Chapter 4: I Was Actually Trying to Protect You

Shanxi Yoo Family’s Elder Wi Yongmyeong.

He is known as the most loyal of the loyal who has dedicated his life to the Shanxi Yoo Family for the past 30 years.

‘Publicly,’ that is how he is known.

Sssuk-.

As soon as Wi Yongmyeong stepped out of the family head’s hall, a dark shadow followed him.

In a hurried manner, the shadow asked Wi Yongmyeong.

“Branch Leader… tonight’s operation…”

“Shut up, I’m thinking right now.”

In truth, his real identity is Wi Yongmyeong, the Branch Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Shanxi branch.

He had infiltrated the Shanxi Yoo Family, the most prestigious family in Shanxi, 30 years ago to overthrow it.

However, due to the presence of the family head of the Shanxi Yoo Family over the years, he could not achieve his goal. The presence of the family head, one of the top ten martial artists in the land, was that destructive.

But now, with the family head away on an external mission, taking a significant number of martial artists with him, tonight was undoubtedly the opportunity to overthrow and destroy the Shanxi Yoo Family.

Thus, tonight… he planned to recruit 70% of the Shanxi Yoo Family’s martial artists and eliminate Yoo Jinmyeong, the young master, and Yoo Somyeong, the second daughter.

‘Where the hell is that Yoo Somyeong…?!’

Unexpectedly, Yoo Somyeong, who was supposed to arrive today, had not returned to the main family without any notice.

If he proceeded with the operation and missed her, a bloodline of the Shanxi Yoo Family, it would be all for nothing. However, postponing the operation was not an option as too much had already been prepared.

Thus, Wi Yongmyeong had to make a choice. Whether to proceed with the operation or abandon it.

And then…

“…Proceed as planned.”

Wi Yongmyeong chose the former.

“If we succeed in this, both you and I can enter the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. If that happens, we can serve him closely.”

“Him… Yes, I will prepare quickly. Everything is for him…”

The two men, filled with reverence, did not dare to utter his name.

“The Divine Doctrine is Undefeatable, Heavenly Demon Reigns Over the World.”

“The Divine Doctrine is Undefeatable, Heavenly Demon Reigns Over the World.”

The two men chanted the mantra and returned to their respective positions.

The usually quiet Shanxi Yoo Family was set to have the noisiest and longest night ever.

**

Shanxi Yoo Family’s young master Yoo Jinmyeong.

At 23 years old, he was still young but already renowned for his exceptional martial arts skills, inherited from his father.

Like the other members of the Shanxi Yoo Family, he had a gentle personality and a brilliant mind, allowing him to manage the family without major issues in the absence of the family head.

Of course, it was burdensome…

‘Just a few more days, and father will return.’

…Yoo Jinmyeong consoled himself with that thought as he rubbed his heavy eyelids.

At that moment…

“Young master.”

“Come in.”

A voice called out to Yoo Jinmyeong, who was working late into the night. Upon granting permission, the owner of the voice, Wi Yongmyeong, entered.

“Ah, Elder Wi.”

“I have organized a search party to find the young lady.”

“…Is that so.”

“Would you like to see them?”

“Let’s do that.”

At Wi Yongmyeong’s suggestion, Yoo Jinmyeong stood up and headed outside. Wi Yongmyeong began to explain as he followed behind.

“Currently, many of the Shanxi Yoo Family’s martial artists are on missions, so I could only mobilize the Jinwu Pavilion martial artists. However, they are all skilled in lightness arts, and there are 50 of them…”

“…Jinwu Pavilion?”

Yoo Jinmyeong was about to nod but hesitated.

It was understandable since the Jinwu Pavilion was a guard unit meant to protect the main family.

It seemed excessive to send them out just to greet one person.

“Why did you call the Jinwu Pavilion martial artists…”

Yoo Jinmyeong asked, feeling puzzled, but Wi Yongmyeong answered with a benevolent smile.

“I was worried because the young lady hasn’t arrived early. I might have overprepared a bit.”

“I see.”

Although he felt a bit uneasy, Yoo Jinmyeong couldn’t ignore Wi Yongmyeong’s goodwill.

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Yes, sir!”

When they stepped outside the family head’s hall, the Jinwu Pavilion martial artists were indeed lined up in the training ground.

“Young master, would you like to say a few words?”

At Wi Yongmyeong’s words, Yoo Jinmyeong nodded and addressed the lined-up martial artists.

“I’m sorry for the late hour, but I ask for your help. Please do your best to find Somyeong.”

“Yes, sir!”

Although it seemed a bit excessive, seeing the elite Shanxi Yoo Family martial artists reassured Yoo Jinmyeong that they would find his sister soon.

After hearing the Jinwu Pavilion martial artists’ response, Yoo Jinmyeong walked past them with a satisfied expression.

At that moment…

“Hm?”

Yoo Jinmyeong noticed someone among the martial artists.

Tremble.

A young martial artist from the Jinwu Pavilion was trembling excessively as if he were about to face a battle.

‘That’s strange…’

Since they were going on a simple search mission, Yoo Jinmyeong couldn’t understand why he was so scared.

Tap.

“You there.”

“Yes, young master.”

So he stopped and asked. As he stopped, the atmosphere became subtly tense.

“…Why are you trembling so much?”

“N-no reason.”

“Aren’t you a member of the Jinwu Pavilion? Why is an elite of the Shanxi Yoo Family…”

Despite Yoo Jinmyeong’s question, the young martial artist couldn’t stop trembling and started scratching his wrist frantically as if he couldn’t bear the itch.

It was inappropriate behavior in front of the young master, causing a stir among the others.

Wi Yongmyeong tried to pull the martial artist away, but…

“Young master, it seems he is not ready. I will send him to rest…”

“Wait…”

Yoo Jinmyeong was the first to check the martial artist’s wrist. The young martial artist’s wrist, which he was scratching as if it were itchy, had a red mark resembling a burn scar.

And that red mark was…

“…Demonic Qi.”

It was evidence that the young martial artist was a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult.

Sreung-!

Immediately, things escalated. Although it wasn’t the right time yet, Wi Yongmyeong saw this as an opportunity and drew his sword.

“Kill all those rotten Orthodox Sect bastards-!!”

“Waaaaa-!!”

Following his command, some were confused, and some drew their swords.

“Elder Wi-! What is the meaning of this…!!”

Of course, the most shocked was the young master Yoo Jinmyeong. He was greatly confused by the fact that the trusted Wi Yongmyeong was the first to draw his sword.

“Young master, I’m sorry, but you have to die.”

Cheng-!

“Since when… did you betray us?”

“There’s no need to betray. I was a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult from the beginning.”

Heavenly Demon Cult.

So, Elder Wi was also a demonic human. After pretending to be family for decades, he betrayed them as soon as the father left.

Yoo Jinmyeong, filled with betrayal, raised his sword to block Wi Yongmyeong’s attack.

Then he shouted to the other martial artists who seemed not to be swayed by Elder Wi.

“Eradicate the demonic humans who dared to step into the Shanxi Yoo Family-!”

“Waaaa-!!”

The usually peaceful and quiet Shanxi Yoo Family’s civil war began suddenly and noisily.

And at that very moment…

“…Hey, why is it suddenly so noisy over there?”

“…I don’t know.”

I was sensing something unusual with my subordinates outside the Shanxi Yoo Family’s wall.

**

One shichen ago.

Thud.

“I’m back, young lady.”

“Eek…!!”

As I entered with a blade, Yoo Somyeong, who was restrained and gagged, stepped back with a terrified expression.

Now that I think about it, Yoo Somyeong’s reactions are really generous.

“Young lady, I’ve decided what to do with you.”

“Ugh…”

I raised the blade high so Yoo Somyeong could see it clearly…

“Ugh-!!”

Thunk-!

“Ugh…?”

After planting the blade right in front of Yoo Somyeong, I removed her gag.

Thinking she was about to die, Yoo Somyeong shed a tear and spoke.

“Y-you…”

“Young lady, do you know what our Green Forest Gang does?”

“W-what?”

Yoo Somyeong seemed flustered by my question but quickly rolled her eyes and answered.

“Uh… bandits who set up in the mountains and rob passersby?”

“Wrong.”

“Rogues who bully and capture weak people?”

“…Wrong.”

“Just bad guys, scoundrels who deserve to be condemned by heaven and earth, and should fall into hell…”

“Wrong, wrong, wrong!”

“Ugh…”

I kept saying wrong and hit Yoo Somyeong’s forehead. Then, I kindly explained to her, who now had a red forehead.

“Our Mount Hyeongak Green Forest Hideout is a group of martial artists who protect the order of Mount Hyeongak and safeguard travelers.”

“What……?”

Yoo Somyeong looked at me with a face that said, “Don’t talk nonsense.” I ignored her expression and continued.

“I brought you here today for ‘protection.’ I was worried you might encounter some danger while passing through Mount Hyeongak, so I brought you to the hideout for protection…”

“……”

“Protection… um…”

However, even I, with my thick skin, felt a pang of conscience when I saw Yoo Somyeong’s condition.

There were severe marks on her neck and throat from being hit, her waist was cut by a sword, her clothes were forcibly changed, I had taken her sword and other belongings, she was soaking wet, and her hands and feet were tied, etc…

“Yes, anyway, I have protected you safely until now.”

“……”

At that moment, seeing Yoo Somyeong’s face, I was sure.

If she weren’t tied up, Yoo Somyeong would have immediately grabbed a sword and stabbed me in the neck.