Chapter 117: What Is Your Identity

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Chapter 117 – What Is Your Identity?

The Red Sword buried in the memories of the Divine Martial Sword, who had spent a thousand years of long time – not in the memories held by White Peak Sword Sect’s legitimate successor Cheol Ryu-heun.

It was approximately two hundred years ago.

The last time he had seen that sword, splendid from scabbard to hilt…

It was an era called the ‘Blood God’s Reign Period’ – when the Blood God, one of the most outstanding peerless demonic figures and powerful fighters in martial world history, had appeared and been active.

For Cheol Ryu-heun – no, for the Divine Martial Sword – it was quite an interesting situation.

Why.

Because the owner of the Red Sword at that time was deeply connected to the Blood God, its former owner.

Fate is truly mysterious.

Wasn’t the Azure Sky Sword Saint Namgung Je, the progenitor of Namgung Sang-rin’s family, also a person who had lived through the Blood God’s Reign Period?

Was it due to the unknowable will of heaven that the three of them now faced each other like this?

‘It hadn’t been seen for a long time, and now it finally has a new owner.’

Having muttered internally, Cheol Ryu-heun soon withdrew his gaze.

Meanwhile.

Hae Su-yeon, having caught the opponent’s gaze that had briefly lingered on her sword, suddenly received a bizarre feeling difficult to explain in words.

‘What was that?’

It didn’t seem like he was just looking because the sword was novel and unique.

Capturing others’ eyes wasn’t anything new.

Since the red sword’s characteristics were so prominent, receiving others’ attention was almost as familiar as daily life.

Her natural beauty also played a part, so by now, just looking at people’s gazes, she could roughly guess their intentions.

‘Ah, they’re looking because I’m pretty, ah, they’re looking because the sword is beautiful,’ and so on.

But.

Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze was different.

She couldn’t even begin to fathom what his intentions were.

Even further, he gave her the impression that he knew some secret or truth about the memento from her master that she possessed.

Of course, it was just a vague thought led by intuition, and that glimpse was only for a split second, but receiving such a feeling from someone she was meeting for the first time was extremely rare.

Just now, she had heard Namgung Sang-rin refer to the unfamiliar man as Sect Master Cheol.

Sect Master Cheol – who could that be?

For Hae Su-yeon, no person immediately came to mind.

If she had to name the closest martial sect, it would be White Peak Sword Sect.

She had heard the news earlier about the death of White Gate Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon, who had been a famous swordsman in the Hunan region.

But she had not yet heard that a new Sect Master to lead White Peak Sword Sect had been elected, and she had considered such a possibility very slim.

It was a natural thought.

Because she knew from rumors that along with the tragic news of Sagong Woon, his first legitimate successor, the Young Sect Master, had also become an unconscious vegetable.

The name of White Peak Sword Sect’s Young Sect Master – she couldn’t remember it well.

It was a martial sect she hadn’t had much interest in.

Anyway, since Hyeop Mu-geuk, an executive there, was a skilled swordsman called White Flash Sword Tiger, it would be one thing if he was temporarily serving as Sect Master… But there was no way the person who had just appeared before her was the White Peak Sword Sect Master.

His attire clearly proved it.

It was said that White Peak Sword Sect’s master wore black martial attire embroidered with a white mountain pattern, yet he was dressed in ordinary clothes worn here and there.

But one shouldn’t judge based on attire alone.

Seeing that he held the Sect Master position at such a young age, estimated to be around the age of majority, he didn’t seem like an ordinary person.

At any rate, he was a mysterious and incomprehensible person.

She had lived her whole life and never seen anyone like him before.

Such an expressionless face and unfeeling gaze… If there were a specimen of a person with absolutely no emotions, she thought it might be him.

Well, she felt no aversion.

Rather, some curiosity was only stimulating her heart.

Namgung Sang-rin asked with a curious expression.

“Sect Master Cheol, are you on your way somewhere far?”

“Well, far if you call it far.”

Cheol Ryu-heun pointed at Hae Su-yeon standing beside him with a light chin gesture along with his disinterested response.

“A traveling companion?”

The moment Namgung Sang-rin tried to say something, Hae Su-yeon cut him off.

“Yes, we happened to build a friendship and ended up traveling together. I’m called Hae Su-yeon. Seeing how respectfully Young Master Namgung addresses you, you seem to be of high standing… Which martial sect do you belong to?”

Cheol Ryu-heun silently stared at her face.

‘My. What is this, not answering when someone speaks.’

Hae Su-yeon deliberately spoke playfully to ease this somehow awkward atmosphere.

“Ah, I am rather prettily made, yes. But if you stare so intensely, I get embarrassed. Hoho.”

“I’ve seen about several thousand.”

At the words Cheol Ryu-heun tossed out, Hae Su-yeon widened her eyes.

“Pardon?”

“Women who look like you.”

“……”

“Maybe even more.”

“……”

Hae Su-yeon was dumbfounded.

‘What? Several thousand…? Ha!’

Really, too much for a first meeting.

What, is beauty like mine so common?

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun adjusted his grip on the reins and spoke to Namgung Sang-rin in an indifferent manner.

“Go to our sect and wait. I’ll return in a few days.”

Then, glancing sideways at Hae Su-yeon beside him.

“A flower blooms but there’s no butterfly. Are you wandering around to find one?”

Simultaneously with the words Cheol Ryu-heun uttered, Hae Su-yeon’s dark brown pupils wavered transparently.

‘…!’

Goosebumps rose.

A thrill flowing wave-like through her entire body.

It couldn’t be helped.

Because the words he had just tossed out expressionlessly were exactly the same as words her master had spoken while alive.

“H-how did you…”

In the instant Hae Su-yeon, with her hair standing on end, slightly stammered.

WHOOOOSH-!

Divine Wind forcefully expelled mist-like breath from his nostrils and mouth, then immediately kicked off the ground and surged forward.

RUMBLE RUMBLE- RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE-

Along with the sight of the mounted figure rapidly receding, an internal energy-laden projected voice vibrated through the air across the distance.

-If you’re thinking of becoming a Guest Retainer of our sect, you’re welcome.

Thus, Cheol Ryu-heun and Divine Wind became a tiny dot on the far side of the road in the blink of an eye and disappeared.

HISSSS… HISSSS…

Hazy dust particles scattering in the wind.

Hae Su-yeon blankly watched that direction and let out a quiet voice.

“A Guest Retainer…”

At that moment, Namgung Sang-rin glanced at her expression and asked suggestively.

“Lady, what happened? You showed quite a big reaction the moment you heard those incomprehensible words…”

Hae Su-yeon rather asked back in a flustered tone.

“Young Master! What is that person’s identity?”

“He’s the person serving as Sect Master at the place I’m going.”

“I already figured that out.”

“Hahaha, you’ll find out once you get there. Have you already forgotten our mutual promise?”

“Sigh, I’m dying of curiosity.”

Hae Su-yeon placed both hands on her hips and showed a sulky expression, then shook her head.

“Yes, well… It can’t be helped. No direct questions until we reach the destination…”

“Are you sulking?”

“Yes. But if you buy me something delicious at that village over there, I think my pout might lift.”

Namgung Sang-rin smiled and inwardly clicked his tongue.

She’s a seductress, a seductress.

It felt as if each change in her expression and movements exuded bewitching charm.

“Lady, by the way, what was that surprised reaction earlier about?”

When Namgung Sang-rin pointed out that part again and asked, Hae Su-yeon stuck out her tongue and turned her head.

“I won’t tell you either. Now, let’s go. I want to confirm with these two eyes what that place is.”

“Haha. Yes, understood. But before that, let me tell you just one thing…”

Namgung Sang-rin tapped the scabbard of the sword hanging at his waist and continued.

“That person earlier is the one who gave me this fine scabbard as a gift.”

At that, Hae Su-yeon wore an unexpected expression.

“Oh my, really?”

“Yes. I can’t reveal more details than that though.”

“I had no idea. I thought… It was a family heirloom of the Namgung Family.”

“Well, if you didn’t know the circumstances, you would naturally think that.”

“Actually, from the first time I saw that scabbard with the dragon elaborately engraved, it was quite impressive. But I thought it was a family heirloom, so I didn’t ask about its history at all. I felt like I’d be digging up old wounds.”

“You have unexpectedly deep consideration.”

When Namgung Sang-rin, feeling grateful, praised her honestly, Hae Su-yeon lifted her chin slightly.

“Heh. How about that, my heart is as lovely as my face, isn’t it?”

“……”

“Don’t go falling for me now. You said you already have someone you like, didn’t you? Then it’s no good.”

“……”

“What’s with that expression?”

“……”

“Hohoho! Oh my, I’m joking, joking. Still not used to it?”

“That last one seemed like you meant it…”

“Ah, you caught me.”

Hae Su-yeon spoke shamelessly and winked one eye.

“……”

A quiet sigh escaped from between Namgung Sang-rin’s lips.

Sigh… That woman, I don’t know who will end up being her partner later, but I have a feeling she’ll cause quite a headache.

* * *

The government office in Wuyang, Hunan Province.

Chief Magistrate Ju Yu-gang, who had returned from a trip to the neighboring city of Luozhou where the Hunan Inspector Northern Branch was located, immediately headed to the office in the central hall of the grounds with escort martial artist Dam Maeng-gi in tow.

Before long, he opened the door and stepped inside.

“Ah! Chief Magistrate, you’re here.”

Vice Unit Commander Ban Bu-bong, who had been sitting at a table in one corner of the sunset-lit space, quickly rose to his feet.

Ju Yu-gang sent a gesture telling him to just stay seated and took the chair across from him, while Dam Maeng-gi stood behind him like a folding screen.

“How did things go?”

“Hmm, everything was wrapped up well. You can relax now. Before long, the Thousand Snake Gang lot will each receive the maximum level punishment befitting their crimes.”

“As expected… But the atmosphere at the Inspector Branch must be quite something right now.”

“Indeed, it’s been turned upside down. Just counting the officials who formed close relationships with the Thousand Snake Gang and engaged in filthy deeds, including the Vice Prefect of Pyeongneung, there are over twenty.”

“The Inspector General…?”

“Given that the matter is what it is, he declared he would personally handle everything from beginning to end.”

Ju Yu-gang followed those words by taking out a blue scroll and showing it.

“Take this.”

At that, Ban Bu-bong’s eyes went wide.

“Pardon? What is this?”

“Call it a reward given to the official who contributed the most.”

“Th-that… No, are you saying I’m that official? That’s far too generous. How could you, Chief Magistrate…”

“Don’t feel burdened. I personally recommended you, and the Inspector General readily approved, so you just need to accept it gladly.”

“…!”

Surprised by the unexpected words, Ban Bu-bong untied the thread of the scroll and checked its contents.

“Ah! Finally, reinforcements…”

Though he had requested reinforcements from superiors countless times because the command post was understaffed, he had only received responses to wait – finally, reinforcements had been approved.

Moreover, it said the military affairs budget, supplies, and other things had been greatly increased, and they would even receive a separate personal reward bonus and a new official residence building.

“You lived up to my trust. I declare you fully deserve to enjoy that.”

“Chief Magistrate! Thank you!”

When Ban Bu-bong bowed his head with a joyful expression, Ju Yu-gang wore a pleased smile.

“Ha, it’s not all something to be happy about. It means I’ll work you harder by as much as you’ve received.”

“Yes, I don’t mind!”

At the moment Ban Bu-bong answered, overcome with joy once more.

“You two, please continue your conversation.”

Suddenly, Dam Maeng-gi politely brought his hands together in greeting and strode toward the door.

“Oh, where are you going?”

When Ju Yu-gang asked in bewilderment, Dam Maeng-gi turned his head and spoke nonchalantly.

“Pardon? It’s quitting time.”

“……”

“One should observe work hours strictly.”

“Ah… I see. You really are… Truly strict.”

“Yes. It’s my life motto. Ah, of course, if you give me overtime pay again like yesterday, I will stay at my post, hahahahaha.”

When Dam Maeng-gi spoke with a bright laugh, Ju Yu-gang unconsciously clenched both fists.

That guy, that guy, not even an ant antenna’s worth of flexibility!

Phew… He’s so strict I want to grind him on a whetstone like crazy.

Until he’s completely worn away to nothing.