Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Surface - 2
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As Kwon Hwang returned from scouting the surroundings, signaling the end of the crisis, the soldiers approached me and Joo Yuri with cheers of joy.
In truth, he was the one who had repelled them all, but his otherworldly strength must have intimidated them—they couldn't bring themselves to get close.
After listening to their grateful thanks, we headed back to the inn. I turned to Joo Yuri, who was grinning right in front of me.
"By the way, what did you mean by 'make it fun'? No boasting here, but I'm not exactly the entertaining type."
Of course, Yu Ye-ryeon always cracked a smile whenever she saw me.
But that was just because she was so naturally cheerful—it wasn't like I was doing anything particularly amusing.
"If you're that worried about it, how about we spar steadily along the way?"
"Sounds good."
"And since we're at it, one more favor. Would you come with me to the Tang Family?"
"Not a problem."
It was exactly what I had hoped for, too.
The new poison the Tang Family currently possessed was most likely crafted by a Blood Cult protector.
As such, I wanted to hear from them firsthand where they'd obtained it—and what exactly had happened in the process.
Who knew? That clue might lead me straight to another Blood Cult protector.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"It's nothing."
Especially since Kwon Hwang was traveling with me.
From his perspective, the Blood Cult were traitors bent on toppling the nation and slaughtering the emperor's loyal subjects—the people. In other words, scum who deserved nothing less than extermination.
We shared the same goal, so perhaps we could even weaken the Blood Cult's forces right here.
"Then it's settled—we're traveling together... Ah, come to think of it, how old are you? We look about the same age... and since we'll be journeying ahead, let's drop the formalities."
"Sure? Then you do the same."
"I'm just more comfortable with polite speech. Go casual, and I end up treating people too roughly."
She shook her head slowly, her demure demeanor accompanied by a pure, innocent smile.
If that's what felt right to her, there was nothing to be done.
"Then I'll call you Jin Hyun casually. Feel free to call me Yuri the same way."
"Got it."
Just as we wrapped up our conversation, the innkeeper emerged with the food. Quite a few dishes were ones we hadn't ordered. When I shot him a questioning look, he let out a hearty guffaw.
"This is our thanks to the heroes who saved the village!"
"There's too much..."
"Hahaha! Eat up!!"
With that, he bustled back inside. The table was laden with dishes that looked utterly mouthwatering.
Kwon Hwang stared at them blankly for a moment before silently picking up his chopsticks. We followed suit, digging in without any hesitation.
"By the way, what were those guys earlier?"
"Bandits known as the Dead Ones."
"Hmm. Bandits, huh. Pretty skilled for common thieves."
Skilled or not, they'd been utterly demolished by his hand.
But he wasn't wrong. Their movements were far too polished for your average bandits.
Especially the shields. Martial artists rarely used them. Shield users were typically those versed in specialized techniques or...
"Armies make heavy use of shields like that."
"True enough... Rebels, perhaps?"
Killing intent flickered in Kwon Hwang's eyes, but I had nothing to add.
It wasn't covered in the novel, after all—no commentary to give.
"There are rumors floating around the evil factions that rebels are gathering in Sichuan."
"Tell me the details."
"Details are scarce... It's just idle talk in the underworld. Folks dissatisfied with the current imperial court are supposedly flocking to Sichuan. Nothing solid to back it up."
Kwon Hwang's expression darkened as Joo Yuri explained.
Made sense. For a minister utterly devoted to the imperial family, rumors of malcontents banding together had to sting.
"I figured this was a simple investigation, but one dangerous mess after another keeps cropping up. Man-eaters, novel poisons, now rebels... Just what the hell is going on in Sichuan?"
I had no reply for Kwon Hwang's voice, thick with bitterness.
We spent the night in the village, and by dawn, we were ready to depart. Joo Yuri's group planned to travel with us, so we slipped out of the inn at the crack of dawn.
"Jin Hyun, aren't you riding?"
"Gotta train."
The horse-chasing drills were crucial enough that Yu Ye-ryeon had personally asked Cheon Si-jeok about them. No way was I passing up a chance to temper my body—I was doing it willingly.
"Jin Hyun's approach isn't wrong."
Joo Yuri glanced curiously at Kwon Hwang.
Cheon Si-jeok, who was loading luggage onto the horses, scanned us over before pointing a finger—right at my legs.
"Lightness skill is ultimately powered by the body. No amount of internal energy can make up for it if you're not used to running. The one who's drilled it will always outpace the novice."
"Oh. I had no idea..."
"You won't notice the gap at first. But stack it up over time, and the one with solid fundamentals dominates."
Long-term vision over immediate power?
I was surprised to catch Joo Yuri staring at me for so long. She fiddled with her lips atop her horse before nodding.
"Then, if I ran without lightness skill, would that help me too?"
"In general terms, yeah. Though any real expert knows this stuff. Didn't the Four Black Alliance Lord teach you?"
"Ahaha... He did stress body conditioning early on, but... it just wasn't fun..."
"Makes sense. It's a marathon training method. Anyone who finds it dull quits early."
Grinding pure basics day in, day out. Even veterans would get bored.
"Why didn't Father ever stop me from using lightness skill?"
She tilted her head, her stunning features turning even that puzzled smile into something ethereal.
Kwon Hwang showed no reaction whatsoever as he mounted up.
"If the Four Black Alliance Lord allowed it, he had his reasons. Now—run if you're running, or get on the horse."
After a moment's thought, Joo Yuri positioned herself beside me. Her maids and attendants watched worriedly, but she waved them off nonchalantly.
"You all ride."
"Understood."
Once the maids were mounted, Kwon Hwang seized the reins.
"Then we're off."
I watched as he and Joo Yuri's attendants sped away in an instant. Turning to Joo Yuri, who was lightly stretching at my side, I said,
"Let's get going."
"Yes!"
Unlike me, who was accustomed to running, Joo Yuri wasn't used to forgoing lightness skill. She flagged midway, exhausted at intervals.
Dragging her along meant we took longer than usual.
"We're a bit late."
"Sorry... My fault..."
Was she thinking she'd held me back? She apologized with a sullen pout. No real need for it.
"Hm. Yeah. Sit."
Kwon Hwang's face, with the campfire lit and camp set, wasn't a pleasant one.
And that only made Joo Yuri shrink her shoulders further.
"Not your fault. It's what that traveler said on the ride."
"What did you hear?"
"Word is, a lust demon's been prowling this region lately."
In a world built on erotic martial tales, one or two lust demons popping up wasn't earth-shattering.
But Kwon Hwang clearly wasn't about to brush it off.
"From the stories, it's the yin-absorption type. Even the hired experts fell to it. You know what yin absorption is?"
"Forcibly stealing a woman's yin energy to boost one's own yang—basically a suction art. But the internal energy gained that way is impure, so it lacks real power, from what I've heard..."
"True. But to ordinary folk? It's a nightmare. No different from vampires."
Fair point.
Martial artists rarely targeted civilians, but lust demons played by different rules. They'd stop at nothing for their goals—and some lost their minds to the methods entirely.
"Five martial artists have fallen already, not counting villagers. It's a detour, but I'm heading that way."
"I'll come along."
Blood Cult leads were pressing, but no reason to abandon the locals. Kwon Hwang nodded with a pleased smile at my response.
"Willing to protect the emperor's subjects? Thinking of taking an official post someday?"
Officials couldn't meddle freely in the martial world. Why else the saying "martial officials don't mix"?
Once Blood Cult matters wrapped up, I'd consider it. But not now.
So I just smiled in reply. Kwon Hwang looked quietly satisfied.
"What about you?"
"That son of a...!"
Her face flushed red as the curse nearly escaped—then her expression froze. What followed was a pure, gentle smile brimming with grace.
"Ohohoho! Lust demons—yin thieves—are enemies of all women. I absolutely can't let that slide!"
Was she about to say son of a bitch just now?!
Kwon Hwang and I stared at her. She averted her eyes.
Wow. That whole pure, demure act—a total facade?
Incredible.