Chapter 44: Forest Lord Im Gi-hak (1)
Twelve Biyeon Squad warriors.
Two carriages.
These were the additional personnel sent by Baek Ryu-san in response to the letter from Yi-gang, stating that they had faced danger due to the Great Tiger.
That wasn’t all. They also secured an escort service from Xi’an to Hunan Province to accompany them.
The escort agency operating in Xi’an couldn’t dare to refuse a request from the Baek Clan. Of course, from their perspective, there was no reason to refuse since the safety of the delivery was guaranteed.
As a result, Yi-gang and his companions had a smooth journey from Shanyang County.
Meeting the Great Tiger, moreover, a Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger yokai, was an extraordinary event.
After leaving Shaanxi Province, they encountered Green Forest bandits several times. However, they ran away as soon as they saw the Baek Clan’s emblem and the cold stares of the Biyeon Squad members.
A month after Yi-gang left the clan, the group safely arrived in the Azure Forest.
They were in Sumok County, a village close to the Azure Forest, practically a part of it.
Yi-gang and the Biyeon Squad rented an entire guesthouse.
And just a while ago, a young martial artist from the Azure Forest came as a messenger.
Paying his respects to his senior, Jin Ri-yeon, he delivered a message from the Forest Lord of the Azure Forest.
[Welcoming the guest from the Baek Noble Clan, Baek Yi-gang. He is invited to White Cloud Peak.]
That was the message.
It seemed like nothing special, but Jin Ri-yeon was taken aback.
White Cloud Peak was where the Forest Lord of the Azure Forest resided. Even from Sumok County, you can see White Cloud Peak standing tall.
And it’s rare to hear of outsiders ascending White Cloud Peak.
Yi-gang had been invited to such a place.
“It’s a good thing, right?”
“Well, yes. But it’s unnerving that they knew our identities and positions so quickly, even though we’re still just in a village.”
Neung Ji-pyeong muttered apprehensively. Indeed, Sumok County was no different from being a part of the Azure Forest.
“It’s only natural, considering everyone here has been greeting Miss Jin.”
As the attention of the group turned to Jin Ri-yeon, she touched her earlobe as if embarrassed.
Since they entered Sumok County, people had been greeting Jin Ri-yeon.
And they didn’t do so reluctantly, calling her a martial artist or respectfully as if she were a priest of a Taoist sect. They called her Miss Ri-yeon, showing both familiarity and respect.
“I grew up here since I was little.”
“I see. Then, we shall accompany Miss Jin for a visit.”
As Yi-gang said this, Neung Ji-pyeong asked cautiously, “Is it alright if I don’t accompany you?”
“It’s fine. Rest for a bit.”
Neung Ji-pyeong and the Biyeon Squad had performed their duty of escorting Yi-gang splendidly.
After the Twin-Headed Ghost Tiger incident, Neung Ji-pyeong became even more cautious. They must have accumulated a lot of fatigue.
Yi-gang left the guesthouse with Jin Ri-yeon before Neung Ji-pyeong could say more.
White Cloud Peak was visible from anywhere here.
Yi-gang and Jin Ri-yeon headed straight towards the tall white peak that stood in the middle of the vast forest.
As expected, the people of Sumok County greeted Jin Ri-yeon.
“Miss Ri-yeon! We heard you were coming, so it’s really you!”
“Looks like you’ve returned. Is this your first time back in five years?”
They were village women. Jin Ri-yeon responded to their greetings with a gentle smile. The women turned their gaze to Yi-gang, who was beside her.
“Oh my, what a handsome young master.”
Yi-gang was wearing less ornate clothes than usual. He also accepted the women’s frank attitude with courtesy.
“Haha, hello.”
“Oh, such polite speech.”
After they left, Jin Ri-yeon gave Yi-gang a look of surprise.
Yi-gang, who had never hidden his status as the child of a prestigious clan, often appeared even imposing. But now, he showed a more unpretentious demeanor.
Yi-gang asked, sensing that he was being stared at intently.
“…Why?”
“No, you just seem different than usual.”
“That goes for you as well, Miss Jin. You seem close with the people of Sumok County.”
“I’m originally from this village. My mother was a disciple of the Azure Forest, and my father was from Sumok County.”
“Are Taoist priests allowed to marry?”
In the Wudang Sect, Taoist priests were typically prohibited from marrying. That’s why even the respected old masters, known as Sages, ended up living helplessly as solitary seniors in their later years.
“It varies from sect to sect. Mount Hua is the same as us.”
“Well, that’s probably for the best.”
Upon reflection, he realized that not all rules were universally applied.
In the midst of such a conversation, Yi-gang finally met the disciples of the Azure Forest.
“Miss Jin!”
“It’s been a while.”
“Have you been well!”
Young ones, about twenty years of age, respectfully embraced her. They were disciples, each with one or two flowers attached to their robes.
Surprisingly, they recognized Yi-gang.
“Young Master Baek Yi-gang, welcome.”
“Yes, I’m glad to see you too.”
The disciples also gave a respectful embrace to Yi-gang. They definitely didn’t recite the Taoist chant like Taishang Laojun or something. They were more worldly than one might expect.
The Immortal Divine Sword, within the sword, spoke quietly, 「The Azure Forest has always been like this.」
‘Didn’t they say it being the forefather of Taoism and even the Wudang bow before the Azure Forest?’
「Borrowing the words of those horse-headed Taoists… there’s no Tao in empty formalities and false pretense. It’s like that.」
He understood. The core principle of Taoism was Wu Wei Zi Ran- nature without action or to let nature take its course.
However, that’s just a concept, eagerly adopted by some. If they truly lived like flowing water, they wouldn’t build such grand temples or wield swords.
‘Well, I quite like it.’
From Yi-gang’s perspective, it was a good thing. It meant he was among like-minded individuals.
Jin Ri-yeon conversed with the disciples.
“Su-rin was waiting here?”
“Seems she heard about your arrival and was hiding around here for a while. She wanted to surprise you.”
“That child always enjoys such things.”
“She grew impatient when you didn’t show up and went somewhere else. If we meet her first, we’ll let her know.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Bidding farewell to the disciples, Jin Ri-yeon and Yi-gang headed back to White Cloud Peak.
“You seem to have many juniors.”
“Yes, Su-rin is a third-generation disciple. The kids are about your age, including the child named Su-rin.”
Jin Ri-yeon, a second-generation disciple, seemed to be respected by the third-generation disciples as well.
Jin Ri-yeon halted her steps, contemplating for a moment.
“Shall we practice light footwork technique on our way to White Cloud Peak?”
“Here? Now?” Yi-gang asked.
After capturing the Great Tiger, Yi-gang had been continuously receiving help in swordsmanship from Neung Ji-pyeong.
For reasons unknown, Jin Ri-yeon also wanted to help, thus she assisted Yi-gang in his light footwork training.
Of course, she did not teach him the Azure Forest’s light footwork technique. Not only because his Great Yin Meridian Blockage condition wouldn’t allow proper practice, but also because it was forbidden to reveal the Azure Forest’s martial arts to an outsider.
However, the light footwork technique wasn’t just about internal energy; the tips she provided here and there were of great help to Yi-gang.
“Yes, right now.”
“There’s no rush, is there?”
“If Su-rin is planning to surprise me, it certainly won’t be ordinary.”
The stories he heard from Jin Ri-yeon were absurd.
There was a strange culture in the Azure Forest. The juniors would ambush their seniors. It seemed like a practice that would only exist in ruthless sects where the strong preyed on the weak.
Of course, it wasn’t anything brutal like ambushing with a knife in hand. It’s said to be more of a loving surprise. It’s very effective for martial arts training, so the seniors highly recommended it.
The problem was that the person waiting in ambush for Jin Ri-yeon was a Taoist flower disciple.
“She’ll definitely use some kind of sorcery. Let’s head to White Cloud Peak before we run into her.”
“Well, let’s do that.”
Yi-gang was curious and wanted to see this sorcery for himself, but he nodded in agreement. There must be a reason for Jin Ri-yeon’s concern.
Jin Ri-yeon and Yi-gang ended up practicing the light footwork technique at an unusual time, starting in broad daylight.
As she had said, White Cloud Peak wasn’t too far.
After running for the duration of one meal, they arrived at the entrance of the stairs leading to White Cloud Peak. There was no surprise attack from Yu Su-rin, as Jin Ri-yeon had worried.
However, an unexpected problem occurred.
The fatigue accumulated in Yi-gang’s body since the possession by the Immortal Divine Sword had not yet completely dissipated, and he had rushed through the rugged mountain paths of the Azure Forest using the lightness skill, a skill he was not familiar with.
Consequently, Yi-gang twisted his ankle just in front of White Cloud Peak.
“It seems… I’ve sprained my ankle.”
It’s no laughing matter for a martial arts clan’s child to get hurt just by running a bit on a mountain path.
However, Jin Ri-yeon knew that Yi-gang’s body was not ordinary.
“Ah…”
There were still steep stairs to climb to reach Top Mountain Hall at the top of White Cloud Peak.
Jin Ri-yeon alternated her gaze between the high stairs and Yi-gang. Then, she nodded with determination.
“Then, there’s no other way.”
Seeing her resolute expression, Yi-gang felt anxious.
Yu Su-rin had grown up in Azure Forest since she was a child.
Her mother was a commoner, but her father was a disciple of the Azure Forest. More specifically, he was a librarian of Five Flower Grand Library. By the time she started toddling, he was already the sole librarian and the Library Master.
Five Flower Grand Library wasn’t just a place to stack books; the position of its Library Master held a special status in the Azure Forest. Nonetheless, Yu Su-rin, his daughter, was unpretentious.
“Hehe.”
She was only 13 years old and soon to be promoted to an official first-flower disciple. She got along well with her peers.
She was often teased for being a crybaby. However, while she was emotionally sensitive and prone to tears, she also possessed the resolve of a martial artist.
And the person she admired most was the senior, Jin Ri-yeon.
‘She’ll be here soon, right?’
Jin Ri-yeon, as a second-generation disciple, held a higher rank than Yu Su-rin.
But all the third-generation disciples respected Jin Ri-yeon. Renowned as a member of the Dragon and Phoenix Conference, Jin Ri-yeon was a hero among the third-generation disciples.
‘This time, I must surprise her.’
And Yu Su-rin liked Jin Ri-yeon more than anyone else. Perhaps there was a child-like admiration mixed in.
Jin Ri-yeon was mature, calm, never easily flustered, and compassionate. Even when Yu Su-rin had been teased by her fellow seniors in the past and had burst into tears, Jin Ri-yeon had lent her a handkerchief.
Moreover, after Yu Su-rin had stopped crying, Jin Ri-yeon scolded her sharply, saying, “No matter how much they teased you, you shouldn’t hit your peers too hard.”
That was truly the demeanor of a real adult.
From that moment, Yu Su-rin set her goal to be like Jin Ri-yeon. She harbored the dream of becoming an admirable person like her and venturing into Jianghu.
Her admiration and affection did not stop her from continually surprising Jin Ri-yeon.
Jin Ri-yeon had never been flustered, but this time, it had been a full two years.
Yu Su-rin was hiding on the stairs of White Cloud Peak, fully prepared.
‘Appears with the wind.’
She was confident not only in martial arts but also in sorcery. As she performed the Wisdom Mind technique, the Innate True Qi in her middle dantian wriggled.
Martial arts and sorcery were of different essences. While martial arts transformed internal energy, which moved along the blood vessels, into physical strength, sorcery manipulated nature by using the Innate True Qi in the middle dantian.
Yu Su-rin’s hair began to flutter when there was no wind.
Thump- Thump—
The sound of footsteps climbing the stairs could be heard. It was the sound of one person. Soon, Jin Ri-yeon’s face would appear as she ascended the stairs curved along the wall.
However, the footsteps were a bit heavy for the skilled Jin Ri-yeon, known for her prowess in movement technique.
‘The footsteps are a bit heavy.’
But such doubts were quickly drowned out by anticipation.
Filled with the intention to startle her senior by appearing with a roar along with the wind, Yu Su-rin was ready.
“Jiji-ru-luling.”
Along with the soft incantation, a whirlwind blew.
Yu Su-rin leaped up with the wind and landed swiftly on the stairs.
And just as she was about to let out a roar to surprise Jin Ri-yeon, “Ack!”
The one who screamed was a boy riding on Jin Ri-yeon’s back. It was Yi-gang.
“Ahhhh!”
Yu Su-rin inadvertently screamed back in response.
“You, who are you?” Yi-gang asked, baffled.
However, that was rather the question Yu Su-rin wanted to ask. Who exactly was he to be carried on the back of the sky-like senior?
“I am Yu Su-rin, but…”
“I am… Baek Yi-gang.”
“Why exactly are you being carried on Senior Ri-yeon’s back…”
Yi-gang felt as if his stomach was rotting from the inside.
When he twisted his ankle, it was truly a predicament, but he never expected Jin Ri-yeon to offer to carry him.
He declined several times, insisting he was fine, but it seemed that she felt guilty, perhaps thinking Yi-gang’s injury was her fault. Reluctantly, he agreed to be carried, but only while they ascended the stairs.
「Eu-haha, eu-hahahaha.」
The Immortal Divine Sword laughed uproariously, adding to his discomfort.
He regretted accepting the piggyback, not wanting to keep the Forest Lord of the Azure Forest waiting.
Jin Ri-yeon spoke softly.
“Su-rin. It’s dangerous in such a place.”
“Senior…”
Only then did Yu Su-rin realize that Jin Ri-yeon hadn’t been surprised in the slightest. Feeling awkward, Su-rin suddenly wore a crestfallen expression.
“I missed you.”
Now that she was reunited with her senior after five years, her emotions overwhelmed her. Su-rin hugged Jin Ri-yeon tightly, who was still carrying Yi-gang.
“Couldn’t you send letters more often? Didn’t you miss me?”
“Eung, of course, I missed you too.”
Jin Ri-yeon patted Su-rin’s shoulder. It was a truly touching scene.
“Uh, could you please put me down for now?”
Of course, from Yi-gang’s perspective, still being carried, it wasn’t touching in the slightest.
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