Episode 120

As the radiant sword vanished, Dang Yeoeun spoke urgently, her face tense.

“Gongja, we have to move quickly. We need to get through the gate before Mak Woojeon does.”

Sun Woojin nodded immediately.

“You’re right. Let’s move.”

Without hesitation, the two dashed toward the burning village. Whether to rescue the villagers or to pursue the enemy—the man who was the radiant sword’s nemesis—they had to reach the village first.

As they ran, Dang Yeoeun glanced back like the wind and asked, “The fastest way to get through the gate is to catch that man, right? Even the radiant sword said earlier that he felt foolish for losing him while trying to save the villagers.”

Sun Woojin let out a low hum.

“Hmm.”

Considering everything he’d seen of the radiant sword’s nature and his earlier words, Dang Yeoeun’s reasoning seemed sound.

But Sun Woojin couldn’t bring himself to agree. He muttered thoughtfully instead.

“I’m not so sure.”

Slowing her pace, Dang Yeoeun looked at him in surprise.

“Don’t tell me you want to save the villagers first?”

Sun Woojin couldn’t answer. He hadn’t yet made up his mind.

Seeing this, Dang Yeoeun’s expression grew worried.

“Gongja, I know you’re compassionate, but this time our lives are on the line. If we fail, it won’t just be us who die—we might hand over the radiant sword’s secret techniques to a villain like Mak Woojeon. So this time, I think we have to prioritize the urgent matter. Besides… those villagers aren’t even real people.”

She was right.

Her words made perfect sense.

Yet, even as his mind accepted it, his heart felt unsettled.

Maybe it was a warning from his instincts.

Or perhaps it was simply the refusal to turn his back on people in pain.

Before Sun Woojin could decide, they finally entered the burning village.

Chaos erupted all around.

“Fire!”

“Help us!”

“Mother! Please help! She’s trapped inside!”

“Baby! Baby!”

The village was a scene of utter pandemonium.

No one was safe.

Suddenly, Dang Yeoeun pointed toward the far side of the village.

“Look! That must be him!”

Following her finger, they spotted a man in his thirties who, upon seeing them, immediately fled.

A martial artist who bolted at the sight of them—this had to be the man the radiant sword had warned about.

His skill level was clearly high.

His speed and the aura of his technique suggested he was at least at the peak of mastery.

If they didn’t give chase now, he would surely escape.

Dang Yeoeun’s eyes flashed with urgency as she called out to Sun Woojin.

“Gongja!”

Sun Woojin took in the scene—the man, the village—and finally made his decision.

“Dang Sojeo, this gate requires two people for a reason. I believe it’s because we have to handle both tasks. So you go after him first. I’ll rescue the villagers and follow as fast as I can.”

Even as he spoke, Sun Woojin knew this was likely just an excuse to justify his choice.

Time was tight, and though he knew the villagers weren’t truly human, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon them.

His reluctance might be a warning from his instincts, or a reflection of his desire to uphold the ideals of a swordmaster who fights for a world where compassion still lives.

But the reason no longer mattered.

He had made his choice.

“Gongja…”

Dang Yeoeun looked at him with a pained expression.

Sun Woojin could clearly feel the disappointment in her eyes.

Still, she nodded resignedly.

“Understood. You have to come quickly.”

“That’s right, Sojeo. If he’s too strong, just slow him down. I’ll catch up as fast as I can.”

Without hesitation, Dang Yeoeun turned and gave chase.

Sun Woojin, who had intended to rush to the villagers’ aid, suddenly froze in place.

‘Could it be…?’

It was because of what he’d seen in her eyes just moments ago.

He couldn’t tear his gaze away from her back, his face filled with shock.

‘No, it can’t be.’

What he’d glimpsed was a faint red aura shimmering in Dang Yeoeun’s eyes.

A red glow similar to what he’d seen in Mak Woojeon’s and Ga Yuak’s eyes.

Unconsciously, he swallowed hard.

Then, a desperate cry pierced the air.

“Help! Please, someone help!”

Snapping back to reality, Sun Woojin gritted his teeth and launched himself toward the source of the plea.

There was no time to waste.

Yet even as he moved, his heart churned like a storm.

‘It must be a mistake. Just a mistake.’

He recalled how sensitive Dang Yeoeun’s heart was, how she had once been easily swayed by Mayugyeom’s illusions.

But he shook his head fiercely, forcing himself to ignore the thought.

It couldn’t be true.

He wanted to believe in her.

Sun Woojin did his utmost to save the trapped elderly and children, cutting through the flames with his sword energy to carve escape routes.

But the village was larger than expected, and cries for help came from all directions.

Though he used his exceptional techniques to dart here and there, he couldn’t save everyone.

That was why he had sent Dang Yeoeun ahead.

He had briefly considered pursuing the enemy himself and leaving the rescue to her, but he doubted her abilities would be enough to save many.

After rescuing as many as he could, some time had passed.

“We’re saved!”

“Thank you, hero! Thank you so much!”

“Sir, thank you!”

The villagers wept tears of gratitude, but Sun Woojin barely registered their thanks.

He immediately took off after Dang Yeoeun.

Too much time had already been lost.

The only consolation was that he felt no lingering effects from his internal injuries.

‘Dang Sojeo, please be safe!’

He prayed silently as he raced like the wind.

Soon, he spotted her.

“Dang Sojeo!”

But the scene was grim.

She looked battered and worn, cornered.

Whether she had been defeated in battle, her sword lay far from her reach.

A weasel-like man grinned wickedly, pressing his blade against her throat.

“Heh heh heh! I’ve never seen such a pretty girl before.”

He dragged the sword down, slicing the front of her garment.

Shing!

Her collar split open, revealing her chest.

“Ahhh!”

Dang Yeoeun screamed, clutching at her falling clothes.

The man laughed greedily, swallowing hard.

“Heh heh heh! Even your screams are thrilling.”

His eyes roamed over her body with lust, and unbearable shame clouded her face.

Seeing this, Sun Woojin’s eyes flared with fury.

“You bastard!”

With a roar, he surged forward, accelerating beyond his already incredible speed.

This was the fastest he’d ever moved—like a lightning strike.

The man turned just in time to see him and hastily assumed a defensive stance.

But Sun Woojin’s attack landed almost simultaneously.

“Son of a—!”

Klang!

The powerful strike sent the man flying backward.

“Ugh!”

It was unlike Sun Woojin’s usual style—pure speed and force.

And he followed up immediately.

Like a shadow, he pursued and struck again with a lightning-fast downward slash.

“Hah!”

Klang!

“Ugh, you bastard!”

And once more.

Shuak!

Three powerful blows in succession.

The man’s eyes flashed as he quickly scattered his sword.

He aimed to deflect Sun Woojin’s blade and counterattack.

But at that moment, Sun Woojin’s sword split into countless phantom blades.

The Thirteenth Move of the Sunwoo Thirteen Sword Technique: Phantom Sword Mirror.

Swoosh!

Hundreds of blades surrounded him in an instant.

The man hesitated briefly, then gritted his teeth and swung again.

“It’s just a trick!”

But the phantom blades solidified and rained down from all directions.

The Fifteenth Move: Form is Emptiness.

Shuak!

Puf puf puf puf puf!

“Gah!”

Hundreds of sword energies pierced him.

Like a porcupine impaled on quills.

There was no way he could survive.

He looked at Sun Woojin in disbelief, then blood gushed from his body like a fountain as he slowly collapsed.

Thud!

His cultivation level was roughly eighty years of internal energy—similar to Sun Woojin’s.

For Sun Woojin to have slain such a martial artist so swiftly was an encouraging sign.

But he didn’t look at the fallen man.

He rushed straight to Dang Yeoeun.

“Miss Dang! Are you alright?!”

Fortunately, Dang Yeoeun didn’t appear to be seriously injured.

But the way she wrapped her arms tightly around her torn front made her expression look incredibly dark.

Without even meeting Sun Woojin’s eyes properly, she quietly replied, “I’m fine. You’re… a little late.”

She looked deeply wounded, as if something inside her had been shattered.

Sun Woojin didn’t know what to say.

After all, it was his choice to leave her alone, and it was his fault for being late and letting her suffer such humiliation.

And now, as he looked into her eyes, he could clearly see a faint red glow shimmering within them.

It wasn’t a trick of his imagination after all.

“Miss Dang…”

Sun Woojin felt completely lost.

He had to find a way to deal with that red energy, but he didn’t even know where to begin.

He cautiously spoke up.

“Miss Dang, the Great Lotus Heart Technique…”

But just then, everything shifted again.

The two of them found themselves back in the forest where they had first encountered the Radiant Sword.

The sword stood before them once more, radiating an overwhelming aura of deadly intent.

Sun Woojin and Dang Yeoeun exchanged tense glances, unable to decipher the meaning behind the sword’s gaze.

Had they truly passed through the gate?

Had they done so before Mak Woojeon?

As they anxiously awaited the sword’s words, it finally spoke.

“Congratulations on passing through the gate.”

A breath of relief escaped them.

“Phew.”

“We made it.”

Sun Woojin’s earlier judgment seemed to align with the sword’s verdict.

It was a huge relief.

Dang Yeoeun, her voice now steadier, asked the sword, “So, does that mean we passed through the gate before the other two?”

The sword shook its head.

Then came the answer that froze both Sun Woojin and Dang Yeoeun in place.

“No. They passed through long before you.”

“…What?”

They stared at the sword in shock.

They had thought they were first.

But the sword had clearly said only two would pass through the gate.

If the others had passed first…

As despair crept in, the sword continued.

“And those two fought, leaving only Mak Woojeon. So now, only one of you two can remain.”

“…What?”

Sun Woojin and Dang Yeoeun couldn’t immediately grasp the meaning.

They fought until only Mak Woojeon was left?

And now only one of them could survive?

What was this…?

But Sun Woojin’s sharp mind quickly pieced it together.

He muttered, almost in a groan, “So ‘two survivors’ doesn’t mean one side or the other… it means one from each side must remain…”

His mind went blank.

Yet even in that haze, he recalled the sword’s initial words exactly.

“Remember, only two will survive passing through the gate. Only two of you will live.”

That was it.

The sword never said the side that passed first would survive.

That had been their misunderstanding.

Sun Woojin looked at Dang Yeoeun with a dazed expression.

She, too, looked back with tears welling in her eyes.

The sword was telling Sun Woojin to fight and kill Dang Yeoeun.

The whole purpose of this dual gate was to leave only one of them alive.

It was a cruel, merciless trial.

Gritting his teeth, Sun Woojin answered firmly, “No. I won’t do it. I will never kill her.”

He could never bring himself to kill Dang Yeoeun with his own hands.

The sword let out a cold, bitter laugh.

“Really? Do you think you can refuse?”

Sun Woojin was horrified by that sinister smile.

It was the first truly evil expression he’d seen from the sword since arriving here.

Maybe this was its true nature.

With a wicked grin like a demon lord’s, the sword snapped its fingers.

The surroundings shifted again.

When the two looked around, their eyes filled with despair.

“Oh no…”

They were standing on a small rocky island surrounded by a vast lake of molten lava.

The scorching heat felt like it could cook their flesh, and the acrid smoke burned their nostrils.

The tiny island beneath their feet seemed unstable, as if it could sink into the lava at any moment.

Floating in the air above them, the sword spoke again.

“Each time the ‘One Path’ passes, the ground will shrink. Before the ‘Half Angle’ passes, there will be nowhere left to stand. By then, only one of you must remain. Otherwise, you will both perish.”

With those words, the sword vanished.

Left alone, Sun Woojin and Dang Yeoeun stared at each other in stunned silence.

There was nothing they could do.

Then, Dang Yeoeun made up her mind first.

With a sharp clang!, she drew her sword—the red-threaded blade that paired with Sun Woojin’s own sword, brought to perform the Twin Blue-Red Sword Dance.

“Gongja, draw your sword! At least one of us has to survive!”

Sun Woojin looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

The red glow in her eyes burned even brighter than before.