Yeon Woo Jin spoke to the stunned Baek Nan Hyang, as if he had already pieced the situation together.
“Do you know exactly what kind of tonic the Pavilion Master was taking?”
“She said it was a restorative to strengthen her body...”
“That part’s true. But the important thing is that the tonic contained ingredients that specifically detoxify Gwehyeoldok.”
“Then... that ans Physician Gong knew she had been poisoned with Gwehyeoldok?”
Yeon Woo Jin nodded.
“If he hadn’t known, he wouldn’t have given her that kind of tonic. If that tonic were all she’d taken, it might have been fine—but the real problem is that the tonic is directly antagonistic to the dicines used to treat qigong deviation.”
Baek Nan Hyang’s face twisted in growing horror.
So he had known—and still given it to her?
She looked ready to charge out and kill Gong on the spot.
“If that’s true, I’ll go and cut his head off right now.”
“You can’t. We don’t have solid proof yet. And I’m sure Physician Gong has already covered every contingency. The surest thod is to heal the Pavilion Master first—and make him confess with his own mouth.”
The reason Yeon Woo Jin was now certain Gong was the culprit was because his investigation into the White Flag Sect Lord had concluded.
The sect lord was currently in closed-door seclusion, and his disciple was temporarily leading the sect.
There were no signs of resentnt toward the Sword Pavilion, nor any scheming or hidden motives.
The White Flag Sword Sect had been completely eliminated as a suspect.
A wave of relief washed over Yeon Woo Jin.
He was glad to know that a sect under Mushincheon hadn’t resorted to sothing so disgraceful.
“But why would Gong do sothing like this?”
“No idea. Maybe he wants to weaken the Pavilion by stirring conflict with the Namgoong Clan—and then devour it once its strength is spent.”
“That’s absurd! Only won can beco Pavilion Masters of the Sword Pavilion. Gong couldn’t take that position even if he wanted to.”
“Laws are made by those with power. If Gong gains control of the Pavilion, the first thing he’ll do is rewrite the rules.”
At Yeon Woo Jin’s words, Baek Nan Hyang’s brow twitched again.
But then she let out a deep breath of relief.
If Yeo Hwa Rin made a full recovery, there would be no way such a thing could happen.
Baek Nan Hyang looked at Yeon Woo Jin.
If not for him...
The Pavilion would have been dragged into a pointless war and ruined itself in the process.
“...Thank you.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m truly sorry for doubting you in the beginning, Lord Yeon.”
“It’s alright. Given the circumstances back then, it was natural to be suspicious.”
Yeon Woo Jin spoke casually, as if it didn’t bother him in the slightest.
And sohow, that made him even more impressive in her eyes.
But she quickly shook her head.
She couldn’t let herself love a man.
The Sword Pavilion ant more to her than any man ever could.
****
A few days later.
After completing her morning qi circulation, Yeo Hwa Rin opened her eyes and bead.
“I can’t believe it. I’m truly, completely healed.”
“It seems my work here is done.”
Even after performing such a difficult treatnt, he didn’t boast or seek praise.
He was in every way the opposite of the Pavilion’s physician.
Physician Gong always demanded acknowledgnt after completing a treatnt.
He wanted to be praised and compensated.
Until now, that had seed normal.
It was just human nature.
But seeing Yeon Woo Jin, Yeo Hwa Rin realized that not all people were like that.
She tilted her head, noticing Baek Nan Hyang lingering awkwardly nearby.
“Do you have sothing you wish to say to ?”
“It’s about Physician Gong.”
“About Gong? What about him?”
“The one who did this to you... was him.”
“What? What are you saying? Why would Gong...?”
“I don’t know the reason.”
“That's absurd! Gong is greedy, yes—but he would never do anything to harm .”
That belief ca from how ticulously Gong had always cared for her.
Baek Nan Hyang knew that well, too.
“Before your duel with the White Flag Sect Lord, Physician Gong gave you a special pill, didn’t he?”
“Yes. He said it was a rare elixir that would enhance my internal energy.”
“That was a pill made from Gwehyeoldok.”
“Who said that?”
Baek Nan Hyang turned to Yeon Woo Jin.
He answered calmly.
“I did. The poison was detected in your blood.”
“Th-that’s...”
“You probably felt stronger and lighter when you fought, didn’t you?”
“Yes, exactly!”
“That was because the poison temporarily inflated your danjeon and ridians, allowing you to wield power beyond your capacity.”
“Then... I fell into deviation not because of the duel itself—but because of the poison?”
“Correct.”
“But why? There was no reason for him to do that...”
Baek Nan Hyang continued.
“The tonic Gong gave you every day...”
“What about it? He said it was to build up my strength before the dicine for deviation arrived.”
“That tonic was antagonistic to the herbs used to treat deviation. That’s why your ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ condition deteriorated so rapidly.”
“So... it wasn’t the fault of the herbs themselves?”
“No. The dicine from the Changcheon Trading Group was all top-grade. This benefactor here personally inspected every ingredient.”
“...Haah.”
One unbelievable truth after another crashed down upon her.
And yet, as she listened to their words, all the doubts that had weighed on her for so long began to make sense.
Yeo Hwa Rin sat in silence, her expression heavy.
The shock had simply been too great.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah... I’m sorry. The shock was overwhelming... I don’t know what to do next.”
“We’ll need evidence to prove what Gong has done.”
At Baek Nan Hyang’s words, Yeo Hwa Rin nodded slowly.
Then she turned to Yeon Woo Jin.
“Would you be able to make appear sickly?”
“That’s not difficult.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Yeon Woo Jin gave a single, resolute nod.
****
Physician Gong was walking with a grave expression.
Outwardly, he looked concerned—but inwardly, he was practically singing with joy.
It had taken longer than expected for them to summon him, but he wasn’t suspicious.
They had probably attempted to restore her condition through qi circulation.
If they’d even used the Sword Pavilion’s top-grade Revival Elixir, that would confirm it.
‘Kukuku. She could take Revival Elixirs for a hundred days—it still won’t neutralize the poison.’
Unless she realized she was poisoned, she would never be able to expel it.
No—even if she did know, it wouldn’t matter.
She no longer had the internal energy required to purge it.
When he stepped inside, he saw Yeo Hwa Rin looking pale and haggard.
Gong put on a sympathetic face.
No matter what he had done to make her his, she was still the woman he loved.
Seeing her in pain tugged at sothing in him. He thought he should end this soon.
He stepped toward her.
“Physician Gong... you’ve co?”
“Yes, Pavilion Master. Allow to examine you.”
“Please.”
Gong took her pulse.
Her qi and blood were rampaging chaotically throughout her body.
His expression grew serious.
It seed she’d pushed herself too hard.
Her condition was worse than before.
“You’ve overexerted yourself. We must first calm the storm in your ridians.”
He spoke with genuine concern, and Yeo Hwa Rin couldn’t help but feel confused.
Could soone who cared for her like this have done sothing so vile?
Gong applied acupuncture with utmost care.
And her wild, erratic qi gradually settled.
Gong’s dical skills were indeed extraordinary.
“Thank you. I feel much better.”
“It is only what I must do, my lady.”
He glanced around.
The martial artists who usually guarded her were nowhere in sight.
“But where are your attendants?”
“I sent them to the Namgoong Clan.”
“...What?”
“To demand justice from the Changcheon Trading Group. And if the Namgoong Clan tries to deny responsibility... I ordered them to strike imdiately. I imagine all of our elite forces have been mobilized.”
“You’re going to war with the Namgoong Clan?”
“They need to pay for touching the Sword Pavilion.”
“But still—how could they all leave, knowing you’re in such a condition?”
“I knew you would care for .”
At her words, Gong smiled brightly.
He looked truly delighted.
“O-of course! If I don’t protect you, who will? I’ll guard you with my life!”
That made her even more uncertain.
Could Gong really be the culprit?
Could her benefactor and her disciple have misunderstood him?
The doubt began to resurface.
But since they had already put the plan in motion, she hardened her resolve and continued to act.
Soon, Baek Nan Hyang would return, exhausted and bloodied from a failed assault on the Namgoong Clan.
The rest of the martial artists would return in similar shape.
Of course—it was all a performance.
And depending on how Gong reacted to it, they would know for certain.
Hopefully, he would still be the man who genuinely cared for the Pavilion.
****
Baek Nan Hyang returned to the Pavilion, staggering as though barely able to stand.
She had only a few dozen female martial artists with her.
And those she had brought looked similarly battered and weary.
She approached Gong, showing him their pitiful state, and pressed him to begin treatnt.
“Where are the others?”
“They’re all dead or captured. Hurry and treat us. The Namgoong Clan’s forces could be coming.”
“...Hmm.”
“Hurry! There’s no ti!”
“So what you’re saying is... the Sword Pavilion is in crisis.”
“Yes! So hurry, please!”
“There’s no need to rush.”
“...What are you talking about?”
“I’ll protect the Sword Pavilion.”
“And how exactly are you going to do that?”
Clap. Clap.
As Baek Nan Hyang questioned him, Gong began to clap his hands.
Imdiately, female martial artists burst out from all directions.
They wore Sword Pavilion robes—but she had never seen any of them before.
“Who are they?!”
“They’re girls I’ve been raising in secret for the Pavilion.”
“What do you an, in secret? Are you trying to stage a rebellion?!”
“Rebellion? Didn’t I just say it? I’m going to protect the Pavilion.”
“What you’re doing right now—anyone would call it treason.”
“Hahaha! Call it whatever you want. I’ll be sure to avenge the Sub-Head properly.”
“Avenge ? What revenge? I’ll handle my own revenge!”
“Oh, you won’t be able to. How will you take revenge from the other side? As a ghost?”
“Y-you’re going to kill ?”
Gong grinned.
“You irritating little wench. It’s who should be beside Hwa Rin—not you.”
At last, Gong’s true colors were revealed.
“Don’t worry. Your master will be pampered by for the rest of her life.”
Staring at Gong, who had finally shown his real self, Baek Nan Hyang was in shock.
“Kukuku... That stunned face of yours... It makes all the waiting worthwhile. Now then—I've got work to do if I’m going to seize control of the Pavilion. So why don’t you go on ahead?”
But just then, a voice rang out from behind him.
“Who said you could lay a finger on my beloved disciple?”
Startled, Gong whirled around—
And saw Yeo Hwa Rin standing tall, proud, and imposing—just like she used to be.
Gong froze, stunned.
Then let out a sigh and muttered,
“...Haa. Why didn’t you stay in bed? Now you had to co out here and ruin everything.”
“I trusted you. I desperately hoped you weren’t the one behind all this...”
Yeo Hwa Rin’s voice trembled with fury.
But Gong only grinned.
“You thought of that deeply? I’m touched.”
He smiled like he truly ant it.
Yeo Hwa Rin turned her fierce gaze to the unfamiliar female warriors behind Gong.
“You’ve been preparing this for quite so ti, haven’t you?”
“That’s right. You should know how hard I’ve worked for the Pavilion.”
“And that effort amounted to treason?”
“Treason? If even you say that... now I’m truly hurt. Let’s not get too emotional. It’s bad for your health.”
“I don’t care. I’m fully recovered.”
“...What?”
Gong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“That’s not possible. Not unless a True Immortal descended from heaven to heal you...”
“Too bad for you—I t soone who might as well be a True Immortal.”
Only then did Gong finally begin to realize sothing had gone terribly wrong.
“Wait... Don’t tell this was all a trap?”
“That’s right. The Sword Pavilion never fought the Namgoong Clan.”
At her words, elite warriors of the Pavilion flooded in from all sides, surrounding Gong and his followers.
“Surrender quietly. I’ll make it painless.”
At Yeo Hwa Rin’s command, Gong lowered his head.
Then suddenly began to laugh like a madman.
“Kukukukuku...!”
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