Chapter 274: Wrath
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 274: Wrath
The first to cry is the first to win.
Her timing was impeccable.
Even knowing it was a calculated performance, her acting was so overwhelming that I felt an unconscious urge to comfort her.
If Cheon Yeo-hwa had been born on Earth, she would have swept the Academy Awards, no question.
If it affected me this way, someone who knew the truth, I could only imagine its effect on others.
Seeing Cheon Yeo-hwa, who was young enough to be their granddaughter, crying so sorrowfully, Howon-dangju and Yang Wiryang groaned in distress. They were visibly flustered.
Yang Wiryang, in particular, seemed to be feeling a great deal of guilt, as his eyes trembled faintly.
Howon-dangju even started pretending to pray, trying to ignore the situation. Just as my respect for him was dwindling, Daoist Hyunseo rose from her seat and approached Cheon Yeo-hwa.
As the gazes of the three men, including myself, focused on her, Daoist Hyunseo embraced Cheon Yeo-hwa and gently patted her back.
“Don't say such things. The wicked assassins are the ones at fault. Why should you be the one to shed tears?”
“B-But...”
“Hush, now. A young woman shouldn't cry so easily.”
It was a completely unexpected sight, both bewildering and fascinating.
I thought she was a woman of few words with a difficult personality, but now she seemed as benevolent as a grandmother comforting her grandchild.
Still, it was hard to say she was a completely good person. Seeing as she frowned every time our eyes met, it seemed she was only kind to women.
Then, Daoist Hyunseo suddenly began to tell a story from her past.
“Back when I didn't even have a proper title, a junior martial sister I was traveling the Murim with was ambushed by a treacherous member of the Evil Faction, and her life was in grave danger. If a physician from the Guizhou Jin Family hadn't happened to pass by, I might have lost my precious sister that day as a price for my carelessness and arrogance.”
Holding Cheon Yeo-hwa's hand, Daoist Hyunseo's eyes softened as if recalling the past.
“I tried to repay him in any way I could, but he refused everything except for a small amount for travel expenses and left. Rumor has it that he later ascended to immortality while practicing medicine in a small village plagued by disease. And then, two years ago, when I heard the news of the Guizhou Jin Family's annihilation, I felt as if I'd been carrying a heavy burden in my heart ever since...”
A variety of emotions crossed Daoist Hyunseo's eyes as she looked at Cheon Yeo-hwa. Joy, gratitude, regret, guilt, and longing.
However, the object of those emotions was not Cheon Yeo-hwa.
She seemed to be recalling that physician through Cheon Yeo-hwa, who shared the background of the Guizhou Jin Family.
Perhaps he was more than a benefactor; maybe he was a lover.
Of course, it was most likely a one-sided crush, but it wasn't a story that held my interest.
I let it go in one ear and out the other.
As if realizing it wasn't a story fit for this occasion, Daoist Hyunseo cleared her throat softly and stepped back.
“Ahem. In any case, we are also at fault for this incident. We should have left behind first-generation disciples, and even that might not have been enough, yet we only left one or two second-generation disciples. We won't be able to avoid a reprimand when we return to our sects.”
Howon-dangju and Yang Wiryang remained silent at her words.
Even I thought that if each sect had left two or three first-generation disciples, not so many would have died.
Perhaps because they knew this better than anyone, the guilt on the three's faces deepened.
“...I believe we've heard all there is to hear. Are there any more questions? If not, let's conclude this.”
No one objected to Daoist Hyunseo's arbitrary way of proceeding.
After all, the villains were already dead by my hand, and we had heard enough of the story. Besides, it wasn't as if they could blame Cheon Yeo-hwa.
It was true that the third-generation disciples of each sect were unfairly caught up in this, but she too was a victim whose family had been annihilated by the assassins.
It's a pre-arranged backstory, but there's no risk of being found out, so it should be fine.
Although she had been frail and spent her entire life within her family's estate before being killed in the assassins' raid two years ago, Jin Yeo-hwa was a real person.
It was somewhat unfortunate, but since everyone who knew her face had died that day, there was no danger of being exposed.
At first, I was puzzled as to how Cheon Yeo-hwa knew all this, but after hearing that the assassins were a subordinate organization of the Heavenly Demonic Cult, I understood without much difficulty.
I never thought the Heavenly Demonic Cult would actually be involved. I guess they're not just some run-of-the-mill cult hiding in a corner of Xinjiang.
The number of the Heavenly Demonic Cult's subordinate organizations Cheon Yeo-hwa told me about was far greater than I had expected.
Merchant guilds, escort agencies, information networks, mercenary groups, small and medium-sized sects, and more.
The number of their subordinate organizations operating in the Central Plains alone reached over a hundred.
Based on the solid intelligence network they had built, the Heavenly Demonic Cult discovered that the Guizhou Jin Family was secretly researching demonic arts. On their orders, the assassins attacked the family.
That was the truth behind the tragedy that occurred at the Guizhou Jin Family's home two years ago.
The reason we chose the Guizhou Jin Family for Cheon Yeo-hwa's fake identity was to have an excuse in case she ever needed to reveal her demonic energy.
A family that studied demonic arts was annihilated by a demonic cult, and the sole surviving direct descendant learned demonic arts to take revenge on them.
It was cliché, but it was a classic, archetypal story that would serve as a good shield in the future.
Of course, there would be those who would attack her simply for learning demonic arts, but I could just step in then.
“You must have gone through so much.”
“...I'm fine. It was Young Hero Kang who truly suffered.”
“Young Hero Kang?”
Daoist Hyunseo's gaze, which had been on the sniffling Cheon Yeo-hwa, turned to me.
Though it was just for a moment, the look that swept over me was filled with clear displeasure.
“If it weren't for him, I would have never even discovered that the assassins were behind this, and I would have crossed the Sanzu River to be reunited with my family.”
Regardless of Hyunseo's reaction, Cheon Yeo-hwa was busy singing my praises.
Her gaze, once directed at Daoist Hyunseo, was now fixed entirely on me.
Within her red eyes, filled with countless emotions, the one that shone most brilliantly was love (愛).
“...I see.”
But contrary to her words, the temperature in the tent dropped.
Sensing something in the strangely murderous atmosphere, Yang Wiryang was the first to rise.
“Ahem... Howon-dangju? This old man must go and perform a memorial service for my disciples, so I will take my leave first.”
“...This humble monk must also collect the bodies of my disciples and return to the Shaolin Temple, so I shall be on my way.”
Like the shrewd old men they were, they were trying to slip away as soon as the mood turned sour.
As I was laughing inwardly at the absurdity, Yang Wiryang approached me.
His face still had the air of a stubborn old man, but beyond that, he seemed to have made some kind of resolution.
When our eyes met, he gave me a respectful cupped fist salute and bowed his head.
“I am Yang Wiryang, the Taiyi Swordsman and the 5th Elder of the Great Zhongnan Sect. I offer my thanks for avenging our sect.”
At the same time, Howon-dangju, who was standing beside him, pressed his palms together and also bowed his head.
“If you had not dealt with those villains, Young Hero, we would have had to spend a long time tracking them. And even then, it's highly likely we would have failed to catch them. That is the nature of those assassins... I, too, on behalf of the Shaolin Temple, express my deepest gratitude to you. If you visit Shaolin in the future, the Abbot will surely welcome you with joy.”
With those words, the two men left the tent.
Watching them go, I had no choice but to revise my assessment of the Zhongnan Sect.
Of course, it was a revision downwards, not upwards.
I was a little surprised when Yang Wiryang bowed his head, but on second thought, that was all it was.
So this is why they call Shaolin the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of the Murim.
While Howon-dangju's last words implied a proper reward if I visited Shaolin, Yang Wiryang was essentially trying to get away with just a word of thanks.
He was bigger than me, but he was a real cheapskate.
And he called his sect the Great Zhongnan Sect?
As of this moment, I officially withdraw my support for the Zhongnan Sect.
Not that I ever supported them in the first place, but that was a minor detail.
It wasn't like we'd ever meet again anyway.
“My, you've been all the way to Hefei? The mountains of Guizhou are rugged and the rainy season is long; the journey must not have been easy...”
“...My mother's hometown was Hefei. So I wanted to visit at least once.”
“I see...”
While I was lost in thought for a moment, a lively conversation blossomed between Cheon Yeo-hwa and Daoist Hyunseo.
They looked so harmonious that anyone would mistake them for a grandmother and her granddaughter. The difference in Daoist Hyunseo's demeanor when dealing with me was so stark it felt jarring.
“...Won't you come with me? Normally, you would be too old to become an inner disciple, but I can ask the Sect Leader to accept you as my direct disciple. Within the protection of Mount Hua, not even the assassins will be able to touch you.”
“I'm sorry. I have no intention of stopping until my family's revenge is complete.”
“...”
Despite Cheon Yeo-hwa's firm refusal, Daoist Hyunseo persistently tried to persuade her.
But each time, Cheon Yeo-hwa politely declined with a combination of appropriate acting and her prepared script. Faced with her resolute attitude, Daoist Hyunseo finally seemed to accept it and said no more.
Just as I was about to leave the tent with Cheon Yeo-hwa after a polite farewell, she spoke.
“You're called Young Hero Kang?”
“Yes?”
Daoist Hyunseo had stopped me.
“You, stay for a moment.”
*
Despite the questions filling my mind, I sharpened my senses and did not let my guard down.
The moment Cheon Yeo-hwa left the tent, Daoist Hyunseo had created a Qi barrier to prevent any sound from leaking out.
...Is she planning to start a life-or-death duel?
Logically, that seemed unlikely, but given the thorns in her attitude towards me all this time, nothing would surprise me.
Just as I was contemplating how to respond if she were to attack, she spoke.
“I'll ask you directly.”
Her cold voice echoed softly.
Not a single trace of warmth could be felt in the eyes staring at me.
“What is your relationship with Yeo-hwa?”
Yeo-hwa? Anyone hearing that would think she's her actual grandmother.
I put on a mask of indifference and spoke calmly.
“I don't understand your intention. I am merely the young lady's bodyguard.”
“I heard you stayed in the same tent.”
“What kind of bodyguard in this world would leave the side of the person they're protecting?”
“Ha.”
Rumble—
At that moment, with a scoff, Daoist Hyunseo's energy erupted violently.
Her aura, which instantly dominated the surroundings, pressed down on me.
“Then why were you away from Yeo-hwa when the villains attacked? If you hadn't left your post, she would never have been chased by those assassins.”
It was a blind spot.
But it was nothing more than a baseless accusation.
“It was a matter concerning my main family.”
“I've never heard of the Guizhou Jin Family having any connection to Vajra Divine Monk.”
“All I can say is that it is a family secret passed down only to the direct lineage.”
The conversation was going nowhere.
There could be no progress in a discussion that just nitpicked at words without any evidence.
As time passed, the presence I felt from Daoist Hyunseo grew sharper and sharper.
What the hell is with this woman?
She had been relatively fine when we first met, but I couldn't understand her sudden hostility.
We had only crossed paths once or twice; there was no real connection between us.
“...I will ask one last time.”
Daoist Hyunseo's expression was resolute, as if she had made up her mind.
It was a warning.
A final warning that if I tried to wriggle my way out again, she would not hesitate to attack.
I sighed inwardly.
As someone who believes in respecting the elderly, this was a truly sad state of affairs. But at this rate, I'd have no choice but to attack an elder.
Still, she's Yoo Sowol's master, so I should try not to hurt her too much...
“When do you plan on marrying Sowol?”
“...?”
The completely unexpected question left me speechless for a moment.
Marrying her?
Why on earth is that coming out of her mouth?
“Did you think I wouldn't know what you are to that child?”
Daoist Hyunseo's face contorted violently.
I could clearly feel that she was suppressing her killing intent to its absolute limit.
“Don't tell me.”
An uncontrollable rage seeped into her voice.
Only then did I think I understood the true nature of the hostility she had shown me until now.
“You dare take my disciple's first time and then try to run away without taking responsibility...!”