Chapter 144: Towards Dual Martial Forces (1)

[Long]

Chaak!

As we moved ahead, slicing through the water current, my skin was about to be pushed out. I expected it to be fast, but I didn’t think it could swim this well.

‘He is enduring fine.’

Ha Seong-wun, my grandfather, was riding on the side of the head with Sima Young. And Sima Young had tied him close so that he wouldn’t fall down. Right behind my protection was the one armed man.

-Puahahah! Look at the people hanging behind you.

However, I turned my head at the sound of Short Sword and almost ended up drinking the water.

“Kuaaak!”

“KUKUk!”

Most of them looked like they were dying. While I hated this, they had to come to touch its body and now they were clung to each other.

There was a slight smile on my face.

Since they had to live in the cave all depending on their will, they must possess a firm mindset.

‘Please.’

And I craved it. I hoped that Jaso would safely lead us out of here and if it took longer than it felt like people would likely start falling off.

‘Unlike you, we cannot breathe underwater.’

I really hoped he got it right. It was when we were swimming in the dark water with an anxious heart.

-Wonhwi. Look up there.

‘Ah!’

I looked up at the words of Iron Sword and noticed a small source of light.

It was dark for a while but then I could see a faint light descending.

Jaso went up fast.

Pat!

“Haa!”

Jaso’s body soared above the water and the refreshing air stimulated our lungs. The bright light of the sun which we hadn’t seen for long made us close our eyes.

‘So bright!’

But I didn’t know if it was due to innate qi, I could see almost right away.

I had wine-like things tangled around my body and could see the bushes of greenery on the side.

‘We are outside!’

It was the moment when I was about to realize that I managed to come out of the dark cave–

Grrrr!

Jaso struggled making me unable to enjoy it and due to that the people holding on were thrown to the side.

“Kuak!”

“Ack!”

Thud!

Those who had been thrown, fell to the muddy ground. And only I and Sima Young managed to get down safely due to using innate qi.

“Jaso!”

I couldn’t understand why it had to throw us down to enter the water, but I saw it, the slippery scales on the body were stained red as if they were burned.

‘It cannot handle sunlight?’

Come to think of it, in the past too it stayed in dark places, but I had no idea it would be this sensitive.

I untied the rope and set the one armed man down and put my head into the water.

I could see it trembling below with its body slightering in the shadows of water.

‘It doesn’t go well with water.’

The scales turned red. What I saw was correct.

‘Coming out would be too much.’

I reached into the water and then it brought its head rubbing it against the palm of the hand. The head was trembling in pain.

‘Thank you.’

Purr!

As I touched the body it made a purring sound.

Despite the scary appearance it was no different like a puppy. And after patting it, it went under water. Its purple eyes seemed sad, but I couldn’t keep it in the sunlight.

‘Go in. Go in and rest. I will come back for you later.’

I waved my hand at it and it cried out a lot better than before.

I was grateful to him. In some ways, it was more loyal than humans.

When I pulled my head out of the water, I saw the others all excited.

“AHHHH!’

“I never thought I would be able to come out...”

“Out! I am finally out!”

They loved it and couldn’t control the expressions as they bathed in the proper sunlight finally, after spending years together.

If they were like this, then how thrilled would my grandfather be?

“Grandfather?”

The other people couldn’t fully open their eyes but my grandfather had still closed his eyes. Even frowning seemed too much.

Sima Young, who was beside him, replied.

“His eyes must hurt from the sudden ray of sunlight after a long time.”

Grandfather shook his hand and added.

“I am fine. Do not worry, I will get used to it.”

He said, but tears were falling down his eyes. Sima Young tore a part of her dress and wrapped it around the eyes of my grandfather.

“I think this should help you for a while.”

It looked like he was much better now with damp cloth around the eyes.

“Ahem! Thank you.”

Sima Young looked at me and smiled broadly. I guess she felt happy about being recognized a little.

“For such a day to have come...”

‘What?’

“Does it make sense to do this to a large clinic?”

What was this nonsense?

Come to think of it, there were two men in gray long robes blocking the entrance of the clinic. And the young man was fighting due to that.

“If you don’t want to get hurt, get out of here right now.”

Srng!

One of the men pulled out their blade and threatened the young man, but he chuckled and held out his hand.

“You!”

The men in gray robes rushed for the man at the same time.

With quick movement the young man dodged the weapon and broke the wrist of the man.

-They will be done soon.

This was how I saw the fight too.

The young man was skilled enough to deal with both of them at the same time. As expected, the man broke the wrist of one and kicked the other on his chin.

“Euk!”

The one with a broken chin flew inside and the young man patted his hands trying to enter. At that moment, the young man that stepped inside, bounced back.

Something like hot steam rose from the body of the young man who crossed his fists.

The young man frowned and said.

“Silver White Tiger!”

‘Silver White Tiger?’

-You know her?

I did. A warrior of the evil side who was known to be quite notorious in Shaanxi.

I never had a chance to meet this woman, but I knew that she was quite active and I heard she had the martial arts which dealt with ice.

A white haired woman in gray fox fur walked from the entrance of the clinic.

She didn’t seem to have the raging eyes like her personality was described. Instead, she looked to be in early thirties.

“Is it really her?”

Grandfather asked.

“Seems to be so.”

“I am quite taken aback, I don’t know why she is here but she was quite notorious 20 years back. If she is still good then this isn’t nice. She is too vicious for you to deal with.”

At his words I looked back at her. The force she held was already telling me that she was no ordinary warrior.

The woman walked out with an arrogant expression and spoke.

“Since you touched my men, you must have decided to give up your life, kid.”

The woman’s hand had white steam flowing.

“S-senior I didn’t know you were here.”

“Too late.”

She raised her hand and directed it at him. The young man bit his lip as he drew the sword from his waist.

‘Phew.’

In the meantime, I moved. The place I moved to was the clinic.

“Y-Young lord So! Did you not hear what Wolno said?”

“We cannot find another physician right now.”

“Uh?”

“Let;’s go.”

I walked towards the clinic casually and Sima Young smiled following me.

“Kid! Didn’t I tell you, it is impossible!”

My grandfather was panicking and tried to stop but I was already ahead of it. Then, the woman shouted at me.

“These kids must really have some death wish!”

Her hand held ice qi, as she aimed it for my head.

With grandfather on my back, I slightly leaned back and avoided it.

“You avoided it?”

I lightly avoided her hand and she tried to attack again, as if it was a normal thing.

I couldn’t mess around with her so I closed my left eye and raised my innate qi.

“How dare you close an eye in front of me!”

Contrary to what she said, she moved her hand to the side. I closed my eyes thinking I couldn’t handle her.

But something shocking happened.

‘Uh?’

Even with the eye closed a white light moved in the path of her qi.

I had closed my eyes, scared she would notice the golden color, but even with them closed I could see the flow of qi.

‘Ha! Does it happen like this?’

Since I could see the path, I had an idea on how she would attack.

Swish! Swish!

Standing still, I evaded her technique by moving my upper body alone.

“H-How?”

She looked shocked as her attacks didn’t even reach my grandfather.

“There is a gap.”

“What?”

I pierced through the gap in her technique where the coldness rose and thrust my fist into her stomach.

Puak!

“Ack!”

Being hit by my fist, she moved back ten steps. And my grandfather screamed like this was absurd.

“W-what just happened?”

“Silver White Tiger just flew back”

‘...?!’