Chapter 58
“Three years. Understood.”
“Oh, straightforward, aren’t you?”
The other person lowered their head, and Cheon Mujin smiled as if surprised by the reaction.
“I guess my skills aren’t something people wouldn’t recognize?”
Cheon Mujin’s smile hung in the air, leaving a moment of silence.
During the process of taking the Cheonbing Flower, Cheon Mujin had used demonic energy openly.
Using demonic energy on the northern front of the demonic sect might not seem like a big deal, but this person wasn’t a demon.
They were an outsider, likely from the north.
If they weren’t adapted to this cold, they would have died the moment they were enveloped by the Cheonbing Flower’s energy.
So this meant they were an outsider, and outsiders didn’t exactly have a favorable view of the demonic sect.
Demons often became violent and impulsive when intoxicated by demonic energy.
Yet the energy of the person, who had stabilized after dispelling the Cheonbing Flower’s aura, was at its peak—fully matured and remarkably stable.
An exceptional talent, capable enough to hold a high position even in the outside world, serving under a demon?
That wasn’t easy in any sense.
Perhaps aware of this, the other person spoke after a peculiar silence.
“I don’t believe someone who distributes the elixir to save others would stray from the righteous path.”
Cheon Mujin, sensing the resolute determination in the voice, decided not to test them further.
“Good. Then, follow me.”
“Yes.”
“Oh! By the way, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet. I’m Cheon Mujin.”
“I’m Seol Yuhwa.”
“Seol Yuh…hwa, huh?”
Cheon Mujin, walking a few steps ahead, turned his head, sensing something strange.
Only now did he notice the other person shaking off snow as they stood and moved.
Golden hair reaching down to the waist.
Clear brown eyes.
Pale skin and deep red lips.
Curves slightly less pronounced than Geom Yujin.
Not only was the fact that this person was a woman surprising, but…
“…Seol Yuhwa?”
“Yes. I am Seol Yuhwa.”
Cheon Mujin’s brows knitted slightly at the calm reply.
Over his life, Cheon Mujin had met countless humans. He didn’t remember all their names, but there were some he remembered even without meeting them.
One of those names was Seol Yuhwa.
“You could go home now if you wanted.”
“No. I will repay the favor.”
“…You really don’t have to.”
“I’m fine.”
But I’m not fine.
The eldest daughter of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The greatest genius in the history of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Yet she had suddenly disappeared during the height of the succession conflict.
“…Did this human fall asleep under the Cheonbing Flower’s energy and nearly freeze to death?”
Genius? Seems like a fool.
* * *
“Really… there’s a reason behind every rumor.”
On the way back after dealing with the monsters, Yu Hyunhwa muttered gloomily. Baekwoo walking beside her frowned.
“What nonsense are you saying now?”
“The rumors about Master Gong’s nickname ‘Sammu Gongja’ were false, but the ones about complicated relationships with women… true.”
Not ‘Three Nothings’ (Sammu), but ‘One Existence’ (Ilyu).
Cheon Mujin, who had disappeared saying he had business, returned with a woman from the Northern Sea.
A beauty who could rival Geom Yujin.
What on earth had he done?
Just because she’s beautiful, does that mean anything? Especially with such a beautiful fiancée already…
Beastly human.
Pouting her lips, Yu Hyunhwa grumbled, and Baekwoo shook his head.
“Stop with the useless nonsense. Whatever Master Gong brings along is his freedom.”
“But! Still!”
“Well, if you hate it, harass her and chase her away.”
“That’s not it!”
“Then just stay quiet.”
“Hehe, but poor Jin unnie.”
“Jin unnie? Since when did you start treating the squad leader like your sister?”
“No, it’s not like that… just…”
“Tsk.”
Baekwoo clicked his tongue at Yu Hyunhwa’s hesitant response, deciding not to entertain her further.
Feeling slightly teary-eyed at the cold response of her senior, Yu Hyunhwa turned her head—and froze.
Cheon Mujin, now looking back at them, was smiling and moving his fingers back and forth between his eyes and Yu Hyunhwa, signaling that he was watching.
The signal made her hiccup involuntarily.
“Master Gong seems to be quite soft with Yu Dae-won.”
Beside Cheon Mujin, playfully teasing Yu Hyunhwa, Do Woojin smiled.
“Well, probably because she seems like a younger sister. You seem similar, senior?”
“Definitely has that side.”
She had lived years for him in her past life and ultimately died for him.
As long as it wasn’t cursing her parents, he could overlook anything.
This life, she deserved happiness with love and marriage.
“How did they react?”
“They were clearly surprised.”
“Guess the news hasn’t spread properly in the north yet.”
Although Cheon Mujin’s deeds of slaying dangerous monsters had been rumored, the news of handling hundreds of monsters was naturally astounding.
Though his reputation was spreading, the north hadn’t heard enough.
“By the way, is it okay? They seem quite strong.”
“Hmm? Ah, probably… okay. I think.”
“Master Gong, probably isn’t enough.”
“Hmm, well, you see…”
Cheon Mujin glanced at Seol Yuhwa walking furthest apart with Geom Yujin, shaking his head.
“I don’t know her well either. We’ll see once we live together.”
“Again, acting recklessly.”
“That’s my strength. Once I start something, I have the ability to handle it somehow.”
Is that a strength…?
Do Woojin tilted his head, unconvinced, but didn’t dwell on it.
They had just arrived at the barrier.
Seeing that Beomgudo had sent someone, he was outside the walls, surprised, awaiting them.
“You really took care of them.”
After confirming the monsters’ bodies and magical stones carried by the soldiers, Beomgudo bowed his head to Cheon Mujin.
“I owe you a favor. While staying here, if there’s anything you need, just say it. I’ll prepare whatever I can.”
“I don’t refuse gifts either. I needed a place for regular combat training anyway.”
Having secured proper accommodations and access to information on monsters, Cheon Mujin led his party back to the lodging.
After a clean day’s rest, he gathered everyone in the training hall.
“Let’s start with introductions. This is Seol Yuhwa, who will be working with us for the next three years.”
“Seol Yuhwa.”
“She’s talented. She’ll move with you all as part of my direct guard unit. From here, Yu Hyunhwa, Baekwoo, Do Woojin, Geom Yujin.”
After introducing the four to Seol Yuhwa, Cheon Mujin observed Yu Hyunhwa, who raised her hand.
Yu Hyunhwa, refusing to back down, finally faltered after two breaths, and Cheon Mujin chuckled.
“So, Yu Dae-won, what do you want to say?”
“I think we need to test her skills!”
“Reasonable point.”
Cheon Mujin smirked at Yu Hyunhwa’s assertion and turned to Seol Yuhwa.
“Do you feel well enough for that?”
“I’m fine.”
“No need to overexert yourself.”
Seol Yuhwa stared at him, then shook her head.
“Sufficient.”
“Then a simple sparring match. Yu Dae-won.”
“Yes!”
“Be careful not to get hurt.”
Yu Hyunhwa would spar with Seol Yuhwa using her own spear.
Should she use a training spear? She briefly hesitated, and Cheon Mujin pointed at her weapon.
“Stop overthinking. Use what you’re used to.”
“Yes.”
Strong, indeed.
Yu Hyunhwa, a bit nervous, stood before Seol Yuhwa.
“Qigong? Martial forms?”
Seol Yuhwa, unarmed, was carefully observed by Yu Hyunhwa, who raised her internal energy halfway for a non-lethal test.
Yu Hyunhwa attacked first, aiming at Seol Yuhwa’s chest with a thrust, perfectly controlled.
The attack was precise, flowing seamlessly from start to finish.
“A genius is a genius.”
Cheon Mujin admired, while Baekwoo was surprised, and Do Woojin sighed.
And Geom Yujin’s wary gaze.
Seol Yuhwa’s defense was simple.
“What… how?”
“I saw it.”
She caught Yu Hyunhwa’s spear effortlessly, a strike that could pierce a moderate monster.
When Yu Hyunhwa tried to pull back, Seol Yuhwa released it.
As Yu Hyunhwa prepared to attack again…
“Stop here.”
Cheon Mujin intervened, pressing down on her spear.
“That’s enough. You understand her skill now, right?”
“Yes.”
Yu Hyunhwa, shocked at being caught, had a dark expression.
Cheon Mujin, normally lenient with her, knew this wasn’t a moment for comfort.
“Now, it’s her turn to see my skill, right?”
“My turn?”
“She should know my skill too, shouldn’t she?”
Cheon Mujin stepped before Seol Yuhwa and raised his hand lightly.
A simple movement, not threatening to someone who had already gauged his level.
But instinct kicked in for Seol Yuhwa:
‘I must evade…!’
She dodged a punch aimed at her side, suppressing a reflexive counter, unwilling to strike her benefactor.
Her restraint became an advantage.
Calm and aware, she blocked another attack aiming for her face, realizing the importance of controlling distance.
She leaned forward, heightening her senses.
Though attacks came from blind spots, she could feel and block them.
Short but intense strikes raked her, more chilling than the northern winds, yet she defended efficiently.
Caught off guard by Cheon Mujin’s skill, Seol Yuhwa grew more unsteady.
As she drew on the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s innate cold energy, Cheon Mujin suddenly leapt, freezing her limbs.
Was it too perfect? No.
There were too many gaps.
If she didn’t move, her face would hit his chest.
Why?
As the thought raced through her mind, a chill ran down her spine accompanied by a horrifying sound.
“Tsk tsk.”
Cheon Mujin clicked his tongue, enjoying the moment, and Seol Yuhwa quickly stepped back, turning her head.
“…Who is this person?”
“You should know better than I do, I think.”
Smiling, Cheon Mujin tightened his grip on the assassin’s neck.
“Seems like there’s a past you need to hear about.”
