Chapter v19c19

## Imprisonment

– Execute Bi Ryu-Yeon! (Continued)

Contrary to expectations, Bi Ryu-Yeon didn’t react with outrage or protestations of innocence when he was accused of murder. He didn’t say a word.

“Ryu-Yeon…”

Na Ye-Rin’s voice trembled as she looked at him, her eyes filled with concern, not condemnation. She believed in his innocence. She wouldn’t let a few words shatter the trust they had built. She wanted to believe in the man she had come to know. She wanted him to say something, anything, to reassure her. He seemed to sense her turmoil, and he shrugged, a wry smile on his lips.

“It happens. Don’t worry.”

What did he mean by “it happens”? Was he talking about murder in Jianghu? Baek Moo-Young and Cheong-Heun didn’t understand. But Na Ye-Rin did.

“I see.”

She nodded, her expression understanding.

“What do you mean by ‘it happens’?”

Baek Moo-Young, feeling awkward asking Na Ye-Rin, directed his question to Bi Ryu-Yeon instead.

“You don’t even know that?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked incredulously, as if it was common knowledge.

“No, I don’t.”

Baek Moo-Young frowned, his pride wounded, but he answered honestly. Bi Ryu-Yeon was slightly impressed.

“Oh, you’re quite honest. Alright. I’ll tell you, just because you’re honest.”

He said, as if doing him a favor.

“Tell me.”

Baek Moo-Young said curtly.

“Yes, yes, tell us.”

Cheong-Heun chimed in, his tone suggesting he was merely a bystander.

“It happens all the time, breaking the hearts of many innocent people. Some do it to escape their own crimes, others to achieve their ambitions. It’s called a false accusation.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s voice was steady, his words ringing with conviction, as if he were speaking from personal experience. The two men, suddenly cast as villains or incompetent fools who had arrested an innocent man, couldn’t ignore his words.

“Are you claiming you’ve been falsely accused? That you’re innocent?”

“No, I’m not innocent.”

That was an unexpected answer.

“What do you mean?”

“Why should I feel wronged when I’m going to get my revenge a hundredfold? Whoever framed me will face the consequences. I’ll be waiting patiently for that day, so there’s no reason to feel wronged.”

His tone was calm, devoid of anger or resentment, as if he were discussing what to have for lunch. But his words, laced with a hint of amusement, sent a chill down their spines. ‘He’s dangerous!’ Making an enemy of this man would be a lifelong curse.

“So you are saying you’re wronged.”

Baek Moo-Young argued.

“If that’s how you want to interpret it, I won’t stop you. Do you have any proof that I’m not wronged? If you show me the proof, I might stop feeling wronged. You can show me the proof, right? I’m sure the accused would be quite disappointed if you didn’t have any.”

“Well…”

Bi Ryu-Yeon stared at Baek Moo-Young, his sharp gaze hidden from his opponent.

“Oh, so you don’t have any proof yet?”

His voice rose slightly, a deliberate provocation.

“Is that true, Baek Moo-Young?”

Na Ye-Rin’s surprised expression doubled the pressure on Baek Moo-Young. He had to say something. He knew from experience that hesitation would only breed distrust.

“Well… We don’t have any physical evidence. But!”

He paused, then continued,

“We have witnesses.”

It was the best he could do. But it was a weak defense, easily dismissed by Bi Ryu-Yeon’s snort.

“So you’re saying you don’t have any real evidence!”

Na Ye-Rin pointed out. Baek Moo-Young couldn’t meet her gaze. He stared at the ground, his ears burning as he heard her click her tongue. Tsk, tsk…

“You have quite the imagination. Imagination is important, of course. It’s the ultimate driving force that allows us to explore the metaphysical realm, even though we live in the physical realm. Don’t you agree?”

“…?”

“What’s he talking about?”

“Don’t worry about it. He’s just trying to change the subject.”

Baek Moo-Young replied curtly to Cheong-Heun’s question.

“Oh, is that so? I thought it was something profound, since I couldn’t understand it. Hmm, I see!”

Cheong-Heun whispered back. But Bi Ryu-Yeon continued his “tactic.”

“But even imagination needs to be grounded in experience and reality. You can’t build a strong building on a weak foundation. If you let your imagination run wild without any basis in reality, you’ll end up with nothing but delusions. Don’t try to gloss over things. Especially not in this case.”

In other words, he was saying, “Wake up from your delusions!” He had taken a long and winding detour through the metaphysical realm just to deliver that one insult. He was a formidable opponent.

“Are you saying we’re trying to gloss over things? That we’re barking up the wrong tree? Without any evidence, relying only on unreliable witnesses who can’t even be called eyewitnesses?”

Baek Moo-Young retorted sharply.

“I didn’t say that. It seems like your conscience is bothering you. So I assume you’re prepared to face the consequences if your assumptions are wrong, right?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Consequences? What consequences? We’re just doing our duty.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon shook his head, his index finger wagging.

“Arresting an innocent person isn’t part of your duty.”

His words were sharp. But Baek Moo-Young had a counterargument.

“But we have circumstantial evidence.”

“What is it?”

“The body.”

“The body?”

Baek Moo-Young, as if waiting for that question, said,

“Yes. The body has those spiderweb-like red wounds.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s eyes flashed.

“Ryu-Yeon… Don’t tell me…”

He raised his hand, silencing Na Ye-Rin.

“It’s alright, Ye-Rin. Stay out of this.”

He turned back to Baek Moo-Young.

“That’s interesting. Tell me more.”

He asked, emphasizing his detachment from the situation. Baek Moo-Young, though slightly annoyed, described the autopsy in detail, including the unusual wounds and the tiny cut on the victim’s chest.

“I swear on my name and my sect that those wounds weren’t caused by a sword. They were inflicted by a unique weapon. A silk sword, to be precise. As far as I know, you’re the only one in Cheonmu Academy, a gathering of experts, who can inflict such wounds. And the victim’s friends all claim you beat him up. Are you still going to deny it?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon tilted his head.

‘I’ve never used that technique in front of them. How did they know? Did they investigate me?’

The Nine Stars Society had been gathering information on Bi Ryu-Yeon, following the principle of “know your enemy and know yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles.” He was an enigma, but Baek Moo-Young had access to a lot of information.

“I might have inflicted those blue marks. But I didn’t kill him. He wasn’t worth killing. And why would I use such a flashy weapon against a weakling? It would be a waste. It’s not like I’m trying to advertise.”

“You’re right. I was wondering about that too.”

Cheong-Heun, who had also been puzzled by that, agreed unconsciously.

“Cheong-Heun, be quiet. So you’re still not going to admit it?”

Baek Moo-Young said, his voice laced with annoyance. Cheong-Heun grumbled, then fell silent. Bi Ryu-Yeon spoke again.

“You still think I’m the killer. How are you going to take responsibility for dancing to someone else’s tune? You’re supposed to be impartial and objective in your official duties. People didn’t entrust you with this responsibility so you could play games.”

His tone was soft, but his words were sharp.

“Are you saying you’re going to hold us accountable? How dare you!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon smiled.

“I might. I’m not one to let debts go unpaid. I value my credit. And that means settling my accounts.”

No one had ever dared to speak to the scholar and the Peerless Flying Dragon of the Nine Stars Society like that.

“The rumors about you weren’t exaggerated. You truly live up to the saying ‘no one in sight.’ Do you really think you can challenge us? Do you know who we are?”

Baek Moo-Young’s body pulsed with invisible energy. But Bi Ryu-Yeon had experienced too much in his short life to be intimidated by such displays. He scoffed, dismissing the threat.

“So… You’re the scholar and the Peerless Flying Dragon of the insignificant Nine Stars Society? Impressive titles. I hope your skills match your titles. They say empty vessels make the most noise. If you think your titles will protect you, you’re mistaken. And who do you think I am? Do you really know me? Do you think I’m incapable? Alright. What if I refuse to go with you? What are you going to do? Do you have a plan?”

It was a blatant provocation. Cheong-Heun finally drew his sword.

“If you don’t come quietly, we’ll take you by force!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s smile widened.

“Be my guest! Let’s see how strong you’ve become. Aren’t you going to join in? I don’t mind if you both attack me at once. The result will be the same.”

Baek Moo-Young, though annoyed by his arrogance, shook his head.

“I’m a strategist. I prefer to leave the physical work to my friend. I’ll just observe for now.”

“That’s a disadvantage. Well, maybe I’ll show you the technique that gave Hwi so much trouble. I’m curious to see how much stronger I’ve become.”

“You don’t need to use such a powerful technique against me.”

Cheong-Heun said, his voice laced with sarcasm.

“Of course I do.”

The answer came from behind him. Bi Ryu-Yeon was standing there, his presence unnoticed. Cheong-Heun, startled, spun around.

“Don’t be so tense. I haven’t done anything yet.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, smiling. Cheong-Heun felt a cold sweat run down his back.

‘When did he get behind me?’

He had been careless, but Bi Ryu-Yeon’s movements had been too fast for him to detect.

“I admit your footwork is impressive. But you won’t beat me with just that.”

“We’ll see about that. So, have you changed your mind? I assume those other two swords on your back aren’t just for show.”

“Of course not. They won’t disappoint you.”

Cheong-Heun finally decided to fight Bi Ryu-Yeon seriously.

“You’re making a big mistake if you’re thinking about our last encounter.”

“Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t.”

Cheong-Heun replied, his eyes filled with determination.