Chapter 47: Forest Lord Im Gi-hak (4)

Chapter 47: Forest Lord Im Gi-hak (4)

The immense spiritual energy possessed by the Immortal Divine Sword. Perhaps it could be used to heal Yi-gang’s body. Was the hint right beside him from the start?

But what does that have to do with the personal cause of the Immortal Divine Sword?

And why was the Immortal Divine Sword so enraged?

“Hehehe.”

After filtering out the curses and conveying the message, Forest Lord laughed like that.

The candlelight was still flickering, and a tense aura swirled around, but he appeared calm.

“Well, if I were to explain it briefly.”

“...”

“There’s a reason why that person couldn’t attain Nirvana and lingered on the earth.”

Yi-gang momentarily furrowed his brows.

「Such absurdity in this world...!」

It was because the Immortal Divine Sword had shouted angrily.

But Forest Lord, who couldn’t hear the outburst, continued speaking.

“There must be a cause, a lingering attachment. In ordinary cases, they would’ve become earthbound spirits or lost souls. But given their high spiritual realm, they remained in the form of a spirit.”

Yi-gang remained silent. He had thought about this several times already. Why didn’t the Immortal Divine Sword attain Nirvana but instead remained bound to the earth for 100 years? Every time he asked, he would deflect the question.

“If the Immortal Divine Sword were to attain Nirvana, you might be able to utilize the spiritual energy he possesses. If so, there’s a chance to heal your body.”

Yi-gang neither responded nor nodded.

“However, I’m not qualified to speak about that cause. You’ll have to hear it directly.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Finally, Yi-gang expressed his gratitude. He didn’t pester the Azure Forest Lord with a barrage of questions.

Considering the Immortal Divine Sword was so reluctant to reveal it, to the point of anger, it was a matter of principle not to ask.

「Sigh...」

When Yi-gang chose not to ask anything and stayed silent, the Immortal Divine Sword let out such a sigh. Despite being a spirit, its face seemed flushed with anger, and its breathing was ragged.

If it could, it looked like it would’ve slashed at the Azure Forest Lord several times. It was a testament to its patience that it didn’t ask for Yi-gang’s possession.

The Azure Forest Lord quietly asked, “He must have a lot he wants to say to me directly?”

“It seems so.”

“Then, to relieve his frustration, I should help. I also have something I want to say.”

Was there a way to converse directly with the Immortal Divine Sword?

Forest Lord stood up from his seat and fetched something from the shelves behind. It wasn’t a book but an item resembling a drum.

However, only one side of the circular frame was covered with leather, and on the back, red threads were intricately woven.

Yi-gang, receiving it, tapped the leather part with his finger.

Thud-Thud-

A clear sound. The texture of the leather was remarkably soft.

“What kind of leather is this?”

“Human skin. It’s a resonance plate made from human skin.”

Yi-gang’s face turned rigid.

Soon after, Forest Lord burst into a mischievous laugh.

“Hahaha, do you really think so? The Azure Forest is neither the Evil Cult nor the Demon Cult. It’s made from donkey leather.”

“Really... quite an amusing joke.”

Despite his hermit-like appearance, the Azure Forest Lord was no ordinary person.

“Place your hand on the leather plate and concentrate.”

Silently, Yi-gang followed his instructions.

He didn’t think of it as a futile act.

The moment he placed his hand on the resonance plate, a peculiar energy flowed into him.

The Azure Forest Lord observed him with a peculiar gaze.

“It’s a Taoist artifact. To resonate with the soul plate so quickly... You indeed have talent.”

He wasn’t sure what it was, but it seemed that Yi-gang’s immediate use of this resonance plate was not an ordinary occurrence. All Yi-gang did was place his hand on it.

Soon, the purpose of the soul plate was revealed.

Vibrate-vibrate—

The leather plate vibrated, and for the first time, Yi-gang could hear the “voice” of the Immortal Divine Sword.

“Hey! You insolent, good-for-nothing brat!”

The voice boomed so loudly it felt like one’s ears might fall off. It probably resonated outside the building as well.

“You blabber without knowing the gist of things. Did your parents teach you to be like this? Never thought I’d be insulted by such a youngster in my life!”

Yi-gang internally held back from retorting, “But you’re already dead.” He seemed very angry.

It was amusing for Forest Lord, with his full white hair, to call him a “youngster,” but from the Immortal Divine Sword’s perspective, it was understandable.

The last time they met, the Azure Forest Lord was said to be a child of about ten years old.

“Hehe, first, calm down.”

However, the Azure Forest Lord, who was directly receiving that fury, appeared composed.

“Calm down? How absurd.”

“Am I wrong? If you’ve passed away, you should properly achieve Nirvana.”

“You, you...!”

“If you resolve any lingering attachments, it would be more comfortable for both the Immortal Divine Sword and Yi-gang, right?”

“You shouldn’t speak so carelessly!”

“Indeed. Hehe.”

The Azure Forest Lord was also one of the absolute martial masters in the world.

The Immortal Divine Sword might be the best in the world, but what did that matter? It’s already dead and in a soul state.

Before returning to the Azure Forest, he intended to find and avenge the one responsible. He had a hunch that the identity of those assassins might be revealed by now.

“Hehehe, do as you wish.”

Forest Lord chuckled heartily.

What followed was casual chit-chat.

They discussed Yi-gang’s first impressions of the Azure Forest, the state of his health, and so forth for a while.

All the while, for some reason, the Immortal Divine Sword remained uncharacteristically silent.

Only when Yi-gang stood up to leave did it speak.

「Thank you.」

Yi-gang’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected gratitude.

‘What do you mean?’

「I’m saying thank you for not asking.」

‘Oh, that?’

For Yi-gang, it was a topic of natural curiosity.

The mysterious “cause” that had bound the Immortal Divine Sword to the earthly realm was said to be the key to healing Yi-gang’s body.

However, Yi-gang showed no signs of curiosity, as if he had no interest at all.

‘If you wish to tell me later, please do.’

「...Very well then.」

The Immortal Divine Sword merely nodded in response.



Outside the Top Mountain Hall, Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin waited for Yi-gang.

“Isn’t it the first time you’ve seen Forest Lord act like this?”

“Huh?”

“Inviting an outsider all the way to Top Mountain Hall, even coming out personally to greet him,” said Yu Su-rin, who was sitting on a rock, hugging one knee.

For some reason, she seemed to be gauging Jin Ri-yeon’s reaction.

“That’s true. He seemed quite fond of Yi-gang.”

Jin Ri-yeon, oblivious to Yu Su-rin’s thoughts, spoke up.

Deep down, she was pondering.

Wondering if Forest Lord might propose to Yi-gang to join the Azure Forest.

Yu Su-rin might not know, but the possibility was higher than she thought.

After all, it was Forest Lord’s strategy to bring Yi-gang from the Baek Clan in the first place.

“Does senior like him too?”

“Hmm... Maybe? Yi-gang is a decent guy.”

Yu Su-rin seemed somehow saddened.

“Senior has a keen eye after all.”

Thinking about the ominous aura she felt from Yi-gang through her Insight Eye, Yu Su-rin shuddered for a moment.

“I wonder what they’re discussing?”

“Well, the atmosphere seemed good.”

But contradicting Jin Ri-yeon’s words...

A thunderous roar echoed from the Top Mountain Hall.

You arrogant, worthless brat—!

It was the voice of an enraged old man.

Inside, there were only Forest Lord and Yi-gang. It was clear that Forest Lord was severely reprimanding Yi-gang.

Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin stood up abruptly, exchanging glances.

“Did... did Forest Lord just shout at someone?”

The voice seemed a bit different, but they never imagined it could be the voice of the ghost accompanying Yi-gang.

“It seems so. But why...”

They had never seen Forest Lord lose his temper before. And to be this angry with the young Yi-gang?

“ Forest Lord’s voice is really scary when he’s angry.“

“Why would Forest Lord be so upset?”

However, the shouting resumed.

“You, with no understanding... Is this how your parents raised you?! To think I’d be insulted by a mere child!”

It wasn’t a misinterpretation. Moreover, the words now were almost like a swear.

“What on earth did Yi-gang do...”

The mild-mannered Forest Lord even insulted someone’s parents?

The faces of Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin turned pale.

They waited anxiously for Yi-gang and Forest Lord.

And, after a while, when the doors of the Top Mountain Hall opened and they emerged,

“Heh heh! Such rare outstanding talent is hard to come by these days.”

“Hehehe, thanks to you, I received such praise. Thank you, Forest Lord.”

The two of them were laughing amiably together. They looked so close that, if their heights were similar, they might have been walking arm in arm.

“Su-rin, guide Yi-gang around the Azure Forest for me. Hehehe!”

“Me? I’m okay with that, but...”

Yu Su-rin cautiously observed their expressions.

It was hard to believe that just moments ago there had been such heated shouting, given the bright and cheerful faces they now wore.

“Then, Forest Lord, I’ll come to visit once more before I leave.”

“I’ll have a different tea prepared for then. Hehe.”

Both Yu Su-rin and Jin Ri-yeon felt as if they’d been spellbound or bewitched.