"Get up. I need to change the bandages."
Nangong Dowi, lying down with bandages covering his body, glanced around with a slightly anxious and uncomfortable expression.
"Uh, by any chance... aren't there any other doctors?"
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"It's just that the young lady..."
"She's not a young lady, she's a disciple."
"Yes, disciple. I feel rather sorry for troubling someone with such an important task..."
"I'm the least busy person here, so stop with the nonsense and get up."
"Uh... yes."
Nangong Dowi propped himself up. Tang Soso skillfully removed the dirty bandages and began wrapping new ones. Nangong Dowi watched her with a curious expression. Tang Soso asked casually.
"Why?"
"Oh... you just seem very skilled."
"..."
"While the Nangong Family also has medical books, the healers there aren't as skilled as disciples... Ohhh!"
As Tang Soso pressed firmly on the wound with an expressionless face, Nangong Dowi twisted his body like a squid falling on a hot pan. His face contorted with confusion and pain.
"W-what...!"
"Your wounds are healed now. Hm. Here..."
"W-wait! Y-you're not going to stab me again, are you?"
"Why are you being so dramatic? Our senior brothers casually jabber nonsense even while we're stitching up their wounds barehanded."
Nangong Dowi was momentarily speechless. He had to admit Tang Soso's skill. There was no denying it. But her personality had also gained a new level of respect in a different sense.
"She wasn't like this before..."
Although there had been some interaction between the Nangong and Tang families due to their status as the children of their respective families, the Tang Soso in his memory was a completely different person from the one standing before him now.
Of course, the biggest difference wasn't in her personality but in her skills.
Honestly, Nangong Dowi hadn't expected Tang Soso to take charge of this place without the presence of Chung Myung and Baek Cheon. Of course, it was possible because of Chung Myung's shadow looming behind her, but without her own abilities, it would have been difficult.
Tang Soso carefully checked the wounds stitched with silk threads and nodded.
"They're healing well. You can start moving a little tomorrow."
"...Thank you."
"Oh, and..."
"Yes?"
"I'm not particularly skilled. I've just become proficient from stitching up and caring for wounds so many times. Our senior brothers would probably joke about their bodies being like cloth dolls that heal even if you roughly sew them up."
Well, maybe...
Even Nangong Dowi could see that the brutality of Mount Hua transcended that of any evil sect. Those watching them fight would make even the under heaven's Demon Cult tremble in fear.
Nangong Dowi asked about the situation, which he hadn't heard about while he was ill.
"How are things going?"
"The river bandit group is almost completely dealt with now. We're close to driving them out of the north of the river."
The mention of the river bandit group caused Nangong Dowi's face to stiffen slightly.
"I'm still not sure if this is the right choice. If we're prepared to sacrifice a bit more, we might be able to wipe them all out. Is it really necessary to open up an escape route for them?"
"If we don't open up an escape route, we'll also have to be prepared to sacrifice. Our senior brothers taught us that."
"Hmm..."
"As I mentioned, I'm a soldier as well as a doctor. The most important thing for me is not to kill one more enemy, but to have one less person killed or injured."
Nangong Dowi nodded. He still didn't agree with Tang Soso's words. But he acknowledged that there was such a way of thinking. Not everyone's thoughts could be the same.
And honestly, when he considered it calmly, that was why Nangong Dowi was lying here now. If Tang Soso had argued that they needed to sacrifice more and completely deal with the river bandit group, Nangong Dowi wouldn't have been able to lie here like this. Even if he had extra wounds and even if he fell, he would have had to protect the battlefield.
"It's not easy."
Sending Nangong Myeong to Shaanxi and lying down here like this. He couldn't calm his anxiety. Every person was precious, and Nangong's forces could be sacrificed in a way that didn't align with his intentions. He couldn't be peaceful for a moment, constantly worrying about whether Nangong's power would be sacrificed in a way that didn't align with his intentions.
Fortunately, Tang Soso was in charge of all this, so he could refrain from rushing to get up and take action. If someone else had taken command, he wouldn't have had the courage to relax even this much.
"Still, with this degree of recovery, now..."
"Don't even dream about it."
"...What do you mean?"
"The physical wounds may have healed to some degree, but the internal injuries are still severe. If you start practicing martial arts now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Surely you're not that foolish?"
Nangong Dowi let out a bitter laugh.
"Even if I hear that, I understand the situation. But it's a bit unfair. Mount Hua's specialty wasn't to ignore injuries and rampage?"
"...It's hard to deny that, but Mount Hua's case is different. The merit of my qi in Mount Hua lies in the unmatched stability in protecting the body. There's a difference from the overbearing Heart Law of the Nangong Family."
"Ah..."
"Of course, while that may lead to insanity from a doctor's perspective if you go on a rampage without caring about your injuries, it's still a valid point."
Tang Soso sighed deeply as she neatly packed away the new bandages she had in her hand.
"And... if you're going to care at all, wouldn't it be better to pay more attention to Shaanxi?"
"...Shaanxi? Is there something happening?"
"There's still no news."
"Then is it okay?"
"That's the problem."
"How so?"
Nangong Dowi looked at Tang Soso with a puzzled expression. Tang Soso's face showed concern.
"Given the significant defeat, Chung Myung senior brother would have already caused some trouble, whatever it may be. But the fact that he's still quiet, what could that mean?"
"Has he become more serious because of something significant in this matter?"
"On the contrary. He's probably planning to cause a major incident because he thinks minor actions won't be enough. Senior brother is that kind of person. He can't stand half-heartedness."
Nangong Dowi's mouth slowly opened. Indeed, now that he heard it, it seemed likely.
"Then, if the disciple is willing to take care of my body...?"
It was a question asking if it was necessary to quickly heal and go to Shaanxi, but Tang Soso responded firmly, shaking her head.
"What are you talking about? Work is work, and a patient is a patient. A doctor doesn't care for people with ulterior motives. Even if someone collapses in front of me, I treat them with sincerity, especially when it comes to Asura Road treatment. That's the attitude that every doctor must have. That's what I've learned."
"...."
"The moment you break your principles, you lose your way."
"Does that path mean the Tao?"
"That's right?"
Tang Soso smiled for the first time.
"After all, I'm a Taoist too."
Nangong Dowi nodded slowly. Then he thought again. Maybe in the past, if Nangong had experienced hardship, he wouldn't have understood Tang Soso's words. He might have asked why he should be concerned with humanity and principles in the face of evil sects.
But now, he understands Tang Soso's words.
If Nangong hadn't suffered, if he hadn't seen Mount Hua and the Tang Family, and even Green Forest, if he hadn't seen a larger world... If he had grown up within the lofty walls of Nangong, what kind of person would Nangong Dowi have been?
He couldn't have lived like he does now. He would have lived like an arrogant frog in a well, believing only in his own ways.
Because his world collapsed, Nangong Dowi exists here now.
Tang Soso is the same. If she had remained in the closed Tang Family of Sichuan, there would be no Tang Soso like there is now.
It's because Mount Hua broke through that wall and went beyond the boundaries that the two of them exist as they do now.
"...Perhaps that's where the essence lies."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
Nangong Dowi shook his head. It felt a little awkward to say such things in front of others.
"Then please hurry and heal me."
"Huh?"
"I need to go to Shaanxi as soon as possible to help disciple Chung Myung."
Tang Soso chuckled as she looked at Nangong Dowi with a serious gaze.
"Hmm, but people seem to have gotten a little better."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"They used to be really unlucky."
"...Let's leave the past behind, disciple."
"Alright."
The two exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. It was a silent agreement to bury the dark history.
Then suddenly, Nangong Dowi asked a question that crossed his mind.
"What about... Shaolin?"
"...Ah. As soon as we drove out all the river bandit groups from Hanam, they returned to Mount Song. That was the agreement from the beginning."
"Um, what about Master Hye Bang?"
"He..."
---
Sweep. Sweep.
A long broom swept away the falling leaves incessantly.
Despite the rain that continued every day, Hye Bang showed no signs of annoyance. He knew that with internal strength, he could tidy up in an instant, yet he always chose to sweep anyway.
Sometimes he thought. Walking the path of enlightenment was like using the courtyard.
No matter how thoroughly you swept, the effort didn't seem to show prominently. But skipping even one day's work would clearly show laziness.
Walking the path of enlightenment was much the same. No matter how diligently you persevered, reaching enlightenment seemed elusive. But skipping just one day's practice would make you feel that you had moved further away from enlightenment.
That's why it's a lifelong path of endless practice.
What was he really seeking in this practice?
"Amitabha..."
Sweep. Sweep.
Putting aside his thoughts, Hye Bang straightened his back after sweeping the last remaining leaves onto the roadside. Now, the empty alleyway of Shaolin, which no longer received any visitors, came into view.
At that moment, as the silence seeped into Hye Bang's eyes, he noticed someone standing at the end of the path.
Hye Bang was momentarily speechless.
It was Beok Jeong. The solemn and dignified figure he had when leaving Shaolin was nowhere to be found. Now he just looked shabby and insignificant. The last time they met, Beok Jeong's eyes were full of anger. But now, all Hye Bang could sense from his eyes was deep weariness.
Without saying a word, Hye Bang fixed his gaze on Beok Jeong and respectfully took the position of the head monk.
"Have you been well, abbot."
After staring at Hye Bang in silence for a long time, Beok Jeong finally spoke with difficulty.
"...Are you still calling me abbot?"
"Of course."
Hye Bang uttered a brief Buddhist prayer and continued.
"Life is like a voyage without a compass. In the course of it, people always suffer and wander. That's why they leave behind mistakes and regrets."
Hye Bang's eyes met Beok Jeong's squarely.
"In that sea of life, suffering is just one beacon. It's because of that beacon that people can move forward even in the ocean of suffering."
"Hye Bang."
"You're the one who told me that, abbot."
"..."
"Welcome back, abbot. If you ever lose your way, there will be a beacon of light here for you."
Beok Jeong closed his eyes.
"...The trees..."
As Hye Bang was about to recite another Buddhist prayer, a tear rolled down his cheek. He had lost everything, but there was one thing he hadn't lost. The path he had walked. And the path he still had to walk.
"Emei... Amitabha."
A Buddhist prayer. What weak and foolish humans desire and seek.
From that day on, Beok Jeong entered into a period of uncertain seclusion.
Until the day he would reclaim the beacon of light lost within him.