Ep479 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

A woman collapses onto a world singed black, her life extinguished like the wick of a burning candle flame. Thunk! Death is ever thus. Even for a villain most deserving of demise, it is so wretched and devastating that, for an instant, it stirs a pang of sympathy. But it's always just that—an instant of emotion. Regardless of sins committed in life and absolved in death, no feeling of pity arose for her. “…There are still duties to be done.” Baek Woo-jin plunged a sword into the charred body of Jin Mi-yeon. Crunch! Upon opening her hardened chest, the sight revealed an interior devoid of even a single drop of blood, just a smoky residue. Within lay the Fire Star Core, still radiating heat. As expected. “So it is indeed the Fire Star Core.” He had approached with near certainty, yet seeing it in person brought a different sensation. Above all, what lingered strongest in his mind was doubt. ‘Why was the Fire Star Core given to her?’ It was a treasure gained by sowing chaos across plains and nearly annihilating a grand sect nestled in the highlands. Unquestionably, it was a crucial component of her scheme. Why, then, was such a precious artifact entrusted to Jin Mi-yeon? “Has the Fire Star Core served its purpose already?” He felt an ominous thought creeping in, but it seemed unlikely. This surmise was supported by Jin Mi-yeon's earlier demeanor. “She surely intended to burn not just me, but the entire Mount Kunlun.” Her final display, that colossal fireball. Its might was without dispute, but it was far from an efficient means of assault. Especially if her intent was vengeance upon him. ‘If killing me was her aim, a smaller, more precise strike would have sufficed.’ Yet, she chose magnitude over precision. Why such a choice? Because she was foolish? ‘That’s certainly not the case.’ Crazed she might have been, but stupid she was not. She would have known which attack was most effective against him. Thus, her decision was not solely about her own demise but hid another objective. “Mount Kunlun….” It crossed his mind that perhaps setting Mount Kunlun ablaze was an end in itself. It is noted in the Celestial Flow Records that somewhere on Mount Kunlun lies a sacred altar. The very place where the gods bestowed the Five Star Cores long ago. If her goal was to prevent him from finding or reaching it— ‘If it's what the Heavenly Demon desires…, it all fits perfectly.’ The reasoning for giving the Fire Star Core to Jin Mi-yeon, the ultimate attack to incinerate Mount Kunlun, all mysteries that once troubled him were suddenly resolved. “Which means ultimately…, she aims to do something at that altar.” It surely won’t be just any ordinary altar. It's the altar where the gods granted the Five Star Cores, so planning something else there wouldn’t be impossible. “…Whatever it is, finding the altar comes first.” What she intends through the altar remains unknown. However, he is certain he won’t let events unfold smoothly for her. ‘Three of the Five Star Cores are now in my possession.’ With the Wood Star Core and Water Star Core he originally had, and now the Fire Star Core, he possessed three out of the five, likely dealing a significant blow to her plans. And if he were to find the altar where she might be planning something? ‘If I prepare a defense there, the odds are increasingly in my favor.’ With formations, mechanisms, and people. He would utilize every available resource to construct an impregnable fortress around the altar. If he could be fully prepared to meet her, no doubt the chances of victory would soar. ‘The expected beginning is during the solar eclipse.’ There is ample time. If he moves diligently to find the altar and prepare for defense by then. And there are those who could help. The Kunlun Sect, who have honed their martial skills for centuries on Mount Kunlun. They could be instrumental in locating the altar. ‘Then I should meet with the sect master at once….’ Surely, explaining the situation to the leader of the Kunlun Sect would secure both material and moral support. With such thoughts, Baek Woo-jin was ready to move forward, only to halt in his tracks. In the distance, the disciples of the Kunlun Sect looked utterly devastated. “Oh..., why has this come to pass...!” “Waaah! Where has the lush green gone, and why is there only the acrid stench...?” Tears flowed as they grieved. As previously mentioned, this was the land they had protected for hundreds of years. Outside Qinghaeseong, countless battles were fought, and even during the Great Devil War, when more than half of Zhongyuan was lost, Mount Kunlun stood firm, a testament to their history. Yet now, the mountain burned, hundreds, thousands of trees reduced to charred remains under the flames. In the span of a day, an indelible stain was left on their land, on their history. How could words possibly capture the depth of such sorrow? Witnessing their plight, Baek Woo-jin set his priorities. “…Let’s delay the request for aid by a few days.” To rekindle their spirit, it seemed paramount to first help them restore their home. * * * The news of Jin Mi-yeon’s death quickly reached the ears of the Heavenly Demon. Along with it came word that part of Mount Kunlun had burned due to her final outburst, and that efforts to restore it were underway. “So, it has come to this.” Had she been alive to see it, those would have been tears of blood she shed. Yet, the Heavenly Demon showed no emotion at the news of her death. In fact, outwardly and inwardly, there was no difference—only the sentiment that a predestined event had come to pass. “She asked, “Is Baek Woo-jin participating in the restoration of Mount Kunlun as well?” “Yes. It's said that Baek Woo-jin and his followers are actively aiding in the restoration.” “I see….” Her mind naturally wandered to him. The thoughts or expressions he may have had since Jin Mi-yeon's death. ‘Her death must have given you much to ponder, hasn’t it?’ She knew him better than anyone. Not overly intelligent or exceptionally powerful. Just an average person, really. Because of this, it took an exceedingly long time for him to realize his potential, and many had perished in his place to buy him that time. Each death accelerated his growth. ‘You've always tried to think one step ahead.’ Straining to extract any fragment of information from a foe’s smallest gestures, words, or glances. Collecting piece by piece to complete a large puzzle. Believing that completed puzzle would protect those he cherished. ‘But this time will be different.’ This time, his efforts will be his undoing. That was her aim. Thus, she gave instructions to someone consumed with revenge against Baek Woo-jin and even entrusted her with the Fire Star Core, for power. She had told her to use any means necessary. In the process, Baek Woo-jin likely realized it. That there was a mission beyond mere vengeance assigned to her. Grounded in Jin Mi-yeon’s actions, he would be convinced that Mount Kunlun was to be the final battlefield, preparing feverishly to face him. ‘His assistance to the Kunlun Sect is for that very reason.’ And yet, he remains oblivious. That this is all part of the plan. She hoped for that moment when his focus would tether him to Mount Kunlun, keeping him from wandering carelessly. A throne crafted solely for her. Rising from it, she gave orders to a prostrated man before her. “We will set out for the altar. Ensure preparations are complete by today.” “Yes, mistress.” Preparations were finished. Now it was time to color the canvas planned long ago. Having long awaited her moment hidden in darkness, she finally began to move. * * * Mount Kunlun recovered swiftly. Practitioners who frequented the place yearly for their training. Nearby residents who had once received aid from the Kunlun Sect's disciples. Martial artists from Qinghaeseong, and even its lord. The goodwill they amassed over a lifetime shone in their hour of need. All stepped forward to offer assistance. Some offered manpower, others resources. Everything gathered was used to tend to the burned stretches of Mount Kunlun rapidly. Of course, it was not perfect. No matter how much effort they exerted, traces left by the Fire Star Core's flame were not easily erased. Yet they had laid groundwork. New sprouts emerged on the scorched earth. Sprouts that, with time, would grow into towering trees to cover the mountain. Having mitigated the situation to some extent, Baek Woo-jin promptly sought assistance from the head of the Kunlun Sect. His request was warmly welcomed. Everyone understood the reason. Without him, Mount Kunlun would not have remained in its current form. “You're asking us to find the altar, correct?” “There are quite a few altars in Mount Kunlun…, we shall have to conduct a thorough search.” Everyone was eager and ready to help, treating it as if it was their own matter. Working alongside them, Baek Woo-jin traversed every corner of Mount Kunlun, searching for the altar. And then, Baek Woo-jin realized what he had initially overlooked. “…Why are there so many altars?” Instead of worrying about how to find the hidden altar, the pressing issue was figuring out how to identify the true altar among the numerous ones scattered across Mount Kunlun. "This is driving me insane." No matter how much he searched through the Celestial Flow Records, there was no mention of the altar's appearance. With a flicker of hope, he sought permission from the sect master to search the Kunlun Sect's library, but the result was the same. He spent countless hours wrestling with the problem, unable to find even the smallest clue. It was then, amidst the frustration, when he decided to scout the mountain for yet another altar, hoping to try something new. Clink. The gourd hanging from his waist unexpectedly began to vibrate on its own. Author’s Note: I apologize for the delay. I spent more time erasing than writing today, which made it take a while to finish this chapter. I’ll be back with the next installment soon. Thank you for reading as always. Have a restful night. (_ _)