Until now, my companions had never shown me this kind of look.
Martial artists, by nature, were people who trained and cultivated themselves. That meant they possessed strong self-restraint. Aside from those occasional heated stares from Hwa-eun, no one had ever looked at me like this.
But now... now their eyes felt strangely familiar. Comfortable, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ even.
A gaze I only ever saw in those of my kind.
The unmistakable glint in the eyes of fellow fanatics—filled with feverish obsession, with mad hunger for collection. Everyone’s gaze shimmered with that same rabid light.
As I warily scanned everyone’s expressions, internally amused, Hwa-eun’s voice echoed in my mind.
『So-ryong! Ask Senior Yeoncheon where the grave is!』
『The grave?』
『Yes!』
Hwa-eun was asking me to ask about the grave’s location. That alone raised two suspicions.
First—why was she asking me to ask, when she could just ask herself?
Second—why was she burning like this?
You heard me right—burning.
Everyone else had glints in their eyes. Hwa-eun, however, was not burning in her eyes—the fire was coming from somewhere deeper. I could feel that heat radiating from inside her, the exact same kind of fire I felt when she tried to seduce me into breaking the speed limit, so to speak.
‘W-what the hell? Am I losing my virginity tonight?’
The atmosphere was that intense. I was starting to wonder if I was about to become a man before the wedding even happened.
My heart began thudding for no reason as I nervously replied:
『So, uh... why? You planning to pay your respects at the senior’s grave? And couldn’t you ask yourself?』
Then, as if something exploded, her answer rang back loud and clear.
『Pay respects?! No way! A master’s grave could contain secret martial techniques or their beloved weapon! That’s why you have to ask! If you, their benefactor, ask, they’ll definitely tell you!』
『Ah...』
That cleared up the situation for me.
If I was a venomous creature fanatic, martial artists were all martial arts fanatics.
I had already learned from traveling with the Five Dragon Fangs that martial artists were willing to risk their lives for powerful techniques.
‘If a master’s tomb might contain a secret technique or cherished weapon... yeah, that’s something martial freaks would go nuts over.’
A grave was just a grave to me, but for martial masters, it seemed there was a culture of leaving behind their legacy in the form of techniques or weapons.
It was a Mu-taku’s wet dream.
And if something important really was buried there, Yeoncheon would definitely be more willing to answer me than Hwa-eun.
As I turned my head to ask Yeoncheon about the location of the grave, I suddenly felt dozens of sharp stares drilling into me.
‘Man, they’re about to burn a hole through my cheek.’
Everyone was clearly thinking the same thing: He’s the one who should ask.
We’d agreed to call each other “senior,” so bracing myself, I cautiously asked Yeoncheon:
“Um, Senior Yeoncheon... might Master Hwamu-jin have left behind any martial arts techniques or a beloved weapon in his grave?”
And at once, all of their glimmering eyes turned like antennae toward the snail perched on my shoulder.
A brief silence followed... then Yeoncheon answered:
[Of course he did, Benefactor. His cherished weapon, his martial techniques, and his internal cultivation method are all there.]
“OOOOHHHHH!”
“His beloved weapon! His techniques! His internal cultivation method!”
“Martial techniques and inner arts of Hwamu-jin, a master from 300 years ago!”
As everyone shouted in awe and excitement, Yeoncheon asked in return:
[Benefactor... are you interested in Master Hwamu-jin’s martial arts and cultivation technique?]
To be honest? Not really.
I mean, I was into venomous creatures, not martial arts.
Sure, this world was one where martial arts were a mystical power, and the stronger your techniques, the easier your life. But the path to get there was pure hell.
According to Hwa-eun, I basically cheated my way into high-level cultivation thanks to the poison from spirit beasts. But seriously—how the hell did other people do this raw?
And I was a bit worried, too.
I hadn’t known Yeoncheon that long. Was it really okay to ask for something like this?
Wasn’t this basically grave robbing a friend?
‘Even if I’m his benefactor, is it really okay to make a request like this...?’
Worried I might ruin the good impression I’d made, I glanced toward Hwa-eun for help.
She fired back a look that screamed: Nod. Now.
So, scratching my head in embarrassment, I finally replied:
“Uh... yeah, well... a little.”
Yeoncheon nodded thoughtfully.
[Then let us stop by on our way. Hwamu-jin told me not to let his techniques go to waste and to guide any worthy juniors to his secret chamber.]
“Thank you, Senior.”
I had been worried I’d come off as greedy or shameless, but Senior Yeoncheon granted it so casually.
Apparently, Hwamu-jin had left a will instructing the long-living snails to pass on his martial legacy to a worthy heir. No wonder this went smoothly.
As soon as Yeoncheon gave his answer, people began congratulating me.
“Congratulations, Young Master So.”
“Congrats, Ryong.”
“Congratulations, So-ryong.”
Everyone was congratulating me.
They must’ve assumed the contents of the tomb would all become mine.
But I wasn’t greedy. I waved my hand dismissively.
“No, come on. I wouldn’t monopolize it all. I’ll share it with everyone.”
Then, all of a sudden, the crowd went dead silent.
Sister Seol, who had stuck to my side, jabbed my ribs with her elbow.
At the same time, Brother Gwiseong stepped up, grabbed my shoulder, and said:
“So-ryong, I know what you meant when you said that. But there are things in this world meant to be shared—and things that are not. This one... this is yours.
No one here could say otherwise.”
He was a master who had reached the threshold of ascension with the sword. He probably wanted this more than anyone. Yet he told me it was mine.
The other Dragon Fangs, Hu-gae, and Monk Jaheo also nodded.
“We do not walk the path of the blade, so it would not help us much. There’s no need to speak of sharing with us, Young Master So.
Besides, it was you—and you alone—who awakened the old seniors.”
“Indeed. Amitabha.”
“I’m curious about what’s inside... but this beggar doesn’t have the shamelessness to ask you to share it.”
They were martial fanatics. They should be lusting after this kind of thing... but instead, they were all yielding it to me.
It really made me think: I made good friends.
People like to say, “Oh, he’s a good person,” when someone makes a mistake.
But in this world, being a good person should be measured by how well one holds onto their humanity even in situations where it would be natural to fall short.
When things are going well, anyone can look like a saint.
By that standard, my companions were all genuinely good people.
As I sat there, quietly basking in gratitude, Hwa-eun smiled and added:
“If by chance the secret manuals contain some secret insight into the path of ascension, then let’s all share that part.”
I remembered hearing somewhere that just one word from a great master could be a cheat code for climbing to the next realm. So this was Hwa-eun being extremely generous.
Hearing our conversation, Yeoncheon spoke warmly.
[It seems we’ve met good people, my wife.]
[That does seem to be the case.]
And with that, our group continued on toward the place where our boat had been moored.
***
I’d been keeping in regular contact, but with our arrival just around the corner, I reached out to Cheongwol mentally.
It was just to let her know we’d probably arrive by tomorrow.
『“Cheongwol!”』
Of the spirit creatures still on the boat, the only ones capable of holding a conversation were Hwayang and Cheongwol.
But Hwayang didn’t count.
That guy still hadn’t learned to say anything other than “food,” so there was no use trying.
So I reached out to Cheongwol, the most articulate of the spirit beasts on the boat. Her first reaction was to question why I was contacting her outside of our usual check-in.
『-Grrr. (Hmmm. What’s going on? Doesn’t seem like our regular check-in.)』
“Ah, it’s nothing serious. Just wanted to say we’ll probably arrive tomorrow.”
-Grrrr. (Ooh! That’s—ah, alright. Travel safely. Ahem.)
She gave a casual reply, but the way she first lit up, then quickly tried to act composed, was hilarious.
I couldn’t help but grin and teased her with another thought.
『Yeah, I really miss you. My dear Cheongwol.』
-Grr!? (W-What are you saying!? J-Just hurry back safely! Stop with that nonsense!)
As expected, she got completely flustered.
She really did act like a grumpy little sister.
Still smiling at her tsundere reaction, I asked if anything had happened over the past few days.
There likely wasn’t, given how she sounded, but ever since Ranghu got upset because I didn’t ask about her well-being once during a check-in, it had become something of a ritual.
『So... nothing unusual on the boat?』
-Grrr. (What would happen? It’s quiet and peaceful here.)
“How’s Hwayang?”
-Grrrr. (Same as always. Eat, sleep, repeat.)
“And Geumdo?”
-Grrr... (That guy also just sleeps all day.)
“And Heukjeom?”
-Grrrmm. (He’s fine. He even catches fish for the boatmen—they love him.)
“Oh, right, you told me that last time. Then what about Ranghu?”
-Grrt. (Ever since I told her you were coming back, she’s been climbing up to the sail every day, staring toward the direction you disappeared.)
“R-Really?”
-Grrrr. (Yes.)
It sounded like someone ought to erect a loyalty shrine in Ranghu’s name.
Wait—no, that’d be a disaster. Building a loyalty shrine is like... implying Ranghu had...
I quickly cleared the thought from my head. That way led to nothing good.
『Y-Yeah, got it. See you tomorrow. Give my regards to everyone.』
-Grrr. (Alright. See you tomorrow.)
After that quick exchange of updates, the conversation ended. But later in the afternoon, I heard buzzing overhead.
-Buuuuuuung. Buuung.
I looked up through the branches and saw several Golden-Furred Wasp Workers—offspring of Ranghu—buzzing through the trees. Five or six of them.
They were clearly looking for me.
“So-ryong, I think the kids came to greet you.”
“Looks like it. Hey Ryong, your gang’s here.”
I’d told them we’d arrive tomorrow, but I guess Ranghu couldn’t wait and sent the kids ahead.
Sighing, I waved up at them.
“Sigh... That girl, seriously. Hey, kids!”
But even after I called and waved, they didn’t fly toward me. Instead, they flew straight to the front of the group and started scanning the area carefully.
-Buuuung. Buuuung.
“Hey, kids?”
They ignored me completely, focused on the lead of the procession and its surroundings.
I had no idea what they were doing, but when one of them noticed Yeonji sitting on my shoulder, and then Yeoncheon placed a foot on her shell, they quickly backed off.
Then they flew over to Changcheon, studied him carefully, and shook their heads.
“They’re checking out the new members, huh?”
“Looks like it.”
Their behavior clearly showed they were inspecting the new additions to the group. When they finished surveying the area, they gave a relaxed flutter of their wings, as if reassured.
But then they spotted Hwanji and Hwana—so enormous they were easy to mistake for trees. It seemed they hadn’t realized those two were spirit beasts until now.
As soon as they noticed, their expressions turned to pure shock.
-BUUUUNG! BUUUUUNG!
-BUUUNG!
They stared at Hwanji and Hwana intensely for a while, circling, inspecting.
When they were finally done, the entire swarm zipped over to me in formation, their wings buzzing urgently like something terrible had happened.
“What? What’s the emergency?”
That’s when I had a sudden, horrible thought.
‘Don’t tell me... they’re saying unmarried females are forbidden or something!?’
They had completely ignored Yeoncheon, Yeonji, and Changcheon—but with Hwanji and Hwana, they were clearly alarmed.
If that was really the case... I was in serious trouble.
