Chapter 192 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

Chapter 192 - Headquarters - Part 1 Salmaek. In the world of martial arts, they were known as the quintessential guild of assassins. If a martial artist discovered they were targeted by Salmaek, there was a saying that one might as well prepare their last will. Salmaek meticulously screened and investigated their targets to ensure they did not become public enemies, hated by all under heaven. Assassination, the trade of Salmaek, was murder no matter how it was dressed up. Inevitably, it garnered resentment which couldn't be avoided. For this reason, unlike the branches that took commissions, the location of Salmaek's headquarters remained a closely guarded secret. That very Salmaek headquarters... “Cheon So-hee.” “See you again, Yoon-ho oppa.” A beautiful woman with black short hair was engrossed in martial arts training with thoughts of a man. Clap clap clap. As Cheon Sohee finished her training, the sound of applause echoed. Looking indifferently towards the sound, Sohee saw a familiar woman greeting her. She appeared in her late twenties, yet there was a mature charm radiating from her as she stood there smiling without a word. With her long, blood-red hair and red dress that revealed the side of her chest, she emanated a subtly sinister aura. Though her presence was attractive enough to arouse desire in men, the faint but potent energy she emitted would deter any man from approaching her. “Your Asura's Silent Killing Technique has reached a new level.” “Are you here?” “You still lack the proper respect for your teacher, I see. So, have you achieved any breakthroughs?” Dan Seowol. The successor to the Asura's Silent Killing Technique. She wore red clothes and was known in the martial arts world by the nickname Jeoknachal for the trail of blood she left in her wake. She was also Cheon Sohee's master. “I've had a minor epiphany.” Cheon Sohee spoke casually to her master who approached with a smile. Despite the master-disciple relationship, the mature beauty of the master, her tall stature, and Cheon Sohee's youthful looks made them appear more like an older sister and a much younger sibling. Of course, in certain aspects, the 'younger sibling' was significantly more... endowed. “It seems deeper than a minor one. Is it because you've found someone to lean on?” The master narrowed her eyes, looking at her disciple with a slightly mischievous gaze. “......” Sohee had expected this upon meeting and deliberately swallowed her words. “Aren’t you going to say anything? The trouble you've caused hasn't been trivial.” “Trouble caused by me?” “This mischievous disciple caused a huge mess, and who but her master must clean up after her?” “Ah… my apologies.” The Sungajang Incident. The Slaughter Star ran amok, resulting in many deaths. Luckily, the Sungajang head was not well-liked, and the new head happened to be the client, which made the situation somewhat manageable. “As long as you're aware. But before we delve into the topic of that man, I'd like to hear about your journey to Chilgok County. Have you consulted with Cheongija?” Jeoknachal Dan Seowol asked, recalling why she had first sent her disciple to Chilgok County. “Yes. He mentioned there are two ways.” Cheon Sohee spoke of the two methods Cheongija shared to quell the Slaughter Star within her, which involved elevating her martial arts or something related to a Yucheonja. “I've heard tales too about a Yucheonja, who creates a new destiny under unwaning starlight despite their life reaching its twilight. Such things, however, are usually relegated to mere legends.” While Sohee was unaware, Dan Seowol had not been idle in seeking a way to alleviate her troubled disciple's woes. That Sohee had sought Cheongija was on Dan Seowol's advice. “I found it.” “You found it? How?” “It was my destiny.” Jeoknachal did not press further and simply gazed at her disciple’s face. Her words were as succinct as ever. Yet the look on the disciple’s face was one that Seowol had never witnessed before her departure. Dan Seowol smiled faintly before replying. “It seems my disciple’s face wears not the guise of an assassin, but rather, that of a woman. Indeed. This man you're reluctant to speak of, who has aroused my curiosity, might be the same as the Yucheonja you mention. Now I find myself even more intrigued about his story.” Just as Dan Seowol was about to pursue the topic further... “Ha! No. 5! The man's tale. Watashi is intrigued as well!” Another woman interjected between the two. “Who?” “Ha! To inquire who I am, oh it is only fair to answer! In order to spread the art of ninjutsu to this world, to sing the praises of love's grace! Salmaek's ninja, Yukiko. Make my entrance!” The woman who appeared wore an outfit resembling eastern ninja gear, and though she seemed around Sohee’s age, her face was that of a lively puppy that anyone would be willing to dote on. “No. 15? When did you arrive from Dongyeong?” Cheon Sohee instantly recognized her. Dongyeong, the country they called Japan, from where the assassin had been dispatched on a long-term mission. She wondered when she returned. “Hee. Hee. Hee!” The puppy-like woman that was called No. 15 laughed at Cheon Sohee in a self-satisfied manner. “Why?” “Talking about old No. 15?” “You're not No. 15?” “I am now No. 6!” “You're No. 6?” Cheon Sohee’s expression twisted so subtly that only someone close would notice. “Aha! What’s with that look? As if Salmaek has seen better days!” “I’ve never made that face.” “I've seen No. 5 enough times! My ninja arts can discern it all. Nin nin!” “Why’ve you become so strange after Dongyeong?” The No. 15 she remembered was not like this. “Strange, you say! Yukiko has simply evolved! After receiving training in ninja arts from all the masters in Dongyeong and earning recognition from the greatest of them, I was permitted to establish my own Yukiko Ryuu ninja arts here in the Central Plains!” "I know what ninja arts are, No. 15." “No. 6!” “Fine, No. 6. But what's with Yukiko? You're Korean.” Cheon Sohee knew she wasn't the only Korean in Salmaek. No. 6 assassin was undoubtedly another Korean-born member like her, and yet Yukiko? “Ha! My blood, half Korean, half from Dongyeong. That's why during my last visit to Dongyeong I discovered my true name.” “True name? But your name is Seolj...” A throwing star flew at an incredible speed beside Cheon Sohee, too quick for even a martial artist to casually spot. "Ha! The throwing star was accidental!" "If you seek a fight, I shall oblige." "That's not it! It’s a warning to be careful with your words!" "Haah. You two are the only survivors of your class. Now, both of you have become first-class assassins, so stop fighting and try to get along," Dan Seowol sighed softly, mediating between the two, who were like cats and dogs. "I don't wish to be close." "Ah! But I do wish to be close!" "Both of you, follow me to the room." ---------------- "I heard you lived together." The three moved to Dan Seowol's room. "Ha! It starts off fiery! No. 5! Have you found the lord of your heart? Nin nin!" "Can’t we send her away?" Cheon Sohee looked at No. 6 with clear displeasure. "Yukiko is greatly disappointed! Have you forgotten the life-saving favor?" "I would've lived even without it." It had only been a minor help. She never owed her life to anyone. Cheon Sohee retorted bluntly. "......" No. 6 assassin grinned and looked at Cheon Sohee silently. "Fine. Go on." It wouldn’t change anything to listen. Cheon Sohee conceded with a small nod. Had No. 6 changed, or had she herself? She didn't use to be this di icult to deal with. "Heehee. The ninjutsu from Dongyeong I learned—it can even give the Slaughter Star a sense of shame. The force of persuasion has worked. Nin nin!" No. 6 assassin proudly smiled, exhaling a strange battle cry. Should I kick her out? Cheon Sohee had already said it aloud and pondered whether to kick up a fuss with her. "If it's a matter between man and woman, it may be better for someone of similar age to listen as well. Let's hear about this man you've lived with." Dan Seowol spoke as if coaxing her own disciple, whose thoughts were plainly written on her face. She's unsociable. Attaching a persistently friendly person to her might be the only way to leave her with any attachment to life. Cheon Sohee looked at the expectant faces of the two for a while before finally opening her mouth in a confessing manner, contrary to her usual self. "…An old childhood friend." "Ohohoho! Was it a bond forged under the promised tree with a marriage vow?" "If you interrupt me one more time, I'm not talking." "No. 5 is harsh!" "I want to hear about the man who’s stolen my disciple’s heart. Continue quietly." Jeoknachal did not lend her support this time either. "Although I'm a bit upset, I'm curious too! I’ll be quiet!" Dan Seowol glanced at her disciple, who looked displeased with No. 6, and smiled inwardly. 'She doesn’t deny that he's stolen her heart.' She thought of her disciple who had built a wall around love. Even talking about living together, she expected him to answer indifferently that it was for a mission or because of the Slaughter Star. But when it was said that her heart was stolen, and she did not respond... Her disciple seemed to be absorbed in memories of the man, her cheeks flushing slightly. 'What kind of great thief could have stolen the heart of the Slaughter Star?' Even as her master, she never imagined her disciple would fall in love. Dan Seowol listened with increased interest to her disciple's love story. "He’s three years older than me. We used to play together as kids." "Were there survivors in your hometown?" Dan Seowol was well aware of how her disciple had come to be in Salmaek. "He was from another village." Cheon Sohee shook her head. "Huh. That’s possible. So, after ten years, did he recognize you?" "Yeah. He recognized me at first glance after ten years." Cheon Sohee believed she was keeping her expression under control. However, her master saw it all too clearly. As a single drop of dye spreads distinctly through clear water, her normally cold visage and demeanor were now betraying a pride and affection for this man that she had never shown before. "That's quite interesting." If teased now, she might no longer speak of it. Feigning ignorance, the master continued to urge on her usually reticent disciple’s tale of love. ------------------- "It’s so you, yet for him to have stolen your heart, he must truly be your childhood friend." The master seemed slightly surprised, speaking as though her disciple’s name was a matter of life and death. "Yes. I regret not recognizing my brother." Cheon Sohee spoke with a heavy heart. Her brother who recognized her immediately despite ten years would have been devastated when she thrust a sword at him – at the brother who had kept her in his heart all his life. What would that have felt like? If the roles were reversed, her heart would have been torn. At first, she felt no regret, but as she thought more about it, the pain grew unbearable. "Huhuhuhu! Yukiko is so sad!" Encounters and misunderstandings, doubts, love, learning about being a Yucheonja, a rampage, and a parting. Unable to control her emotions as she unfolded the story, No. 6 as well began to cry. "The childhood friend you parted with as a child is alive and well in the Central Plains, and turns out to be a Yucheonja. Truly a fate decreed by the heavens." Even the renowned Jeoknachal could not contain her surprise. Really, wasn't this what one would call a predestined bond? Heaven had not been indifferent to her disciple, to the point of believing that it had gifted her with her one and only match. "......Yes." Dan Seowol quietly observed her disciple nodding slightly. Where had the emotionally numb child gone? Now, a woman heartbroken over love stood before her. Yet the master was not one to be satisfied there. Her disciple was seldom vulnerable, but her emotional walls had softened with love's painful arrow. Dan Seowol wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. "How far has it gone between you two?" "Wah! This Yukiko isn’t accustomed to such talks, but it's thrilling!" Cheon Sohee looked uneasily at her asking master. The usual Cheon Sohee would have remained silent, but Kang Yoonho had softened her heart. Feeling better after having her sorrow empathized with, and praised when boasting about Kang Yoonho, she found herself wanting to share even more. Ultimately, Cheon Sohee decided to share stories she normally wouldn't have. "I gave him the only thing I have." "Yes! When a woman parts with a man she considers her lifelong partner, she should give him something unique!" At her disciple's bombshell declaration, Dan Seowol's excitement flared instantly. "Ohohoho. Yukiko! I've heard about such traditions, too!" "What was it like the first time? Was it, as expected, painful?" "It wasn't painful. On the contrary, I felt good." Cheon Sohee shook her head with a mature smile. "Kuh! Is this the difference between one who has crossed the threshold into adulthood and one who has not? Yukiko is struggling with self-doubt!" "So, it was like that? I've heard it's only for those with unusual talents to feel that way from the beginning." Dan Seowol stumbled over her words, taken aback by her disciple's apparently high level of experience. "I was flustered by my own emotions at first. But seeing Yoonho oppa's face, I couldn't bear not to do it." "You took the initiative?" Dan Seowol looked at her disciple with eyes wide as they could be with shock. "I need a writing brush. From here on out, it seems I must take notes!" "It's over there if you want to record it. So, my disciple, did you do it inside or outside?" "At first, we did it only outside. The second time, we did it inside." Cheon Sohee said, averting her gaze as if embarrassed. "Aaaaaah." Her master sighed as if the room was about to take flight from her disciple's shocking confession. "What's the matter?" "Have I not always stressed the importance of contraception? Are you making sure to prevent pregnancy? Or is there no response? You're not even twenty yet; do you want to retire so soon?" "Contraception?" Cheon Sohee tilted her head in confusion at her master's words. "If you did it inside, you should naturally think about contraception!" "What are you talking about?" "Eh?" "Hm?" The bewildered look on Cheon Sohee’s face initiated a series of unwanted thoughts in her master’s mind. Surely not. Surely not that. Even if her disciple had been ignorant in that realm... "You're not referring to 'the only thing' as the experience of your first night together, are you?" "I gave him my first kiss." "Just the first kiss?" "The second time, we also used... tongues." Cheon Sohee's face turned red as if the experience was scandalous. "Ah..." "Ah..." "Did I... make a mistake?" A pitiful silence filled the room.