Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: The Silver-Haired Child
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Han Ibi pressed the binding cord against the sharp rock surface.
He immediately began rubbing it back and forth at an astonishing speed.
'I have to do this before the time limit runs out. There's a limit to my internal energy consumption, so I need to get it done in one go.'
Han Ibi poured every ounce of strength he had into sawing at the bindings.
Doing it behind his back made it all the harder.
In any case, thanks to Random Reversal Acceleration, Han Ibi was rubbing the cord against the rock at speeds beyond imagination.
Time slowing down for everything except himself.
Put another way, it meant he himself was moving at an insane speed.
'This must be the essence of that strange voice's talk about relative time advantage. I really am a genius!'
That was when it happened.
'Wait, what's that smell...'
Sniffing the air, Han Ibi turned his head to look at his wrist.
Unable to withstand the extreme speed, smoke was rising in wisps from the cord.
Friction heat had built up, making his wrist scorching hot, as if it might snap off.
The pain made Han Ibi want to stop right then and there.
'But... I can't waste this last chance.'
Han Ibi instantly activated Dark Shell Technique to protect his wrist.
The muffled sound of water gradually returned to normal, signaling time was almost up.
Han Ibi squeezed out his last reserves of strength and shook his arm.
And finally...
Pluck.
'Huh?'
It snapped.
The heavenly silkworm thread binding fell to the ground.
At the same moment, the effect of Random Reversal Acceleration wore off.
His five senses returned to normal.
Overjoyed, he shouted.
"I did it! Success! Damn it. But it hurts like hell."
Han Ibi carefully rubbed his wrist.
Bruised skin from the friction oozed spots of red blood.
'Ouch, it stings.'
Still...
"Feels refreshing."
That's right.
This sense of liberation.
'Who knew being able to use my arms freely could feel this good!'
But there was no time to savor it.
Han Ibi turned to look in the direction the underground stream flowed.
Then he glanced up at the night-luminescent pearls sparsely embedded in the ceiling.
He muttered.
"Among them, the least bad one..."
Han Ibi unleashed Zhongli Swift Leopard Step in a flash, scaling the cave wall.
He swung his arm and pried out one night-luminescent pearl.
Crack.
Han Ibi landed on the floor.
He tucked the pearl into his bosom.
Faint light seeped through his clothes, illuminating the surroundings.
"Alright, time for the next step."
Han Ibi moved slowly.
After a deep breath, he leaped straight into the hole.
Splash.
"Oof, it's cold!"
Han Ibi barely steadied himself in the water.
Chilling cold seeped into his bones.
It quickly turned to pain.
It was unbearably frigid.
In agony, Han Ibi circulated Zhongli Pure Heart Method through his body.
As the cold eased, his goosebumps subsided.
'That's better. But... why is the current so strong?'
And indeed, the underground stream rushed at tremendous speed.
Walking waist-deep, Han Ibi took each step with utmost care.
One misstep and he could be swept away.
The interior was pitch black.
Without snagging that pearl, he'd have been in real trouble.
Han Ibi proceeded inward, maintaining balance with relief.
It was cold and the current swift, but manageable.
Except for one issue.
The stream widened and deepened ahead.
In moments, water reached his chin.
Han Ibi hesitated.
But he soon nodded, resolved.
'No turning back now. Time to push on.'
Water now topped his height.
He swam deeper, floating with the flow.
His body was carried swiftly by the current.
Less swimming, more drifting.
But then...
Rumble rumble rumble!
A suspicious roar echoed.
Even amid frantic paddling, Han Ibi perked his ears to identify it.
Rumble rumble rumble.
A familiar sensation.
Then enlightenment struck.
"Gah!"
That's right.
The stream plunged down a massive, long ravine inside the cave.
In other words...
"Crazy! What kind of underground cave has a waterfall?!"
Shouting did no good.
Han Ibi quickly activated Design Analysis skill.
Scanning around urgently.
A small tributary branched off beside the waterfall.
His last chance.
Han Ibi counted mentally.
'One, two, three!'
He stretched his arms and grabbed a stalactite-like rock pillar from the ceiling.
The ferocious current battered like a villain desperate to drag him under.
Han Ibi channeled internal energy into his arms.
Demon Child Ring gleamed brightly.
Using enhanced strength, he gripped another stalactite and held on.
"Nngh!"
Grimacing, he shifted, grabbing yet another rock.
Against the torrent, he inched toward a rock over the tributary.
Three steps away.
No more stalactites for support.
Han Ibi paused, then thought.
'Damn it. All or nothing.'
Combining Swift property and Dark Shell Technique's burst, he propelled from the water.
And...
Grip.
His right arm barely clutched the rock's edge.
Exhausted.
But squeezing final strength into his right hand, he vaulted up again.
Flipping in midair, he finally climbed atop the rock.
He collapsed instantly.
'Good job, me. I'm amazing... huff huff.'
Regulating breath, he pulled out the night-luminescent pearl.
Illuminating the cave.
A narrow path opened at the far left corner.
Han Ibi sighed in relief.
'Knew I wouldn't die here!'
Slapping his cheeks, he stood slowly.
He looked like a drowned rat, water dripping wildly.
'Onward.'
Lighting the way with the pearl, he walked slowly.
One thing was certain.
Despite being inside a cave, it was breathtaking scenery.
'So Wudang Mountain's fame isn't hype.'
Han Ibi admired as he went.
An indescribable feeling.
'The deeper in, the more it feels man-made.'
And soon enough, he confirmed it.
Artificial marks on the walls.
Even spots embedded with night-luminescent pearls like the earlier training area.
Han Ibi cheered inwardly.
"Yes! Right path. You have to open the lid to know."
Satisfied, he pressed deeper.
Staying vigilant, of course.
That was when.
"Wow!"
Han Ibi exclaimed unwittingly.
A vast space.
A plaza-like area inside the cave.
Night-luminescent pearls concentrated here, bright as daylight.
'What is this place for?'
Then a hanging plaque caught his eye.
- One Path Diligence
Brush script on wood, majestic yet neat.
Excellent, save for its ancient wear.
Han Ibi looked around.
Wooden swords, longswords, spears, staffs scattered about.
And the floor.
His pupils dilated staring at the stone ground.
Countless footprints etched everywhere.
Imprints on solid stone were wondrous, but endless in number? Shocking.
But that paled compared to...
Realizing the footprints varied in size.
Countless people had trained here.
Masters capable of marking stone floors...
Han Ibi thought.
'Ah, got it. A secluded training ground. Classic for Taoist sects—wall-facing and isolation training.'
He paused to collect himself.
'Secluded hall, so exit must exist. Better find it quick.'
Han Ibi scanned for the way out.
Spotting a door-like structure.
Clearly carved into the rock.
'Impressive dedication! A room inside a tunnel?'
Then he mused.
'Makes sense. Even in seclusion, people need sleep.'
Grabbing the handle, he flung it open.
His expression shifted instantly.
Suspicion mixed with shock.
A person was there.
A completely naked young boy.
Perhaps twelve or thirteen.
Unconscious or asleep, unresponsive.
And a foul stench wafted out.
Han Ibi nearly retched.
Frowning at the scene, he quickly understood why.
A waste bucket under the bed.
Bed carved so he lay and defecated there.
'Torturing a child like this!'
But the atrocity didn't end there.
The boy's body was emaciated beyond words, limbs bound to bedposts.
Then something caught Han Ibi's eye.
The hair.
Silver-white like an old man's.
'What? Albinism? Skin looks normal though...'
A water drop fell plip on the boy's lips.
Looking up, Han Ibi saw wet cloth hanging from the ceiling.
Drips from the end.
Just enough moisture to avoid death!
Han Ibi couldn't contain his rage at the horror.
Walls of rice cakes scattered by the boy's mouth.
Surviving by barely eating those.
'No way. Wudang Sect, pillar of righteousness, committing such outrage!'
Another drop fell plip on the lips.
The boy snapped his eyes open.
He spoke.
"Took you long enough. I was wondering why so late."
He lifted his head slightly.
Meeting Han Ibi's horrified gaze.
A subtle change in the boy's expression.
"Huh? Who are you?"
Han Ibi found it bizarre.
Words too mature for a child.
'Driven mad from long confinement?'
The boy raised his voice.
"Who are you?"
Han Ibi replied calmly.
"Kid. I'll save you. Just hold on."
"What?"
Han Ibi drew a dagger and severed the boy's ropes.
The boy said.
"You... you're from Takga?"
Takga?
Han Ibi replied.
"If you mean Tak Bu-yong, I'm the one being chased by him."
The boy sneered.
"What nonsense. Think I'd fall for that?"
(To be continued in the next chapter)