Chapter 7
After finishing their meal, Tian Ailang and the Dam siblings left the inn and strolled down the street. Even in this tiny village near Baekdu Mountain, everything one might need was there. Of course, with so few people around, it felt peaceful and quiet.
Tian Ailang and Ni Daegyeok walked along, exchanging brief words.
"Does the Qi clan's martial arts rely solely on qi?"
"Hmm... not exactly. Our natural constitution is specialized for handling qi, but we still train rigorously in footwork and fist techniques. We don't use weapons much."
"Young Hero Tian, your internal energy seems quite profound. Did you consume some spirit medicine? Or is it a secret technique of the Qi clan?"
As a scholar whose passion for research flared up, Ni Daegyeok kept pressing Tian Ailang with questions. Such topics often touched on a sect's secrets, making them sensitive matters. It was an unwritten rule among martial artists not to pry too deeply into each other's ultimate techniques. But Ni Daegyeok, thrilled to hear details not found in the records of the Qi clan he'd admired and studied his whole life, forgot all about such etiquette.
Tian Ailang didn't mind either. Ni Daegyeok's questions didn't probe any closely guarded secrets, and there was no malice in them, so he continued the conversation with relative ease.
"I don't recall ever taking any spirit medicine. It might just be a family trait. Ah! Of course, we did live within a formation."
Ni Daegyeok, who had a keen interest in formations himself, lit up at Tian Ailang's words.
"I'm quite fascinated by formations myself. Might I ask what kind it was?"
"Hm... I'm not entirely sure. Grandfather created it, and it's been there since I was a child. But it seemed to have the effect of filling the air inside with abundant qi."
"Ahh!"
Ni Daegyeok nodded in admiration. From Tian Ailang's description alone, he couldn't pinpoint the exact formation, but he guessed it must be of considerable sophistication.
The quiet Dam Soyeon suddenly tugged at Ni Daegyeok's sleeve.
"Big brother... Could we stop by that fabric shop and buy some clothes? These are so dirty..."
Dam Soyeon, who had always worn immaculate garments back home, couldn't stand her current dust-caked and tattered outfit.
"Of course."
Ni Daegyeok felt the same way, so he readily agreed and led them to the shop.
It was a small store, but the owner had a good eye—there were some decent clothes on offer.
"Aigoo~ You're like a fairy descended from heaven~~"
The shopkeeper unleashed a barrage of flattery toward Dam Soyeon.
"What do you think?"
Dam Soyeon twirled slightly, fluttering her skirt for Ni Daegyeok. The light green silk blouse paired beautifully with the orange pleated skirt, topped by a yellow outer robe. A sky-blue plum blossom cord hung at her waist.
"Ho~ Our little sister's all grown up now~ A proper lady."
Ni Daegyeok teased as he admired her fully dressed up.
"I've always been a lady."
Dam Soyeon pouted, then spotted Tian Ailang emerging after changing. Lacking proper martial robes, he'd chosen a black silk outfit dyed throughout. Thin golden threads embroidered with mancheonhong—symbolizing longevity—adorned it.
Even covered in dust, Tian Ailang had exuded the air of a refined young noble. Now cleanly dressed, he was dazzling enough to hurt the eyes.
Dam Soyeon stared at him blankly for a long moment.
"Little sis, wipe your drool."
"Tch!"
Dam Soyeon shot Ni Daegyeok a glare, then resumed gazing dreamily at Tian Ailang's handsome features.
Ni Daegyeok found his sister's reaction amusing—and relatable—so he joined in praising Tian Ailang's appearance.
"Aigoo~ Young Hero Tian, it suits you perfectly. Haha."
Tian Ailang felt embarrassed by the praise and scratched the back of his head. He fidgeted awkwardly in the unfamiliar silk.
"Haha... It's my first time wearing silk, so it feels strange. So smooth and slippery..."
The shopkeeper, who'd sidled up, began complimenting Tian Ailang's outfit as well.
"It's made close to martial robes, so it shouldn't hinder movement. And in all my years of business, I've never seen clothes fit someone so perfectly!"
"But..."
Tian Ailang had lived with his grandfather without needing money for anything. He'd only realized after leaving the inn that even meals and lodging required payment. When he hesitated, Ni Daegyeok had brushed it off, saying they hadn't properly repaid him for saving their lives or the escort duty—and not to worry about expenses going forward.
Still, the silk clothes looked quite expensive. He wasn't sure if this fit standard escort fees. Besides, back then, his desire for revenge against the Demonic Cultists had burned hotter than any wish to save the Dam siblings, making him feel awkward about receiving such lavish compensation.
"Young Hero Tian, as I said, no need to feel burdened. This hardly counts as proper thanks. If you keep insisting, it'll make us uncomfortable."
Tian Ailang paused at Ni Daegyeok's earnest words, then nodded.
"Understood. I'll gratefully accept them."
"Young Hero Tian~ The clothes look amazing on you!"
Dam Soyeon's exclamation was pure admiration. Ni Daegyeok teased, "You mean it's not the clothes—you're confessing he looks amazing?" only to get smacked on the back by his sister.
"Thank you. Lady Soyeon, they suit you wonderfully too."
At Tian Ailang's compliment, Dam Soyeon hastily withdrew her hand from hitting her brother, covered her mouth, and laughed demurely.
"Hehe. Thank you~"
When Ni Daegyeok noticed Dam Soyeon's eyes glazing over into fantasy again, he hurriedly ushered the group out of the shop.
The delighted shopkeeper, who'd struck gold with rare noble customers in such a small village, bowed deeply until they vanished from sight.
Refreshed in every way, the group fetched horses from the stable and set off immediately for Shenyang, the capital of Yoneung Province.
Ni Daegyeok directed all the plans and progress. Quite some time had passed since their clash with the Flesh Demon Squad, so he considered the worst-case scenario: a pursuit team on their trail. If the entire squad had been wiped out, they might have more leeway, but since some had survived and fled, he had to account for every possibility. No more room for complacency, he decided.
Once out of the village, Ni Daegyeok altered the horses' tracks. At a few key paths, he set up basic illusion formations. They wouldn't fool high-realm martial artists, but it planted a seed of possibility.
With the preparations done, Ni Daegyeok took the lead, urging his horse onward.
As they galloped across the open fields beyond the village, Tian Ailang felt his spirits lift.
"By the way, Young Hero Tian, have you ridden a horse before?"
"No, this is my first time."
"Yet you ride so skillfully. Does high martial prowess make one a natural at horsemanship?"
Ni Daegyeok marveled.
"Haha, who knows. But why detour through Shenyang?"
"As the provincial capital, it'll be easy to procure a carriage."
"A carriage?!"
Dam Soyeon cried out happily at the word.
"You like that so much?"
"Of course! Do you have any idea how much I've suffered because of you?!"
"I'm truly sorry. Without Young Hero Tian, we'd have died on Baekdu Mountain. You... Sigh, it's all my fault. I nearly left you with eternal regret even in death."
Dam Soyeon made a sheepish face at her brother's sincere apology.
"Hmph! It's fine. All's well that ends well."
As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Tian Ailang.
Ni Daegyeok felt his heavy heart lighten a bit watching her. Tian Ailang smiled at the heartwarming sibling exchange and stroked his horse's mane.
Resonating with the horse's energy makes it move on its own. Who knew sensing nature's qi would come in handy like this.
The horse, pleased by his touch, neighed and broke into a strong gallop.
After riding for some time, Tian Ailang and the Dam siblings stopped at a stream in the mountains to water the horses. Ni Daegyeok eyed the setting sun and terrain.
"Looks like we'll camp here tonight."
"Sounds good."
The sun, exhausted, sank beyond the peaks without further resistance. Mountain camping required starting preparations earlier than expected, but lacking a suitable spot, they rushed to set up as dusk fell. The wooded mountains quickly darkened.
"Big brother, are we really on the right path?"
"We must be. We're keeping the direction steady."
"Aigoo~ It's getting too dark to see."
At Dam Soyeon's words, Ni Daegyeok hurriedly pulled out his flint.
All of them practiced martial arts, so their internal techniques freed them from darkness more than ordinary folk—but it wasn't foolproof. Even Ni Daegyeok felt his vision narrowing in the thickening gloom. Dam Soyeon, the weakest among them, sensed it most acutely.
"Right. Let's light a fire and get camp ready."
"I'll scout the area and look for something edible while I'm at it."
"You, Young Hero Tian? Well, we'd be grateful. We'll set up here."
To Ni Daegyeok, Tian Ailang's gaze remained sharp even in this darkness, and with the highest cultivation among them, there was no worry about him patrolling.
Tian Ailang wanted to find food for the group. Living with Grandfather, the formation had dulled his sense of hunger. But out in the world, he'd discovered the joy of sharing meals with others. Hunger wasn't driving him now so much as a desire to eat something together. Ideally, meat.
The mountain they were on seemed large enough for game. He planned a quick hunt and return.
But contrary to expectations, animals were scarce. Tian Ailang pushed deeper. After walking some time, he sensed an odd energy.
Finally—a mountain beast?
With faint anticipation, he traced it to the source: a cave, cleverly hidden by its position, hard to spot from outside.
Tian Ailang headed straight in. The closer he got, the vaster the energy felt.
This scale of energy is unnatural.
No mere animal could produce it. Perhaps a martial artist?
Inside the cave, Tian Ailang cautiously probed ahead.
Who could emit such powerful energy?
If it was a pursuer as Ni Daegyeok feared, he'd deal with them preemptively. Following the energy deeper, he made a discovery.
At the cave's inner end lay a massive white tiger, collapsed.
"White Tiger? A Mountain Lord dead in a place like this?"