Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Unexpected Kin
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Su-a said with a pout on her face.
"I don't know. Uncle didn't come, so we're mad too."
Jong Ri-hyeok chuckled and said,
"Got it. Got it. My bad. Wait in front of the house. Uncle will send off the guests and come right after. Come on, before the masters see you and scold you for disturbing the scenery. Okay?"
Su-a replied,
"Okay, Uncle. But you have to come quick!"
Jong Ri-hyeok nodded rapidly.
"Yeah, yeah. Got it. I'll come right away, so go play now."
Only then did the kids shove open the training hall door and rush out in a group.
An awkward silence settled once more between Han Ibi and Jong Ri-hyeok.
Han Ibi racked his brain and quickly said,
"Bro, you know, that horse-head staff... it looks familiar. Like the one Dad bought you back in the day. Right? They really do look alike. We had so much fun playing with it... The other kids in the village begged you to let them try it just once... Ahaha. Brings back memories, doesn't it?"
Jong Ri-hyeok's expression changed in an instant.
The angelic face he'd worn around the kids was gone, sold off to a candy peddler...
Han Ibi felt like he'd just opened Pandora's box.
Jong Ri-hyeok said in an agitated voice,
"Yeah, I remember. In my memory... you snapped it in half, yanked off the head, and smashed it to bits."
Gasp... come to think of it...
Digging through Jong Ri-mae's memories, y-yeah, that's exactly what happened.
Jong Ri-hyeok continued, his eyes bloodshot.
"After that, Stepmom bought you a flashy dragon-head staff inlaid with gold. From that day on, all my friends started following you around. Just to touch that staff once."
Damn it.
Frustrating, but true.
That trash Jong Ri-mae really did that.
Super speed emotional dump...
'Ah... no way out like this. Can't change the past.'
Just then, the cold-faced Jong Ri-hyeok parted his lips.
Probably another eviction notice.
Han Ibi decided this was his last shot and resolved to be honest.
"Bro, I know you hate me. But I have to tell you this."
Jong Ri-hyeok clamped his lips shut again and stared at Han Ibi.
Like, go ahead, if you dare.
Han Ibi said,
"You need to be at Yuseon Lake. If you're going to train, do it there."
Jong Ri-hyeok frowned and asked,
"What's that out of nowhere?"
Han Ibi replied,
"There's a reason."
Jong Ri-hyeok kept glaring, still frowning.
But suddenly, he seemed to sense something off—he looked like he was urging an answer.
Han Ibi added,
"If you don't go there, you might lose someone precious."
Jong Ri-hyeok's eyebrows shot up even higher at "someone precious."
Of course, he wouldn't understand.
As if it wasn't worth hearing more, Jong Ri-hyeok made a disgusted face and said,
"Enough. I've been plenty patient. I don't know what nonsense you're spouting coming all the way here, but get out. And... don't ever show up again. If I see you one more time... I won't hold back."
Han Ibi threw up his hands in defeat.
He turned to leave the training hall.
Gripping the doorknob and pulling it open, Han Ibi slowly turned back for one last word.
"Hey, that's pretty impressive, but it's nowhere near enough. You look pretty frustrated. To break through the 'wall of martial arts,' you need a stimulus. Why not go somewhere quiet and calm your mind? Instead of sitting here like some monk."
He'd spoken from Han Ibi's perspective without realizing it.
Naturally, Jong Ri-hyeok was glaring daggers.
But he seemed to notice the subtle shift in Han Ibi's tone and nuance.
Han Ibi said,
"If even a little of what I said makes sense, head to the Yuseon Lake area. It's perfect for training. Super quiet, with Qingcheng Mountain's pure energy flowing gently. It'll help a lot, I bet."
With that, he bolted.
'Ah... damn! Failed.'
Han Ibi thought.
He'd lashed out at the end out of frustration, but maybe he'd just poked the bear more...
'Screw it. Whatever happens.'
True to form, Han Ibi decided to give up easily and just keep a closer eye on So Eun-ri.
Fortunately, Bok Yeon-hwa was so busy that So Eun-ri often trained alone.
That made it easier for Han Ibi to tail her.
If the expert Bok Yeon-hwa had been there, covert tracking would've been tough.
Luckily, So Eun-ri didn't stray far from Yuseon Lake during training.
And one more encouraging thing happened.
Jong Ri-hyeok had vanished from the Five Elements Hall.
He'd probably changed training spots.
The guy had quite the pride.
He wouldn't take Han Ibi's words at face value.
But it gave a sliver of hope that he might be near Yuseon Lake.
It was one such day.
Han Ibi was tailing So Eun-ri as usual, matching her routine.
Maybe boredom from the monotony made him slip?
Or maybe worry over Jong Ri-hyeok distracted him—he lost her in a moment.
'Huh... she was definitely walking that way...'
"What are you doing right now?"
Han Ibi jumped at the voice behind him and whipped around.
There stood So Eun-ri.
Her expression was as coldly impassive as a North Sea iceberg.
Panicked, Han Ibi couldn't utter a word.
So Eun-ri pressed,
"I'm asking what you're doing."
Han Ibi forced an awkward smile and said,
"Ah... well, you see. Nice weather... thought I'd go pick some herbs since it's been a while. You know I'm good at foraging...?"
"You've been following me, right?"
"Pardon?"
"You've been following me, right?"
"Ah... that's..."
"Disappointing."
Without waiting for a reply, So Eun-ri turned away.
In desperation, Han Ibi grabbed her sleeve.
"No, it's not like that...!"
"Of all people, you... 'You can know the depths of ten fathoms of water, but not the shallows of a person's heart.' It's true."
"...S-So, Miss So, what do you mean...?"
So Eun-ri replied with her usual icy expression.
"Master said the despicable Nam Cheol-hong elder's faction might send spies, so never talk to strangers."
"Ah... th-that's a misunderstanding. I..."
"Yesterday, and the day before, I saw you. Peeking at my training."
'Gasp... busted. She knew all along...'
"I thought it might be a mistake then. But today... you're still shadowing me. How do you explain this?"
Han Ibi was struck dumb, like his mouth was glued shut.
No ready answer.
What could he say?
That she'd be ambushed soon?
So he... no, Jong Ri-hyeok had to save her?
She'd call him crazy. Or treat him like a real spy.
Aah... how to fix this mess...
Then So Eun-ri said,
"No explanation? Then I'll have to tell Master..."
"Wait."
'Screw it, all or nothing.'
Han Ibi thought, putting on a serious face and raising his arm toward her.
He sighed deeply, like the earth was caving in, kept silent for a bit, looked at the sky, and sighed again.
He said,
"Miss So... you really..."
"Yes?"
"You really have to hear my answer?"
So Eun-ri's delicate brows twitched.
"Yes. I do. If you can't explain properly, I'll go to Master right now..."
"Miss So."
Han Ibi cut her off with a stern face.
Then, with a deeply serious expression, he said,
"I just... wanted to see you."
Now she looked stunned.
"Pardon? What do you mean... see what...?"
"Your sword."
Han Ibi knew it.
The words about to leave his mouth were total nonsense, completely out of left field.
But no other choice.
At least, none came to mind.
"That flawlessly beautiful sword dance of yours."
Han Ibi stared straight into So Eun-ri's eyes.
She looked blankly stunned for a moment.
Han Ibi judged it was time to double down.
He sighed long again and said,
"I don't know myself. I just... wanted to see your training swordplay one more time."
So Eun-ri looked even more dazed.
Han Ibi said in a rougher voice,
"Don't ask why. I don't know... But since you're uncomfortable, I promise never to follow you again."
With that, he turned and started back the way he'd come.
So Eun-ri stood frozen, looking flustered by the unexpected words, saying nothing.
Han Ibi hurried away.
Once she was out of sight, he sighed in relief.
'Whew. Dodged that one somehow.'
But worry soon crept back.
'Still, now she knows I'm tailing her... what to do from here...'
Then.
"You rat bastard."
Han Ibi doubted his ears.
The voice came again.
"I thought we were worlds apart, but turns out we're the same breed."
Only then did Han Ibi jolt in shock and look up.
On a thick tree branch... someone was standing, looking down at him.
The figure leaped lightly down, landing gracefully before Han Ibi.
Like a butterfly settling on the ground.
But a pitch-black mask hid their face, identity unknown.
The masked figure said,
"Exactly. A man needs the eye to appreciate a beauty. You're dressed like a lowly servant now, but dolled up right, you could stand toe-to-toe with the top courtesans of a high-class brothel."
"Who are you?"
Han Ibi finally snapped out of it and asked.
But the masked figure ignored him.
"In that sense, we're more alike than I thought. Right?"
He burst into laughter.
'What the hell is this psycho...'
Han Ibi scowled and said,
"If this is a joke, it's not funny."
'One of the Qingcheng disciples pranking me?'
The masked figure said,
"Joke? What joke. I've been watching you this whole time. Curious what kind of guy you are."
Han Ibi snorted.
"Curious about everything, huh."
Then the masked figure clapped sharply.
"But you're no ordinary guy after all."
"What?"
"You have an eye for women. Heh heh heh. I was impressed."
Han Ibi frowned again, clueless.
The masked figure continued,
"That tender, chewy flavor... it's... kuhaha... one of a kind, nowhere else in the world..."
Han Ibi freaked out.
A long tongue slithered out from under the mask, dripping saliva.
"...she has the potential to be a rare delicacy."
'Wh-what the hell is this guy...'
Han Ibi felt unease.
A primal, instinctual threat far beyond mere life danger...
'Was there a creep like this in Dream of the Ant Snake...'
Han Ibi panicked, reviewing characters, but nothing matched.
Nothing to do but ask.
"Uh, excuse me... did you get the wrong guy?"
Best not to provoke the madman. To avoid sparks flying, Han Ibi's tone turned exceedingly polite.
"What?"
"Y-you must have the wrong person... I-I mean... I'm a guy! Why chat me up here?"
Han Ibi babbled to buy time.
The masked figure grinned.
"Letting a beauty slip by is for fools, but order matters. There's something to do first."
"Meeting me... is really more urgent? Th-that can't be..."
An inexplicable intense anxiety writhed in Han Ibi's chest.
"It is."
"Why...?"
Then the masked figure brought a hand to his face and whipped off the mask.
The man's face was revealed.
"Eek!"
Han Ibi let out an involuntary shriek.
But not because of the hideous scars covering his face.
"Long time no see, kid."
(Continued in the next chapter)