Chapter v20c17

## The Legend’s Roar Echoes!

– Tiger Claw Strikes

“Master Yoo! What are you doing here?”

Jin So-Ryeong asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Huh? I-I came because of your letter…”

Yoo Eun-Seong stammered, taken aback by her unexpected reaction. He took out the letter he had been cherishing.

“Letter? I didn’t send you any letter.”

“N-no way! You didn’t send it?”

It was a bolt from the blue. But he didn’t have time to be disappointed.

“T-then…!!”

“C-could it be…?”

They looked at each other, their eyes widening in realization.

* * *

“What’s wrong, Gyeong-Yeong? Seon-Ah? Did something scary happen?”

Yoon Yi-Jeong asked with a wicked smile.

“…”

The boy quickly hugged his younger sister, his eyes wary and fearful as he stared at the intruder who had barged into their room in the middle of the night.

“Don’t worry. Your uncle is here. It’s too dangerous for you here. Come with me. I’ll protect you!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong’s voice was gentle and reassuring, despite his stealthy intrusion.

“Uncle!”

Seon-Ah, the innocent seven-year-old, started to get up, but Yoo Gyeong-Yeong immediately stopped her. The boy’s gaze, fixed on the man who was once his uncle, was a mixture of wariness and hostility.

“What’s wrong, Gyeong-Yeong? Is something the matter?”

Yoon Yi-Jeong’s gentle words made the boy shudder. His smile was terrifying.

“Seon-Ah, don’t be fooled! Don’t go with him!”

His teeth chattered.

“He’s… he’s…”

His finger, pointing at the man, trembled violently. He couldn’t get the words out.

“He’s… Father’s… Father’s…”

He finally shouted, his voice almost a scream,

“He’s Father’s enemy!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong froze.

“Sob, sob… How could you say such a thing to me…?”

He bowed his head, as if to continue the charade, but then he looked up, a sinister smile on his lips, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

“How did you know?”

He had decided to drop the act.

“F-father told me… what happens to those who are struck by our family’s secret technique! The wound on your right arm… it was clearly from the Dragon Scale Blast!”

“Hehehe, you’re a sharp one, just like your father. It pains me to have to crush your talent here and now.”

“Hmph, this is the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild! If I shout…”

“Oh dear, such girlish words. Why don’t you say, ‘Oh my, I’ll scream if you come any closer’?”

He sneered.

“But there’s a problem. I’ve set up a sound barrier around this room. No one will hear you.”

“N-no way…”

The boy’s face paled with fear.

“Ehehehe, giving up now? You’ll have to die for the sake of a new world. Hahaha, the key is ours!”

The blade that had killed their father flashed in the air.

“Aaaaaargh!”

Yoo Gyeong-Yeong closed his eyes, shielding his sister.

Their lives were hanging by a thread, when another wind blew.

* * *

*Crash!*

Lee Si-Geon shouted in alarm, as the door exploded inwards, sending a large object hurtling towards him.

“W-what’s that?”

It was too big, too fast. He was caught off guard, even though he was a skilled martial artist. But he managed to deflect the object, minimizing the impact.

“Ugh!”

It was heavier than he had expected.

*Whoosh!*

He was thrown backward by the force of the impact.

“D-damn it!”

He gritted his teeth, twisting his body in midair. He had to regain his balance before he crashed to the ground. He flipped a couple of times before landing on a nearby tree branch.

But that wasn’t the end.

“Gasp!”

He gasped, realizing what he was holding.

“Yi-Jeong…”

It was Yoon Yi-Jeong’s body. His chest was ripped open, five deep gashes running across it like furrows in a field, blood gushing out.

“What the…?”

But he couldn’t finish his thought.

“What happened? Hey! What happened?!”

He shook Yoon Yi-Jeong’s body violently.

“Cough, cough! R-run… the sun…”

‘Run?’

What was he talking about?

*Shiver!*

He felt a chill run down his spine, as cold as winter ice.

‘W-what’s this? This coldness?’

He turned his head slowly, his senses on high alert.

*Flash!*

He saw them. The two golden suns that Yoon Yi-Jeong had seen.

“Aaaaaargh!”

He screamed involuntarily.

* * *

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

They ran, their feet pounding against the grass, sending droplets of dew flying into the air. The faster they ran, the farther they leaped.

“M-Miss Jin!”

She didn’t look back.

“The guild is in danger.”

The Emei Goddess, Jin So-Ryeong, and the Setting Sun Sword, Yoo Eun-Seong, raced towards the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild.

‘Please be safe until I get there…’

* * *

*Crash!*

A giant tree exploded into splinters as Baek Mu-Hu struck it with her paw. Lee Si-Geon, using the tree as a shield, had narrowly escaped death, but at a great cost. Most of his left face was gone, ripped away along with the tree.

“Aaaaaargh!”

Blood splattered. It was a deep wound, down to the bone. Her five claws had been merciless, three of the wounds particularly deep. It was a miracle he was still alive.

“M-my face… my handsome face…”

He muttered, his voice dazed. It seemed like his face was more important to him than his life.

‘I have to run!’

He didn’t even have time to feel the pain. His mind was consumed by the urge to escape.

Baek Mu-Hu, surprised that he had dodged her attack, raised her claws again.

“Take this!”

He desperately threw Yoon Yi-Jeong’s body at her.

*Thud!*

She swatted it away with a flick of her paw, as if it were a fly.

“Aaaaaargh!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong, still conscious, screamed in agony.

‘Now’s my chance!’

He seized the opportunity, her attention momentarily diverted, and ran like a madman.

*Oh?*

Her eyes seemed to say. The skilled hunter, offended by his audacity, gave chase to the escaping prey.

The distance between them closed rapidly.

“T-Thirteen Bloods! Stop her!”

He shouted, blood gushing from his left face.

“What the…?”

Eleventh Blood, Twelfth Blood, and Thirteenth Blood stared in disbelief.

“W-what is that?”

They rubbed their eyes, wanting to make sure they were seeing clearly.

“What are you waiting for?”

Lee Si-Geon grabbed Twelfth Blood with his swift Golden Snake Technique and threw him at Baek Mu-Hu.

“Gah!”

Twelfth Blood, caught off guard, screamed in terror.

*What’s this?*

*Crunch!*

Twelfth Blood was flattened with a single blow.

“Twelfth Brother!”

“Twelfth Brother!”

Eleventh Blood and Thirteenth Blood shouted in fury, seeing their brother die.

“You too! Stop her!”

Lee Si-Geon threw Eleventh Blood and Thirteenth Blood at Baek Mu-Hu with all his might. Despite his injuries, his martial arts skills were superior to the Thirteen Bloods.

“Uh oh…”

They were slightly better off than Twelfth Blood. At least they had time for a last stand.

“Take this!”

“You insignificant creature!”

He probably meant “divine beast,” but got it wrong.

“Die, mutt!”

Eleventh Blood and Thirteenth Blood simultaneously unleashed their Blood Thirteen Styles techniques in midair.

*Clang!*

“Gasp!”

Their eyes widened in horror.

Baek Mu-Hu had effortlessly caught their energy-infused attacks with her claws. It was a feat that even a master’s Empty-Handed Entry into the White Blade couldn’t replicate. Their blades, sharp enough to cut through iron, couldn’t cut through her claws.

*Grrrr!*

If she could speak human language, she would probably have said, “You dared to call me a mutt…?” It was an unforgivable insult to this elegant lady. The price of insulting a lady was high.

*Snap!*

She squeezed her claws, and their swords snapped in half.

*Thud! Thud!*

There were sounds of bones breaking and screams of agony.

They didn’t die as peacefully as their brothers, thanks to their insults.

Only Lee Si-Geon was left.

Eleventh Blood and Thirteenth Blood’s deaths had been so swift that he hadn’t had time to escape.

“You useless idiots! You couldn’t even buy me some time!”

He cursed. He was facing Baek Mu-Hu again.

Her golden eyes glowed in the darkness, like amber. He shuddered.

‘I’m going to die!’

She was too powerful to be dismissed as an insignificant creature. He felt like he was the one being underestimated.

He couldn’t dodge her. He couldn’t defeat her. He finally understood the true meaning of fear.

*Roar!*

Her roar shook the earth, demanding absolute obedience. He froze, paralyzed with terror.

‘This is it!’

He gave up, resigned to his fate.

*Whoosh!*

Something flew towards them.

*Thwack!*

A wooden pillow struck Baek Mu-Hu squarely on the nose. She jumped back, startled.

*Roar!*

The door to the hut, which had a hole in it, burst open, and a voice roared,

“Shut up! Let me sleep! Let me sleep!”

It was the old master.

*Whimper! Whine~*

They witnessed a rare sight: the legendary Baek Mu-Hu, whimpering and dejected.

‘I’m free!’

Lee Si-Geon, who had been frozen in place, could move again.

‘Now’s my chance!’

He didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran.

His mind was consumed by a single thought.

‘Run!’

He didn’t even care about his men anymore.

‘I have to run! Now!’

He had to escape this nightmare. It was his only chance of survival. He had lost all pride and defiance.

*Scratch, scratch!*

*Growl!*

Baek Mu-Hu, busy scratching her sore nose with her paw, didn’t give chase.

He had escaped with his life.

* * *

*Roar!*

She roared again. It was the roar of a king, the roar of a true victor.

The entire population of Nanchang trembled, hearing her roar. The moon fell from the sky, and dawn broke.

It was a dawn that would become a legend.

The Middle Heaven Merchant Guild’s reputation spread far and wide, becoming a myth. Contracts poured in from all over the world.

And the Central Plains Merchant Guild was forced to acknowledge the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild as a serious threat.

* * *

*Roar!*

Her roar echoed through the night, waking the day, shaking the entire city of Nanchang. Even Cheonmu Academy wasn’t spared. Some of the disciples, startled by the sound, jumped out of bed. The Emei disciples, sensing an unknown terror, huddled together or burrowed under their blankets.

The sound was faintest in the underground prison. It couldn’t be as loud as it was aboveground. Only a faint echo reached them. But Bi Ryu-Yeon still sat up abruptly, startled awake.

“Hmm? What was that sound?”

He listened, but there was nothing. He was sure he had heard something familiar… But it couldn’t be her. She was in Sichuan.

“Was it my imagination? No way…”

He had been having strange experiences lately, like that nightmare and now this auditory hallucination. It wasn’t like him.

“Is it a premonition? Or just sleep deprivation…?”

Neither option was appealing.

“I hope it’s nothing serious…”

His instincts were warning him.

“Whatever. I’m going back to sleep.”

He lay back down. The sleeping conditions were terrible, but he had learned from his master to sleep anywhere, anytime, and show no mercy for those who disturbed his slumber. It was best to rest whenever he could, in case of an emergency.

There was no point in worrying now.

* * *

Jin So-Ryeong and Yoo Eun-Seong, arriving at the Middle Heaven Merchant Guild, were puzzled. The entire guild was brightly lit, but there were no signs of fighting. But the guards at the main gate, their faces grim and alert, indicated that something had happened. They entered the guild, heading towards the area where most of the activity was concentrated, and saw two children huddled together.

“You two…”

The little girl, hearing her voice, jumped to her feet.

“Waaaaah! Auntie!”

Seon-Ah, the seven-year-old, burst into tears and ran into Jin So-Ryeong’s arms.

‘Auntie…’

Yoo Eun-Seong, hearing the word, almost fainted from the shock. It was a terrifying word to his ears.

“There, there! Don’t cry, Seon-Ah. ‘Auntie’ is here now. You’re safe. What happened while I was gone?”

Her last question was directed at Yoo Gyeong-Yeong.

“Hero Jin, well, you see…”

The boy, still trembling, told them what he had witnessed. Jin So-Ryeong was stunned.

“So, Baek Mu-Hu…”

His story sounded like a fairy tale.

“That’s hard to believe, Miss Jin!”

Yoo Eun-Seong said, his expression a mixture of awe and skepticism.

“I know! It’s a mystical story. She’s truly worthy of being called the master of Mount Emei. We humans need to be more humble before nature.”

She knew that there had been a proposal to exterminate Baek Mu-Hu and her pack, to show the disciples who the true master of Mount Emei was. Fortunately, the proposal had been rejected, thanks to an elder who had argued that they shouldn’t act like landlords when they were merely tenants, and that such arrogance would invite nature’s wrath. If they had gone through with it…

The consequences would have been disastrous.

“Phew~ We were so scared. By the time everyone woke up, hearing that roar, it was all over. And then she disappeared, like the wind. It was like a flash of white lightning.”

He didn’t mention that she had run away after being hit by a pillow. He didn’t want to be called a liar, even if he was telling the truth. He had learned at a young age that adults were quick to dismiss children’s words, no matter how truthful they were.

“You’ve been through a lot. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

“N-no, it’s okay. We’re grateful that you care.”

She smiled, touched by his mature words.

“You’re so brave and mature, just like a true master of Blue Dragon Manor!”

“Thank you.”

He blushed, embarrassed. He was still a child at heart.

“Hmm, it’s a shame we let the leader of the attackers escape.”

“I never imagined that one of the Twelve Jade Walls, the head of the Central Plains Merchant Guild, would do such a thing, Miss Jin.”

This was a serious matter.

“Alright, I’ll take you to Master Iron Fist tomorrow.”

She said reassuringly.

“Um… who’s Master Iron Fist?”

He asked, unfamiliar with the title.

“Who else? Ma Jin-Ga, the current Branch Manager of Cheonmu Academy. He was my teacher.”

“Really, Hero Jin? We’re finally going to meet him?”

He was overjoyed. His dream of entering Cheonmu Academy was finally coming true.

“Of course.”

She smiled.

“Where’s the old master?”

He hesitated.

“Um… he’s still asleep.”

Yoo Eun-Seong was outraged.

“What? The entire guild was attacked, and he’s still sleeping? How can he be so carefree at a time like this?!”

He couldn’t understand the old man’s attitude.

“He must be tired. Let him sleep.”

She said, defending the old man, and Yoo Eun-Seong’s mood soured even further. Middle-aged jealousy was far more terrifying than youthful jealousy!

“No, I’ll go wake him up.”

He marched towards the old man’s room, without waiting for a reply.

“Um… I don’t think that’s a good idea, Master Yoo.”

Yoo Gyeong-Yeong said, and he stopped.

“Why not, Gyeong-Yeong?”

He turned his head slightly, his face puzzled.

“I’m… I’m worried you’ll get hurt.”

He replied, his voice barely a whisper.

“Hahaha, what could possibly happen? I’m just going to wake him up. Don’t worry.”

Yoo Eun-Seong laughed heartily and continued walking.

“But… it’s dangerous…”

The boy muttered, his voice resigned. Adults never listened to children’s warnings. Just because they were young!

* * *

*Knock, knock!*

“Are you there, Old Master?”

“…”

*Knock, knock!*

*Bang! Bang!*

“Are you there? It’s Yoo Eun-Seong of Jeomchang. Please wake up. There’s been an incident. I’m coming in.”

There was no response, so Yoo Eun-Seong decided to enter. The old master’s room was in the same courtyard as the Yoo siblings’ room, so they could see him reaching for the doorknob.

*Creak!*

The door creaked open.

“Excuse me…”

*Thud!*

The children closed their eyes involuntarily, hearing the thud. It was a familiar sound, a sound that brought back memories.

“…”

Silence. The boy cautiously opened his eyes. He saw Yoo Eun-Seong, a solid wooden pillow embedded in his face, slowly tilting backward.

“Uh oh…”

*Thud! Crash!*

The First Sword of Jeomchang fainted. Jin So-Ryeong was speechless.

“I told you you’d get hurt…”

He had dismissed her warning as a joke, even though she had been serious.

*Bang!*

The door slammed shut.

No one dared to open it again.