Book 26 Chapter 15

Awakening from a dream

"Squish?"

She was dreaming.

She hears a distant voice calling her. It's the voice of a little girl. It seems to be calling her, but she can't quite make out what it's saying. She strains to listen.

"…Lion, …Lion… Dokgo… Lion…"

Who is it? Who could it be?

She sees the shadow of a small girl running towards her, waving her tiny hands. However, her face is hazy, as if veiled in fog, making it impossible to tell who she is.

Who on earth is it? Who is the girl calling? Is it me she's calling?

As she tries to think, her head begins to throb. Why is this happening? It's hard to continue thinking. Why is this happening? Her mind is a chaotic mess.

Suddenly, the world melts away, and the scene changes again.

She sees the back of a woman standing on a rocky shore where waves crash. Embroidered on one side of her clothing is a bird with twelve wings.

"Who is that woman?"

She is kneeling behind her. Why is she kneeling like this? Just looking at her back makes her want to cry. Unbounded affection and respect well up from the depths of her heart.

"Why?"

I don't even know this woman, so why? Tears threaten to overflow. Something boils up inside her chest, unbearable. She wanted to shout something towards the woman with her back turned. She wanted to say something. But her breath catches, and no words come out. Her mouth just gapes emptily. Even for a single word, she believes she knows it, yet it can't escape, just circling in her mouth. Unconsciously, she reaches out to the woman. Clutching her chest with her other hand, she cries out.

"Help me! Help me!"

Why is she shouting for help to that woman? Why? Why?

Why is she shouting for help to the woman who never turns to look at her?

What is this inexplicable longing that surges from the bottom of her heart?

But the more she reaches out, the further the woman's back recedes.

"Don't go! Don't go!"

She calls out in a mournful voice, like a lost child searching for its mother. If she could reach her, she would grab her collar and cling to her. What would she say to her? She runs and runs, chasing after her receding back. Her breath is ragged, her heart feels like it will burst, but she doesn't care.

Scenes she doesn't remember flash through her mind. The tears that have begun to fall won't stop. But the only person who can save her is moving further and further away. No matter how much she reaches out, she feels she won't be able to touch that salvation. Still, she doesn't give up and cries out.

"Save me from here!"

Why is she asking to be saved? Why? Wasn't there anything she lacked? She had a master to serve. She accepted that as natural and had no regrets. But why? Why was she so shaken when she was told to kill that girl, Na Yerin? Why was there hesitation in the tip of her sword? Why did that child's voice sound so familiar? Why did that voice have the power to warm a corner of her heart? Why did clashing swords with her feel so longed for? Even amidst the crossing of life and death, she felt longing within it. She couldn't deny that her sword, no, her soul was resonating.

And then, with a mournful cry, she finally shouted.

"…Master!"

The woman who had her back turned stopped and slowly turned her head towards her.

Her face…

Flash!

Her eyes fluttered open.

* * *

Her eyes were open, but her mind was still hazy.

Young-ryeong felt as if she were still wandering in her dream. Fragmented memories flickered with a light dizziness.

"What dream did I just have?"

She felt like she had just had a very important dream, but she couldn't remember it at all. It was a dream filled with heartbreak, longing, and sadness. But the moment she woke up, it was as if everything had been erased from her mind, vanishing completely.

The events that occurred before she lost consciousness felt like a distant dream. They lacked a sense of reality.

But there was one thing she remembered. The shock from that moment was so vivid that it wouldn't fade. She still remembered the clear shock that had surged within her.

"What on earth was that sword technique?"

She recalled the splendid sword technique that had unfolded from her hand. But when she tried to retrace it, it was like a blank space, as if the memory had been gouged out.

She had clearly performed that sword technique. But even she herself didn't know how she had been able to perform it. She had no memory of ever learning such a technique. But how could she have performed it without learning it?

"My body just performed it."

That's all she could think. In a moment of crisis, her body had reacted unconsciously, that's all she could think.

It was the exact same sword technique that the woman, Na Yerin, had performed.

She instinctively knew that the sword technique she had performed in her moment of crisis and the sword technique Na Yerin had performed stemmed from the same principle. The technique had such a unique character that it was impossible to imitate carelessly.

"Why?"

Why does my body know that sword technique? Why?

The moment she tried to think about it, her head began to feel like it would split open. It was as if her head was resisting the act of remembering. Then she was forced to confront one question.

"Who am I, anyway?"

Possessed by a strange sensation that the self she knew wasn't her true self, Young-ryeong was confronted with an unavoidable question. And she simultaneously realized that she didn't have a clear answer to this question at the moment.

Everything was chaotic.

"Ugh…"

Young-ryeong let out a short groan from the throbbing headache and looked around.

She had woken up in a pitch-dark room. The surroundings were cold stone walls, and only a faint candlelight illuminated the room. Judging by the chilling cold from the walls, it seemed to be a basement. Young-ryeong, who had sat up from the bed in the middle of the room, frowned.

"When was I moved to a place like this?"

She had no memory after fighting Na Yerin on Ganghoran Island.

She quickly checked her body. It had been treated, at least. She circulated her internal energy to examine her body. Come to think of it, there was a faint medicinal scent lingering in the air, suggesting it might be a treatment room. But it was too gloomy for that.

Although her body still felt a slight sting and her energy flow was unstable, it seemed there were no major problems.

"After fighting so fiercely…"

She couldn't believe she had ended up like this. If Na Yerin hadn't simply accepted her sword at the end but had counterattacked, would she have been unharmed?

To be honest, she wasn't sure.

The white sword energy of the sword stance Na Yerin displayed was so powerful that it sent shivers down her spine. At that moment, her feeling upon seeing that final move was not hatred, but admiration.

"Why? Why did I feel such a thrill seeing the sword stance of the Sword God, which should be cursed? Why did tears fall? She's an enemy I should hate for taking one of my eyes."

And why did she feel so much longing…

Who was that lady she saw amidst the clashing sword energies? Why did her heart ache so much just thinking of her?

Nothing was clear.

"Mong-mu? Hwan-mu?"

She called out, but no one answered.

"Is anyone there?"

Only silence returned.

Then, her eyes fell upon a staircase located in a corner of the room. It led upwards. Young-ryeong, still with a slightly dazed expression, walked towards the stairs.

It was stuffy here. Staying in a place like this made her feel like bad memories might surface.

"Well, it's okay. Everything will be comfortable soon…"

"You're going to live a new life."

When was that? And who was that person? The old man smiling with a long needle in his hand…

"Kch!"

Suddenly, an immense headache struck her. Because of the headache, she couldn't continue thinking. Her head felt like it would split open, and her vision swam.

Leaning against the wall with her right hand and clutching one side of her head with her left, Young-ryeong struggled up the stairs. Soon, she reached a dead end.

Her eyes, gradually adjusting to the darkness, scanned her surroundings, but she saw no door.

"What is this…"

Just as she looked around in confusion,

Rumble!

The door opened, and bright light flooded in. The light was so dazzling that she instinctively closed her eyes.

Someone whose face she couldn't discern stood before the wall. He had a rather intimidating presence. Before Young-ryeong could assume a defensive stance, the man reached out and roughly grabbed her, who was still white-faced.

And then…

Squish.

Tragedy struck.

* * *

Bukhaedo was empty. Jang Hong and Ok Yu-gyeong couldn't believe it. They couldn't sense any disturbance even with so many people moving. It was unbelievable.

Moreover, everyone was supposed to be on high alert, preparing for a special emergency.

What on earth had happened here?

Even the commander's office of the Fifth Division was empty. They searched it, but only scriptures like the Analects and Mencius were piled up.

"Well, now, the Black Daoist reading scriptures…"

"Is there a law that Black Daoists can't read scriptures?"

"No… not exactly, but isn't it a bit strange?"

"No matter where you belong, it's not for others to dictate what you want to read."

They searched all the books and letters in the commander's office of the Fifth Dormitory but found no useful information.

"Perhaps they hid them elsewhere?"

Given how neatly everything was organized, it seemed likely that there was a secret room or a secret vault.

"Alright. Finding those is my specialty."

Jang Hong began to examine the room with a professional eye. He wanted to find the entrance to a secret room and impress Ok Yu-gyeong. Then she would surely be amazed by his abilities. She might even hug him tightly and give him a kiss on the cheek. Just imagining it made the muscles around his mouth relax.

"Is that it?"

As Jang Hong surveyed the room, his eyes fell upon a peculiar object. It was a lion statue protruding from the floor. Its location was rather unusual. It didn't seem like a place where it should be.

This time, it was a secret passage opened by stepping on it.

"Yes! Open, sesame!"

Cheering inwardly, Jang Hong stepped on the stone. Then, with a rumbling sound of mechanisms, the wall opened.

"Yu-gyeong, look here."

Jang Hong glanced at Ok Yu-gyeong and called her.

"Here, here."

Still looking at Ok Yu-gyeong, Jang Hong grinned and thrust his hand into the opened secret passage.

Squish!

At that moment, something soft and yielding was caught in his fist.

"It's big!"

At that moment, Jang Hong's face turned pale. The darkness soon brightened, and he saw a woman standing before the wall. And… his hand had impudently reached out towards her.

"What is it, Hong-sik?"

At that very moment, Ok Yu-gyeong, wondering what was happening, looked towards Jang Hong. Ok Yu-gyeong's eyes widened, and then, like the flames of hell, a fiery red glow began to burn.

* * *

What on earth is happening?

Young-ryeong's thoughts momentarily froze.

She hadn't touched anything, but suddenly a secret passage opened. A man stood before it. And the man's outstretched hand was now clutching her chest.

Her mind went blank for a moment, and then, finally grasping the situation, Young-ryeong's face turned bright red with shame.

"Aaaaaaaah!"

Young-ryeong quickly covered her chest with both hands and screamed. Perhaps due to her lingering daze, her reaction as a woman was faster than her reaction as a warrior.

"Ah, no, Young Lady… this is…"

Panicked, Jang Hong recoiled as if burned, his hand flying away, and began to make excuses. At that moment, a roar of fury erupted from Ok Yu-gyeong.

"Jang. Hong. Sik!"

Stuttering…

Jang Hong froze like a stone, his hand still outstretched. His tongue seemed to have frozen too, as he couldn't speak properly. Ok Yu-gyeong also began to stutter severely.

"Y-you… Ah, you still haven't come to your senses…"

"No, Madam. Th-this is an accident. It was absolutely not intentional! Y-yes. This was an unfortunate accident!"

"You did that to me in the hallway last time too… You men, even when you're older, do you still like women's chests that much! Without any regard for time or place!"

Ok Yu-gyeong's face had transformed into that of a demon in her anger. Jang Hong trembled and waved his hands.

"Really. Please believe me. Of course, I like them, but this is an accident. Besides, yours are much bigger. Much softer… so… so… that's not what I was trying to say… so…"

Clang!

With the clear sound of a drawn sword, Ok Yu-gyeong's sword was in a ready stance.

"Shut up! Take those flimsy excuses to the King of Hell!"

Swoosh!

Jang Hong was thoroughly beaten. But now, he was defenseless. He couldn't evade, couldn't defend. He wasn't allowed to dodge, block, or even speak excuses. He could only take the blows as they came, whether it was a slap to the cheek, a punch, or a kick. Enduring it without a sound was the only path to atonement. Finally, Ok Yu-gyeong grabbed Jang Hong's wrist with her left hand and raised the Blood Fiend Sword with her right.

"J-just a moment! What are you trying to do?"

"Hold on. We need to cut off this ill-behaved fellow. Otherwise, he'll keep pestering other women."

"S-stop, Madam! No, Mistress! Even so, isn't this too much?"

"Hey, don't make such a fuss when you're a grown adult. It'll be over soon."

Flash! The raised Blood Fiend Sword emitted a terrifying gleam.

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

Just as she was about to sever the hand of the shameless Jang Hong,

It was none other than Young-ryeong who saved Jang Hong from this desperate crisis.

The Blood Fiend Sword, like an executioner's blade aimed at the neck of a sinner, was about to chop off Jang Hong's guilty hand when Young-ryeong's astonished voice rang out.

"Commander Ok Yu-gyeong?"

The Blood Fiend Sword, about to strike, stopped in mid-air. Ok Yu-gyeong, in her shock, then realized that the voice was familiar.

"Huh? Aren't you Young-ryeong? How are you here? And what are you wearing?"

Jang Hong, who had escaped the desperate crisis, was also surprised for a different reason.

"Young Lady Ryeong, aren't you? I thought you were still on Ganghoran Island? When did you get here?"

After her fierce battle with Na Yerin in the semi-finals of the Won-tong-tu-gi competition, it was clear she had sustained serious internal injuries. He naturally assumed she would be recuperating on Ganghoran Island. So, for her to suddenly appear in Bukhaedo, and moreover, in the secret room of the King of Bukhaedo, it was no wonder Jang Hong was surprised.

"I thought so too… I don't remember well."

Young-ryeong had only just woken up, so she had no idea what was going on.

"It's okay. You're just a little confused. Try to recall it slowly. We're both women, aren't we? I'm sure there's a way I can help you."

"But…"

Young-ryeong glanced at Jang Hong with uneasy eyes.

"Ah, don't worry about that shameless pervert. Just think of him as decoration. Or do you want to borrow a knife? You can stab him four or five times until you feel better."

Ok Yu-gyeong said this with a gentle smile. Looking at that warm smile, Jang Hong couldn't help but feel his legs tremble.

"Stab… stab him? No, it's fine."

"No, don't refuse."

'Could this be a 'borrowing a knife to kill someone' stratagem?'

Listening to the affectionate conversation between the two women, Jang Hong trembled with fear.

"No, I'm really fine."

"Yes, you're a good girl. Then how about just beating him up?"

"I'm really fine."

Then, perhaps feeling uncomfortable continuing the topic, she began to explain what had happened to her. For one, since they were both women, she felt much more at ease telling her than the pervert.

"So… you woke up here in Bukhaedo, is that what you're saying? And in a secret room?"

"Yes…"

"And you don't remember how you were moved here?"

"Yes, yes."

"And all your injuries were treated, right?"

"Yes."

"Hmm…"

The only other thing she remembered was fragmented dreams accompanied by headaches. However, she didn't mention those dreams.

Meanwhile, Jang Hong, after listening to Young-ryeong's story, fell into deep thought.

'What on earth has happened?'

Jang Hong knew well that Na Yerin was convinced that Young-ryeong was Dokgo-ryeong, who had gone missing from Hwasan Branch. It was true that Young-ryeong and Dokgo-ryeong looked so much alike they could be twins. Although the facial features were subtly different, such modifications were not impossible in the martial arts world. Furthermore, Jang Hong was quite knowledgeable about events that occurred in the shadows and forbidden techniques in the martial arts world, such as soul manipulation, personality alteration, and memory manipulation.

Using a few legendary secret techniques, it was not impossible to completely transform someone into a new person without them even realizing it.

'Of course, that's just a hypothesis, and it's the first time I've seen someone become a completely different person like this Young Lady Yeong, but…'

However, that was only if Young-ryeong was indeed the same person as Dokgo-ryeong. Jang Hong also didn't have any evidence yet that this Young Lady Yeong was the Dok-an-bong Dokgo-ryeong.

'Goodness… this has turned into an unexpected situation. And there's almost no clue left…'

At present, Young-ryeong was the only remaining clue in Bukhaedo. For now, they had no choice but to gather information around her.

"But why are you two here?"

The two glanced at each other, agreeing that it was okay to tell the truth, and then looked back at Young-ryeong.

"We're looking for a kidnapped girl."

"Kidnapped? Who on earth would do such a thing?"

"We don't know that yet. But the kidnapped child is someone you know well."

"I barely know anyone here."

"That's not entirely true. You fought with swords just yesterday, so how could you not know her?"

Although a lot had happened, less than twelve hours had passed.

"S-surely…"

Something came to mind, and Young-ryeong's eyes widened. Ok Yu-gyeong nodded affirmatively.

"Yes, Na Yerin, the beloved disciple of Sword Queen and the only daughter of Na Baek-cheon, the leader of Jeongcheon Alliance."

"I can't believe such a thing happened. So, you've come to Bukhaedo to find that wooden coffin."

"That's right."

Ok Yu-gyeong nodded after explaining the entire situation.

"I can't believe such a thing happened on Ganghoran Island… and right after I collapsed."

The time she had been unconscious wasn't very long. However, it seemed enough time for a great many events to unfold.

'And it must have been him who brought me here, then?'

Only one person came to mind who could have done it. But then, why did he leave her alone and depart? What on earth happened? Not even the slightest clue could be found.

"If they hadn't planned it in advance, it would have been difficult to seize such a perfect opportunity."

Kidnapping the only daughter of the leader of Jeongcheon Alliance was never easy. Especially when that only daughter was a skilled martial artist. But at that moment, everyone's attention was momentarily diverted from Na Yerin. Except for Yoon Mi, who was by her side.

"She was also out of internal energy, so where else could they find such an easy prey? How unfortunate that you played a major role in this."

"I… I have nothing to do with it."

Young-ryeong's voice trembled severely.

"Yes, I know. I'm not suspecting or blaming you. You just happened to lend a hand in this kidnapping by chance. You were just incredibly unlucky. That's all."

But even with those words, Young-ryeong's mood didn't improve at all. Instead, the turmoil in her heart surged like a raging whirlpool.

'Why am I like this? Why is my heart so uneasy? Why? Why?'

Why was she so shocked and agitated by the fact that the impudent child who claimed she was her messenger, Dokgo-ryeong, had been kidnapped?

The more she tried to ignore it, telling herself it had nothing to do with her, the more her anxiety intensified. She felt an urge to rush out immediately, even without knowing where to go.

'If this continues, it'll seem like I'm genuinely worried about that girl Na Yerin. Like… like…'

As if she were her true messenger.

She herself couldn't explain why she was so agitated. But one thing was clear: she absolutely could not stand still. If she did, she might go mad, crushed by this inexplicable anxiety. Before she knew it, she cried out.

"Take me with you too, Instructor Ok!"

Ok Yu-gyeong's eyes widened at Young-ryeong's sudden request.

"What did you just say?"

"I want to help find that girl named Na Yerin."

"But you haven't fully recovered from the internal injuries from yesterday's fight, have you?"

Indeed, the internal injuries sustained in yesterday's fight with Na Yerin were not so light that they could be completely healed overnight. But…

"It's okay. I've almost recovered. I want to help too. Please, let me help."

Without knowing why she was so desperate for a child she had no particular connection with, Young-ryeong pleaded. Ok Yu-gyeong sighed with a troubled expression.

"Oh dear…"

After a moment of consideration, Ok Yu-gyeong looked at Jang Hong. Her gaze asked what he thought.

'Wouldn't it be alright?'

Jang Hong's gaze seemed to answer. Ok Yu-gyeong pondered for a moment longer and finally nodded.

"Alright. Follow us."

"Thank you."

Young-ryeong bowed her head deeply and expressed her gratitude.

"Alright. Alright, so let go of my collar. It's going to tear."

Young-ryeong, without realizing it, had been gripping Ok Yu-gyeong's clothes so tightly that her fingers had turned blue.

"Oh my! I'm s-sorry."

Startled, Young-ryeong quickly let go of her clothes. The mark was still clearly visible on her hand, showing how tightly she had been gripping it.

'I have to meet that girl again.'

If only to confirm the emotions swirling in her heart, she had to meet Na Yerin again. And to be sure of who she herself was, it was absolutely necessary.

"Um…"

Having finally calmed her mind, Young-ryeong hesitantly opened her mouth to Ok Yu-gyeong.

"Yes? What is it?"

"Instructor Ok, may I ask you just one thing?"

"Yes, ask away."

Young-ryeong, with a slightly hunched posture, shyly pointed at Jang Hong.

"Um… Instructor Ok Yu-gyeong, are you acquainted with that pervert uncle?"

This question also surprised Ok Yu-gyeong.

"Ah, well… I suppose you could say we know each other somewhat?"

She didn't know how to explain it.

"If you say close, we are quite close, and if you say distant, we are very distant. For the record, we're not related by blood at all. I'm sorry, but it's difficult to say more. It's a private matter."

"No, I'm the one who should apologize for asking such a presumptuous question."

"No, no. It's fine. Really. Who wouldn't want to know who a molester is?"

If only he could shout that he was not, Jang Hong, who was currently accused of being a molester, had no right to do so.

"Now, now, let's look around a bit more. We need to check if they took the wooden coffin or not."

And then, as if to escape the uncomfortable situation, he hurried to the front.

"This is unbelievable…"

Jang Hong stared at the wooden coffin with a stunned expression.

In conclusion, the people of Bukhaedo had not taken the wooden coffin. Jang Hong found it in the deepest room of the troop headquarters. The wooden coffin was there, but it was not left as it was.

A sword was conspicuously embedded in the center of the wooden coffin. The greatsword pierced the lid of the coffin, like a ominous tombstone.

"What kind of prank is this?"

Ok Yu-gyeong frowned slightly.

"Could it be that inside…"

Young-ryeong muttered, her face turning pale.

"I'd rather not imagine such a terrible thing."

Even though he said so, Jang Hong couldn't help but have terrible thoughts. But he soon shook his head, dismissing those uneasy thoughts. Then, he cautiously approached the coffin.

"Be careful."

Ok Yu-gyeong said with a worried tone. Jang Hong nodded slightly and began to slowly pull out the sword embedded in the coffin. He felt a slight resistance from the tip of the sword. Jang Hong knew this light resistance that spread throughout his grip well. This sensation was precisely the feeling when a sword was embedded in a person's body. Shaking off the ominous feeling that arose once more, Jang Hong quickly pulled out the sword.

Shh!

The vivid crimson color staining the tip of the pulled-out sword was undoubtedly human blood.

Whose blood could this be?

"Gulp."

With a tense heart, Jang Hong swallowed dryly and slowly opened the lid of the coffin.

Screeeech.

The friction sound of the coffin opening was as chilling as a sob heard in a midnight cemetery. It was probably because they knew that a corpse was lying there, waiting.

Clank.

Finally, the coffin lid opened completely.

"This is…"

After opening the coffin and checking inside, Jang Hong let out a sigh of relief. There was indeed a corpse lying inside. However, it was not Na Yerin, but the corpse of a man in a mask.

Jang Hong didn't hesitate to remove the mask. As long as he knew it wasn't Na Yerin, he had nothing to worry about. A corpse lying next to him was an everyday occurrence for him.

"Have you seen this face before?"

When Jang Hong turned around, Ok Yu-gyeong's face was stiff.

"I have seen this face. I remember him as a student of the Sixth Dormitory… I remember his face because he had quite a bit of skill when I taught him swordsmanship."

Having his face recognized by her meant he was a distinguished student.

"Why is such an outstanding student lying in this coffin, wearing a mask?"

"Of course, someone ordered him to do it."

And his role was undoubtedly assassination.

"Then, could it be that the commander of the Sixth Division is the culprit in this kidnapping case?"

Jang Hong knew that the members of each division, apart from martial arts lessons, did not take orders from the commanders of other divisions for other matters. Even if it was Instructor Mu.

"That's impossible. He's not the type of person to do such a thing…"

Ok Yu-gyeong strongly denied it. Mu-myeong had still been the commander of the Sixth Division even when she was a young student at Macheon-gak. Having known him for a long time, she couldn't readily accept that hypothesis.

"Is that person someone who is one-armed but not one-armed?"

Jang Hong asked with a serious expression.

"Someone who is one-armed but not one-armed? Are you playing word games?"

Ok Yu-gyeong retorted with a bewildered expression.

"That's…"

Jang Hong began to consider whether to reveal the information he had about the culprit. Revealing information about Seo-cheon would undoubtedly make this already complicated situation even more complex.

However, he couldn't hide it any longer. Besides, he no longer wanted to keep any secrets from Ok Yu-gyeong. Except for 'that' matter. And if she gained a better understanding of the current situation, Ok Yu-gyeong, who knew Macheon-gak much more intimately, might discover a clue in something he had overlooked.

"What are you thinking so deeply about?"

"Um… Yu-gyeong!"

Jang Hong looked straight at Ok Yu-gyeong and said with a serious voice.

"Why, why are you doing this?"

Ok Yu-gyeong's face turned slightly red.

"I have something important to tell you. A very important story."

"T-tell me."

However, it was not a whispered love confession as she might have expected. Instead, Jang Hong began to tell Ok Yu-gyeong the story of Seo-cheon that he had heard from Bi-ryu-yeon, bit by bit.

At first, she seemed a little disappointed, but as the story progressed, Ok Yu-gyeong's expression became increasingly stern. She was deeply enraged. The story was equivalent to saying that the tentacles of Cheon-geob-ryeong had already reached the core areas within Macheon-gak.

"It's not just Macheon-gak. If I'm not mistaken, it's the same for Cheon-mu Hakgwan, no, even Jeongcheon-meng and Heukcheon-meng. Their tentacles must have spread throughout the entire martial arts world. Like the roots of a large tree digging into the ground over a long period, these roots must have spread like a spiderweb across all domains of the martial arts world."

"That means…"

"Exactly. The peace we enjoy is maintained only on a very precarious foundation. A castle in the air that could collapse at any moment. That is the reality of the long and tedious peace we have enjoyed for a hundred years."

"And if anything happens to Na Yerin, the only daughter of the leader of Jeongcheon Alliance…"

"This precarious peace will undoubtedly collapse instantly. Then we will long for this tedious peace. For a today that can never return."

They had to prevent such a situation at all costs.

But how could they prevent it? The method was still unclear.

"First, I need to reunite with my other friends. It's likely that things have been settled on their end by now."

"Will they really be safe? Even though they are students, they are the commanders of the Thirteen Divisions of Macheon. Even in a one-on-one, no, even in a two-on-one fight, they are not opponents that can be easily defeated."

He was telling them not to underestimate the strength of the Thirteen Divisions of Macheon.

"Of course, I'm not underestimating them. I already know it won't be easy. I just trust my friends. Of course, I'm worried…"

If assassins had infiltrated other schools as well, those who let down their guard and opened the doors of those schools were in great danger. But now, he had no choice but to trust his young friends.

'Be careful, Ryu-yeon.'