Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: The Assassins' Mistake
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"Junior Brother!"
"Leaving already? Isn't it a bit early?"
Cheonhwi, who had packed his belongings, nodded as he looked at Hyeondo, Hyeonjin, and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards who had suddenly gathered.
"The Sect Leader summoned me. I have to go."
"Wouldn't it be better for the journey if you prepared a little more?"
Hyeondo said cautiously.
"They say to pull out the iron horn while it's hot."
He spoke firmly, but in truth, Cheonhwi thought the timing was perfect.
'There's nothing more to see at the Murim Alliance.'
The purpose of his visit to the Murim Alliance had been to observe the martial arts of the sects affiliated with it.
Far from observing any martial arts, he had only dealt with annoyances.
'If there hadn't been any results, I would've quit already.'
He slightly raised his head and looked toward the main hall.
He had only stayed for four days, but that alone was satisfying.
'I've laid the foundation for Mount Hua Sect to become the world's greatest sect, so they can handle the rest now.'
Cheonhwi nodded.
There were two things he desired in this life.
To observe all the martial arts in the world.
And to make the current Mount Hua Sect the world's greatest sect.
'Since it's the sect I'm in, after all.'
At that moment, the Plum Blossom Sword Guards approached.
"Take care of yourself."
"Don't stray off the main path."
He scanned them as they spoke.
Amid their worried expressions, a faint hint of amusement lingered.
'Oh ho.'
"You're not planning to skip training just because I'm gone, right?"
"What kind of talk is that, Junior Brother?!"
"Skip training? As if we'd do that!"
"Ridiculous!"
They shouted in surprise.
It was as if children caught in a lie were desperately trying to hide it.
'I can tell they were planning to slack off.'
Cheonhwi smirked at them as they awkwardly twitched their lips.
"If your skills haven't improved next time I see you despite training like that, I'll crank up the intensity even more."
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards broke out in cold sweat.
"Huh? Why are you all so flustered?"
When Cheonhwi pretended not to know despite knowing full well,
"W-well, but whether skills improve or not isn't guaranteed, right?"
"Y-yeah. Training doesn't always mean guaranteed growth."
"That's exactly why we need to increase the training intensity."
Cheonhwi said firmly.
"If they don't improve even then, shouldn't we train even harsher?"
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards squeezed their eyes shut.
The current training was already grueling enough to make their minds hazy.
Increased intensity on top of that?
"Why? Don't like it? Then forget it."
"N-no!"
"We'll train hard!"
The Plum Blossom Sword Guards answered desperately.
It was because, knowing Cheonhwi's personality, he might actually drop it.
"Then expect it if your skills are the same next time."
"Uh, uh......"
"We... got it."
As the Plum Blossom Sword Guards looked stunned and bowed their heads at Cheonhwi's words,
"Will you be alright on your own?"
Hyeondo approached Cheonhwi.
Originally, he wanted to return with Cheonhwi as well, but he couldn't.
'We just joined hands with the Beggars' Sect; I can't just up and leave......'
Currently, at the Alliance, Hyeondo was the real representative of Mount Hua Sect, not even the Sect Leader. If he left?
The hard-earned position of Mount Hua Sect might shrink again.
"Do I look like a child to you?"
"Heh heh."
Hyeondo laughed awkwardly.
In truth, the intent behind his words wasn't concern for Cheonhwi.
'I just hope he doesn't stir up any incidents.'
Having observed Cheonhwi's personality and prowess for so long, he was simply worried something might happen.
"Please, just don't cause any trouble."
Finally understanding why Hyeondo was fidgeting, Cheonhwi chuckled.
"Depends on the situation."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Swish―
The bamboo curtain at the entrance of a small inn in Uichang County rustled as it was lifted.
The faded curtain swayed greatly, revealing Cheonhwi clad in gray martial robes.
'Quite crowded.'
Perhaps because the sun was beginning to set, the inn was packed with guests.
"Hahaha! So I told him......"
Creeeak―
The inside of the inn was filled with voices, clinking dishes, and the sound of some instrument from somewhere.
It was noisy enough to make one's ears ring, but the atmosphere wasn't bad.
Such a crowd proved the inn was a decent place.
Moreover, the aromas wafting from the food stimulated his appetite.
'But is there a seat?'
Standing at the noisy entrance, he scanned the entire interior.
Despite being fairly large, there wasn't a single empty seat.
It was the only inn on the official road to Jeomsseo, crowded with passersby.
'I was hoping to rest at an inn for once.'
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed naturally.
'Should I go somewhere else?'
As he turned to leave the inn,
"Welcome!"
A waiter's voice came from behind.
Turning his head, he saw a friendly-looking waiter smiling brightly.
"Are you with a group?"
"No."
"The only seats left are upstairs. Is that alright?"
He nodded.
Seeing the nod, the waiter looked relieved and quickly guided him upstairs.
"Here you are."
As he sat down, the waiter turned back.
"What would you like to order?"
"Your best dishes and liquor."
"That's quite expensive... Are you sure?"
As the waiter asked with a slightly suspicious look, Cheonhwi immediately pulled out his pouch and lightly tossed a silver coin.
"S-silver?!"
The waiter's eyes, who had been wearing a formal smile, widened in surprise.
"I'll prepare it right away!"
Fearing the order might be canceled, the waiter hurriedly turned and left.
"Here's your barley tea."
In the meantime, another waiter appeared and set down a warm teapot and cup.
How long did he wait, sipping the bittersweet tea?
"Sorry for the wait!"
The waiter bounded up the stairs and placed dishes on the table.
"This is the famous steamed Wuchang fish from Hubei Province. Caught this morning, so it's fresh."
Oh ho. This?
Cheonhwi's eyes widened.
Steamed Wuchang fish was quite famous but tricky to prepare.
'Smells good.'
The cleanly steamed fish was topped with vegetables and red sauce that tickled his nose.
But that wasn't all.
The waiter then set down a bottle of liquor.
The bottle looked homemade and crude, but pride shone on the waiter's face.
"And this is fruit wine brewed by our chef."
He immediately uncorked the bottle.
With a pop, the fragrant aroma made saliva pool involuntarily.
"Not bad."
"Right?"
The waiter's face lit up.
"I'll leave you to it. Call if you need anything else!"
As the waiter retreated with quick steps,
Clink―
Cheonhwi immediately picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of fish from the dish.
"Delicious."
A smile spread across Cheonhwi's lips.
He then downed the fruit wine.
'Good thing I changed out of my robes.'
A satisfied smile formed naturally.
The first thing he did after leaving the Murim Alliance was visit a clothing shop and replace his martial robes with new ones.
This very outfit.
To avoid the public eye of a Daoist and act freely.
"Makes me want to tour the rivers and lakes more before heading back."
As he considered delaying his return due to the satisfying journey,
"Um, excuse me, sir."
The waiter hesitantly called out to Cheonhwi.
With a troubled expression, he glanced back and cautiously asked,
"W-would it be alright if we joined you at your table? If it's not too much trouble?"
'Join me?'
Cheonhwi's gaze turned to the group standing behind the waiter.
There were three of them, all dressed in luxurious attire like young scions of a powerful family.
"Do as you like."
"Thank you."
The waiter bowed deeply.
He then turned to the group with a broad grin.
"You can sit here."
"Thank you for letting us join you."
The woman in the middle expressed her gratitude in a calm voice as she sat.
Unlike her ornate clothing, her expression was icy, as if cold air emanated from her.
"Thank you."
"Thanks!"
The man and woman, seemingly her companions, sat on either side of her.
"What would you like to order?"
"First......"
While they ordered from the waiter, Cheonhwi ate.
The waiter left after taking the order.
Gulp. Chew.
Only the sounds of eating the steamed Wuchang fish and downing fruit wine could be heard.
Clack.
After finishing his meal, Cheonhwi stood up.
As he strapped the sword leaning against his chair to his waist and prepared to leave, the eyes of the group, who had been quietly eating, changed.
"He's a martial artist."
The handsome young man whispered.
Dressed in fine silk robes with a serious expression, he looked like a painting come to life.
"What did you sense?"
At the cold-looking woman's question, the young man recalled the man they had just shared the table with.
"Nothing at all."
He held only a single sword and felt like an ordinary person with nothing detectable.
"Probably just someone carrying a sword in case of bandits on the road."
"Then no need to worry about him."
The woman immediately lost interest.
"We'll stay here tonight."
At her words, the cute, slightly younger-looking girl widened her eyes.
"No camping tonight?"
"Yes."
"Yay!"
"But, Miss, we're in a hurry......"
The young man spoke urgently, but
"No."
The cold-faced woman cut him off.
"I know it's dangerous, but we need rest for the journey ahead."
The young man sighed, seeing she wouldn't budge.
"I'll prepare the rooms."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the quiet dead of night, Cheonhwi, seeking sleep, opened his eyes.
The moonlight was bright, and all around was silent.
The occasional cries of insects through the window made the stillness even more desolate.
Cheonhwi slowly rose.
"Did I do something to get ambushed?"
He pondered deeply.
But there was no reason.
"Can't think of anything."
His pitch-black eyes pierced the darkness.
"Why are you here?"
At that moment.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind rose sharply, and three or four people emerged from the shadows.
At the same time, daggers rained down.
It was a sudden ambush, but as if he had known, Cheonhwi moved his hand.
A gesture like the flap of a butterfly's wings.
The sharply thrown daggers were sucked into that gesture.
"Pathetic skills, but carrying such fine daggers."
The daggers were of exceptional quality, crafted by a master artisan.
As he lightly tossed and caught one,
Ting!
He flicked his finger, launching a hidden weapon.
It was the Lightning Dart.
The lightning-fast dart pierced the assailants' bodies and embedded in the wall.
"Gah!"
As Cheonhwi watched the groaning assailant stagger, he sensed killing intent from the side and immediately raised his sword finger.
Stab!
A gruesome sound rang out.
The charging assailant collapsed with a hole in his forehead.
Thud!
The remaining ones gulped at the carnage that unfolded in a single breath, faces full of disbelief.
"Was that guy Shimwijin?"
Cheonhwi's eyebrow twitched slightly at one assailant's mutter.
"What? Shimwijin? Who's that?"
"Huh?"
"Not Shimwijin?"
The assassins' eyes wavered.
"But he was with them."
"Could there be another expert besides Shimwijin?"
With them?
As he listened to their frantic whispers, certain people flashed in his mind.
The group he had shared the table with last night.
'They were targeting that group?'
He understood the situation.
But that changed nothing.
'What matters is they attacked me.'
Cheonhwi glared coldly at the assailants and issued a warning.
"Whether you mistook me or not, you'll pay the price for attacking me."