Chapter 82

Having confirmed that his family was safe, Jeong I-chu breathed a sigh of relief. With their safety assured, his urgency returned.

"Why haven't you left yet? Leave now!"

Ahn-ssi stepped forward.

"Are you coming with us?"

Jeong I-chu hesitated to answer immediately.

"I'll follow soon."

Ahn-ssi knew it was a lie.

She calmly said, "Though I may not be a Jeong, I bore the three Jeongs of this family."

"Wife."

"I've lived my whole life with you. Surely, I have the right to choose to share life and death with you?"

"This is a matter of life and death. Think of the children."

"The children will understand."

Ahn-ssi turned to her three daughters, including Hwa Ryeon. Suryeon, the youngest, nodded with an expression that said it was only natural.

"We will share life and death with our parents."

Jeong I-chu's heart welled up at the sight. He was determined to protect them at all costs.

Ahn-ssi calmly reassured him, "I know how you feel. Don't worry about me, and face the assailant with caution."

Then, taking Suryeon and Hwa Ryeon, she moved to a corner and calmly re-examined Hwa Ryeon's wound. Hyang Yi arrived there again.

"Master!"

Tearful, she ran and embraced Ahn-ssi. Terrified as she was, she had bravely made her way here. She was more admirable than the Martial Artist who had fled.

Jeong Charyeon stood beside Jeong I-chu.

Charyeon was calm, surprised that she could remain so composed in this situation.

"Charyeon."

"Father."

Jeong I-chu felt a strange sense of reassurance from Charyeon's presence.

Im Mu-yeol, who had been watching outside through the doorway, stepped back.

"They're coming."

Im Mu-yeol and the other Martial Artists of the Jeong Sword Sect divided and scattered to Jeong I-chu and Charyeon's left and right. Those who remained to the end, not fleeing, were the true kin of the Righteous Sword Sect.

Thwack!

The door shattered. Masked figures poured in like a flood.

There were far more masked figures than expected, easily thirty or more at a glance.

But the problem wasn't the masked figures.

A man, seemingly their leader, walked in through the masked figures.

He, too, wore a mask, but he possessed a powerful aura that was incomparable to the other masked figures. Jeong I-chu's face hardened at the sight of him.

'A master!'

He himself was a master, but the masked man was a true master. He already felt overwhelmed by the man's presence.

'Why would such a person target us?'

A sense of despair washed over him along with the question.

Even if he risked his life to face the leader, there were too many remaining masked figures.

The faces of his wife and daughters, who were relying on him, flashed through his mind.

Jeong I-chu glanced at Charyeon. Her expression, standing beside him, was surprisingly calm.

'She's grown so much.'

Lately, Charyeon had been showing remarkable qualities. Jeong I-chu's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword. Even if he died, he would protect his family.

Finally, the masked man spoke.

"So, you were hiding here."

His voice was filled with malice, a voice that could only be described as pure evil.

He was Heo Pil-ju, the leader of the masked figures.

Heo Pil-ju was a kind of contractor who handled shady requests from the wealthy and officials in the Hobuk area.

On the surface, he ran a legitimate business, taking on various odd jobs, but in reality, his true identity was that of a contract killer. In short, he was an Assassin, though not quite.

Heo Pil-ju was so good at maintaining secrecy that few knew his true identity. He only took on contracts from those of the Palm Heart Clan Lord's level, which made it even more so.

Charyeon's gaze swept over the masked figures and stopped at one.

She recognized one of them. Charyeon whispered to Jeong I-chu, "Father, I think I know that man."

"What?"

"He's the one who treated us coldly at the Palm Heart Clan. I can't forget that dirty look in his eyes."

Jeong I-chu was shocked.

"That can't be!"

The Palm Heart Clan claimed to be a righteous clan. There was no reason for them to attack them, and besides... Jeong I-chu swallowed hard, realizing the Palm Heart Clan did have a reason to attack them.

"Even so, to go this far..."

Charyeon's eye was accurate. Chungso was indeed mixed among the masked figures. There was a reason why Chungso risked associating with them.

Jang In-geol had not given up his lingering feelings for Charyeon.

Jang In-geol knew better than anyone that if he entrusted this task to Heo Pil-ju, Charyeon would fall into Heo Pil-ju's hands.

In the end, he sent Chungso without his father's knowledge. Heo Pil-ju accepted Jang In-geol's request. It wasn't difficult to snatch away a girl for the future heir of the Palm Heart Clan.

Of course, that was before he saw Charyeon in person.

After seeing Charyeon, Heo Pil-ju's heart wavered.

Heo Pil-ju slowly walked forward, exuding a chilling aura with every step.

He said to the Martial Artist of the White Gate and Crimson Gate, as if doing them a favor, "If you surrender, I'll spare your lives."

Some of the Crimson Gate Martial Artist wavered.

Then Charyeon coldly said, "It's a lie. Don't be fooled."

If they were the kind of people who would spare them, they wouldn't have broken in at night.

If Jeok Leegeon were here, he would be grinning and saying, 'Are you stupid? You believe that?'

Where was Jeok Leegeon and what was he doing? It felt like he would open the door and walk in any moment.

I can't rely on him!

This was her problem. Her family's problem. A problem she had to solve herself.

I won't lose to the likes of you.

Charyeon's eyes blazed.

Heo Pil-ju looked at Charyeon, his eyes filled with blatant lust. He had heard rumors about Charyeon. This was the first time he had seen her in person, and indeed, the rumors of her being the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim were not exaggerated.

Heo Pil-ju looked back and forth between Charyeon and Jeong I-chu and said mockingly, "You've raised your daughter well."

Charyeon retorted coldly, "You're not worthy to speak her name."

Heo Pil-ju, still smirking, said, "I was going to be nice because of your pretty face, but I guess not."

"Shut your mouth. You're just a pathetic coward who relies on a gang for a surprise attack!"

It was a deliberate provocation by Charyeon.

Charyeon thought she had to somehow lure him into a one-on-one fight. If all those masked figures attacked at once, not only her family but also the Martial Artist of the White Gate and Crimson Gate would die.

I have to create a variable somehow.

It was a change after meeting Jeok Leegeon. Even in urgent situations, Jeok Leegeon was always calm. I have to learn from him.

Heo Pil-ju clapped.

"You're trying hard. Very touching. You're trying to provoke me to make a move?"

Heo Pil-ju's giggling expression slowly hardened.

"But that's only possible if you have the skill, isn't it?"

Whoosh--

Jeong I-chu drew his sword with a flourish.

"You step back."

Charyeon, hiding her anxiety, stepped aside.

Jeong I-chu pointed his sword at Heo Pil-ju.

"I'll be your opponent. Come."

A chilling aura emanated from Heo Pil-ju's eyes.

"Good."

Heo Pil-ju walked forward without drawing his sword.

Jeong I-chu kicked off the ground and charged at Heo Pil-ju.

Swoosh!

Heo Pil-ju dodged the sword lightly and drew his sword like lightning.

Swoosh!

The cold blade grazed Jeong I-chu's ear. He almost had his face cut off by Heo Pil-ju's sword.

'Fast!'

Jeong I-chu regained his composure and unleashed a series of sword strikes.

Swish, swish, swish!

But Heo Pil-ju's movements completely overwhelmed Jeong I-chu. It wasn't a matter of Martial arts itself. Heo Pil-ju had lived a life of constant combat.

He had killed over a hundred people.

Jeong I-chu couldn't handle that evil aura.

Clang!

The two swords collided, imbued with Inner Force.

Jeong I-chu staggered back. The sword in his hand was completely shattered.

"Cough!"

Jeong I-chu, suffering internal injuries, coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"Father!"

Charyeon ran to him.

Charyeon pointed her sword at Heo Pil-ju and helped Jeong I-chu retreat. Fortunately, Heo Pil-ju didn't rush in. The masked figures watching were also enjoying the situation with leisurely smiles.

"Father!"

Ahn-ssi stopped Suryeon from running out. Ahn-ssi was even more anxious and uneasy, but she remained calm.

Heo Pil-ju gave Charyeon an evil smile. His heart had changed after seeing Charyeon. Heo Pil-ju had experienced many women, but Charyeon's appearance was truly captivating. Had he ever seen a woman with such pure beauty?

He was taking his time with this, even though he could have wiped them all out in one go, because of Charyeon.

After entrusting Jeong I-chu to Seo Baek, Charyeon stepped forward.

Her father's internal injuries were severe. She had to treat his wounds quickly.

Charyeon took a deep breath and calmed her mind.

I have to stay calm in times like these.

Charyeon said politely, "If I win, please leave."

Heo Pil-ju scoffed, and the surrounding masked figures laughed in disbelief.

Heo Pil-ju answered without hesitation, "I will."

"Promise me."

"I said I would!"

Charyeon sensed that he was lying from Heo Pil-ju's irritated response. He wasn't the kind of person who would give up so easily if he lost to her. But for now, she had no choice but to hope for that.

As Charyeon took a step forward, she heard Jeong I-chu's voice from behind.

"...No. You're no match for him."

But there was no other way.

Charyeon closed her eyes for a moment. Jeok Leegeon suddenly came to mind again. If he were here, what would he say?

Leegeon, give me strength.

The moment she opened her eyes, Charyeon leaped forward in a surprise attack.

Swish, swish, swish!

Charyeon's rushing sword grazed Heo Pil-ju's body.

"Oh!"

Heo Pil-ju, twisting his body to avoid Charyeon's sword, exclaimed in admiration. Charyeon's movements were extraordinary.

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Heo Pil-ju, dodging Charyeon's sword, drew his own.

"Damn it!"

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

Charyeon's sword was so fast and precise that it was difficult to block without drawing his own.

Heo Pil-ju was secretly ashamed of having to draw his sword against Charyeon. But Charyeon's swordsmanship made such thoughts a luxury.

Spurt!

Blood splattered from Heo Pil-ju's shoulder. He had been thinking about various things and failed to completely block the sword. It was the moment he abandoned the idea of subduing Charyeon without injuring her.

"You bitch!"

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!

Heo Pil-ju's fierce counterattack began.

Clang, clang, clang!

Charyeon retreated, swinging her sword. She was definitely being pushed back in terms of strength and Inner Force.

Although her Life and Death Gate had been opened, she hadn't had time to accumulate Inner Force yet. Of course, that was why she was fighting so evenly, but still.

The seemingly close battle at the beginning turned into Charyeon's defensive as Heo Pil-ju began to attack in earnest.

Her family watched the scene with anxious eyes.

Ahn-ssi couldn't bear to watch and closed her eyes, praying for Charyeon's safety. Tears streamed down Suryeon's face, but she had no time to wipe them away.

The Martial Artist of the White Gate and Crimson Gate couldn't step in because of the masked figures. They were furious at the reality of having to helplessly watch, entrusting their fate to Charyeon.

In contrast, Charyeon was fighting admirably well.

Clang, clang, clang!

Heo Pil-ju's sword struck Charyeon's sword fiercely, making her wrist throb. It was still bearable, but Charyeon was feeling a growing sense of crisis.

This won't do!

Charyeon was looking for an opportunity to launch a fatal attack.

At one moment,

"Ah!"

Charyeon screamed and fell.

Swoosh--

At the same time, a cool breeze blew and Sword Qi flew from Charyeon's sword.

Heo Pil-ju, who had been careless, thinking he had finally subdued Charyeon, was horrified and twisted his body. He had never imagined that Charyeon would pretend to fall and then unleash Sword Qi.

Thwack!

The Sword Qi tore through his side. Blood splattered.

Swoosh--

A second and third Sword Qi flew from Charyeon's sword in succession.

Heo Pil-ju was horrified and threw his body with all his might. The Sword Qi grazed his back. He had barely dodged it. If he had been a little slower, his body would have been torn apart.

Heo Pil-ju's suppressed murderous intent exploded. In the end, Sword Qi flew from Heo Pil-ju's sword.

Whoosh!

Charyeon, who was halfway up, couldn't avoid the Sword Qi because of her unstable posture.

"No!"

The Sword Qi covered Charyeon as Jeong I-chu screamed.

Thwack!

Charyeon, cut by the Sword Qi, fell backward with a thud.

"Damn it! Shit!"

Heo Pil-ju cursed. His plan to keep her alive and satisfy his lust had completely gone wrong.

"Charyeon!"

"Sister!"

The cries of her family rang out.

Everyone stared at the fallen Charyeon with blank faces. Suryeon fainted.

Tears streamed down Ahn-ssi's face.

That was the moment.