Myst, Might, Mayhem

Chapter 241 – Turning Misfortune into Blessing (1)

‘!!!!!!’

Blood dripped down from Seo Yerin’s left sword finger.

And about five feet behind her stood Mok Gyeong-un, breathing heavily.

Joo Woonhyang’s expression as she looked at the two of them was close to shock.

‘How could this be······.’

She had expected to see Mok Gyeong-un being brutally defeated by Seo Yerin’s hand, but the opposite result had occurred.

The peerless sword technique she unleashed had been thoroughly shattered.

One could tell just by looking at the intense whirlwind of sword energy that had vanished in an instant.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one surprised.

‘······He dismantled the technique.’

Seo Yerin, the Sixth Sky Demon, was also at a loss for words from shock.

While there had been those who blocked this continuous True Chasing Second Revolving Sword technique when she used it, no one had ever dismantled it before.

After all, this Chasing Second Revolving Sword was a technique that maximized power and compensated for weaknesses through clockwise and counterclockwise rotations.

Yet Mok Gyeong-un had shattered it.

And he did so by unifying all of his sword energy into a single point.

‘How could something like this happen?’

This was something even Seo Yerin herself couldn’t do.

Gathering sword energy into a single point was a realm that even she couldn’t reach at her current level.

Yet he had entered that supreme realm in an instant?

Even though she saw it with her own eyes and directly experienced it, it was unbelievable.

‘To think such talent existed in this world.’

It was beyond imagination.

Was this the level of talent her great-grandfather, once called the pinnacle of the old martial arts world, possessed?

No matter how outstanding one’s martial talent was, reaching a level that surpassed one’s own limits, let alone entering a realm one couldn’t access, during a duel was something utterly incomprehensible.

-Drip!

Cold sweat trickled down her cheeks.

Her left hand had already lost strength due to Mok Gyeong-un’s unified sword technique.

If he unleashed this technique that transcended the realm of limitations once more, she wondered if she could even block it.

‘No. At times like this, fighting spirit is crucial.’

Even he would have difficulty executing such a technique again.

Since he had used a technique that far exceeded his own limits, his body must have been strained.

If she targeted that point, subduing him was still well within reach.

Moreover, she had yet to use her unique skill.

-Swoosh!

Seo Yerin flicked the blood off her left sword finger and tightly clenched her right sword finger.

Then, as she turned her body, she spoke.

“Impressive. However, I also······.”

-Thud!

It was at that moment.

Mok Gyeong-un, who had been breathing roughly, suddenly collapsed to the floor.

Hazy steam rose from his fallen body.

-Ssssss!

Seeing this, Seo Yerin furrowed her brows, unable to hide her bewilderment.

She approached the fallen Mok Gyeong-un.

Even heat could be felt, as if his body temperature had skyrocketed.

-Swish!

Seo Yerin placed a finger on one of Mok Gyeong-un’s acupoints.

Then, after examining the exposed parts of his body, she clicked her tongue with trembling eyes.

His entire body was severely swollen with bruises, as if all his muscles had ruptured, and even the strange energy within his body was raging erratically like someone who had lost control.

‘His body has been overused beyond the extreme. Is this the price of that single sword strike that surpassed his abilities and limits?’

The condition was more serious than she thought.

But it wasn’t incomprehensible either.

After all, that single sword strike wasn’t something the current Mok Gyeong-un should have been able to execute.

Since he wielded a sword his body couldn’t endure, this was probably the natural consequence.

“Haa.”

Seo Yerin let out a sigh.

With this degree of internal and external injuries, participating in the Embroidered Uniform Guard selection was impossible from the start, and continuing to participate itself seemed unreasonable.

If he couldn’t control his blood vessels, meridians, and internal energy here, he might lose his martial arts forever.

However, all of this was something he brought upon himself.

‘This bastard tried to kill Woonhyang and the trainee Wi Bu-cheong. In the end, he must be punished for what he did.’

There was no need to go out of her way to help him.

It would be better to refer him for disciplinary action in this state······.

“Sixth Sky Demon!”

At that moment, upon hearing Joo Woonhyang’s voice, Seo Yerin turned her head.

***

-Thud!

The sound of a window opening could be heard.

Soon, the chilly autumn wind slapped his cheeks, causing him to regain consciousness.

Joo Woonhyang slowly opened his closed eyes.

It was difficult to understand what had happened.

He clearly remembered talking to Seo Yerin about what had happened with Mok Gyeong-un before losing consciousness.

‘Ugh.’

His stomach felt as if it had been turned inside out.

Dizziness washed over him, but as he regulated his breathing, it soon subsided.

‘Where am I?’

In addition to the cold air, the scent of medicinal herbs permeated the room.

It seemed this place wasn’t his dormitory.

As he was feeling puzzled, a clear voice reached his ears.

“You’re awake.”

“Sixth Sky Demon!”

The owner of that voice was none other than his teacher, Seo Yerin.

Joo Woonhyang hurriedly raised his upper body from the bed.

However, perhaps due to his internal injuries, he couldn’t even sit up halfway.

Seo Yerin spoke to him as he struggled.

“Don’t strain yourself. Your internal injuries were quite severe. Fortunately, I treated them with internal energy, so if you circulate your energy for about two days, you’ll be fine.”

“Did you heal me, Master?”

“······I’m the only one who can treat you.”

“Aaaah.”

Joo Woonhyang let out an exclamation at her words.

It was because they shared the same Innate True Energy that she could treat and heal his internal energy.

Joo Woonhyang slowly circulated his Innate True Energy and examined his body.

‘!?’

Joo Woonhyang furrowed his brows for a moment.

The amount of Innate True Energy within his body had increased significantly compared to usual.

If he gained enlightenment with this much energy, he could reach the 4-star level.

Joo Woonhyang looked at her with surprised eyes.

“Sixth Sky Demon. How could this······.”

Seo Yerin shook her head and spoke to the astonished Joo Woonhyang.

“You’ve also mastered the Innate True Energy, so you know it differs from regular internal energy.”

Of course, he knew that.

Ordinary internal energy masters couldn’t control Innate True Energy.

Only she could assist in treating his injuries.

“The Innate True Energy I injected to treat you was more than I expected. This injury has turned misfortune into a blessing for you.”

She spoke calmly, but Joo Woonhyang clicked his tongue inwardly.

It was quite a large amount of Innate True Energy.

Of course, for her level, it might not be considered much.

-Pak!

Joo Woonhyang endured the pain and forcefully clasped his hands in salute.

“Thank you, Sixth Sky Demon. How can I repay this favor······.”

Before he could finish, Seo Yerin shook her head again.

Then, with a soft sigh, she said,

“It’s fine. More importantly, you were right.”

“About what?”

“As you said, it seems trainee Wi Bu-cheong had indeed stuck a poisoned needle into the wooden pillow of the bed. The Poison Investigation Unit has already confirmed it.”

“Ah!”

It was Joo Woonhyang who had defended Mok Gyeong-un to the best of his ability before fainting.

In fact, he didn’t have to defend him.

Even though Mok Gyeong-un had changed his mind halfway, it was true that he had tried to kill Joo Woonhyang.

However, he owed a debt to Mok Gyeong-un and strangely didn’t want to do that.

So, he had made sure Seo Yerin cleared up the misunderstanding.

“Therefore, since trainee Mok Gyeong-un saved your life and considering what you explained, he received a suspension of indictment as a mitigating factor.”

Embroidered Uniform Guards had arrived at the scene while he was defending Mok Gyeong-un.

No matter how many nearby Guard warriors he had knocked unconscious by sealing their acupoints, it would have been stranger if the nearby Embroidered Uniform Guards on duty hadn’t noticed such an intense fight.

Regardless of the circumstances, Mok Gyeong-un, who had escalated the incident, was referred to the disciplinary department, but ultimately received a suspension of indictment.

“Thank you, Sixth Sky Demon.”

“No need. However, even though trainee Mok Gyeong-un received a suspension of indictment, he may have to voluntarily withdraw from the Embroidered Uniform Guard selection.”

“What?”

What does that mean?

Could it be because of Mok Gyeong-un’s injuries?

He had already guessed that Mok Gyeong-un’s body had been strained after shattering Seo Yerin’s technique and suddenly collapsing.

So Joo Woonhyang asked,

“Are his injuries severe?”

“Yes. He drew out a power that exceeded his own abilities.”

She recalled the conversation she had with the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s exclusive imperial physician last night.

[How is it? Even though I wanted to control his internal energy, I couldn’t do anything because he possessed a completely opposite energy to mine.]

[······Oh my. I don’t know how to tell you this.]

[What do you mean?]

[As a physician, I don’t practice martial arts, so it’s difficult for me to speak about energy, but there are too many ruptured muscles and blood vessels throughout his body.]

[I’m aware of that. I just want to know if he’ll recover······.]

[With this extent of injuries, recovery in the near future is absolutely impossible.]

[Then, is it possible if he takes time?]

[It’s hard to give you a definite answer. Since major muscles are torn and ruptured in many places, even if he recovers, he may have difficulty moving as he did before.]

[Ah······.]

It was an unfortunate situation, but it was serious.

The circulation of his internal energy was also a mess, and it wasn’t just regular internal energy but an energy completely opposite to Innate True Energy, so she couldn’t treat it as she had done for Joo Woonhyang.

With a body like this, continuing the Embroidered Uniform Guard selection process was unreasonable.

She might have to advise him to voluntarily withdraw as soon as he woke up.

***

Late the next night.

There are various ranks within the Imperial Hospital.

Among them, the lowest rank, the 9th-grade Chambong, had to be on standby at all times to check on patients’ conditions, even if not in the dispensary.

Cho Cham-bong, a 9th-grade physician of the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s internal hospital, clicked his tongue while looking at a patient with needles stuck all over his body.

His entire body was covered in bruises, and it was the first time he had seen a patient like this.

[You won’t have many opportunities to examine a patient in such a critically severe condition. So, observe and record in detail.]

[Yes, Supervisor.]

Upon receiving orders from the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Sixth Sky Demon, his senior, the 7th-grade physician Supervisor Jae, who was diagnosing and treating the patient, gave him the opportunity to examine the patient as well.

Supervisor Jae had already judged that this patient’s complete recovery was virtually impossible.

In fact, he had felt the same when he personally checked the patient’s pulse and examined the affected areas.

With this degree of damage to the muscles and blood vessels, the patient might not be able to move properly for a long time, or even walk properly for the rest of his life.

‘Tsk, tsk. What in the world did he do to end up like this?’

It was utterly incomprehensible.

With such thoughts, Cho Cham-bong sat next to the patient with a decoction in hand.

He slowly dipped a cloth into the medicine and placed it inside the patient’s mouth.

For unconscious patients, the tongue is brought into contact with the soaked cloth to allow them to absorb even a small amount of the medicinal energy.

-Swish!

Cho Cham-bong, who had placed the cloth on the patient’s tongue, checked his pulse.

Then, one of his eyebrows trembled and rose.

‘What’s this?’

Something was strange.

Just last night, the patient’s pulse was extremely irregular and weak.

But now, the pulse was steady.

Finding this odd, Cho Cham-bong checked not only the pulse on the wrist but also the major acupoints, including the neck.

Doing so, he stood up with a surprised expression.

‘What’s going on? How could this happen overnight······.’

Thinking that he should report this to his senior who was in the dormitory, Cho Cham-bong entrusted the task of administering the medicine to a dispensary worker and hurriedly left.

Not long after he left, the door opened, and someone entered.

As the person entered, the dispensary worker who was holding the medicinal cloth to the patient’s mouth was startled and stood up to greet him.

“What brings you here so late at night, Your Excellency?”

An old eunuch in a red official robe with face powder.

He was none other than Eunuch Beom of the Western Depot.

Eunuch Beom approached the dispensary worker and asked,

“I came to check on the patient’s condition.”

The dispensary worker couldn’t help but feel inwardly puzzled by these words.

That was because he knew this patient was a Guard trainee participating in the Embroidered Uniform Guard selection.

Why would a eunuch from the Western Depot come to see such a person?

Although puzzled, the dispensary worker stepped aside and said,

“The patient’s condition is not very good, so it will take several more days for him to wake up.”

“Is it that serious?”

“That’s what the attending physician, Supervisor Bae, said.”

“Ah. Is that so? It seems quite severe.”

“From what I heard, even if he’s lucky enough to wake up, he won’t be able to move for a while, and he may not be able to walk properly for the rest of his life.”

Upon hearing the dispensary worker’s words, the corners of Eunuch Beom’s mouth slightly curled up.

The dispensary worker’s suspicion grew even more at that sight.

The patient’s condition is said to be poor, but why does he seem pleased?

Finding it strange, Eunuch Beom said,

“Could you give me a moment alone?”

“But the medicine needs to be administered now······.”

“It won’t take long.”

With those words, Eunuch Beom took out a bundle of silver coins from his bosom.

The dispensary worker gulped at the sight of this.

Then, he quietly accepted the bundle of silver coins, bowed his head, and left the room.

Once alone, Eunuch Beom approached the patient who had needles stuck all over his body and his eyes closed.

“Hohoho.”

Eunuch Beom laughed, unable to contain his joy.

He had never expected things to go so smoothly.

Just until yesterday, he had been sweating profusely, pleading for reconsideration, saying that this fellow had endangered His Majesty and himself because that person had shown interest in him.

However, that person’s judgment was different.

Even if he was someone who had endangered His Majesty and himself, if he was such an outstanding talent, that person wanted to bring him under his wing somehow.

He even gave orders to meet with the fellow and arrange a position for him.

For Eunuch Beom, it was an order that couldn’t have been more troublesome.

But the heavens helped him.

‘It was Mok Gyeong-un, wasn’t it?’

Eunuch Beom looked down at Mok Gyeong-un and grinned.

He had thought that a monstrous fellow like him would rarely be defeated by anyone, but how coincidental was this?

It was an opportunity given by the heavens.

For the sake of His Majesty, himself, and that person, a guy like this must never be allowed to come close.

So, with certainty,

‘I’ll shatter your danjeon, you bastard.’

If that happened, even the slightest possibility of him rising from the dead would completely vanish.

With that in mind, Eunuch Beom brought his hand toward Mok Gyeong-un’s abdomen.

Just as his palm was about to touch the skin below the navel,

“What are you doing?”

‘!?’

In an instant, Eunuch Beom’s body froze as he was about to place his palm.

What the fuck was that just now?

Did he mishear?

He was clearly told that the patient’s injuries were severe and he wouldn’t wake up for several days.

But what the hell was going on?

‘Could it be?’

Eunuch Beom’s eyes slowly moved from the abdomen up the chest, neck, and then to the face.

-Thump!

At that moment, his heart sank.

That’s because Mok Gyeong-un, who had been lying as if dead with his eyes closed, had suddenly opened his eyes wide and was staring at him.