Chapter 23 Friend (5) - Martial Arts Masochist

In the lavish tavern, Chuiwunru, where martial artists and merchants from Sichuan and Chengdu continuously gather, there is a secret chamber underground, cut off from the world. Under the heavy lantern light, the head of the Sichuan branch of the Hao Mun, Jin Gon, cautiously unfolded a piece of cloth. "Twenty bodies found in the southern valley of Mount Emei." Attention turned toward Jin Gon. "Multiple signs of mutilation and sabotage. Evidence of intentional mass slaughter." Across the table, his lieutenant, Wi Chang, deeply furrowed his brow. "...You mean at Mount Emei." "Normally, we wouldn't bother with a massacre in a remote area... but something feels off, doesn't it?" Even without anyone spelling it out, they all contemplated the same possibility. "...Could it be someone's 'Shinma'?" Hao Mun has always been a group that considered only the most provocative possibilities. Jin Gon, too, smiled at Wi Chang's words. "That’d be good. It would make for expensive information." Although the chances of their predictions being wrong were considerably high, verification was essential. Pushing the piece of cloth across the table with his fingertip, Jin Gon continued. "Wi Chang." Wi Chang slowly stood up and offered a respectful salute. "I will carry out your orders." "Stay near the village by Boguk Temple at the entrance of Mount Emei. Confirm everything firsthand. Especially-" "-Disciple So Un and second disciple Chung Wol." "...Yes. Watch those two closely." **** "...Are you talking about Wol?" Hearing Mu Wol Sa Tae speak, So Un couldn't hide her complex emotions. Mu Wol Sa Tae had just shared with her the story of Chung Wol's 'Shinma,' the remnants of the extinction sword, and the multitude of corpses seen that day. After taking in the truth, So Un still couldn't grasp it. After a moment of frustration-laden silence, So Un cautiously asked. “...Then, what should we... do?” Mu Wol Sa Tae also shook her head. “...I don’t know either. If 'Shinma' were something that could be easily discarded, it wouldn’t be called 'Shinma.'” “...” So Un lowered her head and then looked far away at Chung Wol continuing her training. As always, her posture was earnest and unwavering. Her energy was clear and solid. It was hard to believe that such a person could have slaughtered dozens of bandits and been overtaken by 'Shinma.' She had known the girl since she first joined at around ten years old, a mere child then. Memories of training, laughing, and spending time together flooded her mind. Watching the trajectory of Chung Wol's techniques, So Un spoke with difficulty. “But master... For it to be 'Shinma,' Wol’s recent...” “-I know. Lately, she's been growing at a remarkable rate. As if she's had some great realization.” Mu Wol Sa Tae took a deep, calming breath and momentarily closed her eyes. At least for now, Chung Wol was stable. Knowing how precarious this peace was, she couldn’t help but feel a brief sense of relief. With a regained composure, she cautiously asked. “So Un. Have you noticed anything unusual about Wol recently? Has she changed...?” “...” So Un rummaged through her mind. “...Lately, it seems she's often lost in daydreams. She can’t concentrate well...” Trailing off, So Un suddenly recalled something. “...Ah, she mentioned something about a friend.” “...A friend?” “She asked what makes a friend a friend. Is it okay to be together if they're friends?" It was a story that further complicated Mu Wol Sa Tae's mind. A friend. Was this friend pacifying the darkness she harbored? It couldn’t be any of her martial siblings. ...Dokbong? That didn't seem likely, as they couldn't meet often. It seemed Chung Wol had made a new friend that Mu Wol Sa Tae wasn’t aware of. “...” ...But if that friend was drawing her further into the darkness? For Mu Wol Sa Tae, anything concerning her was a source of anxiety, like a child left near the water. Especially since realizing she was suffering from 'Shinma,' the feeling had intensified. Despite efforts to dismiss ominous thoughts, it wasn't easy. “So Un.” Mu Wol Sa Tae spoke low, her gaze fixed on Chung Wol. “Let’s keep an eye on Wol.” The word 'watch' suggested more than mere observation. So Un understood the deeper meaning. She quietly nodded. Then, Mu Wol Sa Tae suddenly recalled something and spoke. “Oh, by the way.” So Un listened attentively to the master’s words again. “Prepare to welcome a guest.” “A guest?” Mu Wol Sa Tae nodded. “They said someone from the Sichuan Tang Clan is coming.” **** Since that day, the frustration hadn't dissipated for Chung Wol. The more she dwelled on what happened with Han Seojin at the marketplace, the more her face flushed. No matter how she tried to forget, the memories surged back to engulf her like waves. “I don’t eat meat!” -Pak! Pak! Frustrated with herself for saying such foolish things, Chung Wol stomped the ground a couple of times in vain. Why did she react so emotionally? Why did she get irritated at every little thing? Why couldn't she shake off her annoyance? ...And why, even with all that, did she keep thinking about him? Two days had passed since she descended to the marketplace. In just four more days... she could visit his basement again. Yet, due to the events of that day, something felt uneasy. Their meeting had ended in a fight. Despite turning away, the thought of visiting the basement again felt strange. “...” ...Even so, she would go. Her swordsmanship had noticeably become smoother recently. Both her teacher and the master consistently praised her. The sense of liberation she experienced in the basement that day, that fleeting freedom from all oppression, was undoubtedly propelling her forward. There was a stark difference compared to the past year when she'd felt as if she’d hit a wall. Her sword, her body, her mind were progressing, albeit slowly, and even Chung Wol could feel it. ...If only her thoughts were different. She was annoyed with herself for constantly thinking about Han Seojin. Why him? Why someone like him? Han Seojin probably continued living unbothered. While she fretted in frustration, he likely hadn't thought of her even once. ...And for some reason, that annoyed her. “...Ha.” As she sighed, about to swing her sword again— "Sago!" A youthful voice echoed as a young girl hurried over. "...Honghwa." Honghwa was Hyeyul's disciple. Recently, Chung Wol had an awkward relationship with Hyeyul. Not that it was ever particularly good, but since the day Baek Hee's cheek was slapped, a tense atmosphere lingered. However, in front of this innocent child, oblivious to the adult complexities, she couldn't show any of it. "Sago, have a glass of water! You're training again today, I see?" Chung Wol gave a gentle smile and patted Honghwa’s head, accepting the water she offered. "Thank you, Honghwa. Yes, training must continue." "I want to be like you someday, Sago!" "..." ...Like me? Internally, she suppressed a bitter smile. ...You probably wouldn't want that. The truth is, it’s hard for me too. Holding back those myriad thoughts, Chung Wol fondly stroked Honghwa’s shoulder again. "No difficulties these days, right?" "Nope!" "Good. Now, I should get—" "—Oh, sago! Why are you always so popular?" "..." In the child's bouncy manner, the conversation flowed again. Though her training was being interrupted, Chung Wol once more brought a smile to her face. "Popular?" "I saw you the other day at the marketplace! Honestly, the entire town seemed to swoon when you walked by, sago!" Honghwa mimicked someone fainting, exclaiming "Huah!", seemingly engrossed in her little skit. "...I’m just grateful that people like me. If you keep working hard, I’m sure you'll—" "—Oh! But you should be careful of that guy!" Chung Wol, pondering how to end the conversation, responded. "...Who?" "The old guy at the leather shop!" At those words, Chung Wol’s ears perked up. The nuisance that Honghwa had been causing vanished instantly. "...The old guy at the leather shop?" "Yeah! Be wary 'cause he’s creepy!" Chung Wol lightly furrowed her brows. Creepy? "...Does he do anything odd to you all?" "Does something odd to us?" "Oh, no. I mean, to you." "Nope? He’s nice to us." "…? Then what's creepy..." Honghwa giggled, whispering like she was sharing a secret. "...That old guy! He's creepily interested in you, Sago!" "...Oh?" Chung Wol nearly lost her balance unknowingly. Grasping Honghwa’s arms, she asked slowly. "...What do you mean?" "When I go to run errands at the leather shop, he's always asking about you!" "...About me?" "Yes! 'Did you come with Chung Wol, Soso?' or 'Will Chung Wol come down later?' He never asks about anyone else!" Chung Wol blinked at the revelation. Thinking about how he appeared indifferent, avoiding involvement with martial artists at the marketplace... "Plus, you know from looking at his face, right? He’s completely captivated by you, Sago! You should go tell him to wake up from his dream!" ...Behind the scenes, was he constantly curious about me? A voice echoed in her mind. 'You’re pretty, Chung Wol.' "...Ah." Chung Wol quickly covered her mouth in front of Honghwa, trying to conceal the involuntary smile curling upwards. "...I see. Then, I'll go tell him to wake up from the dream." "Don't be too harsh, though, or he might get hurt!" "I understand what you mean." Chung Wol sent Honghwa on her way, collected her thoughts for a while, and picked up her sword. "...Ha." She couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Somehow, the sword felt a touch lighter than before. **** "...Damn girl." Chung Wol’s troublesome interest, displayed at the marketplace, was shattering my peace. Every customer who visited my shop had something to say. ...Do you know Chung Wol, soso? Even Gwakdu Ahjussi subtly asked. ...Do you know Chung Wol, soso? At this rate, there won't be anyone unaware of it soon. -Thud. Letting out a deep sigh, I set aside the rope I was coiling. Ugh. How hard is it to pretend you don’t know someone in the marketplace that you make it so obvious? Everything's becoming tangled. The more I'm involved with Chung Wol, the less beneficial it is. If I must stick around, it’d be best that those in Jianghu don't know. ...Why does it feel like I’m being steadily drawn into Jianghu’s hold? ...Even knowing this, the reality of not being able to do anything about it is overwhelming. ...So, is there any choice left? Revenge, you brat. If I can't do anything else, I might as well see you cry. That might bring some satisfaction. You were the one who wanted this from the start, after all. ...But will she really come after ending things that way? Returning to that place after such a separation seems irrational. “...” ...Yet now, even I found myself waiting for her. Never thought I'd feel this way. Honestly, compared to the monotonous routine, even getting a mere taste of something I’d vaguely imagined was stimulating. My desire for revenge was blazing now more than ever. ...Even the games I hadn’t intended to play initially... I'm willing to give them a shot. "Whoo." I exhaled a long sigh and placed the rope back over the candle flames. The crackling sound of small fibers burning in the rope filled my ears.