Chapter 479: Damned Bastard (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 479: Damned Bastard (3)
“…Are you truly certain about this?”
I had to ask Tang Jaemoon again after hearing her request. I needed to be sure she was resolved.
I couldn't help myself.
No matter how I looked at it, I found it hard to believe those words had come from Tang Jaemoon’s mouth.
Her expression remained sorrowful, with no attempt to mask it.
-Do you believe it’s even possible?
“…”
I lightly bit my lip at her question. Was it possible?
I’m not sure.
A definitive answer was difficult. I didn't know how to handle such a delicate situation without causing collateral damage.
However.
Hmm.
Even with my hesitation, I already knew what my answer would be.
“Even if it seems impossible, I don’t think I can just walk away.”
-…
A bitter smile touched Tang Jaemoon’s lips at my response. My words had hit the mark.
She knew I wouldn’t be able to refuse her.
And knowing that, she—
Brought up Tang Soyeol.
Tang Jaemoon was confident that mentioning her would seal my compliance.
And she’s not wrong.
I couldn't deny it.
“I’ll try.”
Even without knowing if it was possible, trying was the only answer I could give.
Tang Jaemoon seemed satisfied, giving a slight nod of thanks.
-Thank you, descendant.
“There’s no need for thanks. Besides…”
It felt like I was doing this for the rewards I’d received, so gratitude felt misplaced. Moreover, she herself seemed deeply troubled by this affair.
And it doesn’t sit well with me, either.
Frankly, it pissed me off.
The real problem is how to approach the Poison King.
Since this was a Tang Clan matter, I needed to discuss it with the Poison King first—a conversation I had no idea how to navigate. More importantly, I had to hope the Poison King wasn't involved in this to begin with.
As despicable as he was, I at least hoped he had nothing to do with this particular issue.
It concerns his own daughter. He'd better not be.
But if the Poison King was involved…
Crack.
I cracked my neck, my thoughts turning cold.
I’ll just have to kill him.
My resolve solidified. I was prepared.
If the Poison King proved to be that monstrous, I would end him.
That was my vow. And as that thought crystallized,
-Descendant.
Tang Jaemoon called out to me.
“Yes, Senior.”
-I have already told Shincheol everything you might wish to know.
“Huh?”
My eyes widened. Things I might be curious about?
It wasn't that I didn't understand; rather, there were too many confusing things.
Is that true, Elder Shin?
I called out to him urgently.
[Hmph.]
But Elder Shin offered no answer, seemingly still upset from our earlier argument.
…This petty old man.
His lack of denial suggested it was true. As my curiosity about what he’d learned grew,
-Also…
Tang Jaemoon continued, as if she had more to say.
-I have prepared a small gift for you, descendant.
“A gift…?”
-Yes. A gift.
What could she have prepared? I felt a twinge of nervousness—normal gifts were a rarity in my life.
Whether she sensed my unease or not, she went on.
-Originally… this was meant for Shincheol… or perhaps another child.
Tang Jaemoon spoke with a soft smile.
-But it is right for you to have it now. I believe she would have wanted it this way.
“…She?”
As I spoke, Tang Jaemoon’s hand reached toward me.
Swish—
“…!?”
Her semi-transparent hand passed straight through my chest. A sudden, painless intrusion.
There was no impact, no sensation of contact. Was it because she was a spirit?
“Sen—”
I began to ask what she was doing.
-I pray your path will always be blessed.
But Tang Jaemoon cut me off, her smile serene.
Then…
Thud—!
“…!”
My body fell backward, and consciousness fled.
Gu Yangcheon’s unconscious body dropped toward the ground.
Before he could hit the floor,
Tap—!
Grr.
A small, humanoid dragon lunged to catch him.
Seeing this, Tang Jaemoon took a step back. She looked at her hand.
Swish…
Her translucent form was growing fainter. A sign that her time was ending.
Yet, Tang Jaemoon felt no sorrow. Only acceptance.
Her life had been too long for yearning, and she felt a measure of satisfaction, having achieved her goal, even if only partially.
However.
-Shincheol.
A trace of regret remained.
-You are there, aren’t you?
[…What is it.]
An old man’s voice, heavy with sadness, answered her call.
Tang Jaemoon smirked at his pitiful tone.
-Are you still sulking?
[Who… would sulk? Do you truly think me so narrow-minded?]
Tang Jaemoon couldn’t disagree.
-Forgive me. I was not entirely honest.
[I feel nothing. I don’t even recall what you said—]
-A narrow-minded man who never takes a hint. Are you angry because I said that?
[…]
Gu Yangcheon’s body twitched slightly—Shincheol’s reaction.
[…Who… would…]
-I understand.
Tang Jaemoon cut him off before his anger could flare.
-Even though you never noticed my feelings, and even when you gave up on Lady Moyong, I understand.
[…]
-After all, a man named Shincheol has always put his beliefs first.
It was frustrating, dealing with a man so oblivious, but she couldn’t bring herself to blame him. She knew who he was.
-You are a hero.
A martial artist whose goal was to save the world. A hero determined to plant plum blossoms in a peaceful Central Plains.
That was Shincheol. A man who had no room for women in his sight.
Would it have been different if she had approached him in her original form, as Tang Jaehee?
No. Tang Jaemoon was certain.
Shincheol would not have chosen anyone in the end.
And so, she had remained by his side in her male form, only occasionally revealing her true self in fleeting role-play.
That was the only choice she could make.
-I wanted to tell you.
Despite knowing his nature, she had wanted to tell him she was a woman, and a beautiful one. That she loved him.
She had wanted to ask him to hold her, touch her, to be with her. But she had held back.
She had to.
-I held back. Because that is who you are.
Yet, she loved him precisely because of who he was.
Even with his rough speech, he would throw himself into danger to save others. He was always the first to step into mortal peril.
Shincheol was a man who wanted to save the world, not live an ordinary life.
That was the man Tang Jaemoon loved.
-So I am content.
She smiled.
-Do not feel guilty. I am fine.
[…Jaemoon.]
Tang Jaemoon nodded at the sound of his voice.
This was the end. She was sure of it.
She glanced down at her feet. Her translucent form was beginning to dissolve into nothingness.
Seeing this, she closed her eyes.
-It seems I must depart first.
Her voice was calm.
-Will the others be waiting for me?
[…Yes. They may all be bastards, but they aren’t the type to leave anyone behind.]
-I agree.
Tang Jaemoon nodded.
-Shincheol.
[…Speak.]
She called his name, but her lips hesitated.
She wanted to say she loved him, but the words wouldn't come. This wasn't the time.
What, then, could she say?
After a long moment of thought, there was only one thing. A dream she had cherished for so long. Something she desperately wanted.
Tang Jaemoon spoke.
-…Could you… hold me, just once?
[…]
Her voice was cautious, pleading. She wanted to say she was lonely, that she needed his touch, but the words were too difficult.
And so, she asked without explanation.
-Um… I was only joking—
Just as she tried to retract her words,
Swish—
-…!
An unfamiliar sensation enveloped her. A feeling of being pulled close, a hand gently rubbing her back.
Tang Jaemoon’s eyes flew open, but there was no one there. Shincheol resided within Gu Yangcheon; his form could not manifest.
Yet,
[You have worked hard.]
-…
Tang Jaemoon closed her eyes again, hearing his voice in her ear. She feared she would cry if she kept them open.
[Wait for me there.]
-…Shincheol?
[It may take a long time. This brat isn’t the most impressive, so it will be a while.]
-…
[So please, wait patiently. We can speak of all we left unsaid there.]
Swish—
His hand seemed to brush through her hair.
[You have worked very hard…]
-…Yes.
He said little, yet Tang Jaemoon’s heart found comfort. His words were few, but his promises were always kept.
No more words were needed.
Swoosh…
And so, Tang Jaemoon’s form scattered into the void, her dissipating essence shining like a cloud of butterflies drifting into the distance.
[…]
With her gone, only the sound of Gu Yangcheon’s light breathing remained in the secret vault.
[…Ah.]
An old man stifled a sound, his hand over his mouth, maintaining a silence that lasted until Gu Yangcheon awoke.
Flash—!
My eyes snapped open, a strange sensation pulling me from unconsciousness.
The first thing I realized was that I was submerged in water.
“Urgh…?”
Shock coursed through me. Waking up underwater was the last thing I expected. I was certain I’d been in the secret vault. How had I lost consciousness?
Where is Tang Jaemoon?
Where am I?
I recalled the moments before blacking out: Tang Jaemoon’s hand piercing my chest.
Then, nothing.
Yet here I was. I looked around. Why was I in water?
Wait, water?
A chill ran down my spine.
I remembered what I’d endured before reaching the vault.
The Lake of Poison.
A Tang Clan treasure, filled with deadly toxins. It seemed I was now inside it.
Dammit all…!
I immediately tried to move, to escape the lake.
But just as I prepared to leap out,
Swoooosh—!
“…!”
The water around me vibrated violently.
Swoop—!
What the!?
Powerful waves surged, converging on me. And that wasn't all.
Woong—!
My Demonic Absorption Art activated autonomously.
Was that the cause?
The water around me began to transform.
W-What’s happening?
It started flowing into my body as pure energy. But it wasn't Qi; it didn't gather in my heart, which now served as my dantian. Instead, it seeped into my bloodstream, my muscles, every part of my being.
The sensation wasn't unpleasant, just indescribable.
Craaaash—!
Before I could even process it, this immense energy flooded into me. When my senses finally cleared,
“Ptoo…”
I was standing in an empty crater where the lake had been. I spat out the water in my mouth and looked around. Not a single drop remained.
“…Shit.”
I cursed under my breath.
“I’m fucked.”
The clan’s treasured lake was gone. To be precise, I had drunk it all.
“How…”
How did it come to this?
How could a single body consume an entire lake?
…This can’t be the gift she mentioned, right?
I thought of Tang Jaemoon’s promised gift. This couldn't be it… I prayed it wasn't.
If it was…
Then this is a one-way ticket to a prison cell, not a gift.
Why give me something that would land me in such trouble? Seriously, all these ancient heroes were just bullies.
Gritting my teeth, feeling deceived once more,
Flash.
“…Hmm?”
An image flashed in my mind. Not a memory of my own.
What is this?
…A clue?
It felt like a guide to a martial technique.
Wha?
It was abrupt, but my body instinctively followed the lead.
Then…
Craaack—!
“Ugh…!?”
Excruciating pain erupted within me. I groaned as it ravaged my body.
Craack—!
The agony intensified, as if trying to consume me.
…What the hell.
But pain wasn't the only change. After a moment, I felt something else.
Swoosh…
“…!”
My perspective shifted, growing lower. My body was shrinking.
“…Isn’t this…?”
I looked at my hands. The change was undeniable. After my vessel shattered, my body had grown larger and more robust. Now, my arms were thinner, my stature shorter, just as I had been before.
“…”
I understood what was happening. I’d seen this before. It was unforgettable.
This was…
The Qi Body Transformation Technique?
The very technique Tang Jaemoon had used to alter her form, even changing gender and age. And now, I was using it.
I didn't understand the process. Even with a guide, it shouldn't have been so effortless. Yet, my body moved on its own.
And then I realized.
Was this the gift?
Perhaps this was what Tang Jaemoon had intended.
The thought made me nod. Of course.
I had been right all along.
“I always believed in you, Senior.”
I had trusted she would give me a magnificent gift, and she had exceeded my expectations. My faith had been well-placed.
Tang Jaemoon was absolute.
“Mhm, indeed.”
As I nodded in satisfaction,
Grrr…
A disappointed growl echoed nearby. I ignored it. I didn’t care what the Red Water Snake thought of me.
…Tang Jaemoon is God.
I was a follower of Tang Jaemoon. Of course I was.
My reaction wasn’t just for the Qi Body Transformation Technique. There was more.
A heavy worry had been haunting me, but now it vanished in an instant.
With this… this matter will be so much easier to handle.
A solution to a difficult problem had appeared. I smiled.
There was one simple reason for my good mood.
Because along with the technique, now etched into my mind was the long-lost recipe of the Tang Clan.
The ingredients needed to craft the Heavenly Poison Orbs.