Rebirth of the Thunder God

[Dad. That's not talking about me. The monster that the person called the Fist King mentioned. It really exists.]

"Not a spirit beast. It's a monster? And do you even know how to distinguish what's different between a monster and a spirit beast? I don't think I taught you that far."

[Dad. What do you take me for? Do I still look like a child to you?]

"Your face looks like it."

[Ahem. No. I've gained spirituality and learned a lot while you were gone, Dad.]

Namgung Hui grinned and patted Mungchi's head.

"Even so. Where would you get your information? Haven't you been living only in the mountains all this time?"

Mungchi, as if to mock Namgung Hui's speculation, proudly puffed out his chest and continued.

[Where do you think I heard the news about you, Dad? I'm saying I have an informant too.]

"Come to think of it, that's right. Your way of speaking is also somehow that of a human. Where on earth did you learn it?"

[That's a secret. Anyway. As far as I know, the difference between a spirit beast and a monster is how they accumulate spirituality. It was a difference in method.]

"Oho. Let's hear it."

As Namgung Hui looked at Mungchi with an interested gaze, Mungchi continued excitedly.

[First of all, a monster, as the name suggests, accumulates spirit energy in a strange way. Although it's called spirit energy, because of the method, there's a lot of turbid Ki, and it's hard to obtain proper spirituality.]

"And that method is?"

[The first way is to accumulate spirit energy by stealing the spirit cores of other spirit beasts. This is at least on the decent side. There are also monsters that receive human sacrifices as if they were gods, and there are even monsters that attack villages and people and practice cannibalism. You know why they practice cannibalism without me telling you, right?]

"Well, that's because human blood and flesh contain innate true Ki. On top of that, since martial artists also have acquired true Ki, which is internal energy, they are a really delicious prey for monsters."

Namgung Hui had also heard this fact from his master.

It was said that the Azure Dragon, the ancestor of the Thunder God Sect, had gone around punishing such monsters.

So when the dark clouds gathered, the monsters would also disappear and hide.

But now that the Four Guardian Gods who kept the monsters in check had disappeared, it was not strange for them to be rampant again.

Rather, it was somewhat strange that it was so peaceful even though such an oppressive existence had disappeared.

[With this much, don't you think I know enough about monsters?]

"Yes. This much is enough. So, by what method does the monster you're talking about accumulate its spiritual power?"

[...It's probably cannibalism. The incident where the martial artist that the person called the Fist King mentioned was attacked must be because that monster covets internal energy.]

"If it's a monster that even attacks martial artists, it must be quite dangerous. Ordinary people wouldn't even be able to resist. Well, the fortunate thing is that it might not even see the common people as prey."

[That's right. Because even if it consumes ordinary people, its spiritual power doesn't accumulate much. And I've also fought that monster before. It was incredibly strong. Besides, my compatibility with it is not good. That monster specializes in sorcery.]

"Sorcery. I'm not confident in that area either."

Mungchi and Namgung Hui were a spirit beast and a martial artist who were no different from physical fighters.

That was why it was difficult to respond when they met an opponent skilled in sorcery.

[That's why I brought it up to stop you, Dad. No matter how strong you are, if you don't know the resistance or countermeasures against sorcery, you will surely be defeated. I was almost defeated too, but I was lucky.]

A spirit beast that had accumulated spirituality had an immunity to wicked sorcery by its very existence.

Nevertheless, the fact that it was dangerous meant that the monster's sorcery was that strong.

Namgung Hui also had a need to be sufficiently careful.

"Still, we have a master of sorcery on our side. Have you heard of the Maoshan Sect?"

[I know of that place. They're famous for their corpse art, famous for their sorcery, and skilled in talisman art, right? And they can even perform Qi Men Dun Jia.]

"Where on earth did you hear all this? For some reason, you seem to know more than me."

[I'll tell you when the time comes. Then you're giving up on that monster, right?]

"Well. As I just said, we have the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect, a master of sorcery, on our side. I think that person is worthy of fighting that monster."

[...Do you have to? Anyway, if it's attacking martial artists in this vicinity, most of them would be bandit groups, right? There's a saying, 'use a barbarian to control a barbarian.']

"I'm proud that Mungchi can even say such a thing. Still, I can't just pass by when that wicked monster is nearby. If I just pass by, the Azure Dragon, the ancestor of the Thunder God Sect, won't stand still."

Mungchi showed a somewhat hesitant look.

Rather than just being afraid of the monster, it was an attitude that Namgung Hui should not face that monster.

"Don't tell me you think this dad will lose?"

[That's not it. Honestly, there are two reasons. I'm afraid you'll be possessed by the monster. The other is that I'm afraid that monster will die.]

"What? You're worried about the monster now? Then again. The monster's method was just different. It must be accumulating its spiritual power faithfully to its instincts. From your perspective, that monster might be a closer being to you than a human. Still, I can't let it be, since it's practicing cannibalism, not some other method. Understand your dad."

If that monster's power were to become strong in the future, he didn't know what kind of effect it would have on the Central Plains.

Although the Namgung family was far away, the Moon Maiden Palace, located in a remote place, could be harmed.

And there were many places where bleeding could occur, such as the Sichuan Tang family, the Mount Hua Sect, and the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, which were close to Namgung Hui.

There was no need to neglect a risk factor when it was right in front of his eyes.

If he caught such a monster, he would also get a side income called an inner core.

'The inner core I get this time, along with the white snake's inner core, can be purified in one go at the Kunlun Sect or the Divine Treasure Fortress. Good.'

"So what does that monster look like?"

[...First of all, its appearance is a fox. It has several tails.]

"Several tails? It's a monster that's becoming a nine-tailed fox!"

A nine-tailed fox.

As passed down in folk tales.

As the name suggests, it refers to a fox monster with nine tails.

Some say it eats people's livers, but that's probably one of the means to obtain spiritual power.

'In fact, there would be more innate true Ki in the heart, the middle Dantian, than the liver. The liver would just be eaten as a delicacy. It probably eats the heart.'

Besides that, it could also aim for the lower or upper Dantian.

However, since the method of consumption was more cumbersome compared to the middle Dantian, it would take the middle Dantian first.

Anyway. The famous nine-tailed fox showed a measure of strength as much as the number of its tails, and the closer it was to nine, the more it boasted a divine power comparable to an immortal.

"How many tails does that fox monster have?"

[When I last saw it, it had six.]

"When was that?"

[About 2 years ago? I don't know exactly how much time has passed because I'm in this state now.]

"Really? Alright. And it would be better for that monster to be eliminated before it gets hit by a plant colony like you."

[Even though it's a monster skilled in sorcery?]

"Even so, isn't it before it becomes a nine-tailed fox? If it's a six-tailed fox, it's sufficiently beatable. Then let's go right away. Mungchi, you lead the way."

Mungchi made a somewhat reluctant expression, but soon nodded his head and trudged out.

Could it be that he had built a friendship with that monster?

Namgung Hui recalled the saying 'a dog and a monkey are on bad terms' and ruled out that possibility.

'A fox is also an animal belonging to a species similar to a dog. There's no way it would have a good relationship with Mungchi, a monkey spirit beast.'

* * *

"So. This big monkey... no, this spirit beast named Mungchi has that kind of relationship with you, Great Hero?"

"It sounds a bit strange to say 'that kind of relationship.' Just think of it as a companion spirit beast."

"Companion? Goodness. Are you just attaching any word?"

"Even if you argue like that. The fact that he's accompanying us doesn't change. If you're really scared, you can come a little farther away from Dancheong."

"When did I say I was scared? I'm just curious."

Although Namgung Hui had roughly explained to the party, it was difficult for them to believe his words.

And for good reason, who would believe it if he suddenly brought a big monkey and explained that they knew each other?

Although this was the truth, it was reasonable for them not to understand that he had a spirit beast he knew in the remote land of Qinghai Province.

However, since Namgung Hui held the initiative and they were not in a position to argue, they had no choice but to accept the accompaniment.

"Brother. Is it true that you really knew each other? For some reason, that spirit beast's expression is sullen."

"I'm also a little curious about that. Ever since I said we were going to catch the fox monster, his expression has been drained of energy."

"Could it be that he's possessed by that monster? If it's a six-tailed fox, it's at a level that can easily handle even mediocre masters. You're just setting the standard only on the nine-tailed fox. From the six-tailed fox, it's an existence that can be said to have definitely crossed a wall."

"Don't be ridiculous. Brother, there's a saying, 'a dog and a monkey are on bad terms.' And can't you feel Mungchi's spiritual power?"

"I can feel that too. Then again, an existence that creates such an earthquake wouldn't be possessed by a six-tailed fox. It must have been my groundless fear."

And so, they were about to set off on a journey to find the six-tailed fox.

"Dancheong! What are you doing there? Aren't you coming down?"

Dancheong did not come down from the distant Yarlung Zangbo Mountain.

It seemed he was completely terrified after seeing Mungchi.

Mungchi also finally looked at Dancheong and realized that his size was too large.

[Dad. I don't think it's a good idea to go to the human world in this form, right?]

"That's true, but what can we do? It's not like I can fold you up and put you in my pocket."

[No. I have a way. Wait a moment.]

Mungchi, who had finished his words, formed a hand seal with his fingers and muttered softly.

At that, white smoke rose from the top of Mungchi's head.

-Poof!

And a smoke screen was emitted, and Mungchi's figure was hidden in the white mist.

And a moment later, when the mist disappeared, the large Mungchi was gone, and a young man was standing there.

Jang Hwang, who saw that, spoke as if impressed.

"Oho. To think a spirit beast can even perform a transformation art. How amazing."

"Mungchi can even use a transformation art? You really live long enough and see all sorts of things."

"Oh my. You're saying that pure-looking person was that big monkey spirit beast earlier? Goodness!"

Jeok Hwarin's wariness had disappeared, and now she was full of curiosity.

If she hadn't known Mungchi's original form, she was on the verge of approaching and touching him here and there.

"Dad. Is this much okay?"

"Yes. Although his original form remains slightly on his face, this much should be fine."

Looking at Mungchi's appearance, the image of the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal, from old legends came to mind.

If he were just holding a Ruyi Jingu Bang, it would look perfectly seamless.

'By the way, who taught Mungchi Daoist arts? And he's keeping that a secret from me again.'

Although he was a little resentful on one hand, if the master who had taught him Daoist arts didn't want it, it couldn't be helped.

Just for the reason of teaching a spirit beast Daoist arts, he could be at a disadvantage.

In the context of causality or leaking heavenly secrets.

Although Namgung Hui also didn't understand the world of such immortals well.

"Then let's officially set off. Mungchi, lead the way. It's a fox hunt."

"...Let's not say hunt. Let's say extermination."

"Alright. Extermination or exorcism, let's go with something similar."

"Yeah. Follow me."

And so, Namgung Hui's party followed Mungchi down to the village below the mountain, and perhaps because it was a place where the bandit group did not frequent, it was full of the boisterous sounds of people talking.

There was happiness in their laughter.

And in the children's faces, no hunger could be found.

"I guess Qinghai Province is a livable neighborhood after all."

"I know, right? Maybe it's because the bandit group can't come thanks to Mungchi."

"Wow~ If there was a village like this below, we should have stayed here. We camped out for no reason. If we're lucky, we might even be able to take a bath with warm water today."

At Jeok Hwarin's words, Mungchi scratched the back of his head and uttered a meaningful remark.

"That's probably impossible. Because this village is the main base of the six-tailed fox.”

(End of Chapter)