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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Suspicion and Inquiry
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Jo Seol-yeon's words made Dan Hyeong-u's eyes widen slightly. It was exactly what he'd forgotten to say. The corners of his eyes trembled faintly. Come to think of it, he should have said it back at the tavern, too.
"Thank you."
Jo Seol-yeon beamed at Dan Hyeong-u's gruff response. A strange atmosphere flowed between them. Though it was entirely one-sided on her part, it still irritated everyone around them. Especially Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong, whose faces twisted in displeasure.
Jo Seol-yeon's group was standing a bit apart from the other Martial Alliance warriors. At her request. She found Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong's excessive kindness overwhelming.
About a dozen people had entered the secret passage behind the cliff. Alliance Leader Dugun Un, Strategist Jegal Jung-cheon, the leaders of the Azure Dragon Unit and Victory Dragon Unit, and a few warriors selected from the Azure Dragon Unit. The Black Tortoise Unit had hidden around the cliff to watch for any other intruders.
With both unit leaders gone, their deputies had no choice but to lead the remaining men. Thanks to that, Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong couldn't approach Jo Seol-yeon for a while. They had their duties to attend to, after all.
But now that things were mostly wrapped up and they had a moment to breathe, they spotted a strange man glued to Jo Seol-yeon's side. No matter how busy they'd been, someone showing up here without them noticing was worth investigating.
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong exchanged meaningful glances. Tension rising, they approached Jo Seol-yeon.
"Miss Jo, who is this man?"
Jo Seol-yeon could see the suspicion in their eyes.
"This person is..."
Only then did she realize she didn't even know his name. It was odd, really. She couldn't understand why she felt such fondness for a stranger.
"Um... may I have your name?"
Jo Seol-yeon asked, looking at Dan Hyeong-u. He stared straight back at her before answering.
"Dan Hyeong-u."
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong were dumbfounded. How could she act like this with a man whose name she didn't even know? Especially right after a fierce battle with the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits.
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong scrutinized Dan Hyeong-u closely. He didn't seem to practice any notable martial arts. The sword at his waist suggested some swordsmanship training, but nothing impressive. It lacked the sharp presence every true swordsman should have.
'Come to think of it...!'
Namgung Jin's eyes lit up as he noticed the sword at Dan Hyeong-u's waist. The man might be unremarkable, but the blade was another story. At twenty years old, Namgung Jin had been handling swords since he could walk, giving him an eye for fine blades.
'What a keen edge...'
The sword radiated a sharpness that could cleave anything nearby. Namgung Jin nodded unconsciously. He understood why it was carried without a sheath—no scabbard could contain that edge. Finding one would cost a fortune, and the man's shabby clothes suggested he was short on funds. But Namgung Jin was different. He had the means to procure a fitting sheath.
Glancing at Paeng Cheol-yeong, he saw no interest in the sword yet. Namgung Jin fixed Dan Hyeong-u with a hard stare. The man was suspicious enough, and that fine sword gave even more reason.
"You seem highly suspicious. What business brings you to these deep mountains?"
Paeng Cheol-yeong nodded vigorously and added his thoughts.
"Probably remnants of the Demonic Alliance or Greenwoods Bandits."
"No way!"
Jo Seol-yeon cried out in shock at the accusation. But Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong shook their heads firmly.
"Miss Jo, your heart is too soft. You shouldn't trust someone like him. He has too many suspicious points. Think about it—you'll see it too."
Jo Seol-yeon stepped in front of Dan Hyeong-u, blocking the two men. They were glaring at him like they wanted to devour him.
To her eyes, Dan Hyeong-u did seem like a ronin who hadn't properly trained in martial arts. Or rather, he lacked even a ronin's presence.
Ronin usually couldn't refine their aura, so it leaked out visibly. But Dan Hyeong-u showed none of that. Without the sword at his waist, he'd pass for an ordinary man.
Tension filled the air. Yet Dan Hyeong-u stood unchanged, his expression and posture steady. The pressure from Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong felt like a gentle breeze to him.
"Miss Jo, step aside."
Namgung Jin spoke firmly. But Jo Seol-yeon had no intention of moving. She knew he'd be seriously hurt if she did.
"How can you corner him without hearing the circumstances? Shouldn't we hear what Young Hero Dan has to say first?"
Her words made sense. But Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong resented her defending him. They decided to act.
Even with Jo Seol-yeon in front, they were renowned experts in their clans. Vice-leader of the Victory Dragon Unit wasn't a title earned on family prestige alone. Dealing with one ordinary-looking man behind her would be child's play, unnoticed by her.
Just as they moved to leap, a voice rang out from behind.
"What is this?"
Infused with inner energy, it shattered their momentum. Startled, they turned to see the speaker.
They knew without looking. It was Alliance Leader Dugun Un's voice.
Dugun Un closed the distance in an instant, covering dozens of paces with a single step.
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong gaped at his astonishing lightness skill. Truly the Mountain Breaking Sword.
Dugun Un glanced at Dan Hyeong-u behind Jo Seol-yeon. An unfamiliar face, but not threatening. To him, Dan Hyeong-u looked like a mere hunter. A peculiar one.
"He doesn't seem to know martial arts... Surely you weren't about to attack someone like that?"
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong flinched at Dugun Un's words.
"Of course not. We just found his sudden appearance suspicious and meant to question him briefly."
Namgung Jin hurried to explain, and Dugun Un nodded.
"I see. Forgive my harsh misunderstanding of Martial Alliance members, the very pillars of justice and chivalry. My apologies."
"N-no, Alliance Leader."
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong tried to hide their cold sweat.
Dugun Un stared at them a moment longer, then suddenly turned to Dan Hyeong-u. A flash gleamed in his eyes.
But Dan Hyeong-u stood naturally, unaffected. Dugun Un's expression grew intrigued.
"So, what is your identity?"
Jo Seol-yeon watched Dan Hyeong-u anxiously. Dugun Un was the Martial Alliance Leader—leagues above those two. Things could turn serious.
"Dan Hyeong-u."
The warriors around Dugun Un scowled deeply at the curt reply.
"How dare you!"
They growled, ready to pounce. Dugun Un raised a hand to stop them.
"Ha ha ha. What an amusing young man."
Dugun Un stepped forward. An irresistible pressure naturally pushed Jo Seol-yeon aside. She panicked but couldn't resist. With one step, he faced Dan Hyeong-u directly.
"Won't you tell me why you're here?"
Dan Hyeong-u pondered, meeting Dugun Un's gaze. It was like his dilemma with the waiter at the tavern. But again, he chose the more complicated path.
Violence was simple, but he didn't want to shatter the newfound peace. He'd hold back unless someone directly threatened his life. A decision from his day in the world.
"It's where I live."
Dugun Un's mild expression hardened.
"Does that mean you've been living inside that cliff?"
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head. Not exactly inside the cliff. He'd come from hell.
Dugun Un took the gesture to mean he was a wild man from nearby.
"A hunter with an impressive sword. Care to say where you got it?"
This time, Jo Seol-yeon jumped in.
"He said it's his friend's sword. Obtained in place of his friend's life..."
She recalled his words at the tavern. The memory was vivid. Perhaps that intensity drew her to him.
Dugun Un nodded, turned, and ordered the Martial Alliance warriors.
"Withdraw."
Everyone paused in surprise, then moved efficiently to prepare.
Jo Seol-yeon sighed in relief and smiled at Dan Hyeong-u.
"That was close."
Dan Hyeong-u didn't grasp what was fortunate but nodded faintly. It felt right.
In return, he got her radiant smile. He thought he'd done well.
'I should nod occasionally.'
Dan Hyeong-u mused proudly. Unlike his habit, the words stayed thoughts. A positive change, he decided.
Sama Cheol and Jo In, who'd been holding their breath, approached Jo Seol-yeon as the leader ordered withdrawal, their shaky legs steadying.
"G-good thing. Anyway, let's prepare to head back."
Jo Seol-yeon and Jo In nodded. No real prep needed—just wait for the Alliance.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As the Strategist Jegal Jung-cheon approached Dugun Un, who watched the preparations seated calmly.
"Alliance Leader, that fellow..."
Jegal Jung-cheon asked cautiously. Dugun Un shook his head with a wry smile.
"Not him."
"I see. Just checking."
"I thought so too, but no. Too lacking for a Heavenly Qi Master practitioner, isn't he?"
Jegal Jung-cheon swallowed the urge to say "lacking" was an understatement.
"Looks like he retreated to the mountains for revenge against his friend's killers and stayed a long time."
"Makes sense. A hundred, he said... Anyway, seems he's heading to the Henan Escort Bureau. Wonder if he can handle being an escort there. It's no ordinary bureau..."
"Not our concern. He'll chop firewood or something. And if he learns Jo Family Manor arts there, it might aid his revenge. Though that sword suggests otherwise."
Dugun Un said no more. They had mountains of other issues.
Preparations complete, they departed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Jo Family Manor group traveled alongside the Martial Alliance. Normally, they'd go to Wuhuan, Alliance headquarters, then take the official road to Henan. But plans changed slightly.
Jo Seol-yeon had asked to spend a little time at Lake Dongting since they were out.
She figured Dan Hyeong-u couldn't keep up with the Alliance's lightness skill pace. Even she struggled. Sama Cheol and Jo In understood and agreed readily.
Dan Hyeong-u simply followed the Jo Family Manor group. He didn't know the roads anyway. Escaping the cliff and reaching the market had been sheer luck.
With the Alliance gone, it was truly quiet. The four walked leisurely.
The nearby village was far, but no need to camp. They arrived late at a large one and rested at its biggest inn.
Sama Cheol booked two rooms. Jo Seol-yeon needed her own as a woman; the men shared one.
After a quick meal, the weary group retired. Dan Hyeong-u followed Sama Cheol and stood blankly in the room.
"What are you doing? Lie down and sleep."
Sama Cheol flopped onto a bunk. Three bunks total; Jo In was already snoring.
Dan Hyeong-u stared at them but stayed standing.
"Not sleeping? Suit yourself. I'm out."
Sama Cheol shook his head and lay down. No words from Dan Hyeong-u all day—just nods at Jo Seol-yeon's chatter.
With that thought, Sama Cheol drifted off.