Bab 70: Chapter 1712- That Will Do (7)
Fwoosh!
The disciples of Mount Hua cut through the spreading flames in the forest and ascended Wudang Mountain in one breath.
Please! Please!
Baek Sang pulled his energy up to his dantian, aware that he wasn't the strongest among the Mount Hua disciples. In fact, it would have been far better for someone stronger to carry Baek Cheon up the mountain. Even for Baek Cheon's sake.
But Baek Sang did not hand Baek Cheon over to anyone else. This was his responsibility. It was a role he could not concede to anyone.
Bang!
His body, forcefully thrust into the ground, shot up the mountain like a streak of lightning.
"This way!"
The elegant and ancient buildings appeared before him as he climbed the steep mountain path, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Though they were clearly different from Mount Hua's, they emanated a familiar Taoist fragrance.
"Wudang…!"
"Which direction is the Medicine Hall?"
"Th-this way."
"It's not possible! The Medicine Hall of Wudang doesn't have enough space to accommodate all these people!"
"Damn it! Then we should at least let the most urgent cases in immediately!"
In his frustration, Baek Sang shouted sharply, causing Wudang's guards to flinch and nod in response.
"Where?"
"Over there! That building!"
Just as Baek Sang was about to kick open the Medicine Hall's door, someone urgently shouted to stop him.
"Please wait a moment! You can't!"
Everyone, including Baek Sang and the disciples of Mount Hua, turned to look at the person shouting.
One of Wudang's disciples, relatively less injured, looked pale and called out again.
"The… the Medicine Hall is not possible!"
"What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean it's not possible?"
"Wudang has not yet officially lifted the seal. According to the rules, even admitting outsiders into the internal premises is not permitted."
"...What?"
"And even the Medicine Hall! This is beyond our authority. The Sect Leader must come…"
Gwak Hui, momentarily stunned, cursed harshly.
"The Sect Leader, damn it! Where am I supposed to find someone who isn't even here? He hasn't shown his face during the entire battle!"
"W-well, there's no other way."
"So? What do you propose? Should we just let them die?"
"Technically, Wudang's disciples can enter the Medicine Hall, but Mount Hua's disciples… well, outside the building…"
Gwak Hui's eyes burned with a blue fury.
"What did you just say? Outside the building?"
The other Mount Hua disciples were similarly enraged. Their bodies started to exude a murderous intent.
Unable to contain their rage at seeing Baek Cheon's condition, they roared.
"Did you just say outside the building?"
"N-no…"
Even the one who had initially tried to stop them could not continue as he looked at Baek Cheon. The severity of Baek Cheon's condition was beyond mere description; it was beyond what the word 'critical' could convey.
"You bastards! After risking our lives to help, what kind of bullshit are you talking about!"
"If the seal hasn't been lifted, why are you all wandering outside!"
"That's… because of the situation, the temporary Sect Leader made a provisional declaration. It can't be considered an official lifting of the seal."
"This…!"
"Of course, I understand your feelings. But this is Wudang's law. Please…"
"Law?"
Someone coldly retorted.
As if that was the signal, the disciples of Mount Hua put all the Wudang disciples they were carrying down on the ground.
The hands that had desperately saved lives now grasped only the cold air. A sense of betrayal, unseen but palpable, lingered.
The thrown-down Wudang disciples stared in panic at the Mount Hua disciples. At that moment, they had to endure the eyes filled with cold hostility.
The Mount Hua disciples gritted their teeth and spoke.
"Yet you say the dark-haired beast isn't to be taken in."
"Even if you repay kindness with enmity, that's excessive."
If this treatment had been directed at someone else, they might not have reacted so violently. But this was Baek Cheon. It was something that Mount Hua, and indeed anyone from Mount Hua, could never tolerate.
"If you understand…"
"Shut your damn mouths, you filthy bastards!"
The disciples of Mount Hua were now ready to draw their swords. Baek Sang gritted his teeth and shouted.
"Stop!"
"But, Sahyung! Those bastards…"
"Stop already! Shut your mouths!"
Baek Sang's roar silenced everyone. Baek Sang himself clenched his lips tightly. His frustration was immense, perhaps even more so than anyone else's.
But they couldn't afford to waste time on such trivial matters now.
"Very well. We'll treat them here!"
"Sahyung!"
Baek Sang, who had silenced those protesting with his furious gaze, lowered his head, determined.
"However, you can provide the necessary medical supplies, right? We need them immediately! Especially the Golden Silk Medicine and medicinal water!"
"T-that…"
However, the one who had been blocking Mount Hua, Mu Ui, now showed reluctance once more.
"That too…"
Baek Sang remained silent. His gaze at Mu Ui was devoid of hostility or anger, just transparent.
Mu Ui, flustered, stammered.
"All items from a sect that has sealed itself cannot be taken outside. Outsiders are essentially considered external…"
"Haha…"
Baek Sang let out a derisive laugh.
He had barely recovered from the cruelty of the Evil Tyrant Alliance sacrificing his subordinates. And now, facing an even more rigid and outdated attitude from a righteous sect than the Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"You say you can't give it…"
Clang.
Baek Sang cast a cold glance at everyone and gripped his sword.
"Then there's no choice. If you won't give it, I'll take it."
"W-what do you mean?"
"Step aside if you don't want to die!"
Baek Sang drew his sword. The faces of the Wudang disciples hardened in unison.
"Do you not know that drawing a sword within Wudang's precincts is forbidden? Even if you don't follow the precedent of sword dissolution, at least…"
"Go ahead, keep talking. Let's see if you can keep talking with a sword shoved in your mouth."
"Such impudent…"
Baek Sang strode toward the Wudang disciples, carrying Baek Cheon on his back.
Seeing this, the remaining Wudang disciples mustered their strength and rose to their feet.
It was a critical moment. Just then, a different conflict seemed poised to break out.
"Open the Medicine Hall and bring the Sect Leader's representative inside."
"Sasuk!"
Everyone turned in shock. Heo Gong, supported by Mu Jin, was looking at them.
"Right now."
"But, Sasuk! The Sect Leader…"
"All responsibility falls upon me. Please, make way."
"...Yes, Sasuk. This way, please!"
The disciples of the Wudang Sect hurriedly opened the doors of the Medical Hall.
Baek Sang, who had been watching this scene, cast a brief glance at the air. Heo Gong cleared his throat and spoke.
"The law is meant for people."
"..."
"I dare to apologize on behalf of the Wudang Sect."
He looked as though even bowing his head was a struggle. Despite his ailing condition, he did his best to show respect. Seeing this, Baek Sang entered the Medical Hall without further words.
The priority now was saving Baek Cheon.
"Leader!"
"I understand."
They hurriedly laid Baek Cheon on the bed. Tang Gunak unceremoniously tore off Baek Cheon's upper garments.
"Ugh..."
"Haah."
At that moment, sighs and gasps of horror escaped from various onlookers.
The sight was beyond dreadful.
Seeing the body so scorched and charred, it felt more like an eerie sense of alienation than sadness. It was as if something other than a human lay on the bed.
Yet, no matter how much one tried to deny it, the fact that this wretched form was Baek Cheon could not be refuted.
"Leader! Is Sahyung going to be alright?"
"Step back!"
"Oh, understood! Stepping back!"
Baek Sang pulled the clothes of the assembled Sahyung members and retreated. Tang Gunak, with an endlessly serious expression, began searching through his own garments.
"Umm, but Leader, you also need treatment right now..."
"Be quiet!"
Tang Gunak resolutely silenced everyone.
In truth, this was not incorrect. Tang Gunak had also accumulated severe injuries and fatigue from facing the Thousand-Faced Gentleman.
However, now was not the time to discuss such matters. Baek Cheon was at a critical juncture between life and death. How could one discuss minor injuries in the face of such a situation?
Click.
Tang Gunak opened a small box he had taken from his robe. Inside, preserved with blue silk, was a golden needle.
"Guard the surroundings. Not a single strand of hair should be disturbed, for even a hair's breadth can mean the end of life. There must be no interruptions."
"Yes, Leader!"
The disciples of Mount Hua began to vigilantly guard the area. An aura of murderous intent emanated from them, promising to cut down anyone who approached, regardless of who they were.
Wooo.
Tang Gunak infused his internal energy into the slender golden needle in his hand. As the needle absorbed the golden energy, it lengthened slightly.
Tang Gunak carefully brought the needle to Baek Cheon's body.
However, he hesitated to pierce the charred, almost unrecognizable skin. He merely touched it lightly and withdrew, repeating this process.
Drip.
Sweat, which had accumulated on his forehead, fell down. Deeply focused, he was soon drenched in sweat as if it were raining.
And finally.
Sssst.
With utmost caution, Tang Gunak inserted the golden needle into Baek Cheon's shoulder.
One.
Crunch.
Tang Gunak's eyes widened. The skin where the needle had penetrated... crumbled like powder.
Tang Gunak hurriedly withdrew the needle and bit his lips, drawing blood.
'Again!'
The golden-tinged needle slowly re-entered Baek Cheon's shoulder.
But this time, it did not even go halfway before being withdrawn.
"This..."
Tang Gunak's hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
After searching for a place to insert the needle countless times and hesitating for a long while, he finally closed his eyes and straightened his bent waist.
"...Leader?"
Baek Sang asked in a dazed voice, trying to ignore the ominous premonition rising within him.
"Why is the treatment...?"
Tang Gunak sighed deeply. His eyes, facing Baek Sang, were filled with darkness.
"I... it is beyond my ability."
"...What?"
"Originally, medicine works to boost the residual energy in a patient's body. However... right now, there is no energy left in the Deputy Sect Leader's body to act as a catalyst for medicine. In fact, my energy cannot be sustained by his body."
"What, what do you mean?"
Baek Sang looked at Tang Gunak with an expression of not understanding, or rather, not wanting to understand. His face was contorted with desperation.
"Leader-nim!"
"..."
"So... what does that mean..."
At that moment, Baek Sang's entire body began to lose strength gradually.
Tang Gunak, being both a master of poison and medicine, was undoubtedly one of the top physicians in the world.
Yet now he was speaking strange words.
"With my medical skills..."
"Leader!"
Baek Sang shouted, unable to control himself. He wanted to cover his mouth. He did not want to hear it.
Tang Gunak, too, could not hide his sorrow. But he finally spoke the words that everyone was so desperate to avoid.
"With my medical skills, I cannot save the Deputy Sect Leader."
Unable to bear looking at Baek Sang any longer, Tang Gunak tightly shut his eyes. Baek Sang slumped down on the spot.
Thud.
He looked back and forth between Baek Cheon and Tang Gunak with a blank expression.
"Lie..."
This verdict, which he could not resist, felt even more agonizing than a knife thrust into his heart.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Muffin_niffuM
Muffin_niffuM What a repulse creature to bite the hand that saved you.
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
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