Chapter 70 "Yeonwu?"
"Forget that name. I momentarily mistook you for someone else."
"Yeonwu?"
"…A past connection that no longer matters."
Then why call me by that name?
Yeo Il refused to let it pass and persisted.
"Yeonwu—family?"
An unmistakably displeased sigh escaped him.
What could he do? He had made the mistake first and revealed an unsightly weakness. Such weaknesses were meant to be used.
Bang Woo set Yeo Il down and answered with resignation.
"Not family. Yeonwu was… the name Wolgeom Ilsal used while infiltrating Mount Hua."
"Similar to me?"
"..."
"Truly similar? In what way?"
Pressed by her hoarse, grating voice, Bang Woo hurriedly tried to stop her.
"Preserve your voice."
"I am sorry. It is unpleasant to hear, is it not?"
"Ha… that is not what I meant."
"Then tell me what is similar."
"..."
"It unsettles me."
She needed to know in order not to repeat the same mistake.
Just when it seemed he would refuse to answer, his reply came sooner than expected.
"That very trait is similar. Gentle, yet resolute."
For a fleeting moment, she reflected.
Was I? Even now?
"Clapping your hands to snap someone back to their senses as well. Maintaining composure in both trivial and grave matters… and not being uncomfortable around me."
"To remember such details one by one. That assassin must have used you quite skillfully, Daoist."
It was not praise.
A self-mocking laugh escaped Bang Woo. It was the first laughter she had heard from him since their reunion.
"You are correct. But do not take offense. There are clear differences as well."
"Of course. I lack the scar, for one."
"Your frame is superior. That may be why you weigh more."
Was that meant as a compliment?
Of course I would. I underwent rebirth through marrow cleansing.
He must have thought her heavy, even if he did not show it. Still, he had not staggered. Acceptable.
"Cough, cough."
However, she deliberately coughed to reinforce the impression of frailty. That was necessary.
Namgung Soyo, blessed with a martial physique? Impossible.
To avoid drawing attention, she had consciously hunched her shoulders and moved listlessly.
"Have you no intention of learning martial arts?"
Oblivious fool.
He proposed the path of a martial artist to the frail Namgung Soyo.
"My brothers would forbid it. I collapse or fall ill at the slightest thing."
"A pity."
He sounded genuinely regretful, which made her shake her head.
"If you ever change your mind, I would gladly help—"
His somewhat awkward goodwill was cut short by a faint scream.
Neither near nor far. It sounded like a cry forced out at the brink of urgency.
After a brief silence, Yeo Il asked as though unaware.
"What is it?"
"A woman's scream."
"Then we should help."
She extended both arms, meaning to be carried.
Though startled, Bang Woo lifted her and spoke with concern.
"Are you certain? If you prefer, I can take you to Namgung Hui-myeong first, though it may take time. It could be dangerous."
Not go to Namgung Hui-myeong, but if you prefer.
So like him.
Regardless, saving the one who screamed took precedence.
"A tragedy might occur in that time. You will protect me, Daoist."
"…You are truly brave."
"Is that also similar to Wolgeom Ilsal?"
"I apologize. I shall not mention Wolgeom Ilsal again, so cease tormenting me."
Yeo Il understood Bang Woo well enough to notice that his attitude toward her had grown visibly more at ease than on the first day.
They arrived outside the Murim Alliance grounds.
A ruin stood along the slope leading up the mountain.
Bang Woo set her down.
"Follow behind me slowly, Miss."
Nod.
"Remember this. Absolutely do not leave my side."
Nod.
Within the ruins came the sound of someone struggling.
Looking inside, they saw a woman bound to a wooden pillar, her eyes and mouth gagged.
Bang Woo rushed forward and untied the ropes restraining her.
"Are you well?"
"Ah! Ahh! Th-thank goodness! You came to save me!"
"Do not move. There is a wound near your neck. I will stop the bleeding first."
"Thank you, thank you… I am so grateful you came…."
The woman collapsed onto the ground, weeping. Then she trembled violently and clutched Bang Woo's arm.
"Th-this is not the time! We must flee before he returns!"
"He? What occurred?"
"I do not know… A man suddenly threatened me and told me to wait here quietly… that he needed my f-face!"
"Your face?"
Face.
A bad feeling.
Yeo Il stepped slightly away and subtly lifted her eyelids.
Indeed, there was a wound encircling the woman's throat—thin, as though a cord had been drawn tight in threat of strangulation.
"Sniff… He said he would tear it off. Not anything else—my face! Said I would be his hundredth collection, so I should rejoice…."
A human face.
A collection.
An old name surfaced naturally.
Cheonmyeon Magwi.
Alongside Wolgeom Ilsal and Jeokryong Heukdo, one of Salmak's Three Calamities.
"…Surely not."
Bang Woo must have reached the same conclusion.
It was an obvious chain of causality.
Wolgeom Ilsal had just thrown everything into chaos, and now Cheonmyeon Magwi?
He asked the woman gravely,
"How long have you been bound here?"
"Not long."
"Do you know where the assailant went?"
"Th-that I do not…."
"I will remain here to capture him. You go at once to the Murim Alliance and report the situation."
The woman recoiled in alarm and shook her head.
"What? B-but I am afraid! He said he would tear off my face! What if he returns? Please help me… please."
Bang Woo hesitated, then nodded.
"Lady Namgung, escort this woman to the Murim Alliance and seek assistance immediately."
He naturally lifted Yeo Il, preparing to run.
Yeo Il nodded silently, yet a singular discomfort filled her mind.
Unpleasant.
Why?
The woman was clearly a stranger—ordinary in every regard.
There was no reason for Yeo Il to feel any personal sentiment toward her.
If there was a cause—
"Um… excuse me, but could you carry me on your back? My legs have no strength. I cannot walk at all. I am truly a burden, am I not? I am sorry…."
It was déjà vu.
Yes, déjà vu.
Yeo Il felt something she should not feel toward a stranger.
She fixed all five senses upon the woman.
From experience, this woman would certainly cause trouble.
Still, it was not something she could not prevent.
For now, she decided to observe.
Perhaps she could even turn it to her advantage.
Whenever she entertained such thoughts—misfortune tended to follow.
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