Chapter 89
Chapter 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Meeting the Escorts
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jegal Rin silently followed behind Dan Hyeong-u before cautiously asking.
"But do you know the way you're going?"
Dan Hyeong-u didn't bother answering. He simply walked ahead without the slightest hesitation. Jegal Rin nodded to herself. It was hard to believe someone proceeding so confidently didn't know the path.
Dan Hyeong-u took the lead at the front, with Jegal Rin, Dang Moon-yeong, and Umun Hye right behind him. The Sword Demon followed them, while the Sword King and his granddaughter Yeom Hye-mi brought up the rear, quietly trailing along.
Yeom Hye-mi walked carefully, cradling Cheonseom in her arms. Ever since it had been handed to her, she hadn't let it leave her grasp. She had no idea what role it truly played, but something told her she had to hold onto it.
"Want me to carry it for you?"
The Sword King spoke beside her with a gentle smile. Yeom Hye-mi looked up at him and beamed. But she shook her head. She couldn't rely on her grandfather's protection forever. From here on, she needed to cultivate the strength to stand alone.
The Sword King stroked her head, visibly proud.
"Don't push yourself too hard. Just do what you can for now. Keeping your feet moving forward is more than enough."
"Yes, Grandfather. I will."
Yeom Hye-mi replied, then straightened Cheonseom in her arms. It was lighter than most swords, but still burdensome for her to carry.
"Why on earth did he give this to me?"
No matter how she racked her brain, she couldn't figure it out. Yet she felt a faint bond with it. Truly mysterious.
"No need to dwell on it too deeply. That young man is far greater than you realize. There's undoubtedly a reason."
Yeom Hye-mi could only nod once more. But she yearned for a more concrete answer.
She had asked Dan Hyeong-u countless times, yet he never uttered a word. As if there was nothing to say.
As Yeom Hye-mi mulled over Cheonseom, Jegal Rin was deep in her own concerns—quite different ones.
"Young Hero Dan, there's no path this way."
Unable to hold back, Jegal Rin finally spoke. Dan Hyeong-u was veering completely off course—straight toward the border between Hunan and Hubei.
But according to the mental map in Jegal Rin's head, this route led to a massive mountain. They'd be abandoning the main road entirely.
Straying from the official paths brought all sorts of hassles. And with an untrained girl in their midst, it was even worse. The Sword King could assist her, of course, but there was no reason to go to such extremes.
Jegal Rin eyed Dan Hyeong-u with frustration. He offered no response.
"Young Hero Dan."
She called again. At last, he turned to look at her.
"Just a little farther."
Jegal Rin fell silent at his words. Then, puzzled, she pressed on.
"So there is a particular destination?"
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head.
"Someone to meet."
Jegal Rin's confusion deepened. But she shook it off. What did she really know about his connections, after all?
'He said Nanchang was his first time there, didn't he...?'
Not knowing a soul in Nanchang just because it was his first visit wasn't impossible, but the oddity lingered.
The group pressed into thickly wooded terrain.
"This path is too treacherous. Miya, hop on my back for now."
The moment the ground grew rough, the Sword King addressed Yeom Hye-mi. She shook her head.
"I'm still fine. I'll tell you if it gets hard."
"Very well."
The Sword King relented, then shot Dan Hyeong-u a displeased glance. Dan Hyeong-u maintained his unchanging pace. The Sword King bristled at the lack of consideration for Yeom Hye-mi. Martial artists could navigate such terrain effortlessly, but wasn't she frailer than most?
They trudged on for quite some time. Yeom Hye-mi finally flagged. She turned to request the Sword King's aid—when Dan Hyeong-u halted abruptly.
Everyone but him betrayed their bewilderment. He had stopped in a mere tangle of underbrush.
No path, no clearing. Not even a spot fit for standing still.
"Why stop here? Don't tell me you've lost your way?"
Jegal Rin asked anxiously. Dan Hyeong-u stared intently off to one side. Her gaze followed his, as did the others'.
They peered long and hard, spotting nothing. Puzzlement thickened in their eyes. Yet Dan Hyeong-u held his focus, so they did too.
Moments later, surprise dawned in the Sword King and Sword Demon's gazes. Soon after, it touched everyone except Yeom Hye-mi. Someone was hurtling toward them—swiftly, from the very direction Dan Hyeong-u watched.
Even Yeom Hye-mi gaped in shock. A man barreled roughly into their midst.
"Huff!"
He froze, stunned upon discovering them. It was Yeong-sa, parted from them in Nanchang.
"Miss!"
He bellowed at the sight of Umun Hye. His state was dire—internal energy drained, stamina spent. He had stumbled upon them on the verge of collapse. For an escort like him, it was nothing short of miraculous.
Yeong-sa swept his eyes over the group once, then blacked out.
All but Dan Hyeong-u gawked blankly at his crumpled form.
The group emerged from the mountains once more and resumed the main road.
The Sword Demon hoisted Yeong-sa over his shoulder. The Sword King ended up piggybacking Yeom Hye-mi too—her stamina had plummeted from the mountain trek.
Yeong-sa didn't stir easily. He had exhausted himself entirely on the run.
Their slowed pace meant nightfall overtook them with little ground covered. No village in sight, they camped where they stood.
The group set up with practiced hands. The Sword King took extra care. Camping was new to Yeom Hye-mi; one slip could chill her badly.
As they all pitched in, two remained utterly still: unconscious Yeong-sa and Dan Hyeong-u. Even delicate Yeom Hye-mi bustled about helping, while Dan Hyeong-u merely observed impassively.
His eyes fixed on Yeom Hye-mi. She had set Cheonseom aside and darted here and there.
After watching a spell, Dan Hyeong-u stirred. One step brought him to Cheonseom; he snatched it up, stepped to her side, and proffered it.
Yeom Hye-mi startled at his sudden appearance. She parted her lips at Cheonseom thrust before her. Conflicting emotions swirled in her eyes.
She sighed softly.
"Haa..."
In the end, she reached out and took it. But wielding it left her unable to assist. The others were frantic with bedding and meals.
"Why did you give this to me?"
Yeom Hye-mi repeated her familiar lament. Each time, Dan Hyeong-u had only stared before turning away. She sought no reply now.
Merely venting frustration, lashing out against the helplessness gnawing at her.
Dan Hyeong-u lifted a single finger.
Yeom Hye-mi clamped her mouth shut, eyes brimming with questions.
"A hundred times."
Confusion creased her brow deeper. But realization dawned. Her eyes bulged.
"Swing it? This? A hundred times?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded, gaze unwavering. He would watch until the hundredth swing.
Yeom Hye-mi was dumbfounded. Swing a sword—hundred times, no less. Had it been feasible, she'd have trained in martial arts. Her unparalleled grandfather stood right there.
She shot the Sword King a beseeching look. Their eyes met. He pondered briefly, then looked away. Her eyes flew wide.
Cautiously, she glanced up at Dan Hyeong-u. His stare bored into her. Color rose faintly in her cheeks.
No one could endure such scrutiny without flushing awkwardly. This was the first time anyone had dissected her face so brazenly, to her face.
"Haa..."
Another sigh slipped out. She drew Cheonseom.
Shring.
The sleek blade glided free.
"Swing it."
"How?"
"Any way you want."
Disappointed, Yeom Hye-mi hefted Cheonseom. Light for a sword, yet taxing. Strain etched her features.
Raised to the sky, she swung it down.
Swoosh!
Thud!
A keen wind whistled as the blade plunged into earth, momentum unchecked. Halting mid-descent is far harder—and vital—than the downswing.
But she lacked the power.
Embarrassment heated her face. She peeked at Dan Hyeong-u. He stared blankly.
"Good. Continue."
Yeom Hye-mi—and the covert onlookers—frowned. Good? How?
Still, his words bolstered her. She swung Cheonseom repeatedly.
She hit a hundred that day. Immense accomplishment surged through her. Alongside agony like her arm might detach.
The day drifted by.
Next morning, Dan Hyeong-u hastened early. To Jegal Rin, his bearing pointed squarely Hunan-ward.
"Heading to Nanchang, then."
No reply from him, but all nodded. Yeong-sa found, Tang Ho-gwan next. How he sensed Yeong-sa's approach mystified her, but she'd trust him to pinpoint Tang Ho-gwan too.
Yeong-sa was awake but bore grave wounds unfit for strain. Walking alongside posed no issue—better than Yeom Hye-mi, injuries notwithstanding.
They marched till dusk. Dan Hyeong-u stopped.
"Already calling it a night?"
He nodded at Jegal Rin's query. Puzzled, she forbore argument.
Yesterday's trek had pushed far harder. No cause for such an early halt. Yet she trusted his intent. Never had he acted idly.
The thought startled her inwardly. Her first time trusting anyone so profoundly—even clanmates paled.
With fresh eyes on Dan Hyeong-u, she bustled into camp prep. Sword King and Sword Demon toiled; no one could idle.
That night, before bedding down, they met Tang Ho-gwan—far more wrecked than Yeong-sa.
Dawn broke. Dan Hyeong-u ceased hurrying. All meetings done, he delegated to Jegal Rin.
His blunt "You handle it" jolted her briefly, then drew a smile. She nodded. She grasped him better now.
"Since we're this far, I say we hit Nanchang, scout the Jeongcheon Alliance once more, then return. Thoughts?"
Jegal Rin consulted rather than dictate. Impossible otherwise before Sword King and Sword Demon. True, Dan Hyeong-u's trust ensured their compliance, but still.
"You've decided? Then that's the plan."
Sword Demon nodded at the Sword King's words.
"Do it."
Their accord bound the rest. Only Umun Hye might've dissented—beside Dan Hyeong-u—but longer time with him thrilled her.
Off they went. Nanchang bound.
They reached it quicker than foreseen. Dan Hyeong-u had cured Yeong-sa and Tang Ho-gwan's wounds in an instant—somehow. Lightness skills whisked them there. Sword King cradled Yeom Hye-mi protectively.
His aura shielded her as he outpaced all—befitting the Sword King.