Chapter 17: What You See Isn't Everything
Chapter 17: What You See Isn't Everything
I took a step toward the main hall of Wayong Hall. The spirit beast lived up to its reputation.
The Three-Tailed Macaque blocked the entrance to the main hall with a clatter of noise... and then.
"Kyahaak!"
The moment our eyes met, it bared its fangs. It kicked off the ground ferociously and charged straight at us.
Not like a monkey—a tiger's ferocity.
"Isn't that a Three-Tailed Macaque?"
Geumran stepped forward in a fluster, positioning herself in front of me.
"That thing grew up feeding on the qi of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. It's got a wildly savage temper. I'll handle it, so you stay back..."
"No, Geumran."
"Huh? What?"
"Let me give it a shot."
I grabbed her shoulder and strode forward. Clenching my bare fists, I leaped in.
The Three-Tailed Macaque's glaring yellow eyes rapidly closed in.
I could hear a panicked Geumran shouting something from behind, but I didn't turn back.
This is where I show my true power for sure.
And make her understand Bongmareung's existence.
That was my task here.
Of course, Bongmareung wasn't thrilled.
"Foolish pup, I have revealed myself only to Heavenly Demons across the generations. Why bother explaining to one who can't even behold it anyway?"
He meant leave her in the dark about him.
But I saw it differently.
Every time I learn a new technique from Bongmareung going forward, what am I supposed to say?
The demonic spirit detected demonic qi, and like earlier, fed me knowledge effortlessly. Something no one else could comprehend.
I judged it necessary to make her accept Bongmareung's existence.
And if I can't even confide this much in Geumran, who follows me, then I don't deserve her help.
That was the conclusion I'd mulled over carefully.
So I chose to clash head-on with the Three-Tailed Macaque.
"Tch. Warrior's loyalty, is it? Those who choose the path of the Righteous Demonic Path are indeed different."
I hadn't even thought that far, but anyway, the demonic spirit raised his voice again.
"One of the monkey's eyeballs is rotten. Target that side!"
That's what I planned!
I had already channeled the Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art and Ghostly Azure Divine Eyes.
Bare-handed without drawing my sword, but this was plenty.
Show them!
Pap!
In an instant, the Three-Tailed Macaque's form stretched out like a phantom shift.
The furry spirit beast was already at my nose, claws grabbing for my throat.
But it wasn't the beast actually moving its forepaw yet.
It was the future event about to unfold.
The Three-Tailed Macaque's next action unfolded in my mind like a picture.
"Coming from the left!"
The foresight revealed events yet to come.
I planned to first demonstrate this eye technique's power to her, then explain Bongmareung.
"Kyahaak!"
"...!"
The leaping beast's claws grazed past my crown, a hairsbreadth away.
I lowered my stance, letting the charge flow past, then twisted my torso to the max.
At the same time, I snapped my knee up—and something connected solidly.
Pak!
"Kieeeek!"
The Three-Tailed Macaque's head snapped back. Clutching its shattered jaw, it bellowed in rage.
"Kekeke! Hit it good!"
A strike caught as our bodies crossed.
But what I truly aimed for came next.
I maxed out the Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art's power.
Then kicked two pebbles rolling in the yard with all my might.
"Eat this!"
Ppak! Paak...!
Time slowed, letting me consolidate possibilities.
My intent projected perfectly and precisely.
The flying pebbles' trajectories were crystal clear.
One straight to the rotten eyeball Bongmareung mentioned.
And the second...
"Gak!"
"Oh."
Its precious "midsection."
Even Bongmareung flinched at the perfect hit.
Exactly as my foresight showed.
Legs buckling, the Three-Tailed Macaque frothed at the mouth and collapsed on the spot.
"Krr... krr..."
Ahem.
Guess it was a male too. Felt a twinge of pity, but I placed my hand on my sword hilt and spoke.
"Hey, monkey. I don't really wanna kill you either. Just leave quietly, and I won't chase you."
A spirit beast that had achieved a certain shedding of its shell. Smart enough to understand human speech.
After showing it the massive power gap, I figured it wouldn't come at me again.
But the Three-Tailed Macaque didn't back down.
"Kyaaaaak!"
It bared its fangs at me again.
Even with bloodied eyesockets and trembling groin, its yellow glare flashed fiercer, refusing to yield.
"Persistent, eh? Normal monkey spirits are cowards—flee at the first sign of strength..."
Bongmareung muttered, a bit puzzled.
Have to kill it after all?
I reluctantly gripped the hilt tighter.
With White Dragon Soaring Sword, a mere beast would end in one exchange.
But right then.
"Hosam, hold up."
"...?"
"What you see isn't everything."
In a flash, Geumran's form shot like lightning.
She brushed past me and slammed a hearty kick into the Three-Tailed Macaque's head.
Peok!
"Oh ho. Her footwork's more advanced than expected. That roundhouse was splendid."
A clean kick that even impressed Bongmareung.
Without a chance to react, the Three-Tailed Macaque rolled its eyes back and passed out cold.
Geumran gave it a quick once-over, then turned to me.
"Wait here a sec."
This time, her form whisked toward Wayong Hall's main hall.
And moments later.
She returned cradling three baby monkeys in her arms.
I finally nodded.
"So it was fighting to the end for its young."
"Yeah. Three-Tailed Macaques are savage, but they don't charge humans they can't handle recklessly. It wasn't fleeing, so I figured something was up."
"Hmm..."
I'd been so focused on beating it down that I felt a bit embarrassed.
But she flashed me a soft smile.
"You did great."
"Huh? How?"
"You tried to avoid needless killing earlier. Definitely different from the Young Cult Leader."
Well, that was true enough.
Geumran set the wriggling babies beside the Three-Tailed Macaque.
They immediately burrowed into their father's fur.
The male Three-Tailed Macaque snapped its eyes open.
"Chit...?"
It hugged the young ones tight and scurried back.
Then eyed me and Geumran alternately with anxious glances.
I beckoned to the blinking spirit beast.
"Go on, get outta here."
"..."
This time, it seemed to get it.
Clutching its babies, the Three-Tailed Macaque backed away, then bolted off.
A bit worrying still.
"It won't come back for revenge, right? Like bringing its pack?"
"Nah, won't happen. A lone male raising young means it's been cast out from the group."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I know 'em well—plenty on Emei Mountain."
Geumran added with a faint smile.
Now we could finally enter Wayong Hall's main hall.
Compared to the beast-tracked filth outside, the interior was surprisingly clean.
"With a spirit beast like the Three-Tailed Macaque living here, no other wild animals dared enter."
True—a nasty-tempered male guarding its young.
As I looked around, Geumran hauled in an armful of something else.
Ripened fruits of all kinds.
I chuckled dryly.
"Three-Tailed Macaque's snacks?"
"Yeah. Probably stockpiled for the babies."
"Don't wanna raid the pantry that far."
"Heh."
"Geumran, hold on."
I grabbed a basket from the corner and loaded them in.
Then stepped out and placed it in the direction the Three-Tailed Macaque fled.
A rustle came from afar—probably watching.
"That's plenty. Three-Tailed Macaques are especially clever—they'll understand your compassion."
Good to hear.
With cleanup done, back in the hall, I began explaining to Geumran.
How I'd survived exactly.
How I'd grown so strong overnight.
I spilled everything, even the ghost dwelling in The Chronicles of the Sealed Demon.
"Bongmareung?"
Her face clouded in confusion.
An unbelievable tale—hard to swallow at once.
But thanks to my display moments ago, she was starting to get it.
"Don't know Blood Spirit Demonic Binding Art or Extreme Heaven Nine-Ring Art, but White Dragon Soaring Sword... I've heard of it somewhere. A sword art left by an ancient Heavenly Demon, right?"
"Spot on. Sword Heaven Demon Yong Bijeong's swordsmanship."
"Sword Heaven Demon...!"
Even Geumran's eyes widened at the greatest swordsman in murim history.
She nodded slowly, convinced.
"I see. So you gained that fateful encounter and suddenly awakened to swordsmanship?"
"Yeah. Feels good to get it off my chest."
The truth.
Street rat or not, deceiving those close to me just wasn't my style.
But as her smile faded to seriousness.
"Hosam, you shouldn't blab secrets like this to just anyone. It's like handing over your weakness."
"Yeah..."
Murim folk hide weaknesses desperately.
Especially demonic outlaws branded public enemies in the Central Plains.
"Secrets are best known by as few as possible. That's common sense, you fool."
Got it!
My ears were ringing.
I had zero intention of telling anyone else.
"This is the first and last time. Just like how you know I'm not Yong Baekheon, but Jang Hosam. So don't worry. I'm no idiot."
"Good. It has to be that way."
Only after nagging me repeatedly did she nod.
But then a strange glint flickered in her eyes.
"Still... now that I think about it, there's one thing I don't like about this Bongmareung."
"Don't like...?"
I tensed a bit.
I knew her cultivation well.
When her inner energy stirs, her personality flips like she's someone else.
So when she stepped up, I braced myself.
Especially with that eye shift.
But what came out was unexpected.
"Martial arts start with fist and foot techniques—why didn't he teach you those?"
"Huh?"
"Right now, you need fist training over swordplay."
"Oh, fist training..."
Deflated.
But her eyes sparkled intensely.
As I scratched my cheek, Geumran said slyly.
"Wanna learn from me? What do ya say?"