Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Translator: Penny
Chapter 25
The Message of My Death (3)
The next day, I returned to the inn.
I was curious if any new information had surfaced.
Was it because I still clung to the position of Alliance Leader? Of course not.
I had adapted to this new life and found contentment. In fact, I was living with greater joy and vitality than when I had been the Alliance Leader.
My plan was to rebuild the Byeok Clan Sword School while continuing to refine my martial arts.
Yet, when I thought of the Martial Arts Alliance, certain faces still lingered in my mind: Gal Saryang, Baek Pyo, and the loyal subordinates who had followed me faithfully.
At least until a trustworthy successor rose to the position of Alliance Leader, I couldn't help but worry.
Today, as usual, the main topic of conversation at the inn was my story.
There were those who criticized me for political reasons, but no one dared to disparage me as a martial artist. In the world of martial arts, Cheon Hajin was always portrayed in a glorified light.
"I don't know about his leadership, but as a martial artist, Cheon Hajin deserves our utmost respect," an elderly man declared, drawing all eyes to him.
"I witnessed the Alliance Leader's battle firsthand," he added, causing the crowd to surge toward him. Even I leaned in to listen.
"You all know about the Cheon Alliance Leader's fight against the Battle Demon, right?"
"Of course. It's been immortalized in countless stories."
"True, but most of those tales are utter nonsense."
"How do you know?"
"Well, I was there myself, you see."
I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
To put it bluntly, the old man's words were pure bluster.
No one survived that day's battle. The Battle Demon and all his subordinates were killed. Our martial artists had been waiting at a distance under my command.
Could the old man have observed from afar? Back then, I was truly soaring through the heavens. If he had been close enough to witness the fight, my Aura Sense would have detected him instantly.
"The Battle Demon was a terrifying sight. Nine feet tall, with fists the size of a grown man's head. He was born for battle, a truly maddeningly powerful warrior."
Nine feet tall with fists the size of a man's head?
I couldn't help but chuckle.
When I first saw the Battle Demon, I was shocked.
He stood a mere five feet tall with a frail frame. His delicate features made him seem utterly unsuited for combat.
Despite his fearsome title, the Battle Demon didn't rely on brute force. He wielded a single dagger.
Yet the old man's words weren't entirely exaggerated.
The truth lay in his insane strength. At the time I fought him, he was the most formidable opponent I had ever faced.
Though I later encountered even stronger foes, he remained one of the top five opponents I had ever faced.
I can't count how many times I nearly died from that short dagger. I was actually stabbed several times. He truly deserved the title of Battle Demon.
"The Cheon Alliance Leader displayed skill bordering on the divine. Even now, when I close my eyes, the battle unfolds vividly before me. The final moment is particularly unforgettable. As he dodged the Aura Force erupting from the Demon's fist, the Alliance Leader soared into the sky like the Azure Dragon. Then, with majestic grandeur, he unleashed dozens of streams of Sword Qi that rained down like a celestial downpour!"
The vividness of the old man's description moved everyone deeply.
"I envy you so much. If I could witness that battle firsthand, I could die without regrets."
"I'd buy those eyes if I could!"
"Ah! Sword God!"
Thinking back to that day, when I had barely managed to plunge my sword into the Battle Demon's heart after wrestling with it in the dirt, I felt deeply ashamed. Yet, being human, I couldn't deny that hearing such praise wasn't entirely unpleasant.
One of the men listening to the story spoke up, his expression sour.
"So what if he's the Sword God?"
"What's your problem?"
"Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"The ones about Cheon Hajin amassing a fortune through corruption."
"Is that true?"
Everyone gasped in shock.
But none were as stunned as I was.
I nearly leaped to my feet and roared, "Shut your damn mouth!" I hadn't pocketed a single pellet for personal gain.
"With such formidable martial arts skills, why wouldn't he have?"
Judging by his tone, this wasn't just a rumor—it was his own conviction.
Wouldn't you do the same?
Damn it. I wished someone would rebuke his reckless words, but everyone nodded in agreement.
"Well, considering his position as Alliance Leader..."
"Besides, the Cheon Alliance Leader was the strongest among all the past leaders, wasn't he?"
"He probably died without even spending all that money."
I could tolerate other slander, but accusations of embezzlement?
No! You bastards! If I'd really set my mind to it... well, let's just not go there.
"How much did he pocket? Ten million taels? A hundred million?"
A sigh escaped me involuntarily.
I thought I had shared a love with the Martial Arts World... but I wondered if it even knew I cared.
Just as I sat there, consumed by despair, a clear, melodious voice rang out.
"Do you have any evidence?"
The voice was familiar.
Everyone, including myself, turned toward the source of the sound.
To our astonishment, Song Hwarin stood at the entrance of the inn.
She had unleashed her special ability, overwhelming everything around her and drawing all eyes solely to herself.
Her sudden appearance widened everyone's eyes.
Some recognized her, but the man who had spread the rumors didn't. He merely wore an expression that seemed to say, "Where did such a beautiful woman come from?"
"Do you have any evidence that the Alliance Leader has committed corruption?" she asked.
The man countered, "Are you acquainted with the Cheon Alliance Leader?"
"No," she replied.
"Then what's your complaint, Young Lady?"
"Don't spread rumors about things you don't even understand properly."
Her tone was calm but authoritative.
"I'll ask again: do you have any evidence that the Alliance Leader has amassed illicit wealth?"
"I... I just heard rumors."
"Spreading rumors recklessly is a serious crime. If reported to the Martial Arts Alliance, you could be imprisoned in the Dungeon."
The man was terrified by her sharp words. The mention of the Dungeon sealed his fate.
"I'll make sure you apologize for spreading those rumors."
Without pressing the man further, Song Hwarin moved to an empty seat nearby.
"Orders here!"
A waiter rushed to her side.
The drunken patrons, who had been staring at her in a daze, scattered. They didn't want to risk catching her eye and facing trouble.
Even as they left, they couldn't resist glancing back one last time.
I sat with my back to her, so she didn't notice my presence.
I was grateful to her. I had felt so wronged, and she seemed to have spoken for my own feelings. I was deeply thankful.
A short while later, her meal arrived.
"I only ordered noodles," she said.
In addition to the noodles she had ordered, a meat dish had also been served.
The innkeeper smiled and said, "This is a special complimentary dish from me."
"Why are you being so kind to me?"
"I share the same sentiments as you, Young Lady. The late Alliance Leader was a truly remarkable man. Thanks to him, many villains in the Martial Arts World have been eliminated, making life easier for people like us."
"Ah, I see. But what should I do?"
An unexpected remark slipped from her lips.
"You seem to have misunderstood. I didn't particularly admire the late Alliance Leader."
"Huh?"
The innkeeper's eyes widened in surprise.
What absurd nonsense is this?
I stared at her, equally bewildered.
The innkeeper pressed further, "But why did you say that earlier?"
"I simply dislike repeating other people's words carelessly."
Now that I thought about it, her earlier statement hadn't actually mentioned liking or respecting the Alliance Leader.
And then she went even further:
"In fact, I despise the deceased Alliance Leader."
Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "Why?"
She turned her head toward me, startled to realize I was there.
"How long have you been here?"
"Since earlier."
"Did you follow me here?"
I shook the empty wine bottle in front of me.
"If I'd known you were coming, I might have."
She understood that I had arrived first.
"I heard about what happened at the Yang Association."
"Fortunately, I managed to avoid the chaos."
"That's good."
With that, she turned her head away.
I didn't particularly want to continue the conversation either, but I had to ask this one thing.
"Why do you hate the Alliance Leader so much?"
I was genuinely curious.
She merely shrugged without answering.
Hey, why do you hate me so much?