Chapter 717
Seven days and nights could feel long or short, depending on the person.
But given the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace’s current situation, it was nowhere near enough time to recover from all the damage they’d suffered.
Even though the Demonic Energy that had flowed from the Gate was gone, its aftermath was still everywhere.
Countless people had died. Some had lost their families and homes. And everyone lived in fear that the disaster might strike again at any moment.
‘And in a situation like this, the Palace Lord—Beast Miao King—has disappeared?’
I frowned, thinking it over, then spoke heavily.
“Tell me the details.”
Hyuk Mu-jin scratched the back of his head.
“Uh… sorry, but I don’t know that much. If I had to add anything, it’s what I said earlier—the Southern Barbarian leadership is in chaos, and there was even talk of using the Heavenly Net to find Yal Daehyup.”
It was only natural for the Southern Barbarians.
In a crisis like this, the Palace Lord—more than anyone—needed to be the center of unity. And their worries would include the possibility that Dark Heaven had stepped in again.
‘Assassination. Or kidnapping.’
It might be a leap, but it wasn’t impossible.
Beast Miao King had also suffered serious injuries in his battle with the Southern Demon Empress.
Even with his outstanding martial prowess and Jeok Cheon-Gang’s timely help, he couldn’t have recovered in just a few days.
“So what were the results of the search?”
Hyuk Mu-jin tilted his head.
“What search?”
“…Are you really hurt in the head? You don’t remember what you just said?”
“Ah, the Heavenly Net.”
Hyuk Mu-jin slapped his forehead and continued.
“I only said it was being discussed.”
“Huh?”
“It fell through.”
What? It fell through? Over something this serious?
I blinked and asked.
“Did the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace get swallowed by Dark Heaven while I was asleep?”
“The leadership? I don’t think so.”
“Ah. So they didn’t want to stir panic among the tribesmen, and they’re doing a secret search instead?”
“I don’t think so either.”
“Then what the hell are they doing if they’re not looking for the Palace Lord?”
“Why are you asking me that? He’s not my Palace Lord.”
Smack!
Hyuk Mu-jin finally cashed in the mileage on the back of his head. He let out a silent scream and crumpled.
Nam Ho clicked his tongue as he watched him struggle, then turned to me.
“Normally, the leadership would’ve done something. Whether it was the Heavenly Net or quietly sending warriors out to search.”
I lowered my fist.
“But they gave up?”
“To be exact, they had no choice but to give up because of someone else.”
“Someone else…”
“What can you do? It’s not like they even know where he crawled out from. The Fire King told them to drop it.”
“He said if he doesn’t show up by midnight in two days, he’ll step in himself. So shut up and stabilize public sentiment first. After a lot of deliberation, the Young Master eventually listened to the Fire King. The other tribal chiefs too.”
Jeok Cheon-Gang, and even Yal Mok?
The surprise only lasted a moment. After thinking it through, I nodded calmly.
“Midnight in two days… so that’s today.”
“That’s right.”
“I see.”
“I see? That’s all the reaction you have?”
“What else would I do? If my master told them to drop it, they drop it.”
Nam Ho smacked his lips as he watched me.
“Wow. The trust between master and disciple is strong.”
“He has a bad temper, but there’s always a reason behind what he does.”
“Would it still be strong if I told him you just said he has a bad temper?”
“…It’d get heated. Do you want to see him wake up in Henan?”
Just as Nam Ho was about to answer without hesitation, he glanced at someone’s expression and continued with a mournful face.
“Of course, it has to be kept a secret. Yes. That’s right.”
What was that? It looked like Ju Hwaran just glared at me with dagger eyes.
But when I looked again, her eyes were curved like crescent moons, so it must’ve been my imagination. Maybe she still wasn’t fully awake.
Clap.
I clapped my cheeks and stretched. Crack—stiff bones loosened, and my body felt lighter.
‘My condition is at its best.’
A full level-up and seven days of rest made me feel incredible.
The nightmare left a dirty aftertaste, but that would fade with time.
‘Maybe someone else feels the same way.’
I muttered inwardly, then put on a drowsy expression for the others.
“Ah, I’m pretty tired. It’s been a while since I talked this long. Can you all leave me alone for a bit?”
Being a patient had its advantages. No matter what I said, people accepted it without suspicion.
And once everyone left, I slipped out through the window.
—
It was just a simple guess.
If it wasn’t there, then it wasn’t there. If it was, then good. That was all.
But the moment I stepped into the remote thicket where no one came, my guess became certainty.
“Oh. It’s here.”
Swish.
Leaves rustled at my light greeting. At the same time, a streak of light shot toward me.
Whoosh, crack!
Without even looking, I snatched the dagger flying straight for my forehead.
The blade, unable to withstand the heat of the Scorching Yang Energy in my hand, turned red.
Drip. Sizzle.
Molten metal fell to the ground. Only then did I realize I still had my mask on, so I raised both hands.
“It’s me. Jin Taekyung.”
And the next moment—
Pop.
With a faint tearing sound, several figures landed among the dense thickets.
‘One, two, three… seven.’
Not only the number I counted, but their identities too.
“The Seven Miao Tigers. Am I right?”
Thud.
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
The lead figure stepped forward, removed his mask, and revealed the face of a man who looked good-natured.
The same face I’d seen in the prison.
“It’s late, but we can finally introduce ourselves. Wonhu of the Seven Miao Tigers greets Jin Taekyung, benefactor of the Southern Barbarians.”
“We greet Jin Taekyung.”
I chuckled at their awkward yet polite fist salutes, then replied to Wonhu.
“Benefactor, please. I should be the one thanking you. I was in your debt that day.”
Wonhu smiled as I mentioned the prison.
“Don’t mention it. If not for Jin Taekyung, we would all be as good as dead. Or… we would have become monsters who lost our reason.”
His smile faded with the bitter thought, and he looked troubled.
“But how did you know to come here?”
“I’ve been here once before. To meet Yal Daehyup.”
Wonhu nodded as if he’d guessed it.
“That day, then. We were embarrassed too. He disappeared without a word to us—his direct bodyguards.”
“Yes. Back then, I came here under Yal Mok’s guidance. Or rather, the Young Master’s.”
“Now that no one comes here, it’s perfect for secret talks.”
“It certainly feels that way now that I’m back.”
The Outer Palace alone was enormous—big enough to be called the capital of a small country. There was no reason for anyone to come all the way to this remote thicket where even the path had vanished.
“Then, Jin Taekyung… you’ve perhaps…”
“Yes. I came to see Yal Daehyup. I had a feeling he’d be here.”
Wonhu stared at me in silence, then spoke—quietly, but not at all what I expected.
“Clear the way.”
The Seven Miao Tigers lined up behind him flinched at once.
“Big Brother.”
“But our lord told us not to let anyone in…”
“I won’t say it twice.”
At Wonhu’s firm voice, the Seven Miao Tigers hesitated, then sighed and split to either side.
“I believe you already know the exact location. Then I’ll take my leave.”
Wonhu gave another awkward fist salute and turned away.
No—just before he did, he turned his head and stared at me.
“I swear to heaven and earth, all Southern Barbarians—including myself—will remember Jin Taekyung’s help.”
That went for me too.
I would remember their help until I died, and I was simply grateful they were alive.
I nodded to the Seven Miao Tigers and moved forward, cutting through the dense thickets.
After a while, a dilapidated old shrine finally came into view.
Thud.
I approached without bothering to hide my presence. The corners had crumbled with age, and through the holes riddling the door, I could see someone’s back.
“May I come in?”
There was no answer.
I stepped inside the old shrine.
Creak.
The floor screamed the moment my foot touched it.
“Oh, I need to oil this.”
As I looked around, joking, a low voice came from the broad back sitting cross-legged.
“It’s fine. It’s been like this for a long time.”
“Well, Yal Daehyup would know better. You said you always hid here whenever you caused a major accident as a child.”
“…Did I?”
“Have you forgotten already? You told me last time.”
“I must have said all sorts of things.”
He wasn’t saying that because he didn’t remember.
He was in pain over the death of someone who was no longer in this world.
The one person who had always hidden in this old shrine with him.
I stared at Beast Miao King’s back and spoke.
“Why did you hide? You should’ve said something before you left.”
“I just wanted to.”
“Everyone’s worried. They’re asking where our Palace Lord went.”
“So you came to find me yourself?”
“I came for a walk. You need to go back before my master becomes your Palace Lord.”
“Palace Lord.”
Beast Miao King chuckled softly, then muttered in a hollow voice.
“Do you… think I have the qualifications to be a Palace Lord?”
“Hmm. That depends on why you came here.”
“Why?”
“If you’re going to brush it off like earlier and say you just wanted to, then you should quit being Palace Lord. Though it’s not really my place to say—since I’m not qualified either.”
After a brief silence, Beast Miao King spoke.
“It was painful. Unbearable.”
“What was?”
“Because I couldn’t protect them. The countless tribesmen who followed me… and my one and only sworn brother, suffering right beside me.”
“And do you know what tormented me the most among it all?”
I didn’t answer.
Beast Miao King’s voice continued.