Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Mountain Lord
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Another night passed, and the caravan reached the threshold of the mountain where the Mountain Lord dwelled, just as Song Seolryeong had described at the fork in the road.
"Good morning, everyone?"
So-hyang greeted the group with her usual pristine face and a bright smile.
"Ugh, yeees..."
Song Seolryeong's skin wasn't particularly dry, nor were there dark circles under her eyes, but she revealed her exhaustion with unusually vacant eyes.
"Kuhuk, good morning...!"
Zhuge Hansang also wore a deeply fatigued expression as he rose, rotating his aching neck and shoulders this way and that.
"Left step back, twist the shoulders—no, backpedal..."
Kang Pyo was still deeply immersed in pondering the koan that had been thrown at him the night before, all through till dawn.
His muttering was barely audible, and the bags under his eyes had sunk deeply, his fatigue plainly evident—
"...Caravan, yes, caravan it is."
Yet his eyes sparkled with sharp focus.
Like the glint reflected off a keenly honed blade, his gaze carried a chilling, eerie edge.
It was a bit too intense to call mere focus—more like madness or ghostly fervor.
But So-hyang knew that look well.
"Haha, you've sharpened up nicely."
A single sword had taken clear form in her mind's eye.
It was keen spirit.
The very shape of the resolve that still dwelled as her core aspiration.
Watching a junior tread a similar path and grow was truly a delightful sight.
"Alright, let's dial back the training intensity today, shall we? We need to be in a state ready to handle variables, after all."
Dumping every ounce of stamina until they collapsed like the dead, or forging their bodies so thoroughly they couldn't twitch a finger—in such a state, entering this region was unwise.
If So-hyang herself took the lead, their strength wouldn't prove particularly helpful, but this time she planned to stay on the sidelines and observe the fruits of her teachings.
Of course, if a worthy opponent stirred her heart, she'd move without hesitation—but to So-hyang's eyes, the being dwelling in these mountains wasn't on that level.
"Ah, morning sparring... none...?"
"We can walk on two legs?"
Her words hit so hard that the two acted as if their mental age had regressed a few years.
"Hmm, maybe I overdid it...?"
So-hyang gave an awkward smile at their unexpectedly intense reactions.
In any case, the caravan stepped into the mountain where the Mountain Lord resided.
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The sun hung high in the midday sky—a time when even the densest forest should let warm sunlight filter through.
"D-Doesn't something feel chilly?"
"Exactly, is this even the right path? They said it's a haunted forest..."
The caravan members walking alongside the wagons were whispering about the ominous chill they felt on their skin.
Sunlight did penetrate, yet the sensation was faint warmth undercut by distinct cold.
The crunching fallen leaves underfoot seemed ash-gray, and the fresh green of leaves was unnaturally deep.
The natural sounds of crawling creatures one would expect in a mountain forest were eerily silent, with no small animals in sight.
A bizarrely atmosphere, dim and oppressive.
"...Something's definitely here."
"Ugh, the air feels heavy..."
If even ordinary folk could sense it clearly, how much more so for martial artists who had surpassed the pinnacle?
This wasn't some ghost story or legend like the Bermuda Triangle from her past life.
"Even among fellow merchants, there are unwritten rules about places like this. Might be superstition, but with confirmed real cases, we can't ignore it."
Especially in this world where mysteries truly existed, unlike her past life.
Martial artists who embraced nature to pursue transcendence.
True descendants of an emperor bearing dragon blood—not metaphorically.
Demonic beasts reborn with twisted malice, like errors in the world's fabric.
Demi-gods who shed mortal limits to reach divine entry.
She hadn't experienced it personally, but some were said to have reached true godhood.
In a world where gods existed and magic-like powers displayed their might.
"I really like it."
How could anything provoke such curiosity and drive for self-improvement?
The Central Plains were vast—vast not just in space, but in deeper meanings.
Her heart raced with excitement, her cheeks flushed attractively.
Her milky crescent-moon eyes sparkled brilliantly, her lips curving softly.
"...Ah."
"W-Woah..."
Her radiant beauty drew every gaze except Kang Pyo's, halting their steps momentarily.
"Snap out of it, everyone!"
Song Seolryeong, recovering first, clapped to urge them onward.
"U-Uwooo..."
"Hey!"
Only after she smacked the back of Zhuge Hansang's head—who was still staring dazedly at So-hyang's face—with full inner power did they resume moving.
There was a minor commotion, but unlike the forest's eerie vibe, no major obstacles hindered their progress.
"...Well, nothing much, huh?"
"Right? If we'd come this way, think of the time saved."
Human senses dull over time.
Even in a stench-filled place, the nose soon numbs.
Like growing accustomed to shaky stairs after a few days.
Initially cowed by the heavy air and mood, by dusk their tension had loosened.
The terrain wasn't steep for a mountain, and paths were well-trodden—no issues with travel.
"S-So-hyang... s-something's off...?"
Of course, this applied only to the non-martial caravan folk.
The ambient pressure thickened, the mountain's master clearly rejecting intruders.
A chilling sensation like blades aimed from all directions; Song Seolryeong and Zhuge Hansang broke cold sweats, nerves on edge.
"Beast, tiger, four legs... lower stance..."
Kang Pyo, already maxed out on alertness regardless of the pressure, showed no change.
"Ho, quite interesting..."
So-hyang simply smiled amusedly, tilting her head to peer intently somewhere.
No incidents befell them until sunset, when they set camp, ate, and bedded down.
"Maybe I shouldn't have skipped training? Nothing's happening..."
So-hyang's playful remark drew glares and cold sweats, questioning her sincerity—no replies.
"Of course, just kidding."
Usually chatty, they were hyper-vigilant now, gripping swords on knees, fists twitching.
Endless unease.
Knowing the threat lurked nearby, yet unable to pinpoint it.
No footsteps, a faint musky beast scent diffused too vaguely for direction.
Air utterly still, beyond calm—no flow at all.
As if bowing before the Mountain Lord, suppressing even twitches.
Eerily quiet, senses screaming alarms.
"S-So-hyang...?"
Crisis surging, Song Seolryeong looked to So-hyang pleadingly, face near tears.
This seemed beyond them...!
But So-hyang smiled gently, shaking her head, eyes closed—handle it yourselves, as said.
"Ughhh..."
She gulped, face woebegone; tense silence dragged on.
Then, as the moon hit midheaven—the night's brightest hour.
The tiger descended.
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At the campfire's center in camp.
Excluding the early-sleeping caravan folk, the four sat circled, pulling an all-nighter.
Watching each other's backs eliminated blind spots.
Be it beast, man, or ghost—with form, it'd enter their sight first.
Would it, really?
Well, humans must blink periodically to moisten eyes—unlike some animals.
The mountain's master knew this well.
Blink, blink, blink—their visions opened and closed intermittently. Except So-hyang, eyes shut calmly.
But "in the blink of an eye" is idiomatic; closure lasts a mere instant.
With three covering each other's gaps, exploiting it was exceedingly hard.
Thus, patience was key.
The watching beast from darkness was a born predator, seasoned hunter—waiting was second nature.
Not even "endure"—it was daily routine.
Observing quietly, letting time flow—
Then, a fleeting moment.
An instant within an instant.
As if stars aligned to eclipse the sun, all three eyes closed simultaneously.
The beast seized it.
From a tree?
From sky?
From earth?
No warning—it stomped out the campfire with a massive paw, revealing itself.
Despite exploiting visual gap, all were experts sensing its arrival.
Yet detached from sight, reactions lagged slightly—inevitable.
Time to widen eyes, rise, grip weapons.
A tiny gap.
The beast endured ages for this instant, targeting the greatest threat first.
The largest, strongest male with hugest aura.
Seasoned eye discerned martial realms—apt judgment.
A cartwheel-sized paw slammed his head like cannon fire, heavy mass.
No muscle whir or air slash—flawless ambush.
Patience rewarded; Zhuge Hansang's response delayed.
Beast confident it'd crush the skull.
Strongest male caught off-guard, others couldn't aid.
But it overlooked: unlike beasts, martial might isn't just body and aura.
Though still pinnacle entry, another elder was hatching in unrelated realm.
Kang Pyo reacted aptly to the sight-breath gap ambush.
Sheathing intact, he met the thunderous paw.
Subtle spin and force emission slid it off slickly.
Kwaaaaang!!!
The innocent ground shook beyond earth into air—like dry-sky lightning.
"Counter!"
Kang Pyo barked, gripping trembling arms; the other two entered combat stance, moving to encircle.
"—What?!"
But the beast had already retreated far from the fire.
"...Fast."
Swifter than motion: judgment.
No panic despite failed perfect ambush—instant withdrawal.
Not ambush moment—encirclement disadvantageous.
So distance opened.
Into the dark thickets where it'd hidden.
Simple words: two breaths stolen.
First ambush undetected, late response.
Then failed encirclement, permitted retreat.
Had it pressed ignoring harm? At least one fatal wound.
"...Remarkably cunning beast."
Zhuge Hansang rubbed chilled neck, chuckling bitterly. Pushed back in raw contest.
By a beast.
Not lacking power. Ground scars, felt might.
That paw direct? Dead.
Blocked? Still mortal.
"Hoo..."
"Whoa, one heck of a cat."
So-hyang's soft voice pierced gulping throats and cold sweats amid tension.
"Still, to my eyes, it's one you three can handle. Shall we give it your all?"
Song Seolryeong, hoping So-hyang might intervene if too risky, pleaded woefully.
"N-No! So-hyang... isn't it too dangerous...!?"
No reply.
Turning hastily—So-hyang's seat empty.
"Huh?"
No movement sound, no sensed presence.
"Wh-What???"
Song Seolryeong stared blankly at the void, face aghast.
"S-So-hyang!?"
"Miss, eyes front."
Preventing her panicked shout skyward, Kang Pyo's low voice stilled her.
"Never turn from foe before you. Steady breath, correct stance."
Martial artists seek self-reliance over aid in crises.
"She said we can handle it together! Trust her words!"
Zhuge Hansang cracked knuckles, adding resolve.
"...Ah, damn."
Song Seolryeong's wavering eyes steadied, deep breath.
"Sorry. Showed an ugly side."
Depending on others defeats entering martial world.
Recent days with supreme expert bred unwitting reliance?
She gnashed teeth.
"Fine. Let's do this!"
Fierce glint in eyes, grit in voice.
So-hyang, watching afar, smiled satisfied.
"Yes, that's the spirit. Impressive."
Yet apart from praise, she rated their odds low.
"Manageable" meant possible—existent chance.
Seven to three odds?
Beast held seven.
Crown-bearers endure its weight.
Mountain Lord, tiger crowned king, transcended weight—made it light, a monster.
"Anyway, give it everything. I'll save you at death's door—no worries."
Of course, words unheard.
Ruins seriousness.
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No more ambushes on alerted humans—hiding pointless.
The beast emerged slowly from dark.
Midheaven moon lit its form—truly special.
"...Black Tiger?"
Black coat with white stripes—like ink-only ink-wash painting.
Cartwheel paws matched colossal build.
Beyond species—elephantine absurdity.
How hide in thin brush? Mystery.
Spiritual beast, great tiger ruling mountains, night hunter.
But Black Tiger more than hunter.
To claim mountain lordship, stealth alone insufficient.
Wild lords conquer via fight, devour, mark territory—warlords.
Thus, Black Tiger valiant warrior too.
"Grrrrr..."
Silent black flesh shed stealth cloak.
Silent paws shook earth, presence crushed surroundings unleashed.
"...Kuhk!?"
True kingly dignity—mere aura made humans shrink.
Muscles writhed vividly under thick hide, icy blue eyes calm murder.
Short inhale, then—
"—Kraaaaaang!!!"
Tiger's infrasound, ear-shattering volume, profound aura wave.
Stopped ordinary hearts, low martialists too.
Even pinnacle trio: legs buckled, muscles locked.
Simultaneous ground explosion, siege-weapon mass arrow-swift charged them.