Chapter 17

Relaxing his body, he drank the medicinal brew his uncle held to his lips. After that, the severe pain in his stomach subsided considerably. Circulating his internal energy to check, he found that although he had suffered internal injuries, they weren't very severe.

"How long was I unconscious?"

Cheong-ra asked, as he seemed to have regained consciousness sporadically, but his memory was unclear.

"It's already been four days. Fortunately, thanks to the Dragon Gate Sect providing a carriage, we were able to return quickly."

Cheong-ra's face darkened. He had failed to properly complete the task assigned by his master. The spirit beast had escaped, and he had returned injured. While the fight with Dang Ran-yeong was satisfying, the outcome was certainly not.

Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, who had laid Cheong-ra back down, lifted the hems of his upper and lower garments. Black and red bruises were vividly imprinted wherever the whip had struck. As he carefully applied ointment to the wounds that were extremely painful to the touch, he finally couldn't hold back his anger and burst out.

"How can there be such an outrageous person? Can he still be considered a righteous faction after that? He's no different from the underworld!"

Startled by his uncle's unprecedented anger, Cheong-ra tried to appease him when the door opened, and Oh Tae-ryeong entered. Oh Tae-ryeong firmly pushed Cheong-ra back down as he tried to get up.

"Enough. Don't get up."

"I apologize, Master. Due to my shortcomings, I failed to fully accomplish what you ordered."

"I've already heard everything from Lim Jeong."

Oh Tae-ryeong's face creased as she visually examined the bruise-covered skin. Until now, her disciple had never been so severely injured. It was because his skills were outstanding, and Moon Lake Sect cherished the Moonlight Flashing Sword, always sending sufficient reinforcements with him.

Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon's face was filled with anger, not only because his beloved nephew had returned injured but also from watching him lie in bed for days. Oh Tae-ryeong's expression was also unpleasant, seeing her cherished disciple beaten by some ruffian and bedridden.

"Fortunately, since it's just a contusion, there won't be any scars."

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

Oh Tae-ryeong clicked her tongue lightly, and her hand gently touched his forehead drenched in cold sweat. Then she sternly admonished him.

"Since this happened due to a lack of skill, you should devote yourself even more to training in the future."

As Cheong-ra was about to answer obediently, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, who was still angry, closed the ointment jar with a loud clack and confronted her.

"What are you saying, Martial Sister? Lacking in skill? You know very well that Cheong-cheong's martial prowess is among the top of his peers."

"Oh, Martial Brother."

Until now, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon had never said anything about how Oh Tae-ryeong instructed Cheong-ra, as it was a matter between master and disciple. It was also due to his naturally gentle nature.

However, seeing his beloved nephew return in such a mess after being beaten, it seemed he couldn't contain his anger this time. So even when Oh Tae-ryeong sternly rebuked him, he didn't calm down.

"Does this make any sense? That ruffian-like bastard... Not only does he habitually harass and pick fights like a thug, but he also whipped our Cheong-cheong, who was only trying to protect the civilians! I won't let this slide. I'm going to strongly protest and complain to the Tang Clan about this matter!"

"Even if you do, will it be of any use, Martial Brother? The Tang Clan has long disowned him, pretending not to know."

Although she didn't show it outwardly like Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, Oh Tae-ryeong clicked her tongue again, indicating that she found the situation just as unpleasant. Cheong-ra felt apologetic seeing the two people he revered like his mother and father so angry, but at the same time, he felt secretly pleased to receive their affection and attention.

Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, who had been breathing roughly, finally calmed down only after Oh Tae-ryeong firmly grasped his shoulder. As if the squeezed shoulder was painful, Yeong-hyeon slyly shifted his body to the side and examined his nephew again. Oh Tae-ryeong sighed and spoke to her disciple.

"Internal injuries require even more careful healing than external wounds. There may be aftereffects, so don't overexert yourself and rest well for a while."

"Yes, Master."

"If there's any discomfort or pain, call for me immediately."

While saying that, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon attentively wiped away the cold sweat on Cheong-ra's forehead again and was slightly surprised. The drowsiness was evident in Cheong-ra's slowly blinking eyelids.

"Your body must be in bad shape. Seeing how sleepy you are."

Cheong-ra's chronic insomnia was well-known in Moon Lake Sect. When he was young, the most troublesome thing for Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon was getting Cheong-ra to sleep. He had carried his young nephew on his back under the moonlight until he fell asleep countless times, so Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon felt deep pity. To him, Cheong-ra was a precious and cherished existence whom he had practically raised on his back. Even more so because he had no children of his own.

"Get some good sleep now."

After tucking Cheong-ra in properly and watching over him for a while, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon left the quarters with Oh Tae-ryeong. Even after the two had left, Cheong-ra didn't fall asleep right away and savored the drowsy feeling in a daze. It had been a long time since he had felt this sleepy.

"It's strange..."

A languid voice flowed through his chapped lips from biting too much. The deep pain in his stomach from the internal injuries felt like it was twisted, and the bruises all over his body were extremely sore. Nevertheless, he had never felt this refreshed and light-hearted since joining Moon Lake Sect. Pondering the reason, Dang Ran-yeong's image flickered in his mind.

Was it because the desire he had always only imagined had been realized for the first time? Moreover, his master didn't severely reprimand him, so his heart was at ease. Quietly reflecting on the fight with Dang Ran-yeong, a faint smile graced Cheong-ra's lips but soon disappeared as drowsiness overtook him.

After that, as if making up for lost sleep, Cheong-ra spent more than half a day sleeping for several days. Thanks to the frequent visits and treatments from the medical hall, his internal injuries and bruises healed quite quickly. Nevertheless, the people around him, including Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, were extremely worried as if he had contracted a serious illness.

"Junior Brother Baek Ri, are you asleep?"

Lying on the bed, fiddling with the rabbit-shaped jade piece he had bought in Dragon Spring, Cheong-ra quickly hid the piece under his pillow at the familiar voice. He got up from his seat, tidied his disheveled hair and clothes, and promptly replied.

"No, Great Senior Brother. You may come in."

As the door to his quarters opened, Gong Hyeok-rin and Song Geum-hye entered, their arms full of something. Having just woken up, Cheong-ra felt embarrassed by his unkempt appearance, worrying if he looked unsightly. However, to the two of them, the appearance of their cherished junior brother only seemed desolate and sickly.

"Oh, Junior Brother!"

Gong Hyeok-rin threw aside what he was holding in his arms and rushed over. Song Geum-hye nimbly caught the falling objects or tapped them with her foot, safely placing them on the floor. Gong Hyeok-rin grabbed Cheong-ra's face with his large hands and turned it from side to side.

"How did you get so injured?"

"Great Senior Brother, I'm fine. It's not a serious injury."

Cheong-ra wasn't being humble. In reality, it was a light internal injury that could be fully recovered with about a month of healing. When he was attacked by Dang Ran-yeong, the pain was so excruciating that he thought he might stop breathing, but when his pulse was actually checked, the injury wasn't as severe as the pain suggested. Rather than the internal injuries, the bruises were more severe and would likely take longer to heal.

While Gong Hyeok-rin fussed over how thin and haggard Cheong-ra looked, Song Geum-hye examined Cheong-ra's body with sharp eyes. Then she quietly seethed with anger. Her eyes blazed, and her aura was as fierce as an enraged tiger.

"If I ever meet that Dang Ran-yeong, I won't let him off easily!"

"Geum-hye, you wouldn't be a match for him with your skills, would you?"

When Gong Hyeok-rin spoke frankly, he was fiercely slapped on the back. Groaning in pain and doubling over, Gong Hyeok-rin was pushed aside as Song Geum-hye sat on the edge of the bed. Then she laid out the things she had brought.

"Here, these are dried peaches that Junior Brother likes. And this is tea leaves, and this is rock honey. I also brought medicinal ingredients that are good for internal injuries. Of course, the head of the medical hall will take good care of you, but it won't hurt to eat these."

"I'll eat them well, Martial Sister Song."

Cheong-ra smiled gratefully at his martial sister who always took care of him like an older sister. As Song Geum-hye looked at him with a sympathetic expression, Gong Hyeok-rin slyly asked.

"So, Junior Brother. How strong is Dang Ran-yeong?"

Song Geum-hye slapped his back with a loud smack, but even as he rubbed his body in pain, Gong Hyeok-rin's eyes shone. Unlike Cheong-ra, he was a true sparring enthusiast who enjoyed fighting others. Although he was concerned about his junior brother's injuries, he couldn't hide his curiosity about the strong Dang Ran-yeong, his eyes sparkling. Cheong-ra pondered for a moment before answering.

"He might be even stronger than you, Great Senior Brother."