Chapter 5
Fate ― Who Are You, Sir? (2)
Paaang!
Cheon-yo and the woman shoved each other roughly, creating some distance between them.
Just as the woman raised her sword, preparing to charge again—
“Wait.”
“If you let me go, I’ll let you live. No need for any unnecessary words. We don’t have time.”
“Just one question. Are you someone sent by the Demon Sect?”
“Wrong. That’s enough questions, right? If you’re not planning to step aside, you’ll die.”
“Oh, so not the Demon Sect… Then I have one more question.”
“I hate people who ask too many questions.”
“We’re in the same boat. I’m just curious if it’s really necessary for the two of us to fight.”
“What do you mean? Aren’t you from the Martial Alliance?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
This was the Shanxi branch of the Martial Alliance. Of course, outside guests sometimes stayed here, but this location was an exception.
Outsiders were not allowed inside.
Cheon-yo asked,
“Is your target perhaps Baek Sang-ah?”
“…How do you know that name?”
The woman looked startled. Rightly so—Baek Sang-ah being held at the Shanxi branch was a top-secret matter. Fewer than ten people in the entire Central Plains knew this fact.
And this woman was one of them.
The Martial Alliance had hidden Baek Sang-ah’s transfer to Shanxi from everyone.
The reason her current residence had weak defenses was also a secret.
If a strong martial artist moved there, the Demon Sect would notice immediately. Therefore, only mediocre martial artists were sent to this branch.
Even the branch chief didn’t know about Baek Sang-ah. Hence, despite the order to guard her well, they filled the place with first-class martial artists. Normally, this was sufficient.
If they had used stronger martial artists, it would have risked revealing her presence. Then the Demon Sect would have attacked with full force.
This level of deception showed how highly the Martial Alliance valued Baek Sang-ah.
Seeing that the man knew such a secret, a wary light appeared in the woman’s eyes.
Cheon-yo’s next question came swiftly:
“Did you come to kill that child?”
Her eyebrows rose at the question, and a cold voice emerged:
“I came to save her. How about you? Did you come to kill her?”
The woman sensed it instinctively—Cheon-yo’s target was also Baek Sang-ah.
She gripped her sword tightly.
An enemy aiming for Baek Sang-ah must be eliminated.
Then Cheon-yo spoke:
“Me too.”
“What?”
“I came to save her as well.”
“…Who exactly are you?”
“I don’t think we have time for introductions. First, let’s save the child.”
Saving Baek Sang-ah was the priority.
The woman said,
“I don’t trust just anyone. And there’s too much suspicious about you. Why should I trust you?”
“If you want, we can fight. But…”
Cheon-yo slowly lowered his sword, staring at her as he said,
“Do you think you could kill me easily?”
“….”
The woman’s eyes wavered. He seemed full of openings, yet it was impossible to tell where to strike. He had weaknesses everywhere, yet none at all.
They had already crossed swords briefly. She realized then:
He was not an easy opponent. Even if she could kill him, it would take a prolonged duel. Unfortunately, they didn’t have that kind of time now.
Cheon-yo spoke again:
“Honestly, I don’t need your help. I can handle this alone. But fighting you would just waste time.”
A brief pause, and her decision came quickly.
“Fine. Let’s go together for now. But if you show even a hint of suspicion…”
Piiing!
A hidden dagger shot from her sleeve, barely grazing Cheon-yo’s side.
Seeing him remain unfazed, she warned:
“You’re dead.”
Hearing the chilling threat, Cheon-yo gestured:
“Let’s go.”
With that, he stepped outside and looked around. Several dozen Martial Alliance martial artists had already surrounded the building.
“Faster than I expected,” he muttered.
“Scared, are you?” she teased.
“I wasn’t scared even when I saw you. This is nothing.”
“We’ll see if your skills match your mouth,” she replied.
Back-to-back, they watched as the martial artists closed in. The lead shouted,
“Catch the two of them!”
The attackers surged forward. As if by unspoken agreement, Cheon-yo and the woman leapt in opposite directions.
Kakak-kang!
Cheon-yo deflected the incoming swords with swirling, precise movements. The tips of his sword created subtle waves, sending shockwaves outward.
The attackers tried to strike him, but the sharp energy cut through them mercilessly. The ground around them erupted, throwing dirt and stones into the air.
Pupupup-pang!
A martial artist managed to slip through and swung at Cheon-yo.
Kaang!
He deflected the sword and kicked the man in the face, spinning to increase his speed. Like a spinning top, Cheon-yo’s sword energy spread in all directions, sweeping the enemies in an instant.
Pupung!
Returning to his original position, Cheon-yo stopped briefly, his cloak still swirling.
Thak.
The woman had done the same, having cleared the enemies in front of her.
Standing back-to-back again, she watched Cheon-yo effortlessly attack the Martial Alliance martial artists.
“…You’re definitely not from the Martial Alliance,” she admitted.
“Always deceived?” he asked.
“Because no one can be trusted,” she replied.
“Agreed,” he said.
Neither trusted the other, yet now they shared a common goal: extracting Baek Sang-ah.
In the blink of an eye, they cleared a dozen or more martial artists—proof of their overwhelming skill.
They advanced simultaneously.
“Not over there,” the woman said, pointing.
“Same here. No one there,” Cheon-yo replied.
They split up, covering different areas, speeding up their search.
Ahead, four martial artists appeared. The woman flicked her sleeve, sending four hidden daggers into their shoulders.
“Ugh!”
At the same time, she and Cheon-yo kicked all four, sending them flying unconscious.
She glanced at Cheon-yo, as if reading his movements perfectly.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“…Nothing,” she said, continuing forward.
Ahead, they spotted a large building. It had no windows and higher ceilings than nearby buildings—a typical warehouse. But skilled martial artists guarded it.
Something felt off. Cheon-yo was sure:
“Found it.”
He strode toward the warehouse, sword in hand, wind swirling around it.
Pabababat!
Dirt scattered violently. He leapt forward.
The woman watched in awe. Cheon-yo’s swordsmanship was unstoppable—every swing took down an opponent.
One by one, all the guards around the entrance were sent flying in a whirlwind of deadly energy.
A single storm. That was what it was.
The woman approached Cheon-yo.
“So it’s true. You really can save her alone.”
“Suspicious lady, I cleared this side. You handle the others,” Cheon-yo said.
More martial artists were running toward them, some of them skilled beyond the ones they had already defeated.
“You?”
“I need to check inside. See if Baek Sang-ah is there.”
“Why you? Handle them, I’ll go in.”
“No, I can’t.”
“You challenging me?”
Seeing her raise her sword, Cheon-yo took a step back.
“You’re an assassin. Hard to believe you didn’t come to kill in a situation like this.”
“I won’t yield either. Can’t trust you,” she said.
Cheon-yo clenched his fist powerfully.
Puh-uhng!
A surge of strength pressed into her shoulder. She blocked it, but her body was pushed back dozens of steps.
“You…!”
Before she could react, Martial Alliance martial artists reached her and attacked.
Kakak-kang!
She deflected them expertly. Cheon-yo pushed her toward the enemies, saying,
“I’ll bring her out safely. Just wait.”
He walked to the warehouse entrance.
The doors were sturdy, made of metal, and large. He slowly pushed them open.
Kkiiik.
Light poured into the pitch-black warehouse. At the end of the light, a girl sat with her knees hugged to her chest, head buried.
Feeling the light that came for her, the girl slowly lifted her head.
Wide-eyed, still a little childlike, tear-streaked eyes red from crying.
Cheon-yo approached. Step by step, the distance closed.
“Baek Sang-ah?” he asked, looking down at her.
She nodded.
“Who are you, sir?” she asked.
“Me?”
Cheon-yo bent down and lifted Baek Sang-ah with one hand.
Looking at the light pouring in, he said,
“I’m the one here to save you from hell.”
