Chapter 62
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Saintess's Gift
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It's impossible for clear weather to last forever.
Sometimes dark clouds gather, and sometimes typhoons rage.
But Mujin Mountain's weather was fixed on one thing alone.
Fog.
Dense fog blanketed the mountain year-round.
That was why this place had become a natural fortress and prison for anomalies.
You shouldn't enter carelessly.
If you value your life.
After awakening the Pyre Ghost King, we returned straight to Mujin City.
It was unfortunate for the newly awakened Pyre Ghost King, but with time running short, we had to begin the Mujin Mountain stabilization plan immediately.
"There are at least ten disaster-class anomalies inside Mujin Mountain. And in particular, three Jang Mountain Tigers roam around—fierce beasts that relentlessly attack and devour humans."
Elder No Gyu-myeong, the Celestial Records Keeper, compiled records of the anomalies abandoned in the mountains over the years and handed them to us.
He also explained the seven layers of fog enveloping Mujin Mountain.
The people gathered at the Lunar Blossom Shrine listened to Elder No Gyu-myeong's explanation with grave expressions.
"The first fog is like ordinary fog—light mist that scatters in the wind. But from the second layer onward, it's a bit special."
Mujin Mountain was shrouded in seven layers of fog total, and even Great Elder Ok Won, who wandered the mountain to seal disaster-class anomalies, had never gone beyond the fifth layer.
"With each layer you pass, this 'Nether Sense Paper' will start turning black. When it's completely pitch black, that means you've passed the sixth layer—so at that point, just search for a path through the final layer."
Elder No Gyu-myeong tore sheets of paper made by Dam Heon, the artifact craftsman, and distributed them to us. The paper's color would indicate our position.
It was a compass showing how deep into Mujin Mountain we'd gone.
"And the deeper we go, the more we'll separate from reality. Beyond a certain range in Mujin Mountain, the boundary between the real and the hidden world collapses. The anomalies weakened by the fog's power will break free of their suppression and go berserk."
Up to the fifth layer, the fog suppressed the anomalies, but crossing into the sixth made them even more ferocious. Some would absorb and devour each other, making them impossible to deal with as difficulty spiked.
Ok Won assessed this as their final struggle. The anomalies wandered lost in the fog, delving deeper until crossing the sixth layer triggered their awareness of annihilation, sparking frenzy.
"So the sixth fog is the most dangerous. Records say it's actually easier to breathe once you reach the seventh."
"That's right. My mother once said... you must pierce the seventh fog to reach the true domain of Mujin Mountain."
Navigating the thickening fog felt like being swallowed and digested by the mountain itself.
The first fog was the mouth, the second the esophagus, the third the stomach.
The fourth the small intestine, the fifth the large intestine—where anomalies rampaged at the sixth, and only passing the final seventh reached our goal.
"For this Mujin Mountain stabilization plan, we'll retrace the exact path of the ancient Sevenfold Pilgrims. Since we must escort the patient Saintess, we'll take detours if needed to prioritize the safest route."
Sevenfold Pilgrims.
That was the name of the exploration team that once delved deepest into the mountain's valleys to purify it, back when Mujin Mountain wasn't yet the Saintess's domain.
"The anomalies will target the Saintess first and foremost. So we'll focus on protecting her."
In this operation, the Four Guardians would protect only the Saintess.
Meaning they couldn't be responsible for the others' safety.
"D-don't worry. Back in my day, I was pretty..."
"Weren't you never that great, even back then?"
"Y-you old codger, really going for the kill..."
Han Ju-seong, the Lunar Blossom Sect musician handling diplomacy, wiped sweat from his brow as he brushed off Ok Won's jab.
Tension was evident. The elders weren't weak, but aside from Ok Won and Jeong Mi-dam, none had ventured beyond the fifth fog.
This was all new to them. Among the newly formed 'New Sevenfold Pilgrims' of the 21st century, only the mountain-walking Saintess had pierced the seventh fog.
I warned the terrified Elder Han Ju-seong.
"We might get separated by the fog. Even so, push forward alone if needed, determined to reach the end. Got it? No fleeing in fear midway."
"E-even if it kills me...?"
"Yes. Move with the resolve to reach the final destination, even if you die there. Ultimately, if I, the Saintess, and the two ritual elders arrive safely, the mission is half-successful. At least two elders must make it."
A prophecy that not all would survive.
This expedition included six elders, the Four Guardians, the Saintess, and me—twelve in total.
Plus Mun Seon-u the Taoist who insisted on coming, and Yi Do-geom dragged along as porter—fourteen moving out.
Perhaps more than half would die midway.
We weren't just facing disaster-class anomalies.
"Still, let's aim to reach the goal alive without losses. Divide into Ok Won Team and Mi-dam Team to watch each other's backs. The Four Guardians just focus on the Saintess. I'll handle Taoist Mun Seon-u and Yi Do-geom."
Four teams total.
Great Elder Ok Won, Han Ju-seong, and Dam Heon as Team 1.
Elder Jeong Mi-dam, No Gyu-myeong, and Hye-gang as Team 2.
The still-delirious Saintess and Four Guardians as Team 3.
And me, Taoist Mun Seon-u, and Yi Do-geom as the last Team 4.
"Follow the route Elder No Gyu-myeong mapped—the Sevenfold Pilgrims' path. Elder teams lead to clear the way. Slot the Saintess in the middle—her death en route ends everything. We'll bring up the rear."
Anomalies would emerge from all directions.
So sending the experienced Great Elder Ok Won and map-memorized No Gyu-myeong's teams ahead, with the Saintess and Guardians following, seemed stable.
I was last because our team was strongest.
Among Mujin Mountain's abandoned anomalies, the three Jang Mountain Tigers—judged most dangerous—mimicked human voices and struck from behind.
They'd likely imitate the lead elders' voices to lure us, so I'd counter quickly.
Even if we lost the lead, I had the 'Worn Logbook' from clearing Cursed Mountain Lodge, confident in navigating the fog.
"Operation starts tomorrow at 6 AM. Move out at dawn."
The elders nodded solemnly.
The Four Guardians showed resolve, and Taoist Mun Seon-u encouraged himself, seeing a chance to grow stronger.
"Ah... how did this happen..."
"Don't get down. Helping with something this big might snag you the next Great Elder spot."
"Y-you think...? But death ends it all..."
Yi Do-geom was actually someone I insisted on bringing.
From Shinbul Mountain, he seemed affable and useful despite leading the youth group.
Perfect for porter or support.
"Um, Fixer."
"Yes?"
As the meeting ended and I left the Lunar Blossom Shrine, Jo Un-gyeol, the Four Guardians' defense master, called me.
"What's up?"
"The Saintess just woke. She's asking for you—can you see her briefly?"
"Of course."
I followed Jo Un-gyeol to the Saintess's sickroom behind the shrine.
Aside from our first meeting, her condition had worsened to delirium, but she'd opened her eyes today.
She looks even worse.
Entering the sickroom, thick blood scent assaulted my nose.
The Saintess had lost more weight since we met, her body mummified and ghastly.
The spark in her eyes had nearly vanished.
She was barely hanging on.
Even the tenacious Saintess's life was nearing its end.
"Cough... cough. Long time no see..."
"Yes. I was going to ask how you were, but it's pointless. How much longer can you hold out?"
"I can't set my own deadline... I'll endure until we reach your goal."
"...If you die midway, it's a total disaster. You know that."
"I do. No need to say it... I know well..."
"Good you do. So, why call me aside?"
"You awakened... another Ghost King..."
The Saintess glanced at my wrist.
The bracelet embedded with a red gem: the Silence of the Pyre, reward from completing the challenge.
Name: Silence of the Pyre
Description: A gem containing the loneliness of a forgotten ancient god.
Effect 1: Temporarily unseal the Pyre Ghost King at the cost of mental power.
Effect 2: Insert the Pyre Ghost King into the gem to summon its incarnation.
It had the same effects as Breath of the Silent Depths, just swapped for the Pyre Ghost King.
A tool to temporarily release the seal and carry the Pyre Ghost King.
"To perform both rituals simultaneously, it was unavoidable."
"I see... if that's the path you chose, it's correct... The revelation has left my hands... Since the day we met, its master became you..."
The Saintess vomited blood again.
Despite transfusions, she looked precarious.
"I don't know how it'll turn out... but I must give what I owe before going."
"What are you doing?"
"You'll see..."
The Saintess reached into empty air and grasped something.
"The genuine chooses its master... no matter where it is. If the master desires it, it comes to hand... like this."
In her grip on empty air was a sword hilt.
"For ages, I've lived as this child's master. It must have been stifled serving me... trapped here forever... Now, I free it to find a new master... roam the wide world... fulfill its purpose..."
Following her hand, a sword slowly drew from the void.
"Forged in the Tiger Year, Tiger Month, Tiger Day, Tiger Hour—Four Tigers."
The double-edged straight sword revealed constellations of twenty-eight stars and spells to exterminate evil.
"To repel mountain-like evil, cleave it true—True Evil-Slayer."
The fully drawn blade shimmered with divine light.
"This is the true Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword."
The Saintess sheathed the Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword and handed it to me.
"The Four Tiger Sword is a sacred blade made and passed down only in this land. It pairs with the long-lost Four Dragon Sword as the pinnacle pure yang blade."
Holding the Four Tiger Sword, clarity briefly returned to the Saintess's eyes.
Tremendous yang energy emanated from the blade itself. Any anomaly touching it would burn to ash.
"That sword... is a shamanic tool. It cannot cut people."
The Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword couldn't harm humans.
Made solely against evil, it dulled against non-anomalies.
"But... it can cleave evil in human guise..."
"Swing and if it cuts, they were evil enough."
"No... it won't cut ordinary people... but as a blunt weapon, it works fine... And Fixer, with your strength, even without cutting, one hit kills most."
"Ah."
Right. It just wouldn't slice people—it could still bludgeon.
Best not swing at humans casually.
Name: True • Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword
Danger Level: None
Classification: Exorcism, Dao Sword, Ritual Item
Base: Regarded as the primordial Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword.
Usage: Swing toward anomalies.
The description was simpler than expected.
Simpler effects often meant greater power.
"From experience... slice along the grain right, and you can behead an anomaly in one stroke."
"Instant exorcism?"
"Yes... overflowing with yang energy, swing to release it all, striking weak points or severable spots precisely... ignores exorcism rites for direct damage."
Charge the Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword with yang energy and time a vital strike perfectly for instant-kill up to great evil-slayer class.
Beyond that depended on the user.
"Not like eating rice, though... Needs ample yang gathered... So polish daily, talk to it. Treat kindly, and you'll feel a bond..."
"Now talk to the sword too?"
"It's no mere sword! Cough! Cough... I've tamed it well... Do as I say... Days I greeted kindly versus ignored... big difference."
Even swords need charm now.
I'm decent at that. Anomalies worked; swords should too.
"Got it. I'll treasure it."
"No need for thanks... It's mere compensation... I haven't given proper reward yet..."
"Prepped payment too?"
"Must give while I still have my wits..."
The Saintess ordered a Guardian to fetch something.
What had she prepared? As Lunar Blossom Sect Saintess, surely beyond mere money.
"Here. Others would mean little to you... so the rarest. Never once removed from the shrine..."
The Saintess knew my strength.
Not combat aid, but truly rare treasure.
Name: Lunar Eclipse Knot
Danger Level: Disaster-class
Classification: Faith, Ancient, Heritage
Base: Prayer bead summoning total night where even the moon vanishes.
Usage: Eclipse the moon at mental power cost. Draws someone's attention.
"I don't grasp usage fully... But beware whispers if worn too long..."
"Packed with yin energy."
"Yes... coveted by shamans or onmyoji... You, who commune with anomalies and borrow their power... might unlock its true strength with that bracelet... Cough!"
The Saintess hurriedly passed the bracelet, wiping blood from her mouth.
"A matching item exists... but I never found it... Might reach your hands someday... Keep the Lunar Eclipse Knot as clue..."
"Understood. Thank you, Saintess."
"No thanks... I entrust it to you... Please... bring peace to this mountain..."
The Saintess fell unconscious again.
Elder Jeong Mi-dam promptly administered painkillers and drugs, and I left the sickroom.
Lunar Eclipse Knot...
A completely unfamiliar item.
As she said, ultra-rare, never removed from Lunar Blossom Sect.
Folk Legend Tracking activates.
Info on the bracelet flooded in.
"Solar Eclipse Knot too...?"
A matching item existed. Gather Lunar and Solar Eclipse Knots for true power?
A clue to an unknown existence—huge reward.
The Four Tiger Evil-Slaying Sword brimmed with yang, the Lunar Eclipse Knot with yin.
These two alone balanced yin-yang.
Before even departing Mujin Mountain, things felt promising.