The Heavenly Demon of the Blue Sky - Chapter 52

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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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Heavenly Demon 052
Seomun Ho was a man whose appearance lived up to his name—that of a tiger.
Beneath thick brows lay eyes of deep amber, settling inward with an inscrutable gaze.
His nostrils flared broadly at the sides, his lips pressed firm and resolute.
The force of presence he carried was so formidable that the fine hairs on his forearms stood on end.
‘Truly, this is what it means to be the master of a noble house.’
Even cornered, a tiger remains a tiger.
This Seomun Ho treated me with deference, raising the tone of his speech.
He meant to show gratitude—to honor me as the benefactor who had saved his life.
I, by contrast, treated everyone alike, without distinction or formality.
As the Heavenly Demon who once held dominion over all under heaven, such indifference was perhaps natural.
It was then that Hwangbo Gang and Ak Jin, who had ventured over the ridge to scout, returned.
“The Seomun Clan’s stronghold has already been completely consumed by flame—fallen entirely into the Blood Cult’s hands.”
“Moreover, their rabble continues to descend from the north, gathering in greater numbers…….”
The situation was as dire as I had foreseen. I turned to Seomun Ho. “As you’ve heard, remaining here has become difficult. What would you like to do?”

At my question, Seomun Ho looked back at his exhausted family, worn thin from their long flight.
Each bore wounds large and small, their faces etched with despair.
“Is it then an eternal regret to lose the lands our forebears have held……?”
Grinding his teeth, he spoke to me.
“So long as we draw breath, we may yet redraw our future. As the Namgung Clan once lay in ruins, having lost all, only to be restored anew by their Clan Head, so too shall I endure by any means necessary and place my hope in days yet to come.”
His eyes held an unwavering resolve. Very well, then.
“Good. We move to Shandong. I’ll ask Hwangbo and the Ak to provide escort.”
We spent the next several days preparing, crossed out of Shanxi, and arrived safely in Shandong.
We took temporary shelter at the estates of the Hwangbo Clan and the Sandong Ak Clan, situated near Taishan Mountain, and there regained our composure.
The survivors of the Seomun Clan—over a hundred souls—were divided between the medicinal halls of both families, and the foremost physicians of Taishan tended their wounds day and night without rest.
Seomun Ho was no exception. His strength had recovered considerably, yet
his right leg, where the Corpse Demon had struck him, showed no sign of proper healing.
To my eye, trained as it was in the depths of the Medical Art, the gravity of his condition was all too apparent.
“Roll up your pant leg entirely.”
I seated Seomun Ho and examined his shin with meticulous care.
No matter what salve was applied, the wound festered at once, and the fine vessels surrounding it had taken on a deep purplish hue.
‘Jiangshi Poison.’
Yet discerning the exact nature of the toxin proved difficult.
‘In a hundred years, their craft has only grown more refined. Wretched Blood Cult dogs.’
But that was not all. I pressed a probe into the gap between the shin bones and furrowed my brow.
“The poison has already seeped into the bone. If left as is, it will spread throughout your body.”
A pronouncement delivered from the brink of a precipice. At my words, Seomun Ho clutched his head.
“It is my own fault. My mind was consumed by my son’s death and our clan’s war……. I failed to care for myself in time.”
The Seomun Clan’s household, having heard the news and come forth, collapsed to the floor.
“No! Forgive us! You bore this wound protecting us—a wound you need never have suffered!”
“We had only just glimpsed hope, barely alive……. We cannot bear to lose our Clan Head like this…….”
“Please, we beg you, save our Clan Head! I implore you……!”
As the sorrowful sight brought tears to every eye,
I alone remained cold in mind and spirit, calculating the matter in my head.
‘If this man dies now, then my venture into danger and my journey to Shanxi to save him will have been for naught.’
He was a valuable piece to deploy against the Blood Cult.
To let him perish now would only serve the Blood Cult’s interests.
‘Then I will save Seomun Ho.’
My decision made, I looked down at him.
“There is a way to save you. I’ll cut open the flesh and scrape the poison that has fused to the bone directly away. The problem is that even if the surgery succeeds and fortune smiles upon you, you will find it difficult to move with the same agility and speed as before.”
Yet at the very least, his life could be preserved, and the future could still be hoped for.
“Still, you will be spared the horrible death of your blood hardening like a corpse as the poison spreads through your entire body. And the fortunate thing is that there is one here capable of performing such a surgery.”
I lifted the corner of my mouth in a slight smirk and pointed to myself with my thumb.
“That’s me. I will save you. So—will you wager your life?”
“What……?!”
At my composed proposal, every face in the room went pale.
“T-tear open the flesh and scrape the bone to remove the poison……?”
“I-is that not a Medical Art that only those known as Divine Physicians can perform……?!”
The physicians in the employ of Hwangbo and the Ak broke into cold sweat, their voices trembling with distress.
“We who have spent our entire lives honing our Medical Art scarcely dare attempt it.”
“Yet how does the young Clan Head of the Namgung Clan step forward with such confidence?”
Then Yu Hwa, who had been standing quietly in the back, came forward.
“My brother was but a sickly boy with a terminal illness until very recently—barely able to survive each day. Yet through his own mysterious awakening to a sublime Medical Art, he rose from his sickbed.”
Her calm voice, brimming with conviction, hushed the commotion that had filled the room.
“Moreover, even the physicians of our Namgung Clan’s apothecary—those who have devoted their whole lives to the Medical Art—marvel at the Clan Head’s skill each time and receive instruction from him like disciples.”
She looked at me with eyes full of trust.
“Above all, my brother is not one to speak carelessly of another’s life. Would it not be wise to place your faith in him……?”
Yet it was an operation with virtually no precedent.
“H-however, to cut through flesh and scrape bone is surely a grave undertaking…….”
Those gathered around continued to murmur with doubt.
Then Seomun Ho limped forward, hobbling painfully toward me.
“I already owe the Clan Head my life once over.”
His voice trembled greatly, yet his eyes gleamed with the hardness of steel.
“To die here meaninglessly would not only prevent me from achieving vengeance, but would render hollow the footsteps that risked such danger to reach Shanxi for my sake.”
He then clasped his hands respectfully.
“Furthermore, should failure bring down great condemnation and burden, which the Clan Head would willingly shoulder alone to save me—how could I turn away from such vast kindness? Please, do as you see fit!”
His resolute cry fell over the hall like cold water, and silence descended.
In that moment, Namgung Gyeong, standing behind, burst into tears and cried out.
“Ah! That the young Clan Head should hold his comrade’s life in such high regard—that he would gladly face such fearsome Medical Art that others dare not attempt! Surely this is impossible without a virtuous and sincere heart!”
‘Wait, hold on.’
“That is precisely right! When the heart of the healer and the heart of the healed become as one, how can those around them cloud that noble intention with base suspicion!”
“I agree. If we cannot help, should we not at least offer our warmest support!”
Thump-thump! Ak Cheol San and Hwangbo Mu Gwang struck their chests in answer.
Every eye in the room glistened with deep emotion.
I opened my mouth in bewilderment.
“No, I’m simply keeping Seomun Clan Head alive because if he died, it would only benefit those Blood Cult bastards. Besides, I need him working for me, so I’m fixing him. That’s all.”
But my words had already fallen on ears deaf with sentiment.
“Since the Namgung Clan Head will perform this difficult surgery to save the Seomun Clan Head, let us all gather humbly and offer sincere prayers!”
In moments the news spread beyond the room, and rousing cheers erupted from without.
“Sigh.”
In my days at the Ten Thousand Great Mountains in the past, I had used my Medical Art solely for myself.
This was my first time wielding a blade to save another while surrounded by such fervent applause and veneration.
The blind righteousness and cooperation of these Orthodox Sects was truly maddening in its embarrassing earnestness.
“What is all this fuss about!”
My neck flushed with discomfort, and I furrowed my brow deeply.
Trying to hide my embarrassment, I barked at the physicians of Taishan Mountain.
“Prepare the Mafeisan and strong Fire Alcohol for disinfection, clean cloth, and sharp surgical knives sterilized in boiling water. We begin the operation at once.”
The physicians of Taishan Mountain rushed about, each volunteering as my assistant.
Simply witnessing the surgical process would expand their understanding of Medical Art.
It might be an opportunity that came only once in a lifetime.
As the physicians bustled about completing the preparations, the moment had arrived.
Seomun Ho sat in a chair with his injured leg propped on a support, his face covered in cold sweat, yet forced into a hearty laugh.
“Bring me a Go Board!”
At this sudden request, the physicians wore bewildered expressions, and Seomun Ho tilted his chin up with bravado.
“I have heard that long ago the Guansheng Emperor underwent bone-scraping surgery from Hua Tuo while playing Go with composure. I too have lived my life as a Martial Warrior! How could I rely on medicine to escape pain! Set aside the Mafeisan and simply cut the flesh. I shall bear it with eyes open and a warrior’s pride!”
A solemn cry, seeking to preserve a warrior’s honor even at death’s threshold.
In that instant, respect bloomed across the faces of the Orthodox Sect Martial Warriors watching.
“Nonsense.”
I raised the sterilized surgical knife with cold eyes.
“You’ve picked up some tale somewhere and now you’re playing the hero. If you don’t want your eyes rolling back and your tongue bitten, drink the medicine I’m giving you and shut up.”
“C-Clan Head? But a Martial Warrior’s mental fortitude should surely be able to endure the pain…….”
“Is the word ‘Martial Warrior’ some kind of magic incantation for invulnerability? You were born as a person, so when flesh tears and bone grinds, pain is the natural order of things.”
I clicked my tongue at Seomun Ho’s reddening face and spoke bluntly.
“If the patient feels pain, they thrash about, and then the surgery fails. To prevent that, countless physicians have researched and developed various anesthetics over the ages. What era do you think we’re in that you’d desecrate their efforts with petty, misguided pride?”
I was no ordinary Heavenly Demon—I had ruled the summit through ruthless pragmatism.
I despised pointless affectation and empty formality above all else.
Moreover, as one versed in Medical Art, I had my own dignity.
“Ah, ah……. So the Namgung Clan Head cares more genuinely for this disparaged craft of medicine than anyone! As one who practices the same discipline, I am deeply moved……!”
As the physicians serving as my assistants were moved by this exchange, I turned to Seomun Ho.
“Drink a bowl of medicine and sleep comfortably, or thrash about trying to preserve your martial pride and have your blood vessels severed by my blade anyway—then I’ll have to amputate the whole leg. Choose.”
“I—I’ll drink it! Please, give me the Mafeisan right now!”
Cowed by the cutting edge in my voice, Seomun Ho swallowed the Mafeisan without protest, gulping it down in haste.
Before long, the medicine took effect and he sank into deep sleep.
“Let’s begin.”
I sterilized my hands and blade with Fire Alcohol, then immediately began cutting away the rotting flesh from Seomun Ho’s shin.
Crack—as the skin opened, a foul stench poured forth with the corrupted blood.
The physicians from Taishan Mountain who’d volunteered as assistants collected the blood with expressions of disgust.
I had no intention of wasting it—I’d use it later in my study of Jiangshi Poison.
Soon the shin bone, dark with seeping venom, came into view.
‘Not too late yet. The poison has only burrowed into the bone’s surface.’
I set down the larger blade and picked up a thin, sharp Iron Scraper.
I infused my fingertips with subtle inner force, controlling the blade’s vibration with perfect precision.
Scrape, scrape—hiss—scrape, scrape.
The quiet room filled with an eerie, bone-scraping rasp.
“Hah…”
Even the seasoned physicians of Taishan held their breath at the wondrous dexterity of my hands.
Swift, keen, and exquisite—no hesitation in my movements.
I peeled away the black poison clinging to the bone as cleanly and thinly as a plane shaving wood.
“Next, we pour Fire Alcohol to wash away the remaining poison. Prepare the Golden Sore Medicine and clean bandages.”
“Yes—understood!”
The physicians moved in perfect unison, their eyes alight with reverence.
I applied medicine to where the poison had been scraped away and carefully stitched the torn flesh.
“That clears the crisis. Now it’s up to his body to pull through.”
I wrapped the bandages and tied them off, then prepared a medicinal broth to restore his blood.
I remained at his bedside, watching his condition until Seomun Ho regained consciousness.
“Mm…”
Time passed.
Seomun Ho’s heavy eyelids lifted as he emerged from the anesthetic.
I was sitting in a chair, feeding him broth through my lips.
His unfocused gaze, which had been staring into empty space, suddenly fixed on me.
He abruptly seized my wrist with his hand.
“Young… Young-i…?”
Hot tears streamed down his gaunt cheeks.
It seemed he’d mistaken me for his young child, who’d recently passed away.
‘The anesthetic hasn’t worn off yet—he’s dreaming. Tsk.’
I gently withdrew my wrist and patted Seomun Ho’s shoulder with calm steadiness.
“Not Young-i—it’s Hyeok. Are you coming to your senses?”
“Ah…”
At the sound of my voice, Seomun Ho’s consciousness snapped back into focus.
He slowly pushed himself up on the sickbed and examined his condition. Then—
“The fever that tormented my leg day and night—it’s vanished completely!”
“Good. Try bending your knee once.”
At my words, Seomun Ho carefully moved his bandaged knee.
It was the leg that had been rigid as a log, utterly unable to bend from the poison.
Yet now it flexed smoothly, without a shred of the terrible pain.
“This—this cannot be…!”
I nodded with quiet satisfaction watching the scene.
“The surgery went better than expected. Still, be careful—infection could still set in.”
“Yes, yes!”
Seomun Ho clasped both my hands tightly, pouring out his gratitude.
“These slender hands have not only saved my life, but given me hope to move forward. Truly, I cannot thank you enough. Clan Head Namgung, you are my greatest benefactor. How can I ever repay such a debt!”
At Seomun Ho’s cry, the Seomun Clan servants waiting outside burst into cheers.
“Hurrah! Clan Head Namgung has performed a miraculous Medical Art!”
“Everyone, bow in gratitude to Clan Head Namgung! Now!”
The physicians of Taishan Mountain who’d assisted in the surgery also wiped their sweat away, their eyes glistening with emotion as they gazed up at me.
“We have gained invaluable experience because of you. Thank you for your instruction.”
“We too shall strive to become talented individuals like the Clan Head someday!”
‘Ugh, really.’
I tossed the blood-stained cloth into a basin and swept my hair back roughly.
“Enough of that. What’s so remarkable about a physician debriding necrotic tissue from a patient? I simply did what needed to be done.”
It was nothing more than repairing a tool I would need to use.
“It’s too loud. Everyone out.”
At his curt dismissal, Namgung Gyeong—who had been listening in silence—suddenly stirred, pulling out his notebook and brush as if seized by inspiration.
“Ah! How magnificent! Truly, how magnificent!”
“Now what?”
“For a physician to save life is merely the natural order of things, never an exercise of power or prestige. Ah! How humble these words, yet how filled with quiet pride!”
Namgung Gyeong’s brush flew across the page, tears streaming down his face.
“These bone-deep teachings—I shall record them at once in the Namgung Clan Records, that they become the guiding light for all generations to come!”
“Indeed! Such sacred words deserve to be preserved for all posterity!”
“Glory to the Heavenly Divine Physician, to Clan Head Namgung!”
As if kindling a flame, Namgung Gyeong’s cry ignited the hundreds of Orthodox Sect martial warriors gathered in the courtyard, who thrust their weapons skyward and erupted in fervent acclaim.
“Wait—that’s not what I meant at all! Put that damned book down this instant! And what in the nine hells is the Heavenly Divine Physician? Why are you people making up titles for me without permission!”
I pressed my palm to my forehead and shouted in protest.
“The Heavenly Divine Physician! The Heavenly Divine Physician! The Heavenly Divine Physician!”
The cheers of the Orthodox Sect devotees—shaking Taishan Mountain itself—showed no sign of ceasing.

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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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