Suddenly, my mind was in a state of chaos due to the flood of information.
So, Black Cat is the Lord of Wolbok-dang? I initially thought that the information organization called Wolbok-dang was just a silly rumor like Mu-yeong Sin-tu, but the fact that it actually exists is even more surprising.
If it weren’t for Da Jeryong revealing the existence of the Sun Conference, I might have thought this information was a lie.
Even as all this important information poured in, a clear question rose tall in my heart.
From the moment I gave Miss Yeo Il-ye realization, I was prepared for various incidents to occur because of it.
Among those was my determination regarding the fact that someone might discover that I could give realization.
It was shocking to learn that Black Cat had injected me with a confession needle…
But the fact that it was Black Cat, who figured out that I could give realization to others, meant it ended at this level. I couldn’t deny that.
What if it wasn’t Black Cat but someone trying to use me who discovered that? Hmm, I don’t want to imagine it. If another person found out that I could give realization to others, I’d still be alive, but Ho Cheon-an’s life would already be over.
That’s why I grew suspicious of Black Cat but quickly dismissed those doubts.
Black Cat was using me to give Tang Do-gyeong realization, all while leaving room for suspicion and simultaneously spending expensive Qi reserves.
It’s like… way too dedicated, right? Black Cat was acting for my sake despite only suffering losses.
But this turned out to be true.
Just thinking about that aspect, I have no doubt that Black Cat’s attitude towards me is genuine.
I fully understood that Black Cat had no intention of harming me.
Wanting to hang out with me must also be genuine.
It’s genuine, but… let’s take a closer look.
From the beginning, Black Cat had enough foresight about the risks of dealing with someone else’s realization.
So, it’s clear that they understood it was a bad deal.
Information that cannot be proven cannot be sold. Among the most common rumors in the Martial World are those that stimulate the desires of martial artists. Like a certain Taoist left their enlightenment on a cliff, or a certain martial artist ascended from a mountain. Or some Qi Person gave someone realization.
If they were just going to sell rumors, they could’ve done so without the Lord confirming the truth of those rumors personally, right?
The fundamental reason Black Cat came to me. Was it just curiosity? It explains things, but I wouldn’t say it’s entirely convincing.
Didn’t Black Cat say it themselves? They didn’t have solid grounds for sneaking in for direct verification.
Still, Black Cat seamlessly infiltrated the Outcast Inn as a Sacheon Outcast.
At that moment, I became certain. There was something Black Cat wanted from my information.
So, naturally, questions arose.
What is it that Black Cat is depending on and hoping for without even realizing it? The real reason Black Cat came to me.
What could that possibly be?
I have to figure out Black Cat’s psychology, which even Black Cat itself doesn’t know; this is going to be a long conversation.
“…Conversation?”
“Yeah. You know almost everything about me. But I still don’t know anything about you.”
First, let’s dig into that Black Shadow Qi Technique and the mask.
Right now, there’s no one in the inn. Since the moment Black Cat started crying, the cook, who also doubles as the innkeeper, and Jeomsoi disappeared somewhere. Experienced innkeepers must have sensed that something was off and quickly left.
“Are you still not showing your face?”
“..Anyone who sees my face, especially my eyes, becomes enchanted. Even if my eyes aren’t visible, they can still gradually be enchanted. If one’s martial arts level is high, generally… resistance is strong, but you…”
“Ha, I. An elite.”
Black Cat fell silent. It was clear they were indicating that ‘elite’ is far off the mark, leaving me awkwardly scratching my head.
“Have you thought about treating it?”
“That… I’ve gone to seek out a renowned doctor, but ultimately, it’s not something that can be treated overnight, so the doctor was enchanted too. It’s unlikely a charmed doctor will grant my request to eliminate the source of enchantment.”
That makes sense. It’s an instant charm, after all.
“Do you think Poison Doctor also finds it impossible? Why not even bring it up?”
“Well, I’ve never shown my face to an expert who couldn’t handle it. I don’t underestimate Poison Doctor’s mental strength, but among those I’ve met who’ve seen my eyes, no one has ever resisted my charm.”
Hearing that, it really does seem like a dangerous move. Whatever the Poison Master of Hwa-gyeong might do is unpredictable.
“Also, your treatment comes first… and if it takes too long, you might abandon me…”
“Ha ha…”
Black Cat muttered, wiggling their fingers.
Watching that, I stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Medical problems should be addressed by medical professionals.
—
The Poison Doctor was having tea alone in a clearing not far from the inn. It seemed they were avoiding the area until Miss Yeo Il-ye finished her business.
“Ha ha. So, you’re asking how to stay fine with a Body of Moon Yin while being a Body of Moon Yin?”
“Oh, do you know what symptoms Black Cat has?”
“I recognized it the moment I saw it. It’s just that I didn’t reveal it since they weren’t my patient. And you said Black Cat? You surely knew, right?”
Black Cat silently nodded.
“Are there any methods to treat it?”
“Hmm. Treatment. I believe fundamental treatment is impossible. The Body of Moon Yin is built on the energy of Moon Yin. It’s essentially a core essence; all I can do is help maintain it.”
“Basically, controlling Qi like assassination techniques… or if one’s level reaches Hwa-gyeong, it would naturally resolve. If one learns to control Qi, they can manage even the outwardly dispersed energy.”
“…Elder.”
“Ha ha. Forgive me. But treatment is a process of returning the unnatural to its natural state. However, constitution is natural as it is. To artificially meddle with it for intended effects is a very challenging task.”
Hwa-gyeong isn’t just any dog’s name. Even if Black Cat could reach Hwa-gyeong, it’d take at least ten years of secluded training from now.
“But you don’t need to worry.”
“…What?”
“You’ll be fine even traveling alongside that Miss.”
“Is that… really true?”
Just as I was about to ask what that meant, Black Cat rushed forward. The Poison Doctor, not angered by Black Cat’s impatience, laughed lightly.
“Sorry, Miss. I know that you’re associated with that friend, but beyond this point, it’s a bit difficult to explain.”
“What…!”
“Can you step away for a moment?”
Black Cat nodded weakly and said they’d wait in front of the inn before leaving. The Poison Doctor sighed deeply and said.
“As you’ve guessed, I had to send her away since it’s related to blood.”
“What does my blood do?”
“Well, as I mentioned before, your blood carries numerous vital energies. It’s packed so tightly that it can’t even trigger minor symptoms. It serves as a dam, as I’ve likened it before.”
So, it means it’s not easy for other energies to invade.
“You will certainly influence by Body of Moon Yin. Since now there are gaps, I expect Moon Yin energy to seep in. However, it’s not easy for Moon Yin energy to penetrate, and even if it does, it can’t hold together long, meaning it won’t show dramatic effects. You’re likely immune even to a variety of other enchanting effects.”
“Hmm… I see.”
So, as one’s level rises, immunity to enchanting effects gradually decreases too.
Immunity to enchanting effects… I’ve gained an unexpected insight. This means there should be places among secret realms or secret caves I can strategically target using this trait.
No, no… this isn’t the time to be thinking about that.
“Elder, if my symptoms lessen enough for me to reach my peak, how much of that enchanting immunity will still remain?”
“Hmm. The peak… it won’t have the absolute immunity like now, but your skills will be up to par, so you should be able to hold on somewhat.”
Seeing my question was seemingly absurd, the Poison Doctor laughed.
“Isn’t this not the time to be worried about that? Can I offer you a piece of advice?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you have a significant other?”
“I do not.”
“Well, that’s not too bad. I’ve seen many patients.”
The Poison Doctor sighed and took a sip of tea.
“Seeing patients isn’t exactly joyful. The more severe the patient, the easier they lose propriety and decorum. Physical abnormalities can twist a person’s heart. Even the kind-hearted lose themselves in illness.”
“That Miss, with such dense energy, is a Body of Moon Yin that may be born once every few hundred or thousand years. Aside from her charm, her beauty likely rivals the world’s best. Because of the Moon Yin energy, men are attracted while women envy; she probably leads a life full of twists and turns.”
“Hmm.”
“That girl likely has had nowhere to pour her heart. She’s bound to have felt lonely. The phrase ‘lonely as a snowflake’ suits her well. But surely, the heavens aren’t so merciless. Isn’t that right?”
Loneliness.
Loneliness? That word uttered by Poison Doctor struck a nerve in my doubts.
Black Cat infiltrated to see if I genuinely knew another’s realization. So, if I had the ability of ‘Ho Cheon-an,’ they probably wanted to determine if that ability stemmed from my Qi reserve or if I was special myself.
If I indeed am special.
Could I perhaps connect with someone like Black Cat who has a Body of Moon Yin? Or, even if not connect, could we interact in some shape or form? Wouldn’t Black Cat have hoped for something like that?
Black Cat was searching for their kind. Someone with whom they could share something, isolated from the world due to their uniqueness.
“…I’ll go see her.”
“Sure.”
It was initially just a bit more than ten steps away.
As I walked a bit down that distance, various thoughts flashed through my mind.
What was I like when Black Cat was putting me to sleep? I lost my memory, but Black Cat said I tried to grab the doorknob to leave.
Did I have a brilliant thought back then? Who knows? At least until I swung a log to burn the inn and Yeo Sa-yeon hit me in the side, I had no thoughts at all.
I probably intended to just jump out, mess things up, and figure it out later.
So, wasn’t that why Black Cat stopped me? To prevent my specialness from being leaked. To protect my image of living without getting wrapped up in the burdensome matters like their own.
I barely walked a little, and Black Cat’s anxious back came into view. They looked restless, circling the inn’s entrance.
“I kept you waiting.”
Black Cat stopped in their tracks.
“…Did the conversation end?”
“Yeah.”
The decision has been made.
I decided to awaken Black Cat’s heart. The genuine feelings hidden deep within that amateurish cat’s chest, which they don’t even know themselves.
“Black Cat, show me your face.”
