Chapter 257 : It Was Him

The operation was set.

The purpose was clear.

Now, what was left was to prepare to solidify the operation for the purpose.

“Move quickly! You bastards!!”

At Kang Seopyeong’s shout, the bandits moved in perfect order.

“Aish! Get out of the way! This is my spot!”

“What are you talking about! I’m here!”

“Uh-uh—! Hey, you blockhead! This is our Dokgo Sect’s spot! Move according to the formation!”

“Aish! Damn it! This is really dog-like!”

The bandits were flustered by the formation they were trying for the first time and were in a state of confusion.

Their feet got tangled, and they stabbed or cut each other with the weapons they were holding, resulting in injuries.

Nevertheless, Kang Seopyeong made the bandits move without a break.

“If you don’t get it right by today, you will all die at my hands. Do you understand?”

“Yes!”

“And you! What’s your name?”

“Yes! I am Guryong of the Gangjeok Sect!”

“Here.”

What Kang Seopyeong threw was a gold nugget the size of a thumb.

“Heeik!”

Guryong, who held the gold nugget in his hand, blinked his eyes like a goldfish.

Gold was something that was hard to see even while being a bandit for a lifetime. But the precious gold had come into his hand not as a gold coin but as a gold nugget, so it was natural for Guryong’s eyes to go wide.

“This is a reward for not making a mistake. If the rest of you do as well as that fellow…”

Kang Seopyeong took out two gold nuggets from his bosom.

“You can receive gold. Although there are only two left now.”

“Waaaah—!!”

They get gold just by walking as they were told.

Who would refuse?

Moreover, these were bandits who cherished their lives, and who cherished money more than their lives.

Naturally, they were mesmerized by the yellow gold nuggets.

“Move quickly!”

“The bastard who makes a mistake will die at my hands! Do you understand!?”

The fortress masters threatened their own bandits so that they would not make mistakes.

And so, while the bandits who were losing their will were burning with enthusiasm and learning the formation, on one side, the martial artists from the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families and the martial artists from the martial arts factions belonging to the righteous path were lined up according to their designated positions.

“Everyone, listen. We will engage in battle with only one purpose.”

Cheon Yusin, who was standing in front of everyone, made the map, which was the size of his body, visible to everyone and then pointed to the location of the Heretic Path's Alliance with the tip of his sword.

“Our enemy has built a solid wall, blocked the gate, and built a tower. This will… surely not be an easy fight.”

Even if they succeeded in barely opening the gate, traps would be waiting for them, and the martial artists belonging to the heretic path would also be waiting with their blades sharpened.

Since ancient times, to conquer those who had a castle, the attacking side needed several times more soldiers than the defending side.

The same was true for a fight between martial artists.

Nevertheless, the righteous martial world and the Martial Alliance had to break through the defenses that the Heretic Path's Alliance had set up, overcome the traps, and open a path.

That was the only way to defeat the Heretic Path's Alliance and to regain the Central Plains martial world.

And for this, Cheon Yusin had prepared the martial artists.

“Here it is.”

“Ah, thank you. I will never forget the help of the Jin Clan.”

Jin Seomok nodded his head and looked at the martial artists with an anxious gaze.

They were wearing armor made of iron supplied by the Jin Clan.

The armor was made to protect the vital points, forearms, and shins so as not to interfere with the movements of the martial artists.

The armor was given to the martial artists who would be the first to break through the path at the forefront.

“Will those people be okay…”

“They will die.”

At Jin Seomok’s mumble, Cheon Yusin answered with an emotionless voice.

At this, Jin Seomok was surprised and asked.

“D-do you mean they will die?”

“It can’t be helped. What we are trying to do is a war, and the possibility of the martial artists who break through the path at the forefront surviving is almost nil.”

“…How can that be?”

Jin Seomok could not look straight at the martial artists wearing armor due to the cruelty of the war.

Jin Seomok, who was sad with his head bowed, asked with a trembling voice.

“Is our Sohyun… okay?”

At the question of a father who had a son, Cheon Yusin took a breath for a moment and then said.

“The son of the Jin Family Head, Jin Sohyun, is a master with the most outstanding talent in the history of the righteous martial world and the martial arts to match it. That’s why… Jin Sohyun will play the most important and dangerous role in this war. But I will promise you one thing.”

Jin Seomok, who had raised his head, stared at Cheon Yusin.

“Until I die… I will make sure that Jin Sohyun never dies. This is not just me, but the Namgung Family Head and the other family heads have also promised, so until all of us die, Sohyun will not die either.”

“I understand.”

Jin Seomok clenched both fists tightly.

Soon, carts loaded with supplies arrived at the Martial Alliance.

Surprisingly, the person who was leading the merchants and the escort agency was a young woman.

The young woman with a beautiful appearance was leading them at the forefront of the merchant guild and then waved her hand when she discovered Jin Seomok.

“You’ve come just in time. Was the journey not difficult?”

“No! By the way… the air is certainly heavy.”

Jin Gahyeon swallowed her dry saliva at the tension she felt from her skin.

“Family Head! Hello!”

Siu, who had greeted him cheerfully, stood next to Jin Gahyeon.

“It’s Siu. Since you are helping Gahyeon, my heart is much more at ease.”

“For the young lady, I am ready to offer this one body!”

Siu said, thumping his chest like a martial artist.

Although it was an action that did not feel any power, Jin Seomok nodded his head and patted Siu’s shoulder vigorously.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Jin Gahyeon, who was looking around, asked.

“Father! Where is my big brother?”

“He is at the training ground, so go and see.”

“Yes!”

“I’ll go with you!”

Jin Gahyeon and Siu ran to the training ground together.

Since Jin Gahyeon had an appearance that was not inferior to Cheon Yerang, many young martial artists took a sharp breath when they discovered her.

In the meantime, Jin Gahyeon and Siu, who had arrived at their destination, discovered Jin Sohyun in the center of the training ground.

“Ah, there he is!”

Siu waved his hand widely, but Jin Sohyun had no energy to respond.

Because he had to move his body to avoid the swords that were rushing in from all directions.

“Don’t give him time!”

“Push him faster!”

“Aww, damn it! Why is he so nimble?”

The late-stage prospects belonging to the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, such as Moyong Susu, Peng Sopyeong, Oh Seolhwa, Hyeok’ugun, Unbang, and Godurim, were pressing Jin Sohyun from all directions.

But Jin Sohyun, who had avoided their attacks without even looking, as if he had eyes on all sides, knocked them down one by one with his lightly clenched fists.

“Ugh!”

“Ack!”

“Kyaak!”

The time it took for the ten Blue Dragon disciples to fall was not even a quarter of an hour.

“Hoo—!”

Jin Sohyun, who had finished the first martial arts contest, faced Namgung Seoru and Namgung Seong, who were approaching him.

Next to them were Mujin of the Wudang Sect and Dohye of the Shaolin Temple.

“Don’t you need to rest?”

As Namgung Seoru asked, Jin Sohyun smiled faintly.

“No.”

“Then I won’t hold back.”

With these words, as Namgung Seoru quickly thrust her sword, Jin Gahyeon, who was watching this, took a sharp breath and covered her mouth, which was about to let out a scream, with both hands.

‘Big brother!’

Unlike the surprised Jin Gahyeon, Jin Sohyun easily avoided Namgung Seoru’s sword by tilting his head.

Following that, Mujin and Dohye rushed in and attacked, but Jin Sohyun avoided even this without difficulty and then pushed the two away by unfolding his palm force.

At that moment, Namgung Seoru’s sword, which was dyed in a golden color, approached.

“Hyaat! The Emperor Sword Form!?”

“I have to do this much to be able to compete with you, Young Master Jin.”

“Then me too!”

Jin Sohyun took out his flying sword and faced Namgung Seoru’s slash.

Of course, Namgung Seong was not just playing around either.

He fiercely unfolded the Boundless Sword Technique of the Azure Sky instead of the Emperor Sword Form and pressed Jin Sohyun.

As the two warriors of the Namgung family thrust and cut their swords from the left and right, Jin Sohyun’s both hands had to move busily.

“Heup!”

Jin Sohyun’s left hand hit the ground.

Due to the powerful palm force that struck the ground, Jin Sohyun’s body floated up, and Namgung Seoru and Namgung Seong were pushed back by the shockwave.

In the meantime, Jin Sohyun divided six flying swords into three each in both hands and quickly flew them.

Pababat—!

The six flying swords that poured down like lightning fell on the disciples belonging to the White Tiger Daoist Temple.

“Ugh!”

Namgung Seoru clutched her shoulder.

Her shoulder had been cut by a flying sword that she had not been able to react to.

“It’s hard, it’s hard.”

Jin Sohyun said this and collected all the flying swords he had thrown with just one gesture.

“Tsk!”

Namgung Seoru put away her sword.

Being cut on the shoulder was the same as having her heart pierced.

Because there was no way Jin Sohyun would have made a mistake.

“Is it all done?”

As the second martial arts contest ended, the masters, including Gwak Myeong and Peng Ohyun, surrounded Jin Sohyun as if they had been waiting.

“If it’s hard, just say so.”

“It’s hard.”

“Endure it.”

“Hmph.”

Siu, who was tired of the continuing martial arts contest, pouted his lips.

“Should I go and tell them?”

“No, no.”

“But we don’t know when it will end… are you just going to wait like this?”

“Yes.”

Jin Gahyeon watched Jin Sohyun’s martial arts contest with her eyes wide open.

‘It’s the first time.’

It was the first time in her life.

The appearances of him that Jin Gahyeon had seen until now were only lazy and slothful.

Although she had heard that he had been a little busy since entering the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, it was the first time she had seen it with her own eyes like this.

‘Big brother… you’re strong.’

To think that he, who was called the lazy young master of Shanxi, had become this strong.

How surprised she was when she heard from the Martial Alliance that Jin Sohyun was the hero and hope of the righteous martial world.

“I didn’t know.”

“What?”

“That my big brother… had suffered so much…”

Jin Gahyeon barely held back her tears, which were about to burst out.

She was not a fool.

And she knew that learning martial arts was by no means easy.

And she also knew that the Flying Sword Ghost was the title that referred to Jin Sohyun, and what he had been doing until now.

That’s why Jin Gahyeon couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Young lady…”

Siu took out a handkerchief and handed it to Jin Gahyeon.

“Thank you.”

While Jin Gahyeon was wiping her tears, Siu was proud as he watched Jin Sohyun, who was fighting on equal terms with several masters.

“As expected of the young master!”

“That damn bastard.”

“What!?”

Siu glared with his eyes wide open and looked to the side.

“Huck! You, you!”

“You?”

As Jong Ryeo'ak’s eyes widened, Siu’s neck shrank.

“No… that person is…”

“That person is?”

“Why… why is Young Master Jong… here?”

“That’s what I want to ask.”

Jong Ryeo'ak glared at Siu with an annoyed face.

“Why is this shorty here?”

“Th-that’s because! Our Jin Clan is helping the Martial Alliance!”

“The Jin Clan?”

“Yes. I am Jin Gahyeon of the Jin Clan.”

Jongyeorak suddenly raised his head and discovered Jin Gahyeon.

Her two eyes, which had turned red from crying just now, still had moisture in them.

Nevertheless, the smile that Jin Gahyeon was making was very beautiful.

“…”

Jongyeorak was so shocked that it was as if he had been struck by lightning.

“Jin… Gahyeon…”

“Yes. That is my name. If you don’t mind, could you tell me your name, Young Master?”

In front of the soft and beautiful Jin Gahyeon, Jongyeorak stuttered.

“I… I am… no… I am Jo… Jongyeorak… is. I came from… Jongnam.”

“Eh?”

Looking at the creaking Jongyeorak, who seemed to be broken somewhere, Siu’s eyes narrowed.

At that moment, Jin Sohyun, who had finished the third martial arts contest, approached, drenched in sweat.

“Gahyeon! Siu came with you.”

“Young master! It’s a big problem!!”

Siu ran to Jin Sohyun in a single breath and grabbed the hem of his sweat-soaked clothes with both hands.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Siu, who did not know how to do telepathy, lowered his voice as if he were conveying a secret.

“I think… Jongyeorak has fallen for the young lady.”

“What!?”

Jin Sohyun glared at Jongyeorak with a disbelieving face.

But Jongyeorak’s gaze and face as he faced Jin Gahyeon were unusual.

At his unnatural-looking face and behavior, Jin Sohyun couldn’t stand it.

“Jongyeorak!”

“J-Jin Sohyun?”

“Follow me.”

“Why, why?”

“You wanted to have a martial arts contest with me, didn’t you? Congratulations. Today is that day!”

“Wait a minute… today is…”

As Jongyeorak glanced at Jin Gahyeon, sparks flew from Jin Sohyun’s two eyes.

“Come down right now.”

“That’s right! Come down right now!”

Siu led Jongyeorak with his small two hands and made him stand on the training ground.

Jongyeorak, who had unexpectedly come to face Jin Sohyun on the training ground, broke out in a cold sweat at Jin Sohyun’s fierce fighting spirit towards him.

‘No, get a grip, Jongyeorak. You’ve been waiting for this moment.’

Jongyeorak, who had come to his senses, drew his sword.

“Yes. I have been waiting for this moment. So… ugh!”

Jongyeorak swung his sword with all his might to strike the flying sword that was coming without warning.

Kwang—!!

‘It’s heavy!’

He had barely succeeded in striking the flying sword, but the weight contained in the flying sword was unusual.

Moreover, his two arms, which had not fully healed, screamed.

‘Damn it… if this goes on, again…’

Jongyeorak stretched out his left hand and shouted.

“Wait a minute! It’s not going to work today! Let’s fight next time!”

“Shut up!”

That day, Jongyeorak was beaten like a dog on a hot day by Jin Sohyun.

Of course, until he was carried to the doctor’s office, Jongyeorak did not know the reason why Jin Sohyun had beaten him.

Jin Sohyun pretended to wipe the sweat that was not even flowing and smiled brightly.

“Phew… I feel a little better.”

It was Jin Sohyun, who thought that he should beat up Jongyeorak from time to time.

***

Thud— thud—!

Ma Seongun, who had opened his eyes in the pitch-black darkness where there was nothing, heard footsteps.

Thud— thud—!

Where is it?

Where is it coming from?

Ma Seongun, who was looking around in the darkness where nothing could be seen, following the footsteps, felt that the footsteps were getting closer.

Where is the sword? Oh, there is no sword.

Because the Blood Demon Sword was shattered by Jin Sohyun.

Having no choice, Ma Seongun raised his bare hands and prepared to fight.

Thud— thud—!

Now the footsteps were so close that they could be heard right in front of him.

Ma Seongun instinctively stretched out his fist.

Tuk—!

The fist was blocked.

In the pitch-black darkness, someone opened their eyes.

“Hello.”

It was a person, and a man.

And Ma Seongun.

It was him.

(End of Chapter)