Chapter 25. Departure

“I can't understand it, really.”

Jaegal Somi frowned.

“We’re disciples of the Falling Sword Sect, not members of the Rogues' Guild, right? Why is he entrusting that token to you, little squirt?”

“……”

“No matter how I think about it, this isn’t right. That’s pushing you into the grudges of the Murim that have nothing to do with you. That Sect Leader guy, what is he thinking—”

“Well, there must be a reason.”

Hyuk Dae-woong cut in at that moment.

“Whatever the Sect Leader entrusts to us, it will never be something that harms us. That’s what I believe.”

“…You big oaf, honestly.”

“If I didn’t believe, I wouldn’t have followed him in the first place. Isn’t that the same for you, Sajeo?”

As if he knew everything, Hyuk Dae-woong smiled at Jaegal Somi.

For a moment, Jaegal Somi, at a loss for words, flinched.

Jjaak!

“You’ve been getting more talkative lately. Now that you’re not the youngest anymore, you’re cutting Sajeo off and acting all high and mighty, is that it?”

“Ahaha……”

Jaegal Somi, after slapping Hyuk Dae-woong on the back, turned to Lee Byeok again.

Haah, she sighed.

“Alright, what can we do. If he says jump, we jump.”

“……”

“Little squirt, mark my words. You go out there acting all high and mighty like a peak-level master, and you could end up dying a miserable death. Hide thirty, no, fifty percent of your skills.”

“…I understand.”

It was a common proverb used in the Murim, and a saying Lee Byeok already knew.

But Lee Byeok silently nodded.

“I’m not just saying this. It probably won’t happen, but… if by some chance someone recognizes your martial arts and thinks of the Seonwoo Clan, that could happen.”

“That… would certainly be troublesome.”

Lee Byeok still used the sword of the Seonwoo Clan, and his Innate power followed the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art.

Above all, last night, Lee Byeok had witnessed the ‘completion’ of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style from Lee Jincheon.

In other words, he couldn't abandon that sword now, nor did he feel any desire to do so.

It was certainly a teaching that originated from the Seonwoo Clan, but the enlightenments were something he had obtained entirely on his own. But.

…He wanted to avoid getting entangled with the Seonwoo Clan in any way possible.

“So, avoid using your power as much as possible. If you really have to use it, make sure to clean up afterward. Got it?”

Lee Byeok nodded repeatedly.

But Jaegal Somi's words seemed to have no end.

Various warnings continued for a long time after that.

“Uwa~ Look at Sajeo’s nagging go on and on~ She’s a total mom~ Byeok. Brush your teeth and go potty before bed, and don’t eat snacks~”

“Ah, are you crazy!”

Jjak! Jjaak!

Jaegal Somi's palm once again spat fire.

Even as his back was being slapped, Hyuk Dae-woong laughed, “Ahaha.”

His eyes met Lee Byeok’s.

“Be safe, Byeok. Take care of yourself.”

“Yes, I’ll be back.”

One word was enough.

After briefly meeting Hyuk Dae-woong's unwavering gaze, Lee Byeok stood up from his seat.

“Got it, Lee Byeok? First is self-preservation, second is also self-preservation. Take care of your body like your life depends on it.”

Lee Byeok bowed his head to Jaegal Somi one last time and left the residence.

He didn't have much luggage.

At most, it was a few changes of clothes tied together, and the sword at his waist. That was all.

As for other travel expenses or meals, Lee Jincheon said that ‘they’ would take care of everything.

But as for who ‘they’ referred to, the current Lee Byeok had no way of knowing.

Kkiik!

Lee Byeok went out the main gate.

The sun was setting again.

Last night, the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword Style that unfolded at Lee Jincheon's fingertips was like a dream.

He felt he understood a little.

Lee Jincheon had provided Lee Byeok with a new milestone to strive for as a swordsman, as well as a journey for its achievement.

Lee Byeok stood at the gate and looked back at the Falling Sword Sect for a moment.

It had been well over half a year since he had settled here, at the Falling Sword Sect.

So many things had happened—

Tadadat!

“Big brother!! There he is! Big brotherrrr!!”

Just as Lee Byeok was about to get lost in reminiscence, a gruff voice from the distance cut off his thoughts.

Along the path, two figures, one large and one small, were running side by side.

It was Jang Seok-du and Wang Suyeon.

Wang Suyeon, upon reaching Lee Byeok, bent over and panted, haak haak.

Jang Seok-du, on the other hand, was perfectly fine.

Snap, he grabbed both of Lee Byeok's hands.

“Thank goodness! I was afraid you might have already left, so I ran like my life depended on it. That was close!”

“…Why?”

Lee Byeok tilted his head.

Although he was leaving the village suddenly, he had already said his goodbyes to the two of them that morning.

“What do you mean, why? I’m hurt, Big brother! Is there a law that says you can't say goodbye twice? Ahahat!”

Jang Seok-du joked.

“Ahem, of course, the part about being hurt was a joke. Have a safe trip, Big brother! And this……”

And Jang Seok-du held out a small pouch.

When he opened it, dried beef jerky was neatly stacked inside.

“It’s not much! But just in case, don’t starve if you don’t have anything to eat during your journey, ahahat!”

“…Thank you.”

“Not at all! It’s nothing much! And when you come back, I’ll definitely! be waiting with enlightenment!”

Tang, Jang Seok-du beat his chest.

Jang Seok-du was currently learning the breathing technique, but he had not yet reached the stage of sensing the energy of nature.

It was a wall that children who were just starting martial arts often encountered.

Overcoming it would not be so easy.

Pfft, Lee Byeok smiled back.

“…Oppa.”

Wang Suyeon tugged on his sleeve.

When he turned his gaze, beads of sweat were forming on her small forehead.

Wang Suyeon, having barely caught her breath, held out a small bottle.

“This, it’s wound medicine.”

“…Where did you get something like this?”

“You don’t need to know that! Anyway, don’t get hurt… and you have to come back safe and sound as soon as possible. Okay?”

Wang Suyeon's voice trembled.

Unlike Jang Seok-du, her expression was not so good. But her heart was likely not so different.

There was the Sect Leader, Sajeo, and Sahyeong, and the younger ones. He cherished them, and he was cherished.

Lee Byeok realized.

The only place for him to return to was here, the Falling Sword Sect in Flower Pavilion Village.

Lee Byeok stroked Wang Suyeon's head.

“I’ll be back. Stay healthy.”

* * *

Lee Byeok arrived at Gathering Lake.

Finding the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion was not difficult.

In the center of the long street stood a pavilion with brilliant lights.

It was the largest tavern in Gathering Lake, a place that only became bright and lively after the sun set and night fell.

Lee Byeok approached the main entrance.

On both sides, large warriors stood blocking the way.

As Lee Byeok approached, they glanced at him and chuckled.

“Go home, little squirt.”

“This ain’t no place for a suckling~”

“…I’m from the Falling Sword Sect.”

“What? What’s that?”

“……”

Lee Byeok took out the token.

But the warriors didn't even bother to look at it properly and just shooed him away.

“Go on, go. I don't care which village or house you’re the son of~”

“Looks like you’ve scraped together some coin to pat some girl’s behind. What a pity, that money won’t get you far.”

And they giggled among themselves.

Lee Byeok knew instinctively. Arguing here would be useless, and he didn't want to exchange long words.

Lee Byeok put the token away.

And he drew upon his inner energy.

Taat, he kicked off the ground, leaped up, and jumped over the main gate.

He landed in the inner courtyard.

Hook, the strong smell of alcohol wafted over him.

The boisterous chatter coming from inside the pavilion and the colorful lanterns surrounding the area.

He had only crossed a single wall, but it was like a completely different world from the quiet outside.

Kwang!

“Y-you, who are you!”

“An intruder! Get him!”

Just then, the main gate was violently thrown open from behind him.

He felt the presence of the warriors from before rushing in with urgent voices.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

In response, the two warriors guarding the pavilion door inside drew their swords and rushed out, panting.

“Wh-what?! What’s going on?!”

“Just one guy? And he’s just a kid?”

“D-don’t let your guard down! He jumped over the wall! Judging by his footwork, he’s no ordinary guy!”

The four warriors, swords drawn, surrounded Lee Byeok.

But Lee Byeok felt that their level was not high. It seemed he could subdue them easily without drawing his sword.

But he hadn't come here to fight.

Hook, Lee Byeok released his aura.

He had only revealed a small fraction of the inner energy formed by his Innate power.

But that alone was enough to make the warriors' faces turn pale. They keenly realized that he was not an opponent they could handle.

“I am not an intruder.”

“……”

“I said I came on business, but you wouldn’t listen, so what was I supposed to do?”

Jeobeok!

Lee Byeok took a step.

The warriors in front of him took a step back.

They couldn't bring themselves to break the encirclement, but they didn't dare to charge either.

“St-stop. I understand. Please stop.”

“Young Master, I apologize for what happened earlier. I will report to the Pavilion Lord at once, so—”

Taang!

It was then.

A figure dropped from the second-floor window of the pavilion.

It landed as lightly as a swallow.

Taat!

The figure kicked off the ground and shot forward like an arrow.

The direction was precisely toward Lee Byeok.

Swaeaek!

And a powerful fist shot through between the warriors in front.

It was an attack that could not be taken lightly.

Lee Byeok dodged to one side.

But at that moment, the figure's arm bent. As if anticipating it, an elbow drove toward Lee Byeok.

“Heek! A-Agassi! Wait!”

“Too late! Run!”

While Lee Byeok dodged another attack, the warriors made a fuss and put distance between themselves and the two.

“Keut!”

As another attack was foiled, the newly appeared figure let out a light groan.

Tat, the figure took a step to gain momentum and charged at Lee Byeok again.

Fists and feet extended in a dazzling display.

Tat, tadat!

Lee Byeok used his footwork.

The opponent's movements were extraordinary.

She was a master of fist and foot techniques of a considerable level, not an opponent who could be easily subdued.

“How long are you going to keep dodging!”

The figure shouted.

Surprisingly, it was a woman's voice.

Not only that. Lee Byeok finally got a proper look at the figure's appearance.

She was even a girl, not much different in age from Lee Byeok.

Hwik!

Another attack followed.

But he couldn't decide if it was right to counterattack in this situation.

After some thought, Lee Byeok brought his hand to his sword.

Twoong!

The next moment, a fist and the scabbard clashed.

Instead of drawing the sword, he had infused the scabbard with inner energy and met the blow.

Inner energy and inner energy collided, and a shockwave spread through the surroundings.

“Keuk.”

The girl's brow furrowed.

Her extended arm, which had collided with the scabbard, trembled slightly. The impact must have been considerable.

But the girl's body regained its posture.

She pulled back her faltering momentum.

“Wait. Stop, young miss. I did not come here to fight, but on business.”

Lee Byeok quickly spoke.

“Hmph! Don't be ridiculous! Then you should have clearly stated your identity and entered through the main gate! Why did you jump into someone else's yard and exude such a menacing aura!”

“I showed my identification token, but you wouldn't even look at it properly, so what else was I supposed to do?”

“…What?”

The girl's gaze shifted.

It turned toward the warriors in the distance.

The warriors who received the girl's gaze trembled slightly.

Lee Byeok took out the token.

He held it out in front of the girl's eyes.

The girl's expression changed from moment to moment as she looked at the token.

From curiosity to bewilderment. And finally, to a pale color.

She looked Lee Byeok up and down.

“…Excuse me, young master, but what is your relationship with the owner of this token?”

“I serve him as my Sect Leader.”

“……”

Hwik, the girl's head snapped around.

She turned toward the warriors huddled in the distance. Jeobeok jeobeok, she approached the warriors.

Peok, peo-eok, peok! Peo-eok!

“Keok! We-we’re sorry!”

“S-s-save us, Agassi!”

“A-Agassi! We’re innocent! We just heard there was an intruder and— kwaaak!”

“……”

In an instant, the warriors were down.

She had beaten the warriors, who looked to be twice her size, with her bare fists as if handling livestock.

Soon, all four were rolling on the ground, and the girl turned back to Lee Byeok.

Kkueok, she bowed her head.

“I am truly sorry for the discourtesy, young master. Please forgive our rudeness. I will make sure to give these men a stern scolding.”

“……”

It looks like they've already been scolded.

“I’ll make sure these guys can't chew their food for a while by—”

“Ah, no, there’s no need for that.”

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