Book 25 Chapter 12

A Scuffle at the Main Gate

—A Constricting Heart

"Stop!"

Biryu Yeon didn't stop.

"I said stop!"

Still, Biryu Yeon didn't stop. Finally, the gatekeeper exploded.

"Hey, listen to me!"

Only then did Biryu Yeon's steps halt. He replied with an annoyed expression.

"I'm busy, why?"

"Show me your pass."

"I don't have one."

"What! You can't enter without a pass."

The Suzaku members, Jang Hong, and Hyo Ryong all had passes issued by Macheon Pavilion. However, Biryu Yeon had none. Of course, he had one of Yeon Bi's, but it wasn't in his name, and it was a woman's. He didn't want to show it in such a crowded place, as it risked exposing his identity.

It would have been much easier if he had appeared as Yeon Bi. He might have passed without any obstacles. But he didn't want to do that now. He didn't feel like it. He wanted to see Yerim in his true form, not as Yeon Bi.

'And this person blocks my way?'

First, he would praise their absurd recklessness. However, they should be prepared for the corresponding price they would have to pay. He had no patience now. He didn't have time to smile foolishly and hold back his hand.

If they blocked him, they should be prepared for the Macheon Pavilion's main gate to be split in two today. Biryu Yeon was already fully prepared to go wild.

He had even dared to confront his master. There was nothing more to fear, nothing more to hesitate about. No more reckless behavior was possible. Whatever he did now would seem less reckless… If so, good. Whoever blocked his way today would be furthest from safety. He decided.

"You can't enter?"

Biryu Yeon exuded killing intent without compromise. Hyo Ryong had never seen Biryu Yeon display such intense killing intent before. It seemed like he could commit any act right now. That was dangerous.

'I have to stop him somehow!'

Hyo Ryong quickly stepped in front of Biryu Yeon, who was about to explode. He presented the pass he received as part of the delegation to Macheon Pavilion and said,

"Please let him in. He was supposed to come with us. He's just late due to circumstances. This friend was a bit ill."

"Ill? That's no excuse!"

The gatekeeper shouted. He was a sword master in his mid-forties, and his aura was unusual, suggesting he was in charge of guarding this gate.

"Good. I don't have time for individual permits, so let's finish this quickly."

Biryu Yeon took another step forward. He was serious. He was genuinely about to do something. And without any hesitation. He didn't care what repercussions it would have between the righteous and the unrighteous paths. He could think about that after he retrieved Na Yerim.

"Come on, Yeon, calm down, calm down. Don't do this."

Jang Hong desperately tried to restrain the berserk Biryu Yeon. He couldn't let him explode here. His current demeanor was unlike the usually cold and remarkably rational Biryu Yeon.

"I vouch for this person's identity. Please let him in."

Hyo Ryong persuaded him with pleasant words.

"Who are you to vouch for his identity? Absolutely not! Get lost!"

The gatekeeper was resolute.

"You. Dare. To. Say. 'Get. Lost.!'?"

A blue vein throbbed on Hyo Ryong's temple. He hated being looked down upon the most.

"Can't you see I'm trying to resolve this amicably! Shut up and let us in!! Kuaaaaaaak!"

Hyo Ryong roared. His inner energy reverberated throughout the walls and gate.

"Hey, Ryong Ryong! Calm down, calm down! What if you start acting out too? This could become a diplomatic issue!"

Jang Hong held back Hyo Ryong, who was drawing his twin swords and about to rampage with a furious roar. If not for Jang Hong's quick judgment, there might have been bloodshed in front of the gate.

"Yeon, try to think of a more peaceful way."

"I prefer this way, it's simple and fast. There's no need to stop Ryong Ryong when he's taking the lead."

"Yeon! Please!"

Jang Hong shouted, holding back Hyo Ryong, who was thrashing like a wild horse. If he got into trouble while Jang Hong was tied up, he would have no way to stop him. He had to stop him somehow. So he added,

"If you waste your energy here, it will only take more time. Isn't that extremely irrational?"

"So, you're saying that resolving things peacefully is much faster?"

Only then did an expression of relief appear on Jang Hong's face.

"That's exactly what I mean. It may seem like a roundabout way, but it's the fastest path."

"Alright, if you put it that way, fine. If we're going to resolve this peacefully, we should start with a conversation. This is annoying."

"Of course. Everything begins with conversation. As we get to know each other through calm conversation, there are no bad people in this world."

"You don't actually believe that, do you?"

"Let's just say I believe it for now."

Biryu Yeon stepped forward and asked,

"What is your alias, and your name?"

'Oh, he's trying to introduce himself first.'

But his tone was extremely dry.

"I am Jan Sal Do Jang Guk."

"Ah, I have heard of your reputation. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Of course, Biryu Yeon had never heard the name. *What does this petty fry matter to me?* he thought to himself. But hiding such thoughts and smiling outwardly with insincere words was the world of adults.

'Yes, you're doing well. Without the pretense, the adult world is no different from a corpse. You're becoming an adult now.'

Jang Hong felt satisfied watching Biryu Yeon converse normally. His eyes were calm, like a parent watching their child grow up.

"I'm not pleased at all."

"That's not important, so let's move past it."

"Then what is important?"

"Don't you know who I am?"

Biryu Yeon looked at him with an expression that implied utter ignorance, and Jan Sal Do Jang Guk was quite flustered.

"Um, well? Who, who are you?"

"My name is Biryu Yeon. Do you still not know?"

"Um, well, I'm not sure?"

Biryu Yeon wore a look of genuine pity, and Jang Guk felt guilty for no reason.

"Don't you remember? I am Biryu Yeon, who honorably and proudly won the last Hwasan Gathering."

"Ah, Biryu Yeon!"

It seemed Jang Guk had at least heard of that name.

"Now that you remember, can I enter?"

With a smirk, Biryu Yeon stepped forward without hesitation.

"Wait! Stop!"

"Why?"

"I know you won the hundredth Hwasan Gathering, but that doesn't mean you can enter Macheon Pavilion. There's no such rule. So don't try to sneak in."

Biryu Yeon muttered "Tsk" inwardly.

"It doesn't matter?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Then you won't let me in?"

"Of course not."

Then Biryu Yeon turned to Jang Hong and said,

"Did you hear that?"

"I heard."

"Our negotiation has failed, right?"

"I, I suppose so."

"I spoke politely, with all the proper etiquette. With good words, mind you."

Jang Hong suddenly had a premonition.

'What is that guy planning?'

Biryu Yeon's unpredictability was his most frightening trait.

"Then shall we move on to the next negotiation?"

Biryu Yeon smiled and extended his hand forward.

"Just in case I'm asking, can you let me in now?"

Biryu Yeon asked for confirmation.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Go back."

Jan Sal Do Jang Guk said with a frown.

"What if I absolutely must enter?"

"Absolutely not. We cannot let someone without a permit or pass into Macheon Pavilion."

"You don't understand. I'm telling you I will enter no matter what. Let me tell you this one thing: I will never turn back, no matter what happens. So just open the gate. There's someone waiting for me inside."

"Impossible."

Despite repeated refusals, Biryu Yeon did not get angry.

"Don't you see the people behind me? There are about fifteen or sixteen of them. They're all very annoyed because they can't get in. If things get rough, won't the problem escalate for everyone?"

"We will never open the gates of Macheon Pavilion with such threats."

"Oh, really? Then let's not waste any more time."

Biryu Yeon said with a tone of resignation. Jang Hong and Hyo Ryong found his apparent willingness to retreat extremely suspicious.

"Have you decided to go back?"

Biryu Yeon raised his right hand expressionlessly.

"Polite words end here."

Then, Jan Sal Do Jang Guk and another guardian of the gate sneered at him. They weren't mere low-ranking guards, but accomplished martial artists. Moreover, beyond the gate, there was a defense force dispatched to protect the main entrance.

"Are you going to use force?"

"No, I plan to use magic instead."

"Magic?"

Biryu Yeon raised his right hand as if holding an invisible fruit.

"Now, can you see this?"

Biryu Yeon asked.

"What do you see?"

Jan Sal Do Jang Guk retorted.

"Huh? You can't see it? This 'thing' carefully placed on my hand?"

"I don't see anything. Are you crazy? What are you holding there?"

"Your 'hearts (心臟)!"

Biryu Yeon said with a cold smile.

"You're crazy! Get out of here!"

"You don't believe me."

"I only see an empty hand, what am I supposed to believe?"

Biryu Yeon's hand was slightly clenched, but there was nothing on his palm.

"Really? Then shall we test it?"

Jang Guk replied gruffly.

"Try it if you want."

"Really? Then I won't refuse."

Biryu Yeon slowly began to close his raised hand.

*Kwaaaaaaak!*

"Kuhuk!"

Suddenly, Jang Guk and another guardian clutched their throats with both hands and writhed. They gasped for air, their mouths opening and closing like goldfish thrown out of water. But their breathing didn't improve. As breathing became even more difficult, their faces turned pale. With fear in their pale eyes, they looked at Biryu Yeon's closing hand.

"W-what in the world…?"

Jang Hong and Hyo Ryong hesitated, unsure how to react to this sudden turn of events. They could only stare at the suffering guardians and Biryu Yeon's slowly tightening hand.

Meanwhile, Biryu Yeon's eyes were indifferent as he watched.

"Do you believe me now? That what this hand is holding is your hearts?"

Biryu Yeon slowly loosened his clenched grip.

"Kuhuhuh! Cough cough cough!"

Only then did the two guardians exhale breath simultaneously and cough repeatedly.

"So, shall I ask again? Will you open the gate now?"

Biryu Yeon asked politely once more.

"No! Even if I die, I won't let you pass this way. Do you think you'll be unharmed after doing this?"

"Of course, I plan to be unharmed. And I don't think your concern about our safety is your business. First, I don't have time. And my patience has run out. So…"

"Wait, wait! What are you doing?"

The two guardians cried out in shock.

"Why?"

"Th-that! Your, your hand."

Unconsciously or consciously, Biryu Yeon was now tossing and catching an invisible heart like playing with a ball.

The two guardians couldn't take their eyes off the movement of the invisible heart. A sliver of doubt gripped their minds. Seeing their foolish and anxious expressions, Biryu Yeon smiled triumphantly.

"Shall I make it burst this time?"

Biryu Yeon chuckled, a cruel smile on his face, as he moved his fingers.

"D-don't!"

Upon hearing that, the two guardians, who felt a shock as if their hearts were leaping, cried out involuntarily. Their heart rates doubled in an instant. Reacting to their responses, Biryu Yeon smiled triumphantly and said,

"Do you believe me now?"

It was clearly a trick. He thought that rationally and told himself that, but deep down, an unshakeable anxiety still flickered.

"We lost. Enter."

Finally, the two said through gritted teeth. As the gatekeepers, their pride had already been shattered. Their gazes of hatred were understandable. And Biryu Yeon's sensibilities were not so soft as to feel guilt upon receiving those stares.

"But remember this: it's easy to get in, but difficult to get out."

This strained voice was clearly audible to the Suzaku members standing behind them. They must have been furious. Some of the Suzaku members wiped their eyes, feeling as if they understood the feeling. It was as if they saw themselves in that situation.

"We'll worry about that when we leave."

Saying that, he suddenly threw his right hand upwards.

"W-what are you doing!"

Biryu Yeon smirked. It was a smile that would suit even a devil. The hand that caught the thrown invisible heart slammed forcefully against the other hand. And he shouted.

"Bang!"

The sound of hearts bursting instantly echoed through the air.

As the thunderous sound erupted, the two startled guardians fainted on the spot. Foam appeared around the mouths of the fainted men.

"So timid."

Biryu Yeon approached the gate as if the fainted men were not even there.

"How did you do it?"

Jang Hong, who had approached, asked.

"A simple trick. But if I tell you, it won't be fun, will it?"

"Still, please tell me, I'm curious."

"Magic that has been seen through is no longer magic. It's just a trick. It's inconvenient to use again later."

"You plan to use it again?"

"Just think of it as touching their hearts with an invisible hand."

"So, you didn't actually do it."

"That's beyond that, it's corporate secret. A secret technique of my sect."

"Does your sect teach such tricks?"

"Tricks? That's offensive to the listener. Call it an application."

The secret lay with the Brain Spirit Sect. He had secretly choked them using the invisible Brain Spirit Sect.

Through pre-emptive psychological manipulation, their consciousness was focused on their hearts, so they thought their hearts were being squeezed even though their necks were being choked and they were suffocating. Light suggestion had broken their judgment.

Because of this, Biryu Yeon appeared to have incredible abilities. As if he really held their hearts in his palm.

"With such a flamboyant entrance, things will get noisy from now on."

Jang Hong shivered at the premonition of a storm. The situation was escalating. No matter what they did, it would be impossible to resolve. And they couldn't expect Biryu Yeon to solve it. His mind was filled only with thoughts of Na Yerim, and no other words would enter.

Biryu Yeon kicked the gate open without a moment's hesitation. Then he turned and asked,

"Now, who wants to go back?"

This was probably the last chance. Crossing this line would lead to irreversible consequences. This was the final choice Biryu Yeon offered his friends.

"Since we've come this far, there's no choice but to go along with you to the end."

Jang Hong said with a shrug.

"It's karma. What sin did I commit in a past life to suffer this?"

Hyo Ryong sighed.

The Suzaku members reacted differently. They huddled together and whispered in low voices.

"Are you going back?"

"Can we go back?"

"He said we can go back."

"Do you believe the eldest brother's words?"

"Hmm… I don't."

"Perhaps if we did, we'd die?"

"There will surely be retribution."

"As expected of the eldest brother."

"Right, because he's the eldest brother."

"No choice. We have to go together."

"Let's make a good impression at times like these. Then things might get easier later on, right?"

"That makes sense. So, who's backing out?"

"……"

Despite their grumbling, no one turned back.

Biryu Yeon smirked and turned his head forward again.

"Isn't it the retribution for having evil friends?"

If he put it that way, his companions had nothing to say.

"Well then, let's go wild, friends."