Book 8 Chapter 12

An Unexpected Reunion (Reunion)

Just then, Bilyeon had finished his business at the Aesojeohoe and was walking along club street to return to the dormitory.

It was just as he turned onto a narrow alley.

There were two women walking towards him from the opposite direction.

Bilyeon's sharp eyesight informed him that they were women, and that they were considerably beautiful.

However, Bilyeon was surprised by her for a different reason.

He never imagined he would reunite with her in such a way. The relationship with her was merely a funny memory. He never imagined they would meet again. Yet, unexpectedly, they met by chance in such a trivial place. Therefore, there was no prepared reaction.

"Huh?"

Bilyeon's eyes widened. As he repeatedly said, his widened eyes were hidden by his bangs and invisible to the other person.

"Huh?"

The other person's reaction was also that of someone who had encountered an unpredictable situation.

A slender figure. Skin like white jade. Eyes like obsidian. Grace overflowing her entire body. A noble fragrance.

And… black hair fluttering in the wind.

She was a beauty that could make one's eyes spin. She was gritting her teeth, clenching her fists, and trembling.

Bilyeon pointed at her unconsciously and shouted.

"Hey! Fatty."

The beauty's face instantly contorted with displeasure. Her face, once like white jade, turned red. They say frost falls even in May if a woman harbors resentment… The surrounding air suddenly turned cold as if frost had fallen. The woman could not suppress her surging killing intent.

Peng Yougyeong, who was escorting the woman, fell into self-doubt, wondering if she had misheard. She couldn't believe that someone would commit such extreme rudeness directly in front of the person she was escorting. What was even more unbelievable was that a rogue of unknown origin who suddenly appeared before her was acting familiar with the person she was serving.

Did he commit such rudeness knowing her identity? It was preposterous. Something so impossible had happened that Peng Yougyeong momentarily forgot what she was supposed to do.

Peng Yougyeong glanced at the woman. The woman was trembling like an aspen tree. She had never seen the woman so agitated before. Only then did she remember what she had to do.

Clang!

The sword was drawn from its scabbard. She was from the prestigious Peng family of Hebei, known for their swordsmanship.

"You impudent fellow!"

Peng Yougyeong shouted furiously. She had to inflict severe punishment on this person.

"I don't think I've seen you before."

Bilyeon said to the furious Peng Yougyeong. Peng Yougyeong became enraged.

"Shut up! Do you know the leader of the guild?"

Peng Yougyeong, who had always been in charge of her protection, had no record of a rogue named Bilyeon.

Bilyeon's gaze turned to the woman. For a moment, the woman's body flinched.

"We meet again."

Bilyeon said with a smile.

"…"

The woman did not reply. She seemed to still be in shock. She bit her lip so hard that it bled. The woman's body began to tremble. A fierce light emanated from her eyes.

Peng Yougyeong stood with her sword drawn, waiting for her command. Given the woman's pride, such an act was a rudeness that would sever one of the tendons in her limbs.

'What should I do about this?'

The woman was flustered. And deep in her heart, killing intent was boiling.

'To think I would meet that man here…'

He was the man who had instantly plunged her heart from the joy of returning to Cheonmu Academy after 500 days of closed-door training into the abyss of hell.

If she wasn't careful, her carefully hidden shame could be exposed. The secret of her lifetime was at risk of being revealed to the world. It was her secret that no one should know. She would rather die than let it be known.

She wanted to kill and erase him. She had to somehow silence that man. Means and methods were irrelevant.

He appeared out of nowhere that day, and disappeared just as suddenly, leaving her bewildered… and anxious. Perhaps meeting him today was fortunate. She had to silence him somehow. No matter what it took!

'I can't forgive him! I can never forgive him!'

He had seen her secret that should never have been seen. She would never forgive him. Anger, bordering on hatred, and murderous intent dominated her mind and body. First, she had to make him submit at her feet, no matter what it took. That was the first task she had to accomplish.

The woman hoped Peng Yougyeong would notice her feelings even a little.

"How dare you commit such rudeness without knowing who this person is?"

Peng Yougyeong said. With her in front of her, this was the first time she had encountered such an arrogant and rude Cheongwan-do. She even doubted if such a person could be the leader of Cheonmu Academy.

"Who is it? Is it someone important?"

Bilyeon's question made Peng Yougyeong dumbfounded. The woman was equally bewildered. Did that man really know nothing? That meant the story had likely not leaked to anyone. The woman felt a little relieved.

"Wash your ears and listen carefully. This person is Maharyeong Cheok, the leader of the Cheonmu Academy Gunghoeng Hoe!"

Anyone seeing her for the first time would wonder how she, a woman, could lead Gunghoeng Hoe, one of the two major forces in Cheonmu Academy, which was filled with masters and talented individuals. However, once they learned of her identity, everyone would nod in understanding. They would acknowledge that she was fully qualified to lead Gunghoeng Hoe.

She was the granddaughter of Huhusik, the Sword Saint, one of the Three Sages of Cheonmu, and the treasured daughter of Cheolkwon Majinga, the leader of Cheonmu Academy. She could boast of being one of the most well-bred individuals in the martial arts world.

"Oh!"

Bilyeon slapped his palm with his fist.

"Ah! I was wondering who it was, but you're that famous person. Thank you for showing me something interesting back then."

Bilyeon said with a charming smile. Of course, Maharyeong was in no mood to accept the smile. She had to find a solution and break out of this predicament as soon as possible.

"By the way, you're not planning to use that sword to cut me, are you?"

Bilyeon's finger pointed at the sword in Peng Yougyeong's hand. In Bilyeon's eyes, the aura emanating from the tip of the sword was clearly murderous. Peng Yougyeong was currently withholding her actions as she awaited Maharyeong's instructions.

"Did I do something wrong? You're a strange person to draw your sword so carelessly."

Bilyeon thought she was truly incomprehensible for drawing her sword without any provocation. He then warned her.

"If you don't want to get hurt, you should stop."

"What?"

Peng Yougyeong bristled. Bilyeon seemed to have professionally studied how to infuriate people with every word he spoke.

Veins bulged on Peng Yougyeong's forehead.

"I have no intention of tolerating any act that threatens me. That applies even if the perpetrator is a woman. So, if you don't want to make a big mistake, I think it would be wise to calmly put your sword back in its scabbard."

Bilyeon thought he was giving her advice. However, such cosmic advice, which completely disregarded the other person, was unlikely to be heeded.

Peng Yougyeong was dumbfounded. 'What kind of person is this?' was her honest feeling. Yet, strangely, she was still holding the sword and not wielding it. Usually, she was not a woman with such patience. Nor did she suddenly develop patience today out of nowhere.

Something was hindering her from attacking. She herself didn't know what it was. Was it a self-preservation instinct? It was a sensation that couldn't be explained in words. Her body simply refused.

Perhaps that was why she was talking so much.

"What grade are you?"

Peng Yougyeong asked.

"I think it's 2nd grade?"

Bilyeon answered truthfully. There was no reason to hide it.

"What?"

Peng Yougyeong's eyes widened. It turned out he was a junior, much younger than her. She was a 4th grader, despite her appearance. Two years at Cheonmu Academy made a huge difference.

"Do you know that I'm a 4th grader?"

"Is that so?"

His tone implied he had no idea, but also that he didn't care at all.

"Yes."

'I got nervous for nothing.'

She thought. At this moment, Peng Yougyeong looked down on Bilyeon. Therefore, Peng Yougyeong made a grave mistake by not following her instincts. The invisible shackles that had bound her actions were suddenly released, and the light of the sword revealed its sharp teeth.

She ignored Bilyeon's warning.

Riding on the woman's status, Peng Yougyeong, who acted like a tiger borrowing its power, naturally became arrogant and impatient. Because with the woman's status, everything was always resolved instantly, she had never waited. Therefore, there was no soil for patience to sprout. She failed to follow her instincts and made the mistake of looking down on Bilyeon simply because he was a lower grade, because he was younger.

Bilyeon kept his promise. He had definitely promised with his finger that he would make her regret it. Bilyeon was particularly diligent in keeping such promises.

Thwack!

Lamentably, the Hebei Peng family's secret technique, Ohodandmun-do, which Peng Yougyeong had unleashed with all her might, was blocked by Bilyeon's two fingers. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't pull her sword, which was caught between his two fingers, out.

Clang!

That was the end of it. Her weapon, the pride of a warrior, was split in half by Bilyeon's two fingers and embedded in a wall.

"Empty-handed to White Blade! Shatter Weapon!"

Maharyeong exclaimed in shock.

Empty-handed to White Blade! Shatter Weapon! The supreme state of catching an opponent's weapon with bare hands and breaking it! It was not a martial art that a mere 2nd grader could perform. Bilyeon's fist struck Peng Yougyeong's abdomen. With a thud! Peng Yougyeong collapsed. And she lost consciousness.

"Who… Who are you?"

Maharyeong's voice trembled as she spoke in disbelief. She had never imagined that Peng Yougyeong, one of the eighteen masters of Gunghoeng Hoe, would be defeated so easily.

Not many people had surprised her this much. Maharyeong felt like she had been doused with ice water from the top of her head. Her excitement, which had been raging like an erupting volcano, cooled down.

As the leader of a guild, she had some ability to gauge an opponent's strength.

Swish! Thud!!

Maharyeong's left wrist was caught in Bilyeon's hand too easily. Despite the ease of the move, she couldn't evade it. It felt like all her previous training was in vain, such an absurd situation. Carelessness had led to disaster.

"Let go!"

"No!"

Bilyeon flatly refused her request.

"Let go!"

She shouted angrily. But like her body was caught in a snare, she couldn't break free from Bilyeon's hand. An invisible aura of skill suppressed her entire body through her wrist. She struggled to escape, but it was useless. This rough treatment was the first time in her life. For her, who had always been doted on, it was a shocking experience.

"Why are you so afraid?"

"Let go!"

She shouted sharply again. Her hand trembled.

"Why are you so restless?"

Bilyeon asked with a puzzled voice.

"…"

She turned her head sharply and averted Bilyeon's face. It was an exercise of her right to remain silent.

"Ah! Is it because of that? Because of what happened that night?"

Before his words were finished, her face turned back towards Bilyeon.

Bilyeon cheered.

"Aha! So it was because of that. Were you that anxious?"

This time too, she did not answer.

"Of course, it was a peculiar sight, too peculiar to keep to oneself."

Bilyeon said with a sly smile. Maharyeong thought his smile was mocking her. Her face turned red with shame.

"You… you rascal!"

Whoosh! Her palm flew towards Bilyeon's cheek.

Slap! There was no sound. Bilyeon skillfully dodged her palm. She was so angry. She felt like she would die of shame. She wanted to vent her frustration somehow. Her voice trembled.

"You… you… you…"

So angry, she said something she shouldn't have.

"You low-born nobody!"

It was an absolute taboo committed out of emotion, a mistake that should never have been made.

A cold light instantly flared in Bilyeon's eyes and pierced her entire body. The air suddenly cooled. Maharyeong felt her breath catch. What was constricting her heart was fear.

Bilyeon no longer felt the need to hold back.

"Slap!"

A loud sound echoed through the sky.

She seemed to be in a daze. She had experienced something so incredible so quickly that she fell into a state of mental shock. She stood blankly, holding her red, swollen cheek. It was only a moment later that her reason returned.

"You lowly wretch! You… How dare you!"

She again carelessly handled the tongue that was the root of all evil. It was a careless act. Her strong pride controlled her tongue. It was an act that invited disaster.

"Slap!"

This time it was her right cheek on the opposite side. Now, both her cheeks bore red handprints. Bilyeon's eyes were cold and hardened. His smile from a moment ago was nowhere to be seen. He was now pure indifference. For a moment, she felt a chilling tremor in her heart.

Although her eyes were covered by her hair, she felt like she could see what kind of eyes Bilyeon had. Deep, dark, and cold eyes like a bottomless abyss! No one had ever looked at her like that before.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"What?"

The same words burst out simultaneously from three locations. The incident Bilyeon had caused was being reported to Gujeong Hoe, Gunghoeng Palgae Hoe, and Aesojeo Hoe almost at the same time. It was natural for those who heard the reports to be shocked by this unprecedented situation. The first to arrive and secure the area and block people was the Gujeong Hoe, not Gunghoeng Hoe, which Maharyeong led. Merely being slower than Gujeong Hoe in dealing with the situation was already a disgrace to Gunghoeng Hoe. They arrived later than their rival even though their leader's safety was at stake. All this resentment was directed at Bilyeon.

Baek Muyeong, who had formed a human shield to control the area and prevent people from entering, hurried to the scene. A strange standoff continued between Bilyeon and Maharyeong.

It was at the very moment Bilyeon was instilling fear in Maharyeong, the leader of Gunghoeng Hoe, Cheok Okjam.

Whoosh!

"Wait!"

The person who forcibly intruded onto the scene was Baek Muyeong. Baek Muyeong's eyes widened as he saw the woman holding her cheek, which had been struck by Bilyeon. Baek Muyeong's voice began to tremble severely. The vibration was so high that it seemed to shake his entire body, indicating that he was extraordinarily shocked.

"You… you?"

"Huh?"

Bilyeon turned his head, his whole body radiating 'Why are you calling me?'. By now, Bilyeon had regained his former composure. He seemed so relaxed that he even showed happiness towards Baek Muyeong.

Seeing that, Baek Muyeong was convinced that Bilyeon had no idea how huge a mistake he had just made. He would bet his entire fortune on it.

"How dare you lay a hand on her without knowing who she is? And striking her! Are you crazy?"

Hearing Baek Muyeong's incessant stream of words, Bilyeon's expression immediately soured. He thought there was no reason to be lectured just for lightly disciplining an arrogant and ill-mannered girl. That was Bilyeon's thought.

"It's perfectly normal. I don't think I deserve to be scolded for teaching someone's household education, do I? Senior Baek's opinion seems to be mistaken, doesn't it?"

A faint smile appeared on Bilyeon's lips.

His smile held a certain coldness today. His demeanor was strikingly different from his usual playful self, which instantly made Baek Muyeong tense. Of course, although he inwardly agreed with the supplementary lessons for the arrogant and terrifying young lady's poor upbringing, he couldn't just stand there like a scarecrow due to his duty and the eyes of those around him.

Baek Muyeong couldn't back down gracefully. The Gunghoeng Hoe's reputation had likely hit rock bottom just by their leader appearing in such a pathetic state to Baek Muyeong. For Baek Muyeong, that was enough. Now, he had to quickly wrap up the incident.

"Um…"

Just as Baek Muyeong was about to say something to Bilyeon.

Rumble!

"Leader! Are you alright?"

Baek Muyeong couldn't finish his sentence. Just as he was about to speak, eight warriors suddenly broke through the human shield and rushed in.

At this sudden turn of events, Baek Muyeong quickly drew his sword and pointed it at the sudden intruders. However, upon recognizing the warriors' identities, Baek Muyeong immediately sheathed his sword.

Since he recognized their faces, there was no need to draw his sword and confirm their identities through conversation.

Peng Heukseong, the user of 'Fierce Wind Fierce Tiger Blade'! He was from the Peng family of Hebei and one of the eighteen masters of Gunghoeng Hoe. His temper was as quick as the 'Fierce Wind' in his nickname. It was questionable whether this could end peacefully.

"Do you want to die?"

Peng Heukseong, the leader of the hastily formed rescue operation team, drew his sword, pointed the tip at Bilyeon's head, and spoke in a threatening voice. It seemed he wasn't curious about how the leader, who was vastly stronger than him, had ended up in Bilyeon's hands. He lacked the intelligence to consider such things.

Baek Muyeong shook his head at that sight. He knew now that Bilyeon was not someone who would be intimidated by such a petty threat.

"Well…"

As expected, Bilyeon remained calm and composed. He was the monster who had single-handedly blocked the path of the Iron Cavalry. Baek Muyeong, the Wise Dragon, was very curious whether Pyeongyeonho could even make him raise an eyebrow.

"How dare you, an impudent wretch, disrespect who that person is!"

Although he desperately wanted to rush forward, the fact that the leader, Maharyeong, was held by Bilyeon prevented Peng Yuhyeok from acting rashly.

"Regardless of who this woman is, what her status is, what her position is, or what her lineage is, it has nothing to do with me. I have no intention of letting go of someone who has insulted me, even if she is a woman."

Bilyeon continued in a calm tone.

"If I had my way, I'd hang her outside the city gates for a few days. Then, some of that rotten spirit would leave. What a shame. I'll say it clearly, if I let her go as she is, she will 'definitely' become a nuisance to those around her."

"Shut up! Let go of those dirty hands now!"

Peng Heukseong shouted furiously. To Baek Muyeong, his actions looked like he was digging his own grave. Bilyeon calmly turned his head to look at him. At that moment, Peng Heukseong's muscles tensed from the chilling killing intent.

"On what grounds are you making such arrogant remarks about the cleanliness of someone else's hands?"

While speaking to Peng Yuhyeok, Bilyeon's hand still showed no intention of letting go of Maharyeong. Because he had a twisted personality like a cousin to a frog, the more he was told not to do something, the more he would do it, a personality twisted beyond further twisting. He was so twisted that he had no intention of obediently following Peng Yuhyeok's domineering command.

However… suddenly, Bilyeon let go of the wrist he was holding.

"There!"

As Bilyeon's right hand, which was holding her left hand, let go, the invisible pressure that had bound him like a spiderweb receded like a receding tide.

As her body regained freedom, she moved her limbs, trying to escape from the grip of the man who had first enraged her and subjected her to all sorts of humiliation. However, her attempt failed. By the time she realized it, Bilyeon's left hand had silently entwined her right hand.

"You… you bastard! You… you son of a bitch!"

Peng Heukseong, who was watching, went berserk. His reason, which had completely lost its grip, misinterpreted the scene as his admired leader being toyed with by another scoundrel.

His reason had long since flown away.

Tears welled up in the eyes of Maharyeong, the leader of Gunghoeng Hoe. She was not the type to show tears or be weak. But today, she couldn't suppress her anger.

After half a year of special training in seclusion, what had she gained? She had tried so hard to defeat that man. Was this the only result? She couldn't understand why she had to suffer humiliation at the hands of someone with no background.

Except for her own shameful secrets being exposed, she had gained nothing. For the first time, she felt helpless.

"Kuaaaah!"

Boom!

Peng Heukseong, unable to bear it any longer, swung his great sword. It was the Peng family's unique quick sword technique, Ohodandmun-do. The enormous sword whirled through the air like a windmill.

Swish!

Bilyeon dodged the sword, which was aimed precisely at his neck, with a simple dip of his head.

Although Peng Heukseong's sword, wielded with full force, had destructive power, it lacked speed. Dodging such a sword was easier than eating boiled eggs.

"This is terrible! They clearly don't consider your safety! To swing a sword between a man and a woman standing so close together, what wicked people!"

Bilyeon provocatively stirred Maharyeong's emotions in a leisurely and gentle voice. Maharyeong, who couldn't understand why she had to show such a pathetic scene in front of her members, bit her lip tightly. This was the first time she had ever felt such shame.

"Let… go… of… me!"

Bilyeon said each word clearly and deliberately, looking at her with a playful voice. Still, Bilyeon's face was serious.

"What?"

Her words were still brief. Since she hadn't spoken anything other than commands recently, it was difficult for her to suddenly speak at length.

"Let… go… of… me!"

Bilyeon said again, clearly. She turned her head sharply to the side, averting Bilyeon's face.

"…"

A brief silence followed. Maharyeong, armed with her noble pride, could not show that she had been forced to surrender to such a young man in front of everyone. Her lofty pride would not allow it. It was a crime that could not be recognized in her heart, an unforgivable act.

How could she, as the leader of a guild, as a younger junior, beg to be let go? As the leader of one of the two great guilds of Cheonmu Academy, such a thing was impossible.

"Let… go… of… me! Please!"

Bilyeon was also quite persistent. This time, another word was added to the end.

Gulp!

Everyone held their breath and watched Maharyeong's reaction.