Chapter v13c22

**Hyo-ryong’s Awakening**

**3 AM, Backyard of Peace Manor**

Anyone can make mistakes.

Yeomdo was human. Therefore, Yeomdo could make mistakes.

So he looked at Bi Ryu-yeon, seeking confirmation. But Bi Ryu-yeon seemed to be thinking the same thing. He looked at the others.

They all froze, their eyes fixed on the two old men.

Even Na Yerin, whose judgment he trusted more than Bi Ryu-yeon’s, agreed. Mo Yong-hwi agreed as well. Everyone who had been on Mount Wudang that day was here. This was getting complicated.

‘Damn it! What are those old geezers doing here?’

Only Dokgo Ryeong, Seok Ryu-ha, Noh Hak, and Wu Gai, who hadn’t been present that day, looked confused.

But it wasn’t just them who were surprised. The two old men were equally shocked.

“T-This can’t be…”

“How are you here…?”

Their voices trembled in unison. They were wearing masks, but there was no mistaking them.

Their initial lightheartedness, the thought of getting some exercise before drinking, had vanished. Their hearts were heavy with dread. Their faces were ashen, as if they had seen a ghost.

Their nightmares had come true.

The nightmares that had haunted them every night were now standing before them in the flesh.

Murderous intent, anger, fear, confusion, dread.

A thousand thoughts swirled in their minds, even though they were surrounded by dozens of armed men.

Should they order their men to attack? Or should they run?

But their master was here. They had only one choice.

‘Did any of the Twin Blades survive Mount Wudang?’

They thought for a moment.

The answer was “none.”

Hyo-ryong’s unfocused eyes saw the two old men. He would never forget their faces. The shadows that were etched into his memory, forever linked to the death of his brother.

Thump, thump, thump!

His heart started racing, its beats growing louder and faster.

‘A-ryong, A-ryong, A-ryong…’

His brother’s voice echoed in the depths of his subconscious.

Brother!

He remembered that day on Mount Wudang. His brother’s smile, the sword that struck him down, the death, the blood!

And the owner of the sword that had killed his brother was none other than himself.

Crack!

The shell that had encased him shattered. Another Hyo-ryong, the one who had been dormant within, awakened. The darkness that had clouded his vision lifted, and his eyes focused. A roar of rage erupted from his throat.

“Twin Blades! You killed my brother!”

He drew his twin swords and charged at Cheon-sal, one of the Twin Blades, ignoring the dozens of swords surrounding him. He could only see the Twin Blades, his targets.

“That crazy bastard!”

Yeomdo cursed. Yi Jin-seol screamed.

Steel clashed against steel, a symphony of death.

Hyo-ryong’s solo attack was reckless, but it had the element of surprise. And his rage-fueled swordsmanship was more powerful than they had imagined.

Cheon-sal staggered back, overwhelmed by his power. His subordinates scrambled out of the way, creating a path for him. Ji-sal, caught off guard, didn’t even react. He hadn’t expected such a sudden, reckless attack.

Cheon-sal retreated five zhang before he could regain his footing. Hyo-ryong, as if one sword wasn’t enough, crossed his blades, pressing his attack. But Cheon-sal blocked his blows with his left hand alone.

Hyo-ryong’s advance was halted, and he found himself surrounded by enemies, a lone wolf trapped in a pack of wolves.

“Hyo-ryong!”

Yi Jin-seol drew her twin swords and charged.

“Seol-ah!”

Dokgo Ryeong shouted, chasing after her. Someone else was about to follow, but Yeomdo roared,

“Don’t move!”

His voice boomed, shaking the air.

“Those idiots!”

He cursed, but he followed the three of them. He had a duty to protect them.

Slap!

Yeomdo’s hand struck Hyo-ryong’s cheek.

Hyo-ryong’s head snapped to the side, blood trickling from his lips. Yi Jin-seol gasped.

She tried to run to him, but Dokgo Ryeong held her back.

“What was that reckless charge? Who taught you to fight like that? Do you have a death wish?”

Yeomdo roared. How could he be so reckless, throwing his life away like that…?

“Who gave you permission to attack? Who taught you to fight like that?”

Yeomdo’s anger was unrelenting. He didn’t care that others were watching, or that they were surrounded by enemies. Yi Jin-seol was on the verge of tears.

“Do you even realize how many people you put in danger with your irresponsible actions?”

“…”

“You almost got Jin-seol killed!”

Hyo-ryong looked up at Yeomdo.

“B-But…”

But Yeomdo’s gaze was cold.

“What? Do you want to deny it? Do you think it’s unfair?”

“N-No, sir.”

He mumbled.

“What? Are you tired of living? Is your life empty? Do you want to die? Do you want me to kill you?”

“M-Master!”

Yi Jin-seol cried out. She couldn’t bear to see Hyo-ryong so dejected, his head bowed in shame.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Hyo-ryong apologized, his head still bowed. A hand rested on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Yeomdo. His face was calm, the anger gone.

Yeomdo’s voice was soft and gentle.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Hyo-ryong nodded, his hand still on his cheek, his head bowed.

“Yes… I’m sorry!”

His voice was subdued. Yeomdo patted his shoulder reassuringly.

“Congratulations on waking up from your long slumber.”

“T-Thank you.”

His throat tightened, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

Yi Jin-seol’s eyes were also filled with tears.

“You damn fiery bastard! Why are you here instead of tending the fire at home?”

Ji-sal, the fat old man, shouted.

“H-How did you know?”

Yeomdo asked, confused. He was more surprised by the fact that his identity had been revealed than by the insult.

“Do you think you can fool my eyes? Do you think a mask can hide that conspicuous red hair of yours?”

Ji-sal roared again.

‘Well, he’s not wrong!’

The entire rescue team nodded inwardly.

His red hair was indeed eye-catching, even in the dim light of the torches. And he was still wearing red clothes, a red sash, and even his saber, a sleek, unusual weapon with a red hilt and scabbard, that was red.

“Tsk, I forgot!”

Yeomdo scratched the back of his head sheepishly. It was too late now.

“Go!”

He said.

“But…”

“Go! It won’t take long. But these guys are persistent! I don’t know how long it’ll take, so just go!”

He was talking to Mo Yong-hwi, but his gaze was fixed on the Twin Blades.

[Go! And wait for us at the Western Peak Branch of the Beggars’ Sect! If we don’t show up, seek refuge with the Mount Hua Sect!]

Yeomdo’s voice echoed in Mo Yong-hwi’s mind through sound transmission.

“Master!”

Mo Yong-hwi looked at Yeomdo.

“Just in case! Of course, I wouldn’t lose to those old geezers! I’m 2-1-1 against them. I won’t lose this time either!”

Yeomdo said confidently. And then he shouted,

“What are you waiting for? Go! And protect her!”

“Yes, sir!”

Yeomdo raised his saber, Crimson Flame. He channeled his Flame God Technique, and his saber burst into flames, a raging inferno. An intense heat emanated from it.

“Run!”

He swung his saber, and a wave of fire engulfed the guards at the right gate, creating a path of flames.

Mo Yong-hwi, carrying Eun Seol-ran on his back, dashed through the opening.

Yeomdo turned around after making sure Mo Yong-hwi had escaped safely. He sent a message to Bi Ryu-yeon through sound transmission.

[Is this okay?]

Bi Ryu-yeon nodded slightly. That was all. No further explanation.

‘What’s he planning?’

Whatever! Yeomdo decided not to worry about it and turned his attention back to the Twin Blades. They were much easier to understand.

“Now, let’s settle our old scores!”