Chapter 10
In the novel, the key to Yoo Somyung's growth was the lost Willow Flower Sword Art.
This was because the current Willow Flower Sword Art differed in content from the one created by the Shanxi Yu Clan's first Family Head.
In the novel, Yoo Somyung realizes this and strives to restore the Willow Flower Sword Art to its original form. She eventually discovers that the original Willow Flower Sword Art was a type of Changing Sword and Illusory Sword, imbued with the Profound Principle of Grasping.
Of course, she ultimately fails to master the restored Willow Flower Sword Art and dies in the war against the Demonic Cult.
I found that regrettable.
So, I helped her approach the restoration of the Willow Flower Sword Art faster than she did in the novel.
And the result was...
Chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-!!
...It seems to be a success.
The sword's trajectory, imbued with the perfect Profound Principle of Grasping.
It's not yet perfect, as the Stances haven't been fully refined, but...
Swoosh-, Chwaak-!
A soft movement, reminiscent of a willow tree. And even a gentle Aura that made it hard to believe this was a battle of life and death.
Though still seemingly unrefined, she had broken through her limitations at least several years faster than in the novel.
Moreover, having reached the State of Selflessness, her growth would only accelerate.
In this world we live in, with a cheat-like “Protagonist,” becoming the Strongest Under Heaven might be difficult, but...
“Shanxi's Foremost Expert is certainly possible, though?”
The Willow Flower Sword Art is a Late Bloomer type of Sword Art.
Thinking about how massive that young willow tree would become in the future, I felt a little pleased.
**
In the State of Selflessness, one normally loses all consciousness and memory.
However, the current Yoo Somyung was not in a state of complete unconsciousness.
It was as if she was watching everything from a third-person perspective, like in a dream.
“Kuaaaaaah-!!”
*Elder Wi is screaming. He looks to be in pain.*
Of course, in this dazed state, she could only observe fragmented scenes.
*I'm wielding my sword. The Willow Flower Sword Art. But it's different from the original Willow Flower Sword Art...*
The Willow Flower Sword Art she originally used focused on the Profound Principle of Speed. However, the Willow Flower Sword Art she was now performing, while not slow, was significantly less fast than its original form.
But...
Kagagagak-!!
*I'm blocking.*
She smoothly blocked Wi Yongmyeong's attack, which was much faster than her own, without any trouble. More accurately, it was closer to deflecting than blocking.
There was also a difference in the attack method.
Originally, the Willow Flower Sword Art focused on using speed to cut a vital point in a single strike, but her current movements were...
Chwa-chwa-chwa-!
She didn't necessarily pour all her effort into cutting vital points.
Nor did she put everything into a single strike.
Just slowly... receiving the opponent's attacks...
Chwaak-!
She mixed in Feints, confusing her opponent.
Wi Yongmyeong's eyes showed confusion at the continuous attacks. He tried to react and defend against the fists coming from all directions, but...
Chwaak-!!
“Kuaaaaaaak-!!”
What he blocked was merely a Feint, containing nothing. The true Killing Move was hidden deep within, striking the most fatal spots.
*Strange... the Killing Intent...*
The dazed Yoo Somyung realized that her own sword was quite peculiar.
Even when using Killing Moves, no Killing Intent emanated from her sword. Though she wielded a sharp blade, it felt as if she were embracing her opponent... only gentleness was present.
Perhaps that's why it was difficult to discern the Killing Moves hidden within the Feints, making it impossible to react.
That was also why Wi Yongmyeong, despite his much greater speed, couldn't defend against her attacks.
Chwa-chwa-!!
“Kkeueuk-!”
Chwaaaak-!
“Ugh... Haaah...”
As several exchanges continued, Wi Yongmyeong sustained more injuries, and Yoo Somyung's sword grew even sharper.
*It's over now...*
Yoo Somyung instinctively felt that this life-or-death struggle was reaching its climax.
Fast yet slow. Slow yet fast.
Yoo Somyung's hands began to create afterimages. Wi Yongmyeong, who already couldn't distinguish the Killing Moves, found it even harder to defend.
Tadak-.
Her Footwork also changed. If her previous Footwork had been barely enough for passive defense, now she was advancing, pressing her opponent.
*Faster... softer...*
Thus, her accelerated movements, when seen from afar, looked like a dance, but to her opponent, it was different.
A storm.
Wi Yongmyeong felt Yoo Somyung's movements like a massive storm. A silent yet immense storm, concealing Killing Intent within.
Finally, the moment Yoo Somyung found an opening and plunged in front of Wi Yongmyeong...
Chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-chwa-!!
“Kuaaaaaaaak-!!”
The silent storm proceeded to carve Wi Yongmyeong to pieces.
Chwaak-!
First, his arms and legs.
Chwaak-!
Next, his sides.
Chwaak-!!
Finally, his solar plexus and neck.
Chwaaaaaak-!!
The New Willow Flower Sword Art, Willow Flower Chaotic Dance.
What she performed now was a Stance that would later be given that name.
Thus, Yoo Somyung, using the still unrefined but beautiful and fluid Willow Flower Chaotic Dance...
“Kkeueo-eok...”
Thud-.
She brought down Wi Yongmyeong, who had even completed his Demonic Transformation.
“Eok... Eok...”
“...”
“I... I also want to wield such a sword... Ugh...”
Though he uttered a voice filled with regret, his vital points were already severely damaged. Yoo Somyung, immersed in the State of Selflessness, instinctively sensed this and sheathed her sword.
But then...
“I... I also want to be beautiful... Ugh-ugh-ugh... Kuaaaaaaaah-!!!”
“...!”
Suddenly, Wi Yongmyeong began to let out a tearing scream, as if in more pain than when he was cut by the sword. At the same time, the demonic energy rising from his body seemed to burn away.
Yoo Somyung, who was facing a Demonic Cultist for the first time, didn't know.
She didn't know that a Demonic Cultist who had completed Demonic Transformation would, upon death, gather all their demonic energy in their dantian to forcibly explode, seeking Mutual Destruction with their opponent.
“Aaaaaaaah-!!”
Paaat-!
She sensed the gravity of the situation and recoiled, but the explosion was already underway.
*No.*
Anticipating her end from the ominous flow of demonic energy, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Sreuk-.
“That's beyond your ability to handle, Young Lady, so I'll take care of it.”
“...!”
And when she opened her eyes again at the familiar voice, she found herself embraced in someone's slender yet firm arms.
Looking up, she saw the Bandit, whose impression had completely changed from before, channeling energy into a sword he'd acquired from who-knows-where.
Oso-so-.
Though he was merely infusing energy into the sword, she, even in her State of Selflessness, felt a shiver that seemed to snap her back to full awareness.
Soon, his sword was raised high...
“...Divine Art.”
...And with an incomprehensible murmur, the sword swung.
Paaaat-!
Even in her dazed state, Yoo Somyung watched clearly with both eyes what was happening before her.
Seogeok-!
A tearing sound as if splitting the air, Wi Yongmyeong being cut in two, and his demonic energy scattering.
And then...
Perhaps the sharpest strike under heaven, cleaving through emptiness.
It was a realm that no Swordsman could ever forget... the realm of a Martial God.
**
“Whew...”
That was a close call.
The Demonic Cult bastards' Mutual Destruction is vicious enough to take down even a formidable Master in one go.
It's a good thing I could deal with it before Yoo Somyung got caught up.
Sreuk-.
“...?”
Feeling a warm touch on my cheek, I looked down to see Yoo Somyung, with a dazed expression, placing her hand on my face.
Perhaps a lingering effect of the State of Selflessness, her eyes were half-closed.
She asked me in a sleepy voice.
“Sir...”
“What?”
“Your... what exactly is your identity, Sir...?”
I almost burst out laughing at her question.
And no wonder, her way of addressing me had changed from “that bandit bastard” to “Sir”.
I smiled broadly and whispered into her ear.
“My identity, you see...”
“...”
“I'm a *very handsome bandit*.”
“...”
Even though I was deliberately joking, there was no hint of a smile on Yoo Somyung's face. It was as if she understood my desire to conceal my identity.
At the same time, her eyes grew even heavier. It must have been truly difficult for her to fight off sleep now.
Nevertheless, as if unwilling to give up, Yoo Somyung struggled and asked again.
“Then... your... your name, at least...”
“...”
“Please... I wish to know my Benefactor's name...”
“...”
I hesitated for a moment at her earnest question, but...
“...Muyeon.”
“...”
“My name is Muyeon.”
...I etched my name into her memory.
“*Mu...yeon*...”
Yoo Somyung repeated my name a few more times, as if trying not to forget it, then...
“*Muyeon*...”
...closed her eyes.
I laid her down on the ground and stood up.
“It's unlikely, but if we ever meet again, so be it.”
It was time to leave.
**
“Mmm...”
“Somyung-ah, are you awake?!”
“Uh... Older Brother...?”
“Yes, Somyung-ah. It's your Older Brother. Are you coming to your senses?”
Yoo Somyung woke up to a familiar voice. Her body felt stiff, as if she had been asleep for a very long time.
“This place is...”
“Your room. Do you remember? You've been asleep for a full two days.”
“Two days... Ah!”
Hearing that she had slept for two days, Yoo Somyung belatedly came to her senses and asked her Older Brother, Yu Jinmyeong.
“Older Brother...! Elder Wi...!”
At her urgent voice, Yu Jinmyeong gently stroked her head and said.
“Everything's been taken care of. Elder Wi, as well as all the other Demonic Cultists under him, are dead. Somyung, you... you protected our Family.”
“Ah...”
The joy of having protected her Family was fleeting as the image of the Bandit—no, her Benefactor—came to Yoo Somyung's mind.
“...I didn't do it.”
“...What?”
“That Bandit... no, *that person*... *That person* did it all.”
Their first meeting had been terrible, but what he had given Yoo Somyung was immense.
He had given Yoo Somyung enlightenment regarding the lost Willow Flower Sword Art and saved her and her Family.
“*That person* cut down Wi Yongmyeong, and he probably dealt with the other Demonic Cultists too. He even told me...”
Yoo Somyung, excited, began to sing his praises.
“Ah, what exactly is *that person*'s identity? Is he a Reclusive Master who turned his back on the world, or an Old Master who achieved Rejuvenation? Whatever he is, he's clearly a Righteous Swordsman full of righteousness.”
He appeared like the wind, saving her and her Family from crisis. And on top of that, his handsome looks...
Her mind was instantly filled with admiration for him. At the same time...
Thump.
Thinking of him, her heart thumped, and her cheeks felt flushed.
At 18, knowing nothing but Martial Arts, it was her first love, arriving late.
“Did *that person* leave?”
“If you're talking about “that person”... he left immediately on the day of the incident.”
“What a pity...”
Yoo Somyung, with a sense of regret, recalled her last memory of him.
*He said his name was Muyeon.*
Muyeon (Muyeon). A name meaning “no fate” or “no connection” (none meaning “none”, fate/connection meaning “fate/connection”).
Perhaps... it was a name he hastily made up, meaning they shouldn't meet again.
*Does he... not want to meet me again?*
However, she was a legitimate Rising Star of the Righteous Faction.
She had no intention of letting such a great kindness go unreturned.
She resolved to find him again and repay his kindness.
But then...
“Somyung-ah, there's something I need to tell you...”
“Yes? What is it now...?”
Yu Jinmyeong, with a heavy expression, spoke to Yoo Somyung, whose heart was burning for Muyeon.
“If you're not too weak to move, follow me for a moment...”
“...Yes.”
*What could be wrong?*
Yoo Somyung followed her Older Brother with a slightly uneasy feeling.
The place Yu Jinmyeong headed was the Family Head's Hall, located in the deepest part of the Main Family estate. Just before they arrived, Yu Jinmyeong spoke in a trembling voice.
“...Somyung-ah.”
“Yes, Older Brother.”
“You know that beneath the Main Family's Family Head's Chambers... there's a Secret Vault where all the Shanxi Yu Clan's treasures are kept, right?”
“Yes... of course.”
The Secret Vault, containing all the history and treasures of the Shanxi Yu Clan, from its first Family Head to her father, the Current Family Head Yu Haseong.
As a child, she had once followed her father to that place hidden beneath the Family Head's Chambers.
But...
“Oh, Older Brother, this is—!”
“...”
Upon entering the Family Head's Chambers, the room was in disarray, as if a thief had broken in, and the secret door leading to the Secret Vault was open.
Startled, Yoo Somyung went down, and the state of the Secret Vault was even worse.
“Ah...”
The Shanxi Yu Clan's precious elixirs and secret martial arts manuals. Items used by successive Family Heads, and so on.
Treasures of immeasurable value... had all disappeared.
“The Demonic Cultists...”
“...”
“Did the Demonic Cultists dare... to leave this place in such a state?”
Yoo Somyung asked, feeling a surge of anger like a thousand flames.
This Secret Vault was not merely a treasure storehouse; it contained the very soul of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
To dare to leave this place in such a mess... she could never forgive...
Sreuk-.
“...?”
As Yoo Somyung was thinking this, Yu Jinmyeong handed her a letter.
His hand, as he offered it, was trembling greatly.
“On the floor of the ransacked Secret Vault... this was lying there...”
“What on earth is this...?”
And Yoo Somyung, taking it and reading it, couldn't help but freeze.
*Young Lady, I'll make sure to take a generous protection fee! Thanks always!*
“...”
As Yoo Somyung was speechless after reading the letter, Yu Jinmyeong, unable to hold back, burst into tears and sobbed.
“Oh dear...!! Those rascals took everything...!! Oh dear... I can't face our Ancestors...! Haaah-ugh!”
“...”
*Still, I've been protecting them all this time, so I should get a protection fee, right?*
*I guess the protection fee should be double-double?*
*Protection fee, triple-double. Okay?*
*After estimating, triple-double won't be enough, so let's just make it quadruple-double.*
He kept singing about “protection fees,” and then thoroughly plundered everything.
“Ha, ha-ha...”
A hollow laugh escaped the bewildered Yoo Somyung.
“Hmph, as expected of that bandit bastard... So he didn't help me for free after all... I was going to pay him, but this is too much... Of course, I'm grateful, but... no, even so...”
Kindness and enmity.
Yoo Somyung's mind was thrown into confusion, having received both immense kindness and enmity from that bandit bastard.
The words that poured from Yoo Somyung's mouth after she muttered like a madwoman for a long time were...
“*That son of a bitch-!!!*”
...a curse filled with clear hostility.
“So-Somyung-ah?”
Yu Jinmyeong, who had never seen his younger sister curse, stopped crying in surprise. Nevertheless, Yoo Somyung couldn't hold back her curses and rage, continuing to pour them out.
“*That son of a bitch-!! That rotten bastard-!! I'll never... never forgive him-!!*”
She loved her Family. She respected her Ancestors.
But that bandit bastard had utterly trampled on the soul of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
No matter how she thought about it, the enmity he had caused was greater than the kindness he had shown her.
She was a legitimate Rising Star of the Righteous Faction.
She had no intention of letting such a great enmity go unavenged.
“*I will definitely find him and punish him-!!!*”
Yoo Somyung shrieked like that, looking at the empty Secret Vault.
At that moment, her resentment and hatred towards Muyeon... were enough to rival that for the Heavenly Demon Cult.
**
“By the way, Leader.”
“Hm?”
“How did you know there would be a secret vault like this and send us there beforehand?”
I replied with a proud smile.
“Hey, you punk. We've lived together for so long, and you don't know? Is there anything this Leader doesn't know in this world?”
“Haha, that's right!”
“If we follow the Leader's words, good things will happen even in our sleep!”
The Subordinates, speaking with smiles, each had their arms full of rare treasures.
They had thoroughly plundered the Shanxi Yu Clan's Secret Vault.
I had no idea how much we'd earned in just one night.
Originally, I intended to take a quadruple-double protection fee, but what we've taken now... is probably more like a nonuple-double?
*Well, I've done a lot for the Young Lady, so it should be fine.*
Saved her life, saved her Family, even gave her hints to find the lost Willow Flower Sword Art.
At this point, Young Lady Yu should generously understand.
...Probably?
“Ah, I don't know. What's she going to do if she doesn't forgive me?”
Like a true Bandit, I decided to brazen it out.
“Leader! By the way, where are we going now? It seems we can't go back to our old home... shouldn't we move?”
“Hey, Dongryong. Don't you remember what I always say? Did you forget?”
“Hmm... “Make money, you bastards.” Something like that?”
Thwack-.
After giving Dongryong, who was spouting nonsense, a smack on the back of his head, I spoke.
“Since you seem to have forgotten, I'll tell you again. “*Unorthodox is like the wind, so wherever we go, that is our path!*””
“What does that mean?”
“How many mountains are there under heaven? We are Bandits, so wherever there's a mountain under heaven, that's our home. Come on, you bastards! Since we're rich now, let's move to a proper place!”
“Waaah-!!”
“Since we've earned so much money today, if I just get a new bride, I'll have no regrets even if I die-!”
“With the Leader's personality, would any Young Lady marry him-! Haha-!”
“*You son of a bitch.*”
And so, we set off, happily joking and singing with each other.
Perhaps because we'd earned a huge sum of money, I felt ecstatic.
Somehow, I felt like I heard the resentful wails of someone behind me, filled with deep regret, but it must just be my imagination, right?
“Let's go-! To the South-!”
I set our destination to the South, as far away from the Heavenly Demon Cult as possible.
Now that I've earned a hefty sum, I'll live happily as an ordinary rich man, observing from a place as far as possible from where the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Murim Alliance will clash.