Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Arrival at Aekmin
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The road to Aekmin was well-paved, but the distance was still considerable.
Even exerting lightness skill and hurrying along, the far-off destination loomed. If not for Black Wind's guidance, I might not have even found the right direction.
"Mo Gongja, you're more of a directionless fool than I thought. What would you have done without me?"
"...Thank you."
He often acted disgracefully, but Black Wind was surprisingly versatile. From finding paths to selecting good campsites, he even pinpointed exactly where rivers with water lay.
"This, you see. Normally I'd charge for it. But for you, Mo Gongja, it's free."
"...Thanks?"
"Keh heh heh. Miss Black, learned nothing from watching me?"
"They say using a cleaver to kill a chicken is overkill. No need to bother, so I just sit back."
"Is it even sharp enough?"
"Want me to show you?"
The two didn't quite get along. Black Wind had mocked the unseen Black Orchid, questioning if the title World's Greatest Beauty was a lie. In turn, Black Orchid compared Black Wind shaking his hips at thin air to a dog in heat, calling him a mongrel pup.
"Don't faint in shock when you see it."
Black Orchid had her own hidden ace up her sleeve, and it was impressive. Shake the gourd at her waist containing Mist Water White, and bizarre, unrecognizable phenomena poured out before your eyes.
A formation conjured on the spot. With it, she summoned a flock of birds mid-flight and presented them right in front of me.
"Pick whatever you like, warrior. With rations running low, shouldn't we save when we can?"
It wasn't just birds. Spot a river, and she'd lure fish up. Catch sight of a distant deer, and she'd entice it close for the kill.
A veritable feast of meat.
Black Wind would sneak a hand out, only for her to smack it away with her fan.
"I never said you could eat any."
"I found the river, and I spotted the game."
"But I caught them, didn't I?"
"I could've caught them too."
"But you didn't. Animals are quicker and sharper than you think. I've seen them bolt the moment you get close how many times?"
"I let them go."
"Then keep letting them go. Even this one right here."
"What a nag! No wonder World's Greatest Beauty is bullshit! With that attitude, no matter how pretty your face, everyone'll hate you!"
"Never asked you to like me. If you want a World's Greatest Beauty at your level, go find that chirpy wench."
"Don't you dare slander Yingying!"
"Who's slandering? Isn't that what you did?"
Black Wind, rough around the edges.
Black Orchid, sharp and nitpicky.
They bickered endlessly. Caught in the middle, I enjoyed a lavish journey.
Eating better now, lost as we were, than before we set out.
They both had a point.
Muttering by the campfire between us.
"You two have both been quite helpful, that's certain."
"Took you long enough, Mo Gongja. Ha ha! But I'll let it slide! Now that we're in Aekmin, we should stick together, right?"
"Don't force it, Black Wind. Warrior, navigating Aekmin is easy. It's an orderly city. But someone like me, with all I've heard, can provide useful intel. Even gather and relay it fresh."
"I've seen and heard more than you, I bet. Sucking the life out of men who come to play like some..."
"Never sucked anyone dry, you big black dummy. They came on their own and offered up. Isn't it weird they crawl in knowing the danger from that World's Greatest Beauty talk alone? Like you?"
"You done talking?"
"Not yet?"
We passed a few more villages along the way. Black Orchid glanced down at Black Wind, who was snoring away first.
"...How can even his sleeping face be so off-putting?"
She muttered, then sat beside me. Idly poked at the fire.
"Warrior."
"Yes."
"Aren't you curious about my story?"
"Do you want to tell it?"
"...Not sure."
"Then hold it back. I can listen if you wish, but if you'll regret spilling it, better not."
"Aren't you too laid-back?"
"Miss Black."
"Yes?"
"I told you before. If a person's charm is a flame, looks are just one spark."
Black Orchid turned to me. I slowly wiped the growling White Night's scabbard with a dry cloth.
"You catch game and hunt beasts well, Miss Black."
"...Is that your idea of charm?"
"One piece of meat offered to the starving can outweigh the title World's Greatest Beauty, don't you think?"
"You're not starving, warrior."
"That's what I mean-different standards of charm."
"So what's your standard, warrior?"
I pondered briefly.
"...Haven't really thought about it."
"No way... you're still a virgin?"
"......"
"Why? With that face, that martial prowess-what gives? No one say anything?"
"This too wasn't easily gained. It took every spare moment to acquire this sword."
"...Not exhausting?"
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't..."
I glanced at the polished scabbard.
"But what changes from swinging the sword hits harder."
"A true martial artist to the bone."
"High praise."
"Put differently, a freak. So that's how you escaped that den of vice...?"
Black Orchid mulled it over, then leaned in close.
Of course, the veil hid her face.
"Not curious what's under here?"
"One thing does pique my interest."
"What?"
"Ran into another veiled woman once... Doesn't such thick fabric obscure your vision?"
".......? It's layered differently inside and out. Famous material... First you've heard of it? Pricey, but common enough."
"I see."
"You really didn't know?"
"I'm... a bit clueless about the outside world."
I cleared my throat awkwardly.
"Lots I don't know, Miss Black."
"...Tch... What is it... Looks like he can handle everything alone, but this urge to look after him...?"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
Black Orchid sighed, fidgeting with her hands.
"A favor, warrior."
"Yes."
"If the day comes I want to talk about the face behind this, will you be the first to hear it?"
"......."
I nodded.
Black Orchid whispered.
"...Sorry for trying that dirty trick before. No excuses. If you want, take my life anytime."
"It's fine, Miss Black. It ended well, and I even took something in return."
"Just deserts for defeat. Grateful to still have something left. Mist Water White柔 I can remake anytime, brew steadily to restock."
Black Orchid bowed her head.
"...Thanks for putting up with my nonsense, warrior."
"......."
Was that the true face of the Soul-Seducing Enchantress who'd ruined countless warriors?
I nodded in reply. It felt sincere, but I couldn't be sure.
In the world of warriors, there's no good or evil...
As seen with Dark Hand Ghost.
The blade hidden in goodwill.
I kept my guard up. As the First Demon instructed.
Still, I couldn't help feeling a slight pull.
"Miss Black."
"Yes?"
"No need to carry what you did to me so heavily."
I closed my eyes, half-drifting to sleep.
"I've already forgotten."
"...You're kind, warrior."
Kind, huh.
Just words, since I held no grudge. Rather, I'd gained a mountain of boons.
...
Aekmin.
We arrived at the vast metropolis, far beyond village scale.
A massive new wall encircled the outskirts. But no gatekeepers in sight.
Instead, three warriors in mismatched attire gathered.
Black Wind grinned.
"Hm. Heard Aekmin was chaotic, but three heads in one city? That's a recipe for comedy."
"...Those three are warriors from the three pillars upholding our cult, but different sects?"
"Spot on. Raksha Clan, Black Serpent Clan, Myriad Demons Clan warriors. Clothes tell their affiliation."
We passed them. Even those blocking the gate saw us but made no move to stop.
A simple question was all.
"Your names?"
"Nameless."
"Black Wind."
"No name worth sharing."
We'd all dodged outright, yet they let us in.
A curt warning was the extent of it.
"Watch yourselves."
Inside, the bustle proved it a city. But eyes brimmed with wary tension.
Armed folk dominated. Inns regretfully claimed full rooms.
"Sorry."
Merchant stocks were meager; the whole place felt starkly subdued.
Yet amid it, something prickled the skin.
Warriors prowled alleys, poking about busily like hunting someone.
Relentless searches. Bloodstains dried on walls.
Black Wind clicked his tongue.
"Explains the sharp edges. This is hellish. Stray off main streets, and bodies aplenty, no doubt."
"Inns full from warriors staying here. But... is Ghost Thread Black Night Pill worth such investment?"
"You know nothing, Miss Black. It's a priceless elixir. Breaks realms in one go, absurdly. Not just boosting inner power-no. Clears bodily impurities like minor marrow cleansing, mends broken bodies too. Top elixir, even revives the dead, they say."
"Exaggeration. If one pill did that, Seven Stars Sect would've ruled Raksha Clan ages ago."
"Hard to make, that's why. Like you, all twisted up."
"Better twisted than naive, living easy. Blindly believing rumors is for fools."
Bickering again.
I sighed, turning back. Stared them down.
"We're in Aekmin, so as discussed, time to part. Good luck, Young Master Black, Miss Black."
"Aw, no need to be cold. We're here-stick together? Don't know your business, but I owe you, so I'll help."
"Same here, warrior. I'll be useful. Who to kill?"
"As I said before, I'm here to save someone. Can't say who."
I refused flatly.
"Best we part here. Farewell."
"Wait, Mo Gongja!"
"Warrior!"
Half-forcing the split, I pulled out the paper from the First Demon.
Meetup spot and code phrase noted.
Burned it after reading. Headed straight for the marked location.
"Come on in!"
Like elsewhere, crowded. I eyed the third seat from the back.
Two picking at a plain dish in the center.
Sat before them. They both flinched.
"Seems no seats. Mind if I join?"
"...Waiting for company."
"Don't. I'll buy baekyuk and rice flour. Want more? Four portions. I'll cover when your friends arrive."
"......!"
They exchanged glances, subtly relaxing.
"Then gejangyuksa too?"
"Why not. Add hwoegoyuk."
I called the waiter, ordered simply. Food came; we ate in silence.
I left first. After two keuks, they slipped out to a back alley.
I caught up, matching steps. They abruptly turned.
Another inn. Through the back door, up stairs. I followed.
Into a room.
Door shut quick behind.
"Greetings to a Soul Chaser Pavilion member."
"Skip it. Situation?"
One lit the lamp.
The other closed open windows, whispering.
"Couldn't find Blood Death Squad member's location. But got one piece of good intel."
"What?"
"Blood Death Squad member Wolhyang vanished not at Seven Stars Sect, but their detached villa, a bit further out."
"...Hm."
"Few know of it. Off Aekmin, hidden discreetly."
"You checked?"
"Seen it, never entered. Can't act on our own."
He handed a hastily drawn map.
The man bowed.
"Any more intel, we'll contact separately."
"How?"
"We'll handle it. We've seen your face-not hard. No wish to bother a high one."
Smooth as flowing water.
Sound judgment, no rash moves.
"You're... Blood Demon Squad, right?"
"Yes."
"Hm."
Worlds apart from me.
I saw why the First Demon despaired at my actions.
If that's standard, I'd been a walking disaster.
Respect welled; I said so.
"Impressive. Excellent work."
"......?"
The Blood Demon Squad member blinked.