novelraw Chapter 414 : Eum Sajeok’s Woman (1)
Chapter 414 : Eum Sajeok’s Woman (1)
Chapter 414: Eum Sajeok’s Woman (1)
A man stepped into a small thatched cottage not far from Mount Seopyeong.
Wearing a mask, he sat down and spoke to So Yonghwa and Sanbi, who had been waiting for him.
“Forgive me for being late.”
So Yonghwa and Sanbi looked at the masked man with clear displeasure. He had abruptly announced his visit and was now arriving long past the appointed time.
After successfully convincing the Daebyeol Sect Alliance to join them, So Yonghwa and Sanbi had been preparing to attack the Heavenly Central Sect.
Their progress came after securing a promise of support from the Dark Echo Valley and Blood Demon Castle.
Yet, just as they were about to mobilize their forces, the masked man appeared—claiming that he was originally meant to assist the Heavenly Demon Sect.
The two knew that the Daebyeol Sect Alliance had been founded by the Heavenly Demon Sect’s First Young Master, Yang Gwak, and that it had later been entrusted to Ok Girin. Thus, they had no reason to doubt his words.
Moreover, since they believed that having more factions participate in the battle against the Heavenly Central Sect was advantageous, they had no reason to refuse meeting the man.
“May we ask who you are?”
When they asked, the masked man shook his head.
“My apologies. The Great Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect knows who I am, but I cannot reveal my identity to you.”
Though So Yonghwa and Sanbi were initially suspicious, their doubts faded when the masked man said that the alliance leaders—Hwang Sinjik, Jeok Gwang, Jeon Woong, and Cheong Geonmin—had met with Yang Gwak several times.
After all, So Yonghwa and Sanbi were in no position to demand that he reveal his identity. They were merely using the Daebyeol Sect Alliance that the Heavenly Demon Sect had gathered.
“Then what is the reason you’ve called for us?”
When Sanbi asked, the masked man answered quietly,
“As you know, this expedition was originally planned together with the First Young Master and Great Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
So Yonghwa’s brow twitched.
“So, you’re telling us to withdraw from this?”
Sanbi followed immediately.
“We don’t care who you are, but that’s not happening.”
The masked man nodded faintly, as if expecting such a response.
“Hear me out first. If you insist on proceeding as planned, you’ll need to shake Yong Hwarin’s forces more thoroughly. If you continue as you are, total annihilation is inevitable. You’ll suffer the same humiliation as at Mount Seokyo.”
The moment the masked man mentioned Mount Seokyo, So Yonghwa’s face flared with rage.
“Silence!”
For a moment, it seemed a fight would break out, but Sanbi rose and placed a hand on So Yonghwa’s shoulder.
“Brother So, calm yourself. Are you saying you have a plan to prevent such a disgrace?”
In truth, the current situation was highly disadvantageous to both So Yonghwa and Sanbi.
If the masked man so much as told the Daebyeol Sect Alliance to disband, they’d be left stranded and powerless.
“That’s right.”
“Fine. If your plan proves sound, we’ll give it due consideration.”
Though Sanbi’s expression showed reluctance, once they had heard the masked man’s entire plan, both he and So Yonghwa couldn’t help but grin.
The plan was simply brilliant.
“Hahaha! Having heard your strategy, I, Sanbi, can’t help but be impressed.”
Sanbi burst into hearty laughter, and So Yonghwa’s eyes gleamed as she smiled at the masked man.
Even they had to admit that his proposal was far superior to launching a reckless assault on the Heavenly Central Sect.
After the two went out to report the plan to the alliance leaders, the masked man stood and stretched.
Sitting for so long had made his shoulders stiff.
As he did, his sleeve slipped down, revealing a tattoo on his forearm.
A faint image of a scorpion entangled with a serpent appeared.
Meanwhile, after much contemplation, Masa decided to be honest with Deung Hwaun and went to see her.
When he arrived, she was helping other female warriors with their martial training.
The number of female martial artists within the Heavenly Central Sect had grown significantly, largely thanks to Mo Biyoung of the Dragon Flower Sect and Jeong Minji, the eldest of the Three Chivalrous Sisters.
Those two had gained fame in a Murim where female heroes were rare, and their reputation inspired many others to follow in their footsteps.
When Masa approached, Deung Hwaun sheathed her sword.
“Have you been well?”
Though the words were awkward, the momentary awkwardness made Masa feel as though he had been transported back to his youth.
After all, as one grows older, awkwardness fades and is replaced by shamelessness.
“Thanks to Lady Deung, I’ve been well.”
Masa returned the greeting. Though it was the same exchange they had shared countless times before, it felt different now—special—since the two had become one.
“I have something to tell you. Will you spare me some time?”
“Of course.”
Deung Hwaun no longer radiated the venomous aura she once had. Instead, she now carried the calm dignity of a respectable middle-aged woman.
The deadly killing intent she once exuded toward Seok Unjeong was gone without a trace.
The saying that a woman can change in an instant was no empty phrase.
Even if not instantaneous, Deung Hwaun’s transformation had come after deep reflection and growth from living alongside Masa and Yong Hwarin’s group.
Where there is realization, reflection and progress follow—and from that, true change is born.
Thus, Deung Hwaun had transformed, much like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
It was precisely because of this that Masa had been unable to bring up Hong A-yul’s story until now.
He had feared that revisiting such painful memories might pull her back into the darkness she had escaped.
But now, he could no longer hide it.
If Hong A-yul hadn’t been there, it might have been different—but as long as she remained within the Heavenly Central Sect, she would inevitably run into Deung Hwaun.
Letting them live as strangers, unaware of each other’s true connection, felt like committing a sin.
However, Masa’s fear that Deung Hwaun would be devastated upon learning about her child turned out to be unfounded.
After listening to Masa’s story for a long while, tears welled in Deung Hwaun’s eyes and began to fall thickly down her cheeks.
“So that child was mine... I had seen her a few times in passing. Young Master Yong brought her and said she was a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Sect, so I took note of her. But strangely, I felt a certain closeness to her, a warmth I couldn’t explain… It must have been because she was my own child.”
As Deung Hwaun quietly wiped her tears, Masa felt a bit embarrassed.
“I wanted to tell you long ago, but the circumstances didn’t allow it.”
“Thank you for being honest with me, even now.”
Deung Hwaun did not resent him. She could easily imagine what kind of struggle he must have gone through to hold back that truth.
Masa asked softly,
“Will you meet her?”
After a moment’s silence, Deung Hwaun shook her head.
“No. If I go to her now and tell her I’m her mother, how shocked would she be? She probably believes I’m already dead. And if she learns her mother is someone so... pitiful and unremarkable, she might be disappointed.”
“She didn’t seem like that kind of child.”
“Still, that’s how I feel. I’ll tell her when I’ve become someone strong enough to stand tall and say, ‘I am your mother.’ I think it’s better to wait a little longer.”
At her words, Masa clasped her hand firmly.
He could feel her pain seeping through their joined hands, and his heart ached.
Masa, too, was slowly becoming a man who knew how to comfort the wounded hearts of others.
Several days had passed since Hong A-yul had entered the Heavenly Central Sect.
During that time, she came to realize how much she had lived in constant anxiety back in the Heavenly Demon Sect.
‘So this is what it feels like… to live peacefully.’
Living in a place where anyone could harm her at any moment had made her suspicious and wary by habit.
But here, everyone treated her with natural warmth, like family—and that unfamiliar kindness left her bewildered.
Until now, the only people Hong A-yul had ever opened her heart to were the Three Fire Insects, and even they were much older, making it difficult to speak openly about her true feelings.
Here, however, there were people around her age—such as Seok Unjeong and Bukri Sehee—and little by little, she began talking with them.
At first, they had been slightly wary of her, perhaps thinking she was just another one of Yong Hwarin’s women.
When Jeong Suji heard that Yong Hwarin had brought another woman, she had come storming over.
“Again?”
That was the first thing she said upon seeing Hong A-yul—“Again.”
Her tone was full of exasperation, accusing Yong Hwarin of picking up yet another woman.
But once she heard Hong A-yul’s story, her attitude changed immediately.
As Hong A-yul spent time with them, she couldn’t help but worry about her younger brother, whom she had secretly hidden away.
There was no one to take care of him now that she was gone.
If the Heavenly Demon Sect were to use him as a hostage, she would have no choice but to return.
So Hong A-yul sought help from Yong Hwarin.
He was the only one she could trust.
“I can’t let you go alone.”
“I’ll be fine. I can disguise myself and change my clothes. No one will recognize me.”
Still, Yong Hwarin could not allow her to leave by herself.
Then, someone came to mind—someone who could protect her.
He immediately summoned Deung Hwaun and Masa.
“I have a favor to ask of you both.”
“What is it?”
Masa had already guessed.
Seeing Hong A-yul inside the room, he could roughly tell what the request would be.
“Lady Hong is going to find her younger brother. But it’s too dangerous for her to go alone. I want the two of you to ensure her safety.”
“I see.”
Masa replied calmly, but Deung Hwaun hesitated to speak.
“…Alright, we’ll do it.”
Just then, Jong Seok entered the room.
“Take my junior along with you as well.”
“The more skilled hands we have, the better.”
Though sending only Masa would have been sufficient, Yong Hwarin decided to send Jong Seok too, to ensure complete safety.
Jong Seok’s Black Death Radiance Art had reached its peak, and few in Murim could withstand him.
Moreover, since both Masa and Deung Hwaun were of the Demonic Path, it made sense to send Jong Seok, who shared the same origins—it would make for a better team.
As Yong Hwarin watched the four leave the room, he silently hoped that this journey would help mend the bond between Deung Hwaun and Hong A-yul.