Chapter 32. Eon Mi-hee (2)
“Ouch…”
Eon Mi-hee let out a pained sound.
“Despite my looks, I grew up hearing I had a rock for a head… The Young Master is also surprisingly hard-headed.”
“…”
Forehead and forehead collided.
It wasn't a real attack imbued with inner energy, but for that very reason, he hadn't even thought of blocking it.
The mont they collided, stars flashed before Lee Byeok’s eyes. Thump, Lee Byeok sprawled out flat on his back on the training ground.
The shock of his brain being rattled.
When the dizziness subsided, his mind felt rather blank. Lee Byeok looked up at the sky.
The sun was setting over Seosan Mountain.
Does a hard head also beco a weapon for a fist fighter? If this had been a real fight, he might have lost his head for being careless.
“…”
Life was once again light.
For so reason, laughter ca out.
“Young Master, do you feel a little refreshed?”
Just then, Eon Mi-hee’s face popped into the corner of Lee Byeok’s vision. Her forehead, illuminated by the setting sun, was tinged red.
“When you’re too absorbed in one thought, it feels like your head is going to explode. At tis like that, sweating it out is the best.”
“…”
“Young Master, it’s hard, isn’t it?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“The Young Master said he was fine… but there’s no way you’d be fine after cutting down a person, covered in their blood.”
Lee Byeok was at a loss for words.
Since that day, Lee Byeok had been constantly agonizing over his killing intent. It was a problem of the sword, but at the sa ti, it was also a problem of the heart.
“Actually, if you were soone who was unfazed after killing a person, I would rather not want to be close to you… I’m relieved that the Young Master is not that kind of person.”
Swish, Eon Mi-hee reached out her hand.
Her hand, which had been inside the gauntlet, was rough but small. It was hard to believe it was the hand that had unleashed such powerful fist arts.
Lee Byeok took her hand. Whoosh, as Eon Mi-hee pulled, Lee Byeok’s body was lightly lifted up.
“Well then, shall we continue?”
“…”
“Is what I’d like to say, but…”
Ahaha, Eon Mi-hee laughed.
“Honestly, my inner energy is almost depleted… and it’s hard to lift a single finger. I think I got carried away and overdid it.”
“…I too have learned a lesson.”
“It was incredibly fun. If we have the chance next ti, please grant another match. …Though I’m not sure when that will be.”
In two days, as soon as the establishnt of the Flying Dragon Squad was finalized, Ji Soyak and Old Master Go were scheduled to return to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion.
Of course, Lee Byeok would be with them.
However, Eon Mi-hee was to remain here at the Evil Faction Alliance and beco a mber of the Flying Dragon Squad. She would then be engaged in the Evil Faction Alliance's missions throughout the Central Plains.
“…”
The two left the training ground.
They walked side by side towards the Rogues’ Guild’s quarters, feeling their way along the path where darkness was gradually setting in.
Last night, Ji Soyak had told Lee Byeok to ‘judge for himself’ the remaining matters from now on and act as he wished.
But there was nothing for him to do here.
He had promised Wang Suyeon to return as soon as possible.
However… Lee Byeok looked at Eon Mi-hee. It wasn't a long acquaintance. But leaving her behind in the midst of chaos bothered him.
‘…It’s probably just being ddleso.’
“I don’t know what kind of background the Young Master has, but in any case, there are people waiting for you, right?”
Just then, Eon Mi-hee spoke again. She neither stopped walking nor looked back at Lee Byeok, but it seed she had felt his gaze.
“It’s a good thing to have a place to return to. If possible… I think it’s best to forget the bad things in the Murim sohow.”
***
The two walked side by side.
The sun set quickly, and darkness began to settle between the buildings. But the Rogues’ Guild’s quarters were nowhere in sight.
And only after so ti had passed did the two realize they had gotten lost and were just following each other.
“…Ahaha.”
They looked at each other and laughed awkwardly.
The two then found their way by asking the warriors and servants they ca across. It was around the ti they were passing through a narrow gap between two buildings.
They ca face to face with a group of people walking from the opposite direction. Since the path was narrow, the two tried to step back.
Just then, the other party spoke.
“Well, well, if it isn't the young masters from the Rogues’ Guild?”
“…”
“I was just thinking of paying a visit, so this is perfect. We almost missed each other.”
Lee Byeok and Eon Mi-hee identified the other party. The three n seed to be from the sa sect, as they were all wearing the sa attire.
Looking closely, there was a familiar face.
The man who spoke at the very front was the sa man from the reception hall who had thrown a liquor bottle and started a fight, talking about courtesans.
“…”
Of course, they weren't on terms to exchange pleasantries. Lee Byeok and Eon Mi-hee tried to retreat without a word.
“Wait, where are you going?”
It was then.
Two large n appeared from behind them. They blocked the path from both front and back, wearing sleazy smiles.
“…Do you have business with us?”
“Hah, still short on words, I see.”
“…”
“Well, don’t be so on guard. We just ca to apologize for our rudeness yesterday.”
The man shrugged his shoulders.
“Right, let’s introduce ourselves first. I am Mogae of the Guangxi Seven Poisons Sect. These are my junior and senior brothers, and behind you are the young masters of the Black Strength Sect.”
“…This doesn’t look like an atmosphere for an apology.”
“Well, it’s for a couple of reasons. But I have no business with you, so why don't you get lost?”
Swish, the man’s gaze shifted.
“So, how about it, Miss? I hear we’ll be eating from the sa pot from now on, so how about we go have a al together beforehand?”
“…I’ll just accept the sentint.”
Eon Mi-hee replied in a low voice.
“Tsk.”
The man, Mogae, clicked his tongue.
“Hard of hearing, I see.”
Swish.
The n behind them took another step forward. It seed the offer was a re formality, and they had no intention of giving a choice.
“Miss, don’t make the sa mistake twice. Young Master Maeng U-gang of the Black Heaven Gang was already quite displeased by yesterday’s events.”
“…”
“The Dark Shadow Pavilion is of no concern to us anyway, and those slly country bumpkins from Hainan will submit to us after the tournant anyway. It would be wise for you to follow us obediently now.”
This is getting annoying.
Lee Byeok was about to step forward.
But then, Eon Mi-hee stepped forward first. She raised her arm, blocking Lee Byeok’s path.
“…Miss?”
“Young Master, it’s fine.”
Eon Mi-hee looked back at Lee Byeok.
There was a smile on her face. But.
“Hearing you say it, you’re not wrong. In any case, we’ll be part of the sa ard force from now on… so we should practice getting closer, right?”
Then Eon Mi-hee took a step.
She slowly approached the n.
“…”
I don’t like it. But… if this is her choice, then there is no room for to intervene.
Lee Byeok was about to step back.
But then, he saw the hand of one of the n standing behind Mogae being pulled out from his clothes.
Whoosh!
“Miss! Watch out—!”
The mont Lee Byeok shouted a warning, a surprise attack instantly flew towards Eon Mi-hee.
Dash!
Eon Mi-hee reacted imdiately.
She kicked off the ground and quickly retreated.
But her reaction, exhausted from the duel, was half a beat too slow, and the tip of the dagger grazed her arm.
“Keuk!”
Eon Mi-hee clutched her arm.
“W-what is this—?!”
Teeter, Eon Mi-hee’s body swayed. Lee Byeok imdiately threw himself forward. He wrapped an arm around Eon Mi-hee’s shoulder, supported her as she fell, and retreated back again.
“Miss, are you alright?!”
“I-it’s just a small scratch… Eugh!”
Her injured arm trembled violently.
Lee Byeok raised his head. He faced the n of the Seven Poisons Sect. One by one, he t their gazes.
“…What is the aning of this.”
“Hehe, don’t worry. It’s just a temporary paralysis powder. Anyway, a re courtesan who sells her body was acting all high and mighty without knowing her place.”
“…”
“Even if we were to accept her on our side, we can’t just do it for free. Let’s have so fun for a bit as paynt for her insolence. There are no decent won here, so what can we do?”
“Hey, don’t forget about us, okay?”
“Of course, how could I? Don't worry, young masters. Isn't it said that als are more enjoyable when eaten together?”
Hehehe, laughter spread from front and back.
They began to slowly approach. It seed that to the five n, Lee Byeok was of no concern.
That was because ‘in the current’ Lee Byeok, there was no inner energy, no presence, nothing to be felt.
“…”
Twitch, Lee Byeok’s hand convulsed.
He could turn them all into chunks of at.
Killing intent soared. But at the sa ti, Lee Byeok recognized the danger. His heart was not under control.
“…Back off now.”
A suppressed voice leaked from Lee Byeok’s lips. But that single phrase was buried under the boisterous laughter.
“Wahaha! What was that?! You really don’t know your place! Did you just tell us to back off?!”
“You bastard, are you really from the Rogues’ Guild? You look like so kind of weakling. You look like you want your head bashed in.”
“Whoa whoa! Hold on, everyone. It’ll be a headache if we kill him anyway! Let’s just put a few cuts on him and send him off!”
“…”
Suddenly, Jaegal Somi ca to mind.
And the Qingcheng Sect ca to mind.
In his mory, Lee Byeok was no match for the Qingcheng disciple, Uhak. In his place, Jaegal Somi was injured and endured humiliation.
Urk, his vision turned red.
Those without power are bound to suffer. That is the Murim. But… if I have power, why must I endure?
Whoosh, thwack!
Lee Byeok did not draw his sword. Instead, the undrawn sword was swung, scabbard and all.
A single impact sound.
The next mont, from the face of one of the Black Strength Sect n who had been approaching from behind, blood gushed from his nose.
“Huh?”
Stagger, thud!
The man fell sideways.
After hitting the wall, he slumped down.
“W-what just…?”
“…”
The remaining four n had dumbfounded faces. Lee Byeok carefully leaned Eon Mi-hee against a wall and sat her down.
That was the last chance for the n to escape from this place.
But by the ti they realized that fact, Lee Byeok’s sword had already begun to move again.
Thwack, thwack! Thwack!
“Gak!”
“Urk!”
Mogae fell.
The man next to him also fell.
In just a single breath, two mbers of the Seven Poisons Sect were rolling on the ground. They didn't even know how they were hit.
“G-grr!”
Hwoooong!
Only then did the man from behind hastily draw his great saber. He swung it from top to bottom with all his weight.
Swish, Lee Byeok raised his sword.
Clang!
The sword encased in its wooden scabbard and the massive great saber collided. But the one that was sent flying at that mont was the great saber.
“Kuaak!”
The man from the Black Strength Sect dropped his saber.
Blood flowed as if his grip had been torn.
Thud!
The tip of Lee Byeok’s sword did not miss, digging into the man’s solar plexus. Urk, the man clutched his stomach and staggered back.
He fell and began to vomit.
Whoosh!
Just then, a dagger flew at Lee Byeok from the front. But compared to Jaegal Somi’s, it was pitifully slow.
Clink, Lee Byeok lightly deflected it and faced forward. But the owner of the dagger was already running far away, with no concern for his martial brothers.
The man who had injured Eon Mi-hee.
“…”
Lee Byeok picked up the dagger.
Flick, he threw it towards its owner.
Thunk!
“Gah!”
The dagger lodged in its owner’s back.
The man fell forward and rolled on the ground. Since he said it was coated in paralysis powder, he wouldn't be able to escape.
Lee Byeok looked around.
All five n were on the ground, twitching. But it seed they hadn't lost consciousness.
Fortunately.
Lee Byeok readjusted his grip on the sword.
Thud! Thud! Thwack! Crack! Thud!
Wham! Thud! Crunch, crack! Thud!
He beat them evenly.
Soon, screams and groans crushed by pain erupted.
But since Lee Byeok’s sword was encased in a bladeless scabbard, they wouldn't die no matter how much they were hit.
If they died, it was just bad luck.
Thud! Thud! Crack! Thud thud!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Crack! Crunch!
Blood splattered and flesh was pulped.
The fallen n struggled to sohow reduce the impact. But if they blocked, their blocking arm would break, and if they curled up, their back and shoulders would burst open.
At so point, one by one, they seed to lose consciousness and even stopped resisting. But Lee Byeok’s sword did not stop.
It wasn't swordsmanship or anything of the sort.
It was just a sadistic gesture swayed by killing intent. Even with that, Lee Byeok still did not feel satisfied.
Grab.
“S-stop… please…”
Just then, soone’s hand grabbed Lee Byeok’s ankle. Looking down, he saw Mogae’s disfigured face.
“…”
Snap!
The wrist that grabbed him was broken.
The figure convulsing without even being able to scream looked to be in pain. I quite liked it.
But it wasn't enough.
At that mont, the killing intent whispered again. The sword wrapped in its scabbard was feeling suffocated. The sensation of cutting through flesh and bone whole was awakening.
It has co to this anyway.
Is there any reason to keep them alive?
Shing.
The sword revealed itself. The sharp blade glead crimson as it caught the setting sunlight.
Thud!
Just then, Lee Byeok’s body was pushed back.
Soone had pushed him from behind. Whoosh, Lee Byeok’s sword was imdiately swung without hesitation.
“…!”
The next mont, Lee Byeok’s sword barely stopped in mid-air. If it had gone just an inch further, Eon Mi-hee’s neck would have been severed.
“D-don’t… Young Master.”
“…”
“If you see blood… you can’t turn back.”
Eon Mi-hee smiled with difficulty.
Clatter, Lee Byeok’s sword fell to the ground. His hand trembled violently. Lee Byeok looked around. He looked at the enemies whose life or death was uncertain.
Suddenly, the sll of blood grew stronger.
It was a sll rising from within his heart.
Thump-thump-thump!
How much ti had passed?
The sound of a group of footsteps was heard. The sound quickly grew closer, and soon, figures appeared at the front and back of the alley.
“Stop, stop! Drop your swords imdiately and stop fight—… Ugh.”
A heavy silence descended upon the warriors of the Evil Faction Alliance who had surrounded the alley.
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