Chapter 123: The Saintess and the Witch (1)
A spark of hope lit up Heo-gyu’s eyes.
“Tell me quickly. What is this solution?”
“Recently, with Seo-hwa’s help, I obtained several martial arts manuals of the Demonic Cult. The government forces are training in them right now.”
“We are aware of that. The gunners of the Garrison are training in them with great enthusiasm, so how could we not know?”
“So you knew. Then why has the orthodox faction remained quiet?”
“Our opponent is the government. What can we possibly do? While there was quite an uproar at first, they have essentially given up now. In any case, what does that have to do with this?”
“Upon examining them, I found many useful techniques. If you wish, I can provide you with copies of the manuals.”
Heo-gyu burst into hearty laughter.
“You want the orthodox sects to learn demonic arts? If we bring those to the Righteous Alliance, they might burn them on the spot.”
So-mu was well aware of how much they loathed demonic arts. However, this was no time to be picky.
“With your current martial arts, you won’t stand a chance. It is merely adding a few demonic elements to your existing martial arts to slightly vary your stances.”
Heo-gyu fell into deep thought. If the New Demonic Cult completed their customized counter-techniques, the orthodox sects would be helpless. Changes in their stances were absolutely necessary.
“I worry whether the Alliance will accept it.”
“As time passes, martial arts must evolve as well. How long do you plan to milk techniques created by your ancestors hundreds of years ago? If you hand it over, Zhuge Suiying will take the initiative and push it through.”
Zhuge Suiying, the strategist of the Righteous Alliance. Though her martial arts were mediocre, she was a brilliant and pragmatic woman.
Heo-gyu smiled bitterly.
“I will give it a try. But is it even possible for us to modify our stances? It might be easy for you, the creator of the supreme Talhon Sword Technique, but for us…”
“Once you understand the principles, all martial arts are the same. Combining and modifying them is not that difficult. If the elders step up, it will be resolved in no time.”
It was a convincing argument. As hope returned, his appetite returned with it.
Heo-gyu picked up his chopsticks once more.
“Very well. I will finish this meal and go meet the Chief Beggar.”
“Take your time. I have no urgent matters today.”
Heo-gyu nodded and focused on eating. Then, as if remembering something, he looked up.
“By the way, did you say the branch leader you captured was the Heavenly Sword Witch?”
“Yes. I plan to interrogate her tonight and make her talk.”
“I hope you have her tightly bound.”
“No one can escape. She is locked in the army’s dungeon. Why do you ask?”
“She has mastered the Seduction Art to its peak. You must guard her carefully.”
Seduction Art—a demonic art that allowed one to charm and bewitch the opponent’s soul. It was so difficult to master that few ever reached its peak. Even So-mu had never seen it in person.
“The Seduction Art?”
“Since it wouldn’t work on you anyway, she probably hid it. Still, since she is in the army’s prison, we can rest easy. No matter how skilled she is, she won’t be escaping from there.”
***
The market of Chang’an Fortress had reopened.
This was made possible by the investments of Hanzhong’s wealthy merchants, coupled with the crowds arriving from other regions to sightsee the palace. The streets were packed with vendors and travelers. The atmosphere felt as if the war had already ended.
Yeon Seo-hwa looked down to her left.
“Is it delicious?”
So-so was clutching a candied hawthorn stick, holding her hand. Seeing the dimples on her smiling face, she was clearly having a wonderful time.
“It’s delicious! I’m so happy to be out with you, Master. Hehe.”
Seo-hwa had bought her a bright yellow hanbok and new shoes from the market, which had put the child in high spirits.
“I am happy to be out with you too, So-so. Tell me if there is anything else you want to do.”
“Um…”
So-so hesitated, unable to answer easily. She seemed to realize that her master had already spent a lot of money today.
“It is alright, go ahead.”
Fidgeting, So-so blushed and said softly, “A present for Father…”
It was an unexpected answer. A warm smile appeared on Seo-hwa’s face.
“Shall we go buy a present for your father, then?”
Leading the child by her small hand, she searched for an accessory vendor. Before long, she spotted a street stall.
The young female owner greeted them with a bright smile.
“My, you two look so alike! The child is so beautiful, just like her mother.”
The sudden remark caught Seo-hwa off guard. Just then, So-so looked up and beamed.
“Hehe. Sister, you’re pretty too.”
Being called “sister” by such a cute child put the owner in an even better mood.
“Thank you, dear. What are you looking for?”
“A present for my father!”
“Hoho. Take a look and choose one.”
Leaning over the stall, So-so blinked her large eyes as she scanned the items.
Watching her look like a little chick warmed Seo-hwa’s heart.
“Do you see anything you like?”
After searching for a while, So-so picked up two accessories. They were jade plaques with a brilliant sheen, decorated with red tassels. At a glance, they looked quite expensive.
“How much is this?”
The stall owner chuckled. It was adorable to see such a small child ask for the price. The girl clearly wanted them but was worried they might be too expensive.
Seo-hwa couldn’t help but smile either. Calming herself, she examined the jade plaques.
“These are sword tassels, ornaments used to decorate the hilt of a sword. They are made of red cornelian, and these two are a pair. Since the character for ‘connection’ is carved onto them, they serve as a token of connection between two beloved people.”
The young owner clapped her hands in admiration.
“You have incredible taste! Hoho. How do you know so much about them?”
So-so brought the two pieces together. They formed a perfect shape, fitting together beautifully.
Seeing her repeatedly put them together and pull them apart, she clearly loved them.
Seo-hwa made up her mind and reached for her purse.
“We will take these.”
The owner hesitated for a moment. Since it was the most expensive item on her stall, she expected some bargaining. However, she couldn’t bring herself to rip off someone who clearly knew their value.
“A wonderful choice. If you buy both, it will be three silver coins.”
In truth, their actual value was only two silver coins. She had planned to sell them at the retail price after some bargaining, but Seo-hwa paid the full amount without asking for a discount.
“Here you go.”
Receiving the silver, the owner was pleasantly surprised.
“Since you are a great customer, let me throw in a few other accessories for free. Go ahead and choose!”
Yeon Seo-hwa smiled faintly and shook her head.
“This is the first gift my child is giving to someone precious to her. I do not wish to diminish its value.”
Without hesitation, Seo-hwa took So-so’s hand and turned away. The owner stared blankly at her elegant back, completely captivated.
“P-please come again!”
So-so turned back and smiled brightly.
“I will, sister!”
Clutching the two sword tassels, So-so’s smile stretched from ear to ear.
“You must really like them.”
“I love them! Hehe.”
“Giving something to someone you love is a happy thing. The value of the gift does not matter. The heart you put into it will make your father very happy.”
“Hehe. Then will you be happy too, Master?”
“…Hmm?”
At that moment, So-so held out one of the tassels.
“This one is for you, Master!”
Seo-hwa was taken by surprise, a strange emotion washing over her.
“I thought you picked them out for yourself…”
“No, sister! I bought this to give to you. Hehe.”
Accepting it, Seo-hwa was left in a daze.
Surely she didn’t choose this knowing its meaning…?
Even though it was bought with her own money, she couldn’t help but feel incredibly happy. Besides, it was a gift filled with deep meaning.
A moment later, they found something interesting on the street.
“Can we go watch that?”
A crowd of people laughing caught the child’s curiosity. It was a street performance by players.
Surprisingly, one of the actors was portraying General Jang-yang. Around him, actors dressed as Hui soldiers danced with swords.
Then, the moment an actor dressed in a familiar uniform appeared, the Hui soldiers began to flee in terror.
A smile appeared on Yeon Seo-hwa’s face.
“Look, your father is there too.”
An actor dressed as Wolf Fang Squad Leader So-mu was the hero of the play. Seeing this, So-so burst out laughing, clutching her belly.
***
“Aaakh!”
A shrill scream echoed through the underground dungeon of Chang’an Fortress.
The woman had skin as pale as her white hair. It was the Heavenly Sword Witch, Baek Myo-jin.
A guard stationed nearby quickly rushed over.
“What is going on?”
With her hands and feet bound, she writhed inside the iron bars.
“My stomach… my stomach suddenly hurts so much…”
Tears welled up in Baek Myo-jin’s eyes. With such a face, no one would ever suspect she was a master of the demonic path.
“What kind of trick is this…”
“Please look into my eyes.”
Unwittingly looking into her eyes, the guard froze. The sensation of being sucked into a vortex made his head spin.
A moment later, the guard’s expression went blank. A triumphant smirk appeared on Baek Myo-jin’s face.
“Open the cell door.”
Under the influence of the Seduction Art, the guard could not resist. It was an insidious demonic art that was even more effective against those with weak internal energy.
The guard disappeared for a moment and returned with a ring of keys.
Creak!
The cell door swung open.
As if possessed, the guard stared blankly at Baek Myo-jin.
She held out her wrists.
“Unlock these.”
Clank!
Finally freed from her handcuffs, her pale fingers shot forward like arrows, piercing the guard’s throat.
Squelch!
As the guard collapsed, she didn’t even spare him a glance.
Channeling a dark current of energy, her hands shattered the shackles binding her ankles.
Snap!
Retrieving the sword from the guard’s waist, she stepped out of the cell.
“Trifling insects, how dare you arrest me?”
She had never imagined she would be captured by mere government soldiers. Her face was filled with humiliation.
Stepping into the corridor, she suppressed her presence and headed toward the exit. Escaping this place was her priority. However, her actions could not escape the notice of the other prisoners.
“B-Branch Leader!”
“Over here!”
“Please get us out of here!”
Her subordinates locked in the surrounding cells cried out to her desperately.
Baek Myo-jin’s brow furrowed.
“Useless fools… Are you trying to get us all killed?”
Because of the noise, her escape was instantly detected. The prison guards went into a frenzy.
“E-Escape! Prisoner escape!”
“Call for reinforcements immediately!”
Tweet! Tweet!
Whistles blew throughout the dungeon.
Simultaneously, dozens of guards rushed toward her. Their swift and systematic movements showed they were highly trained soldiers.
Irritated, Baek Myo-jin glared at her subordinates one last time and fled toward the exit alone.
The guards blocked the corridors, forming combat formations to resist. But how could ordinary soldiers hope to stop a peak demonic master?
Leaping forward like an arrow, she took a short jump before the guards. Simultaneously, dozens of streaks of light erupted from the tip of her sword.
Boom! Crash!
Heavy impacts echoed like a storm.
“Ugh!”
“Agh!”
As four guards were blown away in a single strike, the remaining soldiers hesitated.
She had no time to waste. Baek Myo-jin charged through the gap in their ranks.
“Out of my way!”
Yet, the soldiers threw themselves forward, stubbornly blocking her path. Their tenacity took her by surprise. Furthermore, the squad leaders were skilled enough to withstand a single exchange of blows with her.
How can the government soldiers be this strong…?
She had delayed far longer than expected. Gritting her teeth, she finally reached the exit.
She was confident her escape was half-successful—until she stepped outside.
“This is absurd…”
It was a ridiculous sight. Government soldiers were swarming from all directions like bees. At a glance, there were easily several hundred of them, and their numbers were growing exponentially by the second.
Several officers directed the soldiers, tightening the perimeter.
“Do not let her escape!”
“A great reward to whoever captures the witch!”
Gritting her teeth, Baek Myo-jin gripped her sword.