Chapter 7 - Act 2. Wailing Dragon Demon (4)

It was a truly staggering blow, far beyond anything Yise had imagined possible. Though, of course, she was not human to begin with.

'So this is the power of the strongest Dokkaebi.'

His master was far more overwhelmingly powerful than he had realized. Powerful enough that the saying, “As long as Mongryeon stands guard, hardly any Demon would dare approach Gwisu Temple,” no longer sounded like a joke.

That made the Wailing Dragon Demon's audacity in hunting Dokkaebi all the more astonishing. And it made the tragedy that had unfolded in her absence all the more regrettable.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“Yes, Master. Much better now.”

“You've borne it well, without so much as a groan. Get up if you can. I have a task for you.”

Mongryeon handed Yise a cluster of bells on a handle forked at one end, a small brass knife with paper tassels, and a rectangular sheet of paper split lengthwise.

“These are ritual implements for exorcism. They were made so even ordinary people without spiritual energy can use them.”

“Exorcism?”

“Yes. Killing a Demon isn't the end of it. Its lingering resentment remains in its corpse for a time. Unless properly exorcised, that resentment will wander the netherworld and eventually create another Demon just like it. All you've killed is the shell.”

Yise fingered the ritual implements. They certainly seemed to give off an auspicious energy. These were no ordinary objects.

“The resentment of the Wadu-Scholar you killed had already escaped, too. In other words, even leaving aside whoever was behind the attack, your revenge was never complete.”

“... I see.”

“The first line is the exorcism prayer. Hold the spell bells in your right hand and the spirit tablet in your left. Keep your mind clear and recite the prayer reverently.”

Mongryeon smacked her lips in regret.

“If you'd awakened your spiritual root, you could have absorbed a fair amount of spiritual energy from this hunt. What a shame.”

“Are you sure you don't mind me doing it?”

“Who else would? Me, a Dokkaebi? Only humans can perform an exorcism. That's part of why we maintain our alliance with them.”

“I've heard Dokkaebi can advance their cultivation by eating Demons. Wouldn't it be better for you to eat it, Master?”

“Never mind that. I'd have to eat it alive to consume its Demonic Energy. Besides, a worm of a Qi Refining Demon wouldn't even whet my appetite. Think of this as a chance to gain experience.”

“Ah... Understood.”

Satisfied with the explanation, Yise began calmly reading the exorcism prayer.

Flee, spirit, retreat and unravel; dissolve at last, be released and depart.

It was a short verse. As he finished its eight characters, the spell bells jingled and began radiating brilliant yellow light. The next moment, black energy poured from the Wailing Dragon Demon's corpse, writhed as though convulsing, then burrowed into Yise's body.

“...?”

“Finished?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Don't be too disappointed that you couldn't absorb any spiritual energy. At least the effects of that medicinal pill will remain within you for a long time. Once you awaken your spiritual root, they'll take effect. You've hit the jackpot.”

“But something seems a little strange.”

“What does?”

“I think the Demonic Energy inside the Wailing Dragon Demon entered me... Can humans absorb Demonic Energy, too?”

At his words, Mongryeon peered intently into his body. She thought she could faintly sense Demonic Energy, but it was so feeble that she could hardly distinguish it from impure energy. Could something as puny as a mouse's biceps even be called Demonic Energy...?

The Wailing Dragon Demon had punched several holes through him, so it would hardly be strange for some Demonic Energy to linger in his body. She shrugged.

“Well, I've never heard of it. That would only be possible in a demonic-path sect that practices demonic arts. In any case, humans cannot wield Demonic Energy, and Demons cannot wield spiritual energy. They share the same origin, but they're entirely different powers. Only those with keen spiritual perception or those who've reached a certain realm can even sense the other faintly.”

Yise's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He could distinctly sense both kinds of power, spiritual energy and Demonic Energy.

“I see. I must have been mistaken.”

“If it still bothers you, remember the symptoms and ask about them when you get to Daemudo. Your master can't stand theory.”

Her firm reply silenced him. The unsettling energy lodged in his belly was still churning, but there was no need to irritate his master. He would watch it a little longer, then perhaps ask again.

“Now perform a Consolation Ceremony for the children who died. Hold the sacred knife in your right hand. The Consolation Prayer is on the third line.”

Exorcism for enemies, a Consolation Ceremony for allies. Yise mulled the distinction over, committing it to memory.

“Though their souls were born as Demons, pray sincerely that they do not fall into the Abyss of the Demon Realm, but safely reach the gate of reincarnation and may be born as humans in their next lives.”

“... Yes.”

Mongryeon and Yise gathered the dead Dokkaebi, laid their bodies neatly together, and bowed their heads in silent remembrance.

May the spirits depart in peace and return along the path of light.

This time, he could clearly feel their souls rising toward the sky.

When the ceremony ended, Yise looked at Mongryeon. Her expression seemed conflicted. But then a smile spread over her face, as though she were seeing the departed off.

“Smile. It is our custom to show the dead a smile.”

“... Yes.”

An ache stirred in a corner of Yise's heart, too—the same feeling he had known when he lost his family to the Wadu-Scholar. Only now did the sense of loss finally strike him. The deaths of people he had seen every day for six years weighed more heavily than he had expected.

“What a funny face you're making.”

Unable to properly laugh or cry, Yise thought it was just as well he had no mirror.

* * *

Several days passed after the Wailing Dragon Demon's rampage. Gong Ilchwi and Gong Woljang were sentenced to ten years shut away in the Cave of Repentance. The Dokkaebi boys were also placed under a binding that prevented them from leaving the territory.

Yise looked at Mongryeon and the Dokkaebi lined up behind her. They had come to see him off. Today, he was leaving Gwisu Temple to take Daemudo's entrance examination.

“Tsk. Stubborn brat. It'd be no distance at all if you'd let me take you.”

“As I said, I'd like to take this opportunity to see something of the world.”

“Just don't get yourself killed by some stray Demon along the way.”

Mongryeon casually handed him a short blade wrapped in cloth.

“This is...”

In his hands lay the Meridian-Cutting Blade, the supernatural treasure he had used in the battle against the Wailing Dragon Demon.

“Are you sure I can accept something so precious?”

“Take it before I change my mind.”

Yise hurriedly tucked the blade securely inside his robes.

“I can't give you much. These are precious possessions my children risked their lives to bring back. Use it well, and return it once you've reached a realm where you no longer need it.”

“I will.”

As Mongryeon stepped back, the other Dokkaebi came forward one by one, pulling things from their sleeves and stuffing them into Yise's bundle: packed meals, silver coins, small gems, unidentified scrolls, a necklace set with a red stone.

“That's a spirit stone. Cultivators use them as currency, or grind them up for elixir pills. Just keep it with you for now.”

“Thank you.”

These must all have been treasured pieces from their collections. They had kept them without even knowing their uses, yet now handed them over as though giving him their private savings. The sight made a corner of Yise's heart ache.

Last came Gong-ah. Hesitantly, she handed him a prettily wrapped, cone-shaped object.

“Um... Take care of yourself.”

“Thanks. But what is this?”

Instead of answering, Gong-ah scurried back into the crowd of Dokkaebi. Mongryeon chuckled and answered for her.

“That's a milk horn. It falls out just once, before the permanent horns grow in when we reach adulthood. It's like a human's baby tooth before the adult teeth come in. It's quite a valuable ingredient, so if you ever make an elixir pill, spare a thought for Gong-ah, grind it up, and swallow it.”

“... Gong-ah.”

“You might drop dead out there. Why didn't you sow your seed before leaving? I was curious what a human-Dokkaebi half-breed would be like.”

“Head!”

Gong-ah's voice came from somewhere out of sight, almost a scream. The adult Dokkaebi burst into laughter.

After Mongryeon's words—which might have been a joke or a curse—the other Dokkaebi offered their farewells. Yise bowed his head deeply in thanks. This place felt like home now.

He stepped back and performed nine different bows to Mongryeon.

“If I enter Daemudo, I expect I'll be away for quite some time. Though we are of different races, I consider you and everyone here my family, Master. I will never forget your kindness in taking me in. Please stay safe and well.”

“Of course. Don't worry about us. Grow strong. Daemudo's rules are laxer than you might think, so make time to visit now and then.”

“Yes, I will. I'll be going, then.”

As he bowed his head once more, Gong-ah, the cook, and several other Dokkaebi waved and called out.

“Safe travels, Yise!”

“Make sure you eat properly!”

“We'll miss you!”

With difficulty, Yise took a step forward—toward Azure Mountain, renowned for the numinous energy that flowed through it.

* * *

Subu Village.

Once, he had thought of this place as home. If the help he had so desperately needed during the Demon's attack had not been denied him, if someone had reached out after he lost his family, perhaps he would still think so. Life in Subu Village had been the second-happiest time of his life.

Now he felt relatively at peace. Perhaps because he had found a new home.

Yise entered the house grounds. Noticing the change in the main courtyard, he frowned.

'The graves...'

They were gone. The graves he had made for his family.

Yise rubbed his hands down his face. The grounds within the wall were stripped almost bare, as though robbers had been through them, and the thatched house was a ruin fit for demolition.

Barely suppressing his rising anger, he caught sight of the flat stone he had used as a grave marker. A message was written on it in ink.

「If you see this, please come find me. —Wisaeng.」

It was unmistakably Master Wisaeng's handwriting. Rather than sink into gloom, Yise headed straight to his house. Without his family's graves, there would be no reason to return here. He intended to see what Wisaeng wanted, then leave at once.

“Master, it's Yise.”

“Come in.”

Wisaeng was reading in his study, just as Yise had always known him to do. Even when Yise entered, he did not spare him a glance, his eyes remaining fixed on the book.

“You wanted to see me?”

“There's a money pouch in the second compartment of the cabinet to your left. I sold the things you left here without asking last time, along with the remaining household goods and the land. The proceeds are in there.”

“... But that was fair payment.”

Wisaeng merely shook his head.

“You can't call it fair payment when you simply finish your own business and leave things behind without asking. I thought you might never return alive, making this a well-meant waste of effort. I'm glad that wasn't the case.”

“Was there really any need to go to such lengths...?”

Only six years ago, the man had clearly not cared whether Yise lived or died. He was grateful for this inexplicable kindness, but it also made him uncomfortable.

“Do I need a reason to return something to its rightful owner?”

Yise had no answer to that. At last, Wisaeng closed his book and met his eyes.

“I remember when you were first adopted into this village. And when you used to come and go from my study.”

“I'm grateful that you let me beg books from you, and taught me to read.”

“There were people who tried to help when you alone survived. Though there were also thugs who tried to stop them.”

“... Were there?”

“Fear born of ignorance creates monsters. So please don't resent them too much.”

“I don't particularly resent them.”

Wisaeng smiled faintly. Yise thought it was the first time he had ever seen him smile.

“Inside the pouch is a sheet of pine paper marking the location of your family's graves. Stop by and pay your respects now and then. I'm sorry I moved them without permission, but placing graves within a home goes against the principles of geomancy.”

“Thank... you.”

“You may go now.”

Delivering his message without fuss and then dismissing his guest was just like him, too. On that day six years ago, Yise had found nothing but reasons for resentment. Now, more and more people kept appearing to whom he owed a debt of gratitude.

“Yise.”

“Yes?”

“You look well. I'm glad.”

Yise bowed, then slowly withdrew.