Translator: Nox
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Path West
#1
Preparation for travel began at dawn.
Hyeon-do packed lightly — just weapons, maps, a few pills.
No fanfare.
Only Yi Baek and the steward saw him off.
“You’re going alone?” Yi Baek asked.
“For now.”
“At least take Seok-hyeon—”
“No. This is recon.”
The steward nodded grimly.
“You believe the Baek Clan’s art still exists?”
“I believe someone tried very hard to erase it.”
That was enough reason to dig deeper.
And Hyeon-do wasn’t just chasing medicine.
He wanted something more.
Answers.
#2
He traveled westward through narrow mountain passes.
Small villages. Forgotten temples.
Wherever he went, whispers followed.
Some knew the Baek name.
Others only recalled the poison.
He met herbalists who remembered old recipes.
A nun who mentioned a healer with silver eyes.
Clues.
Pieces.
Scattered like ash on wind.
But they pointed to one place—
**Chilgak Mountains.**
Once known as home to wandering physicians.
Now called ghost country.
No one dared enter.
Hyeon-do did.
#3
The forest grew dense.
Quiet.
Not even birdsong.
He moved cautiously.
Then — he saw it.
A structure buried in vines.
A stone courtyard.
Collapsed walls.
At its center — a pavilion.
And inside, someone was waiting.
She wore white.
Hair bound with silver thread.
Eyes closed.
But she spoke as he approached.
“You’re late.”
Hyeon-do froze.
“You’re Baek...?”
She opened her eyes.
Silver. Like mist on moonlight.
“I am Baek Ji-seol.”
“And you’re here for the cure.”
Not a question.
A fact.
【To be continued in Chapter 25】
