Chapter 308: Reunion (1)

Looking at the backs of the government troops chasing after the demon beast Heum-won with all their might, Mok Gyeong-un smirked and said,

“Somehow, they really don’t deviate from my expectations.”

“As expected, they were lying in wait.”

Seop Chun clicked his tongue while looking at the government troops.

After Reverse Muscle Scripture Hall Grand Monk Museong of Shaolin acknowledged the defeat of the Hundred and Eight Arhats Formation, Commander Kang-hak quietly disappeared.

He thought that Mok Gyeong-un and his companions would be too preoccupied with Shaolin to remember him, but that was a miscalculation.

As they were in a position to deter the ongoing pursuit of the imperial troops, they had been carefully watching Commander Kang-hak slip away.

Throughout his escape, his expression was filled with schemes, not at all resembling someone who was retreating.

“Since the monster bird is heading east, we’ll be able to throw off the pursuit for a while.”

Mong Mu-yak said as if it was a good thing.

If they could avoid the pursuit of the imperial troops, it could be said that they had accomplished more than 80% of their mission.

Meanwhile, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, gulping down liquor from a gourd, asked,

-Gulp gulp!

“Phew. But Master, is it alright to send that monster bird away like that? Even if it’s difficult for it to carry us due to its injured wing, it seems a bit of a waste to abandon it just for that.”

He was puzzled because when Shaolin told them to leave it behind, Mok Gyeong-un had tried his best to take it with them, but now it seemed he was using it as bait to lure the enemies.

To this, Mok Gyeong-un nonchalantly replied,

“Don’t worry. My spirit beast is connected to me, so even if it’s far away, it can find its way back. And it seems to need some time to recover its injured wing through magical power.”

“If that’s the case, then fine.”

Ja Geum-jeong spoke as if relieved, rubbing his bald head.

Seeing him like that, Seop Chun chuckled and said,

“It seems you’ve grown attached to it.”

“Ahem. Attached, my ass. It’s just convenient to ride on.”

“Hehehe.”

“I don’t like that laughter.”

“Who said what?”

Leaving the two of them bickering, Mong Mu-yak pointed to the southwest and said,

“For now, My Lord, I think we should hurry. Even if they’re fooled for the moment, they may soon catch on.”

“You’re right. Now stop being stubborn and ride.”

Mok Gyeong-un turned his head and looked at the Holy Fire Priestess.

Then, the Holy Fire Priestess hurriedly averted her gaze with an awkward expression.

Where she averted her gaze, there was the diabolic beast Alyu.

Originally, its size was slightly larger than a two-story building, but as a high-ranking Imaemangnyang, it could adjust its size like Heum-won.

Now, it had become the same size as a horse that could carry a person on its back.

All the companions could use lightness skill, but since the Holy Fire Priestess’s walking speed was slow due to her old age, they told her to ride Alyu.

However, even though its size had been reduced, its appearance was still that of a ferocious monster, so the Holy Fire Priestess kept refusing to ride it.

“Are you really not going to ride?”

“I’d rather walk.”

As the Holy Fire Priestess firmly refused, shaking her head, the diabolic beast Alyu, who had been staring at her absentmindedly, muttered as if annoyed.

“Tsk. What a picky old human.”

As soon as those words ended, the diabolic beast’s red fur changed to a brown color, the horns on its head receded, and its appearance gradually transformed into that of a horse.

“Ooh! Look at this.”

“This fellow knows how to transform too?”

Seop Chun and Ja Geum-jeong made a fuss as if they found the diabolic beast Alyu’s transformation fascinating.

Feeling strangely proud of their reaction, the diabolic beast Alyu snorted, cleared its throat, and raised its tail.

‘The monster and the people have the same level of thinking.’

Watching them, Mong Mu-yak clicked his tongue as if pathetic, crossing his arms.

Thanks to the diabolic beast Alyu transforming into the form of a horse, they were able to have the Holy Fire Priestess ride it, and the group hurriedly descended the southwest side of Mount Sung.

***

About four days had passed since then.

To avoid the pursuit of the imperial troops, the group moved southwest without rest.

However, as they entered the northern region of Hubei Province, it began to rain, making it difficult to continue moving.

In fact, if they pushed through, they could have done it, but the problem was, as always, the Holy Fire Priestess.

For her, an old woman who had not learned martial arts, the journey thus far had already been physically challenging.

This was the case even when the companions took turns infusing her with true energy.

Although she was riding a horse, or rather the diabolic beast Alyu, and one might think there would be no reason for her to get tired, even trained riders and cavalry would inevitably strain their hip bones and inner thighs if they rode a horse all day long.

The Holy Fire Priestess, whose muscles had deteriorated with age, was in an even more difficult situation, and as it began to rain, her body temperature dropped, making her even more vulnerable.

“Haa…… Haa……. I feel dizzy.”

“It seems it would be too much to continue.”

Seop Chun checked the Holy Fire Priestess’s pulse to examine her condition and said.

At this, Mong Mu-yak looked around and said,

“My Lord, since it has come to this, how about resting for a while at our association’s branch nearby? It should be not too far from here.”

“Branch?”

“Yes, according to the original plan, there is a midway point we need to stop by for reporting. We were going to head there directly as we had to move west towards Sichuan, but it seems difficult due to the rain. Rather than taking a slightly longer route, it would be better to stop by the branch, rest, and receive a carriage.”

“A carriage……”

Looking at the Holy Fire Priestess, whose lips had turned blue and was shivering, Mok Gyeong-un nodded.

It seemed she had truly reached her limit.

Thus, they traveled south for about half a day, and before long, they arrived at a small village of about thirty households where the branch of the Heaven and Earth Society was located.

Mong Mu-yak, the only one who knew about the branch, pointed to a few dilapidated houses on the west side of the village with his finger.

“It’s over there.”

“How unexpected.”

“Yes, the northern part of Hubei Province is close to the righteous faction’s territory, so I heard they tried to make it as close to the civilian houses as possible.”

“I see. Let’s go for now.”

If they didn’t escape the rain quickly, the shivering Holy Fire Priestess seemed like she would collapse.

***

Contrary to its shabby exterior, the interior of the branch was clean and quite cozy.

“Elder, I brought you some tea. Please drink it.”

“Thank you.”

The Holy Fire Priestess, who was sitting in front of the firewood in the brazier, received the teacup as if she would survive.

If it weren’t for the companions taking turns infusing her with true energy, she might have already died of hypothermia.

Although she was basking in the warmth, she was still shivering with a pale face, indicating that the cold had not subsided yet. Seeing this, Mong Mu-yak said,

“It seems we need to rest for about half a day.”

“You’re right.”

“I hope the rain subsides a bit during that time, but……”

-Rumble!

Judging by the continuous thunder and even lightning, it seemed unlikely.

In any case, they said it would take more than half a day to fetch a carriage, so it was better to rest properly.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged branch leader cautiously asked them,

“The meal will be ready soon, but is there anything else you need?”

In response to that question, the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong answered as if he had been waiting,

“My throat is dry, so I need to drink some warm liquor.”

“Ah, then I’ll warm up some white liquor and……”

“White liquor? Don’t you have anything else?”

“I happen to have rice wine brought from Jiangnan. I’ll warm it up and bring it to you.”

“Hahaha, good.”

For Ja Geum-jeong, who had started drinking to cope with the agony of seeing things he shouldn’t have seen, at some point, he could no longer live without alcohol.

As the branch leader left, Mok Gyeong-un, as if remembering something,

“It’s a good timing.”

He took out a pouch from his bosom.

Seeing the pouch, everyone’s gaze turned towards it.

That was because inside that pouch were the spiritual medicine Small Restoration Pills given by Shaolin Temple.

Mok Gyeong-un had received them all at once, and since they had to urgently move to avoid pursuit, everyone had momentarily forgotten about them.

‘Small Restoration Pill…… I wonder if it’s true that there is absolutely no loss of true energy when circulating it, unlike all other spiritual medicines.’

There were quite a few famous spiritual medicines besides the Small Restoration Pill.

For example, there was the Purple Essence Pill of the Huashan Sect and the Great Clarity Pill of the Wudang Sect.

However, the reason why Shaolin’s spiritual medicine was particularly famous was that there was no loss of true energy compared to others.

Loss referred to the energy that dispersed during the process of absorbing the spiritual medicine.

Usually, no matter how excellent a spiritual medicine was, it was very rare to be able to absorb it close to 100%.

However, Shaolin’s Small Restoration Pill and Great Restoration Pill boasted an absorption rate close to 100% regardless of one’s constitution or aptitude.

That was why they were called the supreme spiritual medicines.

“Gulp.”

Seop Chun licked his lips while looking at the pouch of spiritual medicine.

He wanted to ask for one pill, thinking it was an individual reward, but since it was something the lord had obtained, regardless of the reason, he was hesitant to ask for it recklessly.

The others felt the same way.

Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un took out five Small Restoration Pills from the pouch.

Then he said,

“I’ll give you one each, so take this opportunity to consume it and circulate your energy.”

“M-My Lord!”

As soon as those words were spoken, Seop Chun knelt before Mok Gyeong-un as if he was moved.

From his perspective, he had inwardly thought that Mok Gyeong-un, his lord, might not give them the Small Restoration Pills out of greed, so he couldn’t help but be delighted.

“I will serve you with unwavering loyalty!”

“Weren’t you doing that already?”

“H-How could that be? I have always been prepared to give my life for you.”

At Seop Chun’s flustered response, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and tossed him a Small Restoration Pill.

-Tap!

Seop Chun received it as preciously as a sacred object.

“Next, Mong Mu-yak.”

-Tap!

“Thank you! My Lord!”

Although Mong Mu-yak was a man of few words, the corners of his mouth rose after receiving the Small Restoration Pill, indicating his good mood.

He had suffered a lot since pledging his loyalty to Mok Gyeong-un, and it felt like he was finally being rewarded.

After giving Mong Mu-yak a Small Restoration Pill, Mok Gyeong-un called the next person.

“Ma Ra-hyeon.”

“……Yes, My Lord.”

“Take it.”

-Tap!

Ma Ra-hyeon caught the Small Restoration Pill tossed by Mok Gyeong-un.

‘!?’

Ma Ra-hyeon’s eyes gleamed with surprise.

Unlike the other two, he had become a subordinate not long ago, and he thought that Mok Gyeong-un might not trust him due to the incident with the Holy Fire Priestess, so he had considered the possibility of not receiving a Small Restoration Pill.

However, seeing him readily hand over this treasure, which was no different from a treasure to a martial artist, without any hesitation, he felt a strange feeling.

‘Even if he absorbed them all himself, no one would be able to complain.’

Truly an unpredictable person.

Does he generously bestow upon those he considers his people?

While he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un held one of the two remaining pills and called out to the expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong.

“Ja Geum-jeong.”

At this, everyone was puzzled.

He had refused the Small Restoration Pill with his own mouth and chosen to strike Precepts Hall Master Dae-deok, one of the Three Supreme Monks of Shaolin, once.

Was he really going to give his share to someone like that?

‘Huh?’

Mok Gyeong-un was really about to toss a Small Restoration Pill to Ja Geum-jeong.

Then, Ja Geum-jeong hurriedly waved his hand.

“This monk doesn’t need it.”

“You don’t need it?”

“While it may be necessary for those who need to fill their vessel, what this monk needs is enlightenment, Master.”

At those words, Seop Chun spoke in a tone of incomprehension.

“What? Are you refusing the lord’s favor? Don’t regret it later and just take it.”

“Hahaha. I said I don’t need it.”

“How can you, at such a good opportunity……”

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and said,

“No. Ja Geum-jeong is right. This spiritual medicine is indeed meaningless to him.”

“Huh?”

At those words, Seop Chun tilted his head.

He didn’t understand, but Mok Gyeong-un knew that Ja Geum-jeong had comprehended the supreme energy circulation technique that allowed him to draw in the surrounding energy at any time, so he did not insist further.

The spiritual medicine was of no significance to him.

Then, Mok Gyeong-un, holding the Small Restoration Pill, looked at the Holy Fire Priestess.

The Holy Fire Priestess, who had been basking in the firewood of the brazier, saw it and shook her head, saying,

“From what I see, that spiritual medicine seems to be more useful for you who have learned martial arts. There’s no need to give it to this old man.”

Due to her refusal, two Small Restoration Pills remained in Mok Gyeong-un’s hand.

At this, Seop Chun said to Mok Gyeong-un,

“My Lord. It’s a spiritual medicine you obtained. Please consume both pills.”

“Seop Chun is right. My Lord, please consume them all.”

Mong Mu-yak also supported his words.

The stronger Mok Gyeong-un, whom they served as their lord, became, the more beneficial it would be for them, and there was nothing bad about it.

However, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly looked at them and,

-Tap! Tap!

He abruptly tossed the remaining Small Restoration Pills, one each, to them.

Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak, who received them in a daze, spoke with a dumbfounded expression.

“My Lord, why?”

“Why are you giving us this?”

“I don’t need them.”

“My Lord. I understand that your martial arts have advanced, but two Small Restoration Pills can grant twenty years’ worth of internal energy. How can you give up such an opportunity……”

“It’s alright. Rather, it seems you two need them the most.”

“H-How so?”

“I want you to become more useful.”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak’s eyes trembled.

The words about becoming more useful didn’t even register in their ears.

They had been grateful and satisfied just by receiving one Small Restoration Pill.

However, not only that, but when he handed over two Small Restoration Pills, which were no different from his own share, to them, they couldn’t help but be truly moved.

‘……My Lord truly cherishes us sincerely.’

‘No matter how much of a subordinate one is, how many people could give up such a treasure? Despite being younger than us, his magnanimity is truly great.’

It wasn’t just them who were surprised by this.

Ma Ra-hyeon and Ja Geum-jeong also began to view Mok Gyeong-un in a different light, seeing him distribute the remaining spiritual medicine to his subordinates without a moment’s hesitation.

Most of them had become followers of Mok Gyeong-un regardless of their own will, so they had been vigilant about being used and possibly abandoned at any time.

However, from the incident at Shaolin where he tried to protect even a mere monster to him generously distributing the precious spiritual medicine, their perception of him gradually changed.

As their gazes toward Mok Gyeong-un became even more favorable, Cheong-ryeong chuckled and said,

-Was it intentional?

-Would you believe me if I said it was pure goodwill?

-As if you would do such a thing.

At her words, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.

Whether it was a whim or not, goodwill was not something that suited Mok Gyeong-un.

-Anyway, you gave them something you didn’t even need and increased their loyalty, so you got quite a good deal out of it.

For Mok Gyeong-un, who relied on the energy of death, the spiritual medicine of Shaolin that boosted the true energy of nourishing life held no meaning.

Therefore, he had simply utilized the useless spiritual medicine appropriately.

-The more useful cards, the better.

-……

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Cheong-ryeong felt inwardly pleased.

Is this fellow Mortal aware of his own changes?

Compared to her, a vengeful spirit, Mortal’s weakness was his particularly lacking relationship with others because he didn’t believe in humans.

However, he was gradually becoming skilled at forming relationships and leading a group.

Revenge might still be his priority, but this was clearly a positive change.

-Gasp!

Suddenly, Cheong-ryeong froze.

What was that just now?

An unknown emotion surged beyond the satisfaction of his change.

Such an unfamiliar emotion was something she had only felt when she was alive.