Chapter 35 The Strange Doctor of Life and Death – 5

Chapter 35: The Strange Doctor of Life and Death – 5

After wandering for quite some time, the Black Robes finally tracked us down and began chasing us again. We’d been taunting them, dodging them left and right, but when they finally caught up to us…

Goju Yong, who looked ten years older overnight, shouted at us.

“You bastards! I won’t let you slip away this time!”

We glanced back over our shoulders.

Though surrounded, it didn’t seem impossible to break through if we really tried.

The enemy looked utterly exhausted, hardly capable of stopping us.

It almost seemed like we could just fight them here.

That was when it happened.

A young woman’s voice rang out from somewhere.

“What?! They’ve already been rescued?! That can’t be allowed?!”

Turning toward the voice, we saw a beautiful woman in red, arms akimbo, watching us from a tree.

She looked to be in her early twenties at most? With large, round eyes, dimples that appeared when she smiled, and a youthful innocence radiating from her entire being, even the posture of her arms resting on her hips made her look adorable.

Her beauty even seemed to rival that of Lady Dang Yeo-eun.

She lightly leapt down and landed beside us, saying,

“Hey, you guys! Did you actually ask for the Elixir of Life and Death? And you agreed to take that pill too? Ah, this is bad!”

Seeing her, I smiled with satisfaction.

The person I’d been waiting for had finally arrived.

I bowed to her and replied.

“I don’t know who you are, but we can’t say we’ve fully rescued the Elder of Life and Death yet. As long as those guys remain, they’ll keep trying to target the Elder.”

Then, the woman who had slightly furrowed her brow scratched her chin cutely and asked the Elder of Life and Death.

“You’re the Elder of Life and Death? Well? Do you think so too? If I wipe them out, does that make me the one who saved you?”

Given that the young lady looked so young she could be mistaken for a child, her words were undeniably rude to the middle-aged Life-Death Demon.

But the Life-and-Death Doctor, who seemed to have sensed something from my actions, paused briefly before answering.

“I don’t think so. These young heroes have already done their utmost and saved me. However, if someone were to kill them to eliminate future trouble, that person would also be counted among those who saved me.”

Then she nodded with a lively smile.

“Alright! That’s good enough! Then wait a moment!”

Then, in an instant, her figure vanished.

We couldn’t help but be flustered by that mystical movement.

Even the three of us, each confident in our own divine techniques, couldn’t track her whereabouts at all.

It was an incredible technique.

Bisaeng muttered, his face filled with shock.

“Sister… Huanwei?”

At that moment, Sisaegwi, looking as if his soul had left his body, asked me.

“Who exactly is that young lady? Young Master Seonwoo, do you know her identity?”

I didn’t answer that question immediately, instead looking at Seolpung Jo-jang.

He had been pale as a ghost since the moment he first saw her.

I asked him.

“Do you know, Captain?”

The squad leader swallowed hard and replied.

“That young lady… she couldn’t possibly be…”

At that moment, Biseyoung, standing nearby, shouted with a horrified expression.

“Look! Over there! What is that?!”

Following the direction of his pointing finger, we turned our gaze without thinking and found her, our eyes widening in shock.

She had somehow moved toward the Black Chamber guards… and was floating in midair, looking down at them.

We could only stare in shock, our mouths agape.

She stood there as if stepping on an invisible platform in midair, perfectly stable.

Seeing this, Biseoyoung screamed like a shriek.

“F-f-flying?!”

Even I, who knew her true identity, and Seolpung, the squad leader who seemed to have roughly guessed, couldn’t close our mouths.

Flying Heavenly Path… I thought that was a realm only found in legends…

No, honestly, I’d thought it was nothing more than a fantasy concocted by storytellers.

But to actually witness it…

But this astonishment was only the beginning.

She looked down at the Black Shangbang warriors and spoke.

Her voice, though a low murmur, carried clearly to us.

“You’re all scum, so you won’t die unjustly. Right?”

At that, Go Ju-yong, who had already been in a daze, snapped back in shock.

“Wh-wh-what…?”

But he could not hear the answer.

As she flashed her hand skyward, a crimson sphere began to form upon her palm.

That mass, likely a lump of energy, grew in an instant, glowing fiercely until its diameter surpassed that of a human body.

As she brought that hand down with all her might, it finally became a crimson meteor, plummeting toward them as they stared blankly.

And a massive explosion erupted.

BOOM!

It was a tremendous roar, a tremendous explosion.

We had to desperately lower our stances to avoid being knocked down by the heatwave that surged in with the explosion.

Whoosh!

“Guhhh!”

“Wh-what the hell?!”

And moments later, after the heatwave passed, the sight that met our eyes when we opened them was utterly unbelievable.

The ground where they had stood was deeply gouged out in a circular shape about four meters in diameter, as if struck by a meteorite.

There was no trace of anyone having been near that circle anywhere.

Total annihilation.

While we stood there, dumbstruck and speechless, she reappeared before us and asked.

“This is a bit of a bother, but should I take care of those little punks back there too?”

As she pointed her finger at the lower-ranking warriors surrounding us from behind, they trembled violently as if struck by lightning, then collapsed to the ground, pleading for mercy.

“Oh, Lady! Please spare us!”

“We’ll be good! Please spare us!”

Frowning at their clamor, she muttered.

“Too noisy. Guess I’ll have to kill them after all.”

In that instant, the surroundings fell silent as if by magic.

Not a single one of them made even the slightest sound.

Sengsigae stammered as he asked her.

“Wh-who… exactly are you?”

Then she answered with a girlish smile.

“Me? I’m Son Eun-sang.”

Startled by her words, Bi Sa-yeong tried to cry out.

“Th-then you’re…!”

I quickly covered his mouth to stop him from speaking further and hurriedly said.

“You really are as beautiful as the rumors say, Senior.”

She shot Bise-young a quick, sharp glance, then chuckled softly and said to me.

“Quick hands. Pretty mouth too. Your face is even more handsome. I like it. I’ll spare your friend.”

“Thank you, Senior!”

Her name was Son Eun-sang, her alias the Lustful Demon of the Female Spirit.

She was also one of the absolute rulers of this era, belonging to the Sima faction among the Three Smas and Five Guai—the Celestial Demon, the master of the Heavenly Demon Cult; the Blood Demon, our enemy from the Blood Cult; and the Demon of Chaos.

Outwardly, she appeared merely a young lady barely in her twenties, but her true age was that of an old demoness well over sixty.

She spoke to the Life-Death Demon, who stood gaping in horror.

“Well? Isn’t this enough to count as me saving you? Or should I wipe out those puny little ones too?”

Only now regaining his senses, Shengsigawei shook his head violently and replied.

“No, no. It’s fine. It’s fine. But Senior Sun, did you also come all this way to obtain my Life-Death Ring?”

She scratched her head slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, and replied.

“No, not for that. I just wanted to ask for help from a healer who knows how to make a Danhwan that rivals a Summoning Dan.”

“Help? What…?”

“Well, it’s like this… um… I’d like to stop being so young now. I’ve started wanting to age a bit. So I thought I’d seek some help.”

“…!”

Everyone blinked in surprise at her unexpected words.

Of course, I already knew, but I pretended to be surprised too.

True to her nickname, the Lust Demon of Youth, she was a lust demon who had mastered the art of draining vitality.

Since her twenties, she had seduced countless men, draining their yang energy, and had built unimaginable internal power through it.

But that didn’t mean her martial arts were weak.

After all, one couldn’t possibly accumulate such profound inner strength without enlightenment.

Thus, the Martial Alliance, which absolutely did not tolerate seductresses, had declared her a public enemy of the martial world.

Consequently, her life became stained with countless bloodshed.

Yet, nearly forty years later, she still lived.

No one could kill her.

She was the peerless beauty, the unapproachable seductress who could walk about openly revealing her identity. She was the one who achieved that feat, accomplished by only a handful in the history of the martial world—none other than Yeoryeong Saekma, Son Eunsang.

Her beauty had been legendary since ancient times.

So much so that men were willing to risk having their yang energy drained and possibly dying just to be with her.

Moreover, she did not age.

Whether due to her profound inner strength or the nature of her martial arts, time held no sway over her. She even earned the nickname “Age-Forgetting” Lust Demon. Rumors began circulating that she was actually growing younger.

And judging by her appearance now, those rumors seemed to be true.

It was impossible to even imagine how powerful her martial arts must be.

Yet, she had just said she wanted to grow old.

It was a statement that could drive all the women of the martial world mad.

Sengsagwi asked with a confused expression.

“So, Senior Sun, you’re saying you want to grow even older now? No, why on earth would you want that?”

She sighed deeply and replied.

“Well, you might not understand. But I’m tired of living young. My heart isn’t young, but only my appearance is. So from now on, I want to live a life that matches my age a little.”

Hearing that far, we couldn’t find anything to say. It was a story from a realm we couldn’t possibly understand, so we could only try to comprehend it by thinking, ‘Well, maybe that’s possible.’

She spoke again.

“So I was hoping you, the Master of Life and Death, could help me a little. Is that possible?”

After a moment of serious contemplation, the Life and Death Master asked.

“If what you desire, Senior, is to grow old, that may be more a matter of martial arts than medicine. You know that, don’t you?”

Son Eun-sang nodded.

“Right. It’s about the nature of my martial arts and my inner energy. That’s why I’ve been obsessed with researching it for over ten years now. But I found that martial arts knowledge alone has its limits. So, the conclusion I’ve reached lately is that it’s not just about martial arts; I need an understanding of human nature. Things like medical knowledge, you see.”

Sengsagwe nodded as if he now understood.

But his expression remained somber.

“So what Senior Sun wishes to ask of me is to join him in research. And research that requires a great deal of time, I gather.”

At that, Son Eun-sang hurriedly said.

“Just one year! I won’t bother you any longer than that. Besides, I’m a restless soul myself, so I have no reason to stop you from living as a wandering martial artist. You can go wherever you please. I’ll just tag along beside you.”

But even after she said that, the expression on the Life-and-Death Doctor’s face didn’t brighten.

Then, I suddenly interjected and said to Ssaengsaegwui,

“I think it would be best if you honored Senior Sun’s request, Elder Gweui.”

He looked puzzled and asked.

“Huh? Why do you say that?”

“First, because it is the right thing to do. You have received a favor from Senior Brother Son. Destroying the Black Shadow Sect to eliminate future troubles was something we could never have done for you. Second, because being with Senior Brother Son will also help ensure your safety. By now, the rumor that you possess the Life-Death Pill and can create it must have spread throughout the martial world. Can you guarantee this was the only attempt to kidnap Mengyun and Yongji to threaten you?”

At my words, he let out a low groan.

He had likely only considered the Black Fang, failing to foresee the consequences.

I continued.

“Finally, the third point is that Senior Brother Son is a man worthy of trust. Though not of the righteous faction, Senior Brother Son has never once broken his word or harmed an innocent soul.”

It was true.

Though she was a seductress, she never drained or harmed anyone unless she deemed them worthy of death by her standards.

That was precisely why so many men sought a relationship with her.

Of course, she never forgave those who tried to kill her and punished them thoroughly, so her path was stained with blood. Yet, even among righteous faction members, few had lived so long while holding fast to their convictions.

No, it was likely extremely rare.

Hearing my words, she brightened and said to me.

“Kid, you’re a very open-minded child, aren’t you? You seem like a righteous faction guy, but you’re unusual.”

Kid…

Even knowing she was old, being called a kid by someone who looked barely in her early twenties felt strangely unsettling.

I gave a wry smile inside and replied.

“Among my close colleagues, quite a few are from the Dark Path. Conversely, I’ve seen many righteous faction members who weren’t very human either. I don’t think the righteous or dark faction matters when it comes to what’s right or wrong. After all, even my team leader right beside me isn’t from the righteous faction.”

She gave me a pleased smile and patted my shoulder.

“I like him. I really like him. A guy this handsome, and his thoughts are so sharp too.”

She glanced at the team leader and continued.

“Come to think of it, you’re handsome too, aren’t you? You guys… do you fancy me? If you do, I’ll show you a wild time.”

“Huh? What?!”

Her unexpected proposal left me utterly stunned. What’s more, the girl who spoke like that had shed her earlier innocence, now radiating a breath-taking sensuality.

Just a change in her expression, and she transformed from a girl-like liveliness to a seductive, almost demonic allure in an instant. She was truly a woman who made the word “seductress” spring to mind.

Her overwhelming allure made my blood rush without my knowing it. My face flushed instantly.

I should have refused, of course, but the words simply wouldn’t come out.

She was far too tempting.

Then, Seolpung Jo-jang’s face suddenly caught my eye.

Then, without meaning to, I burst out laughing.

The squad leader was frozen even more rigidly than when he first saw her earlier.

Her overwhelming charm must have frozen his thoughts solid.

Thanks to that, I could laugh and offer her a hand.

“Thank you so much for saying that. But knowing your true identity, we couldn’t possibly dare to do such a thing.”

Then, a spark lit up in her eyes.

This time, it was a look of genuine admiration.

“You’re quite something, aren’t you? That unwavering resolve is impossible to believe for someone barely in their twenties. Anyway, I understand. The offer stands anytime, so if you ever feel like it, just let me know.”

Her allure as she spoke was utterly overwhelming. He swallowed hard.

But unfortunately, it didn’t seem like there would be a next time.

Because the next time he saw her, she’d probably have a husband.

In a past life, she had saved him from life-and-death peril. At his request, she had thoroughly annihilated the Black Chamber, leaving not a speck of dust behind, and eventually ended up traveling with him.

Then, several years later, Sisa Gwaeui and Son Eun-sang became husband and wife.

It was a story so famous it caused tremendous upheaval in the martial world for quite some time.

Of course, there was no guarantee it would happen the same way in this life.

But still, how could he possibly say he wanted to have a relationship with the wife of someone who might become his future husband?

Anyway, with that, the matter of Life and Death’s Strange Love, which had consumed most of this vacation, was neatly concluded.

Together, we went to the inn where Bae Jong-hwan and the children of the Life-and-Death Demon were staying, and there we witnessed a heartwarming family reunion.

Sengsagwe gave us seven life-and-death rings—more than promised—repeatedly emphasizing he would never forget this kindness before departing.

Son Eun-sang, who was beside him, also didn’t forget to mention that if he ever changed his mind, he would be willing to join us anytime.

It was embarrassing.

However, the children of the Life-and-Death Demon Lord couldn’t depart so cleanly.

The eldest son, the handsome Ma Mengyun, seemed to have become quite close to Bae Jong-gwan during their time together.

Like an old acquaintance, he found it hard to part with Bae Jong-gwan, his eyes reddening. The second child, the daughter Ma Yong-ji, unexpectedly revealed her feelings to someone.

Her face flushed bright red as she approached Bi Sa-yeong and spoke.

“When I turn twenty, I’ll go find Rainy. So… take care of yourself until then.”

Then, watching her run away as if fleeing, Bi Sa-yeong wore a blank expression.

Jo-jang and I burst out laughing and started teasing him.

“Hey! Popular guy! This isn’t a joke?!”

“Hahahaha! Sa-young, turns out you’re a thief after all.”

Bise-young, flustered by our teasing, snapped back.

“Ugh! What do you know about the immature feelings of a young girl?!”

But somehow, a pleased smile appeared on Biseyoung’s face as he pretended to be angry.

This vacation would likely remain a great gift for him.

Not just because of Gweui’s daughter, but also because I had told him I would send half of the wealth I had swept up from the Black Chamber to the Bi Jongmun.

I remembered his mention last time that the Bi Jong-mun was facing hardship.

His face filled with emotion, tears welling up, he thanked me profusely. Jo Jang and Bae Jong-gwan also willingly offered their shares to send to the Bi Jong-mun, joining in.

I decided to entrust the remaining wealth to the battlefield for safekeeping.

Thus, through this leave, Biseoyoung had stepped into the realm of the elite, filled his internal energy to the level of a first-class practitioner, obtained a splendid weapon, and could even support the priests of the Samil Sect who had weighed heavily on his heart.

On top of that, he even received a confession from a beautiful girl. It felt like heaven itself.

But until this moment, we had no idea.

That the thief who stole the woman’s heart wasn’t just Bi Sa-yeong.

***

Rumors spread faster than words anywhere in the world, but the martial arts world was undoubtedly among the fastest.

The incident involving the Life-Death Demon spread like wildfire, reaching not only Guizhou but martial artists throughout the surrounding regions in an instant.

Upon hearing that he, the one who could create the Life-Death Ring, was now traveling with the Demon of the West, Son Eun-sang, some martial artists felt regret, some were amazed, and some simply laughed.

Particularly, the factions in the southwest of Guizhou Province, long suppressed by the Black Fang, rose up en masse.

They began venting their pent-up resentment on the remaining remnants of the Black Fang.

The balance of power in southwest Guizhou Province was now in flux.

Alongside this incident, the names of three men rose to prominence among the martial world.

As rumors spread that warriors from the Flying Dragon Brigade, who had been on leave, had rescued Sheng Shiguai and his children from the Black Shadow Sect, all the heroes near Guizhou Province praised their outstanding sense of justice and martial prowess.

Especially, the Seventh Brother of the Dragon Thirteen, Zhaojiaoxiao, who had instantly slain Hei Guanglun, the peak master of the Black Shadow Sect, despite being only in his twenties, earned the new epithet “Whirlwind Dragon” and rose as a new dragon of the martial world.

Little did people know, this was the very same nickname from Xian Wujin’s past life.

Furthermore, Xian Wujin, who not only possessed martial prowess and divine techniques but also saved lives through exceptional wit, and who had slain Dong Paijing, another peak master of the Black Slaughter Sect, earned the nickname “The Heaven-Defying Black Wolf.” Bi Siying, the great disciple of the Flying Dragon Sect, who had shocked the Black Slaughter Sect disciples with just a single glimpse of his divine technique, gained the nickname “The Whirlwind Flying Dragon.”

And in a remote inn near the fallen Black Shadow Sect, a woman heard their rumors and murmured one of their names.

“Whirlwind Dragon, Snowstorm, right?”

The one who spoke was a woman with a dreamlike aura, her pale face wearing a languid expression. She was Yao Yunxiang, the Blood-Stained Sword Maiden, now once again without a master.