Chapter 503: Just Let Me Hold It Once (10)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 503: Just Let Me Hold It Once (10)
He had placed a curse on humanity.
I turned the elder's words over in my mind.
A curse.
What kind of curse was he talking about?
That the power martial artists could attain had diminished?
The overall strength of those who built their foundations through cultivation had fallen.
This raised several questions. Did it mean their limits had been lowered? Or that the amount of power they could accumulate was simply reduced?
I didn't know. But if Elder Shin was right…
…then we were in deep trouble.
No matter how I looked at it, the path ahead seemed impossibly steep. Power levels that were commonplace in the elder's era were now unattainable peaks.
And that meant… even with that level of power, they couldn't stop the Blood Demon.
It was a truly hopeless situation.
No, at least the Blood Demon is sealed away.
I tried to cling to that thought, but judging by the Blood Demon's reactions and the way he'd manifested before me, I had a feeling that wasn't the whole story. He seemed like he could shatter his prison and emerge at any moment.
Yet, the fact that he remained as he was suggested… he was waiting for something. It felt like he was simply biding his time for a specific condition to be met.
What could that be?
And then…
What about the Heavenly Demon?
The Blood Demon wasn't the only problem; the Heavenly Demon was an issue as well.
Fwoosh-!
I twisted at the waist, feeling my foot stomp into the ground.
Crack-! The earth cratered under the force.
The internal energy of the Tua Pacheonmu stirred within my dantian. A familiar pain surged through my meridians. Even though I had shed my old self, the agony remained. It was still excruciating, but now, I could endure this much without flinching.
I extended my arm.
Paang-!
The sound of tearing air exploded where my fist passed. And with it…
Fwoosh-!
…a flicker of blue flame erupted.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue. That flame wasn't something I had intended to create.
Is controlling it the problem…?
Was the issue that my body had fully assimilated with the Blood Qi? Every martial art I performed was now spontaneously imbued with flames.
It wasn't entirely a bad thing. Compared to the crimson flames I used to wield, the blue flames possessed overwhelmingly greater power. The backlash that used to wrack my body after using Blood Qi was gone; the side effects had vanished.
With the flames of the Guyeomhwaryungong [Nine Yin Flame Dragon Art] infusing my techniques and amplifying their force, I knew it would be a great asset in battle, but…
…it's getting in the way of my training.
It was proving to be a subtle hindrance to my practice of the Tua Pacheonmu. With flames bleeding into every movement, I couldn't concentrate properly.
Flick, flick.
I shook my fingertips and guided the Tua Pacheonmu's energy circulating through my body back to my heart.
Hmm.
I scanned my surroundings. I had released the Body Transformation Art and returned to my original form to check my physical condition.
My heightened perspective was still dizzying, but I had grown somewhat accustomed to it after my fight with the Dishonored Venerable. I'd learned a lot while getting beaten up, but checking things on my own revealed other issues.
Definitely. It's a bit difficult to fight while using the Body Transformation Art.
This was about my battle with the Monster of Wudang. Since I couldn't reveal my true form, I was forced to fight using my old body's appearance.
At first, I thought it wouldn't matter much, as the art itself didn't consume a significant amount of energy. But…
It's far more distracting than I thought.
The effect of maintaining the Body Transformation Art was greater than I'd anticipated.
Forget the energy consumption; just sustaining the illusion is a pain.
It wasn't noticeable under normal circumstances, but the problem was actively maintaining the physical disguise during combat. Even if it was a trickle of energy, I had to constantly divert a part of my focus to keep my balance and appearance stable.
It was simply a nuisance.
…Should I just drop it?
Should I just live with my true form exposed? The thought crossed my mind for a moment, but…
…that's probably impossible.
There were too many problems with that idea. First and foremost, I would stand out far too much.
I touched my cheek with my hand. A strange sensation ran through my fingertips as they brushed against my skin.
…Tsk.
From a distance, I might look normal, but up close, the changes were evident. My skin had subtly altered.
It's not as bad as my arm, but…
It wasn't as extreme as my left arm, which had changed color and was covered in faint scales, but my skin had still undergone a transformation.
My hair and eye color are a problem, too.
Was it because the Guyeomhwaryungong I held within me had evolved? The parts that were gradually turning red had now shifted to a deep blue.
How was I supposed to explain this to my family?
And of all times, Father is here.
Even my father, the one person I least wanted to explain this to, was here.
Should I run? Should I really just run away? Isn't this the perfect chance to escape like I've always vaguely wanted?
I seriously considered it. Maybe I could just bolt right now.
However…
[…Is that the best idea you can come up with?]
As expected, Elder Shin chimed in. And the common-sense thought that it was far too late for that also occurred to me.
…When things have gotten this bad, don't you think I'm justified in running away?
[...]
I'd said it as a joke, but the elder didn't respond. It seemed even he was at a loss for words.
'You just have to try hard.' That's what Elder Shin always said, but if Heaven itself was blocking that effort, what could I do? No matter how I looked at it, wasn't it just so petty?
Throwing a tantrum just because things didn't go its way.
It blocked every path just because it couldn't have its way. How pathetic.
Even so, a question arose.
Elder.
[…Yes.]
You said that Lord Tang called it a curse.
[I told you, he's not a 'Lord'.]
Whatever.
That wasn't the important part right now, yet he still found time to nitpick. He was sharp, I'd give him that.
If that's the case, then so be it. But I have a small doubt.
[What is it?]
No, it's just…
The world cast a curse to lower the potential of martial artists. That's what the elder had deduced from Tang Jaemoon's words, but…
…something.
Separate from that, there was something else that bothered me.
“What do you think happens to a world whose master has disappeared?”
Those were the words of Yeon Il-Cheon, and the Blood Demon as well. A world whose master, who was supposed to reside in this land, had vanished. That was the world we lived in now. And some deranged will was trying to overturn it.
Considering the nonsense it was pulling, it wouldn't be strange for it to cast a curse, but…
A world whose master has disappeared. Is it really without problems?
That was my simple question. If the master of the world was the anchor point for all life… I wondered if this world, from which he had vanished to resolve his karma, was truly stable.
Perhaps it's not a curse… but a consequence of that.
Taking the fact that humanity's limits had been lowered as a given… it suddenly occurred to me that this might be the reason. However…
…neither of them really matters right now.
This was a time to focus on more immediate concerns.
Elder.
[Yes….]
I called out and clenched my fist. In response, the Solar Light bound to my left arm reacted.
Wriggle.
Its texture changed. The Solar Light began to move according to my will. It slithered down from my forearm to my hand, wrapping around it tightly. Applying the elder's advice about using it as a sword, I shaped it into a form like a gauntlet.
It would never break or be destroyed. If I utilized the power the Solar Light possessed, it would become an exceptional weapon. On top of that…
With a texture like this, it's not too uncomfortable.
It actually felt similar to a bandage, so for someone like me, a martial artist who disliked heavy gauntlets, it was perfect. Therefore, I had to work even harder to get accustomed to it. It had worked pretty well during my last attempt.
“The world placed a curse on humanity. That's what you said, right?”
[And?]
“Then I'm curious. What happens to me?”
[…What? What do you mean, what happens?]
“I'm not human anymore, am I?”
[…!]
Why was I so calm after hearing such shocking news? I'd thought about it throughout my training, but I couldn't pinpoint the reason. It just… didn't disturb me as much as I expected.
“If it's a curse placed on humans… then it shouldn't have anything to do with me anymore, right?”
[…Huh?]
Hearing my words, the elder reacted with disbelief. But that was the reality. If it was called a curse on humanity, I figured it probably didn't apply to me.
I'm not even a person anymore.
It was a shitty thing to admit, but… if I was no longer human, then this particular problem might be irrelevant.
Ah, of course.
[I doubt it's such a simple matter.]
As the elder said, it obviously wouldn't be resolved so easily. Nevertheless, a part of me hoped it would be.
[Kid.]
“Yes.”
[I don't understand. Why are you happy?]
“I'm happy?”
[Yes…. Why on earth is that?]
“…Um.”
Am I happy? Hearing the elder's words, I touched my mouth with my hand. The corners of my lips were indeed slightly upturned. This was no laughing matter, so why was this happening? I thought about it carefully.
“…Ah.”
After a moment, I thought I understood. Why I felt a flicker of happiness. It was probably relief. The hope that, by not being human, I might be exempt from the curse. That was likely the reason.
Because I could grow stronger alone? That could be part of it. There was a certain dark appeal to pulling ahead while everyone else was stuck at their limit. But that wasn't the reason for my smile now.
If it meant I could become strong on my own…
…it feels like I've found a reason to handle it all by myself.
A reason to bear the entire burden alone, without dragging down those around me. The fact that I had to struggle alone was infuriating, but the thought that those I cared about might be relatively safe because of it… was, ridiculously, a relief.
[…Kid.]
The elder's tone was thick with pity.
Don't look at me like that. I'm saying this because it's really not so bad.
[…Who said I was looking at you any particular way?]
Isn't it because you feel sorry that I have to clean up the mess you all left behind?
[...]
Once again, the elder fell silent. It was obvious. That old man might be dirty and petty, but he wasn't a bad person.
Don't worry about it. Since I'm involved anyway, I'll just clean up your mess, too.
[…Hey, stop calling it a mess. It makes me feel dirty.]
A mess is a mess.
It was obvious this was also the reason the elder's mood had been so subdued lately, as if he'd lost his nerve. He may have sealed the Blood Demon, but he hadn't finished the job. And because of that, the consequences had reached his descendants. He was acting this way out of guilt.
Why?
It was a feeling I couldn't comprehend. After struggling so much to at least seal the threat, why feel sorry? He had every right to proudly say, “You guys handle the rest.” I was calling it a mess as a joke, but that was my actual thought.
The problem was that it looked like I was the one who had to handle that leftover work. But as I said before…
If I want to stop the Blood Calamity, our paths are bound to cross anyway.
I knew the Heavenly Demon was connected to the Blood Demon. And after visiting the other world, I realized that even the Celestial Sword from my past life was likely connected. Also…
The Murim Alliance itself is entangled with the Blood Demon.
Based on the pervasive Blood Qi, that was obvious. If I wanted to do anything, I'd have to get involved regardless. So, there was no need for the elder to feel so sorry. I do it because it must be done. That intention was the same now as it was from the beginning.
If anything, it was a relief.
That it's me, and not the kids.
That the one who has to struggle through the dirt isn't them, the ones who should be living happy, peaceful lives. That much, at least, was a comfort.
[…Come to think of it, kid.]
“Yes.”
[Is it alright to leave that guy as he is?]
“That guy…? Ah!”
I was starting to relax when I paused at the elder's words. I remembered who “that guy” was.
The Thunder Fang. And the consciousness inside it, presumed to be… not Namgung Myung. I had shoved it into a drawer before coming outside. It was being so noisy that I just stuck it in there. Funnily enough, I couldn't hear its complaints when I was far away.
“Isn't that a relief? If it had seeped into my energy like you did, Elder, my ears would be ringing.”
Since the Monster of Wudang just dumped it on me, I figured it would be fine to just leave it there for now. Besides, it was awkward to hand it over to Namgung Bi-ah immediately.
…How did it end up like this?
Just thinking about the Thunder Fang gave me a slight headache. The Namgung bloodline. They said that no one could wield the Thunder Fang unless chosen by it. So why could I wield it? It was all so complicated.
I'd tried to look into it, but “Namgung Myung” was making such a racket that I just shoved it away.
[…You're really something else.]
The elder expressed his surprise, as if asking how I could be so casual about it.
It's not like we're going to get along anyway.
Honestly, I was pretty indifferent. It's not a weapon I planned to use. Furthermore…
I just want some peace and quiet right now.
I was already troubled enough; one foul-tempered old man in my head was plenty.
[…Hoho. You little bastard…?]
The complicated situation was one thing, but…
…dinner later is the real problem.
There was also the issue of my father. I was so surprised to see him suddenly show up in Sichuan. He'd even told me to prepare for a scolding at dinner.
I really want to run.
It was a truly unsettling situation. If it were up to me, I'd just get the scolding over with. But my father had just thrown those words at me and disappeared, saying he had business to attend to, so even that wasn't an option.
Where on earth did he go?
His sudden appearance was strange enough. What kind of business could he have in Sichuan to make him vanish like that? I was a little curious.
* * *
The city of Sichuan.
At its center stood the Sichuan branch of the White Flower Merchant Association, the most conspicuously splendid building in the region. From the entrance, the scenery was impeccably maintained, filled with well-trained employees. It was only natural. The head of the association, Mi Hyoran, tolerated no flaws and was thorough in managing her personnel.
The branch manager in charge, Daemeokri, had recently been dreaming a big dream. The reason was simple: Daemeokri was beginning to feel his age and his relevance wane. Furthermore, as his poor performance continued, word of his scheming had reached the higher-ups, and rumors were circulating that a new manager for the Sichuan branch would be appointed.
Just as his anxiety was growing day by day…
“—…What?”
“—The, the First Young Master of the Gu Clan is here.”
“—Why would someone like him be here?”
The First Young Master of the Gu Clan had arrived. He wasn't the son of the Association Head, and was said to be an illegitimate child, but… he was the only male descendant of the Gu Clan, a figure whose position as the next Lord was all but certain. What's more, he had recently earned the title “Lesser King of Hell” based on his outstanding talent. He was also rumored to be the youngest Fusion Realm master in history.
Of course, even Daemeokri dismissed this last part as a joke. A martial artist not yet of age being in the Fusion Realm? Preposterous.
In any case, the important thing was that he had come. And rumors subtly circulated within the association that the Head doted on him immensely. For Daemeokri, it was a meeting he could not refuse.
Let's use this chance to score some points to secure my position.
He had thought it would be a casual meeting, but…
“—Mother will be pleased.”
Recalling Gu Yangcheon saying this with a bright smile, Daemeokri shuddered. The aura he exuded. The words and gaze that casually tightened around his opponent. He had heard that Gu Yangcheon shared not a drop of blood with the Association Head, yet Daemeokri couldn't understand why he felt a similar, chilling air from him.
All he could understand was…
…This is an opportunity.
That the First Young Master's arrival might be an opportunity for him. A merchant's conviction? The pride he'd built over a lifetime? Daemeokri knew that such things were utterly useless now.
It might have been a chance to gain a huge client like the Immortal Healer… but the problem was that he couldn't provide the item the Healer wanted. Faced with the oppressive aura emanating from Gu Yangcheon, Daemeokri had no choice.
Side with the First Young Master.
That was the choice Daemeokri made. And when he heard the news that Gu Yangcheon had sent a letter to the Head of the White Flowers, as promised, Daemeokri was certain his choice had been correct.
That was only a few days ago.
“I heard the child made a deal for something here.”
Daemeokri now deeply regretted the choice he had made.
“L-Lord Gu…. Th-that is…”
If he had known that choice would lead to this situation, he never would have made it.
“You don't have to answer.”
Daemeokri was regretting it too late.
“However, I would prefer that you did.”
“....”
“Because I don't think I can control my strength very well right now.”
It was already far too late.