Chapter 585: Nice to meet you. (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 585: Nice to meet you. (4)
Tracking the woman down wasn't particularly difficult.
No matter how vast Henan was, her features were far too conspicuous. It only took spreading a little information to locate her.
Yes, her appearance was striking—far too striking.
Pale blue eyes. A faint chill that lingered in the air. And an aura that emanated from her alluring eyes and sharp features.
She reminded me of that haughty girl from the Moyong Clan.
The only difference was that this woman had white hair. If I looked closer, there were surely other differences, but I’d have to stare quite intently to notice them.
Which meant they were just that similar.
Moyong Hi-ah.
This woman bore a striking resemblance to Moyong Hi-ah. Though not to the extent that they were identical, like the Heavenly Demon and Wi Seol-Ah, the likeness was uncanny.
So this is the Young Lady, huh.
The Young Lady of the North.
To be precise, the fourth daughter of the Lord of the Ice Palace. A pureblood of the Ice Palace of the North, visiting the Central Plains for the first time in decades.
And.
A troublemaker who just up and ran away from home.
A person who had caused a headache the moment she arrived in Henan.
That very woman was now wrinkling her nose as if something displeased her. As I watched, wondering what she was doing, the woman spoke.
“Nice to meet you.”
She began with a light greeting, then continued.
“Ah, to think I’d get caught…” Her following words were filled with disappointment. “I really thought I wouldn’t be found until evening.”
I tilted my head at her words.
“How did you find me? My plan was flawless… Hmm.”
Something about her… how should I put it?
“Sigh… Running away from home is harder than I thought. Right?”
“...”
Listening to her, I felt like I had a lot to say. How could I describe this feeling?
Ah.
Right, I remembered.
Is this… dissonance?
It was a profound sense of dissonance. Her tone was full of mischief, and she had a somewhat scattered, airheaded vibe about her.
One might wonder what the problem was, but the dissonance stemmed from her appearance. She looked so much like Moyong Hi-ah that it wouldn't be strange to call them twins. She had the face of someone who would berate you with a cold, sharp voice, yet she acted like a total tomboy. It felt strangely off.
I frowned slightly and looked at the woman.
The Young Lady of the North.
A blood relative of the Lord of the Ice Palace, who was said to have fought the Sword Venerable to a draw.
Hmm.
Judging by her level, she was barely first-rate. She was likely just past twenty. For her age, it wasn't a bad level, but it was too ambiguous to call it outstanding. Although I wasn't familiar with the standards of the North, by the standards of the Central Plains, she would be considered a mediocrity born into a noble clan.
That seemed like a fair assessment.
As I was making this judgment, the Young Lady addressed me.
“Excuse me.”
She looked me in the eye.
“I know I’m pretty, but don’t you think you’re staring a bit too intensely?”
“…?”
What did I just hear?
“You’re going to burn a hole right through my face. Honestly… men…”
She sighed, and the surroundings fell silent. Just as her unexpected remarks were causing my brow to furrow…
“…Young Master.”
Tang Soyeol, who was beside me, cautiously approached and whispered.
“I think that young lady is a bit strange.”
I agreed. The fact that she was saying such things with a face that resembled Moyong Hi-ah’s made it all the more dizzying.
This isn’t going to be easy.
She was pretty, that was true. And she was beautiful enough to be confident. Looks like hers were extremely rare in the Central Plains.
Though it’s funny how I’m surrounded by so many of them.
I had seen so many beauties that I’d built up an immunity. If it were the pathetic version of me from my past life, I might have actually been staring because she was pretty.
Of course, that wasn't the reason now.
How did she manage to escape with just that level of skill?
I’d heard she had evaded not only the guards of the White Flower Merchant Association but her own escorts as well. I couldn't figure out how. No matter how I looked at it, she didn’t seem capable of it.
I had checked the merchant association’s martial artists just in case, and most of them were at the Peak Realm or had reached the perfected peak. They were by no means weak enough for the Young Lady to escape from.
So how on earth did this woman manage to run away?
I thought she’d at least be at the Fusion Realm.
This was, after all, a blood relative of the Lord of the Ice Palace. I thought it was entirely possible, but it seemed that wasn't the case. It looked like she used some other method.
Not that I care.
It felt like I was digging too deep, so I gave up. Even that time felt wasted right now.
I looked at the Young Lady and said, “Let’s go back now. There are quite a few people waiting for you.”
My tone was laced with annoyance. I tried my best to hold it back, but it wasn't easy. At that, I saw a flicker of interest in the Young Lady’s expression.
“Are you perhaps angry?”
Her eyes held a look of wonder. What the?
“Not angry. Just annoyed,” I answered honestly. It wasn't enough to make me angry yet.
“Wow.”
As I spoke, the Young Lady suddenly let out a gasp of admiration. What? What is with her?
Should I hit her?
The thought crossed my mind unbidden. It didn't seem like she was trying to tease me; she was just genuinely strange.
“You’re the first person to get angry at me. The Central Plains is truly fascinating.”
“…What in the world are you talking about?”
This was a first for me, too. A woman this annoying.
“That’s enough… Let’s go.”
I moved closer. Up close, she resembled Moyong Hi-ah even more. She even had a mole under her eye. If I remembered correctly, didn't Moyong Hi-ah have one just like it? Was it just a coincidence?
…Never mind, that’s not what’s important right now.
A strange question arose, but I forced myself to ignore it. As I approached to grab her, the Young Lady smiled slightly.
“You’re not going to go easy on me or anything, are you?”
“No.”
When I answered curtly, she wrinkled her nose in disappointment. Still, it seemed she was going to let herself be caught peace—
“Then I can’t let that happen.”
Vwoom—!
“…Huh?”
Just as I was about to grab her and drag her away, a light suddenly began to emanate from the Young Lady’s body. Damn it, what now?
Fwoosh—!
A wave of cold energy shot toward me. It was sudden. At the same time, a change occurred in the Young Lady’s body. Her flesh was turning white.
What was happening?
Seeing my bewilderment, the Young Lady said something.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to do this…”
I didn't know what was going on. But I simply delivered a sharp chop to the back of her neck.
Thwack—!
“Eek!?”
The Young Lady let out a short scream, her eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness. She collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Naturally, I didn't catch her.
Looking down at the woman who had fallen in a rather ungraceful heap, I muttered, “Is she really crazy?”
I didn't know what she was trying to do, but my annoyance spiked. What the hell was that? As I stood there, scowling at the Young Lady…
“Young Lady…!”
Someone appeared from behind, their voice urgent. Recognizing the familiar voice, I turned my head to see Moyong Hi-ah leaning against a wall, panting.
“I found… huh?”
Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes widened as she looked in my direction. The Young Lady was collapsed on the ground, and I was standing over her. Unable to comprehend the situation, Moyong Hi-ah’s brow furrowed.
Seeing this, I waved my hand. “Long time no see.”
It hadn't been as long as with the others, but it had been quite a while since I’d seen Moyong Hi-ah. She had been busy with work. I was about to say more, happy to see her, but…
“Young Master.”
“Hm?”
“…Is that, by any chance, the Young Lady?”
Seriously, we meet after so long, and instead of asking how I’ve been, she gets straight to the point. I was a little disappointed, but I suppose that was just like Moyong Hi-ah.
“This?” I nudged the body with my foot, and Moyong Hi-ah nodded. “Probably.”
“...”
I wasn't certain since I hadn't asked her directly. But given the circumstances, it had to be her. Perhaps because it was confirmed… I could see Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes begin to tremble.
“Then… why is the Young Lady in that state?”
“She looked like she was about to bolt, so I knocked her out.”
“You hit her? Knowing who she is?”
“Hit her? I just gave her a little tap, that’s all.”
I had controlled my strength enough that she wouldn't be injured when she woke up. If I hadn't, her head probably would have split open. As I spoke nonchalantly, Moyong Hi-ah clutched her throbbing forehead. It seemed that laying a hand on a member of the North’s bloodline was quite a problem.
“…Ugh.”
Despite all that, Moyong Hi-ah couldn't say much to me. It was only natural.
If that was the case, you shouldn’t have lost her in the first place.
The problem, to begin with, was that they had lost the Young Lady. From the looks of it, Moyong Hi-ah had been with her. I hadn't heard the details, but I could guess. Moyong Hi-ah had been part of the group escorting the Young Lady here.
So that was the job Lady Mi sent her on.
I had wondered what it was when she said she was sending her far away, but it seemed this was it. Realizing this left a bad taste in my mouth.
Did she intend to use the fact that Moyong Hi-ah has North Sea blood?
The reason Lady Mi had specifically sent Moyong Hi-ah… I thought I understood why. Since their charge was a blood relative of the North, she must have judged that sending Moyong Hi-ah would be more helpful. It was a rational reason, but it didn't change the fact that Lady Mi had used Moyong Hi-ah.
I didn't like it. Of course, I wouldn't bring it up. Moyong Hi-ah would have known more about this than I did. The fact that she went despite knowing meant she had accepted it herself. It meant it wasn't my place to comment.
I extended my hand and released my Qi.
Vwoom—!
The Young Lady’s body floated into the air. I then tossed it straight toward Moyong Hi-ah.
“…!”
Moyong Hi-ah, startled, caught the Young Lady’s body.
“Young Master…! Why would you suddenly throw her!”
“It’s creepy touching someone else’s body.”
It wasn't because I was uncomfortable touching a woman’s body. It was because I found it creepy to touch her. Hearing this, Moyong Hi-ah stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“You must be crazy… You use Spatial Art for a reason like that?”
An application of Qi that could only be used upon reaching the Fusion Realm. She seemed to find it absurd that I would use such a technique just because I didn't want to touch someone.
It’s up to the user how they use it. What did it matter? As long as it was convenient for me, that was all that mattered.
“Enough with the nagging. Take her and go. We’ll talk later.”
I waved my hand dismissively, and Moyong Hi-ah gave me a puzzled look.
“Later? Aren’t you coming with us?”
Her question implied that she knew I was involved in this matter. I was curious as to how I had gotten mixed up in all this, but…
“I still have something to do. I’ll be there soon, so go on ahead.”
I still had business to attend to here.
[Young Master.]
It was a telepathic message from Tang Soyeol. She had probably guessed why I wasn't leaving.
[I know.]
[Should I go get them?]
As I listened, I turned my head toward the roof of a nearby building.
“No, it’s fine.”
Perhaps looking at the roof was the problem.
Flinch—!
I felt a faint presence from that spot. It immediately began to move away. Trying to escape?
“I’ll go myself.”
With those words, I kicked off the ground and leaped into the air.
* * *
Fwoosh—!
A masked figure blurred across the rooftops. The constantly changing background was a testament to how fast he was moving. As he moved swiftly, the masked man swallowed dryly.
How did he know?
How on earth did he notice? His stealth technique should have been perfect. He hadn't sensed any sign of being detected until just a moment ago. The masked man shuddered as he recalled the situation.
Our eyes met.
Without any warning. The young man had suddenly turned his head and looked directly at him. The moment their eyes met, he had immediately tried to flee. Those eyes had been looking directly at him. Did he know he was there from the start?
He didn't know. For now, he had to escape.
I have to return to headquarters immediately.
He had to go back and file a report. That was the purpose of his flight.
Damn it.
When the woman had first approached the formation, the masked man hadn't been particularly wary. When she looked directly at the formation's location, he had considered making a move. But even that thought hadn't lasted long. The order given to the masked man was simply to watch over the formation and ensure nothing happened to it until tonight.
Of all things, for a problem to arise with this task.
Is it a relief that at least there’s no issue with the formation?
It was a problem that they had noticed him, but in the end, they wouldn't find out about the formation. That was enough. If he could just return to headquarters and file a proper report, there wouldn't be a major issue.
“Where are you going?”
“…!?”
A voice came from right beside him. He tried to turn his body, but…
Grip—.
A hand clamped around the masked man’s throat and slammed him face-first into the pavement.
Craaash—! Grrrrind—!
His face was driven into the ground. The momentum from his sprint sent him scraping forward, carving a long scar into the earth.
Before the masked man could even properly assess the situation…
Snatch—!
The same hand grabbed the back of his head and lifted him up.
“Keoheuk…!”
“You even wrapped yourself in Combat Qi in that moment? Not bad.”
The fact that he had enveloped his face in protective Combat Qi the instant he was caught—the person who noticed this let out a small sound of admiration.
Dangerous.
Instinctively grasping the situation, the masked man tried to make a move. But.
Squeeze—!
“Gack!?”
The hand suddenly clamped down on the man’s cheeks, preventing him from closing his mouth. And then.
Crack—!
“…Kkeueuk!!”
A hand reached into his mouth, seized a molar, and ripped it out. It was where his suicide poison pill was hidden.
The entire situation had unfolded in just a few seconds. The masked man couldn't even get his bearings. The only thing he could know… no, the only thing he could see was one thing.
Eyes.
Even through his blurry vision, his opponent’s eyes were crystal clear. A lucid blue, and yet… for some reason, they felt like they were burning. Just looking at them filled him with the bizarre sensation of his entire body being set ablaze.
“Heok… heok…”
An unknown fear made the masked man’s breathing ragged. His opponent briefly inspected the pulled molar, then…
Crunch!
He crushed it with his bare fingers. Then he looked back at the masked man.
“Interesting.”
On the young man’s lips as he spoke was a chilling smile.
“Just what the hell is this bastard?”