***
The night, busy with the disposal of corpses and tidying up, passed, and the morning sun rose again.
The time had come to part ways with the ronin and head toward the front.
The faces of the ronin, who were always cheerful, had become very somber overnight.
It was only natural.
To martial artists who lived by the blade, the death of a friend might not be a rare occurrence, but losing someone was still not easy for anyone.
Furthermore, Warrior Yang, who had always made the atmosphere convivial, and Warrior Lee, who had always humored him and matched his rhythm, were gone, so the void they left behind was even more significant.
“Go safely, Young Master Sunwoo. I shall pray for your martial fortune.”
“Thank you. I also pray that Warrior Jang and Warrior Jong stay healthy. And I hope Warrior Gong builds a happy family.”
After firmly shaking hands with each of them, I finally pulled out three thin booklets that I had kept in my luggage.
I had written them down in my spare time over the past few days.
“I originally made five copies, but I never imagined I would only be giving them to the three of you.”
“What is this?”
I gave a bittersweet smile to them as they received the books with curious eyes and answered.
“It is nothing grand, but it will still be better than the Six Harmonies Internal Art.”
At those words, the eyes of the dejected men snapped wide open.
“Better than the Six Harmonies? Then, could it be?!”
“Yes, it is called the Bo-won Internal Art (Bo-won-sim-beop).”
“No, Young Master!”
Shocked, they hurriedly began to flip through the untitled booklets.
As I had said, the Bo-won Internal Art was not a shoddy technique.
It was the internal art that Unit Leader Seol Poong had obtained from somewhere and given to me to learn in my previous life.
It was also the very internal art that had brought me, who had almost no internal energy, to a full cycle (one gapja)—that is, the highest level of the first-class realm—in less than ten years.
While it couldn't be compared to peak-level internal arts like the Primordial Limitless Internal Art I was currently practicing, if I had to categorize it, it was an internal art that sat right at the threshold of the first-class level.
Naturally, it couldn't even be compared to the third-class Six Harmonies Internal Art.
“At the very back, I also included a few saber forms that I know. Again, they aren't anything grand, but they will be of help.”
While Warrior Jong and Warrior Gong examined the booklets frantically with wide eyes, Warrior Jang looked at me with reddened eyes and spoke.
“Young Master Sunwoo, why on earth are you doing this? How are we to repay this grace...?”
For those without background or connections, a proper internal cultivation method was something they might never obtain in their entire lives; I knew very well what it meant to them as ronin warriors.
Because I had also suffered because of that in my previous life.
The moment I decided I wanted to give them a proper internal art was when we encountered the bandits of the Green Tiger Fortress.
When I saw them trying to block the enemies and making me escape first in a life-threatening situation.
There were a few such people in my previous life as well.
Friends who stayed behind to protect their comrades...
In the early days of going to the front, when my martial arts were low, I was often the subject of my comrades' protection. They would stay behind after sending me away, and in most cases, I never saw those comrades alive again.
But I had seen that same behavior in these men.
In men who were merely ronin hired with money.
No matter how much money one received, it could never be more precious than one’s own life; I knew well how most ronin acted in crisis situations.
Usually, they would abandon the client and flee first.
But these men did not.
Whether it was because of their convictions or because they had grown fond of me, I didn't know, but I wanted to repay the trust they had shown me at the very least.
I spoke with a broad smile.
“Our hearts have connected and we have crossed the line between life and death together, so are we not friends? Since these are things that have become useless to me anyway, there is nothing grand about gifting them to my friends.”
“...Young Master.”
Looking at him as he stared at me as if he were about to burst into tears, I spoke hurriedly.
“Now, now. I must be going. If I stay any longer, it’ll take all day just to cross two mountain passes. I look forward to seeing you all again as first-class warriors next time we meet.”
Then, he wiped away the tears that were streaming down and spoke with a smile.
“Very well. I shall surely reach the first-class realm and seek you out again, Young Master. Let’s have a truly pleasant drink then.”
After firmly shaking hands with each other, I turned around and began to walk away without lingering.
Even when I stole a glance back after walking for quite a while, they were still standing in that same spot, seeing me off.
My heart felt warm.
I had been able to do for them what Unit Leader Seol Poong had done for me in my previous life.
It made me feel that living once more was worth it for this alone.
At that moment, Young Lady Cheong-yeon, who had been standing silently beside me, suddenly spoke to me.
“I have never seen a martial artist share their techniques with outsiders before... Young Master Sunwoo, you are a peculiar person.”
I gave a short laugh at her words and replied.
“They aren't the ultimate techniques of the Sunwoo Clan, so it shouldn't matter, right?”
Then, she stared at my face silently and mumbled something under her breath.
“....”
Unable to hear her, I asked back.
“Pardon? What did you say?”
“Nothing. I was talking to myself.”
In any case, it seemed I needed to have a talk with this peculiar young lady now.
“Um, Young Lady. Do you truly intend to go to the front? At the front, there are countless monsters like the one from yesterday, against whom Sword Qi doesn't work. You could really die.”
Then, after staring toward the front for a moment, she opened her mouth and answered.
“I actually thought about it a lot yesterday. But in the end, it seemed right to go.”
I felt a bit frustrated.
To think she was being stubborn even after seeing that; I thought she was quite an immature young lady.
Out of frustration, I asked again.
“Even after seeing that for yourself?”
Then, while still looking toward the front, she spoke after a moment.
“I don't understand.”
“Pardon?”
“How is it that the fact that people are fighting such things hasn't been made known to the martial world?”
“....”
Her words were true.
Most people only knew that many people died at the front, but they were completely ignorant of exactly what kind of things appeared there.
That was all because of the oath of secrecy.
The Murim Alliance required warriors entering the front to take an oath never to divulge what they experienced and saw there. Along with the threat that a 'Death Order' (Chusal-ryeong) would be issued if they did divulge it.
‘They said the reason was to prevent chaos in the martial world.’
However, we who were actually at the front speculated that it was likely because they wanted to hide the ugly past of the Jeomchang Sect—which had been one of the Nine Great Sects—and the shameful defeat of the Murim Alliance.
Of course, even if that were the reason, it didn't fully resolve all the questions regarding the gag order.
She continued speaking.
“If, as you say, Young Master Sunwoo, such things appear in countless numbers at the front, it means someone is fighting those things there even now, right? But if I were to turn back from here, I would be turning a blind eye despite knowing that, wouldn't I?”
I couldn't see her eyes, but I could tell well enough just from her firm voice.
That she wasn't trying to go to the front out of mere immature heroism.
“I didn't master martial arts because I wanted to live like that. Nor did my father teach me to be that way. Young Master Sunwoo, what do I look like to you? Am I a woman? Or am I a martial artist?”
At her question—where no hesitation could be felt despite her eyes being hidden and her tone being quiet—a sigh escaped me.
“Haaaaa.”
She was right.
Before she was a woman, she was a martial artist.
And one who had reached the highest level of the first-class realm at that.
She even seemed much more mature than I was at twenty-one in terms of her mental state.
To think I had been treating such a martial artist like a naive young girl; I was so pathetic it was absurd.
I bowed to her politely and clasped my hands.
“I have misunderstood your firm conviction. I sincerely apologize, Young Lady.”
Then, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
I think it was the first smile I had seen since I met her.
“I accept your apology. You are quite refreshing in admitting your mistakes and apologizing, Young Master.”
Suddenly, I thought her small, plump, crimson lips were very pretty as she smiled.
“Ha-ap!”
Puhak!
“Kkia-a-a-ak!”
Sword Qi extending two inches swept across the chest of a naked Miao man.
The Miao man’s chest was split open and blood splattered, but after faltering only slightly, the Miao man lunged at the young swordsman once again.
“Pull back, Jeong-rang!”
“Ha-ap!”
The young swordsman vaulted backward to avoid the lunging Miao man, and while the Miao man’s gaze was fixed on him, a woman’s sword lunged from the side as if taking a relay, slicing across the Miao man’s already cut chest once more as she passed by.
Chyu-hak!
“Kki-i-i-ik!”
Then, when the gaze of the Miao man—whose chest was now split even deeper—chased after the woman who had passed, the sword of the man who had retreated flew in like a ray of light and pierced the Miao man’s heart.
Pu-uk!
“Kkia-a-a-a-ak!”
Even with his heart pierced, the Miao man let out a blood-curdling scream and swung his arms wildly, but the man who had driven the sword in had already let go of the sword and vaulted backward.
It was a practiced joint attack, as if gears were turning.
The man smiled broadly and said to the woman.
“We caught one. Good work, Son-mae.”
“You too, Jeong-rang.”
The 'Gan-gwi' (Wild Dog Ghost) whose heart was destroyed would now gradually slow down and stop all movement after about half a gok.
They, who were already dead, would truly die.
The man, who shared an affectionate look with the woman he called Son-mae for a moment, soon looked around.
Everywhere in the dense jungle, eight comrades were fighting other Wild Dog Ghosts in pairs.
Confirming that no comrades looked particularly in danger, the man smiled toward the woman again and said.
“It seems we finished ours the fastest?”
“I guess so.”
While the two observed the battle situation to see if they should support other comrades in case they fell into danger, they also lightly held each other’s hands, enjoying a brief moment of leisure amidst the battle.
It had been a year since the two started dating; to the warriors at the front who lived every day facing death in a remote place far from the world, dating the opposite sex was almost the only human act and pleasure left to them.
Of course, there was a strict rule that it must not interfere with combat.
“The Unit Leader went to hunt a mid-level Wild Dog Ghost, right?”
“Yes, there were about two of them that Sword Qi didn't work on.”
The man, who was watching the comrades' battle intently, smiled slightly toward the woman and said.
“I hope the Unit Leader returns quickly. So that the two of us can be alone sooner.”
It was just as the woman gave a shy, soft smile at the man's words.
Something suddenly sprang out from the nearby thicket.
“Khahahahaha!”
However, the man, who had not neglected his alertness of the surroundings even while talking to the woman, pushed her away sharply and drew the dagger attached to his thigh like a bolt of lightning, swinging it.
“Ha-ap!”
However, a red light was layered over the weapon of the pouncing opponent.
Jjeong!
It was 'Gang-gi' (Astral Qi).
The uniquely shaped scythe infused with Astral Qi sliced halfway through the dagger and became lodged in it; the man, whose expression changed drastically, abandoned the dagger, vaulted backward, and shouted.
“Son-mae, run! It’s the Seven Evil Brothers of the Twin Scythes (Ssang-sak Chil-hyung)!”
However, the woman had already been subdued by a monster who had ambushed her from behind at some point.
“Aaak! Jeong-rang!”
The man’s gaze faltered for a moment upon seeing the woman who was captured after her blood points were struck.
And that brief opening decided the man’s life and death.
Pu-uk!
“Ke-heok!”
“Jeong-rang!”
The scythe of the monster that had chased him from behind had pierced the man’s heart.
“Khe-he-he! How dare you look away with this lord behind your back?”
“Jeong-rang!”
“Ke-hel-hel-hel! Is that girl your lover? Do not worry. I shall soon make her forget a fellow like you. Ke-hel-hel-hel!”
At some point, seven monsters had gathered around the woman.
They were the ones known as the Seven Evil Brothers of the Twin Scythes, who were demons of the Blood Cult.
They were seven middle-aged brothers who used a pair of uniquely shaped scythes; three of them had reached the 'Peak' realm (Jeol-jeong), while four had reached the highest level of the first-class realm.
“Kiya, look at this wench, Brother! My mouth is already watering.”
“Didn't I tell you that the girls of the Biryong Unit are a delicacy?”
“But Brother, there’s another girl over there; are we leaving after catching just this one?”
Looking at the spot one of them pointed to with his finger, a woman had discovered them and was firing a red signal flare into the air.
Peo-eong!
Staring at the signal spreading red across the sky, Ji-mak, the eldest of the Seven Evil Brothers, spoke.
“Since she fired a red flare, annoying fellows will swarm here soon... but let’s take one more wench anyway.”
“As expected! That’s good, Brother!”
“Second and Third, follow me!”
“Yes, Brother!”
“Yes, Brother!”
Soon, three of the Seven Evil Brothers vaulted their bodies toward the woman who had fired the flare.
Then, Mae Yeo-gyeong, the Deputy Leader of the 4th Squad of the Biryong 13th Unit, shouted to the other squad members.
“Cease combat! Gather immediately and form a defensive formation!”
At her words, the squad members who had been facing the Wild Dog Ghosts immediately disengaged, gathered in one place, and formed a circular formation.
They were practiced movements without a single wasted motion.
However, to the three of the Seven Evil Brothers who were peak-level masters, it only looked laughable.
“Khe-he-he-he-he! Will that be enough?!”
The eldest, Ji-mak, discharged red Astral Qi—the symbol of a peak-level master—and pounced toward them.
Mae Yeo-gyeong, who was a warrior at the highest level of the first-class realm, gritted her teeth and shouted.
“Hold on! The Unit Leader will be here soon!”
Chae-cheng! Cheng! Cheng!
The members of the 4th Squad did their utmost to block the attacks of Ji-mak, the peak-level master.
However, the blades of their weapons, unable to withstand the Astral Qi, were being deeply notched.
“We are here too!”
“Khe-he-he-he-he!”
Behind him, the two younger brothers of the Seven Evil Brothers were pouncing again. From their scythes, a thin layer of Astral Qi was being emitted, though not as much as the eldest’s.
Just as the faces of the 4th Squad members distorted and they gritted their teeth, a whistling sound was heard from somewhere.
“Ppi-i-i-i-i-ik!”
A long whistle that sounded like the cry of a hawk—it was the symbol of Ma Yu-gyeom, the 'Sword Eagle of Jeomchang' and the Leader of the 4th Squad.
“It’s the Unit Leader!”
“The Unit Leader is here!”
As the faces of the 4th Squad members brightened, a handsome young man was flying in like a meteor along with the long whistle.
“Tsk! The Sword Eagle of Jeomchang is here! Brother, what should we do?!”
When the second brother asked the eldest, Ji-mak, he snorted and said.
“It’s only one guy anyway; I’ll handle him! You two take care of these fellows!”
Shouting that, the eldest, Ji-mak, vaulted his body toward Ma Yu-gyeom.
“Brat, die!”
“Ha-a-a-ap!”
As the two clashed in mid-air, red and blue Astral Qi collided, beginning to create brilliant sparks.
Teo-teong! Teong! Teong! Kwang! Kwang!
Ma Yu-gyeom’s skill was remarkable.
Despite his young age in his twenties, he showed an amazing performance, not being pushed back even an inch by Ji-mak, the eldest of the notorious Seven Evil Brothers.
And he wasn't the only one who appeared.
The fourth of the Seven Evil Brothers, who had been chasing from behind, shouted.
“Big Brother! Another person is coming over there!”
At the spot he pointed to, a woman was running across the trees at a terrifying speed, as if flying.
She was a woman so beautiful that one's eyes would snap wide open even from a distance. The fourth brother shouted as if screaming.
“That wench! It’s Dang Yeo-eun! Brother!”
Dang Yeo-eun, the Leader of the 3rd Squad of the Biryong 13th Unit and known as the 'Sword Phoenix of the Tang Family,' was a famous beauty throughout Yunnan Province.
The fourth brother’s eyes were burning as he looked at her.
And the same was true for the eldest, Ji-mak, who was fighting Ma Yu-gyeom.
In fact, the reason they had targeted the Biryong 13th Unit several times was to capture Dang Yeo-eun.
Ji-mak shouted while clashing with Ma Yu-gyeom.
“I’ll handle this fellow, so all of you go! Just catch that wench and leave this place immediately!”
Then his younger brothers brightened and shouted.
“Yes, Brother!”
Then, with only the woman they had captured earlier slung over their shoulders, they began to vault their bodies toward the direction Dang Yeo-eun was running from.