Chapter 18 – Is It You

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 18 – Is It You?

Yeop Hwon had lost consciousness during the merciless beating-style acupoint pressing, then woke up much later.

Outside the window, it was already growing dark.

At that moment, the vital acupoints of his energy pathways – Baihui, Naohu, Taiyang, Shenting, Meixin, Yuzhen, Tianzhu, Fengchi, and others – all began to tremble intensely.

Following that, a great circular force settled along the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and Twelve Primary Channels, energy quickly filled up, and miraculously he regained the internal energy level he had before being afflicted by illness.

True energy rippling in his lower dantian.

It was the first time in a very long while that he felt such a full sense of energy.

With slight exaggeration, it felt as if his sea of energy acupoint, which served as the storage for internal energy, was about to burst.

It was surreal.

It was as if he was dreaming.

Along with the recovery of his original power, his muscles, tendons, joints – everything had returned to the state it was eight years ago.

He didn't know exactly what effect Cheol Ryu-heun's treatment had, but he was simply endlessly grateful for the fact that he could hold a sword again.

However, there was one problem…

"Haaahng!"

Independent of his own will, his entire body's senses had become extremely sensitive.

His whole body tingled.

It was a continuous thrill, as if thin, soft cloth was gently wrapping around all his skin and tickling it.

The strange phenomenon had started during the acupoint pressing process.

Earlier, while Cheol Ryu-heun's fists were raining down on him, a peculiar pleasure had covered his entire body, and everything from the top of his head to the tips of his toes had become so sensitive that moans poured out ceaselessly.

Even though he had passed out and woken up much later, that sensitive sensation was still vividly running wild, which was maddening.

Whether lying down or sitting up, no matter what position he took, the stimulation was so intense that he couldn't bear it at all.

"Hahng, haaahng…!"

Yeop Hwon sat on the edge of the bed trembling, mulling over what Cheol Ryu-heun had said.

-This time will be more painful, so clench your teeth and endure it.

-I guarantee that once this time passes, you'll have internal energy at the same level as my late Master.

'The beating-style acupoint pressing is already finished though… Ah, that's right!'

He finally realized something.

What Cheol Ryu-heun's words had indicated was that this incomprehensible phenomenon was also included in 'this time.'

To gain an internal energy level comparable to Sagong Woon's, this process also had to end.

It's painful, but let's endure it somehow!

After all, there's nothing in this world that can be obtained easily.

Even if it fails, it's alright.

There's absolutely no need to be disappointed.

Honestly, just being able to move his limbs properly like this and being able to use martial arts was already a great blessing.

'Hmm, but would going outside for some fresh air help?'

Thinking so, Yeop Hwon got up and took one step toward the door.

"Huuaaahng!"

A tingling pleasure that grazed his nerves spread throughout his entire foot.

As if he had stepped on a floor made of tiny bumps, his hair stood on end from the sensitive stimulation.

It was a sensation close to climax.

'The trembling won't stop.'

Still, he took a deep breath and tried taking another step.

"Haaahng!"

He was about to go crazy.

He nearly let out a curse instead of a moan.

'My, I've lived long enough to experience all sorts of things!'

Frowning, he forced himself to take a few more steps before finally stopping, unable to bear it.

'Urgh, I can't do this! Let me just stay still like this!'

An awkward stance, unable to do this or that.

Just then, he suddenly sensed a presence from outside.

About twenty paces away.

After a moment, a refined voice came from beyond the lattice door.

"Elder, are you resting comfortably? It's the Chief Supervisor. I've brought dinner to check on your health."

At the same time, the smell of food seeped through the crack in the door and stimulated his heightened sense of smell.

"Haaahng!"

Both nostrils were going wild with tingling pleasure.

"E-Elder? Are you alright?"

Hyeop Mu-geuk's voice outside the door was clearly flustered.

Yeop Hwon struggled to answer as he moved toward the nearby table.

"Yes… Come in… I, huuaaahng!"

His soles were going crazy with tingling again.

"Hahng!"

Right after, the door burst open.

"Ah! Elder!"

Hyeop Mu-geuk exclaimed with delight upon seeing him.

But Yeop Hwon frowned and waved his hand dismissively.

"Shh, shh, don't speak too loudly. This old man is a bit sensitive right now. My ears just tingled."

"Pardon? Ah… Y-Yes."

Hyeop Mu-geuk looked bewildered before setting the food tray on the table.

"Hng! Haaahng! Hahng!"

Soon, Yeop Hwon sat at the table trembling and caught his breath.

"Whew… This is hard to adjust to."

Hyeop Mu-geuk was having just as hard a time adjusting.

"Elder, why do you keep making those strange moans…?"

At that, Yeop Hwon replied with an embarrassed expression.

"Didn't I just tell you? I'm currently in a sensitive state. As you can see, the illness has completely disappeared. But my entire body's senses have been amplified to the maximum, so the slightest touch triggers pleasure-like thrills."

"Pardon? Oh dear… Could this perhaps be some kind of side effect?"

At Hyeop Mu-geuk's worried question, Yeop Hwon shook his head slightly.

"No. This too is part of the new Sect Master's mystical arrangement."

A face that was drawing a gentle smile.

Only then did Hyeop Mu-geuk look relieved as he sat in the seat across and quietly marveled.

"I won't forget this day even after I die. Truly, miracle after miracle keeps happening…"

"Let me satisfy my hunger first, then I'll tell you the details."

"Yes, understood. There's no rush on my part either."

"Haaahng! The smell of food keeps stimulating my nostrils."

"Oh d-dear… You really are extremely sensitive. Can you hold the spoon?"

"It'll be difficult. It'll tingle when it touches my hand. Sorry, but please trouble yourself on my behalf."

"I'll gladly do it. I've had plenty of practice over the years, so it's fine."

Hyeop Mu-geuk picked up the spoon with a good-natured smile.

"Now, try a spoonful of the meat soup first. I had it cooked bland as always."

Slurp, slurrp.

The moment Yeop Hwon swallowed the broth, a sharp moan escaped.

"Hahng! Salty! Chief Supervisor, the soup is salty!"

At that, Hyeop Mu-geuk flinched and looked troubled.

"I'm sure it was cooked bland… What should we do? As expected, even your sense of taste isn't exempt from being sensitive."

"Hmm, but there's no helping it. I need to fill my stomach now so I can endure the remaining time."

Yeop Hwon steadied his breathing and began diligently accepting what Hyeop Mu-geuk transferred with the spoon.

And so, each time he swallowed food.

"Hahng!"

The pleasure of his teeth. And.

"Hng!"

The pleasure of his tongue. And.

"Haaahng!"

The pleasure of his throat swept through in succession.

"Huuaaahng! It's food I've always eaten, but today the taste is unique!"

Hyeop Mu-geuk involuntarily paused his hand holding the spoon.

No, he's truly glad the Elder recovered his health, but… hearing that sound continuously is somehow making him feel like he's going to suffer energy deviation.

Yeop Hwon, unaware of the other's inner thoughts, trembled and begged for more.

"Come, put more in my mouth. Hahng!"

* * *

As twinkling stars revealed themselves one by one and densely embroidered the black sky.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-!

The horse carrying Cheol Ryu-heun and running like a gale finally arrived at the outskirts of a small city.

"Almost there."

Shortly after, passing through the bustling district ablaze with activity, when he reached a deserted alley.

Snap!

Cheol Ryu-heun pulled the reins and brought the horse to a stop.

Clatter- clatter-clatter-!

The force in the hooves was so strong that the ground carved in like a small pit, sending up dust.

Cheol Ryu-heun dismounted and stared at the residence visible ahead before walking toward it.

A bearded, large man standing guard at the main gate soon spotted him and indicated with a jerk of his chin.

"Hey, hey, wait a moment."

The tone was somewhat rowdy, like a street thug's.

Cheol Ryu-heun stood about five or six paces away and asked.

"The owner is inside, right?"

In that instant, one of the bearded man's eyebrows twitched up.

Clearly looking displeased, he looked Cheol Ryu-heun up and down before waving his hand dismissively.

"Tch, it's late, so you can't see him. Come back tomorrow."

"So he is inside."

"You're being annoying – who are you?"

Cheol Ryu-heun immediately responded.

Thwack-!

With his fist rather than his mouth.

The bearded man, punched in the stomach, immediately rolled back his eyes and collapsed.

Thud-

Cheol Ryu-heun expressionlessly looked up at the signboard hanging above the main gate.

Clear Heart Medical Clinic.

He looked away and pushed open the door.

"Medical clinic my ass."

* * *

An inner chamber reeking of the bitter smell of medicine, befitting a medical clinic.

Five men sat gathered around a round table in the center with a ledger before them.

"Hmm… Sales dropped quite a bit this month. We'll need to increase the poison trade soon."

At the words of the man in his forties wearing blue robes, the rest nodded.

"Yes, Clinic Master. The officials still seem oblivious, so if we proceed as we always have, it should be fine."

"First thing in the morning, I'll organize the list and send a letter to them requesting additional supplies."

"Also, I've been carefully searching for the additional suppliers you mentioned before. Please give me a bit more time."

The middle-aged man called Clinic Master, Han Yun, the owner of this Clear Heart Medical Clinic, grinned unpleasantly.

"Heh, one poison is a hundred times better than treating ten patients. Listening to sick bastards whine every day is no small ordeal. If I didn't have the taste of money coming in from the side, I would have quit the clinic life long ago."

Suddenly, the garden outside the inner chamber grew noisy.

Crash, bang, crash-!

"Gaaah!"

"Keck!"

"Aaaahk!"

"Gurk!"

Screams tearing through the silence of night.

The startled Han Yun closed the ledger and shouted.

"Go out and check!"

Just as the four men hastily grabbed their swords and jumped up.

Crack!

A large man who came crashing through the lattice door flew in, slammed into a bookshelf on one side of the inner chamber, and fell to the floor in a heap with the books, unconscious.

Right after.

Creeeeak-

The door dangling unsightly made a scraping sound as it opened, and Cheol Ryu-heun stepped inside.

"Is it you? The Clinic Master?"

Han Yun didn't answer the question but gave an order.

"Get him!"

Simultaneously, the man closest to Cheol Ryu-heun gripped his sword and charged.

In that instant.

Thwack- Swoosh- Crack!

With a succession of rapid sounds, the man's form completely vanished from sight.

At that moment.

Creak, creak, creak…

Something swaying could be heard from above.

When Clinic Master Han Yun and the others reflexively looked up at the ceiling, they saw the man stuck with only his head having gone through, dangling.

He had been struck by Cheol Ryu-heun's ghost-like handiwork.

'What! What is this…!'

The moment Han Yun's face went pale.

Thud-thud-thwack-!

The remaining three with swords went flying violently in different directions.

One had his head lodged in the window, another had his head lodged in the wall, and the last had his head lodged in the wardrobe.

It all happened in the blink of a few eyes.

Patter, drip, patter…

The sound of blood drops and debris falling together.

"When I ask, answer."

Having said that, Cheol Ryu-heun grabbed the round table with both hands and tore it in half like paper, tossing it aside.

Thud, thud-thud-

Han Yun, now pale as a sheet, felt his legs go weak and his lips parch.

"Ah… Y-Yes. I… I am… the Cl-Clinic Master Han Yun… Th-That's correct."

Step, step.

Cheol Ryu-heun walked forward, then took out a poison pill he had brought in his clothes and showed it, speaking quietly.

"You know what this is, right? It's okay if you don't. I can just kill you anyway."