Let's Go! The Journey to Sichuan Begins
Alright, let's go! On the top floor of Jinhyup Gaekjan, in the innkeeper's office.
Bam! Crash! Bang!
"Innkeeper! Big trouble!"
For the first time since setting up shop in Cheonbaekhyeon, a frantic report burst into the office, which had been peaceful all along.
"What's so urgent that you're barging in like this?"
Despite the errand boy's panic, innkeeper Dang Daeho of Jinhyup Gaekjan didn't even glance his way, calmly tapping away at his abacus.
Born into the Tang Clan of Sichuan, joining the Murim Alliance, and surviving even the Demon Church's uprising—he'd seen it all. Ordinary matters didn't faze him.
"No matter how pickled in peace we are, we can't forget this is a direct branch of the Murim Alliance. We're agents under it, with systems to uphold. How can you act so rashly?"
Dang Daeho gently scolded his longtime subordinate, now working as an errand boy.
'He wasn't always like this. Seems peace has made him sloppy.'
He resolved to hold a staff training session soon. At that moment, the errand boy pleaded with an aggrieved face.
"It's really an emergency! A huge problem!"
"Haa..."
With a sigh, Dang Daeho finally looked up from his ledger.
"Fine, what's the big emergency? Spit it out."
What kind of disaster could hit a backwater like Cheonbaekhyeon to cause this fuss? Thinking he'd send the boy to hellish training if it was nothing, Dang Daeho asked.
In response, the errand boy stammered, trembling.
"Th-the Commander... sh-she's been k-kidnapped!"
"What?!!"
"She left just this one note...!"
"G-give it here!"
Springing from his desk, Dang Daeho snatched the note from the boy's shaking hands.
This Lady has been kidnapped. But the kidnapper isn't a bad person, so Deputy Commander, just pretend to chase half-heartedly.
"Wh-what the hell is this..."
Dang Daeho's mind reeled at the note in Jin Seoryeong's handwriting.
'Handwriting matches the Commander's. Neat and orderly. No ink splatters, so not written in haste. And this bit about the kidnapper not being bad and to chase half-heartedly... This isn't a kidnapping; it's like she's eloping. Is she really kidnapped?'
Jin Seoryeong's note was downright bizarre. Especially "chase half-heartedly"—it felt like she didn't want to be pursued at all.
'Hmm... Looks like she used kidnapping as an excuse for a joyride. Still, the Commander's absence is a big deal. Best to pretend to track as the note says and follow loosely.'
Dang Daeho was innkeeper of Jinhyup Gaekjan and deputy commander of the Murim Alliance's Demon Subjugation Unit. Serving a boss with his talent, backing, and ability required sharp instincts.
Thus, he read between the lines of the note and decided to assist her by giving the bare minimum chase, letting her rest easy.
"D-Deputy Commander. One more thing to report."
Amid the tense air, the errand boy hesitated before speaking.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Healer Hwang Baekju found out first and went to contact the Murim Alliance."
"...What."
Hwang Baekju, temporary physician at Jinhyup Gaekjan and close friend of Jin Seoryeong's father. The news that he had gone to the Alliance turned Dang Daeho's mind blank.
Shit, things just got complicated.
※
A sword at his waist, a long box strapped diagonally to his back. With both packed, preparations to depart were complete.
Before leaving the familiar hut, I turned to Seoryeong with a sudden question.
"By the way, how'd you get out?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The inn. You didn't just sneak out."
"Ah."
Seoryeong was capable enough to lead the Demon Subjugation Unit. Becoming head of a group took more than martial prowess—she excelled in every way. She wouldn't just bail under the guise of a kidnapping.
"I left a note, obviously. Until they find traces of demonic qi in my quarters, the unit will go easy. Their deputy commander's sharp."
"Good."
I didn't know the note's contents, but if it was Seoryeong, she'd handled it perfectly. Her words suggested she'd buy plenty of time.
Of course, once they found Yeon Wol's demonic qi traces in her room, they'd come hunting with fire in their eyes—but that was a problem for later. For now, we just needed to flee Cheonbaekhyeon as fast as possible during the window her note bought us.
"Alright, let's go. Everyone ready?"
"Yes, Master! Traveling with you—it's what I've dreamed of! I'm so excited!"
"Yeah. Wandering with you, Baek Jincheon, was one of my dreams. Finally happening."
Yeon Wol and Seoryeong answered my question in unison.
"...Ugh."
"...Hmph."
They glanced at each other, openly showing discomfort.
Luckily, it stopped at awkward tension. Yeon Wol had reflected after her spanking, and Seoryeong wouldn't start a fight unless provoked.
Uncomfortable, sure—but no fighting meant peace. I wasn't hoping for them to bond; just no brawls.
"Ahem! Master, where to first? Initial destination?"
"Yeah, you haven't said where we're headed. Where first?"
In the strained air, they asked about our goal.
"Sichuan first."
That was my answer to their obvious question. Our first stop: Sichuan.
"Sichuan? That's way out of the way from here. By road, it'd take weeks at least."
Seoryeong frowned at the destination. Our luggage was light, but Cheonbaekhyeon to Sichuan was far.
No choice, though. This trip was to train Yeon Wol in controlling her demonic qi.
"Sichuan's not far enough. Our real goal's beyond it anyway."
"This trip had a goal? I thought it was just dodging the unit while teaching your disciple qi control."
"If demonic qi was that easy to control, demons wouldn't be public enemies."
"Ah."
To teach Yeon Wol true control, we needed her father—former Demon Emperor Wi Jinryong's—old abode and his legacy there.
Sichuan was the midpoint en route, unavoidable.
"Our final destination holds Wi Jinryong's legacy. Only there can I teach her true demonic qi control."
"If that's it, fine."
Seoryeong nodded easily at my explanation.
"Long as I get to travel with you, Baek Jincheon."
Her goal was the trip with me, after all.
"Wow, Sichuan! Always wanted to go with you, Master! Big city—can't wait!"
Yeon Wol beamed, distance be damned. Her cuteness earned a head pat as I corrected Seoryeong's misconception.
"Won't take that long. No detours along the roads."
"Huh? How, then?"
"Straight line from here to Sichuan."
"...What?"
I pointed not to the mountain path below, but Cheonbaeksan's peak.
"Seoryeong, let's climb the mountain for old times' sake."
"Baek Jincheon, you know what's in the mountains toward Sichuan? The Green Forest 108 Bands! Why risk that danger...?"
She scowled at my straight-shot suggestion. As she said, Sichuan's mountains hosted the Green Forest 108 Bands, a major unorthodox faction.
Exactly why it was perfect.
"That's why we're going this way. Even the Demon Subjugation Unit won't easily follow bandit-infested mountains."
Green Forest bandits ambushed anyone on the paths indiscriminately. Later, they'd block the unit hot on our trail after finding the qi traces.
"Ugh... Traversing bandit-swarmed mountains. Some trip."
"Think of it as an escort mission, not a vacation. Spank any bandits we meet along the way."
"...Who's spanking? You?"
"Nah. Weak ones for Yeon Wol. Strong ones for you, Seoryeong."
"What about you?"
"Does the Demon Subjugation Commander need to draw her sword with me here?"
"...Haa. Fine, no choice. I chose to tag along. Kinda expected this. Nothing's easy with you, Baek Jincheon."
Seoryeong sighed, accepting her fate.
"But you'll pay up for the work. Nothing's free."
"Obviously."
"Me too, Master! Reward me for beating bandits!"
"Got it."
With promises of rewards to Seoryeong and Yeon Wol, our route was set: Sichuan via the Green Forest 108 Bands' mountains.
"Alright, let's go!"
Toward our first stop, Sichuan—we finally set off.