Chapter 80
Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: A Peculiar Companion
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Gilyeon branch’s opening banquet lasted for two full days.
Thanks to the image Neung Un-bi presented, the name of the Demonic Cult became even more deeply rooted among the common people.
Furthermore, he had declared in the Cult Leader's name that the Demonic Cult would never again harm the common people, and the effect was tremendous.
He also publicly announced that they would no longer collect taxes from inns, taverns, merchant guilds, or escort agencies without reason, and swore to only accept a small fee for commissioned work.
After the branch's banquet ended amidst everyone's cheers, Neung Un-bi finally had some time to himself in his quarters.
Except for the Lunar Eclipse Unit guarding the perimeter, neither Wang Cheon nor Ju Seung was present tonight.
It was silent.
And in that silence, Neung Un-bi knew, one person was still hiding.
"You're there, aren't you?"
He asked the empty air, sunk deep into his chair, but no answer came.
But she was there.
The one he had named.
Based on his experience so far, she was undoubtedly watching him.
"Thanks for the Dancheon Gate affair. It was resolved well because of you."
Neung Un-bi spoke to himself in the quiet room.
"Can I ask you something? Ah, this isn't a request... You don't have to answer."
[Speak.]
When the telepathic message finally came, Neung Un-bi let out a smirk.
"I'd like to see you now. Is there a reason I shouldn't? Like you have a hideous face, or a big scar. Something like that."
A long moment after he finished speaking, something materialized before his eyes.
It didn't just drop into view; an individual appeared abruptly, as if they had been there all along. It was a woman.
She had a petite frame, about a head shorter than him.
Her appearance was different from what he had imagined.
He had expected someone more imposing, but wasn't this a delicate, slightly tomboyish-looking girl?
However, knowing the terrifying power she possessed, he was only slightly surprised by her unexpected appearance; not a single thought of underestimation crossed his mind.
Still, there were certain things he could now confirm.
It meant she didn't mind revealing herself to him, and her status was high enough to speak informally with him, her disciple. And…
"So you were a dame, not just some punk."
"What was that?"
"Ah, sorry…"
At his unwitting mumble, the woman, Hyang-i, narrowed her eyes and glared at Neung Un-bi.
"Still, that's incredible. What kind of concealment technique have you mastered?"
"...Is that what you wanted to ask?"
"Heh, what's the rush?"
"I don't tend to exchange useless words with people I'm not going to kill."
"..."
*With people I'm not going to kill.*
What an incredibly confident person.
Didn't that statement reek of the belief that she could kill any opponent, no matter who they were?
"Well, that's a relief. At least it means you won't kill me."
"Kill you? You? Of course not."
A smile revealed a dimple on her cheek, which suited her very well.
"Then why are you following me?"
"It's an order."
"From whom? The Cult Leader… sir?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"The reason doesn't matter. I was told to protect you, so I protect you."
"Hmm... I see."
The Cult Leader secretly sent a guard for his sake?
No matter how he thought about it, it didn't make sense.
Were they really on such affectionate terms?
Wasn't he the kind of man who would beat him up at every opportunity, finding fault in everything he did?
As Neung Un-bi seriously pondered the Cult Leader's intention in sending a guard to protect him, he suddenly slapped his knee.
Of course. She's a monitor.
Damn it, he must have decided Wang Cheon and Ju Seung weren't enough after I beat down Wi Ji-hyeok back then.
That's why he attached such a terrifying watchdog to me.
"Damn it."
"...?"
As he swore with a scowl, Hyang-i tilted her head slightly and looked at him.
"Ah, sorry. I was just wondering if he really distrusted me that much..."
"Distrusted you? Heh, I wonder."
"...?"
"He probably cherishes you."
"Cherishes? Me? Don't say something that would make a passing dog keel over laughing. He's not that kind of sentimental person."
"Is that so? Well, you two can figure that out... If your questions are finished, I'll be going."
As Hyang-i casually prepared to vanish, Neung Un-bi quickly stopped her.
"Hey, why are you in such a hurry? It's just the two of us here anyway."
"...As I said, I don't engage in long conversations with people I'm not going to kill."
"You're really a person of principles."
"It's called being decisive."
"..."
Neung Un-bi shook his head at her kind correction.
She looks like a little sister...
"This is West Lake Dragon Well tea. It's quite famous. The taste is superb, too. Tak Bal-ryeo, the new branch master, gave it to me. Want some?"
"..."
Hyang-i stared intently as Neung Un-bi took out an empty cup and slid it to the opposite side, then asked with mock seriousness.
"Are you hitting on me?"
"...What?"
"I'll tell you in advance, I'm not interested in kids."
"..."
She really was decisive.
But I'm not interested in you either, you know?
All I did was offer a cup of tea, and she's making a fuss.
How could anyone dare fall for her? One wrong move and you'd have to worry about getting your throat slit without a trace...
"It's just tea. Don't misinterpret."
"Hmph."
"You must be tired of the dust on the ceiling, right? It's not good for your respiratory system. And using Ghost Breathing for too long isn't good either."
"...?"
"Why do you think it's called 'ghost' breathing? Use it too long, and you really become one."
Hyang-i watched with a peculiar gaze as Neung Un-bi filled the empty cup without waiting for permission.
"You... you know the habits of people like us."
"I learned from books."
"It felt too practical for that. Have you perhaps trained in concealment techniques? The footwork you sometimes show, the movements imbued in your sword..."
"..."
Neung Un-bi couldn't hide his surprise at her curious question.
She's sharp.
To think she had been watching all of that.
"Come to think of it, those eyes of yours are a bit strange too. Your skill isn't there yet, but you've already entered a state of observation."
"..."
"That's an assassin's method, you know. They train their eyes first to perfectly grasp the target they're going to kill."
Feeling his skin prickle under her increasingly suspicious gaze, Neung Un-bi hastily changed the subject.
"You've got quite the long tongue. Have you decided to kill me?"
"What?"
"You said it yourself. You don't talk to people you're not going to kill, and you don't exchange useless words."
"..."
"What do you say, should I stick my neck out for you? It's not like I'd be a match for you anyway, so my corpse should at least be in good condition."
As Neung Un-bi joked and deliberately exposed his neck, Hyang-i couldn't hold back a laugh, her dimples appearing once more.
"Heh, hehehe. You're a really interesting guy, aren't you?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Alright. I'll have tea with you. Ah, just so you know, I'm not accepting because I'm interested in you as a man."
"..."
Again, I'm not interested in you either.
Hyang-i pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Neung Un-bi.
"The taste is pretty good, right?"
"I haven't drunk it yet."
"I was talking about the aroma."
"...The scent is nice."
"It's West Lake Dragon Well. A bribe from the branch master."
"Heh."
Was it because the dam had broken?
Hyang-i burst out laughing at the end of Neung Un-bi's every sentence, like a teenage girl.
Somehow, though, it felt like she was mocking him.
Neung Un-bi swallowed his unease and asked.
"By the way, how about you stop hiding and just walk around openly from now on?"
"Walk around openly?"
"Yeah. There doesn't seem to be a need to hide, right? You don't have something like social anxiety, do you?"
"It's just a hassle."
"Then it's settled. There's no one here to bother you. Like I said, ceiling dust is bad for you. Same with Ghost Breathing."
"Hehe, you don't know anything."
"What?"
"Only amateurs use things like Ghost Breathing. I don't use such low-class techniques."
"..."
Not Ghost Breathing?
Then what in the world was she using to conceal her presence so completely?
"That's amazing. There's a breathing technique even more incredible than Ghost Breathing?"
"What you know isn't everything."
"Ha..."
"However, I'll accept your suggestion."
"Huh?"
"I'll stay by your side."
In truth, Hyang-i had been thinking along the same lines.
It would be different if her identity had to be kept from her target, but now that they had spoken and she had even revealed herself, why continue to hide?
The truth was, concealment was no ordinary ordeal.
You had to remain constantly tense so as not to be discovered, and you had to heighten your senses to the extreme to prepare for external attacks.
On top of that, your sleep quality was terrible.
You had to keep your ears open even while sleeping.
Because of this, she always suffered from migraines, even if it wasn't a full-blown nervous breakdown.
And that wasn't all.
She could only wash when Neung Un-bi's safety was secured, and her meal times were irregular, making indigestion a constant companion.
Besides, this wasn't an observation mission that would end in a day or two.
It would be at least a year before Neung Un-bi finished his inspection and returned.
She couldn't continue like this for that entire period.
So, it was better to be by his side. She could eat whenever she wanted and occasionally get a good night's sleep.
After all, she only needed to care about Neung Un-bi's life and death; it didn't matter what happened to anyone else.
She was confident that if she truly set her mind to protecting him, there were few in the Central Plains who could take Neung Un-bi's head.
"Have you decided?"
"Yes."
Hyang-i savored the tea's aroma before taking a sip with a slurping sound.
Neung Un-bi smirked at the sight.
This was good.
One of the things that had been bothering him the most was now resolved.
The existence of that person.
He could never act freely because he had no idea where she was hiding.
But if she was in front of him, he could always keep track of her location.
That was what was important.
It was the first step in his newly planned escape.
...Hehehe.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Huh?"
"I saw you laugh."
"Ah, I wasn't laughing."
"Don't play games. Someone with senses like mine doesn't miss the flow of the air, let alone the small changes in an opponent. Especially at this distance, I can perceive much more. Changes in breathing, muscle movements, even the hairs standing on end. Therefore, you definitely laughed."
Neung Un-bi could only manage an awkward laugh at her confident tone.
*Good for you, you bastard. Being able to perceive all that.*
"Hmm, are you a little annoyed now?"
"..."
Neung Un-bi flinched and stared at Hyang-i, startled by her chillingly keen senses.
Maybe keeping her by his side wasn't such a good idea.
"It's just... you seemed like a younger sister."
"Whaat?"
"I mean, your age. Who would ever think you were an assassin with such incredible skill?"
This was sincere.
Who in the world would know that this small girl was the monster who had annihilated the three hundred martial artists that attacked Dancheon Gate?
When they had returned, the inside of Dancheon Gate was awash in blood. They couldn't find a single survivor, let alone an intact corpse.
Even the members of the Demonic Cult had to fight back vomit the entire time they were cleaning up.
She had done that all by herself.
And here she was now, acting so nonchalant.
She was a true member of the Demonic Cult, a different breed entirely from Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, or the martial artists of the branch.
"Anyway, since you'll be by my side... what should your identity be?"
"A maid."
"What?"
"Make me a maid. Now that you've made a name for yourself, you should have at least one personal maid."
"..."
He never imagined she would say such a thing herself.
A master of her caliber, volunteering to be a maid?
Wang Cheon, Ju Seung, and even the Lunar Eclipse Unit would speak informally to her.
"Will you be okay with that?"
"It's fine. I'm used to it. That was my original status, after all."
"What? So you were the Cult Leader's maid?"
"You're not very observant. I was the one who served you tea every time you came."
"D-don't tell me? The one who was serving tea...?"
"I was there when you threw the talisman at the Cult Leader. I saw you get beaten up, too. That's why I gave you the talisman while disguised as a Taoist in Sangrak before."
"..."
His mind went blank. He had never imagined she had been so close.
"Don't tell me you're the Cult Leader's secret guard or something?"
"No."
"What?"
"I'm... an assassin."
"An assa- what?"
"I'm by his side on the condition that I'll take his head the moment I get a chance. The reason I'm taking orders to protect you is because I failed to do so."
"..."
Hyang-i's expression was utterly nonchalant as she uttered those truly tremendous words.
"Don't be surprised. It's the absolute truth. Taking the Cult Leader's head is the long-cherished wish of my clan."
"..."
He was beyond dumbfounded.
Just what you'd expect from the Demonic Cult. If you're going to be crazy, at least have some class.
An assassin who volunteers to be a maid just to kill her master, and a Cult Leader who lives with his nerves constantly on edge from her assassination threats...
Where else in the world would you find such an uncomfortable cohabitation?
Neung Un-bi was so shocked that he could only stare blankly.
*Slurp.*
Hyang-i drank her tea as if nothing was wrong and smiled sweetly.
"Delicious."