Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: I Spent the Night with the Murim Alliance Leader's Youngest Daughter
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Nothing was as pathetic as a nobody running their mouth.
That was the thought that crossed my mind as I looked at Ma Won-pyeong, brimming with smug satisfaction.
"Hey."
"Hey? Are you addressing me right now?"
"I've been talking to you this whole time. Who else would it be?"
A so-called elite disciple, and his brain moved this slowly.
No wonder the Hyungsan Sect had fallen into such a state.
"Young hero, I've thought your speech and manners were rough since we first met, but aren't you worried this will end badly for you?"
"Are you relying on those lanky fools behind you?"
"Hmph. Do you think this is the full might of the Hyungsan Sect? We're just the vanguard. The elders will arrive soon!"
That explained why there weren't many at the peak realm or above.
"Ma Won-pyeong. Do you really think the Hyungsan Sect can touch the Baekyang Division and get away with it?"
"Come now, don't say such hurtful things. We're simply here to look after the Baekyang Division members injured while fighting off evildoers. It's just that their recovery might take a bit longer."
Ma Won-pyeong was full of bluster, ignoring Jegal Yeong's warning completely. He hadn't given a single thought to the aftermath.
"Senior, no need to waste your breath. Do words even work on dogs?"
"You've got a foul mouth, kid. Let me teach you some manners."
"You bastard. If you want to fight, just say so."
Did I look tired or something?
Of course, if the Hyungsan Sect elders showed up next, things could get a little tricky.
But starting trouble here, with the Baekyang Division—and two daughters of the Seven Great Families—no less?
There had to be a reason for their reckless behavior.
"Rumors say the Hyungsan Sect leader has gone into seclusion. Looks like they're true."
"...What did you just say?"
"Your sect leader's out of commission today or tomorrow. Your face says it all. Am I right?"
"Shut your mouth!"
Ma Won-pyeong had been feigning composure until then.
But the moment I mentioned their leader, his face twisted like I'd struck a nerve.
At Ma Won-pyeong's gesture, the lined-up Hyungsan Sect warriors charged in unison.
"Seniors! I'll take a short break, so handle these guys for me!"
"What?"
"I took on the Blood Slaughter Guest alone, didn't I? It'll only take a moment!"
I'd provoked them, sure...
But I needed a brief rest.
Help me out here.
Despite their incredulous stares, Jegal Yeong stepped forward to cover me.
"Junior, just sit back and watch!"
With that, Hwangbo Seyul kicked off the ground and leaped into the enemy ranks.
The weapon she carried was too massive to call a sword.
It reminded me of that term from some book I'd read: greatsword.
Hwangbo Seyul swung the blade like a wooden club, smashing it down toward the ground.
"Argh!"
"W-what is this?!"
Kwajijik!
A massive roar erupted.
With a single sword strike, the earth crumbled, leaving a huge crater. The Hyungsan Sect warriors gathered there were flung about amid shattered rocks.
"I'm still getting the hang of controlling my strength... If you want to leave with your bones intact, you'd better dodge!"
Leaving those words for the stunned Hyungsan Sect warriors, Hwangbo Seyul pressed forward relentlessly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Up until he'd ordered the surprise attack, Ma Won-pyeong had been riding high.
He couldn't believe the reality unfolding before his eyes.
'Is this even possible?'
No matter how skilled the Baekyang Division was, weren't they just the Murim Alliance's watchdogs?
He'd assumed their reputation was exaggerated due to their wild nature.
Besides, Yi Se-woong—the one he'd been most wary of—looked exhausted from fighting the Blood Slaughter Guest.
He'd gathered every Hyungsan Sect disciple available, figuring it would be enough.
Thud!
But what was this?
When the strangely spoken girl drew her greatsword,
he'd dismissed it as a weapon unfit for her station.
Yet her single strike had shattered their formation.
"Gah!"
It was inhuman strength from such a small frame.
Like harvesting rice with a sickle,
every swing of her sword felled Hyungsan Sect warriors.
"Spread out! Create distance!"
"She's too fast!"
Strength like it could uproot a mountain, speed too quick to follow with the eye.
They couldn't face her head-on.
His juniors were swept away like fallen leaves in the wind.
'Then target their rear!'
Numbers had their advantages.
While the front lines held the monster at bay, they could go for the downed Blood Slaughter Guest and Yi Se-woong!
That was Ma Won-pyeong's plan to exploit their weakness.
But then,
"One more step, and I can't guarantee your life."
She wasn't pushover either.
That woman—Jegal Family's daughter, right?
He should have paid more attention.
"Gurk!"
Jegal Yeong's sword knew no mercy.
The air around her shimmered like heat haze.
Those who rashly entered faced chilling sword intent slicing into them in an instant.
"Argh! My arm!"
"Demonic arts! It's sorcery!"
"Such cruel hands!"
Arms, legs—
scattered through the air like discarded logs.
That was the fate of those who crossed Jegal Yeong's deadly line, her barrier.
'Just two of them!'
How had things come to this?
Even as he thought it, the front line crumbled under Hwangbo Seyul.
He'd mobilized nearly all the Hyungsan Sect's available forces...
'If only the sect leader were unharmed.'
That was why Ma Won-pyeong had hurriedly cut off Yi Se-woong and ordered the attack.
As Yi Se-woong had guessed, the Hyungsan Sect leader lay bedridden from qi deviation.
Along with most of the elders, sprawled out the same way.
"Senior brother, we need to retreat now!"
"Nonsense! If we don't cover this up, we're done for!"
"But..."
It was all the Wudang Sect's fault.
If not for their atrocities, the Hyungsan Sect wouldn't have declined like this. No need to borrow hands from those vermin bandits.
Just as such resentments began to boil over,
"What a disgrace."
"Elder Gyeon Pyo!"
"Ma Won-pyeong. Since when does the Hyungsan Sect's top disciple cower in the back?"
Who do you think gives orders if I'm not here?
I wouldn't be listening to you if things weren't this dire.
Hiding his inner thoughts, Ma Won-pyeong lit up at the sight of Gyeon Pyo.
"Elder! Lend us your strength!"
"Tch. I'll hold you accountable later."
"Of course. But for now, please..."
Gyeon Pyo strode forward, not bothering to hide his boredom.
His temperament grated, but his power was the real deal.
An elder worthy of the Hyungsan Sect.
With him stepping in, they could crush these foes in one go.
Though there'd be a price to pay.
"Youngsters these days are vicious for your age."
"Do you think the Hyungsan Sect will emerge unscathed after this?"
Pazijik!
Jegal Yeong's seemingly impregnable barrier shattered helplessly under Gyeon Pyo's single move.
"Ridiculous. How would the Murim Alliance know if you've met with misfortune or not?"
"At the very least, the Jegal and Hwangbo Families won't forget this."
Her opponent was a transcendent master.
Jegal Yeong steeled herself with resolve and blocked his path.
"Senior. You've done enough."
A hand tapped Jegal Yeong's shoulder.
Yi Se-woong, now on his feet, pulled her back.
"I'll handle him."
"Even you can't! We need to attack together..."
"I'll take care of it."
She had to stop him.
No matter Yi Se-woong's skill, facing a master like that alone was impossible.
But the inexplicable weight in his voice made Jegal Yeong step aside.
"Cheeky brat."
"Looks like Gramps had a good haul today."
Gyeon Pyo scowled at his bold demeanor.
His face was pale with exhaustion.
A guy who looked ready to collapse any second, spouting off—infuriating.
"A Daoist with grease dripping down his face? Reminds me of some unlucky bastards."
"Insolent whelp with a foul mouth."
"Keep calling me kid, young punk. Doesn't that just mean you're closer to death no matter how old you get?"
"...At least longer than you."
What did this punk have to back this up?
Gyeon Pyo felt a twinge of doubt.
The Jegal girl—he couldn't kill her rashly, or there'd be backlash.
But this guy? No issue.
"I'll give you time for last words."
"Is that yours?"
Tadak!
After the brief exchange, Yi Se-woong struck first.
'Not bad speed.'
Still, leagues below him.
Time to teach this arrogant fool his place.
His sword looked glacially slow to Gyeon Pyo.
Aiming for the shoulder, he deliberately met it with his own blade—no dodge.
A cruel whim to show the gap in strength.
He could already taste the satisfaction of the punk's twisted face.
Srrek!
And that was Gyeon Pyo's end.
The Hyungsan Sect elder, facing Yi Se-woong's sword head-on.
His body split from left shoulder to waist in a diagonal line, sword and all.
No scream, not even.
"Elder!"
Ma Won-pyeong collapsed, clutching the remains of what was Gyeon Pyo, face blank with shock. His eyes held something impossible.
At the end of his gaze,
a pillar of light gleamed on Yi Se-woong's sword.
"S-sword aura!"
Sword aura?
Was this punk some hidden rejuvenated elder master?
It felt like a dream.
"Ma Won-pyeong."
No response.
"Hyungsan Sect's top disciple, Ma Won-pyeong. You listening?"
"......"
"Chase us or not, I don't care. If you value your life."
Yi Se-woong added to the dazed man clinging to the corpse.
"Better hole up in Hyungsan and await punishment."
"......"
"You want to keep your neck, right? The Murim Alliance bill's coming soon—deal with it yourself. We're out."
With that, Yi Se-woong left with his comrades.
Ma Won-pyeong still gave no reply.