Chapter 25
At the moment I lost control of myself and was about to pounce on Seol-hee and Jang Seo-yeong, word came that one of Elder Gu's search-party members had rushed back to the family.
I hurriedly threw on my clothes and went outside. The cold air brushed against my skin.
A martial artist waiting by the door greeted me with a tense expression.
"Young Family Head! We've found the Family Head and Miss So-hee. But they're currently being pursued by a Black Dragon Sect pursuit unit. Elder Gu has requested immediate reinforcements.“
"Where?“
"Near the Ogeom Sect.“
"Summon the family's martial artists immediately. I'll go myself.“
With those words, I quickly sorted out the situation, my thoughts racing. Besides, this was a good opportunity to test my skills, which had reached the first-rate realm.
Just then, I heard Jang Seo-yeong's voice from behind me.
"Seo-yoon…. I'll go with you.“
When I turned around, Jang Seo-yeong was standing there with a sword in her hand and a resolute expression. Her eyes were filled with determination.
"Understood. Since you've also reached the first-rate realm, Mother, let's go together.”
I immediately set out for the Ogeom Sect with the summoned martial artists, including Jang Seo-yeong.
We selected our fastest horses and set off.
"The Family Head and Miss So-hee were found in a ravine near the Ogeom Sect."
I rode on while listening to the search-party member's report. The fact that a Black Dragon Sect pursuit unit was following them concerned me.
Jang Seo-yeong's expression was dark as she rode beside me. Since she had heard nothing about Jin Myeong-woo, her concern seemed profound.
I spurred my horse faster with the whip. Dark clouds began gathering in the sky.
The sound of hooves thundered across the earth. As dark clouds spread across the sky, our party raced toward the Ogeom Sect at full speed.
'Is it going to rain.'
I looked up at the sky and thought. If it rained, tracking them would become difficult. I had no concern for the Jin Family Head's life or death. The safety of Jin So-hee, whom I had set my sights on, mattered more to me.
"We can see smoke ahead!"
At one martial artist's cry, everyone's gaze turned forward. Black smoke was billowing in the distance.
'Has the battle already begun….‘'
I lashed the horses even harder. Their speed increased another notch.
The closer we drew to the ravine, the more intense the aura became. There was no doubt that a battle between first-rate masters was underway.
The first raindrop fell. The sky grew darker and darker.
***
Jin So-hee, who had barely survived while fleeing the Black Dragon Sect, was hurriedly leading her wounded father out through the mountains.
"There!"
A Black Dragon Sect pursuit unit wielding swords was chasing them from deep within the ravine.
"S-So-hee…. Leave me and go…."
"Father…. Don't give up."
The Jin Family Head, who had lost one arm, spoke with difficulty. Leading her father, Jin So-hee squeezed out what little inner power remained in her dantian and used her qinggong to flee.
The pursuit unit gradually drew closer, and before long, they were surrounded.
"Heh heh heh, where do you think you're running?"
"Chuhyungpae…."
"That wench looks so feisty. It'd feel damn good to pin her down and have my way with her.“
”......“
Jin So-hee drew her sword and prepared for a final battle.
”Give up. If you spread your legs of your own accord, I'll spare your father's life.“
”Shut up! You're every bit as filthy as you look, you disgusting bastard.“
Jin So-hee raised her sword and released a sharp aura. She was gathering the last of her strength.
Then it happened. The sound of horse hooves came from far away.
"Family Head! Miss!“
It was Elder Gu's voice. The martial artists of the Jin family, led by Elder Gu, were arriving.
"Elder Gu!"
Hope blossomed in Jin So-hee's eyes.
"Heh heh heh, the Jin family's riffraff have shown up."
Chuhyungpae drew two axes. Red energy rose from his axes.
"Protect the Family Head and Miss. I'll handle Chuhyungpae!“
”Hahaha, you dare say you'll face Blood-Axe Twin Fiend Chuhyungpae alone!“
Elder Gu stepped forward. Standing before Chuhyungpae, he drew his sword. Killing intent rose in his eyes when he saw the Jin Family Head's pitiful condition.
"Chuhyungpae, I'll end your life here!"
Elder Gu released sword qi and swung at Chuhyungpae's neck. A cold sword gleam split the air.
But Chuhyungpae's two axes blocked his sword. The red energy rising from the axes swallowed Elder Gu's sword qi.
"Heh heh heh… I don't have time to play with an old man…."
A cruel smile spread across Chuhyungpae's lips. The black energy rising from his axes grew denser and denser.
"I'll show you the power my master gave me! Iron Dragon Twin Axes—Blood River Rampage (血河狂暴)!"
Chuhyungpae's two axes whipped about like rivers of blood, their red energy swirling like a blood-dyed current. Along with the Black Dragon Sect's sinister inner power, they radiated a mad strength.
Elder Gu's sword blocked the axes, but he was being driven back by the bizarre power pouring from them.
"Iron Dragon Twin Axes—Twin-Headed Demon Fiend (雙頭魔煞)!"
Chuhyungpae's two axes flew in crossed arcs like two vicious beasts. The black and red energies intertwined, unleashing an even more ferocious power.
Elder Gu's sword collided with his axes. A powerful shockwave burst forth.
'This….‘'
Elder Gu's eyes widened. Chuhyungpae's skill was completely different from the rumors. The red energy rising from his axes writhed as though it were alive.
"Heh heh heh, die!"
Chuhyungpae's axe split the air. Elder Gu's sword blocked it, but he was driven back by the bizarre power pouring from the axe.
-Clang!
Elder Gu's sword collided with Chuhyungpae's axe.
'They said Chuhyungpae was at the very peak of second-rate, so how is he this strong?!'
Elder Gu's eyes widened. The red energy rising from the axe had already surpassed the first-rate realm and was reaching even higher. Worse, a murderous madness emanated from it.
"Heh heh heh. Surprised? This is the power of the elixir my master bestowed upon me!"
Chuhyungpae's axe split the air once more. Elder Gu barely blocked it, but the impact made his feet scrape across the ground as he was pushed back.
-Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew whenever the sword and axes collided.
"Take this!"
Elder Gu's sword grazed Chuhyungpae's shoulder. But he ignored the cut and immediately counterattacked.
"Hahaha! This is my power!"
Chuhyungpae's laughter echoed through the ravine. His axe knocked Elder Gu's sword aside.
-Clang!
Elder Gu's sword flew into the air. Two axes crossed as they flew toward his unguarded chest.
"Kugh!"
Spitting blood, Elder Gu collapsed to the ground. Blood flowed without stopping from the deep gashes.
"Elder Gu!"
Jin So-hee's scream echoed through the ravine. Chuhyungpae sneered as he watched her.
"Heh heh. What are you waiting for? Kill the rest."
At Chuhyungpae's command, the Black Dragon Sect's martial artists charged the Jin family's warriors. Watching them, Chuhyungpae approached Jin So-hee, who stood with her sword aimed at him.
"Heh heh. The more I look at you, the prettier you get, wench."
Red energy still rose from his axes. Murderous intent and greed mingled in his crazed gaze as he stared at Jin So-hee.
Jin So-hee stood with her sword drawn to protect her wounded father, her expression cold. But her hand was trembling faintly.
"Die!"
Jin So-hee swung her sword at Chuhyungpae. A cold sword gleam split the air.
But Chuhyungpae's axe lightly knocked her sword aside.
"Kukuku, you're pretty feisty. Go on, struggle some more! Let's see how long you last!"
“Kk…. Hup!”
Jin So-hee's sword split the air once more. But Chuhyungpae, who had easily deflected it, moved even closer.
'At this rate….‘'
Accumulated fatigue weighed her down, but Jin So-hee continued gripping her sword tightly and attacking without pause.
"I've had enough of your struggling. Now get ready to serve your husband!”
Chuhyungpae sneered with a vile smile. Jin So-hee steadied her ragged breathing and lifted the corners of her lips.
"Husband? You? With that turned-up nose and pig snout, no one could tell whether you're a man or a pig just by looking at you—and you think you'd be my husband? What a delusion.“
At her provocation, Chuhyungpae's face twisted in an instant.
"You…!“
His eyes rolled with rage, and the axe in one hand flashed.
Jin So-hee forcibly steadied her exhausted body and raised her sword high. A mocking smile still lingered on her lips.
"Don't mistake a pig for a human just because it can speak human words!“
Chuhyungpae's face flushed red at Jin So-hee's taunt.
"Tch…. I indulged you, and now you think you can say anything. Let's see if you can still wag that mouth after I cut off your arms and legs and let my men have their way with you!“
Chuhyungpae, his face mottled red, swung his axe at Jin So-hee's arm.
'Now.'
Her taunt had worked, and the enraged Chuhyungpae had left an opening. She swung her sword toward it.
-Clang!
"Kuhaha! Did you think I'd fall for such a clumsy trick?"
Jin So-hee's attack was blocked, and Chuhyungpae seized her arm. In that instant, she felt as though all hope had collapsed.
"Before I cut off your limbs, I ought to have a taste. I can't wait to see you pinned beneath me, squealing."
Chuhyungpae's repulsive face drew close.
'Ah…. Myeong-woo….'
The face of her beloved younger brother flashed through her mind. Thinking that everything was over, she closed her eyes and prepared to bite her tongue.
"Don't touch my little sister with those filthy hands, pig."
Chuhyungpae noticed the sword thrusting toward his neck and instinctively swung his axe to block it, but the force drove him backward. The grip on Jin So-hee's arm loosened from the impact.
"Who are you! How dare you!"
”I have no name to give a pig bastard.“
"You keep calling me a pig…. I am Blood-Axe Twin Fiend Chuhyungpae!"
Even denser red energy rose from Chuhyungpae's axe.
The axe flew in like lightning. Red energy flowing along its blade split the air.
Jin Seo-yoon's sword blocked his axe.
"Kk…."
The tremendous force pouring from the axe made Jin Seo-yoon's feet scrape across the ground as the fighter was pushed back. Chuhyungpae's elixir-enhanced strength was beyond imagination.
"Heh heh heh, you're nothing special either!"
Chuhyungpae's second axe split the air. Jin Seo-yoon twisted his body and barely evaded it, but blood flowed from the wound where the blade grazed his shoulder.
”Watch out! Chuhyungpae is at the very peak of first-rate now!“
Jin So-hee's cry came from behind me. I gave a small nod.
Chuhyungpae had already surpassed the first-rate realm. But his power was unstable. Perhaps because of the elixir's side effects, there was madness in his eyes.
'Nothing good will come of dragging this out.‘'
I couldn't give him too much time. It would be troublesome if he went berserk.
"Die!"
A succession of axe blows flew at me like a downpour. The axes wrapped in red energy split the air.
-Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks flew whenever the sword and axes collided.
Jin Seo-yoon's sword slashed at his thigh. The wound was not deep, and Chuhyungpae ignored it as he swung his axe.
"Hahaha! You think you can bring me down with something like this!"
He ignored the cut and immediately counterattacked. The elixir had already left his body far from normal.
"Do you know? Before butchering a pig, you beat it while it's still alive. As luck would have it, there's a pig right in front of me."
Jin Seo-yoon's cold voice rang out. White energy rose from the sword in his hand.
"What…?"
Chuhyungpae's eyes widened at the white sword qi before him. He realized that Jin Seo-yoon had been concealing his true strength all along.
"Now the real fight begins, pig."
The white sword qi bursting from the sword pushed Chuhyungpae's axe away. His feet scraped across the ground as he was driven back.
”Kheok……! Y-you…!“
Chuhyungpae's crazed eyes twisted even further. The frenzied red energy burst explosively from his axe as he launched a counterattack.