Chapter 164
164
The object visible through the straw covering the earthenware jar was a Silver Ingot, presumably Grandfather's emergency fund.
The smooth Silver Ingots were packed tightly inside the jar.
Startled, I hurriedly checked the other jars.
The jar next to it contained iron coins, the one next to that contained Grain-avoidance pills, and the one next to that contained a sealed small bottle of Bizarre Elixir and Wound Remedy, neatly stacked.
"Brother. Don't touch that. It's Poison."
"Heh. He said he wasn't going to the Tang Clan, but he has everything."
There were also several Tang Clan Poisons that were difficult to make outside.
I could tell just by the unusually strong surge of Poisonous Qi. It was all Grandfather's handiwork.
It was obvious who had moved and organized these items without even having to see it.
Uncle Geun-myeong... Even though he doesn't go to the Tang Clan, he still goes around managing things...
I felt sorry for his enormous workload for a moment, but then I grinned and rummaged through the jars.
"Why didn't I see this yesterday? Didn't he hide any Elixirs?"
"Oh my. You greedy Young Miss."
Yeon-ryang clicked his tongue and watched me pack the items with his arms crossed.
"I should take the Bizarre Elixir and Wound Remedy. Brother. Can you eat this Bizarre Elixir too, Brother? Does it not matter with Demonic Energy?"
"Yeah. It doesn't matter."
"I'm going to take all the Poison. I won't have to worry about Poison for a while. I hit the jackpot since it's Poison made by Grandfather."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's pack it all. But can you move the Poison outside? The Poisonous Qi will get into the food."
"Yeah. I'll move it to the shed."
"It's not a honey jar, why are you keeping Poison in the kitchen? I can't understand what Tang Clan people are thinking at all..."
Yeon-ryang muttered as if he had seen it all.
He probably didn't plan on cooking. He could survive for fifty years with the Grain-avoidance pills over there.
"Let's see, where should I put these pretty things~"
I carefully held the largest Poison jar and started humming, moving the Poison to the shed.
\ \ \
After eating a late breakfast and showing Ju-ryeong, who was coveting Grandfather's Poison, just a little taste, the sun was already high in the sky.
"So-hye. Is it okay to just leave the fur ball there? It's gone bad."
"It's okay. She's just intoxicated by the Poison. Seeing her staggering with just one drop, the effect is definitely certain."
I should use this precious Poison sparingly.
After moving the limp Ju-ryeong onto the bed, I hesitantly took out the Elixir Pill I had received from Wi Ji-gok.
"Are you going to eat it now?"
"I'm thinking about it."
I answered and stared at the Elixir Pill.
I came to the Tang Clan to digest it slowly in a quiet place, but...
I was a little scared to actually eat it.
I couldn't forget the memory of eating the Elixir Pill alone without Grandfather's help and having a hard time.
A chill ran down my spine as I recalled the sensation of the Spiritual energy running wild and ravaging my body.
It was a pain I didn't want to experience twice.
I calmed my mind and took a deep breath.
Back then, I couldn't tell what was going on and just ate it desperately to survive.
It's different now. Yeon-ryang is here too. It's not something as huge as the Ten Thousand Poisons Pill. I can control it.
...Still, it's a bit. Scary.
As I hesitated for a long time and closed the wooden box, Yeon-ryang, who was watching, asked softly.
"Are you worried?"
"...Yeah. I'm nervous that it'll be like when I first met you, Brother."
"It'll be okay. You've grown so much since then that it can't even be compared. Don't be nervous. I'll be your Guardian."
The touch of Yeon-ryang comforting me made my heart, which had been beating anxiously, gradually find its pace.
I nodded and swallowed hard, reopening the wooden box. A clear fragrance reached the tip of my nose.
I looked up at Yeon-ryang and asked softly.
"You'll be here, right?"
"Of course. I'll be here. Don't worry."
Yeon-ryang smiled and stroked my head, then slowly stepped back into the corner.
I sat cross-legged, wiped the sweat that had formed on the back of my neck, closed my eyes tightly, and put the Elixir Pill in my mouth.
The Elixir Pill that touched the tip of my tongue melted away, and a rich fragrance lingered in my mouth.
Don't rush like before. I can't make a mistake. I have to feel the Qi flowing through my body.
As I carefully observed my body while chewing, I felt the Innate true energy flowing in the deepest part.
A pure life force that was not tainted by Poison.
The Poisonous Qi, which had built a thick wall around it, was proudly settled in place.
As I slowly moved the Spiritual energy that permeated with a dark blue light, a soft Qi flowed through the Governing Vessel and Conception Vessel.
In an instant, my mind cleared and I felt as if my body was becoming lighter.
Okay. Just like this...!
I tried not to get excited and calmed my breathing.
It's different from before. It was different from when Grandfather was helping with Energy circulation, and it was different from when I couldn't control the Spiritual energy and was swept away by it.
A feeling of riding on the flow of a wave and navigating the currents, as if I had become a part of nature, filled my heart with joy.
I fell helplessly into a state of ecstasy.
\ \ \
Jin-sung calmly tidied his clothes.
His master, who had been away for a few days, had returned and was looking for him.
'Senior Uncle. Great Grandmaster Tae-heo is looking for you.'
Jin-sung was a little puzzled by the message from the Three Great Disciples and headed to his master's residence. It was not common for Tae-heo to look for Jin-sung.
"You called for me, Master."
"Come in."
When permission was granted, Jin-sung carefully opened the door, entered silently, and knelt in front of his master.
Tae-heo smiled at the face of his disciple looking up at him and gestured, pouring warm tea into a cup.
"Sit on the chair, why are you doing that?"
"How dare this disciple stand at the same height as Master."
"Oh my, you wooden-headed fellow."
Tae-heo swallowed a hollow laugh, made eye contact with Jin-sung, and opened his mouth.
"Jin-sung."
"Yes. Master."
"Do you not like returning to the Wudang Sect? Why is your face so dark?"
Jin-sung flinched at the serious question and shook his head.
"No. This disciple felt his shortcomings after going out into the Rivers and Lakes, that is why."
"The first Jianghu journey is like that. I heard that the Young Patriarch of the Namgung Clan is outstanding even at the age of fifteen. Did that child trouble you?"
"No."
"Then, did the Tang Clan child upset you?"
"...That, that is."
Jin-sung's face turned as white as a child caught doing something wrong. He clenched his fist and lowered his head.
Tae-heo chuckled and waved his hand at the sight of him looking as if he was prepared to be scolded.
"I'm not blaming you. I'm just curious as to why our disciple is so distressed."
"......"
"Actually, I've already met her. She's a lovely child."
Jin-sung raised his head in spite of himself, and Tae-heo nodded as if to say it was okay.
"Jin-sung, bring that child to Wudang. It's better to keep her by your side than to chase after her under the pretext of a mission, wouldn't you say?"
Jin-sung shook his head wildly, unusually flustered by Tae-heo's words.
"No, Master. It's not like that."
"It is. The rumors have already spread."
"Yes?"
"I heard it from Song-gwang. You asked him what to do when a young lady cries? Did you make that child cry?"
"......"
Jin-sung's ears turned red at his master's playful question.
"N, no, it's not like that. This disciple is just worried..."
"That is affection, Jin-sung."
Tae-heo laughed heartily and stroked his beard.
"It's natural for humans to feel affection, to have their attention drawn, and to think of someone even when they're not around. There's no need to suppress it. Accept it as it is."
"That's not it. This disciple..."
"Ahem. I may have raised you in a Taoist temple, but that doesn't mean you have to be stuck in the mountains for the rest of your life. If there's anywhere you'd be happier than in Wudang, your master can send you there."
Jin-sung was startled by the words that he was free to leave Wudang and prostrated himself.
"M, Master. This disciple was wrong. Please take back your words. This disciple was wrong."
Tae-heo frowned and rubbed his forehead at the faintly trembling voice.
"You rascal. Who said I was kicking you out? I'm just saying that you don't have to hesitate because of the Sect Rules if you really want to. Why are you acting so awkward? Which young lady would accept you if you act like this? Ugh."
He clicked his tongue and pulled the trembling Jin-sung up to sit down.
"I won't tell you to leave the mountain, so don't be so scared. Anyone would think your master raised you by hitting you."
"......Yes."
Jin-sung answered with difficulty and lowered his gaze. Tae-heo chuckled and twisted his beard.
"Jin-sung, do you think you can understand life just by reading Taoist scriptures? You can't gain insight just by holding books all day. You need to experience joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure."
"This disciple... This disciple doesn't know. Master."
"You do. Enlightenment depends on the heart. A villager who has raised a newborn baby may be closer to the Tao than your senior brothers who have been practicing swordsmanship in the mountains all their lives. If your heart flows, let it flow. Isn't that the Tao?"
He added mischievously.
"You can only feel such youthful emotions at your age. Your senior brothers are too ugly to have such an opportunity. Don't regret it when you're old, enjoy it to the fullest now. Stop talking nonsense and bring that child to Wudang."
Tae-heo laughed and took out a small jade ornament from his pocket and handed it over.
"Give this to that child's brother."
"This is..."
"It will shield him from Demonic Energy. It's a temporary measure, but. Instead, don't let him come near the main sect. I'll have him stay in the Secret cave."
It was an arrangement that was sure to know the identity of the person accompanying Dang So-hye.
Jin-sung's eyes wavered, unable to find his way.
He was not only swayed by a woman, but he was also caught hiding a Demonic Cultist even after seeing him. He had nothing to say even if he had ten mouths.
Tae-heo sighed at the sight of his disciple clutching his knees without even being able to make excuses.
"You rascal. Who's scolding you? It's okay. It's not like I don't know your nature."
"......"
"You're the type to shut your mouth rather than tell a lie. You must have been trying hard to suffer alone. Your master will take care of it."
"...This disciple is ashamed."
"That's enough. You rascal. Don't stand there like you're being punished, go out. I never taught you to be like that, how did you become such a wooden block..."
Tae-heo, who was holding his temple, waved his hand and ordered him to leave.
Jin-sung bowed respectfully and slowly left Tae-heo's residence.
He was upset and confused by his master's words that he was free to leave Wudang, but he didn't quite understand why he was also a little happy that he could meet Dang So-hye again.
He tried to calm his disturbed breathing and took a step.
"Senior Uncle Jin-sung. Who are you looking for?"
"Where is Song-gwang?"
Jin-sung, who grabbed a passing Three Great Disciples and asked, gripped his sword hilt.
First of all... He thought he should organize his thoughts by sparring with his light-mouthed grand-nephew.
