Chapter 483: Monster (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 483: Monster (1)
By the time I left the Lord’s chambers, the sun had already passed its zenith.
Considering I’d arrived well before noon, our discussion had been a long one.
Hmm.
I glanced up at the sky, then back towards the Poison King’s room.
What a disappointment.
Despite the lengthy conversation, I hadn't gained much from it. In the end, the Poison King had decided to write off the incident at the lake as a simple accident.
We then discussed how to announce the news about the Heavenly Poison Orbs, and I spun him a tale about my reasons for coming to Sichuan. I explained how I’d come into possession of the orbs through the White Flower Merchant Association.
I had to throw Lady Mi under the carriage… but she did say I could use her name if needed.
I recalled Lady Mi’s words, granting me permission to leverage her association for aid. So, I told the Poison King it was a mere coincidence that I’d acquired the Heavenly Poison Orbs through them. I also mentioned that I’d learned of the Celestial Martial Body Plan through this process, and that it was still ongoing.
He didn’t seem to fully believe me, of course.
Naturally, he was skeptical of my story. But the undeniable fact was that the Heavenly Poison Orbs were now right before him. Furthermore, my knowledge of the Tang Clan’s secret plan, the Celestial Martial Body Plan, was undoubtedly problematic.
One thing, however, seemed to bother him the most.
-I have heard everything you said. But, Young Master Gu.
-Yes.
-…Why are you so intent on involving yourself in this affair? Is this the will of the White Flower Merchant Association?
The Poison King was most confused not by my acquisition of the orbs, but by my desire to purge the "rotten roots" of the Tang Clan. That was the most difficult question for me to answer.
I could have simply taken the orbs for myself and said nothing. I had no obligation to clean up the Tang Clan's filth just because I stumbled upon it. Yet, I had my reasons for intervening. It seemed the Poison King was more curious about my motives than about the orbs themselves.
In a way, this was a good sign.
He’s better than most.
He sought a reason instead of being blinded by the treasure before him. Compared to the rot that had infected the entire Orthodox Faction, the Poison King still met my standards.
The person most suited to be a Lord.
He was more of a ruler than a martial artist. However…
His vision isn't very broad.
As I observed him more closely, a strange feeling crept over me.
Is he deliberately turning a blind eye?
That was the impression I got.
-I have only one reason.
When he pressed me for a motive, I gave him a single, honest answer. I had prepared many lies, but for this, I did not wish to deceive him.
-I believe this matter concerns Young Lady Tang.
-…!
His expression shifted instantly at the mention of his daughter.
-I will say this again, my Lord. I am not asking for your permission. However-
I made it clear that his approval was irrelevant; I would act as I saw fit where Tang Soyeol was concerned.
-I simply hope you will not involve yourself in this matter at all.
-…
The Poison King’s face darkened further. He seemed to be grappling with the reality of the situation, a task complicated by the separate, weighty problem of the Heavenly Poison Orbs now sitting in his lap.
I wonder how he’d react if I told him I even know the recipe for the Heavenly Poison Orbs.
Of course, I planned to keep that card close to my chest for now. I lacked the ingredients, and it was far too valuable to waste so soon.
Was he searching for the truth, or simply reeling from my audacity? The Poison King was clearly conflicted.
-…I… need some time to think.
With those words, he asked me to leave.
Think, huh.
He claimed he needed time to ponder, but it was obvious he intended to investigate the truth himself. Judging by that…
Is the Poison King truly not involved?
This meeting was, ultimately, a test to determine his involvement. I still couldn't be certain.
But for now, it’s safest to assume he isn’t.
That was the conclusion I drew, and it came with a sense of relief. If the Poison King were involved in that dark business…
I would have had to kill him, too.
Devising a plan to assassinate him wouldn't have been difficult, but I was glad I wouldn't have to. I didn't want to kill the Poison King.
My task now is…
If the Elders of the Tang Clan were truly responsible, I needed to hunt down the bastards working in the shadows and uncover their methods. I nodded to myself, my resolve firm.
[Are you certain they are the ones responsible?]
A familiar voice echoed in my mind. It was Elder Shin.
It seems you can manifest whenever you wish now.
[Indeed. It also means the turmoil within your body has settled.]
That’s good to hear.
Elder Shin had expended great effort to prevent my vessel from shattering. Previously, he’d been too occupied with internal stabilization to communicate freely, but now he could.
Was I certain? His question was simple, and so was my answer.
It was a request from Lady Tang Jaemoon. Do I need another reason?
[…]
I teased him by using the formal "Lady," but he didn’t react. Instead, a gloomy atmosphere followed.
Did something happen?
Perhaps something had transpired between them while I was unconscious. I was suspicious, but I didn’t ask. It was clear he didn’t want me to.
Besides… I hope I’m wrong, but everything points to the contrary.
Tang Jaemoon had asked me to sever the rotten roots of the Tang Clan. I knew immediately what she meant. She had also hinted that Tang Soyeol might be entangled in it.
Hearing this, I couldn't help but think of the Poison Queen from my past life. What horrors had she experienced within the future Tang Clan? If such a future was possible…
I can’t let it happen again.
I didn't know the specifics of what befell her, but I would ensure it never came to pass by cutting out the corruption now. I had even asked Tang Jaemoon if she was truly prepared for me to potentially kill her own descendants. She had simply nodded in response.
This was no longer a question of whether I should act. By implicating Tang Soyeol, Tang Jaemoon had made it a necessity.
To do that, I first needed to understand the current situation. Fortunately, I had an ally who would be extremely useful.
“So-“
I spoke, glancing behind me. Someone flinched at my voice.
It was Nahee. She trembled, clearly afraid of me. I held her gaze as I spoke.
“I have a lot to ask you.”
She still couldn’t meet my eyes, managing only a timid nod. After all, that was the only permission I had granted her.
My next destination after the Lord’s chambers was where my companions were staying. I would have gone there first, but other matters had taken priority.
I quickened my pace, and soon a sound reached me from afar.
Swish-! Swish!
The distinct sound of blades cutting through air.
I didn’t need to sharpen my senses; even in my relaxed state, I could hear and see everything clearly.
Hmm.
My heightened perception, sharper than ever before, was actually somewhat uncomfortable as I was still adjusting.
[Hah, what a luxurious problem to have.]
…I’m being sincere.
I knew some would envy this, but I refused to let it make me arrogant. Instead, I would adapt to it as quickly as possible.
When I arrived, I saw the source of the sounds: Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah, sparring.
…
I’d seen them train together before, but perhaps because of my recent ordeal, the sight of them clashing swords, drenched in sweat, stirred complex emotions within me.
What a pity.
That was the predominant feeling. Whether it was the Celestial Sword or the Demonic Sword, I wished I could have spoken with them longer before my sudden departure.
Was this regret? Most likely. The thought of Namgung Bi-ah, in particular, churned my stomach.
I… never got to tell her.
There was something I had failed to say to her before I left. It bothered me deeply.
Moreover…
My eyes drifted to Wi Seol-Ah.
The color has lightened even more.
Her brown hair was brighter now, edging closer to a golden hue. At this rate, it would be fully gold within two or three years.
I observed her condition closely. She was drenched in sweat, her hair plastered to her skin. Though exhausted and breathing heavily, her eyes were sharply focused on Namgung Bi-ah’s blade. Her arms shook with fatigue, but the tremors vanished the moment she swung her sword. She moved relentlessly.
Her sword seemed filled with a deep yearning. For what, I didn't know. And as I continued to watch her, a strange feeling grew.
This is going to drive me insane.
Every time I looked at her, I was reminded not only of the Celestial Sword but also of another woman with black hair.
The Heavenly Demon.
Her image surfaced in my mind unbidden.
What a joke.
It was because of what Tang Jaemoon had said to me. Her cursed words had lodged the Heavenly Demon firmly in a corner of my mind.
But seriously? Was I actually thinking about the Heavenly Demon?
Have I truly lost my mind?
I was thinking of a person I needed to kill, all because I looked at Wi Seol-Ah. I must have gone insane.
“…Sigh.”
Pause-!
As I let out a weary sigh, the two girls halted their movements.
“Oh! Young Master!”
They noticed me and rushed over immediately. I greeted them with an awkward smile.
“It’s been a while.”
“Huh? We saw each other just yesterday.”
“Oh.”
Right.
Now that she mentioned it, we had. It was the day before I headed to the lake. Of course, it felt much longer to me. As I scratched the back of my head awkwardly,
“Hmm?”
“Huh?”
The two girls moved closer, their eyes wide. What was that reaction? Did I smell strange?
“What’s wrong?”
“…”
They continued to scrutinize me in silence, then exchanged a look.
“…Something is…”
“Mhm…”
What? Since when could they communicate with just glances? After being apart for a while, I felt a pang of sadness at being treated like this.
“Hey… What are you two- “
“Oh! You guys are here!”
Just as I was about to complain, a loud, cheerful voice interrupted us. There was only one person with a voice like that. I turned with a deep frown.
When our eyes met, the bastard feigned shock, covering his mouth.
“Whoa… that look of disdain is a bit too intense, don’t you think…?”
“Do you have a death wish…?”
“Of course not. Who in their right mind wants to die?”
It was Woo Hyuk, the annoying pest.
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Woo Hyuk stopped smiling and began observing me, just like the girls had. Seriously, what was going on? Was there really something wrong with me?
“Something’s different, huh?”
I flinched at his words.
Wait, did he notice?
Impossible…
Even to my own senses, the changes from the Qi Body Transformation Technique were nearly imperceptible. Could Woo Hyuk have detected them?
I watched him nervously, but he just shook his head slightly and spoke.
“Did you get a bit taller? Haha, that can’t be, right?”
“…”
It had been a while since I’d seen this bastard, and he was already making me want to punch him.
…Should I…?
“Uh oh…”
The moment I tensed, he swiftly ducked behind Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah.
This guy!
“Hey, get out here.”
“If I do, you’ll hit me.”
“If you don’t, it’ll be worse.”
“So getting beaten up is inevitable, huh?”
I planned to fold him into the shape of a star. Sensing my intent, Woo Hyuk hurriedly pleaded with the girls.
“Please save me… your future husband is trying to murder me right now.”
At his words, Namgung Bi-ah and Wi Seol-Ah’s ears twitched slightly. I truly had no choice.
“You are seriously going to die today- “
I raised my right arm and advanced towards him.
Swish-
But then, Namgung Bi-ah reached out and stopped me.
“…Stop.”
“…?”
“Violence is wrong.”
I was dumbfounded. Was she actually taking his side? And she wasn't alone.
“I… agree. Violence is wrong, Young Master.”
“You too…?”
After a long journey, I finally visited them, only to be met with shocking betrayal. I couldn’t understand it, and all my resentment focused on Woo Hyuk.
“…Uh oh.”
He noticed and made an awkward face.
“I might actually die today, huh? Haha!”
He began slowly sidling away, feeling my killing intent. Should I grab him now? Should I really fold him into a crescent moon? Yes. A crane shape would be nice, too.
“Wait… wait!”
“You can make your excuses after I fold you.”
“Fold me? What am I, a piece of paper!?”
“Something like that.”
“Not at all!”
Just as I grabbed his collar, ready to carry out my threat, he blurted out:
“I got a letter from my master!”
Pause-
I froze.
This bastard’s master…
He meant the Monster of Wudang, the current wielder of the Thunder Fang.
“From your master?”
“Yes. He told me to visit him today.”
“So?”
“What do you mean, ‘so’? You said you wanted to come with me. I came here to fetch you, and you’re trying to kill me.”
Oh.
I remembered. I had indeed told him I would accompany him to meet the Monster of Wudang. I released him.
Then, Elder Shin spoke up.
[The Monster of Wudang. Is he the one who possesses the Thunder Fang?]
Yes.
He was the current owner of the Thunder Fang and one of the most infamous figures in the Central Plains. I wondered how he had obtained it, and why the Namgung Clan had never tried to reclaim it.
Glance-
I glanced at Namgung Bi-ah.
Hmm.
Whatever the reason, I needed to meet him. After all, I intended to secure the Thunder Fang for Namgung Bi-ah. I had my own business with that blade, as well.
With that decided, I prepared to leave.
“Shall we go now?”
“…”
Woo Hyuk looked speechless at my sudden change in mood, but wisely kept his comments to himself. He knew it wouldn’t end well for him.
Brushing off his clothes, he said, “It’ll take a few hours if we run.”
“That’s fine. Let’s go.”
“…Oh, before that.”
I was ready to leap away, but Woo Hyuk grabbed my shoulder with a concerned expression.
“I’m going to seriously beg you.”
“Hmm?”
Beg me? That was a rare word from Woo Hyuk. I looked at him, curious.
What he said next made me frown immediately.
“…Please don’t try to fight him or bite him, okay?”
“…”
I bit him on the spot.