The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 187

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully – Episode 187

Yu Hyun-wol (3)

The Choi Ah-yeon party, heading to the Demonic Cult, received the utmost hospitality.

It was a deal with Daegaseong, but they were the party who recovered the *Cheonmagyeong* [Scripture of the Heavenly Demon], a sacred object of the Demonic Cult.

However, an audience with the Cult Leader was not permitted.

Although they received lavish treatment, it seemed they would not be able to achieve the purpose for which they came all the way here.

Choi Ah-yeon requested several times to meet and speak with the Cult Leader, but each time, they only expressed their refusal, saying he was in seclusion.

Yu Seong-woo told her to speak directly to the Cult Leader, so she couldn’t relay the story to his subordinates.

“If the Guild Master had come in person, we wouldn’t have received this treatment.”

“I suppose not.”

Shua-nel chewed on the jerky in her hand and nodded.

Choi Ah-yeon and Shua-nel were sitting in front of the firmly closed main gate of the Cult Leader’s Hall.

The Demonic Cult, located in a deep valley called 천산 (*Cheonsan*) in Xinjiang [a region in China] in Murim [the martial arts world], possessed grandeur in itself.

Even in that place, the Cult Leader’s Hall, built in the highest location, was not allowed to be entered.

“They said we could go anywhere, but they’re blocking entry to the Cult Leader’s Hall. It’s heartbreaking. They won’t even let us say a word.”

“Hmm…….”

In front of the Cult Leader’s Hall gate, near the cliff, they could overlook the beautiful scenery of the Demonic Cult at a glance.

Unlike the brutal name of the Demonic Cult (魔敎 *Magyo*), the scenery was exceedingly beautiful.

It had already been two days since they arrived here, but with no particular gain, they were sitting in front of the Cult Leader’s Hall, hoping that the Cult Leader might come outside.

“…….”

Gulp.

Shua-nel, who had chewed and swallowed the jerky, took out her smartphone and waved it around.

The signal still wasn’t working.

The Demonic Cult was closed off, and there was also a barrier in place, so external signals couldn’t penetrate.

Shua-nel didn’t like that, so she was camping out in front of the Cult Leader’s Hall with Choi Ah-yeon to resolve the matter quickly, but it didn’t seem like things would be resolved this way.

“If he doesn’t come out, we’ll have to break in.”

“……?”

At Shua-nel’s words, Choi Ah-yeon looked at her with ominous eyes while sitting down.

And her ominous feeling was correct.

Shua-nel suddenly turned her body and put her hand on the door of the Cult Leader’s Hall.

It was a place where unauthorized persons could not enter, so a dark red, ominous energy spread in all directions.

Shua-nel frowned at the sight, took her hand off for a moment, then reached out again and poured in her magic power.

“With a barrier of only this level!”

And she began to dismantle the barrier piece by piece.

The barrier installed at the entrance of the Cult Leader’s Hall was something she had never seen before, and it was closer to a magical art than magic.

Shua-nel’s magic power dug into the gaps in the magical art and twisted it around.

She poured in her magic power, transforming it in various ways, as if finding the right key for a lock.

How long had she struggled like that? Shua-nel’s magic power poured out like a waterfall, pressing down on the formation, and soon completely released it.

At that moment, the dark red energy pouring out of the door was replaced by Shua-nel’s golden magic power, and the door, which had been tightly closed and not opened, swung open.

“Hoo… Let’s go see the Cult Leader.”

Shua-nel shook off her hands and stepped through the door of the Cult Leader’s Hall into the inner courtyard.

Then, several people appeared from all directions without a sound.

The ones clad in black robes all over their bodies immediately wielded their swords and rushed in to summarily execute anyone who had entered the Cult Leader’s Hall without permission.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

However, they couldn’t reach Shua-nel.

Thanks to Yu Seong-woo’s relentless training, she had become accustomed to combat, and she blocked the attacks by simply gesturing lightly to create a shield.

“If you want that sword to reach me, you’ll have to train for another five hundred years.”

Then, tree roots sprouted through the stones on the floor and entangled them.

The tree roots were as hard as if they were made of iron.

No matter how much they held their swords against them, all they could do was make scratches, so Shua-nel passed by them, who were caught in the air, and continued to move inward.

Choi Ah-yeon, who had been following her side, said in a worried voice.

“I-Is this okay?”

“Of course it’s not okay.”

She hadn’t thoughtlessly committed the unprecedented act of blowing away the main gate of the Cult Leader’s Hall.

Shua-nel knew the aftermath and still carried it out.

She knew that this was a faster way than waiting indefinitely in front of the Cult Leader’s Hall.

“More are coming.”

Three people with a different level of energy than those who had attacked just now.

The three, who flew in from the sky and stopped at a certain distance in front of the two, unleashed an intense energy.

The one standing in front was 흑선무 (*Heukseonmu*) [Black Lineage Warrior], a face they both knew well.

“Since you are guests of the Cult Leader, we will not hold you accountable if you turn around now and leave the Cult Leader’s Hall. But if you try to go further, please know that we will have no choice but to stop you.”

“Then how long are you going to keep us standing outside the Cult Leader’s Hall? Shouldn’t you at least let us know when that precious person will be taking a stroll outside? You little whelp.”

Shua-nel spat out in an angry tone.

After coming to Earth, Shua-nel had evolved into an excellent *kkondae* [older person who is condescending or preachy], so as a 유교 (*Yugyo*) [Confucian] high elf, she added another word.

“Since you’re not thinking of coming out, we’re going in. If an elder has taken a step, you should come out and greet them right away… The hospitality is terrible.”

“…….”

Choi Ah-yeon looked back and forth between Shua-nel and 흑선무 (*Heukseonmu*) with shaking eyes.

The tension was palpable.

It was as if there was a long fuse, and a bomb that could explode at any moment if a fire was lit was right in front of her eyes.

“I don’t know if it’s seclusion or what, but is it that difficult to show your face even once? Subordinates, step aside. We have something to talk about between representatives.”

Choi Ah-yeon was worried that Shua-nel might utter profanity.

Even now, it was precarious, but the moment she spewed out all the curses she had learned in Korea, the situation would flow uncontrollably.

‘I must prevent 천마’s (*Cheonma’s*) parents from becoming Lotte리아 [Lotteria, a fast food chain] ketchup thieves……!’

‘Maybe she’ll become a 경로당 (*gyeongnodang*) [senior center] meddler……!’

Just as Choi Ah-yeon was about to retreat with Shua-nel, a ferocious energy began to flow out from inside the Cult Leader’s Hall.

An energy that overwhelmed the three protectors of the Cult Leader who were blocking the path of the two.

And a hideous voice was heard.

-Open the way.

As soon as the Cult Leader’s voice was heard, the three knelt down and bowed their heads towards the Cult Leader’s Hall.

Then, they said in a slightly resentful voice.

“…We will do so.”

Only after the Cult Leader’s order was given did the protectors open the way for the two.

Shua-nel passed between them with a triumphant expression and spat out.

“You should have done this from the start.”

빠드득 (*Badeudeuk*). [sound of grinding teeth]

The sound of 흑선무’s (*Heukseonmu’s*) teeth grinding could be heard.

It was a very pleasing sound to Shua-nel.

As they entered the Cult Leader’s Hall with leisurely steps, what greeted them was pitch-black darkness.

-Further inside…….

At the voice that was heard, Shua-nel flicked her finger to create a small light source, and a staircase leading to the basement further inside came into view.

That must be where he wants us to go.

Shua-nel fearlessly moved her steps with Choi Ah-yeon and walked down the long staircase.

What was at the end of the stairs was also pitch-black. A powerful darkness that instantly devoured Shua-nel’s light.

As the magic light she was emitting went out, Shua-nel was flustered and tried to scatter the light again, but she failed every time.

This was because the magic to create a small light could not push back the darkness that had arrived in the space.

Shua-nel stopped emitting light, narrowed her eyes, and spread her magic power to grasp the surrounding situation.

And when her magic power reached a figure in the darkness where she couldn’t see even an inch ahead, she couldn’t help but take a step back.

“…Are you human?”

What returned when she touched it with magic power was an intense killing intent.

A huge malice that was not thought to be human.

No answer came to Shua-nel’s question, and a small 검붉은 귀화 (*geom bulgeun gwihwa*) [dark red demon fire] flared up.

“…You are his guests. I apologize for not being able to greet you directly in this state.”

A somewhat shaky voice.

Along with it, what was revealed in the 귀화 (*gwihwa*) was the naked body of a woman.

With Shua-nel and Choi Ah-yeon behind her, only dark red clothes were wrapped around her lower body.

The back of 천마 (*Cheonma*), 흑사향 (*Heuk Sahyang*) [Black Fragrance], revealed in the 귀화 (*gwihwa*), was full of all sorts of scars.

The traces of arduous training and crossing the line between life and death. Choi Ah-yeon swallowed her 침 (*chim*) [saliva], a trace that could not be compared to her own.

Shua-nel, who was looking at such 흑사향 (*Heuk Sahyang*), sat down on the spot and said.

“Do you know what you’re doing right now? You’re straddling the boundary between humans and ghosts. It looks like a special ritual to complete a realm, but I don’t know if we’ll have time to talk…….”

“…As 신기 (*singi*) [divine energy] gathers, we move further forward. Overlapping the past with the present…… It’ll be okay for a moment.”

“Hmm… Anyway, here’s the message. He’s preparing to destroy 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*) [Heavenly Alliance Fortress], so he told me to keep the promise.”

“천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*).”

흑사향 (*Heuk Sahyang*), who heard the name 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*), paused for a moment before continuing.

“The collapse of 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*) is what I’ve been hoping for. Destroying their walls and offering their flesh to the demon god is the only way to soothe the spirits of the dead 교도 (*gyodo*) [cult members]…….”

“Then?”

“However, I cannot cooperate. I want to keep my promise, but I can’t move easily in this state. Is it impossible to postpone the period?”

“That’s impossible. Seong-woo has already infiltrated 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*). He will finish preparing to destroy 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*) in the near future. The Seong-woo I know isn’t stupid, so it won’t take him long to reach the core to destroy.”

The Yu Seong-woo that Shua-nel saw was not a stupid person.

Rather, he was one of the good ones.

He was a person whose body was so good that he didn’t bother to use his head.

Now that he had begun to use his head in earnest, the time to destroy 천맹성채 (*Cheonmaengseongchae*) would come in the near future.

“Seong-woo? Ah, you’re talking about him… It takes a long time to complete the ritual I’m performing now. I won’t be able to make it in time. Instead, I’ll have the protectors…….”

“No. That’s not enough. Seong-woo said that he definitely needs your strength, so he sent me directly to the Demonic Cult. What face would the Cult Leader have if he was missing from the Demonic Cult’s movements?”

“…That’s a valid point. Even so, it is clear that I cannot move. What should I do? Sage of the forest from another world.”

“After coming here, I analyzed what kind of ritual you are performing. Right now, you have one foot in the spirit world.”

Shua-nel said, drawing a picture on the floor with her finger.

The picture she drew is invisible, but the sensation at the tip of her finger remains.

“After connecting the mind and body to the spirit world, you summon the 영성 (*yeongseong*) [spiritual essence] of the past that has a connection and transfer the experience contained in the 영성 (*yeongseong*) to the body. Is this the process of becoming 천마 (*Cheonma*) that you guys are talking about? You’re out of your mind.”

She sighed deeply.

“Looking at the energy flowing out, the 영성 (*yeongseong*) itself is terribly vicious, so it’s a relief that you don’t go crazy after accepting such a thing.”

“You’ve grasped a lot in a short time…….”

As Shua-nel said, 흑사향 (*Heuk Sahyang*) was in a dangerous state.

Right now, she was in a tug-of-war in the consciousness with the 영성 (*yeongseong*) of the past, the previous 천마s (*Cheonmas*).

She would have to accept their experiences and 영성 (*yeongseong*) to be reborn as a true 천마 (*Cheonma*).

Shua-nel continued.

“…That’s why I think I can help. I’ll help you finish the ritual quickly. Then you’ll be able to make it within the deadline.”