The Forest Was Quiet
The forest was quiet. Dry leaves crunched underfoot. Each time my small feet hit the ground, the sound echoed louder than it should have.
When I came to my senses, the hourglass was already empty. Curious how long the transformation lasted, I timed it. About thirty minutes. Next to it, the words "24 hours" were inscribed. It refills once a day, it seems. Plenty for emergencies.
"Getting used to this will take time."
My body had reverted to this little girl's form. Realizing that brought a wave of emptiness. My eye level dropped sharply. My chest flattened. Arms and legs shortened. My stride naturally shortened too.
A child's gaze versus an adult's. I never realized how different they could be. Just one change in body, and... perhaps my mind was adapting to match. There was much to test, much to verify. I'd take it apart piece by piece. Time was on my side, after all.
"Not even a glimpse of the village."
I climbed and descended mountains with no paved paths. I kept pressing forward. Something would turn up eventually. For now, I'd enjoy the scenery.
But my feet stopped. They had to.
...I could feel it. Pure spirit energy. Yeonggi. Vast enough to envelop the entire mountain. So intense, even breathing felt cautious. Any ordinary master would have buckled at the knees.
...A divine beast.
I rummaged through my memories. I'd sensed something similar before. Long before the war erupted. One day, crossing a mountain range. There, I'd seen a boar-like creature guarding a village. It wasn't easy prey—quite intelligent, gave me trouble back then. Same kind of presence.
Interest piqued. What did it look like? I could catch it as a gift for Mother. That thought tugged my lips upward.
A divine beast in this remote forest meant it was untouched by human hands. No one would complain if I claimed it.
Good. Let's find it.
No need for long deliberation. I headed where the yeonggi pooled thickest. The forest deepened. Light faded. Thick moss carpeted the ground, swallowing my footsteps entirely. The yeonggi grew denser. My inner demonic qi thrashed wildly, screaming to flee. I shoved it down roughly.
Found it. Right here.
A massive cave gaped before me, nestled naturally between rock cliffs. Like a giant maw.
The interior was pitch black. Beyond the darkness, I felt a breath.
I stepped inside slowly. My eyes adjusted. And there it was.
Pure white. Not a single speck of impurity in its fur. A perfect White Tiger, worthy of the name.
Its body dwarfed two horses combined. Even crouched low, its shoulder height loomed over me. Amber eyes gleamed. From start to finish, they never left me.
A low, heavy growl rumbled.
"Grrrrrr."
The sound vibrated the entire cave. Clear threat: come closer, and I'll pounce.
...Impressive size.
Admiration came first, before fear. Other sensations overrode it. A divine beast like this... at least centuries old. In the past, I'd have just subdued it. Taming one was no challenge for me then. Skin for clothes, organs and flesh for inner energy cultivation. That was the natural order.
But not now. I'd sworn off needless killing. No wanton destruction. Not just a promise—Mother's wish. One I had to honor.
So, change the method.
I drew up a thread of demonic qi from my dantian. Slowly, silently. No one around. Just me, this deep in the forest cave, and the White Tiger.
I raised my hand.
That instant, it moved first. No warning. Front paws slammed the ground; its massive body launched into the air. Claws flashed. Razor-sharp, precise. One strike could sever a head clean off.
"Worthy of being called a divine beast."
I didn't dodge fully. Shifted half a step aside. Claws grazed past. Wind brushed my cheek.
The landed White Tiger turned. Its eyes changed—stunned by my unscathed state.
"At least I won't let you get hurt."
Jet-black qi coalesced in my hand. It shot out, forming a hand several times my size. The moment it enveloped the cave, the tiger's eyes widened.
The White Tiger thrashed. Clawed the air, twisted its neck, bellowed deeply, shaking the cave. The qi didn't budge. No crushing, no breaking—just wrapping.
Exhausted, it spat a ragged breath and slumped. I met its eyes. Stared silently.
...Frightened eyes.
Not cold, not hostile. Just scared, lost. Even divine beasts felt fear, it seemed. Up close, less a god-beast, more... a giant cat.
I spoke lightly.
"I'm not here to kill you."
An odd tone from a child's mouth. But no compromises. I'd lived like this forever. Faking a kid's act was easy if needed. No point here.
"From now on, you'll carry me."
Its eyes wavered.
"Got myself a mount. Perfect."
Sincere. Walking wasn't bad, but Hwasan Sect on these legs? Who knew how long. A divine beast would make things convenient.
I withdrew the qi slowly. The tiger stayed frozen, still eyeing me. Flee? Attack? Accept? Calculations flickered in its gaze.
I waited, standing.
It snorted once. Then lowered its body to the ground. Surrender pose.
Smart choice. A scarred-up tiger wasn't ideal. Better pristine. No style otherwise.
I kept that to myself. Muttered inwardly.
The White Tiger's back was softer than expected. Thick snow-white fur cushioned like a blanket. Mounting it, the texture pressed into my palms. First time riding something this huge. Horses were familiar, but this was another level.
Movements flowed like water. Its bulk parted the forest effortlessly. Even brushing branches was minimal. Footsteps heavy yet silent.
My fingers sank slightly into the white fur. Warm. Much warmer than thought. Heat spread through my palms, stirring fond memories. I cut them off. Not now. No time for sentiment.
The tiger started rigid. Shoulder muscles taut, even under me. Fear, probably. A mysterious kid subdued it—who wouldn't?
Can't be helped. Fate, once it caught my eye.
Mountain silhouettes appeared ahead. Hwasan Sect somewhere there. What was Mother like now? Healthy, I hoped.
Wait. What's that?
Smoke and burning stench. Wood, straw—and something more ominous.
The tiger slowed instinctively. I looked up. Beyond the forest's edge, not far, black smoke billowed skyward. Flames roared red and fierce.
A village. Engulfed in fire.
I pondered briefly. Go? Ignore?
No ties. Easy to pass by. No one to blame me.
...But Mother would have rushed in. No questions asked. She couldn't stand injustice, fought unfair violence. I only watched her back then.
Didn't I resolve to change? Become her ideal. Living kindly would please her too.
Decision made.
I nudged the tiger's side with my heel.
"Go."
It veered, charging down the slope out of the forest.
The village was worse than thought. Two houses already consumed. People ran, screams mingled with rough laughter—bandits enjoying the terror.
Not few. Herding villagers, looting. Armed thugs, a few with martial arts mixed in. Tough for average murim folk.
The tiger halted at the village edge. One bandit turned. Froze like stone.
"W-what the..."
"Mountain Lord...?!"
"What's that kid?"
Gazes snapped to us. White Tiger and mounted child. Absurd combo.
Absurdity slows hands. They faltered, briefly but surely.
Enough.
I leaped off. Feet hit ground; body moved. Tiger slammed a paw—bandit group crumpled instantly.
I seized a charging bandit's wrist, snapped it. Knee to break balance. He crashed.
One, two, three... Momentum crushed their spirit. Rest froze in fear.
"Damn! Where'd this brat come from!"
A giant axe-wielder charged from behind. Heavy blade whistled past my head like claws. I ducked reflexively. Shock rippled to my fingertips.
Grabbed his wrist, twisted—he pitched forward, fell. Tiger leaped simultaneously, scattering the group with paws and shoulders.
I dove the gaps. One by one... unbalanced foes hit dirt or froze.
"You lot still want to continue?"
I scanned the sprawled bandits. Out cold or hands up. Enough. No killing, as sworn.
Bound them all; quiet fell. I glanced around.
Trouble. Too eye-catching, it seems.
Sensed presences. More than one.
Silent pause stretched. Then, an elder knelt slowly.
"From the heavens... a celestial maiden has descended."
His voice trembled. It spread—one by one, two by two. Foreheads met earth.
"Celestial maiden... the celestial maiden has come."
"Thank you, Celestial Maiden."
"Thank you for saving us."
Words rippled like waves.
Then a child ran up. Eight-ish? Face tear-streaked. Grabbed my skirt hem with both hands.
"Celestial Maiden, my grandma... please."
Frail voice. An old woman lay collapsed at the village side. Breathing, but bandit-beaten.
The child looked up. Tears plopped. Eyes so desperate, words caught in my throat.
Weapons aimed my way? Familiar. Hostile glares? Routine. But these eyes... no weapons, no hate. Just reaching out in hope.
Unfamiliar.
I exhaled.
"Step aside."
Kneeled by the woman, checked. Not severe. Pressed acupoints, circulated qi. Simple.
Her eyelids fluttered faintly. Child bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Celestial Maiden!"
I stood there, dazed, watching.
Did I deserve such words? Celestial maiden. Long called object of fear. Demon God, Demon King. People recoiled at my name.
Strange feeling. Not uncomfortable. Not unpleasant. Just... unfamiliar. These people not fearing me. Clinging instead.
...Celestial maiden.
Didn't know what to say. But it didn't feel bad. No urge to deny.
I turned, walked to the tiger. It held dignified pose, guarding. Stroked its back, ran fingers through white fur.
Anyway. A day of trying to live kindly. Not bad.
What would Mother say seeing this? Time to find her. Hwasan that way.
I glanced, nudged the tiger's side lightly.
We advanced.
The inn bustled with people. Extra lively today. Talk from world's best martial artist to rural rumors.
"Heard? A celestial maiden appeared on Hobak Mountain."
"Celestial maiden? Nah, probably nonsense."
Stories spread across tables. Some scoffed, others widened eyes, leaned in. Murmurs filled the tavern.
A woman in the corner set down her cup. Purple hair. Rare color. Only one murim family had it: Sacheon Dangga. The Poison King's cherished youngest daughter, Dang So-ya.
Here on nearby business. Idle chatter hooked her ears.
A child riding a White Tiger. She tapped the table lightly.
Might as well check, since I'm nearby.
Lips curved. Sounds fun.
Dang So-ya set down her cup.
'Hope it's a cute kid.'
Swallowed the mutter, slipped out quietly.