Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Temptations of the Bewitching Forest
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We parted ways with Juryeong. Each of us boarded a different ferry and set off.
It was my first time handling oars, but after swinging them a few times, I realized they weren't all that different from wielding a sword. There was no trouble propelling the boat.
Juryeong asked,
"You're heading to Yeongmin, right?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
Juryeong loaded her cargo and departed first. We parted without any special farewells.
I watched her ferry slowly recede into the distance, then launched my own.
The road ahead was long. I had to row diligently. The parting itself was regrettable, but...
If our paths are meant to cross again, we'll meet someday.
I considered freezing the river surface with my spirit sword Baekya and dashing across it instead of the ferry-but the burden on Baekya would be too great, and even combining it with my internal energy, it was clear I wouldn't last long before collapsing.
Running along the riverbank would be hindered by the uneven terrain and numerous rugged mountains, slowing me down even more.
In the end, the ferry was my only choice. I began rowing slowly.
The subtleties of the sword. Channeling them into the oar tips gradually picked up speed.
The surrounding scenery whipped past. I didn't forget to take breaks now and then.
Fortunately, the current was flowing in the same direction I'd come from.
---Goooooo...
My spirit sword Baekya hummed. I picked her up.
"What now."
[......]
"I said sorry for throwing you back then."
Since the day Baekya killed the Dark Hand Ghost, she'd been strangely docile. Come to think of it, she hadn't resisted much even when I tossed her back and forth while mopping up the remnants.
...No, wait. Could this be not just submission, but...
"Decided to cooperate now?"
Baekya let out a low hum. An ambiguous response that could mean yes or no.
I placed Baekya on my lap and assumed a cross-legged position. On the gently drifting boat, I attempted a technique I'd never tried before.
Transforming Sword.
If I had to sum up the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art I'd mastered in one word, it would be "straightforwardness." A technique with the subtlety of heaviness that opponents couldn't block even when they saw the sword path clearly.
But straightforwardness is easily read. The First Demon had warned me that against someone one or two levels above me, most paths would be countered.
The miracle against the Soul-Severing Sword wouldn't happen again. To prevent that, she'd devised the Transforming Sword.
Drawing forth different internal energies hidden within the Heavenly Tribulation, altering form and aura.
Changing the energy used naturally transformed the stances deployed. Even the core subtlety flipped, twisting the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art into an entirely different form.
A technique to unleash a completely alien martial art the moment an opponent thinks they have you figured out.
The theory was already perfect. So the issue was implementation...
I slowly drew in a breath. I transferred what I knew into my body.
A demonic art to accumulate yin energy, not blood qi.
I slowly circulated the Transforming Sword technique centered on the spirit sword Baekya: the Ice-White Blood Ghost Art.
"Huuuuu..."
Exhaled breath began carrying yin energy. It was still an energy I couldn't draw forth on my own, but the spirit sword beside me could assist.
I followed Baekya's guidance, naturally directing the flow of power. Adding substance to what had been mere theory.
Frost clung to my lips.
Steam utterly out of season.
I stood. Clenched my fist. Extended my hand following Baekya's whispers.
What I aimed for was simple. Ghost Hand One Demon.
But...
Executing it with the Ice-White Blood Ghost Art, blending yin energy and blood qi.
Ice-White Blood Ghost Art
First Form
Ghost Hand One Demon
---Chwaaaaaaack!!!
The fiercely thrust fist end splashed the water. But it didn't end there-the mingled red and white energy froze every droplet.
The speed was incredible. More than twice as fast as the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, which focused on sheer weight. Of course, some of that weight was sacrificed...
Since the stance was now based on swiftness.
A completely different martial art in trajectory, power, speed, and even energy nature.
"...Haha!"
Success on the first try.
Mastering the new technique the First Demon had taught me.
Now I had more to do. From now on, I'd have to circulate both the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art and the Ice-White Blood Ghost Art. Mastering this one would demand another huge investment of time.
But it was tantamount to ascending another level. The more yin energy accumulated, the greater the power I could wield, and thus the more stances I could unleash.
Curiosity struck me. I stroked the blade gleaming white, and Baekya didn't resist.
"What's with the sudden change of heart?"
Baekya gave no answer.
I lightly placed my hand on the spirit sword Heukju.
White energy flared, slapping my hand. As if telling me not to fool around.
"......."
Looks like touching Heukju would have to wait.
......
A problem arose. Two paths appeared before the ferry.
Nothing I'd anticipated, so I checked the map. But the crude map lacked details to determine which was correct.
I chose the left path for now. Pressing on steadily, the rocky terrain gave way to dense forest.
The gliding boat halted. Shallow waters.
Fortunately, there was a village nearby. An old woman was husking barley alone.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Sorry to bother you... do you know the way to Yeongmin?"
"Yeongmin? Turn back."
"Pardon?"
"Wrong path. That way's much better."
It had been over four days since I'd come down this route. Turning back would add that much more time.
"No other way?"
"There is, but... I don't recommend it."
"May I ask why?"
"What's there to hide? Polite for a sword carrier. Want some food?"
"I'd be grateful, but..."
I ended up eating a meal out of the blue.
The old woman pointed into the dense woods.
"Only us old folks here. But inside's different."
"What's inside?"
"Pretty young lady lives there. Pass her, and Yeongmin's entrance appears."
"A pretty young lady...?"
"Sword guys came babbling about soul-capturing this and that... Don't know details. But she's got a good heart. Brings us food sometimes."
The old woman coughed lightly.
"We drifters can stay gathered thanks to her. But... she could leave now. Lived here four years, no plans to go. Built a house alone in that remote woods. Sad, really. Wasting her youth in isolation. Time's precious. Time flies."
"People like me seeking her...?"
"Who knows? She just comes back empty-handed often. Stark naked, begging for clothes here. Cocky going in, broken coming out. Stripped bare and wobbly besides. Voice all weak."
"......."
"Telling you 'cause you're polite: don't go in. Easier to turn back."
"I have urgent business needing to reach Yeongmin ASAP."
"That pressing? Well, can't be helped then..."
The old woman cleared the table.
"Get stripped, come back. I'll give you clothes for free."
"Thank you."
Into the forest, so dense the interior was invisible.
Only one cleared path. Straying off-trail wouldn't guarantee avoiding the mysterious woman.
Better to stick to open sightlines. Easier to guard against ambushes.
I gathered my belongings and ventured inside.
Felt like stepping into a maze. Beast cries echoed close by. Birdsong seemed unusually near, wings brushing overhead.
Wind whistled. Leaves rustled against my fingertips. No signs of people, yet I felt watched.
All who entered came out stripped naked.
What's the point of seeking that woman anyway? Curious. But reaching Yeongmin quickly was priority.
If we met, I'd just apologize and pass...
"Kuh!"
I drew my sword immediately. Baekya growled.
I headed toward the sound.
Parted the underbrush. Amid rustling, someone crouched.
A naked man, panting heavily, looked up at me.
"Fellow seeker?"
"...Pardon?"
"Asked if you're a comrade. What a vicious place. Felt like that succubus was real right before my eyes...! Nearly got all my innate essence sucked dry! Haha! Not bad though! That thrill after so long!"
"Pardon?"
"No need to play coy. You're here for the same, right? The rumored world's greatest beauty, the Soul-Capturing Enchantress Black Peony."
"Never heard of her..."
"...Huh? Really? Weird. Not after Yeongmin then? But you don't need this path for that."
The man straightened his disheveled clothes. Brushed off dust and grinned.
"Guess I should introduce myself first. Black Wind. Call me that."
A pseudonym if I'd ever heard one. I bowed my head anyway.
"Nameless."
"Kuhuhu. Both with our circumstances, eh? All the better! No prying needed. What brings you here, Brother Nameless? Not to meet Black Peony?"
"No. What's this Black Peony anyway...?"
"She's infamous, like it or not. Top beauty in the world, living here. Even made a pact with my cult. Anyone who reaches her can have her-such arrogance, but with heavenly beauty, who wouldn't challenge? Countless men have come these past four years. Now, footsteps have all but stopped."
"Why?"
"Why? Go in, and she sucks your essence dry, internal energy too. Cross the line, and the Bewitching Demon Phantom Array strips everything. Cocky martial artists who delved deep left sans innate essence. Long recovery ahead. But she warned them fair and square-their fate."
"Brother Black seems fine, though..."
"Barely toed the line, lost heaps of energy. Kuh. Thought I'd die. But my skills ain't shallow-escaped intact! Haha!"
Black Wind laughed heartily and poked my side.
"Why not try while you're here, Brother Nameless? Black Peony aside, just entering the array shows you plenty. Kuhuhu. Stay shy of the line, great experience."
"Just seeking the road to Yeongmin."
"Road to Yeongmin... Honestly, it's behind here. Unless terrain changed. But to cross this forest, gotta pass the array."
"Can't go back?"
"Nope. Forest itself is one massive illusion array. No telling its bounds. Want another route? Circle around-that's fastest."
"...Can't. Urgent business demands haste."
"Then no choice. Request an audience with the Enchantress."
"Thank you, Brother Black."
I stepped forward.
The black-clad man trailed subtly behind.
"......?"
"Hm? Go your way, Brother Nameless. Ignore me."
"Why follow?"
"C'mon, aren't you curious if she'll just let you pass? Don't mind me-do your thing. Might break the array on a second go... Think of me as a passing companion. Haha!"
An inscrutable man. I focused on my steps.
Deeper in, sounds faded. Instead, eerie wind tickled my ears.
Felt like intruding where I shouldn't. This sensation...
Same as descending into the Demon Palace's underground.
Natural order twisted, conjuring what shouldn't be.
"Here to take the test?"
I turned. No one around but Black Wind.
Yet the voice circled. I shook my head.
"No. Just seeking the road to Yeongmin."
"Yet you've a test-failer beside you."
"Whoops."
I glared at Black Wind. He whistled.
"...Milady. Truly just seeking Yeongmin's road. Will you not open the way?"
"How many do you think I've heard that from? Once here, only two choices: take the test or don't. Even if your goal's beyond, you can't just pass through."
No reasoning with her. I sighed.
"...What test must I take?"
"Withstand temptation. That's enough. If you truly want the road, not the world's greatest beauty, it'll be easier. Right?"
"Can I take the test again?"
"...You fled before it even started, now begging another chance? Shameless."
"Haha! Flee when death looms-that's how you live long! Got a taste last time; this round, for real!"
"Fine. One or two, doesn't matter. Warning: greed could cost you everything. Still want it? Come deeper. Better keep distance, you two. Unless you fancy each other's bodies."
Black Wind instantly backed off.
"Not regretting, right, Brother Nameless?"
"Farther."
"Kuh. We're of one mind!"
I advanced into the darkening forest depths.
Sunlight began to vanish.
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