Chapter 53
Chapter 53
************************-
Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Prestigious Family
************************-
Prestigious family.
It had been a long time since he'd heard that word after leaving the Sima Clan. Gun Cheon-kyeong grumbled softly.
"One of the three sects propping up our cult, a prestigious family that's been with Myriad Demons Sect from the very beginning. The Shinwon Clan, famous for their swordsmanship. You know Jin Nam-cheon, the Emotionless Demon Sword? He's the leader of Myriad Demons Sect's Demon Shadow Squad and the head of the Shinwon Clan. The Shinwon Clan is basically the representative prestigious family of Myriad Demons Sect. They say if the righteous faction has the Nangong Clan, our cult has the Shinwon Clan."
"Are they stronger than the Sima Clan?"
"No, you have to compare apples to apples. Even if the Sima Clan's fortunes have risen lately, they're not even in the same league as the Shinwon Clan from the start. The scale is just different. Even among prestigious families, the top dogs are on another level entirely."
Gun Cheon-kyeong raised his right arm high.
Then he swiped down with his other arm.
The height difference was enormous.
"If the Shinwon Clan is up here, the Sima Clan is down there. It's known as the biggest prestigious family within our cult, so just keep that in mind for now... But junior, where exactly are you from? How do you not know so much?"
I knew of them.
I just didn't know the details.
When I was acting as a spy for the righteous faction, I'd picked up various pieces of information, but most of it was superficial knowledge.
How much intel could a mere gatekeeper at Cheonsan Mountain dig up anyway? Besides, I had no real interest in spying, so I hadn't put much effort into it.
"I've focused solely on the sword, so my learning is shallow. Sorry, senior."
"Nah... no need to apologize. Ahem. Truth is, I've picked up a fair bit myself. Anyway, the Shinwon Clan. One of that prestigious family's young masters is that guy. Jin Wi-ryang. Born with noble blood and all that."
"What's the reason he's called a wastrel?"
"Explaining that would take forever. Seriously forever. There's the story of him stealing someone else's fiancée and then dumping her... and the one where he murdered someone inside our cult on a whim and it all got swept under the rug... Anyway, plenty more. If it were just one or two things, I could explain, but there are too many to bother."
Gun Cheon-kyeong let out a sigh.
"The important thing is he's a real scumbag. And a sly kind of trash, too. Not the type to cause a scene upfront and play dumb-he manipulates things from the shadows like a creep. Since no one from Myriad Demons Sect in this inspection group outranks him... it's obvious how it'll play out. Everyone will just suck up to him. A guy who can't even hold a candle to his brother."
"Does Jin Wi-ryang have a brother?"
"The Second Demon has several disciples. Nine in total. The first one is that guy's older brother. Jin Ya-pae. Ugh. Unlike his wastrel brother, he's flawless. His talent is exceptional-he's already earned the moniker Heaven-Breaking Sword. He's also the vice-leader of Myriad Demons Sect's Demon Shadow Squad. Anyway, be careful. Getting tangled with Jin Wi-ryang is a headache."
Gun Cheon-kyeong's advice wasn't wrong.
One of the Black Serpent Clan's later-generation disciples, fed up with Jin Wi-ryang's constant advances on Eun Seol-ran, finally spoke up.
"That's enough, Jin gongja. Isn't Miss Eun uncomfortable?"
"...Haha. I lacked tact."
It seemed like Jin Wi-ryang had backed off at first glance, but his handiwork came to light the next day.
The Black Serpent Clan later-generation disciple who'd gone to the latrine was found late, blood pouring from the back of his head after an indecent sneak attack by some thug.
It wasn't life-threatening, but far from a mere scratch.
Everyone had a rough idea who was behind it, but with no solid evidence, they all stayed silent. Even the victim from Black Serpent Clan trembled in fear and claimed he'd just tripped by accident.
The thug's threat had silenced even the victim himself.
After that, Jin Wi-ryang grew even bolder in his pursuit of Eun Seol-ran.
"Miss Eun, how about dining together by the river before we depart? I think it would foster goodwill between our sects..."
"No."
Eun Seol-ran rejected him flatly every time. Her glare grew sharper by the day.
"Don't touch me, Jin gongja. This is your last warning."
"Haha. It's just a gesture of goodwill, Miss Eun."
"I really hate repeating myself. I have no interest in excessive camaraderie."
Even cold rejections didn't deter Jin Wi-ryang; he clung to her persistently.
"I know fire melts ice. Someday, you'll recognize my sincerity, Miss Eun."
"I'd rather not, ever."
"Spend time with me, and you'll change your mind."
The one-sided courtship didn't end even after the Seal Demon Cave inspection group set off. Even as they departed, he ogled Eun Seol-ran's body with sticky, lecherous eyes.
Imagining myself in her place made my skin crawl with disgust. I considered stepping in, but before I could, the Subduing Demon Squad Leader spoke to me.
"Bi-cheon. You remember what I said?"
A curt warning that caught my glance.
I nodded gravely. Recalling my original purpose, I chose silence.
Eun Seol-ran handled rejections well on her own, and she wasn't some fragile flower I needed to worry about.
The path to Seal Demon Cave was treacherous. Once they veered off the well-paved road into the mountains, conversations dwindled sharply.
The incline was steep. It wasn't climbing a mountain-it was scrambling up sheer rock faces.
We advanced clinging to rocks like flies. Whenever a small flat ledge appeared on the sturdy crags, they caught their breath.
"They say even seasoned warriors can't climb this mountain, and it's no exaggeration. I've been here before, and it still feels like death."
"Senior, how was the previous inspection group?"
"They made it safely to the Seal Demon Cave entrance. But none of the later-generation disciples went inside. They all got bounced out."
Gun Cheon-kyeong took a swig from his waterskin.
"From the Seal Demon Cave entrance inward, there are three layers called the Trials, each wrapped in formations and traps. Our mission is to escort the inspection group there. We stand by near the entrance and tend to any later-generation disciples who get bounced out-that's the main job. Only the squad leader and the later-generation disciples enter the entrance. The escorts camp with us. Plenty of beasts and a river nearby, so we can live comfortably enough. Rain sours the mood, though."
Gun Cheon-kyeong offered me his waterskin. I declined.
"I still have mine, senior."
"Save yours. I brought extras on purpose."
Gun Cheon-kyeong grinned.
"Last time I climbed here, I nearly died of thirst. Another senior from Subduing Demon Squad saved me then. You're my junior now, right? So I'm looking out for you. Don't suffer like I did-drink up."
"...Then I'll gratefully accept."
The water tasted especially sweet.
I bowed my head to Gun Cheon-kyeong.
"Thank you, senior."
"Once is enough. Too much gratitude gets awkward."
"...Haha."
Gun Cheon-kyeong was a good man.
One I liked a great deal.
The path grew steeper. Even the occasional flats vanished.
Among the later-generation disciples, whose chatter had died down, some began panting heavily. A few escorts slipped and couldn't keep up.
The Subduing Demon Squad Leader raised his hand. Seeing the escorts pressed against the wall catching their breath, he spoke.
"Gun Cheon-kyeong. Neung San-wol. Im Go-pung. Deung Yeo-ryong. Bi-cheon. How are you holding up? Can you manage?"
"Fine, squad leader."
"I can manage."
"Then drop to the rear. Guide the stragglers so they don't fall too far behind. We've got hours more before a proper rest spot-we'll need to support them until then. If it's hopeless, cut them loose after notifying them of disqualification."
We immediately fell back. We assisted the escorts on the verge of lagging and pressed on.
Even on the first day out, half the escorts were gasping and stumbling. Terrain that broke a sweat even from peak swordsmen.
Growing heavier steps were battered by fierce headwinds. A single lapse in focus could send one plummeting off the cliff, keeping everyone tense the whole way.
"...Ah!"
I snatched the hand of someone about to tumble. A burly man clutched my hand, gasping.
"Th-thank you...!"
"Can you stand?"
"Yes...!"
Not an escort-a Black Serpent Clan later-generation disciple.
His rare golden hair whipped in the wind. His near-Western features made him stand out even more.
Name... no idea.
His well-trained body looked as hard as metal. Covered head to toe in muscle, no exaggeration.
But for his massive build, his gentle eyes resembled a large dog at first glance. The obedient type, perhaps.
Put harshly, he looked timid. Mismatching his size.
"Thank you for the help, warrior."
He clasped his hands in respect, then rejoined the group at the rear. But his unsteady steps drew the eye.
As expected.
I caught him again as he staggered and nearly fell. Sweating coldly, he apologized once more.
"S-sorry. I keep slipping..."
"You're tensing too much."
"Pardon?"
"No need to force your feet like that."
I demonstrated lightly in front of him. I couldn't have explained it before, but now was different.
My realm had changed, so had my perspective. Things once invisible were now plain.
"Keep your toes light. Over-tensing your whole body makes you slip more. Relax. I'll catch you if you fall. Move slowly, knowing it's safe."
"B-but I'm sorry..."
"That's what we're here for. Don't worry about it."
He stepped cautiously. His pace slowed further, widening the gap with the group ahead.
Gun Cheon-kyeong called from afar.
"Hey! Junior! You okay?! Need help?!"
"We're fine, senior! Go on ahead! We'll follow the traces!"
"...Got it! Take it slow! I'll keep marking!"
Unable to slow the whole group for one, the leaders vanished from sight.
I matched the man's slow pace. His fidgeting unease trickled down my back.
"Gongja, relax your back. It's fine. We're keeping up, just slowly. The gap isn't widening much. Steady pursuit will close it soon."
"...Sorry."
"No problem. Regulate your breathing."
The wind was easing. The erratic weather, while hellish at worst, offered brief respites too.
The man ahead sighed deeply. Glancing at the escorts he'd barely caught up to, he turned to me.
"My name is Yeon-gwang, warrior. If it's not rude, may I ask your name?"
"No fancy title needed. Just call me Bi-cheon."
"Ah, Warrior Bi. No need to call me gongja either. Warrior is fine. I haven't learned enough to warrant gongja anyway."
His speech was polite too. Yeon-gwang, as he'd introduced himself, laced every sentence with apology.
"I've slowed your work because of me. Sorry. I knew I wasn't qualified for the inspection group, but I didn't expect to be this inadequate..."
"Arriving late or early, the work's the same. No need for Yeon-gongja to fret."
"R-really, warrior is enough."
"Given our positions, please understand."
"I'm not in that high a position myself. Getting picked for this Seal Demon Cave inspection group was only because the Black Serpent Clan Lord considered my circumstances. I wasn't qualified from the start."
Yeon-gwang smiled bitterly.
"Using titles like that just embarrasses me. But if it must be... I understand. I'll try harder to walk."
"Ease up on your toes."
"Oops."
Sunset came, and night deepened.
A deep cave mouth. Gun Cheon-kyeong, who'd arrived first and set up camp, welcomed me.
"Good work, junior. I'll take rear tomorrow."
"I'm fine, senior. Leave it to the maknae."
"...You rascal! My jerky's all yours tonight!"
After a night in the cave, they set out again the next day.
The overall pace matched the previous day. But with more fatigued stragglers, laggards increased.
The Subduing Demon Squad Leader growled.
"At this rate, we won't hit Seal Demon Cave on time! Pick it up!"
Only two martial artists stuck close behind the Subduing Demon Squad Leader.
Sima's disciple Eun Seol-ran and Second Demon's disciple Jin Wi-ryang.
The rest panted, focused on their own survival. The steep path now had gaps requiring lightness skill to leap.
The leaders ahead vanished from view again. I kept pace with the still-slow Yeon-gwang.
Panting as he caught his breath, he botched lightness skill too, nearly tumbling into the abyss. After pulling him up several times, he collapsed in defeat.
"I'll go alone. Warrior Bi, go ahead. I can't keep burdening you."
"No need to worry, Yeon-gongja."
"You'll have no time to rest like this."
"I'm fine."
I stepped forward. Navigating such brutal terrain was pure experience.
An ideal testing ground for honed footwork. Confirming Ghost Spirit Step's prowess left me satisfied.
"What warrior rests? With my life to the sword, this is rest for me."
"...You're a warrior through and through."
Yeon-gwang admired.
"Still sorry, though..."
"Really, it's fine. If you're struggling, slow down more. Luckily, the leaders keep marking, so following's easy."
"...Thank you."
I slowed with Yeon-gwang. As his breathing steadied, he looked at me with shining eyes.
"Your martial arts are profound, warrior. Not a hitch in your breath on this terrain. Impressive."
"I invest heavily in basics. My teacher always stressed lower body strength."
"If it's not intrusive, what was your master's name?"
I nearly named the First Demon but held back.
"Not someone I can mention."
"I see. Haha. Everyone has their stories. My master was once called Thunderclap Sword, leading Black Serpent Clan's Thunderclap Squad. Not to brag, but..."
Yeon-gwang smiled bitterly.
"He was too great for the likes of me. Unlike him, I was worthless."
"Must've seen something special to take you as disciple."
"That's... I still don't get it. I'm slow to learn, not clever. He said my qi sense was exceptional before he passed... but that's all I have. Nothing else to show."
"........."
"No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't catch the leaders. This is probably my limit. I'd love for Thunderclap Sword's thunder to echo in Black Serpent Clan again... but I lack the power. No talent for it."
"Yet you're in the Seal Demon Cave inspection group. Proof of talent enough."
"As I said before, it's the clan lord pitying me. He was close with my late master and granted my wish. I want just one thing: deliver this sword my master left to Gui-gu Ya-jang."
He raised his hand. Inside the golden-sheathed scabbard slept a blade humming with unknown energy.
"As his unworthy disciple, I should do at least one thing right. Can't leave his sword broken. I know I'm unqualified, but I'll keep going. Since talentless me begged, I have to show something. But I don't want to burden you, warrior..."
He smiled wearily at me.
"If circumstances demand, go ahead. Please, warrior."
"........."
I didn't answer. I just quietly supported his back.
Time passed. The gap widened further.
Soon even his escorts couldn't bear it, pleading to go ahead. Gasping Yeon-gwang urged me ahead repeatedly.
I refused each time. Knowing his efforts made it impossible to abandon him.
His devotion to his master.
Watching him reminded me of the First Demon. And of myself, wanting to give her everything.
I knew the heart behind repairing a master's relic-how could I not lead him?
On the fifth night. The Subduing Demon Squad Leader, waiting for my late arrival, spoke.
"You've worked hard, Bi-cheon."
"Just doing my duty."
"Hm..."
He pondered, glancing between me and Yeon-gwang, then sighed and turned away.
Instead, words burst from elsewhere.
"Squad leader, pity or not, some things must be said. One person could make us all miss the deadline."
"I'm leading this inspection group. Butt out, Jin Wi-ryang."
The squad leader's tone carried a sharp warning.
But Jin Wi-ryang pressed on undeterred.
"We should leave behind those who can't keep up. You're the leader, but followers can speak truth too, right?"
"........."
"Yeon-gongja, sorry, but..."
He covered his mouth with his hand. But I could tell.
His lips were smirking behind it.
"Can't you turn back on your own? Even if you make it, you won't enter Seal Demon Cave. Best to head back now. Some things can't be done with effort alone. Like right now."
His sharp words dripped with mockery, laced with a murmur just audible.
"Fucking cripple overstepping his place..."
A venomous slur for only Yeon-gwang and me to hear.
Yeon-gwang's eyes widened. He trembled as if to retort, then bit his lip.
A heavy nod. His glance at me brimmed with bitterness.
"...It was brief, but thank you for watching my back, warrior."
The words to follow were predictable.
...But.
I didn't want to let him say them.
"Squad leader, if I may..."
"Squad leader."
The squad leader's brow twitched. I clasped my hands.
"As long as we arrive on time somehow?"
"...True."
"Yeon-gongja can catch up late. In my view, he has more in him. Unless he quits himself, shouldn't we go as far as his body allows?"
I felt Jin Wi-ryang glaring.
But I ignored it.
Such looks meant nothing.
"Stick to schedule. We'll follow separately."
"...Ho."
The squad leader smirked crookedly, testing me.
"I told you to stay neutral, Bi-cheon."
"Everyone has the right to quit, but no one has the right to force it."
I turned to Yeon-gwang, ignoring Jin Wi-ryang's glare.
Listening to backstabbers was folly.
"If Yeon-gongja says he won't quit, Subduing Demon Squad should support him. Isn't that true neutrality? Entrust him to me-I'll ensure his qualification to the end. Trust me, squad leader."