Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Chapter 3. The Era of Dragons and Tigers (1)
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“How’s your body feeling?”
“The best.”
Myeongcheon answered Geom Yulcheon’s question like that.
Myeongcheon wore a bright smile. Seeing it, Geom Yulcheon grinned widely too.
Geom Yulcheon reached out and roughly ruffled Myeongcheon’s hair. His hair became a mess, but Myeongcheon didn’t erase his smile.
Looking at the large man before him put his mind so at ease. Over a dozen years ago, in that hellish place, he had only looked at this man and followed him. Thanks to that, he’d escaped that hell.
“Thank you, big brother.”
“What’s so great about a brother taking care of his little brother? I don’t get why you’re making such a fuss.”
“Even so, if it weren’t for you, big brother, I wouldn’t have survived this long.”
“Tch! Nonsense. Stop with those stray thoughts and focus only on recovering. Luckily, fortune favored us and you escaped the illness, but you’re not fully healed yet.”
“Yes!”
Myeongcheon answered energetically.
At that moment, the elderly man who had been tending to Myeongcheon opened the door and entered. His eyes reddened as he looked at Myeongcheon.
“Young master, you’re really all better now?”
“Yeah! I’m fully recovered now. So don’t worry, Yano.”
“That’s truly fortunate. Really…”
The elderly man called Yano couldn’t hold back and shed tears. Geom Yulcheon clicked his tongue at the sight.
“Tch!”
“I’m sorry, young lord.”
“Enough! I’ve known for ages that you’re a sentimental one, Yano.”
“You’ve been through so much.”
“What hardship? It’s just what had to be done.”
Geom Yulcheon scratched his head with an awkward expression. Yano gazed at him with eyes full of respect.
The first time he’d met Geom Yulcheon was already twenty years ago. Geom Yulcheon had been just twelve or thirteen then.
At an age when ordinary children could barely distinguish right from wrong, he’d been thrown into that hellish place. In a hell where even his own survival was uncertain, Geom Yulcheon had protected children weaker than himself.
Myeongcheon had been one of those children. Especially frail, he’d had the highest chance of dying.
When even taking care of himself was burdensome, Geom Yulcheon had shielded Myeongcheon to the end and escaped that hell. And today, he’d finally brought Myeongcheon to full recovery.
Even forging ties with the previous Divine Physician had ultimately been for Myeongcheon’s sake. When the previous Divine Physician died, he’d connected with his disciple too, ultimately freeing Myeongcheon from his illness.
The persistence and deep schemes Geom Yulcheon had shown in that process sent shivers even through Yano, who had watched him for so long.
‘Just what is this man’s limit…’
Yano felt goosebumps rise all over and shuddered.
He’d watched Geom Yulcheon for twenty years already, but he couldn’t even guess where his limits lay.
At that moment, Myeongcheon spoke up.
“Now I’ll share some of the burden you’ve been carrying, big brother.”
“You’ve got a lot ahead of you.”
“I know.”
“You rascal!”
Geom Yulcheon patted Myeongcheon’s shoulder a couple of times.
Myeongcheon was what people called a genius. He had an exceptionally sharp mind and never forgot anything he’d seen once.
Above all, his situational judgment was swift, and his ability to predict the future was outstanding. Thanks to that, they’d overcome crises countless times.
Myeongcheon’s greatest weakness had been his frail body due to his chronic illness. It had prevented proper activity. But now that he’d shaken off the illness, he could finally get into action.
It was then.
“Haha! I heard our little brother’s recovered?”
A man opened the door and entered.
The man wearing on his back a black shell like a peacock’s tail feathers was none other than Shin Muwol. At Shin Muwol’s appearance, Myeongcheon broke into a bright smile.
“Second brother!”
“Huh? Look at that color in your face. You really are all better.”
Shin Muwol pulled Myeongcheon into a tight hug.
Myeongcheon didn’t resist and closed his eyes in Shin Muwol’s embrace. Shin Muwol patted his back for a good while.
“You rascal, you need to put on some weight. What’s this? Just bones left.”
“I’ll eat a lot from now on and bulk up.”
“Yeah! That’s the spirit.”
Shin Muwol’s eyes reddened slightly.
He forced back tears and looked at Geom Yulcheon. Geom Yulcheon silently met his gaze. Shin Muwol bowed his head toward him.
“Big brother.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ve been through so much.”
“You too.”
“Finally, we’re all together at last. After a whole fifteen years…”
“Yeah. It took a long time.”
“It’s a shame Fourth Sister isn’t here. If she were, we could’ve had a proper feast.”
Shin Muwol looked regretful.
“She went to Sakju. And I’ll be heading to Sakju too.”
“Why Sakju?”
“The Ascending Heavens Messenger went there.”
“The Ascending Heavens Messenger? You mean the Blood Sea Judge?”
“That’s right.”
“Damn!”
Curses poured from Shin Muwol’s mouth immediately. Geom Yulcheon understood his feelings.
“Depending on the situation, the Little Heavens Saint might head there too.”
“The Ten Li Slayer, that murderer? Damn! The Cult Leader’s gone completely mad.”
Both the Ascending Heavens Messenger and Little Heavens Saint were infamous in the Demonic Cult for their brutality. No one who crossed them met a good end.
Above all, due to the nature of their martial arts, they were capable of mass slaughter. Their movement meant massive bloodshed.
“The Cult Leader’s dead serious. If we’re not careful, an irreparable catastrophe could occur.”
“Damn!”
“Muwol, your mission is the most crucial.”
“I know. But their tails are slippery. They seem catchable, then slip away like loaches.”
“Hmm.”
“I can’t handle it alone.”
“Myeongcheon!”
At Shin Muwol’s response, Geom Yulcheon called Myeongcheon.
“Yes, big brother!”
“The moment you’re fully recovered, move with Muwol. Find a way to catch them.”
“I’ve already got a method in mind.”
“Really?”
Shin Muwol’s face lit up.
Like rain in a drought? Knowing Myeongcheon’s abilities better than anyone, Shin Muwol couldn’t be more pleased.
“Sorry I couldn’t even earn my keep till now, but it’s the least I can do.”
“Hey! You pretty rascal!”
Shin Muwol hugged Myeongcheon tightly again. Myeongcheon’s face flushed beet red.
“Gah! Brother, I can’t breathe.”
“Right! Can’t have you suffocating. Anyway, thanks.”
Yano smiled at the scene.
These people, tightly bound around Geom Yulcheon.
Twenty years ago… such a sight had been unimaginable. If someone had said they’d bond this tightly back then, they’d have been called crazy.
Then Shin Muwol spoke up.
“By the way, I heard you clashed with the Fist Demon.”
“Yeah.”
“How was it?”
Curiosity filled Shin Muwol’s eyes.
“He’s strong.”
“How strong?”
“An opponent who requires giving it your all.”
“That much?”
Shock appeared on Shin Muwol’s face.
Geom Yulcheon was the strongest person he knew. Not just in martial arts, but in spirit, mind, and as a human.
That’s why Shin Muwol acknowledged him and called him big brother. He couldn’t accept anyone above Geom Yulcheon.
He knew the Dark Tiger was strong. He’d guessed as much since he’d troubled even Fourth Sister, the Wanderer of Songs. But he hadn’t expected even big brother Geom Yulcheon to regard him as an equal.
“I don’t know how he gained that level of strength in the Thousand Gold Horse Pavilion, but he’s strong. Excluding the Four Death Gods, the Cult Leader, and the Four Great Army Commanders, not many could clash head-on with him and win.”
“Damn!”
“Yeah. Strength on a mad level.”
Geom Yulcheon suddenly looked down at his hand.
The blade that had clashed with the Dark Tiger was shattered to pieces, and his gauntlet torn halfway. It had been ages since he’d taken damage like this.
“What about your sword?”
“Shattered.”
“Damn! That famous blade…”
“It’s just a worldly object anyway, nothing to regret. I don’t particularly need a sword.”
“But…”
“He’s a man worth that much.”
“Hmm.”
Shin Muwol groaned at Geom Yulcheon’s words. It had been over twenty years since he’d followed him, but Geom Yulcheon had never praised anyone so highly.
‘If I’d known, I should’ve settled it back then.’
Regret suddenly washed over him.
Geom Yulcheon noticed Shin Muwol’s inner thoughts and said,
“Forget the Dark Tiger from now on. Focus on finding them.”
“Understood.”
“And Yano.”
“Yes?”
“Help Yu-kyeong.”
“You mean go to Sakju?”
“Yes. I’ll head to Sakju as soon as I wrap things up.”
“Understood. Then I’ll depart first.”
“Mmm.”
Geom Yulcheon nodded and looked out the window.
Rumble!
At some point, thunder had begun crashing. Lightning struck, and fierce winds rattled the windows noisily.
‘Dark Tiger.’
Gazing at the storm, that man suddenly came to mind.
The Dark Tiger resembled the thunderstorm.
Relentless, never backing down.
‘If it’s him…’
***
“Phew!”
Daoist Hyeonso wiped his forehead with his sleeve.
Early spring. The wind was still chilly, but sweat poured ceaselessly from his brow. All because of the vegetable patch before him.
It wasn’t particularly large, but it was enough for Daoist Hyeonso and the children to get their vegetables.
Since descending Mount Hua, Daoist Hyeonso had always been self-sufficient. With no money in his pocket, he had no choice.
Even on Mount Hua, they hadn’t been abundant. But at least food and shelter were no worry. The world, however, wasn’t Mount Hua.
To maintain the bare minimum of life, money was needed. Without the bare minimum, you couldn’t eat or live.
At first, unaware of this, he’d suffered greatly and gone hungry. Only after days of starvation did he realize that to live humanely, you needed at least some money.
To earn it, he’d chosen gathering herbs. Fortunately, Daoist Hyeonso had profound knowledge of medicinal herbs.
At first, he’d just gathered and sold raw herbs, but later he made and sold Azure Life Pills. The Azure Life Pills were popular tonics, with steady customers.
Thanks to that, he’d managed to care for the children, however meagerly. But lately, he was feeling his age catching up.
It was then.
“Grandpa.”
A little girl who looked three or four toddled over to Daoist Hyeonso.
“Tired?”
The tiny girl held out a white handkerchief. Tears welled in Daoist Hyeonso’s eyes.
He took the handkerchief and replied.
“No, not tired at all.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Grandpa, you can’t be tired.”
“Right! Grandpa’s not tired one bit. Because we have Hayoung.”
“Hehe!”
The girl called Hayoung burst into an innocent laugh. But Daoist Hyeonso couldn’t just smile.
Hayoung was an orphan. Fortunately, he’d saved her, but her body was so weak that her growth was stunted.
‘I have to look after these children to the end.’
The Mount Hua Sect disciples searching for him still weighed on his mind.
“Grandpa.”
“Hm?”
“Tell me the story again.”
“Again?”
“Yeah! About Uncle.”
Hayoung plopped down right beside Daoist Hyeonso. Still young, she loved hearing stories about Damho most of all.
Daoist Hyeonso dredged up his memories and began the tale.
“Ho was…”