Chapter 22
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Domain of Wolves and Jackals (3)
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“You, you’ve brought it.”
“Of course.”
The look on Ma Dongpil’s face was a sight to behold.
Sshaaaaa…
It was as if he could see a heat haze that wasn't there and hear a sound that shouldn't exist.
An immense spiritual energy was gushing from the severed bamboo. It was on a completely different level from any spiritual bamboo he had ever seen. The sheer volume was one thing, but the quality of the concentrated spiritual energy was exceptional.
“This is truly incredible spiritual energy.”
“Right? Hey, it was so tough that even my saber couldn’t cut it. I had to draw out its saber energy just to slice through one stalk.”
Unity of Sword and Self, and Unity of Saber and Self.
When one realizes there is no distinction between oneself and one’s weapon, the saber becomes the body, and the body becomes the saber. This enlightenment melts into the heart and settles there, and since the heart is one with ki, the very nature of the ki imbued in the saber changes as well.
Ma Dongpil slowly traced the cut surface of the bamboo with his index finger.
‘…Incredible saber energy.’
The cut was so smooth it sent a shiver down his spine. Even if he were to execute his finest sword technique with all his might, could he leave such a mark?
‘He is truly remarkable.’
Considering his level eight months ago was comparable to an ordinary person, his growth was nothing short of astonishing. Ma Dongpil had thought he could no longer be surprised, yet the more time he spent with him, the more every day brought a new shock.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
Ma Dongpil’s expression turned awkward.
“That fox…”
Seo Ryang glanced behind him.
A fox cub was sitting behind his rear, wagging its tail. Its large ears and a tail longer and bigger than its body gave it a strangely mystical air.
“No idea. It was in there. At first, it was sleeping soundly, but then it woke up and turned my left hand into this mess… Huh?!”
Seo Ryang blinked.
“What? Where’d the bite marks go?”
“S-sir?”
“I’m telling you, that devious little fox gnawed on my left hand like it was a bone with meat on it. It was bleeding buckets, so why is it already fine? Is the spiritual energy here that potent?”
“Did that fox lay a hand on your esteemed person?”
“That’s what I said.”
Srrk.
Ma Dongpil, who had risen to his feet at some point, glared at the fox cub.
An overwhelming chill emanated from his stern face, prompting Seo Ryang to wave his hands dismissively.
“How serious are you going to get? Just leave it be, man. Now you’re trying to punish an animal?”
“…”
“Relax your eyes.”
Lowering his head, Ma Dongpil shot one last glare at the fox cub. His eyes blazed with the intent to deliver severe retribution if it ever touched the Young Master’s esteemed person again.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
The fox cub didn’t even pretend to notice him. It scratched its chin a few times with its hind leg, then casually lay down, its gaze fixed only on Seo Ryang’s back.
A thick vein bulged on Ma Dongpil’s jaw. He felt slighted, having been ignored by a mere beast.
“What are you doing!”
“Ah, yes.”
Ma Dongpil crouched down beside Seo Ryang.
After examining the bamboo several more times, Seo Ryang’s face grew serious.
“This won’t do. It’s a bit of a walk to carry it back, so let’s just purify it right here.”
“Yes, I will stand guard.”
“Alright.”
Seo Ryang placed both hands on the bamboo, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes.
Vwoooom.
The Shadow Demon Arts receded, and the Unhindered Arts, which he had diligently cultivated for eight months, took its place.
Swoooosh!
In an instant, the surrounding air became pristine. It was absorbing even the most minuscule traces of impure energy hidden within the abundant spiritual energy.
Ma Dongpil watched the scene with a solemn gaze.
‘It’s always fascinating to watch.’
To purify the air by removing the surrounding impure energy.
Furthermore, to adjust the concentration of the spiritual bamboo, which was too potent to be consumed directly, to a suitable level.
‘It’s not just that he knows a unique martial art. It means his enlightenment regarding ki manipulation is incredibly high.’
A look of puzzlement crossed his face.
‘When could the Young Master have possibly gained such knowledge and enlightenment?’
The more he observed, the less he seemed like a young man in his early twenties. Just like moments ago, he often glimpsed the profound experience of an old master who had lived for decades.
Pssssss…
Finally, a haze began to rise from the bamboo.
It wasn't a hallucination, but a real shimmer. A portion of the highly concentrated spiritual energy stored in the bamboo was escaping into the air.
Seo Ryang’s eyebrow twitched.
Krrrrk!
Thick veins popped on the hands gripping the bamboo stalk.
Grrrrgle…
The two ends of the bamboo began to turn white, and the tips started to crack as if all moisture had been sucked out.
In contrast, the section Seo Ryang held grew darker in color. He was extracting the unstable energy and concentrating it into a single section, turning it into a liquid essence.
Pssssss. Pssssssss.
The whitened, shriveled ends turned gray and then disintegrated into dust that scattered in the wind.
After some time had passed, enough essence had collected within the stalk to slosh around.
Seo Ryang opened his eyes.
“Done.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Worked hard? Not at all. First, you drink… huh?”
Seo Ryang’s expression soured.
At some point, the fox cub had curled up on his crossed legs. It was in such a deep sleep that it probably wouldn't wake even if thunder struck right next to it.
“What the? When did it get here?”
Ma Dongpil was flustered.
“I, I was surveying the area… but I did not sense its presence.”
“Ha! This one’s a real mystery.”
Seo Ryang gently stroked the fox’s nose with his index finger.
‘Hmm.’
The texture is a work of art.
“Young Master, please give it to me. I will leave it somewhere nearby.”
“Leave it? This thing?”
“Its mother might be around.”
“Hmm… I suppose. But it was all alone in the deepest part of the forest.”
“She may have stepped out for a moment. Even if not, there are no ordinary creatures in the Solitary Bamboo Forest. Though small, this one is surely a demonic beast.”
“That’s true.”
Seo Ryang smacked his lips. Still, seeing it dozing on his lap, he felt a pang of guilt at the thought of just abandoning it.
“For now, you drink half. We’ll figure out what to do with this one later.”
A look of bewilderment crossed Ma Dongpil’s face.
“Young Master, how could I dare accept something so precious…”
“Aren’t you tired of saying that after eight months?”
“This is different. It is only right that you take it all for yourself, Young Master.”
“Are you going to be like this until the very end? Let’s not be cold, considering the bond we’ve formed. Hurry up and drink.”
“…”
“Drink it before I dislocate your jaw and pour it down your throat. I want to try it soon, too.”
“…”
“God, you’re frustrating. Just drink it already!”
“…Thank you, Young Master.”
Emotion colored Ma Dongpil’s face as he slowly bowed.
No matter the bond, sharing such a precious elixir was a rare occurrence. An elixir was a treasure that could make lifelong friends draw blades on each other and that one wouldn't yield even to blood relatives.
And yet, the Third Young Master was sharing such an elixir as if it were nothing.
Seo Ryang chuckled.
“How many times have you saved my life? If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry for taking half when I should be giving you all of it.”
“Young Master…”
“You’ve suffered a lot in this godforsaken place because of me. I mean it.”
Ma Dongpil felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him.
Being a protector, a guardian warrior, was a lonely profession. No matter how hard you tried, one mistake could be the end. Even if you completed your mission perfectly, you were usually just told to be more vigilant in the future.
He had never once in his life received such sincere gratitude, but now he was receiving it from the Third Young Master, whom he had served for just over eight months.
This was many times more precious and valuable than any elixir.
“Until my mission is complete, I will protect you, Young Master. No threat will reach you unless it is over my dead body.”
I get that he’s grateful, but hearing this to my face is a bit cringey.
Just as Seo Ryang, feeling awkward, was scratching his head.
‘Hm?!’
His eyes flashed.
He felt no presence. There was no sound, no scent.
But the killing intent shaking the spiritually charged air was unmistakable.
A blind killing intent, devoid of any specific purpose. Arrows of immense, primal malice were converging on this very spot.
Ma Dongpil exclaimed as if coughing up blood.
“Even when this mission ends, I will not forget your great benevolence for as long as I live!”
“Hey! Enough, just drink it already!”
Ma Dongpil closed his eyes. The Third Young Master truly had no talent for taking credit.
“I, Ma Dongpil, may have to return to the Hall of Protectors after leaving this forest, but my heart will always…”
“Stop the speech and drink it!”
“Young Master, my sincerity is…”
“You crazy bastard! Please just drink! Drink!”
Thwack!
Ma Dongpil’s eyes widened.
“Ugh?!”
Before he knew it, his head was tilted back, his jaw dropped open, and the essence was being poured into his wide-open mouth.
“Gah! Gack!”
“Swallow! Work that Adam’s apple, you bastard!”
While recklessly pouring the essence, Seo Ryang scanned their surroundings.
“Son of a bitch!”
How are these bastards so fast?
From the sky, monstrous black birds, the Zhu, descended like a flock of crows. Besides them, he saw giant apes over nine feet tall, the Xingxing, as well as a couple of horse-like Luchu among the Changfu.
He also spotted the leopard called Mengji he had seen earlier. Its fur was so bright it was impossible to miss. Its speed, faster even than the horse-like Luchu, was truly overwhelming.
And that wasn’t all.
Crack! Crackle!
Several bamboo trees were rapidly withering. It seemed a few Biyu were moving underground, unseen.
All the demonic beasts he had seen so far were making a grand appearance. On top of that, from the far west, bizarre and grotesque beasts he had never seen before emerged.
Judging he had poured about half, Seo Ryang downed the remaining essence in one gulp.
Ma Dongpil, who had been coughing for a while, stared with wide eyes.
“Th-this is…!”
“Guuurp! Ahem! Hey! Run!”
“What is suddenly happening?”
“How should I know?!”
Seo Ryang hurriedly looked around.
“Northeast! The northeast is open! Have you memorized the paths here?!”
“Of course!”
“You reliable bastard! Good, let’s bolt!”
Just as he was about to use his movement technique, Seo Ryang glanced behind him.
Despite all the chaos, that damn fox cub was still sleeping soundly.
“…Dammit!”
A moment later.
“Hey! Catch!”
“Yes? Huk!”
“Tuck it inside your clothes so it doesn’t get hurt and run! I’ll cover the rear!”
“Y-Young Master! I will cut off their pursuit!”
Seo Ryang raised his fist.
Zzzzzing!
A reddish demonic energy rose from his fist like smoke.
“Just listen to me for once, you bastard!”
KABOOM!
“Keuk!”
Ma Dongpil’s body was launched forward at incredible speed. The heavy fist wind Seo Ryang had unleashed had pushed him away.
Projecting fist wind was itself an advanced martial principle. But to use that fist wind not to strike but to push and throw someone was a principle of the highest order.
Shock appeared on Ma Dongpil’s face. He knew the Young Master was strong, but he had no idea he was this strong.
“Y-Young Master!”
SQUELCH!
A Changfu’s body was split in half by Seo Ryang’s saber.
He was finally unveiling the ultimate technique of the King of Slaughter, the Heaven-Cleaving Three Sabers.
It wasn’t the greatest martial art, but none was better for swift execution. This was no time to show off with flashy techniques.
Fwoooosh!
A powerful demonic energy erupted from Seo Ryang’s body.
He roared boldly at the demonic beasts.
“Stay back!”
BOOM