Book 9 Chapter 3

Maharyeong, turned into a shield!

- The Age of Tribulation

A man whose patience had reached its limit.

The Fierce Wind Tiger Blade, Paeng Hyeokseong!

His great sword was now brimming with killing intent.

They say three 'endure' characters can avert murder. It's a proverb that expresses the virtue of patience well, but now he didn't want to avert murder; he was in a state of explosive rage.

"You villain! You wretched dog! If you don't want to be torn to death, let go of your hand at once!"

"Who are you?"

Bilyeon asked politely.

"Ah! You were the one wildly slashing like a dog earlier."

His tone suggested he had only just noticed Bilyeon standing beside him.

"You… you rascal!"

Paeng Hyeokseong's face flushed with a constantly shifting array of colors. It was the first time in his life he had ever been so utterly disregarded.

"Would you please not interfere?"

Bilyeon warned in a quiet voice. Though his tone was calm, the power contained within it was extraordinary. If one couldn't read the atmosphere flowing beneath his words, Paeng Hyeokseong would surely face a dire predicament today.

"You… you rascal! Shut up! You talk so freely with that ripped mouth. I warn you one last time. There will be no further warnings. Let go of that impious hand at once!!!"

With his face flushed red, Paeng Hyeokseong pointed in all directions with trembling hands, like a trembling aspen. He desperately wanted to cleave him in two with a single stroke, but with the Guild Leader held hostage (Bilyeon, who had instantly become the hostage-taker, found this utterly unfair), he dared not act rashly.

"Impious hands? Whose hands are you referring to? Perhaps these hands that were about to slap the other person without preamble?"

Bilyeon lightly shook Maharyeong's delicate jade-like hands, which he was holding. Maharyeong wore a look as fierce as a wild cat. Her resistance was futile.

"Kuaaaah! You son of a bitch!"

By this point, Paeng Hyeokseong's patience had completely run out, like a well during a drought. He was a physical fighter who relied on brute force, not a strategist who relied on his intellect. Rational judgment was often discarded at a whim.

He deserved an award for enduring this long, gritting his teeth without drawing his sword.

[Attack!]

A voice entered Paengga's ears through telepathic transmission. It was Jegal Yu of the Jegal family, famous for his intelligence in the Heroes' Assembly, second only to Dang Mokgi of the Heavenly Secret Dragon sect. He also held the position of Vice Leader of the Divine Eagle Brigade.

[Are you sure it's alright?]

He was worried about the safety of the Guild Leader, who was immobilized as if under some sorcery.

[Don't worry. I don't believe anyone would dare harm the Guild Leader of the Heroes' Assembly. Aim for his arm. Then he'll have no choice but to let go of the Guild Leader.]

[I see! Indeed!]

Paeng Hyeokseong's sharp eyes began to shine triumphantly. If the Guild Leader were safe, nothing could stop him.

"Uaaah! Fierce Tiger Emerging from the Forest!"

Shwuuuk!

Like a ferocious tiger leaping out of the forest, Paengga's Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade was unleashed with explosive force.

However, soon Jegal Yu, Paeng Hyeokseong, and even Baek Muyoung, had to reflect that they had judged Bilyeon by ordinary, common standards.

Bilyeon's actions were without a hint of hesitation.

"Huk!"

"Geuk!"

"Hek!"

"Kyaak!"

People's eyes widened like pigeons hit by a slingshot.

The reason for the gasps of astonishment from the onlookers was simple. Bilyeon had pushed Maharyeong in front of the fiercely storming Five Tigers Breaking Gate Blade's 'Fierce Tiger Emerging from the Forest' stance.

Paeng Hyeokseong's sword technique was aimed precisely at Bilyeon's arm. He thought Bilyeon would flinch and withdraw his hand. However, his assumption was a grave underestimation of Bilyeon. His naive hope that Bilyeon would let go was far too complacent.

Bilyeon did pull his hand back. Otherwise, Paengga's sword would have swept through that spot without hesitation. However, Maharyeong's hand was still in his grasp as he pulled back. Naturally, Maharyeong's body was exposed directly in the path of Paeng Hyeokseong's sword.

"Ack!"

"Heok!"

"Kkuweok!"

Paeng Hyeokseong let out a sudden cry. It was a bizarre, ear-splitting sound that put a pig's squeal to shame.

Terrified, he had to throw his entire body to abruptly change the direction of his great sword.

Kuwakwakwakwak!

Paeng Hyeokseong poured all his strength into altering the path of his sword technique. He would rather die than be branded a murderer of the Guild Leader. His remaining life would be too miserable.

Shweeeek!

The tip of his sword sharply changed direction right before Maharyeong's nose. It was a feat achieved by Paeng Hyeokseong throwing himself with all his might, risking death. Had he been even a moment late, her nose would have been half an inch lower from tomorrow. That would have been quite successful plastic surgery.

Kakagakak!

Paeng Hyeokseong's sword roughly tore through the innocent earth. It was because he couldn't control the remaining power of his blade. The tip of the sword had probably become tattered.

The power, with nowhere to go, returned to his body and violently churned within him.

Gulp!

As a result of the strenuous sword technique, he seemed to have sustained a minor internal injury. It was still too difficult for him to adjust the spacing, trajectory, and force of his blade in a sudden, unexpected situation.

Still, thanks to Paengga's efforts, Maharyeong was fortunately unharmed. However, her face had turned ashen, like a corpse.

Gasp, gasp!

Her pale lips opened and closed like a goldfish, but no words came out.

Being treated as a shield for a sword, hurtled towards her with a deadly blade… She had never experienced such a humiliating treatment in her life. Consequently, she was now in a state of extreme mental panic.

"Huff… huff… huff…"

Paeng Hyeokseong gasped for breath. His heart was still pounding.

"Je… Jegal Yu! You liar! You lied to me!"

All his resentment was directed at Jegal Yu, who had confidently advised him.

Dozens of eyes, wide with shock, turned to Bilyeon, who stood calmly as if nothing had happened.

"Young Master Bi is quite mischievous!"

"……"

At Eun Seolran's words, Na Yerinn tilted her head. Was this truly a matter that could be simply described as mischievous? Na Yerinn hesitated to answer rashly.

The repercussions of the unexpected action Bilyeon displayed were astonishing. Everyone's eyes were wide open, their mouths agape. Their mouths seemed to have no intention of closing for a while.

"Huff huff huff! You… are you truly insane?"

Panting heavily, Paengga barely managed to speak. His qi and blood still seemed unstable. It was the bitter price of forcibly changing the trajectory of his sword. A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

"Even if nonsensical talk is freedom of speech, what kind of blasphemy is this? I am far saner than you."

"Nonsense! You… you wretched dog…"

He had never imagined it, but he had actually used Maharyeong as a shield! No one would have believed it if they hadn't witnessed it firsthand.

Paeng Hyeokseong had almost died of rage. His teeth ground together so hard they threatened to wear down. The force was immense. He was furious.

"What kind of despicable act is this? Using a woman as a shield! Do you not even know the ways of the martial world?"

Paeng Hyeokseong roared, unleashing his fury like a madman. His sword had nearly left an indelible scar on Maharyeong's body. His face was now so pale that it was doubtful if his soul was still attached. His hands still trembled.

"You were going to block it anyway. This is a lesson not to act recklessly, trusting your subordinates and your gender. Are men and women not equal? And…"

Bilyeon's words were not yet finished. He seemed to have more to say.

"It's natural for a superior to take responsibility for a subordinate's mistake!"

His attitude was astonishingly confident!

At this point, all Paeng Hyeokseong could do was stand there with a blank expression.

'To use the prideful Guild Leader Maharyeong, who acts as if she fears nothing in the world, as a shield! This man! Is he truly sane?'

Baek Muyoung's primary curiosity was that. Now, the Heroes' Assembly and Bilyeon were at loggerheads. No, they had been at loggerheads since Maharyeong's cheek had turned red, and from now on, 'sworn enemies' would be a more accurate description. Neither side was people who would back down easily.

'That proud young lady wouldn't stay quiet! Then what will our Gujeong Guild do going forward? Will we make Bilyeon an enemy, or will we cover for him?'

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but Bilyeon's actions now were too excessive.

'This will cause problems if the situation escalates this much…'

It was good to wound the pride of the Heroes' Assembly by stirring up trouble with them, but if he rebelled too much against the current organization, the Gujeong Guild couldn't support him. Moreover, Bilyeon had no shortage of issues with the Gujeong Guild. He had already caused quite a few serious problems.

'What now?'

Having glimpsed a part of Bilyeon's true nature, Baek Muyoung couldn't help but ponder. If what he had seen then was neither an illusion nor a lie, he needed to think more carefully. All he could do now was watch the unfolding situation.

'Damn it! Even ten thousand books are useless against this man!'

As the foremost talent of Mount Hyosan, who dictated the sect's actions, how had he ended up like this…

He could only let out deep sighs.

"You… do you truly know who I am and are doing this? Do you think you can escape unharmed even after doing something like this?"

Maharyeong's voice, who had briefly served as Bilyeon's shield, now seethed with deep anger. Color had not yet returned to her face. It seemed the psychological blow was significant.

"I don't know."

Bilyeon answered without hesitation. He feigned ignorance even though he knew.

"And I don't particularly want to know!"

"…What?"

Maharyeong was genuinely surprised to hear such an absurd answer.

'If only I could move… I would cut down this insignificant fellow in a single stroke…'

Maharyeong was still unable to break free from Bilyeon's restraint. That was what made her feel indignant and resentful.

"Well, if you want me to remember you, I can do you a favor and remember you from now on. How about it? Shall I remember you?"

Bilyeon asked with a sly smile.

"Well, it's not too late to learn slowly from now on."

Bilyeon's reaction was utterly nonchalant.

"Who… who said I wanted to be remembered by the likes of you!"

Maharyeong shouted with a face flushed red with anger. To her, it was an utterly bewildering situation. Never before had anyone dared to speak to her like this. They must have valued their lives…

'Isn't it already too late…'

The common opinion of those watching the subtle confrontation between the two was that it was too late, but Bilyeon couldn't hear their inner thoughts.

"Did you commit this outrageous act relying on your ignorance? They say ignorance breeds courage, and this must be a saying referring to someone like you."

Each of her words was laden with sharp thorns made of steel. Bilyeon felt an urge to get a good look at her tongue. And he really wanted to check where the thorns were growing.

"You have a foul mouth, young lady. And what difference would it make if I knew your identity?"

"A lot. First, you would kneel before me, bang your forehead on the ground, and apologize a hundred times."

Maharyeong said in a confident voice. For her, that was just another day. However, Maharyeong's everyday life was nothing more than a mockery to Bilyeon.

"Ha! You must be dreaming. Regardless of the facts, and regardless of your status, nothing changes. Even if you were the emperor's daughter, the fact that you must apologize and plead with me remains the same. Do you understand?"

Bilyeon's words were resolute. His will did not waver in the slightest.

'This guy is serious!'

Maharyeong, who had heard Bilyeon's words clearly at such close range, keenly felt that fact. However, she still couldn't fathom the source of his arrogance, his insolence, and his confidence.

"Huh? Aren't you attacking anymore?"

Bilyeon's sudden question was directed at Paeng Hyeokseong. For a moment, Paeng Hyeokseong could do nothing but stare blankly.

"Tch… how boring. I wanted to test the effectiveness of the shield a bit more."

The shield referred to Maharyeong herself, of course.

"Shut up! You bastard!"

Paeng Hyeokseong roared. However, he couldn't bring himself to swing his sword a second time. He never wanted to experience such a terrible nightmare again.

"I swear on my name. What is your name?"

Her eyes blazed with anger. No one would be happy to be treated as a shield, not once, but twice.

"My name is Bilyeon."

He wasn't so weak as to hide his name. And he was always prepared to take responsibility for his actions.

"I will remember you! Bilyeon! I will… I will definitely… make you experience the most terrible hell in this world."

Her tongue blazed with the fire of hatred. Her words sent a chill down the spine of anyone who heard them.

"If you can…"

Bilyeon's retort was filled with confidence. It was an absurd confidence, as if he would remain unharmed even if the world collapsed. Then, he added another annoying remark.

"Try it, fatty young lady!"

Her body trembled. Blood seeped from her tightly clenched lower lip.

"You… you… you…"

Maharyeong, too agitated, couldn't finish her words. Her composure had been shattered countless times. Heat was rising from within her.

"You villain! I will make sure you can never sleep soundly again!"

Maharyeong's threat!

However, Bilyeon's reaction was indifferent.

Shake, shake!

Bilyeon shook his head left and right.

"Are you perhaps trying to become my wife?"

"Wh… what? What nonsense is this?"

Maharyeong shouted, her face flushed red.

"If you don't intend to, then don't bother caring about whether others sleep with their legs stretched out, curled up, or crossed! And you still think threats are a useful tool? You must have thought I was easy to bully. Oh dear, I don't know through what means you thought I would fall for cheap tricks like threats or blackmail, but you've made a grave miscalculation!"

Bilyeon could blackmail others, but he would never be blackmailed himself. He could guarantee that with his honor.

"You are truly a savage, irritable, and spiteful cat!"

And undisciplined at that!

This was Bilyeon's scathing assessment of Maharyeong, the Guild Leader of the Heroes' Assembly.

Bilyeon had become an enemy of many men due to the illegal kiss incident with Na Yerinn. For him, the resentment of one or two, or even ten or twenty people, was a negligible level that he could dismiss with a laugh.

So, even if one woman's resentment and hatred were added to that, even if she was a being who emitted the resentment of ten or twenty people alone, he seemed to not care much.