The Ma-ui was gazing out the window.

Today, there were fewer patients than usual. Some days were like this—like clouds drifting leisurely across the sky, as if telling you to take a day to rest.

But today was clearly not that day.

The door to the medical room swung wide open, and someone entered.

It was Geom Mugeuk, drenched in sweat and carrying the injured Geugak Soma. A tremendous heat radiated from him.

“...Please save him!”

After saying this, Geom Mugeuk collapsed on the spot.

Startled, the Ma-ui caught Soma first and laid him on a bed.

As he tried to lay Geom Mugeuk down as well, the barely conscious Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“I’m fine… Please treat Soma-nim first.”

“You’re not fine.”

The Ma-ui immediately realized Geom Mugeuk was completely exhausted, sustaining himself only by sheer willpower.

“Soma-nim first.”

Since Soma’s condition was more urgent, the Ma-ui hurriedly checked his pulse and discerned the powerful energy suppressing the violent qi fluctuations.

“What is this energy?”

“Mannyeonseolsam.”

Geom Mugeuk rose and came to the bed, his legs trembling so much walking was difficult, but he could not stand idly by, worried about Soma.

The Ma-ui stripped Soma’s upper garment and said,

“If it weren’t for Mannyeonseolsam, he would have died already.”

Soma’s condition was still critical.

The Ma-ui hastily opened his acupuncture bag—leather-bound and packed with needles of various sizes.

He began to insert needles with practiced skill. Each needle was imbued with the essence of medicine no ordinary doctor could replicate.

After acupuncture, the Ma-ui applied moxibustion with unknown herbs over Soma’s dantian. The unique medicinal scent filled the room.

“Uuuugh.”

Soma groaned in pain.

The Ma-ui then withdrew a long red needle and inserted it deeply—deep enough to make one wonder if it was safe.

Soma’s expression briefly eased, then convulsed again.

The Ma-ui swiftly withdrew the needle and began inserting others at new points, his movements quick and precise.

Soma’s convulsions ceased.

Until now, Mannyeonseolsam’s energy had kept Soma alive, but it was becoming the greatest obstacle to treatment. They needed to gather it to one place and complete the cure.

Crises came one after another, but the Ma-ui skillfully navigated them, proving why he was called a god of medicine. Without him, treatment would have been impossible in Soma’s condition. The process drained immense energy, causing sweat to pour down his forehead and body like rain.

Geom Mugeuk watched tensely, exhausted to the brink of death. He had run like mad, harder than when fighting Yalyulhan.

Yet he never took his eyes off the treatment.

When the war-like treatment ended, Soma entered a stable phase.

“You’ve passed the first critical moment. It’s not safe to relax yet, but he’s strong-willed; he’ll endure.”

“Please save him!”

The reason I ran all that way without rest was because the one waiting was the Ma-ui. I believed no one could save him, but Ma-ui could.

The Ma-ui nodded.

“I will do my best.”

“Thank you.”

Only then did Geom Mugeuk’s tension release, and he slumped down.

The Ma-ui checked Geom Mugeuk’s pulse and saw he was completely exhausted.

“How on earth did you get here in this state?”

The Ma-ui was astonished. With such a body, carrying someone and running was hard enough; even moving himself would have been difficult.

“Here, take this first.”

The Ma-ui handed him a tonic to restore energy after exhaustion.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. Take it.”

“Thank you.”

Geom Mugeuk took the medicine.

The Ma-ui also applied a healing ointment to Geom Mugeuk’s wounds. Seeing both Soma and Geom Mugeuk’s injuries, it was clear a great battle had been fought.

At that moment, a warrior entered with a dispatch.

Reading it, the Ma-ui was shocked and asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Where exactly did you run from?”

The dispatch ordered preparation as Geom Mugeuk had left with the injured Soma. Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk had arrived even faster than the dispatch.

‘Is this even possible?’

Carrying Soma no less.

If anyone else, the Ma-ui would have thought it a mistake. But seeing Geom Mugeuk’s state, he thought it might be true.

Actually, the Ma-ui wanted to ask.

Since Geom Mugeuk had left to kill Yalyulhan, he was curious how things went.

But he probably already knew without asking. Returning so injured spoke volumes.

He felt sorry for both. Even knowing how hard the revenge was, their greed had been too much.

‘I’m sorry, truly sorry.’

As the Ma-ui turned to check Soma’s state again, Geom Mugeuk spoke from leaning against the wall.

“I relayed your words to Yalyulhan.”

“!”

Startled, the Ma-ui turned to see Geom Mugeuk looking up at him.

“I looked into the dying Yalyulhan’s eyes and clearly told him this was your will.”

The Ma-ui was too shocked to speak, eyes wide open. After a long silence, he asked,

“Did you kill Yalyulhan?”

“Yes, I killed him.”

“Did you really… kill him?”

His voice trembled and his whole body shook.

“Yes, I killed him.”

“Thank you, truly thank you.”

The Ma-ui sat opposite Geom Mugeuk and clasped his hands.

“Now live the rest of your life in peace. Your family would want that.”

At hearing this, overwhelming emotion surged. The Ma-ui knelt before Geom Mugeuk, overwhelmed by feelings hard to express. How long he had awaited this moment—thousands, tens of thousands of times he had imagined it.

Suddenly, he thought of his son.

“Father, you’re busy for us, right? If you weren’t busy, you’d play with me?”

Tears fell from the Ma-ui’s eyes. His son would have been middle-aged if alive… but to the Ma-ui, his son was still a child.

‘I’m sorry I couldn’t play with you more. Sorry I couldn’t say I love you more.’

His son smiled brightly in his heart.

Tears poured even more.

‘Yes, when we meet again, I’ll play with you a lot.’

The Ma-ui finally set down the heavy stone he’d carried in his heart all his life.

When he lifted his head from tears, Geom Mugeuk was asleep, leaning against the wall. The relief of everything being over brought all accumulated fatigue crashing down. He was in such a deep sleep no one could have carried him without waking.

“Thank you, Lee Gongja. I will never forget this kindness.”

Just then, someone arrived.

It was Hyeol Cheon Doma, his face full of worry. He had rushed here immediately after hearing Geom Mugeuk reached the medical room.

Though Soma lying on the bed caught his eye first, Hyeol Cheon Doma checked on Geom Mugeuk first.

“Are you okay?”

“How could he be, carrying that man without rest?”

But the Ma-ui’s expression was relaxed. He knew Geom Mugeuk was unharmed.

Hyeol Cheon Doma teased.

“That masked fellow must be quite precious!”

He squatted beside Geom Mugeuk, showing the expensive ring he had given him between his open collar, stained with blood.

“You cause me trouble in your later years.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma wrapped the blood-soaked Geukpum Cheonjam, which had fallen near the bed, around the Black Horse Sword’s hilt. Then he placed the sword beside Geom Mugeuk.

“Troublesome, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at your face in the mirror.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma looked up at a mirror.

“What am I supposed to see?”

The Ma-ui only smiled enigmatically. He clearly felt Hyeol Cheon Doma had changed recently—and he knew the reason for that change.

At that moment, Kwon Ma arrived.

His large presence seemed to fill the room.

After greeting the two, Kwon Ma first asked about Soma’s condition.

“Is Soma all right?”

“Still watching, but the critical moment seems passed.”

Though his concern seemed superficial, the Ma-ui knew Kwon Ma had come because he cared about his disciple.

“The disciple is only exhausted. After a few days’ rest, he’ll ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) be fine.”

A rare look of relief passed over Kwon Ma’s stern face. The Ma-ui realized it was the first time he had seen that expression, and that Kwon Ma’s concern for Geom Mugeuk was deep indeed. Such fearsome Majon were truly being changed.

“Lee Gongja, you’re amazing.”

But it wasn’t over yet. Someone else entered.

“What’s with this mess? You two fought the whole martial world?”

The man reeked of alcohol—it was Chwima.

Skipping formal greetings, he squatted before Geom Mugeuk. After silently staring for a moment, Chwima spoke to the other two Majon.

“When he wakes up, he’ll be bragging about his exploits, so better lay low for a while.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma agreed.

“Better if he doesn’t give a long speech.”

Then another person entered.

“What are you doing sitting here while the patient is sick?”

It was Ilhwa Geomjon, still as beautiful and ageless as ever.

The Ma-ui was secretly surprised. It was no secret Geom Mugeuk mingled with the Majon, but he didn’t expect all the Majon to come visit.

Chwima clicked his tongue at Geom Mugeuk.

“Brother, what’s this? No pretty girls come?”

“I’m here.”

Ilhwa Geomjon replied.

Chwima resumed.

“Brother, only old folks come, no pretty young women. Back in my day…”

Just then, Ian and Cheon Sohui arrived.

Ian was shocked to see so many Majon gathered. Unable to approach, Hyeol Cheon Doma beckoned her closer.

As the Majon parted, she sat before Geom Mugeuk.

“He’s only sleeping, don’t worry.”

Hyeol Cheon Doma’s words brought tears to Ian’s eyes. Hearing Geom Mugeuk was safe, tears just poured out.

Soma’s exhausted, sleeping form seemed more pitiful than wounded or collapsed. How tired must he be not to wake even in this situation?

She felt upset and sorry for not being there. Without the Majon or Ma-ui, she might have shouted wildly. She might have quit being a guardian and just followed him. Asked to be taken along.

She wanted to offer her shoulder so Geom Mugeuk could rest comfortably. Of course, she couldn’t in front of the Majon.

Cheon Sohui watched worriedly from behind. She stood a little apart, near Kwon Ma, not stepping forward.

And the last to arrive was someone else.

All eyes turned at once to the door. They knew who it was even before entering. Without releasing prayer energy, just his presence announced his arrival.

Cheonma Geom Woojin appeared.

The Majon, Ian, and Cheon Sohui lined up respectfully on either side.

“We greet the Sect Leader.”

After their greetings, Geom Woojin asked about Soma’s condition.

“How is Soma?”

“Fortunately, he passed the dangerous moment. He’s strong, so he should recover soon.”

“Don’t spare the medicine.”

“You needn’t worry about that. Mannyeonseolsam’s energy hasn’t been absorbed yet. After recovery, he’ll absorb it and become even stronger.”

Everyone was surprised by the mention of Mannyeonseolsam.

Hyeol Cheon Doma looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“That greedy fellow even gave up Mannyeonseolsam.”

Only then did Geom Woojin’s gaze turn to Geom Mugeuk.

His eyes toward his son were indifferent. Looking down at the sleeping Geom Mugeuk, Geom Woojin said unexpectedly,

“Keeping him here will only interfere with your treatment. I’ll take that one.”

Geom Woojin strode over and lifted Geom Mugeuk.

Everyone was shocked. They never imagined Geom Woojin carrying someone.

Even if he did, they thought he would do it through the void flow. But Geom Woojin bent and embraced Geom Mugeuk with his own arms.

The Majon found this unfamiliar and shocking.

Ignoring their surprise, Geom Woojin carried his son out.

“Still jealous?”

Ilhwa Geomjon asked Chwima, expecting him to say, “Being carried by the Sect Leader? No way! Worst thing ever!”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been carried by my father.”

Ilhwa Geomjon looked back at Chwima.

“Are you drunk?”

Chwima chuckled, drinking.

Hyeol Cheon Doma teased again.

“That brat! He took the precious medicine but gave up Mannyeonseolsam?”

The Ma-ui sided with Geom Mugeuk.

“If he hadn’t, that man would be dead.”

“Damn right!”

After Hyeol Cheon Doma left, the Majon bid farewell to the Ma-ui and left the medical room. Ian and Cheon Sohui also greeted the Ma-ui and left.

The Ma-ui sighed softly, feeling as if a storm had passed.

He walked to the bed where Soma slept.

His gaze was gentle. Soma had fought with Geom Mugeuk for revenge. How could he repay such gratitude? By saving him.

“I intend to save you, so you must be strong—for the one who carried you all that way.”

The Ma-ui looked out the window. The sky he had seen earlier now seemed to say,

Like the clouds drifting gently across that sky, live the rest of your life in peace.