Rushing in and attacking people like that wasnt really my style.
Such actions didnt suit my temperant.
[Youre laughing.]
Oh, is that so?
Previously, that would have been true.
Originally, my plan was to approach politely, but the trouble began when the gatekeeper attacked first.
-Id like to et your leader, is there any way that could happen?
I asked in that manner, but when they said it wasnt possible, I attempted once more to approach respectfully.
-Could you please let see the leader?
Then, they drew a sword, claiming we couldnt communicate. Ultimately, I had no choice but to send the gatekeeper flying, with tears in my eyes. They had betrayed my respectful intentions.
As long as youre not too hurt, its fine?
I spent so ti wandering around this area, observing this place known as Dowon.
Speaking sweetly to gather stories about the warriors of Dowon, it turns out the top brass seed okay, but the lower ranks were filled with foul-tempered individuals.
All the warriors whose sects were destroyed gathered here. Its natural for those with unbearable temperants to be lurking around. Many here are similar to .
[Similar to you?]
Like ambushing won in the middle of the night or brawls in taverns leading to soones death.
Such stories were common enough to suggest the water here is tainted.
The upper echelons of Dowon, where Cheondo resides, might not be so, but
The lower parts of Dowon, that was, those situated below the mountain range, snuck around committing all sorts of misdeeds, avoiding the eyes of Cheonma.
[How is that similar to you?]
Because I lived foolishly too Well, Ive been forgiven by that person, but what I did was wrong.
[I dont really understand.]
I always thought the water would always be clean in Dowon, where the peaches grow.
Even my master wasnt always a clean person.
They maintained order, but if sothing happened, they could kill a person at any ti.
That included Cheondo and Baekdo. Even the gentle Hwangdo probably had several experiences killing people.
The Dowon that Cheondo grew up in, the one I imagined and hoped for, could not be the utopia I had envisioned.
Strength is everything, the local tavern owner, Jeomsoyi, told .
Even a re restaurant girl knew the way of Cheonma. Cheonma dominated this place with the logic of power.
In the martial world, the law of the martial world applied.
If youre weaker than , you bow. If youre stronger than , I bow.
Anyway, I was planning to show so rcy.
I wont cause unnecessary slaughter.
Grrr
[Are you sure hes not dead?]
I only hit places that wouldnt hurt too much. He might look like that, but he probably doesnt have a single injured part. Just a lot of bruises.
A man, charred black, couldnt gather his strength and twisted his head.
He was defeated. The surroundings began to stir.
-Is he not dead?
Hes not dead.
There were a few things I learned from Cheondo before the midterm exam.
Where to hit, what magic to use to gently knock soone out.
But the most important thing was that people didnt easily die.
At worst, he was just knocked out.
Especially, warriors who are strict with their physical training are like cockroaches. If you dont do this, you never know when theyll get up and attack.
[Youve been through many battles.]
No? Ive been beaten by my master. No matter how much it felt like death, I never died.
[Ah.]
With my arms crossed, I waited for the next opponent, looking around.
How much ti had passed?
Co here!
From a far place, on the roof.
A voice ca from the sky.
The volu one would expect from a mischievous prankster.
-Flitter-flutter!
A girl who jumped up like a cot appeared.
Imitating a mid-air walk, she noisily landed on the ground around.
Do you wish to see our father?
The girl, with her hands clasped behind her back, made her way through the crowd.
The warriors parted ways for her to pass.
So, not understanding the situation, were elbowed by other warriors to catch on.
Hey, make way.
Why all of a sudden?
Look at the white hair.
The eldest daughter of Cheonma.
I listened to the murmurs that ca sporadically.
With her snow-white hair and fists proudly at her waist, her V-shaped smile reminded of a mischievous cousin who enters my room during the holidays.
Baekdo. But, the eldest daughter?
I thought Cheondo was the eldest.
Then I rembered Cheondo had ntioned it.
It was a secret to everyone that she was Cheonmas daughter.
Who are you?
Show so respect.
Little Baekdo stood as if she were the Jade Emperor herself, making the atmosphere turn cold.
-Draw your swords.
-What? Didnt you see that person fighting just now?
-We might be fools, but we cant just stand by and do nothing. And if anything happens to that kid, everyone here will be purged.
It was clear everyone was worried about Baekdo.
Or more precisely, they were afraid of getting into trouble if Baekdo got hurt.
A threatening aura of a fight was directed at .
Contrary to the atmosphere, Baekdo was wearing a pink apron.
Baekdo!! Dont suddenly rush out.
Another little one followed behind little Baekdo.
A girl who ran from afar, gasping for breath.
Seeing the color of her hair, I definitely knew who she was.
I didnt expect to see her here. Was the commotion bigger than expected?
Hwangdo cautiously looked at from behind Baekdo.
With a deeply interested gaze.
Not the look of an enemy. Hwangdo seed like that the first ti we t too.
Bow your head and show respect!
Baekdo raised her voice again.
Staring blankly at her, I scratched the back of my head.
If I can see Cheonma, anyti.
eting him was my goal. If things could be resolved easily, its better for .
Bowing my head, exclamations erupted from the surroundings.
-Baekdo cald that monster!
Her lips practically soared to heaven with the praise.
Baekdo approached , her smile brimming with life.
She was smaller than Cheondo, yet her skin was fair.
And her physique was impressively well-trained.
Hohoho. So, you wish to see our father?
Yes.
Then youd better follow .
With that, she led the way.
Should I really follow her?
Despite my doubts, I soon trailed after Baekdo.
It seed others knew Baekdo was Cheonmas daughter, so at least I wouldnt be attacked.
Navigating through several doors, we made our way towards the middle, then the upper parts of Dowon.
-Thump thump.
As we proceeded, Hwangdo, who initially kept her distance, now openly regarded with deep interest, standing right beside .
It appeared she had judged not to be a threat, given my compliance with Baekdos guidance.
Who is your sister?
Um, well? Who might you be?
Im Hwangdo.
Just as I suspected.
She was exactly as I had envisioned Hwangdo to be.
Did you co from outside?
Um, yes?
Wow. Brother. The sisters always say that people from outside are handso. Is that true?
If were talking purely about charm, individuals like are a rarity.
When I shook my head, Hwangdos deanor visibly deflated.
But the n in magazines are all handso
Magazines only showcase the top 1%.
Oh.
Hwangdo drooped like a puppy caught in the rain, radiating an undeniable charm.
Hmph.
Seemingly irritated by our exchange,
Baekdo seized Hwangdos arm and positioned her in front of herself.
Hwangdo, dont talk to that person.
Why? He doesnt seem like a bad person.
People like him often have a cunning side.
Kids, I can hear everything.
I had thought Baekdo always maintained that polite tone since she was young. However, when speaking to Hwangdo, her tone shifted to one that was unmistakably childlike.
It must have been her genuine tone, especially when she was inebriated.
I still recall the tone Baekdo used when we drank together, delighting in teasing others.
When will we arrive?
Show so manners. Well arrive soon.
Baekdo snorted and then, full of energy, attempted to move forward but suddenly hid with Hwangdo at sothing they saw.
It turned out so won were coming from a distance, carrying laundry.
What are you doing?
Hwangdo answered my question.
Were sneaking around, so if our sister and madam find out, well be scolded for not doing household chores.
Hwangdo! I told you not to say unnecessary things!
But the brother asked? The sisters said we should answer honestly if asked.
Ah, so frustrating.
Baekdo, puffing up her cheeks and beating her chest in annoyance, seed genuinely upset. However, the deadly intent I felt from adult Baekdo, the kind that says its you or , was not present.
To , Baekdo and Hwangdo just seed like young sisters.
As we get closer I can definitely tell.
I calmly observed the magic emanating from the top of the mountain range in the distance.
A magic of the sa black color as mine.
Yet, the aura was far denser and stronger than mine could ever be.
A chilling cloud of emotion I had not felt even from Cheondo was rising from deep within my chest.
So noisy.
Yes.
Cheondo answered without moving at the elders remark.
On a sheer cliffside.
Sitting cross-legged, Cheondo absorbed the words being conveyed without paying attention to anything else.
It seems we have a visitor.
At that single statent, a shiver ran through Cheondo, and his brows twitched.
The elder narrowed his eyes, which were long and narrow.
Do you know the person?
Im not sure.
Cheondo recalled the face of the man he had t the night before.
No, surely not. Even if so, would that man do sothing so foolish as to step into the masters residence?
Just knowing the Cheon of Cheonma would deter such an act. A monts folly could lead to being dismbered without knowing.
This is the first ti seeing soone so bold.
The elder brushed back his white hair and adjusted the sleeves of his robe with his wrinkled hands. Even that slight movent caused the surrounding magic to stir, responding to the elders movents.
A giant, standing over 2 ters tall.
He scrutinized the distant man with his snake-like, triclops gaze.
Cheondo fretted over what might happen.
Oh ho Quite the interesting fellow.
Before the words had even left the elders mouth.
Excuse ?
You. Have you ever shared this power with anyone?
No. I neither have the skill nor the position to do so. Ive never done such a thing.
Right, thats what I thought. Huh. It seems to be connected to so damned tree as well. Cheondo, expand your senses.
Yes.
Cheondo stirred the magic within him, slowly expanding his senses.
Familiar silhouettes. Two won and a man.
The image of a man familiar to her flashed through her mind.
That idiot Why are they together?
Swallowing curses inside, Cheondo bit her trembling lips.
I, Ive felt it.
Then, give that fellow a blow.
Excuse ?
Cheondo was reluctant.
Just watching makes curious to death Use what Ive taught you to the fullest on that man today.
Does that an you want to duel with that man?
The elder did not respond to Cheondos question.
There was no other way.
The masters word was absolute. Cheondo swallowed her bitter breath, regretting not warning him in the morning.
I didnt want this. To duel soone whose na I dont even know.
Cheondo prepared herself, wrapping her hands in deep black magic, ready to spring forth at any mont.
The man slowly approached.
Unaware of her presence.
At this rate Itll be over in a single hit.
Tensing her fist, Cheondo swallowed her breath and hid her presence.
He approached.
-Thud.
He arrived.
One hit as he passed by.
The mont the man ca into view, Cheondos body kicked off the ground, launching like a cannon.
-Boom!
A wave opened, and a thunderous noise pierced the sky.
In what could be described as a mont, a second, Cheondo reached in front of the man with a magic-infused punch.
Until then, the man showed no reaction.
Baekdo was the first to react to Cheondos movent.
With wide eyes, Baekdo hiccupped and stepped back.
Next was Hwangdo.
Startled, she tightly closed her eyes.
Im sorry.
An apology that he wouldnt hear.
Cheondos punch stopped just before touching his body.
Of course, the punch never landed.
-Thump!
The thrown punch was easily blocked, throwing Cheondo off balance.
An unexpected wind swept in from nowhere, toppling her center of gravity.
Ah!
In the sudden event,
Cheondo fell, pushed by the wind.
Her voice, brief and tender, escaped her lips.
-Swoop!
The man, catching the falling Cheondo, looked at her strangely, as if holding her was odd.
What are you doing?
She didnt notice his reaction.
Despite the pride she had learned under Cheonma.
Cheondo was dumbfounded by the incomprehensible situation.
But complacency was complacency.
Cheondo frowned, detaching her face from the mans embrace.
Ugh.
What awaited her was nothing but a heap of sha for having been defeated in front of her master.
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