Chapter 261: My Murim Is Not Far Away

TL: FoodieMonster007

The carriage was different from the one I usually rode.

It was a special carriage for the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit, built from a light yet sturdy material. It could withstand most impacts and was pulled by powerful horses equipped with armor for emergencies.

The day shift guarded the carriage on horseback. Cheokyeon rode inside with me to explain the bodyguard mission.

"The night shift is in the carriage behind us. They'll rest and switch with us in the evening."

I did not need a night bodyguard, just as I did not need a day bodyguard. The Heavenly Demon Defense Art would wake me if anyone approached while I slept.

Still, I let them proceed. Hwi wanted them to become excellent bodyguards, and experience was essential for that.

Of course, I also had something to do to speed up their training.

"Stop the carriage for a moment."

Cheokyeon ordered his subordinate in the driver's seat to stop the carriage.

I had the night shift's carriage pull up alongside ours and gathered everyone before me.

Then I walked to the carriage. The symbol of the Heavenly Demon Hall was engraved on the exterior, but a cover currently hid it.

SHWIIIIIIK.

I ripped the cover off with a satisfying tear, revealing the image of a fearsome demon.

"From now on, we won't travel while hiding our identities. All of you, change into the official uniforms of the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit."

The bodyguards wore plain martial arts uniforms.

Cheokyeon said, surprised, "According to regulations, we can't do that."

"We make our own regulations. Do as I command."

Conflict flickered in Cheokyeon's eyes, but his hesitation was brief. While guarding me, they had already strayed far from the existing rules.

He ordered his subordinates to change their clothes.

Cheokyeon and all the bodyguards changed. The official uniform of the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit was simple yet striking. A shield was embroidered on the left chest of the black uniform, and inside it was a drawing of the demon symbolizing the Heavenly Demon Hall. The character for 'demon' (魔) was embroidered in a powerful script on their black masks. That was enough.

Their entire atmosphere changed once they put on the official uniforms.

I looked at each of them and said, "Impressive. Among all the uniforms in our Cult, I think yours are the coolest."

They smiled faintly and glanced at each other.

"I know moving like this will be much harder for you. It'll be more dangerous, and unexpected things will happen. If you were ordinary bodyguards, I wouldn't have done this, but you're the ones who will guard the Heavenly Demon in the future."

Strength entered their eyes at the words 'the Heavenly Demon'.

"When Father moves officially, has he ever hidden his identity? That's why. You'll all experience and practice this from now on. You are openly guarding the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader."

"Yes! We'll protect you with our lives!"

"Please, just protect me without sacrificing your lives. Got it?"

My joke eased the atmosphere slightly.

Cheokyeon, perhaps thinking this was a good opportunity, announced the numbers assigned to each of them.

"During bodyguard operations, we'll call each other by numbers, from One to Twelve. Young Cult Leader, please call us by those numbers as well."

Cheokyeon was Number One. The numbers were assigned based on their experience in the bodyguard unit. The youngest, Number Twelve, was eighteen years old and looked obviously youthful.

I went and stood before Number Twelve.

He's too young to die protecting someone else.

"Do the Seniors give you a hard time for being the youngest?"

"They treat me so well because I'm the youngest that it's agonizing!"

I patted the young man's shoulder for his perfect answer, then boarded the carriage.

"Let's depart!"

The carriage set off again.

Cheokyeon could have ridden with me, but he rode on horseback with the other bodyguards. He had likely been in the carriage earlier only to explain the mission.

He was the leader, but he worked on equal footing with his subordinates. In fact, he led by example and worked even harder. Hwi might have valued this side of Cheokyeon, which could be why he came to see me personally. He saw the potential for Cheokyeon to become a good bodyguard.

Our first destination was the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Hunan Branch.

The journey by carriage would take some time, so I settled in for a leisurely trip.

It was a good opportunity to train in the Heavenly Demon Defense Art.

The carriage was so well-made that it barely shook. I could focus on the Heavenly Demon Defense Art comfortably.

The Heavenly Demon Defense Art has two stages left. My goal on this trip is to raise it by one stage.

How long had we been traveling?

Cheokyeon shouted from outside, "We will take a short break."

The carriage stopped.

While the horses rested, I also got out of the carriage and sat on a rock.

The bodyguards stood guard in all directions around me, focusing all their senses on their surroundings.

My honest feeling? If you're all spread out like that, how am I supposed to protect you?

"Cheokyeon."

"Yes, Young Cult Leader."

Cheokyeon, who had been standing guard at the front, approached me.

"Show me the martial arts you've learned."

My words startled Cheokyeon. He realized I intended to review his martial arts.

"This isn't an opportunity that comes often, so hurry!"

"Yes! Young Cult Leader!"

The mission was important, but he was not foolish enough to miss this chance.

"The martial art I've learned is the Secret Shadow Sword Technique."

He announced his sword technique and began to perform the forms.

The other bodyguards turned their backs, as it was polite not to watch another person's unique martial arts.

Cheokyeon performed all the techniques of the Secret Shadow Sword Technique.

"It's a good sword technique."

I corrected his bad habits and posture and told him how he should train in the future. I did not say much. I pointed out just one, most important thing.

"Thank you!"

Cheokyeon expressed his gratitude with a moved face. The other bodyguards could not hide their envy.

"No need to be so envious. Number Two, step forward!"

When I tried to review everyone's martial arts, Number Two said in a fluster, "You must be busy. You can look at ours later."

"You're the ones who are busy."

"Pardon?"

"I can see the Branch Manager at a leisurely pace. It's just a courtesy visit, but your martial arts need to be improved as quickly as possible. If a sword qi flew at your back right now, could you block it? So, come on, your martial arts!"

Number Two performed his martial arts without further delay. Just as I had with Cheokyeon, I told him what he absolutely needed to fix and how he should train.

I reviewed the other bodyguards in turn. It did not take much time. The answer was obvious with just one look.

I could feel their excitement. It was a level of teaching they had never experienced. Since they still had so much to learn, they would grow stronger with every word I spoke.

"Thank you. We'll strive to improve even more in the future."

I'm teaching them this time so they don't die.

At night, I also pointed out the things the night shift martial artists needed to fix.

On the third day after leaving the Cult.

KRRRRRUMBLE!

Thunder roared, and rain began to pour down. It rained so hard that driving the carriage became impossible.

"We'll have to take a break."

Cheokyeon stopped the carriage under a large tree.

The bodyguards stood in the rain, surrounding the carriage.

"Don't stand there looking pathetic in the rain. Everyone, get inside the carriage."

"We're fine."

"That's an order."

Cheokyeon insisted they could not, but he ultimately could not defy my will and came inside.

Six people came inside. Since it was a large carriage, they could all sit facing each other. I handed them something to dry themselves with.

"Don't feel awkward. Don't mind me, just watch the rain outside."

I heated water in the kettle with True Samadhi Fire and poured them warm tea. Everyone's eyes went wide at the sight.

"We'll drink it well!"

They were still stiff and found it difficult to interact with me. Even their gazes, which were supposed to be on the window, were all fixed on the window opposite me.

We silently watched the falling rain.

SHWAAAAAAAAA!

Sitting huddled together, sipping tea and watching the rain, had its own charm. After dealing with the old Demon Supremes, being with these young men felt refreshing.

Cheokyeon spoke cautiously. "We're supposed to be protecting you, Young Cult Leader, but for some reason, it feels like we're the ones being protected."

I smiled faintly and asked Cheokyeon, "With the skills to enter the Heavenly Demon Hall bodyguard unit, you could've joined other organizations. Why did you apply to be a bodyguard?"

He answered without hesitation. "I've wanted to be a bodyguard since I was young. I always thought bodyguards looked cool. I believed that protecting someone was honorable."

"Do you still think the same way?"

Cheokyeon's answer did not come as quickly this time.

"I do."

I saw pain in his eyes and thought perhaps he was regretting his choice. It was already a difficult job, and his eyes must have been hurting terribly.

Just then, I made eye contact with Number Three. He had the gentlest impression among the day shift.

"What about you?"

"I thought I had more talent for protecting than for killing."

"What is a talent for protecting?"

"I don't find protecting someone boring. I think it might be because I have an introverted personality."

Then Number Nine chimed in without being asked. "I judged that bodyguard missions were relatively safe. I want to live a long life."

His comrades all smiled as if they had heard this before. He seemed to enjoy making his colleagues laugh.

These were words I would never hear from Hwi. He had lived, and was still living, in an era of devotion.

These young martial artists were certainly different from the Seniors. Of course, that did not mean they lacked a sense of duty compared to Hwi. Nor did I think Hwi was old-fashioned compared to their rational and individualistic attitudes. I just felt that the times were changing.

As I sat lost in thought, the pouring rain began to subside.

Cheokyeon spoke as if he had been waiting. "We'll depart now."

Before they got off, I asked, "Is anyone's hometown in Hunan province?"

My sudden question made them look bewildered.

"No one?"

Then Number Three, who had said protecting suited him, stepped forward. "My hometown is here in Hunan."

"Are your parents in your hometown?"

"Yes, my mother lives there alone."

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"I think it's been about three years."

"Let's stop by on our way."

Number Three was startled. "No, it's alright. We're on a mission, we can't do that."

"A few days' delay is fine. How much could the Hunan Branch Chief possibly want to see me? But how much must your mother want to see you? It's not polite to come all this way and just pass by. This isn't a request, it's an order, so let's go!"

And so, the carriage began to head toward Number Three's hometown.

I know well that all sorts of people live in every corner of these Central Plains, and all sorts of things happen. I know how far humans can fall, how cruel they can become, and how many martial artists lose their way and wander in that perilous realm.

My murim isn't far away. Jo Cheonbae of the Alluring Inn is my murim, and the hometown of Number Three who guards me is my murim. This is how I don't lose my way.

The carriage ran on, cutting through the clear blue sky as if the heavy rain had never happened.

Not far from his hometown, the running carriage slowed. I lifted the curtain and looked outside. A shattered carriage lay overturned on the side of the road. Bloodstains dotted the ground, and traces of a fierce battle remained.

Cheokyeon's voice came from outside. "I'll find out what happened."

Number Two questioned a nearby resident to learn what had occurred.

"A few days ago, a shipment from the Hunan First Escort Agency was attacked and plundered. The Head Escort, several escorts, and porters were killed in the process."

"Isn't the Hunan First Escort Agency the largest escort agency around here?"

"That's right."

Usually, no one dared to touch a shipment from a region's largest escort agency. A place like the Hunan First Escort Agency would have deep ties with various sects, and messing with them would invite retaliation.

Something unusual, something that should not have happened, had occurred.

Of course, it was not our place to intervene. I immediately said to Cheokyeon, "Alright, let's pick up the pace."

"……"

The carriage began to run at an even faster speed.

The carriage arrived at Number Three's hometown.

"That's it."

Number Three pointed toward a small inn.

It was the Dohyeon Inn, named after him. I heard on the way that Number Three had set it up for his mother with the money he earned after joining the God of War of our Cult.

"It was my mother's dream to run an inn."

Just because they're of the demonic path, does that mean there are no filial sons?

We stopped the carriage in front of the inn.

When we entered, there were no customers and no owner. Surprised, Number Three called out loudly for his mother.

"Mother!"

But no one was there. An inn rarely closes its doors, so a look of worry crossed Number Three's face.

I went into the kitchen and checked the furnace. "This kitchen was used for business as recently as yesterday. So don't worry."

Just then, a bright-looking child entered the inn. "They're not open today. The owner lady and the cook are at the Wind and Water Mountain Villa."

The child introduced himself, saying he worked as a waiter when it was busy.

I asked the child in a friendly manner, "Do you know why they went there?"

"This morning, martial artists from the Wind and Water Mountain Villa came and took them. They said they needed food to be cooked."

If that was the reason the inn was closed, it was a relief. Murim sects sometimes mobilized people from inns when they needed a cook.

"Where is the Wind and Water Mountain Villa?"

"It's at the end of the western road over there."

"Thank you."

I pressed a coin into the child's hand. He thanked me happily before leaving.

This time, I asked Number Three, "Do you know about the Wind and Water Mountain Villa?"

"I don't know it well. I left home at a young age to train in martial arts, and I've only seen my mother once every two or three years since then."

He hung his head low, but no one would think he had done anything wrong. He was a most filial son for consistently visiting his mother, even if it was only once every few years.

"Young Cult Leader, please wait a moment. I'll clean a guest room for you first."

Number Three acted nonchalantly, but I knew his inner thoughts. He must have wanted to run to see his mother right away. He must also have been worried, hearing she was taken by a murim sect.

I stood up from my seat. "His mother is working, so how can we young people just sit around? Let's go help her and bring her back early."

Number Three waved his hands at my unexpected words, insisting it was fine, but I boarded the carriage. All the bodyguards mounted their horses, and Number Three mounted his as well. An undeniable joy flickered across his face even as he said no.

"Let's go, to the Wind and Water Mountain Villa!"

The carriage began to race toward the Wind and Water Mountain Villa.