Chapter 37: Zhangjia Village (3)
Tinkle—
The silver bell that Jin Ri-yeon held by only the thread part rang on its own. It was a mysterious event on a night with no wind.
The ends of her hair that had been moving with the flow of Qi settled down calmly again.
“This way.”
She pointed in one direction. Under the bright moonlight, Jin Ri-yeon’s fingertips glowed pale.
Yi-gang followed her along the night road of Zhangjia Village.
“By threading a red string through a silver bell, you can achieve such an effect?”
“It’s no ordinary bell. The Forest Lord made it himself. The same goes for this thread.”
“Is it similar to the thread that wrapped around my hand when I touched the Pixiu’s necklace?”
“Yes, you have a good memory.”
Red threads were tightly wound around the handle of Jin Ri-yeon’s whip sword. It seemed to be a special thread.
“There are many interesting items in the Azure Forest.”
“We are a Murim sect, but a little different from other sects.”
“It’s definitely different.”
Yi-gang nodded.
The Azure Forest was a sect as renowned as the Nine Sects One Gang. However, they usually did not stand out in Jianghu.
For an organization to operate, substantial funds were required, and because of this, the sects known as part of the orthodox faction were also devoted to profitable businesses, differing from the Azure Forest. Initially, even the Wudang and Mount Hua Sects, both of the same Taoist sects, were actively involved in worldly affairs. They received subsidies from numerous affiliated sects and directly operated massive corporations.
In this regard, the Azure Forest seemed as if they had no interest in money.
“How does the Azure Forest make money?”
Jin Ri-yeon’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden question.
“Money?”
“Yes, money. No matter how outstanding one’s martial arts are, it takes money to live in this world, doesn’t it?”
“Well, there are several ways.”
Perhaps it might be a bit of an impolite topic. However, maybe because Yi-gang asked the question, Jin Ri-yeon did not feel it was rude.
“Firstly, by catching yokai.”
“Ah, because internal elixirs come out of them.”
“We also purify and sell them. And we make offerings to the Imperial family.”
“The Imperial family?”
“Yes, it’s been that way for a long time. I don’t know much about it. In return, the Imperial Family gives us gifts.”
Yi-gang had not expected the Imperial Family to be mentioned. It has always been said that the affairs of the state were untouchable. And yet, the Imperial Family was giving money to the Azure Forest.
“And secondly, we gather herbs to sell.”
“Herbs… you say?”
“Yes, everyone in the Azure Forest knows a lot about mountains and plants. Besides internal elixirs, such herbs are necessary for alchemy.”
Yi-gang imagined Jin Ri-yeon with an herb pouch tied around her waist, holding a hoe, digging up herb roots.
It did not suit her at all.
“That’s surprising.”
“Even martial artists need to eat and live. But probably, we make quite a lot. Our Azure Forest herb-gathering skills are well recognized.”
It would be quite a sight to see the Azure Forest disciples simultaneously using lightness skills to climb mountains.
“Without us, it would be hard to make Shaolin’s Great Recovery Pill and Mount Hua’s Violet Sky Pill.”
A faint pride was visible on Jin Ri-yeon’s face as she said this.
“That’s quite impressive.”
It was sincere. Both the Great Recovery Pill and Violet Sky Pill were elixirs known throughout the land. Among the elixirs of the Nine Sects One Gang, they were particularly incredible, as it was said a single pill could save a dying person.
Of course, they probably could not heal Yi-gang’s Great Yin Meridian Blockage.
Yi-gang found himself increasingly eager to reach the Azure Forest sooner.
Chirring—
“We are getting closer. If a yokai appears, stay behind me.”
“Are these yokai strong?”
“It varies greatly from one to another. But this time, I have an inkling of what we’re dealing with. You… you’ll be fine.”
Jin Ri-yeon glanced at Yi-gang, or more precisely, at the Pixiu necklace he was wearing.
“As long as you’re wearing the Pixiu’s necklace, ordinary creatures wouldn’t dare come near you.”
“Is that so.”
“I wouldn’t have brought you along otherwise.”
Yi-gang volunteered himself to help catch the yokai. His curiosity and blatant desire to see the reward were clearly visible.
Jin Ri-yeon, who seemed a bit troubled, stared at Yi-gang and then permitted it.
‘So it was because of this necklace. I thought it wouldn’t be of any use, but it seems quite handy.’
Yi-gang touched the Pixiu necklace.
「Then, what do you think is the reason the Azure Forest invited you? It’s all because of the high esteem of that spirit, the Pixiu.」
‘I guess spirits and yokai are different?’
「I’m not entirely sure myself. But it’s certain that there are different levels among the creatures. When repelling the Pixiu, the Forest Lord and disciples of the fifth-flower rank or higher had to step in,」 the Immortal Divine Sword interjected. Its voice, too, was laced with pride.
Yi-gang asked about something that had been bothering him until now.
‘I knew about the presence of spirits, but yokai are somewhat unfamiliar. Does everyone know about them?’
「They’re not common, but they’re not entirely impossible to encounter either. That kid, being a disciple of the Azure Forest, would surely know. They are traditionally well-versed in mystic arts and peculiar things.」
‘Yet, it seems she can’t see Ancestor, can she?’
As Yi-gang said, Jin Ri-yeon, who was using the bell to locate the monster, did not notice the existence of the Immortal Divine Sword.
Even as the entity from the sword wandered around and chatted with Yi-gang, she was solely focused on the silver bell.
「It’s beyond my knowledge. It might be a matter of different realms. How can you compare me with those yokai monsters?」
‘Really now.’
「That bell is used by the disciples of the Azure Forest. But if the user’s level is low, its utility is limited. I’ve already transcended the level of ghosts, so that kind of thing is nothing to me. Just watch.」
The Immortal Divine Sword approached Jin Ri-yeon and reached out to the silver bell.
‘Uh, if you do that!’
Before Yi-gang could stop it, it happened.
Instead of passing through, the Immortal Divine Sword’s hand bumped against the silver bell.
「Ouch, that hurts!」
As if pricked by thorns, the Immortal Divine Sword grabbed its hand, and the silver bell, of course, jingled loudly.
Jingle-jingle-jingle-
“Dangerous!”
And Jin Ri-yeon moved like lightning.
She wrapped her arms around Yi-gang’s waist and shot up like lightning. Before he knew it, she had drawn the whip sword that had been hanging at her waist, and the moonlight scattered the sword’s radiance in all directions.
Yi-gang felt the blood rush to his head.
Jin Ri-yeon’s light footwork technique was incredible. It was on a different dimension compared to Ha-jun and Moyong Jin’s.
Even though Yi-gang was slim, she lifted him and leaped over the nearby wall. In an instant, they were on the roof of someone’s house. It all happened in the blink of an eye.
Jin Ri-yeon, hugging Yi-gang with one arm, was on her guard, scanning the surroundings.
“I can’t…breathe.”
“The silver bell rang so suddenly. There were no signs of anything approaching. Could it be…”
As the bell jingled loudly, Jin Ri-yeon seemed to be on edge.
Clasped tightly, and with her hair tickling his face, Yi-gang felt like he was about to sneeze.
“Achoo!”
“Perhaps a yokai far more dangerous than I anticipated.”
“No, that won’t be the case. Please let go of this…”
“A yokai capable of hiding its presence!”
Beneath that wall, the Immortal Divine Sword, mistaken for a yokai, was awkwardly scratching its chin.
「C-cough! This shouldn’t be happening…」
Yi-gang was frustrated but could not dare explain the existence of the Immortal Divine Sword.
In the end, to reassure Jin Ri-yeon, Yi-gang insisted that the wind had been blowing strongly a moment ago, and only then was he set free.
It had already been over two months since the hunters of the Tiger Killer Gang had stayed in Zhangjia Village.
The villagers of Zhangjia were afraid of the rough hunters, and the martially trained hunters looked down on the ordinary villagers of Zhangjia.
However, even so, after living together for more than two months, familiarity grew, and greetings were exchanged. Even in a relationship of superior and subordinate, friendships sometimes formed.
Especially if it involved a relationship between men and women.
Among the maidens of Zhangjia Village, there were those who were tired of the tedious and unsophisticated young men of the village.
Among them was a woman named Wang Hee-ran. Her name was a bit old-fashioned, but she was considered the fourth most beautiful woman in Zhangjia Village. Of course, there were only five young women in the village.
Sang-chil, the youngest hunter of the Tiger Killer Gang, was anxiously awaiting that very Wang Hee-ran.
Soon, she appeared.
“Oraboni!”
“My cute Ran!”
With a yellowish grin, Sang-chil hugged her.
In his embrace, Wang Hee-ran lifted her head and looked up at Sang-chil.
To put it nicely, it was hard to say she was pretty. But Sang-chil was even less handsome.
As this was the first time he had a girlfriend, Wang Hee-ran seemed very beautiful to Sang-chil.
Wang Hee-ran also looked up at Sang-chil with eyes filled with affection.
“Didn’t something big happen today?”
“What?”
“Jang So-young came in a critical state. And the hunters as well.”
“Watch your words. What if the others hear you?”
There was no one around to hear, but Sang-chil was startled.
A major incident had taken place earlier in the day. It was caused by some of his more unruly older comrades.
They tried to harm a village woman but, in the process, got caught and were killed.
Normally, the other hunters and the leader of the Tiger Killer Gang would have sought revenge.
The problem was that the perpetrators happened to belong to the Baek Clan. He had heard that there was also a disciple from the Azure Forest among them. Even if the Tiger Killer Gang dominated Zhangjia Village like kings, they were a sect that could be wiped out with a single gesture by the Baek Clan.
The Tiger Killer Gang shamefully begged them for forgiveness.
Unaware of such matters, Wang Hee-ran kept chattering to Sang-chil.
“Those people must be remarkable? Their demeanor certainly seemed different.”
“Hmm, well, something like that. They’re dangerous people, so stay away.”
Sang-chil pretended to be nonchalant in front of Wang Hee-ran.
“So-young isn’t an ordinary girl. She might look innocent, but she often acts sweetly deceptive. Maybe there was a misunderstanding. Should I speak to them?”
Wang Hee-ran was not exactly what you would call good-natured, to put it nicely. At her snide remark, it was Sang-chil who became flustered instead.
“You can’t. Do you know how dangerous those people are? Say the wrong thing, and you might get a sword to the face.”
“They didn’t seem that way…”
There were several young men among the Baek Clan’s party. Even if they were mere foot soldiers of the Baek Clan, they were hundreds of times better than Sang-chil. Jealousy was partly why Sang-chil was stopping Wang Hee-ran.
However, Hee-ran seemed to misunderstand Sang-chil’s intentions.
“Is it because of that woman there?”
“What?”
“There was a beautiful woman there, right.”
Sang-chil realized what Wang Hee-ran was thinking. Yes, there had been a beautiful woman. A beauty that he had never seen in his entire life.
That pure face, hair smooth as if emitting a fragrance, her light, airy steps…
Thinking of her, the corners of Sang-chil’s mouth loosened involuntarily.
“I was right!”
“Ah!”
Wang Hee-ran gave Sang-chil a severe pinch in the side.
“Are, are, are you crazy?”
“It’s true! You never say you love me.”
“Your temper is getting… huh.”
It was the moment Sang-chil, flustered, was about to lose his temper.
Chirring—
The sound of a bell rang from somewhere.
Sang-chil froze solid as ice when he saw the person standing behind Wang Hee-ran.
“Mi-miss.”
The one who locked eyes with Sang-chil under the moonlight was unmistakably Jin Ri-yeon.
The very beauty he had thought of just a moment ago.
“Hello…”
Sang-chil said stupidly. Seeing Jin Ri-yeon up close, she truly seemed like a moon goddess, descended from the moon.
After blurting out the greeting, he could not help but think that Jin Ri-yeon might ignore him.
However, she instead took a step closer.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
She squeezed in between Sang-chil and Wang Hee-ran.
A scent like that of flowers surged forth.
Sang-chil closed his eyes in a daze, and when he opened them, Jin Ri-yeon was already showing her back. It was not Sang-chil she was glaring at, but Wang Hee-ran.
“I had my suspicions. You really have clung to a villager.”
Who was she speaking to?
The response came from another direction.
“That’s quite dreadful.”
Next to Sang-chil stood the noble prince.
With a straight face and fine skin, wearing only white clothes, yet his lineage seemed apparent; it was Yi-gang.
Jin Ri-yeon took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom.
“Show your true form.”
But unexpectedly, Sang-chil did not know that Jin Ri-yeon would spray an unknown liquid on Hee-ran.
Hee-ran screamed an intense scream, more out of shock than anything.
“Ah-ah-ah-ah-ahh!”
It was a scream that shook one’s very bones. Steam in the hues of death tumultuously arose from Hee-ran’s body.
Looking down coldly at Wang Hee-ran rolling on the ground, Jin Ri-yeon now held a long whip sword.
She raised her sword as if to slash Wang Hee-ran.
Sang-chil, who had been beside himself, came to his senses. No matter how foul-tempered and dark-hearted Wang Hee-ran was, she was still his lover.
“What are you doing right now!”
To Jin Ri-yeon, who had her back turned, Sang-chil threw a punch from behind.
However, it was in vain.
Crack—!
He did not even see what hit him. Sang-chil was struck in the jaw and flew up into the air.
He saw everything: Wang Hee-ran crouching down, Jin Ri-yeon holding a sword and waiting for something, and Yi-gang also waiting.
“I’ve had my suspicions ever since they said a tiger threat had struck the village.”
Then, the calm voice of Jin Ri-yeon, “When someone killed by a tiger becomes a vengeful spirit, they can turn into a tiger ghost.”
It seemed like she was explaining to Yi-gang, who was behind her.
“A tiger ghost latches onto others, usually their own family, children, or spouse.”
Wang Hee-ran’s father, it seems, was indeed killed by a tiger.
“And they deceive people, luring them out. They take them to the tigers to be devoured.”
Sang-chil had heard of tiger ghosts before.
It was a legend often recounted by old tiger hunters when they got drunk. They warn to beware the families of those killed by tigers.
Wang Hee-ran, who had been crouching down, suddenly convulsed.
“Kraaaah!”
Wang Hee-ran’s healthy skin shriveled to a brown, and from her rather large and rough hands, her nails grew long.
The head that lifted had a mouth torn long, drooling profusely.
“Kraaah, kruaaaah!”
It was no longer a human’s voice.
Seeing Jin Ri-yeon swinging her sword at Wang Hee-ran, or rather, the tiger ghost, Sang-chil let out a moan.
“Damn it…”
His first love was a monster.
And what was more, one that tried to lure him to be offered to a tiger.
“…I loved her.”
As he said this, someone approached beside Sang-chil’s head.
Lifting his head, he saw a gentle face looking at him as if feeling pity. It was Yi-gang.
“Let’s be strong.”
With that, Sang-chil could not help but shed tears.
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