Chapter 24

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to step away from this matter. It's heartbreaking, but what can I do? It seems Mi-a is not the kind of woman I thought she was..."

After saying that with a sigh, Jang Sa-eop looked around for a moment. Then he warned Cheong-ra.

"Young Master Baek Ri, Namgung Hyeon-sang is known for his narrow-mindedness in Anhui Province. He's hot-tempered and might try to harm you. So always be careful."

That was exactly what Cheong-ra was worried about inwardly. Miss Mi-a was just creating annoying rumors for Cheong-ra, but Namgung Hyeon-sang was different. He was a direct descendant of the Nangong Clan, one of the most prominent righteous factions in the martial arts world. He was in a position to threaten Cheong-ra if he wanted to.

"Thank you, Young Master Jang. I will keep that in mind."

When Cheong-ra expressed his gratitude, Jang Sa-eop said it was nice to see him after a long time and left, saying they should meet again next time.

Thinking it was no longer feasible to search for the expelled disciples today, they returned to the inn for now. The rumor had already spread here, and amidst the glances sneaking peeks at him, they finished a late lunch. As they went up to their room, Ju Mu-gwang grumbled.

"It seems like things are getting more and more troublesome."

When Geum-hye slapped his back with a loud smack, saying words become seeds, Ju Mu-gwang twisted his large body in pain. However, Cheong-ra also inwardly agreed with Ju Mu-gwang's words. Being suddenly embroiled in a scandal gave him a headache. He just wanted to finish the mission quickly and return to Moon Lake Sect.

***

Although the inn became even more chaotic, nothing significant happened for a few days. The angry Namgung Hyeon-sang didn't come to pick a fight either. Nevertheless, due to the overwhelming number of people who had heard the rumors and came to watch, Cheong-ra, who already attracted attention with his appearance, had to walk around all day with his face tightly wrapped in a veil.

After walking around here and there for a few days until his feet ached and returning to the inn, Mi-a was there waiting for him. As the onlookers had already taken seats in the inn, the inn owner's face was beaming. When Cheong-ra sighed and tried to pass by, Mi-a cried out pitifully.

"Young Master Baek Ri! Please listen to me for a moment. I had nothing to do with Young Master Jang or Young Master Nangong, so please withdraw your anger."

"Miss, it would be best for you to shut your mouth."

Geum-hye, who was already upset that her cherished junior brother was involved in this matter, glared sharply at Mi-a when she heard the nonsense. Mi-a shrank back at the murderous gaze and sobbed, naturally receiving sympathetic looks. Geum-hye was known for her tiger-like temper, feared even in Moon Lake Sect. If she got any angrier here, she might even slap the commoner who didn't know martial arts.

Cheong-ra, who couldn't just leave that woman alone for the sake of his martial sister, removed his veil to draw people's attention. His face, tinged with fatigue, was even more desolate and beautiful than usual, and the sympathetic gazes directed at Mi-a completely disappeared. Amidst the exclamations of him being the Moonlight Beauty Sword, Mi-a slightly bit her lip.

"I don't understand why you're trying to fabricate a relationship with me through lies, Miss. I have no relationship with you, so even if you had something going on with Young Master Jang or Young Master Nangong, it has nothing to do with me."

After speaking firmly, Cheong-ra finally realized the source of his uneasiness. With a slight frown, he warned Mi-a.

"Miss. Isn't it enough that you've made enemies with the South Reverence Sect and the Nangong Clan? Stop ruining your life at this point. Then I'll let it slide too."

"Young Master Baek Ri, it's not like that..."

Mi-a tried to say more, but Cheong-ra ignored her and went inside the inn. Then he spoke to Geum-hye, who was fuming with anger, and Mu-gwang, who was yawning from fatigue.

"I don't think that woman's goal is simply to possess men."

"What do you mean, Junior Brother?"

Geum-hye asked, puzzled. Cheong-ra recalled the woman's eyes, which seemed quite indifferent despite acting as if she was deeply in love with him.

She had nothing to gain from this incident. She was already being treated as a promiscuous woman here, wasn't she? She hadn't gained any financial benefit from Jang Sa-eop or Namgung Hyeon-sang either. Acting this way would never win the heart of the man she wanted.

It was as if she was trying to break up the relationship between the three of them.

But why, for what reason?

Since it was only a hunch, Cheong-ra couldn't be sure of the woman's purpose. Moreover, he had seen people infatuated with his appearance do crazy things many times before, regardless of age or gender. This time could also be that kind of situation, so he shook his head and said.

"No. It just felt that way."

After saying that, he had no choice but to ask the inn staff to bring the food to the room because too many people were gathering. After the meal, mental fatigue set in. Cheong-ra was sitting still on the bed when he suddenly got up.

"Mu-gwang, doesn't the room seem a bit dirty?"

"It's clean though?"

Ju Mu-gwang retorted, looking at his friend with concern. Cheong-ra walked around the room, dusting and cleaning up the dirty things. He neatly made the bed and meticulously wiped the furniture with a damp cloth. After cleaning like that for a while, he even stared at Ju Mu-gwang.

Ju Mu-gwang scowled, but it was of no use this time. He stretched his body back but ended up being grabbed by the collar by Cheong-ra.

"As a direct disciple of Moon Lake Sect, you should dress neatly."

"Ah! You brat, you're at it again!"

Despite grumbling, Ju Mu-gwang let Cheong-ra tidy up his attire. He knew well that his friend cleaned up his surroundings to relieve his pent-up frustration. However, he wasn't too pleased whenever he realized that he was also considered a target for cleaning...

The clothes that had been worn with the chest half-exposed in a free-spirited manner were neatly closed. Only after tightening the belt of the martial arts uniform, applying fragrant oil to his hair, and combing it neatly with a comb was Cheong-ra somewhat satisfied.

Fortunately, the next day, they received a message from the Beggar Sect. The three of them were delighted to hear that they had found the residence of the criminals they were chasing. They all wanted to quickly finish the job and leave this place. They immediately rushed out of the inn and headed to the place the Beggar Sect had informed them.

However, it happened to be a market day, so it was crowded with people. They opened their eyes wide and carefully scanned their surroundings. And Cheong-ra was the first to spot a familiar face. One of the expelled disciples was clearly buying rice with a wary expression, looking around. He must have been hiding in his residence all along and couldn't resist hunger, so he crawled out.

"Martial Sister! Over there!"

"What? Where?"

After informing Geum-hye of the direction, Cheong-ra hurriedly quickened his pace. However, even though he was wearing a veil, the other party immediately recognized his identity and started running away in a fluster. Clicking his tongue, Cheong-ra had no choice but to start running.

He struggled not to lose sight of his target amidst the bustling crowd. As the head of the person he was chasing disappeared and reappeared between the people, his nerves were on edge. It was difficult to properly use light footwork in such a crowded place. When he finally left the market, it was almost a relief.

"Aaah! Get away from me!"

The other party screamed and fled desperately, mustering up all his strength. As Cheong-ra diligently chased after him, he suddenly felt something strange.

'He shouldn't be that skilled in light footwork. Why isn't the distance closing?'

As soon as he had that question, surprisingly, the criminal disappeared from Cheong-ra's sight in an instant. Only then did Cheong-ra come to his senses and look around, realizing he was in the mountains with few people, if any at all. There was no trace of the person he had been chasing until just now, and Geum-hye and Mu-gwang, who should have been following behind him, were nowhere to be seen.

"...Could it be a trap!"

Sensing a dangerous situation, Cheong-ra immediately drew his sword. He also took off the veil that could hinder him in battle. It seemed that he had unknowingly walked into a trap while focusing on chasing the target.

Clicking his tongue at his own rashness, he raised his alertness to the maximum. Strangely, he couldn't feel any presence at all. Not only human presence but even the presence of wild animals that should have been there.

As he slowly scanned his surroundings and glanced in the direction he had come from, suddenly, sharp hidden weapons flew at him from somewhere. Cheong-ra, who had been on guard, immediately deflected them with his sword and turned around in the direction the hidden weapons had come from. Then he widened his eyes in surprise.

"...Dang Ran-yeong!"

Dang Ran-yeong was standing in a spot that had been empty until just now. A chilling smile appeared on his handsome face.

He ostentatiously threw and caught the hidden weapons with his right hand. As the wind blew, the hem of his robe, beautifully embroidered with silver thread, fluttered. In the meantime, the hidden weapons in his hand disappeared without a trace, leaving his hands empty, but there was no gap in Dang Ran-yeong's relaxed demeanor.

"Meeting five times, I guess we should call it fate at this point. Young Master Baek Ri."