The Qi Arts Master Chapter 49
Tian Ailang finally broke into a radiant smile as he watched the white tiger recognize him. He then glanced at the other female tigers that had been affectionately frolicking with it.
The three tigresses, who had instinctively fled during the fight out of animal instinct, flinched and shrank back when Tian Ailang looked their way. They couldn't fathom how this human, from whom they sensed no particular energy, could be so overwhelmingly monstrous—was he some kind of mountain spirit?
Tian Ailang slowly surveyed the three tigresses before turning to Dam Soyeon.
"I wonder if the patriarch would like tiger pelts?"
Fl-inch. Not only the white tiger but the three tigresses seemed to break out in cold sweats from nonexistent pores. Their mouths grew uncomfortably moist for no reason.
"He probably would. Tiger hides are rare, after all. Besides, I've heard his health hasn't been what it used to be lately—tiger meat might do him good too."
Fl-inch. The tigresses glared at the woman, who seemed even crueler than the monstrous man. Dam Soyeon flinched at their stares, prompting Tian Ailang to shoot the tigresses a fierce look.
The tigresses hurriedly averted their eyes from his terrifying gaze—some looked to the side, others at the sky. One even stared at the dirt under its own claws.
Tian Ailang chuckled softly.
"Still, since they're family to the white tiger, it might be too cruel to kill them."
Fl-inch.
"Or skin them."
Fl-inch.
"Or take their meat."
Fl-inch!
"Don't you think?"
With each word from Tian Ailang, the tigresses hunched lower, trembling violently.
"Sounds about right." Dam Soyeon readily agreed, having sensed from the start that Tian Ailang was just teasing. Still, she figured her father really would appreciate a tiger pelt or some meat.
Tian Ailang stroked the white tiger, who was still lying on its back with its belly exposed.
"I was thrilled to see you after so long and thought about taking you along, but I had no idea you'd built such a fine family. Right?" For the last question, Tian Ailang turned his gaze to the three tigresses.
The three tigresses receiving his stare frantically shook their heads.
"Mount Tai must be truly spiritual. These tigers understand human speech perfectly."
"Tell me about it. They're adorable."
Hmm-flinch. The three female tigers froze in place. They'd never encountered humans like these before.
They'd heard tales of ancient spirit tigers playing games where they'd give rice cakes to humans crossing mountain paths in exchange for letting them live. They had grown up believing themselves superior to humans—noble, terrifying beings to be feared.
So when had they started hearing themselves called cute? Tears of resentment blurred their vision.
A blue energy rose from Tian Ailang's fingertips as he stroked the white tiger's belly. The white tiger twitched at the sensation but stayed still upon recognizing the pure energy akin to its own spiritual qi.
Tian Ailang infused his own spiritual qi with the abundant energies of nature and gifted it to the white tiger. It might not enable the white tiger to cultivate like a martial artist, but it was a blessing to help it better sense nature's energies and stay healthy.
Tian Ailang stood up.
"Tiger. It was great seeing you after so long. Your happy family is a sight for sore eyes."
At his affectionate words, the white tiger prostrated itself and rubbed its cheek against Tian Ailang's leg.
"I was planning to take you with me, but I've changed my mind."
The white tiger lifted its head at his words and straightened its massive body, bringing its eye level with Tian Ailang's.
"You know Damga, right?"
The white tiger growled affirmatively.
"While you're living here, keep an eye on Damga for me. The world's a dangerous place these days. You get what I mean?"
Roar! The white tiger bellowed powerfully, as if to say leave it to me.
Thwack!
Krrrng?! The white tiger stared in bewilderment after receiving a solid flick on the forehead from Tian Ailang.
"Breathe somewhere else! What's with yapping right in my face?"
As the white tiger looked crestfallen at the rebuke, Tian Ailang chuckled and patted its shoulder.
Dam Soyeon, watching from the side, felt deeply grateful that Tian Ailang had entrusted her family to the spirit beast white tiger.
Tian Ailang stepped back from the white tiger.
"White tiger, build a good family."
"Bye, white tiger~ Say bye to the cute little ones too~."
Dam Soyeon lightly stroked the white tiger's head before cheerfully waving to the three tigresses watching from afar.
Tian Ailang pushed aside his bittersweet feelings over the white tiger and extended a hand to Dam Soyeon.
Seeing his offered hand, Dam Soyeon chuckled.
"This is becoming a habit."
Tian Ailang simply smiled and scooped her up lightly. Then he descended the mountain path using the Earth Contraction Technique.
Behind the departing pair, the white tiger's resounding roar echoed.
Tian Ailang and Dam Soyeon exchanged smiles.
* * *
A man with a round face, sharp eyes, and a thick, massive build was rolling around inside a mobile tent, yawning incessantly out of boredom.
At that moment, a man with cold eyes entered by opening the tent flap.
"Captain. They're on their way."
Juwonjang perked up at his subordinate Hwaun's report and stretched grandly.
"Oh, finally? Yawwwn!"
As Juwonjang rose, his muscular bulk exuded an innate pressure.
"How far out are they?"
"They should arrive soon."
"Good. Then let's go welcome them."
"Pardon? There's no need for you to—"
Juwonjang's lips twisted thinly.
"Heh heh, no. I've been itching with anticipation all this time— what's a little welcome? Let's go."
Hwaun said no more and quietly stood by Juwonjang's side.
"Hwaun, aren't you excited? It's the descendants of the Qi Arts family, after all. The rumors are legendary."
Hwaun, whose cold eyes and iron emotional control made everything about him feel frigid, nodded.
"Yes."
Juwonjang clicked his tongue at Hwaun's stiff response.
"Your martial prowess is top-notch, but you're so serious about everything. What's wrong with a smile now and then? Aren't you living life too dully?"
At Juwonjang's chiding, Hwaun cracked a faint smile.
"It's plenty fun. I'm making history at your side, Captain."
Was that supposed to be a smile? Juwonjang was somewhat satisfied regardless and pushed open the tent flap.
"Heh heh, right. Let's go see the heroes of the Gwang Mountain Battle. Might as well check their skills while we're at it."
Hwaun shook his head slightly at the belligerent Juwonjang and followed behind.
* * *
Tian Ailang scanned the formation and remarked,
"Fewer tents than I expected."
"Battles with the imperial army are breaking out sporadically across the country, so they've sent off some available troops as reinforcements, leaving only the detachment."
Nidaehyeok replied.
"Did that Juwonjang guy go too?"
"Ah! Here he comes."
Tian Ailang turned at Nidaehyeok's words. A man of impressive bulk was approaching from afar.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Juwonjang."
Chanho scowled at Juwonjang's casual greeting as he drew near.
"He talks awfully informally."
Nidaehyeok panicked at Chanho's sharp reaction.
"B-Brother."
Shing. At that moment, Hwaun fixed Chanho with a fierce glare and placed his hand on his sword hilt.
Chanho's eyebrow twitched as he sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Chanho was already in a foul mood from the masked visitors and letters that had come his way recently.
Nidaehyeok watched anxiously, while Song Sogeol looked on with an amused expression, as if this were an entertaining spectacle.
Juwonjang pushed past Hwaun and stepped forward.
"Well, well... what a letdown."
Juwonjang tilted his chin up, looking down at the group.
"Not much to look at."
His face twisted in clear annoyance as he continued.
"I had high hopes since you're the military advisor's friends, but aside from this Tian Ailang fellow, you're all trash. How do you even think of swearing brotherhood with such garbage?"
At Juwonjang's line-crossing words, Chanho reached for his sword—but Tian Ailang spoke first.
"Dam brother."
His dry voice carried a chilling edge.
Nidaehyeok swallowed hard.
"Yes, brother."
"Can I kill him?"
Tian Ailang stared at Juwonjang with an expressionless face, awaiting Nidaehyeok's answer.
Chanho and Song Sogeol were stunned. They'd never seen Tian Ailang with such a blank expression, let alone this level of fury.
Cold sweat trickled down Nidaehyeok's back as his body trembled faintly.
"Brother... even so..."
Nidaehyeok glanced awkwardly at Juwonjang. Knowing the man's eccentricities, he could guess why he was provoking them. But this time, Juwonjang had gone too far.
Juwonjang, unaware of how deeply Tian Ailang cherished his brothers, had treated them too lightly as fodder for provocation.
Tian Ailang stared at Juwonjang impassively.
"Apologize."
Juwonjang cocked his head at Tian Ailang's words. His lips curled in mockery.
"For what?"
"I'll say it once more. Apologize to my brothers."
Juwonjang scoffed.
"Apologize for what, exactly?"
Tian Ailang turned his blank face to Nidaehyeok.
"Dam brother. Don't even think about stopping me."
Then, fixing his gaze back on Juwonjang, he continued.
"Are you acting tough because of that old man hiding behind the tree over there? Or the soldiers around us?"
Whoosh! Tian Ailang's robes fluttered rapidly.
Shing. The sharp-eyed man beside Juwonjang drew his sword.
Shing. Shing. Chanho and Song Sogeol followed suit.
Juwonjang smiled broadly and placed his hand on his saber hilt.
Flutter! Suddenly, a white-haired elder appeared between Tian Ailang and Juwonjang.
"Enough."
The white-haired elder addressed Juwonjang and Tian Ailang.
Juwonjang looked at his master who had appeared before him.
"Master."
"This could turn into a real mess."
Juwonjang was startled by his master's words. He had wanted to provoke the Gwang Mountain Battle heroes Tian Ailang and Chanho to gauge their true skills. But now his master was intervening—for Juwonjang's own sake.
Belligerent by nature and always eager to lead the vanguard with his superior martial arts, Juwonjang couldn't ignore his master's serious plea.
"Understood."
As Juwonjang removed his hand from the saber hilt and straightened up, Tian Ailang sneered.
"Who said we're stopping?"
The white-haired elder turned to Tian Ailang.
"It was just my disciple's excessive jest. You stop too."
"He insulted my brothers, and you want me to stop? Without a proper apology?"
The white-haired elder frowned.
"It would be wise to know when to quit."
Nidaehyeok tried to calm Tian Ailang as well.
"Yes, brother. Please, calm down."
Tian Ailang shot Nidaehyeok a frosty glare. The gaze was so icy it felt like it would slice through his heart; Nidaehyeok thought his own might stop.
"Dam brother."
"Y-Yes..."
"Do you find our oath of brotherhood laughable?"
"Pardon?"
Nidaehyeok's eyes wavered. Tian Ailang asked again.
"I asked if our brotherhood means nothing to you."
"How could it? It's just..."
"Then why brush it off as a 'joke' when your brothers have been humiliated?"
"......"
Unable to respond, Nidaehyeok bowed his head and quietly stepped back.
Tian Ailang took a single step toward Juwonjang. Simple as it was, the weight it carried was immense.