Chapter v12c12 – The Showdown Between Bi Ryu-yeon and the Flying Thunder Twin Demons

**The Showdown Between Bi Ryu-yeon and the Flying Thunder Twin Demons**

– The Right to Bear the Name

“Hey, what are you doing? You can’t possibly handle them! Come back here! Do you want to be in a coffin before the sun sets?”

Startled by Bi Ryu-yeon’s sudden action, Shin Yu-seong, the Drunken Shadow Sword, tried to stop him. In his eyes, Bi Ryu-yeon’s actions were nothing short of reckless. How could he not question Bi Ryu-yeon’s sanity when he was about to confront those two old men after simply saying he had something to discuss with them? But Bi Ryu-yeon was unstoppable.

“Hey, Mo Yong Hwi! You’re his friend, aren’t you? Talk some sense into him!”

Shin Yu-seong pleaded urgently. But Mo Yong Hwi simply shook his head. He already knew. Once Bi Ryu-yeon set his mind on something, nothing could change it, no matter how reckless it seemed.

“He won’t listen.”

His answer was filled with certainty. He had never seen his friend back down from a decision once it was made. Mo Yong Hwi’s gaze turned to Bi Ryu-yeon, his eyes flickering with a mixture of emotions.

‘Even if it’s reckless courage, I envy him! Could I ever stand before them so confidently, without hesitation, like him?’

The handsome young man shook his head. It was too difficult a task.

“Hmph, you overestimate yourself! What can you possibly do?”

Maha Ryeong, who was setting up the barrier with other disciples nearby, shouted, unable to contain her frustration. She herself was confused by her own anger. Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, wasn’t it easier to just die?

“Hey, you idiot! Come back here! Who do you think you are?”

Despite Maha Ryeong’s sharp rebuke, Bi Ryu-yeon remained unfazed, calmly waving his hand as he walked towards the center of the sword formation. His intentions were clear.

“He’s being too reckless!”

Yong Cheon Myeong couldn’t comprehend Bi Ryu-yeon’s actions. He was equally puzzled by Maha Ryeong’s outburst. What kind of conviction drove this man? He knew Bi Ryu-yeon possessed extraordinary skills, but there were limits. These were the demon heads who had spread unimaginable terror during the Heavenly Tribulation a hundred years ago.

In Yong Cheon Myeong’s eyes, Bi Ryu-yeon was like a moth drawn to a flame, bathing in oil and carrying kindling into a blazing inferno. Despite the skeptical gazes of those around him, Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t stop.

‘No! Those men are too dangerous!’

Na Yerin could tell at a glance how dangerous those old men were. The oppressive aura they exuded was no joke. Yet, oblivious to this fact, Bi Ryu-yeon was approaching those dangerous individuals without fear.

‘Ryu-yeon, please…’

A seed of anxiety sprouted in her heart. She had never expected to feel anxious because of a man. She still couldn’t understand why her heart felt so constricted, so suffocating. Perhaps she didn’t want to admit it…

As she grappled with worry and anxiety, Bi Ryu-yeon finally drew closer to the center where the four men were facing off. The swirling killing intent from the heart of the sword formation reached them even from a distance of over five zhang.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Eun Seol-ran, who had approached her unnoticed, patted her back reassuringly. Fortunately, she seemed unharmed amidst the chaos. Na Yerin turned to her, her gaze as calm and still as a tranquil lake on a windless night.

“Do I look like I’m worried?”

Eun Seol-ran smiled.

“Yes! Very, very worried! You rarely show your emotions, so it’s easy to tell with a little observation.”

Only then did Na Yerin realize that her worry for his safety had shattered her usually calm and clear mind.

“He’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much. He doesn’t strike me as someone who would die easily. This won’t be his grave today. That’s how I feel. A man who dies carelessly and makes a woman cry is the absolute worst!”

Her voice was firm, filled with conviction.

“I’m not planning on crying or anything…”

But Na Yerin had to stop as she met Eun Seol-ran’s eyes. She had seen the river of sadness flowing within them, and the lake of sorrow it formed. And soon, they couldn’t focus on anything else. Both Na Yerin and Eun Seol-ran were so shocked to see Bi Ryu-yeon recklessly jumping into the heart of the raging, formless Qi that they almost fainted.

That was just a moment ago.

“…Who are you?”

Dongfang Xue asked, trying to conceal his astonishment. Everyone had withdrawn their formless Qi at the sudden appearance of this young boy (in their eyes, Bi Ryu-yeon was just a child).

“Sorry to interrupt your fight…”

Bi Ryu-yeon began, but his expression wasn’t apologetic at all. Someone who was truly sorry wouldn’t be so brazen and confident.

“Anyway, I also have a sect and a master.”

“Who doesn’t?”

Gong Pai shouted irritably, his large saber resting on his shoulder. It was a matter of pride to have his fight interrupted by a mere child.

“You’re a noisy old man. Just listen till the end.”

To Yeomdo and Binggeom, Bi Ryu-yeon seemed intent on provoking Gong Pai.

“N-Noisy old… man?”

Gong Pai was beyond angry; he was flabbergasted. Old man… It was a term he hadn’t heard in over a hundred and twenty years.

(TLN: bich u were old than too ????)

“Because of my situation, I have to enforce the rules of my sect. Please understand.”

“What rules?”

Dongfang Xue asked with interest. But instead of answering, Bi Ryu-yeon asked a question of his own.

“Your title is the Lightning Flash Demon Sword?”

“That is correct!”

“And the two of you are known as the Flying Thunder Twin Demons?”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s tone was quite grating.

“T-That’s right.”

Thanks to Dongfang Xue’s intervention, Gong Pai managed to hold back his anger.

“To use the name ‘Thunder’, the fastest and strongest force in heaven and earth, one must possess the corresponding skill. In other words, anyone who wishes to use the name of Thunder must obtain my permission. But ‘Flying Thunder’ is a bit problematic. We never allow both characters to be used together.”

“How absurd!”

“It’s quite common.”

Bi Ryu-yeon remained unfazed.

“But do you even have the right to say that?”

Dongfang Xue seemed intrigued by this unexpected visitor, engaging in conversation instead of simply killing him with a single strike. He was curious to know what absurd reason had driven this young boy to risk his life (though the boy himself didn’t seem to think so) and interrupt their fight. On the other hand, Gong Pai seemed only interested in silencing that chattering tongue.

“Don’t worry. My sect is very flexible, so we don’t always say no.”

“So, you’re going to test me? Me, Dongfang Xue, the Lightning Flash Demon Sword?”

“No, I’m going to evaluate you.”

It was the same thing. But the latter implied a sense of superiority. Bi Ryu-yeon continued,

“Oh, and unfortunately, past achievements won’t be of much help in this evaluation. No extra points. Of course, connections or bribes won’t help either. And bribes… well, that’s a tricky issue. We’ll discuss the amount later.”

He didn’t explicitly say he wouldn’t accept them.

“Huh…”

The absurdity of this situation was beyond comprehension.

‘He’s serious, isn’t he?’

‘It seems so.’

Binggeom nodded slightly at Yeomdo’s whisper. It seemed the young master was serious. But both of them agreed that it wouldn’t be wise to let too many people witness this.

Yeomdo shouted,

“All Cheonmu Academy disciples, except the Vermilion Bird Squad, turn around and prepare for any attacks from outside the barrier! Turn around!”

Most of the disciples, except the Vermilion Bird Squad, obeyed Yeomdo’s order and turned around. However, not everyone followed the order.

Dongfang Xue, the Lightning Flash Demon Sword, stood speechless for a moment, watching the absurd scene unfolding before him like a farce.

‘Has my name been swept away by the river of time?’

He hadn’t expected the impermanence of time to feel so empty. But this boy seemed genuinely intent on fighting him. And he wasn’t even nervous. He was brimming with confidence, as if he didn’t even consider the possibility of defeat.

“You have such spirit! I’m impressed. It’s rare to see someone your age with such courage and skill. You’re exceptionally talented, even beyond what I can believe.”

“As I said before, it’s quite common.”

“But you’re too arrogant. How can you navigate the treacherous martial world and the harshness of life with such pride? Don’t you know that humility is the most valuable weapon? Humility is a great navigator, a powerful ally, and a divine weapon. You need to learn the virtue of humility. I’d like to introduce you to Humility if you want.”

“I’ll have to decline. Thank you for the offer, but I don’t need it.”

“Huh, humility is a powerful ally, but arrogance is the most fearsome enemy. Don’t you know that?”

“I don’t. And I don’t want to know.”

“Hahaha, good spirit. That’s how a young man should be. Huh… But what should we do about this?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, no! No problem at all. It’s just a small matter. There’s someone who’s eager to teach you about humility.”

The old man in blue said with a serious expression. His eyes flashed like lightning.

“Tsk, tsk, well, well. To think someone would be so concerned about other people’s business when they have their own hands full. They must have too much time on their hands.”

“So, who is this person?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked. He wasn’t particularly curious, but it seemed like the polite thing to ask.

“That person with so much free time is none other than myself!”

The old man smiled coldly.

“Not very surprising.”

“Tsk, tsk, I told you humility is a lifelong friend!”

“You can say that after you defeat me.”

“Then let’s hear about the evaluation method.”

“Hey, Xue! Are you serious?”

Gong Pai asked in a surprised voice. Of course he was surprised. This wasn’t the time to be playing around with a crazy kid. But Dongfang Xue seemed amused by this absurd young man. He didn’t know what he found so interesting, but it didn’t seem like a good hobby.

“After a hundred years of seclusion, all sorts of flies are buzzing around.”

Gong Pai’s voice was filled with annoyance.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a simple amusement.”

“Which face of ‘Thunder’ are you pursuing, old man?”

“I pursue the ‘Joy’ that chases after light!”

Bi Ryu-yeon nodded in satisfaction at the old man’s answer.

“And have you achieved it?”

A mocking smile spread across Dongfang Xue’s lips.

“Huh, to think I would be asked such a question again. Living a long life brings all sorts of strange experiences. I’ve never felt slow in any confrontation.”

“Then would you care to show me if your speed can compare to ‘Thunder’? I’ll meet your ‘Joy’ with my own.”

“How arrogant!”

“It’s quite common.”

Dongfang Xue thought the word “common” was being distorted by the boy’s frequent use of it. It was a trivial thought.

“I’m asking out of curiosity, old man. Do you even understand what you’re saying?”

“More than enough!”

It was an unhesitating answer. What kind of confidence did this boy have to be so arrogant and absurd? To announce that he would attack his opponent’s strength with their own strength!

Besides the Young Master, he had never met anyone this young with such audacity. Was he a dragon? Or an earthworm? The answer would be revealed soon.

“If death is your wish, I’ll grant it.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Bi Ryu-yeon smiled faintly.

Click!

Two Silent Dragon Rings detached from his right arm and right leg, falling to the ground.

Thump!