Chapter 144
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: A Kunlun New Year
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Goengseongja, utterly pale, blocked the trio's attacks with all his might.
But they were masters of a different caliber from the start.
Soon, a desperate cry echoed across the training ground.
Meanwhile, Cho Ak-ryang was inwardly impressed by Goengseongja's martial skill.
‘He's certainly a remarkable talent.’
He was skilled enough not to tarnish Kunlun's name wherever he went.
It was even more surprising considering he had yet to pass the age of twenty.
It was from this point that the three began to take the spar seriously.
While pushing Goengseongja to his limits, they precisely pointed out and helped correct his shortcomings.
“Focus. Can you be sure there are no masters like us in the Demonic Cult?”
“...!”
At Cho Ak-ryang's advice, the light returned to Goengseongja's eyes.
As if stirring embers to rekindle a fire, Goengseongja squeezed out every last bit of his remaining strength.
When about a quarter of an hour had passed.
Goengseongja collapsed on the spot.
He was left without even the strength to lift a finger.
There had not been a single direct hit, but in that short time, he had experienced indirect death several times.
After the spar ended, Beom Gye-wi spoke with a blunt expression.
“Thanks for playing with our Doctor Dan.”
Leaving those words behind, Beom Gye-wi turned away.
“Does this mean we've earned our keep?”
At Cho Ak-ryang's words, Han Seol-hwa also smiled quietly and left the training ground with them.
Left alone, Goengseongja lay there stunned for a moment, feeling a sensation he had never experienced before.
An indescribable sense of elation filled his chest.
At that moment, his vision went dark.
Belatedly realizing it was his master's face, backlit against the light, Goengseongja grimaced while still lying down.
“I'm still alive, right?”
“Seeing you run your mouth, you must still have some life in you.”
“Why are you so eager to torment your only disciple?”
“Because you are my only disciple.”
“...?”
Goengseongja's eyes wavered at Master Gwangjin's next words.
“Because I don't want to see that disciple get devoured by those Demonic Cult bastards.”
“Master...”
“So stop whining and get up. The training isn't over yet.”
“Huh?”
Master Gwangjin curled his lips into a meaningful smile.
The feeling of being moved was brief.
Goengseongja's face turned pale at Master Gwangjin's following words.
“Let's see how much my disciple's skills have improved, shall we?”
* * *
The first day of the New Year.
Time flew by, and a new year had arrived in Kunlun.
Though a desolate place, Kunlun was still a place where people lived.
All over the pavilions, fish drawings and red paper decorations to wish for good fortune were hung.
Although there were no spectacular lion dance performances like at a temple fair, the festive atmosphere for the New Year was second to none.
The sound of firecrackers occasionally burst from here and there.
Amidst it all, the faces of people sharing blessings were full of leisure.
In a corner of a wide, sunny clearing, the elder Taoists of this place were leisurely chatting.
A Taoist with a small frame, his body as thin as a tree branch but his eyes sharp and clear, spoke up.
“We're supposed to get weaker with age, but instead, everyone's gotten healthier.”
A Taoist with a warm impression took up the thread.
“It's all thanks to Doctor Dan. I feel like I get healthier just by being near him.”
The other Taoists nodded.
“He's a born physician. He can't stand to see people in pain.”
“And what about his martial arts skills? I've never in my life seen a child progress so quickly.”
Their gazes were fixed on Dan Ak-seon in the distance, playing and setting off firecrackers with children his age.
“Thanks to that child, our sect's disciples are also growing rapidly.”
The thin Taoist who had spoken first nodded with a pleased expression.
“They're having a good influence on each other.”
“It is our sect's great blessing. A great fortune has rolled our way.”
Among the nodding Taoists, one let out a soft sigh.
“It would be nice if we could keep that fortune here for as long as possible.”
“If we could, we couldn't ask for more...”
A Taoist who was agreeing with that statement faltered, his words trailing off.
It was because of a chilling wave of energy that flew in from somewhere.
Sure enough.
When they turned their heads, they saw someone not far away glaring at them with a chilling gaze that bordered on killing intent.
It was Beom Gye-wi.
He had happened to be passing by and overheard the Taoists' words.
“Anyone who tries to poach our Doctor Dan, I'll just...!”
It wasn't a simple threat.
Beom Gye-wi's voice contained a terrifying will that could not be overlooked.
And yet, the elder Taoists showed no signs of fear.
They just let out awkward laughs, as if abashed.
Beom Gye-wi turned his head with a bewildered look.
“Brother Cho, those old geezers aren't scared of me anymore.”
Cho Ak-ryang, who was just then walking toward Beom Gye-wi, let out a dry laugh and chided him.
“You've been living together for over two months. Isn't that natural?”
Seeing Cho Ak-ryang greet the Taoists with a nod, Beom Gye-wi grumbled under his breath.
“Are we allowed to get friendly with these orthodox sect guys?”
“They've gotten friendly with us unorthodox sect guys, haven't they?”
“...”
“And besides, when have we ever cared about the orthodox or unorthodox factions? It's not like we ever went easy on our own kind.”
“True.”
Convinced, Beom Gye-wi smacked his lips and nodded.
Just then, Dan Ak-seon, having finally spotted the two, came running over.
He was hugging an armful of firecrackers.
“Let's do it together!”
Facing Dan Ak-seon's face, his two cheeks flushed red, Beom Gye-wi grinned.
“Alright. The New Year is all about firecrackers!”
Dan Ak-seon looked around.
“Where is the lady?”
“The witch? Who knows?”
Beom Gye-wi replied nonchalantly.
“Probably taking a nap somewhere. Let's just play by ourselves.”
“But still...”
“It's fine. The witch doesn't like this kind of stuff anyway.”
Just then.
“Who doesn't?”
Dan Ak-seon turned around at the sudden voice.
Han Seol-hwa was standing there with a prim expression, having arrived at some point.
Beom Gye-wi made a sour face at Han Seol-hwa, who was glaring at him without a word.
“What? It's true. Didn't you once say firecrackers are too loud and you don't like them?”
Han Seol-hwa retorted with a dry laugh.
“That depends on who I'm with.”
As the atmosphere seemed to be turning sour, Dan Ak-seon quickly took Han Seol-hwa's hand and pulled her along.
“Let's play together!”
Han Seol-hwa reluctantly followed, a slight smile on her face.
“Alright, then.”
And so, Dan Ak-seon and the three headed toward the clearing next to the training ground, where the firecracker fun was in full swing.
Dan Ak-seon stretched out a long string of firecrackers, hung it on a pole, and took out a tinderbox.
“Oh?”
Dan Ak-seon, who was opening the lid and tilting the tinderbox, let out a sound of confusion.
Because he had been running around setting off firecrackers all day, there were no embers left in the tinderbox. But at times like this, he had someone more reliable than anyone else with him.
“Mister, please.”
“Hehe. I knew this would happen, so I was already prepared.”
Beom Gye-wi's index finger, held up before his eyes.
A flicker of flame was already dancing upon it.
As Beom Gye-wi brought his finger to the fuse, the firecrackers instantly erupted with a loud noise, scattering in all directions.
“Using the Samadhi True Fire for mere firecrackers.”
Despite Cho Ak-ryang's disdainful comment, Beom Gye-wi didn't seem to care much.
“What does it matter? Look how happy he is.”
Dan Ak-seon, excitedly running through the smoke.
Watching him, the three wore satisfied expressions.
They were naturally pleased to see him so completely different from how he was on New Year's Day last year.
Around this time last year, Dan Ak-seon had been utterly gloomy.
Despite having suggested the fireworks himself, he had just sat there with a blank expression, chin in his hands, watching the smoke and sparks scatter.
They never wanted to see that side of Dan Ak-seon again.
Finally, when all the firecrackers were used up, Dan Ak-seon turned to the three with a bright smile.
“It really worked.”
Dan Ak-seon continued, speaking to the puzzled trio.
“They say setting off firecrackers makes bad things go away.”
Dan Ak-seon strode forward and hugged the three of them tightly.
“Thank you for being with me.”
Beom Gye-wi, suddenly pressed close to Han Seol-hwa, frowned.
Han Seol-hwa was the same.
She furrowed her fine brows and glared at Beom Gye-wi without a word.
But they couldn't bring themselves to push Dan Ak-seon's hands away.
For a moment, they stood there awkwardly, unable to do anything.
Soon, both of their gazes converged on Dan Ak-seon.
Dan Ak-seon, rubbing his cheek against them affectionately with a flushed face, seemed nothing but cute.
It was then that Cho Ak-ryang's eyes glinted with a peculiar light.
“You've gotten quite strong.”
“And you've put on some muscle.”
Dan Ak-seon grinned bashfully and nodded.
“It's thanks to Brother Goengseongja's help.”
Speak of the devil, Goengseongja, who was passing by, walked over carrying firecrackers.
“Happy New Year.”
Beom Gye-wi responded gruffly to Goengseongja's New Year's greeting.
“There are no red envelopes.”
Goengseongja smiled good-naturedly and clasped his fist.
“I have already received more than enough. Your teachings are truly incomparable to anything else.”
Beom Gye-wi spoke to Cho Ak-ryang with an awkward expression.
“Somehow, I feel like my presence is fading.”
Beom Gye-wi felt a strange sensation inwardly, as the infamy of Mang Mountain's Thistle, who had reigned as a terror of the martial world, no longer seemed to pose much of a threat here in Kunlun.
It was not much different for Cho Ak-ryang.
But deep down, he didn't dislike it.
The orthodox faction.
He had never imagined he would get along so casually with members of the Nine Great Sects, who were at its core.
But it wasn't hard to guess the reason.
It was because of Dan Ak-seon.
His affability, which brought together people who were like oil and water, might have been Dan Ak-seon's true talent.
The same was true for Goengseongja.
Setting off firecrackers with unorthodox masters whose very names shook the martial world.
It was something he couldn't have imagined just two months ago.
It was then that the elder Taoists, who had been standing at a distance, approached the group.
“Oh? Are you feeling unwell somewhere again?”
At Dan Ak-seon's concern, the elder Taoists smiled and shook their heads.
“If every day were like today, I feel well enough to live to be a hundred.”
The elder Taoists presented Dan Ak-seon with something they had been hiding behind their backs.
Dan Ak-seon took the object they offered with curious eyes.
“It's a kite?”
The elder Taoists nodded.
“We will show you our sect's special, secret masterpiece.”
“A secret masterpiece?”
Seeing Dan Ak-seon's eyes sparkle with anticipation, the elder Taoists smiled warmly.
Then, they attached a long string of firecrackers to the kite and handed the kite string to Dan Ak-seon.
One of the elder Taoists lit the long fuse and shouted to Dan Ak-seon.
“Run!”
Dan Ak-seon gripped the string and started to run.
The kite, catching the headwind blowing over the ridge, soared high into the sky.
At that moment, the firecrackers attached to the kite began to explode.
“Wow!”
Looking up at the sky, Dan Ak-seon let out a cry of awe.
The long string of firecrackers trailing the kite.
Each time a firecracker exploded, its writhing shape in the smoke looked like a dragon weaving its way through the clouds.
Dan Ak-seon was so captivated by the spectacular sight unfolding in the sky that his mouth hung open.
Cheers erupted from all corners of the sect.
Seeing everyone, young and old, enjoying themselves so much, the elder Taoists burst into hearty laughter.
“This is our sect's masterpiece, the Cloud Dragon Firecracker.”
After a while.
The flame from the shortening string of firecrackers reached the kite.
The kite, made of thin, oiled paper, was instantly engulfed in flames and flew far away.
“Is it okay to just let it fly away like that?”
Dan Ak-seon asked cautiously, worried it might start a fire.
The elder Taoists smiled and nodded in response.
“Unlike other mountains, there are no dense shrubs or forests here. That's why this is a game that can only be played here.”
“I see.”
Seeing the unexplainable look of disappointment on Dan Ak-seon's face, the elder Taoists exchanged meaningful smiles.
“Do you want to play more?”
Dan Ak-seon's face, which had been nodding, immediately brightened.
It was because of the bundle of firecrackers the Kunlun Sect elders handed him.
“New firecrackers!”
As if he could never get tired of it, Dan Ak-seon was now running around excitedly, like a puppy seeing snow for the first time, holding the pole with the firecrackers.
At the adorable sight, Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa smiled quietly.
Next year.
And the year after that.
This was why they looked forward to every New Year they would spend with Dan Ak-seon.