Chapter 3 – The Martial World Without Demons (3)

There is a master of the Sapa named Cheok-ang Geum-gwi, also known as the One-Eyed Gold Demon.

Was he at the peak of his power? As his nickname suggests, he only has one eye…and he’s a guy who loves to show off his wealth.

He’s famous for ripping off a moderate-sized upper-class opponent every year, but this time he set his sights on the rapidly growing Pungyu Upper Class.

However, the Pungyu Upper Class refused Cheok-ang Geum-gwi’s demands, trusting in the Martial World Alliance. Rumor has it that they offered to pay a considerable sum of money and requested help.

Well, it didn’t matter much since Cheok-ang Geum-gwi attacked before the Martial World Alliance’s escort troops arrived.

When they arrived, everyone who was already in the upper class was dead, and Cheok-ang Geum-gwi had already left with things that could be turned into money from their corpses.

The Pungyu Upper Class was not a small place, and even for the Sapa, it’s not common to commit such a blatant murder.

But was it all because of money?

Of course, rumors spread throughout the area. The Martial World Alliance completely lost face.

The reason why the Martial World Alliance left their warriors in the lower village was to track down Cheok-ang Geum-gwi.

It’s been a considerable amount of time since the Pungyu Upper Class was destroyed, so Cheok-ang Geum-gwi must have left this area a long time ago.

Yet, the fact that they left their warriors behind…could it be that the Martial World Alliance is showing some willpower?

Come to think of it, not only the symbols but also the clothes themselves were torn apart in various places. It’s impossible for a real Boi made by the Thousand Sleep Temple to be like this.

Although I managed to survive Cheok-ang Geum-gwi, I wonder if I overlaid virtual memories on top of reality because I went crazy afterwards.

The setting of the Thousand Demon Religion probably reflects their resentment towards the Martial World Alliance, who didn’t come to help them in time.

Hmm…even if my body recovers, I’ll have to stick to the self-proclaimed Thousand Demon setting for a while. I might be shocked by the discrepancy between my mental setting and reality.

While organizing my thoughts, the porridge was cooked to perfection. It tasted pretty good when I took a sip.

Since there’s plenty of lamb, I’ll have porridge for lunch today too. I filled a wooden bowl with porridge and headed back to my room.

***

Slurp, slurp-

Hong Yeon-hwa was eating porridge in front of me in a sloppy manner. Her cheeks were puffed up, and there were bits of rice stuck to her lips.

Hmm…she must be hungry.

She probably ran away to the mountains to avoid Cheok-ang Geum-gwi, so she probably hasn’t had a proper meal.

I fed her watery porridge for four days while she was unconscious, but it’s impossible to recover her strength with just that.

Slurp, slurp-

But if you eat this dirty, shouldn’t you look a little less attractive? Since the plate is so good, even the sight of her hair falling down and sticking to the porridge looks pretty.

“Slow down and eat properly. Don’t get it all over the place,” I said, wiping Hong Yeon-hwa’s mouth with my sleeve and removing the hair that had gotten into her mouth.

Anyway, the clothes would get dirty after training, so it didn’t matter if they got dirty now.

But her cheeks were so soft.

Hong Yeon-hwa stopped eating and accepted my touch obediently. She looked at me with a red face and spoke softly.

“I’m not a child.”

“I know.”

“But why do you touch my body so carelessly, like I’m a child?”

Oh, right. Why did I do that? It just happened so naturally. We had just met, so it was like we were strangers…but still.

Ah.

“I think it’s because I lifted you up while you were unconscious…and I got used to it.”

“Lifted me up?”

“You were unconscious for four days, remember?”

“I still can’t believe it, but yes, I remember.”

There was no sweat or waste in her body, but I couldn’t let her starve.

So I fed her watery porridge and wiped her mouth for four days. I told her that I even wiped the spilled contents off her body.

“I don’t know why, but my body moved without me realizing it. I’m sorry.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. It’s not something to apologize for. Just be more careful next time.”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression changed when she heard that I took care of her. She still had a red face, but she started to focus on her meal again. This time, she ate quickly but didn’t spill anything.

I watched her for a while with a satisfied but regretful feeling, then started to eat myself.

As I was about to start, Hong Yeon-hwa glanced at my bowl and hers and asked carefully, “Are you not going to eat anymore?”

I was just about to start.

I looked at her bowl and saw that it was already empty. I still had more than half left.

“Is it not enough? Should I get you another bowl?”

“Thank you…”

She was shy as she handed me her empty bowl.

Now I understood what my master meant when he said that I should be able to feed and support someone with my skills at any time.

As soon as we finished eating, Hong Yeon-hwa said she needed to check her body’s condition and asked me to leave. She sat cross-legged and started to meditate.

Her posture was surprisingly good. It seemed like she had really learned some martial arts. She didn’t seem to be at a very high level, but she was doing well.

Come to think of it, I knew that Hong Yeon-hwa was part of the Pungyu Upper Class, but I didn’t know where she was in the hierarchy.

Judging by the fact that she was wearing plain clothes, she must not have been a warrior. She looked too refined to be one. She was probably from a third-rate or lower clan.

In addition to her flustered reaction when I spoke to her, and the fact that she seemed grateful for my help, she also had an attitude that suggested she was used to being treated well.

She was definitely not just a simple warrior. Was she really the daughter of the Pungyu Upper Class? I haven’t seen her in person, but according to rumors, she’s supposed to be the prettiest of the youngest daughters.

Well, it doesn’t matter what her identity is. I’ve already decided to help Hong Yeon-hwa. I’ll gradually build up our relationship and eventually…hehehe.

A smirk involuntarily formed on my lips. The emphasized breasts that kept popping up in my mind due to her sitting in a cross-legged position with her waist bent forward.

But at the same time, a cold feeling crept into a corner of my heart.

If Hong Yeon-hwa was really the youngest daughter of the Pungyu Upper Class who barely survived, then it would be best to entrust her to the martial arts alliance as soon as possible.

Of course, it’s not because of my conscience.

Killing Hong Yeon-hwa wouldn’t be profitable, and that bastard wouldn’t take the risk of coming back here.

Nevertheless, the reason I have to take Hong Yeon-hwa to the martial arts alliance is…because of her inheritance.

The Pungyu Upper Class was a giant upper class that had achieved some success in this area. Even if Cheokan Geumgwi took some of their wealth, they would still have plenty left.

Originally, property without an inheritor belongs to the state, but now Hong Yeon-hwa might be able to receive some of her inheritance.

Even if that’s impossible, she might be able to get back the money she paid to the martial arts alliance as an escort or receive equivalent support.

The martial arts alliance will do something to restore their reputation.

Regardless of whether it’s a lot or a little, I have to go down to the village right now for Hong Yeon-hwa’s sake…but there’s a problem.

Hong Yeon-hwa currently sees the martial arts alliance as the embodiment of evil.

If she slips up in front of them, something very difficult will happen.

If she even mentions meeting someone from the martial arts alliance, she’ll probably get angry.

…Ah! I don’t know! Ultimately, it’s up to Hong Yeon-hwa to decide. Let’s ask her directly later about what to do.

My mind is a bit confused, but anyway, Hong Yeon-hwa should be the one to decide on this matter.

I scratched my head roughly and grabbed my sword.

While Hong Yeon-hwa was doing her breathing exercises, I should do my training too. I can’t take a break from training just because my mind is complicated.

The yard was spacious compared to the size of the house. My master said that he made it like a training ground.

I stood in the center and took a deep breath, then adjusted my posture.

My legs were spread shoulder-width apart, and my shoulders were naturally relaxed. Then, I raised the tip of my sword to eye level.

I lifted my arm and took a step forward. The weight transfer of the center of gravity that occurs simultaneously with the foot touching the ground.

Using this, I put my weight on the sword and brought it down vertically.

“Whoong!”

A dull sound that cuts through the wind was heard. But I can’t stop here. I stretched my foot diagonally to the opposite side to prevent the movement from stopping and bent my waist.

And the following horizontal cut.

The sword swept through the air from left to right. In this state, no matter how I swing the sword, I can’t get the right posture or strength.

So I had to readjust my posture, but instead of retrieving the sword, I took a big step forward.

Still, my waist was bent to the right. And my arm was pulled naturally against my side.

Unlike before, I didn’t swing the sword, but thrust it towards a point with the feeling of shooting it out.

“Hook!”

A short sound of piercing.

The thrust is powerful, but there are many gaps. I quickly stepped back and raised my wrist slightly.

With this, I was in the same posture as before in an instant.

Earlier, I attacked while moving forward, so this time I swung the sword with the same posture while stepping back. Then sideways, then diagonally.

From the middle, I moved in multiple directions, incorporating my inner strength, and swung the sword.

How much time has passed? My body became heavy with the rising breath and flowing sweat, and more than half of my inner strength was consumed.

As a result, my concentration was lowered, and I took a breath to rest for a moment, but I felt someone’s gaze from behind.

“….”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had finished her breathing exercises and came out, was staring at me with a frown.

After muttering her lips for a while, she spoke with a determined look in her eyes.

“You don’t use the sword like that.”

…What did she say?