Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Firm Ground After Rain (4)
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The child had never known unconditional love from the very moment of her birth. Having devoured her own mother to emerge into the world, she drew the patriarch's hatred, leaving Sua's place in the family forever lowly.
At least until she could prove her talent to Patriarch Moyong Gang. Even then, he treated her no differently than a weapon. Disobey, and merciless corporal punishment would follow without fail.
Yet Sua embraced even that as love. It was still better than utter indifference. She even felt grateful to be of some use.
But meeting her master shattered everything she thought she knew. Unlike the patriarch, he demanded nothing from her.
"Good job."
"Excellent."
"If you're hungry, eat your fill. There's plenty of food."
It was like a frog that had lived its whole life in a well suddenly facing the vast sea. The warmth she encountered for the first time in that dark, cold place was overwhelmingly tender.
She desired nothing else. She only craved that warmth to last forever. But heaven was merciless—even that warmth was now slipping away to another.
What would become of her if she lost even this? Would she have to return to that cold, dark place? In that instant, hateful teachings dominated her mind.
"In the end, the true martial world is survival of the fittest."
I have to protect it.
"If you don't want to be taken from, become the one who takes!"
Yes, that's right. The weak always end up losing everything.
She had learned much alongside Nameless, but her understanding was still shallow. In contrast, Moyong Gang's teachings had been drilled into her for over a decade. They lingered inescapably.
When she opened her eyes again, the girl was no longer Sua—she had become a single sword. Her sweeping strike veered sharply mid-motion. Thinking she'd dodged was a feint.
The blade twisted vertically and struck Seolhwa's shoulder like lightning. No novice just learning martial arts could block a strike infused with the Moyong clan's pursuit of speed and ferocity.
An ominous sound echoed from Seolhwa's shoulder, but she ignored it and assumed the stance her master had taught her. Seeing traces of her master in that form only fueled Sua's rage.
I never received the inner method directly from Master, so how dare you—a latecomer—surpass me?
Once the fire ignited in her chest, no reason could extinguish it. Jealousy consumed Sua, robbing her of rational thought. She simply followed her emotions.
But her wooden sword halted as if blocked by a massive boulder. Only then did Sua realize the obstacle before her was no rock—it was a man.
His white hair, beard-cloaked chin, furrowed brow, and scars made him look like a veteran of countless battles. His expression was stern.
Even so, Sua could finally smile now that things had come to this. Master was looking only at her! That alone was enough.
"That's too far."
"But this is a spar, isn't it?"
"Even so, your opponent is a third-rate who's barely begun learning martial arts. What do you expect if a second-rate like you shows no mercy?"
"……."
"You've been unlike yourself these past three days. Is something wrong?"
Unlike myself? What does that even mean?
The moment Seolhwa's name left her master's lips, Sua's face twisted. Unable to contain her frustration, she pressed a hand to her chest and spoke.
"I learned it that way from Moyong Gang too."
"But you know that's wrong."
"Learning has no end. And with darkness cloaking the heavens, not even starlight to guide the way, I'm just a lost child stumbling in the shadows."
"……."
"I need you, Master!!"
She barely understood the words spilling from her mouth. As a daughter of the righteous faction, they were unfit—hardly proper. But was that her concern?
She had been born without even a blessing, raised only as a tool once her value was recognized. Orthodox propriety? What of it now?
What manners must a noble clan daughter uphold? Fear of abandonment, rage at being supplanted, burning jealousy—they overwhelmed her.
Sua was still too young to control such emotions. And Nameless, knowing all her past humiliations, stepped forward slowly.
"I'm sorry."
"……?!"
"I know you've endured no small pain. My own shortcomings kept me from noticing sooner, so it's only natural you're upset."
She had braced for thunderous rebuke. As long as she held Master's sole attention, anything was fine. But what followed was utterly unexpected.
Sua blankly lifted her head. Somehow, she was in her master's embrace. The scent of herbs and earth from him felt sweeter than ever.
Feeling that warmth fully in his arms finally eased her. Tears she'd held back burst forth, melting away all her negativity like summer snow.
Only after a long while could Sua speak alone with Nameless. Seolhwa had wanted to follow, but Nameless excused her himself and cleared the space.
Entering the room, locking the door, and checking for presences outside, Nameless bowed to Sua in apology once more. Flustered, she waved her arms frantically.
"Let me apologize again first. I momentarily forgot your pain."
"N-no, it's fine. I just had a demon cloud my mind suddenly……."
With her fiery emotions cooled, embarrassment and shame flushed Sua's cheeks red as persimmons. Nameless replied with a grave expression.
"……What I'm about to say must never be shared with anyone. I'm telling you because I trust you that much—listen without alarm."
"Pardon? You mean……."
Thrilled that Master trusted her so deeply, Sua still read an ominous air in his face. At last, Nameless spoke.
"It seems Seolhwa is a living Human Gu."
Yi Cheongu, the owner of the village's only clinic, gazed delightedly at the silk and silver coins in the box. Just looking at the wealth made his belly feel full.
He truly needed nothing more to eat. Business had been slow lately, but an unexpected big catch—no, a great hero—had filled him to bursting.
Grinning greedily, Yi Cheongu quickly closed the box lest someone see, hiding it under his desk.
Bang bang!
"Hey, you'll break the door! It's open—come in!"
His mood was sky-high from the hero's gift, and now patients—one or two a day—visited today too? His mouth stretched ear to ear.
But the moment his eyes met the guests entering, that grin dropped like a lie. They wore black robes, their hats pulled low.
Swords hung at their waists—they looked anything but ordinary. Sensing trouble, Yi Cheongu hastily straightened up.
"Wh-what brings you to this humble clinic?"
"……We heard an old man with two children is up in nearby Geumhyeon Mountain."
"Eh? Then go to Geumhyeon Mountain. Why grace this worthless place in person?"
Bam!!
A sack slammed onto his desk with a metallic jingle. Money-loving Yi Cheongu knew instantly it held silver coins.
"We heard you climbed the mountain with that old man for a house call. Guide us the same way. The money's all yours."
"……And if I refuse your lordship's request?"
Crack!
A drawn sword stabbed right beside the sack. No long explanation needed—even a stray dog would get the message.
"Choose: money to change your life with a bit of effort. Or……."
Spend this long night in agony unlike any you've known?