Chapter 82
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Uninvited Guest (2)
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Unlike Cheongpung, Myeong-gak clenched his fists tightly.
"You damned beggar bastards. I specifically told you not to inform the Ami Sect precisely because I feared something like this would happen... Just you wait. I'll tear you all apart."
"Calm down, monk. The beggars probably notified the Ami Sect because they knew they couldn't handle the aftermath themselves. No matter how furious we are at those beggars, we broad-minded folk have to endure it. What choice do we have?"
Cheongpung soothed Myeong-gak, who was trembling with rage.
But Myeong-gak's anger did not subside easily.
"Does this situation look like one where I can stay calm? Go-gong's shoulder is injured. If those beggars hadn't flapped their mouths carelessly, that witch-like old hag wouldn't have shown up here, and Go-gong wouldn't have had to deliberately offer his shoulder. What do you think? Am I wrong?"
Cheongpung could only smack his lips and offer no retort.
Zhuge Ji and Namgung Hye let out deep sighs before approaching me.
"Let me see it, Go-gong."
"No need. It's not a serious injury, so don't worry about it."
I waved it off as if it were nothing, but Myeong-gak fussed dramatically and hurried over.
"Don't talk nonsense. Wounds from blades can't be taken lightly, or they could lead to serious trouble later. Show me your shoulder. I'll clean it up and treat it properly."
"You... You're striking first because you're afraid I'll make a scene, aren't you?"
I glared at him with half-lidded eyes, and Myeong-gak panicked greatly.
"N-No... Why would I...?"
As I continued glaring, Myeong-gak bowed his head deeply.
"I'm sorry, Go-gong."
"It's fine. I can bear this much for your sakes. The wound isn't deep, so it'll heal quickly."
I had deliberately offered my shoulder to Cheon-eum the Nun.
If I hadn't let even a drop of blood spill, we would have been forced to continue a needless fight.
"Thank you, Go-gong."
Namgung Hye and Zhuge Ji seemed to understand my intentions and lowered their heads.
But I pretended not to notice their gratitude.
'Enduring this is a one-time courtesy.'
As night deepened, the younger martial artists all retired to their rooms, but I remained seated on the porch.
"You should head back soon too."
Hearing my mutter, something dropped from the rooftop with a thud.
It was the Ghost Follower.
"I cannot leave just yet, Benefactor."
"Is that so? Then do as you like. If you're tired or hungry, come into my house anytime to sleep or grab something to eat."
"Thank you, Benefactor."
"Off with you."
I waved him away, and the Ghost Follower climbed back onto the roof.
Why the Ghost Follower was still lingering here wasn't particularly important to me.
He had his reasons for staying, and once they were resolved, he would leave without needing to be told.
Seated on the porch, I gazed at the room still leaking light.
That room was the farthest from mine, where Zhuge Ji was staying.
Every night, she recorded something on a clean sheet of paper, and I knew it was her journal.
She imprinted my martial arts demonstrations into her eyes each night and practiced them with her body during the day.
Then, at night, she noted down what she had observed and learned.
Zhuge Ji was a beautiful and exceedingly wise woman.
Not just her—the other younger martial artists were clever and quick on the uptake as well.
They never asked me about the martial arts.
As I stared at Zhuge Ji's lit room and looked up at the sky, a bright half-moon gazed down at me.
Bathed in that moonlight, a faint presence approached.
Sss...
I reached out my hand, and the longsword from the kitchen flew into my grasp.
Scree... clack...
In the quiet darkness, the sound of a door opening echoed.
A face as radiant and beautiful as moonlight stepped through the gate.
"Guji the Flame Witch."
She flashed me a bright smile.
"I was craving liquor, so I came over."
"Come in."
I courteously welcomed her inside.
A lantern hung in the kitchen, and bright flames roared in the hearth.
Sizzle...
As the sound of heating metal rang out noisily, I placed a dish of stir-fried vegetables and liquor before her.
"This village currently hosts some truly formidable figures. If you're spotted by them, escaping unscathed will be difficult."
Hohohoho...
"Are you worrying about me right now? That feels nice."
She laughed, revealing her neat white teeth.
"Your excuse about craving liquor sounds false... What brings you here?"
"You're quite impatient. How about serving proper side dishes first before asking such things?"
"Very well."
As I rose to leave, she thrust her cup forward.
"You should fill my cup with liquor first."
I poured her a cup, then went to the back of the kitchen to fetch beef.
I sliced a few pieces, skewered them on a wooden stick, sprinkled salt and spices, and hung it before the hearth.
"Have you had dinner?"
"No, not yet. Why? Got some cold rice?"
"No rice, but I have scorched rice. Wait a moment."
I put the scorched rice Myeong-gak had scraped for snacking into a pot, added water to boil it, and plated the beef I'd hung before the hearth, bringing it to her.
"Sit down too, Go-gong. Liquor tastes best shared with a companion."
"I'm not your companion—I'm your enemy."
Despite my retort, I was already sitting across from her.
Guji the Flame Witch brushed her hair back with four fingers.
I watched her fingers and the scar on the inner side of her face as I emptied my cup.
"How did you get those fingers and that scar?"
I refilled her cup as I asked.
She refilled mine as well.
"My fingers have always been like this, and the scar... from fighting a guy who tried to attack me when I was young..."
Guji the Flame Witch answered while scrutinizing my expression.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No, nothing at all."
I emptied another cup and plated the steaming fish from the pot.
"The scorched rice needs a bit more time."
"Take your time—I have plenty. By the way, do they raise assassins here too?"
"Since you and I are well-acquainted, don't mind him."
No sooner had I finished speaking than the Ghost Follower's presence vanished.
Every time she emptied her cup, I refilled it.
Likewise, she refilled mine whenever I emptied it.
When I brought out a bowl of scorched rice porridge, Guji the Flame Witch devoured it as if she hadn't eaten in days.
"More?"
She nodded.
I brought another bowl, and as she picked up her chopsticks, she began to speak.
"Your little brother is doing quite well. Living it up with beauties and liquor."
"That's a relief."
The worry in my heart eased somewhat.
But her next words twisted my face.
"He's high on drugs every day. Teaching martial arts to those plotting to take his life, no less."
Fuu...
"That idiot."
Guji the Flame Witch raised her cup and met my eyes.
Bathed in the lantern light, her eyes gleamed brightly.
"One of the cult's masters has set out for here. To kill you."
"I've been waiting for him anyway. Capturing and torturing him will reveal your hideouts."
Hohohohoho...
Her laughing expression, with teeth bared, suddenly turned grave.
"You should worry about surviving first. Even I can't guarantee victory over him."
"Then he must be one of the Five Great Reverends?"
"No. He was once a righteous faction member long ago. Thanks to him, we learned the righteous faction's martial arts in detail. Just like your brother now..."
"That... son of a bitch..."
A curse slipped from my mouth unbidden.
To borrow her words, Gwang-u was teaching the One Immortal Sect's martial arts to the enemy.
He'd always been foolish, but I hadn't thought him foolish enough to reveal the One Immortal Sect's arts to foes. My assumption had been utterly wrong.
"Your brother had no choice. That drug is that addictive."
"Why... tell me even this?"
"It's to my advantage if you survive. Unlike other righteous faction folk, you and I seem to communicate well."
Finishing her meal, she picked up the saber she'd left on the table and stood.
Thud!
A small silk pouch dropped onto the table.
"Thanks for the food and drink. Can I come again next time?"
She paid for the liquor in full again.
"You won't come if I tell you not to?"
Hoho...
"I couldn't do that."
Leaving the kitchen, Guji the Flame Witch spotted the younger martial artists standing resolute in the courtyard and turned to me.
"Looks like they have no intention of letting me leave unharmed?"
"Of course not. Clear a path."
I stepped to her side and looked at the younger martial artists.
But they showed no sign of yielding.
"Go-gong, we can't let this witch go like this. If we capture her, we can exchange her for Senior Seok, who's held by the enemy."
Zhuge Ji stepped forward as their representative.
Her words had merit, but I had no desire to do so.
No, the chance of failure seemed far greater.
I turned to Guji the Flame Witch.
"If you were captured, what do you think the cult would do?"
Hohohoho...
"Think you can capture me? Even if you somehow did, nothing would change."
"That's my thinking too. Clear a path."
The Five Great Reverends didn't seem on good terms with each other.
If they were, a massive clash between me and them would have erupted by now.
Even if Guji the Flame Witch were captured, they wouldn't hand over Gwang-u.
"Even without Senior Seok, we can't let this witch go. In the war with the cult ahead, eliminating even one more master increases our chances of victory."
This time, Namgung Hye stepped forward.
Not just her—Myeong-gak joined in as well.
"Go-gong, do you know the most perfect way to win a war against an enemy? It's to win their hearts. Right now, Go-gong, you're falling for that demoness's scheme and giving her your heart."
Guji the Flame Witch watched us with keen interest.
Fuu...
I let out a long sigh and stepped forward.
"Do you think I wouldn't notice a scheme that basic? If you believed that, you've been underestimating me too much."
"Mind games are fundamentally deployed without the opponent noticing. Go-gong, you're being bewitched by this witch's honey trap right now."
Hohohoho...
Guji the Flame Witch burst into laughter at Zhuge Ji's rebuttal.
"I'm flattered you find me pretty, but... how about this?"
She brushed her hair back with four fingers.
As the hideous scar on the inner side of her face was revealed, the younger martial artists' eyes wavered greatly.
As if anticipating their reaction, Guji the Flame Witch covered the scar with her hair again.
Then she turned to me.
"Am I beautiful enough to unsettle your heart?"
"You're beautiful enough."
Her eyes, locked on mine, seemed to waver slightly.
"I stepped in to help a little, and now you're making things harder?"
I chuckled at her chiding.
The younger martial artists showed no intention of clearing the path.
In the end, I revealed a portion of my true feelings.