Chapter 132: Tai Sui
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: Tai Sui
Baek Woon stared at the sky, aghast.
“The sky…!”
Just moments ago, it had been broad daylight.
But now…
An ominous, dark-red mist.
A black curtain had fallen over a distant peak in the 100,000 Great Mountains.
“What in the world is happening…?”
Jang Bong was also horrified.
Just when he thought they had finally made it out of the 100,000 Great Mountains alive, he was witnessing a bizarre sight he'd never seen before.
It was nothing short of a natural disaster.
A phenomenon that could even be seen as a terrible omen.
“It's Tai Sui.”
Namgung Yeon said in a low voice.
Tai Sui. Baek Woon had heard the name a few times, but he couldn't recall its exact meaning.
“Tai Sui?” Baek Woon asked.
“Listen as we quicken our pace.”
As Namgung Yeon said, they picked up their speed.
Even without an explanation, they instinctively knew they had to get away from this place as quickly as possible.
“You've heard of the Thirty-six Heavenly Spirit Stars and the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Stars, I presume.”
The Thirty-six Heavenly Spirit Stars and the Seventy-two Earthly Fiend Stars.
Thirty-six stars bearing the name of Heaven.
Seventy-two stars bearing the name of Earth.
A term referring to a total of 108 baleful stars.
“Of course. The Heavenly Spirit Star, the Earthly Fiend Star... There are many, but the most famous must be the Heavenly Fiend Star.”
“Correct, Baek Woon. And the one that opposes the Heavenly Fiend Star is the Purple Star.”
Having been taught by the Mount Zhongnan Sect, there was no way Baek Woon wouldn't know this story.
Why would he say something like this to a martial artist?
Besides, the Mount Zhongnan Sect was situated at the birthplace of Taoism.
Baek Woon quickly realized Namgung Yeon hadn't asked the question to test his knowledge.
“The Heavenly Fiend and the Purple Star. It's no exaggeration to say they are stars that decide the fate of Murim.”
One born with the fate of the Heavenly Fiend Star plunges Murim into a sea of blood.
And whenever the Heavenly Fiend Star appeared, someone destined with the fate of the Purple Star would always emerge to oppose it.
Murim had changed according to the movements of celestial bodies, something incomprehensible to mortals.
“Are you saying that phenomenon is related to the celestial bodies? Similar to the Heavenly Fiend Star and the Purple Star?”
“It would be a relief if it were only similar. Tai Sui is the star that opposes Seseong.”
Seseong. The great star in charge of Wood among the Yin-Yang and Five Elements. In other words, Jupiter.
“It opposes Seseong? There can't be such a star…!”
“There isn't. Such a star does not exist.”
“Then what in the world is Tai Sui!”
“It does not exist, yet it does.”
Namgung Yeon spoke as if in a Zen riddle.
“A star is buried in the earth. Would you understand if I put it that way?”
“…In the earth?”
“The False Star, Tai Sui. A star not in the sky, but buried in the earth.”
“The Star Lord Tai Sui?” Jang Bong interjected.
“Hah, you're more knowledgeable than you look. The Five Great Families and the Nine Factions are desperate to hide this information.”
Namgung Yeon turned his head and let out a chuckle.
“…I only heard a little. From a wandering swordsman of the Unorthodox Factions.”
“There are some who call it the Star Lord Tai Sui. However, that is an incorrect name.”
Ruuuumble...
Dark clouds gathered from all directions.
“It's an evil spirit. An evil spirit. The title of 'god' is wrong. Perhaps in the past, but now it's a being that cannot be called a god. ...Though I suppose a Calamity God is still a god.”
“An evil spirit…”
“We'd best get out of here quickly. Nothing good will come of lingering.”
Namgung Yeon, who knew so much about information supposedly hidden by the Murim Alliance.
Baek Woon pondered his identity, but no answer came to mind.
How do you know that, Brother Namgung?
Normally, he would have made such a joke, but this was not the time.
Baek Woon kept his mouth shut and silently increased his pace.
He wanted to escape that ominous aura as quickly as possible.
*
An unbeatable being.
My instincts tell me so.
But I couldn't run away either.
Because it was not a being that would permit such a thing.
I've used up almost all my resources.
In my current state, I wouldn't be a meaningful threat.
There was only one thing I could do.
To be of some help to the Snake Queen, no matter how small.
“Grrrr…”
I puffed up my body as much as I could and let out a ferocious roar.
Vwoom.
The energy of the Jian Bird began to resonate again.
Just one time.
I had recovered enough strength for a single attack.
“Hoh. You still haven't given up?”
The Human-faced Bird's lips twisted grotesquely.
“Khhhup! How amusing, how very amusing!”
The Human-faced Bird slowly approached.
“My companion. I will give you a signal… You, at least, must escape.”
Fwaaaah!
The Snake Queen's form changed.
Into the form of a human, seemingly clad in armor made from my dragon scales.
The Snake Queen stood between me and the Human-faced Bird.
“Snake Queen. This is not a situation for you to interfere in.”
Jjeoooong!
The Snake Queen's body vanished.
KWAAANG!
I couldn't even see the movement.
Struck by that blow, the Snake Queen was sent flying far into the distance.
Was she sent flying so easily because she had changed into a human body?
No, even in her true form, it wouldn't have made much of a difference.
In fact, her larger size might have resulted in even greater damage.
“Hmm, good. Let's save the tastiest for last. Shall we have a little chat?”
“Krrrrr…”
It sent the Snake Queen flying far away.
That meant the Snake Queen now had a chance to escape.
My task was set.
To buy even a little time so the Snake Queen could get away.
“KRAAAAAAK!”
I shrieked and charged at the creature.
Fwoooosh!
Dark-red tentacles shot out from the ground.
PWAAAAK!
The tentacles threw my heavy body straight into the air.
And then.
KWAKWAGAGAGAK!
A tremendous impact slammed into my body.
KWAAANG!
My body crashed straight to the ground.
PWAAAK!
Without a moment to breathe, I was launched into the air again.
Kwajik!
Kwadeudeuk!
PWAAAK!
Like a bouncy ball trapped in a room with a low ceiling, my body flew about uncontrollably.
KWAAAAAANG!
When Gaechalgoatal's assault ended, my body was literally a tattered rag.
“Geheck…”
I coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Grrrk…”
I staggered to my feet.
It felt like all my bones were broken; my body wouldn't obey me.
I barely managed to support myself with my tail and glared at the creature.
I have to draw Gaechalgoatal's attention.
That's the only way the Snake Queen can survive.
I will sacrifice my life for her.
That wasn't the thought that brought me to this point.
If the Snake Queen lives, my own chances of survival increase.
“Hoh… Truly a wondrous life force.”
Clap.
The Human-faced Bird clapped its hands.
“Shall we end the entertainment here?”
Thwip!
A single tentacle lifted my body.
“Beast with dragon scales. I shall give you one last chance.”
…A last chance?
Does it mean it'll let me live?
“Come and serve under me.”
It was a ridiculous notion.
Right now, I couldn't even touch the sole of its foot.
There was absolutely no reason for it to try and win me over.
And yet, the creature was delaying killing me.
It must be because it has another goal.
That goal was obvious without even looking.
To make the Snake Queen submit.
It had been continuously using mental abilities on her.
Even in the last exchange, it could have launched a more fatal attack, but it ended with simply knocking her out of the ring.
What this creature wants isn't the Snake Queen's head.
It wants her to submit to it with all her heart.
I could see that vile desire in its eyes.
“It would not be difficult to make someone like you submit through force.”
It was right.
I was in a state where I was barely breathing.
“Behold.”
A black shadow washed over my body.
Chwaaaah!
Sizzzle...
Black smoke rose from my body.
I knew instantly what it had done.
The pain that had wracked my entire body was gone.
Broken bones mended, and lost scales grew back.
Gaechalgoatal had healed me, its enemy.
To show me that even if a creature like me recovered, it would change nothing.
“I am the ruin that will burn the entire world, and the immortality that will enrich it.”
To break my will.
“Do you not desire this power?”
The Human-faced Bird continued in a sinister voice.
“You can become anything you can imagine.”
Paaang!
“Think of it. The sight of you flying through the sky with giant wings.”
Giant wings sprouted from Gaechalgoatal's shoulders.
“A dragon. You can become a true dragon.”
Gaechalgoatal stared at me with its bizarre face.
Fsssk...
When I didn't answer, it seemed to lose interest in the dragon idea and made the unfurled wings vanish.
“If not that… right, how about the form of a human?”
The grotesque tentacles formed the shape of a human.
“All spirit beasts wish to become human. It is their instinct. Now, how about it? Take my hand, and I will allow you to take a human body.”
Gaechalgoatal extended a hand.
A white, bizarre hand.
If I took that hand, I could return to being human.
Human arms and legs.
A human voice.
A human face.
I hadn't shown it, but how I had missed it all.
There was only one choice for me to make.
Ptooey.
I spat out the blood I had been holding in my mouth.
Fwoosh!
The blue flame born from my Dragon Blood touched the Human-faced Bird's face, but the creature merely scoffed.
“Hoh… You have a strong will. Yes, I don't dislike creatures like you.”
Smack.
Gaechalgoatal's hand struck my cheek.
The impact felt like it would snap my neck.
I almost lost consciousness.
“However, I don't wish to see that side of you right now.”
SMACK!
“One is enough. The Queen is like that, and so are you. It's quite irritating when you're both like this.”
It was the moment Gaechalgoatal raised its hand to strike my cheek again.
Jjeooooooooong!
A beam of light flew in with tremendous force.
The Human-faced Bird's tentacles blocked her beam.
“The Queen has returned.”
…I told you to run. You never listen.
“Well then, I shall deal with the Queen. Why don't you take your time and think it over.”
Clap.
The Human-faced Bird clapped its hands.
“Ah, that is, if you can get out.”
The Human-faced Bird gave a sinister smile.
At the same time, my vision went black.
*
What happened?
My head hurts.
“G-get up!”
Someone is shaking me violently.
…Right. This isn't the time to be lying around.
I quickly opened my eyes.
Why was I lying here?
I was definitely…
…
What was I doing?
“The sun is high in the sky. You need to get up.”
“Hngh. We were pretty rough yesterday…”
“U-unni!” [Sister!]
I turned my head to look at the two women speaking to me.
They were women I'd never seen before.
But they felt familiar somehow.
…What is this?
Why can't I remember?
“Ah, you're awake?”
After confirming I was awake, she sat on the edge of the bed.
She subtly pushed her butt towards me.
Then she studied my expression, her face asking if I'd forgotten something.
What is going on?
I averted my gaze.
The other one was drooling while looking at my lower half.
This scene… I've seen it somewhere before.
Right.
These two are definitely…
“Tus, Pus?”