Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Two Weeks to Live
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Namgung Hyuk looked around the room with hazy eyes.
Bloodstains dotted the luxurious gold-threaded bed, extravagant to the point of excess.
"Ah...."
He recalled the blood gushing like a fountain through his veins.
He couldn't even remember the last time blood had sprayed from his own body.
Namgung Hyuk took a deep breath.
"Haa."
He tried to calm his mind, but it refused to settle.
"Damn it, heh, heh heh."
How nice it would be if this were all just a dream.
But the porcelain body was real, and the Nine Yin Severed Meridians were real too.
And....
"Is the two weeks of lifespan left also real...."
How long had it been since he woke up, and he was already facing death?
"Not even a mayfly. Sigh."
He couldn't close his mouth in sheer absurdity.
He could understand the porcelain body that would snap at the slightest bump.
No, even conceding a hundred times, he could accept the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
But accepting only two weeks of life left? He couldn't concede that even a hundred times.
What the hell were those immortals thinking, trapping him in a body like this?
'No, they probably weren't thinking at all. Ascension or whatever, they clearly just sent me here to die.'
Namgung Hyuk bit his lip hard... but held back, fearing more blood might pour out.
He was angry and wronged, but that wouldn't change his situation.
He steadily regulated his surging breath.
He wanted to check his body's condition once more.
'Please let it be a mistake. Even I can make errors. Please....'
...Like hell it was.
Nine acupoints near his heart were blocked as solidly as iron walls.
Only one was open, but even that was so narrow, and the energy flowing through it so faint, it could close at any moment.
He wouldn't be surprised if it sealed shut tomorrow.
His life now hung by that barely open acupoint.
"Ah.... It's really true."
Confirming his body's lifespan again left Namgung Hyuk utterly deflated.
'Overcome the Nine Yin Severed Meridians in a fortnight?'
Even for him, once called the world's greatest, the supreme throughout history, this was impossible.
The Nine Yin Severed Meridians weren't some cold or flu—how could he cure it in two weeks?
"I'm not meeting an immortal; I'm about to meet the grim reaper."
He should be ascending to immortality for eternal life, not dealing with this madness.
"What if I start cultivating internal energy now?"
No, impossible.
Even his near-perfect cultivation method couldn't produce enough internal energy to overcome the Nine Yin Severed Meridians in a fortnight.
...Still, should he give it a try?
The immortals be damned—he had to survive first.
"Yeah, with my martial arts, it might be possible...."
Namgung Hyuk trailed off, his face rotting in despair.
"...But not with this body."
Why had he chosen the Pure Clarity Mysterious Heart Technique and Heart Root Internal Energy Technique?
To coax and soothe this trash porcelain body, that's why.
Using his supreme霸道 martial arts would shatter his body before he could even build up internal energy.
No, it would explode.
'This is insane.'
No internal energy, and a body fragile as porcelain.
He needed to gather internal energy before the blocked acupoints killed him, but this hopeless reality allowed neither.
"...."
He racked his brain for other methods, but found none.
In his past body, he would have blasted through the Nine Yin Severed Meridians in one go.
Unable to do anything, Namgung Hyuk felt frustration turn to utter despair.
"I need internal energy, internal energy...."
As Namgung Hyuk muttered, he tilted his head.
"Wait. How has this guy survived until now?"
He was stumped, yet this owner of such a hopeless body had clung to life—a miracle.
"Yeah, it's the Namgung Family after all? They can keep even a walking corpse breathing."
Seeing the thread of life still attached when it should have snapped long ago....
Hold on.
Namgung Family?
Namgung Hyuk's pupils dilated.
"Ah, the Namgung Family!"
What was the Namgung Family?
One of the Five Great Families, symbols of the orthodox faction, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nine Great Sects, a pillar of the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
And they had money.
Among the Five Great Families famed for wealth, the Namgung Family sat at the top.
Jokingly said to fill a ten-thousand-pyeong warehouse with gold, their financial power was immense.
'The Sword King bragged about it every day—how rich he was. Then....'
Namgung Hyuk's complexion brightened slightly.
"Surely they can get me one or two spiritual elixirs right away?"
Spiritual elixirs had dried up when the demonic path rampaged, but the Namgung Family could surely procure one or two immediately!
With internal energy, he could operate the Pure Clarity Mysterious Heart Technique and Heart Root Internal Energy Technique more efficiently, improving both the Nine Yin Severed Meridians and his body.
Gulp.
Namgung Hyuk swallowed dryly.
They fed him potent pills three times a day and served wild ginseng as banchan.
Even if a rich family falls, it goes three generations—the Namgung Family hadn't fallen, so their wealth must still be solid.
Namgung Hyuk pictured a spiritual elixir warehouse somewhere in the Namgung Family estate.
'I'm eating them.'
No time for yours or mine.
He was about to croak—why quibble over that?
'It'll cover the Sword King's debt.'
What are good friends for?
Sharing even half a bean—that's friendship.
Hadn't they shared a Great Reversion Pill?
He recalled the past.
- What's that?
- ...Great Reversion Pill.
- Bring it here.
- ...Th-this?
- Bring it. We'll split it.
- Th-this isn't okay.
- Full beating or half the pill?
- Half.
- Smart guy.
Even now, it was a beautiful memory that warmed him.
'Use it well, friend.'
The Sword King didn't need to know, and Namgung Hyuk wasn't the type to care.
Namgung Hyuk scanned around for Geum Jeomsang.
"Hey! Hey, you punk!"
Bang!
The door flew open, and Geum Jeomsang poked his head in.
"Young master!"
Spotting Namgung Hyuk half out of bed, Geum Jeomsang rushed over.
"What are you doing? One wrong step and your leg snaps again. What's this blood?!"
"That's not important. I...."
"What do you mean? Lie down first!"
Geum Jeomsang tidied up in a flash and carefully tucked Namgung Hyuk's feet under the blanket.
As the blanket covered his upper body, Namgung Hyuk naturally flopped back.
He gave up trying to sit up.
Every time Geum Jeomsang fussed, he'd straighten the blanket, leaving him unable to move like he was chained.
'Is this human strength?'
He couldn't even shake off a hand tucking him in.
Recalling his porcelain body's new limits, Namgung Hyuk spoke.
"I need spiritual elixirs. Get them."
"Yes, you spat blood again—take your medicine quick. But let me tidy up first, then after breakfast...."
"Not medicine—spiritual elixirs!"
"Pardon? Spiritual elixirs?"
"Yeah, spiritual elixirs."
Namgung Hyuk stuck his head out from under the blanket and stared at Geum Jeomsang.
He jerked his chin, eyes urging him to fetch them quick.
Geum Jeomsang stared blankly before shaking his head.
"You took some four days ago. Later, okay?"
"...Four days?"
"Yes. A Heavenly Gold Pill. They said it was quite potent."
"Heavenly Gold Pill?"
Namgung Hyuk vaguely recalled hearing of it.
Raised internal energy by ten years, right?
Considering spiritual elixirs had vanished after the demonic wars, even that was impressive.
'Then where did all that elixir energy go?'
Clearly used solely to combat the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
Still, ten years' worth vanishing in four days?
Remembering his nearly empty dantian, cold sweat trickled down Namgung Hyuk.
'One misstep, and it won't be a fortnight—could be today.'
Thud!
The thought that his calculations might be off made his heart sink.
He had no time to waste.
Delay, and he'd be buried forever.
As survival instinct and crisis awareness chilled his spine, Geum Jeomsang continued.
"The Medicine Hall Leader warned against taking spiritual elixirs recklessly."
"That quack? With a body like this, and he says stop the elixirs?!"
Namgung Hyuk glared.
"Take me to where they are!"
"But the Medicine Hall Leader said no? Excess is as bad as deficiency—the Heavenly Gold Pill harms if overused."
"I'm telling you, I'm dying!"
"The Medicine Hall Leader said a month is fine, so relax."
"I'm telling you, a fortnight at best—tomorrow I'll be in a coffin! That damn quack."
Namgung Hyuk shoved Geum Jeomsang's hand away.
"Not talking to you. Just lead the way."
"Young master, calm down. Can't move recklessly if you're hurt. I'll fetch him."
"No need. I'll...."
As Namgung Hyuk struggled,
Creak!
The door opened, drawing his gaze.
'What?'
Over a dozen people clustered at the door.
In the center stood a tall middle-aged man in splendid silk blue robes, hair streaked with white.
His icy face, carved like frozen sculpture, and emotionless eyes evoking an abyss created an eerie pressure.
"What is this?"
His voice, laden with overwhelming power crushing the air, echoed in the room.
The aura of an absolute ruler over multitudes.
Just his voice alone seemed to freeze the room.
Namgung Hyuk instinctively knew.
'Family Head.'
Geum Jeomsang's vigorous bow confirmed it.
"Greetings, Family Head!"
Namgung Hyuk's eyes lit up.
"Out of the way!"
He shoved Geum Jeomsang aside forcefully and wobbled toward the Family Head.
With splints, his legs splayed wide in a comical gait.
"Urk, ugh!"
Pain from his broken leg slowed him to shuffling steps toward Namgung Jangcheon.
Thud! Thud thud! Thud!
The splints smacked the floor rhythmically.
"Hmm...."
"...."
The atmosphere sobered instantly.
Namgung Hyuk shuffled hard before face-planting.
Splash.
"Argh!"
The jarring impact rattled his skull, mouth agape.
As he groaned in pain, Family Head Namgung Jangcheon's roar thundered.
"Get up this instant! What disgrace is this for the blood of the great Namgung Family!"
It was a thunderous scolding.
Namgung Hyuk wiped his nosebleed with a dazed look and stared at Namgung Jangcheon.
'...Even the Sword King never yelled at me like that.'
And now this descendant was bellowing at him—utterly absurd.
His booming voice flustered even the attendants.
"F-Family Head!"
"Please compose yourself. This young master is a patient."
"Family Head!"
Namgung Jangcheon turned to the attendants and barked firmly.
"All of you, out! Today, I will teach this boy the way of the sovereign king!"
"Family Head!"
"All withdraw!"
At Namgung Jangcheon's roar, the attendants flinched and exited.
Geum Jeomsang hesitated but reluctantly followed.
They glanced back anxiously at Namgung Jangcheon as they left.
'What is he planning?'
'Sigh, that fiery temper again. This young master is different from the others....'
'Ahem, hope he doesn't faint this time.'
'Please go easy... he has no healthy spots left.'
Leaving their worries, the people cleared out of Namgung Hyuk's quarters.
Namgung Jangcheon peeked outside, confirming the presences fading.
And in that moment.
"Hyuk-ah! Oh no, my soooooon!"
The frosty aura vanished; Namgung Jangcheon supported Namgung Hyuk.
Namgung Hyuk was dazed once more.
Was this the same man who had just scolded him?
No, where did that sovereign aura go?
The initial pressure had long evaporated.
'What the?'
Namgung Hyuk glared at Namgung Jangcheon with bewildered eyes.
"What if you move suddenly? Your leg isn't healed yet!"
Namgung Jangcheon fretted, checking Namgung Hyuk's body everywhere.
"Anywhere else hurt? Chills? No, your face is so gaunt. How much pain are you in, huh?"
Seeing Namgung Jangcheon's fussing, light gleamed in Namgung Hyuk's eyes.
The situation looked ripe for buttering up the Family Head.
"I feel like I'm about to die, so spiritual elixirs...."
"Did you say dying now?! I told you not to say that! Your father will never let that happen!"
"So give me spiritual elixirs...."
Before Namgung Hyuk finished, Namgung Jangcheon yelled outside.
"The room's so cold! Bring firewood! Double it! Where'd you toss the brazier?!"
'Brazier my ass! I need spiritual elixirs!'
The room was stuffy, and now firewood and brazier...? Wait.
'...It's cold?'
Namgung Hyuk subtly pulled the blanket closer.
Geum Jeomsang, waiting outside, scrambled for the brazier.
Namgung Jangcheon patted Namgung Hyuk's shoulder with a worried face.
"Don't worry. I'll scour the world for a cure."
"No, I mean spiritual elixirs...."
"I've said it over and over: be cautious, extra cautious. Tell Jeomsang if you need anything, never move alone—always get help. Got it?"
...Won't give me elixirs?
Why keep cutting me off?
Namgung Hyuk furrowed his brow at the interrupted talk.
"Oh no! Your body's already cold. Why's the brazier taking so long!"
Namgung Jangcheon pressed Namgung Hyuk's forehead gently, glancing outside impatiently.
Namgung Hyuk let out a hollow laugh.
'Just listen for once.'
Stop worrying and act.
'Totally different from the Sword King.'
The Sword King was resolute as a blade.
Tsk tsk. Watching quietly, Namgung Hyuk pieced together how this body had survived.
Father, father.
This feels weird.
'How old is this guy?'
Looks younger than when I just retired from the martial world.
I'm over 150 now....
'Born after the Demonic Blood Tribulation?'
The age gap warranted 108 beatings.
Ouch.
Pain flared in his chest, a threat to life.
'Damn it, about to die—age matters?'
To survive, what wouldn't he do?
After brief hesitation, Namgung Hyuk opened his mouth.
"...Father, I have a request."
The life threat worked wonders.
Calling a stranger "father" and begging.
Namgung Jangcheon, peering outside anxiously, widened his eyes.
"Yes! Need something? Tell me everything. Your father will get it all."
He'd been saying it all along, but with life on the line, he'd repeat it a hundred times.
Namgung Hyuk made a pitiful face.
"I need spiritual elixirs. My body chills, medicine doesn't help. Coughing more too. Cough, cough! Kuuugh!"
Namgung Hyuk glanced at Namgung Jangcheon and coughed harder.
Namgung Jangcheon's pupils shook.
"...Spiritual elixirs?"
"Yes, spiritual elixirs. The Namgung Family can get one or two easily, right?"
Namgung Jangcheon flinched, eyes darting evasively.
"Y-Yeah."
'Why avert your eyes?'
Namgung Hyuk tilted his head at the odd reaction.
"Really?"
Shake!
Namgung Jangcheon's pupils shook violently before settling.
He thumped his chest.
"Trust your father! I'll get them for sure, so don't worry. Ahem!"
His voice held force, but his eyes wavered uncertainly.
Deep furrows formed on Namgung Hyuk's brow.
'Already worrying me?'
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