Chapter 20: Encounter (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 20: Encounter (3)
After relocating to his new quarters, Seok Myeong spent the night in the forest instead.
He was worried about being seen; his face had changed too much. If he entered the testing grounds in his current state, his transformed appearance would undoubtedly draw every eye in the sect. He would be forced to explain the change in detail, and he lacked a justification that could convince anyone. At the very least, Song Hak was not the type to let such a discrepancy slide.
His body was currently a volatile cocktail of Demonic Qi, Taiji, and Azure Wind energy. A disciple of the righteous Qingcheng Sect had not only mastered the internal energy of another sect but had also cultivated a sinister demonic art. No excuse would ever be enough to make them understand.
"Maybe if I do this, the problem will be solved for a while."
Seok Myeong muttered to himself as he wrapped white bandages he had scavenged around his face. He let out a short, dry laugh. Even as he did it, he knew how ridiculous he looked.
"Hmm."
Seok Myeong unwound the bandages and stared at his reflection in the lake once more. The more he looked, the more incredible it seemed.
His joints had shifted, and his entire frame had become lean and efficient, as if he had been stripped of every ounce of excess. Internal energy flowed through his meridians like an inexhaustible spring. He felt as though he wouldn't lose to anyone.
Metamorphosis.
The word drifted into his mind before scattering.
No. I may have gained a fortuitous encounter, improved my physical abilities, and obtained over one cycle of internal energy, but that is all. To truly master the scattered energies within me, I must reach an even higher level of enlightenment. And I must forge the mental fortitude to avoid relying on the power of the Dark Heaven Bracelet.
Seok Myeong tried to reclaim his former mindset. Though his power had increased, his technique and real-combat experience were still immature. Furthermore, since he hadn't gained this strength through enlightenment in swordsmanship, he could still suffer defeat against a true master.
What should I do…
He had started this for the sake of the exam, but now he was in a situation where it was difficult to even show his face.
Before he knew it, the first light of dawn was breaking. To apply for the Qingcheng Sword Disciple exam, which accepted applications until the morning, he had to move now.
Just as he was agonizing over the decision—
"Wait?"
Seok Myeong looked around, his eyes wide with disbelief. His expression stiffened, as if he had seen something that shouldn't exist.
"Could this energy be…"
It wasn't unfamiliar. Strangely enough, it didn't even provoke a sense of repulsion. However, it was incredibly ferocious—a bone-chilling energy that made his chest tighten.
"No, it can't be. This energy is…"
It was Demonic Qi. There was no way he wouldn't recognize the energy he had fought so desperately against for the past two years. He couldn't tell how far away it was, but it was definitely the same kind of energy that resided within his own body.
"A Demonic Person dares to infiltrate the Qingcheng Sect!"
Seok Myeong’s eyes snapped open as he looked toward the source of the energy. It was strong. And it was moving.
He couldn't measure the distance. He didn't know how long it would take to track it down.
What should he do? Seok Myeong looked at the sky again to gauge the time.
The Qingcheng Sword Disciple exam. Registration would close in just two shijin. If he missed it, his master's dying wish and Seok Myeong's own future would all…
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a surge of righteous passion erupted from his heart.
"I am a man of honor! Why do I hesitate over something as trivial as an exam!"
Shring.
Seok Myeong shouted as if scolding himself and drew his sword. Without further hesitation, he began to fly across the lake like a gale.
*
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The drums thundered. At the testing grounds located at the foot of Jangin Peak, the men of Qingcheng stood packed together.
Below them lay a massive martial arts training ground, and in one designated area, the applicants who had finished their registration were gathered.
The Qingcheng Sword Disciple exam was a festival for the sect. Since it was rumored that many Taoists, priests, and even hidden masters would participate, it was a prime opportunity to network and gauge the competition.
While the elders had several occasions to meet, such opportunities were rare for the First Generation Disciples. After leaving the Jinmu Pavilion—the sect's educational institution—many Taoists rarely saw one another because they moved to higher martial halls or lived in seclusion with their masters.
Naturally, they were eager to gather and mingle at a testing ground like this.
"Whoa!"
"I guess those are the applicants this time."
The crowd around the testing ground was diverse, ranging from elders in their fifties to young men who had just turned twenty. In truth, not everyone had gathered to become a Qingcheng Sword Disciple. While some were there to test their skills, many had come simply to watch the spectacle or stave off boredom.
Among the crowd, one woman was weaving her way through. Her attire made her stand out immediately, but it was her beauty that drew even more attention. Every time she took a step, the eyes of everyone—young and old alike—turned toward her in unison.
"Where on earth is he? There's less than fifteen minutes left."
Yeon-hui had been out since morning, scouring the area. She had searched not only the training grounds but also Jangin Peak, Geonbok Palace, and everywhere in between. Yet, she still hadn't found him.
"If I find him first, I'm not going to let him off easy."
She knit her brows and moved quickly through the crowd. Even with a frown, she was breathtaking.
"Yeon-hui."
As she was frantically searching, a young man who had spotted her approached. In truth, he had spotted her a long time ago and had been following her. It was Seok Jun.
"Senior Brother Seok Jun."
"Yes, you've been out since early morning."
"I have."
"Why are you running around so frantically?"
"Ah… well."
She approached Seok Jun and spoke in a low voice.
"I can't find the Eldest Disciple."
"The Eldest Disciple?"
At the mention of Seok Myeong, Seok Jun's expression became slightly uncomfortable.
"He said he would apply this time, so he must be around somewhere."
"I thought so too, but I can't find him no matter how much I look. The registration time is almost over."
"Did you check his quarters?"
Yeon-hui nodded.
"I went there this morning. As expected, he wasn't in his room. From the way you're talking, it seems you don't know where he is either, Senior Brother."
"Right. I haven't seen his face for almost two years. Still, I naturally assumed he would show up today."
"Hmm, then where could he have gone?"
Yeon-hui looked around. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand why Seok Myeong wouldn't show up.
"Could it be…"
As she wore a worried expression, Seok Jun casually threw out a suggestion.
"Could it be that the Eldest Disciple is trying to avoid this?"
"Avoid it? Why?"
"Who knows? Perhaps his progress was lower than expected, and he's planning to wait for the next exam…"
At those words, Yeon-hui's face hardened.
"That can't be true. With the Eldest Disciple's skills, he's more than capable of becoming a Qingcheng Sword Disciple."
"That's just because you think highly of him, Yeon-hui. To be honest, I've thought this for a long time, but the Eldest Disciple doesn't yet have the skill to take the exam…"
"Senior Brother Jun, I'm going to look a bit more."
Yeon-hui cut him off and left. She ran off into the distance without listening to another word.
Seok Jun's expression distorted instantly. Even after all this time, her habit of defending Seok Myeong remained unchanged.
"Isn't that Yeon-hui?"
"I think so."
Seok Hu and Seok Gyeong approached Seok Jun. They had already registered for the exam and were waiting for it to begin.
"Senior Brother Seok Jun, that girl…"
"Let's just go."
Ignoring Seok Hu's questions, Seok Jun turned away with a sharp expression. Seok Gyeong and Seok Hu tilted their heads, looking at each other in confusion.
*
Ignoring the rising sun, Seok Myeong headed deep into a canyon.
The energy he felt kept appearing and disappearing, making it difficult to track. However, the energy gradually grew closer, and soon he arrived in front of a small cave that appeared to be the source of the Demonic Qi.
It's in here.
It was said that there were seventy-two small caves on Mount Qingcheng, but those were only the ones that had been discovered. There were many more hidden away, many of which had never been touched by human hands.
As Seok Myeong entered the cave, darkness swallowed him. Although it was a bright day, the sunlight couldn't penetrate the entrance due to the tangled thickets. Soon, it became so dark that it was difficult to see anything.
The Demonic Person is inside…
As the darkness deepened, Seok Myeong grew tense. An ominous energy—one that should never exist on this earth—was flowing from the depths of the cave.
Ssh.
As the energy drew closer, Seok Myeong moved his hand to his waist. He slowly drew his sword and lowered his stance, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
He's right in front of me. I'm sure of it.
Seok Myeong was certain. He felt a Demonic Qi so powerful it made the hair on his arms stand on end.
Step, step.
Extremely tense, Seok Myeong wondered: Who could it be? What was their intention in hiding here? Or was this a trap to lure him in?
Bit by bit, Seok Myeong advanced into the darkness. And just as he felt something writhing in the shadows—
"Kuaaaaah!"
With a sound loud enough to burst his eardrums, something flew toward him.
Swish.
Seok Myeong twisted his body reflexively. Sensing the attack and dodging it happened almost simultaneously. He had evaded it with reflexes that would have been unimaginable in the past.
At that moment—
Whish!
The invisible object passed Seok Myeong and slammed into the ceiling.
Boom!
Rumble…
With a sudden, powerful vibration, part of the cave collapsed. But Seok Myeong had no time to worry about his surroundings. The Demonic Person was already rushing toward him.
"Leading Double Retreat!"
Seok Myeong did not panic. He executed a technique from the Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword, retreating to block the opponent's attack while simultaneously launching a counter.
Whoosh.
A massive wave of force flew from the tip of his sword. It was blue Sword Aura.
Ssssh.
However, the opponent was not hit. Instead, they launched another attack.
Demonic Light!
As the enemy dashed toward the entrance, Seok Myeong reflexively emitted blue Sword Aura. He succeeded in deflecting the Demonic Qi, but he couldn't find an opening to counterattack.
"Dammit!"
The opponent gave him no room to breathe. Indiscriminate attacks poured down as if determined to kill him.
Crash!
The ground shattered.
Boom, boom, boom! Swish!
The opponent attacked from all angles, using internal strength to scatter stones kicked up by palm force. Because it was dark and the attacks were so unpredictable, Seok Myeong struggled to keep his wits about him.
"Ugh!"
Nevertheless, Seok Myeong narrowly parried the strikes. Though he was being pushed back, he did not fall. In fact, he was surprised by his own performance.
My body's reactions…
Seok Myeong was parrying Demonic Qi and dodging enemy attacks with ease. In the past, he would have died long ago. Now, against an invisible enemy—a Demonic Person who used Demonic Qi at will—he was fighting on equal terms.
It's different. Completely different from before…
Crash!
After clashing for dozens of exchanges, Seok Myeong finally realized how much his body had changed.
Metamorphosis.
There was no other way to explain it. He believed that such movements were impossible without physical abilities that surpassed the Absolute Realm. It was more than enough to compensate for his lack of real-combat experience and the lingering weaknesses within his body.
Clang, clang, clang!
Swish! Swish!
As Seok Myeong continued to block and deflect, the Demonic Person paused to catch his breath. Finally getting a chance to breathe, Seok Myeong glared into the darkness.
"How dare a Demonic Person come here!" Seok Myeong shouted.
Jeok Ma-seong did not answer. He seemed to loathe speaking.
"I shall deliver punishment on behalf of Qingcheng!"
Seok Myeong gripped his sword fiercely. This time, he moved his feet to attack first. At that moment—
"A Taoist who has mastered demonic arts…"
A raspy, barely intelligible voice flowed from the Demonic Person's mouth. When the opponent spoke, goosebumps broke out all over Seok Myeong's body.
The Demonic Person spoke again.
"This is interesting."
"What?"
It was then. Due to the palm strike unleashed earlier, a part of the cave ceiling cracked, and light began to stream through the gap.
"Gasp!"
Seok Myeong let out a cry of horror upon seeing him.
With disheveled hair, the man looked beyond exhausted—he was hideous.
"This thing isn't human…"
It was a sight he could hardly bear to look at.
Purple energy flickered around the eyes. He was missing an arm. Flesh had been torn from his chest, and the wounds were rotting and turning blue. Maggots swarmed over his body, and half of his face had been torn away, frozen in a grotesque mask.
Jeok Ma-seong.
Seok Myeong had finally found one of the Ten Demon Guests of the Demonic Cult who had gone into hiding on Mount Qingcheng two years ago.