Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: 12th Chapter - Mission, Investigation (14)
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Mok Ri-won's lips twitched.
The question was so bewildering and sharp.
‘A demon...?’
It was a difficult question.
Mok Ri-won had pondered for a long time what separated demons from martial artists.
Simply put, if one's inner energy was ferocious and the foundation of their martial arts savage, were they a demon?
Even if someone was savage, if they practiced orthodox martial arts, were they a martial artist?
The words did not come easily.
Mok Ri-won himself believed, thanks to Mok Seon-o's teachings, that the will of the one wielding the sword divided demon from martial artist, but he could not impose that on others.
In a situation where his Extreme Demonic Physique had already been exposed, saying such things would just sound like excuses.
‘...I can't avoid it.’
Mok Ri-won let out a long breath.
He steadied his mind and spoke to Ma Cheol-gon.
“It is the Extreme Demonic Physique. That is the body I was born with.”
“Extreme Demonic Physique...”
Ma Cheol-gon's expression darkened.
A face that seemed to know of the Extreme Demonic Physique.
Of course, for a physician immersed in the martial world, not knowing would be the strange thing.
Ma Cheol-gon asked.
“Born with it—does that mean your body was like that from the start?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
Ma Cheol-gon's gaze was directed at the floor.
Mok Ri-won watched him quietly before speaking.
“...I don't know if you'll believe me, but even with this body, I consider myself a martial artist of the orthodox path. That is why I believe what I hold in my heart is righteousness.”
Sincerity was one of Mok Ri-won's greatest strengths.
His temperament, which did not retreat or turn away in the face of crisis, might seem stubborn at times, but it was still a precious treasure that kept him upright.
“Now that it's out, I don't want to lie. Nor do I want to threaten you. All I can do is ask you to believe me.”
Mok Ri-won lowered his head.
“I want to live by righteousness. Even born with this body, I want to use it for the right cause. So, can you keep my secret?”
No immediate answer came.
Mok Ri-won neither raised his head nor pressed for a reply.
He knew seeking others' understanding was not easy.
He could feel Ma Cheol-gon's gaze on him.
After a long while, his answer came.
“...There must have been a misunderstanding.”
A soft chuckle escaped Ma Cheol-gon's lips.
When Mok Ri-won lifted his head, he saw Ma Cheol-gon smiling faintly.
“A misunderstanding...”
“I'm not interrogating you. Nor am I using this as leverage to blackmail you. I just wanted to confirm if my suspicion was correct.”
Mok Ri-won's eyes widened.
Ma Cheol-gon rose from his seat and said.
“Rest.”
Mok Ri-won was greatly flustered by his unhesitating departure.
He stood as well and called out.
“Wait...!”
“I'll forget.”
“Forget...?”
“I mean I'll forget what I heard today.”
Ma Cheol-gon smiled gently as he spoke.
“Mukryong, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”
His tone was a bit playful.
“I am of the Black Dao. I swing my fists for profit, not grand ideals. I judge power by its size, not its essence.”
“That means...”
“It doesn't matter to me. Your constitution, its origin, or your will. All I know is that the Hao Sect owes you its life, and a merchant who values credit must pay the proper price.”
Mok Ri-won's eyes wavered.
Ma Cheol-gon chuckled and continued.
“The sect leader promised compensation. Let keeping this secret be part of that.”
Mok Ri-won could not immediately grasp his meaning.
It was only natural.
The world he had lived in followed the orthodox rules, which taught only to shun the unrighteous.
Anything not of the orthodox path was something to hide.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind.
His hesitation deepened accordingly.
But what could he do?
In the end, Mok Ri-won had only one choice.
“...Thank you for your consideration.”
Mok Ri-won clasped his hands in a fist salute.
It was filled with deep gratitude.
The response carried a hint of laughter.
“Thank you? I'm just following the code of my turf.”
Creak—
The door opened and soon closed.
Even then, Mok Ri-won kept his head bowed for a long time.
*
The rest period ended precisely three days later.
The Hao Sect's secret base had not yet fully recovered, and deeming it rude to impose further, the Dragon-Phoenix Squad had finished preparations to depart.
Seo Ye led her disciples to the entrance of the base to see them off.
“Are you leaving now?”
“We must. We've imposed greatly.”
“Imposed? That's what we should say.”
Seo Ye covered her mouth and laughed at Dang Hwa-seo's words.
Then she gestured.
Two disciples stepped forward, presenting six boxes in total.
“The promised 100-year Blackened Spatholobus. One got damaged in the chaos. Sorry. Only six left.”
Dang Hwa-seo shook his head at her apologetic bow.
“Better this way. Seven would mean giving an extra to someone, but everyone suffered too much this time to divide merits without strife.”
“Thank you for understanding. And this is the promised information. On the demons known to the Hao Sect.”
Seo Ye handed over a letter.
It was a thick document compiled by Seo Ye amid her escapes after the demons began their full activities.
“We'll gratefully accept it.”
Dang Hwa-seo tucked the letter into his bosom.
Now truly time to part.
Seo Ye looked over her squad members, her gaze lingering on Namgung Jincheon.
He, too, stared back at her indifferently.
Seo Ye chuckled.
Somehow, they had spent the longest time together and endured hardships side by side, fostering an odd affection.
‘So...’
She wanted to say farewell.
“Sword Dragon.”
“Speak.”
“Could you spare a moment? I want to express my thanks privately.”
“I have nothing to say to you...”
“Please?”
A cold glint briefly crossed Seo Ye's face.
Namgung Jincheon flinched and glanced at Dang Hwa-seo.
Seeking help, perhaps, but Dang Hwa-seo seemed oblivious and nodded.
“Go on. We'll wait here.”
“...”
Namgung Jincheon's mouth clamped shut.
*
With disciples and squad members all withdrawn.
Seo Ye walked the courtyard with Namgung Jincheon.
Being inside a cave, there was no warm sunlight, but the cool, comfortable atmosphere remained.
“...What is it?”
Namgung Jincheon said.
Seo Ye glanced at him.
A face utterly indifferent.
Seo Ye smiled faintly and continued.
“Just what I said. I wanted to thank you privately. Truthfully, I think the greatest merit is yours, Sword Dragon.”
There had been the kidnapping during the process and times his thoughtless words turned her stomach, but still.
It could be called a blessing in disguise.
Namgung Jincheon's actions had ultimately led to the successful reclamation of the base, and Seo Ye intended to pay the price.
“Take this.”
Seo Ye pulled from her bosom an item wrapped in cloth and offered it to Namgung Jincheon.
He furrowed his brow and asked.
“What is this?”
“100-year Blackened Spatholobus.”
Namgung Jincheon's eyes widened.
“...Didn't you say there were only six?”
“Of course that was a lie.”
Seo Ye said playfully.
“I set one aside for you, Sword Dragon. I did it alone, so no worries about getting caught.”
“Why...”
“I told you. Just because you seemed to have suffered the most.”
Namgung Jincheon's gaze pierced sharply.
Seo Ye asked.
“You won't take it?”
“I'll gratefully accept. I did suffer.”
His lack of refusal was just like him.
Seo Ye covered her mouth and laughed.
“Still, it's a shame you're leaving after growing so fond.”
“I'm not particularly...”
“You took the Blackened Spatholobus, so shut your mouth?”
“...”
“Even empty words of regret would make me happy?”
“...Consider it regretful.”
“How noble of you.”
Seo Ye gazed at Namgung Jincheon.
A stiff face and indifferent air.
‘As expected, can't read beyond that.’
Namgung Jincheon's expressions were hard to read.
Not because of deep scheming.
From what had happened so far, he was not the type to hide himself.
‘Put badly, he has no thoughts.’
Put well, he was always honest.
Deeply confident in himself, never doubting it.
In any case, to Seo Ye, Namgung Jincheon held a slightly special meaning.
A person she didn't need to expend effort reading.
And thus, someone who oddly brought comfort.
‘Though he does turn my stomach sometimes...’
Still, an amusing person.
Seo Ye smiled brightly.
“Will we meet again?”
“...If fate allows.”
“So you won't seek me out?”
“Should I?”
“No reason to. You're the heir of a great clan, and I'm the leader of a Black Dao sect.”
“You know that, yet you ask.”
Namgung Jincheon snorted.
Then he continued.
“Since I'm leaving, some advice.”
“What?”
“Don't casually show skin to strange men. No matter your true nature, such acts can seem vulgar.”
Seo Ye's face went blank.
Unaware, Namgung Jincheon pressed on.
“I'll remember you too. As a vulgar woman who knows loyalty.”
What kind of life produced someone who said such things seriously?
Seo Ye fell into thought.
Then came the wish he had some tact.
Staring like this without a blink meant he lacked it sorely.
“Something to say?”
“Yes.”
Seo Ye felt a strange anticipation.
Imagining how this man's face would change naturally brought it.
Seo Ye stepped forward.
Namgung Jincheon flinched back, widening the distance.
“Don't run.”
Snap!
Seo Ye grabbed Namgung Jincheon's wrist.
She pulled him close and whispered in his ear.
“I'm a virgin.”
Thud—!
Namgung Jincheon's body stiffened.
His eyes widened as if tearing.
Seo Ye felt delighted.
“Where would I find time for men? From fifteen, I've only handled sect leader duties without rest.”
Namgung Jincheon's face became the epitome of shattered assumptions.
His flapping lips showed his fluster.
“Sword Dragon, you have no eye for women. Not at all.”
Whispering that, Seo Ye stepped back with a pouty smile, making Namgung Jincheon flinch.
His cheeks faintly reddened.
‘He has a cute side.’
No, cute was the word.
Though there was some issue.
Blushing at "virgin" suited creepy more than cute.
Anyway, Seo Ye now gave her true parting gift to this wicked departing man.
“Farewell.”
Seo Ye rose on tiptoes.
And kissed Namgung Jincheon.
Smack—
In that instant, Seo Ye heard Namgung Jincheon's heart sink.
Thump!
Such a loud beat.
Rough lips.
A breath leaking as she pressed.
This was definitely a cute reaction.
Seo Ye pulled her lips away and stepped back.
She waved her hand.
“I'll take your upper purity.”
With those words, as she turned away, Seo Ye clearly heard it.
Namgung Jincheon staggering as he stepped on the ground.