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Chapter 18
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The flame no longer spoke.
Whether it had nothing left to say or simply didn’t want to speak, he couldn’t tell.
The vision within him slowly began to shatter.
“It feels like we still have more to discuss.”
Lee Seon peered closely at the flame in his hand.
Even if it disapproved of him, shouldn’t it at least offer some commentary after he poured his heart out?
It had whispered for him to become a “good man” with that eerie murmur, but now it clammed up.
It was acting like a sulking child who hadn’t gotten its way.
Well, they would have to live together from now on, so it would be inconvenient if they didn’t get along.
Lee Seon opened his palm and released the flame into the air.
“That’s enough for today. Let’s talk again later.”
The flame darted forward and leaped into Lee Seon’s chest.
**
It seemed he’d spent quite a bit of time within his mind.
The air against his skin felt refreshing.
A smile spread across Lee Seon’s face.
Energy was surging within him.
Though the flame had startled him by suddenly jumping in,
He quickly realized what transformation had taken place within him.
The Flame Emperor’s Thousand Poisons Art had reached the Eighth Star.
All the hardships he’d endured had led up to this moment.
Lee Seon leapt into the air.
A sense of floating filled him, and his body soared high into the sky.
Is this what it felt like for a caterpillar to spread its wings as a butterfly for the first time?
“You think so too, don’t you?”
Kreek?
At his words, the Human-Faced Spider slowly raised its head.
It was hard to stay alert to the outside world while deep in training.
In case something happened, it had kept a watchful eye nearby.
“Thank you.”
Lee Seon petted the Human-Faced Spider’s head, its soft, fuzzy feel pleasing to the touch.
Seen like this, the Human-Faced Spider was surprisingly cute.
Why do people keep dogs?
When you have something so much more impressive than a dog right here.
After all, the more the merrier.
Its body was as large as a house.
Its head, though proportionally small, was still large.
Teeth? Razor-sharp.
Eight eyes, each the size of a fist, could see as clearly in the dark as in daylight.
And on top of all that, it had poison and could spin webs.
But people would still insist, “Dogs are better!”
Nonsense!
Dogs bark when they see unfamiliar faces.
That’s the way of the weak.
Barking doesn’t actually change anything.
A companion animal should be a lifelong partner.
So shouldn’t it be capable of solving problems on its own?
In a way, dogs just pass the problem onto their owners.
If the Human-Faced Spider had been there?
It wouldn’t have disturbed its owner’s sleep with needless noise.
It would handle the problem itself.
A truly perfect pet.
A creature crafted by the gods.
That was the Human-Faced Spider.
Though, calling it my pet might be a stretch, given its absolute loyalty and fear of that old man.
“You can see I’ve changed, right?”
The Human-Faced Spider looked him over, rolling its many eyes as if appraising him.
Then, with a reluctant nod, it agreed.
After all, reaching the Eighth Star in the Flame Emperor’s Thousand Poisons Art had almost pushed him past his current limits.
But martial arts required balance among body, mind, and spirit.
He was confident that his inner energy and mindset were second to none,
But his physical form lagged behind.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
Though he hadn’t crossed that threshold, this was already a satisfying achievement.
More than anything, having come so close once, he was sure he could cross it next time.
Now he stood at the doorstep of the transcendent realm.
“Let’s try again.”
Lee Seon’s fighting spirit flared.
He felt that he could withstand an hour against the Human-Faced Spider now.
The spider stared at him before dropping something at his feet.
A small bundle with a letter inside.
Lee Seon unfolded the letter.
The contents read as follows:
“If you’re reading this, it means Jinju has acknowledged you. Stop pestering her and descend the mountain.”
Is it really okay to leave?
Lee Seon glanced at the Human-Faced Spider.
“I’m going.”
The spider, always by his side and never lowering its guard,
Lay down on the ground and closed its eyes.
Its posture conveyed a sense of peace, as though it had fulfilled its duty.
“I’m really leaving?”
The Human-Faced Spider turned its head abruptly as if to say, “Just go.”
Yet it couldn’t hide the tears welling up in its numerous eyes, shining brightly.
Lee Seon laughed brightly.
I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t cry.
We’ve been friends, for better or worse, for half my life.
Lee Seon reached out and wiped away the tears pooled around the spider’s eyes.
“I’ll bring something tasty when I come back. Take care.”
His own eyes felt a bit dry today.
**
Packing didn’t take long.
He had always been prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
It’s been so long since I left Hyeokmun Mountain.
I wonder how Tang Ha-ryeong is doing.
It’s hard to hear news from the outside when you’re in the mountains.
No news is good news, they say, but still, I’m curious.
Should I head to Sichuan first, then?
Lee Seon chose his direction and began moving.
Though it was his first time traveling this road, the map made finding his way manageable.
Then, a familiar scent drifted through the air.
His eyebrows twitched.
No, this scent is…?
Following the scent, he soon came upon a group setting up camp.
“Hello there.”
Lee Seon approached them and greeted them unexpectedly.
“Oh my!”
The reactions were varied.
Some froze mid-sit, half-standing awkwardly.
Another dropped their food on the ground.
And one even reached for their sword.
“Who are you?”
Lee Seon smiled in a friendly way.
But in the darkness, that smile wasn’t visible.
Now everyone was on guard, hands inching toward their weapons.
There seemed to be some misunderstanding.
“I’m just a traveller, drawn to your fire like a moth to a flame.”
Yet the people’s faces twisted in discomfort.
“Who are you, really?”
Everyone drew their weapons and rose to their feet.
This could turn into a fight in the dead of night if things went poorly.
Lee Seon didn’t want to fight.
Nighttime exercise wasn’t to his liking.
It was a historic day for his first step into Kangho; he didn’t want to dirty his hands unnecessarily.
T/n: “Kangho” (강호) and “Jianghu” (江湖) refer to the same concept, with “Kangho” being the Korean pronunciation and “Jianghu” the Chinese pronunciation.
The best approach would be to resolve this amicably.
“Just a wandering traveller, you could say.”
One person sneered.
“Yeah, right.”
The man holding the torch stepped closer, shining the light on his face.
Lee Seon’s appearance, previously hidden in the darkness, was revealed.
Those holding weapons looked bewildered.
He looked nothing like what they had expected.
Too well-dressed to be a bandit.
Hair hanging loosely over his eyes.
A seemingly unremarkable young man who appeared a bit slight in build.
He held nothing in his hands, and his waist was empty too.
The only thing he carried was a small bundle, sagging as though it held little of value.
“Could I join you? I’m really hungry.”
Lee Seon rubbed his stomach.
Not realizing it when he left, but after going so long without food, his stomach was practically stuck to his back.
As everyone hesitated, one person stepped forward.
“That’s not possible. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave.”
A woman with cold eyes, her gaze sharp.
She was clearly skilled in martial arts, carrying a sword at her side.
“Can I ask why?”
“I can’t just let in a stranger whose identity isn’t clear.”
It was a reasonable answer.
“Then, what can I do for you to trust me?”
The woman seemed momentarily flustered.
But she quickly regained her composure.
“We’re escorting a shipment. Do you have anything that can prove your identity?”
Lee Seon thought for a moment.
Should he show his token?
The token Tang Ha-ryeong had given him.
Would that convince them to trust him?
The old man had mentioned Tang Ha-ryeong’s family was quite reputable.
But that token belonged to her, not me.
Though he knew little about Murim, he doubted she had handed over her token lightly.
Using her name recklessly in a place like this wasn’t the best idea.
“I don’t have anything.”
“Then I’m afraid we can’t let you stay.”
“I understand.”
When a stranger suddenly asks to join, it’s only natural to be suspicious.
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Lee Seon turned back the way he came without protest.
The people blinked, watching him leave without hesitation.
“…What kind of person is he?”
Watching him disappear without any reluctance felt almost eerie, like he was some kind of ghost.
**
The following morning.
“Hello again.”
“You’re that guy from last night.”
The group was met with a familiar face.
“Today, I’m here as a doctor.”
“What?”
Lee Seon shrugged.
“I had a feeling you might need one soon.”
—
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