Chapter 86:

Chapter 86:

Unfinished Match (1)

“It doesn’t seem like a bad idea. If it’s Lady Seol-hwa, she can certainly manage it.”

“Th-thank you.”

Was it thanks to Mu-jin’s praise? Her face turned even redder, but she slightly lifted her head, which had been about to bow, and looked at Mu-jin.

‘If I do this, I can get closer to Monk Mu-jin, right?’

However, separate from Mu-jin’s satisfaction, there was a bigger reason why she became so proactive.

Ryu Seol-hwa had originally harbored such thoughts.

Since Mu-jin was a disciple of Shaolin, she believed she was the only woman who could bring him back to secular life.

She thought that the kind of temptation that would make Mu-jin abandon the name of Shaolin and martial arts could only be provided by herself and Cheonryu Sangdan.

Therefore, she anticipated that Mu-jin would either marry her or continue living as a monk.

But her positive outlook was shattered with the appearance of Jegal Jin-hee.

Jegal Jin-hee’s Jegal family was known as one of the Five Great Clans, on par with the Cheonryu Sangdan. Moreover, Jegal Jin-hee was considered a talented woman even within her clan.

Ryu Seol-hwa felt a sense of crisis, thinking that at this rate, Mu-jin could be taken away by her.

Hence, she decided to act more assertively.

But Mu-jin, unaware of her circumstances, was simply pleased.

Feeling like he was looking at a young niece taking her first steps, Mu-jin felt the need to help her stand on her own.

“So, do you need my help to open and manage the new clinics?”

“Yes. The clinic in Nanchang that we opened last time and the new one we will open in Luoyang are both unable to accept female patients.”

“...Since Lady Seol-hwa is the only one who knows my treatment methods.”

Mu-jin easily understood her intention. However, understanding her intention did not mean all problems were solved.

“I can teach my treatment methods to other women, but the head of the Sangdan will likely oppose it. There’s a risk that the women who learn the treatment methods might betray Cheonryu Sangdan and reveal them to other Sangdan.”

How should this problem be resolved?

As Mu-jin was pondering a solution to help her, Ryu Seol-hwa cautiously opened her mouth.

“I’ve already thought about that.”

“There’s a simple way. We can hire women who have no need to betray us.”

“Women who have no need to betray us?”

As Mu-jin tilted his head, unable to think of anyone, Ryu Seol-hwa added an explanation.

“The women from families that have a positive relationship with our Cheonryu Sangdan.”

“Not the women working in the Sangdan, but the ones from families who serve the imperial court?”

“Yes, Monk Mu-jin.”

“Would such women be willing to work in clinics?”

* * *

In response to Mu-jin’s question, Ryu Seol-hwa answered confidently.

“It would be a favorable condition for them. As you know, Monk Mu-jin, the exercises done at the clinic are very beneficial for beauty. And women from such families are naturally interested in beauty.”

To be precise, it was more beneficial for body shape than for the face. This was something Ryu Seol-hwa herself felt the most strongly.

“And secondly, it’s advantageous for forming connections. While working at the Deungbong-hyeon clinic, I’ve become acquainted with the daughters and mistresses of the influential families there, interacting with them daily. Therefore, if they manage the clinics in other counties, they will also be able to become acquainted with the high-ranking women there.”

If that happened, it could create a link between families living in distant regions. In other words, even as women, they could gain some influence within their families.

Mu-jin, with his extensive social experience, easily understood the meaning behind her words.

‘...They say you can’t hide your true nature, huh?’

Who would have thought that Ryu Seol-hwa had such a keen mind?

Realizing that her hidden potential was blooming, Mu-jin gladly clapped his hands and praised her.

“It’s truly a perfect plan. I don’t think the Sangdanju-nim will refuse Lady Seol-hwa’s plan.”

“Is it really a good plan?”

“Yes!”

“T-then, is it okay to teach your treatment methods to other women?”

Today, some very special news reached the owner of the pavilion, who had been living a life almost completely disconnected from the world.

“The Shaolin Saint Monk has been resurrected? Are you saying that Hyun-gwang has recovered his body?”

“Yes, Senior Uncle.”

The old man sitting cross-legged on a platform, which was placed there to enjoy the view of the clouds and mountains below, stroked his long white beard a few times with his eyes closed, looking like an immortal.

Having made up his mind, the old man opened his eyes wide and stood up from the platform.

“Are you going, Senior Uncle Yunheo?”

“It seems I must settle an old score.”

As he spoke, Yunheo Zhenren stretched out his hand, and the Songmun Antique Sword in his pavilion flew through the air into the old man’s hand.

Yunheo Zhenren.

One of the Three Swords Under Heaven and known as the Taiji Sword Immortal, he awakened from his long seclusion.

* * *

Two months had passed since the clinic in Luoyang had opened.

During those two months, Mu-jin had consistently practiced Qinggong while commuting between Shaolin and Luoyang.

In the first few days, just traveling the 120 li (about 60 km) was exhausting, but after his stamina and internal energy usage improved, he started attempting various techniques.

He alternated between running slowly and at maximum speed, trying to enhance the momentary acceleration of the Po Mountain God Steps.

Following Hyun-gwang’s advice, he also trained by sprinting as if chasing a fleeing enemy, while simultaneously practicing dodging to the left and right.

However, no matter how much Qinggong training he did during his commute between Luoyang and Shaolin, the time he spent in Luoyang felt like a waste to Mu-jin.

For someone who needed to start moving in earnest after the martial arts competition, spending time caring for patients in the clinic was quite frustrating.

Even though Mu-jin enjoyed caring for the elderly and was investing in giving the miraculous medicine to the Three Undefeated Warriors, it was still troubling.

Fortunately, on the day marking the second month, a savior came to Mu-jin.

“Sorry for being late, Monk Mu-jin.”

Mu-jin responded with a bow to her, who greeted him with a bright smile.

“Not at all, Shi-ju-nim Seol-hwa.”

The reason she came late to Luoyang was to receive a handover from Ryu Ji-gwang regarding the clinic business and, most importantly, to train a successor to manage the clinic in Deungbong-hyeon.

Mu-jin warmly welcomed Ryu Seol-hwa, who had come to visit after two months.

“Then I’ll leave the Luoyang branch in your capable hands, Shi-ju-nim Seol-hwa.”

“Yes. I look forward to working with you, Monk Mu-jin.”

“...Look forward to working with me? What do you mean by that?”

“Weren’t we supposed to receive patients together now?”

“Since Shi-ju-nim Seol-hwa is here, I thought I would return to Shaolin...?”

At Mu-jin’s words, her bright smile froze.

Though her mouth smiled, her eyes shook violently for some reason.

‘If this was the plan, there was no need to rush here!!’

It was Ryu Seol-hwa’s silent outcry.

“Are you saying, Monk Mu-jin, that you won’t come to Luoyang at all now?”

Hearing the slight tremor in her voice, Mu-jin fell into a brief contemplation.

‘Hmm. With Ryu Seol-hwa not in Deungbong-hyeon, even if I go there, I won’t get any... no, I won’t be able to eat any nourishing food, right?’

To eat nourishing food, he needed Ryu Seol-hwa.

Reaching that thought, Mu-jin answered with a bright smile.

“As I did in Deungbong-hyeon, I will visit every five days, Shi-ju-nim Seol-hwa.”

Mu-jin, who had improved his Qinggong, could now run to Luoyang in less than half a sijin, so he could easily make the trip for the sake of nourishing food.

With Mu-jin’s bright answer, Ryu Seol-hwa thought.

‘Right. I couldn’t see him for two months. It’s better to see him once every five days than not at all.’

She was indeed a very positive person.