Chapter 178: Pieces (4)
Crack-! Rustle!
The long, slender strands of gold finally shattered, scattering pieces all around.
“Young Master Gu?”
I turned toward the voice from behind and found Moyong Hi-ah looking at me with a puzzled expression.
I shook my head to dispel the dizzy feeling.
I could feel the breeze.
The scent of the surrounding grass wafted toward me.
Time, which had come to a standstill, began to flow once again.
Did time really stop?
I hadn’t thought so, but my swaying and dazed mind suggested it might just be an aspect of Illusory Power.
I shifted my gaze from Moyong Hi-ah’s sky-blue eyes and surveyed the lake.
There, the White Fish of Purity, which had been replacing Cheolyoung’s voice, was gazing quietly at me.
The color has returned.
The once-dulled scales of the koi, stuck in a halted world, had returned to their pristine white.
The white fish stared at me for a moment, but soon swam away, vanishing somewhere in the lake.
“Sir, is something wrong?”
Heeyoung’s inquiry prompted me to shake my head.
“…It’s nothing. Just a moment of dizziness…”
I paused in my speech and looked at Heeyoung.
Heeyoung seemed puzzled, perhaps wondering why I was staring at him like that.
I observed Heeyoung for a bit longer.
What’s going on?
There was something strange about it.
It felt as though I had stepped into another world.
Why are you like this?
I heard Elder Shin’s voice.
Fortunately, this confirmed that the earlier situation wasn’t merely an illusion.
“Young Master?”
At Heeyoung’s call, I composed my expression.
“It’s nothing… just what should we do next?”
It felt like something had changed within me; I was beginning to see things I hadn’t seen before.
Heeyoung’s guiding continued smoothly.
The pavilions and beautiful buildings that appeared after passing the lake showed just how luminous Shaolin’s history had been.
The well-ornamented scenery was like a painting come to life.
While walking through such a picturesque street, Moyong Hi-ah suddenly spoke.
“It’s really beautiful here.”
This was nearly our first time having a proper conversation since entering Shaolin.
I responded, glancing at Moyong Hi-ah.
“Is this your first time in Shaolin?”
“No, I’ve visited a few times for business.”
One could only wonder if someone from a prestigious family could avoid coming to Shaolin at least once.
“What about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It is pretty. I can see, after all.”
An ornamental environment is inherently attractive.
However, our family didn’t particularly focus on maintaining such things.
It was just kept clean without any sharp edges.
“I don’t really like this kind of thing,” Moyong Hi-ah stated.
I glanced at her as she spoke.
I already knew she wasn’t fond of such things.
She didn’t really care for beautiful sights, especially more so in the dreary winter.
Really?
“Yes, I understand it’s beautiful, but I can’t particularly relate to it.”
After saying that, she inched a little closer to me.
Though I thought she was simply getting closer, based on my past life memories, it was puzzling.
I remembered that mere proximity used to make her recoil in disgust.
Just as I was about to ask why she kept getting closer,
[Another woman has appeared, huh?]
Elder Shin’s interjection silenced me.
It was a familiar remark, though it had been a while since I had heard it.
I was wondering when you were going to say that.
[Knowing it still doesn’t stop you from getting more, does it?]
When have I ever sought more?
[HAH. Right, it’s not that you wanted to — it just happened that way, right?!]
Elder Shin made a valid point, so I couldn’t really counter his logic.
Why don’t you tell me why you slept for so long?
I chose to disregard Elder Shin’s previous question and inquire about something significant.
In terms of time, he had been asleep for about a week.
It didn’t seem justified that he slept that long since the shock that had knocked him out wasn’t that great.
Did something happen?
Elder Shin replied in a tone that was nonchalant.
[Don’t even ask. I had to endure all sorts of hardships.]
Hardships?
What could he be referring to?
Hadn’t he just been sleeping?
In response to my naive thought, Elder Shin bristled.
[You have no idea how much that beast within your body rampaged!]
A rampage?
[Exactly, it was wild! It finally calmed down recently and hasn’t come out since.]
If he mentioned not too long ago, was it possibly due to the energy I absorbed from that Pissing Dragon or Jang Seonyeon?
The beast?
In my last match, I recalled Dok Gojun referring to the one within me as the master of the void.
How did he know about something dwelling inside my body?
I didn’t even know about its existence myself.
And more importantly,
Dok Gojun.
Elder Shin had commented that the Blood Demon’s name was Dok Gojun.
This meant that the mysterious energy lurking within me belonged to the Blood Demon.
It seemed that Dok Gojun also had ties to the Murim Alliance.
Was he genuinely the Blood Demon?
Elder Shin.
[Don’t worry too much about me, I’ve held out well…]
I have inquiries regarding Dok Gojun.
[What?]
After I mentioned Dok Gojun, Elder Shin’s tone drastically shifted.
I calmly explained the events that had transpired.
Namgung Cheonjun’s energy.
The duel with Jang Seonyeon, and the emergence of Dok Gojun.
Throughout my account, Elder Shin remained silent.
Only once I finished my narration did he let out a small sigh.
[Sigh…]
What do you make of this?
[Strange, indeed.]
It wasn’t a confirmation or denial, just an observation.
What makes it strange?
[The name and the circumstances clearly indicate that rascal, yet it also feels that it’s not entirely at the same time, which is the issue.]
It seemed like I still lacked the necessary information to definitively conclude it was him.
[If it were the bastard I knew, he certainly wouldn’t have used such a method.]
Are you implying he might not be the Blood Demon?
[That’s not correct.]
Elder Shin answered unequivocally.
[What you saw was unmistakably the Blood Demon.]
Although Elder Shin’s voice was calm when stating this,
I could sense it—the heat bubbling beneath his calm facade, ready to erupt.
[Cheolyoung’s anxiety was justified; that bastard has already taken root in this land.]
Cheolyoung had remarked that the Blood Demon’s body and power had been shattered and scattered across the world.
He had stated that at this point, the Blood Demon was dreaming of a resurrection.
However, it seemed the Blood Demon had already achieved some level of resurrection.
[But doesn’t that seem odd?]
Elder Shin elaborated.
[Considering his personality, he wouldn’t need to conceal his identity like this.]
What do you mean?
[How strong do you think the current elite martial artists are?]
Following Elder Shin’s lead, I contemplated individuals who had reached the apex of the martial world.
That would include the Three Heavenly Venerables and the five masters of the Unorthodox Faction.
Each of them had achieved the pinnacle as a martial artist.
[But all of them died later on.]
By the hands of the Heavenly Demon.
[That strength was utterly unreasonable; do you not agree?]
Defeating all three Heavenly Venerables and subduing or killing the five masters of the Unorthodox Faction—
that was the Heavenly Demon’s power.
It indeed defied comprehension for a mere human.
[The same applies to the Blood Demon.]
An entity that faced all five masters at their absolute peak yet ultimately failed to kill them.
That was the essence of the Blood Demon.
[His power was overwhelming. Even when considering the Heavenly Demon that would emerge in the future, I could confidently say the Blood Demon was equally as formidable, if not more.]
So, he’s that intimidating?
If the Blood Demon could be compared to the Heavenly Demon, it was bizarre for Dok Gojun to hide his identity.
[Therefore, it seems that he hasn’t fully regained his strength yet.]
Elder Shin asserted that if the Blood Demon had reclaimed all of his power, he wouldn’t leave the world as it currently stood.
Cheolyoung did mention that the Blood Demon had been divided and scattered across the world, which likely hindered a straightforward resurrection.
Ultimately, the concern was that the Blood Demon was tied to the Alliance.
Given that I could only learn this after my regression, it indicates they executed an effective cover-up. Could there be an issue?
Moreover,
Did the Heavenly Demon genuinely remain unaware of all this?
I thought it was unlikely.
That preposterous being wouldn’t possibly be ignorant of such an ominous existence.
Maybe the Heavenly Demon’s intent to strike against the Alliance was somehow intertwined with this situation?
Elder Shin had remarked earlier that the Blood Demon seemed akin to the Heavenly Demon.
I wondered if there might be a connection between the two.
[Hmm, to gather more insights, we likely need to heed the old monk’s advice and search for that Myung bastard.]
You suggest that, but he didn’t even share the location since he’s unaware of it himself.
How could I find him without knowing where to look?
At my remark, Elder Shin chuckled dryly.
[That should be obvious. That bastard is most likely unable to escape some treasure, so all we need to do is search for it. Besides, with both your bride and the lord of the Gu Clan under your thumb, it shouldn’t be too difficult.]
…Bride…
[Don’t flinch; you look pathetic.]
Elder Shin’s disdainful tone made me cough a few times in an attempt to brush it off.
The Namgung Clan’s treasure, huh—
Could the Thunderous Sword truly be there?
[Even if it isn’t, we will find him somehow.]
Perhaps having met with Cheolyoung invigorated Elder Shin’s spirit.
However, sensing an ominous foreboding, I immediately questioned him.
Wait, are you telling me I have to hunt for him?
[Well, who else would do it?]
His bluntness made me chuckle despite my frustration.
I really felt like I was going to lose it.
Yet I didn’t argue against this.
After all, it was a matter that concerned me as well.
I remembered what Dok Gojun had told me, and how the energy he wielded bore a striking resemblance to the impending Wi Seol-Ah, the Celestial Sword.
There were indeed more than a few suspicious elements at play.
Hmm, perhaps I should head back to the Clan and…
“Young Master Gu!”
Something poked my cheek as I turned.
It was Moyong Hi-ah’s finger.
You finally turned around.
She spoke in a surprisingly lively manner.
Yet, it felt incongruous with her usual air of coolness.
“What are you doing right now?”
I asked her, wearing a baffled expression, but she kept her smile, her eyes curving delightfully.
“I kept calling you, but you didn’t look this way at all.”
You should’ve just tapped my shoulder then.
“That might come off as a bit rude, don’t you think?”
And poking someone in the cheek is okay…?
She didn’t seem to mind my furrowed brow as she continued.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind; you were dazed while walking.”
“Well, I have some business to attend to.”
“Have you finished everything you need to do at Shaolin?”
I nodded toward Moyong Hi-ah.
My purpose in Shaolin was solely to meet with Elder Shin.
I wasn’t sure if my encounter with Cheolyoung was what Elder Shin wished for, but at least I felt like I’d accomplished all I needed.
However,
“I thought I was done here…”
I said while gazing at the small monk yawning intensely in front of us.
“Another matter has come up.”
I then turned my eyes away and addressed Moyong Hi-ah.
“Moyong, do you have something you want from me?”
“Yes.”
Her response was alarmingly straightforward.
She had clearly gone out of her way to make it evident, so how could I possibly miss it?
“What is it? There’s no way you’re interested in me.”
“Why do you think so? It’s entirely possible that I might just be interested in you.”
Moyong Hi-ah interested in me?
Surely the sun wouldn’t rise from the west, or even from the ground for that to be true.
[Damn it.]
Elder Shin muttered quietly.
Perhaps he was lamenting how this was the first thing he had to witness upon awakening.
Oh, Moyong…
Suddenly, Cheolyoung’s words resurfaced in my mind.
He had said that Elder Shin had once pursued the Young Lady of the Moyong Clan but had lost her to the Thunderous Sword—
Ugh!
I let out a small grunt as a sharp pain seized my dantian.
This old man is really…!
[You’d better forget that old bastard’s lies.]
Why should I forget? It’s a lie…? Elder Shin, did you really chase after Moyong—
[Will you just keep your mouth shut?!]
While I couldn’t see Elder Shin’s expression, I could tell he was probably red from embarrassment.
It was unmistakably red.
“Young Master Gu? Are you feeling unwell?”
“…No, it seems what I ate earlier didn’t sit well.”
I made an effort to straighten my hunched back, then returned to our earlier topic.
“Regardless, I don’t think Lady Moyong has any interest in me.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because those eyes don’t reflect interest in someone else.”
At my definite assertion, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened slightly.
It might be an overreach to deduce simply from her gaze, but I knew Moyong Hi-ah quite well.
“I’m unclear about what you want, but if there’s something, it would be best to come out and say it. I don’t like beating around the bush.”
Knowing her true nature made her pretending feel rather awkward.
By clearly laying down the boundary, Moyong Hi-ah fell silent.
What’s with her?
She seemed somewhat deflated.
In a way, she resembled a drenched kitten.
Though even that might be a façade.
Without waiting for her response, I began to walk again.
After a few steps, I sensed Moyong Hi-ah trailing behind me.
As I followed Heeyoung for a little longer, we soon arrived at the entrance where we first entered.
Heeyoung clasped his hands together like a farewell gesture and offered us a polite bow.
“I hope the essence of the temple was conveyed in some way to you both.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
“If you wish to explore more, please feel free to do so. I shall be taking my leave now.”
Having said this, Heeyoung turned and walked away.
I watched the young monk depart before making my way down the stairs.
Moyong Hi-ah followed me slowly.
I decided to ask her a question.
“Is there a servant waiting down there?”
Perhaps it was due to my unexpected inquiry, or perhaps something else, but Moyong Hi-ah’s answer came delayed.
“…Oh yes, there should be a servant waiting.”
When I turned to check, I noticed her ears had turned slightly red.
Though she was weak to the cold, I wondered why she followed me in the first place.
She hasn’t told me any reason at all!
I couldn’t fathom what she wanted, but if she hesitated to divulge, I had no intentions of prying further.
Casting a reluctant glance at her, I spoke up.
“Could you lend me your hand for a moment?”
“Pardon?”
Moyong Hi-ah, bewildered by my statement, extended her hand.
I remembered how Namgung Bi-ah’s hands, ears, or face always turned crimson as well.
Ugh!
I grasped her hand and infused some warmth into it.
“I don’t understand why you go out of your way to do things, especially since you’re sensitive to the cold, but make sure not to tire yourself unnecessarily. It creates hassle for those around you, too.”
I was somewhat aware of her constitution; thus, I knew that the warmth from Flame Arts wouldn’t do much for her.
—When you are beside me, the cold doesn’t seem to affect me as much.
Annoyingly enough, unnecessary memories intruded upon this conversation.
Moyong Hi-ah flinched from the warmth in her hand.
Despite this, I knew her insides likely wouldn’t feel a difference.
I couldn’t tell how long I held her hand, but after I felt that I provided enough warmth, I immediately released her.
“You should head on first. I need to go back to Shaolin; I believe I left something behind.”
“W-wait!”
Moyong Hi-ah attempted to say something urgently, but I ignored her and bolted back to Shaolin.
That’s why I—
I didn’t catch the faint murmurs of what Moyong Hi-ah whispered.
Heeyoung was a young monk.
Since birth, he had been taken in by the martial artists of Shaolin to live his life as a monk.
He had a gentle disposition and a fair amount of talent for martial arts, earning the affection of many in Shaolin.
He was also good at guiding visitors and enjoyed interacting with people, making him diligent in his duties.
He was so good that when people visited Shaolin, they often sought out Heeyoung specifically.
Right after finishing his tour, he picked up a broom and began to move.
It was time to sweep the ground and then pursue martial arts training.
Tap.
While sweeping through the serene forest inside Shaolin, Heeyoung suddenly perceived a presence behind him and turned around.
“Oh? Young Master Gu.”
Standing there was Gu Yangcheon, the very person he had guided earlier.
Having bid farewell, Heeyoung thought he had left, but it appeared that Young Master had more business to attend to.
Heeyoung smiled subtly at Gu Yangcheon.
“Perhaps, you have something you left—”
“Hey.”
Heeyoung flinched at Gu Yangcheon’s sudden interruption.
It was understandable, as Gu Yangcheon’s voice felt far too menacing for the young monk to bear.
The hostility in his tone made Heeyoung’s legs tremble instinctively.
“Y-Young Master Gu?”
“Where is it?”
“What are you talking about… Cough!”
As Heeyoung inquired with a shaky tone, Gu Yangcheon lunged forward like lightning and seized his neck.
“Cough! Cough, cough!”
Heeyoung gasped for breath, choking from the immense pressure, but Gu Yangcheon merely glared at him with fierce eyes.
“Y-Young Master, please…help…”
Heeyoung begged for mercy, engulfed in the deep fear.
“We’ve met before, right?”
With those words, Heeyoung stopped trembling and shrieked.
“Y-you’ve seen me, right?”
A few months ago, at the Gu Clan, that had been the case.
Upon hearing Gu Yangcheon’s assured declaration, the terrified expression on Heeyoung’s face instantly morphed into one devoid of emotion.
Soon after, Heeyoung’s small face began to change shape.
It was a grotesque transformation.
Once Heeyoung, now spoke to Gu Yangcheon.
“How did you know?”
Crack-!
In response to his words, Gu Yangcheon twisted the bastard’s neck without a second thought.
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