I Didn’t Say I Am Going Yet! (2)

Hyun Hee continued to sigh.

Lying on the straw-covered ground, she was reminiscing about yesterday’s events.

It wasn’t a significant occurrence, but it all felt like a dream to her.

She had enjoyed good food, washed up, and even had a bit of freedom to roam around. She couldn’t forget the sweetness of that experience.

‘…I want to go out.’

This was the only thought on her mind.

She felt afraid that she would be trapped in this small prison all her life. At that moment, she, who had been lying down, suddenly got up. It was because the person she had been waiting for had arrived.

“Did you have a good rest?”

Hyun Hee’s face lit up as she looked at Yu Jinsan.

“Yes…”

Unlike the first time, she spoke confidently, and Yu Jinsan sat on a chair on the other side and looked at her.

“I don’t know when I would come again. So if you have anything to say, speak now.”

Last night, he quietly told her that she could enjoy this treatment. He offered her a deal. Even so, it was something she had to think about overnight.

Although it had nothing to do with the bandits, there had to be something related. Then there was just one thing.

‘Martial arts.’

Hyun Hee felt troubled by that.

It wasn’t just about the treatment here.

This was because the times she spent back in the Wudang Sect came flooding back to her.

The history of allowing a female Taoist to join the Wudang wasn’t a common tradition. And why was that? Despite her outstanding qualifications, she was often ignored by her seniors and elders and constantly ostracized.

Looking back, she didn’t have many good memories, and she constantly felt ashamed as to why she had to endure such pain.

So she made up her mind and gently said,

“That… If you let me free, I will teach you one of the sword techniques of Wudang.”

Each and every technique of the Wudang sect was worth thousands of coins. She was going to reveal one of those to the bandits. If the people of Murim heard this, they would faint right there.

But Yu Jinsan just smiled.

“The Wudang Sect’s sword technique… would that be acceptable? If the Taoists discover this, you will be excommunicated from the sect. They might even kill you.”

“I would prefer that to be locked up in here until I die.”

This was the best she could come up with after a night of contemplation.

“I understand your feelings. Then, this deal is sealed.”

Yu Jinsan clapped his hands twice, and the bandits came in to release her chains.

Hyun Hee, feeling free again, couldn’t conceal her smile.

“What could be more joyful than regaining lost freedom? Now, follow me.”

Yu Jinsan led her to a clean cabin that had just been built.

A clean wooden couch, a small table and various household items were scattered around. It had everything she would need.

“This place?”

“A small gift for you, child. You will never have to enter the prison again, so use this place from now on.”

“Thank you.”

Expressing gratitude to the bandits felt somewhat awkward for her, but she tried not to show it.

“Please rest here for a while. It would be nice if you could come out to the yard around sunset.”

“I see.”

After Yu Jin left, she was left alone to lie in her own bed. It felt like a dream, as if she had moved from a small prison to a manor.

There were numerous guards and they were all vigilant, so she wouldn’t be able to escape, but the opportunity would surely present itself eventually. There was no need to rush.

And so, she took a short nap.

Thud! Thud!

Someone was at her door.

When she opened it, she saw a bandit holding a cup of tea.

“This is red tea. Please give it a try.”

Hyun Hee was handed the teacup while she was still uncertain.

“Why are you doing this…?”

“Because you are a precious guest to our bandit leader, who asked us to take good care of you. From now on, you will be served tea three times a day. I will be in the room to the left, so let me know if you need anything.”

“…”

The bandits had returned, and she sat at the table, shocked. Moments later, she sipped her tea.

‘Has the entire group gone insane?’

She couldn’t comprehend it, but it didn’t feel unpleasant. It was just an unfamiliar sensation.

In a single day, she had transitioned from a captive to a cherished guest.

By the time she finished her tea, a bandit returned.

Thud! Thud!

This time, there were two of them, and they had brought a long table laden with delicious food.

“It’s mealtime. You can eat as much as you want and leave the rest. We will return in an hour to clean up.”

“Th-thank you.”

She decided not to overthink the situation. Clearing her mind, she began to eat.

She had never been treated like this by the Wudang.

This felt odd, but it was as if she were a Princess in the Imperial Palace.

After the meal, she went for a walk outside.

‘The bandits seem to be excellent cooks.’

Feeling full, she felt better. As she strolled with light steps, she came upon the bandits’ small training ground.

About a hundred bandits were practicing martial arts, their shirts off.

She couldn’t help but smile at the sight. There were so many people that she couldn’t laugh outright.

Then, someone noticed her.

“The instructor has arrived!”

The bandits all lined up before her as if they were trained soldiers. They brought their legs together and placed their right hand over their left chest—a salute typically given by military personnel to their superiors.

Chak! Chak!

She felt so bewildered that her face turned red.

At that moment, the bandit leader approached her.

He was there to return the Wudang Sect’s sword they had taken from her. Since Yu Jinsan was also present, they didn’t have to worry about her escaping.

“If it’s alright, I would like to seek guidance.”

Hyun Hee accepted the sword, but everything felt too surreal for her.

The bandit leader had bowed to her, and these strong men were watching her with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

When had she ever felt like this? Unconsciously, she was flattered.

“Then… take a careful look. This is the sword technique of Wudang.”

Her left foot took a step. Simultaneously, the tip of her sword, moving like a wave, changed direction and began to trace the taiji symbol.

The curve of the slowly moving sword quickened, creating a unique motion.

The sword technique continued for several minutes. The moment it ended, the bandits applauded in unison.

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

“Truly the best!”

The bandits acted as if they had been prepped in advance. But their admiration was half sincere. This was because their sword technique was as different from that of Wudang as heaven was from earth.

Hyun Hee’s mood was already elevated, so much so that she forgot she was in a hostile environment.

“It’s called the Troubleless Sword technique. It’s a basic technique of the Wudang Sect, but if the basics are solid and you successfully execute it, you cannot be defeated by other sword techniques.”

Her sword hit the ground and then rose to the sky. It rotated in circles, releasing a terrifying wind.

Pang!

And the bandits of the Black Mountain Blade tried to imitate her movements.

Perhaps because it was their first time, they felt extremely awkward about it.

“Kuak!”

“Ack!”

Many people fell down one after another, and some even accidentally cut the clothes of their comrades next to them.

Seeing this, Hyun Hee chuckled.

“What can I do if you move like that? You need to hold your form like this.”

Hyun Hee stepped into the gap between the bandits and took her stance. About a dozen feet away, Yu Jinsan and Pungho were there.

“How does it look?”

“I cannot believe what I am seeing. That woman is teaching all of us martial arts….”

“She may be simple-minded, but her heart is pure. She’s still young and has a strong will to survive, so please consider this and take good care of her.”

“I understand.”

Then the first day of training ended after sunset.

Hyun Hee, who had returned to her residence, sat at the table with her hand under her chin.

‘What should I do in this situation?’

It was impossible to stay in this place forever. She considered escaping, but the guards were relentless.

The bandits, who were trained in martial arts, kept a close watch on her.

“Phew. Even I don’t know.”

She decided not to dwell on it for now. After bathing, she lied down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

After five days, she had managed to teach both forms of the technique.

And at that moment, something changed. No one was watching her anymore.

Seizing the opportunity, she went outside and looked left and right. Soon, she found a small hole in the fence surrounding the farm.

She stood there, hesitating.

Then, she heard a familiar voice beside her.

“If you go out from there, won’t your clothes get dirty? You’ve kept your promise, so you can confidently walk out the front door.”

“Grandpa…”

Yu Jinsan smiled when she turned around. It was a smile devoid of malice.

“But where do you plan to go? Now that you’ve taught us the sword technique, you can’t return to the Wudang Sect anymore.”

“That…”

“It doesn’t matter if you leave now, but if you’re not in a hurry, rest for now and leave tomorrow. I’ll even ask the bandit leader to provide you with travel expenses and food.”

After saying those words, Yu Jinsan turned and walked away.

Hyun Hee looked around. As he had said, there was no one around. She looked at the bandits, but they didn’t seem to care.

After pondering for a while, she returned to her cabin and lied down on the bed.

‘Now that I think about it, I have nowhere to go. What if the Taoists find out that I taught their sword technique to bandits…?’

She didn’t even want to contemplate it. The problem wouldn’t be excommunication, but the public stigma would be unbearable.

She was deep in thought, and fell asleep eventually.

At daybreak, she opened the door without thinking.

Kiiik!

The warm sunlight caressed her beautiful face, making her glow.

When she looked down and shielded her eyes from the sunlight with one hand, she noticed a bundle lying there. It appeared to be the travel expenses and food that the old man had mentioned yesterday.

She didn’t expect them to let her go so easily. As she was about to leave, she felt a pang of regret.

She picked up the bundle without much thought and inspected it.

Items like coins, beef jerky, and silk clothes that seemed to have been stolen from somewhere were included. Nothing was missing.

“It seems like you’re leaving now.”

It was Pungho, the bandit leader.

“Not yet…”

“How can we keep you here? Even though we met under unfortunate circumstances, fate has taken its course. I hope you don’t hold too much against us and leave with only good memories.”

“…”

As he spoke, he gestured with his left hand towards the entrance.

“Then, go ahead.”

She had planned to refuse once and gauge his reaction. But the man left without any hesitation. When her pride was hurt, she felt anger.

‘What is all this? I haven’t even told them that I planned to leave!’

In the Wudang Sect, she was just a second-class disciple whom everyone looked down upon.

However, when she stayed here, she was treated like a princess, with numerous attendants. When had she ever experienced such luxury?

Hyun Hee blushed and spoke cautiously.

“That… the Troubleless sword technique isn’t as powerful as it should be if not used in conjunction with the other techniques of Wudang. I was a little anxious…”

Pungho’s face lit up with a bright smile.

“I am truly touched by how the Taoist has cooperated with us. If it’s not too much trouble, could you stay a bit longer and guide us?”

Most bandits wouldn’t pose much of a threat to Hyun Hee, but Pungho had a different plan in mind.

Even though he wasn’t inferior to her in strength, he was acting with humility.

“If you are asking me for…”

She nodded, pretending to be reluctant.

This wasn’t just about the martial arts of Wudang. Hyun Hee was considered to be the best among the second-class disciples in Wudang. Except for the first-class martial arts, she had mastered almost all of them.

Pungho bowed to her and expressed his sincere gratitude.

“Thank you, Taoist. How can we ever repay you?”

At that moment, Hyun Hee slightly raised her head, a haughty look on her face.

“First, let’s take a look around the bandit’s place and think about it.”

“Right, then let me guide you. Please come this way.”

Pungho and Hyun Hee, the second-class disciple of the Wudang Sect, began to walk around the bandit village side by side.

Each bandit they came across bowed to them.

And a vacant land around a dozen blocks away from them, there stood an old man with a child in hand, watching them.

“Hehe. Now that I think about it, the two seem to get along well.”

At that moment, Yu Seol raised her finger and shouted.

“Mamma!”

“Haha, right, let’s go home now. Grandpa will cook you rabbit soup today.”