Chapter 80: Suppression (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Suppression (3)
“…Monitoring me?”
“You’re from the Qingcheng Sect. The one who defeated my brother, no less. He told me to find out what kind of martial arts you use and what your habits are. I’m a spy, so to speak.”
“……”
Seok Myeong was speechless for a moment.
Her explanation sounded plausible enough, and Cheol So-yeon was certainly the most suitable person for such a task, but where in the world was there a spy who announced their identity so openly?
“Did Elder Cheol Mu-jin really say that?”
“D-d-do I have to spell everything out for you to understand?! You moron!”
Suddenly, Cheol So-yeon’s face turned bright red as she shrieked at him. She stammered, trying to find her words.
“I-I mean! You never know what tomorrow brings in the Jianghu. It’s not rare for yesterday’s enemy to become today’s c-comrade, or for today’s c-comrade to become tomorrow’s enemy. He definitely said something like that!”
“Hmm…”
Seok Myeong was puzzled. In a way, it was a perfectly reasonable statement, but was there any reason for her to be so flustered? He pondered for a moment before clapping his hands together.
“I see. So that was Elder Cheol Mu-jin’s intention.”
“Wh-what? What is?”
Cheol So-yeon’s face flushed even deeper. Seok Myeong nodded toward her.
“Indeed. It is not uncommon for those of the Unorthodox Faction to attack one another. While my sect belongs to the Orthodox Faction, its roots are in the Taoist Gate. We strive for the virtue of preserving life. We clearly distinguish between the Unorthodox Faction, who move for profit, and the Heretical Path, which is cruelty itself.”
“...?”
“If the Samu Alliance ever attacks the Golden Martial Association, I will do my best to return to my sect and convince them to help you. If they employ people like the Black Snake Union as subordinates, then the Samu Alliance itself is evil. An Unorthodox Faction with established rules, like the Golden Martial Association, would be better for the common people.”
“……”
“Of course, due to the unwritten laws of the Jianghu, Qingcheng cannot officially aid the Golden Martial Association. However, my sect will never strike your association from behind. I promise you this on my name.”
Seok Myeong gave Cheol So-yeon a polite bow and turned away. Cheol So-yeon stared at the door he had exited with a bewildered expression. Then, she let out a sigh deep enough to sink the earth.
“Ugh, that idiot… Come to think of it, he was a Taoist, wasn’t he? I guess it’s only natural he can’t take a hint.”
Bang!
She kicked the door in a fit of temper, thinking that he really was a guy who was unlikable in every possible way.
*
“I heard you refused treatment.”
An old man approached Song Yeo-guk, who was resting in the grand hall. It was the Sect Leader of the Azure Lake Gate, who had fought valiantly in the recent battle against the Black Snake Union.
“I would if I could. But this isn’t the kind of ailment that can be cured, so I cannot,” Song Yeo-guk replied with a bitter smile.
The Sect Leader nodded. He was a martial artist who had grown old in the Jianghu; he could tell from Song Yeo-guk’s words alone that the situation was incredibly serious.
“I understand what you mean.”
“Thank you for your help in this difficult fight. It would have been impossible to win without you, Elder.”
“Help? One must naturally fight when they see injustice.”
The Sect Leader spoke boldly, thumping his chest. His sect had fewer than fifty members. Even after half of them had been wounded, he showed not a hint of regret. In terms of spirit, this old man was every bit a hero.
“They say that is the conviction of the Orthodox Faction, but how many sects fail to uphold it? The world will hold your bravery in high regard.”
“Hahaha. Estate Owner Song, I’ve already passed the age where I’m moved by such empty titles.”
Song Yeo-guk laughed. Indeed, as the man said, he looked well past the age of relying on vanity.
“Ah, look at my head. You have a guest waiting outside.”
“A guest?”
“Yes, please go see him.”
With those words, the old man departed. A short while later, a young man entered. It was Seok Myeong.
“Martial Uncle, so you were here.”
“Seok Myeong. How is your body?”
“I am fine.”
Seok Myeong offered a simple greeting and sat down beside him.
“It was impressive.”
“Pardon?”
“Your martial arts. That thick Black Ink Energy clinging to the tip of your sword.”
“…You saw it?”
“I did.”
Song Yeo-guk looked at Seok Myeong and continued.
“It is likely created by the special energy existing within your body.”
“I…”
“It’s alright. They say the Wuji gives birth to the Finite and creates the Taiji, but martial arts cannot ignore where the starting point lies.”
Seok Myeong remained silent. It seemed Song Yeo-guk had guessed a great deal about him. Then again, it wasn’t strange, considering they were both from Qingcheng and Song Yeo-guk was from the Azure Cloud Pavilion.
“The most important thing is the heart. Though your energy may be strange, it was manifested by combining the internal and external arts of Qingcheng. In the end, it will be proven to belong to Qingcheng. Do not forget that. You are a man of Qingcheng.”
“Thank you.”
Seok Myeong etched the advice deep into his heart and continued.
“More importantly, Martial Uncle, your body is now…”
“You already know, don’t you?”
“Then, did you really… your dantian…?”
“Yes.”
Seok Myeong’s expression hardened at the confirmation. Song Yeo-guk could no longer use internal energy. Yet, the man himself spoke of it with utter composure.
“Martial arts aren’t everything in this world. Even without them, there are many places where I can be of help. I will live well even without martial arts. So, don’t make a face like that.”
Seok Myeong felt an inexplicable sense of trust in the man’s eyes and tone. Perhaps that was why it didn’t feel like a mere empty boast.
Thud.
Song Yeo-guk stood up.
“Stay here for a while longer before you leave.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve finished what I had to do, so I must vacate my seat.”
“To where…?”
“Hahaha.”
Song Yeo-guk looked at Seok Myeong and laughed. It was a warm smile. For a moment, Seok Myeong had the illusion that the deep wrinkles around the man's mouth contained the entirety of the life he had lived.
“You rascal, do I really have to tell you even where I’m going?”
“N-no, sir.”
He silently placed a hand on Seok Myeong’s shoulder.
Pat, pat.
“It seemed like it was your first time killing. Even so, you fought very well. Even if crises arise in the future, push through them with that same will. Do not fear the enemy, and do not be intimidated by their names. Our Qingcheng stands behind you.”
“Martial Uncle…”
Seok Myeong didn’t respond further as Song Yeo-guk patted his shoulder and walked past him. Song Yeo-guk crossed the main gate and vanished from sight.
*
“Ah… I told you it hurts. Ah… Aaagh!”
“Stop exaggerating.”
Cheol So-yeon sprinkled something onto the chest of the reclining Hyeok-jin. Small, white grains the size of millet were scattered across his chest. It was the medicine provided by the physician who had visited earlier.
Perhaps short-staffed, the physician had simply prepared a dose of medicine for internal injuries, handed it to Cheol So-yeon, and hurried off. Thus, she had suddenly found herself in the position of nursing Hyeok-jin.
As the white medicine melted and turned glossy, she flipped Hyeok-jin over and sprinkled it on his back as well.
“Aaagh! Be gentle!”
“What a troublesome guy. If I saved your life, you should take care of the rest yourself instead of being a nuisance.”
Hyeok-jin spoke with his eyes half-closed.
“If you had helped sooner, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Would you still be saying that if I had helped even later?”
“That’s a bit chilling.”
Cheol So-yeon flipped Hyeok-jin, whose body was wrapped tightly in bandages, back over and sat down. Then, feeling awkward, she fell silent again.
“Oh, by the way, what happened to the kids?”
Hyeok-jin, who had been staring blankly, spoke up as if remembering something.
“They all lived.”
“What?”
Hyeok-jin lifted his head. But since Cheol So-yeon had her back turned, he couldn’t see her face.
“How do you know?”
“Because I looked after them.”
“You did? That’s a relief.”
Hyeok-jin let out a sigh of relief. When he was fighting the Heaven Flipping Palm, in that moment when he sensed the end, those children had screamed at the top of their lungs for him. He had stepped forward to protect them, but in truth, it felt as if the children had been the ones protecting him.
When Hyeok-jin fell silent again, Cheol So-yeon spoke.
“It was decent enough.”
“...?”
“In front of the warehouse.”
Hyeok-jin tried to ask what she meant, but Cheol So-yeon left without another word. As expected, she was someone who couldn’t get used to being around others.
Hyeok-jin lay there blankly before shouting toward her retreating figure.
“I’ll repay the favor!”
Cheol So-yeon didn’t stop walking. Whether she hadn’t heard or was simply ignoring him, she left the area without a response.
Hyeok-jin muttered to himself once more.
“I’m going to become stronger than anyone now.”
*
One month later.
A beggar with a cloth wrap around his forehead ran quickly down a narrow corridor, his footsteps thundering. His face was pale, making it obvious at a glance that something extraordinary had happened. In his hand, he clutched a letter tightly.
Slide. Bam!
“Branch Leader!”
He threw the door open with force. Inside, Wang Gae, who was in the middle of receiving a precious guest, looked at him with an incredulous expression.
“Good grief…”
He had told the man several times that this was the first and most important task he had been assigned since being appointed as the new Branch Leader, yet the beggar had finally invited disaster today.
“What is this reckless behavior in the presence of the Party Leader?!”
Wang Gae, who would normally have just clicked his tongue, kicked his chair with a loud thud and acted excessively angry. He was afraid that he might be seen as being in league with this fool and fall out of favor with the Party Leader.
Yeong Gae.
The newly appointed Party Leader. He was the one in charge of the Ten Thousand Opening Hall this time, a man who spread the fundamental mindset and etiquette that a beggar should possess. Since the subordinate had shown such a flustered display in front of such a person, it might reflect poorly on the branch’s discipline and negatively impact Wang Gae’s promotion.
“It’s urgent. Please, look at this.”
Normally, the beggar should have tucked his tail and bowed so low his head went between his legs dozens of times, but the man at the door kept his neck stiff. Seeing the two knots tied at his waist, he should have had at least some level of situational awareness!
Eventually, Wang Gae grabbed him by the collar with an even more furious expression.
“You brat! Didn’t I tell you to mind your manners? Today, I shall turn your body into dust—”
“Wait a moment.”
At that moment, the one who stopped the furious Wang Gae was Yeong Gae, who was sitting opposite him. He snatched the paper held out by the Two-Knot Disciple and read it hurriedly.
“A Geomma?”
Thump.
Wang Gae’s face, which had been shaking his disciple by the collar, froze. He looked as if he had misheard something.
“A Giant Demon has appeared in the Saneum region. Its skill level is between first-class and the Realm of Culmination. Furthermore, it fled after being heavily wounded during the suppression process by the Flying Dragon Gate?”
Yeong Gae spoke as he slowly reviewed what was written. His eyes did not waver much despite the terrifying mention of a Giant Demon. Wang Gae, who was watching, chimed in with a worried look.
“If it’s a Giant Demon… does that mean someone from the Demonic Cult has appeared?”