Chapter 112


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A nighttime cooking specialty shop that operates even after dark.

As most shops turned off their lights, four stunning women entered the one that was still lit.

In an instant, all eyes turned toward them. However, those who tried to approach had their expressions sour from the alcohol.

“Isn’t that person… the disciple of Sma?!”

“Don’t talk to her…! I’ll die…!”

Baekmae quietly remarked.

“That’s quite a reputation you have.”

“Do you have any idea how many people have hit on me since I left the banquet? I didn’t want to be bothered, so I had to break a few arms. Just a bit of dislocation.”

“Is dislocation light?”

“For us, it’s just child’s play. You’re in the same boat, right?”

“Can’t argue with that.”

The four women sat in a corner while Jeongsoi approached with a nervous look.

“Lady… what do you want?”

“What do you have?”

“Our top specialty is aromatic meat… but…”

“Bring that and a whole bunch of other meat dishes. And bring eight bottles of decent alcohol.”

“E-eight bottles…? You can’t be serious?”

“How much are you planning to drink?”

“I don’t get drunk anyway. Isn’t it easier to drink one bottle per person?”

Juryungryeong’s words made Heukdanhwa sigh.

“I’m different. I get tipsy even from a little.”

“Tsk, tsk. Can’t help it then. I’ll take care of the remaining four bottles.”

“Was that your goal from the start? Why do you have such a clever mind for this?”

“I have a talent for being a strategist, you know?”

“There’s no such thing as a food strategist.”

The ordered food came out. Glasses clinked lightly in the air.

Baekmae looked around nervously.

“Um… then… who will start the conversation?”

“Shouldn’t we just go in order of who we met first?”

“That’s true, but it feels like I’d be at a disadvantage.”

“But we’re going to talk about everything anyway, right? It’ll never end if we nitpick. Eun Seol-ran.”

“You have a point.”

Eun Seol-ran tilted her drink.

“I met Jeok-un at Blood Demon Academy. We were called Twenty-Nine and Thirty. I was Twenty-Nine, and Jeok-un was Thirty. We took on our first mission… it was related to Black Heaven Sect.”

“Black Heaven Sect?”

“It’s a minor sect. Not very famous. What’s important is that the sect’s rumor master was said to be connected to Teacher Bai, who is presumed to be from the Manma Clan.”

“…Hmm? Interesting. And then?”

Eun Seol-ran went on with her story. After finishing, she shrugged her shoulders.

“…That’s how it was settled. It was a funny incident from Black Heaven Sect. Isn’t it laughable to wield a sword for an assassination target? I thought the guy was crazy at first!”

“But that’s so like Jeok-un, isn’t it? It was the same when I was around.”

“As intriguing as that is… let’s put that story on hold for now. It’s good to go chronologically. So? Who’s next?”

“Since I’m Twenty-Nine, it’s my turn. I got involved with a power slightly greater than Black Heaven Sect. It was the Sma Clan.”

“Sma Clan? That prestigious family?”

“Yep. It was an internal review commissioned by a group trying to consume the entire clan, called Cheonakmun. And…”

Baekmae briefly shared her story, shaking her wine glass afterward.

“…That’s how it turned out. Seriously, what a weird person. I risked my life for someone I’d known for less than a month? Just because I thought it was wrong?”

“He sure is stubborn.”

“Right. But… anyway, we ended up parting ways. He did a lot for me, you know? Not only did he defeat the Demon Valley Lord… he even spoke to Ilma on my behalf and got my family out of Gilu…”

“He even offered to share elixirs with me. He takes great care of those close to him.”

“…Well, that’s good, but he has a problem with overindulgence…”

“Next is me?”

“Not quite. Chronologically, I got involved with you a little later. Inside Fengma Cave.”

“Fengma Cave? Ah! Now the story connects. That’s why Jeok-un carries around four swords, right? Just one was already strange… but there are two more kinds!”

“Don’t say you’re admitting to that… I ended up parting ways a bit earlier. But the Ear Sword Jeok-un carries definitely came from Master Guigok Yajang. That was the plan.”

“Master Guigok Yajang… isn’t he a picky craftsman?”

“Sure, he is, but oddly enough, that guy is kinda loved by some weird individuals… don’t you think?”

“Hmm, true.”

“That’s not wrong.”

As the glasses clinked again, Juryungryeong, who had been casually blowing on her bottle, grinned.

Filling one glass, she slid it next to her.

“Next is me! I met Eungmin in the river where we get elixirs. At first, I just wanted to chat because I found a fun guy. He was wearing an Inpimyunggu? I was curious and struck up a conversation.”

“What did you say?”

“I asked if I could share what he was eating. It was beef jerky.”

“Is it that jerky? I’ve had it at Fengma Cave, and it was super delicious.”

“Really? Mine was tasty too… what’s up with this? Did someone set me up separately?”

Amid her questions, Juryungryeong breezed through the story, keeping it as concise as she could and ending with a bang!

“…And so, we killed Ansasugwi. Just the two of us, me and Jeok-un.”

“…I didn’t expect you to have such a background.”

“Well, it happens. No one in this world doesn’t have their own reasons, right?”

“That’s true…”

Heukdanhwa sighed.

“I actually met Jeok-un as an enemy. I imprisoned him with the Demon Military Illusion Formation. Using the trial as an excuse, I tested his humanity.”

“…Demon Military Illusion Formation? What exactly is that?”

“It’s simple. It’s a technique that mixes illusion and reality. I’m quite knowledgeable about the formation, and I applied what I learned.”

“Can you really use such techniques? How many people in the main school can do that…?”

“You can’t do it without innate sense and talent, so there won’t be many. But… aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?”

“Who appeared in the military illusion I created.”

— Thud.

Everyone froze. Juryungryeong murmured.

“I… probably wasn’t in it. Jeok-un saw my face only for a fleeting moment during our time together. If I appeared, that would be strange, wouldn’t it?”

“Then, what about your female acquaintances who know you…?”

“…Hmmmm…”

Heukdanhwa smiled widely.

“She was quite proactive, Baekmae.”

“Ahhh!! What kind of prank did you pull with my face?!”

“It was a fake, so it shouldn’t matter, right? I didn’t intend for it to happen. The Demon Military Illusion adjusts itself to fit the person under the spell, mixing memories of others with themselves.”

“And that means I didn’t appear?”

“You did appear.”

“Phew…”

“Why are you relieved?”

Heukdanhwa said, unfolding the entire story about what happened with Eungmin last time, concluding her narrative.

“…That’s how Jeok-un faced the one who was supposed to be the Blood Demon. I didn’t see how it ended, but it must be true since there were testimonies from members of the Blood Sea, Huachun Quenma, and Nine Heavens Jade Woman.”

“Are you not out of your mind?”

“I agree.”

“We fought hard too, didn’t we?”

“Let’s eat and talk. Juryungryeong.”

The glasses clinked again. Eun Seol-ran, who hadn’t dissolved her tipsiness yet, spoke with a slightly flushed voice.

“Well… that was just the kind of guy he was. He used to do insane things. You know? He once defeated a first-rate master somewhere between second and third-rate? That was just ridiculous. Yet… he did it.”

“Hmm…”

“I always thought martial arts was just a means to show off… because I’ve seen things since I was young… so… that’s how it is.”

“By the way, Eun Seol-ran, you share the same surname as the leader of the secretive group, Eun Yang-baek.”

“That’s my biological father.”

“…Then why the Black Death Clan…? Isn’t the secretive group affiliated with the Manma Clan?”

“That guy abandoned me. To the Blood Demon Academy.”

Eun Seol-ran sipped her drink.

“I had an older sister… she was exceptionally talented. Maybe even more than I was. But what was even more outstanding was her kindness. She was a wonderful sister. But my biological father… raised her like a tool.”

“…….”

“My sister tried to carry all the burden so that I could live a normal life. But one day, she suddenly died. The remaining burden fell to me. Once I took it on, I realized how difficult it was for her. Such a terrible person! A metal block with no blood at all.”

“Did you at least resist?”

“Of course! I hated that guy’s success. My sister’s death was partly due to her overwork as well. So I just gave up. I openly said that I wouldn’t learn martial arts. So that old man threw me into Demon Valley. A place where you must learn martial arts if you don’t want to die.”

“…….”

“My views on martial arts didn’t change even there. But… he showed me. What you can actually do with martial arts. It was really cool! So… I started wanting to learn properly. I also wanted to hit that Eun Yang-baek guy.”

“So you ended up under Sma?”

“They came to me, but in the end, that’s right. Even when they sent me off, that guy waved goodbye with a smile, you know? So kind and gentle… that guy suggested splitting the tiny elixir he got with me…”

Eun Seol-ran chuckled.

“Of course I’d like him more than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“…I can understand that to some extent.”

Baekmae murmured as she slammed her glass down on the table.

Her flushed face looked troubled.

“I mean, honestly! Isn’t it strange that a person like that exists in this world? You know… honestly, I’m somewhat pretty, right?”

“Wow, you’re saying that out loud…”

“No, really! My chest is somewhat big. Look at this! It’s going up, right!”

“…What are you doing in front of me?”

“Anyway! I was raised in Gilu. I didn’t actively participate in physical activities, yet I got stared at a lot. I know I’m pretty. Everyone here knows too, right? You guys have faces that would stand out anywhere.”

“Well, that’s not wrong.”

“If I don’t hide my looks, flies will swarm in.”

“Sometimes, I do miss being part of the Blood Demon warriors. It’s quieter when wearing a mask.”

“Right?! Isn’t that right?! But think about it! Did Jeok-un… ever look at us with lewd eyes?”

The four went silent. Heukdanhwa shook her head.

“Never.”

“He even said it was okay to touch my butt, yet he did nothing!”

“He’s practically a stone Buddha.”

“Right?! And even after acting that way, he was secretly… giving and caring for us… even risking his life to ensure our future… how… how could…”

Baekmae’s voice trailed off.

“How could… I not like him.”

“True. Honestly, that’s how I feel. The first time I met him, he went out of his way to follow me and protect me. Even when I was breaking up with that… sibling…”

Juryungryeong muttered in a gloomy tone, discreetly wiping her eyes.

Heukdanhwa handed over a handkerchief.

“…Thanks.”

“It’s nothing.”

“…Hmph.”

“I didn’t mean to say you should blow your nose…”

“Anyway, he’s the one who fought off those many Sujeoks for my sake. A friend… honestly, I call him a friend, but…”

Juryungryeong sighed.

“I really want to gobble him up.”

“I actually made a move on him once. Before he healed my burns.”

“Huh? Burns? Heukdanhwa, you had burns?”

“On my face. It’s an old story. Not something to tell just anywhere… but since I’ve had a bit to drink and spilled some secrets… I can’t help but speak up.”

Heukdanhwa shrugged her shoulders.

“I wasn’t born into a well-known family. To put it bluntly, I was a genius. But do you know what a genius born into a poor noble family must bear?”

“The family as a whole.”

“Exactly. Eun Seol-ran. I had to bear the whole family from the moment I was born. I had to try my best even when I didn’t want to. After enduring such backbreaking efforts, in the end…”

Heukdanhwa looked down at her empty glass.

She quietly grabbed a new bottle.

“I couldn’t stand the pressure anymore and rushed, falling into a deep state of despair. I misaligned my Dantian and burned my face because my martial arts were fire-related.”

“…That’s…”

“What’s important is what happened next. My Dantian was broken, and my face was burned, but… I was still Heukdanhwa. The child of my family. You know when it all crumbled in a day, and instead of worrying about me, my family was too busy cursing me?”

“Crazy bastards, right?”

“What the hell are they doing?!”

“I’m not the weird one, right? I was foolish for trusting them. Those words came shooting out of my biological mother and father. The mission I was supposed to carry shifted to my next hopeful younger sister, and from that day on, I became the nameless child in my family.”

Heukdanhwa gulped down the drink right from the bottle. Juryungryeong subtly observed her.

“You said you’re getting tipsy. Aren’t you pushing yourself?”

“I want to push myself. It’s alright for once in a while. Honestly, if I don’t drink, I can’t unleash this story. Just like that, I lost my name in a day, and I was furious. I felt bitter too. To put it bluntly…”

Heukdanhwa murmured.

“I wanted to kill them all. Those family members who laughed at my efforts and all the time I spent.”

“…I get it. I’ve felt the same way.”

“You too?”

“It’s not exactly the same, but I didn’t seek to learn martial arts either. I was an orphan and was kidnapped by a demon known as the White Bone Deity during my childhood. I was practically imprisoned and passed down the martial arts. In the end, I thought I’d finally get my revenge—but that person died of old age before I could kill him, didn’t he? He was an old woman from the moment he picked me up, after all. So, in a way, that was expected. Ugh. I should have killed him myself.”

“…So what happened then?”

“What happened? I was about to leave the mountain. But… the energy from the Gu-eumbaleok I learned was too strong and invaded my mind, right? If someone was nearby, I felt like I might hit them without realizing it, so I decided to retreat back to the mountains. I stayed there until I could fully control that energy. And then… I met that sibling.”

“Sounds really similar to me.”

“Similar in the part about meeting the sibling?”

“No. In the part about the target for revenge disappearing.”

Heukdanhwa leaned back in her chair, gazing blankly at the ceiling.

“My sibling moved first. My sibling was… a little mentally weak. They had talent but couldn’t endure the pressure like I could. Moreover, when I failed once… the family members pressed harder on my sibling. After enduring it all, my sibling went insane… wiped out the family in a frenzy, and then cut their own throat.”

“…Really…?”

“Yeah. I was forced to abandon revenge without even attempting to utilize the Demon Military Illusion that had secretly slumbered in the family’s library. That’s what led to me getting stuck in a deep state of despair, drawing people in under the name of Seob Honyohee, raiding famous masters. Maybe it was just simple venting of anger… well, at least thanks to not having it too deeply, I managed to control it to a point where I didn’t commit murder. If it had drenched even deeper into blood lust, there would have been massive casualties.”

Heukdanhwa nodded.

“Under those circumstances, Jeok-un overcame that presented distraction. He escaped from the ocean of lust filled with hundreds of beautiful women that my ultimate illusion of all creation conjured. So much as to seem real, pulling me into it.”

“…Really? At that point, isn’t he a no-good person?”

“Nope! He still got it up! I checked in the morning.”

“O-oh… what was it like?”

“I’ll keep that to myself.”

“What?!”

In the bustling atmosphere, the bottles piled up.

Juryungryeong muttered.

“That guy’s a rock when it comes to women.”

“That aspect is even more attractive.”

“Right?! That guy can handle my adorableness so calmly?!”

“In Fengma Cave, he casually held my hand! While spewing charming words!”

“The sincerity behind that action terrifies me even more. Seriously. When he expresses his true feelings… I can feel it’s entirely for my sake…”

Heukdanhwa trembled slightly. After confirming all the additional bottles were empty, she turned away.

“…Shall we order more drinks?”

“Yes! Yes!”

“Let’s just get drunk and die today!”

“What do you want to eat?”

The four, energizing their solidarity, piled the bottles high. The previously boisterous discussion turned into a debate about Jeok-un.

“That training freak… honestly, if I had to pick the most attractive part, it’s the lineage. That clearly defined part when he flexes his muscles is just… wow.”

“I’d say differently. It’s his chest.”

“You’ve gone too far! Juryungryeong!”

“I’ve touched it a little on the sly… it was amazing! So wide and v-line-like…”

“His eye expressions aren’t bad either! A bit wild and sometimes looking like a beast—honestly, I feel like I might get eaten! Eek!”

“Quite honestly, wouldn’t you want to smack that rear once?”

“I-I agree.”

“…I’m somewhat curious.”

“I can’t deny it…”

“What butt?”

A voice suddenly cut in smoothly at the table. Heukdanhwa flinched.

“…Member of the Blood Sea, Wolhyang?”

“You all looked like you were talking about men. What, huh? Why didn’t you invite me? I’m somewhat close too! Call me next time, okay?!”

Wolhyang flirtatiously pouted. Eun Seol-ran narrowed her eyes.

“Member of the Blood Sea… what are you doing here?”

“Just patrol. Patrol. And coincidentally. A real coincidence. I was just glancing to check things out, but… I heard the name of someone intriguing, you know? I was curious!”

“But that seems too relaxed, doesn’t it?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I mean, I can guess roughly what you’re talking about… but where’s that kid right now?”

“Um… with Ilma…”

“Whaaaaaat?!”

Wolhyang grinned widely.

“You know, I don’t think there’s a time for you four to quarrel right now.”

“Huh?”

“With the strongest standing tall, what use is there for you four to squabble?”

“Nonetheless… Ilma seems like a legendary figure…”

“True. I thought so until recently… a romance with the Master? That didn’t seem right! How could that fearsome Blood Demon Master whisper sweet nothings to someone?! It felt like nonsense. But…”

Wolhyang slurped food down.

“I don’t think it’s untrue, though?”

“……?!”

“……?!”

“……?!”

“……?!”

“……?! You know? The flower that blooms late is the most frightening. Ahaha!”