The Battle for the Heavenly Sword - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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102
Woo Geom-san Seeks Supremacy
“Phew!”
Woo Geom-san, having successfully performed the Sheng Si Yi Xian Jie, wiped the sweat from his forehead and stepped back from Ha Yeong-ryeong.
Bristling with three hundred and six silver needles, Ha Yeong-ryeong looked like a hedgehog.
A flush returned to Ha Yeong-ryeong’s face, which had turned pitch-black beyond the threshold of death, and her breathing became much easier.
“Yeong-ryeong!”
Ha Baek-jin tried to grab Ha Yeong-ryeong’s hand, but Woo Geom-san stopped him.
“You must not touch her yet.”
“How is my daughter?”
“For now, the critical crisis has passed. The treatment went well.”
“Could it be… you cured the Three Yin Severed Meridians?”
“Yes! To be precise, it wasn’t the Three Yin Severed Meridians. The symptoms are similar, but it was a disease much easier to treat.”
“What does that matter? What matters is that you saved my daughter, whom everyone else had given up on. Thank you!”
Ha Baek-jin tightly grasped both of Woo Geom-san’s hands.
“She isn’t completely cured yet. We must continue to monitor her condition and prescribe medicinal herbs.”
“I’ll do exactly as you say, Little Brother. Thank you so much!”
“Just a moment.”
Woo Geom-san pulled his hands away and approached Ning Yunxiao, who was still lying on the floor.
“You can get up now.”
“Is it over?”
“Yes! Thanks to you, we were able to save Yeong-ryeong’s life.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“You were a huge help. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to save that girl’s life in time.”
Woo Geom-san stroked Ning Yunxiao’s head.
Only then did Ning Yunxiao’s tension melt away, replaced by a smile.
“Thank goodness.”
“You worked hard.”
“No. You’re the one who worked hard, Mister.”
At Ning Yunxiao’s mature response, Woo Geom-san stroked his head once more.
Suddenly looking around, Woo Geom-san noticed that Nam Se-myeong, who had been here just moments ago, was nowhere to be seen. However, he didn’t think much of it.
It didn’t matter whether he was here or not.
It was at that moment.
“There’s sweat coming from Yeong-ryeong’s body…”
“The sweat is pitch-black.”
The Vagabond screamed in surprise.
Black waste matter, mixed with sweat, was oozing out of Ha Yeong-ryeong’s body.
Woo Geom-san said calmly.
“It’s proof that the treatment went well.”
“Is that so?”
“Just a moment.”
Woo Geom-san retrieved the needles embedded in Ha Yeong-ryeong’s body all at once.
Woo Geom-san’s movements as he retrieved as many as three hundred and six needles in a single breath and placed them into the wooden box were as elegant as the flutter of a crane’s wings.
After putting the wooden box into his tunic, Woo Geom-san spoke to Ha Baek-jin.
“Now you may take her to the room, wipe away the sweat, and change her into clean clothes.”
“I’ll do that.”
Yi Se-gyeong, the only woman present, stepped forward voluntarily.
Ha Baek-jin expressed his gratitude with his eyes and said.
“I leave her to you.”
“Don’t worry. Yeong-ryeong is like a daughter to me too.”
Regardless of her clothes getting dirty, Yi Se-gyeong held Ha Yeong-ryeong and entered the room.
“Phew!”
Perhaps only then letting go of his tension, Ha Baek-jin collapsed onto the floor with a deep sigh.
Gong Pyeong-hae and Jo Geum-ik patted Ha Baek-jin on his shoulders.
“Things really turned out well.”
“Congratulations, Brother!”
They rejoiced as if it were their own affair.
Ha Baek-jin looked up at them and said.
“Thank you! It’s all thanks to you.”
“What did we even do? That doc…tor did everything. But is he really a doctor? That martial arts…”
“Let’s talk about that separately later.”
“Understood.”
Gong Pyeong-hae nodded and looked at Woo Geom-san.
The more he looked, the more mysterious the man seemed.
Reaching the peak of any one field was never an easy task.
Among them, martial arts and medicine were particularly difficult.
Even when a martial artist from an Orthodox Sect underwent bitter training for a lifetime, the realm they could dare to guarantee reaching was the Peak Realm, but Woo Geom-san was a martial artist who had reached the Super Transcendent Realm, which was one level higher.
Up to that point, it was somewhat understandable.
Occasionally, individuals with monstrous martial talent would suddenly pop up in the Jianghu. When such people received the backing of a prestigious sect, they grew at a speed that others couldn’t dare to follow. He could think of Woo Geom-san as one of those cases.
The problem was medicine.
Medicine was a field just as difficult as martial arts.
In order to raise a proper doctor, an immense amount of support and time were required.
In a way, it took more care and effort than raising a martial artist.
To reach a level where one could properly treat others, one had to study for at least ten years, and to be called a famous physician, one had to devote oneself to medicine for more than twenty years.
To reach the realm of a divine physician, effort and support alone weren’t enough. One had to possess innate talent.
Even within Saengsagok, there was only one such genius.
Shim Ha-yeon, the master of the Gusejeon and called by the martial title of Holy Hand, was that very protagonist.
She had treated numerous patients suffering from incurable diseases with her miraculous medical skills that had reached the realm of a divine physician.
It was said that one had to wait at least three years to receive treatment from Shim Ha-yeon. That was how many patients stood in line, just waiting to be treated.
Ha Baek-jin had also originally intended to ask Shim Ha-yeon for Ha Yeong-ryeong’s treatment. However, because he absolutely couldn’t wait three years, he had gone through great trouble to invite Nam Se-myeong.
Although not equal to Shim Ha-yeon, Nam Se-myeong was also a great doctor.
He possessed skills worthy of being called at least a famous physician.
Yet Nam Se-myeong was over sixty years old.
Only after devoting himself to medicine for nearly fifty years had he come to be called a famous physician.
However, Woo Geom-san possessed medical skills that surpassed Nam Se-myeong at the mere age of around thirty.
Martial arts that had reached the Super Transcendent Realm and medical skills close to that of a divine physician.
He wondered if it was even possible to achieve these two things simultaneously at Woo Geom-san’s age.
But since he had seen it with his own eyes, he couldn’t disbelieve it.
‘He’s a man with truly monstrous talent. The Jianghu will be thrown into an uproar because of him.’
Gong Pyeong-hae shook his head without realizing it.
Compared to an incredible talent incomparable to a mere vagrant like himself, he even felt a sense of shabbiness.
Having completed his task, Woo Geom-san was sharing a chat with Ning Yunxiao.
The sight of him smiling and talking with Ning Yunxiao was no different from any ordinary young man.
That sight made Gong Pyeong-hae even more confused.
It was at that moment.
“Is anyone inside?”
A voice was heard from outside the Annex.
Just as they raised their heads wondering who it was, the owner of the voice walked inside.
He was a middle-aged man who at first glance reminiscent of a scholar.
About ten martial artists were following behind him, and among them, there was one who particularly caught the eye.
‘Doctor Nam?’
Nam Se-myeong, who had disappeared a moment ago, was following the unfamiliar middle-aged man.
Gong Pyeong-hae looked at Ha Baek-jin with an ominous premonition.
Coincidentally, Ha Baek-jin rose from his seat and gave a cupped hand salute to the middle-aged man.
“I, Ha, greet the leader of the Hongjo Bang.”
The middle-aged man who reminiscent of a scholar was none other than Bo Hyeon-seung, the leader of the Hongjo Bang.
He had appeared at the Annex accompanied by Ha Jin-yeop, the chief manager, and guards.
Bo Hyeon-seung returned the cupped hand salute and greeted.
“Nice to meet you, Great Hero Ha. Are there any inconveniences in your stay?”
“Thanks to the leader’s consideration, we are staying comfortably. But what brings you to this place?”
Ha Baek-jin looked at Bo Hyeon-seung with wary eyes.
Because appearing together with Nam Se-myeong at this specific time felt somewhat fishy for some reason.
Sure enough, Nam Se-myeong, who was among the guards, pointed his finger at Woo Geom-san and shouted.
“It’s that fellow. That fellow stole our valley’s secret heritage and used it recklessly. Please help us subdue him and take him to Saengsagok.”
“What kind of nonsense…”
At the utterly absurd claim, Ha Baek-jin and the vagrants opened their mouths wide.
The eyes of Nam Se-myeong, who was spouting sophistry, were bloodshot.
Jealousy and greed were vividly contained within his gaze.
He had become covetous of the medical skills and martial arts that Woo Geom-san possessed.
‘If I can lay my hands on the secrets of his medicine and Man Tian Hua Yu, I too will be able to rise to the realm of a divine physician.’
Man Tian Hua Yu was a secret heritage passed down only to the direct lineage of Saengsagok.
Man Tian Hua Yu was a supreme technique that Nam Se-myeong couldn’t even dare to covet.
Whether what Woo Geom-san had mastered was the real Man Tian Hua Yu or a similar supreme technique didn’t matter.
What truly mattered was that if he learned Woo Geom-san’s martial arts, his own skills would increase exponentially.
Therefore, the moment he saw Woo Geom-san unfolding acupuncture that reminiscent of Man Tian Hua Yu, he ran straight to Bo Hyeon-seung, the leader of the Hongjo Bang.
He intended to use Bo Hyeon-seung to capture Woo Geom-san and extort the secret heritage.
Ha Baek-jin shouted.
“Doctor Nam is throwing an absurd tantrum right now. Surely you don’t believe his words?”
“Well, that is quite awkward for me as well.”
Bo Hyeon-seung wore an awkward expression.
Because for him, it was difficult to simply ignore Nam Se-myeong’s request.
As long as Nam Se-myeong brought up Saengsagok, he couldn’t help but think about their relationship.
It wasn’t that he feared Saengsagok’s martial might, but rather the fact that they wouldn’t be able to receive their help in times of crisis was terrifying.
Not just Bo Hyeon-seung, but every sect in the Jianghu would think so.
Bo Hyeon-seung looked at Woo Geom-san.
“Did you truly steal and learn Saengsagok’s secret heritage?”
“I do not even know where Saengsagok is located.”
“I heard that you have mastered Man Tian Hua Yu?”
“It is an acupuncture technique called Sheng Si Yi Xian Jie. It has nothing to do with Man Tian Hua Yu.”
“Could you perhaps prove it?”
At Bo Hyeon-seung’s words, Woo Geom-san furrowed his brows.
“Why must I prove it?”
“Well, since it is a request from Saengsagok…”
“If I ask you to show me the secret heritage of the Hongjo Bang, would you show it to me, Leader? Saying that since it has similarities with my family martial arts, I must verify it.”
“Well, that…”
“It’s an absurd story, isn’t it? What you said to me, Leader, is just like that.”
“Hmm!”
At Woo Geom-san’s logical words, Bo Hyeon-seung wore an even more awkward expression.
Watching that sight, Nam Se-myeong spoke in a voice filled with spite.
“If you do not grant my request, I will inform our valley. If so, anyone associated with the Hongjo Bang will absolutely never receive the help of Saengsagok. Are you fine with that?”
“Good grief!”
“Make your choice. Will you subdue that treacherous fellow and maintain a good relationship with Saengsagok, or will you sever ties entirely?”
Nam Se-myeong abominably demanded a choice between the two from Bo Hyeon-seung.
Watching that sight, Woo Geom-san let out a slight sigh.
Even considering the relationship with the Hongjo Bang, he thought he shouldn’t stand by as an idle bystander like this.
Woo Geom-san said as he stepped toward Nam Se-myeong.
“You have no qualification to be a doctor.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Are you not dragging the name of Saengsagok through the mud? If you had sought teachings instead, I would have gladly informed you. If a doctor of Saengsagok could learn my medicine and save more people, that too would be a joyful thing. But seeing your atrocious behavior, if you learn my secret heritage, far from saving people, you seem likely to commit more outrages and blackmail. To someone like you, my medicine and secret heritage can absolutely never be handed over.”
When he first obtained the Bojebang, he had even thought about handing it over to someone with talent in medicine.
Because he thought that a doctor who truly knew benevolence and righteousness learning it would be more helpful to the world than himself, who walked the path of a martial artist.
Even if he learned it, he could only save those around him, but if it were a doctor who knew benevolence and righteousness, they could save thousands, tens of thousands of people.
But seeing Nam Se-myeong, he realized.
Just how naive that thought had been.
Not all doctors knew benevolence and righteousness, and if it fell into the hands of a rotten person like Nam Se-myeong, it would rather become a great scourge to the world.
As Woo Geom-san approached, Nam Se-myeong shouted with a frightened face.
“If you harm me, Saengsagok will absolutely not sit idly by.”
“I hope that Saengsagok is a proper sect.”
“What?”
“I hope it is a sect that doesn’t blindly use force just by listening to the words of a single doctor named Nam Se-myeong, but rather one that grasps the context of the situation and moves cautiously. I want it to be a sect that carefully examines and thinks about its interior just as they look after patients.”
“What kind of bullshit…”
“So I intend to find out clearly through you. What kind of sect Saengsagok is…”
Woo Geom-san’s voice contained a deep resonance and wish.
Saengsagok was a martial gate with martial might counting among the best in the Jianghu, but it was also a medical gang that possessed the most doctors.
Just like its name, it was the only sect in the Jianghu that could manipulate life and death at will.
It wasn’t for nothing that everyone in the Jianghu feared Saengsagok.
Woo Geom-san was curious whether the fear felt by martial artists was truly intended by Saengsagok, or if people had simply become frightened beforehand and grown the fear on their own without realizing it.
He hoped that the arrogant behavior of the doctor named Nam Se-myeong was merely an isolated deviance of an individual.
Woo Geom-san spoke to Bo Hyeon-seung.
“From now on, I will take full responsibility for whatever happens. Great Hero Bo, please do not be too angry…”
“What?”
The moment Bo Hyeon-seung wore a puzzled expression, Woo Geom-san disappeared from sight.
Unfolding the Flowing Void Steps, he had moved in front of Nam Se-myeong.
Nam Se-myeong opened his eyes wide upon seeing Woo Geom-san suddenly appear before him.
Into such a body of Nam Se-myeong, Woo Geom-san embedded silver needles like a flash of lightning.
Puff-puff-puff-puff!
While forty-nine silver needles were being embedded, Nam Se-myeong couldn’t put up any resistance.
The silver needles were all driven deep into Nam Se-myeong’s flesh, leaving not even a trace.
Since no pain was felt at all, Nam Se-myeong wore a puzzled expression.
Woo Geom-san looked at such a Nam Se-myeong and said.
“It is an acupuncture technique called Chilseongjehonchim. The forty-nine needles I embedded in you will slowly dig toward your heart over forty-nine days. Saengsagok has two choices. The first is to save you, Doctor Nam, with Saengsagok’s own secret heritage; the second is to ask me to save you. If the first method fails, you will die while vomiting blood amidst terrifying pain. The second method leaves no aftereffects and has no pain. Instead, Saengsagok must apologize to Great Hero Ha Baek-jin and his daughter.”
“T-That…”
Nam Se-myeong’s complexion turned deathly pale.
Woo Geom-san gave a choice to Saengsagok.
Depending on Saengsagok’s choice, Woo Geom-san’s way of treating them would also change.
“Eek! I must go to Saengsagok quickly!”
Nam Se-myeong let out a shriek and ran outside the Annex. Not a shred of dignity could be found in such a sight of Nam Se-myeong.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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