Ep486 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

Arriving at Mount Kunlun after a relentless journey, Baek Woojin immediately gathered his team and made an announcement. "We're leaving Mount Kunlun." In response, Jang Sam asked with a puzzled expression, "Didn't you say this would be the final battlefield?" "That's true." It was indeed certain that this place would become the site of the final showdown. "However, I've received information that we can't just wait here idly." There were five altars scattered across the central plains. She planned to destroy them one by one and eventually reach this place. No one knew what would happen if all of these were destroyed. Therefore, it had to be stopped. Nothing instills fear in people more than the unknown. "Some will stay here and work on fortifying it. The rest will follow me to pursue the Heavenly Demon." "Who stays and who leaves?" As Jegal Yeonji asked, all the women seated around flashed their eyes towards Baek Woojin. To them, this was of utmost importance. Who would stay, and who would leave? "The ones staying will be Jang Sam, Gu Wangsue, Jegal Yeonji, Tang Sunyoung, and Yong Seollan." Hearing their names called, Jang Sam and Gu Wangsue cheered, while the three women sighed deeply and hung their heads in disappointment. Baek Woojin continued speaking to console them. "As you all know, except for Gu Wangsue, the four of you are essential for fortifying this place." Jang Sam could use spells, Jegal Yeonji was skilled in formations and mechanical techniques, Tang Sunyoung excelled in poisons and traps, and Yong Seollan could alter the terrain with her ice techniques and water manipulation. For these reasons, they were invaluable for the fortification of Mount Kunlun. Understanding this, the women couldn't bring themselves to complain lightly. As he mentioned, Mount Kunlun was destined to be a battleground against the forces led by the Heavenly Demon. Everyone knew well the significant advantage of being well-fortified when facing the enemy. Nevertheless, it was natural to feel worried. Especially considering his objective was to pursue the Heavenly Demon. "To be honest, I'm very anxious." "I feel the same way." "So do I..." Everyone was aware of Baek Woojin's strength. They trained with him daily, battling with swords, knowing just how exceptional and formidable he was. But the opponent was the Heavenly Demon. In discussions of the greatest in the world, the Heavenly Demon was always mentioned first. Moreover, the current Heavenly Demon was said to be incomparable to any other, even across ages. Chasing after such a figure, and what would occur if successful, was obvious to all. Sensing the women's anxiety, Baek Woojin grinned to dispel it. "Don't worry. I won't die." "And how can you be so sure of that?" In response to Tang Sunyoung's sharp inquiry, Baek Woojin replied with an unchanged expression. "I've survived far more dangerous moments than this." That's what a protagonist is. A being that shines endlessly in crisis. When pouring their soul into it, the universe responds by creating paths that weren’t there before. As long as they don’t give up on life. As long as they don't do something as foolish as throwing an egg at a rock. They are capable of somehow finding a way out. "I will definitely come back alive. So, don't worry about me and focus on your tasks." The women already understood. That the words he spoke were neither idle boasts nor mere bravado. Which meant, they had no choice but to believe in him. "If you're going to put it that way, I guess there's no helping it." "Sigh..., our husband sure knows how to talk well." "Sometimes, you can be so infuriating…." Each of the three women accepted their tasks with little complaint. Jang Sam was already pleased to stay, so that was not an issue. Gu Wangsue, left somewhat puzzled, asked, "Um, I don't think my name was mentioned earlier. What’s my role?" "Your role?" Baek Woojin had mentioned five names, but said only four were necessary for fortification. While he didn’t mind staying, he was curious about why he was being left behind. Baek Woojin answered, "So Jang Sam won't be bored." "..." Jang Sam, standing behind the bewildered Gu Wangsue, smiled at Baek Woojin. After a quiet exchange of understanding, the Blood Demoness, set to depart with Baek Woojin, inquired, "So, where are we heading?" The goal was set. The Five Peaks of the central plains. The five highest and most treacherous peaks in the region. Ju Seon had informed him that like the altar above Mount Kunlun, altars hovered in the skies above those peaks too. Reaching close enough would prompt the gourd to guide them, just as it did before. There were five directions to choose from. Of those, where would the Heavenly Demon destroy the first altar and which would be the second target? "Mount Hua." The closest location to the first altar that had been destroyed at Mount Hang. Directly on the doorstep of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sect Clans. "We're heading to Mount Hua." --- Finally, the altar at Mount Hang had been destroyed. And the energy that lingered there surged towards the one who had obliterated it. Spat! "...!" It felt as if a colossal sword was splitting her chest in two, piercing through with agonizing pain. Even for someone like her, conditioned through countless arduous experiences, this pain was not easy to dismiss. Her body buckled for a moment. "Urgh...!" Blood spurted out with her cough, staining the ground red. But that was all. Humans are finite beings. They live for only a brief moment, bound to an end from the instant they are born. A finite human body; even that body has its limits on what it can endure. The agony that feels as if it's leading towards death is no exception. Therefore, it could be withstood. Any pain that carves into the flesh. Straightening her back after the pain subsided, she murmured to herself. "It's refreshing to see blood again after such a long time." Wiping the blood off her lips with her sleeve, the Heavenly Demon smiled softly. The energy that pierced her flesh, shattered her bones, and gouged through her organs finally nestled within a corner of her dantian. Now, it might seem like nothing more than an insignificant burden making her inner strength difficult to wield, but it was a point. Like painting the eye on a dragon engraved on a wall to complete it, it was the final point to finish the grand picture she had painted. The unexpected part, however, was... "...It's more uncomfortable than I thought." Perhaps she hadn't anticipated just how much that energy would hinder her movement. Thus, she changed her goal. Originally, she planned to proceed from Mount Hang to Mount Tai, Mount Song, Mount Heng, and finally Mount Hua, in that order. But it appeared that would not do. "...Mount Hua will have to be first." Mount Hua. The territory of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects. Even for her, silently erasing an entire sect, especially one so prominent, was impossible. She intended to destroy the other altars first and leave Mount Hua for last, but that now seemed dangerous. For instance, she might be defeated by the leader of Mount Hua if moving became too challenging. "Heh..." Reflecting on it almost made her laugh. She had discarded her world to seek revenge on someone who caused her unmatched love and, consequently, tremendous pain. The ending couldn't possibly come at the blade of the Mount Hua Sect's leader. "I'll gladly destroy it." She decided to cross the line willingly. --- Baek Woojin and his team had departed Mount Kunlun and, after traveling for several days, arrived at Huayin County in Shaanxi Province. A bustling town frequented by many travelers seeking Mount Hua. Baek Woojin and his team decided to rest and recover from their journey at an inn there for the night. After enjoying a meal with rich food and clean liquor, they returned to their rooms. "Ah, so comfortable..." Shin Yehwa lay on the soft bed with a pleasant smile, savoring the comfort after a long time. She wanted to drift into a deep sleep but was quickly reminded that they had to ascend Mount Hua the next day. The thought of ascending didn't make her nervous. What unsettled her was the possibility of confronting the Heavenly Demon on that summit. "Heavenly Demon..." The moment she first encountered her remained vivid in her memory. That indifferent gaze from above as if soaring through the black night sky over the plains. The unexplainable aura of intimidation from her relatively small stature. The image of Baek Woojin being led away, having willingly surrendered himself to her to save their lives. Suddenly, fear gripped her. 'This won't happen again, will it...' She was terrified. Frightened of clashing swords with her. Afraid of Baek Woojin sacrificing himself once more to save her. 'It's so terrifying.' The fear she buried deep within her heart surfaced again. And it wouldn't easily dissipate. Tossing and turning for a long while, she found she couldn't remain in bed. She couldn't bear the solitude any longer. She yearned for someone's company. 'I could go to Lady Yoo... no, no.' It was late at night. If it were Lady Yoo, who hadn't missed a day of training even during their grueling journey, she'd likely be asleep by now. There was only one person she'd expect to be awake at that hour. "I'll ask Woojin to share a cup of tea." Surely, he would still be awake. With light steps, she left her room, heading toward his quarters. Having rented an entire annex, she crossed the courtyard bathed in moonlight and saw. In the shadow beneath the lush canopy, where the moonlight gently seeped through the leaves, She saw Baek Woojin locked in a kiss with another woman. Quickly, she hid behind a pillar. Her heart thudded loudly, as if it might burst out at any moment, and she held it tightly. --- Author's Note: I'll see you in the next chapter. Thank you, as always, for reading. Have a restful night. (_ _)