HDCLSSRS Ch 79

Chapter 79 Covered Eyes (3)

“…It could be dangerous.”

Baek Ryeoil’s voice sank low. Though his expression was hidden, Seong Muyeon could sense that he was just as tense as he was.

“We don’t have a choice.”

The condition known as Severed Meridians was a complete contradiction.

It was like an antibody that attacked the body because the innate energy one was born with did not match their constitution. As a result, the more one circulated their energy, the worse their condition became. Yet paradoxically, the only way to treat this illness was to cultivate or take spiritual medicine to clear the meridians. That was why it was called a contradiction.

Seong Muyeon had been able to circulate energy, accumulate internal power, and train in techniques when he was younger. But as time went on, the rate at which impurities accumulated became faster than the rate at which they could be purged. Eventually, things worsened to the point where even circulating energy posed a threat.

If he made even the slightest mistake, the consequences could be worse than energy deviation.

“That’s why you have to help me, Master.”

Baek Ryeoil hesitated for a moment, but soon realized there was no other way and complied with his request.

Seong Muyeon sat cross-legged on the bed while Baek Ryeoil took his place behind him. Placing both palms on Seong Muyeon’s shoulder blades, he said:

“Slowly.”

Seong Muyeon nodded, calming his mind and taking a deep breath. Then he drew out the internal energy that had been carefully hidden within his lower abdomen. Pure, untainted energy free of demonic influence began to flow through his meridians.

Baek Ryeoil breathed in sync with him, guiding the flow of energy.

One complete circuit—his energy flowed once through his meridians and returned to the lower abdomen.

Second, third—each round continued, and the twisted flow of his energy gradually began to stabilize.

Sweat started to form on Seong Muyeon’s forehead. So far, so good.

But as the eighth circuit began, the rotation of the energy suddenly slowed, and Baek Ryeoil could feel Seong Muyeon’s body go rigid beneath his palms.

‘Seong Muyeon…!’

Baek Ryeoil’s eyes flew open. Even without visual confirmation, he could clearly sense how damaged Seong Muyeon’s energy channels and blood flow were. It was like riding with lumpy iron wheels on a smooth road. Every spot the energy passed left deep, torn wounds.

And this—this was him in his best condition, thanks to their recent physical union.

This was Severed Meridians…

Though Baek Ryeoil was anxious, he couldn’t speak mid-circulation, so he could only burn with frustration inside.

Eventually, Seong Muyeon’s body began to tremble.

Nine, ten rounds.

Just a bit more…

“Cough!”

Bright red blood dripped from the corner of Seong Muyeon’s lips. The strong scent of blood permeated the air, and Baek Ryeoil clenched his teeth. When Seong Muyeon could no longer lead his energy on his own, Baek Ryeoil stepped in and guided it for him.

‘Just hold on a little longer!’

Finally, after completing the twelve circuits and the lesser heavenly circulation, Seong Muyeon’s body slumped to the side the moment Baek Ryeoil withdrew his hands. Baek Ryeoil quickly caught his shoulder.

“Seong Muyeon, are you okay?”

Seong Muyeon’s closed eyelashes trembled slightly before cloudy pupils were revealed. His eyes darted around before the corners of his mouth—stained with blood—curved upward.

“It worked.”

Though faint, he could now distinguish between light and dark. His vision was beginning to return.

“You’re grinning after vomiting up a bucket of blood?! What’s funny about that!”

When Baek Ryeoil snapped at him, Seong Muyeon let out a genuine laugh this time. His laughter grew louder and louder.

“Haha… Hahahahaha…”

Baek Ryeoil furrowed his brows deeply. It seemed Seong Muyeon had lost a screw or two from nearly suffering energy deviation.

As he continued laughing, Seong Muyeon suddenly wiped the grin off his face, pushed Baek Ryeoil aside, and sat up. He wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve.

‘Was it always this hard to complete just one Lesser Heavenly Circuit?’

That earlier laugh had been half self-mocking. Once, like his brothers, he had been a promising youngest son. How did he end up like this…?

But the other half had been genuine joy.

There had been many twists and turns, but somehow, he’d made it through another crisis.

He was alive.

That was enough.

“Hahahaha…”

His vision returned gradually. The next morning, he could see blurry outlines, and by the day after, he could make out objects nearby.

Still, Seong Muyeon had to stay confined to his room for several days. That night, when he suddenly burst into laughter while clutching his stomach, Baek Ryeoil gave him a horrified look and stormed off to his own room. After that, he was rarely seen—too busy running around trying to track down the missing venomous beast, though it seemed he wasn’t having much luck.

Oddly enough, Ma Jincheon recovered more quickly than Seong Muyeon.

Seong Muyeon was basking in the morning sun in the courtyard, squinting his dim eyes, when he spotted a white-and-black figure approaching from afar and mistook him for Baek Ryeoil. But as the man came closer, it turned out to be Ma Jincheon.

“You’re up already?”

Startled, Seong Muyeon jumped down from the platform.

“Haha! I’m perfectly fine. Look!”

Ma Jincheon moved his body around here and there to show he was indeed well…

“Urgh.”

Suddenly, he clutched his side and bent over. It was where he had been stabbed by the venomous beast’s sword. Alarmed, Seong Muyeon screamed.

“Don’t overdo it!”

“I-I’m fine… Whew. Just stiff from not moving for so long.”

“Honestly…”

Ma Jincheon truly was a martial artist. He, too, had a tendency to overestimate his physical endurance.

“I want to return to Mount Hua as soon as possible.”

“Yes, me too.”

A wistful expression crossed Seong Muyeon’s face. Somehow, Mount Hua had begun to feel like home.

Then Ma Jincheon looked at him with a strangely peculiar expression.

“Wh-why are you looking at me like that?”

Wasn’t there a saying that a thief feels guilt in their own feet?

Seong Muyeon, burdened with countless secrets, averted his eyes. Under Ma Jincheon’s piercing gaze, it felt like all his sins were being stripped bare.

“Young Master, look me in the eyes.”

“Y-yes?”

“…Strange. Your focus seems off. Are your eyes bothering you?”

He’s a damn ghost.

“Wh-what do you mean? I can see fine! The morning sun is just a bit blinding, that’s all.”

Seong Muyeon did his best to appear normal. At the very least, he didn’t want Ma Jincheon to find out.

To explain why his vision had deteriorated would naturally require explaining how it happened, which might reveal the damp, shameful secret between him and Baek Ryeoil.

‘I can never tell him!’

If he learned not only that Seong Muyeon had done such things with his only disciple Baek Ryeoil, but also that he’d let Sa-son Gang Ung be sent to spy on him—it would be a blow too immense to even imagine.

There was no way he could do something so cruel to Ma Jincheon, who still treated him with such reverence.

“Then I’m relieved.”

Thankfully, Ma Jincheon believed in Seong Muyeon as his benefactor and easily dismissed his doubts.

Poor Ma Jincheon…

Now that Ma Jincheon had recovered his health and Seong Muyeon had regained part of his vision, they prepared to return to Mount Hua.

Having stayed here over two weeks, their belongings had piled up quite a bit. They’d had to buy new clothes to change into and accumulated various daily necessities over time. If Seong Muyeon, who had arrived empty-handed, had so much, Ma Jincheon had even more. During his time bedridden, every visitor brought something, and they had to take it all back.

“Goodness, Sahyung! That’s way too heavy…! Please, let me carry that!”

When Ma Jincheon showed up with a huge bundle slung over his shoulder, Huh Saeng made a fuss and snatched the luggage to carry it himself.

Baek Ryeoil twitched his brow at the sight.

“What’s with him?”

He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him—again. Even during caregiving, and especially after Ma Jincheon collapsed, the usually dismissive fellow disciples now doted on him more than they did their own parents.

Just as Baek Ryeoil was about to approach them—

“Wah!”

Seong Muyeon stumbled badly. He hadn’t seen a tree root jutting out from the path and tripped. Baek Ryeoil clicked his tongue and caught his arm.

“Watch it.”

“…Yes.”

Seong Muyeon clutched his startled chest. Ever since he lost his vision, his shrunken heart still hadn’t recovered. Any slight shift in his physical condition made it drop in dread.

Until he found a proper cure, he would have to be careful—extremely careful…

From Luoyang to Mount Hua took less than a day.

The higher they climbed the mountain, the crisper and cooler the air became. Seong Muyeon filled his lungs with the refreshing air. The familiar comfort brought a natural smile to his lips.

‘At the very least, I’ll lock myself in my room for a month!’

He would reclaim his quiet and peaceful daily life.

That’s what he thought as he passed through the mountain gate—but the sight before him made him pause. A large crowd awaited their arrival. It looked like nearly all the disciples had come out to greet them.

Standing at the very front, unexpectedly, was the Sect Leader himself.

“You’ve been through a lot, children.”

He wore the same benevolent smile as always.

For the head of a sect to personally welcome the return of his disciples—such a thing would be unimaginable in a demonic sect.

“Greetings to the Sect Leader.”

Ma Jincheon stepped forward and bowed. The Sect Leader nodded in acknowledgment. Only then did the rest of the disciples step forward to greet them.

“Sahyung, how’s your injury?”

“We were so worried, Sasuk…”

Warm greetings filled the air in a touching reunion scene.

Mount Hua truly was like a family.

Seong Muyeon, heart warmed, quietly turned to slip away. He didn’t think he belonged among them.

“And Young Master Seong Muyeon.”

“Y-yes?!”

The Sect Leader called out to him.

“I heard that you risked your life to save Jincheon. Thank you.”

The next moment, the Sect Leader bowed his head. The disciples behind him followed suit, bowing deeply in unison to show their respect.

 

Few Explanations 

 

사형 Sahyung Senior male disciple Senior Brother

사숙 Sasuk Master’s junior peer (elder) Martial Uncle

사부 Sabu Master (teacher) Master