Swoosh!
Another palm flew toward me at rapid speed. Is slapping people this woman's hobby? I pouted, bending my knees and arching my back. Though I didn’t go full "supreme master" by lying horizontally, it was an acrobatic move that would have drawn gasps of admiration from any ordinary person.
“How long do you think you can keep dodging!”
The hand shooting toward my face suddenly curved into a claw. With my body arched back, I’d usually have to roll on the ground to avoid the follow-up, but doing that would surely earn me the disgusting mockery of those wretched maids.
Grandmother told me not to reveal my martial arts, but this was practically a wartime situation. Since things had come to this, teaching them a lesson wouldn't be so bad. Hoping this commotion wouldn’t reach Jeok Igeon’s ears, I extended my left foot while low to the ground and gently pushed Jiae’s hip joint as she charged.
The recoil caused her waist to buckle with a crack, and her fingernails barely grazed my chest as they passed. I took advantage of the opening to quickly snap my upper body back up.
“This bitch knows martial arts too?”
Furious that her confident strike had failed, Jiae glared at me fiercely. She was surprised by the counter, but her contempt remained.
“Even so, you’re not even third-rate. You must have stolen some techniques, but today I’ll thoroughly fix your habits!”
She stepped into her footwork again, each stride carrying considerable power. But how should I put it... it felt clumsy? I wasn't an expert, but that didn't seem like the right way to step. Ms. Shin Geum said footwork wasn’t just about moving; you had to control the intensity—strong yet gentle—while releasing internal energy.
Charging recklessly like an angry colt left so many openings I had to choose where to strike first. Should I start by giving her a taste of her own medicine? I stepped back half a pace to the side and casually extended my foot.
“Ugh!”
With a loud scream, Jiae tumbled onto the ground.
“Th-this bitch learned some wicked sorcery!”
I had merely tripped her, yet she called it sorcery. Her face flushed red with embarrassment as she glanced at her friend and her younger sister—a pitiful sight. That’s why you shouldn’t have bothered me when I was staying quiet. My life motto is to endure in silence, after all.
“Damn it, I’ll kill you!”
Despite her boasting, Jiae couldn’t even scratch me after that. The difference in skill was obvious, but her pride kept her charging and screaming. Doae, watching her older sister, looked pale as he realized something was wrong. Gaye also showed clear signs of panic.
Should I just end this and head back? Surely Jeok Igeon isn't looking for me already?
“Hah!”
Once I made up my mind, I moved. I instantly penetrated her guard and struck her chin upward with my palm.
Bang!
The heavy impact sent Jiae into the air before she dropped to the ground with a thud. It was the same attack I used earlier today, but with much more force.
“Unnie!”
“Jiae!”
It would definitely hurt, but it was a simple fainting spell with no threat to her life. Nevertheless, Doae and Gaye turned pale and ran over, screaming.
Swoosh— Swoosh—
Suddenly, warriors poured down from the walls. Dozens of martial artists surrounded me and the seniors. Each held a sharp weapon, and thick killing intent rippled from their bodies.
Wh-what?
Startled, I gasped and stepped back. Even after five years in this novel, I’d never faced a situation like this. Facing a scene that I’d only read about as "tense" was frightening enough to make my legs weak. But the one I should truly fear was someone else.
“Clear the way! Otherwise, I’ll kill this girl!”
I felt a chilling sensation on my neck. A blade. I was being held hostage by someone I didn’t even know. The warriors hadn't come for me; they were targeting the man who now held me.
Is this guy an idiot? What does he plan to do with a maid as a hostage? Hostages are only useful if the other side actually values their life. You're supposed to pick a noble, not someone like me. Who on earth would step forward to save me?
The warriors ignored me and began closing the distance. As if to prove his threat wasn't empty, the bastard’s blade cut my skin. It was just a sting, but the momentum suggested he’d pierce my throat at any second. The faint scent of blood reached my nose.
I realized then how perilous this was. I thought about running, but my captor was a master whose presence I couldn't even sense until he grabbed me. If I tried to escape clumsily, I’d only hasten my death.
Grandmother, what should I do!
My whole body trembled. Just as I was praying for a savior...
Thwang!
“Kuk!”
With a small explosive sound, the man groaned. His body swayed, and the strength left the arm gripping my neck.
“Heok!”
I seized the chance and scrambled away. That's when I saw him. Jeok Igeon was flying over the wall, flicking his fingers.
Thang! Thang!
The transparent, bead-shaped energy forming at his fingertips shot out like bullets.
“Keuak!”
One pierced the man's wrist, another his ankle. Jeok Igeon’s first shot had apparently targeted the man’s ear; blood was flowing freely as he collapsed, gasping.
“Ah!”
The Jade-Breaking Bullet Technique. Now I remembered. It was a technique Jeok Igeon used frequently in the novel. A supreme martial art where one projects internal energy outward. It wasn't surprising that he knew it, but the timing was the problem.
He was only nineteen. If he could execute the Jade-Breaking Bullet Technique at this age, his other skills must be monstrous. I knew he was a genius, but this far exceeded my expectations. Jeok Igeon was an even bigger monster than I imagined.
“Are you alright?”
While I was lost in thought, Jeok Igeon approached.
Wait, what did he say? I must have heard wrong. For Jeok Igeon to ask after the well-being of a mere maid... my ears were definitely playing tricks on me.
Ignoring my confusion, Jeok Igeon stared at me intently for a moment, then walked steadily toward the man writhing on the ground. A fierce storm of energy gathered in his hand as he raised it. One blow would shred that man like paper.
Was I going to witness a murder on my very first day? Just as I was about to turn away, a majestic voice echoed through the area.
“Stop!”
The warriors, who hadn't budged even when Jeok Igeon appeared, lowered their weapons in unison. They prostrated themselves as if by reflex and shouted:
“We greet the Heavenly Demon!”
“We greet the Heavenly Demon!”
I was as shocked as when I first met Jeok Igeon. Why was the Heavenly Demon here? Naturally, my forehead was already pressed to the ground.
The absolute ruler of the Demon Cult. One of the Ten Supremes of the Murim, and the greatest master under heaven. Meeting the man Grandmother had always warned me to avoid made my heart beat frantically.