Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: A Grave Misunderstanding
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Deep night, darkness descends.
The darkness that settles in sunless, shaded places is murkier than anywhere else.
I had always been fond of such darkness.
It was perfect for hiding one's presence, and more importantly, it concealed the crimson red of blood that spurted from a blade's touch. The foul stench of blood remained, but the darkness hid its deep hue, as if to lessen the guilt.
Though it was all for a purpose, countless people lost their lives to my sword.
The reason I could maintain my sanity while walking intoxicated on a blood-soaked blade was that I had always walked in darkness. And I believed that walking in darkness would one day become the light of the world.
I believed this every time the smell of blood on my hands grew stronger.
Because I believed that if I did, ‘he’—who, unlike me, stood firm in the light—would bring forth that light.
There was such a hope.
And now, I intend to go and meet the hopeful future he must have created.
*Swish!*
“...?”
The warrior, Hwacheok, who was just about to light a torch to illuminate the murky darkness, tilted his head at the sudden gust of wind that brushed past his ear.
*Whoosh.*
“Ugh, it’s cold.”
As a biting wind blew right on cue, Hwacheok pulled his clothes tighter and glanced inside the cave where Un-bi was staying.
The Third Young Master, Neung Un-bi.
He had heard countless rumors about him.
He had thought him to be born with innate talent, but now he wondered if that talent had manifested only because it was backed by blood-sweat effort.
To think he’s been dedicated solely to his martial arts training for days now.
If it were him, he probably would have bolted out of boredom long ago.
Still, whatever the case, it was good.
Wasn't he the future master chosen by the Snow Mountain Manor?
I will protect him diligently.
That is the duty I've been assigned.
“Strange, though. The Guard Captain is so late.”
Hwacheok strengthened his resolve internally, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness beyond the torchlight’s reach.
But he did not know.
That Neung Un-bi, the very person he was supposed to protect, was using the sound of the biting wind to mask his footsteps and slip past the cordon formed by the warriors of the Snow Mountain Manor, including Hwacheok himself.
No, he was already far away.
At their level, they probably wouldn't even know how Neung Un-bi had escaped.
Because he had reached the stage of Righteous Ki? That couldn't be it.
It was one of the martial arts from his past that he had reclaimed, which made it possible.
Soundless Steps. A truly intuitive name. It was a footwork technique optimized for stealth.
Just as there were arts of the heavy body, like the Thousand-Pound Drop that used internal energy to temporarily increase one's weight, there were also arts of the light body that made one temporarily lighter.
Soundless Steps was a technique of the light body. It left behind no sound, nor any trace. Running on blades of grass became Flight Over Grass, and running on water became Treading on Duckweed to Cross Water.
However, it could not be maintained for long.
This was because Soundless Steps required an explosive surge of internal energy, resulting in immense momentary consumption.
But that alone was enough to break through the defensive line.
Look. Hadn't he broken through the first line without them even noticing?
Now, he needed a short rest.
That was the nature of an escape. One couldn't just run blindly. You had to mind the depletion of your internal energy and stamina.
Soundless Steps, in particular, was a dangerous art that required an enormous amount of internal energy in a single moment.
In his current state, he had used about a tenth of his internal energy with a single use. That much could save his life in a critical moment.
Having easily broken through the first cordon, Neung Un-bi chose a suitable spot and hid himself. Only after scanning his surroundings and confirming his safety did he begin to circulate his ki.
He didn't need long. He just had to replenish the energy he had spent.
“Hoo…”
An exhale, an inhale.
The cultivation method he was using now was not the one his past self had learned, but the one Neung Un-bi had mastered. His dantian was already structured around it, so he had no choice.
Besides, he had gained an overflowing amount of internal energy from the incredible elixir known as the Demonic Spirit Divine Pill, so there was no need to use anything else.
Whether it was demonic or heretical arts, his principle was to make the best use of what he had.
A moment later, Neung Un-bi awoke from his meditation, his eyes gleaming with demonic energy. Power overflowed from his tightly clenched fists.
“Alright, recharged.”
With a satisfied smile, Neung Un-bi skillfully erased his tracks even in the darkness and launched himself forward again.
He had to keep repeating this until he was out of the Heavenly Mountains.
Run and replenish, run and replenish…
***
“What are you talking about? The Third Young Master has left the training ground and is moving through the security cordon?”
“Yes, Matriarch. Commander Ju Seung of the Black Panther Banner, who leads the cordon, has sent a carrier pigeon asking for a decision on how to proceed.”
“Hmm…”
Seon Hwa-yeon frowned at the report from Gong Hyeong-u, who was in charge of the Snow Mountain Manor's Outer Hall.
The Snow Mountain Manor possessed five martial units.
Yellow, Blue, White, Red, and Black. Each used a panther banner of a different color as its symbol.
Seon Hwa-yeon had deployed three of them around the cave where Neung Un-bi was staying. This was because Wang Cheon had vehemently insisted, veins popping on his neck, that such measures were necessary to protect the Third Young Master.
Thanks to that, roughly a thousand men were densely packed into that small area.
But why?
Why was the Third Young Master, who had returned to train, now wandering within the cordon?
“Goodness… What could he be thinking?”
Seon Hwa-yeon asked, cupping her head with one hand.
“So, what is he said to be doing?”
“Well, he runs for a bit and then circulates his ki, then runs again and circulates his ki…”
“Hm?”
“But they say his lightness skill is incredible.”
“Incredible?”
“Yes. The message mentioned that they even suspect it might be the legendary Treading on Snow Without a Trace.”
“Huh? Treading on… what?”
“Treading on Snow Without a Trace. The legendary lightness skill that lets one run over snow without leaving a single footprint.”
“…”
Seon Hwa-yeon fell silent for a moment, staring blankly at Gong Hyeong-u, who was marking Neung Un-bi’s route on a map.
*Did he think I asked because I don't know what Treading on Snow Without a Trace means?*
*It makes no sense. A man who just reached the stage of Righteous Ki hasn't suddenly ascended to the stage of Blade Ki in a few hours, so how could he possibly use Treading on Snow Without a Trace?*
As if sensing the bewilderment in Seon Hwa-yeon’s gaze, Gong Hyeong-u added another comment.
“Ju Seung would not lie.”
“…Well, that’s true.”
The Black Panther Banner was composed of the strongest warriors among the five units, and its commander, Ju Seung, was the best among them. He was skilled enough to be compared to Wang Cheon.
He wouldn't make a false report. This meant that even if it wasn't quite Treading on Snow Without a Trace, Neung Un-bi's lightness skill was truly astounding…
“But… they say the Third Young Master’s actions are a bit strange.”
“Strange? More than using Treading on Snow Without a Trace?”
“Yes. Every time he encounters the cordon, he suddenly moves with stealth…”
“Stealth?”
“Yes. Ju Seung enclosed his astonishment in the message, saying it was completely seamless.”
“…”
As if feeling his words were not enough, Gong Hyeong-u handed the original message to Seon Hwa-yeon.
Tiny script was scrawled on the small piece of paper.
Astonishing for this reason, astonishing for that reason. It was filled with lengthy expressions of surprise.
It was mostly praise for how incredible the Third Young Master was, but that alone was not enough to grasp his intentions.
“Hmm, but why?”
“Exactly. I don’t understand it either. There’s no need for him to do that… Ju Seung is also tailing him with just a few men, just in case, making sure the Third Young Master doesn't notice.”
“Hmm…”
Just as Seon Hwa-yeon and Gong Hyeong-u, who never dreamed he might be escaping, were lost in thought.
“Matriarch, it is Cheon.”
“Cheon?”
It was Wang Cheon.
Why was he here, when he should have been protecting the Third Young Master?
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
Wang Cheon entered, carrying a rectangular wooden box.
“I wondered why you had left the Third Young Master’s side to come here. It seems you were looking for a sword.”
“Yes. It bothered me that he was using a crude iron sword for his training… so I searched the armory for a bit.”
“Ah, I see. Well done.”
Seon Hwa-yeon nodded at Wang Cheon’s reply.
He must have come to ask for permission.
Which meant the object in the box was no ordinary item.
“What is it?”
In response to Seon Hwa-yeon’s question, Wang Cheon simply smiled and opened the box.
*Click.*
Inside the opened box lay a sword, placed as preciously as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
“Biyeon?”
“Yes.”
Seon Hwa-yeon tilted her head, looking surprised.
And for good reason.
The Flying Swallow Sword. It was named so because its swing was as swift as a fierce swallow riding the air.
“Why that one? I haven’t heard any stories about the Third Young Master practicing the Swift Sword style.”
“Ah, actually, I thought so too, but…”
Wang Cheon revealed the secret he had witnessed.
The way he moved, flowing so naturally as if unaffected by air resistance. A high-speed lightness skill that extinguished twelve torches in a single breath.
“It was that impressive?”
“Yes. It was so fast, I couldn’t even follow it with my eyes.”
“Hah!”
Seon Hwa-yeon couldn’t hide her surprise at Wang Cheon's assessment.
If Wang Cheon said so, it must be truly remarkable.
*Then? Could it be that I haven't even seen the full extent of Neung Un-bi's abilities?*
“Oh!? Wait a moment, Matriarch.”
“...?”
Gong Hyeong-u, who had been listening from the side, suddenly slapped his knee as if something had occurred to him.
“Perhaps the Third Young Master is… training right now?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“Hearing what the commander said makes me think that might be the case.”
“...?”
“Think about it. Isn't he the one who even refused a drinking party, saying he had no time to waste on anything but training?”
“Well, yes, he did.”
“He must feel pressed for time, since he is to return tomorrow.”
“Pressed for time?”
“Yes. The Third Young Master has likely chosen a method to improve his skills all at once before he leaves.”
“All at once?”
“Yes. As you know, Matriarch, how can one achieve mastery in martial arts through solitary training alone?”
“So you’re saying the Third Young Master is treating the security cordon as his opponent?”
“That is what I believe.”
Hearing Gong Hyeong-u’s words, it made sense.
Indeed, where else could he find a better opponent right now than the cordon?
He was practicing the very lightness skill Wang Cheon had witnessed, breaking through the multi-layered cordon.
Since it was a lightness skill fast enough to extinguish twelve torches at once, she could now understand why Ju Seung had described it as being like Treading on Snow Without a Trace.
“My goodness! To think I’ve only just now realized the Third Young Master’s intentions! Yes, that’s right. He must feel pressed for time. After all, he won’t be able to train like this once he returns.”
“Of course!”
Wang Cheon couldn’t hide his confusion at the conversation between the two, who looked like they were about to start clapping their hands.
*What are they talking about?*
*Who is doing what?*
“Oh dear, what should we do then? If the Third Young Master is training so diligently, I should help him in some way…”
After pondering Seon Hwa-yeon’s words for a moment, Gong Hyeong-u spoke proudly, as if he had come up with a brilliant idea.
“How about we raise the difficulty for him?”
“Raise the difficulty?”
“Yes. We respond in a way that makes it feel like a real battle.”
“That’s an excellent idea! Your thoughts are my thoughts. Hurry and relay the order.”
“Yes, Matriarch!”
Having received the order, Gong Hyeong-u rushed out with an excited expression.
The misunderstanding deepens.
Then again, wasn't it true that a situation could be viewed differently depending on one's perspective?
Their favorable impression of Neung Un-bi was making even his escape seem beautiful.
Of course, no one knew the truth.
And Wang Cheon, who had been staring at the map marked with Neung Un-bi’s movements, opened his mouth with a dubious expression.
“Um… Matriarch?”
“Yes?”
“By any chance, is our lord attempting to escape right now?”
“Escape? He is training. Using the warriors of our Snow Mountain Manor as his opponents.”
“…But why?”
Seon Hwa-yeon spoke with a broad smile, but Wang Cheon remained unconvinced.
The path Neung Un-bi was taking… heading toward the valley that bordered the northern boundary of the Demonic Cult… something felt off.
***
Something was strange.
*What is this? This suffocating feeling?*
He was moving with all five senses focused to avoid being caught, so even the slightest footstep made his ears perk up.
But something had changed.
His level was too low to read presences from far away. No, he didn't even need to. His immediate surroundings were enough.
The density of people he sensed ahead had increased dramatically. At the same time, a pressure bore down on him, as if the air itself had become several times heavier.
The cordon had tightened.
*Damn it, those Demonic Cult bastards are fast.*
*Have they already noticed my escape?*
If so, there was no time to hesitate.
He could even feel their numbers growing. Soon, the guards he had already passed would be chasing him from behind.
And if that happened?
…There would be no chance to escape.
“…”
The valley was just ahead.
He had come this far; he couldn't turn back now just because the cordon had gotten a little tighter, could he?
Neung Un-bi, who had been staring intently into the distant darkness, gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
“Fuck, if this is how it’s going to be! I’ll just force my way through!”