Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 7 : Bodyguard (2)

Jin Sawoon thought about the culprit who had gifted him sleep-inducing incense and a Black Centipede in his room last night. No matter how much he thought, only the steward or Song Ha-sang came to mind.

But there was no reason for them to do so.

On top of that, there were a considerable number of members of the main hall who were with the steward, and Song Ha-sang's subordinates. It was a job that any of them could have done.

'There are too many.'

If there was a solution, it was to find the person who had warned him of the danger. If he found him, the answer would come quickly.

"If the Cult Leader changes, who will it be?"

As Seo Woon-gang's voice reached his ears, Jin Sawoon showed interest.

The weight the Cult Leader held within the Cult was considerable. He united the Seven Great Martial Families and maintained a close relationship with the martial world of the Central Plains.

His martial arts were known to have reached the heavens, and it was said that a mountain would collapse with a single palm strike and a rock of a thousand catties would split with a single sword strike.

The Heavenly Divine Cult was called the Northern Hegemon of the Two Hegemons Under Heaven, and it became a place that all in the martial world feared.

In the Heavenly Divine Cult, where countless masters of the martial world were gathered, the Cult Leader was also the number one master under heaven and in the martial world.

And yet, a rumor was circulating that he was lying sick.

With the Cult Leader who had ruled the Heavenly Divine Cult for a long time lying down, it was only natural that the entire Cult would be shaken.

"Wouldn't it be one of the young lords or the Seven Great Martial Kings?"

"The position of Cult Leader is the position of the supreme one, so they will compete with martial arts. In terms of martial arts, the Four Great Martial Gods are the best."

"Since there is a Vice Cult Leader, the Vice Cult Leader will take his place."

The voices of the three continued to be heard, but Jin Sawoon kept his mouth shut.

He was interested, but it didn't matter who it became. Although, if the Valley Lord of Ghost Spirit Valley changed, he would have been very interested.

"If the young lords marry the young lady, they will be in an advantageous position to become the next Cult Leader, right? Isn't that why they sent us?"

At Seo Woon-gang's voice, Jin Sawoon turned his head.

"Why?"

When Jin Sawoon asked, Seo Woon-gang smiled.

"If they marry the young lady, wouldn't the Dokgo family support them? The head of the Elder's Council is from the Dokgo family, and the head of the Inspection Pavilion is also from the Dokgo family. If they support them, there will be nothing lacking."

Hearing Seo Woon-gang's answer, Jin Sawoon seemed to understand.

Thump-thump-thump-thump!

As the ground shook, Jin Sawoon turned his head and looked at the dozen or so horses galloping from a distance.

They were all dressed in black martial arts uniforms, and they quickly passed the carriage and headed for the four-horse carriage where Dokgo Hye was.

'Cheon Woo-rin.'

Jin Sawoon followed the disappearing back of the handsome young man who was sitting at the very front of the horses.

Cheon Woo-rin, the young master of the Cheon family, was the Cult Leader's third disciple and a rising star with a high reputation within the Cult.

He was of a great status, having possessed everything from birth.

"You were right."

At Jin Sawoon's words, Seo Woon-gang also seemed to recognize Cheon Woo-rin and nodded.

"Hup!"

Cheon Woo-rin, who jumped from his running horse into the open four-horse carriage, smiled and sat in front of Dokgo Hye.

Dokgo Hye frowned and raised her voice at Cheon Woo-rin, who sat down dusting himself off.

"Is it okay to just show up like this without notice?"

"I couldn't send word because I was in a hurry. When I arrived at the Cult, they said you had left, so I followed."

The handsome Cheon Woo-rin, with his distinct features and fine skin, flashed a smile.

But Dokgo Hye, having seen his face often, had an expression of little interest. Rather, Soo-soo, who was sitting next to her, fixed her clothes and paid attention to Cheon Woo-rin.

"Why did you come?"

"I came because I was worried. Isn't the Jeon family a bit far? I came for two birds with one stone, to be a bodyguard and to see the world."

"Chang'an is not far."

Dokgo Hye, who let out a deep sigh, shook her head with an annoyed expression. Cheon Woo-rin said.

"Even if it's not far, it's true that I'm concerned."

"I'm so happy that you're concerned for me, I'm crying."

The expression of Dokgo Hye, who answered by sticking out her tongue, looked nothing but cute in Cheon Woo-rin's eyes.

"If you like it that much, I couldn't be happier. How about you like me a little more?"

"I like you a lot."

"Not as an older brother, but as a husband."

"Hah..."

Dokgo Hye sighed at Cheon Woo-rin's straightforward words.

Cheon Woo-rin had a magnanimous personality, liked his friends, and didn't follow worldly etiquette, so many people liked him, but Dokgo Hye was not one of them.

Dokgo Hye liked a quiet, polite, and conservative man.

Unfortunately, there was no such man in the Cult who caught her eye.

"I've heard that story so many times that my ears are calloused. Stop it. It's embarrassing."

"Is Soo-soo a stranger? My heart has always been for one woman, so I have to be this proactive. There are many who covet my Hye-ah, so I can't be at ease."

At the sight of Cheon Woo-rin raising his voice and speaking, Dokgo Hye turned her head. To Cheon Woo-rin, her sulking appearance felt nothing but cute.

As the sun set over the western mountains and the evening glow shone brightly, Dokgo Hye entered the Gisan Manor, where they had decided to stay for the day.

Behind the manor, high mountains stood like a folding screen, and in front, a wide field and a river flowed, making it a place with beautiful scenery.

The people of Gisan Manor already knew that people from the Heavenly Divine Cult were coming and had prepared rooms and meals.

As Dokgo Hye's carriage entered, Jin Sawoon also entered Gisan Manor with his comrades, unpacked his luggage, and took a rest.

The small room had only two beds, so it was a cramped place for four people to sleep.

It was when complete darkness covered Gisan Manor that Kang Yu came inside.

It was for the night guard duty.

"From now on, three people will take turns with me for one shichen each to guard the separate courtyard. And from today, Jin Sawoon is in charge of Cheon Woo-rin."

"Yes."

Since Cheon Woo-rin's appearance was not planned, one person had to guard him. However, he was not to reveal his presence.

Jin Sawoon replied and stood up first to go outside.

Kang Yu spoke to the remaining team members.

"Jang Muryong will go with me. Seo Woon-gang and Gwak Ho, you rest."

"Understood."

As the two answered in unison, Kang Yu went outside with Jang Muryong.

As soon as Kang Yu, who was walking towards the separate courtyard, entered the garden, he climbed up a dark tree.

Jang Muryong nimbly climbed up next to Kang Yu and sat on a branch.

Kang Yu, who was leaning his back against the tree trunk, seemed to be in an unstable position, so he untied his leather belt and tied the tree and his body together.

Then he looked at Jang Muryong and asked.

"Where is your hometown?"

"It's a place called Hapgok in Guizhou. I was born there, but somehow I ended up in a place called Seongchon and became a beggar."

"You remember it well for something that happened when you were young."

"I remember the time I begged when I was young. I probably can't forget it because all I remember is being chased out of the village in beggar's clothes."

"Unhappy memories last a long time."

At Jang Muryong's words, Kang Yu nodded.

Perhaps because it was night, the surrounding air grew cold. It wasn't the season for snow yet, but looking at the falling leaves and the reddened leaves, one could tell that winter would soon come.

Kang Yu only knew about his team members through reports and had never had a deep conversation with them, so he took this opportunity to get to know Jang Muryong.

"Looking at your report, it says you had a hard time on your first mission. Was it in Sichuan?"

"Yes."

Jang Muryong replied and then showed a slightly troubled expression. In fact, although he said he had a hard time on his first mission, there was a time when he almost died.

On his way out after finishing his bloody work, he ran into a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and had to flee. The opponent was a master who used sword energy, a man called the Great Spirit Swordsman, who had a high reputation even in Sichuan.

With him and his disciples, about ten people, chasing him at once, he had no choice but to run away.

Kang Yu didn't specifically ask about the incident in Sichuan. Instead, he changed the subject and asked another question.

"How is the relationship between the team members?"

At Kang Yu's question, Jang Muryong hesitated for a moment before answering.

"I don't know."

His answer was typical, and Kang Yu understood. In Ghost Spirit Valley, they had to use separate rooms, and conversation between them was kept to a minimum.

It was for the useless reason that the accumulation of affection could also become a weakness.

"This current relationship where we don't know each other well is comfortable and good."

Jang Muryong answered again, and Kang Yu nodded.

Jang Muryong asked.

"We form a team, but is Jin Sawoon moving alone?"

"Yes."

"Is there a reason?"

"Because Jin Sawoon can do it well enough on his own."

A tone that suggested it was obvious. Jang Muryong shut his mouth as if he had nothing more to say.

* * *

Jin Sawoon stood in the forest of the rear garden that spread wide beyond the wall.

A place where no one was. Only the chirping of insects occasionally tickled his ears.

Jin Sawoon was looking at a house located about ten zhang away. A lantern was lit in the study, and Cheon Woo-rin was sitting inside.

He could also see the shadows of those who appeared to be his subordinates, but there was no need to pay them any mind.

The target to be watched was Cheon Woo-rin.

'Ten people.'

That was the number of bodyguards Cheon Woo-rin had brought.

Five of them were resting, and five were guarding the surroundings.

Even if only five men with swords were gathered, it would give a considerable sense of intimidation to ordinary people, but to Jin Sawoon, it was a number with many openings.

It was difficult to guard the entire separate courtyard with just five people. Even from where Jin Sawoon was standing now, he could see Cheon Woo-rin sitting inside the house.

Jin Sawoon just stood still and watched Cheon Woo-rin. He thought that if he fell asleep like that, he would also go back and get some sleep.

But Cheon Woo-rin seemed to have no intention of sleeping, and even after his subordinate left, he sat alone and then walked outside around midnight.

'A walk at this hour?'

It was not common for people to enjoy a walk late at night. On top of that, the weather was quite chilly now.

Cheon Woo-rin walked through the rear garden with his hands behind his back and at a leisurely pace.

He was seen passing a small path, walking by a small pond, and then entering a pavilion.

The distance was ten zhang. He still seemed to be unaware that Jin Sawoon was there.

Jin Sawoon quietly watched Cheon Woo-rin from the shade of a tree.

A short while later, the sound of wind brushing against clothes reached Jin Sawoon's ears.

Seeing the short strides, it seemed he was walking in a hurry.

A short while later, a figure in his mid-thirties, dressed in black, approached Cheon Woo-rin and was seen prostrating himself.

'Not a bodyguard.'

Since it was a face he had never seen before, he knew it was not a warrior who had followed as a bodyguard. The two of them having a close conversation seemed to indicate that there was some important business.

'Should I approach?'

He instinctively felt curious, but he had to endure it.

They say that rats hear the words of the night and birds hear the words of the day. And he had learned that rash curiosity shortens one's life.

Cheon Woo-rin stood with his hands behind his back and a frown on his face. The warrior who was standing in front of him prostrated himself, then stood up and stood to Cheon Woo-rin's left.

"As planned, the remnants of the Zhongnan Sect will attack tomorrow."

"If it's the remnants of the exterminated Zhongnan Sect, it's understandable enough that they would try to kill the granddaughter, the bloodline of the Cult Leader."

Cheon Woo-rin wore a bitter sneer on his lips.

The Zhongnan Sect was a sect that had been exterminated by the Heavenly Divine Cult thirty years ago, and its leader had lost his life to the Cult Leader.

It was only natural that the remaining remnants of the Zhongnan Sect would want to take revenge on the Heavenly Divine Cult.

"So, the preparations?"

"I have prepared men with heavy lips. I will handle it as planned tomorrow."

"There must be no failure. And when the job is done, you must get rid of them all."

"Yes."

"You may go."

"Then."

The man cupped his fist and then disappeared into the darkness.

After he had completely disappeared, Cheon Woo-rin, who was standing in the pavilion, returned to his room and went to sleep.

Jin Sawoon, who confirmed the light in the room went out from a distance, returned to his own room and went to sleep.

But he couldn't sleep for long because Kang Yu woke him up.

"How was Cheon Woo-rin?"

"Around midnight, he met a subordinate who was not a bodyguard at the pavilion, but other than that, there was nothing special."

"Another subordinate?"

"He was not a bodyguard."

"He must have come to deliver news from within the Cult."

Someone in Cheon Woo-rin's position would receive regular reports on the major and minor affairs of the Cult. The position of a young lord was not so easy.

"You are to guard him while concealing your presence."

"Yes."

Although he was curious about the reason, Jin Sawoon did not ask.

(End of Chapter)