Camellia 148

Seolyeong looked down at his unconscious husband with dazed eyes. The usual cold aura that radiated from Sahyeol Amje no longer flowed from him, his face peaceful like a child in deep sleep. It felt as if the energy that marked his life as a martial artist had quietly slipped away, and Seolyeong shook his head.

“No. No, husband…”

He was the Supreme One who had conquered Jungwon. His Qi was not the sort to be worn thin from reckless use, and his martial arts were not something that could disappear entirely, even from a fatal injury.

Yet the fear that gripped him was overwhelming.

Seolyeong hastily propped up Sahyeol Amje’s slipping body and began infusing him with his own Qi.

“Wake up. Please? We’re not done talking yet. We haven’t finished a single thing… You just kept running your mouth and now you do this…”

But no matter how hard he tried to rouse him, there was no sign of recovery. If left like this, it would truly be the end. Just as Sahyeol Amje had foretold, it would be a farewell with no hope of reunion, not unless in the next life. And even that felt like a fantasy, for even if there was a god presiding over fate, he would never grant a man like Sahyeol Amje the grace of reincarnation. Maybe they could meet again in hell, but it was far too shameless to expect a second chance.

That was why they had to love each other in this life.

Seolyeong swiftly lifted the unconscious man onto his back and started running. He had no intention of honoring a one-sided farewell his husband had decided on alone.

“If you wake up and start spouting nonsense again, I’m going to kiss you all day long…”

He would wind his rude tongue around Sahyeol Amje’s and silence him completely.

Sniffling, Seolyeong wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. No matter how much scorn or alienation he faced in the Murong clan, he had endured it with composure. But in front of Sahyeol Amje, he found himself acting so emotionally that even he could not understand it.

Was love always a feeling that stole reason and dulled the mind?

It was his first time, so he couldn’t be sure. But if it were, then he hoped his husband would lose his reason completely too. He hoped the man would judge only Seolyeong, with no regard for outside circumstances. Maybe then, he would find the will to live again.

*

After the lords of Geukmunggak and the Jipilggak had fought desperately to contain the chaos, hauling water like madmen until their joints felt like they were melting, Gwanju Hall had managed to retain its original form, with only slight scorching to the exterior. However, the two elders themselves looked half-boiled, their hair and skin nearly cooked.

When Seolyeong appeared carrying Sahyeol Amje on his back, each elder welcomed him in their own way.

“We knew you could do it, Gyo-mo-nim! The furious sect leader… Let’s see now. You’ve knocked him out!”

The lord of Geukmunggak, on the verge of passing out, still managed a hearty laugh, while the lord of Jipilgak gave a deeply respectful bow before promptly fainting.

With a thud, he collapsed against the stone steps, cracking his head and bleeding heavily. Most of his hair had been burnt away, leaving him nearly bald, which only made the bleeding worse. Seolyeong stared at the sight, appalled.

“Ah, don’t worry about that idiot.”

He muttered as he kicked him down the steps, then offered a formal bow as well.

When the sect leader had suddenly appeared in a fit of madness and set fire to the place, he had waited desperately for the Gyo-mo to arrive and resolve it all. No matter how he questioned his master, the man gave no answers. Worse, he had flung hidden weapons at him, trying to kill him.

As underhanded as it was, Sa Yeoho had yanked one of the guards escaping from the Yurigung into his path as a shield. The spinning blade buried itself in a nearby tree, just behind Seolyeong, as proof of that narrow escape.

“Rest for a moment in Gwanju Hall and I’ll call a physician right away…”

Sa Yeoho was still speaking when Seolyeong shoved the sect leader into his arms. His expression looked so pained and resentful, as if no one could understand how unfair this choice felt. Sa Yeoho, caught off guard with the man in his arms, looked dumbfounded at the Gyo-mo’s obvious jealousy.

Why the hell was he angry when he’s the one who handed him over?

Not wanting to get caught between husband and wife, Sa Yeoho subtly lowered his arms. Better to put the man down than keep holding him. But Seolyeong blocked him.

“Lay out a thick bedding and treat the sect leader properly. And you, stay as far away as you can.”

“…What?”

“But don’t go so far that I can’t see you. You’ll need to keep checking his condition. If something happens while I’m away, use your full strength to send me a voice transmission. I’ll keep my energy gates open.”

His stern command was followed by a suspicious look, as if he didn’t trust Sa Yeoho one bit.

“And don’t you dare try anything with someone unconscious.”

Once, Sa Yeoho had teased Seolyeong by pretending to be in love with the sect leader, and now he was paying for it. Feeling like he’d walked into his own trap, Sa Yeoho gave a sheepish smile.

“Um, maybe it’d be better if Gyo-mo-nim took care of the sect leader personally. I’ll go call that physician like I said…”

“No physician you know can save him.”

Cutting him off again, Seolyeong showed a flicker of deep concern.

The elders might not know, but Sahyeol Amje held the yeouiju. He shared will and essence with an imugi, and would soon have to surrender his very body.

What physician could treat a man imbued with divine beast energy?

Unless it were a Divine Healer, they wouldn’t even be able to lift a finger.

Which was why Seolyeong intended to find the disciple of that healer. Since the master’s whereabouts were unknown, he could only hope the disciple would help.

But would she really accept his request?

That was a worry for after he found her. Steeling himself, Seolyeong set off on a journey through the martial world.

Meanwhile, only two elders and one unconscious man remained on Yeonhu Mountain.

Sa Yeoho was bewildered. Aside from being told that “no physician you know can save him,” he had been given no other explanation. Was he really just supposed to leave the sect leader lying here without summoning anyone?

The lord of Jipilgak, who might have shared his thoughts, was still passed out. In the end, Sa Yeoho sighed and carried the sect leader into his bedroom.

The lord of Jipilgak, who awoke with a sore cheek, wanted nothing more than to beat the lord of Geukmunggak to death. The man had kept sending him on errands under the excuse that Gyo-mo-nim had forbidden anyone from leaving Gwanju Hall.

And with the entire sect evacuated due to the fire, there was no one left but them. He had no choice but to drag himself off on every damned errand.

***

Yuwon had yet to leave Mount Hwang.

She had helped so many injured woodcutters that she had lost count, and naturally more patients began to gather around her. The physicians in Hapbi, especially those linked to the Namgung clan, treated anyone outside that circle with cold indifference. So it was only natural that a kind and impartial healer would be warmly welcomed.

That evening, like the last, she lit a single candle and was sorting medicinal herbs when she heard a rustling footstep. It was a deliberate sound. Seolyeong didn’t want to startle her by suddenly appearing.

Yuwon blew out the candle and set her busy hands down.

If someone had come at this hour under urgent circumstances, they wouldn’t have made such careful, subtle steps. They would have come crashing through in a rush.

Yes. It would be stranger if no bandits ever showed up at a lone woman’s mountain home.

She glanced at the dagger and poison vial she had prepared for self-defense and held her breath. Tension filled the space.

“It’s me, physician.”

A familiar voice called from beyond the door. The tension instantly melted from her body. But with it came confusion and unease. After all, the bride of her younger brother had no reason to seek her out.

Seolyeong, fully aware of the doubt she must feel, quickly got to the point.

“There is a patient who desperately needs your hands, and so I have come without shame to ask for your help.”

His usual irreverent air, worthy of the nickname ‘mad bride,’ was nowhere to be seen. Right now, Seolyeong was the picture of a refined young nobleman, pleading with sincerity.

The next words made Yuwon’s vision blur.

“The sect leader is in critical condition, physician.”