Chapter 30: A World of Martial Arts and Chivalry-4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 30: A World of Martial Arts and Chivalry-4
"Haa... It is not enough. Not nearly enough."
A map of blood was etched across the execution grounds. It had taken less than ten minutes to punish the thirty-odd sinners.
Considering her realm, it was an incredibly long time. She had dismantled them, one by one, with meticulous care.
During those ten minutes of punishment, everyone witnessing the scene at the execution ground kept their heads bowed low, thinking to themselves:
I am so incredibly lucky I wasn't the one up there.
They knew all too well how terrifying the woman who reigned as their Sect Leader truly was.
Thus, what would happen to those who offended her was as predictable as a fire set to an autumn field.
The reason people gathered under such an arrogant, cruel, and capricious woman was because her martial arts were just that peerless.
"Spirit Demon, how many days will it take to track the trail?"
And also because there were those who owed her a debt of gratitude.
"I can catch up in about three days."
"I will give you two. If the person you are tracking is the same as the one in this drawing, you must bring him before me intact. Do not harm a single hair on his head."
In that sense, Spirit Demon would have taken the head of the Murim Alliance Leader himself if the Heavenly Demon commanded it.
"I will not disappoint you."
"Indeed, you have never disappointed me. Go."
The woman called Spirit Demon vanished, her black bob-cut fluttering in the wind.
"......"
The Heavenly Demon scanned the execution ground, now littered with fresh blood and chunks of flesh.
The Chief Steward and the members of the Cult standing behind her didn't dare move, fearing they might draw her ire. They kept all their senses focused on her next move.
"I must rest. I have traveled from Yunnan to here without pause."
"Yes. I shall have the servants prepare your bedroom immediately."
"Very well. I shall be in my disciple's quarters."
"Shall I accompany you?"
"There is no need. I wish to be alone."
"Understood. Once the bedroom is ready, I shall come to the Palace of Sacrifice to escort you."
The Chief Steward bowed deeply with a cupped-hand salute and quickly left the execution ground, followed by dozens of attendants.
*
Yeonhwa, a servant preparing the Heavenly Demon’s bedroom, had joined the Cult less than a month ago.
"...I'm curious about something. Why is the Palace of Sacrifice called that? Did the Sect Leader have a disciple?"
The members of the Cult usually doted on the newcomer Yeonhwa like a youngest sister, but this time, they rebuked her with stern faces.
"Hush! That kind of talk will get you killed. You shouldn't speak lightly of anything related to the Palace of Sacrifice."
"Eh... Is that so? But the Chief Steward says it."
"It’s not that you can't say the name at all. It’s that if you slip up while talking about it, you'll be in deep trouble."
When they spoke with such gravity, Yeonhwa shrank back and replied.
"I see. I was just curious."
"Well, even I don't know the full story... but word is that there was a disciple before our Black Sky Cult was even established, and they passed away for some reason."
"Aha... Do you know why they died...?"
"I don't know that either. Regardless, we aren't supposed to bring up that name carelessly. Just look at today. Dozens of corpses were cleared away."
Yeonhwa had fortunately been spared the sight of the gruesome scene at the execution ground, but seeing the pale faces of her seniors, she guessed it must have been a horrific spectacle.
With that, the servants focused on tidying the room. As they were finishing up, Yeonhwa spoke again.
"The Sect Leader must have really cherished her disciple. That's why she built the Palace of Sacrifice to honor them."
"......"
She polished the bed frame with a cloth as she continued.
"And they must have been a wonderful person, just like the Sect Leader, right? They say a disciple takes after their master. The Sect Leader saved me from being sold as a rich man's toy. I'm sure the disciple was a great person too."
"......"
"Aww, come on. It’s so awkward with only me talking. Give me some kind of reaction..."
Embarrassed that no one was responding, Yeonhwa turned around.
"Indeed, perhaps I should have given you a reaction."
There stood the Sect Leader, positioned in the middle of the other servants who were all prostrating themselves with their heads to the floor.
"S-Sect Leader!!"
Realizing the situation too late, Yeonhwa threw herself down.
O-Oh no.
Her big mouth had done it again.
The blood drained from her face, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.
"Why are you so startled? Do you think I'm going to eat you?"
With a deep smile, the Sect Leader slowly approached her.
"I-I am sorry!"
As the footsteps drew closer, Yeonhwa bowed her head even lower.
"Lift your head."
An index finger tilted Yeonhwa’s chin up.
Jet-black hair tied back, eyes like polished rubies.
Seeing her own reflection in those red eyes, Yeonhwa felt as if her breath had stopped.
"The room seems very well-prepared."
After staring at Yeonhwa’s face for a moment, the Sect Leader scanned her bedroom and smiled with satisfaction.
"You may leave now."
At her words, the prostrating servants stood up hesitantly, offered their respects, and began to file out of the bedroom.
"Ah, tell the Chief Steward to show some appreciation to those of you who cleaned the room today."
"S-Sect Leader?"
"And tell him to give this cute child a little extra."
She patted Yeonhwa’s head twice and then gave her a gentle nudge toward the other servants.
"Go on. I intend to sleep now."
"Y-Yes!"
As the Heavenly Demon began to remove her outer robe, the servants scrambled out of the room.
Once they were gone, the lightly dressed Heavenly Demon leaned against the bed and looked at a painting the Chief Steward had brought.
"Was what that Wudang Sect bastard said before I burned him to death actually true?"
— Heavenly Demon, if you were to find the treasure you lost, would you stop this destruction?
Was the cry of that man as he burned in black flames actually a prophecy?
"I do not know."
Part of her wanted to track it down herself and uncover the truth, but great expectations often lead to great disappointment.
If what she found at the end of the trail wasn't the answer she wanted...
If the Heart Demon within her grew even stronger because of it...
"Then, even burning the entire world would not calm me."
That was why she had sent Spirit Demon.
Two days. In two days, Spirit Demon would bring her the answer.
"I miss you. In-ho."
Stroking the painting, the Heavenly Demon murmured lonely to herself.
It was a sight no one would imagine from the woman who had slaughtered over thirty people just today.
*
"Whoa~ It's Sichuan."
That’s right. I’m in Sichuan now. The Sichuan of Sichuan Jajangmyeon.
Even though we switched between walking and taking carriages, covering such a vast distance in a short time had left me exhausted.
My body felt stiff and heavy... I think I’ll sleep like a log tonight.
"Now then, let's go fill our stomachs~"
Namgung So-yeon, seemingly tireless, grabbed my hand and led me into an inn.
"Welcome! Table for two?"
A cheerful woman greeted us, and Namgung So-yeon flashed a V-sign.
We sat down at a suitable spot, and soon, two plates of Mapo Tofu (I didn't know the menu anyway) that Namgung So-yeon ordered were placed before us.
"Thanks for the food."
Since I didn't have a single cent to my name, she waved her hand as if it were nothing.
"Don't mention it. Helping those in need is a virtue every martial artist should uphold."
"I see."
I nodded vaguely at her words and took a bite of the Mapo Tofu.
"......"
"Young Master Kang, what's wrong?"
Spicy.
It’s so damn spicy.
"Cough, cough! Is all Sichuan food this spicy?"
I even started coughing.
"Hmm... It tastes just right to me. I guess it was too spicy for you, Young Master Kang."
"I'm a bit of a spice-wimp."
"A spice-wimp?"
"...Just think of it as someone who's weak against spicy food."
"Oho..."
I ended up in an unplanned battle with the Mapo Tofu. It was only after consuming water and tofu in almost equal proportions that the stinging sensation in my mouth began to subside.
As I finished my combative meal, I realized Namgung So-yeon, who had already scraped her plate clean, was staring at me intently.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No. I just think you're different from other people I've met, Young Master Kang."
"In what way?"
"Well, for example, when eating spicy food like this, some people pretend to handle it well out of stubbornness."
"That's just foolish. What's the point of being good at eating spicy food?"
"I agree. Perhaps they just don't want to admit there's something they can't do?"
"Humans aren't omnipotent; there's bound to be at least one thing they're bad at. Pretending to be perfect? That's just posturing."
"Heee~"
Letting out an exclamation like something out of a Japanese drama, she looked me up and down. Feeling awkward, I turned my gaze away.
"We're staying at this inn, right?"
"Of course. It's already late. I booked the room earlier."
"Oh, then tell me where my room is."
"You're in the same room as me."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't have an infinite supply of money, you know. I have to save on travel expenses to reach the Murim Alliance."
"Still, there should be a distinction between men and women. Aren't you worried, Young Lady Namgung?"
"Oh please, how could a weakling like you possibly harm me?"
She wasn't wrong, but it still stung.
Humble-bragging brat.