Chapter 707
Chapter 707
Chapter 707. Whereabouts (4)
I asked the disciple who had said those impudent words to Warrior Changun.
“By the way, what is your Daoist name?” (MC)
“I am called Yugak, but why my Daoist name?” (Yugak)
“I need to know your Daoist name so that I can tell your Sect Leader there is a disciple whose cultivation is still lacking, do I not?” (MC)
At my words, he was flustered for a moment, but soon managed his expression and said calmly.
“I-it does not matter. Even so, the fact that I am a main disciple of the Zhongnan Sect will not change.” (Yugak)
“I see.” (MC)
I chuckled.
“It seems you have quite a reliable backer. Well, that is fine. I intend to speak to the Alliance Leader about this as well.” (MC)
“......!” (Yugak)
At my words, his face turned deathly pale.
No matter how reliable a backer he had, they could not compare to the Martial Alliance Leader.
“And before that, I intend to speak about Daoist Yugak to the people I know as well. I know quite a few people, you see.” (MC)
“......” (Yugak)
“Then the rumor will spread throughout the entire murim. I am curious whether the Zhongnan Sect will continue keeping Daoist Yugak, who lowered the honor of the sect, as a main disciple even then.” (MC)
At my words, only then did he seem to grasp the situation, and he dropped to his knees on the spot.
“I made a foolish remark. Please forgive me.” (Yugak)
“Do you truly think so?” (MC)
“Pardon?” (Yugak)
“It looks to me as though you are merely trying to get through the present situation. How could such an apology touch the heart? An apology should naturally have sincerity, and for that, I believe becoming someone in the same position is also a good method.” (MC)
I continued.
“If you become an outside disciple like Warrior Changun or are expelled, you will realize how unlike a Daoist you were, and how you wounded Warrior Changun’s heart. Only then, I believe, will it become a true apology that rises from the heart.” (MC)
At my words, Daoist Yugak bowed his head to the ground.
“I am truly sorry. Please spare me! If I am expelled, I will be driven out of my family and beaten to death.” (Yugak)
Then why did you do it?
I looked at him with cold eyes.
He shed streams of tears and begged, but I felt no sympathy whatsoever.
How dare he do that to one of my people!
Just then, Warrior Changun clasped his hands to me.
“My Liege, please forgive that foolish Junior Brother. I know that if you say you will do something, you are someone who does it, but please give him just one more chance.” (Changun)
“Taking this chance to remove disciples with such rotten minds would be helpful to the Zhongnan Sect.” (MC)
“That is also true, but they say leaves rot and become fertilizer. This incident may become a lesson to them, allowing them to become better disciples. So please, think about it just once more.” (Changun)
“Hoo... Warrior Changun, you are too good a person.” (MC)
I said with a bitter smile, then turned my head and looked at Daoist Yugak and the others.
“What happened to Warrior Changun was an unintended accident. Then, as fellow disciples of the Zhongnan Sect, you should have protected him, yet if you mock and criticize him instead, what will become of the Zhongnan Sect? Is that truly the Zhongnan Sect you dream of?” (MC)
At my rebuke, they all lowered their heads deeply.
“Since Warrior Changun has requested it today, I will let this pass here.” (MC)
“Thank you.” (Yugak)
“We will not act rashly again.” (Zhongnan Sect Disciple)
I turned my head again and looked at Warrior Changun.
“Then prepare yourself. Let us take a walk.” (MC)
Saying that, I glanced over the disciples behind him.
Saying I would let it pass today means I will harass them again tomorrow.
Would they reflect just because they heard one scolding?
I guarantee they absolutely will not.
And I tend to hold grudges for quite a while.
A little while later.
We were climbing Mount Zhongnan.
“Was the walk a hike up Mount Zhongnan?” (Changun)
At Warrior Changun’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. There is something I need to find.” (MC)
“Understood. And...” (Changun)
Warrior Changun hesitated, then continued.
“Thank you for earlier.” (Changun)
“If it is about that, it is all right. I merely did so because I cannot tolerate my people being ignored or looked down upon.” (MC)
“......” (Changun)
At my words, he momentarily stared blankly.
“What is the matter?” (MC)
“Ah, no! It is nothing...” (Changun)
Then he said with an moved expression,
“I will guide you by the optimal route.” (Changun)
Seeing him speak enthusiastically and take the lead, I tilted my head.
“I do not know why he is suddenly acting like that.” (MC)
At my words, Palgap chuckled.
“That is something Young Master will probably never know for the rest of your life, sir.” (Palgap)
What?
And the other bodyguards turning their heads away and laughing.
Are they all teasing me together?
In any case, we diligently climbed the mountain.
If I knew a bit about Elder Blacksmith Yeom’s Senior Uncle, I could search within the range he moved, but since I did not, I had no choice but to examine things step by step.
Mount Zhongnan is an extremely vast mountain.
It is not for nothing that the villagers call it the great mountain.
Had we climbed the mountain for about one or two double-hours like that?
“Let us rest for a bit before going on.” (MC)
“Yes.” (Bodyguards)
We sat on suitable rocks, drank water, chewed jerky, and rested.
Now that it is entering July, it is quite hot even here.
“But what are you searching for? If it is all right for us to know, I think it would be good for us to search together.” (Changun)
“Ah, I am searching for an Ice Crystal.” (MC)
I readily answered.
Since if we found it, everyone would learn of it anyway.
“Pardon? By Ice Crystal, do you mean...” (Changun)
“Yes, that Ice Crystal.” (MC)
“Why would something that should be in the North Sea be here?” (Changun)
“There is a story behind it.” (MC)
I explained the whole story to them.
“So... if there is an Ice Crystal here, I must recover it. The reason for that is...” (MC)
At this, Warrior Yeo Eungam said,
“You do not need to tell us that far.” (Yeo Eungam)
“Yes. I can guess why.” (Changun)
Warrior Ipil also agreed with those words.
“Ahem, then I understand.” (MC)
Warrior Jinyu asked,
“But is Geumryeong unable to find the Ice Crystal?” (Jinyu)
“According to him, he says he can find it, but there has been no reaction yet.” (MC)
It seemed to have been hidden very thoroughly.
Did he really grind it into powder and scatter it?
But the technique to process Ice Crystals should have been lost after those descendants crossed over to the empire.
If that were not the case, the Ice Crystal would already have been divided into pieces and each descendant would have carried one.
Just then, Warrior Myeongjong said,
“Then how about using that red cloth?” (Myeongjong)
By red cloth, does he mean Hyeonrodo?
“If the Ice Crystal remains whole in that place, it may show us the way.” (Myeongjong)
“That is a good idea.” (MC)
I immediately took out Hyeonrodo and wrote letters beside it with my finger.
[Guide me to the place where the nearest Ice Crystal from here is]
Soon, a map appeared on Hyeonrodo.
And on Hyeonrodo, a golden line... flashed.
Huh?
Why is it flashing from where I am?
After thinking for a moment, I soon realized the reason. The Silver Mist Sword I carry is a sword made from an Ice Crystal.
That is why Hyeonrodo recognized my Silver Mist Sword as an Ice Crystal.
[Not my sword. Find the second-closest Ice Crystal]
Then the golden line soon guided us elsewhere.
But... the line is rather long?
Seeing that, Warrior Seou said,
“It seems the person called Blacksmith Yeom’s Senior Uncle had considerable stamina.” (Seou)
“Indeed.” (MC)
But it cannot be helped.
We traversed Mount Zhongnan along the path Hyeonrodo showed us.
As we went, I understood why the route Hyeonrodo showed us was rather long.
It was because it guided us along a safe path.
If we took risks, it was a path that would not take long, but Hyeonrodo’s purpose is to show the safest path.
By the time we arrived like that, it was already evening.
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
At that moment, Geumryeong slipped out from inside my sleeve, headed somewhere, and slapped the ground with his forepaws.
It looks like this is the place.
I approached Geumryeong.
“Is it buried there?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
“You think it is buried quite deep? You heard that, right, Palgap?” (MC)
“I do not know what Geumryeong is saying, but I heard your words, Young Master, sir.” (Palgap)
And Palgap began digging the spot Geumryeong had indicated with a shovel he had prepared in advance.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
But there was hardly any sign of the Ice Crystal appearing.
“Huff, huff! Geumryeong, is this really the place?” (Palgap)
“Kkui! Kku!” (Geumryeong)
He is asking why your shoveling is so pathetic.
Geumryeong slipped into the place where Palgap had been shoveling and began digging through the dirt with his forepaws.
Pabababababak!
At that speed, Palgap was startled, then soon muttered with a hollow expression.
“If that was how it was going to be, you should have just dug it yourself...” (Palgap)
While I was squatting beside him and consoling Palgap, who had fallen into despondency, Geumryeong popped out.
He was holding something in his mouth.
When I held out my hand, Geumryeong placed it on my palm.
A jewel shining white.
Seeing the inner arts I had built through the Great Yin Ice Sea Divine Art move actively, it was undoubtedly an Ice Crystal.
So, as expected, he could not bring himself to get rid of it and hid it.
“Good work!” (MC)
“Kkui! Kku!” (Geumryeong)
Do not forget to give me the silver later?
All right. I will give it to you. Secretly from Palgap.
“Is that the Ice Crystal, sir?” (Palgap)
Palgap showed curiosity and reached out to touch the Ice Crystal.
“Uh-huh! That is far enough!” (MC)
“Why are you doing that, sir? It is not as if touching this will wear it down, sir.” (Palgap)
“No, it will wear down. Your life.” (MC)
“Hieek! What do you mean by that, sir?” (Palgap)
Palgap was horrified, and at this, Warrior Jinyu laughed and explained.
“Junior Palgap, an Ice Crystal is an object that cannot be touched unless one possesses extreme yin energy. One freezes to death.” (Jinyu)
“Pardon? You freeze to death just from touching it?” (Palgap)
Warrior Seou nodded.
“That is why it is both a treasure of the North Sea and a mystic object.” (Seou)
“So I am the only person here who can touch this.” (MC)
“Geumryeong brought it in his mouth, sir.” (Palgap)
“Yes, Geumryeong is a spiritual beast.” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
I put the Ice Crystal into my bosom, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the dirt from Geumryeong’s body.
Then, after examining the inside of the ground Geumryeong had dug out, I could not help furrowing my brow.
It would have been hard to dig this up without Geumryeong in the first place.
Because the tunnel Geumryeong had dug was bent sideways. And above it was a large rock.
In other words, to take out the Ice Crystal, one would have to dig diagonally into the ground, but even if one did, the weight of the rock would eventually cause it to fall into the dug-out spot, making all the work useless.
Then just how did Elder Blacksmith Yeom’s Senior Uncle bury the Ice Crystal there?
To resolve that question, I examined the rock and saw something strange.
Traces here and there on the rock of work done with a chisel and hammer.
If so...
I could picture in my mind what had happened.
Elder Blacksmith Yeom’s Senior Uncle had not buried the Ice Crystal beneath the rock. He had buried the Ice Crystal, then worked on the rock above so that it would naturally collapse.
As a result, over the years, as the rock was battered by wind and rain, it weakened from the places where he had worked with the chisel and hammer, then collapsed and covered the spot where the Ice Crystal was buried.
And a landslide occurred over it.
That is why no one knew this was here.
In any case, it is fortunate that I recovered the Ice Crystal.
I should return it later when I go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Because an Ice Crystal is far too dangerous an object to be in the empire.
.
.
.
Instead of spending the night outdoors there, we kept moving and returned to Ongok Village.
Thanks to the night pearls, we did not lose our way, but by the time we returned, it was already dawn.
“Where did you go until this hour before dawn?” (Blacksmith Yeom Ye)
At Blacksmith Yeom Ye’s question, I answered with a smile.
“I took a short hike in the mountains, but I lost my way and wandered a bit.” (MC)
“That is fortunate. Still, it is impressive that you managed to return.” (Blacksmith Yeom Ye)
“There was a warrior from the Zhongnan Sect with us, so thanks to him, we were able to get out quickly.” (MC)
“I see.” (Blacksmith Yeom Ye)
“But what brings you out at this hour before dawn?” (MC)
“Ah, we are preparing to build the house.” (Blacksmith Yeom Ye)
Looking behind him, I saw several materials piled up for building a house.
“The materials were prepared faster than I expected.” (MC)
“What is there that cannot be done if one has money? Thanks to the dagger payment Master gave us in advance, we were able to prepare to build the house quickly. Thank you very much.” (Blacksmith Yeom Ye)
“It was nothing.” (MC)
For some reason, that smithy weighed on my mind.
Since it was a place that handled fire, another fire could occur someday and burn this house down.
And there was also the possibility that the child I had saved might be caught in a fire again.
No matter how I thought about it, it felt somewhat uneasy...
After pondering for a moment, I came up with one clever plan.
We rented rooms at an inn, and I entered the room assigned to me.
Then I entered the vault.
Shuk, shuk!
Ah... the One-Horned Serpent is doing well too.
I should go to the Sichuan Tang Clan and sell that off soon.
First, I placed the Ice Crystal carefully on a shelf.
By the way, where is that...
Ah, there it is.
What I found was a blue ornament.
It was one of the things I had bought before to use when going to Guizhou Province with snow.
I removed only the jewel part of the ornament and infused yin qi into it.
Since I had grown more accustomed to handling energy than last time, I was able to put in a sufficient amount of yin qi.
I waited until night came, then took the jewel and headed to the smithy.
Naturally, no one was there.
“Geumryeong, it is your turn!” (MC)
“Kkui?” (Geumryeong)
“I did not forget the silver I promised to give you. It is good for you to receive three at once too, right?” (MC)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong took the blue jewel I gave him and went under the granite flooring of the smithy.
From what I could see, that formation did not care whether the yin qi was above or below it.
After a while, I felt yin qi gather in the formation and water qi spread out.
Then Geumryeong came out again.
Seeing that there were no traces, it seems he used a special ability.
But what is this?
When you use the ability to pass through objects, you said you would not use it because it made you hungry.
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Ah... so you use it when you need to?
I chuckled and gave him a gold coin.
“Kku! Kkuiit!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong was extremely pleased.
Originally, I had promised to give him silver, but since he worked especially hard this time, I gave him gold.
Shh! This is a secret from Palgap.
Because Palgap will sulk.