Chapter 226
**
The sword is beautiful.
But the sword I just drew can be said to be the most beautiful of any sword I’ve ever seen.
A pure white sword. Its blade resembles white snow. Just looking at it makes my heart feel chilly, like walking through a snowy mountain.
It doesn’t have any special abilities. It’s not the Ear Sword imbued with spirits either.
But just by existing as a weapon…
It proves how it belongs among the renowned swords.
“…….”
Compared to my sword, it’s certainly a shorter and smaller blade.
I slowly swing it. Everything I touch is sliced apart, even without exerting any strength.
Ironically…
The length of what gets cut off is longer and thicker than the blade itself.
Even without containing inner power, the sword possesses its own ‘energy’.
“It’s a sword made from a star that fell from the sky.”
“…Is it a celestial steel?”
“I forged a rare one into a sword. It was difficult to control its form, making it all the more sharper. It contains greater ambitions than it appears, so nothing in this world can withstand it.”
Geumgang Yajang gave a small smile.
“But that ambition will never reach its wielder, which is why it can be called a renowned sword. It’s different from the Ear Sword. It is not a sword meant to slice its master. It can endure any force, and no mortal can break it… In martial arts, it will be your best partner.”
“But it’s better than my sword?! Two Pappa! Make me a new one too!”
“You are a sword yourself, why would I make you a renowned sword? There’s nothing you can’t cut, right?”
“…That’s true, but…”
I deeply bowed my head in gratitude. Geumgang Yajang returned to where she originally was, leaving me with just one parting remark.
“If the day comes when you meet Guigok Yajang again, convey that I want her to come find me. She must also have many curiosities about me… We could be quite helpful to each other.”
Su-ryeon’s body was also healed.
The sword for Sua was completed as well.
I finished packing for my departure. Master of Sado Clan clicked her tongue.
“Are you really leaving?”
“I have to.”
“…Ah. I’m sad. Really. Why do I feel so sad? Can’t you just stay?”
“I told you, I can’t.”
“Huuuuuuuuuuuh…”
The hung-up Gu Ok-gyeong sighed. It felt like she had made some sort of decision and let out a short sigh.
“First… Let’s wait and see later… Anyway, take care of yourself. You aren’t coming back, right?”
“Thank you, Ok-gyeong.”
“If you’re thankful, visit me in a month.”
“You know I can’t do that.”
“…Annoying.”
Gu Ok-gyeong, who had been whining, cupped my face with both hands.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“…Just so you know.”
Her thinly opened eyes whispered to me.
“I’ll send someone to the Demon Cult, so once everything is done, you must contact me. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“I was planning to do other things and then schedule it… but I’ll send you off. Since you’re a person facing a big task, I don’t want to make you anxious.”
Gu Ok-gyeong chuckled. Just as she seemed to rise on her toes…
Something touched my cheek.
—smooch.
“Ugh?!”
“Hehehe.”
Gu Ok-gyeong quickly moved away, grinning.
“So at least I took one thing? Contact me. No exceptions.”
That was the end of my interaction with her. I lightly brushed the soft sensation that had touched my cheek.
Is Sapa originally this… free?
Su-ryeon looked at me with cold eyes. She reached out as if asking for a hug, and once I hugged her, she rubbed my cheek.
“Jeok-un. You’re too defenseless.”
“Excuse me?”
“…It’s nothing. From now on, I’ll protect you.”
Leaving behind an ambiguous conversation, I set my foot forward.
Crossing beyond the territory of Sado Clan into Martial Alliance.
To assist the Former Society.
…
Crossing the frontlines was no easy feat.
But the guide, Heuk Dae-wun, led me to a place only he knew.
“But… Dae-wun.”
“Yeah?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding Ok-gyeong’s back?”
“Master Lianju is healthier than ever. And more importantly, this is currently the most crucial mission entrusted to me.”
Heuk Dae-wun, who was walking ahead, lowered his straw hat.
“If any of Sado Clan’s personnel encounter you without knowing, it could turn into a bloodbath.”
“Is it really that serious…?”
“What if the girl with dark beauty draws her sword?”
“Wouldn’t they have to take responsibility for drawing their sword first?”
“That’s what would mean bloodshed, Jeok-un.”
Heuk Dae-wun guided me to the hidden frontlines and extended his hand.
“You’ve only received favors.”
“I also have something I received, right?”
“That was a transaction. So don’t call me a liar.”
“Haha.”
I exchanged a short handshake with Heuk Dae-wun. He gazed at me intently.
“…Master Lianju asked me to convey this. The General said the same, and so did I.”
“Excuse me?”
“Sado Clan is on your side. No matter what strikes you, with a single letter you send, we are prepared to raise our forces.”
“…….”
“We repay blood with blood, and kindness with kindness. And you are the first meritorious official who restored Master Lianju’s place.”
Heuk Dae-wun said calmly.
“I have no hesitation in drawing my sword for you. So just once, no matter the circumstances you desire, you can consider it that the entire Sado Clan stands behind you. For you who returned our belongings, the entire Sado Clan will draw their swords for you.”
“…….”
“Go, Jeok-un. May all your endeavors succeed.”
I smiled lightly and nodded to him.
I parted ways with Heuk Dae-wun. Our meeting was brief but…
Still, it felt good.
I even thought I was lucky to have met him.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
I turned my steps with Sapa. Leaving behind the silent followers of Sapa, we began to walk towards the righteous faction.
However, the place we were ultimately heading was completely different from the Martial Alliance.
The Former Society.
The location they had settled in was none other than the Shanxi region.
Near Shaolin and Huashan.
So it was further than I had expected. At the same time, I felt a bit happy.
I seemed likely to meet the leader of Shaolin and the head of Huashan.
I didn’t rush my movement. The other members of Sapa also moved slowly enough to keep up.
Not every Sapa member was highly skilled.
“There are several children. They asked to join, but… they aren’t at a level to be called assassins yet. Naturally, their martial arts skills are lacking.”
I heard there were some children in each group. I hadn’t spoken to them, but I wanted to slow down enough for them to keep up.
Il-ho was smiling at me.
“Jeok Dae-hyup is really… full of consideration.”
“I’m just trying to help within my means.”
Since we were separated into different groups, I wouldn’t actually meet them. I just vaguely sensed that we were intertwined like a sprawling web.
The only ones I was really interacting with and moving alongside were Su-ryeon and Il-ho from Sapa.
Su-ryeon seemed stern but had a lot of charm.
Il-ho was shy but kind, making our journey very comfortable. Finally, we completely left Honam and reached the Hubei region, where Mount Wudang was located.
Now we were truly in the domain of the righteous faction. Since we had completely exited the frontlines, I could see buildings and villages that were all properly maintained.
The money Gu Ok-gyeong had given me for traveling was absurdly large, and I shared it among the entire Sapa. Even then, it was still too much, so I wouldn’t have to worry about money for the time being.
Following Su-ryeon, I stayed in a high-class accommodation with Il-ho. I was worried about the members of Sapa who might be chasing us, but Su-ryeon’s assurances that they would also be staying in a proper place relieved me.
A peaceful journey.
But the news reaching us wasn’t peaceful at all.
“Hey, did you hear the news?”
“What news are you talking about?”
The inner circle of the righteous faction was abuzz. A tale mixing blood and blades.
And naturally…
It included the story of the Former Society.
“I heard they sent people to the Jegeal Family this time.”
“To the Jegeal Family? But isn’t the Jegeal Family clearly people of the Former Martial Alliance? I thought the Former Society and the Former Martial Alliance were enemies…”
“Of course, the reason Former Society sent people is to ensure the previous matter doesn’t go unresolved. You know about that incident with the Jegeal Family and Jinju Family. Although it was said to be related to commerce, in truth it was the Jegeal Family exerting pressure. They told them not to keep a neutral position and to join the Former Martial Alliance. But the Jinju Family refused… and thus conflict arose. In the end, there was even bloodshed, nearly escalating into a war between the families.”
“Is that true? So what happened then?”
“What do you mean what happened? The timing is chaotic, and the Former Martial Alliance must focus on suppressing the New Martial Alliance, so they don’t want to take things to war. But the Jegeal Family has its pride, so they won’t easily bow down. They are one of the Five Great Families! The Five Great Families! They first drew their swords, and they pressured the other party for no good reason… They won’t admit fault even if they beat them senseless. On the other hand, the Jinju Family suffered significant losses and wants compensation, but neither side of the divided Martial Alliance is willing to help…”
“Looks like the Former Society has stepped in.”
“Aren’t they merely representatives of the powerless? It seems things will settle down through a proxy duel. And of course, the Jinju side is likely to suffer great losses…”
Su-ryeon and I exchanged glances.
Proxy duel of the Former Society.
I wondered who the warrior sent to this place was.
“…Whoever it is, it would be wise to make contact.”
Su-ryeon offered me a dish and brought it to my mouth.
“If we can connect with the Former Society sooner, we’ll have more opportunities.”
