On an early dawn, Seo I-ryeong woke up and began her practice routine.
Swish! Swish!
As she continuously executed her sword technique, the Jade Maiden Sword Technique, Muk-geum had come close and was watching her skills.
Seo I-ryeong greeted Muk-geum with a nod, to which Muk-geum responded by blinking his large eyes. Seeing Muk-geum’s answer brought a slight smile to Seo I-ryeong’s face; the name Muk-geum fit his actions perfectly.
Fixing her gaze on Muk-geum’s horns, Seo I-ryeong changed the flow of her technique.
Observing Muk-geum, who was circling around her, Seo I-ryeong suddenly thought, “What would he look like in battle with those horns leading the charge?”
With thoughts like these, as she looked at Muk-geum, his horns suddenly appeared different.
To Seo I-ryeong, the shape of Muk-geum’s horns seemed to represent a certain flow.
“Hmm.”
Seo I-ryeong focused on drawing her flow.
The feeling of a martial artist whispered to her.
Though it was still a very clumsy flow, there would come a moment when it would bind together as one, becoming an entity that would approach her.
As Seo I-ryeong finished her morning practice, the entities began to stretch one by one.
Meow!
“Did you sleep well, Mi-ho?”
Seo I-ryeong rubbed the face of the fox entity, Mi-ho, as it poked its pointy snout in. Although Mi-ho had joined relatively recently and was still a bit unfamiliar compared to the other entities, it actively approached Seo I-ryeong.
Perhaps Mi-ho was younger than the others or quickly sensed that Seo I-ryeong was a safe person.
Gathering firewood with Mi-ho happily following behind her, Seo I-ryeong placed new logs into the fire pit.
Huff!
As Mi-ho exhaled slightly, the flames erupted and lit the firewood in an instant.
“Thank you.”
Seo I-ryeong placed a pot on top of the flames, as if this was something she was accustomed to.
“Good morning.”
“Did you cough?”
Confirming Ho Cheon-an was awake, Seo I-ryeong lightly bowed her head in greeting. The dark ribbed figure of Black Rib that had turned back to his spot extended a paw to scratch the head of the little Seo Gong, who was stretching beside him.
With seven entities around, Seo Gong, unable to bear the crowding, flapped his wings and jumped off Ho Cheon-an.
Just like any other morning, Ho Cheon-an warmed his body with simple exercises, unfolding the cutting board and a bundle of ingredients he had set aside.
Seeing that, Seo I-ryeong’s expression changed.
Until now, Ho Cheon-an had not cooked in the mornings. He usually prepared breakfast for the next evening and set off quickly on their journey…
But today, for some reason, he took out a knife and began chopping vegetables.
“What’s the occasion for cooking today?”
“There’s a guest coming.”
…A guest?
Seo I-ryeong, who had completely relaxed her mind, felt a sudden tension. She quickly surveyed the area with sharp eyes, but sensed nothing.
‘An opponent who doesn’t even register in my sensory perception at the edge of Hwa-gyeong.’
“There’s actually no need to be that on guard. We can just have a meal and chat,” Ho Cheon-an stated.
“Is that so?”
Following Ho Cheon-an’s intent, Seo I-ryeong eased her guard. After all, there were seven entities surrounding Ho Cheon-an. No matter how formidable an expert hid nearby, they wouldn’t pose much of a threat.
“Hey, everyone. Bring the guests!”
Pip!
Seo Gong replied energetically and dashed into the woods. Following quickly were Mi-ho and a leisurely-moving Seok Woong. Muk-geum and the other entities slipped away stealthily.
The welcome for the guests had begun.
* *
Waaaahh!!
Thunderous sounds!
‘Oh dear, Master…’
Namgung Bin, the deputy of Martial Forest Alliance Hall Master Jo Yong-sang, sighed as he watched Seok Woong barreling toward Jo Yong-sang’s direction.
He thought he should recognize how sensitive the entities’ senses were, closing the distance slowly, but ultimately it had backfired.
Namgung Bin contemplated whether he should approach Seo I-ryeong, who was stirring pots leisurely, or follow behind Jo Yong-sang.
‘The letter from the Hall Master said that Ho Cheon-an only gathers entities but doesn’t command them.’
Jo Yong-sang’s actions were a result of trusting that information—believing Ho Cheon-an wouldn’t attack even in the worst-case scenario.
But contrary to what was heard, Ho Cheon-an was indeed sending his entities after Jo Yong-sang.
‘Have they discovered we sent a letter to the Martial Forest Alliance? Then, did the Hall Master supply false information all this time?’
But that didn’t seem quite right either.
The calm demeanor Seo I-ryeong displayed this early in the morning did not radiate the air of someone detained.
‘I think for now, rather than acting independently, I should join the Master.’
As Namgung Bin made that decision and tried to sneak away, suddenly—
Squeak!
A sudden noise came from behind.
Namgung Bin quickly drew his sword and looked at Seo Gong. It was the mouse entity that had just been next to Ho Cheon-an.
‘To have not sensed it until it was this close!’
Gulp.
Namgung Bin swallowed hard and directed his sword toward Seo Gong. Who among the people living in this age didn’t know the terror of entities?
Squeak!
As Namgung Bin tensed, Seo Gong raised its front paw. That paw aimed toward the campfire direction, and Namgung Bin could guess its intention.
If he followed obediently, there would be no bloodshed.
That was common sense, but Namgung Bin had no intention of following Seo Gong.
Squeak!
Seeing Seo Gong glaring at him, Namgung Bin fell deep in thought. He had heard endlessly about the power of entities, yet had never seen one so small. Usually, entity power was proportional to size, so wouldn’t he be able to easily subdue something as small as Seo Gong?
However, he hesitated to attack, considering the seemingly peaceful behavior of Seo Gong, not to mention the existence of other entities.
‘If I cause bloodshed, it might escalate into a life-and-death struggle, so let’s just scare it away for now.’
Namgung Bin’s blade radiated qi, and he swung it at a nearby tree.
Boom!
The massive tree crashed down with a loud noise.
“Did you see that? If you don’t wanna get split in two by my blade, then scram!”
Squeak!
At Namgung Bin’s threat, Seo Gong became furious.
“What’s with these tiny creatures looking down on me!”
Desiring to smack it with its tail right away, Seo Gong held back.
After all, Ho Cheon-an hoped that none of his entities would harm anyone.
So, instead of attacking Namgung Bin, Seo Gong leapt up and wrapped its tail around a nearby tree.
Whoooosh!
Using the tail’s elasticity, Seo Gong soared up into the air in an instant.
Swoosh!!!
The tail of the curled-up Seo Gong spewed flames.
Namgung Bin was caught off guard by Seo Gong’s dazzling movements. But—
It was too early to be surprised.
Seo Gong’s tail began to sever every branch attached to the tree. As Seo Gong landed, all the branches came crashing down!
Click!
When Seo Gong landed on all fours, not a single branch remained on the tree.
Squeak!
Namgung Bin, looking up at Seo Gong, swallowed hard and quietly withdrew his foot. Reevaluating the situation, it became clear fighting would bring more loss than gain.
Meow.
But, as Namgung Bin turned to escape, Mi-ho appeared in his path.
“Haha…ha.”
As Namgung Bin began to sweat, two entities charged toward him.
* *
Squeak!
Seo Gong proudly returned atop Mi-ho’s head, grinning.
“…Bin?”
Seo I-ryeong was startled to see Namgung Bin dangling from Mi-ho’s mouth, his clothes caught.
So, the uninvited guest was Namgung Bin?
With a sheepish smile, Namgung Bin greeted Seo I-ryeong.
“Haha… it’s been a while, Hall Master.”
Seo I-ryeong looked in the direction of Seok Woong and the other entities.
Does this mean that the person being chased right now is Hall Master Jo Yong-sang?
Feeling her head throb, Seo I-ryeong rubbed her forehead.
“Wasn’t this supposed to be my responsibility?”
“N-no… it’s just that…”
Namgung Bin, glancing at Ho Cheon-an, hesitated to speak. Seo I-ryeong sighed once more. After all, what crime could Namgung Bin, just a deputy, commit? The one to hold accountable would surely be Jo Yong-sang.
Seo I-ryeong shifted her eyes subtly to Ho Cheon-an.
For a moment, Ho Cheon-an paused his cooking, as Seo Gong, who hoped to be praised, and Mi-ho, joyfully bounding around, were currently enjoying the attention, but there wasn’t an iota of anger on his face. People who see an observer in the world can never appreciate it, can they?
“I’m sorry, Elder. It seems my friends have caused trouble.”
“It’s alright. I merely wished to understand the intent behind your presence.”
Ho Cheon-an seemed genuinely unconcerned, chuckling merrily as he looked at Seo Gong, whose tail was raised high with pride and Mi-ho, who was bouncing with excitement.
Before long, without having to wait long, Jo Yong-sang emerged surrounded by the other entities.
As Jo Yong-sang emerged from the foliage and locked eyes with Seo I-ryeong, he let out a cough and quickly averting his gaze.
“It’s been a while, I-ryeong.”
“You…” Haaa.
As Seo I-ryeong glared at Jo Yong-sang, Ho Cheon-an, who had patted the hard-working entities, opened his mouth.
“It seems there’s something he needs to discuss with you, how about sharing a meal and having a chat?”
“…I’ll shamelessly accept your kindness.”
Ho Cheon-an, Seo I-ryeong, Jo Yong-sang, and Namgung Bin sat around the fire pit. Seo I-ryeong dished out the food for the two men and served them from the pot.
‘Is it porridge?’
Namgung Bin and Jo Yong-sang sighed inside after seeing Ho Cheon-an and Seo I-ryeong eat their porridge silently.
The aroma of porridge was fragrant, but both Jo Yong-sang and Namgung Bin felt no appetite at all.
After having watched from afar only to be caught now, they felt exceptionally uncomfortable, especially to be here eating.
Could a meal feel any more awkward than this?
They intended to just pretend to eat and then put down their utensils.
As the two thought this while lifting their porridge to their mouths.
“Hmm.”
“Ooooh.”
They simultaneously gasped in surprise.
The grains were perfectly boiled and crumbled in their mouths, rich in flavors melded with various vegetables, satisfying their palates with a subtle flavor, all while tender pieces of meat provided a delightful crunch.
Just when that smooth sweetness began to linger on their tongues, the nutty aroma of sesame oil surged, making it impossible not to keep eating the porridge.
Namgung Bin and Jo Yong-sang’s eyes darted toward the dish in the center.
Even if the sesame oil provided a stimulating touch, porridge was still porridge. It was excellent on its own, but the human heart, once tasting something smooth, looks for something stimulating afterward.
Naturally, their gazes lingered on the salty, preserved meats and the visually tempting pickled plums.
Namgung Bin placed a piece of preserved meat on his spoonful of porridge and swallowed it whole.
Namgung Bin nodded at the flavor.
As he chewed the pieces of preserved meat mingled with porridge, the salty taste filled his mouth, satisfying his craving for something stimulating.
At that moment, Jo Yong-sang also savored the pickled plums, letting their spicy and sour taste wash over him, elevating the flavor of the smooth porridge previously.
Their spoons and chopsticks picked up speed.
Preserved meat with porridge, porridge with pickled plums — the combination sent the porridge rapidly down their throats.
In no time, the bowl was emptied.
“Umm.”
“Gahhh.”
Both of their eyes turned towards the pot. There was still some porridge left in it.
Neither dared to ask for more but exchanged sheepish glances.
While the two were at it, they suddenly looked toward Seo I-ryeong. She breathed a deep sigh as the ladle she held filled with porridge.
At the same moment, their gazes met in a tense moment.
Suddenly.
Jo Yong-sang elbowed Namgung Bin’s arm.
‘You better back off. After all, you’ve used your strength so early in the morning and must be feeling weak.’
Though Namgung Bin was feeling helplessly pressed, he didn’t let it go that easily.
‘No way, Master, is it wrong to be a bit selfish about a meal?’
As the two engaged in an intense showdown with their eyes, Seo I-ryeong filled her ladle full of porridge, and
“Hmm?”
“Wait, what?”
The ladle that would have filled either of their bowls was now pointed towards her own bowl.
Seo I-ryeong scoffed at the sight of the two looking at her blankly. One bowl each was plenty; who do these uninvited guests think they are, coveting Ho Cheon-an’s food?
Ignoring the bewildered looks of the two, Seo I-ryeong brought the porridge to her mouth.
