Published at 26th of January 2026 9:36 am

Chapter 355

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Right after receiving the Plum Blossom Amulet. I returned to the carriage.

Everything was already prepared, so there was nothing left to do.

"Is it time for us to go now?"

Chun Hye-In asked as soon as we arrived.

I nodded at her question.

"Yes. Let's go."

I said this as I tucked the Plum Blossom Amulet into my chest.

We had been given an additional carriage. Aside from the original one carrying food supplies, we got a separate carriage for the important items.

Inside, I stashed Yu Chun-gil's legacy and a few other things. The Small Moon Division's leader would personally be in charge of the escort.

It was the safest option. Unofficially, the Sword Emperor would also be nearby.

"Bang Sung-Yun."

While I was checking the carriage, Do Hyung approached.

"How's your body?"

"My body? I'm always fine."

I replied as I glanced around Do Hyung. I could still see that spinning light.

"...'Fine', you say."

Do Hyung looked at me with a somewhat skeptical face. I really was fine, so why the look?

Or... maybe I'm not fine?

'My realm improved and all my wounds are healed, so I must be fine.'

Tap-tap. Do Hyung patted my shoulder and then got onto the carriage. Chun Uijin followed and bowed his head.

"Why do I have to..."

From the coachman's seat, I heard a groaning sound.

I turned to look and it was Poison Dragon. He was sitting in the coachman's spot, an expression of discontent on his face.

That's right. We needed an extra coachman for the carriage.

So I made Poison Dragon do it.

"Why..."

Why did a member of a prestigious family have to drive the carriage?

He was pouring out his anguish over this.

"What do you mean why. Just do as you're told."

"..."

At my words, Poison Dragon shut his mouth. If he didn't like it, he could leave. There were no other options.

Grinding his teeth, Poison Dragon still grabbed the reins. Turned out he was pretty good at it when I made him do it last time.

Creak.

Once everyone had boarded the carriages, I scanned the surroundings. The leaves had fallen on Mount Hua, and I could see disciples looking at us from all directions.

There were many emotions in those gazes. As I met their eyes one by one

Poke, poke.

Someone came up and poked my arm. It was Yu Yun.

"Oh, you came."

"..."

Yu Yun nodded. She had decided to come on this trip to Henan because of the will left by Sung Hun. He specifically said to bring Yu Yun along to return the Black Robe. That was why she was coming.

"Get on board."

Just get in for now. At that, Yu Yun just stared at me instead of answering. What's this? Why is she not going and just staring?

"What? You have something to say?"

She shook her head at that. She fidgeted awkwardly, her hands moving restlessly.

What is she really doing?

I looked at her questioningly.

Swish.

Suddenly, she grabbed the tip of my fingers. What's this?

She didn't grab my whole handjust the fingertips. Then she shook them a bit.

"... What are you doing? Did you get something on your hand?"

Was she wiping something off? If so, why wipe it on my clothes and not hers?

As I gave her a puzzled look

Swish.

She let go of my hand.

Then she got into the carriage. What...? Was I imagining things?

Her face, heading for the carriage, almost looked like she was smiling.

"What the...?"

Why is she being so weird? I flicked my fingers.

Was the whole group aboard now? That thought crossed my mind.

'... Now then.'

There was still one important matter left.

'What should I do about Ghost Demon?'

I had to meet Ghost Demon. Should I set aside some time before we depart? Or

'Should I just move?'

Even if I left now, Ghost Demon would probably handle things himself. If he needed me, he'd show some kind of reaction. Since he could easily come and go from Mount Hua, he'd probably know I was leaving, too.

'That's for the best.'

Instead of delaying things any further, it was better to just get moving. Judging so, I was about to board the carriage, when

"Is it time for you to get in now?"

A voice sounded right next to me. Instinctively, I turned to look

A woman I'd never seen before was smiling at me.

She had a gentle aura and was extremely beautiful.

"Who are you?"

Who is she? I'd never seen her before.

She looked at me with a bright face and beamed even more brightly.

"I really wanted to see you."

"..."

What was she saying? Wanting to see me?

"Do we know each other?"

I studied her as I spoke. It wasn't Mount Hua's uniform. She wore simple black clothing with no special features.

Who could she be?

Who is she?

As I wondered,

"We do know each other."

the woman answered.

Because you are the one I respect most in this world.

"..."

Chills ran down my spine at the sound transmission that followed. The voice was strangely familiar.

'... Ghost Demon?'

Could the woman in front of me be Ghost Demon? This woman is Ghost Demon?

'... What?'

Some kind of disguise technique? I'd never heard of a disguise this thorough. To perfectly transform into the opposite gender at that!

I thought this appearance would put you more at ease if we traveled together.

Do you like it?

I didn't know what exactly I was supposed to like, but it was definitely shocking.

It really was Ghost Demon. That foreboding man in the form of this beautiful woman.

While examining her appearance, I glanced sideways at the carriage.

The Small Moon Division leader and Sword Emperor were there. They didn't seem to have noticed Ghost Demon at all, just like last time.

'Ghost Demon...'

can even fool Heaven Beyond Heaven-level warriors.

He probably used some trick to keep them from noticing his presence. Either that, or his stealth was just extremely refined.

This... Ah.

Yu Chun-gil's voice trembled. It was because of Ghost Demon's appearance. That too confirmed to me that the woman truly was Ghost Demon.

'So,'

Ghost Demon's intention now was

'...to stay by my side in this form?'

It must mean he intended to travel with me as a woman.

"..."

I stared at Ghost Demon silently.

She smiled at me again. She really was stunning. Ho could disguise arts achieve this? I couldn't help but gape at how impressive it was.

"Moon Hero...!"

Yeo Hyuk appeared.

"I think this is our last chance, so I came to say goodbye... Hm?"

Yeo Hyuk stopped mid-sentence. He'd noticed the woman beside me. Did he realize the truth? His reaction looked like...

"Th-this beautiful young lady, who is she?"

Ah, I see.

'He's just smitten.'

I almost sighed at Yeo Hyuk's reddened face.

Well... Taoist or not, he's still a man.

Though, shouldn't he be attracted to men, then?

"... How can someone be so beautiful...?"

Ghost Demon's face really was beyond gender.

While Yeo Hyuk stared at Ghost Demon with wonder,

"What are you staring at?"

Ghost Demon said, her eyes chillingly cold toward Yeo Hyuk.

"Ah, no... um... sorry."

"Hmph."

She answered tartly. Knowing what was really going on, it felt odd.

"... Uh."

How should I introduce her? There wasn't time to think for long, so I quickly spoke.

"... She's my attendant."

"Attendant? Since when do you have an attendant...?"

"I hired someone since the schedule was tight. She'll be coming with us on this journey."

"Oh..."

He looked deeply disappointed. If she's not an attendant, then what, Yeo Hyuk?

'... Attendant, huh.'

I made up an excuse, but who knows how this will play out.

Could I really just bring Ghost Demon along as an attendant? Would Ghost Demon even accept that role? Just then

To serve you... my heart races more than anything.

"..."

I guess I didn't have to worry about that side of things.

***

Contrary to my concerns, bringing Ghost Demon along wasn't much trouble at all. Maybe because I said I'd hired her, nobody was suspicious.

Or was it?

Rather than because of my words

"I am Bi Yeon-so from Gyeryong Merchant Guild. It's an honor to be hired."

Ghost Demon had perfectly prepared a fake name and background.

This person... must've expected I would call her an attendant.

Or else...

'Maybe he prepared for any story I'd tell.'

If that was the case, he was a truly scary person.

'Tsk.'

A servant's background.

Gyeryong Merchant Guild really did exist, and was known for providing servants. As I explained that I had hired someone from there for the coming trip, people just nodded.

Even if they were unconvinced, I was ready to just force it through. Why did they all accept it so readily?

Just as I was having that thought, Chun Hye-In spoke to me.

"You'll just do whatever you want anyway, right. As usual."

"..."

That kind of stung. Her last words especially felt bitter.

She must mean that I always do whatever I want. I couldn't deny it; I had caused some incidents.

At any rate

That was how Bi Yeon-soGhost Demonended up accompanying us.

Time passed like that.

But

'Why is she so good at this?'

Ghost Demon did much better than I expected. "Multitalented" didn't even begin to cover it. From cooking to managing ingredients, she handled everythingalmost flawlessly.

It was like she had been an attendant her whole life, or had done other jobs before. Just her presence elevated the travel experience.

Even the aloof Chun Hye-In ended up complimenting her as impressive.

Of course, if she knew that inside, "Bi Yeon-so" was just an old man in disguise, her reaction might change...

'If there's any issue...'

... Direct...

It was that I couldn't easily talk to Yu Chun-gil anymore. Maybe because Ghost Demon was there, my communication with Yu Chun-gil kept getting cut off.

I had to distance myself from the group to even converse. I'd have to find some solution for it. Still, not hearing the noisy old man all the time was sort of a bonus.

Ch... you... rat...

Even curses like that barely made it through.

After Ghost Demon joined us, time passed, and before I knew it the seasons changed.

"... We've arrived."

We reached our starting point: Henan.

Most importantly, we arrived at the Murim Alliance headquarters.

***

After arriving at the Alliance, we couldn't even unpack our bags.

As soon as word spread that I had arrived, people showed up.

"We'll escort you."

They said 'escort', but really they just dragged me away. Unsurprisingly, my destination was Heavenly Insight's residence.

"You're here."

"... Have you been well?"

Heavenly Insight stared at me.

"Do I look okay to you?"

"No."

I was being honest. Anyone could see he looked utterly exhausted.

"You must've had it rough."

"It was ordinary. Looks like you've been through much more."

"It just turned out that way."

I shrugged. We didn't exchange any deep greetings.

We weren't that kind of relationship.

"All right."

Putting the letter aside, Heavenly Insight asked,

"Did you bring a way to save Divine Spear?"

"..."

Did I bring a way, even though Divine Physician Sung Hun was dead?

After a brief pause, I answered.

"Yes."

"..."

Heavenly Insight's eyebrows shot up.

A way.

There was one.

Even though all hope should have died with Sung Hun, surprisingly, there was one remaining method. It wasn't a certainty, but it was the only possible way.

"I'll heal him myself."

"... What?"

Heavenly Insight's expression twisted at my words.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

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