Chapter v12c15

“Argh!”

Yeomdo’s face turned as red as a burning coal, while Binggeom’s, beside him, hardened with icy fury. Bi Ryu-yeon, however, watched them with amusement.

“You damn old geezer! I’ll kill you!”

A torrent of curses erupted from Yeomdo’s lips, his face flushed and contorted in rage. The red-haired middle-aged man grimaced, as if he had bitten into a bug. His already fierce expression had evolved into something even more menacing than a demon.

“How can that be an answer to our question? Do you think that makes any sense? This is not a game!”

Yeomdo was so furious that he looked ready to strike the defenseless old man. Binggeom barely managed to restrain him. Two questions had already been wasted, yielding no useful information. Neither of them was in a good mood. Oblivious to their anger, or perhaps deliberately provoking them, the old man said,

“Didn’t I warn you to choose your questions carefully? I told you…”

“T-This is cheating!”

Yeomdo shouted indignantly.

“Cheating?”

The old man’s eyes, which had been drooping listlessly, suddenly flashed with a sharp glint.

“I’m answering according to my honor. I promised to tell the truth, and this is the truth. It’s your job to find the answers within my words, not mine.”

“You slippery old bastard!”

Yeomdo’s face turned red and blue with rage.

‘We’ve been completely played!’

That was the thought running through both their minds.

Yeomdo had asked the first question.

“Who is behind you?”

The answer was simple.

“That’s obvious. The Heavenly Tribulation! Two questions left.”

It went without saying that Yeomdo flew into a rage at the utterly frustrating answer. He threatened to rip Mo Sa-ryeong’s mouth apart, but thankfully, Binggeom and Bi Ryu-yeon intervened before he could act on his impulse.

Binggeom asked the second question, a more strategically valuable one than Yeomdo’s.

“Where is the base of your Heavenly Tribulation?”

The second answer was equally frustrating.

“The shadow of the mirror you believe in!”

And then he added, “One question left!” It was only natural for Yeomdo’s suppressed anger to explode. He raged, demanding to know how that could be an answer, to which the old man simply replied, “It can.”

“What are you waiting for? You have one question left. Hurry up and ask!”

Mo Sa-ryeong’s words were like nails on a chalkboard, grating on Yeomdo’s nerves. But after their previous two failures, they couldn’t afford to be hasty. Yeomdo and Binggeom huddled together, discussing their final question. It was a miracle that these two rivals, who were always at each other’s throats, were working together to reach a consensus. It was as if the sun would rise from the west tomorrow. Finally, after a long deliberation, Binggeom approached Mo Sa-ryeong. It seemed they had decided on their final question.

Binggeom stared at Mo Sa-ryeong, his mouth remaining closed for a long moment. Finally, he spoke.

“This is our last question. Our third question is…”

“Can we let him go now?”

Yeomdo asked, watching Mo Sa-ryeong’s retreating figure disappear into the deepening twilight. He felt uneasy about letting such a formidable figure go free. Binggeom’s objection was even stronger. But a promise was a promise! They had to keep it, for the sake of their honor and pride as martial artists.

“It’s fine. He’s no longer a martial artist. The Flying Snake Demon Lord died here. That man walking away is just a powerless old man. He won’t be able to cause any more harm.”

Yeomdo and Binggeom’s gazes followed Mo Sa-ryeong’s shrinking silhouette. Indeed, the old man’s steps were unsteady, as if he would be blown away by a gust of wind. He looked like a candle that had burned out, its life force extinguished. Even a slight breeze could extinguish that flame.

“We can’t take everything from him, can we? We’ve already taken enough.”

Bi Ryu-yeon said, taking something out of his pocket. It seemed to be one of the items he had “confiscated,” or rather, rightfully seized, during Mo Sa-ryeong’s “physical examination” while he was unconscious.

Bi Ryu-yeon called out to Tang Sam, who immediately rushed over. Without a word, he held up an object before his eyes. It was a black flute. The surface of the flute was intricately engraved with images of snakes and centipedes.

Tang Sam’s eyes widened. His breathing quickened, and his hands trembled with excitement. He knew exactly what it was. It was a priceless treasure for anyone who dealt with poison, for those who pursued the ultimate in poison arts. How could a flute that allowed one to control venomous snakes and insects at will not be a treasure?

It was like a swordsman obtaining a legendary sword.

“H-How did you…?”

Excitement surged through his veins. He couldn’t contain it.

“…”

Bi Ryu-yeon remained motionless, the Snake and Insect Flute still held before Tang Sam’s eyes. His gaze was fixed elsewhere, as if telling him to figure it out himself.

‘Ah!’

Tang Sam finally understood. After spending so much time with Bi Ryu-yeon, his ability to read his master’s mood had reached a considerable level. He was no longer the clueless Tang Sam of the past. Reading between the lines was an essential skill for surviving life with Bi Ryu-yeon. Tang Sam snatched the flute as if an eagle seizing a rabbit. And he exclaimed,

“Ten taels of gold!”

“…”

Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t budge. In truth, ten taels of gold was too cheap for such a treasure. Tang Sam knew this deep down. But perhaps he had been influenced by Bi Ryu-yeon.

“Twenty taels of gold!”

Tang Sam shouted again. The price had doubled. It was an astronomical sum. But would it be enough to sway Bi Ryu-yeon? Bi Ryu-yeon’s gaze, which had been fixed elsewhere, turned to Tang Sam. Tang Sam flinched as he met his senior brother’s eyes. He felt a pang of guilt.

“Should I call Mun-hye? Or someone else?”

It meant there were plenty of other people who could buy it. But Tang Sam didn’t have twenty taels of gold. He was relying on his family’s wealth. Even if he used his family’s money, the credit would go to him. He might even get to keep the flute for himself. There was no greater fortune.

“T-Thirty taels! Senior brother, please have mercy! This is the limit of the Tang Clan’s resources.”

Of course, he could offer more. But that wasn’t how bargaining worked. Finally, Bi Ryu-yeon reluctantly released the lower part of the flute. Tang Sam’s face was filled with joy and ecstasy as he received the Snake and Insect Flute. He had obtained a treasure in an unexpected place and through an unexpected method (he even wondered if it was right to acquire such a valuable item this way). He was so overwhelmed with emotion that he felt tears welling up.

‘With this, I’ll not only gain recognition from the elders of the sect, but even Mun-hye, who always insists on being my older sister, will have to call me “brother”!’

As Tang Sam walked away with a spring in his step, Bi Ryu-yeon called out to Tang Mun-hye. This time, he took out a book.

The Snake and Insect Sound Score! It was an indispensable guide for playing and mastering the Snake and Insect Flute. She immediately recognized its value. It was the real deal! A whirlwind of excitement engulfed her. She, too, was a direct descendant of the Tang Clan. She thought,

‘With this, I’ll not only gain recognition from the elders of the sect, but even Tang Sam, who always insists on being my older brother, will have to call me “sister”!’

Tang Mun-hye snatched the book like a hawk seizing its prey. And she exclaimed,

“Ten taels of gold!”

“It’s truly over.”

“Indeed.”

Mo Yong Hwi frowned at Jang Hong’s observation. The stench of blood still lingered in the air. There were many casualties on their side as well.

Hyo-ryong seemed to have survived, but he hadn’t spoken a word since regaining consciousness. His eyes were lifeless, like those of a dead man. Yi Jin-seol burst into tears at the sight of him.

Over a dozen others were injured by arrows, and some were poisoned by snake bites. If it hadn’t been for the antidote they had extracted from Mo Sa-ryeong, their lives would have been in danger. Yeomdo, of course, had berated them for their foolishness. But it was a miracle that there were no fatalities after such a fierce battle.

Everyone was exhausted, both physically and mentally, from the accumulated fatigue and tension. Mo Sa-ryeong, having lost the bet and practically lost his mind, kept his promise. However, the three questions, which they had hoped would provide clear answers, only left them with more questions. But they hadn’t expected straightforward answers in the first place, so it was still a significant gain.

Binggeom and Yeomdo, who had asked the three questions, had been silent ever since. The atmosphere around them was so chilling that no one dared to approach or speak to them.

The fog rolled in again, shrouding the gruesome scene in a white veil.

As people tended to the wounded, treated them, and cleaned up the battlefield,

Rustle!

They heard a sound from beyond the fog.

“Who’s there?”

Clang!

GoYakhan’s saber flashed out of its sheath with blinding speed.

Clang!

Someone’s sword blocked his saber.

“Hahaha, you weren’t serious, were you?”

A cheerful voice emerged from the fog, followed by a figure. As his identity was revealed, the tense atmosphere dissipated, and people returned to their tasks.

But GoYakhan was struggling to resist the urge to “actually cut him down.” However, his reason prevailed over his impulsive desire.

“Where have you been? Can’t you see the carnage we’ve been through?”

GoYakhan glared at him, his words laced with anger. He wanted to punch that slippery bastard’s smug face.

“Hahaha, it wasn’t intentional. Personal needs can arise at any time, you know? And I wasn’t exactly idle.”

“You can laugh at a time like this? Your nerves must be wired differently!”

GoYakhan was so annoyed by Neuk Gi-han’s nonchalant attitude that he felt the urge to punch him. Then something caught his eye.

“What’s that in your left hand?”

“Oh, this?”

He was carrying someone in his arms. A masked figure clad in black. There was no need to ask who it was.

“Is he alive?”

Those mysterious figures had retreated without leaving any bodies behind. It was the perfect escape for assassins. It showed how skilled and experienced they were.

Therefore, a captive was invaluable. They had already let go of a valuable source of information because of that promise. Neuk Gi-han shook his head regretfully.

“He was, until a moment ago.”

Meaning, he wasn’t anymore.

“Tsk! Typical of you. What good is a corpse? Don’t you know that dead men tell no tales? Are you trying to brag about your useless efforts?”

His words were like needles piercing GoYakhan’s heart. But Neuk Gi-han was no ordinary man when it came to thick skin. He continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

“It was quite a predicament. I was taking care of some personal business when suddenly arrows started raining down on me from all directions. It was urgent, and I was quite flustered. I barely made it out alive. I thought I was going to die before I could finish my business. Then I realized I had been separated from my group and tried to rush back here. But arrows were pouring down like rain, chains were blocking my path, and then a swarm of vipers appeared. I couldn’t get through no matter how hard I tried. That’s when I captured this guy. He was just wandering around for some reason. It took some effort to subdue him.”

As he said, his white clothes were torn and tattered. But it seemed he had no serious injuries.

“You look surprisingly unscathed for someone who went through all that. So, did you relieve yourself properly?”

It was unlike GoYakhan to ask such a question indirectly instead of just asking, “Did you take a good shit?” Upon closer inspection, Neuk Gi-han’s clothes were only superficially cut, with no bloodstains. GoYakhan, who had hoped he had been properly stabbed, shot, and bitten, was disappointed.

“It would be more pleasing to hear you say I’m skilled.”

“If you were skilled, your clothes wouldn’t be so tattered. And you wouldn’t have let your captive die so easily. I thought you had warned him before they launched their surprise attack. That would have been quite convenient for a coward like you!”

Neuk Gi-han’s face hardened at GoYakhan’s insults.

“That’s harsh. Speaking of which, I’m curious to hear about your heroic deeds, Elder Go. I’m worried you might have been hiding behind the disciples.”

“W-What?!”

Sparks flew from GoYakhan’s eyes.

“Stop it, both of you! Why do you always fight when you’re together?”

Binggeom intervened, separating the two men who were ready to tear each other apart. His expression was still stiff, but it was much better than before, when he had been radiating icy fury.

Even these two men couldn’t disobey Binggeom.

“We have a long way to go! Let’s hurry.”

Binggeom said. GoYakhan and Neuk Gi-han’s gazes met for a moment.

“Hmph!”

They both turned away, their faces contorted with mutual disgust. Thus, the battle at Thunderbolt Valley came to an end. But for some, it only left behind a multitude of questions.

Binggeom had a strong feeling that this was not the end, but the beginning.

“This is our last question. What is the purpose of your Heavenly Tribulation this time?”

“A volcano blooming with red flowers!”

Mo Sa-ryeong’s final answer still echoed in his mind.

That night was freezing, cold enough to frost over their skin.

The stars, twinkling in the cold wind, shimmered in the black sea of the night sky. It was a peaceful scene. A bonfire crackled nearby, sending sparks into the air like fiery pollen. The bloody battle from earlier felt like a distant dream.

But the groans of the wounded served as a stark reminder of reality. They had been forced to camp out, unable to reach the nearest village. The only consolation was that there were no critically injured…

However, they couldn’t let their guard down, considering the events of the day and the fact that their enemies had retreated too easily to be trusted.

The uninjured male disciples went to a nearby stream to fetch water for treating the wounded. It didn’t take long, as they were all skilled in lightness techniques. They didn’t have proper water containers, being on a journey, but they had specially made, thin, and large water pouches, which made fetching water relatively easy.

The problem was boiling the water. They didn’t have an iron pot for such a journey. The solution was rather crude. As people racked their brains over this issue, Bi Ryu-yeon walked silently towards a boulder. It was a round boulder, shaped like an overturned rice bowl, about waist-high and quite wide.

Tap, tap! Bi Ryu-yeon tapped the boulder with his fingers, checking its hardness, and nodded in satisfaction. He acted without hesitation.

Flash! A silver light flashed briefly. Everyone was too busy with their tasks to notice what had just happened. Except for one person, Na Yerin.

All they saw was a large, hemispherical boulder, sliced cleanly in half, sliding down with a “swoosh.” Bi Ryu-yeon discarded the bottom half and kept the top. The cut surface was as smooth as a mirror, but no one saw what weapon or technique he had used.

Binggeom, approaching him, marveled at his clean handiwork. Cutting a boulder like this was no big deal for the disciples gathered here. It was as simple as raising a hand or taking a step. But only a handful of them could achieve such a clean and smooth cut. And without a sword or saber, what had he used? The more he learned about him, the more mysterious he seemed.

Bi Ryu-yeon said,

“Carve it out.”

Binggeom understood what he wanted. Binglu, his sword, was drawn, its blade gleaming like a star in the darkness. His gaze focused on the center of the mirror-smooth surface.

Swish!

Binggeom’s sword moved in a clean arc, like a brushstroke. It was a sword technique that seemed to carve through the boulder like tofu, creating a perfect stone pot. The thickness of the pot was incredibly thin, a testament to Binggeom’s exceptional sword control.

People marveled at Binggeom’s skill (Bi Ryu-yeon’s ability went unnoticed, so he received no praise) and filled the pot with water, gathering firewood to start a fire.

The bonfire crackled, illuminating the darkness like tiny fireflies.

“How’s Hyo-ryong?”

Yeomdo approached Tang Sam, who was busy tending to the wounded.

“He’s alive, but…”

Tang Sam, the most skilled healer among them, replied. All martial artists had basic medical knowledge for emergency treatment, but the children of the Tang Clan received more formal training in medicine. Poison and medicine were inseparable.

He was eager to study the interesting object he had received from his senior brother, but treating the wounded was his top priority.

“But what?”

“It seems his mind has been affected by the Lightning Flash Demon Sword’s sword energy. His eyes haven’t regained their focus. He’s like… an imbecile. It’s temporary, of course, but it will take time for him to recover.”

“It’s no wonder. He was exposed to the sword energy of such a master at close range…”

If the sword energy had penetrated any deeper, he could have become permanently disabled.

“Miss Yi is taking good care of him.”

Yi Jin-seol had been tending to Hyo-ryong ever since, forgetting even to eat or sleep, never leaving his side. She was completely fixated on him, her devotion bordering on obsession.

Dokgo Ryeong, feeling sorry for her, advised her to rest, warning that she would collapse if she continued like this, but she wouldn’t listen. She was solely focused on caring for Hyo-ryong.

“Can someone really devote themselves to a man so completely?”

It seemed Yi Jin-seol’s actions had shocked Na Yerin. She imagined herself in Yi Jin-seol’s place and shook her head.

Honestly, the scene before her was incomprehensible. But a part of her understood. She didn’t know which feeling was right. She was confused. Suddenly, the image of Bi Ryu-yeon flashed through her mind.

‘Again!’

Why did he keep popping up in her thoughts lately? She didn’t know. It seemed his presence in her heart was growing. But the more it grew, the more fear of the unknown blossomed in the other half of her heart.

‘Could it be…’

She quickly rejected the thought, refusing to acknowledge it. The tiny feeling that had sprouted in the depths of her heart was too frightening to accept. Her gaze unconsciously followed Bi Ryu-yeon. He was talking to Yeomdo and Binggeom by the bonfire. The two middle-aged men listening to him looked serious.

‘He wouldn’t get hurt like that, would he…’

It was an unfounded belief, but the thought suddenly crossed her mind. But later, Na Yerin would have to learn that Bi Ryu-yeon was not invincible or immortal. She would pay a heavy price for that realization…