Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Heart Demon - 2
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The journey to Hapbi was incredibly smooth. It was only natural. After all, this was Yu Ye-ryeon—one of the Eight Great Heavens of the Nine Provinces—on the move. What could possibly stand in her way?
Of course, while it was smooth sailing for her, the same couldn't be said for me. Chasing after her on foot all the way to Hapbi wasn't exactly a walk in the park.
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I never imagined it'd be this grueling.
"You know what's lacking in you, right?"
It was evening, about a day out from Hapbi. After I finished my meditation session, she asked the question while roasting marshmallows over the campfire. What's lacking, huh.
Plenty.
"The most pressing issue is your internal energy. You've got about twenty years' worth right now, don't you?"
"Yes."
"To build it up further, you'd need enlightenment or spirit herbs. But enlightenment isn't something you just stumble into, so the real answer is spirit herbs."
She was spot on. The internal energy I had wasn't even half a gapja. Sure, it was worlds better than nothing, but at my current level, I was only first-rate at best.
To reach the peak and manifest sword aura, I'd need at least half a gapja of internal energy. Spirit herbs were essential.
"Like I said before we left, I'll scout the opportunities near Hapbi. You head straight to the Namgung Family."
"Got it. But..."
"But?"
I watched her munch on a perfectly roasted marshmallow. Then I took the one roasting in front of me, placed it on a cookie I'd prepared before departure, topped it with a chocolate-smeared cookie, and assembled a full s'more. I set it aside and spoke up.
"Namgung Hye's fallen into a heart demon. How am I supposed to fix that?"
"Who knows."
Even Yu Ye-ryeon didn't have an answer for that one. She sneakily reached out, snatched the s'more I'd made, and nibbled it blissfully before handing me her roasted marshmallow.
"The Namgung Family must have their own ideas."
"I'd love to know what those are."
"You'll find out when you get there. Just dive in."
I made a s'more with the marshmallow she'd given me and offered it back. She brushed it off with a casual wave of her hand.
Guess I'd have to see for myself. While I mulled it over, she popped another s'more into her mouth, skewered more marshmallows on a stick, roasted them over the fire, and grinned brightly.
"Who knows? Maybe making these will snap her out of it?"
"...You think a heart demon clears up just because I whip up some snacks?"
"No woman hates snacks."
She said it with such conviction... Man, if only it were that simple. I sighed, and in response, she chuckled and shoved a half-eaten s'more right into my mouth.
"Come on. Instead of overthinking, just eat something sweet. Worrying about the uncertain future won't get you anywhere. Focus on what's important. Just the important stuff."
Fair point.
If I'd chosen to follow Wi Cheonryong's path, Namgung Hye would've been a must-have. But I'd opted for the wanderer's way, to become a true powerhouse.
On that road, she wasn't essential.
But that didn't mean I could just abandon her.
I chewed the s'more she'd stuffed in my mouth and nodded.
"Who do you think will finish first?"
"Probably me, right?"
"What then? You said you don't want to meet the Sword Saint..."
"Eh... As long as I don't go to the family estate. There's a place called Flower Heaven Tower in Hapbi. I'll be staying there, so if I send word, come find me."
"Understood."
We ironed out the rest of the details, and I turned in for the night. Unlike Yu Ye-ryeon, who didn't need sleep, I was still a novice who required it.
"I'll head to bed first."
"Yeah, yeah. Sleep well. Oh, want me to sing you a lullaby?"
Her usual playful grin eased my worries a bit.
The next morning, after we ate the breakfast I'd prepared, I parted ways with Yu Ye-ryeon. It'd been a while since I'd traveled alone.
I shouldered my bag and set off. Without her constant chatter echoing in my ear, the silence felt oddly lonely.
But what could I do? It was time to go our separate ways. Shaking off the emptiness, I headed toward Hapbi Castle.
I arrived around lunchtime. As a key transportation hub, the castle was several times larger than Jinhyu—its sheer scale was awe-inspiring just to behold.
"What brings you to Hapbi?"
"Business with the Namgung Family."
True to its status as a major city, the gate inspection was far stricter than Jinhyu's. The soldier peered into my bag, glanced at the sword at my waist, and nodded.
"A martial artist, eh? Fighting isn't forbidden inside Hapbi, but please refrain if possible."
"Understood."
"Very well. Enjoy your stay."
I returned the soldier's courteous bow and entered the city. It was bustling right from the gates—befitting a metropolis. Three hours later, heading north through the crowds, I finally reached the main gate of the Namgung Family estate.
"What business do you have?"
It was a massive compound.
Vast enough to dwarf Sword Heaven Manor several times over. The term "family clan" fit it perfectly, and even the gatekeepers looked well beyond first-rate.
"I've been invited. Here..."
I showed them the letter from the Namgung Family. The warrior scanned it quickly and nodded.
"I'll fetch someone. Please wait a moment."
Courteous manners. Righteous factions really were different. Soon after the warrior went inside, a familiar face emerged from the gate.
"You've arrived!"
Namgung Je, beaming brightly. He let out a sigh of relief at the sight of me.
"Sword Heaven didn't come with you."
"She had business elsewhere, so we parted midway. But... how's your young lady?"
Mentioning Namgung Hye darkened his expression. He hesitated, lips twitching, before speaking in a heavy tone.
"...Best if you see for yourself."
Fair enough. Under Namgung Je's guidance through the sprawling estate, I arrived at a beautifully landscaped garden. At the far end stood a small but ornate building. As I watched, Namgung Hye emerged, supported by a maidservant.
"You...?"
But she looked nothing like the woman I knew. Back at Sword Heaven Manor, Namgung Hye had been a vibrant beauty brimming with healthy allure. Now? She looked worse off than even Hina.
How could a martial artist like her deteriorate this much? I glanced at Namgung Je, who replied with a bitter voice.
"She stopped eating. We force just enough food into her to keep her from dying."
"Jin... Hyun?"
Her voice trembled, thick with anxiety. This wasn't the Namgung Hye I remembered.
What the hell had happened?
"You're... alive. Alive...!"
Leaning heavily on the maid, she staggered toward me. Her raised hand was gaunt and withered, fingers like brittle twigs. She poked at me tentatively, then gripped my arm with effort and bowed her head.
"Hic... sob... hic... You're... alive..."
I hadn't seen her since that day.
She'd left before I woke up. Still, I'd sent word via letter that I was alive.
"...Didn't you know? We sent a letter."
"I couldn't... sob... believe it... hic... Everything, I started doubting everything... Ah... I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry... I shouldn't have let you go alone... sob... hic. Sorry... Sorry. Sorry..."
I looked to Namgung Je, but he just shook his head. No helping it, then. I supported the barely standing Namgung Hye to a nearby chair and sighed at her skeletal frame.
"What happened to you? Are you eating properly?"
"...No. Sniff. I had to... sob... doubt everything..."
Doubt? Doubt what? Before I could ask, tears streamed down her face again.
"Even myself... hic... I couldn't trust anymore... Sorry. I didn't mean to leave you alone... Ahhh... No. It was for my sake... Ahhhh."
The poor girl's out of it.
First things first, she needs food. I built a campfire right there in the elegant garden.
It clashed with the surroundings, but Namgung Je said nothing, just watched silently.
I cooked plain rice porridge. Simple white gruel, nothing fancy. I ladled some into a bowl and held it out to her.
"Eat."
"...But."
"Don't you trust me?"
"That's... not it... sniff."
With a nasally sniffle, she took the bowl. She took a cautious bite. I saw her parched throat bob, and Namgung Je sighed from his spot.
"You should've at least taken rations. Starving yourself only hurts your body."
"...But."
"Finish that, and I'll make more. Eat your fill."
Her words from last night came back to me. When I'd asked how to dispel a heart demon, she'd offhandedly suggested sweets might do the trick.
...Should I try caramel or something?