Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 57 : A Senior's Teaching

Jo-rim said, trying hard to hide her flustered expression.

"How... how can that be?"

It seemed she was asking herself.

Jin Sa-wol did not laugh, even seeing Jo-rim's disheveled appearance.

Who would believe it if they were told that a Slaughter Ghost of Ghost Spirit Valley had killed Loyal Ghost King, the master of one of the nine great demonic pavilions of the Demonic Cult?

Although Loyal Ghost King's martial arts were almost unknown, he was a master who ranked within the top fifty in the Cult's hierarchy.

He was not at a level that an assassin could kill.

What was especially frightening were the insect ghosts that Mi-chung was raising.

Loyal Ghost King was a person who could never be killed by orthodox methods, and it was not easy to even approach him.

"He must have been careless."

Hearing the words 'careless', Jo-rim firmly closed her mouth.

Anyone could die if they were careless.

'The only chance to kill him is now.'

Jo-rim examined Jin Sa-wol's body once again. The extent of his injuries was severe, and it seemed difficult for him to even move.

If she were to kill him, now was the best opportunity. Killing the opponent when they were at their weakest was the way to expend less effort.

But Jo-rim was as careful as possible not to reveal her killing intent.

Jin Sa-wol's right hand was holding the hilt of his sword. If she couldn't cut that hand in one go, she had to give up.

In fact, since there was no order to kill in the first place, there was no reason to kill.

The order she had received was observation.

'The pavilion master was deeply interested, and there was a reason for it.'

She thought that the Hwahwaru master must have been interested in Jin Sa-wol because she had seen something special.

"It's not a lie, is it?"

Jin Sa-wol nodded.

Jo-rim stood up from her seat, went outside, and drank water. After that, she came in, holding a jug, and sat down.

"If you killed the Loyal Ghost King, many people in the Cult will now know your name. On top of that, the Loyal Ghost King has nine disciples. They will try to kill you, will you be okay?"

"Even if people from the Demonic Cult come out, it will take time to get here. Since a large number cannot come, they will come as a small elite group. I just have to kill them all."

"That's great confidence."

"It's a fact."

Jin Sa-wol's cold tone and emotionless eyes were directed at Jo-rim.

Jo-rim smiled as if she had regained her composure.

"It's your problem, so take care of it yourself. By the way, you didn't call me just to report that you killed the Loyal Ghost King, did you?"

When she asked the main point, Jin Sa-wol took out a bundle of cloth that he had placed under his pillow and held it out. Jo-rim, with a face full of curiosity, unfolded the cloth and looked at the hair inside.

She picked it up with her hand, held it up in front of her eyes, and asked.

"Why this?"

"It came out of my head."

"From your head?"

"I went to a doctor because of an injury, and the doctor found it."

At the word 'head', Jo-rim frowned and examined it again. The end of the hair was pointed, and it felt like touching iron, not thread.

Jo-rim instinctively injected internal energy into the needle.

Ping!

With a clear sound, the hair turned into a straight line.

'If you apply poison and use it as a hidden weapon, no one will be able to notice. How peculiar.'

Jo-rim muttered, frowning deeply, while examining the hair.

"Don't tell me it's a steel hair needle?"

"The doctor who treated me asked if it wasn't a secret hair needle."

"The name is not important. What's important is where it's used. Since this is the first time I've seen something like this, I'll have to look into it separately."

"Do you know anything about the steel hair needle?"

Jo-rim, who felt Jin Sa-wol's gaze, placed the hair on the cloth and folded it neatly.

"It's a needle that was used in the esoteric sect in the past, but I don't know its use. It might not be."

Jo-rim answered with an uncertain expression, then put the hair in her bosom and asked.

"Is this the end?"

"The end."

At the word 'end', Jo-rim stood up from her seat. Then, as if she had remembered something, she said.

"Ha Mae-sang is dead."

"The reason?"

"I told you before. Ha Mae-sang has to die for you to come and find me."

"That's not the reason, is it?"

"Because he's a member of the Shadowless Hall of the Martial Alliance."

If it was the Martial Alliance, there was enough reason to kill. The Hao Mun was not on good terms with the Martial Alliance. Hwahwaru was naturally an enemy.

When Ha Mae-sang first came to Nanchang City, the Hao Mun already knew that he was an informant sent by the Martial Alliance. There was no way there were no Hao Mun members among those who worked in the Martial Alliance.

"Slaughter Ghosts have come out of Ghost Spirit Valley, so it's better to be careful. It's about time they came. It might be difficult to deal with them with that body. If you need help, tell me."

"You've worked hard. I'll go next time."

At the words that he would go, Jo-rim showed an eye-smile and then went outside. As she disappeared with the sound of wind, Jin Sa-wol lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

"Are you there? Is anyone inside!"

Woo Jeong-bong, who had returned at dawn and was sleeping, rubbed his eyes and stood up at the loud voice from the yard.

"Keuu-eum!"

He, who had scratched his messy, alcohol-soaked hair, roughly put on his clothes and went outside, and his eyes widened when he saw the warriors of the Namgung family standing there.

"Who are you?"

"And who are you?"

When the young warrior of the Namgung family asked, Woo Jeong-bong frowned deeply, pointed inside with his hand, and then went into the kitchen and drank water.

"Kraa!"

After drinking a gourd of water, his mind returned to some extent.

He had drunk five barrels of wine with Bi-sun until dawn, so he didn't even remember when he had returned home.

"You're Hyun Jin of the Wudang Sect."

Woo Jeong-bong, who was sitting in the kitchen and holding his head, heard a clear voice and turned his head to the yard.

He saw Namgung Ji, wearing a navy blue martial arts uniform, standing there.

Since she was not a noticeable beauty, although her skin was fine, Woo Jeong-bong just nodded.

"Who are you? Do you know me?"

"I am Namgung Ji of the Namgung family."

Woo Jeong-bong, who tilted his head at the name Namgung Ji, went out to the yard and stood in front of Namgung Ji.

Namgung Ji covered her nose and grumbled.

"Ugh... The smell of alcohol. How much did you drink?"

"About five mal? Hahaha! A man should drink ten mal, but I couldn't because my stomach was full."

Namgung Ji looked at Woo Jeong-bong, who was throwing jokes from their first meeting, with a displeased eye.

Woo Jeong-bong spoke again.

"Why has the precious young lady of the Namgung family come to this house?"

As Woo Jeong-bong took a step closer, Namgung Ji took a step back. Then the warriors of the Namgung family also all took a step back.

"I have something to see Mr. Jin Sa-wol about. Is Young Master Jin inside?"

When Namgung Ji asked, Woo Jeong-bong beat his chest and answered.

"Younger Brother Jin is sleeping right now. If you have something to say, tell me. I am like a real brother to Younger Brother Jin."

At the words that they were like real brothers, Namgung Ji drew a lot of wrinkles on her forehead and frowned.

She looked at Woo Jeong-bong as if she were looking at a dog covered in dung. It wasn't that, but there was a lot of filth on the hem of Woo Jeong-bong's clothes.

It was the trace of vomit. That's why everyone had avoided him.

"Well, I'll come back later."

Namgung Ji shook her head and was about to retreat when she stopped at the voice from the room.

"Come inside."

Namgung Ji, who had heard Jin Sa-wol's voice, avoided Woo Jeong-bong, went around him, and entered Jin Sa-wol's room.

As Woo Jeong-bong tried to follow, the warriors of the Namgung family blocked his front and shook their heads.

"First, go and wash up."

As a warrior who couldn't watch anymore said a word, Woo Jeong-bong finally discovered the filth on his clothes and hurriedly ran to the well.

"Damn it! No wonder a sour smell kept following me..."

Although the room was spacious, there was no furniture or decorations to speak of. A single bed was placed alone, and a small table and a chair were all there was.

On the bed, he saw Jin Sa-wol, who was sitting, leaning against the wall.

Jin Sa-wol, seeing Namgung Ji, bowed his head and cupped his fist with one hand. Namgung Ji also greeted him and then sat in a chair.

"I couldn't go out because my body is not well."

"It's okay. You seem to be seriously injured."

"As you can see."

At Jin Sa-wol's answer, Namgung Ji showed a disappointed expression. Jin Sa-wol observed Namgung Ji's face, which was full of worry, and asked.

"What business does Young Lady Namgung have with me?"

Namgung Ji said, with a face full of displeasure, as if there were many things she didn't like.

"I came to entrust you with a guard duty, but seeing your body condition, it seems it won't be possible."

"A guard duty? Who in the Namgung family would be guarding?"

"Me."

At Namgung Ji's words, Jin Sa-wol just stared at Namgung Ji.

The number of warriors in the Namgung family alone was in the thousands. There were also Namgung Sword Sect, Righteous Sword Sect, and Azure Sword Sect. It could be said that it was safer to find a bodyguard from among them.

Namgung Ji sighed and spoke again.

"I know it sounds strange. But I can't trust my family members."

"Wouldn't an outsider be even more untrustworthy?"

"Do you know the Ten-Sword Demon?"

"Of course."

"He has infiltrated my bedroom twice. It's an impossible task without help from inside. He is aiming for me."

At Namgung Ji's words, Jin Sa-wol nodded without a word, as if he understood.

"I have to invite a trustworthy master from outside, and they recommended Young Master Jin."

"Who did?"

"Various people in the city. You have a reputation."

At Namgung Ji's words, Jin Sa-wol closed his mouth. In fact, the position he currently wanted most was to enter the Namgung family.

Of course, since guarding was not an easy task, he had thought of being a guard. But Namgung Ji wanted a bodyguard.

"On top of that, since you are with Hyun Jin of the Wudang Sect, I think you are a trustworthy person. But since your body is uncomfortable, it will be difficult for now."

"I can do it in five days."

"Can you move all your limbs in five days?"

When Namgung Ji asked, Jin Sa-wol answered, grabbing the hilt of his sword.

"I will hold the sword with my right arm, and my legs are fine. Although I can't run fast, there is no problem in walking."

As he showed his will to do it, Namgung Ji smiled.

"Come to the main house in five days."

As Namgung Ji stood up, Jin Sa-wol said.

"Take Woo Jeong-bong outside. If you have a disciple of the Wudang Sect as a bodyguard, you will be reassured. He is fine."

Namgung Ji went out without answering, frowning deeply. As she thought of Woo Jeong-bong, her facial expression changed on its own.

As she went out to the yard, Woo Jeong-bong was standing there. He said to Namgung Ji with a bright smile on his face.

"What did you talk about with Young Master Jin?"

"Are you curious?"

"Yes. Tell me."

"I asked him to be my bodyguard. My bodyguard."

"The young lady's bodyguard? His body is uncomfortable, so it will be difficult..."

"He said to take you since you are fine. He said it would be reassuring to have a disciple of the Wudang Sect as a bodyguard."

"I am a bit reassuring. Hahahaha!"

Woo Jeong-bong laughed loudly and then spoke to Namgung Ji again.

"But since Young Master Jin is sick, I can't go with you now."

Just then, Jin Sa-wol's voice was suddenly heard.

"Just go. It seems the Ten-Sword Demon is trying to kill Young Lady Namgung. You go first. I'll go in five days."

At Jin Sa-wol's voice, Woo Jeong-bong turned his head to Jin Sa-wol's room. Jin Sa-wol came out, leaning on a crutch, and stood there.

"The Ten-Sword Demon..."

Woo Jeong-bong's gaze changed coldly, as if he were a completely different person from before. Woo Jeong-bong soon relaxed his expression and asked Jin Sa-wol.

"Will you be okay without me? It seems you can't even drink water..."

"I'm fine."

"It seems you can't even go to the outhouse... I think I'll have to take off your pants for you."

"Just go."

Jin Sa-wol let out a deep sigh and waved his hand.

"If you don't come in five days, I'll come and get you."

"Do that."

Jin Sa-wol nodded as if to say, 'Please just go,' and then went back into the room.

Namgung Ji said to Woo Jeong-bong.

"I'm going to the Nanchang branch. Are you coming with me?"

"I will do so, Young Lady Namgung. And it's not Hyun Jin, but Woo Jeong-bong. Call me Older Brother Woo."

"Older Brother Woo... Ha... Let's go."

Namgung Ji shook her head, went out the door, and got on the carriage. As Woo Jeong-bong tried to follow and get on the carriage, Namgung Ji stopped him.

"In front."

At Namgung Ji's words, Woo Jeong-bong had no choice but to sit in the driver's seat.

"Tsk."

(End of Chapter)