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chapter 56
Paaat!
A disheveled man with wild hair was sprinting urgently down a mountain path — as though being chased.
Shaaak!
Like the hiss of a snake targeting its prey, six flying swords whistled through the air behind him.
Thaaak!
The man kicked off a tree and shot up into the air, narrowly avoiding the blades.
“Guh!”
He dodged the swords — but not the fine needle hidden among them.
The swords were merely a decoy to conceal the hidden weapon.
Thudududud!
The man crashed to the ground from midair, rolling over the dirt in pain before lifting his head.
Paaat!
Six masked figures descended from above and landed before him.
They were members of the Assassination Unit (추살조), a division belonging to Mil-yeongdan, the intelligence network of the Evil Sect Alliance (사도맹).
“How… how did you find me?”
The disheveled man grimaced as he spoke, but the masked figures offered no reply — only drawing their swords.
The man tried to stand, but their blades moved faster.
Shaaak!
Before he could react, a sword slashed down from above, cutting a long gash across his chest.
He glared at them in pain —
And another masked man swiftly decapitated him. Blood sprayed through the air as his body collapsed forward.
One of the assassins pulled a small booklet from his robes. It contained a list of names.
Rip!
They tore out one page and tossed it onto the corpse.
Paaah!
The assassins vanished from the scene.
A gust of wind scattered the paper.
On it was written a single name — Sa Ma-jin (사마진).
Fwooosh!
A campfire flickered faintly in the mountain forest of Hyungsan.
Night had fallen, and the group led by Geomryeong (검령) had no choice but to camp outdoors.
Since the arrival of Seo Gun-ha (서군하), their party had grown to four.
After roasting a mountain animal that Yu Ak-gun (유악군) had caught, they sat around the fire, chatting.
Though Geomryeong and Seo Gun-ha rarely spoke to each other, Jeok Hwa-myeong (적화명) and Yu Ak-gun served as conversational bridges between them.
“Still, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Isn’t that what you think as well, Young Master?”
They were discussing the recent outbreak of Demonic Cultists (마인).
“There’s nothing certain yet,” Geomryeong said. “But if those demons aren’t complete idiots, they wouldn’t have attacked Mount Hyungsan Sect. And I’ve heard other sects were attacked as well, which tells me someone’s pulling the strings behind them.”
“So you’re saying there’s a mastermind controlling them?”
“That’s my belief. And you, Sister Gun-ha — how long do you plan to keep following us?”
Geomryeong addressed her respectfully as “Sister” since she was older.
“Following you? When did I say that? We’re just heading down the same mountain, so I’m going the same way, that’s all.”
Her sharp tone made Geomryeong avert his eyes awkwardly.
“Come now, Young Master — isn’t it dangerous for a woman to travel alone in the mountains?”
“She’s the Sword Queen’s disciple. It’s more dangerous for others, not her.”
“What was that?”
Seo Gun-ha glared daggers at him.
“Please understand, Miss. My young brother here has only recently left the island he grew up on. He doesn’t yet know how to speak gently to women,” Jeok Hwa-myeong said, coming to Geomryeong’s defense.
“Brother!”
“I’ve told you before, haven’t I? Try to speak comfortably with people.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong winked subtly at Geomryeong, and though Seo Gun-ha noticed, she let it slide — she needed their company more than her pride.
‘He looks like a woman, and his personality’s just as petty.’
That was her impression of Geomryeong.
The proud demeanor she’d seen on Mount Hyungsan had long since vanished.
“So, Great Hero Jeok, how did you come to meet Young Master Geomryeong?”
Seo Gun-ha changed the topic. Talking with the friendly Jeok Hwa-myeong was far easier than dealing with the frosty Geomryeong.
“We met by chance at an inn. We shared a meal at the same table by the window. That was the beginning.”
Geomryeong silently frowned as he walked — he could see through her act, but there wasn’t much he could do.
“And you’ve been traveling together since then?”
“There’s been a lot that’s happened, but yes — our paths have been bound since that encounter.”
“And what does that have to do with you, Sister Gun-ha?”
“I wasn’t asking you.”
Geomryeong pouted.
‘Endure it.’
His master Jeon Mo had always taught him — a man who quarrels with women is a petty man.
Though clearly irritated, Geomryeong said nothing and looked ahead.
Then—
“So you’re saying you’re Master Jeon Mo’s disciple?” Seo Gun-ha asked suddenly.
Geomryeong’s head snapped toward her.
He hadn’t told her that himself — meaning Gun Ilsan must have mentioned it.
He knew his master, Jeon Mo, and the Sword Queen (검후) — Seo Gun-ha’s master — had always shared a silent rivalry. Though they weren’t enemies, the Sword Queen had always been known as “the second greatest” after Jeon Mo, which naturally bred resentment.
When Seo Gun-ha met his eyes questioningly, Geomryeong looked away.
‘Hah, if she’s not beautiful, she could at least have a kind heart.’
He grumbled inwardly, unaware that Seo Gun-ha’s lips were curling into a faint smile.
Even his sulky expressions were kind of cute, she thought. Traveling with him wouldn’t be boring, at least.
“I did hear rumors,” she said, “but I didn’t believe them. Too many people have claimed to be disciples of the Three Legends — the Hermit Demon Heavenly Man Cheon Nam-yeon, the Phantom Demon Emperor Gu Yeong-cheol, and the Sage Jeon Mo Yak-bing. Those impostors have already caused chaos in the martial world.”
Seo Gun-ha had indeed heard of such frauds.
“So now you believe it?”
“Yes. I believe him now.”
She nodded slightly, glancing at Geomryeong before turning to Jeok Hwa-myeong.
“Then have you seen him use martial arts yourself?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Geomryeong snapped. “If you don’t believe me, just don’t. Why ask things to make people uncomfortable?”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Seo Gun-ha raised her voice. “I was asking Great Hero Jeok. And what’s it to you if I ask questions? You’re such a petty man—”
Geomryeong pouted again.
“Please, tell me,” she pressed Jeok Hwa-myeong. “Have you seen him fight?”
Jeok Hwa-myeong hesitated, caught between them, then nodded.
“Of course.”
“And how was it?”
“He’s far beyond my level,” Jeok said humbly. “At the very least, he’s no weaker than Hyun Tae-ryeong of the Sword Sect.”
Seo Gun-ha nodded thoughtfully.
She could feel it — though Geomryeong looked ordinary, a dangerous aura surrounded him.
She herself could likely defeat Jeok Hwa-myeong, but with Geomryeong she wasn’t sure.
“Escort Yu,” she called, turning to Yu Ak-gun, “have you served the Young Master long?”
“No, not that long. But I know him better than anyone,” Yu replied.
Geomryeong frowned at him. Yu flinched, but his mouth kept running.
Seo Gun-ha, of course, had no idea she was chatting with the man once called the Angel of the Martial World.
She kept asking questions about Geomryeong — and Yu Ak-gun answered every single one, truth or not, to the point Geomryeong just gave up caring.
“So, he’s not such a bad person after all,” she said.
“Of course not! Our Young Master is one of the kindest people in the martial world — strong, gentle, and well-connected. He lacks nothing!”
“Is he rich too?”
“Well… let’s just say he doesn’t go hungry—”
“That’s enough,” Geomryeong cut in, exasperated.
“Young Master!”
“Say one more word and you’re dead.”
Yu Ak-gun glanced at Seo Gun-ha and winked, smiling.
“Men shouldn’t be so uptight,” she muttered.
Geomryeong shut his eyes, clearly done engaging.
Yu Ak-gun and Jeok Hwa-myeong chuckled quietly, while Seo Gun-ha pouted again.
The next morning, after descending Mount Hyungsan, the group stopped at an inn near the base to have breakfast before heading toward Chungkyung (중경).
Geomryeong’s goal there was to visit the families of his late masters — Cheon Nam-yeon, Gu Yeong-cheol, and Jeon Mo Yak-bing — to deliver their final words.
“How long do you intend to follow us?” he asked again as they walked.
“I told you already — I have business in Chungkyung too. How many times must I say it? I’m walking on my own feet — why are you meddling?”
Geomryeong gave her a blank look, then turned away and walked faster.
They had been bickering like this ever since descending the mountain — much to the amusement of Yu Ak-gun and Jeok Hwa-myeong.
“What do you think? Don’t they look good together?” Yu asked.
“Yeah, they do,” Jeok said.
Though Seo Gun-ha wasn’t particularly beautiful — just an ordinary-looking woman — they both felt her fiery personality strangely suited Geomryeong’s.
Jeok thought that spending time with her might help smooth out Geomryeong’s rough edges.
“I hope traveling together softens him a little.”
“True. Our Young Master can be a bit sharp with people.”
Jeok nodded.
“If only Miss Seo were a little prettier, it would be perfect… well, a woman’s worth isn’t just her face anyway.”
Apparently, Seo Gun-ha heard that — her head snapped around for a moment before she turned back.
“They’ve made an enemy of Cheonmyeong Manor now,” Jeok said gravely. “They’ll need to be cautious. Even if the manor doesn’t act directly, they have many ways to target him.”
“True,” Yu agreed. “But that’ll be their downfall. If the Young Master wishes, he could crush Cheonmyeong Manor with ease.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Yu Ak-gun himself could defeat most of their warriors except for a few elders — and Geomryeong’s martial power was far beyond his own.
Even if he walked right through their main gate, he could level the place without difficulty.
“Still, you never know what may happen,” Jeok said. “It’s best to avoid conflict if possible.”
“Sure, but there’s no need to endure humiliation. If you let people step on you once, they’ll keep doing it.”
That was the reality of the martial world — regardless of sect or alignment, once you showed weakness, people would treat you as beneath them.
“That’s true. Just make sure you keep helping our young brother,” Jeok said.
“You too,” Yu replied. “Don’t go wandering off. Stick with us — righteous or unorthodox, we shouldn’t let anyone look down on us.”
Jeok smiled faintly. He was far too old and skilled to be looked down on anymore.
“Alright. I will.”
Ahead of them, Seo Gun-ha’s voice carried back:
“What did I say? I’m older than you, so I can speak casually if I want! Men shouldn’t be so uptight—”
Jeok Hwa-myeong chuckled.
“They really do look good together.”
