Chapter 401: To Sichuan (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 401: To Sichuan (2)
He had freckles across his cheeks, stood a little shorter than me, and looked to be about thirty. At a glance, he appeared to be just an ordinary servant, but I knew exactly who he was.
The Dark King.
It was him. I’d been uncertain at first, but the telepathic message confirmed it. And more than that…
He feels very strange.
A bizarre aura emanated from him, and my right arm began to throb in response.
…Why is my arm acting up now?
The scale on my arm pulsed wildly, as if it had a heart of its own. What was going on?
Pushing the strange sensation aside, I focused on the Dark King. A cold sweat trickled down his cheek, as if my intense stare had unnerved him.
Of course, he was only pretending to be flustered.
Why is everyone here such a good actor?
First the Dishonored Venerable, and now the Dark King—they all had the skills of professional performers.
After staring at the Dark King for a moment longer, I glanced at the Dishonored Venerable, wondering if he was in on this.
But the old man…
The faint smirk on his face told me everything. He knew exactly what was happening.
So he knows the Dark King, huh…
I had no idea what their relationship was, but it was clearly anything but ordinary. And why was the Dark King even here, mixed in with this group?
Doing my best to ignore the Dark King’s gaze, I sent a telepathic message to the Dishonored Venerable.
-What’s going on…?
-What are you talking about?
-Why is that man standing there?
-Don’t worry about it. He’s just a servant.
-…Are you feeling unwell?
He knew I’d recognized the Dark King, and yet he had the audacity to call him a mere servant. Was he insane?
When I pressed him again, my tone thick with disbelief, the Dishonored Venerable responded with an infuriatingly casual expression.
-I also happen to have a request to make.
-A request…?
My mind raced. A request? From him? To the Dark King?
-Who are you trying to kill?
That was the only logical conclusion. What other reason would someone have for seeking out the king of assassins?
Hearing my question, the Dishonored Venerable frowned slightly, studying me.
-The way you think is… hmm… He started to insult me, then tilted his head mid-sentence. Why was he acting so strangely? -…Something like that, I suppose?
-…Pardon?
-Hmm, it’s similar enough. Just leave it at that.
What did that mean? Was the Dark King here to kill someone?
It was strange to think the Dishonored Venerable would make such a request, but I decided not to pry further. Everyone had their own secrets, and my relationship with him was purely transactional—he taught me martial arts, and I learned. We weren’t master and disciple, just two people using each other for mutual benefit.
It was a strange arrangement, one I’d never heard of before. I was concerned about the Dark King and the Bi Clan members joining our trip to Sichuan, but as long as their problems didn’t involve me, I could live with it.
Still…
Will I really stay uninvolved?
I had my doubts. The Dark King was originally from the Golden Nature Clan. I’d learned he was a descendant of Yeon Il-Cheon, and Sichuan was littered with traces of his clan. His presence here was unsettling.
But… is this really happening?
I couldn’t help but marvel at our traveling party. The ruler of Sichuan, the Poison King and Lord of the Tang Clan, the Dark King—the king of assassins himself—and one of the legendary Three Venerables. This group was a gathering of martial arts legends. At the very least, I wouldn’t have to worry about ambushes. We were safer than a fortress.
The only danger was the possibility of the Dark King deciding to eliminate every enemy in sight. And really, what maniac would be foolish enough to ambush the Tang Clan’s carriages? Even if they tried, it would be a futile effort.
The Poison King had brought a significant force to escort the prisoners to Sichuan, but I wondered if he would have bothered if he’d known the Dark King and the Dishonored Venerable would be joining us.
Probably not.
With that thought, I began to walk away from the Dark King, but someone suddenly threw an arm around my neck.
“…?”
It felt less like a friendly gesture and more like a chokehold.
I was about to shove the person away when a familiar scent hit me.
“Little brother, are you really leaving?” It was Gu Huibi.
“…What are you doing, elder sister?”
“You’re going somewhere so far away? Don’t you want to come home with your sis?”
“Of course not.”
“You’ll come home?”
“No. I’m going to Sichuan.”
Hearing my response, Gu Huibi tightened her arm around my neck.
“What… are you doing…?”
“You’re always away from home. Puberty really did a number on you. You were so much cuter back then.”
Her words left me speechless.
“What do you mean, ‘did a number on me’?” I wasn’t even at the age for puberty anymore. And if anything, I’d been even weirder back then. How could she say I was cuter?
I wrestled free from her grip and stared at her. She was frowning deeply, as if something had upset her. The expression was probably meant to be cute, but it just made me feel sick.
Did this woman forget how old she was? Why was she acting like this?
“Seriously, you always…”
“What about you, sis?”
“Hmm?”
“Aren’t you going to get married? You’re more than old enough.”
“…”
I’d asked out of genuine curiosity, but her expression darkened instantly. She looked downright demonic. Taking a cautious step back, I tried to clarify.
“…I was just curious—”
“Little brother, do you really want to lose all your hair? You should’ve told me. Your sis is very good at that.”
“Sorry.”
She was clearly furious, her eyes blazing. My innocent question had struck a nerve.
To be fair, what kind of man would willingly put up with her crazy personality? She was well past marriageable age, but she wasn’t… no, she couldn’t get married. She’d been single in my past life, too. Was she really going to live alone forever?
Not that it mattered—many martial artists remained solo—but her reaction suggested it bothered her more than she let on.
“I’ll let it slide if you come home with me.”
“Not happening.”
“No need to be so cold. How annoying.” Gu Huibi clicked her tongue and turned away. With nothing left to say, she walked back to where the other Gu Clan members were gathered. “You do you,” she tossed back over her shoulder, her tone cranky.
When would that woman ever soften up? Probably never. As long as she had our family’s blood, it was impossible.
The moment Gu Huibi left, the First Elder appeared as if he’d been waiting. Why was everyone coming in sequence? It would’ve been easier if they’d all approached at once. I frowned at the sight of him, and he frowned right back.
“…For your expression to crumble like that when you see me. What kind of disrespect is that?”
“What are you going to give me this time? I’m not taking anything.”
“Ha! You think I’d give a gift to someone who hasn’t done anything worthwhile?”
“The problem is that it’s never a gift.”
Every ‘gift’ the First Elder had ever given me had landed me in serious trouble. I was determined to refuse whatever he offered this time.
As I glared at him with that resolve, he started rummaging in his pocket, just as I’d expected. I immediately shouted, “I’m not taking it! Hey, what are you trying to give me now?”
“You little brat! You think I want to give this to you!?”
“Then don’t!”
We started arguing. I wasn’t taking anything from him, no matter what. Why did this man always try to pawn his problems off on me?
Just as I was about to make a run for it, the First Elder spoke up. “This is from your father, not me.”
“…Pardon?”
“Father and son, both horrible. Making this old man run errands.” He grumbled, but my attention was locked on the object in his hand.
From father? My father had actually sent me something?
I looked toward Father. Our eyes met as he glanced in my direction, but he quickly turned away. His reaction confirmed the First Elder was telling the truth.
What was this? I accepted the item. If it was from Father, it was probably fine.
…It looked like an ordinary golden pass.
“What is this?”
“How should I know? The Lord told me to deliver it, so I did.”
“He could’ve given it to me directly. Why…”
“That’s what I said. Go ask him if you’re so curious.”
“Uh, that might be…”
“Haha… what a drama father and son are playing.” The First Elder shook his head, looking exhausted.
My relationship with Father had improved compared to before, but it was still too awkward to ask him about something like this.
…I’m sure he gave it to me because it’s useful.
Trusting that, I slipped the pass into my pocket. I didn’t think he’d give me anything troublesome.
“What will you do when you get back, First Elder?”
“What else? Probably just sleep.”
“…Ah, I see.”
That was his answer, but the busiest people in the Gu Clan were Father, followed closely by the First Elder. I had no idea how this old man stayed so active. He was almost never at the clan headquarters.
After observing him for a moment, I pointed with my chin toward a specific person. It was a personal question.
“Then… are you really taking that bastard with you?”
The First Elder turned to look where I’d pointed. There stood Gu Jeolyub, his expression dark.
The First Elder’s face shifted when he saw him. There was a reason I’d asked about Gu Jeolyub.
He’d said he wasn’t coming to Sichuan this time.