Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Double-Box Cedar Root
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The pitiful old herb gatherer had turned pale without realizing it, his teeth chattering as he trembled.
In Han Ibi's mind, as he plummeted straight down, he heard Cha Du-haeng's words from the past.
"Hahaha. Brother Han. This is a secret, but... the Dark Shell Art can also be used as a means of attack."
"Attacking with the Dark Shell Art? But doesn't it look like a defensive technique no matter who sees it?"
"That's true. Normally, it is... Do you know the strongest part of the human body?"
"Elbow or knee... something like that?"
"No, no. Far from it. In fact, the strongest part of the human body is right here—this head of yours."
"Hek? The head?"
"Exactly. It's designed to be the toughest to protect what's inside, in accordance with nature's laws."
"That... can I really believe that...?"
"Of course. Looks like you haven't seen our Cha Clan sorcerers' headbutts."
"Ah... haha. Come to think of it, I saw it on TV..."
"TV?"
"Ah, no. Slip of the tongue. I must've seen it at a rural market."
"Mm. That's the one. That's the secret technique using the Dark Shell Art."
"I... see. Honestly... I don't really want to use it. If it fails, that's it..."
"Well, I'm just telling you as it is. This attack is an unrivaled one-hit kill divine skill. Of course, unless it's a dumb beast, the opponent won't just let you smash your head into theirs."
"Y-yeah. Thanks anyway."
As he fell, Han Ibi raised the Dark Shell Art to level 2.
His head felt refreshingly cool, as if it had plunged into an icy valley.
No... actually, it was more like going numb. To be honest, it felt a bit like turning stupid...
But there was no time for such thoughts.
Pa Cheon-ung appeared right before his eyes.
The beast seemed completely unable to imagine what was happening.
It just stared blankly up at Han Ibi falling toward it.
Han Ibi tucked his head straight down and plummeted vertically like a reverse-thrusting rocket, smashing right into it...
-Bam!
The sound of a massive drum exploding shook the entire forest.
A head-to-head rendezvous.
The horrific sight of a man headbutting a beast from five stories high.
Pa Cheon-ung collapsed forward with a thud.
"Arghhhh! You damn liar!"
In excruciating agony, Han Ibi hurled curses at the innocent Cha Du-haeng.
The shock felt like his entire head was shattering. Again and again.
But astonishingly, there were no external injuries.
Only then did Han Ibi realize the horrible truth: this Dark Shell Art headbutt technique 'protected' him, but it did absolutely nothing to alleviate the 'pain'...
Clutching his head and slumping down, Han Ibi came to his senses and looked up.
Pa Cheon-ung lay sprawled out.
Beside it, the beast's brain matter splattered messily.
Perhaps its rage had scattered with the contents...
Pa Cheon-ung lay utterly still.
Only then did Han Ibi realize, blinded by money, what monstrous thing he had done.
At that moment, a voice called out.
"Hey, young hero! Put me... put me down."
It was the old herb gatherer floating in the air.
Still groping the lump of unrelenting pain, Han Ibi looked up at him.
The old herb gatherer was excitedly disassembling Pa Cheon-ung.
The sight was so gruesome it nearly induced vomiting.
"Urk! Elder, why are you separately bagging the smashed-up head?"
The old man replied.
"People need to see this head to trust it's really Pa Cheon-ung."
"Hmm... but it's all burst open. Will they believe it...?"
"Still, it's the best proof."
With that, the old man wrapped a dark lump—likely the bear gall—in a cloth tightly.
Han Ibi said,
"That thing... must be pretty valuable."
The old man cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem. Ahem. Not quite as much as you'd expect."
Must be insanely expensive.
"Got it. I'll trust you. But you must keep your promise."
"Of course. I've walked the path of herbs built on trust and faith for 40 years..."
"I'll check where you sell it later and ask the buyer how much you gave me."
"Hey now... young man, how can you not trust people like this..."
"Where do you live?"
"What?"
"Where's your home?"
"Down the mountain... And you, young hero? Local?"
Han Ibi suddenly felt at a loss for words.
He couldn't say he was freeloading at the Qingcheng Sect...
Better to claim he was a Qingcheng Sect Taoist.
Around Qingcheng Mountain, locals revered the sect's disciples anyway.
"Yes. I'm a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect."
To be precise, after Gu Cheon-se tore his clothes, Han Ibi was wearing Qingcheng Sect garb.
Then he noticed the old herb gatherer's expression shift subtly...
Hmm? Did I misjudge?
"Qingcheng Sect... If you're Qingcheng, I don't want to talk anymore."
Huh? That's weird.
Around here, just mentioning 'Qingcheng' made villagers grovel like they were offering celebrity discounts...
The old man's face grew serious.
"Young hero. I'll never forget you saving me from becoming beast food. But I don't want ties to the Qingcheng Sect, so after I sell the gall, let's never meet again."
"Uh... alright."
Tsk.
Too late to say he wasn't really a disciple...
Then the old man said,
"Hey, Taoist."
"Yes."
"Open this sack's mouth for me. Hard to do alone."
Did I save a hassle? What a pain...
Grumbling inwardly, Han Ibi went over and held the sack open.
At that moment.
Ding!
Huh? What's this sound?
Whoa... what kind of coincidence is this?
I searched everywhere and couldn't find it, but it was in this old herb gatherer's sack?
Heart pounding, Han Ibi said,
"Elder. Excuse me, but do you happen to have double-box cedar root?"
The old herb gatherer jumped in surprise.
"You... how do you...?"
Han Ibi sighed deeply.
"I'm desperate for money too... but no choice."
The old man eyed him suspiciously.
"What are you getting at?"
With genuine regret, Han Ibi said,
"I'll give you my entire share."
The old man still looked baffled.
"What do you mean?"
"I'll give you my full share of that bear's gall—Pa Cheon-ung or whatever—so sell me the double-box cedar root."
The old man looked shocked.
Han Ibi quickly added,
"My friend... he's poisoned. I'll forfeit the money, so give me the root."
The old man's face hardened.
"That friend... Qingcheng Sect?"
"Well, you could say... yes."
"Then no deal."
The old man's expression was resolute. Stunned by the turn, Han Ibi said,
"What do you mean?"
"I won't sell my herbs to Qingcheng Sect disciples."
This old geezer... what's his grudge against Qingcheng? Blood feud?
"But Elder, don't you owe me?"
"I'm grateful, but my will won't change."
Ah, you stubborn old fool...
Ugh.
Han Ibi fell into thought.
Then the old man said,
"I'll repay this favor another way. Ask for Herb Gatherer Gu's house in the village."
Oh man. That's... not what I want...
Leaving the dazed Han Ibi behind, the old man shouldered his heavy sack and trudged away.
Han Ibi was in mental breakdown.
Found the double-box cedar root and still couldn't get it...
He considered telling Bok Yeon-hwa, but gave up.
The old man hated Qingcheng so much; a sect elder barging in would just make him dig in harder.
Then it's time for Strategy 2-1. Convince Jong Ri-hyeok to enter the Qingcheng Sect Leader Selection Tournament himself. In other words, draw him in naturally.
After agonizing all night, Han Ibi concluded dialogue was the only way.
Early dawn, too soon.
With weary steps, he sought Jong Ri-hyeok.
He'd be at the training hall, Five Elements Pavilion.
Breathing the dim dawn air from his quarters, Han Ibi walked.
That guy's a bit unlucky, but he trains hard.
Lost in thought, he arrived at the Five Elements Pavilion.
He stood before the Water Chamber again.
Knock knock knock!
No response.
"Ahem."
He tried clearing his throat.
No response.
Just like last visit. Meditating perhaps.
As Han Ibi reached for the latch to peek,
Creak!
The door cracked open.
Two men's eyes met instantly.
Slam!
Ah... haha.
The training room door shut mercilessly.
Not even minimal hospitality.
Irritation bubbled in Han Ibi.
Bang bang bang!
He pounded the door fiercely.
"Brother! Open up. I need to talk. Brother! It's really important."
A low voice from inside.
"I have nothing more to say. Get lost."
"Just hear me out a bit..."
Han Ibi cupped his ear to the door.
Silence.
Damn... no progress at all.
Seen a protagonist like this shut-in lowlife? Skinny-ass punk.
With a despairing sigh, Han Ibi turned slowly.
Then...
Something caught his eye.
Two wooden swords on the floor.
Memories of this body's true owner, Jong Ri-mae, flashed like a lantern show.
Scanning past deeds intently.
Han Ibi's eyes sparkled.
Right... if rational talk fails, shock therapy.
He stepped forward, picked up the wooden swords, and returned to the door.
Closed his eyes, deep breath.
Then snapped them open and battered the Water Chamber door mercilessly with the sword.
Crack crack crack crack!
Thunderous noise echoed through the empty Five Elements Pavilion. A torturous cacophony.
"Brother! Open up! Really important! Hurry!"
Jong Ri-hyeok endured for a bit.
But I've got grit too.
Han Ibi struck harder, yelling,
"Brother! Don't be like this. We had good times too, ri..."
Whoosh!
Door flew open.
"Good times? What bullshit. Every moment with you and your mother was hellish torture. Stir up trouble once more, and I'll report to the Sect Leader—banish you from Qingcheng Mountain forever."
Jong Ri-hyeok growled savagely, unbefitting a protagonist. Han Ibi had struck the 'big lump' in his heart.
Jong Ri-hyeok bellowed,
"Last warning!"
As he slammed the door shut again...
(To be continued in the next chapter)