Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 21 : Above the Shadow (2)

Jin Sawoon raised his hand and grabbed Seo Woon-gang's neck.

"Let's not see blood."

Crack!

Jin Sawoon, who had crushed Seo Woon-gang's neck in an instant, raised his hand when he saw that his breath had completely stopped. Not seeing blood was the only mercy he could show Seo Woon-gang.

Seo Woon-gang had died with his eyes wide open, as if he had many grievances.

Swish!

Jin Sawoon closed his eyes and stood up from his seat.

* * *

As morning came, Cheon Woo-rin, who had opened his eyes, looked at the handmaiden lying next to him. The naked handmaiden, who was sleeping soundly, was Mong-hee, with whom he occasionally slept.

She felt Cheon Woo-rin's presence, opened her eyes, and hastily stood up to get dressed.

"I'll prepare water."

"Alright."

At Cheon Woo-rin's answer, Mong-hee went outside.

After getting dressed, Cheon Woo-rin washed his face in the wash water Mong-hee had brought.

In the meantime, Mong-hee put up his hair and inserted a hairpin. Cheon Woo-rin, who had checked his condition through a bronze mirror, put on a blue robe and went outside.

Cheon Woo-rin, who had crossed the wall of the separate building, headed for the inner courtyard for breakfast.

As he entered the inner courtyard, the surrounding air had changed. The number of warriors was greater than usual, and he could also see warriors from the bodyguard unit that he had only seen at the Cheon family.

Cheon Woo-rin quickly entered the inner courtyard with a hardened expression. When he went inside, he saw two people sitting in the center of the spacious main hall.

One was Cheon Mun-jung, the head of the Cheon family manor, and the other was the head of the Cheon family, the most difficult person in the world to deal with.

Cheon Yu-myeong, the head of the Cheon family, was sitting in the Cheon family manor from early in the morning. Cheon Woo-rin, who had discovered him, hastily approached and bowed his waist.

"Father."

"Sit."

At Cheon Yu-myeong's words, Cheon Woo-rin sat in an empty chair.

Although he was over fifty, Cheon Yu-myeong, who still had luscious black hair, was a man with a sturdy build and cold eyes. He stroked his well-groomed beard, looked at Cheon Woo-rin for a moment, and then quietly opened his mouth.

"Because of you, I am suffering a huge loss. Do you know that?"

"Yes? Yes. I'm sorry."

Cheon Woo-rin answered without even being able to lift his head. Cheon Yu-myeong's sharp gaze turned to Cheon Mun-jung.

"How many of our family members died because of this bastard's mess?"

"At least thirty."

"To have so many die, tsk!"

Cheon Yu-myeong's voice, as he clicked his tongue, was full of killing intent. Cheon Yu-myeong spoke again to Cheon Woo-rin.

"This evening, Dokgo Hye will enter the city. Go out in time and greet her well."

"Understood."

"But I hear that you are fond of women and wine. You're just like my son."

At Cheon Yu-myeong's words, Cheon Woo-rin's shoulders trembled. Cheon Yu-myeong's voice quietly pressed down on Cheon Woo-rin.

"I think it's the trick of those who want to slander our Cheon family, but it could also be true. So, from now on, you should not go to Hwahwaru."

Cheon Yu-myeong spoke as if he knew everything about Cheon Woo-rin. Telling him not to go to Hwahwaru was a warning to Cheon Woo-rin.

Cheon Woo-rin thought of Seomun Ok and showed a disappointed expression. The thought of not being able to see her for a while made his heart feel empty.

As the handmaidens approached, placed food on the table, and retreated, Cheon Yu-myeong picked up his chopsticks.

"This is an important time. You should not be the subject of gossip for useless things."

"I will keep that in mind."

Cheon Woo-rin answered and then picked up his chopsticks with an uncomfortable expression. Cheon Yu-myeong asked Cheon Mun-jung again.

"What happened to that Slaughter Ghost bastard who deceived us?"

"Not yet."

"Not yet?"

"I'm sorry."

Cheon Mun-jung answered, shaking his head as if the meal was uncomfortable, and Cheon Yu-myeong frowned and began to eat without a word.

* * *

In the evening, a four-horse carriage, along with dozens of warriors, entered the Geommun Manor where the people of the Dokgo family were staying.

The person who got out of the carriage was Dokgo Hye.

"Young Master Cheon is waiting."

As soon as she got out of the carriage, a middle-aged steward approached and spoke, and Dokgo Hye walked to the guest hall.

Cheon Woo-rin, who was standing in the guest hall, flashed a bright smile when he saw Dokgo Hye.

"It's been a long time. Have you been well?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, I've been well. What about you, older brother? I heard there were several incidents. Are you okay?"

"As you can see, I'm fine."

At Cheon Woo-rin's answer, Dokgo Hye smiled and sat down. As Cheon Woo-rin sat opposite her, handmaidens approached, placed tea and refreshments, and left.

"I heard there were attacks by assassins. Did you find the culprit?"

"Not yet. If it's not an external enemy, it must be an internal enemy."

"Internal?"

"Ghost Spirit Valley."

At the mention of Ghost Spirit Valley, Dokgo Hye showed an expression of understanding.

"So that's what happened to Ghost Spirit Valley."

"The head of the Na family says it's not him, but if he wants to prove his innocence, he has to sacrifice Ghost Spirit Valley."

At his words, Dokgo Hye showed a meaningful smile and said in a low voice.

"It's a war."

The word 'war' stuck in Cheon Woo-rin's ears.

"That might be so."

"If it's a war to become the Cult Leader, it's a foreseen event."

As Dokgo Hye spoke again, Cheon Woo-rin's expression hardened.

'She's smart.'

In Cheon Woo-rin's eyes, Dokgo Hye did not look like a delicately raised flower, but like an ice flower that had bloomed on ice.

Dokgo Hye drank her tea and spoke again.

"The one who wins is the victor and justice. I'll have to cheer for the victory of the Cheon family."

"That would be nice."

Cheon Woo-rin also smiled.

But Dokgo Hye frowned and revealed her killing intent.

"Did you find the assassin who killed my handmaiden?"

"Not yet."

"I want to catch him quickly and tear him limb from limb."

It was Dokgo Hye, who was angry as she mentioned Eun Soo-soo's death. Hearing her story, he somehow felt relieved and thought it was interesting.

On top of that, Dokgo Hye looked pathetic. As the ice flower instantly looked like a weed, Cheon Woo-rin shook his head.

"The Cult is also doing everything in its power to find him, so news will come soon."

"I hope you catch him alive, not kill him."

"Are you going to torture him?"

"Yes."

Dokgo Hye answered with a face that suggested it was a matter of course. Her cold gaze and her red lips looked contrastingly beautiful.

'I want to pounce on her.'

Dokgo Hye's angry face looked beautiful in Cheon Woo-rin's eyes.

"Hye-ah is always pretty no matter when I see her."

"Suddenly?"

"It's my honest heart."

At Cheon Woo-rin's words, Dokgo Hye suppressed her anger and said.

"I'm out of my mind because my handmaiden died. I should be greeting you with a smile, older brother, but I'm sorry I can't."

"No. I understand completely."

"I'm out of my mind today, so let's see each other again in a few days. I'll send someone."

"Let's do that."

Cheon Woo-rin smiled and stood up from his seat with Dokgo Hye. As Dokgo Hye said her goodbyes, Cheon Woo-rin quietly went outside.

After he had completely left the guest hall, Dokgo Hye, who was standing by the window looking at Cheon Woo-rin's back, sat down again.

She drank her tea and then said with a cold expression.

"Where are you?"

As her low voice echoed, a black shadow flickered silently in the room, and Jin Sawoon's face appeared.

But at the sound of the handmaidens' footsteps, Jin Sawoon soon moved to a dark corner.

It was the time of sunset, and darkness would soon fall.

The handmaidens came in, lit the oil lamps in the guest hall, and ground tea leaves.

"Are you going to your room?"

When the handmaiden asked, Dokgo Hye nodded.

"Let's go. Follow me."

Her low voice echoed in the room.

Jin Sawoon had ambushed the road to the city to meet Dokgo Hye, who was heading for Cheonsu City, after killing Seo Woon-gang.

When he discovered the Dokgo family's carriage, Jin Sawoon moved along with the carriage and waited for the carriage to stop.

When her carriage stopped for a short rest, he approached her and informed her through telepathy that Cheon Woo-rin had killed Eun Soo-soo.

After that, Jin Sawoon, who had been following her, was hiding in the shade of a tree far from the guest hall.

At her voice telling him to follow, Jin Sawoon quietly followed Dokgo Hye in the darkness.

Dokgo Hye, who had entered the spacious garden, passed the pond and then entered a pavilion and stood there. As the handmaidens were behind her, Dokgo Hye said.

"I want to be alone for a while. You go to the room and tidy up."

"Yes."

The handmaidens answered her words and then retreated. After the handmaidens had completely disappeared from the garden, Dokgo Hye spoke again.

"There's no one here now."

At her voice, Jin Sawoon's figure appeared under the pavilion. The red sunset was deeply colored over the pond. It was as if he were looking at blood.

"How can I believe your words?"

At Dokgo Hye's cold voice, Jin Sawoon took out a small notebook from his sleeve and threw it into the pavilion.

It was something Eun Soo-soo had carried with her, and it contained records about Cheon Woo-rin.

Dokgo Hye took the notebook, opened it, and read the contents recorded inside. Her shoulders began to tremble.

Having the evidence that Jin Sawoon's words were true in her hand, she put aside her doubts.

"It's Soo-soo's handwriting."

Dokgo Hye's gaze turned to Jin Sawoon for the first time. Her clear pupils examined Jin Sawoon's face and then asked.

"Is there something you want from me?"

"Nothing."

"I'll help you get out of Cheonsu City safely. No. I'll help you escape from the hands of the Heavenly Divine Cult."

Jin Sawoon shook his head and answered.

"There is nothing I want."

"Do you have any intention of working for our family?"

"None."

"Then why on earth did you tell me this fact?"

Jin Sawoon, who met Dokgo Hye's eyes, felt a strong killing intent in her expression.

"Because I had a brief connection with Soo-soo."

"Do you want revenge for Ghost Spirit Valley?"

"It seems that you, Miss Dokgo, want revenge more than I do."

At Jin Sawoon's answer, Dokgo Hye showed a subtle expression, then turned her head and looked at the pond.

"You're right."

She muttered quietly, then shook her head and changed her tone.

"I treated you as if you were my subordinate. I'm sorry."

As her voice changed to a calm one, Jin Sawoon showed interest. It was by no means an easy task, but she was suppressing her anger.

Dokgo Hye turned her head and asked Jin Sawoon.

"What's your name?"

"Jin Sawoon."

"Young Master Jin."

Dokgo Hye smiled for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the pond and showed her killing intent.

"Can you kill Cheon Woo-rin?"

"Yes."

"Kill him for me."

At Dokgo Hye's words, Jin Sawoon shook his head.

"I only follow the orders of Ghost Spirit Valley."

Hearing Jin Sawoon's answer, Dokgo Hye showed a disappointed expression.

"There is no Ghost Spirit Valley. It has disappeared and will not appear in the future. If it does, it will be in a different form."

She cast a fiery gaze at Jin Sawoon and spoke again.

"From now on, there is no one to give you orders, Young Master Jin. Such a place does not exist. From now on, you have to decide everything on your own, Young Master Jin. Can you do it?"

Dokgo Hye's question was like a sharp dagger.

"Even if there is no Ghost Spirit Valley, the Slaughter Ghosts remain. The Na family also exists."

"It will disappear soon."

At Dokgo Hye's words, Jin Sawoon hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

'There is no place to give me orders.'

A great sense of emptiness seeped into his chest.

He had never thought of a situation like this. Moving according to orders was the only means he had learned.

In front of Jin Sawoon, who had moved by order, stood Dokgo Hye, who had lived a life of giving orders.

The one who gives loyalty and the one who receives loyalty were looking at each other.

Dokgo Hye said.

"I'm going to marry Cheon Woo-rin."

Hearing her words, Jin Sawoon asked with a hardened expression.

"Is there a reason?"

(End of Chapter)