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Chapter 205: Mudong Mountain Range (2)

I sighed while looking at Nangong Bi-ah, who was standing with her gaze averted behind me.

There was a known path ahead, yet she kept insisting on going a different way, driving me utterly mad.

Every time, she suggested we take the reverse route.

If I had indeed followed Nangong Bi-ah’s directions, I would probably be standing on a mountain I had never seen before.

“Seriously, you said it was urgent!”

“…Sorry.”

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

As I pointed towards the road leading to the Gu Clan, Nangong Bi-ah shook her head vigorously.

“…No.”

In response, she scrunched her face in disgust, a rare display of emotion from her.

I sighed again and said, “I told you, it wouldn’t be a big help for you to come.”

It might have sounded cold, but I had to keep saying it.

Nangong Bi-ah quietly drew her sword in response to my words.

It was as if she was preparing to fight me.

With a jolt of a Thunder Qi grazing my cheek, I tilted my head down, feeling utterly pitiful about how things had turned out.

What was there to say?

‘…Oh, damn it.’

It was all my karma.

It had been two days since we set out to reach the Mudong Mountain Range.

Spring rain kept falling steadily from the sky.

We continued to run, trusting only our sense of direction.

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

I couldn’t count precisely, but there were at least five more to go.

This insane land had to be ridiculously vast.

‘The Orb… is it still not ready?’

I glanced at the Orb of Heavenly Road, but since I had used it just yesterday, its light hadn’t fully recovered yet.

If someone were to ask why I was checking the orb’s color…

I had learned a few things through some research regarding it.

The Orb of Heavenly Road could only be used once a day.

Also, its duration was quite short.

Whether I could use the orb or not depended on its color.

I needed to wait until the dim crimson hue shone brightly again.

As I put the orb away, I looked up at the sky.

‘With this rain, camping isn’t going to be easy.’

I had rushed out without packing any proper travel gear.

I even forgot to take along a signaling device made by Wudang, which was essential for travelers.

Naturally, I had to face the threats alone.

I had already encountered several demon beasts attempting ambushes.

Though they were only of the green tier, so it wasn’t a significant issue.

‘Last year, even that was a struggle.’

The lowest tier for a demonic gate was the green gate.

Unlike last year, where it took effort to catch the creatures spilling out from there…

Now, I could handle it by unleashing flames around me.

Of course, it would get tougher with higher tiers.

But starting from the blue tier, encounters were rare.

From there, it was on par with natural disasters.

At my current level, I might manage to tackle up to the blue tier solo, but…

‘The red gates would be too much.’

Excluding the real demonic gates, the red gates hadn’t opened for several centuries.

So now, things might be fine…

Even when the red tier demonic gates opened, it had only occurred after the Heavenly Demon appeared in the Central Plains.

‘I guess I’ll have to speed up a bit more.’

Considering the distance remaining and above all, the time that was running short.

At this moment, while Gu Huibi was idly spending time in the prison, no one could predict what might happen to her.

Let alone in the Black Night Palace; I had to worry even more about that place.

They were definitely connected to the Demonic Sect.

With those thoughts on my mind, I drew on my lower dantian’s energy again and leaped forward.

Thanks to that, my speed had increased significantly compared to before.

Just as I seemed to soar through the sky…

[Nangong, how’s your remaining energy?]

Shin Noya asked me.

‘Still fine.’

With how much I had consumed, finding a martial artist in the same realm as mine would be tough.

Even if I went up a tier, it wouldn’t be easy.

[It’s best to leave some energy in case of unexpected situations.]

‘No need to worry, I’m not that naive.’

[Isn’t it true that you’ve drained all your energy every time you got into a scuffle?]

‘…’

[Do you really think you won’t end up on the brink because you can’t recover afterward?]

I knew that too, but…

Saying it out loud would just end up in blaming each other, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

‘…I wish there was a nearby village.’

[Now you want to switch topics… tsk tsk.]

I felt a bit guilty, but it was true that I needed a village.

I couldn’t keep on hunting wild beasts or demon beasts forever.

With my body at its peak, I wouldn’t suffer for a few days without food, yet it was still a better situation than nothing.

Above all…

‘I need to save Gu Huibi.’

I needed a signaling device made by Wudang that informed me if a demonic gate was about to open.

Whether for long-distance or short-distance travel, the signaling device had become essential in this day and age.

It would help me anticipate a demonic gate’s emergence and ensure my safety.

Every traveler was bound to carry it without exception.

‘I have no intention of using it for that purpose, though.’

In my case, I actually wanted to find a demonic gate.

‘I need to consume a bit more.’

I had to stockpile a bit more demon energy.

In the past, I would psychologically reject it as the power of the Heavenly Demon.

Having come this far, I couldn’t avoid it.

It was also necessary for calming the conflicts of energy inside me.

Given my determination to not dismiss demon energy…

I knew it was far too insufficient for properly utilizing my powers.

[Just be careful not to break the vessel.]

‘Yes.’

I had gained crucial insights from Noya on compressing my energy and how to apply it.

However, the martial arts I was using required vast amounts of energy.

Without the Demonic Absorption Technique, I wouldn’t be able to prepare for the coming Blood Calamity.

At least.

Even the Black Night Palace couldn’t reach me at this moment.

‘I doubt nibbling bit by bit will work.’

Having consumed a large amount of opportunities in succession, it wouldn’t even be a drop in the bucket against a green-tier demon stone.

But still, it was better than nothing.

I continued sprinting through the rain for quite a while.

Yet, I still couldn’t find any village.

Given the continuous mountains, it was a region where human influence was scarce.

There were many demon beasts, making it difficult for humans to live—in that sense, it seemed a problem.

In the end, I realized I probably wouldn’t find anything to gather.

‘I need to strengthen myself.’

Sigh.

Reluctantly, I’d need to eat a demon beast.

While I felt a bit reluctant, truthfully, I wasn’t that bothered by it.

‘At least it’s better; I suffered more in my past life.’

Having been through hardships in my past life, I knew how great a blessing it was to eat a ‘manageable’ level of demon beast.

It wasn’t something I would fuss over.

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

Even though I crossed a mountain, the rain was still relentless.

The only thing that changed was that night had fallen.

After using my energy extensively to shorten the distance, I landed on the ground after leaping from a tree.

‘Hoo…’

My energy was still sufficient, and my body had enough stamina to move, but another problem emerged.

‘Who is it?’

Since around dusk, I had sensed a presence following me.

When I wasn’t extending my Qi perception, it had felt indiscernible.

Yet, as soon as I sent out my Qi perception, it became clearer.

Someone was gradually approaching from that direction.

And they were moving with exceptional speed.

‘It’s not a demon beast…’

If it were a demon beast, they wouldn’t approach with such fluid movements.

They were practically like a beast among beasts.

‘Then who could it be?’

If it wasn’t a demon beast, it had to be a human.

I wondered if the distance was too great, but my Qi perception couldn’t properly gauge it yet.

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

If not, could they be the ones who ambushed recently?

Even if Elder Lee was dead, it might not be over.

I slowly drew upon my Qi.

It would have been a method to widen the distance and escape their pursuit, but I thought it best to eliminate the threat beforehand.

Once I felt I could grasp their presence accurately, I intended to strike before they could pull back into the shadows, concentrating my Qi into my fist.

Just as that unnamed figure entered my range of detection…

They suddenly accelerated right before entering my territory.

“What…!”

It seemed they had already sensed my territory.

Their speed abruptly spiked.

Their realm was evidently much higher than I anticipated.

Caught off guard by this surprising turn of events, I had to immediately change my stance.

They had hidden their presence well and were approaching faster than I expected.

I mustn’t let my guard down.

| |…..

..

…

….

Whoosh—!

Heat escaped through the gaps in the rain.

My mind was instantly painted red, and I prepared to unleash flames in an instant.

Their movement was linear despite the flexibility they showed before.

Moreover, their charge was too honest, even for someone attempting to conceal their presence.

And just as I thought that, they were nearly upon me.

I hesitated for just a moment before releasing the flames towards the approaching figure.

Zap!

If it hadn’t been for the familiar jolt of Thunder Qi that grazed past me…

Thud.

In stark contrast to their speed, the landing was surprisingly light and soft.

I stared at the individual who appeared before me with wide eyes.

Their clothes were dampened from the rain, clinging to their body, revealing their figure alluringly.

Drenched white hair, perhaps due to the water, gave off a brighter glow.

Then, their jewel-like blue eyes turned towards me.

“…You.”

“Hello.”

The person standing before me was none other than Nangong Bi-ah, who should have been safely in the Gu Clan by now.

I examined her with a nearly shocked expression.

It wasn’t that I was surprised she had appeared here.

While that was indeed surprising, a more pressing matter took precedence.

“You crossed the wall?”

The energy radiating from Nangong Bi-ah was certainly that of a martial artist at the peak level.

Let alone having crossed it recently, she was losing control of her energy, seeping out due to her unregulated lower dantian.

This was a characteristic often seen in one who had just crossed the wall.

“Uh… yeah.”

Nangong Bi-ah nodded in response to my question,

“…I did.”

Though she answered with a straight face, that was nonsensical.

How in the world did she manage that?

‘I thought Yu Yeon or Muyeon would be the first.’

Having the Extraordinary Talent known as “Hwasan’s Greatest” and the title of “Sword Dragon,” Yu Yeon was someone I hadn’t seen in quite some time.

I assumed Muyeon, being so close to breakthrough, would naturally have crossed first.

But here I was, on the verge of crossing and yet she had done it so suddenly?

“…How did this happen? Suddenly crossing the wall like this?”

Nangong Bi-ah, even though she wasn’t at the brink of crossing, had been progressing rapidly, yet I perceived it would take at least a year for her to succeed.

‘Just how sudden could this be?’

Perhaps she had gained some kind of other enlightenment?

Considering her odds of obtaining such clarity didn’t seem likely.

Nangong Bi-ah tilted her head at my question.

“…I just… did.”

“…”

Her vague response caused my head to spin.

If it really were that simple, others wouldn’t have to work so hard, you fool.

I carefully hid my true feelings and said, “…Well, congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Having realized again how extraordinarily talented Nangong Bi-ah was, I offered her my congratulations.

Now that I had said that, I needed to ask something else.

“How did you get here?”

“…”

At my question, Nangong Bi-ah fell silent.

It was then I began to sense the expression she was wearing.

‘She’s angry.’

With her eyes narrowed slightly, the resolute emotion directed at me was palpable.

“…Did you come looking for me?”

This time, she nodded.

That made sense; her presence here likely held such significance.

But how did she know?

“How did you find out?”

“I just knew.”

That response was absurd.

Considering the distance involved…

There was no way this directionally challenged girl could have reached me accurately.

I felt the sudden urge to check my body, wondering if Nangong Bi-ah had hidden something on me.

But there was nothing that indicated such a thing.

And then—

Zap.

A jolt of energy grazed by me again, causing me to turn my gaze to Nangong Bi-ah.

The energy on her sword was rife with Thunder Qi.

It wasn’t the faint trace I had seen before but a perfect manifestation of the energy.

It was clear evidence that Nangong Bi-ah had reached her own realm.

Radiating her unique presence like a beacon, she said to me, “Come with me.”

Why didn’t she go alone?

What reason did she have to leave me behind?

What choice did she make, and for what reason—countless queries piled inside me as she insisted we go together.

This was undoubtedly an ultimatum, a message directed at me.

As her gaze passed through me, I asked, “…Do you know where we’re heading?”

“I don’t know… but it doesn’t matter…”

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter? It’s dangerous—I’m not going…”

Boom!

Before I could finish my sentence, Nangong Bi-ah surged her momentum.

It was as if she was ready to fight me.

“We’re going together.”

Though it was the same statement as earlier, the point of her sword was directed at me.

“I won’t let you go otherwise.”

It was easy to tell how serious she was at the moment.

If I didn’t grant her permission, she would swing her sword on the spot.

Her peak-level Thunder Qi was steadily dominating the surroundings.

In this situation, she wouldn’t back down even an inch.

Considering the situation was firmly urgent.

Ultimately, I had little choice but to comply with her determination.

And thus, we found ourselves in the current predicament.

Glancing back at Nangong Bi-ah standing blankly behind me, I regretted that moment.

‘I should’ve just overpowered her and gone alone.’

It was true that Nangong Bi-ah had become a somewhat cumbersome opponent even to myself.

But that didn’t mean there was no way I could handle her in a genuine fight.

Though it would take some time, I could overpower her.

But being stuck in that situation, I couldn’t just leave her behind in the night forest.

Nangong Bi-ah would inevitably chase after me again.

Thus, I had no choice but to acquiesce to her request.

“…I can’t see anything.”

Whether she realized it or not, she was merely amazed by the thick fog surrounding us.

Even having reached her peak, her innocent character remained unchanged.

“Don’t wander off, or we might lose each other.”

This was a disaster area.

A place that was strictly forbidden for anyone, even in the mist.

Those who stumbled upon it would often lose their way and directly go missing.

The fog around us wasn’t ordinary.

Attempting to expand my Qi perception to explore the surroundings wouldn’t function properly.

Nangong Bi-ah froze at my warning.

Sniff, sniff.

After looking around curiously, she nodded to herself.

“…What’s wrong?”

After repeating that a few times, she seemed to have made some sort of understanding.

What was going on with her…?

“…I won’t get lost.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I can smell it.”

I shook my head at Nangong Bi-ah’s words.

She couldn’t possibly track anything by scent…

I turned back toward her and grabbed her arm.

If she genuinely got lost, that would be a disaster.

For someone as directionally challenged as Nangong Bi-ah, finding the way in this thick, dense fog would be impossible.

‘But what we’re supposed to find is something else entirely.’

I let out a sigh inwardly, feeling torn.

I had come here with no clear plan, but I rapidly questioned whether we could locate the Black Night Palace’s main base amidst this fog.

‘They probably wouldn’t allow them to leave things to chance.’

With a high probability, they would have laid out formations around here.

Thus, it wouldn’t be easy to find it.

“What should we do…?”

If the vision shown by the Orb of Heavenly Road was to be believed, it would surely be somewhere in this mountain range.

Although the range wasn’t vast, searching for something in this fog would be challenging.

‘If only I could manage this…’

Still holding her arm, I frowned and looked around for a while.

Bzzzt.

Suddenly, I felt a vibration around my waist.

The vibration was none other than from the pouch containing the Orb of Heavenly Road.

Wondering if the time to use it had finally come, I pulled out the orb.

“.…!”

The orb in my hand flashed brilliantly before projecting light in one direction.

Piercing through the fog, it pointed the way ahead.

As I stared at the crimson light shooting forth, I pondered.

“Is this…?”

Could it be that it was indicating Gu Huibi’s location?

Before I could unravel that mystery.

My feet instinctively moved towards the light.

 

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