Chapter v20c3

“Ryong, was that… a sword aura?”

“I-I think so.”

Hyo-Ryong, who was watching from behind, replied in a dazed voice.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve lost your soul.”

It was true.

“I-I never imagined that Miss Na, known for her grace and composure, would do something so violent.”

“Unni is really angry right now.”

Lee Jin-Seol’s reply puzzled him.

“Angry?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen her this angry before.”

He tilted his head again.

“Angry? She looks the same as always to me.”

He asked, his expression doubtful.

“Tsk, tsk, typical men! Don’t you know that icy anger is more terrifying than fiery anger?”

“I-I didn’t know that.”

“Well, now you do. Especially if it’s coming from Na Ye-Rin, the Ice White Phoenix!”

* * *

Na Ye-Rin walked through the Central Plains Merchant Guild’s Nanchang branch without hesitation.

*Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The guards, who had been stunned into inaction, finally snapped out of it and sounded the alarm.

“What’s going on?”

“What happened?”

“Is it an intruder?”

The guards rushed out, blocking her path. It was a swift response, befitting a first-rate escort agency. But their fierce expressions vanished as soon as they saw her. They were all captivated by her beauty.

“What… what should we do, Chief Kang?”

One of the guards asked.

“W-well…”

Chief Kang, who was leading the guards, was also troubled.

“Are you sure she’s an intruder?”

“I think so.”

They hesitated to act, unsure how to handle the situation. She didn’t look like an intruder. She looked more like a valued customer. They felt like criminals for even thinking about attacking her.

“Please step aside.”

She said, her face expressionless.

“O-of course… I mean, no! You can’t pass!”

Chief Kang, who had almost agreed, wiped the sweat from his brow.

His mouth seemed to have a mind of its own.

“I see. If you won’t move, I’ll have to force my way through.”

She took a step forward.

“W-what should we do, Chief Kang?”

The guard asked again, his voice panicked.

“Damn it! Why are you asking me?!”

He snapped.

“Because you’re the highest-ranking person here.”

The guard replied meekly.

“Ugh, you’re right.”

“So what should we do?”

“Stop her.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“I don’t know! How should I know?!”

As they bickered, the distance between them and Na Ye-Rin closed rapidly.

“Damn it! Stop her!”

He finally gave the order.

“Y-yes, sir!”

The guards moved awkwardly.

Lee Jin-Seol, who had been leisurely following behind, suddenly shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

“Unni, go ahead! We’ll take care of this! Right, Hyo-Ryong?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah… Of course!”

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

It was a demonstration of quality over quantity. The dozen guards, who had formed a circle around them, were easily tossed aside by the two experts. They didn’t even need to use their swords.

“Excuse me.”

Na Ye-Rin continued walking, her steps never faltering, as she blocked, parried, and threw the guards.

By the time she reached the next gate, there wasn’t a single guard left standing. Only Chief Kang remained, staring at the scene with a dazed expression.

“Excuse me.”

She bowed slightly and entered the inner courtyard.

* * *

A group of men, their weapons drawn, were waiting for her in the inner courtyard. They were far more skilled than the outer guards. They were the elite of the Central Plains Merchant Guild. And leading them was Chief Escort Cheon Jeong-Won.

“What’s all this commotion? We have an important guest!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong rushed out, his voice raised, flanked by his two lieutenants, the O-Gae brothers. But his momentum, like the others’, was short-lived. He too was speechless at the sight of her. It seemed like age was irrelevant.

“Miss, what brings you here?”

He asked.

“I’m looking for someone.”

She replied, her voice quiet.

“This isn’t a place for such requests…”

“The person I’m looking for is here, so you don’t have to bother.”

“Who…?”

“I’m looking for Lee Si-Geon.”

His body flinched, as if he had been stabbed.

‘H-how does she know?’

He couldn’t understand how she knew about Lee Si-Geon, a secret known only to him and his closest confidants.

“I’m afraid there’s no one here by that name, Miss. You seem to have the wrong place.”

He had to keep it a secret.

“Is that true?”

She asked, her eyes clear and bright.

“Of course it’s true.”

He replied without hesitation.

“You’re lying.”

She said, her voice filled with conviction.

‘H-how does she know?!’

He was starting to panic. She wasn’t someone he could fool.

“L-lying? How can you be so sure?”

“Because it’s the truth. I’m curious about this ‘important guest’ you mentioned.”

Her eyes were deep and calm, as if she knew everything. They were too clear to be clouded by lies. He had no answer.

“Are you still going to deny it?”

“Everyone, stand down!”

He shouted.

“Huh?”

They hesitated, surprised by his order.

“Didn’t you hear me? I’ll take responsibility for everything. Stand down!”

“But Chief Yoon…”

Someone’s cautious question was drowned out by his roar.

“Silence! Stand down!”

The poor guard, who had met his gaze, stiffened and replied,

“Y-yes, sir!”

They quickly retreated, knowing it was best not to provoke him any further. The courtyard was empty.

“Shall we continue our conversation, Miss?”

He said, a menacing smile playing on his lips. He was clearly willing to silence her if necessary. But she was unfazed.

“I only have one request.”

She replied, her voice steady.

“Just tell me where Lee Si-Geon is.”

‘That’s impossible!’

It was beyond his authority.

“I’m afraid that’s very difficult…”

And then it happened.

“Well, well, well! If it isn’t the famous Ice White Phoenix, Na Ye-Rin!”

Lee Si-Geon emerged from the building.

“Y-young Master!”

Yoon Yi-Jeong exclaimed, startled by his unexpected appearance.

“It’s fine.”

He silenced him and continued,

“A beautiful lady has come all this way to see me. I can’t hide like a coward.”

* * *

“Is he insane?”

Lee Jin-Seol, who was watching the scene from a hidden location, asked Hyo-Ryong, her expression incredulous.

“Many men live in a world of delusions, so it’s hard to say if he’s the only one who’s insane.”

“Tsk, tsk, men…”

She clicked her tongue, her voice filled with disdain. They were perched on the wall of the inner courtyard, hidden in the shade of a large willow tree. They had taken care of the outer guards and were now observing the situation, fulfilling their duties as witnesses.

* * *

“Hehe, this is perfect.”

Lee Si-Geon said, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

“…?”

“I was just looking for you, and you came to me! You’ve saved me a lot of trouble.”

He hadn’t expected this opportunity to present itself so quickly.

‘Hehe, the prey walked right into my trap!’

He had been trying to figure out how to get his hands on Na Ye-Rin, but he hadn’t come up with a good plan. And then she had come to him. What luck!

He couldn’t help but grin.

“You’re not going anywhere, Miss.”

His eyes gleamed like a snake’s.

She was unfazed. She had been through this many times before.

“Do you really think you can stop me?”

She pointed her sword at him, its blade glowing white.

“Of course!”

He raised his right hand, his fingers curled like claws.

‘I’ll give you a night you’ll never forget!’

His eyes burned with lust.

‘I never thought I’d have to use this technique… I thought it was useless.’

He had learned it, but he had never thought he would actually use it.

“Then be careful!”

* * *

*Purple Cloud Dark Wind.*

*Secret Technique.*

*Binding Blade.*

* * *

Invisible threads of energy surged towards her, seeking to bind her.

“You’re mine now!”

He shouted, a triumphant smile on his face.

But as the invisible threads were about to envelop her, she moved, her body flowing like water. It was a graceful, fluid movement. And when it was over, she was outside the range of his attack.

“H-how…?”

He exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. He had never imagined that his technique could be countered.

“So it was a silk sword. But your technique is rather mediocre.”

She said, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Mediocre?”

He asked, his pride wounded.

“Yes. I know someone who’s far more skilled with a silk sword than you. Compared to him, your skills are nothing special.”

It was a blow to his ego.

“L-lies!”

He couldn’t accept it.

“I have no reason to lie to you. It’s the truth.”

She said, her voice firm.

“If you don’t believe me, you can test me. I’ll prove it to you.”

“Alright! Let’s see what you’re capable of!”

He shouted, his anger overriding his reason.

“I was going to capture you without hurting you, but you’re pushing your luck! Can you handle this?”

His hands moved rapidly, weaving intricate patterns.

* * *

*Purple Cloud Dark Wind.*

*Killing Form.*

*Death Warrant.*

* * *

He was no longer holding back. His pride had been wounded, and he had to restore it, no matter the cost.

“That won’t work.”

Her eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.

She could see the trajectory of his invisible attack, the path of his killing intent.

It was a far more powerful attack than before. But…

‘Compared to his…’

It was nothing.

* * *

“Just because something is invisible doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. If you can sense it, there’s no reason you can’t dodge it.”

* * *

She slowly activated her Dragon Eyes. Everything became clear. And her feet moved, gliding across the ground.

* * *

*Water Flowing Steps.*

* * *

Water could seep through any crack. And to her, his technique was full of holes.

“I told you it wouldn’t work.”

She proved her words with her actions. His attack was useless against her.

“T-twice… this bitch countered me twice…”

He was stunned. His prized technique had been countered twice in a row.

“Will you surrender now?”

She asked.

“Hmph, don’t make me laugh!”

He scoffed.

“You’re not admitting defeat?”

“Defeat? Who are you calling defeated bitch?”

He shouted, his anger flaring.

“Is there anyone else here besides you?”

His face, which had been red with anger, turned even redder, as if he had been slapped.

“Hmph! I admit you’re skilled. But I’m not defeated!”

He shouted, his voice shrill.

* * *

“He keeps calling her ‘bitch’! That’s so rude! Typical men! They resort to insults when they’re losing. Am I right?”

Lee Jin-Seol, who was watching from her hiding place, said indignantly.

“Y-you’re right.”

Hyo-Ryong, feeling guilty as a fellow man, replied, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“If he lost, he should just admit it. It’s so pathetic. Don’t you think?”

“Y-you’re right.”

His unwavering agreement only fueled her anger.

“You’re right, you’re right. Is that all you can say, Hyo-Ryong?”

“Y-you’re right.”

“…”

She slumped, defeated. He must have been embarrassed too.

* * *

“You’re still confident? That’s impressive, in a way. Do you have a secret weapon?”

“Hmph, typical women! I go easy on them, and they think they can climb on top of me.”

It was a chauvinistic remark. But it wasn’t surprising, coming from a man who had never seen women as anything more than playthings.

“I never thought I’d have to use this, but you’re lucky!”

*Swish! Swish!*

He rolled up his sleeves, revealing black bracers covering his forearms.

*Clank! Clank!*

They detached from his arms, making a metallic sound.

“Let’s begin round two.”

*Thud! Thud!*

Two heavy objects landed on the ground.

* * *

“They’re iron bracers. I can’t believe he was wearing those…”

Hyo-Ryong muttered, watching the scene unfold.

“Unni will be fine!”

Lee Jin-Seol said, her eyes fixed on Na Ye-Rin.

* * *

“Hehe! What do you think? Are you surprised? Well, it’s only natural to be awestruck by my boundless abilities.”

But she wasn’t surprised at all.

“Surprised? I’m not that easily impressed.”

“W-what! You’re not impressed?!”

Mediocre was followed by unimpressed.

“How much do they weigh?”

She asked, her voice calm.

“Don’t be surprised! Each one weighs ten pounds!”

He said proudly, puffing out his chest.

“Only ten pounds?”

She said dismissively.

“W-what?!”

He was wounded again. Her indifference was unbearable to a man who craved attention.

“I’ll make you beg for mercy!”

He shouted, unable to contain his anger.

“Such killing intent…”

Even Hyo-Ryong and Lee Jin-Seol, who were watching from afar, felt a chill run down their spines. It was far more intense than his previous display of energy.

“You can’t defeat me.”

She said, her eyes unwavering.

“I’ll prove it to you. With all my might!”

She drew her sword, and the courtyard was bathed in white light.

* * *

“Unni is serious!”

“What do you mean, Miss Lee?”

“I’ve never seen her fight seriously before. But I have a feeling I might see it today.”

“The full power of Na Ye-Rin, the Ice White Phoenix…”

He couldn’t imagine it.

* * *

“Do you know that you’re already surrounded by my threads? You’re nothing but a butterfly caught in a spiderweb!”

He was right. She was surrounded by a web of silk swords. It was dangerous to even take a step.

“Well? Are you still confident?”

He grinned and snapped his fingers.

*Snap!*

The threads of energy responded to his command, tightening around her.

*Rip!*

A piece of her white skirt was sliced off, revealing her pale thigh in the moonlight.