Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Secret Training
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“Hmm…”
Wang Cheon, who had been pacing in front of the cave that had become Neung Un-bi’s training ground, peeked inside.
“Hmph…”
But that was as far as his actions could go, and that grunt was the only expression he could muster.
What else could he do?
It had already been ten days since Neung Un-bi had taken up residence in the Snow Mountain Manor’s training ground. He had no idea what he was doing inside, with the door bolted shut.
He’d offered to stand guard by his side, but was refused. He’d offered to at least provide a maid, but that was also rejected.
“Dammit, I can’t disobey my lord’s command…”
That was the problem.
Just a short while ago, when he was simply serving the Third Young Master, he had a certain degree of autonomy.
Since he was directly under the Great Protector, whose duty was to protect the Cult Leader, he had carried out Neung Un-bi’s orders based on his own judgment.
He could ignore anything he felt was unnecessary.
Back then, his only lord was the Cult Leader, and he had the grave duty of meticulously observing Neung Un-bi’s condition and reporting back to him.
But not anymore.
Now that he served Neung Un-bi as his lord, he was essentially bound to him.
A being with whom he had to share life and death, unless his lord released him from his service.
It was what he had long desired, but his actions were heavily restricted, and he had to carry out any given order without fail.
The order Neung Un-bi had given him now was to ‘wait’.
Just wait, outside the iron door of the cave.
Do nothing but pass the time. Occasionally kick a stone lying on the ground.
At first, he was worried.
Wasn’t Neung Un-bi a man of exceptional understanding?
There was no way he had forgotten the incantations of the forbidden book that had driven him to qi deviation. He was on pins and needles, worrying that he might be secretly practicing it again with the door bolted shut.
But contrary to his worries, Neung Un-bi never missed a meal.
In fact, he ate better than usual.
Whatever he was doing, his clothes were always soaked with sweat, and he would emerge looking famished, devouring his food in the blink of an eye.
And he relieved himself regularly, too.
Was this truly his lord?
Even the sound of it was so magnificent, it was enough to make the listener feel needlessly embarrassed.
In any case, it was clear he wasn't practicing the forbidden arts again.
Then why? Why was he training in secret?
Everyone in the Snow Mountain Manor who needed to know was already aware that he had reached the enlightened state.
The Matriarch had simply ordered everyone to keep it quiet so the news wouldn’t leak outside.
So what was there left to hide?
“Damn it, the curiosity is killing me. He’s definitely training something… What martial art could there be that I don’t know about?”
Wang Cheon grumbled, his face scrunched up in a deep frown.
He had been so curious that he had asked about it before, but his lord’s answer was a masterpiece of annoyance.
—It’s a seeeecret.
That smile looked so devious.
He was extremely irritated, and also hurt.
One moment he was coaxing him with talk of friendship, and the next, he was pushing him away like this?
“He’s changed. They say power changes people, and now he probably thinks of me as less than the dirt under his fingernails.”
Just as Wang Cheon’s thoughts spiraled into a pit of self-pity…
“Guard Captain!”
“…Ah, Grand Steward.”
The Grand Steward, Im Saeng, approached with his usual gentle smile.
“Huhu, seeing you pacing out here, it seems the Third Young Master is still at it.”
“Yes. He’s holed up inside, I have no idea what he’s doing.”
“Huhu, from your expression, you seem quite disappointed?”
“Extremely. I’m so curious about what he’s doing, I feel like my lungs are about to flip. Lately, I can’t help but feel like he’s hiding things from me, and that we’ve grown distant…”
As Wang Cheon made a sullen face, Im Saeng smiled warmly and patted his shoulder in comfort.
“Don’t worry too much. It’s a common ailment of the heart that afflicts subordinates after forming a master-servant bond.”
“There’s such a thing?”
“Of course. I was the same way. When I first entered a master-servant relationship with the Matriarch.”
“Really? You don’t seem like it…”
“Haha, you were too young back then, weren’t you?”
“I suppose so.”
Wang Cheon nodded.
Im Saeng and Seon Hwa-yeon.
No, most of the current retainers of the Snow Mountain Manor were people who had grown up with Seon Hwa-yeon since childhood.
They grew up together and trained together.
They had shared joys and sorrows for nearly half their lives, like blood brothers in all but name.
How many times had they faced death together?
Although there was a clear distinction between the Matriarch and her retainers, the bond between them transcended the limits of their status.
Hadn’t he seen them since he was young, sometimes even cursing at each other as they interacted without formality?
And he was the same as me?
As Wang Cheon tilted his head in confusion, Im Saeng just smiled.
“Let me share a little of my experience…”
“…”
“Ah, that reminds me of that time. Once, you see.”
“…”
As Im Saeng began his tale, positioning himself as a seasoned mentor, Wang Cheon’s expression gradually clouded over with boredom.
It was a typical lecture, starting with ‘Back in my day…’ and continuing with ‘Do you understand? In other words…’.
He repeated the same story over and over and over again.
It was clear he meant well, but the main point was lost somewhere along the way, and soon it was just filled with his own boasting.
He even gave detailed examples of things he hadn’t been asked about.
“G-Grand Steward. Just a moment.”
“Ahem! I’m speaking… Just listen. Kids these days… *Ahem!* The lack of manners…”
“…”
Even though he was no longer a young master, Wang Cheon found himself being treated as a rude youth and gave an awkward laugh.
“Do you understand what I’m saying? Huh?!”
“Yes.”
I think I get it.
Your golden words of wisdom are making my ears bleed, Grand Steward.
“And, to add to that…”
Here we go again.
Feeling the urgent need to shut him up, Wang Cheon quickly changed the subject.
“Oh! But what brings you here? I doubt you came all this way just to console me about my condition.”
“Ah! Look at my mind. The older I get, the more forgetful I become.”
“…?”
“The gifts for the birthday banquet are ready. The Matriarch has asked me to bring you both.”
“What? The Grand Steward himself? You didn’t send one of the subordinates?”
“Haha, you two are always here, so when else would I get a chance to see you? I came myself to see your faces as well.”
As Im Saeng spoke with a smile, Wang Cheon smiled back and nodded.
“I understand. Please wait a moment. I will inform my lord and bring him out.”
“Very well.”
Wang Cheon gave Im Saeng a slight bow and walked into the cave.
Where the outside light no longer reached, flickering torches illuminated the darkness.
Deeper inside, a massive iron door blocked the cavern.
Wang Cheon placed his hand on the iron door.
*Shhh, shhhh…*
“…”
The sound of flowing wind?
Isn’t that strange?
The space was enclosed, so there shouldn’t be any wind.
It had to be an artificial sound.
Placing his ear to the iron door and heightening his hearing, Wang Cheon soon realized it was the sound of a sword cutting through the air.
But the sound was too clean. It was as if it met no resistance from the air at all.
As if the sword had become one with the wind…
What in the world?
Was there such a sword art among the Demonic Cult techniques his lord had learned?
No, based on the sound alone, there was no comparison.
*Gulp.*
As a martial artist himself, the sound produced by the sword’s movements stirred a strange curiosity in Wang Cheon, and he swallowed dryly.
…Should I peek?
Right, I’m just delivering a message, so it’s not exactly disobeying my lord’s orders.
If I get caught, I can just say he seemed focused on his training and I didn’t want to disturb him.
Yes, let’s look.
What’s wrong with a guard watching his lord train?
His mind made up, Wang Cheon carefully pushed the iron door.
*Cree…ee…eak.*
Gently, as quietly as possible.
The scene inside was gradually revealed through the slightly ajar door.
Along with a blast of hot air, Wang Cheon’s peeking eye caught sight of Neung Un-bi, bare-chested, practicing his swordsmanship.
“Gasp!”
Wang Cheon couldn’t hold back a gasp of astonishment.
Neung Un-bi’s sword sharply cut through space… no, flowed would be a more accurate description.
And yet, it was concise.
It found the fastest path to move, repeating vertical and horizontal motions. The blade, glinting in the torchlight, created afterimages of its trajectory that filled the air like a mirage before vanishing.
A man whose head was being cut off, another whose chest was pierced…
Startled, Wang Cheon rubbed his eyes again and again.
An illusion?
It was as if there were real enemies standing where Neung Un-bi’s sword had just been.
*Thwack!*
In the brief moment the afterimage of the practical, unadorned sword strikes remained, Neung Un-bi’s body kicked off the wall and shot forward.
*Flicker!*
In a fraction of a second.
Twelve torches lost their light all at once.
And in the sudden darkness, Wang Cheon was so startled that he pushed the door wide open.
*Creeeak.*
As his eyes, having lost track of Neung Un-bi, darted around in confusion…
The chilling sensation of a blade touching his skin sent a jolt through his entire body.
A cold blade pressed against the side of his neck.
“What are you doing, sneaking around like a cat? Didn’t I tell you to wait outside?”
Neung Un-bi was holding a sword to his throat, his voice thick with irritation.
Right next to him.
Goosebumps crawled up Wang Cheon’s spine.
When did he…?
He had only lost sight of his movement for a single instant. If this had been a real fight, his head would have been severed, just like the phantoms he had seen moments ago.
Wang Cheon couldn’t say a word, simply staring blankly at Neung Un-bi.
Did this even make sense?
It had only been ten days and a bit. Neung Un-bi, who had reached the enlightened state just that long ago, had caught him off guard and nearly taken his head.
It was unbelievable.
His own martial skill was not low. He hadn’t shown it because there was no need, but he was confident he could protect Neung Un-bi from any threat.
But what just happened…
He wasn’t confident he could win.
And what was that sword art?
The energy it contained was clearly that of the Demonic Cult, and it was undoubtedly a sword style optimized for killing.
Was there such a technique among the Demonic Cult’s sword arts that Neung Un-bi had learned?
Or had his genius talent altered the very trajectory of the sword?
Furthermore, what was that movement technique he used at the end, dashing to cut down twelve torches?
He couldn’t even follow that explosive burst of speed with his eyes.
He couldn’t understand it.
As Wang Cheon’s silence dragged on, Neung Un-bi asked curtly.
“What are you staring at?”
“…”
He pouted and sheathed his sword.
“M-My lord. That sword art just now, what was it?”
“…”
At Wang Cheon’s question, Neung Un-bi stared at him for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“It’s a seeeecret. If you’re curious, find out yourself.”
“…”
At the sight of Neung Un-bi winking teasingly, Wang Cheon felt a surge of irritation.
That damn son of a bitch!
This damn lord of mine, really!
“Anyway, what is it?”
“…Pardon?”
“I seem to recall telling you not to come in while I’m training.”
“Ah, that… The main house sent word that the gifts for the birthday banquet are ready, and they’ve asked for you to come.”
“Birthday banquet gifts?”
“Yes.”
“They can just prepare that stuff themselves, why are they calling a busy person back and forth? I don’t even have enough time to train. You just go by yourself.”
“That won’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“Because your mother requested it herself.”
“…So Seol-ok-su herself?”
“Yes.”
“Tch!”
Since So Seol-ok-su herself had summoned him, he couldn’t refuse.
She was supporting him with everything he wanted; he had to show at least a minimum of courtesy.
Well, he had made some progress anyway.
As a result of training day and night, he had more or less accustomed his current body to his past martial arts.
It wouldn’t hurt to enjoy a day of leisure.
The birthday banquet was about a month away.
Now, he needed to polish his skills.
Sharpen them even more…
Pleased that his plan was proceeding smoothly, Neung Un-bi casually threw on the clothes he had taken off.
“Let’s go.”
“What? You’re going just like that? You should at least wash off the sweat.”
“What for?”
“Still, there are people watching…”
“Then they shouldn’t have called me in the middle of training. Hurry up and follow me, Guard Captain.”
As Neung Un-bi strode away, Wang Cheon tore his eyes from the crude sword he had carelessly tossed aside and quickly followed.
He was endlessly happy that his lord was growing so splendidly.
However, it seemed he would have to thoroughly search the family armory once they arrived at the Snow Mountain Manor.
Because he had to find a demonic sword outstanding enough to match the swordsmanship he had just witnessed.