Book 20 Chapter 3

A white phoenix flies over an empty mountain.

―Empty Mountain

"Is this the Namchang Branch of Jungwon Express?"

"Yes… Gulp!"

The eyes of the two gatekeepers, who had turned their heads to answer, widened like marbles. It was because an unparalleled beauty, rarely seen in a lifetime, had suddenly appeared. They were so awestruck that their eyes were blinded.

"Wh-wh-wh-what business do you have here?"

The gatekeeper's voice trembled so much that one would suspect he had been struck by lightning.

"May I come in?"

One of her slender, jade-like fingers pointed to the main gate.

"O-of course… Ah, no! You were told not to let anyone in today."

The gatekeeper, startled, changed his answer. He had almost disobeyed his superior's orders.

"Are you saying you can't open it?"

When Na Yerine spoke, the heart of the low-ranking gatekeeper, Jo Gang, felt like it was tearing. However, if he disobeyed the order, it wasn't his heart but a part of his body that was at risk of being torn.

"I'm sorry, young lady, but I can't do anything about it."

"I understand."

Gatekeeper Jo Gang apologized again with a look of regret.

"I'm truly sorry…"

But Na Yerine wasn't finished speaking.

"I'll just have to open it myself."

"What?!"

A ridiculous retort burst out.

'How on earth is she going to do that?'

The method was surprisingly simple.

'Oh! Oh!'

Rustle!

With graceful steps that seemed to weigh nothing, Na Yerine ascended the stairs and stood before the main gate. Satisfied after lightly touching the gate with her fingertips, she turned.

'She's just leaving,' Jo Gang thought.

Swish!

As she took her third step, her body spun like a dance. At the same time, her beloved sword, 'Bingryeong,' emitted a pure white light.

Jing, jing, jing!

Only after Na Yerine straightened her posture and lowered her sword did thin lines begin to appear horizontally and vertically on the massive main gate made of solid ironwood. And then…

Rumble, crash!

With a sound like thunder, the gate collapsed into twelve pieces.

"Then, I'll go in."

The voice of the culprit of the incident was still as calm as ever.

"Y-yes, please do."

Completely stunned, Jo Gang could only reply like that. Leaving the gatekeeper, who was seriously contemplating whether this was a dream or reality, behind, Na Yerine crossed the pile of the collapsed main gate with solemn steps.

"Ryong, wasn't that sword energy… or was it?"

"It… it seemed like it."

Hyo Ryong, who had been watching from behind, replied in a slightly dazed voice.

"Why are you like that? You look like you've lost your mind?"

Indeed, he was.

"I-I never imagined that the elegant and quiet Miss Na would commit such a violent act."

"My sister is very angry right now."

Lee Jin Seol's reply made Hyo Ryong tilt his head.

"Angry?"

"Yes. I've never seen my sister get angry like that before."

Hyo Ryong's head tilted again.

"Where does she look angry? To me, she looks the same as usual?"

Hyo Ryong asked with a doubtful expression.

"Tsk, tsk, this is why men! Don't you know that cold anger, like ice, is scarier than hot anger, like fire?"

"I-I didn't know."

"Then know it from now on. Especially if the opponent is Na Yerine of Bingbaek Peak!"

Na Yerine's steps across the Namchang Branch of Jungwon Express showed no hesitation.

Ding, ding, ding, ding!

The gatekeepers, who had been stunned by the unexpected situation, seemed to regain their senses as the alarm bell rang.

"Wh-what is it?"

"What's happening?"

"Is it an intruder?"

The waiting escorts rushed out and blocked Na Yerine's path. It was a swift response worthy of a top-tier express company. However, the moment they glimpsed the intruder, their fierce expressions vanished. They were all speechless at Na Yerine's beauty.

"Um… what should we do, Captain Kang?"

An escort asked.

"Uh, well…"

Captain Kang, who had stood to block Na Yerine with his subordinates, was equally troubled.

"Are you sure she's an intruder?"

"Probably."

They couldn't immediately react because she didn't look like an intruder at all. She looked more like a distinguished guest than an intruder. They felt like they were the ones being disrespectful and committing a sin by trying to attack her.

"Please move aside."

Na Yerine said with an expressionless face.

"O-of course… Ah, no! Ah, no, young lady! We can't move aside!"

Captain Kang, who had almost replied "Yes, please do," had to wipe his chest.

His mouth seemed to move independently of his will.

"If you won't move, I will force my way through."

As soon as she finished speaking, Na Yerine stepped forward without hesitation.

"Wh-what should we do, Captain Kang?"

The escort asked again in a flustered voice.

"Damn it! Why do you keep asking me that?"

Captain Kang yelled, unable to stand it any longer.

"Because you're the highest-ranking person here."

The escort replied, stammering.

"Ugh, I have nothing to say."

"So, what do we do now?"

"We have to stop her."

"Are you really okay with that?"

"I don't know! How would I know that!"

While they bickered back and forth, the distance between them and Na Yerine narrowed drastically.

"Damn it, m-move to stop her!"

Finally, Captain Kang gave the order.

"Uh… Yes!"

The escorts moved in an awkward posture.

Lee Jin Seol, who had been leisurely following Na Yerine, exclaimed with a somehow joyous voice.

"Go ahead, sister. We'll clean up here! No problem, Hyo Ryong?"

"Huh? Ah! Well… of course."

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

This was proof that the fight of a master is about quality rather than quantity. Although a dozen escorts formed a cordon and attacked, they couldn't even muster a proper effort and were thrown about by the two people's gestures. It seemed unnecessary to even use swords.

"I'm sorry, but I'll go first."

Despite continuously blocking, deflecting, and throwing, Na Yerine's steps never stopped.

By the time she reached the next gate, not a single escort was left standing. Only Captain Kang remained, staring blankly with a dazed expression.

"Excuse me!"

Na Yerine bowed lightly and opened the inner gate, stepping into the courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, a group of people, weapons drawn, awaited Na Yerine. Their intent was incomparable to those who guarded the outer areas. These were truly the elite of Jungwon Express. And currently, they were led by Representative Cheon Jeong Won.

"What is this commotion? We have important guests here!"

Yun Yi Jeong rushed out, raising his voice. He led his two subordinates, the Oh brothers. However, his imposing presence, like everyone else's, didn't last long. He, too, was momentarily speechless upon seeing Na Yerine. It seemed age was irrelevant.

"Why have you come here, young lady?"

Yun Yi Jeong asked.

"I've come to find someone."

Na Yerine replied in a quiet voice.

"We don't take such requests here…"

"The person you're looking for is here, so you don't need to trouble yourselves."

"Who on earth…?"

"I'm looking for a man named Yi Si Geon."

At those three names, Yun Yi Jeong's body flinched as if he had been suddenly stabbed.

'How could she know that?'

He couldn't understand how she knew this extremely secret matter that only he and his trusted subordinates were aware of.

"Unfortunately, there is no such person here, young lady. You seem to have come to the wrong place."

He absolutely had to keep that fact a secret.

"Is that true?"

Na Yerine asked, her eyes shining clearly.

"Of course, it's true."

The answer came without hesitation.

"It's a lie."

Na Yerine stated with a tone of absolute certainty.

'How can she know that?!'

Yun Yi Jeong couldn't help but feel tense. It seemed like excuses wouldn't work on this person.

"A-a lie? How can you be so sure?"

"Because it's the truth. I'm very curious about who the important guest you mentioned just now is."

Na Yerine's gaze had already settled deep and calm, as if she knew everything. It seemed too transparent to be clouded by falsehood. Yun Yi Jeong had no answer.

"Are you still going to play dumb?"

"Everyone, retreat!"

Yun Yi Jeong shouted loudly.

"Huh?"

Everyone hesitated at the unexpected command.

"Didn't you hear me? I'll take responsibility for everything here. Everyone, retreat!"

"But Representative Yoon…"

Someone's cautious retort was drowned out by the booming roar.

"Stop it! Retreat if I tell you to!"

The unfortunate escorts, facing Yun Yi Jeong's fierce gaze directly, stiffened their bodies at attention and replied.

"Yes… Yes!"

Fearing that provoking Yun Yi Jeong further would lead to unpleasant consequences, the escorts began to retreat in a hurry. The courtyard soon became empty.

"Shall we continue our conversation now, young lady?"

He said with a smile that was anything but friendly. His intention to silence her if necessary was clear. However, Na Yerine was remarkably insensitive to such threats.

"I have only one request."

Na Yerine replied in a voice unchanged.

"Just tell me where Yi Si Geon is, and that's enough."

'Will that work!'

That was beyond his authority.

"That would be quite difficult…"

It was then.

"Well, well! Who do we have here? Isn't it the renowned Bingbaek Peak's most beautiful lady, Na Yerine?"

The one who appeared by opening the door was none other than Yi Si Geon.

"M-master!"

Yun Yi Jeong exclaimed, flustered by Yi Si Geon's unexpected appearance.

"That's enough."

Yi Si Geon continued, stopping Yun Yi Jeong, who was gasping like a goldfish.

"If such a peerless beauty overcomes her longing and makes the effort to come all the way here, a true man cannot hide."

"Is that person sane right now?"

Lee Jin Seol, who was secretly watching the scene, asked Hyo Ryong with a bewildered expression.

"Many men live in delusion, so it's hard to say that he alone is not sane."

"Tsk, tsk, men…"

Lee Jin Seol clicked her tongue in disappointment. The two of them, for Hyo Ryong's position and as witnesses, had climbed the inner courtyard wall after dealing with the outer escorts and were now sitting there. They were in a blind spot, shaded by a large willow tree.

"Heh heh heh, this is perfect."

Yi Si Geon opened his mouth with a sinister smile.

"……?"

"I had some business to discuss anyway, and for her to come to me like this! It saves me the trouble."

Yi Si Geon himself hadn't expected the opportunity to come so quickly.

'Heh heh heh, I never thought the prey would walk right into the snare!'

He had been contemplating how to capture Na Yerine. He hadn't thought of any specific plan, and now Na Yerine herself had come. What a windfall!

It was no wonder Yi Si Geon's mouth gaped open.

"Young lady, it would be best not to think of returning."

Yi Si Geon's eyes shone like a snake's.

Na Yerine, having experienced this situation countless times, was not flustered.

"Do you really have such power?"

Na Yerine's sword emitted a pure white light, aimed at Yi Si Geon.

"Of course!"

Yi Si Geon confidently replied, raising his right hand bent like a hook.

'I'll give you a night you'll never forget!'

Desire blazed in Yi Si Geon's eyes.

'I never thought I'd have to use that technique… I thought restraint techniques, not killing ones, were useless.'

He had thought it was useless when he learned it, but it proved useful later in life.

"Then be careful!"

Jaun (Purple Cloud) Ampung (Dark Wind).

Secret Technique.

Jubak In (Binding Blade).

A net of invisible threads writhed in the darkness to capture Na Yerine.

"Now you're mine!"

Yi Si Geon shouted with a triumphant smile.

Swoosh!

But just as his invisible wind was about to surround Na Yerine, her body moved as if it were slipping. Her movement was as fluid as flowing water. When her elegant movement ended, Na Yerine was already out of the binding range.

"H-how…!"

Yi Si Geon cried out in shock. He had clearly never considered his technique being seen through.

"As expected, it was a sword technique. However, that level of skill seems a bit ordinary."

Na Yerine spoke in a voice devoid of emotional fluctuation.

"Ordinary?"

Yi Si Geon retorted, his pride severely wounded.

"Yes. I know someone who is far better at sword techniques than you, but compared to that person, your skill is just average."

This was a dagger to the heart for Yi Si Geon, who was nothing without his pride.

"L-lies!"

He couldn't possibly admit such a thing.

"There's no reason for me to lie to someone like you. It's the truth."

Na Yerine's attitude was unwavering.

"If you still don't believe me, you can test it. I'll prove it to you myself."

"Oh yeah! Let's see how skilled you really are!"

Yi Si Geon, his reason gone, shouted.

"I went easy on you to capture you unharmed, but you're pushing it! Let's see if you can handle this move too?"

Yi Si Geon's hands crossed roughly.

Jaun (Purple Cloud) Ampung (Dark Wind).

Killing Style.

Chusalryeong (Pursuing Killing Order).

Yi Si Geon, blinded by rage, didn't shy away from killing techniques. His pride was wounded, and he had to recover it by any means necessary.

"That won't be enough."

Na Yerine's eyes began to glow faintly in the darkness.

The trajectory of the invisible gale entered her eyes. She could see and feel the path of the killing intent.

It was an incomparably powerful and formidable move compared to the previous attack. But…

'Compared to that person…'

This was nothing.

"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If you can feel its presence, what problem would there be with dodging?"

Na Yerine gradually began to unleash the power of her Dragon's Eye. Everything became clearly visible. At the same time, Na Yerine's feet began to move as if slipping.

Suryu Bo (Flowing Water Step).

Water can seep anywhere there's a gap. In her eyes, Yi Si Geon's techniques were full of gaps.

"I said it won't be enough."

And she proved her words with actions. The killing wind of Jaun caused her no harm.

"F-first time, not… twice…"

Yi Si Geon was completely stunned as his confident technique was foiled twice in a row.

"Will you follow me obediently now?"

Na Yerine asked again.

"Hmph, ridiculous!"

Yi Si Geon scoffed.

"Are you not admitting defeat?"

"Defeat? Who are you calling defeated?"

Yi Si Geon, unable to suppress his anger, yelled.

"Is there anyone else here besides you?"

Yi Si Geon's face, which had been flushed red, turned crimson as if he had been splashed with blood.

"Hmph! I admit you have some skill, but I haven't been defeated!"

Yi Si Geon shouted in an irritated voice.

"You keep calling me 'you bitch'! You're making me uncomfortable! That's why men! When they think they're going to lose, they try to belittle women. Don't they?"

Lee Jin Seol, who had been watching in secret, grumbled.

"Y-you're right."

Hyo Ryong replied, sweating profusely, perhaps feeling pricked by being the same sex.

"If you lost, admit you lost, don't be so pathetic. Don't you agree?"

"Y-you're right."

That consistent response further angered Lee Jin Seol.

"You're right, you're right, you're right. Hyo Ryong, is that all you can say?"

"Y-you're right."

"……"

At that unchanging response, Lee Jin Seol slumped her shoulders powerlessly. Hyo Ryong must have been ashamed too.

"It's amazing that you're still so confident. Do you have a trump card left?"

"Hmph, that's why women! I went easy on you, and you're trying to climb on my head. This man-superiority complex is evident. Well, it's unreasonable to expect more from someone who has never seen women as anything more than playthings."

"I didn't expect to have to use this today, so consider yourself lucky!"

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Yi Si Geon rolled up his sleeves, revealing black arm guards that covered his entire forearms.

Clang! Clang!

They fell off with a sound unlike arm guards.

"Well then, shall we start the second round?"

Thump! Thump!

A heavy, continuous sound echoed through the ground.

"They seem to be iron arm guards. That guy, I can't believe he was wearing something like that…"

Hyo Ryong, who was watching, muttered.

"Sister will be alright!"

Lee Jin Seol said, trying to calm herself while keeping her eyes fixed.

"Heh heh heh! How is it? Surprised? Well, it's not unreasonable to be astonished by my boundless power."

However, Na Yerine showed no surprise at all.

"Surprised? My experience isn't so narrow that I'd be surprised by such a common act."

"Wh-what! Common!"

After 'ordinary' came 'common'.

"How much does that weigh?"

Na Yerine asked in a completely unfazed voice.

"Don't be surprised when you hear it! Each one weighs ten pounds!"

Yi Si Geon said, puffing out his chest proudly.

"Only ten pounds?"

Na Yerine said dismissively.

"Wh-what!"

Yi Si Geon was wounded again by her attitude. To this young man who loved grandeur, such indifferent attitude from the other party was the most unbearable.

"I'll make you beg and plead!"

Yi Si Geon muttered furiously.

"Such intense killing intent…"

A strong killing intent emanated, making the skin of Hyo Ryong and Lee Jin Seol, who were watching from afar, tingle. It was incomparable to the killing intent from before.

"As expected, you can't defeat me."

Na Yerine declared with unwavering eyes.

"I'll make you admit defeat, with my full power!"

When Na Yerine drew her sword, the surroundings seemed to be covered in a white light, as if it had snowed.

"Sister, I think she's serious!"

"What do you mean, Miss Lee?"

"I've never seen my sister go all out before. But I have a feeling I might see it today."

"The full power of Bingbaek Peak's Na Yerine…"

It was unimaginable.

"Do you know? Your surroundings are already filled with my reach! You are now nothing more than a butterfly caught in a spiderweb!"

As he said, Na Yerine's surroundings were densely encroached upon by sword techniques spread out horizontally and vertically. In such a state, even taking a single step was dangerous.

"Now, will you still be so confident?"

Yi Si Geon sneered and snapped his fingers.

Ping!

The sword techniques, spread out like a spiderweb, reacted to the sound and moved. Then,

Rustle!

The edge of Na Yerine's white skirt was lightly cut, revealing her fair thigh under the moonlight.

"Oh my, how could she! A man with no shame!"

Lee Jin Seol exclaimed in anger.

"Y-you're right, gulp!"

Hyo Ryong replied, swallowing dryly with his eyes wide open, his gaze fixed on one spot.

"…Ah!"

"What?"

Hyo Ryong asked again, without looking away. He hadn't heard properly because his attention was elsewhere.

"Close your eyes! Before I poke them out!"

Lee Jin Seol threatened, extending her menacing, claw-like hands towards Hyo Ryong's eyes, emitting fierce killing intent.

"Y-yes! I'll close them. Of course!"

Feeling the danger of his eyes being gouged out, Hyo Ryong quickly squeezed his eyes shut, albeit with regret.

"So, how is it? Do you know now how great I am?"

Yi Si Geon shouted triumphantly. He always felt a thrill whenever he confirmed his superiority.

"Poor person…"

"Wh-what?"

Na Yerine's unwavering gaze was fixed directly on Yi Si Geon.

"It's truly pitiful that you can only confirm your superiority by abusing, looking down on, ignoring, and tormenting others."

"Wh-what!"

Yi Si Geon's face crumpled like a piece of paper.

"I will retract my previous statement."

Na Yerine said.

"What statement?"

"I said I would go all out. I'll cancel that. You are not even worth that."

In a way, it was the harshest judgment.

"Wh-what!"

Even though it was clear he had the advantage, Yi Si Geon didn't feel that way.

'Wh-what is this dirty, unpleasant feeling? I'm clearly winning! I'm the best!'

However, the wave of defeat didn't easily subside.

Na Yerine, with an indifferent expression, tightly tied the hem of her cut skirt. Then, looking directly at Yi Si Geon, she said.

"I will win without going all out."

Seeing no fear of himself in her eyes, Yi Si Geon's meager pride exploded.

"Don't look at me like that!"

He couldn't stand her profound gaze that completely ignored his existence.

"I'll tear you to shreds! Let's see if you can look at me like that then!"

Jaun (Purple Cloud) Ampung (Dark Wind).

Killing Style.

Sakpung Chusal In (North Wind Killing Blade).

The Jaun Sword practitioners, who had spread out like a spiderweb in the courtyard, all lunged at Na Yerine.

"It's not finished yet, but…"

Na Yerine also had something she wanted to test.

Dragon's Eye (Ryong An) Release (Gae Bang).

As the suppressed power of the Dragon's Eye was unleashed, an immense amount of information flowed through her eyes. No matter how complex the movements, there was nothing she couldn't read now.

Hansang Okryong Singeom (Cold Frost Jade Spirit Divine Sword).

Biseol Bo (Flying Snow Step) Oui (Ultimate Skill).

Hyeonryeon Mutap (Dazzling Dance).

Like snowflakes scattered in the wind, her figure dispersed, leaving behind a blizzard-like afterimage.

"Wh-what is this?"

Yi Si Geon exclaimed in surprise as Na Yerine's figure momentarily disappeared from his sight.

"L-lord!"

It was the Oh brothers who first spotted Na Yerine, who had suddenly appeared behind Yi Si Geon. Their eyes, which were frantically searching for her vanished form, caught Na Yerine's figure almost by chance.

"It's dangerous!"

Although they were not usually very loyal, they rushed to stop Na Yerine. If they wanted to get something out of it, Yi Si Geon had to be safe first. However, the price was far greater than they imagined.

Slash!

Na Yerine's sword flashed like snow light. There was no pity for a habitual rapist.

"Ggweok!"

A sound like a pig being slaughtered echoed, and blood spurted into the sky like a fountain.

"Oh dear!"

Seeing the Oh brothers, whom he treated like his hands and feet, perish so futilely, Yun Yi Jeong quickly unleashed the killing technique of Pungma Sword Style.

Pungma Sword Style (Wind Demon Sword Style) Secret Technique.

Pungma Gwi Hon (Wind Demon Returning Soul).

A rough and fierce wind blade surged towards Na Yerine's entire body. It was a grandeur incomparable to the Oh brothers.

However, Na Yerine remained calm until the end. She was now grasping everything happening in this confined world. To her, who could read even the slightest movement of the wind, the rampage of Pungma was just a minor prank.

Swish, swish!

As Na Yerine's sword danced through the air, the fierce wind suddenly turned into a gentle breeze.

'How, how can this be! My sword technique!'

Yun Yi Jeong was shocked as his proud sword techniques became futile with a woman's light hand movements. Shock creates openings, and openings create bloodshed.

Sput!

Na Yerine's sword, accurately exploiting his opening, grazed Yun Yi Jeong's cheek.

"Kk!"

If he hadn't desperately rolled on the floor clumsily with the Naryeotagon technique, this day next year would have been his memorial day.

A blood-red blizzard, a snowstorm of blood, swirled around. Blood flowers scattered in unison. Not a single petal fell on Na Yerine's white robes moving within the blizzard of blood-red petals.

"She's strong. She's really strong. I never imagined she'd be this strong…"

Lee Jin Seol stared at Na Yerine's divine presence with an almost dazed expression. She was beautiful, cold, and yet captivating. Just looking at her felt like her soul was being sucked into her sword dance.

"You're right."

Hyo Ryong, who had opened his eyes and was watching blankly, chimed in.

"Close your eyes again quickly."

Lee Jin Seol warned, without looking away.

"Y-yes! I'll close them!"

Startled, Hyo Ryong quickly squeezed his eyes shut again.

"Why! Why! Why! Why isn't it working!"

Yi Si Geon's cry was filled with despair, experiencing a powerlessness he had never felt before.

"It's because you are weaker than 'that person'."

Na Yerine replied without stopping her sword dance.

"'That person'?"

Yi Si Geon hastily crossed his hands, taking a defensive stance. He intended to protect himself by creating a net of Jaun Swords.

"You are merely a fake, only imitating that person."

Only then did Yi Si Geon grasp who 'that person' was.

"Are you talking about Bi Ryu Yeon, 'that guy'?"

Yi Si Geon roared with bloodshot eyes.

"So you admit it?"

Yi Si Geon realized his mistake at Na Yerine's sharp retort.

"Your defense is clumsy!"

Na Yerine didn't wait for an answer and thrust her sword. The light-fast stab pierced Yi Si Geon's defense and headed straight for his Adam's apple.

'Wrong!'

Yi Si Geon closed his eyes.

"……"

After waiting for a while and not feeling the cold touch of something piercing his neck, Yi Si Geon slightly opened his eyes.

Na Yerine's sword had stopped just an inch from his neck, leaving only a sliver of distance.

"You still have testimony to hear."

This meant he was safe thanks to that.

"Did I… did I… lose?"

It was then.

Rumble, rumble!

A black sphere, about the size of a fist, rolled to Na Yerine's feet.

'Could it be a bomb?'

Lee Jin Seol exclaimed urgently upon seeing it.

"Sister, dodge!"

As Na Yerine quickly leaped backward,

BOOM!

With a tremendous roar, a blinding flash erupted. The light was so bright and intense that Na Yerine couldn't open her eyes properly. Her ears were ringing.

By the time her vision recovered, both Yun Yi Jeong and Yi Si Geon were gone. The spot where the bomb had exploded was intact. It was a flash bomb designed to disorient people with sound and light, not for destruction.

"I missed him."

Na Yerine muttered in a quiet voice.

"No, how dare those scoundrels escape! Hyo Ryong! Hyo Ryong?"

Lee Jin Seol, who was calling out to Hyo Ryong in a hurry, turned her head strangely at the empty response.

"Hyo… Ryong?"

He was gone. Hyo Ryong's presence, who had been by her side just a moment ago, had completely vanished.

"Could he have gone to chase after them…"

She was annoyed that he had gone alone, leaving her behind, but she also felt responsible for not noticing. After all, reason and emotion move in different spheres.

"What scheme are they plotting?"

The steps of Yi Si Geon and Yun Yi Jeong, who were hastily moving, stopped abruptly. Due to the powerful flash bomb, the smoke surrounding the compound had not yet completely cleared.

"Who is it? Reveal yourself!"

Yi Si Geon shouted in a sharp voice.

A young man with green headbands crossed on his head and twin swords on his back emerged from the smoke.

Yi Si Geon's eyes widened.

"You… are you Hyo Ryong?"

Hyo Ryong neither confirmed nor denied.

"How are you here?"

Yi Si Geon was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to this unexpected situation.

"That's what we should be asking. Why are you here, Master?"

Hyo Ryong asked, glaring with a fierce look unimaginable to those who knew him. One side of Yi Si Geon's facial muscles twitched.

"Shouldn't I call you Senior Brother? Aren't we fellow disciples?"

Yi Si Geon said in a mocking voice. He was extremely displeased with Hyo Ryong's attitude.

"I have no memory of having a cowardly fugitive as my Senior Brother."

He had always instinctively disliked Yi Si Geon.

"A c-coward? Who are you calling a cowardly fugitive! I just let you go this time. Do you really think you could have even hurt me with her skill?"

Yi Si Geon shouted with an excited voice.

"You already have."

Pointing to Yi Si Geon's cheek with his finger, Hyo Ryong said.

"What?!"

Yi Si Geon, quickly bringing his hand to his right cheek, was surprised.

"Wh-when…"

Red blood flowed from the long gash that grazed his cheek.

"You didn't even notice being cut."

Hyo Ryong sneered, not missing the perfect opportunity for mockery.

"I'll ask again. Why did you do this? There's no reason for Machon Pavilion to antagonize Cheonmu Academy right now."

"Do you think I'd tell you? If you're so curious, find out for yourself."

"Surely, that's not the Master's intention?"

"Well, who knows?"

Yi Si Geon neither confirmed nor denied.

"Yi Si Geon!"

A roar erupted from Hyo Ryong's mouth. However, Yi Si Geon remained unmoved.

"Hmph, call me Senior Brother! You insolent brat! I want to discipline you right now, but I don't have time to chat with you. I'm busy today, so I'll leave for now, but there will be no forgiveness next time."

Yi Si Geon was in a hurry. He had no time to bicker with that ill-mannered junior disciple. He had to rush to get emergency treatment.

'Otherwise, this handsome face will be scarred!'

He could never allow such a thing.

"I've never met anyone who genuinely promised a 'next time'."

He hadn't come to fight today, only to probe.

"Wait and see. You'll find out. Oh, and as a reunion gift, I'll tell you something good. You shouldn't think of returning. The place you used to occupy no longer exists."

"Shut up!"

Hyo Ryong shouted.

"Hahaha!"

Yi Si Geon burst into laughter and climbed over the wall. Hyo Ryong did not pursue.

"How did it go, Hyo Ryong?"

Lee Jin Seol exclaimed with joy upon seeing Hyo Ryong walking towards them.

"I missed them. I'm sorry."

Hyo Ryong replied in a dejected tone. His mind was very complex with the events that had just transpired.

"It can't be helped."

Lee Jin Seol's voice was filled with regret. Her hope had been dashed, and a sigh escaped her lips. Seeing her dejected, Hyo Ryong felt unnecessarily guilty. Of course, it was partly due to his delicate position, but he was also responsible for not doing his best to pursue Yi Si Geon.

"Shall we leave? We didn't help much, so it feels awkward to show our faces."

They hadn't come secretly, and in fact, they had been asked for help. Yet, they hadn't achieved any significant accomplishment that would earn them praise. They were merely spectators and witnesses. After making such a fuss, they had stood there like stone statues with no significant contribution, making them feel ashamed to meet Na Yerine. They wanted to leave the place as soon as possible.

"That's true. Let's leave this place quickly."

Hyo Ryong also didn't want to stay here.

Na Yerine's voice was heard at that very moment.

"Where are you going? You can come out now, it's okay."

After a brief pause, Lee Jin Seol and Hyo Ryong lost the chance to slip away unnoticed.

"Heh heh! I'm sorry, sister! I couldn't help with anything. Other than watching, that is."

Lee Jin Seol said with a disappointed tone as she walked out from their hiding spot with Hyo Ryong.

"That was enough, so don't be discouraged. It was a contingency, and I needed a witness other than myself. Although it's useless now…"

With Yi Si Geon's escape, everything had become meaningless.

"Won't the Jungwon Express cause trouble?"

The fact that the Golden Child of the current Martial Arts Alliance leader had caused such a mess at the Namchang Branch of Jungwon Express could potentially escalate into a major problem.

"If they have something to hide, they won't make a big issue of it. They'll have to explain why that Yi Si Geon was staying here. And if they do make an issue of it…"

"What then?"

"I've already prepared for it."

Lee Jin Seol was surprised by the aspect of Na Yerine that was nowhere to be found in her past.

'What could have changed my sister so much?'

Nothing about today's events was easy to understand.

"I apologize for the unnecessary trouble I've caused you, Young Master Hyo."

"Ah, no. Trouble… such flattering words…"

Hyo Ryong, whose gaze was completely captivated by Na Yerine's dazzling legs revealed through her cut skirt, replied in a vacant voice.

"Where are you looking!"

Screech!

Lee Jin Seol's two fingers, swift as a hawk's talons, poked Hyo Ryong's eyes.

"Kuaaaaaaah!"

A man's desperate scream filled the night sky.

"I'm sorry, Ryu Yeon."

As Na Yerine lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes cast a shadow on her transparent eyes.

"No, what is it?"

Bi Ryu Yeon replied, his face aghast.

"I tried to capture that person…"

Unfortunately, she had missed him at the last moment. It was a truly regrettable matter.

"…Did you move yourself?"

As Na Yerine nodded slightly, Bi Ryu Yeon smiled.

"Then it's a success."

His voice was exceptionally bright. Na Yerine was suddenly speechless. She had failed, and he was still imprisoned, so how could he smile like that? Bi Ryu Yeon seemed to be indifferent to his own situation.

"Yerine moved herself, didn't she? I guess she's decided to actively respond to the world."

Na Yerine moving herself to catch the culprit was something that required throwing away countless rules. It was something she would never have done normally.

"That's true, but…"

After all, failure was failure.

"It's okay. I couldn't have asked for better news than this. As for those insignificant flies, I don't care what happens to them. I've already made arrangements…"

In fact, Na Yerine acting herself was an unplanned event.

"But I wanted to do something."

As Na Yerine's face blushed slightly, Bi Ryu Yeon's face momentarily blanked.

Flash!

At that moment, a good idea struck Bi Ryu Yeon's mind.

"Really? Then it's perfect. There's something only you can do."

"Something only I can do? What is it?"

"It's…"

"……?"

"Private Meal (Sa Sik)!"

"Sa Sik?"

Bi Ryu Yeon nodded, saying 'Uh-huh.'

"I want to eat food that Yerine personally made."

Bi Ryu Yeon said something that no one had ever dared to mention before, with a completely nonchalant expression. If there had been any followers of Bingbaek Peak's Na Yerine here, they wouldn't have just foamed at the mouth and fainted.

"Th-that's…"

Na Yerine stammered in confusion. She had never imagined such a request.

'Maybe it would be easier to go catch Yi Si Geon again…'

That was her honest feeling.

"Actually, I've never done it before…"

"It's okay. Everyone has to experience a first time when they do something. Isn't the courage to try new things important, like this? You already have courage, Yerine, so there's no problem. I guarantee it."

Since Bi Ryu Yeon said that, it somehow felt like she could really do it.

"Can I really do it?"

"Of course! Trust me."

These were the words of someone who was least trusted in the vicinity.

"Then, just once…"

Na Yerine murmured in a voice still filled with hesitation.

'Mission complete!'

Bi Ryu Yeon smiled triumphantly to himself.