Book 19 Chapter 14

A Conversation Shared Through Silence…

—Biryu Yeon vs. Cheong Heun

Na Yerlin suddenly thought that when she was with this person, words were merely auxiliary means to convey feelings. She also wondered if thinking one couldn't converse without words was a simple human obsession.

Was a wordless conversation even possible? She didn't deny that humans couldn't communicate without relying on words. However, humans seemed to have a narrower perspective than imagined, often so preoccupied with words that they forgot their origin. Thus, by relying too much on words, they were unknowingly ensnared by them. Once trapped in the abyss of words, it was difficult to escape the swamp of ignorance.

But the person sitting beside her now was different. He was not ensnared by words, nor by customs, nor by his own selfish desires. His name was Biryu Yeon.

He never tried to deceive himself. He always confronted things directly. That's why he was easy to understand. He knew it wasn't the common way. Perhaps that's why people showed him resistance. Yet, she had never seen him bend himself.

Though many still vehemently opposed them, the two, now considered an official couple, were currently engaged in a unique conversation. The language they used was silence, another name for muteness. Biryu Yeon had taught her that conversation was possible not just by incessantly wagging one's tongue, but also by resting it for a moment and sitting quietly, simply by the tranquility that a wordless language brought.

Na Yerlin was terrible at conversation, especially with men. Since childhood, men had been objects of caution, never subjects of conversation. The only exception was her father, the leader of the martial arts alliance, Na Baek Cheon, but they weren't a father-daughter pair who had many conversations. At that time, her father was too busy with his duties, and she was too young.

Her tendency was further accelerated by living in the Sword Pavilion, inhabited only by women, from the age of twelve. Extreme environments breed extreme reactions. It couldn't be helped, even if it was called narrow-mindedness.

They say the precariousness and intensity of life are like walking a tightrope. A tightrope walker who loses balance on the rope is always severely injured. Fearing the extreme experiences that could arise from the Sword Pavilion's peculiar environment, the Sword Queen would hold small gatherings with male disciples from reputable sects once they reached a certain age. However, Na Yerlin preferred to stay locked in her room even then. Therefore, it would have been stranger if she were skilled in conversation.

Due to a severe lack of human interaction, she didn't even know what to talk about. Though it would be cruel to the men who desperately tried to hear even one word of her cold yet clear jade-like voice, before being skilled in conversation, she was skeptical of the very necessity of having conversations. To her, men were merely objects of disgust and caution, and that fact had never changed. Until she met one person.

From the first time she saw Biryu Yeon, he was somehow different from others. It was a strange feeling. A sense of déjà vu, a familiarity as if she had met him somewhere before, and a naturalness that broke down her mental defenses in an instant. Otherwise, she wouldn't have allowed 'that incident' to happen. When she came to her senses, her lips had already been stolen. It wasn't sweet, but it wasn't disgusting or unpleasant either. She was just angry at herself for allowing it. So, she swung her sword, as if to sever the connection that had been re-established.

However, the chain of fate that had once connected them was not easily broken. It was merely scratched on the surface. As unpredictable as life is, Na Yerlin at that time could never have imagined that they would develop to this extent. She didn't believe she could give her heart to a man. Of course, neither did anyone at the Cheonmu Academy.

When she was with Biryu Yeon, she didn't have to strain her mind to desperately come up with topics to keep the endless stream of boring, tedious, and yawn-inducing stories going. Simply sitting quietly side by side, shoulder to shoulder, looking in the same direction was enough to taste the warm, sweet feeling of hearts and souls quietly resonating and communicating.

The heart does not reside in words that have left the tongue, and there is always room for hypocrisy and lies in spoken words. A hundred, a thousand words of love could become a vast grave covered in lies, hypocrisy, and falsehoods overnight. But there was no room for hypocrisy in this silence. For the heart to resonate, what is needed is not sound, but another heart. That, perhaps, is resonance.

His silence resonates with her heart, and her silence resonates with his heart. Her hardened heart, which had not responded to a hundred flattering words or a thousand prayers, was now vibrating in a mute silence devoid of a single syllable.

Hearts beating silently met and harmonized, creating two vibrations into one. The heart spread out into the world, into the universe. She felt her own resonance, responding to his, expanding into the world. Her soul rejoiced in harmony, resonating together. What should she call this feeling, this heart that had just emerged since birth? A faint sound of water was heard from her frozen heart.

The sun set. The wind blew as if to raise red waves. Gazing at the crimson sunset that threatened to flood them, the two surrendered themselves to the silence. Time vanished, and space disappeared. And only one melody remained.

Biryu Yeon's mouth, which usually wielded countless sharp criticisms like a sword once opened, was also closed and firm at this moment.

Since their meeting at Unhyang Pavilion, his flame, the burning flame emanating from his fingertips and lips, had been melting the cold ice that encased her heart, layer by layer, but it had not succeeded in melting it completely.

The warmth of his hand melted her frozen hand, and his lips breathed life into her frost-chilled pale lips, but the heat was not enough to completely melt the ice crystals, colder and harder than those of the Northern Sea, that still encased her heart.

However, the warmth, like the early spring sun on the edge of winter, was slowly, imperceptibly melting the barrier of her frozen heart, without her even realizing it. As this process occurred subtly behind her awareness, she did not realize it, but a small sprout of trust had already taken root in the barren, desolate land.

Perhaps now she could convey her feelings to him. Though she feared breaking this beautiful silence, she thought she wanted to convey it, that she had to convey it. If only the interlopers hadn't appeared, she might have done so.

But the melody, which seemed to echo forever, shattered like a piece of glass falling to the ground due to the slightest noise caused by the intruders. Naye Lin, pierced by the irritating fragments of noise, opened her mouth in a regretful tone.

"Ryu Yeon…"

The tower of silence, painstakingly built over a long time, crumbled in an instant. Biryu Yeon turned his head. Na Yerlin also turned her head and glared at the two intruders with displeasure.

"Excuse us, you two! May we have a moment of your time?"

The intruders who invaded the world of the two harmonizing in perfect silence were Baek Mu Yeong, known as the messenger of the Gujeong Council, and Cheong Heun, the Three-Segmented Sword of Musang Bi Cheonryong. Her heart, which had been melting drop by drop like clear dew, began to refreeze rapidly. Then, a cold chill that had momentarily subsided rose like a cloud.

"What is it, Young Master Baek, Young Master Cheong Heun?"

Their chilling reply, like the frost of midwinter, carried a coolness that made even the messengers of the Gujeong Council falter. Baek Mu Yeong, startled by that piercing chill, became flustered. Had I committed a grave sin? Unable to understand her unprovoked anger, he became flustered.

"Ah… um, well…"

The man, known as the embodiment of sharp reason, stammered, unable to figure out what to do in his embarrassment.

'This friend is flustered.'

Cheong Heun was surprised by this uncharacteristic display, which was rarely seen. But at the same time, he was impressed and amused, and Cheong Heun unhesitatingly paid homage to the person who had drawn out his friend's strange demeanor, sighing inwardly.

'That's why I told you to find a lover quickly…'

Cheong Heun clicked his tongue and thought to himself.

'What's the point of being praised as handsome and intelligent! There are no results! I told you there are so many things in this world that you can't understand without experiencing them, but you kept ignoring me, and now look!'

What one sees from the outside and what one experiences inside are completely different dimensions. However, this friend, while good at everything else, had a flaw of acting as if he could understand the world solely through theory. He acted as if he knew what love was just by observation. He would say, 'Why bother doing something that's obviously going to happen if I do it?' His rebuttal to that was fixed.

'Oh, come on, unverified theories are just hypotheses, my friend!'

Of course, neither of them would budge on their opinions, so they failed to find a compromise. Perhaps because of that, this friend was truly ignorant of how to treat women. He had no immunity. In short, he was full of loopholes. He was demonstrating in practice that hypotheses without experience are empty.

"Um… so…"

Once he started, he should have continued, but the sentence disintegrated in his bewilderment, scattering in all directions. As his strongest weapon, his ability to speak, failed him, the swamp of embarrassment deepened, pulling him further in as he struggled. There was no hope of escape. For a moment, he even forgot why he had come here.

Na Yerlin's voice became even colder.

"I am listening. Please speak. I haven't even heard your business yet."

It sounded colder than saying she wasn't listening at all and was just playing dumb.

"We… well! Official business (Gongmu)! That's right, Gong-mu! We came because we have official business, Young Lady Na!"

Finally, Baek Mu Yeong, after considerable mental effort, managed to gather his scattered thoughts and remember his purpose.

"Official business? At this hour when the sun is setting and stars are rising in the sky?"

Normally, official business hours were from 6 AM to 5 PM. Martial artists had to wake up early, so the start time was earlier, and the end time was based on the average sunset time.

"Hey, we're working overtime!"

'No, why am I trembling when I'm not even a criminal?'

He remembered he wasn't a criminal. Then, courage surged to continue. Yes, he was working overtime. He had faltered for a moment under the pressure, but there was no reason to feel guilty.

"Overtime?"

Na Yerlin asked back in a doubtful tone.

"Yes, overtime. We want to rest too, but the matter is so urgent and critical. We are being over-worked at such a young age. But rest assured, it has nothing to do with you, Young Lady Na, an honest and exemplary official. Our business is with him."

Baek Mu Yeong's finger, pointing at Biryu Yeon, held a hint of animosity for some reason.

'This friend is still flustered.'

Cheong Heun had been watching his friend, who was performing a series of uncharacteristic actions as if he had made up his mind, with a mixture of concern and amusement. However, he was starting to feel a bit uneasy leaving this matter to his friend.

Cheong Heun stepped forward.

"That's right. Our business is with him, not with Young Lady Na. We didn't want to interrupt your intimate time, but the matter is so urgent that we have caused this inconvenience. Please show us your leniency and tolerance, Young Lady Na."

Na Yerlin glanced at Biryu Yeon. But he remained silent, arms crossed beside her, seemingly observing how the situation would unfold. As a result, the initiative in the conversation naturally remained with Na Yerlin, and their desire to quickly conclude the conversation with her and move on to the main topic with a more approachable—albeit based on their imagination, prejudice, and delusion—opponent continued to be ignored.

"Since you acknowledge that you have interrupted and that it is an inconvenience, I suppose I have the right to hear the reason for this official business. Don't you, you two?"

The two looked at each other with perplexed expressions. Baek Mu Yeong and Cheong Heun exchanged glances, debating with their eyes who would be honored with the lady's wrath first. To express the fierce dialogue in their gazes, which resembled a battle, they had to strain even the subtle facial muscles they normally didn't use. After a few opinions were exchanged, they reached a silent agreement.

Baek Mu Yeong spoke first.

"Very well. We will tell you why we are here. You will naturally know as we execute our duty."

He turned slightly towards Biryu Yeon and, holding a document of official duty, read their purpose in a clear voice.

"We hereby arrest Biryu Yeon, a third-year student of the Cheonmu Academy, on suspicion of murdering five prospective applicants!"

Contrary to expectations, Biryu Yeon's reaction to being arrested as a suspect in a murder case, despite the two's discreet approach, was not frantic. Nor did he claim his innocence or plead injustice. He didn't say a single word.

"Ryu Yeon…"

Na Yerlin's voice trembled violently, her eyes reflecting her concern, not accusation, as she heard Baek Mu Yeong's harsh pronouncement. She believed in Biryu Yeon's innocence. She didn't want to hastily break the tower of trust they had built based on someone else's words. She wanted to believe in what she had seen and felt about him so far. She inwardly hoped he would say something. Then, her wavering heart might settle. As if reading her gaze, Biryu Yeon gave a wry smile and shrugged at her.

"It happens often. Don't worry."

What happens often? Was he referring to murders that occur in the martial arts world? Baek Mu Yeong and Cheong Heun couldn't understand Biryu Yeon's words. But Na Yerlin understood.

"I see."

She nodded with a look of understanding.

"Hey, what happens often?"

Baek Mu Yeong asked Biryu Yeon, seemingly hesitant to ask Na Yerlin.

"You don't know that either?"

Biryu Yeon asked back, as if he couldn't believe she didn't know such common sense.

"I don't."

Baek Mu Yeong answered honestly, though his brow furrowed due to his wounded pride. That point was somewhat pleasing to Biryu Yeon.

"Oh, you're quite honest. Good. I'll tell you, given your honesty."

Biryu Yeon said, as if doing them a favor.

"Hurry up and tell us."

Baek Mu Yeong replied curtly to Biryu Yeon's generous offer.

"Yeah, yeah, tell us quickly."

Cheong Heun, from the side, chimed in as if to say, 'My tongue is merely an accessory.'

"Things that always happen often, and hurt many good people. Some sacrifice living beings to escape their sins, others to achieve their ambitions. It's framing."

Biryu Yeon's voice was uninhibited as he spoke as if it were his own story. The two, suddenly demoted to villains who arrested innocent people or to 'incompetents' who couldn't grasp the truth of the case, could not simply dismiss his words.

"Are you claiming you've been framed? And that it's unfair?"

"No. It's not unfair."

That was an unexpected answer.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll be repaid a hundredfold anyway, so why should I feel unfair now? Whoever did this must be prepared for retribution for framing someone. I'll happily wait for that day to come, starting today, so why would I feel unfair?"

His tone, devoid of any anger or resentment, was as casual and even as a daily conversation like 'Where should I eat lunch tomorrow?' yet, his words, which even seemed to carry a hint of enjoyment, suddenly sent a chill down their spines. 'Scary fellow!' If you made an enemy of this person, you would surely suffer your whole life.

"So, you're saying it's unfair, aren't you?"

Baek Mu Yeong retorted.

"If you insist on interpreting it that way, I won't stop you. In fact, is there any proof that I'm not unfair? If you could show me that proof, I might stop feeling unfair and become less unfair. Of course, you can show me proof that I can become less unfair, right? Wouldn't the person being arrested be greatly disappointed if there's no such thing?"

"That's…"

Baek Mu Yeong trailed off as Biryu Yeon glared at him with sharp eyes that the other party couldn't see.

"Oh, you mean you don't have it yet?"

His tone rose upwards. It was a deliberate action.

"Is that true, Young Master Baek?"

Na Yerlin also looked at Baek Mu Yeong with a surprised expression, doubling, then quadrupling his burden. He knew from experience that if his answer was delayed, it would only breed further distrust.

"So… there is no evidence. But!"

Baek Mu Yeong paused for a beat and spoke again.

"There is a witness."

That was the best he could do at that moment. However, it was also as fleeting as Biryu Yeon's scoff.

"So, you still don't have evidence!"

Na Yerlin pointed out. Baek Mu Yeong's head felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, and he couldn't lift it. He clearly heard a clicking sound in his ears. Tsk, tsk…

"You have a very rich imagination. Of course, imagination is important. It is the ultimate driving force that leads human foresight beyond the realm of what humans have experienced. That's why we, living in the physical world, can indirectly explore the metaphysical world. Don't you agree?"

"……?"

"What is this guy saying?"

"It's none of your concern. Ignore him. It's just a trick to derail the conversation!"

Cheong Heun asked, but Baek Mu Yeong replied curtly.

"Oh, really? I thought it was some profound talk because I couldn't understand it. Ah, so that's what it was!"

Cheong Heun replied in a whisper. Biryu Yeon did not stop his 'trick.'

"However, such imagination is also impossible without experience and practice. Just as a strong building stands on a strong foundation. But if you let your imagination run wild without your own experience or factual basis, all you're left with is delusion. Bad habits of glossing over things are not good. Especially in this case."

In short, it meant, 'Hey, you! Wake up from your delusion!' He had gone through a grand (?) journey, returning from the metaphysical world, through phenomena, and back to the physical world, just to utter that one insult. Indeed, he was not someone to be underestimated.

"Are you saying we're trying to gloss over things? That we're mistaken? Based on hearsay from someone who can't even be called a witness, a mere reference, without any evidence?"

Baek Mu Yeong retorted sharply.

"I didn't say that much, but did something prick your conscience? Then you must have a special resolution in case your guesses are wrong, of course?"

Biryu Yeon said slowly and deliberately, with a sinister smile.

"A special resolution? What kind of resolution? We are merely carrying out our duty according to our assigned mission."

To Baek Mu Yeong's reply, Biryu Yeon shook his index finger left and right, shaking his head.

"Arresting an innocent person haphazardly is not official duty."

His point was sharp. But Baek Mu Yeong also had something to say.

"However, there is circumstantial evidence that can be considered decisive."

"What is it?"

"It's the wound marks."

"Wound marks?"

Baek Mu Yeong said emphatically, as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Yes. This corpse had spiderweb-like red wounds."

At that moment, Biryu Yeon's eyes sparkled like flames.

"Ryu Yeon… could it be…"

Biryu Yeon raised his hand to stop Na Yerlin, who was about to say something.

"It's okay. Yerlin, stay still."

Biryu Yeon looked back at Baek Mu Yeong and said,

"That's very interesting. Could you tell me more in detail?"

Emphasizing that it was a matter unrelated to him, Biryu Yeon asked. Baek Mu Yeong, though slightly annoyed, explained in great detail and accuracy the circumstances of their autopsy and the blue wounds they discovered, as well as the minute scratches on the chest armor.

"I swear by the name of Baek Mu Yeong and my sect, it is definitely not a wound from a sword. It was a fatal injury from a more specialized weapon. It is clearly a weapon of the Silk Sword lineage. As far as I know, in this place where countless experts gather, the Cheonmu Academy, there is only you who can leave such wounds. And all the friends of that corpse claimed in unison that you beat that friend indiscriminately. Are you still going to deny it?"

Biryu Yeon tilted his head.

'I've never shown that skill in front of them? How did they know? Did they investigate me behind my back?'

According to the saying, 'If you know both yourself and your enemy, you will never be defeated in a hundred battles,' the Gujeong Council had been steadily gathering information on Biryu Yeon. Though he was an enigma the more they knew, Baek Mu Yeong was able to access a lot of information.

"The blue wounds might have been left by me. But I didn't kill him. Such trash isn't worth killing. Besides, why would I need to use such a grand weapon against a weakling who only needs a pinky finger? Isn't it a waste, like using a dragon-slaying sword to catch a chicken? It's not for show."

"Right, right. Actually, that was a question for me too."

Cheong Heun, who had also had this doubt from the beginning, unconsciously chimed in.

"Cheong Heun, be quiet for a moment. So, you still can't accept it?"

Baek Mu Yeong said irritably. Cheong Heun grumbled for a moment and then fell silent. As silence fell again, Biryu Yeon spoke.

"You still seem to think I'm the culprit. How will you take responsibility for dancing like a puppet to someone else's tune later? Especially you, who have been entrusted with a public duty to perform impartially, without personal bias, and with cold logic. People didn't entrust you with that position to do such foolish things. You must bear that responsibility, don't you?"

His tone was soft, but his words were sharp.

"Are you saying you'll hold us responsible if it's not true? How dare you!"

Then, a smile spread across Biryu Yeon's lips.

"It wouldn't be unreasonable to think so. I always collect my debts. I place great importance on debt relationships. Resolving them properly is maintaining credit."

No one had ever spoken so boldly to the messengers of the Gujeong Council and Musang.

"Indeed, the rumors about you were not exaggerated. Today, I see that the phrase 'arrogant (Anhamuin)' seems to have been created just for you. Do you truly have that much competence? Who do you think we are?"

An invisible killing intent erupted from Baek Mu Yeong's entire body. However, he had experienced too much in his short life to be intimidated by such things. Biryu Yeon scoffed and brushed off the threat.

"So, the messengers of the Gujeong Council, a rather insignificant gathering of kids, and Musang? Your positions are grand. I wish your skills were as grand. They say an empty cart makes the most noise. If you thought that such positions would protect you, it's not too late to discard them now. It's a significant miscalculation. By the way, who do you think I am? Do you really think you know me? Do you think I can't do it? Then, fine. What if I refuse to go with you now? Have you concocted any good plans?"

It was a clear provocation. Finally, Cheong Heun couldn't stand it and drew his sword.

"If you don't come along willingly, we'll take you by force!"

Despite Cheong Heun's threat, Biryu Yeon's smile didn't fade; it only deepened.

"If you can, by all means! Shall we see how much stronger you've become? Aren't you going to join in, sir? I don't mind if both of you attack me? Although, the outcome won't change."

Biryu Yeon's confident attitude was irritating, but Baek Mu Yeong shook his head and declined.

"Ah, I'm more of a strategist. I usually leave the physical work to my friend. I'll just observe for a moment."

"Then it will be disadvantageous. Well, shall we see the martial art that troubled Master Hui? I want to see how much stronger you've become since then."

"Is it really necessary to use such an ultimate technique on you?"

Cheong Heun said coldly.

"Of course."

The answer came from directly behind Cheong Heun. At some point, Biryu Yeon had positioned himself behind him. Cheong Heun was so startled that he quickly turned his body.

"Don't be so tense. I haven't done anything yet."

Biryu Yeon said with a smirk. Cold sweat trickled down Cheong Heun's back.

'When did he get behind me?'

Although he had been careless, his movement was so fast that he couldn't track it.

"I admit your jumping and evasion skills are excellent. But you can't beat me with just those footwork skills."

"We'll have to see about that. By the way, have your thoughts changed? The two extra swords strapped to your back aren't just for decoration, are they?"

"Of course not. These swords will never disappoint you."

Finally, Cheong Heun decided to face Biryu Yeon with all his might.

"Thinking it's the same as back then would be a big mistake."

"If it's the same as then, you'll have to die. It means you haven't improved at all. I hope you don't disappoint me."

"Of course, I won't disappoint you."

Cheong Heun replied with determination in his eyes.

Swish, swish, swish!

The two swords stuck in Cheong Heun's back were drawn out as if they had a will of their own.

'The Three-Ringed Twisted Sword is not enough to defeat the opponent. I have no choice but to use the ultimate technique of the Three-Origin Tai Chi Sword Skill, the Muguk Sword (Formless Sword).'

Three swords merging into one, heaven, earth, and man uniting, and from that, the fourth sword, the Muguk Sword! He had tied with Mo Yong Hui using this technique two years ago at the Samsung Mujae, against the Galaxy Liu's Opening Sword. Shocked by the fact that he couldn't win even with the strongest ultimate technique, he had been diligently practicing sword qi since then.

'It was incomplete then, but not now!'

Of course, the depth was still lacking, but he was confident in the technical aspect.

In front of his chest, the three swords began to rotate in a circle like a Tai Chi symbol.

"Hmm, it looks like the technique you used on Master Hui back then. It's quite a strong technique, but it still takes a long time to prepare. Moreover, I've already seen it once."

So it was a warning to be careful.

"I don't think this is a martial art that can be countered just by seeing it once. And if you think it's the same as then, you're greatly mistaken."

"Really?"

"Say that after you've received this!"

Three Origins Unite! Innate Tai Chi! The Way of the Formless!

As the three swords merged, another sword shot out from within. It was a sword qi of immense power, incomparable to that of the past.

"Take this!"

The ultimate technique of the Three-Origin Tai Chi Sword Skill.

The Muguk Sword.

One Flow.

The formless sword qi, generated from the three swords merging like a Tai Chi symbol, shot towards Biryu Yeon with ferocious speed, as if to pierce everything. It was a power that could split heaven and earth. However, Biryu Yeon did not panic and moved forward.

"Ah, come on! The order is wrong!"

As the Black Dragon Bracelet on Biryu Yeon's right arm loosened, his right arm moved forward. But it was incredibly slow, slow enough to make a snail yawn.

'It's over!'

Cheong Heun was confident of his victory. But then his eyes widened in disbelief.

"I-impossible!"

Despite the risk of his qi scattering, Cheong Heun let out a cry of astonishment. As if envious of his impending victory, a surreal event was unfolding before his eyes. For some reason, the formless sword qi, which had been approaching with terrifying momentum, was as if avoiding him, inflicting no damage.

"You can divide one into three, but it's a big mistake to think that three divided parts will become one again!"

The higher-level ultimate technique of the Flying Thunder Sword.

The Chapter of Change.

The Harmony of Midpoint.

Biryu Yeon's slowly moving right hand squeezed through the rapidly rotating three swords in front of Cheong Heun's chest, still moving slowly.

'No! It's dangerous!'

To Cheong Heun, it looked like a suicidal act. But…

CRASH!

With a thunderous roar, as if the sky was collapsing, Cheong Heun, unable to withstand the recoil, was pushed back more than ten steps.

"Ugh!"

A mouthful of blood gushed from Cheong Heun's mouth.

"Cheong Heun—!!"

Baek Mu Yeong, who had been watching the duel with confidence, believing in his friend, screamed. At the same time, a red flag fluttered from his hand as he soared into the sky.

Upon the flag signal, thirty members of the Muwon Corps, who had surrounded the garden, and over seventy Gujeong Council members, who were additionally deployed to assist them, broke from their cover and rushed out.

The red flag moved twice to the left and three times to the right. Then, the warriors moved in perfect unison according to the signal, forming a sword formation. The sword formation, composed of about a hundred people, instantly surrounded Biryu Yeon.

"What is this? A welcoming party? There are quite a lot of them."

Biryu Yeon whistled softly as he looked at the sword formation surrounding him. He wasn't surprised or flustered, as he had already been aware of their presence.

"You were worried about sending just the two of you, weren't you? So timid."

Biryu Yeon said in a sympathetic tone.

"I merely wanted to achieve perfection."

The fact that Baek Mu Yeong could command such a large number of people so uniformly with just one flag indicated that his ability was far from ordinary. However, Biryu Yeon didn't even bat an eye at the sword formation surrounding him.

"Hey, Cheong Heun? Are you alright?"

Baek Mu Yeong asked, supporting Cheong Heun, who had vomited blood after retreating five steps.

"I'm… fine… *cough cough*!"

Cheong Heun replied, barely calming his disturbed qi and blood.

"That's why I told you to team up and attack before it's too late."

Biryu Yeon clicked his tongue and said to Cheong Heun.

"Tsk tsk, looking at you, it seems you haven't improved much since then, two years ago. You won't be able to defeat our 'neat one' like this. You should practice more."

Of course, 'that neat one' referred to Mo Yong Hui. Biryu Yeon casually used a nickname that would have made the person himself exclaim in shock.

"H-how did you counter it?"

Cheong Heun asked with a stunned expression. He had never imagined that the ultimate sword qi he had honed his entire life would be countered with such a crude method.

"If you grasp the center of change, any change becomes powerless. Moreover, even if you can divide the formless into two or three, it's foolish to think that adding them up like simple arithmetic will make it formless. It's not that simple. That's why the root of change is so easily understood. If you had truly embodied the formless (Muguk), you wouldn't have been broken so easily."

Biryu Yeon replied as if it were obvious. However, few humans could actually execute it.

"My training was still insufficient. I… lost…"

Cheong Heun readily admitted his defeat.

"Well, don't be too discouraged. I'm a genius, so I could counter it."

Biryu Yeon did not hesitate to praise himself.

"Well then, now that I've won, can I leave? Could you please remove these people? It's quite menacing."

Biryu Yeon said, looking at the people glaring at him with eyes as sharp as the swords they held.

"I'm sorry… but we can't do that. You have to come with us."

Baek Mu Yeong seemed unwilling to back down.

"How cowardly."

*Clang!*

Na Yerlin, who had been silently observing the situation, drew her sword with a cold expression and said. If they were going to use numbers, she would not stand idly by. This was something Cheong Heun and Baek Mu Yeong desperately wanted to avoid, a very troublesome situation.

A small commotion arose among those forming the sword formation. Since they were all men, more than half of them were admirers of Bingbaekbong Na Yerlin. Thus, they couldn't help but be emotionally shaken by the prospect of falling into a position where they would incur their idol's displeasure.

However, they couldn't abandon their organization, so they found themselves in a dilemma. Of course, their hatred for Biryu Yeon only deepened.

"Even if your martial arts are excellent, you can't fight all of them."

Baek Mu Yeong said with conviction.

"So, what will you do?"

Tension began to build in the oppressive silence.

Biryu Yeon broke the silence first.

"Let me ask just one thing. Do you want to fill this place with rivers of blood?"

Biryu Yeon said with a cold smile on his lips. At that moment, the tension in the venue became taut like a drawn bow. It felt as if it would explode at the slightest touch. After that, there would only be a feast of blood, with flesh and blood scattered everywhere.

"Do you think you can do that?"

"Of course, I believe I can. If you wish, I can even prove it…"

At that moment, the more than a hundred men in the venue felt a chilling killing intent emanating from a ferocious beast at close range, and shivers ran down their spines without them realizing it.

*Screech!*

However, Biryu Yeon lowered his hand, which had been raised menacingly.

"Ah, forget it. Yerlin is here, and I haven't done anything wrong, so I can't get caught up in something like this."

Biryu Yeon flipped his palms and shrugged.

"I'll make the person who planned this cheap scheme pay later."

"You are truly a frightening person."

Cheong Heun sighed, wiping the sweat from the back of his neck.

"Thank you for the compliment. If their—though I don't know who they are yet—plan fails—well, I will certainly make sure it does—they will get a taste of that fear too."

"You're not thinking of pursuing them immediately, are you?"

He was asking if he still intended to refuse the arrest.

"No. I need some time, so there's no need to act immediately. I'll go with you for now. But do I need to wear accessories?"

"Accessories? Ah, you mean handcuffs!"

Cheong Heun only understood what Biryu Yeon meant a moment later.

"Since you are still a suspect, if you don't resist, I don't want to put handcuffs on you… but rules are rules, so it can't be helped. Please understand."

Biryu Yeon surprisingly extended his hands forward willingly. Then, the two Black Dragon Bracelets on his wrists filled Baek Mu Yeong's vision. They were too dazzling and unique to go unnoticed.

"What is this?"

Baek Mu Yeong asked, looking at the ascending dragon patterns engraved on the Black Dragon Bracelets. The one that had fallen to the ground earlier had also returned to its original place at some point.

"Oh! I forgot there was already a passenger. This is also a type of shackle. It serves as an accessory, too. So, I don't think it matters if I wear one more. Hurry up and put it on."

Biryu Yeon extended his hands together and urged them. Though he felt a bit uneasy, he decided to put it on top, thinking it wouldn't be a big deal.

'It's just an accessory, anyway…'

However, it was more than just an accessory. But since it didn't have any special mechanisms, it was allowed. The problem was weapons.

"Do you have any weapons on you currently?"

"Will you believe me if I say no?"

"No, I can't believe you."

"Then why are you asking? But I don't feel like entrusting my precious and secret belongings to someone else. Can I stop by my room on the way?"

"What do you think, Cheong Heun?"

"Does he seem to have some ulterior motive?"

Baek Mu Yeong asked via telepathy.

"Hmm…"

"If he had such intentions, he would have caused a scene long ago. I don't think there will be any trouble. Why bother making things complicated?"

"Good. How is your body currently?"

"Much better than before. There should be no problem moving in case of an emergency."

"Then, we'll proceed with that understanding."

"Well, I don't think it matters?"

Cheong Heun said nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened.

"Understood. Let's do that."

It's better to be concise than unnecessarily complicated.

"Thank you."

Biryu Yeon said, with handcuffs on. The chains clinked lightly as they collided.

'Ryu Yeon…'

Seeing Biryu Yeon's hands being handcuffed before her eyes, Na Yerlin felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if pricked by thorns. And she hated her own helplessness. She found it repulsive. She wanted to change something. She wanted to resist this sudden fate. While she was having such thoughts, her hand unconsciously rested on her sword. She realized that. And she understood. With just one move, in a single second, those handcuffs would become nothing more than mere iron scraps, no longer retaining their identity as handcuffs.

'Should I cut them off?'

A thought that she would never have had in normal times flashed through her mind. If she hadn't heard his voice, she might have carried out her thought to the end. But Biryu Yeon's words, 'Stop it,' made her hand freeze. Na Yerlin raised her head and looked at Biryu Yeon.

Biryu Yeon shook his head and said,

"Don't. It's not like you. There's no need to borrow Yerlin's hands for something like this. So, there's no need to feel guilty. I appreciate your concern, but it's just a waste of emotion. If I can't do even this much alone, how will I live in this harsh world? Let me do this much on my own. If you trust me. I trust myself, so you trust me too. Can you do that?"

His words were heavier than telling her to stop. After a long silence, her tightly closed red lips parted with difficulty.

"I will trust you."

Biryu Yeon nodded with satisfaction. Then, he exaggeratedly shook his handcuffs.

*Clang, clang, clang!*

A remarkably clear sound echoed from the menacingly designed handcuffs.

"Hmm, quite good handcuffs? An alloy of iron and bronze? Not ten-thousand-year cold iron… they seem like White Lotus Refined Steel."

Not only by sight, but even by the sound of the metal colliding, Biryu Yeon could discern the type of metal.

"You know a lot. I didn't realize you had expertise in metallurgy."

Cheong Heun replied, surprised.

"I have some experience in this line of work. Well, they're a bit lacking in craftsmanship to be worn on my delicate wrists, but I suppose it won't be improved immediately, so I'll be satisfied with this for now."

"Are there ranks of handcuffs too? You really are a peculiar fellow. I've met many people and apprehended them, but I've never seen anyone like you."

Cheong Heun said, half in genuine admiration and half in disbelief.

"That's fortunate. Because I don't have to be part of the ignorant masses. I like being the first. The thrill of leaving your footprints in a place no one has been before. That thrill is more intense and exhilarating than the thrill of leaving your first footprint in a yard covered in fresh white snow overnight. Those who haven't experienced it will never know. Absolutely never."

He liked breaking through the boundaries of unexplored and forbidden territories and leaving his mark. Even if it sometimes left scars on those forbidden zones, he would never regret it.

"Usually, people call that strange. Or crazy."

"There are countless foolish puppet dolls in the world who dance mechanically, controlled by past customs without any judgment. Why should I willingly join them? I don't want to become a drop of water falling into a river. Because my trace will disappear and become unknown. Then, it's obvious I'll forget who I am. I don't want to waste my energy on such useless things by forgetting my own existence. That would be a tremendous waste of time. Shall we go then?"

Biryu Yeon said voluntarily. It was as if he intended to decide his own path, his own destiny, not to be a passive recipient.

"Th-then, let's go."

It was as if the two were swept up in his movement and were being led. Biryu Yeon walked for a moment, then turned towards Na Yerlin, who was following him with short steps.

"You don't have to see me off, Yerlin. Just come visit me later. Bring lots of delicious food. But don't worry too much. I'm not that weak."

"Ryu Yeon… be careful. I'll be waiting."

Na Yerlin replied with a slightly hardened expression. Then, a bright smile spread across Biryu Yeon's face.

"That makes me happy. Then I'll be released soon, so we'll see each other again in a little while. I don't want to make you a beauty who breaks out of prison. Let's talk again then. I enjoyed our conversation today."

Biryu Yeon waved his hand casually and walked forward. His steps were as light as someone attending a banquet, not someone being arrested.

"Ryu Yeon…"

Na Yerlin softly called his name. She didn't know what words to follow up with. She had no power or method to resolve the current situation.

He disappeared beyond the burning, ominous sunset, following them. Na Yerlin gazed at his retreating figure, as if it were melting into the red sunset.

What was happening now? What should she do from now on? Such events were very unfamiliar to her. She had tried to close her heart and maintain distance from reality. But this incident could not yield any results unless she actively intervened in reality. Lacking an answer on how to handle such matters, her heart felt as lost as a traveler in the desert, having lost the North Star in a sandstorm.

'If only Sister Ryeong were here at times like this…'

She would have been a good confidante to share her worries with… The fact that she had no one to share her heart with made her feel deeply sad. And in that pain, she realized. Before meeting Biryu Yeon, she had been communicating with the world through the lion-like Dokgo Ryeong. She was the only bridge between her closed-off self and the world.

The reason she was able to maintain a normal mental state without her mind collapsing after Dokgo Ryeong's disappearance was because Biryu Yeon was beside her. He filled Ryeong's empty space without a word.

Now, having lost both of them, she had no means left to communicate with the world. She had lost the only two remaining connections.

*Drip!*

Suddenly, tears fell from her eyes. Like a lost child, a mute person, a blind person robbed of their sight, a deaf person robbed of their hearing… she didn't know what to do. It was difficult to breathe, as if drowning.

Everything became dark again. All her senses were being stripped away from her body. She was once again left alone in the world. The world was receding from her. A terrifying black abyss opened its mouth beneath her feet. Losing her footing, she fell downwards. Or rather, she almost fell. Into an abyss from which she could never emerge again. But she managed to pull herself together, her body and mind on the verge of collapse. She had realized one thing.

'This won't do! With this, there will be no progress at all? Then… then…'

Na Yerlin realized one thing.

'I will never be able to escape the past like this…'

Before, she wanted to be alone in solitude, surrounded by a great, wide wall, detached from everything, disconnected from the world. But now that she was alone, she longed for someone to be by her side. She was afraid of being alone. The pain of being left alone was unbearable. All beings cannot exist without forming relationships. They cannot live. She found herself actively drawn to the things she had rejected. She needed connection.

Dokgo Ryeong desperately embraced her, who was trying to sink into the abyss of her subconscious, shutting off communication with the world, and held onto the last thread of connection until the very end, never letting go. She didn't even take care of her own deep wounds, and regardless of the pain in her left eye, she didn't care. It was all for this unworthy younger sibling, with whom she shared no blood.

But what about herself?

"I… I tried to run away again. I almost repeated my mistake."

Hadn't she lived shamelessly until now, unaware of Dokgo Ryeong's feelings or kindness? Without repaying her heart in any way. Dokgo Ryeong's unacknowledged feelings remained as seeds, never blooming. If she had only looked around a little, she could have discovered the gem-like seeds.

To crumble now would be an insult to her heart. She couldn't let the affection poured out so far go to waste. She had to make those feelings bloom now. That was the only 'repayment' she could make.

A brief 'realization' could plunge a person into despair or save them instantly.

Though the two were not by her side at this moment, they were not dead. The experiences with them still remained within her. And those were experiences that had not yet ended. From Dokgo Ryeong, she learned warmth and care of the heart. From Biryu Yeon, she learned strength of the heart and the courage to move forward.

Now she knew. Nothing in this world was unconnected. We were in a process of a vast network of relationships, with no beginning or end. Therefore, people and people, people and nature, could exchange hearts. It was a sign that we had been connected to the past and would be connected again in the future. It was inevitable that distortion would occur when trying to break what could not be broken.

She couldn't show them a pathetic sight when the two returned. She didn't want to disappoint them with her weakness.

She would no longer run away!

She decided.

She would not run away. Running away meant turning one's head away from reality. But turning away wouldn't make it disappear. It would always be there, radiating its dark power. It couldn't be resolved by blocking consciousness alone. If you stand on the sandy beach, the waves will crash regardless of human intent. The waves won't disappear just because you ignore them. If you expect such absurd things, you'll just be swallowed and drowned. From now on, she would no longer turn her eyes away from the waves. She would bravely face the waves of the world.

'I will retrieve both Ryu Yeon and Sister Ryeong with my own hands!'

It was time to stand alone. It was time to release her knees, which she had been hugging tightly, lift her head buried between them, look straight ahead, and stand up to move forward.

'Sister, please watch over me!'

Biryu Yeon had told her that a promise to oneself was stronger than an oath sworn in God's name. He said it was the weakest and yet the strongest oath in this world. It could always be monitored, always be reconfirmed, and there could be no shirking of responsibility for the outcome. Whether it was kept or not was entirely one's own responsibility.

'Therefore, I will make a promise to myself. I will definitely… definitely… find the two of them. And I will stand on my own.'

It was time to break out of the shell and move into the world.