My Friend Called Cheonma
'It's the same drug as Seol Do-seung used.'
Mu Yun didn't need to probe or inspect. The energy was far too distinct. This made it clear that Sa Do-ryeon was the supplier.
'They didn't distribute it to just one or two places. That means they're confident in the drug's stability.'
In any case, there was no way to inform the Demon Extermination Squad or convince them. All he had to do now was monitor the heightened reaction of his Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong.
With a clear, resonant incantation, a subtle energy flowed toward Pung Sebaek.
Woooong!
"Danyata Om Anare Visaaje Vira Baara Dari Banda Bandani Baara Bani Van Hohum Daroongbak Sabaha~!"
A sinister smile crept across Pung Sebaek's lips.
The source of the drug had tested it on his father and himself, of course.
Kuhuk! Damn it. Fanbae and Faneum—I've tested them hundreds of times. You think I'd take it without that much verification, you idiots!
Fanbae and Faneum were collective terms for chants and songs praising the Buddha's merits. Sound arts derived from these roots, which repelled evil spirits and eradicated demonic qi, existed in various Buddhist sects. The most famous was Shaolin's Anti-Demon Roar.
For a while, Pung Sebaek felt no reaction, and his irritation turned toward Mu Yun.
What's this non-monk bastard babbling about?
Soon even that grew tiresome, and as random thoughts swirled in his mind, Pung Sebaek's brow furrowed tighter.
The mild annoyance he'd dismissed began to pile up, eventually boiling in his gut.
Confused, he glanced around before pinpointing the cause.
That droning chant—it's really getting on my nerves.
This wasn't something to snap over. He clenched his fists and reined in his temper.
Endure it. Just one or two days.
But soon even that became difficult. As his lips twisted involuntarily, betraying his rising anger, he shook his head.
No. The drug's effects are still lingering. Endure. Endurance is victory.
Then, suddenly, the face of a woman he'd failed to finish with because of the girl right in front of him flashed in his mind. A lewd smile moistened his lips.
Right. Thinking of soft, supple flesh is perfect for this.
Recalling that memory, the irritating chant faded, replaced by the thrill of pleasure that quickened his heartbeat.
Thud! Boom!
Yes, this is the best! Damn right!
Before long, the incantation's resonance grew distant, and the scent of that seductive woman's flesh tickled his nose. Ecstasy made his chest heave, heat rising to his eyes.
This went on for some time, the incantation's energy intensifying, drawing Pung Sebaek unwittingly toward climactic bliss. He didn't notice his clenched fists relaxing, his mouth gaping slack, drool trickling out, or madness seeping from his dazed eyes.
In that instant, the gazes in the garden sharpened.
'Madness has emerged!'
Even Jeong Yu-han's deep eyes gleamed.
'The Great Buddha's Tathagata Secret Mantra has drawn out the madness.'
What Mu Yun chanted repeatedly was the 'Great Buddha Tathagata Secret Mantra: Bodhisattva's Solemn Vow of Ultimate Divine Curse', said to have been used by the Buddha to save a monk fallen to a woman's temptation.
Pung Sebaek had resisted and evaded the Faneum meant to ward off lustful realms. Unbeknownst to him, he'd flung open the gates to his instincts, and the writhing demonic qi, seeking an outlet, slipped through that very gap into his body.
Pung Sebaek had drawn out the demonic qi himself.
Then the incantation changed—to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Six-Syllable Dharani, compelling repentance of sins. The Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong energy carried stern judgment against great evils.
"Chilbu Chilbu Chil Chilbu Agasye Chilbu Bakkeolapchupbu Ambeolapchilbu Birachilbu Baljeolapchilbu~."
Pung Sebaek's hazy, entranced eyes began to blaze. Bloodshot veins crept into his pupils, and monstrous crimson rage clashed against the reprimand.
The unbearable humiliation of the past few days bubbled like lava. How dare these fools mock him over touching one lowly wench.
In that moment, the image of Dang Seo-ha—the girl who'd beaten him like a rat—filled his vision. Boiling fury tore at his mind.
Come on out. I'll kill you all!
The most chilling smile he could muster spread naturally. From the surging madness poured thick killing intent.
"Grrr! Gruk!"
The demonic qi hidden in the abyss revealed its presence.
Gasps of shock erupted from the onlookers.
"H-he's really a demonic cultist!"
"Heavens! Such madness! He must be!"
"To hide demonic qi like that!"
With the demonic cultist confirmed, gazes shifted elsewhere.
"Heavens! To draw out demonic qi with just an incantation! Incredible."
"What profound Buddhist faith!"
"Indeed. Even the Anti-Demon Roar couldn't do that!"
"But who is that man chanting it?"
"Never seen him before."
"Doesn't look like a Buddhist."
"Deal with that bastard first, then ask."
As everyone's astonishment turned toward him, Mu Yun's eyes trembled fiercely too.
The Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong warned him.
'There's more!'
A chilling energy prickled the back of his neck and raced through his mind. But it wasn't Pung Sebaek's.
Slight but distinct difference, and the direction was from behind.
Glancing back subtly, his gaze locked on one spot. Puzzled eyes hardened into conviction.
'It's him.'
Amid the murmurs, Hyeong-sanpa warriors had entered unnoticed. Among them, a man with stylishly flowing white beard.
But another doubt struck his mind.
'He came in earlier?'
He'd definitely entered around when the incantation began. After operating Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong, Mu Yun couldn't miss that energy at this distance.
Yet it had suddenly surged. Several hypotheses formed instantly.
'It reacted to the demonic qi, or I leaked it unknowingly during the sigh.'
The question followed immediately.
'Who is he?'
A task came to mind simultaneously. To identify enemies, better to conceal oneself.
As he rose, his body swayed.
Whoosh!
The squad leader Jeongwon rushed over.
Tap!
"Are you alright?"
"My body..."
"Heavens! You've overexerted yourself. Come to my tent."
"Yes."
＊ ＊ ＊
Moments later, in the squad leader Jeongwon's tent.
"An elder of Hyeong-sanpa?"
"Yes. Geon-cheon, they call him. He handles the sect's external affairs. But why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothing. His energy stood out, as expected of an elder."
Squad Leader Jeongwon let out a satisfied smile.
"Haha! Anyway, truly grateful. If you hadn't revealed it, we'd have been in dire straits."
Deputy Leader Paeng Jong-ho confessed frankly.
"Severe punishment was inevitable, all thanks to you."
Dang Seo-ha shrugged her shoulders—a habit when bargaining with the leader.
"Leader, you know I brought him, right?"
"You rascal! Still on about drinks? Haha! Fine. We'll drink in Chim-ju."
"Make it a lot this time."
"Got it."
Mu Yun broached the topic cautiously. It needed saying.
"The demonic qi hasn't reached his marrow, so it'll fade quickly. Even if you take him, drawing it out again..."
Squad Leader Jeongwon's eyes deepened. As a Shaolin warrior monk, he had a guess about Mu Yun's method.
"It seemed so. Even if we take him, it'll be difficult."
Deputy Leader Paeng Jong-ho's expression hardened.
"Then escorting him will be impossible?"
Squad Leader Jeongwon made his decision.
"Best to end it here. I don't mind, but I can't risk you all getting hurt. Better to release and monitor him."
Paeng Jong-ho's gaze naturally turned to Mu Yun.
"Will it trouble you next time?"
"It seems temporary; it'll fade gradually. This time was luck, hard to expect again."
"...!"
Unable to reveal the drug, he had to equivocate. Even Mu Yun hadn't anticipated this, but he had a request.
"Leader. Please keep my identity hidden."
Jeongwon gave a regretful look, understanding why.
"Heavens! After all your merit! But revealing it would trouble only you. Wolgeommun and other safa wouldn't stay quiet."
"That's why I'm asking."
"Sigh! No choice. We'll do that. But we'll repay this favor later."
Mu Yun's eyes gleamed.
"I'll remember those words."
"Haha! Do so. I may forget other things, but I keep promises."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Then Dang Seo-ha interjected.
"Wait! You had a favor to ask me?"
"When will you head to the city?"
"No need to stay now that it's settled. Around evening."
"See you in the city then. I'll come find you."
"Sure."
After Mu Yun quietly departed, among the three squad leaders of the Demon Extermination Squad, Ban Go-heon subtly spoke up.
"Leader. A question."
"Speak."
"I don't doubt the Bangju. The incantation moved even me. But finding demonic qi with just Faneum... I can't believe it."
All eyes turned to Jeongwon. Same thought.
Squad Leader Jeongwon's eyes deepened.
"I think so too. There must be another energy."
"What was it?"
"How should I know? But I felt something. It poked at Pung Sebaek's heart, like whispering to provoke him into rage."
"For other demonic cultists?"
"Bangju's only met two. Needs more experience. Us too."
"...!"
Then Dang Seo-ha's brow furrowed.
'Should I say it?'
Without breaking her promise to Mu Yun. Up to what Chim-ju folk already knew.
But she dropped it.
'Not now; it'd just stir trouble.'
She could tell later. Not lying.
＊ ＊ ＊
At the mountain outskirts of Nae-yang.
"Hey! How'd you do it?"
"What?"
"Finding the demonic cultist."
"Luck. He got riled seeing Dang squad leader. Incantation alone wouldn't have worked."
Yeon Sa-gu vaguely knew Mu Yun's energy.
"Really? That guy's weird, though. Madness fading?"
"Same drug as Seol Do-seung. Effects wearing off."
Yeon Sa-gu's eyes widened. Certainty dawned.
"...So Sa Do-ryeon's definitely behind it?"
"Has to be."
"...!"
Yeon Sa-gu's face grew serious for the first time in ages.
'This ain't small potatoes.'
His blood kin were scattered across Honam: father in business, young uncle in Chim-ju, elder uncle in Hyeongju, and a few more.
'Gotta warn them somehow.'
No other way now. Couldn't tell Mu Yun yet.
But true to form, an answer came easily.
'Handle Chim-ju first. Then.'
Mu Yun's worries deepened too. An unexpected wrinkle.
'Hyeong-sanpa!'
Elder Geon-cheon's energy was similar yet different.
'Unrefined feel. Exactly that.'
Compared to Seol Do-seung or Seomun family warriors, it had far less hallucinogenic dilution. Meaning greater side effects and risks.
'Not from Gongya Uisuk?'
Nothing more to analyze now. But it complicated Clan Cheon Gajang's matters.
Mu Yun's gaze turned to the small city in the distance.
'Nae-yang!'
One-seventy ri southeast of Hyeongju, Honam's second-largest city. Nae-yang was just one of dozens of minor towns.
Naturally under Hyeong-sanpa's influence.
And that made Mu Yun's head throb.
A core elder of the sect had taken such a dangerous drug. North's Seomun family aside, even safa Jeok-un Mun used refined versions.
Yet Honam's second righteous martial house used crude stuff.
'Might be getting used. By whom, unknown.'
That was the crux.
If Hyeong-sanpa had issues.
'Nae-yang will feel the ripples.'
He couldn't take it lightly.