MTL NOVEL Chapter 15
The path from Mount Heng Sword Sect to the Taewon Jin Clan.
As usual, I was serving as a leg pillow for Gayoung Jin in the carriage when…
“Have you heard that news?”
The voices of the guards outside the carriage reached my ears.
I tried not to pay attention…
Until I heard the word ‘Sword Sage.’
“What news is that?”
“That lunatic, the Sword Sage, has caused another incident.”
“Sword Sage? I thought he had been calm for a while… Again?”
Even though I wanted to ignore it, considering I’m no longer the Sword Sage, my ears perked up involuntarily.
Gayoung Jin’s breathing hitched slightly in her sleep, indicating she was aware too.
‘Trouble, huh.’
Considering my exploits at Mount Heng Sword Sect could be deemed trouble as well.
“Did you hear that the Sword Sage got kicked out of the Namgung Family?”
“Yeah, I did. Though it’s hard to believe.”
“Apparently after that, he went mad. Then, while passing through Anhui, he encountered a group consisting of the Blade Lord, Water Lord, and Sword Lord.”
“The Sword Sage and those three?”
“Apparently so. Naturally, a battle ensued… and in the end, the Water Lord and Blade Lord died. Quite brutally too. The Sword Lord, who had been hiding and watching, had a tough time burying them due to their entrails continuously spilling out.”
“My my…”
So it seems Bin Namgung is up to his tricks again while I’m here.
Though Namgung Cheolbin doesn’t exist anymore, feel free to slander all you want.
Thinking about that arrogant guy punching the air is utterly amusing.
“Hnn…”
Gayoung Jin opened her eyes and sighed deeply.
It was a strong sigh indicating she was upset.
“Is something the matter?”
“Auntie.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think of the Sword Sage?”
Why is she upset?
Now that I recall, she subtly showed anger when Namgung Cheolbin was spoken ill of before.
“Sword Sage, you say.”
“Yes, the Sword Sage Namgung Cheolbin.”
“No particular thoughts.”
“Is that so?”
It’s just a name I’ve discarded. Why should I care?
Since discarding it, my mind has been at ease.
Hearing such stories only makes Namgung Bin seem pitiful.
“What do you think of the Sword Sage, miss?”
After a moment’s contemplation, Gayoung Jin spoke carefully.
“Smelly, I guess.”
“Is that so?”
“…If what people say is true.”
“?”
Is there some underlying meaning in that last part? Probably not.
Before I could question, she spoke preemptively.
“The world isn’t as it appears, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Honestly, I…”
“However, isn’t that strange?”
The voices outside interrupted her.
Listening intently, I noticed the same.
“What’s strange?”
“The Sword Sage. Sure, going mad after getting kicked out of the family is understandable, but how can someone who killed two Zons ignore the Namgung Family that banished him? Who in Namgung could possibly stop him?”
“Hmm… Now that you mention it…”
“And, the Sword Lord supposedly told this story? Doesn’t that seem odd? Even a three-year-old knows the Sword Lord is a puppet leader to the elders of the alliance. Why would such a money-grubbing, prideful man willingly tarnish his reputation?”
“You’re right. The Sword Sage may be crazy, but the Sword Lord is sane.”
“It doesn’t make sense. If he hid while the Water and Blade Lords fought, he’d lose all support from the Pangs of Hebei and the Su River Long Men. Plus, nobody even knew those three were traveling together.”
“Right, he’d essentially be digging his own grave?”
“If the Sword Lord were a righteous person, it might make sense. But revealing something he could’ve hidden indicates something’s off.”
“Hmm, so what’s the truth?”
“In my opinion, the Sword Lord killed the other two. The reason is unclear. Perhaps they disagreed during their journey. Then, realizing his involvement, he tried to deflect blame onto the Sword Sage.”
“Hmph… You’re normally reasonable. How could the Sword Lord kill the other two? Even with surprise, it’s impossible.”
“Is that so? I don’t know beyond that. Nonetheless, something smells fishy.”
…
Still, not everyone in the world is a fool, it seems.
No matter what they say about Namgung Cheolbin, it’s irrelevant to me now.
“Later.”
Gayoung Jin muttered quietly, more to herself than anyone.
“Guess I should give him a raise soon.”
“Should you?”
I didn’t inquire further.
“Smart.”
…
“Miss, we’ve arrived at the main estate.”
The driver’s announcement prompted Gayoung Jin and I to peek outside. The grand gates of the Taewon Jin family stood before us.
Above the gates hung a plaque bearing the family’s name.
A man stumbled out between the gates.
“Uncle, I’ll greet you after reporting in.”
With determination, Gayoung Jin stepped down from the carriage.
That man is someone I’ve seen in previous loops.
Jin Guangwu, the family swordsman.
While unrelated to this loop, earlier on he was like a mosquito constantly buzzing around the Blood Cult.
Which is why I’ve killed him a few times already.
“Gayoung! Are you unharmed? Any injuries?”
Approaching with open arms, Jin Guangwu was greeted with Gayoung stepping back to decline his embrace.
His expression turned red then pale.
Still, he maintained his smile throughout.
“Ho! Our Gayoung has become more cautious after spending time away.”
“I haven’t even reported to the head of the house yet. What nonsense are you speaking? I must report my return first.”
“Hehe, with brother in such a state, why bother with formalities? Tell me, and I’ll handle it for you.”
“That’s enough. Even family members have boundaries.”
“…”
Though Jin Guangwu remained silent, I could practically hear the curses.
Given that he was behind the Seven Evil Gang’s attack last time, their relationship must be far from friendly, more likely sworn enemies.
“Uncle, please step aside. I should greet the head of the house. May I introduce myself as her personal guard?”
“That’s unnecessary.”
Gayoung pulled on my arm to prompt me to descend.
Complying, I noticed Jin Guangwu’s gaze narrowing on me specifically.
“Hurry along.”
“Yes.”
As we began to enter under Gayoung’s guidance…
“Are you the famed White Blade Wanderer? I’ve heard much about you.”
Jin Guangwu extended a fist salute toward me.
White Blade Wanderer…
I suppose that nickname stems from wearing a white mask and wielding a broadsword during my time at Mount Heng Sword Sect.
Rumors certainly travel fast.
“Yes, pleased to meet you.”
“Hmph, it’s a pleasure to meet such a distinguished individual. Let’s get along well.”
As I returned his salute, greed flickered in Jin Guangwu’s eyes.
Gayoung tugged on my sleeve.
“Uncle, the head of the house awaits. Please step aside.”
“Ah, my apologies for my clumsiness.”
Passing by the now sideways Jin Guangwu, we continued following Gayoung’s lead.
His eyes remained fixed on me even after I turned my back.
The quicker we distanced ourselves, the better, Gayoung’s pace suggested.
Thud, thud…
We passed through the courtyard and entered the main hall.
Despite the murmurs from onlookers at seeing me with Gayoung, she paid them no mind and pressed forward.
She led me to the inner chambers.
…The inner chambers?
“Here is where the head of the house resides.”
“Ah…”
I remembered hearing about the Jin patriarch’s illness.
For someone skilled enough to become the head of a martial family, it’s unlikely they would fall ill unless quite aged.
“But didn’t they call Gayoung the crown princess?”
…
The Jin patriarch of Taewon Jin family, who had never caused any trouble throughout countless loops.
Perhaps there’s some hidden truth behind their lack of incidents that I’m unaware of.
“Miss! When did you arrive?”
“Moments ago. How’s the patriarch?”
“He’s the same as always… Still, you should see him. He’ll likely wake up upon hearing of your arrival.”
“Understood. Take care of your duties, nanny.”
As the nanny squeezed her rag and disappeared, Gayoung pushed open the door to where the patriarch resided.
Inside, an elderly man lay on the sickbed.
No trace of inner energy could be detected from him.
“Father, the firstborn has arrived.”
Gayoung called out cautiously.
“…”
No response came.
“Father?”
She took a step closer.
“Father…?”
I followed.
A chilling sensation crept up my ankles.
“Father! Dad!”
There was no sickly man. Only a corpse, likely deceased for a few hours.
“Waaah! Why won’t you open your eyes!”
Realizing there was no patient to disturb, I allowed her to grieve.
“Daad!!!”
Instead, there lay a withered body of a dead man.
“Gyeeh…”
Collapsing onto the emaciated elderly man, Gayoung began to sob.
Understanding the immense pain of losing a family member, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
…
Three days after the death of the Jin patriarch.
Though the funeral was grand in scale befitting the Taewon Jin family, not many attendees were present.
Gayoung Jin performed her duties as the chief mourner, welcoming the limited number of guests.
While the count was small compared to the family’s reputation, it kept her extremely busy.
“White Blade Wanderer, an elder wishes to see you.”
“Jin Guangwu?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go immediately.”
For three days, he had been glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. Finally decided to approach?
“Ah, White Blade Wanderer, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Trying to befriend me, perhaps?
Jin Guangwu extended a hand for a handshake.
“So you have.”
Extending my hand to meet his, he asked:
“Have you been inconvenienced in any way during your stay here?”
“No, not at all.”
He grinned.
A smile that was the exact opposite of ‘pure’.
“Hmm… Well then, I’ll skip to the point since your personality seems straightforward. Would you care to collaborate on a task with this Jin Guangwu?”
How predictable.
Just as expected.
…
”