Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: I Was Trying to Protect You
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Elder Wei Yongming of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
For the past thirty years of his life, he had been known as the most loyal of the loyal retainers to the Shanxi Yu Clan.
At least, that was the public perception.
Sssk-.
The moment Wei Yongming stepped out of the clan leader's quarters, a dark shadow attached itself to him.
It seemed like an urgent situation, as the shadow hurriedly asked him,
"Branch head..., what about tonight's operation...?"
"Shut up. I'm thinking about it right now."
In truth, his true identity was Wei Yongming, branch head of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in Shanxi.
He had been a spy infiltrating the Shanxi Yu Clan—renowned as Shanxi's foremost prestigious house—for the purpose of toppling it, starting thirty years ago.
However, over those years, the existence of the Shanxi Yu Clan Leader had prevented him from achieving his goal. The presence of that figure, one of the Ten Great Masters of the World, had been that destructive.
But now, with the clan leader away on an external mission, leading a significant number of warriors with him. Tonight was clearly the opportunity to overthrow and destroy the Shanxi Yu Clan.
And so, tonight..., he had planned to win over seventy percent of the clan's warriors and eliminate the young clan heir, Yu Jinmyeong, along with the second daughter, Yu Somyeong.
'Where the hell did that bitch Yu Somyeong disappear to...!'
Unexpectedly, Yu Somyeong—who was supposed to arrive today—hadn't shown up at the main house without any word.
If he proceeded with the operation like this and somehow missed her, a direct bloodline of the Shanxi Yu Clan, it would all go up in smoke. But postponing the operation now was impossible; too much had already been prepared.
Thus, Wei Yongming had to make a choice. Proceed with the operation, or call it off.
And...
"...Proceed as planned."
Wei Yongming chose the former.
"If we pull this off..., you and I can both enter the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. If that happens..., we can serve at His side."
"'His'... Yes, then I'll hurry with the preparations. Everything for Him..."
The two men didn't even dare utter his name, instead expressing their awe and reverence with ecstatic fervor.
"The Divine Cult is invincible. Heavenly Demon rules the world."
"The Divine Cult is invincible. Heavenly Demon rules the world."
The two recited the incantation and returned to their respective positions.
The Shanxi Yu Clan, always serene and quiet, was destined to spend a noisier and longer night than any other this evening.
**
Young clan heir Yu Jinmyeong of the Shanxi Yu Clan.
At twenty-three years old this year, he was still a late-stage novice in age, but his exceptional martial prowess— inherited from his father—had already earned him widespread renown.
Like the others in the Shanxi Yu Clan, he possessed a gentle temperament and sharp intellect, successfully managing the clan without major issues even in the clan leader's absence.
Of course, it was burdensome...
'Father will return in just a few days.'
...Yu Jinmyeong comforted himself with that fact as he rubbed his heavy eyelids.
But then...
"Young master."
"Come in."
A voice called out to Yu Jinmyeong, who was handling late-night duties. When he permitted entry, the owner of the voice was none other than Wei Yongming.
"Ah, it's Elder Wei."
"I've assembled a search party for the young lady."
"...I see."
"Would you like to inspect them?"
"Very well."
At Wei Yongming's suggestion, Yu Jinmyeong rose and headed outside. Wei Yongming began explaining as he followed behind.
"With many of the Shanxi Yu Clan's warriors away on missions, we could only mobilize the Jinmu Hall warriors. Still, they're all skilled in lightness skill, and we've got fifty of them..."
"...The Jinmu Hall?"
Yu Jinmyeong nodded but then hesitated.
And for good reason—the Jinmu Hall was the clan's guard unit, tasked with defending the main house.
It felt excessive for merely greeting and escorting one person.
"Why call up even the Jinmu Hall warriors...?"
Yu Jinmyeong voiced his doubt, but Wei Yongming smiled kindly and replied,
"The young lady's delay has me worried too. I may have overprepared a bit."
"I... see."
A faint unease lingered, but Yu Jinmyeong couldn't dismiss Wei Yongming's goodwill.
"Are they all assembled?"
"Yes—!!"
Stepping out of the clan leader's quarters, he saw the Jinmu Hall warriors indeed lined up in formation on the training grounds.
"Young master, would you like to say a few words?"
At Wei Yongming's prompting, Yu Jinmyeong nodded and addressed the assembled warriors lightly.
"I'm sorry to call you out so late, but I ask for your hard work. Please help find Somyeong with all your heart."
"Yes—! Understood—!!"
He still thought it a bit excessive, but seeing the elite of the Shanxi Yu Clan eased Yu Jinmyeong's mind—he felt his sister would be found soon.
With a pleased expression, Yu Jinmyeong passed through their ranks after hearing their response.
But then...
"Hm?"
As he walked past the warriors, Yu Jinmyeong's eyes caught someone.
Tremble, tremble.
It was a young warrior apparently from the Jinmu Hall, shaking excessively as if facing an imminent battle.
'Something's off...'
They weren't heading into combat—just a simple search—so Yu Jinmyeong couldn't fathom why he seemed so terrified.
Grab.
"You there."
"C-Clan Leader."
He stopped to ask. He also sensed the atmosphere grow subtly tense as the man halted.
"...Why are you shaking like that?"
"N-No, it's nothing."
"Aren't you from the Jinmu Hall? One of the elite of the elite in the Shanxi Yu Clan, so why...?"
Despite Yu Jinmyeong's questions, the young warrior seemed unable to control his trembling, staggering before suddenly scratching furiously inside his sleeve as if he couldn't bear an itch.
It wasn't behavior befitting in front of the young clan heir, and murmurs rippled through the surroundings.
Wei Yongming tried to pull the warrior aside upon seeing this, but...
"Clan Leader, this one doesn't seem prepared. I'll send him to rest first..."
"Wait..."
Yu Jinmyeong checked the warrior's wrist first. The spot the young man was scratching was marred by a red aura, like a burn scar.
And that red aura was...
"...Demonic qi."
Proof that the young warrior was from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Shing-!
Events unfolded immediately. Though the time wasn't quite right yet, Wei Yongming seized the moment and drew his sword.
"Kill all those rotten righteous faction bastards—!!"
"Waaaaah—!!"
At his command, some panicked while others drew their swords.
"Elder Wei—! What is the meaning of this...!!"
Naturally, the most shocked was young clan heir Yu Jinmyeong. He reeled from the confusion of seeing the trusted Wei Yongming be the first to draw his blade.
"Young master, sorry, but you'll have to die."
Clang-!
"When exactly... did you betray us?"
"No betrayal about it. I've been a follower of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult from the start."
Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
So Elder Wei was a demon too. After cozying up like family for decades, the moment Father was away, betrayal...
Trembling with betrayal, Yu Jinmyeong still raised his sword to block Wei Yongming's attack.
He shouted toward the other warriors who didn't seem swayed by Wei,
"Purge the demons who dared set foot in the great Shanxi Yu Clan—!"
"Waaaaah—!!"
Thus, the internal strife within the always peaceful and quiet Shanxi Yu Clan began abruptly and clamorously.
And at that very moment...
"...Hey, why's it suddenly getting so noisy over there?"
"...No idea."
I was outside the Shanxi Yu Clan's walls with my subordinates, sensing something ominous.
**
One hour earlier.
Thud.
"I'm back, little miss."
"Eek...!!"
As I entered with my saber in hand, Yu Somyeong—who was subdued and gagged—shrank back with a pale, terrified face.
Thinking about it now, Yu Somyeong really had great reactions.
"Little miss, I've decided what to do with you."
"Mmph..."
I raised the saber high so she could see it clearly...
"Ughhh—!!"
Thud-!
"Mmph...?"
Then stabbed it right in front of her and removed her gag.
Thinking she was about to die, she shed a single tear as she spoke.
"Y-You..."
"Do you know what kind of people we bandits are, little miss?"
"W-What?"
She looked flustered at my question but rolled her eyes and answered promptly.
"Uh..., thieves who hole up in the mountains and rob travelers of their goods?"
"Wrong."
"Thugs who bully and kidnap the weak?"
"...Wrong."
"Just bad guys, ones who anger heaven and man, fit only for hell...?"
"Wrong, wrong, wrong!"
"Ugh..."
I flicked her forehead repeatedly while saying "wrong" and kindly explained to her, now sporting a red bump,
"Our Mount Hyeongak Bandit Stronghold is a martial group that maintains order on Mount Hyeongak and protects those passing through."
"What...?"
Yu Somyeong stared at me like I was spouting nonsense. Ignoring her expression, I continued,
"The reason I brought you here today was also for 'protection.' I was worried you might face some unexpected danger while crossing Mount Hyeongak, so I brought you to the stronghold first to keep you safe..."
"..."
"Keep you... safe..., uh..."
But even I, with my thick skin, couldn't help but feel a pang of conscience looking at Yu Somyeong's state.
Her nape and throat bore heavy bruising from blows, her waist was slashed by a blade, I'd stripped her clothes against her will and changed them, taken her sword and possessions long ago, she'd been soaked through with water, her hands and feet were bound, and so on...
"Yeah, anyway, up to now, we've safely protected you."
"..."
Hm..., at that moment, looking at Yu Somyeong's face, I was certain.
If she weren't bound, she would've grabbed a sword and stabbed my throat right then.
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