Chapter: 74
Crackling…
The flames that had been devouring the serene forest slowly disappeared with the wind.
With just a flick of my finger, the flames that had been busily burning the underbrush were absorbed back into my body.
As the swirling flames circled around me and finally merged with my flesh, I could feel a portion of my Qi being replenished.
“…Whew.”
After finishing up the absorption of my Qi, I let out a deep breath, and I could see steam escaping from my lips.
How much did I just use? It felt like I had overdone it a bit.
Well, at least you know what you’re doing.
Elder Shin’s voice, which chimed in, sounded a bit fatigued.
Do you even realize how hard it is to calm that raging monster when it’s trying to wreak havoc?
“Was it really that dangerous?”
If you had squeezed out even a tad bit more Qi, I probably wouldn’t have been able to rein it in.
“So it was that close, huh…”
Looking around at the burnt corpses confirmed that I had indeed gone all out.
There wasn’t a single intact corpse left; they were all severely charred.
The previously refreshing scent of the forest was now replaced with a thick, acrid smell of charred flesh.
As I carefully adjusted my disheveled clothes, I pondered.
First time, huh?
This was the first time I had killed someone since my return to life.
What a strange sensation it was.
But I didn’t want to dwell on it too much.
I hadn’t made any high-minded vow like “I will never take a life again!” just because I had come back, after all.
These were just low-tier members of the Black Palace, those who had targeted my little sister.
But why is my heart racing like this?
When I placed my hand on my chest, I could feel it subtly trembling.
Is this some sort of disconnect between my mind and body?
No, that’s unnecessary thinking.
This had happened in my previous life too, and it usually smoothed over with time.
I just needed to toughen up quickly.
So what do you plan to do with the one who got away?
At Elder Shin’s question, I glanced in the direction where the likely leader of that rabble had fled.
Initially, I had thought of catching him and killing him too, but upon catching a glimpse of the faint traces of Demonic Qi in him, I changed my mind.
It felt like it would be more beneficial to keep him alive for interrogation.
The traces were weak and murky, but unmistakably, he carried Demonic Qi.
How did those Black Palace guys come by Demonic Qi?
Do they already have a connection with the Demonic Cult? No way that’s possible.
There were still a few years before the Heavenly Demon and the Demonic Cult made their grand entrance.
But was it even Demonic Qi at all?
My uncertainty stemmed from how faint it was, leaving me questioning whether it truly was Demonic Qi.
That further intensified my regret over losing the chance to catch him.
“He was quicker than I expected.”
I should have burned his legs and not his arms.
It had been far too long since I’d been embroiled in a real fight; my thoughts just weren’t as sharp.
I knew a tiny mistake could end with my head rolling, yet here I was messing up.
Maybe I had gotten too soft from the overwhelming peace…
“…So how the hell do I clean this mess up now?”
Looking at the scattered corpses made my head pound.
If I were a greater being, I could have just turned them to ash.
Especially when I saw the body twisted in a gruesome angle, rage ignited within me.
I should have burned out his insides and rendered him to a screaming pile of misery instead of granting him a painless end—such mercy was far too kind for someone with such vile thoughts about a child who couldn’t even reach his waist.
The fact that he had those thoughts about Gu Ryunghwa further stoked my fury and desire for vengeance.
So, you did care for your sister after all, despite treating her like a piece of trash, huh?
Not particularly.
Sure, not particularly my ass, just fix that grimace of yours first before you speak!
This was a matter I would need to discuss with the Celestial Plum Blossom.
What worried me was how he’d react since his priority was the Taoist ways before martial matters, especially on such a sensitive subject as murder.
Just then, Elder Shin’s nonchalant voice made me think.
You just killed people who were deserving of death, so there’s no need to overthink it.
A Taoist before a martial artist.
A martial artist before a Taoist.
Elder Shin had lived through the Blood Demon War, so I sensed he was unfazed by this grim reality.
Yet, I wouldn’t know how the Celestial Plum Blossom would take this revelation in the current times of relative tranquility.
I had already suspected you had your fair share of secrets, but what you did just now was still a surprise.
I chuckled bitterly at Elder Shin’s observation. His tone was laced with understanding.
The emergence of the Black Palace—and that Demonic Qi…
“I wonder why they were wandering around here.”
It didn’t seem like their target was Gu Ryunghwa…
Weren’t Yung Pung and the others from the Mount Hua Sect scouting for their missing members?
Could this somehow be connected?
I’ve got a bad feeling that I’m stepping into a mess.
I shook off the heat from around me before gathering all the bodies in one spot.
I knew I’d only dig myself deeper into trouble if I tried to dispose of them carelessly.
This was something I would have to bring up with the Celestial Plum Blossom.
After a half-hearted clean-up, I made my way toward the hut.
Those guys seemed unable to pass the barrier,
Yet, I walked through as if it was an open door.
There was no hint of resistance whatsoever, allowing me to enter smoothly.
What was the difference?
Elder Shin’s words soon provided an answer.
It’s probably because of the Qi from the Mount Hua Sect inside your body.
…So it’s because I absorbed the power of the treasure?
It seems like that’s the case.
Can a barrier really have such a detection mechanism?
I realized just how formidable the Celestial Plum Blossom truly was.
As I drew near the hut, a delicious aroma wafted toward me.
Were they preparing a meal?
Getting closer, I saw Gu Ryunghwa bustling about outside, working hard.
“What are you doing?”
She turned to me, her expression souring instantly.
“Why are you back again?”
“The sect leader asked me to deliver something.”
“To you?”
“To me.”
It was clear from her reaction that it was unusual for me to run errands for the leader.
Yeah, I find it strange too.
Who would’ve imagined I’d be sent to deliver something for just one yakgwa?
I soon noted Zhuge Hyuk chopping something in the background.
When our gazes met, he gave me a slight nod that seemed to be a greeting.
“…What’s he doing?”
“Can’t you tell? He’s cooking.”
“He can cook?”
That seemed a risky question given how skillfully he was slicing onions.
“…He’s actually better than I expected.”
Gu Ryunghwa’s tone suggested she was hurt in some way from admitting that.
What’s with her?
“Where’s the Immortal Healer?”
“In the hut… taking care of the master.”
“Got it.”
As I tried to enter the hut, Gu Ryunghwa suddenly grabbed my sleeve firmly.
“What’s up?”
“Ow… What’s with your hand?”
My hand?
I was confused until I looked and saw a small cut on the back of my hand.
I thought I had avoided everything, but it looked like something scratched me.
Not that I really cared; it was just a scratch after all.
Suddenly, I found myself contemplating how things might have unfolded if I hadn’t shown up today.
In all honesty, nothing serious would have likely occurred.
It didn’t seem like they were strong enough to breach the barrier outside.
Still, it didn’t make me feel any better about the situation.
Sheesh, my temper is getting the best of me…
I had vented my frustration by incinerating them all, and that was in the past.
Whatever, it’s for the best.
I shrugged off her grasp and replied, “It’s just a little scratch.”
Her face twisted into suspicion before she could gather her wits to interrogate me further.
“Stop worrying and keep doing what you were doing.”
“Who said I was worried…!”
Ignoring her shout, I knocked on the door lightly.
Knock knock.
Who’s there?
The familiar dry voice of the Immortal Healer came from within.
“It’s Gu Yangcheon from a few days back.”
Who—Oh…
The door opened right away.
The Immortal Healer wore the same attire he had on during my last visit.
The moment he saw me, his expression soured, though it was clear he wasn’t too fond of my presence.
“What brings you here?”
“The Celestial Plum Blossom asked me to deliver this to you.”
As the Immortal unwrapped the letter from the Celestial Plum Blossom, his expression distorted progressively.
It was almost like watching water boiling as the temperature rose.
Now that I think about it, he must have sent me because he was afraid to come here himself, huh?
…That’s quite likely.
Unable to unleash his anger on me, the Immortal let out a tsk sound and tucked the letter into his pocket.
“Dohwa, that damned bastard, he’s surely going to hell for this.”
“…”
How could he utter such words regarding our clan leader…
Anyway, having delivered the letter, I planned to leave.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Huh?”
Surprisingly, the Immortal Healer halted my departure.
Why is he stopping me now when he looked eager to shove me out earlier?
Then, I recalled the scratch that Gu Ryunghwa had pointed out on my way here.
Is that why he’s holding me back?
“…This is just a minor scratch…”
“A minor scratch? You dare lie to a doctor?”
“No, really, it’s a scratch that would heal with just a bit of saliva, so I’m really fine.”
“What kind of lunatic spits on a wound!? This is why I can’t stand people who only know martial arts!”
“W-Wait…!”
“Just don’t make an old man exert himself and come back here while I’m trying to be polite.”
Worried that if I roughly pulled away from the Immortal Healer’s grasp, my arm might break off entirely, I couldn’t muster the strength to wrench free.
I was eventually dragged inside the hut.
In the Black Palace, inside the branch manager’s office.
Thump—! Thump—!
Baechong was repeatedly banging his forehead against a pool of blood-stained ground, appearing quite miserable.
Across from him, Ya Hyeoljeok simply gazed at him with a blank stare.
After all five subordinates who had accompanied Baechong were killed, he returned while barely able to use his left arm.
Ya Hyeoljeok inquired of Baechong.
“So, who was it again?”
“…I’m not sure… It was someone I’d never seen before.”
“A new face? Hm, I see.”
Crack!
Crackle—!
“Ughh!”
As Ya Hyeoljeok spoke, an oppressive energy engulfed the space, causing Baechong to spit blood as dust fell from the cave ceiling.
“So you’re saying everyone died at the hands of a random kid, while you alone returned?”
“I… I’m…”
“Fuck! Are you serious here?!”
In a flash, Ya Hyeoljeok swung his massive sword, severing Baechong’s left arm.
“Aghhhh!”
“Listen, you piece of trash, do you think I sent you out there for this kind of bullshit to happen?”
“Ughhh…!”
“I thought including a somewhat clever member would yield better results, yet look at this pitiful return. What do you think, am I disappointed or what?”
“…I… I’m sorry… Branch manager…”
Ptooey!
Ya Hyeoljeok spat next to Baechong.
Their branch was already short on manpower, and now with most of the scouts lost, things looked dire.
Falling to some random child at that…
According to Baechong, the kid was a user of flame arts.
There weren’t many martial artists proficient in flame arts, and as far as Ya Hyeoljeok knew, it took tremendous training just to summon flames.
Where did such a monster spring from?
The fact that he instantly recognized their identity as members of the Black Palace was also concerning.
Ya Hyeoljeok spoke to the trembling Baechong, who held his severed shoulder.
“Baechong.”
“Yes…”
“You want to live, don’t you?”
“…Yes… Please, please give me just one more chance, branch manager.”
“You know I cut off your injured arm on purpose; didn’t that show some kindness on my part?”
Baechong’s gaze fell on the severed limb, his rage bubbling beneath the surface, yet all he could do was muster a forced grin.
“Y-Yes, of course…! I’m grateful for your divine benevolence.”
“Right, right.”
Ya Hyeoljeok patted Baechong’s cheeks lightly.
In truth, he wanted to behead him and hang it on the wall, but there was nobody else in the branch clever enough to replace Baechong.
While he could entertain the notion of taking his legs, rendering him unable to walk, he hesitated as Baechong still possessed some first-rate martial skills.
“How many days will it take for you to gather the info?”
Baechong trembled as he responded to Ya Hyeoljeok’s question.
“…I will gather information about him in no more than four days.”
“Four days, huh? And of course, you’ll also cover intel about the Immortal Healer, yes?”
“…Yes! I will report back with everything.”
A sharp glint appeared in Ya Hyeoljeok’s eyes. “I like your spirit; let’s make sure to do an excellent job, alright?”
As he stood up and turned around, Ya Hyeoljeok rummaged through his leather pouch and tossed something towards Baechong.
It was a small orb of Qi the size of a thumb.
“It’s your supply for four days.”
Baechong shuddered in fear upon seeing it.
If you weren’t part of the main palace, all the members of the Black Palace were embedded with a “seal” inside their bodies.
If they didn’t consume the required medicine in the designated time, the seal would explode, resulting in their insides melting away and leading to their demise.
Fuck.
Baechong clenched his teeth in rage.
Now, he truly had to obtain all the information within those four days, no matter the cost.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.