Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Mountain Hiking? Piece of Cake.
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That was, of course, to come to the Qingcheng Sect.
Han Ibi was at a loss for words, like a mute who had eaten honey.
"Who sent you?"
Seong Chun-don glared at him with eyes that could bore through a wall.
Han Ibi replied as if it were absurd.
"What are you talking about? No one sent me."
Seong Chun-don lowered his gaze again and said innocently.
"Oh, really? I just thought it was too coincidental that you were at the lodge, scurrying around the grounds like a rat. It seemed suspicious, that's all. Forget it. It's nothing."
He gulped down his strong liquor as if nothing had happened.
Han Ibi felt a surge of venom rising within him and said,
"A rat? I was just..."
"Just what?"
Seong Chun-don shot him a sharp look. Han Ibi met his gaze steadily for a moment before lowering his eyes smoothly and saying,
"Just... out for some fresh air. Sorry if I made a mistake."
"Fine. If that's all, get lost."
Seong Chun-don flicked his hand dismissively, shooing him away.
This guy had a talent for making even the same actions feel offensive.
But this was his home turf.
It was best to back off here.
Han Ibi stood up and said,
"Then I'll be going."
Seong Chun-don, who had been sipping his liquor, spoke up.
"Hold on. It'd be wise not to blab about running into us here."
Han Ibi replied,
"Of course not."
Without waiting further, Han Ibi turned and left.
Truly, what a... utterly... repulsive guy.
As Han Ibi exited the room, Hyeon Jin-gi said,
"Senior Brother, why bother talking to a creep like that?"
Seong Chun-don grinned and replied,
"That guy's fishy somehow. His name keeps coming up in the Murim Alliance meetings."
Son Bu-yang asked in surprise,
"The Murim Alliance?"
"Yeah."
"That loser?"
"You can't tell just by looking."
"Sorry, I have no idea what you mean."
"Hahaha. But one thing's for sure."
"What's that?"
"He's bad luck."
"Hahahahaha. That much is obvious."
"And he'll likely interfere with 'our business' quite a bit."
"Huh? Our business?"
"Oh, just... something like that."
Seong Chun-don looked uncomfortable, so Son Bu-yang and Hyeon Jin-gi didn't press further.
They had a feeling...
Anyway, the three burst into hearty laughter and downed more white liquor.
On his way back to the dorms, Han Ibi felt his ears itching for some reason.
About a week after that incident, he really did stay cooped up in his dorm. Except for martial arts practice and mealtimes.
He even avoided eating at times when he might bump into the unpleasant Seong Chun-don.
But even so...
'Sigh. Now even practicing in the grounds feels awkward.'
Practicing a different sect's martial arts within the Qingcheng Sect left a bad aftertaste.
Plus, thanks to the influence of the Hongmong Great Law, Han Ibi's techniques gave off an inexplicable, alien vibe to others.
'True cultivation happens hidden away in the mountains.'
In the end, to avoid prying eyes, Han Ibi headed to the back of the grounds in the early dawn.
There was a path connecting to the rear mountain.
He scanned his surroundings and climbed diligently for about thirty minutes.
'Huh? Why can't I find a good spot to practice in secret? Tsk. Whatever, let's go higher. I'm terrible at finding paths, but mountain climbing? Now that's my forte. It's the one thing I've done most since entering this wuxia novel.'
Confirming no one around, Han Ibi activated Zhongli Swift Leopard Step and ascended like a mountain beast.
The fresh dawn qi clashed with the morning mist, scattering auspicious energy through the peaks.
It was a refreshing, mystical sight.
'Man, I used to underestimate China, but damn, the landscapes here are unreal.'
Just as the summit seemed near,
a building came into view in the distance.
'Huh? That's weird... Did I take a wrong turn? No buildings should be up here...'
Han Ibi slowed to a brisk walk toward it.
A large plaque caught his eye.
- Upper Purity Palace
'Upper Purity Palace... Feels like a name straight out of a wuxia novel.'
Beside it stood a massive stone with equally huge characters carved in.
'The Great Dao Does Nothing. The great Dao doesn't force action. Oho? Putting on airs.'
He could guess. Having devoured countless wuxia novels, it was obvious to Han Ibi.
The Upper Purity Palace was likely a Taoist temple.
They probably deified Laozi as the Supreme Old Lord.
From a modern view, though, Laozi was just one philosopher from the Warring States era preaching emperorcraft.
'A bit more mystical than others, sure...'
Then, noisy voices drifted from inside.
Murmuring like Taoist priests reciting scriptures.
'Like monks chanting sutras or early morning mass... Anyway, people are gathered, so nothing good here. Pass.'
Han Ibi skirted the palace and headed higher.
No one in sight, so he reactivated Zhongli Swift Leopard Step and moved swiftly.
'Damn it, I'm screwed!'
Why had he done that?
He knew better, so why?
Han Ibi regretted it to his bones.
He'd familiarized himself with Demon Valley Mountain paths alongside Song Myeong-cheon countless times, but...
Qingcheng Mountain was brand new territory...
What possessed him to venture this deep...
'I'm a pathfinder disaster... A total pathfinder disaster!'
Han Ibi felt like yelling off the cliff below.
He'd done some practice, but damn it, he'd lost the way down.
The sun blazed high, past noon already.
'Ugh, starving. What a mess.'
No one might care about him, but being gone too long could raise suspicions.
Han Ibi desperately searched for a descent path.
Then,
he sensed someone.
'A woman. Definitely a young woman.'
In the distance, a woman hid behind a boulder, intently watching something.
Han Ibi's gaze shifted there.
Surprisingly, what she watched was...
A rabbit hopping nimbly toward her.
A crude trap lay ahead.
Bait in a basket propped by a stick and string—childish stuff.
So... she was hunting...
'Tsk tsk. Thinks that shoddy trap will work?'
Han Ibi clicked his tongue inwardly, observing.
But...
Just as there are dull people, there are dumb rabbits too.
The rabbit hopped right into the obvious trap.
No way... It's actually catching it?
The rabbit entered, munched the mystery fruit.
The girl yanked the string fast.
But the rabbit wasn't easy prey.
It twisted agilely and escaped.
The basket hit its back but slid off its sleek fur. Escape successful.
The girl, watching blankly, suddenly leaped from the rock.
'Whoa!'
Han Ibi's eyes widened.
She was a martial artist from the jianghu.
Her swift movements rivaled the rabbit's.
Like wind, she snatched the fallen basket and slammed it over the rabbit.
Han Ibi thought,
'Why not do that from the start?'
Scratching sounds from the frantic rabbit.
Han Ibi thought,
'Oho! Not bad.'
But something felt off.
She'd trapped it under the basket but returned to the rock and sat, staring blankly.
Just sitting there...
Han Ibi wondered,
'What the...? What's she doing? Lost in thought?'
Then he slapped his forehead.
'Duh... Not the time to spectate. She doesn't look like a Qingcheng disciple, but I can at least show her the way down.'
Decision made, Han Ibi revealed himself, rustling grass deliberately.
The woman spotted him, face hardening.
Then the basket gap widened; the rabbit bolted.
Life-or-death for it.
"Hey!"
She shouted.
The rabbit was quick, but her hand was lightning.
Han Ibi's eyes gleamed.
'Impressive Golden Crow Claw technique.'
Her right hand seized the rabbit's hind leg.
The pitiful rabbit struggled to break free.
Han Ibi asked,
"Um... hello?"
She glanced but said nothing, looking away.
'What? Not even ignoring texts—ignoring ears?'
Han Ibi tried again.
"Hey."
Another glance.
No response expected.
Han Ibi said,
"You seem like a jianghu martial artist..."
She eyed him more suspiciously.
Han Ibi pressed,
"Miss. When a guy's talking right in front of you..."
Her lips parted.
"Qingcheng's down below."
Whoa. Don't interrupt?
Irritation rising, Han Ibi grinned instead.
"You could've caught it like that from the beginning... Why bother with the trap and waiting?"
She glanced, then looked away.
"None of your business."
Embarrassed, Han Ibi flushed and said,
"Hey now, quite the chilly wind. If you're gonna talk like that, I got nothing... But how about directions down?"
Then the rabbit thrashed with final strength.
Its black eyes wide with terror.
Her eyes on it...
'The emotion there is...'
A lightbulb flashed in Han Ibi's head.
"Aha! I get it now. You've never hunted before, have you, miss?"
She finally flinched.
Feeling smug, Han Ibi added,
"You can't bear to see the rabbit suffer, right?"
No reply.
Han Ibi said,
"If you pity it so much, why catch it at all?"
She let out a brief sigh.
"Don't talk if you don't know the circumstances."
Deep worry in her eyes on the rabbit.
Han Ibi alternated glances between her and the rabbit.
Then nodded knowingly, a bit flippantly.
"Aha! Starting to see. Want some help?"
She glanced lightly.
"What?"
Up close, her face was striking—hard to ignore.
"You need the rabbit but hesitate. Mind if I assist?"
Get it? This old-soul girl.
She looked between rabbit and Han Ibi thoughtfully, then said,
"Can you...?"
Her reaction hit the mark. Han Ibi acted at once.
First, make her owe you. Legendary sales wisdom.
He strode to the rabbit, gripped its big ears with one hand.
She released the leg reluctantly.
Now the rabbit dangled from Han Ibi's hand.
Han Ibi said,
(To be continued in the next chapter)