Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 944

“Ah, please put it over there.”

“Understood, Chief.”

Ki Woo-hee wiped the sweat from her brow.

‘Whew.’

Today, the amount of medicinal herbs to manage was mountainous. As expected of the Martial Alliance, the quantity of various medicinal herbs coming in each month was beyond imagination.

Fortunately, most of it was being consumed, except for the teaching materials that would enhance Ki Woo-hee’s personal skills.

The Martial Alliance’s financial power was immense, and the flow was also active. Since the amount of medicinal herbs going out and coming in was somewhat balanced, everyone was showing good progress, except for patients who were too late.

‘No, it’s not right to see it as just fortunate.’

Ki Woo-hee sighed.

‘Where on earth are they getting so injured?’

There were several combat units in the Martial Alliance.

While the activities of the main units and the experts were impressive, countless members were spread out across the world, returning after carrying out numerous operations.

Some units went to solve the bandit and pirate problems that would never be eradicated as long as the martial world continued, while others were sent to stabilize public sentiment. There were also units to resolve conflicts between sects or to eliminate suddenly appearing demonic figures.

They returned from various missions, so there was no end to the patients.

Fortunately, thanks to the active support of the Alliance Leader and the volunteers, there were a large number of physicians and medical students in the Medical Pavilion.

However, seeing how busy they were despite having so many hands, the incidents and accidents in the martial world were certainly extraordinary.

“Chief, it’s all done.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“We’ll take care of the patients now. Please go in and rest, Chief.”

“No, we all can rest sooner if even one more person helps.”

“You’ll get sick if you keep checking on the patients. You haven’t slept a wink for three days.”

Ki Woo-hee was startled.

“Three days?”

“See? You didn’t know, did you? Once you concentrate, you even forget the flow of time. It’s amazing, even after seeing it so many times.”

“I see. It’s already been three days.”

No wonder her body felt heavy. Her eyes were also dry, and her limbs felt weak.

The physician smiled and said,

“If that’s the case, please rest for just one hour and come back. Your skills are the best in the world, but wouldn’t the patients be anxious if you treat them in such a tired state?”

That was unlikely. Ki Woo-hee never showed any expression other than a smile when treating patients, nor had she ever shown any signs of fatigue.

However, she would never rest unless they said this much. The physician, who had been with her for quite some time, wanted her to rest, even if it was just for a little while.

Ki Woo-hee smiled awkwardly and said,

“Then, I’ll rest for a bit and come back.”

“You can rest for a few days.”

With those words, Ki Woo-hee entered her residence.

“Hoo.”

It was already dark.

Ki Woo-hee lit the brazier. Although it was summer, the area was at the foot of a mountain, so it got quite chilly when the sun went down.

Ki Woo-hee, who had taken off her outer garment and hung it up, sat on a chair.

She wanted to lie down on the bed, but if she did, she would probably sleep for a whole day.

‘Three days, huh.’

Ki Woo-hee closed her eyes.

‘The time is getting longer and longer.’

Since she was young, she had been someone who lost track of time when she focused on something.

After becoming an adult, when she concentrated properly, she became even less aware of her surroundings than when she was a child. She would completely immerse herself in the object of her focus.

Even so, the maximum she had stayed up was a full day, but now she didn’t even realize that three days had passed.

‘This isn’t normal.’

She was a physician. She knew better than anyone that her condition was not normal.

Ki Woo-hee relaxed her body and focused her mind. She wanted to sleep, but it would be better to clear her head first and then get a good night’s sleep.

‘Calm the mind, enter the depths, awaken the senses, open the celestial gate, the emptiness is like a dam…’

The incantation Ki Woo-hee recited was the ‘Primal Martial Governing Method’ that Sword Saint Tak Mu-Ja had taught her.

Primal Martial refers to the Primal Martial God, the True Martial God, which means Wudang Mountain. In other words, the Primal Martial Governing Method is a way to govern the upper dantian [an energy center in the body] with the power of the Wudang Mountain God.

It was a simple name, but the difficulty of the practice was not easy at all.

Ki Woo-hee recited the Primal Martial Governing Method whenever she had time, governing her upper dantian.

In fact, as she refined her upper dantian with the Primal Martial Governing Method, her eyes became much brighter than before, and her mind felt refreshed.

In particular, unlike before, she no longer became elated or saddened by anything, and she could maintain a calm mind even in urgent situations. By refining her upper dantian, her middle dantian had also become solid.

‘I received a great favor from the elder. It was actually very effective. But why suddenly three days…?’

Even with immense concentration, it was hard to endure for three days. It was a problem of the body before it was a problem of mental strength.

However, it was possible for her. It wasn’t like her inner energy had increased or she had learned some great divine skill.

Tsutsutsutsu.

A faint haze emanated from the top of her head. The fatigue that had accumulated in her brain for three days was being quickly removed.

Artificially extracting fatigue like this was also close to a heretical practice in medicine. If fatigue accumulated, the best thing to do was to sleep and rest well and consume nutrients until it was relieved.

‘I can’t help it.’

Ki Woo-hee examined her upper dantian, where the impurities had disappeared.

‘Ah!’

Ki Woo-hee was quite surprised.

It had been quite a while since she had examined her upper dantian this closely, but the outer wall of the dantian, which was holding the divine energy, had become thicker and more solid than before.

It was no exaggeration to say that it was a world of difference from when she first learned the Primal Martial Governing Method. If the first time was like a house roughly built with old, worn-out wooden planks, now it was like a fortress wall made of dense, carved stones.

It was still far from the end, but she had not expected it to have grown this much. Ki Woo-hee was genuinely happy.

‘It’s truly an amazing practice.’

If her body wasn’t strong, she wouldn’t have been able to concentrate for three days, but if her upper dantian was this solid, it was a different story.

Ki Woo-hee could clearly see her condition.

‘It’s amazing, but it’s not good. The balance between my body and mind has been greatly disrupted, so it would be better for me to learn martial arts as well from now on.’

Ki Woo-hee, who had stopped the upper dantian circulation of the Primal Martial Governing Method, gasped for breath and opened her eyes.

It was then.

“…?!”

Ki Woo-hee’s pupils flickered.

‘What is that?’

A yellow flame began to rise from the brazier, which was quite far away.

It was a color that was similar to a normal flame, yet completely different. The yellow flame gradually turned golden, and soon it even dyed the flames of the burning brazier.

Hwaaaak!

“Huk!”

Ki Woo-hee, startled, got up from her seat.

Hwarrrrrr!

The golden flames, which were gradually gaining momentum, grew so large that they reached the ceiling in an instant.

Surprisingly, even though the flames had grown so large, the bedding, ceiling, table, and chairs did not catch fire.

There wasn’t even any soot, let alone fire. It meant that the temperature of the golden flames was much lower than it appeared.

And then.

The enlarged golden flames gradually formed a shape.

It was the shape of a person. The flames that rose in two streams formed broad shoulders, and the burning embers naturally fell to form hair.

There were shoulders, a head, and an upper body, but no arms. The lower body was enough with the burning flames.

Ki Woo-hee’s eyebrows trembled.

The enlarged golden flames, and the magnificent figure of a man.

“…Brother.”

Because the flames were constantly burning, his distinct features were not revealed.

However, even at a glance, he had a very strong face. He had the appearance of a Westerner, whom the Central Plains people called a ‘Red Hair’.

“How did my brother…?!”

The flame opened its mouth.

The actual flame did not speak, but Ki Woo-hee could perceive the will of the flame as sound.

“Have you been well?”

“…”

“Why are you silent?”

“Have you been… at peace?”

The flame giant smiled. Or, it seemed to smile.

“Peace? That’s the first time I’ve heard such a word.”

“…”

“How is it? Life on the continent. Don’t you want to leave the world of ignorant barbarians?”

Ki Woo-hee, who had been looking at her brother with trembling eyes, soon became calm.

“How did you find me?”

It was a voice filled with composure and strength.

The flame’s chin rose.

“Have you forgotten your manners after associating with the uncivilized monkeys of the continent?”

“I’m just remembering that you and I are not on friendly terms to have a pleasant conversation.”

The flame giant was silent for a moment.

Ki Woo-hee glared at the flame with cold eyes. It was a cold and dry gaze that seemed as if she would extinguish the golden fire at any moment.

The giant opened its mouth.

“I never thought the day would come when you would look at me with such eyes.”

“I’m asking why you came to find me.”

“…”

“If you were curious about my personal affairs, please disappear now.”

“I can’t do that.”

The giant shook its head.

“To find you, and to use the Fire Transformation Technique, more than one ‘Holy Fire Powder’ was used.”

As expected.

Ki Woo-hee knew how her brother had found her and how he was using the highest-level technique of the Divine Flame Church.

“What’s the reason for using the church’s sacred object to find me?”

“I’ll get straight to the point. Return to the church.”

Ki Woo-hee shook her head.

“I’ve left the church.”

“That’s an order.”

Ki Woo-hee’s eyes slightly trembled.

They were clearly siblings. However, there was a person who gave orders and a person who was dominated by those orders.

Children with different mothers. Children with different blood.

To the Divine Flame Church, she was just a lowly bloodline who happened to be born with a divine ability.

“Please leave now.”

“If you return to the church, I will make you the new Saintess.”

Ki Woo-hee was startled, but she didn’t show it.

“Is the name ‘Saintess’ so light that it can be mentioned by your mouth, brother?”

“Watch your words. If you disrespect me one more time, I will never…”

“Is that all you came for?”

“…”

“If you’re going to spout nonsense, there’s no reason for me to listen any longer. Disappear now. And don’t ever come looking for me again.”

Ki Woo-hee picked up the teapot on the table. It contained a considerable amount of water.

Although he used the Fire Transformation Technique, it was not yet perfect. If she poured just enough water to extinguish the existing brazier, the Fire Transformation Technique would also become ineffective.

At that moment, the giant opened its mouth.

“You must stop Father.”

“…?!”

“You are the only one who can. So, return to the church.”

Ki Woo-hee’s eyes sharpened.

“I don’t know anything about your situation. So, please don’t…”

“Father is trying to attack the Imperial Palace.”

“…!”

“It’s not the time for us to act rashly yet. But there is no one in the church who can stop Father.”

“…”

“Your spiritual power can temporarily stop Father. We will take care of the rest, so hurry…”

“I’ll say this for the first and last time.”

An air of severity settled on Ki Woo-hee’s face.

“To me, the Three Teachings [Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism] are enemies.”

“…?!”

“If we meet in the future, I will draw my sword against you, even if it costs me my life, so please look forward to it.”

Ki Woo-hee poured water on the brazier.

Chiiiiik!

The fiercely burning flames disappeared with a whoosh, and a hazy smoke rose.

Only then did a sense of unease appear on Ki Woo-hee’s face.

‘The Imperial Palace?’

She turned her body.

‘I have to inform the Alliance Leader!’