I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 46
Chapter 46
The Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 46
Ryang nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“Yes. I am fine.”
His voice was unbelievably calm.
“…….”
I truly hoped he wasn’t hurt.
Ever since Ryang became my disciple under Master’s orders… Gwang-eum had consistently ignored and belittled him.
The rude tone, the indifferent gaze, and the occasional thorn-filled jokes.
Seeing the things that used to be directed at me now being poured onto Ryang didn’t feel good at all.
When I was the target, it was bearable, but for some reason, it felt like the intensity was even higher when aimed at Ryang.
The problem was that Gwang-eum was an opponent I couldn’t exactly stop…….
“Are you really okay?”
I only hoped it wouldn’t leave a scar on Ryang’s heart.
It was then, as I watched Ryang with worry.
“Haha.”
Ryang let out a light laugh.
“……?”
I blinked, wondering if I had misheard.
But Ryang was truly laughing.
What is it? I didn’t say anything funny.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Hahaha, haha…….”
Ryang continued to laugh for a good while at my question, then met my eyes while pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
“Soso. Did you think I’d lose heart over the pranks of a young master like that?”
There wasn’t a single grain of falsehood in his laughter-laced voice.
“Eh?”
Young master?
Well, Gwang-eum is from the Namgung Clan, so he is a young master. But still…….
While I was trying to process Ryang’s words, he took a step closer to me.
“I survived for years as a slave of the Demonic Cult even after losing my memories. Compared to that, this is nothing.”
Ah, I recognized it now—the expression Ryang was wearing.
It was an expression Ryang rarely showed me, which was why I was slow to notice.
“It’s actually just amusing.”
The look currently haunting his face was a faint sneer.
“I appreciate being the object of your concern, but you don’t need to worry so much. I can handle this on my own.”
“……!”
To my surprise, Ryang was looking down on Gwang-eum!
“However, rather than skillfully brushing him off, you seem to follow him quite diligently.”
“Oh, uh-huh…….”
I suppose I do. I’ve been building an image of a foolishly kind and slow-witted girl in front of my Sahyeongs.
Ryang must have seen me as that kind of child as well, as he continued.
“I’m not saying that diligence is a bad thing. In fact, it makes you… seem even more amazing. But.”
“But?”
“Even so, Sasuk Gwang-eum goes too far ‘sometimes.’ When that happens, just hand it over to me.”
Inside Ryang’s eyes as they met mine, a flicker of red surged.
“Like when he makes you carry heavy iron sand bags all by yourself, things like that. Understood? Soso.”
“……Yes.”
Lost for words, I could only manage a nod.
As expected of the future Heavenly Demon…….
His mental fortitude is no joke. To think he acted that way because he had a plan all along.
“Good.”
Having received my answer, Ryang smoothed his expression as if he had never worn a sneer and took the lead down the path.
“Let’s go. You said the Blue Robed Hermit was looking for us.”
“…Right!”
I quickly followed behind Ryang, thinking to myself.
‘…I guess I don’t need to worry about him at all!’
***
When I went to see Master and sat down with Ryang, Master slid a piece of paper toward us.
“Take this.”
The moment I took the mission scroll from Master’s hand, I gasped.
“……! I suspected as much, but…!”
My heart began to pound right up to my throat.
“It is a simple mission. I intended to send you alone, but just in case, Ryang will accompany you. Is that acceptable?”
At Master’s kind question, Ryang, sitting beside me, nodded calmly.
“Yes. I wish to escort Master Soso.”
“Good.”
Master wore a soft smile.
“I have heard that you are training well with your Sasuk-nims. Take this opportunity to test your skills. Do not forget to remove the killing intent from your heart in everyday life and only harbor it in crucial moments.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
As I watched Ryang bow deeply, I shifted my gaze back to the mission scroll I received from Master.
‘…It’s my first mission!’
I had performed small errands with Danhwi a few times before, but this was different.
This was the first mission where I would be the lead.
One step at a time, I was happy to be recognized by Master.
“Hehe.”
A smile spread across my face involuntarily.
While I tried my best to suppress the corners of my mouth from curling up, Master spoke in a serious tone.
“Soso, no matter what happens, keep in mind that you must not remove your human skin mask during the mission. As long as you follow that, you will be safe.”
“Ah, yes! I understand!”
That’s right. Since both Ryang and I escaped from the White Horse Cave after causing such a ruckus, the Demonic Cult will surely be trying to track us down.
However, Sahyeong Hyeonhak took care of the aftermath, and we can’t stay hidden forever anyway…….
‘I shouldn’t be scared, but I must be careful, extra careful.’
It was then, as I was nodding to myself.
“And.”
“Yes?”
Master suddenly looked straight at me and added more words.
“You don’t have to worry about the human skin mask sticking to your face just because you wear it for a long time, so rest easy.”
“…Yes sir!”
Come to think of it, there was a time I took the mask off because I was worried about that.
How did he know?
Goosebumps!
Only after I nodded did Master give Ryang his instructions.
“Right. Then Ryang, go to Sasuk Hyeonhak and bring the human skin mask.”
“I understand.”
Ryang stood up, bowed to Master, and quietly left the room.
Thus, only Master and I remained in the room.
Breaking the quiet silence, Master spoke in a gentle voice.
“With your lightness techniques, this mission shouldn’t pose much of a problem, but I attached Ryang to you just in case.”
“Yes! I love it! I’ll show Ryang how cool I can be and come back!”
“I hope so. Fufu. Above all, keep in mind that not getting hurt is the most important thing. Even if it means failing the mission. Do you understand?”
My heart swelled at his warm words.
“Yes! But I won’t fail the mission either!”
I nodded readily with a beaming smile.
“You rascal.”
Master also chuckled and stroked my hair.
I had to listen to several more worried remarks before I was finally able to leave Master’s room.
Click.
“Phew.”
‘Finally…….’
I let out a long breath as I stepped out.
Alright. This is a real-world deployment without Danhwi or Sahyeong Hyeonhak!
I wonder if Ryang has picked up the mask by now?
It was as I was walking with light steps.
“……?”
My feet stopped for a moment in front of the pond I always passed by.
“What’s wrong?”
It was because the familiar white lizard was blocking my path.
But I don’t have any spirit medicine or sweets right now?
“What should I do…….”
I searched my pockets, but nothing special came out.
“I don’t have anything right now. And I have to go on a mission…….”
As I tried to sneak around the lizard, which showed no intention of moving.
Zip!
“…Wh-whoa!!”
In an instant, the lizard scrambled up my body and hid inside my clothes.
What? What is this?!
I could clearly feel the sensation of the lizard moving around inside my clothes.
“Ge-get out!”
It’s cold!
I jumped up and down trying to shake off the lizard that had settled inside my chest area, but it refused to fall, as if it were glued there.
Chills ran from my toes to the top of my head.
“Ugh, uuuwa…!”
It was then, as I stood frozen in place.
“Soso, what’s happening!”
A familiar voice called out.
It was Ryang.
To him, who had rushed straight from the storehouse and stopped quickly in front of me while catching his breath, I hurriedly cried out.
“Ryang!”
Help me…….
At the very moment I was about to ask for help with a tearful face, I clamped my mouth shut as a thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘…But how can I ask him to help?’
What am I supposed to do about a lizard that went inside my clothes? I can’t exactly take my clothes off!
Suddenly, the lecture I gave Ryang earlier flashed through my head.
‘Your body is precious. You shouldn’t just show it to anyone.’
“…….”
“Soso? I asked what’s happening.”
Ryang asked with a puzzled voice.
“…….”
But after grandly lecturing him like a master, I couldn’t just suddenly strip my clothes off here.
When I lifted my head with tears in my eyes, Ryang was still looking at me with a serious expression.
“I heard a scream and came running. Are you okay?”
“That is……”
