Chapter 4
Wi Yongmyeong, Elder of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
He had dedicated the past 30 years of his life to the Shanxi Yu Clan, a loyal subject among loyal subjects.
*Outwardly*, that was how he was known.
*Swish—*
As soon as Wi Yongmyeong emerged from the Family Head's Hall, a dark shadow attached itself to him.
Seemingly in a hurry, the shadow quickly questioned Wi Yongmyeong.
“Branch Leader... the grand plan for today...”
“Silence. I’m thinking.”
In truth, his identity was Wi Yongmyeong, the Branch Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Shanxi Branch.
He was a Spy who had infiltrated the Shanxi Yu Clan, Shanxi's Most Prestigious Family, 30 years ago to overthrow it.
However, the presence of the Shanxi Yu Clan's Family Head had prevented him from achieving his goal for all those years. The Shanxi Yu Clan's Family Head, one of the Ten Great Masters of the World, was that destructive a force.
But now, the Family Head was away on an external mission, leading a considerable number of Martial Artists. Today was clearly an opportunity to overthrow and destroy the Shanxi Yu Clan.
So, tonight... he had planned to win over 70% of the Shanxi Yu Clan's Martial Artists and eliminate the Young Master Yu Jinmyeong and the second daughter Yoo Somyung...
“Where in the world is that Yoo Somyung girl? She”s not here!’
Unexpectedly, Yoo Somyung, who was supposed to arrive today, had not come to the Main Family without a word.
If they proceeded with the plan now and somehow missed her, a direct descendant of the Shanxi Yu Clan, it would all be for naught. Yet, postponing the plan was impossible, as too much had already been prepared.
Therefore, Wi Yongmyeong had to choose: proceed with the plan, or abandon it.
And...
“...Proceed as planned.”
Wi Yongmyeong chose the former.
“If this task is completed successfully... you and I can enter the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. If that happens... we can serve The Honored One by his side.”
““The Honored One”... Yes, I will make preparations swiftly. Everything is for The Honored One...”
The two, unable to even utter his name, spoke with awe and emotion.
“*Heavenly Demon Cult is Invincible; the Heavenly Demon Rules the World.*”
“*Heavenly Demon Cult is Invincible; the Heavenly Demon Rules the World.*”
The two chanted the incantation and returned to their respective positions.
The Shanxi Yu Clan, always quiet, was destined to have a night more tumultuous and long than ever before.
Yu Jinmyeong, the Young Master of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
At 23 years old, he was still a young Rising Star, but he was already renowned for his excellent Martial Arts skills, inherited from his father.
Like others in the Shanxi Yu Clan, he possessed a gentle nature and keen intellect, allowing him to manage the Clan without major issues despite the Family Head's absence.
Of course, it was a heavy burden, but...
*“If I can just hold out for a few more days, Father will return.”*
...Yu Jinmyeong comforted himself with that thought, rubbing his heavy eyelids.
But then...
“Young Master.”
“Come in.”
There was a voice calling Yu Jinmyeong, who was working late into the night. When he granted permission to enter, the owner of the voice was Wi Yongmyeong.
“Ah, Elder Wi.”
“I have assembled a search party to find the Young Lady.”
“...Is that so?”
“Would you like to see them?”
“Very well.”
At Wi Yongmyeong’s suggestion, Yu Jinmyeong rose and headed outside. Behind him, Wi Yongmyeong began to explain.
“Currently, a significant number of the Shanxi Yu Clan’s Martial Artists are out on missions, so we could only mobilize the Martial Artists of the Jinmu Pavilion. Still, all of them are skilled in Lightness Skill, and there are 50 of them...”
“...The Jinmu Pavilion?”
Yu Jinmyeong was about to nod but stopped short.
He couldn't help it, as the Jinmu Pavilion was a guard unit meant to defend the Main Family.
To mobilize them just to meet one person felt excessive.
“Why call upon even the Martial Artists of the Jinmu Pavilion...”
Yu Jinmyeong asked, feeling a sense of doubt, but Wi Yongmyeong smiled benignly and replied.
“I was worried because the Young Lady hadn’t arrived early. I may have over-prepared a little.”
“Is that... so?”
Though he felt a slight unease, Yu Jinmyeong couldn’t dismiss Wi Yongmyeong’s goodwill.
“Are they all gathered?”
“Yes—!!”
Stepping out of the Family Head's Hall, Yu Jinmyeong saw the Martial Artists of the Jinmu Pavilion indeed lined up in formation on the Training Ground.
“Young Master, would you like to say a few words?”
At Wi Yongmyeong’s words, Yu Jinmyeong nodded and spoke briefly to the lined-up Martial Artists.
“I apologize for the late hour, but I ask for your efforts. Please all do your utmost to help find Somyung.”
“Yes—! We understand—!!”
Although he still felt it was a bit excessive, Yu Jinmyeong, seeing the elite Shanxi Yu Clan members, felt reassured that his sister would be found quickly.
Yu Jinmyeong, after hearing the Jinmu Pavilion Martial Artists’ reply, walked through their ranks with a pleased expression.
But then...
“Hmm?”
As Yu Jinmyeong passed among the Martial Artists, someone caught his eye.
*Trembling.*
It was a young Martial Artist who appeared to be from the Jinmu Pavilion, and he was trembling excessively, as if facing battle.
*“That”s strange...’*
What they were going to do was not battle, but merely a search, so Yu Jinmyeong couldn’t understand why he was afraid.
*Tap.*
“You.”
“Y-Young Master.”
So he stopped and asked. He also felt the atmosphere grow subtly tense as he halted his steps.
“...Why are you trembling so much?”
“Ah, no, I’m not.”
“Are you not part of the Jinmu Pavilion? Why would you, an elite among the Shanxi Yu Clan’s elites...”
Despite Yu Jinmyeong’s question, the young Martial Artist seemed unable to control his trembling, swaying slightly, then, as if unable to bear an itch, he plunged his hand into his sleeve and began scratching frantically.
This was not behavior befitting someone in front of the Young Master, so murmurs spread through the surroundings.
Seeing this, Wi Yongmyeong tried to pull the Martial Artist away, but...
“Young Master, it seems this man is not ready. I will send him to rest first...”
“Wait...”
Yu Jinmyeong’s first action was to check the Martial Artist’s wrist. The young Martial Artist’s wrist, which he was scratching as if itchy, had a reddish glow, like a burn scar.
And that reddish glow was...
“...*Demonic Aura*.”
It was proof that the young Martial Artist was a Demonic Heavenly Cultist.
*Clang—!*
Immediately, things unfolded. Although it wasn’t the right time, Wi Yongmyeong, seeing this as an opportunity, drew his Saber.
“Kill all these rotten Righteous Faction bastards—!!”
“Waaah—!!”
At that command, some were startled, and some drew their swords.
“Elder Wi—! What is the meaning of this—!!”
Of course, Young Master Yu Jinmyeong was the most startled. He was thrown into great confusion when Wi Yongmyeong, whom he had trusted, was the first to draw his Saber.
“Young Master, I’m sorry, but you must die.”
*Clang—!*
“Since when... did you betray us?”
“There was no betrayal to begin with. I was a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult from the very start.”
Heavenly Demon Cult.
So, Elder Wi was also a Demonic Cultist, after decades of acting like family, approaching them warmly, only to betray them the moment Father was away...?
Yu Jinmyeong trembled with a sense of betrayal, yet he raised his sword to block Wi Yongmyeong’s attack.
Then, he shouted to the other Martial Artists who seemed not to have been swayed by Elder Wi.
“Exterminate the Demonic Cultists who dared to set foot in the Great Shanxi Yu Family—!”
“Waaah—!!”
The Shanxi Yu Clan’s internal conflict, always peaceful and quiet, thus began abruptly and tumultuously.
And at that very moment...
“...Hey, why is it suddenly so noisy over there?”
“...Dunno, boss.”
My Subordinates and I were sensing that something unusual was happening outside the Shanxi Yu Clan’s wall.
**
One Shichen earlier.
*Thud.*
“I’m back, Young Lady.”
“H-Heeek...!!”
As I entered, holding my Saber, Yoo Somyung, who was restrained and gagged, recoiled with a terrified expression.
Now that I think about it, Yoo Somyung’s reactions are truly *generous*.
“Young Lady, we’ve decided what to do with you.”
“Ugh...”
I raised my Saber high so Yoo Somyung could see it clearly, then...
“Ughhh—!!”
*Thwack—!*
“Ugh...?”
I plunged the Saber right in front of Yoo Somyung and then removed her gag.
Thinking she was about to die, Yoo Somyung shed a single tear and spoke.
“Y-You...”
“Young Lady, do you know what kind of people we of Green Forest are?”
“W-What?”
Yoo Somyung seemed flustered by my question, but her eyes darted around, and she quickly replied.
“Uh... a Bandit Group that camps in the mountains and plunders the wealth of passersby?”
“Wrong.”
“Thugs who torment weak people and hold them captive?”
“...Wrong.”
“Just bad guys, deserving of divine and human wrath, who should go to hell...”
“Wrong, wrong, wrong!”
“Ugh...”
I repeatedly shouted “Wrong!” and tapped Yoo Somyung’s forehead. Then, I spoke kindly to her, whose forehead was now red.
“Our Hyeongak Mountain Green Forest Stronghold is a Martial Artist organization that protects the order of Hyeongak Mountain and safeguards travelers.”
“Wha...?”
Yoo Somyung looked at me with an expression that said, “Don’t talk nonsense.” I ignored her expression and continued.
“The reason I brought you here today was also for “protection.” I first brought you to our Mountain Stronghold to protect you from any potential dangers you might encounter while passing through Hyeongak Mountain...”
“...”
“Protection... hmm...”
However, even I, thick-skinned as I am, couldn’t help but feel a pang of conscience looking at Yoo Somyung’s state.
There were severe marks on her neck and throat from being struck; her waist was cut by a Saber; her clothes had been removed arbitrarily and replaced with others; her sword and other belongings had been taken by me long ago; she was completely soaked; and her hands and feet were bound, and so on...
“Yes, anyway, I’ve kept the Young Lady safe until now.”
“...”
Hmm... at that moment, looking at Yoo Somyung’s face, I was certain.
If she hadn’t been bound, Yoo Somyung would have immediately drawn her sword and stabbed me in the neck.