Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Expulsion?
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Expulsion?
"Disciple Shadowless greets you, Master."
A silence colder than the dawn chill settled over us. Master said nothing, just stared at me blankly.
Ugh. I didn't think I'd done anything wrong, but cold sweat trickled down my back anyway. My toes twitched on their own.
After a long moment, Master's red lips finally parted.
"You smell like a woman again."
Her voice held not a trace of emotion.
"Two more since last time?"
"No, Master!"
My heart plummeted. How did she know? Had she been in my room? Or was she just saying it?
Master's cool gaze narrowed.
"Lying?"
"No!"
I denied it firmly once more. It wasn't a lie. Not yet.
Soso and Haeun—we'd already been intimate, so calling them my women wouldn't be wrong. But with Jegalseo, all I'd done was fondle her breasts a bit while she was half-naked. The rabbit? I'd just glimpsed her pale bare skin and perky rear—no touching at all. Strictly speaking, the number of my women hadn't increased. Undeniable fact. Master would get it if I explained. But no way in hell was I telling her, even at swordpoint.
Instead of answering, Master pierced me with her stare. It was an obsessive gaze, like she was peeling away my clothes layer by layer. It felt like she could see right through me. I could barely breathe. It was like being stripped naked. A chilling shiver ran down my spine, and deep in my gut, my prostate began to throb with a strange tension.
At last, Master let out a small sigh.
"Enough."
The tension gripping my body melted away in an instant. I'd survived.
But the relief didn't last.
"So."
Master's low voice wormed into my ear again.
"Pardon?"
I blinked dumbly.
"What reason does a disciple have for not even coming to greet his master, when she's right here under the same roof?"
"...!"
I'd forgotten.
How long had it been since I left the Healer Immortal Sect? It was a disciple's duty to visit his master's quarters and pay respects upon her arrival at the Martial Alliance. I'd completely spaced it.
"I-I'm sorry, Master! But you may have heard—I've been appointed vice leader of the Azure Dragon Squad, so I've been so busy..."
"The Senior Physician said you're on break now."
...That tactless old geezer.
I'll turn his veggie patch into a rabbit buffet later. I ground my teeth inwardly. But that wasn't the point right now. My mind went blank. I had to come up with another excuse, fast...
"Scheming again?"
...Damn.
"Ha, haha..."
A stupid laugh slipped out. I finally got why Paeng Daesan always grinned like an idiot. Like a frog before a giant snake, my body and brain froze—I couldn't do a thing.
Master looked at me coldly.
"If I had my way, I'd go to your great-uncle right now and have you expelled from the sect."
"...Pardon?"
I couldn't believe my ears. Expulsion? For missing one courtesy call?
"I don't like that you're my disciple."
"..."
"If I'd known your heart would change like this, I never would have taken you as one."
No, really? That bad?
If this kept up, I might actually get expelled.
Cold sweat crawled down my spine at the dizzying thought.
Sure, now I had a solid position in the Martial Alliance's Azure Dragon Squad, and vice leader was a grander title than I'd imagined. But expulsion from the Healer Immortal Sect was a whole different level.
In the orthodox martial world, where reputation was life itself, the label of "expelled"—no matter the reason—would stick like a scarlet letter forever. And my current status wasn't just some lowly physician; I was the Azure Dragon Squad's vice leader.
Squad Leader Byeok Cheonwi might overlook it with his hearty nature, but could the Alliance Leader ignore the piercing glares from other orthodox sects? If he stepped in, getting kicked from the Azure Dragon Squad wasn't impossible.
Then I'd be a homeless drifter, cast out from the Alliance—like a beggar from the Beggars' Sect, scraping by on the streets... maybe even picked up as a pet by Cheonha Young and the Black Elder.
Damn it all. The thought alone was horrifying.
I had to soothe Master's heart somehow. Melt that frozen resolve. But how?
Then, one idea flashed through my mind. Show her "sincerity."
I hadn't gotten my official squad pay yet, but I still had plenty of emergency funds from looting those bandits. I'd earmarked some for room deposit, but this was an emergency. Time to spend it.
I steeled myself and checked Master's expression.
For some reason—impossible as it seemed—her coldly set lips seemed to droop slightly, giving her the look of a sulky child. I blinked a few times and looked again; she was back to her icy, expressionless self.
Hallucinating. Proof I was mentally frayed.
I swallowed dryly and opened my mouth cautiously.
"Master, actually... I've found a nice inn in advance, so you can rest comfortably."
Master's eyebrow twitched faintly. Her pitch-black eyes, steady until now, turned to me with blatant suspicion. My legs went weak under that gaze, but I couldn't back down.
"It's true. This way."
I stepped forward and grabbed her hand. Then I strode toward the exit.
Oh.
The unexpected soft, cool touch at my fingertips snapped me alert. What was I doing? This was my habit with Soso.
"S-Sorry!"
I yanked my hand back and shouted. Heat flooded my back. This was a grave sin—betraying master and ancestors. Touching Master's hand without permission!
Master glanced at her hand, then spoke softly.
"...It's fine."
Fine my ass. Her face was twice as stony as before. The faint furrow in her brow proved her mood had hit rock bottom.
We're doomed. Real expulsion incoming.
In the chaos, the silken softness of Master's skin from that brief touch lingered vividly in my mind. But now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
"..."
I forced a calm front and led the way. Master followed silently.
My feet unconsciously headed toward the inn Paeng Daesan had trashed yesterday. Then the gruesome scene hit me—I flinched and veered off. As if that'd always been the route, I naturally turned toward the market.
The dawn's blue haze faded as the eastern sky brightened. Bustling merchants set up stalls, preparing for the morning trade.
I quietly extended my senses. Looking for an inn with decent customers, clean facilities, upscale vibe—and open early.
Soon, a three-story wooden building just off the market center caught my eye. Even the lantern at the door looked premium. Seemed like the best spot.
"Master, that's the one."
I turned back with satisfaction—then froze.
She was gone from behind me. Looking back, Master stood far off, staring intently at something.
"Master?"
I hurried to her. Her gaze fixed on a roadside trinket stall just setting up. Cheap baubles scattered messily—nothing special.
"D-Do you need something?"
Instead of answering, Master extended a pale index finger from her black sleeve. She pointed at a crudely carved wooden ring on the stall.
Hmm. Soso had one, Haeun too. Were wooden rings the trend in the martial world lately?
"How much for this?"
The vendor glanced at me, then Master, and grinned greedily.
"One silver tael, young master."
Damn. My vision darkened. Charging a local a full silver for a worthless wood chip. I wanted to grab his collar, but Master was watching.
'I'll have Jegalseo audit this guy's taxes later.'
Grinding my teeth inside, I paid the silver without a word and picked up the ring. Master quietly extended her hand.
Huh?
Her face was still blank as she looked at me. Her slender white fingers waited.
Was she asking me to put it on her?
"Ex-Excuse me, Master."
I gulped and gently took her hand. Unlike before, this was with permission. The cool softness tickled my fingertips again.
Carefully, I slipped the wooden ring onto her finger.
Ah.
Only after did I realize. Idiot. I'd put it on her left ring finger.
Master silently toyed with the crude ring on her finger, then looked up and spoke softly.
"...You seem quite practiced at this."
No emotion in her voice, but it felt like it pierced to my bones.
"Haha..."
I laughed awkwardly and averted my eyes. Felt guilty for no reason.
"H-How is it? To your liking?"
I changed the subject hurriedly. Master turned on her heel without a word. She strode toward the inn and tossed over her shoulder,
"Let's go."
I hurried after her.