Chapter 172
“Master Sword Saint!”
Dongbang Muguk, Grandmaster of the White Tiger Sect, screamed at the top of his lungs as he rushed toward the Sword Saint.
The other White Tiger disciples did the same.
“Master!”
“No, don’t, Master!”
Despite having his heart pierced, the Sword Saint still stood upright, his sword plunged into the ground. It was as if, if they approached him, he would greet them with his usual hearty laugh, “Heh heh!”
“Master!”
But when Dongbang Muguk threw himself forward and touched his body, he saw the Sword Saint’s figure slowly collapse backward.
“Maasteeer!”
“Master Sword Saint!”
“Please don’t leave us, Master!”
All the White Tiger disciples surged forward, wailing in despair, but no matter how much they cried out, the Sword Saint—whose heart had already stopped—did not awaken.
“Nooo!”
They all howled together.
They couldn’t believe their idol and hero had met such a tragic and senseless end.
Then, just as the hall was drowned in their sobs and cries, a cold voice suddenly cut through the grief.
“Dongbang Grandmaster, a message from the Alliance.”
The voice was chillingly indifferent, as if the death of the Sword Saint—their revered hero—meant nothing.
Dongbang Muguk, tears streaming down his face from the overwhelming sense of alienation, lifted his head and looked toward the speaker.
There stood a warrior dressed similarly to the White Tiger Sect, but instead of a white tiger emblem, his uniform bore a black tiger.
Dongbang Muguk, seeing a face he had never encountered before, forced himself to stop crying and asked sharply, “I don’t recognize you. Who are you?”
The man smiled coldly and replied, “Well, we’re all strangers to each other at first, aren’t we? I am Wondang, Grandmaster of the Black Tiger Sect.”
“…Black Tiger Sect?”
It was the first time Dongbang Muguk had heard of this martial faction, but the man’s attire was unmistakably that of the Alliance’s warriors.
Wondang continued, “Once again, this is a message from the Alliance. There is a direct order to keep all events that occurred here and on the frontlines strictly confidential.”
“All events?”
“Yes. Every single one.”
Dongbang Muguk regained his composure and glared at him, asking slowly, “When you say ‘all events,’ does that include the ambush by the Blood Demons and other demon beasts that attacked the Sword Saint on his way here for the duel?”
Wondang responded with a look of disbelief, “Isn’t that obvious? The conflict with the Blood Sect is top secret. The Alliance has ordered all White Tiger members to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding that incident and everything else that happened on the frontlines. And they’ve commanded an immediate return.”
Dongbang Muguk slowly scanned his surroundings.
He realized that not only Wondang and his Black Tiger disciples but also several hundred other Alliance warriors bearing similar black insignias had completely surrounded them.
He understood that these were the troops the Sword Saint had mentioned earlier—the ones encircling them.
With a sharp gaze, he asked Wondang, “You’re from the Shadow Division, aren’t you?”
Wondang smiled coldly and replied, “Shadow Division? I don’t know what that is. But more importantly… shouldn’t you answer regarding the orders?”
Dongbang Muguk understood perfectly well: if they refused to comply, the entire White Tiger Sect would be annihilated.
He squeezed his eyes shut, then after a moment, opened them with a weary expression and asked, “I want to personally escort Master Sword Saint back to his home. Is that possible?”
Wondang glanced at the Sword Saint’s body, pierced through the heart, and shook his head regretfully.
“That much is allowed.”
Dongbang Muguk suppressed his anger.
Though the Sword Saint hadn’t said it outright, he understood why the man had come to finish the duel despite his condition.
He couldn’t let the disciples the Sword Saint had sacrificed himself to save be killed now.
He ordered the White Tiger disciples, “From now on, we will escort Master Sword Saint home! Everyone…!”
His voice caught in his throat.
He couldn’t believe this was reality.
But he was the Grandmaster of the White Tiger Sect.
He had to hold himself together and take responsibility for his disciples.
“Everyone, prepare to send the Master off with dignity!”
The White Tiger disciples, tears streaming down their faces, began preparing to carry the Sword Saint’s body.
They were completely surrounded by countless Alliance warriors.
Meanwhile, when the Sword Saint had just departed from the Flying Dragon Thirteen, Ha Cheong-yeon stood with her hands tightly clasped, watching her father’s retreating figure.
She was overwhelmed with anxiety.
She knew how strong her father was, and that many others were accompanying him, yet the unease wouldn’t fade.
Ha Cheong-yeon firmly believed that unless the Fifteen Absolutes themselves appeared, no one could harm her father.
No, even among the Fifteen Absolutes, only the top-tier warriors like the Sword Emperor or the Four Kings could pose a threat to him.
‘Father always concealed his true strength. Even if Kwon Seong or the Saintess, who are said to be his equals, came, they wouldn’t be able to defeat him.’
So no matter how many traps Jeogal Ji-gang, who didn’t know her father’s true power, set, they would ultimately fail.
Still, it was strange.
Though she logically accepted this, she couldn’t shake the gnawing anxiety.
For someone who valued cold reason and judgment as much as she did, this was inexplicable.
So even long after the Sword Saint had left, and after all the other Flying Dragon Thirteen members had returned, Ha Cheong-yeon remained, unable to leave.
How long had she stood there, lost in thought?
Suddenly, two of her old comrades from the Seven Pillars, Na Seo-yu and Cheon Ju-eun, approached her.
“Cheong-yeon, don’t worry so much. Master Sword Saint will return safely.”
“That’s right, sister. Don’t fret. Nothing bad will happen.”
She had thought she was alone…
Looking around, she saw Jeom Chang, the Sword Tiger of the Pointed Blade Sect, fervently courting her, as well as Seol Poong, Bi Sa-young, and Bae Jong-kwan lingering nearby, unable to approach but unwilling to leave.
They must have been waiting anxiously for her.
Ha Cheong-yeon felt a warmth in her chest and tears prickling her eyes.
It was strange.
Usually, being waited on was a nuisance, and comforting words felt meaningless, yet somehow her heart tightened.
She began to understand, at least a little, why he had cherished these people so much.
And…
She missed him.
At that moment, she wished more than anything that the one comforting her beside her was him.
Then—
Seol Poong suddenly dashed forward with a panicked expression, shouting,
“Get down!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
“Leader?!”
“Why?!”
The reason became clear instantly.
Seol Poong charged like a wild beast, covering Ha Cheong-yeon’s back just as a massive explosion thundered.
Kraaaang!
“Ugh!”
Seol Poong collided with something and was thrown backward.
Only then did the others see it.
A shadowy figure clad in black, like a ghost, who had repelled Seol Poong and taken a step back.
He muttered in surprise, “Oh? Already at the peak at that age? And you saw through my stealth?”
Everyone who spotted the black-clad man gasped and hurriedly retreated, shouting,
“Who are you?!”
“Enemy!”
“Get out of the way!”
The ghost-like figure, draped in a black blood wind cloak, suddenly turned to Ha Cheong-yeon and asked,
“Are you Ha Cheong-yeon?”
A chill ran down her spine.
She instantly understood who he was and what was happening.
At that moment, Seol Poong charged fiercely again.
“Step back, demon beast!”
Swathed in crimson energy, a massive red claw—the fierce Tiger Claw—swung toward the ghostly man as if to tear him apart.
The others followed suit.
Jeom Chang dashed in after Seol Poong, and Bi Sa-young became a whirlwind, moving to flank the demon beast.
But it was useless.
“Impressive. Leaving you alive would only be troublesome.”
The man muttered quietly as several beams of light shot from his body.
Pew-shush!
Three beams of light twisted like living things, targeting Seol Poong’s vital points.
The speed was incredible.
“Ugh?!”
Seol Poong halted his attack and spun fiercely to defend himself.
Ting-ting!
He was thrown backward again.
But Seol Poong was the only one able to defend himself.
Another beam of light pierced through Jeom Chang’s abdomen, who had been charging forward with sword energy.
Poke!
“Gah!”
Jeom Chang collapsed, while Bi Sa-young barely dodged a beam by accelerating with a sudden burst.
Bang!
Still, the beam grazed her arm painfully.
Screech!
“Ugh!”
Through the beam embedded in Jeom Chang’s body, the others could barely make out what it was.
They were flying blades attached to a silver thread.
The blades moved at incredible speed, controlled by the thread, attacking as if alive.
With Seol Poong, Jeom Chang, and Bi Sa-young all repelled, the black-clad man advanced toward Ha Cheong-yeon again.
But there were still those who stood to protect her.
Sak Muheun, who had been hiding in the shadow of Hae Cheong-yeon, suddenly lunged forward like a lightning strike, thrusting his sword.
Shu-haak!
At the same time, Na Seo-yu, who had synchronized her perspective with Sak Muheun through their telepathic link, did the same.
They both charged from the side toward the man.
On her blade, faint pale yellow sword energy shimmered—proof of her recent breakthrough to the pinnacle of her skill.
“Hah!”
Shiiik!
But nothing worked on the man.
With ease, he raised both hands and swatted away the two incoming swords.
Chjeong!
“!”
“Ugh?!”
Both were stunned.
Their swords, even charged with sword energy, had been destroyed so effortlessly.
Before they could recover, the man’s hands shot out and grabbed their throats in an instant.
Thud!
“Gah!”
“Ugh!”
With their vital points suppressed, the man sneered.
“To think you’d dare hide in front of me. How cute.”
Just as he tightened his grip, ready to snap their necks—
“Stop!”
Hae Cheong-yeon shouted.
The man glanced at her and, to everyone’s surprise, actually stopped.
She was holding a sword to her own neck, as if ready to take her own life.
“Hmm?”
Seeing him hesitate confirmed Hae Cheong-yeon’s suspicion.
Calm and resolute, she spoke firmly.
“If even one person here dies, you’ll be looking at my corpse.”
The man stared at her for a moment, then asked.
“Why would I care if you die?”
Hae Cheong-yeon smiled faintly and replied.
“Wouldn’t you?”
Without hesitation, her blade sliced lightly into her own neck.
A thin line of bright red blood trickled down.
“Stop!”
The man shouted urgently.
Then, defeated, he said in a low voice.
“Fine. If you come quietly, no one else will die.”
That was the word Hae Cheong-yeon had been waiting for.
She immediately called out to her comrades, who were ready to rush in.
“Everyone, stop the attack!”
Seol Poong and Bi Sa-yeong, who had been waiting for an opening, looked at her with puzzled eyes.
Without breaking eye contact with the man, Hae Cheong-yeon slowly explained.
“This is Gu Yu-eumma Jigi-eum! There’s no way we can take him on!”
“…Jigi-eum?!”
“Gu Yu-eumma Jigi-eum?!”
Her words hit like a bombshell.
This ghostly figure was a Blood Sect Demon and one of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars—a top-tier master.
Seol Poong and the others stared at him in shock.
He just scoffed, clearly annoyed.
“Hmph!”
That was all it took for everyone to know.
He really was Gu Yu-eumma Jigi-eum.
Hae Cheong-yeon continued.
“He came right after my father left. That means he knew I was my father’s daughter and still alive. It seems the relationship between Jegal Ji-gang and the Blood Sect is even closer than we thought. And it looks like the Blood Sect was involved in the trap waiting for my father.”
Everyone looked at her with wide eyes.
Even Jigi-eum seemed surprised.
“No matter how wise, I thought you were just a child… impressive.”
Hae Cheong-yeon suddenly asked him.
“Did the Blood Demon go to my father?”
Jigi-eum didn’t answer immediately.
But Hae Cheong-yeon was already certain from his reaction.
She made her decision.
“Alright. From now on, I’ll follow you on my own. But if you come any closer than a certain distance, I’ll take my own life.”
Her words shocked everyone.
“Sister?!”
“Lady Hae!”
“No, Lady Hae, don’t!”
She spoke coldly.
“Since he came personally, I have no choice but to go. The worst outcome is all of you dying and me being captured by him. The second worst is all of us dying here. So the best option is for me to follow him without being subdued. Your job is to go back and report this. Understood?”
As she spoke, Hae Cheong-yeon thought to herself.
If he were here, maybe he could have found a better option.
But what could she do?
She was the one who decided to leave his side.
Then Seol Poong’s eyes slowly glowed red as he looked at her.
“No, Lady Hae. There is another way. Trust me.”
Hae Cheong-yeon looked at him for a moment.
She knew well how terrifying Seol Poong’s red-eyed martial art was.
And since she didn’t know the results of his recent training with Father Geomseong, maybe he could actually stand against Gu Yu-eumma.
Still, she shook her head.
“No, Chief. Even if you can face him, then Sister Na Seo-yu and Brother Sak will surely die.”
Her words forced Seol Poong to grit his teeth.
She was right.
As long as Na Seo-yu was held captive, Seol Poong couldn’t act recklessly.
Right now, Jigi-eum was holding Na Seo-yu and Sak Muheun hostage, while Hae Cheong-yeon was his own bargaining chip.
‘The only reason he’s keeping me alive is because he wants to take me with him. He’s desperate enough to keep witnesses alive.’
Hae Cheong-yeon suspected this had something to do with her father.
He needed hostages to threaten him.
Though some things didn’t quite add up.
If the Blood Sect’s dark arts were involved, they could have used the dead as hostages just as well.
Anyway, in this situation, Hae Cheong-yeon’s choice was to follow Jigi-eum willingly but buy as much time as possible.
To avoid killing anyone, she had to comply.
To avoid interfering with her father, she had to stall until the confrontation ended.
So the most important thing was not to be subdued by Jigi-eum.
Before he could think of anything, she took the initiative.
“Now, could you please give me some distance? Then I’ll follow you.”
Though her tone was calm, she was tense inside.
If he needed her as a hostage, he might not tolerate any stalling.
But contrary to her fears, Jigi-eum willingly stepped back.
Swish!
“Is this enough?”
Hae Cheong-yeon suddenly wondered if she wasn’t needed as a hostage after all.
But she only nodded coldly.
“Yes, that’s enough. Let’s go.”
Her comrades, helpless, called out.
“Sister!”
“Lady Hae!”
Especially Je Won-young, who had been pierced in the stomach by Jigi-eum’s hidden blade, lay bleeding and weak but called out desperately.
“Lady Hae! No! Don’t go!”
Hae Cheong-yeon looked at him briefly.
She felt sorry.
He was the one who had come to her with the most passionate and intense heart she had ever seen.
But she could never return his feelings.
She had thought about it.
If she had met him before Sun Woo-jin, she would have accepted his heart without question.
But she met Sun Woo-jin first, and she simply couldn’t accept Je Won-young’s feelings.
Maybe this was fate.
Something beyond reason or rebellion.
Maybe Sun Woo-jin felt the same.
Maybe fate had drawn his heart to Na Seo-yu and Dang Yeo-eun.
With those thoughts, Hae Cheong-yeon left her comrades with her final words.
“I’ll do whatever I can to bring Sister Na and Brother Sak back safely. Don’t worry too much. And since he’s keeping me alive to take me with him, it seems he doesn’t intend to kill me right away. So… let’s hope for the future. Stay well. And…”
She couldn’t finish the last words about Sun Woo-jin.
Turning away, she followed Jigi-eum.
Behind her, Je Won-young’s anguished cries echoed.
“Lady Hae! Lady Hae! No! Lady Hae!”