Thrush Episode 295: I Won't Listen. (2)
"How about it."
At Bi Uijin's question, I had to make a momentarily dumbfounded expression.
What is this guy saying right now.
A disciple?
'His master is taking disciples?'
And he's telling me to join?
He mentions being Bi Uijin's master, but.
The one he calls his master is Paejon.
And Paejon is Bi Uijin himself....
Which means he's selling himself out right now.
Seeing that, I thought.
'Does he have no shame...?'
It feels like the dignity of the Venerable I felt in my past life vanished in an instant.
This guy, feels like he's missing a few screws?
And a disciple, at that.
What disciple.
He wants me to become Paejon's disciple?
The answer to that popped out immediately.
"I won't."
I rejected him without a second thought.
"Alright, then next time... What?"
Hearing the refusal, Bi Uijin makes an uncharacteristically shocked expression.
Did he think I would obviously accept?
That seems like an overly arrogant thought.
'Well... it's not just any disciple.'
It's the Three Venerables, and Paejon's disciple at that.
To become the successor of one of the three who reached the heavens in the Central Plains.
It's not just martial arts.
It means being able to inherit their fame and position.
If one's own potential is sufficient.
Even inheriting their power, one could aim for their realm.
Since I refused such a proposal.
It's understandable to be shocked.
Even so.
'Paejon, huh.'
It was a word that brought up many thoughts.
The secret martial art that Paejon himself created.
Like the Wolseonmugeom used by Geomjon, it is a martial art that has not even been 100 years since it appeared in this era.
The Nine Sects and One Clan.
Considering that the divine arts of the current Four Great Families took at least hundreds of years to be modified and perfected.
It could be an incomplete martial art with many flaws.
'No. How could that be lacking.'
Paejon's martial prowess was definitely not incomplete. I guarantee it, having directly seen the single punch he threw.
I had never seen such an unreasonably strong martial art in my life.
If I were to point out a difference from Geomjon.
Geomjon's was born from modifying the martial arts he originally used to suit himself.
Paejon, once directly said.
That it was a martial art he made from start to finish.
'Is that really possible.'
It's a doubt.
Not only did he create a new martial art.
In a span of time that was less than a hundred years, at most.
He polished that martial art and rose to the position of the Three Venerables.
It was a level I couldn't even imagine.
Because of that.
Paejon's martial art is precious.
It holds the meaning of a divine art that any martial artist in the fighting world would covet.
However.
Not only did I lack the time to learn a new martial art at this point.
"Disciple or whatever, I have to be able to learn it, don't I?"
I ignited fire at my fingertips.
And showed it to Bi Uijin.
Fuck... My dantian hurts.
My body already had the inner qi of the Guyeomhwaryungong flowing through it.
Having reached the perfect pinnacle.
Meaning the assimilation was almost complete.
Learning a martial art.
Means building up new qi based on the mental cultivation that matches that martial art.
For example, to use the Guyeomhwaryungong which mainly handles fire qi and fighting qi.
The inner qi suited for it is already accustomed to my body.
And learn a new martial art in this state?
'Are you planning to blow up all my meridians.'
It's a nonsensical action.
At my words, Bi Uijin seemed to realize the reason.
Escaped from his shocked expression and.
"You don't have to worry about that."
He continued speaking as if it was fine.
What, does he have some method? As I pricked up my ears.
"It's possible if you empty everything and refill it."
"...Fuck you."
At Bi Uijin's words, I spat out a curse.
That guy was also out of his mind more than I imagined.
In other words.
Emptying all the inner qi flowing in the body.
It means to fill it with a new mental cultivation and learn the martial art.
"Stop spouting such bullshit?"
Emptying the realm built up until now.
It was telling me to step into a new martial art.
'Real bullshit.'
Where else would you find a human who does such crazy things?
Even at the pinnacle level....
'...'
Stopping my thoughts, something else suddenly comes to mind.
If he says it so naturally, perhaps.
Did that guy do that?
It's possible.
So he might be saying it so naturally.
If he were a normal person, he wouldn't do such dogshit.
But if they are humans who pulled up their realms and rose to the Three Venerables.
There's a high chance they're all out of their minds.
Of course, I didn't intend to do it.
"I won't do it. Are you crazy? Why would I empty everything I have now and refill it?"
My answer didn't change.
How much qi have I raised so far. And how much further do I have to go from here.
Would I throw that away to learn one divine art and fill it up again.
'I don't have time.'
I didn't have the time for that in the first place.
'That guy probably sees me as a genius. But I'm not.'
I wasn't enough of a genius.
To do that and raise my realm with a new martial art.
The reason Paejon was enduring the embarrassment and doing that.
Was roughly because he thought I was suitable to learn his martial art.
To others, I would seem like a genius descended from the heavens.
That's how a master who has reached their original level is.
They want to show others what they have polished.
They want to teach what they have built up so far.
There will be many humans without such intentions.
But at least the masters I knew were mostly like that.
It must be a desire and a single purpose.
What is the reason to take a disciple and teach them martial arts?
'They want to leave it for posterity.'
That they were an incredible person.
They want to make it known through their disciples.
Plus, the honor of the sect.
The importance of the name. Such miscellaneous things would be mixed in.
In my view, it's no different from that.
It's a truly useless purpose, isn't it.
'Of course, that guy... doesn't seem to have that purpose.'
I didn't care about the purpose.
I just didn't want to receive unnecessary attention.
In that guy's eyes, I must look like.
The so-called Cheonmujiche.
Something like that, roughly.
Anyone would see it that way.
I don't have the talent to inherit Paejon's martial art.
And I don't have the time, I'm telling you.
I'm pressed for time, why would I learn a new martial art for bullshit?
"Look for someone else. I won't do it."
I turned my back and walked away.
Honestly, I did have other thoughts.
'Dogi, blood qi, and even demonic qi are combined. Couldn't I put in a new qi too?'
Whether it was the influence of Madocheonheupgong.
Or the hidden power of Guyeomhwaryungong, I don't know.
Seeing as I could hold absurd qi in my body and use them separately without my body and meridians bursting.
I thought it might be okay to learn Paejon's martial art.
The thought crossed my mind only for a brief moment.
'That's a gamble...'
If I tried it out with a 'what if' mindset.
There's no telling what the result would be.
I didn't want to do such a thing.
"Find a good disciple... No, find a junior disciple, and I'll be..."
When I tried to run away at a distance.
A voice came from behind.
"This is a bit troublesome. I didn't expect to be rejected."
As I heard the words and tried to turn my head.
At that moment, Paejon, no, Bi Uijin had already appeared in front of me.
'Crazy.'
Since my dantian isn't moving properly, I can't even catch his presence properly.
That was part of it, but Bi Uijin was also just that fast.
Bi Uijin says to me.
"Our master said it would be a bit difficult to find someone other than you."
"...When did your master see me, Young Hero Bi?"
At my piercing question, Bi Uijin flinches for a moment.
It seemed like a slip of the tongue.
"...Rumors naturally spread nationwide, don't they?"
"Yes, of course they do. So? What are you going to do?"
Is he thinking of dragging me away by force?
I didn't think he was that eccentric of a person.
Looking at his current appearance, he might be.
'Running and hiding... is impossible.'
The surprise attack just now.
And the movement just now was enough to tell.
With my dantian not fully intact right now, I couldn't escape from that guy.
Just as I was wondering what to do.
Bi Uijin raises his hand and shows me something.
It was a blue sash.
Just when I was wondering if Bi Uijin had a blue sash.
"...Huh?"
Feeling something was off, I searched my clothes and checked the sash I had.
Only then did I realize.
That the sash that guy was holding.
Was the one I had.
Seeing that, I let out a hollow breath and asked.
"...Are you going to take even that?"
Losing one blue sash wouldn't change anything.
If it's taken by another guy.
Or taken by a demonic beast roaming the forest, that's that.
At my words, Bi Uijin grabbed the sash tightly in his hand and said.
"I understand your position. Let's talk about something else."
His tone had changed.
I don't know if it's unconscious or not, but that's probably closer to his original tone.
I didn't point it out.
"If you take this sash back from me, I'll give up obediently."
At Bi Uijin's words, spoken as if offering a favor.
I let out a laugh of disbelief.
"Why should I do that?"
"If you don't, I'm thinking of following you around and pestering you. How about that?"
"What?"
What is this guy saying right now?
"I kept thinking and observing your reactions. You don't seem to want anything from the Shinryonggwan. Probably like me."
"...No? I totally want to go."
How did he know?
"It didn't feel like that, but then shouldn't you do this instead?"
The fluttering blue sash annoyed my eyes.
He's more cunning than I thought.
Is he using this scheme because I said I wouldn't?
'A coercive guy.'
He didn't look like it, though.
If not, it means he truly needs me enough to pull such a stunt.
What could be the reason.
I examine Bi Uijin's eyes.
Just looking, he really didn't seem to have any intention of letting me go.
That guy.
If I don't do this, it seems he'll really disqualify me.
"...What are you going to do if I fail to take the sash until the end?"
"Anticipating defeat in advance is a bit unsightly."
"I'm originally on the unsightly side."
I won't fall for such wordplay.
"You're not going to force me to become a disciple or anything, right?"
"Of course, I'm not the type to drag someone away against their will."
"It's your master who does, right, Young Hero Bi?"
"...Right, I made a slip of the tongue. Our master."
He smiles broadly.
It's ridiculous.
He hasn't been caught looking like that until now.
Ah. So that's why only three came out.
"If you fail to take this sash until the end."
"If I fail?"
"You just have to meet our master once."
"...You mean Lord Paejon."
"Yes."
Meet what.
He's right in front of my eyes right now.
'...But I can't say that.'
What is Bi Uijin's intention.
He's asking me to meet Paejon while he himself is here.
'Is he planning to use a body double?'
I couldn't know.
The purpose is likely persuasion.
But if it's just meeting him in this current situation...
"I understa—"
Smack-!
...
!
!
..
Along with the pain coming straight to my face.
My head snapped back.
"Keugh...!"
What the fuck.
"...Oh."
Bi Uijin, who swung his fist, soon lets out an admiration.
I had to catch my posture that was about to collapse.
"To think you'd dodge slightly even in this situation. You really are amazing."
"Crazy... What are you doing right now?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about."
As I rubbed my nose and made an incredulous expression.
Bi Uijin smiled and waved the blue sash.
"Did you perhaps think it would be over if you just comfortably grabbed the sash?"
"...What."
"I never said I wouldn't hit you?"
This cunning old man?
'...Wait.'
Where have I seen this scene a lot?
'Ah.'
It comes to mind.
When the current First Elder was the Second Elder.
It was when he shattered Pang Ujin, who was throwing a tantrum about attending the Guryonghoe, with a single blow.
-Second Elder, weren't you only dodging?
-I never said such a thing.
'Birds of a feather flock together.'
That old man's friends were all out of their minds.
Fortunately, it was a glancing blow.
But the world was still spinning.
'I almost got hit in the jaw.'
If I hadn't moved in that short instant.
I would have been knocked out right then and there.
...Ah.
Of all people, I had to get tangled up with this kind of person.
Could it be a punishment for tormenting Gu Jeolyeop?
It really pisses me off.
I already have a lot to do.
I slightly stretched my body.
And exerted strength in my dantian.
Tingle-
I could still feel the intense pain.
But it was a level I could endure if I gritted my teeth.
For now, at least.
I pull up the qi.
As soon as I pulled the qi up through my dantian, I felt my body expand.
If my qi alone isn't enough.
I had to use something else, even if it was cheap.
[Grrrr...!]
When I tried to pull up the qi, the beast cub reacted particularly violently.
The guy was strangely sensitive to this qi.
Blood qi.
It would be better than demonic qi right now.
Since this side was better at showing power in an instant.
'Would once be enough.'
I don't know.
I had to try at least.
"Hmm?"
Bi Uijin seemed to feel something from me.
And corrected his expression.
Crack.
At the same time as I sprang up, I shot out toward Bi Uijin.
Moving my left shoulder, I thrust my arm out.
The power of the blood qi pulled up after a long time.
Was much faster than I expected.
Bi Uijin also flinched and moved.
Probably because he noticed the direction my hand was shooting toward.
Was his own wrist wrapped in the blue sash.
However.
My target wasn't his wrist.
Was it because of the much faster speed than expected?
Fortunately, Bi Uijin was just a tiny bit late in noticing the feint.
The hand that was moving derails from its path.
"...!"
Only then did Bi Uijin realize what I was aiming for.
Thud.
But it was after my arm had already dug into Bi Uijin's abdomen.
Confirming that the attack landed, immediately.
Hoo-woo!
I detonated my inner qi from the tip of my fist.
Kwaaah-!
The inner qi burst out in all directions.
The surrounding area was swept up by the wind pressure, creating a mess.
Kuuung-!
Around the time an unknown explosion began to roar from the mountain across.
Namgung Bi-a was standing in a wide plain, surveying the surroundings.
Though it was full of secretly glancing eyes and stench.
This much didn't bother her anymore.
'...Yellow.'
The sashes she had in her bosom.
Were red and blue.
Namgung Bi-a needed to find the yellow one.
And she was able to find someone with a yellow sash.
No, to be precise, it would be more accurate to say they came looking for Namgung Bi-a.
Another person standing beyond the wide plain.
The owner of the stench that filled this surroundings.
Namgung Bi-a frowned slightly and observed the man.
It was a face that seemed like she had seen it somewhere.
Who was it again...
"It's a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Ah."
Only after hearing the young man's voice.
Could she remember.
It was the man who was with Wi Seol-ah last time.
There was something else besides that...
I'm not sure.
"I wonder if you remembered me this time. Geom Muhui."
At the words that seemed to know her, Namgung Bi-a gave no answer.
Somehow, she didn't want to answer.
And she really couldn't remember well.
Did he notice that?
The young man's face contorts slightly.
"This guy... and that guy..."
The slightly muttered words.
Brushed past Namgung Bi-a's ears briefly.
"I don't like it... really."
The man's smiling eyes dissolved.
Revealing a cold, sharpened gaze.
But it was only for a moment.
The young man smiled again and said to Namgung Bi-a.
"It seems we have what each other needs. How about it? Would you like to exchange a move with me?"
The young man needed the red sash.
Namgung Bi-a needed the yellow sash.
The fragrance was mixed with malice, making her stomach churn.
Namgung Bi-a instantly recalled her fiancé's face in her mind.
Only then did she feel her stomach settle.
She wanted to go see him right away.
But Namgung Bi-a suppressed it firmly.
That she had to learn how to stand on her own, and that only then could she be of help to him.
Because Namgung Bi-a had realized that.
So, this stench and this situation.
She would overcome them all.
And so.
To stand proudly by his side.
As an answer to the young man's suggestion.
Swish.
She replied by pointing the tip of her sword at the young man.
Soon.
Bzzzt-
Lightning qi arrived, and Namgung Bi-a's hair began to flutter.
"...Noebuicheon."
Along with the quietly spat-out words.
Lightning ran rampant across the plain, making the clear sky seem insignificant.