Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu.

Hyeoltu twenty years ago, and Yeom Gwibi ten years ago—both were Underworld experts who had gone into seclusion after being designated as public enemies of Jianghu.

It seemed they had crawled back out into the mundane world after hearing the news of the Underworld Alliance's formation.

"Nice to see you. You got here quite quickly, didn't you?"

Yeom Gwibi approached, lightly brushing off her blood-soaked hands.

Ak Byeongbi slammed his iron spear down with a THUD! and warned her.

"Stop!"

Ak Byeongbi didn't seem to recognize Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu either, but seeing their unusual aura—unlike at the guest house—he appeared to have sharply raised his guard.

Unlike him, Yeom Gwibi didn't lose her relaxed smile and acted coquettishly.

"Oh my! When you speak so coldly, it hurts a young lady's feelings..."

Yeom Gwibi stuck out her lips and made a sullen expression.

Compared to Ak Byeongbi, who looked old even among middle-aged men, Yeom Gwibi's outward appearance—which seemed not even thirty years of age—certainly did look like a young lady.

However...

'Isn't that woman over sixty?'

For me, who knew the truth, watching that spectacle was quite torturous.

Anyway, I was curious about their intentions for leaving their group behind and coming out here separately.

I wasn't naive enough to believe it was a coincidence.

Ak Byeongbi kept his guard up and spoke.

"What exactly are you up to?"

His gaze shifted to the corpses scattered on one side, then moved to the shivering bandits.

Yeom Gwibi clapped her hands with a CLAP! as if it were no big deal.

"Ah! They were committing evil deeds, so I was in the middle of correcting them."

"Correcting them?"

"Yes! Coveting other people's lives and belongings to extort a toll is wrong, isn't it?"

"..."

Yeom Gwibi smiled with her luscious lips and continued.

"If you are uncomfortable with our identities, you can just pass on by."

"... Hmm."

The suspicion on Ak Byeongbi's face did not fade, but Yeom Gwibi simply beamed at him.

"Of course. We are merely trying to punish those who dare to play at being bandits when they aren't even the real thing."

"I see."

Did he think it was just a fight among villains anyway?

Eventually, Ak Byeongbi nodded, turned around, and shouted.

"We keep moving!"

At Ak Byeongbi's command, the carriage slowly began to move.

The escort warriors and the delegation members never let down their guard against the two people as they moved.

As promised, Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu simply watched quietly, taking no action at all.

But as I passed them, I looked around and let out a deep sigh.

It was a welcome thing that Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu were letting us go quietly. That was for certain. But...

SHIVER.

The half-baked bandits were pale and trembling as if they had just met grim reapers.

They looked like they had just brought their farming tools; their only weapons were sickles and pitchforks.

... No matter how much I tried to look away, they kept catching my eye.

'Haa... Of all the people to run into, why did it have to be Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu...'

If they had run into us, it would have ended with just a beating and some broken bones.

... That was how it originally should have ended.

I eventually stopped walking.

"What do you intend to do with those people?"

"Jin Sowoon!"

"Benefactor Jin!"

Startled by my question, the people walking ahead called out to me, but I kept my eyes fixed on Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu.

Yeom Gwibi's eyebrows twitched oddly.

"Why are you curious about that? Young Master?"

"They look like people who were forced into banditry because of the famine..."

I briefly scanned the subjugated, trembling bandits before glaring at Yeom Gwibi.

"Killing them seems like an overly harsh measure."

"Overly harsh?"

Yeom Gwibi, who had been stroking her lips with her bloodstained, long fingers, burst into giggles.

"Because of them, we lost our group. They must take responsibility for that."

"And that method is death?"

A resolute glint briefly flashed through Yeom Gwibi's eyes.

"Once you step into the world of the strong preying on the weak, the responsibility always falls on your own life."

"..."

"Besides, if we hadn't punished them, Young Master's group would have been attacked by them. Is that alright?"

"We aren't exactly weak either, you see."

"Hmm..."

Yeom Gwibi, who had been staring at me intently with an odd gaze, continued.

"So, are you saying you'd even fight us for the sake of these people who might have targeted you, Young Master?"

A clear provocation.

However, I did not avoid her eyes.

In my memory, Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu's martial arts level was two steps above the Eight Evils.

If we were to engage in a battle here, our side's casualties would also be considerable.

"Don't tell me you interfered in our business without even that much resolve?"

"..."

Right then, Yeom Gwibi turned her head halfway and spoke.

"Tuno."

"Got it!"

Hyeoltu, called Tuno, knocked down one of the half-baked bandits he had in his grasp and moved to stomp on and crush his head.

"Crazy!"

I executed the Taiyi Eighty Thousand Divine Steps, slipped past Yeom Gwibi, and blocked Tuno's kicking trajectory.

THUD.

"AAAAAGH!"

The half-baked bandit whose head had almost been crushed let out a scream and fainted, his crotch damply soaking wet.

THROB.

Standing there having blocked Hyeoltu's foot, my bones also throbbed intensely.

Feeling as if they would truly break if I applied even a little more force, I kicked his foot upward with all my might.

SWISH. THUMP.

Despite the stomping force being so overwhelming, Hyeoltu spun in the air like a feather and landed lightly on the ground.

SHING.

SHING.

CLANG.

The delegation members also prepared for battle.

Ak Byeongbi readjusted his grip on his iron spear, Ilmyeong tucked his prayer beads into his robes, and Tang Seo-hee slipped throwing knives between her fingers.

Hyeoltu grinned as if he found this amusing.

"See? Didn't I say he was an interesting guy?"

Even though the aura exuded by the delegation members was no small matter, Hyeoltu and Yeom Gwibi simply continued conversing among themselves.

Yeom Gwibi also covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

"Indeed. You said he was a more interesting child than Little Buddha. He actually withstood Tuno's kicking strength, didn't he?"

At her words, the expressions of the delegation members turned sour.

Knowing Little Buddha's identity meant they were acting this relaxed despite knowing that this group was a delegation from the Murim Alliance.

Hyeoltu pointed at me with his chin and asked.

"Kid. Which sect do you belong to?"

I met his gaze directly and replied.

"Isn't it the etiquette of Jianghu to reveal one's own sect before asking about the opponent's sect?"

At my words, Hyeoltu wore an expression as if he had been momentarily struck, then burst into hearty laughter.

"... Hahahahaha. You really are a funny guy."

Then he immediately wiped the smile off his face.

"So, you won't tell me?"

Of course, I'm not the kind of person to force etiquette on my opponent.

"I am Jin Sowoon of the Taiyi Sect."

"..."

"..."

"..."

I could feel it.

I could feel the sour glares of the delegation members.

But what was I supposed to do? Our opponents were prominent Underworld figures who had been designated as public enemies of Murim.

At my answer, Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu seemed genuinely surprised.

"Huh? You're the Black Flame Dragon?"

"Oh my? Really?"

"..."

The two people suddenly dropped their fighting spirit and approached.

What the hell are these reactions?

"Unlike what I thought, you look quite mild, don't you?"

"They said you were the joint successor of the Underworld. Who did you apprentice under?"

My mind momentarily spun dizzily.

'Don't spread bullshit rumors! There's an ideological inquisitor right over there!'

Lacking the confidence to actually shout out my inner thoughts in front of the two experts, I quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, they must be the heads of their families, so I ask that you let them go with just a physical punishment."

While Yeom Gwibi kept her eyes fixed on me as if she had already lost interest in them, Hyeoltu furrowed his brow and shook his head.

"No!"

"Pardon?"

"Because I've never in my life left alive those who interfered with my business."

"..."

Wasn't it because of that temper that he was marked as a public enemy by the Murim Alliance?

How could he not have reflected on his actions even once after twenty years?

While I was left dumbfounded, Hyeoltu crossed his arms and made me an offer.

"However, if you make a bet with me and win, I will listen to your opinion."

"What kind of bet?"

"Withstand my three forms. If you do, I will spare them."

Without a shred of hesitation, I pointed at Ak Byeongbi and said.

"That person is the leader of our delegation. Can't he be the one to withstand them?"

"...!"

I could feel Ak Byeongbi's glaring gaze.

But what could I do? I was scared of Hyeoltu too.

However, Hyeoltu firmly shook his head.

"No. You are the one who will withstand my three forms. Otherwise, I will kill all of these bastards."

Look at that foul temper of his.

I eventually let out a sigh.

"Haa... Fine."

When I spread my legs shoulder-width apart and took a sword-drawing stance, curiosity filled Hyeoltu's eyes.

"Ho, the Taiyi Sect had a sword-drawing form?"

"It's the first time I've heard that Hyeoltu has such a long tongue."

"...!"

For the first time, surprise colored Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu's faces.

Of course, the delegation and escort agency members were on the verge of fainting at their identities.

Unlike before, Hyeoltu put on a serious expression.

"Did you know who we were?"

"Aren't you going to start?"

"... Hehe, how amusing."

When I didn't answer, Hyeoltu clasped his hands behind his back and raised one knee to his waist.

Then, shortly after, a red aura gathered around his foot, and a tremendous energy began to radiate from it.

"First form."

BANG!

With the sound of the air ripping apart, force qi shot out like an arrow, aiming for my heart.

I drew up my internal energy and executed the First Form of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms.

SWOOSH—

It was much later than the blood qi Hyeoltu had fired, but the extreme speed of the White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms caught up to the speed of the force qi just fine.

And the moment the two energies collided right in front of my nose.

SCREEEEECH—

A sound like grinding iron echoed around, threatening to tear my eardrums.

"Gasp, gasp, gasp."

I had barely blocked the first form, yet it felt as if all the energy in my body had been drained out.

"Eh? That sword of yours...?"

I quickly cut Hyeoltu off.

"Two forms left."

"The more I look at you, the more amusing you are."

Hyeoltu unclasped his hands from behind his back and began to curl both hands into circles.

SWOOSH-

The sound of air being sucked in from all directions echoed as a massive energy gathered in his hands.

I also prepared the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm and struck back.

BOOM!

BOOM!

KABOOM!

Hyeoltu's energy and the energy of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm clashed, causing the entire nameless mountain to ring deafeningly.

Among the shivering half-baked bandits and porters, some were unable to withstand the shockwave and vomited blood.

SWISH-

As the thick sand and dust cleared, Hyeoltu was looking at me with disbelieving eyes..

A strange light glimmered in his eyes.

"Hoh... I thought the rumors were exaggerated, but they actually underestimated you."

Having blocked Hyeoltu's Second Form, my body was already in no condition to respond.

'I'm going to die at this rate.'

Usually, an absolute expert would show some leniency, if only for the sake of entertainment, but this crazy human Hyeoltu had no such thing.

Not wanting to lose either, I bluffed to the fullest.

"One form left."

Hyeoltu nodded, as if he too was getting excited.

"Yes, yes. If you can withstand this as well, I will grant your request."

Hyeoltu, who had taken a ready stance, then lightly extended his fist.

Red fist force shot out from his fist.

It was a simple form with no feints or variations, but the immense energy contained within it naturally brought curses to my lips.

'Fuck... He fully intends to kill me!'

I executed the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art, and simultaneously coated one of the Ten Thousand Swords with force qi, pouring all of my internal energy into it.

Even though the fist force was incredibly slow with no variations, it felt as if it had approached in the blink of an eye.

"Haaaaah!"

And the moment the fist force and Sword Force collided.

VWOOM.

The energy in the area exploded, momentarily creating a vacuum, and as air was sucked back into that vacuum, an explosive sound erupted in all directions.

KABOOM. KABOOM. KABOOM. KABOOM.

Having held on until the end, I was ultimately pushed back by the energy and forced out of my position.

"Gasp, gasp, gasp, gasp."

Even though I hadn't moved vigorously, I was breathing heavily, and cold sweat naturally flowed all over my body.

After the explosion subsided, Hyeoltu was standing in front of me, still in his place, staring at his own fist.

"How is it? I won, right?"

Hyeoltu smiled as he looked at me, who had been pushed out of position.

The moment his hand moved toward the bandits.

I stood between him and the bandits, extending the Black Dragon Sword.

Hyeoltu's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"... Do you want to die instead?"

"I don't want to do that."

"Then move aside."

"I don't want to do that either."

"Eh?"

Hyeoltu's face, which had been full of mischief until now, hardened stiffly.

"I only show mercy because you're amusing once or twice. If you don't want to die, you'd better move aside."

I hated the thought of dying, but I didn't want to see them die, either.

"It won't be easy."

"Hah..."

Fortunately, thanks to pulling my body back quickly, I had no internal injuries.

Furthermore, after the three forms ended in my defeat, the delegation members also took their positions and surrounded Yeom Gwibi and Hyeoltu.

A situation where they could launch an attack at any moment.

We could at least buy enough time for the half-baked bandits to escape.

While I was thinking that, Hyeoltu looked at Yeom Gwibi.

Judging by how Yeom Gwibi's lips were parting slightly, it seemed she was sending a sound transmission.

"Hmm?"

Soon, Hyeoltu made an odd expression and nodded.

Then Yeom Gwibi spoke up.

"Then how about we do this? The reason we were going to punish them in the first place was because we lost the group that was guiding us."

They were killing people because they got lost?

As expected of crazy Underworlders with no common sense.

While I was lost for words in my bewilderment, even more absurd words reached my ears.

"So how about letting us go together with your delegation, Young Master?"

Hah, I really can't predict this.

"... Are you saying that knowing where we are headed?"

"Aren't you going to the Underworld Alliance's founding ceremony?"

"..."

Yeom Gwibi's eyes widened roundly as she added.

"Ah, don't misunderstand. I just took a guess. I heard the news that the Murim Alliance had sent a delegation."

"Then you mean you will spare them?"

Yeom Gwibi shrugged and answered.

"Of course. The problem has been solved."

I am not the leader of my delegation. More accurately, it's not even my delegation.

If it was a situation that required permission, I naturally had to get permission from Ak Byeongbi, who was acting as the leader.

When I turned my eyes and looked at Ak Byeongbi, Ak Byeongbi slightly shook his head.

A clear sign of refusal.

I nodded to Ak Byeongbi and then spoke toward Yeom Gwibi.

"Alright. Let's go together. But you will have to keep your promise in return."

"...!!!"

Whether Ak Byeongbi glared at me from afar as if he wanted to kill me or not, Yeom Gwibi smiled at me and replied.

"Of course."

But well, even so, didn't it just mean the suspicious glares I had been receiving until now changed into murderous glares?

It was better than someone actually dying.

Indeed, it was.