A Slip of the Tongue
A heavy silence fell over the area.
Ung Cheol, the chief of the Taedo Bandit Camp—ranked fiftieth among the 108 Green Forest Bandit Camps—had died with his heart pierced. He was a formidable master who had reached the early stages of the Transcendent Realm. For this reason, even though his camp's forces were smaller compared to others, the chief's exceptional personal martial arts had earned them a middle-tier ranking among the hundred and eight camps. In fact, the sole reason the Taedo Bandit Camp had avoided subjugation, despite its close proximity to orthodox martial academies and local government offices, was because its chief possessed the might of a Transcendent Realm master.
Consequently, the bandits of the Taedo Camp had never once imagined that Ung Cheol could be defeated, making the shock of his demise all the more devastating. No matter how perilous the situation, Chief Ung Cheol's intervention had always resolved everything. They had naturally believed he would handle this situation as well, yet here he lay, his heart pierced through. He had floundered helplessly under the coordinated assault of the suddenly appearing men in black, unable to mount any proper resistance, only to die while trying to stammer excuses to the Sword Flower, whom he himself had ordered to be captured. His end was utterly pathetic. The final words left by a Transcendent Realm martial artist were incredibly wretched.
Witnessing this, the remaining bandits completely lost their will to fight. They didn't even dare to harbor thoughts of resisting the men in black or Yeon So-o; instead, they scrambled to turn and flee. Seeing this, Lee Hak cast a sidelong glance at Unwol. In response, Unwol spoke.
"Let us capture them all first."
At those words, Lee Hak smiled thinly and nodded. Immediately, the men in black leaped forward, targeting the legs of the fleeing bandits.
Thwack! Thud! Slice!
"Aaargh!"
"Urgh!"
"S-spare me!"
Struck in their lower bodies—thighs, calves, and ankles—the bandits collapsed to the ground one after another. In this manner, approximately ten bandits were captured alive. Once the situation was fully under control, Yeon So-o clasped her hands in a respectful fist-and-palm salute toward Lee Hak.
"Thank you for your assistance, Great Hero. Thanks to you, I was able to subdue these bandits without facing grave danger."
"Mmm, I am quite alright. You should offer your gratitude directly to my master inside," Lee Hak replied, stepping aside and gesturing toward the carriage.
Yeon So-o turned her head slightly to look at the vehicle. It was on an entirely different level compared to the shabby carriage she had been riding. Constructed from exceptionally high-grade wood, the dark crimson carriage was not overly flashy, yet it somehow exuded a subtle, overwhelming pressure. Furthermore, the driver sitting at the front was also dressed entirely in black, maintaining an impeccably upright posture that suggested he was no ordinary coachman.
As the Sword Flower, Yeon So-o, slowly walked toward the carriage, her mind raced. The squinty-eyed man who seems incredibly powerful, and the men in black he commands... The squinty-eyed man's robes were a harmonious blend of red and white, and even a cursory glance revealed they were made of extremely luxurious fabric. Moreover, his demeanor and expressions carried the distinct air of a noble young lord. She could not begin to guess what kind of person could keep such an individual as a subordinate.
As she slowly approached the dark crimson carriage, a man and a woman stepped down from within. The moment she saw them, Yeon So-o involuntarily gasped.
"Ah..."
It was only natural, for both of them possessed rare, snow-white hair and features so flawlessly perfect they seemed almost non-human. The woman following behind the man possessed jade-white skin, elegantly curved eyes, and a perfectly sculpted nose—she could easily be hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Central Plains. Having lived her life praised for her looks as the Sword Flower, one of the Five Flowers of the Martial World, Yeon So-o had never openly shown it, but she had secretly believed she would never be outshone in beauty. Yet, looking at this pure white woman, she realized there was always a higher heaven above the heavens.
As for the man she followed, to be completely honest, Yeon So-o felt a flutter of romantic attraction the instant she saw him, but that was preceded by a profound sense of human awe. His face was so perfectly sculpted it looked as though someone had carved it with deliberate intent. He was tall, and his firm, athletic physique, subtly visible beneath his robes, was enough to make even Yeon So-o—who normally held absolutely no interest in men—feel her heart skip a beat. Swept away by the overwhelming aura, she stared at them blankly for a moment before instinctively bowing her head deeply and offering a fist-and-palm salute.
"Thank you... Great Hero."
Due to her sudden nervousness, her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. Yeon So-o lowered her head even further, desperately trying to hide her flushing face. At that moment, Unwol slowly approached her, offering a gentle smile and speaking in a warm, bright tone.
"There is no need to be so formal. We merely did what was right."
Unwol's smooth, low-baritone voice was more than enough to captivate any woman's heart, leaving Yeon So-o utterly flustered by emotions she had never experienced before. Her face burned as red as a ripe persimmon, making it impossible for her to lift her head easily. Realizing that things would turn awkward if she remained like this, she quickly took a deep breath to compose herself.
"Phew..."
Yeon So-o slowly raised her head, using her hand to fan her face. Staring at Unwol's face made her mind go completely blank, leaving her unable to think of what to say. As she subtly averted her gaze, Unwol spoke first.
"Hmm. Judging by the emblem on your martial robes, you appear to be a warrior of the Jeomchang Sect. What brings you all the way from Yunnan to this place?"
Of course, Unwol, who lacked detailed knowledge of martial arts lore, had no actual way of recognizing the emblem. He was simply using the information he had previously received from Lee Hak to strike up a conversation. At his question, Yeon So-o snapped out of her daze and replied.
"Ah, I am currently on my way to Henan to attend the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. I traveled by carriage all the way from Hunan, but I never expected to encounter such trouble here. I was in a very perilous situation, and I owe you my life. Thank you once again, Great Hero."
"It is only natural to help when a rising star of the orthodox sects, who will bear the future of the martial world, is in danger. Haha. But a Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, you say? Henan is still quite a distance away. Will you be alright traveling like this?"
Yeon So-o glanced back to assess her situation. The shabby carriage she had been riding was already completely destroyed during the skirmish, and the treacherous driver who had guided it lay dead, slashed by a blade. Under these circumstances, it was practically impossible for her to blindly walk through these deep mountains—whose geography she was entirely unfamiliar with—just to find a town that might not appear for miles. To make matters worse, her travel rations had been scattered everywhere and covered in dirt when the carriage broke. It was also highly doubtful whether the next village would even have a carriage and a driver available, especially if it turned out to be a small hamlet. Blindly hoping for a spare carriage in the next town was relying far too much on luck.
Although Yeon So-o despised relying on others, her current situation was undeniably bleak. Furthermore, dusk was slowly settling. A mountain after sunset was the epitome of danger. With no way of knowing which direction was correct and no visible path, attempting to force her way forward would undoubtedly land her in grave peril. Despite knowing this, she had rarely ever asked anyone for help, making it incredibly difficult to bring herself to ask Unwol. Just then, Unwol spoke first.
"The sun is setting, and it looks far too dangerous for you to travel alone. Why don't you join us?"
"...Would that really be alright?"
Yeon So-o looked at Unwol, her expression visibly brightening.
"Of course."
"Thank you for your kindness."
"A promising rising star of the orthodox sects is gracing us with her company. If anything, I should be the one thanking you."
As Unwol welcomed her with an easygoing smile, Yeon So-o, who was unaccustomed to the kindness of strangers, felt a bit awkward, though she didn't dislike it in the least. Guided by Unwol, she slowly stepped inside the carriage. The moment she saw the interior, her jaw dropped. She had never seen an interior this luxurious in any carriage she had ridden before. Comparing her previous rides to this place felt like an absolute insult.
"Whoa..."
She gasped in awe, her mouth hanging wide open. However, to Unwol, who had experienced the comfort of high-tech armored vehicles in the modern era, he wondered if this was truly something to be so amazed by. Of course, if Lee Hak had known what Unwol was thinking, he would have been deeply hurt, considering he had painstakingly prepared this carriage using rare woods and materials that were nearly impossible to obtain in the Central Plains.
Realizing she had acted like a country bumpkin, Yeon So-o blushed slightly, cleared her throat, and stole a cautious glance at Unwol. Considering his luxurious robes and his exceptionally refined appearance—a rarity in the Central Plains—she realized in an instant that he was no ordinary individual.
Just who on earth is this man?
The carriage, though incredibly luxurious inside, possessed a deceptively simple exterior. Furthermore, there were at least two masters who seemed to surpass the Transcendent Realm acting as his escorts, accompanied by a large number of men in black. There were simply too many high-level attendants serving a single individual.
...Is he a member of the imperial family, or perhaps a high-ranking noble from a prominent clan? As far as I know, there has never been such a figure among the orthodox sects.
As Yeon So-o's thoughts drifted deeper into a maze of speculation, Unwol spoke.
"Ah, I have neglected to introduce myself. My name is Unwol. I happen to be an acquaintance of the... Hwangcheon? Yes, the merchant group leader here. Thanks to him, I am traveling in great comfort."
"It is Jeokcheon, Lord Unwol."
"Ah, right. The Jeokcheon Merchant Group."
Upon hearing the name "Jeokcheon Merchant Group," Yeon So-o's eyes widened in sheer shock.
"The Jeokcheon Merchant Group! Then, are you the Mangeum Daebu, Lee Hak, the leader of the greatest merchant group in the Central Plains?!"
"Haha, I am honored that you recognize me," Lee Hak replied with a chuckle.
Seeing Yeon So-o's reaction, Unwol and Biwol cast surprised glances at Lee Hak. When traveling with them, he had seemed like nothing more than a frivolous, talkative man, but it appeared he was quite famous in the outside world. Although they had heard him refer to himself as a merchant group leader, they hadn't expected a rising star of the orthodox sects to react with such wide-eyed astonishment.
Seeing Lee Hak, the leader of the Jeokcheon Merchant Group and the man known as the Wealthy Tycoon of Ten Thousand Gold, everything suddenly clicked for Yeon So-o. She looked back and forth between Unwol, Biwol, and Lee Hak, her posture growing even stiffer than before. Unwol had brought it up to ease the tension, but it had only made the atmosphere more awkward.
"Haha, there is really no need to be so tense."
"...Yes."
Though she gave an affirmative reply, her expression remained stiff.
"Mmm, ahem..."
Unwol cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Ah, by the way, you mentioned you were heading to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Are you traveling alone?"
"For the most part, yes. I am the only martial artist from the Jeomchang Sect participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, so..."
"How unusual. It is a long journey, so I assumed you would have companions."
"Ah, of course, most people do. But I insisted on traveling alone before leaving. Traveling with others doesn't really suit my personality. Besides, my master is currently away from our main sect, so he couldn't accompany me anyway."
"I see. Ah, then is our company making you uncomfortable as well?"
"Ah! No, absolutely not!"
Realizing her words might have sounded rude given the current situation, Yeon So-o waved her hands frantically in denial.
"Haha, I am glad to hear that. To be honest, I was hoping to travel with you for a while, Lady Yeon."
"Pardon?"
"To tell you the truth, I was quite captivated by your brave figure when you were fighting off those bandits earlier! It made me wish to build a friendship with you."
Hearing his words, Yeon So-o's mind snapped wide awake. Anyone would be stunned to hear that an acquaintance of the leader of the greatest merchant group in the Central Plains wanted to establish a personal connection with them. Due to the deeply rooted tradition of guanxi—the network of influential relationships—such an opportunity was truly more precious than gold. To have such a treasure of a connection present itself so naturally was a miracle.
Even Yeon So-o, who spent most of her time cooped up in her sect focusing solely on training, could immediately recognize the immense value of this moment. Recently, the Jeomchang Sect's financial situation had been quite precarious due to the rampant activities of unorthodox factions in Yunnan. Thus, Unwol's words represented an unbelievable opportunity for her.
As Unwol offered a gentle smile and extended his hand, Yeon So-o, her face burning red, eagerly grabbed it with both of her hands and spoke in an excited rush.
"I—I love you!"
The words had slipped out completely wrong. What Yeon So-o had meant to say was "Thank you so much," but in her sheer excitement at this dramatic turn of events, the words buried deep within her heart had slipped out instead. At this, Unwol stared at her with an utterly blank expression, his voice cracking slightly as he asked:
"...Excuse me?"
In an instant, a heavy, suffocating silence descended upon the carriage.