The Moonlit Double Fan Dance (12)
p>The Double Fan Dance was at its height, when the moon hung high in the sky, slowly the excitement faded and order gradually returned.
p>Buk Hyang-hwa wiped the sweat from her face with a faint smile.
p>It pleased me to hear that.
p>I repeated the footwork and dance moves I had stepped on during the festival several times even after the celebration ended and answered.
p>What exactly are you doing, Seo Doo?
p>Ah, this dance... I muttered, spinning and twisting.
p>Booooom!
p>I rotated several times, drawing out the hidden movements in the dance.
p>It resembles spear technique.
p>Paaaaang!
p>I infused pure energy into the air and pierced it with my hand, and the spear art hidden in the dance manifested in my palm.
p>The principles of the spear art sought unity of attack and defense...
p>The martial principles of the spear art naturally blended into the dance, allowing me to master the Double Fan Dance while practicing it.
p>At this point I had cultivated for hundreds of years.
p>Once I reached a certain realm, I could easily discern the origin and principles of lower-level martial arts, and that was how I had discovered this one.
p>I practiced the spear art several times and completely restored it.
p>It is an excellent spear art. It cannot compare to the twenty-four-second Danak Sword Art personally refined by Kim Young-hoon, but it is more than sufficient when set against the twelve-second Danak Sword Art I created in my early days.
p>After restoring the spear art, I turned my gaze to Buk Hyang-hwa, who was staring at me in wonder.
p>We have occasionally seen something like that even in Cheon-saek Castle. Is that the 'martial art'?
p>Yes, it is the life-saving technique that the criminal clans practice. It is treated as a mere grabbing art by the sect masters, but if mastered properly...
p>Woo-woong!
p>I displayed the formless sword and spoke.
p>It is possible to reach this realm.
p>Buuuung!
p>The formless sword flew in all directions again, repelling the poisonous insects that were trying to invade the village.
p>Ah, so that technique you possess, in other words, was originally a martial art.
p>Hmm, it was not originally a martial art, but it still is a martial art now...
p>Actually, its power had become so immense that it could no longer be considered a mere martial art for movement.
p>Still...
p>I displayed the formless sword again and spoke.
p>If you want to create a magic device, I will give you some pointers.
p>Oh my, you were always negative before and now your heart has changed?
p>I just thought that if there was a magic device that could be used by martial artists, it would be wonderful.
p>Ah, I see.
p>But she laughed wickedly.
p>Then what am I to do? I was going to create a magic device for you, not for the martial artists.
p>Once it is complete, we will look at it then.
p>I slowly nodded.
p>Since I know I am a martial artist, the magic device suited for one will be completed.
p>Then since the festival was fun, shall we do some work?
p>Kuuung!
p>She pulled out a portable workshop from the remaining magic device and entered it.
p>She seemed to be making a guardian magic device for the village.
p>Klang, klang, klang!
p>The sounds of hammering echoed from inside the workshop, and I watched her and chuckled, then headed back to the outskirts of the village.
p>Night deepened, and from that day onward...
p>I and Buk Hyang-hwa grew a little closer.
p>***
p>A few days later.
p>Kung, kung, kung, kung!
p>Buk Hyang-hwa took out four totem poles.
p>This is a guardian magic device that can last about two years. If you place these devices around the village, the poisonous insects will not be able to invade.
p>Th-thank you, Master!
p>When the totem poles made by Buk Hyang-hwa were installed at the four corners of the village, they emitted light and formed a protective barrier that enveloped the village.
p>A short while later, the barrier began to glow and turned transparent, and the totem poles also became transparent and invisible.
p>If the sect masters from the capital come to the village and discover the magic devices, it would cause unnecessary trouble, so I added a concealment function.
p>It is a good idea.
p>I nodded, and the next day, after confirming that the poisonous insects could not properly enter the barrier, we decided to depart again.
p>There is no way to repay this kindness. Master...
p>No, and...
p>I briefly recalled the picture book held by the village child, but shook my head.
p>Since they would grow bigger in a few years, I should come back then and persuade them again.
p>...We had fun at the festival too.
p>It is an honor.
p>We took our leave of the village people and flew away on the magic devices while receiving their farewell.
p>We passed through the mountainous regions of the Seong Empire, the central capital of the Seong Empire, the border region between the Seong Empire and Yeon Kingdom to the east, the capital of Yeon Kingdom, the sects throughout Yeon Kingdom, the border region between Yeon Kingdom and Byeokra Kingdom, the western part of Byeokra Kingdom, and countless other places.
p>We traveled and introduced her to their unique cultures.
p_GT>Among them, Yeon Kingdom was quite chaotic because the Hwangjo clan had changed, but Buk Hyang-hwa seemed to accept their peculiar atmosphere in a novel way and liked it.
p_GT>So we returned to the eastern part of Byeokra Kingdom.
p_GT>We had been away for about four months.
p_GT>***
p_GT>Truly sorry.
p_GT>Cheongmun Jung-jin and Cheongmun Ryeong were waiting at Cheon-saek Castle.
p_GT>When the transmission array was activated again, red light had burst forth from it, so we had not even dared to enter in the first place. After that we prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and flew back to the west and returned to Cheon-saek Castle...
p_GT>Cheongmun Ryeong continued Cheongmun Jung-jin's words.
p_GT>Fortunately, your father, Buk Jung-ho, confirmed your survival and waited for you.
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho held up the ring necklace around his neck and spoke.
p_GT>The ring is connected to Hyang-hwa's pendant, so if Hyang-hwa is alive, the ring will not be glowing.
p_GT>Uuung!
p_GT>The ring's one side was brightly glowing.
p_GT>Anyway, it is good that you and Seo Doo both returned safely. I was worried, but I am truly relieved.
p_GT>Hmm... Anyway, because of my mistake as the head, you fell into such danger, so I will pay compensation later.
p_GT>Buk Hyang-hwa accepted the apologies of Cheongmun Ryeong and Cheongmun Jung-jin with a smile.
p_GT>It is fine. Thanks to you, I got to see the end of the world and tour various places, and I became closer to Seo Doo too.
p_GT>I have no problem with that. Fortunately, I used the secret technique I cherished and was able to survive. Since I am alive, I will not dwell on the past.
p_GT>I accepted his apology as well and refused the compensation.
p_GT>But Cheongmun Jung-jin spoke with a more solemn face.
p_GT>Will you not dwell on the past? The past does not disappear. I have clearly done wrong, so if you refuse compensation, I will accept it once for every time you wish within my means.
p_GT>Yes, then that is how it will be.
p_GT>I will not refuse if the head says so.
p_GT>We nodded to Cheongmun Jung-jin and received his blessing.
p_GT>After apologizing to us again, Cheongmun Jung-jin returned to his family because of matters in the Cheongmun Clan Estate.
p_GT>Now, shall we start researching the array again... but...
p_GT>Cheongmun Ryeong glanced at Buk Hyang-hwa and spoke.
p_GT>First, it seems we need time to rest, so we will resume research in three days.
p_GT>I understand.
p_GT>Yes!
p_GT>She talked with Buk Jung-ho, unpacked her luggage, and emptied the magic devices she had made during the tour and the magic devices she had refined in the Seong Empire and Yeon Kingdom into the magic device shop.
p_GT>I placed a simple perception-disturbing technique on the city wall of Cheon-saek Castle, climbed up, and stood gazing at the endless desert ahead for a moment.
p_GT>The castle of Yeon Kingdom was a kind of administrative system, meaning the entire region, but the castle of Byeokra Kingdom meant just one castle, so Cheon-saek Castle referred to just that one castle.
p_GT>I felt the complicated inner thoughts within this small castle and the vast spiritual energy from the desert ahead and fell into thought.
p_GT>These past four months...
p_GT>Honestly, it had been fun.
p_GT>And at the same time, I understood why Kim Young-hoon had told me to live a proper life in my past.
p_GT>My heart feels light.
p_GT>It was a fact I had not known until I befriended her.
p_GT>In this regression, I discovered that when I became close to her, I felt quite relieved by her side.
p_GT>It was as if I had momentarily escaped from the silent pressure that had been tightening me all along.
p_GT>But I controlled my emotions.
p_GT>I must not go beyond this.
p_GT>Having parted from my disciples, my master, my friends, and countless Kim Young-hoons...
p_GT>What pain and sorrow had I experienced?
p_GT>If love exists between man and woman, what must be the pain of parting?
p_GT>There is no such thing as love between friends.
p_GT>That is why, even with those I cherished, I buried that pain in my heart and somehow moved forward.
p_GT>But if my emotions deepened any further and I gained love, I probably would not be able to move forward.
p_GT>In the worst case, my mind might collapse.
p_GT>That will not do.
p_GT>I would simply leave these memories of the past four months as they were.
p_GT>I would not let these memories create lines of dangerous emotions.
p_GT>When I made that decision...
p_GT>Whoosh!
p_GT>The sunset of Cheon-saek Castle was visible, and familiar spiritual energy descended behind me.
p_GT>It was Buk Jung-ho.
p_GT>He climbed to the end of the city wall and sat down beside me.
p_GT>So, did you enjoy the tour with my daughter?
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho's demeanor had been bright and there had been no boredom.
p_GT>Haha, it is good that you had fun.
p_GT>He suddenly looked at me with meaningful eyes.
p_GT>By the way, the titles between us have changed lately... my daughter calls you 'Susa' and not 'Doo'?
p_GT>Ah...
p_GT>She said you have also changed your title a little.
p_GT>I cleared my throat and spoke.
p_GT>Please rest assured. I have no feelings for Buk Jung-ho beyond friendship. Moreover, Buk Jung-ho said there is a predestined partner arranged by her mother.
p_GT>Aa, is that so?
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho smiled faintly and gazed at the setting sun.
p_GT>The sun was setting beyond the horizon.
p_GT>How does one know whether the person who is coming to meet is a man or a woman? If it is a woman, it is like forming a sworn sisterhood. Is that not right?
p_GT>Haha, then with a fifty percent chance of being a destined partner, is it not necessary to be careful either way?
p_GT>A fifty percent chance, so I guess you are not even considering the possibility that she might not come to meet you at all.
p_GT>Yes...?
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho smiled bitterly.
p_GT>My daughter is waiting because it is my mother's will, but the other side does not know. They might not have taken the promise as seriously as I have.
p_GT>Even so...
p_GT>I will speak frankly.
p_GT>The sun had sunk below the horizon, and the sky was tinged with purple.
p_GT>The surroundings were beginning to darken.
p_GT>There is no predestined partner for my daughter.
p_GT>Yes?
p_GT>My elixir potion is connected to two pendant magic devices. That is what my daughter possesses. If the owner of the magic device is alive, one side of the potion will glow. Look.
p_GT>He extended the ring necklace he wore around his neck toward me.
p_GT>When my daughter was eleven, her mother died, and eleven years ago from now. The light on the opposite side of the ring has gone out. Is there no predestined partner for that child? Such a person is gone. Dead. Whether by natural causes, sudden death, murder, or suicide...
p_GT>He spoke with a bitter smile.
p_GT>If the owner changes, there should be some sign, but the fact that no light has entered for years without any sign means the probability that the owner died alone in a foreign land is high.
p_GT>......
p_GT>My daughter already knows. From the beginning, because the other pendant is connected, she must have known. That child is just... using the will as an excuse to stay in the castle where she was with her mother and recall memories.
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho continued speaking while looking at me.
p_GT>I do not claim to be good at reading people. That is why I allowed the bet that Wallgate Castle's boy made last time.
p_GT>I recalled the late-foundation-establishment expert who was Wallgate Castle.
p_GT>His inner thoughts had been impure...
p_GT>But I swallowed the thought that arose and decided to stay quiet.
p_GT>When I look at you, you seem like a fairly good person. No, honestly, you seem even better than Wallgate Castle's boy. What about you? Is there no heart for my daughter?
p_GT>......
p_GT>I remained silent for a moment and then smiled bitterly.
p_GT>I am sorry. I have no feelings for Buk Jung-ho other than friendship.
p_GT>Hmm...
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho looked at me meaningfully for a moment, then stood up.
p_GT>My eyes for people are not accurate. I will watch carefully.
p_GT>Whoosh!
p_GT>He descended from the city wall again, and I turned my head.
p_GT>By now, the fires of Cheon-saek Castle were lit in every corner, and the entire castle was bright.
p_GT>I gazed endlessly at Cheon-saek Castle.
p_GT>***
p_GT>The next day came.
p_GT>Buk Hyang-hwa had been kidnapped.
p_GT>This is...
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho's face was twisted like a demon.
p_GT>He was holding a red elixir potion and came looking for me and Cheongmun Ryeong.
p_GT>Hyang-hwa is currently sending a rescue signal! Please help us!
p_GT>A rescue signal?
p_GT>This is the rescue signal used only when kidnapped...
p_GT>Cheongmun Ryeong's expression also twisted upon hearing Buk Jung-ho's words.
p_GT>They dare to kidnap a resident of the Cheongmun Clan Estate who is currently working with the Cheongmun Clan, disregarding the authority of the main family?
p_GT>Cheongmun Ryeong stood up abruptly and spoke.
p_GT>I also frowned and stood from my seat.
p_GT>Please explain what has happened.
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho explained the situation gradually.
p_GT>When I woke up this morning, Buk Hyang-hwa was not in the room. The room was unnecessarily messy, there were traces that the gold seal of her sleeping quarters last night had been subtly dismantled, and the rescue signal was currently being sent through the pendant via the elixir potion.
p_GT>Who kidnapped her suddenly?
p_GT>I raised my senses first.
p_GT>Take me to Buk So-jo's room first.
p_GT>In a state of heightened cat's sense, I began tracing the flow of spiritual energy.
p_GT>***
p_GT>Whoosh!
p_GT>In the middle of the desert.
p_GT>A formless flying magic device was rapidly flying from there.
p_GT>On the flying magic device, Wallgate Castle was tossing a large sack over his shoulder and shaking off the sand wind.
p_GT>Stay quiet, Master Hyang-hwa. After all, no matter how much you struggle, you were kidnapped according to my plan that I prepared during the past four months. I do not know where you went, but thanks to you, I had plenty of time to prepare, so I was able to proceed with the matter as secretly and quickly as possible.
p_GT>He smiled confidently and spoke to the wriggling Buk Hyang-hwa inside the sack.
p_GT>Thanks to the Mil-in-Hyang I sprinkled, you cannot track us unless it is a special tracking spirit beast. And such spirit beasts are handled by our Wall Clan Estate. I told the lord who handles spirit beasts that for the next seven days and nights, no spirit beast will appear in any market in Byeokra Kingdom, so it would be easier to give up.
p_GT>Wriggle, wriggle...
p_GT>However, the movements inside the sack did not stop.
p_GT>Wallgate Castle looked south with a lecherous expression.
p_GT>First, we are going to the prepared ship on the southern coast to go to Yeon Kingdom. After going to Yeon Kingdom, we will return to the Wall Clan Estate's territory in a few months. In the meantime, I will tell you to listen to my words well. Since I can maximize your talent, it will not be a bad thing for you either. Haha, stop wriggling. Your hands and feet are bound, and your magical power is restricted, but even if you are a master...
p_GT>Tuk...
p_GT>Hmm...?
p_GT>Crack!
p_GT>Wallgate Castle flinched and looked back.
p_GT>The sack he was carrying had come undone, and Buk Hyang-hwa had fallen out and dropped to the ground.
p_GT>What, what...!
p_GT>Uuung!
p_GT>Buk Hyang-hwa used a technique to land safely on the desert surface and glared at Wallgate Castle.
p_GT>I did not know you would do such a lowly act.
p_GT>Ah, no! I tied up my hands and feet and attached a binding talisman...!
p_GT>Buk Hyang-hwa raised one hand.
p_GT>On her hand, a small beetle-shaped puppet was created.
p_GT>The beetle puppet was inserting a piece of paper that looked like a talisman fragment into its mouth.
p_GT>I made it by referencing the puppets of Goe-gun senior. It turned out to be useful.
p_GT>Ah, no! You created that while your hands and feet were bound? Why were you wriggling so much, haha, making something like that with wood shavings...?
p_GT>Wallgate Castle was momentarily taken aback but then laughed.
p_GT>As expected, Buk Jung-ho is amazing. I am even more curious what would happen if Buk Jung-ho's talent bloomed. Believe me, Buk Jung-ho! I have a way to awaken your talent like Goe-gun's.
p_GT>If you had come to see me politely and spoken, I would have listened, but such rudeness is too hard to bear.
p_GT>Buk Hyang-hwa shot Wallgate Castle a cold glare and fiddled with the earrings she was wearing.
p_GT>Then the earrings emitted light and spat out one flying magic device.
p_GT>Wallgate Castle's expression twisted.
p_GT>H, it was a flying magic device... But with just a few magic devices, can it bridge the gap in power between a Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment resident...?
p_GT>And when Buk Hyang-hwa opened the flying magic device, dozens and hundreds of flying magic devices burst forth from inside and began to stab into all directions.
p_GT>Kung, kung, kung-kung-kung!
p_GT>Uuuuung!
p_GT>When Buk Hyang-hwa infused her consciousness, hundreds of flying magic devices began to rise into the air while emitting light.
p_GT>Damn...!
p_GT>Wallgate Castle's expression turned black.
p_GT>If you keep coming out like this, I will have no choice but to bring you roughly!
p_GT>Stop talking nonsense... Ah!
p_GT>And it was when Wallgate Castle was drawing up pure qi.
p_GT>Hmm!
p_GT>Both Wallgate Castle and Buk Hyang-hwa looked at one direction.
p_GT>Ku gu gu gu gu!
p_GT>A colorless something stirred the sand wind and flew toward where they were.
p_GT>And in the center of the sand storm, a human figure was shimmering.
p_GT>Wallgate Castle frowned.
p_GT>Damn, who has already chased after me...? How did they come? Without a tracking spirit beast, we could not find them...
p_GT>He took a flying magic device from the flying magic device and held it, shouting at the person in the center of the sand storm.
p_GT>Come on, come here! I am the sword genius who was once called the sword genius of the Wall Clan Estate...
p_GT>Buuung, kwaaang!
p_GT>A colorless sword light brushed past beside Wallgate Castle and carved a huge canyon into the desert and exploded one of the sand hills beyond.
p_GT>Ku gu gu gu gu!
p_GT>The ground shook, and sand winds howled from all directions.
p_GT>Wallgate Castle's face turned deathly white.
p_GT>A Core Formation master...?
p_GT>Ah...!
p_GT>In contrast, Buk Hyang-hwa recognized the owner of the sword light and her face began to flush with color.
p_GT>And in that moment when she briefly looked away.
p_GT>B-Buk Jung-ho! We must run away!
p_GT>What... let go!
p_GT>Wallgate Castle approached Buk Hyang-hwa with a deathly white face and lifted her onto his back onto the flying magic device.
p_GT>Wait, a moment!
p_GT>Buk Jung-ho! This is not the time to fight between us. It is a Core Formation master who is angry! We need to run away to see an escape route!
p_GT>No...
p_GT>Paaaaat!
p_GT>Wallgate Castle flew into the sky and escaped like the wind.
p_GT>With Buk Hyang-hwa carried on his back, the countless flying magic devices that had been stabbed into the desert floor flew up and chased them, but they could not properly pursue Wallgate Castle, who was driving the magic devices with pure qi.
p_GT>And the owner of the sword light that had chased them while stirring the sand storm.
p_GT>Seo Eun-hyun looked at them with an incredulous face.
p_GT>He keeps making people suffer.
p_GT>He immediately recalled Buk Jung-ho's words from last night and chuckled.
p_GT>Buk Susa does not seem to have a good eye for people. That boy was liked by him...
p_GT>Seo Eun-hyun pushed off into the air and chased after Wallgate Castle with the formless sword.
p_GT>H-hee-hee! Senior! I do not know what is going on, but please save me!
p_GT>Wallgate Castle, not recognizing the face of Seo Eun-hyun hidden in the sand storm, screamed and ran away, and Seo Eun-hyun silently chased him.
p_GT>So, a chase in the desert began.
p_GT>Do not make me angry... stay quietly over there...
p_GT>Ku kwa kwa kwa kwang!
p_GT>Again, Seo Eun-hyun swung the formless sword.
p_GT>Once more, a canyon was formed in the desert, and Wallgate Castle, even more terrified, stuffed his pure qi into the flying magic devices to the brim.
p_GT>Wallgate Castle gulped as he watched the scene made by the unidentified Core Formation cultivator chasing from behind.
p_GT>A monster-like Core Formation cultivator is chasing me in anger...! If I do not run faster, I will die...!
p_GT>Ku gu gu gu gu!
p_GT>And Wallgate Castle felt the unidentified Core Formation cultivator gathering power.
p_GT>D-die...
p_GT>A transparent something was flying toward him, slicing through the air.
p_GT>---