Chapter 27: The Demon Sword (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27: The Demon Sword (4)
Two days had passed since Namgung Bi-ah ‘joined’ our caravan.
My destination was finally within reach.
And once I arrived, my first stop would likely be the Tang Clan.
To be honest, I had expected the journey to Sichuan to be far more perilous.
Instead, after crossing paths with Namgung Bi-ah, we encountered only a handful of minor demons, facing no real threats.
The trip took nearly ten days.
While undeniably tedious due to its length, I couldn't help but feel relieved that we'd encountered no serious trouble along the way.
Well, aside from the one who had now become a permanent fixture of our group.
“ Sigh …”
I rubbed my face wearily at the sight that never failed to draw a sigh from me.
“Look over there! It’s a squirrel!”
“…Yes.”
“Have you ever eaten a squirrel before?”
“Yes… Huh? Oh, no.”
Wi Seol-Ah had gotten off the carriage and was chatting with Namgung Bi-ah, who followed us at a slow, steady pace.
Wi Seol-Ah initiated most of the conversation, with Namgung Bi-ah offering brief replies. Yet, the fact that she maintained pace and kept responding showed she didn't entirely mind the chatter.
Every so often, when Namgung Bi-ah started to wander off with a vacant look, Wi Seol-Ah would grab her sleeve to steer her back.
“…Why are they so friendly?”
I kept telling her not to approach strangers, but she insisted she felt sorry for Namgung Bi-ah and kept seeking her out.
Why feel sorry for her?
Do I need to start yelling?
“ Sigh …”
I never thought I'd see the day those two would get along.
“Muyeon.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“How long until we… Are you tired? What’s wrong with your face?”
“It-it’s nothing, I’m fine.”
…Fine, my ass. You look like you’re about to collapse from exhaustion.
Muyeon’s exhaustion had a single, obvious cause: Namgung Bi-ah.
On her first day following us, she had randomly challenged Muyeon to a duel.
Muyeon refused without hesitation.
I am the Young Master's escort. My duty demands my full attention. I cannot afford distractions. I apologize.
Namgung Bi-ah, though rejected, simply nodded. Yet, from that moment on, she watched Muyeon with an obsessive intensity.
Or more precisely, she was fixated on his sword.
Her constant, unnerving stare had robbed Muyeon of sleep, leading to his current state. Then again, a first-rate martial artist shouldn't be this worn out from mere sleep deprivation. Was it mental exhaustion?
So this lunatic had this personality even when she was young.
A freak who would draw her sword the moment she found a blade that piqued her interest. It made sense why, in my past life, her entire existence revolved around hunting the Sword Venerable and other notable swordsmen.
She wasn't as far gone as she would become, but the seeds were clearly there. Having Wi Seol-Ah chirping around her like a sparrow helped temper her a bit, but I still caught her stealing glances at Muyeon’s sword.
…Is that why Wi Seol-Ah is talking to her? To distract her?
Nah, impossible.
There was no way Wi Seol-Ah was that perceptive.
Well, for now, I saw no immediate harm in their interaction. We were almost there anyway. Soon we would part ways, and I’d make sure our paths never crossed again.
It sounded like a simple, foolproof plan.
With that comforting thought, I closed my eyes, intending to nap. All the constant training must have paid off; I fell asleep almost instantly.
…
How much time had passed?
I heard Muyeon’s voice from outside.
“Young Master, I can see our destination.”
After more than a week of travel, we had finally arrived in Sichuan.
* * *
I stretched my stiff limbs and disembarked from the carriage.
It would take about another day to reach the Tang Clan from here, so we needed to rest and recuperate.
One might think it better to push on and rest at the destination itself.
The problem was, once we arrived at the Tang Clan, the formal greetings and ceremonies would begin immediately, leaving no time for actual rest.
Such were the hassles of being from a noble clan; you couldn't go anywhere without being swamped by protocol.
“I wonder if they’ll have rooms available.”
“We should be able to find something.”
Finding lodging at a time like this was always difficult. Our caravan was sizable, and in this area, our noble status wouldn't grant us any special privileges.
Wi Seol-Ah, who had been eagerly taking in the sights, spotted something and immediately tugged on Namgung Bi-ah’s sleeve. Namgung Bi-ah stood motionless, her expression as blank as ever.
“Hey! She’s wearing the same clothing as you!”
“…Ah.”
At Wi Seol-Ah’s words, both Namgung Bi-ah and I looked in the indicated direction.
Impeccable blue robes, a stark contrast to Namgung Bi-ah’s travel-stained ones, with the characters for 'Namgung' embroidered at the hem.
They were the rulers of Anhui, representatives of the Namgung Clan.
And they were unmistakably martial artists.
Just as we noticed them, they seemed to have spotted us too, surprise evident on the faces turning our way.
Then, someone from their group sprinted towards Namgung Bi-ah.
“Sis!!”
It was a boy who appeared to be around my age.
Despite her vacant expression, Namgung Bi-ah possessed a cold, aloof beauty that kept people at a distance. This boy was essentially her male counterpart.
Namgung Bi-ah slowly raised a hand in greeting. “Hi… Cheonjun.”
“Where did you disappear to, sister!? Do you know how many people from the clan were searching for you?”
“Sorry… I got lost.”
Namgung Cheonjun massaged his temples upon hearing this. “That’s exactly why I suggested we tie a rope to you when we travel.”
…A rope?
Is she a dog…?
Then again, given how often she gets lost, maybe…
Oblivious to my thoughts, Namgung Bi-ah responded, “…Still, that’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Is that why you vanished after just one day? You were the one who assured us we wouldn't have to worry about you getting lost this time.”
“…Sorry.”
Namgung Bi-ah seemed to wilt under her brother's stern words.
Namgung Cheonjun, finally noticing us, quickly composed himself and offered a respectful salute. “I am Namgung Cheonjun of the Namgung Clan.”
I knew it—this boy was the Lightning Sword.
He was the future representative of the Orthodox Faction and would become one of the Five Great Sword Masters of Murim. Right now, he should be…
“I am Gu Ya-… Gu Jeolyub of the Gu Clan… Might you be the one they call the Lightning Dragon?”
I quickly corrected myself, remembering the fake name I’d given Namgung Bi-ah.
At my question, a faint blush colored Namgung Cheonjun’s cheeks. It was irritating to see someone so handsome look even more appealing.
“…It is a rather embarrassing and undeserved title, but yes, that is what some call me.”
He sounded embarrassed, yet a thread of pride and confidence ran beneath his words.
The Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.
That was the title given to the eight most prominent young martial artists of this era. My eldest sister, Gu Huibi, the Sword Phoenix, was among them.
The Lightning Dragon, Namgung Cheonjun, was about two years older than me, if I remembered correctly.
I felt a peculiar stare and turned. Wi Seol-Ah was looking at me with strange eyes.
Probably because I’d given a false name.
“…?”
Question marks seemed to float above her head. I subtly signaled for her to keep quiet. Thankfully, she understood and stayed silent.
Namgung Cheonjun then asked, “Ah, a martial brother from the Gu Clan. If it's not too much trouble, may I ask how my sister came to be traveling with your party?”
That lunatic showed up surrounded by demons and decided to stalk us.
“We happened upon her after she had gotten lost, so we agreed to let her travel with us for safety,” I said, sanitizing the truth.
I felt Namgung Bi-ah staring at me with the same odd look Wi Seol-Ah had given me earlier.
I prayed silently to every god I could think of that she would keep her mouth shut. After all, she’d eaten enough of our dumplings along the way to owe us that much.
I had underestimated the cursed combination of bad luck and a simple-minded girl.
“No…? He said we—“
“Alright, Young Lady Namgung, it was a pleasure traveling with you. Please try to be more careful and not get lost next time.”
I wasn't about to let her finish that sentence.
Namgung Cheonjun watched this exchange and smiled. “Thank you for looking after my sister… Are you perhaps here for the Tang Clan’s Military Exhibition?”
“Uh, well… Yes.”
Namgung Bi-ah flinched slightly at my response.
Was it because I’d lied to her earlier, saying I wasn't going to Sichuan?
Well, what are you going to do about it? I don’t like you.
“In that case, have you secured lodging yet? We cannot offer much at the moment, but we do have rooms available. Since we share the same destination, please allow us to host you,” Namgung Cheonjun offered with a smile. The sheer confidence in that smile suggested he might have rented an entire inn.
…No, I want nothing more to do with your family of lunatics.
I had no intention of accepting. This much contact was more than enough. I wanted to sever the connection here and now.
I had assumed Namgung Bi-ah was heading to the Tang Clan's exhibition, given her destination. But why were two direct descendants of the main clan attending? Both the Lightning Dragon and Namgung Bi-ah were core lineage members. What warranted sending both?
Well, not my problem. This ends now.
My reasons for coming here were different. I needed to cut ties with Namgung Bi-ah. I was sure we could find a place if we looked hard enough.
Right on cue, Muyeon, who had been scouting for accommodations, returned. Reassured, I turned to Namgung Cheonjun, ready to decline.
“Thank you for your generous offer, but it seems we have found alternative—“
“Young Master… There are no vacant rooms anywhere nearby. Should we camp again by the lake…?”
“…Was what I was going to say, but since you have offered so sincerely, how can I refuse? We are in your debt, Young Master Namgung.”
Fuck my life.
* * *
If we couldn't find a room, I thought, it would have been better to just sleep in the carriage.
But it would have been hard on the escorts to camp out again.
Fine, that was just an excuse. Truth be told, I was sick of sleeping outdoors myself.
After guiding us to our lodgings, Namgung Cheonjun pulled Namgung Bi-ah aside and they disappeared.
I almost felt a twinge of pity for Namgung Bi-ah; a rare flicker of fear had crossed her face when she saw her brother's anger. She was clearly in for a severe scolding.
But it was well-deserved karma, so I didn't dwell on it.
What struck me as odd, though, was their relationship.
They seemed like perfectly normal siblings.
But the Demonic Sword I remembered from my past life…
The first thing she did after fully turning was lead an army of demonic beings and wipe the Namgung Clan from the face of the earth. She made her name in the demonic realm by slaughtering the Clan Lord, the Elders, even the servants.
So what was this sense of familial bond I was witnessing?
I never had a proper conversation with Namgung Bi-ah in my past life. The same went for the other demonic humans. Everyone had their own goals and desires that led them to the Heavenly Demon; none were interested in friendship.
Because of that, I knew nothing of the background of the Namgung Bi-ah who became the Demonic Sword… not that I wanted to know.
Tired, I stood up to go to my room. My room was upstairs. As I climbed the steps, I saw Namgung Bi-ah coming down.
“…Ah.”
Namgung Bi-ah, meeting my eyes, offered a slight nod of respect, which startled me.
What the…?
Despite my shock, she spoke. “Thank you for guiding me here, Young Master Gu.”
“…You followed us here without our approval.”
“Thank you. Let’s meet again.”
No, let's not.
Namgung Bi-ah, who looked somewhat more composed than usual, perhaps due to the scolding, passed by me.
I continued upstairs and found Namgung Cheonjun looking down at me. Feeling grateful for the lodging, I decided to thank him again.
“Oh, Young Master Namgung—“
But Namgung Cheonjun brushed past me, his shoulder knocking against mine, as if my words were worthless whispers carried away by the night air.
Then, a voice came from one step below me, cold and sharp.
“…Know your place.”
Namgung Cheonjun’s tone was utterly different from the warm one he’d used earlier. It was icy.
“I was going to let it slide the first time, but you truly have no sense of propriety. How dare you speak to my sister in such a manner?”
I could feel his killing intent as our eyes met.
“I’ll let it pass this time. But if I see anything like it again, I will cut your throat.”
Having spoken his piece, he turned and went after Namgung Bi-ah.
Instead of anger, I simply nodded.
This was honestly better.
…I knew they were all lunatics.
In both my current and previous life, I had never met a single normal person from the Namgung Clan.
That guy, Namgung Cheonjun, was just another one of them.
This brief encounter only solidified my resolve to never, ever get involved with that clan of madmen again.