Chapter v14c16

A heavy silence, a stark contrast to the previous chaos, descended upon the valley. All eyes were on the eight figures, who were still standing in formation, their gazes fixed on Bi Ryu-yeon. It was a blatant display of disrespect, and Bi Ryu-yeon didn’t appreciate it.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

A sudden burst of applause broke the silence. The seven figures turned, their eyes cold and sharp.

“Bravo! Bravo!”

Bi Ryu-yeon clapped enthusiastically, as if he had just witnessed a spectacular performance. It was a deliberate provocation, designed to infuriate them.

“That was an entertaining show. Do you have any more tricks up your sleeves?”

He was referring to the series of attacks they had just unleashed. And he was implying that they should leave if they had nothing else to offer.

“You arrogant little rat! You think you’re so clever, dodging our attacks?”

The man in dark red robes, the one whose weapon had been restrained, snarled. He was still smarting from the humiliation.

“My, my, such harsh words! You poor soul, unaware of the ancient proverb: ‘A sharp tongue is the seed of self-destruction.'”

Bi Ryu-yeon made a mental note of the man’s face.

“We acknowledge your speed and agility. But do you think we were using our full strength?”

The spear thrower said calmly. His wounded pride had recovered. They were confident that they hadn’t shown their true power.

“You were lucky this time. We’ll give you that. But can you dodge our next attack?”

They seemed to think that speed was his only asset. Bi Ryu-yeon clicked his tongue, his voice laced with pity.

“To read your opponent’s strength is a skill! To overcome that strength is another skill! To claim you weren’t using your full strength is the excuse of a loser! A winner doesn’t need excuses. A winner is a winner, no matter the circumstances.”

His words were sharp and cutting, like a double-edged sword. And they struck a nerve.

“You insolent brat!”

But their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a woman.

“Young Master!”

Eun Seol-ran, who had been standing beside Na Yerin, watching Bi Ryu-yeon, exclaimed in surprise. The First Young Master turned, his eyes widening in shock. His voice, usually devoid of emotion, wavered.

“Miss… Eun…”

His composure, for the first time, crumbled. He hadn’t expected to see her here.

Why was she here? And then it all made sense. He had been searching for her, wondering where she had disappeared to. He hadn’t expected to find her here, of all places!

‘Was the restriction properly applied?’

That was his first priority.

‘I can’t be sure that a single restriction is enough. I need to apply a second one, just to be safe.’

He wouldn’t have to worry about this if his subordinates hadn’t let her escape. Incompetent subordinates always made their superiors’ lives difficult. But a true leader knew how to utilize even the most incompetent subordinates.

“It’s been a while, Young Master.”

His gaze, cold and unreadable, shifted to Eun Seol-ran.

Eun Seol-ran had been granted permission to move freely within the Red Plum Valley, with the exception of certain restricted areas. She had even been allowed to stay there for a while, instead of being sent back down the mountain. It was all thanks to the old man she had met in Huayin County. If it weren’t for him, she would have been kicked out immediately. But the old man’s words carried weight, and after a few words from him, she had been allowed to stay. It was a stroke of luck, as she had been bored out of her mind, stuck in the infirmary.

She had been eager to get some fresh air, so she had left her temporary quarters for a walk. When she arrived at the Cheonmu Academy’s lodgings, she found that Na Yerin and Yi Jin-seol were already gone. She had been told that they had gone towards the valley entrance, so she had set out to meet them. It was always more enjoyable to walk with company. But before she could reach the entrance, the commotion started.

A deafening roar, a surge of killing intent, erupted from a single point. Even from twenty zhang away, she could feel the intensity of the clash.

Who would dare to cause such a disturbance in a place like this? It took guts, or a blatant disregard for authority…

She hurried towards the source of the commotion. And there, she saw a familiar face. But it was a face she shouldn’t have seen.

“Ow!”

A splitting headache pierced her skull, her ears ringing, her stomach churning. It happened the moment she saw his face. She staggered, her body swaying, as if she were about to faint.

‘Do I need more rest?’

Perhaps it was a side effect of the mental restriction. She couldn’t think of any other explanation. She stood there for a moment, taking deep breaths, until the dizziness subsided. And then she spoke.

“It’s been three years, hasn’t it?”

“Two years and ten months, to be precise.”

The First Young Master corrected her. He was relieved to hear her question. It meant that the Heaven Assassin’s restriction was working. If her memory was intact… he would have to eliminate her. And his plans would have to be revised.

“What brings you here? You’re not on the list of participants.”

He deftly avoided her question, turning it back on her.

“I had… some business to attend to.”

She mumbled, omitting the details. She couldn’t remember the full story herself, and most of it was too sensitive to share. And a strange, unsettling feeling was creeping into her mind, gnawing at her thoughts.

“But I’m surprised to see you here… in person. You never said why you decided to participate.”

She was genuinely surprised. He had been a recluse for the past seven or eight years, rarely leaving the Heavenly Demons Pavilion. He had shown no interest in the Mount Hua Conference. Many people had urged him to participate, but he had always refused. It wasn’t out of humility. She knew he was more than capable.

‘The incident ten years ago…’

That incident had changed many lives. He had been adamant about not participating, despite the pleas and persuasion of the Heavenly Demons Pavilion’s elders and masters. It was out of character.

He watched her, his expression unreadable, as she struggled to make sense of it all. And then he spoke, his voice calm and steady.

“I thought it would be nice to win a tournament for once.”

To win! He spoke of winning the Mount Hua Conference, one of the most prestigious martial arts tournaments in the world, as if it were nothing. As if it were a foregone conclusion.

His arrogance was infuriating. But no one dared to challenge him. His aura, the aura of an absolute master, silenced them.

‘Maybe he can actually do it…’

Some of them even started to believe it.

She had to admit, it wasn’t impossible. But she was still shocked to see him here, so different from the man she had known ten years ago.

“You used to be so cheerful and carefree…”

She remembered him as a different person.

“The past is irrelevant.”

He dismissed her memories.

“I see… It’s just a memory now. A memory that will never return…”

The person she had known was gone.

He watched her, his eyes still cold and unreadable, as she murmured to herself.

Their conversation, a silent agreement to avoid the past, ended there.

“What’s your name?”

The First Young Master turned to Bi Ryu-yeon, who had been watching them with an amused expression. He was asking for his name…? His subordinates would faint if they heard him. But Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t impressed.

“You mean my honorable name?”

“What did you say?”

“Was that too difficult for you? My. Honorable. Name!”

He wasn’t asking because he didn’t understand.

“What the…?”

The First Young Master was speechless.

“Insolent fool! You’re courting death!”

The whip wielder shouted, his anger flaring. He looked ready to attack. But the First Young Master stopped him.

“Enough! Stand down!”

His curiosity outweighed his anger.

“Fine, what is your ‘honorable name’?”

He was actually making an effort to acknowledge Bi Ryu-yeon. It was unusual for him. But Bi Ryu-yeon ignored his sarcasm. He had bigger things to worry about.

“Bi. Ryu. Yeon.”

He answered clearly and concisely. He had always been comfortable revealing his name (although his companions might disagree…).

‘Bi Ryu-yeon?’

The First Young Master’s eyes flickered with recognition. He had heard that name recently. Very recently. Two days ago, to be precise. And the person who bore that name had done something unforgivable.

“Oh? You’re…”

He clenched his fist. The prey he had let escape was standing before him. But his words were too low for Bi Ryu-yeon to hear.

“What is it?”

Bi Ryu-yeon asked.

“Nothing. But I’ll remember that name.”

The seven figures around him stiffened. They were surprised by his interest.

“That’s a wise decision. I highly recommend it!”

Bi Ryu-yeon said casually.

“And what’s your name? It’s only polite to introduce yourself after asking for someone else’s name, isn’t it?”

It was a reasonable request. But his request was met with violence.

“You’re not worthy of knowing his name.”

The man with the Black Hawk Wing on his back said, his voice flat and emotionless.

“Is his name made of gold? Or is it too embarrassing to reveal? Like, Chul-soo or Young-hee?”

He said it casually, as if it were nothing. That was what made him so dangerous.

“Insult him again, and you’ll die!”

The man with the Black Hawk Wing repeated.

“Bring it on.”

Bi Ryu-yeon wasn’t intimidated by threats.

The air crackled with killing intent, the tension palpable.

“Enough! Let’s go!”

The First Young Master ordered his subordinates to stand down.

“But… Master!”

They were eager to fight, but his word was law.

“Bi Ryu-yeon, was it? I’ll spare you today, for Miss Eun’s sake. Let’s go!”

The First Young Master turned and walked away, and the Heavenly Demons Seven, their anger still simmering, followed him.

“I don’t like receiving undeserved favors…”

Bi Ryu-yeon muttered.

“You should be grateful that you’re still alive!”

“You just escaped death!”

They couldn’t resist parting shots.

Eun Seol-ran watched them leave, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“I hate arrogant people…”

Bi Ryu-yeon grumbled.

“Are you alright, Ryu-yeon?”

Na Yerin asked. Her voice was devoid of emotion, but the fact that she had asked was significant.

“I’m fine, as you can see!”

He brushed the dust off his clothes, his demeanor relaxed.

“By the way…”

He turned to look at the departing figures. The seven men and women followed the First Young Master like shadows, like loyal servants attending to their king.

“That was quite a grand entrance. I’m not sure how to respond.”

Only Na Yerin noticed the sharp glint in his eyes, hidden behind his bangs.

He would repay them in kind.

Karma, reaping what you sow, was his favorite motto.