Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Chang'an Ink Sword Grove New Year's Eve
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The last day staying in Eoyang.
After the sun sets, I head to the Crimson Blood Sect alongside the Blue Tiger Sect Leader.
The man has swiftly regained his internal energy and can now reliably conceal his presence.
The reason for his unusually quick recovery is undoubtedly his thirst for revenge.
Revenge makes for the finest motivation. The problem is how easily it can consume you.
[Are you alright?]
[Yes, Grove Lord. I've cast aside my impatience. I can't afford to botch the grand scheme with half-baked moves.]
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. And for Morache, it's Lunar New Year's Day. Which means, in this place, it's the Spring Festival.
That's why the Crimson Blood Sect is bustling with activity.
As the foremost sect of the Black Dao, it's already swarming with early visitors, and preparations for welcoming guests everywhere make it even more hectic.
In the midst of all that, the Blue Tiger Sect Leader and I have sneaked in.
I had been a little worried.
But since we've infiltrated safely and climbed atop the Crimson Blood Sect Leader's palace hall, I doubt I'll need to worry about him anymore.
Actually, what I'd been concerned about was something else.
The Crimson Blood Sect that wiped out the Blue Tiger Sect. The countless lives lost in the process.
The Blue Tiger Sect Leader himself lost his dantian and endured years of hardship and persecution.
Could a man like that really look upon them indifferently? That was my worry.
But the Blue Tiger Sect Leader remains calm.
A man suppressing his rage and vengeful heart, gazing at his surroundings with serene eyes as if they were mere objects.
That's no easy feat.
Seeing him pull it off, it seems I chose well. Fortunately.
[It'll be a long and tedious fight. We're not just chopping off his head—we have to scrape the bottom of his barrel, dig it all up, and then finish it. In that process, some innocents might get hurt, of course. But with Songgye Sect Leader there, he won't let that happen. He'll stand at the forefront, staking the pride of his Anti-Crimson Blood Alliance. In any case, no matter what, you must watch silently. Don't reveal yourself. Hide your very existence. Got it? You all died of the plague, remember? You only show yourselves right before we strike the Crimson Blood Sect and sever his head from his body.]
[Of course. I understand fully.]
His expression remains composed. His eyes show no flicker of doubt.
So, no more worries now. At this point, he'll handle things himself just fine.
[I'm counting on you. Who else could I entrust this to so easily?]
[A task like this? I'd gladly take it on with gratitude anytime, Grove Lord.]
Watching the Blue Tiger Sect Leader send that transmission, a faint bitterness stirs in my heart.
Could I have prevented all this?
If I'd mastered the Obliterating Origin Divine Art and emerged right away, the martial world wouldn't have fallen into such chaos.
But regrets are pointless. Dwelling on the past once is enough.
The past can't be changed. All I can change is the present and the future.
So I don't wallow in the past. I look to the future.
That's what I can do. What I must do.
[I've already paid my respects to Songgye Sect Leader. Now it's your turn.]
[When will I see you again?]
[Who knows. Plenty of places to check. But I'll visit often.]
[Seeing you has made me realize my many shortcomings. Please come often and guide me.]
For a sect leader to speak like that isn't easy.
And nothing is more admirable.
Acknowledging one's deficiencies. Seeking guidance from one's betters.
Countless have fallen because they couldn't. Thanks to that worthless pride and reckless bravado.
[I will. Then, I'll be off.]
With that, I leap away.
Glancing back, I catch the Blue Tiger Sect Leader, who briefly lost track of my presence, grinning broadly without a sound.
Anyway, that's settled. The Crimson Blood Sect side is more or less taken care of.
A far better situation than the sloppy handling at Mount Tai Sect.
So, no issues here for the time being.
But there's still so much to do. Whew.
Returning to the Jade Radiance Pavilion, Yerim greets me with a graceful bow.
The girl whose hair I've tied up. But who hasn't been tied down yet.
Thanks to holding her close these past few days while sleeping, the awkwardness has mostly faded.
Of course, she still blushes in certain situations. Adorably so.
Just like now.
Even while attending to my bath fully clothed, she can't quite handle looking at my bare body properly.
No matter how I think about it, this girl isn't cut out to be a courtesan. So full of shyness.
Anyway, after finishing my bath, I turn in early.
Tomorrow I head back to Chang'an, so I need some rest.
Traversing from Eoyang to Chang'an in a single day—and doing it nonchalantly—would earn me cries of "braggart" from most folks.
Now, Yerim slips into my arms without a word, as if it's natural.
For a man like me, who could go several times a day without issue, to hold off for days like this is impressive.
And with such a lovely girl in my arms, no less.
"...My lord."
"Hm?"
"When you leave tomorrow... when will you... come back?"
Even the same words feel worlds apart coming from an old man versus a beautiful woman.
This one's far better, naturally.
"What, have you grown attached in the meantime?"
"...You're my benefactor, my lord."
She's an easy girl to read. Her heart shines right through her face.
Part of me wants to just take her now.
She probably wouldn't refuse. No, she'd welcome it eagerly.
But I hold back. I can embrace her anytime.
So, once the Crimson Blood Sect falls and Chae Yeomdal's head parts from his body, then it'll be fine.
That's better. Only then will her lingering resentments truly dissolve.
"If anything too much to handle comes up, or trouble arises, seek help from Songgye Sect Leader on Songgye Mountain. Mention Red Pine, and he'll come running without question."
"Red Pine... you said?"
"Yeah. Red Pine. The crimson pine tree."
"Understood, my lord."
"Good. Now sleep early. You've had it rough these days too. Catering to a cranky man's whims. So bear with it just for tonight."
"...You're not cranky, my lord."
With that, Yerim clings tightly to me.
As if telling me to drop the nonsense.
Whoa. Clinging like this in thin clothes is a bit dangerous.
But with what we've built so far, I simply temper my desires and tuck them away deep down.
This is right for now. So just sleep. No overthinking.
The next day.
I leave the Jade Radiance Pavilion and return to Chang'an.
Part of me considers stopping by to see Songgye Sect Leader and Blue Tiger Sect Leader one more time, but I press on.
Lingering would drag out the farewells and waste time.
Besides, I want to get back to Chang'an as soon as possible.
I miss Seolha, Yeonhwa, and Sohye.
I crave pulling them all into bed and indulging in all sorts of lewd fun.
Maybe that's why the road to Chang'an feels endlessly long.
Did someone stretch it out? Why does it feel so far?
This is why mindset matters for people.
When your heart is impatient, even the same distance feels eternal.
You have to master this sort of thing.
That's true cultivation.
Strength isn't just about a powerful body. The mind must be strong.
Like that, on the long road back, I ponder Mount Tai Sect and Black Merchant Sect.
Mount Tai Sect. That's the problem.
Can't use the same method as with Crimson Blood Sect.
There might be Black Dao sects wiped out by Mount Tai Sect, but how many of those thugs would actually help?
I'll look into it, but no high hopes.
Why would decent folks join the Black Dao in the first place? No way.
And Black Merchant Sect. Need to check there too.
Next time, hit Black Merchant Sect first. Something's surely up with them.
But how to surveil that place?
Man... not easy. Doing everything alone is such a hassle.
Lost in such scattered thoughts, I return to Chang'an. The sun set long ago, yet the streets still blaze like daylight.
Has Yang Cheonhak reached Chang'an yet?
Told him to arrive by New Year's Day, so by tomorrow at latest.
But by normal travel pace, he should already be here.
So I head straight to Xi'an Merchant House and meet Manager Jang right away.
"Aigoo, Grove Lord! It's been too long!"
"Have you been well? No troubles at the merchant house?"
I speak casually even to the Dang family head, but somehow with Xi'an Merchant House's Manager Jang, we use formal address both ways.
Others might be shocked if they saw.
Maybe think Manager Jang's some big shot, a real power player, or shadowy puppet master?
Well, he does deserve good treatment. He knows a lot about Ink Sword Grove, after all.
"Grove Lord. Just the other day, a young man came looking for you..."
"Yang Cheonhak, right?"
"Yes, yes. That's him."
"Didn't say anything else?"
"No. Just that you sent him here, then clammed up tight."
Didn't mention Ink Sword Grove or master, huh. He's got that much sense.
Good thing. Martial arts I can teach, but street smarts like that? Hard to impart.
That's a matter of character.
"That kid's a first-generation disciple of Ink Sword Grove. Remember him as such, Manager Jang."
"Heavens. Is that so? Quite the surprise. Got it. I'll keep that in mind. Ah! Shall I fetch Young Master Yang?"
"Please do."
"Yes, right away. Someone outside?"
Manager Jang sends for Yang Cheonhak, and soon the kid arrives where we are.
"Whoa, Master! Hope you've been well!"
"Manager Jang now knows you're a first-generation disciple of Ink Sword Grove, so act accordingly."
"Ah! Yes, got it! Master!"
The kid switches to "Master" on the spot.
Manager Jang eyes Yang Cheonhak with curious interest.
Well, to a layperson, Yang Cheonhak looks utterly ordinary.
So yeah, he'd wonder. What am I missing?
"Alright, let's go. Time to take you where you belong."
"Yes! Understood! Master! Manager Jang! Thank you for your hospitality."
"Haha, no need. I should be the one asking for your continued favor, Young Master Yang."
After the farewells, I take Yang Cheonhak and head to Ink Sword Grove.
The last day of the year. New Year's Eve.
Thus, I return home with my first disciple.