Chapter 219 : Seolyoung, Resembles
Chapter 219: Seolyoung, Resembles
“Where exactly is the Alliance Leader?”
Mujin smiled as he replied to Sa Jo-pyeong’s question.
“He’s gone to rest for a bit.”
“I’m asking where that place is.”
“It’s confidential.”
“Is that something you should say to the Chief Strategist of the Alliance?”
Mujin soothed Sa Jo-pyeong, who was raising his voice, with a gentle tone.
“Before he left, the Alliance Leader said this. He said he isn't too worried because Strategist Sa is here in the Alliance.”
“Did he really say that?”
“Why would I make things up? Ask him yourself later.”
Because Mujin spoke so nonchalantly, it felt like the truth.
“Why don't you give the Alliance Leader some time? He hasn't had a proper rest since he rose to his position, has he?”
Though he showed a look of displeasure, Sa Jo-pyeong didn't ask about Lee Jaseung’s whereabouts any further. Once he realized they’d decided not to tell him, talking more would only waste his breath.
“Did you take every precaution for his escort?”
“You don't need to worry.”
“Demonic Humans have been appearing frequently nearby due to the recent meeting with the Demonic Cult. You must take every possible precaution.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Sa Jo-pyeong left Mujin’s office. In truth, he hadn't come because he was worried about Lee Jaseung.
He instinctively felt that something was happening regarding the Demonic Cult. He’d thought that striking the Black Way Alliance alongside the Demonic Cult was merely a political move.
However, the Alliance Leader and his right hand man, Mujin of the Virtuous Heroes, were proceeding with things while hiding something.
'They aren't actually joining hands with the Demonic Cult, are they?'
Sa Jo-pyeong stopped for a moment and looked out the window in the hallway.
'Just what is going on?'
* * *
Thump!
Lee Jaseung’s fist slammed into a Demonic Human’s chest. The man whose ribs were shattered didn't fly back but slumped down right where he stood.
There was no one who could understand how difficult it was to make someone slump like that. It was because the people there were either dead or on the verge of dying soon.
Lee Jaseung stepped on the man's shoulder and flew toward the Demonic Human behind him.
Swish!
A sharp line created by Asura sliced through the air.
The Demonic Human who was thrusting a sword from behind clutched his neck and toppled over.
Lee Jaseung rolled on the ground again.
Swish swish!
The ankles of another Demonic Human within Asura’s range were cut off. This time, the Dream Phantom pierced the neck of the collapsing Demonic Human.
Having killed three Demonic Humans in succession, Lee Jaseung stood up.
Thirty Demonic Humans lay scattered as corpses.
The Demon Army's tactics had changed.
The organization that used to move in groups of ten had been reorganized into groups of thirty. Because they’d been trained for emergencies, they were able to change their system in an instant.
The problem was that the result remained the same despite that change.
“Whew.”
Lee Jaseung let out a light sigh and sat on a rock to the side. This time, he first eliminated those who were trying to send signals so he could rest a bit.
It wasn't a wise decision to move positions recklessly when trapped in the Heaven and Earth Net. Usually, people run in one direction thinking they’ll escape eventually, but that was exactly what the opponent wanted.
Those who spread the Heaven and Earth Net gradually push the target in one direction to make the escape route draw a large circle.
They clearly think they’re running in one direction, but they end up returning to the same spot. In the end, they die after falling into panic and frustration.
Lee Jaseung began his internal breathing exercise.
His Inner Qi recovered faster than before. His Inner Qi was only at one hundred eighty years worth, but the speed at which it filled up was much faster. After circulating his True Qi, Lee Jaseung snapped his eyes open.
His gaze had become much clearer.
The effect of the breathing exercise wasn't just in replenishing Inner Qi.
It also had the effect of relieving accumulated fatigue.
However, Lee Jaseung’s expression was heavy as he looked at the corpses scattered around.
Fatigue was accumulating.
The problem wasn't physical fatigue but mental fatigue.
No matter how much they were enemies trying to kill him, killing people continuously was never an easy task.
Ordinary experts die trapped in the Heaven and Earth Net not only because of the endless numbers of the opponent but also because they can't overcome this mental exhaustion.
Of course, Lee Jaseung’s mental strength was extraordinary. Because it was extraordinary, he was holding out here instead of intentionally escaping the Heaven and Earth Net.
One operation.
A counterattack that would strike Yeo Su-in from behind.
By now, Nam Seohyang would’ve already met Mountain, and things would be proceeding according to his plan.
The fact that there was no change after her escape was evidence that things were going well.
It's been smooth so far.
However, it was impossible to know if the result of this matter would be a success. Because 'that event' had to happen at the exact right time. Luck would have to truly be on his side.
He had no choice but to do his best.
Lee Jaseung threw himself back into the dense net of killing intent.
* * *
With a thudding sound, the four masters of the Northern Sky Four Dragons were knocked back simultaneously.
They wore dazed expressions while lying on the ground.
“Just what was that?”
Peng So’s surprise was the greatest of all. He didn't even realize his struck jaw was in pain.
That was because the person who’d blown all four of them away in a single strike with a spinning kick during their coordinated attack was none other than Baek Seolyoung.
Of course, they’d been careless. They’d thought that no matter how much Baek Seolyoung’s martial arts had improved, she wouldn't be able to face them all at once.
However, the result was all four being blown away in one blow.
“Wooooah!”
The martial artists of the Berserk Dragon Army who were watching let out a shout.
She’d intentionally sparred in a place where they were present. In the past, she would've never done such a thing, but her thoughts have changed a lot now.
To lead an organization, there are times when one must take actions with underlying intentions, namely political moves.
Now was exactly that time.
Demonstrating overwhelming martial prowess in front of everyone.
It was to spur the Northern Sky Four Dragons further while simultaneously gaining the trust of the Berserk Dragon Army subordinates.
Right now, Lee Jaseung was trapped in the Heaven and Earth Net.
She didn't know what kind of situation he was in. Whenever she thought he might be in danger, her nerves were so on edge she couldn't even sleep.
She worried about him so much, and she missed him so much.
However, she wasn't going to just sit there worrying.
She was missing him while applying what she’d learned from Lee Jaseung to reality.
The most wonderful way of longing she’d thought of.
Doing her own work silently during the time she’d spend worrying about him.
Whether it was tomorrow or the day after. Or even a year later.
He’d walk through that door with long strides and a faint smile. Just as he always had.
She’d show him when he returned. The sight of her doing her job without being shaken.
“Train even harder from now on.”
Then Peng So jumped up and shouted.
“Please give us one more chance.”
Baek Seolyoung looked at the rest of the Northern Sky Four Dragons except for Peng So and asked.
“Do you all feel the same?”
“We do.”
They spoke in unison.
“Fine, let’s start again then.”
The Northern Sky Four Dragons leaped up from their spots. Those watching focused on their movements with intrigued gazes.
This time, the Northern Sky Four Dragons properly raised their momentum.
Swish.
The one who moved first this time was Baek Seolyoung.
Thump!
Peng So was the first to be knocked down. It was because he hadn't expected her to attack so quickly.
The result was the same for the other three. Each was defeated individually within ten moves by Baek Seolyoung and ended up rolling on the ground.
“That was unfair!”
Baek Seolyoung looked at Peng So at his shout and spoke.
“Just what exactly was unfair about it?”
“That is....”
They’d attacked four against one earlier and were knocked down together.
So they asked for another chance, and permission was granted.
Naturally, he’d thought she’d give them a chance to attack together again, but she’d made the first move.
However, Peng So couldn't say another word.
He realized that being defeated individually was actually something to be very ashamed of.
Then Baek Seolyoung spoke calmly.
“Don't lower yourselves. How could I win against you without a surprise attack?”
She was lowering herself to save the face of the Northern Sky Four Dragons.
“You have good strength. A competitive spirit that refuses to lose to anyone, and I value that spirit very highly. I believe that one day it will become the power to save your family, save me, and save everyone here.”
Peng So was flustered. He’d thought Baek Seolyoung didn't like him. No, he’d thought no one liked him, not just Baek Seolyoung. And that was actually the case.
But he was flustered when Baek Seolyoung praised him.
“I’ll look forward to your improved selves. The stage won't be on a small sparring platform like this, but the battlefield. Now, you may all disperse.”
After saying that, she turned around and walked away.
Everyone was looking at her back. Many people were smiling. They could feel it. That she’d given Peng So advice with a sincere heart. That their master was improving day by day.
Once she’d completely disappeared, Peng So turned around silently.
He walked toward the training ground with heavy steps.
The remaining three followed him quietly.
Influencing others positively, that trait of Lee Jaseung was now becoming her own strength.
* * *
“You're unexpectedly valiant.”
Dan Woobin looked up at Mujin’s words.
“Huh?”
“I’m saying you're valiant.”
Then Dan Woobin chuckled and turned his gaze back to the documents before him.
After staring silently at the documents, he spoke abruptly.
“Anyone can make a mistake.”
Mujin picked up Dan Woobin’s words.
“But repeating the same mistake is something only morons do.”
It was something Lee Jaseung always said regarding mistakes.
The operation he’d set up this time had ended in failure due to Yeo Su-in’s counterattack. Despite that, Dan Woobin acted no differently than usual. It was quite a contrast to his previous appearance when he’d blamed himself for a mistake.
“Being frustrated once is enough. And it isn't like failing is something to be proud of, so why be frustrated? I have to overcome it quickly somehow.”
“Our Chief Strategist has grown a lot huh.”
Mujin stroked Dan Woobin’s head. Normally, Dan Woobin would've lost his temper or bitten Mujin’s hand while telling him not to do that, but today he stayed still like a new bride on her wedding day.
“Why are you acting like this? It's scary.”
When Mujin drew back reflexively, Dan Woobin let out a light sigh and spoke.
“Because I think I need to grow even more.”
Because it was a meaningful remark, Mujin chuckled.
Since he didn't want the center of the conversation to be himself anymore, Dan Woobin changed the subject.
“You said Sa Jo-pyeong stopped by?”
“I sent him back with a reasonable excuse.”
“He’ll be suspecting that we’ve hidden the leader and are plotting something.”
“We’ll have to keep a good eye on his movements. He might cause trouble.”
“I’ve already taken measures.”
“As expected! Our strategist is the best.”
Mujin habitually stroked Dan Woobin’s head.
“Aaaack!”
After Dan Woobin bitten his hand mercilessly, he smacked his lips and spoke.
“Don't repeat the same mistake!”
Even though Lee Jaseung hadn't returned for several days, the two were joking around peacefully like this.
Dan Woobin wasn't showing any movement to rescue Lee Jaseung, but the reason wasn't because of Yeo Su-in’s threat.
It was because Nam Seohyang had delivered Lee Jaseung’s message. Telling them not to move while making reasonable excuses until he returned. Telling them never to come to his rescue.
Because even the code used when sending messages through a third party was accurate, the command could be trusted. On top of that, Lee Jaseung added one sentence.
— Our operation has not ended yet.
Because of those words, Dan Woobin could maintain his confidence. Lee Jaseung had said that specifically for him. He was encouraging him not to be frustrated by failure.
'Just what kind of thing are you working on?'
Because Yeo Su-in had made a threat at the exact right time, there was no need to even make an excuse for not going to rescue Lee Jaseung.
“You don't know what’s happening inside the Heaven and Earth Net, do you?”
Dan Woobin nodded at Mujin’s question.
It was a Heaven and Earth Net spread by the Demon Army. It was too dangerous for the spies of the Three Eyed Pavilion to infiltrate.
Since a command had been issued not to get involved anyway, there was no need to overexert themselves.
“Judging by the fact that they haven't lifted the Heaven and Earth Net yet, our Lord is safe.”
“Then let’s go drink alcohol.”
Dan Woobin smiled at Mujin’s temptation and spoke.
“Please drink my share too.”
“Where's the fun in doing that alone!”
“And you can’t take Captain Ma just because you're bored! One slacker is enough.”
“Hmph! I’m obviously going to take Captain Ma, and everyone else, even the cooks from the kitchen, and drink everything.”
Mujin pouted as he left the room.
Dan Woobin smiled as he watched that.
Mujin wouldn't actually go to drink despite what he said. He likely believed in Lee Jaseung wholeheartedly, but still, alcohol wouldn't go down easily when he didn't know what was happening inside the Heaven and Earth Net.
Dan Woobin looked out the window. Beyond the distant mountain, there would be the mountain where the Heaven and Earth Net was spread.
Toward Lee Jaseung, who would be somewhere there, Dan Woobin said this.
“Yes, our operation has not ended yet.”