Chapter 101. Lure (1)

The room used as the Medical Hall was quiet.

The Divine Physician had already left for the Alliance Leader's quarters, and Tang Hae-han had gone out to the streets with Tang Hak, saying he would explore Wuhan.

So-hwa took out a basket from the medicinal herb shelf.

As she cleared away the dried herbs, the pills hidden underneath were revealed.

So-hwa took out five poisons she always carried with her and replaced them with the five pills in the basket.

These were deadly poisons, far more potent than the Energy-Scattering Poison and paralysis poison she usually carried.

So-hwa believed the Alliance Leader's words.

There was no need to lie and call her just to confess the truth about returning in time.

But she did not believe the Alliance Leader's claim that there was no answer.

'If the Alliance Leader turned back time to kill the Blood Demon, but could not kill the Blood Demon. And if I turned back time to save the Tang Clan, but cannot protect the Tang Clan...'

So-hwa's expression remained calm as she closed the wooden box.

As if she had found an answer.

‘Then maybe I can kill the Blood Demon, and the Alliance Leader can prevent the Tang Clan's tragedy.’

The Alliance Leader said he would keep So-hwa in his quarters this time to prevent her from meeting the Blood Demon.

At first glance, it seemed considerate, but So-hwa did not take it that way.

Those words meant he would not let her go.

The Taoist wasn't doing it for Tang So-hwa's sake, but to keep her bound so she couldn't change the future.

If the Alliance Leader, who knew the future, stood in her way, all the plans she had made would be meaningless.

And so—even if it was a dangerous opportunity that could cost her life—So-hwa couldn't afford to let it slip by.

'However...'

There was one thing that weighed on her mind.

So-hwa approached the desk. There were brushes and ink neatly arranged by Tang Hae-han.

She took out a sheet of paper and dipped a brush into the still-wet ink, then began to write.

It was the formula for the pill she had promised to Haerak. A modified detoxifying pill for removing the Poison Gu.

After writing down the full recipe, So-hwa hesitated with the brush still in her hand.

In the end, she pressed the brush into the remaining blank space.

『I will no longer be able to keep my promise.』

The space was too small to explain the story behind it.

She simply ended it by saying: make the medicine as written, and if it seems dangerous after taking it, consume the detoxifying pill immediately.

So-hwa regretted telling Hae-rak that she wouldn't give up. Yet, she had entrusted her life to that Blood Sect bastard.

Even though she had no room to feel other emotions, guilt stubbornly squeezed its way in.

So-hwa found a small vial and dropped a few of her own blood into it.

She placed the small vial in the pouch along with the letter. She wrote: don't endure the pain of the Poison gu constricting your heart—draw it out with blood to lessen it.

Since he had already tried it once, he would know how to use it even without further explanation.

So-hwa grabbed a few berries from the medicine chest and walked to the window.

Pat pat pat.

She scattered the fragrant berries in front of the window, and the sound of a hawk came from the distance.

The noisy Mae-hwa descended to the window. As it reached out to peck the berries, So-hwa stretched out her hand, causing it to flinch and pull back in surprise.

"What's wrong?"

"Keck, keck."

The hawk made a retching motion, opening its beak and letting out a wheezing sound like gasping for air.

So-hwa furrowed her brows and brought her collar to her nose.

"Is it the scent?"

Suddenly, Mae-hwa nodded vigorously.

So-hwa placed the pouch by the window and stepped back.

Understanding her intent, the reluctant Mae-hwa picked up the pouch in its beak.

So-hwa didn't approach, only stared at the large hawk.

Finding it strange, Mae-hwa blinked.

Tang So-hwa hadn't said anything.

She usually told it the destination and urged it to fly quickly, but now she just stood there and stared.

‘... What's with her?’

As Mae-hwa narrowed its eyes, So-hwa returned to the medicine chest and opened a drawer.

She placed three medicinal herbs on the desk.

"If you eat something wrong next time, eat just this amount of these three herbs. They'll clear out your insides cleanly, and you'll recover within two days."

"......"

"Honestly, the smarter thing would be to fix that habit of picking food up off the ground. Just go to Hak-ah and pretend to faint—he'll bring you a pile of food without being asked. So stop picking up weird things and just collapse in Hak-ah's room."

'...Does this human think I'm a scavenger?’

Mae-hwa glared at her, but So-hwa paid it no mind. She simply gave the destination.

"There's someone named Min Yeo-hong at Platinum Pavilion. He'll likely be on the highest floor..."

So-hwa trailed off and took out a black hairpin from her sleeve.

It was an accessory she had meant to give to Tang Min, but had forgotten and ended up carrying with her.

She briefly considered stopping by to see Tang Min, but decided against it.

Tang Min was sharp. If she visited him, he might figure out what she was thinking.

So-hwa placed the obsidian hairpin beside the herbs.

"He's the one who gave me this. If you need to, track him by scent. After you return, give this hairpin to the Grand Elder."

Having said all she needed to, So-hwa left the medicinal room.

Once she was gone, Mae-hwa entered the room, sniffed the obsidian hairpin, then—on some sudden thought—grabbed the hairpin as well and flew off, leaving the hall behind.

***

"Lady Tang!"

Myungdan came running out from Mount Hua's quarters and clasped his hands together in a martial salute toward So-hwa.

"I should've come to see you first—my apologies for making you come here instead. I've been overwhelmed preparing for the Martial Arts Tournament."

He scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.

So-hwa shook her head and curved her lips into a small smile.

"I'm also from a martial clan. I know how sensitive the elders get around the time of the Martial Arts Tournament. Of course, the sect's matters come first."

"Thank you for understanding."

Instead of replying, So-hwa lowered her gaze.

"I actually saw the Taoist get injured during the semifinals. If  the Taoist doesn't mind, may I take a look at the wound?"

"Thank you for your concern, but it's already fully healed."

At Myungdan's polite refusal, So-hwa smiled awkwardly.

"I apologize. It seems I still think of  the Taoist as my patient, even though it's been quite a while."

She let out an exaggerated sigh and added,

"In fact, starting today, I'll be entering the Alliance Leader's quarters with the Divine Physician. Before that, I wanted to check on the Taoist condition once more. I was in such a hurry that I forgot it might be inappropriate to intrude on Mount Hua's medicinal hall like this."

At those words, Myungdan's face stiffened.

"... You're entering the Alliance Leader's quarters? For how long?"

"He said ten days, but I don't know exactly. I'll have to assess his condition first."

"When do you enter?"

Myungdan asked urgently.

"I'm already a bit late. The Divine Physician has already gone ahead. I stopped by to see you on the way."

"......"

"But, Taoist... you look troubled. Are you feeling unwell?"

Myungdan quickly ran a hand over his face and replied,

"Ah, no. I've just been tense from the tournament preparations. I must be tired."

"I see. Then please get some rest. I'll take my leave now."

"Lady Tang! Just a moment!"

At Myungdan's call, So-hwa turned back again.

Opening his mouth hesitantly, Myungdan quickly said,

"S-since you've come all this way, you should at least greet the Elder before you go. If he finds out we let you leave without even offering tea, I'll be in serious trouble later."

So-hwa tilted her lips slightly.

"Then I'll stay for just one cup of tea."

"Yes, this way, please."

Myungdan led So-hwa into the reception room.

But after serving her a cup of tea, he didn't return.

He had made an excuse that he was going to inform Muso of So-hwa’s visit, but it shouldn't take this long to find someone in just one pavilion.

It was expected.

So-hwa was simply waiting for those so-called Blue Blood Hall bastards to come find her.

A full hour passed before Myungdan returned.

"My apologies. The Elder happened to be out, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to see him today."

"It's alright. I should have informed you of my visit in advance. That's my fault."

"I truly am sorry."

Despite Myungdan's repeated apologies, So-hwa merely gave him a faint smile and quietly left the Mount Hua quarters.

At some point, the once-red sky had turned dark.

"Excuse me. Lady!"

As she stepped outside, So-hwa turned at the sound of someone calling her.

An old monk was approaching, scratching his head.

"Let me ask you for directions. I'm looking for the Shaolin's quarters—do you know which way I should go?"

So-hwa looked at him in silence.

"Ah, just because I'm a monk doesn't mean I'm from Shaolin. I belong to a different sect. Still, since I'm here, I was curious about how the other monks shave their heads and wanted to have a look. Hehe. If you have time, would you point me to the direction of the Shaolin's quarters?"

The old monk, seeming like a rogue monk, asked with a swaggering demeanor.

So-hwa slowly blinked, then opened her mouth.

"If I tell you, do you think you'll be able to find it? The pavilions look alike, so I think you might get confused."

The old monk tilted his lips wryly.

"Hmm. Then would it be alright to ask you to guide me there?"

So-hwa's delay had paid off.

Seeing the old monk, who smelled of old coins, So-hwa clenched her fist.

It was the scent of a Blood Sect bastard—the same kind Haerak had detected.

A Blood Sect bastard, pretending to be a monk and snooping around the main headquarters.

‘Isn't this going too far?’

The Murim Alliance was being utterly toyed with. So-hwa couldn't tell just how far the Alliance Leader intended to let these people run free.

Suppressing her disappointment toward the Alliance Leader, So-hwa began walking.

Whatever advice the Alliance Leader had given her, she had no intention of standing by while the Blood Sect acted unchecked.

The old monk grinned as he looked at So-hwa.

So-hwa followed the wrinkles of his face with a smile of her own.

"Come along. It's not far—I'll take you there."

"Well then, I'll be in your debt."

Footsteps echoed behind her as the monk followed.

So-hwa took out the detoxifying pill for the Five Minerals Powder from her sleeve and slipped it into her mouth.

She had taken only a few steps when a pungent scent tickled her nose.

Soon, a low mental transmission voice came into her ear.

『Follow the wall and turn right.』

It wasn't the thin voice of the old monk—it was a rough voice. Likely his true voice.

So-hwa feigned intoxication by Five Minerals Powder and turned in the direction the monk had instructed.

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