Chapter 174
Chapter 174
************************-
Translator: uly
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Heavenly Dragon Society
************************-
Sua threw her arms around me.
"Daaaad."
"Yeah?"
"How do you read this?"
Back when I was operating as a spy under the Murim Alliance, I'd learned enough literacy to carry out missions.
And serving under the First Demon had fully blossomed that skill-there weren't many characters I couldn't read anymore.
I taught the newly literate Sua in a gentle murmur. She beamed brightly.
"Dad's not just cool, he's smart too."
"...Kinda embarrassing."
"Heehee. Dad's the best."
"Couldn't you ask Danhwa?"
"But... Daaaad, I've been so busy lately. Training with my sisters and learning all sorts of things..."
Sua leaned against me casually.
"I just want to spend time with you like this."
"...You're getting more spoiled by the day."
"Don't you like it?"
"Love it. Whose daughter are you?"
I pulled Sua into my arms. Suryeon, who'd been watching from the side, rested her head on my shoulder just the same.
"Dad. Pay some attention to me too."
"Aren't you leaving?"
"Little sis, how long are you gonna be cold to your big sister?"
"Who's your big sister!"
I watched the two bicker at every chance.
...Come to think of it.
I'd never really had a proper relationship with a woman, yet here I was with two kids.
"...Lover, huh."
The words slipped out unbidden. Suryeon and Sua froze with a start.
"Suddenly... a lover?"
"W-Wait, Dad?! You've got interest in that stuff now?!"
"Huh? Not really."
I had too much to do. Above all, I planned to push forward relentlessly until I achieved my goal.
I wasn't thinking about romance until I defeated the Heavenly Demon. It'd only end up neglected, with no time to spare.
Still, separate from that, I was curious. It'd been that way before, and with other martial artists too...
They all boasted about their women like trophies.
"...But you are curious, right?"
Suryeon flinched. After a moment's hesitation, she placed a hand on my chest.
"...Then do it with me?"
"W-What nonsense is that?! Dad! Do it with me instead! I won't let you lift a finger!"
"Isn't it against ethics for a father and daughter?"
"Says the one calling herself a daughter too?!"
"Oh my. Am I your daughter?"
"You cheater!!"
No matter what, ethics exist.
With my own daughter... that's a bit much.
I stroked the two girls' heads.
"Just curious, that's all. Suryeon, don't tease Sua too much."
"I was serious."
"Grrr!!!"
Another noisy day.
But I liked this atmosphere.
Because I could feel how much they cared for me.
...
Eun Seol-ran came looking for me. Sitting by the carriage, she reached out to Sua in my arms.
"Want me to braid your hair?"
"Yes!"
Sua eagerly snuggled into Eun Seol-ran's embrace. I chuckled at their closeness.
"You've gotten close with Sua."
"You're gonna bleed me dry."
"Pardon?"
"Gonna bleed me dry. That talent of hers... what the heck. But get this-funny part is..."
"What..."
Eun Seol-ran neatly braided Sua's hair as the girl nestled in her lap.
"I don't hate it at all. Teaching her's actually pretty fun. My master would flip if they saw. No joke, they'd die laughing. But better than talent-wanna know what that is?"
"What is it?"
"The kid's kind. Proper. Most would strut around with that much talent... not her. She works hard at everything, practices steadily. Talent's one thing, but her personality's so diligent-makes her even cuter."
Sua, gazing at her neatly braided hair, hugged Eun Seol-ran tightly.
"But not as good as Dad."
"Your dad's a freak in that department. Don't try to match him. Got it?"
"...No way."
"Oh ho. Rebellion already? You little..."
"Heehee."
Eun Seol-ran fiddled with Sua's cheek, then spoke firmly to me.
"I'm already tapped out, but I'll teach her advanced stuff too. Telling you 'cause she's your daughter. Say no if you don't want it."
"I trust Senior Seol-ran's judgment."
"...Parents and daughter. Both so smooth-talking."
Eun Seol-ran chuckled. After she left, Ju Ryung-ryeong sat beside me.
"Sua, big sis is here."
"Sis!"
"So cute. Adorbs. Heh heh... wanna lick her cheeks."
"Eek!"
Ju Ryung-ryeong nibbled and slurped at Sua before leaning her head on me.
"With Sua around, she's almost mastered the first half of the Nine Yin White Bone Claw."
"Already?"
"Yeah. Was gonna stop here, but... wanna teach more. So I came to ask. Sua's fine with it... you okay?"
"It's your call. Of course I respect it. You're the one who rushed to Yeongmin to keep your promise."
I smiled softly.
"I always want to respect your opinions, Ryung-ryeong. That's what friends are for."
"...Your dad's charming someone again. What now? Should sis be your new mom?"
"Siiiis. I like you more."
"Ahaha! Smiling while blocking me off! So cuuuute..."
Next up was, naturally, Heuk Danhwa. Unlike her eager hugs with the others, Sua sat primly before Heuk Danhwa.
Heuk Danhwa smiled with her eyes.
"Good girl, Sua."
"Thank you, sis."
"...What are you teaching her?"
"Simple. Etiquette and poise befitting a lady. The Seductive Demon Illusion Art starts from those tiny gestures. And above all, with manners, Sua'll be respected wherever she goes."
"I see."
"Why? Don't like it?"
"...Well..."
I scratched my head.
"I'm not a woman, so I was clueless about that stuff. Even if I wanted to teach, I had no idea how... Danhwa taking it over lifts a huge weight. Thank you, Danhwa. Always in your debt."
"......."
"Glad it's you, Danhwa."
Heuk Danhwa's eyes twitched.
"...Hmph... what... same as always, so blunt... m-making me embarrassed for no reason..."
"Sis?"
"Ahem. Anyway! She's finally ready for the Seductive Demon Illusion Art. Planning to teach formations too. Sua's all for it-what do you think?"
"I respect Sua and Danhwa's views... but is it okay to teach such arts so freely?"
"Fine. It's between you and me, right? Sua's sharp, and teaching her's fun-no issues."
Heuk Danhwa patted my shoulder.
"Leave it to me, no worries. Got it?"
"...Thank you, Danhwa."
"No more thanks. Like I said, it's us. Entrust anything to me. I know you will-for my sake too."
Baek Mae came to see me too. Sua, who'd been stiff around Heuk Danhwa, leaped up at the sight of her.
"Sis!"
"Don't jump in a moving carriage! Aren't you careful?"
"You'll catch me."
"Smooth talker."
Baek Mae rolled her eyes. Glancing at me, she sidled closer.
"Brother."
"Yeah?"
"Planning to teach Sua deeper Blood Lake Division arts-the Black-White Lotus Sword."
"Got it."
".......? No comment?"
"You must have your reasons. When everyone else left me alone, you stayed-for me."
Those days at Sima Family felt like ancient history now.
I stroked Baek Mae's head.
"I trust you, Baek Mae."
"...Eek..."
Baek Mae eyed me cautiously. As if words failed her, she opened and closed her mouth before clutching my arm tightly.
"...For real...!"
"...You okay?"
"Not okay! Not at all! Seriously... hitting me like that out of nowhere... you did it before too, and now... ridiculous...!"
Baek Mae swept Sua into a hug.
"Sua, hear that? From today, I'll push you harder. Brace yourself. Not to the point of dying... but it'll be tough."
"Heehee. Okay."
Not just those four sought me out. Suryeon and Gu Hwa-rin asked slyly too.
"I want to teach my little sis Killing Gate arts. Knowing assassination protects her naturally."
"She seems to have mastered the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword, but it's still incomplete. Want to pass those flaws to her."
No reason to refuse. Two near-masters offering extra guidance? No way.
Sua, who ended up with seven teachers including me almost by accident, studied nonstop even in the carriage. Barely any breaks, yet she grinned at me happily.
"If I learn like this... can I be like you, Dad?"
"You're already better than me."
"...You always say the nicest things..."
"Don't like it?"
"Nuh-uh... I love you."
The diligently rolling carriage finally crossed the fertile plains into the Heavenly Dragon Society headquarters.
Neat streets. Towering buildings. Bustling crowds and...
The central city of Honam welcomed us.
Even the gatekeepers had an extraordinary air. Like flaunting the resolve forged in war, their iron discipline struck first.
They scanned the Murim Alliance emblem on our carriage, exchanged glances, then blocked our path.
"From the Murim Alliance?"
"Murim Alliance Support Warrior Captain Red Cloud. Here's the documentation."
"...Identity confirmed. Welcome to the Heavenly Dragon Society."
Their words welcomed us. Their eyes did not.
Eyes sending off someone soon to die. In them, I saw the fates of past Murim Alliance warriors here.
Truly, so many had died. No survivors-not even one. It was fact.
We headed to the Heavenly Dragon Society. No need to find lodging. As Support Warrior Squad members, they handled everything, big and small.
From rooms to dedicated maids, one per person.
But it all felt heavy. Their ominous attitude, treating us like doomed men, left a bitter taste.
"...You're the Murim Alliance Support Warrior Squad captain?"
Summoned to the Heavenly Dragon Society. Representing the group, I went alone. A grave man awaited.
The Heavenly Dragon Society's top expert, said to match my master's level.
Rumored to have entered the Profound Realm...
Heavenly Dragon Society Leader Im Wol-ryong looked down at me.
"Murim Alliance Support Warrior Captain Red Cloud."
"Thanks first off. Needed hands badly-grateful you came. Normally, you'd head straight to the front... but..."
Im Wol-ryong smiled wryly.
"Rest ten days. Don't worry about costs-I'll cover them."
"Thank you for your kindness, Society Leader."
"...You're dismissed. Details via messenger."
I left after the brief audience.
Joining the front was expected. What mattered was my role there.
Goal: Secure the Sado Alliance Leader's bodyguard position. Prioritize that, so...
Contacting the Sado Alliance Leader first was key.
"Got a plan?"
"Build merits."
Heard the Sado Alliance Leader despises Murim Alliance support warriors.
Why not use that? Rack up achievements as one, and he'll have to notice.
Can't move lightly in his role, so he'll send an expert. Subdue that one...
Then use them as a connection to her.
Luckily, we had the skill for it.
...
People pass by the window. Peaceful Honam. This city's its heart.
But Heavenly Dragon Society Leader Im Wol-ryong knew better than anyone-this peace was forcibly maintained.
"...Landlords requesting more border guards again?"
"Yes."
Troops are finite. Bolster one area, another weakens.
Three pillars upholding the Heavenly Dragon Society. He turned to the Human Dragon Hall Leader, master of Human Dragon Hall.
"Isn't granary security already ironclad?"
"...But landlords think differently. Sado Alliance threats persist-they want more guards for contingencies."
"Borders are sufficient."
"I know... but you know too, no other options."
...I know.
Of course.
The Heavenly Dragon Society functions because landlords back it. They raise warriors with supplies and wealth, pay soldiers' salaries.
Prolonged war thins purses. Sado Alliance's size cushions it, but...
Not us. The Society was half in landlords' hands already-no exaggeration.
Thus, heed their glances.
Seizing their wealth for defiance makes us no better than unorthodox sects.
As a group preaching righteousness, solving everything by force was forbidden.
"No troops to spare."
"...Aren't there those who can't pay protection tax?"
"Pull more from already chaotic areas?"
"Warriors are grumbling. Why risk lives protecting places with no returns?"
The Leader wanted to explain-to all.
Protecting the weak.
Isn't that righteousness?
But one word couldn't sway after so long a war. Exhausted warriors grew sharp, sensitive to personal losses.
Human nature defies easy control. Swelling discontent becomes a headache.
"......."
Can't refuse landlords.
Can't ignore warriors' gripes.
Ah, what is the Heavenly Dragon Society? Where did its founding ideals go?
Laments changed nothing. As leader, weigh ideals against reality.
"...Pull troops from non-payers."
Greater duty forces unwanted acts.
Im Wol-ryong sighed deeply.
A bottomless sigh.
"No choice but to heed landlords. Even if the assetless bleed... if it saves more lives in the future... better choice."
"Wise words, Leader."
"Wise."
Im Wol-ryong smiled bitterly.
"Doesn't suit me now at all."
```