Live Well Without Me-Chapter 8

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: cyno
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Namgung Soso asked me for my name.

It meant she was showing “interest” in me.

Why?
Was it because I wore a mask that left an impression?
Did I do something that caught her eye?

…No, her demeanor didn’t seem like mere curiosity.

“Hey, why do you think Bi Hwa asked for your name earlier?”

Jin Gayoung seemed to be wondering the same thing as me.

“I don’t know, my lady.”

“Hmm, do you have to keep calling me ‘my lady’ so formally? I thought we’d gotten closer.”

“Please tell me what you’d like to be called. I’ll follow your preference.”

“Um… How about Gayoung? That’s what I’m most comfortable with.”

“…That’s a bit too casual.”

Even so, calling her by her first name when she’s my master could lead to others looking at us strangely.

I can’t drag her into strange rumors, especially since she’s someone admired by many.

“Then how about ‘miss’? That should be fine.”

“You want me to call you ‘Miss Gayoung,’ is that it?”

“Hehe… I succeeded in getting you to call me ‘miss’…!”

“…?”

I feel like I’ve been caught in some high-level psychological strategy, but it must just be my imagination.

“Sir, can you call me ‘miss’ one more time?”

“If it’s your command, miss.”

“With my name! One more time, please!”

“…Miss Gayoung.”

“Um, just one last time, with my full name… please?”

“…Miss Jin Gayoung.”

“Haaah… It’s so good……”

Jin Gayoung muttered something incomprehensible.

She seemed quite at ease, but in reality, she’s not in a position to be so relaxed.

I said a week would be enough, but that’s only if she gives it her all.

With her current mindset, she won’t be able to defeat Namgung Soso.

Soso isn’t as overwhelmingly talented as Okhwa or Sua, but she’s still a strong contender, second only to the Seven Flowers.

In the current Central Plains martial world, there are probably fewer than sixty martial artists who could defeat her.

On the other hand, Jin Gayoung? At best, she’s barely at the level of the top hundred martial artists in the world.

Although she’s at the peak, she’s still in the early stages, and perhaps because she’s not yet of age, her body hasn’t fully matured.

Honestly, even if she trained tirelessly, it wouldn’t be enough.

Moreover, Namgung Soso is a war hero like me, who fought through battles with her bare hands, so her experience far surpasses Gayoung’s.

“…Miss.”

“Yes?”

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have to train as if your life depends on it.”

“Yes! I’ll never take training with you lightly!”

“Remember, a week is not a long time.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll do everything you tell me, without missing a single thing!”

“…I believe you.”

Of course, if she says she doesn’t want to, I’ll stop immediately.

I have no intention of forcing her to train, and if I feel it’s harming her body, I’ll make her rest without hesitation.

This is all for Jin Gayoung’s sake.

The only thing I’m worried about is whether she’ll whine out of greed.

There’s nothing more foolish than that.

—

Surprisingly, Jin Gayoung diligently applied herself to the training, rendering my worries unnecessary.

No, it wasn’t just diligence—she muttered things like, “Hehe… training with you…” and poured her heart and soul into it.

Look at her now.

“Grrrrrrrrr……!”

Even in the most grueling training, like the horse stance.

“…Your mental strength is impressive.”

“Hehe… You praised me…!”

Without a single complaint, she held the stance for two hours straight.

I thought she might be using internal energy, but she wasn’t.

She was enduring purely through willpower.

Drip—.

Plop.

In this scorching heat, her clothes were drenched in sweat, yet she didn’t complain once.

When I looked at her worriedly, she smiled at me with tears in her eyes.

When I praised her for her effort, she giggled like a puppy, reminding me of raising Sua when she was young.

…If Sua and I had been on good terms, we might have been like this by now.

‘…Let’s not think about that. I decided to forget.’

Three days had already passed since we started training.

Listing the achievements so far… she’s mastered all the counters to the Bokryong Sword Technique.

I wondered how that was possible, but after seeing her get up in the middle of the night to swing her sword, I stopped questioning it.

The problem is Namgung Soso’s variations of the sword techniques… but judging by her current growth, it should be possible within the remaining four days.

When I first saw her, I wondered how someone not yet twenty could have established the Taiyuan Jin family, but now it seems obvious.

Isn’t it natural for effort to be rewarded?

Especially when that effort is paired with talent.

“Alright, that’s enough for now. Rest for half an hour.”

As soon as I spoke, Jin Gayoung plopped down.

She almost collapsed, so it seems she was waiting for my signal.

“Huff, huff, huuuu……”

Lying on the ground in a ‘大’ shape, gasping for breath.

Her legs were twitching uncontrollably.

“Is it tough?”

“Huff, huff, huff… Yes, it’s tough……”

“I’ll give you an extra half-hour break. But once the time’s up, get up immediately and start training to counter Bi Hwa’s sword techniques.”

“Yes, yes… I will……!”

She’s human too, yet she hasn’t complained once.

Such incredible passion.

I’m starting to doubt if she’s really doing this just for the sake of “training.”

“Do you enjoy training?”

“It’s fun because you’re here with me. Haaaaa……”

“You said it’s fun because I’m here?”

“O-of course…! What fun would there be in this without you…!”

“……”

To Jin Gayoung, am I just some kind of fun toy?

I don’t dislike it.

Being someone’s object of interest and affection, even if it’s as a toy, is something I’m grateful for in my current state.

As long as she doesn’t abandon me, I’m willing to be her toy.

“Then rest well. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Huff, huff… Y-you’ll be back soon, right…?”

“I’ll be back within half an hour.”

Leaving Jin Gayoung, who was lying on the ground gasping, I took a short walk around the Hangsan Sword Sect.

At a leisurely pace.

“……”

“……”

It’s certain now.
Someone is following me.

For the past three days, whenever I trained with Jin Gayoung in the courtyard, I felt a sticky gaze.

At first, I thought it was someone from the Hangsan Sword Sect sent to monitor Jin Gayoung, but as I let it go, they started crossing the line.

Moreover, I thought they were monitoring Jin Gayoung, but in reality, they were monitoring me.

Not the Sword Flower of the Taiyuan Jin family, but the insignificant servant, Byeokrak.

…Why?

I deliberately avoided using flashy techniques or sword energy while teaching Jin Gayoung to avoid drawing attention.

And if it’s because of my appearance, I’ve always worn a mask when others could see me.

I’ve eliminated everything that could attract attention, yet I’m being monitored…

“……”

I won’t find the answer by worrying alone.

I’ll have to ask directly.

I left the vast Hangsan Sword Sect and used light footwork to head deep into the mountains.

The presence continued to follow me.

After reaching a secluded spot deep in the mountains where no one would see, I stopped.

The presence stopped as well.

I spoke softly into the air.

“Come out.”

“……!”

“I know you’ve been following me for the past three days.”

In response to my call, the presence didn’t flee but emerged from among the trees.

I was worried I’d have to chase them if they ran, but fortunately, that won’t be necessary.

Now, let’s see the face of the person who’s been following me…

“Bi Hwa?”

Why is Namgung Soso following me…?

“Byeokrak-nim.”

She called my name.

Her voice sounded somewhat haggard.

No, looking closely, her eyes were shadowed, and her complexion was pale… it reminded me of myself back in the Namgung family.

“What have you done to me?”

“……?”

“Don’t play dumb…! I dream of you when I sleep, and I can’t stop thinking about you even when I eat. Food won’t go down my throat…! I can’t even hold a sword because my hands keep shaking……!”

“…Isn’t that just because your mind and body are weak?”

“Don’t lie to me…! Look! My body stops trembling when I’m in front of you! Did you cast some kind of spell on me? Tell me the truth…! I won’t let you go like this……!”

Oh no.
I didn’t expect Namgung Soso to develop a mental illness.

And what’s this about spells? Does she even understand the implications of what she’s saying?

“If you won’t let me go, what do you plan to do? Block my way?”

“……If necessary, I need to know what kind of strange spell you used to make my daily life impossible!”

Swoosh!

Namgung Soso’s sword was drawn and pointed at me.

I never imagined this situation, but what can I do?

Defeating Namgung Soso isn’t difficult.

But I’m concerned about having to explain this situation later.

At first, I was a bit hesitant, but since I’ve decided to live a peaceful life, showing too much of my martial arts to outsiders is problematic.

A mere servant defeating a top-tier martial artist would immediately become a hot topic.

“Do you really need to draw your sword?”

“……Ugh.”

“……?”

But Namgung Soso’s condition seems off.

Her body is intermittently convulsing, and her clothes are drenched in sweat…

Clang—!

…She even dropped her sword.

“What are you trying to do?”

“…I’ve been like this all day.”

“It’s because your mind and body are unstable. It’s not some spell.”

“My mind and body? A peak expert like me can’t even hold a sword because my hands won’t stop shaking, and you’re saying it’s because my mind and body are unstable? Do you really expect me to believe this is natural?”

“Even if it were a spell, I wouldn’t know about it. Why do you keep blaming me?”

“Ugh…! You’re still not telling the truth…!”

“Honestly, you’re not making sense.”

Whatever the case, the obstacle is gone now.

No one will find it strange if I ignore a woman who can’t even hold a sword.

Since I can leave without revealing my martial arts, it’s the best possible situation.

“I’ll take my leave now. If you need help, I’ll assist you. I’ll escort you back to the Hangsan Sword Sect.”

“…That won’t be necessary. But… if you’re going to leave, can you grant me one request…!”

The Namgung Soso I knew wasn’t such a fragile woman. The image of her mercilessly cutting down Blood Cult members with a stoic expression is still vivid in my mind.

But now, she’s trembling so much she can’t even speak properly, which feels so disconnected from the woman I remember.

“What is your request?”

“Ah… well……”

“Please speak quickly. I need to get back to training my lady. You know I only stepped out during her break, right?”

Perhaps because time was short, she hesitated for a moment before shouting.

“Sh-show me your face just once!”

“……”

“Please show me the face you’re hiding behind that mask…! Do you know how frustrating it is to dream of your mask every night……?”

Is it just my imagination, or does Namgung Soso look like she’s about to burst into tears?

Of course, it’s none of my business.

Whether she cries or not, what does it matter to me?

“I’m not wearing this mask for no reason.”

“J-just for a moment! Please! Even for a second! Just one second……!”

“Then I’ll take my leave. Please calm down and come back inside.”

“Ah… ah……”

I walked past Namgung Soso, who had her head bowed deeply.

Fortunately, she didn’t try to stop me.

Perhaps she sensed that even if she did, I would have shaken her off.

—

The world is dark.

My limbs feel bound, and I can’t speak freely.

A suffocating space.

In it, a man stands.

“Byeokrak-nim……?”

The man who used some kind of spell to make my daily life impossible.

The man who refused all my pleas, even when I begged to see his face.

That man was standing right before me.

“Byeokrak-nim!”

I ran.

The ground was slippery with black liquid, but I didn’t give up and kept running.

I don’t know why I’m doing this.

I just didn’t want to let him go.

If I let him go here, I’d have to return to the reality where I can’t even hold a sword because my hands tremble with every breath.

Splash, splash—!

I struggled to push my submerged lower body forward, swimming toward the man until I stood before his feet.

His mask was as stoic as ever, and his feet floated above the mud.

My eye level was even with his shoes.

To keep him from leaving, I reached out and grabbed his ankle.

Don’t leave.
Don’t abandon me.

But of course, he was a cold-hearted man.

Tap—.

With a light kick, he shook off my hand.

As I lost my grip, I began to sink deeper into the mud.

He bent his knees and leaned down toward me.

“…Really?”

Are you really coming to me?

The man who had been coldly watching me sink into the mud was finally acknowledging me.

I couldn’t control my facial muscles.

An uncontrollable smile spread across my face, and the corners of my mouth reached my ears.

I’m so happy, so happy I could cry.

I can’t see myself, but I must look ridiculous.

‘…But that won’t do.’

This is the first time he’s acknowledged me.

I can’t let him see me looking ugly.

‘…Why not?’

It’s not like I’m in love with him.

He’s just some strange guy who cast a spell on me.

So why do I need to look good for him?

It’s not like I like him.

‘I don’t know… My head hurts.’

This isn’t the time for such thoughts.

This is the first time he’s acknowledging me.

I can’t waste this precious moment with trivial worries.

‘He’s coming…!’

He’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming, he’s coming.

His mask, his head.

Getting closer and closer…

“You trash.”

“…Huh?”

W-what did you just say……!

“Please cut off that dick of yours.”

“W-what are you talking about…!”

“It’s disgusting and filthy.”

It’s a voice I’ve never heard before, rough like iron.

But why does it feel familiar?

No, more importantly, where have I heard those words before?

I don’t know.

The deeper I sank into the mud, the more his mask blurred.

“Gasp—!”

The next moment.

I woke up drenched in sweat.

It was the same dream again.

“Ugh, ugh……”

What did you do to me that I keep having these dreams since the day I met you?

Today’s dream was a bit different, but it was still painful.

No, today’s dream felt even more exhausting than usual…

“Sigh.”

Leaning against the wall, half-sitting on the bed, I pulled my knees to my chest.

My head naturally buried itself between them.

“Who… are you……”

I thought I had finally forgotten that disgusting Namgung Cheolbin.

Where did you come from to torment me like this?

Please, just leave me alone……!

—

The Three Heroes of the Central Plains martial world were heading toward Anhui, where the Namgung family resided.

The Sword Saint, the Blade Saint, and the Water Saint.

They were on their way to seek the Sword Saint’s help in dealing with the remnants of the Blood Cult.

Along the way, the Blade Saint, seemingly worried, asked the Sword Saint a question.

“By the way, Sect Leader, what if the Sword Saint refuses to help?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Sword Saint acted to save the martial world for his own authority and reputation. He used his power and influence to cover up his ugly deeds and crimes.”

“And?”

“Now that the truth is out and he’s lost everything, will he still help us? Even if we drive out the Blood Cult, no one will praise him anymore.”

At the Blade Saint’s sharp question, the Water Saint nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, the Sword Saint puffed out his chest and spoke proudly.

“There’s something you all don’t know.”

“Sect Leader, what do you mean?”

“Actually, the Sword Saint didn’t commit the atrocities that are widely known. They were all false accusations.”

“……! W-what are you saying? There was evidence, and you’re saying it was fake?”

The Blade Saint and Water Saint were momentarily stunned by the Sword Saint’s shocking statement.

The Sword Saint smiled and continued.

“The Divine Monk of Shaolin said that some despicable person spread false rumors. He said the Sword Saint he knew would never do such things. He even added that if he hadn’t been in seclusion, he would have stepped forward to defend him and uncover the truth.”

“Really? If the Divine Monk said so, we can’t doubt it……”

“In short, the Sword Saint overcame all those hardships purely out of a sense of justice. Not for petty fame or glory. So, wouldn’t he actively help us with the Blood Cult this time too?”

“Ah, so the Sect Leader had it all planned out? This Blade Saint is truly impressed.”

As the Blade Saint laughed

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