Episode 14. The world of human beings and demons, ancient bamboo forest (4)
Quack!
The broken window frame rolled pitifully on the ground.
Pabababak!
Instinctively, Seoryang rolled under the bed and saw feathers of strange colors, such as red or blue.
'Feathers?!'
Gagagagagak!!
It felt like my ears were going to drop.
Hearing the strange sound made when the tip of the sword scratched the iron plate, Seo-ryang turned his head towards the source of the sound.
His eyes widened as he discovered 'something' there.
'100 million!'
Food!
The violent flapping of wings disturbed my vision.
The outstretched legs and the claws at the end were very sturdy. The flapping wings were so large that each one was as big as the body of a child.
Seo-ryang's mouth opened wide.
'What kind of bird… … .'
… … No!
"that?!"
Seo-ryang's eyes bulged like a cow's.
Yes. The being that suddenly broke the window frame and jumped in, making his heart pound, was not a bird.
"… … chicken?"
It's also a huge chicken. However, it was no ordinary chicken.
This is because an ordinary chicken cannot exude this kind of power even when it wakes up from death.
Saaaaagh.
He waddles a short distance and looks in this direction.
The glare is enough to give a child a phobia of birds when he or she sees a bird for the first time. The wildly fluttering blue eyes were comparable to those of a wild beast.
Xiliang was dumbfounded.
"I'm being attacked by a chicken right now…" … ."
For a moment he was speechless.
Da da da da da da da.
When I take a step to the side, I hear the sound of hitting the floor several times.
Paralalalak!
The menacing sound of flapping wings is also abundant. It was a sound that could never be made with a pair of wings, and it was the pressure of the wind.
Crucially… … .
Rattling.
A chicken head glaring at itself with its neck erect.
There were two other heads hanging down to the left and right of that head.
When you look at the head with its eyes quietly closed, the word 'sound sleep' comes to mind in a peaceful atmosphere.
Seo-ryang, who was staring blankly at that ridiculous creature, opened his mouth wide.
'It has six legs, three wings and a head… … .'
What is this mutant Dae-gye (大鷄) that looks like a stooge of King Yeomra?
The abundant feathers were shiny, and the claws that touched the ground looked as strong as they could tear an iron plate. When you look at the eyes that are watching you while you are nodding your head, you cannot tell whether they are human eyes or animal eyes.
Seoliang felt dizzy at the sight of the mutated chicken, so bizarre and gigantic that it could hardly be called sacred.
'What is all this… … 'Is this really a dream?'
That can't be possible. He is called the best killer in the world and has created many legends. I don't have the skill to confuse reality and dreams.
Come on.
Xu Liang's eyes wavered.
A chicken that lowers its head while gently scratching the floor. There was a very honest intention to attack in those ferocious eyes.
'Damn it!'
Seo-ryang quickly reached over the bed and grabbed a piece of the broken window frame.
Pretty sweet!
At the same time, the chicken made an eerie noise and rushed towards me.
It was truly incredible speed. It felt like I was seeing a leopard running towards its prey, not a chicken.
This is not the time to discuss this and that.
Xiliang's eyes sparkled with fire.
'Cheonla Yuktongsik!'
Jeeeeee!!
The world around him slowed down.
* * *
Clap!
Ma Dong-pil glanced back at his shoulder.
Dozens of weapons packed in a huge sack. Although they were not considered new recruits, they were items made by craftsmen of considerable skill.
'I guess this is enough.'
He wondered inwardly.
'But why do you need so many weapons?'
He had already figured out the personal details of the Three Confucius.
He said that the original Three Dukes mainly used swords (劍). He is said to be a powerful swordsman who has already established a family as a swordsman, as his skill is a vicious sword, and while he does not lose delicacy and speed.
'You never know. If you hold the military flag, you might be able to recall memories of the past.'
So, four swords were specially placed according to length. Considering the brutal past, I don't know if it's right for Confucius to regain his memories... … .
'no. Let's not think like that. I am just the Three Princes' bodyguard. 'You can't get your personal feelings involved.'
He took out a small piece of paper from his arms.
"There is enough drinking water, and a month's supply of dry food and other groceries. "There are plenty of clothes."
Still, it is fortunate that he is a three-gong child and that Hwanheewon (歡喜院) pays a lot of attention to him. Because the Gojuk Forest is too harsh a place to live bare-handed.
'I'm glad I don't have to worry about daily necessities.'
Ma Dong-pil mentally savored his appetite.
'As expected, he is not a simple bodyguard.'
You can't bring a maid with weak martial skills. If you don't do this, she will die. Aside from everything else, I am not even qualified to enter Gojuk Forest.
In the end, Samgongja's care was entirely his responsibility.
'Rather, I might be better off alone. I'm less concerned about taking care of it myself rather than leaving it to someone else... … .'
Stand tall.
Ma Dong-pil's steps stopped for a moment.
"… … ."
The wind blew.
From inside the bamboo forest, containing the thick scent of blood.
His complexion suddenly turned pale.
Paaaaang!
The surrounding bamboo whizzed by due to his extremely hasty movements.
Ma Dong-pil shouted.
"Confucius!"
A voice that rings loudly.
Considering the danger level of the bamboo forest, we should not shout like this. This is because, if it were just simple vocalization, the sound filled with energy spreads in all directions.
But Ma Dong-pil forgot even that. That wasn't what mattered now.
"Confucius! Confucius!!"
Paaang! Paaaaang!
How long did it run like that?
Before he knew it, Seongjukwon (城竹院), which was used as a residence for Gojuklim, came into view.
The stone wall of Seongjukwon was shattered, and the window frame of Confucius' room was also shattered.
'this!'
Faaagh!
Ma Dong-pil, who jumped over the stone wall in an instant, had bloodshot eyes.
"Confucius! where… … ."
"I told you to call me Confucius."
Faba Park!
Hearing a leisurely voice, Ma Dong-pil briefly stepped in the air and slowed down.
"oh? "Are you good at it?"
Cluck!
He quickly threw away the weapons and looked at the yard.
There, Seoryang, covered in blood, was sitting on a bench and waving his hand.
"Are you here?"
"Oh, Confucius?! Are you okay?"
"I am Confucius."
Xu Liang's face looked extremely tired.
Ma Dong-pil, who was trying to quickly approach him, stopped.
There was a huge bird covered in blood lying next to the bench. The bird's body had not only a broken window frame, but also pieces of a teacup and a pickaxe stuck here and there.
"… … "Changbu (蒼芙)."
"I guess that's the name of this chicken head?"
"Oh, yes. Anyway, from the wound… … ."
"It's not my blood."
"yes?"
Ma Dong-pil, who was embarrassed, strengthened his eyesight.
'… … .'
It's true. Although Seo-ryang's body was stained with blood, he was perfectly fine except for a few scratches.
Even though his complexion was pale, probably because he wasted a lot of stamina, he still had a lot left over against that strange bird.
Ma Dong-pil couldn't help but feel astonished in his heart.
'how?'
I know that Seo-ryang is in very good health.
But that is only for the common people, that is, the common people. You have to have a little bit of skill, but that's worse than nothing.
"… … Are you sure you caught it by yourself?"
"Then who else is here besides me?"
That is correct. So he couldn't believe it any more.
The risk level of a prostitute is similar to that of a leopard. It is said that such a bird of prey was only caught by a healthy person.
Looking at the traces, it looks like the prostitute even made a surprise attack, so doesn't that make even more sense?
"Mr. Ma."
Ma Dong-pil saw Seo-ryang.
flinch!
In an instant, my back became wet and my back felt numb.
It's similar to the eye glow I had when I first spoke to him two days ago. No, Seoryang's eyes, which became even more gloomy after smelling the scent of blood, were even more vicious than at the time.
A subtle killing intent cast in the transparent eye light.
Ma Dong-pil swallowed his saliva.
'Those eyes… … .'
This feeling of being overwhelmed by just a glance was similar to when I saw Lord Protector and Great Protector.
No, in some ways it was more. I felt majesty from the Lord of the Protectorate, but I felt a more primal ferocity from the Three Dukes.
It was so ferocious that it felt like a knife would be plunged into my throat at any moment.
It gave off a terrifying presence, as if this was my true self.
"I need to hear an explanation. "How do you know about this chicken head, what kind of place is this place called Gojuklim, everything."
Madongpil closed his eyes tightly.
He could not bear to see Confucius.
"This place… … ."
Ma Dong-pil, who had difficulty opening his mouth, began to give a brief explanation.
High bamboo forest.
A natural forest that existed before the Heavenly Demon Church established its foundation.
It is a place where bamboo grows, which has unparalleled wood energy, and the air is also good. This is because the spiritual energy concentrated here is thicker than any other famous mountain in the world.
What is surprising is that the spiritual energy does not spread to the surroundings, but only circulates within the area that makes up this bamboo forest.
The spiritual energy circulating within the bamboo forest becomes more concentrated over time, and the concentrated spiritual energy enriches the pure natural energy.
And the spiritual energy that grew in strength by swirling around in the bamboo forest for so many years did not remain simply as energy.
"Thanks to the concentrated spiritual energy, not only the wood energy but also the earth energy was amplified. That's why the bamboo here is particularly thick and strong."
"The lifespan seemed very short?"
"You saw it correctly. The growth rate of bamboo shoots is also several times faster than that of ordinary bamboo. This is how the forest is maintained. and… … ."
"and?"
"Some of the bamboos have powers beyond just growing thick and strong."
Xu Liang's eyes lit up.
"Are you saying it could become a rare herb?"
"To be exact, it is both poison and spiritual medicine. "The spiritual energy is so dense that the human body cannot withstand it without going through dozens of processing processes."
Ma Dong-pil lowered his head.
"More than half of the magic teas made by our school are made from bamboo collected from the Gojuk Forest here."
Seoliang opened his mouth like a carp.
"what? "So you're saying we can mass-produce elixirs?"
"That is impossible."
"why?"
Ma Dong-pil looked down at the bloodied prostitute.
Seo-ryang's gaze also followed him.
"Most of the bamboo that can be used as medicine is concentrated inside. "The problem is the existence of the spirits and precious objects that protect that place."
"… … "That's what these guys are?"
"That's right. "Although it is the weakest entity."
"Weak entity? Are you saying there are stronger ones out there?"
"A courtesan is the lowest entity. Also, among the confirmed individuals, even intermediate-level precious objects are strong enough to take on peak experts."
"… … !"
Ma Dong-pil sighed.
"So, twice a year, the highest ranking figures of our school, including Daehobeop, stop by to collect spirit bamboo. "The deepest part of the bamboo forest is so dangerous that even they have to be on guard."
"I see."
"Of course, it's not very safe here right now. But it is the safest place in the Gojuk Forest. "Now is not the time for prostitutes to run amok, but my arrogance prevented me from protecting Confucius."
Ma-dong Pil finished speaking solemnly and got down on his knees.
"Please kill me."
"It's okay, get up. "Just do well in the future, man."
"… … thank you."
"What is gratitude? "Anyway, is this such a dangerous place?"
Seoryang, who was shaking his head, suddenly realized something and blinked.
wait for a sec?
"Then the cult leader… … "Why did you bring me to a place like this?"
"… … ."
"… … "What the fuck?"
Ma Dong-pil's face became awkward.
"Disrespectful to the religious leader… … ."
"shut up!"
"Yes."
Xu Liang's face turned red with anger.
You're like a bear who can't get enough of this kind of separation of the five bodies! They didn't just lock it inside, they drove it to death?!
Who would commit treason?! What did I do so wrong, you crazy devil!!
Grumble.
"… … ."
For a moment, there was a strange silence.
Seo-ryang and Ma Dong-pil's gazes collided in the air.
"Mr. Ma."
"Yes, Prince Seo."
"Do you have a pot?"
"of course. But why did the pot suddenly... … ?"
Xi Liang looked down at the dead prostitute.
Ma Dong-pil, who was tilting his head, froze as he realized something.
"Put some water on it and pull out some bamboo shoots. "I do the grooming."
Seo-ryang whetted his appetite.
"Let's talk about the rest while we eat."