Book 20 Chapter 14

A Reproduction After a Hundred Years

―Hoye-sa-il

"Am I not even in existence?"

Gongson Jeol-hwi was angered by the fact that Lee Shi-geon, Namgung Sang, and even Moyong Hwi-jo, whom he considered his lifelong nemesis, had forgotten his existence. His opponents didn't regard him as an enemy, and Namgung Sang and Moyong Hwi didn't consider him a full force. That's why he was angry.

'I can't just be ignored like this!'

This competitive young man wanted to assert his presence somehow.

'How dare they ignore the Gongson family…'

Being ignored was the most hated thing by all members of his family.

'Wait! I will definitely make them see the strength of the Gongson family again!'

He, who was constantly looking for an opportunity for his most dramatic entrance, finally got his chance.

In an instant, Lee Shi-geon turned his back to him.

'This is it!'

Gongson Jeol-hwi didn't miss the opportunity and unleashed the ultimate move of the Supreme Sword Technique, defeating his enemies. Namgung Sang, who discovered the scene belatedly, let out a cry of surprise.

"No! It's a decoy!"

'What?'

However, it was already a situation where he couldn't withdraw his move. He had not yet reached the stage where he could freely and skillfully execute and retract his techniques.

'I've got him!'

Lee Shi-geon, with a triumphant smile in his heart, unleashed a powerful killing move as if he had been waiting.

'I'll take one down first!'

In situations like this, it was best to strike down the weaker ones first.

A cold wind swirled in front of Gongson Jeol-hwi's nose.

'Is this the end…?'

It was already too late to turn his attack into a defense.

'Damn it! It's over!'

Gongson Jeol-hwi squeezed his eyes shut. If his grandfather had known, he would have scolded him for giving up too quickly without even trying to overcome the crisis.

Just then, a scream was heard from the back.

"Stop it, Miss Jin! Danger…!"

A sword light, which appeared from somewhere, flashed before him,

And blood splattered.

"Kyaak! Master… Mmph!"

Yuran, who had been secretly watching the situation, let out a scream. Startled by the sound, Yu Un-bi quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Shhh, Miss Yu. You'll be caught."

"B-but Master… Mmph!"

Yuran's attempt to protest was cut off again.

"Mmph— Mmph!"

Yuran protested. Yu Un-bi reassured her.

"Don't worry. It's just a graze."

"Really?"

Yu Un-bi nodded.

"Yes, really. Look!"

"Ugh!"

With a short cry, Jin So-ryeong stepped back, clutching her right shoulder.

'H-how?'

Not only Lee Shi-geon but also Gongson Jeol-hwi, who had been saved, were surprised by her sudden appearance. He couldn't even guess how or by what means she had appeared so suddenly.

Jin So-ryeong, who had discovered Gongson Jeol-hwi's crisis, had closed the distance of more than ten paces in an instant and quickly swung her sword to protect him. If she hadn't saved him, Gongson Jeol-hwi would have been cut into dozens of pieces. However, due to the limited time and focus on protecting him, her own defense was neglected, resulting in her injury.

"Miss Jin!!"

Yoo Eun-seong's eyes blazed when he saw Jin So-ryeong get hurt.

"How dare you—!"

A fiery roar that echoed through the night sky erupted.

"Oh dear!"

The fierce roar startled even the hidden Moon, causing Namgung Sang and Moyong Hwi to flinch.

Ching!

In an instant, Yoo Eun-seong drew his sword and leaped toward the accursed wretch with lightning speed. The distance was closed in an instant.

Sael Sword Technique (射日劍法) Swift Style (快速式).

Charge (尖突).

Rain of Arrows Scattering the Ground (射雨亂地) Stormy Rain Swift Flash (暴雨快閃).

Bah-bah-bah!

The rapid barrage of piercing attacks from the tip of Yoo Eun-seong's sharp Hyepbong sword was a spectacle in itself.

'W-what is this…'

The speed, which even outshone the lightning flashing in the cloudy sky, was faster and more powerful than any sword move Lee Shi-geon had encountered before.

He didn't even have time to complain inwardly.

"You're fast! I've heard rumors that Jeomchang's piercing attacks are swift, but I didn't expect them to be this good. It's like a rain of arrows."

"Y-yes. Indeed, my uncle's martial arts are extraordinary. Within our Jeomchang Sect, there are probably very few people who can use such continuous piercing attacks faster than me. When will I ever reach that level…"

He was immensely proud of his uncle, who displayed such formidable divine power. However, at the same time, he felt envious and resentful of his uncle, who had already reached a level so far beyond his grasp.

"But the other side is also impressive. They seem to be young, yet they're narrowly dodging all these fierce attacks."

Yuran said with admiration.

"I agree. However, my uncle's sword is persistent. It's probably a matter of time. Jeomchang's piercing attacks never stop until they pierce the enemy!"

As Yu Un-bi said, Yoo Eun-seong's sword moves weren't slowing down but were actually accelerating.

Shook-shook-shook-shook!

It wasn't just speed. Each and every one of his thrusts clearly showed that speed equals power. The piercing power carried at the end of the flashing spear was terrifying.

Once on the defensive, Lee Shi-geon couldn't recover from his initial disadvantage and change the momentum.

"Damn it!"

He had to keep retreating.

Bah-bah-bah!

Shu-shu-shu-shuk!

"How dare you! Atone for the life of this insolent wretch who wounded her jade body!"

The blow from the middle-aged man whose eyes were rolling in fury was so intense that the word "terrifying" seemed inadequate. Despite his boiling anger and burning passion, his sword moves were cold and precise, pressing down on his opponent without a single error. An ordinary martial artist would have already been turned into a thousand skewers.

Lee Shi-geon would also have been riddled with holes long ago if he hadn't possessed a specially inherited secret technique. Yoo Eun-seong, who had been attacking ferociously, seemed quite surprised by that aspect as well.

"You've got some skill! I'll admit your ability to run away like a scared rabbit! But can you block this too?"

"Hooop!"

Taking a deep breath, Yoo Eun-seong pulled his right arm back as far as he could, with the tip of his sword pointing forward, his entire body's muscles taut like a drawn bow.

"N-no way…!"

Yu Un-bi's eyes widened as he saw the unique stance Yoo Eun-seong had taken.

"What's wrong, Young Master Yu?"

However, Yu Un-bi didn't seem to hear Yuran's words and muttered to himself as if he were in a daze.

"Could it be… that unique posture…"

"What's so special about that posture?"

Yuran's words didn't register with him at all.

"The ultimate move of the Sael Sword Technique that no one has achieved for the past hundred years…"

Yu Un-bi's mouth gaped open, and a voice filled with shock erupted.

"Ho. Ye. Sa. Il!"

The sword, extended backward like an arrow on a taut bowstring, shot forward at the fastest speed over the shortest possible distance.

Sael Sword Technique (射日劍法) Secret Technique (秘傳技).

Ultimate Move (最後絕招).

Hoye-sa-il (后췽射日) Setting Sun Arrow (落日一矢).

That move, which gave its name to the unique sword technique of the Jeomchang Sect, which made the Jeomchang of today what it is, was reenacted after a hundred years through the hands of a martial artist.

Splat!

A single sword light, flying with terrifying speed, pierced Lee Shi-geon's shoulder.

"Ughhh!"

A tragic scream echoed, breaking the silence of the night.

"What just happened?"

"I didn't see it either."

"Never mind me, Young Master Yu, aren't you a disciple of the Jeomchang Sect? Can't a Jeomchang person properly see one of their sect's sword moves?"

"There was nothing to see."

The legendary sword move of Jeomchang was not as spectacular as expected. No, it was more accurate to say that they didn't know what had happened. All they could confirm was the moment Yoo Eun-seong's right arm was tautly pulled back. After that, they couldn't even grasp what had happened. In the blink of an eye, Lee Shi-geon's right shoulder was spewing red blood and rolling on the ground, and Yoo Eun-seong had quickly stepped on his back to prevent him from getting up again before pointing his sword at his neck.

"Th-that is Hoye-sa-il…!!"

Yu Un-bi trembled with emotion at witnessing the scene of a sect's legend manifesting, giving no chance for observation to those watching.

"Before this move was perfected, my uncle's skill might have been below that of the Ten Great Sword Masters. But now that this ultimate technique is complete, no one can place him below the Ten Great Sword Masters!"

Yu Un-bi said with a voice filled with emotion.

"Congratulations, Young Master Yu. You must be happy."

"Me too."

"Thank you… Huh?!"

Startled by the third congratulator, Yu Un-bi and Yuran quickly turned their heads. But it was too late.

"Now, now, stay still. Unless you want to die young."

"W-when did…"

Yuran bit her lip and asked.

"Watching is important, but neglecting your surroundings can be dangerous. However, you two can rest assured. I won't kill you that easily. You are valuable hostages. Valuable enough to be exchanged for a life."

A man with a scar near his eye was smiling at them. And the two swords in his hand gleamed with a cold smile at their throats.

"Is that Hoye-sa-il, the ultimate move of the Jeomchang Sect! I've never seen it before…"

Namgung Sang said with genuine admiration.

"This is my first time too. I guess we were the first ones to see it in the last hundred years."

"Is this a revival of legend…?"

Indeed, it deserved to be called that.

"The power! The speed! It's even more than the rumors."

Moyong Hwi, as a swordsman himself, paid due respect to the transcendent power.

"Hwi, did you see it?"

"No. I only saw up to the middle."

"That was my limit too."

"It would be dangerous if I had to face it directly. Blocking it would be impossible."

"Yes. The only option would be to evade it beforehand."

"That would be the most rational course of action."

Yoo Eun-seong's ears didn't register a single word of the discussion Namgung Sang and Moyong Hwi were having with their own sword moves. His anger was too immense for that. To the extent that he didn't even think of investigating the background or interrogating.

"Now, die!"

Blinded by rage, Yoo Eun-seong was about to strike down his sword. Forgiveness was out of the question from the start; the only decision he could make was immediate execution.

"No, Great Hero Yoo! Stop your sword! You need to investigate his background first!"

It was Jin So-ryeong's voice that calmed the agitated Yoo Eun-seong.

"A-are you alright, Miss Jin?"

Yoo Eun-seong's face brightened when he confirmed Jin So-ryeong's safety. The demonic appearance from moments ago was nowhere to be seen.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was just a graze."

Only then did Yoo Eun-seong let out a sigh of relief.

"Hoo… That's a relief. If anything had happened to Miss Jin, I…"

Jin So-ryeong interrupted Yoo Eun-seong's rambling again.

"More importantly, we need to find out who this person is and what his purpose is."

"Understood. I will proceed as ordered immediately."

Yoo Eun-seong's gaze returned to Lee Shi-geon, whom he was stepping on.

"Now, are you going to spill out what you are?"

"Krkh…"

The wound he had just been pierced with throbbed as if burned, and Lee Shi-geon couldn't help but grimace.

'Unbelievable… For me, the best in the world, to suffer such a pathetic fate…'

His pride, which he believed was not inferior to the Ten Great Sword Masters in a one-on-one fight, shattered with a loud noise.

'I can't accept this!'

He couldn't accept it no matter what.

'If these guys hadn't attacked me all at once, I wouldn't have been defeated like this.'

He shifted the responsibility for the outcome to others. Since his defeat was something that couldn't realistically happen, he had to find the cause elsewhere.

"It doesn't look like he'll talk easily. What should we do, Miss Jin?"

"Let's escort him first. We can interrogate him later."

"That's a good idea, Miss Jin. I was just thinking the same thing. Then…"

Just as Yoo Eun-seong was bending down to tie up Lee Shi-geon.

"Wait a moment!"

Jolted!

Yoo Eun-seong quickly turned his head in the direction of the voice. A man in black, with a sword in one hand and his nephew Yu Un-bi in the other, stood there. The sharp blade gleamed coldly just above his nephew's Adam's apple.

"Un-bi!"

Yoo Eun-seong exclaimed in surprise.

"H-how did you get here?!"

He had left the children behind, thinking they would be a hindrance. They shouldn't be here.

"U-uncle…"

Yu Un-bi's face instantly crumpled. He couldn't dare to look up in shame.

The man in black said with a sneer.

"You can't suppress the youthful spirit, can you? Can you call youth without rebellion 'youth'? That's why."

Even if rebellion is a privilege of youth, it doesn't always bring good results. In fact, it often brings bad results. Because they don't know how to rebel properly. Some are so foolish that they think destroying themselves is the only way to rebel.

"Y-you…"

Yoo Eun-seong, a mixture of worry and anger, didn't know what to say.

"Don't worry, there's more than one!"

"What?!"

Another man in black emerged with the other person.

"Yuran!"

This time it was Jin So-ryeong's turn to be surprised.

"M-master…"

She also couldn't look her master in the face. Jin So-ryeong sighed as she saw her.

"I forgot your personality for a moment… I knew you wouldn't just wait obediently… It was my mistake."

Yuran's heart was torn by her master's sigh mixed with regret.

"Master…"

Tears immediately welled up in Yuran's eyes.

"Now, now, both of you, stand still. If you come any closer, my hand might shake, and I might inflict irreversible wounds on both of your necks."

The two figures, who had been slowly moving while looking for an opportunity, stopped. Since the other side was extremely wary of their movements, moving rashly was dangerous.

"What will you do, Great Hero Yoo?"

Yoon Yi-jeong, who was wearing a mask, asked again.

"The demands are obvious, aren't they?"

"There's no need to bother with such an obvious question."

"Krkh…"

A groan escaped Yoo Eun-seong's lips as he ground his teeth.

What should he do? He didn't know who the captive was, but he was clearly an important witness. Moreover, there was a very high probability that he was the perpetrator. Should he cling to personal feelings and save these children? Or should he weep and behead his horse for the greater good? Victims had already emerged. If he let them go now, with what face could he face those victims?

"What should we do, Miss Jin?"

What he had just done was, in a way, a cowardly act. He was trying to share the guilt for his actions with her. However, in his confusion, he didn't have time to dwell on such details. Namgung Sang, Moyong Hwi, and Gongson Jeol-hwi could not interfere in this matter, so they became mere spectators.

"Rebellion always comes with responsibility…"

Namgung Sang knew that fact better than anyone.

"Indeed."

Moyong Hwi felt the same way.

"If you're not prepared to take responsibility for the consequences, you shouldn't even dream of rebelling…"

Now, Yoo Eun-seong and Jin So-ryeong had to bear the responsibility for their disciples' actions, the debt, in place of the perpetrators. That was their duty as masters.

Finally, Jin So-ryeong spoke quietly as if she had made up her mind.

"We can't help it. We have to let them go."

The fish was caught. The net was cast, and the fish was caught in it. All that was left was to reach out and end it. However, cruel fate was taking the fish out of the inescapable net.

If they had pushed harder, the other side would have had no choice, but at this moment, they didn't have time to think about such things. Both of them were blinded by personal feelings and their objective judgment was dulled.

"Take them!"

Yoo Eun-seong spat out, suppressing his anger.

"You've made a wise decision."

Yoon Yi-jeong replied with a triumphant smile from under his mask.

Namgung Sang and Moyong Hwi turned their heads away from the scene.

Back to square one.