novelraw Chapter 77 : Chapter 77
Chapter 77 : Chapter 77
Chapter 77 - I'm More Comfortable with That Way Too
“I'm here to collect a bad debt!”
Despite the resounding voice, the men in front of him showed no fear or intimidation.
Instead, they just wore expressions that seemed to say, ‘Who is that crazy bastard?’
At that reaction, the handsomely drawn man tasted bitterness.
“Tsk. It was effective when Senior Brother Uma did it. Is it my face?”
If the person in question had heard, he might have foamed at the mouth, shouting, ‘What's wrong with my face! What!’
In any case, Biyoung's shout did not cause much of a stir.
There was a difference in appearance as Biyoung said, but there was also a difference in the status of the listeners.
The men in front of Biyoung were not debtors.
They were just the escort warriors guarding the O Family Manor's Treasure Vault.
“Who are you!”
“Me? I'm the person who came to collect the money I lent.”
“…………!”
The escort warrior who had asked the question was certain.
Contrary to his appearance, the man before him was clearly insane.
The O Family Manor was not a place in need of funds.
Why would one of the most prominent manors in Yiliang County need to borrow money from others?
A mad dog can be dealt with a club.
All he had to do was beat the young man before him to a pulp and then hang him upside down.
Heumchit.
However, the escort warrior could not move easily.
The very fact that this person had come here without any problem was absurd.
The Treasure Vault, as its name suggested, was a warehouse where valuable items were gathered in one place.
A place densely packed not only with tangible assets like silver, but also with various certificates and ledgers.
It was the most crucial space within the vast O Family Manor, and as such, it was located in the most heavily guarded position.
‘And yet…….’
That was the problem.
Judging by his attire alone, he looked like an honored guest who had been guided here slowly.
How did he cross the wall that one had to crane their neck to see the top of, and how did he get past the strict guards?
The escort warrior made the best judgment he could.
“Call the captain.”
Piiik!
The sound of a whistle that pierced the eardrums echoed throughout the O Family Manor.
In any case, this Treasure Vault could not be opened without the captain.
Both the main gate and the lock were firmly secured with Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.
Only O Geodon, the head of the O Family Manor, possessed the key, so to rob this place, one would actually have to go to O Geodon first.
He didn't know how he got here, but the attacker would never achieve his goal.
As long as the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron and Nangsu, the O Family Manor's escort captain, were here, the items in the Treasure Vault would not leave.
“Hoo……”
Not long after the whistle blew, a group of people arrived in front of the Treasure Vault.
Perhaps because it was the most important place, they seemed to have been waiting nearby.
“What is the matter.”
A metallic voice, like scraping the ears with a hook.
Even Biyoung, who was far away, frowned at the metallic sound, but the escort warrior, as if it were a familiar voice, bowed his head with an expressionless face.
“This person suddenly appeared and is making an absurd demand.”
“An absurd demand! I'm just telling you to pay back the money you rightfully borrowed!”
“………….”
The man called the captain turned his gaze towards Biyoung.
An impression that was murderous and gloomy.
The long scar on the bridge of his nose, and his sunken eye sockets and cheeks were incomparably fearsome.
‘He has a nasty impression. He could surely compete with Senior Brother Uma.’
If Uma had the feel of a ruffian, the captain had an even more malicious feel.
Not just because of his face, but one could tell by his gait and the sword he was wearing.
Perhaps before he worked here, he was…….
“An assassin?”
The eyes that had been looking at Biyoung wavered for a moment.
Nangsu felt a sense of bewilderment for the first time in a long while.
This was because within the O Family Manor, no one knew of his past except for the family head.
‘A difficult one to figure out.’
He wanted to ask how he knew.
But the escort captain, Nangsu, kept his mouth shut.
The moment he asked that question, it would be an admission to his life as an assassin.
Having settled his past life and registered with the O Family Manor, this was the only thing Nangsu had to say.
“The O Family Manor has not lent any money to others.”
“Come on, that's not it. You just don't know about the old days, that's all.”
It was an absurd situation.
A kid at least twenty years younger than him suddenly appears and talks about the old days.
Even Nangsu's perpetually cold face seemed dazed this time.
“……The only thing I have to give back to you is this.”
Nangsu drew his sword with a practiced motion, and the rest of the escort team followed suit.
At that, Biyoung gave a sharp smile.
“Right. I'm more comfortable with that way too.”
“Strike!”
Dozens of escort team members rushed towards Biyoung.
‘Ho?’
For a moment, a strange light appeared in Biyoung's eyes.
The way they moved in perfect unison was like watching those of the orthodox sects.
A formation.
An effective military strategy for when many face one was unfolding before his eyes.
To see a formation from a merchant family's escort team?
Although there were some clumsy parts, the way they each took on a role and moved was unmistakably a formation.
‘Was this trained by that captain fellow?’
Although Yiliang County was a prosperous neighborhood, it was certainly surprising that a manor's escort team could use a formation.
Well.
That would mean the value of the items inside that Treasure Vault was that great.
When his thoughts reached that point, a single curve was drawn on Biyoung's lips.
Because it meant that, at the very least, he didn't have to worry about the debt being unpaid due to lack of money.
“I'll make short work of you!”
At the very front of the formation.
A single warrior bravely swung his sword towards Biyoung.
Just as the distance between the blade and his forehead narrowed to less than a hand's breadth, Biyoung's slender shoulders swayed for a moment.
“?”
Buung!
Belying the fierce momentum, the tip of the sword cut through the air.
And soon,
Paaak!
“Eok!!”
With a terrible scream, the escort team member at the front collapsed.
A large bump was growing rapidly on the crown of the head of the warrior who was foaming at the mouth.
“Hahaha! Not even a formation, not even the grandfather of a formation can stand against this body!”
Biyoung's sword danced.
At the line of the sword swung with its scabbard, the warriors who had formed the formation fell like autumn leaves.
Pak!
Paaak!
Exactly one per hit.
As if they had all coordinated, they fell to the ground with large bumps on the crowns of their heads.
“You should have paid the money on time!”
The sight of Biyoung swinging his sword, demanding the money be paid back, was the very image of a back-alley loan shark.
However.
The skill of his swordsmanship was just exquisitely refined beyond words.
Belying the fact that dozens of people had moved as one body, the formation they had created crumbled like a sandcastle.
‘What in the world is happening?’
‘A sword demon…… a sword demon has descended!’
‘A formation practiced for years, so easily……!’
Biyoung, far from avoiding the formation, charged head-on.
His innate skill was one thing, but this was also the orthodox way to break a formation.
Running away from a formation would only lead one deeper into a quagmire.
If one was confident in their swordsmanship, charging towards the center of the formation was the best option.
“Hahahahaha!”
Paaaaak!
Along with a devilish laugh, the sound of watermelons cracking echoed continuously.
The line was already so disheveled that the term ‘formation’ was embarrassing.
It was just a single, absolute slaughterer smashing heads as he pleased.
However.
Seuseuseuseut!
A blade that had been holding its breath within the ranks stabbed towards Biyoung's back with the speed of lightning.
The owner of the sword was the escort captain, Nangsu.
The formation deployed by the escort team was effective on its own, but in fact, the most powerful attack was Nangsu's single sword strike from within the formation.
Lying in wait for an opportunity in the chaotic battlefield, the sword secretly extended from a blind spot was difficult for even the most outstanding master to notice.
The sword was all the more threatening given that Nangsu's past profession was an assassin.
‘Got him!’
Seeing Biyoung's unguarded back, Nangsu sensed victory.
However.
Just as the tip of the sword was about to pierce Biyoung's back, Biyoung's movements rotated several times faster than before.
Hwiririk!
Nangsu's sword, which had seemed absolutely unavoidable, slid along Biyoung's back and stopped in mid-air.
In an instant, the distance between Biyoung and Nangsu had widened to outside of two zhang.
“Hya. For a dog of a merchant family, you're pretty good.”
Biyoung said so and then struck the crowns of the heads of two nearby warriors.
“Kkeueok!”
“Ack!”
“…………!”
On the other hand, the face of Nangsu, who had failed his attack, was filled with frustration.
How long had it been since his attack from within the formation had been nullified?
Most intruders would usually scatter their blood within the formation before he even made his move.
“What a shame, what a shame. That no one can see this excellent demonstration.”
Biyoung licked his lips, thinking of his Senior Brothers' faces.
The movement Biyoung had just used to escape was a footwork technique from the Flying Eagle Steps called ‘Rotating Retreat.’
This technique, where one rotates their body once and then retreats to secure space, was a movement that the disciples of the younger generation of the Diancang Sect had been repeating day and night.
It was just that the movement was so fast and fluid that it looked like a different technique.
“It was a very assassin-like sword. But you know, right?”
Seuseuseuseu……!
A heat haze shimmered over Biyoung's shoulder.
Unlike before, he was raising his internal energy.
“That there is no next time for an assassin who has failed once.”
Papak!
Biyoung's body suddenly grew larger.
As he closed the distance in a single breath, it created an illusion that his body had grown.
“!”
At that lightning-like rush, Nangsu's mouth fell open.
He reflexively raised his sword above his head.
It was an instinctive sense that only swordsmen who had crossed the line between life and death countless times could possess.
Soon, Biyoung's scabbard flew towards Nangsu's sword.
Kaaaaang!
Nangsu's eyes widened as if they would pop out at any moment.
He had somehow managed to block it, but it was because an immense force, unimaginable for a young man's internal energy, was loaded into it.
‘That is……!’
His astonished eyes turned towards Biyoung's scabbard.
Surprisingly, a bluish something had formed on the scabbard, not the blade.
The internal energy contained in the sword was so immense that a Sword Aura had formed with the scabbard itself.
‘Absurd……!’
Before Nangsu's thought could even finish, the scabbard broke Nangsu's sword and headed for his crown.
Paaaaaaaaaak!
A clear, crisp sound that was all too fitting for the clear sky rang out.
Nangsu stood still, holding his broken sword.
A single streak of red blood flowed down his forehead.
After receiving a fierce blow, he had passed out while standing.
“!!!”
“The captain, in a single blow……!”
“Damn it……!”
In any group, the defeat of the leader brings down morale.
The escort team members, who were already on the defensive, were unknowingly taking steps back.
“What should we do? We have to protect the Treasure Vault……!”
“You idiot. We can't do it on our own. The best thing to do is to call for people quickly……!!”
“R-Right. Anyway, the Treasure Vault can't be opened without the key……!”
Once the decision was made, the remaining escort team members scrambled to leave the scene.
And…….
“…………Heok!”
Should he be called the captain for a reason?
Nangsu, who had passed out while standing after being struck, suddenly came to his senses.
“You…… you bastard!”
“Oh. You're up? You're different from the other guys, after all.”
Nangsu tried to force his body to move, but it was in vain.
He could barely keep himself from collapsing as the strength drained from his limbs.
The aftereffects of being struck on the crown of his head with an internal energy-infused blow remained.
“Don't worry, I won't touch anything else. I'm a person who is clear about my business. I'll take just as much as was lent.”
“Wh-What?”
For a moment, Nangsu felt like he would pass out again from the surge of anger.
A guy who suddenly invades, smashes the heads of the escort team, and tries to rob the Treasure Vault, is clear about his business?
Nangsu, whose eyes were bloodshot, suddenly shouted.
“Ha! Right! Go on and try it! No matter what kind of ruckus you cause here, that door will never open!”
“Really?”
“That's right! The Treasure Vault, not only the lock but the entire door, is made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron! As long as the key is not here, you will not be able to get inside!”
“Hooo.”
A strange smile formed on Biyoung's lips.
Nangsu doubted his own eyes.
He should clearly be feeling frustrated, but wasn't his expression one of amusement instead?
“That's good. I was planning to test it out anyway.”
Biyoung placed his scabbard on the ground.
Then he closed his eyes and raised his internal energy.
Seuseuseuseuseuseu……!
At that moment.
Nangsu had to doubt the sight before him once again.
The Sword Aura, which had been shining dazzlingly along the blade, was gradually being sucked into the blade.
“?!”
He had never seen such a thing in his life.
Biyoung's blade, not only the brightly shining Sword Aura, but it was turning black as if it would suck in all surrounding objects.
‘Wh-What in the world is that……?’
Although he had made a name for himself in the past, an assassin was just an assassin.
When would he have had the chance to cross swords with the top masters of the Diancang Sect?
So, Nangsu had no way of knowing.
That the martial art he was unfolding was the ‘Vacuum Sword,’ one of the two great symbols of the World's Fastest Sword.