-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Debts Incurred
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The waiter's voice was plenty loud—loud enough for everyone on the first floor to hear. But Dan Hyeong-u didn't have a single coin to his name. It was only natural that he didn't.
"None."
Dan Hyeong-u's blunt reply made the waiter shake his head.
"Hah, you're bold, I'll give you that. Then how about that sword at your waist?"
Dan Hyeong-u paused at the waiter's words, considering. Then he shook his head.
"Can't do that. I traded my last friend's life for this blade."
The waiter flinched at Dan Hyeong-u's words for a moment, but when he saw the surrounding martial artists stirring, he pressed even harder.
"What? So you planned to eat for free from the start?"
Dan Hyeong-u's eyes twitched ever so slightly at the waiter's booming voice. As the situation grew tense, a few Martial Alliance warriors in the inn rose from their seats. They couldn't let the disturbance continue any longer.
At that moment, a voice as sweet as a songbird's rang through the inn.
"That's enough. Making such a fuss over a few coppers."
All eyes turned to the speaker. There stood Jo Seol-yeon, her eyes slightly narrowed. Even that expression was beautiful, and the crowd's faces softened at once.
"B-but, miss. No matter how small the amount, for us..."
"It's fine. I'll cover it. Happy now?"
The waiter backed off immediately at Jo Seol-yeon's words.
"If you're covering it, we're beyond grateful."
Jo Seol-yeon handed the coins to the waiter and glanced at Dan Hyeong-u. He looked utterly flustered. He had no idea how to handle this—he'd never been in a situation like it before. He'd never had money to spend, never sat down somewhere to eat like this. So naturally, he'd never dealt with something like this either.
One thing was clear, though. He could leave without issue now. Dan Hyeong-u simply walked out of the Drunken Cloud Pavilion.
"Well, I never..."
Outrage and disbelief rippled through the crowd. Jo In and Sama Cheol were no exceptions.
"If someone's helping you, the least you could do is say thanks."
"No manners at all."
Jo Seol-yeon, however, just stared quietly at the door Dan Hyeong-u had exited through, ignoring the two men.
"He really had no money, didn't he?"
Jo In could only chuckle at his impulsive little sister's words.
"You're something else."
"Did you see his eyes, though?"
"His eyes?"
Jo In and Sama Cheol looked at Jo Seol-yeon with puzzled expressions. Her eyes sparkled brightly.
"They were incredible."
Jo In and Sama Cheol couldn't fathom what was so incredible about them. The man hadn't exuded any presence or sharpness whatsoever. For a swordsman, he was a total failure.
"And he didn't seem to have any internal energy, either..."
Sama Cheol muttered.
"This won't do. He really needs a proper scabbard."
Sama Cheol and Jo In jumped at Jo Seol-yeon's words.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I'm going after him. I want to buy him a scabbard."
"Why you?"
Jo In finally wore a displeased frown.
"He's got nothing to do with you. And he's rude and mannerless. Even kindness would be wasted on him. Have you already forgotten we can't afford to act recklessly right now?"
Jo Seol-yeon pouted at her brother's firm tone.
"Can't I, really, big brother?"
"No."
"I agree with him. Wandering off alone right now is too dangerous."
Their opposition was too strong, forcing Jo Seol-yeon to relent. Thinking it over, buying a scabbard for a total stranger really was odd.
"Fine. I'll go along with you two."
Jo Seol-yeon's expression grew even more sullen. Sama Cheol and Jo In sighed softly at the sight. They didn't like seeing her like that either. But there was no helping it.
Dan Hyeong-u left the Drunken Cloud Pavilion and walked briskly wherever his feet took him. The unfamiliar experience had set his body in motion on its own. He could have moved much faster, but he held back. He didn't want to speed through and leave the city behind too soon.
He loved this peaceful atmosphere. He wanted to savor the comfortable vibe emanating from all these people for as long as he could.
Today's lesson was clear: he needed money.
"That girl... so, I owe her now."
Dan Hyeong-u felt a faint spark of joy at dredging up the word. Then he remembered the debts he'd already accrued long before—debts from the friends who'd fought alongside him, lives traded for his survival. Each time he'd lived on because of them, the tally grew.
"I'll repay them. Every last one."
And there was one final debt: to the Heavenly Qi Master who'd cast him into that hell. A life debt, for ninety-nine lives. He would collect it in full.
Dan Hyeong-u slowed his steps bit by bit. He wandered the bustling streets of the market district endlessly, soaking in the easygoing aura of the crowds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"It's confirmed—they're heading to Mt. Hyeong."
Dugun Un nodded at Jegal Jung-cheon's report. It was exactly as expected. So was the clash with them. He felt no fear. The experts he'd brought could handle the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits combined. He'd prepared thoroughly.
"Then we'll head to Mt. Hyeong as well. But do you think they really have a treasure map like this? I can't believe the Heavenly Qi Master would handle things so sloppily."
"They might, or they might not. The Heavenly Qi Master is unpredictable. For all we know, his real goal could be pitting the Martial Alliance, Demonic Alliance, and Greenwoods against each other."
Dugun Un nodded. It made perfect sense.
"That would actually play right into our hands. Isn't that why we've come so prepared?"
Dugun Un nodded emphatically, a satisfied smile on his face, at Jegal Jung-cheon's words.
"Exactly. Whatever scheme the Heavenly Qi Master pulled, it doesn't matter. We can even use them to eliminate any potential threats."
"Precisely."
"Then it's time we got moving?"
Dugun Un rose from his seat.
"Sun's still up, so we'll push to the base of Mt. Hyeong and camp in a nearby village."
"I'll see to it."
Jegal Jung-cheon hurried out, and in moments, the Drunken Cloud Pavilion emptied.
Dan Hyeong-u strolled along, reveling in his freedom and peace, until he found himself back in front of the pavilion. He'd tried mulling over his future plans while walking, but he knew too little to make much headway.
"Back here again."
Dan Hyeong-u muttered to himself out of habit and eyed the pavilion's doors. A crowd poured out. Jo Seol-yeon was among them, naturally flanked by Jo In and Sama Cheol.
The Martial Alliance members set off swiftly. Dan Hyeong-u watched them go, then unconsciously began following. He matched their pace effortlessly, despite merely walking—even as they unleashed their lightness skills and flew along.
Instinct kept him well back from the group. No one in the Martial Alliance noticed their pursuer.
"Back the way we came."
The Alliance was heading straight for Mt. Hyeong, of course. Yet Dan Hyeong-u trailed them still. The sun dipped low. Watching it set, he felt a flicker of surprise.
"Right... this is nightfall. Night..."
This world had day and night—one of the things absent from hell. After endless gray eternity without them, the deepening dusk felt wondrous. Of course, he'd known them once, long ago, in a time beyond memory.
As night fell, the Martial Alliance set camp at the mountain's foothills. There wasn't much to prepare—just gnaw on some jerked meat from their pouches and lie down for sleep. They'd circulate their energy to shake off fatigue, of course.
Dan Hyeong-u stood at a considerable distance. Far off as he was, he could see their every move as if peering into his palm. He stood motionless, eyes closed in quiet vigil.
Time passed, and dawn began to break. Dan Hyeong-u opened his eyes. The brightening sky shook him to his core.
As the heavens lightened, long-buried memories stirred faintly. He squeezed his eyes shut. For an instant, a sharp aura flickered around him.
Dan Hyeong-u opened his eyes again and began walking slowly. The Martial Alliance stirred, rousing one by one to prepare to move out.
Just as they were about to depart, Dan Hyeong-u sensed others approaching from a different direction.
"Quite a few. But peaceful still."
His form melted into the surroundings.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As the Martial Alliance finished preparations to depart, Dugun Un frowned.
"I have a bad feeling."
He summoned Jegal Jung-cheon at once. The strategist hurried over at the Alliance Leader's call.
"Something wrong?"
"My gut's off. Are we completely sure of the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods' movements?"
"Yes. They're approaching the target from the complete opposite direction."
Dugun Un stroked his chin, brow furrowed.
"Hmm. Whenever I get this feeling, danger follows. Better safe than sorry—scout the area."
"That'll delay our departure."
Jegal Jung-cheon voiced his concern, but Dugun Un shook his head.
"A little delay beats a mistake any day."
Jegal Jung-cheon had no counter.
"Understood."
He postponed the march and ordered a thorough scout—picking those skilled in lightness kung fu and sensing. They found nothing.
When Jegal Jung-cheon reported back, Dugun Un tilted his head and gave the order to move out.
"Strange. Is my instinct finally failing me?"
Dugun Un followed slowly behind the departing warriors. He'd brought the elite Azure Dragon Unit in full—no need for fear. Its members were beyond first-rate, masters of formations too.
And he'd brought the Victory Dragon Unit alongside. Composed of promising juniors, they lacked in formations but surpassed the Azure Dragon in individual prowess.
One hundred Azure Dragon members. Fifty Victory Dragon. One hundred fifty elites—what was there to worry about?
"Plus the Black Tortoise Unit..."
The Black Tortoise was a unit Dugun Un and Jegal Jung-cheon had painstakingly trained for infiltration and ambush. Not assassins, but perfect for covert ops.
They lay in wait near Mt. Hyeong right now. If trouble arose, they'd sweep the field. Victory was assured, come what may.
Dugun Un shook off the unease and leaped lightly forward. They had to reach the destination before noon.
"The Leader worries too much, don't you think?"
Paeng Cheol-yeong, one of the Victory Dragon vice-leaders, prompted Namgung Jin's nod.
"You're right. Who'd dare ambush us? No place to hide from the Martial Alliance's wrath."
Namgung Jin was the other vice-leader. Hailing from the Haibei Paeng Family and Shaanxi Namgung Family respectively, both prodigies possessed formidable martial arts, striking looks, and widespread popularity.
No one else could chime in on their exchange—except Unit Leader Ha Won-hu.
"The Leader has his reasons. Better to tap the stone bridge before crossing. High seats breed heavy thoughts."
Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong fell silent at Ha Won-hu's words. No one here could outtalk him. A fitting Victory Dragon leader, he was sharp-minded and silver-tongued.
Paeng Cheol-yeong and Namgung Jin glanced at Jo Seol-yeon moving nearby. Jo In and Sama Cheol stuck to her like glue, making approach tricky.
Jo Seol-yeon was young, but her beauty was no joke. A few more years of maturity, and she'd be unmatched. That was the verdict from these two seasoned womanizers.
Still, they'd maneuvered to run alongside her now. The other Victory Dragon members formed a loose escort formation around her.
Jo Seol-yeon had the lowest cultivation here, struggling to keep pace. It showed on her face.
"Miss Jo looks winded. Best we take a break. I'll speak to the Leader."
Jo Seol-yeon shook her head frantically at Namgung Jin's offer.
"No, please! I can keep up!"
The Leader wouldn't hear of it, and she didn't want word spreading that she was holding them back. It was a matter of Jo Family Manor pride.
If only I'd trained harder...
Oblivious to her thoughts, Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong pressed on.
"Nonsense. How could a man stand by while you struggle?"
Paeng Cheol-yeong looked ready to bolt to the Leader, panicking Jo Seol-yeon.
"No, really, don't! I'm fine!"
"Enough. We'll handle it."
Even Jo In stepped in. Namgung Jin and Paeng Cheol-yeong finally backed down. Truth be told, they'd never intended to push that far—just score a few points.
"May I lend a hand, then?"
Namgung Jin reached subtly toward Jo Seol-yeon.