The moment I lost my reason to Seolhui and Jang Seoyeong's temptation and was about to pounce on them, news arrived that one of Elder Gu's search party had urgently returned to the family.
I quickly put on my clothes and stepped outside. The cold air brushed against my skin.
A martial artist, waiting at the gate, greeted me with a tense expression.
"Young Family Head-nim! We found the Family Head-nim and the young lady. However, they are currently being pursued by the Black Dragon Gate's pursuit squad. Elder Gu has requested immediate support."
"Location?"
"Near Ogeom Gate."
"Immediately gather the family's martial artists. I will go myself."
With those words, my mind became busy as I quickly assessed the situation. Moreover, it was a good opportunity to test my skills, which had reached the First-rate realm.
Just then, Jang Seoyeong's voice came from behind me.
"Seoyun-ah... I will go with you."
I turned to see Jang Seoyeong standing with a firm expression, a sword in her hand. Her eyes were filled with determination.
"Understood. Mother has also reached the First-rate realm, so let's go together."
Along with the gathered martial artists and Jang Seoyeong, we immediately set off for Ogeom Gate.
We chose the fastest horses and rode.
"The Family Head-nim and Miss Sohee were found in a gorge near Ogeom Gate."
I rode, listening to the report from the search party member. The situation, with the Black Dragon Gate's pursuit squad hot on their heels, weighed on my mind.
Jang Seoyeong, riding beside me, had a dark expression. Her worry seemed deep, having not heard news of Jin Myeongwoo.
I whipped my horse, increasing our speed. Dark clouds began to gather in the sky.
The sound of hooves echoed across the land. As the dark clouds covered the sky, our group galloped at full speed towards Ogeom Gate.
'Is it going to rain?'
I thought, looking up at the sky. If it rained, tracking would become difficult. The Jin Family Head's life or death was of no concern to me. The safety of Jin Sohee, whom I had my eyes on, was far more important.
"Smoke ahead!"
At one martial artist's shout, everyone's gaze turned forward. Black smoke was rising in the distance.
'Has the battle begun...?'
I whipped my horse even harder. The horses' speed increased further.
As we approached the gorge, an intense aura was transmitted. It was clear that a battle between First-rate masters was underway.
The first raindrops fell. The sky grew darker and darker.
***
Jin Sohee, who had barely survived the Black Dragon Gate's pursuit, was quickly escaping the mountain, leading her injured father.
"There they are!"
Inside the deep gorge, the Black Dragon Gate's pursuit squad, armed with swords, was closing in.
"So... Sohee-ah... Leave me and go..."
"Father... Don't give up."
The Jin Family Head, who had lost an arm, spoke with difficulty. Jin Sohee led her father, squeezing out the last of her internal energy from her Dantian to perform her lightness skill and flee.
The pursuit squad drew closer, and after not much further, they were finally surrounded.
"Hehehe, where do you think you're running?"
"Chuhyungpae..."
"That girl looks quite feisty. It would be truly delicious to pin her down and violate her."
"......"
Jin Sohee gripped her sword, preparing for a final stand.
"Give up. If you spread your legs yourself, I'll spare your father's life."
"Shut up! You're as disgusting as you look, you bastard."
Jin Sohee raised her sword, emitting a sharp aura. She was gathering her last remaining strength.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves was heard in the distance.
"Family Head-nim! Young Lady!"
It was Elder Gu's voice. The Jin Family's martial artists, led by Elder Gu, were arriving.
"Elder Gu-nim!"
Hope bloomed in Jin Sohee's eyes.
"Hehehe, the Jin Family's rabble has appeared."
Chuhyungpae pulled out two axes. A crimson aura rose from his axes.
"Protect the Family Head and the young lady. I will face Chuhyungpae!"
"Hahaha, you dare to face Blood Axe Twin Ghosts Chuhyungpae-nim alone?!"
Elder Gu stepped forward. Standing before Chuhyungpae, Elder Gu drew his sword. Killing intent flared in his eyes as he saw the Jin Family Head's pathetic state.
"Chuhyungpae, I will cut off your breath right here!"
Elder Gu unleashed his sword energy, swinging his sword towards Chuhyungpae's neck. A cold sword light sliced through the air.
But Chuhyungpae's two axes blocked his sword. The crimson aura rising from the axes swallowed Elder Gu's sword energy.
"Hehehe... I don't have time to play with an old man, but..."
A cruel smile hung on Chuhyungpae's lips. The black aura rising from his axes grew thicker and thicker.
"I'll show you! The power I received from my master! Iron Dragon Twin Axes - Blood River Rampage (è¡æ²³çæ´)!"
Chuhyungpae's two axes swirled like a blood-stained river. The crimson aura rising from the axe blades whirled like a river dyed in blood. A frenzied power, combined with the Black Dragon Gate's sinister internal energy, could be felt.
Elder Gu's sword blocked the axes, but he was being pushed back by the strange power emanating from them.
"Iron Dragon Twin Axes - Twin-Headed Demonic Slaughter (éé éç )!"
Chuhyungpae's two axes crossed and flew, like two ferocious beasts. Black and crimson auras intertwined, emitting an even more violent power.
Elder Gu's sword clashed with his axes. A powerful energy wave erupted.
'This is...!'
Elder Gu's eyes widened. Chuhyungpae's skill was completely different from the rumors. The crimson aura rising from his axes writhed as if alive.
"Hehehe, die!"
Chuhyungpae's axes sliced through the air. Elder Gu's sword blocked them, but he was being pushed back by the strange power emanating from the axes.
-Kang!
Elder Gu's sword clashed with Chuhyungpae's axe.
'They said Chuhyungpae was at the very edge of the Second-rate realm, but why is he this strong?!'
Elder Gu's eyes widened. The crimson aura rising from the axes had already surpassed the First-rate realm and was aiming for even higher. Moreover, a frenzied killing intent could be felt from that aura.
"Hehehe. Surprised? This is the power of the elixir my master bestowed upon me!"
Chuhyungpae's axes once again sliced through the air. Elder Gu's sword barely blocked them, but the impact caused his feet to scrape the ground as he was pushed back.
-Jjaeng! Kang!
Sparks flew every time the sword and axes clashed.
"Take this!"
Elder Gu's sword grazed Chuhyungpae's shoulder. But he immediately counterattacked, ignoring the cut.
"Hahaha! This is my power!"
Chuhyungpae's laughter echoed through the gorge. His axes struck Elder Gu's sword away.
-Jjaeng!
Elder Gu's sword flew into the air. Two axes flew in a cross pattern towards his exposed chest.
"Kugh!"
Elder Gu coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground. Blood flowed unceasingly from the deep wound.
"Elder Gu-nim!"
Jin Sohee's scream echoed through the gorge. Chuhyungpae laughed mockingly as he looked at her.
"Heheh. What are you doing? Don't just stand there, finish off the remaining bastards."
At Chuhyungpae's words, the Black Dragon Gate martial artists charged towards the Jin Family warriors. Chuhyungpae watched them, then approached Jin Sohee, who stood with her sword raised.
"Heheh. The more I look at that girl, the more beautiful she is."
A crimson aura still rose from his axes. His gaze, filled with madness, was mixed with killing intent and greed as he stared at Jin Sohee.
Jin Sohee's expression was cold as she stood with her sword, trying to protect her injured father. But her hand was trembling slightly.
"Die!"
Jin Sohee swung her sword, attacking Chuhyungpae. A cold sword light sliced through the air.
But Chuhyungpae's axes lightly struck her sword away.
"Kukuk, quite feisty, aren't you? Go on, struggle more! Let's see how long you can last!"
"Kuk... Haap!"
Jin Sohee's sword once again sliced through the air. But Chuhyungpae, who had lightly parried her sword, drew even closer.
'At this rate...'
Accumulated fatigue weighed her down, but Jin Sohee still held her sword firmly and did not stop attacking.
"I've seen enough of your tantrums. Now, prepare to serve your husband-nim!"
Chuhyungpae sneered with a vile laugh. Jin Sohee took a rough breath and curled the corners of her lips.
"Husband? You? A guy with a snub nose, a pig snout, who can't be distinguished between a human and a pig just by looking at him, my husband-nim? Your delusions are severe."
At her provocative words, Chuhyungpae's face instantly contorted.
"You bitch...!"
His eyes rolled back in fury, and the axe in one hand glinted.
Jin Sohee forced her fatigued body to steady itself, raising her sword high. A sneer still lingered on her lips.
"Don't mistake a pig for a human just because it can speak human words!"
At Jin Sohee's provocation, Chuhyungpae's face flushed crimson.
"Eek...! This bitch, I've been too lenient with her, and now there's nothing she won't say. Let's see if you can still run your mouth after I cut off your limbs and hand you over to my subordinates!"
Chuhyungpae, his face blotchy red, swung his axe towards Jin Sohee's arm.
'Now!'
Her provocation had worked, and the excited Chuhyungpae showed an opening. Her sword swung towards that opening.
-Kang!
"Khahaha! Did you think I'd fall for your clumsy trick?"
Her attack was blocked, and Jin Sohee, whose arm was seized by Chuhyungpae, felt a sense of despair as if all hope had crumbled in that moment.
"I'll have to get a taste before I cut off your limbs. I'm looking forward to seeing you whimpering under me."
Chuhyungpae's repulsive face drew closer.
'Ah... Myeongwoo-ah...'
Her beloved younger brother's face flashed through her mind. Thinking that everything was over, she closed her eyes and prepared to bite her tongue.
"Don't touch my younger sister with your filthy hands, pig."
Chuhyungpae instinctively swung his axe to block the sword coming for his neck, but he was forced to step back from the force. The impact loosened his grip on Jin Sohee.
"Who is it! How dare you!"
"I have no name to tell a pig."
"Always calling me pig, pig... I am Blood Axe Twin Ghosts Chuhyungpae!"
The crimson aura from Chuhyungpae's axes grew even denser.
The axes flew like lightning. The crimson aura flowing along the axe blades sliced through the air.
Jin Seoyun's sword blocked his axes.
"Kuk..."
Jin Seoyun's feet scraped the ground as he was pushed back by the immense power emanating from the axes. Chuhyungpae's strength, enhanced by the elixir, was beyond imagination.
"Hehehe, you're nothing special either!"
Chuhyungpae's second axe sliced through the air. Jin Seoyun twisted his body, barely dodging, but blood flowed from his shoulder where the axe blade grazed him.
"Be careful! Chuhyungpae is currently at the very edge of the First-rate realm!"
Jin Sohee's shout came from behind. I gave a small nod.
Chuhyungpae had already surpassed the First-rate realm. But his power was unstable. Perhaps a side effect of the elixir, madness could be felt in his eyes.
'It's not good to drag this out.'
I couldn't give him too much time. It would be troublesome if he went berserk.
"Die!"
A barrage of continuous axe swings rained down. The axes, wreathed in crimson aura, sliced through the air.
-Jjaeng! Kang! Jjaeng!
Sparks flew every time the sword and axes clashed.
Jin Seoyun's sword aimed for his thigh. The wound wasn't deep. Chuhyungpae ignored the wound and swung his axes.
"Hahaha! Do you think you can defeat me with this?!"
He immediately counterattacked, ignoring the cut. Due to the elixir's effect, his body was no longer normal.
"Do you know? That you beat a pig alive before slaughtering it. As it happens, there's a pig right in front of me."
Jin Seoyun's cold voice was heard. A white aura rose from the sword in his hand.
"What...?"
Chuhyungpae's eyes widened at the white sword energy he felt before him. He realized that Jin Seoyun had been hiding his true strength until now.
"Now the real fun begins, pig."
The white sword energy that erupted from the sword pushed back Chuhyungpae's axes. His feet scraped the ground as he was pushed back.
"Kuhok...! Th-this bastard...!"
Chuhyungpae's mad eyes contorted further. A frenzied crimson aura explosively burst from his axes as he counterattacked.