Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: The Pursuer, The Blocker
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Three days had passed.
That meant the day of our departure had dawned.
“Ah, what a shame. It would’ve been great if you could’ve stayed for the succession ceremony.”
“We don’t have that luxury. There are just too many places we need to go.”
I shrugged and replied to Jegal Geunyeong, who had come out to see us off all the way to the main gate.
We had to visit all five great clans and nine major sects, and so far, we’d only done two.
The road ahead stretched nine thousand miles.
“The clan is going to feel so empty. With so many people leaving all at once like this.”
Meanwhile, Jegal Seohee, standing beside Jegal Geunyeong, turned her gaze aside with a look of regret.
Following her line of sight, I saw two groups preparing to depart just like us.
One was Im Chunil and his bandits, heading to Wuhan.
The other was Hyeok Rigwang and the retainers who followed him.
Once their preparations were mostly complete, the leaders of the two groups approached us to say goodbye.
“Hey, you’re leaving now too?”
“Didn’t expect we’d all be heading out on the same day. In a way, it’s for the best. Too many farewells otherwise.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I nodded in agreement to Hyeok Rigwang’s words and asked about their destinations.
“Brother Im is off to Wuhan, so where are you headed, Brother Hyeok?”
“Hmm. We’re planning to head southwest from here and settle near Yichang.”
Yichang.
A port city located upstream from Wuhan.
It was the gateway connecting the mid and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, a hub for logistics.
Such a major city would have its share of entrenched powers, making it tough to set up shop.
Well, they’d probably handle it just fine.
“I won’t make it to your opening ceremony, so here’s my congratulations in advance.”
“Appreciate it. Stop by sometime later. I owe you a great deal in many ways, so if the chance arises, I’ll repay you handsomely.”
Watching Hyeok Rigwang smile brightly without showing any bitterness, I mirrored his smile and turned my gaze to the small figure behind him.
It was Hyeok Rigwang’s daughter, Hyeok Rieum—Jeon Gal Cheon-sang’s younger sister, whom I had killed.
“Rieum.”
Hyeok Rigwang called out to his daughter, who had approached, in a stern voice.
But even at her father’s call, Hyeok Rieum’s rigid gaze remained fixed solely on me.
I held back Hyeok Rigwang, who looked ready to step forward with a hardened face, and approached her myself.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“…….”
Hyeok Rieum looked up at me with a complicated expression, then lowered her head as if gathering her emotions, let out a sigh, and looked at me again.
“…I heard. The reason you had to kill my brother.”
“…….”
“At the time, I was so angry I wanted to kill you right then and there, but I decided to accept it. That someone had to do it.”
“That’s….”
“But accepting something and truly coming to terms with it are two different things.”
-Whoosh!
Hyeok Rieum swung the strapped longsword on her back.
Everyone around gasped in shock, and Hwayeon even half-drew her sword, but I didn’t move.
There was no need to.
From the start, I was outside the sword’s range, and Hyeok Rieum had no intention of actually slashing me.
She merely pointed the blade’s tip at me.
As if issuing a declaration of war.
Her voice continued from beyond the gleaming blue edge of the blade.
“…Even if I attacked you right now, I couldn’t even touch the hem of your robes.”
“Well, probably not.”
She glared at me with axe-like eyes, clearly annoyed by my straightforward admission, took a deep breath, and obediently withdrew the sword in her hand.
Then she declared.
“Later, when I’ve grown stronger, I’ll come find you. I’ll land a solid hit on that smug face of yours, so get ready.”
Let’s have a proper fight later.
That declaration was probably Hyeok Rieum’s way of sorting out her own feelings.
Honestly, I was a bit surprised.
No matter the reason, I was the one who killed her brother.
Yet here she was, saying she’d pay me back in kind.
Most people would’ve thrown themselves at me heedless of consequences.
Compared to her usual behavior, it was an incredibly level-headed judgment.
Was even this side of her inherited from her father?
“…I look forward to it.”
I wiped the smile from my face and answered seriously.
Out of respect for her choice to turn resentment into rivalry.
Hyeok Rieum snorted loudly in response and returned to her retainers without another word.
“…That girl.”
Hyeok Rigwang clicked his tongue softly at his daughter’s retreating back.
But his face betrayed an unmistakable pride.
Seeing that, I lifted one corner of my mouth.
“She’s going to get even stronger from now on. You’d better stay on your toes so she doesn’t catch up.”
“…You bet. I will.”
Hyeok Rigwang nodded vigorously and bid farewell to me and my group.
“Well then, we’ll be off.”
“Yes. I wish you a safe journey.”
“You too.”
After sending him off with a blessing, I turned to Im Chunil, who had been waiting behind.
“Did you say goodbye to your little brother?”
“Eh, more or less? But that kid’s gotten pretty reliable these past few days.”
At Im Chunil’s words, I looked at Im Chunsam, who was with Jegal Seoryeong.
He still looked a bit fatigued from the relentless torment over the past three days(?), but the way he had his arm around his wife’s shoulder made him seem like a completely different person from before.
Seemingly satisfied with his brother’s transformation, Im Chunil nodded approvingly.
“As expected, a man only truly matures after being with a woman.”
“You’re not even married yourself—don’t you think that’s rich coming from you?”
“…Argh, come on! Why are you jinxing me like that!”
Im Chunil barked at my jab.
But his growling lasted only a moment before he smirked at me.
“You’re such a pain right up to the end, aren’t you?”
“High praise?”
We exchanged playful laughs and clasped hands in a fist salute.
“Take care, then. When you get to Wuhan, say hi to Branch Head Jo for me.”
“You too—don’t go dying on me somewhere. The great cause of toppling Paecheongseong is just getting started.”
Im Chunil replied boldly, then shouted, “Alright, lads, let’s move!” and returned to his men.
And so, Im Chunil and Hyeok Rigwang’s groups departed the Jegal Clan first, leaving us next in line.
“Here, please take these.”
Before we left, Jegal Geunyeong handed Hwayeon a jade plaque engraved with a coiled dragon and a letter.
“This is the Jegal Clan’s token. And along with it, a letter stating that our clan stands with you in purpose.”
“Thank you.”
Jegal Geunyeong shook his head at Hwayeon’s grateful words.
“We should be the ones thanking you. What you’ve done for our clan—we’ll never forget it as long as we live. If you ever need help, just call on us anytime. We’ll drop everything and come running.”
Jegal Geunyeong bowed his head, and the clan members who had come to see us off followed suit in agreement with their young clan head.
Hiding a touch of embarrassment, we returned the bows, boarded our carriage, and the wheels slowly carried us away from the Jegal Clan.
Not south like the two groups ahead, but west.
Our next destination was Gyun County in Hubei Province, home to Mount Wudang.
*
“…What did you just say?”
In Luoyang, inside the office of Paecheongseong’s fortress lord.
Do Han, seated in an ornate chair that resembled a jade throne, shot back with a fierce scowl.
At the end of his gaze stood Ilji, leader of the Divine Wood Division, who replied once more with a deliberately grave expression.
“It’s a report from the Red Eye Squad of the Manan Division. They say the previous fortress lord’s daughter has appeared at the Jegal Clan.”
“What nonsense is that…? It’s been over ten years—after all that time with no trace, she suddenly shows up at the Jegal Clan?”
-Bam!
Do Han slammed the armrest of his chair.
The gold-embellished armrest shattered pathetically.
Unfazed—or rather, with no time to care—Do Han ground his teeth.
‘To think she was alive all this time. And of all times, now?’
This was disastrous news right when plans to dominate the Central Plains and reign supreme were proceeding steadily.
The Jegal Clan, no less?
Had she been hiding in Yangyang all along?
‘…No matter what. I can’t just leave her be.’
If anything, it was a good thing.
Since he hadn’t finished her off cleanly back then, he could do it properly now.
Unlike him, who held Paecheongseong firmly in hand, she was just a mere girl.
Even if she had some companions, they were insignificant insects that would scatter at his command.
His expression easing at the thought that it wouldn’t be difficult, Do Han looked at Ilji.
“What’s that girl doing at the Jegal Clan?”
“We don’t know that much….”
Do Han mulled it over briefly as Ilji trailed off, then issued an immediate order.
“Assign the remaining Dark Heaven Division, Wild Wind Division, and Spear Dragon Division. You personally hunt her down.”
“Pardon? What about the Shaolin matter…?”
“They’re mostly powerless young novices anyway, aren’t they? Leave it to another Divine Wood Division. That girl comes first.”
“…Understood.”
Ilji replied, suppressing his rising irritation.
-Leave that matter to me, my lord.
It was then.
A voice spoke up.
As the sound of the door opening reached them, Do Han and Ilji turned their gazes.
Entering the office was a young, valiant-looking man.
Who could so brazenly enter the fortress lord’s office unannounced?
The answer came from Do Han’s lips.
“Hojeong.”
The one and only son of the Paecheongseong lord.
The man who entered was Ju Hojeong.