Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Heart Demon - 1
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"Namgung Hye has a heart demon?"
Why? What happened while I was passed out?
I turned my gaze to the letter. There were plenty of formal phrases and greetings, but the core message was clear: Namgung Hye had truly fallen prey to a heart demon and was in dire straits right now.
That's why they wanted me—the trigger for her heart demon—to come to the Namgung Family.
"Hmm..."
The Namgung Family. Head of the Five Great Clans and a lineage renowned as a house of swords. For them to extend such a polite invitation meant the role I had to play was that crucial.
"Is this the Soaring Heaven Sword Unit Leader pulling strings?"
I recalled how Namgung Je had wanted to take me to the Namgung Family last time. Wondering if that was it, I glanced at Yu Ye-ryeon, but she slowly shook her head.
"No. Even back then, I could see the early signs of a heart demon in Namgung Hye."
"Then what exactly caused the heart demon to take hold?"
"You. It's because of you."
Yu Ye-ryeon jabbed a finger at my nose, pinched it tight, gave it a little twist, and grumbled.
"You planted that heart demon in her."
"Me?"
What the hell did I do?
"Namgung Hye always placed great importance on righteousness and chivalry. She took pride in it too. But what you did this time planted seeds of doubt in her own convictions."
Yu Ye-ryeon explained that my going alone to such a dangerous place had gnawed at her, leading to the heart demon. She let out another deep sigh, then—as if venting frustration—ruffled my hair into a total mess before resting a hand on my waist.
"Truthfully, I didn't want to send you to the Namgung Family... but there's no helping it in this situation."
"I see."
"You look awfully pleased about it."
She wasn't wrong. I wasn't in a bad mood at all.
The Namgung Family was famed as a sword house. Just witnessing their Soaring Palace Free Sword Art last time had granted me one insight. If luck was on my side, I might gain more from seeing their other sword techniques.
"Don't get too fixated on the Namgung Family's swordsmanship."
"Why not?"
"It's not a Daoist sword. The Three Ultimates Sword Art you're cultivating now, and the Taiji Sword you need to learn—they're Daoist swords. Both emphasize harmony... but the Namgung Family's style is different. Theirs is about supremacy and domination."
She was warning me that the martial arts' essences were polar opposites, so I could easily get tainted by it if careless, ending up stuck with half-baked swordsmanship. Her advice came with utmost seriousness.
"If they offer to teach you their martial arts at the Namgung Family, think it over carefully before accepting."
"Understood."
Honestly, I didn't fully grasp it, but who was I to argue? I simply nodded. Pleased with my response, Yu Ye-ryeon smoothed out my wrecked hair and crossed her arms.
"I'd love to go with you... but the Namgung Family's no place for me."
"Huh? Why not?"
"You know they've got one of the Eight Great Heavens of the Nine Provinces there, right?"
I did. Sword Saint Namgung Cheon. Father to the current patriarch and one of the Eight Great Heavens.
He barely showed up in the novel.
Just a passing mention as one of the tower challengers who died.
"I don't get along with that guy. We'd definitely clash if we met, so I'll sit this one out."
"Guess I'll be going alone then."
"I said I won't go to the Namgung Family with you. Never said anything about skipping Hapbi. There's that opportunity waiting in Hapbi, isn't there?"
Right. An ancient temple in Hapbi, home to the Namgung Family, where one could obtain a spiritual medicine. In the novel, it was picked up during a visit there.
"I'll fetch it. Shouldn't be any real issues."
"Understood."
"And if they don't let you leave the Namgung Family within a month... I'll come calling myself."
Her stroking hand tightened.
One month. Could I really resolve a heart demon that fast?
The next day, Yu Ye-ryeon and I departed the manor. With Hina seeing us off, we hit the main road. She loaded my gear onto the horse and hopped on lightly.
"You know what I'm about to say, right?"
"Yes. Time to run?"
"Hehe. That's right. How long will it take you this time, I wonder?"
I wasn't the same as before. With steady training, I could keep her from waiting so long this round.
Was it my confident look?
She smiled at ease and raised a finger.
"If you stick with me all the way to the first rest stop without lagging, I'll give you a reward."
What could it be? I was intrigued. I nodded, and she flicked the reins. Full throttle right out the gate?
The horse shot ahead in a flash. I took light steps to follow.
That run went nonstop until we hit the first rest point. The result...
"So close."
I'd lost it once. Damn. A miscalculation in pacing my internal energy.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
"Still, you did great. Proof of all that steady training."
"Hooo... Chasing on foot alone, no lightness skill—still no easy feat. So, what was the reward?"
"Who knows~? We'll rest up and go again, so give it your best."
Grinning mischievously, she stood guard while I circulated my energy. Once I finished and fully restored my internal energy, I nodded. Yu Ye-ryeon shook the reins.
In short: failure. My internal energy reserves were still too low. Once I snag that spiritual medicine and boost them, success should be mine.
"Really too bad."
"Tell me about it. Did you know I'd fail?"
"Hehe. Yep."
Figured as much. Every time I nearly caught up, the horse would surge ahead. Suspected it then...
"Infused the horse with internal energy. The Five Elements Ultimate Divine Art draws on natural qi, so it works on beasts too."
No wonder it flew.
"Ahaha. Mad?"
"Nope."
"You are. Come on~. Fine. I'm feeling generous. Here's a gift."
I really wasn't mad. Yu Ye-ryeon beamed, pulled me into a hug, and patted my back. Released after a moment in her embrace, I couldn't hide my awkwardness.
"Is this the gift?"
"Huh? Ahaha~! Wanna call it that? On second thought, getting held by a beauty like me is one hell of a gift."
She winked playfully. I sighed at her.
If this counted as a gift, I'd be getting them by the dozen daily.
"Kidding. Here, take this. Was gonna give it to you soon anyway."
She tossed me a small necklace. Pure white and round, engraved with 'Tang Clan'. Puzzled as I caught it, she grinned brightly.
"It's a Tang Family Silver Token. Doubles as a poison-rejecting pearl, so keep it close."
"A poison-rejecting pearl blocks toxins, right? A treasure like this—sure I can have it?"
Not your everyday item. And a Tang Family Silver Token? A rare favor from the Tang Clan, given to those who've earned their debt of gratitude.
"I'm immune to all poisons anyway. No need for Tang Clan favors on my end. Better in your hands."
Precious treasure acquired. I slipped the Tang Family Silver Token around my neck and bowed.
"Thank you."
"No hesitation?"
"Why refuse a gift? Besides, with all that's ahead, poison countermeasures are smart..."
"Hmm~. 'Thank you' alone feels cheap, though."
"What do you want then?"
Cooking's no big deal. As I said it while prepping ingredients, she shook her head.
"Plenty I want, but not demanding now. Grant me one favor later?"
"Even without asking, anything Sword Heaven wants, I'll do."
Truth be told, I owed Yu Ye-ryeon beyond measure. World-saving aside, she handled everything down to food and shelter.
Yet she'd asked nothing of me. Sure, occasional cooking requests, but those were easy smiles for.
"Oho~. Bold words? For real? Anything? That's a wish coupon right there."
Eyes sparkling, she stepped right up. That impish grin made me regret my words...
"Yes. Anything in my power."
"Hehe. Promised? You know the penalty for lies."
Out came her pinky—she was thrilled. No backing out now. We hooked pinkies, thumb-stamped, and only then could I cook.
"Hehehm~. So exciting~. What to wish for?"
...This is fine, right?
"Hehehe. Anticipate it."
"Could it be something easy, if you please?"
"Nuh-uh~."
As expected. Pleased by my silence, she reached out, stroked my cheek, and gave a light pinch.
"And it's me, so you can laugh it off without misunderstanding. Others might not. Be careful. From now on, only tell me stuff like this!"
"Uh..."
"Answer!"
"Yes."
Just nod along.
I nodded. Finally satisfied, Yu Ye-ryeon released my cheek.
Wearing a look of genuine delight.