Ep481 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

A voice resonating from the heavens. Just hearing it might fill you with mystique, and make you feel as if important words were about to unfold. However, reality starkly contrasted with such ideals. [Oh, this little punk thinks that just because he's somewhat useful in the celestial realm these days, he can disrespect his senior?] [Ahem... When did I ever show any disrespect to you, Senior?] [I can tell just by looking at your face, you brat! I've been waiting for the right moment to teach you a lesson, and as the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot—today's the day, you rascal!] [Oh come on, Senior. If you keep this up, I won't stand idly by either.] [And if you don't just stand by, what then? What can you do, you brat?!] "……." Kim's enthusiasm wanes. Their conversation reeks of unmistakable clues about their identities. Mention of the celestial realm implies that these are likely immortals residing there. Judging by their attempt to retrieve the bottle, one of them must be the Wine Immortal who bestowed it upon him. So then, the other individual, presumed to be the Wine Immortal’s junior, is? [If you insist on this, our plan to expand your storeroom three days from now might have to be scrapped, ahem!] [Is this rascal threatening me with something already agreed upon?!] [It's not that I want to do this, but you're leaving me no choice by constantly pushing me, Senior….] [Pushing? Pushing?! Are you suggesting we settle this today once and for all? Do you want to live a life where you never taste a drop of the wine I've created?!] […I wish for no such outcome, indeed.] "……." There's seemingly no need to know more. No, rather, the desire to know dissipates. The moment he gains insight into these immortals, it feels as though all respect for the celestial realm might crumble. Baek Woo-jin reminds himself that sometimes ignorance is bliss. [Do you think I'm doing this because I dislike you? I'm saying this for your own good.] [*sigh*... Indeed, that is so.] [Among our peers, you’re currently the top nominee for showing a poor attitude recently. Don’t you know you might really find yourself in trouble?] [Gasp... Is that really the case?] [Yes, you fool! The Sword Immortal amongst others is particularly ticked off with you, I’d say.] [Argh...!] After a bout of bickering, it now seems they’ve reached a phase of reconciliation. Both are so engrossed in their conversation, unaware of how their voices echo through the sky, they've seemingly forgotten his presence entirely. At this rate, it felt like even the longest night would be inadequate, so he decided to make his presence known. “Ahem, ahem!” […….] […….] The conversation finally halts. Baek Woo-jin proceeds to speak. "…Excuse me for interrupting, but might you be the Wine Immortal?" Their whispered discussions could now be faintly heard. [How did this fellow know I'm the Wine Immortal?] [...Isn't it because you left the celestial hearing open and chatted away merrily?] [Anyways, how could I have left it open!] [Shouldn't you check before you speak such words…?] [You brat!] [...I apologize, truly.] It appears the junior immortal has resolved not to defy any further. It seems the name of the Sword Immortal strikes more fear than the name of the Wine Immortal. [Hrrm..., it's been a while, hasn’t it? How have you been?] As if nothing ever happened, the Wine Immortal inquires in a dignified tone. Not daring to challenge an immortal, Baek Woo-jin assumes a courteous posture, pretending to forget the earlier conversation as he replies respectfully to the sky. “Thanks to the grace bestowed by you, I've been able to live upstandingly as a human.” [Hrrrm, is that so? Haha, I am truly pleased to hear that.] His attempt to suppress his surging emotions from a mere compliment is evident in his tone. Perhaps due to always being inebriated, he was certainly the most emotionally fluctuating immortal encountered. This fact bore a double-edged sword; it could either benefit or harm him. If his mood soared, much could be gained, but if it plummeted, the extent of loss was unpredictable. Thus, Baek Woo-jin wisely lowered himself as much as possible. 'Let's just play humble.' Given he had once told a significant falsehood to him. "Though I vowed to keep striving so that even my humble name might one day reach the celestial realm, who knows how it turned out." Though he made it sound grand, the key question remained: 'Does he know I lied?' Whether he was aware of his lies remained unknown. [Hrrrm, your efforts surely reached the heavens. Your deeds are praised across the central lands, and the celestial realm has rejoiced at having another promising junior.] “Would any of this have been possible on my own? It's all thanks to the grace of the Wine Immortal.” [Wahaha! Wasn't it possible because you used your powers rightly? Excessive humility is unwarranted, so don’t lower yourself too much.] “Thank you, Elder.” Baek Woo-jin felt it. Now was indeed the peak of his mood. If there was anything to be said, now was the ideal moment. "But, Elder...?" [What is it?] "There is... a string attached to the bottle you graciously bestowed upon me. Could there be a particular reason for it?" [Ah! That, that you mean?] A faint, flustered voice echoed from the sky. Baek Woo-jin had already deciphered his intentions. Having indulged in quite a bit of drink over the days, it seemed he was starting to feel the burden. And thus, he had lured him to the altar with the bottle in hopes of retrieving it. However, there's the matter of an immortal's dignity. After being praised and receiving gratitude, to suddenly claim the bottle back? That would be nothing short of a blow to one's pride. [That was..., erm, a temporary item I requested a fellow immortal to craft in order to summon you here.] "Ah...! I see. I was worried that the Wine Immortal intended to reclaim the bottle. I apologize for my fleeting doubt." [Oh, no, well..., it's understandable, don’t take it to heart so much.] “No! You are the one who made me who I am today! And yet I doubted you, even for a moment. It's an unforgivable sin that requires prostrating!” [P-please calm down! I understand your feelings, so don’t be too hard on yourself.] In response to the Wine Immortal's flustered attempt to console him, Baek Woo-jin feigned covering his face with his arms, pretending to cry. "Ooh hoo hoo...! To think you care for me even after my personal suspicions...!" [Ah, no, why are you crying? Huh? I said calm down.] Actually, he wasn’t crying at all. Behind his arms, Baek Woo-jin's mouth was smiling brightly. 'It's settled now.' Having reached this point, even if the Wine Immortal were willing to swallow his pride to reclaim the bottle, it would now be impossible. After taking a moment as if to compose himself, he lifted his face to ask innocuously. “Then is it alright if I reattach the bottle to my waist...?” [Of course. I've already given it to you, so it's yours. Why even ask?] As the whispering ceased, the glowing string binding the bottle unraveled and vanished. Safeguarding the bottle now secured at his waist, he turned his gaze toward the sky and inquired. “By any chance, why have you summoned me to this place?” Curiosity nagged at him. Surely, he wasn’t called all the way here just to reclaim a bottle. [Ah…, well, that’s the thing. I summoned you to impart some crucial information.] The weightiness in his previously light tone was now palpable. In response, Baek Woo-jin grew serious as he asked. “Information about…?” [It pertains to the Five Element Sacred Pearls.] “…….” It seemed it was indeed a matter of significant importance. * * * The Five Great Mountains (O-ak). It is a term referring to the five highest peaks in the central lands. The Celestial Demon currently stood atop Bukak, Hangsang, one of these peaks. "…Quite a view." With a satisfied smile, she took in the scenery, noticeably different from the one she looked out upon from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. In her eyes unfolded the lives of individuals living far below. Those who weep and those who laugh, each for their own reasons. They wouldn’t even dream that the Head of the Demon Sect, the Celestial Demon, stood watching over the central lands. After casting a long look, she finally drew her gaze away. Her purpose in traveling from the far-off Ten Thousand Great Mountains to this place wasn’t merely to observe the landscape. The moment the soft gleam in her eyes turned sharp once more— Whoosh. With the gust of wind, she lifted off from the ground soaring into the sky. In an instant, she pierced through the clouds, something foreign caught her eye. An ancient altar that shouldn’t exist in the heavens. Effortlessly ascending to it, she read the inscription on the colossal stone beside the altar. "Su-Shin White Tiger Heavenly Altar." An altar of gods, originally on land but vanished to the skies over countless years. She reached into her robe and pulled out a pearl, placing it upon her palm. It was the Metal Element Sacred Pearl, symbolizing metal among the Five Elements, the first she had acquired. “…….” Upon placing the shimmering silver orb on the altar, the heavens resounded. [There’s still time. Stop what you’re about to do and return.] It was the voice of a celestial immortal. Despite their urging, the Celestial Demon silently shook her head. "You say it's not too late? No, it is already too late." Just because an event hasn't occurred doesn’t mean it’s not too late. The issue was her resolve. Her resolve had come too far to stop on its own. Scoffing toward the heavens, the Celestial Demon sneered. "If you wish for me to stop, come down here and do it yourselves." [How dare you...!] Unfazed by the furious voices of the immortals, she continued her task. The energy slowly seeping from the Metal Element Sacred Pearl enveloped the worn altar. As the altar became imbued with the shimmering aura of metal, she waved her hand. Crack! Cracks began to spread across the entire altar. [Stop this instant!] A booming roar akin to thunder crashing right before her. Yet, not a single bit of it reached her. "How amusing." [What did you say?] "What could be more laughable than watching old fools who severed all ties for their own safety and achievements now fret over the world?" Her sharp words lingered, striking the momentarily speechless immortals. "If you truly wish to stop me, come down and face me. I shall neither hide nor flee." Before they could formulate a response, she turned her back without hesitation. Crack! The altar was beginning to crumble. Even without further intervention, it would soon collapse and vanish without a trace. "Next... Mount Tai, I suppose." With that, she set off toward her next target. --- **Author's Note** Hello, dear readers. Yesterday, due to wrist pain, I found it impossible to focus on writing and had to take a break to visit the hospital. It appears there's nothing new, merely a worsening of my existing carpal tunnel syndrome. The doctors advised that unless I consider surgical treatment, the only solution is consistent management. So, I'll be regularly visiting for physical therapy and consultations. Afterwards, the persistent discomfort kept me from sleeping, and I ended up writing after taking some pain relief and a short nap. I'll do everything considered beneficial for my wrists and manage them diligently to ensure my updates aren't delayed due to wrist issues. I'll be back with the next chapter. Thank you for always reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)