I Will Become Stronger
Cheon Ryuyeong's laughter left Jin Dam-hwi and his subordinates momentarily unsettled. They wondered if he had truly gone mad from all the beating.
Everyone frowned and fixed their eyes on him.
After laughing for quite a while, Cheon Ryuyeong stared straight at Jin Dam-hwi and spoke.
"Jin Dam-hwi! Did you call me lowborn?"
"You…"
"If I'm so low, then what does that make you—dragging along all your lackeys just to face me? A coward? A craven bastard."
Jin Dam-hwi's eyes narrowed sharply, but Cheon Ryuyeong continued, his voice dripping with contempt.
"Jin Dam-hwi, you're a coward."
"You're saying I'm a coward?"
"If not, then do you dare face me one-on-one?"
Everyone was struck speechless by the outrageous suggestion.
Jin Dam-hwi was not truly a martial arts master. He had never trained with full devotion and was likely only at a second- or third-rate level.
But no one knew for certain.
Hardly anyone had seen him practice martial arts, nor had he ever fought or sparred publicly.
Still, one thing was certain—Cheon Ryuyeong was no match for him.
Even if Jin Dam-hwi's skill was lacking, he had trained in martial arts, while Cheon Ryuyeong had nothing of the sort.
And especially now—Cheon Ryuyeong was nearly exhausted from a long, relentless beating.
A one-on-one fight?
That was like a grown cat against a mouse.
Jin Dam-hwi licked his lips.
For the beast he had become, Cheon Ryuyeong's proposal stoked his sadistic desires.
"You want to fight me one-on-one?"
A shiver of perverse excitement ran down his spine. He almost regretted not thinking of it first.
Cheon Ryuyeong smirked and nodded.
"Of course. But does a coward like you even have the courage?"
"Kuk kuk kuk… Khahahaha! Fine. Very fine."
Jin Dam-hwi rose from the porch in one swift motion.
"Give him a club."
Cheon Ryuyeong shrugged.
"A club? Wouldn't that be boring?"
"Oh? Then what would you prefer? A saber? A spear?"
"With those, one thrust could kill me instantly. No, I'd rather take my time—slowly, piece by piece, grind you into the dirt."
"Kuhuhuhu."
The words thrilled Jin Dam-hwi so much it gave him goosebumps. The brat was voicing exactly what he himself wanted to say. At this moment, Cheon Ryuyeong pleased him more than he ever had. Even the constant insolent tone felt almost endearing.
"Fine. Then we'll use clubs. How's that?"
"That's exactly what I want."
"Give him a club."
The black-clad escorts around Cheon Ryuyeong chuckled and stepped back, eager to watch the show.
Thud.
A club landed before Cheon Ryuyeong. Jin Dam-hwi's cold gaze bore into him.
"Pick it up."
Cheon Ryuyeong forced down a sigh that was about to burst out of him, bent over, picked up the club, and said,
"This won't do—the atmosphere's too dark. I won't be able to see your pained face clearly when I hit you."
"Kuhuhu. Should I light another bonfire for you?"
"Tsk tsk. Is that all the boldness you have?"
"…?"
"Burn a house."
"Hah!"
Jin Dam-hwi was dumbfounded. Did this fool really think he could win? That he could even land a single hit?
Everyone looked on in interest as Cheon Ryuyeong's bizarre antics continued.
Cheon Ryuyeong walked over to one of the blazing bonfires, pulled out a large burning log, and tossed it onto a nearby thatched roof. Then he threw two more.
Whoosh!
The dry weather of recent days made the straw and wood roof erupt in flames almost instantly.
Bright, dancing flames lit the surroundings.
"Well? Jin Dam-hwi, do you like the stage I've prepared? A perfect stage to see your face twisted in pain."
"Kahahaha! Yes, I love it. I love it so much it could bring me to tears."
Cheon Ryuyeong took a deep breath.
He had done all he could.
Even a small light in the middle of the night could be seen from far away. All he could do now was hope that someone from the Dokgo clan's group in Sahan County would notice the fire in the distance and grow curious.
He could only pray they would recognize the direction as the one he had taken.
And he was confident in his odds—when they parted at the crossroads, Dokgo Seol and the others had worn uneasy expressions.
What he didn't know was that those worried about him had already left Sahan County.
Either way, one thing remained—
Hold out until the Dokgo clan's people arrived.
And that, he knew, would be the hardest part.
Still, the chances of surviving until then weren't zero. Since he'd promised to "take his time" in grinding him down, Jin Dam-hwi was unlikely to rush.
Cheon Ryuyeong gripped the club tightly in both hands, taking up an awkward stance as he glared at Jin Dam-hwi.
Jin Dam-hwi, completely at ease, shook his head.
"Since we've set the stage, why not have more of an audience?"
"…?"
He called over one of his men.
"Wake the women."
Cheon Ryuyeong ground his teeth.
"So you can't win fair and square?"
"Kuhuhu. Don't want them to see you getting beaten? Then beat me like you claimed you would."
"My mother… will faint immediately. You saw that earlier. It'll break my focus—"
Jin Dam-hwi waved dismissively.
"Fine. Since you've gone to the trouble of setting the stage, I'll grant you one concession. Wake only the younger sister."
A bucket of water was splashed over Cheon Suyeon.
She stirred, slowly opened her eyes, then startled awake, bolting upright.
"Ah!"
A gasp escaped her lips.
She had hoped it was a nightmare—but the hellish reality continued.
When she saw Cheon Ryuyeong, tears streamed down her face.
"Brother."
"I'm fine. I'm about to beat this bastard bloody, so steel yourself."
She couldn't understand what her brother was saying, but as her mind cleared, she grasped the situation—her brother was about to fight that beast.
Jin Dam-hwi lifted his club.
"The stage and the audience are ready, so let's set the rules. Three rounds—half a gak for fighting, half a gak for rest. What do you say?"
He intended to toy with Cheon Ryuyeong for two rounds and kill him in the third.
Cheon Ryuyeong nodded.
"Fine."
"Then let's begin."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Jin Dam-hwi sprang forward like a flying beast.
Crack.
"Ghhhk."
The tip of Jin Dam-hwi's club smashed into Cheon Ryuyeong's solar plexus.
"Brother!"
Suyeon screamed.
Cheon Ryuyeong had thought he was used to the pain after so many beatings—but he was wrong.
The agony was suffocating, as if his flesh were being ripped apart, knocking the strength from his legs and sending him collapsing to his knees.
"Kahahaha! Hey, we're just getting started. Don't make it boring already."
Trembling, Cheon Ryuyeong forced himself to rise. He had to resist—only then would this beast's sadistic appetite be satisfied.
If he stopped resisting, the man would lose interest—and death would follow, taking not only his life but his mother's and sister's as well.
Yaksha Sword Jo Jeonhu was gazing out the window of his quarters.
Far off in the darkness, one spot shone unusually bright.
It was obvious something was on fire.
"Yaksha Sword-nim."
It was Pyeong-u, the youngest among those who had accompanied Cheon Ryuyeong as his escort.
"Come in."
Pyeong-u opened the door and stepped inside, noticing Jo Jeonhu standing by the window.
"So Yaksha Sword was looking at that place too."
"Yes."
"Everyone's worried right now. We think that fire might be in the direction of where Young Master Cheon lives."
Jo Jeonhu's eyes sharpened as he spoke gravely.
"That's right. From the crossroads where we parted ways, it would be about two gak at his walking pace."
He pointed toward a shadowed point in the distance.
"The crossroads was about here. From there, if you calculate two gak in Cheon Gongja's stride and draw a line…"
His finger traced the dark void until it stopped exactly at the burning place.
"Right there."
"Then something must have happened?"
"It has."
Pyeong-u's face hardened at Jo Jeonhu's firm tone.
"Could it be the Demonic Cult?"
Jo Jeonhu chuckled faintly and shook his head. Cheon Gongja had said earlier that the Demonic Cult didn't yet have the leeway to bother with him. And Cheon Gongja's words wouldn't be wrong.
"That's a festival."
"Huh?"
"Two reasons it's a festival."
Even as he said it, Jo Jeonhu realized he'd made a mistake. In truth, only one reason had come to mind, but saying "one" felt lacking, so he'd blurted "two" without thinking.
Pyeong-u's ears perked up.
"What are they?"
"It's Young Master Cheon's last night at home with his family in the village. So they're holding a feast."
Pyeong-u squinted toward the bright spot outside.
"But the fire's awfully big for that. Looks like it would burn down at least a whole house…"
Jo Jeonhu's eyes wavered. Pyeong-u had a point.
"That's because…"
"…"
"They're throwing a big feast."
"…"
After a moment of silence, Pyeong-u asked,
"And the second reason?"
"That's…"
Pyeong-u turned his ear toward him in an exaggerated gesture—he clearly found the first reason suspicious.
Jo Jeonhu swallowed hard.
"It's confidential."
"Huh? Why?"
Pyeong-u looked incredulous. What kind of classified secret could there possibly be in such a rural backwater?
But Jo Jeonhu's expression was unshakable.
"If I could tell you, it wouldn't be confidential. And if you ask me why, then what am I supposed to say?"
Now Pyeong-u looked openly doubtful.
"Sorry, but doesn't a big feast contradict a confidential matter? A feast is public, a secret is private…"
"...!"
Jo Jeonhu's eyes flickered. He flicked Pyeong-u on the forehead.
Smack.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
"You're clever."
"Huh?"
"Let's drink some bamboo leaf wine."
"But the place where Young Master Cheon is—"
"No need to worry. Didn't you hear what he said earlier? He said it's safe for now."
Jo Jeonhu had become a complete believer in Cheon Ryuyeong's words.
"Still…"
Pyeong-u was dragged away by Jo Jeonhu, who had no intention of going there. He trusted Cheon Ryuyeong completely and was certain that Lady and Pung-un were nearly there by now. Going himself would just be a waste of effort.
Crack.
Jin Dam-hwi's club slammed into Cheon Ryuyeong's back. Cheon Ryuyeong spewed a fountain of blood from his mouth as he collapsed.
His vision swam. He didn't even have the strength left to scream. Still, he had to get up.
Squirm. Squirm.
He dragged himself along the ground like a man swimming with all four limbs.
He had to stand. He had to stand.
It wasn't time to fall yet.
"Kuhuhuhu… this is starting to get boring."
Jin Dam-hwi's killing intent pierced his ears. Cheon Ryuyeong swallowed back bloody tears and staggered to his knees, pulling his chest up.
Swaying, he rose to his feet.
Jin Dam-hwi rested the club on his shoulder, yawned, and chuckled.
"Good. That's the end of the second round. I hope you rest well for half a gak before coming back. Kuk kuk kuk."
Cheon Ryuyeong staggered to a bench and lay down.
"Haa… haa…"
He wanted to die. It would be easier than this.
Cheon Suyeon suddenly rose to her feet, crossed the yard barefoot, and entered the kitchen—set slightly apart from the burning house.
No one stopped her. No one thought she might escape—what would be the point? She'd be caught in moments.
She soon emerged and came to sit beside her brother.
Cheon Ryuyeong's nose stung at the sight of what she held.
Wound salve.
She dabbed some onto her fingers and looked at his ruined face, almost unrecognizable.
She held back her tears.
Now she knew.
Her brother would die soon. And so would their mother, and herself.
But she didn't want to cry in their last moments.
She forced a smile.
"There's… not enough. I'll just put it on your face. Can't have my brother's handsome face scarred."
She examined him as she worked.
His left brow was torn. His left earlobe was ripped.
Both eyes were swollen like great welts, his nose still bleeding, lips split and raw.
"No… I should wash it first. Your face is covered in blood—I can't even see the wounds properly."
"Suyeon. Forget it. You know we don't have time."
"…"
"I'm sorry. You must hate having such a weak brother."
She shook her head.
"Why would I? You're the person I love and rely on most in this world."
Cheon Ryuyeong smiled faintly.
"Even when I'm getting beaten to a pulp by this bastard? Even when I'm not strong?"
"You're the strongest in the world. Because you fight so hard to protect me and Mother. So don't apologize to me."
"Your brother's going to make you live in comfort."
"I don't need that. I didn't know… that you worked under people like this, just to make money… how hard it must've been. How much of a hell it was. And all I ever did was pester you to buy me trinkets… I'm sorry. Sob… I'm really… sorry."
"No, no. I was fine. Really."
"I'm sorry… I'm weak, and all I've done is waste the money you worked so hard for…"
"Don't worry. I'll take care of you from now on."
She wiped her eyes and smiled brightly.
"Mm. Let's live well."
"Yes."
"In the afterlife… let's really be happy."
His heart sank.
"Idiot. We have to live well here, in this world."
She nodded slowly.
"I don't care where. As long as I have you and Mother. I'm sorry. In the afterlife, I'll have a strong body… so I won't be a burden to you…"
Tears blinded him, and he turned his head aside—only to freeze.
Through the shimmering haze of heat, he saw familiar figures.
A man and a woman standing by the gate.
"Ah!"
Tears burst from his eyes. In this harsh world, he was no longer alone. They were here.