“Recently, she started cultivating everyday. Like the elders said, her powers are growing at a surprising rate. Of course, she can’t really control her internal qi well yet.”
Cheonma, who sat on his throne, listened to Seoyoung’s report and asked quietly.
“How about her martial art skills?”
“She hasn’t started practicing her martial art skills. As long as she first cultivates her internal qi, she can start learning martial arts later without an issue. Now that she is five years old, once Leader returns, Leader can slowly decide for her.”
To Cheonma, he didn’t want the child to learn martial arts. He wanted her to grow up to be normal and to live a normal life. TL note: what irony compared to Aku Ryun’s life
He wanted the child to live such a life by meeting her loved one, giving birth to a child, and living happily.
However, the child’s genius made that impossible. Flowers that have already bloomed can be hidden but their scent reveals their existence.
The child who had exceeded the powers of experts was basically considered a fully fledged murim member.
At this point, it would be better to help her to get to a powerful position that nobody could ignore.
‘The ice magic path might be good’
Cheonma laughed while contemplating the martial arts that the child would learn. It was funny to him because he looked like the elders who had spent months choosing the right martial arts for the child.
‘I can slowly go back now.’
The North Sea Ice Palace, which was likely to retaliate immediately, had been quiet for years. Even after they searched the village where Cheonma stayed, they seemed to have given up when they couldn’t find the whereabouts of the child. When he goes back to the palace, he decided to choose the martial arts that the child will learn with the elders.
Cheonma inadvertently put his hand on his cheek.
“With this…”
Turning around, I ran like hell.
****
More than twenty bodies were lying on the floor. Nevertheless, the number of enemies had not decreased at all.
If he killed one, three or four, like a swarm of grasshoppers, popped out to take his place. It was fortunate that he was fighting in a narrow room. If it were outside, he would have been already surrounded and killed.
Controlling his harsh breathing, Aku Ryun tightly gripped his sword.
In the process of killing dozens of assassins, he had suffered minor wounds. The pain was fine, but his hand was soaked in blood and his sword kept slipping.
He wanted to rip off some cloth from his collar and wrap his hands. But if he was a little careless, he would have become a hedgehog, courtesy to the daggers of his enemies.
How far did the child go? She must have left the secret tunnel by now?
But he couldn’t be relieved. He couldn’t see that bizarre guy that was looking for her.
Since Cheonma was aware of the situation, he had to just hang in there until help arrived.
It was then.
He sensed a shadow approaching his back.
But he couldn’t look back. If he showed any opening, another dagger would have pierced his body. He needed to at least avoid any damage to his vitals.
About to move his body in response to that train of thought, he heard,
“What are you doing standing still!?”
He heard a voice that he should have never heard. Someone pushed him hard on the back.
Aku Ryun thrust out his dripping sword and then turned around.
“Ah…”
Was this an illusion?
Otherwise, why was there a child behind him who should be in the secret passageway?
A red dagger had pierced her shoulder.
“Young Miss?”
The child smiled weakly while staggering. In order to stay conscious, she had bitten her lips so hard to the point of bleeding.
While staring blankly at the child’s lips, Aku Ryun noticed another dagger flying towards them. He hugged her closely.
“….!”
The dagger grazed his side. It was because his posture was distorted while protecting the child.
Aku Ryun swung his sword around, while ignoring the pain. In the time that the assassins retreated from his swing, he quickly pushed the child into the corner and stood in front of her. With fierce eyes, he glared at the assassins.
“Why are you here again?”
“I have a red orb.”
“……red orb?”
“Yes! With this, we can both escape safely.”
Aku Ryun recalled the valuables that the child had given him, urging him to run away.
She was talking about the red orb he had seen before. With that, they could buy some time.
When should they use it though?
Aku Ryun quietly calculated the timing.
Then the child whispered to him with a weak voice. She seemed to think that he wasn’t answering because he was angry.
“Sorry…”
I’m sorry that I acted so spoiled. I’m sorry that I put you in danger. I’m sorry for being a burden. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I left you alone.
When he heard that last whisper, Aku Ryun chewed the tip of his tongue and erased any expression off his face.
Strangely, his chest tightened. Like the child had grabbed his heart with her little hand.
Aku Ryun silently watched the front.
He cleared his disorganized heart and was preparing his next attack, but the actions of the assassins were strange.
They had surrounded them in a circle and did not attack anymore.
Seeing the eyes gathered on the child, he could see why. They were probably waiting until the guy from before returned. The child was his target.
The child, who was trapped between the wall and Aku Ryun’s back, trembled.
Even though she could stifle her groans, she could not resist the tremors of her body. It was natural since she had been stabbed. It was the child who was hurt badly but why was his shoulder hurting so much?
Aku Ryun took a long breath and said in a low voice.
“Young Miss.”
“Uh… yes.”
“If we get out of here, can you give me another one?”
“Wha- what?”
“The dried persimmon you gave me last time. It was the most delicious thing I’ve ever had.”
“Uh.. but during closing training…”
“I’ll eat what you give me.”
“… really? Alright!”
The child’s voice became a little brighter. She seemed to have forgotten about the pain for a bit.
Aku Ryun breathed a sigh of relief and gritted his teeth.
He could see a man walking leisurely through the group of assassins. He could feel the child breathing in sharply behind his back.