Chapter 55 Masochist’s Rebellion (3) - Martial Arts Masochist

Destroy Mukryong? Cheongwol did that to Mukryong? "What is this about?" Gwakdu uncle voiced his interest immediately. I crawled on the ground toward him. The beggar, who brought the news, glanced at me briefly but soon began to speak. "I’m not sure what’s true, but... didn’t the Millennium Flower arrive at the Tang house just yesterday? Afterward, it scattered around the Dangmunji gathering, and get this, in an inn, voices were raised loudly, and the Millennium Flower supposedly kicked Mukryong right in the chest? They say he flew away in disgrace." "Heh, heh..." "They didn't draw their swords, but ever since, a cold atmosphere has lingered among the young distinguished figures gathered at the Dang Munji meeting. I'm not sure, but given their strong personalities, there must have been some friction. Hey, chief, is Lady Cheongwol normally like that? I heard she’s kind and smiles a lot..." Gwakdu uncle glanced at me briefly. He had once thought Cheongwol was that sort of person too. But ever since I told him about what I witnessed on the back mountain of Emei, he knew Cheongwol’s true nature and her inner devil. Uncle blinked a few times and replied. "...Well, of course. She’s a kind and virtuous person." "So, did Mukryong shoot off his mouth again? Mukryong’s overly honest nature is well-known, isn’t it? I guess he met his match. Apparently, rumors are already circulating that Mukryong might be leaving the Dang Munji meeting because of this." “Haa…” -Thunk. I lay spread out on the ground. My head was starting to feel confused. The beggar who brought the news looked at my expression and asked Gwakdu uncle. “Chief, is he our new brother?” “No, he’s not joining us as a beggar.” Their joking didn't reach me. All I could do was stare blankly at the clear sky. Mukryong. A rising star in the Orthodox Faction, appearing without a sect. An older brother and mentor figure who imparts martial arts to the slow-witted protagonist. He gained recognition as a hero through a single righteous act, and perhaps in this gathering, his presence is the most significant. Because it’s a meeting involving him and the protagonist. ...But what did Cheongwol do? To think she kicked Mukryong in the chest? Are they thinking of Mukryong leaving because of this? Then what about the protagonist? ... What will happen to that slow-wit? “Oh my...” It felt like my head was about to explode. Every time something like this happened, whenever the future I knew was deviated from, I had to be engulfed in fear. This Cheongwol seems like a key player in wrecking this world one way or another. After withstanding Tang Soran's blows, now she comes to the Dang Munji Meeting to ruin the protagonist's fortune. Does that even make sense? ... However, as much as I wanted to blame Cheongwol, I was also aware of the fact that it was my fault. I shouldn't have seen Cheongwol in the mountains that day... Then there would have been nothing binding us, Cheongwol wouldn't have changed, and incidents like today wouldn't have happened. It would have just flowed naturally...! Of all places, I had to see Cheongwol on that mountain, and we got entwined. And the frustration growing was matched by a sense of guilt. If the protagonist can’t grow. Won’t an even greater storm of blood sweep across this brutal world? Just how much more devastated is this damned tragic novel going to get? The beggar who had come looking for Uncle left after a short conversation. Then Gwakdu uncle looked around and approached me lying down, whispering. “Hey, Seojin. This must also be because of her inner devil, right?” “...Probably.” “Heh... What to do. It seems like it’s just a matter of time.” “...” Suddenly, Cheongwol's appearance from two days ago came to mind. The way she spewed fury, saying she abandoned her inner devil and fled. At the time, I was too engulfed in fear to think properly... Now thinking about it, perhaps she was desperate in her own way. ...But thinking of it like that, she’s just crazy. Who surprises someone by dressing up as a courtesan like that? I almost had a heart attack. It was a miracle I didn’t faint on the spot. She's terrifying, awkward, and unpleasant. “…Sigh.” ...At the same time, I do feel a little sorry. Constantly approaching me to relieve her inner devil. Every time I see her tears during our sessions, I feel something. For me, it’s merely an act to survive, so the emotional outlet isn’t that large... But when I blankly consider and observe her actions from a distance, certain emotions arise. You could call it the fate of people; it feels pitiful. How hard must it be for her to cry in front of me? To be honest, it’s quite easy to relieve her inner devil. She just needs to start killing people, and it would ease up for her too. It’s her innate nature, after all. Would a lion simply graze on grass and not have inner devils arise? The problem is, if she were to start slaughtering, I feel like I’d be the first to lose my head, so I’m enduring it this way. “Seojin, what are you going to do? Where will you run? Her inner devil is intensifying.” I clicked my tongue. “…Uncle. Enough.” “Huh?” “Let’s not get anxious right now. Actually, Cheongwol visited me not long ago.” A strangled sound came from Uncle, and he froze. You’re scared too, right? I survived that, you know. “No way to escape from Chengdu now. Unless we find another way. How do we know they haven't already placed someone on me?” Uncle looked around cautiously. With such noise and crowdedness, nobody could hear us... But there are plenty of eyes watching us. Because of the gathering of the young talents in Chengdu, it drew many people. While Uncle flustered around, I was deep in thought. More importantly, it seems the key fortune of the protagonist, meant to clean up all the crap in this world, might be ruined. It's my fault. The influence I wielded is the cause. Honestly, my fault is just being unlucky enough to be in a weird place, that’s it. Bearing the brunt of the ensuing problems seems unfair. ...But can I just sit by because it’s unfair? If a bloody storm sweeps in the future, won’t it engulf me and the uncles I know as well? There would be no point in regretting it later. Something had to be done. I clutched my head and groaned. “Ugh... Ugh!!” “What’s wrong with this guy again?” “Aaagh!” It was undeniable. Why does Cheongwol cause so much trouble!! **** Cheongwol sat in solitary confinement to calm her anger and reflected on the past few days. She had to admit she was feeling especially sensitive. After all, she had spent so much time and effort to find Han Seo Jin... Yet, she hadn’t managed any reconciliation or constructive conversation with him. Just like when they parted ways in that underground chamber, they left each other with their faces flushed. Cheongwol couldn’t understand why this was so painful. If she were honest with herself, she had no interest in attending such a gathering here. The journey was solely meant to find Han Seo Jin who had disappeared. Considering that, even the time wasted with the people calling themselves young masters felt regrettable. She had to engage in conversations she had no interest in and force smiles. It was especially painful to see two particular individuals. One was Tang So Ran. Every time she laid eyes on her, anger boiled within her. It seemed like her relationship with Han Seo Jin had soured starting from Tang So Ran. Cheongwol had disliked Tang So Ran even before their match, but now the hatred had grown even deeper. Seeing her reminded Cheongwol of Han Seo Jin devotedly washing Tang So Ran's feet. Ignoring her, yet fawning over Tang So Ran... His image kept flashing before her eyes, stirring up mixed emotions of anger and sorrow. Cheongwol's personal times with him remained shockingly vivid, as if they happened just yesterday. The sense of liberation he gave her, gratitude for the burdens he carried for her, and those vulnerable moments shared only with him resurfaced persistently. The other difficult presence for her was Mukryong. She felt nothing but disgust towards him, the man clad in black garments. Not a member of any sect, there wasn't an ounce of courtesy to be found in him. Yet, he was incredibly conscious of the public eye, thinking his words and actions were everything. A hypocritical and deceitful man, that’s how Cheongwol assessed Mukryong. ‘We should greet those who have gathered to see us.’ ‘The reason we wielders of the sword can live is thanks to the common folk who farm. We should always be grateful.’ ‘I wish I could delight everyone with a martial arts demonstration, should there be a chance.’ Cheongwol disliked the common folk who constantly assessed her, and Mukryong, who seemed solely intent on pleasing them, appeared to her exceedingly carefree. The ability for such nonchalance lay in Mukryong not being part of a sect; his reputation didn’t extend to a sect, allowing him his frivolous thoughts. He didn’t have to suffer the consequences of slighting others. However, for Cheongwol, every step was like walking on thin ice. Chengdu swarmed with people. They persistently clung to Cheongwol, demanding excessively. Pet my child. Name the baby. Shake hands. Could you demonstrate your skills? Could you show us some martial arts... And so on. As a nun of the Emei Sect, she neither desired nor anticipated such propositions, yet the common folk, blissfully ignorant, voiced them without hesitation. Because of this, Mukryong's suggestions and words grated on her all the more. It led her to ignore his words and proposals even more. If he’s truly so grateful to the common folk, he should handle it alone. Why drag others into it to create a commotion? Moreover, how dare he look down on all other young masters having just met them? She knew he was older than the others, but where did he get off acting like that? In the end, tired of the play, Cheongwol got up at the inn and announced, “I’m going to rest now. I’m not feeling well.” Mukryong then challenged her. “Miss, sit down. It’s a betrayal to those gathered to see us.” “Am I supposed to endure this discomfort for others’ gazes? I’m leaving.” “I told you to sit.” Cheongwol ignored him and continued walking, and Mukryong got up, shouting as if to discipline her. “Cheongwol! What’s with your attitude these days—” It was as if Cheongwol’s rationality snapped. The pent-up anger, frustration, and irritation all mingled urgently into one. Holding back her rage had recently become increasingly difficult. The more lives she took, the more it seemed to worsen. -Bang! Regaining her composure, Cheongwol found herself having kicked Mukryong in the chest. Mukryong collided with the wall after crashing through a table. Everyone was shocked by Cheongwol's sudden action. A frail, threadlike aura Seojin had once cultivated with her was coursing through her skin. 'Miss Cheongwol?' ‘That, that...!’ 'Her... her level has...!' Voices murmured around her, but Cheongwol paid them no mind. Just as she would when facing the Greenforest Road, she naturally reached for the hilt at her side. Abandon yourself to the inner devil. If she channeled the aura flowing through her body into her sword, it would certainly be effective. But unfortunately, she had left her sword back at the Tang house. Cheongwol advanced towards Mukryong, who was leaning against the wall. “A cowardly... ambush...” “...How dare you.” With genuine sincerity, she warned him. “Don’t ever dare to call me ‘Cheongwol’ by name. We are not on such terms.”