Chapter 258

Chapter 258
## Chapter 258

### The Zhuge Clan (4)

*Plip—*

A stream of tea cascaded from the spout of the kettle into a waiting porcelain vessel, unfurling a delicate, aromatic scent across the chamber.

The room itself was arranged with a minimalist sophistication, adhering to a traditional aesthetic.

It was an environment perfectly suited for a man of letters. Seated within was the venerable elder, Zhuge Gunak, the Grand Elder of the Zhuge Clan. Having steeped the leaves himself, he lifted the vessel with measured deliberation, inhaling the deep fragrance.

“Hmm.”

Though his eyes had surrendered their vision long ago, his execution of the tea ritual was entirely without error.

Decades of spiritual refinement had heightened his physical awareness to such a degree that managing these ordinary routines required no sight at all.

‘Harris… and Ha Seung-hoon.’

Furthermore,

Those sharp, developed senses served him equally well when analyzing the nature of individuals.

The enigmatic travelers who had suddenly arrived at their gates were no exception to his scrutiny.

‘Otherworlders… These particular wanderers possess attributes that are highly unusual.’

Yet, even for a master of Zhuge Gunak’s caliber, deciphering the true character of this duo proved challenging.

He had interacted with visitors from beyond during the days of his youth, but these two departed entirely from those past acquaintances regarding their temperaments, actions, and innate gifts.

‘Nevertheless, neither individual demonstrated malicious intent, nor did I detect any underlying aggression. If anything, their motives appeared… well-meaning?’

While Harris conducted himself with a degree of irreverence, it was hardly shocking for a cultivator of his immense caliber to display a certain level of pride.

Moreover, they had consciously taken steps to bridge the gap between them.

They accomplished this by tactfully displaying Ha Seung-hoon’s restorative gifts.

‘I remain uncertain as to how they discovered the details of Hyemi’s affliction.’

It was an easily discernable strategy, yet Zhuge Gunak chose to engage with it willingly.

He recognized it as an extended olive branch—an invitation toward mutual harmony and alliance.

‘Too many mysteries remain unaddressed.’

The old master had already discerned that Harris was withholding information.

Specifically regarding the winged entity from another realm who was presumed to be the catalyst for the current instability.

However, the resistance the warrior displayed when that matter arose was entirely unfeigned…

‘Hmm, I must monitor their conduct with greater scrutiny.’

For the moment, aggressive measures were unwarranted. Cultivating a amicable bond was the wiser path.

Such was the initial judgment rendered by the Grand Elder.

“Hahaha, and he has also become the savior of my own flesh and blood. Word has reached me that she is already exhibiting indicators of recovery. I had stayed away, anxious that this frail frame of mine might bring more distress than comfort… At long last, I can look upon my granddaughter once more.”

A subtle grin graced the features of Zhuge Gunak as he aligned his perspectives while partaking of his beverage.

In his role as the clan’s patriarch, the prosperity of the lineage was his primary obligation, yet his heart held an immense tenderness for his ailing granddaughter.

‘One is a master of the Mysterious Realm, carrying the heritage of the Heavenly Ki Sect. The other is a miraculous physician who restored a patient whom our family’s premier medical experts abandoned… Aligning our interests with them promises to be highly advantageous.’

Naturally, it was an inescapable trait of their lineage to instantly weigh the balance of advantages and liabilities.

—

Restoration via sacred energy was by no means an instantaneous cure-all.

Granted, its potency was extraordinary, being a manifestation directly granted by the Saint himself, but it nonetheless demanded an investment of prolonged duration and focused intent to counter deep-seated maladies.

The present circumstance followed that exact rule.

This marked the third consecutive day that Hugo dedicated himself to treating the young lady utilizing sacred energy during their daily sessions.

*Flash—*

Mirroring the prior occasions, a soothing radiance emanated from the sacred emblem, diffusing directly into the form of the afflicted girl.

The physical process mirrored the initial session exactly, yet the underlying reality had shifted…

“Hmm, this feels peculiar. It does not resemble the flow of internal energy. It is far more… comforting and encompassing…”

Zhuge Hyemi, the cherished daughter of the Zhuge Clan, was fully alert.

She had broken through her unconscious state on the second afternoon of the process, emerging from her deep slumber.

A gentle warmth had returned to her pale features, and her complexion now carried a vitality that had been missing.

It was a striking transformation from her previous state, where she had hovered on the precipice of demise despite the administration of the family’s finest medicines.

And this turnaround required a mere three sessions.

‘The treatment is succeeding, which brings relief… yet her internal response to the sacred energy diverges from typical subjects. Is this truly an ordinary ailment?’

Conversely, Hugo, the channeler of this power, knit his brows, experiencing a nagging doubt within his spirit.

He could perceive an anomaly, but as an intermediary who merely directed the sacred energy through a focus, he lacked the expertise to isolate the exact cause.

‘Heinrich would comprehend the underlying mechanism if he were present.’

Since that support was unavailable, his sole option was to watch the prolonged developments and deduce what he could.

Regardless, the process did not appear destined for a swift conclusion.

‘Still, her physical restoration is undeniable. If we run this alongside their traditional methods, we might accelerate the timeline.’

It was a calculating perspective, but it yielded no harm. The more extended the duration of the therapy, the firmer their alliance with the Zhuge Clan would grow.

Though, Heinrich, who bore the burden of continuously providing the sacred energy, might find the demand tedious.

“Ah… I cannot recall the last time I possessed this level of vitality. Perhaps… it is completely unprecedented for me? I have been plagued by frailty since my earliest days… from the very moment of my birth…”

He found himself capable of engaging in dialogue with Zhuge Hyemi as the energy flowed.

Having been confined to her chambers for so long, she seemed burdened by a vast reservoir of unspoken thoughts. She spoke with an unrestrained eagerness, potentially because he represented an external presence.

Consequently, Hugo gathered an abundance of information regarding her background across those two days.

He learned of her three elder siblings, that her mother’s life ended during her delivery, and that she viewed herself as an ill-fated child responsible for bringing misfortune to her people…

The bulk of her commentary was self-critical and bleak, but a specific detail struck a chord with him.

“Hmm, if it does not cause offense, Young Miss Zhuge… what is the count of your years?”

“My? You query a maiden regarding her age? Young Master Ha, I did not anticipate such a forward inquiry from you… You appear somewhat deficient in social graces…”

This trajectory was counterproductive.

He needed to redirect her before her commentary drifted off course entirely.

Hugo intervened directly.

“I was informed that this domain fell into its current state twenty-two years ago, following that specific cataclysm.”

“Pardon? That is correct. Though it is not a matter widely discussed by the populace.”

“Therefore, your age stands at twenty-two years?”

“W-why must you insist on such precise figures? Pray, let the matter rest.”

He observed her with a skeptical gaze as she expanded her cheeks in a disgruntled pout.

Her appearance and mannerisms mirrored those of a child who had not progressed past thirteen cycles.

‘Then again, given her testimony of lifelong infirmity, such a developmental delay is logical.’

It was hardly unprecedented, and ultimately of little consequence.

The crucial point was that a monumental event capable of disrupting the core of this realm had taken place precisely in the period of her birth.

‘A mere coincidence?’

While it could not be attributed to a literal mystical curse, a hidden thread might connect the historical calamity to her persistent frailty…

“What is your own age, Young Master Ha?”

While he remained immersed in his deductions,

Zhuge Hyemi directed an inquiry back at him, her tone carrying an unfiltered curiosity.

Her cheerful demeanor had returned entirely, leaving no trace of her temporary irritation.

“I have reached twenty-three.”

He replied without hesitation.

He intentionally augmented his true count by a single digit, calculating that she would show greater deference to an individual older than herself… yet it did not entirely violate the truth.

He remained twenty by the reckoning of Earth, but nearly three cycles had elapsed since his arrival in this realm.

By that metric, twenty-three was a valid claim. Furthermore, when accounting for the reality that he absorbed existence at a far greater intensity than typical mortals owing to his diverse manifestations, one could argue for an even higher number.

“Oh! We are practically contemporaries? I estimated you to be significantly more advanced in years. Hehe.”

Was she indirectly suggesting his appearance was weathered?

The thought crossed his mind briefly, yet her lighthearted expression carried no malice.

She was an exhausting individual to manage.

“Haaam—!”

An abrupt yawn escaped her, causing her to clamp her hand over her lips in sudden consternation.

She remained motionless for a brief interval, casting a surreptitious glance in his direction, visibly discomfited.

“Fatigue has overtaken you. You ought to surrender to sleep. Our session for this date is concluded.”

“Not at all! I am devoid of exhaustion! I remain completely vital!”

“Avoid being obstinate. Quietude is an essential element of restoration. Conversation expends a notable measure of vitality, so we shall conclude our interactions for today.”

Hugo stood up resolutely.

The moment provided the ideal pretext, as he had been actively seeking a graceful exit.

“Mmm… Shall you return on the morrow?”

“Naturally. My visits will remain a daily occurrence for the foreseeable future.”

“…Very well.”

Zhuge Hyemi’s expression darkened with disappointment, and she reluctantly settled back into her cushions.

It was an intense display of reliance toward an individual she had only recently encountered… though given that he was the architect of her survival, it fell within the realm of reason.

‘Perhaps she simply lacked a sounding board.’

An independent observer detached from her lineage or family politics—someone entirely separated from her daily existence.

He could empathize with her position, reflecting on the disclosures she had shared.

“…Until tomorrow.”

“Indeed, until tomorrow.”

In this manner, Hugo fortified his position within Ganghwange, weaving a fresh thread of connection.

—

Upon a segment of a combat theater, bearing the scars of an intense engagement.

*Wooong—*

A profound pressure enveloped a figure who remained dropped on his knees, his palms pressed together and his gaze averted inward in deep contemplation.

He maintained absolute stillness, yet his majestic presence projected a crushing weight, appearing to restrict the very atmosphere surrounding his person.

Another individual observed his form with profound respect—.

‘Precisely what one expects from Heinrich! His devotion to prayer is unceasing.’

Saintess Liesta.

Directly following the conclusion of another operation to suppress a White Giant,

She had journeyed back to her designated sector, rendering aid to the displaced locals, before discovering Heinrich engaged in his typical spiritual devotion. Her gaze shone with deep admiration.

‘I must refuse to falter as well!’

It appeared as though the sacred energy radiating from his form had reawakened the fervor of her own convictions.

She silently took up a position beside his frame, adopting an identical posture of devotion.

Exhaustion weighed heavily upon her following the skirmish and the wide-scale restorative incantation she had deployed… yet if Heinrich, who had spearheaded the vanguard and managed the subsequent stabilization, maintained such piety, she possessed no right to utter complaints!

Thus, within that environment saturated with sacred energy,

The Saint and the Saintess offered their devotions to the Supreme Deity side by side—.

‘Hmm, does this suffice?’

Heinrich had effectively restored the reserves of sacred energy destined for Ganghwange.

—

“Secured another specimen. This region is a literal treasure trove!”

Harris grinned with immense pleasure, turning a substantial, anthropomorphic root over in his grasp.

His current location was Mount Wudang, an isolated peak situated within comfortable proximity to Yungjung Mountain, the territory of the Zhuge Clan.

This terrain served as the foundation for the Wudang Sect, one of the premier organizations within Ganghwange.

‘For all intents and purposes, it functions as my private orchard.’

The distinction was undeniable now that he occupied an environment saturated with primordial essence.

He had felt a tinge of dissatisfaction regarding the botanical treasures he had secured prior to this.

‘According to the reports, the overall potency of natural medicines has been deteriorating within the Zhuge Clan.’

This decline stemmed from the plants’ extreme susceptibility to the ambient environment, rendering them vulnerable to the fading reserves of Ki.

The majority of surviving natural medicines across this world likely mirrored that degraded condition, barring those nurtured within a true Dragon Vein.

That reality elevated the worth of flora harvested from Dragon Veins exponentially.

‘And my Hugo deserves access to nothing short of the pinnacle!’

Even premium medicines would surrender their utility through repetitive consumption, as the physical vessel naturally constructed a tolerance.

He could not permit him to ingest substandard materials.

‘Relinquishing the secondary herbs to the Zhuge Clan was a prudent calculation. It served as an excellent method to secure their goodwill.’

Harris offered a satisfied nod, resuming his reconnaissance and harvesting the exposed treasures along his path.

He masked his spiritual signature, ensuring he slipped past any potential witnesses as a precaution.

‘I shall revisit this peak whenever opportunity permits. For now, I must gather a sufficient quantity to sustain Hugo’s needs.’

His harvest had exceeded his original targets, yet an abundance was invariably preferable to a deficit.

Any excess could easily be allocated down the line.

‘Hmm, this quantity should fulfill our needs. Now then… ’

This represented the tenth sunrise since Harris had set foot within Ganghwange.

The hour demanded his return to Auterica.

This action marked his final collection prior to his departure.