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Chapter 11: Azure Forest's Token (2)
Chapter 11: Azure Forest's Token (2)
Chapter 11: Azure Forest's Token (2)
The first time Yi-gang used the light footwork technique since facing Baek Ha-jun was just now.
Was it because he thought Ha-jun might be in danger? His body moved before he could think.
Yi-gang’s movement did not speed up. It was just as if his body had become as light as a rubber ball.
He jumped down into the hole without using a ladder, but there was no fear in Yi-gang’s mind. Just in that short moment, his thinking became even sharper.
‘Is it the Low Down Sect?’
He noticed that the Low Down Sect had its hand in this place.
The guard protecting the restaurant did not know martial arts, but the employee he met earlier actually did. Hard calluses on his hands, a consistent way of walking—
The pillars of the restaurant had the mark of the Low Down Sect carved into it.
However, he was not very alert. It was natural for the Low Down Sect to get involved in such businesses.
The Low Down Sect, a sect for people of the lower-class, was involved in everything — gambling, pickpocketing, betting parlors, and horse stables. There was no business they did not get involved in.
Thanks to this, they were known for their information network.
‘If so,’
The moment he landed on the ground without making a sound, Yi-gang had already derived several possibilities.
“So, someone has already discovered it.”
At least, based on what the Immortal Divine Sword said, this place had not been abandoned for over 100 years.
There were signs of people having used this place. The space, larger than the shrine above ground, contained a desk and chairs.
“Brother!”
Just as Ha-jun lit the candle on the desk, he jumped in surprise. He immediately ran over to Yi-gang.
Yi-gang did not understand why Baek Ha-jun was so flustered.
“What’s the matter… Oh.”
Casually trying to take a step, Yi-gang staggered and almost fell. If Ha-jun had not caught him, he would have hit the ground.
The sensation of all the strength draining from his body took Yi-gang by surprise.
?Did you think channeling will into your body would be easy? Even with all the effort of squeezing out will from that tiny brain of yours…?
Barely preventing a fall, the Immortal Divine Sword slowly descended above Yi-gang.
?…In this indifferent world, it’s just a small struggle. Always keep a cool head.?
‘I didn’t even use internal energy, so why is this happening?’
?Using willpower consumes true Qi. Your true Qi is as tiny as a bean, so naturally, you’d fall.?
It seems there were limitations to the light footwork technique after all. It was not unexpected. Nothing is perfect.
‘So, this true Qi, it can’t be replenished easily like internal energy, can it?’
?Exactly.?
Yi-gang managed to stand up again.
“Brother, it seems like your body hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
“I’m fine.”
His dizziness had subsided. However, Baek Ha-jun seemed worried, wondering if Yi-gang’s illness had returned.
“It seems someone has been here recently.”
“Yes, they were using the candle.”
“This is…”
There were documents on the desk. Yi-gang’s eyes sparkled as he examined them.
“A register of names?”
The documents listed people’s names, appearances, and pertinent details in a descriptive manner.
-Xi’an Branch Manager Yi Ryung, died of disease.
-Owner of the Restaurant Tower House, Yi So-eun, alias Golden Flower, daughter of Yi Ryung. Controls the fourth floor restaurant. Disguised as the owner of Shinhwa Tower.
To be assassinated.
-Shintong Jeong-gu. Close aide to the owner of the Restaurant Tower House.
To be assassinated.
Such details were recorded, but some parts were written in code, making them impossible to interpret.
?It seems there was internal conflict within the Xi’an branch of the Low Down Sect.?
‘Can you interpret it?’
?It’s just a bit. It’s a numerical code frequently used by the Low Down Sect members. It seems there was a dispute over the position of the branch manager of Xi’an after the recent death of the one here. This place appears to be controlled by one faction.?
‘You are very knowledgeable.’
?The Low Down Sect has some useful individuals. However, finding a decent person among them won’t be easy.?
There was no more information to glean from the documents.
Yi-gang scanned the stone chamber. There were holes in the walls at various places. Decayed branches were embedded, and there were places from which rusty arrowheads protruded.
“Traces of a mechanism.”
“It’s all broken.”
The reason Yi-gang brought Ha-jun was because of these mechanisms.
However, all the mechanisms that the Immortal Divine Sword mentioned were broken.
“Those who used this place probably dismantled the mechanism.”
“So, does that mean the Immortal Divine Sword’s relics are gone too?”
Ha-jun’s suspicion was understandable. At a glance, this secretive place was filled with human traces. If there were any valuable items, they likely would have been pilfered long ago.
“No, that’s not it,”
Yi-gang said firmly and continued to examine the chamber’s walls.
Apart from the deactivated mechanism, there was something strangely eye-catching. On the wall, a mysterious relief was carved. Though crude, it seemed to depict a scene from a myth.
Yi-gang began to tap the wall with his sword sheath.
Thud— Thud—
Gradually, he moved to different parts of the wall, tapping each time. The sound was solid, as if the wall was filled inside.
Then, Yi-gang stopped in front of a bizarre creature’s sculpture. It was a carving of Pixiu, the God of Wealth from myths.
?This is the place.?
‘Yes.’
The moment he tapped the head of the Pixiu with his sword,
Thump—
If one was not actively listening, they would not have guessed that it sounded hollow.
There was clearly a hidden space, but the stone wall was thick.
“The token is stored here.”
“Wow!”
Baek Ha-jun almost fell backward. For a 12-year-old kid, the current situation was just too thrilling.
?You just have to poke the eyes of that Pixiu.?
‘It’s so intricately hidden.’
?It’s because it’s such an important item. The token was stored in the shrine to purify the malevolent poison Qi attached to it.?
A token from the Taoist Azure Forest, imbued with malevolent poison Qi? At first, it did not make sense.
?Use Shooting Star Fang to poke it.?
Silently, Yi-gang unsheathed his sword. Being a meteorite sword, it was quite heavy. It was a wonder how he used to swing it around freely in the past.
“Hmph!”
Yi-gang thrust the meteorite sword. With a squishy sensation, the tip of the sword was embedded into the sculpture’s eye.
Scraaatch—
With the sound of stone being scraped, what looked merely like a wall transformed into a door and opened.
“It’s open!”
True to Baek Ha-jun’s exclamation, a secret chamber that had been dormant for over 100 years revealed itself.
“Let’s go in.”
“Okay!”
Yi-gang and Baek Ha-jun cautiously entered the passage. Fortunately, there were no traps inside.
While advancing with a candle in hand, Yi-gang softly said,
“Is there a night-pearl embedded? It’s bright.”
This was because a faint light was emanating from within the passage.
“…What? It’s pitch-dark.”
However, Baek Ha-jun’s response seemed a bit odd.
“What are you talking about? It seems like we can even move ahead without the candle.”
“No… If we extinguish the candle, we won’t be able to see anything.”
Although it was clearly getting brighter, Baek Ha-jun clung to Yi-gang’s robe as if to emphasize that he was not lying.
Without much ado, Yi-gang reached the end of the passage.
In the middle of a dead-end stone chamber with sealing rope, there stood a stone slab. On top of it lay an antique necklace that emitted a dazzling light.
And Yi-gang shielded his eyes from the intense light.
“Ugh, what kind of light is this!”
There was not even a lit torch inside, so what was the source of this intense light?
While Yi-gang was struggling to shield his eyes, Baek Ha-jun, in astonishment, opened his mouth.
“You find it blinding?”
At that response, it was Yi-gang who was taken aback. Was Baek Ha-jun implying he could not see the light?
“That necklace is emitting light.”
“It’s just an old necklace.”
However, to Yi-gang’s eyes, it was clear. A warm light continuously flowed from the old necklace.
?Heh… Could it be??
And the Immortal Divine Sword mumbled in dismay. Perhaps he had a suspicion.
?Ever since you simply walked up and grabbed my sealed sword, I felt that you were no ordinary being.?
The Immortal Divine Sword said solemnly,
?Descendant, proceed.?
The light emanating from the necklace felt strangely familiar to him.
Yi-gang casually brushed aside the sealing rope that blocked his path. It seemed similar to the sealing rope that was once wrapped around the Immortal Divine Sword’s sword.
?Go, seize the opportunity that has come to you.?
The moment Yi-gang grabbed the glowing necklace—
Whoosh—
It felt as if fire had ignited in his hand.
Along with an intense heat, the light began to flow into Yi-gang’s hand.
“Hey, brother! There’s fire on you!”
Baek Ha-jun’s alarmed shout faintly reached him as he ran towards Yi-gang.
Yi-gang’s vision turned blinding white.
It was a pristine white world.
When he came to his senses, Yi-gang found himself standing there.
There was nothing around him, only a rusted meteorite sword embedded in the ground from which the Immortal Divine Sword emerged.
“This brat!”
“You startled me!”
The Immortal Divine Sword always appeared translucent, such that anyone would perceive it as a ghost. But now, it looked as alive as any human being.
“You really are fortunate. It’s like you were born with heavenly fortune.”
“If I were that lucky, I wouldn’t have been born with blocked meridians.”
Given the situation, Yi-gang should have been startled, but he felt oddly at ease.
“You cheeky fellow. Being born as a descendant of the Baek Clan and then learning martial arts from a peerless master like myself – you are more than lucky.”
“That seems right.”
“Moreover, you absorbed the energy contained in the Pixiu’s eye, and a fully purified spirit energy, all at once even. Aren’t you the luckiest under the heavens?”
“Pixiu’s eye? Spirit energy?”
“I’m talking about the necklace you hold.”
Had it been there from the beginning? In Yi-gang’s right hand was the necklace he had grabbed earlier. It had a gold chain with a red gem attached. At a glance, the gem looked like some creature’s eyeball.
“I personally extracted a Pixiu’s eye with Azure Forest and crafted it into this necklace.”
“Isn’t Pixiu a creature from legends?”
Pixiu was a legendary beast that looked like a mix of a dragon and a tiger. It was known to feed on precious metals.
“It indeed exists.”
If what the Immortal Divine Sword said was true, then this necklace was undoubtedly a significant artifact.
“Well, ghosts exist, so I guess such things could exist too.”
“Hmph.”
“Then what is this ‘spirit energy’? Are you referring to the intense light I absorbed?”
“Yes. Among Essence-Qi-Spirit, there’s Spirit. The internal energy of the lower dantian is derived from the true Qi of the middle dantian, and the true Qi of the middle dantian originates from the upper dantian. The energy of the upper dantian is precisely the spirit energy.”
It was a complicated explanation, but Yi-gang felt he somewhat understood.
“The reason my deceased self could possess the living descendant was due to that. It was challenging to replenish, yet you obtained it so easily.”
“So then…”
“Possession isn’t something I recommend. However, while you have that necklace, you can grow your tiny true Qi into something much more substantial.”
Yi-gang’s heart raced.
Just a while ago, had he not exhausted himself just by barely using a light footwork technique? According to the Immortal Divine Sword, this necklace was almost a miracle for Yi-gang.
“I’m really fortunate.”
?Tsk, tsk.?
The Immortal Divine Sword’s form had once again become translucent.
?You’ve easily obtained what should’ve been earned through more trials. I don’t like that.?
As the teasing words faded in his ears, Yi-gang’s eyes snapped open.
“Brother!”
Baek Ha-jun was supporting Yi-gang.
“…What happened?”
“You’re awake! You were frozen, clutching that necklace, for over two hours.”
“For over two hours?”
Baek Ha-jun looked as if he was on the verge of tears. It felt like a mere moment for Yi-gang, but he was told he had lost consciousness for two hours.
Yi-gang could understand why Ha-jun looked so distraught.
“I’m sorry.”
Contrarily, Yi-gang felt invigorated. Perhaps it was due to the power he absorbed from the necklace.
Yi-gang hung the old necklace he was holding around his neck.
?You woke up at just the right moment.?
The Immortal Divine Sword remarked with a smirk.
Yi-gang realized that Baek Ha-jun had removed the cloth wrapping the sword, ready to draw it at any moment.
Listening carefully, he could hear footsteps.
“Someone’s come in.”
“Just a moment ago, there was a sound of the ceiling opening, and people entered.”
Yi-gang had apparently lost consciousness while the original users of this secret space returned.
-Which rat did this! Tie this guy up for now. We’ll deal with him later. Was he your companion? So it wasn’t just you who snuck in!
-Please, please. I don’t know anything!
Sounds from beyond the passageway echoed.
-Seems like they’re hiding in here. Never expected a passageway like this…
-Come out, you bastards!
Naturally, the tunnel through which Yi-gang and Ha-jun entered was quickly discovered. These guys did not seem the friendly type at first glance.
The footsteps grew nearer. There seemed to be at least four or five of them.
Baek Ha-jun turned to look at Yi-gang with a cold, settled expression. Yi-gang nodded in response.
Soon, daggers flew out of the darkness.
Clang—!
The daggers aiming for Yi-gang were deflected by the sword that Baek Ha-jun swiftly brandished.
Then, menacing-looking men appeared.
“What’s this? Just some kids.”
“Threw your blades and couldn’t even land a single one?”
Laughing and sneering at the sight of the young Yi-gang and Ha-jun, only the man who appeared to have thrown the daggers looked nervously from side to side.
“How did you kids find your way in here?”
“They look like scrawny little beggars. What’s this? They have swords?”
A man with a bushy beard inquired, revealing his yellowed teeth. Yi-gang took a step forward.
“Are you from the Low Down Sect?”
The men were visibly taken aback.
“Wha—?”
“We’ve completed our business here. I was unaware that this was your dwelling. If you let us leave peacefully, we’ll compensate.”
Every word and gesture of Yi-gang radiated an aura of dignity that his modest attire could not mask, which likely surprised them.
“This isn’t an ordinary kid…”
“But still, there are only two of them.”
Yet, it did not seem like they would let Yi-gang go easily.
The Immortal Divine Sword, which had been silently observing Yi-gang, clicked its tongue.
?You’re too soft. Are you afraid of blades??
‘It would be good to build a connection with the Low Down Sect.’
?Everything has its time and place. It reminds me of the first time I met my descendant.?
The narrow passageway was filled with menacing-looking men.
It felt similar to that time, yet so much was different.
“What should we do? Killing the kids might lead to troublesome consequences.”
“What do you mean ‘what’? They look clueless.”
Compared to trained assassins, the Low Down Sect were merely violent thugs?
“Kill them!”
?and Yi-gang was not alone this time.
“Ha-jun.”
Suddenly, there was a gust of wind from his side. Before anyone could notice, Baek Ha-jun had already infiltrated the left side of the Low Down Sect members.
From his scabbard emerged a shining silver blade, which traced a smooth arc in the air.
Swoosh—
Almost effortlessly, one of the Low Down Sect members’ right arm was severed, still gripping its blade.
Blood spurted from the severed shoulder. Before droplets could land on Baek Ha-jun’s indifferent face—
And before the shocked men could open their mouths in horror, Yi-gang also made his move.
He directed his gaze to the gang leader who had ordered his execution and brought down his meteorite sword.
Even if the blade was blunt, it was heavy enough to break a man’s collarbone.
Splash!
Hot blood splattered on his face.
?Good job. Haha.?
With the pleased praise from the Immortal Divine Sword, a warm energy radiated from Yi-gang’s necklace.