“Cheongun Taoist! Watch your step!”
Thud!
“It seems the mountain range is more treacherous than I thought.”
Gulp!
Cheongun looked up at the peak of the towering mountain, as if it could touch the vast sky above.
Changbaeksan.
Wow!
Unlike the lush earth, a white snow-capped peak. Some people might refer to it as Baekdu Mountain, but there wasn’t much difference.
Whether it’s a long white mountain or “white-haired” mountain, they meant the same thing.
They say there’s a lake on the summit. After a long journey, Cheongun’s steps lightened as he sensed he had finally arrived at his destination.
“In Joseon, they say all mountains start from Changbaeksan. So anything claiming to be herbs sourced from there can fetch a premium anywhere.”
Ka-ching!
The origin of the Baekdudaegan. The starting point for all mountains on the Korean Peninsula is Jojongsan. Cheongun nodded as he gazed at the mountain towering higher than the Mt. Wu.
“Indeed, the extraordinary energy is palpable; it’s worthy of being called a spiritual mountain.”
Bam!
You don’t even need to consciously recognize it. You can feel it in your bones without having to witness the breathtaking scenery in front of you. It was truly a rare spiritual mountain, even in the Central Plains.
Cheongun was filled with hope that the person he was searching for might indeed be there.
“Even if it’s the terrifying figure associated with the Murong family, you must not let your guard down. The mountain lord might strike at any moment.”
Snap!
“Are you talking about Murong Soja?”
Gasp!
Cheongun’s previously light steps abruptly stopped.
“Ugh! Don’t even mention it. Honestly, I thought I would wet my pants while asking for help! Where did I find such courage?”
Shiver!
The herb collector trembled as if merely imagining it was terrifying.
“There must be some misunderstanding.”
Shrug!
Cheongun defended Murong Sang-a with a bitter expression.
Ah, Murong Sang-a.
Dramatic music!
The woman who devoured her husband and monopolized his wealth. So provocative was the rumor that if one had ears in the Central Plains, they would inevitably hear it. There was certainly some undeniable truth mixed in there.
But Cheongun decided to trust the discussions they shared about swords every day.
Murong Sang-a’s sword was endlessly upright yet seemed anguished in its sorrow and torment.
“Yes. It definitely feels like my benefactor isn’t someone who’d devour a man just with a glance. Still, a simpleton like me can’t help but feel scared. Ah! We have arrived!”
Ding!
The herb collector nodded appreciatively toward Murong Sang-a, still unable to shake off the fearful experience of her hostile gaze.
“Looks like there’s indeed a shrine. What’s that?”
Curious!
It was clearly old and about to collapse, but unmistakably a shrine. Cheongun asked the herb collector, who was rummaging for something.
“A cauldron. I’ll just warm it up, so please wait a moment.”
Boil, boil!
“So what you’ve been carrying on your shoulders was a cauldron?”
Hmm!
The herb collector produced a small cauldron. It must have been heavy. With not a single complaint, climbing up this high mountain must mean he wished to repay some kindness.
“By the way, I am a bit worried.”
Concerned!
Having completed all the preparations, the herb collector began poking at the flames with a stick as he spoke.
“What are you worried about?”
Curious eyes!
“The Taoist’s temperament is somewhat eccentric.”
Uh-oh!
“I know plenty of Taoists with such personalities.”
Chuckle!
Thinking that being a Taoist meant having a gentle and mild temperament would be a grave mistake. Cheongun had seen countless oddballs even within the Mount Wu sect. He replied with a smirk.
“Oh, it’s far more than that. Everyone who’s met the Taoist of Changbaeksan doesn’t call him a Taoist, but rather a ‘weirdo’…”
Shhh!
Cheongun instantly moved behind the herb collector.
“Was I noisy?”
Oops!
“It’s done. The offerings are made, so just wait a little.”
Let’s chill!
“Be quiet.”
Silence!
Cheongun’s expression hardened. Why is the Taoist acting like this all of a sudden? Why is he scanning the surroundings instead of looking at the offering or him?
When the herb collector turned his gaze following Cheongun’s, he then understood the reason.
Glimpse!
“Where are you looking… Huh! Th- The Mountain Lord!”
BAM!
A tiger.
Roar!
A massive tiger was gazing at the shrine.
“What nonsense is this…?”
Uh oh!
The tiger was the size of a house. Its shining eyes in the shade of the trees were like lanterns. A voice mixed with horror escaped Cheongun’s lips.
“This isn’t the Mountain Lord’s territory! Why?!”
Yikes!
“Step back!”
Step back!
Cheongun pushed the weaker figure behind and drew his sword.
SWISH!
‘It’s a spirit creature.’
Spirit!
This wasn’t Cheongun’s first encounter with a tiger. During his heroic journey spanning over half a year, he had played his part in tiger hunts. But the tiger in front of him felt different somehow.
Though they are wild beasts, tigers have instinct. They would typically retreat unless provoked by murderous intent.
Cheongun once again unleashed fierce murderous intent. Just as expected. The tiger shifted its gaze from him to the herb collector, as if finding it hilarious.
In a split second, it judged who the weak was. Intuition overcame its instincts. The absurdity of its size.
Bigger than life!
It was undoubtedly the Mountain Lord of Changbaeksan.
“Wh-what to do?! Ah! I have an idea!”
Eureka!
“What kind of idea?”
Buzz!
Cheongun had heard rumors that herb collectors carried around something to ward off tigers. He questioned the herb collector without relaxing his guard.
“Isn’t Changbaeksan’s tiger ultimately a Joseon tiger?”
Hmm!
“I’m listening.”
Ready!
“I’ve heard dark-haired folks say a Joseon tiger won’t eat you if you give it a macaroon! Eureka! Here it is! A chungkarong!”
Boom!
A freshly steamed, sweet-smelling macaroon hit the tiger’s forehead like a gentle arc.
Smack!
“Growl…!”
Yelp!
Of course, there’s no way that would work. The macaroon rolled uselessly away.
“Yikes! I definitely heard that tigers can’t resist macarons?!”
Uh-oh!
“It seems we’ve just annoyed it.”
Hiss!
The tiger’s gaze immediately shifted towards the herb collector, determined to have its meal now.
“Oh, wait! I think I was mistaken! I also heard that when you offer macarons, a rope will descend from the heavens!”
Hope!
“If the tiger charges, retreat into the shrine!”
Swish!
Cheongun pointed his sword at the tiger.
“Y-you can’t abandon the Taoist! Ah! I also heard that if you offer macarons, a rope will come down from the heavens!”
Yikes!
“Stay calm.”
Cool down!
Cheongun spoke in a steady voice, but the herb collector’s face had drained of all color. The deadly intent of the house-sized tiger was clearly directed at him.
For an ordinary person, maintaining sanity in this terrifying situation could lead to nonsensical babble.
Blabber!
He had to find an escape route himself. Cheongun expanded his senses, tuning into even the slightest movements of the tiger.
“Moon deity! Moon deity! Please, let down a rope!”
Please!
As if it would actually happen.
At that moment,
Boom!
“Who just wasted precious chungkarang on the ground?”
Dun dun!
‘When?!’
Gasp!
Cheongun’s heart sank.
He had once evaded an assassin’s ambush in the dead of night. He was focusing all his senses on the tiger, and yet, a voice appeared from behind as though it had always been there.
“Daoist!!!”
Surprise!
“Oh no?!”
Gasp!
Oops. At the herb collector’s scream, Cheongun instinctively turned to face the mystery figure.
In that split second of distraction, the spirit creature seized the opportunity and cast a massive shadow of death upon both of them.
Cheongun tightened his grip on his sword. Mistakes can be rectified. He swung his sword towards the wild beast targeting the herb collector.
SWOOSH!
Could he have been mistaken? The tiger’s eyes seemed to hold a mocking expression, as if it had anticipated this.
Heh!
‘A tiger is after an herb collector?! Dangerous…!’
Warning!
The fierce beast shifted direction. The herb collector was merely a distraction, merely creating a gap to deal with the annoying obstacle.
Cheongun stared at the primal violence heading his way. Would he be able to stop it? As he gritted his teeth and prepared to swing his sword in retaliation,
BANG!
With a sound like a thunderclap, the beast thudded against a tree.
Crack!
“What kind of foolishness is this?!”
Furious!
A furious roar was directed at the tiger.
“What is this?”
Shock!
Cheongun was stunned, gazing at the person who had just saved him. Messy hair. Black and white strands that looked like tiger fur.
Due to the wild hair, it’s hard to tell if he’s old or middle-aged, but his voice was filled with rage.
“Hey, Nabi! You think you can steal my snack? Who said to eat someone else’s food?!”
Roar!
“Is this a familiar?”
Questioning!
Anger was directed at the tiger. Could it be someone he knew?
“Grahh!”
Roar!
“Yikes!”
Yikes!
The tiger’s roar suddenly faced the newly arrived man.
“What? You’re misbehaving! Haven’t you faced enough punishment yet?!”
SWAT!
“Woof!”
Yelp!
Cheongun couldn’t understand what was happening right before his eyes.
Baffled!
Clearly, the man was holding what looked like an ordinary stick, yet with a single blow, the tiger howled in pain like a puppy.
The man kept hitting the tiger as though training a dog to submit.
“What on earth?!”
What?!
“Ah?! The Taoist of the Changbaek sect?!”
Gasp!
The true identity of the master was revealed through the herb collector’s lips.
“Ah! So it was the herb collector from before! I thought you were just an ordinary fellow, but it turns out you are quite the respectable one!”
Surprise!
As the tiger flipped over like a cat, the Taoist of Changbaeksan approached with a warm voice.
“Hahaha.”
Laughter!
“I was just teasing the Nabi because he’s gained a bit of belly fat. I didn’t expect him to storm off. I nearly had to offer him as a tribute for his return!”
Chuckling!
“No, it’s alright!”
Relieved!
As the man repeatedly patted the herb collector’s back, the herb collector bowed low in pain, unable to speak.
“Excuse me.”
Polite!
Is this person really the Changbaek sect’s Taoist he had been searching for? Cheongun pressed back his astonishment and approached the man with the most respectful expression he could muster.
“Um, who are you?”
Curiosity!
“Ugh!”
Swoosh!
The powerful aura pressed down upon Cheongun like a boulder.
Crush!
‘At least the strength of the Nine Great Sects & One Alliance leader. No, it could even be more!’
Realization!
All he could do was withstand it. Cheongun fought hard to keep himself from kneeling.
“What did I ask you?”
Question!
“What I mean to say is, I’m a Taoist here to train! I’ve brought this chungkarong for you!”
Gift!
The herb collector hurriedly defended Cheongun as if he sensed something was amiss.
“Looks like you’re not a suspicious character after all.”
Stare!
“Ugh! Gasp. Gasp!”
Breathless!
As the suffocating aura dissipated, Cheongun finally managed to catch his breath.
“Hey Nabi! Did you get dirt on my precious snacks?!”
Angry!
The suspicion transformed into certainty. This person was undoubtedly connected with the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes. Cheongun once again approached the man.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Cheongun of the Mount Wu sect. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask for your name?”
Respectful!
“Did this one make these chungkarongs?! They’re delicious!”
Tasty!
The master seemed not to hear Cheongun at all, engrossed in discussing snacks.
“Do you happen to know anything about the Mount Wu sect?”
Curiosity!
“Even the dirt-covered ones can be a delicacy. Who cares!”
Nonchalant!
The overwhelming dismissal. Was this person just leagues above him in skill? Cheongun felt like an ant standing before a giant.
Yet, Cheongun refused to give up. He hadn’t spent over half a year wandering just to figure out if a master resided in Changbaeksan.
“I’d like to ask if the Taoist with the surname Gang is here.”
Inquiry!
“Gang?”
Interest!
For the first time, the master’s eyes lit up with interest.
Focus!
This person who had been dismissive suddenly reacted. Cheongun struggled to quell his excitement.
“Should you perhaps know…?”
Hopeful!
“The rain is coming.”
Forecast!
“Sir.”
Urgent!
It seemed as though the master was changing the subject. Did he know something? Was the lack of connection with the Mount Wu sect an indication that Un-hyeon’s heroic journey from the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes had concluded here at Changbaeksan?
“Sir. Sir! My ear itches. The rain is coming, so follow me.”
Swoosh!
The master scratched his ear and turned, carrying off his snacks.
“Then how should I address you?”
Helpful!
Could this master before him be the Gang Mo he was searching for? Cheongun tentatively inquired about the master’s name.
“Just call me what the others call me.”
Identity!
But the Taoist’s reply wasn’t what Cheongun expected.
“Pardon?”
Confused!
“I’m not a benefactor. I’m the freak of Changbaeksan.”
Surprise!
A journey that began with a single man’s writing.
Start!
Connections lead to further connections, weaving a myriad of destinies.
Entwine!
A connection forged by one man now opens new paths for many.
New paths!
The wheel of further relationships was set in motion.
Roll on!
