Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Successors
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Next, Mu-heun properly trimmed the salted cabbage. He placed the cabbage, green chili peppers, and bell peppers into a rather large bowl and began to cook. As he cooked them with vinegar, the sour and salty flavors achieved a perfect harmony.
These pickled vegetables would add depth to the dish.
One might dislike the taste at first bite. However, the tartness that tingled the nose would prove to be strangely addictive.
He rinsed the pickled cabbage briefly in water to adjust its saltiness, then chopped it finely.
As he manifested all of this through the shimmering fragrance, Mu-heun himself felt like a god overlooking the world.
Now that the ingredients were more or less ready, he began the part of the cooking that required fire.
First, he manifested a sturdy pot with fragrance. Then, he manifested a searing flame.
He drizzled oil into the deep pot and stir-fried ginger and garlic, further intensifying the already exquisite aroma.
Once the fragrant scent spread, he added the sliced and boiled fish, stir-frying it lightly.
After stir-frying the fish until it turned white, he added the Suan Cai—the finely chopped, soured vegetables.
Now, he stir-fried them together to draw out their deep flavor.
[Kkiiia! What is all this!]
“It’s almost done.”
Next, he adjusted the amount of water and broth, poured it in, and brought it to a boil.
As the water bubbled, he added chili and peppercorns to introduce a spicy kick.
Finally, he let it simmer until the fish was fully cooked, then garnished it with sliced green onions and cilantro to finish.
The image of the completed Suan Cai Yu approached Cheon-hyang as a fragrance.
“There. Now, you may savor it to your heart’s content.”
I served the Suan Cai Yu, created using Myriad Fragrance, before Cheon-hyang. A dish manifested from a shimmering scent. For Cheon-hyang, it would be a meal more magnificent than any real dish.
[Kkiiiaaaaa! Whoooosh!]
As if possessed, Cheon-hyang lost herself and began to savor the aroma.
The finished Suan Cai Yu was vibrant in color. The white flesh of the fish glistened beautifully in the savory oil. The pickled cabbage had a yellowish hue, and the overall dish was a harmonious blend of sour and spicy flavors.
The green onions and cilantro sprinkled on top added a fresh fragrance, which Cheon-hyang inhaled, completely captivated.
It was the moment I was adding flavor and depth to Cheon-hyang’s world.
Cheon-hyang drew closer to the shimmering Suan Cai Yu, and the instant she took her first whiff…
She felt the sensation of tender fish melting on her tongue. Simultaneously, the refreshing sourness of the Suan Cai enveloped her palate, making her feel as if a fresh spring breeze were blowing through her.
The spicy aroma of chili followed, sending a wave of heat to the depths of her heart. All these flavors fused into one, creating a deep and rich symphony of taste.
Each and every bite felt like a silent dance.
In Mu-heun’s eyes, the process was crystal clear, but to an outsider, it merely looked like a white owl was putting on a cute display for its master.
[Master! The Suan Cai Yu you made for me wasn't just a dish, it was a work of art in a bowl! Each ingredient complemented the others, and I could feel the flavors exploding in intensity!]
“Haha, are you satisfied?”
[Yes! It was a dish that made my mouth water!]
It seemed this meal had become a special gift for Cheon-hyang.
“Good, then rest for a bit. Now I must bestow a reward upon Hyeok.”
[Sir!]
Mu-heun began to teach Hyeok about the Tang Clan’s eight great poisons, which he had obtained from his battle with the Poison King Dang Baek-ho, and the Poison Energy Arts to wield them.
This was less a reward and more a way to strengthen Hyeok.
In truth, rather than giving a gift like the one he gave Cheon-hyang to the selfless Hyeok, Mu-heun was preparing him for the battles to come.
He gave Hyeok the numerous hidden weapons taken from the Tang Clan and the weapons he had collected after his fight with Dang Baek-ho.
Not only that, but he also gave him the Poison Iron Sword, the weapon of Bi-yu.
“From now on, you are the Poison Iron Sword.”
Finally, he infused Hyeok with his enhanced Heavenly Demonic Energy to the absolute limit. The creature grew stronger as I did, so in terms of his current state, he had reached the level of a divine being… in other words, the realm of a Surpassing Demon.
At this point, it seemed I would no longer need to step forward myself for most opponents.
A combined attack from Hyeok and Cheon-hyang could likely take on even a master of the Surpassing Demon realm.
They were truly excellent assets.
And finally…
I examined the Ghost Shadow Scroll that the Poison Iron Sword brothers had possessed, a mystical artifact brought back by Pa-sun and Un-pyo.
This is a truly useful item…
I planned to store Hyeok in the Ghost Shadow Scroll for portability. With this, I wouldn't have to worry about him drawing attention as a Heavenly Demonic Corpse, and I could use him whenever the need arose.
These were spoils of war that would be put to great use.
I began to chant the incantation for the Ghost Shadow Scroll.
‘I believe this was how to use it…’
“Where Yang reaches its peak, Yin is born.
As Yang in its extremity transforms into Yin,
And where Yin reaches its peak, Yang is born.
As Yin in its extremity transforms into Yang,
Heaven holds no principle to extinguish all life.
For it is the law of nature not to let all men die.
Where there is shadow, there must also be light.”
As Mu-heun chanted, the Ghost Shadow Scroll began to flutter, and he felt it pulling something in.
“Hyeok, enter!”
At Mu-heun’s shout, Hyeok leaped into the Ghost Shadow Scroll and vanished as if he had never been there.
The Ghost Shadow Scroll fell silent, as if nothing had happened, and only Mu-heun could sense the Heavenly Demonic Corpse held within.
“Indeed… mystical artifacts are truly wondrous things.”
***
A new wind was blowing through the main cult.
After trade between the Divine Cult and the Central Plains had reopened, and while everyone was loudly praising Mu-heun, the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden of the Sacred Fire Palace was sharing a conversation with the three Palace Lords who had come to visit her.
She didn't know why these prominent figures of the cult had suddenly come to see her, but the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden surmised that they were acting on a strong intuition that their successors would become entangled with the Dragon Demon.
Seol Ha-ryeong of the Sacred Fire Palace, Gu Yang-baek of the Killing Palace, and Wu Mu-gyeong of the Law Palace.
The anticipation that these three would soon be involved with the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord, Baek Mu-heun, and achieve some great leap forward—that was what had moved these powerful figures before her.
The Killing Palace Lord went first, recounting the events of the Sichuan trip based on what he had heard from Gu Yang-baek, which drew a gasp of admiration from the Law Palace Lord.
The three Palace Lords were enjoying a lavish feast with top-grade liquor, catching up with one another.
“Wahahahaha! Divine Maiden! Do you know what that prideful Gu Yang-baek said? He said his own shortcomings were so great that he wanted to enter closed-door training. A man who is among the top assassins in the Killing Palace said that! Hahaha! You have no idea how proud I am!”
The Killing Palace Lord, Cho Seon-neung, chattered on, more excited than he had been in a long time. Feeling a pang of jealousy, the Law Palace Lord, Cheon Ji-gyeong, spoke up.
“Hold on, the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord took Seol Ha-ryeong of the Sacred Fire Palace and Gu Yang-baek of the Killing Palace, but why didn't he take our Law Palace’s Wu Mu-gyeong…? I simply do not understand.”
At that, Cho Seon-neung immediately cut in.
“Why ask something so obvious? It’s because Wu Mu-gyeong’s skills were lacking, of course. Hahahahaha!”
“Wh-what did you say?!”
“Even Gu Yang-baek, who displays unparalleled talent among the assassins of the Killing Palace, went with him and came back having realized his own inadequacies. And yet, Wu Mu-gyeong is a level below Gu Yang-baek… Ahem! He would have only been a hindrance had he gone.”
“What was that!? Ugh, stop drinking so much!”
“What!?”
The Killing Palace Lord and the Law Palace Lord, drunk, broke into a squabble. Mi-wol, the Sacred Fire Palace Lord, simply watched them with a gentle laugh.
“Hmph! That Wu Mu-gyeong! I’m going to grab him and train him immediately! Just you watch! I’ll crush the Killing Palace’s pride!”
“Ah, yes, yes, I’m sure you will. Hahahahaha!”
“Ugh…”
“By the way, Sacred Fire Palace Lord. Gu Yang-baek, who went with them, has returned, so why hasn't Seol Ha-ryeong shown even a trace of herself yet?”
“Did she perhaps not return when the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord came back?”
Mi-wol couldn't answer the two Palace Lords’ questions. She, too, had no idea why Seol Ha-ryeong hadn't returned with him.
“Well, I’m sure the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord has his reasons. The Bright Heavenly Demon Unit reported that the Dragon Demon has business in the Central Plains for about two months and that Seol Ha-ryeong will stay with him and return then.”
At her words, the two Palace Lords exchanged glances.
A moment later, the Law Palace Lord burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha! It can happen when a man and a woman travel together. But if that man is the young and promising Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord, then there’s nothing more to be said.”
The Killing Palace Lord added to the Law Palace Lord's words.
“That’s right. From what I see, even Gu Yang-baek, whom I considered the most talented, conceded a few steps after witnessing the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord's talent. How often do you find someone that age who is not only skilled in martial arts but also handsome? I think this is quite a joyous occasion.”
However, Mi-wol thought differently from the two of them. The reason was that from the first time she saw the Dragon Demon to the most recent, his eyes had shown no room for distractions.
From what the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden had seen, the man named Mu-heun was someone who set a single, clear goal and pursued only that. It didn't seem likely that he would indulge in women, alcohol, or other pleasures.
Furthermore, the Seol Ha-ryeong she knew would not have approached Mu-heun first with personal feelings.
The question of ‘Why, then?’ remained, but she knew that all would be revealed in time.
One thing was certain: when she, as the Sun and Moon Divine Maiden, had performed a rite and read the omens, it was foretold that the two would continue to work together in the future.
The result of the divination was that they would work together, not that they would become lovers. Thus, she couldn't make any hasty judgments, but it was clear that something was afoot.
“Hoo.”
Mi-wol let out a sigh and said.
“I also need to sort out my thoughts, so please, it’s time for you to leave. You busy men have been here for far too long.”
The Sacred Fire Palace Lord had issued an order for her guests to depart.
Within the Divine Cult, those who could give such an order to the Killing Palace Lord and the Law Palace Lord could be counted on one hand, and Mi-wol, the Sacred Fire Palace Lord and Sun and Moon Divine Maiden, was one of them.
“H-hem.”
“A-ahem!”
The Law Palace Lord and the Killing Palace Lord both cleared their throats a few times before rising from their seats.
“Well then, we will come again.”
“We’ll see you next time.”
As the two Palace Lords spoke of their next visit and turned to leave, Mi-wol said with a bright smile.
“Please don’t come next time.”
After sending the two Palace Lords away, Mi-wol was about to consult the omens once more when she saw a carrier pigeon flying in from a distance.
“It’s here.”
Mi-wol could immediately guess the sender of the approaching pigeon.
‘A letter from the Dragon Demon Pavilion Lord, Baek Mu-heun.’
Seeing the carrier pigeon sent by Mu-heun, Mi-wol’s expression turned inexplicably complex.
She unfolded the letter and began to read…
The Divine Maiden’s expression started to contort.