Chapter 26: Sama Yeong (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Sama Yeong (3)
Throughout the Central Plains, there are twelve masters known as superhumans.
The eight who leaned toward the Orthodox path were called the Central Plains Eight Great Masters, while the four who leaned toward the Unorthodox and Black Paths were dubbed the Central Plains Four Great Villains.
Those bearing the title of 'Villain' possessed numerous anecdotes that could make one's skin crawl just by hearing them.
Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak was no exception.
One of his many infamous tales involved a sect called the Gowol Chamber in southeastern Sichuan Province. In a single night, over two hundred of its members were slaughtered.
The culprit was Sama Chak. Enraged, the sects associated with the Gowol Chamber joined forces, tracked down his base in Gyewol Valley, and launched an invasion.
However, of the four hundred martial artists who marched into that valley, not a single soul returned alive.
-Wow... So he killed all those people by himself?
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue in amazement.
None of the Four Great Villains were strangers to slaughter. To them, killing was easier than breathing.
-Then is that kid the child of that villain, Sama Chak?
Most likely.
The youth had given the name Sama Yeong. If they were from Gyewol Valley and bore the surname Sama, they were undoubtedly his descendant.
For the descendant of one of the Four Great Villains to apply for entry into the Blood Cult... it was truly a shocking turn of events.
Wait a minute... something doesn't add up.
-What doesn't add up?
Right. I remember now.
It was something that happened back when I was dispatched as a spy to the Martial Alliance before my regression. A major incident involving Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak had broken out back then.
-What kind of incident?
Sama Chak and the Peerless Fortress clashed.
-The Peerless Fortress? That place that enjoys the greatest prosperity as a single sect?
It was such a massive event that even the Martial Alliance kept a close eye on the situation. Since the alliance had been broken at the time, the Martial Alliance hoped the Peerless Fortress would suffer a significant blow, but I recall that didn't happen.
-Why?
Because Sama Chak ended up joining the Peerless Fortress instead.
-Huh? He joined them?
It was an outcome no one had expected. The Martial Alliance speculated that Sama Chak had joined because the location of his base, Gyewol Valley, had been exposed during the Gowol Chamber incident.
However, it was later revealed that the real reason was that Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak’s descendant was already a member of the Peerless Fortress. In the end, he had followed his child into the sect.
-Oh? Then is that kid the one?
I couldn't be certain. But if that were the case, the youth in the yellow turban who identified as Sama Yeong was destined to join the Peerless Fortress, not the Blood Cult.
In fact, the attack on Six Blood Valley by the Martial Alliance was also something that never happened before my regression. Yet, it had suddenly occurred.
Has the timeline been warped?
That was the only logical conclusion. Someone who was supposed to go to the Peerless Fortress had come to the Blood Cult. If Sama Yeong wasn't accepted here, would history move back toward its original course?
Just then, the Lesser Conversation Sword pointed out a fact.
-But according to what you said, doesn't that mean right now, no one knows that villain Sama Chak’s base is Gyewol Valley?
Oh?
The sword was right. Come to think of it, the Gowol Chamber incident was something that would happen in the future. That meant, as of now, no one knew that Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak resided in Gyewol Valley.
Then why was Seo Gal-ma so surprised?
"Are you not from the Sama Clan?"
The Sama Clan?
Ah...
The Sama Clan was a prestigious martial family that held key positions within the Martial Alliance. Unlike me, who immediately thought of the Moon Evil Sword, Seo Gal-ma seemed to have assumed she was from the Sama Clan upon hearing the surname.
Indeed, since the Gyewol Valley incident hadn't happened yet, it would be strange for him to think of Sama Chak.
"A member of a prestigious family claims to have admired our Cult?"
If he mistook her for a member of a prestigious family serving the Martial Alliance, Seo Gal-ma’s reaction was only natural.
At that moment, the youth in the yellow turban looked up and spoke.
"I have no relation to the Sama Clan!"
Seo Gal-ma’s eyes narrowed at the forceful tone. It was understandable; there was an unmistakable sense of resentment in the youth's voice.
Seo Gal-ma didn't lower his suspicious gaze as he asked, "How will you prove that?"
"Because the Sama Clan is my mother's enemy."
"Your mother's enemy?"
At Seo Gal-ma’s question, the youth replied in a bitter voice.
"......My mother died because of them. Since I could not handle those protected by the fence of the Martial Alliance with my strength alone, I wished to join the Blood Cult."
The youth's voice was tinged with sorrow, and their eyes began to moisten.
That sight reminded me of my own childhood. When my mother passed away, I had resented the people of the Yikyang So Family—including the Family Head, my father—enough to want to kill them.
Perhaps that was why I saw myself in this youth.
Seo Gal-ma also seemed to sense the sincerity, as his suspicious gaze softened considerably.
"Then why did you hide your face with a human skin mask? If you wish to join this Cult, you should hide nothing."
"........"
After hesitating for a moment at those words, the youth reached for their face. After fumbling near the bottom of the ear, the skin of the face began to peel away like a molting shell.
As the human skin mask, which had been stretching like rubber, was removed, the original face hidden beneath was revealed.
"Ah..."
Exclamations escaped both my and Seo Gal-ma’s lips simultaneously.
I had guessed they were female because of the voice, but the face was quite a shock.
A face so white it brought white porcelain to mind, with two cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. Gentle eyes and a softly sloping bridge of the nose—there wasn't a single feature that wasn't beautiful.
She possessed every quality one would expect of a peerless beauty.
-Is she pretty?
At the Lesser Conversation Sword's question, I almost nodded without realizing it. She was beautiful enough that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a beauty representing an entire province.
-How does she compare to Baek Ryeonha?
......Hmm.
-Right, that's answer enough.
No, wait. I didn't say anything, so what are you talking about?
Regardless, Sama Yeong was a beauty who would rank in the top three even compared to the beauties I had seen within the Martial Alliance before my regression. I finally understood why she had worn a human skin mask.
She then spoke to Seo Gal-ma.
"I wanted to be recognized solely for my skills, not my gender or my face."
At her words, the Lesser Conversation Sword muttered.
-.......She knows she's pretty, doesn't she?
It was hard to deny. However, there must have certainly been prejudices stemming from her appearance. Just as a nail in a sack is bound to poke through, someone with that level of beauty would stand out wherever they went. Her skills could easily have been overshadowed by her looks.
[Brat. What do you think?]
Suddenly, Seo Gal-ma sent me a secret sound transmission. I hadn't expected him to ask for my opinion.
As I looked at him in wonder, he continued.
[Did you not see that child first? Is she trustworthy enough?]
At Seo Gal-ma’s question, I looked at Sama Yeong. When our eyes met, she sent me a gaze filled with a firm determination to join.
This made me feel like I had become the examiner.
-But Woon-hwi. Wouldn't it be dangerous if she's the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains?
The Namcheon Iron Sword, which had been listening quietly, spoke to me. Unlike the Lesser Conversation Sword, this one had likely heard much about the infamy of the Four Great Villains through its previous master, the Namcheon Sword Guest. It was concerned about the risks.
-Or, if you tell the Raging Demon Lord her true identity, won't he be able to make a judgment?
Tell him Sama Yeong’s identity?
If I did that, Seo Gal-ma would absolutely refuse to accept her. Who in their right mind would bring in the daughter of one of the Four Great Villains? He would likely reject her just to avoid whatever trouble might follow later.
-They aren't called the Four Great Villains for nothing. In the past, among those who tried to employ them, none escaped without paying a price.
The Namcheon Iron Sword described them as if they were wild horses. It was like trying to break a stallion only to be thrown off.
However, the situation was different. If it were any other villain, or if I didn't know the future, I would have naturally advised against it. But I knew her path and the path of Moon Evil Sword Sama Chak.
-Woon-hwi, are you perhaps...?
Where else would I find a card like this?
If played well, I could raise Baek Ryeonha’s influence to be on par with Baek Hye-hyang’s. No, even if it wasn't for Baek Ryeonha’s side, couldn't she be used as a favorable card for us?
I couldn't let such a good opportunity slip away.
But first, I had to reach an agreement.
[Young Lady Sama.]
I sent a secret sound transmission to Sama Yeong. She looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.
I threw out a hint to her.
[If I help you gain entry, what can you do for me?]
"!?"
At those words, a frown creased Sama Yeong’s fine brow.
*
In the deep mountains about 200 li away from the range where Six Blood Valley was located.
There stood an ancient temple.
On the surface, it looked like an ordinary temple with Buddha statues and monks bowing with their palms pressed together, but it held a hidden secret.
This temple had long been used by the Blood Cult as a temporary shelter. Normally, it fulfilled its duties as a temple, but when they arrived, it served as a hideout to avoid public attention.
Inside one of the temple buildings.
Five people sat around a round table. They were Baek Ryeonha, Bizarre Hae Ak-cheon, Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha, Escort Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong, and Bloody Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung.
Having moved without a moment's rest, they had managed to escort Baek Ryeonha to safety here.
Bloody Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung cautiously broke the silence.
"Elder. There is only one shijin left until the time we agreed to wait."
At his words, Haeakcheon spoke.
"I know."
"......Would it be alright to depart when the time comes?"
At Gu Sang-ung’s question, Haeakcheon’s expression crumpled terrifyingly.
"Did I not say I know!"
At the irritable voice, Gu Sang-ung tried to say something more, but Baek Ryeonha shook her head slightly. It was out of consideration for Haeakcheon’s state of mind.
Though he tried to hide it, Haeakcheon had been in a foul mood for the past two days.
Baek Ryeonha said to him, "Uncle Hae. Uncle Seo is risking himself to search, so let's trust him and wait."
"Hehe. It is fine, My Lady."
Haeakcheon forced out his characteristic laugh and said he was okay. He looked like this now, but only yesterday, he had caused a scene, saying he would stay behind to find So Woon-hwi himself.
However, because his massive frame was bound to stand out, Seo Gal-ma had volunteered to support the search instead. Seo Gal-ma had also offered his help out of guilt, feeling that So Woon-hwi wouldn't have fallen off the cliff if he hadn't been careless.
You brat. Are you truly dead?
As time passed, Haeakcheon’s heart burned black with anxiety. After finding only the masked man's body washed up downstream, he had held onto the hope that Woon-hwi was still alive, but there was a limit to waiting.
Staying in one place for more than two days carried a high risk. For Baek Ryeonha’s safety, they had to move to the next destination.
Uncle Hae.
Baek Ryeonha looked at Haeakcheon with pitying eyes. If not for So Woon-hwi’s actions, they would have faced many obstacles in reaching this place. Therefore, she too hoped in a corner of her heart that So Woon-hwi was alive.
But realistically, there was no hope. A master who had broken through the wall of the Supreme Peak Realm had used a suicidal move with intent. Falling from such a dizzying height, no one could guarantee survival, no matter how profound their internal energy.
Young Master.......
They had lost a truly regrettable talent. A man that clever would have accomplished even greater things. She only hoped this wait would somewhat soothe Haeakcheon’s heart.
And so, one shijin passed.
While everyone was walking on eggshells, Haeakcheon stood up from his seat.
".......It is time to depart, My Lady."
At his calm voice, everyone couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. Who would have known that the man famous for being eccentric would cherish a disciple so much?
"Uncle Hae."
"What can be done if the boy's fate ended there? If we delay any longer, even this place will not be safe, so let us depart—"
It was before he could even finish his sentence.
A commotion was heard from outside.
Puzzled, they opened the door and stepped out.
"!!!"
The eyes of the five people who came outside widened.
In the courtyard in front of the building stood fifteen warriors in gray robes, Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma, a youth in a yellow turban, and...
"Young Master!"
"You brat!"
The face of Haeakcheon, which had been despondent until a moment ago, came back to life.
So Woon-hwi, whom he had given up for dead, had returned alive.