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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: 36
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As the sun began to set, three figures in black martial robes and bamboo hats entered the streets of Hefei.
On the chest of their robes, the plum blossom emblem of the Hwasanpa was clearly embroidered.
“Master, is this Hefei?”
The youngest-looking among the three men lifted his bamboo hat and gazed at the street.
It was Yugang, a first-generation disciple of the Hwasanpa.
Another figure in a bamboo hat, standing beside Yugang, also lifted his hat and nodded.
“Indeed. This is Hefei, one of Jungwon’s largest cities.”
“Is the famous Namgung Sega located here?”
“Yes. It’s the city where Cheonryonggeomhwang, one of the Ten Great Masters of the world, resides. So we must be very, very careful in our conduct, lest we upset the Namgung…”
“Can we meet the Sword Emperor?”
Yugang’s eyes sparkled.
In contrast, the bamboo-hatted figure’s eyes clouded as he looked at Yugang.
“Yugang, let me tell you in advance…”
“We’ll be able to see the Namgung’s swordsmanship, won’t we?”
“We didn’t come here for leisure…”
“Perhaps we’ll even have a chance to cross swords?”
“We are here to congratulate the Namgung on their auspicious occasion…”
“Isn’t it like killing two birds with one stone, Master!”
“No. Where did you learn such a phrase?”
The bamboo-hatted figure, called Master, firmly pressed down on Yugang’s shoulders as he proudly puffed out his chest.
‘Why did the Sect Leader specifically tell me to bring Yugang…?’
It was fine to retrieve the lost Daehwandan. And he understood that a child of the Namgung had taken the Daehwandan and returned to their family.
Since they couldn't openly reveal their purpose of investigating the Daehwandan's whereabouts, visiting the Namgung under the pretext of congratulating them on their auspicious occasion was also acceptable.
But.
Why? Why him?
‘Take Yugang with you. Who knows? Perhaps he can befriend the Namgung child and easily discover the Daehwandan’s whereabouts.’
‘It would be best to take Yugang to avoid the Namgung’s suspicion.’
Yugang was new to the martial world.
Although he had joined the Plum Blossom Swordsmen long ago, he was too young to have ever received a proper mission.
Thus, this journey into the martial world was his first descent from the mountain and his first mission.
Perhaps that was why he was overly excited.
The Master sighed deeply, then gripped Yugang’s shoulders with an exceptionally serious gaze.
“Remember, Yugang. Our purpose is to congratulate the Namgung. We must not cause any disturbance.”
“Yes, Master! You can count on me!”
You are my biggest worry.
The bamboo-hatted figure, whose answer was a sigh, turned his gaze to the lively streets of Hefei.
Even as dusk fell, the streets of Hefei remained vibrant and full of life.
It felt somewhat bustling, befitting its status as a crucial nexus connecting the north and south of Jungwon.
“Let’s go. It will be dark soon. We need to find an inn nearby for the night, so let’s hurry.”
They soon merged into the crowds of Hefei.
* * *
Seolhwa, having changed into black martial attire, stepped outside.
“Oh my! Dark colors suit our Young Lady so well!”
Choryeon smiled brightly and offered Seolhwa a black cloth.
Seolhwa tied her hair tightly, then wrapped the black cloth around her lower face.
Her appearance was that of a perfect assassin, blending into the darkness and moving secretly.
Choryeon swallowed dryly, meeting the sharply glinting eyes above the black cloth.
Her gaze was filled with killing intent.
It was like the eyes of a predator that never misses its prey.
“…As you promised, you have to exclude me from this. I’ll just go to sleep now?”
Choryeon had feigned collapse to deceive Seop Mugwang.
She had helped Seolhwa at the risk of exposing her own identity, but having this matter known was equally problematic.
Seolhwa nodded.
Unless she was reborn and erased her past, the Hyeolwangdok would inevitably follow her commands.
Since she was already using it, it was better if no one knew, so she could use it for a long time.
“Please be careful, Young Lady.”
Choryeon bowed deeply towards Seolhwa.
Seolhwa left her behind and exited the room through the window.
Thump, thud-thud!
Within the inner halls of the Namgung Sega, a figure moved swiftly, utilizing the shadows untouched by the setting sun.
Hearing the voices of the patrolling martial artists, the figure hid in the shadows, then moved quickly again after they passed.
Thud! Thump!
The mechanical formations installed within the family estate to guard against intruders posed no problem for her.
She expertly bypassed the formations and swiftly scaled the Namgung wall.
Rustle, rustle-rustle!
Having left the Namgung, Seolhwa avoided the bustling roads and exited the city.
It was in the opposite direction from the city gate through which Namgung Cheongun's party had departed.
Seolhwa was heading towards a mountain that offered a panoramic view of Hefei's streets and the vast Chao Lake to the south.
Only the rustling of bushes and the swaying of trees indicated her movement.
Even as she ran along paths untouched by human footsteps, Seolhwa constantly checked behind her.
This was to confirm whether ‘he’ was following well.
After running for a long while, Seolhwa finally stopped upon reaching a forest far from the city center.
Rustle, rustle-rustle…
The bushes rustled in the wind.
No, the wind wasn't blowing from anywhere.
Seolhwa placed her hand on her sword hilt.
‘One… two…’
Her hand tightened on the sword hilt.
‘Three.’
Clang—!
Exactly three seconds later, a dagger flew from behind Seolhwa.
Whoosh— whoosh-whoosh—
Starting with the first dagger, more daggers began to fly around her as if on cue.
Clang! Clang-clang!
Seolhwa spun in place, deflecting the daggers in the order they arrived.
Some she parried with her sword, others she kicked, precisely striking the flat of the blades.
Whoosh-whoosh! Whoosh!
Clang-clang! Clang!
After deflecting daggers for a while, Seolhwa’s eyes suddenly glinted amidst her sword swings.
Clang—!
Seolhwa imbued her sword with internal energy and struck one of the daggers at an angle.
The dagger then flew back in the direction it came from, even faster than its original speed.
Whoosh— Clang!
“Ugh…”
A faint groan was heard from the darkness.
Seolhwa pointed her sword tip towards that spot.
“Come out.”
A moment later, a man slowly emerged from the darkness.
Between his fingers was a sharp dagger, the length of a palm.
“Hello, Pawol.”
The man called Pawol lightly brushed his cheek with the back of his hand. Blood was oozing from a long cut on his face, apparently grazed by the dagger.
Confirming the blood on his hand, the corners of his mouth curved into a deep smile.
“You’re as crude as ever, Soruju-nim.”
“Why did you come all this way just to see me off? I would have managed just fine.”
“Why did you leave in such a hurry without a proper farewell?”
“We’re not exactly on greeting terms, are we?”
“…Do you really think I meant *that* kind of farewell?”
Pawol chuckled, put away his dagger, and drew a short sword from his sleeve.
Watching the silver short sword glinting in the moonlight, Seolhwa calmly tightened her grip on her own sword.
The corners of her eyes curved, radiating a clear light.
“It seems you still haven’t learned your place, daring to challenge me.”
Pawol’s lips curled into a sneer. The scar etched near his mouth also twisted askew.
“When I heard the news that you betrayed the Leader and fled, I was ecstatic.”
Overwhelming emotion surfaced on his face.
“Do you know why?”
“I don’t care to know.”
“Because I can finally kill you.”
Pawol’s tone instantly changed.
Seolhwa’s gaze lowered as she looked at him.
Pawol seemed amused by her reaction and continued with a smirk.
“I never liked you from the start. A nobody like you, becoming the Soruju? If the Leader hadn’t favored you, you’d be nothing, wouldn’t you?”
He dangerously scratched his temple with the tip of his short sword.
“That’s why I always wanted to properly fight you. I was curious, too. If I killed that young Soruju… could I become the Soruju?”
The laughter echoing from the darkness was utterly sinister. The gaps between his teeth, revealed by his twisted lips, were a horrifying dark crimson.
Pawol chuckled, raised his short sword, and slashed it horizontally through the air. In his mind's eye, the short sword was severing Seolhwa’s neck.
“How about it? If I bring your head, will the Cult Leader favor me?”
A dense killing intent slowly began to emanate from Pawol’s body.
It was an eerie sensation, as if he would rush at her and swing his blade at any moment.
Despite the oppressive aura surging towards her, Seolhwa’s expression remained impassive.
Perhaps mistaking her impassivity for fear, Pawol’s smile deepened.
“I knew it ever since you were licking an old man’s boots.”
Beneath the black cloth, Seolhwa’s lips curved into a soft arc.
“As expected, you’re worse than a dog, Pawol.”
