The Black Cloud Sword Chronicles: The Demon Queen’s Path

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the inn.

The trio had been up early, preparing to set off on their journey.

"Whew, that was a nice break," Gonryun Sect's Wi-Yeon said with a stretch.

He looked noticeably refreshed, likely thanks to his time at the hot springs the previous night.

"How about you, Iseon? You got some good rest too, right?"

At his casual question, Iseon nodded calmly.

"Yes. I rested well."

But inwardly, she felt differently.

'That was close…'

She still remembered the man from the previous night—the one who had been watching her closely.

"That woman… she looks familiar."

Fortunately, nothing had happened, but if he recognized her again, it could become a serious problem.

"Well then, shall we go?"

Jin of the Hwasan Sect opened the door, signaling for them to leave.

As they descended to the first floor of the inn—

"Huh? Hey! You look just like that woman from yesterday!"

For a split second, Iseon's heart sank.

She slowly turned her head.

And there, approaching them with a cup in hand, was the very man from the previous night.

"Hmm… You do look quite similar…"

He stroked his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly seemed convinced of something.

"Do you have a younger sister?"

The atmosphere inside the inn shifted subtly.

Some of the other martial artists, who had been drinking, turned to glance in their direction.

Jin and Wi-Yeon were visibly confused.

"…What?"

Jin asked, looking utterly perplexed.

Wi-Yeon nearly choked on his tea.

"Haha! What nonsense! Iseon with a younger sister? You must be mistaken."

Wi-Yeon laughed it off, but Jin shot a fleeting glance at Iseon, his eyes holding a peculiar glint.

However, Iseon remained unshaken.

"Younger sister? I'm an only child."

She answered without hesitation, her face devoid of emotion.

Still, the man didn't seem convinced.

"That's odd. You really do look alike… Hmm, there's just something about you that feels the same."

He scrutinized her for a few more seconds before sighing.

"Ah, well… Must've been my imagination. What a shame."

He muttered as he returned to his seat.

Back at his table, he swirled his drink and mumbled to himself.

"Strange… That woman was truly beautiful."

He tried to recall her face.

"She had the same kind of presence as that guy, but… more graceful. More refined."

His gaze flickered back toward 'Iseon,' the swordsman in men's clothing.

"…Could he be hiding something?"

He continued musing, his curiosity growing.

"Why? I mean, it's not unheard of for people in the martial world to conceal their identities,

but why would a woman disguise herself as a man?"

He let out a deep sigh and finally gave up.

Meanwhile, Wi-Yeon let out a hearty laugh.

"Puhaha! Iseon, looks like you're quite popular!

First, people say you look like a woman, and now they think you are one? Incredible!"

He playfully patted Iseon on the shoulder.

But Jin, who had been quietly observing the whole interaction, did not laugh.

"…Iseon."

His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary.

And in that brief instant, Iseon could sense it—

He was beginning to suspect her.

'This man… he's starting to see through me.'

She turned away, unwilling to meet his eyes.

'Something is off. If he simply thought I looked feminine, he wouldn't be watching me like that.'

Jin remained silent, but he was analyzing every little detail—every slight inconsistency in Iseon's behavior.

'First, refusing to bathe, and now this… Too many small things don't add up.'

"Let's go."

Iseon acted natural and walked ahead.

Watching her back as she strode forward, Jin quietly murmured to himself.

"Iseon… Just what are you hiding?"

A Moment of Crisis, The Unshaken Demon Sect Warrior

The Forest Path – An Unexpected Ambush

As the three continued along a quiet forest path, a strange presence filled the air.

They stopped walking just as a group of men emerged from the shadows.

"Well now, travelers… You're in our territory. You weren't thinking of passing through for free, were you?"

Dressed in dark clothes, each man bore the same insignia.

'Mountain bandits? No… maybe a rogue martial sect?'

Iseon swiftly assessed the situation.

'Fifteen of them. Just the three of us. If we must fight, we should end this quickly.'

"Ah, what a pain," Wi-Yeon grumbled, drawing his sword.

Jin's hand rested on his hilt as well.

"Hardly a surprise. People like this don't gather in remote places for friendly conversations."

But before they could engage—

One of the bandits snickered, pointing at Iseon.

"That little runt's your leader?"

He let out a loud laugh.

"Hey, kid! You look way too pretty to be a man! Like a damn woman!"

Jin's expression subtly shifted.

But Iseon? She didn't even flinch.

"Shut up."

And—

Swish!

Before anyone could react, her blade cut through the air.

The leading bandit fell before he even knew what had happened.

"…What the—?!"

The remaining men hesitated. Jin and Wi-Yeon took advantage of the moment.

"No choice but to fight now," Jin muttered as he lunged forward.

Wi-Yeon laughed, striking down another enemy.

One after another, the bandits collapsed. The battle was swiftly concluding.

But then—

"Watch out!"

Jin's voice rang out.

A hidden enemy hurled a dagger straight at Iseon's shoulder.

Whoosh!

She twisted, barely avoiding a direct hit, but the blade nicked her robe, tearing the fabric.

Jin's sharp gaze flickered toward the exposed area beneath the tear.

Smooth skin. The faintest curve of a body.

At that moment, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

'No way…?'

His mind raced.

'If Iseon were truly a man, this shouldn't be a big deal.'

'But if Iseon were actually a woman… there should be a hint of hesitation.'

However—

Iseon remained utterly unfazed.

She glanced down at her torn clothing.

"Oh, my robe is ripped."

She casually adjusted it, her face as indifferent as ever.

Jin hesitated.

'Wait… Did I imagine it?'

From childhood, Iseon had been trained in the Demon Sect.

In that world, there was no distinction between men and women—only the strong and the weak.

"Only the strong survive."

That was the law she lived by.

She had fought alongside men, suffered injuries beside them, slept in shared quarters with them.

Her body had never been a factor in battle.

"Your gender doesn't matter. Win, and you live."

That's what her master had always said.

So, to her, a torn robe was meaningless.

Jin's eyes darted between her and his own thoughts.

'No… I must be overthinking it.'

'Would a woman really react this calmly?'

For now, he decided to let it go.

Iseon simply walked ahead, as if nothing had happened.

Wi-Yeon chuckled, stretching.

"Ah, that was a decent warm-up."

But Jin…

Jin wasn't so sure.

'I swear something isn't right… But I still don't have proof.'

He exhaled deeply.

For now, his suspicions were quieted.

But he hadn't let them go.

Not yet.