Chapter 213

The border between Sichuan and Qinghai.

Cheongwol arrived at Snow Storage Valley, the base of the Phantom Soul Society, following Yeo Ha-un.

A name given because the path is blocked by snow in winter and fog never lifts in summer.

It was also called the valley where paths disappear.

The moment they entered the valley, Yeo Ha-un collapsed like a crumbling wall.

Cheongwol raised her finger.

"Wa-wait...!"

Yeo Ha-un urgently stopped Cheongwol. Death shadowed his face.

"We've... we've arrived. Now that we're here, please show mercy... My body has only four holes left. Nun, I'm far inferior to you in martial arts. Haven't we run without rest for two days and nights? Just give me a moment to catch my breath..."

Unlike the serene Cheongwol, Yeo Ha-un was panting roughly. His clothes were soaked in blood and sweat.

Looking down at him coldly, Cheongwol thought.

...Should I just kill him and go?

She was sick of his complaints by now.

From here, she felt she could find Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings on her own.

'Chaha... Yes, what a pretty name.'

But a calm voice echoed, stirring great waves within Cheongwol.

Feeling a subtle guilt at that voice, she closed her eyes.

Opening them again, she asked.

"Where is the valley manor located?"

"Not far now."

"Are Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings waiting inside?"

"Probably. They won't allow us to escape..."

"How many?"

"Four. Lord Dokgo, who manages the Phantom Soul Society, has four underlings in total."

Cheongwol gazed into the foggy depths of the valley.

She struggled to suppress her rising killing intent.

Thinking that these people were keeping her from meeting Han Seojin only fueled her anger more.

But she had to suppress this killing intent.

Yes, her goal was to ensure Dokgo Jinmuk's hands never reached Han Seojin.

Just clean up the surroundings for a bit.

...Of course, while venting her anger over the reason they had to part.

When Han Seojin was taken by Dang Soran, she naturally felt upset... but she couldn't say that choice was entirely wrong.

It was true that Han Seojin was in danger.

If she had forcibly dragged him to Mount Emei.

...Yes, like if the Yeo Ha-un before her now had succeeded in approaching Han Seojin.

And if something had happened because of it.

"..."

Then, Cheongwol probably wouldn't forgive herself until the day she died.

More than Dang Soran who devised the plan, more than Yeo Ha-un before her, more than the culprit Dokgo Jinmuk herself.

She would torment and drive herself to ruin.

"Get up now."

Having waited enough, Cheongwol urged Yeo Ha-un.

Yeo Ha-un wriggled to his feet and resumed guiding her.

His complexion was poor, but perhaps because Han Seojin wasn't nearby.

Her pity or sympathy for him felt much fainter than usual. Honestly, she felt nothing.

The valley was long.

It was as if a rift between heaven and earth had been left as is.

Cliffs rose like walls on both sides, blocking the sky, and even at midday, sunlight fell only in thin threads.

A perfect place for black path martial artists to hide from meddlesome righteous sect busybodies.

Even Shaolin Temple monks might shrink before this bleakness.

But as Cheongwol walked, she almost burst into laughter.

How ridiculous.

A place everyone would find bleak, but the deeper she went, the more at ease Cheongwol felt.

Like finding a hiding spot for her ugly true nature.

In this valley, no one she knew would witness whatever she did.

Sorry... but Han Seojin wouldn't know either.

At that thought, laughter slipped out.

Yeo Ha-un glanced at the faintly smiling Cheongwol, then lowered his eyes and walked silently.

Wind swirled through the valley.

Occasional crow caws echoed off the valley walls alongside Cheongwol's small laughs.

How long had they walked like that.

A small outpost emerged from the hazy fog ahead.

A place that could house at least fifty, or more—generously, like a small village.

As the Phantom Soul Society came into view, Yeo Ha-un stopped.

"Nu-nun."

Yeo Ha-un turned to Cheongwol.

He said.

"No-now, please let me go."

"..."

"I've guided you plenty. If I enter there, I'll die."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. After failing my mission and leading you to the main base, how could I survive?"

"Won't they spare you for the merit of bringing me here? You think I didn't know? You planned to have Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings and me fight together. Planning a sneak attack from behind?"

Yeo Ha-un's face paled and stiffened. Caught off guard, he immediately knelt.

"Please... please spare me. Haven't I done enough?"

"..."

Cheongwol sighed, then recalled Han Seojin as if chanting a sutra... and quietly nodded.

It had been a long time since she spared a worm like this.

At Cheongwol's permission, Yeo Ha-un rose and bowed deeply.

"F-from now on, I'll live righteously."

To his words, Cheongwol replied.

"I'll help."

"Yes?"

Thud!

Cheongwol's fingertip struck Yeo Ha-un's abdomen directly.

Her eyes cooled coldly, and even colder internal energy flowed through her hand.

Pak!

At the end of a short breath, something shattered from Cheongwol's hand.

Shattering Yeo Ha-un's dantian in one blow, Cheongwol headed for the Phantom Soul Society's gate, leaving the collapsing man behind.

Creeeak...

She opened the gate as if entering her own home.

Inside sat numerous men.

"What...!"

"Now...!"

The men jumped up in alarm, then froze upon seeing Cheongwol's beauty.

Normally, Cheongwol would have drawn her sword and swept them away, but today was different.

For the first time, Cheongwol politely clasped her hands in greeting.

"...I rudely opened the gate to ask for directions. Are Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings here by any chance?"

At the mention of Dokgo Jinmuk's name, they froze again.

Realizing the situation was flowing strangely, they eyed each other and placed hands on their weapons.

"Why do you ask?"

A man emerged from the house farthest from the wall, asking.

He was clad entirely in black attire. His face was hidden.

At the sight of the black-clad man, the valley manor's men all bowed their heads.

Deep fear gripped them over how they had been subjugated.

Cheongwol was the only one gazing at the black-clad man's face here.

Three more black-clad men appeared behind him.

She asked.

"Are you Lord Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings?"

"Why have you sought us?"

"I am looking for Dokgo Jinmuk."

"Why do you seek the Cult Leader?"

"To kill him."

Cheongwol answered honestly. Others she might spare, but Dokgo Jinmuk she would kill.

That was revenge for burying Han Seojin in the ground.

Her promise with Han Seojin was not to fall to darkness.

Killing Dokgo Jinmuk was the Murim Alliance's desire, beyond personal grudge.

Han Seojin surely wished for Dokgo Jinmuk's death too.

At her words, the four black-clad men burst into loud laughter.

The Phantom Soul Society members, who hadn't laughed, eyed them and joined in.

Cheongwol stood amid the men's mocking laughter.

Her eyes slowly cooled as well.

The black-clad man who had first questioned Cheongwol approached.

"You must be some girl toyed with by the Cult Leader. Don't be foolish. Do you think wielding a sword makes you strong? People die the same when stabbed by a blade, so do you plan to try before dying? Such a waste of your beauty."

"..."

Cheongwol took a deep breath.

Her mind was filled entirely with Han Seojin.

His expression looking at her, his trembling hands, his vow. Recalling all that, she suppressed her killing intent again.

She thought of the courage he showed for her.

Ignoring the speaking black-clad man, Cheongwol looked at the others.

"Put down your weapons. Then I won't touch you."

The black-clad man scoffed more.

"Let me teach you all a common truth of the jianghu. There are no pretty female experts. Know why? If one's appearance is beautiful, men cling so much it hinders training. Thus, renowned female experts in the jianghu are... rather ugly. Everyone leaves them alone."

Laughter spread among the men again.

"You're not. This is a compliment. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Even including non-martial folk. You probably had no time to train. What's that vulgar necklace? More lustful than you look? Then instead of this gamble, why not use the honey trap? I'll offer you to the Cult Leader. But first, let me have a tas—"

In that instant, Cheongwol's figure flickered and vanished.

The black-clad man froze mid-sentence in surprise, and the next moment, something black and small passed before his face.

Chak!

A short sound.

The mask covering his face tore.

Simultaneously, something wet thudded to the ground.

Looking down, the black-clad man saw it was a human tongue.

Drip, drip...

Blood began flowing from his mouth. His cheeks tore, leaving his jaw dangling.

Another black-clad man nearest Cheongwol reacted instantly, thrusting his left palm to force an internal energy clash.

Cheongwol, spinning in midair unable to dodge, extended her left hand too—but instead of her palm, her fingers.

The basic principle: block palm techniques with palm techniques.

If you can't overcome the energy from the palm, you're done for.

The black-clad man smirked and shouted.

"You fool—"

Pfuk!

But contrary to his expectation, Cheongwol's finger technique pierced the black-clad man's palm like tofu, neutralizing the palm thrust's energy with one finger.

Cheongwol's eyes now gleamed blue.

She mercilessly poured Extermination Heart Skill energy into her finger.

Boom!

Like a bursting balsam seed, the black-clad man's arm exploded below the elbow, his meridian blocked.

"Kuaaaagh!!!"

A horrific scream, and the thick scent of blood like fog enveloped the valley instantly.

"...Haaaah."

Cheongwol exhaled deeply upon landing.

She forcibly denied the deep relief she felt in her chest.

Han Seojin hated seeing her like this. So she wanted to hate it too.

Blood from the burst arm rained down like drizzle.

Cheongwol stood still amid the bloody drops.

Please, let this valley hide her secret.

Of course, she hadn't planned to kill anyone today either.

After the fleeting two exchanges ended, Cheongwol stood again in the center of the valley manor.

Leaving the screaming black-clad man behind, she addressed the Phantom Soul Society again.

"...You all missed your chance. I told you to put them down."

Clatter!

Numerous weapons fell to the ground that instant.

The murderers cowered in fear before the murderous ghost.

But Cheongwol shook her head. Smiling, she said.

"Didn't I say it was too late? Pick up your weapons again."

Her blade soon turned toward the Phantom Soul Society.

No killing. As long as she didn't kill them.

Soon, masterless limbs littered the valley manor everywhere.

"...Wouldn't it have been better to answer when I asked?"

Cheongwol whispered to the four kneeling black-clad men.

She had her blood-soaked sword over her shoulder.

Their masks all removed.

They were too terrified to even look at Cheongwol with both eyes.

Especially the one who had first made the sexual remarks to her was the worst.

Meanwhile, Cheongwol no longer thought much of it. Sexual harassment... she had endured plenty from men wherever she went.

"Ch-Cheongwol Nun, we wish to repent our sins to Buddha—"

Puk!

As someone whispered her identity, Cheongwol's finger pierced and withdrew from his shoulder.

"Who am I?"

She leaned in to listen. The black-clad man quickly answered.

"I-I don't know. I don't know who you are. Not curious either."

Even if they knew, it didn't matter much. Her actions reaching Dokgo Jinmuk anyway didn't matter. No, she hoped they would.

It was a warning to Dokgo Jinmuk.

Still, she made them keep quiet because rumors spreading widely would be bad.

Dokgo Jinmuk hearing it was fine. Han Seojin hearing it mattered.

So she bothered to seal their lips once.

Cheongwol continued.

"You'd better answer quickly. If you don't want to lose more limbs."

"Kill us...!"

At her words, the black-clad man with the most intact body spoke.

"A nun being this vio—"

Pf!

Cheongwol immediately struck his mute acupoint. His mouth stiffened, silencing him.

She sensed he was scheming something, but didn't want to hear it.

Instead of persuading him, she kicked him.

The struck black-clad man's body flew through the air, crashing into the distant wall.

Kwaang!

"Do you think I'm threatening you?"

As the noise died, Cheongwol asked the remaining three.

"It's not a threat; I'm giving you a chance. You're standing on the edge of death right now. Still don't see it? Even with death before you, believing you can live just because I'm a nun... It's truly amusing. Is even this discomfort because I'm from Emei Sect?"

Cheongwol smiled, slowly walking toward the three black-clad men.

"Shall I kill one to make you believe? Do you know how much I'm suppressing my killing intent? Surely killing would relieve me too."

Shwaak!

She shook her sword, scattering blood.

The three black-clad men flinched.

Cheongwol coldly lowered her eyes and aimed her sword.

"...What orders did Dokgo Jinmuk give you?"

The moment Han Seojin vanished after being caught by Dokgo Jinmuk.

The moment she saw him buried in the ground.

Recalling that despair of thinking she lost him snapped her patience.

"We- we're just underlings, so we don't know everythi—"

Chok!

The speaking man's ear flew off.

"No nonsense. Answer only what's asked."

The man trembled as he opened his mouth.

"Bring the man that Cheongwol Nun cherishes."

"Did you find out who?"

"N-no. Just a merchant, or the Leather Room owner..."

"...That man is dead."

"Yes?"

"You stir things up after killing him—how do you think my patience holds? Are there other underlings of Dokgo Jinmuk in Sichuan targeting that man?"

"Pr-probably... Several forces. At least ten black path groups serving the Cult Leader's command."

Cheongwol steadied her breath, calculating inwardly.

Nine more places... Guilt over endangering Han Seojin surged.

"...Dokgo Jinmuk hasn't been active long, yet why such a large force?"

"We were originally the Cult Leader's underlings. It just looks sudden because we absorbed and unified powerless black path groups."

"Who gave you the order directly?"

"One of the Cult Leader's Four Great Guardians."

"If you met a Guardian Elder, you don't seem like mere underlings?"

"W-we are. Each Guardian Elder commands two hundred underlings, divided among four captains of fifty. Each captain of fifty has five captains of ten, each of those two squad leaders of five, then us. Of course, we four were favored, and this Phantom Soul Society was a target of interest... but it's over today."

Cheongwol nodded, lowering her sword.

The path to the Cult Leader came into view.

"Is there anyone above the Guardian Elder?"

"The Cult Leader's Left and Right Envoys exist. Above them is the Cult Leader."

Cheongwol sheathed her sword. Today's task was done.

"Go back."

"Yes?"

"Go back and report today's events in detail. That's your mission. Don't provoke me further. Stop chasing the man who's become a ghost, and tell them to leave me alone."

"R-really okay to go?"

Cheongwol nodded.

These would be her warning messengers.

One man with severed arms. One with severed tongue. One with severed ankles.

Going straight to Dokgo Jinmuk now was too far, and things might escalate.

Better to stop here today.

Above all, emergency measures. If she pushed out Dokgo Jinmuk's forces from Sichuan... maybe she could visit Han Seojin briefly?

She missed him so much.

It had been two months already. She'd been dreaming of him every night lately.

Thinking of him with Dang Soran made her mad with jealousy.

The three black-clad men stood. They clasped fists and thanked Cheongwol.

"Th-thank you for sparing us."

Cheongwol called back the departing men.

"Wait."

They froze visibly tense.

"...Yes?"

"...Take your comrade too."

"...Ah."

At her words, they dragged out the man embedded in the wall.

The last bow, and they vanished quickly.

Cheongwol took a deep breath in the now quiet valley manor, filled only with groans of pain.

The blood scent soothed her mind.

****

Portent of War (3)

I strolled leisurely through Chengdu’s streets after a long time.

"...Haaa..."

Why did this feel so free?

No work, no torment, just breathing fresh air—comfortable.

Dang Soran gave me pocket money today too.

Money to grab a drink and come back.

The border between Sichuan and Qinghai.

Cheongwol arrived at Snow Storage Valley, the base of the Phantom Soul Society, following Yeo Ha-un.

A name given because the path is blocked by snow in winter and fog never lifts in summer.

It was also called the valley where paths disappear.

The moment they entered the valley, Yeo Ha-un collapsed like a crumbling wall.

Cheongwol raised her finger.

"Wa-wait...!"

Yeo Ha-un urgently stopped Cheongwol. Death shadowed his face.

"We've... we've arrived. Now that we're here, please show mercy... My body has only four holes left. Nun, I'm far inferior to you in martial arts. Haven't we run without rest for two days and nights? Just give me a moment to catch my breath..."

Unlike the serene Cheongwol, Yeo Ha-un was panting roughly. His clothes were soaked in blood and sweat.

Looking down at him coldly, Cheongwol thought.

...Should I just kill him and go?

She was sick of his complaints by now.

From here, she felt she could find Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings on her own.

'Chaha... Yes, what a pretty name.'

But a calm voice echoed, stirring great waves within Cheongwol.

Feeling a subtle guilt at that voice, she closed her eyes.

Opening them again, she asked.

"Where is the valley manor located?"

"Not far now."

"Are Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings waiting inside?"

"Probably. They won't allow us to escape..."

"How many?"

"Four. Lord Dokgo, who manages the Phantom Soul Society, has four underlings in total."

Cheongwol gazed into the foggy depths of the valley.

She struggled to suppress her rising killing intent.

Thinking that these people were keeping her from meeting Han Seojin only fueled her anger more.

But she had to suppress this killing intent.

Yes, her goal was to ensure Dokgo Jinmuk's hands never reached Han Seojin.

Just clean up the surroundings for a bit.

...Of course, while venting her anger over the reason they had to part.

When Han Seojin was taken by Dang Soran, she naturally felt upset... but she couldn't say that choice was entirely wrong.

It was true that Han Seojin was in danger.

If she had forcibly dragged him to Mount Emei.

...Yes, like if the Yeo Ha-un before her now had succeeded in approaching Han Seojin.

And if something had happened because of it.

"..."

Then, Cheongwol probably wouldn't forgive herself until the day she died.

More than Dang Soran who devised the plan, more than Yeo Ha-un before her, more than the culprit Dokgo Jinmuk herself.

She would torment and drive herself to ruin.

"Get up now."

Having waited enough, Cheongwol urged Yeo Ha-un.

Yeo Ha-un wriggled to his feet and resumed guiding her.

His complexion was poor, but perhaps because Han Seojin wasn't nearby.

Her pity or sympathy for him felt much fainter than usual. Honestly, she felt nothing.

The valley was long.

It was as if a rift between heaven and earth had been left as is.

Cliffs rose like walls on both sides, blocking the sky, and even at midday, sunlight fell only in thin threads.

A perfect place for black path martial artists to hide from meddlesome righteous sect busybodies.

Even Shaolin Temple monks might shrink before this bleakness.

But as Cheongwol walked, she almost burst into laughter.

How ridiculous.

A place everyone would find bleak, but the deeper she went, the more at ease Cheongwol felt.

Like finding a hiding spot for her ugly true nature.

In this valley, no one she knew would witness whatever she did.

Sorry... but Han Seojin wouldn't know either.

At that thought, laughter slipped out.

Yeo Ha-un glanced at the faintly smiling Cheongwol, then lowered his eyes and walked silently.

Wind swirled through the valley.

Occasional crow caws echoed off the valley walls alongside Cheongwol's small laughs.

How long had they walked like that.

A small outpost emerged from the hazy fog ahead.

A place that could house at least fifty, or more—generously, like a small village.

As the Phantom Soul Society came into view, Yeo Ha-un stopped.

"Nu-nun."

Yeo Ha-un turned to Cheongwol.

He said.

"No-now, please let me go."

"..."

"I've guided you plenty. If I enter there, I'll die."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. After failing my mission and leading you to the main base, how could I survive?"

"Won't they spare you for the merit of bringing me here? You think I didn't know? You planned to have Dokgo Jinmuk's underlings and me fight together. Planning a sneak attack from behind?"

Yeo Ha-un's face paled and stiffened. Caught off guard, he immediately knelt.

"Please... please spare me. Haven't I done enough?"

"..."

Cheongwol sighed, then recalled Han Seojin as if chanting a sutra... and quietly nodded.

It had been a long time since she spared a worm like this.

At Cheongwol's permission, Yeo Ha-un rose and bowed deeply.

"F-from now on, I'll live righteously."

To his words, Cheongwol replied.

"I'll help."

"Yes?"

Thud!

Cheongwol's fingertip struck Yeo Ha-un's abdomen directly.

Her eyes cooled coldly, and even colder internal energy flowed through her hand.

Pak!