The Grand Protector and the Cult Leader

When she was young, So-yul, the Grand Protector, lost her parents to a mysterious illness.

With no relatives to turn to, the orphaned child inevitably became a street beggar. A girl of thirteen might find refuge in a brothel, but at just seven, So-yul was too young to attract much attention, even from those places.

However, her life on the streets was short-lived.

A sharp-witted child can sometimes find work. By the time she turned eight, So-yul had caught the eye of a kind innkeeper who offered her a place to stay. In exchange for helping with chores, she was given a small room and meals.

Most children would have been content with such an arrangement, but not So-yul.

Using her natural cunning and charm, she skillfully coaxed tips from the inn’s patrons, amassing a small fortune that rivaled that of a seasoned pickpocket.

By the age of ten, So-yul had moved on to a new venture.

It might sound strange, but it was indeed a career change. Unlike other children who were forcibly taken to train as assassins, So-yul chose this path of her own volition.

“Being an assassin seems more promising than being a mere inn servant…”

Her attitude towards training was markedly different from those who were dragged into it. So-yul quickly stood out.

She was also adept at navigating social dynamics. As soon as she completed her training and was assigned to a branch, she swiftly ingratiated herself with the branch leader.

The leader, Ho-yami, was quickly won over by the young girl’s exceptional skills and endearing nature.

“Please call me Eom So-ul from now on, Father.”

The day she discovered the branch leader’s surname was Eom and asked to be treated like a daughter, So-yul effectively became his successor. When the leader died on a mission, young Eom So-ul naturally took over.

Not long after Eom So-ul became the branch leader, a tragic event occurred. The organization she was part of suddenly collapsed. Recognizing the situation, Eom So-ul made her second career move.

“Who would have thought I’d end up at the Heavenly Mountain Sect…”

Adapting to the sect was easier than adjusting to her previous organization.

There were few women in the sect, and most were older. In contrast, Eom So-ul was young, talented in martial arts, and had a striking appearance despite a scar on her face.

Before long, she caught the eye of the cult leader and received his teachings. Miraculously, the martial arts he taught her suited her perfectly, paving a smooth path ahead.

But once again, Eom So-ul wasn’t satisfied with just that. She made a bold move.

“A man never treats a woman who shows him affection lightly.”

Thus, Eom So-ul couldn’t help but express her feelings for the cult leader. No one doubted her intentions. The cult leader was known for his high status, calm demeanor, and handsome looks.

Even other men acknowledged that he was someone women would naturally be drawn to.

The age difference was significant, but not insurmountable. Many young women became concubines to men old enough to be their grandfathers, so a twenty-year gap was hardly an issue. Besides, a master like the cult leader could easily maintain his youthful appearance.

Though the cult leader’s attitude towards her was ambiguous, Eom So-ul eventually secured the position of Grand Protector.

“When the organization collapsed, I thought all was lost, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From a mere inn servant to the Grand Protector of the sect.”

Eom So-ul imagined herself standing tall with the cult leader’s support after the sect unified the world. When the cult leader passed, she would become the leader, and eventually, her future child would inherit the position.

However, her hopeful future was shattered when Namgung Myung emerged from the shadows and ambushed the cult leader.

“A righteous sect member acting like an assassin…!”

Namgung Myung fled after the attack.

He believed he had escaped before Eom So-ul could unleash her full power, and indeed, she hadn’t. But Namgung Myung was slightly mistaken. Eom So-ul never intended to use her full power. Sacrificing herself to save the cult leader would defeat the purpose.

After Namgung Myung disappeared, Eom So-ul quickly assessed the cult leader’s condition. It was clear to anyone that he was in critical condition.

“No, my lifeline to the future…!”

In her panic, the first person Eom So-ul thought of was the Blood Rain Guest, a fearsome figure who had once threatened to hunt her down no matter where she hid.

”…I must save the cult leader to ensure my own survival.”

Cough, cough!

At that moment, the cult leader coughed up blood. Eom So-ul swiftly carried him out of the main hall, erasing her tracks as she moved, a skill honed from her assassin training. But she couldn’t shake her anxiety.

“That guy, Namgung Myung, was it? He’s more accomplished than I am…”

She wasn’t referring to martial prowess. Eom So-ul was confident she could hold her own against Namgung Myung in a direct confrontation.

But in terms of stealth and assassination skills, Namgung Myung was superior. Eom So-ul hadn’t sensed his presence until he was nearly upon the cult leader.

“He must be skilled in tracking as well.”

Tense and wary of a possible pursuit, Eom So-ul ran, listening to the cult leader’s labored breathing and feeling the sweat soaking through his clothes. Her own palms were clammy with sweat.

Once they were out of the forest, Eom So-ul hid them in a thicket of reeds. After confirming they weren’t being followed, she carefully laid the cult leader down and removed his outer garment.

His broad, muscular back was marred with scars. Normally, she might have felt embarrassed, but there was no time for hesitation. His back was soaked with blood, and his breathing was still ragged.

”…The situation is dire.”

The Great Elixir was known for its pure and gentle nature, allowing even those with lesser skills to absorb it without pain.

But that was only if its energy flowed through the proper channels. If it strayed, it could endanger a person’s life.

Eom So-ul made a decision.

“I’ll draw the elixir’s energy out through the wound on his back. It’s the only way to save him.”

She lightly cut her palm, hoping to absorb some of the elixir’s energy herself.

But then, the cult leader spoke softly.

”…Stop.”

Eom So-ul quickly hid her bleeding hand.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand. This wound happened during the fight.”

“What wound?”

”…It’s nothing. Anyway, you need to expel the elixir’s energy to survive.”

“No. I must absorb it.”

Eom So-ul understood his reasoning.

If word got out that the cult leader, the sect’s greatest asset, was unwell, the righteous sects would seize the opportunity to attack. The Heavenly Mountain Sect would face countless battles.

“He’s betting on the chance of absorbing the elixir’s energy now, despite the risk.”

Eom So-ul helped the cult leader sit in a meditative position and resumed her breathing exercises.

However, his meditation was far from ordinary.

Typically, a meditating martial artist would sit still and silent. The cult leader was usually the same.

But now, he trembled as if barely able to sit, drenched in sweat. His skin was flushed, and his breathing was erratic, like someone on the brink of death.

”…Is he going to die?”

Time passed, and the cult leader let out a long sigh. For a moment, his eyes gleamed like a polished stone, but the light quickly faded.

Eom So-ul checked his condition.

“He’s much more stable now. It seems he’s absorbed the elixir’s energy.”

Relieved, Eom So-ul knew that once the cult leader recovered, she could continue to rise with his support.

Just then, Jo Ho-beom, who had gone down the mountain, appeared. He was visibly shocked by the cult leader’s condition.

“Leader! What happened…?”

Eom So-ul explained the situation to Jo Ho-beom: Namgung Myung’s stealthy attack and the cult leader’s injury.

”…We need to set up a safe place and protect the leader together.”

Eom Soyul wrapped up her story, nodding slightly as she noticed the leader agreeing with her. However, Jo Hobum, after much deliberation, shook his head. It was the first time he had ever opposed the leader’s opinion.

”…No, I will go to Suju. If luck is on our side, I might be able to bring everyone back to Cheonsan. Even if things go poorly, I can at least buy us some time, which would be beneficial for you as well, Leader.”

The leader clicked his tongue a couple of times before speaking to Jo Hobum.

“Yeonsayu, if you end up being the only one who survives…”

But Jo Hobum covered his ears with both hands.

“It’s better if you don’t know where you’re headed, Leader. I’ll see you again in Cheonsan, or perhaps in the afterlife.”

With those words, Jo Hobum departed.

Now, only the leader and Eom Sohyeop remained.

Eom Sohyeop, carrying the leader on his back, pondered where to create a hideout. Not being a native of the area, he was unfamiliar with the geography around the Shaolin Temple.

‘It’s impossible to make the long journey to Cheonsan… Should I just start moving and think on the way?’

At that moment, the leader whispered in his ear.

“North, head north…”

With those final words, the leader lost consciousness.

Eom Sohyeop thought deeply.

’…What’s up north?’

Though Eom Soyul was a wanderer, he knew that Luoyang was not far north of Songshan. It wasn’t too far. If he hurried, he could reach it within a day.

‘Hiding in the most crowded place, perhaps.’

After a quick, tense glance around, Eom Soyul moved north, avoiding the eyes of others.

The next day, after sunset, Eom Soyul arrived on the outskirts of Luoyang. Both he and the leader, who was in poor health, were drenched in sweat.

Eom Soyul tried to slip into the back alleys of Luoyang, avoiding attention. But the leader spoke softly.

“North, further north…”

Could there be a hidden refuge outside Luoyang? Eom Soyul, with a glimmer of hope, followed the leader’s directions.

Finally, when they reached Mangsan, north of Luoyang, the leader stopped his northward refrain.

“To the west, towards the zelkova tree…”

The leader seemed to know the area well.

As they walked along the mountain path, a small space hidden by dense trees appeared.

“Here.” “Huff, huff.”

Eom Soyul, nearly exhausted, collapsed to the ground. No matter how skilled a martial artist, carrying a man on her back was no easy feat for a woman.

Eom Soyul looked around. Contrary to his expectations, he was disappointed. The clearing held only two graves and the charred remains of a house. There was no shelter from the elements, no place to hide.

”…Is this where you plan to hide?” “For the time being.”

The leader replied, slowly approaching the graves and sitting cross-legged in front of them.

Unlike his usual calm demeanor, the leader’s current state was far from normal.

His limbs trembled, and he clenched his fists tightly. His skin alternated between feverish red and a deathly blue, and his closed eyes twitched incessantly. He seemed unable to withstand the worry, his body flinching repeatedly.

‘He should get better with time.’

Now, the priority was to prepare for a prolonged stay, which meant securing food, clothing, and medicine.

Eom Soyul let out a deep sigh.