Chapter 204: Mudo Mountain Range. (2)

Mount Wu Domain. (2)

I sighed, looking at Namgung Bi-ah, who stood behind me, avoiding my gaze.

She kept insisting we go somewhere else, even though I knew the way, and it was driving me absolutely nuts.

She’d suggest going the opposite direction at the slightest provocation.

If I had actually followed Namgung Bi-ah’s directions, I would probably be standing on some completely unfamiliar mountain right now.

“I told you, it was an urgent situation.”

“…Sorry.”

“If you keep causing trouble, you can just wait at home.”

When I pointed the way towards Gu Clanh with my hand, Namgung Bi-ah shook her head.

“…No.”

With that, Namgung Bi-ah scrunched up her face, a rare sight, as if expressing her utter disgust.

Seeing that, I sighed and said.

“I told you, you wouldn’t be much help even if you came.”

It was a cold statement, in a way, but it was also something I needed to say.

“…”

At my words, Namgung Bi-ah quietly drew her sword.

She looked ready to fight me.

The tingling aura brushing against my cheek made me finally lower my head completely.

I couldn’t help but lament how things had turned out like this.

What more could I say?

‘…Sigh, fuck.’

It was all my karma, after all.

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

It was the second day since we set out for Mount Wu Domain.

Spring rain was drizzling down from the sky.

I kept running, relying solely on the direction.

‘How many more mountains do I have to cross?’

I hadn’t counted precisely, but there were at least five more left.

This damned land had to be ridiculously vast.

‘The bead… not yet?’

I glanced at the Heavenly Path Bead, but since I’d used it just yesterday, its light hadn’t fully recovered yet.

If you’re wondering why I’m checking the bead’s color.

I had discovered something about the bead through several studies.

The Heavenly Path Bead could only be used once a day.

And its duration was quite short.

The bead’s color indicated whether it could be used or not.

I had to wait until the murky crimson glow returned to its bright radiance.

I soon put the bead back and checked the sky.

‘With the rain like this, camping won’t be easy.’

Since I left in such a hurry, I couldn’t pack any proper travel supplies.

I hadn’t even brought the Spirit Guiding Charm, which is essential for travel and detects the appearance of Demonic Gates.

Naturally, I had to face the approaching threats alone.

I had actually encountered monsters attempting to attack a few times.

At best, they were only Green grade, so it wasn’t much of a problem.

‘Last year, even this was a struggle.’

The lowest grade Demonic Gate, the Green Gate.

Unlike last year, when I struggled to take down the ones emerging from there.

Now, I could handle them just by emitting flames around me.

Of course, it would get tougher if they were of higher grades.

Besides, Blue grade and above rarely appear anyway.

From then on, it was on the level of a natural disaster.

With my current level, I might be able to handle up to Blue grade alone somehow.

‘Red Gates would be too much.’

Excluding True Demonic Gates, Red Gates hadn’t appeared for the past few centuries.

It should be fine for now.

The appearance of a Red grade Demonic Gate in the future.

It was only after the Heavenly Demon appeared in the Central Plains.

‘I really need to pick up the pace a bit.’

Considering the remaining distance.

More importantly, time is running out.

Although Gu Huibi was currently spending time idly in prison, no one knew what might happen to her while I was away.

Especially if it involved the Black Night Palace.

They were definitely connected to the Demonic Cult.

There was no time to dawdle.

As that thought occurred, I drew upon the internal energy in my dantian again and leaped.

Thanks to that, my speed had increased significantly compared to moments ago.

Just as I was leaping high enough to almost fly through the air.

[Is your remaining energy alright?]

Old Master Shin asked me.

‘It’s still fine.’

Since I’ve consumed so much, it would be difficult to find a martial artist with more internal energy than me within the same cultivation level.

Even if you go to higher levels, it wouldn’t be easy.

[It’s best to leave some reserves for unforeseen circumstances.]

‘Don’t worry, I’m not that clueless, am I?’

[Then why is the one who knows that so well using up all his energy every time he fights?]

‘…’

[You might end up in trouble if you can’t clean up the mess.]

I knew that too.

Because if I said anything now, I’d just get asked why I was acting like that when I knew better.

I just shut my mouth.

‘…I wish there was a village nearby.’

[Changing the subject… Tsk tsk.]

I felt a bit guilty, but I really did need a village.

I couldn’t keep hunting wild beasts or monsters for food forever.

My body has reached its peak, so not eating for a few days wouldn’t cause any problems.

But it was still better than not having anything.

More importantly.

‘I need to get a Spirit Guiding Charm.’

A signal charm made by shamans that alerts you if a Demonic Gate is about to open nearby.

Whether for long or short journeys, the Spirit Guiding Charm was an essential item for travel in this era.

It not only allows you to anticipate and prepare for Demonic Gates.

But it was also an item that helps you escape danger.

Anyone traveling absolutely had to carry one.

‘Though I don’t need it for that purpose.’

From my perspective, I actually wanted to find Demonic Gates.

‘I need to consume a bit more.’

I needed to store more demonic energy.

Before, I psychologically rejected and tried to avoid it because it was the Heavenly Demon’s power.

But now, the situation was such that I couldn’t avoid it.

It was necessary to calm the conflicting energies within my body.

From the moment I decided not to reject demonic energy.

The current amount was far from enough to properly utilize the power.

[Just be careful not to break the vessel.]

‘Yes.’

Even though I gained crucial insights from Old Master Shin on how to compress and utilize internal energy.

As the martial arts I use require vast amounts of internal energy from the start.

Without using the Demonic Path Heavenly Absorption technique, I couldn’t prepare for the future blood feuds.

At the very least.

Even the Black Night Palace couldn’t handle the current situation.

‘I doubt nibbling away at it will be enough.’

Having consumed large amounts of rare treasures consecutively, Green grade demonic stones wouldn’t even make a dent.

But it’s better than nothing.

After that, I ran for a long time through the rain.

However, I still couldn’t find a village.

The continuous range of mountains, and the fact that it was an area untouched by human hands.

Perhaps the problem was that with so many monsters, it wasn’t easy for people to live here.

In the end, it meant I couldn’t get anything I needed before leaving.

‘I need to build up my stamina.’

Tsk.

I guess I’ll have to hunt monsters for food.

While it seemed unappealing, I honestly didn’t think much of it.

‘It’s fortunate I can even do that; it was worse in my past life.’

I keenly felt the blessing of being able to eat ‘edible’ monsters through the hardships of my past life.

Something like this didn’t bother me at all.

After running for quite a while longer, I finally managed to cross one mountain.

Even after crossing a mountain, the rain continued to fall.

The only difference was that the sun had set, and night had arrived.

After that, I continued to close the distance, expending internal energy lavishly for a long time.

I leaped over trees, landed on the ground, and caught my breath.

‘Hoo….’

My internal energy was still sufficient, and my body had plenty of strength left.

But I faced another problem.

‘Who is it?’

I had felt a presence following me since dusk.

It was faint when I hadn’t expanded my senses, but.

As soon as I sensed it, I spread my senses, and it became clear.

Someone was gradually approaching this way.

And at a very high speed.

‘It’s not a monster… I see.’

Monsters wouldn’t approach with such fluid movements.

They were no different from beasts.

‘Then who is it?’

It must be human, then.

Perhaps because of the distance, it was difficult to pinpoint the presence accurately.

‘Could it be someone from the Black Night Palace?’

Or perhaps, the same ones from the recent attack?

Even if Elder Il died, it might not be over.

Kku-uk.

I gradually raised my fighting spirit.

While escaping by creating distance was an option.

I thought it would be better to deal with this beforehand.

Once I could gauge the presence, I planned to counterattack immediately, condensing internal energy in my fist.

As the unidentified individual gradually approached within my range.

Just before entering my domain, the person suddenly accelerated rapidly.

“What…!”

As if they already knew my territory, their speed increased instantaneously.

Their cultivation level seemed much higher than expected.

Since this was an unexpected situation, I immediately shifted my stance.

The fact that they hid their presence so I couldn’t properly sense them.

And the speed at which they approached me in that state was definitely that of a peak-level martial artist.

I couldn’t afford to be careless.

Hwa-ahk-!

Heat escaped through the raindrops.

My hair instantly turned crimson, and I prepared myself to be enveloped in flames at any moment.

Despite the fluid movement, it was almost a straight line.

Also, for someone hiding their presence, it was a surprisingly straightforward charge.

However, there was no time to think as they were right in front of me.

Without hesitation, I tried to unleash flames towards the opponent.

Jjirit.

“…”?

If it weren’t for the familiar aura that flashed before my eyes.

Tuk.

Unlike the speed of approach, the landing was surprisingly light and soft.

I looked at the person who appeared before me with surprised eyes.

Drenched from the rain, her clothes clung tightly, revealing her figure.

Her wet hair somehow looked alluring.

Her bright, silvery-white hair, perhaps due to the rain.

Was shining even more brilliantly.

Finally, the woman’s jewel-like blue eyes turned towards me.

“…You.”

“Hi.”

The person was none other than Namgung Bi-ah, who should have been in Gu Clanh right now.

I examined her with an expression close to shock.

It wasn’t that I was surprised by her appearance here.

Although that was surprising in itself.

Something else was far more important.

“Did you break through the wall?”

The aura I felt from Namgung Bi-ah was undoubtedly that of a peak-level martial artist.

Moreover, it seemed she had only recently broken through, as her energy was leaking due to her inability to control her mid-dantian.

This was a characteristic seen in martial artists who had just broken through the wall.

“Yeah.”

Namgung Bi-ah nodded at my words.

“…I did.”

She answered blankly, but it was unbelievable.

How on earth did she do it?

‘I thought Yeongpung or Mu-yeon would have done it first.’

Yeongpung, the foremost genius of Hwasan and holder of the title Sword Dragon, I hadn’t seen him in quite a while, so.

I wasn’t sure.

But I thought Mu-yeon would have broken through before Namgung Bi-ah.

Mu-yeon was right on the verge of breaking through the wall.

He was in a state where he just needed to break through, so I naturally assumed he would.

“…What happened? Breaking through the wall so suddenly.”

At least Namgung Bi-ah wasn’t as close to breaking through the wall as Mu-yeon was.

She was progressing faster and faster, as if she had gained some enlightenment.

But even so, from my perspective, she needed at least a year to break through the wall…

‘She’s breaking through so suddenly?’

Did she gain some other enlightenment?

She didn’t seem like she just stumbled upon a treasure.

Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head at my question.

“…It just… happened?”

“…”

Just hearing it made my head throb.

If it just ‘happened,’ others wouldn’t struggle so much, you damn brat.

I said, trying hard to hide my thoughts.

“…Right, congratulations.”

“Yeah.”

Realizing once again how outstanding Namgung Bi-ah’s talent was, I offered my congratulations.

Now that that was settled.

I had to ask something else.

“How did you get here?”

“…”

Namgung Bi-ah remained silent at my question. Only then did I start to understand what kind of expression she was wearing.

‘She’s angry.’

Her eyes narrowed slightly. I felt a determined emotion in her gaze directed at me.

“…Did you perhaps… come looking for me?”

This time, she nodded.

Of course, her being here meant exactly that.

But how?

“How did you know where to come?”

“I just knew.”

That was absurd.

Considering the distance.

There was no way that directionally-challenged girl could have found the right way.

Out of suspicion, I felt myself over.

I wondered if Namgung Bi-ah, like Gu Huibi, had hidden something on my body.

But I found nothing.

Just then.

Jjirit.

A surge of energy brushed past me, and I turned my gaze towards Namgung Bi-ah.

Namgung Bi-ah’s sword was heavily imbued with aura.

It wasn’t the faint aura I’d seen before, but a perfect aura with a distinct form.

That was definitive proof that Namgung Bi-ah had reached a new level.

Emitting the unique presence of the Namgung Family intensely, Namgung Bi-ah spoke to me.

“Let’s go together.”

Why did you go alone?

What’s the reason you left me behind?

Why did you make that choice? etc. Regardless of the countless reprimands that were about to pour from Namgung Bi-ah’s mouth.

She was telling me to go together.

This was clearly a notification. A notification from Namgung Bi-ah to me.

Meeting her gaze, I asked her.

“…Do you even know where we’re going right now?”

“I don’t… but it doesn’t matter…”

“What doesn’t matter? It’s dangerous, so I didn’t want you to come…”

Ku-ung.

Before I could finish speaking, Namgung Bi-ah raised her momentum.

As if she was ready to fight me.

“Go together.”

It was the same words as before.

But the tip of her drawn sword was pointed at me.

“If not, you can’t go.”

Her expression made it clear she was serious. If I didn’t allow it here.

She looked like she would swing her sword at me at any moment.

The peak-level aura gradually took over the forest.

Namgung Bi-ah showed no sign of backing down.

Moreover, the situation was extremely urgent.

In the end, I had no choice but to make a decision seeing her like that.

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

And that’s how we ended up in this situation.

Looking at Namgung Bi-ah standing blankly behind me, I regretted that moment.

‘I should have just subdued her and left.’

Namgung Bi-ah, having improved her level, was indeed a difficult opponent even for me now.

However, if we fought seriously, she wasn’t at a level I couldn’t subdue.

It would just take some time.

In that case, I couldn’t just leave Namgung Bi-ah in the forest at night.

And it was obvious Namgung Bi-ah would chase after me again, so I eventually had no choice but to agree.

“…I can’t… see anything.”

Whether she knew it or not, Namgung Bi-ah was simply amazed by the thick fog surrounding us.

Even after reaching the peak, her naive personality seemed unchanged.

“Don’t wander off carelessly; if you do, we might not find each other.”

This is a disaster zone.

It was a place even the Alliance strictly prohibited entry into.

In fact, people who entered here carelessly often got lost and disappeared without a trace.

The fog spreading around wasn’t just ordinary fog.

I couldn’t even properly use my senses to explore the surroundings.

At my warning, Namgung Bi-ah stopped and.

Keun-keun.

She sniffed around, looking here and there.

“…What are you doing?”

After repeating this a few times, she nodded to herself as if she understood.

What is she doing…?

“…I won’t get lost.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I can smell it.”

At Namgung Bi-ah’s words, I shook my head.

She’s not a dog, so what is she going to find by smell…

I stepped back slightly and grabbed Namgung Bi-ah’s arm.

If we really got lost, there would be no way out.

There was no way Namgung Bi-ah, who already had a terrible sense of direction, could find her way properly in this thick fog.

‘But what we really need to find is something else.’

I sighed inwardly.

Although I came here recklessly, I wondered if we could find the Black Night Palace’s main base in this fog.

‘They wouldn’t have just relied on the fog; they must have done something more.’

It was highly likely they had set up formations around the area.

So, finding it wouldn’t be easy.

“What should we do…”

If the vision shown by the Heavenly Path Bead was correct, it should definitely be somewhere in these mountains.

However, even if the mountain range wasn’t particularly large, finding something in this fog was difficult.

‘If only I could figure this out…’

Holding Namgung Bi-ah’s arm, I frowned and looked around for a long time.

Wu-ung.

Suddenly, I felt a vibration from my waist.

The vibration came from the pouch containing the Heavenly Path Bead.

Thinking it was almost time to use it again, I took out the bead.

“…!”

The bead in my hand flashed brightly once.

And began shooting a beam of light in one direction.

Piercing through the fog, towards somewhere.

Looking at the crimson light being shot, I thought.

“This…”

Could it be showing Gu Huibi’s location?

Before I could resolve my doubt.

My feet were already moving, following the light.