NOVEL NEXT Chapter 47
In the central martial world, there’s a story that always comes up when three people gather.
– Who are the “Three Supreme Heroes” of the world?
The “Three Supreme Heroes.” It sounds quite contradictory, and one might wonder if there’s even a need to choose, but since the top two are so firmly established, discussions about the third Supreme Hero inevitably arise.
– The first of the world is the Sword Saint.
Sword Saint Mo Yongcheon. There’s no arguing with that.
Because he claimed to be the best in the world during his time, having actually subdued the Heavenly Demon.
So who is the second best in the world?
– Coincidentally, the Heavenly Demon.
Heavenly Demon. That too is beyond dispute.
Because the Heavenly Demon lost to the Sword Saint, not to the martial world or the authorities.
Once an absolute being is defeated, those beneath them often start to scheme and rebel one by one.
However, the Heavenly Demon suppressed all rebellions of the Demon Cult.
Then what about the authorities?
Despite the distant location of Cheongsan to the west, even further than the Kunlun Sect in Qinghai Province, would they really remain silent after so many soldiers were lost?
They had no choice but to remain silent.
After the Heavenly Demon’s defeat, the lord of Qinghai disobeyed the command of the Imperial Palace and led an elite force of 20,000 soldiers to attack the Heavenly Demon, only to be annihilated once again by him alone.
Some say the Imperial Palace cut off the tail of the Qinghai lord, and that there was a martial artist from the palace among the Qinghai army, but the truth remains murky.
However, while the Heavenly Demon displayed his overwhelming power, he seems to struggle in reorganizing his forces, leading to the slow decline of the Demon Cult.
Therefore, every time these three, related to the martial world, gather, they invariably discuss who will succeed the Sword Saint and the Heavenly Demon.
Some point to the new ascendant of Shaolin.
Some mention the Yeocheong of the Imperial Palace.
Others advocate for the Sword Mistress of the Haedong Sword Sect.
Some even suggest the Dao Huang of the Hebei Paeng Family, or the sword prodigy of the Namgung Family, or perhaps the Wise Master of the Wudang Sect.
With the Martial World Alliance Leader firmly positioned among the Ten Greatest of the World, the ranks above him fluctuate as the hierarchy from third to ninth place shifts back and forth.
But these are merely speculations; no one truly knows.
When will these high-tier experts fight each other again?
Once they reach that level, there’s no reason to offend one another, and as guardians of the martial world, they understand their positions well enough not to act rashly.
If they were to reorder the ranks, it would likely be through someone from later generations rising and methodically defeating opponents from the bottom up, bit by bit.
Rumors circulate about someone who fought Yeocheong and won.
Then there’s someone who fought the Sword Mistress and lost.
Naturally, this leads to the assumption that Yeocheong is below the Sword Mistress.
Without a direct conflict between the individuals involved, there’s no way to ascertain their actual ranking.
As it stands,
“I can’t keep up with the eyes of a criminal.”
I arrived at the scene of the commotion only to see the two swords clashing, creating sparks of different colors.
In this unarmed space, the duel between the two high-ranking experts was like a fireworks display in front of my eyes, revealing an overwhelming battle that was invisible to me.
“…….”
Standing beside me, Mo Yongseol intently followed the fight, clearly tracking the duel.
Perhaps it was because she walked the path of the sword, or perhaps it was due to her remarkable talent, but Mo Yongseol was watching the clash of the two high-level experts with her eyes wide open.
A speed of exchanges beyond the comprehension of the average viewer.
Yet from within that, I could certainly hear.
“You’re being foolish…!”
“No, I’m not!”
Even if they are high-level masters, when they speak, their words were a tad faster than usual.
“Do you have no shame, Sword Mistress!”
“It’s Sword Hero, Senior!”
“Yet you are twice my age!”
“I’m only seventeen, half the age of Senior Yeocheong, you know!”
The two exchanged swords while arguing, and I could easily guess how they ended up at this point.
“They didn’t take the bait.”
As Sword Saint said, the Imperial Palace’s number one sword, Yeocheong, completely doused the Sword Mistress’s ‘Sword Hero play’ with cold water.
While everyone from the Mo Yong Family regarded the Sword Hero as the Sword Mistress’s secret disciple, only Yeocheong exposed the Sword Hero’s reality and inflicted humiliation.
Perhaps the reason for this provocation is—
“The fact that a stronger swordsman rejuvenated through Extreme Yang Reversal is already unpleasant, and on top of that, witnessing such an unseemly sight enrages her.”
As Sword Saint said, jealousy was at play.
It is reasonable to believe that the Sword Mistress is stronger than Yeocheong, and it is entirely understandable that feelings of jealousy arise.
Yet what I can’t comprehend, as I discern urgency and impatience in their voices—
“Father.”
“Yes, Seol-ah.”
“It seems to me that the Sword Hero is… struggling against Yeocheong?”
And just as Mo Yongseol had perceived with her eyes, the Sword Hero was indeed struggling against Yeocheong.
“Isn’t the Sword Hero better in terms of skill? In terms of talent, too.”
“That’s right.”
“Could it possibly be… due to Extreme Yang Reversal…?”
“Though we can attribute some of it to bodily changes from Extreme Yang Reversal, it can’t be said to be the direct cause.”
The Sword Saint turned his gaze toward me.
“Physician Seok, you would know the reason. Why is the Sword Hero struggling?”
“…Even if she’s losing now, I believe if they were to fight a week later, the Sword Hero would win. She is currently in a weakened state.”
Although invisibility cloaks the situation, the slight changes in posture or the brief expressions when they stop are enough to note.
“I’ve heard that female martial artists struggle to showcase their abilities during menstrual cramps.”
“That’s exactly it.”
The Sword Hero was under duress (perhaps).
This internal distress was the reason she was losing to Yeocheong, and why Yeocheong was incensed.
“If this continues, it might become problematic—”
“Gah—al!!”
Boom!
Between the duel of the two female swordswomen, a massive club descended like a bolt of lightning with a resounding crash.
“What in the world are you doing!!”
“Kugh, Dao Huang…!”
Dao Huang intervened.
His cloud-like, voluminous hair swayed amidst the dust and shockwave, and though some strands were cut by the sharp wind pressure created by the collision of the two swords, Dao Huang remained unfazed.
“What are you doing, being unrestrained in front of your juniors!”
Regardless of the cut, his abundant hair remained intact.
“Yeocheong, relinquish your sword! And you too!”
“…….”
“Hurry!”
At Dao Huang’s command, the two retreated.
Then both of them cast complex glances toward him.
As if they were baffled by Dao Huang’s calm demeanor, where other than a few trimmed hairs that swayed gently, he appeared wholly unaffected.
“You’ve grown strong, Senior.”
The Sword Saint muttered briefly.
“Has recovering your self-esteem brought insight?”
“…….”
“The effects of Extreme Yang Reversal are manifesting in various ways.”
Though Dao Huang might have been relatively weaker than the two in martial prowess previously, by regaining his hair, he may have also reclaimed the vitality of his youth.
Both Dao Huang and the Sword Mistress had changed immensely from before.
As someone sent from the Imperial Palace to observe the Mo Yong Family, Yeocheong would certainly know this.
“Lady Yeocheong.”
“…Sword Saint.”
“Calm yourself, and let’s discuss the details in the inner courtyard with Physician Seok and Seol. For the sake of Dao Huang and myself, please bear with it.”
When the Sword Saint shot a sharp gaze towards the Sword Hero, she hesitated and lowered her head.
“I’m sorry. It was the pain that made me lose myself.”
“Thus, you should… say that.”
I understood.
For some, experiencing menstruation after decades might feel like a blessing and happiness, while for others, not having it show up when due could lead to tears and wails of anguish unseen by others.
“Follow me, Lady Yeocheong. And Physician Seok and Seol, you too should follow along.”
The Sword Saint tidied up the situation and invited Lady Yeocheong to the inner garden of the manor.
* * *
A little while later.
“The timing was not good. There are times when even I can’t handle the Sword Mistress’s antics, so I ask for your understanding.”
“…It’s fine. Sword Saint, there’s no need for your apology. Whatever miracle has occurred, it’s my fault for losing myself without considering my age.”
Lady Yeocheong replied to the Sword Saint in a composed voice.
Yet her demeanor remained sharp, and her intense gaze did not leave me.
“Ugh.…”
Fortunately, Mo Yongseol clung tightly beside me, glaring at Yeocheong with widened eyes, trying to establish a stance, while I felt the true intent and pressure from the high-ranking martial artist as she continuously gripped me tightly.
Me?
“Physician Seok.”
To me, the young woman before me simply looked like a ‘patient.’
“Treatment for blocked meridians, Extreme Yang Reversal, restoration of hair loss. I can understand that much. However… the fact that the Sword Mistress has become the Sword Hero and now experiences menstrual cramps means she has the capability to bear children.”
Even if the ailments differ, when one sees a person in similar circumstances being prescribed medicine and achieving a miracle, how would it feel for someone who earnestly desires the same?
“I would like you to provide clear answers regarding what Lady Yeocheong thinks.”
“Before answering, there is one thing I must ask.”
“What is it?”
Fortunately, Lady Yeocheong addressed me as a physician.
Thus, I too am merely treating her as a physician, handling the patient sincerely.
“Do you wish to regain your ability to bear children, or do you hope that your body recovers so you can give birth and raise a child yourself?”
“To respond, I shall say this.”
Lady Yeocheong placed a hand over her chest.
“I do not wish to heal my injured lower abdomen as a martial artist.”
Lady Yeocheong’s abdomen was damaged from an attack, along with her organs related to childbirth.
“Sorry to say, my royal family, but I would gladly forsake my martial arts.”
What could one possibly want to obtain, even at the expense of her remaining martial prowess, while partially damaging her lower abdomen?
“I simply want to bear a child with my beloved lord. Not an adopted child from other concubines, but one born from my own womb.”
“I understand!”
At Lady Yeocheong’s words, Mo Yongseol jumped up and shouted.
“Physician!”
“Decisions have been made.”
I stood up, showing respect towards the Sword Saint.
“Since Lady Mo Yong has granted permission, I will do my utmost to treat Lady Yeocheong.”
The idea that a martial world physician would refuse to treat someone from the imperial family?
“If a miracle occurs, it will be due to Lady Yeocheong’s fervent desire and love, with the deity of medicine granting that miracle.”
That’s not how a physician considers it.
“I will help you conceive.”