Chapter 177: Formation of the Blood Cult Expedition-2

Seol Pung, Bi Sa-yeong, Ya Un-hyang, and Dakam—the four of them—had already arrived at the designated meeting place and were waiting for Seonwoo Jin.

But when Seonwoo Jin did not appear even after the appointed time had passed, Ya Un-hyang suddenly spoke up.

"He is late."

Bi Sa-yeong chuckled and answered.

"That guy Jin always has a good reason when he's late."

Ya Un-hyang, who had been staring at Bi Sa-yeong, spoke again.

"This is the first time I've seen you, Daesahyeong, trust someone else so much."

Bi Sa-yeong shrugged his shoulders and answered.

"Well, it's only natural. You'll probably come to feel the same way, Samae, after you tumble around with that guy a few times."

Seol Pung, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly interjected.

He had made the decision to attack the Blood Cult, and after hearing Seonwoo Jin's plan, he had regained his composure.

And that was a characteristic shared by all who served on the frontlines.

Those who had lost countless comrades would swear vengeance, but they did not hold onto their grief for long.

They knew well that the way to truly honor the dead was not to wallow in grief, but to live the remaining life even more joyfully, carrying their share as well—and that this was the wise thing to do.

So they had already regained their original cheerful atmosphere, despite the Sword Saint's death and their comrades' abduction.

Moreover, since their comrades were still alive and they still had a chance to save them, they couldn't help but be even more spirited than usual.

Seol Pung smiled broadly and spoke to Bi Sa-yeong and Ya Un-hyang.

"You two have gotten quite used to those titles now. You look like a complete Sahyeong and Samae, don't you?"

At his words, Ya Un-hyang smiled faintly with her characteristic languid eyes, and Bi Sa-yeong gave an awkward smile as well.

***

It was about two weeks ago that Ya Un-hyang had sought out Bi Sa-yeong.

Just before that, the two had sparred, and in that sparring match, Bi Sa-yeong had defeated Ya Un-hyang with his wind-like movement technique.

Then, Ya Un-hyang, who had sought out Bi Sa-yeong while he was drinking water, said to him without preamble:

'I was quite confident in my movement technique as well, but you are simply impossible to deal with. I suppose I'll have to learn that movement technique if I'm ever going to beat you.'

At her sudden, unexpected words, Bi Sa-yeong blinked and asked:

'...Huh?'

Then she said bluntly:

'The Cheonpung Movement Technique. Teach it to me too.'

At that absurd demand, Bi Sa-yeong could not help but spit out the water he had been drinking.

'Pffft!'

Bi Sa-yeong was dumbfounded.

Of course, he had taught the Cheonpung Movement Technique to Seonwoo Jin, Bae Jong-gwan, and Cheon Ju-eun.

But they were already friends to whom he could entrust his life.

Yet for Ya Un-hyang, whom he had known for only a short time, who was not even sociable and with whom he had barely exchanged a few words, to make such a demand of him—

It was simply too absurd.

With a dumbfounded expression, Bi Sa-yeong asked her:

'Have you perhaps entrusted something to me? Why in the world should I teach you, Sojeo, the most precious secret movement technique of our Bi Sect?'

Then Ya Un-hyang answered with her characteristic languid expression:

'Isn't it good for everyone the stronger I become? The stronger our comrades are, the safer everyone will be.'

'Ha!'

Bi Sa-yeong let out a hollow laugh.

Of course, what she said wasn't wrong.

But if that were reason enough to teach each other everything they knew, then wouldn't all the ultimate techniques on the frontline have to be shared?

He now scowled and retorted:

'What kind of nonsensical talk is that...!'

But Ya Un-hyang wasn't finished.

She spoke in a languid tone, but with serious eyes, saying to Bi Sa-yeong:

'I'm not just asking you to teach me. If you teach me the Cheonpung Movement Technique, I will become a disciple of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Bi Sect as well.'

At those words, Bi Sa-yeong, who had been about to shout, hesitated for a moment.

'...What?'

Then Ya Un-hyang, with uncharacteristically serious eyes, looked him straight in the face and repeated:

'I will become a disciple of the Bi Sect. From now on, I will go around telling people that Hyeolpyeonseosi Ya Un-hyang is a disciple of the Bi Sect. And I swear I will do my utmost for the revival of the Bi Sect.'

They were words he had never even imagined.

Bi Sa-yeong, at a loss for words, could not speak for a moment and just gaped.

That Ya Un-hyang, becoming a disciple of the Bi Sect?

And working for the revival of the Bi Sect?

It was a proposal that Bi Sa-yeong had truly never, ever considered.

He had already taught the Cheonpung Movement Technique to Seonwoo Jin, Bae Jong-gwan, and Cheon Ju-eun, but he had not expected even that much from them.

And yet, unexpectedly, she was saying she would actually become a disciple of the Bi Sect...

But Bi Sa-yeong, who had been flustered for a moment, frowned again and said:

'Does that even make sense? Wouldn't you have your own sect, Sojeo? How can you join the Bi Sect without your sect's permission...?!'

But even at those words, Ya Un-hyang answered without hesitation:

'I don't have one, a sect. What I've learned is family martial arts, and my parents passed away long ago. So whichever sect I join is up to me.'

At that, Bi Sa-yeong was once again at a loss for words.

So after flapping his lips for a moment, he barely managed to open his mouth again:

'Ah, even so, joining our Bi Sect with such a light heart is a bit...'

But the eyes of Ya Un-hyang, which had always seemed languid, did not look light at all in this moment.

She spoke with clear eyes:

'It's not a light heart at all. I consider the Cheonpung Movement Technique to be the best movement technique, and I believe it's a martial art I absolutely need to rise to the next level. And I've already heard about the Bi Sect's situation. So if you accept me as a disciple of the Bi Sect this time, I too will do my utmost for the rebuilding of our sect.'

At those words, Bi Sa-yeong's heart pounded and sank with a thud.

Our sect... she said?

Bi Sa-yeong, whose heart had already been slightly swayed when she said she considered the Cheonpung Movement Technique the best movement technique, could not hold out any longer at the word 'our sect' that she had spoken, and his heart completely crumbled.

To call the Bi Sect 'our sect'...

He could not have been more moved.

Come to think of it, that was the case.

In any case, to revive the Bi Sect, they needed to recruit outstanding talents.

And if she, who had received the title of 'Blood Sparrow' in the unorthodox martial world, was sincere, wouldn't that be the best possible recruit?

Bi Sa-yeong had recently received word that his last Sasuk had passed away.

So now, as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the senior disciple who had become the highest elder of the Bi Sect, there was absolutely no reason to refuse this.

And though he still didn't know her well, from what he had observed so far, even if she was a bit peculiar, she didn't seem like the kind of light person who would go back on her word, did she?

So this was something worth considering positively enough.

Having more or less made up his mind for these reasons, Bi Sa-yeong cleared his throat and spoke to her once more:

'Ahem, ahem. Well, if you put it that way, I could accept you into the Bi Sect. As it happens, I am the senior disciple of the sect leader and the highest-ranking member, so I am certainly in a position to do so. However! If Miss Ya enters our Bi Sect, you must be prepared to give your life for the Bi Sect! Also, you must respectfully serve me, the highest elder of the Bi Sect, as your Daesahyeong! Can you truly do that, Miss Ya?'

Then Ya Un-hyang slowly, but without hesitation, knelt down on the spot.

And spoke to Bi Sa-yeong:

'Your Samae, Ya Un-hyang, greets Daesahyeong.'

That image left a deep impression in Bi Sa-yeong's mind.

At her action without any hesitation.

At the subtle, bewitching allure exuded by the beautiful her.

Bi Sa-yeong could not help but unconsciously gulp.

His face flushed red for some reason.

***

A moment later, Seonwoo Jin arrived with Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil.

At that, Bi Sa-yeong frowned deeply and shouted.

"You bastard! Don't you know how to hurry?!"

At those words, Seonwoo Jin smiled and replied.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. I was busy recruiting another reliable reinforcement. You must have waited long, Squad Leader? My apologies to you too, Miss Ya. And sorry, Dakam."

"A reliable reinforcement?"

At Seonwoo Jin's words, Bi Sa-yeong furrowed his brow slightly and looked at Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil.

It was because, judging by his diminutive outward appearance, Jeung Chil did not look very reliable at all.

Then Jeung Chil frowned deeply and shouted at him.

"You young brat! When you see a senior elder, aren't you supposed to greet him politely first?! Why are you rolling your eyes like that?! Is that how your sect teaches you respect for your seniors?!"

At those words, Bi Sa-yeong had a moment of belated realization.

It was because he realized he had unknowingly been rude.

But to meekly apologize, Jeung Chil's words had also been a bit excessive.

Moreover, bringing up his sect was definitely crossing the line.

And wasn't his newly recruited junior sister watching right beside him?

With even the last remaining sasuk having passed away not long ago, he was now the eldest of the sect. He couldn't show himself meekly apologizing to someone who had insulted his sect.

Bi Sa-yeong glared wide-eyed and shouted back.

"What do I care if you're some senior elder or not?! Someone who wants to be treated as a senior insults a junior's sect out of the blue?!"

At that, Jeung Chil also realized his misstep.

Throughout his life, Jeung Chil had often received dismissive looks based solely on his appearance.

So this time too, he had snapped after seeing Bi Sa-yeong's expression, but he himself felt that mentioning the sect had certainly been going too far.

However, he was not at all the type to say he was wrong and apologize.

He scoffed and shouted again.

"What about your sect?! I guarantee you, even your master wouldn't have dared make a sound before me! If you don't believe me, ask your master who Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil is!"

At that, Bi Sa-yeong's expression finally twisted completely.

He gritted his teeth and replied.

"...Our master has passed away."

Then Jeung Chil was utterly flustered.

It was because no matter how much Jeung Chil ran wild, he couldn't run wild even at the news of a master's death.

He asked back with a flustered expression.

"...Wh-what?"

"Did you not hear?! I said our master has passed away!"

Then Jeung Chil spoke again in a deflated voice.

"Th-then what about your sabaek or sasuk...?"

"They're all gone! Both sabaek and sasuk! Even the last remaining sasuk passed away not long ago! The eldest left in our sect is me! Are you satisfied now?!"

"No, I..."

Now Jeung Chil's momentum was completely broken.

That young fellow was running a sect all alone without a single elder... where had such a pitiful guy been living?

No matter how unruly Jeung Chil was, he didn't have the heart to bully someone like that.

So Jeung Chil, unable to find more words, glanced at Seonwoo Jin as if asking for help.

Then Seonwoo Jin sighed inwardly and stepped in to mediate between the two.

"Now, now, this is Senior Elder Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil. He is a famous transcendent peak master who went into seclusion about ten years ago. He wouldn't have said those things with the intent to insult your Bijongmun sect. So let it go, Sa-yeong."

"Hmph!"

But Bi Sa-yeong scoffed and turned away as if he had no intention of letting his anger go.

Then, upon hearing that he was a disciple of Bijongmun, Jeung Chil, who remembered what kind of place that was, offered an appeasement in his own way.

"Oh! So you were a disciple of Bijongmun? I've heard the rumors that it's a sect with an outstanding movement technique!"

Up to that point, it seemed like a good enough attempt.

Because even Bi Sa-yeong glanced at Jeung Chil as if his mood had slightly improved upon hearing his sect praised.

But Jeung Chil didn't stop there.

"Yes, good! Since you say you have no elders in your sect, I will specially teach you some movement technique! You'll get the chance to learn movement technique from this Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil elder! How about that?!"

It was clearly meant as an apology in his own way.

But Bi Sa-yeong could only give a bewildered laugh at those words.

"Ha!"

Seonwoo Jin, who was beside him, also shut his eyes tightly.

His expression seemed to ask, 'Why on earth would you say that?'

At that utterly unexpected reaction, Jeung Chil, who had extended ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a reconciling hand in his own way, was now completely hurt and dumbfounded.

"Wh-what is it, you punk?! That expression just now?! How dare you make such a face when this Hong Hae-ah Jeung Chil elder is personally offering to teach you movement technique!"

Then Bi Sa-yeong smiled snidely and retorted.

"You say you'll teach me movement technique, but are you even skilled enough for that, Senior?"

"Wh-what?! You insolent bastard?!"

Then Seonwoo Jin, who was beside them, shook his head as if he no longer knew what to do.

Bi Sa-yeong provoked Jeung Chil with a sneering face.

"Fine. Then how about a movement technique contest against me? If I lose, I will quietly kneel and receive your teaching. But if you lose, Senior... yes! If you lose, you will become my master's younger brother. I'll call you sasuk from now on, how about that?"

The fact that he didn't say 'become my junior' was already a show of respect from Bi Sa-yeong, but there was no way Jeung Chil could feel such consideration.

He exploded like a volcano and shouted.

"You bastard! I'll make you kneel right now before me! A man's word is..."

"Of course, as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold."

"Good! Let's do it right now! What shall we do?!"

"Touch that large tree you see far over there and come back to this spot. How about that?"

"Whatever! Let's do it right now!"

The two now looked at Seonwoo Jin with blazing eyes.

Apparently, they meant for him to give the signal to start.

Seonwoo Jin suddenly felt a deep sense of fatigue wash over him. But for now, he raised his right hand and said.

"Now, when I count to three and drop this arm, you begin. One, two, three!"

At that moment, the two turned into two streaks of wind and vanished.

Pabak!

Pabak!

As expected of two who specialized in movement techniques, their speed was such that they could only be seen as two streaks.

And after just a brief moment, the two instantly returned to their original spot.

And surprisingly, the one who returned first was Bi Sa-yeong.

"Arrived!"

Bi Sa-yeong shouted as he passed by Seonwoo Jin's side.

Then Jeung Chil, who came in just a bit later, shouted.

"Foul!"

At those words, Bi Sa-yeong flared up.

"What nonsense! What foul?!"

"You, didn't your hand not touch that tree?!"

"What, what?! What nonsense are you talking about! I definitely touched it lightly and came back!"

"No! No! I clearly saw it! You pretended to touch it but didn't!"

"You damned old coot?! You lost the bet and now you're making unreasonable claims!"

"Hmph! I clearly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saw it! So let's be fair and do it again!"

"I clearly won, so why do it again!"

"Because you clearly didn't win, that's why we do it again!"

Seonwoo Jin now let out a deep sigh.

"Haaaaah..."

Then Seol Pung also looked at Seonwoo Jin with a very tired expression.

It seemed to mean, 'When can we depart?'

But Seonwoo Jin also just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

To think that this was the state of the first Blood Cult expedition force formed after the Great Blood War over ten years ago... it was just utterly disheartening.