Chapter 218
218
I hugged the sword tightly without a word, and Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk spoke, seemingly trying to lighten the mood.
But I couldn't answer.
I could vividly picture Yeon-ryang constantly hunching his large body and polishing his sword.
I bit my lip to suppress a groan, and the metallic taste of blood rose.
If I stayed like this, I felt like I would show an unsightly appearance in front of the guest, so I bowed my head deeply.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather. I don't think I'm in a state to greet guests."
At my trembling voice, Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk groaned and stood up.
"Oh dear, I see I've bothered Young lady. I'll be going now. Don't come out, Young lady."
"No, I'll see you off..."
"Stay inside. If Young lady overexerts herself, I'll be scolded."
He shook his head and prepared to leave, not even forcing a smile.
The look in his eyes, devoid of his usual playfulness, made my stomach churn.
Everyone has that look.
A look filled with pity.
A look that clearly shows they want to avoid watching me in this state any longer.
Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, who was looking at me with a pitiful face, carefully added.
"It might be presumptuous, but Young lady's brother wanted Young lady to live a peaceful life."
"......"
"That child wouldn't want Young lady to get hurt because of him."
"I... I, ugh."
My throat felt choked as if someone was strangling me.
I was breathing, but I felt suffocated.
Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk sighed, slowly approached, patted the back of my hand, and unfolded my fingers one by one from the sword.
Only then did I see the blood droplets on my fingertips.
"I said unnecessary things. I'll be going now."
He left with a heavy-hearted greeting, not even giving me time to respond, and turned away.
"Young Miss, give me your hand. It'll scar..."
Songji, who had hurriedly brought a clean cloth, stamped her feet and wiped away the blood.
I entrusted my hand to Songji and stared blankly into the air, grinding my teeth.
Everyone says the same thing.
Don't jump into the fire. Don't ruin yourself.
But how could that be possible?
I had to go.
Even if it meant burning my body, I had to go.
"Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk met the youngest?"
"Yes, Young Miss. Everyone's been making a fuss, wondering how you know each other."
Dang Juhee, who was changing clothes with the help of a maid, tilted her head.
'I heard she made a name for herself in the Jianghu, and now a real big shot is visiting.'
It hadn't been long since the gifts from the Ink Moon Squad of the Dragon Phoenix Unit had caused a stir, and now the visit of Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, hailed as The Greatest Sword Under Heaven of the era.
Everyone must be making a fuss and gossiping.
It would be fortunate if they only gossiped...
After pondering for a moment, Dang Juhee lightly snapped her fingers.
"Soso, bring my outer garment back."
"Yes, Young Miss."
"I'm going to see the youngest, so don't follow me."
"Yes."
The maid answered politely and helped Dang Juhee put her clothes back on.
Dang Juhee fastened her belt, stretched out, and left her residence.
She intended to clear the surroundings before Dang So-hye's night outing was noticed by anyone.
However, contrary to Dang Juhee's expectations, Dang So-hye was staying in her detached residence.
Seeing her in the training ground, she guessed that her body must be feeling stiff.
"Youngest, you didn't go out today..."
A question mark appeared on Dang Juhee's face as she greeted her cheerfully.
In Dang So-hye's hand, standing blankly in the training ground, was a sword wrapped in cloth.
'A sword? Has the youngest ever used a sword? Jong Hyun-jo would hate swords so much.'
Narrowing her eyes at the strange sight, Dang Juhee scanned Dang So-hye.
Looking again, she was wearing Poison Needles attire and was barefoot. It was not a sight to be shown to others.
Dang Juhee's expression instantly hardened.
The moment she reached out towards the training ground, someone grabbed Dang Juhee's wrist.
"Jong Hyun-jo."
"Don't touch her. It'll get worse if you interfere."
Dang Jung, who stopped Dang Juhee, sighed.
Seeing that there was no hint of panic on his face, Dang So-hye's strange behavior must not be a one-time occurrence.
Dang Juhee nodded with a stiff face, her gaze landing on Songji, who was clutching the doorknob, at a loss for what to do.
Dang Juhee asked in a whisper.
"Shall I kill her?"
"Leave her be. So-hye cherishes that child."
"Then should I at least cut her vocal cords so she can't speak carelessly..."
"I said leave her be. Do you still not know So-hye's temperament? If you lay a hand on her, she'll throw a fit."
Dang Jung, who spoke firmly, crossed his arms and muttered.
"...Yeah. I'd rather she throw a fit. It's better than seeing her swallow tears of blood."
His expression was as cold as frost as he watched Dang So-hye, who was hugging her sword tightly and pacing around the training ground.
"Juhee, you didn't see anything."
"Yes."
The pupils of Dang Juhee, who answered calmly, also froze coldly.
Dang So-hye, who had been out for a long time, finally dragged her feet back to her bedroom more than half an hour later.
A long shadow fell over Songji, who was hurriedly wiping away the muddy footprints.
"Hey."
Songji's heart sank at the voice she couldn't possibly mistake.
"Yes, yes...! Great Young lady...!"
Songji, who answered urgently, trembled without daring to lift her head.
Dang Juhee was different from her kind mistress. The moment something displeased her, she would crush her life like a fly's.
The moment she squeezed her eyes shut and prostrated herself, a calm voice was heard.
"If your mistress tries to go outside the detached residence, call me. You'll die if you try to stop her."
The words that told her to ask for help contained no threat.
However, the pressure from the Martial Artist made it difficult to answer easily.
Songji, who was panting and nodding frantically, wiped away her tears and straightened her back only after the Qi that had been pressing down on the air disappeared.
Dawn was already breaking.
When I opened my eyes, I was curled up, hugging Yeon-ryang's sword.
I vaguely remembered trying to polish the sword... I must have fallen asleep.
I rubbed my rough face and lifted my head, and the bright outside came into view.
I had overslept terribly.
Damn it. Grandfather must be wondering why I haven't come.
Songji, who noticed that I had woken up at the sound of me scratching my head in annoyance, gently knocked on the door.
"Young Miss. I'll prepare the morning meal."
"Okay, thank you. Songji."
With Songji's help, I tidied up my appearance and hurriedly prepared to leave.
Even though I was much later than usual, Grandfather didn't say anything. He just smiled gently.
"You overslept, but why does your face look so haggard? Come here. Let's eat first."
Grandfather, who was resting his chin on his hand and placing meat on my plate, asked in a casual tone.
"So, did you meet Taeheo?"
"Yes. He came by yesterday."
"Geun-myeong said you know Taeheo's disciple."
"Jinseong disciple? Yes. We're close."
Grandfather's lips twitched slightly as I nodded.
"...Close?"
"Yes. We became close while sparring. I owe him a lot in many ways."
At my answer, Grandfather groaned softly and frowned.
"Ugh. How old is that child?"
I quickly waved my hands, sensing what he was thinking.
"What? No, Grandfather. It's not like that. Jinseong disciple wouldn't be like that either. He's a Taoist. A Taoist."
"Tsk tsk, do you think Taoists are any different? Men are all the same."
"Jinseong disciple is different. I've never seen such a stubborn person in my life."
Despite my denial, Grandfather, not reassured, repeated several times to punch any guy who approached me with a smiling face.
I nodded obediently.
If Jin-sung approached me with a smiling face, I would definitely have to punch him.
It would either be not Jin-sung or he would have eaten something wrong.
...But can I even punch him? He seems like he'd block everything.
As I chewed on the meat, recalling the sparring with Jin-sung in my memory, Grandfather's eyes narrowed.
"What are you thinking so hard about?"
"I was wondering what I need to do to beat Jinseong disciple. I haven't knocked him down yet."
"...You've become a true Martial Artist. Bring him sometime later. I'll break him down for you."
I must be mistaken to hear that he would knock him down himself.
"You went to the Alliance yesterday."
"Yes. The Branch Leader said he knew Deokju. I was introduced and visited the Sichuan Branch."
"And?"
He asked gently, but he seemed to already know why I had gone to the Alliance.
Yet, he seemed to want me to tell him myself.
If he already knew, there was no reason to hide it. It would be exposed soon anyway.
I put down my chopsticks and carefully opened my mouth.
"Grandfather. There's something I want to ask permission for..."
"Tell me."
"I want to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament held by the Murim Alliance."
"Why did our puppy suddenly have such a thought?"
Unlike his affectionate voice, Grandfather's expression was not good. I answered honestly.
"I want to join the Murim Alliance. The Devil Subjugation Unit."
"The Devil Subjugation Unit..."
Grandfather muttered and closed his eyes tightly.
He was silent for a long time, and only after half a quarter did he meet my gaze.
"Ah-ga."
"Yes."
"Is it revenge? Or lingering attachment?"
Grandfather's eyes, asking in a low voice, sank darkly like pitch.
