Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The Value of a Word - 6
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Meeting the gazes of the Crimson Star Sect disciples, I shrugged my shoulders. Right now, what mattered wasn't my relationship with Chaejin.
"That said, I didn't expect so many from the Crimson Star Sect to show up."
"Island Flower Village is under the Crimson Star Sect's protection, after all."
Ryuhyeon spoke calmly, glancing subtly at Chaejin. Even under her sharp gaze, Chaejin remained utterly composed.
"The Earth Dog's appearance might mean a Demon Tiger is planning to attack the village. You know what a Demon Tiger is, right?"
"Of course I do. And that it's a dangerous beast."
"So, for the time being, we're planning to send disciples from the Crimson Star Sect to help with patrols."
"That's truly appreciated. Then..."
Even though Demon Tigers were powerful beasts, to an expert like Chaejin, they were nothing more than easy prey.
Which meant the emergence of competitors must be quite irritating for her.
I watched her seriously scanning the surroundings, searching for more traces of the Earth Dog and Demon Tiger. Perhaps sensing my gaze, she lifted her head and asked to resolve her curiosity.
"Do you have something to say?"
"No. If you don't want the bounty snatched away, you'd better keep moving."
"The bounty? Ah... Well, sure, but..."
Chaejin smirked with an arrogant expression.
"More people who can fight means less damage. And I'll be the star of this show, so what's there to worry about? Heh heh."
As if to prove she hadn't won her senior disciple position by luck, Chaejin spoke in a confident tone.
But her voice must have been a bit too loud.
I could see the Crimson Star Sect side reacting—especially Ryuhyeon's face souring.
"I should let the Crimson Star Sect know this too. An Earth Dog showing up means a Demon Tiger's nearby. And this whole area is my territory. If you catch the Demon Tiger, I'll give the Crimson Star Sect the bounty as well."
"A bounty? How much...?"
"Two gold nyang."
In an instant, Ryuhyeon's eyes widened, and Sayoon's went round. Their gazes toward Chaejin had been wary before, but now they looked outright hostile.
Two gold nyang.
Definitely an amount too tempting to pass up.
"But let's not fight each other over it."
The competitive atmosphere seemed ready to boil over. So I cut it off firmly, and only then did Chaejin and the Crimson Star Sect side, who had been glaring at each other, calm down.
The investigation wrapped up roughly. While Ryuhyeon seriously discussed things with the officials and Chaejin closed her eyes in thought...
"Um... Innkeeper."
A voice tickling my ear reached me.
I turned my head slightly, and there stood Sayoon, fidgeting and looking up at me.
"What's up?"
"Senior Sister Ryuhyeon said... the beast appearing on the outskirts might be a diversion."
"A diversion, huh..."
Well, it wasn't impossible. Even in Celestial Moon, there were controllers who manipulated beasts.
And seeing traces of a Demon Tiger coming close then turning back made it hard to dismiss the possibility.
"So, we're joining the village patrols, and also planning to guard important people."
"Oh ho. And?"
Important people in Island Flower Village.
First would be the county magistrate, head of the local government.
Then the village chief, and finally, a local notable like me.
"The Crimson Star Sect plans to take turns guarding you. Is that okay?"
What?
How could I refuse that!
Sayoon might even come!
I nearly shouted "Hell yes!" but held back, composed myself, and nodded.
"I'd be grateful."
"Hee hee. Thanks for cooperating. I'll go tell Senior Sister Ryuhyeon."
She seemed delighted by my permission. Sayoon beamed and turned away. As she trotted over and said something to Ryuhyeon, the senior sister gave me a light fist-and-palm salute in my direction.
I should be the one thanking them.
"Hmmm... Guess I'm on guard duty too."
Hearing Sayoon, Chaejin approached with a sullen look. I shrugged at her.
"Can you search for the Demon Tiger while guarding me?"
"Officials can't handle a Demon Tiger anyway, right? That's why I brought this."
What emerged from Chaejin's sleeve was a signal flare. A type of firecracker using gunpowder that made a loud noise and bright light.
But why did she even have this?
"I'm the senior disciple of Full Moon Pavilion."
"The government limits the amount of gunpowder permitted to Full Moon Pavilion. You're going to use this? Is that even allowed?"
"What's the big deal? It's for times like this. Can't sell it anyway."
True enough. The imperial family strictly controlled gunpowder.
Even in Celestial Moon, you had to hand it over to the authorities if you found any.
Of course, they'd reward you with elixirs, medicines, or fine clothes depending on the amount.
"When it goes off, I'll use lightness skill to head straight there."
Was this clever or cunning?
As I stared at her blankly, she caught the meaning in my gaze. Smiling slyly, she grabbed my arm lightly.
"Alright! Shall we head back? VIP?!"
"Hm?"
What was that?
Chaejin's eyes seemed to sparkle mischievously.
Just my imagination?
"Time for your Subtle Taiji Fist training! They might have heard, but you need to protect yourself in case of emergency. So I'll teach you properly!"
Chaejin's eyes were quite sincere.
...Looks like I'm in for some hardship for a while.
Back at the inn, as soon as the lunch rush ended and rest time began, Chaejin dragged me to the backyard.
I had a few things to tidy up, but she pulled me out like this.
"Jeez. So pushy."
"You know what they say? Miss a day of martial arts training, and you're three days behind. I guided you through the Subtle Taiji Fist's form yesterday, but you haven't fully internalized it yet, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"So what's the point? Get ready."
Chaejin extended her hand. In that moment, objects in the yard were pushed to the walls, clearing space.
Air-grasping control. A harmony of qi that only those beyond first-rate could do casually—and she made it look effortless. She really was strong.
"Tch."
She wasn't wrong. Martial arts regressed if unused.
In Celestial Moon too, skills decayed without practice, so I quickly assumed position.
Standing beside me, Chaejin extended both hands: left down symbolizing yin, right up for yang.
It started with the left hand. As if proving light born from darkness, the left hand slowly formed a domain.
At the same time, my body was gripped by an intangible force.
"Ugh..."
"Accept the flow. Time's short, so it'll be forceful—bear with it. This is fastest. Grasp the essence later."
Her left hand flowed gracefully. Matching it, I moved my left hand too.
A light spin.
As the extended hand enveloped the domain, her right hand subtly advanced, infusing yang into the yin-tinged space.
"All things form from yin and yang. They're inseparable, cycling destruction and creation."
-Bwooom...!!
The domains divided. The resulting clash of inner energy stirred a small wind.
Within it, I moved left and right hands, and slowly, Chaejin and I faced each other.
Left foot creates domain, right twists it.
"Extremes repel, yet mean union."
-Shuuuk!!
My hand thrust toward Chaejin's head. She casually deflected it with a hand motion.
Before my arm through empty air could return, Chaejin spun. Her back touched my chest, and I stepped back several paces, resetting stance.
But Chaejin didn't stop.
"This is Taiji."
A very light hand flick sent my body airborne. But no impact on landing—her right foot lightly supported me.
Smiling, Chaejin who had caught me with her foot kicked lightly, sending me flying again.
"Ugh."
Spinning midair under coercive force, I extended my right hand.
Chaejin's left hand caught it. Lightly pulling, she reversed positions—now my back to her chest.
I pushed back with my back as she had, and when Chaejin retreated a few steps and extended her hand, I grabbed and pulled her upward.
"The river flows vast, its power immense. Yet taming it needs no great strength. Remember 'with form or without, power yields.' Will alone suffices."
Not using much force, Chaejin soared into the air. Spinning several times midair, her skirt fluttered.
"The softness from extremes can shift a mighty river's force. This is Flowing Illusion Form. Remember: name and core principle of Subtle Taiji Fist's first technique."
"Ugh... Tough."
"Master it fully, and you'll glimpse secrets of Four Liang Breaking a Thousand Jun and Flower Amidst Willow. Essential for you, Innkeeper, with low inner energy..."
-Bwooom!!
Landing, she extended her long leg. Blocking the kick with my hand, I retreated as her attacks intensified pressingly.
The force on my body grew stronger.
"As lotus blooms from mud, truth from hardship..."
Pain leaves marks on flesh, forcing the form into memory.
Her long leg, soft and swift targeting my head, suddenly swept low, tapping my ankle. I tumbled to the ground.
"Through this, know softness."
I'll be sore before I get it.
After training long on the first form of Subtle Taiji Fist, Chaejin finally eased the pressure.
"You okay?"
"Mm. This much is fine."
"Good. Then..."
She cracked her knuckles, spreading ten fingers.
"Ten more times!"
"...For real, ten?"
"Yes! Ten!"
Night fell, and as promised, people from the Crimson Star Sect arrived for guard duty.
Sayoon and Yuhee.
God exists.
"Tonight we have to stay near the Innkeeper... Is that alright?"
"Of course."
"Phew, good. But your face looks rough... Hurt anywhere?"
"...Instructor was a bit forceful."
To show true rote learning, Chaejin unleashed Flowing Illusion Form dozens of times before releasing me.
No need to understand with head!
Body will remember!
Her beaming words as I panted after the seventeenth came to mind.
But she said ten—why so many?
I hoped the familiar trainer vibe from that stranger was just imagination.
As I smiled weakly, Sayoon awkwardly beamed back and headed to the backyard with Yuhee.
Why? Rooms available inside?
While I puzzled, they spread large windbreaker mats and old sleeping bags in the yard.
"What're you doing?"
"Gonna sleep here. Your room's up there, right?"
"Yeah...?"
The window she pointed to was indeed mine. I nodded, and she patted the sleeping bag matter-of-factly.
"I'm used to camping. And I'll train before bed... Senior Sister Yuhee's fine too, right?"
"Of course."
Even if trouble hit, they'd see from here, and scaling walls was no big deal, so no worries—Sayoon smiled brightly.
"Why not just sleep in a room?"
"No! No! Can't do that! I'm here to guard, not vacation at the inn!"
Wow.
What to call this?
Guilt tugged at my heart.
Those guys... what grudge against such a kind, responsible girl...
"N-Night's chilly. Want me to light a fire?"
"Hee hee. It's fine."
Proudly, Sayoon gathered brought branches. Holding flint, she declared confidently.
"I've done this loads!"
Seeing the young girl boast of her camping experience, I secretly wiped a tear.