Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Realization - 2
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"Anyway, looks like we've seen everything we needed to. Oh. Have you had lunch?"
"Not yet."
"Perfect. I haven't eaten either. Namgung Hye?"
Yu Ye-ryeon whipped her head around, fixing her gaze on Namgung Hye.
She placed a hand on my head and spoke leisurely with a faint smile.
"What? Got something to say?"
Only then did light return to her eyes. Namgung Hye looked flustered, at a loss for words, before bowing her head slightly.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself..."
"Hmph~. Doesn't matter, does it? Want to join us for a meal?"
"...No, thank you. It feels wrong to intrude when you've reunited with your disciple after so long."
"Disciple? I told you, he's not my disciple."
"Didn't you guide Jin Hyun, who knew nothing of martial arts, all the way here? Doesn't that make you a true master?"
"Oh, come on~. What have I even done? It was all Jin Hyun on his own. I only gave a word or two of advice."
That's not true.
Even just what I'd learned from Yu Ye-ryeon so far was enough to qualify her as a master. And if she wanted, I could take her as one.
The only reason we didn't have a formal master-disciple relationship was because she'd flatly refused to take me as her disciple.
Just as I was about to speak up, pain shot through my head. Her stroking hand had tightened.
Is that a sign not to butt in?
"Some people could gain a great deal from that advice. Doesn't that make it a master-disciple bond...?"
"Oh? Sounds like you want to treat me as Jin Hyun's master."
"I just want to know the facts."
"Then why not ask Jin Hyun? Jin Hyun, what do you think?"
"If Sword Heaven says you're not my master, then you're not."
She's the one teaching, so what could I say? I'd just go along with it.
Satisfied with my answer, Yu Ye-ryeon ruffled my hair wildly again.
"Aww, right? Right?"
"...I see."
Unlike the pleased Yu Ye-ryeon, Namgung Hye seemed thoroughly dissatisfied.
But that lasted only a moment. She flashed a bright smile and bowed at the waist.
"In any case, I shouldn't interrupt your reunion. I'll take my leave for today."
"What a shame. Would've been nice to eat together. Right, Jin Hyun?"
"Yes, it would... but..."
"Nah, I've got some things to take care of anyway."
"Alright, can't be helped then. Take care~."
Then you didn't need to come all the way here with us.
Before I could bring up what happened earlier, Yu Ye-ryeon waved her off. Namgung Hye gave a slight bow in return and departed.
"Hmmm..."
"What's wrong?"
As soon as Namgung Hye was out of sight, the smile vanished from Yu Ye-ryeon's lips. She spun toward me with a sharp glare.
Stung by the look, I asked, and she lowered her hand to grab my cheeks, stretching them out.
It hurt.
But since it had been so long, it felt oddly nostalgic too.
"It's nothing!"
Then let go of my cheeks, please.
She kept pulling until my cheeks turned red, finally releasing them once her mood seemed to improve.
As I rubbed my stinging cheeks, she dragged me inside to the largest, most ornate room and shoved me in.
"Food first?"
"Sure. But how did it go?"
"Ta-da."
She pulled a small box from her bag. Opening it released a pleasant aroma that quickly filled the room.
"Summoning Pill. It was definitely there."
The Summoning Pill—one of the spirit medicines produced at Shaolin Temple. For those practicing Buddhist-style arts, it granted a substantial boost to inner power. Rare enough that wars had been fought over it.
"Don't let word get out you have it, or it'll be a hassle. Take it before we leave."
"Got it."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Soba noodles are fine."
"Alright? Order up!!"
Her clear call was answered immediately as the door opened. In came a prim-looking maid.
She bowed in greeting, and Yu Ye-ryeon casually ordered a bunch of dishes.
Soon, a feast arrived that could break a table. I glanced at Yu Ye-ryeon.
"I ordered soba noodles."
"Yeah. Try the rest and make what you can when we get home."
"Understood."
And so the meal began. As expected from a renowned place, every dish was delicious.
Some seemed tricky to replicate, but I figured out about half.
"Mmm. Excellent."
Yu Ye-ryeon looked pleased at my response. Watching her tear into a huge hunk of meat, I eyed the overflowing table.
Even if we stuffed ourselves, plenty would be left.
"Such a waste."
"Leftovers go to the beggars. Oh, look over there."
Yu Ye-ryeon pointed out the window. Sure enough, a beggar hastily hid himself.
"I saw your hair! Come out!"
Was it her shout? Moments later, a middle-aged beggar shuffled out sheepishly. Then, in a blink, he vanished.
"Can't fool Sword Heaven's eyes."
When did he get in?
The middle-aged beggar, now seated in a corner of the room by the open window, waved in greeting.
Incredible lightness skill and footwork.
Yet he showed no pride in it, and Yu Ye-ryeon seemed unimpressed.
The martial world is vast. So many experts.
I need to train harder.
"Who're you trying to fool? So, why? Why are you tailing me?"
"How could any beggar ignore Sword Heaven showing up in Hapbi? Anyone could tell you and Sword Saint don't get along."
"That's it?"
"...And I was curious about Namgung Family's precious guest."
"Might as well fool a ghost," he grumbled, shaking his head before pointing at me. He looked me up and down, then jabbed at the food in front of me.
"If you're not eating that, mind if I do?"
"Go ahead."
"Whew~. Man, the beggars are feasting today."
"Why were you investigating me?"
"Had to, didn't I? You freed Namgung Family's treasure from heart demons, and you're Sword Heaven's disciple..."
"Not a disciple."
"...Sword Heaven's personal chef. Plus, you took down one of the Sichuan Three Demons?"
Taking down Gil Jeong of the Sichuan Three Demons happened in Jinhyu. I hadn't expected the news to reach Hapbi.
I nodded slightly, and he smirked, tapping the table as he continued.
"The unorthodox sects are wary. Or more precisely, Heavenly Martial Hall? You planning to join them?"
"No."
"Right. Anyone who dives into the martial world should visit Heavenly Martial Hall at least once... Huh?"
"I'm not going. To Heavenly Martial Hall."
"Why?! Every young expert your age is dying to get in!"
My answer shocked him. He gawked at me and Yu Ye-ryeon in turn. She chuckled and mussed my hair again.
"What's the point? They wouldn't teach him properly anyway."
"Oh... So Sword Heaven's finally taken a disciple...?"
"Not a disciple, I said."
"What? Not a disciple, not talented enough for Heavenly Martial Hall. Then why keep him around?"
"Why not? He cooks. Chops firewood at home. Does all sorts of things. Jin Hyun's got so much on his plate."
True enough. I'm hardly idle at Sword Heaven's place.
Wonder if Hina's eating properly these days. Need to get back soon.
"Huh. You're a mystery. And you're okay with that?"
"It's not bad."
I nodded while sipping tea, and he shook his head in disbelief.
With a deep sigh, he pointed at the leftovers.
"Not eating those? Can I take them?"
"Take them if you want, but don't you think just taking them is a bit much?"
He scowled, crossing his arms. His eyes flicked to the food repeatedly before he sighed and plopped onto the floor.
"Fine. Ask what you want."
"Any strange happenings in the martial world lately?"
Yu Ye-ryeon's question matched what I wanted to ask. Strange events in the martial world—clearly referring to the Blood Cult's movements.
"Strange... You mean demon beasts moving in unnatural groups? Or people vanishing without a trace? Or maybe..."
He paused, then his eyes gleamed.
"The emergence of a bizarre cult?"
A bizarre cult. Traces of the Blood Cult.
I nodded, and he shrugged before continuing.
"Rumors of a creepy cult popping up in the west and south. Especially Sichuan... They say a cannibal ghoul worshiping some strange god is devouring martial artists and expanding its forces."
A cannibal ghoul.
One of the Blood Cult's Guardian Hall protectors.
I clenched my fist under the table, and he pressed on with a serious face.
"At the request of the Martial Alliance and Four Black Alliances, Heavenly Martial Hall's sending investigators soon."
I bit my lip. Among that investigation team was someone whose death would shatter relations between the righteous and unorthodox factions.
If he died there, the Martial Alliance and Four Black Alliances would cross an irreversible river.
And the Blood Cult would exploit it to dig deeper into the martial world.
I have to stop it.
"Can't you stop them from going?"
"How do you stop Heavenly Martial Hall?"
He eyed me like I was odd. I bit my lip harder, and Yu Ye-ryeon patted my back before speaking.
"What if one of the Eight Great Heavens of the Nine Provinces went there?"
"What, that'd do it?"
"Yeah. Something about that place..."
She crossed her arms and spoke gravely.
"Feels off."
"That bad feeling—is it yours? Or your chef's here?"
The beggar's gaze sharpened. Exchanging looks with him, Yu Ye-ryeon gripped my shoulder casually.
"His instincts are my instincts."