Chapter 104
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Black Nether Beast (2)
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"Nonsense. Aren't you having fun?"
: : Having fun...? If you're just going to spout idle chatter, then get lost. : :
Despite his words, the Black Nether Beast flicked its tail slightly, drawing in the poisonous miasma around the entrance.
He knew I was close to achieving Immunity to All Poisons, yet he still showed this level of consideration and familiarity.
Truly, I'm irresistible.
"Black Nether Beast, there's something I'd like to ask you today."
: : Hm? What is it? : :
Until now, I'd fully empathized with the patient's psychological state, soothed and comforted him.
Now it was time to gently probe his trauma.
"Don't I need to avenge you, Black Nether Beast? Could you tell me a bit more about that soul and the binding on the Spirit Pearl?"
: : Hmph. You, avenge me? It'd be faster if I died and reincarnated to cultivate merits again. : :
His words were curt, but fortunately, the Black Nether Beast didn't seem too offended and fell deep into thought.
: : Well... He was a martial artist. In human terms, at least Profound Realm, I'd say. : :
"Sorry. Avenge you? That's a bit much right now."
: : ...... : :
Oh no.
Too honest.
"It's like that now, but this Geum Sihyeon! As the greatest prodigy of past and present, I'll reach the Profound Realm soon enough!"
: : A guy who hasn't even broken through Peak Realm yet, all talk. : :
After a brief exchange of banter,
I received details on the perpetrator's appearance and couldn't help but voice the question bubbling up inside me.
"This might sound odd... but why did he leave without killing you, Black Nether Beast?"
"To be precise, he couldn't. ...The Myo Hwaseo saved me. Though it must have cost her a great deal of power."
That squirrel I'd flicked on the head earlier was actually a mighty divine beast capable of thrashing even a Profound Realm expert and driving him off?
Modpack creator.
You were wrong.
If I'd possessed an infinitely strengthening lizard instead of Geum Sihyeon, I'd probably be a kingly T-Rex dominating the martial world by now.
...Would the heroines be lizard heroines too?
Nope, scratch that.
Modpack creator.
You were right.
: : You throw a question at me and make that dumb face? What're you doing? : :
"Tch, was it obvious?"
Am I that easy to read?
Anyway.
Today's psychotherapy session wrapped up successfully.
The oppressive poisonous miasma around us had clearly subsided even more.
"Next time, I'll come with Narang."
: : Hmph, you thief. : :
I ignored the Black Nether Beast's grumbling, bowed politely in farewell, and exited the cave.
Narang and I had been training in Poison Resistance Arts in our own way.
With the Blood Poison Pearl too, this level of poison was manageable.
...Visiting an elder we spent our childhood with together felt a bit like a formal meeting of the families.
"Really? That's... that's truly wonderful...!"
"Kyuu-it! Kyu-it!"
"What's with the kyuu-it? Speak properly."
"Amazing, Geum Sihyeon!"
The Myo sisters' faces lit up with joy at the good news of the patient's progress.
"Dalami... I mean, Hwaseo will still need more time, but tomorrow, Narang and I will visit the Black Nether Beast together. That should help him recover even faster."
"Yes...! I can't wait already...!"
Narang and Sojeo, who had been bouncing around excitedly, suddenly remembered it wasn't the time and dashed off to prepare dinner.
Seizing the moment,
"Dalami."
"Kyuu-it?"
"Lady Myo Hwaseo."
"...What?"
"About the one who attacked the Black Nether Beast... Do you remember anything?"
"Ah..."
Dalami's expression darkened rapidly as she fidgeted with her lips.
"That... It's a being beyond common sense. My intuition tells me he had the power to kill both me and the Black Nether Beast with ease. Yet he retreated all too simply..."
"Was there any need to?"
"Even I can't comprehend it. I don't know for sure, but... I have this ominous feeling that leaving the Black Nether Beast alive was part of his scheme. That's why I wanted to help as quickly as possible... So I pushed myself and left the Beast Palace."
It all circled back to the Heavenly Beast Heart-Returning Art.
I hadn't realized my small act of kindness would lead to something this significant.
Meeting Narang and Sojeo on the road was chance.
Striking up conversation under the pretense of pasta was also chance.
And if not for the Divine Mountain Ghost Vessel,
I probably would have chosen some other technique from the Heavenly Martial Library instead of the Heavenly Beast Heart-Returning Art.
Fate's threads are so intricately woven— that's why they warn to beware of karmic ties in the jianghu.
Even the little animal-like girl before me embodied the three vulnerabilities: elder, woman, child.
"Kyuuuaaaang!"
I mercilessly pinched Dalami's cheeks, who was still wearing that gloomy look, to lighten the mood.
And then,
"Young master── Dinner is served──"
Narang and Sojeo's clear voices rang out from the kitchen.
"Mhehe. Kyu-it."
Dalami let out a strange chuckle and scampered off.
Hm, as expected of a divine beast— quick on the uptake.
Come to think of it,
Narang and Sojeo are incredibly good cooks.
I have no idea where they sourced all the ingredients, but they served a veritable feast of ten delicacies at every meal.
"If it's a meal made by Narang and Sojeo, even mugwort and garlic alone would make me happy..."
"Oh? Do you like mugwort and garlic that much, young master?"
"It's a figure of speech."
Narang and Sojeo grinned and sat across from me.
Without needing a word, we all picked up our chopsticks at once and savored the meal.
The flavors still melted on my tongue in ecstasy.
It was mostly vegetarian-leaning, with more greens than meat,
but the seasonings, balance, and harmony of ingredients were so exquisite that I shoveled it in without a care.
"Hehe, seeing you enjoy it makes me happy. I always dreamed of being the perfect wife and wise mother!"
"Then, your dream's half-realized now."
......
Eh......
Only after blurting it out on reflex did I grasp the weight of my words.
...Isn't this basically a confession?
I hoped it landed casually,
but with Narang and Sojeo's ears turning red, it seemed my clumsy words conveyed the intent perfectly.
"......"
"......"
An excruciatingly awkward silence fell.
As the urge to blast my own head with Hundred Blossoms Palm and depart this world crept in,
"Um... young master... You have sauce on your mouth."
Narang broke the silence first.
And then,
She stood and came to my side.
Where do I put my arms in a moment like this?
Hands? Waist? No, neck? Face?
Her face drew closer.
Where should I look? Close my eyes?
Touching her here would be rude, right?
We're not at that stage yet?
Narang had already closed her eyes.
In that instant, shedding all worldly worries to embrace reality...
Rumble...!
Bang!
A massive thunderclap echoed from very nearby, and the door burst open.
"B-big trouble...! The Black Nether Beast... the Black Nether Beast is rampaging again!"
"What? No way."
More than frustration at the interruption, disbelief surged first.
There was no way.
The Black Nether Beast we'd spoken with just this afternoon
was clearly much gentler than our first meeting, brimming with the will to live.
Sensing presences outside the cave, the Black Nether Beast unwittingly lifted its head.
And gave a wry smile.
Swallowing the sentiment that he'd been played by Geum Sihyeon and that devilish entourage far too much lately...
In truth, he was quite pleased.
As long as poison continuously emanated from his body,
and Myo Hwaseo expended most of her power suppressing it, she couldn't approach.
The very reason Myo Narang could pierce the poison and start conversing was thanks to the Heavenly Beast Heart-Returning Art that Geum Sihyeon had taught her.
: : What does that fool find so great about him to show it so blatantly? : :
Myo Narang had started at the cave entrance, sobbing and begging him to come back.
But day by day, she shared all sorts of trivial stories.
Geum Sihyeon took up the biggest share, so how could he not be intrigued?
And the real Geum Sihyeon he'd met
was undoubtedly a man of exceptional character among humans, with outstanding ability to boot.
Who else in the world could remain so composed amid such overwhelming poison?
Face a being who could swallow him whole with one bite, yet stay utterly calm?
...Though sometimes it made him want to gobble him up out of annoyance.
: : You've come this far, why not come in? : :
He'd mentioned before.
Next time, he'd come with Myo Narang.
A man who kept his word, so he must be here with her.
But.
"...So it really is here. The Blood Lord was right."
Emerging at the cave entrance wasn't Geum Sihyeon, but a white-haired middle-aged man with a grim expression.
His eyes were pitch-black voids.
Just like his own reflection in the cave's lake not long ago.