Chronicles of the Demon Faction - Chapter 14
Episode 14. The world of human beings and demons, Gojukrim (4)
Quadeuk!
The broken window frame rolled pitifully on the ground.
Pabababak!
Instinctively, Seoryang rolled down the bed and saw a strangely colored feather, 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….’
… is not it!
“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 light 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 am being attacked by a chicken right now…”
At that moment, he was at a loss for words.
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.
Para la la rock!
The menacing sound of flapping wings is also abundant. It was a sound and wind pressure that could never be produced with a pair of wings.
Crucially….
rattled.
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.
The head has such a peaceful atmosphere that the word ‘good sleep’ comes to mind when you look at it with its eyes quietly closed.
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 Daegye (大鷄) that looks like a henchman of King Yeomna?
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 until the end while you are nodding your head, you cannot tell whether these are human eyes or animal eyes.
Seoliang felt dizzy at the sight of a mutated chicken so bizarre and gigantic that it could hardly be called sacred.
‘What is all this… is it 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 gently scratching the floor and lowering its head. 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 rushing toward its prey, not a chicken.
This is not the time to discuss this and that.
Xiliang’s eyes sparkled with fire.
‘Cheonlayuktongsik!’
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.
It is said that originally, the Three Dukes mainly used swords. He is said to be a powerful swordsman who has already established a family as a swordsman because his skill is in the use of a strong sword, and while he does so without losing 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 shouldn’t get your personal feelings involved.’
He took out a small piece of paper from his pocket.
“There is enough drinking water and a month’s worth of dry food. “There are plenty of clothes.”
Still, I am glad that Hwanhuiwon (歡喜院) paid a lot of attention to me as the Three Princes. 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 it, you’ll 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 the inside of the bamboo forest, filled with 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 inner energy would spread 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.
Just like the shattered stone wall of Seongjukwon, 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?”
Sigh!
He quickly threw away the weapons and looked at the yard.
There, Seoryang, covered in blood, was sitting on a bench and waving his hands.
“Are you here?”
“Lord Confucius?! Are you okay?”
“I am Confucius.”
Xu Liang’s face looked extremely tired.
Ma Dong-pil, who was trying to hurry up to him, stopped.
A huge, bloodied bird lay sprawled next to the bench. The bird’s body was covered with broken window frames, pieces of teacups, and pickaxes.
“…Changbu(蒼芙).”
“I guess that’s the name of this chicken head?”
“Oh yeah. By the way, 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.
Although his complexion was pale, probably because he had used up a lot of his stamina, he still had a lot left over against that strange bird.
Ma Dong-pil couldn’t help but be shocked.
‘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.
“…Surely you caught it by yourself?”
“Then who else is here besides me?”
That is correct. So I 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 the gaze was similar to when I saw Lord Protector Daehobeop.
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 frightening presence, as if this was my true self.
“I need to hear an explanation. “How do you know about this chicken head and what kind of place is this place called Gojuklim?”
Ma Dong-pil closed his eyes tightly.
I couldn’t bear to see Confucius.
“This place…”
Ma Dong-pil, who had difficulty opening his mouth, began 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 reiki circulating inside the bamboo forest becomes more concentrated over time, and the concentrated reiki 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 simply remain 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.”
“It seems like your lifespan is very short?”
“You saw it correctly. The growth rate of bamboo shoots is several times faster than that of ordinary bamboo. This is how the forest is maintained. And…”
“And?”
“Some of these 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 at our school are made from bamboo collected from the bamboo 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.”
“…are those guys?”
“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, who concluded his words solemnly, knelt down.
“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 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….”
“Be loud!”
“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 the point of death?!
Who would commit treason?! What on earth 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, Confucius.”
“Do you have a pot?”
“of course. But why is 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’ll take care of the cleaning.”
Seo-ryang whetted his appetite.
“Let’s talk about the rest while we eat.”