"Why are you so rude as to ask to see a wound? Is that how they teach in Qingcheng?"
Old Man Ban, who was next to him, roared.
Then Xue Gongdao's head turned.
Emitting a cold light.
"There is a reason for it, but what kind of person are you, old man, to speak the name of Qingcheng so easily?"
Xue Gongdao's momentum was fierce.
He was like a beast aiming for its prey.
It was an attitude of looking down on and ignoring the opponent. If the opponent had a strong temperament, a clash could not be avoided. Old Man Ban was close to such a temperament.
The title of Fighting Demon was not created for nothing. He never tolerated it when those who looked down on him for his external martial arts were rude. He dealt with those who ignored and sneered at him mercilessly.
Old Man Ban was staring at Xue Gongdao with a frosty coldness.
The faces of Hua Sochen and the others who were watching could not help but be tense.
"Although Qingcheng has been excluded from the Seven Great Sects, who would dare not have a sense of awe before the name of Qingcheng in the land of Sichuan? Although I have walked a different path of external martial arts from Qingcheng, I have never forgotten the great name of the Red God Sword who led the glory of Qingcheng in the old days, so how can you say that I speak it carelessly? Have you ever thought that you might be using the name of Qingcheng carelessly?"
Old Man Ban's attitude was upright, and his voice was stern.
He was full of dignity, comparable to a great master.
As he praised Qingcheng, Xue Gongdao's eyes wavered and his attitude changed.
"I am Xue Gongdao, the head disciple of Qingcheng. I have committed a rudeness because of a matter that the sect leader himself has ordered. May I dare to ask for your name, elder?"
"You wouldn't know even if I told you. I have wandered the remote areas for so long. I am called Fighting Demon, Ban Nahan."
The fame of the Fighting Demon is by no means light.
Until he was defeated by the Divine Sword of Huashan, he had threatened the internal martial arts and had been on a winning streak.
Of course, after being defeated by the Divine Sword of Huashan, Lee Yeoncheong, in a single blow, he had become a target of ridicule along with the reaction of "of course".
Even now, the corners of Xue Gongdao's mouth rose slightly.
However, since the opponent had spoken the name of Qingcheng with high regard, he could not reveal his inner thoughts of ignoring him.
"So you are Elder Ban, the Fighting Demon. I did not know you were here."
"After being defeated by the sword of Huashan, I have been waiting for the day I will die here. By the way, younger brother."
"Yes, big brother."
When Old Man Ban turned his head and called, Jeok Yorap answered.
"Qingcheng has been the home of orthodox martial arts that has steadfastly maintained its brightness and righteousness since ancient times. There must be a reason why the disciples of that place want to see a wound, so do not be wary and show them."
"I understand."
Jeok Yorap got up from his chair and took off his upper garment.
The wound on his chest was revealed.
"I fell while digging for herbs, what's so important about a wound like this that you want to see it?"
Xue Gongdao's brow furrowed.
Among the orders that had come down from above, it was said that there would be a mark of being hit by a palm strike on the old man's chest.
But the wound he was looking at now was not a mark of being hit by a palm strike.
It was a wound torn by something sharp like a blade or a sharp rock.
It seemed that they were not the ones they were looking for.
When Xue Gongdao was frowning, a sneer appeared on Old Man Ban's lips.
'These guys, I thought a situation like this might come someday, so I told him to have the wound treated in advance.'
It was Hua Yunhui's work.
He had changed it like that by cutting and splitting the living flesh and then suturing it again.
"Where is the child?"
Xue Gongdao looked back at Hua Sochen and asked.
"My medical expenses are not enough, so I sent him to the mountains to dig for herbs. Why are you looking for that child?"
The answer was from Jeok Yorap.
Seeing him flustered by his wound, he had gained confidence and was calmly making a face as if he had no idea what was going on.
"Can you call him here now?"
"Since the herbs in the nearby area are all gone, he has gone deep into the mountains, so how can I call him? He will be back around sunset, so you can just have a cup of tea and wait."
When Jeok Yorap's long-winded words ended, Xue Gongdao's gaze turned to Hua Sochen.
"Is that right?"
"That's right. If you want to wait in the guest room, I will prepare a place for you. Let's go."
"Let's do that."
Xue Gongdao did not back down easily.
He was ready to wait not just until sunset but until the next day to see with his own two eyes.
'Even if you do, it's no use. Hmph!'
Hua Sochen, who was guiding them to the guest room, was snorting inwardly.
***
A tree as thick as an adult's thigh.
Cho Myung was standing in front of it.
Old Man Ban had said in the martial arts manual that when he could smash a log of this thickness with his fist, he would be able to face the young disciples of Kunlun who had hurt his grandfather.
And when he could break a rock the size of a house with one punch, he would be able to face the old men called the Ten Orthodox Heavens.
However, he had said that to reach that level, he had to become one with the energy in his body.
He had said that in internal martial arts, it is called the realm of the unity of spirit and qi, but since it would take a long time to reach such a realm, for now, he had to start with the training where the qi naturally follows when the body moves.
'I don't really understand what he's saying. But I think I understand that he told me to look inside myself first.'
The power to protect happiness.
The power to protect everyone.
He had said that the power in Cho Myung's body was such a power, so he should accept it happily like a friend.
It was the words of his master, one of the most trustworthy people in the world.
Cho Myung squatted down on the ground and closed his eyes. And he looked inside himself.
To be precise, he just thought about it in his head. It was because he did not know how to look inside himself.
'Hey! Are you there?'
***
Xue Gongdao was fiddling with the portrait.
The face of a child who looked to be about four or five was drawn.
A child from the Western Regions.
His name is Cho Myung.
Find him. And do not touch him at all and report.
That was the order that the sect leader had given.
"He can just hide his name, and how are we supposed to find him with no information other than that he came from the Western Regions?"
"He said he was with an old man in his fifties who was hit in the chest by a palm strike."
When Xue Gongdao grumbled, one of the junior brothers who had come with him said.
"Do you think that old man from before is suspicious, junior brother Yang?"
"Yes."
"A child and an old man with an injury on his chest. It's a combination that is not easy to see, even if it's a coincidence."
"That's true. But the wound on his chest was not from a palm strike. You saw it too, junior brother."
"Senior brother, this is a clinic."
"He must have had the wound treated?"
"If he was being chased, he would have."
"Yes, that's very possible. It's a very plausible suspicion."
"If we meet the child, everything will be clear."
"That's right. An adult can hide it somehow, but a child can't."
At Xue Gongdao's words, all the junior brothers nodded.
Since they had come all the way to An after looking around the clinics in Chengdu, they all wanted to rest.
But when he said he had to see the child, they began to think if there was a need for that.
It was not a complaint, but it was true that it was puzzling. But now that they heard it, they fully understood.
"By the way, they said the Hua Family Clinic had completely declined, but it seems that's not the case."
"Yes. I think so too. There are quite a few people coming and going, and as you heard, senior brother, Hundred Herb Forest caused trouble and got a good beating."
"Is it because of the Fighting Demon?"
"Yes, I think he had a hand in it."
"Hmm, can the Hua Family Clinic rise again?"
"Are you thinking of the temporary head of the family?"
"If there is a chance that the Hua Family Clinic will rise, it wouldn't be bad to take it in advance."
It meant that if it seemed to be helpful to Qingcheng, he would even marry the temporary head of the family.
"It would be good to find out about the surrounding situation in detail before returning and ask the sect leader."
"Yes, let's do that."
The image of Hua Sochen, who had acted quite composed and confident, was lingering in Xue Gongdao's eyes as he nodded.
An hour later.
"Myung has returned."
As the surroundings grew dark, Hua Sochen came to the guest room herself.
"Myung?"
"Yes. I told you he went to the mountains to dig for herbs."
"Ah, is that child's name Myung?"
"Yes."
The moment Hua Sochen answered, Xue Gongdao and his junior brothers exchanged glances.
The name 'Myung' is very common, like 'Gang' or 'Geol'.
But since the name of the child who was with the old man with an injury on his chest was 'Myung', it felt very coincidental.
"By any chance, his surname?"
"It's Eun."
"Ah, Eun Myung."
"Yes. Shall I tell him to come in?"
"Please do."
When Xue Gongdao nodded, Hua Sochen shouted towards the outside.
"Myung, come in."
While Xue Gongdao and his disciples were watching with shining eyes, Cho Myung came in.
A face full of wariness, and a height that was by no means short.
"Is this the child who carried the old man we met earlier?"
"Yes, that's right. This kid is stronger than he looks. He ran all the way to the main family carrying his grandfather who had been seriously injured. Myung, please greet them. They are chivalrous guests from the Qingcheng Sect."
"Ah, hello."
Cho Myung bowed his head with a face that was looking for clues.
Xue Gongdao's face, who was watching the scene, was even more distorted.
It was a part that had bothered him from the beginning.
A child who had carried his grandfather.
No matter how he thought about it, it was an action that a five-year-old child could never do.
Nevertheless, the reason he had bothered to visit the Hua Family Clinic was because people might have exaggerated it.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen."
"You carried your grandfather?"
"Yes."
"Did you come from the Western Regions?"
At Xue Gongdao's continued questions, Cho Myung just blinked his eyes.
"Why are you not answering?"
"Because I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Yes."
"What do you not know?"
"The Western Regions."
"......?"
When Xue Gongdao made a bewildered face, Hua Sochen interjected.
"It seems he has never heard the words 'Western Regions' before. Is that right?"
"Yes."
Cho Myung answered.
Xue Gongdao stared at the scene and then turned his head.
When he looked at his most trusted junior brother Yang, he shook his head.
It meant that it didn't seem to be him.
Well, since his age was different, there was no need to ask any more.
Because even if you can hide everything else, you can't change your age and build.
Xue Gongdao stood up towards Hua Sochen.
"I apologize for the rudeness. It seems he is not the child we are looking for."
"It's not a short distance from Qingcheng to here... is there anything else I can help you with?"
Hua Sochen asked as if she were pitiful.
Xue Gongdao, who was staring at the scene, said something unexpected.
"It seems it has already gotten dark, but if it is not a great rudeness, I would like to ask for a night's stay."
Hua Sochen's eyes widened.
It was because it was a completely unexpected situation.
Worried that her expression might arouse their suspicion, Hua Sochen quickly said.
"I am worried that I might make a mistake since I have never hosted people from a great sect like Qingcheng before."
"Hahaha! You don't have to worry about that. A meal as you always have and a space to lie down is enough. What's important is the person and the person's heart. Isn't that right?"
Xue Gongdao said, bursting into a friendly laugh.
"Yes, that's right."
Hua Sochen forced a smile and said to Cho Myung.
"Myung, you go to the kitchen and tell them to prepare a meal for the guests here."
"Okay."
Cho Myung disappeared outside.
He ran off in a hurry, as if he were being chased.
"He's a shy child."
"He said he followed his grandfather and only dug for herbs in the mountains."
"Hmm, I see. It is said that those who have lived a life far from the world of people are usually one of two things. They are either extremely shy and avoid people, or they like people too much and cling to them annoyingly. It seems that child is the former."
"Yes. He has a bit of that side. Then please rest."
It was when Hua Sochen was about to leave.
"If you leave a guest like this, you will be called heartless."
"What?"
Hua Sochen turned around with wide eyes.
'She's definitely an attractive beauty.'
A smile bloomed on Xue Gongdao's face.
"Even if you're busy, let's have a meal together. Since there's the matter of Hundred Herb Forest, let's put our heads together and see if there's anything Qingcheng can help with."
***
When it was dinner time, Hua Yunhui finished his day's work and returned to Longevity Hall.
But his expression was not good. As soon as he returned, he kept grumbling.
"You sons of bitches!"
"Who do they think they are to ask my sister to have a meal!"
"Who do they think doesn't know their dark intentions? You sons of bitches!"
Old Man Ban and Jeok Yorap, who were listening quietly to the angry words, could tell three things.
That Hua Yunhui was very angry right now, that the disciples of Qingcheng had asked Hua Sochen to have a meal with them with dark intentions, and that Hua Yunhui did not know many swear words.
"With the head of the family's beauty, anyone would be tempted."
"It would be stranger if they weren't tempted."
Old Man Ban and Jeok Yorap said a word each.
Then Hua Yunhui looked back and forth between the two and argued.
"But who do they think they are to ask to have a meal together? If they're guests, they should just eat what they're given and go."
"If you don't like it so much, why didn't you ask the head of the pharmacy to go with them?"
"I did."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"Won't those sons of bitches look at my sister with their dark eyes?"
"They probably will."
"So I'm angry."
"Did you not do that when you saw the young lady of the Tang family, Doctor Hua?"
"Absolutely not!"
"The brothers of the young lady of the Tang family probably don't think so."
"......!"
"If they are tempted by the head of the family's appearance and are clinging to her with dark intentions, they should be taught a lesson. But is it necessary to swear just because they asked to have a meal once?"
"It's clear they have dark intentions. And who do they think they are to ask the head of a family to have a meal? They're looking down on us because they're martial artists."
"That's probably true."
"See. They're sons of bitches."
"I see. They are sons of bitches. How about I go and chase them away?"
"Can you do that?"
"What's so difficult about those greenhorns?"
Old Man Ban said with a smile.
Although it was unknown if he could actually chase them away, the damage that Old Man Ban would have to receive would surely be considerable.
Knowing that Hua Yunhui would not ask him to chase them away, he had said it to make him feel better.
"If they become too rude, please do so."
"I will."
Old Man Ban nodded with a smile.
Only then did Hua Yunhui, who seemed to have calmed down a little, sit down in a chair and look around.
"Where's Myung?"
"He's training in the back."
"He's very diligent."
"It seems he felt a sense of intimidation after seeing the disciples of Qingcheng."
"The kid is scared because we're not reliable."
"That's not wrong either, but this situation will become a foundation for Myung to become stronger."
It is said that the ground becomes harder after it rains.
After going through various things, both his body and mind would become stronger.
Thud!
A sudden loud noise burst out.
It was a sound from the backyard of Longevity Hall where Cho Myung was training.
Old Man Ban, along with Hua Yunhui and Jeok Yorap, ran to the backyard in a hurry.
The first thing he saw was Cho Myung.
He was standing blankly with a dazed look.
Old Man Ban turned his gaze to where Cho Myung was looking.
Surprisingly, the large log that had been his opponent during training was shattered.
"What happened?"
Old Man Ban approached Cho Myung and asked with a worried face.
Then Cho Myung turned around.
"I just said let's do it together, let's break it together, and it happened."
"......?"
Old Man Ban, who was just looking at him with a bewildered expression without a word.
Cho Myung looked at such an Old Man Ban, tilted his head, and then widened his eyes and asked.
"I did it, right? I can defeat the red-eyed demon now, right?"
What should he answer?
It was when Old Man Ban was flustered.
With the sound of clothes fluttering, several people arrived like the wind.
They were Xue Gongdao and the other disciples of the Qingcheng Sect.
"What's going on? Did those people from Hundred Herb Forest come again?"
(End of Chapter)