Chapter 186
The Taiji Sword Immortal’s grave tone left my mouth dry.
The way he spoke made it sound as though someone had noticed Yeon Ryang’s presence.
When my face tightened with tension, he waved a hand as if telling me not to worry.
“It is only that things outside have grown unsettled. Traces of demonic practitioners have been turning up in various places lately. You should be careful as well, Miss.”
Did he mean we should be careful not to leave any traces?
Or that we should beware pursuit by the Demonic Sect?
Either way, it was not something I could dismiss.
I nodded quietly.
“And... from here on, your role will be important.”
“What should I do?”
At my question, the Taiji Sword Immortal cleared his throat and stroked his beard before raising a large energy barrier around us.
“Do not let that fool pick up a sword. Naturally, he must not circulate his inner force either. The best thing would be for him to leave the martial world and live as an ordinary man, but I doubt it will be so easy. A martial artist’s pride does not bend readily.”
My heart sank at what amounted to a sentence ordering Yeon Ryang to abandon the life of a martial artist.
To take a sword away from a swordsman...
Was that really so different from forcibly severing his arms and legs?
Some things could not be traded even for life itself.
Even if the sword had not been something Yeon Ryang chose of his own free will, it was still his entire life.
Knowing the path he had walked, I could not force him to abandon it now.
When I hesitated, the Taiji Sword Immortal sighed.
“I expected as much. But I have only just managed to correct the flow that had been running backward. It is being held in place by force, nothing more. Even the slightest shock may cause his inner force to reverse again. You are a physician yourself, so you understand...”
He twisted his beard between his fingers, hesitating before murmuring in a low voice,
“If his energy channels become tangled again, there may not even be time to intervene.”
“...I’ll keep him under control.”
I bit my lip as I answered.
The Taiji Sword Immortal nodded, his expression complicated.
He was a swordsman too.
He could not have said such a thing lightly.
Seeing the distress on my face, he added in consolation,
“The corruption has been driven out as well. All he needs to do now is let go. Do not worry too much. His physical foundation is exceptionally strong. If he takes proper care of himself, he should easily live past sixty.”
“Yes, Elder. Thank you. Truly. I will never forget this debt.”
I bowed deeply, putting all my sincerity into it.
If not for the Taiji Sword Immortal, Yeon Ryang would have tried to hide his condition from me until the very end.
I would have had no idea that demonic energy was consuming him.
I would only have fretted helplessly over why his health kept deteriorating.
Just imagining it made me dizzy.
I was grateful we had avoided such an outcome.
He had saved both my brother’s life and mine.
The Taiji Sword Immortal waved away my gratitude as though it were unnecessary.
“There is no need. If anything, this old Daoist should thank you. I enjoyed finally having someone to talk to who relieved my boredom.”
“No, Elder. I owe you an enormous debt. I will repay it somehow.”
“Haha. If it troubles you that much, then take good care of that disciple of mine.”
“What?”
“Jinseong. You will be seeing quite a lot of him from now on.”
The Taiji Sword Immortal pointed toward Zixiao Palace, where Jinseong would be resting, and smiled mischievously.
I blinked in confusion.
“Is Daoist Jinseong being dispatched to the Martial Alliance again?”
“Nothing like that. But you are both promising young martial artists of your generation, are you not? You will meet again. That is simply how the martial world works.”
How was I supposed to meet someone who lived on Mount Wudang?
Was he planning to send Jinseong out to wander the martial world?
If so, asking me to look after him made sense.
Having someone you knew was a tremendous help when wandering the world without a coin to your name.
Jinseong had helped me in all sorts of ways, so it was only right that I return the favor.
“I will. Then should I start preparing to leave immediately?”
“That would be best. Tomorrow, in the late afternoon, mingle with the pilgrims and descend Mount Wudang. Do you remember the inn where you first met this old Daoist? I will send him there during the hours after midnight.”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Once dawn approaches, you should leave Jun County immediately. Many people will be setting off on long journeys around this time, so departing in the early morning will not arouse suspicion.”
“I understand.”
I brought my hands together respectfully.
Smiling, the Taiji Sword Immortal slowly withdrew the energy barrier.
“Is Elder Tang still in seclusion?”
“Yes. I haven’t heard otherwise.”
“My, my. I wonder what wall he is trying to cross at that level. Does he intend to reach the heavens themselves?”
He laughed heartily in admiration, then walked me back to the guest quarters while telling me stories from Grandfather’s younger days.
It seemed the Taiji Sword Immortal had known Grandfather well since the days when he himself had first entered the martial world as a promising young martial artist.
Considering how everyone who had served in or passed through the Martial Alliance seemed to know Grandfather, perhaps his retreat into Sichuan had not happened all that long ago.
Though it had probably still been more than ten years.
Thinking about Grandfather’s age, I suddenly wondered whether the Martial Alliance had worked him mercilessly right up into his later years.
...I’m not going to end up like that.
I’m staying far away from the Martial Alliance from now on.
Shaking my head, I stepped into the new room I had been given.
Cane scampered over at once and climbed onto my shoulder.
I let out a disbelieving laugh at the sight of its plump cheeks.
“Cane. You got someone to feed you again, didn’t you?”
“Kii.”
“You’re probably the only sable in the world who goes around begging meat at a Taoist monastery.”
I gave Cane a light stroke, then laid out my belongings and began organizing them.
There was no telling what might happen after we left Mount Wudang.
It seemed wise to prepare thoroughly.
I took out a whetstone, sharpened the edges of my concealed weapons, oiled them, and polished them smooth with cotton cloth.
As I focused on maintaining them, I wondered how I was supposed to broach the subject with Yeon Ryang.
Madam Ma approached quietly and set down a plate of snacks beside me.
“Thank you, Madam. But why are you still awake at this hour?”
Instead of answering, she asked bitterly,
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“I thought you would at least stay through the winter.”
Madam Ma murmured the words and looked at me with faint disappointment.
“I wonder if this old woman will live long enough to see you again.”
“What are you saying? Of course we’ll meet again. I’ll come visit you.”
“There is no need. People meet only to part, and those who part are destined to meet again. Do not trouble yourself over a bond that has already passed, young lady. I enjoyed our time together. That is enough for me.”
“...Yes.”
“You had a hard time putting up with this lonely old woman’s temper.”
“I’m the one who owes you. Thank you for everything, Madam.”
I rose and gave her a respectful clasped-hands salute.
Madam Ma smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes, and stroked my hand.
I patted the back of hers in return.
“Your health comes first. Wherever you go, sleep properly and eat properly.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“If you cannot sleep, boil yourself some soybean milk or jujubes. You lie awake because you think too much.”
“Ahaha... Yes.”
“And stop wandering around with your hair soaking wet and dripping everywhere. And another thing...”
Apparently still unable to put her mind at ease, Madam Ma kept hold of me and went on with one piece of advice after another.
The affection behind every word brought a smile to my face.
When I simply nodded, she sighed and stroked my cheek.
“Do not try to carry too much by yourself, young lady. The martial world may be a place where no one can be trusted, but how can a person live through this world entirely alone? Sometimes it is not so terrible to entrust your back to someone else.”
Perhaps because I knew exactly what she was worried about, my throat tightened and I struggled to answer.
“...Yes, Madam. I will.”
I finally forced the words out.
Madam Ma sniffed, lowered her head, and turned away.
“Oh dear. This old woman has kept someone with a long journey ahead of her here too long. Get some rest, young lady.”
Before I could say anything else, she hurried out of the guest quarters.
I gently touched the cheek where her warmth still lingered, then returned to packing.
*****
By the time I had finished preparing everything, dawn was drawing near.
Perhaps because of the Lower Yuan Festival, I could sense none of the martial artists who normally trained at daybreak.
Instead, countless people were bustling between the outer and inner compounds.
At this rate, I probably won’t get a chance to say goodbye to the Daoists.
Should I at least leave them a letter?
I was looking at my brush and inkstone, considering it, when someone called out to me.
“Miss Tang.”
It was Jinseong.
I quietly opened the door and found him standing outside, as neat and composed as ever.
He gave me a small bow before speaking calmly.
“I came because I thought I might not have another chance to say goodbye.”
He clearly already knew that I was leaving today.
“I was wondering when I’d be able to say goodbye myself. I’m relieved you came to see me, Daoist. Thank you.”
“Not at all. Did you obtain what you were seeking?”
I puzzled over the strange question for a moment before realizing he was asking about my breakthrough.
My face brightened into a smile.
“I didn’t get to see it through to the end, but I saw it, so I’m satisfied. And it was all thanks to you. Something you said to Daoist Songhwa gave me the clue.”
A faint smile appeared on Jinseong’s face as well.
“Then I am glad.”
“More importantly, what am I going to do about everyone else? I’m leaving without even saying goodbye properly. I had no idea I’d be going so suddenly.”
“It is all right. They will understand.”
“Please give them my regards for me. And make sure you tell Daoist Songhwa that I was truly grateful. He took care of me in so many ways.”
“I will.”
Jinseong lowered his gaze to the ground, his lips parting slightly.
He looked as though there were something else he wanted to say.
Sensing the strange atmosphere, I remained quiet and waited.
Before long, dawn began to break, washing the courtyard of the guest quarters in pale light.
As our shadows formed at our feet, Jinseong finally lifted his gaze and looked straight at me.
My own reflection appeared in those peculiar eyes—no longer quite as childish as before, with the first faint traces of adulthood beginning to show.
He hesitated for a long moment.
Then, with visible difficulty, he finally spoke.
“Miss... I...”