I turned to Palgap with admiration.
“You startled me there!”
I wasn’t just being polite—I genuinely hadn’t noticed until the last second. Being around Palgap every day gave me the advantage of knowing his mannerisms, but anyone else would never have caught on.
“It just seemed to me that you wanted to extend our stay here, Young Master.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“The secret manual I’ve been studying recently includes a method for reading people’s thoughts through their facial expressions. I think I’m getting quite good at it.”
Just as Master had said—Palgap was still Palgap.
But I prided myself on having decent control over my expressions. How had he seen through me? He really did have a natural talent for this sort of thing.
“Don’t pull something like that again, though. I don’t want you deliberately getting hurt because of me.”
“It didn’t hurt at all, sir. That manual also teaches techniques for taking impacts without experiencing pain.”
‘There was something like that in the manual too?’
“So, how many days do you think we’ll need?”
“About three days should do it.”
“Understood, sir.”
Just then, we sensed someone approaching and quickly fell silent.
A voice called from outside the door.
“The two disciples who injured Patron Palgap have come to offer their apologies.”
“Please, come in.”
The door opened, and two disciples entered the room. They were from the twenty-sixth generation, the same as Daoist Mu Un who had been our guide.
They had already apologized earlier, but apparently they’d returned for a formal apology accompanied by an instructor.
“We’re deeply sorry.”
“We’re truly, truly sorry.”
They bowed so low their foreheads nearly touched the floor.
“As I said before, it was an unavoidable accident. Please don’t trouble yourselves over it.”
I addressed the instructor who had escorted them.
“Please don’t punish these two Daoists. I earnestly request this of you.”
I bowed to the instructor, who cupped his fist respectfully in return.
“Since you say so, sir, I understand. I won’t pursue this matter further.”
“Thank you.”
At his words, relief washed over both disciples’ faces. I looked at them thoughtfully.
“I do have a request for you two Daoists.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“We’re listening.”
“I understand that the place where you two were sparring today wasn’t the designated training ground.”
The location where today’s accident had occurred was neither the training ground nor anywhere near it. That’s precisely why we had passed through that area. If it had been the actual training ground, we would have either avoided it entirely or proceeded with much greater caution.
“I can understand why you chose to spar in an unauthorized location—you’re at an age where fighting spirit runs high and the desire to test your skills is strong.”
Their faces flushed red at my words.
“In the future, as you become active in the martial world, there will be many occasions when you cause unintended harm to your surroundings, just like today. Today it was a broken wooden sword, but in the future, it could be stray sword qi.”
They remained silent, absorbing my words.
“These things can be deadly to ordinary people who don’t practice martial arts. Beyond destroying property, people can be seriously injured or killed.”
Still no response, but I could see the gravity of my words sinking in.
“In the future, if your lives are truly in danger, then naturally you must do whatever is necessary. But if that’s not the case, I humbly request that you always consider the safety of those around you.”
The instructor beside them nodded approvingly at my words. He understood the importance of what I was saying—that martial artists were beings capable of causing tremendous destruction at any moment.
His expression softened into a faint smile as he cupped his fist toward me.
“You truly live up to your reputation as the Handsome Young Hero. I stake my honor on properly guiding the disciples of this sect so they never cause trouble for civilians, just as you’ve advised.”
“I’m simply grateful that you’ve listened to my concerns.”
As I cupped my fist and bowed, the two disciples followed suit.
“I will remember your words.”
“I will also take them to heart.”
The conversation concluded on a positive note, and the instructor departed with the two Daoists.
Thanks to Palgap’s quick thinking, I now had a legitimate reason to remain here. Now I needed to figure out how to prevent the bloodbath.
I could think of two possible approaches.
The first was to eliminate the Blood Cultist who would cause the bloodbath, but that was realistically impossible. I didn’t know the enemy’s detailed identity, and there had to be a reason why the Wudang Sect had sealed the Blood Cultist rather than executing him. I couldn’t simply step in and kill someone without understanding those circumstances.
That left only one viable method: prevent the Blood Cultist from recovering his body and escaping.
The best approach would be to steal the Elixir that would restore him.
Actually, the optimal solution would be to prevent that entire conflict from occurring in the first place. I was, after all, a peace-loving person who preferred to avoid bloodshed whenever possible.
Yeongcheon Village.
This village sat at the foot of Mount Wudang, though no one could say exactly when it had first been established. People had simply gathered there one by one, and the settlement had formed naturally over time.
It appeared to be an ordinary village where residents farmed and foraged for wild vegetables. However, for some inexplicable reason, no wild animals ever ventured near it. Not even tigers that might threaten the villagers.
One afternoon, about a dozen people had gathered in a warehouse within the village. At the center of their circle sat a wooden box.
“So you’re telling me that contains the Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit?”
At the question, the group’s leader nodded grimly.
The Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit—a legendary elixir that had come into their possession just a few days ago.
.
.
.
They had settled in Yeongcheon Village with a specific purpose: to rescue their leader, who was sealed within the Wudang Sect.
They had chosen this location because it was close enough to Mount Wudang to monitor the sect’s activities, yet remote enough to avoid unwanted attention.
They knew the Wudang Sect couldn’t bring themselves to execute their leader, so they had waited patiently for over twenty years, looking for the right opportunity.
But despite more than two decades since their leader’s imprisonment, they had made virtually no progress toward their goal.
Just as frustration was reaching its peak, a mysterious figure had approached them.
“I know you’re trying to rescue the Blood Cult Leader.”
“W-what are you talking about?!”
They had stammered.
“And that you are the surviving remnants of the Blood Cult.”
This was a secret no one should have known! They had immediately launched an attack on the stranger.
Clang! Clang clang!
But the unidentified opponent had effortlessly deflected their strikes before speaking again.
“The Blood Cult Leader’s Dantian has been completely destroyed, and the tendons in all four of his limbs have been severed. Do you really think he can create the world you envision, even if you manage to rescue him in that condition?”
His words struck at their deepest fears. In truth, they had clung to the vague hope that simply freeing their leader would somehow solve everything.
But that was impossible. A destroyed Dantian and severed tendons meant the end of any martial artist’s career. There would be nothing they could accomplish even if they succeeded in rescuing him.
Unless a miracle occurred.
“The Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit.”
“…!”
“With that alone, your leader will be able to fully recover his body, and you’ll be able to achieve everything you desire.”
The Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit was a legendary elixir capable of restoring any physical damage to its original state. Naturally, it was priceless—which made it difficult to believe this stranger would simply give it to them.
“Why would you provide us with something so valuable?”
“Because I despise the Wudang Sect.”
“You wouldn’t offer us something like that just because of personal animosity toward the Wudang Sect. What do you really want?”
“My requests aren’t particularly difficult.”
As expected, there was a price.
“I’d like to hear what those requests are.”
“First, cause as much chaos and destruction as possible. Second, later accept someone I recommend into your organization. That’s all.”
They studied him carefully, weighing the proposal.
“Ah, and I’ll ensure this operation succeeds through an agent I have placed within the Wudang Sect.”
They would have needed to cause mayhem anyway to rescue their leader and exact their revenge. These conditions brought them no real disadvantage, and he was even offering additional assistance!
They readily accepted his proposal, and shortly afterward, his recommended agent delivered the Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit.
Now they kept the precious elixir in the center of their warehouse, guarding it vigilantly. Hiding it in plain sight was actually safer than concealing it elsewhere.
With their accomplice’s help, they had established contact with their sealed leader and kept him informed of their progress through coded flute melodies.
The day of reckoning was approaching rapidly.
Suddenly, commotion erupted outside their door.
“Oh my! Disciples from the Wudang Sect are here!”
“How did they find this place?!”
“Welcome, honored guests!”
“Wow! Is that him—the famous Handsome Young Hero?”
“He’s even more handsome than the stories say!”
At these sounds, the Blood Cult remnants exchanged alarmed glances, disbelief written across their faces.
‘Why now?’
‘Why are they coming here when they’ve never bothered before?’
‘Could we have been discovered?’
If that were the case, they wouldn’t have arrived so casually. Their gazes darted to the Divine Spirit Restoration Fruit in the center of the room, and they quickly moved to hide it in a corner of the warehouse.
We arrived at Yeongcheon Village.
Our visit was prompted by Clerk Heo Un’s discovery that funds from the Baekcheon Merchant Group had somehow found their way here.
But I couldn’t simply charge in recklessly. Although Palgap was only feigning it, to outside observers he was genuinely bedridden. If I abandoned my post without an unavoidable reason, it would certainly raise suspicions.
So I had left our lodgings under the pretext of searching for medicinal herbs that Palgap required for his recovery.
According to the geographical information I had studied beforehand, Yeongcheon Village was surprisingly close if one took the mountain path.
The Wudang Sect had assigned two disciples to accompany me: Daoist Gong Ryun, who had served as our guide, and Daoist Gong Jin from the same generation.
“I’m deeply grateful that you two Daoists would accompany me on such a task!”
“Patron Palgap was injured due to an incident that occurred within our sect’s grounds, so we must assist in whatever small way we can.”
Unlike me, they carried swords at their sides—only members of the Wudang Sect were permitted to bear weapons within the sect’s territory. Our weapons remained stored at the sword-checking station.
The Escort Guards accompanying me were Seo Wu and Yeo Eung-am. The other two had been left at our lodgings to tend to Palgap and serve as additional security.
We trudged through snow-covered mountain paths, ostensibly searching for medicinal herbs.
“Ah! There’s a useful herb over there. This particular plant is excellent for treating bruises.”
“Is that so?”
“The saying that one should go to the Eunhae Merchant Group for the highest quality medicinal ingredients isn’t just empty praise. You truly are a worthy scion of your family business.”
“You’re too kind.”
As we gathered various herbs, we gradually made our way toward our intended destination. Soon, a village came into view.
“There’s a settlement ahead.”
“Yes, I’ve heard it’s a peaceful and quiet place.”
“Perfect. Let’s go warm ourselves and get something to drink.”
We entered the village.
The moment I crossed the threshold—
“…!”
I covered my mouth, fighting back nausea.
An overwhelmingly strong stench of blood hit me like a physical blow. Simultaneously, my internal energy began circulating of its own accord, responding to some unseen threat.
Usually, when I encountered members of the Unorthodox Sects, I experienced a sense of disgust. What I was feeling now was similar yet distinctly different—nauseating and saturated with the metallic scent of spilled blood.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
At Daoist Gong Ryun’s concerned question, I managed to control my expression and respond normally.
I was only able to endure the sensation because I had reached the Peak level of cultivation. Otherwise, I would have vomited immediately.
‘Why is the smell of blood so overpowering here?’
Strangely, none of my companions seemed affected in the slightest.
“I think I may have overexerted myself—it’s been a while since I’ve climbed mountains like this.”
“I understand.”
“I think it would be best if I rested over there for a moment.”
Just then, some of the villagers invited us to warm ourselves in their homes, and we gratefully accepted their offer.
Sitting before a crackling fire and sipping warm water helped settle my churning stomach somewhat. I unconsciously reached for my sleeve, then paused with a frown.
‘Geumryeong? Where did that little creature disappear to?’
I glanced around searching for it, then remembered. Before entering this place, I had instructed Geumryeong: ‘See if you can find any Elixirs here.’
‘That clever little thing must already be hard at work.’
At that very moment, Geumryeong was scurrying about, exploring every corner of the village.
Suddenly, Geumryeong’s sensitive nose twitched with interest. Its nose, which possessed an uncanny ability to locate valuable elixirs, had detected something promising.
In truth, Geumryeong’s sense of smell was specialized for finding ‘expensive’ items. And elixirs were invariably expensive.
Following the scent, Geumryeong quickly traced it to a particular warehouse and slipped inside.
“When are those Daoists bastards from Wudang finally going to leave?”
“How should I know?”
“Well, they probably won’t stay long.”
“True, especially if they’re planning to leave for Mount Zhongnan tomorrow…”
As the men chatted and moved about to change guard shifts, Geumryeong seized its opportunity.
It had discovered what appeared to be a yellow fruit, carefully hidden within the warehouse.
Geumryeong tilted its head thoughtfully, then spat something from its mouth—a fruit it had found on the mountain earlier.
Normally, all fruits fell during winter, but this particular specimen had still been hanging from its branch. Eun Seo-ho had refused to pick it, claiming it was poisonous. But Geumryeong wasn’t affected by such things, and since the yellow color reminded it of gold, it had collected the fruit as a plaything.
Leaving this substitute in place of the original, Geumryeong carefully took the genuine yellow fruit in its mouth and silently vanished into the shadows.
–TL Notes–
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