Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 87

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 87
Biseonndang of the Martial Alliance.
This small building, situated behind the main hall of the Martial Alliance headquarters, was a covert intelligence bureau operated by the organization.
They gathered information from all directions, analyzed the movements across Zhongyuan, and reported to the Alliance Master.
Just as they were doing now.
So Ja Gon, the Vice Alliance Master, stood in for the absent Alliance Master and listened intently to Lee Jeong, the director of Biseonndang, his expression grave.
The bloodshed churning beneath the surface of Zhongyuan was enough to make even So Ja Gon—who thought himself seasoned in the Martial World—shake his head in dismay.
“So in other words… what you’re telling me is that while Mount Hua keeps its gates sealed, the Sichuan Dang Clan’s influence is taking root in the Xi’an region. A thorny situation.”
“On the surface, it’s a matter of the Secular Branch, so the Alliance can hardly intervene without appearing disrespectful to Mount Hua. If we’re careless, it could seem like we’re not honoring them. But if we leave things as they are, Xi’an will become a nest for Heterodox Sects.”
So Ja Gon rubbed his brow and turned his gaze toward Lee Jeong.
“I understand what you’re saying. This matter should be revisited once the Alliance Master returns. It’s not a decision I can make alone. What else?”
“Traces of the Demonic Cult have been discovered at the border between Sichuan and Hubei.”
“The Demonic Cult has shown itself?”
“The cultists haven’t revealed themselves directly, but as you know, there’s been heavy rain recently. A farmer reportedly discovered a corpse in a pile of earth that had collapsed from the rain and filed a report with the local authorities. When the authorities went to investigate, they found marks on the body that resembled traces of Demonic Qi, so they sent a request for investigation to the Alliance.”
“It was Demonic Qi?”
“Yes, it was indeed. There were faint traces of Demonic Qi remaining on the wounds left by a blade.”
“This is grave. The demon blood issue remains unsolved, and now these creatures are running wild across Zhongyuan…”
“There’s another problem. We found traces of Bone-Burning Powder used on the corpse. A Throwing Blade was also discovered nearby.”
Lee Jeong retrieved something from his robes and placed it on the table.
So Ja Gon’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Is that not a Chuhon Throwing Blade? That’s an item from the Dang Clan. Are you saying the Sichuan Dang Clan is colluding with the Demonic Cult?”
“I cannot be certain. The Throwing Blade was merely discovered in the vicinity. We’ll need to investigate whether there’s a connection between the Sichuan Dang Clan and the Demonic Cult from this point forward.”
Lee Jeong spoke in a grave tone, his gaze fixed firmly on So Ja Gon.
“May I send people to Seongdo in the name of the Vice Alliance Master?”
“Do so. I will report to the Alliance Master.”
So Ja Gon nodded and turned his attention to the Throwing Blade on the table, fingering it idly.
In his eyes as he regarded the dulled blade, concern flickered across his gaze.
* * *
Clack!
The chopsticks collided in the air with a loud clatter.
I frowned and brought the chopsticks back toward the plate.
But Yeon Ryang wouldn’t allow me to pick up a dumpling. He flicked my chopsticks away lightly and reached out with his left hand, snatching a dumpling with a flourish.
“You!”
What kind of person eats dumplings with martial arts techniques? Really, this is ridiculous.
As I cried out indignantly, Yeon Ryang bit into the dumpling and waved it around as if to tease me.
I glared at the dumpling disappearing into Yeon Ryang’s mouth and tapped the table sharply.
“Another plate of dumplings, please!”
“Haha, eating again? Little sister?”
“You’re the one who ate an entire plate by yourself!”
He was absolutely infuriating.
I huffed indignantly and took a long drink of tea.
Yeon Ryang had been playing pranks on me whenever he found the chance, as if trying to lift my spirits.
For a full seven days and nights, no less.
At first I’d been grateful, but now all I wanted was to strike him. The only consolation was that I had no power to do so.
“Another plate of dumplings, coming up.”
“This one is mine.”
I pulled the dumpling plate toward me, glaring at Yeon Ryang, when several martial artists in training robes suddenly flooded into the inn. They appeared to be Secular Branch disciples of Mount Wudang.
I flinched and dropped my gaze to the dumplings. I hadn’t done anything wrong, really, but I felt oddly intimidated.
Just as I was about to consume the entire plate of dumplings myself, I slid it toward the center of the table, and Yeon Ryang remarked teasingly.
“Suddenly lost your appetite? Want me to finish it instead?”
“Please do.”
I responded flatly, and by then Ju Ryeong, who had somehow ended up on the table, had already grasped a dumpling deftly in his paw.
That little mink—his timing was impeccable, the way he struck and withdrew.
I watched Ju Ryeong bite into the dumpling and couldn’t help but smirk a little.
The influence of Mount Wudang in Hubei was far greater than I’d imagined.
Everywhere we went, there were Trading Houses, Money Houses, and Estates established by Secular Branch disciples of Mount Wudang.
Even though we’d been away from Gyun Hyeon for quite some time.
There was a reason Yeon Ryang kept trying to keep a low profile. Regardless of skill, it was the kind of place where troublesome things were bound to happen.
A Demonic Cultist and a wanted person wandering through an Orthodox Sect stronghold like this—now that was a combination for the history books.
I laughed bitterly to myself and called for the innkeeper to settle the bill for our meal.
“Are you leaving, then?”
“You finished everything?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
Yeon Ryang had popped the last dumpling into his mouth and risen from his seat. We slipped out of the inn.
Since the cart overturned, there had been no further attacks.
Yeon Ryang had stayed awake through the first two nights, watchful and tense, but from the third day onward he seemed to have let his guard down, snoring loudly in his sleep.
After that, it was eat, walk, sleep, eat, walk, sleep—and the roads leading to Wuhan were well-maintained enough that the walking wasn’t arduous.
There was amusement to be found in watching the people we passed.
Though whether I was the one watching or being watched, I couldn’t quite say. Everyone we encountered seemed to steal glances at Yeon Ryang as they went by.
“Your brother must be quite handsome. Everyone can’t seem to take their eyes off him.”
“No, it’s just because he’s so large.”
“What? Look more carefully, Gyeong A. Where else would you find a man as big as your brother?”
Perhaps they stared because of his size, or perhaps because he looked frightening.
I gave a hollow laugh and ignored Yeon Ryang’s words, when an elderly man we’d been passing struck up a conversation.
“Are you two siblings? You bear a resemblance.”
“Pardon? Ah, well…”
“We are. I’m Yeon Ryang. This is my sister, Yeon Gyeong A.”
As I stumbled over my words, Yeon Ryang answered without hesitation.
My own father had cast me out, declaring I was not his daughter, yet here was Yeon Ryang introducing me as his sister without a moment’s hesitation.
Even though I knew his words carried no hidden meaning, something in me stirred oddly.
I glanced at Yeon Ryang, and he winked as if to say I shouldn’t worry about it.
I managed an awkward smile and moved forward.
After we’d walked for some time, a great city pierced through by a river appeared in the distance.
It was Wuhan.
* * *
Wuhan was a remarkable city.
The city that the Yangtze River ran through was dotted with lakes and smaller waterways here and there.
Because of this, waterways seemed more developed than roads. There appeared to be more people traveling by small boat than on foot.
On the riverbank stood a tall, multi-storied pavilion that caught the eye even from a distance—surely this was the Yellow Crane Tower that Yeon Ryang had mentioned.
As I gaped wide-eyed at the wondrous sight, turning my head this way and that, Yeon Ryang chuckled.
“My, sister. When you’re traveling alone, you can’t go around gawking like a country girl. You’ll lose your nose before you know it.”
“It’s not quite that bad, is it?”
I grumbled and shot him a reproachful look, but something about what he’d said seemed off to me.
“When you’re traveling alone”—what did he mean by that?
But as Yeon Ryang continued speaking, I realized the truth I’d been missing.
“Wuhan has Orthodox Sect cultivators everywhere, so there aren’t many truly dangerous situations. Try not to be alone if you can help it—stay where there are crowds.”
Our time traveling together was ending in Wuhan.
Now that we’d arrived, there was no need for him to accompany me further.
I worked my mouth wordlessly, then slowly nodded. Only then did it sink in that I was parting ways with Yeon Ryang.
I’d grown quite fond of him over these days, and I felt the loss. He’d been so reassuring to have beside me.
“Big cities are full of con artists, sister. Don’t trust just anyone—be careful of people.”
“I will.”
“Be sure to spend at least one night at the Yongmun Inn. And don’t forget to visit the Yellow Crane Tower.”
“I’ll do that.”
Yeon Ryang clasped his hands behind his neck and let out a short laugh.
“Well then, it’s time for us to part.”
So suddenly? Without even a moment to prepare myself?
But I couldn’t hold him back. He had helped me in ways that made me wonder why he went so far for my sake.
I gathered myself and forced a smile as I offered my farewell.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Take care of yourself, sister.”
“You too.”
“Squeak.”
“All right, Ju Ryeong. You take care too.”
Yeon Ryang chuckled softly and ruffled my hair with his large hand.
Then, without looking back, he turned to leave. He turned away so readily it was almost painful.
The warmth of his touch faded from where his hand had been.
Would there ever be another chance to meet? I hoped, this time, that he would live a long life.
That he would not suffer from loneliness, would not sacrifice himself for others, would live a peaceful existence.
Because he was a good person.
Even after sending Yeon Ryang off, my feet refused to carry me away.
I stood motionless, watching his receding figure.
He stood a head taller than most, so conspicuous that even as he dwindled to a speck, he never quite disappeared from view.
Just as Yeon Ryang was about to vanish into the crowd, he stopped abruptly.
He scratched the back of his head, tilted it in confusion, and turned around.
Then he craned his neck and peered back toward me, searching for something—for me.
When our eyes met, Yeon Ryang muttered something to himself, let out a soft laugh, and started walking back toward me.
Startled, I stood fidgeting, waiting for him to close the distance.
It occurred to me that perhaps he’d forgotten something, or thought I was returning alone for some other reason.
Yeon Ryang approached with long strides, stopped before me as if it were the most natural thing, and held out his hand.
“Let’s go. Gyeong A.”
“Pardon?”
“How could I leave you standing there with that look on your face?”
Yeon Ryang chuckled, his eyes clear and bright as he looked at me.
In his gaze, my reflection bore a face on the verge of tears.
It was only then that I understood.
Ah… I was afraid of being left alone.
When I didn’t answer right away, Yeon Ryang spoke again.
“Let’s go together.”
His voice was warm and reassuring. The corners of his mouth curved gently upward.
I bit down on my lip.
This foolish, good-natured extra he was.
There was nothing to gain from helping me. He was only taking on another burden, another worry.
And yet he turned back anyway, just to come for me—
Heat flooded my face. My nose tingled, and my eyes grew hot.
Yeon Ryang didn’t rush me. He simply waited for my answer.
After standing there for a long moment, I reached out and took his hand, managing to speak at last.
“…Yes. Let’s go together.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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