The Time-Limited Elixir of the Ruined Clan - Chapter 202

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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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A Falling Noble House with Limited Lifespan — Episode 202

“As for playing musical instruments, they said they couldn’t pin down the exact reason, but the suspicion was that perhaps she was communicating with nature through sound. And finally, in the case of gambling and competitions…….”
As Seon Un Sin Ui continued speaking, he seemed to realize it was starting to sound like word games, and his expression grew embarrassed as he pressed on.
“She was exceptionally skilled at board games and Go alike, and in gambling, there were dice games, cricket fighting,”
(cricket fighting)
“, tile games…… whatever it was, she apparently won at all of them. Even with her eyes closed, picking at random, she always won, they said.”
Ryeon’s lips parted in astonishment.
One of the advantages of being born with Spirit Energy was guaranteed victory in gambling…….
“Of course, all such tales could simply be used when describing any exceptionally talented person,”

so truthfully, I didn’t pay much mind to them either. But your vital essence is unusually pure and crystalline.”
“Ah.”
“Most physicians wouldn’t be able to recognize it through Pulse Diagnosis. It’s shameful to admit, but my medical skill is far from lacking, so I was able to discern it. However, once I heard the stories from people…….”
Ryeon covered her face with her hands and groaned. It was painfully obvious that her family members had been lavishing praise on her without any sense of embarrassment.
Seon Un Sin Ui laughed and spoke.
“The family elders say our child plays Go so skillfully that she’s never lost to anyone, and with the flute—she’d only been learning it for a short time—yet whenever she plays quietly, birds gather round to listen. And her Martial Talent,”

is so extraordinary…….”
Ryeon’s face turned bright crimson. She hurried to change the subject.
“Is there perhaps a way to stabilize my constitution more reliably?”
Spirit Energy was certainly a tremendous force and helpful to her, but without proper management it was also a force that could harm her.
Her status still bore the label: “A sickly flower sheltered in a greenhouse.”
But Seon Un Sin Ui shook his head with a sorrowful expression.
“It was written that it would likely be manageable if she could release small amounts frequently……. But it said most cases couldn’t be controlled.”
“Ah, ah—was there such a book……?”
“Regrettably, it was stolen from me.”
“Ah…….”
“Now that I mention it, I sound like I’m making excuses because I don’t want to lend it. But I’m telling the truth—it really was stolen.”
Seon Un Sin Ui flailed his arms about, flustered and apologetic. When Ryeon burst into laughter, he let out a relieved sigh and wiped away his sweat.
“I’m not suffering severely. I’ve found that wearing a lot of Gemstones and Ornaments makes things considerably easier.”
“Ah! So that’s how it is—how it is! Indeed, quality natural stones can store some of that force. Well, that’s fortunate. Very fortunate indeed.”
Seon Un Sin Ui clapped his hands with delight, but then his expression suddenly grew heavy with concern.
“Is there anyone who knows about your constitution?”
“Ah…… my grandmother and grandfather.”
“I too will keep this secret, so you must keep it as well. Do you understand? You must tell no one. Not even if you grow older and find someone dear to your heart.”
“Ah…….”
“You must neither speak of it nor let it be discovered.”
……
“Don’t tell your cousins, your aunts and uncles, your dearest friends, or even the birds and animals you might raise.”
“……I…… understand.”
“I didn’t wish to speak of such things…….”
Seon Un Sin Ui’s eyes flickered with worry and tenderness.
“Your secret is not only yours to bear, but…….”
“Could endanger my family and friends as well?”
“Treasures draw blood, as the saying goes.”
“Would it be better if I became cruel?”
“Clinging to the impossible always injures the heart.”
“Though it may not be quite so impossible…….”
“A child who speaks of living their entire life wading through blood for the sake of family and friends—I cannot believe that child would truly be safe doing such a thing.”
Ryeon’s lips trembled slightly, and she laughed awkwardly, her shoulders sagging.
“Such resolve is unnecessary. I know your grandparents are prudent people, so it would suffice if you simply don’t speak of this to others in any particular way, and refrain from indulging in gambling—wouldn’t it?”
Once she stepped into a gambling hall, she’d hollow out that gambling hall itself before leaving; everyone would find her most peculiar indeed.
“I understand! Gambling is forbidden.”
“Yes, yes.”
Seon Un Sin Ui checked Ryeon’s pulse once more before speaking.
“Tell me—is the wound in your heart born of something else entirely?”
“……I’m sorry?”
“Your long confinement to bed speaks less of the body than of the spirit. You’ve exhausted your spiritual strength considerably. Given your constitution, your inner turmoil manifests directly in your physical state.”
“……Can you really discern all that from a pulse diagnosis?”
“I may wander about pilfering texts, yet the world calls me a physician for good reason.”
Seon Un Sin Ui said this, then met Ryeon’s eyes and spoke gently.
“It’s all right to be wounded. It’s all right to suffer. But don’t burden yourself with worry for those who worry about you.”
“……Yes.”
Ryeon hesitated a moment before nodding slowly. Seon Un Sin Ui reached out and patted her shoulder with unhurried care.

* * *

The moment she rose and her health returned, Ryeon threw herself into motion.
First, she began visiting the Medical Quarters daily alongside Seon Un Sin Ui, where the wounded had gathered, learning the fundamentals of medicine from the physician. With her strength, even mastering basic treatment would prove invaluable. Her ankle hadn’t fully healed, so Dan Mok Seong stayed close at her side, lending support.
Each evening, the Cheon Rang Dae warriors who had felt their inadequacies keenly during the recent crisis would gather before her Quarters, each bearing precious items they’d scavenged, hovering about hopefully.
The sight was peculiar enough that the Moyong Family soldiers whispered in amazement—until they spotted Moyong Seol Ho at the head of the crowd, which startled them greatly.
And when night fell, Ryeon would sit in the Pavilion arranged in the back Courtyard of her Quarters, gazing absently at the moon.
Why had Hwa Ryun left?
Though she tried not to dwell on it, whenever a moment opened, her mind would circle back to that reason again and again.
Logically, she understood. If Hwa Ryun, like herself, had been sent back through time……
Everything he had already possessed.
A path he had walked before—one he could traverse even faster this time. All the glittering things of the world waiting for him.
How could one ask him to turn away from that, to abandon a path he knew well and thrust him toward the unknown?
And having remained there for so long, it was surely like family to him. So it was only natural that he should depart when the moment came.
‘But then why did he come in the first place? Dumplings? What kind of nonsense about dumplings?’
He was likely referring to those dumplings she’d scattered on his birthdays, but understanding that didn’t ease what she felt.
‘That wretch. Every time he made a promise, he was already carving out an escape route. That wretched, terrible……’
She was about to kick at a pebble when her ankle throbbed and ached. She stopped.
The ankle was healing, but if the wound worsened, Seon Un Sin Ui would sense it like a ghost and she’d have to be careful. If word of it reached her family’s ears, she might be confined to her room until it was fully mended.
Then her thoughts turned to Baek Ryeon, and Ryeon released a deep sigh.
After regaining consciousness, Ryeon had tried desperately to find Baek Ryeon. The thought of the small cat wandering lost in a forest stained with Blood Demon blood felt like her heart was being torn in two.
But just this past dawn, as Ryeon—hobbled and unable to venture into the mountains—had been restless with worry, Baek Ryeon appeared atop the Back Courtyard’s stone wall.
There wasn’t a trace of wildfire damage on her. Her white fur gleamed pristine, almost luminous.
—Baek Ryeon! You’re safe.
—Purrrr!
Baek Ryeon leapt into Ryeon’s arms, though her expression seemed anxious for some reason. She bounded back up onto the wall and paced side to side, her gaze fixed on Ryeon.
Ryeon recognized that look.
Baek Ryeon was worried about Hwa Ryun too.
—……Could you follow her?
To Ryeon’s question, Baek Ryeon nodded firmly, then let out another small mew.
She seemed anxious that if she followed, Ryeon would be left behind and lonely.
—I’ll be fine. But Baek Ryeon, if you go that way…… you’ll grow up a bit late.
—Purrrr!
The cat cried out boldly, saying she could wait for that, so Ryeon untied one of her Hair Ribbons and wound it around Baek Ryeon’s neck.
—I have other friends and family, so don’t worry too much about me. If Hwa Ryun gives you any trouble, you come back, all right? Do you understand?
—Purrrr!
Baek Ryeon nodded, then began licking Ryeon’s cheek repeatedly before setting off on her journey.
The small cat looked back over her shoulder at Ryeon many times before she finally left. That pristine white form stayed with Ryeon still. She even questioned whether it had been right to send her on such a long road.
“Miss! Miss!”
“Ak Hwa?”
Just then, Ak Hwa, the unit commander of Cheon Rang Dae, approached with a bright face. He was somewhat thinner than when they’d first departed from Beijing Ice Palace, yet his expression was full of vitality.
A few of his soldiers came along behind him.
“Uh, what is that…… what is it?”
“Ah! It’s a Sedan Chair, miss! Since your ankle still isn’t fully healed, our soldiers thought they could carry you when you need to go anywhere…….”
“…….”
“Should we put it away……?”
“I’ll take your kindness. Really, thank you so much.”

“If a sedan for one feels burdensome, we can carry her in a two-person sedan!”
“What will people say!”
“Who would dare say anything?”
If word spread that she—not even a member of the Beijing Ice Palace, merely a distant relative—was being carried about in a sedan by Cheon Rang Dae warriors?
‘Draped in ornaments from head to foot, using Cheon Rang Dae swordsmen as sedan bearers…….’
“I’ll carry my granddaughter myself, as I see fit. Cheon Rang Dae has no role to play in this.”
Ryeon turned to glance at him, her expression growing even more distant. Dan Mok Cheon Gi stood with a stern face, looking down at the Cheon Rang Dae warriors.
“No, if it comes to carrying her, we’re quite capable. Wouldn’t it be better for the young lady’s comfort if someone younger bore her? And wouldn’t that be more suitable for her……sensibilities?”
Despite the man before them being Ryeon’s grandfather, the warriors showed no sign of yielding meekly in this contest.

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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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