[TS] Became a Peach Saint – Chapter 176

“Let’s rest here until the rain stops.”

“Sure!”

On the floor inside, there were traces of someone having lit a fire.

It seems like others have also passed through here to rest.

I guess it might be a cabin built by hunters.

*Clatter.*

After stacking firewood on top of the traces of the previous fire, it looks pretty decent.

*Crackle.*

Maybe because it’s dry firewood from the storage space, the fire catches easily.

“It’s raining, should we eat some ramen?”

“Exciting!”

Taking out the pot and placing it over the flames, it feels like we’re on a camping trip.

“Water!”

“Sure!”

“Ramen!”

“Sure!”

As I cook the ramen in sync with Baekseol, the delicious smell quickly fills the cabin.

“Let’s eat.”

*Creak.*

Just as I was about to serve Baekseol some ramen broth, the cabin door opened.

“Ah, we have guests.”

The person who entered removed the bamboo hat from their head and met my gaze.

It was an elderly woman with a face full of wrinkles.

“I came to take shelter from the rain. May I join you?”

“Yep. We’re here to escape the rain too. It’s cold, so come on in.”

“*Chuckle.* Thank you.”

She slowly approached, her hand resting on her hunched back.

Though she was very short, her eyes were so deep they seemed bottomless.

It was as if she carried an ocean in her gaze.

“We made some food, please have some.”

“This old woman hasn’t eaten in a while, so I won’t refuse.”

Without hesitation, the old woman sat down beside us.

As I handed her a bowl of ramen, she extended her rough, time-worn hands.

“Grandma, eat it while it’s warm.”

“*Chuckle.* Such a kind-hearted young lady.”

“Come on, Baekseol, let’s eat too.”

“Exciting!”

As I poured some ramen broth into a small dish, Baekseol quickly hopped down from above.

“Hoh, is this a spirit? Such pure energy.”

“Huh? You mean our Baekseol?”

“*Chuckle.* Baekseol… There couldn’t be a more fitting name for such a little one.”

She looked like just a small rabbit, but if she could see through Baekseol at a glance, she must be no ordinary person.

*Slurp.*

After finishing her words, the old woman skillfully handled her chopsticks and took a bite of the noodles.

“This doesn’t taste like the usual rural soup. Your cooking skills are extraordinary, young lady.”

“It’s the MSG flavor. But, Grandma, feel free to call me casually. My name is Ga-eul. Han Ga-eul.”

“*Chuckle.* Alright, that would be more comfortable for me too. This old woman’s name is Hyanghyang.”

“That’s a really pretty name.”

“*Hahaha.* I don’t remember the last time I heard such a compliment.”

She laughed heartily.

***

As she sipped the citron tea I handed her, the old woman smiled warmly.

“So you came all the way here looking for medicinal herbs that are good for the body?”

“Yep.”

“Ho ho, such filial piety. And if you go a little further from here, you’ll come across a village.”

“Oh, thank you!”

“Kkul kkul. I should be the one giving thanks for such generous hospitality.”

The old woman, having finished speaking, hands over the empty cup.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had this citron tea. I drink it like water.

Gulp.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s made from green tea, so it might be a bit too sweet for you. Are you okay with that?”

“I like sweet things, just like children.”

Gulp.

Even though it’s hot, she drinks it well.

“Ah, right. Grandma.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m a bit hesitant to say this, but isn’t your back quite uncomfortable right now?”

“That’s right.”

She doesn’t seem to have any trouble moving, but her back is quite hunched.

“Shall I take a look at it for you?”

“I didn’t know you were skilled in medicine.”

“Haha, not that much, but I can take a look. Would you like to lie down here?”

At the back of the small cabin, there was a chair-like protrusion to sit on. Pointing there with my hand, the old woman got up with a smiling face.

“If lying down is uncomfortable, you can turn to the side.”

“Alright.”

Looking at the old woman’s face, it seemed like she was watching her granddaughter’s antics.

Ding! Ding! Ding!·····.

───

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“Grandma, relax and exhale comfortably.”

“Whoo─”

As soon as the words ended, her body relaxed comfortably.

Even someone who uses their body every day wouldn’t be able to control it like this, moving the body as if it were limbs.

“It might sting a little.”

Using the skill, light flows from my hands.

A combination of massage and healing skills. So-called healing massage.

No matter how well you control it, if the bones move, the surrounding muscles will inevitably get injured.

As I brought my hand to her back, the old woman turned her gaze, sensing something.

“What’s that?”

“Umm.”

I’m not sure how to explain the light flowing from my hand.

However, from the conversation with the old woman, I felt that this place is similar to what is commonly referred to as a martial arts world.

“Were you from the Kunlun Sect?”

“No, isn’t that more of a Taoist thing? This is… more like fairy magic? It’s different from Taoist magic.”

“Ho ho, how fascinating.”

“Yep. Shall I proceed?”

“Please take care of me.”

The old woman’s head turns back again.

“Take a deep breath and let it out.”

“Whoo─”

Once again, the old woman’s body relaxes.

Thud!

“I’ll let it out one more time.”

“Whoo─”

Thud!

It’s clear where and how things need to fit together.

Every bone seems like someone forcibly rearranged its position.

Even getting hit straight with a sledgehammer wouldn’t do this much. It’s impressive she’s been moving around without any issues so far.

“One last time. Take it easy, whoo.”

“Whoo─”

Thud!

“Heal.”

Just in case, a full-body healing spell settles into the old woman’s body.

“Grandma, it’s done. That was quick, right?”

The old woman gets up without a word, her hunched back straightening out completely.

“····Hehe.”

She moves her body around and lets out a laugh, as if she can’t believe it.

“My knees, which used to ache whenever it rained, feel fine now····. I can’t remember the last time my body felt this good.”

“Really? That’s great.”

The old woman lifts her leg and moves it, smiling faintly.

“That old man from Dangmun threw a poison sword that got stuck in my knee. It’s been decades since then.”

“R-Really? Wow····. He must’ve been a real jerk.”

“Keke, I blew his skull open, so no need to worry.”

“·····You handled it equally, huh.”

It’s hard to tell if she’s joking or being serious.

“I have urgent business, so I must leave now. Child, I’m sorry for receiving such a great favor and rushing off.”

“It’s okay. Be careful not to get hurt again.”

“Right. I’ll keep this in my heart and remember it.”

The old woman rummages through her belongings and hands something over.

It’s a thin, elongated accessory, like a finger. Engraved on it is the old woman’s name, Hyanghyang.

“Is this made of jade?”

“Yes. Keep it safe, and if anything happens, show it to them.”

“Got it. Thank you.”

“Alright, I’ll be off now.”

As if she really is in a hurry, the old woman quickly disappears outside the cabin.

“She was a strange grandma, huh?”

“Yeah!”

***

Hyanghyang, who had distanced herself from the cabin, stops walking, and dozens of people drop down around her.

“Listen, Cheonhyeoldae.”

“At your command!”

At the old woman’s words, the knees and heads of those called Cheonhyeoldae bow.

“There’s a girl with peach-colored hair inside the cabin. Keep your distance and watch over her, but if something happens, protect her with your lives.”

“At your command!”

“I’ll move through the secret realm, so carry out your orders.”

As soon as Hyanghyang finishes speaking, the dozens of people vanish without a sound, as if they were never there.

***

Squeak.

Hyanghyang opens a massive door and walks inside as if it’s her own home.

Then.

What greeted Hyanghyang was an old man sitting on a pitch-black throne.

“What brings the Grand Elder here?”

“I have come to see the Heavenly Demon.”

Hyanghyang, who had roughly entered the room, slowly bent her waist in a bow.

“…Since when has the Blood Demon been known to follow etiquette?”

“Kkk. Isn’t the Heavenly Demon the sky of our sect?”

Hyanghyang’s back straightened as if it had never bent, and a smile spread across her face.

Seeing this, the Heavenly Demon was so shocked it felt like his heart might drop.

“On my way here, I met someone who displayed remarkable medical skills.”

“Then, that back of yours…?”

Instead of answering, Hyanghyang simply nodded her head toward the Heavenly Demon.

“That child called his own power ‘divine alcohol.'”

“Divine alcohol…?”

“There is hope for Jinmyeong now.”

“Haa.”

Upon hearing Hyanghyang’s words, the Heavenly Demon realized he had let out a deep sigh without even noticing.

“Even the Grand Elder doesn’t know. That child’s pain is different from being hurt. We even dragged someone called Shin Yi by his beard, but there’s been no improvement for years.”

“From what I see, that child might be Jinmyeong’s last hope.”

Hearing Hyanghyang’s words, the Heavenly Demon furrowed his brows.

“Then why didn’t you bring him along?”

“He said he came to gather herbs for his grandfather.”

“The Divine Sect is overflowing with rare medicinal ingredients.”

The Heavenly Demon was speechless at Hyanghyang’s words, which seemed to imply she knew better than him.

“After talking, I realized that child knows nothing about the martial world. And you want to drag such a child into the Divine Sect? Are you saying this to me, who owes that child a debt?”

Crackle!

A terrifying energy began to surge from Hyanghyang’s body.

“Ugh. I get it, so calm down. We’re both getting old.”

At the Heavenly Demon’s words, Hyanghyang’s energy dissipated in an instant.

“Kkk, there’s a 40-year age gap, and you’re saying we’re both getting old? And to us, it’s the Divine Sect, but to others, it’s the Demon Sect.”

“Are you saying this to the Heavenly Demon right in front of you?”

“Getting old and still being so stubborn.”

The Heavenly Demon felt like his blood pressure was rising so much he might ascend to heaven before his time.

‘That old monster came back even healthier. He might really ascend to heaven.’