Chapter 297 : The Hwangbo Clan People (2)

Chapter 297: The Hwangbo Clan People (2)

Squeaaak!

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

Jeong Suji and Gunwi each took down one, while Gunyeom took down three.

Considering that she had killed half of them with daggers, it was quite the achievement.

“Who’s there?!”

The Blood Demon Castle martial artists shouted as they turned toward the three who were charging at them.

But Jeong Minji and the Gunwi siblings swung their swords without responding.

“Kill them!”

However, the remaining five were no match for Jeong Minji and the Gunwi siblings.

Even if the Blood Demon Castle martial artists were exceptional, Jeong Minji was a seasoned fighter forged through real combat.

Jeong Minji cut down three in a swift pass, and Gunwi and Gunyeom barely managed to bring down one together.

“Huff, if we hadn’t reduced their numbers with an ambush, this would’ve been tough.”

Gunwi sighed in relief as he spoke, and Jeong Minji turned to Gunyeom.

“It’s thanks to Miss Gun’s daggers that we cut their numbers. Well done.”

“No, not at all.”

Gunyeom bowed her head in response.

“If you hadn’t dealt with the other three, we would’ve been in danger.”

Exchanging praise, they approached the people of the Hwangbo Clan.

The young woman of the Hwangbo Clan shouted as Jeong Minji’s group approached.

“Don’t come any closer! Identify yourselves first!”

At her words, a young man scolded her.

“Jooyang, they’re the ones who saved us. How could you act so rudely?”

The young man offered a clasped-hands salute toward the trio.

“I am Hwangbo Mak, Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan.”

Hwangbo Mak had the appearance of a nobleman and was a large-framed young man.

Only then did the young woman also offer a clasped-hands salute.

“I’m Hwangbo Jooyang. Thank you for saving us. There are so many trying to kill us lately, my nerves have been on edge. Please understand.”

Hwangbo Jooyang was a beautiful woman who would strike anyone as likeable at first glance.

As they greeted them, Gunwi stepped forward.

“I’m Gunwi of the Mukun Sect.”

“I’m Gunyeom.”

As Hwangbo Mak looked at the two and then turned his gaze toward Jeong Minji, who exuded a mysterious air, he stared intently.

Her features were different from the siblings’, and he didn’t think she was from the Mukun Sect.

“I’m Jeong Minji of the Jeong Family Manor.”

At her words, Hwangbo Mak’s eyes widened.

“Ah, are you the Phoenix Sword, the eldest of the Three Chivalrous Sisters?”

It was the first time someone had reacted so surprised upon hearing her alias, so Jeong Minji nodded her head, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hahaha, to think I’d meet the Phoenix Sword of the Three Chivalrous Sisters in a place like this!”

Despite his large frame, Hwangbo Mak had a somewhat frivolous demeanor.

But as he seemed genuine, Jeong Minji didn’t mind much.

Gunwi spoke.

“Let’s talk after we get out of here. If we stay too long, the Blood Demon Castle’s martial artists might surround us.”

Jeong Minji’s group and the Hwangbo Clan members quickly left the area.

*

Guided by Gunwi, they arrived at a small Guan Di Shrine.

A shabby shrine was filled with eight people.

“First, circulate your qi and expel the Energy Dispersing Poison. We will guard this place.”

“We’ll rely on the Phoenix Sword.”

Hwangbo Mak immediately sat cross-legged and began Qi Circulation Training.

Hwangbo Jooyang sighed as she looked at her older brother, who trusted others too easily.

But she also didn’t consider Jeong Minji someone with wicked intentions, so she too entered Qi Circulation Training without hesitation.

Soon, five martial artists of the Hwangbo Clan surrounded them and stood guard.

Jeong Minji understood and left them alone.

Hwangbo Mak and Hwangbo Jooyang opened their eyes and stood up after one sikgyeong.

“Guards, circulate your qi and expel the Energy Dispersing Poison.”

Only then did the guards sit down and assume the cross-legged posture.

Hwangbo Mak asked Jeong Minji,

“May I ask how you came to be here?”

Jeong Minji paused for a moment upon receiving the question.

In truth, Jeong Minji had been deep in thought while they were circulating their qi.

‘If I go with Young Master Gun to the Mukun Sect and bring back martial artists, it will take too long. But if I can take the people of the Hwangbo Clan and rescue Mother... That would be ideal. Honestly, I can’t even guarantee that the martial artists of the Mukun Sect are superior to these people. This might be the better choice. But would the Hwangbo Clan accept my request?’

As she considered these things, she felt that explaining the situation might move Hwangbo Mak to act.

So Jeong Minji explained how they had been poisoned and taken hostage by the people of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and that she alone had barely escaped.

Hwangbo Mak’s expression turned to surprise.

“Such a thing happened. It’s quite similar to us. Though the attackers were different.”

Without being asked, Hwangbo Mak began to explain their own situation.

“The Clan Head departed for the Shaolin Temple first. I intended to follow with Shangguan Joyoung, whom I’m close with. But as soon as we entered Henan, those Blood Demon Castle bastards attacked us. We even ended up eating food laced with Energy Dispersing Poison today and thought we wouldn’t be able to escape. Luckily, Miss Jeong saved us.”

Hearing Hwangbo Mak’s words, Jeong Minji muttered.

“It doesn’t seem like the Blood Demon Castle people targeted only the Hwangbo Clan. They’re probably attacking minor sects headed to the Shaolin Temple.”

“Why would they do such a thing?”

Hwangbo Mak asked, and Jeong Minji replied.

“It’s likely to disrupt the Shaolin Temple Gathering. The Three Demonic Heavens must be unwilling to see the Three Central Alliances unite as one.”

When the Hwangbo Clan guards finished circulating their qi and expelled the Energy Dispersing Poison, Jeong Minji spoke.

“Lord Hwangbo, I have a request. Please help rescue the people of the Main Manor who are being held hostage at the Heavenly Demon Sect’s safehouse. There are quite a few Heavenly Demon Sect martial artists inside, and the three of us alone are not enough. We were about to seek help from the Mukun Sect. If you assist us, we could launch a surprise attack on the safehouse together and rescue our people.”

As she spoke, Hwangbo Jooyang responded.

“Miss Jeong, while we are thankful you saved us, attacking the Heavenly Demon Sect safehouse with just us is too dangerous. I think we should follow the original plan and seek aid from the Mukun Sect.”

A disappointed expression appeared on Jeong Minji’s face.

As always, she felt the murim was harsher than she liked.

People only moved after calculating their own benefit, so true chivalrous heroes were rare to find.

‘So they are also from a noble clan. Of course they would weigh their interests.’

Even though Gunwi had tried to stop her, she had risked her life to save them—yet all she received in return was rejection. The disappointment was immense.

Hwangbo Mak, seeing the disappointment on Jeong Minji’s face, felt a pang of guilt.

“Understood, Miss Jeong. I will help.”

“Orabeoni!”

Hwangbo Jooyang cried out in surprise and tried to stop her brother.

“Jooyang, if they had turned away upon seeing us, we’d be dog food by now. But how can we ignore those who pulled us out of the jaws of death just because we’re no longer in danger? That’s not what we learned martial arts for, is it?”

Hwangbo Jooyang, feeling slightly guilty after saying what she had, bowed her head when Hwangbo Mak pressed her with those words.

“Alright. Do as you wish, Orabeoni.”

Jeong Minji offered a clasped-hands salute and spoke with gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“I should’ve offered my help before you even asked, Miss Jeong.”

Jeong Minji thought to herself.

‘Thank goodness. If they help, I can rescue Mother and my siblings.’

But Gunwi and Gunyeom’s expressions didn’t look good.

The two had remained silent ever since the Hwangbo Clan joined them.

Thinking they were feeling intimidated by the Hwangbo Clan, Jeong Minji spoke.

“Young Master Gun, please understand—it’s only because I was in a hurry that we didn’t go to the Mukun Sect. It’s not that I disregard the Mukun Sect or doubt you. The Hwangbo Clan happened to be with us, so I simply asked for their aid.”

Gunwi smiled faintly and replied.

“It’s alright. I understand you, Miss Jeong. I’m just worried whether we can truly rescue the hostages at the Heavenly Demon Sect’s safehouse with our current numbers.”

“I think we’re more than capable. We’re not talking about just anyone—we have the Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan and their guards. They must all be at least first-rate martial artists.”

“Then that’s reassuring.”

Still, the expressions on the two remained grim.

But Jeong Minji, more concerned for her mother and siblings than them, hurried her steps.

They were tracked faster than expected, and the people of the Jeong Family Manor and Geum Family Manor were embroiled in a fierce battle.

“We’ve already lost three.”

The Geum Family Manor had lost three martial artists, leaving only three remaining.

Additionally, all the martial artists they had brought along when leaving the Jeong Family Manor were dead—only the two of them remained.

That was how persistent and relentless the pursuit of the Dark Demon Unit was.

Yet again, they encountered another group of martial artists from the Dark Demon Unit.

Jo Gyeongmae fell into deep thought after this incident.

‘Can the Main Manor or the Geum Family Manor truly be called families that possessed the Four Great Divine Items? Young Master Geum, who lost the Black Death Silkworm, is no different from an ordinary martial artist, and we’re the same without the Vermilion Blood Cup. Perhaps, without the Four Great Divine Items, the Four Great Clans are no better than minor local sects.’

Jo Gyeongmae steadied her breath and closed her eyes.

‘Come to think of it, that child Yong Hwarin achieved that realm without even a single one of the Four Great Divine Items. That’s remarkable.’

Realizing that she had unconsciously thought of Yong Hwarin in such a dire moment, she let out a bitter smile.

The fact that he came to mind at such a critical time meant his strength was deeply etched in her mind.

“Mother.”

Jeong Suji called to her mother, who was immersed in meditation.

“What is it?”

Shaking off her idle thoughts, Jo Gyeongmae opened her eyes.

“I’ll release my restriction.”

“You must not.”

“This isn’t the time to worry about how others perceive us. We have to shake the pursuit, even if it means unlocking our restriction. If not, we’ll end up as hostages waiting on Young Master Yong’s negotiations.”

She intentionally mentioned Yong Hwarin’s name to provoke her mother’s pride.

As expected, it worked.

“That would be truly disgraceful.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Jo Gyeongmae nodded.

“I’ll release your restriction. But if it becomes too much, you must stop.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Jo Gyeongmae patted both of her daughters on the back.

Then Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji struck the acupoints on their chest and released the restriction.

“Ghhhk!”

“Why does this hurt so much?!”

The pain felt as though their meridians were being scorched by fire, and they clenched their teeth.

Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji looked at each other with the exact same thought.

‘Did our sister go through this kind of pain without showing a hint of it?’

It was usually their elder sister Jeong Minji who released the restriction of the Vermilion Grand Flame Art.

The two had trusted their sister to fight with the restriction released and hadn’t undone their own. But now that they had, and the blocked meridians opened, letting the vital energy flow, the pain exceeded anything they had imagined.