Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Yuseon Taoist (3)
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The spot where the actors had left behind the remaining Transformation Pills, and the attendants ate them up with relish.
Meaning I ate them. I was curious what they'd taste like. But I regretted it the moment they hit my tongue. They melted away smoothly, leaving a cool, refreshing sensation laced with just a hint of warmth spreading through—like someone slyly peeing in a swimming pool. Was that metaphor too crude?
Anyway, it was a pretty awful taste.
Or rather, there wasn't much of a taste to speak of.
"Uncle, what were you like when you were young? Similar to now?"
Suddenly hit with Seo Mireu's question, I pondered for a moment before answering.
"A bit... rude, I guess."
It was the honest truth about my past.
In the game, if party members died weirdly or failed to follow through on agreed plays, I'd snap irritably—way more than necessary.
Not so much because I was that serious about the game, but because my personality was just rotten. Why was that? Lack of leeway, maybe. Looking back now, respect seems less about others and more about what I need for myself.
Your attitude toward life is your very self, after all.
Anyway, that's how I used to be.
Seo Mireu scooted closer with obvious curiosity and spoke up.
"Can you show me a little? Like, how you'd talk when you got mad? It'd be so weird seeing you lose it."
"You really wanna see that?"
"Of course. I'm dying to."
"...I'm kinda curious too."
That's weird.
"Weird, huh."
Why would anyone want to see someone pitch a fit? Baffled, I was wondering how to indulge her when Seo Mireu raised her hand first. The fluttering fabric of her winged robe shifted aside, exposing the space between her arm and chest. Damn it. Why did my eyes keep drifting there?
Lately, she'd been acting awfully chummy with me, and now she asked brightly.
"What if I stole something precious to you? Not really, just hypothetically."
"Something precious?"
"Yeah. Something super important."
I closed my eyes tight.
And imagined a one-way ticket to Earth in my hand—no, not one-way; a magical item letting me travel back and forth between Earth and this world anytime. Then picture Seo Mireu swiping it.
Ah. Thinking about it like that actually pissed me off a little. I'd chase her to the ends of the earth.
Charged up with anger, I opened my eyes again to find her peering right into my face. Channeling that old party-chat mic-spat tone from back in the day, I let it rip.
"Hey."
Seo Mireu flinched slightly at my lower-than-usual voice. Her face flushed a bit too.
Her quickened breaths filled the air, and in that subtle hush, I paused before speaking.
"...Nah, can't do it. Harder than I thought."
"Oh."
"More importantly, isn't that voices up above?"
It was Yuseon Taoist and her master. Seemed they'd come back to the hill where we'd met before, clueless on how to find me again. For reference, I was deep in a cave underground.
Luckily, the old game had a home customization system. Would've been embarrassing if I'd been hunkered down in a real raw cave.
Seo Mireu smacked her lips regretfully as she pocketed the item I'd given her and headed up. Seo Yul-hye straightened her attire to follow, then suddenly turned to look at me.
She had that look—like she had something to say.
"Uncle."
What could it be? The moment the question crossed my mind, she tossed it out casually.
"I don't mind."
"...Huh?"
Then she was gone in a flash. Cryptic as a riddle. I sat there in my chair, mulling over those words long after she'd gone to fetch the pair.
*
To have survived long in the martial world means one thing clearly: you'd lived doubting everything under the sun.
Otherwise, you'd be dead. Especially around a century ago when the Demonic Cult was rampant—every passerby, every article of clothing, every bite of food had to be suspected. The Demonic Cult's schemes knew no honor.
So even as Cheongyeon Taoist acknowledged the man who'd boldly handed over five—no, six including his own—Transformation Pills as near-immortal, he didn't buy it fully. Did power and authority symbolize goodness? Even Heavenly Demon or emperor-tier folks wouldn't struggle much procuring Transformation Pills.
A figure like that targeting his disciple? Entirely possible.
Not as a mere master, but objectively: peerless beauty, inheritor of Huashan Sect's martial arts, neck and neck with royalty.
High value either way.
"So, you've come again."
Thus, the shock upon first laying eyes on this Heavenly Army was as profound as his deep-seated suspicions. A force compressing all of nature into human form. Pinnacle of the Profound Realm. Entry into Divinity—would it look like that?
Nah. If Divinity was a step toward godhood, this guy already seemed a full-fledged celestial being.
Cheongyeon Taoist, rooted to the ground, bellowed loudly.
"Heavenly Army! We shall never forget the grace you've bestowed upon us!"
"Never forget!"
Yuseon Taoist echoed from beside him, prostrated. Unlike her younger days, certain impressively swollen parts made bowing tricky. Heavenly Army replied in a somewhat bored tone.
"Forget it if you want. Is that all?"
The demeanor of an absolute being utterly disinterested in mortal lives.
But Cheongyeon Taoist didn't give up.
Just taking and ending wasn't his way. Plus, he was curious why such a being fixated on his disciple.
He thought: Sure, her story was pitiful, but in this vast jianghu, tragic lives were a dime a dozen.
This was the view of a grizzled veteran of two centuries, not just a biased master.
No clue why he'd singled her out for this fateful encounter.
Sheer coincidence?
In this tangled world, was there ever pure chance from start to finish?
So he spoke up.
To somehow pique the being's interest.
"This old man wishes to offer some small recompense to the Heavenly Army. Worthless as it is, this is a badge granting entry to the Martial Enlightenment Society—a gathering of those who've devoted lifetimes to martial arts. Should you find the time, it might be worth a look."
He produced a round silver badge emblazoned with an ox emblem.
Martial Enlightenment Society.
A group transcending righteous, demonic, or evil—pure lovers of martial arts. Filled with madmen who'd leap from meals at a sudden technique inspiration.
Only twelve could attend.
Precisely: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Only zodiac seat holders qualified.
The world's top twelve lunatics conversing.
Yuseon Taoist's eyes grew distant at the badge.
A precious token earned through time and fame, but no clinging now. With his lifespan dwindling, it was useless junk.
The Society judged overall martial insight for rankings.
Knowledge mattered more than realm sometimes, but he'd spent his days battling illness without cracking a book—next assembly, he'd lose his badge.
Money or elixirs wouldn't hook a Heavenly Army type, so better cash it in now for opportunity.
Fortune smiled; the man leaned forward from his backrest, intrigued.
His molten-gold eyes looked down.
"Intriguing."
With a casual wave, a breeze stirred, and the badge was in his grasp. Pinnacle vacuum grasp. Once a Society member himself, Cheongyeon Taoist smiled.
'Beautiful.'
Cheongyeon naturally envisioned him at the Society. Chaos would ensue. Especially 'that guy' who fancied himself the best—he'd quake in shock. Worth it already.
Then, from afar, badge in hand, Heavenly Army flicked his gaze over.
"Anything else you desire?"
In Cheongyeon Taoist's eyes, despite the curt speech and arrogant looks, Heavenly Army oddly seemed to enjoy aiding others.
Whim or nature—who knew? Worth betting on.
He glanced sideways at his disciple, head half-raised.
And thought: Possible. Those fairy beauties were stunning, but did his disciple lose out? No way.
"...One impertinent request, if I may."
He patted her back lightly to straighten her up. Tension sweat? Her vibrant golden hair clung to her skin, peeling away slickly as she rose—a fluid curve flowing into a glorious unfurl, like a living painting.
With two fairies flanking him, Heavenly Army couldn't be a total stone statue. Plenty of potential, then.
"The Martial Enlightenment Society allows exactly one companion. Rare as those who bring one are..."
As Yuseon Taoist's face flushed hot, the white fairy smiled and the black one frowned—guessing his intent.
To blast his disciple's path to the heavens, the twilight elder Cheongyeon Taoist boldly declared.
"This humble fool's final plea: on the day you attend the Martial Enlightenment Society, grant my unworthy disciple the chance to accompany you."