Chapter 292: Convergence (2)

-Slap!

The boy curled up like a shrimp as the whip struck him.

With the continuous whipping, the boy’s clothes gradually became stained with blood.

The face of the boy, who had been screaming, twisted like an evil spirit as if resenting everything in the world.

‘What… what did I do wrong?’

He was simply born a mixed-blood.

But is this a sin?

Just because he doesn’t have black eyes and his skin is a bit fairer, does he have to suffer discrimination and disregard like this?

He didn’t know how things had come to this.

-Slap! Slap!

[Damn mixed-eye, die! Die! Someone like you is better off dead!]

With the continuous verbal abuse and whipping, the boy’s mixed eyes trembled.

Beyond pain and suffering, anger began to overtake reason, and it soon overflowed with murderous intent.

‘I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you.’

The restraints on his arms didn’t matter.

It would end if he just bit off that bastard’s neck with his teeth.

The boy, driven by rage, watched for an opportunity with the eyes of a hawk.

Then, when the hand that had been whipping him momentarily stopped from exhaustion,

“Aaargh!”

With a scream, he charged at the slave trader who had been whipping him.

There was only one goal.

To bite off that damn bastard’s neck.

Even if he died on the spot, he was determined to kill that one bastard…

-Thud!

However, before he could reach him, someone’s kick tripped him, and he fell.

The one who knocked him down was the slave trader’s bodyguard.

[How dare you, damn blue-eyed bastard, lunge at someone!]

-Thud!

The slave trader stomped on the fallen boy with bloodshot eyes.

He didn’t care whether the boy lived or died.

He was only focused on venting his anger.

-Thud thud!

-Grip!

It was too painful, but the boy bit his lips tightly and endured his groans.

He thought showing his suffering would only help the slave trader vent his anger.

-Thud thud!

‘Would it be better… to die like this?’

As his consciousness gradually faded from the pain, he wished for death.

It was that moment.

-Chak! Thud! Roll roll!

Then, something rolled in front of the boy.

[Y-you bitch…]

-Chak!

Hot liquid splattered and soaked the boy’s body.

The boy, who had been curled up, slowly raised his head in puzzlement.

His eyes saw something surprising.

It was the head of the slave trader with bloodshot eyes, as if unaware that his neck had been cut off.

what the .... just happened?

The boy, who had been dazed while looking at the bastard’s severed head, soon raised his head and looked at someone standing in front of him.

It was a beautiful girl with red hair fluttering like blood.

The girl flicked the blood off her sword onto the ground, glanced at the boy once, and then tried to leave the tent.

He didn’t know why she did it.

The boy, who had been stunned, soon staggered up in a hurry, ran to the girl, and shouted.

[P-please take me with you too.]

***

[P-please take me with you too!]

The eyes of the masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-men Commander Ma Ra-hyeon, who suddenly recalled his first encounter with the Embroidered Uniform Guard Six Offices Commander So Yerin, trembled faintly with a complex state of mind.

She was his savior who had rescued his life from falling into the abyss and his master who had taught him martial arts.

She had accepted him without any prejudice, and now he was telling her that he would leave her side, so just parting his lips felt heavy.

He didn’t want to disappoint anyone else, but especially not her, his master.

At that moment, So Yerin spoke.

“…Why? Why can’t you return to the Imperial Palace?”

“I apologize, Young Miss.”

“Don’t just say you’re sorry, tell me the reason.”

“Young Miss.”

“I told you to state the reason.”

Although she was speaking gently as usual, Ma Ra-hyeon, who had been with her for a long time, felt a faint agitation in her voice.

With a heavy heart, Ma Ra-hyeon hesitated and opened his mouth.

“The Southern Pacification Commissioner saw me. If I return, I will become a traitor.”

It was a justification he had thought of in advance.

No, it was not just a justification but also the truth from the beginning.

Unlike her, whose face was covered with a mask, he had acted in his original identity to safely pass them through the outer palace, so he was in a position where he could not return to the Imperial Palace.

If he were to return, he would be immediately caught by the Southern Pacification Commissioner.

Although his face had not been exposed, it could cast suspicion on his master So Yerin, who had entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard together with him.

“I apologize. I cannot become a burden to you, Young Miss.”

“Who says you’re a burden? Do you think I can’t protect you?”

“…I will become a shackle on your ankles.”

“It doesn’t matter. I will protect you in any way…”

“I have already made my decision.”

“Decision? Is it your decision to leave me on your own…”

“No. I’m not just leaving.”

“What?”

“I wish to serve Sir Mok Gyeong-un here as my master.”

‘!?’

At Ma Ra-hyeon’s words, So Yerin’s expression stiffened.

Ma Ra-hyeon was an upright and loyal man.

He had been with her for a long time, so he was not only her disciple but also a colleague and like a younger brother.

Now, without any warning, he said he would leave her side and enter under someone else, so she couldn’t help but be confused.

“Wh… why…”

At her reaction, Ma Ra-hyeon felt a pang in his heart.

However, he soon gathered his thoughts and spoke.

“I apologize. Sir Mok Gyeong-un saved me when I was about to die from blood poison. So I wish to dedicate my remaining life to serving him.”

“…”

At his words, So Yerin closed her mouth.

If he simply said he would leave because his identity was exposed and it would be a problem, they could have devised various means such as a human skin mask.

However, if this was the reason, she couldn’t hold him back.

No, if she held him back, it would be disregarding Ma Ra-hyeon’s decision.

“Commander Ma… no, Ma Ra-hyeon.”

“Young Miss… I apolo…”

“Enough. Why should that be something to apologize for? How can I stop you when you say you want to repay a debt of gratitude?”

‘Ah, Young Miss.’

Ma Ra-hyeon, who had been bowing his head, closed his eyes.

He still did not think he had fully repaid the favor he had received from her.

However, the one who knew the truth about his father’s death, which had long remained a lump in his heart, was right there.

If he missed this opportunity, it might never come again.

‘If… if there is another chance, I will surely repay your kindness.’

She was his master who had allowed him, a mixed-blood, to live like a human being.

Leaving her like this, he had no desire to return to her side again.

He just wanted to repay her kindness in any way possible.

Meanwhile, So Yerin approached Mok Gyeong-un, clasped her hands together in salute, and said.

“Young master. Then, I cannot be away for long, so I will return to the Imperial Palace now.”

“Ah. Of course you should.”

“If I learn any information about the mark, I ask that we meet. Of course, I will also share any information I come across.”

“I will do so.”

“Then I wish you good fortune.”

With those words, she was about to turn and leave, but she paused for a moment, then turned her head and said to Mok Gyeong-un.

“Please take good care of Ma Ra-hyeon.”

At her request, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders.

Accepting this as a sign of affirmation, So Yerin smiled bitterly and soon looked at Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint.

Then, Dam Baek-ha also clasped her hands in salute to Mok Gyeong-un, then tore off a piece of her clothing and handed it over.

The piece of clothing had the prisoner number [126] engraved on it.

“What is this for?”

“Thanks to you, Sir, the successor of the Elder, I was able to come out into the world again like this. I will never forget this great favor you have shown me.”

“I didn’t intend it, so you don’t need to be so grateful.”

“Even so, if it weren’t for you, Sir, I would have never been able to come out. That fact remains unchanged.”

At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smacked his lips and said.

“Well, if you feel that way, as a sign of gratitude, that suggestion…”

“That is a skill that only the owner of our sect and clan can learn, so I cannot teach it to you.”

Before Mok Gyeong-un could finish his words, Dam Baek-ha flatly refused.

Mok Gyeong-un, who had intended to ask her for the formula for casting the suggestion, licked his lips as if disappointed.

It was quite an interesting technique, so he wanted to know the exact formula.

Dam Baek-ha, who had handed over the piece of clothing, pointed to it with her eyes and said to the disappointed Mok Gyeong-un.

“Even so, how could I not repay the favor? I intend to go to the Four Leagues Alliance  [17]  , where the successors of our cult are said to gather for the reconstruction of the cult. If there is any work that needs to be done, even if inadequate, send this. I will rush to assist you in a single breath.”

At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled.

Although she expressed herself as inadequate, she was a tremendous master close to the realm of the Profound.

Such a master said she would rush to help whenever requested, so he had gained a useful card.

***

So Yerin and Dam Baek-ha the Sixth Blood Saint went their separate ways.

When they had left and their presence had completely disappeared, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and soon turned his gaze to Ma Ra-hyeon and said.

“Now that they’re gone, shall we hear the real reason?”

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Ma Ra-hyeon’s eyes narrowed through the gaps in his mask.

His eyes were filled with bewilderment.

“What are you talking about…”

“You can’t lie to me.”

-Smolder!

With these words, Mok Gyeong-un raised his demonic energy.

At that moment, Ma Ra-hyeon’s pupils turned black with demonic energy, and he unconsciously revealed his inner thoughts, which he had been trying to hide.

“Because of that damn old hag you abducted from the prison, my mother and that damn father of mine died.”

‘!?’

-Pak!

As soon as he finished speaking, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak hurriedly blocked the space between him and Holy Fire Priestess.

Their goal was to safely bring Holy Fire Priestess to the Heaven and Earth Society.

However, if the purpose of this masked Embroidered Uniform Guard Ma Ra-hyeon, who had pledged loyalty to Mok Gyeong-un, was to take revenge on her, they should never let him get close.

“What? Weren’t we on the same side?”

The expelled monk Ja Geum-jeong, who had read the atmosphere, also raised his energy and prepared to intervene at any moment.

At that moment, the Holy Fire Priestess staggered with a perplexed look.

‘This can’t be…’

She had a suspicion when she saw Ma Ra-hyeon’s mixed eyes.

However, with his recent words, she could be certain of his identity.

She spoke in a trembling voice.

“A-are you the son of Priest Mayera?”

“Shut up!”

Then, Ma Ra-hyeon roughly tore off his mask and shouted at her.

Despite his pupils being dyed black with demonic energy, his emotions had somehow become agitated.

“Mayera Hyeon…”

“I told you to shut that mouth!”

Ma Ra-hyeon yelled and tried to launch his body towards her.

At that moment, someone pressed down on his shoulder.

-Grip!

Ma Ra-hyeon tried to draw out his inner energy to shake it off, but the other person’s inner energy was so strong that he was forced to kneel on one knee.

-Thud!

‘Wh-who? Ah!’

He wondered who it was, but it was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.

Mok Gyeong-un, who had placed both hands on his shoulders, smiled and said.

“It’s troublesome if you act recklessly. Regardless of your circumstances, I didn’t have you take her out so you could do as you please.”

Although he spoke casually, this was a clear warning.

If he applied a little more force to his hands, it seemed it would not end with just crushing his shoulders.

At this, Ma Ra-hyeon endured the pain and opened his mouth.

“My lord… if you… leave… the disposal… of that… damn… old hag… to me… I will… pledge… my loyalty… to you… with… my life…”

“Are you negotiating?”

“I… will be… more helpful… to you… than that… old hag…”

At his words, Mok Gyeong-un scoffed and sneered.

Then, he leaned close to his ear and whispered.

“You value yourself quite highly.”

“My lord… it’s true. I can lay down my life for you as much as…”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“What do you mean?”

“The value of something changes depending on the situation. Thousand-men Commander Ma Ra-hyeon was quite useful in the Imperial Palace, but right now, that person is more valuable to me.”

“My lord!”

“So let’s make this clear right here.”

-Grip!

Mok Gyeong-un’s grip tightened.

A small groan escaped Ma Ra-hyeon’s mouth from the pain that felt like his shoulders would shatter.

“Ugh.”

“I hope you erase the thought of touching that person from your mind until my business is finished.”

“Haa… haa…”

“I quite like Thousand-men Commander Ma. But if you ignore my kind warning, I’m afraid I’ll have no choice but to personally carry out the weeping beheading of Ma Su.”

Weeping Beheading of Ma Su.

It refers to the anecdote where Zhuge Liang, a military strategist of the Shu Kingdom, beheaded his cherished general Ma Su with a sorrowful heart to enforce military discipline after Ma Su suffered a major defeat by disobeying orders.

It also meant that no matter how outstanding a talent, if they disobey orders and rules, they will not be forgiven.

At Mok Gyeong-un’s words, Ma Ra-hyeon said nothing.

Seeing this, Mong Mu-yak and Seop Chun were inwardly worried.

‘If Holy Fire Priestess is no different from the enemy of his parents, will that Embroidered Uniform Guard master simply accept his lord’s warning?’

‘If he’s going to be a variable, it would be better to separate them now rather than just warn him.’

He is someone who left his original companions and chose revenge.

Would such a person obediently follow his master’s orders?

At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un removed his hands from Ma Ra-hyeon’s shoulders, which he had been pressing down.

‘Ah…’

Is he really going to let it pass with just this level of warning?

It was that instant.

-Thud!

Then, Ma Ra-hyeon suddenly knelt on one knee in front of Mok Gyeong-un, clasped his hands together in salute, and bowed his head respectfully.

Then, he spoke politely with his head bowed.

“Ma Ra-hyeon wishes to serve Sir Mok Gyeong-un as his master. I will stay by your side with my life and pledge my loyalty, so please keep your promise.”

‘Huh?’

‘What is this?’

The two couldn’t hide their bewilderment at his sudden pledge of loyalty.

They thought he would harbor resentment for forcibly stopping his revenge, but he suddenly pledged his loyalty.

But what promise was he referring to at the end?

Did his lord make some kind of promise?

They couldn’t understand what was going on.

While pledging his loyalty with his head bowed like that, Mok Gyeong-un’s words echoed in Ma Ra-hyeon’s mind.

[I hope you erase the thought of touching that person from your mind until my business is finished.]

The premise was ‘until my business is finished.’

Mok Gyeong-un patted Ma Ra-hyeon’s shoulder and spoke with a sardonic smile.

“I like that you’re quick-witted.”