Chapter 119
Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Evil Flower's Crisis
In fact, Moyong Hui had anticipated this situation to some extent ever since arriving here.
Unlike Mok Jimyeong, who had no clue who was who, she had immediately recognized their identities.
'That side is the Shandong Yak Clan, the other is the Death Command Sect? Huh? Wait... that one?!'
The leader of the Death Command Sect as well.
Evil Flower Sa Hye-rin.
She was one of the top later-generation talents among the unorthodox sects, standing in direct opposition to the orthodox Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes...
'Long time no see. Almost two years?'
In the past, she and Moyong Hui had crossed swords.
It happened after Moyong Hui rose to fame as the Sword Phoenix—Sa Hye-rin had come looking for her.
"Sword Phoenix? Lucky to be born into an orthodox sect and snag an undeserved title, huh?"
They shared the traits of being peak female martial artists who wielded swords.
Their ages were even the same.
Yet one was a flower (), the other a phoenix ().
Back then, Sa Hye-rin couldn't accept it and sought out Moyong Hui.
That led to a friendly duel.
For the record, the winner of that match was Moyong Hui.
"...I'll admit you're the better one."
It wasn't a fight to the death, so Moyong Hui let Sa Hye-rin go, and they hadn't crossed paths since.
Until they ran into each other by chance today.
'Wait...! Gaga?!'
Moyong Hui hurriedly glanced at Mok Jimyeong beside her.
But he seemed oblivious to Sa Hye-rin, still watching the fight with a cautious expression.
In the meantime, the tide of battle had turned toward the Shandong Yak Clan, and a perilous moment approached Sa Hye-rin.
Mok Jimyeong continued to watch impassively.
Moyong Hui gazed at him, praying silently in her heart.
Please just don't figure it out until the end.
She knew Mok Jimyeong all too well.
Especially how much he adored beautiful women.
If it were Mok Jimyeong, he'd dive in headfirst for any beauty, consequences be damned.
She had even considered warning him about Sa Hye-rin ahead of time...
No, even if Gaga knew she was unorthodox, he'd still jump in.
Somwol was from the Shadow Gate Sect, after all.
He wasn't the type to back down over something so trivial.
But the situation right now was far from ideal.
It was a brutal fight where dozens had already lost their lives.
One side unorthodox, the other orthodox.
If they intervened, it was obvious which side they'd have to help, wasn't it?
And the Shandong Yak Clan is one of the Five Great Families, no less...
Sure, she had a passing acquaintance with Sa Hye-rin, but that was it.
Back when they'd dueled, it was just a spar, so she'd let her off easy—but in a situation like this, even Moyong Hui would have struck ruthlessly.
As Moyong Hui grew anxious, a massive crisis befell Sa Hye-rin.
A moment where her life hung by a thread.
Yet Sa Hye-rin's body staggered, her face turning this way, and Mok Jimyeong, who had been quietly observing, suddenly shot forward at incredible speed.
"Hold it right there!!"
Mok Jimyeong blocked every attack that had seemed utterly unstoppable.
Moyong Hui marveled at his absurd skill even as a throbbing headache began to set in.
She had foreseen this, but that didn't mean she had a plan.
How on earth was she supposed to handle this?
In the end, Mok Jimyeong successfully rescued Sa Hye-rin unscathed.
"What is your identity, to interfere with the Shandong Yak Clan's affairs?"
And just like that, he was squarely confronting the Shandong Yak Clan.
Only then did Mok Jimyeong seem to sense something off, his eyes darting around.
Watching him, Moyong Hui couldn't help but sigh.
'Haa, Gaga...'
Even now that he grasped the full context, she hoped he'd turn back—but Mok Jimyeong was Mok Jimyeong, through and through.
"Got any proof you're the Shandong Yak Clan? From where I'm standing, you look like unorthodox thugs oppressing a poor woman."
He obviously knew who they were, yet here he was, doubling down.
As the Shandong Yak Clan side looked on in bewilderment, Moyong Hui felt embarrassed on his behalf.
'Gaga, please...'
How could he be so brazen?
Even the Death Command Sect members seemed in on it, all chiming in with the same lie—it made her want to pretend she didn't know him.
But she couldn't truly look the other way.
In the end, Moyong Hui stepped toward Mok Jimyeong.
He didn't seem the least bit orthodox.
And times like this, she almost hated him for it.
What can I do? He's the man I love.
Moyong Hui unwittingly let a smile slip.
"Evil Flower. Long time no see."
Moyong Hui exchanged greetings with Sa Hye-rin.
The sight made my vision go dark.
Now I can't even play dumb anymore...
It was a four-way siege.
And voices began rising from the Shandong Yak Clan side as well.
"What? The Sword Phoenix?"
"It's the real Sword Phoenix...!"
Perhaps due to her immense fame, some on the Shandong Yak Clan side recognized her.
And without missing a beat, the squad leader stepped forward.
"Nice to meet you, Sword Phoenix. I'm Gwa Jahyeok, in charge of the Yak Vanguard Unit of the Shandong Yak Clan."
"So you're Captain Gwa. A pleasure. I never imagined I'd run into Shandong Yak Clan members in a place like this."
"I'm just as surprised by this encounter, but... we were in a dire bind. Might I ask for your assistance?"
As he spoke, the squad leader glanced fleetingly at Sa Hye-rin and me.
He seemed more intent on persuading Moyong Hui than me.
'Tsk, what now?'
Sa Hye-rin was already tense, bracing for combat.
Her Death Command Sect subordinates were doing the same.
I racked my brains, but no answers came.
Guess I have to give up?
Truth be told, even if I busted my ass to save Sa Hye-rin here, it didn't guarantee I'd bed her right away.
Yet with things unfolding like this, my resolve wavered just a touch.
No! I'm Mok Jimyeong. I won't bend to a mere trial like this!
Back in my Lecherous Demon days, I'd faced far greater perils.
This wasn't even a real crisis.
...My life's not on the line, after all.
It's not like Moyong Hui would kill me over it.
Or abandon me.
I steeled myself and stepped forward.
"Hui..."
"Captain Gwa, did you know the first snow fell today?"
Moyong Hui's words came out of nowhere.
I froze at the sheer randomness.
"...?"
The squad leader looked baffled by the question.
Even Sa Hye-rin behind me seemed thrown off.
But Moyong Hui pressed on regardless.
"First snow always puts me in a good mood. What about you, Captain Gwa?"
"...Well, I suppose it does for me too."
The squad leader agreed with a reluctant expression.
Whether genuine or not, he probably just wanted to stay on good terms with Moyong Hui, now the center of attention.
Why's Hui acting like this?
I had no clue.
I glanced at Cheon Woojin, just in case, and saw him gazing at Moyong Hui with an expression of admiration.
Is it admiration?
It looked more like envy.
I sent him a subtle transmission.
[What's going on? You know why Hui's doing this?]
[...Master, you really are blessed.]
He spouted some cryptic nonsense.
Before I could press him further, Moyong Hui spoke again.
"On a day like this, I just don't feel like seeing blood."
"Sword Phoenix, what do you mean...?"
"Isn't this enough already?"
Moyong Hui slowly surveyed her surroundings.
Dozens of corpses were scattered where her gaze fell.
Why is Hui...?
What was she getting at?
It was as good as saying to let the Death Command Sect members live.
I couldn't readily make sense of it.
The squad leader wore an equally baffled look.
"Sword Phoenix. As you know, this woman is..."
"Disciple of the Death Command Lord, Evil Flower Sa Hye-rin. No need to explain—I know her well. We've even crossed swords in the past."
With that, Moyong Hui shot Sa Hye-rin a smug glance.
Sa Hye-rin's face flushed bright red.
"It's different now?!"
Evidently, Moyong Hui had won their previous bout.
The squad leader scowled deeply at the pair.
"Don't tell me, Sword Phoenix—you're acquainted with this woman...!"
He seemed convinced Moyong Hui had stepped in to save her friend.
Was that really it?
It wasn't impossible—they'd even exchanged greetings.
But Hui jumped in awfully late for that.
Recalling how she'd hesitated from afar earlier, something felt off.
Besides, if she'd let it be, I would've handled the rescue just fine.
Did she not realize that?
As I mulled it over, Moyong Hui responded to the squad leader.
"We only crossed swords once in the past. Not quite the bond you're imagining, Captain Gwa."
"Then why interfere?"
Moyong Hui gave a gentle smile.
"Because I lack the confidence to talk Gaga out of it?"
"What does that...?"
"Or rather... if it's what Gaga wants, then no matter what it is, I'd want to help him. Whether it's the right thing or not..."
She trailed off softly.
Then she drew her sword from her waist.
"And if it turns out to be wrong... I won't let Gaga bear the infamy alone."
The tip of her sword pointed squarely at the Shandong Yak Clan.