The Genius Doctor of the Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 42

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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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Hwasan Sect’s Genius Physician — Episode 42

Baek Hyun began by sorting the patients into categories.
Starting with those whose wounds were relatively minor, all the way up to those in critical condition.
While none were in immediate mortal danger, there were certainly those bearing grave injuries.
Several of them, in particular, had sustained wounds that would require lengthy recuperation.
“I’ll set aside the light contusions for now.”
Unless bones were shattered, such injuries could wait an hour or two before treatment.
Baek Hyun examined first those who had been deeply cut by blades.
For those whose wounds had already begun to fester, he reduced the pain with Numbing Powder and acupuncture, then reopened the sutured area to clear away pus and necrotic flesh.
Afterward, he cleansed each wound with boiled salt water cooled to the touch, and sutured them anew.
“Ugh—!”
The room soon reeked of corruption. Baek Hyun worked through the suffering martial artists methodically, one after another.
There were roughly five of them.
“These individuals must maintain absolute rest. Until the wounds heal and new flesh forms, you’ll need to apply medicine consistently and change the dressings regularly.”
“Yes, understood.”
Lee Tae-gyeom, the leader of Sojung-mun, quickly noted down Baek Hyun’s words and nodded. Baek Hyun then placed needles to hasten recovery in the remaining contusion patients.
A short while passed.
“The treatment itself is complete. Fortunately, as I mentioned, there’s no one here whose life is in danger.”
“They all avoided the vital points, then?”
“Precisely. Whoever they were, they must have been formidable enough to have that kind of control. Tell me, what would you say is the general level of skill among your people here?”
“Second-Rate Masters, mostly. Among our disciples, we do have some First-Rate talent, but none at a fully refined level.”
“Then your attackers were at least Peak Masters. To have had that much restraint…”
“Or perhaps they simply feared that killing would complicate matters, so they stopped short of that.”
“That does seem the most likely explanation.”
Cheong-in fell silent for a moment, then turned to Lee Tae-gyeom with a question.
“I’d like to know more details about what happened. And I’m curious as to the current state of Sojung-ryu itself.”
“Ah, I was meaning to tell you anyway. Sojung-ryu is currently unable to operate. With an incident of this sort, customers have naturally ceased coming. For now, only Roo Joo remains, anxious and guarding the place.”
“And those who carried out the attack?”
“A gang called Hyuk Ung Bang. They’re a rather sizable evil sect around here, backed by a massive force called the Black Dragon Association. It seems they obtained a master through that channel to support their assault.”
“What demand did they make?”
“If you wish to avoid another incident like this, sell Sojung-ryu within seven days. Tomorrow marks the seventh day.”
The timing seemed almost orchestrated. Cheong-in nodded slowly.
“I understand. Then let us meet with them at the appointed place.”
“You… truly mean that?”
“Yes.”
Cheong-in spoke with utter gravity.
“By the name of Hwasan, I swear to defend Sojung-mun.”

***

The following day.
The delegation from Hwasan and the remaining martial artists of Sojung-mun all made their way to the appointed place—Sojung-ryu.
“There’s quite a crowd gathering.”
“Well, this is the sort of affair that makes for good gossip.”
As they walked through the streets, Baek Hyun felt the weight of countless gazes.
No doubt word had spread far and wide about what had transpired.
Perhaps even deliberately spread by the opposition.
‘If rumors circulate, Sojung-mun can hardly resist. They’d be forced to act.’
It was entirely possible—likely, even—that Hyuk Ung Bang had intentionally spread word to pressure Sojung-mun into capitulation or action.
“We’re here.”
Sojung-ryu, when they arrived, turned out to be a three-story establishment.
For something described as modest, it was remarkably well-appointed.
If an inn of this scale was profitable enough to attract Hyuk Ung Bang’s interest, the revenue must be substantial indeed.
“They’ll arrive soon enough, given that this is where we agreed to meet.”
Lee Tae-gyeom settled his party on the ground floor to wait.
How much time had passed before it happened?
“Hahaha! Well, leader—I hope you’ve made a wise decision.”
The inn’s doors swung open, and a group of people entered, led by a man with a frivolous air about him.
There were around a dozen of them.
Among them was a figure whose face was hidden behind a mask. Baek Hyun was certain that this was the master the other side had prepared.
‘He has a completely different presence.’
But then again…
‘There’s something familiar about him.’
For reasons he couldn’t quite name, that feeling persisted. After a moment’s consideration, Baek Hyun sent a thought-transmission to Cheong-in.
—Cheong-in.
—Yes?
—I believe that masked man is the master they’ve brought.
—I agree. He possesses considerable skill.
Coming from Cheong-in, a Supreme Master, such an assessment meant this figure was undoubtedly formidable.
‘He might well be a Supreme Master himself.’
Vigilance would be wise.
As that thought crossed his mind, the Black Bear Gang Leader burst into laughter.
“I wondered what you’d do while we waited, and here you are—calling Hwasan for reinforcements. But what good is it? You’ve sent only four people, and two of them are practically children.”
“…….”
“Master of the Sojung-mun, I’m telling you this for your own good: abandon those foolish notions and simply sell Sojung-ryu to us. Then you can see to your retirement. That would be the most peaceful course.”
“Silence! How could we possibly sell Sojung-ryu to a brigand like you, when we’ve bled for every stone of it?!”
“Hm? Do you truly believe you can defend it against us? If memory serves, your disciples were beaten and scattered from here just days ago.”
“Are you threatening us? Even if you seize Sojung-ryu by force, do you think the patrons will care?”
They’ll care less than you’d think. Honestly, whether the proprietor changes or not—people don’t concern themselves with such matters. They’ll come, drink, and make merry gossip of it. Huhuhu.”
“You…….”
“Now then, decide. Will you sell, or not? At this price, you can still receive fair value.”
The Black Bear Gang Leader pressed his sale demands without shame.
Anger flared across Lee Tae-gyeom’s face.
But in that moment—
“Are you threatening these people?”
Cheong-in stepped forward from where he’d been listening.
“This man is a Lay Disciple of the Hwasan Sect. If you persist in such threats, Hwasan cannot remain idle—we shall have to intervene.”
“Ho? You mean to stop us?”
The Black Bear Gang Leader’s mouth twisted cruelly.
“Not an elder, but a young-looking fellow? Are you the Plum Blossom Sword Master? Do you have a reputation to your name?”
“I do not.”
“Ha. So four of you come here to stop us? If you meant to bar our way, shouldn’t you have brought that master of yours—the one who leads the Plum Blossom Sword Masters?”
“Cheong-woo is too occupied for such trivial matters. Besides, the likes of you are well within our capacity to handle.”
“Oh? And how exactly?”
“Like this.”
Shing!
A sharp, dense fragrance of plum blossoms seemed to explode into being.
Simultaneously, Qi Manifestation erupted from the blade Cheong-in drew.
“Qi—Qi Manifestation?!”
For the first time, the Black Bear Gang Leader’s expression hardened.
Qi Manifestation.
That was a power only a Supreme Master could wield.
“How could a Plum Blossom Sword Master with no reputation possibly—!”
“Does the desire to talk return to you now?”
Cheong-in spoke in a cold voice. But it was not the Black Bear Gang Leader who answered.
“A young Supreme Master from Hwasan, how amusing.”
The Masked Master, who had been observing from the sidelines, drew his sword and stepped forward. Fixing his gaze on Cheong-in, he spoke with arrogant assurance.
“Draw your blade. Let us see what you’re truly made of.”
“……!”
What followed was a thrust swift as lightning.
Clang!
Cheong-in barely parried and immediately launched a counterattack.
The Twenty-Four Techniques Plum Blossom Sword Method unfolded, targeting the vital points of his opponent. To all appearances, both the speed and power were flawless, a perfect assault. Yet the Masked Master scoffed and blocked it effortlessly.
“Decent enough, but your experience is still wanting.”
“Tch!”
“Not long since you reached Supreme Master rank, then? Ha!”
He twisted Cheong-in’s blade aside and laughed. Cheong-in cried out, his voice sharp with fury.
“Why does one of your caliber serve scoundrels like these?!”
“Why else? Money, obviously. They’re paying me, so I took the job. I’m the type who delivers what they pay for.”
“Damn it!”
Cheong-in spat out a curse and unleashed the opening moves of Falling Flower Crimson Brilliance. It seemed as though hundreds of plum blossoms were falling in unison, a dazzling phantasm taking shape—but.
“Rather entertaining.”
The Masked Master remained unflustered and deployed a powerful downward slash.
Crash!
The scattering plum blossom imagery dissolved away like melting snow.
“To reach such a level of infusing intent into the blade at your age—impressive indeed. Yet as I mentioned, your experience falls short.”
“You……!”
“I’ve no intention of harming you. Why not withdraw for now and look to another day? A few more years of training, and you’ll be more than capable of facing me.”
“That’s impossible!”
If he accepted that proposal, the mission would be over.
Roo Joo would fall to the Black Bear Gang, and the honor of both Cheong-in and Hwasan Sect would crumble to dust.
Cheong-in had no intention of shouldering such a burden. He steadied himself to unleash another powerful technique.
“A man unreasonable.”
Then the Masked Master’s aura shifted. Where moments before he had been leisurely, now his entire frame radiated such dense killing intent that it made the air sting—his sword gripped with absolute purpose.
“I suppose a lesson is in order.”
As he raised his blade, the wind itself seemed to coil around it.
Cheong-in felt the instinctive pang of mortal danger and immediately pivoted into a defensive stance. He could sense that a direct collision would shatter him completely.
But just as the Masked Master began driving his sword forward—
“That’s far enough.”
Whoosh!
Two Long Needles streaked toward the Masked Master.
“What’s this now?”
Ting! Ting!
The Masked Master flicked the incoming needles away with a bewildered expression. At that, Cheong-in’s face went pale.
“Baek Hyun! This is not your place!”
“That’s right, brat. Adults are having their fun—don’t be running in where you don’t belong.”
The Masked Master spoke thus while regarding Baek Hyun. But Baek Hyun paid their objections no mind whatsoever.
“Are you truly certain of that? My stepping in might well be a great opportunity for you.”
“Opportunity? What opportunity?”
“You’re working like this to earn medicine money, aren’t you? Am I wrong?”
“……!”
In that instant, the Masked Master’s presence changed.
Even Cheong-in, a Supreme Master of equal caliber, flinched at the killing intent now directed at Baek Hyun. Yet Baek Hyun didn’t so much as blink, his gaze steady upon the Masked Master.
“How did you know?”
The Masked Master’s voice had turned glacial, utterly transformed from before. Baek Hyun smiled faintly and answered.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t.”
“What?”
“You were my master’s patient.”
“……!”
At that sudden revelation, the Masked Master’s eyes wavered.

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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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