Chapter 52

“Mantian… wake up… Mantian.”

Someone kept calling my name, and slowly, my eyes opened.

Even though it was dark all around, I could see ahead. It felt like I was buried in warm mud, but breathing wasn’t a problem.

An endless dark space. I remembered.

It was the mental world I had entered after being hit by Uncle Mukgang’s training.

It felt like just yesterday I was screaming like a champ, but it’s already been a year. Time flies.

Anyway, I stood up and faced forward at the deep, cool voice that kept calling me.

“Are you awake? Then get ready, prepare to unleash your basic forms.”

There stood a man in a black coat and sunglasses, someone I felt like I’d seen before.

“Uh… who are you, mister?”

I didn’t remember raising such a gloomy guy in my mental world, so I asked cautiously. The mysterious man smirked and slowly raised the staff he was holding.

“It’s our first time meeting like this, but not recognizing your partner is a bit sad.”

Just as I was about to tell him to stop talking nonsense, I noticed the staff he was holding.

It looked exactly like the staff in my hand. No, it was the same staff.

A chilling sensation ran up my spine.

“Are you… by any chance?”

Normally, this would be impossible, but this is the mental world—nothing is impossible here. And in response to my uneasy question, the man smiled contentedly and delivered the final blow.

“That’s right, I’m the spirit of the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, Tagujang. Your partner.”

I immediately slammed the staff to the ground with all my might.

*Crash!*

“Ahhh?! Partner! What are you doing?!”

“If I had learned a sword technique, I would’ve gotten an ego sword loli… I shouldn’t have learned this stick technique.”

If I had learned the Boundless Sky Sword Technique or the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, I would’ve had a cute loli calling me “Master!” and sharing a mental connection, maybe even writing a light novel.

Later on, she might even transform into a real girl, holding my hand and going on dates.

“Sigh…”

A sigh escaped me. Hearing my sigh, Tagujang also sighed and picked up the staff from the ground, forcing it back into my hands.

“Partner, save those otaku fantasies for later and get ready. I’ll teach you a finishing move.”

“…A finishing move? But Master said the ultimate move of the Dog Chasing Stick Technique is too dangerous to use.”

That’s right. The Dog Chasing Stick Technique, which involves swinging a stick to beat dogs, might seem inferior compared to other prestigious martial arts, but surprisingly, it has an ultimate move that rivals the Emperor’s Sword Form of the Namgung Family or the Purple Cloud Divine Power of Mount Hua.

…But it’s so complex and difficult that at my current level, I can’t even attempt it. Even if I were to burn my life force to use it, Master warned me I’d die with my hair turning white. So, I only memorized the moves.

My internal energy has grown since I was a kid, but the final move of the Dog Chasing Stick Technique requires an understanding of the forms, not just internal energy. So, at my current level, it’s impossible.

It’s practically useless.

But despite my reasonable doubts, Tagujang silently handed me the staff.

“Don’t hesitate, partner. You’re a genius who can even deceive the heavens. Believe in yourself and unleash your potential.”

The mental world, a man in sunglasses, a finishing move.

…Well, with these conditions, the only answer is awakening. I gripped the staff tightly with both hands and took my stance.

“I’m ready. What do I do now?”

“As my partner, you already know what to say next.”

Ah—of course, in this situation, there’s only one thing to shout.

I drew endless internal energy from my dantian, releasing it with the force to cover the world, and with all my spirit, I shouted—

“卍—”

…And then I woke up from the dream.

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“解!!!!!!!”

My loud and powerful wake-up call startled Sososo, who was riding in the carriage with me.

Blink-blink—

I felt a bit sorry for shouting in my sleep, but seeing her curl up like a hedgehog and blink her big eyes was adorable.

***

Human connections are truly unpredictable.

Tang Mirang, unable to accept that she had been poisoned, stayed in Baihua County to study the tea that the late-stage scholars had drunk. Jeon Jong and Do Jun decided to stay by her side.

…They didn’t say it outright, but it seemed they didn’t want to get involved with Sososo, the cause of this attack.

Anyway, we were in Jieokhyeon, a village on the way from Hubei to Henan.

Originally, I wanted to go to the Jiegal Family to meet Guhae immediately, but while the Tang Family warriors, who had been urgently summoned due to the young lady’s injury in Baihua County, conducted a brief investigation and expressed their gratitude, I sent someone to check.

It turned out that Guhae and Jiegal Yang had already left for the Martial Alliance in Henan to participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Association the morning I fought one against fifty.

It’s not like I’m searching for my mother across thirty thousand miles, but I’m searching for Guhae across thirty thousand miles. But what can I do? If I want to see someone, I have to move quickly.

Honestly, it’s been too long since I last saw Guhae. I miss her.

I want to gently bite her soft cheeks.

Thinking this, I blankly stared out of the carriage. It seemed to be festival season, as the streets were bustling, and the smell of delicious food wafted through the air.

Since we were heading to the Martial Alliance anyway, Sososo and I decided to stop by Jieokhyeon, famous for its medicinal baths, to rest for a few days.

It seemed like perfect timing.

***

At the inn with medicinal baths and hot springs, staying overnight was expensive, but Sososo and I had a light meal.

“The prices aren’t cheap. The coachman and I even got a room to stay in. I’m impressed by Namgung’s generosity.”

Since I had run away during the journey, my finances weren’t great, but I was grateful for the nice room.

“Sir Sima is my benefactor and companion. It’s only natural.”

She still maintained her polite demeanor, but there was a hint of friendliness.

I wanted to get closer faster to learn her sword techniques, but everyone has their own pace, so I didn’t rush.

The important thing is to keep expressing my desire to be friends while considering her feelings.

If Sososo is still wary of me, I’ll just match her pace and slowly get closer.

As I naturally poured tea into Sososo’s empty cup, a child who had just entered the inn pointed at the staff I had placed by the table and shouted.

“Mom! Look—look—a staff! The lame Jeoseokcheon!!”

“…Huh? Jeoseokcheon (帝釋天)?”

“The kid must be excited from watching the festival play. I’m sorry.”

I bowed my head in apology and watched the woman carrying the excited child walk away.

I could understand the “lame” part, but why “Jeoseokcheon” was added was beyond me.

Sososo also tilted her head in confusion, and then a woman dressed like a theater actress, who had been watching us from a corner, approached with a friendly greeting.

“Welcome to the joyful Jeoseokcheon Festival. Do you need a kind festival guide to answer your questions?”

I don’t know why, but the people in this village seem to like suddenly approaching and talking to strangers.

Anyway, it wasn’t a bad way to pass the time, so I nodded.

Of course, I borrowed the money to hire the guide from Sososo.

It’s not that I don’t have money, but I’m still a master, after all.

I need to save as much as possible to buy more snacks for Guhae when I see her.

Sorry, Namgung sis. I’ll make it up to you later.

***

Jeoseokcheon (帝釋天).

The leader of the Eight Legions of Heavenly Beings, the chief of the Twelve Heavens who protect the world from above.

As the leader of the twelve heavens, his domain is vast.

He is the god of thunder and lightning.

The god of all weapons.

The protector of people.

…But to women, he’s a third-rate scoundrel. A madman.

“Wait—he seduced his daughter right in front of her father?”

In response to my question, the festival guide proudly recited the madman’s legend with a bright smile.

“Yes, Jeoseokcheon fell for Asura King’s daughter, Sachi, and seduced her with sweet words right in front of her father. Isn’t that amazing?”

“You’re not serious, are you? You’re being sarcastic, right?”

Just moments ago, the children excitedly running around with models of Jeoseokcheon’s vajra, a symbol of the god, seemed heartwarming…

“Jeoseokcheon’s vajra! Jeoseokcheon’s vajra!!”

“Jeoseokcheon is a god!!”

“Mom! I want to be Jeoseokcheon when I grow up!!”

…Now it just seems like the madness of a cult-like festival.

“A protector god can seduce a few women and engage in a bit of incest. Legends should be viewed with a generous eye.”

As the theater stage approached, the crowd grew thicker.

And I finally understood why the child in the inn had called me “the lame Jeoseokcheon.”

The actor playing Jeoseokcheon, wearing a flashy mask, was holding a staff and limping, imitating a lame person.

“How did the god of thunder and weapons end up lame?”

To my reasonable question, the guide, who loved Jeoseokcheon, laughed awkwardly and explained.

“He fell while trying to descend from the heavens to save someone. At least, that’s how the legend goes in this village.”