Chapter: 389
Boom-! Boom!
A heavy, booming noise echoed continuously inside the cave. The sound was so loud that it could be felt even outside the cave, and it continued for a long time.
It wasn’t that long in terms of time, but for those who were experiencing the vibrations directly, it felt like an eternity of torment.
Boom! Boom!
I was currently sparring with Venerable Pae.
How long has it been since we started sparring? It feels like just a little over an hour.
Even though I had only moved for that amount of time, I was already drenched in sweat.
Physically speaking, it shouldn’t be this intense, but perhaps it was due to my extreme focus. The drain on my stamina was no joke.
What’s more,
‘What kind of sparring is this…!’
They call it a duel, but this was closer to being toyed with. Well, most of my battles with Venerable Pae usually turn out this way, but today felt especially brutal.
Huh-! Venerable Pae’s shoulders shifted.
I confirmed this but had no time to think of a method. I had to move instinctively.
I quickly jerked my head back. His fist zipped right where my head had just been, a direct strike aimed at my jaw.
Just when I thought I had barely avoided the blow, suddenly, a foot tangled around my leg.
It was clear he was trying to throw me off balance. I immediately threw myself to the side. I rolled on the floor, and while it was jarring, it was preferable to tripping over the fallen master’s feet and face-planting.
For a good while, I rolled and rolled.
Fueled by spite, I lunged to land a hit, only to end up smashing my face against the wall.
I was stronger and faster than him. Nonetheless, I couldn’t even brush against his clothes.
What was the difference? I kept trying to figure it out while getting tossed around yet again.
Still, nothing was clear.
Not yet. So I had to keep searching.
Dodging the outstretching fists and probing legs, I rotated my eyes. I couldn’t spend over a second scrutinizing my opponent from head to toe. I had to be faster.
Found it!
I noticed two gaps.
However,
‘This old man.’
The moment I spotted the openings, I scowled. That must have been a trap.
There was no way that notorious old man would leave such an easy opening.
The infuriating thing was that I couldn’t see any alternatives.
He set a trap and concealed an escape route.
If I took a step there, it would be over. Even while I knew that, my fist was already thrusting forward.
I figured it would be better to try something than to just freeze up.
There wasn’t even time to mull it over. I simply barreled ahead.
I reached out, assessing angles and velocities, concluding that my strike should land quicker than Venerable Pae’s reaction.
Just as my fist was about to impact the side of Venerable Pae—
Whoosh-!
An unknown sensation reversed my vision.
Thud-!
My body spun around and fell to the ground.
I gasped, feeling the shock ripple through my back.
“Hah…”
Once again, it ended like this…
“…!”
Just as I was about to catch my breath, I shifted my head to dodge a fist that came flying right at me.
Immediately after that—BAM!—the punch came crashing down right where my head had been. If I hadn’t dodged, I would’ve been a pancake.
Startled by the unexpected shock, I sprang upright. As soon as I stood, I glared at Venerable Pae and yelled,
“Isn’t it over already!? You’re throwing punches like you’re trying to kill someone!”
Pae chuckled at my incredulous tone and replied,
“Oh, I must’ve forgotten!”
“Forgotten? The old man is actually smiling right now.”
“It’s common for us elderly folks to smile more.”
That was a lie. He had just tried to smash my face.
The grin plastered on Venerable Pae’s face was undeniably filled with regret.
That old man. He was clearly trying to ruin my face for real.
“… You’re just venting your frustration on me, aren’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Though Venerable Pae maintained his act of ignorance, it was clear as day.
That guy chuckled and played it off when I told him my father found out I was his disciple, but the moment we started sparring, he came at me way more aggressively than usual.
“One of my eyes is already so sore it feels like it’s going to pop. Are you trying to ruin the other one too?”
“Wouldn’t it look better if both sides matched rather than just one?”
“Seriously… Ugh!”
Venerable Pae’s fist struck the back of my head like a hammer.
It felt like he didn’t even break a sweat, yet my head was ringing like a bell.
“Your speech is getting weirder and weirder. You definitely weren’t like that at first.”
At first, he’d shown the bare minimum of etiquette. Who could possibly maintain politeness while getting walloped for months?
I certainly couldn’t.
“Looking into your eyes tells me you’ve got plenty of complaints. No matter how I analyze it, I’m the one who should be furious!”
Venerable Pae sighed at my reaction, clearly irritated that his father found out about my martial arts training.
He looked at me as if he found my despair quite laughable and said,
“Is that why you made such a big fuss just because you couldn’t hide that one little detail?”
I didn’t really have a comeback for that.
“… Well, it just sort of turned out that way, you know?”
“What’s this ‘it just turned out that way’ nonsense? I distinctly told you not to use it without my permission!”
“…Ugh!”
“My hard-trained disciple turned out to be such a handful…”
“I thought I might have to use something, so I let it slip without realizing it.”
“Ha, in that case, you should just use your qi!”
“…”
I gulped at Venerable Pae’s words. The ‘qi’ he referred to was the demonic energy.
When I faced the Heavenly Demon, Venerable Pae had also witnessed me turning into a demon. He was aware that I possessed another power.
If I had used magic as he suggested, it might have yielded better results.
“That’s… something I’d rather avoid using if possible.”
Using magic wasn’t something I wanted to reveal to others, to be honest.
When I hesitated to respond, Venerable Pae clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“I won’t meddle too much in your private matters, but make sure you don’t create any unnecessary issues.”
“… Yes.”
Venerable Pae didn’t inquire much about my power.
To him, the only thing that truly mattered was whether I could learn the Tuapa Chunmu.
I also had no intention of reliving those past memories.
Back in the day when Venerable Pae was consumed by demonic energy.
It was I who extracted the demonic force from his being.
If it had been left alone, no matter how talented Venerable Pae was, he wouldn’t have been able to endure for long.
And in that moment, I remember thinking about how, with my cover blown, I could just eliminate the traitor.
How utterly vile.
If anything, I wished to think that this was the influence of mijin.
‘But that too is me.’
That filthy, disgusting aspect of my being was also me.
“Lost in thought again, are we? You seem a bit stiff.”
“… No.”
It felt like Venerable Pae caught on to my fleeting feelings.
Of course, that didn’t mean he would fix it or anything.
Venerable Pae wasn’t the type to actively do so either.
“Let’s end the chit-chat here.”
I paid attention to the tone of Venerable Pae as he cut me off.
“During the last moment, why did you make that choice?”
This marked the beginning of a retrospective discussion regarding our sparring.
The question was why I charged in even though I somehow recognized the trap when he deliberately showed the opening.
The reasoning was simple.
“I didn’t see any openings anywhere else.”
That was the only answer.
“So you preferred to engage the area that was clearly a trap?”
“Indeed.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it have made sense to pick another area, even if it appeared flawless?”
“I presumed you’d think like that and tried to divert my approach a bit. It didn’t go through, though.”
“… Hm.”
Venerable Pae made a rather ambiguous expression, suggesting he wasn’t fully satisfied with my answer.
“It’s not necessarily a wrong choice… but—ah, you really must.”
“Yes.”
“The biggest issue with your approach is that you fail to consider the consequences for yourself.”
Consequences for me.
Just as I wondered what he meant.
“Even if your arms get crushed, or your legs are shattered, or even if it risks your life, you just go for it!”
“Ah.”
“It’s great that you don’t fear pain or dread death, but in real-life situations, you need a different perspective.”
I found myself somewhat agreeing with Venerable Pae’s words. As he mentioned, I had a habit of diving headfirst into situations without considering the aftermath.
In my past life, the sleeping dragon remarked that it was a miracle I made it through all those battles in one piece, claiming divine intervention.
“… This bit? Yeah. I guess finding a good teacher was fortuitous.”
“Huh? A good teacher? Who is teaching you…?”
“And let me make myself clear, do not use the Tuapa Chunmu in actual combat until I grant you permission.”
Venerable Pae offered another warning, this time with utmost seriousness.
“Is it because you attempted to use something your body hasn’t fully adapted to yet?”
“That was also a reason, but the important thing is.”
Tap tap. Venerable Pae rose and looked at me.
“If you recklessly swing that around, your body could get damaged.”
“Yes…?”
My eyes widened at Venerable Pae’s words. That was the first time I had heard that.
My body could get ruined?
With confusion written all over my face, Venerable Pae began to explain this with a somewhat awkward expression.
“The pain you experience every time you use martial arts is because your body is adjusting itself to accommodate them.”
This was something I had felt when I began training in the Tuapa Chunmu.
One of the reasons I once considered Venerable Pae to be such a ridiculous figure was this very thing.
The notion that my body could morph in line with martial techniques is akin to forcibly undergoing a complete transformation.
It compares to artificially forging a body called the Cheonmujiche.
The absurd agony that accompanies that process could be unbearable for an ordinary person, yet the rewards would outweigh those pains if one could endure it.
After all, Venerable Pae had single-handedly forged such martial prowess, which made it all the more awe-inspiring.
“In that process… if there’s an unexpected blow or excessive strain, some… minor issues can arise…”
“… What issues are we talking about?”
“It’s nothing serious.”
“Looking at your expression, it absolutely doesn’t seem trivial.”
“It’s just that you might momentarily stop breathing or your blood vessels might cramp a bit.”
“… ”
What does “just a bit” even mean?
After hearing Venerable Pae’s explanation, I felt a wave of vertigo wash over me. What he was implying was that a mistake could lead to death or a demonic possession.
As soon as I grasped that, I pressed him with a flurry of questions.
“Why am I only hearing this pivotal information now…?”
“That’s why I emphasized not to use it in a real fight until I permitted you.”
“If I’d known, I definitely wouldn’t have tried it!”
“Come on. How would I have known? You jumped straight into a brawl while wielding that technique!”
I couldn’t help but feel exasperated at the absurdity of Venerable Pae’s response as if he had been caught off guard.
Why hadn’t he mentioned something so critical?
The implication was that a mishap could risk my life.
‘Then… did my father foresee this too?’
It suddenly clicked why my father had knocked some sense back into me with just one blow.
At that moment, I had thought it was because using two distinct energies posed a threat, but I began to suspect there was more to it.
“Anyway… I was lucky this time, and I managed to pull through….”
“Anyway?”
“Next time, I seriously need to exercise caution.”
While Venerable Pae’s attempt to bypass the topic was rather absurd, given my own mistakes, I didn’t have much of a leg to stand on.
With a hint of resentment still simmering, I shot a glare at Venerable Pae when he suddenly asked,
“When do you intend to head to Sichuan?”
For a brief moment, I thought he caught me glaring.
“Probably… no later than seven days from now.”
I’d require firm confirmation from those traveling with me, but I was planning to leave within that timeframe.
During that period, I had a few tasks to wrap up in Hanam.
Plus…
“Are you going to be okay?”
I aimed to finish the worries regarding my upcoming trip.
Specifically, I meant the situation surrounding this cave.
This cave was intended for my training in the Tuapa Chunmu.
The condition Venerable Pae had set was that I could only use the Tuapa Chunmu’s deep energy to carve through the cave, which had to be completed before I could leave.
“Seven days may be tight, huh?”
He expressed concern in a somewhat bemused manner, but given the smile on his lips, he was yielding to his enjoyment.
As expected, that old man wasn’t known for his sunny disposition.
“If it comes down to it, I can always skimp on sleep.”
“Ah, talking so lightly. Ridiculous how much faith you give in yourself.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult…?”
“What do you reckon?”
“Sounds more like an insult.”
“Correct. You hit the nail on the head.”
That damned old man.
I got up while listening to Venerable Pae’s pointless jests.
I needed to catch a break for now. Things were bound to get hectic ahead.
After catching my breath from the exhausting training, I slammed my fist against the cave wall.
Just afterward, I drew the Tuapa Chunmu’s deep energy, the Tuapa Chunmu, into my body.
Immediately, agony surged throughout me.
Kwuuuk-! The sensation of confinement tightened around me while intense pain coursed within me felt as if someone was slicing away from the inside.
It was still a challenging pain to wrap my head around.
Those comedic old eyes of Venerable Pae lit up as he observed my state, a chuckle escaping his lips.
“You keep insisting it’s tough, but your expression barely shifts.”
“What difference does it make if I show that I’m in pain?”
“You’re truly a remarkably irritating brat. Ah, that counts as a compliment.”
“… A compliment, yet I feel worse now than before.”
I let out a heavy sigh, then promptly began slamming my fists against the cave.
Boom! The vibrations echoed loudly through the cave, making Venerable Pae spin around.
“Well, keep grinding away, then.”
He made to leave, heading toward the cave’s entrance.
“Where are you off to?”
“Off to see my disciple’s father, of course.”
As he dragged his feet to leave the cave, he turned back to me, a hint of annoyance evident.
“I should at least pay a visit since he requested a meeting.”
With an exaggeratedly weary expression, Venerable Pae soared out of the cave, aiming for a meeting with the local martial associations.
—
A strange rumor had been circulating in recent days around an unnamed mountain in Sichuan.
It was said that a beast capable of human speech resided in the mountain.
Few believed the ridiculous rumor, yet those who had encountered it were convinced of its veracity.
The creature was reportedly only active at night, showcasing its tough musculature and letting out mighty roars.
After leaving behind a trail of chaos, it vanished without a trace.
When a group of investigators climbed the mountain to verify the rumor, they returned after concluding their search.
They appeared blank as if robbed of their spirit and confirmed that no beast was present, but the spectators observed them.
– Were they overwhelmed with fear by witnessing that terrifying beast!? – Exactly! Otherwise, they wouldn’t be making that face!
Thus, they quaked even more in fright.
While such strange rumors circulated in the mountain, an unidentified man perched atop a rock, passing the time.
For reasons unknown, he was showing off his impressive physique with his shirt tossed aside.
His features were obscured by a tangled beard and unkempt hair, making it hard to identify his age.
In one hand, he clutched a freshly cooked fish, looking delish.
Given his apparent hunger, he quickly tore into it.
In his other hand, he clutched a letter, his gaze fixed intensely on it as he masticated his food.
The man gradually read through the letter when he suddenly frowned.
“Hey, how long are you going to keep whining about fish?”
The man grew irritated, though remarkably, he was alone.
“If you’re a sage, don’t you have to survive on grass alone? Why would you be ranting like this? You should have said something when you slaughtered and ate a cow the last time. Geez!”
Perhaps the man’s complaints were a hassle, for an item tethered to his waist vibrating ever more furiously.
Noticing it, the man began hollering at the empty air around him.
“Ah! Stop yelling! Do you think I’m not yelling because I can’t? Goodness, what a temper you’ve got! How about being a bit more reasonable? I told you I’d stay quiet after saving a house last time. It’s absurd talking out both sides of your mouth.”
Tsak tsak. He continued to smirk derisively, sounding exasperated, while the vibrating object only surged more insistently.
Eventually, feeling frustrated, the man pulled out the vibrating item from his waistband and tossed it away dismissively.
“Cool off over there. I’ll pick you up later.”
The stick, having fallen to the ground, erupted in furious vibrations, almost as if throwing a tantrum.
The man, watching this unfold, snickered while ignoring it before returning to his letter.
If he were the kind who cared, he’d likely be engaged in a full-blown argument all day.
However, he simply didn’t want that anymore; it felt like the best day he had in ages.
Once he finished reading, he neatly folded the letter and jammed it haphazardly into his waistband.
It was never a lengthy read to begin with, though the contents were significantly satisfying.
Right now, he was positively beaming, perhaps experiencing his happiest state in quite a while.
It was only natural.
The man, laughing heartily, mumbled to himself.
“It’s been ages since I’ve seen your face.”
The contents of the letter weren’t anything extraordinary.
It relayed the news that his own good-for-nothing disciple was purposefully coming to visit.
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