Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Needle in the Pouch (6)
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A needle thrust into a pouch would tear right through it with its sharpness, even without doing a thing. From that perspective, Sua was an outstanding needle.
Thanks to the enlightenment she'd gained just a few days prior, the depth of her overall martial arts had deepened dramatically. She could even unleash ultimate techniques that had eluded her before.
It was an astonishing achievement for her age, enough that she could walk around with her shoulders back and no one would bat an eye. And yet, Sua always carried herself with unwavering humility.
'Well, that's how it should be for a true martial artist. In this brutal murim world, you need at least the Flower Realm to strut around with your chest puffed out. In that sense, Sua and I both have a long, treacherous road ahead.'
"I've... I've never seen anyone achieve that much at such a young age. And so humble on top of it..."
Nangong Yeon had finished all the chores and now stood watching Sua demonstrate her ultimate technique, her voice laced with awe. But I was more amazed by Nangong Yeon's handiwork than Sua's display.
Praise for Sua's talent had long since grown old hat—my ears might as well have calluses from it. Nangong Yeon's housekeeping skills, though? That was a complete shock.
This place was tiny compared to the Seonmu Academy, sure. But it was still spacious enough for a residence, since the Sapa had planned to use it as their own academy.
Before Nangong Yeon showed up, even with everyone pitching in on chores, cleaning alone took half a day. And she'd knocked it all out in just three shi chen?
'Could she be some Flower Realm expert or higher who's reincarnated into a child's body...?'
The thought crossed my mind for a split second. But there was zero reason for a transcendent master to be mopping floors here, so I let it go.
"Got time to stand around gawking? Laundry all done?"
"Yes! All finished!"
"Cleaning... that's done too. Then get to cooking."
"Right away!!"
Even Sua couldn't muster any real anger at Nangong Yeon's prowess and just let her words trail off. It had been about half a month since Nangong Yeon arrived. Maybe it was time to come clean with her.
She wasn't some random drifter. She hailed from the Nangong Clan—one of the Five Great Clans. Sure, she might be from a minor branch with little pull. But given she was here in Henan...
Either way, the Nangong Clan had backed her enough to enroll in the Seonmu Academy. That made a minor branch unlikely. Or she was a freakishly talented outlier.
"Um... we're out of rice."
"Then go buy some."
"But going alone is a little..."
"Sua, go with her."
"Yes, Master."
For whatever reason, Nangong Yeon seemed deathly afraid of stepping outside. My guess? She was on the run from someone. That's why I paired her with Sua.
I'd planned to tag along myself. But Sua would throw a fit over that. She already hated me helping with chores—and her reasoning was spot-on.
"We've already fulfilled our duty by sheltering someone who won't even reveal their purpose and feeding them. Shouldn't they at least earn their keep?"
She wasn't wrong. And since Sua never went overboard in bossing her around, I had no choice but to leave Nangong Yeon in her hands.
Nangong Yeon didn't seem to think it unfair, either. She looked a touch fearful but followed Sua's orders without much backtalk.
"We'll head out then."
"R-right. Off we go, Great Hero."
"Be careful out there."
With preparations complete, Sua and Nangong Yeon set off for the market. Now it was just Seolhwa and me. Her signature red eyes gleamed as she fixed me with that viscous, lingering stare.
"Just the two of us now, Master."
"Yeah."
"So only one thing left to do, right?"
"Training, obviously."
No matter how I sliced it, that was it. Seolhwa built internal energy at a blistering pace thanks to the Azure Sword Heart Method and her unique poison qi. But her comprehension? Her intellect for grasping martial arts?
Woefully lacking. It was unavoidable, really. She'd been locked away without training since childhood. Still, I couldn't just let it slide.
"You've got tons of weak spots. Endless things to learn. No time to waste."
"What is it..."
"What was that?"
"N-nothing! Master!"
At first, Sua had dreamed of hogging her master all to herself. But she quickly realized that was impossible. A needle in the pouch would always poke its way out.
As his disciple, all she could do was trust and obey him. She had no clue what his true aims were. But that didn't matter.
If Master said the moon was the sun, then it became the sun from that moment. If he called night day, night turned to day. Sua's faith in him bordered on zealotry.
"...Ten. No, eleven."
"Huh?"
"The number of tails stuck to our asses."
Her senses, honed razor-sharp upon reaching first-rate, easily tallied the pursuers on their trail. Nangong Yeon's face drained to blue at the words.
"W-we have to run! Fast! Or else back to that place...!!"
"Too late. They're boxing us in front and back. Looks like they were just waiting for us to duck into this alley."
The market route forced them through this alley. No doubt they'd anticipated that and set up the ambush. Annoyingly meticulous...
Part of her wanted to just hand Nangong Yeon over without a fuss. But sadly, Master's direct orders made that impossible.
Evidently thinking a mere blockade of retreat meant victory, they closed in with smug grins. Their robes were a mismatched patchwork.
Weapons varied wildly too—swords, spears, sabers, bows, you name it. Diverse didn't even cover it. But Sua grasped the reason in short order.
"Ha! Someone from the Seonmu Academy sicced the cadets on us? To dodge any fallout, they cherry-picked a few from each orthodox sect and mixed 'em up."
No single affiliation. If trouble brewed later, pinning blame got murky. Their foe wasn't one sect—it was the orthodox faction itself.
Obviously, the ringleader hadn't let slip their name. Exposure would spell disaster for them. Sua clocked all this the instant she saw them.
It left her trembling with disgust at the orthodox world's vile depths, beyond even her expectations. The cadets faltered briefly, ploy seen through. Then one stepped forward.
"We don't want any trouble. We're just here to escort the Nangong Clan lady."
"W-what're you talking about? Besides, I'm a guy..."
"Fine male disguise. But do you really think any of us don't know your face?"
"You idiots must've all eaten poison. Who the hell gave you permission to take her?"
The young cadet spoke like the deed was already done, and Sua felt her temper flare unbidden. Still, they drawled on with bored indifference.
"So what're you gonna do about it? Take us all down?"
"Don't go getting scratches on that pretty face."
"Knowing when to yield is no shame, miss."
"......"
Ah. So this was the feeling Master had when he first saw the old me.
The numbers were squarely in their favor. Over ten on their side, just the two of them here—with a baggage to protect, no less. But Sua didn't feel like she'd lose.
Lightning Cloud Parting Sword, Second Form
Lightning Seven Strikes
In an instant, she whipped the wooden sword from her belt. Seven streaks of lightning split off, smashing into the heads of the smug young warriors in unison.
The technique's speed had already earned Moyong Clan recognition before. Now at first-rate, it blurred into true lightning. They weren't weaklings, either.
Fine fish even when rotten—the Seonmu Academy cadets were all second-rate martial artists, every last one. But that wasn't enough to close the gap.
"N-no way. One technique took out seven?!"
"A martial artist who can do that... Don't tell me she's first-rate at that age!!"
"I didn't get it at first. Why did Master come all the way to this remote corner of Henan?"
He could've just gone straight to the Moyong Clan. Back then, her feelings were half puzzlement, half anxiety that someone might steal him away.
But now, experiencing it firsthand...
She finally understood.
Master was using his teachings to reform this rotten murim world.
Just as his guidance had freed her from her own arrogance.