The Dogahoe (Ancient Mystic Society) (5)

“I’d rather not.”

“Then there’s no choice. I thought it was an unreasonable request anyway, so it’s fine if you refuse.”

“…I was kidding. Alright, I’ll help you.”

I readily accepted Ho-jun’s request, not because he was trustworthy enough for me to entrust my back to him, but because the Dogahoe elders seemed incompetent even to me, an outsider.

Of course, being an ignorant yokai, I didn’t want to disparage the Way they had devoted their lives to cultivating. However, I called them ‘incompetent’ because they appeared utterly unhelpful in dealing with ‘goblins’ and ‘yokai’.

At this very moment, the Battle Mystics must be desperately seeking ways to confront the goblins. Yet these so-called mystics were acting as if it were a peaceful era, neglecting combat training in favor of self-cultivation or mere theoretical discussions.

Installing the outcast Ho-jun as the highest elder would benefit not only me, but all of humanity – his questionable personality notwithstanding, he was undisputedly the most skilled mystic.

“How exactly should I assist you?”

“Actually, you’ve already helped me considerably just now.”

“The pet act?”

“Yes, good performance. Going forward, I intend to actively utilize you to expand my influence within the Dogahoe.”

Hmm. I had simply followed my instincts; it wasn’t an act.

“To the elders cultivating the Way, you, Miho – the embodiment of mysticism itself – will be a tremendous asset to me through your mere existence. So just as I’ve vouched for you, you must vouch for me as well.”

“That much shouldn’t be too difficult a request.”

“It is difficult. Vouching for another is never easy.”

“For me, it’s an easy request.”

“…”

They often say someone with nothing to lose is the most formidable. That’s exactly the kind of person… No, yokai I am. I have nothing to lose.

When I readily agreed without protest, Ho-jun seemed perplexed as he questioned me:

“How vexing. Don’t you even grasp your own worth?”

“I do – something like humanity’s hope, a hero. You said so yourself.”

“And knowing that, you negotiate in such a manner?”

“Was this a negotiation? I thought it was a request.”

“Yes, a request. A request for you to swallow your pride for me. You could have made demands of me, even blackmailed me.”

“…”

“It was the same during the meeting in Seoul. You made no demands whatsoever of them. Showing unconditional loyalty to humans, never betraying them… Yes, you’re essentially a human pet right now.”

“What are you getting at?”

“You need to accurately recognize your own worth and look out for yourself. This won’t all be over just by eliminating the goblins and yokai…”

“No, it will be over.”

“…”

“Hmm… How do I explain this?”

I was never an altruistic person. An ordinary citizen who cared more about my own happiness than others’. And yet, ironically, my greatest source of happiness now as the spirit Miho was:

“Saving humans.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Not out of hypocrisy, but simply because saving humans is currently the most fulfilling act for me. Even I’m surprised at having such thoughts.

If I had to guess, perhaps this mindset formed because I’ve set foot on the ‘true path of ascension’.

…Or maybe not. I don’t know either.

“It’s a hassle to think about it, so just assume that’s how it is.”

“…I understand. Thank you. Sincerely.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going to sleep.”

After brushing off Ho-jun, I headed to the guest quarters to rest.

---

The next day, I went to the library housing the Dogahoe’s ancient texts and began reading from early morning. However, comprehending the ancient writings was no easy task.

It seemed I needed to start by understanding the very basics – just what exactly was this ‘Way’? I opened a book without any particular expectations, but:

[Understanding the Way]

…

…

…

(Omitted)

The Way is enlightenment, and enlightenment is nature itself.

However, cultivating the Way to attain achievement is never the true Way.

‘The way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way.’

Speaking of the Way is not true enlightenment of the Way.

One must understand nature.

Understand the great cycle of the world.

Understand the truth.

Understand the cycles and flows, and only then…

…

…

…

*

Around here, my head started spinning.

Was I just dim-witted?

…No.

While occasionally called a ‘dimwit’ by others, I was certainly no stupid fox yokai. I’d say I was quite intelligent, actually.

[Understanding the Six Dings and Six Jias]

Mystics of the Dogahoe (Ancient Mystic Society) must understand the teachings of the Six Ding and Six Jia Deities they revere.

First, the Six Dings are the Yin Deities:

Dingmao Deity

Dingsi Deity

Dingwei Deity

Dingyou Deity

Dinghai Deity

Dingchou Deity

*

“…”

I closed the book right there.

This was troublesome.

I should have realized when Ho-jun referred to the ‘Dogahoe’s ancient texts’ – not just this book, but all of them were filled with Chinese characters, making it nigh impossible to acquire any knowledge.

Some books were even sealed with spells, completely unreadable.

I could have used fox spirit arts to undo the seals, but that would betray the elders who trusted me enough to grant library access.

Regardless of their incompetence, I was grateful for their kindness.

Haah.

At this rate, I wouldn’t be able to obtain any information about the God-Manifesting Talisman, let alone spirits and goblins.

Tap tap.

Tap tap tap.

As I pondered whether to use my fox spirit arts, footsteps approached from the entrance.

“…”

“Oh… Ah, hello.”

It was one of the Dogahoe elders – the one called Bijong, Ho-jun’s master.

When I fidgeted nervously in greeting, the elder silently observed me for a moment before speaking:

“So Ho-jun’s words were indeed false.”

“…Pardon?”

“No matter how righteous the cause, deceiving others is never good. Tsk tsk tsk… That wayward Ho-jun, what am I to do with him.”

“Ah… That, um, you see…”

“Enough. You need not keep up that charade in front of me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ah.

I ended up inadvertently admitting it.

As someone once said, if you’ve decided to lie, you must maintain that resolve to the absolute end.

With no evidence, she saw right through me at a glance. I was caught hook, line and sinker – that’s the fearsome power of experience.

What could I do? Unlike the shameless Ho-jun who could lie through his teeth, I wasn’t that brazen.

After observing me silently for a while, the elder spoke again:

“So, will you be able to read them?”

“Oh… No, not at all.”

“Kukukukuku. Quite honest. A good-natured spirit you are. Yes, only by having such an honest heart can one truly obtain what they desire. Being a spirit should make no great difference.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“For what? I did not speak to receive an apology, so do not dwell on it.”

The elder then gestured towards the air, and:

Shalalalalalalalalak.

The pages of the library books began turning on their own – a spell, perhaps?

Since it didn’t feel threatening, I simply observed the elder’s actions.

After casting the spell for quite some time while sweating profusely, the elder finally spoke to me as she wiped her brow:

“The time limit is 24 hours. I don’t know what you’re searching for, but you must read quickly. You mustn’t be caught by the other elders.”

“Yes… Pardon?”

The elder approached me, suddenly stroking my head as she continued:

“Unhesitatingly pursue what you believe is right. That is the true meaning of the Way – or at least, that’s what I believe.”

They say a grandmother’s hands are warm and gentle, and it seemed to be true. The stroking felt so soothing that I purred involuntarily:

Rrrrrrr.

“I’ll see you again, good fox.”

“Oh… Goodbye.”

Was that it already? She could have kept petting me a while longer…

After the elder turned to leave, I quietly smiled upon checking the books’ condition.

Who would have thought Ho-jun’s master would so calmly perform such an outrageous act?

…Perhaps this grandmother shared my refreshing feeling about Ho-jun’s intent to ‘devour the Dogahoe’.

The Chinese text had been translated, and the seals were gone.

Now I could read any book.

My apologies, elders.

This wasn’t me betraying you first.

With limited time, I pondered which book to read and soon reached a conclusion:

What could be more effective than receiving information directly from a figure of the past?

[Woochi the Shaman’s Diary – Volume 1]

[Woochi the Shaman’s Diary – Volume 2]

[Woochi the Shaman’s Diary – Volume 3]

[Woochi the Shaman’s Diary – Volume 4]

This was it.