Chapter 31: The Pursuit and the Encounter
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31: The Pursuit and the Encounter
He was different.
He wasn't some fool shouting about the family's honor, nor was he a madman obsessed with gaining power through sheer tenacity.
He was just a man who lived life as it flowed.
Even when he first became her disciple, he hadn't shown much excitement. He was incredibly arrogant, too—the kind of brat who talked back to his master, who should have been as distant as the heavens, at every single turn.
- What are you looking at?
- Haha, can’t you tell by looking? I’m looking at the sky.
He would spout nonsense like some wandering Taoist, so she had to crack his skull a few times before he finally became somewhat obedient.
She found herself preoccupied with this disciple. He was a peculiar human being, unlike anyone she had ever met in her life.
He didn't try to impress her, nor did he aim for the top. He didn't strive to achieve anything, and he didn't covet anything. He simply practiced his martial arts silently by her side.
- Why are you learning martial arts?
- You’re asking because you don’t know? I’m learning because you’re making me, Master.
She had made him limp for a while after that answer.
And so, two years passed in his company. Their time as master and disciple, which felt like it would last forever, came to an abrupt end one day.
- Open your eyes! Open your eyes!
- Ah... it hurts. I thought I’d gotten used to the pain by now.
The mark of a sword had pierced his chest. She could do nothing but watch as dark red blood surged rhythmically from the wound.
- Master. Ah... Master.
- Don't speak! Steady your breath and gather your internal energy! Hurry!
- It’s too late. My dantian has already been destroyed.
- Ah...
His dantian was completely empty. Upon confirming this, she let out a cry filled with despair.
- Don't cry, Master.
The disciple reached out with his fingertips to wipe away her tears. Even as the flame of his life flickered out, he spoke with a bright smile.
- Master, we will meet again someday.
*
"......"
The Heavenly Demon woke from her slumber, her back damp with cold sweat.
Was it because of the painting she had been hugging while she slept? She pushed the scroll aside and cleared her throat.
"Are you outside?"
"Yes, yes, Sect Leader."
Yeonhwa, the young servant from lunch, approached with hurried steps.
"Are you on duty today? What did you say your name was?"
"It is Yeonhwa, my Lady."
"Right. What time is it?"
"It is the hour of the Ox."
"I cannot sleep. Bring me some light refreshments."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
A moment later, a stiff and nervous Yeonhwa returned, moving like a mechanical doll as she brought the snacks.
"You, sit here as well."
The Heavenly Demon called out to the maid, who was about to turn and leave.
"Pardon? But..."
"Must I repeat myself?"
"......"
The Heavenly Demon nibbled on a sugar-glazed confection and took a sip of tea. Yeonhwa, unsure of how to act in such a situation, shifted restlessly but couldn't bring herself to do anything specific.
"Do you want some too?"
The Heavenly Demon asked, noticing the girl staring blankly at her hand.
"H-how could I? That is your food, Sect Leader."
"It is my food, so it is my prerogative to give it to you. Eat. If you don't, I shall personally shove it down your throat."
"I... I will eat it gratefully."
With trembling hands, Yeonhwa picked up a sweet, turned her head away, and popped it into her mouth. A delicate sweetness spread across her tongue.
"Now then, let us talk. What would be a good topic?"
When the Heavenly Demon spoke with an air of 'Hurry up and tell me something interesting,' Yeonhwa’s eyes darted around as she searched for a subject.
Finding the sight amusing, the Heavenly Demon watched her for a moment before speaking first.
"Never mind. I shall start the conversation; you just listen. I will tell you about my disciple."
"Your disciple, Sect Leader?"
"Yes. A story about a very foolish disciple."
Even as she said those words, a faint smile played on her lips. Yeonhwa had the blasphemous thought that the Sect Leader’s expression looked like the smile of a pure maiden in love.
*
Faint moonlight illuminated the room through the window.
"......"
Namgung So-yeon woke up and glanced at the scenery outside before looking at the bed on the opposite side.
"Zzzzzzzzz—snort!"
In-ho was sprawled out, snoring thunderously. He seemed to be in such a deep sleep that he even scratched his belly vigorously every now and then.
She didn't find the sight pathetic or undignified. Rather, she found it to be a peculiar charm that drew her gaze.
Like a cat watching a strange new toy, she observed him with wide, curious eyes. Every man she had met until now had been a martial artist—people who chanted 'righteousness,' 'chivalry,' and 'loyalty' like a mantra. They were so prideful that they would engage in life-or-death duels over the smallest slights.
She thought such behavior was foolish.
In that sense, In-ho was fascinating to her. He didn't seem to be a martial artist, yet his body was reasonably well-trained. He seemed to have lived a rough life, yet he occasionally displayed signs of deep erudition. He was a man shrouded in mystery.
"He’s an interesting person."
For what reason had he been captured by the Demonic Sect? Could he be the precious son of some noble family? She found herself wondering.
That was why she had suggested the Murim Alliance. There would be many ways to help him there. However, it was also true that she was worried.
‘If the Demonic Sect is pursuing Young Master Kang...’
There were no signs of pursuit yet, but it would be troublesome if someone were sent after him. Protecting an ordinary person who knew no martial arts while traveling all the way to the Murim Alliance was a difficult task, even for her.
‘I must make sure we travel as inconspicuously as possible.’
Hoping for a smooth journey ahead, she lay back down and tried to sleep.
"Snork... hrrrk... wheeze—!"
‘...Actually, this might get a bit annoying.’
Cruelly, the night was long.
*
"Hmm..."
"Is something wrong?"
Despite having slept deeply, my body felt heavy and stiff. My head was throbbing slightly, and I felt a bit feverish, as if I were coming down with a cold. Well, I suppose I have been overworking myself lately.
"No, I'm fine."
"I see. Please let me know if you feel unwell."
Knowing full well that I had already delayed her enough, I decided to endure it as much as I could.
We were currently crossing a mountain pass. Unlike the wide roads we had been taking, today’s path was secluded. The only people we had encountered so far were two peddlers. The summer sun beat down mercilessly, and sweat poured off me like rain.
Wait, isn't this a bit too much sweat for just the heat? I felt like my vision was blurring slightly at the edges.
"Hold it right there."
A gruff voice rang out, and three or four men blocked our path.
Oh, come on. This is such a cliché entrance.
"Is there a problem?"
When Namgung So-yeon questioned the man at the front, he let out a boisterous laugh.
"Do you dare try to cross this pass without showing any sincerity to Lord Chae-gang, the master of this mountain?"
"Young Lady, I think they’re bandits."
"Yes, it certainly seems that way, doesn't it?"
When I whispered to her, she replied as casually as if she had spotted a butterfly on the road. Honestly, I wasn't that scared. Although I hadn't seen her full strength, Namgung So-yeon was the person who had charged into the Demonic Sect alone to assassinate the Heavenly Demon.
With her as my companion, was there any need to be afraid? Or perhaps I had just become indifferent to death.
"I don't want to make a scene. Could you just let us pass?"
When Namgung So-yeon spoke to them with a bright smile, the group erupted in laughter.
"Hahaha! Some brat who learned a bit of martial arts at a local dojo doesn't know her place!"
"Kill the man immediately. We’ll use the wench to nourish our bodies."
Those were their final words.
*
If one were to ask who in the Black Sky Cult was most skilled in infiltration, assassination, and tracking—excluding the Heavenly Demon—everyone would point to the Spirit Demon.
Countless masters of the Murim had lost their lives at her hands, and eighty percent of them had died without even realizing they were being targeted. The reason the Orthodox Sect feared her was that no matter where someone hid, she would inevitably find them. Even if a high-profile target was moved in total secrecy, they would be discovered in less than half an hour. If guards were posted, the target would become a cold corpse within two days.
To be tracked by her was synonymous with death; some even said it was better to seek her out and beg for mercy.
For someone like her, following the trail left by In-ho was child's play.
Having tracked them all the way to Sichuan, the Spirit Demon gave a few coins to an inn waiter, learned which direction they had headed, and immediately followed. As if to prove her promise to the Heavenly Demon wasn't mere bluster, she had closed the distance enough to grab Namgung So-yeon and In-ho by the scruffs of their necks.
"Hmm..."
Unlike the clear tracks on the wide, flat roads, today’s trail was intermittently erased and left on secluded paths.
"I expected there to be someone skilled in the group... but to this extent?"
This was clearly the work of someone anticipating pursuit. She noted that she would have to be careful if they came to blows.
As she sped further down the path, the metallic scent of blood hit her nose.
"Bandits? They were handled cleanly."
There was only a single sword wound on each of the fallen bandits. With wounds this precise, there wouldn't have even been blood on the blade.
"About an hour ago."
She muttered after inserting a finger into a wound to check the temperature. Taking a deep breath, she circulated her internal energy and kicked off the ground with a powerful stride.
*
"Young Master Kang! Pull yourself together."
Namgung So-yeon was walking with In-ho on her back.
After she had dealt with the bandits and turned around, she had found In-ho collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. Since he was drenched in sweat and clearly in poor condition, she had hoisted him onto her back and started running toward the nearest physician.
‘Oh no, he must have overexerted himself. If only I hadn't rushed him...’
Feeling a pang of responsibility, she tried to move even faster when her senses suddenly tingled.
"......"
She lowered In-ho into the shade of a tree and drew her sword.
Sring—
A clear ring echoed from the blade as she pointed it toward a dense thicket.
"Come out."
"......"
Eventually, a woman with short black hair emerged from the bushes.
"The Spirit Demon...!"
As Namgung So-yeon muttered the name, the Spirit Demon responded to the greeting with her usual stoic expression.
"It has been a long time, Thunder Sword."