The Great Heavenly Sword Emperor - Chapter 22

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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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#022. The Seeping Poison (2)

Yu Baek-hyeon, his words sharp as a blade, fixed Cheon Mu-gyeol with an unwavering stare.
As the heir to Uirim, Yu Baek-hyeon was sincere in his medical craft, a physician for whom his patient’s life and recovery took absolute precedence.
Yet here was Cheon Mu-gyeol, untrained in medicine, proposing such a perilous method—it was a disregard for the sacred spirit of healing itself.
His fury was justified.
“Haah……”
Yu Baek-hyeon, who had lost his composure to rage for a moment, drew a deep breath and forced his anger to subside.
His heartbeat still thundered fast and hard, but he fought to rein in his emotions.
“That isn’t treatment. That’s destruction.”
His voice steadier now, Yu Baek-hyeon spoke again.
“The human body exists in a ceaseless cycle of destruction and recovery. Greater wounds can trigger greater regenerative power.”
“Your logic isn’t wrong. But there are boundaries, and the method you propose crosses them—far beyond them. It drastically reduces both the likelihood of cure and the chance of survival.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol nodded at Yu Baek-hyeon’s words.
“I agree.”
“Then how can you make such a proposal knowing that? As one who practices medicine, I cannot consent to it.”
Yu Baek-hyeon’s refusal was absolute.
“Buk-gung Dan-ya’s true problem isn’t the residue of clinging poison—it’s the damage to his Qi and Blood and Meridians caused by it. We won’t know the full extent until the poison is removed.”
At Cheon Mu-gyeol’s words, Yu Baek-hyeon’s eyes flickered for the first time.
“The damage won’t be minor. Every time he deploys his Martial Arts, his breathing fractures and his Inner Power twists, preventing him from unleashing true force.”
“Are you truly unskilled in medicine?”
“I know nothing of medicine. But from a martial artist’s perspective, Qi and Blood and Meridians are well within my understanding.”
Yu Baek-hyeon studied him silently, as if inviting him to continue.
“Unblocking congested Qi and widening the pathways—that’s possible. But twisted Meridians are far more difficult to restore. Even if we drive out all residual toxin, Buk-gung Dan-ya would never reach higher realms.”
“That isn’t the priority, is it? A person’s life, health, and recovery must come first. Only then can we think of what comes next.”
Though Yu Baek-hyeon’s tone had softened somewhat, the two remained at an impasse.
“Twisted Meridians must be realigned. Like resetting a dislocated or fractured bone.”
“That’s precisely the problem! Do you understand how dangerous that is? Do you truly believe such a thing is even possible?”
Yu Baek-hyeon reiterated the danger and impossibility of the method Cheon Mu-gyeol had proposed.
“It’s possible. As the heir to Uirim, you must possess considerable medical skill. Combined with my Inner Power, we can lower the risk and raise the chance of success.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol spoke with absolute certainty.
Yu Baek-hyeon clenched his teeth.
He knew well enough that this man was ignorant of medicine but possessed substantial mastery over Qi and Blood and Meridians.
But understanding that and actually proceeding with a dangerous treatment were two different matters entirely.
“What makes you so confident?”
Yu Baek-hyeon, sensing there was surely a reason behind such certainty, posed the question.
“Give me your wrist.”
He asked for a wrist instead of explaining his reasoning.
Yu Baek-hyeon, his eyes full of doubt, slowly raised his hand and extended his wrist.
Cheon Mu-gyeol grasped the wrist and slowly channeled his Inner Power through it.
Immediately, Yu Baek-hyeon’s eyes widened.
‘This man’s control of Inner Power is extraordinarily refined.’
Like a physician tending a patient’s wound—meticulous, cautious, yet unflinching—he manipulated True Qi with remarkable delicacy.
Cheon Mu-gyeol withdrew his True Qi.
Yu Baek-hyeon gazed at him, his eyes visibly shaken.
“Now that you understand the technique, examine my body in turn.”
With that, Cheon Mu-gyeol extended his own wrist.
Yu Baek-hyeon grasped it and, as Cheon Mu-gyeol had done, slowly channeled his True Qi inward.
‘His Qi and Blood and Meridians are extraordinarily smooth. Nearly perfect, even.’
The sensation was so seamless, so flawless it almost felt unnatural.
Yet there was clearly something that departed from perfection.
Rather than inborn, it bore the unmistakable trace of deliberate work—so Yu Baek-hyeon focused intently on that particular region within Cheon Mu-gyeol’s body.
‘This is…?’
Upon closer examination, Yu Baek-hyeon looked up at Cheon Mu-gyeol in apparent astonishment.
He then withdrew his True Qi and opened his mouth.
“You’ve already done this before. You’ve healed yourself, haven’t you?”
At Yu Baek-hyeon’s words, Gwang-an and Buk-gung Dan-ya turned to look at Cheon Mu-gyeol with expressions of shock.
He had called it an extremely dangerous method.
Yet Cheon Mu-gyeol had applied this very dangerous method to his own body and healed himself through it?
Neither of them could dare imagine what must have transpired beneath the Cheonjeon Dojo during those twenty years, or how many treacherous trials he must have endured.
“I am not the same as Buk-gung Dan-ya. I barely managed to survive it, but he could not. That is precisely why I cannot attempt this method alone—I need you.”
Only then did Yu Baek-hyeon understand why Cheon Mu-gyeol had proposed this method, and why he had been so certain of its success.
Yet one success offered no guarantee of another.
The danger remained unchanged, as did the grim likelihood of failure.
Yu Baek-hyeon wrestled with the decision.
To accept Cheon Mu-gyeol’s proposal, or to hold firm to his position.
“I need time to think.”
“I understand.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol granted the time without hesitation.
“I’ll step outside for a moment.”
With that, Yu Baek-hyeon left the hall.
The temple fell silent once more.
Gwang-an and Buk-gung Dan-ya, still unable to hide their astonishment, could only stare at Cheon Mu-gyeol.
‘An extraordinary man. No—truly remarkable.’
They had assumed his formidable martial arts prowess stemmed simply from being descended from the founder of the Cheonjeon Dojo and having inherited his techniques.
But just now, they had caught a glimpse of the truth—that he had arrived at this moment only by navigating countless perilous crises over twenty years.
Now they understood why Cheon Mu-gyeol had made such absolute declarations on several occasions.
Because he had lived through it himself.
The certainty he could offer came from direct experience—knowing through his own trial that it was possible, that it could be done.

* * *

After a considerable time had passed, Yu Baek-hyeon returned.
Though marks of deliberation were evident on his face, he seemed to have reached a conclusion.
“Very well. Let us attempt it.”
“Understood.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol answered briefly.
“However, there are conditions.”
“Please state them.”
“First. Your method will only proceed after we have completely purged all residual toxin from Buk-gung Dan-ya. No matter how long it takes, this must be accomplished first. Without it, I cannot proceed.”
“Understood.”
“Second. I will oversee the detoxification, the suppression of any lingering residual toxin, the protection of the meridians, and the timing of the procedure. In exchange, you will handle the direct reconstruction. In this process, everything must follow my judgment. If it does not, I will not proceed.”
“I understand as well. I am fully aware that medicine now takes precedence over martial arts.”
Once again, Cheon Mu-gyeol agreed with Yu Baek-hyeon’s terms.
“Sigh…….”
Having said all that needed saying, Yu Baek-hyeon drew a deep breath.
Then, looking at Cheon Mu-gyeol, he spoke one brief phrase.
“Let us do this. And we will surely succeed.”
At Yu Baek-hyeon’s words, Cheon Mu-gyeol nodded.

* * *

Once the decision was made, everything moved swiftly forward.
Yu Baek-hyeon gathered every apothecary in the vicinity and obtained all the medicinal materials they needed.
For materials difficult to source locally, he contacted Uirim directly for procurement.
Yu Baek-hyeon chose to lodge in the Yosa Quarters, where Buk-gung Dan-ya was staying.
This way he could quickly examine the patient’s condition whenever necessary and administer whatever measures were required.
Within days, the fragrant incense that had filled Bohyeon Temple was replaced by the rich aroma of medicinal decoctions simmering without cease.

Yu Baek-hyeon tended to the medicinal decoctions with meticulous care.
He controlled the intensity of the flame, timed every moment, and ensured every detail was thorough and perfect.
“The scent of the medicine is quite strong.”
Gwang-an brought food and spoke to him, watching as he labored over the decoctions without pausing even to eat properly.
“Accurate diagnosis and prescription form the beginning of treatment, and the proper preparation of medicine suited to them is the first step toward complete recovery.”
Yu Baek-hyeon answered without lifting his gaze from the simmering decoction.
“Will this medicinal decoction be sufficient to completely detoxify all the residual toxin in Buk-gung Dan-ya?”
“The Qing-tuo Detoxification Decoction alone cannot expel it all. Acupuncture must be administered in conjunction.”
“It seems we still have a long road ahead.”
“In the case of Buk-gung Dan-ya, so much time has passed that the residue of poison clinging to his meridians may not come loose easily. That’s why we’ll need to allow for a longer treatment period.”
Yu Baek-hyeon removed the medicinal pot from the fire as he spoke.
“Once this stage is complete, you should have a meal first. Don’t you agree that one needs vitality for both examination and treatment?”
At Gwang-an’s words, Yu Baek-hyeon noticed the food and smiled.
“Thank you.”
Gwang-an pulled back the cloth that covered the dishes and offered a polite greeting.
“Ah, but—”
Yu Baek-hyeon, about to eat, paused his chopsticks and looked toward Gwang-an.
“Who is Cheon Mu-gyeol? What manner of person is he?”
Yu Baek-hyeon’s question arose from genuine curiosity.
Gwang-an smiled in response.
“Cheon Mu-gyeol is someone so remarkable and extraordinary that he strains belief. I suspect you’ll come to feel it yourself before long.”
In Gwang-an’s words, one could hear his deep trust in Cheon Mu-gyeol.
The procedure he was about to perform on Buk-gung Dan-ya was exceedingly perilous, and without faith in Cheon Mu-gyeol, anxiety would indeed be warranted.
But watching both Gwang-an before him and Buk-gung Dan-ya himself display considerable trust in Cheon Mu-gyeol, Yu Baek-hyeon found his own confidence growing steadily stronger.
Though it was a pity that his true identity remained undisclosed.
“Then please eat, and leave the empty dishes where they are. We’ll clear them away ourselves.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
At Yu Baek-hyeon’s gratitude, Gwang-an placed his palms together with a gentle smile and turned to depart.

* * *

“That physician Yu shows remarkable passion. As a healer, his sense of pride runs deep, and his resolve to treat and save lives is quite strong.”
“Is that so?”
In the main hall, Gwang-an sat across from Cheon Mu-gyeol and offered his impressions of Yu Baek-hyeon.
“He asked me about you. What sort of person you were.”
“Did he.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol answered curtly, as though uninterested.
“So I simply told him you were remarkably extraordinary—a difficult person to believe in. But it’s my sense that he was testing to see how much he could trust you.”
“I lack such experience, so I wouldn’t know.”
Cheon Mu-gyeol opened his thoughts.
“But I’ve heard it said that in fighting alongside a comrade, one must have mutual trust to entrust them with your back and focus entirely on the enemy before you.”
“It’s no wonder you lack such experience. Yes, that’s correct. People often speak of it that way.”
“Treating Buk-gung Dan-ya’s poisoning is likewise a battle against a toxin wielded by some unknown adversary. It should be the same—one must trust in order to focus entirely on the fight ahead.”
Gwang-an smiled at Cheon Mu-gyeol’s words.
“Then, do you trust physician Yu?”
At Gwang-an’s question, Cheon Mu-gyeol looked at him and answered.
“I do.”
In that single, brief word lay Cheon Mu-gyeol’s unshakeable conviction.

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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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