Chapter 82: The Great Demon (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: The Great Demon (2)
Rustle…
Rustle…
Ya Hyeoljeok flipped through the letters Baechong had delivered, one after another.
Baechong, knowing full well his master’s distaste for reading, had thoughtfully included a summary in the final letter. And Ya Hyeoljeok, anticipating this very courtesy, skimmed the earlier pages, his attention only truly sharpening for the last one.
“So,” Ya Hyeoljeok grunted, tossing the final letter back at Baechong. “A kid from the Gu Clan?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Isn’t that the clan of that bastard?”
“Indeed, sir. The Gu Clan of Shanxi, led by the Tiger Warrior.”
“Spare me that ‘Tiger Warrior’ nonsense…”
Ya Hyeoljeok had been wondering who possessed the fire arts capable of killing his subordinates. Discovering it was a blood relative of the Gu Clan made a certain sense; practitioners of such potent flame techniques were rare.
Gu Cheolun.
The name brought a grim smile to Ya Hyeoljeok’s face. To the Orthodox Faction, he was the Tiger Warrior. But to those of the Unorthodox Faction, he bore a different title.
The Flaming Demon.
A brutal martial artist who incinerated his opponents alive. If one were to pile the bodies of every Unorthodox practitioner who had fallen to his flames, the heap would likely form a small mountain.
“And you’re certain?” Ya Hyeoljeok pressed.
“…Yes, sir. I confirmed he visited the Mount Hua Sect as a guest.”
“Mount Hua Sect, huh? What business would a Gu clansman have there?”
The journey from Shanxi to Mount Hua in Shaanxi’s Huayin was long and arduous. The motives of Gu Cheolun’s child traveling all that way were puzzling.
“I believe there is another person at Mount Hua with blood ties to the Gu Clan. It is likely the reason.”
Ya Hyeoljeok vaguely recalled hearing something to that effect, but had dismissed it as unimportant.
“Do you have any plans to capture him?”
Baechong fell silent, unable to answer. Capturing a blood relative of the Gu Clan was an act of sheer recklessness. Seizing members of the Mount Hua Sect was difficult enough, requiring meticulous planning to succeed. But with a scion of the Gu Clan now present, their original plan was effectively ruined.
…Damn it all. Why did it have to be a noble clan?
Their status as a noble clan was a double-edged sword; it made gathering intelligence easy, but made eliminating them far more dangerous. If a direct descendant of the Gu Clan were slain recklessly, without a watertight scheme…
…Gu Cheolun might take action himself.
That was the very reason their operations against Mount Hua had been so systematic—to leave no traces. Of course, they were also acting on orders from the main palace, but the Gu Clan was an entirely different level of threat.
What do I do…?
Baechong swallowed hard. He had to find a way. Failure meant facing the wrath of the monstrous man before him, who might just decide to slice his head off.
Ya Hyeoljeok watched Baechong, his laughter echoing through the cave. “I was just joking. Don’t look so glum.” He continued to chuckle after speaking.
Baechong’s fist clenched at the man’s casual cruelty, a bitter reminder of the arm Ya Hyeoljeok had already severed.
This bastard…
“Putting the Gu Clan kid aside, what about the Immortal Healer?” Ya Hyeoljeok’s tone shifted.
“…About that.”
“There’s no concrete assurance in this letter. You merely wrote he might be residing in the hut, Baechong.”
“Based on the Immortal Healer’s arrival in Shaanxi and the traces I observed, I concluded he was inside Mount Hua.”
“And?”
“His most recent traces were deliberately erased… which led me to believe he is residing within the barrier established by the Celestial Plum Blossom.”
The order from the main palace was clear: capture the Immortal Healer in Shaanxi and imprison him in the basement. Baechong had scoured the region, piecing together every scrap of information, and deduced that the only plausible location for the healer was the same place he had last seen the Gu child.
“But that’s just your guess, Baechong.”
Baechong shut his mouth. Ya Hyeoljeok was right; he wasn’t certain.
“Are you even sure the Celestial Plum Blossom was the one who erected that barrier?”
“…I concluded that the Celestial Plum Blossom is the only one in all of Shaanxi capable of creating such a barrier.”
“That’s also just conjecture, you useless wretch.”
Three days had been insufficient for Baechong to obtain definitive proof. However, he knew the barrier was near a hut built by the former Lord of the Mount Hua Sect. It stood to reason that the Celestial Plum Blossom, with his immense power, would be the one to place such a formidable protection so close to that significant location.
“Baechong.”
“Yes, Lord Branch Manager…?”
“You know that if you’re wrong about this, you die, right?”
“…Yes, I do.”
Baechong was acutely aware that he would be killed regardless if he failed to produce results within four days. That was the kind of merciless personality Ya Hyeoljeok possessed.
“Hmm… Sending underlings would be pointless. I suppose I should go myself, then?”
Ya Hyeoljeok found it strange. “I don’t get it… there isn’t a single guard posted for surveillance?”
“At least, that’s what I observed…”
If the Immortal Healer was truly inside, it made sense to station guards. Ya Hyeoljeok wondered if the Celestial Plum Blossom was simply overconfident in his power.
Perhaps he believes no one can break the barrier, no matter what.
Regardless, it was true that martial artists of Baechong’s level stood no chance. The only one capable of such a feat was Ya Hyeoljeok himself.
Having reached this conclusion, Ya Hyeoljeok slowly rose to his feet and hefted his giant sword. An aura thick with danger and lethality instantly saturated the cave.
Yet, in stark contrast to the violent energy radiating from him, Ya Hyeoljeok’s expression was one of utter boredom. He disliked complications. When in doubt, his solution was to smash through and see what happened. That was his way.
Seeing his master prepare to move, Baechong spoke cautiously. “The Celestial Plum Blossom might move immediately… the moment you break the barrier, my lord.”
Ya Hyeoljeok’s face immediately contorted into a frown. “Damn it, why are you explaining the obvious? I break the barrier and capture the old man. Do you think I’m too stupid to understand that? Or are you trying to give me orders?”
“Not at all, my Lord!”
Ya Hyeoljeok popped the last bit of a scorpion into his mouth and turned. “Tell the underlings to keep watch on that Gu Clan brat.”
“Huh…? What are you planning…?”
“We can’t get any work done if we’re scared of a little flaming tiger who hasn’t even reached the level of a Heavenly Venerable.”
Ya Hyeoljeok burst into laughter, as if he’d said something immensely funny. But as his laughter subsided, his expression turned deadly serious, his gaze locking onto Baechong. The sheer darkness in those eyes made Baechong tremble.
“If I go there and find nothing… you know what will happen, Baechong… right?”
“…Yes, my Lord.”
Ya Hyeoljeok gave Baechong’s shoulder a heavy tap with his massive hand, then strode out of the cave, his giant sword in tow. The moment he disappeared, Baechong’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
He had to find a way to survive, no matter the cost.
* * *
Gu Ryunghwa had practiced her sword swings until midnight before finally falling asleep. When she awoke, the sun was already rising.
She still felt the deep weariness of insufficient rest, but she rose without hesitation.
“…Ugh.”
As she pushed herself up, a sharp ache shot through her hand. She had continued training the previous day, neglecting her wound, and now dried blood caked the limb.
She carefully washed her hand and wrapped it in a fresh cloth. The process was excruciating, but Gu Ryunghwa endured the pain without a sound. Once her hand was bandaged, she changed her clothes. Fortunately, the hut her master had used before seeking the Immortal Healer still held a change of garments.
After washing her face, she stepped outside. A sense of happy anticipation propelled her down the mountain path.
At the base, she saw Mount Hua disciples training with vigorous intensity. She watched them for a moment before slipping past, unseen. She had no desire to interact with them, a sentiment she was sure they reciprocated.
As she walked, she passed the lodge where Gu Yangcheon was staying. For a brief moment, she considered stopping by to see Namgung Bi-ah, but decided against it. She was grateful for the help, but they weren’t yet close enough for a casual visit. After a few seconds of hesitation, she continued on her way.
Huayin City’s streets were quickly traversed. But as she navigated the crowded thoroughfares, the tantalizing aromas of food stalls repeatedly halted her progress. Having eaten very little over the past few days, the gnawing hunger from her intense training finally overwhelmed her. She succumbed, stopping to buy a few skewers.
It reminded her of times past, when she would share such treats with her master.
…Can she even eat this now?
The simple pleasure of buying food soured as thoughts of her master’s condition surfaced. She knew her master could only manage porridge now; bringing her skewers might do more harm than good. The reminder of her master’s illness filled her with regret. She felt immature for the impulsive purchase.
Despite her lingering hunger, her appetite vanished completely. In the end, she gave the skewers to a random child on the street. It pained her to waste the money, but it was better than throwing the food away or forcing herself to eat it.
…I want to eat with her.
She would far rather share a simple bowl of porridge with her master than enjoy any delicacy alone.
Fueled by that thought, Gu Ryunghwa broke into a run. Though her body was tired, the prospect of seeing her master filled her with energy. The closer she got, the more her tangled thoughts seemed to clear.
A little faster!
She had so much to tell her master about the last few days—her duel with Namgung Bi-ah, how the young woman had helped her improve, and… how Gu Yangcheon had come to her rescue. She thought perhaps these stories might bring a smile to her master’s face.
After running for a long while, the hut finally came into view. A wisp of smoke curled from the chimney, suggesting the Immortal Healer’s grandson was preparing a meal.
Smiling, Gu Ryunghwa was about to sprint the final distance when a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder, yanking her back.
“Kya!”
She screamed, stumbling, as something whistled past her head.
Swoooosh!
She didn’t see what it was, but she felt strands of her hair shear off and float to the ground.
Trembling, she fell to the dirt and looked up at the person who had seized her.
“…Sis?”
It was Namgung Bi-ah, her face etched with grave seriousness.
“Why are you—”
“…Stay still,” Namgung Bi-ah commanded, her voice tight.
“Huh?”
Shock coursed through Gu Ryunghwa at the other girl’s sudden, seemingly impossible appearance. But seeing the tremor in Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes and the sweat beading on her temple made Gu Ryunghwa’s blood run cold.
What is she looking at?
Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze was fixed intently on the forest line. Gu Ryunghwa followed her look and a sudden, icy chill made her shudder.
Hm. How did she dodge it?
A voice, cold and mocking, drifted from the trees. With it came a palpable aura—dense, vile, and saturated with death—that left Gu Ryunghwa shaking uncontrollably.
…Hm. I didn’t expect this.
The voice grew closer. With each step it took, the oppressive presence intensified, making the very air hard to breathe.
Namgung Bi-ah, her grip still firm on Gu Ryunghwa’s shoulder, suddenly drew her sword and slashed at the empty air.
Slash!
A sharp clang echoed from the direction of her swing, the sound of steel meeting something invisible.
“Sis…!” Gu Ryunghwa cried out, but her voice died in her throat.
She could see the hand holding Namgung Bi-ah’s sword—it was shaking.
Slam!
With a heavy, ground-shaking impact, a figure emerged from the bushes. He stood over eight feet tall, with a massive, brutish frame. In his hand, he carried a monstrous slab of steel that could barely be called a sword.
As the man’s overwhelming, murderous intent blanketed the area, Gu Ryunghwa felt the color drain from her face.
“You blocked it? Didn’t even bother to dodge?” the man said, his tone laced with amusement. “Woah. This one’s a fun one.”
His voice was filled with a greedy, nasty desire that made her skin crawl.