128 - Sichuan, China (19) - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

A day had passed. Mok Riwon was still lying in the sickbed, while the other members had been sent away to the Sacheon branch of the alliance. Dang Hwa-seoh was left alone to settle the remaining affairs here. "Clan leader…." "Why am I your clan leader?" Throughout the time they depended on the annex building, Dang Hwa-seoh looked down coldly at those kneeling in front of the courtyard and spoke. "I have no intention of leading you. It has always been so, and it will continue to be." Standing at the forefront of the line was Elder Dang Chogun. Next to him was Second Elder Dang Unjeong, and the ones kneeling behind were each a senior member of the Dang clan. It was, one could say, the words of a defeated party. The people of a clan facing decline without a master seemed incapable of considering past events, humbly kneeling like this. "...I cannot let the history of the Dang clan end with this generation." "Even if it doesn't end with this generation, it will with the next. Haven't you all made it so? Made me so." Startled— Dang Chogun's body trembled. Mentioning infertility must have left him at a loss for words. Dang Hwa-seoh smirked. "Short-sighted and utterly wicked in deeds, I think it's quite the fitting end." "Please reconsider just once more." "There's no need. And First Elder. You will be transported to the alliance." Thud, thud. Dang Chogun bowed his head to the ground. It wasn't just for show. Indeed, as Dang Chogun bowed his head more and more, his forehead began to redden moment by moment. Dang Hwa-seoh didn't answer. To that, Dang Chogun began to bow his head even harder. It was Second Elder Dang Unjeong who acted first in response to Dang Hwa-seoh’s continued silence. "First Elder!" He jumped up and lifted the First Elder. By then, the First Elder... had already passed out. Dang Unjeong's expression darkened. Dang Hwa-seoh sneered. "What a farce." With that, she turned away. No one, no one managed to hold back Dang Hwa-seoh as she left. * Dang Hwa-seoh walked through the corridor and out of the building. Her expression was blank, but not just blank - there was a tinge of sorrow mingled in it. Finally, the revenge was accomplished. It was because of that. '...It's not as sweet as I thought, after all.' Someone says. Revenge is the most futile act in the world. Because nothing remains at the end, it's only an act brimming with emptiness. Of course, there were arguments against this, but Dang Hwa-seoh belonged to those who believed in the futility of revenge. Because revenge doesn't return what was lost. Isn't that so? A future of bearing and raising a child no longer existed for her. The painful childhood she underwent couldn't be compensated. This incident too, in the end, was nothing more than punishing those who acted against the cause under the name of the alliance. "Miss." Sohyang appeared from the alley. Dang Hwa-seoh asked, "How did it go?" "The lady, Dang Unkyeong, and the Third Elder are imprisoned in the jail. The lady... no, that woman is having convulsions." "Stupid wench. Lacking situational awareness and only knowing how to flaunt her body." Tch, Dang Hwa-seoh clicked her tongue. "Well, you've done well for now. As soon as the people from the alliance arrive, they will be transported, so keep an eye on them a bit longer." "Yes." Sohyang left. Dang Hwa-seoh continued walking. On the way to the medicinal hall. She felt apologetic for forcibly keeping Mok Riwon in the medicinal hall not wanting to expose him to the current state of the Dang clan, hence she frequently visited. Click— As the door to the medicinal hall opened, Mok Riwon, who had been sitting where the tent was previously removed, quickly raised his head. "Miss!" He greeted her with a smile, but then suddenly blushed and lowered his head. Perhaps he was embarrassed by his crying the day before. Dang Hwa-seoh found his demeanor lovely and chuckled softly. Strangely enough, seeing Mok Riwon seemed to momentarily lift the previously stifled mood. "Are you experiencing any discomfort?" "None! But, Miss, aren't you facing hardships managing everything alone without the other members?" "When have I ever not worked alone? Everyone else just causes trouble, leaving all the work to me." Mok Riwon glanced around nervously. Dang Hwa-seoh moved to sit beside him and pinched his cheek. "Isn't it somewhat nice to be so well-behaved?" Mok Riwon's cheeks reddened again. Seeing this, Dang Hwa-seoh tilted her head and then, realizing, withdrew her hand with an "Ah". "I'm sorry…." It might indeed be inappropriate to make such contact. Saying so led Mok Riwon to shake his head furiously. "No, no! I was just a bit startled…." His embarrassingly joyful face was quite lovely. Ridiculously so, despite having come from such a fierce dispute just moments before, that incident now seemed like a distant memory. Dang Hwa-seoh pondered whether perhaps the peace of the Central Martial World was completed by Mok Riwon’s smile. Such a person being the Heavenly Killer. It still struck her as funny upon reflection. 'Perhaps the Purple Micro Star.' The hero's star at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Killer. If one had to pinpoint the star Mok Riwon was born under, that might be more appropriate. Dang Hwa-seoh's gaze fixated sharply on Mok Riwon. Mok Riwon hesitated, meeting her gaze for a moment before repeatedly lowering his head. Dang Hwa-seoh, noticing this belatedly, felt a ticklish feeling despite being puzzled. Why was he acting so adorably today? Despite trying to resist, the corners of her lips kept curling up. Dang Hwa-seoh turned her head away, fearing that if she continued to stare, she might mistakenly sustain the peculiar atmosphere and cleared her throat loudly. "…Have you taken your herbal medicine?" "Ah, yes! One of them was truly a divine elixir…." "You shouldn’t skip them, should you?" Mok Riwon nodded vigorously. Seeing this, Dang Hwa-seoh couldn't help but smile shortly after. "Good. In a day or two, the branch members will arrive. Then we'll finish up the remaining business in Sacheon, and we can return home." "Home…." Mok Riwon chewed on the word, then, cheeks flushing with happiness, said, "That sounds wonderful. I wonder why that is." "I feel the same." Truth be told, the time she spent in the alliance's hall, although shorter compared to other places, her heart already considered it home. Probably because life there was truly satisfying. Being with the members and other good people, it felt peaceful. “This time around, I just want to rest for exactly three days. Despite the situation being as bad as it is….” "I think that’s a good idea. No, how about touring Sacheon instead? If we talk to the branch members…!" Mok Riwon’s eyes sparkled. Anticipation filled them. Ah, I remember promising a tour of Sacheon before we departed. Dang Hwa-seoh pondered for a moment and then nodded. "That would be nice too. The sect may not be in peace, but given the significant work we've done this time, we'll likely be granted a few more days. Even if not, we can always sightsee on our way back." "That sounds wonderful!" She couldn't help but laugh again at his excessive excitement. As they spent time amidst ceaseless laughter, after a moment of silence, Mok Riwon said cautiously, "…Miss." "Yes?" "Are you truly alright?" Mok Riwon’s expression had darkened slightly, filled with concern. Dang Hwa-seoh quickly understood what he meant. Likely, he was referring to the matter of the clan. His concern, while observant, made Dang Hwa-seoh laugh. "Why wouldn't I be alright? After all, everything has turned out well in the end." "If that's the case, then I'm relieved…." The clan leader was dead. The First and Third Elders would be transported away, and the Second Elder, unaware of anything, would stay but wasn't likely to take initiative due to his nature. The Dang clan, without a clan leader, elders, or successors, would eventually dissolve and disappear, thus settling all grudges. Nothing more to worry about. Dang Hwa-seoh was only intent on moving forward towards the future. She tried to act as if everything was alright, but to Mok Riwon, she looked terribly worried. "Um, yesterday, Miss, you comforted me." "Yes?" Mok Riwon hesitated, then cautiously stretched out his arms. "Today, it seems it’s my turn to do so." Dang Hwa-seoh blinked at Mok Riwon, who shyly reddened as he opened his arms. Ah, a small gasp escaped her. For some reason, she felt deeply moved. It was a feeling like her heart melting warmly. What should she say? Struggling to find the words to express her surge of emotions, Mok Riwon then gently embraced Dang Hwa-seoh, closing his eyes tightly. The smell of medicine lingered. Dang Hwa-seoh usually detested the smell of medicine, because it reminded her of her childhood. However, at that moment, she didn’t find it unpleasant. Probably because it was mixed with Mok Riwon’s scent. "You’ve gone through a lot…!" Mok Riwon awkwardly patted her back. The movement was awkward and tense, but strangely, it made her feel even warmer. Dang Hwa-seoh bit her lip. ‘I thought I was okay….’ Wasn’t she? Being held like this made her feel like she might start crying suddenly. Therefore, Dang Hwa-seoh wrapped her arms around Mok Riwon’s waist. She buried her head in his embrace. "Yes." Eventually, Dang Hwa-seoh managed to weep away the sorrow she had failed to express earlier. * Two more days passed, and the branch arrived at the Dang clan. Their faces were all stern. "…I’m here to see the head of the Yong Bong Dan. My name is Oh Yang Woo, the head of the Sacheon branch." The head of the branch came himself. Well, the issue was not minor. "Did you read all the reports I sent?" "Yes." Oh Yang Woo had a troubled look. Understandably, it was the long-hidden crimes of one of the great families. And it was the young clan leader who had exposed them. Dang Hwa-seoh understood Oh Yang Woo’s expression. "Please, transport them. I’ve detained everyone involved." The First Elder and his confidants were all imprisoned. Oh Yang Woo nodded. "Move out." The branch’s warriors headed to the jail. Dang Hwa-seoh, even then, smiled at the pouring gazes. They were all looking at her with worried expressions. "I’m fine." "Thank you for stepping up for the cause." "It’s my duty as the alliance’s leader." "As the leader of the alliance…" Oh Yang Woo chewed over her words and then laughed. "That’s right. You are the leader." "You speak as if you had forgotten?" "Please understand. The Yong Bong Dan is a somewhat unique group, isn’t it?" "This time only." They ended the conversation with light banter. Then, the members who had gone to the branch approached. Mok Riwon waved his hands grandly to welcome them. "You’ve worked hard!" "Mok, my brother! You claim to have just rested, but your skin is glowing! While your big brother here labored so hard…!" "Ah! I didn’t just, just rest! Jung Yang! Jung Yang!" "Uhm…!" Familiar chaos unfolded, and Dang Hwa-seoh laughed once again. It seemed they never intended to act somberly; she found it disappointing if they didn’t cause such a fuss. Dang Hwa-seoh smiled broadly as she observed them, realizing something more profoundly. 'These are the people.' Indeed, the fact that these were the only companions she trusted and would continue to journey with was clear. And they were also the reason for her to keep living. At the age of 22 in the autumn. Dang Hwa-seoh had finally said a complete farewell to the lonely and tormented days of her youth.