Chapter 191: Was This A Guy I Knew (1)
Chapter 190 – Was This A Guy I Knew (1)
One of the thousands of peaks of Guilin.
A man, with the clouds beneath his feet, stood straight and stared blankly at a Jade Spiritual Bead.
Inside the bead that held a jade-colored radiance, the appearance of Namgung Cheon’s group departing from Guilin was reflected.
The Jade Spiritual Bead, which the Jade-Eyed Spiritual Crow is said to hold from birth, faintly projects what the crow sees. When sorcery is added to it, the image becomes even clearer.
Yeo Sin-woo put the Jade Spiritual Bead into his bosom and muttered indifferently.
“He indeed does not have it. Is it already too late?”
He had roughly guessed from the moment Namgung Cheon ran to the canyon at Chogok Tavern.
When one possesses something precious, they are instinctively bound to hover around it. They cannot easily depart from its side.
Yet Namgung Cheon had dashed straight toward the canyon.
Had he been transporting the elixirs of the Demonic Pill Valley, he would have never done such a thing.
In other words, it meant he had already moved it elsewhere.
‘It is a pity since I came all this way. I will get scolded by the Valley Lord.’
Yeo Sin-woo let out a shallow sigh and turned his steps.
Although they did not obtain the Demonic Pill Valley’s elixirs, the plan would not change. In any case, such elixirs were merely a part of the grand plan.
An alternative always exists. No, the Black Fog Valley Lord, his very existence would be the alternative.
Caw!
Right then, a crow flew at a rapid speed, cutting through the sky. Its speed was agile enough to bring an eagle to mind.
Flutter!
The crow, with its wings spread wide, perched lightly on Yeo Sin-woo’s shoulder.
Yeo Sin-woo stroked the back of the Jade-Eyed Spiritual Crow once and hesitated as he was about to step away.
His gaze traced somewhere below the clouds.
“But… that child, was he called Namgung Cheon?”
Yeo Sin-woo, murmuring to himself, chuckled faintly.
What does it matter?
Was he not just a child who had not even passed twenty?
The Namgung Clan had already produced a once-in-a-lifetime genius, yet instead of seeing the light, it had collapsed.
Even if a genius emerged once again, if he became an obstacle, they could just trample him down.
Because the Jianghu was not a place where one could survive by talent alone. Above all, it was a place where experience was important.
Especially so in real combat where blood splattered.
Swish!
In an instant, his figure vanished from the limestone peak like a lie.
* * *
Rumble.
The heavily lowered sky let out the cry of a beast.
“It seems a heavy rainstorm is about to pour…”
Paeng Su-hyeok muttered as he looked up out of the carriage window. Yu Hyeon, sitting next to him, smiled gently.
“Still, it is reassuring to have a carriage. Since we will at least be able to avoid the rain.”
“That is true.”
Paeng Su-hyeok nodded and glanced at Namgung Cheon.
Actually, was the fact that they could ride in such a luxurious carriage not entirely thanks to Namgung Cheon?
Although Instructor Bi Ryang politely declined, saying it was fine, Jangheung Escort Director Yi Sa-heum stubbornly insisted on lending them two carriages.
‘Indeed, he is a fascinating guy the more I look at him.’
How on earth did he find out about the Demonic Pill Valley?
They say a person changes after dying and waking up again. Does not only their personality change, but also their abilities?
‘If that is the case, it might be worth dying once…’
Paeng Su-hyeok, who was thoughtlessly thinking so, quickly shook his head and slapped his own cheek.
‘What on earth am I thinking?’
Although he was reproaching himself for the absurd thought he had momentarily conceived, the other cadets watching nearby flinched and clicked their tongues.
‘Dear… since they said he lost the Lesser Returning Pill, he must be very upset. He needs to shake it off quickly.’
‘Now he is resorting to self-harm. Does he think I will give him another pill if he does that?’
While Yu Hyeon and Namgung Cheon were lost in their respective thoughts, the carriage was slowly coming to a halt.
When Namgung Cheon opened the door and stepped down, they still had to go quite a bit further along the official road to exit the forest.
Just then, Bi Ryang also stepped down from the leading carriage and was conversing with the coachman.
“What is the matter?”
At Namgung Cheon’s question, Bi Ryang glanced back and replied.
“It seems the distance to the next village is quite far, so they say we should find a suitable place to stay and rest. The rain will fall soon, too.”
Certainly, once it started raining, the horses would also grow much more exhausted, and it would be no small struggle.
“Where do you plan to rest?”
“They say there is an abandoned shrine nearby, so it seems we will have to spend tonight there.”
“Well, it cannot be helped.”
“Please tell the other cadets too.”
“Yes.”
Namgung Cheon replied and turned around. Walking toward the carriage, he felt a fresh wave of emotion.
Resting just because it was going to rain.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
He had never enjoyed such a luxury in his past life. Yes, this was indeed a luxury.
Originally, when it rained, one was supposed to move, not rest. This was practically an iron rule engraved in his mind over decades of his life.
Rain erases many things.
Naturally, the number of people walking the streets decreases.
It erases sound and it erases traces.
Footprints might be left behind, but it is not much of a problem if a heavy downpour falls. Because it erases even those.
It also blocks the pursuers’ field of vision.
Instead, when the rain stops, one must stop.
One cannot easily move until the ground hardens.
Because that is precisely when the remaining traces are not easily erased.
In any case, Namgung Cheon felt once again that he had become a normal person.
Namgung Cheon, who was about to climb back into the carriage, glanced back at Bi Ryang in the distance.
‘Instructor Bi Ryang.’
The battle in the canyon was truly grand.
A close contest without a single inch of retreat.
Why does someone of that caliber travel with cadets like these? Is there anyone among the cadets who could match Bi Ryang?
No one.
Except one.
‘Except me, that is.’
In the end, it leads to the conclusion that the reason Bi Ryang was there like that was because of him.
Of course, this might also be paranoia originating from his past life.
However, Namgung Cheon’s senses were also that distinct.
‘It indeed feels like he is watching me… but it is ambiguous whether the Alliance Leader ordered it or what. Should I take this opportunity to find out?’
Just then, Bi Ryang spun around to look at Namgung Cheon. When their eyes met, Bi Ryang smiled brightly and waved his hand.
When looking at him like that, is he not indeed a naive and thoughtless instructor?
I really do not know. That man.
* * *
A valley stream where a waterfall flowed down.
Splash!
Just then, a wet body burst up, breaking through the water’s surface.
A firm upper body glistened, receiving the moonlight.
Silver hair shone like jewels.
Shaking his head once, his silver hair fluttered, as if shaking off jewel dust.
“It is refreshingly cool after a long time.”
Bi Ryang, who stretched fully, submerged slightly under the water’s surface again.
As his face was half-buried in the water, bubbles trickled out of his nose and mouth.
However, another ripple occurred on the water’s surface.
Pitter. patter. pitter.
‘Rain…?’
Looking up, it was indeed raining.
The sky, which had only let out low rumbles all day as if it might rain or not, finally seemed to pour.
The raindrops, which fell one by one, instantly turned into a heavy downpour.
Whoosh!
A thick sheet of rain, making it hard to see even an inch ahead, pelted down mercilessly.
It was as if he had his lower body submerged in the water while his upper body was hit by a waterfall.
Bi Ryang spread his two arms and looked at the sky, receiving the rain with his entire body.
Whoosh…!
Standing in the rain with his entire body like this, it felt as though he had become one with the world. The feeling that the rain penetrated his head, turned back into water, and exited his entire body.
In addition, his own appearance, with silver hair hanging down while receiving the rain with his entire body, would surely be beautiful.
Sometimes, one must fall into such self-indulgence.
Only then would one’s martial arts achieve the next level.
However, there was someone watching Bi Ryang with a rather uncomfortable gaze.
‘What is that guy doing by himself?’
It was Namgung Cheon, crouching low in the bushes.
Since he was thoroughly accustomed to moving while hiding his presence, tracking Bi Ryang was not very difficult.
In addition, since it started raining a moment ago, hiding his presence was much easier.
However, he could not tell what on earth Bi Ryang was doing.
When Bi Ryang quietly slipped out of the cave at night, he had followed him, only to find him taking a bath in the valley.
In an instant, it became a strange situation of peeping at a man’s bath, but in any case, Namgung Cheon intended to find out about Bi Ryang clearly this time.
And to properly understand the opponent, as expected…
‘There is nothing more certain than exchanging blows!’
The moment his thoughts ended, Namgung Cheon shot forward like an arrow.
Swish!
A movement truly like lightning.
Namgung Cheon already knew well what kind of divine might Bi Ryang had displayed in the canyon.
He moved his feet as if squeezing out every bit of power from every single cell.
Tap!
Kicking off the water’s surface, his body slid and flew three or four zhang at a time.
Concentrating all his senses, at some point his ego disappeared and he became one with the water.
It meant he was not dropping his guard that much.
Swish!
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!
Without delay, his flying palm continuously struck the water droplets floating in the air.
Finally, the moment a palm strike was about to explode on the center of Bi Ryang’s back!
Boom!
Splash!
With a loud explosion, the pooled water was hollowed out like a volcanic crater and spread out in a dish shape.
Flash! Rumble!
Just then, lightning struck and thunder rolled.
Surprisingly, at the dramatic moment, Bi Ryang turned around, extended his hand, and blocked Namgung Cheon’s palm strike.
‘As expected…!’
He was extraordinary.
Although he knew he was a formidable fellow from the fight in the canyon, he was someone far superior to his thoughts.
He had launched a surprise attack while hiding his killing intent, but if the palm strike from a moment ago had connected, his life would have been in danger in all likelihood.
Skrrr!
Namgung Cheon slid and regained his balance in the valley, which was almost revealed to its bottom.
Surge! Splash!
Soon after, the pooled water fluctuated and raged like the rough waves of the seashore.
However, even when the fierce stream of water like waves swept over the two and caused a ruckus, Namgung Cheon and Bi Ryang remained unshaken like rocks firmly embedded in the ground.
Confirming Namgung Cheon, Bi Ryang smiled gently.
“I was startled.”
“I do not believe you.”
“I was really surprised.”
“No. I mean you, Instructor. I cannot trust you.”
“Hmm? Why is that? I am someone who cares for you like this.”
“That is why I cannot trust you more. Because you take care of the Great Killing Star’s child so affectionately.”
“Sometimes, there is such a thing as favor without a price.”
“In my experience, unconditional favor is usually a trick to stab one in the back.”
“Dear. It seems you have lived only being deceived.”
“Yes, I have lived only being deceived.”
Bi Ryang wore a blank expression for a moment, then chuckled.
“Indeed. It is understandable.”
“Instructor, who are you?”
“To launch a surprise attack out of nowhere just to ask that?”
“Even just exchanging blows once can tell me a lot.”
In fact, he had found out a lot.
First of all, he did not practice heterodox or demonic arts.
At least at this very moment, he harbored absolutely no hostility toward him.
Even that his martial arts level was beyond imagination.
‘Of course, it falls short of my peak.’
Whoosh…!
The sound of rain filled the silence.
Under the pouring rain, the gazes of the two clashed for a long time.
Finally, Bi Ryang approached slowly.
One step. One step…
But hey, aren’t you approaching too close? Mmm. It feels like it will become uncomfortable for both of us if you come any closer.
Finally stopping at a distance close enough to touch, Bi Ryang chuckled.
“You indeed look alike. Looking at you naturally brings that person to mind.”
That person? Who is that person…?
The question did not last long.
Because Bi Ryang spoke with a curl of his lips, reading Namgung Cheon’s expression.
“Your father, that is.”
Wait. Do not make such a wistful face.
Because it is annoying!
By the way, this fellow, was he someone I knew?