"Alone?"
"Yes."
"So you're alone?"
"That's right."
"So..."
As the situation became increasingly unclear, Huang Zhongyi unconsciously turned to look behind him.
The young disciple following him nodded with a face that seemed to say, 'Did I not tell you?' It appeared that he truly had come alone.
Huang Zhongyi turned back to gaze at the young Taoist before him, a flurry of thoughts swirling in his mind.
Was Huashan disregarding the celestial hierarchy? Or was there some reason behind this action? Or perhaps...
"Ha ha ha ha!" At that moment, a loud laugh erupted from behind him.
"Now you’ve gone and done everything. Young Master, did I not tell you? There’s no need to meet with those from Huashan!" It was Gi Moksung.
Having followed Huang Zhongyi to the entrance, Gi Moksung could no longer contain his laughter and continued speaking.
"What does that young child know to send him here? He knows nothing but wants to dip his toes in, and since he feels embarrassed to come himself, he sends a child instead. Tsk tsk tsk. I don’t particularly like Huashan, but I’ve heard that the Huashan sect leader is a gentleman, yet he resorts to such petty tricks."
Huang Zhongyi's expression hardened.
It was clear that Gi Moksung's words were filled with ill feelings, but he had no choice but to think as he said. 'The current Huashan sect leader would not act in such a manner, would he?' The Huashan leader he remembered was a person of virtue, possessing the demeanor of a gentleman.
It was hard to believe that such a person would send just this child to make an appearance.
But was reality not as it seemed?
"Young Master. Did Huashan truly send this child alone?"
"Yes."
"…So you’re saying that Huashan sent this child alone?"
The young Taoist.
Cheongmyeong let out a deep sigh. 'Because he is young, he receives such treatment.' There was a time when he was Huashan, and Huashan was him. 'Sigh.
Better to die than suffer.' Yet, he could fully understand their reactions.
A mere child, not even of age, comes claiming he can cure a disease that even the greatest doctors cannot, and if one believes him right away, it would be even stranger.
Thus, a bit of theatrics was necessary.
"You said you are the Young Master?"
"Y-yes."
"I am Cheongmyeong, the third disciple of Huashan. I received the letter you sent to Huashan. I have some insights regarding the symptoms mentioned in the letter, which is why I came to see you."
"But you came alone..."
"It was such an urgent matter that I had no time to bring others with me. The Elder is in a critical condition, is he not?"
That being said...
Huang Zhongyi, who had been looking at Cheongmyeong with a face that showed distrust, suddenly recalled a part of Cheongmyeong's words and his expression hardened.
"You said you have some insights regarding my father's condition?"
"Yes."
Huang Zhongyi clenched his fist unconsciously. 'No one has ever said such a thing before.' Countless renowned doctors and masters had come and gone, but not a single one had discussed the symptoms before even seeing the Elder. 'Could it be?' At that moment, a scoffing sound came from behind.
"Ha! This young brat is already trying to deceive us. How could a child know what even the greatest doctors cannot? Young Master, there’s no need to listen! Let’s go in. There’s no need to waste time."
"But..."
"Do you believe this child’s words?"
Huang Zhongyi bit his lip slightly.
At that moment, Cheongmyeong, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
"By the way..."
"Huh?"
"Who are you to keep calling people 'brat'?"
Gi Moksung stared at Cheongmyeong with a blank expression.
"Did you just say that to me?"
"Is there anyone else here being called 'brat' besides you?"
"Ha! Have you seen such a rude child? A disciple of Huashan who cannot even distinguish between the attire of a nobleman? I knew Huashan was not a proper sect, but I never expected their disciples to be this foolish."
"Oh, you’re a nobleman."
Cheongmyeong shrugged.
"No, I thought you were knowledgeable, so I assumed you were a doctor. So you must have a way to cure the Elder's illness, right?"
"The Elder fell ill because he went against the Dao. If a ritual is performed to appease the heavens, he can recover completely."
Cheongmyeong smirked.
"Oh. That could be possible."
Huang Zhongyi's face twisted.
However, what followed Cheongmyeong's words was entirely different from what Huang Zhongyi had expected.
"Then we should quickly call the Wudang or Kunlun people."
"…What?"
"Isn’t that your specialty?" Gi Moksung said with a slightly flustered expression.
"N-no need for that. Isn’t there a nobleman here?"
"Eh? You know that Wudang and Huashan are mixed together, right? If you’re going to perform a ritual, it’s better to receive it from proper Taoists. I would recommend Wudang. After all, Wudang is the best in the Dao."
"…"
Huang Zhongyi's face went blank. 'What is this brat?' He even leaned in to whisper in Huang Zhongyi's ear.
"The Wudang sect values their reputation greatly, so if you offer a little donation, they will come right away. If you’re going to receive help, you should get it from a good place. A place with good value."
"…"
Gi Moksung's face turned red with anger as he shouted.
"Leave! This brat is mocking the elders! Is this how you teach your disciples?"
"Ah, yes, yes. I’m sorry."
Cheongmyeong scratched his ear and blew out a puff of air.
Though his actions were openly dismissive, Gi Moksung could only tremble with a flushed face, unable to lay a hand on him.
If a mere elder could not control himself and hit the third disciple of Huashan, it would be a disgrace beyond explanation.
It would be something everyone in the world would point fingers at.
Whether he knew it or not, he was certainly someone who knew how to get under people's skin.
"Young Master. Immediately expel this brat!"
At Gi Moksung's words, Huang Zhongyi sighed.
"Elder, this is not the place of the nobleman but the Galaxy Sect. How I treat guests who come to the sect is my decision."
"Are you saying you will let me see this child?"
Ignoring Gi Moksung's words, Huang Zhongyi looked at Cheongmyeong. 'He seems to have some credibility.' If he had come to deceive without anything, he could not be this confident.
Yet, doubt still lingered.
"Young Master."
"Yes."
"I’m not saying I don’t trust you..."
"It’s okay. You might not trust me."
"…Thank you for understanding. May I ask a few questions first?"
Huang Zhongyi's words had become shorter.
Cheongmyeong felt this too, but he understood the suspicion well enough, so he shrugged it off.
"Yes. Ask as many as you like."
Huang Zhongyi swallowed hard and continued.
"Young Master. Earlier, you mentioned that you have some insights regarding my father's condition. May I hear about that?"
"That’s hard to say."
"Heh!"
As soon as Cheongmyeong finished speaking, Gi Moksung's exaggerated scoff echoed.
Huang Zhongyi could not hide his astonishment.
"But I can tell you something else."
"What is it?"
Cheongmyeong said with a confident face.
"I heard that the Elder often traveled for business. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Then you must have visited the Shiwandashan area before falling ill, right?"
Cheongmyeong declared.
Huang Zhongyi's eyes widened as he replied.
"No, I haven’t."
"…"
Cheongmyeong tilted his head slightly.
"What?"
"That never happened. My father has never traveled there."
"…Oh, really?"
Cheongmyeong's face showed surprise.
Before Huang Zhongyi's expression could sour further, Cheongmyeong quickly continued.
"Then you must have been ambushed on a previous trip! Right? You must have faced a crisis!"
"My father has not been ambushed in recent years. It has been at least five years."
"Huh? That won’t do! Uh, what’s going on?"
"…"
Huang Zhongyi's eyes narrowed.
"Really? That can’t be right."
He could hear Gi Moksung's low laughter from behind.
"Strange. Then where did you get hurt?"
What do you mean hurt, you crazy brat! Has this brat lost his mind? The faint hope he had for Cheongmyeong vanished in an instant.
Huang Zhongyi's eyes turned cold.
Cheongmyeong hurriedly said,
"Wait, wait! I’m serious! I can fix that!"
"…Young Master."
Huang Zhongyi let out a deep sigh.
And at that moment, Gi Moksung seized the opportunity to interject.
"Didn’t I tell you there was no need to see him? Huashan is originally a sect of rogues that deceives people. Just looking at their sharp demeanor, one can guess."
"Please refrain from excessive remarks, Elder."
Huang Zhongyi stopped Gi Moksung and turned to Cheongmyeong.
"I understand your eagerness, Young Master, but my father’s condition is serious, and if an inexperienced person sees him, it could worsen. I hope you understand my position. Please convey my gratitude to the Huashan sect leader..."
"Redness of the body, coldness throughout. When pressed, the red energy turns slightly white before quickly returning to red. Until losing consciousness, he feels a chill as if in an ice cave, and not only the forehead but also the back of the neck and crown are filled with black energy!"
"…"
"Shall I continue?"
Cheongmyeong grinned.
"How do you know that?"
Huang Zhongyi's eyes widened to their limits.
Meanwhile, Cheongmyeong's face was filled with confidence, as if he could not be more relaxed.
"Oh... I’ve come quite a long way, and my throat is a bit dry."
"What are you doing! Bring cold water! No, bring ice water! Right now!"
The disciple, unable to respond, dashed inside with all his might.
Huang Zhongyi's gaze and attitude toward Cheongmyeong changed instantly.
"Let’s not stand here, come inside."
"Ha ha, what a great person has come."
"Hurry! Hurry!"
Cheongmyeong puffed up his belly and followed Huang Zhongyi inside.
Gi Moksung, who had been watching this situation in a daze, shouted urgently.
"Young Master! That’s just a typical symptom of those afflicted by dark energy! Knowing that won’t change anything!"
Huang Zhongyi narrowed his eyes.
"Are you saying that those afflicted by dark energy gather black energy in their crown and neck? If you know so well, why have you not treated my father until now?"
"…That’s..."
"This is a matter of the Galaxy Sect. I will not allow any unnecessary interference. If you continue to meddle, we will formally protest to the nobleman."
"Ugh."
Gi Moksung sighed and took a step back.
In his eyes, he saw Cheongmyeong's face, puffed up from holding back laughter.
"Y-you...!"
Gi Moksung felt heat rising all over his body.
He was so angry he felt like he would explode, but what could he do? As Huang Zhongyi said, this was not the nobleman's place but the Galaxy Sect.
No matter how much Gi Moksung was an elder of the nobleman, he could not act recklessly in the Galaxy Sect.
"You brat! If you cannot properly treat the Elder, I will strike you!"
The only thing he could do was shout at Huang Zhongyi and Cheongmyeong, who did not stop walking.
Once they had moved a little further away, Huang Zhongyi smiled wryly and said,
"I’m sorry, Young Master. It’s strange how the nobleman’s people cannot contain their excitement whenever Huashan is mentioned."
"It’s okay."
"Oh, thank you for understanding..."
"Who can I blame? It’s all my fault."
"…What?"
Cheongmyeong shrugged. 'Maybe I should have hit him a bit.' It was a moment when the perpetrator from a hundred years ago felt guilt towards the victim from a hundred years later.