Chapter 51: Hah, So This is the Great Man Who Arrived? (Part 1)

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"You mean… alone?"

"That's what I said."

"So, you're saying…"

Unable to make sense of the situation, Hwang Jong-ui reflexively glanced back. The attendant following meekly behind him nodded with an expression that said,

'Didn't I tell you so?'

It seemed he really had come alone.

Hwang Jong-ui turned his head back and stared at the young Taoist before him.

All sorts of thoughts raced through his mind.

Was Mount Hua disregarding the Silver River Merchant Group?

Or was there some hidden reason behind sending just one person?

If not… then—

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

At that moment, a loud burst of laughter erupted from behind him.

"Now they've really outdone themselves. Young Master Hwang, didn't I tell you? There was no need to even meet these Mount Hua bastards!"

It was Gi Mok-seung.

Having followed Hwang Jong-ui to the entrance, Gi Mok-seung wore an expression of barely contained amusement as he continued,

"What could this brat possibly know? They sent him because they've got nothing! Too proud to admit they can't help but too embarrassed to come empty-handed, so they tossed a child at us. Tsk tsk. I never liked Mount Hua, but I at least thought their Sect Leader was a man of honor. To resort to such petty tricks…"

Hwang Jong-ui's face stiffened.

It was obvious Gi Mok-seung's words were dripping with malice, but right now, Hwang Jong-ui couldn't help but agree.

'Would the esteemed Hyun-jong of Mount Hua really do such a thing?'

The Hyun-jong he remembered was a Taoist who carried himself with the dignity of a nobleman. Would such a man really send a single child just for show?

But reality said otherwise.

"Young Taoist. Did you truly come alone?"

"Yes."

"…Mount Hua sent you by yourself?"

The young Taoist—Chung Myung—let out a deep sigh.

'Ah, so this is how they treat you when you're young.'

There was a time when Chung Myung was Mount Hua, and Mount Hua was Chung Myung.

'Tch. Better to die than suffer this humiliation.'

Still, he understood their reaction. If some brat who hadn't even reached adulthood showed up claiming to cure an illness even the greatest physicians couldn't fix, anyone would be skeptical.

So, he needed to lay it on thick.

"You are the Young Master Hwang, correct?"

"Y-Yes, but…"

"I am Chung Myung, the Third Disciple of Mount Hua. I received the letter you sent to our sect. Based on the symptoms described, I had a few suspicions, which is why I've come to see you."

"But alone…?"

"The matter was urgent, and there was no time to gather others. Isn't the Patriarch's condition critical?"

Well, that was true, but…

Hwang Jong-ui stared at Chung Myung with undisguised skepticism before suddenly freezing at one part of his words.

"Did you just say… you have suspicions about my father's illness?"

"Yes. That's correct."

Hwang Jong-ui clenched his fists without realizing it.

'No one has ever said that before.'

Countless renowned physicians and masters had come and gone, but not a single one had dared to speak of the Patriarch's condition before even seeing him.

'Could it be…?'

Just then, a derisive snort came from behind.

"Hoh. The brat's already spinning lies. How could a child know what even the greatest physicians couldn't figure out? Young Master Hwang, there's no need to listen further! Let's go inside. No point wasting time."

"But…"

"You're actually believing this brat's nonsense?"

Hwang Jong-ui bit his lip lightly.

Then, Chung Myung, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up.

"By the way."

"Hm?"

"Who are you, exactly, to keep calling people 'bastards'?"

Gi Mok-seung blinked in confusion.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Is there anyone else here calling people 'bastards' besides you?"

"Hoh! Look at this insolent whelp. A disciple of Mount Hua can't even recognize the robes of the Zhongnan Sect? I knew Mount Hua had fallen, but I didn't expect their disciples to be this stupid."

"Ah, so you're from Zhongnan."

Chung Myung shrugged.

"Well, you were talking like an expert, so I thought you were a physician. So, do you have a way to cure the Patriarch's illness?"

"The Patriarch fell ill because he defied the Dao. If you perform the proper rites to appease Heaven's wrath, he will recover completely."

Chung Myung's lips curled into a smirk.

"Oh. That could work."

Hwang Jong-ui's face twisted.

But Chung Myung's next words were nothing like what he expected.

"Then you should hurry and call a shaman or someone from Kunlun."

"…What?"

"Isn't that your specialty?"

Gi Mok-seung flusteredly replied,

"Th-That's unnecessary. Isn't Zhongnan already here?"

"Pfft. Who doesn't know Zhongnan and Mount Hua are just half-step sects mixing worldly affairs? If you're doing rites, you might as well get proper Taoists. Personally, I'd recommend a shaman. At least they're the most respected in Daoist rites."

"…"

Hwang Jong-ui's face went blank.

'What the hell is this kid?'

Chung Myung even leaned in and whispered conspiratorially into Hwang Jong-ui's ear.

"The Shaman Sect cares a lot about face. If you offer a decent donation, they'll come right away. If you're going to do it, do it properly. Get the best value for your money."

"…"

Gi Mok-seung's face turned beet red as he roared.

"Y-YOU LITTLE—! Are you mocking your elders?! Is this how your sect teaches you to behave?!"

"Ah, yeah, yeah. My apologies."

Chung Myung scratched his ear and blew on his fingers.

The blatant disregard made Gi Mok-seung tremble with rage, but he couldn't lay a hand on him. If a Zhongnan Elder lost his temper and struck a mere Third Disciple of Mount Hua, it would be an irredeemable disgrace. The entire world would point and laugh.

Whether Chung Myung knew that or not, he was expertly needling the man.

"Young Master Hwang! Throw this brat out at once!"

Hwang Jong-ui sighed at Gi Mok-seung's outburst.

"Elder. This is the Silver River Merchant Group, not Zhongnan. How we treat our guests is my decision to make."

"After seeing how that brat treated me, you still say that?!"

Ignoring him, Hwang Jong-ui studied Chung Myung.

'He seems confident.'

If he were just a fraud, he wouldn't be this bold. But doubts still lingered.

"Young Taoist."

"Yes."

"This isn't because I don't trust you, but…"

"It's fine. I get it."

"…Thank you for understanding. May I ask a few questions first?"

Hwang Jong-ui's tone had grown clipped. Chung Myung noticed but shrugged it off—he understood the skepticism.

"Sure. Ask away."

Hwang Jong-ui swallowed dryly before continuing.

"Young Taoist. Earlier, you said you had suspicions about my father's condition. Could you elaborate?"

"That's… hard to explain."

"Heh!"

The moment Chung Myung finished speaking, Gi Mok-seung let out an exaggerated scoff. Hwang Jong-ui also couldn't hide his bewilderment.

"But I can tell you something else."

"What is it?"

Chung Myung smirked confidently.

"I've heard the Patriarch frequently traveled for trade. Correct?"

"Yes."

"Then before falling ill, he must have visited the area near the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Am I right?"

He declared it like a revelation.

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes widened.

"No?"

"…"

Chung Myung's head tilted slightly.

"Huh?"

"He's never traveled there for trade."

"…Oh. Really?"

A flicker of panic crossed Chung Myung's face. Before Hwang Jong-ui's expression could darken further, he quickly added,

"Then he must have been ambushed during his last trip! Right? Faced some life-threatening danger!"

"My father hasn't been ambushed in years. The last time was at least five years ago."

"Eh? That can't be. What the—?"

"…"

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes narrowed.

"Seriously? That doesn't make sense!"

From behind, Gi Mok-seung's low chuckle could be heard.

"Strange. Then where did he get hit?"

Hit? You crazy bastard!

Has this lunatic lost his mind?

Any faint hope Hwang Jong-ui had for Chung Myung vanished instantly. His gaze turned icy.

"W-Wait! I'm serious! I can fix this!"

"…Young Taoist."

Hwang Jong-ui let out a deep sigh.

Seizing the moment, Gi Mok-seung struck.

"See? I told you there was no point meeting them! Mount Hua has always been a den of swindlers. Just look at their sword techniques—doesn't that say enough?"

"Elder, please refrain from excessive remarks."

After silencing Gi Mok-seung, Hwang Jong-ui turned back to Chung Myung.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but my father's condition is delicate. Amateur treatment could worsen it. I hope you understand my position. Please convey my gratitude to Mount Hua's Sect Leader for his concer—"

"His body burns red-hot, yet his skin is ice-cold. Pressing on it turns the redness pale before it flushes back. Before losing consciousness, he felt chills as if trapped in an icy cave. Dark energy gathers not just between his brows but also at the base of his skull and the crown of his head!"

"…"

"Want more?"

Chung Myung grinned.

"H-How do you know that?!"

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes widened to their limits. Meanwhile, Chung Myung's face radiated absolute confidence.

"Ah… It's a long journey. My throat's a bit dry."

"What are you doing?! Fetch cold water—no, iced water! Now!"

The attendant didn't even reply before sprinting inside at full speed. Hwang Jong-ui's entire demeanor toward Chung Myung shifted instantly.

"Why stand here? Please, come inside."

"Hah. So some big shot has arrived."

"Quickly! This way!"

Chung Myung puffed out his chest and followed Hwang Jong-ui inside. Watching dumbfounded, Gi Mok-seung shouted in desperation.

"Young Master Hwang! Those are just common symptoms of Yin energy poisoning! Knowing that changes nothing!"

Hwang Jong-ui's eyes narrowed.

"Elder, are you saying Yin poisoning causes dark energy to gather at the crown and nape? If you knew so much, why couldn't you cure my father?"

"…That's—"

"This is the Silver River's affair. Further interference will not be tolerated. If you persist, we will formally protest to Zhongnan."

"Ugh…"

Gi Mok-seung retreated a step, sighing.

Then, his eyes landed on Chung Myung's face—cheeks puffed from stifling laughter.

"Y-You…! You little—!"

Heat surged through Gi Mok-seung's entire body. He was so furious he could explode, but what could he do? As Hwang Jong-ui said, this wasn't Zhongnan—it was the Silver River. Even as an Elder, he couldn't act recklessly here.

"You brat! If you fail to cure the Patriarch, I'll have your head!"

All he could do was yell threats at Chung Myung and Hwang Jong-ui's retreating backs.

Once they were farther away, Hwang Jong-ui forced a bitter smile.

"My apologies, Young Taoist. For some reason, Zhongnan's elders lose their composure whenever Mount Hua is mentioned."

"It's fine."

"Ah, thank you for understa—"

"Who am I to blame? It's all my own sin."

"…Huh?"

Chung Myung shrugged.

'Maybe I should've beaten them harder back then.'

A rare moment where the perpetrator of a century-old crime felt guilt toward the victim.