Chapter 161
Chapter 161
- Heavenly Star of Massacre and Guiding Star
After several days of wandering, we arrived at Grandfather's hideout, deep in the mountains.
The path became so narrow that it was difficult to pull the carriage up, so we decided to release the horse that had been pulling it.
Then, instead of the horse, we carried the carriage on our backs and began to climb the winding mountain path.
"Brother. Doesn't this feel a bit... strange?"
It feels like we've become the horse instead of a person.
"I definitely know that our sister is stronger than a horse. Okay, let's put it down here."
Yeon-ryang chuckled and stopped at a wide clearing, tapping her foot. I groaned and slowly lowered the carriage.
My shoulders were stiff from carrying the heavy carriage for several hours.
I heard there was an arrangement of trees somewhere around here to undo the Formation.
While massaging my numb arms and looking around, an Old man wearing worn-out clothes caught my eye.
He was sitting on a large rock, drinking alone.
The Old man met my eyes and smiled, saying,
"Are you the owner of this hideout?"
"Well... I guess you could say that?"
The Old man twisted his beard and chuckled at my ambiguous answer.
"Is that a yes or a no?"
"Since it's Grandfather's hideout, and he's not here right now, wouldn't that make me the owner?"
"I see. What the young lady says is correct."
The Old man laughed heartily and threw the wine cup he was holding into the air. Then, cracks appeared in the transparent wall, and the surrounding scenery melted away like paper soaked in water.
Soon, a well-kept thatched cottage appeared on the clearing that had been overgrown with weeds.
The rock the Old man had been sitting on was a fence.
Confused, I looked up at Yeon-ryang and blinked. Yeon-ryang met my gaze and asked politely.
"How is it that you are staying in this place, esteemed one?"
"I was just taking advantage of the empty house..."
The Old man's expression hardened as he answered, and he glared fiercely at Yeon-ryang.
For a moment, I thought I saw murderous intent in his eyes. Startled, I quickly stepped in front of Yeon-ryang.
"Um, Old man. This is our Grandfather's house, you see."
"So?"
"So? You can't just stay in someone else's house without permission and then threaten the owner."
"Hoh..."
The Old man looked me up and down with strange eyes at my answer, then picked up a fallen branch.
"Very well. Then, young lady, try to withstand three moves from me. If you do, I will vacate this place."
"Pardon?"
"But if you fail to withstand them, I will have to stay here. And you there. Do not interfere. I have no intention of harming you."
Then, Yeon-ryang clasped his hands in front of the Old man and slowly stepped back.
"Hey, Brother. Where are you going?"
"Haha. It'll be alright."
"What do you mean alright? No, Old man. This is our Grandfather's house, you know? You should definitely leave when the owner arrives!"
Why are all the old masters like this? He's acting like the homeowner when he's the one trespassing!
As I raised my voice in absurdity, the Old man burst into laughter and swung the branch at me.
"Hahaha! It has been a long time since someone has raised their voice at me! How audacious. Let us see if your martial arts are as outstanding as your words."
I was startled and distanced myself from the Old man. He was only holding an ordinary branch, but I felt as if a sharp sword was rushing toward me.
I frowned at the smell of alcohol wafting through the air, but then I tilted my head at the familiar Martial art move.
Strange. This old man's Sword path resembles the Jinseong disciple's?
"Old man. Are you perhaps from the Wudang Martial Sect?"
"You have quite the imagination, young lady. Have you ever seen a Taoist drinking alcohol?"
I've seen it a lot. They even drink right below Wudang Mountain.
When I gave him a suspicious look, the Old man denied it again.
"I assure you, I am not. There is no Taoist like me in this world."
Well, a master from a Martial Sect like Wudang wouldn't be wandering around looking like a beggar. Jin-sung, at least, wears a spotless white Taoist robe and keeps his Taoist hat neatly in place.
Convinced, I quickly prepared myself.
The Old man waited until I had regained my balance, then chuckled and unleashed his second Martial art move.
The fallen leaves, scattered by the autumn wind created by the branch cutting through the air, poured down on me.
My mouth dropped open at the trajectory of the leaves aiming for my neck like fiercely pouring Hidden Weapons. I screamed and rolled on the ground to avoid the leaves.
"Hahaha! To think I would see the proud daughter of the Tang Clan performing a clumsy roll! I have lived long enough to see all sorts of interesting sights."
"It's better than dying!"
"Indeed. It is better than dying. No matter how much pride you have, it is useless once your head is cut off."
The Old man threw back his head and laughed heartily, then adjusted his stance while pointing his sword finger. His energy became sharper.
"I like it. Young lady. I look forward to seeing what you will show me this time."
My chest tightened with tension at the pure white Qi / Energy Flow swirling around the branch.
I had a feeling that my wrist would break if I faced that sword head-on.
I took a deep breath and reached into my sleeve.
Poison won't work on this opponent. But I can't counterattack either.
Since Yeon-ryang retreated so easily, it seems like this is just an old master's playful game, so let's just avoid it. Just avoid it.
I bit my lower lip and launched three Flying Daggers at once, but the Old man's branch, drawing a smooth curve, cut the Flying Daggers in half.
A scream escaped my lips at the sight of the Flying Daggers falling, split perfectly in two.
"Eek! My Flying Daggers!"
"Oops."
The Old man scratched his cheek with an apologetic look, as if he hadn't intended to destroy them.
"To think they would be split in two by a mere branch. The Tang Clan's smithing skills have deteriorated."
This is something you can't buy with money... I was just getting used to them...
Seeing my devastated face as I picked up the torn butterfly wings, the Old man, who had been scratching his head, took out a small wooden box from his pocket and opened it.
"I'm sorry. It must have been something you were used to. Will you use this instead?"
Inside the wooden box were eight Golden needle neatly arranged.
I couldn't help but drool at the sight of the Golden needle, which were much more elaborate than the Feather Needles I usually use.
Is he serious? He's just going to give me such elaborate Hidden Weapons?
I was suspicious of the Old man's intentions, but my desire for good equipment overcame my suspicion. I quickly nodded.
"Yes. I'll use them."
"Are you sure? You can't take it back once you accept it."
"Pardon? I should be the one saying that. You can't ask for them back, even if you want to."
"Haha, that's fine with me. The Golden needle are yours now, young lady."
The Old man laughed heartily and handed me the wooden box after closing the lid. I smiled brightly and tucked the wooden box deep into my sleeve.
"Thank you! I'll use them well!"
"How old are you, young lady?"
"Seventeen."
"Four years apart, then. Perfect. Do you drink a little?"
"Pardon?"
"I enjoy it, you see. It would be nice if we could share a drink together. My disciple is too stiff, he acts like it's a disaster if he even puts alcohol to his lips."
"......Pardon?"
"Well, what does it matter? If you like it, that's all that matters. Do you like mountains? Are you afraid of heights? What about places high enough for fog to form? The slopes are a bit steep, though."
I was getting more and more confused by the incomprehensible words.
What is this old man even saying?
As I was at a loss for words, the Old man scratched his head.
"Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. I should have asked what kind of man you like first."
"......Um, Old man? What are you talking about? Do you perhaps know me?"
"Isn't this the first time you and I have met, old man?"
"Then why are you curious about what I like?"
"There's a reason."
The Old man stroked his beard and looked at me with a satisfied expression.
I rolled my eyes, completely unable to understand the situation, and asked cautiously.
"Um... Anyway, you're going to vacate the place, right?"
"Of course. I must keep my promise."
He looked at me with a warm smile, like a kind Grandfather, then turned his gaze to Yeon-ryang and made a disgusted expression.
"However... you need to improve your judgment of people, young lady. Where did you pick up something like that? The Heavenly Star of Massacre cannot escape the fate of a Murderous demon."
"......"
"Tsk, at such a poor state. You'll be devoured soon."
Yeon-ryang avoided the Old man's sharp gaze and smiled awkwardly.
Did everyone learn the word Murderous demon recently? Why do they keep talking about Murderous demon?
My mood soured, and I tried not to raise my voice as I opened my mouth.
"You're being too harsh for someone we've just met."
"Do not dismiss it, young lady. Old people do not always speak nonsense. There are things you will not know until you experience them."
He replied gently, sighed, and turned away.
"I'll give you one piece of advice. You, do not give your sword a name."
"Yes?"
"Items called divine weapons are bound to be filled with resentment and grudges. The moment you give it affection, that blade will be tainted by evil Qi / Energy Flow and become a cursed sword."
"No, Old man...!"
Then, before I could argue, he disappeared into the distance.
To be able to advance over twenty yards with a single leap was an almost miraculous Light Footwork / Qi Movement Skill, but anger rose before admiration.
I huffed and puffed.
"What's with him all of a sudden? Heavenly Star of Massacre, my foot. Why is he comparing my brother to such an unlucky star?"
"It could be true."
"What do you mean it could be true? Forget about the Heavenly Star of Massacre. It's all superstition. Even the exorcist Wudang Sect doesn't use exorcism charms anymore, so why believe such nonsense."
Yeon-ryang chuckled and tilted his head, crossing his arms.
"What if it's really the Heavenly Star of Massacre? Why are you so sure?"
"It's nonsense. If people had to live according to the fate of the stars they were born under, why would rebellions happen and why would countries change? I told you, Brother. People live according to their own choices. There's no such thing as a predetermined fate. There are only the results of my choices."
Yeon-ryang burst into laughter as I spoke firmly, as if there was no need to think about it any further.
"Hahaha, it's amazing. The Tang Clan couldn't have taught you such a way of thinking... How can you be so clear-cut? Our sister has a rebellious streak."
He put his arm around my shoulders and pushed me forward, as if trying to cheer me up.
"Okay, let's go inside. We need to unpack. Are you hungry? Should I stir-fry some meat for you?"
"Put lots of green onions in it."
"Okay, okay. I'll make it delicious."
Yeon-ryang nodded and began to move the food supplies from the carriage into the cottage.
