Chapter 389
The lead assassin shouted in an angry voice:
"That doesn't belong to you—it's our sect's property! If you wanted to leave, you should have gone quietly. Why did you have to steal it?!"
'So the item I needed to get back from her was a Gratitude Coin.'
So-yo hadn't simply walked away from the White Rank Assassination Sect.
She had stolen the Gratitude Coin they'd been secretly safeguarding and fled.
'The White Rank Assassination Sect was keeping a Gratitude Coin in their possession?'
Bu Eun-seol, greatly startled by this realization, soon pieced together another truth.
He too had received a Gratitude Coin—from Namgung Un.
Perhaps it had been given as payment for a job, or maybe Namgung Un had taken it from someone else.
In other words, if one knew the whereabouts of a Gratitude Coin, there were many ways to obtain it.
'So the White Rank Assassination Sect's goal is her Gratitude Coin. They won't stop chasing her until they get it back.'
Bu Eun-seol's mind spun like lightning.
He was already thinking of ways to use this situation to save So-yo.
Just then, the lead assassin shouted again:
"To save some child you have no connection to, you'd betray the sect that's cared for you all this time?!"
He glared down at So-yo and continued:
"Or did you steal the Gratitude Coin to find a way to shake off our pursuit?"
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol understood several things.
She hadn't joined the White Rank Assassination Sect of her own free will.
And just like him, she not only possessed a Gratitude Coin—but was being pursued by the sect because she had refused their order to kill a child.
"If you return the Gratitude Coin, we'll let you go."
The assassin who appeared to be their leader gritted his teeth as he spoke.
"And we won't chase you anymore."
"Refused."
"Why?"
"I need a way to save that child."
"A way to save her?"
"Greater Yin Severed Meridians."
In short, the child was afflicted with Greater Yin Severed Meridians, and So-yo had taken the Gratitude Coin to find a cure.
"And... you won't keep your promise anyway."
At her next words, the lead assassin's eyes burned crimson.
"If you've thought that far, then there's no helping it."
The assassin sighed deeply, then turned and bellowed to his subordinates behind him:
"From this moment—"
"Hold on."
At that moment, Bu Eun-seol abruptly stepped forward, placing himself in front of So-yo.
"There's no need to fight."
The lead assassin frowned when Bu Eun-seol intervened.
"Who are you?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol reached into his robes and produced an old coin.
It was a Gratitude Coin, crafted by the Divine Calculator.
"How... do you have that—"
"The reason doesn't matter. Only this."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been gazing at the distant sky, spoke in a low voice:
"This Gratitude Coin is now the property of our alliance, and we have also taken responsibility for her. So cease your pursuit."
"Your alliance?"
The assassin stared hard at Bu Eun-seol before his eyes flashed with realization.
"You mean the Martial Alliance?"
"If you understand, then leave."
Bu Eun-seol smiled coldly.
"Unless you want to die."
When it came to deception, Bu Eun-seol was second to none.
With just those words, he had pitted the White Rank Assassination Sect against the Martial Alliance's assassins—who were pursuing him.
Whoosh.
Detecting the faint Sound of Breaking Air in the distance with his Hollow Gaze, Bu Eun-seol curled the corner of his lips and said:
"Of course, saying this much won't make assassins of the White Rank Assassination Sect just tuck their tails and run, will it?"
Whoosh.
The faint sound gradually grew clearer.
It was the Sound of Breaking Air produced when masters with exceptional Light Body Techniques unleashed their movement arts.
In other words, thirty or forty masters were racing toward them using movement techniques.
"Let's leave the rest to our alliance's reinforcements and get out of here quickly."
Bu Eun-seol grabbed So-yo's sleeve and spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Either way, they'll be wiped out."
Then he immediately activated his movement technique.
The motion was so fluid that it seemed effortless, and the hand gripping her sleeve unleashed a powerful Qi Absorption Art.
Fwoosh.
Thanks to that, So-yo's small body instantly clung to Bu Eun-seol as they lifted into the air.
The moment Bu Eun-seol fled with So-yo using his movement technique—
Whoosh! Thud!
Forty-some assassins arrived behind the White Rank Assassination Sect's forces.
Their sharp gazes and systematic formation made it clear they weren't lying about being from the Martial Alliance.
"When the hell did you make contact with the Martial Alliance?!"
The lead assassin, watching Bu Eun-seol and So-yo disappear into the distance, clenched his teeth hard.
Then he immediately barked orders to his subordinates:
"Blood Ghost Team—intercept them! The rest—follow this Killing Lord!"
Tsk-tsk-tsk!
Bu Eun-seol and So-yo swiftly continued their escape using movement techniques.
Even as Bu Eun-seol channeled his Internal Energy to keep her entire body afloat beside him, he felt no weight at all.
So-yo's frame was so slender and frail that she likely didn't even weigh about eighty pounds.
Thud.
Finally arriving at a nearby village, Bu Eun-seol released her hand.
"I didn't have time to explain everything earlier."
Realizing she was older than him, Bu Eun-seol let go of her sleeve and spoke in a respectful tone.
"Forgive my rudeness."
"Why?"
So-yo seemed to be asking, Why did you help me?
"Since we both have pursuers,
I merely took advantage of that."
"Why?"
This time, it sounded like she was asking, Why do you have a Gratitude Coin?
"I've been searching for the Divine Calculator for a long time. The reason I ventured into the martial world this time was to track his whereabouts."
Perhaps because their temperaments were similar—
Somehow, Bu Eun-seol managed to grasp her meaning and continued explaining earnestly.
"At any rate, the two factions clashed, so we won't be pursued for a while. Let's stop sleeping rough and rest properly now."
Without waiting for a reply, he strode toward the bustling entrance of the village.
But after walking for some time, Bu Eun-seol sensed something odd.
He couldn't feel her presence following behind him at all.
When he turned his head, he couldn't help but stare in disbelief.
He had assumed she would be comfortably eating and resting at the guest inn—
Yet there she was, rolling up her pants and stepping into the drainage ditch at the village outskirts.
Splash. Splash.
Stepping into the foul-smelling ditch, So-yo began scooping up floating scraps of garbage.
"Wait."
Bu Eun-seol wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs.
But this time was an exception.
Every one of So-yo's actions drew his attention like a magnet pulling at iron filings.
"Why skip the guest inn to scavenge dregs from a ditch?"
His expression was filled with puzzlement, as if confronted by an unsolvable riddle.
Without even looking at him, So-yo continued fishing out food scraps as she answered.
"No money."
Was she originally a vagrant?
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize—
Her life hadn't been smooth either.
And her character was more upright than he'd assumed.
Despite her formidable martial skills, she'd rather scavenge from a ditch than resort to begging or stealing...
"You don't need to eat that."
Bu Eun-seol spoke plainly.
"I'll treat you to a meal. Let's go."
"No."
But she refused outright.
Though she didn't elaborate, her expression made it clear—she disliked accepting unwarranted kindness.
"You helped me shake off our pursuers. Consider this repayment of that debt."
Kindness.
It referred to the small, selfless gestures humans offered one another without expectation.
And sometimes, it led to unforeseen bonds.
"Bu Eun-seol."
For the first time, emotion flickered in her eyes.
A gaze that was indifferent yet brimming with questions.
"Heir of the Demon Hall."
"You know me?"
"Had to come to the Central Plains."
So-yo's purpose was to find the Divine Calculator in the Central Plains to save a child.
To that end, she must have memorized information about the Central Plains' martial world—its notable figures, their appearances, and more.
Unlike the assassins of the White Rank Assassination Sect, this was why she recognized Bu Eun-seol immediately.
"And you?"
When he asked, her silver eyes gleamed as she replied.
"So-yo."
"Is that your real name?"
"Just So-yo."
Likely abandoned without even a name, she must have been given this one by the White Rank Assassination Sect.
"I see."
Nodding, Bu Eun-seol lightly extended his hand.
"Then let's go."
The fact that someone like So-yo had revealed her name—
It meant she was accepting his goodwill.
Hyanghwa Guesthouse, Banquet Hall.
The room held a massive table large enough to seat ten burly men comfortably.
And atop it, enough dishes to stuff ten grown men to the brim were piled high.
Seated across from each other were a girl in black martial attire and a man in gray—
Bu Eun-seol and So-yo.
Chop. Chop. Clink. Clink.
While Bu Eun-seol picked at a piece of braised fish—
She shoveled in a slice of roasted duck, a chopstickful of chicken noodles, stir-fried beef, and a plump shrimp—all at once.
Chew. Chew. Chew.
Though So-yo's delicate features resembled those of a teenage girl, her appetite surpassed that of ten grown men combined.
It was baffling how that tiny mouth and stomach could endlessly consume so much food.
"More."
As the dishes emptied rapidly, So-yo pointed at them with her chopsticks.
Each time, Bu Eun-seol called for the attendant to bring more.
But as this repeated, the attendant eventually stationed himself outside the banquet hall, taking orders continuously.
"Another bowl of chicken noodles, beef fritters, a whole roasted duck, and two whole chickens!"
Chop. Chop.
Meanwhile, So-yo cradled a bowl in one hand, scooping up food with her chopsticks.
"Impressive."
Though he was usually unflappable—
Bu Eun-seol's eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion.
"Eat slowly."
He spoke calmly.
"The clash between the two factions won't end easily. We won't be pursued for a while."
So-yo chewed her mouthful vigorously before replying.
"Eat a lot when you can."
For a moment, Bu Eun-seol's gaze darkened.
This was a habit common among vagrants.
Days when they could eat proper food were few and far between.
"So when you can eat, you must stuff yourself until your stomach feels ready to burst."
An ordinary martial artist would have asked her about her circumstances while sharing a meal.
But Bu Eun-seol asked nothing. As if he had truly called her just to treat her to a single meal.
So-yo. She was likely the person who had aroused Bu Eun-seol's interest and curiosity more than anyone else in his life so far.
Yet unexpectedly, it was she who broached the subject first.
"If I have a Gratitude Coin... can I ask him anything?"
Though she had stolen the Gratitude Coin, she didn't seem to know much about the Divine Calculator himself.
"Most likely."
"Have you met him?"
She had been speaking casually all along, as if addressing a subordinate.
But Bu Eun-seol paid it no mind.
Not only was she older, but she also seemed entirely unversed in formal etiquette—likely from living the life of an assassin.
"I know someone who has met him."
Bu Eun-seol recalled the round face of So Ok-rim, grinning with her white teeth on display.
"According to her, the title of 'Sage of the Murim' isn't entirely false."
So-yo's eyes darkened with deep contemplation.
Though her expression remained calm, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of desperation.
"Is the child you're trying to save... family?"
From the words of the lead assassin earlier, Bu Eun-seol had already guessed that she had fled the White Rank Assassination Sect to save a child—and that she had stolen the Gratitude Coin for that very purpose.
"No. A stranger."
He hadn't expected an answer when he asked.
Yet, surprisingly, So-yo answered plainly.
"But... she looks exactly like my little sister. The one who starved to death when I was young."
With those words, Bu Eun-seol understood everything.
During an assassination mission, So-yo must have found a child who resembled her dead sister.
But the White Rank Assassination Sect, which never leaves witnesses alive, would have ordered her to kill the child.
She refused—and saved the child instead.
And as fate would have it, the child suffered from Greater Yin Severed Meridians.
Upon learning there was no known cure, So-yo must have stolen the Gratitude Coin stored by the sect and fled.
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol nodded slowly, piecing together her entire situation.
Assassins live isolated, shadowed lives—venturing out only for missions.
And after each mission, an overwhelming emptiness is said to consume them.
Most drown that void in wine or women.
But she had endured that bleak, agonizing existence solely by clinging to the memory of her dead sister.
Then, upon finding a child who resembled her, she must have seen it as fate—and cast everything aside.
"You should leave first."
Bu Eun-seol gazed at the distant sky as he spoke.
"I'll stay in this village a little longer to rest."
In truth, Bu Eun-seol was lying.
The Martial Alliance's warriors were no fools. Their clash with the White Rank Assassination Sect wouldn't last long.
And the White Rank Assassination Sect had every reason to reclaim the treasure that was the Gratitude Coin.
But since Bu Eun-seol was now believed to possess it, they would pursue him—not So-yo.
He intended to act as bait, buying her time to reach the Divine Calculator first.
"Who knows? The assassins of the White Rank Sect and the Martial Alliance might even wipe each other out."
The lies flowed effortlessly.
Even Bu Eun-seol didn't fully understand why he was going this far to help her.
"So go ahead to Grave Village without worry."
"Why."
"I told you. I'm staying to rest a while longer."
But So-yo's cold eyes fixed on him as she repeated:
"Why."
She knew.
She knew Bu Eun-seol was deliberately making himself the bait to shield her from pursuit.
What she was really asking was: Why are you helping me?
Bu Eun-seol fell silent, understanding her meaning.
Then he answered honestly.
"As I've said before... I don't know."
From the moment he learned she had abandoned the sect to save a child, the desire to help her had taken root in him.
Perhaps it was the lingering chivalry of the Renowned Hero still buried within him—but Bu Eun-seol couldn't pinpoint exactly why he had made this choice.
"Don't worry. I have the strength for this. Even if the White Rank Sect and the Martial Alliance come after me, I'll escape."
"So?"
"That's all there is to it. No deeper meaning."
Silence lingered between them.
Had she accepted his goodwill?
So-yo stood up from her seat. Without another word, she walked out of the guest inn.
Bu Eun-seol spent that night at Hyanghwa Guesthouse.
He washed away the grime of the road and slept deeply in the rare comfort of a proper bed. But neither the White Rank Sect nor the Martial Alliance had begun pursuing him yet.
"This should be enough."
With half a day's distance between them, the assassins and the alliance would undoubtedly pursue him now.
And while he delayed them in battle, So-yo would reach Grave Village safely.
He might even miss his chance to meet the Divine Calculator because of this.
The long-awaited meeting with the Divine Calculator. Bu Eun-seol was willing to abandon it—all to help So-yo in earnest.
Without even knowing why.
"Time to get moving."
Bu Eun-seol left the village and headed toward a secluded mountain path.
But something unexpected happened.
Swish.
Just as he was about to cross the ridge, a small shadow abruptly appeared from the opposite direction.
It was none other than So-yo.
"Why didn't you go?"
"Same path."
"You could've gone ahead first."
"That would've been fine too."
So-yo stared at Bu Eun-seol with a resolute expression.
"This way is safer."
Judging by her expression and the look in her eyes, she wasn't joking or harboring any ulterior motives.
For a brief moment, Bu Eun-seol faintly nodded.
'Not a bad head on her shoulders.'
She knew that Bu Eun-seol was the Heir of the Demon Hall, renowned for his exceptional martial arts and intellect.
And she must have weighed her options.
Would it be more advantageous to reach Grave Village while Bu Eun-seol bought her time? Or to travel alongside him?
In the end, she had concluded that accompanying Bu Eun-seol was the safer choice.
'So that's why she explained everything first.'
Only now did Bu Eun-seol realize why So-yo, who usually couldn't be bothered to speak, had laid out the entire situation for him.
She had already gauged his abilities to some extent. And now, it seemed she had been trying to assess his disposition.
To see if he was someone she could trust to watch her back as a traveling companion.
'Certainly not a bad choice.'
Bu Eun-seol nodded in approval of So-yo's judgment.
Even if Bu Eun-seol could hold off the assassins pursuing them, he wouldn't be able to stop an ambush from those who had gotten ahead.
Moreover, with the intellect to manipulate the White Rank Assassination Sect and the Martial Alliance's assassins into fighting each other with just a few words...
After carefully considering all factors, she must have concluded that traveling with Bu Eun-seol was far safer than going alone.
"Fine. Then let's go together."
Bu Eun-seol nodded and resumed walking.
Chirp. Chirp.
When night fell, Bu Eun-seol found a suitable spot to rest and lit a fire.
Then, without a word, she gathered fallen leaves to prepare a sleeping area.
Though there was no conversation, she fulfilled her role as a companion.
At dawn, the two once again employed their Lightness Skill to cross the ridge.
When hunger struck, Bu Eun-seol either roasted the dry rations he had obtained from the guest inn or caught fish.
Then she would gather firewood, start a flame, and grill the fish.
Though not a single word passed between them during this time, their movements were perfectly in sync.
Even without speaking. Even without looking at each other.
Their minds were so attuned that they could understand each other's intentions just through a glance.
Whoosh!
Moreover, even when Bu Eun-seol executed the Ultimate Speed Shadowless at the Seven Stars level, So-yo kept up effortlessly.
Once, to test her Lightness Skill, he had pushed his speed to the limit, widening the distance between them.
The gap had grown considerably. Yet, before long, she had caught up to him.
She possessed the keen senses unique to assassins and had mastered an exceptional Tracking Art.
Even if Bu Eun-seol concealed himself or masked his presence, she somehow always found him.
'Impressive skill.'
With abilities like that, she must have been a Special-Grade assassin, among the highest ranks in the White Rank Assassination Sect.
Bu Eun-seol could somewhat understand why they were so persistent in chasing her.
If she defected, their unique assassination techniques could easily leak.
'But her speech seems to be affected by the Cold Soul Art.'
Though her personality was cold, So-yo's tone and demeanor were frozen stiff, like someone incapable of normal thought.
Assassins typically trained in the Cold Soul Art, which numbed fear and froze emotions.
For assassins who had to seize opportunities and carry out contract hits, composure and patience were paramount.
Perhaps because So-yo had even mastered the Cold Soul Art, her speech and mannerisms had unintentionally become rigid.
'Still... this journey isn't so bad.'
Traveling with So-yo to Grave Village brought Bu Eun-seol an unprecedented sense of tranquility and peace.
Her indifferent, cold demeanor—
It was as if she perfectly mirrored his own childhood.
Though she was likely older, in Bu Eun-seol's eyes, she still seemed like a girl with lingering innocence.
Even without speaking much, it felt like they had exchanged hundreds of words. Her gaze was comfortable.
Whether with animals or humans, one feels at ease when meeting their own kind. For the first time in the martial world, Bu Eun-seol had met someone who resembled him.
'It feels a little strange, though.'
Until now, all the people he had traveled with in the martial world had been the complete opposite of him in disposition.
But So-yo matched him in every aspect, even down to their insight.
Even when deciding where to camp—the choice of location, the timing—
From lighting the fire to preparing the sleeping area—even their preferences aligned perfectly.
Munch. Munch.
The only thing that differed completely was their appetite.
The amount she ate was unbelievable.
While Bu Eun-seol nibbled on a single piece of beef jerky, she would devour an entire bundle in one sitting.
Yet, it wasn't unpleasant to watch.
The way she earnestly, solemnly filled her stomach even carried a certain dignity.
Whoosh!
Just then, the Sound of Breaking Air echoed from the distant sky.
Their numbers—roughly eighty.
Bu Eun-seol, who had briefly closed his eyes, remained still without activating any movement technique, waiting for them.
Thud.
The assassins who finally arrived were none other than those from the White Rank Assassination Sect he had seen before.
They looked as though they had endured a brutal battle—their clothes torn, covered in dust and blood.
"You bastard...!"
The lead assassin glared at Bu Eun-seol, grinding his teeth.
"Spouting nonsense when you had nothing to do with the Martial Alliance!"