Nab-in set off on a journey with a firm determination.
The path Nab-in experienced was a grueling one. As they moved their feet, the soles burned and their legs ached.
However, riding Ho Cheon-an, they were not only spared the exhaustion but also had the leisure to enjoy the refreshing breeze and scenery.
While comfortably taking in the sights, Nab-in steeled their resolve again.
It was because they were starting to feel hungry.
The journey Nab-in experienced was one of hunger. Tasteless rations. Relying on boiled replacement crops, and with no idea when they could replenish their food supplies, they had to fight against starvation and eat sparingly.
In such a situation, Nab-in devoured a bowl of noodle soup made from chicken stock prepared by Ho Cheon-an until they were full.
The rich chicken broth was oily yet not greasy at all. The harmony of the firm, elastic noodles kneaded with the body of indestructible gold made Nab-in unable to resist inhaling it.
Even though it was an easy meal to eat, it was so delicious that they simply could not stop using their chopsticks.
Afterward, they slumped on the back of Ho Cheon-an, dozing in a food coma, and before long, it was evening.
“Let’s see. Those guys’ companions brought fresh vegetables and meat, so let’s make sweet and sour pork for dinner.”
Nab-in stuffed themselves with the perfectly crispy sweet and sour pork that was tangy without getting soggy and bursting with juicy flavor. After washing it down with a drink mixed with red vinegar, they looked out at the darkening scenery and shook their head to clear their mind.
The nights of the journey Nab-in experienced were cold and dangerous, indeed.
“Sleep well.”
Squeak!
Caw!
In Nab-in’s arms, Seo Gong settled down, and Mi-ho’s tail wrapped around Nab-in’s body like a blanket.
So warm! So soft!
Nab-in composed themselves, trying not to be intoxicated by the softness and warmth felt from all around. Because from now on, they would sense the presence of wild animals that would disturb their sensitive hearing and instincts.
However.
Everything was eerily quiet.
With entities clustering together, what wild animal would dare approach? Even without a person being a wild beast, Nab-in’s ears and senses, usually startled awake by the presence of wild animals wandering carelessly around sleeping humans, found nothing.
As no presence was detected no matter how long they waited, Nab-in’s eyes began to droop.
Amidst the fading consciousness, a thought crossed Nab-in’s mind.
Perhaps… my determination… may not be necessary after all?
Thus, the first day of the journey with Ho Cheon-an came to an end.
It would only take a few days for Nab-in to realize that their idea of the journey was completely different from what it was like to travel with Ho Cheon-an and the entities.
*
“I ate well!”
Nab-in exclaimed cheerfully, thinking that today’s meal prepared by Ho Cheon-an was delicious.
Having finished off the fried rice made by Ho Cheon-an, Nab-in got up, holding the dishes and bowls.
With a bundle full of dirty dishes, Nab-in headed to the water’s edge to wash the cooking tools and pots. Following behind Nab-in, Seo Gong and Mi-ho lent support to the heavy load with their tails.
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“I’m fine! I feel really energetic!”
Ho Cheon-an nodded.
That made sense.
Having mixed herbs into the meals to counter the strong spirit energy and balance their body, being energetic was normal.
Nab-in’s face shone, and they even had some chubbiness in their cheeks from eating well and playing without any worries alongside the entities.
Needless to say, their expression was bright.
Having cleaned the dishes, Nab-in scampered over to Ho Cheon-an.
“Grandfather! Can I go play with Mi-ho?”
“As long as you bring Seo Gong along.”
“Yes!”
Caw!
Mi-ho jumped onto Nab-in’s back, and Seo Gong climbed up as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Let’s go! Today, we’re picking sweet and sour fruits!”
Caw!
As Nab-in looked at the thriving Mi-ho running energetically, Ho Cheon-an followed suit, climbing onto the back of Hwa-jeo to continue the journey.
Nab-in’s presence brought some change to the daily lives of the entities. Seo Gong busied himself looking out for the carefree Nab-in wandering off, and Mi-ho seemed ecstatic to have a lively companion, too enthralled by playing with Nab-in to pay attention to anything else.
Muk-geum quietly followed Nab-in, watching over them, while Seok Woong, Hwa-jeo, and even the hidden Huang Dan and celestial Eungjo kept an eye on Nab-in.
It felt like they were all engaging in joint parenting.
With protection coming from all directions: underground, land, and sky, Nab-in’s safety hardly warranted concern.
Thanks to this, Ho Cheon-an could allow Nab-in to play freely. Even if Nab-in got lost in play and went far, the entities would follow along, ensuring Nab-in’s safety.
Additionally, if people came requesting help to deal with the remnants of the Blood Sect, Ho Cheon-an could leave Nab-in with the entities and go handle the Blood Monsters.
Ho Cheon-an smiled contentedly as he watched Nab-in, who was feeding Mi-ho and Seo Gong with some fruits up ahead.
Regardless of having entities and Ho Cheon-an around, traveling was not an easy feat for a child. It was rather impressive how well Nab-in adapted and frolicked joyfully during such a journey.
Sometimes leading the way, sometimes lagging, just observing Nab-in running through the fields made time fly by.
Before they knew it, it was evening!
As Ho Cheon-an set up a cooking fire against the backdrop of the sunset, Mi-ho and Nab-in Seo Gong returned, picking up on the cue.
“Grandfather! What’s for dinner?”
“Today, I think we’ll have a mix of various dishes.”
Nab-in’s face sparkled with anticipation. Normally, Ho Cheon-an would prepare just one simple dish, but the thought of making several this evening was exciting!
The cooking tools carried by Seok Woong were all lowered, and several pots were placed atop three cooking fires.
The first pot sizzled with fragrant rice becoming cooked, the second emitted the smell of meat accompanied by myriad spices, while the third pot contained clear broth simmering with mushrooms and thinly sliced meat.
With the aromatic feast appealing to their nose and eyes, Nab-in quickly sprang into action. They wanted to eat as soon as possible, so they set about preparing the meal while Ho Cheon-an cooked.
However, when Nab-in opened the pot with the cooked rice, confusion washed over their face.
It was because the amount of rice was too much.
Even considering dinner and breakfast for the next day, there was enough for several meals more.
Soon, Nab-in’s gaze shifted to the other pots where various dishes were being made. Considering Ho Cheon-an’s habit of typically preparing just one meal at a time, it seemed like…
Was this a signal indicating he would be gone for a while?
Ho Cheon-an, lost in his thoughts, caught sight of the very perceptive Nab-in and smiled wryly. Was it because of all the hardships they had endured at such a young age that they were not acting like typical children?
Ho Cheon-an placed a generous portion of bulgogi on Nab-in’s bowl filled with fluffy rice and opened his mouth.
“Nab-in.”
“…Yes?”
“I have something important to attend to, so I need to step away for a moment.”
With the bulgogi generously poured over the fluffy white rice. It was truly an appetizing sight, but instead of burying his nose in the bowl, Nab-in stared intently at Ho Cheon-an.
Ho Cheon-an gently patted Nab-in’s head.
“I’ll be back soon, so can you wait here with the entities?”
Nab-in quietly nodded. They knew Ho Cheon-an wouldn’t abandon them. However, the fact that they would momentarily be alone was undeniably unsettling.
Though it was not uncommon for Ho Cheon-an to briefly step away, the fact that he stocked up so much food suggested he would be gone longer this time.
Feeling apologetic for seeing Nab-in trying hard to keep their anxiety in check, Ho Cheon-an couldn’t help it this time.
The last stronghold of the Blood Sect, believed to have the black snake entity that the Blood Ancestor rode on, was the very place he had to clear out.
It was the Mosa Sect’s base that had built a nest over many years, being the source of all forms of spells.
Even though the spirit energy and array formations were beyond estimation for Ho Cheon-an, it was uncertain whether the entities’ protection could completely shield Nab-in from harm.
Thus, Ho Cheon-an could only leave Nab-in and the entities here while he faced the dangers alone at the Mosa.
Nab-in nodded and then vigorously attacked the white rice and bulgogi. Eating just as heartily as usual. And just like any other day, cleaning up after eating and settling down to sleep.
The only difference was that it took Nab-in quite a long time to fall asleep this time.
Ho Cheon-an quietly got up, stroked the head of the sleeping Nab-in, glanced at the entities, and then set off to the west.
With the stars in the sky as his companion, Ho Cheon-an ran for quite some time and found himself at Mosa just as the stars were leaving with the rising sun.
Upon reaching the entrance of Mosa, Ho Cheon-an could distinctly feel the presence of the formation enveloping the whole mountain.
The strong energy of the formation brazenly rejecting intruders.
And within, he could sense countless presences of others.
Ho Cheon-an realized that the remnants of the Blood Sect had fully prepared to wait for him.
However, without hesitation, he stepped into the mountain gate.
This was within the scope of what he had anticipated.
As soon as Ho Cheon-an crossed the mountain gate, the energy of the formation flooding out was akin to the entire strength of Mosa crashing down upon him.
Even someone who had reached the level of indestructible gold like Ho Cheon-an felt pain enveloping his entire body.
Crackling…!!
Ho Cheon-an chuckled bitterly as he watched the cuffs of the sleeves woven from heavenly silk gradually begin to fray under the pressure.
‘They were definitely prepared for me.’
Usually, when it comes to formations, the stronger they are, the more aligned they follow the natural order. It’s a steady trickle that seeps in, like a drizzle that leaves garments damp. Yet, for the energy to burst forth so fiercely upon entering the mountain gate meant they were adamant about making an example of Ho Cheon-an.
Ho Cheon-an endured the tremendous pressure pouring down on him and lifted his hand.
Attempting to break the formation with raw strength was foolish. If you want to split a rock, you don’t pummel it with your fists; you take a chisel and methodically tap away at it.
To break through the formation, one needs to observe the flow and intervene at the right moment, interrupting it to weaken it before ultimately scattering it into nothingness.
However, Ho Cheon-an decided to break through the Mosa Sect’s formation with sheer strength.
Rumble, rumble!!
With the sound of thunder, the dormant energy within Ho Cheon-an erupted, pushing back against the mountain’s pressure.
The Taoists regulating the formation at Mosa gaped in disbelief at the explosive energy surging forth from Ho Cheon-an.
“How… is it possible for a single person to contain the essence of the mountain in their energy…!”
“This isn’t the time for such thoughts! We must focus our strength!”
The Taoists hurriedly recited spells, trying to intensify the pressure bearing down on Ho Cheon-an, but.
Even so, it made no difference.
With each thunderous release from Ho Cheon-an’s body, cracks formed within the movement of the formation.
Creak!
The path leading to the mountain gate trembled as the many inscriptions set along the way shook. Several inscriptions could not withstand the pressure and began to twist. The blood person watching this swallowed dryly, while the Taoists of the Mosa Sect were perspiring profusely, even bleeding from the mouth as they desperately attempted to restrain Ho Cheon-an.
But their effort was all in vain.
Bang!!
“Cough!”
“Wha—!”
All of the inscriptions surrounding the mountain gate exploded in unison, and those managing the flow of the formation vomited blood and collapsed.
“Unbelievable…!”
“You mean to say he shattered the formation’s power all by himself!”
The blood person and the Taoists from the Mosa Sect looked at Ho Cheon-an in fear. However, he ignored their terrified gazes, focusing instead on the peak of the mountain.
In Ho Cheon-an’s senses, he could still detect the many presences of formations and spells standing in his way.
‘Just now, was that just the first step?’
In Ho Cheon-an’s mind, he envisioned Nab-in starting to awaken. Probably with Mi-ho’s help, lighting a fire and eating alone.
If he hurried, they might get to have dinner together.
If he pushed through with strength, there was a chance it could be so.
‘Hold on there.’
Ho Cheon-an unleashed his strength, swiftly overpowering the blood persons and Taoists.
The resolve of Ho Cheon-an surged toward the peak of Mosa for his dinner with Nab-in.
