HDCLSSRS Ch 70

Chapter 70 Antidote (4)

Baek Ryeoil sneered.

“I don’t need your money. Leave your sword. Just go to the battlefield tomorrow and get a receipt in Mount Hua’s name.”

The innkeeper began to sweat profusely. He didn’t want to accept either the promissory note or the sword. But with two fearsome warriors glaring daggers at each other, his heart pounded so violently he just wanted to send them off to their rooms quickly. He nodded.

“Ah, yes. Then the sword…”

“There’s no need for that. Just sleep in my room. No need to make such a fuss.”

“Shall I?”

Baek Ryeoil shrugged indifferently, but inside, he felt a surge of pride. No matter how much of a menace that bastard tried to be, Seong Muyeon was on his side.

Ilgwang’s face turned a mix of red and blue.

“Shall we go?”

Baek Ryeoil took one of the keys handed by the innkeeper and casually slung his arm around Seong Muyeon’s shoulder. Ilgwang’s face turned completely pale at the sight.

“Innkeeper! Three rooms!”

Ilgwang shouted and practically threw the money at him.

The innkeeper gave them three adjoining rooms. Having decided to rest until morning, they each went to their separate rooms.

As Baek Ryeoil meditated with his eyes closed, he suddenly sensed something disturbing and opened one eye. The dark shadows surrounding the building… It was the Black Shadow Clan.

He twitched an eyebrow.

If they’re going to hide, they should fully conceal themselves. If they’re going to reveal themselves, then come out properly. That half-baked presence was extremely annoying.

‘Hm?’

Looking down beneath the window, he saw the man named Ilgwang in contact with the Black Shadow Clan. They seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation.

Baek Ryeoil quietly observed them. When Ilgwang suddenly looked this way with a wary gaze, he hastily moved back behind the wall.

‘Something’s going on. I have to warn Seong Muyeon…’

Just thinking of him made his chest churn uncomfortably. When it came to that man, nothing ever went smoothly.

This incident in particular had left a deep impression. The pale face that had taken the poison from his master’s body wouldn’t leave his mind. And worse, he had even ruined that man’s plan.

He stared intently at the wall leading to the room where Seong Muyeon must be.

He didn’t like being in debt, but regardless, he owed Seong Muyeon a great deal.

And if he owed, then he simply had to repay it.

Baek Ryeoil stood up. Just as he was about to open the door, he sensed Ilgwang’s presence coming up the stairs. He quietly held his breath.

Knock knock.

At the sound of someone knocking, Seong Muyeon sat up on his bed.

“Seventh Young Lord, it’s Ilgwang.”

“Come in.”

Ilgwang had prepared a tray of steaming porridge and tea and brought it in.

“You haven’t been eating properly. You should have a proper meal.”

Seong Muyeon let out a dry laugh. He couldn’t make sense of Ilgwang’s intentions. Outwardly, he treated him with the utmost care, as if serving a lord, yet at critical moments he blatantly ignored his commands.

However, ever since the Seong Muryong incident, his attitude had definitely improved. Though, at best, he had gone from treating someone he didn’t know at all to treating someone he barely knew.

“Young Lord, there’s something I’d like to say.”

Of course. It wasn’t a pure act of kindness.

“I overheard earlier that you’re searching for a cure for your illness. Why are you looking for it outside? I understand Second Young Lord has already prepared a spiritual pill for you.”

“You mean the Demon Soul Elixir?”

“Yes. Why haven’t you taken it? I can’t understand. It’s the same with you wandering from sect to sect outside the main school. What are you thinking?”

“…”

Seong Muyeon put down his spoon. Ilgwang didn’t seem to be picking a fight—his expression was one of genuine confusion.

“Would you even understand if I explained? Forget it. If it’s so great, you go ahead and take it.”

“A lowly man like me wouldn’t dare imagine touching such a priceless item. How could you say that?”

“…Ilgwang, do you even know that part?”

“Know what?”

“Do you know what my brother was trying to do to me in exchange for giving me the Demon Soul Elixir?”

Seong Muryong had planned to place a control spell on him in return for curing his illness. Fortunately, the explosive Baek Ryeoil had stirred chaos just in time, allowing him to avoid it.

“You mean the Soul Subjugation Spell? I really don’t see the problem. You know well that Second Young Lord would never harm you. And isn’t it better to live safely under the school’s protection than risk yourself outside?”

“That’s not the point… Enough. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Young Lord…!”

“You want to see me puke or what?”

When Seong Muyeon picked up the spoon again, Ilgwang shut his mouth reluctantly but looked full of discontent.

“By the way, how’s my brother doing?”

“Second Young Lord is overwhelmed. Since both your positions are vacant, he’s been working around the clock to cover everything and still finds time to worry about you…”

“He must be exhausted. And Baek Dojang? Has he eaten?”

Only after finishing half the porridge did Seong Muyeon think of him. Ilgwang snorted while glancing in the direction of Baek Ryeoil’s room.

“How should I know? He’ll eat on his own. Maybe he’ll use the money from pawning his sword.”

Seong Muyeon finally put down his spoon.

“Ilgwang. Do I really need to take your purse by force?”

His voice sank low from fatigue. There was no trace of his usual considerate tone. Ilgwang flinched as he met the still, lake-deep eyes.

That night, the image of Seong Muyeon shining like the sun alone in the darkness flashed in his mind, and a cold sweat trickled down his back. But he couldn’t back down now.

“But Young Lord…”

“You must’ve already realized, right? I’m not being held captive by Mount Hua. Mount Hua saved me. Especially Baek Ryeoil Dojang—he’s saved my life more than once. If you treat him this way, where does that leave my dignity?”

“…I apologize.”

“I can’t trust your apology. Go to the kitchen and order food for Dojang right now.”

“Yes, understood.”

Though clearly displeased, Ilgwang didn’t outright refuse the order. As he turned to leave, Seong Muyeon added one more comment.

“And bring a good bottle of wine too.”

“Wine? But you don’t drink, Young Lord.”

“Obviously. It’s for Baek Dojang.”

Ilgwang once again shot a look of contempt toward Baek Ryeoil’s room. But eventually, he sighed and nodded.

“Understood.”

As he left the room, he came face-to-face with Baek Ryeoil, who was just about to enter. At Ilgwang’s sharp glare, Baek Ryeoil raised an eyebrow.

“What are you staring at?”

Ilgwang looked like he was about to protest but seemed to recall Seong Muyeon’s request and held his tongue.

Once Ilgwang left, an odd silence settled over the room.

Baek Ryeoil, who had clearly come with a purpose, just stood awkwardly. His uncharacteristic hesitation made Seong Muyeon tilt his head curiously.

“Dojang? Do you have something to say?”

“Well, uh…”

He scratched the back of his head. But thinking that mumbling didn’t suit his style, he soon returned to his usual self and plopped down next to Seong Muyeon’s bed.

Baek Ryeoil ultimately hid his real thoughts and changed the subject.

“Anyway, that guy. If it was just a coincidence that he met you, why hasn’t he left and keeps clinging on?”

“You mean Ilgwang? Things were urgent, so I didn’t have time to question it. Now that it’s settled, he’ll probably return soon.”

“Tell him to leave soon. That guy’s sneaky—the look in his eyes is shady, so be careful.”

Seong Muyeon just shrugged.

“By the way… how’s your body?”

“My body? Why?”

“Well, poison’s still poison. No lingering effects? Has your condition worsened or anything?”

At those words, Seong Muyeon quietly checked his condition. He was tired, but nothing seemed particularly wrong. Baek Ryeoil, observing him, subtly leaned closer.

“If you need anything, just tell me…”

“…What?”

Baek Ryeoil gave a loud cough.

“No, I mean… because of Master and everything, so if anything comes up, just speak up anytime.”

He even gave him a subtly meaningful look.

Seong Muyeon uncomfortably pulled his body back.

“I’m fine for now.”

“Really? Check carefully. You never know—if something gets worse later…”

“Take your hand off me.”

At Seong Muyeon’s cold words, Baek Ryeoil removed the arm he had slung over his shoulder.

“If I need anything, I’ll let you know. You don’t need to worry. Food should be coming up soon. Eat and get some rest.”

“They could’ve just brought it here.”

In the end, Baek Ryeoil, out of habit, ate in Seong Muyeon’s room and sprawled out comfortably afterward. Only after the sun had fully set and an exhausted Seong Muyeon yelled at him to leave did he finally get up.

“By the way, I do have something to say…”

Seong Muyeon looked up at him with a curious expression.

Meanwhile, Ilgwang sat upright in the middle of his bed, waiting for the night to deepen. The moon rose, and the drunken guests faded away into the early dawn.

He finally rose from bed.

His footsteps were lighter than a feather, making no sound at all.

He stood still for a moment, focusing on his senses. He could feel no movement from either of the other rooms. Baek Ryeoil was definitely fast asleep.

He cautiously opened the door and stood before Seong Muyeon’s room.

‘…I’m sorry, Seventh Young Lord. Second Young Lord ordered me to bring you back.’

The story about retrieving his sword was just an excuse. Ilgwang had remained near Mount Hua under Seong Muryong’s orders, waiting for the chance to take Seong Muyeon back to Shingang.