Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 94

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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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Chapter 94
Peng Jiyun snatched the Gratitude Token and furrowed his brow, turning the Jade Token this way and that. He seemed to be verifying its authenticity.
Lost in thought, he stroked his chin for a long moment, then his eyes widened with sudden recognition.
“Ah—don’t tell me you’re that little one?”
“I’m sorry?”
“The little thing who was so amazed by that falling-leaf technique? The Poison King’s granddaughter. Tae Sang Gaju said he was surprised how soft-hearted you are for someone carrying Dang Clan blood.”
He seemed to have heard of me before, his demeanor growing noticeably gentler.
His change in attitude convinced me. He would let us go.
I bobbed my head frantically.
“Yes. Yes, that’s right! Peng came by last spring.”
“Tae Sang Gaju said you were this small. But you’re not, are you? Well, I suppose everyone looks tiny to him.”
Muttering to himself, he scratched his head vigorously and gestured to those behind him.
“Lower your swords.”
“Yes? Commander. But…….”
“Lower your swords. Let me talk.”
Then he met my gaze. The indifferent look that had filled his eyes moments before was replaced now with something almost kind.
At the commander’s order, the squad members exchanged glances and slowly lowered their blades.
“I’m Peng Jiyun.”
“I’m Sohye.”
Having exchanged names, he reached out as if to help me up, then glanced at Yeon Ryang and awkwardly withdrew his hand.
Peng Jiyun, his expression bewildered, turned to look back at his men.
“Listen. Third-ranked disciple. There was no word that the Dang Clan martial artist chasing us was this child. You’re telling me the Poison King’s own student colluded with the Demonic Sect? What nonsense is this? Search all of Zhongyuan and you won’t find anyone who hates the Demonic Sect more than he does. Are you sure you have the right information?”
“C-Commander. We… we only pursued according to the Pursuit Order we received…….”
“Who ordered this? Was it Jegal Hyoggang? You lot can’t do anything right.”
Peng Jiyun’s face darkened. He pressed his forehead repeatedly as if it were pounding with frustration.
“Little one. I regret that we hurt your companions. But since matters have come to this, wouldn’t it be better to go to the Alliance, receive proper treatment, and clear up this misunderstanding? I’ll guarantee your safety.”
I shook my head.
“No. I can’t trust the Alliance. Please do as I asked—let me and my companions leave this place.”
“The label of being tangled with the Demonic Sect is something you should clear properly. Young lady. If you don’t resolve this misunderstanding, you’ll be pursued relentlessly.”
“Please let us go.”
“A stubborn little thing, aren’t you? Well, if that’s what you want, there’s nothing to be done. I understand.”
Peng Jiyun shrugged his shoulders and rummaged through his chest, producing a red cord which he held out to me.
Uncertain what he meant, I hesitated, and Peng Jiyun spoke.
“Tie up your hair. You can’t go around with it loose like that—it’s cumbersome.”
“Thank you.”
He treated us with goodwill as if he’d never attacked us at all.
My heart thundered in my chest.
We made it.
We made it!
Peng Jiyun let out a soft laugh as he watched me hastily arrange my hair.
“Give my regards to Tae Sang Gaju. There doesn’t seem to be time for a long conversation, so go on. Take good care of your companions.”
Then he drew his blade. The motion seemed to encircle us protectively.
Jin Seong, taken aback, furrowed his brow and stepped forward.
“Peng Commander. What is the meaning of this……!”
“You saw the Gratitude Token, didn’t you? Even if that little one were truly a Demon Head, I must help her. Jin Seong. It’s a matter of the Peng Clan’s honor.”
“It may not be Sohye but that man. Commander. She might be deceived, so we cannot let them go.”
“I understand that too, but my benefactor’s request was ‘ask nothing and send my benefactor and her companions away.’ Master. Since that was the request, I must honor it.”
Peng Jiyun clicked his tongue regretfully.
In that moment, our enemy became our ally.
I seized the gap between the two of them and helped Yeon Ryang to his feet.
“Brother. Can you stand? Lean your arm on my shoulder. That’s it. Come on.”
“Our sister, you’re quite well-connected, aren’t you?”
“Don’t talk. Idiot. You’re bleeding.”
“Ow, ow, ow. Handle me gently, sister. Your brother is a delicate man……. Ugh!”
It seemed Yeon Ryang couldn’t manage walking on his own. I looped him across my shoulders instead.
Leaning against me, Yeon Ryang coughed, his face ashen. Warm blood spilled onto my shoulder in a torrent.
“Cough! Sohye. Your brother’s legs are dragging. Lift them higher.”
That he could joke in such a moment spoke volumes for his spirit. I bit my lip and replied tersely.
“Hush before I leave you behind. Ju Ryeong. Come here too.”
“Croak.”
Ju Ryeong answered obediently and settled into the folds of my sleeve.
As we prepared to flee, the Mukyeol Squad’s members drew their blades again and tightened the encirclement.
Peng Jiyun smacked his lips and poured Inner Qi into his saber.
“Listen. Can’t you just let this little one go for my sake? I’d rather not become the sort of commander who beats his own soldiers senseless.”
“That’s unreasonable, Commander. This is disobedience to orders.”
“Sister. Please reconsider. This concerns the Mukyeol Squad’s business. If the information is wrong, we can go to them and verify it—but we can’t simply release the prisoner.”
“You’re right. It’s the Squad’s business. But it’s also the Peng Clan’s business. Ignoring a Mukyeol order might just cost me my commander’s seat, but if I disregard the Peng Clan’s honor—am I not risking my own neck?”
Peng Jiyun waved the Gratitude Token in view, then sighed and tucked the Jade Token into his robe.
The air hung heavy and suffocating.
I gauged the moment and bowed toward Peng Jiyun’s back.
“Then we’ll be going.”
“Right. Beloved savior of the Peng Clan. All I can promise you is three days. After that, I can’t hold back the pursuit. May martial fortune favor you.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh. There are quite a few of you, aren’t there? I should ask Tae Sang Gaju for extra spending money.”
Peng Jiyun muttered this while driving his saber down with brutal force.
Crack!
The earth split in two, and a path opened before us.
“That way—go!”
“Yes!”
As we bolted toward the gap Peng Jiyun had carved, those who had been watching me raced after us in pursuit.
Peng Jiyun exploded forward like an arrow and savagely blocked his own comrades.
“Let’s see what the Mukyeol Squad is made of this time. I should check how much these chicks have grown.”
“Sister! You can’t possibly be serious!”
“Call me Commander. That’s an order.”
Annoyance flashed across his face as he unleashed an explosive torrent of power and hoisted the Great Blade overhead.
Peng Jiyun’s expression froze with a cold that stole the breath from your lungs.
“Come on, then. You chicks.”
* * *
Crash! Bang!
A sound that split the ears tore through the air, and dust billowed up in clouds.
I glanced back at Peng Jiyun’s shoulders and let out a low whistle. Even from a hundred paces away, the overwhelming force made my skin crawl.
“He took that saber strike bare-handed. No wonder his back looks like that.”
I swallowed a sigh and quickened my pace. Yeon Ryang, gasping for breath, spoke with a note of dark humor.
“Cough, cough—still, if it’s held up this well… I’d say it’s pretty sturdy, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes. Sturdy enough to stay conscious. And if you die, I won’t forgive you.”
I answered curtly, sniffling as I gripped Yeon Ryang tighter against me.
The black blood he kept coughing up—it seemed he had already suffered an internal injury when he blocked Jin Seong’s blade without Inner Qi to reinforce him.
We couldn’t keep moving like this.
He’d lost too much blood. If I didn’t stop the bleeding soon, it would become critical.
“Ju Ryeong, find birch bark. As fast as you can!”
“Squeak!”
Ju Ryeong darted away and vanished into the forest.
I scanned the shifting landscape for anything that might serve as shelter.
I would have welcomed even a modest cave, but no such fortune appeared.
I felt Yeon Ryang’s body heat steadily draining away against me.
There was no time to waste. I spread my cloak on a flat patch of grass and laid Yeon Ryang out on his stomach.
“Squeak-squeak. Squeak-squeak.”
Ju Ryeong returned, its mouth full of birch bark, and dumped it across the cloak.
I broke the bark into small pieces and stuffed them into Yeon Ryang’s mouth.
“Chew. Now.”
“Ugh, sister…”
“No nonsense. Chew it. I need to expose the raw flesh underneath.”
Yeon Ryang nodded and his jaw began working. More than half of it spilled from his mouth, but he was clearly trying his best to chew.
I drew my Short Blade and tore away the fabric stuck to his wounds. The sight alone was gruesome enough to draw an involuntary gasp.
I took a deep breath and placed my hand against his back.
“Hold your breath.”
“Ahhhhh!”
I poured Wound Washing Water into the torn laceration, and Yeon Ryang’s face twisted in agony. As the bloodied tissue was cleaned away, the full extent of the damage became visible.
I kept my eyes away from his face as I rinsed my hands in the remaining Wound Washing Water.
When I worked the exposed bone back into place, his massive frame convulsed violently and jerked upward.
I pressed down firmly on Yeon Ryang’s shoulder and wiped away the blood. Sweat dripped steadily from my own brow.
“I can’t stitch this here. I’m going to apply the Bone Mending Medicine, so bear with it. It’s something a Wudang priest carries, so it should work well.”
I muttered the words—uncertain whether I was speaking to Yeon Ryang or to myself—and uncorked the Bone Mending Medicine that Jin Seong had given me, pouring it directly onto the wound.
The ashen powder that had covered the laceration turned crimson. The bleeding seemed to foam for a moment, then the flow of blood noticeably slowed.
I exhaled in relief and wiped the sweat that had dampened my eyes. Once I wrapped his back with clean cloth and bound it tight, Yeon Ryang’s breathing became visibly calmer.
The worst had passed.
I hurriedly gathered our things and organized the area. As I helped Yeon Ryang up and fastened the cloak around him, the empty sword sheath I’d tied at my waist tumbled to the ground.
An idea struck me at once. I turned to Ju Ryeong.
“Ju Ryeong. You can carry a sword sheath like this, can’t you?”
“Croak. Croak-croak.”
“Then go make some drag marks with it and come back.”
“Squeak?”
The creature’s expression turned bewildered, but I had no time to humor it.
“You can track my scent, right? One day is all I need. For one day, leave a trail as if we fled westward. Drop these torn cloth scraps along the way if you can.”
“Squeeeeeak!”
“After one day, discard the sheath and come back to me. Throw it in the water, drop it off a cliff—I don’t care. I won’t hear complaints. Do you know how much meat Yeon Ryang’s fed you? It’s time to earn your keep. Come here. I’ll tie the sheath to you.”
I spoke urgently, binding the sword sheath to Ju Ryeong’s body. I also tore Yeon Ryang’s clothes into small pieces, placed them in a pouch, and hung it around the creature’s neck.
At the grave tone in my voice, even Ju Ryeong—tail drooping—asked no questions and bolted westward without protest.
I watched the receding form disappear, then hoisted Yeon Ryang onto my back. Against my shoulders, he let out a weak, delirious chuckle.
“Haha… this is, in its own way… rather heartwarming.”
“Has this man lost his mind? You’re barely breathing and you’re finding joy in this?”
“Who would think… *cough*, *cough*… that anyone would fight so desperately to save a follower of the Heterodox Path, sister? It’s touching.”
“Stop talking nonsense and get some rest. The bleeding’s stopped, so you can sleep now.”
“…All right.”
Yeon Ryang answered in barely a whisper, his head sinking gently against my shoulder. He’d let go of consciousness.
Three days.
Peng Jiyun had promised me three days.
So I had to flee as far as possible in that time.
I gritted my teeth and began running eastward.

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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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