Chapter 386: Have You Eaten?

Haunted Sword Roe Ah (Lightning Fang).

It’s called the Fang of Thunder, one of the world’s most renowned famous swords and one of the most famous haunted artifacts.

It’s none other than the sword used as a beloved sword by Namgung Myung, the hero of the Namgung family who saved the world during the Blood Calamity, the Lightning Heaven One Sword (雷天一劍), so it’s only natural.

Moreover, Roe Ah is a sword that holds much meaning for me as well.

Because the sword used by the Demon Sword Queen (魔劍后) Namgung Bi-ah was also Roe Ah.

Because of that, I too was able to observe Roe Ah quite closely. Although I’ve never touched it directly, as the Demon Sword Queen didn’t let me.

Its blade emanated a strange aura, almost appearing transparent. Yet, it was an unknowable sword possessing a strength that could never be broken.

Not only that, but there was one distinct difference it showed compared to other swords.

This part isn’t important right now, so let’s move on.

What’s important here is.

Why Roe Ah, a haunted artifact of the Namgung family and, in a way, a symbol, happens to be in the possession of a martial artist from the Wudang Sect.

Wudang Eccentric Gui Do.

He is the current owner of Roe Ah, the haunted artifact of the Namgung family.

As Woo Hyuk said, he was indeed a famous figure.

Originally a Taoist priest belonging to the Wudang main temple, he is known to wander throughout the Central Plains for some reason.

He was also known as a notable immortal hermit. When the uncontrolled Ma-gyeong Sect went berserk and demons attacked a village.

The story often heard was that the Wudang Eccentric, who happened to be staying there, annihilated all the demons and saved the villagers before vanishing mysteriously.

Conversely, the reason the mysterious word ‘Eccentric’ (怪) was included in the epithet of this Taoist priest was due to the bizarre actions he often engaged in.

He would randomly start talking to himself and then get angry, or suddenly visit an unrelated merchant caravan and make a mess.

Or he’d practice swordplay alone in the air, turning the surroundings into a disaster zone. Because he acted in ways incomprehensible to ordinary people far too often.

People began calling him Eccentric Gui Do, seeing his actions.

Judging by the heartwarming tales, he is indeed an immortal hermit, but separately, he’s a martial artist whose incomprehensible actions make one not want to keep him close.

Such a person was the Wudang Eccentric Gui Do.

And yet.

‘That guy was the teacher of the Sleeping Dragon?’

This is something I didn’t even know in my past life. The Sleeping Dragon never told me, nor was it a story spread throughout the Central Plains.

“Ah, I wasn’t going to mention this.”

I was quite shocked to hear it, and Woo Hyuk, who uttered it, seemed uncomfortable, sighing repeatedly.

“He’s the kind of teacher you’d be embarrassed to brag about.”

Only after hearing Woo Hyuk’s follow-up words could I understand the reason even a little.

…Was that the reason he lived keeping it a secret? Because he was embarrassed…?

It is indeed an embarrassing story to utter as a reason anywhere.

“But… you’re going to Sichuan to find such a teacher?”

“There’s nowhere else to stay if I go out anyway. It makes the most sense, nominally, to say I’m staying with my teacher.”

Well, true. Although the Wudang Eccentric is practically disowned by Wudang, he’s still affiliated with the Wudang Sect.

If Woo Hyuk also says he’s leaving to stay with his teacher, it would create a justifiable reason, in its own way.

“…So you want to come with me to Sichuan while you’re at it?”

“It’s great! Friends do things together!”

“What do you mean friends? There are quite a few people traveling together.”

Although we haven’t properly discussed the details yet, there are several people who will be joining me since I’ve decided to go to Sichuan.

I’ve already finished talking with Pae-jon.

Pae-jon also said it was fine, as he happened to have business in Sichuan too.

As for Pae Woo-cheol, he previously asked me to visit his family estate, so we can stop by while we’re there.

Furthermore.

Since Tang Soyeol’s main family is the Tang Clan, known as the rulers of Sichuan, if they accompany me…

‘Wait, does that mean the Poison King might come along…?’

Thinking about it sends an involuntary shiver down my spine, but it couldn’t be helped.

Whether by chance or fate, now was the perfect time to head to Sichuan.

The Divine Dragon Pavilion (신룡관) also decided to close temporarily due to an unexpected incident.

The graduation timing was also moved up.

The next incident I’m keeping a close eye on will occur in about two to three years from now.

If possible, I needed to increase my strength further before that time.

Now that I’ve reached the Flower Realm (화경). What I need to prioritize is.

‘I need to get the White Demon Stone first.’

It’s a Demon Stone dropped by White-grade demons, the highest rank among demonic creatures.

I had known of its existence and location for a long time, but I had kept it aside until I reached a state where I could best accept it.

In an era where the highest grade demons appearing are only Blue-grade at best, the existence of a White Demon Stone is quite a precious item.

Moreover, when a demon dies, the Demon Stone that comes out of its body usually loses its energy shortly after.

The White Demon Stone I seek maintained its energy despite the time that had passed.

I don’t really know the principle behind it.

What’s important is that the energy contained within such a White Demon Stone is vast, incomparable to any medicinal herb.

For me, who can absorb the energy of such a Demon Stone, the White Demon Stone would be the most outstanding elixir in the world.

Having reached the Flower Realm, but arriving in a rather incomplete state of the Flower Realm, it was precisely the time I needed to obtain the White Demon Stone.

That’s why I’m making the effort to head to Sichuan now that I have spare time.

In that sense, Woo Hyuk’s company doesn’t matter to me, as long as there’s no trouble.

“I need to get permission. First, our family head won’t permit…”

“Ah, the former Family Head gave his permission.”

“…What?”

Woo Hyuk’s words left me momentarily stunned.

Father gave permission?

“When?”

“Huh? I asked yesterday when you came back unconscious?”

“…”

From Woo Hyuk’s words, I realized the sparring match with my father had happened last night.

“He gave permission…?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

“How?”

“What do you mean how? I just asked if I could go along since you were going, and he said it was fine…”

It was funny that Woo Hyuk asked my father so directly.

And it was baffling that my father, when asked, said it was okay.

“It’s fine then, right?”

“…Well… fine. Figure it out yourself…”

Since I had no further reason to refuse, I eventually said it was fine.

If problems arise, he’ll deal with them.

‘This works out well, actually.’

Although I grumbled about not allowing it, hearing Woo Hyuk’s objective made it not a bad thing.

I mean, him wanting to see the Wudang Eccentric.

‘So that’s how it turned out.’

I already had business with the Wudang Eccentric anyway.

More accurately, it’s correct to say I had business with Roe Ah.

Once, Hwang-a Bul-yeong had said.

-Find Namgung Myung.

This meant that Namgung Myung also had unfinished business in this world.

Furthermore, around the time I headed to the Namgung family estate. I could also hear the voice of someone who appeared to be Namgung Myung.

What he said was precisely.

‘Find Roe Ah.’

He told me to find Roe Ah, which had been his beloved sword.

I don’t know what it means, but I could tell it was related to Elder Shin.

‘The problem is that Elder Shin himself isn’t showing up.’

This old man keeps disappearing and not showing up. It’s frustrating enough to kill me, really.

Anyway… at a time when I need to find Roe Ah.

If Woo Hyuk needs to see the Wudang Eccentric, it’s not a bad thing.

Because it means I can handle things all at once on this trip to Sichuan, including Roe Ah.

After calculating that far, I speak to Woo Hyuk.

“If we’re going together, there’s a condition.”

“A condition? What condition?”

The moment Woo Hyuk expressed his doubt, I stated my condition.

“If we go to Sichuan, introduce me to your teacher.”

“…Huh?”

“Then we’ll go together.”

Woo Hyuk’s face contorted upon hearing my words.

I had never seen him make a face like that before.

For some reason, he seemed extremely reluctant to introduce me, but I had no intention of letting this matter slide easily.

Woo Hyuk hesitated for a long time before finally nodding, seemingly deciding it couldn’t be helped.

The deal was made.

******************

After finishing the conversation with Woo Hyuk.

Since I had no further business, I grabbed Woo Hyuk and threw him out the window.

The building looked quite tall, but I knew someone of his caliber wouldn’t die from this, so it didn’t matter.

I remember him screaming that I should at least give him his top while being thrown, but…

He’ll manage.

In the meantime, it felt nostalgic.

In my past life, I got frustrated because I couldn’t do anything no matter how much the Sleeping Dragon acted out, but now I can handle him like this.

Kkik.

I came out of the room and went down the stairs. My destination was naturally where my father was.

“Huh?”

As I was coming down, I saw Gu Huibi coming up the stairs in the distance.

She seemed to be returning after finishing her morning training.

Looks like she’s still diligently keeping up with her training.

As I looked over, thinking I might greet her, Gu Huibi suddenly burst out laughing upon seeing my face.

What?

“Why are you laughing the moment you see someone’s face? It’s annoying.”

“Kuh… Kkuhk… No… Hahaha!”

She couldn’t even hold it in and laughed even harder.

“What are you doing?”

“Haha… Ah… Younger sibling, what’s wrong with your face?”

“My face?”

“Your eyes… Kkuhk… Did you get beaten up somewhere?”

At Gu Huibi’s words, I touched my eyes with my hand.

Then, a throbbing pain shot through.

Why does the area around my eyes hurt so much… Ah.

“Your eyes are bruised black and blue. You look ridiculous.”

“…”

I realized it was a wound from my father. That it had even bruised…

Gu Huibi laughed so hard she clutched her stomach.

“Who beat you up? This older sister will teach them a lesson, tell me.”

“The Family Head.”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering? You said you’d teach them a lesson, older sister.”

At my words, Gu Huibi avoided my gaze. It seemed she wouldn’t punish the one who hit me, despite saying she would.

Finding her reaction amusing, I considered laughing for a moment but decided to let it go.

“Enough… Where is the Family Head?”

“…The training grounds.”

“The training grounds?”

I had actually suspected he might be there, so it seemed my guess was correct.

As I was about to walk past Gu Huibi and move on, she called out to me.

“Younger sibling.”

“Hm?”

“Did something happen between you and the Family Head?”

“Can’t you tell? I got hit.”

“…No, not that.”

She teases me about my blackened eyes, and now she asks what happened? How absurd.

“Then why?”

“No, it’s just… the Family Head seemed strangely pleased.”

“What does the Family Head being in a good mood have to do with me…?”

“Never mind then.”

Without giving a proper answer, Gu Huibi went upstairs ahead of me.

I stared at her back with a strange look before moving on myself.

My destination was the training grounds.

An open space prepared behind the inn.

Since it was Hanam, where martial artists often stay, it felt like the open space had been converted into a training ground.

Originally, there should have been several other martial artists present.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case since Madam Mi had rented the entire inn.

More importantly, even if there were martial artists present in the first place. I doubt many people could withstand the heat emanating from here.

‘It’s sweltering.’

The moment I stepped onto the open space, the heat felt suffocating.

Feeling the heat generated, I immediately identified its source.

As expected, the owner was indeed my father.

The heat gradually subsided.

It seemed my father had noticed me.

His fluttering robe calmed down. My father, having fully retracted his internal energy, turned around, confirmed my presence, and spoke.

“You’re awake… Hmm.”

“…?”

Upon seeing my face, my father trailed off and shut his mouth tightly.

I could see his eyebrows twitching. Could it be…

‘…He’s trying to hold back a laugh?’

Not just anyone. The very person who did this to my eyes?

“You’re awake.”

“Just laugh, please.”

“…What do you mean?”

He seemed to be pretending not to know now, but…

It was far too late for that.