170. Bear Cats (1)
The martial world is vast.
Insanely vast.
Is it just vast?
There were towering mountains beyond count, and winding deep valleys scattered everywhere.
Sichuan Province, with its basin terrain extending from the highlands, was especially so.
In that sense, being able to fly was an enormous advantage.
To get here in just half a day...
Tak Horak, looking down below, shouted in admiration.
His voice was buried in the wind, so I channeled the energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art toward my ears.
Training pays off.
Someone might say it wasn't much training after just a few days, but the results were impressive.
My control over the energy had definitely improved.
The old Heavenly Demon Divine Art wouldn't obey my will unless it was a dire situation. It rampaged like a wild horse.
But now, it was starting to heed me, at least a little. Like I'd succeeded in taming it to some degree.
Thanks to that, I could finally enhance senses beyond sight, and even in the fierce wind, I heard Tak Horak's voice clearly.
"—Look at those winding mountain foothills. Doesn't it look like a massive dragon?"
I was just as awestruck.
The foothills curved like a giant dragon lying down, and with the sunset clinging to them, it even resembled a dragon clutching a yeouiju orb.
Is this the legendary majesty of the continent?
It was like witnessing the grandeur of nature with my own eyes.
But to maintain my persona, I just nodded silently.
[Impressive. Anyone can see it's a terrain brimming with spirit beasts.]
Pa Cheon chimed in.
True enough. Spirit beasts hiding in remote mountains and valleys was an age-old cliché.
This region really did produce a lot of them. That's how Dok An Su-sa from Return of the Martial Master had scoured it and stumbled upon the bear cats.
But to reach this deep, you either had to fly like me or approach with a specific purpose.
And the bear cat habitat is even further in.
That was why they could live for centuries without exposure.
"Family Head."
Sa Wol, her face flushed with excitement but speaking quietly, approached.
"The sun will set soon. How about camping tonight?"
We'd stayed at an inn the first night, but tonight it looked like we'd be roughing it.
I nodded. The sun sets much earlier in mountains and forests than you'd think. And Sa Wol was the expert here—I'd just follow her lead.
"Land."
I found a suitable clearing and had Mu-geuk-i descend.
"We'll prepare camp."
The moment we landed, Sa Wol and Tak Horak sprang into action.
Having capable subordinates meant I didn't have to lift a finger.
In no time, they had a campfire going and even set up leather mats to sit on—from the bulging bag Tak Horak had insisted on carrying.
The sunset dipped below the foothills, and darkness fell.
In the meantime, Sa Wol had somehow caught a few rabbits, skewered them on sticks, and brought them over. Plenty for a meal.
"I'll grill 'em to perfection."
Sa Wol nodded and quietly sat across from me.
The fire crackled softly as it burned, and the rabbit meat browned just right, filling the air with a savory aroma.
Mu-geuk-i folded its wings and settled nearby, yawning repeatedly. Little puffs of flame leaked from its yawns.
I found my mouth opening unbidden.
"Nice."
It felt healing, somehow.
After being crushed among crowds of martial artists lately, this serene space felt utterly peaceful.
Martial artists? From a modern person's view, they were all premeditated assaulters or murderers.
I'd long shed my modern pride, but that didn't mean the stress vanished.
"I like it too, Family Head."
Tak Horak handed me a perfectly cooked rabbit.
"This takes me back to my first mission into the martial world."
"Does it?"
"Yes. That's when I swore true loyalty to you, haha! The Vice Leader's here too."
He passed a rabbit to Sa Wol and plopped down on the dirt.
"Tak Horak."
"Yes."
"Sit over here. The ground's filthy."
"I'm fine."
"Plenty of room. Sit."
"Yes, sir! Thank you!"
As Tak Horak stood to move beside me—
Srrek.
Sa Wol had already risen and taken the spot.
I stared in bewilderment, and she explained.
"...Deputy Leader Tak is bigger than me. I figured you'd be more comfortable this way, Family Head."
Fair enough, so I just nodded. Though her sudden move startled me.
"Sit. Eat."
"Whoops, right!"
Tak Horak set down his rabbit and rummaged in his big bag.
Out came a large sake jug.
"Can't have a fine night like this without booze. Snagged it from the Tang Clan folks. Told 'em it was for you, so they pulled out something special—looks like top-shelf stuff from deep in their stores."
Martial artists and their booze obsession.
"Pass. I'm good."
Tak Horak's eyes drooped like a soaked puppy, his massive frame making it pitiful.
"What's wrong?"
"Feels unfair."
"What?"
He pouted.
"We've never shared a drink with you, but those random martial folks guzzle it like it's an honor."
"......"
I rarely touched alcohol before the Tang Clan event.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art prevented intoxication anyway, but the act itself felt like it weakened my mind.
Drinking at the Tang event and Yongbong Assembly was strategic, but not from their view.
Tak Horak brought it up, but Sa Wol's vibe said the same.
Guess I've been neglecting them lately.
With new faces, I'd focused there. No wonder they felt slighted—enough to say it outright.
"Sorry."
I apologized sincerely.
Whether old martial artists or new allies, Sa Wol and Tak Horak were my true confidants.
[Well done. A proper cultist looks after their subordinates.]
Who was calling Sa Wol a wench again?
[......]
Anyway, Tak Horak waved frantically in surprise.
"N-no, sir! Take it back!"
"No. Aren't you my left and right arms? It's only right to care more for limbs, so I'm sorry for slacking."
"Family Head!"
Tak Horak looked overwhelmed with gratitude.
"But who's the right arm?"
"......Just hand over the jug."
Uncorking it released a crisp, fragrant aroma. Even I, no connoisseur, could tell it was premium.
As I poured, Tak Horak dug out cups from the bag.
"Here."
I served Sa Wol and Tak Horak. Then it was my turn.
"Allow me."
Sa Wol poured for me. I accepted.
"No need for 'good work' yet. You've done well so far—keep it up."
We three downed our cups together.
"Kek, kek!"
Tak Horak clutched his throat, face beet red, coughing up a storm.
Sa Wol didn't cough, but her flushed face showed it packed a punch—
"Not strong booze making it burn, but actual poison."
The Avoid Poison Jade at my neck vibrated faintly.
"Ack, ptoo! The Tang bastards tried to assassinate you! We should call the cult and bring the Black Shadow Corps to wipe 'em out!"
"Calm down. To the Tang Clan, booze with poison is a tonic."
"Huh?"
"You asked for special booze for me, right? Of course it'd have poison."
Good thing the jade's vibration stopped quickly—not lethal.
"I'll dump it now."
"Keep it."
No intention of drinking, but poisoned booze? Might come in handy. No harm holding onto it.
"Circulate your energy and flush the poison."
The drinking session fizzled awkwardly.
Next time, then.
The next morning, I woke at dawn.
Meant to chat over drinks, but they were meditating till time ran out.
Quick breakfast of jerky and rations, then prepped to move.
Your role's key, Pa Cheon.
[I know.]
The bear cat habitat was veiled by a natural formation.
Even Dok An Su-sa hadn't dismantled it—he'd just bulldozed through nature by chance.
Humans' senses dulled by formations, but Pa Cheon was immune, so it acted as my detector.
"Let's go."
We mounted Mu-geuk-i and flew again. Near the goal, so low and slow.
About two hours in, as my butt started aching—
[I sense it. Unnatural qi flow.]
Oh? Where?
[Straight north-northwest.]
I adjusted Mu-geuk-i accordingly.
Piiik?
Even the sensitive divine beast Mu-geuk-i tilted its head, sensing something off.
Following Pa Cheon's directions, suddenly mist filled our view. We'd entered the formation's range.
Habitually glanced at Sa Wol—our eyes met. She looked puzzled.
Heart demon overcome for real.
Zero visibility in the fog. Without Pa Cheon, I'd have landed and crawled.
Then, suddenly—
Paat!
Mu-geuk-i burst through the mist. It vanished, revealing a wonderland.
Whoa.
Hard to stifle the gasp.
A massive waterfall, skyscraper-sized, cascading rainbows. Below, beasts frolicked peacefully.
And—
"Hup!"
Sa Wol covered her mouth from behind.
Understandable.
Dozens of pandas munched bamboo, swaying lazily.
[Those... bear cats?]
What do you think?
[......Need a closer look.]
I patted Mu-geuk-i to descend slowly, peacefully, avoiding startling them.
Ttoong?
But the bear cats just tilted heads at us—no fear.
[Bear or cat?]
That's why they're bear cats.
[Bear-cat hybrid?]
"Beasts eating bamboo? Never heard of such a thing."
Pa Cheon and Tak Horak sounded shocked too.
Their reaction confirmed: panda performance, top-tier.
Then—
The smallest bear cat rolled toward us.
"C... cu... hup!"
Sa Wol clamped her mouth again. Even I found it heartwarming; at her age, loving cute things, it was natural.
I smiled fondly—
"What are you guys?"
The approaching bear cat spoke.
In human tongue.