Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Directionally Challenged Master
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"Is this Anhui Castle?!"
The towering castle walls stretched so high that she had to crane her neck just to glimpse their tops. The road leading into the castle was jammed with a long line of people waiting to enter. It was truly the domain of the Namgung Family.
'So, my disciple is here.'
It had been a grueling journey.
The wind-battered carriage screamed as if it had reached the end of its lifespan. Amid the dust coating everything, the only thing unscathed was the woman's beauty. Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked around, filled with anticipation at the thought of soon meeting her disciple.
"Excuse me, could you tell me the way?"
"Pardon?"
The woman called out to a merchant resting by the roadside. He replied politely, recognizing her unmistakable air of a martial artist.
"I'm new here. Which way do I go to reach the Namgung Family?"
"The Namgung Family? It's in Anhui Castle, right?"
"Huh? Isn't this Anhui Castle?"
"No, sir. This is Shaanxi."
Anhui Castle? No?
Stunned by the man's words, she blankly scanned her surroundings. Finally, she spotted the plaque hanging above the castle gate.
Shaanxi Province.
A location she could never have reached by heading steadily south from Hebei. Only then did the woman realize she had taken the wrong path.
'Wasn't this the south?'
Obi-irak.
When a crow flies, one's bowels drop.
It described two unrelated events coinciding unluckily, leading to embarrassment. It revealed humanity's habit of seeking causal links in any phenomenon.
'My master loves wandering around so much.'
Yi Se-woong's assessment of his master.
From his perspective, he had no choice but to see it that way.
His master would leave saying she'd just step out for a bit, only to wander everywhere and return weeks later. That was the usual routine.
Because she hid the truth to preserve her master's dignity...
Yi Se-woong never arrived at the facts.
'She's lost again.'
Indeed.
She was directionally challenged.
Her sense of direction was different from everyone else's. Walking straight in one direction was, to others, simple; to her, it was an unattained dream.
She realized it when she got lost in the neighborhood where she'd lived for over ten years. I really can't find my way.
'But overcoming walls is the fate of a martial artist!'
Directionally challenged people fall into two categories.
Those who humbly accept it and never move without a guide.
And those who vow to conquer it and wander off on their own, getting lost.
She was the latter.
'Well... it's not urgent.'
For some reason, she felt competitive about it.
This time, it'll work.
The overconfidence unique to the directionally impaired.
She asked the merchant for directions and set off again. Believing that this time, she would reach Anhui Castle.
The day master and disciple would meet still seemed far off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "A mission?"
"Yeah. You said you're bored with training every day. It'll be a long trip, so pack plenty of supplies."
It was a peaceful day like any other.
Disciplining street thugs, training in the practice hall—the daily routine. Just when I was wondering if I could really get paid for this, Jegal Yeong dropped news that made my eyes light up.
"Finally, an escape!"
"That excited?"
"Senior, you wouldn't understand. You've handled big cases. I'm tired of just catching petty thugs and thieves."
Well, I wasn't expecting blood-soaked days.
But dealing only with small fry started breeding doubt. Did I join Baekyang Group for this?
I even suspected it might be Namgoong Hyeok's scheme to bore me to death.
"Don't get too carried away."
"Of course not."
"Sigh..."
Maybe my excitement was too obvious.
Jegal Yeong rubbed her temple as if it gave her a headache.
"So, what's the mission?"
"We're heading to Hunan Province. Ever heard of the Bandit Slayer?"
"The one who catches bandits and beats them up?"
Bandit Slayer.
A nickname I'd heard in passing.
An expert of unknown origin.
No one knew where such a powerhouse had popped up from.
One thing for sure.
He was infamous for targeting bandits exclusively, with eerie persistence.
As if determined to wipe them out, the Bandit Slayer hunted them down relentlessly.
I remembered even sizable bandit strongholds crumbling under his hand.
"The Alliance has been watching him... but lately, they've judged his actions have gone too far."
"Slaughtering everywhere he goes, naturally."
"Yeah. Even the authorities are starting to step in."
Hero.
It had a nice ring.
Killing only bandits sounded romantic at first glance. But strip away the "hero" part, and he was just a mass murderer. With blood winds blowing wherever he went, the government couldn't ignore it.
"On top of that, he's clashed with the Hyeongsan Sect recently."
"We capture him?"
"For now. The higher-ups' orders are to assess the situation first. Find out what his intentions are."
I was curious.
The Bandit Slayer's reason for killing.
Did he have a backstory, or was he just a killer picking easy targets with justification?
I'd find out when we met.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Just the two of you on the mission?"
"Why? Because it's with Senior Jegal Yeong? It's work."
"No, not that..."
Yeonhui looked full of worry.
"The rumors are so vicious. Bandit Slayer. We don't even know his exact skills."
"Think I'll lose?"
"Of course I trust you, Gaga."
Saying that, Yeonhui burrowed into my arms.
"I know you won't lose... but I can't help feeling anxious."
"I see."
"Not a single hair out of place."
"Got it."
That was no request—it was an order.
As if she'd never forgive me if I got hurt, Yeonhui looked up with puffed cheeks.
"Really?"
"Sure. We haven't even had the betrothal ceremony. A scar on my cheek would be disastrous."
"Absolutely not!"
Yeonhui shrieked.
Her worried face, eyes brimming with tears, was so cute I almost teased her.
But I held back, not wanting to make her more anxious before a long trip.
"Think of it as a short vacation."
"Tch, then should I be jealous you're going sightseeing with another woman instead of me?"
"Is that how it works? Anyway, I'll be careful so you don't worry. Promise."
"You promised."
She must be really worried.
Heading out alone with Jegal Yeong didn't seem to faze her much. Her trembling transmitted through our tightly hooked pinkies, as if she wouldn't let go.
"Shall I swing by Dongjeong Lake while I'm there? I hear there's a famous sculptor."
"A sculptor?"
"I'll have him make a statue like you. Not sure if he can capture all your beauty, though."
"Oh, come on!"
My silly joke seemed to ease her mind a bit. Good.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Was this fortunate?
Or a headache?
Yeonhui had worried that just Jegal Yeong and I lacked support. At least one of her concerns was alleviated.
"Junior, why do you look so pale?"
"Haa..."
"Taking care of your health before a mission is essential. If you're too tired, I can sub in for you?"
As we finished packing to leave Anhui Castle, we encountered an uninvited guest waiting outside the gate.
Hwangbo Seyul.
"Senior, aren't you on leave?"
"Yep!"
"Then why...?"
"I was worried about you and the other junior!"
"Senior knows this is a mission and a test. To check if the newbie can pull their weight."
"I know. But this one feels kudduk-kudduk somehow!"
What the heck was kudduk-kudduk?
Hwangbo Seyul's expressions were often cryptic.
"Did you get permission from the Division Leader?"
"Of course! He was so moved by my concern for you juniors he nearly teared up."
"Your gear?"
"Packed enough for weeks!"
Hwangbo Seyul turned to proudly show the pack on her back.
She looked downright lighthearted, like heading on a trip.
Jegal Yeong seemed ready to grab her and lecture for ages, but surprisingly said nothing.
Her face showed resignation.
It carried the familiarity born of long experience.
"Fine. Honestly, I still can't believe that intuition of yours. But you've never been wrong when you said something felt off."
"Right, right! Glad you get it!"
"That's not praise..."
And so, Hwangbo Seyul joined us.
"Senior, don't interfere unless it's serious."
"Of course. You two should handle anything, right? Honestly, it feels like a vacation!"
"What?"
"Eek, Junior Junior! Protect me!"
Hwangbo Seyul hid behind me, shoving me forward like a shield.
Jegal Yeong's brewing frustration was palpable.
"Senior Hwangbo probably meant don't be too tense."
"As expected, Junior Junior understands!"
"..."
Jegal Yeong glared at me with wide eyes, looking betrayed—like an axe she'd trusted had chopped her foot. Her stinging gaze was full of hurt.
"Fine. I'm the bad guy."
"Senior?"
"Let's go already."
Thus, our trio set off for Hunan Province. It would be a long journey, but far from boring.