Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Great Way of Non-Action
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Just then, a voice came from the side.
Han Ibi jumped in surprise.
He realized he wasn't the only one watching So Eun-ri.
It was the voice of the female disciple standing next to Yeo Nan-ju.
"Why does that kid always sneak out like a little mouse with his food? Hiding some tasty side dish somewhere...?"
Yeo Nan-ju said,
"Just leave him be. Don't pick a fight for no reason. He looks like a weakling who couldn't even wring a chicken's neck."
'Actually, it's a rabbit.'
Han Ibi's thought.
The female disciple said,
"He skips out on group training just fine, but he sure eats his meals."
Yeo Nan-ju snorted and replied,
"He's probably throwing a tantrum relying on his master."
"He should stay at Wudang if that's the case. What's he doing here?"
"Hmph. You think Wudang is easy to get into? They'd take in any old nobody like that."
After that, a steady stream of harsh, ear-grating insults continued.
It was surely because she was 'pretty.'
For some reason, Han Ibi felt a surge of irritation. A kind of camaraderie among outcasts, perhaps.
He hesitated for a moment, confirmed no one was paying him any mind, and then headed for the back door.
As he stepped outside, sunlight poured into his eyes.
Han Ibi quickly spotted So Eun-ri.
She was sitting on a large rock beside a patch of grass, a short distance from the dining hall.
When she saw Han Ibi approaching, So Eun-ri looked somewhat startled.
Han Ibi said,
"Mind if I join you? Eating alone feels a bit lonely."
So Eun-ri didn't have time to respond.
She seemed quite flustered.
Seizing the moment, Han Ibi plopped down beside her on the grass.
So Eun-ri wore a hesitant expression.
She seemed to be wondering if she should get up.
But Han Ibi kept up the momentum and quickly asked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world,
"Looks like your elder went off somewhere?"
Instead of answering, So Eun-ri awkwardly nodded.
"Where did she go?"
Regaining a bit of composure, So Eun-ri said,
"What are you doing right now?"
Han Ibi grinned and replied,
"Trying to eat."
So Eun-ri looked even more baffled as she said,
"That's not what I meant."
Han Ibi casually shoveled rice into his mouth and said,
"Preparing group meals isn't easy. Making them tasty is even harder. But the kitchen ladies here at the Qingcheng Sect seem pretty skilled. Don't you think?"
So Eun-ri furrowed her brow and said,
"I'm asking what you're doing here."
Han Ibi feigned surprise and said,
"Eating... Didn't you notice, little sister So? So what are you doing out here?"
She glanced at her own meal for a moment before saying,
"I..."
Han Ibi said,
"You were eating."
"......"
"I'm eating too. So let's just eat together."
Her expression was one of utter bewilderment, but in the end, she picked up her chopsticks again.
She looked half-resigned.
Han Ibi said,
"Where did your elder go?"
So Eun-ri shook her head.
She didn't know, apparently.
Maybe this girl pursued the minimalism of conversation.
Han Ibi struck suddenly.
"Why are you eating alone?"
So Eun-ri's eyebrows twitched faintly.
It was as if she were saying, 'Would you mind leaving?'
"I... like being alone."
Han Ibi quickly replied,
"Perfect. I feel the same way when there aren't many people around."
A realization dawned on him.
'Why didn't I notice sooner?'
This girl's position was exactly like that of a second-generation immigrant from a multicultural family.
Unable to fit in with either side.
Having spent most of her life at Wudang before transferring to Qingcheng, the disconnect must have been hard to bear.
Surely, whispers from those around her like the ones now weren't uncommon.
Before she could chase him off, Han Ibi quickly changed the subject.
"How did you end up at Wudang?"
"I've been serving my master since I was young."
Ah, so she was assigned as Bok Yeon-hwa's handmaiden for the marriage.
But how did she...?
Han Ibi chewed his rice and asked,
"Then how did you become a disciple?"
So Eun-ri let out a small sigh, as if accepting that chasing away this intruder was hopeless, and said,
"My master said that even women should be able to protect themselves. I started out of curiosity, but..."
"Your talent caught her eye, so she took you as a disciple."
So Eun-ri shook her head with a flustered expression.
"No. My master was just... repaying a kindness."
Han Ibi smiled and said,
"After seeing that swift technique catching rabbits, I doubt it's just that."
So Eun-ri's expression wasn't bright.
She was probably reminiscing about the poor rabbit's fate.
Reading her mood, Han Ibi added,
"Well... that's just how the world works. That poor rabbit is now..."
Han Ibi leaned in close with a serious face.
So Eun-ri stared at him wide-eyed, wondering what he was doing.
"...in your stomach, isn't it? You slurped it down so deliciously."
Pfft!
So Eun-ri nearly spat out the rice in her mouth whole.
"Every last bit of meat clinging to the bones..."
"Stop it. I'll get mad if you keep going."
"Fine by me. I'd love to see you mad."
"You want to see me mad?"
Sure enough, she seemed to be getting annoyed bit by bit.
"Yes. Exactly."
"You're really rude."
"I'm curious how cute your angry face would be."
A brief silence fell.
Her face reddened.
A sharp cry rang out.
"That's enough! I'm leaving!"
She shot to her feet, grabbed her rice bowl, and stormed back into the dining hall.
'Whoops. Went too far.'
"Ah! Sorry!"
Han Ibi gave a wry smile and hurried after her.
He couldn't do it every day, but Han Ibi often followed So Eun-ri out the back door.
She always looked annoyed but never actively chased him away.
One day, it struck Han Ibi that So Eun-ri's smile was truly beautiful.
This cute, kind outcast girl of Qingcheng Sect.
'Ah... It's been so long since I felt like this!'
From talking to her, it was clear she knew next to nothing about the ways of the world.
Martial arts and her master—that was her entire universe.
In the world of Dream of the Ant Snake, So Eun-ri was around Jong Ri-hyeok's age.
Probably three or four years older than Jong Ri-mae.
But compared to Han Ibi's real age... she was much younger, like a little sister.
'But hey... who would complain about two outcasts getting close?'
He decided to think of it that way, casually.
It was one such day.
After eating, Han Ibi was taking a walk to aid digestion when he spotted Elder Seo Ui-jae of the Scripture Repository coming his way.
It had been a while.
He'd been so busy he rarely showed his face.
His face was full of worry, lost in deep thought.
Han Ibi greeted him warmly.
"Hello, Elder."
Only then did Seo Ui-jae notice Han Ibi and say,
"Oh, Jong Ri-mae. It's you."
"Yes, Elder. You look like you've been out somewhere."
Seo Ui-jae nodded, still looking troubled.
"Just coming back from an elders' meeting."
Han Ibi smiled and said,
"You've seemed really busy lately."
Seo Ui-jae nodded and replied,
"Indeed. We have to elect a new sect leader soon."
At those words, Han Ibi's head rang.
Information suddenly flooded his mind.
That's right.
Why had he completely forgotten until now?
The Qingcheng Sect had a unique tradition of 'electing' their sect leader.
It would happen soon.
And at that event...
'After overcoming all obstacles and schemes, Bok Yeon-hwa ascends to the sect leader position with Jong Ri-hyeok's help. Then Jong Ri-hyeok leaves for the Murim Alliance with So Eun-ri and others... That's the true starting point of Dream of the Ant Snake! Where the real story begins.'
Han Ibi said,
"No wonder the elders are so busy."
Seo Ui-jae said,
"Yes, but today I was out for a slightly different matter..."
Seo Ui-jae hesitated a moment before continuing.
"Something happened at the Tang Clan of Sichuan."
Han Ibi said,
"The Tang Clan of Sichuan?"
"Yes... There was an intruder at the Tang Clan."
Han Ibi said,
"Out of all places, someone dared invade the Tang Clan? That thief must be out of his mind."
Seo Ui-jae nodded perfunctorily and said,
"Anyway, it's hard to share the details right now."
Han Ibi smiled and said,
"I see. Well, I'll be off then."
Han Ibi bowed and passed by Seo Ui-jae. He was heading up the mountain for some training after a long time.
Then Seo Ui-jae called out to him.
Han Ibi turned his head slightly.
"Yes?"
"You..."
"Yes, speak freely."
"Ahem..."
Seo Ui-jae seemed about to say something but then backed off.
"Never mind. We'll talk later."
Han Ibi clasped his hands and smiled.
"Call on me anytime."
Seo Ui-jae nodded and walked away.
Han Ibi thought,
'He looks more serious than usual... But it's none of my business.'
With the goal of simply leveling up a bit, Han Ibi set off toward the back mountain.
Fresh air pierced his lungs. It was a sensation he felt anew each time, but the Qingcheng Sect's mountain was mystical.
In wuxia terms, it was 'auspicious.'
The mountain exuded that kind of vibe.
Han Ibi unleashed Zhongli Swift Leopard Step to its limit and dashed forward.
Branches whipped past his ears, a pleasant thrill.
Then.
Shadows of people appeared on the ridge.
Han Ibi slowed down and narrowed his eyes.
Trying to identify them.
And then...
'Gasp.'
Arrogant yet crisp strides.
Sturdy builds.
They were Qingcheng Sect's senior disciples led by 'Seong Chun-don,' the sight of whom alone irritated him.
'Why are they heading to the peak at this hour... I haven't done anything wrong, but...'
Ever since that incident at the outer guest quarters, they gave him an uncomfortable vibe.
Meeting them meant trouble.
Han Ibi looked around for a place to hide.
Just then, a massive boulder caught his eye.
He leaped behind it and flattened himself on the ground.
As Seong Chun-don's group drew near, their conversation naturally reached his ears.
Son Bu-yang shook his head and said,
"It's horrifying. That Bok Yeon-hwa might actually become sect leader."
Seong Chun-don grinned and replied,
"That's why the elders are working hard, isn't it?"
Then Hyeon Jin-gi said with a worried expression,
"You don't think... it could really happen, do you? If that old hag gets even more arrogant... I can't even imagine it."
Son Bu-yang chimed in,
"Exactly. It'd be a disaster."
Seong Chun-don laughed boldly and said,
"Hahaha. Are you real men, moping over something like that? Don't worry. The backing of this body is far greater than you think."
"That's reassuring. Oh, and as per your instructions, senior brother, I gave it some thought. From what the servants say, that old hag is suspicious and hard to manipulate... but she drinks tea five times a day. Rain or shine."
Seong Chun-don showed interest and said,
"Not a bad idea."
"Right? Haha. No need for lethal poison. Just something to temporarily ruin her health..."
Crack!
At that moment, the twig under Han Ibi's foot snapped loudly.
"Who's there!"
Seong Chun-don's bellow.
Han Ibi reflexively pulled his robe over his head and bolted away using lightness skill.
His heart pounded wildly.
'Need a place to hide... a place to hide...'
Then, the plaque of the Upper Purity Palace came into view ahead.
No time to think.
He slipped right inside.
No signs of people.
Suddenly, the scent of incense stung his nose.
(To be continued in the next chapter)