Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Descending Blood Gate Mountain
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The flame said nothing more.
Whether it had nothing left to say, or simply didn't want to speak.
The mental world slowly shattered.
"We still have more to talk about, it seems."
Lee Seon grudgingly shoved his face close to the flame clutched in his hand.
After all, he'd bared his soul and shared his ambitions—shouldn't it at least offer some thoughts out of courtesy?
No matter how displeased its master might be, how dare it stay silent.
It had muttered gloomily about becoming a sage, and now it clamped its mouth shut.
Its silence, after he refused to heed its words, was like a child rejected in its demands.
Still, they would be living together from here on out. A strained relationship would only make things awkward.
Lee Seon opened his hand, releasing the flame into the air.
"That's enough for today. We'll continue next time."
The flame lunged straight for Lee Seon's chest. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It seemed quite a bit of time had passed in that mental space.
The air brushing his skin felt refreshingly cool.
A smile crept onto Lee Seon's lips.
Energy surged within him.
He'd been startled when the flame suddenly leaped in, but...
He quickly realized what changes had occurred in his body.
The Flame Emperor's Myriad Poison Art had reached the eighth star.
All his past struggles had led to this moment.
Lee Seon leaped up from his spot.
His body soared high into the sky, as if floating through the air, filled with a sense of buoyancy.
Was this how a caterpillar felt, shedding its husk to spread its wings as a butterfly for the first time?
"You think so too, right?"
Kiiik?
At his words, the Human-Faced Spider cautiously poked its head out.
Practicing martial arts made it hard to respond properly to the outside world.
It had stayed by his side to guard against any unexpected threats.
"Thanks."
Stroking the Human-Faced Spider's head brought a pleasant, fluffy sensation.
Seen like this, the Human-Faced Spider was utterly adorable.
Why did people keep dogs?
When something far superior to dogs in every way was right here.
Many hands made light work, as they said.
The more, the better.
Its size was as big as a house.
Its head wasn't small relative to its body—quite large, in fact.
Teeth? Razor-sharp.
Fist-sized eyes numbering a whopping eight, piercing the darkness as clearly as daylight!
And it had poison, plus it could shoot webs.
Still, dog lovers would insist:
"Dogs are better!"
Nonsense!
Dogs bark at unfamiliar faces.
That's the way of the weak.
Barking changes nothing.
Why call it a companion animal?
Shouldn't it be a lifelong partner, sharing your life like a fellow traveler?
Then it should handle problems on its own.
From a certain perspective, dogs just dumped the issue on their owner.
What if the Human-Faced Spider had been there?
It wouldn't dream of causing a noisy ruckus while its master slept soundly.
It would resolve things perfectly on its own.
The epitome of a perfect companion animal.
The most flawless creature crafted by the heavens.
That was the Human-Faced Spider.
Of course, as his companion, it was deeply imprinted with loyalty and fear toward the old man down to its bones.
"I said I've changed."
The Human-Faced Spider rolled each of its eyes one by one, scanning Lee Seon thoroughly.
Its appraising gaze lingered, then it reluctantly nodded.
And rightly so—the Flame Emperor's Myriad Poison Art reaching the eighth star had nearly broken through the realm's barrier.
But martial arts balanced when mind, energy, and body united as one.
He was confident his inner energy and mindset surpassed anyone's.
Yet his body lagged far behind.
Well, nothing to be done about it.
It was regrettable not to shatter the wall in one go, but this achievement was more than satisfying.
More importantly, he'd come close once.
Next time opportunity knocked, he'd definitely break through.
Now, supreme mastery was just within reach.
"Let's try it one more time."
Lee Seon reignited his fighting spirit.
At this point, he could probably hold out a full hour against the Human-Faced Spider.
The Human-Faced Spider eyed him suspiciously.
Then it dropped something at his feet, carrying it in its mouth.
A small bundle, containing a letter.
Lee Seon unfolded the paper.
The contents read:
'If you're reading this, it means the pearl has acknowledged you. Don't pester it anymore and get off the mountain.'
Could he really leave?
Lee Seon glanced at the Human-Faced Spider.
"I'm going."
The creature that had always shadowed him vigilantly, never letting its guard down...
Now lay belly-down on the ground, eyes closed.
As if it had fulfilled its duty, in perfect repose.
"I'm really going?"
The Human-Faced Spider snapped its head away, as if urging him to hurry.
But it couldn't hide the tears welling in the midst of its countless bright, glistening eyes.
Lee Seon grinned broadly.
I'd have been disappointed if you didn't cry.
Like it or not, it was a friend he'd spent half his life with.
Lee Seon wiped the tears from the Human-Faced Spider's eyes with his palm.
"I'll bring back something tasty when I return. Take care."
For once, his own eyes felt dry. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Packing didn't take long.
He'd already prepared everything to leave at a moment's notice.
How long had it been since he last stepped out of Blood Gate Mountain?
Come to think of it, I wonder how Dang Ha-ryeong is doing.
Mountain life made it hard to hear outside news.
No news is good news, but he was still curious.
In that case, first destination: Sichuan.
Lee Seon set his direction and moved.
Though it was his first time on this path, with a map, finding the way wasn't difficult.
Then, a familiar scent drifted on the wind.
His eyebrows twitched.
No, this smell...?
Following it didn't take long before he spotted a group setting up camp.
"Hello."
Lee Seon approached abruptly and greeted them.
"Eek!"
The reactions varied wildly.
Some froze mid-sit, stiff as boards.
Others dropped their food straight to the ground.
And some even grabbed their swords.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Lee Seon flashed a friendly smile.
But in the darkness, no one could see it.
Now they all tensed up, hands inching toward weapons.
There seemed to be some misunderstanding.
"Just a traveler passing by, drawn like a moth to your fire."
But their faces twisted.
"What's your deal?"
Now they all drew weapons and stood.
One wrong move, and a midnight brawl could erupt.
Lee Seon didn't want to fight.
Moonlit calisthenics weren't his style.
This was his historic first step into the jianghu—he had no desire to dirty his hands.
Best to resolve it amicably with words.
"Just a wanderer passing through."
One scoffed.
"Yeah, right."
The torch-bearer approached slowly, shining the light on his face.
Lee Seon's figure emerged from the shadows.
The armed group's expressions turned peculiar.
He didn't match their imagined image at all.
Too neat for a bandit.
His hair draped messily over his eyes.
A seemingly scrawny, ordinary young man.
No weapon in hand, belt empty.
Just a small bundle.
Whatever was inside, the limp fabric screamed "lacking."
"Mind if I join? I'm starving."
Lee Seon rubbed his belly.
Not that he noticed on departure, but skipping meals had left his stomach plastered to his back.
As they hesitated, one stepped forward.
"Can't do that. Sorry, but you'll have to leave."
A woman with cold eyes and a frosty demeanor.
She practiced martial arts—sword at her waist, radiating sharp aura.
"May I ask why?"
"Can't let in someone whose identity isn't verified."
A reasonable excuse.
"Then what would it take for you to trust me?"
She seemed momentarily flustered.
But quickly regained composure.
"We're on an escort mission right now. Got anything to prove who you are?"
Lee Seon pondered.
Should he show the token?
The one Dang Ha-ryeong gave him.
It might earn their trust.
The old man said her family was quite well-off.
But it was hers, not his.
He knew little of the jianghu, but she surely hadn't handed it over lightly.
Using her name carelessly here wasn't wise.
"Nope."
"Then we can't take you in."
"I understand."
It was natural to panic at a stranger demanding to join.
"I'll be on my way, then."
Lee Seon turned and retraced his steps.
The youth left without protest, and they blinked in confusion.
"...What the hell was that guy?"
Watching him vanish without lingering felt like being haunted by a ghost. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
"Hello."
"You're that guy from yesterday."
They faced a familiar countenance.
"Today, I'm here as a physician."
"What?"
Lee Seon shrugged.
"Felt like you'd need a doctor around here soon."