Chapter 162
162
After finding the Arraying Wood and reactivating the Formation, and finishing tidying up, the sun was already setting.
As I watched Yeon-ryang cooking in the kitchen, I fiddled with the cool Golden Needles, lost in thought.
I had snatched them up, blinded by the quality of the Hidden Weapons, but now that I was about to use them, I felt uneasy.
Judging by the intense chill clinging to my fingertips, they were Needles made stronger by mixing in Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.
I couldn't understand why a Swordmaster would have something that even the Tang Clan's Master Craftsman would covet.
Who was that Old man, really?
To be able to cut iron with a tree branch meant he was a master who had reached a level everyone envied. He also seemed to see through Yeon-ryang's non-Orthodox Faction origins at once.
'Now, the Golden Needles belong to Young Miss.'
More than anything, I was bothered by the fact that he seemed to want to give me the Golden Needles from the start. And the way he kept asking me all those questions... it felt like he wanted something from me.
He didn't seem to hold a grudge against Grandfather like the Murim Alliance Leader. What does he want?
"Brother. That old geezer from earlier, it's like he didn't just happen to stay there, but came looking for us knowing we'd be here, don't you think?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure."
"No matter how I think about it, it's strange. He said he stayed because the house was empty, but there were no signs of anyone living there."
"Masters appear and disappear like the wind, so it could be like that."
"And the feeling was similar to a Jinseong disciple. Although much softer and more flexible. I wonder if he's really not related to Wudang? It felt like Taoist Internal Energy..."
"It can't be. Why would a Taoist lie about not being one? Oh no, the broth is boiling down. So-hye. Can you fetch some water from the well?"
Yeon-ryang, trying to gloss over it, subtly turned away and changed the subject.
I glared at the back of Yeon-ryang's head as he fidgeted with his earlobe.
Yeon-ryang had a habit of touching his earlobe when he was in trouble. He knew who the Old man was but was lying.
Is he someone I shouldn't know? He definitely wasn't from the Demonic Sect.
But I didn't want to make things more difficult for Yeon-ryang.
"...Okay."
I answered obediently, grabbed the water jug, and went outside the hut.
\ \ \
Perhaps it was because the tension had eased, but I kept dozing off throughout dinner.
Yeon-ryang chuckled as I fell asleep with my chopsticks in hand, and he took them away from me.
"You must be very tired. Go to bed early. You've been pushing yourself these past few days."
"Umm..."
"Young Miss. You need to walk properly. Are you trying to crawl to the bed?"
Yeon-ryang burst into laughter, put his hands under my arms, and lifted me onto the bed.
I nodded with a drowsy face as I lay down, and he covered me with the blanket.
"Go to sleep quickly. I'll turn off the light."
"Okay... Good night, Brother..."
I should wash up and sleep. I can't keep my eyes open...
I drifted off to sleep and woke up in the middle of the night.
I could see Yeon-ryang's shadow sitting blankly beyond the paper door.
It's late. Can't he sleep?
Rubbing my eyes, I got up and slowly opened the door. Yeon-ryang turned around at the sound of the door opening.
"Brother. Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Are you awake? Why did you get up instead of sleeping more?"
"Just because."
I answered and plopped down next to Yeon-ryang. He had taken off his Human Skin Mask while I was sleeping, and his face was back to normal.
"Ugh, my brother, I feel so relieved now that you've taken off the Human Skin Mask. Can't you just throw away the one you used in Yueyang? It was too grim."
"Really? It's expensive, though."
"I'll buy you one. I'll buy you ten."
"Haha, okay. Let's throw it away. I guess I should take advantage of my rich sister."
Yeon-ryang joked and smiled as he looked up at the sky. I followed his gaze and saw the stars covering the sky as if they would pour down.
"Brother. Are you worried about what you heard earlier?"
"Huh?"
"You've been looking at the stars the whole time."
Yeon-ryang, awkwardly clasping his hands together at my question, rubbed the back of his hand with his thumb. I crouched down, hugging my knees, and looked at Yeon-ryang.
"You know, Brother."
"Yeah."
"If Brother were a star... Brother is my guiding star."
"...A guiding star, huh. How romantic."
Yeon-ryang chuckled and stroked my head.
"It's true. If it weren't for Brother, I wouldn't even be here. I would have lost my way long ago and died in some unknown place."
"Tsk. Don't say things like that. Who's going to die?"
"Hey, I'm just saying. So, don't worry about what other people say, Brother. Who knows Brother better, that old geezer you just met, or me?"
"..."
"Aren't you going to answer?"
"Ahaha, my sister knows me best. Okay. I won't worry about it. Really."
Yeon-ryang raised both hands as if he couldn't help it. I patted Yeon-ryang's back and got up.
"Go to bed early, Brother. You'll lose your hair if you worry too much. I'm going back to sleep."
"Okay. Go to sleep quickly. What should I make for you in the morning? Should I steam dumplings? Do you want wontons?"
"I like wontons. When are you going to make them? Should I help you knead the dough?"
"So-hye, you not entering the kitchen is helping."
"...Okay."
I pouted and answered, glaring at him as I entered the room.
Judging by his drooping shoulders, it seemed like Yeon-ryang needed some time alone.
I hope he doesn't think too deeply...
I sighed and burrowed into the blanket.
\ \ \
Yeon-ryang, who had been staring blankly at the star-filled sky, slowly got up.
His face was tense as he respectfully clasped his hands towards the darkness.
"What brings such a renowned figure of the Martial Arts World here again?"
"Is that child asleep?"
"Yes."
The Old man glanced at the hut and lightly flicked his finger to create an Energy Barrier.
"My disciple has been aimlessly wandering since meeting that child, so I came to see what kind of child she was."
"..."
"But it seems he was wandering because of you, not the child. How can a filthy Demonic Sect member be next to a member of the Orthodox Faction? How did you escape the Alliance's eyes?"
The chilling voice cut through Yeon-ryang's chest like a sharp sword, but Yeon-ryang remained calm and lowered his head.
"This insignificant member of the Martial Arts World greets the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk."
"I don't need a Demonic Sect member's greetings. You better think carefully before you wag your silver tongue. I've let it slide because that child seems to trust and follow you, but this Old sword is not yet rusty."
Nauseating Qi emanated from Tae-heo, but Yeon-ryang suppressed it.
The one before him was The Greatest Sword Under Heaven.
Yeon-ryang was not someone he could recklessly confront, and he didn't want to upset the master who had taken a liking to his sister.
He didn't like the snot-nosed little Taoist, but if it led to a connection with Wudang, Dang So-hye could gain a strong shield.
Taking a deep breath, Yeon-ryang extended his arm towards Tae-heo.
"...Would you like to check?"
"What are you plotting?"
"I have no ulterior motives."
When Tae-heo hesitated, Yeon-ryang released his sword and placed it on the ground. Tae-heo scoffed.
"Huh? Are you asking me to kill you? I'll see what you want me to see."
Only then did Tae-heo approach and send True energy into Yeon-ryang's body.
Yeon-ryang's Energy Flow, where Orthodox and Demonic Energy clashed, bubbled and swelled as if expanding. Yeon-ryang clenched his teeth at the sensation of his insides being ravaged.
Tae-heo, after examining Yeon-ryang's body, frowned as if he found it strange.
"You, you don't have a Core. Did you run away?"
"It's shameful, but yes."
"A guy whose Dantian is stained with Demonic Energy is somehow pretending to be human. It must be hard to stay sane in that state, so how are you suppressing it?"
"I'm just... enduring it."
Tae-heo clicked his tongue at Yeon-ryang's answer and slowly stepped back.
"Why doesn't a guy who ran away abandon Demonic Arts? You'll die if you keep that up. If you want to live, change your cultivation method."
"I can't."
"Can't you tell by the way your Qi and Blood Points are boiling? Continuing to use Demonic Arts is no different from shortening your lifespan. The wick of your candle is already running low."
"I know. But... I can't abandon it yet. I need to be a useful brother to that child right now."
At the calm answer, Tae-heo stroked his beard and asked.
"Are you saying you need the power to protect?"
"Yes."
"Hoh."
Tae-heo, looking at Yeon-ryang with a strange gaze, soon burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I thought you were a demon, but you're a Martial Artist."
The hostility in Tae-heo's eyes disappeared. He asked again with a satisfied smile.
"Do you know why Martial is stopping the spear?""
"..."
"Because protecting is the beginning of Martial Arts. Blocking the enemy's spear to protect myself, protecting my beliefs, and protecting my world is what makes a Martial Artist. In a world where many Martial Artists forget the essence and only pursue dominance, it's been a long time since I've seen someone who hasn't forgotten it. Descendant of a demon. I, No-do, cannot help but acknowledge you. What is your name?"
"Yeon-ryang."
"Ryang? A goblin?"
Yeon-ryang shook his head as Tae-heo frowned.
"No. I use the character for brightness."
"Not a very fitting name. If you continue like this, you will have a tumor in your Dantian, and Demonic Energy will take root in your Baihui Point, making it impossible to control. Will you still remain a Martial Artist?"
"I will try to endure as long as I can."
"How arrogant. It will be the pain of bone-deep torment."
Tae-heo snorted and met Yeon-ryang's gaze with a gentle face.
"But it's a good attitude. Never draw blood. Once you start seeing blood, the things that have been eating away at you will try to devour you."
"I will keep that in mind."
"I'll have to think a little more about what to do with you. It's giving me a headache. Jin-sung, that fellow, should have told his master about this, but he's just struggling alone even after seeing this..."
Tae-heo grumbled and melted into the darkness like mist.
Yeon-ryang, with a distorted face that was neither smiling nor crying, stared at the darkness where the Old man had disappeared.
Just a brief touch of the pure Qi of Taoism had twisted his entire body and clouded his mind.
As Tae-heo said, he didn't know how long he could endure.
His body, being eaten away by Demonic Energy day by day, was constantly trying to escape his control. But he couldn't collapse yet.
Even just one more day, one more day...
'Brother is my guiding star.'
Yeon-ryang, repeating the affectionate words, clenched his fist.
