The Protagonist’s Daddy Long Legs – Chapter 41

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow on the thousand-day plum blossoms that adorned Mount Hongryeon, a figure stealthily scaled the walls of Hongseongmun.

Goyumi, known as the Yang Sang Goon Ja,

She was a skilled thief, experienced in infiltrating countless sects.

She easily scaled the wall, melting into the shadows with a smirk.

Though her martial arts skills were mediocre, Hongseongmun wasn’t a particularly challenging target for infiltration.

She had anticipated it would be easy, but this was almost too easy.

Compared to her near-death experiences attempting to infiltrate Moon Woljeong, Geomgak, or the Wudang sect, infiltrating Hongseongmun was child’s play.

‘I expected it to be easy, but…’

While there were barriers in place to deter intruders, they were nothing Goyumi couldn’t handle.

‘This mountain is overflowing with Yin energy.’

She scanned her surroundings, clicking her tongue softly.

But that was to be expected. Mount Hongryeon was a sacred mountain, a spiritual vortex, attracting spirits and entities drawn to its potent energy.

Ignoring the faint whispers and rustling in the shadows, Goyumi made her way to the food storage, as instructed by her master.

She spotted a few disciples along the way, but their vigilance seemed lax.

Well, it wasn’t as if she was attacking them.

As long as she maintained her stealth, using her silent footwork and suppressing her presence, they wouldn’t detect her unless they were actively searching for her.

Her confidence growing with each step, she moved swiftly. As she had anticipated, the food storage was located near the outer gate.

She smirked as she reached the newly built, temporary storage building, located near the disciples’ quarters.

It was securely locked, but a simple lock was no match for her skills. She picked it with ease, then retrieved a pouch of white powder from her pocket.

She meticulously sprinkled the powder over the food, watching as it disappeared, absorbed into the grains and vegetables.

“Yaaawn!”

“Let’s start preparing dinner!”

Cheerful voices echoed through the courtyard. She quickly retreated as two figures emerged from the disciples’ quarters.

A woman with vibrant red hair and another with deep brown hair.

Hongryeon, Hongseongmun’s eldest disciple, and Ryuhyeon, the second disciple.

Goyumi smiled, her heart pounding with anticipation.

She watched as they carried the food to the kitchen.

Satisfied that her mission was a success, she allowed herself a moment of smugness.

She had no idea that the two women, now inside the kitchen, were exchanging cold, knowing smiles.

She remained hidden, her heart pounding, as she watched smoke rise from the kitchen chimney. Now, all that was left was to confirm that they had consumed the poisoned food.

As she focused her attention on the dining hall,

‘Damn it.’

She spotted a figure approaching from the distance.

A woman with long, flowing dark blue hair, almost black.

She was wearing a slightly oversized robe, casually draped over her shoulders, revealing the long, pale legs that were a trademark of Hongseongmun’s training uniform.

Her face was serene, almost vacant, but her aura was intimidating, almost predatory.

Geomseong, the Sword Master, was approaching.

Goyumi panicked, immediately activating her stealth techniques, retreating as quickly and silently as she could.

She might have been able to avoid detection from the other disciples, but the Sword Master was a master, her senses honed to perfection.

Even hiding wouldn’t guarantee her safety. In fact, the mere presence of the Sword Master made her skin crawl.

She retreated to a safe distance, her eyes straining as she watched the dining hall.

The disciples entered.

She couldn’t see inside. But moments later, they emerged, carrying empty dishes.

She gulped, her throat dry. She watched as the Sword Saint left with the disciples to practice their swordsmanship.

Goyumi clenched her fists, her anxiety growing.

She concealed herself near the well, next to the dining hall, straining her ears.

Voices, carried by the wind, reached her.

“Sayun, did you enjoy dinner?”

“Yes, Eldest Sister! The rice was cooked perfectly! Your cooking is the best!”

“You flatter me.”

Goyumi let out a sigh of relief as she listened to their cheerful chatter.

They had eaten the food.

She had completed her mission.

She smiled, a cold, cruel smile, and left Hongseongmun, disappearing into the shadows.

“She’s gone,” Hongryeon said quietly.

“Really? I didn’t notice…”

“Well done. Keep practicing diligently,” Hongryeon said, patting Sayun’s head. Sayun’s hair, unlike Hongryeon’s vibrant red, was a dull grey.

“Another gift from that ‘Uncle’ of yours. How are you going to repay him?”

“I don’t know…” Sayun mumbled dejectedly.

Hongryeon shrugged.

‘I should repay him as well.’

If it hadn’t been for the food pills he had given them, they wouldn’t have been able to fool the enemy. Hongryeon touched the pouch of pills she had hidden in her pocket.

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Later that night, alone in her room, Hongryeon sat cross-legged, deep in thought.

She had fought countless battles since mastering the Hongseong Divine Art. But this was the first time Hongseongmun had been directly targeted.

The thought of her home, her family, being in danger weighed heavily on her.

What if she made a mistake?

What if her sisters were hurt?

What if… what if…

“…Haa…”

She took a deep breath, unable to calm her racing mind. She grabbed her sword and headed outside. Maybe practicing her swordsmanship would help clear her head.

Or maybe…

“No. No. Not now…”

She was already receiving so much, her heart overflowing with gratitude. It was time to give something back.

Simply going to him, leaning on him for comfort, wouldn’t be enough. She had to do something more.

But what could she give him?

She had never given a man a gift before.

She glanced at her bookshelf, her eyes drawn to the collection of romance novels she had amassed. Surely there would be some helpful advice in those pages.

Her gaze landed on a specific shelf, a section dedicated to books with slightly more… risqué covers.

Her face flushed crimson as those books triggered a memory, a lewd joke she had shared with her sisters.

“Why am I thinking about such things?” she muttered, biting her lip to stifle a groan.

“You can’t sleep?”

The door slid open, and the Sword Master entered. Her long, navy blue hair was clumsily braided, hanging down her back. Judging by the messy handiwork, she had done it herself.

“Instead of reading those lewd novels, as usual.”

“Ahahaha…”

Hongryeon cringed, shaking her head violently to banish the indecent thoughts that had invaded her mind.

She was a maiden, after all, innocent and inexperienced. Perhaps her sisters would appreciate such thoughts, but to him…

She quickly glanced at her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks still flushed. the Sword Master chuckled softly.

“I thought you were trying to be more serious lately. Are you feeling insecure?”

“No, it’s not… well, maybe a little.”

Hongryeon laughed, trying to downplay her anxiety. She walked over to the Sword Master and sat her down.

She gently untied the Sword Master’s hair, untangling the messy braid.

the Sword Master didn’t resist as Hongryeon carefully brushed and re-braided her hair.

“It’s alright. Everything will be fine.”

When she finished braiding, the Sword Master turned and hugged Hongryeon.

“You’ve done everything you can. So it’ll all work out.”

Hongryeon hoped she was right.

She closed her eyes, seeking comfort in the Sword Master’s embrace.

“That poison… it should start taking effect around noon tomorrow.”

“You recognize it?”

“Yes, I’ve encountered it before,” the Sword Master said, smiling as she patted Hongryeon’s head.

Hongryeon let out a sigh of relief.

Her master could be surprisingly reassuring at times.

With the Sword Master by her side, she felt a surge of confidence.

They had done everything they could.

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Sometimes, days like this came. Days filled with sunshine, yet shrouded in an unsettling tension.

A strange, viscous energy permeated Hongseongmun, and every disciple could sense it.

But they didn’t speak of it, clinging to the illusion of normalcy, going about their daily routines.

And so, an ordinary day passed. The sun rose, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson.

Noon arrived.

“Cough!”

It started with Ryuhyeon. A crimson liquid dripped from her lips. And then, one by one, several other disciples collapsed, their faces pale, their bodies convulsing.

“Sisters!!”

Hongryeon’s voice echoed through Hongseongmun. And then,

-BOOOOM!!

The barrier surrounding Hongseongmun shattered. Walls crumbled, revealing a group of figures clad in black, marching towards them.

A tall, imposing man, his jaw square, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Even a blind man could sense the malice emanating from him, the cruel glint in his eyes.

He exuded killing intent, his aura suffocating, as he strode towards them, followed by a dozen men in black.

They surveyed the scene, smirking as they saw the disciples writhing in agony.

“What’s the meaning of this?!” Hongryeon roared, drawing her sword. But she stumbled, her legs suddenly weak.

“I am Cheolhyeol Suje, leader of the Iron Blood Clan.”

“…Ugh…”

Ryuhyeon gritted her teeth, her body trembling with pain. Behind her, Hyunhwi, the third disciple, vomited another mouthful of blood.

Cheolhyeol Suje surveyed the scene, more than half of the disciples incapacitated, then laughed.

“The poison worked flawlessly. Sunset Blade, where is the Sword Master?”

“…Poison,” Hongryeon gasped, her voice weak.

“Indeed.”

He was confident, relaxed. And why wouldn’t he be?

Even the Sword Master’s disciples wouldn’t be able to fight in their current state.

And even the Sunset Blade, the fearsome warrior known for her strength and speed, was struggling to stand, leaning against her greatsword for support.

“…You cowards!!”

“Haha, you’re so naive. This isn’t a sparring match. We’re not here to play fair. We’re here to eliminate the weak. Let me give you some advice about fighting.”

He grinned, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

“There’s no such thing as a cowardly tactic.”

He was right. In this world of survival of the fittest, where only the strong survived, there was no room for honor or fairness.

Use poison if you must. Betray if you have to.

Why should a predator fight fair when hunting its prey?

A weakened opponent was an easy target.

Cheolhyeol Suje bared his teeth, his smile predatory. He turned to one of his subordinates.

“Where are the others?”

“Based on our previous intel, they’ve heavily reinforced the area around Mount Hongryeon with soldiers. I don’t think they’ll be able to break through easily. But those two… they wouldn’t break their promise. And if there’s a conflict with the authorities, I’ve instructed them to bribe their way through. They should be nearby, waiting for the signal. They wouldn’t dare disobey my orders. As soon as I launch the signal flare, they’ll move.”

“Tch. Joyo, did you confirm their location?”

“…Apologies, Master. I haven’t been able to confirm their location yet.”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, his gaze directed at Joyo, who stood behind him, her head bowed.

But he wasn’t truly concerned. He trusted Go Hwadang and Ju Kyungdae.

They were skilled warriors, unlikely to make mistakes.

And they would soon be forced to submit to the will of the Iron Blood Clan. Surely they wouldn’t fail a simple task like this.

He would be merciful this time.

“How arrogant.”

the Sword Saint was approaching.

She was unaffected by the poison, as expected of one of the top ten warriors in the world.

But it didn’t matter. His preparations were complete.

All those writhing, poisoned disciples were more than enough.

The poison, designed to take effect around noon, had worked its magic. the Sword Saint had arrived too late to prevent her disciples from being poisoned.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Sword Master. I am Cheolhyeol Suje, leader of the Iron Blood Clan.”

“…You dare attack my disciples and think you can escape unscathed?”

Her voice, filled with power, commanded attention. His subordinates flinched at the sheer force of her presence.

Cheolhyeol Suje shrugged nonchalantly.

“Sword Master. I acknowledge your strength. But look around you. Your disciples, the children of Hongseong… they’re suffering. Are you going to stand there and do nothing?”

the Sword Saint’s teeth clenched as she waved a hand. Her disciples’ faces seemed to relax slightly, the pain easing.

She was truly remarkable. Could she really detoxify them with a simple wave of her hand?

He had timed his attack perfectly. If he had given her more time, she would have been able to heal most, if not all, of her disciples.

He smiled inwardly.

Over half of the disciples were still poisoned, their bodies weakened.

Could she heal them all while fending off his attack?

“Attack!”

He roared, unleashing his men.

Even without the hired assassins, they should be able to overwhelm Hongseongmun.

He had underestimated them.

Just as one of his men charged towards Hongryeon, his blade aimed at her neck,

-CRACK!!

Hongryeon’s eyes, which had been glazed over with pain moments ago, snapped open, her gaze sharp and focused.

Her greatsword slammed into his subordinate, turning him into a bloody pulp.

Cheolhyeol Suje stared in disbelief at the gruesome sight, his subordinate’s flesh and organs splattered across the ground as if he had been crushed by a boulder.

What?

What in the world…?

Before he could comprehend what had just happened, a surge of energy erupted from the seemingly weakened disciples.

“What… what is this…?”

They weren’t poisoned? How was this possible?

The young girl who had been slumped against the wall, her face pale with pain, suddenly sprang to life, her blade a blur of motion, deflecting an attack and severing an arm with a single stroke.

The woman who had been vomiting blood moments ago unleashed a barrage of punches, sending two of his men flying through the air.

All of them.

Every single one of them.

They were fighting back, unaffected by the poison.

Cheolhyeol Suje’s face contorted in rage and disbelief.

Hongryeon, her greatsword a deadly whirlwind, cut down another one of his men. She smiled coldly, her eyes meeting his.

“Let me give you some advice about fighting,” she said, her voice laced with venom. “There’s no such thing as a cowardly tactic.”

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