Chapter 1730. Inevitable Loss. (10)
Chorrr
The tea filled the empty cup.
Hyun Jong quietly stared at the full cup. The way he observed the liquid was very different from usual.
"Please, drink."
After a moment of silence, Hyun Jong respectfully offered the cup of tea to Jong Rigok, who accepted it with equal courtesy.
"Thank you, Great Sect Leader."
However, he also left the cup in front of him without bringing it to his lips. The steam rising from the cup uselessly filled the space between the two men.
Hyun Jong finally broke the silence with a heavy voice.
"First, I don't want to be disrespectful, but... is what you say true?"
"It is not disrespectful, Great Sect Leader."
Jong Rigok shook his head.
"It is not a light matter, but a sensitive one. It is natural to need confirmation."
"Then..."
Jong Rigok nodded.
"Yes, it is possible."
"……."
"I wouldn’t dare say 'perfectly,' but... we can make that child wield a sword again and follow his path. With a seventy percent probability."
"Seventy percent..."
Hyun Jong's eyelids trembled slightly. That probability was not low.
"How is it possible? Even the Tang Family Leader said there was no hope..."
A bitter smile appeared on Jong Rigok's lips.
"Great Sect Leader, how do you think the future of Kangho will be?"
"Excuse me?"
It was an unexpected question in this situation.
Was he criticizing him for clinging to a disciple in the midst of a crisis? Or did he really want to discuss the current situation?
While Hyun Jong tried to decipher Jong Rigok's intentions, he continued with another surprising statement.
"I have always thought that someday Kangho would disappear."
"What do you mean?"
"Because we cannot progress. Martial arts have not advanced, but have regressed. That is something you also know, Great Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong's eyes narrowed slightly. He did not understand why Jong Rigok was saying this.
"In the ancient texts of each sect, the skills that the ancestors mastered are recorded, but today's disciples struggle to follow in their footsteps. If this continues, martial arts will eventually disappear."
"Leader Jong, that is..."
Unable to bear it any longer, Hyun Jong tried to interrupt, but Jong Rigok continued.
"The same applies to medicine. Although many discuss medicine, we have not yet reached the level of previous dynasties. Eventually, the medicine of the Central Plains will also become obsolete and be replaced by something completely different. Such are the laws of the world."
Hyun Jong finally understood what Jong Rigok was trying to say.
"So, are you saying that ancient medicine was much more advanced?"
"That is correct."
For Hyun Jong, whether Jong Rigok was right or not was not important.
What mattered was that Jong Rigok had a method to heal Baek Cheon. A method that had been created in the distant past.
"It is a valuable object that has been passed down in the Southern Edge Sect. But precisely because of that, it has rarely been used."
"I understand..."
Such a valuable object would not be easily used on common disciples. It would probably only be used for the Sect Leader or someone of equal importance.
But the circumstances in which someone of such high position does not die but is seriously injured are rare.
"Are you saying you will give that object to Baek Cheon-ah?"
"That is correct."
Hyun Jong bit his inner cheek without saying a word. Jong Rigok, watching him carefully, sighed and spoke.
"Baek Cheon, or Jin Dongryong, is the younger brother of Jin Geumryong, who is essentially the core of the Southern Edge Sect and the future leader of our sect. Additionally, he is personally the Deputy Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, known worldwide, and the leader of the famous Five Swords of the Mount Hua Sect."
"……."
"Not only that. He is the best friend of the Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword, who will surely be the best in the world in the future, and he has a close relationship with the successors of other great sects in Kangho. If we remove the titles, Jin Dongryong's influence surpasses even mine as Southern Edge Sect Leader."
Jong Rigok's voice was extremely calm. There was no bias in his evaluation.
"Therefore... giving such a valuable object to someone like him is not something our ancestors would criticize. However..."
Jong Rigok sighed again.
"Being an object of the Southern Edge Sect, it can only be used on a disciple of our sect."
Hyun Jong closed his eyes. Jong Rigok also let out a light sigh.
In the past, he would have enjoyed offering this deal. But now it was not like that. At least not anymore, for his respect and appreciation for Hyun Jong and the Mount Hua Sect were genuine.
But as the Southern Edge Sect Leader, he could not let his personal feelings interfere with his responsibilities. That is why he decided to speak frankly.
"I do not know the original name of the object. Within the Southern Edge Sect, we simply call it Heavenly Medicinal Water."
"Heavenly Medicinal Water..."
It was a grand name.
"As far as I know, this elixir has been in the Southern Edge Sect since before the time of Yakseon (Immortal of Medicine). Personally, I believe it could be the Great Holy Medicine of the Holy Medical Family, famous in the past."
"The Great Holy Medicine of the Holy Medical Family?"
Hyun Jong opened his eyes wide. He had heard of it.
The Holy Medical Family.
They were a famous medical family hundreds of years ago in Kangho. It was said that their medical skill was so advanced that they could reattach severed limbs and even revive the dead.
And the Great Holy Medicine was the elixir that this family revered. It was said to have disappeared along with the Holy Medical Family.
"…Are you sure?"
"I do not know."
Jong Rigok shook his head.
"At this point, no one can verify if it is really the Great Holy Medicine."
"That makes sense..."
"However, the effectiveness of this elixir has been confirmed by the Southern Edge Sect. It has been used twice, and on both occasions, it is said to have saved people who were on the verge of death."
Hyun Jong let out a heavy sigh.
"Great Holy Medicine..."
If what Jong Rigok said was true, it might really be possible to heal Baek Cheon's body.
The Great Holy Medicine of the Holy Medical Family is not like the elixirs that seek to increase internal energy. It is a life-giving liquid designed specifically to save lives and heal wounds.
Perhaps, it could repair Baek Cheon's shattered and broken body. It could allow him to become the energetic young swordsman everyone remembers.
Not the emaciated and worn-out man who now struggles desperately against illness. But...
A groan escaped Hyun Jong's lips. Hope and despair mingled, tearing at his throat.
"If he becomes... a disciple of the Southern Edge Sect, right?"
Jong Rigok did not respond. It was not necessary.
"How...?"
Hyun Jong's face was filled with indescribable complexity.
He knew.
Although becoming a disciple of the Southern Edge Sect was a condition, offering that precious elixir to Baek Cheon was the greatest act of kindness Jong Rigok could offer. Hyun Jong, as Sect Leader, understood that.
But that kindness was as sweet as it was bitter.
"This... this..."
Hyun Jong bit his lower lip. Then, Jong Rigok clarified his doubts.
"I am sorry, Great Sect Leader."
"Yes?"
"I made a mistake and this information has already reached Baek Cheon."
Hyun Jong's eyes widened.
"To Baek Cheon?"
"Yes. His brother... could not contain his impatience."
Hyun Jong's shoulders trembled. He felt fear. He could barely open his mouth, but he forced himself to ask.
"What did he decide?"
Jong Rigok shook his head heavily as he played with his tea cup.
"I do not have a definitive answer, but it seems that Baek Cheon... has rejected the offer to become a disciple of the Southern Edge Sect."
"…"
"He prefers to live as a Disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, even if it means not recovering his martial arts skills. In that state..."
Hyun Jong recalled his recent encounter with Baek Cheon, who was making a tremendous effort to appear serene.
He had foreseen it. He knew that Baek Cheon was in deep agony.
But he could not imagine that he would reject such a valuable opportunity just to remain a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
"Baek Cheon... this boy..."
Hyun Jong's eyes filled with tears.
Why is Mount Hua so important to you?
Hyun Jong looked at Jong Rigok and asked again.
"Then, if it is already decided, why are you telling me?"
Jong Rigok sighed briefly.
"Because you needed to know."
"…"
"Whether it is a mistake or whatever, our failure has caused great confusion in Baek Cheon. So, naturally, we had to inform you and apologize."
After hesitating for a moment, Jong Rigok continued.
"And also... I cannot deny that I did not want to see such an outstanding person as Baek Cheon fade away like this."
"…"
"If the Mount Hua Sect agrees, we do not have to lose such a talented young swordsman. He is..."
Jong Rigok sighed deeply.
"He is too valuable to lose his light in this way."
Hyun Jong did not respond. Jong Rigok did not expect a response either.
"I just wanted to inform you. All decisions depend on you, Great Sect Leader."
Jong Rigok stood up from his seat.
"I am sorry to have caused you so much concern. I will take my leave now. Goodbye."
Jong Rigok bowed respectfully and turned around. Hyun Jong did not stop him. He had no parting words to offer.
He simply watched in silence the cup of tea that had cooled down.
"Baek Cheon..."
With trembling hands, Hyun Jong grabbed the cup on the table.
Even a simple task like this, Baek Cheon cannot do it alone now. Maybe he will never be able to enjoy a cup of tea by himself again.
As long as he remains a disciple of Mount Hua, forever.
Hyun Jong closed his eyes tightly.
The youthful face of Baek Cheon when he first arrived at Mount Hua was still clear in his mind. Unlike now, it was full of hope and confidence. He shone so brightly.
The memory was so bright that Hyun Jong's heart ached even more. A pain that would not fade no matter how much he tried to rub it away.
------------------
Beyond the wall where Hyun Jong's soft sighs could not reach, under the window, a man was sitting. His face was hardened.
It was Baek Sang.
"Uh..."
Involuntarily, he let out a sound and covered his mouth for fear that Hyun Jong would hear him. He was still dazed.
'What did I just hear?'
After staring blankly for a moment, he slipped out of the window. He took a few cautious steps, but soon began to run desperately.
'My brother... my brother can be cured?'
He must go to Baek Cheon.
No, no. Baek Cheon will not accept him.
Then, what should he do?
'Who should I tell?'
He cannot handle this alone. He must tell someone, anyone.
With his heart about to burst, he kept running.
And in the distance, Jong Rigok, who was watching Baek Sang, sighed and turned around.
It will be a long night.
