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Chapter 7
What Sowol had prepared for Cheongun were herbal medicines that could be taken consistently even during a month-long journey.
These were concentrated formulations of Yeondan from Cheonggeumjang—precious, potent medicinal herbs.
“Mom, I don’t have to worry, right?”
“No, of course not.”
“Do you remember Juhyeokjo?”
“Who?”
Cheongun’s eyes were filled with nothing but curiosity, and Sowol wondered if it wasn’t because of Juhyeokjo after all.
“The child from the Kunlun Sect who came before.”
“Ah…so that was the name.”
“Hehe, when you see them again after a long time, greet them properly.”
“Yes, I will.”
Cheongun had completely forgotten, but that child did exist.
Since parting with Juhyeokjo of Kunlun, he hadn’t met anyone else.
It was more accurate to say he hadn’t wanted to meet anyone.
Occasionally, visitors had come, but Cheongun had no desire to see them.
Because of that, rumors about Cheonggeumjang’s heir spread strangely.
Stories about an incurable disease, or that he was ugly.
Of course, it was all Sowol’s doing.
Thanks to that, very few dared to target Cheongun.
After giving birth, feasts were held across all Cheonggeumjang branches, but nothing happened after that.
“Take care on your journey.”
“Yes, Mother. I will.”
Cheongun bowed to his mother and left the room.
Cheongjin was waiting outside, and he bowed to his father as well.
“Take care on your journey.”
“Yes, Father.”
After exchanging brief, concise greetings, Cheongun boarded the prepared carriage and left the estate.
It was the first time in ten years he had left the estate.
Although he had prepared thoroughly, to Cheongun, who had already experienced the martial world enough to be weary, it was still a place full of fear and excitement.
The beginning of the peak.
In terms of age, he had achieved the impossible, but in the context of the entire martial world, it was nothing.
Even if one walked with confidence anywhere, this vast martial world was full of extraordinary talents.
Those trained by reclusive geniuses, or the heirs of great sects and clans.
Even without that, many talented children entered as branch disciples and blossomed.
“Strength is relative, yet absolute.”
When measuring, it is absolute; when comparing, it is relative—this is the nature of strength.
The moment he left the estate, he switched carriages.
After traveling a certain distance, he switched again, and each time, the carriage became more modest and shabby.
When the sounds of people grew close, Cheongun got out of the carriage and began walking himself.
“Master, from now on, I will change how I address you. Formalities can be dropped.”
“Alright.”
Heukjeon, the vice-leader of Cheonggeumjang’s Heukdanyak, personally took on the escort.
Usually dressed only in black, today Heukdanyak wore standard martial clothing for his escort duties.
“I will call you ‘Un’.”
“Yes. Please call me that.”
Despite being the lord’s son, Cheongun was remarkably clever.
His martial skills and situational awareness were exceptional.
Although he was still young and could have been annoyed by the informal address, he didn’t care at all.
All his focus was on conserving his energy.
The peak was a vague concept for Cheongun.
“A perfect place to die. Experts at Hua-kyung are hard to encounter, but the lower ranks… aren’t.”
There were quite a few ultra-peak individuals, and many at the peak level.
Depending on whether one was at the start or fully mastered, the level differed greatly, and practical experience made a difference too.
He chuckled at the thought.
That was the martial world, and that was why he loved it.
“Un, this journey is simple. We will briefly visit the Kunlun Sect and then deliver items to a Cheonggeumjang branch before returning.”
They blended naturally among the people.
As he grew older, his appearance became radiant, so he partially covered his face.
“Yes, I understand.”
“Since the Kunlun Sect is at the far edge of Qinghai Province, always be mindful that we could encounter bandits along the way.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
After walking a bit, the people and scenery came into view.
Being near Cheonggeumjang’s headquarters, the market’s scale was unimaginable.
It was far larger than the stronghold of any great sect.
Even the inns were five stories tall.
“Do you want to visit an inn?”
Heukjeon asked, noticing Cheongun’s gaze, but Cheongun shook his head.
“No, let’s go straight there.”
Heukjeon thought the young heir needed more observation before understanding his future lord.
“This way.”
So the two headed toward the starting point of the journey.
And eyes followed them.
“They’ve come out.”
The watcher never left Cheongun and Heukjeon, even when they reached the merchant group.
The merchant group had already been informed that Cheonggeumjang’s direct escort and their apprentice would accompany them.
“Oh, you’ve arrived! We’ve been waiting.”
“You’re a little late.”
“No, just your arrival is enough. Is this the apprentice?”
“Yes.”
“Hello, I’m called Un.”
“Ah, yes, a bright child.”
The apprentice’s composure was impressive.
“She’s new at this journey, so please understand if she lacks skill.”
“Of course. She’s the apprentice of the escort, so there’s nothing special to do anyway.”
With the merchant’s favorable impression, both boarded the carriage.
Since the escort’s duty was to protect the goods, Heukjeon took the driver’s seat, and Cheongun naturally sat beside him.
“Un, you may enter.”
“No, it’s safer to watch from here.”
Perhaps she knew that being outside allowed better awareness of danger.
It sounded like a child simply wanting to observe, but the hidden meaning seemed deeper.
‘Probably just my imagination.’
She couldn’t possibly be that perceptive yet.
She pretended to speak like a child, subtly hiding her intent.
“Let’s go!”
At the merchant leader’s signal, all carriages began moving.
Cheongun had ridden before, but never with so many people.
“How does it feel?”
“Refreshing. The wind.”
The vice-leader, who had personally guarded Cheongun for ten years, was hearing such a personal comment for the first time.
Inside Cheonggeumjang’s estate, even with close blood relations and minimal issues, his personality was hard to gauge.
But now, outside, small details became apparent.
“Still, stay alert.”
“Yes, understood.”
The items to be delivered were ordinary and martial-use goods alike.
It was a leisurely journey, yet both remained alert.
The other escorts did the same.
At meal times, Cheongun ate the herbal medicine his mother had prepared along with the others.
Though Heukjeon looked concerned, Cheongun finished his portion without a flinch.
He had eaten far worse before.
Even after breaking his dantian, he once consumed only Baekgokdan for nearly a year, without closing himself off to training.
Day after day, Cheongun remained steadfast.
Normally, first journeys could bring discomfort if customary respect wasn’t given, but Cheongun showed none.
At first, it was intriguing, then interesting, and eventually, it became downright strange.
“Hmm?”
On the third night, as everyone slept, Heukjeon sensed an unfamiliar presence and rose.
Approaching Cheongun’s carriage, he found Cheongun awake.
“You’re not sleeping?”
“Yes? I’m Un.”
When Heukjeon questioned naturally, Cheongun responded with a question of her own.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“It feels strange. I sensed something.”
An unfamiliar presence? He’d sensed it too.
Those skilled in internal energy can detect presences instantly.
Otherwise, some are naturally sensitive to it.
‘She wasn’t startled when she was five.’
Perhaps it was a combination of peak-level ability and innate sensitivity.
“I sense an unfamiliar presence.”
“An unfamiliar presence…”
What would her reaction be?
If fortunate, just bandits; if not, people targeting Cheonggeumjang’s caravan.
Either way, the danger to life was critical.
Click.
Heukjeon observed an even more impressive display than expected.
She didn’t reach for the sword casually.
The iron sword she had received at five—slightly large then, but easier to wield now—was in her grasp.
“…Combat feels different.”
“It can’t be avoided.”
Her gaze carried a cognitive dissonance—impressive, yet unemotional.
No excitement over her first battle, no fear for her life.
The fight had come, and she simply acted.
Like a veteran of countless battlefields.
‘Does she…not feel emotions?’
It was hard to tell.
Perhaps she had received her talent without emotions.
“…They’re approaching.”
“What will you do?”
“Defensive combat is always twice as hard. I’ll go first to engage them, and retreat based on the situation. You stay with the other escorts and flee immediately if it gets dangerous. Immediately.”
With that, Heukjeon disappeared, leaving Cheongun alone.
Though told to stay with other escorts, Cheongun had no intention.
She would become the one to protect.
Heading to where the strongest mercenaries were, Cheongun stood, gripping her sword.
“C-Child!”
“Hide down here quickly…!”
“You’ll die if you act recklessly!”
Pitiful and amusing. Who’s worrying about whom?
Were they concerned for Cheongun, or for themselves if she got spotted?
It didn’t matter.
A sense of duty to protect the weak?
No. Weakness doesn’t equal goodness.
Many become cruel to those weaker than themselves.
Cheongun just didn’t want to see Cheonggeumjang’s assets damaged.
“Phew…”
She exhaled deeply, feeling the cold air enter and leave her lungs.
Then she focused her gaze sharply.
As if someone was there.
She hadn’t drawn her sword yet. Not because the enemy was unseen.
“No. Now.”
The right moment had come.
For the first time in ten years, she felt that sensation again.
