DEB 127

“Yashaaaa… are we there yet?”

It had already been a full day since they set off in search of the Fountain of Souls.

Because of that, Huiyun, who thought he’d never experience camping in his life, found himself doing exactly that. 

Though his expression remained calm, he let out a small, amused snort at Ash, who clearly looked exhausted. 

Back in the day, he used to go three days without sleep. 

No matter how soft he was toward his disciples, he still remembered the old Ash. 

There was no way he’d fall for this weak act.

He’s just gotten sneakier, that’s all.

He was about to tell him to stop pretending and keep moving when someone else spoke up.

“Yeah. We’ve been walking forever. Aren’t we there yet, Huiyun?”

“Brother, are you tired? Want to take a break?”

“…….”

If Ash or the others had complained, he would’ve brushed it off. 

But when it came to Huigang, the standards were different. 

He knew well how wide the gap was between S-ranks and B-ranks. 

Seeing Huiyun’s concern, Ash pouted exaggeratedly.

“Yasha. I did say I was tired too, you know?”

“You were clearly faking it.”

“It might not have been! Can’t you at least ask if I’m okay? Aren’t you being a little too cold?”

“If I noticed you were faking it, then clearly I’m paying enough attention. That can’t be called cold, can it?”

“Yashaaa…”

Ash looked up at him with teary puppy eyes. 

In the early days after regaining his past life memories, Huiyun might have melted at that look. 

But not anymore. 

He turned his back firmly and focused on Huigang instead. 

Vita chuckled beside them, clearly enjoying Ash’s sulking. 

Soon, Ash and Vita had dropped to the back of the group, their bickering echoing behind them—it seemed they were still full of energy.

“Let them fight it out. The rest of us can rest for a bit before we continue. Want a foot massage?”

“I’m fine. You’re the one I’m more worried about, Huiyun. Sit down.”

“Hunter Mok Huigang, please rest. I’ll give you some massage, Yasha.”

“Are your feet sore, Yasha? Should I use a pain-numbing spell?”

“What? Is Yasha hurt?”

“Master Yasha!”

“…….”

You’d think I’d be used to this by now.

One little offer for a massage, and the whole group erupted. 

Even Ash and Vita, who had been fighting at the back, came running over. 

Surrounded by multiple disciples all at once, Huiyun gave a sheepish smile despite being used to this kind of situation.

“I’m not hurt. I’m fine.”

“I’ll do it anyway.”

“……?”

Apparently, he never had a choice to begin with. 

Despite his calm refusal, Vina swiftly removed his shoes and began pressing through the socks with practiced fingers. 

Even with some of Yasha’s strength recovered, his body was still unstable, there was definitely a heavy fatigue built up in his feet. 

The firm pressure from Vina’s fingers eased the tension, and Huiyun found himself relaxing.

Then Ash wrapped his arms around Huiyun from behind and clung to him, sulking with all the confidence in the world.

“I wanted to do it…”

“It’s just a foot massage. Does it really matter who gives it?”

“Of course it does! You have to get permission to touch Yasha’s body, you know.”

“…Vina didn’t exactly get permission either.”

And neither do you, ever.

Listening to him, you’d think Ash always asked first. 

But Huiyun remembered very clearly the “Yasha, I like you, marry me” chaos from a few days ago. 

He gave Ash a sharp look and sighed. 

Luckily, when they weren’t alone, Ash wasn’t as bold with his skinship.

Even though Huiyun had agreed to accept his affection, he still wasn’t used to physical closeness like that. 

It always felt awkward and uncomfortable. 

As Vina finished the massage and stood up, he looked to Huigang.

“Shall I do yours as well, Hunter Mok Huigang?”

“…No, I’m fine.”

Huigang declined with an awkward look. 

It seemed he still wasn’t used to the way Vina spoke politely to him.

“Are you sticking to that title permanently now?”

“…Yes, well. Since you’re Yasha’s blood, it didn’t feel right to speak too casually. But I also can’t add an honorific to your name… so this seemed like a decent compromise.”

Vina replied in an awkward tone. 

Something about his demeanor felt a little too respectful. 

When Huiyun opened the disciple status window, sure enough—Vina’s respect and affection stats had jumped by more than half. 

Their relationship was improving, and the numbers reflected that. 

Huiyun was just starting to smile when—

“Still, considering we’re headed to a legendary lake, the journey’s been surprisingly smooth.”

“You shouldn’t say stuff like that.”

“Hm?”

At those words, Moot tilted his head. 

Huiyun, almost like a tiger sensing danger, caught movement in the distant bushes and gave a dry smile.

“Things always happen when you say things like that.”

Fwoooooosh—!

Even before he finished speaking, a fierce wind swept the area. 

The sky was already dimming after a long day of travel and a night in the forest, and now an ominous air settled over them. 

The rustling of grass sounded more like the heavy breaths of a beast.

Sensing the shift, the disciples all stood up. 

Their smiles vanished, replaced by cold, wary expressions as they turned to face a single direction.

—Are you going to the Fountain of Souls?

The voice sounded like that of a child—innocent and naive. 

Ash flinched. Huiyun instinctively reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him before he could respond.

Ash looked at him in shock. Huiyun shook his head silently, keeping his gaze locked on the first bush that had moved. 

The unknown voice had come from there.

—Are you going to the Fountain of Souls?

The voice asked again. 

In response, Huiyun spread a faint thread of his dominion across the group. 

The others turned to look at him with dazed expressions. 

When their eyes met his, he shook his head again. 

Gradually, their eyes cleared.

The group looked startled, realizing what had just happened. 

Huiyun raised a finger to his lips to keep them quiet.

Then the voice began to change.

—Are you going to the Fountain of Souls? A mature woman’s voice.

—Are you going to the Fountain of Souls? A young man’s.

—Are you going to the Fountain of Souls? An old man’s.

The voice changed every few seconds, repeating the same question. 

The wind grew harsher, spiraling around them like a vortex.

—I asked if you’re going to the Fountain of Souls! ScreeeeEECH!!

The furious cry turned the wind into blades. 

The air stung their skin, but no one moved. 

Then, from deep within the forest, someone began to sob. 

The weeping echoed like it could shatter the world—until it faded at last. 

The wind died down.

Leaves fell like rain, blanketing the ground. Everyone finally exhaled.

“Haaaa…”

Like it had been rehearsed, they all let out their held breath at once, their bodies relaxing.

“…What the hell was that?”

S-ranks generally lacked fear. 

Huiyun’s disciples had all been through too much to scare easily, and the same went for him.

Sure, their immature bodies might register fear—but not enough to shake their minds. 

Nothing frightened him anymore—except maybe the thought of losing his disciples.

But this… this was different. If he’d been caught off guard, he might have been consumed.

If he felt that way, his disciples must have too.

He looked over at the pale faces of his students and dug through old memories.

“Just like all ancient legends, the Fountain of Souls has stories that surround it. The most famous one is about the Three Trials.”

“…I’ve heard of that. That those seeking the Fountain of Wisdom would face trials.”

Verita pulled the memory from deep within. 

Huiyun nodded and recalled the legend.

The Three Trials:

1. Those who do not wish for your awakening will block your path.
   
2. You will face an unavoidable battle with a powerful enemy.
   
3. Your soul will be tested.
   

When he explained this to the group, their expressions grew uneasy.

“According to the legend, only those who overcome all three trials will awaken. Judging by what we just experienced, this isn’t some made-up tale.”

And it wasn’t. 

It made sense, if you sought great power, you had to face worthy challenges. 

Ash tilted his head toward the bushes.

“Hmm… then that was the first trial? Kinda underwhelming, wasn’t it?”

“…….”

“…….”

“…What? Why the long faces?”

Ash looked around, confused as everyone sighed. 

Huiyun massaged his neck and stared again into the trees, where he could sense new movement.

“That’s exactly the kind of thing you shouldn’t say…”

It was like he’d made an offering for even harsher trials to come. 

Clicking his tongue, Huiyun raised his eyes as figures began to emerge from the brush.

The Fountain’s first trial wasn’t over yet.