all the things Seong Muyeon had said, was the hardest to believe. Even a well-refined internal cultivation technique could easily lead to qi deviation if practiced incorrectly, and he claimed to have modified a demonic technique and mastered it to such a level? It had to be a lie.

Then again, he vaguely recalled hearing that patients with severed meridians often developed exceptional intelligence, perhaps to compensate for their physical weaknesses.

Now that the blood clots had been wiped clean, he looked far more presentable.

“But if it’s severed meridians, then every time you draw up internal energy…”

Baek Ryeoil trailed off. Seong Muyeon nodded.

“My qi and blood are distorted, so my energy pathways can’t align properly. When I draw up internal energy, it flows through the veins and tears at the body. Every time, it feels like a piece of my lifespan is shaved away.”

Seong Muyeon opened and closed his fist. He couldn’t summon any strength in his grip.

“Does it hurt?”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“A lot.”

Drawing a deep breath, Seong Muyeon stood up as if nothing had happened. But he immediately staggered. He didn’t fall only because Baek Ryeoil quickly supported his elbow.

“Is there no way to cure it?”

“You’re asking even though you know.”

Baek Ryeoil closed his mouth. Treating severed meridians was known to be harder than plucking stars from the sky.

Seong Muyeon glanced sideways at Baek Ryeoil, who stared at him intently and silently. He no longer looked angry. Instead, he seemed deeply lost in thought, his brows furrowed, remaining silent for a long while.

Seong Muyeon looked around, then picked up Ilgwang’s sword from the ground and slid it back into its sheath.

“…Why didn’t you wait?”

“Excuse me?”

“…I did what you asked. I protected Master, and there was no incident in Hanam. You said you would wait. But when I returned to Hwasan, you were gone. Why?”

“….”

“Hwasan was thrown into chaos. Not only did an outsider sneak in, but someone we were protecting was taken. They said it didn’t seem like you were forced. Did you leave of your own will? Is that true?”

“…Yes, it’s true.”

Baek Ryeoil’s face contorted in anguish.

“Why… why? Did our promise mean nothing to you? Were you never sincere? Again?”

“….”

Seong Muyeon lowered his eyes. He couldn’t bear to look at Baek Ryeoil’s face.

He had said he would try believing one last time.

And yet he had let him down again.

What good would it do to say anything now?

“I really feel wronged, you know.”

But his mouth ran off on its own.

“I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I didn’t do it to spite you. Seong Muryong came looking for me on his own—what was I supposed to do? I tried to coax him to leave quietly. But then your kids had to approach at the worst time! I had to save them, and I couldn’t just hurt Seong Muryong, could I?!”

As he spoke, his emotions surged, and by the end, he was nearly shouting. Baek Ryeoil listened quietly and then asked,

“Then why did you stop him earlier? You could’ve just let that Seong Muryong guy die.”

“The Demon cult leader is bedridden. The succession struggle has begun. I have six older brothers. If one of them gains an overwhelming advantage and swallows the cult whole, the current power structure will remain intact. But if they keep fighting among themselves, their strength will gradually wear down. We need to let them keep clashing.”

“….”

Baek Ryeoil said nothing.

He clearly still didn’t trust him.

Seong Muyeon scratched the back of his head irritably.

“…Just leave me here. I’ll find my own way.”

He had already resigned himself. There was no way Baek Ryeoil would be crazy enough to offer him shelter again. He’d understand even if he were banned from stepping foot in Hwasan.

Though it wasn’t intentional, he had hurt Baek Ryeoil again.

“Where are you even going?”

“Anywhere.”

“Namgung Clan?”

“Why are you bringing up the Namgung Clan now?”

“So you don’t have anywhere to go, then.”

That hit home.

“…This incident is Hwasan’s responsibility. We failed to stop an intruder, and we failed to protect someone we had vowed to safeguard.”

Seong Muyeon’s head shot up.

Did that mean…?

“Can I… go back?”

“Do you want to?”

Seong Muyeon lunged forward and grabbed Baek Ryeoil by the collar.

“Of course I want to go back! How could you even ask that? Damn it! Do you know what I went through while I was gone? I was almost subjected to a Soul-Devouring Restriction! I don’t want to spend another second among those cursed cult bastards!”

At his desperate outburst, Baek Ryeoil let out a brief laugh—but his face quickly stiffened.

“Soul-Devouring Restriction?”

“Yes. My second brother… Seong Muryong said he’d give me medicine to heal my body, but only if I accepted the restriction, so I couldn’t ever betray them.”

“That guy’s insane, isn’t he?”

“My thoughts exactly!”

“Then let go of my collar while you’re talking.”

“Oh, sorry. I got too worked up.”

Seong Muyeon let go of his collar and carefully straightened out the wrinkles.

“….”

“….”

An awkward silence followed. Though the misunderstanding had been cleared, the intense emotions from just moments ago dissipated too suddenly, making it strangely uncomfortable to meet each other’s eyes.

They stood a few steps apart, looking in opposite directions.

“So?”

Baek Ryeoil asked with an exaggerated cough and a forced tone of irritation.

“Are you coming or not?”

“I’m coming! Let’s go!”

Baek Ryeoil immediately lifted him by the waist.

“Wait a second!”

“What now?”

“I’m not in great shape right now. Can we go slowly? Your back gives the worst ride, you know.”

“You’re so demanding!”

Though he said that, Baek Ryeoil made sure to carry him as steadily as possible on the way back. He didn’t even move particularly fast.

A cool breeze brushed against Seong Muyeon’s cheek.

At that moment—

“You’re safe now, Second Young Master.”

Having escaped Nanjoo safely, Ilgwang spoke as Seong Muryong regained consciousness. Realizing the change in location, Seong Muryong quickly sat up.

“Where are we? Where’s Yeon?”

“…”

Ilgwang shook his head silently in lieu of an answer. Seong Muryong understood immediately.

“You should’ve brought Yeon back in my place! That boy is frail…! No, this won’t do. I have to go back for him, now—”

Ilgwang stood firmly in his way.

“The Seventh Young Master risked his life against Baek Ryeoil to save you. If you go back now, you’ll be making his sacrifice meaningless.”

“Yeon did?”

“Yes. He’s sharp—that’s how he survived in Hwasan so far. And he will continue to survive. Now is the time to restore your body. That’s what the Seventh Young Master believed when he pushed himself.”

Ilgwang recalled the breathtaking martial power he had shown.

‘Seventh Young Master…’

Until now, he had misunderstood him. He had thought him a sickly, unimpressive, pitiful youngest son—at times even frustrating in his naivety.

But…

‘He’ll be all right. If it’s him, he’ll make it.’

“…Yeon-ah.”

Seong Muryong gazed wistfully toward the direction they had left Seong Muyeon behind. A heavy mood settled over him.

“…I’ll come for you. Hold on, my little brother.”

Seong Muyeon lost consciousness on the way back.

He remained unconscious for several days. By the time he woke up, he had already returned to Hwasan.

“How’s your condition?”

Wang Hojun asked worriedly. He had come to visit Seong Muyeon, who was lying in bed.

“I’m all right.”

He answered as such, but his hoarse voice did little to reassure. Wang Hojun sighed, pulling out various health supplements and tonics.

“What on earth happened? An abduction in the heart of Hwasan!”

“Haha…”

“Seriously, you almost gave me a heart attack. How much longer are you going to keep this hidden? It’s fine here in Hwasan. Wouldn’t it be better to come clean and look for a proper treatment?”

Baek Ryeoil had told others that Seong Muyeon had been injured, and the medicine hall’s head pretended to treat nonexistent wounds, helping keep his condition a secret.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I don’t want to make a fuss about it.”

Wang Hojun clicked his tongue in frustration.

“But still! Where’s Senior Brother gone off to? Someone’s sick, and he doesn’t even stay by your side to care for you. Tsk, tsk… So heartless.”

Baek Ryeoil hadn’t shown his face once since Seong Muyeon woke up. He disappeared early every morning and only showed up briefly at mealtimes before vanishing again.

“Please don’t be too hard on him. It’s more comfortable not seeing him, to be honest.”

“You’re not wrong.”

After Wang Hojun left, Kang Ung and the boys timidly visited.

“Young Master…! We were so worried. Are you really unwell? Have you been to the medicine hall?”

“Of course. I’ve been taking my medicine diligently, so don’t worry.”

Seong Muyeon stroked the boy’s head.