Chapter 18

He releases the hidden energy he had been conserving without hesitation. Holding back here would mean death. Exhaling and inhaling, he channels the internal energy from his dantian throughout his body, enhancing his physical abilities.

“In this kind of world, I won’t tell you not to kill people.”

“■■■■■-!!”

“The grudges in the martial world are complicated, and everyone has their own circumstances. But at least, if you’re going to kill, do it in human form.”

The half-dragon spews energy from its core, watching as the ‘something’ approaches without hesitation. Despite being a mere creature walking the earth, with its tiny energy, it advances in a straight line without a hint of hesitation.

It’s unsettling, unpleasant.

The ‘something’ raises a stick. An ordinary wooden stick. Yet, instinct screams.

That’s dangerous. Kill it now.

“■■■-!!”

Following instinct, he stomps the ground. To eliminate the unidentified ‘something’ posing a threat, he extends his arm.

The dragon’s claws, capable of easily tearing flesh and breaking bones, come crashing down. But he doesn’t retreat.

He takes another step forward. That’s the range he needs.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Pressing the Dog’s Shoulder and Back – Using the stick to press down on the dog’s shoulder and back.

Quickly tossing the stick from his right hand to his left, he strikes Guhae’s neck and shoulder. Immediately, he puts his body weight into it, bringing the stick down like a hammer.

Thud-!

The half-dragon, feeling the cold touch of dirt on its cheek, doesn’t understand. Why is a dragon like me lying down, and why is the ‘something’ looking down at me?

It doesn’t make sense. This shouldn’t be happening.

“If a human kills a human, they ask for a reason. But if a beast kills a human, it’s immediate execution. So, quickly return to being human.”

Bang-! Bang-!!

The thick black tail slams the ground, expressing anger. To tear apart the insolent ‘something’ daring to look down on a dragon, it scrapes the ground with its arms and legs, gathering strength.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Pressing the Dog’s Neck – Using the stick to press down on the dog’s nape.

…Originally, it’s a lethal move meant to break the neck by pressing, but the position is adjusted to press Guhae’s back, applying pressure.

“■■■-!?”

Trying to get up but falling again, the half-dragon roars in anger, struggling, but the stick pressing its back doesn’t budge, as if rooted to the ground. It’s agonizing.

“Does it hurt? It hurts me too.”

“■■■■■■-!!”

“After all the effort to turn that wandering creature into a human. Can’t even recognize the master’s face. It hurts my heart. So, quickly return to being human.”

“■■■■■■-!!”

His hand trembles. The stick trembles. Inside Guhae’s body, a massive energy surges like a wave, forcibly pushing away the Dog Chasing Stick Technique’s forms.

A net can surprise a dragon but can’t catch it.

…If only it would just let itself be caught.

Before getting entangled, he releases the form and kicks off the ground with his left foot to create distance. As he distances himself, Guhae swings its arm, aiming for his legs.

If he had been even a little slower in pulling back, both his right and left legs would have been crippled.

“You seem really angry. But what can I do? I have no intention of stopping.”

“■■■■■■-!!”

“I will keep repeating this until you collapse from exhaustion and return to being human. There’s no negotiation. So, quickly return to being human.”

He had somewhat expected it, but today confirmed it. Guhae is a hybrid of human and dragon. It carries both a human’s life and a dragon’s life.

He recalls Guhae, isolated and neglected, abused by the Jiegal Family.

…Perhaps Guhae is more suited to a dragon’s life than a human’s. Maybe I’m just meddling unnecessarily again.

But Guhae smiled at me during the festival. Said it was happy. Found happiness as a human.

So, I’ll meddle as I please. I’ll interfere as I see fit. I will never give up.

“■■■■■■-!!”

As if to say it won’t tolerate any more tantrums, a deep blue energy flows out, enveloping Guhae’s body. It’s a protective aura.

Damn… The speed of growth is ridiculously fast.

Cursing inwardly, he points the stick at his disciple, who has surpassed him.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Blocking the Fierce Dog – What to do when a fierce dog blocks the path.

From now on, it’s time for improvisation.

‧

‧

‧

From afar, it looks like a dance; up close, it’s a bloody battle.

A cripple and a half-dragon, circling around a single stick, measuring distances and clashing.

The protective aura around the body makes minor attacks ineffective. The physical abilities are also vastly different.

But the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is an extremely subtle and excellent form, and the Empty Clarity Fist is also a martial art that channels strong energy.

Mantian alternates between the two martial arts timely, occasionally even using the Soul Flight and Spirit Scatter Technique, facing Guhae, who pushes with brute force, exhausting its energy.

The deep blue protective aura has noticeably thinned. But Mantian’s stamina is also reaching its limit.

His breath is already ragged, and his legs are trembling. Various small wounds have appeared, and blood is flowing.

Damn… Trying to take responsibility for one disciple might really be the death of me… If I ever take on another disciple again, I swear I won’t raise any more.

“■■■■■■-!!”

Gritting his teeth, he points the stick at Guhae, who is still screaming and charging without tiring.

Dog Chasing Stick-?!

As he prepares to execute the form to block Guhae’s attack, his balance collapses. His naturally disabled right leg has reached its limit.

He wants to curse a storm, but honestly, it’s a miracle he’s lasted this long.

The stick, awkwardly swung as the form was interrupted, is bitten by Guhae’s sharp shark-like teeth. It seems to have instinctively realized that without the stick, his combat power plummets.

Of course, the Dog Chasing Stick Technique has forms prepared for when a dog bites the stick or when an enemy grabs it.

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Snatching the Stick from the Dog’s Mouth – Pulling the stick from a dog that won’t let go.

It’s a form that stabs the enemy’s eyes to incapacitate them and uses the legs or arms to strike the stick, pulling it from the enemy’s grasp.

As a form targeting one of the human’s vital points, the eyes, it can also be lethal. After all, the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is a martial art for beating dogs. It’s a martial art that treats the opponent as a dog and beats them mercilessly.

In other words, if you can’t treat your opponent as a dog, its power diminishes.

In the blue eyes clouded with anger and lost self, I see myself reflected. For some reason, even in this urgent situation, old memories flash through my mind.

That day, Guhae was playing with a bird in the room. And I, watching Guhae happily playing, suddenly felt mischievous and asked a teasing question.

“Do you like the bird~ or do you like me~?”

It was a question meant to tease Guhae, one that couldn’t be answered with a simple ‘I like mom’ or ‘I like dad.’

As expected, Guhae was flustered like Bonobo, then suddenly approached me and whispered quietly in my ear.

“…I like Mantian more.”

Then, slightly blushing with embarrassment, it smiled bashfully.

Returning to reality, if this continues, the stick will break. I need to strike Guhae’s eyes immediately.

…But I can’t. I’ve grown too attached.

Crack-! Crack-!!

The already cracked stick completely shatters. The despairing scream of Tagujang is heard.

Ta-agu! Tagutagu-!! Ta-a-gu-!! (Why- partner! We promised to be together forever! Why! Why are you abandoning me-!!)

Sorry, Tagujang. But common sense says that a cute Guhae is more precious than an old, worn-out stick.

“■■■-!!”

Now, I can’t use the Dog Chasing Stick Technique. As the stick shatters, I use the Empty Clarity Fist to block Guhae’s incoming hand.

Then, Guhae steps firmly and spins its body 360 degrees. It’s a tail attack. …The arm was a feint.

The thick, log-like tail hits my side directly. My body can’t withstand it and is sent flying, rolling on the ground.

I barely manage to reduce the damage with a breakfall, but it’s still bad. My breath is ragged. A nauseating feeling rises, and I vomit blood.

“Ugh- Ugh-”

I try to recover my body’s energy by applying the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique. The effect is minimal, but it’s better than nothing.

“When the mind is calm… forget emotions… when the body is weak… gather energy…”

A clear energy spreads through my body, making breathing a little easier.

“When the mind dies… the spirit lives… when yang is strong… yin disappears…”

“■■■■■■-!!”

Guhae howls. But it’s not a roar of anger. It’s a painful howl, as if trying to erase something.

In the center of the deep blue energy, a very faint clear energy spreads like ink in water, shaking the yin energy.

I recognize that faint energy. It’s the energy accumulated when Guhae trained in the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique. …Could it be that Taoist internal energy is driving out the yin energy?

I can’t be sure of the exact theory, but there’s no time to ponder or hesitate. If there’s even a slight possibility, now is the time to act.

The plan is simple. Get on top of Guhae. Whisper the口诀 of the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique into its ear. To prevent the sound from being drowned out, cover Guhae’s mouth.

It’s like putting a bell on a cat. It’s all or nothing.

I force myself up and look at Guhae. If I’m going to execute the plan, now’s the chance. No time to hesitate.

For Guhae’s sake, of course, I’d risk my life… but not really.

I look at my left arm.

Well, I can give up my left arm.

I take off my outer garment and wrap it around my left arm. It probably won’t help much, but it’s better than nothing.

I focus my internal energy on my left leg and perform the Golden Goose Technique. I kick off the ground and fly up like a goose, aiming for the branch above Guhae.

I shift my center of gravity, rotating my body 180 degrees. Now using the branch as a landing point, I kick off again, gaining momentum to press down on Guhae from above.

“■■■■■-!?”

“I’m not trying to hurt you! Just stay still!!”

I forcibly climb onto Guhae’s back, which is thrashing around, and stabilize my position.

A tiger’s back… no. A dragon’s back? Anyway, I’ve successfully mounted it. Now, determination is needed.

I cover Guhae’s mouth, which is baring sharp teeth and howling loudly, with my left arm wrapped in cloth.

The cloth tears as the teeth sink into my flesh. It feels like hot nails being driven in. It’s truly horrifying. Horrifying doesn’t even begin to describe it.

My left arm is soaked in blood. I endure the pain. If I scream here, there’s no point in having gone through the trouble of covering Guhae’s mouth. I endure.

“When the mind is calm… forget emotions… when the body is weak… gather energy…”

“!!!!!”

“When the mind dies… the spirit lives… when yang is strong… yin disappears!”

Thud!

A dull impact sound as my back hits a tree. To shake me off its back, it crashes, claws, and does all sorts of crazy things.

Hmm~ keep acting crazy~ if I die, so be it~ I’ve already staked my life~

“When the mind is calm… forget emotions… when the body is weak… gather energy…”

“When the mind dies… the spirit lives… when yang is strong… yin disappears…”

Enduring the pain, I keep shouting, hoping my words reach you.

You said… you liked me… that I was your favorite in the world… so please, come to your senses… quickly…

***

When I came to, I was in the forest. My body felt uncomfortable, and my head hurt. It felt like I had a bad nightmare.

Guhae looked around, scanning the surroundings, and noticed ‘something’ leaning against a tree trunk, collapsed… no.

It’s Mantian. Guhae found Mantian.

The usual silk clothes were already in tatters, and there wasn’t a single unscathed spot on his body. Moreover, his left arm… his left arm…

Everything came back to me.

The death of the bird, the black snake’s laughter, Mantian appearing to stop me.

…I did that. I hurt him.

I have no right to cry or feel sad, but tears flow. I want to approach Mantian, but I can’t.

…What should I do in this situation? How do I ask for forgiveness? Please tell me. Teach me like you always do. Praise me. Scold me. Pat me.

Many words come to mind, but my throat is choked, and nothing comes out.

***

…Blinking my eyelids, I regain consciousness. I must have fainted for a moment.

When I open my eyes, a girl with clear blue eyes like the morning sea is crying, shedding tears like pearls.

After finally calming her down, now she’s crying. Really, she’s something else.

I raise my relatively intact right hand and gesture for her to come closer.

Guhae’s eyes widen. With trembling steps, she slowly and carefully approaches me. The closer she gets, the more the wounds become visible, and her complexion darkens.

With blurry vision, I look at Guhae, who is bending over to look at me. Our eyes meet. Her blue eyes waver, unable to grasp the state of my left hand and various wounds.

If I leave her like this, she’s on the verge of bursting into tears. I’m already in so much pain I might die. If she starts crying loudly here, the noise might really kill me.

I pull Guhae’s head down, burying her face in my chest, hiding the unsightly wounds caused by my inadequacy.

I hug Guhae’s trembling body. I wish I could hug her with my left arm too, but it won’t move. It’s still attached, but I can’t feel it.

Reluctantly, I hug her tightly with my right arm until her trembling stops. Then, I deliver the iconic line.

“Nothing happened.”