Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Reunion with the Black Heaven Prodigy
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“…….”
Baekri Hyang composed herself, shaking off her considerable surprise. She hurried to close the distance with Wi Seongcheon, who was already striding far ahead with light steps.
“That wasn’t meant as right now.”
“Is there any reason to go later?”
“You just woke up. Are you really okay?”
“Yeah.”
Wi Seongcheon’s voice was as light as his footsteps. It was an unexpected journey for Baekri Hyang.
She had heard from the White Lotus Witch about his resolve to go meet the Black Heaven Prodigy.
Having just finished her great ritual and regained her senses, Baekri Hyang… felt strongly drawn to those words.
Baekri Hyang had always dreaded and avoided the Black Heaven Prodigy. She hated and envied him for becoming the Black Demon King’s disciple in her place.
She didn’t want to face him. Even as she harbored that hatred, Baekri Hyang found herself lost in such thoughts. Facing the Black Heaven Prodigy would only make her feel her own inadequacy all the more keenly.
It had been the same last time at the harbor. Many people had glanced back and forth between the Black Heaven Prodigy and Baekri Hyang, whispering. The Black Heaven Prodigy hadn’t spared her a single glance.
Only Baekri Hyang had. Pretending not to care, acting nonchalant, she had stolen glances at him.
And each time, she had felt her own inadequacy all the more keenly.
“……I suddenly wanted to meet him one more time.”
Just before passing through the city gates. Baekri Hyang murmured softly.
“I’m curious what impression I’d have of him if I met him now.”
The transformation from the Five Elements Spirit Technique was intense enough for Baekri Hyang herself to notice. With her current self, maybe she could feel something other than inadequacy or envy toward the Black Heaven Prodigy. Such expectations stirred within her.
“……And you?”
“Nothing much different.”
They didn’t take a carriage.
Wi Seongcheon and Baekri Hyang passed through the city gates and walked the path leading into the forest.
“I was curious what impression I’d get from meeting him too. And I had this thought.”
The area outside the city was lawless territory. Yet from the city onward, only one presence trailed Wi Seongcheon and Baekri Hyang.
It was because various ties had become entangled during the treasure hunt.
The Black Dragon Sangwan Hu had suffered a massive wound to his inflated pride. He had sought to prove his superiority in the treasure hunt but ended up gaining nothing and only facing humiliation.
That anger had narrowed Sangwan Hu’s field of vision even further. Right now, the only target among the Black Tyrants that Sangwan Hu was after was one person.
The Earth Ghost Yang Jeon knew Sangwan Hu was targeting him. In the forest, he had joined forces with others to press Sangwan Hu, but in the end, he hadn’t been able to kill him.
Lacking confidence to handle Sangwan Hu alone, Yang Jeon had no choice but to move cautiously. That was why he hadn’t left the city.
Go Jeoksa still hadn’t recovered from his injuries. It was clear the Jade Qilin, who had personally severed his arm, was after him.
So Go Jeoksa hadn’t left the city either, and the Jade Qilin remained in the city as well.
That was the web of causality Wi Seongcheon had intended. The ones outside it were Jegal Ihyeon, Ha Jieun, and the Red Bandage Maniac. Among them, Ha Jieun and Wi Seongcheon weren’t exactly enemies yet.
Jegal Ihyeon. He hadn’t shown peerless feats. Yet he had secured every gain he could.
In the treasure hunt, he had mediated a meeting that let everyone get the treasures they wanted, without suffering even a minor injury. Someone as cautious as Jegal Ihyeon wouldn’t move for something like this.
“What the hell are you?”
Wi Seongcheon glanced back and asked.
The Red Bandage Maniac. He was still wrapped head to toe in red bandages, making it impossible to read his expression. Not even a hint of emotion showed in the eyes peeking through the bandages.
“What, you’ve got business and that’s why you’re following?”
The Red Bandage Maniac still didn’t answer. He just stood there blankly, staring at Wi Seongcheon and Baekri Hyang. Even during the treasure hunt, the Red Bandage Maniac hadn’t uttered a sound.
‘Is he mute?’
Wi Seongcheon couldn’t fathom the Red Bandage Maniac’s intentions. He didn’t seem purely savage like during the blood escort, nor cautious like Jegal Ihyeon. Wi Seongcheon glanced at Baekri Hyang.
Demonic energy flowed from Baekri Hyang. It was the same demonic energy that had shaken Wi Seongcheon so strongly, yet the Red Bandage Maniac showed no reaction.
‘What the hell is this guy?’
Baekri Hyang was flustered too. She first checked Wi Seongcheon’s reaction. He stared at the Red Bandage Maniac for a moment, then
“Let’s not fight.”
said abruptly. The Red Bandage Maniac slowly nodded. Baekri Hyang gaped in disbelief, while Wi Seongcheon looked satisfied and resumed walking.
[That’s it?]
[What more do you want? Charge in blindly?]
[……Wouldn’t that be better?]
[I don’t know what that guy’s thinking, but he doesn’t seem like he wants a fight with me. No reason to make him an enemy.]
He looked suspicious just standing there watching. And you’re letting him tag along for that reason?
Baekri Hyang couldn’t comprehend Wi Seongcheon’s boldness. So she stuck close to his side, trying not to think about the Red Bandage Maniac following behind.
Once they were some distance from the gates, Wi Seongcheon suddenly grabbed Baekri Hyang’s wrist and pulled her in. She startled and tried to shake off his hand, but before she could, he scooped her up.
“What are you…….”
Before she could finish, Wi Seongcheon kicked off the ground and unleashed his lightness skill. Baekri Hyang shut her mouth without further protest.
The Black Heaven Prodigy was in the forest where the Four Saints’ City Lords roamed. Even by carriage, it would take considerable time to get there, and walking outright would take a full two days. Though he had suddenly picked up speed, the Red Bandage Maniac kept pace without falling far behind.
“……I know lightness skill too.”
“I’m faster.”
Wi Seongcheon smirked and humored Baekri Hyang’s grumbling. She pouted but didn’t forcibly try to escape his arms. It was true—Wi Seongcheon’s lightness skill was faster than hers.
‘……For now.’
Someday it might change. Unlike before, Baekri Hyang could now harbor such hopes.
* * *
Creak.
The long-shut door opened. Since coming to this house little better than ruins, it hadn’t opened often. Mu Yeonjun, sitting in the center of the weed-choked training ground, didn’t turn around. He had already sensed the approach.
“……Hoo.”
The Black Heaven Prodigy let out a sigh-like sound. He walked across the creaking floorboards with a bitter expression.
Mu Yeonjun still didn’t turn to the Black Heaven Prodigy. Instead, he lifted his head to gaze only at the outside beyond the shattered main gate. Sang Irin, standing beside him, grew visibly tense.
“……Shall we let them come?”
“No reason to stop them.”
Sang Irin asked cautiously,
and the Black Heaven Prodigy answered. Standing with hands clasped behind his back on the floorboards, he suddenly felt troubled by a thought.
“This is a problem. I have nothing to offer guests…….”
“You’re treating them as guests?”
Mu Yeonjun spoke up abruptly.
It had been quite some time since they last conversed. After first arriving at the Black Heaven Prodigy’s ruined estate, they had been in the same place but rarely crossed paths.
The Black Heaven Prodigy hardly left his room. Only for meals, bathing, using the privy—unavoidable necessities. Otherwise, he spent all his time inside.
Mu Yeonjun was the same. He had made this unkempt training ground his room.
Sang Irin… stayed by Mu Yeonjun’s side. They had lived in this ruined estate for nearly a month. Sang Irin went out to the forest daily to hunt game. The Black Heaven Prodigy, meanwhile, handled his own meals.
“It’s not because he’s special.”
The Black Heaven Prodigy replied.
“Whoever comes, if they come as guests…… I’ll receive them as such.”
“And if they come to challenge?”
“Then I’ll receive them as enemies.”
The Black Heaven Prodigy answered without changing expression. Mu Yeonjun observed the Black Heaven Prodigy’s serene aura. He had thought there might be some agitation, but the only sign was the look on his face when he first emerged from his room.
Rather, it was Mu Yeonjun who felt agitation.
‘Why are they coming?’
Mu Yeonjun raised his dull eyes. The training ground where he had resided for weeks. Weeds had grown in that time, but…… traces remained. While staying in the training ground, Mu Yeonjun had pieced together an image in his mind of the traces left by the Black Heaven Prodigy.
The Black Heaven Prodigy was strong.
The clearer the mental image became, the more Mu Yeonjun felt the Black Heaven Prodigy’s strength. He had allied with him expecting Wi Seongcheon to come challenge the Black Heaven Prodigy.
But the Black Heaven Prodigy was stronger than Mu Yeonjun had imagined.
‘……Why am I the one agitated?’
Mu Yeonjun felt a momentary bewilderment. That the Black Heaven Prodigy was stronger than thought—what did that have to do with him? It had turned out exactly as he wanted.
It had taken some time, but Wi Seongcheon had come to challenge the Black Heaven Prodigy, just as Mu Yeonjun wished.
There was no reason for Mu Yeonjun to be agitated.
Yet why.
“It’s open.”
Shattered would be more accurate, but true enough—the door wasn’t closed, so Wi Seongcheon passed through the main gate without asking permission. Out of propriety, Baekri Hyang had already descended from his arms.
Standing a step behind Wi Seongcheon, she glanced toward the Black Heaven Prodigy still on the floorboards.
“Huh.”
The Black Heaven Prodigy’s lips parted. He looked not at Wi Seongcheon but at Baekri Hyang, his face registering surprise.
“You’ve gained a fortuitous encounter.”
“……I don’t know what you mean.”
“It’s so blatantly obvious, yet you feign ignorance—how mischievous. Or have you only just realized?”
The Black Heaven Prodigy spoke with a gentle smile. His words held no sarcasm—pure sincerity. He bowed his head slightly and continued.
“Indeed, you truly are the master’s blood kin.”
Baekri Hyang glared at the Black Heaven Prodigy without responding. She hadn’t come here seeking such acknowledgment. She was simply curious what impression she would have upon facing him now.
‘I see.’
Her impression had changed.
Baekri Hyang truly felt that the Black Heaven Prodigy was an absurdly profound expert. Before, envy and hatred had clouded her vision, but now it was clear. Yet the conclusion remained the same. There was nothing for it.
The Black Heaven Prodigy. He possessed a brilliance that made most people feel inadequate.
“Have you come as a guest?”
The Black Heaven Prodigy still ignored Wi Seongcheon, addressing Baekri Hyang. His gaze blatantly dismissed Wi Seongcheon. Mu Yeonjun, conversely, ignored Baekri Hyang and looked only at Wi Seongcheon.
‘……I’m not the weird one here, right?’
Unlike the two, Sang Irin noticed the Red Bandage Maniac standing off to the side. She suddenly felt her own ‘ordinariness’ keenly.
How could they ignore a freak wrapped head to toe in red bandages standing right there in plain sight?
‘He’s changed.’
Mu Yeonjun’s eyes wavered. His innate heavenly sight reflected the massive transformation in Wi Seongcheon’s body. It had been extraordinary before, but now…… it defied reason. Mu Yeonjun murmured, laced with admiration.
“I should’ve gone with you.”
“Too late now.”
Wi Seongcheon smirked in reply. He skipped banal greetings like “long time no see.” Slowly, he turned to look at the Black Heaven Prodigy.
“Despite telling you not to expect brotherly bonds. If you ignore me so blatantly, even a fool would see you’re still hung up on old ties.”
“Severing emotions isn’t as easy as willing it.”
The Black Heaven Prodigy murmured.
“I’m doing my best.”
“If it takes effort, maybe it’s not worth doing. Why not just go back to calling each other brother like old times.”
“If I could do that, there’d be no need for effort.”
“Ah, whatever. I didn’t come to bicker with you, brother—or whatever.”
Wi Seongcheon grumbled as he cracked his neck side to side. At his sudden words, Baekri Hyang whipped her head around.
“Hey!”
“Hey.”
Baekri Hyang urgently tried to stop Wi Seongcheon, who spoke to the Black Heaven Prodigy in a cold voice.
“Let’s have a go, you bastard.”
The atmosphere turned hostile in an instant.