Chapter v19c4

## The Ice Phoenix Film Protection Squad’s Dilemma

– Apologize! (Continued)

“And who are you?”

Lee Si-Geon shouted angrily, pointing at the unexpected intruder.

“Me? You should introduce yourself first before asking for someone else’s name. Don’t you think?”

“Hmph, are you worthy of knowing my name?”

“I think I’m more than worthy. Why? Do you think otherwise?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said with a grin.

“Of course I do. And because of those words, you won’t die peacefully today!”

Lee Si-Geon’s fingers twitched, and the air around him swirled violently.

“Die!”

* * *

Purple Cloud Dark Wind.

A secret killing technique.

Raging Wind Chaos.

* * *

Bi Ryu-Yeon let out a rare exclamation of surprise.

“What? This is…”

Invisible winds assaulted him from all directions.

The entire tavern was engulfed in a raging storm.

“Whoa! What kind of technique is that?”

Do-Seong asked, his eyes wide, his white hair fluttering in the wind.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen it before.”

“Tsk, why are you so ignorant?”

“Times have changed. We’re getting old.”

The Sword Saint said with a sigh.

“Do you think he’s alright? He seemed to have taken a direct hit.”

The Sword Saint shook his head.

“You’re wrong. He ‘almost’ got hit.”

* * *

The tavern was in shambles, ravaged by the raging winds. Tables were overturned, their corners chipped as if slashed by swords, and a thick cloud of dust filled the air. Everyone thought Bi Ryu-Yeon was dead. Some were torn between relief and regret, their nemesis gone but by an unknown hand. Silence fell upon the tavern. And then, black flakes, like fallen leaves, drifted down from the ceiling, landing on Na Ye-Rin’s head. She reached out and caught them in her hand. A familiar color, a familiar texture.

“Ryu-Yeon…”

They were fragments of his clothes, shredded as if slashed by a sword.

“That’s what you get for messing with me!”

Lee Si-Geon said with a cruel smile. But his smile didn’t last long.

“Cough! Cough! Why did you have to kick up so much dust? I’m choking!”

The voice behind him wiped the smile off his face.

“H-how are you still alive?”

Lee Si-Geon exclaimed, and the onlookers nodded in agreement.

“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? Life is precious. Of course, I’m alive.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied calmly, sitting casually on a table as if he had materialized out of thin air.

“But this is a bit too much.”

He said, holding up his sleeve, which was now shredded up to his elbow.

“It’s ruined. It was my favorite. I didn’t expect this.”

He had been momentarily distracted by the familiar technique, missing his chance to dodge. He had almost lost his entire arm.

“Ryu-Yeon, don’t scare me like that! I thought something terrible had happened!”

Na Ye-Rin exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief. Her face had paled when she saw the shredded fabric.

“Sorry, Ye-Rin. I guess even the strong can’t afford to be careless. I know it in my head, but it’s hard to put it into practice. Maybe being too strong is a problem.”

He jumped down from the table.

“But I’m definitely going to get compensated for the mental anguish I suffered.”

He grinned at Lee Si-Geon, who didn’t smile back.

“Do you really think you’re capable of that? You were lucky this time, but you won’t be so lucky next time.”

“It’s the other way around. You were lucky that I only ruined my clothes. Don’t get cocky.”

“Hmph, you’re bluffing!”

“Am I?”

He raised his right fist, which had been clenched, to eye level and opened it.

A gold token appeared, dangling from his fingers. Lee Si-Geon’s eyes widened. He recognized it.

“N-no way…”

He frantically searched his pockets, then his waist, then his pants. But it was gone.

“You’re a strange one. Why are you searching your pockets when it’s right in front of you?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon clicked his tongue.

“Give me back the token!”

“What if I refuse? It looks like it’s made of gold. Maybe I’ll melt it down and use it to pay for my clothes.”

He was capable of doing just that.

“You bastard! Do you even know what that token is?!”

Lee Si-Geon shouted angrily.

“No, I don’t. And I don’t care.”

He wasn’t interested in anything but the token’s gold content.

“Ryu-Yeon, give it back!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon turned his head.

“Oh, Master Jang! When did you get here?”

He asked, his face showing his surprise.

“Just now. Give it back.”

Jang-Hong repeated.

“What is it?”

“It’s… a token that proves his status as an envoy from the Machun Pavilion.”

Lee Si-Geon smirked, pleased that someone recognized him.

“Did you hear that? Now you know I’m not someone you can mess with. Now give me back my envoy token!”

He said triumphantly.

“No! Why should I? You haven’t paid for my clothes yet.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon stuck out his tongue. Even if he had asked politely, he might not have given it back. But with that arrogant attitude, he had no intention of doing so.

“This… This bastard…!”

He had never been so humiliated.

“Have you heard of diplomatic immunity?”

“No! Why?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon pretended to be ignorant.

“It’s a privilege granted to envoys. I can’t be punished here, no matter what crime I commit. That means I can kill you without facing any consequences. Even though this is Cheonmu Academy’s territory, they can’t do anything to me. Understand?”

“No!”

“What! You don’t understand?”

Lee Si-Geon was furious.

“Why are you acting so clueless? You already tried to kill me! You just failed. And besides, you’re mistaken about something.”

“Mistaken about what?”

“Are you really an envoy? Are you lying?”

“L-lying?”

“Yes. If you’re an envoy, you’re a diplomat. You’re responsible for the Machun Pavilion’s interests. So you must have a diplomatic mission. They wouldn’t have sent you here for no reason. But would a real envoy, someone representing an entire organization, be so immoral and rude? Causing trouble here would only hurt your negotiations. Who would want to deal with an arrogant, rude, perverted envoy?”

“P-perverted…”

He had never been called that before.

“Yes. You’re deliberately trying to cause trouble. You’re not an envoy. You’re a… Hmm… That’s right! A spy! A spy!”

Lee Si-Geon was speechless. It was an unexpected mental attack.

“Well, I hope you’re not a spy. But I’m still suspicious. So if you’re not a spy, why don’t you act like a real envoy?”

“What do you mean?”

“Apologize!”

“What? Apologize?”

Bi Ryu-Yeon nodded.

“Yes, apologize! If you’ve done something wrong, admit it and apologize to Miss Na, like a real envoy. Don’t you all agree?”

He shouted, looking around the tavern.

“That’s right! That’s right!”

The crowd cheered in agreement. Public opinion was on Bi Ryu-Yeon’s side. It was an unusual situation, but at this moment, the crowd was with him.

“So, what are you waiting for? Stop standing there with that constipated look on your face and apologize to Miss Na if you’re a real envoy!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon’s tone changed again.

“Apologize! Apologize!”

The crowd chanted, raising their fists.

“The situation isn’t looking good, Young Master!”

The third member of the Thirteen Blood Shadows, who had been secretly guarding him, sent a message through sound transmission.

“I know.”

Lee Si-Geon answered curtly, biting his lip.

“What’s the situation outside?”

“Those guys you defeated earlier, the ones in white, they’ve surrounded the tavern. There are a lot of them.”

“What do you think? Can the Thirteen Blood Shadows handle them?”

“There are many other martial artists outside. This is Cheonmu Academy’s territory, so if they all rise up, we can’t guarantee victory. It’s best to retreat for now. There will be other opportunities to get that woman. Leave it to us.”

“Can I trust you?”

“Of course.”

“Alright! I’ll trust you!”

“So, are you ready to apologize? Go ahead!”

“Apologize! Apologize!”

Lee Si-Geon finally gave in and uttered the words he had rarely spoken in his life.

“M-miss, I-I’m s-sorry.”

He felt like his body was about to convulse. Na Ye-Rin didn’t even look at him, remaining silent.

“Your apology seems a bit lacking.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon commented. Lee Si-Geon’s anger flared.

“I said I’m sorry! What more do you want?”

He complained. His hypocrisy was astounding.

“I don’t want to hear an insincere apology. Just disappear from my sight. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

“That’s right.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon chimed in. Lee Si-Geon’s face turned as red as a hot coal. He had never been so humiliated.

“What are you waiting for? Can’t you hear Miss Na? Disappear! You’re so slow.”

“This… This bastard…!”

He wanted to kill him. But the situation wasn’t in his favor. He couldn’t handle it if they all attacked him at once.

“What’s your name?”

He asked through gritted teeth.

“Bi Ryu-Yeon!”

He answered simply.

“Hmph, so you’re Bi Ryu-Yeon!”

“Oh, you knew? Well, I am quite famous. The burden of popularity, I guess.”

Lee Si-Geon ignored him and bowed to Na Ye-Rin.

“Miss, I’ll take my leave now. I look forward to seeing you again.”

‘I’ll see if you’re still so haughty then!’

He wouldn’t let her get away next time!

Na Ye-Rin frowned. Her eyes weren’t the kind that could be easily ignored.

“I’d prefer it if that never happened. Today was unpleasant enough. Goodbye.”

She said coldly.

Lee Si-Geon turned to leave.

“You’ll regret this! You’ll see!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon shrugged at his clichéd threat.

“That’s the 2,672nd time I’ve heard that. And it’s never worked. So goodbye.”

He even waved. Na Ye-Rin ignored him, her indifference infuriating him more than hatred.

‘You’ll see! I’ll have you in my arms one day! And then we’ll see if you’re still so arrogant!’

He vowed, clenching his jaw as he left the tavern. The door slammed shut behind him.

“Waaaaaaaaaah!”

The tavern erupted in cheers as he disappeared.

“Huh?”

Eun Seol-Ran, who had been passed out with her head on the table, suddenly sat up, her eyes still glazed with alcohol.

“What’s wrong, Miss Eun?”

Na Ye-Rin asked, startled by her sudden movement.

“Hmm… I thought I heard a familiar, annoying voice. Was I mistaken?”

‘A familiar voice?’

“Na Ye-Rin, what happened?”

Na Ye-Rin shook her head, answering Eun Seol-Ran’s slurred question in a calm voice.

“Nothing happened.”

“Is that so… Good…”

Eun Seol-Ran’s eyes closed again, her head bobbing precariously.

Thud!

Na Ye-Rin frowned.

“Wow… That must have hurt!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon commented from beside her. She agreed.

“Ryu-Yeon, what should we do? Should I carry her?”

She didn’t want to leave Eun Seol-Ran in his care.

“No, why would you do that?”

He sounded appalled.

“Then what should we…?”

“I have a better idea!”

* * *

“W-what? Me?”

Mo Yong Hwi’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes, you. Who else is here? Do you want to overwork Ye-Rin’s delicate arms?”

“Th-that’s absurd. How could I possibly… Absolutely not.”

He waved his hands frantically.

“Really? Then we’ll just leave her here. I don’t mind.”

“That’s outrageous! How can we leave a drunken woman in such a dangerous place? That’s unthinkable!”

Mo Yong Hwi exclaimed, horrified by Bi Ryu-Yeon’s callousness.

“So it’s decided then? Right?”

“…Fine!”

He answered, his face flushed. He was clearly flustered.

“Tsk, tsk, relax. You’ll drop her if you’re so tense.”

“Alright!”

But his face was still as red as a ripe persimmon.

“Take good care of her. Like a newlywed bride.”

“O-of course.”

He answered, his face even redder. He didn’t seem to be processing Bi Ryu-Yeon’s words properly.

“Tsk, tsk, so innocent…”

Bi Ryu-Yeon said, poking Mo Yong Hwi’s chest with his finger.

“Don’t forget! You owe me one!”