Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Insufficient Internal Energy
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Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
I swiftly swung the sword in my hand.
Flashes of light flickered wildly.
‘Until I’ve fully mastered swordsmanship, it’s best to keep holding onto a sword.’
‘Is there a reason for that?’
‘No matter how much that fan—’
‘It’s the Terror Fan.’
‘Right. No matter how much the Terror Fan was made as a sword substitute, it’s not a proper sword.’
‘Hmm.’
‘You need to get used to the sword right now. So until swordsmanship becomes second nature, it’s better to train with a real sword. You can touch the Terror Fan after that.’
‘Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.’
Following Dang Gyujin’s advice, I tried gripping a common sword from the family instead of the Terror Fan, and it seemed her words were spot on when it came to swords, probably because she was my senior in that regard.
Before I knew it, I had reached the third star of the Mara Heavenly Sword Form, and I could even infuse it with sword wind and sword energy.
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
The moment I channeled internal energy, thunderous sounds roared as lightning bolts crashed to the ground.
Ruuuumble—
“Haa, haa, haa—”
I let out deep breaths while scanning the training ground.
A satisfied smile crept onto my lips.
「The more I see, the more amazed I am. To achieve this much with just the lower dantian’s internal energy... once Your Excellency opens the remaining two dantians, the power will truly be unparalleled!」
「Indeed, the Heavenly Demon Sword Techniques... especially those pursuing extreme speed. Anyone trapped in that net will be like an ant in an ant hell, utterly unable to escape!」
These spirits were growing more flattering by the day.
「And if you add the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique on top, it would be the icing on the cake—」
“No. Not the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique yet.”
「—but with Young Leader’s wise plan, it will shine even brighter!!」
As the spirits looked at him in disbelief, the one who had been speaking slyly averted his gaze.
Another spirit asked.
「Didn’t you originally plan to move straight to the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique once you mastered the Mara Heavenly Sword Form?」
“Yeah. I did. I wanted to be in top condition before the spar with the Lion Slaughter King.”
There was also the promise with the Lion Slaughter King to show him my best claws.
But more than that, I wanted to stand before the North Sea Sect Leader as a Young Leader with ‘proper qualifications.’
The Heavenly Demon Sword Techniques became the Leader’s signature because my exceptionally talented master created them, but traditionally, the divine arts proving the Leader’s qualifications started with the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique.
In other words, to declare before the North Sea Sect Leader, ‘You’re mistaken, and the true orthodoxy lies with me,’ I absolutely needed to master the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique.
That’s why I had secretly welcomed the spar with the Lion Slaughter King.
If I practiced the Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique in advance and clashed with him, I could master it right away.
My plan was to show the completed Heavenly Demon Guardian Heart Technique before the North Sea Sect Leader... but now I was thinking I might have to postpone it.
「What’s the problem?」
“My internal energy is insufficient.”
「Ah!」
“No matter how well I can control Mara’s flesh now, the Mara Heavenly Sword Form is a monster that devours an enormous amount of internal energy on its own.”
「True. To produce that speed and power, it requires that much internal energy.」
“If I start practicing in this state, it’ll just mess up the internal energy circulation I’ve finally gotten smooth.”
「If you need spirit medicines, how about requesting to open the warehouse?」
The Dang Clan specialized in poison, so they were also skilled in pharmacology.
The medicine warehouse was probably stacked with spirit medicines.
But I shook my head.
“Time is too tight. Plus, the spirit medicines suited to me now lean toward pure yin energy.”
「Ah, with the Black Dragon Qi... it’s certainly tricky.」
I lowered my sword and looked up at the sky.
“Ah, won’t some ice crystal just drop from the sky or something?”
...Huh, wait a minute.
Ice crystal?
If my memory serves right, that Gu Min-chae guy definitely had—
Rustle!
Right then, instead of an ice crystal, a man wearing a bizarre mask dropped from the sky.
“Heh heh heh! Why the dazed look on your face?”
It was Gwijegal.
“You said beating the South Palace Clan would take quite some time, but you’re back sooner than expected?”
“Heh heh heh! The South Palace folks are still getting thrashed enthusiastically. You’ll probably hear some fun news soon. But more importantly, I came because there’s something urgent I need to tell you.”
Urgent news?
In that instant, Gwijegal’s eyes beyond the mask turned icy cold.
“The North Sea Sect Leader has entered Nine Dragons County.”
“!”
“The Shadow Venerable is already here too. Well, he’s a bit late playing pranks on his granddaughter... but he’ll enter the manor soon.”
The North Sea Sect Leader and the Shadow Venerable.
The clash of these two giants was now right around the corner.
Thump thump thump thump...!
My heart raced.
“And it seems the North Sea Sect Leader plans to stir up trouble as a ‘gift’ before the Shadow Venerable arrives.”
In that moment, sparks flew over my eyes.
* * *
“How about we go check out the night market? We’ve fallen behind on progress because of Unhwi, so it’ll be good for clearing our heads.”
Dang Gyujin’s suggestion perked up Yu Sumin and Sima Seon-ui’s ears.
“We came straight from the capital county without properly sightseeing... I’m in!”
“What about you, Seon-ui?”
Nod nod!
Sima Seon-ui nodded vigorously.
She even clenched her fist in excitement.
All women loved delicious food.
And the night market was full of delicious food!
There would be plenty to see too.
“With all these people around, there are lots of street vendors open. It’ll be fun to look around.”
“I’m in!”
“Then dress up pretty and come out. Who knows? A handsome young master might show up and ask for your address.”
And so, the impromptu trio set off around the time the moon rose.
“There are so many lanterns—it’s super flashy!”
“Wow! Look over there, sister! There’s even an acrobat!”
There were far more sights than Dang Gyujin had imagined.
Street musicians, acrobats, shell games, vendors, blacksmiths, and more. The scene of so many people selling their goods and skills made it hard to know where to look.
By the time they had circled the night market once, each of the three women carried a bundle of purchases.
“Where’d you get that mask?”
“Hm? Over there.”
“How much did you pay?”
“About this much.”
“Oh my, you little fool! That’s insane! For this junk...? No way. Let’s go get a refund.”
“I like it, though.”
“I’ll buy you something even better, so come on!”
Even a small commotion arose in the process.
Dang Gyujin smiled warmly as she watched Yu Sumin and Sima Seon-ui blending into the crowd and having fun.
‘It’s a nice sight.’
But a hint of bitterness lingered in her heart.
‘I wish Hwi-ah and Chang-ah could be like this too.’
This was the harmonious family scene Dang Gyujin had always dreamed of.
Herself, Unhwi, and Yu-chang.
No matter what others said, she hoped the three siblings would live peacefully together and lean on each other in tough times.
But such dreams were no longer possible.
Unhwi had already set off on his own path, and Dang Yu-chang had left for An-hwi where the South Palace Clan was.
The day the three siblings would gather again was probably gone forever.
‘I wonder if they’re doing okay safely.’
The image of her youngest sibling leaving the branch family with their mother’s enshrined urn and an expressionless face was still vividly etched in her mind.
Would she avoid sleeping outdoors on the road? Was she eating properly? Had she run into some weirdo and gotten into trouble?
She was a smart kid despite her greed, so she’d probably be fine... but as the eldest daughter, the worries were inevitable—
‘Hm?’
Lost in such thoughts, Dang Gyujin suddenly turned as something tugged at her sleeve from below.
A grubby-looking young boy was staring up at her, sneakily offering a tanghulu skewer.
“Pretty big sis, pretty big sis.”
“Me?”
“Who else but you? Is there a prettier big sis around?”
Pfft.
Dang Gyujin couldn’t help but chuckle as she knelt on one knee to meet the boy’s eyes.
“Alright, what does this pretty big sis have going on?”
“Um! Well! You’re super super pretty, so a pretty snack would suit a pretty person perfectly!”
It was an obvious sales pitch, but it had a talent for making the listener feel good.
“Oh? So what snack would be good? Candy?”
“No, not that!”
“Then momo flower cakes?”
“Nooo! Not that either!”
The boy thumped his chest in frustration and thrust out his tanghulu skewer.
“This one! It’s got all sorts of colorful fruits! Coated in syrup, nice and sweet! Just looking at it, it’s as pretty as you, sis!”
“Is it now?”
“Of course! So—”
As the boy started to say more, a woman who seemed to be his mother came rushing over.
“Oh dear, where did this kid go...? Oh no, I’m so sorry. This thoughtless child bothering a noble lady...!”
The woman looked even grubbier than the boy.
It was clear she hadn’t washed properly in days; her hands were caked in dirt and grime.
Tanghulu from someone like this? Hygiene was obviously an issue.
The woman seemed well aware and embarrassed, quickly snatching the skewer from her son and hiding it behind her back.
Truth be told, the fruits on that tanghulu weren’t great either.
Traces of half-rotten ones clumsily covered with murky syrup were obvious.
Though she wasn’t from Nine Dragons County, the woman knew her wares weren’t fit for Dang Gyujin’s eyes.
Just her attire and graceful steps marked her as a noble lady from a great house.
“Ah! Why keep hitting me! I was in the middle of making a sale!”
The woman smacked the boy’s back and urged him to go, but Dang Gyujin reached out to stop her.
“Don’t scold him too much. I was having fun too.”
“But—”
“More importantly, could you give me two more of those tanghulu?”
“T-This?”
“Yes. Your son’s such a smooth talker, it looks tasty now.”
“H-How could I sell something like this—”
“How much are they?”
After convincing(?) the vendor throughout the haggling, Dang Gyujin finally bought the tanghulu in an unusual spectacle.
“I’m so grateful, how can I—”
“Sell lots more tasty ones.”
“Pretty big sis! Thank youuu!”
Dang Gyujin lightly waved back at the boy jumping in place and waving, then returned to Yu Sumin and Sima Seon-ui.
The two had already finished shopping too; Sima Seon-ui held another mask.
A bizarre one adorned with dangling lion manes.
“Sister, where’d you go?”
“Oh, just to grab a snack. I got some for you too—want any?”
“My sugar was crashing anyway. Sure!”
Yu Sumin and Sima Seon-ui each took one and started munching.
Dang Gyujin watched them fondly, then glanced briefly at where the mother and son had been.
‘Yeah. I’ve got these kids around me, plus Unhwi and Father. No more moping—let’s do better from now on.’
A faint smile formed on her lips.
“Shall we head back then?”
“Yeah, sounds good!”
Nod nod!
The three began heading back to the Nine Dragons Branch Family manor.
“So anyway, this fox of a girl—”
“No, that’s not it!”
Yu Sumin and Sima Seon-ui chattered about their night market anecdotes.
Mostly Yu Sumin teasing Sima Seon-ui one-sidedly(?), but still.
‘But is Seon-ui really still interested in Hwi-ah?’
Then Dang Gyujin suddenly recalled what Yu Sumin had said.
That Sima Seon-ui seemed to have feelings for Unhwi.
She’d said it was unlikely, but since she hadn’t properly talked with Sima Seon-ui yet, it was hard to know her true feelings.
‘Their sword discussion seemed to go well enough.’
Dang Gyujin knew Sima Seon-ui was a kind person despite her quirky personality that differed from the rumors.
But since her inner thoughts were hard to read, it was tricky to jump to conclusions or bring it up naturally—
Plop!
Suddenly, Sima Seon-ui halted mid-step.
“Hm?”
“What’s up, all of a sudden? Out of nowhere.”
Dang Gyujin and Yu Sumin tilted their heads.
But Sima Seon-ui’s face had stiffened.
“Something’s off.”
“What?”
“The presence of people around us.”
“?”
“There are none.”
“!”
Only then did Yu Sumin snap to attention and scan the surroundings.
Dang Gyujin did the same.
Before they knew it, the bustling crowd had vanished completely.