SYM 97
by Emerlyn“The Sect Leader is right. It’s realistically impossible for a large number of martial artists to gather in Beijing. The imperial information agencies, the Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard, have unknown capabilities, but they are not to be ignored. However, since we are gathering only a small number of highly skilled individuals, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Namgung Juwon added.
Gathering in Beijing, where the Emperor resided, was a burden even for him, the Namgung Family Head. If Eun-hyeon hadn’t been involved, he might have feigned ignorance, using the closure of the family as an excuse.
“But, Father. I’m worried because there are a thousand people captured.”
“We will make sure to rescue them all. If they regain their senses with the antidote, the rescue itself won’t be too difficult. Young master Seo Eun-hyeon is truly a kind person.”
Jeong-hyeon smiled and patted Eun-hyeon’s shoulder. It felt very strange to be praised by Eldest Senior Brother.
For a moment, he felt like Seo Eun-hyeon again.
“By the way, can the Tang Clan create the antidote in time? It seems the most important thing is whether the antidote can arrive on time.”
Ha Yeo-un interjected. Jeong-hyeon paused briefly and looked at Ha Yeo-un, but soon nodded.
“The Tang Family has come up with a clever solution. How about diluting the antidote and using it?”
“Diluting?”
Eun-hyeon, caught off guard by the unexpected suggestion, asked back in surprise.
“The Hongbaek Sect uses something close to an anesthetic when creating Semi-Reanimated Corpses. So, if we dilute the antidote, it should alleviate the effects to some extent.”
“Hmm, such a method…”
“There’s no way to create antidotes for a thousand people right away, but if we dilute about half the amount and use it, they should be able to evacuate.”
Perhaps because they were the Tang Family, specializing in poison creation, they came up with an unexpected solution.
“Then, have you considered how to administer the medicine?”
“That’s right. Administering the antidote will be the problem.”
Namgung Juwon nodded at Ha Yeo-un’s words.
No matter how much antidote there was, it would be useless if there was no way to administer it.
Moreover, they had to move secretly, because if the Hongbaek Sect noticed and ordered them to commit suicide, everything would be in vain.
“Indeed, the name White-robed Divine Dragon is not an empty one. A sharp point. We have discussed that as well. According to the Tang Family’s explanation, Semi-Reanimated Corpses are still alive, unlike Undead.”
Everyone nodded at Jeong-hyeon’s explanation.
Especially Eun-hyeon, who had personally experienced their state as a Semi-Reanimated Corpse, knew it even better.
Undead are created using the corpses of completely dead people, whereas Semi-Reanimated Corpses are merely in a hypnotized state with slowed metabolism. Therefore, they could also be offerings for the Rite of human sacrifice.
“All living things must drink water to survive. The same goes for those in a Semi-Reanimated Corpse state.”
“Oh, water! That’s right!”
While Namgung Juwon agreed, Eun-hyeon tilted his head.
Had he drunk water when he was in a Semi-Reanimated Corpse state? But he had almost no memory of what happened back then, so he couldn’t be sure.
“The Tang Family recommended adding the antidote to the drinking water.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. We were just focused on rushing over here, but the Martial Arts Alliance was prepared after all.”
“If the Namgung Family Head hadn’t sent a letter, how could we have prepared for this?”
Eun-hyeon listened to the conversation between Namgung Juwon and Jeong-hyeon, and glanced at Cheong-un.
They had shared the antidote’s recipe, but they hadn’t mentioned that the Demonic Sect was preparing an antidote. But now, it seemed there was no need to mention it.
“It’s reassuring that the Namgung Family Head is taking the lead like this, even in difficult times. The Martial Arts Alliance Leader expressed great gratitude. And it’s so reassuring to see young friends taking the lead in the Hongbaek Sect’s affairs! Oh, by the way, these people behind me are my disciples Se-ak and Se-jin.”
Eun-hyeon and Ha Yeo-un belatedly exchanged brief greetings with the Kunlun Sect disciples introduced by Jeong-hyeon.
Se-ak and Se-jin looked to be only about twenty years old, and since their faces were completely unfamiliar, they must have joined after he left.
“Se-ak, Se-jin. Young master Eun-hyeon and Great Hero White-robed Divine Dragon Ha Yeo-un have been a great help in this Hongbaek Sect affair. In particular, young master Eun-hyeon is not even a martial artist, yet he has accomplished such amazing feats. There is much to learn from them.”
“Young master Eun-hyeon, Great Hero Ha. We look forward to working with you.”
The two of them looked at Eun-hyeon and Ha Yeo-un together and greeted them.
After that, Jeong-hyeon gave Se-ak and Se-jin a few instructions. Most of them were trivial errands, such as unloading or organizing luggage, but the two boys blushed and looked excited at Jeong-hyeon’s praise.
Seeing that, Eun-hyeon felt strange. Se-ak and Se-jin seemed like his former self. Back when he was in Kunlun Sect, he had worked hard to receive Jeong-hyeon’s praise like that.
Jeong-hyeon never got angry or ignored him even when he said stupid things, and if he seemed unable to get along with his fellow disciples, he would subtly come over and help him as if it were nothing. He was truly the perfect Eldest Senior Brother.
Looking back now, Jeong-hyeon was not even twenty years old back then, so how could he have done that?
“Alright, Sect Leader Jeong-hyeon, and Taoist Se-ak, Taoist Se-jin. The food is getting cold. Let’s eat first and then talk. No matter how delicious something is, it’s not good when it’s cold.”
Namgung Juwon’s words lightened the heavy atmosphere. The biggest concern, the antidote issue, had been resolved more easily than expected, which also made him feel lighter.
“By the way, young master Eun-hyeon, are you traveling the Martial World with Great Hero Ha these days? I heard that you encountered the Hongbaek Sect by chance while traveling.”
“Ah? Yes, yes. That’s right.”
Eun-hyeon had been half-listening to the conversation between Jeong-hyeon and Namgung Juwon, but he was startled and looked up when his name was suddenly called.
Then, he met Jeong-hyeon’s eyes. Jeong-hyeon looked at Eun-hyeon, narrowed his eyes, and smiled gently.
“Even though you were born into a martial arts family, it’s truly amazing that someone who hasn’t learned Martial Arts would step up in such a situation, young master Eun-hyeon. Se-ak, Se-jin. You must learn from this aspect of young master Eun-hyeon. Chivalry and righteousness do not come from strength, but from the character you possess.”
“Hahaha, that’s right. But speaking as a father, I don’t like the idea of my young son, who doesn’t know Martial Arts, getting involved in dangerous things.”
Eun-hyeon felt uncomfortable and strange.
Namgung Juwon’s face clearly showed pride, and Jeong-hyeon was praising him with a serious expression. Jeong-hyeon’s two disciples were looking at him with shining eyes, as if he were the greatest hero in the world.
It was embarrassing, but he didn’t know what to say.
Eun-hyeon suddenly glanced at Cheong-un and blinked. Cheong-un was looking not at him, but at Eldest Senior Brother, no, Sect Leader Jeong-hyeon. His terrifyingly cold eyes made him feel sober.
“Ah, Father. Would it be alright if Great Hero Ha and I went up to rest first? I’m tired from coming all this way…”
“Ah, I was being inconsiderate. Go up and rest. From now on, I and the Sect Leader will discuss the matter.”
Eun-hyeon subtly watched Cheong-un’s reaction. He wondered if Cheong-un would not want to leave.
But Cheong-un stood up from his seat with an indifferent expression and clasped his fist.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Eun-hyeon moved to the room on the third floor with Cheong-un and subtly pulled on Cheong-un’s hand.
“Did I do something unnecessary? It’s okay if we go back now.”
He mouthed the words almost silently, but Cheong-un seemed to understand and shook his head.
As they entered the room, Cheong-un deployed a Qi barrier.
“Cheong-un, I think it was a good idea to tell the Martial Arts Alliance after all. Adding the antidote to the water supply and having them ingest it diluted is something we wouldn’t have thought of.”
“It seems those Righteous Sect bastards are good at using their heads. I’ll keep the antidote we get from the Demonic Sect separately for emergencies.”
“Yes, that would be good.”
“But, Master.”
“Hmm?”
Eun-hyeon looked at Cheong-un at the somewhat chilly tone.
“You seem to be in a particularly good mood today.”
“Me?”
“Is it because you’re so happy to meet your long-awaited Eldest Senior Brother?”
“Huh?”