Chapter 136
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The next day.
News spread among the Wulin League—Master Wulin, who had been unconscious for so long, had awakened that morning.
“Palace Master! Madam!”
A servant ran in breathlessly, her face radiant with relief.
“The League Master is calling for the two of you!”
Doyul and Yerin quickly prepared and headed toward the League Master’s chamber.
The League Master sat comfortably against the cushions, sipping tea. Upon seeing the two, she greeted them with a smile.
“Yes, you’ve arrived.”
It seemed the Snowbell Grass had been effective, as the League Master’s condition had improved. Though her voice was still hoarse, there were no major restrictions on her movements. Her complexion, too, had regained some color compared to the previous day.
“Leave us,” the League Master said with a wave of her hand.
“Yes.”
The servant bowed deeply and exited the room with careful steps.
The League Master turned to face the two quietly.
“It seems you’ve brought Snowbell Grass again. I owe you another debt to the North Sea Ice Palace.”
“You should focus on your recovery, not worrying about such matters,” Doyul responded first, trying to comfort her.
“Indeed. If the League Master falters, the foundation that holds the righteous sects together will vanish,” Yerin added.
The League Master gave a bittersweet smile.
“You all have been through much because of me. I should have been more careful…”
Her voice trailed off for a moment.
The League Master then glanced at Yerin cautiously.
“Now that I think about it, how are you holding up?”
“Pardon?”
Yerin blinked in surprise at the unexpected question.
The League Master continued gently, “There was a significant incident at the Dang Clan recently.”
“…”
“It must have disturbed you greatly. Are you alright?”
The League Master gazed at Yerin with a concern resembling that of a worried grandfather toward a granddaughter.
‘Come to think of it… both my master and the League Master… they’ve always shown this kind of concern.’
Unlike the family members—father or brothers—who never once showed such a tender expression.
‘Well, this kind of thought is nothing new.’
After all, hers was not a family built on affection.
Yerin struggled to suppress the rising emotions within her.
“The situation with the Dang Clan?”
“At present, we’ve managed to stabilize it.”
“That’s a relief,” the League Master said with a nod.
She then asked again, “You mentioned confronting the Vice-Grandmaster of the Blood Sect. What was he like?”
Her gaze sharpened with intensity.
‘Ah.’
In that moment, Yerin realized.
Even though the old man seemed frail, he was still the League Master—still fighting to preserve and protect the righteous sects.
“Unpredictable,” Yerin said thoughtfully.
“Chaotic yet cruel, treating life as a mere plaything…”
She searched for the right comparison.
“It was almost childlike.”
Destroying a dragonfly’s wings for amusement, throwing stones at frogs, and stomping on worms crawling in the dirt—
Mixing that with a fanatical belief in the Blood Demon Sect, and the Vice-Grandmaster took shape.
At that moment, Doyul added with a grim expression,
“I had heard of the Blood Sect’s sorcery, but raising the dead—bringing corpses back to life—I never expected that.”
The League Master’s eyes widened in horror.
“The Palace Master, did you really see corpses rise?”
“Yes. I saw them with my own eyes.”
Doyul nodded heavily, recounting their experiences.
The Dang Clan leader attempting to create a vision of power through solitude—
The Vice-Grandmaster mercilessly killed him and raised the corpses.
Among them was…
“Though the he couldn’t use his martial arts in life, he still blindly attacked the League Master,” Yerin added, her voice low.
Including her brother, Dang Yeojun, who was among those corpses.
The League Master listened carefully, her expression dark.
“…So that happened. Thank you for the information.”
She gave a bitter smile.
“It seems I am forever indebted to the Palace Master and Madam.”
“…”
Yerin looked at the League Master with a sorrowful expression.
A king.
The wrinkled, weary face reflected a long-lost friend who would never return.
Yerin felt a deep pang of sorrow.
‘What would you do in this situation?’
She quietly asked, but her lost friend did not answer.
Instead, the League Master, who had inherited her friend’s martial prowess, continued to struggle to resolve the situation.
“For now, we’ll need to discuss this with Lord Commander…”
After some thought, the League Master raised her voice so that it could be heard outside.
“Is anyone there?”
“Yes, League Master.”
“Bring Lord Commander here.”
The sudden command shocked both Doyul and Yerin.
“Wait? He’s just woken up. Shouldn’t he rest…?”
“You’re right, but I need my mind clear to issue orders concerning the Blood Sect.”
The League Master shook her head firmly.
“It will make things easier for everyone to handle if I give the order now.”
“That’s true…”
“There’s no need to overwork Lord Commander any further. What if he decides to retire from his duties?”
Just as the League Master made a lighthearted remark, Lord Commander entered.
Their eyes met, and before anything else, he inquired about her well-being.
“How are you feeling today, League Master?”
“Quite well. You’ve been worrying needlessly,” she replied with a smile.
From there, the League Master began issuing various orders.
“It seems the Blood Sect is stirring again, so do not let your guard down.”
“Understood, League Master.”
“The most pressing matter is the people’s well-being. We must prevent any harm from coming to the civilians. Increase patrols around the vicinity.”
“At once.”
“Also, gather information on the number of missing individuals…”
The League Master continued speaking at length when she suddenly paused.
“Cough, cough.”
Her voice had become increasingly hoarse, and it seemed the strain was catching up to her. She reached for the teapot but froze halfway.
“Oh, the teapot is empty.”
Her voice was noticeably dry now, and it was evident the conversation was taking a toll on her.
‘I thought I was doing better.’
Lord Commander swiftly moved to support her and helped her lie down.
“Please, do not overexert yourself, League Master.”
“No, as the League Master, this is my duty. I cannot rest just yet,” she gently pushed him away with a frail gesture.
At that moment, a sound came from the doorway.
“Pardon the interruption, but may I come in?”
“Enter.”
A physician entered the room, bowing respectfully.
“It’s been some time since you used Snowbell Grass. It may be wise to check your condition.”
“Understood.”
The League Master extended her wrist, and the physician began to carefully examine her pulse.
“Well, you’ve overexerted again,” the physician said with a worried expression.
The League Master glanced away awkwardly.
“No, that’s not—”
“You’ve been warned several times not to push yourself,” the physician stated firmly.
“But how bad is it really?”
Lord Commander looked perplexed and anxious.
“It’s not as severe as it seems,” the physician exhaled deeply.
“There is some improvement. The irregular pulse has stabilized.”
Hearing this, Lord Commander’s expression brightened like a lantern was lit within him.
It seemed he was more relieved than even the League Master herself.
The physician offered a faint smile as well.
“Yes. Merely regaining consciousness from such a state is a significant achievement.”
However, the physician’s smile faded quickly.
“But I cannot guarantee how long this stability will last.”
“What do you mean?”
“While Snowbell Grass is still effective, this is merely a temporary solution. It is not a permanent cure.”
“I understand.”
The League Master’s bright smile faded into a more subdued expression.
Lord Commander soon looked somber as well, nodding quietly.
Meanwhile, Doyul observed with a complex expression.
‘Father.’
He knew well that he wasn’t entirely rational right now, but every time he saw the League Master, his thoughts drifted to his late father.
‘What if the League Master passes away?’
He struggled to suppress the rising emotions, gripping his clothes tightly, wrinkling them in the process.
Yerin noticed his troubled state and looked on with concern.
‘Doyul?’
Something seemed off, and Yerin furrowed her brow.
At that moment, the League Master, leaning back and appearing relaxed, broke the silence.
“I’m not dead yet.”
“League Master…”
“Thank you for your concern, but you all look so serious it makes me feel guilty.”
With that, the League Master turned her playful gaze toward Doyul.
