My Precious Student, Part 4
The winding cave was so narrow that barely one person could squeeze through at a time. It didn't look man-made; it seemed to be a completely natural cavern.
"Ah... I feel like I can finally breathe again." As they descended deeper, the muggy air began to cool down. Seonwoo Seol let out a pleasant sigh, clearly enjoying the refreshing breeze as she trudged along.
"Is your anger finally melting away?"
"Who said I was angry?"
"You looked incredibly uncomfortable just a moment ago, Lady Seonwoo."
"Can't you show some magnanimity befitting your title as the Three-Virtue Chef?"
"My apologies, but my nature is as narrow as an anchovy's gut, so I can't." It wasn't even a title I chose for myself, so why should I care about living up to it?
"I have no idea how far down we're going. It's incredibly deep."
"Indeed. It's amazing that the Divine Thief even found a cave like this." Still, the fact that the air inside wasn't musty suggested there was an opening elsewhere or some sort of ventilation system. With this level of preparation, it was highly likely that the creator of the Jangbodo really was the Divine Thief.
As they ventured deeper, they came upon a small cavern large enough to seat about a dozen people. It seemed like the perfect spot to take a break.
"Let's rest here for a moment." No matter how cool the air was, wandering around in a constant state of tension was bound to drain one's stamina. In times like this, it was best to conserve energy.
Pulling four gourds from my pack, I handed one to each of the three who had sat down on the ground.
"Is this alcohol?"
"With kids around? Of course not. It's Misu."
"Misu?" Seonwoo Seol looked completely blank, as if she had never heard the word in her life. I couldn't help but feel bewildered myself. Was it because she grew up sheltered? How could she not know this?
"Uh, you know, roasted grain powder mixed with water. Have you seriously never had Misu before?"
"It's my first time hearing of it."
"What about you two?"
"Never heard of it in my life, senior," Man Hanseok replied.
"M-my father did mention that barbarians drink grain powder mixed with water..." Gongson Yeongji murmured timidly.
Wait, they've never tasted this sweet, nutty roasted grain powder? Aren't they missing out on half of life's pleasures? How could they not know about this magnificent emergency ration, made simply by steaming, drying, and finely grinding rice, soybeans, and various grains?
"I mixed in some honey, so it's sweet and goes down easy. Give it a try." I uncorked my own gourd and took a sip. Chilled by the cool cave air, the Misu was sweet and incredibly refreshing. There really was nothing better than Misu when you lost your appetite in the summer. Maybe I should make cold soybean noodles next time.
"It has a slightly minty, refreshing aftertaste," Seonwoo Seol noted.
"That's probably because of the pine bud powder." Pine buds are the young shoots of pine needles. Drying and grinding them yields pine bud powder, which, when added, gives a flavor slightly reminiscent of a pine needle drink. It's a bit bitter on its own, but it provides a burst of clean, refreshing flavor. And any bitterness is easily masked by the honey. Nutty, sweet, and subtly cooling—Seonwoo Seol seemed to approve, and Man Hanseok grinned widely after taking a gulp.
"It's delicious and surprisingly filling. This would be perfect to mix and drink when traveling long distances in the future." For Man Hanseok to give such a detailed review meant he liked it a lot. Gongson Yeongji didn't say anything, but her eyes went as wide as saucers, suggesting she loved it too.
As we were resting idly, Seonwoo Seol sniffed the air and twitched her lips. She always made that face when something displeased her or rubbed her the wrong way.
"Don't you smell something fishy? It smells like stagnant water..."
"Since it's a natural cave, it's likely just the smell of pooled water. However, what worries me is..."
"What is it?"
"We'd better pray that the treasures the Divine Thief hid aren't submerged underwater along with it."
"Hey!" At my words, Seonwoo Seol jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow. *Ouch.*
"What was that for?"
"Saying things like that scares away our good fortune."
"I was just stating a possibility."
"And what if they really are submerged?"
"If they're submerged, they're submerged. What can we do about... Ow! Seriously, lady?!" She kept jabbing my ribs. Watching us, Gongson Yeongji giggled.
"You two seem to get along really well."
"If getting jabbed in the ribs means we get along, I shudder to think what would fly my way if we didn't." After exchanging a few more playful remarks, we finally stood back up. It was time to resume our exploration of the cave. As I led the way, Seonwoo Seol, who was bringing up the rear, asked in a low voice:
"It doesn't look like there are any traps, does it?"
"This is my first time in a cave like this too... I was actually about to ask you, Lady Seonwoo."
"...I asked because I don't know either," Seonwoo Seol replied, sounding slightly embarrassed. Right. She might be an adult, but she was practically a novice when it came to traveling the Murim.
"In popular novels, hidden vaults always have dangers lurking in them. You know, like deadly traps, Poison Jiangshi, or terrifying venomous beasts."
"Hasn't the Sacred Cult uncovered any secret vaults before?"
"We have, but people don't usually set traps inside their own vaults, do they? The owner of the vault has to slip in and out of it all the time." Well, that completely shattered the classic male fantasy of treasure hunting. I hope that famous whip-wielding archaeologist who's terrified of snakes is doing well wherever he is.
"Still, the idea of danger lurking in a secret vault is exciting, isn't it? It gets your heart racing."
"Personally, I'd prefer to just take the treasure without any fuss."
"Oh, come on, where's the fun in that? Treasures found after overcoming hardships and adversity... think of how rewarding that feels!" Seonwoo Seol wasn't entirely wrong. When I finally escaped that cave after training my martial arts to the bone for four years, I had been ecstatic. But if you asked me if I'd go back and do it all over again? Absolutely not. If I ever chose that path twice, it would mean I was suffering from Qi Deviation and losing my mind.
"Even if I'm reborn, I will absolutely choose an easy life of—oh." As I walked forward holding the lantern, the path suddenly opened up. A massive cavern, larger than most houses, stretched out before us. Seonwoo Seol, who had been at the very back, tried to push past me to look around first.
"Wow, it's huge... Whoa!"
"Watch out!" As Seonwoo Seol slipped on the wet ground, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her back, sending her tumbling directly into my chest. *Thud.*
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yes... I'm fine. I'm fine, but..."
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"N-no, it's not that... Chef Yoon, your face is too clo—"
"Ah." The sweet, intoxicating scent of night-blooming jasmine wafted from her, filling my senses.
"Junior Gongson, let's look away."
"Ah, right..."
"Why are you looking away, you punk?" It's perfectly normal to catch someone when they fall. Unlike me, who was trying my best to act nonchalant, Seonwoo Seol scrambled out of my arms with a flushed face. She cleared her throat quickly and pointed toward the center of the cavern.
"I-I can't see very well over there. Could you shine the lantern?"
"Ah, sure." When I cast the lantern's light over the dark expanse, I saw gentle ripples on the surface. It wasn't solid ground, but a deep pool of water. In fact, it was so massive that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say two-thirds of the cavern was flooded. Where on earth was all this water coming from? As I shone the light over the water, something glinted. *Flash!*
"Huh?" I caught a glimpse of something beneath the surface. At first glance, it looked like a log, but there was no way a log would be in a cave like this, let alone reflect light. *Slosh, slosh...* The suspicious sound echoing from the stagnant water made me furrow my brow. Setting my pack down gently, I clenched and unclenched my fists, then spoke to Man Hanseok behind me.
"Hanseok."
"Yes, senior?"
"Take Yeongji and step back."
"All of a sudden?"
"Hurry. I'm not joking."
"Junior Gongson, let's step back." I heard Man Hanseok ushering Gongson Yeongji away as Seonwoo Seol pressed close to my side and whispered.
"What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"There's something in the water. Can't you feel it?"
"......." Seonwoo Seol stared silently at the water's surface, biting her lower lip. Then, she whispered to me, "I'll draw it out."
"How?"
"I have my ways." With that, Seonwoo Seol took a deep breath and raised her right leg so high it almost touched her ear. Then—*Whoosh! Boom!* This was entirely different from a standard stomp used to generate momentum. She had gathered pure internal energy and slammed her right leg down onto the earth. The effect was instantaneous. *Screeech!* As the ground shook violently, a snake slightly taller than a grown man burst through the surface of the water. Most notable was the short horn protruding between its eyes. Seonwoo Seol frowned at the sight.
"A Poison-horned Water Snake!"
"That's a water snake?"
"Yes. It's not quite a spiritual beast, but if you get bitten, it'll be a massive headache." If it were broad daylight, we could have dispatched it in an instant. The problem was that we were in a pitch-black cave where no sunlight reached. It was as dark as a newly enlisted private's first week in the military. Seonwoo Seol seemed to be calculating her options, but as for me, I lacked confidence. To be precise, I lacked the confidence to lose. Clenching my fists until my knuckles popped, I whispered to Seonwoo Seol.
"I'll strike first. Just make sure you land the finishing blow."
"What? How are you going to do that?"
"I have my ways." Although the terrain was slightly different from the cave I had lived in for four years, there were many similarities. A cave was a domain where I reigned supreme. Reassuring myself with that thought, I dashed forward, executing the Mad Dog Avoiding Steps. *Swish!*
Even if this snake had lived for decades, it had no idea how terrifying humans could be—especially a martial artist. "Look over here!" *Here, here, here...* As my voice echoed through the cavern, the Poison-horned Water Snake hesitated for a brief second before lunging at me with its jaws wide open. I squeezed my eyes shut. Since it was pitch black anyway, it was actually better not to rely on sight. Instead, I let out a sharp whistle to act as my eyes. *Preeeeet!* The shrill sound bounced off the cave walls. Some echoes returned slowly, while others bounced back instantly. Moving toward the delayed echoes meant heading toward open space. Since the snake couldn't possibly move faster than the speed of sound, all I had to do was execute the Mad Dog Avoiding Steps flawlessly. Shutting out my vision, I focused entirely on my other senses to distract the beast.
*Hiss!* The Poison-horned Water Snake snapped its jaws shut, but I was already gone. I had leaped ahead and begun running along the cavern wall. *Tap, tap, tap!* As I darted away using the Mad Dog Avoiding Steps, the snake lunged again, opening its maw wide.
"Watch out!" Hearing Seonwoo Seol's cry, I opened my eyes slightly. *Snap!* The snake's jaws clamped down on the empty air where I had just been, and it thrashed its head in frustration. *Go ahead, keep chasing me.* After completing a full lap, I had mapped out the entire cavern in my mind. The snake thrashed through the water, desperately trying to catch me as I swung from stalactites that had formed over thousands of years. Soon, I spotted a stalactite thicker than a sturdy log. Grabbing it with one hand, I used my momentum to swing around in a half-circle, reversing my direction. *Now!* Letting go of the stone pillar, I soared through the air and spread my arms wide toward the Poison-horned Water Snake. My target was its head. Unlike a human, the snake couldn't brake instantly. I had already launched myself in the opposite direction, but its momentum kept carrying it forward.
"Gotcha!" The water snake had inadvertently exposed itself above the surface. I clamped my arms tightly around the junction between its wet, slippery head and its thick body. *Squeeze!* *Hiss! Screeech!* The Poison-horned Water Snake thrashed violently, but it was no easy feat to break free from the raw physical strength of a Peak Master.
"Lady Seonwoo!" At my shout, Seonwoo Seol bounded forward, leaping high into the air. Her voice echoed through the cavern as she let out a fierce cry. "Die!" Her voice was undoubtedly crisper and more refreshing than pine buds. *Crack!* Her heel slammed directly into the back of the snake's horn. The skull shattered with a sickening, hollow crunch. *Hiss...* With a final, weak gasp, the Poison-horned Water Snake went limp and died without even putting up a proper fight.
"Whoa!" I let out an involuntary exclamation. I couldn't believe that actually worked. Pulling her foot back from the snake's head, Seonwoo Seol helped me up and asked.
"Did you seriously just run along the walls with your eyes closed?"
"Sometimes, it's better not to see." Just as a person instinctively flinches and tenses up when a fist is swung near their face, relying solely on sight can often lead to trouble. It was a technique I had developed out of sheer boredom during my four years in that cave, and I never dreamed I'd actually use it like this.
"Chef Yoon, are you alright?"
"Don't come any closer."
"Huh?"
"I smell like snake."
"Ugh." At that, Man Hanseok took a step back. Perhaps because it was a water snake, a foul, fishy stench wafted from where I had hugged the beast. Dammit, I just bought these clothes not too long ago.
We dragged the carcass of the Poison-horned Water Snake aside and searched the cavern, but we found nothing. Logically, there had to be something here, but the lack of any connecting passages or secret doors was incredibly frustrating. As we searched aimlessly, a voice spoke up.
"Chef Yoon... I think there's something in the water."
"Another snake?"
"No, not a snake... it looks like a scabbard."
"A scabbard?" Why would there be a scabbard? Neither Seonwoo Seol nor I used weapons, so we couldn't have dropped one, and Man Hanseok used a spear. Gongson Yeongji was the only one carrying a sword, and it was securely fastened to her waist. When I took the lantern and shone it near the water's edge where she was pointing, I indeed saw a scabbard. And not just one, but several. Handing the lantern to Man Hanseok, I rolled up my sleeves and waded into the water to pull them out.
"What in the world...?"
"What is it?"
"There are tons of things down here." I had Man Hanseok shine the light deeper into the pool. Sure enough, beneath the surface lay not only scabbards but various other valuables. There were pieces of celadon porcelain adorned with elegant patterns—though they were shattered—and silk robes that had turned black with decay. If only we had found this place sooner.
"It seems this really is the secret vault. Even if it's completely flooded." Unfortunately, anything of value had long since been smashed or ruined by the Poison-horned Water Snake thrashing around. I glared resentfully at the dead snake. It was still young, so it didn't even have a Dokdan. What a useless piece of trash. Dammit. This was a total bust. Just as I was about to climb out of the water with a grimace, Seonwoo Seol spoke.
"Chef Yoon, isn't there something floating on the water over there?"
"On the water?" I looked where she was pointing and saw a large, square wooden box bobbing on the surface. Wait, a wooden box was still intact? I swam closer to inspect it. It was a box coated in black lacquer. I had heard that lacquering wood made it waterproof, but to actually see it proven like this was incredible. Moreover, the wood was exceptionally dense—this was no ordinary chest.
"I think this is ironwood. The texture looks exactly like my spear." Once we hauled the chest out of the water, Man Hanseok tapped on it and offered his assessment. Since it was made of ironwood and coated in lacquer, it made sense that it could survive decades submerged in water.
"Let's open it." I twisted and broke the rusted lock, then lifted the lid.
"This is..." Inside the chest lay nothing but another, smaller box and a few yellowed sheets of parchment. At first glance, it was a rather disappointing haul. However, the emblem carved on the smaller box caught my eye.
"The Taiji symbol? It must belong to the Wudang Sect," Seonwoo Seol murmured. Her words sparked an immediate realization. A Wudang Taiji symbol, and an unusually small wooden box. To confirm my suspicion, I flipped the small box open. Instantly, a pure, ethereal fragrance filled the air.
"Ah...!" Seonwoo Seol gasped involuntarily at the exquisite scent. There was only one item from the Wudang Sect capable of producing such a profound fragrance. The Taecheongdan. I couldn't help but let out a grin. "We got lucky."