Chapter 343: Settling Matters
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 343: Settling Matters
Un-hye stared at Sun-woo with eyes wide with shock.
The astonishment she felt toward the incredible divine power Sun-woo had displayed refused to fade. What exactly was that stealth technique? It completely defied all conventional common sense.
It was nothing short of a revolution.
"The Formless Shadow Stealth Technique."
Just then, the voice of Bulsok Satae drifted over from behind.
"Is that correct?"
"It is," Sun-woo replied with a nod.
"Incredible. To think I would see the secret technique of the Traceless Killer—the man who assassinated the Sect Leader of Wudang fifty years ago—with my own eyes."
Bulsok Satae spoke as if she couldn't believe it. She had assumed that secret art had vanished forever along with the Traceless Killer’s life half a century ago. She never imagined it would reappear in the world through a remarkable individual like Jang Sun-woo.
"I simply happened upon a stroke of luck," Sun-woo said, maintaining his humility.
"That luck has become a blessing for us as well. Thanks to you, everyone has been rescued safely."
Bulsok Satae’s expression remained solemn as she continued.
"Thank you for saving us, Hero."
Having said her piece, Bulsok Satae slowly bowed her head toward Sun-woo.
"Thank you for saving us, Hero!"
Immediately, all the disciples of the Emei Sect bowed toward him in unison.
"I only did what was right."
Sun-woo waved his hands dismissively. He always felt a bit embarrassed whenever he received such heartfelt gratitude, even if he had done something that truly deserved it.
Is it because I’ve lived like such a pushover?
Sun-woo scratched his cheek as he accepted their thanks.
"Are these all the demons that were here?" Sun-woo asked, looking around.
"Except for the two who went out to guard the main gate, this is all of them," Bulsok Satae replied with a nod.
"Where are the villagers?"
"They are likely confined in the basement. The Wicked Demon gave strict orders not to touch them, as they are considered productive labor."
"That is a relief."
Sun-woo felt a wave of ease at her words. He had been worried that the villagers might have been harmed.
"Then, may I ask you to handle the cleanup here?" Sun-woo asked, looking at Bulsok Satae.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"I still have unfinished business. I need to see things through to the end."
Sun-woo’s expression turned grave. Right now, out there, Lee Yeon and the two women were likely clashing fiercely. He had to rush there immediately to help them.
"I understand. We will take care of things here."
"Thank you. Also, Seol-hyang should be waiting outside. Please call her in to help with the cleanup."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Bulsok Satae gave a slight nod. Seeing this, Sun-woo quickly turned around. He didn't want to delay a moment longer.
Boom!
Sun-woo channeled his internal energy into his Yongcheon Point and let it explode. His figure shot out of the Great Hall like a bolt.
*
Tap, tap, tap, tap!
Sun-woo began to move, pushing his Wind-Dust Step to its absolute limit. His body tore through the air like a beam of light.
After rescuing the Emei disciples and entrusting them with the cleanup, he hurried toward the city gates. He couldn't afford to dally.
Lee Yeon was an incredibly powerful and immense existence—someone so formidable that even looking up at him felt daunting. But Sun-woo had to go. Even if his help was as insignificant as a cat’s paw—no, even if it was just a rabbit’s forepaw—he wanted to be a source of strength for them.
Whoosh!
Sun-woo’s speed increased even further, moving like a flash of lightning.
.
.
.
How much time had passed?
Soon, Sun-woo saw the city gates in the distance. He cheered inwardly. Thanks to his relentless sprinting, he had reached the gates sooner than expected.
Lee Yeon, just you wait!
Sun-woo’s eyes sparkled. Soon, he would return to the battlefield. The battlefield where Lee Yeon was.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Just then, he saw thousands of cavalrymen entering through the gates. Sun-woo’s expression turned to one of bewilderment. Why were they entering the city?
Soon, his bewilderment turned to fury. He realized this must mean Bukgung Yeon and Neung So-hwa had lost to Lee Yeon.
Damn it, damn it!
Sun-woo cursed under his breath. He had hoped for the best, but the worst had happened. In the end, they hadn't been able to handle Lee Yeon. Anxiety began to crawl into his chest. He was terrified that something might have happened to them.
Sun-woo sharpened his eyesight, scanning the crowd to see if Neung So-hwa or Bukgung Yeon were among them.
Then, Sun-woo’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Neung So-hwa and Bukgung Yeon were walking in slowly at the very front of the group. Not only that, but the members of the search party who had been injured were also walking in calmly.
Sun-woo rubbed his eyes repeatedly. This was a scene he could never have anticipated. How could people who were fighting tooth and nail just moments ago be walking in so peacefully together?
Sun-woo couldn't understand it. What on earth had happened? He could only blink in confusion as he watched them approach.
*
"You mean Sword Man-seonbae did?"
Sun-woo spoke with a look of utter shock.
"That's right. He severed Lee Yeon's left arm with a single strike."
Bukgung Yeon nodded in response to Sun-woo’s question.
"Hah..."
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh, feeling drained. He knew better than anyone here that Sword Man was strong. He had felt the gap in their levels every time they sparred. But he never imagined Sword Man would be strong enough to cut down even Lee Yeon in a single blow.
The Lee Yeon Sun-woo had faced was powerful—so powerful that Sun-woo couldn't even leave a scratch on him no matter how many times he attacked. Yet that same Lee Yeon had lost an arm in one strike, even while using that bizarre technique called Spirit Armor.
It was enough to make him feel dejected. Just how strong could a human being be?
Sun-woo felt a renewed sense of Sword Man’s true power. Because Sword Man had always adjusted his sword to match Sun-woo’s level during their spars, Sun-woo hadn't fully grasped the extent of his strength. But seeing this result made it clear.
Even Lee Yeon, the First Sword of the Imperial Palace...
Even Lee Yeon, who had reached the legendary Profound Realm...
Even Lee Yeon, whom Sun-woo couldn't even touch, had been cut down instantly.
Wait.
A sudden thought flashed through Sun-woo’s mind.
If even Sword Man considers it a point of pride just to have survived my Master... then just how strong is Master?
He was questioning the martial prowess of his master, the Yin-Yang Demon. Sun-woo had never seen the full extent of the Yin-Yang Demon’s power. Even when his master fought Lee Jae-won, Sun-woo had only felt the pressure of his aura; he had no idea what abilities he possessed or what kind of power he could truly unleash.
He had only a vague sense of his master's strength, but after hearing Bukgung Yeon’s words, even that vague sense seemed to drift further away into the realm of the impossible.
To be a powerhouse feared even by Sword Man—the man who had effortlessly cut down the monstrous Lee Yeon... just how strong was he?
Is he actually an Immortal?
He even began to have the rational suspicion that his master might truly be a transcendent being.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Bukgung Yeon’s voice reached his ears.
"Ah, it’s nothing. I was just lost in thought for a moment."
"How rude. Getting lost in thought while a lady is standing right in front of you."
Bukgung Yeon spoke with a hint of feigned annoyance.
"My apologies, Palace Master."
Sun-woo lowered his head slightly.
"Well, you're cute, so I'll let it slide."
Bukgung Yeon gave a small smile as she spoke.
"Pardon!?"
Sun-woo asked back, dumbfounded. Cute? Aside from when he was a toddler, that was the first time he’d heard such a thing in his entire life. He couldn't help but be taken aback.
"It seems you do have an eye for things. It is a fact that Sun-woo is cute."
Neung So-hwa, who was standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
"The adults are talking. Could you please not butt in?" Bukgung Yeon said sharply, looking at Neung So-hwa.
"Do not treat me like a child!"
"But you are a child, aren't you? A fearless little brat."
Bukgung Yeon smirked as she spoke.
"What did you say!?"
"Don't you remember you almost died at Sword Man's hands?"
"That... that was..."
Neung So-hwa stammered, her voice trailing off. She couldn't deny it because it was true.
"What does that mean? So-hwa almost died?"
Sun-woo asked, looking confused.
"Sword Man was trying to leave with Lee Yeon slung over his shoulder."
"Sword Man-seonbae is leaving? With Lee Yeon?" Sun-woo asked in surprise.
"Yes. And when he tried to leave, this little fireball over here said to him, 'How dare you! If you do not hand over Lee Yeon this instant, I shall kill you!' Just like that."
Bukgung Yeon spoke with exaggerated gestures.
"So-hwa did?"
Sun-woo glanced at Neung So-hwa with a skeptical look.
"I did not say it like that! Do not exaggerate! You are making Sun-woo misunderstand!"
Feeling Sun-woo’s gaze, Neung So-hwa spoke with an aggrieved expression.
"There might be some exaggeration, but it’s not like I’m wrong, is it?"
"..."
Neung So-hwa bit her lip. It didn't feel entirely wrong.
"Did you really do that?" Sun-woo asked curiously.
"No... no!... I mean... that is..."
Neung So-hwa stammered in response to Sun-woo’s question. She felt wronged. Of course, she had spoken with a bit of an overbearing and authoritative tone, but that hadn't been her true intention. She had simply intended to reveal her identity and ask for cooperation, so how could it have been twisted so much?
"Uuu... uuu..."
In an instant, Neung So-hwa looked like she was about to burst into tears. Normally, she would have calmly explained what happened, but with Sun-woo in front of her, the words wouldn't come out right. She was terrified that he might dislike her if he thought she was overly authoritarian.
"Wow... are you crying? At your age?"
A voice that seemed designed to grate on one's nerves came from the side.
Zing!
Neung So-hwa quickly turned her tearful eyes and glared at Bukgung Yeon.
"This is all because of you!"
"You're the one who said it. Why blame me? Do you have a personality disorder?"
Bukgung Yeon teased Neung So-hwa with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Eeeek!"
Neung So-hwa’s face flushed with rage at her words. The two women began to bicker back and forth.
"Wait! Just a moment!"
Sun-woo quickly raised his voice to break the flow before their argument could escalate.
"I have one question," Sun-woo said in a calm tone. "Has Sword Man-seonbae really left?"
"Yes."
"He has."
Both Bukgung Yeon and Neung So-hwa nodded in response.
"Without even saying goodbye!?"
"He did leave a message. He told me to tell you that he hopes you will establish the Sword of the Mind by the next time you meet."
Neung So-hwa spoke in a composed voice.
"Is that all?" Sun-woo asked, looking bewildered.
"He said nothing else."
Neung So-hwa nodded.
"Hah..."
Sun-woo sighed inwardly. He never imagined they would part ways like this.
"Wait, so he took Lee Yeon with him too?"
"He did..." Neung So-hwa replied, her expression turning gloomy. "...I tried to stop him, but it was no use."
"What do you mean you tried to stop him? You were so scared you kept your mouth shut."
Bukgung Yeon chimed in to scold Neung So-hwa.
"How can you be so foul-mouthed! Do you truly wish to fight me?"
Neung So-hwa snapped at Bukgung Yeon in a fit of rage.
"I wouldn't mind a fight."
Bukgung Yeon snorted in response. The two women glared at each other with burning eyes, facing off in silence. The tension between them was incredibly heated.
"..."
Meanwhile, Sun-woo looked on, unable to understand Sword Man’s actions. Why had he suddenly left without a word to him? And why on earth had he taken Lee Yeon? Lee Yeon, whose arms were both severed, making him useless as a swordsman.
What exactly are you thinking... Sword Man-seonbae?
Sun-woo fell into deep thought regarding Sword Man.