Book 11 Chapter 17

Another Reunion

- The Majesty of the Seven Plum Swords

"Hoo…"

Yun Junho, who had entered the forest alone, let out a sigh so deep it felt like the ground would sink.

It was a habit he still couldn't fix. Although Biryuyeon, Hyoryong, and Janghong had all urged him to change it, it seemed old habits truly died hard.

"I'm still so far from being good enough! Can I really do this? Can I do it without disgracing, damaging, or tarnishing the honor of the Cheonmu Academy?"

If Biryuyeon saw him, he would have surely scolded him for moping around alone. Discussing with trustworthy people would yield much more positive results, but being teased as a coward and ostracized made it awkward to even consult with others.

His worries had deepened recently. When he encountered Marangchae, the leader of Nokrim, on Daehong Mountain and was surrounded by three thousand Green Forest bandits, he had once again succumbed to fear. The tension squeezing his heart and the terror tearing at his lungs made him unable to grasp his surroundings properly. He couldn't remember anything of what Biryuyeon and the bronze-skinned warrior whose name he couldn't recall had discussed. It was because he had lost his composure due to tension, fear, and dread. His senses had dulled, and his vision had narrowed. If a full-scale battle had broken out, he would probably be lying dead on Daehong Mountain. Yun Junho hated himself for being terrified again, giving in to fear before anything even happened.

"Haaap!"

Frustrated, he swung his sword wildly. The sword wind rose like a storm, sweeping through the forest. Though weak in actual combat, his sword energy during practice was impeccable. His sword energy cut through the trees horizontally.

THUMP!

Then, something suddenly fell from a tree. It was a dark red mass.

"Wh-what is it?"

Yun Junho flinched, his mouth agape.

"Krrreuk!"

A groan escaped the dark red mass. It was a person, their entire body stained red with blood. However, they still seemed to have the strength to get up. But even that single movement looked incredibly difficult to Yun Junho.

"Wh-who are you!"

Yun Junho's eyes widened. He had seen this surprisingly ordinary-faced middle-aged man, covered in red, just a short while ago. He was none other than Lee Songhak, the esteemed swordsman of Heukrangchae and its vice-leader.

"What! You… you are!"

Lee Songhak's eyes widened as well.

"Who is it?"

Lee Songhak retorted, his voice implying, "Why are you acting like you know me when I've never seen you before?" Yun Junho had so little presence that he wasn't registered in his memory. Moreover, he was suffering from the pain spreading throughout his body. He didn't have the mental capacity to spare on recalling Yun Junho's face.

Yun Junho felt the tension in his shoulders drain away.

"I am Yun Junho, representing the Cheonmu Academy. What happened to your wounds?"

"Ah!"

However, Lee Songhak didn't have the luxury of returning a greeting of reunion.

"Get out of here quickly!"

Lee Songhak shouted urgently.

"Why? Is something wrong?"

It was a foolish question in such a situation. Lee Songhak had barely managed to escape the relentless pursuit and had barely made it this far. All routes to the stronghold were blocked. He had been forced to take a detour, and his tracks had been discovered. He looked at Yun Junho intently. Yun Junho flinched at his intense gaze.

"Someone terrifying is chasing me. You should get out of here quickly. I'll lure him away."

But Yun Junho didn't move.

"You can't fight in that condition, can you?"

It was evident at a glance that he had lost too much blood. It was a miracle he could still maintain his strength. It was probably the power of his will. His body was undoubtedly in a mess, not just externally but internally as well.

"It doesn't matter! Just deliver one piece of news to the Nokrim stronghold. Tell them that Heukrangchae was annihilated by an unknown group."

He already knew about it. And because of it, hadn't he witnessed the fascinating duel between the foolish father and son?

"I know. I've even been framed for it."

Lee Songhak's surprised expression hardened. He had sensed a killing intent rapidly approaching him.

"Regardless! Get out of here quickly! They are like messengers of death from hell! There's no time!"

Bloodstains streaked across Lee Songhak's face, making him look even more grotesque. His face, etched with fatigue and pain, was utterly worn out. His bleeding was severe.

"I can't leave an injured person behind."

Yun Junho protested.

"Don't act so brave. They are not people you can handle."

Lee Songhak raised his voice. He saw the young man as too reckless.

"I cannot do that."

"You don't seem very skilled, and you even look timid. What kind of pointless bravery is this? Do you want to die for nothing? Get out quickly!"

"I cannot!"

Yun Junho shouted.

"You stubborn fool! Go quickly!"

The pursuers, exuding a strong killing intent, could be felt nearby. Lee Songhak hastily drew his sword and gripped it in his hand.

'How many more times can I swing this?'

Lee Songhak slowly wanted to give up on everything. He was too exhausted from being chased. But his pride was too strong to be defeated so ignominiously.

"I told you to go!"

His voice was filled with urgency. The killing intent was now very close. It might have already been too late.

"No. I am not a coward."

Yun Junho shouted impulsively. In that moment, a thunderous tremor ran through Yun Junho's entire body. He shouted inwardly.

'Yes, I am not a coward! I am a disciple of the Hwasan sect and a representative of the Cheonmu Academy! I am strong. I am not weak. I am not a coward!'

Yun Junho drew his sword. The wavering, agitation, and fear in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a fiery will.

"Heh, so you were here!"

A chillingly low voice dripped with killing intent! And with it, five masked figures appeared before the two. They were indeed members of the 8th squad of the Twelve Blood Demons, who had been pursuing Lee Songhak.

'This is the end!'

Lee Songhak lamented inwardly. He had no strength left to resist. His strength had long since been depleted to the bottom of a well during the arduous, bloody journey to get here.

"Huh?"

The eyes of the 8th squad members narrowed slightly upon seeing an extra person who was not their target. They exchanged glances, coordinating their thoughts. The consensus was reached in the blink of an eye. In such cases, elimination was the natural course of action. No one who saw their faces could be left alive.

"Consider it bad luck!"

*Screeeech!*

The five Blood Demon squad members simultaneously drew their sabers from behind their waists. They were ominous sabers with blades as black as death. They gripped their sabers in reverse and assumed a hunter's stance. Sweat beaded on Yun Junho's sword-wielding hand.

"Gasp!"

Yun Junho was terrified. The saber techniques they were using were beyond ordinary common sense. He had never faced a reverse-grip saber technique before, making their methods even more unfamiliar. The black-clad masked figures' techniques were vicious and cunning. Thus, it was extremely difficult to track their movements.

*Scratch!*

With a lightning-fast strike from a Blood Demon squad member, his chest was cut deeply. However, because he had quickly retreated, it only grazed his skin. But as the cold chill touched his skin, unconscious fear surged within him. His training was clearly insufficient.

However, the black-clad attacker was also surprised that his strike had missed. He had thought he had landed a solid hit, so his surprise was even greater. He quickly concluded that Yun Junho was no ordinary opponent. Therefore, he decided to end him more decisively.

He signaled to his colleague next to him. Two colleagues signaled back, understanding. When his signal came again, three of them leaped towards Yun Junho simultaneously. From their hands, black saber blades emanated the scent of death.

Desperately, Yun Junho used the defensive stances of the Twenty-Four Styles of Plum Blossom Swordplay to deflect the saber strike aimed at his left from a black-clad attacker, then quickly twisted his body to parry the saber from the right-hand attacker, which was slashing upwards from below.

*Clang!*

'Gasp!'

Yun Junho screamed inwardly. His sword had been completely blocked by the right-hand attacker's saber. His front was completely defenseless. The left-handed saber of the front attacker flashed with a dark light. Yun Junho squeezed his eyes shut.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

No matter how long he waited, he didn't feel the touch of death. Yun Junho, who had felt death closest just moments ago, peeked his eyes open and looked to see if he was in the underworld or the living world. The black-clad figures were five paces away from him. They were all clenching their fists, and Yun Junho couldn't understand why or when they had retreated that far.

"Had fun?"

A voice echoed in Yun Junho's ears, and with a fleeting movement, the person who appeared before Yun Junho was none other than Biryuyeon. Fallen leaves swirled around his figure.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're still so far behind. To struggle so much against someone weaker than you!"

Biryuyeon clicked his tongue, looking at Yun Junho, whose front had been cut and was showing bloodstains.

"What are you doing with these brats?"

"Ah, no, I…"

Yun Junho had no words to reply.

"They attacked me out of nowhere…"

Unconsciously, Yun Junho politely referred to the assassins who had tried to kill him as "them."

"Well, I can tell they're bad people at first glance without needing an explanation. It's written all over their faces. They look like typical villains from a story."

Black sabers, black clothes, and black masks – what more needed to be said!

The five members of the Twelve Blood Demons exchanged glances. As if by agreement, they nodded. They signaled their intention to eliminate Biryuyeon as well. Eliminating witnesses was their top priority. They were so dedicated to their mission and duty that they made the mistake of not judging the opponent's strength at all.

"Alright! Now, do your best!"

Biryuyeon, who had been blocking Yun Junho's path, picked up Lee Songhak and sat down under a tree to the side. However, being thoughtful, he didn't forget to encourage him.

"Huh? Aren't you going to help?"

Yun Junho's face fell at Biryuyeon's sudden action. He had assumed Biryuyeon would naturally help. There were five of them, and here they were, two, including an incapacitated injured person! The situation was stark.

"You should handle this kind of thing yourself. Don't worry! If you die, I'll collect your bones well. If you have any last words, leave them now. I'll handle it without a fee."

His words were so nonchalant, as if one were thinking, "The weather is nice today."

"Are you… are you really my friend?"

"Of course, we're friends. That's why you should do your best! It wouldn't be right for my friend to lose to such brats, would it?"

It was a heartless remark. Biryuyeon smiled faintly and waved. Yun Junho wanted to cry but couldn't. He knew the common sense that being underestimated by the enemy could lead to a loss of momentum.

"Bu-but…"

As Yun Junho, with a dejected expression, tried to say something more, Biryuyeon stopped him.

"Junho! Why should I side with the strong? I don't help people who fight against those weaker than themselves!"

'Weaker? They are weaker than me? That's impossible!'

Yun Junho couldn't easily comprehend Biryuyeon's words.

"Are you sure you don't need to help that young man?"

The person who asked was Lee Songhak, who had been carried to the shade of the tree by Biryuyeon.

"Of course. Who do you think will win, sir?"

"Naturally, these black-clad men will win. They are terrifying. I should quickly help that young man. Otherwise, he will die soon. You should go call for reinforcements!"

Lee Songhak shouted urgently. But Biryuyeon remained unmoved.

"Then, shall we make a bet?"

"A bet? At such a critical moment, wh-what bet?"

"That's precisely why we should bet. Our opinions differ, so we need to determine who is right. What's better for showing trust than a bet? How about ten taels of silver? I'll bet that I can win alone!"

Strangely, Lee Songhak couldn't refuse this absurd and almost joking proposal. He felt, for some reason, that he could trust it.

"Ve-very well!"

"Great! Then the bet is on."

Caught up in Biryuyeon's words, Lee Songhak accepted the bet. He had never wished to lose a bet so desperately as he did today. Ten taels of silver were nothing compared to the value of a life.

"I stake my name on this: you are definitely stronger than all of them combined! So don't be afraid! Believe in yourself more! Believe in me! As proof, I've bet money that you'll win. So you must win! You can do it!"

Biryuyeon shouted confidently. It was his own form of encouragement.

'Believe in myself? I'm stronger than them? And Biryuyeon bet money on me!'

This ridiculous situation, which should have made him angry, actually gave him courage. The Biryuyeon he had seen was someone who never did anything at a loss. And he had never lost a bet he had put money on before. Suddenly, the memory of that morning's dawn flashed in his mind.

'From now on, no matter what happens, I will never run away!'

Hadn't he sworn that while watching the rising sun on the day of the entrance exam for Huanmadong? Was he still keeping that promise?

'I will not run! I am not a coward!'

Yun Junho's sword trembled, and countless plum blossoms began to bloom. The plum blossoms, blooming from the sword's tip into sword energy, drew red trails as they shot towards the Twelve Blood Demon squad members.

It wasn't winter, yet the scent of plum blossoms filled the entire forest.

It was the Seven Plum Swords, manifested in the Sword Fragrance Realm.

Pant, pant, pant, pant!

Yun Junho lowered his sword, drenched in sweat. His sword-wielding arm trembled. His heart was still pounding as if it would burst.

"Did I really do this?"

Looking around, Yun Junho couldn't believe his eyes. All five of them were sprawled around, hit by sword energy. Judging by the sword marks on their bodies, it was undoubtedly the trace of the Seven Plum Swords.

"Are… are they dead?"

Biryuyeon nodded. He seemed unfazed, even though he had become an accessory to murder. At Biryuyeon's silent reply, Yun Junho's face turned ashen. He had turned pale. For him, who had lived innocently until now, his first kill was like lightning striking in the midst of greenery.

"It was an inevitable outcome anyway. If they hadn't died, you would have been the one with your face buried in the bloody ground. They must have intended to kill you when they attacked you. Of course, they didn't expect you to do this because they underestimated you… They were careless."

Biryuyeon, watching Yun Junho tremble for a moment, stated his thoughts resolutely.

"To take a life, you must risk your own. That's the rule of the martial world!"

Biryuyeon knew this absolute principle, even if he didn't know about the Nine Great Sects or the Eight Great Families. Such trivial knowledge was less important than this simple truth. Yun Junho, dazed by his own actions, felt something strange. Upon closer inspection, the cause of death for two of them was not the Seven Plum Swords. One was a stab wound through the heart, and the other was poison.

"Wh-what did I do?"

Yun Junho asked in a trembling voice. His mind seemed completely blank, as if it had been scrubbed clean. The trembling in his body had not subsided.

"I'll tell you later!"

Seeing the bewildered Yun Junho, Biryuyeon let out a wry smile.

"You're still far from ready! You're really too much trouble, requiring so much attention!"

Finally, Yun Junho collapsed onto the ground. It seemed he needed more training to properly fulfill the role of one person.

"I think I won the bet, right?"

Biryuyeon, who had been smiling brightly at Lee Songhak, lost his smile. Lee Songhak offered no reply. Biryuyeon hurried to Lee Songhak and felt for his pulse. Fortunately, he wasn't dead. His pulse was still faint. Seeing Yun Junho's victory, the last vestiges of tension seemed to have dissipated.

"Oh, dear!"

Biryuyeon thought it might take some time to collect his bet money.

"Hmmph… So these are the guys who targeted Lee Songhak, huh?"

Yeomdo's gaze, filled with displeasure, swept over the bodies of the black-clad figures.

"They're all dead."

Biryuyeon nodded.

"I wanted to capture one to interrogate them, but the last one was no ordinary wicked person. He killed his fallen comrades who were still breathing with his own hands and then committed suicide by biting a poison pill he had in his mouth."

It seemed that was how the two Yun Junho saw had died. Yeomdo and Binggeom's faces turned cold as Biryuyeon explained the circumstances of the incident. To commit suicide like that indicated a mental state that couldn't be reached through ordinary training.

"They seem to be living weapons trained through hellish training, including hypnosis."

As Yeomdo muttered, examining the black-clad masked figures, Biryuyeon nodded.

"Reverse-grip sabers, that's unusual!"

Holding sabers in reverse was a method not commonly used in the Central Plains. This made their identities even more intriguing. Yeomdo picked up one of their sabers and examined it closely. There were no special markings.

"What a deadly saber. How many lives has it consumed…"

The surface of the saber was blackened to prevent reflection of moonlight, facilitating ambushes in the dark.

"There's no point in such sabers existing in the world. Unpurified sabers must be broken."

Binggeom stared coldly at the dark saber.

"They are clearly professionals. There aren't many people who wear such outfits and wield such weapons. Their equipment is designed strictly for combat and practicality."

Janghong, with sharp eyes like a hawk, examined them in a grave tone. The feared event had finally occurred. The shadows of darkness had revealed themselves.

'Is this the beginning now?'

His face hardened. He felt tension silently spreading through every corner of his body.

"What do we do with him now?"

Biryuyeon pointed to the covered wagon where Lee Songhak was lying. They had rescued him, but now they had a difficult problem of what to do with him. After dealing with the situation, their group continued on their journey. Despite taking a life-saving pill, Lee Songhak still hadn't regained consciousness. He had lost too much blood while evading pursuit. Furthermore, the emergency treatment for his wounds was insufficient, and they had festered in several places, oozing pus. As a result, he had a high fever due to his wounds.

They couldn't continue to carry him all the way to Hwasan in this state. There was a hundred percent chance he would die if his wounds worsened en route.

"We can't keep carrying him in this condition… I guess we'll have to entrust him somewhere. A safe place that even those black-clad masked figures wouldn't dare touch! A place that will safely guard my bet money!"

At this moment, only one place came to mind.

"Indeed, there seems to be no other place!"

Everyone nodded at Biryuyeon's words.