Ep494 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The claim that he had devoted several days and nights to treating Zhu Yun, the head of the Mount Hua Sect, was not merely a rumor spread to lure in evil forces. In reality, he had tirelessly worked day and night to heal Zhu Yun, and at last, he reached his goal. Was he not anxious throughout the process? 'Not at all.' He believed. Even if the Heavenly Demon were to descend upon him, he trusted they would stand by his side. Fueled by that steadfast belief, he did his utmost. "...It's done!" At last, Seol Sooyeon's divine power successfully mended the deep scar across Zhu Yun's chest. Though a scar would remain due to the longstanding wound, what did it matter when he had narrowly escaped death? Thanks to the timely healing before the wound could fester, Zhu Yun soon regained consciousness. "Ugh..." A weak groan escaped through his parched lips. At the same time, his heavy eyelids struggled to rise, revealing Zhu Yun's eyes. He took in the familiar ceiling and surroundings and questioned himself. "...Am I alive?" The answer, however, came not from within but from another. "Yes, you are." Zhu Yun forced his stiff neck to turn and locate the voice’s owner. "And you are...?" He asked, his vision still somewhat blurry, and his mind foggy. The man responded respectfully with a clasped fist salute. "I am Baek Woojin, Sect Leader." Only then did Zhu Yun properly recognize the man, Baek Woojin. "Ah..., it was you after all." And he realized the truth. "You were not the one who slashed my chest; it was someone posing as you." Everything about that person, except for their outward appearance, had been different. The aura they exuded, their gaze, their manner of speaking—all distinct. The Baek Woojin he encountered when wounded was sinister, while the one before him now was pure and sincere. With this understanding, he expressed his regret. "I apologize." It was obvious. He could discern the events that must have unfolded after he collapsed, having unjustly marked Baek Woojin as a criminal. No doubt countless suspicious and resentful eyes had been cast upon Baek Woojin. Baek Woojin smiled bitterly and shook his head at the heartfelt apology. "It was nothing." Indeed, it was nothing. Although there were some twists and turns, it was the kind of ordeal he had faced countless times before. More importantly now, there was something he had to convey to him. "You’ve just awakened, so you may be bewildered, but there’s something you should know." "...What is it?" "Well." Looking into the inquisitive eyes directed at him, Baek Woojin explained. He spoke of the events that had transpired since his arrival. That Elder Tak Ilwoo of the Mount Hua Sect, his own senior disciple, had played a part in the recent incident. And the reasons why it had come to pass. After hearing everything, Zhu Yun closed his eyes with a darkened expression. "Such a thing happened..." It came to him belatedly. Just days before he was slashed by the culprit. The dark shadows he occasionally observed in his companion’s expressions during their tea sessions. Whenever he inquired if something was wrong, he would hurriedly shake his head, claiming it was nothing. "So that was why he had such an expression." With belated understanding of his junior’s demeanor and words, Zhu Yun opened his eyes and made a request to Baek Woojin. "Could you bring Elder Tak to me?" In response, Baek Woojin rose from his seat and answered from the door. "He is actually waiting right outside. He insisted on witnessing you regaining consciousness." Screech! As the door swung open, there sat Tak Ilwoo. Kneeling in the midst of a small garden. And at last, their eyes met. Gazing at Tak Ilwoo's eyes, which shook with intense emotion, Zhu Yun beckoned him closer. "Come here." Struggling, Tak Ilwoo stood and staggered towards Zhu Yun in his disheveled state. He soon knelt before his senior brother, bowing his head. "I have committed an unforgivable offense, Sect Leader. Please punish me." His voice was steady, yet emotions simmered beneath. Sensing this, Zhu Yun labored to extend his arm, gently patting Tak Ilwoo's shoulder as he spoke. "Raise your head." “……” Slowly, Tak Ilwoo lifted his head. Regret, anger, remorse, sadness. Faced with a countenance awash with such emotions, Zhu Yun spoke in a trembling voice. "I'm sorry, Junior Tak." Eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected apology. He continued. "Despite decades together, I failed to read the expressions on your face; I am truly a lacking senior." "Please, do not say such things." "Honghwa..., have you found the child?" Tak Ilwoo nodded with difficulty. "Yes. Thanks to Master Baek, she was found safe and sound." "That's fortunate," he remarked with genuine relief. He was truly relieved. Had anything befallen the child, whom his junior cherished like a daughter, he might not have been able to overcome his own sorrow. Gently patting Tak Ilwoo's arm, he continued, "It's all well; you've saved Honghwa, and I am alive as well." "Senior Brother..." "So let us bury this matter in our hearts." "But if we do that, the order of our sect..." Discipline holds the greatest power when applied uniformly to everyone. If they compromised that standard simply out of sympathy for his situation, the very order of the Mount Hua Sect might falter. Tak Ilwoo foresaw such complications, yet Zhu Yun did not share the same concern. "Do you think our disciples will lose their resolve over something like this?" "No, that's not it, but..." "Then it's settled." "Senior Brother..." Tak Ilwoo, overwhelmed with gratitude by such magnanimity, remained unsure of how to respond. It was both an act of mercy and a form of punishment. Punishment need not always involve physical pain. At times, the emotional burden one carries can be a punishment in its own right. Zhu Yun knew him well. He was someone who held himself to even harsher standards than he did others, relentlessly pushing himself. "If you feel unsettled by this, then, as you have always done, continue to dedicate yourself to our sect. Render greater service than your errors and bring honor to Mount Hua." To this, Tak Ilwoo replied, "Yes, I shall do so without fail." As he spoke, determination shone in Tak Ilwoo's eyes as he lifted his gaze. Baek Woojin, observing the deepening camaraderie between the two senior brothers, intervened with a gentle interruption as their conversation neared its end. "Now that things seem settled, I’d like to explain the purpose of my visit here." "Ah, right." Both men simultaneously wore puzzled expressions. There had been so many overlapping incidents that it was understandable how they might have overlooked this, yet it remained a curious point. The Celestial Sword Master, Baek Woojin. What had prompted his unexpected visit to the Mount Hua Sect? Baek Woojin answered, "...The Heavenly Demon is approaching." "……!" "……!" They both sensed it intuitively. It seemed the misfortunes befalling the Mount Hua Sect were just beginning. * * * She did not hurry. Or rather, she didn’t wish to rush. This was her first journey. Though she had ventured out occasionally, those had been time-sensitive matters. It was undoubtedly the first time she leisurely observed her surroundings like this. After passing through several villages to reach Hwaeum County, she reflected honestly on what she had seen and felt. "Different, yet the same." The culture was quite different from the world she was born and raised in. Yet, in the end, this was also a world where people lived. The lives they lived did not seem drastically different from those in her original world. And so she became curious. "Is your world like this too?" What would the Earth, the place where he was born and raised, look like? Old longings resurfaced anew. "I wanted to walk with you like this." They had walked a lot and traveled to many places together. But the circumstances had never allowed for leisure. He was a hero, and she was his vanguard. So whenever they envisioned a time after vanquishing the Demon King, they shared the same hope. To embark on a journey without any particular purpose, just letting their steps lead wherever they may. "...Though it’s a promise that can’t be kept anymore." Even so, she felt good. Even walking alone in the world where he breathed, observing the surroundings. With an easy stride and gaze, she left Hwaeum County and wandered up the mountain path. Atop the mountain, where plum blossoms were in full bloom. Beneath grand plum trees laden with blossoming flowers. And beyond that, the tall fortress wall lined with hundreds of martial artists. Among them stood a man, swiftly aware of her presence, studying her intently with a gaze she found deeply familiar despite his different visage. Seeing his complex expression, a smile escaped her. "As expected, your instincts are sharp." How he knew she would come here first and had made preparations. Even setting little traps in anticipation. "Well..., such trivial matters are nothing to you, are they?" Ah, delightful. She relished the current moment. After all, weren’t they within each other’s sight? Two people gazing at each other beneath the fully blossomed plum trees. "It’s quite a romantic situation, isn’t it?" With a graceful step, the Heavenly Demon walked among the plum blossom trees as if she truly believed in the romantic notion of their meeting. In response, Baek Woojin also stepped forward to greet her, breaking into a wry smile as he added to her earlier remark. "Isn't it rather inappropriate to call this situation romantic?" "Tsk." The Heavenly Demon clicked her tongue, as if chastising him. "You haven’t changed at all..., still ruining a woman’s sentiment with your untimely words." "Changing that habit isn’t easy." "That's why I liked you." "...?" An unexpected confession. With a gentle smile on her lips, the Heavenly Demon continued. "I loved you because you don’t change easily. It makes me think your feelings for me won’t change either." A blend of enduring affection and animosity. To this, Baek Woojin chuckled and replied. "You’ve seen me right." He drew his sword as he spoke. "I love you, Anje." Not to be outdone, she lifted her sword as well. "How fitting." The two clashed. Boom—! Their swords collided, bringing their faces so close they could feel each other's breath. She completed her unfinished words. "I feel the same." Plum blossoms dislodged by their clash began to scatter and flutter around them. Author's Note I'll be back with the next chapter. Thank you for reading as always. Have a restful night. 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