Chapter 225
Chapter 225
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Short Companionship (1)
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"Haha. I never imagined we'd meet in a place like this."
"Same here."
"Truth be told, I was a bit upset when you left without a word. How wonderful it is to meet again like this?"
Nung Pung-un was still all smiles and kind words.
'On the other hand...'
Glancing at the piercing gaze, he saw the Geum Jeong instructor glaring sharply.
'I might get stabbed to death just by her stare.'
Her already cold face had narrowed eyes that sent chills down his spine.
'Feels like I've become the ultimate third wheel.'
The Geum Jeong instructor was unusually gentle only toward Nung Pung-un.
Perhaps she resented the interruption of their private journey.
"Instructor Chu Un-hwi. What brings you to a place like this?"
"Just stopping by to rest."
"For someone who left in a hurry without a word, you seem awfully leisurely."
Geum Jeong clearly found this chance encounter suspicious.
'It's only natural to be suspicious. What are the odds of running into each other in this vast world?'
Of course, he had prepared an answer for that.
"I was just traveling with a merchant caravan I know. They urgently needed escorts, and our destinations matched."
"Hmmm."
She didn't seem convinced, so he lightly counterattacked.
"By the way, what brings Instructor Geum Jeong here?"
"!"
"Your assignment is quite far away, isn't it? Is there any reason to travel with this fellow?"
"I-It's a personal matter."
Her razor-sharp expression crumbled instantly.
'Well, well?'
As expected, Geum Jeong had followed Nung Pung-un.
'Kids who haven't even dried the blood on their heads.'
While he suffered in exile without his bride-to-be, seeing them build sweet memories made his eyes ache.
His voice naturally grew icy.
"That's strange. Shouldn't you finish your mission quickly and return to your instructor duties?"
"Th-That is..."
"You haven't forgotten, have you? Even now, the students are waiting for their instructor."
"N-No, that's not what I..."
"Surely a lofty expert from the Ami Sect hasn't forgotten something as trivial as students?"
"......"
"Answer me, Instructor Geum Jeong! If you can't distinguish duty from personal matters, report to the academy at once!"
Pressing her relentlessly, Geum Jeong's neck turned bright red.
In the end, Nung Pung-un stepped in to mediate.
"That's enough. Isn't this a rare reunion?"
Lightening the mood, he asked,
"By the way, what are you doing in a place like this with students? Has your caravan business already wrapped up?"
"Well, something troublesome happened with the caravan I was escorting."
"Troublesome? What happened?"
"Apparently, there was an incident at the Gwanjin Sword Sect, where we were supposed to pick up the goods."
Explaining his recent events with some embellishment, Nung Pung-un looked quite flustered.
Feigning ignorance, Chu Un-hwi added,
"I planned to stay in Yakju for a while and unwind, but it's too chaotic there. So I'm looking for another caravan."
"Another caravan?"
"My destination is Fujian Province. Iron Chain Alliance territory, you know. Better to blend in with merchants than go alone."
"Smart plan. Even the Iron Chain Alliance won't touch disguised merchants."
"But it's not easy. Everyone's scared after that brutal massacre of a caravan recently. No one's heading to Fujian."
"...Must be quite the dilemma."
"So, how about traveling together for a bit? With you around, maybe something will work out."
"Traveling with a friend? I'd welcome it. Haha."
But Geum Jeong looked far from pleased.
Regardless, their brief companionship had begun.
'Now I'll get to see his true skills.'
The real reason for agreeing to travel together was to assess Nung Pung-un's potential.
'I can guess his martial prowess, but the jianghu isn't a place where strength alone ensures survival.'
It was the same as when he led students to that mountain bandit village before.
No one in the tavern could match Jegal Tan back then.
Third-rate warriors relying on half-learned techniques couldn't beat Jegal Tan, who had mastered his clan's profound arts.
But in the end, without Chu Un-hwi's warning, Jegal Tan would have been poisoned and collapsed.
'Experience and sharp eyes are crucial to surviving the jianghu.'
This man, who would one day rise to become the Murim Alliance Leader, truly deserved the rumors?
Or was he worth nurturing and using?
That was the purpose of this short journey.
'Let's see what he's got.'
He hoped for some entertaining sights on the way to Fujian.
Passing Yakju, he observed Nung Pung-un.
The verdict?
'Pretty sharp.'
A solid pass.
"Better avoid this path."
He first showed his skills when leaving student territory, crossing mountains to the next village.
Kneeling on one knee, Nung Pung-un brushed the ground with his palm.
"Footprints about half an inch deep remain."
"Footprints? You mean someone stamped the ground?"
"Exactly. They stomped hard to launch a movement technique."
His hand shifted, pointing into the forest.
"They entered the mountains for some reason. Can't say why, but it looks like a high-level martial artist."
"...You're right."
Geum Jeong nodded after belatedly checking the prints.
Experts who stomped to leap onto trees weren't common.
"I'd say they propelled themselves eight zhang—about twenty-four meters—in one bound. Whoever it is, a serious master."
"Indeed."
"No need to tangle with an unknown. Let's detour."
Even while camping, Nung Pung-un showed seasoned skill.
He chose the driest wood for the fire and made a simple bed, clearly experienced.
"Picked wood that smokes less."
He started the fire without being told.
"Short cooking is best. Soak rice in water and make simple porridge."
No risky gluttony either.
"I'll catch a quick nap."
He slept leaning against a tree or rock, sword in arms.
Uncomfortable, yet he rose earliest to fetch water and prepare for the day.
'Quite self-sufficient.'
Glad he didn't need basic training.
Definitely a cut above novice students.
Even the worrisome Geum Jeong was decent.
'Even a rotting fish has value—Ami Sect's reputation holds.'
Proving she hadn't lounged idly at Ami Sect, she adapted quickly to camping.
'Maybe no need to worry after all?'
But the relief was short-lived; trouble hit the next day.
It was upon arriving at Geonchun.
"Quite a rundown village."
"They haven't even repaired the walls."
Entering past half-ruined walls, they saw a different crowd.
"Unorthodox warriors."
No need for Geum Jeong's words; it was obvious.
Scars across faces aside, the swaggering thugs with ripped sleeves showing muscles screamed unorthodox.
"More than a few. The local sect should be Songja Sect, right?"
Songja Sect wasn't famous but had long held sway in Geonchun County, he explained.
"I've heard of them. Their current sect leader is full of righteousness and has mastered the Songja Ten Swords. No match around here, right?"
"Yet..."
Too many unorthodox and black path warriors?
Sensing trouble, Nung Pung-un told Geum Jeong,
"Let's check Songja Sect first."
They trudged inward.
His ominous hunch was right.
Through a gate scarred by blades emerged an elderly man, pale and sickly.
"Forgive us. Our sect won't receive guests for a while."
"What happened?"
He hesitated until they revealed themselves, then sighed.
"If heroes like you had come sooner..."
Tsking mournfully, he continued.
"A few days ago, unorthodox warriors suddenly invaded. Our sect leader confronted them and..."
"Songja Sect Leader's skills are formidable. Defeated by nameless foes?"
The elder shook his head at Geum Jeong's question.
"The lady from Ami Sect may not know, but sometimes you retreat even if you can win."
Leaving a cryptic note, he shut the door.
While shocked Geum Jeong reeled, Nung Pung-un tsked, grasping the situation.
"So the Sa-gun incited nearby unorthodox groups, and the ripples reached here."
"Seems so."
Like wolves among sheep.
Local unorthodox small fry riding the tiger's coattails was common.
"No need to stir trouble. Rest here briefly and move on."
Nung Pung-un left trauma medicine and silver ingots inside the gate.
A good guy indeed.
'Solid pass.'
Settling into an inn for the night, Nung Pung-un came down changed.
"Better not stand out."
Cheap blue robes and tousled hair hid his striking looks.
"Already so tense. Worries ahead."
"Truly tricky."
"You're riskier than me, no? Dongting Lake mixes orthodox and unorthodox, but Fujian is pure demonic turf."
"Don't worry. I have ways. You look relaxed—good news?"
Nung Pung-un chuckled briefly.
"Haha. A great figure prepared thoroughly. Might be easier than thought."
"Good to hear."
"Fix that habit of drinking alone. Got a drinking buddy right here."
They chatted idly.
Geum Jeong descended the stairs lightly, also in plain clothes.
"You're already here."
Nung Pung-un and Chu Un-hwi exchanged glances, frowning.
"Why? Problem?"
"Problem... not exactly."
Her neatly combed hair flowed down, and flowing white robes replaced pants—a total transformation.
Nung Pung-un forebodingly noted,
"You'll draw eyes."
"Indeed."
Blushing at the comments,
"I-It's just a normal skirt like any woman."
She had a point.
'The issue is how it changed her refined, masculine vibe.'
Swapping pants for skirts and sturdy training robes for elegant attire flipped her cool aura.
Clothes make the man, but wrong wings here.
And sure enough.
Unlucky unorthodox warriors entering bumped right into her.
"What's this? A beauty in this backwater dump?"
"Whew—tonight's gonna be hot."
As their crude whistles flew, Geum Jeong's eyes iced over.
'This'll be trouble.'
Chu Un-hwi covered his face with both hands.