Chapter 186: An Unsatisfactory Act (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 186: An Unsatisfactory Act (1)
My time at Shaolin had concluded, and it was finally time to return to Shanxi.
There was little reason to linger any longer. Staying offered no further benefits, so a swift departure was necessary.
Although I had spent barely over ten days in Hanam, the period had been eventful.
I had learned a great deal.
I had revisited old knowledge and acquired new insights.
“You haven’t left anything behind, have you?”
I repeated the question to Hongwa as she busied herself with the packing. It must have been the fifth time I’d asked.
Unsurprisingly, Hongwa was growing weary of it.
“I have.”
“You have?”
“You didn’t bring much to begin with, so it’s fine.”
I sensed a subtle jab in her reply, but I let it slide. After all, she wasn’t wrong.
Why would I burden myself with unnecessary luggage?
My training uniform was all I truly needed.
[You’ve got a point there!]
…
Elder Shin’s agreement felt strangely unsettling. It was as if he understood a deeper meaning behind my simple statement.
[What’s wrong with a martial artist prioritizing their training?]
If Elder Shin deemed my morning rest excessive, he would jolt me awake for training. That practice had become second nature to me, but it also made me wonder about the intensity of his own regimen when he was alive.
…It definitely wasn’t a normal amount, that’s for sure.
Considering the brutal training Yung Pung endured, I doubted the man known as the Divine Sword of Mount Hua had trained any less.
Elder Shin scoffed, reading my thoughts.
[Don’t you also think you should increase your training intensity?]
Yeah, I probably should.
Whether it was due to a newfound energy or the fact that my Qi had fully merged with my body, training no longer drained me as it once did.
Even just now…
Despite pushing myself harder this morning, I felt virtually nothing.
[It became one with your body.]
This was the state of having one's Qi seamlessly merge with the physical form upon reaching the Peak Realm—often called the perfected form of that realm.
[Then, this is where the trek begins.]
Yes.
I nodded in agreement.
Now that I had grown accustomed to the Peak Realm, it was time to set my sights on the Fusion Realm. However, this transition was a formidable challenge, no less difficult than breaking through from the First-Rate to the Peak Realm.
Many so-called geniuses never reached the Fusion Realm. Plenty were content to stop at the Peak.
Though that doesn’t apply to me.
I couldn't afford to stop. Having walked this path before, hesitation wasn't an option.
Elder Shin's caution about this being a "trek" stemmed from the extensive preparation required. Adjusting to my Qi was one thing, but mastering the newly accessible dantian would demand significant time.
While many claimed reaching this realm required enlightenment, my situation was different. My dantian was already filled to the brim with Qi. If I could accumulate enough for it to overflow, a new world would open before me.
Of course, this path was unique to me. There couldn't be many in the world who possessed such a vast reservoir of Qi. Only someone like me, who had absorbed a massive amount through Demonic Arts, could attempt this.
But first, I must fortify my body to withstand such Qi.
The Qi was one matter; I needed a foundation strong enough to hold it. This realization solidified my decision to intensify my training.
Can I reach it before I turn twenty?
I had to. Only then would things become easier.
[You are in a hurry, it seems.]
The situation doesn’t allow for relaxation.
[Indeed, I agree that you need a little bit of desperation.]*
Once I returned home, I planned to dedicate myself entirely to intensified training.
And I’ll also ask Father about Meteor.
I needed to visit the Haomoon Clan… and tie up some loose ends.
Are you okay?
[Hmm? About what?]
I’m asking if it’s okay for you to go back like this.
I was referring to his friend at Shaolin—the Light of Might, Cheolyoung. Returning home meant it was uncertain when I would come back this way.
Elder Shin responded calmly.
[What’s the problem? We’ll see each other again anyway.]
He spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
[Plus, if I go to him now, that bald fucker will probably just bombard me with curse words anyway.]
…Curse words?
A monk… cursing?
Now that I thought about it, Elder Shin had once mentioned the Chief Abbot choking on meat and causing a scene. Was that the Light of Might? It suddenly made sense why they were close.
Like attracts lik-
[What did you say?]
Nothing.
[…Hmph, that sucker said himself that he wanted to rest, so I’ll let him do that. But if I see him later and he’s still in the same state, then it’ll be as simple as me cursing at him to give him a lesson.]*
Elder Shin's blunt words offered a clear window into his friendship with the Light of Might. They truly were friends.
Friends, huh?
The concept was foreign to me; I had never cared for such relationships in my life.
Oh, there is one person.
There was exactly one. That bastard was probably sleeping somewhere on Wudang Mountain at this very moment. He was someone I could have called a friend, but in this life, he wouldn't remember me, rendering the point moot.
I did hope to see his face this time.
Unfortunately, he hadn't appeared in this year's tournament, leaving our next meeting uncertain.
“Young Master!”
Just as the packing was nearly finished, Wi Seol-Ah popped out and ran into my arms.
“We are done preparing!”
I brushed her hair as I inquired. “You’re done?”
“Yeah!”
Seeing this, Hongwa quickly came over and pulled Wi Seol-Ah away. “Seol-Ah!”
“Hnngh…!”
Every time she got into trouble, her tearful face looked so cute that I habitually tried to pinch her cheek.
…But there isn’t much to grab onto.
Compared to when I first met her, most of her baby fat was gone, which tugged at my heart a little.
[You are hurt about such a thing… are you right in your head?]
Elder Shin wouldn’t know since you’ve never touched it before.
[…]*
I heard what sounded like Elder Shin choking on his words. Perhaps I had struck a nerve, but he had started it. So it was his fault.
As the servants continued packing, I went down to the guesthouse. I saw others chatting, having finished their own preparations. Among them, Namgung Bi-ah was asleep with her head down, while Tang Soyeol sipped her tea calmly.
And…
Why is she there?
The person sitting next to them, wearing a mask, was unmistakably Moyong Hi-ah. It was the first time I had seen her since our last encounter at Shaolin, though only a few days had passed.
“Oh! You are here, Young Master Gu?” Tang Soyeol greeted me with a bright smile. She seemed to be smiling more often lately.
“Would you like to eat?”
“Isn’t everyone done?”
“We still have some time left, so it should be fine for you to eat.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll gladly accept.”
As I approached, Tang Soyeol pulled out the chair next to her and tapped it, clearly indicating where I should sit.
Once settled, I called a waitress and ordered food. As always, noodles and dumplings suited me just fine.
“But…”
My attention was immediately drawn to Moyong Hi-ah. “Why is Lady Moyong here?”
I asked, but she seemed unresponsive, not even turning her gaze toward me. Was she ignoring me?
And why is she wearing a mask?
She had worn one during our first meeting on the Bacheonmaru, but I was sure she hadn't worn it since.
“Lady Moyong?”
She finally turned her head when I called a second time, but the movement was stiff and unnatural.
“…Hel”
“Hell?”
“lo.”
“Are you sick?”
“No…”
Then why was her voice trembling so much? She seemed completely out of sorts. I leaned toward Tang Soyeol and whispered, “…What’s wrong with her?”
Tang Soyeol shook her head. She didn't know either.
“She came here this morning without saying a word. And she’s been like that ever since.”
But why? I had thought she came because she had something to say, but her unnatural demeanor made me reconsider. Beneath her mask, I could see her flushed cheeks and ears.
“Lady Moyong.”
“…Yes.”
Thankfully, this time she responded.
“Is something the matter?”
“…It’s…”
Moyong Hi-ah began but hesitated, closing her mouth. A silence fell, broken only by the subtle sound of her breathing. After a moment, she seemed to compose herself.
“I heard that you were leaving today, so I came to bid you farewell.”
Whatever unease had plagued her before seemed to have dissipated. She was back to her natural self. I was relieved she was no longer acting so strangely, though I still wondered about her earlier behavior.
“A farewell, you say?”
“Yes.”
Moyong Hi-ah carefully retrieved something from her pocket and handed it to me.
I accepted it. “What is this?”
“If you ever visit one of our shops, you may use this.”
I examined the item. It was a ring with a jade stone at its center. Judging by her words, it likely granted me special privileges at a Moyong Clan establishment. While not the world's greatest, their shops were well-known, particularly for importing and exporting high-quality cloth and silk.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“I saw that your uniform was very worn.”
It was true; my clothing was quite tattered from all my rolling around during training.
“…I never really cared about such things.”
Moyong Hi-ah responded with what I sensed was a slight smile, hidden behind her mask.
“It’s not something you should feel pressured about. Think of it as a light gift, nothing more.”
“…I see. Thank you.”
Her words made it difficult to refuse. I felt I should reciprocate, but as a scion of a noble clan, I ironically had nothing suitable on me. As I wondered if I should rummage through my belongings, Moyong Hi-ah stood up calmly.
“Then, I’ll be leaving first.”
“Huh?” Her statement left me dumbfounded. “You came here just to give me this?”
“Yes. It is better to take care of business promptly.”
My eyes widened slightly at her use of the word ‘business.’
Did she do this for the clan’s connections?
That thought put me at ease. If this was a matter of fostering ties between her clan and mine, I didn't need to feel bothered.
I looked way too deep into it, it seems.
Given how many others had become… attracted… to me lately, the idea that Moyong Hi-ah might harbor different feelings had crossed my mind. Thankfully, it was just a baseless thought.
Yeah, it was weird of me to think that Moyong Hi-ah would have such feelings for anyone.
I thought I understood her, but I had been mistaken. She was merely approaching me on behalf of her clan, likely due to my performance in the tournament.
“I’ll gladly accept the gift, Lady Moyong.”
Hearing my response, Moyong Hi-ah gave a slight bow. Then, with dignity, she began to walk away, followed by her servant.
“Oh, Young Master Gu.”
Just as she was about to exit through the door, she suddenly called out to me.
“Yes.”
When I responded, she seemed to hesitate, standing perfectly still. Having reached a higher realm, I could perceive that her breathing had become slightly rougher, as if she was struggling to control it while hiding the effort.
“Are you going back to the clan right away?”
“I believe so.”
“…I see.”
Moyong Hi-ah, who seemed on the verge of saying more, simply shook her head slightly. “Then, we’ll meet next time.”
With those words, she finally left, her steps noticeably quicker than before. It seemed she had wanted to say something more but opted for a simple farewell.
…Huh?
For some reason, the exchange left me feeling unsettled. I felt there was something more to it.
As I pondered her strange behavior…
[As expected, she’s just like the others.]
Elder Shin spoke in a hushed tone.
Who are you talking about?
Was he referring to Moyong Hi-ah? If so, I wanted to ask who she was similar to, but a sudden, primal feeling warned me not to press the matter. Elder Shin seemed to be radiating an aura that discouraged further questions.
I think I’ll actually be sliced in half if I asked him now.
My survival instincts were screaming at me.
As I congratulated myself on my restraint…
“…It’s all over.”
I found Tang Soyeol mumbling quietly to herself.
“It does seem like it happened again… but when? And why?”
“…What’s up with you now?”
The situation was becoming frightening; no one seemed normal.
When I asked with a worried tone, Tang Soyeol turned her head toward me.
“Young Master Gu, are you a flower?”
“What are you talking about? A flower?”
“Then why are bees constantly being attracted to you?”
“…What?”
“It should be the opposite normally… it should be…”
I decided to ignore Tang Soyeol's muttering for the moment, picked up a dumpling, and began to eat. Getting involved in her current state seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
…I guess she had a nightmare or something.
It seemed there was bound to be a day when no one was in their right mind.
* * *
Wudang Mountain, located in Hobuk, was one of the strongholds of the Ten Sect Alliance and the home of the Wudang Clan.
A young Taoist was huffing and puffing as he ran up the steep mountain path. The crumpled letter in his hand and his panicked eyes made his urgency clear.
After what felt like an eternity, the boy finally reached a giant tree and skidded to a halt.
“S…Senior!” he shouted, without even pausing to catch his breath. He was shouting toward the top of the tree. “Senior… Seniooor!”
Despite his desperate cries, the person he sought showed no intention of appearing. Frustrated, the boy gritted his teeth and shouted louder.
“Hey, you fucking…!”
Pow!
“Aghh!”
A rock flew out from nowhere, striking the boy and sending him tumbling backward with a scream.
Immediately after, a figure landed gracefully in front of the fallen boy.
“You need to fix your manner of speaking, Junior.”
“…You won’t appear if I don’t do that, though.”
The person standing before him was a young man with a somewhat absent-minded expression. He wore the uniform of a Wudang martial artist with a sword at his waist, but the aura he emitted was far from that of a serene Taoist.
“You should know that now is a napping time for your Senior, who should be like the sky to you. So why do you call?”
“The sun is bright out, so what do you mean nap-“
“Do you want another bonking?”
“…I heard that Senior Woo lost.”
The young man tilted his head. “Yeah, he didn’t really have the competence to win there after all.”
He was a Wudang disciple who had chosen not to participate in this year's tournament; the clan had selected other fighters in his stead.
But it’s obvious that wouldn’t work.
The boy continued, rubbing his sore forehead. “That’s not all. It was said that he lost in the first round.”
“…Huh?” The young man frowned. “Anyways, that’s not what’s important here, Senior.”
“…That’s not the important thing, you say?”
You’re telling me that a Wudang disciple losing in the first round isn’t important? Then what is?
“Senior, do you know this person called Gu Yangcheon?”
“Gu… what?”
The young man’s frown deepened. The boy knew that one wrong word could earn him another hit. His survival instincts kicking in, he quickly handed over the letter he was holding.
“What is this?”
“A letter sent by Senior Woo.”
“A guy who lost had the audacity to send a letter? Haha…”
His laugh carried a dangerous edge. The boy knew nothing good was mixed into that laughter.
Senior Woo…
He could only hope for the best for Senior Woo.
As the young man read the letter, he suddenly spoke. “He’s close to me?”
The first part of the letter was filled with excuses for the tournament loss. The young man skimmed through that unimportant section, but his eyebrows knitted together when he reached the final lines.
“Yes, Senior Woo told me that if this was true, I should ask you and report back…”
“Who was it that you said?”
“Gu… Yangcheon.”
“Yeah, and who is that?”
Why is he asking me?
The boy kept his expression neutral. The letter mentioned that this Gu Yangcheon was close with the Sleeping Dragon, but…
The guy in front of me right now seems to have no idea who he is.
“You don’t know?”
“…Yes, I too am-“
“Then go find out.”
“…Huh? Pardon?”
“He said he’s close with me, but I don’t know him myself, so go find out about it.”
“…”
The boy stared dumbfounded at the young man—no, at the Sleeping Dragon—not understanding what his Senior was talking about.
Then the Sleeping Dragon spoke again, a deceptively kind smile on his face. “What are you doing, Junior? Run.”
The boy smiled back at him…
Fucker.
…while cursing him out in his head.