428 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 429: Senseless The last time I saw Shinyi was probably just before Wieseo left the Sect. That was about two years ago. According to Elder Chang, I heard Shinyi had left with the Sword Master for the Zhen sect. I hadn't heard any news since then. 'Why is Shinyi here...' Out of the blue, at the Tang Sect no less. And coincidentally right when I arrived in Sichuan. "What are you doing? Come and sit here." "..." At Shinyi's words, I moved forward and sat down. I wondered who would be given such a prestigious seat. If it were Shinyi, it all made sense. While there's no definitive best under heaven, among physicians, Shinyi was unmatched. People would offer fortunes just for a chance to meet him. I sat across from him, bowed respectfully, and carefully asked, "Have you been well?" I thought it best to start with a greeting. At my words, Shinyi frowned slightly and replied, "There's no comfort in old age. We're just living." "..." He was as gruff as ever. "I called you because I heard you'd be coming by." "Thank you for summoning me." "Despite your gratitude, your face looks exhausted and questioning why I called." "..." His intuition was still sharp as ever. Shinyi sipped the tea in front of him, then shot me a piercing glance. "Lately, there's not a day that I don't hear rumors about you." "..." "I expected something like this would happen sooner or later, just didn't anticipate it to be this soon." Apparently, Shinyi had heard the stories surrounding me as well. Well, with the Meng and the Beggar's Guild spreading it everywhere, it'd be odd if he hadn't. "Regardless, I'm glad to hear you're doing well." "Thank you." The Dokwang behind me looked at us, astonished. It seemed strange to him that Shinyi would act so friendly. Seeing this, Shinyi turned his attention to the Tang family's Patriarch. "Tang family head." "Yes, Elder?" "I have something to discuss with this young one. Could you give us a moment?" "...!" To ask the head of the Tang family to leave so bluntly—remarkable in every sense. But then, Shinyi could achieve that. After a brief moment of contemplation, the Dokwang bowed and exited, closing the door behind him. Once more, I focused on Shinyi. What on earth was so important to discuss? "I heard you were looking for me." "Yes. As I mentioned, I found out you'd be coming, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to see you." "What brings you to Sichuan?" At my straightforward question, Shinyi hesitated for a moment. His voice, tinged with annoyance, held layers of emotion. "I hadn't intended to come... but past ties are never simple, it seems." I widened my eyes at Shinyi's words. That means... "Could it be... is Master Wei here as well?" The reason Shinyi headed for the Zhen was because the Sword Master intended to go there. This meant Shinyi and the Sword Master had a connection. And now, in Sichuan... 'Wiesi is here.' His granddaughter's presence made it unsurprising for the Sword Master to appear. If he were here, would it be to take Wiesi away? As such thoughts stirred my emotions, Shinyi looked at me incredulously. "Why bring up that old man here?" "Pardon?" "He's not here." "Then, whom...?" "If I told you, would you know?" "..." Of course, I probably wouldn't. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head. "Yet, there's a chance you might." "A person I might know?" "They're out for a while now, but when they return, you should come and see them." "Right now? Suddenly?" "That old man also expressed interest in seeing you... Just make an appearance." "Ah, okay." I already felt uneasy. Given Shinyi’s acquaintances, it was likely this person was another formidable presence. 'Though by now, there's no one left who could surprise me.' After the time rewind, I faced the Sword Master. Then my master became the Cult Leader, and I’ve been surrounded by leaders from major sects. I've met the masters of the Four Great Families, as well as the Sword Queen and a candidate for that title. So really, how many more formidable martial artists could there be? 'Unless it's one of the Three Sovereigns. Then there's little to fear.' Yes, unless suddenly the Celestial Sovereign was in Sichuan, nothing should surprise me anymore. "If they call, I'll visit." At my words, Shinyi gave a nonchalant nod. Just then, someone tugged at my sleeve. I turned to see Jegal Hyuk. "What is it?" "..." Jegal Hyuk scribbled something on the table with his finger. Watching his movements, it seemed like he wrote 'Long time no see, brother.' I ruffled his hair playfully. "Yes, it has been a while. Looks like you're eating well; you've gained some weight." Jegal Hyuk beamed at my words. Seeing that smile, I pondered, '...He's smiling?' His unexpectedly vivid emotional expression compared to before surprised me. It must mean he’s been doing well. "I heard Serah is also here." "...Ah, yes, that's right." "Is she doing well, that girl?" By "that girl," he must mean Wieseo. It's difficult to answer whether she's truly doing well. I hope she is. "I'm trying to ensure she is well." "Unlike before, you no longer give unsatisfactory answers." "..." What did I say before to be called unsatisfactory? I don't think I've changed much. As I pondered, Shinyi suddenly interjected. "You've changed a lot." "...In a good way?" "In both ways." He meant there were both positive and negative changes. "The thorns I once saw have receded quite a bit, but the tension you carry has only heightened." I couldn't help but smile slightly at Shinyi's observation, as it was true. "And now..." Shinyi extended his wrinkled hand toward me. "Roll up your sleeve and give me your arm." "...Shinyi?" "Hurry." The seriousness in Shinyi's eyes as he asked for my arm was unmistakable. Having been examined by him countless times before, I cautiously offered my arm... '...Which one should I give?' I hesitated. Both of my arms were in rather strange conditions. On my left arm, a crimson bandage was wrapped. On my right arm, scales had begun to appear. After a few seconds of indecision, I presented my left arm, thinking the bandage was preferable to the scales. Seeing this, Shinyi's expression grew complicated. "Were you injured? Your arm seemed fine before." "No... It's just that somehow, this is... well..." As I stammered, unsure of how to explain, Shinyi nodded as if he'd figured something out. What could that mean? "Ah, you're at that age." "Pardon?" "The age of bandages and eye patches. Everyone has that phase, don't they?" It seemed he had drawn a strange conclusion. No, that's not it. Really, it's not. Feeling the need to set the record straight, I hurriedly tried to speak, but Shinyi began to examine my arm intently. '...Damn it.' Once the examination started, speaking was impossible. Interrupting Shinyi during diagnosis would only distract him, risking a stern reprimand. So, I had to silently endure being misunderstood as some adolescent obsessed with bandages and eye patches. This wasn't the first impression I wanted. Thinking otherwise, yet unable to voice it, I simply stayed quiet, waiting for the examination to end. It felt unbearably prolonged and distressing. ****************** The examination took longer than expected. Typically, Shinyi's diagnosis would conclude within minutes, but now an entire hour had elapsed. Finally, Shinyi seemed to conclude, turning his eyes to me. With the examination over, I could finally voice my concern. "Is there something wrong with my body?" My query was due in part to how prolonged the examination had been. Shinyi looked at me, his expression becoming more thoughtful, and asked in a serious tone. "Let me ask you this first." His earnest voice made my heart stir as Shinyi continued. "Have you practiced the martial arts of the Bijou Clan?" "...!" His question widened my eyes in surprise. How did he know? As Shinyi continued, his demeanor was calm and explanatory. "The peculiar muscle condition and meridian flow can only be attributed to its martial arts." "..." "If it were a genuine transformation, things would be different, but since there's no such sign in you. Is it true?" "...Yes." I hadn't realized my muscle's condition would reveal this. Though caught off guard, I saw a hint of sadness in Shinyi's eyes. "So he truly found a successor... and it had to be you." "Shinyi...?" "I had hoped no one else would get swept up in his obsession. But here we are." "..." Shinyi, it seemed, was aware of the problems associated with the Art of Devouring Heaven—like the brutal pain linked with altering muscles and meridians forcefully. This transcendent martial art, which induces an artificial transcendence, was known for its excruciating side effects. Even the Sovereign of Blades emphasized how rare it was for anyone to endure such pain. As a physician, such tales would hardly be comforting for Shinyi. "Does your father or the elder Guryun know about this?" "The family head is aware. Elder Zhang doesn't know." "So Guryun is in the dark about it... He’ll probably be very upset once he finds out." "..." It was likely true. Especially when he learns he was sold out... I could expect a scolding. 'Then again, I can always escape now.' Having reached a certain level of mastery, I was confident I could evade the elder if needed. And that assurance was enough. As I conjured escape plans, Shinyi continued speaking. "It seems you've expended a great deal of energy recently." "Yes... there were some circumstances." Energy used to demonicize Tang Deok and hatch the Red Serpent. This depletion of energy and my physical state—all of it, Shinyi had discerned. He was still the remarkable physician he always was. "You seem exhausted. You're aware of this?" "Yes." "You should find a time to rest properly." A wry smile tugged at my lips at his words. I had intended to do just that but ended up being summoned here, failing to rest as planned. Still, I refrained from voicing it. The privilege of being examined by Shinyi, knowing the extent of his goodwill, was too valuable. "And..." As Shinyi's next words came, I braced myself to listen. This time, there was a different weight to them. He spoke with a seriousness that was palpable. "Shinyi...?" "Do you remember when I called you a walking corpse?" Years ago. When I had just revisited the past, before a year had passed, during a trip to Mount Hua to retrieve Gui Linghua. Shinyi had examined me at the request of My Ho Seon and remarked as such. A walking corpse. I remember the words clearly. He had said that the conflicting energies within me posed a constant danger of erupting. Yet, with Master Wei tempering the energy, and the Harmonizing Essence of the Art of Devouring Heaven, there had been balance. Thanks to that, I even acquired the Art of Devouring Heaven. For a while, I had nearly forgotten those words, thinking there were no issues. So why was Shinyi bringing this up again now? Just as I began to wonder... "Back then, I couldn't be entirely sure. But this time, I'm speaking with certainty, and I stake my name on it. Listen carefully." Shinyi's expression was a mix of anguish and resolve as he looked directly at Guiyangcheon. "If things continue as they are, you won't live much longer." The starkness of his declaration caused Guiyangcheon's eyes to widen impossibly, as if lanterns had been lit within them.