Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Crossed Fates
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Yi Hwan took a sip of tea.
The sect leader and Myeong Seon, seated across from him, cautiously lifted their teacups to their lips.
Clink.
“The court will soon send support funds. I requested a generous amount, so use it to aid in the reconstruction.”
“Thank you, Great Prince. You’ve awakened this foolish me— I’ll never forget this grace until the day I die.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes we all have shortcomings. What matters is whether we acknowledge them and correct them. Even when someone points it out, it’s not easy to awaken to it. That’s why I hold you in high regard for immediately grasping my intent and reflecting on yourself.”
“Thank you, Great Prince.”
The sect leader’s eyes reddened. Perhaps it was the relief of finally laying down the burden he’d carried alone all this time.
“I’ll pass along any information we receive about the Dark Heaven Cult to Mount Hua right away. Until then, cooperate with the authorities to maintain security in the area.”
“I will.”
Yi Hwan gazed at Myeong Seon. Their eyes met, and Myeong Seon slightly bowed his head.
“You’re the Plum Blossom Hall Leader, right?”
“Yes, Great Prince.”
“Do you happen to know Song Hoe?”
“How do you know that friend, Great Prince?”
He’d asked because they were around the same age, and sure enough, he knew Song Hoe.
“He’s my deputy general. He’s currently commanding a unit in the Southern Legion and training diligently. I’ll let him know to visit his sect when the time comes.”
“Is he… doing well?”
“He’s doing more than well—overflowing with it.”
Waves surged in Myeong Seon’s eyes. It seemed their bond had been special.
The sect leader spoke up.
“I was too lacking when we were together. I worried greatly after he left the sect, but knowing he’s become a deputy general under you eases my mind at last.”
“I’ll convey your sentiments as well. Then I should be on my way.”
“Please stay a little longer.”
“I have much to do.”
Clink.
Yi Hwan set down his teacup and rose.
Stepping outside, he found his entourage waiting, prepared to depart.
The inspectors filling the training grounds bowed their heads toward Yi Hwan.
Rustle!
“I look forward to the day when the fragrance of plum blossoms fills all the world.”
A short while later, Yi Hwan departed.
The sect leader, Myeong Seon, and the sect elders saw him off at the sect gate, watching until he vanished from sight.
Whoosh!
The fierce snow began to taper off, and the sun rose.
Myeong Seon stared at the sun, unseen for days, a faint smile on his lips.
“I look forward to the day when the fragrance of plum blossoms fills all the world.”
Yi Hwan’s voice echoed like an illusion.
Resolve filled Myeong Seon’s eyes before he knew it.
‘From today, Mount Hua is reborn. We’ll uphold the Great Prince’s will and restore the sect to its former glory, standing tall in the realm through harmony with the court and righteousness.’
* * *
Yi Hwan headed straight for Hubei Province.
It was the closest point to Qin territory within Yeon Kingdom lands, bordering Anhui Province to the east—practically the front lines.
On a map, it even lay farther south than Qin’s Anhui territory, making it a hotbed for constant minor border skirmishes.
Some even said that if Yeon and Qin went to full-scale war, Hubei would inevitably be the spark. Be that as it may.
The weather was brilliantly clear.
The snow that hadn’t fully piled up melted under the sunlight, leaving the ground muddy but not enough to hinder the horses’ movement.
Yi Hwan relaxed, entrusting his body to his red horse’s gait as he leisurely took in the passing scenery.
But recalling the Dark Heaven Cult’s sudden emergence hardened his gaze.
‘To think the bandits were a front for the Dark Heaven Cult…’
This was no trifling matter.
The bandits of the day commanded a vast network even greater than the Beggar Clan’s, spanning the three kingdoms—no force to underestimate.
‘Those we killed by our hands possessed no small level of martial prowess. So how many experts must lurk in their main base at the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?’
The intel from Black Vanguard might be just the tip of the iceberg.
The problem was that their intelligence network in Qin was far weaker than in Zhao. Even Go Mi said their reach barely extended into the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
‘Once this is done, back home I’ll start by purging the Dark Heaven Cult operatives active within Yeon Kingdom.’
Yi Hwan exhaled softly.
Then Hwa Ryeong approached.
“I’m hungry.”
“Me too.”
Tae Seon chimed in.
“Already hungry?”
“Already? The sun’s about to set.”
“…”
Cheol Mu-ok asked.
“Just over that mountain, there’s a city. Shall we head there?”
“Let’s do that.”
* * *
Shanyang, at the southernmost tip of Shaanxi Province.
Two women entered the marketplace there as evening fell.
Unlike ordinary women, they wore their bamboo hats pulled low, making it hard to tell at a glance if they were men or women.
The inn they entered was on the outskirts of the marketplace.
“What will you have, miss?”
“Order what we usually eat. And a bottle of liquor.”
“Yes.”
The two women sat and removed their hats. The faces revealed belonged to Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk, who had left the Ten Thousand Great Mountains for Yeon Kingdom.
Park Seon-ha scanned the inn carefully.
It bustled with quite a few patrons, many of them martial artists armed to the teeth. Among them were several with southern accents.
‘They said many Qin martial artists are heading to Yeon due to the non-aggression pact. Looks like it’s true.’
Park Seon-ha disliked Central Plains martial artists.
What might be trivial in Haedong often sparked life-or-death duels here. She’d encountered such incidents multiple times on the journey north, forced into unwanted killing each time.
‘Exhausting people. Why live like that?’
Park Seon-ha rested her chin on one hand, staring out the window. The streets overflowed with martial artists too.
Then, in an instant, her eyes flashed, and she shot to her feet. But she soon sat back down, disappointed. She’d glimpsed a man resembling someone she cherished deep in her heart.
“What’s wrong, miss?”
“Nothing.”
Just then, the server brought the liquor first.
Park Seon-ha quenched her thirst with liquor instead of water.
“Suk-ah.”
“Yes?”
“Should we just go back to Haedong?”
“I’ll follow whatever you decide, miss.”
“Don’t you miss home?”
“As long as I’m with you, that’s enough for me.”
Snicker.
“I’m the fool for asking. Drink up. Oh! Order another chicken—you like that.”
“Already did, miss.”
The two women raised their glasses.
Some eyes watched them. Two sharp-featured men in blue robes. They hadn’t taken their eyes off Park Seon-ha since she removed her hat.
Though tanned by the sun, her innate beauty was enough to melt a man’s iron will.
[Those guys have been glancing at you, miss. Should I drag them out and beat them?]
[Leave them.]
[Yes.]
Park Seon-ha already knew the blue-robes were stealing glances. But she preferred not to stir trouble and tried ignoring it.
Just as the food arrived and they were about to eat in earnest, a commotion erupted in the marketplace.
Clang!
“Argh!”
“Gah!”
Screams rang out, and people scattered in panic.
Park Seon-ha’s brow furrowed.
At the same moment, someone burst through the window.
Crash!
Splinter!
The table right in front of the window flipped, sending plates and shards flying toward Park Seon-ha.
That wasn’t all. More intruders leaped in, turning the inn into a battlefield in seconds.
“You bastards dare!”
“Kill them!”
Clang!
Crunch!
Park Seon-ha grabbed her plate and stood.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
“Yes.”
The two women calmly headed to the second floor, leaving the blood and flesh flying behind.
Then, the blue-robes who’d been eyeing them dashed up the stairs too.
Kim Suk blocked their path.
“Don’t follow.”
“Little miss, we’re just fleeing the commotion upstairs like you. Why the hostility?”
“Eat over there or get out.”
Twitch.
“You pig of a bitch, what did you just…!”
Boom!
The blue-robe who drew his sword from his waist mid-shout flew back, slamming into the wall before finishing his words.
Seeing his partner floored by one strike from Kim Suk, the other’s face paled.
But Kim Suk’s hand was faster.
Thud!
“Guh!”
“Told you to go?”
“Ku, gah!”
An astonishing sight followed. Kim Suk lifted the burly man with one hand and slammed his head-first into the railing.
Splat!
The blue-robe died on the spot without even a scream.
Huff. Huff. Huff.
Kim Suk’s face flushed red.
Park Seon-ha turned.
“We’ll have to find another inn.”
“Sorry, miss.”
“No. They drew first—no helping it. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
The two women slipped away from the brawl. Before leaving, they paid the cowering server hiding in a corner.
Out in the marketplace, Park Seon-ha walked in search of another inn. Kim Suk scratched her head and followed.
Soon, they entered an inn at the northern end of the marketplace.
“Still got money left?”
“Yes. Plenty.”
“Then get a room and eat quietly.”
“Yes, miss.”
* * *
Yi Hwan’s group entered the marketplace.
Dusk had fallen, and a strong wind blew, so they hurried toward a warm inn.
“A fight’s broken out.”
Ju Tae pointed ahead.
Just then, someone bleeding dashed out of an inn and collapsed lifelessly—all saw it.
“Looks like a big one. Shall we clean it up?”
Yi Hwan had intended to pass by but changed his mind. As a Great Prince of the realm, he couldn’t ignore a street brawl ending in death.
“Handle it, then meet at that inn.”
“Understood.”
Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan rushed off.
Yi Hwan headed to the inn right next door—the very one Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk had entered.
The group went to the second floor. The third existed but consisted of individual rooms, too cramped for everyone.
The second floor bustled with patrons, some heavily drunk, making it quite rowdy.
Go Mi said,
“It’s too noisy. Better to get two rooms on the third floor for the meal.”
“Let’s do that.”
In the end, they all went up to the third floor.
Soon after, Ju Tae and Kim Mu-gwan returned, passing Park Seon-ha and Kim Suk’s room on their way to the group’s.
Just then, two servers opened Park Seon-ha’s door, carrying dishes.
Kim Mu-gwan glanced inside in passing. But the servers blocked the view.
Fate crossed paths just like that.