Chapter 92

***

"Yao Guang..."

Dang Ran-yeong reacted to the words Cheong-ra had muttered absentmindedly while deep in thought.

"Why mention that one's name?"

His voice was tinged with a mix of regret and irritation at not being able to finish off the opponent he had been toying with so enjoyably. It seemed that Dang Ran-yeong, like Cheong-ra, was also unsettled about letting Yao Guang escape.

"I don't have much experience dealing with Blood Cult members, but this is the first time one of them revealed their name. Is it because of the red mask? Perhaps the masks indicate their ranks?"

Cheong-ra recalled the masks of the Blood Cult members he had seen so far. Wooden masks, iron masks, red masks, and though he wasn't certain, finally a white mask. Dang Ran-yeong, no longer intending to hide information about the Blood Cult from Cheong-ra, explained willingly.

"That's right. The insignificant ones wear wooden masks, while those who act as priests wear iron masks. But I saw the others for the first time today too. It probably means their activities are becoming more active. Or..."

"Or?"

As Cheong-ra looked at him curiously, waiting for the rest, Dang Ran-yeong narrowed his eyes. Then he asked an unexpected question.

"Beauty. Why is your skill level only at that level?"

For ordinary martial artists, this would be considered a severe insult, worthy of immediate resentment. However, Cheong-ra didn't mind much. It didn't seem like Dang Ran-yeong had asked with the intention of insulting him. Nevertheless, pretending to be angry, he answered in a fierce tone.

"What do you mean, 'that level'? I'll have you know I'm the winner of the Dragon Phoenix Tournament. And today, though not as much as Young Master Dang, I cut down more than ten of those Blood Cult bastards!"

"Stop pretending to be fierce."

Pretending to be fierce... Having never heard such a phrase in his life, Cheong-ra momentarily forgot to pretend to be angry. Dang Ran-yeong looked Cheong-ra up and down as he spoke.

"Beauty's body is naturally suited for training, with well-developed bones and muscles. Moreover, the development of your upper, middle, and lower dantians (-Lower Dantian: This is located in the lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel, and is considered the main energy center or "energy reservoir." -Middle Dantian: This is located at the level of the heart and is associated with emotional energy and the cultivation of compassion.

-Upper Dantian: This is located in the forehead, between the eyebrows, and is often associated with spiritual insight and the mind) is harmonious, making it easy to break through the Conception and Governing meridians and the Life and Death Mystic Gate (These are energy channels in the body according to traditional Chinese medicine - TCM). It can be said that you have heaven-given talent. Not to mention, you don't lack fighting experience. Yet you're still only at this level?"

Breaking through the Conception and Governing meridians and the Life and Death Mystic Gate meant achieving a complete physical transformation. And throughout the entire martial arts world, the number of martial artists who had achieved this transformation was by no means common.

This was because this transformation was merely the first step towards reaching the realm of Flower Realm.

Yet Dang Ran-yeong was speaking of this transformation as if it were something like becoming a Peak Master. No, in fact, even becoming a Peak Master was not an easy realm to reach. Cheong-ra shook his head and said,

"Young Master Dang, do you know what you're saying? Treating complete physical transformation as if..."

"Given your nature, you wouldn't have neglected your training."

Dang Ran-yeong interrupted, answering in a confident tone. It was as if he had completely seen through Cheong-ra as a person.

"And you're not so dull as to not understand your master's teachings."

His sharp gaze meticulously scanned Cheong-ra's entire body. Already covered in blood, this intense scrutiny added to the pressure.

"So what's lacking is your desire for achievement and competitive spirit."

Cheong-ra swallowed dryly as Dang Ran-yeong's words were exactly the same as what he had once heard from his master. He thought that perhaps everything was clearly visible to a master.

Dang Ran-yeong was right. Though he had never told anyone, the reason Cheong-ra trained in martial arts was solely to appear more beautiful and perfect. It was to slow aging and maintain a well-balanced, attractive physique. Desire for achievement? Competitive spirit? He couldn't say he had none, but they weren't particularly strong either.

But Cheong-ra didn't find this strange about himself. Not all martial artists want to become stronger. How many are satisfied with just reaching a first-class level? Dang Ran-yeong, unsatisfied, persistently pressed Cheong-ra.

"It doesn't matter if you lose or win? No, given your tastes, do you perhaps prefer losing?"

Having his secret inner thoughts exposed for the first time, Cheong-ra remained silent, tightly closing his mouth. No matter what, as someone who called himself a martial artist, he couldn't answer that he had been waiting his whole life for the day he would be utterly defeated. But Dang Ran-yeong's speculation didn't end there.

"But it's strange for your skills to deteriorate just from a lack of desire for achievement or competitive spirit."

"You keep saying such nonsensical things..."

Cheong-ra shook his head in denial, but Dang Ran-yeong grabbed his chin with a strong hand. He stared intensely into Cheong-ra's wide eyes and called out, "Beauty." His low voice scratched at Cheong-ra's ears.

"What exactly are you doing to your body?"

Hearing that question, it felt as if his heart had dropped with a thud. He stopped breathing for a moment, then quickly turned his head, escaping from Dang Ran-yeong's grasp. Not content with just that, he took several steps back to create distance.

"Don't say such nonsense! I've been diligently training and honing my martial arts every day without fail. I may not be as strong as Young Master Dang, but I've been doing my best. So stop insulting me!"

Speaking firmly, Cheong-ra strode ahead down the mountain path. His heart pounded rapidly. Though he was very conscious of the man behind him, he tried his best not to show it. He resolved not to be shaken or react no matter what the other said.

"Beauty. By the way..."

As Dang Ran-yeong called out, ominously drawing out his words, Cheong-ra had no choice but to turn around.

"Didn't I say I'd punish you if you got hurt without my permission?"

Despite his resolution not to be shaken, Cheong-ra's gaze wavered at those words.

"No, but..."

He tried to deny it reflexively, but soon gave up on explaining. In truth, though he appeared fine on the outside, he had suffered internal injuries. It was a minor internal injury from being exposed to that fierce, terrible killing intent earlier. If Dang Ran-yeong hadn't immediately diverted his attention, it would have been worse.

Moreover, the fact that he could suffer internal injuries just from killing intent meant that the opponent was that strong of a master.

"It's not like I wanted to get hurt..."

Cheong-ra complained, slowly backing away. As Dang Ran-yeong put on a seemingly generous smile, he moved his steps quickly, very wary. The other was someone who would strip him naked and whip him even in these mountains.

Fortunately, as they had almost descended the mountain and were near the village, Cheong-ra hurried his steps. He thought of Wi Je-ho, who would be guarding the village chief's house. Surely Dang Ran-yeong wouldn't do such things where Wi Je-ho was.

However, as they got closer, there was no sign of life from the village chief's house. Cheong-ra hesitated as he entered, worrying if it was wise to enter an empty house. Dang Ran-yeong, who had entered later, also stopped, his gaze fixed on one spot.

A dead weasel was neatly laid out in the front yard. A rope was tightly tied around its neck. Cheong-ra reflexively looked around, but no one was in sight.

Dang Ran-yeong approached the dead weasel and flipped it over with his toe. Other than the body moving softly, indicating it hadn't been dead long, there were no other notable marks.

"Is this it? What that Yeon Jeok-san, nicknamed Thousand Forms Sword, was said to have done?"

Cheong-ra, looking down at the dead weasel with a displeased expression, shook his head.

"I'm not sure."

"Why don't you know?"

"There were quite a few people who brought dead animals."

Yeon Jeok-san was just the most memorable among them, but there were several others who did strange things. Yeon Jeok-san stood out because of his boldness in sneaking into Moon Lake Sect to display dead animals.

"Maybe it's revenge from those hunters from earlier..."

Even as he said this, Cheong-ra's voice lacked confidence, knowing his words were unlikely. Those hunters from earlier had seemed so thoroughly cowed that they would probably run away without looking back if they just saw Dang Ran-yeong.

Perhaps it was a new follower. Cheong-ra wondered why these guys particularly liked bringing corpses. As a martial artist, seeing such things was just unpleasant, not scary at all.

Moreover, they didn't stop at just bringing these things, but went on to harass people around or steal their belongings...

As he was thinking this, Cheong-ra's mind suddenly cleared. He quickly ran into the village chief's house. His hands were frantic as he searched and turned over his belongings.

"What's wrong?"

Even when Dang Ran-yeong asked, Cheong-ra didn't answer and just checked his luggage. The wound medicine his uncle had packed for him, sword maintenance tools, the washcloth that was as essential as necessities, beauty water, comb, the strings inside his undergarments disguised as hair ties, bandages. And the undergarments that such guys often liked to steal.

Seeing that his undergarments were safe, Cheong-ra was about to feel relieved that nothing had been stolen when his fingertips trembled. He unpacked his luggage again and thoroughly searched from beginning to end, but one of his possessions was nowhere to be seen.