The Sacred Fire Sect was a sect with a history of about a cycle, 60 years, in Chongqing.

In fact, 60 years was by no means a short history.

In the martial world, it was not common for a sect to maintain its history for over a hundred years, except for the great sects.

Considering that, the Sacred Fire Sect was one of the rather solid small and medium-sized sects.

Although its members were few and its scale was small, it had established its own position in Chongqing based on its secret martial art, the Chae Family Sword.

That was not all.

Although the power of its secret martial art was not bad, the fact that the founder of the Sacred Fire Sect was a martial artist who had been active in the righteous-demonic war was also effective.

This was a strength that made it difficult for anyone in Chongqing to dare to be hostile to the Sacred Fire Sect.

The sect that currently ruled Chongqing was the Flying Sword Sect. And the sect leader of the Flying Sword Sect was the Fighting God, Gwak Yong, a hero of the righteous-demonic war. He had been acquainted with the founder who had established the Sacred Fire Sect.

To touch the Sacred Fire Sect also meant to touch those who had a connection with Gwak Yong.

It wasn’t that the prestige of Gwak Yong and the Flying Sword Sect had protected the Sacred Fire Sect.

Because in the current martial world, the martial artists who had participated in the righteous-demonic war were respected by the people of the martial world. The Sacred Fire Sect was already in a position to be respected.

So the Sacred Fire Sect had been able to gradually establish its position in Chongqing and to solidly build up its internal strength.

Until just a while ago, before the bloodbath occurred.

“…”

Chae Ga-ryeong, the daughter of the Sacred Fire Sect, had been staying at her maternal grandmother’s house and had returned to the Sacred Fire Sect after receiving an urgent message.

“Miss, I think… you should stay at a nearby inn for a while.”

The escort warrior, Yeon So-un, grabbed Chae Ga-ryeong’s shoulder with a gloomy face.

Although she had only heard about the bloodbath, the Sacred Fire Sect that she had actually witnessed with her own two eyes was terrible.

The wall had completely collapsed, and the place was full of traces of a bloody battle. The dried, dark red bloodstains and the collapsed pavilions here and there. Even the burned roof tiles.

“…Haa.”

Chae Ga-ryeong, who had been biting her lip with a pale face, finally collapsed.

“Miss!”

“What should I do. Unni…”

Chae Ga-ryeong sobbed and covered her face as if she were washing her dry face.

Yeon So-un carefully wrapped her arms around Chae Ga-ryeong’s shoulders.

Although she was the eldest daughter of the Sacred Fire Sect, she was still young.

For her, who was now twenty, the current situation was surely a terrible thing that was hard to accept.

‘On the contrary, it was strange that she had been so composed until now.’

Yeon So-un looked down at Chae Ga-ryeong with a pitiful gaze.

Chae Ga-ryeong, with her delicate body, had been composed even after hearing the news.

But how could she be okay? When her father and mother, and the warriors who were like family, had all died.

Yeon So-un knew well that she was deliberately pretending to be composed so that her younger brother would not be too sad.

But no matter how mature and composed she was, Chae Ga-ryeong was also just a young girl who was just at the age of a young woman.

The moment she had witnessed the collapsed Sacred Fire Sect, the tears she had been holding back had burst out.

How much time had passed?

Chae Ga-ryeong, who had barely stopped sobbing, staggered and got up from her seat.

A face with her small lips tightly clenched, as if she had made a decision.

But it looked pitiful rather than resolute.

Because her pale lips and her clenched, slender arms were trembling.

“Please gather some people.”

“Pardon?”

“We have some money, right?”

“Well… yes.”

“We need to gather some workers and clean up first.”

“I understand. Let’s go to the inn first. I’ll hire the workers.”

“No, we don’t have that much money. I have to roll up my sleeves and help too.”

“Miss.”

“Although I haven’t learned martial arts properly, I’m still the daughter of a martial family. I can take care of myself, so don’t worry.”

“You haven’t rested properly, coming all the way here after holding a funeral all night. Let’s rest at the inn for a while first…”

Yeon So-un could not continue.

Chae Ga-ryeong, with tears in her eyes, tried to put on a calm expression.

“It’s a place where my great-grandfather laid the ground, my grandfather raised the pillars, and my father put up the roof.”

“…”

“At least I can also clean up the collapsed pillars.”

Yeon So-un felt a mixture of pity and pride at the sight of Chae Ga-ryeong, who seemed to have matured in just a few days.

Since her intention was beautiful, Yeon So-un nodded her head.

“I understand. But don’t overdo it.”

“Yes. Thank you. And please get in touch with the Hao Faction or the Beggars’ Sect.”

Yeon So-un’s face hardened.

“Are you thinking of finding the perpetrator?”

“Yes.”

“But…”

Chae Ga-ryeong shook her head firmly.

“Don’t tell me not to take revenge. I’m not saying I’ll do it right now. But, I should at least know who did it.”

Yeon So-un slowly nodded her head with a grave face.

“I understand.”

Yeon So-un looked at her small shoulders and sighed inwardly.

Chae Ga-ryeong’s father, the sect leader of the Sacred Fire Sect, had cherished Chae Ga-ryeong terribly.

So he had wanted her to live a life away from the martial world.

But Chae Ga-ryeong, who had been born as the daughter of a martial family, as the child of a sect, had now set foot in the martial world.

At the paradoxical fact, Yeon So-un tightly gripped her scabbard.

What was left for that young Chae Ga-ryeong was just her ordinary maternal family and her still seven-year-old younger brother. And herself.

She had to protect her.

Yeon So-un made up her mind firmly.

* * *

“So it’s true that those guys did it?”

“It probably is, isn’t it? Because the bloodbath happened right after he left after talking with the sect leader that day.”

The vice-leader of the Red Dragon Faction, Jin-ryang, stroked his chin, saying ‘hmm’.

“What on earth is their identity? The guys who suddenly appeared and destroyed five sects.”

For Jin-ryang, it was a truly heart-chilling moment.

Because the Flying Sword Sect had aimed their swords at them and had picked a fight, asking if they had done it.

Even though the Red Dragon Faction was a black-way faction that had split Chongqing with the Flying Sword Sect, there was the Fighting God, Gwak Yong, who was said to be close to the ten great masters of the world.

Moreover, wasn’t there a guilty corner?

One of the people who was suspected of being the perpetrator had visited the Red Dragon Faction before the bloodbath had occurred.

Since the sect leader had met him in person and had had a secret conversation, Jin-ryang also did not know what conversation had taken place.

No, the meeting itself was top secret.

If it had not been for his position as the vice-leader, Jin-ryang would not have known about that meeting at all.

Fortunately, the Flying Sword Sect had not figured out that meeting.

“Hey.”

“Yes. Vice-leader.”

“Is it possible for us to destroy those five sects at the same time?”

At Jin-ryang’s sudden question, his subordinate, Deok-jong, thought for a moment and then answered.

“It’s… possible.”

“It’s not easy, is it?”

“The damage will be great.”

“Right. But they said there were five perpetrators?”

“Yes.”

“Ha. What on earth are those guys? One person destroyed one sect.”

The fact that five sects had disappeared in Chongqing was something that the Red Dragon Faction also had to strengthen its guard against.

Wasn’t it the appearance of unexpected masters?

If their swords were to be aimed at the Red Dragon Faction, what could be more troublesome than that?

“Ah. Right. The Sacred Fire Sect was among the annihilated sects, right?”

Deok-jong grinned.

“Yes. Well, it’s a good thing. They were so concerned about their reputation…”

“Hehehe. It’s a good thing that the guys who were interfering every time we tried to expand our business are gone, so I’m grateful to that unknown perpetrator.”

“I’ll take over the shops that the Sacred Fire Sect was protecting on this occasion.”

“Eum, don’t do that.”

“Pardon? Ah… I understand.”

Deok-jong understood the true meaning of what he was saying.

If the Red Dragon Faction officially took over, wouldn’t it be difficult to line his own pockets?

Jin-ryang grinned.

“Just because the founder participated in the righteous-demonic war, how much they boasted. They’re nothing special.”

“Since Gwak Yong is a veteran of the righteous-demonic war, what can you do?”

“But the Chae Family Sword of the Sacred Fire Sect guys was quite brutal. If they’re all dead, then that would also be lost, right? They said they made it a complete mess and burned it down.”

At those words, Deok-jong suddenly lowered his voice.

“Well, not all of them died.”

“Huh? There’s a survivor?”

“The sect leader’s daughter and the youngest son were at their maternal grandmother’s house, so they avoided the tragedy.”

“The daughter, you mean Chae Ga-ryeong? Keu. That child has grown up very well.”

In an instant, Jin-ryang’s eyes flashed. Deok-jong did not miss the change in Jin-ryang’s eyes. A dark and greedy gaze.

Since he was a subordinate that Jin-ryang cherished terribly, he was very good at reading Jin-ryang’s mind.

“Yes. She has just returned.”

“Oh…”

“Well, shall I try something?”

When Deok-jong said in a subtle voice, Jin-ryang pretended to scold him.

“Oh my. What are you talking about? Even if we are the black-way, huh? Since I am in the position of the vice-leader, I have eyes to see, so how can I do such a thing…”

“No, of course we have to get the secret manual of the Chae Family Sword. I will bring the secret martial art of the Sacred Fire Sect, the Chae Family Sword.”

At those words, Jin-ryang grinned.

As expected, it was like the Deok-jong he trusted.

“Right. Go ahead and bring it.”

“I’ll bring it right away.”

The Chae Family Sword was just a side benefit.

* * *

“Eum. After we finish cleaning up, how about asking the Flying Sword Sect for help?”

“I understand. After we finish cleaning up, I’ll get in touch with the Flying Sword Sect right away, miss.”

“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, unni, I…”

Chae Ga-ryeong grabbed Yeon So-un’s hand and smiled faintly. Yeon So-un also smiled back at that warmth.

It was a bright smile, unlike her, who had the funny nickname of the Cold-Faced Sword Maiden.

A smile she only showed to Chae Ga-ryeong, whom she considered her younger sister.

“What are you talking about. Miss.”

“No, I’m just really grateful. If I had been alone, I probably wouldn’t have even thought of coming back here.”

It was a distant smile. The fatigue and sadness that were smeared on her face, and even the dust that had accumulated while cleaning up the debris. Even that could not hide Chae Ga-ryeong’s beautiful appearance.

Yeon So-un, who had read her tired expression, said.

“Miss, let’s stop for today and go to the inn to rest.”

“…Yes.”

Chae Ga-ryeong was not a child.

She slowly nodded her head.

But at that moment, an unexpected uninvited guest appeared.

“This is a pity. Miss Chae.”

“…”

About ten swaggering men rushed in.

Chae Ga-ryeong’s face hardened. Yeon So-un pushed her behind her back and blocked the path.

“What is it?”

“Oh my. Don’t react so sharply. We also heard about the tragedy of the Sacred Fire Sect, which is our neighbor, and have come to express our condolences.”

Deok-jong said.

But how many people in Chongqing would take his words at face value?

Especially since Deok-jong was a guy who had clashed with the Sacred Fire Sect on every occasion.

Although it had never turned into a big fight, there was enough hostility between them.

On the contrary, the guys who would have raised their glasses if the Sacred Fire Sect had been annihilated, had come to offer their condolences?

“Ahem. The sect leader of the Sacred Fire Sect was a great person. I pray for the deceased.”

Yeon So-un glanced at Chae Ga-ryeong. A slick tone, a swaggering posture, no one would think he was sincere.

It was a trick to provoke anger.

She looked at Chae Ga-ryeong with a worried gaze. If she couldn’t hold back and got angry here…

But that was just a worry.

Chae Ga-ryeong said composedly.

“Thank you. My father and mother will also be grateful that you have come like this.”

“Eum. Miss Chae, you’ve been through a lot.”

“No.”

“To think that you would come out and even use your body like this.”

“Because it’s something I have to do.”

“If it’s not too much of an imposition, I think we could be of some help.”

“…”

“The vice-leader is feeling sorry. Since you are left alone, he wants to treat you to a meal as a neighborly duty, so please accept his invitation.”

At those words, a ripple appeared on Chae Ga-ryeong’s composed face.

Because she was not stupid enough not to know what that meant.

Yeon So-un stepped forward with an angry face.

“Go back.”

“Eum? Why are you being like this? We’re just trying to give some help.”

Deok-jong grinned. In an instant, the black-way members stood around them, swaggering, as if they were surrounding them.

Yeon So-un bit her lip.

‘This is…’

She had not expected the Red Dragon Faction to come out so openly and so suddenly.

Yeon So-un clenched her teeth and drew her sword.

Seureung!

“Oh my. What is this? To draw a sword at a mourner who has come to offer condolences.”

“Stop your bullshit and get lost.”

“Hehehe. Are we the kind of guys who will get lost just because you tell us to?”

Deok-jong laughed and revealed his true colors.

A black-way member who had been circling around them suddenly grabbed Chae Ga-ryeong’s slender wrist.

Chae Ga-ryeong shouted with a pale face.

“Let go!”

Yeon So-un’s eyes shot up and she stretched out her sword.

No, it was the moment she was about to stretch it out.

Kwadeuk!

“…Huh?”

The wrist that had grabbed Chae Ga-ryeong was cut off.

Chae Ga-ryeong, startled at that sight, quickly stepped back. In an instant, she saw the back of a shadow that had been cast.

Was he about her age?

Although his clothes were covered in dirt as if he had been running for a long time, his white face was clean.

Chae Ga-ryeong’s eyes widened at the person who had suddenly appeared.

“Who…?”

Cheon Mubaeck clicked his tongue and answered.

“Your great-grandfather’s friend.”

Chae Ga-ryeong was silent. And she thought.

‘Is he a madman?’

Of course, it was a natural misunderstanding.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep