Chapter 25: Consuming the Elixir (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: Consuming the Elixir (3)
“I must head this way.”
I bid farewell to Tang Ja-seong and Tang Bin.
“It is truly a pity to part like this. I had high hopes when I heard that Brother Eo was a match for our Sichuan Four Dragons. I wanted to see if the rumors were true. Do you know how heartbroken we were to hear you had lost your internal energy? It would have been wonderful if the Sichuan Four Dragons became the Sichuan Five Dragons.”
I gave a thin smile.
That will never happen in a million years, you punk.
“There are four great rivers in Sichuan, so it is only fitting that there are four dragons within them. I am merely a martial artist who happens to carry a sword at his waist—neither a dragon nor a hero. You needn't pay me such mind.”
Tang Ja-seong’s words gave me a secret jolt. If I hadn't been struck by the White Horse Ten Canes, I would have ended up in a duel with the Poison Dragon, a man notorious for his ruthless hands.
Just imagining it made cold sweat trickle down my back.
“Once Brother Eo recovers his internal energy, I shall host a gathering for the Sichuan Four Dragons. Let us all mingle then. I have been eagerly waiting for a new rising star to appear in Sichuan, and I am glad it is you.”
For some reason, Tang Ja-seong seemed to have taken quite a liking to me.
“I am grateful for the sentiment. I wish you both a safe journey.”
I clasped my hands in a polite fist-and-palm salute, turned around, and headed toward my quarters.
My only thought was to get to the latrine as quickly as possible, so I quickened my pace.
Tang Ja-seong watched my retreating figure and spoke to Tang Bin.
“What do you think? In all my life, I have never seen someone so composed while standing before you—let alone someone who would just let one rip like that. He treated you as if you weren't even there. I liked that about him. He didn't even look back once as he left. Most men would have turned around several times out of regret.”
“Yes, Brother. I’ve never seen anyone like him either. However, there are still many suspicious things about him. I cannot be sure if his skills are truly as the rumors say. As you know, martial prowess doesn't just skyrocket overnight. Even the New Dragon of Sichuan earned his name through grueling effort and the extraordinary support of his clan, yet this man appeared out of nowhere as if he dropped from the sky with a reputation that rivals his. Do you think that’s possible? If the rumors were true, his name should have been widely known throughout Sichuan Province long ago.”
Tang Ja-seong replied with a smirk.
“Your problem is that you’re too suspicious. If he lacked skill, how could he have killed a monster like the Red Robed White-Eyed Demon? To be honest, even I couldn't guarantee victory against a master like him.”
Tang Bin nodded.
“I know. That’s why I plan to keep an eye on him for a few days.”
“Is that really necessary?”
When Tang Ja-seong spoke with disapproval, Tang Bin arched her elegant eyebrows and said, “Only then will we know how strong he is—whether he becomes our enemy or our ally—and be able to prepare accordingly.”
Tang Ja-seong nodded at his meticulous sister.
Watching his sister handle matters with such flawless precision was sometimes stifling, but he trusted her.
*
I was idling away the time in my room when a maid arrived to deliver a message from Mok Gal-jin.
“He said to be ready, as it will be carried out tonight.”
Hearing those words, fear began to creep in.
An urge to run away coiled around my legs.
I vaguely sensed that this wasn't just about the simple act of consuming an elixir; within it lay a power that could change my entire life.
Should I just run away now?
I wanted to. I had come too far, but if there was a way to avoid it, I wanted to take it.
I couldn't even begin to imagine what tomorrow would look like after I took the elixir.
Until just a moment ago, I had vowed not to throw away the luck that had finally found its way into my life, but my timid heart was trembling with fear.
To calm my chaotic mind, I took out my sword and began to polish it.
Above all else, polishing a blade was the best way to discard distracting thoughts.
Staring at the cold, blue edge of the blade made me realize that I was standing on a razor's edge myself, allowing me to reflect on my position and circumstances once more.
“Lord, it is the Guiyang Two Heroes.”
Judging by the time, it was about time for the Guiyang Two Heroes to come for their evening greeting.
“Come in.”
For the first few days, I had used formal language with them, but they insisted that no subordinate should receive such respect from their lord. Now, I spoke to them informally without hesitation.
“We heard you have been appointed as the Demon Subjugation Group Leader. Our sincere congratulations.”
The Guiyang Two Heroes looked at me with eyes full of respect.
“It’s no big deal.”
“Not at all. As expected of a man who lives for chivalry. You truly are our lord. Now that you have stepped forward, it is only a matter of time before the Blood Lamas are wiped out.”
I almost cut my finger on the blade I was polishing when I heard that.
You guys, if we run into them, we’re the ones who are going to be wiped out.
The Guiyang Two Heroes continued excitedly.
“And we heard that Fairy Doyeon will also be participating in the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress's Demon Subjugation Group. Is that true?”
What? My finger didn't just get nicked; it almost got severed.
I quickly set the sword down.
As I tensed my stomach, the residual gas trapped deep in my gut came rushing out.
Pffft—BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!
It echoed for a long time, sounding like a trumpet blast.
The faces of the Guiyang Two Heroes turned pale.
But it was at that moment.
From above, a faint gasp of “Ugh!” was heard.
The Guiyang Two Heroes, who looked like they were about to die from the smell, reacted instantly to the sound. Po Jung-in snatched up the sword I had set down and hurled it toward the ceiling.
“What rat is hiding there?!”
With incredibly swift movements, Po Jung-in leaped up toward the ceiling, while Hyeong U-jeong stood by my side to guard me.
“I didn't expect an assassin to infiltrate this far.”
The Guiyang Two Heroes were on high alert because I had previously warned them about potential hidden attacks.
Po Jung-in, who had climbed into the ceiling, came back down.
Judging by the slight trace of blood on the sword, it seemed the assassin had been wounded and fled.
“I am sorry, Lord. I lost him. He was incredibly fast.”
He spoke through huffs of breath, his expression full of frustration at letting the assassin escape.
“This is truly worrying. To think they would openly infiltrate the Lord’s quarters now.”
I was terrified inside, but I didn't let it show as I replied.
“What does it matter? I have you two by my side. Even if they infiltrate, they won't be able to do anything to me because of you.”
At my words, the Guiyang Two Heroes clasped their hands in a salute.
“We will strive to live up to your trust.”
Yes, you better. You have to stop the assassins even if it costs you your lives.
I replied, “Still, do not overexert yourselves. You are like my left and right arms, so you must take care of your bodies.”
The Guiyang Two Heroes were so moved by my words that they couldn't even speak, only offering another silent salute.
I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
I was humiliated all day because of my gas, but in the end, it saved my life.
With that final blast, my stomach felt much calmer.
And my heart settled heavily as well.
Looking at it this way, having power is better than not having it. If the Guiyang Two Heroes hadn't been here, I’d be a dead man. They won't be by my side twenty-four hours a day, so I need at least enough strength to protect myself. I can't just live in idle peace when assassins are targeting me like this. Fine, if they’re giving me power, I can't refuse it. A life lived in fear is already over. I won't be a scared mutt that runs away with its tail between its legs.
I steeled my resolve and stood up.
Then, I headed toward Mok Gal-jin’s quarters.
Behind me, the "mutt" of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, who seemed to have no need for sleep, followed with a dignified gait.
*
“Come here and lie down.”
Mok Gal-jin pointed toward a large stone platform.
I looked at Mok Gal-jin’s wrinkled face.
Words like that are supposed to sound good coming from a woman.
This was one of the most secret locations within Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.
On my way here, I hadn't seen a single regular warrior or maid.
It was a place that appeared only after going deep past the Fortress Lord’s residence.
Such a place was likely a secret chamber accessible only to the Lord, his family, and the fortress elders.
As I lay down on the large stone platform, Mok Gal-jin spoke.
“I heard from the Fortress Lord that you were rude to the guests of the Tang Clan today by... passing gas.”
As my face turned red, Mok Gal-jin continued.
“It is an unavoidable phenomenon, so there is no need to be ashamed. It is the process of the yin energy being dissolved by the medicine and expelled as gas. Holding it in could actually be poisonous. However, be careful. Your gas contains the residual yin energy of the White Horse Ten Canes. If someone practicing Dantian breathing inhales it, their true qi could be disrupted, leading to Qi Deviation.”
Hearing that, I finally understood why the assassin had revealed his presence after smelling my fart.
An assassin would have undergone rigorous training, so it made no sense for them to lose their breath over a mere smell.
The assassin must have been using the Breath-Holding Technique, and the yin energy in my gas must have caused his internal energy to fluctuate.
While I was lost in thought, Mok Gal-jin approached me.
“What are you going to do?”
When I asked, Mok Gal-jin stroked his beard.
“I am going to perform Acupoint Pressure Treatment to help the elixir seep into your vessels and drive out the yin energy.”
“Acupoint Pressure Treatment?”
I hadn't heard anything about that.
I know how much that hurts. I can't do it.
“Is there no other way?”
When I spoke in a weak voice, Mok Gal-jin gave a thin smile.
“This is the best way to properly absorb the energy of the elixir after consuming it.”
I thought I just had to eat the elixir, but apparently, that wasn't the case.
As I was trying to think of an excuse, Mok Gal-jin said, “After the Acupoint Pressure Treatment, I will use the Great Needle Gold Method to place golden needles in acupoints across your entire body. If done correctly, the Sun Golden Pill can increase your internal power by a maximum of twenty years. Once the yin energy is driven out and combined with the internal energy you originally possessed, wouldn't you easily surpass a full jiazi? However, it is quite dangerous. If you cannot endure these methods, you could become paralyzed or die from ruptured blood vessels. But I believe you will be able to endure it. I will go fetch the golden needles I asked to be prepared, so lie still and relax until then.”
As soon as Mok Gal-jin left, I opened my eyes.
A full jiazi? You’ve got to be kidding me.
If I had that much internal energy, I would have already set myself up as a cult leader and made a fortune.
A full jiazi of internal energy was something that took sixty years of constant cultivation, even if one started as a child.
That meant one would barely obtain it by the time their hair was white and thinning. What kind of glory was I supposed to enjoy at that age to justify such suffering?
Maybe those crazy Taoists stuck in the mountains would do it, but I wouldn't.
Besides, why do I have to go through this hellish pain?
And if I can't endure it, I die?
I know myself best, and I am not the type to endure pain well.
There was a high probability I’d die during the procedure.
The desire to become a master vanished the moment I heard I could die.
I can make a living just fine without doing this.
I had neither the desire to become a master by enduring such pain, nor the patience or ambition to take a risk where death was a near certainty.
My talents weren't exactly outstanding enough to harbor such grand ambitions.
In this world, having great ambition without the talent to back it up was a shortcut to an early grave.
Fine, let’s say I’m a genius and I become a master.
But there will always be someone better than me in the Murim, and the day I die at their hands will inevitably come.
I’d rather live a long life as a dragon’s tail than become a chicken’s head only to end up as ginseng chicken soup.
Mok Gal-jin had left me alone to go fetch the golden needles.
Because he viewed me as a master, he seemed to believe I would naturally accept the Acupoint Pressure Treatment and endure all the pain.
What martial artist would refuse Acupoint Pressure Treatment from a master?
The reason the Seven Heroes had become my subordinates with tears in their eyes wasn't just out of simple gratitude. To them, it must have been a fortuitous encounter they had only dreamed of.
But not for me.
Why would I be crazy enough to undergo Acupoint Pressure Treatment, which is said to be so painful your eyes roll back and you foam at the mouth?
I’d probably die before it was even over.
There’s no reason to do this when I know for sure I’ll die.
I got up from the stone platform, planning to slip away before Mok Gal-jin returned.
But then, I lay back down.
Why is he back so fast?
Someone entered the secret chamber.
Since this was a place only accessible to the Lord’s direct family and a few elders, I naturally assumed it was Mok Gal-jin.
“Did you think you would be fine after ruining our plans?”
What is this?
An unexpected voice reached my ears, and I snapped my head up.
But immediately, I felt a powerful strike hit my body, and my head fell back helplessly.
Thud!
“Oof!”
A man in a black mask approached me.
I tried to stand up, but my body wouldn't move, no matter what the man had done.
Fortunately, my mouth wasn't frozen.
“How did you... get in here? No one is allowed in.”
“I came in because I could.”
A chill ran down my spine as I wondered if this was the man who had tried to kill Mok Seon-hwa.
“Hehe, I suppose so. You must have come here to practice.”
As a dagger was pressed against my throat, a groveling voice naturally came out.
“Because you interfered with our work, things have become complicated in many ways. The higher-ups told us to just monitor you while observing the situation, but since such a perfect opportunity has presented itself today, I shall deal with you personally.”
“Hehe, what a joke. You know, I won't tell anyone what happened here.”
I said this, wondering if perhaps Elder Mok was threatening me to test me.
Things like this happened a lot in martial arts novels.
“For what purpose did you enter Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress? Which organization do you belong to?”
The man in the black mask barked at me.
A cold light flickered in his eyes, and I realized I would truly die if I didn't speak.
I knew all too well that that light was killing intent.
“Purpose? I don't have anything like that. I just applied because they said they were recruiting warriors.”
At those words, the masked man stared intently into my eyes and muttered, “Look into my eyes.”
The moment I looked into his eyes, I felt a wave of dizziness. My head began to buzz as if a fly were trapped inside.
What kind of sorcery is this?
Just by looking into his eyes, I became drowsy and my head felt heavy.
After a while, the man’s voice sounded like it was coming from a dream.
And I felt like I babbled on for a long time, but strangely, I couldn't remember any of it.
“It seems I worried for nothing. You were just accidentally involved in our business, but we reacted too sensitively. There is no reason to kill someone like you who has nothing to do with us, but the mere fact that you know this happened means you have no choice but to die. Blame your own wretched fate.”
Having said that, he raised the razor-sharp dagger high.
Gasp!
I tried to move my hands, but I couldn't even twitch a finger.
Ah, fuck! I’m screwed!