Chapter 47
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Bewitching Woman (2)
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It had been less than a year since I left the mountains, and already the Divine Monk knew of me.
No, perhaps even Namgung Hye's father, the Sky-Piercing Sword King Namgung Jak, was aware of me by now.
"In the end, I'll have no choice but to leave this place."
I had foreseen this moment when I sent Namgung Hye and Zhuge Ji on their way.
I didn't want to leave here, so I clung to the hope that they wouldn't betray me, but deep down, I never truly trusted them.
Judging by the fact that the man hasn't shown up yet, they're still keeping the secret for now, but it won't be long before they spill everything about me and Gwang-u.
After finishing the dishes, Myeong-gak carried the clean bowls back to the kitchen and neatly arranged them.
"Layman. I've even finished the dishes perfectly."
"When did I tell you to do that?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him, who hadn't been asked but had done it anyway, now looking at me with eyes that said, 'Praise me, I did a good job.'
"Please acknowledge me, Layman."
"Sleep in my house tonight."
I was leaving this place anyway, so it didn't matter if he learned a bit more about me.
Puhehehe...
"Thank you, Layman. You'll surely be blessed for this."
I ignored his frivolous laughter and pointed to the room farthest from mine.
"The one at the far end."
"Rest well, Layman."
I indifferently watched Myeong-gak grinning as he entered the room.
This house should be left for Gwang-u... But what about the fishing boat?
I'd heard that the fishing boat I'd ordered would be completed in about ten days.
But now, it was useless.
Even if it was finished, I couldn't just take a boat and leave.
Maybe I could ride the fishing boat, drift with the currents, and settle somewhere suitable?
Sitting on the great hall veranda lost in all sorts of thoughts, I suddenly heard a mysterious voice.
"Can you hear me?"
The moment I heard that voice, every hair on my body stood on end.
It was shock and terror.
No... It can't be... Absolutely not him.
The owner of the voice was the Great Heavenly Demon.
I was too afraid to even open my mouth to ask.
If that voice spoke again, it would mean he was no longer confined to my dreams—he was manifesting in reality too.
But no matter how frightened I was, I had to confirm it.
"Wh... who is it?"
No answer came to my question.
I raised my voice and asked again.
"Who is it?"
Still no reply.
Only then did I relax and catch my breath, but the door to the end room creaked open, and Myeong-gak poked his head out.
"Did you call me, Layman?"
"I didn't call you, you damn mongrel monk!"
As I bellowed, Myeong-gak quickly pulled his head back and shut the door.
It must have been the wind... Definitely.
I went to bed as uneasy as ever.
With a stranger in the house, I'd planned to stay up all night, but something I absolutely had to check arose.
I tossed and turned trying to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come easily.
In the end, I barely managed to fall asleep just before dawn.
The moment I drifted off, the Great Heavenly Demon appeared.
Though we'd faced each other for over a thousand days, I'd never seen him look so pleased.
His usual abyss-like dark gaze was replaced by eyes sparkling like stars.
"Wh... why are you like that? Did something good happen?"
Hiding my anxiety, I hesitantly spoke up.
Kul kul kul...
The Great Heavenly Demon just laughed without answering.
His demeanor made me even more uneasy.
"Did a hole open in your lungs or something? Laughing like an idiot..."
I deliberately provoked him.
Kul kul kul...
But he brushed off the provocation with laughter.
Normally, a sword would have flown at me instead.
"Damn it... Damn it..."
That laugh confirmed it.
The voice I'd dismissed as wind was unmistakably the Great Heavenly Demon's.
Ceasing his laughter, he stood before me with a dignified air.
His entire being exuded confidence matching his imposing figure.
"In the end, your body is gradually becoming mine."
I clenched my eyes shut and gritted my teeth.
My worst fears were coming true.
If he took over my body, the martial world would drown in blood and death once more.
Not by my will, but by his possession of my body.
"Shut your nonsense!"
Indescribable rage erupted from my mouth.
I had to kill him. I must kill that bastard.
There was a stranger in the house, but my boiling fury made me forget that.
Right now, nothing mattered more than the Great Heavenly Demon's death—not even that monk Myeong-gak.
Reacting to my will, the sword at my waist flew out, and my hand slashed at his throat.
Sak.
The blade cleanly severed the Great Heavenly Demon's neck and spun, multiplying into dozens.
Parr...
His decapitated form scattered like smoke, replaced by dozens of sword shadows.
Kwang! Kwang! ...!
The dozens of swords clashed, shattering space.
Jiiing.
As the Great Heavenly Demon casually swung his sword, he suddenly released it; the blade writhed like a living thing and burrowed into my body.
Kwang! Kwang! ...!
I frantically deflected the invading swords from all sides, but grimaced at the pain from behind.
A sword wrapped in qi had sliced across my back.
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! ...!
The lone, writhing blade pierced my chest, slashed my shoulder and thigh.
Belatedly, tearing pain hit my chest, and blood spurted from the gashes in my shoulder and thigh.
Kheuk...
With a dying scream, I collapsed to my knees.
Kul kul kul...
The sword that had ravaged my body flew back to the laughing Great Heavenly Demon's waist.
Kuh...
Forcing down the pain, I struggled to rise.
Puk!
But his incoming fist sent me flying backward into the wall.
The Great Heavenly Demon approached me as I writhed on the ground.
"Kill me! You son of a bitch!"
I screamed up at him in fury.
He looked down at me with a mocking expression.
"Were you planning to flee this place? To cowardly wander the martial world forever? The more cowardly you are, the sooner I'll claim your body."
"I... will never let you take my body!"
This shout was a vow to myself, but sadly, a deep sense of defeat lingered in my heart.
The Great Heavenly Demon placed his foot on my bleeding chest and bent down toward my face.
His abyssal black eyes descended upon mine.
"I swear it. If you leave this place, within a year, I'll kill you and take your body."
With that terrifying warning, excruciating pain surged from my chest.
Kuh...
His cruelly smiling face filled my wide-open eyes.
Puk!
Deep in sleep, Myeong-gak stirred at the faint voice, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.
"Who's visiting in the middle of the night?"
Curiosity urged him to open the door, but he suddenly recalled the rude house owner's face and lay back down.
Can't show my face and risk getting kicked out.
He'd endured all sorts of humiliations to stay here; he couldn't ruin it over idle curiosity.
"Shut your nonsense!"
As he was about to drift off, a shout from outside jolted him upright.
"Ah... What a loathsome layman."
Curiosity flared again, but he hesitated at the door.
Wait, is he testing me on purpose?
It felt ominous, like that grumpy man's face would be waiting right outside.
But the sudden ferocious aura from beyond the door erased all hesitation.
Bam!
Flinging the door open, the sight before him stunned even the steadfast Myeong-gak.
The yard was filled with figures and sword shadows such as even the martial world's Mt. Tai North Star, Shaolin, had never witnessed.
No, he had seen them.
When his master, the Divine Monk, had demonstrated his arts.
"Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva."
The chant slipped unbidden from the entranced Myeong-gak's lips.
What a master... How can such a man exist in the martial world? How has he remained unknown until now?
Myeong-gak felt deep gratitude toward his master who had sent him here.
Enraptured by the young house owner's martial prowess, he witnessed another bizarre scene.
The house owner, mid-demonstration, suddenly dropped to his knees.
Then flew into the corner of the yard.
It looked as if he were being attacked by an invisible foe.
"Kill me, you son of a bitch!"
Hearing the young house owner's cry, Myeong-gak recalled past events.
Is he truly possessed by a ghost?
Even in a temple devoted to Buddha, ghosts weren't denied outright.
The house owner writhed in agony so visibly that watching idly felt shameful.
It's karma. How can I atone for this sin...?
He had committed a grave sin against this young house owner.
Even if it was a scam for saving sentient beings, he never would have done it had he known the man would suffer so.
Myeong-gak descended to the yard and knelt.
His clasped hands radiated reverence.
"Namu Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva."
Opening his eyes after the chant, he saw the house owner lying peacefully as if asleep.
"The evil spirit has been subdued by the Dharma. Namu Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva."
Rising, he approached the prone house owner, bent down, and looked at him.
"Are you alright, Layman?"
At the concerned voice, the house owner slowly opened his eyes.
Then stared blankly at Myeong-gak's round face.
Puk!
Kwak!
Punched in the face, Myeong-gak flew into the yard's corner.
"Where do you shove your face, you bastard."
After completing Breath Adjustment and Meditation and returning home, Myeong-gak was waiting with the meal prepared.
I silently sat at the table and began eating.
Myeong-gak sat across from me and picked up his chopsticks.
After a while of quiet eating, he spoke.
"Layman. Though late, I want to sincerely apologize."
"Forget it. What apology during a meal..."
I didn't want to dredge up something I'd already forgotten.
Besides, I'd already cursed and beaten him over it, so he owed nothing.
Puhehehe...
As if sensing my thoughts, the solemn Myeong-gak reverted to his usual self.
Crunch crunch... Slurp slurp...
Watching him wolf down rice and soup reminded me of Gwang-u.
"Why don't you ask about what happened last night?"
"Because I know you'd tell this lesser monk nothing even if I asked."
"Right. Don't ask anything."
"I have an acquaintance skilled in exorcism. Shall I call him, Layman?"
At the unexpected offer, I set down my chopsticks and stared at Myeong-gak.
He stuffed his mouth with rice and stared back.
"If this is another scam, I'll really kill you."
"He's a Taoist with profound spiritual power."