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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: To Chang'an
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As the Qinghai branch was finally settling into place, a messenger pigeon arrived from the Lower Five Gates headquarters.
"This looks like a letter addressed to you, sir."
The envelope bore the sect leader's seal on the outside. But rather than an official order, it felt more like a personal note, so they naturally assumed it was meant for me.
I tore open the envelope right away and read through the contents.
'To the great hero Yi Sowol, Azure Righteous Sword.
It's been a while, sir. I hope you've been well.
I know you can handle any situation that comes your way, but I can't help worrying anyway.
As you mentioned before, I've passed on the Demonic Cult's movements to the Murim Alliance.
The Alliance immediately began investigating the matter and, recognizing its gravity, has announced the Dragon Phoenix Tournament.
News that this tournament is open to any skilled warrior regardless of sect has drawn attention from all corners.
It will commence in one month, in Chang'an of Shaanxi Province.
Details will be delivered through the agents dispatched to Xining. They should arrive around the same time as this letter.
I eagerly await the day we meet again and sincerely pray for your success in the martial world.'
The handwriting was unmistakably Baek Eunhwa's. It was her long-standing habit not to write her real name, out of concern for loss or theft.
Suddenly, a deep sense of longing washed over me.
Knock knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's Haun. Agents from the Lower Five Gates headquarters have arrived and are looking for Young Hero Azure Righteous Sword."
No sooner had I finished the letter than Haun came with news of the agents' arrival. Their timing was astonishingly precise.
"Shall I bring them?"
"No, I'll go myself."
I followed Haun's lead to greet the agents. At the end of the hallway, I opened the door to the reception room, where familiar faces awaited.
"Pleased to meet you. You've likely heard from the sect leader, but I am Yi Sowol, leader of the escort unit's Fifth Squad."
Five women with perfectly identical faces turned to look at me in unison. Their black hair was the same length, and even their heights and builds were indistinguishable.
Their stoic expressions betrayed no emotion, and their movements were perfectly synchronized—they were like five versions of the same person.
"Pleased to meet you. We are Special Task Force Unit One from the Lower Five Gates' Black Moon Squad, also known as the Phantom Group. Please address all five of us as Flower Shadow."
These were the ones who had helped me countless times back in my past life when I led the Black Moon Squad.
The Lower Five Gates' elite unit, capable of infiltration, intelligence gathering, escort duties, and even assassinations.
It felt good to see them again, always stepping up for the toughest missions without fail.
"What orders did the sect leader give you?"
"Our first task is to ensure you reach Chang'an safely. Afterward, we will remain in Xining to protect Young Lady Wolhyang."
They had been dispatched to fulfill the promise to safeguard my little sister.
An overly conspicuous guard detail would draw unwanted attention to Wolhyang, who was just a village girl. That's why they sent these masters of covert operations.
And dispatching a special task force for what was essentially just an escort? I'd have to thank the sect leader personally for that.
"We've prepared a carriage for a comfortable journey to Chang'an. One of us will accompany you, but if you wish, we can assign more."
"No need. One companion will suffice. Just take good care of Wolhyang."
With that, all preparations were complete.
"When would you like to depart?"
"Tomorrow, first thing. Is that possible?"
"Of course."
Now I would truly step into the heart of the martial world.
The battlefield rife with filthy, ugly schemes—the very place where my past self had plunged headfirst.
But this time would be different.
In this life, I would change everything.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Are you leaving?"
As I stepped out the door, Haun was waiting for me.
"Yeah, it's time to leave Xining behind."
He still didn't know I'd been born and raised here, so he probably thought I was just passing through briefly.
"How can you dump such a heavy responsibility on me and just take off?"
"That's exactly why I'm leaving. You've got this now, right?"
Xining's peace would hold even without me. There were people here willing to lay down their lives to protect it.
Haun's eyes reddened unusually. The kid was actually touched.
"What about all the backlog if you disappear? That squad leader of mine will surely eat me alive. Please, have mercy and save me before you go."
Just as I was starting to feel moved myself, Haun grabbed me and launched into a nonstop lament about his plight.
Of course. As if I'd ever get a touching moment.
Thwack.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
"You punk, don't you even worry about the guy who's suddenly leaving?"
"You'll pull it off, no problem."
Haun stared straight into my eyes. Cheeky bastard, not even knowing why I'm going.
"I'll be waiting for your safe return."
But those honest eyes weren't so bad.
"Yeah, I'll be back."
I headed straight to find Wolhyang.
I was leaving tomorrow with no idea when I'd return, so there was much to say.
It was around the time she usually went shopping, so a quick stroll through the market led me right to her with Taeu.
As I approached, the sharp Taeu spotted me first and waved, running over.
"Sowol! What brings you here?"
I opened my mouth, then hesitated.
For some reason, the words wouldn't come.
"Oppa, is something wrong?"
Wolhyang looked puzzled and spoke up.
"How about we talk over some food?"
I changed the subject hastily. I hadn't done anything wrong, so why was my tongue so tied?
"...You're leaving?"
Without a word from me, Wolhyang replied as if she already knew.
"Yeah, tomorrow."
I'd mentioned someday leaving before, so she must have read it from my expression that the time was now.
"Huh? What? Leaving? Why?"
Taeu, on the other hand, stared at me in disbelief.
"I've got some business in Chang'an."
"You'll be back soon, right? Right?"
Taeu's hand trembled as she clutched my sleeve. Her eyes, unaccustomed to parting, shook.
"Honestly, I don't know when I'll return. Could be months, could be years."
"You have to go?"
Unlike her, Wolhyang remained calm.
"It's something I must do."
"If Oppa says so, then okay. I'll wait here."
Your face was just like this when you saw me off to the battlefield every day in my past life.
I know now that your calm facade hid a desire not to worry me.
Her words were touching, yet they weighed heavily on my chest.
"I'll go with you."
Taeu looked ready to burst into tears.
"Taeu, you need to stay here and watch over Wolhyang."
I couldn't leave my sister alone. Taeu knew that too.
"So, I'd just be a hindrance if I followed?"
That's why she wore such a pained expression.
"Yeah, exactly."
Seeing no sign of her backing down, I planned to shock her into staying with harsh words.
Taeu finally broke, tears spilling out.
Before I could stop her, she bolted and vanished from sight.
"That was harsh, Oppa."
"No choice. If I didn't, she'd have snuck after us."
"Aren't you going after Taeu-unnie?"
"Better to let her be alone for now. She needs time to think."
She'd lived alone so long. Partings weren't easy for her.
Being separated from her first family was more painful than expected.
But it was something she had to overcome eventually. And the way to master parting was always found within oneself.
All I could do was trust and wait.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Taeu didn't show up until dawn the next day.
"Oppa, don't get hurt. Come back safe."
With Wolhyang's farewell, I headed to the Azure Cloud Pavilion.
At the main gate, Flower Shadow of the Phantom Group waited with the carriage.
"You've arrived, sir."
I still couldn't tell which of the five she was, judging by appearance alone.
"Yes. Is this the carriage to Chang'an?"
The carriage had no flashy decorations, blending in with any ordinary one.
Yet the sturdy wood and craftsmanship marked it as a top-quality product, specially made.
True to the Lower Five Gates, they disguised valuables as commonplace.
"Yes. I'll handle the driving, so please rest easy."
Her mission included my protection, no doubt.
Turning down her offer outright would only hinder her.
"Thanks. I'll leave it to you."
For me, more time for training was welcome.
Training in a moving carriage meant little more than circulating qi, but for this body—lacking inner energy despite my insights—it was more than enough.
I boarded the carriage and silently gazed at Xining's streets through the window.
Right after regressing, I felt no nostalgia for this place. I'd thought, damn it, back to this hellhole of a hometown.
But now, leaving, memories of my time here surfaced warmly, one by one.
I'd finally gained tender moments to cherish as my own hometown.
The days called Azure Righteous Sword, wandering markets with Wolhyang, meeting Taeu.
Lost in reminiscence, we soon reached Xining's east gate.
And there stood Taeu, waiting for me.
"Hold up. Stop the carriage."
I jumped down hurriedly and walked slowly toward her.
"Still thinking of following?"
Taeu shook her head, then lifted her gaze to meet mine directly.
"I'll devote myself to training from now on. I'll get strong enough not to hold you back. So come back for sure."
That was her answer, born of courage to face herself—a choice my past self never made.
Her steadfast eyes stood before me as always.
"Of course. Next time, I'll drag you along whether you like it or not, so train hard."
I'd return to Xining when war with the Demonic Cult erupted. By then, she'd have to fight whether she wanted to or not.
If this parting fueled her drive to grow stronger, it could become the lifeline that saves her life later.
"I will. I'll do my best."
I extended my hand to the smiling Taeu.
At Xining's edge, we took the same first step as before.
The direction differed, but knowing our paths would converge someday, we clasped hands and smiled.