Yeo Il-ye recalled Ho Cheon-an’s words.
[Gae Myung-bu is different from Hwang Geum-seon or Yu Ji-gyeong. Since both Hwang Geum-seon and Yu Ji-gyeong derive their power from Sacheon City, what can they do even if they run away? However, Gae Myung-bu’s strength comes from their own martial arts. Even if they abandon the Jam-bong Sect, as long as they remain safe, they can make a comeback anywhere.]
Chasing after Gae Myung-bu, Yeo Il-ye thought. She had already run quite a distance from Sacheon City. Yet, the fact that she didn’t look back even once made it seem more like…
[Or perhaps there could be another choice to consider. But do we really need to think about that?]
“Is it a trap?”
Yeo Il-ye slowly slowed her martial arts techniques. Gae Myung-bu was drawing their sword and waiting for her.
“I’ve never liked Hwang Geum-seon’s scheme from the start. Fifteen years ago. How can I trust the plans of someone who couldn’t even capture a powerless girl?”
Yeo Il-ye quietly drew her own sword.
“If it weren’t for the vengeance of the Jeomchang Faction, eliminating a child like you would be a piece of cake. Did you think that just because you reached the peak stage, the world would be yours? It’s already been ten years since you attained that level of skill.”
Ignoring Gae Myung-bu’s words, Yeo Il-ye pondered how to achieve a desirable revenge.
“Just because you’ve caught a bandit leader doesn’t mean Gae Myung-bu can beat me. That arrogance, which will come to an end right here today…”
“Your tongue is quite long.”
There was a hint in Gae Myung-bu’s words.
“Just as you said, I was just a little girl. Are you so scared that you could lose to such a girl?”
“You little brat!”
There was no need to overthink. If they were that confident in their skills, all she had to do was shatter that pride.
Watching Gae Myung-bu charging forward with a furious roar, Yeo Il-ye thought. Gae Myung-bu was indeed a formidable opponent at the peak stage. Although not comparable to the Jeomchang Faction, they were someone who had honed their skills for a long time in a respectable sect.
Stable footwork. A heavy aura radiating from their experience. Even the density of the sword’s momentum was impressive.
Gae Myung-bu could be categorized as the strongest opponent Yeo Il-ye had faced so far.
Nevertheless, Yeo Il-ye observed her own calm inner self. Even facing her greatest adversary, her heart felt utterly peaceful.
‘I see.’
This realization granted Yeo Il-ye confidence.
‘I am stronger.’
Boom.
The internal power erupted from Yeo Il-ye’s body, swirling up dust. In an instant, the released energy converged into her sword.
Gae Myung-bu’s expression hardened. She’d heard of someone having an abundance of internal power, but this felt more like facing a monster. Although she never planned to hold back, she infused even more power into her sword.
From this distance, she could feel the tingling sensation on her skin, a testament to her experience.
Gae Myung-bu steadied her racing heart and sharpened her gaze cunningly.
*‘In terms of compatibility, we’re the better ones.’*
Pretending to be infuriated while attacking, Gae Myung-bu was actually intending to counter the Four-Finger Saber Technique from the start.
Pinning down the opponent so they couldn’t move was the core concept of Jam-bong Sect’s sword techniques. As powerful as that single blow might be, it would leave a significant opening, making it perfect for enclosing the Four-Finger Saber Technique.
Feeling the crushing aura from Yeo Il-ye’s immense internal power made Gae Myung-bu rethink the situation but she knew that wouldn’t change much.
Watching as Yeo Il-ye assumed the stance of the Four-Finger Saber Technique, Gae Myung-bu focused intensely.
The target was a mere moment. She had to evade the stabbing attack of the Four-Finger Saber Technique that would come literally in an instant, then bind the sword.
The distance was 10 steps.
If a peak expert set their mind to it, they could close the gap in a single breath, so Gae Myung-bu tightened her nerves till the end.
9 steps. 8 steps. 7 steps.
Yeo Il-ye’s internal power began to condense. The sword was poised horizontally in front of her chest, ready to launch.
5 steps.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind blew. The explosive release of Yeo Il-ye’s condensed internal power was evidenced by its power. Gae Myung-bu smiled triumphantly. For her age, the way she managed her internal power was certainly impressive, but no matter how skilled she was, the sheer amount of internal power was beyond comprehension.
A massive amount of internal power made its presence felt even with simple movements.
Gae Myung-bu became certain that the Four-Finger Saber Technique was coming. No matter how skilled in maintaining internal power, if she didn’t release this condensed energy, Yeo Il-ye’s organs would surely become distorted.
3 steps.
Among peak experts, the distance to face one another was incredibly close. Gae Myung-bu halted her steps and prepared her own technique.
Sword Arts Blooming.
Gae Myung-bu’s sword cast shadows, and along with them, a thorn-like momentum claimed the space. Just as thin thorn bushes prevent entry, this form ensnared and brought down interlopers.
Having perfectly unfolded her technique, Gae Myung-bu smiled smugly. No matter how overwhelming Yeo Il-ye’s internal power was, even if the Four-Finger Saber Technique was a divine skill, it would be hard to break through the blooming sword arts and would soon lose strength.
Seeing the ferocious internal energy and the crushing aura charging toward her, Yeo Il-ye swung her sword down from above.
Gae Myung-bu’s eyes widened in realization. How could the legendary Four-Finger Saber Technique have only one aspect?
The descendant shot arrows at the sun.
And missed.
The Four-Finger Saber Technique, the Falling Star.
Yeo Il-ye’s sword descended like a falling star.
“If I hadn’t run into Mo Yeobu first, there might have been a glimmer of hope.”
Gae Myung-bu gritted her teeth. At this moment, she was feeling the force of the Falling Star through every fiber of her being. The sword, filled with momentum capable of shattering everything, pressed down on her completely.
Watching Gae Myung-bu’s face contort, Yeo Il-ye wondered if she lost because her strategy had failed. Not a chance. The arrows of the Jeomchang Faction wouldn’t falter against something as flimsy as thorns.
Even if pierced and wounded, it wouldn’t block everything—they would break through and move forward.
Crack!
The thorny aura created by Gae Myung-bu shattered helplessly. While it might’ve been a counted-out technique, it couldn’t stop the falling star descending with the will to crush all.
Swoosh!
The trajectory of that star sliced clean through Gae Myung-bu’s right arm.
“I didn’t expect you to show me your swordsmanship.”
Those were the last words Gae Myung-bu heard before being swept into unconsciousness by overwhelming experience.
*
Yeong Ji-hu-yeol exhaled lightly and returned to the Outcast Inn.
It had been quite a long day.
After exchanging blows with someone of the same caliber, they had even been mobilized for the search of the Jam-bong Sect.
Having subdued all the Jam-bong Sect members, the outcasts searched through the sect like a hawk, gathering numerous pieces of evidence.
Thinking back on the Jam-bong sect, Yeong Ji-hu-yeol shook his head. It was surprising enough to learn that Yu Sa-yeon was a survivor from the Tang Su Sect, but evidence had surfaced from the sect leader’s secret vault linking Gae Myung-bu to hiring Gu Ak-geom Dok Yeong-chan and the Bandit Wolya-do.
Gae Myung-bu had been preparing to gather evidence to expose the sect and a man, who held the material evidence of Gae Myung-bu’s previous misdeeds from fifteen years ago…
“Hmm…?”
As Yeong Ji-hu-yeol opened the door, he frowned at the sight of a letter lying on the floor. It looked as if someone had slid it under the door crack.
Who could it be?
Without a word, Yeong Ji-hu-yeol ripped open the envelope and read its contents. After finishing the letter, he let out a soft sigh.
“…Is it time to conclude?”
Putting back on the black rib he had temporarily removed, Yeong Ji-hu-yeol prepared for what lay ahead.
*
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
“Bwahahaha! Hwang Geum-seon! Your downfall is near! Bwahahahaha!”
Yeo Il-ye returned with a furious Gae Myung-bu, who only just regained consciousness to see their severed arm—losing it seemed to have driven them insane.
Well, Gae Myung-bu’s chances of a comeback were near impossible. Losing the right hand was akin to losing one’s life as a martial artist. Below the surface of that reality, the rage consumed her.
Yeo Il-ye possessed detailed insight into the blood debts of Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, the criminal, the Jam-bong sect’s secrets, and even information about foes she hadn’t anticipated. Gae Myung-bu desired nothing more than for everyone she knew to perish.
Nevertheless, while Gae Myung-bu held a vile intention, the evidence spilling from her lips was absolutely critical.
Gae Myung-bu revealed the affairs of Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, the deeds of the Jam-bong sect, and the many atrocious activities that may have transpired without her knowledge.
Particularly, the atrocities committed by Hwang Geum-seon and Gae Myung-bu were laid bare. There was barely enough paper left to take down everything of significance from Gae Myung-bu’s testimony.
Hyeok Gi-rin, who had been organizing alongside me, looked like he might vomit at any moment.
The malevolence emanating from Gae Myung-bu, who had experienced all the trials and tribulations, was enough to make even Ho Cheon-an frown, and Hyeok Gi-rin, not used to such toxicity, seemed quite shaken.
I gently patted Hyeok Gi-rin’s back.
“It’s alright. It’s all over now.”
“…Why is that?”
Hyeok Gi-rin murmured with a pale expression.
“Why do they live like that, inflicting pain on others without hesitation, yet wailing over their own pain, and speaking of it boldly?”
“In this world, there are those like that.”
I replied calmly. The world was filled with all kinds of people—including people like Gae Myung-bu.
“…Ho, don’t you feel nothing?”
“Haha, of course, it’s unpleasant. But I’ve let it go.”
Hyeok Gi-rin looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Indeed, that guy is only left with his punishment now. Staying attached to the unpleasantness will just be a loss for me.”
“…That’s true.”
Hyeok Gi-rin acknowledged, realizing the logic behind my words.
“Everything has been handled in your grasp.”
“Rather, it was the result of everyone’s hard work.”
What exactly did I do? Honestly, the only notable deed wasn’t even subduing Gae Myung-bu, but taking down one peak expert of the Jam-bong Sect. I was supposed to dismantle the Seongrak Building as part of the plan, but Yu Ji-gyeong escaped only to be caught by the Black Cat, which meant that achievement wasn’t even mine.
I was just in charge of the miscellaneous tasks—trying to dissuade Yeo Il-ye, rummaging through the Jam-bong Sect’s documents, compiling Yu Ji-gyeong’s testimony… just the errand boy, really.
A satisfactory performance at best.
We returned to the room where Sa Ma-yeom and Yeo Il-ye were waiting. Sa Ma-yeom was reading the gathered documents with a hearty laugh.
“…It appears you managed something great without my notice.”
Sa Ma-yeom maintained his usual smile, but there was an ominous glint in it—certainly not a mistake.
“Surely you haven’t forgotten the agreement we made at the beginning?”
“Of course not.”
Sa Ma-yeom sighed.
“Hwang Geum-seon, Yu Ji-gyeong, and Gae Myung-bu shall be dealt with according to Miss Yeo Il-ye’s intentions. I remember that clearly. So, Miss, how do you plan on dealing with them?”
“…I’m not sure.”
Yeo Il-ye replied calmly.
“I won’t know if I want to kill them or merely take revenge until I face Hwang Geum-seon.”
“…Is that so?”
Instead of indulging in complaints, Sa Ma-yeom began to write something down on a document meant for official use. The text flowed swiftly, detailing all the atrocities committed by Hwang Geum-seon while mentioning that an investigation was currently underway at the government offices to substantiate this.
“Tomorrow, I will send the royal guards to distribute this proclamation to the Hwang Gold Clan.”
Those belonging to the Hwang Gold Clan, along with the Hwangbo Clan and Amihong’s representative, will undoubtedly be taken aback upon receiving this notice.
Though in modern terms, this proclamation might rigidly resemble a suspect designation in a crime case… it wields power beyond any summons.
If the recipients of the proclamation were to go missing or hide their tracks, they would instantly become wanted criminals.
This martial world isn’t modern. Problems could take months to resolve, so would you detain or closely monitor the suspect in the meantime?
Realistically, that’s quite difficult.
That’s why the proclamation acts as a binding threat—once they see it, their only course of action is to remain put.
How would the Hwang Gold Clan react upon seeing it? Though it’s labeled as a proclamation, it effectively calls out their wrongdoing—the accusation of burning Yeo-ga Mountain Villa, collusion with bandits, and all the heinous crimes committed while aiding the Hwang Gold Clan’s rise.
Could any of them still believe their Family Head is innocent after seeing that proclamation?
The answer would unfold itself when we visit the Hwang Gold Clan’s mansion tomorrow.
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