Chapter v10c22: The Late Bi Ryu Yeon’s Memorial

– The Funeral of Na Yerin and Her Companion

A pyre made of well-dried, thick logs was prepared for the cremation. Two coffins were placed on it. Both were empty.

Forty-four days had passed since the collapse of the Phantom Demon Cave, but neither people nor bodies had been found. The only missing persons were Bi Ryu Yeon and Na Yerin. Whether it was divine intervention or sheer skill, there were no fatalities despite the massive explosion. It was a miraculous occurrence. However, there were numerous injuries. Some people had limbs crushed by falling rocks, resulting in permanent disabilities.

The current tally was 321 participants, with 0 deaths, 151 injuries, and 2 missing persons. Those two missing persons were Bi Ryu Yeon and Na Yerin.

More than 20 people had been rescued from beneath the collapsed cave, emaciated but alive, after 10 days. The most recent person was found 18 days after the collapse. However, despite all efforts, Na Yerin and Bi Ryu Yeon remained missing. As the days passed, the hope of finding them alive dwindled.

The two empty coffins on the pyre were a temporary measure, as no bodies had been found. A memorial service was held, and spirit tablets with their names were placed.

Spirit Tablet of the Late Bi Ryu Yeon !

Spirit Tablet of the Late Na Yerin !

The funeral was conducted.

Under the guidance of Wudang Sect’s Ok Hyun Jin In, the funeral rites were recited, and incense burned softly. Many people gathered at the ceremony. Most were there to mourn Na Yerin rather than Bi Ryu Yeon.

Whoosh!

Paper money was burned, turning to ash and scattering in the wind. If Bi Ryu Yeon had been there, he would have raged, “Burning money? Are you crazy?”

Initially, many people vehemently opposed placing Bi Ryu Yeon’s coffin next to Na Yerin’s. The Bingbong Younghwa Guard led the opposition, supported by many male disciples. They argued that it was an insult to Na Yerin to cremate them together. They believed there was no reason to cremate them together since they weren’t a couple. However, the academy dismissed their objections, citing the inconvenience and cost of holding two separate funerals. When faced with practical financial issues, no one is immune.

The presumed death of Na Yerin, decided by some, plunged many men into sorrow. Initially, people didn’t believe she was dead. They believed in her survival and actively participated in her rescue operation. The most capable rescue team in the history of Cheonmu Academy, consisting of over a hundred elite martial artists, was formed. They dug and dug, frantically excavating the Phantom Demon Cave. Their work speed was astonishing. Being elite martial artists, they worked ten times more efficiently than ordinary laborers. A hundred elite martial artists could achieve the work of a thousand ordinary men.

However, the work was not smooth. There were too many obstacles. The rocks in the collapse zone were as hard as diamonds, possibly mixed with iron. They had to request the best blacksmith in Cheonmu Academy to urgently make pickaxes and shovels comparable to divine weapons. Only with these tools could they break through the rocks of the Phantom Demon Cave. Moreover, without using significant internal energy, even a pickaxe strike would only produce a bit of dust, leaving no mark on the rock. They had to put their hearts into each pickaxe strike as if performing martial arts. Naturally, this caused delays in the work.

Days passed, then a week. Despite the diminishing chances of survival, they didn’t give up. The death of a beauty like her was a great loss to the world. They didn’t care about Bi Ryu Yeon’s life. His life didn’t matter to them. But Na Yerin’s life had to be saved at all costs. Their fervent work was driven by their longing for Na Yerin.

They dug into the cave like madmen. The rescue team, led by the Bingbong Younghwa Guard and Na Yerin’s followers, worked tirelessly, forgetting to rest. Cheonmu Academy’s elder, Cheon Gi Soo, an expert in structural engineering, supervised the entire process. Without the help of an expert, the cave could collapse at any moment. Under Cheon Gi Soo’s direction, they set up supports and worked day and night in three shifts.

‘Ah, to think I would be tearing apart the Phantom Demon Cave, overseen by our founder…’

The Phantom Demon Cave project, intended to trap not physical bodies but spirits, had involved the founder of Cheonmu Academy. The cave was a collaboration between the former head of Cheonmu Academy, Hwan Shin Gun Jo Eul Hwan, the former head of the Tang Clan, Cheon Hwan Shin Soo Tang Yu Gi, and the head of the Jegal family, Man Tong Seonsaeng Jegal Cheon Woo.

However, with the cave so thoroughly collapsed, restoration was out of the question. The rapid progress of the rescue operation fueled people’s faint hopes. As more survivors were found on the 8th, 10th, and 12th days, their hopes grew brighter.

But their hopes didn’t last long. The heavens were indifferent. Despite the men’s fervent efforts, they couldn’t find any trace of her. They searched the entire collapsed cave, but Na Yerin and her companion Bi Ryu Yeon were nowhere to be found.

Forty-four days had passed since the accident. The sun had risen and set 44 times. By then, hope for her survival had faded. How could she have survived without food? They had to accept the reality of her death, no matter how painful.

Human endurance has limits, and they had already surpassed theirs. The shoulders of those fervently involved in the rescue began to sag.

Though unspoken, everyone agreed that the chances of Bi Ryu Yeon and Na Yerin’s survival were slim. Realizing their idol had vanished overnight, they felt the emptiness and sorrow of life.

Finally, the two coffins on the pyre were set ablaze. The flames quickly engulfed the coffins, burning brightly with a red hue deeper than the sunset. Amidst the roaring flames, Baekdo Murim Alliance Leader Na Baekcheon wept and wailed, forgetting his dignity.

“Yerin, Yerin… Who did this to my beloved Yerin? Yerin…”

Majinga tried to console him, but Na Baekcheon’s icy gaze was all he received in return. Na Baekcheon had only one daughter, born late in his life. She was his precious gem.

A treasured jewel in his hand! He had raised her with utmost care… and now she was dead. Could words express his sorrow and anger?

“Was it the work of the Heavenly Tribulation ?”

Gradually, a terrifying killing intent emanated from Na Baekcheon’s entire being. Even Majinga, a top martial artist, shuddered at its intensity.

“That’s the most likely possibility. Only they could use the forbidden weapon, the Heavenly Tribulation’s Poisonous Thunder Bomb, the Flame Demon Thunder. If not them, who else could commit such a heinous act? Someone must have detonated it inside the Phantom Demon Cave.”

“Then there must be a spy among the participants?”

“Of course. They are all under surveillance!”

As Majinga said, all participants in the Phantom Demon Cave test were under strict surveillance by the Shadow Pavilion. However, no clues had been found yet.

A tremendous killing intent exploded from Na Baekcheon’s eyes.

“I swear I will annihilate them from this world. I will avenge my daughter’s death with their blood!”

**He had more than enough ability to do so. With just a word from him, the entire martial world would rise up.**

“Understood. You must do what you must.”

Majinga replied. Could those plotting in the shadows withstand the wrath of this giant? That remained to be seen.

“Ryu Yeon! I can’t believe someone like you, who seemed impossible to kill no matter how many times, is dead. You, who seemed to come back to life no matter how many times you were killed, died so absurdly…”

Jang Hong was sitting by the roaring flames, gulping down alcohol. Everyone was dealing with their grief over the loss of the two in their own way. Mo Yong Hwi stared at the blazing fire with a stern expression. Beside him, Eun Seol Ran was wiping away her tears. The awkward Mo Yong Hwi didn’t even think to comfort her and stood stiffly, bewildered. On the other hand, Hyo Ryong was busy consoling the weeping Lee Jin Seol, whose tears flowed endlessly like a broken dam during the rainy season.

“Unni! Unni! Unni!”

Hyo Ryong found her wailing pitiful. But all he could do was stay by her side and support her. Even Dok Go Ryeong’s single eye shed tears like blood. She swore vengeance over the empty coffin. Blood flowed from her tightly clenched fist. The members of the Jujakdan stared at the pyre with vacant eyes. They still couldn’t believe Bi Ryu Yeon was dead. Or rather, they couldn’t trust that he was truly gone.

“I will uncover the mastermind and avenge your death. So rest in peace in the afterlife!”

Jang Hong seemed to find solace in alcohol. He kept drinking, but no matter how much he drank, he didn’t feel intoxicated.

“Damn it! No matter how much I drink, it’s useless. I can’t even get drunk anymore…”

He put the bottle to his mouth and started drinking straight from it.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!

The alcohol flowed down his throat continuously. After drinking for a while, his mind grew muddled, and he finally started to feel a bit tipsy. At that moment, a shadow appeared behind him. The shadow asked,

“Whose funeral is this?”

“Yours!”

Jang Hong replied unconsciously. He seemed unaware of who he was talking to or what was happening due to his intoxication.

“Oh, really? Did you collect a lot of condolence money?”

The shadow seemed more interested in the condolence money than the funeral itself. It seemed that was what intrigued the figure the most.

“Unfortunately, not much was collected. It was modest. On the other hand, Miss Na Yerin’s side is a different story.”

The line of mourners for Na Yerin’s coffin seemed endless.

“It seems I need to have a word with my disciples. This isn’t just about ability; it’s about sincerity.”

Crack! Crack!

The shadow cracked its knuckles. The shadow was none other than Bi Ryu Yeon. He seemed to blame the lack of condolence money on his disciples’ poor salesmanship. He had found this place with the roaring fire while looking for a spot to dry his wet clothes.

“Yeah, that’s right. Huh?”

Jang Hong, who had been talking to Bi Ryu Yeon for a while, finally widened his eyes. He turned around and shouted,

“Ryu… Ryu Yeon!”

His voice was so loud it seemed to shake the entire funeral hall. His shock and astonishment were immense. Jang Hong couldn’t believe his eyes.

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“What?”

“Why?”

“Damn it!”

Exclamations of shock erupted from all around.

People who had been immersed in their own grief turned their attention to Jang Hong. Initially, their gaze was directed at Jang Hong, but then it shifted to Bi Ryu Yeon, who was receiving Jang Hong’s intense, penetrating stare. A myriad of thoughts crossed people’s minds.

‘Why is that guy alive?’

‘Wasn’t he dead? How did he survive?’

‘Oh, God! Why do you test me like this?’

‘Damn heavens! Go to hell!’

Such bewildered and exasperated reactions were common, especially among Na Yerin’s followers.

“Why is it so noisy, Ryu Yeon?”

At the sound of a heavenly voice, everyone’s gaze shifted to the dark area behind Bi Ryu Yeon.

Rustle, rustle!

The moonlight softly illuminated her pale cheeks. Her ebony hair, still damp, clung to her body, revealing her elegant curves through her wet clothes. People couldn’t believe their eyes even as they witnessed this mystical sight. Emerging gracefully from behind Bi Ryu Yeon was none other than Na Yerin of Bingbaek Peak. Despite over a month of isolation and harsh conditions, her radiant beauty remained undiminished. Moreover, her clinging clothes were incredibly alluring.

“Wow! Whoa!”

Cheers erupted from all around. The reaction was starkly different from when they confirmed Bi Ryu Yeon was alive. The crowd was in a frenzy of excitement.