All My Murim Noonas Are Obsessed With Me!-Chapter 76: Long Time No See, Master (2)

Roselia’s POV

Thank goodness... I found him first...

I’d sent that woman to a quieter area with fewer guests, not expecting our deputy manager to bring him back. I’d reward her later—right now, I needed to secure this guest. Who knew when that woman might catch on? I had to get him to a room, lock the door, and take a bite.

Slurp.

I’d figure out what came next later. How could I predict the outcome with such an exquisite prize before me? If I didn’t taste him now, I’d regret it forever.

No time—get him to a room quick...

An icy chill hit me.

Flinch!

A murderous aura, like facing a lifelong nemesis, surged from nearby. I whipped my head toward the source—a cloaked woman radiating killing intent that filled the entrance.

Why me?!

Her terrifying intent targeted me alone. Instinctively sensing a threat to my life, I conjured a massive blood shield.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

"Gasp...!"

A sword sliced through it, stopping inches from my face.

"[B-Burst!]"

Boom!

I detonated the shield, sending blood spikes toward the assailant. As the explosion pushed her back, I scrambled to think. Why’s she after me? What grudge? Too many possibilities—taking over this tavern, crushing local merchants—someone with a grudge sending an assassin wasn’t surprising.

Glance.

I looked at the man in my arm. Why NOW? A day—two hours—later, I could’ve had my fun. If there’s a god, this is unfair. I had to choose. Coldly, he was a burden in a fight. A missing arm was a huge disadvantage.

Ughhh...

I hesitated. If I dealt with her quickly, I could grab him again—but I didn’t want to let go, even briefly. His scent and feel captivated me. Fight holding him?

Her cloak fluttered, revealing blood-red eyes—furious yet chilling, filling me with primal fear of something unnatural.

Snap!

"D-Deputy Manager! Take care of him!"

"Huh?!"

I threw him to her and faced the assailant. The slightest opening would mean—

Dash!

"Yuseong!!!!"

...Huh?

She charged—not at me, but toward him. Do they know each other?

Snap!

"Urk!"

"Ahh... Yuseong... Yuseong... It’s been so long... I missed you... I’m so glad you’re alive..."

"Ughhh..."

She snatched him, holding him in one arm, her voice unsteady. A possibility hit me. Her killing intent, aimed at me, vanished when she embraced him, speaking of missing him.

Another woman ensnared by him?!

If I convinced her to share, I might get my chance—

"Yuseong... Wait just a moment... Big sister will deal with this filthy wench and be right back..."

She hid him behind her, pointing her sword at me again.

Gulp.

No room for negotiation. Her killing intent hadn’t dimmed.

Twitch, twitch.

What do I do? Could I survive this?

Whoosh!

A sword flew—not thrown, but moving with a will of its own.

Boom!

"Kyaa!"

It struck her with the flat, sending her flying. Energy erupted from the blade just before impact.

Dash!

"What’s going on here?!"

The woman I’d competed with rushed out, frantic.

"Are you alright?! Did she do anything to you?!"

"Dizzyyy..."

She grabbed him, dazed, as I stood, mouth agape. What did I see? Controlling a sword and making it explode with energy? Even Sword Masters from my world couldn’t do that. A mere Sword User?

Is she really just a Sword User?

Wasn’t there a stage where masters’ energy stopped leaking, making them seem weaker? If so...

"I’m so glad... If anything had happened to you, I’d have..."

Shiver.

I’d picked a fight with someone absurd.

A voice came from the assailant, crashed against the wall.

"...Master...?"

Disbelief dripped from her voice.

"...Master...?"

Tremble, tremble.

Clutching my stomach, I reached toward her. The clash twisted my energy, pain surging, but this was more important.

+

Han Soyeon’s POV

"I’m so glad... If anything had happened to you, I’d have..."

Master held Yuseong in her arms. I hadn’t seen wrong. Even after ten years, her rejuvenated appearance was unchanged. I’d never mistake her—she’d been like a parent.

"Ahh... I’m so relieved..."

Master stroked Yuseong.

...Why?

Why was Master with Yuseong? Why together like this...?

Sure, an age gap existed, but they were rational adults—her embrace showed no hesitation, proof of a deep bond.

No... That can’t be...

This was Master. Not just anyone—Master. That upright, just woman wouldn’t form such a bond with a child who’d suffered because of her disciple. Guilt would keep her from touching him.

Why...?

The scene contradicted my belief. Master hugged Yuseong tightly, and he didn’t resist—a reaction far from normal. I’d done something to him. Neither could forget that. Yet they acted this way?

Calm down.

Ten years had passed—enough for rivers and mountains to shift. Something unknown could’ve led to reconciliation. But...

Hugging is different!

How dare she! She killed me, tore me from Yuseong with cold death! And now she hugged him?

Grind.

Even if she’s Master, I won’t forgive her. Even if she’s like a parent, any woman who touches Yuseong is an enemy.

Clang!

"Arghhhhh!!!!"

Rage, hatred, betrayal surged through my sword as I charged.

I didn’t expect success. My skill peaked at top tier in life—a hundred of me couldn’t scratch Master’s blade.

"...Who dares strike from behind?!"

Boom!

"Urgh!"

Her arm’s swing sent me flying. The gap in our strength was overwhelming.

Crack.

"...I won’t forgive you."

I twisted my joints unnaturally, beyond human limits, buying one more chance to swing.

"?!"

Shock flickered across Master’s face. I unleashed my strongest technique—the one she taught me.

"What?!"

Clang!

Our swords met, plum blossoms scenting the air.

Flutter.

The wind tore off my cloak, revealing me. Master’s face filled with shock.

+

Sword Empress’s POV

I’d searched every spot the manager suggested, disturbing innocents, when a commotion at the entrance drew me.

Halt.

My legs stopped. I haven’t found him. The realization stunned me. In the chaotic Central Plains, I always rushed to disturbances to protect bystanders. Yet I hesitated for him?

Shiver.

Fear of changing gripped me, but this wasn’t the time. The clash sounded like martial artists—acting fast would limit damage. And maybe he’d be there.

I hurried and found the entrance in chaos.

Grind.

"...How dare she."

A cloaked assailant held him. That was enough to understand.

Whoosh!

My sword-control technique, infused with explosive force, struck her, sending her flying. Her energy should be tangled, keeping her down.

"What’s this commotion?!"

I glanced at the manager, who’d faced the assailant, then ran to him.

Sway, sway.

"Are you alright?! Did she do anything?!"

"Dizzyyy..."

He was conscious. Relief washed over me.

"I’m so glad... If anything had happened..."

I pulled him close, checking for injuries. He seemed unhurt.

"Arghhhhh!!!!"

The assailant’s voice rang out, vaguely familiar, but I had no time to dwell. She swung at me.

"...Who dares strike from behind?!"

Boom!

I deflected her emotion-charged sword, pondering how to handle her.

Crack!

Darker, sinister energy surged as her joints twisted unnaturally. Through her cloak, I saw red eyes—burning yet chilling.

Shiver.

Despite our skill gap, an eerie feeling crept over me, like seeing a wriggling sea creature—a primal discomfort of facing the unnatural.

Is she human...?

She was distorted beyond belief. I’d felt this before—the day I cut down Soyeon, her maniacal laugh as she reveled in Yuseong never forgetting her.

That fear was fleeting. When our swords met, shock erased it.

My martial art...?

Her blade carried my technique—identical to my unique, enlightened style.

Clang!

Plum blossoms scented the air. Though Huashan techniques at high levels exude this fragrance, our clash confirmed it. This was my art, taught to one other—someone no longer in this world.

Flutter!

The impact tore off her cloak, revealing beautiful black hair streaked with blood, a stunning face, and red eyes filled with rage, hatred, anguish, betrayal, hope, despair.

"Y-You, how...?"

My only disciple. My greatest sin. A child who inherited my martial arts and title, like kin.

Soyeon stood there. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

As I faltered, her mouth opened.

"That’s what I’d like to ask."

+

Sword Empress’s POV

Tremble, tremble.

"That child will struggle to survive out there. Just as he seduced me, he’ll seduce other women, exploiting their hearts and wealth."

"But no matter what women he meets, he’ll never forget me."

That scene flashed like a lantern reel—the same voice, same aura. The image of a human ruined by warped love stood before me again.

"Aha! Ahahahaha!!!"

For a moment, I thought it was a nightmare. Perhaps I’d fallen asleep. I couldn’t accept this reality. My disciple, whom I’d cut down, was alive.

"Ah... ah..."

My mouth wouldn’t close. Tears welled up, emotions overwhelming me, senses rejecting reality. I barely turned my gaze as past memories clawed me back.

Her voice reached me—black ink, mixed with every color, laden with tangled emotions yet eerily hollow.

"Why is Master with that child?"

She repeated it again.

"Why is Master with that child?"

Her words froze my mind. Her indifferent tone, jumbled with feelings, left me speechless—not just from shock at seeing my slain disciple alive.

Why was I with him?

I didn’t know, couldn’t answer. Did she mean why I was with him in a tavern? Or why I was with him at all? Both? Either way, I had no justification. Her sins were mine as her master. Even after cutting her down, I bore her guilt. If I’d taught her better, she wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Tremble, tremble.

"Is it... really you, Soyeon...?"

"Has so much time passed that you can’t recognize the disciple you cut down?"

"..."