Chapter 86

Chapter 86
Kill Me (3)

Cheon-geuk roused from her slumber.

It had been an eternity since she had experienced such uninterrupted, peaceful rest. A pleasant reverie had accompanied her sleep, leaving her physical form feeling completely unburdened, nearly weightless enough to drift off.

To the outside world, she always presented a cheerful and radiant demeanor, yet beneath the surface, her true essence had long been submerged in an abyss of gloom.

Recently, she had witnessed a single beam of radiance cleaving through that profound obscurity. Even so, she harbored no desire to claim or cling to it. In her mind, the darkness belonged to darkness, and the radiance belonged to radiance, plain and simple.

Currently, that very beam of brilliance stood off at a distance, casting its own illumination as it refined its deadly craft.

Baek So-cheon was executing the Thousand-Handed Asura God Sword.

Commencing with the First Form, Heavenly Pursuit Style, he transitioned smoothly into the Second Form, Heavenly Flash Style.

The relentless sword strikes extending in every direction morphed into the Third Form, Heavenly Machine Style. After etching fourteen distinct paths of steel through the air, the Fourth Form, Heavenly Fist Style, crashed straight downward from above before sweeping along an elegant arch to finalize the Fifth Form, Heavenly Cycle Style.

Recounting every maneuver took time, yet the entire routine manifested in the blink of an eye. Within that single heartbeat, countless trails of sword light wove an intricate tapestry across the empty space.

What in the world was that?

Startled, she sat bolt upright, a sharp gasp escaping her lips.

“Ack!”

The violent, abrupt jerk pulled at her injury, sending an acute twinge of agony rippling through her flesh.

Hearing her distress, Baek So-cheon hurried to her side, full of concern.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I merely sat up with too much haste.”

Baek So-cheon leaned down at once to examine the site of her injury.

“That’s a relief. The stitch hasn’t split open.”

“Just a second ago, I saw something quite bizarre.”

“Bizarre?”

“While you were brandishing your blade, all those tracks of sword light converged into…”

“Into what, exactly?”

Baek So-cheon’s curiosity was instantly piqued. He was eager to learn what sort of manifestation his sword paths had formed.

Cheon-geuk tilted her head thoughtfully.

“I can’t quite find the words to capture it…”

The sight had felt menacing yet simultaneously magnificent. Ultimately, she simply shook her head from side to side, failing to summon an adequate description.

Baek So-cheon offered a comforting word:

“Regardless of what took shape, the art remains unfinished. The moment it reaches completion, you’ll be the very first person I show.”

“Don’t waste it on me. Display it for Yeom Hwa-sin instead.”

Baek So-cheon let out a soft, amused laugh.

“We ought to return now. The others must be worried sick by our absence.”

“Before we set out, there is something I must share with you.”

“What would that be?”

“The Wind God Movement Technique.”

At those words, Cheon-geuk’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

“Are you referring to the legendary Wind God Movement Technique, hailed as the finest lightness art throughout all history?”

“Indeed. My original intent was to impart it to you only after Yeom Hwa-sin had been slain.”

Baek So-cheon proceeded to explain the exact circumstances behind how he had acquired the method.

“Good heavens! You obtained a martial technique directly from Yeom Hwa-sin himself!”

“If he catches even the faintest suspicion that you’ve mastered it, he will pursue your life without mercy.”

“Why target me rather than coming after you?”

“He would eliminate you first, merely to revel in the sheer pleasure of punishing me for my deceit.”

“That man is truly beyond all reason or sanity.”

“I know it all too well.”

And yet, irony of ironies, Baek So-cheon was the solitary soul in the world who genuinely comprehended Yeom Hwa-sin.

“What caused you to change your stance, then?”

“Your martial prowess has advanced another tier. You now possess the ability to cultivate it in absolute secrecy.”

With her heightened senses, she could detect any prying eyes far more reliably and navigate perilous encounters with greater ease.

“Should you manage to attain the eighth stage or beyond, your velocity will exceed even that of Yeom Hwa-sin.”

“The eighth stage… that will take an arduous journey.”

“It will serve you well across numerous predicaments. Cultivate it with great prudence.”

“I am grateful. It is only because of you that I have been granted the chance to master the supreme lightness skill.”

“In truth, I was able to preserve this technique because of you as well. Had I not utilized you as a pretense on that occasion, Yeom Hwa-sin would have remained suspicious of me indefinitely.”

With that, Baek So-cheon began reciting the mnemonic chant to her. Although she lacked his uncanny, photographic recollection, Cheon-geuk was nonetheless a woman of remarkable brilliance and keen wit.

Having heard the verse repeated only three or four times, she committed the entire passage to memory.

He then conveyed his personal revelations and experiences gained from practicing the art, and she absorbed each piece of guidance like parched soil soaking in rain.

After concluding the transmission of the Wind God Movement Technique, Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk made their way back toward the Daroo Tea House.

Though they had traversed these very pathways previously, the sensation accompanying their journey was entirely transformed. A thrilling, heart-racing exhilaration belonging to an entirely different realm thrummed between them.

Without a word, Baek So-cheon casually reached out and grasped her fingers.

“There it is. You still can’t hide that rogue streak of yours. How did you guess I wanted to hold hands?”

“I used to be quite the heartbreaker in my day.”

“Still brimming with sheer audacity, aren’t you?”

“Haha.”

Their collective future had not yet been sketched onto any clear canvas. He could not even fathom her deeper reflections regarding the matter. What destiny awaited the two of them?

Nevertheless, one reality remained absolute.

The time spent in her company brought him far more joy than moments shared with anyone else.

Suddenly, Cheon-geuk withdrew her hand from his grasp. Puzzled by the sudden retreat, he shifted his gaze upward, only to spot Myeol Ji-ryun advancing toward them in the distance.

“Hero Baek!”

“Miss Myeol.”

Myeol Ji-ryun’s attention immediately drifted toward Cheon-geuk standing beside him. Because her sight had latched onto Cheon-geuk first, she had missed the entwined hands between them.

Looking directly at Cheon-geuk, Myeol Ji-ryun inquired:

“And who might you be?”

Under standard etiquette, one would state their own identity before inquiring about another, yet her impatience overshadowed formality.

Before Baek So-cheon could step in to make introductions, Cheon-geuk took the initiative to speak.

“I manage that Daroo Tea House just over there.”

Myeol Ji-ryun peered behind them, confirming the presence of the Daroo building standing quietly down the lane.

“The veiled, incomparable beauty who runs a tea establishment. The Central Plains certainly harbor wonders beyond my imagination.”

“It sits right beside the main entrance of the Murim Alliance, after all. All manners of peculiar occurrences unfold in this area. If you will excuse me, I shall take my leave.”

As Cheon-geuk offered a slight bow and prepared to depart, Myeol Ji-ryun spoke up:

“I actually came seeking an audience with Hero Baek to discuss a certain matter. How about we share a cup of tea inside your establishment?”

Turning her down would only arouse greater curiosity regarding Cheon-geuk, so Baek So-cheon cast a subtle glance toward her companion. Cheon-geuk offered a bright smile and remarked:

“The more tea I pour, the better my business thrives. Let us go.”

Thus, the trio stepped through the doors of Cheon-geuk’s Daroo Tea House. Rap-sa and Pa-jeong, who had been shadowing Myeol Ji-ryun’s steps from a safe interval, chose to remain outside near the threshold rather than intrude into the parlor.

Baek So-cheon and Myeol Ji-ryun selected seats alongside an open window offering an expansive view of the street outside.

“I will prepare your tea in just a moment.”

“Do you not inquire about your guests’ preferences before serving?”

“Ah! My apologies. Is there a specific variety you favor?”

A subtle, sharp friction hung between the two women, invisible to an outside observer. Myeol Ji-ryun felt a prickle of irritation at witnessing Baek So-cheon in the company of another stunning woman.

“Simply serve the finest signature brew your shop offers.”

“Right away.”

Cheon-geuk retreated toward the rear kitchen. She was already fully aware of Myeol Ji-ryun’s true background and the purpose behind her journey here. Consequently, the coldness directed at her did not cause the slightest offense; she grasped its origin entirely.

Scanning the furnishings of the room, Myeol Ji-ryun turned her head toward Baek So-cheon and asked:

“Are you a frequent patron here?”

“I am.”

“Ah, you must hold a deep appreciation for tea. I shall make sure to brew it for you regularly in the days ahead.”

Her words carried the presumption of an impending union, yet Baek So-cheon offered no remark in response.

Right at that moment, Cheon-geuk returned carrying the freshly brewed tea.

“Please, enjoy.”

“Won’t you join us?”

“I should decline.”

“Fate has allowed our paths to cross today—do take a seat.”

“Very well, only for a brief moment.”

The three settled together around the low table.

“This brew is truly remarkable.”

“It happens to be my personal favorite. I reserve it exclusively for distinguished patrons.”

“Thanks to Hero Baek’s presence, I am fortunate enough to savor such an exquisite vintage.”

As though intentionally mindful of Cheon-geuk’s presence, she steered the dialogue toward the subject of marriage. Under ordinary circumstances, such a delicate topic would never be broached before an outsider, yet she brought it forth deliberately so the other woman could hear.

“Hero Baek, were you truly in earnest when you proposed postponing our wedding by a full year? Or was it merely a tactic to extricate yourself from that awkward confrontation?”

“I was entirely in earnest.”

Had it been the Cheon-geuk of yesterday, those words might have stung her heart. Yet the Cheon-geuk of today harbored not the slightest sorrow, regardless of what escaped his lips.

If anything, hearing him declare his earnestness directly in front of her felt like the absolute opposite of the truth.

“Even so, it is highly doubtful that the Black Heaven Alliance will consent to my terms.”

“And if they reject them outright?”

“Then both you and your escort must return.”

“Must I depart as well?”

“Indeed.”

“Do I not please you?”

“I find you quite agreeable, miss. It is merely the broader circumstance that does not suit me.”

Cheon-geuk threw a sidelong glance at Baek So-cheon before taking a delicate sip from her cup.

To flatter another woman right before my very eyes!

She was well aware that his flattery held no genuine sentiment, yet it still offered prime ammunition to tease him about his shameless charms later on. Cheon-geuk pressed her lips firmly together to stifle an amused smirk.

At that precise second, an uninvited guest strode into the Daroo: Yeom Sa-won.

“So this is where you were hiding.”

While walking down the thoroughfare, he had noticed the pair of sentries stationed outside the door and decided to investigate.

The elite protectors flanking the two factions had merely exchanged subtle nods from a distance.

Yeom Sa-won’s expression tightened perceptibly the moment his gaze landed on Cheon-geuk.

“Clinging to one another back then, and still inseparable now. Are the two of you courting or something of the sort?”

Cheon-geuk smiled warmly and said:

“Since a distinguished customer has arrived, I will take my leave.”

Yeom Sa-won snapped sharply:

“Stay seated!”

Cheon-geuk sat back down with complete docility.

“As you wish.”

This time, Myeol Ji-ryun knitted her brows in distaste.

“Bellowing at a lady? Hardly an admirable trait.”

Yeom Sa-won turned a mocking grin toward Myeol Ji-ryun.

“Women come in all kinds, each possessing their own nature. I simply lack the silver tongue required to flatter the Assassin Alliance Lord.”

Myeol Ji-ryun’s eyes flashed with shock.

“The Assassin Alliance Lord?”

Cheon-geuk addressed her smoothly:

“My name is Cheon-geuk. Forgive me for not revealing my identity earlier.”

“It turns out you are an extraordinarily formidable figure.”

Myeol Ji-ryun shifted her gaze back and forth between Baek So-cheon and Cheon-geuk, bewildered.

“I simply fail to comprehend this. Is it truly acceptable for the two of you to associate so openly?”

Baek So-cheon countered with absolute serenity:

“Do you fully comprehend the reason for your own presence here right now?”

“A fair point.”

Yeom Sa-won pushed his empty vessel toward Cheon-geuk.

“Fill my cup.”

Cheon-geuk obliged, pouring the liquid with an easy smile.

“Please enjoy.”

In the past, an uncomfortable, suffocating stillness would have descended over the table. But today, Cheon-geuk wore a radiant expression. Part of it stemmed from the blissful, dream-like hours she had shared with Baek So-cheon, and part of it arose from her martial skills reaching a higher realm.

She had always possessed the power to take a life like Yeom Sa-won’s whenever she pleased. Now, the man appeared nothing short of utterly pathetic and comical.

Yeom Sa-won stared at Baek So-cheon and sneered:

“Your woman is serving drinks to another man, and you simply sit by and watch?”

“It is merely tea, not alcohol.”

Following Baek So-cheon’s unruffled rejoinder, Myeol Ji-ryun chimed in:

“Should your reply not have been, ‘She does not belong to me’?”

Baek So-cheon began to push himself up from the table.

“I shall be on my way, then.”

Seeing him move to leave, Yeom Sa-won reached into the folds of his robes and retrieved a sealed parchment.

“Do you have any idea what this contains?”

“What is it?”

“A written decree dispatched from my father.”

Yeom Sa-won announced with great volume and arrogance toward Baek So-cheon:

“Father has consented to your stipulations. Provided you manage to vanquish me, he will publicly proclaim a one-year armistice across the entire Murim realm.”

Incredibly, Yeom Hwa-sin had acquiesced to the demands proposed by Baek So-cheon. A quiet shock rippled through Baek So-cheon’s mind.

Did he truly accept those terms?

Though the proposal had been his own creation, the actual concession was utterly startling.

“However, he attached a single decree to that agreement.”

“And that would be?”

“To strike you dead without fail.”

Upon reading those specific words within the letter, Yeom Sa-won had felt a wave of pure ecstasy wash over him, as though he were soaring through the heavens.

Up until this moment, he had harbored the bitter suspicion that his father held Baek So-cheon in higher esteem than his own flesh and blood.

Yet that was completely untrue. This command served as undeniable proof.

You fool! I had completely misread Father’s true thoughts!

Yeom Sa-won was so utterly intoxicated with triumph that he could barely keep his emotions under control.

“Well, your demands have been acknowledged—there is no turning back now. Let us settle upon an appointed day for the contest.”

“Very well. I shall discuss the schedule with the Alliance Lord and provide you with an answer shortly.”

Yeom Sa-won rose to his feet.

Instead of offering a standard farewell, he turned a menacing glare upon Cheon-geuk:

“Conduct yourself with caution from now on. I hold no terror toward you.”

“Yes, I will certainly take care.”

Cheon-geuk answered with effortless politeness. Beneath her calm facade, she felt deeply amused. She could see right through him; his brazen bluster was nothing more than an overt mask for his deep-rooted cowardice.

Yeom Sa-won then cast an arrogant farewell toward Myeol Ji-ryun.

“Until our next encounter.”

“Yes.”

As his feet turned to leave, he tacked on a parting piece of advice:

“I am willing to overlook past slights. Nevertheless, going forward, you would be wise to distance yourself from that fellow.”

His patronizing mention of forgiveness caused Myeol Ji-ryun’s features to tighten with annoyance.

“I will take that into consideration.”

Yeom Sa-won stepped out of the tea house first.

Myeol Ji-ryun directed her gaze toward Baek So-cheon, murmuring:

“This is astonishing beyond measure. To postpone the outbreak of battle in such a fashion.”

Through her father’s insights, she knew that Yeom Hwa-sin had resolved to ignite total war come springtime—a campaign he would never casually abandon. And yet, he had capitulated to Baek So-cheon’s conditions?

Does he possess absolute certainty that Yeom Sa-won will claim total victory?

He would never have agreed under any other circumstance.

Baek So-cheon maintained a solemn countenance, thoroughly consumed by deep contemplation.

Recognizing the shift in mood, Myeol Ji-ryun stood up from her place.

“It is time for me to take my leave as well. The tea was truly wonderful.”

Once Myeol Ji-ryun’s figure had completely disappeared from sight, Cheon-geuk finally let out a long breath, releasing the weariness she had kept locked inside.

“Phew… humoring their boundless arrogance is thoroughly draining.”

She glanced at him, anticipating a lighthearted, playful remark in return, yet Baek So-cheon remained locked in deep, heavy gravity.

“What is troubling you?”

At long last, his voice broke the silence.

“I believe I have unraveled Yeom Hwa-sin’s true design.”

A faint, almost imperceptible tremor laced his words.

“What could it be?”

“It defies belief, but that lunatic…”

Baek So-cheon’s deduction carried an utterly terrifying implication.

“It appears he intends for me to slaughter his own son.”