readsfreenovel Chapter 274 : Was the Sky Always This Clear
Chapter 274 : Was the Sky Always This Clear
Seeing that Moyong Hyeon’s pain seemed to have subsided, Jin Seong-un asked with anticipation,“How is it?”
Moyong Hyeon examined his condition.
Certainly…
“It’s good. It is good, but…”
It hurt far more than he had imagined.
As a martial artist, he had been cut, burned, and injured countless times, but this kind of agony was something he had never experienced before in his life.
Yet his body had undeniably improved.
After going through several battles recently, his meridians had yet to fully recover—but now, in an instant, they had returned to their optimal state.
Considering it would have normally taken at least two months to recover, it was astonishing.
A thought suddenly came to Moyong Hyeon.
*Even brothers share a single bean.*
How could he monopolize such a “wonderful” experience?
“Shouldn’t you try it on Seomun Ak and Seo Yu-gyeom too? They worked hard at the Myriad Gold Manor as well.”
Jin Seong-un looked deeply moved.
He had always worried because the inn members constantly fought each other, yet it turned out they truly cared for one another at heart.
Moyong Hyeon even added enthusiastically,
“It should be around break time after lunch service. Wait here—I’ll bring them.”
He returned with the others in tow.
Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak, both looking annoyed, came along, as well as Lee Seowon and Han Seong-chun, who claimed they just wanted some fresh air.
Moyong Hyeon began passionately explaining his experience.
“It’s incredible. Seomun Ak, weren’t you focusing on inner arts training lately? It feels like your whole body is reborn.”
Seomun Ak was intrigued.
He had indeed been focusing entirely on internal cultivation to reach full Peak Master Level.
He turned his back to Jin Seong-un.
“Alright. Try it on me.”
Normally, martial artists avoided bodily contact with others, but Seomun Ak trusted Jin Seong-un.
Watching this, Moyong Hyeon silently reaffirmed a truth—
*One should never trust people too easily.*
“Relax and breathe…”
Jin Seong-un placed his hand on Seomun Ak’s back.
At that moment, Han Seong-chun spoke,
“If it’s like a massage, could I try it later too? I’ve been aching all over lately.”
Moyong Hyeon replied from the side,
“You might die if you do.”
“Huh?”
Seomun Ak flinched and quickly turned his head.
“W-wait, let me rethink—”
“Young Master, it has already begun.”
Moyong Hyeon burst out laughing.
From experience, Jin Seong-un had a habit of healing people regardless of whether they were ready or not.
Seomun Ak glared at him.
Moyong Hyeon smiled.
“Good medicine tastes bitter. Just endure it. Why are you so scared?”
Seomun Ak shut his eyes and mouth tightly.
Being called unmanly was something he could never tolerate.
No matter what pain came, he resolved not to make a single sound.
Then—
Jin Seong-un executed the Original True Face Art.
At that exact moment, Seomun Ak’s tightly shut mouth opened wide like a banquet hall gate.
“KYAAAAAA—!”
A bizarre scream erupted.
Ignoring it, Jin Seong-un continued the “treatment.”
After some time—
He withdrew his hand.
Seomun Ak rolled across the ground.
Every joint in his body felt like it had been struck by hundreds of lightning bolts.
Moyong Hyeon cheered,
“Wow, as expected of a Peak Master. You roll really fast.”
Seomun Ak couldn’t even speak from the pain.
Jin Seong-un observed calmly.
“…I still need more practice.”
Moyong Hyeon glared.
“You said mine was perfect!”
“…Ah.”
Having nothing to say, Jin Seong-un looked toward Seo Yu-gyeom—
Who was already quietly walking back to the inn.
Just as Jin Seong-un considered giving up—
Seomun Ak groaned,
“This… even Deathshroud assassins couldn’t endure this… impossible…”
Seo Yu-gyeom stopped.
Seomun Ak smiled inwardly and resumed rolling.
Seo Yu-gyeom turned back naturally and approached.
He hesitated briefly—
Between reality and pride.
By then, Seomun Ak’s pain began subsiding.
Everyone watched him.
“…Oh.”
He experienced the same clarity as Moyong Hyeon.
Looking around, he muttered,
“Was the sky always this clear?”
His vision had sharpened.
He rolled his shoulders, punched the air.
Light.
His body felt perfectly light—like before the Myriad Gold Manor battle.
After even meditating—
He admitted it.
This was the condition of someone who had spent three months in isolated training, doing nothing but rest and cultivation.
“…Still, only use this in serious situations. After major battles or before important ones. It hurts way too much. Even Deathshroud assassins would spill all secrets under this.”
That last part was unnecessary—
But it worked.
Seo Yu-gyeom sat down.
“I’ll show you what a real man is.”
Jin Seong-un placed his hand on him.
Soon—
Seo Yu-gyeom rolled on the ground just like the others.
Moyong Hyeon and Seomun Ak laughed in delight.
Watching Seo Yu-gyeom suffer felt incredibly satisfying.
Eventually—
Seo Yu-gyeom staggered up and looked at the sky.
“…Was the sky always this clear?”
The two burst into laughter.
But Jin Seong-un became dejected.
Even now, he couldn’t eliminate the pain like the Noble Enchantress had.
Seeing his expression, Seo Yu-gyeom said,
“Why the face? It hurts, but the effect is worth it.”
The others nodded.
This was an unheard-of ability.
Jin Seong-un spoke weakly,
“I plan to use this on His Majesty the Emperor.”
“……”
Silence fell.
Seo Yu-gyeom spoke seriously,
“That’s treason.”
The others agreed.
But Jin Seong-un didn’t change his mind.
“Is there another way?”
“….”
There wasn’t.
Now they all grew serious.
If they could save the Emperor, they should.
Otherwise—
The Princess and the Admiral would gain total power.
But they couldn’t subject the Emperor to this horror.
Seo Yu-gyeom said,
“Even in his prime, the Emperor would die from the pain. We endured because we’re martial artists.”
The pain alone could kill an ordinary person.
Silence lingered—
Until Lee Seowon spoke,
“Can’t you eliminate the pain through training?”
“That’s certain.”
Because his master had done so.
The others looked at Lee Seowon in shock.
Seomun Ak stammered,
“Don’t say things so easily…”
Lee Seowon replied calmly,
“I would gladly volunteer, but… as you said, ordinary people might die. If I die, who will handle the work?”
Silence.
They knew.
They had to be the training subjects.
“Please help me.”
Jin Seong-un bowed.
They grew gloomy.
At that moment—
The back door opened.
Jang Gwang returned.
“What’s going on?”
“Master Jang.”
Seomun Ak called him respectfully.
Jang Gwang was shocked.
“Come here. We need to discuss something.”
As he approached—
The three moved instantly.
Moyong Hyeon kicked his legs.
Seo Yu-gyeom struck his waist.
Seomun Ak pressed his shoulders.
Thud!
Jang Gwang dropped to his knees.
“What is this—?!”
“Master Jang, you’ve worked hard traveling everywhere. Leave the rest to Jin Seong-un.”
“…What?”
Jin Seong-un placed his hand gently on his back.
“Master Jang, if you speak now… I cannot guarantee anything.”
Soon—
The three walked away refreshed.
Behind them—
Jang Gwang’s screams echoed.
---
From that day on—
Jin Seong-un trained the Original True Face Art daily.
The subjects—
Seo Yu-gyeom, Jang Gwang, Seomun Ak, and Moyong Hyeon.
Thanks to them, his mastery improved rapidly.
One day—
While resting in his office—
Lee Seowon approached with tea.
“You’ve been working hard.”
“Not yet. This technique is extremely difficult.”
Still—
The number of rolls had decreased.
From fifty…
To forty.
His goal—
Twenty.
Even complete painlessness seemed far away.
“…Even if I succeed, there’s still a problem.”
Lee Seowon nodded.
“The Imperial Palace won’t allow you to touch His Majesty.”
Jin Seong-un agreed.
Lee Seowon continued,
“Unlike last time, you can’t act secretly. If those three screamed like that… His Majesty’s reaction is obvious.”
“…Yes.”
“Can’t you use the previous method?”
“It was temporary. I didn’t even know if it would work. I can’t rely on luck again.”
“I see.”
“Also, if His Majesty collapsed again—either it failed, or the Admiral made it worse. Possibly both.”
“So the answer is clear.”
Lee Seowon concluded,
“You must approach him legitimately.”
But—
That was nearly impossible.
A mere merchant touching the Emperor—
Even without obstacles—
It was unthinkable.
And now—
There were the Princess and the Admiral.
Just then—
A commotion arose outside.
“Kill me then! Do you think I fear you?!”
An old man’s voice rang out.
Both recognized it.
“The Divine Physician?”
They stood up.
---
The Divine Physician—
One of the Two Great Master Physicians—
Had come to meet Jin Seong-un.
But a eunuch blocked him, demanding he go to the Imperial Palace.
The Divine Physician treated all equally—
Except the Imperial Household.
Even the Emperor.
Because—
His father, also a physician, had been executed after treating a royal relative.
That resentment never faded.
The eunuch glared.
“How dare you refuse the Eastern Depot?”
“Will you regret this?”
But—
The Divine Physician feared nothing.
He lay flat on the ground and shouted,
“Kill me then! I’ve lived long enough! My only regret is dying without saving more lives!”
People gathered.
The eunuch panicked.
Attacking him would cause backlash.
Just then—
Jin Seong-un appeared.
The eunuch froze.
He knew who Jin Seong-un was.
Jin Seong-un said nothing—
Only stared.
The Divine Physician shouted louder,
“The eunuch is killing the Divine Physician!”
The eunuch panicked.
“I never said that!”
Jin Seong-un stepped forward.
The eunuch quickly retreated.
“I’ll report this!”
And fled.
The Divine Physician stood up, dusting himself.
“These Imperial Palace bastards…”
Jin Seong-un realized something.
The perfect solution had come to him.
“Divine Physician.”
“What?”
“Let’s work together.”