Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Firm Ground After Rain (11)
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Glossy black hair cascaded lightly over her shoulders. The woman's sharp eyes were fixed solely on Nameless. By her looks alone, she appeared to be a young maiden in her early twenties.
She seemed to fancy rather provocative attire. Her outfit boldly exposed her alluring legs and ample cleavage, daring enough even by modern standards.
Catching sight of such scandalous clothing for the first time in her life, Moyong Sua felt her cheeks burning red. In contrast, Seolhwa stared at the woman with a coldly impassive expression.
"Rest easy, little ones. Half of what I said was just lighthearted jest."
"Half...? Then what's the other half?"
"Why, the truth, of course. My father's courtesy name is indeed Nameless."
"I can explain all that myself."
Sensing the pressure from both sides, Nameless hurriedly moved his tongue to cut off the woman's words. It wasn't hyperbole—every phrase from her mouth was like a live grenade.
Thanks to that, he managed to recapture the woman's attention, which had been drifting toward the cute girls. Flashing the bewitching smile that had ensnared countless men before, she spoke.
"Getting straight to the point? I do prefer it quick."
"I dislike small talk myself. But we don't even know your name."
"Is there any need to tell you?"
"How can one converse comfortably with a stranger unnamed?"
The more they bantered, the more Nameless realized she was no pushover. Her tongue danced with effortless skill, like sparring with a venomous serpent.
"A fair point."
"What a hassle just to get a name."
"My apologies for the delay. I am Muwol, the humble Union Leader guiding the Evil Path Union."
"...I never dreamed the Union Leader of the Evil Path Union would grace a place like this in person."
And with such an unforeseen heavyweight appearing, Nameless's body tensed up rigidly as well. The Evil Path Union was akin to the Murim Alliance for the orthodox sects—a grand confederation.
In other words, Union Leader Muwol held stature equivalent to the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance. Nameless had braced only for the Black Epidemic Sect's sect master seeking revenge.
The sudden arrival of the Union Leader doubled the shock. To begin with, neither the Evil Path Union nor the unorthodox paths featured heavily in recent wuxia tales.
'Usually, they don't show up much unless the protagonist's from the unorthodox side.'
"It seems the great hero is fatigued."
"My apologies. I had much on my mind."
"No matter. Now that introductions are done, shall we relocate?"
As Union Leader Muwol wished, they settled in a suitable pavilion. During the brief respite, Nameless splashed cold stream water on his face to steady his nerves. Far more dangerous than expected.
'I got flustered at first and let her lead me around without thinking. She's a very perilous woman despite her looks—must stay sharp, or...'
Her words commanded the battlefield like a general rivaling ten marshals. He'd fought with swords aplenty, but verbal duels were a first, leaving him vulnerable.
Even with his master, they'd spent at most seven years together. Proper conversations? Barely two, and those were mostly curt.
He'd traded crops and hunted game down in the village, but even then, meaningful talks were rare enough to count on one hand.
'Still, grasping the flow shouldn't be too hard.'
Perhaps the cold water cooled his muddled head. At last, Nameless's mind began whirring fiercely. Same courtesy name as Father, was it? Then the answer was clear.
'The vanished father... In other words, she came searching for Master.'
Nameless reached the conclusion effortlessly, yet it only clogged his heart further. How could he calmly tell a child of her father's death?
But in such times, one must steel the heart. Cold and ruthless as it was, that was reality. Fail to face it, and life turned hellish.
Composing himself, Nameless returned to the pavilion. Evil Path Union warriors had already prepared seats—small trays of food, cushions... and at the center.
"You've finally arrived, great hero."
Muwol greeted him with an excessively bright and beautiful smile. Startled by the unanticipated welcome, Nameless quickly regained his composure and spoke.
"I have words that must be said."
"I know."
"What?"
"I already know everything."
Thirty years—full thirty. Since vanishing at age five, she'd stained her hands with blood aplenty in the desperate search for her father. Through it all, faith sustained her heart.
Such a kind man wouldn't abandon family without cause. Surely some misfortune had befallen him. Thus, she must become Union Leader to aid him.
...With that resolve, she ascended to the throne. Foolish, greed-ridden brothers though they were, their skill and talent matched Father's.
Far more time passed than imagined. Yet no sign of Father's return. What else could that mean?
"Even so, I never gave up and came this far. It may be an imposition on you, great hero... but if it's alright, will you indulge me to the end?"
Her voice trembled faintly, like one clinging to the last thread. Nameless couldn't refuse. A day of company? It'd be fine.
Besides, she was Master's child.
En favors must be repaid.
The Elementary Learning states one must serve one's teacher as parents, with utmost courtesy and reverence. As scion of a famed orthodox clan, Moyong Sua knew it well—only natural.
Thus, she'd initially refused to take Nameless as master. Back then, she yearned for Patriarch Moyong Gang's approval. Only then would she truly be family, she believed.
But now, belatedly realizing it a fleeting spring dream, her desires focused solely on her master, Nameless. At least, at first.
Seolhwa's appearance began shaking that foundation. Was it truly just serving and revering her master as parents, per the text?
'Nonsense. I'm just treating Master like a parent. He's the only one who's ever cared for me like a father.'
Once ignited, suspicion began consuming Moyong Sua's heart. It peaked seeing Muwol act so familiar with him. Revolting to watch.
Unable to endure, she sought the stream, splashing cold water on her face. After long ablutions, she let out a hollow chuckle. Just like Master's habit.
"Sis~ What're you doing?"
"...Seolhwa. Call me casually off-duty."
"Then, 'Sis' is fine?"
"Yes. Call me whatever you like."
The pale-skinned, white-haired girl smiled contentedly at the reply and nestled into Moyong Sua's embrace. This child too had lost family, surviving alone in solitude.
Her plight even more pitiable than mine. To think I'd envied her, even briefly. In that instant, Moyong Sua's face twisted in horror.
Envy.
Harboring jealousy?
Toward a master like a parent?
Moyong Clan folk would flog her senseless for such words. Age aside, nurturing romantic feelings for a parental master—what did that imply?
"Sis, something bothering you?"
"...Nothing."
"Liar, I can tell."
"What?"
"You're anxious that woman'll steal Master away, right?"
Her crimson eyes gleamed eerily in the moonlight, piercing the heart like arrows. Moyong Sua faltered at the sharp words, unable to retort.
"...How'd you know?"
"You got mad like this before. Same eyes as then."
"Yeah... But this time, I can't meddle."
"Why?"
"It's Master's affair. Besides, Master himself..."
Yet she couldn't continue. Imagining another woman by his side choked her chest, suffocatingly maddening.
"You hate it too, Sis?"
"...Yes. But..."
"So we'll take that spot."
"Absurd! We're his disciples!"
"Why?"
Seolhwa's crimson eyes blazed red. No doubt or worry—just brimming certainty. Fiercer than human, more beast than girl.
"Why can't we?"