Chapter 177
Seol Poong, Bi Sa-yeong, Ya Woon-hyang, and Da Kam had all arrived early at the meeting place, waiting for Sun Woo-jin.
But as the appointed time passed with no sign of him, Ya Woon-hyang finally spoke up.
“He’s late.”
Bi Sa-yeong chuckled softly in response.
“When Jin’s late, there’s always a reason.”
Ya Woon-hyang looked at Bi Sa-yeong thoughtfully and said, “It’s the first time I’ve seen you trust someone like that.”
Bi Sa-yeong shrugged. “Well, it’s natural. After a few scrapes together, even Sa-mae will come around.”
Seol Poong, who had been quietly listening, suddenly interjected. He had made the decision to storm the Blood Sect and, after hearing Sun Woo-jin’s plan, had regained his composure.
This calmness was typical of those on the front lines. Having lost countless comrades, they vowed revenge but never let grief linger. They knew that truly honoring the dead meant living the rest of their lives fully, not drowning in sorrow. That was the wise way.
So despite the death of the Sword Saint and the kidnapping of their comrades, the group had returned to their usual upbeat mood. Especially since their friends were still alive and there was still a chance to save them, their spirits were higher than ever.
Seol Poong smiled warmly at Bi Sa-yeong and Ya Woon-hyang. “You two have really gotten used to those titles. You’re starting to look like a true sworn brother and sister.”
Ya Woon-hyang gave a faint smile with her usual languid gaze, and Bi Sa-yeong returned a somewhat awkward smile.
About a week ago, Ya Woon-hyang had come to see Bi Sa-yeong.
Just before that, they had sparred, and Bi Sa-yeong had defeated Ya Woon-hyang with a wind-like divine technique.
Afterward, Ya Woon-hyang approached Bi Sa-yeong, who was drinking water, and bluntly said, “I was pretty confident in my divine techniques, but I just can’t match yours. I guess I’ll have to learn that technique if I want to beat you.”
Bi Sa-yeong blinked in surprise. “…Huh?”
Ya Woon-hyang didn’t beat around the bush. “Teach me the Cheonpoong Divine Technique.”
Bi Sa-yeong almost choked on his water. “Pfft!”
He was stunned. Of course, he had passed the Cheonpoong Divine Technique to Sun Woo-jin, Bae Jong-kwan, and Cheon Joo-eun—but they were trusted friends he’d known for a long time.
But Ya Woon-hyang? They barely knew each other, and she was hardly sociable. For her to make such a request was utterly absurd.
With a baffled expression, Bi Sa-yeong asked, “Did someone put you up to this? Why would I teach the most precious secret technique of the Bi Sect to a junior like you?”
Ya Woon-hyang replied with her trademark languid expression, “The stronger I get, the better it is for everyone. The stronger our comrades are, the safer we all become.”
Bi Sa-yeong scoffed. “Hah!”
Sure, that made sense. But if that were the case, wouldn’t all the front-line warriors be sharing their secrets?
He frowned deeply. “What nonsense is that…!”
But Ya Woon-hyang wasn’t finished. In her usual calm tone, but with serious eyes, she said, “I’m not just asking to learn it. If you teach me the Cheonpoong Divine Technique, I’ll become a disciple of the Bi Sect.”
Bi Sa-yeong was about to shout but paused. “…What?”
Ya Woon-hyang looked him straight in the eye, unusually serious, and repeated, “I’ll become a disciple of the Bi Sect. From now on, I’ll tell everyone that Ya Woon-hyang of the Blood Sect is a disciple of the Bi Sect. And I swear to do my best to help revive the Bi Sect.”
Bi Sa-yeong was speechless. Ya Woon-hyang, a disciple of the Bi Sect? Committed to its revival?
He had never expected such a thing. He had taught the Cheonpoong Divine Technique to Sun Woo-jin, Bae Jong-kwan, and Cheon Joo-eun, but he never expected them to make such a vow.
And now, this unexpected woman was seriously declaring her allegiance.
After a moment of stunned silence, Bi Sa-yeong frowned again. “Does that even make sense? Don’t you have your own sect? How can you join the Bi Sect without their permission?”
Ya Woon-hyang answered without hesitation, “I don’t have a sect. What I learned was the Family Martial Arts, and my parents passed away long ago. So whichever sect I join is my own choice.”
Bi Sa-yeong was at a loss for words again.
He stammered, “Ah, even so, joining the Bi Sect on such a whim is…”
But Ya Woon-hyang’s eyes, usually so languid, were now sharp and serious.
“It’s not a whim at all. I consider the Cheonpoong Divine Technique the greatest divine technique. It’s essential for me to reach the next level. And I’ve already heard about the Bi Sect’s situation. So if you accept me as a disciple, I’ll do my best to rebuild the sect.”
Her words hit Bi Sa-yeong like a hammer.
She called it the “main sect”…
He had already been somewhat swayed by her praise of the Cheonpoong Divine Technique, but hearing her call the Bi Sect the “main sect” completely broke down his resistance.
It was deeply moving.
Come to think of it, the Bi Sect did need talented recruits to revive itself.
If someone like her, who had earned the title “Blood Work” in the heretical martial world, was sincere, she would be the best recruit imaginable.
Bi Sa-yeong had recently learned that the last private master had passed away.
As the eldest disciple and senior of the sect, he had no reason to refuse.
And though he didn’t know her well yet, from what he’d seen, she was unique but not someone to break her word lightly.
So, having roughly made up his mind, Bi Sa-yeong cleared his throat and said, “Hmm, hmm. Well, if you insist that much, I suppose we can accept you into the Bi Sect. After all, I’m the eldest disciple, so I have the authority. But! If you join, you must be prepared to give your life for the Bi Sect! And you must show proper respect to me as your senior brother! Can you truly do that?”
Ya Woon-hyang slowly, but without hesitation, knelt down and said, “Disciple Ya Woon-hyang pays respects to Senior Brother.”
Her action left a deep impression on Bi Sa-yeong.
Her unwavering resolve.
The strange allure radiating from her.
He swallowed hard, his face flushing red.
Shortly after, Sun Woo-jin arrived with Hong Hae-ah and Jeung Chil.
Bi Sa-yeong scowled and shouted, “You brat! Why can’t you be on time?!”
Sun Woo-jin laughed. “Ah, sorry, sorry. I was recruiting another reliable ally. Sorry to keep you waiting, squad leader. And sorry to you too, Ya Woon-hyang, and Da Kam.”
“A reliable ally?”
Bi Sa-yeong frowned slightly and looked at Hong Hae-ah and Jeung Chil.
Jeung Chil’s small stature didn’t exactly scream “reliable.”
Jeung Chil scowled and snapped at him, “Kid, if you meet a senior, you should greet them respectfully! What’s with those glaring eyes? Does your sect teach you to disrespect your elders like that?!”
Bi Sa-yeong suddenly realized his rudeness.
But Jeung Chil’s words were a bit harsh, especially insulting his sect.
And with Ya Woon-hyang watching nearby, he couldn’t just apologize meekly.
Having recently become the eldest senior of the sect after the last private master’s passing, he couldn’t show weakness.
He glared and shot back, “I don’t care if you’re a senior or not! You want senior treatment but insult my sect right off the bat?!”
Jeung Chil realized he’d gone too far.
He often faced disdain because of his appearance, and seeing Bi Sa-yeong’s expression had stirred him up, but mentioning the sect was crossing a line.
Still, he wasn’t the type to apologize easily.
He snorted and shouted back, “What’s your sect to me? I bet your master wouldn’t say a word if he were here! Don’t believe me? Ask your master who Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil is!”
Bi Sa-yeong’s face twisted in anger.
He gritted his teeth and replied…
“…Our master has passed away.”
At that, Jung Chil was taken aback.
No matter how brash he was, even Jung Chil couldn’t be so reckless as to mock someone over their master’s death.
With a stunned expression, he asked again, “W-what?”
“Didn’t you hear?! Our master has died!”
Jung Chil’s voice faltered as he replied, “T-then what about the elders or the senior disciples…?”
“They’re all gone! The elders, the senior disciples—everyone! Even the last remaining senior disciple passed away recently! I’m the eldest remaining member of our sect! Does that clear things up for you?!”
“N-no, I mean…”
Jung Chil’s confidence completely deflated.
How pitiful was this guy, running a sect without a single elder at such a young age?
No matter how bold Jung Chil was, he didn’t have the heart to push someone like that any further.
Unable to find any more words, Jung Chil glanced at Sun Woo-jin as if silently asking for help.
Sun Woo-jin sighed inwardly and stepped in to mediate between them.
“Now, now, this is Senior Hong Hae-ah Jung Chil. About ten years ago, he retired but was known as an extraordinary master. I’m sure he didn’t mean to insult your sect, Bi Jong-mun. Just calm down, Bi Sa-young.”
“Hmph!”
But Bi Sa-young wasn’t ready to let go of his anger. He scoffed and turned away.
Hearing that Bi Sa-young was a disciple of Bi Jong-mun, Jung Chil recalled what kind of sect it was and tried to soothe him.
“Oh! So you’re a disciple of Bi Jong-mun? I’ve heard that your sect is famous for its exceptional new techniques!”
That seemed like a decent attempt.
Bi Sa-young glanced at Jung Chil, his mood softening slightly at the praise for his sect.
But Jung Chil didn’t stop there.
“Alright then! Since you say your elders are gone, I’ll personally teach you some of my new techniques! You’ll have the chance to learn from none other than Senior Hong Hae-ah himself! How about that?!”
He meant it as an apology, in his own way.
But Bi Sa-young couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
“Hah!”
Sun Woo-jin, standing nearby, squeezed his eyes shut in disbelief.
Jung Chil, who had extended an olive branch, was now completely offended.
“What’s that look supposed to mean?! How dare you make that face when Senior Hong Hae-ah is offering to teach you personally!”
Bi Sa-young replied with a sharp smile, “You think you have the skill to teach me new techniques, senior?”
“W-what?! You insolent brat!”
Sun Woo-jin shook his head helplessly.
Bi Sa-young taunted Jung Chil with a mocking grin.
“Fine. Then how about a duel of new techniques? If I lose, I’ll kneel and accept your teachings. But if you lose… well! If you lose, you’ll become my master’s junior brother. From then on, I’ll call you ‘senior disciple.’ How’s that?”
Not once did he say Jung Chil would be his junior—that was already a sign of respect from Bi Sa-young. But Jung Chil didn’t see it that way.
He exploded like a volcano.
“You! I’ll make you kneel before me right here and now! You have my word!”
“Of course, with the Golden Sky technique.”
“Fine! Let’s do it right now! What do we have to do?”
“You have to strike that big tree over there and return to this spot. How about it?”
“Whatever it is, let’s start immediately!”
The two locked eyes, blazing with fierce determination, and looked at Sun Woo-jin.
It was clear they were waiting for his signal.
Sun Woo-jin suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. Still, he raised his right hand and said, “When I count to three and lower this arm, that’s your start. One, two, three!”
In an instant, the two vanished like twin gusts of wind.
Crack! Crack!
True to their mastery of new techniques, their speed was nothing but streaks of light.
Moments later, they were back in their original spots.
Surprisingly, Bi Sa-young arrived first.
“Arrived!”
Passing by Sun Woo-jin, Bi Sa-young called out.
Jung Chil, trailing just behind, shouted, “That’s cheating!”
“What are you talking about? Cheating?!”
“You didn’t touch the tree, did you?!”
“W-what?! That’s nonsense! I definitely grazed it!”
“No, no! I saw it clearly! You pretended to touch it but didn’t!”
“You old fool! You lost the bet and now you’re making baseless accusations!”
“Hmph! I saw it with my own eyes! Let’s do it again, fair and square!”
“I clearly won! Why do it again?”
“You didn’t win, so we’re doing it again!”
Sun Woo-jin let out a deep sigh.
“Haaah…”
Seol Poong also looked at him, clearly exhausted, as if asking when they could start.
But Sun Woo-jin just shook his head and shrugged.
This was the first expedition team formed after the Bloodline Battle over ten years ago, and all he could feel was a sense of helplessness.