Book 23 Chapter 11

I cannot die alone

―The Water Ghost Tactic

As Namgung Sang, who was dumbfounded, heard a knock on the door, the door opened and a person entered.

"Hey, Captain Namgung. Did you know that young lady Jin ran out with a terrifying face just now…?"

Yong Cheonmyeong, who was speaking as he opened the door that Jin Ling had slammed shut, was speechless upon seeing the scene he witnessed. The state of Namgung Sang and Ryu Eun-gyeong, who had been stiffened by Jin Ling's appearance, had hardly changed when Jin Ling saw them.

"Ahem, I'll be going now. Sorry for the interruption. Have a good time!"

Yong Cheonmyeong quickly closed the door and tried to disappear.

"Wait! Wait a minute, Brother Yong! Wait!"

Namgung Sang's urgent cry burst out. Namgung Sang, for whom there was no benefit in further misunderstanding, needed to handle the situation so that it would not spread. He desperately wanted to avoid the situation of being alone with Ryu Eun-gyeong. For that, it didn't matter who the other person was. Moreover, he felt it was too unfair to drown alone. Yong Cheonmyeong, who had no idea of this fact, fell into Namgung Sang's scheme.

"I thought I should leave because it seemed inconvenient for me to stay…"

Although it seemed like he was trying to be considerate, Namgung Sang was not grateful at all.

"That's why it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Nothing happened! Of course, we have no relationship!"

Then, with a skeptical expression, Yong Cheonmyeong asked,

"Did that excuse work?"

Namgung Sang shook his head with a dejected expression.

"I didn't even get a chance to say a word."

"Well, I figured. You wouldn't have that expression if it weren't for that. The killing intent was immense. Even I took a step back without realizing it and made way, so that says it all."

Yong Cheonmyeong, who had encountered Jin Ling in the hallway, was so startled by the fierce killing intent that he instinctively took a step back towards the wall and made way for her.

"So please come in. And don't make things more difficult for me."

"Then I'll be rude."

Only then did Yong Cheonmyeong reluctantly enter the room. By this time, Ryu Eun-gyeong had completely tidied up her disheveled clothes. As Yong Cheonmyeong entered, an awkward silence ensued for a while.

"Ah, you don't need to worry. Brother Yong here is a promising talent from Shaolin, known as 'Heavenly Dragon,' and he's not so immoral as to ignore a woman's predicament."

In other words, if he heard the full story and didn't offer his help, he would suddenly become immoral and devoid of emotion. This subtle but irrefutable tactic, the "Water Ghost Tactic," was a method he had learned through experience from his senior disciple, Bi Ryu-yeon, and his learning shone unconsciously in this situation. Realizing he had been thoroughly tricked, Yong Cheonmyeong could only give a bitter smile, but it was too late.

"Now then, your name is…"

"I am Ryu Eun-gyeong from Seryubo."

Both of them had heard of the place. It was a neutral faction, but if forced to classify it, it could be considered one of the orthodox sects.

"Why has the cherished daughter of that place come all the way here? And what kind of help do you need?"

Namgung Sang was driven by the sense of crisis that he would be finished by Jin Ling if he couldn't resolve this matter and get an explanation from Ryu Eun-gyeong. Therefore, it could be said that Yeonbi's slightly hinted advice had been effective.

Ryu Eun-gyeong, wiping away tears that were welling up in her eyes again, got up from her seat and said.

"Then, I will tell you my story from now on. That way, you two will also know the reason why I came here."

The silver-haired girl began to tell her story in a soft voice.