Chapter 12
As Wi Ilcheong left the inn and used his lightness skill to head toward the mountain, he suddenly sensed people gathering around him and stopped.
‘…What is this?’
There was no way there’d be many people on such a rugged mountain path.
As Wi Ilcheong toyed with the soft sword hidden in his sleeve and waited, a little while later…
Several people sprang out of the darkness.
Wi Ilcheong clasped his hands in a martial salute and greeted them first.
“…It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“…Did you know who we were?”
“Yes. That’s why I was waiting.”
“Impressive.”
“You flatter me.”
Wi Ilcheong lowered his hands and glanced around at the group surrounding him.
“…So, is there something you need from me?”
“Ah… First, I must apologize for the discourtesy.”
“…”
The man who appeared to be the group’s leader stepped forward and bowed with a martial salute.
“I am Noh Sun-pyeong, one of the guards serving the great Murong Clan.”
“…I meet the Murong Clan’s Dagger here.”
“…”
Having recognized him at a glance, Noh Sun-pyeong grew a little tense.
‘A young martial artist like him knows who I am?’
Noh Sun-pyeong was curious about his identity.
“…If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask your name, young hero?”
“…I’m Wi Ilcheong.”
“So you’re the Jade-Faced Young Master.”
“…Thank you for calling me that.”
Wi Ilcheong bowed his head in greeting.
Most people who disparaged him called him the Lust Demon, but when they wanted to show him some respect, they called him by his other name, the Jade-Faced Young Master.
In other words, the Murong Clan was making it clear that they had no intention of treating him as an enemy here.
At Noh Sun-pyeong’s signal, the martial artists who had come with him disappeared again.
“…I’m sorry. The Second Young Master of the great Murong Clan is traveling nearby, and when I sensed a master’s presence in the area, I brought my men to investigate.”
“Ah… I understand.”
Noh Sun-pyeong had only come to check for nearby threats as part of his duties as a guard.
“If I caused you any offense, this old man apologizes.”
“Not at all. You were only doing your duty, Senior, so there’s no problem.”
When Wi Ilcheong deliberately lowered himself by addressing him as ‘Senior,’ a gentle smile appeared on Noh Sun-pyeong’s face.
“It seems the tales of the martial world can’t be trusted after all. Meeting Young Master Wi today has made this old man realize that once again.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“If you’re looking for an herb gatherer, take the path a little way over there instead of this one. It’s steep by the cliff, but with your lightness skill, Young Master Wi, that route will be faster.”
“I appreciate your kindness. By any chance…”
“Hmm?”
Wi Ilcheong hesitated for a moment, but eventually asked Noh Sun-pyeong anyway.
“Were you planning to stay at the inn nearby?”
“…How did you know?”
“Ah… I’m staying there too.”
“Hahaha… What a coincidence. How about we share a drink later?”
“…I’d like that. But, um… one of my companions is a bit of a problem.”
“What sort of problem?”
Wi Ilcheong searched for the right words for a moment, then gave up and honestly admitted how he felt.
After all, Dokgo Ryeong wasn’t here.
“…There’s a young lady with a bit of a madness problem…”
“Madness?!”
“Guh…!!”
At the word ‘madness,’ killing intent burst from Noh Sun-pyeong’s entire body.
But, as an experienced martial artist, he quickly reined in his aura.
“…I’ve shown you an embarrassing side of myself.”
“…Not at all.”
“I’m sorry. There are more than one or two people in the Murong Clan who’d fly into a rage if they heard the word ‘mad’ even in their sleep…”
“…I understand.”
Seeing Noh Sun-pyeong lose his composure and release killing intent for a moment, Wi Ilcheong broke into a cold sweat.
‘…I must never mention Miss Dokgo’s name.’
The story of the Mad Demon and the Murong Clan’s great clash was already famous throughout the martial world.
When the Mad Demon first began rampaging, he smashed up the Murong Clan’s ancestral home, then urinated on its signboard. After that story spread across the martial world, the Murong Clan spent a long time with its gates shut, desperately trying to strengthen itself from within.
Why else would the Murong Clan have been expelled from the Five Great Clans after that, with the Huangbo Clan taking its place?
After suffering such humiliation, it was only natural to assume the Murong Clan bore an enormous grudge against the Mad Demon, but even Wi Ilcheong hadn’t realized it was this bad.
“So your companion, Young Master Wi, has… a little something wrong with her head?”
“Ah… yes! She has an illness and occasionally curses.”
“…What a shame.”
“Yes… Haa… It really is a shame.”
“I understand. Even if she happens to be rude to the Second Young Master, I’ll explain the situation to him.”
“Thank you, Hero.”
“Think nothing of it. Then I’ll see you again at the inn later.”
“Yes, certainly.”
As Noh Sun-pyeong walked away, Wi Ilcheong looked back and forth between the path he’d taken toward the inn and the route Noh Sun-pyeong had pointed out to the herb gatherer.
‘…Could Miss Dokgo really have caused trouble in that short time?’
It had only been one quarter-hour—fifteen minutes—since Wi Ilcheong left the inn.
No matter how eccentric Dokgo Ryeong was, he couldn’t imagine she’d already caused trouble in such a short time.
Besides, Heo Gwan-yeong and Baekri Sohyeon were there with her, so he trusted they’d stop Dokgo Ryeong if she showed any sign of starting something.
‘…Still, I’m uneasy, so I’d better hurry back.’
Wi Ilcheong sprang off the ground and headed toward the herb gatherer once more.
*
Contrary to Wi Ilcheong’s hopes, Dokgo Ryeong was already making a huge scene.
“Fuck. We’re just trying to have a drink, and you’re being so damn loud, you piece of shit.”
“…Haa.”
Baekri Sohyeon sighed when she heard Dokgo Ryeong’s insults.
The man from the Murong Clan picked up the broken cup and raised his head to look at Dokgo Ryeong.
“…Are you deaf, miss?”
“What?”
“I am a warrior from the Murong Clan. Do you think you can get away with touching a member of the great Murong Clan?”
“For fuck’s sake, what a bunch of idiots.”
“…Ryeong, you must be drunk. Let’s go inside.”
“Ah, fuck. Let go. Drunk? I’ve only had one drink.”
“Ryeong…”
Despite Baekri Sohyeon’s lament, Dokgo Ryeong lifted the whole bottle to her lips and drank as she spoke.
“Honestly, fuck. It’s hilarious how you Five Great Clan bastards throw your weight around with your influence instead of your martial arts. Hey!”
“…”
“Hey, you bastard! Are you deaf?! You were shouting just now, you piece of shit. Yeah, you!”
“…Are you really speaking to me?”
“Yeah, you prick. Are you Noh Sun-pyeong or the Murong Clan Head?”
“Y-You crazy woman! How dare you insult the Murong Clan?!”
When Dokgo Ryeong started calling out the names of the clan’s most senior elders, the man’s face flushed red with anger.
“No, fuck. You’re not even one of them, so why are you sticking your neck out and acting like such a big shot? Huh? Fuck, anyone would think you were some supreme master.”
“You’re a woman who can’t be dealt with through words…!”
Clang!
The man from the Murong Clan drew his sword.
“I’ll cut off your head today and hang it in this inn!”
“What a load of crap. Go ahead and try. The head that ends up hanging will be yours.”
“You…!”
Seeing the man take a stance to charge at her, Dokgo Ryeong flicked her arm, about to draw her soft sword, when…
“Stop!”
“!!”
A shout filled with deep inner energy echoed through the inn.
At the sound, Dokgo Ryeong groaned and clutched her head in pain.
‘Ghk…! My head…’
The deep inner energy in the voice churned through Dokgo Ryeong’s mind.
In the end, unable to endure the dizziness, Dokgo Ryeong doubled over and vomited.
“Ugh!!”
“Ryeong! Are you all right…?”
“Ugh… fuck. I’m so damn dizzy.”
More than the bitter taste in her mouth, Dokgo Ryeong was furious that someone had put her in this state, and she ground her teeth.
‘What piece of shit is using Six Harmonies Voice Transmission to shake me up?’
If she’d been able to use her inner energy, it would’ve been a technique she could easily brush off without any trouble.
But since she couldn’t use her inner energy, being completely helpless against it wounded Dokgo Ryeong’s pride.
Just then, the person who had shouted moments ago entered the inn.
The man known as the Murong Clan’s Dagger—the clan’s second-in-command.
It was Noh Sun-pyeong.
“Noh Geuk-myeong.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“Come here.”
“…”
Smack!
Noh Sun-pyeong put his strength behind the slap, and blood trickled from Noh Geuk-myeong’s mouth.
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
“…No, I don’t.”
Smack!
After striking the same spot hard once more, Noh Sun-pyeong continued.
“First, a martial artist lost his composure and drew his weapon. When a martial artist can’t maintain his composure, that’s when a heart demon takes hold. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
“Second, you threatened a woman who can’t even use martial arts. If you can’t easily subdue even a woman like her, how can you call yourself a guard of the Murong Clan?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t eat or drink anything for the entire journey back.”
“Yes.”
“Go to the Second Young Master, confess your offense, and behave yourself.”
“…As you command.”
Noh Sun-pyeong entered the inn and approached Dokgo Ryeong.
The moment she saw his face, memories of the past she’d shared with him surfaced in Dokgo Ryeong’s mind.
[My lord! Please spare me… My lord!]
[You bastards, beating someone who can’t even use martial arts?!]
[If being born weak isn’t a sin, then what is?]
Just as all those memories were turning into rage, Noh Sun-pyeong spoke.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you companions of the Jade-Faced Young Master?”
“…Yes. My name is Sohyeon.”
“…”
When Dokgo Ryeong stayed silent and glared at Noh Sun-pyeong, he gave her a friendly smile.
“This young lady here must be the companion Young Master Wi mentioned.”
“…”
As Dokgo Ryeong glared at Noh Sun-pyeong with bloodshot, hostile eyes, Baekri Sohyeon sensed something was wrong and stepped between them.
“Um… my companion is… tired.”
“Ah, I’ve heard. Don’t worry. Young Master Wi said he had a companion with a cursing problem.”
“!!”
At those words, a chill ran down Baekri Sohyeon’s back.
Flustered at the thought that Dokgo Ryeong might cause a scene at any moment, she turned around, but Dokgo Ryeong was still completely silent.
“…I’d like to remain on good terms with Young Master Wi. I’m sorry, but would you mind enjoying the rest of your drink in your room? We’ll cover the cost.”
“No need.”
“Hmm?”
Only then did Dokgo Ryeong speak.
“No need. We’ll take care of the bill ourselves.”
“…So you can speak after all. You’d been so quiet I thought you were mute.”
Grrk.
Hearing Noh Sun-pyeong’s taunt, Dokgo Ryeong ground her teeth.
Whether he noticed or not, Noh Sun-pyeong laughed affably and said,
“Why don’t we exchange names? I still haven’t heard yours, miss.”
“Ryeong—!”
“Biyeon.”
Before Baekri Sohyeon could panic and cover Dokgo Ryeong’s mouth, another name slipped out.
“Is that a name you’ve heard before?”
“…I don’t know it. Biyeon… Biyeon, you say…”
Noh Sun-pyeong smiled broadly.
“What a lovely name. I hope your chronic illness gets better soon.”
“…”
After hearing his reply, Dokgo Ryeong snatched up the bottle from the table and walked past Noh Sun-pyeong.
“C-Come with me!”
Baekri Sohyeon hurried after Dokgo Ryeong.
Watching Baekri Sohyeon and Dokgo Ryeong head up to the inn’s second floor, Noh Sun-pyeong stroked his chin.
“That’s a name that sounds familiar…”
As he struggled to remember where he’d heard it, a group of people arrived.
The tall man at the front dismounted and greeted Noh Sun-pyeong.
“Elder?”
“Ah… You’ve arrived, Second Young Master?”
“Is something the matter?”
“…”
After staring for a moment toward where Dokgo Ryeong had gone, Noh Sun-pyeong shook his head.
“Nothing to worry about. Please, come inside.”
“Yes.”
After entering her room, Dokgo Ryeong had heard every word of Noh Sun-pyeong’s muttering.
That was why she couldn’t hold back the anger boiling up inside her.
Thud! Thud!
Trying to quell the fury she couldn’t do anything about, Dokgo Ryeong punched the floor again and again.
“Fucking bastard… piece of shit… less than an animal…”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
As her punches grew rougher and faster, Baekri Sohyeon, standing beside her, asked in a worried tone,
“Ryeong… who’s ‘Biyeon’?”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong couldn’t bring herself to explain to Baekri Sohyeon who Biyeon was.
After all, how could she explain someone she’d known back when she was the Mad Demon, Dokgo Jin?
“…Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know.”
“…Then why are you angry?”
“…Because that bastard doesn’t remember.”
Dokgo Ryeong spat out the words as if she were chewing them to pieces.
“Because he doesn’t remember the person he killed.”