LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 172
“Cough.”
“…I will take good care of Miss Seo-ryeon.”
Even if she keeps giving me that disapproving look… I glanced at Seo-ryeon sitting next to me.
Upon making eye contact, Seo-ryeon smiled then said to the Alliance Leader,
“Father, I understand you’re worried, but how could any rash person dare to touch me with Great Hero Wi here to protect me?”
“Hmm, even so, it’s risky to move about without an escort…”
“If you’re really worried, I’ll take So-so along.”
“Will just one suffice?”
“Father, with a martial artist who can fight you at my side, what could possibly happen?”
“Hmph…Young man, if even a single scratch marks my daughter’s body, be prepared.”
“That won’t happen.”
It’s not like some lunatic’s going to charge at me for no reason.
I don’t exactly have any grudges, and even if I did, the Demonic Sect can’t just attack me wherever I go.
And to attack me and gain any meaningful advantage, they’d need to use all sorts of means, which would attract a lot of attention from the Martial Alliance. So unless someone wants to commit suicide, there shouldn’t be any trouble.
…Of course, there are a lot of crazy people in the world, but at my level, I can crush even the toughest lunatic.
“I’ll be extra careful.”
“…Daughter, please be safe on this trip.”
“…Don’t worry, Father. I’m an adult now.”
“That’s not it… Cough. Never mind.”
Even a life-and-death duel wouldn’t feel as tense as this.
Once again realizing how much the Alliance Leader cherishes his daughter, I stood up from my seat.
“Well then, I’ll get ready to set off.”
“Father, I’ll see you later.”
“Safe travels.”
We left the Alliance Leader’s office.
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“Thankfully, Miss Seo-ryeon knows how to ride a horse.”
“I learned as a child, but to be honest, I’m not that familiar with it.”
“You’ll get the hang of it again quickly. Riding isn’t that difficult.”
“Um, Eun-gong, if I were to ride a separate horse…”
“Don’t overexert yourself when you haven’t fully recovered yet.”
Where do you think you’re running off to? I pulled the body of Mok-kyeong who was seated in front of me close against mine. With no way to escape, Mok-kyeong’s face turned as red as an apple, causing Seo-ryeon nearby to giggle.
“Miss Mok-kyeong is quite adorable.”
“To the point where I feel my position is slightly threatened!”
Hye-ryeong, what do you mean by that?
“Eun-gong, you’re too close…”
“How do you expect to survive until we reach the Chengtian Caravan if you act like this already?”
It’s going to be a pretty long journey.
“Relax.”
“…Understood…”
Well, that’s settled. Keeping an eye on Eun-gong riding the horse, I turned my gaze towards Hye-ryeong.
“Do you remember? Don’t run too fast or you’ll get hurt—especially since the horse is small and weak, you might injure it severely if you push too hard.”
“I understand!”
“As for Miss Seo-ryeon… Hmm. I trust you’ll do well.”
Since she’s the one who lives the most comfortably around here, she should manage.
But apparently, something about my statement didn’t sit well with her. Pouting slightly, she opened her mouth.
“I appreciate your trust, but I’d also like to be fretted over.”
“Then I’ll just bow down deeply.”
“Uncle, sometimes you just have to humor them.”
“…Miss Seo-ryeon, is this long journey your first time traveling?”
“I’m fine.”
“Miss…”
“Quiet, So-so.”
“Yes.”
I looked upon the shrunken form of Seo-ryeon’s bodyguard with pity before casting my gaze forward again.
“Finally, let’s double-check if we’ve forgotten anything before we set off.”
We checked our luggage one last time. Our baggage consisted of blankets for sleeping, a small amount of provisions, and a money pouch. Finishing the check, I looked at Seo-ryeon.
Since this kind of trip is rare for her, it wouldn’t be strange if she had forgotten something.
“Nothing missing.”
“Miss, did you bring clothes to change into…?”
“…We could buy some along the way, couldn’t we?”
“Changing clothes during a trip isn’t the best choice.”
No wonder, given that she’s the daughter of someone of high standing.
“I’ll go fetch some clothes.”
“…Avoid flashy outfits.”
“Yes!”
I cast a sympathetic glance towards the bodyguard who disappeared into the distance.
“…So, it seems we’re bringing clothing.”
“Loose clothing with good mobility would be ideal—around three sets should be fine.”
“Is that why your bags seemed so small?”
“In the end, the young miss is still inexperienced with the ways of the world.”
It sounds like it’s going to be more troublesome.
“Back already, Miss.”
She was fast.
I watched as the bodyguard swiftly tied the bag of clothes to the saddle before gripping the reins.
“Attention everyone! Our goal today is to reach the Xian Road. Sleeping outside in winter isn’t the best choice.”
“Yes!”
“And it’s advisable for all of you to circulate your inner energy around your bodies to prevent the cold from affecting you. While autumn winds can be endured without any special measures, winter winds aren’t that forgiving.”
Though we aren’t in an extremely cold region, winter is still winter.
Getting sick unnecessarily would be inconvenient, so giving this warning seemed prudent.
“Finally, are everyone’s preparations complete?”
“Yes!”
“Ready.”
“Yes… Yes…”
“Then let’s go!”
Kicking my heels lightly against the horse’s flank, I rode forward.
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“Traveling with a small group feels refreshingly new.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. It used to feel stifling moving together with dozens of people each time.”
Well, with good reason since she’s one of the most important figures of the righteous sect. Diverting my gaze from Seo-ryeon who was waxing lyrical, I glanced at Hye-ryeon who was rubbing her rear.
Noticing my gaze, Hye-ryeon gave an awkward smile and said,
“My bottom hurts from sitting so long…”
“Stick it out just a bit longer. We’ll dismount soon and the ride isn’t so bad for us. Don’t act like that here.”
If I did it, no one would take any notice, but if you do, it’ll draw everyone’s gaze that way.
Understanding my meaning, Hye-ryeon giggled and stroked the horse’s head while pulling the reins.
“Come on, let’s go~”
After entrusting our horses to the stables, we entered an inn. As usual, people’s gazes were drawn to us, and somewhere in the vicinity, the title “Sword Lion Hero” was heard.
Is being a celebrity like this wherever you go?
We took a seat and ordered some food, enjoying random chatter. Since we weren’t going to play Mahjong or anything, there wasn’t much else we could do.
“How’s your physical condition, Mok-kyeong?”
“I’m fine.”
“Your internal injuries aren’t fully healed, so speak up if anything feels off.”
“Yes…thank you, Eun-gong.”
“Great Hero Wi seems to care attentively for those around him.”
At Seo-ryeon’s sudden comment, I turned to look at her.
She smirked when our eyes met.
“If I don’t care for the ones who followed me, then who would?”
“Oh mother, does that mean you’ll care for me too?”
“I believe I’ve cared enough when we set off.”
“Ah, you’re right.”
“How did your travel go today?”
“It was refreshing! I don’t get the chance to ride a horse at full speed very often.”
“You’ll find it boring later on. After all, traveling is usually a continuous period of boredom.”
“That’s true. At first, everything feels amazing but eventually, everything becomes mundane.”
From the side, Hye-ryeon fidgeted and added her two cents,
“They all get to be the same after a while.”
That’s true.
There’s nothing one can’t become accustomed to in this world.
Even if it’s hell itself.
“Your meal has arrived! Please enjoy!”
Surely, what kind of cuisine awaits us here at this inn? As I picked up my chopsticks, everyone else followed suit.
I picked up the most appetizing piece of meat marinated in sauce and popped it into my mouth.
Mmm, it’s sweet and delicious.
Enjoying the meal, I kept my ears open.
Not only for casual conversation but also to gather rumors.
Most rumors might be useless, but you never know when some valuable tidbit might come by.
“Hasn’t Chengtian Caravan been causing some internal unrest lately?”
“Don’t even start, we’re dealing with them, and things have become quite tangled.”
“Still, it should get resolved soon. I heard from my friend’s cousin’s younger brother that they’ve hired an incredible martial artist.”
“An incredible martial artist…what kind?”
“Don’t interrupt. It’s a martial artist ranked among the hundred top martial artists of the martial realm.”
“Come again, how could Chengtian Caravan get someone like that…?”
“Isn’t money all it takes? And the martial artist probably has his own set of circumstances.”
“That’s true. So, who might it be? This top martial artist?”
“It’s said that it’s none other than the Seven Star Sword King.”
“The Seven Star Sword King? Why would he be with Chengtian Caravan…”
“While it’s not set in stone yet, there’s someone who claims to have seen him there, so it should be reliable, no?”
…Seven Star Sword King?
What’s the Seven Star Sword King doing involved here?
Taken aback by the unexpected appearance of this figure, I rested my forehead in my hand.
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