Overlord of Sichuan

Chapter 39: The Generous Mount Emei (3)

‘To become the disciple of the Divine Physician?’

It was such an unexpected proposal that he felt bewildered.

But in truth, it was understandable.

A male disciple in the sacred grounds of Mount Emei, where men were forbidden.

It seemed that the effort he had poured into easing Geum Hwa Sa-tae’s wariness had led to this very outcome.

Sewoon was so astonished that he pretended to be at a loss for words, while in his mind he quickly began weighing the gains and losses.

The Subduing Tiger Divine Physician, Boyeon Divine Nun.

She was the Supreme Elder of the Emei Sect and one of the Ten Masters of the Martial World.

‘Hmm, yes, she was indeed at the stage just below the Alliance Leader.’

During the confrontation with Lee Hoseong, when the Murim Alliance Leader appeared together with her, the Divine Physician had clearly shown the perfection of the Manifestation Realm.

Back in the days when she had roamed the Jianghu actively, the number of demonic leaders who perished at her hands was so great that one could not count them even with fingers and toes combined.

Even Poison Demon Yelü Sheng would have turned into a cold, lonely soul after only a few exchanges with her.

‘But Boyeon Divine Nun’s true worth lies in her medical arts.’

Though a generation had passed, the title of Divine Physician was still firmly hers.

Her skills in medicine were said to reach the heavens, to the point that even the Emperor of the Imperial Palace would urgently summon her whenever he fell ill.

If he were to accept Geum Hwa Sa-tae’s proposal and gain the Divine Physician’s medical knowledge—

‘……perhaps. I might even overcome the Heavenly Punishment.’

If he combined Poison Demon’s medical arts with those of the Divine Physician, he might truly be able to resolve the Heavenly Punishment completely.

As Sewoon appeared lost in deep thought, Geum Hwa Sa-tae’s eyes gleamed as she spoke.

“If you worry that being bound to Emei would keep you from tending to your clan’s matters, you need not. I plan to request that my Master accept you not as an inner disciple, but as an outer disciple.”

“-!”

“In that case, would it not resolve your concern about being unable to leave your clan behind?”

At her words, Ha Yeong and Cheong Yeon’s eyes widened to the point of bursting.

For an outer disciple to become the disciple of a former Sect Leader…

It was a proposal that had no precedent in history and would never again occur.

It was proof of just how much Geum Hwa Sa-tae wanted Sewoon to become a disciple of the Emei Sect.

At that moment, Ha Yeong quietly gazed at Sewoon.

She saw the expression of a man lost in deep contemplation.

‘If he becomes my Ancestor Master’s disciple… then he would be my Martial Uncle?’

Indeed, if Sewoon became Boyeon Divine Nun’s disciple, he would share the same generation as Geum Hwa Sa-tae, making him Ha Yeong’s Martial Uncle.

To live within the sect gates of Emei, together with Sewoon…

As soon as Ha Yeong absentmindedly pictured such a scene—

Thump.

‘……?’

Her heart began beating slightly faster than usual.

Why?

As she blinked in puzzlement at the strange sensation she had never before experienced—

“I…”

After a long silence, Sewoon finally opened his mouth.

Everyone’s gaze, including Geum Hwa Sa-tae and Tang Muyeol, turned toward him.

But contrary to the expectations of the three from the Emei Sect—

“…I am sorry. I am deeply grateful for the Sect Leader’s offer, but I cannot accept it.”

“-!”

Sewoon chose not to walk the path of becoming the disciple of the Divine Physician.

Though tempting, the proposal carried as many drawbacks as benefits.

Just as the sudden appearance of Poison Demon had shown, even with regression, reality moved unpredictably.

That was why he had to move as quickly as possible.

‘If I become bound to the Emei Sect, my freedom of movement will inevitably narrow.’

In such circumstances, becoming the disciple of the Divine Physician would bring more disadvantages than advantages.

Geum Hwa Sa-tae let out a short sigh at his refusal.

“Huuh, how regrettable.”

“I beg Sect Leader to forgive me with a heart as vast as the sea. Moreover, how could someone so lacking as myself ever be worthy to become Divine Physician’s disciple?”

“What nonsense is that! I made this offer precisely because it was you.”

Geum Hwa Sa-tae raised her voice.

And she truly meant it.

The exceptional spirit of chivalry that drove him to risk his life for clan members held hostage.

The outstanding mental fortitude to silently endure the horrific torment of the Heavenly Punishment, which she herself had once experienced.

The extraordinary martial skills that, without a doubt, placed him among the top three prodigies of his generation.

In Geum Hwa Sa-tae’s eyes, Sewoon was without question a pillar upon which the Orthodox Path of the Martial World would one day rely.

“Thank you for your kind words, Sect Leader. Please also know that I never meant to look down on or disregard Emei.”

“I already know well your character. Do not trouble yourself with such needless worries. This old nun is merely regretful, that is all.”

“Your words alone bring me gratitude.”

“Huuh… only now do I understand the bitter heart of the late Alliance Leader.”

Sighing deeply, Geum Hwa Sa-tae spoke, while Tang Muyeol simply wore a dazed expression.

‘No matter how I look at it, I still can’t believe it.’

The situation before his eyes felt unreal.

His own son had received proposals to become the disciple of both the Murim Alliance Leader and the Divine Physician.

And he had rejected both of them of his own will.

It was hard to tell if this was a dream or reality.

Pride filled Tang Muyeol’s gaze as he looked at Sewoon.

‘……When did he grow so much?’

Truly, the greatest joy of parents was seeing their child’s growth.

Along with his pride came the suffocating memory of how his son had hovered between life and death for days.

At that moment, Sewoon clasped his hands in a martial salute toward Geum Hwa Sa-tae and spoke.

“However, if you are ever in need of a hand to treat someone, please do not hesitate to call upon me anytime, anywhere. I will be the first to rush to aid Emei and the Sect Leader.”

“Hmph, after casting me aside so coldly, do you think sweet words like that will soothe me?”

“N-no, that wasn’t my intention…”

Flustered by Geum Hwa Sa-tae’s unexpected reaction, Sewoon stammered.

Seeing this, she soon broke into a bright smile.

“Haha, I was only jesting. At times like this, you truly seem like one of your age.”

“Ah…”

Watching Sewoon breathe a sigh of relief, everyone in the room couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“You are truly mischievous, Sect Leader. Even I was deceived.”

“Oh? For even the Clan Head to be fooled, perhaps I’ve just discovered a hidden talent I never knew I had?”

“Haha, it seems so indeed.”

Within that warm atmosphere—

Brilliant golden sunlight streamed into the room through the open window.

If asked to name the sect representing Gansu Province, all would mention the Kongtong Sect, one of the Nine Sects One Gang.

However—

If asked to name the most influential power in Gansu Province, the answer would change instantly.

Everyone would point to the Lee Trading Company, headquartered in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province.

Lee Jamyeong, the head of Gansu’s foremost trading company, the Lee Trading Company, had from his youth involved himself in all manner of shady and filthy dealings, so long as they brought profit.

By employing every method without scruple and always succeeding, he had risen so high that even the Chief Inspector, who oversaw the entire judicial system of a province, could not treat him lightly.

This was because he had secured close ties with high-ranking figures of the Imperial Court through lavish bribes.

With such unchallenged authority in Gansu Province, Lee Jamyeong then turned his gaze southward.

His eyes fell upon a most enticing prey—Sichuan Province.

To achieve his grand ambition of extending his reach beyond Gansu into Sichuan, he began his great plan by sending his son into the Qingcheng Sect.

Through the Great Disciple of Qingcheng, his son had been on the verge of officially becoming the youngest disciple of the Murim Alliance Leader.

Yet only days before, his only son, Lee Hoseong, had returned home with one arm severed and an incurable madness.

On a night shrouded in deep darkness.

In the innermost chamber of the Lee Trading Company—

Clink.

Lee Jamyeong personally poured tea with all due courtesy into someone’s teacup.

His sharp, blade-like features were clad in silk garments worth enough to buy several pleasure houses in Luoyang.

Yet the man seated across from him looked utterly shabby, the very opposite of his own grandeur.

“How does the tea taste?”

Lee Jamyeong asked politely to a man who appeared barely past twenty.

Then, to his surprise—

“Pah! Disgustingly bitter.”

The young man sipped the tea, grimaced, and spat it aside without hesitation.

Anyone in Gansu who witnessed such insolence would have been aghast.

For a mere instant of such disrespect toward Lee Jamyeong would normally mean immediate beheading.

Yet Lee Jamyeong’s expression betrayed not the slightest stir of emotion.

“My apologies. I should have prepared a more refined tea.”

“No need. I hate anything bitter. Just bring me something sweet—like candied fruit.”

“As you wish.”

At his words, Lee Jamyeong signaled to a maid.

Soon after, she returned with a tray full of candied fruits.

“Oooh!”

The young man’s eyes lit up, and he devoured the sweets as though he hadn’t eaten in days.

Chomp, chomp.

Quietly watching the gluttonous scene, Lee Jamyeong finally spoke in a slow tone.

“Did you know…”

“Gulp. Hm?”

“The connoisseurs call our Lee Trading Company the foremost trading company of Gansu.”

At that moment, his eyes met the young man’s.

A chilling gleam flickered within Lee Jamyeong’s gaze.

“But had I wished to raise my company into the open, one of the Four Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains would have lost its name that very day.”

The Four Great Trading Companies—those that held the greatest wealth in the Central Plains.

For over a hundred years, their positions had never changed.

Yet Lee Jamyeong now boasted that, had he desired, he could have taken one of those seats for himself.

Slide.

He pushed a sheet of paper across to the man.

“Huh? It’s blank.”

“The numbers you write upon that page shall be your reward.”

It was a blank banknote.

A declaration that no matter the sum, he would pay it.

Silence filled the room for a time.

At last, Lee Jamyeong voiced his true desire.

“Bring me the head of the Tang Clan’s heir.”

Lee Jamyeong was ordering the assassination of Sewoon.

Indeed, the man before him was none other than an assassin.

A heavy killing intent seeped from Lee Jamyeong’s entire being.

“Pah, just name your price, huh? That’s cool, old man.”

The young man scratched his head as he replied.

“But sorry to say, I’ll have to pass.”

“-!”

Lee Jamyeong’s pupils quaked as though struck by an earthquake at the unexpected refusal.

And then it happened.

Kyaaaaak!

A shrill, ghastly wail—like the cries of tortured spirits—burst out from beyond the door.

“Y-young Master, please, please spare me…!”

“Grrr! Tang Sewoon! Ta–Tang Sewoooon!”

Slash!

With a chilling slicing sound—

The door of the room split in half, revealing Lee Hoseong with a sword in hand.

Thud.

At the same time, the body of the maid who had brought the candied fruits collapsed into the room.

“Kihihihi! I killed him! I killed Tang Sewoon!!”

Lee Hoseong drooled as he stared at the maid’s corpse, laughing in delight.

Pointing at him, the young man spoke.

“That bastard. No matter how you look at it, he’s someone who deserved to die.”

“-!”

For the first time, Lee Jamyeong glared at the man.

Part of him wanted to cut down the fool whose blood hadn’t even dried yet.

But he barely restrained himself with extreme patience.

The man—and the force backing him—was not one he could treat lightly.

Slide.

The man pushed the blank banknote back to Lee Jamyeong.

“Sorry. We’re not some cheap group that kills anyone just for money.”

They were a group of assassins known for thoroughly investigating both client and target, only killing those who had a reason to die.

And once they accepted a commission, they had never failed in all history—undisputedly the greatest assassination organization of all time.

“…You will regret this.”

“Oh, come on, old man. Why so serious again?”

Grinding his teeth, Lee Jamyeong spat out his words, but the man only grinned.

“I’ll send the payment for the sweets later. I’ll be off now…”

“Graaah! Tang Sewoon—!”

“-!”

Fwoosh!

Suddenly, Lee Hoseong’s crazed eyes widened as he charged at the man with his sword.

It happened too quickly for Lee Jamyeong to intervene.

‘How troublesome.’

Yet even in the face of mortal danger, the man only frowned in annoyance.

Rustle.

At that moment, Lee Hoseong’s upper garment slipped, exposing the hideous scar of his severed arm.

“-!!”

And with that—

The man’s entire aura transformed.

Shaaah!

A terrifying killing intent flooded the room.

Thud.

Lee Hoseong collapsed mid-charge, unconscious.

“Gurrrk! Grkkk!”

“…Why is this happening?”

Though Lee Hoseong foamed at the mouth and convulsed violently, the man ignored him and stared at the scar.

For the first time, a spark of interest flickered in eyes that had until then been filled with emptiness.

Interesting.

Wearing a bright smile, the man turned to Lee Jamyeong.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“…What?”

“I’ll accept your request, old man.”

“…!”

“Mm. Here, the commission fee is about this much.”

Scribble, scribble.

Dipping his finger into the blood pooling on the floor, he wrote an outrageous figure onto the blank banknote.

Then, without hesitation, he turned his back.

He was already preparing to head toward Sichuan.

In haste, Lee Jamyeong called out to him.

“W-wait.”

“Hm?”

“…Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

At his question—

Grin.

The man only smiled and leapt out the window.

Fwoosh!

Racing into the pitch-black night without a shred of moonlight—

‘Because I need to find out how a Tang Clan brat knows my ultimate technique.’

The heir of the Gate of Assassins, Nameless, muttered inwardly.