Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 127: Gaining the Strongest Guard (2)

"I'd rather kidnap you and drag you around myself than live like that."

I let out a smirk at her words.

"You could certainly try. But what if I decided to take my own life? You know as well as I do that even if you seal my acupoints, someone of my level can still end their own life using their internal energy."

The Blood Witch bit her lip hard at my remark.

"It’s not a bad deal for you either. Stay quietly by my side for a few years, do some good deeds, and you’ll eventually clear your name as a public enemy of the Murim. Once you’ve fully mastered your internal energy, wouldn't you be able to kill the Gu parasite then? It’s better to buy time that way than to die in the streets like a dog."

My persuasion was working. The Blood Witch’s breathing gradually steadied.

"Why are you telling me this? You could have just left me to die."

I once heard from a swindler ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who stayed at the inn for months that lies and truth must be used at the perfect moment to be effective.

He said that to pull off a successful scam, you had to mix fifty percent truth with fifty percent lies. That’s why real swindlers would invest two taels of silver just to swindle one tael of gold.

You can't move a person's heart with lies alone.

I realized that this was the moment for the truth.

If I hid my true feelings and kept lying now, would the Blood Witch really follow my lead?

Likely not. They say that as one's internal energy grows, so does their sensory perception. That means they can, to some extent, see into a person's heart.

So, I decided to be honest.

"If I have a master like you by my side, who would dare touch me? Would I fear the Martial Alliance Leader? Would I fear the sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects? I’m saying this because I see a chance to gain the strongest guard without spending a single cent."

The Blood Witch stared at me intently.

"I knew you were no ordinary fellow. I thought you were different from those hypocrites of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Orthodox factions. Now that I think about it, being with you might not be so boring after all. But what if I try to kill you after I’ve dealt with the Gu parasite?"

Is that even a question? If it looks like you're about to kill the parasite, I'll kill you with poison first.

The moment you're by my side, your life is collateral for mine. You worry about the strangest things.

"Then my luck will have simply run out. Or, I’ll just have to become a stronger master than you by then."

"Hohohohoho!"

The Blood Witch let out a long, trilling laugh.

"You truly are an interesting child. It’s strange—even when you speak informally to me, I find I can't hate you."

"Do you know why?"

"Do you know the reason?"

"Because I understand you. That’s why you don't hate me."

She looked at me as if I were talking nonsense, so I turned toward Jeok Yeong and Do Yeon.

The fact that she didn't talk back meant my words had a surprisingly large impact.

Of course, I said that with clear intent.

A woman like the Blood Witch must have roamed the Murim alone until now. She must have lived a lonely life, unable to trust anyone.

But when I said I understood her, she was likely questioning herself, wondering if that was truly how she felt.

Half of her would agree, and half would deny it.

It wasn't that I was some mind reader; it was simply a weakness visible in any lonely person.

Now that I’d shaken her heart, a decision would be made. And in this situation, the Blood Witch had only one choice.

She had no choice but to follow my words.

She was a piece on a Janggi board, completely trapped in checkmate.

The reason I wanted to keep her by my side, despite knowing she was of evil stock, was obvious.

The Divine Light Sect and I were now mortal enemies; they would haunt me and try to kill me for a long time. My own martial arts and Jeok Yeong’s strength wouldn't be enough.

If a master like the Blood Witch protected me, I would have nothing to fear.

Since she would die if I died, she would undoubtedly risk her life to protect me.

Missing an opportunity like this would be no different from kicking the backside of one of the Three Flowers of Murim as she charged at me naked.

In short, it would be an act worthy of biting one's own blade.

"Brother, what were you talking about with the Blood Witch?"

Jeok Yeong looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Brother, I’m planning to keep the Blood Witch by my side and help her turn over a new leaf."

At my words, Jeok Yeong and Do Yeon’s eyes went wide.

"Brother, what are you saying? The Blood Witch is a master beyond our control. And how can a wicked person change into a good one so easily? It’s too dangerous."

Jeok Yeong protested vehemently.

"I understand your heart, Young Hero Eo, but I agree with Young Hero Jeok. The Blood Witch is a public enemy of the Murim, notorious throughout the land. How can you take in a witch like that, not knowing what she might do?"

They were being polite, but what they were really asking was how I intended to manage a master stronger than myself.

I had no logical justification for keeping the Blood Witch by my side.

No matter what I said, it lacked persuasiveness.

Still, I came up with the best excuse I could.

"Brother, when I first took in the Seven Heroes, it wasn't because they were kind or because their martial arts were supreme. I took them in because leaving them be seemed dangerous, yet I couldn't bring myself to kill them. Think about it—if the Blood Witch continues to roam the Murim as she is, how many more will die by her hand? Even if we managed to kill her, how many more martial artists would have to sacrifice their lives to do so?"

Do Yeon pondered my words before speaking.

"Your intent is noble, Young Hero Eo. But how do you plan to manage her? She is a master who could kill you at any moment if she so desired."

As I was thinking of another excuse, the Blood Witch approached.

"Why would I ever listen to the words of a brat like him? It is only because I am under his restriction that I have no choice but to obey."

Perhaps her pride was wounded, for she said only that and fell silent. It seemed she was trying to help me in her own way, but it was almost worse than saying nothing.

"That’s right. I’ve placed a clan secret restriction on her. If she kills me, she dies too. And if she moves more than ten zhang away from me, she loses the ability to use her internal energy."

Do Yeon looked surprised.

"There is such a restriction technique? It is truly miraculous."

The Blood Witch gave a bitter smile at Do Yeon’s remark.

"So that’s why the Blood Witch couldn't kill you earlier, Brother. And when we first met her, she was struggling because she couldn't use her power while away from you, but regained it once she got closer."

Jeok Yeong nodded, having made sense of it himself. It fit perfectly with what he had witnessed.

"Even so, the Blood Witch is a public enemy. The Martial Alliance and other sects won't just leave her be," Do Yeon said, still worried.

"If saving one wicked person can save a hundred good ones, I believe it is an act of building Buddhist merit."

"As expected of you, Brother."

Jeok Yeong was moved by my words and nodded repeatedly.

"Since that is your wish, I will follow you."

As I successfully persuaded Jeok Yeong and Do Yeon with my plausible explanation, Chu Bong-hwa looked at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me with a faint, mocking smile.

She probably thought my excuses were quite clever.

When we returned to the Small Demon Cult, the situation had already been suppressed by the Blood Wind Squad and the Sword Palace Squad. The Cult Leader and his family were being dragged out.

The Blood Wind Squad had played a major role, and they could certainly be called masters now.

"What should we do with them?"

One Dragon of Sword Palace asked me. Even if there was already a plan, he was asking out of courtesy since I was someone recognized by the Fortress Lord.

"Wouldn't it be best to hand them over to the authorities?"

"Many people have already died. Handing them over to the officials might make things complicated for us as well."

The Sword Palace Squad members' voices were cold; they seemed intent on beheading them all.

I nodded at One Dragon’s words.

"If we execute them all, it will look like we fought the Small Demon Cult for profit. But if we hand them over to the authorities, it shows we fought them because we couldn't ignore the suffering of the people. There is a massive difference in the prestige of those two justifications. Whether this becomes a strength or a hindrance to Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress's future path depends on this."

One Dragon fell silent at my explanation.

"But there are already many casualties. We’ll have to undergo an investigation ourselves, which will be a headache. It might even lead to bad rumors. In times like this, it’s best to handle it according to the laws of the Murim."

I understood One Dragon. Many of his subordinates had died in the battle against the Small Demon Cult, so he naturally wanted revenge.

But this wasn't a problem that could be solved with mere revenge.

One had to look higher and further.

"However, if we hand over a portion of the immense wealth found within the Small Demon Cult along with them, the story changes."

Having lived at the bottom of society, I realized that power and gold share very similar properties.

And I had never seen power turn its nose up at gold.

"Furthermore, many people suffered because of the Small Demon Cult. If we distribute their wealth to those victims, our war against them will be glorified, providing a noble cause for our actions. If we do that, the commoners in this region will support Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. That is something that cannot be bought with a thousand pieces of gold. Think about how much the Fortress Lord has agonized over how to win the hearts of the people."

Not only One Dragon but the entire Sword Palace Squad fell into deep thought.

"We must keep them alive so we can report to the authorities that Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress fought this battle to save the people from a cult."

To be honest, killing them was nothing more than venting anger.

But by keeping them alive, we stood to gain much more.

"Bind them all. We return to the fortress."

I stepped back while the Sword Palace Squad prepared to depart.

It was then. One of the prisoners from the Small Demon Cult suddenly sprang up and lunged toward me.

I used the Void Step to dodge, but the man was incredibly fast and managed to keep up.

A dagger was clutched in his hand.

One look was enough to tell he had received professional assassin training.

He had moved the moment I passed in front of him, clearly intending to ambush me. Everyone else was so stunned by the sudden turn of events that they could only stare blankly.

Even Jeok Yeong was momentarily frozen by the suddenness of it. The dagger rapidly closed in on my chest.

Clang!

The dagger stopped a mere inch from my chest.

Chu Bong-hwa, the Blood Witch, had appeared out of nowhere and caught the blade with her bare hand.

As she applied pressure, the dagger shattered. She grabbed the man’s throat with her left hand, and he began to thrash.

"Who are you to ambush me?"

The assassin spoke with a look of resentment.

"I tried to avenge my brother... to think it ends like this."

"Brother? Who are you talking about?"

Chu Bong-hwa loosened her grip slightly, and the man spoke.

"The Jade South Sword Demon, who died by your hand, was my elder brother."

"The Jade South Sword Demon?"

I thought back. He was the one who had tried to ambush me long ago while I was practicing energy circulation, only to get into a massive fight with another assassin before I killed him.

Thinking that the family line would end if both brothers died because of me, I said, "Let him go."

But Chu Bong-hwa shook her head.

"I cannot forgive anyone who tries to kill you."

I suppose that made sense. If I had died, she would have had to follow me to the grave, so she had every right to be furious.

Chu Bong-hwa struck the man’s head with her palm.

Thwack!

The younger brother of the Jade South Sword Demon died instantly on the spot.

Watching this, the Small Demon Cult Leader spoke with a sigh of lament.

"Ah! To think the master I brought in to kill Eo Ja-seo has become his subordinate. Hahaha."

The Cult Leader laughed hollowly in his bitterness.

Not just him, but everyone who witnessed this scene would think the same.

It wasn't like the Blood Witch was doing this because she liked me. She was just taking precautions because if I died, she died.

Well, regardless, since anyone trying to kill me would be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fundamentally blocked by the Blood Witch, I could live in peace.

"From now on, get my permission before you act."

Since others were watching, I shouted at her sternly and quickly left the spot.

How would I look to others, scolding a master of that caliber? By tomorrow, all sorts of rumors would likely be flying around again.

But it seemed that wasn't the end of it.

The Sword Palace Squad and the Five Dragons of Sword Palace blocked my path.

"Hand over the witch."

Come to think of it, the number of Sword Palace members killed by Chu Bong-hwa was not small.

"Why do you ask?"

"That witch killed our brothers. We must have our revenge."

I let out a sigh and spoke.

"Do you know of Angulimala? Angulimala was a murderer who killed ninety-nine people. Shakyamuni Buddha gave such a man the precept of Ahimsa and accepted him as a disciple. He did so so that the man could wash away his sins until the day he died. Shakyamuni did not see him as someone who must be killed, but as someone who must atone."

One Dragon of Sword Palace shouted back.

"That is nothing but empty prayers! Our rage will only be quelled when we take that witch's head. Hand her over this instant!"

I understood his anger. One of the Five Dragons had perished in this battle.

Having lost a comrade who was like a brother, how could he not be furious?

But if I backed down here and they provoked the witch, we would be the ones massacred.

I had no choice but to be firm.

"Silence! How dare you commit an act of insubordination! Do you not realize that defying my words is the same as defying the Fortress Lord himself?"

One Dragon’s eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

He clearly thought my words were absurd.

I pressed him further, giving him no time to think.

"The Fortress Lord gave me command over this battle, and I am also the sole Chief Protector of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. The position of Chief Protector is directly below the Fortress Lord, a role that oversees the responsibilities of the entire fortress. How dare you attempt to defy my orders!"

I wasn't lying. Fortress Lord Mok Yi-gun had indeed called me a Protector, and since he had addressed me as such in front of others, most people were aware of it.

"From this moment on, the Blood Witch Chu Bong-hwa is my person. I will keep her by my side to ensure she turns over a new leaf and washes away the blood of the Sword Palace Squad. So, if you cannot follow my words, then petition the Fortress Lord to have me expelled from the fortress!"

The Sword Palace members and the Five Dragons fell deathly silent.

Moreover, having shouted with a Lion's Roar, their knees must have been shaking for a moment.

I returned to Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress without looking back.

I had been worried, but after that incident, the Five Dragons of Sword Palace didn't say another word about Chu Bong-hwa.

This was because Mok Yi-gun continued to keep me close, constantly calling me "Protector Eo, Protector Eo."

Just as I had said, I was the one and only Chief Protector of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.

Because of this, Mok Seon-hwa was forcibly sent away to her maternal family.

Of course, my influence played a significant role in that.

It was a result I achieved by threatening Mok Yi-gun—telling him that as Chief Protector, he should either respect my wishes or I would leave the fortress.

I sent her away to reflect on her behavior, but I worried whether Mok Seon-hwa was capable of such a thing.

As I watched Mok Seon-hwa leave, wailing that she couldn't leave me now that she had finally found me, I waved my hand happily. With a smile.

Perhaps I might miss her. When I’m extremely bored, that is.