Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: The Spirit Beast Hunt
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Daylight broke. We had planned to part ways originally, but ironically, our paths overlapped with the red-haired warrior.
"I need to head that way too. Perfect timing. I'll repay last night's kindness by escorting you."
"There's no need to go that far. I don't require anyone's help."
"It's what my heart desires."
"Daddy. This uncle's so stubborn."
"That's my pride."
".......?"
The snowfall grew heavier. It intensified the closer we got to the towering mountain ahead.
Suryeon's words seemed spot on. Whatever it was, something capable of altering the weather lay dormant right before us.
A spirit beast... or so they say.
I'd caught one before in the past... Was it on that level?
No. This one outclassed even that beast from back then. A spirit beast that disrupted the climate itself.
Not an opponent to take lightly.
"Red Cloud."
Suryeon called out to me. There was a massive footprint stamped into the snow.
Far too large for any ordinary beast. The red-haired man stated calmly.
"A big bear."
"...Isn't the print too large for just a bear?"
"Is it? Truth be told, I don't know. But it's a big one, that's for sure."
".......?"
We followed the tracks. More prints appeared gradually.
Parts of animal carcasses were impaled on trees here and there. Suryeon remarked calmly.
"Some beasts hang their kills in trees to eat later. But... there's a lot of them. It ate plenty, yet still so many are strung up."
"Needing that much food... So it must have just woken from hibernation, right?"
"Sharp deduction. Winter sleep. That's what I think too. Spirit beasts often slumber for long periods. If it's freshly awakened, being ravenous is only natural."
Yet the beast eluded us, always seeming just within reach but never quite caught. Its movements were strangely elusive, even after half a day.
"...It knows we're pursuing it. Should I send some of the Salmun members ahead?"
"Splitting up to chase could lead to disaster. We have time to spare, so let's take it slow."
In the worsening blizzard, we settled behind a suitable rock. Sua sniffled.
Ju Ryeong-ryeong's eyes rolled back.
"Sua! Oh no! My little sister's dying! Come here!"
"I'm fine..."
Sua was forcibly hugged and squished. Eun Seol-ran burst out laughing.
"You're all squished? Hilarious."
"Ryeong-ryeong. Sua can't breathe."
"Why? It's warm, right? Yeah?"
"It's heavy. Your head."
"Hmm...? What is?"
"...Your head on top is heavyyy..."
"Nothing heavy up there, though?"
"There is... two of them..."
We finished setting up camp. Glancing out, my eyes met the red-haired warrior standing guard.
"Quite the lively bunch."
"Why not come in..."
"I've received kindness, so I'm repaying it. I'll stand watch tonight. Rest easy."
The red-haired warrior lightly rolled his shoulders.
"Thanks to you, I've caught up on sleep and filled my belly. This much is only fair."
"Dinner..."
"No need. Yesterday's meal suffices."
"We have food-why starve yourself?"
"......"
The warrior glanced at me.
"I have some shame too. I tagged along offering protection but did nothing... Can't help feeling awkward."
His frank words made me chuckle.
I cooked the meat we'd prepared last night and sat beside him with hardtack.
"Then stand guard while I eat. As my escort."
"......."
The red-haired man smirked.
"What's your name?"
"Red Cloud."
"Keep it between us. I'm Black Great Cloud."
"Black Great Cloud..."
"Know me?"
"Are you famous?"
"If you don't, that's fine."
A name I'd never heard. I clinked cups lightly with him.
Curious, he asked.
"You seem trained in the sword... Which sect?"
"It's a bit far from here. Understand if I can't say more."
"I have secrets too. Couldn't answer if you asked about my sword. Two secretive folks meet..."
He picked up a piece of rabbit meat.
"...and all we can share is meat and drink."
"Isn't that enough?"
"More than enough. That girl behind you your daughter?"
I turned. Sua had sidled up, mouth agape.
The red-haired warrior popped rabbit meat into it.
"Quite the spoiled one."
"She's that adorable."
"Like father, like daughter. Kind dad means kind kid."
"...You're embarrassing me."
"No shame in stating facts. The beast we're after now-for her?"
His questions multiplied. Unlike yesterday's quiet demeanor.
"Yes. Exactly."
"Hmm... Why?"
"Weather's turning colder; wanted to make her something extra. Plan to skin it for warm clothes. Haven't done much for her myself... Felt like doing something when time allows."
"Noble."
"Since it's a spirit beast, the fur should be thick. Make fine garments."
"...Spirit beast?"
The red-haired warrior flinched.
"What you're hunting is a spirit beast?"
"Yes? Obviously..."
---Rustle.
We both whipped around. Amid the bushes, we spotted a presence watching us.
The beast crouched low. Upon eye contact, its massive frame rose fully.
Its house-sized body gleamed. Claws as big as a grown man's head.
Above all, the bone-chilling cold radiating from it. The surroundings plunged into rapid freeze.
It resembled a bear, but wasn't one. More like an ice lifeform in bear shape.
"...Fall back!"
The red-haired warrior drew his sword instantly. But I stopped him.
Actions spoke louder. The spirit beast that had evaded us now approached...
Meaning it was ready to hunt us.
---Awoooooooo...
Wolf howls echoed far, hitherto unseen. Packs appeared one by one, claiming the high ground, glaring down.
Wolf pack. Hunting dogs following the spirit beast-I drew my sword.
Against cold with heat.
Against yin with yang.
Fire Wheel Blood Ghost Sword.
---Sizzle!
Flames ignited at the blade's tip. Devouring my inner yang energy, the blaze grew manifold, swallowing the falling snow.
"...What?!"
I stepped forward past the shocked warrior.
"Sua. Stay back."
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
I whispered to Black Bead, my ghost sword.
Let's sweep them all.
"I'll take it alone."
The wolves charged the ground.
I overlaid my sword atop them.
. . .
"......."
Exploding heat and melting snow.
Amid it, the Supreme Sword of the Evil Faction, Black Great Cloud, narrowed his eyes.
He knew something was hidden. But this power exceeded expectations vastly.
A fire sword master. How many in the world wielded such scorching yang energy?
Vulnerable to counters. Yet that face remained utterly unfamiliar.
Red Cloud. Red Cloud, was it...
No matter how he racked his brain, an unknown name.
A hidden evil sect expert? Too destructive for Heavenly Dragon Society.
Look.
That ferocious, brutal art couldn't be righteous sect technique.
The struck wolves split in half. The swing slow, but destructive force immense.
Slow yet mighty. Pinnacle of heavy sword. Black Great Cloud suppressed rising competitive spirit.
Want to spar. But no. He's my benefactor. Restrain.
Besides, a good man. Gave shelter and food to a stranger, created reasons to show care despite refusal...
No desire to oppose. Unless pushed.
---Grooooar...
The spirit beast bared teeth briefly. Amid scattered wolves, it suddenly swiped claws at Red Cloud.
But he didn't budge. Casually parried head-on, proving his sword louder than the beast's roar with both hands.
Follow-up barrage. In the clashing storm, the spirit beast flinched visibly.
Their bloodthirsty ferocity mimicked beasts clashing.
Black Great Cloud belatedly noticed the faint smile on Red Cloud's lips.
He's enjoying it. The stage.
A warrior to the bone.
Red Cloud claimed victory in the fray. A spinning fiery thrust exploded outward, fully severing the spirit beast's head from body.
Clean finish unfit for such wild power. Sheathing naturally, Black Great Cloud admired again.
This guy...
A true martial artist.
Worth pulling to our side somehow.
Black Great Cloud watched the butchering. One thing he wanted, at least...
Not all spirit beasts had it, so no guarantee. He waited silently.
"Wow. It really has one?"
One of the women raised a bloodied hand. A pearl-like orb emerged-Black Great Cloud spoke first.
"Red Cloud."
"Yes?"
"Hand it over to me?"
"...What do you..."
"My lord is ill."
He didn't know why. But instinct told him.
His lord's body crumbling imperceptibly slow.
Only he could sense it. Thus, he needed it. That.
Spirit beast cores boosted inner power, but...
Pharmacists said recipes could redirect effects fully to mend weakened vitality.
Not a refined core, but raw material inner dan needed.
"If you give it, I'll repay the grace somehow. It's vital for me."
Ju Ryeong-ryeong bared teeth.
"...No way. Damn. Not some bandit-you feed and house him, now he wants the core? No conscience?"
"Of course I'm not asking for free."
Time to reveal.
Supreme Sword of the Evil Faction Black Great Cloud slowly squared shoulders. Normally unspeakable, but...
With the item before him, truth wasn't bad.
Black Great Cloud declared boldly.
"I am Black Great Cloud, Supreme Sword of the Evil Faction. The first blade of the Sa Do-ryeonju. Red Cloud. Yield that inner core, and I promise: whatever you desire, I'll procure it myself."