Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: On the Way to the Residence (2)
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Chapter 16
16. On the Way to the Residence (2)
Elder Jang stood tall, like an ancient tree that had endured for thousands of years.
A fierce wind happened to blow at that moment, sending his long white beard and dark robe hem fluttering like flowing water.
With the dense clouds and mist spreading behind his back, and the peaks shrouded within, it felt just like gazing upon a Daoist painting depicting an immortal.
"El-Elder Jang, why are you here..."
I asked, my face full of shock.
"More importantly, you look like a complete mess."
Instead of answering, Elder Jang calmly gazed at my clothes and face, dirtied from rolling on the ground and getting beaten.
Soon enough, was it anger?
Veins like earth dragons writhed and crawled up across his rough skin.
The bandits flinched momentarily at the sudden presence.
But upon seeing that the source was a man past middle age, closer to an old man, sneers soon crept onto their faces.
"Hahaha, has this old fool lost his mind? No, he's probably tired of living. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare stand in our way."
Whoosh—
The leader roughly yanked out the hooked-tooth blade embedded in the dirt.
Then he began mocking Elder Jang.
The underlings arrayed around him like a folding screen joined in one by one, hurling jeering words.
"Old man, did you leave your balls back in the mountains?"
"Looks like he came here scouting for his grave site."
"Hahaha."
The bandits didn't seem to sense any danger from me or even Elder Jang.
They clutched their stomachs and laughed uproariously, as if something was hilarious. Some even fell backward.
Elder Jang ignored their mockery entirely and asked me,
"If you have any bladed weapon, lend it to me for a bit."
"Pardon? You're not thinking of fighting them yourself, are you? No, you can't. These are vicious bandits, and just looking at their weapons tells me they're no ordinary foes."
From what Somi had told me, Elder Jang was either the leader of a great merchant caravan in his youth or a high-ranking official in the court.
Of course, it was just street rumors, and nowhere did it mention anything about martial prowess.
After getting thrashed by the bandits, there wasn't a single unscathed spot on my body.
My ankle in particular was injured so badly I could barely take a step. Probably a sprained ligament or a cracked bone.
Even so...
I couldn't send an elderly man into the fray in my place.
"If there's fighting to be done... I should be the one."
It was my attempt at bravery, but Elder Jang narrowed his eyes and bellowed like thunder,
"It's fine. I know a bit of martial arts myself, so don't worry and stay back."
I wasn't sure. Was this right?
In the end, I pulled out a small knife I'd hidden in my bosom.
"This is... something I bought for trimming crops or cutting thorny vines. But it's been neglected for so long since it was cheap..."
It was a tiny sword about the length of a man's forearm.
Made of cheap iron, the blade was notched, and red rust spots dotted it here and there from disuse.
'...I wonder if this can even slice through a single head of cabbage.'
But contrary to my anxiety, Elder Jang took it and subtly lifted one corner of his mouth.
"This'll be more than enough to deal with fleeing stragglers."
"......"
The bandits, who had been laughing their heads off, abruptly stopped all at once.
It must have scratched their nerves raw.
Bandits were a group gathered from people with all sorts of pasts.
Some were once common folk, others lowlifes scraping by in the martial world, and perhaps some fallen officials.
Reasons varied, but in the end, they were people who'd fallen from grace or turned to darkness after fleeing.
In simple terms, human dropouts.
So of course they'd bristle at words like "fugitives" or "stragglers."
"Hey, you old bastard!"
Like an explosion of rage, five bandits charged at Elder Jang simultaneously.
All were hulking brutes comparable to the leader, wielding ferocious weapons.
Two held sharpened axes. One gripped an iron mace, and the rest brandished long-shafted crescent blades fit for Guan Yu, rushing forward.
Not one wielded something as crude as Elder Jang's small knife.
Elder Jang gently pulled me behind him.
And the small knife in his hand...
"......?"
I'd always prided myself on my sharp eyes.
But what had I seen? Or rather, missed?
In the blink of an eye, the five bandits' limbs were torn to shreds and floated into the air. Soon, a downpour of blood rain began pouring down before my eyes.
Splash—
I hadn't even seen Elder Jang swing the knife or plant his foot.
What in the world was this sorcery?
I couldn't believe it; no words came out.
"......!"
I wasn't the only one shocked.
In an instant, half the group had vanished into thin air.
The remaining five, including the leader, froze in place.
Some even rubbed their eyes, doubting what they'd seen was real.
And then.
"I was content to live quietly. But after seeing what they've done to my granddaughter's benefactor, I can't hold back."
With those meaningful words.
The supreme master's aura, until then concealed by Return to Pure Simplicity, erupted like a waterfall in an instant.
An intangible energy surged wildly from Elder Jang's body.
It was an overwhelming, transcendent presence that could silence even those a thousand li away.
Soon, the ground trembled as if an earthquake had struck, and the surrounding trees shook all at once.
Even the firmly attached leaves rained down in cascades.
And to that aura was added ferocious killing intent.
Even a dog that had never seen a tiger its whole life instinctively knows the scent of tiger urine.
That the one who left it is a being that calls forth not just fear, but death itself.
The bandits felt it too.
That the old man before them was an insurmountable Mount Tai, the king of beasts itself.
"A-A peak master. No, definitely a supreme master. B-But why in a place like this..."
The bandits shuddered like they'd been struck by lightning and tossed aside their weapons.
They seemed to sense it instinctively.
That pathetic blades could never match him.
No, that they would only hinder their escape.
One even pissed himself right there, soaking his pants through.
"U-Uwaaaack!"
The bandits shrieked like cornered rats and fled with all their might.
But Elder Jang didn't pursue. He simply clasped his hands behind his back and watched their retreating figures intently.
"You rest here. I'll be right back."
The bandits vanished completely from sight.
Only then did Elder Jang's toe quietly touch the dirt.
His body shot into the air like the wind itself.
Then, as if stepping on invisible stairs in the void, he pursued them with light, flying footwork.
'That's... the legendary Void Stepping.'
Before long, screams like those from a slaughterhouse echoed from all over the mountains.
* * *
Elder Jang, who had vanished leisurely like a bird, returned clad head to toe in blood.
Thud.
He casually tossed the severed head of one of the bandits before me.
"W-Whoa, you startled me."
It belonged to the man with the massive build and lion-mane tangle of hair.
The bandit leader's head.
"You've heard the rumors. Vengeful spirits haunt these mountains, wandering the nine heavens. So many that passing this road always sends chills down your spine."
"Those bandits were behind it."
"Indeed. Now that their souls join the rest, the wronged spirits might find a bit of joy."
"I see..."
For some reason, I understood.
The Elder Jang before me hadn't slain them for mere vengeful spirits.
He was a man who wouldn't even grant himself the right to mercy.
A warm grandfather who would give his liver and gall to his granddaughter, but before those he deemed enemies...
He was a blade without blood or tears, the incarnation of slaughter.
No emotion, hesitation, or pity in his eyes.
And in that moment.
I never knew I'd feel such gratitude and relief that Elder Jang was on my side.
"Well then, shall we go?"
Having finished the job, Elder Jang quietly brushed the blood-soaked white beard and spoke to me.
"W-Wait a moment. I need to find Maban."
The whirlwind of events passed, and my frayed nerves reconnected.
Dragging my injured ankle, I headed to where I'd tossed Maban.
He'd been in my arms just moments ago, letting out faint cries with his tiny heart pounding.
But that brute had kicked him with full force.
If he'd crossed the Jordan, I at least needed to recover the remains.
"No rush."
"Huh?"
Elder Jang stopped me.
"Seemed like an animal you were quite fond of. I'd already tended to it. He's probably asleep by now."
Before coming to me, he'd used Thousand Li Earth Listening Skill to survey the area.
He'd meant to come straight to me, but stopped by Maban first, fearing resentment.
Fortunately, the little guy's qi and blood were merely disrupted, no major external injuries.
Elder Jang had injected his inner energy to straighten the qi and blood.
Probably the fat he'd built up over time that kept him alive.
"Heh, first time in my life using my arts to save a beast. Anyway, he's fine now, so don't worry too much."
Elder Jang added that he couldn't understand throwing oneself for a mere creature.
'Come to think of it, why did I?'
I'd prided myself on being cool-headed and rational.
I don't know.
All the food I'd fed Maban over time...
Felt unfair and frustrating if he died without earning his keep.
After that, Elder Jang examined my limping ankle. Fortunately, no broken bones.
We headed together to the thicket where Maban lay.
"......?"
The guy was sprawled out snoring as if nothing had happened.
Looked just like an uncle flopped after overtime.
Maban's nostrils flared, his nose twitching with each puff.
"First beast I've seen snoring in its sleep."
"Elder Jang, this is my first time too."
We loaded Maban onto the cart.
And slowly set off toward the residence.
Jingle, jingle.
The bell on sleeping Maban rang in my ears, while Elder Jang walked beside, seemingly lost in thought without a word.
I was too exhausted for talk.
But soon, he quietly opened his mouth.
"It's a harsh world. You need the strength to protect at least yourself."
"True enough."
I nodded in agreement, and Elder Jang narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then, slowly, heavily, he said,
"How about becoming my disciple?"