Chapter 53

Chapter 52. Haha, what a distinguished guest we have. (2)

"No, that's... "

"How is it?"

"There is a proper order to things."

"Isn't this the most urgent matter?"

"I've come a long way and I'm hungry."

"If the treatment is completed, I will prepare a grand feast for you."

"…I have no strength."

"Should I give you a dose of a restorative?"

Chung Myeong glanced at Hwang Jong-ee.

His eyes were burning.

Right now, Hwang Jong-ee was like a drowning man clutching at a straw, and that straw was Chung Myeong. His eyes were full of determination not to let this opportunity pass.

Chung Myeong smacked his lips.

"Then let's start with the pulse diagnosis..."

"Hurry up!"

"...I understand. Don't rush me."

Chung Myeong turned his head to look at the bed. A person was lying under a thick silk blanket.

"Hmm."

Chung Myeong's brows furrowed slightly as he confirmed the face of the person lying there.

'Surely, it is the symptoms of demonization.'

To be certain, he needed to examine more closely. Chung Myeong approached and lifted the blanket.

He couldn't help but frown slightly.

Even though the person was clothed, there was no hiding the emaciated body.

The old man, withered like a mummy, was barely breathing, as if his breath could break at any moment.

'The condition is worse than I thought.'

Chung Myeong stroked his chin.

'It is demonization, but not a proper one.'

If he had been hit by a high-level demon technique, he wouldn't have lasted a year. Even those who had dedicated their lives to rigorous practice couldn't survive demonization for more than three days.

This is not a condition an old man could endure.

Then...

"I'll take his pulse."

"Yes."

Chung Myeong extended his hand and grabbed Hwang Da-in's wrist.

He gently pushed in some energy. As Chung Myeong's pure internal energy entered Hwang Da-in's body, the turbid energy inside recoiled in surprise.

'Amateurish.'

Chung Myeong's brows furrowed.

The symptoms are definitely those of demonization. But it's not from a properly cultivated demon technique.

Chung Myeong, having let go of Hwang Da-in's hand, stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Hwang Jong-ee couldn't hide his anxiety as he watched Chung Myeong. Anyone would feel the same way when the person taking the pulse looks serious after letting go.

Finally, Hwang Jong-ee couldn't hold back and spoke.

"...How is it?"

"Well, that is..."

Chung Myeong scratched the back of his head.

"Is it difficult?"

"No. I don't think the treatment itself is that difficult."

"Of course. It's fine. Everyone... Yes?"

Hwang Jong-ee's body trembled.

"What did you say...?"

"The treatment isn't very difficult."

"Really?"

"Yes. But I can't start right away. I need to prepare a few things."

"What kind of preparation...?"

"First!"

Chung Myeong smiled.

"Let's eat first."

"..."

Chomp chomp chomp chomp.

Chung Myeong's mouth crushed and sliced everything that came in.

Hwang Jong-ee watched the scene with utter astonishment.

He had seen many Taoists through his connections with various sects, but he had never seen one who could tear meat so well.

Even now, a long strip of duck leg was sucked into Chung Myeong's mouth and disappeared as if it had never been there.

Not only that.

Gulp gulp gulp gulp.

He hastily poured expensive Yan Tai wine into his mouth as soon as the cup was filled.

"Ugh! This is it! This is it!"

"..."

This was the first time he had seen a Taoist enjoy alcohol so much.

If the situation weren't so serious, Hwang Jong-ee might have laughed, thinking, "What a hearty Taoist I've met today." But the current situation made it impossible for him to laugh.

"Sir... Junior Taoist."

"Huh? What is it?"

Chung Myeong, with a mouth full of meat, asked back. Hwang Jong-ee took a deep breath to calm himself.

"About the preparations for the treatment?"

"I'm doing them right now."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's nothing much."

Chung Myeong put down his chopsticks.

"Since the treatment requires a lot of energy, it's important to eat well. But the chef here is really good."

He must be.

He's the best chef in Xian.

"Having only eaten things that aren't even food on Huashan, it feels good to finally have a proper meal."

Chung Myeong patted his stomach.

"Are you done?"

"No. I'm just starting."

"..."

Is his stomach a black hole?

They say Huashan is having a hard time these days, so he must be quite hungry... No, even if he were starving, could all that fit in a human stomach? A human stomach has a limited size, right?

In many ways, he was a Taoist who surprised people.

"You didn't come here just to eat, did you?"

"Kind of a side trip."

"But you must have a purpose."

"A Taoist goes with the flow."

"You're going with the flow a bit too much..."

"I'm doing my best."

How so?

Hwang Jong-ee sighed, unable to contain his frustration.

"Junior Taoist. I know it's not right to rush you after you've come such a long way. But you must understand the heart of a son whose father is on his deathbed, don't you?"

"I understand completely."

Hwang Jong-ee jumped up from his seat.

"Listen! Junior Taoist! My father!"

"He won't die."

"...What did you say?"

"He won't die. Sit down."

Chung Myeong poured and drank a glass of wine as if nothing had happened.

His face showed no signs of being affected by Hwang Jong-ee's anger.

"I've already taken some measures, so he won't pass away. It will take some time to fully treat him, but the critical moment has passed."

He treated him?

When?

"Isn't there a saying that haste makes waste? Treating the patriarch now isn't that important. The real question is why the patriarch collapsed."

"Did you really treat him?"

"Are you always so suspicious?"

Chung Myeong shrugged.

"If you doubt me, go see the patriarch. The black aura on his forehead should be much lighter."

Hwang Jong-ee stared at Chung Myeong and nodded.

"I don't doubt you, but I believe it's better to be sure. I'll check right now."

"Go ahead."

Hwang Jong-ee quickly went outside. After a short while, he burst back in, looking at Chung Myeong in disbelief.

"Exactly what did you do?"

"I treated him."

"Exactly when?"

Chung Myeong, without answering, pointed to the seat opposite him with a calm face.

"Aren't you going to sit down?"

"..."

Hwang Jong-ee looked at Chung Myeong with eyes full of suspicion.

He had seen countless people in his life as a merchant, but he had never seen anyone like this.

At times, he showed the naivety of a child, but at other times, he exuded the wisdom of a seasoned elder.

'It's as if an old man is inside a child's body.'

That couldn't be true, so it must mean this child has experienced things far beyond his years.

'Can I trust him?'

But there was no choice but to trust him. According to what he had seen, Hwang Da-in was indeed showing clear signs of improvement.

Whether Hwang Jong-ee knew it or not, Chung Myeong poured wine into his cup and spoke.

"Sit if you want to. I have a few questions to ask..."

Hwang Jong-ee sat down again.

"Who is the closest person to the patriarch?"

"The closest person?"

"Yes. The person who guarded Hwang Da-in, from his bedroom to his daily activities. Or at least someone who wouldn't be suspected of doing anything."

"…Why do you ask?"

"Let's say it's necessary for the treatment."

Hwang Jong-ee tilted his head and said.

"Of course, it's me. Taking care of my father is my responsibility."

"Except you."

"Except me...?"

After deep thought, Hwang Jong-ee shook his head.

"I'm not sure. My father was a very busy man, so naturally, there were many people assisting him. According to your criteria, there are at least five people who fit."

"More than I thought. Hmm. Is that so?"

Chung Myeong scratched his cheek, looking troubled.

But then he shrugged and smiled.

"Finding the culprit among five people won't be easy."

"Exactly what are you trying to find?"

"You don't really not know, do you? Come on, surely not?"

"..."

Hwang Jong-ee's face hardened.

Of course, he wasn't asking out of ignorance. He just didn't want to admit it.

"Are you saying the culprit is inside?"

"Originally, I thought it was an external attack, but after examining Hwang Da-in's condition, it seems it wasn't. From what I can see, it was an internal act."

Hwang Jong-ee's face stiffened.

"Be careful with your words, Junior Taoist! The members of the Galaxy Trade Group are like family! They have spent their lives with the Galaxy Trade Group and all respect my father! They..."

"Or not."

"…What?"

Chung Myeong patted his stomach calmly.

"If they are not, it's a relief, isn't it?"

"…That's true, but..."

Chung Myeong yawned.

"So don't worry. Everything will come to light when investigated."

Hwang Jong-ee nodded heavily.

Watching Hwang Jong-ee, Chung Myeong secretly clicked his tongue.

'Merchants can be so naive.'

Few people knew as well as Chung Myeong how cruel people could be.

He had seen a monk who preached compassion crack someone's head open and go into a frenzy, and he had seen a Taoist who cultivated the Dao ponder how to cut someone's neck more cleanly.

Humans are two-faced beings.

They can be sages to some and villains to others.

'But that's not the point.'

The important thing is that there is someone within the Galaxy Trade Group who tried to assassinate Hwang Da-in.

Judging by the condition, it was clearly someone who had poorly cultivated demon techniques and continuously infused Hwang Da-in with demonic energy. At first, there might have been no issues, but after prolonged and consistent exposure, he began to suffer from demonization.

Even someone who knew about demonization wouldn't understand how this condition developed unless they had seen it with their own eyes and experienced it themselves, like Chung Myeong.

'Looks like the old man lived a good life.'

It was a stroke of luck.

If Chung Myeong hadn't seen the contents of the letter... No, if he hadn't taken an interest in Hwang Da-in, Hwang Da-in would have suffered and died.

'Ugh. This is a good deed.'

Saving a life and making money.

Killing two birds with one stone... Ah, crayfish are not that great.

"But how do you plan to investigate?"

"I'm doing it right now."

"…Huh?"

Hwang Jong-ee looked confused.

"You're investigating by eating?"

"No. That's not it. The conversation I'm having with you in this room is the investigation."

Hwang Jong-ee tilted his head, not understanding at all.

"Just watch. Interesting things will happen soon. You just need to observe. There is one thing you can do, though."

"What is it? I'll do it with all my heart."

Chung Myeong picked up the wine bottle next to him.

"One more bottle."

"..."

"Quickly."

"..."

A deep gloom settled in Hwang Jong-ee's heart.