Chapter 5

Changcheon Wushen Chapter 5 (5/730)

Nangong He looked around the room with dazed eyes.

Bloodstains dotted the luxurious golden bed.

“Ahh...”

He recalled the blood gushing from his veins like a fountain.

He couldn’t remember how long it had been since his body had spurted blood like that.

Nangong He took a deep breath.

“Haa.”

He tried to calm himself, but his heart wouldn’t settle.

“Damn, huh, huh.”

If only this were a dream.

But his fragile body and the Gouyin Meridian were all too real.

And...

“Is it true that I only have a week left to live...”

How could he be in such a dire situation so soon after waking up?

“Even a mayfly doesn’t live this short. Huh.”

He was speechless with disbelief.

He understood why his body, which could break with the slightest touch, was so fragile.

Even if he conceded a hundred times, he could understand the Gouyin Meridian.

But the fact that he only had a week left to live was something he couldn’t accept, even if he conceded a hundred times.

What were those immortal brats thinking, trapping him in such a body?

‘No, they probably didn’t think at all. Whether it was for enlightenment or anything else, they must have just sent me here to die.’

Nangong He bit his lip... but stopped, fearing he might bleed again.

He was angry and frustrated, but it wouldn’t change his current situation.

He calmed his breathing, which had risen sharply.

He needed to check his body’s condition again.

‘Please, let it be a mistake. I’m not infallible. Please...’

...No way.

Nine acupoints near his heart were blocked like a fortress.

Only one acupoint was open, but it was so narrow and the energy flowing through it was so weak that it could close at any moment.

It wouldn’t be surprising if it closed tomorrow.

His life was barely sustained by that one open acupoint.

“Ahh... it’s really true.”

Nangong He felt a sense of despair upon reconfirming his body’s lifespan.

‘Can I really overcome the Gouyin Meridian in two weeks?’

Even if he were the best in the world, as he had been in the past, this was impossible.

The Gouyin Meridian wasn’t like a common cold. How could he fix it in just a week?

“I’m going to meet the Grim Reaper, not an immortal.”

Even if he achieved immortality immediately, it wouldn’t be enough. This was a maddening situation.

“Can I build my inner strength from now on?”

No, it was impossible.

Even his nearly perfect inner strength cultivation technique couldn’t create the necessary inner strength to overcome the Gouyin Meridian in two weeks.

...But what if I try once?

I have to live, and the immortals will have to accept it.

“Yeah, maybe my martial arts can...”

Nangong He’s face turned grim as he trailed off.

“...But this body won’t allow it.”

Why did he use Qingming Xianxin Gong and Xinjin Neizheng Gong?

Wasn’t it to soothe and comfort this fragile, trash-like body?

If he used his ultimate martial arts, his body would explode before he could build any inner strength.

No, it would explode.

‘This is maddening.’

He had no inner strength, and his body was as fragile as porcelain.

He needed to gather inner strength before the Gouyin Meridian killed him, but he couldn’t do either.

“...”

He tried to think of other solutions, but there were none.

If he had his old body, he could have broken through the Gouyin Meridian in one go.

Feeling helpless and hopeless, Nangong He felt a deep sense of despair.

“I need inner strength, inner strength...”

Nangong He muttered and then tilted his head.

“Wait a minute. How has this guy survived until now?”

He was struggling without a solution, yet this guy with such a desperate body was still alive. It was almost a miracle.

“Yeah, maybe it’s because of the Nangong family. They can keep even a corpse breathing, right?”

Looking at how he had managed to survive this long...

Wait a minute.

The Nangong family?

Nangong He’s pupils dilated.

“Ahh, the Nangong family!”

The Nangong family was one of the Five Great Families, a symbol of the righteous sect, and one of the Nine Great Sects, a pillar of the Zhengtian Alliance.

Moreover, they were incredibly wealthy.

Among the Five Great Families known for their wealth, the Nangong family was the wealthiest.

They were so rich that they could fill a ten-thousand-square-meter warehouse with gold, as a joke went.

‘That Sword King brat used to brag about his wealth every day. If that’s true...’

Nangong He’s face brightened a little.

“Maybe I can get a few elixirs right away?”

Even when the elixirs were scarce due to the demonic invasion, the Nangong family could still get a few to eat!

If he had inner strength, he could use Qingming Xianxin Gong and Xinjin Neizheng Gong more efficiently, improving both his body and the Gouyin Meridian.

Swallow.

Nangong He swallowed hard.

He came from a family that could afford to eat high-quality pills three times a day and serve ginseng as a side dish.

The rich could last three generations even after going bankrupt, and the Nangong family hadn’t gone bankrupt, so they were still strong.

Nangong He imagined the elixir storage somewhere in the Nangong family compound.

‘Eat them.’

This wasn’t the time to argue over whose they were.

He was about to die; what was the point of such distinctions?

‘I’ll just consider it payment for the Sword King’s life.’

What is friendship?

It’s about sharing even a single bean.

Didn’t they share a Dahuandan in the past?

He recalled the memory.

– What’s that?

– ...Dahuandan.

– Bring it here.

– ...This?

– Bring it. We’ll share it.

– This is not possible.

– Do you want a beating or half?

– Half.

– Smart.

Thinking about it now, it was a beautiful memory that made him feel warm.

‘Use it well, friend.’

He needed to talk to the Sword King about this, but Nangong He wasn’t the type to care about such things.

Nangong He looked around for Jin Chenshang.

“Hey! Hey, man!”

Bam!

The door opened, and Jin Chenshang poked his head out.

“Master!”

Seeing Nangong He halfway out of bed, Jin Chenshang rushed over.

“What are you doing? You’ll break your leg again if you step wrong. What’s this blood?!”

“That’s not important. I...”

“What do you mean! Lie down immediately!”

Jin Chenshang quickly tidied up the room and carefully placed Nangong He’s feet under the bed covers.

Nangong He naturally fell back onto the bed as the covers were pulled over his upper body.

He gave up on trying to sit up.

Every time Jin Chenshang fussed, he felt as if he were tied down with chains, unable to move.

‘Is this human strength?’

I can’t even push away the hand covering me with a blanket.

Nangong He reflected on the new level of fragility in his porcelain body and spoke.

“I need elixirs. Get them for me.”

“Yes, it seems you’ve vomited blood again. You need to take medicine quickly. But let’s tidy up a bit and have breakfast first...”

“Not medicine, elixirs!”

“Yes? Elixirs?”

“Yes, elixirs.”

Nangong He poked his head out from under the covers and looked at Jin Chenshang.

He nodded, urging him to bring them quickly.

Jin Chenshang stared at him and shook his head.

“Didn’t you take one four days ago? Let’s wait a bit.”

“...Four days?”

“Yes. You took a Thousand Gold Pill. It’s quite effective.”

“Thousand Gold Pill?”

Nangong He remembered hearing about the Thousand Gold Pill.

It was supposed to increase inner strength by ten years.

Considering the scarcity of elixirs during the demonic invasion, taking a Thousand Gold Pill was a significant achievement.

‘Then where did all those elixirs go?’

They must have been used solely to treat the Gouyin Meridian.

Still, it was surprising that ten years of inner strength were drained in just four days.

Thinking about his almost empty dantian, Nangong He broke out in a cold sweat.

‘If I’m not careful, I might die today, not in two weeks.’

Thud!

The thought that his calculations might be wrong made his heart sink.

He couldn’t afford to waste time.

If he delayed, he might be buried forever.

As the instinct for survival and the sense of crisis made his spine tingle, Jin Chenshang’s voice continued.

“The head of the Medical Hall warned that elixirs shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

“Is that quack saying I should stop taking elixirs with a body like this?!”

Nangong He’s eyes widened.

“Take me to where the elixirs are!”

“The head of the Medical Hall said it’s not allowed. Too much of a good thing can be bad, and too many Thousand Gold Pills can be harmful.”

“No, I’m dying!”

“The head of the Medical Hall said you’ll be fine for a month, so don’t worry.”

“Right now, I have two weeks... or maybe even tomorrow! This quack is serious.”

Nangong He pushed Jin Chenshang’s hand away.

“I’m not talking to you. Just show me the way.”

“Master, calm down. You shouldn’t move if you’re in pain. I’ll bring them to you.”

“Fine. I...”

As Nangong He was arguing,

Creak!

The door opened, and Nangong He’s gaze shifted to it.

‘What is it?’

A group of about a dozen people stood at the door.

In the center was a tall, middle-aged man in a luxurious silk robe, with black hair.

His face was cold like ice, and his eyes, which were unreadable, created a strange sense of pressure.

“What are you doing?”

A powerful voice filled the room, as if it could crush the atmosphere.

It was the voice of an absolute ruler, one who commanded many.

Just the sound of it seemed to freeze the room.

Nangong He instinctively realized.

‘The family head.’

Jin Chenshang’s vigorous bow confirmed it.

“I greet the family head!”

Nangong He’s eyes widened.

“Move!”

Pushing Jin Chenshang aside, Nangong He hobbled toward the family head.

His awkward gait, with his legs spread wide due to the splints, was comical.

“Oof, oof!”

Nangong He hobbled, wincing from the pain in his broken leg, and approached Nangong Zhangtian.

Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!

The splints made a lively sound as they hit the floor.

“Ugh...”

“...”

The atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

Nangong He hobbled hard and fell to the floor.

Thud.

“Oof!”

The shock made Nangong He’s mouth open wide.

As he writhed in pain, the family head, Nangong Zhangtian, roared.

“Get up immediately! What kind of disgrace is this for the bloodline of the Nangong family?!”

It was a thunderous scolding.

Nangong He, with a dazed expression, wiped the blood from his nose and looked at Nangong Zhangtian.

‘...Even the Sword King never scolded me like this.’

It was absurd that his descendant was now yelling at him.

The resounding voice made even the family retainers who had come with him flinch.

“F, family head!”

“Calm down. This young master is a patient.”

“Family head!”

Nangong Zhangtian looked at the retainers and shouted firmly.

“Everyone, leave! I will teach this young master the way of the king today!”

“Family head!”

“Everyone, leave!”

The retainers, startled by Nangong Zhangtian’s roar, left the room.

Jin Chenshang hesitated but had no choice but to follow.

As they left, they glanced at Nangong Zhangtian with worried eyes.

‘What is he planning to do?’

‘Huh, his fiery temper is showing again. This young master is different from the others...’

‘Cough, I hope he doesn’t faint again...’

‘Please, be gentle this time... He’s already in bad shape.’

The retainers left Nangong He’s quarters, their worries lingering.

Nangong Zhangtian glanced outside to ensure they were gone.

And at that moment,

“Xia He! Oh, my son!”

The cold and stern demeanor vanished as Nangong Zhangtian supported Nangong He.

Nangong He was stunned again.

Is this the same person who just scolded him?

Where did that regal aura go?

The oppressive presence he felt at first was long gone.

‘What is this?’

Nangong He looked at Nangong Zhangtian with a bewildered expression.

“Don’t move suddenly. Your leg isn’t fully healed yet!”

Nangong Zhangtian examined Nangong He’s body, worried.

“Is anything else hurting? Do you have a fever? No, your face is so thin. How much pain are you in, huh?”

Seeing Nangong Zhangtian fuss, Nangong He’s eyes sparkled.

He realized this was a good opportunity to pressure the family head.

“I feel like I’m about to die. I need elixirs...”

“Did you say you’re dying! I told you not to say that! I will never let you die!”

“So, give me the elixirs...”

Before Nangong He could finish, Nangong Zhangtian shouted outside.

“Isn’t this room too cold? Bring more firewood! Double it! Where’s the brazier?”

‘What brazier? I need elixirs!’

The room was already warm; why firewood and a brazier...?

‘...I’m cold?’

Nangong He subtly pulled the blanket closer.

Jin Chenshang, waiting outside the door, hurried to find the brazier.

Nangong Zhangtian patted Nangong He’s shoulder with a worried look.

“Don’t worry. I will search the world to find a way to cure your illness.”

“No, I need elixirs...”

“I’ve told you many times, be careful. If you need anything, tell Chenshang immediately. Don’t move alone; always get help. Understand?”

...Does he not want to give me elixirs?

Why does he keep interrupting me?

Nangong He frowned at the broken conversation.

“This! Your body is already cold. Why isn’t the brazier here yet?!”

Nangong Zhangtian pressed his hand on Nangong He’s forehead, looking anxious as he glanced outside.

Nangong He chuckled bitterly.

‘Just listen to me.’

Stop worrying so much.

‘He’s completely different from the Sword King.’

The Sword King was as firm as a sword.

Tsk, tsk, Nangong He clicked his tongue and looked at Nangong Zhangtian.

He began to understand how this body had managed to survive.

Father, father.

This is a bit strange, isn’t it?

‘How old is this guy?’

He looks younger than half my age when I retired from the martial world.

I’m over a hundred and fifty years old now...

‘He wasn’t even born during the demonic bloodbath?’

The age difference was so great that even a hundred lifetimes wouldn’t make up for it.

Ouch.

The pain in his chest made him feel the threat to his life.

‘Damn, does age matter when I’m about to die?’

What can’t I do to survive?

After a brief hesitation, Nangong He opened his mouth.

“...Father, I have a request.”

The threat to his life had a significant effect.

To call a stranger “father” and make a request was unusual.

Nangong Zhangtian, who had been pacing anxiously, eyes widened.

“Yes! What do you need? Tell me everything. I will get it for you.”

He had been saying what he needed all along, but with his life on the line, he could say it a hundred more times.

Nangong He put on a pitiful face.

“I need elixirs. My body is cold, and the medicine isn’t helping. I’m coughing more too. Cough, cough! Cough!”

Nangong He coughed harder, glancing at Nangong Zhangtian.

Nangong Zhangtian’s pupils trembled.

“...Elixirs?”

“Yes, elixirs. The Nangong family can easily get a few elixirs, right?”

Nangong Zhangtian flinched and subtly averted his gaze.

“Yes, that’s right.”

‘Why is he avoiding my eyes?’

Nangong He tilted his head at Nangong Zhangtian’s strange reaction.

“Really?”

Tremble!

Nangong Zhangtian’s pupils trembled violently before settling.

He pounded his chest and said,

“Trust me! I will definitely get them for you. Don’t worry about it. Huh-huh-huh!”

His voice was strong, but his eyes darted around, unable to focus.

A deep crease formed on Nangong He’s forehead.

‘I’m already worried...’