Chapter 262: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (92)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 262: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (92)
Two women appeared.
The first to emerge was a young woman of such perfect beauty it was difficult to describe in words.
She had skin like white jade and dazzling golden eyes. Her long, silver-white hair fluttered in the wind.
Does a beauty with looks like that even appear in the original story?
Since I had no memory of her, she seemed to be a character who hadn't been in the original work.
She lightly covered her nose with her fingertips, her brow furrowing slightly.
“...The stench of blood is overwhelming.”
It was clear at a glance that she was no ordinary woman. Another woman emerged, following behind her.
With her red hair tied back neatly and a sharp, honed gaze, she drew the sword from her waist and stepped in front of the golden-eyed woman.
The aura emanating from her body washed over the surroundings like an invisible wave.
“My lady, it’s dangerous. Please wait inside the carriage.”
Her voice was firm and low. She turned her head, her sword held at the ready, never letting her guard down. But the golden-eyed woman didn’t even blink as she spoke, her words clear and deliberate.
“I refuse. There are people drawing their swords for my sake. If I cannot stand by their side, how can I… Mmph!”
The red-haired woman quickly covered the mouth of the noble-looking lady, letting out a quiet sigh.
“...My lady, please refrain from saying unnecessary things.”
“Mmph…! Hmph, hmph!”
Her mouth covered, the woman nodded with a flustered expression. As soon as the hand was removed, she puffed out her cheeks and shot the other woman a playful glare.
“Hmph, hmph…! Seo-rin, take care of the bandits… all of them, cleanly.”
“Understood.”
The red-haired woman, having received her orders, took a step forward. The golden-eyed woman behind her glanced around and her eyes met mine.
Her gaze felt as if it could see right through me. For a moment, a strange, indescribable sensation ran down my spine.
Atop the cliff, Pung-ho’s eyes lit up.
“Oho? So it was a couple of broads in the carriage!”
He clicked his tongue, his eyes fixed on the two women.
“Looks like we’re in for a feast today, boys!”
A few of the bandits snickered.
“Hehe, drag those bitches over here, now!”
At his roar, the group of bandits charged forward again.
At that moment.
“...You run your mouth too freely.”
Her voice was low and cold. In the next instant, her feet skimmed the ground as she shot into the air.
Her movements were faster than the wind, as natural as flowing water.
Swoosh!
The arc her sword drew was like a flurry of scattered red petals.
With a single slash, three bandits collapsed, spraying blood.
In one fluid motion, Hong Seo-rin weaved through the bandits as if she were dancing.
“Gaaah!”
“Her movements are— Aaargh!”
With every flash of her sword through the light, another man fell, his blood staining not her, but the bodies of his comrades.
Witnessing this, the surrounding bandits began to back away one by one.
“Wh-what is that woman…!”
“I can’t see her at all!”
From the cliff, Pung-ho gritted his teeth and yelled.
“Don’t be scared! We have the numbers!”
But despite his shout, no one dared to step forward.
A few of the retreating bandits bumped into each other and faltered.
However, even though the bandits weren't attacking, the red-haired woman didn't stop, continuing to cut them down.
“No way… She’s just a monster…”
One of the men, completely overwhelmed by her presence, was the first to turn his back.
“I can’t do it! Run if you want to live!”
Once someone started to flee, the bandits’ formation collapsed in an instant.
“Aaargh! Get down!”
“Run! Don’t look back!”
The bandits on both sides of the valley began to scatter in unison.
Some tumbled down the cliffs, while others threw down their weapons and ran.
Pung-ho clenched his jaw and screamed.
“Stop! You sons of bitches! Get back here!”
But no one listened to him.
The sight of their comrades being mercilessly cut down before their eyes had already broken their will to fight.
Pung-ho broke out in a cold sweat and slowly began to back away.
“Dammit…”
Just then, I quietly raised my hand. I gathered a thin, sharp thread of energy at my fingertip—
Shwooo!
With a faint sound, a sliver of energy, so thin it was nearly invisible, shot toward the top of the cliff.
It struck the man squarely in the center of his forehead.
Thud.
Without another word, Pung-ho fell backward.
His body, collapsing at the edge of the cliff, tumbled down like a wild animal.
At that moment, the red-haired woman sheathed her sword and turned, her eyes meeting mine. The red-haired woman who had briefly met my gaze sheathed her sword and slowly approached the golden-eyed woman.
“It’s taken care of, my lady.”
“Good work.”
The golden-eyed woman replied quietly, then walked right up to me, stopping a few paces away.
She spoke softly.
“Thank you for your help just now.”
“It was nothing. It was my duty as an escort.”
“My name is Ju… no, Cheon Yeon-hwa.”
After finishing her sentence with a slightly mischievous look in her eyes, she gestured to the red-haired woman standing beside her.
“And this is my bodyguard, Hong Seo-rin.”
Hong Seo-rin sheathed her sword at her waist and replied briefly and concisely.
“Hong Seo-rin.”
She gave only the necessary introduction before immediately averting her gaze. Cheon Yeon-hwa turned her attention back to me.
“May I ask your name?”
“I am Jin Seo-yun.”
When I quietly stated my name, Cheon Yeon-hwa gave a slight nod.
“Jin Seo-yun… I’ll be sure to remember that name.”
She smiled lightly. Hong Seo-rin, standing beside her, glanced at me once before nodding silently.
“Miss Cheon, are you alright?”
Seol-un approached us, his face still tense.
“Yes, I’m safe, thanks to you.”
Seol-un gave me a slight bow.
“Thank you for your help. Thanks to you, we were able to protect our valued guest.”
“I only did what was expected of a hired rogue martial artist.”
After I replied, Seol-un wore a slightly suspicious expression but soon bowed politely.
“You are a rogue of exceptional skill. Perhaps…”
Before he could finish, Cheon Yeon-hwa raised her hand lightly to stop him.
“Escort Leader Seol, what is the condition of the injured? Does anyone require treatment?”
Seol-un gave me one last look before turning his gaze to Cheon Yeon-hwa.
“Unfortunately, there are some dead and some with minor injuries.”
“Is that so? Please share the Golden Wound Medicine I have with you for them.”
Cheon Yeon-hwa took a small silk pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Seol-un. He took the pouch.
“Thank you, my lady. Well then, if you’ll excuse me…”
Seol-un stepped back and began to reorganize the group. The sounds of the procession reforming, collecting bodies, and tending to the wounded echoed through the valley.
Hong Seo-rin slowly approached me. Her gaze was still sharp, but it was mixed with a hint of scrutiny.
“You said you were a rogue? Your skills are far from ordinary.”
Her voice was quiet but filled with conviction. It was clear she harbored doubts about my identity.
I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and looked at her.
“Miss Hong, your skills don’t seem to be those of an ordinary bodyguard, either.”
Hong Seo-rin’s eyes narrowed. Instead of replying, she looked at Cheon Yeon-hwa. Sensing the tension between us, Cheon Yeon-hwa smiled lightly and said.
“Everyone has their own circumstances. Seo-rin, don’t be so suspicious of Young Master Jin. He did just help us, after all.”
Hong Seo-rin looked as if she wanted to say more, but she remained silent. Still on guard, she stepped back to Cheon Yeon-hwa’s side.
Cheon Yeon-hwa turned her gaze back to me.
“Young Master Jin, where are you headed after this mission is over?”
“I plan to head to Qinghai by way of Sichuan.”
“Oh my, we were on our way to Qinghai as well.”
I paused for a moment in thought. Qinghai… I happened to be on my way to the Kunlun Sect. Besides, I was curious about these two women, especially about the true identity of the woman named Cheon Yeon-hwa.
“It seems we’ll be traveling together for a while.”
“In that case, would you be my companion to talk to along the way?”
Hong Seo-rin looked at Cheon Yeon-hwa, surprised.
“My lady…”
Cheon Yeon-hwa met Hong Seo-rin’s gaze. I felt a faint flow of qi.
Is that telepathy?
It seemed Hong Seo-rin was speaking, and Cheon Yeon-hwa was answering with a blink of her eyes. In the end, Hong Seo-rin let out a small sigh.
“If you try any funny business or spout nonsense to my lady, I won’t let you get away with it.”
“Of course.”
When I gave a short reply, Hong Seo-rin, still not letting go of her suspicion, looked at me before stepping back behind Cheon Yeon-hwa.
Cheon Yeon-hwa smiled lightly and nodded.
“Excellent. Then the road ahead should be a little less boring.”
A moment later, Seol-un approached.
“My lady, the procession is ready. I believe we can depart now.”
“Very well. Let’s be on our way.”
Cheon Yeon-hwa smiled at me once more.
“The journey will be long, so I’m glad to have someone to talk to.”
“I feel the same way, Miss Cheon.”
The procession began to move again. I walked beside the carriage, keeping an eye on our surroundings. Hong Seo-rin never left Cheon Yeon-hwa’s side, her sharp eyes constantly scanning the area.
As we were leaving the valley, Cheon Yeon-hwa opened the carriage window, looked at me, and asked.
“Young Master Jin, have you been in the Murim for long?”
“No, not for very long.”
“Really? To have such skill, then… that’s amazing.”
I answered with a smile.
“I was lucky.”
“You’re being modest. But one cannot reach such a level with luck alone.”
Cheon Yeon-hwa’s eyes held a pure curiosity.
“Young Master Jin, what business brings you to Qinghai?”
I looked into her golden eyes. They were brimming with curiosity.
“I have some personal matters to attend to. What about you, Miss Cheon? What brings you to Qinghai?”
Cheon Yeon-hwa seemed to ponder for a moment. She tilted her head slightly as she answered.
“I have some personal matters as well.”
We looked at each other and smiled. Though we were both avoiding any further detailed explanations, strangely, it didn't feel uncomfortable.
“Travel always seems to bring new encounters,” Cheon Yeon-hwa said. “Just like meeting you today, Young Master Jin.”
“I think so, too.”
Once we were completely out of the valley, a wide plain stretched out before us. The sun was beginning to set, and its light reflected off Cheon Yeon-hwa’s silver hair, making it shine like gold.
“It looks like the sun will set soon,” Cheon Yeon-hwa said. “Where do you plan to camp for the night, Escort Leader Seol?”
Seol-un bowed his head and replied.
“There is a small village just ahead. We plan to spend the night there.”
“Good. Let’s hurry then.”
Our party quickened its pace to reach the village before nightfall. I continued to walk, scanning our surroundings. I felt a strange energy, but there seemed to be no immediate danger.
That woman, Cheon Yeon-hwa… she’s definitely no ordinary person.
I glanced at her again. She happened to be looking at me, and our eyes met. She smiled softly.
I had a feeling the journey ahead would be anything but smooth.