Chapter 27
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Chase and the Promise
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Jo Seol-yeon gathered her courage and calmed her mind. She couldn't just keep taking this lying down. As soon as her resolve hardened, her body moved. And as her body moved, her inner energy stirred.
Her toes pushed off the floor, and in an instant, she slipped through the Azure Moon Unit warriors.
"What?!"
The Azure Moon Unit warriors were startled. They'd thought she was just a powerless girl. But it turned out she knew martial arts. If they'd been even a little more careful, they could have noticed, but they'd let their guard down too much.
"Catch her!"
Someone shouted. They couldn't let her get away like this. Things could escalate. Of course, even if they did, the Azure Moon Unit wouldn't suffer in Sichuan territory, but there was no need to blow up something that could be handled quietly.
The twenty men dashed out into the street.
The lively energy that had been building on the street sank once more.
Jo Seol-yeon couldn't believe it even as she ran with all her might. She was clearly drawing out more power than her skills allowed. She'd only mustered her will, yet her body shot forward like an arrow.
"She's over there!"
Voices called from behind. Jo Seol-yeon pushed herself even harder. But soon, it fell apart. Her speed dropped back to her normal level.
The Azure warriors had already surrounded her.
Jo Seol-yeon had no choice but to stop. She scanned her surroundings with a tense expression. She couldn't just give in like this. Her small fists clenched tight.
The banquet at Ak Manor dragged on for two whole hours. Ak Bi-hwan and Ak Ung poured jug after jug down their throats as if it was now or never.
Hyeong Pyo, Umun Hye, and Yeongsa, who watched them, couldn't hide their disgust. They'd never seen anyone drink so barbarically.
And there was one more person surprising them: Dan Hyeong-u.
Amazingly, Dan Hyeong-u had downed almost as much as Ak Bi-hwan and Ak Ung. And his face hadn't changed color at all. No wonder everyone was shocked.
"They really drink without restraint," Umun Hye remarked.
Yeongsa nodded. "Indeed."
At their words, one of the Ak Manor warriors, who had been quietly downing cups beside them, chuckled and offered an excuse.
"It's because of the recent alcohol ban. It's been over two months since they last drank, so please understand."
Hyeong Pyo looked puzzled at the warrior's words. "Was there some incident?"
"Not an incident, exactly—more like a conflict. Honestly, an atmosphere this relaxed is rare these days."
Hyeong Pyo's curiosity deepened. "A conflict? I thought Ak Manor was a formidable clan..."
If a clan as strong as Ak Manor was on edge over a fight, their opponent must be no ordinary foe. In Sichuan, only the Tang Family or the Nine Sects' Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect came to mind.
"No full clash yet, but we'll probably have a big showdown with the Black Sand Gang soon. They've unilaterally declared they'll absorb Ak Manor."
Sparks flew from the warrior's eyes as he spoke. The Black Sand Gang's provocation had wounded Ak Manor's pride. Perhaps the anger surged as he talked, because he kept knocking back cups.
Hyeong Pyo tilted his head at the words. The Black Sand Gang he knew wasn't this aggressive. They'd grown lately, sure, but not to this extent.
Besides, weren't they already clashing with the Tang Family?
As Hyeong Pyo tilted his head, Umun Hye sidled up to him.
"What's wrong, Escort Leader?"
Hyeong Pyo jumped at her soft voice. He looked at her in surprise. Her cheeks, lightly flushed from the alcohol, were all the more alluring.
"W-what do you mean?"
As Hyeong Pyo stammered, Umun Hye grinned mischievously and leaned in closer. When had he ever faced such teasing? All he could do was retreat with a flustered face.
"What's so strange?"
Hyeong Pyo closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh before opening them again.
"What struck me as odd is the Black Sand Gang, miss."
Umun Hye looked surprised at his composed answer. Few people could rein in their feelings so well, and most were much older. It was no exaggeration to say it was rare at Hyeong Pyo's age.
"Henan Escort Bureau... right?"
Hyeong Pyo nodded curiously at her out-of-left-field comment. Umun Hye smiled brightly at him, a smile so radiant it stopped his breath again.
"Ahem. Anyway, the Black Sand Gang seems to be biting off more than they can chew. Taking on the Tang Family and Ak Manor at once is too reckless."
As Hyeong Pyo hurriedly spilled his words in embarrassment, Umun Hye nodded.
"Mm, you're right. Isn't that so, Yeongsa?"
Yeongsa nodded at her words. "It is. But that's not all. The Black Sand Gang is provoking every minor and mid-tier sect in Sichuan."
"Really?"
Hyeong Pyo looked shocked, and Yeongsa nodded.
"Plenty of sects have already fallen, and they've absorbed about the same number. Their momentum is so overwhelming that smaller sects can't even lift a finger."
Hyeong Pyo grew serious at the explanation. "There must be something backing them."
Yeongsa nodded meaningfully. "I think so too. But no proof."
Umun Hye, listening to their exchange, eyed Hyeong Pyo with curiosity. This was an unexpected standout.
She'd pegged him as just an ordinary escort before, but now he seemed remarkably talented.
Feeling her subtle gaze, Hyeong Pyo flushed and turned away.
The feast grew merrier.
Dan Hyeong-u sat in an unfamiliar posture, steadily downing drinks. Like Ak Bi-hwan and Ak Ung, he treated jugs like cups. Yet he showed no sign of intoxication. He was simply savoring the new taste of alcohol.
"Kahahaha! You're incredible!"
Ak Ung, thoroughly drunk, gave Dan Hyeong-u a thumbs-up and bellowed. Dan Hyeong-u's lips curved faintly. Deep in his memories, a friend's words surfaced.
'Promise?'
As the memories rose, he recalled why he'd sought out his friend's home. It was because of Ak Se-gi.
Dan Hyeong-u closed his eyes briefly. He sank into the deep-seated memories of Ak Se-gi.
An endless gray sky stretched over ashen ground, swarming with pitch-black demonic beasts of every shape.
Ak Se-gi gazed at them, his fierce eyes crinkling into half-moons with a deep laugh.
"This feels ominous."
Dan Hyeong-u muttered indifferently. "Don't worry. It's nothing."
To him, there were just hordes of them—no truly powerful beasts. Neither he nor Ak Se-gi would fall to such things.
"I know. Just a bad feeling."
Ak Se-gi murmured, his smile fading as he stared at the approaching horde. His eyes grew distant.
"Someday, we have to get out of here. Leave this dreary gray world for a vibrant one. Do everything we couldn't. Sound good? Cool, right?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded. Ak Se-gi was unusually talkative today.
"Let's do that."
"Promise?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded at his pledge. Ak Se-gi's face lit up.
"That eases my mind. If we make it out, visit my home. Tell my father I'm sorry. Not sure if he'll still be around."
Dan Hyeong-u frowned slightly. "Do it yourself."
"Hahaha! Of course. In person."
Ak Se-gi laughed heartily, then drew his sword at the beasts. He glanced at Dan Hyeong-u with a brilliant smile and murmured something.
That was the last smile Dan Hyeong-u saw from Ak Se-gi.
Powerful monsters controlling the beasts from behind nearly killed Dan Hyeong-u, but Ak Se-gi sacrificed himself to save him.
Thanks to that, Dan Hyeong-u had survived all these long years.
Opening his eyes from the resurfaced memory, Dan Hyeong-u turned to Ak Bi-hwan, who was still guzzling.
Ak Bi-hwan set down his jug, eyes widening as Dan Hyeong-u stared.
"What is it?"
At his gentle tone, Dan Hyeong-u slowly spoke. "I'm sorry, Father."
Ak Bi-hwan's eyes widened further, and soon fat tears like chicken droppings fell from them.
"Kuhuhuk!"
Ak Bi-hwan's tears hushed the surroundings.
Having delivered his friend's final words, Dan Hyeong-u quietly stood.
"I'll be right back."
Everyone stared in shock at his sudden announcement.
"What's wrong?"
Ak Ung wiped his tears with his sleeve and asked urgently. Dan Hyeong-u replied simply.
"Urgent business."
Ak Bi-hwan, back to his usual face with tears dried, shot up.
"Then I'll help. No parent ignores their son's emergency."
Dan Hyeong-u looked at him. Ak Bi-hwan's face had softened. Something warm slipped into Dan Hyeong-u's chest at that gaze.
Flustered by the unfamiliar feeling, he shook his head.
"I can handle it alone. I'll return before the feast ends."
Ak Bi-hwan nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But come back."
"Yes."
With that, Dan Hyeong-u stepped forward—and vanished from the spot.
Even Ak Bi-hwan right in front couldn't see how he disappeared. Everyone stared blankly at the empty space.
Jo Seol-yeon moved her feet cautiously. Without a weapon, she couldn't possibly fend them off, but she intended to fight as long as she could.
Swoosh!
Her hand flew toward the nearest man's throat. The Azure warrior simply caught it. Or tried to.
Thud!
"Gah!"
The man swallowed a startled groan and staggered back, shaking his wrist. A powerful rebound had flung his hand away the moment he'd grabbed her.
Jo Seol-yeon couldn't comprehend it. It felt like the power that let her escape here, but she couldn't pinpoint what was happening.
The enraged Azure warrior lunged. His pride was wounded. A minor injury didn't matter—as long as he took her down.
Swoosh!
Bam! Bam!
His hand struck Jo Seol-yeon's chest. A petty move no proper martial artist would use on a woman, but he didn't care.
He was sure she'd crumple to the ground. But the sight was anything but. She'd staggered back a few steps, but stood firm as ever.
"Impressive. You do have some skill."
Shing!
The man finally drew his sword. This wouldn't vent his anger. He had no intent to ruin her beauty, so he'd aim for her leg.
"Be careful not to scar her!"
His comrades leered and shouted. The Azure warrior nodded with a similar grin.
"Don't worry. I'm the best at that."
His sword danced in his hand, then shot toward Jo Seol-yeon in a blink.
She desperately tried to dodge, but couldn't evade it. The blade whistled with deadly momentum, grazing past her chest toward her thigh.