Chapter 386: Have You Eaten Yet (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 386: Have You Eaten Yet (1)
Thunder Fang. A name that echoed throughout the martial world, a blade of legend. It was one of the most famous and sought-after treasures in existence.
And for good reason. It had been wielded by none other than Namgung Myung, the Thunder Sword, the hero of the Namgung Clan who had once saved the world from calamity.
The sword held a special significance for me, too. In my past life, it was the weapon carried by the Demonic Sword, Namgung Bi-ah. I’d seen it up close on numerous occasions, though she never once let me hold it. The blade itself was almost transparent, like a shard of solidified air, yet it possessed a sturdiness that seemed utterly unbreakable. It had another unique quality that set it apart from any other sword, but that’s a story for another time.
The point was, this legendary sword, this symbol of the Namgung Clan, was now in the possession of a martial artist from the Wudang Sect.
The Monster of Wudang, Gyudo.
He was the current wielder of the Namgung Clan’s treasure.
As Woo Hyuk had said, the man was indeed famous. Originally a Taoist who resided in Wudang’s main mountain, he now wandered the Central Plains for reasons unknown. He was known as a virtuous man; tales were told of how he once single-handedly dealt with a horde of Demons that ambushed a town after a Gate appeared, saving the villagers before vanishing without a trace.
Yet, despite his good deeds, he was called a ‘Monster’ due to his bizarre and often incomprehensible behavior. He would talk to himself and fly into a rage, disrupt random merchants for no apparent reason, or swing his sword at the air, cutting down everything in his path. While his heart seemed to be in the right place, his erratic actions made him an unwelcome presence wherever he went.
That was Gyudo, the Monster of Wudang.
And yet…
He’s the Sleeping Dragon’s master?
I’d had no idea in my past life. The Sleeping Dragon had never mentioned it, and the information wasn't common knowledge in the Central Plains.
“Damn, I shouldn’t have told you that,” Woo Hyuk sighed, seeing my shocked reaction. He seemed to regret letting it slip. “It’s not exactly something I’m proud of, you know.”
I could understand that.
…Was that why he kept it a secret his whole life? Out of sheer embarrassment?
To be fair, I’d probably be embarrassed, too.
“But… you’re going to Sichuan to meet someone like him?”
“I’ve got nowhere else to stay. Besides, it’s the perfect excuse for where I’ve been,” Woo Hyuk reasoned. “Saying I was with my master covers everything.”
It made sense. While the Monster of Wudang had practically left the sect, he was still affiliated with Wudang. If Woo Hyuk wanted to stay with him, it would be considered a valid reason.
“…So you want to tag along with me to Sichuan because you were already heading there anyway?”
“That’s right. Sounds good, doesn’t it? We’re friends, after all.”
“Friends? I’m traveling with a few other people, you know.”
I hadn’t confirmed it with everyone yet, but I had plans. I’d already spoken to the Dishonored Venerable; he said he had business in Sichuan and would join me. Pe Woocheol wanted me to visit his clan, so I planned to make a short stop along the way. And Tang Soyeol was from the Tang Clan, which ruled Sichuan itself.
If she came along…
Wait, does that mean the Poison King would come, too…?
Just the thought sent a shiver down my spine, but I had little choice in the matter. Whether by coincidence or fate, this was the perfect time to go to Sichuan. The Heavenly Dragon Academy had closed unexpectedly, allowing me to graduate early. The next major incident was still two or three years away; I had to get stronger, as strong as I possibly could, before then.
I’d reached the Fusion Realm, but my foundation was still unstable. My next priority was clear.
I need to find the White Demonic Stone.
A stone that drops only from a White Demon, the highest rank of Demon. I already knew its location, but I’d been waiting for my condition to be optimal before consuming it. In an era where Blue Demons were considered the peak, a White Demonic Stone was an item of unimaginable value. Unlike other demon stones that gradually lose their power, the White Demonic Stone’s energy remains potent indefinitely—I never knew why. The important thing was the sheer power it contained, far surpassing any other medicinal item. For someone like me, who could directly absorb its energy, it was the greatest medicine in the world.
My current Fusion Realm was unstable, giving me all the more reason to acquire it. And Sichuan was where I needed to go.
So, if Woo Hyuk wanted to come along, I didn’t really care, as long as he didn’t cause trouble.
“You’ll need to get approval, though,” I said. “But I doubt my Lord would let you—”
“Oh, the Lord of the Gu Clan already gave me his permission.”
“…What?”
I was dumbfounded. Father had approved?
“When?”
“Hmm? I asked him when you came here after you fainted.”
“…”
So, my fight with Father yesterday had been real.
“He gave you… his approval…?”
“Yep.”
“How?”
“What do you mean, ‘how’? I just asked him, since he was going anyway, and he said I could come…”
The fact that Woo Hyuk had spoken to him directly—and that Father had agreed so readily—left me speechless and deeply confused.
“So it’s fine, right?”
“…Uh… sure… do whatever you want…”
I had no grounds to refuse, so I reluctantly gave in. He could deal with his own problems if they arose.
It works out for me anyway.
My complaints aside, Woo Hyuk’s goal aligned with my own. I already had plans to seek out the Monster of Wudang.
To be more precise, I wanted to see the Thunder Fang.
The Light of Might had once told me:
—Find Namgung Myung.
This implied that Namgung Myung’s soul still existed somewhere in this world. Furthermore, I had heard his voice back at the Namgung Clan estate. His command had been clear:
Find the Thunder Fang.
He wanted me to find his weapon. I didn’t know why, but I sensed it was connected to Elder Shin.
But it’s problematic that I can’t sense any sign of Elder Shin’s presence.
That old man kept disappearing and refused to come back. It was frustrating.
Anyway, since finding Thunder Fang was on my agenda, Woo Hyuk’s plan to visit his master was beneficial. This trip to Sichuan would allow me to accomplish several goals at once.
Having made that calculation, I laid out my terms to Woo Hyuk.
“You can come along, but on one condition.”
“A condition? What is it?”
“Introduce me to your master once we arrive in Sichuan.”
“…Huh?”
“Do that, and you can come.”
Woo Hyuk’s expression soured instantly. It was the first time I’d seen him make such a face. He clearly had no desire to introduce me, but I wasn’t about to back down.
After a long hesitation, he finally nodded.
The deal was struck.
With our conversation concluded, I had nothing more to say to Woo Hyuk. So, I threw him out the window.
The building was fairly tall, but I knew a fall from that height wouldn’t kill someone of his level. I recalled him yelling in despair for his clothes as he fell, but I was sure he’d manage.
It was a novel feeling. In my past life, the Sleeping Dragon’s teasing always infuriated me because I could never retaliate. Now, dealing with him was surprisingly straightforward.
Creak.
I left my room and headed downstairs, intending to find my father.
“Hmm?”
On my way down, I spotted Gu Huibi coming up the stairs. She seemed to have just finished her morning training. She hadn’t been slacking off, it seemed.
As I wondered whether to greet her, Gu Huibi took one look at my face and burst into laughter.
Huh?
“Why are you laughing as soon as you see me? It’s insulting.”
“Ha… Haha… It’s because… Hahaha!”
She laughed even harder, unable to contain herself.
“What’s so funny?”
“Haha… Oh… dear brother, what happened to your face?”
“My face?”
“Your eye… Hehe… did someone beat you up?”
I touched my eye after her question and felt a sharp, aching pain.
Why did it hurt so much…? Oh.
“You’ve got a huge black eye. It’s rather funny, you know.”
“…”
So that’s what it was. An injury from my fight with Father. A full-blown black eye.
Gu Huibi found it absolutely hilarious, clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably.
“Who did it? Tell your big sister; I’ll give them a good scolding.”
“Our Lord.”
“…”
“Why so quiet? You said you’d scold them, sis.”
Gu Huibi immediately averted her gaze, retracting her offer. I found her reaction amusing enough to laugh myself, but I let it go.
“Anyway… do you know where the Lord is?”
“…The training grounds.”
“The training grounds?”
I’d assumed he’d be there. It seemed I was right.
As I walked past her, Gu Huibi stopped me.
“Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Did something happen between you and the Lord?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking? Look at my eye.”
“…Not that.”
She was the one who had started mocking me because of it. How absurd.
“Then what?”
“It’s just… the Lord didn’t seem to be in the best mood this morning.”
“What does his mood have to do with me…?”
“Whatever.”
Without giving a clear answer, she continued up the stairs. I watched her go, puzzled, then headed on my way.
My destination was the training ground, an open field behind the inn. With so many martial artists passing through Henan, the inn had designated the space for practice. Normally, it would be busy, but since Lady Mi had rented the entire place for our family, it was empty.
Even if others had been around, most wouldn’t have been able to withstand the oppressive heat that hit me the moment I stepped onto the field.
Damn, it’s hot.
The air was so scorching it was hard to breathe. I immediately looked for the source.
As expected, it was Father.
The intense heat gradually subsided, suggesting he’d noticed my presence. The waves of energy radiating from him stilled, and he turned around, retracting his Qi.
“You’re awake— …Ahem.”
“…?”
Father suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his mouth snapping shut as he saw my face. I even saw his eyebrows twitch slightly.
…Is he trying not to laugh?
Even though he’s the one who gave me this black eye?
“You’re awake,” he said, recomposing himself.
“Please stop laughing.”
“…What do you mean?”
He pretended not to understand, but the act was far too transparent.