Chapter 92
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Twenty-Four Forms (3)
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Waah... waah...
Ha Hu-yeong lay prostrate on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
His cries brought even the junior disciples to a halt.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
"I haven't shown you anything yet."
As I extended my hand, Ha Hu-yeong hurriedly offered up the spear with both hands.
I didn't know spear techniques.
But the Great Heavenly Demon did.
Moreover, he had tormented me with that spear all night long.
How could I possibly forget those techniques?
As I stepped into the center of the courtyard, the junior disciples all retreated outside.
Whoosh... whoosh...
Spinning the spear in one hand produced a whistling wind.
The long spear still felt unfamiliar in my grip.
"Give me a moment to warm up."
My words drew disbelieving chuckles from the junior disciples.
Haha...
Heh heh...
But Ha Hu-yeong didn't laugh.
He looked utterly desperate.
Whoosh... whoosh... swoosh...
The spear whirled around my body faster and faster.
Only then did the junior disciples' eyes begin to sparkle with interest.
Thud.
Planting my left foot forward into stance, I began demonstrating the spear forms in earnest.
The long spear alternated between my left and right hands, thrusting and slashing at enemies attacking from all directions.
For foes at a distance, I gripped the tip; then, in an instant, my hand slid to the middle, plunging inward to pierce another enemy's heart.
Pararara.
The spear whipped around my body, batting away axes and hidden weapons hurled by the foes.
Boom!
The spear tip slammed into the ground with such force it cracked the earth.
Aah...
A heartbroken groan escaped Ha Hu-yeong's lips.
Returning to my original position and halting the spear, I asked him,
"Did you see it clearly?"
"Yes... yes, I saw it perfectly."
Tears streamed from Ha Hu-yeong's eyes.
"I'll show you once more, so watch closely."
He quickly wiped his tears with his sleeve.
I began the spear forms again from the top.
By evening, Seok Su-a came to visit alone.
Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye greeted her warmly, but I did not.
"What brings you here, Lady Seok?"
"I was wondering if you'd heard any news of Instructor Seok."
"No."
Her haggard appearance suggested she'd been through a great deal of worry.
"Father is deeply heartbroken."
"I doubt that. With the Five Heavenly Kings and Seven Star Lords having visited, the martial world will soon know of the Seok Family."
At my sarcastic remark, Seok Su-a bowed her head deeply.
"That's not true."
"Lady Seok, there is no relation left between us and the Seok Family. Even if Gwang-u returns and becomes the Seok Family's heir, it has nothing to do with me. Do you understand?"
"...Yes."
Seok Su-a turned away, head still bowed.
I pitied her, but offered no words of comfort.
Leaving any lingering attachment would do neither her nor the Seok Family any good.
After seeing Seok Su-a off, Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye returned with troubled expressions.
It made sense—they had been quite close with her.
"Is it truly over between Gongja and the Seok Family?"
I had no choice but to nod at Zhuge Ji's question.
"Yes."
"Lady Seok is suffering greatly right now."
"Lady Zhuge, I killed a Seok Family heir. His parents and siblings are still with the Seok Family. What do you think would have happened if they were strong? By killing Seok Ja-kyeong with my own hands, I've severed all ties with the Seok Family. Surely you know this better than I do, Lady Zhuge."
"That's true. Still, I hope someday we can bestow a favor upon the Seok Family."
Zhuge Ji seemed to hold deep lingering feelings for them.
Namgung Hye, who had been listening to our exchange from the side, suddenly brought up an old tale.
"It happened over sixty years ago. I heard our Namgung Family was tirelessly working to regain its former power. They even resorted to acts that drew whispers from others. That's when they clashed with the Lu Family in Anhui. Namgung heirs were injured, and a Lu Family heir was killed. Tensions nearly erupted into full conflict between the two houses."
I paid close attention to Namgung Hye's story.
She paused for a moment, then stared at my face with a peculiar smile.
Hmm...
"You're dying to know what happened next, aren't you?"
Hahaha...
I couldn't help but laugh.
Her words instantly dispelled the somber mood.
"I'm on the edge of my seat."
Flashing a bright smile, she continued the unfinished tale.
"The Lu Family had settled in a coastal region, where battles with pirates were frequent. One day, pirates launched a massive raid, even setting the Lu Family estate ablaze. That's when the Namgung Family arrived, joining forces with the Lu to drive them off. The two houses reconciled, each stepping back a pace in mutual concession. Even now, we maintain close ties with the Lu Family—brides go back and forth between us."
"That seems different from this situation."
"Perhaps. Still, it's regrettable. Brother always said Gongja was clever yet broad-minded."
A wry smile tugged at my lips.
"That was his one-sided judgment."
"Brother isn't foolish."
"I never said he was. But I truly dislike him."
Namgung Hye, who had been smiling playfully, let out a long sigh and shook her head.
"If Brother were here, I'd want to smack him."
"Dinner is ready."
Just then, Ha Hu-yeong emerged from the kitchen to announce mealtime.
We each took our seats and began eating when Ha Hu-yeong, chopsticks in hand, asked,
"By the way, does your attendant always eat separately?"
"He says he has to eat in secret to stay an assassin. I once suggested eating together, but he claimed even meals and rest are part of training."
"Ah... I suppose that's true."
After the meal, Myeong-gak brought tea.
A smile and leisure radiated from his face.
With Ha Hu-yeong taking over the cooking, it was no wonder.
I glared at Myeong-gak, who was happily sipping his tea, and asked,
"That pleased, are you?"
Cheongpung answered with a grin instead.
"He says he'd gladly stay here forever these days."
"When did I say that, you Daoist fool?!"
Myeong-gak shouted in denial, but the junior disciples didn't buy it.
As I lifted my teacup with a laugh, I immediately set it down.
"We have a guest. Everyone out."
The junior disciples paled and rose, but Ha Hu-yeong, clearing plates, looked baffled.
"Ha Hu brother, come out quick."
Myeong-gak beckoned, and Ha Hu-yeong hesitantly stepped out of the kitchen.
The figure entering through the gate was none other than the Gu Ji Flame Witch.
She scanned the grim-faced junior disciples.
"New faces, I see?"
"New family members."
Unaware of her identity, Ha Hu-yeong clasped his hands and bowed reflexively.
"I'm Ha Hu-yeong of the Ha Hu Family."
Hohohoho...!
She burst into laughter, and Myeong-gak quickly pulled Ha Hu-yeong's hands down.
"Just stay still, brother Ha Hu."
The Gu Ji Flame Witch lost interest in him and met my gaze.
"I heard you were badly hurt, so I came to check. You don't look injured at all."
"Come inside."
Leading her into the kitchen, I began cooking myself.
"Bring out any leftover rice."
"Got it."
I set out liquor, side dishes, and soup first, then sat across from her.
"You visit my home too often, don't you think?"
"Why? You don't like me dropping by?"
She leaned forward as she asked.
"The Five Great Venerables might not look kindly on it."
Hmph!
No sooner had I spoken than a sharp killing intent flashed in her eyes.
"Do you think anyone in this world could tail and spy on me?"
Her response confirmed my suspicion: the Five Great Venerables' relations were far worse than I'd imagined.
Her icy expression softened back to warmth.
"That old monster must've been weaker than I thought. I figured you wouldn't survive."
"Without the Virgin Enchantment poison, it would've been a closer fight."
"Virgin Enchantment... yes. Filthy stuff."
As if by signal, we both drained our cups.
I rose to fetch another side dish simmering in the pot.
As she accepted the drink from me, she asked,
"Do you know who made the Virgin Enchantment?"
"I hear it came from the Demonic Cult. To ease the pain of the wounded."
Hohoho...
"Where'd you hear that one?"
"Even you won't get that out of me."
"How stingy."
The Gu Ji Flame Witch made a pouty face.
Haha...
I chuckled unwittingly.
"The Divine Monk or Spirit Ghost would know about it. Did they tell you?"
"Yes."
When I nodded readily, she shook her head instead.
"No, they didn't. Anyway, tell me later—if you survive to the end."
"Sounds like you've made grand preparations this time."
She casually replied while eating with her chopsticks.
"You won't survive."
"That serious? Who's coming, exactly...?"
"By slaying Super Grace Line, you've drawn the other venerables' attention. They see you as a major obstacle now. They want to eliminate you before the Five Heavenly Kings do."
Her words didn't surprise me much.
I'd suspected as much since the fight with Super Grace Line.
But prioritizing me over the Five Heavenly Kings was harder to grasp.
"Over the Divine Monk?"
"You're young. They want to remove you before you become something greater."
Aha...
Only then did her meaning sink in.
"So one of the Five Great Venerables will come next."
"Yes. Shadowless Dark Demon—a vicious bastard. If he comes, you won't survive."
The Gu Ji Flame Witch was convinced of my death.
"That skilled in martial arts?"
Having emptied her rice bowl, she drained her cup as well.
"Among the Five Great Venerables, Shadowless Dark Demon is the sneakiest and most brutal. His skills are formidable, but his minions are the real madness—inhuman."
Inhuman?
Did that mean he commanded beasts?
"He raises fierce beasts?"
"Virgin Enchantment."
She said only that.
And I grasped the implication.
Staring at my hardening face, she spoke again.
"Surviving him and his minions is impossible. And with the Shura Demon Lord taking an interest in you, she might show up too."
"Shura Demon Lord..."
If everything she said was true, survival might indeed be tough this time.
But having resolved to live in the martial world, wasn't this a risk I'd already accepted?
The only regret was failing to retrieve Gwang-u.
As my expression returned to normal, a glint sparked in the Gu Ji Flame Witch's eyes.
"The Shura Demon Lord is the strongest of the Five Great Venerables."
"Stronger than you?"
She nodded.