Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Oh My!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“I can never get used to this place, no matter how many times I see it.”
Baekri Wu, the head of the Baekri Family, stood within the illusion cast by Chang Eun, the master of the Illusionary Shadow Sect.
The illusion was different every time. But its strangeness never changed. It was a world apart from formations.
There was no sense of disconnect from reality. And the most crucial thing about this illusion was that it had no weakness. In other words, there was no way to break it.
Unless one killed the master of the Illusionary Shadow Sect who cast this sorcery-like illusion, there was no escape.
Furthermore, anything within the illusion could become a weapon for the sect. Even a playful squirrel.
The problem was, there was no way of knowing where the sect master was.
Baekri Wu, the head of the Baekri Family, couldn't get a single clue.
From somewhere, the voice of Chang Eun, the master of the Illusionary Shadow Sect, echoed. Since the voice reverberated throughout the entire illusion, there was no way to pinpoint its source.
“Why have you sought me out?”
“Do you really need to ask me that, while I'm trapped in this illusion?”
He meant, *why ask when you already know?*
The Baekri Family Head had anticipated that his son, Baekri Jang-won, had already left a signal for someone to inform the Illusionary Shadow Sect.
“I wouldn't know. You might have sought me out for another reason.”
“That could be. Then I'll ask you directly. Why did my son kneel to that bastard? And what does that have to do with him learning your sect's martial arts?”
The sect master's voice once again echoed through the illusion.
“Just because you ask doesn't mean I have to answer. I'm not your subordinate. And do not refer to him as 'that bastard' in my presence. He may very well be someone I must serve.”
He had only heard the stories, not yet seen it with his own eyes. But it was unsettling to hear the Master of Primordial Chaos being called this and that so carelessly.
“...Someone you must serve... Did you just say that?”
“That's right. He will be the one our Illusionary Shadow Sect will serve. If what your son says is true.”
“Does that mean... my son... must do the same?”
*Does that make any sense?*
If that happened, it would be no different from the Baekri Family being subjugated under that bastard.
After all, his eldest, Baekri Jang-won, would eventually inherit the family.
“Indeed.”
“...But my son is not part of the Illusionary Shadow Sect.”
“This is a separate matter from the sect. And do not try to learn any more.”
The Baekri Head's brow furrowed deeply.
“Hah. This is absurd. Where in the world does something like this happen?! Demanding an entire family just because one martial art was taught! Is this supposed to make any sense?!”
“Shouting won't change anything. I gave you a clear warning. So don't argue. And I never said the entire Baekri Family had to pledge loyalty to him.”
The Baekri Head clenched his teeth.
“Grrr!”
*Does he think words are all that matter?*
If the Young Lord of the Baekri Family pledges loyalty to Namgung Urin, then the Baekri Family pledges loyalty!
What's the difference!
But the Baekri Head had to swallow his boiling anger. He knew that losing his temper inside this illusion would only hurt him. A single misstep could lead to his death within this illusion.
“...Fine. But what if—and this is just a hypothetical. What happens if I kill that bastard?”
“Hahaha.”
The sect master's mocking laughter echoed through the illusion, sending a chill down the Baekri Head's spine.
*Damn it. To think he can bind me... with laughter alone...!*
The sect master's ominous voice continued to spread.
“Do you think you can cover the sun with your hand? If you think you can, then try it. And see what becomes of the Baekri Family. Ah. And with your abilities, you cannot harm him.”
The Baekri Head was dumbfounded. The man was treating him like a fool who couldn't even handle a single brat from the Namgung Family.
Of course, the brat's power that day had been considerable, but it wasn't enough to pose a true threat to the Baekri Head himself.
“Do I look that pathetic to you? If so...”
“That's not what I meant. He is not someone you can handle. This is not a matter of whether one's martial power is strong or weak. Understand that and go. Do not even dream of what you just considered. If you truly dream of such a thing, then as I said before, the Baekri Family will be wiped from the world of martial arts. I am warning you.”
And with that, the master of the Illusionary Shadow Sect was gone. The illusion that had surrounded the Baekri Head vanished as well.
“Damn it all.”
How...
He couldn't help but lament how things had come to this. The Baekri Family, which had been aiming to become the hegemon of Anhui, had been left high and dry overnight.
“I can't do this, and I can't do that...”
He was trapped in an impossible situation.
If he gave up on his son, Baekri Jang-won, he feared for the family's future. But if he kept the outstanding Baekri Jang-won as the Young Lord, the family's future would still be...
It was clear they would be unable to escape being dragged along by the Namgung Family.
“Of course...”
Even before, the Baekri Family had been suppressed by the Namgung Family's power and couldn't exert much influence in Anhui.
And now.
A month after the duel, the tide had already turned in Namgung's favor. It was astounding.
All that had happened was five Sword Brigade members had lost, and the Young Lord had knelt.
Several merchant guilds and escort agencies that had supported the Baekri Family had already left. The situation was spiraling into despair. The Baekri Family's future was becoming uncertain.
What would happen if they abandoned everything and attacked the Namgung Family right now?
The outcome of that was also obvious.
Even if they won, what would be left of the Baekri Family? Having lost countless warriors, they would be no different from a tiger covered in deep wounds.
Enemies would rush in from all sides to tear them apart.
“Hoo.”
The Baekri Head's long sigh spoke volumes of his state of mind.
Because a few days ago, a letter had arrived from the Martial Alliance Leader.
In exactly one year and five months, the Blue Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, held every ten years but interrupted by the War of Orthodox and Demonic Factions, would be held by the Martial Alliance for the first time in fifteen years. The letter's content was an order: kill the Young Lord of the Namgung Family by then.
For over a hundred years before the War, the Namgung Family had taken the victory at the Blue Dragon Martial Arts Tournament. The tournament had always been little more than a festival for the Namgung.
In the end, news from Anhui had reached the Martial Alliance Leader's ears, and he had concluded that Namgung Urin had to be eliminated.
While he didn't place too much importance on the young Namgung Lord defeating the unremarkable Baekri Young Lord, one could never be too sure.
No.
Since Namgung had always seized victory, a baseless anxiety was rampant.
That was why.
“That son of a bitch...”
He ground his teeth at the Martial Alliance Leader's villainy, trying to use the Baekri Family again. Five years ago, he had fallen for the Martial Alliance Leader's silver tongue, and now the Baekri Family was in this state. Of course, his own ambition had played a part, but if he hadn't been played by the Martial Alliance Leader Moyong Gu's manipulations, Baekri Wu would not have dreamed such a futile dream, and he would not be facing such scorn in Anhui.
“Let's see you get a taste of it for once.”
Leaving those words behind, the Baekri Head also departed.
***
A sensation was coming.
He could feel Primordial Chaos touching his skin. With every breath he took, a refreshing feeling seeped into Namgung Urin's mind.
This warmth spreading through his entire body made him feel alive. And with it came a thrill.
It felt strange that being alive could be such a monumental thing, enough to bring happiness and a thrill.
Being alive...
He now knew it was a blessing.
And there was something else he felt.
A softness transmitted through his hand. He realized someone was holding his hand tightly.
It was the softness of a woman.
But within that softness, he could feel calluses. The hand of a martial artist who had wielded a sword for a long time.
Next, a light pressure on his chest. He knew that a woman had fallen asleep using his chest as a pillow.
This fragrant scent that seemed to lift one's spirits...
It was a fragrance stored in Namgung Urin's memory.
Finally, Namgung Urin slowly opened his eyes.
For the first time in a month.
*Sect Master...*
The woman sleeping on his chest was Han Seo-hui, the master of the Iron Blood Sect.
Namgung Urin's mother, Lady Yeonhwa, had collapsed from exhaustion a few days ago and was bedridden. Seo I-ryeong of the Hoyeon Merchant Guild and Zhuge Siyeon of the Zhuge Family had been taking turns watching over him.
Fearing he would wake Han Seo-hui, Namgung Urin couldn't sit up right away. So he only lifted his head to look at Han Seo-hui's face, buried in his chest.
Even when he had no feelings for women, he had felt a spark in his chest upon seeing Han Seo-hui.
Of course, he hadn't known what it was back then.
And now, as emotions he couldn't express before were pouring out, gazing at Han Seo-hui's beautiful face made something hot surge up from his chest.
Namgung Urin's hand moved.
He tucked the strands of hair covering her face behind her ear.
Thin, long, dark eyebrows and long, straight lashes beautifully adorned her closed eyes. And her well-defined nose of a moderate height and her plump lips, resembling a ripe red apple, looked even redder in the glow of the brazier that lit the dark room.
The sight of her filled Namgung Urin's eyes.
“Mmm...”
Han Seo-hui nuzzled her face against Namgung Urin's chest as she woke up. And just then, her eyes met Namgung Urin's, who was wide awake.
*Blink, blink.*
Han Seo-hui's large eyes blinked open and shut repeatedly.
“...”
Namgung Urin's mouth opened.
“You woke up because of me.”
Those weren't the words one would expect from a patient who had been lying down for a month.
“...Young Lord?”
“Yes. It's me. Weren't you lying on my chest knowing it was me? I'd be disappointed if not.”
Han Seo-hui was disoriented. Even more so because she had just woken up.
“...You've really woken up? Are you alright?”
Han Seo-hui's eyes quickly reddened, and she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
How worried had she been?
When Namgung Urin, who seemed like he would wake up soon, didn't regain consciousness as time passed, everyone grew worried. It had gotten to the point where his mother, Lady Yeonhwa, had even collapsed.
As if to blow all her worries away at once, Namgung Urin gave her a bright smile and nodded.
Han Seo-hui was momentarily captivated by his radiant smile. The tears that seemed ready to fall vanished as if they had never been.
“Oh! How long was I asleep? Look at me.”
“I just opened my eyes myself.”
“Please wait a moment. I'll go wake your mother.”
As she spoke, Han Seo-hui started to get up.
Just then.
Her hand, which had been hidden under the blanket, emerged, pulling Namgung Urin's hand, which she had been holding tightly, out with it.
Only then did Han Seo-hui realize she had been holding Namgung Urin's hand all this time.
“Oh my! This, this is... I mean... uh, what happened was...”
Flustered, Han Seo-hui stammered as she tried to pull her hand away.
But.
This time, Namgung Urin didn't let go of her hand.
“It's alright. I rather like it like this.”
Whether it was because of the brazier burning redly by the wall, Han Seo-hui's cheeks were burning even redder.