LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 7 - The Mad Dog of Bing Province, and Unryong (4)
Chapter 7: The Mad Dog of Bing Province, and Unryong (4)
“Where is my brother?”
It was Haryeong, hastily climbing up the steep slope, who asked the question.
In response, Unsam replied, “He should be here soon. The nearby villages by the city gates have already been turned upside down.”
“But why isn’t he coming yet?”
Even with Unsam’s words, Haryeong couldn’t calm down easily.
“My brother seeks negotiation, but he’s not someone without discernment. He’ll be here soon, just as Unsam said.”
Only after Baekrang, the ever-loyal follower of Unryong, said this did Haryeong’s fierce demeanor finally subside a little.
How much time has passed since then?
Unryong showed no sign of arriving.
“Damn it, what the hell is he doing?”
“Let’s go check. The others have safely moved to the rear, so we’ve got enough time to assess the situation.”
As Haryeong said, it would take the Black Mountain Bandits some time to reach their rear lines.
“We’re only scouting. Baekrang, you’re the most reliable here, so check things with the others and come back. As quickly as you can.”
At that command, Baekrang immediately assembled his men and hurried away.
While Unryong’s siblings anxiously awaited news from Baekrang—
“Where is he? Where did that guy go?”
From behind them, Yeo appeared, glancing around with a bored expression.
“Why are you here again?”
At that moment, Haryeong had no patience for Yeo’s mean-spirited antics.
How could she maintain her sanity when her brother had disappeared?
They weren’t blood-related, but Unryong was like family to her.
Although Haryeong’s eyes were blazing, Yeo only snickered.
From Yeo’s perspective, it was just an insignificant little wench squawking around.
“Hey, where’s your boss? I asked you.”
“Why are you looking for our brother?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m curious. I want to see how that holier-than-thou guy feels when he betrays his own beliefs and suffers for it.”
If Unryong sought righteousness, Yeo sought power.
In a way, they stood on completely opposing sides.
Watching someone like him crumble—how could that not be entertaining for her?
“…You disgust me.”
“You better watch your mouth, girl. How are you going to deal with the consequences?”
“I don’t care what you say, you have no right to insult my brother.”
“Enough of this, you foolish girl. So, is he off somewhere pissing himself again?”
Yeo twisted her lips into a vicious grin.
Haryeong didn’t bother to respond.
Any further involvement with this woman would make it impossible for her to maintain her composure.
Yeo, seeing that she’d gotten no reaction, lazily sat down and closed her eyes, waiting.
As this tense atmosphere lingered for a while…
“Haryeong! It’s bad!”
Baekrang, who had finished his scouting, returned, panting heavily.
“Our brother is fighting the Black Mountain Bandits!”
“What—?!”
—
The three who had separated from the group to joyfully plunder suddenly stopped their looting at the appearance of a man.
“Who’s this guy?”
“Isn’t he just a beggar? Maybe he’s come groveling to be spared?”
“But why does he have his sword drawn? What a funny guy.”
In this strange moment, the three bandits all burst out laughing.
Whether he had just crawled out of some gutter or been waiting in the shadows, the ragged man standing in their way was certainly a sight to behold.
“Hey, let me ask you something.”
Unryong spoke.
“Have you seen a girl, about this tall, with brown hair?”
One of the Black Mountain Bandits stepped forward and, yawning wide, looked at Unryong with contempt.
“What, are you looking for your little sister? If so, she’s probably already dead.”
He pointed to a sprawled corpse.
“Or, she’s somewhere over there.”
He pointed to the women being dragged away by their hair.
Then, he let out a sleazy laugh.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you thinking of revenge? That’s something you can only do when you’ve got strength. You, a nobody, can’t even dream of that.”
The man smirked, brimming with confidence, as if defeat was an impossibility.
Unryong took one step forward.
“Why is it that scum like you never change? Talking about revenge, grudges, as if you’re fearless, like a dumb dog barking at a tiger.”
Though Unryong didn’t seem particularly large or imposing, his sharp eyes hinted at danger.
Finally, the bandit, pulling out a double ax slung over his back, advanced.
“Hey, listen, kid. When someone gives you advice, you—”
Swoosh!
It was a split second.
The man’s head, severed by Unryong’s sword, rolled to the feet of his companions.
“Wha…?”
A faint voice drifted through the air, and Unryong took another step forward.
“I didn’t want to do this.”
Logically, it would have been better to avoid this fight.
He’d told his siblings as much, and he had resolved to do the same.
“But now, there’s no other way.”
He had made a promise.
A promise to a girl whose name he didn’t even know.
And before he knew it…
He found himself swinging his sword.
The reason didn’t matter.
He simply believed it was the right thing to do.
It didn’t take long for the three to be brutally cut down.
Afterward, Unryong continued to attack any small groups of Black Mountain Bandits he encountered, asking for information about the girl.
As their numbers dwindled, the bandits started moving more systematically, sensing something was wrong.
With things developing this way, not even Unryong could handle it all.
It was better to retreat and reassess the situation from the rear.
That’s how it is in war.
Even if the body burns with fury, the mind must remain cold.
Unryong knew this well.
Just as he turned to retreat…
“Oh, brother…!”
Haryeong, Unsam, and Baekrang—his three younger siblings—were there, rushing toward him.
“What are you doing here?”
Looking closer, it wasn’t just the three of them.
All two hundred of his younger followers were running toward Unryong.
And soon after, Haryeong, shaking with anger, slapped his back hard.
“You’re insane! Insane! How can you always be like this, brother?!”
“Ouch! That hurts!”
“What were you thinking, fighting those bastards?!”
“Stop, stop hitting me!”
Unryong quickly moved out of Haryeong’s reach to avoid further blows.
Then he spoke seriously:
“Listen up. I’ve already made my decision to fight.”
He spoke firmly, so that his siblings could hear him clearly.
“Don’t entertain any foolish thoughts. The enemy numbers two thousand. If we fight them, we’ll die for sure.”
His siblings’ expressions immediately darkened.
Who wouldn’t fear death?
“Why are you doing this, brother?”
Haryeong sighed and asked, sensing the resolve in his eyes.
“I made a promise.”
“A promise?”
“Yes, a promise to find the girl.”
There’s no such thing as a warrior who breaks his promise.
As someone who revered martial arts, how could he break this unspoken rule?
“So go. This is my personal issue. Don’t even think about following me, and rejoin the evacuation.”
For a moment, silence settled over the group.
No one dared to speak.
Unryong simply smiled. He had said what he needed to say.
Upon reflection, if he had disappeared without warning, these kids would have been thrown into chaos. It was right to explain himself first.
Just as Unryong was about to turn his back…
“Brother, don’t say such cold things.”
Unsam pushed through his siblings and stepped forward.
“Without you, brother, I’d have been dead long ago.”
Unsam rested his spear on his shoulder and gave a wide, carefree grin.
“You took in a worthless beggar like me and gave me everything. At first, I thought you were planning to sell us off. But brother, you never asked for anything in return. I thought you were insane. Even though you barely ate, you still shared food with us beggars, and even gave us a place to live. Honestly, I still don’t understand. I would’ve never done that.”
Unsam then clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
“But one thing is clear. I promised that if you went to hell, I would gladly follow you. Even if it’s a pit of fire, I’ll go. If anyone stands in your way, I, Unsam, will cut them down.”
Standing next to Unsam, Baekrang also clasped his hands respectfully.
“I share Unsam’s sentiments. How could I refuse to follow where my brother leads? Brother, you’ve always said that a promise must be kept. Ever since you took me in, I’ve sworn to dedicate my life to you. I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
Finally, Haryeong smacked her forehead and jumped in.
“How is it that it’s always like this?! Always! There’s nothing but fools here! Ugh, seriously!”
“So, you’re not going?”
Unsam teased her, poking her shoulder, and she frowned.
“Do you think you’d be any help going alone? I’m the only one who can read here! How would you plan any strategies without me?!”
The once-heavy air lightened, and soft laughter started to fill the space.
“Brother, stop trying to act cool! You’re giving me goosebumps!”
“Are you trying to take all the glory for yourself? I’ll cut down every last one of them too!”
“Hahaha! Damn it, seems like I won’t be taking it easy this time either!”
At this, Unryong could only feel bewildered.
His siblings were grabbing their weapons and warming up as if preparing for battle.
“I told you not to follow me. Why won’t they listen?”
“Stop whining like an old lady!”
Stupid fools.
Why do they always insist on following a fool like me?
Unryong let out a deep sigh.
But if this was truly their resolve, he would see it through.
That was the leader’s responsibility.
“It can’t be helped then…”
Unryong slowly, very slowly, opened his mouth.
“You fools, if you’re that determined to follow me, come on. I won’t stop you. If, at some point, your steps start to falter, just look at my back. Simply follow me.”
Then, he drew a thin smile.
Even if it meant burning my whole body to ash, I’ll bring you victory.
That was another promise he made to himself.
And then—
“You lunatic! Are you serious?!”
Yeo had sidled up to Unryong, arms crossed, glaring at him disapprovingly.
“You’re all out of your mind. Who the hell walks into hell on purpose?”
“When did you get here?”
At his question, Yeo gritted her teeth.
His face, which she expected to be filled with despair, was annoyingly calm.
He wasn’t afraid of death?
Yeo looked at him with disbelief.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m a bit busy. I need to set up camp and make a plan.”
“What’s the point in planning? You’re all going to die anyway. And concern? Do you really think I’m concerned about a filthy beggar like you?”
“Are you a tsundere?”
“Tsund… what? Are you speaking nonsense again?”
“Wow, you’re such a classic tsundere. This is rare, you know.”
Unryong joked, and Yeo grabbed him by the collar.
“So, you’re planning to die?”
Their eyes locked.
A woman who sought power and a man who sought righteousness.
The two were so different, their values couldn’t possibly align.
Then, Unryong spoke clearly:
“I will win. There’s no way I’m showing my brothers a pitiful side now.”
“Weakling.”
The night of the crescent moon hung above them.