Chapter 61
After the tragedy of the Dragon Slaying Squad, Yoo Somyung stayed at the Mountain Stronghold and did not leave.
It wasn’t that anyone had told her not to leave; she remained of her own volition.
And the reason she stayed was…
“Th-Thank you. Young Lady.”
“…”
To take care of the remaining Squad members of the Dragon Slaying Squad who had been taken as Prisoners.
Although they were kept alive by the Leader’s orders, the other Bandits did not provide them with even the minimum Treatment of Prisoners.
Rather, the atmosphere suggested they hoped the Prisoners would be neglected until their wounds festered or they starved to death.
Since no one was willing to look after them, Yoo Somyung had no choice but to step up. As she was considered an acquaintance of the Leader, she could move freely without the other Bandits interfering, even though she was a Martial Artist of the Righteous Faction.
Thus, she paid out of her own pocket at the Mountain Stronghold to buy medicine and bandages to treat the Prisoners, and procured food to manage their meals.
Seeing this, the Bandits were displeased, while the Dragon Slaying Squad members…
“We will never forget this grace…”
“…”
…praised her, seemingly deeply moved.
The righteous Sword of the Shanxi Yu Family, Yoo Somyung.
The Shanxi Yu Family was already renowned for their gentle and Merciful nature, but rumors had spread that Yoo Somyung possessed a kind heart despite her young age.
Seeing her, the Dragon Slaying Squad members gained hope that they could escape this Hell-like place.
However…
“Grace? Please don’t say that. I only did what I had to do.”
“You are even humble…”
“It’s not humility.”
…The eyes she looked at them with were piercingly cold.
“It is merely Human Decency. Even a sinner cannot be left to die before receiving a proper judgment.”
“S-Sinner…”
Yoo Somyung’s cold eyes. Hearing the word 'sinner' come from her mouth, the Dragon Slaying Squad members froze in place.
And looking at them, Yoo Somyung asked.
“Did you all… not know of Squad Leader Dokgo’s sins? No…, that can’t be. Let me change the question. Was there truly no one who stepped forward despite knowing of Squad Leader Dokgo’s sins?”
“…”
At her question, the Squad members could not open their mouths.
Because there was no one. Because everyone had stood by despite knowing the truth.
However, they too had an excuse.
All the Dragon Slaying Squad members were from Vassal Families of the Dokgo Noble Family. If they rebelled against him, it wouldn’t just be them shedding blood, but their families as well.
That was why everyone had stayed quiet despite knowing Dokgoyeong was in the wrong.
“We had no choice due to Dokgoyeong”s threats and pressure.'
One of the Squad members opened his mouth to state this fact as their Representative, but…
“W-We also…”
“Stop.”
…Yoo Somyung merely shook her head, as if she didn’t want to hear it.
“Is there any excuse you can offer for the sin of standing by while witnessing injustice and evil deeds? I don’t want to hear it. And why are you seeking forgiveness from me?”
She pierced their hearts with words devoid of a single ounce of mercy.
“All judgment will be passed by the Murim Alliance. If you have anything to say, say it after returning to the Murim Alliance. And…, I will also testify to everything I have heard here at the Murim Alliance.”
“Y-Young Lady-!”
The discipline of the Murim Alliance was as heavy as a thousand pounds. This was especially true regarding matters of chivalry and justice.
If it was discovered that they had stood by while innocent Civilians were dying, the Murim Alliance’s wrath would be like a vast ocean.
Execution. Or they could be expelled with their dantian crippled.
Recalling this, the pale-faced Dragon Slaying Squad members prostrated on the floor like dogs, pleading despite their bound bodies.
“Young Lady-! We were wrong-! We will live the rest of our lives in repentance-!”
“Please forgive us-! Young Lady-!!”
But Yoo Somyung, not wanting to see their ugly display, immediately turned her back and walked out.
“Young Lady-!!”
Even after she stepped outside and completely closed the door, their calls continued.
* * *
After providing meals for the Dragon Slaying Squad members, Yoo Somyung headed to her Quarters.
Thanks to the consideration of Dongryong, whom she could at least consider an acquaintance, she was able to use the second-best room in the Mountain Stronghold after Muyeon’s.
'I’m tired…'
Seeing the ugly side of the Murim Alliance Enforcement Unit members, whom she had once considered colleagues and role models, was incredibly uncomfortable emotionally.
She walked on, feeling the urge to lie down immediately.
But then…
“Tsk, tsk.”
“Looks like she’s coming out after feeding those sons of bitches again.”
…Someone’s whispering reached her ears as she moved.
Turning around at the sound, she saw a few Bandits glaring at her with fierce eyes.
“Why hasn’t that Righteous Faction bitch screwed off yet?”
“She has no shame.”
The emotions in their eyes were disgust and hostility.
…It was understandable.
They had lost their comrades in this incident, and the Mountain Path had been turned into a wasteland.
While Yoo Somyung understood them…
“…Ugh.”
Their eyes, filled with Killing Intent, were overwhelming. Facing such clear hostility for the first time in her life, she didn’t know what to do.
Step-.
So she changed her direction. If she went to bed like this, she felt she would only have troubled dreams.
She wanted to empty her mind by swinging her Sword instead.
Step-.
The place she sought out was a certain Open Space.
In that place, where the path was overgrown with weeds and no one would visit due to the late hour, she drew her Sword and performed her Sword Art.
Srrk-.
Naturally, the Sword Art she performed was the Willow Flower Sword Art. The lost Willow Flower Sword Art, which had found a path to restoration with Muyeon’s help.
Swish-!
Ever since she got the hang of this Sword Art, she had engaged in Training without missing a single day. Moreover, the lost Willow Flower Sword Art perfectly suited her, as her body was flexible and soft.
Swish-!!
“Like this here, and now extend the hand further…!”
Even if it was a similar Stance, she had to establish new profound principles within the Sword Art, so she studied the Sword every day. Thanks to that…, she could feel a meaningful growth in her martial prowess as well.
Swish-!
She had changed. Her Sword had grown.
All of this happened after her encounter with Muyeon.
She had come to Muyeon because she wanted to draw out that change even more, and because she wanted to properly confirm what her feelings for him were.
And…, there was another change this time.
Swish-!
Distrust toward the Murim Alliance, and doubts about chivalry and justice.
What was true chivalry, and was the Murim Alliance currently heading down the right path?
Swish-!
Was the Murim Alliance truly stagnating and rotting away in its place?
Swish-!!
If so…, what must I do?
Swish-!
“Haa…, haa…”
She collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from performing the Stances. Sweat flowed like beads and a sense of lethargy washed over her body, but her Heart Demon showed no signs of fading.
She was confused.
Just…, confused.
It was then.
Rustle-.
“…!”
Startled by someone’s presence, Yoo Somyung immediately stood up. However…
“Hello?”
…Upon seeing the other person’s face, she was soon relieved and did not draw her Sword.
The one who appeared in the Open Space was none other than Muyeon. Having gone down to the City to handle matters over the past few days, he was showing his face for the first time in a while.
“…”
Despite seeing him after a long time, she couldn’t easily greet him.
It was because she felt things were still awkward between them since their last parting.
But Muyeon, seemingly unbothered by such things, approached her and asked.
“Looks like you were Training? Did I interrupt?”
“N-No, it’s not that…”
“If it’s alright, can I watch?”
It was against etiquette to watch a Martial Artist’s Training, but it didn’t matter to him anyway.
Wanting to shake off the current awkwardness…, she showed him the Stance she had just been Training.
Sring-, clang-!
“Oh.”
He quietly watched her Sword, letting out only small exclamations of admiration.
“Earlier, in the second form, rather than stretching your arm all the way out, do it like this…”
After she finished, he also offered his own advice.
Eventually, all activities came to an end…
“…”
“…”
Silence fell once again. And the one to break it first was Yoo Somyung.
“…I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For what the Murim Alliance did this time… I might not have the right to…, but I still want to apologize.”
The strongest emotion she felt through this incident was shame.
She was truly ashamed that her Murim Alliance colleagues had committed such acts, and that she was affiliated with the Murim Alliance.
She bowed her head with those feelings, and Muyeon stared at her quietly before opening his mouth.
* * *
Looking at the crown of Yoo Somyung’s head, I felt a bit conflicted.
Honestly speaking, she was not at fault for this incident. Therefore, I opened my mouth with difficulty.
“Young Lady, it’s not your fault.”
“However…”
“It’s the Murim Alliance’s fault. And you are affiliated with the Murim Alliance. Isn’t that what you’re trying to say?”
“…”
As if I was right, Yoo Somyung closed her mouth.
“Anyway, those Murim Alliance bastards are only flashy on the outside. They only know how to act like hypocrites, but inside, they’re completely rotten.”
“…I suppose you’re right. The Murim Alliance is rott…”
“Still, it’s not entirely rotten.”
“…What?”
Not expecting me to say this, Yoo Somyung looked at me in a startled tone. I decided to tell her the truth.
“I heard the Murim Alliance is sending the Righteous Sword Knight-errant as their Representative for this matter.”
“R-Righteous Sword Knight-errant…, you mean my dad?”
“Dad?”
“N-No, my father.”
Yoo Somyung belatedly tried to correct herself, but I had already heard her say 'Dad'. It was a title not typically used in Prestigious families, so they must be incredibly close.
“I heard the Family Head of the Shanxi Yu Family cherishes his daughter so much…”
“No, it’s just…, w-we just have a close relationship… But why bring that up…?”
At her question, I gave her a grin and answered.
“There are still many people in the Murim Alliance overflowing with chivalry like your dad… That’s what I wanted to say.”
“Ah…”
I wasn’t just saying empty words; I meant it.
He didn’t get the title Righteous Sword Knight-errant for nothing. His chivalry and character were fully evident in the novel as well.
“There are still many people like your father in the Murim Alliance, so keep them close, cut out bastards like Dokgoyeong, and move forward. You are walking the standard of the Righteous Path, so once you reach the end of that path, the Murim Alliance will naturally return to its proper place.”
“…”
“You are doing well enough right now.”
She listened to my words, stared blankly for a moment, and then asked.
“…How are you so sure that I’m walking the standard of the Righteous Path?”
Because I read the novel.
I couldn’t answer like that, so I smiled and replied.
“Because I’m someone walking the standard of the Unorthodox Path. And you’re walking the exact opposite path.”
“What? Pfft…”
Finding my words funny, she smiled to herself for a moment before looking at me and speaking.
“…If someone else had said that, I think I would have just brushed it off.”
“…”
“Why is it so comforting when you say it…”
As she said that, her eyes were slightly moist. It was similar to the face she made on the day she confessed that she liked me.
Okay. The mood is good.
I took a deep breath for a moment, then parted my lips to bring up the words I had prepared in advance.
But then…
“It’s strange… Why are you being so sweet to me today?”
…Yoo Somyung spoke up before I could.
Rather than the thought of having my thunder stolen, her words lingered in my ears.
Why am I being so sweet today, huh…
“Was it obvious?”
“…You’re too different from usual.”
“Was I too openly sweet…”
Yoo Somyung’s words were true. Today, I had deliberately comforted her and deliberately treated her gently.
There was a crucial reason why I acted this way today.
Since things were already out in the open, dragging it out any longer would be a problem in itself.
I grabbed her right hand with my left hand.
“…!”
I felt her flinch, but since I held it gently so it wouldn’t hurt, she didn’t particularly pull away.
“I told you. Your father is coming this time.”
“…S-So?”
“Let’s go down together this time and meet your father together. And I will tell him confidently.”
“What does that mean…”
Looking at her flustered expression, I pulled out something heavy from my pocket.
“…!!!”
As soon as she saw it, Yoo Somyung’s expression became even more flustered.
“W-Why is this…?”
“I thought I’d need it.”
“S-So why do you need it?”
“Somyung, I need you.”
I placed the prepared item in her hands and said.
“Be my Hostage.”
“…?”
And then, before she could even react, I twisted her right wrist with my left hand and Captured her.