My Friend Called Cheonma
"So-ryeo's going to miss you a ton."
"Sigh! Me too. My feet just won't move."
The two women kept stroking the hair of the young niece cradled between them. So-ryeo had cried herself to sleep a while ago, exhausted.
"She leaned on you a lot after I left..."
"Still, knowing you're here puts my mind at ease. Take good care of her until I get back."
Jeok Myo-ye's eyes brimmed with reluctance.
"It'll take a while, right?"
"I'll make it back at least once a year, no matter what."
"Good. Come visit often. Oh! By then, I might be in Nae-yang. If so, I'll send word—stop by on your way."
Jin Seo-yeon's eyes widened slightly.
"Why there? ...What about So-ryeo?"
"Don't worry. She's coming with me. If we go, that is."
"Really? That's a relief. But why there?"
Now all of Jeok Myo-ye's adopted siblings knew Mu Yun's circumstances. One reason for the trip to Nae-yang was her own business—the grandest brothel in Chim-ju that Mu Yun had promised three years ago. Of course, it wasn't time to tell Jin Seo-yeon yet.
Jeok Myo-ye chewed over her renewed resolve. A fierce heat burned in her eyes.
"To show that worthless bastard. That I'm living proud and strong. It's the only way to prove my mom's life meant something."
"...Worthless bastard?"
"Too soon to talk about it. I'll tell you later if I can."
"...?"
In Hyeong-ju, the great city of Honam, stood one of the famed Five Great Mountains of the Central Plains: Nam-ak Hyeong-san. And right after the Seo-mun family among the righteous sects came Hyeong-sanpa.
Jeok Myo-ye's eyes blazed as she thought of that worthless man. She ground her teeth.
Every time he crossed her mind, she couldn't help it.
'Hypocrite! I'll rip that mask off you myself.'
The man was now an elder of Hyeong-sanpa—and her birth father. The day they'd meet was drawing near.
Jin Seo-yeon knew not to press further. She changed the subject to something she'd felt sorry about.
She knew about the thing with Yeom Jung-tak.
"Oh, right! How's Yeom the squad leader? Should I apologize or something...?"
"He's fine. Got beat by the Divine Dragon—what's there to be ashamed of? He just whined to the gang leader about him not stepping in quick enough."
"Huh? Why's that?"
A sly smile crept across Jeok Myo-ye's lips. She knew Jin Seo-yeon, who'd been holed up in the inner quarters, was clueless. And she roughly grasped why Mu Yun didn't want it advertised yet.
'Must be what Yu-seon unnie passed on. If she finds out, she'll just get weird suspicions.'
Jeok Myo-ye waved it off.
"Don't worry about it. He was just spouting nonsense out of embarrassment."
Jin Seo-yeon still had questions, unease lingering.
"Hey! How long will the gang leader be gone? I'm worried So-ryeo might get anxious."
"Dunno. Could be a few days if quick, or longer."
"I hope he hurries back."
Suddenly, words slipped from Jeok Myo-ye's mouth she hadn't meant to say.
"He took that sangsu embroidery with him, so it might take a bit."
"Sangsu?"
Realizing her slip, Jeok Myo-ye covered casually.
"He slaved over it for days. Giving it to someone, I guess."
"...!"
Jin Seo-yeon let out a soft chuckle at her own assumption. She had a pretty good idea who.
'He's giving it with the heart method, looks like. Going that far with embroidery... he must really like her.'
Men doing embroidery wasn't something to gossip about.
Jin Seo-yeon knew it was time to go. She stroked So-ryeo's head one last time, gaze lingering wistfully.
'I'll visit often, So-ryeo. Stay healthy.'
Her eyes swept the beloved room once more. A place that had given her sorrow and solace in equal measure. It felt like a stubborn thread bound her ankle, making her feet drag.
Suddenly, she recalled the one who'd shaken her body and soul while sharing this room.
'Unnie, I'll come back.'
A fleeting meeting, but now an unbreakable bond. Yu-seon's final smile—so radiant, as if she owned the world—flashed in her mind. It tugged at Jin Seo-yeon's own lips.
'I'll treasure it. And make sure to pass it on, so don't worry.'
Today's farewell was a promise for tomorrow's reunion. Her steps slowly carried her away.
From the place that had etched an unforgettable bond into her heart.
At the same time, on a mountain path outside Chim-ju.
Yeon Sa-gu's puzzled gaze fixed on one spot. Curiosity had to be scratched right away.
"Huh? That's just plain silk, right? Why take it without embroidery?"
Mu Yun gave a wry smile.
"It's not that I didn't. I couldn't."
"...No time?"
"No. Didn't know what to put on it."
Yeon Sa-gu knew why he carried his own embroidered sangsu. To let them know he was alive, even if he couldn't meet. His father, Cheon Jung-seo, kept sending people everywhere. The desperation made further hiding impossible.
But all the other silks had embroidery—except this one.
Yeon Sa-gu tilted his head.
'Why?'
He could see Mu Yun's troubled expression plain as day, but asked anyway. Pain had to be dragged out to heal, in his book.
"Who's it for?"
"Little sis. ...Half-sister."
"Why couldn't you embroider it?"
Mu Yun's vein throbbed.
He knew the guy was poking on purpose, but tempers flared anyway.
"You little shit, I told you I don't know!"
"So what?"
"...I don't know a damn thing she likes. Not one! Happy?"
"...Even starving, that's harsh for a sister."
"Yeah! I've lived that pathetically. That's what you wanted to hear—go rub it in someone else's face!"
Yeon Sa-gu wasn't one to back down. He glared, shoving his face close.
He'd let a punch slide in moments like this.
"See? That's how you reflect. Not doing it is the problem—do it and you're good."
"You little shit! Who the hell do you think I don't kn—!"
Mu Yun's eyes flashed toward the woods.
"...?"
"What's up?"
"Sounds like a fight."
Yeon Sa-gu whipped around, grin splitting wide.
"Let's go!"
"...You seem way too excited."
"Heh! Who knows. Might spread my name, rivaling the Divine Dragon."
"You're insane!"
"Lead the way already."
"...Do that in Nae-yang and you're dead."
"Two hundred ri left."
"...!"
Beyond the mountain pass.
A chilling voice murmured low.
"Which way'd they go?"
"Huff huff! You fucking bastards! How many times I gotta say it? Hyeong-ju Murim Alliance branch. Don't know the shortcut? Tell me!"
"...Last chance. Even short on time, I've got plenty to toy with you first. You're from the Demon Extermination Squad—dying like a dog would be a shame, no?"
Dang Seo-ha's lips curled.
"Heh heh! You demon-spawning scum got good eyes at least. Hell, scour every brothel in So-ju and you won't find my equal. Got the balls? Try me."
Pung Dae-yu stepped forward.
"Bro! Just kill her and go. She ain't talking."
Pung Jin-hong, younger brother of the Moon Sword Sect leader from So-ju in Guangdong, eyes gleamed.
"No. She's squad leader level. Perfect hostage."
"Got it. As you say."
The brothers kicked off, lunging.
Pa-pat! Pa!
As their blade strikes sliced the air with sharp whooshes.
Two figures burst from the woods.
Shiiik! Shuuuk!
The one diving at Dang Seo-ha sighed first. A side-glance showed their extraordinary auras.
"Phew! Close call!"
"...?"
Yeon Sa-gu's successive sighs didn't fade easy.
They'd talked when spotting the trio from afar.
—Hey! Color demons, obvious. Yo! I'll take both guys. You get the girl!
—No swaps.
—Obviously!
—Swap and I'll be your bro—?
Yeon Sa-gu's nape prickled. Mu Yun's speech tic was obvious now.
—...Tough ones?
—Told you, little sis.
—No! ...Ally! Friend!
Mu Yun soothed his regret.
—Anyway. Quick on the uptake.
Yeon Sa-gu had to ask, puzzled.
—Yo! How'd you know from here? Still thirty-odd jang out. Even a Hwa-gyeong absolute couldn't sense their qi precise.
Answer came quick.
—Know her. Demon Extermination Squad leader. Last I saw, peak Jeol-jeong.
—...You bastard!
—Let's go.
Yeon Sa-gu had one more.
—Those types mean pulling out the hidden stuff. She okay knowing?
—Trustworthy woman. It'll come out fighting Jeok-un Mun anyway. Just ask her to keep quiet a few months.
"...!"
Meanwhile, the Moon Sword Sect brothers had no attention for what was ahead.
Shuuuuk!
Countless sword shadows flooded in like lightning, dominating space. Majestic power and terrifying speed sent shivers.
"Him first!"
"Yes!"
Mu Yun's sword, undulating like a dance, twisted into a spin.
Shiiik!
The Bi-ryu Dan-hon Geom, his clan secret art he wasn't fully used to. He'd mastered the forms, even innovated, but never battle-tested.
Perfect chance now.
The sword toward both sharpened with speed.
The flashy, willow-like blade pierced vital points like thunder in a flash.
The essence of Bi-ryu Dan-hon Geom. Swift strikes hidden in dazzling feints.
Shuuuuk!
"Danger!"
"Gah!"
Shocked cries burst simultaneous. Instinctive defensive swordplay linked up. Brothers for decades, their synchronized formation activated instantly.
Shuuk! Shaak!
The sword spun between them, grazing Pung Dae-yu's side.
Sasa-sak!
Pung Dae-yu's eyes bulged.
'Fast!'
Normal strikes had tells. Building power from stance, pouring in inner energy.
But this felt like his whole body moved at once, no prelude.
Pung Dae-yu's instinct screamed.
'Illusion!'
Blur from hyper speed. No time to think—instinct twisted his waist. He thrust the pulled-back sword.
Sarak! Shuuk!
Fireball-like agony swept his waist. Flesh-tearing rip, hot blood sprayed.
Whiiik! Pa-at!
"Kuhk!"
His side uniform turned rag. Clutching waist, rolling—then icy scrape grazed his throat, thrilling his brain.
Shaaak! Seok!
"Gek!"
Rough cough, but clotted blood stalled. Thoughts vanished. Head read the body, hit ground first.
Thud!
Empty torso slumped softly.
"...!"
Mu Yun stepped back. Opened distance from charging Pung Jin-hong.
Pa-pat!
Time to assess. Yeon Sa-gu's mouth twisted first.
"Why spare one? Interrogation?"
No answer—Mu Yun eyed Dang Seo-ha. Had to reassure the stunned woman first.
"You alright?"
The face etched in her mind, but Dang Seo-ha's mouth moved on its own.
"...Gang leader?"
"Long time."
"...!"
Meanwhile, Pung Jin-hong's frozen lips only trembled. Ruthless dread gripped his mind.
'Two moves!'
His brother, fresh Cho-jeol-jeong. Himself, mid Cho-jeol-jeong synergy.
Yet that sword path through the gap—he hadn't even seen it. Like strolling a familiar road.
Suddenly, his clan head brother's order resurfaced. That grave command he might not keep now.
—Jin-hong.
—Bro.
—Don't worry too much. Three squads are after them. We'll save him. Heading out soon.
—What must I remember?
—If rescue's impossible... kill Sa-baek.
—What? ...What do you mean? Your own nephew?
—You must.
—Bro! Sa-baek raped a woman, sure, but didn't kill. Even if Murim Alliance took him, negotiate right...
—It was Demon Extermination Squad.
—What? Why them? ...No way?
—Sigh! My mistake. Told Sa-baek not to overdo it.
—What?
—Ask no more. Just remember this: if truth outs, sect's doomed.
—...Murim Alliance do that?
—They won't find out. But one place won't forgive mistakes.
—...Who?
—Three squads won't catch Demon Extermination. You brothers must save. ...Or kill. For the clan to live.
"...!"
Warrior's instinct told him. As sect leader said, Demon Extermination hard for three squads to chase. Without him and brother, outcome obvious.
Yet the brother-killer turned to him after a few words with her. Expression said nothing to learn.
Vision blurred.