Chapter 10: Bandit Ending
by Fat PenguinIn the novel, the key point of Yoo Somyeong’s growth was the lost Willow Flower Sword Technique.
The current Willow Flower Sword Technique differs from what the first family head of the Shanxi Yoo Family created in the past.
In the novel, Yoo Somyeong realizes this and strives to restore the Willow Flower Sword Technique to its original form. Eventually, she discovers that the original Willow Flower Sword Technique is a type of Shifting Sword and Phantom Sword with the Essence of Capture.
Of course, in the end, she fails to reach the peak of the restored Willow Flower Sword Technique and dies in the war against the Demonic Sect.
I found that regrettable.
So I helped her approach the restoration of the Willow Flower Sword Technique faster than in the novel.
And the result is…
Swoosh swoosh swoosh-!!
…It seems to be a success.
The trajectory of the sword containing the perfect Essence of Capture.
Although it’s not perfect yet as the Techniques are not fully organized…
Swish-, Slash-!
A gentle movement reminiscent of a willow tree. And a calm aura that doesn’t feel like a life-or-death battle.
Although it still looks immature, she has broken through the wall at least a few years faster than in the novel.
Moreover, she’s even reached a Trance state, so her growth will be even faster.
In this world we’re living in now, there’s a cheat character called the ‘protagonist’, so being the Best in the World might be difficult…
“But being the best in Shanxi might be possible?”
The Willow Flower Sword Technique is a Late Bloomer type of sword technique.
Thinking about how enormous that young willow might become in the future made me feel a bit proud.
**
In a Trance state, one usually loses all consciousness and memory.
However, Yoo Somyeong was not in a completely unconscious state right now.
As if dreaming, she was merely observing the entire situation from a third-person perspective.
“Arghhhh-!!”
‘Elder Wi is screaming. He looks in pain.’
Of course, she could only watch fragmented scenes in this dazed state.
‘I’m swinging my sword. The Willow Flower Sword Technique. But it’s different from the original Willow Flower Sword Technique…’
The original Willow Flower Sword Technique she used focuses on the Essence of Speed. However, the Willow Flower Sword Technique she’s using now, while not slow, is much slower than the original.
But…
Clang-!!
‘I block it.’
She effortlessly and smoothly blocks Wi Yongmyeong’s attack, which is much faster than hers. More precisely, it’s closer to deflecting rather than blocking.
There was also a difference in the attack method.
The original Willow Flower Sword Technique focused on using speed to cut the opponent’s vital points with a single strike, but her current movements…
Swoosh swoosh-!
She doesn’t put all her effort into cutting vital points.
She doesn’t put everything into a single strike.
Just slowly… while receiving the opponent’s attacks…
Slash-!
She confuses the opponent by mixing in Fake Moves.
Wi Yongmyeong’s eyes seemed flustered by the attacks coming from all directions. He tried to defend by reacting with his fists in all directions, but…
Slash-!!
“Arghhhh-!!”
What he blocked was just a Fake Move with nothing in it. The real Killing Move was hidden in the deepest part, striking the most fatal spot.
‘Strange… the killing intent…’
The dazed Yoo Somyeong could tell that her sword was quite peculiar.
Even when using a Killing Move, no killing intent emanates from the sword. Despite wielding a sharp sword, it feels gentle… as if trying to embrace the opponent.
That’s why it’s difficult to detect and react to the Killing Move hidden among the Fake Moves.
This was the reason why Wi Yongmyeong, who was much faster, couldn’t defend against her attacks.
Swoosh swoosh-!!
“Ugh-!”
Slash-!
“Ugh… huff…”
After several exchanges like this, Wi Yongmyeong continued to get injured, and Yoo Somyeong’s sword became sharper.
‘It’s almost over…’
Yoo Somyeong instinctively felt that this Life-or-Death Confrontation was nearing its end.
Fast but slow. Slow but fast.
Yoo Somyeong’s hands began to create afterimages. Wi Yongmyeong, who already couldn’t distinguish the Killing Moves, struggled even more with his defense.
Tap-.
Her footwork also changed. If the previous footwork was passive and focused on defense, now it’s pressing forward and pressuring the opponent.
‘Faster… more gently…’
Thus, her accelerated form looked almost like dancing from afar, but it was different for her opponent.
A storm.
Wi Yongmyeong felt Yoo Somyeong’s movements like a massive storm. A quiet but enormous storm… hiding death within.
Finally, when Yoo Somyeong found an opening and dove in front of Wi Yongmyeong…
Swoosh swoosh swoosh-!!
“Arghhhh-!!”
The quiet storm slashed Wi Yongmyeong to pieces.
Slash-!
First, the arms and legs.
Slash-!
Then, the sides.
Slash-!!
Lastly, the solar plexus and neck.
Slash-!!
New Willow Flower Sword Technique – Willow Flower Wild Dance.
This was the Technique that would be named as such in the future.
And so, Yoo Somyeong, using the still immature but beautiful and smooth Willow Flower Wild Dance…
“Urgh…”
Thud-.
Defeated Wi Yongmyeong, who had even undergone Demonification.
“Ugh… ugh…”
“……”
“I also… I also want to wield such a sword… ugh…”
Although he uttered words mixed with regret, his vital points were already severely damaged. Yoo Somyeong, in her Trance state, sensed this and sheathed her sword.
But then…
“I too… I too want beautiful… ugh… Arghhhh-!!!”
“…!”
Suddenly, Wi Yongmyeong started screaming as if in more pain than when he was cut by the sword. At the same time, the Demonic Qi rising from his body could be seen burning.
Yoo Somyeong, facing a Demonic Human for the first time, didn’t know.
That when a Demonic Human who has undergone Demonification dies, all the Demonic Qi in their body gathers in their Dantian and forcibly explodes to achieve Mutual Destruction with their opponent.
“Arghhhh-!!”
Boom-!
Sensing the gravity of the situation, she stepped back, but the explosion was already in progress.
‘No.’
Anticipating the worst from the ominous flow of Demonic Qi, she tightly closed her eyes.
Swish-.
“I’ll handle that since it’s beyond Young Lady’s ability.”
“…!”
And when she opened her eyes again at the familiar voice, she found herself wrapped in someone’s thin but firm embrace.
Looking up, she saw the Mountain Bandit, whose impression had changed drastically from before, channeling energy into a sword he had obtained from somewhere.
Rustle-.
Although he was merely infusing energy into the sword, she felt a chill that seemed to clear her mind even in her Trance state.
Finally, as his sword was raised high…
“…Divine Art.”
…With an incomprehensible mutter, the sword was swung.
Boom-!
Even in her dazed state, Yoo Somyeong clearly witnessed what happened before her eyes.
Crack-!
A ripping sound as if tearing through the air, Wi Yongmyeong being split in two, and his Demonic Qi dissipating.
And…
A single strike cutting through the void, perhaps the sharpest in the world.
It was… the realm of a God of War that a swordmaster could never forget.
**
“Phew…”
That was a close call.
The Mutual Destruction of those Demonic Sect bastards is so vicious that it can take out even an outstanding master in one go.
It’s fortunate that I was able to handle it before Yoo Somyeong got caught up in it.
Swish-.
“…?”
Feeling something warm on my cheek, I looked down to see Yoo Somyeong placing her hand on my face with a blank expression.
Her eyes were half-closed, perhaps due to the aftereffects of the Trance state.
She asked me in a sleepy voice.
“My lord…”
“What?”
“Who… exactly are you…?”
I almost burst out laughing at her question.
It was amusing because her way of addressing me had changed from ‘that Mountain Bandit bastard’ to ‘my lord’.
I whispered in her ear with a grin.
“My identity is…”
“……”
“A very handsome Mountain Bandit.”
“……”
I deliberately joked, but there was no sign of laughter on Yoo Somyeong’s face. She seemed to understand my desire to hide my identity.
At the same time, her eyes grew heavier. She must be really struggling to stay awake now.
Still, as if unwilling to give up, Yoo Somyeong asked again with effort.
“Then… at least… your name…”
“……”
“Please… I want to know the name of my benefactor…”
“……”
That earnest question made me hesitate for a moment, but…
“…Muyeon.”
“……”
“My name is Muyeon.”
…I engraved my name for her.
“Mu… yeon…”
Yoo Somyeong repeated my name a few more times as if trying not to forget it…
“Muyeon…”
…and then closed her eyes.
I laid her down on the ground and stood up.
“It’s unlikely, but if we can meet again, let’s do so.”
It was time for me to leave.
**
“Mmm…”
“Somyeong, are you awake!”
“Uh… Brother…?”
“Yes, Somyeong. It’s your brother. Are you coming to your senses?”
Yoo Somyeong woke up to a familiar voice. Her body felt stiff, as if she had been asleep for a long time.
“This place…”
“It’s your room. Do you remember? You’ve been asleep for two whole days.”
“Two days… Ah!”
Hearing that she had slept for two days, Yoo Somyeong finally came to her senses and asked her brother Yoo Jinmyeong urgently.
“Brother…! What about Elder Wi…!”
Hearing her urgent voice, Yoo Jinmyeong gently stroked her head and said.
“It’s all been taken care of. Elder Wi, as well as the other Demonic Humans under him, are all dead. Somyeong, you… protected our family.”
“Ah…”
The joy of protecting the family was short-lived as the image of the Mountain Bandit, no, her benefactor, flashed in Yoo Somyeong’s mind.
“…It wasn’t me who did it.”
“…What?”
“That Mountain Bandit… no, that person… He did it all.”
Although their first meeting was the worst, what he gave to Yoo Somyeong was immense.
He gave Yoo Somyeong insight into the lost Willow Flower Sword Technique and saved her and her family.
“He cut down Wi Yongmyeong, and probably dealt with the other Demonic Humans too. He even gave me…”
Yoo Somyeong started praising him excitedly.
“Ah, who could he be? A reclusive master who turned his back on the world, or perhaps an old master who has Reversed Age and Returned to Youth? Whatever the case, he must be a righteous swordsman full of virtue.”
He appeared like the wind and saved her and her family from crisis. Add to that his handsome appearance…
Her mind was instantly filled with admiration for him. At the same time…
Thump.
Thinking of him made her heart race and her cheeks flush.
At 18 years old, it was a late first love for her, who had known nothing but martial arts.
“Has he left?”
“If you’re talking about ‘that person’, he left immediately after the incident that day.”
“How regrettable…”
Yoo Somyeong recalled her last memory of him with a sense of disappointment.
‘He said his name was Muyeon.’
Muyeon (ç„¡ç·£). A name meaning ‘no connection’.
Perhaps… it was a name he hastily made up, meaning not to meet again.
‘Does he… not want to meet me again?’
However, she was a righteous disciple of the Orthodox Sects.
She had no intention of letting such a great debt of gratitude go unpaid.
She made up her mind to find him again and repay the favor.
But then…
“Somyeong, actually, there’s something I need to tell you…”
“Yes? What else…”
As Yoo Somyeong was burning with thoughts about Muyeon, Yoo Jinmyeong opened his mouth with a heavy expression.
“If you’re not too weak to move, follow me for now…”
“…Yes.”
‘What could it be?’
Yoo Somyeong followed her brother with a slightly uneasy feeling.
The place Yoo Jinmyeong headed was the family head’s room located in the deepest part of the main house. Just before arriving, Yoo Jinmyeong spoke with a trembling voice.
“…Somyeong.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“You know that there’s a Secret Repository under the family head’s room where all the treasures of the Shanxi Yoo Family are kept, right?”
“Yes… Of course.”
The Secret Repository containing all the history and treasures of the Shanxi Yoo Family, from the first family head to her father, the current family head Yoo Haseong.
She had visited that hidden place under the family head’s room with her father when she was young.
But…
“Oh, Oh Brother, this is!”
“……”
Upon entering the family head’s room, it was in disarray as if thieves had broken in, and the secret door to the Secret Repository was open.
Surprised by this, Yoo Somyeong went down, only to find the state of the Secret Repository even worse.
“Ah…”
The precious Elixirs and Secret Manuals of the Shanxi Yoo Family. Items used by past family heads, and so on.
Treasures of immeasurable value… all gone.
“Did the Demonic Humans…”
“……”
“Did the Demonic Humans dare… to do this?”
Feeling a surge of fury like a thousand flames, Yoo Somyeong asked.
This Secret Repository is not just a treasure vault, but a place where the soul of the Shanxi Yoo Family is contained.
To dare make such a mess of this place, absolutely unforgivable…
Swish-.
“…?”
As Yoo Somyeong was thinking this, Yoo Jinmyeong handed her a letter.
His hand was trembling terribly as he passed it.
“This… was found on the floor of the ransacked Secret Repository…”
“What could this possibly be…”
And upon receiving and reading it, Yoo Somyeong could only freeze.
‘Young Lady, I’ll take plenty of Protection Fee for myself! Always grateful!’
“……”
As Yoo Somyeong couldn’t speak after seeing the letter, Yoo Jinmyeong, unable to hold back anymore, burst into tears and wailed.
“Alas…!! They took everything…!! Alas… I have no face to show our ancestors…! Huu-huk!”
“……”
‘Since I’ve protected you until now, I should receive the Protection Fee in return, right?’
‘I think I should receive double the Protection Fee, don’t you?’
‘Protection Fee tripled. Okay?’
‘After calculating, triple doesn’t seem enough, so let’s make it quadruple.’
After singing about Protection Fee, Protection Fee, he really cleaned them out thoroughly.
“Ha, haha…”
A hollow laugh escaped from the dejected Yoo Somyeong.
“So, as expected from that Mountain Bandit… He didn’t help us for free after all… I was willing to pay a price, but this is too much… Of course, I’m grateful, but… No matter how I look at it…”
Gratitude and resentment.
Yoo Somyeong’s mind was in turmoil, having received both from that Mountain Bandit so intensely.
After muttering like a madman for a while, the words that poured out of Yoo Somyeong’s mouth were…
“You son of a bitch-!!!”
…A curse filled with clear hostility.
“So-Somyeong?”
Yoo Jinmyeong, who had never seen his younger sister curse before, was so shocked that he stopped crying. Nevertheless, Yoo Somyeong couldn’t hold back her curses and anger, continuing to pour them out.
“You son of a bitch-!! You bastard-!! I’ll never… never forgive you-!!”
She loves her family. She respects her ancestors.
But that Mountain Bandit bastard had completely trampled on the soul of the Shanxi Yoo Family.
No matter how she thought about it, the debt he owed her was greater than the favor he had done.
She was a rightful successor of the Orthodox Sects.
She had no intention of letting such a great debt go unpaid.
“I will definitely find you and punish you-!!”
Yoo Somyeong screamed like that while looking at the empty Secret Repository.
At that moment, her resentment and hatred towards Muyeon… was almost on par with her feelings towards the Heavenly Demon Cult.
**
“By the way, Boss.”
“Yeah?”
“How did you know there was such a secret storage and send us there in advance?”
To this, I answered with a proud smile.
“Hey, kid. We’ve lived together for so long, how could you not know? Is there anything in this world that your Boss doesn’t know?”
“Haha, that’s right!”
“If Boss says so, we’d even get rice cakes while sleeping!”
As they laughed and spoke, each of my subordinates’ arms were full of rare treasures.
We had thoroughly cleaned out the Secret Repository of the Shanxi Yoo Family.
I can’t even imagine how much we’ve earned in just one night.
Originally, I was planning to receive about quadruple the Protection Fee, but what we’ve taken now is probably about nine or ten times that amount?
‘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 Technique.
This much should be enough for Young Lady Yoo to understand generously.
…Probably?
“Ah, whatever. If she won’t forgive me, what can I do about it?”
I decided to act like a proper Mountain Bandit and cut my losses.
“Boss! So where are we going now? We can’t go back to our original home… Should we move somewhere else?”
“Hey, Dongryong. Don’t you remember what I always say? Have you forgotten?”
“Hmm… ‘Try to make money, you bastards.’ Something like that?”
Thwack-.
After hitting the back of Dongryong’s head for talking nonsense, I opened my mouth.
“Since you seem to have forgotten, I’ll tell you again. ‘Evil is like the wind, wherever we go is our path!'”
“What does that mean?”
“How many mountains are there in the world? We’re Mountain Bandits, so any mountain in the world is our home. Come on, boys! Now that we’re rich, let’s move to a proper place!”
“Woohoo-!!”
“We’ve made so much money today, if I just get a new bride now, I’ll have no regrets even if I die-!”
“With Boss’s personality, what lady would marry you-! Haha-!”
“You bastard.”
We set off on our journey, joking around and singing happily with each other.
Maybe it’s because we’ve made so much money, but the mood is great.
For some reason, I feel like I can hear someone’s resentful voice full of grudge behind my head, but it must be my imagination, right?
“Let’s go-! To the south-!”
I decided on a destination in the south, as far away from the Heavenly Demon Cult as possible.
Now that we’ve made a hefty sum of money, I’ll live happily as an ordinary rich man, observing from afar in a place far from the battleground between the Heavenly Demon Cult and the Murim Alliance.
This is actually fire
More later today~~
Wasn’t he just an ordinary bandit how is he pulling a divine skill out of his assðŸ˜, novel has great potential tho had fun reading every chapter