Chapter 84

Janggeun and Jikpung walked across the tribe to reach the tent of One-Eyed Cloud. Along the way, the tribe members they encountered all bowed slightly in greeting. Some even clasped their hands together in a salute, as people from the Central Plains did. Janggeun responded to their greetings with the same gestures, walking slowly.

"Thanks to you, the tribe members have changed their minds a lot."

At Jikpung's words, who was walking a bit ahead, Janggeun looked at him with a puzzled expression. Jikpung glanced back and continued.

"They now think that there are decent people among the Central Plain folk, too. Of course, not everyone is good, but since they are so numerous, it's only natural that there are many not-so-good people as well. At least, the opinion that they should be driven away unconditionally has subsided."

Jikpung chuckled.

"Instead, the opinion that we should learn well from their society and methods to strip them bare and use it to our advantage has become more prevalent. The argument is that we should use the wealth thus gained to further prosper the tribe. What do you think?"

Janggeun only shrugged his shoulders.

He couldn't just blurt out his thoughts. Jikpung's casual question might ultimately become Janggeun's opinion on the entire tribe. If that happened, his opinion would carry considerable weight as the only Central Plain friend of the tribe, as seen in the greetings from the tribe members. Janggeun didn't want that. He didn't want them to be so bound by the clumsy solutions he offered that they lost their identity, or to retreat into the forests and mountains, away from civilization. Ultimately, the people who had lived and would continue to live here were them. As a mere wanderer passing through, he could help with sword skills, but he couldn't decide the fate of the tribe.

Jikpung, seemingly unaware of his thoughts, continued to lead the way with a mysterious smile.

Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of One-Eyed Cloud's tent. Strangely, One-Eyed Cloud was outside, waiting for them.

"You're finally here. Where have you been?"

"I was sweating."

One-Eyed Cloud, trying to straighten his bent back, looked at him with his red eyes.

"Sweating?"

"From martial arts practice."

"Then wash up quickly and come in. There's a water container here."

Janggeun did as he was told, washing off the sweat with the water from the container. He dried himself with the cloth One-Eyed Cloud offered and asked,

"What's going on? Why are you out here?"

"What do you mean? Didn't I say we need to prepare? You'll know everything once you go in. Oh, and leave your sword outside."

Janggeun tilted his head at One-Eyed Cloud's words. According to his senses, someone was inside the tent. He wondered what they were up to. He only hoped to find the origin of the black spear and the traces of the secret palace.

He couldn't ignore One-Eyed Cloud's outstretched hand, so he drew his sword and handed it over, then slowly entered the tent. Once inside, the entrance was pulled down and blocked. Now, the tent was completely sealed except for a small hole in the ceiling. Even though the walls were made of leather and cloth.

Janggeun paused, stiffening. Inside the tent, there was only a faintly glowing fire and Biyang, sitting beyond it.

"…Biyang?"

She was kneeling with her eyes closed. Her attire was elaborate, and the white smoke rising from the faint fire surrounded her, blurring her outline.

Janggeun looked up. Through the hole in the ceiling, the moon and stars were slowly shining, which was strange considering the reddish sunset on the horizon just a moment ago. It was a bit early for the moon and stars to be shining.

Then Biyang spoke.

"Meeting again, wanderer."

Janggeun looked at her calmly. The moment his gaze met hers, she slowly opened her eyes. The golden eyes unique to the Valley Tribe. But they held the passion of a dayfly and the wisdom of the Thousand-Year Mountains.

A seemingly impossible coexistence, yet a natural part of the great nature. Janggeun could guess who she was. She was the spirit of this valley.

"…Possessing Biyang's body?"

"Because we need to have a longer conversation this time."

Unlike the last time when she appeared as a child, now in Biyang's form, she exuded a calm and mature aura. Combined with her mysterious eyes, she looked like an ancient shaman of unknown origin.

"A longer conversation."

"Yes, a longer conversation. To go through the traces left by the grassland, we need the whole night."

She held the black spear tip Janggeun had retrieved with both hands, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The faint starlight and smoke enveloped her, and her golden eyes looked straight at him.

"Come closer."

Janggeun did as she said, approaching the dim fire. But the spirit shook her head.

"Closer."

If he moved any closer, their knees would touch. Janggeun hesitated, but she began to move closer to him.

"Don't be nervous. Just accept it. You won't get hurt."

When they were close enough to feel each other's breath, she smiled and looked at Janggeun. At that moment, he felt the pale smoke surrounding her body enveloping him, flowing into his nose, mouth, and ears.

He instinctively tried to block it with his inner energy, but the spirit's hand swept across his chest.

"It's okay, I'm not trying to harm you."

With her soft touch, she naturally laid Janggeun down. Lying on his back, he looked up at the round hole in the tent and calmed his inner energy. Reflecting on it, he had come here to seek help. He needed to trust Biyang, One-Eyed Cloud, and the spirit of this valley.

The