Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Anhui (1)
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Mok Ri-won awoke a full day later.
The place where he came to was a village that required half a day's ride on horseback from the exit of the Blood Residual Valley.
It was Dang Hwa-seo who had carried him there, as she could not delay their schedule.
“Mm….”
“You’re awake.”
The sharp voice piercing his ears made Mok Ri-won roll his eyes.
An unfamiliar ceiling and the feel of soft bedding.
And in the warm room, glaring down at him was.
“Little Sister?”
Dang Hwa-seo, with an angry face.
Mok Ri-won blinked.
Then, her coldly set face staring at him opened its mouth.
“Living the good life?”
It was a blunt remark, but her tone was so sharp that Mok Ri-won could sense something was off.
His mind cleared quickly.
As his senses from before he awoke and the hazy feelings during that time flashed into his head all at once, Mok Ri-won shuddered.
‘I’m in big trouble!’
The moment cold sweat began to pour as he thought this was definitely something worth getting scolded for.
Contrary to his expectations, Dang Hwa-seo let out a deep sigh and reached out to place her hand on Mok Ri-won’s forehead.
“How’s your body?”
Dang Hwa-seo’s hand was cold.
And looking closely, there were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well.
A fact that was easy to discern.
She had carried his collapsed self all the way here, and the reason she looked so tired was surely because she had stayed up nursing him.
Mok Ri-won shrugged his shoulders and replied.
“I-I’m fine…. Sorry for the trouble….”
“Do you even know you should be sorry?”
Zap.
As Dang Hwa-seo shot him a glare, Mok Ri-won clamped his lips shut.
“Why did you do that?”
“W-Well….”
“You should have said something beforehand if the Blood Poison Wine was gone. Then I could have found another way.”
“I’m sor….”
“Don’t think you can talk your way out of this.”
Was it an illusion that Dang Hwa-seo’s eyes seemed to blaze?
What followed was an event that would be etched into Mok Ri-won as a lesson.
“Listen well. Telling others when you’re unwell is basic courtesy to your companions, and failing to do so goes against the righteousness that you young hero claim to uphold. I can’t understand at all what you were thinking, but since it’s in the past, I won’t dwell on it. However! If something like this happens again….”
On this day, Mok Ri-won realized.
That if he acted without thinking, Dang Hwa-seo would nag for several hours.
*
Recovery after waking was swift.
Originally, it hadn’t been a physical injury but deep internal damage that had caused him to collapse, and even that had not caused severe harm thanks to Dang Hwa-seo’s relentless efforts in drawing out the poison.
And was that all?
It was right to say that heavenly luck had favored him.
Mok Ri-won now possessed the inner core of the human-faced spider.
The natural qi that the spirit beast had gathered throughout its life, condensed into pill form.
There could be no better situation for expelling the poison and restoring his damaged qi.
Suuu-.
Mok Ri-won ingested the inner core that Dang Hwa-seo had prepared in advance, then sat cross-legged and circulated his qi.
With the power of the Star-Link Divine Art that had reached 3 Stars added to the inner core’s qi, his total inner force began to swell.
Three stars glimmered faintly in Mok Ri-won’s mind.
The translucent path connecting them showed a different aspect from before.
The path, which he had always needed to focus intently to observe its flow, was now so vivid that he could see its flow the moment he looked.
Completion of the path was right before his eyes.
This was one of the most crucial processes in the principle of the Star-Link connecting star to star.
‘One circuit is within reach.’
The 1 Circuit, equivalent to 60 years of inner force, was within reach.
He just needed about 5 more years’ worth of power.
-The Star-Link cannot be completed through reckless growth. Only through the unity of mind, qi, and body, and the balanced development of each component of the divine art, can its grandeur be fully realized. So, my child, you must not hastily choose to increase your inner force.
Mok Seon-o had continued after his warning.
‘One circuit at the third star.’
And at the fifth star, that circuit, and from then until 8th Star, one more star per circuit.
Since beyond 8th Star was still far off, set it aside.
By current standards, Mok Ri-won had truly reached the brink of completing the 3rd Star of Star-Link.
‘Completion of 3rd Star means completion of the Pinnacle Realm.’
The moment when he, still at the entry level, would become fully Pinnacle.
In other words, the moment the introductory phase of the Star-Link Divine Art would end.
Mok Ri-won gathered his qi and opened his eyes.
Welcoming him was Dang Hwa-seo, sitting on the bed with her legs crossed.
“Done?”
“Thank you for protecting me!”
“Protecting? I was just sitting in the room.”
Dang Hwa-seo let out a chuckle at the sight of Mok Ri-won, who had regained his energy.
He made her so frustrated, yet that smile alone melted away her irritation, making her think there was no one more alluring.
“We’ll stay here one more night. The sun’s setting, so let’s eat and come back to sleep.”
“Got it!”
As he said that and rose, Mok Ri-won suddenly froze.
“…Wait, stay here?”
One fact flashed through Mok Ri-won’s mind.
The room they had now was the one they had shared for his nursing.
And now, he had expelled all the poison and was fully recovered.
In other words, tonight he had to sleep with Dang Hwa-seo while fully conscious.
Whoosh-!
Mok Ri-won’s face flushed red.
His eyes spun at the indecent imaginations rising.
‘H-How improper!’
Men and women shouldn’t share a seat after age seven, yet how could grown man and woman spend the night in one room!
No, could this be Little Sister’s elaborate scheme…?
Smack-!
His train of thought was cut off by Dang Hwa-seo’s flick to the forehead.
“Ow!”
“Cut out the dirty thoughts. You’re young, but already so perverted.”
“W-What are you talking about…!”
“Your eyes look lecherous.”
Mok Ri-won deflated instantly.
Dang Hwa-seo felt a hollow laugh escape at the sight.
‘No wonder I can’t leave him alone.’
His thoughts were so obvious, yet he couldn’t even lie.
And his fantasies stopped at a child’s level, so to Dang Hwa-seo, he seemed more like a younger brother needing care than a man.
Think about it.
If that pretty face went around smiling carelessly and got seduced by some floozy, what could be more infuriating?
If that actually happened, her neck might stiffen and she’d die of frustration.
“Get your head straight and come out. I’ll treat you to the noodle dish you like with some Leaf Green Liquor.”
“Huh? Oh!”
Mok Ri-won perked up and scurried after Dang Hwa-seo.
“Don’t make a fuss down there.”
“Huh? Why not?”
Because it would draw eyes.
“It wouldn’t trouble the other guests eating?”
“Ah, right!”
How could he be so innocently bright.
Dang Hwa-seo unwittingly smiled at Mok Ri-won humming happily.
“Let’s go.”
As she descended the stairs, Dang Hwa-seo hadn’t yet realized.
That she was now wary of the eyes drawn toward Mok Ri-won.
*
The inn was bustling.
Having reached a proper town, there were many people, and among them, here and there were martial artists with swords at their waists.
As always, Mok Ri-won slurped noodles like water and said to Dang Hwa-seo.
“Little Sister! So many peop….”
“Swallow first, then speak.”
Gulp-.
“So many people!”
“Now that Anhui is right around the corner, of course.”
“So many martial artists!”
“Yes, with the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament underway, crowds are gathering.”
Mok Ri-won’s head tilted.
“Isn’t the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament only for invitees?”
“The main event is, but not the surroundings. During the tournament, people flock to see the heirs of famed families leading the next generation, or to spar with the gathered experts, filling the area.”
“Ooh…!”
Anticipation lit up Mok Ri-won’s face.
“That sounds exciting! I want to spar with them too….”
“Young Hero Mok has to attend the tournament with me.”
“Oh right.”
Mok Ri-won scratched the back of his head.
Dang Hwa-seo chuckled and said to him.
“It’ll be quite the spectacle. Our clan’s better than yours, this year’s Azure Dragon Martial Tournament winner will be our sect, they bicker among themselves. Watching is rather amusing.”
Her sly smile seemed somehow dangerous.
Mok Ri-won swallowed dryly and averted his eyes from the coldly smiling Dang Hwa-seo.
‘D-Dang Little Sister likes watching fights…!’
New information.
“Anyway, we might run into him this time.”
“Hm? Who?”
“Namgung Jincheon.”
Question marks rose on Mok Ri-won’s face.
Realizing then his ignorance of Jianghu rumors, Dang Hwa-seo let out an “Ah” and continued.
“The young clan leader of the Namgung Clan. Called Sword Dragon, and the world appraises him as….”
Mok Ri-won’s eyes sparkled at Dang Hwa-seo’s words.
As he leaned forward eagerly waiting for more.
“Did you hear? A new young expert appeared in Suyang County, Jiangxi Province.”
The two froze at the voice from somewhere.
In that brief moment, they exchanged glances, then turned toward the source.
There, a ronin-like martial artist was tilting his cup, talking to the person opposite.
“Hm? A young expert?”
“That’s right! A Pinnacle Realm master at that! Word is he’s at most early twenties. They say he single-handedly stormed a Black Dao lair and annihilated it.”
As the ronin spoke, Dang Hwa-seo’s face went blank.
‘That’s….’
No matter how she looked, it was Mok Ri-won’s story.
Setting aside how the rumor had spread here already, the moment she heard it, Dang Hwa-seo’s nerves focused on one thing.
“Young Hero?”
Mok Ri-won’s gaze pierced the ronin like a blade.
The expression on his face was blatantly obvious.
Excitement.
At hearing his own tale from another’s mouth, he expressed an indescribable thrill.
“In the world, reaching Pinnacle in his youth? Nonsense….”
“Hey now! With so many witnesses, do you think I’d spread false rumors!”
“T-Then…!”
“His origins are unknown. Those who saw him there say he’s the successor of some hidden mysterious sect!”
Flinch-.
Mok Ri-won’s body trembled.
Dang Hwa-seo narrowed her eyes, watching him.
‘Is it real?’
His flustered reaction suggested it wasn’t entirely wrong.
As she thought that.
“And get this, he’s already got a nickname.”
“Ooh!”
A remark impossible to ignore.
This time, even Dang Hwa-seo’s head turned toward the ronin.
Mok Ri-won stared intently with eyes wide as if to burst.
The ronin, face red from drink, continued oblivious to their gazes.
“Ink Sword.”
“Ink Sword?”
“They say his sword qi is like ink-black, hence the name.”
*
Back in the inn room.
Dang Hwa-seo looked at Mok Ri-won with a puzzled expression.
No other reason.
Mok Ri-won’s face was sulkier than ever.
“Young Hero Mok?”
“…Why call me?”
Mok Ri-won had his arms crossed, brows furrowed deeply.
His scowl was so intense the “river” lines between his brows seemed about to leap out.
The funny thing was his beauty hadn’t dimmed a bit despite it.
‘What’s he upset about now.’
Hadn’t he gotten the nickname he so desired?
Moreover, Ink Sword was a cool, straightforward moniker, nothing to be ashamed of.
Why the bad mood now?
With that thought, Dang Hwa-seo asked.
“Nothing much, just that you don’t seem happy about getting a nickname. Aren’t you glad?”
Snap!
Mok Ri-won’s head whipped around.
His finally changed expression screamed he had much to say.
“Of course! I got a nickname! But that’s the problem! Ink Sword?!”
“What’s wrong with Ink Sword? It’s pretty go….”
Mok Ri-won shot to his feet.
“It sounds too much like a fiend’s!”
Expression vanished from Dang Hwa-seo’s face.
“Ink Sword! Sword qi so black it’s Ink Sword! It’s like a Black Dao master from Tales of the Jianghu Heroes! I’m a hero!”
As he ranted, fists clenched, Dang Hwa-seo’s face turned doll-like.
“There are better ones! Ink Sword Hero, Hero Sword! Benevolent Sword Hero!”
I see.
The nickname needs “hero” in it.
That was the issue.
Mok Ri-won’s voice rose.
A emotionless smile bloomed on Dang Hwa-seo’s face.
“Young Hero Mok.”
Chilling tone.
Mok Ri-won’s body shuddered.
Only then did he sense something off about her mood.
“Uh, um…?”
Dang Hwa-seo calmly pointed to the bed.
“Go to bed.”
Dang Hwa-seo thought.
Anything else aside, Mok Ri-won seemed to have no talent for naming.