Chapter 92: Same Bed, Different Dreams (4)

After waking up, Gopyeong collapsed, bleeding.

The two learned a lot from him. To be precise, Baegungcheon did most of the questioning, while Yeonhojeong occasionally assisted.

After learning the truth, Baegungcheon looked utterly dejected.

"…I’ve been deceived."

Yeonhojeong’s face showed discomfort.

Normally, if someone had been deceived, they would be furious. But Baegungcheon was different. He seemed to have completely lost his spirit, overwhelmed by a sense of futility.

"It’s because of me… because of me, Gareum…"

Baegareum was Baegungcheon’s daughter.

The guardians of Guan Yiqu, the Nine Dragons Palace, are not allowed to marry or have children. As symbols of perfection, they must not form relationships with people of the secular world.

However, Baegungcheon had secretly formed a relationship with a woman from the secular world. It seemed he only recently learned that he had a daughter.

And that she was ill.

He found out about his daughter’s existence and her illness during the competition. That was why he caused such a commotion.

Yeonhojeong opened a box on the bed. Inside were several black pills.

These were the pills Gopyeong had given to Baegungcheon. To be precise, they were not medicine but poison.

In other words, Baegungcheon’s remaining lifespan was entirely due to Gopyeong, or rather, the person behind him.

"Baeksujeong, right? The person who sent that fraud to you."

"…."

"I didn’t realize the position of Ye Shin was so important that someone would resort to such underhanded tactics to get it."

Baegungcheon looked up at Yeonhojeong.

His expression was blank, as if his soul had left his body.

He had been deceived by a fraud sent by his competitor, putting not only himself but also his daughter in danger. Even the mental fortitude of a trained martial artist would have been tested.

Yeonhojeong, who had been quietly observing him, suddenly asked, as if throwing a question.

"What about you?"

"…."

"Is your daughter more important, or winning the competition?"

For a moment, Baegungcheon’s eyes flashed with a terrifying light. It seemed like a different person.

"I never wanted to be a Ye Shin! I just wanted to take care of my daughter in place of my deceased wife…!"

He couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence.

Yeonhojeong nodded.

"Take me to your daughter."

"…What?"

"I need to see her condition to determine if she can be saved or not."

Baegungcheon’s eyes widened.

"What, what do you mean? You can save Gareum?!"

"I didn’t say I can save her. I need to see her condition first."

"Are you a doctor?"

"I’m not the one who will heal her. I’m not sure if the person I call will come, but we should at least try, right?"

Baegungcheon’s face regained some color.

"Thank you! If Gareum’s illness can be cured, I will give you my life…!"

"I don’t need a life that’s worth so little. Instead, do me one favor."

"Of course! Of course!"

Yeonhojeong smiled faintly.

"The deal is done."

Baegareum was a girl who hadn’t even turned ten.

After seeing Baegareum’s condition, Yeonhojeong realized that her situation was quite bad, but her life was not immediately in danger.

He immediately went to the local branch of the village.

"Send a famous doctor to the north end room of the Qing Shalou’s back courtyard. It’s a young child with severe internal injuries, so tell them to prepare in advance."

"Understood."

"I’ll be gone for a while, so please assign someone trustworthy to watch over the child."

"Don’t worry."

"Also, send this letter to the Zhuge family. It’s urgent, so it needs to be as fast as possible."

Yeonhojeong wanted to call the Divine Doctor.

A doctor of the Divine Doctor’s caliber is not easily summoned. Since he had examined his body at Zhuge Ayian’s request, he planned to ask for a favor again this time.

After making these arrangements, Yeonhojeong took Baegungcheon out.

"Cough!"

Baegungcheon coughed weakly. He didn’t spit out blood, but his complexion was extremely pale.

Yeonhojeong sighed.

"Just tell me the location and wait here."

"I’m done for."

"…."

"I don’t know how my body got to this state, but I know one thing. My life is almost over."

"…Yes."

"If I had taken the pills he gave me, my lifespan would have been even shorter. At least I’m lucky in that regard."

"It will be very painful. The pills, while I don’t know much about them, seemed to have excellent pain-relieving effects."

"But they will further shorten my life."

"…."

"Compared to the pain my daughter has endured, it’s nothing. And… I can’t forgive it."

"Baeksujeong, right?"

"If he had only targeted me, I might not have known, but he also targeted my daughter. Baeksujeong is mine to deal with."

"You can do as you please. But before that."

Yeonhojeong’s eyes flashed.

"Take me to where Baehyang is."

"…Understood."

The two then rushed towards Anhui’s Balgong Mountain.

Bang!

Baegungcheon’s movement technique was astonishing.

Despite his body being in poor condition, he moved as swiftly as a bird soaring through the sky. His movements were fast yet efficient, minimizing the consumption of his internal energy.

Baegungcheon glanced at Yeonhojeong.

Yeonhojeong was frowning as he ran. His breathing was normal, but it seemed he found it difficult to increase his speed further.

"That’s strange."

"What is?"

He could speak while using a very fast movement technique. This was possible because Baegungcheon’s movement technique was highly advanced, and Yeonhojeong had incredible stamina.

"Your martial arts were very combat-oriented. Frankly, they seemed on par with the Nine Dragons Heaven-Breaking Bow."

"…."

"But your movement technique is lacking. Are you just using your internal energy to move?"

Yeonhojeong smacked his lips.

"I have good stamina, so it’s fine."

"Stamina is limited. A good movement technique is useful."

"You’re right. I should have learned a decent movement technique."

"Want to learn one?"

Yeonhojeong was inwardly surprised.

"You’re offering to teach me a movement technique?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

Yeonhojeong’s counter-question made Baegungcheon tilt his head in confusion.

"Thanks to you, I can call a good doctor. I also learned that the old man was a fraud. Since I received a favor, shouldn’t I repay it?"

It made sense, but…

‘What’s with this guy?’

Upon reflection, Yeonhojeong realized he didn’t know that Gopyeong was a fraud.

For someone of Baegungcheon’s caliber, it shouldn’t have been difficult to discern whether someone was lying. At the very least, he should have been suspicious.

Yet, he was deceived. So easily.

Moreover, even after such an experience, he should have remained suspicious of himself.

But Baegungcheon didn’t suspect Yeonhojeong. He only expressed endless gratitude.

He even offered to teach him a movement technique. While it was something he could do for someone who saved his life, it was still a significant gesture.

‘He lacks experience.’

Yeonhojeong finally understood the reason for Baegungcheon’s naive trust.

‘He’s hardly ever been out in the world. He knows about it theoretically, but he hasn’t experienced it.’

He had never been deceived, never been attacked without reason, and never even been involved in a dispute.

He was completely transparent. Having spent his life practicing martial arts without proper social experience, this was the result.

Yeonhojeong smiled.

"I’ll decline."

"Why?"

"I plan to find and learn a movement technique that suits my body. I appreciate your offer, but I’m fine."

"But…"

"Only if I really need to increase my speed. I’m confident in my stamina."

Baegungcheon nodded.

"Understood."

How long did they run?

"I have a question."

"What is it?"

"How do you know Baehyang?"

"…."

"It’s not just that. You knew about Longapo. Longapo is one of the secret techniques of the Nine Dragons Palace. No one outside of Guan Yiqu would know about it."

Yeonhojeong shook his head.

"That’s difficult to explain."

"Understood."

Surprisingly, Baegungcheon didn’t press further. He didn’t want to make his benefactor uncomfortable.

Yeonhojeong thought to himself.

‘He’s completely given up on Guan Yiqu.’

He had lost his heart to Guan Yiqu. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted this way.

‘It’s surprising.’

He had dedicated his life to Guan Yiqu, yet he could detach himself so coldly. Guan Yiqu must not have been a good organization.

Yeonhojeong put aside his thoughts about Guan Yiqu. What mattered now was Mubui, or rather, Baehyang.

A day passed.

The two climbed a ridge of Balgong Mountain.

"There it is."

Baegungcheon pointed to a relatively low peak.

"I don’t know if she’s still there."

"If she’s not, there’s nothing we can do. Thank you for the guidance."

"No, it’s not that."

"And…"

"Go on."

Yeonhojeong sighed.

"I understand your situation, but you killed Kaebangdo. And Kaebang will call someone to heal your daughter."

"…."

"After your revenge, if you’re still alive, go and apologize."

Baegungcheon nodded.

"If I’m still alive, I will do as you say. If I die…"

"I’ll pass the message. But it’s better if you do it in person."

"Thank you."

At that moment,

Bang! Rumble.

Their eyes were drawn to the source of the explosion.

Several trees were shattered into pieces. Despite the great distance, the trees were so large that even an ordinary person could see them.

That wasn’t all.

Rumble! Crack!

Dozens of auras clashed, creating a whirlwind that destroyed trees and rocks.

The destructive power was immense. It was a bow technique powered by internal energy.

Baegungcheon’s face showed surprise.

"Nine Dragons Palace Technique!"

Whoosh!

Yeonhojeong rushed down the mountain at an incredible speed.

After a moment’s hesitation, Baegungcheon followed, fearing Baeksujeong might be there.

Whoosh!

Despite starting later, he quickly caught up to Yeonhojeong. Even if Yeonhojeong hadn’t focused on his movement technique, his speed was astonishing.

At that moment, a red aura burst from Yeonhojeong’s body like the sun.

Bang! Boom! Crash!

With each step, a tremendous explosion echoed. The distance between him and Baegungcheon widened again.

Baegungcheon’s eyes widened.

‘That movement technique?’

No, it was a step technique.

The step technique he had used to kill Kaebangdo. It seemed faster than the Dragon Soaring Instant Step within the combat range.

To use such a step technique in succession and charge forward.

‘His internal energy is incredible. That’s why he refused to learn a movement technique.’

Whoosh!

Baegungcheon also increased his speed. He quickly caught up to Yeonhojeong.

Then, at some point, Baegungcheon overtook Yeonhojeong. He was conserving his stamina and internal energy by using Blood Wing Flying Heaven in succession.

But it was fine. They were already close to the battlefield.

Bang! Crack!

A small rock floated in the air, then shattered several trees before falling.

Whoosh!

Baegungcheon kicked off the rolling rock and flew up, moving as light as a feather.

Boom!

Yeonhojeong shattered the rock with a powerful punch and charged forward.

At that moment, Baegungcheon’s Lion’s Roar, which had already reached an invisible distance, echoed.

"Baeksujeong!!"

Yeonhojeong’s eyes flashed.

The Vermilion Bird aura that had been warming his heart suddenly tightened.

Whoosh!

Yeonhojeong covered over twenty feet in a single leap, reaching the hill.

He saw a battlefield where dozens of giant trees had fallen, creating a desolate scene.

Baegungcheon, firing a large bow at an incredible speed.

A middle-aged woman dodging all the arrows with incredible agility.

And in a corner, behind an unbroken giant tree, a woman was drawing the string of a crossbow.

"Mubui!"