Chapter 362
Chapter 362
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 362
Chapter Title: Farewell, Master
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"Thank you for teaching me so much, Master."
I sever the haphazardly tangled roots.
Even if it's driving a massive nail into Heavenly Path's heart.
If our opinions are deadlocked, this is the right thing to do.
No matter who it is that needs saving, anyone would act this way.
"……."
The conversation died.
The atmosphere, bursting like a dam, froze cold as winter frost.
Her brow twitched. Her eyes, for the first time shifting from me to under the table, brimmed with sorrow.
One of us could have bowed our head and backed down humbly.
We could have appealed to our past bond to persuade each other, but neither Heavenly Path nor I could.
A person beyond blame.
Even with rough words, someone who truly cares for me, respects me.
"…Sorry…. I am."
Her halting words made my chest ache with frustration.
The endless echo of surging emotions.
"Don't think of forgiving this foolish me."
Yet to others, it was just hollow sentiment.
"However… there's just one thing I want to correct."
Heavenly Path's voice remained pleasantly steady.
Just like when she taught me. A faint echo in my ears.
"Where in the world is there such a thing as coincidence and not fate? So many fleeting bonds pass by like the wind."
"…."
"……It's always been that way, since long ago."
It was hard to watch her touch her own reverse scale.
Among the people I knew, those from the Peach Garden had lost the most bonds.
Heavenly Path knew this without hesitation.
After losing her spiritual home. Her body merged, standing in a world with nothing beneath her feet.
She inherited the Heavenly Demon's power. Yet her hard-won disciple was now speaking against her expectations.
I was seeing a cynical side of Heavenly Path I hadn't known.
"You are incredibly precious to me. Even if you leave my side."
I feel the same.
"But it seems to you, I was merely a seasonal breeze."
"What are you talking about?"
That alone, I want to deny.
Someone who saved my life countless times.
The reason I defied Heavenly Path's will was because I couldn't bear to give up either side.
"I told you. Even in the opposite situation, I would have done the same."
"No. Even in the opposite situation, you shouldn't have."
"Pardon?"
Pity entered Heavenly Path's eyes.
A face pitying me.
"…Value yourself."
I couldn't respond.
The lengthening silence brought the conversation to an end.
The tiny tea leaves floating in the cooled cups were the only things moving in this stagnant space.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 💬 Comments — Frostbite . — Anonymous ...Can't you two reconcile? — Fan Heavenly Path... is really sad. Frostbite, please. Can't you just talk it out once? — Observer Wasn't there some misunderstanding? I know.
I'm just as sad.
— Hater ...Fucking moron. Pathetic loser. Retard. — Critic You're not even worth third disciple. You're a fifth-rate disciple. Still clinging to the disciple title, huh.
The final day passed awkwardly without much talk, amid White Path's icy gaze and Imperial Path's fidgety pleas.
As if that marked the end of our bond.
I couldn't even give a proper send-off.
Heavenly Path had already left without me knowing.
'Damn….'
What's this lingering in my chest?
Heavenly Path, aiding the Association from Peach Garden, would naturally try to kill Sansu-yu.
Now that things had come to this.
Heavenly Path might try something to Sansu-yu before I even moved.
'To make me give up.'
What sticks in my mind is that from today, I have to worry about my masters going missing too.
-Clink.
The ice in my coffee shifted, making a sound.
I looked up at the man before me.
"…So."
The call that came at dawn while with Heavenly Path. A request to meet.
I wanted to hear what he'd say. Seong Ji-ho's words didn't stray far from expectations.
Don't get involved, no matter what.
Aren't you precious of your life?
"It's Miss Sansu-yu's request."
"Fuck off."
My mood was foul, my temper at its peak; no polite words came.
Seong Ji-ho's brow twitched.
"Why are so many people trying to save my life? Do I look that blessed with good relationships?"
"…."
Just stay alive.
Your potential is guaranteed.
Even if everyone else dies, who'll be left to hear it?
I've seen you all die in the past.
And now you want me to stand by like some psycho?
"Let me say it again."
"As I said before, my life is mine."
"…Some coercive measures might be necessary."
Seong Ji-ho clenched his fist, hinting at a veiled threat.
-Boom!!!!
At that moment, a massive explosion rocked the surroundings.
Churning mana swirled in the cramped room.
Seong Ji-ho's face crumpled, his momentum shattered in an instant.
"What… is this."
Seong Ji-ho gasped, sensing the saturating mana.
The coffee on the table trembled. Even the building vibrated faintly.
His face paled, breath catching.
"Where's Sansu-yu?"
"With power like this, why the Academy?"
"Don't change the subject. You're her dog anyway—if push comes to shove, you'll die with her."
The man always by Sansu-yu's side, supporting her.
Less a mere contract, more loyalty and attachment.
Even in this situation, sticking to his duty confirms it.
Why wouldn't this guy try to save Sansu-yu?
A question, but none of my business.
If he truly cared for her, he wouldn't accept her dying now.
I smirked, rinsing the bitterness from my mouth.
"What, as her secretary, you'll respect her wishes? Something like that?"
Seong Ji-ho's eyelid twitched.
"I'm planning to save Sansu-yu."
So spill it quick, treat this like a gamble.
Polite words, but rough tone; Seong Ji-ho's face twisted.
He shut his mouth, silent.
Enough time to think.
As I slowly withdrew my mana, giving him space, he soon spoke.
"You'll die."
The warning was laughable now.
"To save someone who's going to die, you gotta be ready to die too."
Seong Ji-ho's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.
He steadied himself with a sip of coffee from his trembling hand.
"Why go so far to save the young lady?"
"Then you're fine with Sansu-yu dying here?"
"……."
He laughed incredulously.
It's not the full explanation, and I don't plan to share everything.
"…A gamble, huh."
He rubbed his chin, narrowed his eyes at me repeatedly.
I get not trusting me yet.
As Heavenly Path said.
Sansu-yu and I share at most a few months' acquaintance.
But conversely, it was similar to Heavenly Path's case.
Just as she erased my doubts by risking her life shortly after meeting, making me rely on her.
I was just proving my brief bond.
"…Let's talk."
Seong Ji-ho finally said. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -Bang!
The door flew open with a shattering sound.
"Whoa, fuck, you scared me."
Sun, lounging about, jolted upright and looked toward the door.
On the bed, Sun held a comic book; on the blanket spread on the floor below, Aori was crafting something.
I chin-nodded at them.
"…Bro?"
"Get ready, you perverts."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Found Sansu-yu's location."
Sun scrambled up, shaking off sleep.
I grabbed his wrist as he reached for a teacup.
No time for tea.
"Aori. What're you doing?"
"Making a nine-tail knot plug. Want it for your girlfriend? Feels great to touch, super soft."
"……Get ready. Time to move."
"Hng."
How the hell does she make that stuff?
Her craftsmanship is astonishing to watch.
I once glimpsed Aori's cosplay collection—pro-level. Even first-time me gaped.
Aori rolled the hefty knot plug between her palms, pouting.
"Bro, good you found the location… but what's the plan?"
"What do you think we should do?"
"Like, storm in full force and snatch her? Tough right now."
Sun's right.
Per Seong Ji-ho's intel, Sansu-yu's experiment is in a massive mansion in western European Russia.
Rough coordinates, basic floor plan too.
But packed with prepared artifacts, heavily guarded by hunters from numerous guilds—not something I can handle alone.
Multiple S-rank hunters.
Even with Sun and Aori, storming in is reckless.
So, we wait a bit.
I asked Sun,
"What do you think we should do?"
"Wait for the heresy declaration, then sneak in during the Hunter Association's total assault and grab Sansu-yu sis."
Same as my thinking.
Lacking manpower and power, our play is timing it right to extract one person.
We'll handle the aftermath somehow.
"So, what do we do with the remaining time?"
"……Chill?"
-Thwack!
My fist to his crown planted Sun's head in the floor.
His body shuddered like rigor mortis.
"Aori. You tell me."
Aori, fiddling with the knot plug, tilted her head at me.
Her red hair swayed, massive chest jiggling.
Come to think, she's in underwear. White thighs visible.
"Hmm… What the king needs to do."
She stacked fist on palm, then "Ah!"
"Pound trees?"
"Sigh, you idiot Aori. You think bro's gonna do that?"
Sun, rubbing his head, scolded her.
Aori stuck her tongue out at him.
"Pfft."
"Think before you live, girl. Pay some rent too."
"No way~"
Watching their banter isn't bad time-killer, but we have pressing tasks.
"That's right."
I nodded at Aori.
"……Huh?"
"What?"
Sun and Aori stared at me, eyes wide in disbelief.
If asked our best move now, it's powering up.
If the fastest way to get stronger is pounding trees and women…
'Gotta do whatever it takes.'
Cling desperately.
"…Bro, you're gonna… trees…."
"What."
"Eat 'em… up?"
"And?"
-Drip.
Suddenly, glistening tears dropped from Sun and Aori's eyes.
"You guys don't tell me you're… crying?"
"No, not crying. Just… so moved… sob."
"The king will eat trees, waaah."
They wiped fake tears, bawling dramatically.
"The king!!!! Pounding trees heave-ho!!! Uwheeeing."
"Fuck, shut it Aori!! What if he suddenly changes his mind!!!! Kkh."
My sanity was fraying.
"You mocking me?"
"Uwheeeing!"