Chapter 113: Hmm, A Martial Artist
When the four of them returned to the inn.
An elderly man was staggering in front of the main entrance of the Seong-un Inn. Even from afar, he looked utterly drunk.
“Uhh…”
At that moment, the elderly man lost his balance and was about to fall.
At the same time, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, Jang Gwang, and Seomun Ak used movement arts in turn to support the old man’s arms and shoulders.
“……”
For some reason, Seomun Ak felt his pride wounded.
He could accept being slower than Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom, but lagging behind that thug was something he could not tolerate.
Seomun Ak glared once at Jang Gwang for no reason, and Jang Gwang gave an awkward cough.
“Ah, thank you. But do you know where the innkeeper is? Where on earth has the innkeeper gone, leaving his post…?”
“That would be me.”
“Really? You’re the Guest Dragon?”
The elderly man studied Jin Seong-un’s face before speaking. At that, Jang Gwang beside him was utterly shocked.
“Th-the Guest Dragon!”
He had heard of the name once in passing.
At last, all the pieces fell into place.
The countless congratulatory banners hanging on the inn’s outer walls, his confidence against the Yangtze River Stronghold, and the martial skills he had already displayed—all of it made sense now.
As Jang Gwang cried out in agitation, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak all stared at him.
Embarrassed, Jang Gwang scratched his head.
“Well, it would have been nice if you had told me beforehand that you were the Guest Dragon…”
His muttering soon faded into the air.
The elderly man looked at Jin Seong-un and asked.
“And the child?”
“Pardon?”
“That stick made such a fuss that I came all the way here. Where is the child?”
“Stick… ah.”
Jin Seong-un barely suppressed his laughter.
To think there would be someone who called Elder Shin Mok a stick.
“Funny, isn’t it? Even I think it’s a ridiculous nickname.”
The elderly man laughed with satisfaction.
By then, Jin Seong-un could guess the man’s identity.
He clasped his hands and said.
“I pay my respects to the Divine Physician, Elder.”
At that, the three who had been supporting the elderly man instantly released him and looked at him in shock.
The Divine Physician let out a hearty laugh.
“Good. Now, where is the child? Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Ahem. At the Merchants’ Association. Another physician is tending to him for the moment.”
“What? I heard there was a guardian.”
Jin Seong-un pointed at Jang Gwang.
The Divine Physician raised his hand like a blade and struck down at Jang Gwang’s crown.
It was remarkably slow. But for some reason, Jang Gwang felt he must not avoid it. After all, this was the famed Divine Physician.
The Divine Physician was a sage respected by all under heaven.
Closing his eyes, Jang Gwang bowed his head to receive it.
Thunk. Unlike a strike swung at full force, only a light sound followed. Then the Divine Physician poured out scolding words.
“And the so-called guardian of a child is wandering around until morning? And even with blood all over his clothes…”
The Divine Physician clicked his tongue.
Jin Seong-un spoke up.
“There were people targeting the child. I had to deal with them.”
“Targeting the child? What kind of scoundrels…”
“The Chief Escort Captain of the Yangtze River Stronghold.”
“……”
For once, the Divine Physician looked genuinely taken aback.
The name was far greater than he had expected.
“Yo-you dealt with him?”
“Yes.”
Jin Seong-un calmly nodded.
Come to think of it, there had been something written in one of those letters that the “stick” had sent.
– Since the innkeeper’s child is a bit lacking in manners, it would be good for you to teach him etiquette as well.
The Divine Physician now wore a dumbfounded expression.
To tell him to teach manners and etiquette to someone who had just casually killed the Chief Escort Captain of the Stronghold?
“That crazy stick tried to have me assassinated!”
Had Shin Mok been there to see this, he would have sighed deeply. “I’ve missed the chance to make him the greatest artisan under heaven! That sly old man!”
The Divine Physician then asked Jin Seong-un.
“May I take your pulse? Since I came all this way, surely you can allow at least that much?”
“Of course.”
Jin Seong-un willingly offered his wrist.
As the Divine Physician felt his pulse, his eyes widened in shock.
“Wh-what…”
But he held his tongue. It was a matter of principle never to speak of a martial artist’s physical condition aloud.
The Divine Physician’s gaze then shifted to Seo Yu-gyeom.
“You, let me check you as well.”
“Well, alright…”
Seo Yu-gyeom was reluctant, but since the man had come for the child’s sake, he extended his wrist.
Once again, the Divine Physician’s expression showed surprise, though less so than with Jin Seong-un.
“If he’s the innkeeper, then what is this fellow?”
“The chef.”
“What kind of inn is this…”
With a bewildered expression, the Divine Physician glanced briefly at the Seong-un Inn.
Meanwhile, Seomun Ak looked at him expectantly.
Meeting that gaze, the Divine Physician’s face turned displeased for some reason.
“What? You want yours checked too?”
“Yes, gladly.”
Seomun Ak proudly extended his wrist.
Though he had not yet reached the level of joining the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, he had nonetheless achieved remarkable accomplishments in a short time.
As the Divine Physician checked his pulse, he nodded. It was as if the alcohol had suddenly cleared from his system, his demeanor calm and composed.
“Hmm, a martial artist indeed.”
“…That’s all?”
“Yes. Continue striving forward.”
“……”
Seomun Ak became sullen.
Then the Divine Physician spoke.
“First, bring me a bottle of wine. Then we shall go see the child at once.”
Jin Seong-un brought wine from the inn.
Naturally, it was Yangha Daegu.
The Divine Physician’s eyes sparkled.
“So the stick was telling the truth!”
For a moment, Jin Seong-un suspected that perhaps this was the real reason he had come.
Soon after, the group headed to the Merchants’ Association.
The Divine Physician, unlike before, was checking the child’s pulse with a very solemn face.
Eyes closed, he displayed immense concentration, as if only the child and himself existed in the world.
Beside him, the physician of the Merchants’ Association watched in awe, eyes filled with reverence.
Jin Seong-un also found the Divine Physician’s method of checking the pulse rather fascinating.
‘So he observes the body in detail through qi.’
Indeed, the Divine Physician’s fingers, resting lightly on the child’s wrist, were imbued with a pure white qi.
For martial artists who were considered masters, channeling qi into the body was not impossible.
But the Divine Physician’s diagnosis was surely different. He could perceive dangerous and delicate realms where ordinary martial artists could never reach.
After some time had passed—
“There is an illness of the heart. Because of that, aphasia developed, and the balance of the Yin-Yang Body collapses from time to time.”
This was the same conclusion as the previous physician.
Though no one showed it outwardly, they all felt disappointed inside.
But then came the Divine Physician’s firm voice.
“There is an elder of the Wudang Sect in this town, isn’t there? Take the child to him. While feeding the child the medicine I prescribe for three months, let the White Cloud Sword teach him martial arts, and the symptoms will surely improve.”
The Divine Physician added in a warning tone.
“This is not treatment but recovery. Do you understand? To begin with, this lies outside the domain of physicians.”
“And why must it be Wudang Sect, in particular?”
“Because they possess martial arts that can control the Yin-Yang Body most perfectly.”
There was no hesitation in the Divine Physician’s voice. He possessed not only unparalleled medical knowledge but also deep understanding of all martial arts in the world.
That was why he became the Divine Physician, the one who healed and saved any martial artist.
After finishing the diagnosis, the Divine Physician looked at Jin Seong-un and Seo Yu-gyeom.
“The two of you, let us speak separately soon. Your conditions are not quite normal either.”
Seomun Ak peeked expectantly from the side.
But the Divine Physician did not spare him a single glance as he rose to his feet.
Jin Seong-un went straight to see Hyeon-un.
Since he stayed near the Merchants’ Association, it was not far.
Hyeon-un was already seated cross-legged in the courtyard, meditating from early morning.
Jin Seong-un was reminded once more that Hyeon-un was indeed a Daoist, and spoke cautiously.
“Elder.”
“Bring only the child inside.”
Hyeon-un spoke without opening his eyes.
It meant Seo Yu-gyeom, Seomun Ak, and Jang Gwang were not to enter.
Jin Seong-un glanced back at them briefly, then nodded and led the child inside.
He explained the situation to Hyeon-un.
Throughout the explanation, Hyeon-un sighed repeatedly.
“What a pitiful matter.”
Yet when the part about the Yin-Yang Body was mentioned, Hyeon-un’s eyes gleamed for an instant. Jin Seong-un thought he caught a glimpse of greed in them, but he chose to ignore it.
Hyeon-un gazed at the child for a while.
Perhaps sensing that his presence was unusual, the child seemed somewhat withdrawn.
Bending down to meet the child’s eyes, Hyeon-un spoke.
“Child, did you close your mouth because your heart was in pain?”
“……”
“You don’t want to hurt anymore, do you?”
The child gave no answer.
Regardless, Hyeon-un gently stroked the child’s shoulder and said.
“Then, this old man will make sure you don’t hurt. Watch what I do carefully and follow slowly.”
Hyeon-un suddenly moved both arms in the air, very slowly. So slow that even an adult would lose focus.
Naturally, the child quickly lost interest and kept looking elsewhere.
Seeing this, Hyeon-un frowned.
“Too difficult? Then try this instead.”
This time, he reduced the movement drastically.
Simply extending a fist forward very slowly.
The child mimicked the movement.
Hyeon-un smiled brightly and patted the child’s head.
“Excellent, you’re doing well!”
At last, the child regained his original cheerful smile. Hyeon-un showered him with praise, completely drawing in his attention, and then said.
“Now, follow me and sit cross-legged. Like this.”
The child sat beside Hyeon-un in the same posture.
Despite his young age, he seemed very comfortable in meditation.
“Breathe in. Slowly.”
The child inhaled.
At the same time, Hyeon-un placed a hand on his back.
The unique serene and gentle qi of Wudang flowed into the child’s body through his back.
“Now breathe out…”
Following Hyeon-un’s instructions, the child slowly inhaled and exhaled.
Before long, beads of sweat formed on the child’s forehead.
Noticing this, Hyeon-un smiled softly.
“Just ten more times. If you complete it, I’ll give you a very tasty candied fruit.”
The child’s focus instantly sharpened.
Hyeon-un then gave Jin Seong-un a look.
‘Go fetch some candied fruit from the inn.’
Jin Seong-un quickly moved. There was no need to return to the inn; when he asked Seo Yu-gyeom waiting at the door, he immediately pulled candied fruit from his pouch and handed it over.
After some time had passed—
Hyeon-un nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. The child clearly has talent.”
Saying so, he handed the candied fruit to the child. The child beamed and eagerly sucked on it.
Hyeon-un watched warmly before speaking to Jin Seong-un.
“He must overcome this himself. That means he must face his inner wounds and learn to comfort them on his own. Naturally, practicing martial arts is the right path. And since he bears the Yin-Yang Body, Wudang’s arts are the most suitable among all martial arts in the world.”
“I see.”
“Besides, the Divine Physician said so as well, didn’t he? There is no doubt. I shall teach him. If I guide him for more than twenty years, he will be known as the Sword Dragon. Of course, if he finds another path along the way… that would also be good.”
In any case, it meant he would personally train the child.
Jin Seong-un felt reassured. Hyeon-un was someone he could trust more than anyone else.
“Thank you, Elder.”
“There is nothing for you to thank me for. The bond between this child and me simply came together by fate. Just as you and I were connected by fate. So, when will you join the Wudang Sect…”
“Ahem.”
Sensing the conversation drifting in a strange direction, Jin Seong-un quickly cleared his throat.
Hyeon-un clicked his tongue in regret.