Chapter 18

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“I told you, the world’s gone crazy!”

A-Qing stomped hard on the back of the Rat-faced Man.

“L-Let me go! Please!”

Just as she was about to jam the Moonlight Sword into him, Master Seung-soo quickly intervened.

“Hold on! In all fairness, can’t we show some mercy here?”

“Huh? Why’s that? The only way this world benefits is by using scum like him as fertilizer!”

“It’s all for you, dear. A person who walks the Dao shouldn’t accumulate bloodshed without reason.”

A-Qing waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, I’m fine!”

She sharply poked the Rat-faced Man at the back of his neck.

The old Daoist from Wudang chuckled at her proficient moves.

A-Qing swung her sword once to shake off the blood.

Her practice sessions had paid off more than she realized.

“But why did I get hit? I just spewed a whole bowl of blood! That guy didn’t even apologize!”

“Ha ha, that’s parenting for you.”

“Master! That’s not it, I saw it with my own eyes! I swear, on the honor of your disciple! That guy is definitely an evil spirit!”

Hwan-yuk leaped up in a fit.

This was the strongest type of promise a martial artist could make.

‘Swearing on the clan and it’s the truth’

‘Swearing on the master and it’s the truth’

This was a far more solemn declaration than putting one’s mother up as collateral in modern times.

If a martial artist lied while swearing on their clan or master, it was guaranteed they’d face exile.

With even a single instance of exile, a martial artist’s life would be in ruins.

It was different from modern times where one might yell ‘Sorry, Mom!’ and just move on.

“Ha ha, parenting. Now what am I supposed to do with this rascal?”

“I’m telling the truth! Don’t be fooled! He’s definitely some kind of monster!”

“A rascal like you thinks there are monsters everywhere? A person devoted to the Dao wouldn’t act like a charlatan!”

Wait, a charlatan?

A-Qing tilted her head.

Isn’t “charlatan” an English word?

In fact, “charlatan” is a term with similar origins from a saying by Confucius, not quite the same but roughly meaning a fake.

While A-Qing was pondering, a furious Hwan-yuk was spitting fire.

“No, Master, in this world, there are ancestors, six generals, and eight immortals! Surely, there are spirits about!”

“Oh, this naive fool…”

Master Seung-soo’s beard bristled in indignation.

Hwan-yuk seemed too excited to catch on to what was happening.

“Why did you say that creatures like Jiangshi were just stories found in the ‘Shan Hai Jing’! You said so! But what happened? Didn’t I tell you? The one we encountered down by Dongjeongho was a Jiangshi,”

“You little brat! You really need to be punished for that foolishness!”

“Yikes.”

The hidden history of the martial world tumbled out of Hwan-yuk’s mouth like feathers.

Yet, A-Qing seemed completely lost.

Jiangshi? Aren’t those the hopping corpses that walk in a line?

But if a Jiangshi is alive, then it wouldn’t be a Jiangshi, right?

Whatever. I guess that’s a thing.

A-Qing shifted the conversation back.

“Elder? Anyway, that guy seems to have no intention of apologizing.”

“I apologize deeply on behalf of my disciple.”

Master Seung-soo said, looking like he had lost face.

A-Qing smiled to indicate it was all good.

“In that case, let’s do a good deed together?”

—-

A-Qing briefly explained the situation.

There was a kid in trouble, and all they needed to do was get to Musan. So, they were taking him, but it seemed like they’d be attacked by these guys repeatedly.

Master Seung-soo had also heard something about the Rat-faced Man being abducted before he was killed, so he nodded in agreement.

If their destination was the Divine Maiden Sect in Musan, it wasn’t that far of a journey. It could be done in about three or four days.

Moreover, if the destination was the Divine Maiden Sect…

The Divine Maiden Sect, while outside of traditional boundaries, was still a respected martial sect.

Clans share a bond like distant cousins.

Even if they didn’t know each other, there’s a kind of connection there.

And then, Hwan-yuk got a beating for real.

It was more of a punishment of shame than pain.

For that reason, the Master’s punishment was surprisingly ineffective!

“Now I finally know your true identity, monster.”

“My identity? How interesting.”

“Monster, you’re the nine-tailed fox that seduced Emperor Ju-wang and dyed the millennia in blood. You must be a gumiho! You might’ve charmed my Master, but know that I won’t be deceived!”

“What are you saying, are you crazy?”

“It’s truly horrifying. You, monster, are disguised in a human’s skin, mimicking their ways. I’ve clearly seen the endless murderous intent oozing from those diabolical eyes of yours!”

Seems like getting slapped in broad daylight in front of everyone really stings for Hwan-yuk.

A-Qing snickered and raised her voice.

“Elder! He’s spouting nonsense again!”

“This brat can’t seem to get a grip on reality…”

“Master! I’m wronged! That fox…”

“Alright, even if I have to break every branch of every tree in the mountains today, I’ll set your delusions straight!”

“Argh! I’ll remember this grudge, monster!”

Hwan-yuk yelled as he was dragged along.

Honestly, it was understandable.

Hwan-yuk had seen something real.

But people can’t see their own reflection, so A-Qing had no idea what kind of shape she was in.

Furthermore, mirrors like in modern times were rare in the Central Plain.

They’re cheap to make but hard to maintain, and the silver or mercury coated glass was a treasure even if it was only the size of a palm.

A-Qing was a wanderer, far from treasure.

She had rarely seen her own reflection.

So she just thought, ‘What a bit of a dummy for a Daoist.’

Meanwhile, the scene of a graying Daoist disciplining his grown disciple was a rare joy for Wudang’s Daoists.

Not wanting to miss a thing, the Daoists all rushed out in a group, and A-Qing asked Yang Sowol.

“So, do you happen to know about Haowen?”

“Haowen… you say?”

“The guy with the Rat? He said he was Haowen. I’m not too familiar with it. Are they famous?”

“Well…”

Yang Sowol hesitated before responding.

“…I’m sorry, but I also don’t know much. I feel regretful for not being able to help the benefactor.”

“No, it’s fine. There are so many ‘this sect’ and ‘that sect’ out there; how could you possibly know them all?”

Still, she felt uneasy.

This was the first time encountering someone who used bombs.

What’s with martial arts and explosives? Is this for real?

At this rate, they might even bring in cannons and guns.

It was dissociating and chilling to think back on it, especially considering her previous experiences with villains, as the plots usually had a different kind of flair.

Confidence or pride, you might call it?

A-Qing scratched her head.

Feeling comfortable made her thoughts roam like this.

The journey with Wudang Daoists was easy.

They were ambushed a couple of times, but the Daoists rushed out in a horde, and A-Qing barely had a moment to react before everything was handled smoothly.

Plus, for some bizarre reason, she wasn’t feeling the urge for blood lately.

So she just enjoyed relaxing and watching.

A-Qing felt somewhat awkward around the female martial artists.

It was strangely distant, like she’d made some kind of mistake but wasn’t sure what it was.

And so, they neared Musan without a hitch.

At about four days away from Musan, a group ambushed their path.

—-

A-Qing initially didn’t pay much attention.

It wasn’t like the attackers would be bold enough to ambush Jin Jangmyung directly, and from what she’d seen, they didn’t seem like bad people at all.

Among them, the young man stood out to block the path.

His reputation? 62.

Master Seung-soo was so esteemed that this young man was already among the top three she had encountered.

Master Seung-soo, the little hero, and that young man.

Even if they didn’t budge a single step in terms of evil deeds, it certainly meant they weren’t out causing trouble.

So A-Qing felt at ease.

“You’re a warrior from Wudang, right? Are you Master Seung-soo?”

“Oh, you know me?”

“I’m Yang Chaemu’s heir.”

“Oh, you’re the son of the Great Hero Yang, aren’t you! The last time I saw you, you were just a little kid. Can’t believe you remember this old man!”

A-Qing recognized that the Master was greeting a friend of her father’s.

Because of that, Master Seung-soo smiled warmly.

“So, how’s the Great Hero doing? Wasn’t he in seclusion?”

Yang Chaemu’s expression darkened.

“Actually, my father hasn’t taken seclusion.”

“What do you mean?”

“He suffered severe injuries fighting against the Cannibal Demon.”

“What! So what’s the situation?”

“He was in a state where his life was uncertain, but thankfully he’s shown remarkable improvement lately.”

“Oh, that’s a relief! We almost lost a giant of the orthodox sect!”

Master Seung-soo sighed in relief.

Then, bearing a sense of sympathy, he continued.

“You should have at least sent word if that was the case. If the Alliance of Su-Chang is in danger, won’t the Sect Leader care for the Ja-Sodan?”

“It’s all due to that terrible Demonic Arts. The elixir turned into a poison instead, as the deity proclaimed.”

“The deity noticed, huh? What a fortune! Oh dear, Yang.”

“However, the deity stated that the Flame Demon Arts caused damage.”

“Flame Demon Arts! How cursed is that?”

Flame Demon Arts!

The mere mention made the Wudang Daoists buzz in alarm.

A-Qing had no idea what it was but just listened in.

Why were they talking about something that only they knew?

What even is this Flame Demon Arts?

Does it spew fire from their hands or something?

That’s kinda… cool.

And hey, there was also the Hwasan Sect right?

Even A-Qing, who didn’t know martial arts, had heard of that name.

Flame Demon Arts.

Since magma beats fire, I guess the Hwasan Sect is stronger?

While A-Qing was off in her thoughts, the conversation flowed on.

“So the fabric got damaged? No effect from the elixir? What are we supposed to do then? Is there a way?”

Upon hearing that his friend was in dire straits, Master Seung-soo pressed him with a solemn expression.

“…There is a way.”

“Oh! So there’s still hope! What’s the plan? Can I help?”

“But the treatment is the one and only in this world…”

Yang Chaemu trailed off as he glanced over here.

Specifically, at Jin Jangmyung, who was standing beside A-Qing.

Wait a moment, something doesn’t feel right.

A-Qing sensed a heavy premonition.

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