Book 10 Chapter 1

BIRYUN IS HOSPITALIZED!

RUMOR!

It is transmitted by word of mouth, sometimes swelling like a snowball, other times disappearing silently like dust.

It makes a rumor travel a thousand li without legs, and sometimes becomes a test ground for people's imagination, causing its beginning and end to be absurdly distorted, perplexing people. And sometimes, it possesses a cruelty that turns it into the blade of a grim reaper, severing the owner's tongue or pulling it out like a weed.

However, there is no room for argument that it delights people's ears and frequently provides topics for idle talk. If this rumor did not exist, the taste of alcohol for everyone in the martial world would be halved, and the sales of many liquor businesses would plummet to one-fifth. Rumor was a veritable first contributor to the liquor industry. To that extent, rumor possessed a secret power that made people's ears more interesting.

Currently, the Cheonmu Academy was in an uproar because of one rumor. The content of that rumor made 60% of the male disciples cheer, drove 20% into a frenzy, and caused a near-fatal accident for the remaining 10% of the male disciples, making them feel like they were dying of happiness.

Amidst various speculations, conjectures, and hypotheses, the truth was buried in vain, and the story grew endlessly. As it was one of the most interesting events that had occurred recently, it was natural for people's attention to be focused here. It was a rumor about a man.

"Lady, you must have heard the rumor, haven't you?"

Yong Cheonmyeong, standing idly in a corner of the office of the leader of the Gun-ung Palga Ho, asked Maharyeong, the leader of the Gun-ung Ho, Cheol Okjam. She was sitting at a tea table, sipping tea from a celadon teacup. She was still slender and beautiful.

Yong Cheonmyeong had visited this place about an hour ago. Upon hearing of his visit, Maharyeong wore a very puzzled expression.

'Was he this interested in that fellow?'

Unless something particularly urgent occurred, his visits were rare. After all, the two of them and the two groups they led were in a competitive relationship. Therefore, it was inevitable that such an impulsive summit meeting would be rare. Moreover, due to some past memories, Maharyeong was always cold towards Yong Cheonmyeong. Naturally, their relationship became distant. Yet, a sweet and juicy rumor about that person had brought Yong Cheonmyeong to the leader's office of the Gun-ung Ho.

"It's a rumor that assaults my ears every day, everywhere, without regard for place. At that point, even a deaf person could understand it."

Her answer was by no means gentle. It felt as if sharp thorns were densely embedded. Yong Cheonmyeong suddenly felt as if he were talking to a fierce female cat.

"Then, what are your thoughts, Lady?"

It was a question with a missing object. Yong Cheonmyeong did not explicitly state what he was curious about. As soon as the question ended, an unexpected outburst of curses erupted from her mouth.

"I can only see it as the offender, who threw away all manners into the trash can, finally meeting their match and receiving the divine punishment they deserved. It is a very natural and satisfying thing. Master Binggeom acted in a very upright and honorable manner, setting an example for others. My honest feelings are that I want to go and thank him with a boatload of gifts."

Yong Cheonmyeong was caught in the outpouring of Maharyeong's emotions. His question triggered her emotions to explode, engulfing him in an instant. In fact, she was seriously considering sending Master Binggeom a large gift to express her gratitude for his act of justice. That was how much the rumor had cleared her constricted chest. Upon hearing the news, she felt a violent pleasure, as if a ten-year-old constipation had been cured in an instant. It would have been more apologetic if she hadn't shown a little sincerity. This was proof of how delighted she was by this news.

For example, after hearing the rumor that Biryun had a duel with Master Binggeom and was urgently hospitalized in the ICU of the Medical Hall, her appetite returned, and her food intake doubled compared to the previous week. Her rough and dry skin also began to regain its luster, as if it were shining. It was impossible to count how many times she had rejoiced inwardly upon hearing the news.

'Biryun!'

She scowled as much as she could and looked at her wrist as if it were stained with filth. The humiliation of that day still lingered like residue, troubling her mind.

'Biryun… You rascal! You've been acting all high and mighty, and finally, you've met your match!'

Maharyeong's mind could not forget the impudent face that called her 'fatty'. Her jade-like hands trembled with suppressed rage. And that rage soon transformed into ecstasy. The thought of his current state flashed in her mind.

"…What I'm curious about is why he was in such a state after confronting Master Binggeom."

After watching Maharyeong's actions for a moment, Yong Cheonmyeong spoke again. It was a question that still remained in Yong Cheonmyeong's mind. No matter how much Biryun acted like a reckless and ignorant young fool, it was hard to believe he would dare to confront Binggeom, one of the five great swordsmen in the world.

What on earth had happened between the two of them?

"You're curious about all sorts of things, Young Master Yong! It's because he didn't know his place that he was so badly beaten and hospitalized in the ICU of the Medical Hall. A fellow who doesn't know his place or his limits dares to run wild without knowing the height of the sky… It's like a moth flying into a fire with oily tinder."

Her tone still carried a cold wind. If it were someone other than Yong Cheonmyeong, the Sky Dragon, who was listening, they would shiver from the encroaching chill.

"I didn't know you hated this Biryun fellow so much."

Her anger was beyond violent; it was persistent. Even he found that very surprising.

'You dummy!'

Maharyeong could only mutter inwardly at Yong Cheonmyeong's thoughtless remark. He was still a man who lacked tact and foresight. However, she did not utter the word 'dummy' aloud. She had enough discernment for that.

"I'm surprised you haven't eaten him alive yet."

Yong Cheonmyeong said, intimidated by her fierce aura. It was his sincere feeling. Instead of getting angry, she smiled coldly.

"I wish I could."

"Aren't you paying too much attention to him?"

At that moment, Maharyeong glared at him with fierce eyes.

"What did you say?"

Maharyeong, who still had the humiliation inflicted by Biryun clinging to her mind like a leech, asked. The shame of that time flashed before her eyes as if it were engraved on her retina. Every night, in her dreams, it appeared as a continuous sequence of scenes, which was a trifle. Maharyeong was a critical patient on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of Biryun.

If she could, she would erase his existence from this world entirely. If she could do that, she could sleep soundly without being tormented by nightmares… Moreover, she could neatly fold up the insults she had received and bury them with him. That was her regret. At least with this good news, she could barely calm herself down.

"I only regret that he is still alive. Or rather, it might be better. Because it means I still have the opportunity to end him with my own hands."

It was a fatally poisonous remark, a blend of venom and coldness.

CRUNCH!

The teacup in her hand shattered into powder. As if to crush Biryun's shadow! The contents had already evaporated due to her anger, so hot tea did not flow down her hands. Still unable to suppress her rage, she ground her teeth. The mere thought of it made her anger surge over her head.

'…They say that when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in May, don't they?'

Watching Maharyeong's terrifying reaction, Yong Cheonmyeong keenly felt that it was more beneficial to be more careful when dealing with women. Then, like a disciple of the Shaolin Temple, full of compassion and Buddha-nature, he did not forget to offer prayers for Biryun's soul. It seemed unlikely that he would have another chance to return the insult he and the Shaolin Temple's sacred artifact, the Green Jade Tathagata Divine Sword, had suffered.

'It would be better for him if he just stayed in the ICU and never woke up.'

Although he himself had been insulted by Biryun, compared to the venom Maharyeong emitted, his anger was a mere drop in the bucket. He could not argue with that. It seemed true that women were both weak and strong, gentle and cruel, good and evil. He thought that it might be better to make an enemy of a ghost than to make an enemy of a woman like this. That thought lingered in his mind and wouldn't leave.

Where there is light, there is shadow, and where there is yin, there is yang.

Of course, it was undeniable that the majority of people rejoiced at the rumor, but not everyone was rejoicing, celebrating, and cheering. There were many who could not believe his injury.

'Even if I want to believe it desperately, it still doesn't feel real!'

They were the members of the Vermilion Bird Squad, not included among the ordinary masses. While others cheered, they had to tremble with anxiety. The fear that Biryun might suddenly get up like a zombie was the cause. In the end, they decided that they could not bear it alone and agreed to gather their heads to exchange opinions. For some reason, even if the opponent was Binggeom, it was not believable that the wild, impetuous, cosmically arrogant Biryun had been so easily defeated. They were currently suffering from a suspicion that made them unable to believe any situation related to Biryun at face value. This was the result of Biryun's diligent education over time.

"Is it true?"

The first person to question among the sixteen Vermilion Bird Squad members was Namgung Sang. Although his martial arts skills were improving rapidly, his sense of intuition was still stagnant.

"Well…"

Hyeon Un replied to his words with an indecisive answer.

"To be honest, I don't believe it. It's unbelievable that the great senior brother, who feared nothing in the world, would be so easily defeated and hospitalized in the ICU, even if the opponent was Master Binggeom. We already approach everything about the great senior brother with suspicion. We've suffered too much to believe it so easily. Haven't we been tricked by the great senior brother more than once?"

That was Hyeon Un's honest feeling. The infinite suspicion towards Biryun was an illegitimate child born of their self-preservation instinct.

"Did the two of them really have a duel?"

Namgung Sansan asked. It was an event that would never have happened normally, so her question was justified.

"Of course. Lady Na Yerin and Jin Seol have already proven that. I don't know why - it must be for a trivial reason - but it is a fact that the two of them had a duel."

Jin Ling confirmed Namgung Sansan's doubt. However, that alone did not fully resolve their doubts. They had no choice but to witness the monstrous divine power of their great senior brother, Biryun, which they had seen against their will.

Namgung Sang, who had been sitting idly, spoke in a cautious tone.

"But even if he fought Master Binggeom, would that monstrous senior brother have been defeated so easily? The great senior brother who returned unharmed from facing the terrifying Iron Legged Horse Demon Brigade?"

Namgung Sang would never forget what happened that day. The same was true for others. People's faces immediately turned serious. The Vermilion Bird Squad members still felt chills down their spines whenever they recalled that day.

"That's right! There's no way that damn great senior brother would have been defeated so easily. There must be some scheme this time too. It smells really fishy."

No Hak, who had been tricked by Biryun's affectionate touch multiple times, actively agreed with Namgung Sang's opinion. His survival instinct, honed by living as a beggar, was intensely stimulating his mind and nerves.

"In that case, it's probably best not to show too much joy. If we're so happy and jumping for joy… although I'm incredibly happy, of course. If even the slightest chance of being discovered by the great senior brother…"

That would bring about a disaster so horrific that it would make them shudder just thinking about it. They all turned pale at the mere thought.

No Hak slammed the table with a hearty laugh.

"Are we going to be fooled once, or twice!"

In fact, they had been fooled more than a dozen times.

"We must never let our guard down against the great senior brother. He's a monster! Let's not make the mistake of measuring him by ordinary human standards. How many times have we fallen for his wicked tricks?"

The truth that their past experiences had taught them was that judging by appearances alone would lead to great trouble. What unfolded before their eyes was the ultimate truth that could only be seen and heard by their own eyes and ears, and especially when it came to matters related to Biryun, they must never let their guard down, no matter what, and no matter what honeyed words were spoken.

'Even if the great senior brother offers me candy, I must never follow him. Read not the surface, but the other aspect lurking behind it!'

That was the best lesson they had learned from Biryun so far. However, unfortunately, they had never successfully applied the lesson to reality. The fact that they were now sitting here in serious discussion was to understand the truth of this situation and decide on the course of action they should take. Even if Biryun was lying in bed wrapped in bandages, they feared the repercussions if they showed too much joy. Therefore, they could not succumb to the wave of joy sweeping through the entire Cheonmu Academy. They were too afraid of the consequences of such actions.

"Hmm…"

"Ugh…"

"Kuhum…"

Binggeom, Guan Cheolsu, the legendary swordsman who held the position of the Cheonmu Academy's headmaster, repeatedly reached for the iron doorknob and let go. As if the doorknob were red-hot, he could not grasp it easily. The master swordsman, renowned throughout the world, was clearly nervous now.

CRASH!

With renewed determination, he firmly grasped the doorknob. However, the wooden door of the Medical Hall did not open, as if it were made of ten thousand pounds of iron. Of course, the door did not actually weigh ten thousand pounds. It was impossible to make it so due to the complexity of the manufacturing process. Nor did it have dozens of anti-intrusion locks. Despite being an ordinary door that could be seen anywhere, Binggeom could not open it as if the gate of hell were locked.

"Ugh…"

Another low groan escaped his lips. His feet would not move easily. It was as if glue had been applied to the soles of his feet. He was still agonizing over his decision, consuming immense mental energy. Should he go in like this, or was it not too late to turn back and make all of this as if it never happened… He had not yet untied the knot in his heart. After hesitating for a long time, Binggeom finally seemed to make up his mind, his face hardening with resolve, and he forcefully pulled open the door of the Medical Hall.

CREAK!

With a sharp sound, the Medical Hall door opened, and a thick medicinal smell wafted out. Binggeom then stepped inside.

THUD!

Unlike when he opened it with difficulty, the door closed very easily.

Delicate, slender fingers as white as pearls reached towards a certain point and then stopped with a start. Then, refusing to move further, they froze in mid-air.

"Hmm…"

The owner of the elegant hands was standing in front of the Medical Hall, where Biryun was receiving intensive care. Her hands, like the person just before her, hesitated to grasp the doorknob. It seemed the Medical Hall door had been endowed with a special ability to make people ponder today. First, it was a man with a cold demeanor reminiscent of a block of ice, and now it was a woman with a stunning beauty that made even the brilliant sunlight seem dull. Receiving a visit from such a woman would be an immense fortune in itself.

'Why am I here now?'

Na Yerin's most pressing question was this.

She was currently standing in front of the Medical Hall door, hesitating whether to enter or not, but the question that preceded it was the legitimate and persuasive reason why she was standing here at this moment. Thinking back with her cold rationality, there was no reason, obligation, or responsibility for her to be here now. Yet, she was standing here. That was the reason for her contemplation.

She could not convince her own reason with any explanation. The rumor that Biryun, after recklessly provoking Master Binggeom, had been fittingly hospitalized in the ICU of the Medical Hall spread through the academy like a wildfire in a dry winter, at a fierce and unrestrained pace. Those who heard the rumor unanimously agreed that it was the inevitable course of destiny, a divine punishment. Many gathered in groups at taverns to celebrate. This was a reflection of Biryun's achievements and excellent human relationships accumulated over time.

Na Yerin, who had been entangled with Biryun unintentionally several times, could not easily believe his serious injury, just like the Vermilion Bird Squad. Strangely, although this incident was very natural and there was no room for impossibility, she felt a great sense of incongruity. That is, it didn't feel real. Perhaps that was why she was standing here now. Desperately searching for a reason to convince herself…

Na Yerin asked herself again in her mind.

'Is there really a need for me to go this far? Why am I here now? What am I standing here to confirm? What do I want to know? What does my heart truly desire? Do I have the answers to these questions in my heart?'

Her heart, being mischievous, did not respond to any of her many questions. All that was certain was that she was standing here at this moment. There were too many uncertain factors to decide her next action.

"Should I go back?"

She mumbled after a long wait and contemplation, as if it were her life.

'Yes! This will be the best choice!' Na Yerin thought to herself. She ultimately could not grasp the doorknob. The door of the Medical Hall was only a mere inch away, but she could not grasp it, as if a thousand-zhang cliff blocked her path.

'Yes!'

She finally made up her mind. She turned around sharply and walked back. Then, she tried to leave the place she had come to unintentionally without regret. But she could not walk forward. Her feet wouldn't move. Fortunately, it was not for a ridiculous reason like suddenly missing Biryun terribly. It was due to a physical obstacle, not a psychological one. It suddenly felt like the sun had set and night had fallen.

The reason she could not turn around and walk away! It was because a giant, casting a huge shadow before her, was blocking her path right in front of her.

A man dressed entirely in fiery red, reminiscent of a burning flame! It was Yeomdo. When Na Yerin and Yeomdo stood side by side, it was like 'Beauty and the Beast.' Due to his much taller height than Na Yerin, Yeomdo looked down at her. However, the fierce glint in his eyes, usually present, was not shining.

"Why are you here?"

The first person to speak with a surprised look was Yeomdo. As far as he knew, there was no reason for Na Yerin to be here. Na Yerin could not readily answer his question. Her heart had cooled like water poured over ice. She froze in silence. This was an unexpected situation for her.

'Oh no! Even if I was careless… This can't be!'

Na Yerin was baffled by her own state of complete defenselessness for a moment. This was something that would never happen normally. Even if the opponent was Yeomdo, one of the five great swordsmen in the world, this was clearly her mistake.

"…"

"Huh?"

Yeomdo tilted his head at Na Yerin's sudden silence. She looked very confused and flustered.

'How could I have been so easily caught off guard… to be so defenseless and allow someone to intrude into my personal space… Even if the opponent is Master Yeomdo, was I really so mentally lax?'

Na Yerin was horrified. This was an unprecedented event. No matter how skilled Yeomdo was, she had never failed to sense someone approaching so closely before. Even if the opponent was stealthy, she could always sense it. But this time was different. She had allowed her back to be exposed without sensing any presence. Fortunately, it was Yeomdo; if it had been an enemy, her life would have been forfeit. For a martial artist to expose their back was equivalent to saying, 'Kill me.' It was an unforgivable mistake.

A small, fine crack had clearly appeared in the solid ice crystals within her heart.

'Have I forgotten even my mindset as a martial artist?'

Her heart grew colder and colder.

"Are you alright? You look unwell."

Yeomdo asked with a worried expression. This was by no means his usual, ordinary behavior. If he were a normal man, he would have been slapped for his lack of manners. Or he would have had to sweat profusely in the training grounds all day. But he could not act that way in front of Na Yerin, and he, who was usually called 'burning scoundrel' by the disciples, transformed into a warm neighborly uncle or a benevolent teacher. Only then did Na Yerin, who had finally registered Yeomdo's presence, hurriedly greet him.

"Master, have you been well?"

Yeomdo's face broke into an uninhibited smile upon receiving her greeting. Yeomdo's actions were becoming increasingly suspicious. Carelessness might be dangerous. His patience, which had been as dry as the bottom of a well during a drought, seemed to have suddenly sprung forth like a hot spring. As proof, he was asking the same question to his lovely disciple for the third time. This was a world-shattering event for Yeomdo.

"Why did you come here?"

"Uh…"

Na Yerin found it very awkward to answer. She couldn't say that she had come to visit Biryun and was about to leave because she wasn't feeling up to it. Hesitantly, she looked at Yeomdo's left hand. He was holding a large basket there.

Swordsmen or sabermen usually held their swords or sabers in their right hand, so unless it was a special case, they rarely held things in their right hand. Therefore, Yeomdo was holding the item he brought in his left hand.

As Na Yerin carefully examined the contents of the basket, its identity was soon revealed. Her eyes showed surprise. The contents were very uncharacteristic of Yeomdo. Fresh fruits in season, various kinds of biscuits and Korean traditional sweets, and next to them, a whole roasted chicken and a bottle of liquor. In addition, various other food items were piled high. It was clear that Yeomdo had brought them as get-well gifts for Biryun. That fact made her even more perplexed.

'Was his condition so serious that he needed intensive care?'

If his condition were that bad, he would only be able to eat porridge or gruel. However, what Yeomdo had brought were luxurious and abundant foods that would be burdensome even for ordinary people to eat.

"Uh…"

However, her thoughts and doubts were shattered by Yeomdo's words. He broke into a hearty laugh and said,

"Oh, I wondered why you were here, but it seems you've come to see Ryun. How thoughtful!"

While Na Yerin hesitated for a moment, Yeomdo's intuition, which was usually as thin as a sliver of hair, seemed to have stretched out like a dragon's beard. Yeomdo was increasingly acting outside the norm. And he subtly seized the opportunity to call his master's name carelessly.

"Then why are you hesitating? Why don't you go in? Come on, let's go in. He should have woken up by now."

"Even if he just woke up, can a critically ill patient eat food that puts such a strain on the stomach?"

A patient with such serious injuries should normally be eating medicinal soup as a meal. However, she could not fully resolve her doubts. Yeomdo's actions were too sudden. Yeomdo, who had arbitrarily determined Na Yerin's purpose - and it wasn't a completely wrong assumption - actively pushed Na Yerin into the Medical Hall. There was no room for her to refuse or decline.

Yeomdo's actions could clearly be described as guidance. However, Na Yerin had no right to refuse. Therefore, she was swept away by Yeomdo and had no choice but to step into the Medical Hall with unwilling steps.