52 - I Spent the Night with the Youngest Daughter of the Martial Arts Leader

Chapter 52: An Unsettling Encounter in the Martial Realm "Step back! I will face him." The attack was surprisingly straightforward for an ambush. The blade aimed for Lee Se Woong’s chest was thrust with minimal force, as if to gauge his skill, and he deflected it with a light swing. Clang! The sound of clashing swords filled the air. Before the echo had a chance to fade, the two men clashed again. Clang! Clang! Clang! Three consecutive exchanges. It was the attacker who found himself at a disadvantage. His forearm bore numerous shallow cuts from the clash of swords, yet he seemed unwilling to stop, swinging his weapon fiercely as he charged at Lee Se Woong. 'Is he trained in the martial arts of righteousness?' Lee Se Woong pondered. The attacker's sword had an unusually straightforward quality. It was not about dazzling with deceptive moves, but rather a pure and sincere style typical of orthodox martial arts. It was peculiar. 'In real combat, habits form unconsciously, especially when killing is involved.' But there were no such habits in the attacker's technique. If he were seasoned in killing, his movements would be more concise, twisted to favor the most lethal outcome. Thus, it was bizarre. It was stubbornness. Like forcing oneself into ill-fitting clothing. “Why is that?” “......” “Your sword doesn’t match the profile of a killer.” Without a word, the attacker clashed blades again. However, Lee Se Woong sensed that the blade carried no true intent. An inexplicable hesitation filled the attacker's movements. Defending against the straightforward strikes, Lee Se Woong felt the emotions traveling through their crossed blades. ‘Resentment. Doubt. And anger. Intuitive.’ A skill he'd developed when his abilities reached a certain 'level.' Emotions could be conveyed through exchanged blows. There was a story, it seemed. The attacker's sword trembled, mirroring the turbulence within. "Attacker. Let me ask you this." "......" "Will you continue to hold your silence? You know neither of us is fully committed to this fight, right?" With a weary breath, the attacker responded. "If I speak, will you let me go?" "That depends on your answer." Despite Lee Se Woong's attempt to negotiate, he remained vigilant. But it was enough. The pause in aggression meant he was willing to listen. "We came under orders from the Baekyang Group." "Baekyang Group?" "They’re a direct martial force under the Wulin Alliance, mainly tasked with eliminating criminals." Eliminate. Lee Se Woong knew the implication of the term, yet he deliberately chose to use it. In such moments, it was crucial to convey transparency. "So, you’re here to take my head?" "Not that drastic. We aim to arrest you, yes. But upon arriving in Honam Province, things seemed suspicious." The attacker's guard weakened again as Lee Se Woong continued. "It seems the Hyungsan Sect has been colluding with bandits. We’ve already gathered testimonies. Even if you were part of the Nine Great Schools, the Alliance cannot overlook this." “......” "So, I ask. Is there still no thought of surrendering? Cooperate, and perhaps I can petition for some leniency. Explain your actions, and I can secure your protection as a witness." Lee Se Woong extended his hand as he spoke. An unguarded gesture. The attacker did not strike that outstretched hand. “You ask why I killed them? Because I hated the bandits! They slaughtered my family. This is rightful vengeance!” With a twisted expression, the attacker spilled his anger, gesturing wildly. “......And would saying this absolve my crimes?” But just as quickly as the emotions flared, they vanished. Unlike the bitterness just expressed, the attacker now spoke with a sudden calmness. Like an actor dropping character after an intense scene. "I believe you." “!” “The eyes don’t lie. Why keep up the crooked act?” Despite his words carrying a tinge of mockery, Lee Se Woong remained unblinking. His composure made the attacker hesitate. Yet, the tremor didn’t linger. “It’s too late.” “What?” “You’re here to take me, after all. But I cannot comply. How can I turn away with my enemy before me?” In his voice, a resigned, strained tone emerged. Simultaneously, Lee Se Woong felt the attacker’s aura shifting. Vroom. Surpassing a certain threshold, inner energy manifests visibly. The attacker's energy spread with an unusual intensity, colored a deep, blood-like red. * Feeling the chaotic energy within, the attacker sighed inwardly. 'It's too late now.' Days spent striving to become a master despite limited talent, for the sake of supporting his family. But on his return, he found them slaughtered in cold blood. From that day, his life was dedicated to vengeance. Yet he lacked the strength. Years of training and still unable to reach the peak talent required. Could he only continue this life, killing a few bandits and fleeing endlessly? As despair set in, a hand reached out. -Revenge. It has a certain ring to it. A figure in black approached him, who had been slaughtering bandits like a madman. -Can you wager your soul? He was ready to sacrifice everything for vengeance. Thus, he embraced the sorcerer's power and became the Red Slayer. ‘I feel my mind blurring.’ The bandits who slaughtered his family were annihilated. Yet he didn't stop, striving to purge the menace of bandits from the world. Treading a path soaked with blood. The sticky remnants of his journey gnawed at his sanity. ‘Kill!’ In time, he lived solely for the slaughter. Bandits? A few bandits dead here and there—it’s not like anyone would care. If he ended up as mere dust, that would be the end of it. Days of resignation mixed with repeated massacres. ‘Hyungsan Sect...!’ After a long period of wandering, he finally had found the true culprits. With a mind numb from slaughter, he grasped his last thread of clarity. The ones who ordered villages to be annihilated. He vowed to use the rest of his life to cut down as many of them as he could. The despicable Hyungsan Sect. Thus, the Red Slayer could not forsake the opportunity he had painstakingly sought. For it was already too late. As the sorcery consumed his body, the Red Slayer thought. Even if this is the end, it will be worth it. * Damn it. Feeling the bloodthirst covering the Red Slayer, he intuited something deeper. Was the Ilwol Shingyo involved? Ilwol Shingyo is a fanatical sect often referred to as ma-gyo (the Demonic Sect) in Jungwon. The Blood Demon Squad. - Heaven and Earth eternal! Grant us dominion! Fanatics praising the Celestial Demon parrot-like. The sorcery enveloping the Red Slayer was a technique used by those zealots. "Lee Se Woong, it’s too dangerous to handle this alone!" “I’m fine!” “I know you're capable, but let’s strike together for safety. That’s dark magic you’re facing!” “Trust me.” The two comrades, who hadn’t intervened so far, were ready to jump in, sensing the ominous energy from the Red Slayer. But it might have caused more problems than help. In matters such as this. “With your skills, you could end it quickly. But he would be dead soon. We came to apprehend, not to fail our first mission.” I spoke with as much ease as I could muster. Jegal Yeong, who was about to retort, withdrew at the gesture of Hwangbo Seyul tugging his sleeve. “... Do as you will. But if it gets dangerous, we’ll intervene.” “I won’t protest then!” “Rookie, rookie! If you need help, just say so!” The arrangement was settled. Now, it was time for the Red Slayer. “Graaah!” With arms spread wide, the Red Slayer screamed, leaning backward. He appeared vulnerable, but charging recklessly was out of the question. Red waves swirled around him. Make the wrong move, and you'd be torn to shreds. ‘Blood-seeking Sorcery.’ That explained it. Even if he was fighting mere bandits, it seemed unlikely he could annihilate dozens of bandit camps on his own. With such energy harnessed, it was feasible. ‘He's killed many.’ A power literally steeped in blood. Blood-seeking Sorcery grants overwhelming internal strength the more people you kill. However, it has side effects—a gradual loss of reason and an obsession with murder. Had it not required the participant's consent, it could have engulfed entire sects, a vile sorcery. “Though you might have led a tragic life, involving yourself with such dark sorcery wasn't wise.” “Argh!” The Red Slayer, puffing up as though terrified, soon dashed towards me, eyes glowing crimson. Clang! Swords collided with bare hands, yet a metallic sound rang out. With his sword already discarded, the Red Slayer's movements resembled an animal’s claws, his fingers reaching out as if by instinct but with considerable speed. “Is this all you’ve got?” “Graaah!” Even in his wild state, he understood provocation. The Red Slayer responded with intensified aggression, trying to overwhelm me. “Watch out!” Jegal Yeong's urgent voice. For someone who claimed to trust me, they sure seemed worried. Indeed, his aura seemed menacing. But menace alone cannot guarantee success. Ting! I gauged his relentless assault with my sword energy. Waiting for signs of exhaustion to emerge. ‘It’s about enough.’ After a few parries, I'd gauged he'd spent a lot of his bloodthirst. His dark arts merely borrowed stored energy, not permanently expanding his own capacity. Without further sacrifices, his reserves would soon run dry. “Let's keep today's events between us, alright?" Turning my head with a playful remark seemed to be enough to ease their concern. Jegal Yeong shook his head in frustration, while Hwangbo Seyul silently nodded. That was enough. “You’re lucky I found you.” Raising my sword high, I steadied my mind. Drawing internal energy from my dantian, circulating it within, and accelerating until it felt sufficiently expanded. Drawing a circle. Enclosing myself within. Steeling my mind like metal. Refinement makes the spirit resilient, even against steel. Just a single strand is extracted. ‘No matter how many times, these chants seem abstract.’ As stray thoughts threatened to scatter my focus, I held tight to the energy. One Sword. Imbuing the aura of the Blue Moon Fist, I slashed vertically at the Red Slayer. In the path of the blue sword energy, no trace of the bloodthirst remained. Thud. The Red Slayer, his face pale, collapsed to the ground. * “I thought you hated Taoists?” “You sure have a lot of questions.” “The martial art you just unleashed—it radiated a serene aura. Unless you’re involved with Taoism, it doesn’t make sense. Haven’t reached the realm of the mental sword yet, have you?” Suddenly, I found myself having to come clean. “Don’t make such displeasing remarks again. Taoist, huh? Disgusting. I'd rather be cursed as an orphan.” “What? That’s not...” “I am an orphan, actually.” “I never said anything like that!” Jegal Yeong appeared deeply flustered. At being blamed for something he didn’t even say. I felt a bit guilty, but deflection was needed. “Who'd have thought the Demonic Sect would be involved?” Jegal Yeong swiftly changed the subject. His cheeks reddened, a bit endearing in appearance. “Indeed. I thought it was merely a personal vendetta, but it’s grown more complex.” “After being dormant for so long, their involvement might mean they've regained some power...” The Demonic Sect. It was a term that had become more familiar than its original name, Ilwol Shingyo, almost forgotten in historical records. A previous Celestial Demon had once audaciously claimed they would unify the world. The history of the Nine Great Schools working together to barely repel the forces of the Demonic Sect meant that any resurgence of the sect was a matter to be taken seriously. "Could it be that the Hyungsan Sect is also involved...?" At that moment— "Seonbae-nim! Seonbae, Seonbae!" The outcry from Hwangbo Seyul, who had been silently listening to our conversation, broke through. Only then did I sense the ominous aura looming around us. “Well done.” A slick voice accompanied the appearance of individuals in yellow martial robes, emerging one by one. At their center, a particularly smug-looking person with narrow eyes stood out. Ma Won Pyeong, wasn’t it? “To think you would take down the villain who dared to challenge the Hyungsan Sect. On behalf of the sect, we express our gratitude.” “You’ve been watching, haven't you?” “Yes, indeed. We observed your remarkable martial prowess thoroughly.” His falsely relaxed tone was irritating. Like a true performer. Even when his fingertips were trembling. “Now, hand him over to us. We need to lay the souls of our fallen disciples to rest.” “Just watching and now you want a piece of the action?” I had expended quite a bit of energy purifying the Red Slayer. What now? “Are you intending to belittle the grievances of our sect? Surely... you wouldn't be planning to protect a demon that uses dark arts.” It was obvious to both of us what the situation was, yet he continued this charade. His shameless face shone with a greasy sheen.