Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Starflow Pavilion at Changyoung Inn in Yizhou
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The way back was simply the reverse of the path we'd taken.
Nothing difficult about it.
As we left Chengdu, I'd wondered if any annoying flies might tail us, but fortunately, those bastards seemed to value their lives after all.
Of course, with that Black Heaven Alliance Leader or whatever he was getting cleaved in half in a single exchange, it wasn't like they'd dare try anything unless they were suicidal.
This was also a matter of the organization's nature.
If they were truly overflowing with loyalty, a strong sense of belonging, and an ironclad sense of duty, they would've chased after us without a thought for their lives.
But these guys weren't like that. Not even close.
They were like grains of sand. Loose rabble that couldn't properly band together, just slinking around trying to snag scraps from someone else's table.
The Black Heaven Alliance would probably scatter like dust now.
Without their head, there was no way they'd regroup around a new center, and they couldn't escape the Tang Family's seething rage either.
So, no need to worry about them.
The matters of Sichuan could be left to its hegemon.
We sped lightly out of Chengdu.
I'd been concerned Dang Sohye might lag behind, but she kept up just fine without falling behind.
"You're running pretty well."
As I asked while employing lightness skill, Dang Sohye replied with a calm expression.
"I've received the Young Lady's training, more than enough to impersonate Brother Myeongun."
"Ah, I see. That explains why you're so good at it."
The Tang Family's lightness technique was surprisingly solid.
It felt light and stealthy. Makes sense for a clan that relies on hidden weapons.
They always had to maintain distance from foes, so their footwork couldn't afford to be lacking.
"What's that lightness skill called?"
"Dark Soul Step."
"Not bad. I should take notes."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Just keep going."
If Ink Sword Instant Step was a technique that exploded with propulsion like an engine's blast, using rebound force for bursts of speed, Dark Soul Step was far smoother and quieter.
Looking closely, she was using finger flicks with each step to push off the ground.
While Ink Sword Instant Step allowed long air time with a single leap, Dark Soul Step was like quick footsteps, touching down multiple times.
Roughly two Ink Sword Instant Steps to five Dark Soul Steps?
If Dark Soul Step had fallen behind, I'd planned to teach her Ink Sword Instant Step, but no need now. She was keeping up fine.
So we pressed on toward today's destination: Yizhou.
"Where are we headed?"
After running some distance out of Chengdu, Dang Sohye asked me.
"Yizhou. Changyoung Inn."
"Yizhou? Then let me take the lead. I know a faster route."
"Oh, yeah? Sounds good. Having a Sichuan local helps. Since you're leading, keep going all the way to Chang'an. That'll be better."
Dang Sohye took the front, and we followed.
We ran for quite a while, and thanks to her shortcut, we reached Yizhou much faster than I'd expected.
"Whoa, nice. This is why guides matter. Anyway... instead of heading straight to Changyoung Inn, let's make one stop."
"Where to?"
"The Nether Claw Sect. Or rather, the former Nether Claw Sect site?"
"...I don't know the place."
"Don't worry. I do."
With that, I took the lead and strolled casually ahead.
It wasn't far, and we soon arrived at the Nether Claw Sect grounds—just as I'd predicted.
It had been six days since I'd left every last one of them half-crippled.
The place was utterly ruined. Every door that had a door was wide open, and not a hint of human presence anywhere.
A sweep would turn up nothing worth taking. They'd already picked over whatever they could in those six days.
Confirming the sight, I turned on my heel.
"Let's go."
We headed straight for Changyoung Inn, and upon our arrival, the place erupted in chaos.
After a brief commotion, the innkeeper came rushing out, bowing repeatedly at the sight of me and speaking in a flurry.
"Aigoo, Great Hero! Thank you so much for gracing us again! This way, please! Today, I'll make up for my previous blunder!"
With all that fuss, the innkeeper personally guided us.
To a place called Starflow Pavilion. A different room from last time, but it looked even better.
Not just luxurious, it was a detached suite with plenty of privacy.
"Innkeeper."
"Yes, yes, Great Hero. Speak."
"Is this the best room?"
"Yes! As I said, I'm making amends!"
"But last time, I asked for the best room too."
For a split second—just an instant—the innkeeper's face stiffened.
But he was a seasoned one. His smile returned seamlessly as he launched into excuses.
"Aigoo, Great Hero. If this room had been empty, of course I'd have given it to you! But I couldn't just kick out prior guests, could I?"
"I see. Fine, then."
Thinking he'd dodged it, the innkeeper bustled us further inside.
"No need. You can go."
"Understood. Shall I have meals and bathwater brought up? Which first?"
"Bath, obviously."
"Right away."
With the innkeeper gone, I turned to Dang Sohye.
"As you know, Seolha, Yeonhwa, and I share a bed. Rest wherever you like. The whole suite's ours anyway."
"Understood."
She already knew about sharing the Tang Listening Pavilion back home, so Dang Sohye nodded without objection and headed to a room to rest.
Even when posing as Dang Myeongun, she hadn't been all that sweet and gentle, but now as herself, she seemed even more curt.
Like she was sulking because she didn't like me or something?
Funny thing was, she'd been the one to first volunteer to follow me, telling the Tang Family head herself.
Knowing that made her attitude seem awfully cute.
Was she just bad at showing her true feelings? Or overly shy?
Either way, her presence wouldn't stop me from doing what I always did.
I leisurely bathed with Seolha and Yeonhwa attending me, then enjoyed dinner in comfortable attire.
Even so, Dang Sohye didn't seem fazed by it.
She stayed perfectly composed, without a hint of fluster or embarrassment.
"That's a wig."
"Pardon?"
"That hairpiece."
"Yes, Pavilion Lord."
"Do you really need it? Short hair suits you better anyway. And that's fake hair in the back too, right?"
"Yes, it is."
"Don't wear it. You look better without."
"I'll consider it."
"Sure, whatever. It's your call."
Honestly, yeah. Short hair was rare for women in this era, but that's why it suited Dang Sohye so well.
The epitome of a boyish look, you might say.
Plus, after so long impersonating Dang Myeongun, her mannerisms and speech still carried that edge.
Slender and boyish? Irresistible.
So that wig just detracted from her appeal.
Why ruin such great qualities yourself? What a waste.
Anyway, after dinner, I had someone summon the innkeeper.
He came scurrying in, still groveling a bit too much.
"Ease up. No need for that. The food was good, so you've made up for it as promised."
"No, Great Hero. How could one meal settle the score? Whenever you pass through, please visit anytime."
"Sure, we'll see. Anyway, I called you about the Nether Claw Sect."
"Yes, yes. Ask away."
"What happened to those guys?"
He spilled everything he knew.
As expected. The Nether Claw Sect, more known for harming folks than helping, had disintegrated.
Some got beaten senseless by ordinary people and crippled for life. Most had fled in the night with whatever loot they could grab.
But that didn't solve the problem.
The Nether Claw Sect was gone, but the area had become territory for another group.
Called the Complete Bell Society—another Black Heaven Alliance outfit.
In the end, life for the locals hadn't changed much.
With the innkeeper gone, I had Seolha fetch Dang Sohye.
She came promptly at my call. But the wig was gone.
"Took off the wig?"
"...Just for sleeping."
Hearing that, I couldn't hold back a grin inside.
Aigoo, so cute. How is she this adorable?
I'd thought I wasn't getting old.
But grinning like this at such a sight? Felt pretty uncle-like.
Can't help it if she's this cute, though. Who made her that way?
"Anyway. You can contact the main family through a local apothecary here in Yizhou, right?"
"Yes."
"Then tomorrow morning, go to the apothecary and pass a message home. Tell them to clear out these Complete Bell Society bastards first. This is a key transit point, after all."
"Yes, it is."
"Exactly. A major route linking Shaanxi and Sichuan—can't have riffraff running amok here."
"Understood. I'll relay it."
"And... Hanzhong. That's another vital link between Chang'an and Sichuan. What's the situation there now?"
"Hanzhong is important for transport, but it lacks any major martial sect with real influence."
"Really? That's odd. Why?"
"Long ago, it was full of righteous factions, but during the Righteous-Demonic Great War, most were wiped out trying to block the Demonic Cult."
"Impressive. They knew they couldn't win against the Demonic Cult and fought anyway?"
"Yes."
Not an easy choice. Even as part of the righteous path, it wasn't simple.
The Demonic Cult is strong. Just look at Chae Ji-gyu to see their caliber.
Mid-to-small sects couldn't hold them off combined.
But they did it anyway.
Knowing they'd lose. Knowing it was hopeless odds.
Of course, abandoning their bases and families to flee would've been hard too.
But facing it head-on was something else.
Walking into certain death with resolve isn't foolish. It's courageous.
"Then add this: Find survivors from the Hanzhong sects that fought the Demonic Cult to the bitter end. There have to be some."
"Understood."
"That should do it. Go rest."
At my words, Dang Sohye bowed politely and withdrew.
And I watched her retreating figure leisurely.
Like some lecherous old man.