Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: I Hate Taoists
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I hate Taoists.
It's probably because of how I was neglected at the Wudang Sect as a kid.
But I just couldn't buy into the teachings they preached.
Especially the notion of ascension through transformation.
Honestly, does that even make sense?
They train their martial arts to the extreme and become immortals?
It's just dying in a fancy way once they reach a high realm. How would anyone know if they actually became immortals or not?
Has anyone actually met an immortal?
If you're going to believe every handed-down tale like that, you might as well say the neighbor's dog choked to death on rice cakes and ascended to the heavens.
It might sound ridiculous coming from a reincarnator like me... but I think it's all superstition.
'Physiognomy?'
That's why it was even more absurd.
I figured since Namgoong Hyeok had ordered it himself, it must be important, but he just commanded me to get my face read?
The Murim Alliance Leader immersed in superstition? The future of the orthodox martial world looked bleak. The problem was that he was my father-in-law (in name, at least).
"Brother-in-law. You really didn't know anything about True Person Sima Hyung?"
"I've only heard he's one of the Five Great Eccentrics of the martial world. I'm not really into those kinds of rumors..."
"The True Person's divine powers are famous. He reads the will of the heavens, sees the future, and peers into people's souls. Even major powerhouses scramble to meet him. But he's not someone just anyone can see."
Moyong Hye had started calling me brother-in-law.
It was an unavoidable choice to soothe her after she'd gotten all pouty.
It stuck to her lips after just one day, and now she called me brother-in-law so naturally. As if she'd practiced it beforehand.
She told me to speak comfortably too, but for some reason, I felt like I had to draw the line there.
"Hmm. So isn't he basically a shaman?"
"A shaman? That's disrespectful to the True Person!"
As if scared that Sima Hyung might hear, Moyong Hye pressed her index finger to her lips in warning.
No, but... isn't he? Reading faces, telling fortunes.
Isn't he just a skilled shaman?
"Anyway, if he's such a big deal... will he meet me right away if I go?"
"Who knows. From what I've heard, you have to pass a test to meet the True Person. They say the method changes every time."
A test, huh.
Maybe making us climb this ridiculously high mountain is the test.
That's why I hate Taoists.
They always pick remote, unnecessarily high, atmospheric spots.
'Namgoong Hyeok must have contacted him in advance.'
It had already been nearly an hour since we started climbing the mountain.
If we got there and heard something like 'No reservation, no service,' I'd lose it.
"Brother-in-law, look over there. I think we've arrived!"
Just before reaching the peak of Mount Taebaek. We spotted a Taoist building on a surprisingly flat area unfit for a mountain.
We'd finally made it.
I wanted to see this Sima Hyung True Person or whatever right away to get it off my chest, but the moment I approached...
'A barrier?'
Something felt off.
The closer we got to the building, the more ominous energy I sensed.
Looking closely, piles of stones were arranged at regular intervals in the courtyard in front of the building. Some were a handful, some an armful, others like small mountains. The varying numbers and positions formed some kind of formation.
Crack!
I picked up a pebble and tossed it. It trembled like it was electrified before shattering to pieces.
"Is this the test?"
"Probably."
What bad taste.
I thought a test meant riddles or twenty questions. But laying out a formation that could pulverize stones in an instant? Zero points for guest treatment.
'Should I smash it?'
My hand instinctively went to my sword.
I extended my senses to probe the formation's density. It seemed smashable with brute force. As I gathered internal energy to show off a bit...
"Brother-in-law, you're not thinking of smashing the formation, are you?"
"...Can't I?"
"Of course not! What if you destroy a formation laid out to be solved? It's like ripping up the test paper!"
Teacher.
I don't want to take this test.
Can't I just rip it up?
"You should be grateful you brought me along."
Moyong Hye placed a hand on her chest, looking proud.
"You know formations well?"
"Of course! Even Sister Jegal Yeong consults me about them."
"Oh, that's impressive."
"...Feels like you're prostrating or something."
She seemed to want praise, so I gave it, but Moyong Hye's reaction was lukewarm. I really do think it's impressive. If someone from the formation-renowned Jegal Family asks her.
"Stick right behind me and follow."
"Got it."
"Closer!"
Moyong Hye grabbed my arm and pulled me toward her. I lost balance slightly and steadied myself on her shoulder.
"Hm, better to hold my waist!"
"That necessary?"
"You saw that pebble shatter, right? Minimizing the margin of error is key. Trust the words of an expert like me completely!"
"..."
She's doing this for a reason, I suppose.
I obediently followed her instructions, wrapping both arms around her waist. It looked a bit odd.
"Eek?!"
"You okay, miss?"
"Y-yes. Perfect. Maintain this position."
Moyong Hye replied in a strangely high-pitched voice. Is she really okay? She was trembling faintly, which worried me. She wasn't doing this to get close... was she?
'No, not after that fuss yesterday!'
I had to trust her.
I'd already shed blood from needless suspicion.
"Let's go."
That flustered look didn't last. As soon as we reached the formation's entrance, Moyong Hye led me in a serious tone.
Rustle, rustle.
A few steps forward, and my vision blurred like heat haze.
"Close your eyes for a bit. It'll be much better that way."
I closed my eyes as instructed. My churning stomach settled. Without sight, balancing was hard, so I tightened my arms around her.
"Brother-in-law. Not so tight..."
"Sorry. Can't see."
"I-it's fine. Hold on tight!"
Moyong Hye gripped my hand on her waist and kept walking. We turned directions multiple times, advancing a few steps each time, accompanied by the repeated crackle of stone piles collapsing. How much time passed?
"Brother-in-law, you can open your eyes now."
Crack!
With the sound of glass shattering, the formation crumbled.
"Hm, seems like the formation's broken, but just in case, let's stay close a bit longer."
"Good work, miss."
"Ah!"
No matter how little I knew about formations, I could sense the energy that had enveloped us was gone.
Pulling a stunt like that in the blink of an eye.
Can't let my guard down around you, Moyong Hye.
"Seriously! I solved the formation all by myself, so this much is fine!"
"Don't talk like you're expecting a reward, miss."
Moyong Hye put her hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks in a sulk. What can I say? She'd gotten much more lively since I last saw her. Was it my imagination?
-Only the man come inside.
It was then.
A heavy voice echoed as if from a cave. Probably Sima Hyung.
'Six Harmonies Full Sensory?'
I already knew he was in the building right in front of us. Did he need to use Six Harmonies Full Sensory just to set the mood? Showing off?
"Miss. I'll be back."
"Okay. I'll wait."
Following the order to enter alone, I left Moyong Hye and proceeded.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The inside of the building was spartan.
These places are usually plastered with statues and screens. Just a few bookshelves and a table made it feel empty.
"Greetings, elder. I'm Yi Se-woong."
"Namgoong Hyeok sent you, right?"
The old man cut straight to business, his impression unlike a typical Taoist. Most grow long beards for atmosphere, but Sima Hyung's scruffy, patchy beard made him look like he was from the Beggars' Sect.
"That's why I hate these flashy pretty boys."
"Pardon?"
"Did I call you to see my face, or did you call me to see yours?"
Reading my mind?
How did he know without me saying?
Guess he didn't scam the True Person title.
"You tried to smash the formation, huh?"
"Pardon?"
"Is 'pardon' the only thing you know?"
"I did try."
So Taoist-like.
Twisting words around.
"That formation was both a test and a diagnosis."
"Diagnosing what?"
"To check the temperament of the visitor."
Personality test or something?
"Smashing it outright means you're hot-tempered. The type who can't control their anger and dies young."
"What if you dismantle it?"
"Cowardly, lacking courage. A real man should crush obstacles in front of him with one fist, no?"
His words contradicted themselves.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Maybe he just wanted to insult the guest?
"There's reason behind it all."
"So which am I?"
I neither smashed it nor dismantled it.
I was curious how Sima Hyung would answer.
"Do I look like a blind idiot to you?"
"Pardon?"
"Pardon again. No idea why they sent a halfwit like you as a son-in-law."
Namgoong Hyeok.
If you're testing my patience, you succeeded.
"Borrowing someone else's hand to break the formation? Useless fool who can't even earn his keep."
"..."
"But you borrowed a woman's hand."
Sima Hyung scrutinized my face as if deep in thought.
"You'll be plagued by women your whole life."
"Women troubles...?"
"You're suffering it now, and you will in the future. Weren't you struggling to avoid impregnating the Namgung Family girl until recently? The one waiting outside is the same."
After saying that much,
Sima Hyung caught his breath and continued.
"It's futile. Submissively accepting is the only way to avoid disaster."
It was a death sentence to my freedom.