Chapter 230

As soon as Cheong returned to Muchen Pavilion, she hurriedly changed her clothes.

Wrapped up like a mummy, she could barely hold on. It felt like she had stepped into a small room filled with hot steam or was wearing a thick costume in the middle of summer—suffocating!

“Ahh. I can finally breathe.”

With the wind finally getting through the layers, she felt a sense of relief. At the same time, even without seeing it, she sensed the air flowing within her tight space.

Even in that tight situation where she was bundled up, once her senses were freed, everything felt vividly alive.

Ah, so this is what it feels like to perceive everything without relying on sight.

As she spent time with her senses open, she recalled that the range for detecting flow would gradually expand. Currently, she was limited to just over a foot’s distance, but that wouldn’t remain the case forever.

Cheong suddenly realized what Cheon Yu-hak meant by the term ‘trick.’

It was kind of like improving her physical condition.

Seomun Sulin’s training was about honing Cheong’s battle style and guiding her to the next realm through practical sensations.

But Shintu’s inheritance was more like granting her mysterious abilities far beyond Great Master Muhak.

If the traditional techniques had relied solely on slow and methodical training passed down from one master to another, they would have long since disappeared.

Now that she thought about it, didn’t she get anything beneficial out of Yu’s mysteries?

It seemed like that was what she wanted to learn.

In reality, only her joints had become limber.

Cheong twisted her wrist back.

Her wrist bent just over ninety degrees, with fingers that curved smoothly further back at each joint.

Anyone could force it using their opposite hand, but doing so with just the strength of one hand was a technique that had originally been unattainable.

Cheon Yu-hak’s fingers could already touch his forearm’s elbow, which meant that with only having experienced the process twice, Cheong still had a long way to go.

She needed to hurry up and fill her proficiency in Yulryu Yeonryeon too.

After all, things had become dull.

But on the upside, she had managed to secure something painful to pay for it.

With that thought, Cheong lightly pleaded with her master to torture her.

“Master, when are we going to do Yulryu Yeonryeon again? Can we do it tomorrow?”

Cheon Yu-hak was left speechless.

When she last mentioned it, she had been all shaky and hesitant, asking with such determination it was clear she was trembling.

But now, she sounded more like a kid asking for pocket money.

“That girl is ruthless, absolutely ruthless. She has no fear left! Can you handle it? I still get the shivers just thinking about being tortured.”

“Eh, is that so.”

“First, let’s take care of the Parasitic Sect issue. If it shows up during the recovery period, then all you’ll be able to do is thumb your fingers, right?”

“I just wish we could get rid of it quickly…”

“Why are you rushing so much?”

Naturally, it was because she was anxious.

She hadn’t even grasped the Supreme Martial Artist realm yet, so she had to make up for it in any way she could.

Shintu’s training felt more like a kind of mysterious bodily modification or enhancement, so she wanted to get it over with quickly.

“Master, right? If we finish it quickly, it’ll be easier for you and for me, right? Right?”

“You’re the only one among Shintu’s disciples asking to be tortured like this.”

In the end, Cheon Yu-hak scoffed and jumped over the wall, complaining about how hard it was to prepare the elixirs.

At that moment, Cheong did feel a little guilty. This whole situation made her feel like she was taking advantage of her master.

So, that night, she decided to help with the elixir preparation and settled down on Cheon Yu-hak’s mat to wait.

How long had it been? Just when she was about to drift off, she sensed someone entering her foot’s distance with the flow of the air.

“Wow! Now you’re stealing the master’s seat? You’ve really got a thieving nature. I’ve got myself quite the disciple.”

“Hehe. I was just waiting to help you out, Master. Did you already gather the ingredients?”

“No.”

Cheon Yu-hak shook his head and continued seriously.

“The scent of Follow Fragrance is really strong. That guy must have shown up.”

—-

Among the eight warriors entering the Eight Rivers, two were from the Independent sect.

The two warriors who participated were Wang Nofil of the Fighting Seat Fist and Ma Yeong-jeon from the Zhidang Clan.

By the time you reached the Sixteen Rivers, warriors from orthodox sects were all top-notch masters raised by prestigious families, so it was impossible to compare them to rogue warriors.

Nevertheless, having two rogue warriors making it to the Eight Rivers was simply due to luck on the tournament bracket.

Since there were only matches between independent warriors, those two had no choice but to proceed.

Regardless, being among the top eight in the later stages of this generation was indeed a great honor for the rogues.

So, after the Sixteen Rivers spar, the rogue warriors gathered for a celebratory gathering.

Cheers were made for advancing into the Eight Rivers while also consoling those who fell behind.

Unfortunately, the cheerful atmosphere quickly evaporated when Wang Nofil and Ma Yeong-jeon stepped out to greet a guest and returned to face that sprayed poison.

Cheong clicked her tongue inwardly when she followed Cheon Yu-hak inside Muchen Pavilion during that messy moment.

“If this was going to be a celebratory gathering, shouldn’t we pick a better place? We’re in some corner of a place that’s not even doing well, a mere eatery.”

Considering the circumstances, the rogues’ finances must have reached this level.

Even if they seemed to have rented out the place for the night.

Cheong broke the gloomy mood with her lively chatter.

“If it’s a dinner gathering, why wasn’t I invited? How can you all just leave me out? That hurts my feelings. Is that how close we rogues are?”

“Oh, Young Lady Seomun. Uh, it’s just… this place is a bit shabby…”

“Shabby, what do you mean? There’s a roof and cooking staff, and you even rented the whole place. It’s practically a banquet! Oh, Wang So-hyeop, Ma So-hyeop, congratulations on making it to the Eight Rivers!”

Saying that, Cheong poured herself a drink.

Both Wang Nofil and Ma Yeong-jeon, who had worn serious expressions, accepted their cups and gulped it down.

“Actually, we came because Follow Fragrance was opened. So, you met that guy, right? What did he say?”

“He gave us this.”

Wang Nofil revealed another box.

It was lavishly adorned with red patterns, clearly a treasure chest filled with something special.

When Cheong opened it, there was another bright red elixir inside.

“What’s this, did that guy from the Parasitic Sect give you something again?”

“He said it was an elixir. There might be side effects, but it can add ten years’ worth of inner strength.”

“You mean he just gave you an elixir? No payment? Just as a present?”

Cheong knew how precious an elixir was.

“He said it would be fun if a rogue came out on top and asked for people to mention that the elixir was given by Shintu later.”

“Ugh.”

Cheon Yu-hak clicked his tongue loudly.

“In any case, it looks like the Follow Fragrance was laid out for both of you.”

According to Cheon Yu-hak, they had distributed a bit of variation in the Follow Fragrance given to the warriors.

Once Follow Fragrance was spread, it was bound to cling to the person who sprayed it, so they needed to chase a target that could emit different scents at once.

In the end, since two types of scents were now clinging to that guy, the intended goal was achieved perfectly.

“If it weren’t for Young Lady Seomun’s words, I would’ve reluctantly consumed it without suspicion. But now I see it’s not a normal plot at all. It’s hard to believe that someone with nothing to do would give an elixir to a rogue. I can understand the Parasitic Sect’s motives, but…”

The other warriors nodded in agreement.

Cheong clapped her hands in delight.

“Alright now, since that guy has just left, isn’t it the perfect moment to strike? Before he can hatch other plots, wouldn’t it be great to take action tonight? What do you all think?”

At that, the warriors’ gazes turned fierce.

Unlike the Young Master or Young Lady from the orthodox factions, these rogue warriors lived a daily life accustomed to bloodshed.

They shouldn’t be acting like this. Were they going to boast about their intentions and brag to the neighborhood?

With that, Cheong lightened the mood.

“For now, let’s enjoy this after-party. No one here doesn’t know how to hold their liquor, right? If that’s the case, then tonight I’m treating you all!”

Cheong, who only earned money without spending it, had her money bag stuffed.

Her friends recoiled just at the sight of her money bag, thinking of how it was shameful for a woman to spend money, or perhaps thinking of Cheong as some kind of pauper.

So, after a long time, letting loose on her wealth for dishes from the eatery and fine drinks surely lifted the spirits high.

After a little errand to the toilet, Cheon Yu-hak shook his head in disbelief.

“What kind of foolish plan is this? I’ve never heard such a dumb idea of recklessly charging in like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Now that the Follow Fragrance has been sprayed, it wouldn’t take long to find out what that guy is up to if we closely monitor his movements for a few days.”

“Eh. True, but you know how it goes. When people get greedy, they make mistakes and become vulnerable, right? We shouldn’t give them time to think useless thoughts.”

Cheong was always adamant about safeguarding her own well-being above all else.

Her plan began with the assumption that if things went south, she’d be prepared to run.

Having pinpointed the enemy’s location allowed her to watch or gather intel whenever she wanted.

Would she really storm in without figuring out the enemy’s identity and capabilities?

Looking back, that was a rather foolish plan.

Because, as Sun Tzu said, you should know yourself and know your enemy, otherwise, you’d be going into blindly failing.

But still, the reason Cheong hurried her warriors into action that late at night had another purpose.

If even one of them fell out of sight, they might succumb to the lurking temptations behind them, possibly betraying her.

It was a given that no rogue could resist the allure of an elixir, and once blinded by it, no one could guess what they might do.

If even one person let it slip, they’d all be painted as fools jostling for the elixir.

So, she intended to keep them monitored under the guise of an after-party and not give them any opportunity to fall into temptation.

Cheon Yu-hak clicked his tongue again.

“Nevertheless, they’re rogues of which you’ve had no acquaintance, providing you no help. Why are you risking yourself to help the likes of them?”

The one in danger wasn’t Cheong but rather those shady rogues entangled with the Parasitic Sect.

Thus, it wasn’t hard to understand why Cheon Yu-hak was displeased with Cheong risking her neck for some rogues.

With all that discontent in Cheon Yu-hak’s voice, Cheong sought to charm him.

“Come on, you know I can slip away at any moment. Did you not see my Nengpa Mibo? My master says if I truly decide to flee, no one could catch me, not even you, Master!”

“Uh-huh.”

Cheon Yu-hak found himself at a loss for words.

And, it was true, too.

Their young lady was so skilled in her arts that, while she could be easily caught in a short distance, the moment it turned into a long-distance chase, she could indeed fly away as if she were the top martial artist in the world.

As night dragged on, they drank and celebrated to their heart’s content until a loud clash rang at the dead of night, the rogue warriors had all drunk their fill.

Clearing the alcohol from one’s system was a skill that any top-tier warrior could perform.

However, if done recklessly, it would garner ridicule, prompting you to swear off alcohol in the first place, so it must be approached cautiously.

With over twenty warriors gathered, the alcohol-induced haze filled the air.

Finally, with their minds returning to sobriety, the rogue warriors’ spirits reignited a flame of ferocity.

“Shall we go now?”

At that moment, Wang Nofil chimed in.

“Young Lady Seomun, how can we leave like this? It’s customary for rogue warriors to gather before a fight, and your spirited words would do wonders for morale.”

“Ah, that’s embarrassing…”

But, in fact, a speech before departure was a pretty important ceremony. It was a way to bind them together, identify the enemy, and boost their fighting spirit.

Cheong scratched the back of her neck as she thought of what to say.

“Well. The term ‘rogue’ implies that we wander alone, much like wolves, right? Yet, wolves are also known to be among the most loyal animals that live in packs. Are we not the same? We repay our debts of honor even with light coins, do we not?”

She cleverly wrapped up the notion of them selling their swords for mere pocket change.

In truth, this was Cheong’s real talent.

What a wily talker! With a mouth like hell’s gate!

“Ooh!” “Right!” “Exactly!”

The shouting rogue warriors wildly responded to her.

“Just because we’re rogues, just because we’re considered rogues, does that mean we’ll sit back and let those who would treat us with contempt and pretend to be kind to us go unchecked? Absolutely not! What shall we do? We must deal with them using the rogue way. Why? Because we are rogues!”

“Because we are rogues!”

“Honor, and the sword. That is what it means to be a rogue.”

“Honor!” “Sword!” “Rogue!”

The rogues energized by her words raised their voices even higher.

In all their lives, they had never heard such a stirring speech as this.

It stirred a sense of pride in their pasts as rogues, igniting their spirits.

Cheong, seeing the passion blazing in their eyes, drove the nail home.

“Let’s go. We shall engrave into their blades that there’s honor in being a rogue!”

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