Chapter 1
The sky was clear, and the wind gently rustled through the trees.
The Mountain Stronghold was located deep within Hyeongak Mountain, known for its rugged terrain. My subordinates were all out working, and I was enjoying my freedom alone.
“*Kuh!* This wine tastes great!”
The clear weather and cool breeze, freshly caught Wild Boar Meat, and refreshing Jukyeopcheong wine are truly a fantastic combination.
Ah, I should have become a Bandit sooner. The luxuries I couldn't even dream of when I was a Beggar had become my daily life as a Bandit.
“Today, I’m going to drink until I’m truly drunk.”
Seeing the pile of Jukyeopcheong gathered in the corner filled me with reassurance. Ah, of course, those were taken from passing merchants.
“Leader!”
Just as I was about to take another sip, I heard a subordinate's voice from afar.
Ah, seriously, doesn't he have any sense of timing?
“Leader!!”
“*Ugh*, hey, Dongryong. Didn't I tell you not to bother me when I'm drinking? Do you *really* want to get beaten to death?”
Dongryong. He was, you could say, the Second-in-command among my few Subordinates. He used to be an Escort Warrior for a certain Noble Family but was apparently kicked out for some reason. A year ago, I took him in when he was begging on the streets and made him my first Subordinate.
“*Hee-eok!*”
Had the occasional beatings I gave him, supposedly for martial arts training, become a trauma? Even though he was six years older than me, seeing him so scared made me feel a pang of pity.
“It’s a joke, a joke. Hey, have I ever beaten you guys for such a minor reason?”
“You always say that...”
“What was that, you wretch?”
“*Huk!* Ah, no! That’s not it! This is truly important, Leader!”
“What is it, now? Did someone come to catch us? *Ugh*, it’s annoying to run away with all this loot.”
“No, it’s not that. Bang Sam-i sent word that a carriage is coming up the lower path right now.”
“A carriage? Can’t you handle it yourselves?”
“Well... he says the carriage is unusually ornate.”
An ornate carriage?
At his words, I couldn't help but tilt my head. An ornate carriage usually meant a person of importance was inside, but our territory was a remote backwater, and it was a mountain path, so such people rarely passed through.
Still, an ornate carriage... certainly meant they had a lot of money...
I swallowed my wine and asked further.
“And you don’t know which Family it belongs to?”
“Yes, there’s no Family or Merchant Guild emblem on the carriage, so he doesn’t know exactly who is riding in it.”
“You can’t do it without me?”
“W-what if there’s even one Master inside?”
“*Damn it*, Dongryong. After all I’ve taught you guys, you can’t even handle one Master?”
“Even so, how can mere Bandits like us defeat a Righteous Master...?”
“I’m a fool for making a bastard like you my Deputy Leader.”
I grumbled at Dongryong and poured myself another drink.
I was conflicted.
An ornate carriage meant there were plenty of opportunities to plunder, but... perhaps it was the alcohol; I felt too lazy to move.
“Ah... still, if it’s a rich family’s daughter or wife, we could take her hostage and make a big score...”
“Indeed, Leader.”
“But you bastard, why are you drinking my wine?”
“I’m the one who stole this. If you think about it, it’s my wine, not yours, Leader.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. If the Leader says it’s his, then it’s his. Spit it out, you bastard.”
“Ah! Leader!”
After that, the Subordinates who had gone out to plunder returned one after another.
“Elder Brothers! A carriage is passing below... huh? Why are only you Elder Brothers drinking wine?!”
“Huh? Elder Brothers... are you drinking? Hehe, then I’ll have some too...”
“Hey, you bastards, stop drinking and go do some work!”
But those bastards, who wouldn't even listen to their parents, certainly wouldn't listen to me. And so, the piled-up Jukyeopcheong gradually emptied.
***
Yoo Somyung of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
As the only daughter of the Shanxi Yu Clan, the most prestigious family in the Shanxi Region, she was on her way home for the Dragon-Phoenix Academy's vacation.
In truth, nine days had already passed since the vacation began, but she had stayed longer at the academy to continue her training, causing a delay.
Thus, to reach her Main Family faster, she had chosen a Mountain Path as a shortcut, but the road was unpaved, making it difficult for the carriage to pass.
As the carriage jolted violently, the Coachman glanced back nervously.
“My apologies, Young Lady. There are too many stones on the road, and I just...”
A clear, melodious voice flowed from the window connecting to the coachman's seat.
“I was the one who chose this path, so don’t worry about it.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you, Young Lady.”
The Coachman sighed in relief and continued on his way. It was a situation that would have warranted a scolding from others, but Yoo Somyung let it pass quietly.
“*Indeed, the rumors weren”t wrong...*’
The Precious Child of the Shanxi Yu Clan, a Prestigious family that had protected the Shanxi Region for generations, was especially renowned for her exceptional talent with the sword and her kind heart.
She was, in essence, one of the symbols of the Rising Star of the Righteous Faction, the righteous sword of the Yu Clan.
The Coachman took great pride in driving the carriage that carried such a person.
“*I must do my best to ensure the Young Lady feels no discomfort during her journey.*”
With that thought, he carefully handled the reins.
It was then.
“*Uh-oh? Uwaaah!*”
As the carriage was passing, a swift figure suddenly appeared, forcing the Coachman to brake abruptly. It was such a sudden stop that even Yoo Somyung, with her excellent balance, let out a small groan.
“Are you alright, Young Lady?”
“I am fine. But what happened?”
The Coachman quickly checked ahead. The figure that had suddenly appeared was a handsome young man. Fortunately, he didn't seem to have been hit by the carriage, but his appearance was wretched.
“P-please, save me...”
As one looked closely, his clothes were stained with dirt and dust, and his face was filled with anxiety.
“Calm yourself! What is the matter?!”
“B-bandits... Bandits!”
“Bandits?”
At the mention of Bandits, Yoo Somyung stepped down from the carriage.
“Are there still remnants of the Unorthodox Faction in the Shanxi Region?”
“I believe I heard there were a few Bandits in Hyeongak Mountain .”
“They are there... deep within Hyeongak Mountain! I’m a Woodcutter from the village below, and I encountered Bandits while cutting wood...”
The man burst into tears and continued.
“*Huk*, they took everything I had, and I barely escaped with my life... If I can’t get my things back, my old Mother will have nothing to eat... *Huk huk*, oh Mother, I’m so sorry!”
“Oh dear.”
At the Woodcutter's sad story, the Coachman clicked his tongue in pity. Yoo Somyung also felt sorry for the man, who was weeping as if the world had ended.
And she fell into thought.
Though she was merely a Rising Star, she was still a proper Righteous Martial Artist. Ignoring the weak in danger and passing by was not in line with the Principles of the Murim World.
Although she felt tired, having only recently finished her training, she decided to act with goodwill.
“I am Yoo Somyung, daughter of the Shanxi Yu Clan. I will right your wrong and retrieve your stolen possessions.”
At that, the Woodcutter looked up at her as if she were a celestial maiden. Then he began to weep again, loud enough to shake the heavens.
“*Huuuuh-eong!* Thank you!”
His weeping continued for quite some time.
***
“Oh dear, my good man. Are we still far?”
Yoo Somyung dismounted from the carriage and proceeded on foot to subdue the Bandits. The Coachman accompanied her, as it would be dangerous for her to be alone. The Coachman let out a groan, unaccustomed to climbing mountains on foot after leaving the carriage.
“We’re almost there.”
At his reply, Yoo Somyung looked at the Woodcutter. Though she didn't say it aloud, even with her Internal Energy, she was starting to feel breathless, yet he showed no signs of fatigue and continued to lead the way.
And though she couldn't say it, the Woodcutter was quite a handsome man. Yoo Somyung had seen many people since leaving the Shanxi Region, but she had never seen a man as delicately handsome as he.
Her intuition told her he was no ordinary Woodcutter.
Finally, Yoo Somyung couldn't suppress her curiosity and asked.
“By any chance, have you learned Martial Arts?”
“Pardon?”
“Your stamina seems unusually good... If it’s an awkward question, you don’t have to answer.”
At her words, he scratched his head briefly, as if embarrassed, then continued.
“Actually, I once learned a Cultivation Method from a passing Martial Artist, so I can handle a bit of Internal Energy/Qi.”
“What a fortunate encounter. To receive a Cultivation Method from a passing Martial Artist...
“It only allows me to move my body a little more skillfully. I have no other abilities. If I hadn’t met you, Young Lady, it would have been a disaster.”
Saying that, he flashed a bright smile. At his appearance, Yoo Somyung felt her heart flutter involuntarily.
“*W-what is this...?*”
Her heart was beating rapidly. All she had done was see a Woodcutter's smiling face.
“Young Lady, your face has turned red. Are you all right?”
At his words, Yoo Somyung was startled.
“Ah, no. It must be because of the heat. More importantly, how far is their Mountain Stronghold?”
“Not far at all. We’re almost there.”
The Woodcutter turned his face forward again and resumed leading the way.
“It’s over there, Young Lady.”
It seemed his words were true, for soon after, a shabby Mountain Stronghold made of branches came into view. In front of it, a few Bandits were gathered, drinking wine.
“*How dare they hold a drinking party with wealth stolen from the Common People.*”
She felt anger welling up in her heart.
“Young Lady, even if you have learned Martial Arts, are you sure you’ll be alright alone?”
The Woodcutter spoke cautiously, his face filled with concern. His worried expression quite pleased her.
“Those ruffians are nothing. I’ll be back shortly.”
Yoo Somyung adjusted the beloved sword at her waist and approached the Mountain Stronghold. At her sight, the Coachman and Woodcutter cried out softly.
“Young Lady!”
“It’s dangerous to go so openly!”
Yoo Somyung waved her hand dismissively at their reaction.
“It’s fine, both of you hide.”
Indeed, though she was still young at eighteen, she was the daughter of the Prestigious Shanxi Yu Clan. Her father was one of the Ten Great Masters of the World, and she had inherited his talents in full.
Even at the Dragon-Phoenix Academy, where only geniuses gathered, her achievements were remarkably swift. A mere handful of Bandits would certainly be no match for her.
She confidently approached the figures gathered around the bonfire. They were laughing and drinking, completely unaware of the situation about to befall them.
Yoo Somyung drew her sword. It was time for the subjugation.