"Ow!"
Wei Yan-ho, who had been struck on the back of his head, clutched it with both hands.
"What! It's true though. Anyone can see he's on his last legs!"
"Shut up!"
Wei Jeong-han, having suppressed Wei Yan-ho's outburst, examined the old man's condition with a hardened expression.
"Hmm."
A groan escaped him involuntarily.
'To think the Green Forest King would be in such a state.'
When he was in the thick of fierce battles, the Green Forest King had been a giant who seemed capable of toppling Mount Tai. To Wei Jeong-han, who remembered that imposing figure, this pitiful appearance of the Green Forest King was shock itself.
'It does seem to be the same person though…'
Though he couldn't find any trace of the past in that gaunt face that was no different from a skeleton, the extraordinarily tall stature—impossible to think of as belonging to an old man—proved that this person was indeed the Green Forest King he knew.
"How did he come to be like this?"
At Wei Jeong-han's question, the Great Commander hung his head low.
"As I mentioned, it's Qi Deviation."
"But…"
Wei Jeong-han shook his head as if he couldn't understand. While Qi Deviation was said to be the greatest danger for martial artists, it was also uncommon for a martial artist who had reached a high realm to fall into deviation.
No matter how unstable the martial arts of the unorthodox path might be, for someone who had reached the Green Forest King's level to fall into Qi Deviation and end up in this state was incomprehensible by Wei Jeong-han's common sense.
'Besides, his condition is too severe.'
It was also uncommon for a person to reach this state just from Qi Deviation.
Feeling that the situation was more serious than expected, Wei Jeong-han turned around.
"It seems you'll need to examine his condition."
"This matter is more suited for… than me."
Jin Ye-ran stepped back and looked at Jin So-ah. Though she and Jin So-ah had learned the same lineage of medicine, Jin So-ah had deeper knowledge of martial arts-related fields. She was more knowledgeable in areas unrelated to martial artists, such as endemic diseases.
"I'll take a look."
Jin So-ah stepped forward and felt the Green Forest King's pulse. After checking pulses at various points on his body, Jin So-ah frowned and raised her head.
"Young Hero Wei."
"Yeah?"
"Could you come here for a moment?"
"I don't want to… No! The conversation isn't even finished yet, so let's not start with fists! This kind of violent education is what makes people turn crooked!"
Should one praise him for being aware that he himself was crooked, or criticize him for living this way despite knowing it?
"Please just do as you're told! If you just kept that mouth of yours shut, you'd live comfortably in this world. Don't you ever think that mouth of yours brings all the trouble?"
"You sound similar to Master. Should I give you the same answer I gave to Master?"
"Didn't you get beaten after giving that answer?"
"I did."
"Then that's settled. I won't listen to it, so just do what you're told."
"Tch."
Wei Yan-ho, pouting, shuffled over and stood beside the Green Forest King.
"Should I prepare a coffin?"
"…He's still alive. More importantly, could you press from the Heaven's Center Point to the Perineum Point with your qi?"
"Where are those?"
"…"
Ah… this guy, he was this kind of person.
Jin So-ah pointed out each acupoint location to Wei Yan-ho one by one.
"You just need to lightly press all these points while channeling qi into them."
"Hey, you're making me do this because you're too lazy to use needles for something that could be done with acupuncture, right?"
"…For rapid pulse diagnosis."
"Wow, Jin So-ah has really grown up. Making me do her work…"
"Please just shut up and do as you're told! Please! You damn bastard!"
"Why does Father always get angry just looking at me!"
"It would be strange if I didn't get angry looking at you! You're the type who would get hit with a wooden fish even if you met Buddha!"
"Tch!"
Wei Yan-ho pouted and did as Jin So-ah instructed, checking the Green Forest King's pulse.
"Done?"
"Yes. Just a moment."
Jin So-ah, who had been feeling the pulse with her eyes closed, tilted her head. After holding the pulse for a long time, Jin So-ah finally released her hand, stepped back, and looked at the Great Commander.
"You said it was Qi Deviation?"
"That's right."
"Then why do I sense poison qi from the patient's body?"
"Po, poison qi?"
The Great Commander jumped in shock.
"Poison qi, what do you mean! Are you saying the Green Forest King is in this state because of poison? Ridiculous! I've lived my entire life in the Green Forest. Do I look like someone who can't distinguish between poisoning symptoms and deviation symptoms! If you carelessly spout nonsense, I'll tear that mouth of…"
"Tear what?"
"…Should I wipe it for you?"
At Wei Yan-ho's words, the Great Commander immediately backed down and let his shoulders droop.
"Anyway, what kind of person is this. A physician examines the pulse and gives the results, so what's the point of bringing her here if you won't believe it?"
"No, but you're saying something that doesn't make sense…"
"What doesn't make sense. Tsk!"
Wei Yan-ho clicked his tongue and said.
"Just looking at him, poison qi is billowing around right now. What doesn't make sense about that?"
"What?"
The Great Commander looked at Wei Yan-ho with bewildered eyes. Wei Jeong-han also asked Wei Yan-ho with a dumbfounded expression.
"You, you can see poison qi?"
"Can't you see it here? It's billowing all around his body here?"
Wei Jeong-han looked back with questioning eyes. But the looks that came back were all similar.
'What's he talking about?'
'Don't know. It's not like that guy acting like this is new.'
'Maybe he just has bad eyesight? Seeing things?'
Everyone had faces showing they couldn't understand what Wei Yan-ho meant by the billowing poison qi.
'This is normal though.'
Knowing his capabilities, they couldn't just ignore it either. Sigh.
Jin So-ah cleared her throat and continued.
"I don't mean he collapsed from severe poisoning. It seems the cause of the deviation is poisoning."
"Hmm…"
The Great Commander let out a groan.
Though he didn't want to believe it, when the physician said this and Wei Yan-ho, the strongest among them, supported it, he couldn't just insist it wasn't true.
"Then…"
Jang-il summarized the situation.
"It means someone administered poison."
The faces of both the Great Commander and Wei Jeong-han darkened simultaneously.
"Could people from other factions approach the Green Forest King's vicinity?"
The Great Commander hesitated before answering.
"He's guarded by ironclad security. Though I brought him here just in case, the defenses of the mountain stronghold where the King resided are several times stricter than here. It would be difficult."
Wei Jeong-han narrowed his eyes.
"But the fact that you brought someone in this condition all the way here means you too judged that there might be forces within targeting the Green Forest King. Isn't that right?"
"…"
The Great Commander didn't answer.
"A complete disaster."
"No!"
At that moment, the Great Commander shouted as if in desperation.
"I don't believe there are those among the Green Forest brothers who would target the King!"
"Then why did you specifically move the Green Forest King here? You also know that stability is most important for someone who has fallen into Qi Deviation."
The Great Commander clamped his mouth shut.
Sensing from that behavior that there were some hidden circumstances, Wei Jeong-han gently coaxed the Great Commander.
"If you don't tell us all the facts, there's nothing we can do."
"You're asking us to save a person's life, what else could be more important!"
"You don't really think that, do you?"
Wei Jeong-han unleashed his presence.
"If you know what meaning saving the Green Forest King would bring to the martial world, you couldn't just ask us to treat the Green Forest King unconditionally. If you can't clearly reveal what kind of conspiracy this situation is entangled with, we'll take our leave now."
Anguish appeared on the Great Commander's face.
Though he knew what Wei Jeong-han wanted, it was a matter he couldn't easily speak about.
Seeing the Great Commander's hesitant expression, Wei Jeong-han turned around with a hardened face.
"Let's go!"
"Wait, just a moment!"
The Great Commander shouted in panic.
"The Green Forest brothers never betrayed us."
"But?"
"Uh…"
As the Great Commander still seemed to hesitate, doubt arose in Wei Jeong-han's eyes.
This was the Great Commander who had brought even Wei Yan-ho to save the Green Forest King. Yet he was still hesitating even in this situation? That meant there was a secret of similar value to saving the Green Forest King…
Wei Jeong-han's gaze turned toward Jang-il.
"Yes, yes. This humble one will think it through, Great Hero Wei."
Jang-il stepped forward with a mischievous smile.
"Now, let's see."
Jang-il looked back and forth between the Green Forest King and the Great Commander before opening his mouth.
"The Green Forest brothers never betrayed, but the Green Forest King was poisoned. Someone administered poison in the vicinity of the Green Forest King, who could never be approached except by those around him."
Jang-il grinned.
"That means there was someone around the Green Forest King who wasn't one of the Green Forest brothers."
"Ho?"
Wei Jeong-han exclaimed while observing the Great Commander's complexion. Sure enough, clear signs of panic were evident on the Great Commander's face.
"If this were a normal reaction, it would be a situation where those bastards should be captured and held accountable, but being so desperate to hide it means you've joined hands with those who must never be revealed to the outside. In all the world, there's only one faction that the Green Forest would be reluctant to reveal such entanglement with."
Jang-il pressed on without giving the Great Commander time to make excuses.
"The Demonic Cult."
The atmosphere in the hall began to turn cold.
"The Demonic Cult?"
"Are you saying the Green Forest has joined hands with the Demonic Cult now?"
Agitated reactions burst forth.
"Ah."
Jang-il waved his hand lightly to calm those around him.
"This is just my thoughts. It could be completely different in reality."
Jang-il's sharp gaze pierced the Great Commander.
"So I'd like to hear your answer?"
Cold sweat began to flow on the Great Commander's forehead.
"Listen here, Great Commander."
Wei Jeong-han quietly spoke.
"Crimes already committed are bound to be revealed no matter what. So stop hiding everything and confess it all. You also know that trying to hide and conceal things will only make matters worse."
The Great Commander trembled.
"Will you promise me one thing?"
"Let's hear it."
The Great Commander said with a hardened expression.
"We too suffered an utterly unjust ordeal. So… if I tell you everything truthfully, can you promise that you'll help us?"
"Hmph!"
Wei Jeong-han shook both arms and said.
"Who do you think I am!"
"…Right, you were the Righteous Hero Sword."
"If it's something that doesn't deviate from chivalry and righteousness, I will stand on your side and fight. Standing on the side of the weak and those who have suffered injustice and fighting—that's what can be called chivalry."
Everyone showed moved expressions at Wei Jeong-han's dignified declaration, but only one person responded coldly.
"Pay some attention to your home."
"Gaaaah!"
Seeing Wei Jeong-han kick Wei Yan-ho, the Great Commander let out a deep sigh and opened his mouth.
"Since it's come to this, I'll tell you everything honestly. However… this is a story that must never circulate outside."
"Speak."
"It's true that we're entangled with those who must be hidden. But it's not the Demonic Cult."
"Not the Demonic Cult?"
The Great Commander quietly nodded.
If not the Demonic Cult, then why must it be hidden?
But that question was soon resolved. After hearing what came from the Great Commander's mouth, Wei Jeong-han could understand why the Great Commander had tried so desperately to hide this situation.
He had no choice but to understand.
"Not the Demonic Cult… but the Imperial Court."
Wei Jeong-han's face hardened like stone.