When the Wind Blows from Shandong (1)
Applause erupted in the grand hall of the Yangso Clan in Shandong.
“Thank you for entrusting this humble person with such an important responsibility.”
The speaker on the podium was Jeong-yeo, the leader of the Yangso Clan.
The applause came from the heads of various martial arts sects in Shandong. Among them were Byeok Do-jun, the father of Byeok Lidan, and Song Hwa-rin, along with her father, Song Woo-gyeong.
Today, the martial arts sects of Shandong had come together to form a single organization.
It was called the Shandong Alliance.
The Shandong Alliance was established to counter the demonic cult. Forming a unified force in a region was no easy task, especially since the central Martial Arts Alliance often viewed such movements with suspicion.
However, the Martial Arts Alliance was currently too preoccupied to monitor regional activities closely. Its leader, Ma Cheol-gun, was deeply engaged in a battle against a powerful hidden force alongside Ma Ryeong-in.
This allowed the Shandong Alliance to be formed without interference or pressure.
Jeong-yeo, the leader of the Yangso Clan, was unanimously chosen as the head of the alliance.
“There was one person whose efforts were crucial in making this alliance possible.”
All eyes turned to one person. Everyone present knew who Jeong-yeo was referring to: Song Hwa-rin.
Tasked by Byeok Lidan to unite Shandong, she had immediately set to work upon returning home.
Her first step was to persuade her father, and together they visited the leaders of various sects. While the Yangso Clan, being closely allied with Byeok Lidan, was cooperative, other sects were not as easily convinced.
Song Hwa-rin visited each sect multiple times, tirelessly persuading them of the necessity of forming the Shandong Alliance.
Thanks to her efforts, the alliance was established today. Her influence was also significant in nominating Jeong-yeo as the leader, knowing the relationship between him and Byeok Lidan.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Miss Song.”
Applause for Song Hwa-rin followed Jeong-yeo’s words. She acknowledged the crowd with a respectful bow.
Song Woo-gyeong praised her with satisfaction.
“You’ve truly accomplished something remarkable.”
“You’re too kind.”
Byeok Do-jun, standing nearby, smiled and added, “Too kind? Without you, this would never have happened.”
“It was only possible with your support.”
Indeed, it was true. The leading role of the Yangso Clan, the Song family, and the rapidly rising Byeok Clan made it possible.
Now, through the Shandong Alliance, the region was united. Each sect dispatched warriors, forming an elite force under the alliance.
Not every sect participated, though. Some major sects opted out, but they weren’t forced to join.
Song Hwa-rin felt a deep sense of satisfaction. She was especially proud of fulfilling Byeok Lidan’s request.
＊ ＊ ＊
A carriage rolled into the estate on the outskirts of Qufu, Shandong Province.
Warriors, already stationed around the estate, wore red uniforms, exuding an intimidating presence.
The person who stepped out of the carriage was the Blood Merchant. Her aide guided her inside.
“We’ve summoned Danwol, Cheokyo, Hyeollu, and even Seobulpae.”
The Blood Merchant nodded at the aide’s report.
“We’ve placed a shadow on the target.”
The shadow was the same group that had tracked down Byeok Lidan using the Soul Tracking Technique. Experts in surveillance and pursuit, they could now monitor the target’s movements at any time.
“There’s no need to rush. The target is unaware that we’ve uncovered his identity. We’ll wait for the perfect opportunity to handle this flawlessly.”
“Understood.”
“Where is the so-called ‘most beautiful woman in Shandong’ now?”
“Song Hwa-rin is currently with the target’s parents at the Yangso Clan.”
“The Yangso Clan?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve formed an organization called the Shandong Alliance, with the Yangso Clan leader as its head.”
“So they’re all together?”
“That’s correct.”
If they timed it right, they could capture all three at once. Being outside their home base made it easier to execute.
“Who will arrive first?”
“Danwol.”
“When will they arrive?”
“By tomorrow.”
“Report immediately upon Danwol’s arrival.”
“Understood.”
The Blood Merchant retreated to her room. Even without Danwol, capturing them as hostages wouldn’t be difficult if she acted personally. Especially when they were all together.
Yet, she hesitated due to past experiences. Something felt off during the Soul Tracking Technique and while monitoring Seongwangbo through the Blood Gate. It left her with an uneasy feeling.
An unfamiliar and ominous sensation, prompting her to handle this matter with caution.
‘There’s no need for me to step in personally under these circumstances.’
＊ ＊ ＊
The following evening, Song Hwa-rin visited the Byeok Clan with her father.
It was a celebratory dinner to mark the establishment of the Shandong Alliance and a chance to catch up.
“We should have been the ones to invite you.”
Song Woo-gyeong apologized, but Im Ye-hwa laughed warmly.
“You should give me a chance to show off my skills.”
“Haha, that’s why I said it.”
It was a lighthearted joke about Im Ye-hwa’s notoriously poor cooking skills.
Song Woo-gyeong turned serious.
“Thank you for always looking out for us.”
“Not at all. I consider us family, so there’s no need to feel burdened.”
Song Hwa-rin bowed respectfully.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
“We wanted to celebrate your remarkable achievement.”
“To be honest, what I did was at Dan’s request.”
“Our son?”
Byeok Do-jun and Im Ye-hwa were taken aback.
“Yes, he asked me to unite Shandong.”
Their surprise deepened.
Song Woo-gyeong, however, seemed unsurprised.
“You knew, Father?”
“How could I not?”
He had noticed the changes in his daughter recently. But he hadn’t expected those changes to manifest as a determination to unite Shandong against the demonic cult. He had suspected Byeok Lidan’s influence.
Meanwhile, Byeok Do-jun and Im Ye-hwa had assumed Song Hwa-rin’s efforts were at Song Woo-gyeong’s behest.
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”
“No need to apologize. In any endeavor, the reason is important, but so is the process. You handled this better than anyone, and I’m very proud.”
Byeok Do-jun nodded in agreement.
“I feel the same. Even if I had taken charge, I couldn’t have done it as well as you did.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Hahaha. Let’s have a drink.”
Byeok Do-jun and Im Ye-hwa exchanged a glance. They both shared the same hope: how wonderful it would be if Song Hwa-rin became their daughter-in-law.
While the men enjoyed their drinks, Song Hwa-rin and Im Ye-hwa stepped outside for some fresh air.
Song Hwa-rin’s heart was still brimming with pride from her greatest accomplishment.
Naturally, she thought of Byeok Lidan. How wonderful it would be if he were here. She wanted to tell him proudly.
Look at what I’ve achieved.
She missed him.
Just then, Im Ye-hwa spoke up.
“It would have been nice if Dan were here today.”
Startled, Song Hwa-rin blushed, having just been thinking of Byeok Lidan.
“Leaving you alone like this, what on earth is he doing? You’ll understand when you have a son of your own, but men take a long time to mature.”
A faint blush spread across Song Hwa-rin’s cheeks.
Would the day come when she would have a son to raise?
Im Ye-hwa looked at her gently.
“You understand, right?”
“Yes.”
Song Hwa-rin knew well what Byeok Lidan was doing and the dangerous foes he was facing.
“I’m sorry I can’t tell you everything.”
If she knew the truth, she wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully.
As they strolled through the garden, sharing stories, Song Hwa-rin suddenly stopped.
“Wait a moment.”
She peered into the shadows along the distant wall, her heart skipping a beat.
“Someone’s there.”
No sooner had she spoken than men leaped over the wall from all directions.
They wore red uniforms and masks, with the character for “blood” emblazoned on their chests. Their presence was formidable.
Her heart pounded wildly.
‘Stay calm. Stay calm.’
Song Hwa-rin steadied herself.
‘I must protect Mother.’
Im Ye-hwa stepped forward, pushing Song Hwa-rin behind her, and spoke quickly.
“I’ll hold them off. Go inside and get help.”
Without waiting for a response, Im Ye-hwa raised her voice.
“Who are you people?”
She shouted loudly, hoping to alert those inside.
Instead of answering, one of the masked men charged at her.
“Get out of here!”
Im Ye-hwa shouted to Song Hwa-rin as she rushed forward.
‘If only I had a sword!’
She had learned martial arts, but it had been too long since she last practiced, and she was unarmed.
Yet, driven by the need to protect Song Hwa-rin, she found courage.
Im Ye-hwa kicked at her attacker with all her might.
But the masked man was not someone she could easily handle. He dodged and struck her leg with the hilt of his sword. Just as her shin was about to break—
Swish!
Thud.
A sword flew from behind Im Ye-hwa, piercing the man’s chest. It was Song Hwa-rin, who had followed closely.
“Leave this to me and get to safety.”
“Hwa-rin!”
“Go now!”
Im Yewha quickly realized that Song Hwarin’s martial arts skills were far superior to what she had initially thought. Yet, leaving Song Hwarin behind was not an option.
“Let’s go together! Hurry!”
The two of them sprinted forward. It seemed like the right decision, but soon enough, masked men blocked their path from behind as well.
They were surrounded by about thirty men, each one looking formidable. The only reason they had managed to kill one of the men earlier was because he had been caught off guard, with Im Yewha providing a distraction.
Now, however, the men were fully alert and on guard.
‘Stay calm,’ Song Hwarin told herself. Panicking would only make things worse.
‘I am not who I used to be. I have to trust myself.’
Their adversaries gave them no time to think. Two masked men charged at Song Hwarin once more.
The only silver lining was that they seemed intent on capturing rather than killing them. If they had wanted them dead, thirty men could have easily ended it by throwing a single dagger each.
Swish! Swish! Swoosh!
Three swords sliced through the air, each tracing a different path.
Song Hwarin knew that in the past, she would never have been able to dodge or block two swords aimed so swiftly at her wrist.
But now, things were different.
Her sword slashed through the neck of the man on the left, and with the same momentum, she cut through the arm and chest of the man on the right.
In one fluid motion, both men fell, blood spurting from their wounds.
‘Yes, I am stronger. I can win this!’
Song Hwarin pushed Im Yewha behind her, gripping her hand.
“Mother, I’ll protect you.”
The word “mother” and the promise of protection stirred something deep within Im Yewha. It was touching and heartwarming, but she felt it should be her protecting Song Hwarin, not the other way around.
Two more men charged at them, one targeting Song Hwarin and the other heading for Im Yewha.
Song Hwarin aimed to quickly dispatch her opponent and assist Im Yewha.
However, this new adversary was more skilled than the previous ones, and Song Hwarin felt the pressure mounting.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their swords clashed rapidly in the air, but she couldn’t land a killing blow. After twenty exchanges, she finally found an opening.
Swoosh! Thud!
She pierced the man’s throat and spun around swiftly.
She was about to ask if Im Yewha was alright when she was taken aback. The man who had attacked Im Yewha was already lying dead on the ground.
Im Yewha had picked up a sword from one of the fallen men and used it to kill her attacker.
Without turning around, Im Yewha spoke, her back against Song Hwarin’s.
“I used to be quite handy with a sword in my younger days. I’ll handle the rear.”
Song Hwarin nodded, acknowledging her mother’s words.
“Yes, Mother. I’ll leave it to you.”
But the situation grew even more dire. This time, it wasn’t just a couple of men; over twenty of them advanced, exuding a murderous intent.