Tales of the Wandering Swordsman – 102
[Would you please release me?]
It was a polite request.
“There’s no reason not to.”
I already knew why they were making such a fuss.
The Mountain Lord readily tossed over the Gongjeonggang [a magical space or dimension].
With a soft amber glow, a woman in court attire appeared.
Her body was bound in golden restraints.
‘She might have sticky fingers.’
It was a natural precaution.
The Mountain Lord’s Gongjeonggang was a place where he kept all the spiritual herbs, rare items, and treasures he had collected.
It was the right thing to do.
“Would you release me?”
I released the woman from her bonds.
Her complexion didn’t look good.
A bandage was wrapped around her abdomen, but it was soaked with blood.
[Princess!]
The Gyo-ryong [a mythical dragon-like creature], called Haejang, shouted.
“These people saved me. Any further rudeness is the same as insulting me, so stop it.”
The situation became strange.
The Sea Folk hesitated, looking around. Soon, the Gyo-ryong called Haejang transformed into a human and rolled his eyes.
“I apologize once again.”
“Saving you was purely coincidental. There’s no reason to receive such gratitude.”
“No. I was sealed by him, but I know the general situation. If it weren’t for you, I would have been slowly absorbed by him over time.
You saved my life, so it’s only right to express my gratitude.”
What could I do when she said so much?
The Mountain Lord calmly nodded.
“Words of gratitude alone won’t suffice.
Won’t you come with me to the Dragon Palace? I don’t have a way to repay you right now, so please come and spare me from this shamelessness.”
She was inviting me to the Sea Dragon Clan’s Dragon Palace to repay my kindness for saving her life.
It wasn’t unappealing.
The Sea Dragon Clan’s Dragon Palace would have a collection of rare treasures.
I was already upset that my beloved gourd had been broken.
Since the East Sea was close to here, it wouldn’t be bad to stop by and receive some compensation.
The Mountain Lord pondered for a moment and asked,
“By the way, how did you get your body stolen by Geumgin? If you tell me the reason, I might consider accompanying you.”
“You dare speak to Princess Jisol like that!”
It was the one called Haejang.
The Mountain Lord frowned and exuded killing intent, causing him to flinch.
“What rudeness, Haejang! This person is my benefactor, so watch your words!”
“But… but….”
“If Father finds out about this… Ugh.”
Jisol, who had been issuing stern orders, suddenly clutched her wound and groaned.
“I’m… I’m fine. If I rest for a while….”
Gasping for breath and being supported, she apologized for showing such an unsightly appearance and began to answer the Mountain Lord’s question.
“28 years ago, feeling a wall in my training, I went out with other Yooksa [warriors or cultivators] near the land to find opportunities. Then I heard rumors of a rare item that would greatly help my training. Have you heard of Dragon Brain(龍腦)?”
“Of course. It refers to the brain of a dragon that ascended to heaven, turned into a jewel.”
A jewel that could cure all diseases if eaten, and grant immortality to Taoists or spiritual beings if consumed.
There was no way I wouldn’t know that legend.
“But Dragon Brain….”
There were many things similar to dragons in the Classic of Mountains and Seas [an ancient Chinese text], but no true dragon.
Achieving Yuktong [a high level of spiritual attainment] and uniting the inner core would become a Yeouiju [a wish-granting orb] for a dragon.
It was the same principle as a Nine-tailed Fox creating a fox bead from its inner core to become a Celestial Fox.
But how could the brain of a divine beast dragon be in the human realm?
It was impossible.
It should immediately ascend to the heavens, so there was no way Dragon Brain would remain in the human realm.
“It was like chasing a pipe dream, but at the time I was desperate, so I took the risk and set out to find Dragon Brain. But….”
Jisol sighed deeply as if the memory was resurfacing.
“Dragon Brain was nowhere to be found, and there were only traces of someone having been there first. Only traces of fire-attribute spiritual power remained at the site of the Jinmyeongsumok [a legendary tree]. Unfortunately, I was one step too late, so I wandered around.”
Jinmyeongsumok….
“After that, I encountered a legion of Siphaemancheok [ghosts or demons] and was captured without even being able to use my powers.”
“Wasn’t it a scheme by the Siphaemancheok ghosts?”
“I don’t know. However, thanks to my shortcomings, only the Yooksa who were with me lost their lives.”
It wasn’t a special story.
Those who lost their bodies usually took over the bodies of others to survive.
“I was also on the verge of having my spirit destroyed, but fortunately, my father had placed a prohibition on my danryeong [spiritual core], so I was able to survive.”
“I figured. Even Siphaemancheok would have been wary of incurring the wrath of King Jijang [a powerful deity].”
After hearing the story, the Mountain Lord didn’t harbor any particular doubts.
It was a story that could be found anywhere, and it was difficult to find any falsehoods in her words.
‘It wouldn’t be bad, but I’m worried.’
She probably knew that the Mountain Lord possessed the Cheonnyangjibo [a priceless treasure].
Even the King Jijang of the East Sea wouldn’t be able to resist coveting the Cheonnyangjibo.
Unlike Sawolrang, I had little knowledge of the customs of the Sea Dragon Clan, so I couldn’t make a hasty decision.
‘It’s not that I’m not tempted….’
It was right to prepare for the worst.
If I went to the Sea Dragon’s Dragon Palace and King Jijang demanded the Cheonnyangjibo, the Mountain Lord would have no choice but to hand it over.
That was his territory.
Numerous Yooksa were also stationed there.
How could a mere Nangseon [a lower-ranking official or cultivator] like the Mountain Lord stand against them? It was like falling into a trap, so it was time to avoid it.
“I’m sorry, but I’m on a long journey, so it will be difficult.”
“I see…. Could you reconsider?”
“No. I’ll just accept your gratitude.”
When I politely declined, she had nothing to say. She couldn’t just drag me along if I didn’t want to.
“Then please, at least take this.”
Jisol took out a radiant spirit tablet that seemed to be carved from coral from her chest.
“What is it?”
“If you ever come to the Sea Dragon Palace with this, we will treat you with the utmost respect.”
It was a spirit tablet to prove her identity.
The Mountain Lord gladly accepted it.
I couldn’t refuse even this.
“I hope our paths cross again.”
“Please.”
With that, the Mountain Lord gestured to Jangcheon and Chuk Mun-gyeong. A large carriage popped out from his chest.
It was a Giryeongcha [a magical carriage].
The Mountain Lord, leaning against the carriage, turned into a beam of light and streaked across the sky.
Jisol, who had been watching the carriage with a regretful look, clicked her tongue after a while.
“What a pity.”
“Why are you doing this? Even if he is your benefactor, how could you think of inviting him to the Sea Dragon Palace?”
“You don’t know. That man possesses the Cheonnyangjibo. He is one of the few people under the heavens who possesses such a treasure, so if we brought him, he might have been highly praised and become the next owner of the Sea Dragon Palace!”
Jisol shuddered, regretting it.
“Then let’s capture him now!”
“Nonsense! Even if he didn’t have the Cheonnyangjibo, that man is wearing the Wiju Hoyeon Armor and has several powerful treasures! Not to mention the purity of his spiritual power, his own body is also extremely powerful, easily crushing even a Yooksa of the same level! How could we do that!”
Still, there was hope.
“Since we left him an opening, he might come to the Sea Dragon Palace on his own if we’re lucky.”
The Sea Folk stared blankly in the direction he disappeared, like dogs chasing after a chicken, and then disappeared.
After they disappeared.
Suddenly, a girl with fierce eyes appeared in the air.
It was the Mountain Lord’s ghoul, Gwi-yul.
The girl twisted up the corners of her lips and disappeared in the direction the Mountain Lord had vanished.
* * *
[His cleverness is astonishing.]
“You flatter me.”
The Mountain Lord, leaning back in the Giryeongcha, humbly accepted the words.
Beside him sat Gwi-yul, with a dissatisfied expression.
When I stroked her head out of fondness, Gwi-yul struggled, frowning as if she didn’t like it.
“I knew it! Have you ever seen such bad guys in the world? They save your life and then try to stab you in the back…. Tsk tsk!”
Chuk Mun-gyeong also sighed and clicked his tongue.
Jangcheon was no different.
“I don’t know why humans or spiritual beings, those who practice the Tao, engage in such narrow-minded behavior.”
“The name Cheonnyangjibo is what makes them do it. It’s not called a treasure for nothing.”
Stroking the scabbard in my arms, I twisted up the corners of my lips.
‘Jisol of the Sea Dragon Clan, was it?’
If you receive one, you have to return one, isn’t that human nature?
‘Not now, but….’
If the opportunity arises in the future.
I have something to repay.
“Anyway, it’s a relief. If we had been deceived by him…. It’s too terrible to even imagine.”
What if he had been tempted by the Sea Dragon Clan princess and gone to the Sea Dragon Palace? He would have been deprived of the Cheonnyangjibo, and would have either become a slave there or died, one of the two.
It’s too terrible to even think about.
“But Yooksa. Where are you going?”
Chuk Mun-gyeong asked.
“Now that you mention it, I haven’t told you. I’m looking for the Geomryeongdo [Sword Spirit Island].”
“Geomryeongdo?”
At that, Chuk Mun-gyeong’s face became strange.
It was an expression of having heard something absurd.
“I’ve heard rumors about it. But does it really exist?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m looking for it. What do you think, Great Master Chuk?”
[Chuk Sasil’s knowledge is shallow.]
Then Chuk Mun-gyeong was startled.
“Are you saying it actually exists?”
[Of course, Chuk Sasil. Don’t dismiss the shortness of your knowledge as a preposterous matter. There is nothing absolute. Anything is possible.]
Chuk Mun-gyeong blushed and was embarrassed, then asked awkwardly.
“Have you ever been there, Great Master?”
[I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard of it. You’re looking for Guisusan(龜首山) [Turtle Head Mountain], aren’t you?]
“Yes. You guessed it right.”
Guisusan(龜首山).
A race of turtle spirits that rivaled Jugwitongchun [another powerful entity or group].
They had enormous bodies, so much so that humans mistook their shells for islands and lived on them.
[It won’t be easy to find….]
Guisusan swimming on the sea.
And it’s not just any Guisusan.
“I have to find it. That’s the beginning.”
There aren’t many Guisusan individuals, but if I look, there will be a few.
Among them, the one the Mountain Lord is trying to find is a rather unique Guisusan. A Guisusan with countless swords stuck in its shell.
I have to find that one.
‘I have to find that one to open the way to Geomryeongdo.’
The place where Uran obtained his opportunity was also, ironically, Guisusan.
Whether he was blessed with good fortune, he fell off a cliff and was swept away by the waves, and at that time he reached Guisusan, where countless swords were stuck.
There, an unknown old man taught him as a pastime.
I couldn’t guess the identity of the old man, but I could only think that he was a person related to Geomryeongdo.
‘I’ll know when I get there.’
First of all, finding Guisusan is the priority.
The rest can be postponed until later.
As I organized my thoughts, Great Master Chukman suddenly spoke subtly.
[Ahem…. I don’t know why, but you must know that I owe you a debt of gratitude.
If you grant me one request, I might be able to help you.]
He seemed to know that he was being shameless, speaking while watching my reaction.
“If you owe me a debt of gratitude, you should just help me, why another request?”
[You’re clever, but you’re narrow-minded. A man should have a generous side.]
“If you’re going to talk nonsense, I’ll put you back in the Gongjeonggang.”
When I pretended to grab the scabbard, he was startled and shouted.
[I, I’ll find Guisusan for you!]
“Really?”
[I may be in this state now, but I was originally the Great Master of Chuksan. How could I utter falsehoods! You should treat me more respectfully!]
“What is your request?”
I don’t know how he’s so sure, but if it’s true, I might as well grant it.
Time is still flowing.
The sooner the better!
[Don’t worry. It’s a very easy task for you…. As you know, I’m trapped inside the Hyeonhyeol Sword [a cursed sword] because of that damned Samgwi [a type of demon], aren’t I?]
He wants liberation.
That’s what he meant.
“Is that all?”
If that’s the case, I can grant it right away.
The Hyeonhyeol Sword is a seal of the soul.
And liberation is easy.
It becomes quite difficult to use it properly, but if that’s all, there’s no problem.
[But even if I’m liberated now, I won’t have a suitable body, so I’ll soon return to the path of reincarnation. So please accompany Chuk Sasil to Chuksan [Chuk’s Mountain]!
If you do that, I’ll tell you how to find Guisusan right away!]