Rebirth of the Thunder God

"It's the Zhoushan Archipelago."

"What? The Zhoushan Archipelago, you say?"

"Why, is this the first time you're hearing of it?"

"Not exactly. It just so happens that the Zhoushan Archipelago was where I was planning to go. To be precise, Putuo Mountain, but anyway. If Tang Soso is also trapped there, then it's all for the better."

Yewol, who seemed to have heard something as well, nodded and spoke.

"It seems you intend to rescue Princess Ju Hwayeong. Did you perhaps join the Anti-Heaven Alliance?"

"No. I should take this opportunity to tell you. I'm not joining the Anti-Heaven Alliance. I've founded a new alliance. The name is the Righteous Heaven Alliance. For your reference, I'm the leader."

"You created an alliance? Hmm... I suppose it wouldn't be impossible for you. I trust there's a place for me?"

"Of course. I plan on working you to the bone, so don't you worry. I'll make you work off the cost of this treatment. Ah. And the spirit medicine you took, it's called the Golden Tortoise Divine Pill. You know it's quite expensive, right?"

"Hmph. Even so. Wasn't it just something you stole from the Imperial Palace?"

"So, do you have the skill to steal it? I risked my life to get it, you know. That's a bit harsh."

Yewol chuckled at Namgung Hui's banter and sat on the edge of the bed.

"My legs ache from standing and talking. You sit here too."

Namgung Hui looked at the spot Yewol was pointing to, then shook his head.

"My legs don't ache from just this much, so I'm fine. I'm more comfortable talking while standing like this."

"Fufu. It's not that you're comfortable standing and talking. It's that you're uncomfortable next to me. Anyway. I'm somewhat relieved that you know of the Zhoushan Archipelago. I was inwardly anxious, thinking Tang Soso was in danger because of me."

"Still, I only know of its existence, not the detailed geography. Do you happen to have a map of the place?"

Namgung Hui asked with great expectation, as Yewol's usual duty was to handle information.

As if to meet his expectations, Yewol took a scroll from a drawer and handed it to Namgung Hui.

"I was also worried about Tang Soso, so I was looking at the map. I've roughly designed an escape route, so you should take a look."

Namgung Hui unfolded the map she handed him and stared at the complex lines drawn on it.

"Oh. This is beyond my expectations. If I follow this, I should be able to rescue them without much danger."

The more Namgung Hui looked, the more he coveted Yewol.

Being a former courtesan, she was quick-witted and well-versed in rumors.

She had handled many secret stories that the straightforward Jegal Geon had no access to.

"I'm glad I could be of help. So, when do you plan to depart?"

"Shouldn't I leave after you've regained your strength and are able to move? So. How is your body?"

"You ask so early."

"My apologies. From what I can see, you seem able to move right away."

"Yes. I can move on my own. However, it's still difficult to control my strength. For some reason, my whole body feels overflowing with vitality. I feel like if I step over the threshold right now, I'll hit my head on the ceiling."

"Given the effects of the Golden Tortoise Divine Pill, that's possible. Then I'll go to the market and buy something to eat. Is there anything in particular you want to eat?"

Yewol went into a moment of deep thought, then slowly nodded her head.

"Nothing else. I want to eat food that you make. And it would be better not to go out and get caught."

As she said, food leaves a scent.

No matter how excellent the formation was.

It doesn't hide everything.

Besides, the formation of an old safe house like this was bound to have some gaps.

"Hmm... It's been a while since I've cooked, so I can't guarantee the taste, is that okay? Shall I make you some porridge?"

"Porridge would be fine. I'll eat anything you make. There are some ingredients around, so you probably won't need to prepare much."

"Alright. Then wait a moment. I'll go make some porridge."

Seeing Yewol's suggestive expression, it seemed she thought Namgung Hui couldn't cook properly.

But Namgung Hui was confident.

He had attended to his master for several decades; preparing a meal like this was nothing.

It was like making cold... no. It would be like making warm porridge.

'I can make porridge with my eyes closed. Yewol seems to be in good condition, so I should grill a fish for her too.'

Inside the Lion Grove was a stream of a decent size.

The water was so clear that quite a few fish lived there, and you could often see wild animals coming to drink water nearby.

Still, since eating meat right away might be burdensome, he decided to grill a fish, which would be easier to eat.

Namgung Hui rushed to the stream in an instant.

He could find it with his eyes closed just from the sound of the babbling water.

Now that his Ki sense had become sensitive, he could feel where the water source was just by smell.

With his enhanced five senses, Namgung Hui snatched a fish from the water in a single motion.

'This is a big catch. I could eat some too.'

Namgung Hui set up a formation to prevent the smoke from leaking out and began to grill the fish with the Samadhi True Fire.

In truth, grilling over firewood tastes best, but to leave no trace, it was better to grill it this way.

He took the grilled fish and also gathered some tree nuts and medicinal herbs to put in the porridge.

Now it was time to seriously cook the porridge.

The safe house kitchen was equipped with everything he needed, so it wasn't difficult.

Sizzle, sizzle. Bubble, bubble.

The rice grains swelled, turning into porridge, and mingled with the other ingredients, starting to give off a fragrant smell.

'The important thing with porridge is to cook it without burning it. Seasoning it is also vital.'

No matter how well you cook, if it's too bland, it honestly doesn't taste good.

Proper seasoning was essential.

Namgung Hui tasted it, nodded, set the table, and went into the room.

Yewol seemed to have fallen asleep while waiting, letting out soft, even breaths.

"Yewol. The food is ready. Wake up."

"Hngh..."

'Right. She probably couldn't sleep while writhing in pain.'

Namgung Hui decided to wait for her to have a sweet sleep, since he could just reheat the food if it got cold.

After about two hours passed, Yewol woke up and stretched.

Namgung Hui, who had been watching her, reheated the food with his Ki as if he had been waiting, and steam began to rise again.

As the fragrant smell spread, Yewol's head turned towards Namgung Hui.

"You sleep so soundly one could carry you away without you knowing. Here, it's food. Eat up and get your strength back."

Yewol nodded as if she understood and picked up her chopsticks.

-Crack!

The wooden chopsticks immediately broke and fell to the floor.

It was due to her inability to control her strength.

"Sigh... I'll bring new chopsticks. Wait."

"It will be the same even if you bring new ones. It seems it will take a few days to get used to it. So, I was wondering, couldn't you feed me?"

Namgung Hui stared at Yewol for a moment, then shook his head.

"Since you're a patient. I'll feed you."

Yewol looked at Namgung Hui with expectant eyes.

Was she that hungry for a meal fed by another person?

Or was she expecting something else?

Namgung Hui couldn't know that far.

Because right now, he was fully deploying his Telekinesis, levitating the porridge into the air.

The porridge floated gently in the air, letting off wisps of steam.

"Now. Open your mouth. Porridge is coming in."

"...?"

Yewol, seeing Telekinesis for the first time, looked quite bewildered.

Indeed, when would she ever see the Telekinesis performed by a supreme master?

This kind of feat was a skill that couldn't be performed carelessly even after reaching the Transformation Realm.

"It consumes a lot of internal energy, so you'd better open your mouth quickly. And porridge doesn't taste good when it's cold. Hurry."

Only then did Yewol come to her senses and open her mouth as if she had no choice.

She had a somewhat displeased expression, but he figured it was because she wasn't feeling well.

After feeding her a few spoonfuls of porridge with Telekinesis, he then flaked off the fish meat and put it in her mouth.

'When I raise a child later, I could do childcare this way. It's also good training for Sword Control.'

Although he possessed over five cycles of internal energy, Telekinesis certainly consumed it quickly.

Finishing one bowl of porridge consumed a whopping three cycles.

If he had two children, five cycles might not be enough.

'Then I have no choice but to increase my internal energy. Now that my Dantian and blood vessels are complete, let's eat spirit medicines to my heart's content.'

As it happened, there were several good spirit medicines he had smuggled out of the Imperial Palace.

If he selected a few of them and took them, he would surely gain at least one cycle, with some to spare.

The timing seemed right to do it before leaving for the Kunlun Mountains.

And since he also had the White Snake's internal pill, if the Divine Treasure Fortress could just detoxify it, he could try consuming that as well.

After finishing her meal, Yewol looked at Namgung Hui with a complicated expression.

"Why the long face? Did my cooking not taste good?"

"...No. I was surprised because it was more delicious than I thought. But, I didn't know you would feed me by using superpowers like this. If someone else asks you next time, feed them with your own hands."

"Is that advice? Alright. I shouldn't startle a patient. I was careless."

"That's not what I meant... Oh, well. Now that I've regained my strength, go and save Tang Soso."

"Is that alright?"

"Of course, it is. The surveillance in Suzhou should have lessened by now, and as for me, I can just disguise myself as a gisaeng and slip away."

"Hmm. Alright. I'll change your face with the Art of Disguise. Come here."

Before Yewol could even give her permission, Namgung Hui pulled her close in front of him and brought his face near hers.

"Hmm... If I put a mole here and apply some powder, your impression will change completely. Wait a moment. I'll take care of it right away."

Namgung Hui diligently drew on Yewol's face with the Art of Disguise he had learned from the Hao Faction Leader.

Seeing her face gradually turn red, he thought he should finish quickly and hurried to complete the disguise.

"With this, no one but the General should be able to recognize you. Here. Look in the mirror. It's perfect, isn't it?"

"!"

Yewol's eyes widened, looking quite surprised.

"But why did you disguise me to be so ugly?"

"What? Don't you know that the prettier you are, the more you stand out? Someone like you would naturally draw the attention of those around you, so making you as ugly as possible will attract less interest. It would obviously be troublesome if you ran into some official who takes a fancy to you."

Yewol stared at Namgung Hui for a moment, then said.

"...So you're saying I'm pretty."

"Should I say you're ugly then? Anyway. Now that the disguise is done, you should return to my family estate. When you get there, a girl named Cheon Yeohwa will guide you on what to do."

"Cheon Yeohwa. The woman who recently founded the Azure Sky Merchant Guild, you said. Alright. I will receive my mission from her."

"It's not as grand as a mission. We're all just colleagues, and you'll be taking on a rather important role, so you'd better be prepared."

"An important role? What do you trust a lowly former courtesan like me with? Let me advise you..."

"...That's enough. I may not look it, but I have a good eye for people. Are you, who doesn't even know martial arts, going to try and betray me?"

Yewol seemed about to say more, but then she let out a deep sigh and shook her head.

"Your stubbornness is something else. Alright. I'll stop nagging. Now, you should get going. I need to wash up and change my clothes. Well, if you want to watch, you can stay."

As Yewol made a move to take off her clothes, Namgung Hui scrambled to his feet and rushed out.

Even so, he didn't forget to bid farewell.

"Yewol. Well then. See you at home later. Take good care of yourself until then."

Yewol's wistful gaze followed Namgung Hui's retreating back as he moved farther away.

Perhaps because Namgung Hui had deployed the Wind God Steps to its limit, a small whirlwind swept up the leaves and then vanished.

(End of Chapter)