Chapter 182
182
Even after Dang So-hye left, Yeon-ryang couldn't take his eyes off the spot where his sister had disappeared.
Taeheo, who had been watching his eyes filled with a mix of apology, admiration, and worry, patted Yeon-ryang's shoulder.
"See? Didn't I tell you she was doing well?"
"Does she look like she's doing well to your eyes, Old Master? Her once fair face has become gaunt. Judging by her sharp edge, she doesn't seem to be getting enough sleep..."
"It's your face that's gaunt, you rascal. Who's worrying about whom?"
Taeheo, who had scolded him, looked at Yeon-ryang with a regretful expression.
'This is the first time I've seen a Demonic Cultist with such a clear mind. If he hadn't learned Demonic Arts, I would have taken him in a long time ago...'
The more he looked at him, the more he felt he was a waste. If he had met him earlier, it would have been a pleasure to keep him by his side and teach him everything from scratch.
He suppressed his regret and opened his mouth.
"The Old Taoist will protect your sister, so don't be anxious. You'll burst your meridians if you get too excited."
"Yes. But is it really okay to keep hiding a good-for-nothing like me? I'm grateful for the grace I'm receiving, but I'm afraid your Sect will find out."
"That's not something for you to worry about."
"I know how the world thinks of the Demonic Sect, Old Master. I'll leave as soon as my meridians are restored."
The corners of Taeheo's lips lifted at the words that he didn't want to cause trouble for too long.
'He even knows shame. Tch, what a waste. What a waste.'
"It's fine as long as you don't get caught. Just don't go outside. As long as you're inside the Old Taoist's Secret cave, you won't be discovered."
"But..."
"I told you, it's not something for you to worry about. Even if the Head Disciple finds out, he'll just be locked up in the prison for a few years and then come out. Worry about your own survival. You soft fool."
Yeon-ryang's face was filled with dismay as he looked at Taeheo, who casually mentioned the prison.
"Ha... I don't know how a Junior Head like you came out from under the Old Master."
"Hey, watch your mouth. What's wrong with our Jin-sung? The Old Taoist raised him with such care."
"It's not the Junior Head's problem, it's the Old Master's. You're the most unrestrained person I've ever met."
"The Old Taoist has lived long enough. What else is there to be afraid of? I'm just letting myself drift with the current."
Yeon-ryang, who let out a hollow laugh at the words that he was just following his heart despite speaking so elegantly, slowly blinked his eyes before politely cupping his fist towards Taeheo.
"Still... I'm grateful for your grace. Old Master."
"Alright."
Taeheo stroked his beard, looking at Yeon-ryang with a pleased smile.
He was quite fond of the escaped Demonic Cultist in front of him.
Yeon-ryang's words that he would be good at teaching because he had many family members were correct.
Jin-sung seemed to have a natural talent for teaching people, as if being a martial arts instructor was his calling.
"Your wrist keeps twisting because of your usual habits, Young lady. If you hold the long sword in reverse grip like a Flying Dagger, the Sword path will become shorter. It will also put a strain on your wrist, and your body will be open, making it difficult to defend, so it's better to hold it in a regular grip."
"Yes."
He didn't miss even my smallest movements and corrected them one by one, and in just three days, he succeeded in Sword Drawing and Sword Sheathing, which even Yeon-ryang had given up on.
The way I drew my sword had become so plausible that even I was proud of it.
Heh. At this rate, I might be able to hide my Sect by pretending to be a Swordmaster.
I was enjoying myself and swinging the Wooden Sword around when I hid it behind my back at the subtle gazes of Song-hwa and Song-gwang.
"Do-jang Song-hwa. Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was wondering if you could kill someone with a Wooden Sword."
"...I didn't throw it. I didn't throw it today."
Song-hwa, who had been teasing me with a playful expression, grinned and acted innocent.
"I understand, Young lady. If I were given a Flying Dagger, I would recklessly clash it against a True Sword and fall over."
"I've tried that, and it feels like your wrist will break. Don't do it."
"You recklessly countered a sword with a Flying Dagger? How did that happen?"
"That person over there was suppressing me."
I shrugged and gestured towards Jin-sung, and Song-hwa shook his head with a click of his tongue.
"...I knew it, but your strength is really amazing, Young lady. We can't take the Swordmaster Uncle's sword."
"Am I that reckless?"
"Well..."
"A little... Ugh!"
"Senior Brother. Please be quiet."
In any case, Jin-sung's intensive tutoring was definitely effective. I was satisfied just being able to hold the sword in my hand, so I thanked Jin-sung.
"Thank you for your help, Do-jang. I'll do it on my own from now on. Is it okay if I use the Wooden Sword sometimes?"
"Of course. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime."
"I'm already more than grateful for you watching over me this far. I can't cause you any more trouble. Thank you so much."
"It's okay. It's not trouble."
Jin-sung, who said it was okay, didn't seem to mind, but I was too nervous to ask him anything more.
Conversely, if a guest staying in the Tang Clan asked about Hidden Weapons techniques, my angry Grandfather would grab the person who brought the spy by the collar and throw him over the fortress walls.
I don't know if Wudang is less closed off than us, or if Jin-sung is just gentle.
Is it because the Three Supreme Swordsmanship is a sword technique that originated from Wudang that he doesn't care much? If I think of it as the confidence of a prestigious Sword Sect, it makes sense.
I roughly agreed and tried to get used to the feel of the sword by fiddling with the Wooden Sword.
After that, I took advantage of the time when no one was around and swung the sword alone.
I didn't know any Martial art move, so I was just imitating the forms I had seen, but the more time I spent holding the sword, the easier it became to understand the movements of a Swordmaster.
The biggest gain was my eyes becoming more sensitive to the sense of distance. Once I could read the length of my stride and the sword, it became much easier to predict the range of the opponent's sword and create distance.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. The old saying was never wrong. To face a Swordmaster, you had to know the sword.
Next time, I should try touching a spear too.
I made up my mind and continued my days of training when I opened my eyes, training after eating, and training after eating.
Meeting Yeon-ryang every three or four months and chattering was my only joy.
As I was getting used to life on Wudang Mountain, the green leaves began to turn red and the fallen leaves began to fall.
It had been noisy for a few days, and the entire outer perimeter was bustling.
Lanterns were hung everywhere, and there were many new guests staying in the Guest quarters. There were so many people that I was reluctant to go out to the training grounds.
As I tilted my head in bewilderment and peeked outside, Madam Ma, who was preparing my meals, laughed heartily and spoke to me.
It's almost the Lower Yuan Festival (October 15th in the lunar calendar). It's the day when the Water Official comes down to release misfortune, so Pilgrims are flocking here."
"Already?"
It felt like it wasn't long ago that we celebrated the Zhongyuan Festival, but it was already the Lower Yuan Festival. I wondered if the new year would come as soon as I opened my eyes.
I ignored the noisy commotion and spent time in the Guest quarters, and before I knew it, it was night.
The round, full moon shone brightly, as if to announce that it would soon be the full moon.
I can't sleep, should I go for a walk?
After hesitating, I put on my coat and left the room.
I avoided the crowded areas and walked along a secluded path on the outer perimeter when I heard whispering voices from somewhere.
"Just take one sip, just one sip. There's not much left."
"Senior Brother drank the most. Stop drinking. I only managed to sneak out one bottle."
"Then who told you to only sneak out one bottle? It's a rare opportunity that only comes a few times a year..."
"How can I sneak out more when Uncle Master is watching with his eyes wide open? This is only because Uncle Master Hyunmun turned a blind eye."
"Do-jang Song-gwang? Do-jang Song-hwa? What are you doing?"
"Aaaah!"
Song-gwang, who had jumped in surprise and landed on his butt, screamed as I peeked my head out from between the bushes and asked.
I snatched the bottle of alcohol that had flown into the air and tilted my head, looking at the Taoist who were huddled together.
Judging by the faint smell of alcohol coming from the four Three Great Disciples squatting down, it seemed they were sharing a small bottle of alcohol among themselves.
Oh dear. I feel a little sorry for them.
The four exchanged glances in a hurry, and Song-hwa stepped forward, stood up, and gave me a harmless smile.
"Um, Young lady. This is..."
"You don't have to make excuses. Here, Do-jang."
I waved my hand, meaning not to worry about it, and handed over the bottle of alcohol, and Song-hwa's face lit up.
"Thank you, Young lady."
"Thank you!"
"One bottle for four people must not be enough. Should I get you some more?"
"Yes? Really? Then five more bottles..."
"Senior Brother, please..."
"I'm just kidding, Young lady. One bottle is enough."
"Haha, I'll get as much as I can, so stay here. I'll be right back."
I smiled and turned around, got a jar of alcohol and snacks for ancestral rites from Madam Ma, and quickly returned.
"Everyone, I'm back..."
The moment I stepped into the place where the Three Great Disciples were gathered with a triumphant stride, I was choked by the chilling atmosphere.
I quickly hid the jar of alcohol behind my back and took a step back.
"Song-hwa. Why is Dang Sojeo here?"
"Well, that's..."
I felt like I was going to hiccup at Jin-sung's cold gaze looking down at me.
Oh dear. I came at the wrong time.
"Ahahaha, Do-jang. It's a good night. Are you still not asleep?"
I tried to smile nonchalantly and said, but Jin-sung's furrowed eyebrows showed no sign of smoothing out. He asked stiffly.
"May I check what you are holding?"
"This? It's nothing much."
"Since it's nothing, I would like to see it. I'm worried that the Disciples may have been rude to the guest."
I was sweating profusely at his fierce voice. I'm going to get Song-hwa and the others in trouble for interfering.
Song-gwang shook his head wildly as if to say I shouldn't show it, and Song-rim already had a pale face as if his soul had left his body.
If they were already getting scolded anyway, it seemed better to be brazen.
I took a deep breath, confidently raised the jar of alcohol, and asked as brightly as possible.
"Would you like to drink with us, Do-jang?"
