Chapter 15: One of the Hundred Great Spirit Beasts
Hugong chuckled lightly.
"Where in this world exists a place not part of the martial realm? Wherever one resides, they belong to the martial world. Yet I believe a place graced by four such righteous and noble individuals as yourselves truly embodies the martial spirit."
Ban Gyo-eun's cheeks flushed crimson. The Grand Prince of Cheonhwaseogo had fixed his gaze upon her throughout his speech, inexplicably making her heart race.
"Why not seize this chance to learn martial arts yourself, Prince Beom?"
Myo Garyeong, daughter of Baekhwajang's owner, posed the question.
Hugong answered only with a smile.
The camaraderie between the group threatened to prolong the conversation indefinitely. Hugong glanced outside, signaling his intent to depart.
The four who caught his meaning protested:
"Must you leave already?"
Hugong nodded.
"Time fled unnoticed in your company. With the disturbance settled, I should take my leave."
Farewells and promises flew thick as they parted - invitations to visit, requests for future meetings, proposals for shared drinks. Seo Munheon, though never asked, particularly lamented his imminent departure for his maternal home.
'Heh, these rascals...'
Such empty pleasantries usually led nowhere, yet the atmosphere hung strangely earnest.
After relocating from the gathering, Hugong summoned Songhwa.
"My lord, night approaches. Will you return?"
"No."
Hugong turned to a guard:
"First, reconnaissance. Inspect the main house's condition. If the stench persists, we lodge elsewhere tonight."
"Understood."
A competent master brings ease to body and mind. The guard's face lit at escaping the horrid odor as he sprinted off.
Nearly an hour later, the guard returned with startling news. Hugong's eyes widened.
"Something emerged from the earth? Why?"
An utterly unforeseen bizarre circumstance.
That night at Cheonhwaseogo, the foul odor had vanished. Yet Lord No's disquiet remained. Another shared his unease - Physician Pyeon, the estate's renowned doctor.
Tension crackled between the two men.
Lord No broke the silence:
"Your counsel..."
The patriarch swallowed curses, mastering his rage through measured breaths before continuing:
"Shouldn't medical advice consider the patient's nature and history?"
"My lord, this is optimal."
Physician Pyeon stood firm, eyes flashing stubborn resolve.
"You overreach."
"..."
"I know you've sought various remedies for the boy. As his grandfather, do you think I'd withhold care? But we must respect his delicate constitution. Today alone, the stench drove him outdoors by morning! While his efforts to survive please me, his stomach remains weak."
"This is no ordinary spirit beast."
Lord No sighed deeply.
"Precisely the problem! This creature's extraordinary nature brings extraordinary complications. Have you forgotten how its vile stench permeated our entire estate while burrowing through earth formations?"
He gestured irritably at a squirming black bundle of luxurious leather.
"Yukgangmang's value is undeniable, but consuming its fresh blood? Not even an iron-gutted warrior could endure its reek!"
The serpentine spirit beast's stench had caused chaos during capture - men fainting, others retching uncontrollably. Yukgangmang's green blood emitted odors surpassing its already foul hide, its consumption method requiring direct suction from the living creature to preserve potency.
Physician Pyeon remained adamant:
"Among the Hundred Great Spirits, century-old ginseng and fleeceflower root pale before Yukgangmang. The young master must consume this to gain lifelong health!"
"Useless if uneatable! Though Beom-hang's appetite improves, forcing this would court disaster. Bumong! Could you drink this?"
The suddenly addressed Bumong shuddered:
"Grandfather, why ask me?"
The young man, traumatized during the capture, wished only for the creature's disposal.
"You see? Even he balks!"
"But discarding such a rarity..."
"Compromise then. Find a way to consume it without the stench, even with reduced efficacy."
"At least consult the young master first!"
"Preposterous! Unwrap that bundle and consciousness itself flees!"
Urgent footsteps interrupted as Yoon burst in:
"Grandfather! Elder brother rages fiercely!"
Lord No's glare accused the physician:
"Hear that? Forcing this would mean war with..."
"Not that! He demands why Yukgangmang hasn't been served yet!"
Moments later, the patriarch stood dumbstruck.
Before him, his eldest grandson sucked violently at the serpent's neck, face crimson with effort, adam's apple bobbing grotesquely. The room's hellish stench fazed him not.
All witnesses gaped in shock. The once-plump Yukgangmang shriveled to husk, yet the sucking continued.
Physician Pyeon suddenly bowed:
"My lord, urgent matters..."
"Where?!"
The physician fled without answering. Songhwa vanished mid-sentence, Yoon and Bumong following suit. Only Lord No remained, studying his oblivious grandson.
"Boy, doesn't this stench sicken you?"
"Exquisitely vile. Beyond comparison."
"Yet you endure?"
"I... manage..."
Satisfied, Lord No too departed posthaste.
Alone in the miasma, Hugong grinned through clenched teeth.
'This reek could kill.'
Yet within this stench lay treasure. Yukgangmang ranked among the Twenty Great Spirit Beasts, its benefits rivaling legendary panaceas. This consumption would accelerate his martial progress dramatically.
A sudden memory surfaced - the Three Evils.
Yukgangmang.
Vile Spirit Herb.
Poison Sun Insect.
Consumed together, their combined effects reportedly neared the Five Supreme Spirit Beasts' power.
'How revoltingly perfect.'
