In the traveler's inn packed with guests, not even the sound of ants moving could be heard.
It was only natural.
After seeing a disciple of the White Blossom Sect fly several times across the floor before smashing into the wall, no one dared to open their mouth carelessly.
"S-Senior Brother?!"
"That cowardly bastard!!"
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother!! Wake up!!"
"H-He's unconscious!!"
The White Blossom Sect disciples, in shock, rushed towards the fallen Yi Geon.
Examining him up close, his appearance was wretched. He was not only unconscious, but his nose was also bleeding profusely, and his nose bone was broken.
The fact that the head of the second-generation disciples had been reduced to this state so quickly caused the third-generation disciples of the White Blossom Sect to gulp dryly without realizing it.
To think they would encounter such a wicked demonic fiend when their other senior brothers weren't around.
Fear seemed to grip their entire bodies.
However, regardless of that, how could they call themselves fellow disciples if they didn't avenge their senior brother?
"Draw swords!"
The desire for revenge against the enemy who had brought their senior brother to this state, and the chivalry to deal with a demonic fiend, momentarily made them forget their fear.
It was a combined swordsmanship technique they had all trained in together for the past several years. Of course, its depth was incomparable to that of their senior brothers, but they vowed and believed that today would be different.
However.
"Hey."
In that instant, it was as if the air had become as heavy as cotton soaked with water.
Under the oppressive weight that seemed to crush their shoulders, none of the White Blossom Sect disciples surrounding their foe could carelessly draw their swords.
"If you draw your swords now, you die."
There was no one present who didn't know that as righteous martial artists, they shouldn't yield to the threats of a demonic fiend.
However, what they knew in their heads and what they could do with their bodies were not always the same.
The legs of the third-generation disciples, nearing adulthood, trembled pitifully. In their eyes, one couldn't find the burning desire for revenge or chivalry.
They had the eyes of typical weaklings who were desperate to escape even now. Among the third-generation disciples who looked as if they might collapse at any moment, a particularly large man stepped forward.
He politely clasped his hands towards Kang Hyunwoo.
"This ignorant junior, Jo Jaryang, a third-generation disciple of the White Blossom Sect, greets you, Senior."
His posture, bent almost in half, revealed his intention to somehow defuse the situation.
"My knowledge was lacking, and I failed to recognize you, Senior. I earnestly hope that you will show your vast generosity this once and understand our situation."
Everyone in the inn held their breath and watched the scene.
A White Blossom Sect disciple bowing so low? Just who was that man?
Some revealed curiosity at the rare sight, but most buried their heads in the table, trying to avoid eye contact.
There was no one who didn't know that unnecessary curiosity could shorten one's life. Moreover, it was a conflict between martial artists; a single misstep could cost them their lives.
"Ah, so you committed a rude act because you didn't know who I was?"
"…Yes, so if you would be generous this once, my sect will surely compensate you appropriately."
A snicker escaped from those among the surrounding spectators who had some familiarity with the martial world.
A mere third-generation disciple daring to mention his sect's name and promise compensation.
In such cases, it was usually a lie to get out of the situation.
However.
'Come to think of it, the White Blossom Sect Leader's youngest son is about that age…'
Occasionally, there were those with enough influence to mention their sect's name and promise compensation, even with a low status.
The White Blossom Sect Leader's name was Jo Jawon, and he had two sons. And the name of that third-generation disciple was Jo Jaryang?
Only then did those who knew the internal affairs of the White Blossom Sect realize the seriousness of the situation, but it was far too late.
Thwack!
"These bastards are seriously wicked. So you're saying you pick fights with those who are powerless."
"Cough?!"
Before they could even escape the inn, Jo Jaryang, who had been sent flying by Kang Hyunwoo's kick, clutched his abdomen and groaned.
Horror was etched on the faces of several who witnessed the scene.
"Ja-Jaryang!"
"That bastard!"
"Everyone, get ready!!"
As if ready to draw their swords at any moment, the other third-generation disciples placed their hands on their sword hilts.
"S-Stop!"
Jo Jaryang, who had struggled to his feet as if crawling on the floor, stopped the third-generation disciples.
Unlike the other disciples, whose reason was clouded by anger, Jo Jaryang knew that even if they all rushed in, they wouldn't be able to lay a finger on him.
In the worst case, all of their heads could fly.
Those savage, beast-like eyes, that inhuman bloodlust.
He was definitely a great demonic fiend from a demonic sect who had yet to become widely known.
"…My impulsive friends have momentarily made a mistake. I earnestly implore you to show your vast generosity."
He didn't know how many times he had asked for generosity, but those watching could do nothing but gulp dryly.
They, too, had instinctively sensed it.
If that man were to cause a massacre by annihilating the White Blossom Sect disciples here, they would be the next target.
It was easier to escape with no unnecessary witnesses.
"Why would I?"
"…As I said, if you would be generous this once, the White Blossom Sect will not stint on sincerity…"
"That's enough."
Cutting off Jo Jaryang's words, Kang Hyunwoo drew Millennium from his waist.
As the blue sword blade pointed towards them, the faces of Jo Jaryang and the third-generation disciples turned pale.
"Hand over everything you have."
***
After the commotion, Cheon Yeohwa and I immediately left the inn and headed to a nearby fabric store.
It wasn't exactly because we were afraid of retaliation. I wouldn't be afraid even if dozens of those guys came at me, and it didn't seem like we'd lose.
However, I couldn't help but worry about the fact that Cheon Yeohwa was currently being pursued by the Heavenly Demon Sect.
Of course, it was unlikely that a pursuit team would have followed us all the way to Shaanxi from the Heavenly Demon Sect, especially in an era without cars or airplanes, but we couldn't afford to be careless.
Moreover, Cheon Yeohwa wasn't just any ordinary follower; she was the Second Princess of the sect. It didn't seem like the pursuit team would give up on her easily.
In that situation, we had to avoid spreading rumors about us in Xi'an due to unnecessary commotions.
"Hyunwoo, how is it?"
While I was lost in thought, the fabric was drawn back, and I met eyes with Cheon Yeohwa, who had changed into her clothes.
It was a plain martial uniform with a balanced mix of white and black, but I couldn't take my eyes off her.
"Wow…"
The fabric of the clothes itself wasn't that expensive. We had emptied the pockets of those White Blossom Sect guys or whatever they were, but all we got were a few coins and one silver piece.
However, the mere fact that the model was Cheon Yeohwa was enough to make the fabric store owner's jaw drop.
"Wow! For a moment, I thought a fairy had descended from the heavens! Even the Five Flowers, whose fame has spread throughout the vast Middle Lands, would never be able to reach our guest!"
If someone else had come out wearing those clothes, I would have thought it was typical merchant flattery.
'She's unbelievably pretty.'
I'm glad I chose the most simple clothes possible. If I had chosen clothes with a little more decoration or something more flowy, rumors about Cheon Yeohwa would have spread throughout Xi'an.
For reference, the clothes Cheon Yeohwa was originally wearing were thrown away. The fabric itself was of the highest quality, enough to surprise even the fabric store owner, but because she had come through such a rough path, they were tattered and soiled in many places, making them unwearable.
"It's pretty."
"…Isn't that reaction a little too bland?"
Cheon Yeohwa's expression turned slightly sulky, as if she didn't like the overly short answer. Who in the world would think that this cute figure was the Second Princess of the Heavenly Demon Sect?
I hugged Cheon Yeohwa, who was aimlessly kicking the floor, and whispered.
"You're so pretty that I don't think I'll let you sleep tonight?"
"…"
At an angle where the fabric store owner couldn't see, I firmly grabbed Cheon Yeohwa's butt. I enjoyed the tautness and softness that I could feel even through the martial uniform.
Cheon Yeohwa glared at me with a rare look of embarrassment, but she didn't exactly resist.
"Okay, let's do this before we go out."
I took out the cotton veil that I had bought in advance. Anyone who had ever seen a martial arts novel would know what it was.
Just think of it as a mask that women use in martial arts stories. For reference, it was small enough to only cover the lower half of her face, but it was more expensive than the martial uniform I was wearing.
At first, I was going to buy something cheap because of my poor pocket situation, but the merchant said that if I bought a cheap veil, the woman would suffer in her daily life, so I had no choice but to scrape together the remaining money and buy something that was at least decent.
My pride wouldn't allow me to skimp on money for a woman.
"…Thank you."
Cheon Yeohwa's smile, with the corners of her lips gently raised, never got old, no matter how many times I saw it. It was worth it to buy it with the remaining money.
"I bought it because other men will only look at your face when we go outside."
"Hehe, are you jealous?"
Jealous? Well, it could be jealousy, or it could be possessiveness. But what was certain was that if another man dared to look at Cheon Yeohwa, I would want to gouge out his eyes.
In that sense, it was quite unusual that those White Blossom Sect guys or whatever they were had left with all their limbs intact.
I had already let them off for speaking to my woman, and I had even warned them that I would kill them if they drew their swords.
I had already let them off twice, but Jo Jaryang kept making lame excuses, and the other guys even repeatedly revealed their hostility towards me.
Honestly, if it weren't for the pursuit team, half of them would have been killed by me, but those guys probably didn't know how many times I had drawn the word "patience" in my mind.
"Hyunwoo?"
"…Let's go."
I pushed aside the annoying memories. I grabbed Cheon Yeohwa's soft hand and left the fabric store.
The streets of Xi'an were overflowing with merchants selling goods and people looking at and buying them.
But no matter where I looked, there was nothing that looked like a monster byproduct.
'Does this world not have monsters?'
It wasn't anything special. Settings without monsters were common in Earth's martial arts novels.
Still, a world without monsters… I couldn't help but feel a little envious.
"Hyunwoo."
"Huh?"
"…I have something to talk about, so how about we go back to the inn?"
I was about to ask her what she wanted to talk about, but I closed my mouth at Cheon Yeohwa's dark complexion.
"Okay."
The way back to the inn wasn't far. If we did a little sightseeing in the market, we could get there quickly.
After walking for about 20 minutes, we arrived at the inn. We roughly unpacked our luggage and collapsed on the bed.
The overall state of the room was normal, but the bed, which was the queen-size bed I carried around as a spare, was fluffy and comfortable without any annoying parts.
It was the same product as the bed I used when I first had relations with Iris in the cave.
"So? What do you want to talk about?"
Even after returning to the inn, Cheon Yeohwa was still cowering in the corner. Her uncharacteristic behavior started to make me a little nervous.
What on earth was she going to talk about to be acting like that?
Even when I tapped the bed, Cheon Yeohwa didn't come closer.
"…Hyunwoo."
In the heavy silence, it was Cheon Yeohwa who spoke first.
However, she only called my name and didn't easily bring up the next words, chewing on her lips several times.
Unable to watch her like that, I got up to approach her, but Cheon Yeohwa took a step back instead.
I was shocked by that sight for a moment.
"…Let's break up here."
A far greater shock came crashing down on me.