Return of Hades - chapter 06

Return of Hades:

Episode 6

“What? What do you mean?”

“It’s simple. Just help me a little moving forward.”

“Are you asking me to publicly support you?”

Wi Ji-yeon shook her head. That wasn’t what she meant.

“No, the opposite.”

“What?”

“I want you to achieve merit under your uncle. Train harder than now, become stronger, and expand your influence. You need to become your uncle’s clear successor.”

“Yeon-i, are you serious…?”

A look of shock appeared on Wi Ji-jung-hyeok’s face.

“Are you telling me to act as a spy? That’s…”

Wi Ji-jung-hyeok shook his head with a troubled expression. It was understandable.

While simply supporting Wi Ji-yeon or opposing their father’s actions for the greater good was something he could do,

‘Consistently acting as a spy is a completely different story.’

That required a resolve to sever ties with his father entirely, which was no small matter. Therefore, Wi Ji-yeon had no intention of forcing him.

“I’m not asking you to infiltrate and gather information. I know it would be hard for someone like you to do that. I understand.”

“…”

“All I want is for you to become your uncle’s successor. Not your brother, but you.”

“Is that all?”

“Yeah. That way, when I take control of the family later, I can manage the opposition from your uncle’s faction. This is also a measure to minimize the family’s damage.”

“But…”

Wi Ji-jung-hyeok still looked uncertain.

“My brother is there. Is it possible for me to become the successor?”

“It is possible. Your uncle has probably considered you the successor all along.”

This was the truth.

In the first life, in the original history, the uncle had chosen Wi Ji-jung-hyeok as the successor instead of Wi Ji-dae-hyeok.

This was possible because Wi Ji-jung-hyeok’s martial arts and abilities far surpassed those of his brother. Even back then, Wi Ji-jung-hyeok had opposed taking the hereditary rights from Wi Ji-yeon, yet such a decision was made.

‘That shows just how capable Wi Ji-jung-Hyeok is.’

Objectively, this was a fact.

His qualifications were not inferior compared to other prestigious families. Wi Ji-yeon was already planning to actively nurture him.

“Of course, it won’t be easy to decide right away.”

Seeing that he couldn’t make a quick decision, Wi Ji-yeon took a step back.

“You’ve always been distanced from power struggles. It would be hard for you to step up even if I told you to do so now.”

So,

“Take your time to think about it. Even if you decide not to step up, you won’t be blamed for it.”

Wi Ji-Jung-hyeok looked at Wi Ji-Yeon with mixed emotions.

Wi Ji-yeon smiled at him gently.

‘There’s no need to rush.’

After all, Wi Ji-jung- Hyeok would eventually do what he needed to do.

He was that kind of person. Wi Ji-yeon believed in her cousin.

‘Moreover, he will realize it over time.’

That following her, Wi Ji-yeon, was the right thing to do.

Of course, for that to happen…

‘He needs to show it.’

What kind of person he is?

What he is capable of.

Fortunately, the opportunity was just around the corner.

‘On the day of the banquet at Cheongun Association.’

The world would come to know what kind of person Wi Ji-yeon was.

* *

Time passed.

Finally, the day to head to the Cheongun Association arrived.

Wi Ji-yeon checked her physical condition.

‘Not bad.’

Her condition was good.

It was incomparable to when she first returned.

Unlike back then, when she looked like a frail scholar, she now had significant muscle and looked quite fit.

Was it just appearance?

The actual strength she could exert had changed as well. She could now wield a spear made of iron without using the Immovable King’s Heart Technique.

‘Normally, such an achievement wouldn’t be possible in such a short time.’

The power of the Diamond Yaksha Secret Technique greatly contributed to her increased physical abilities.

Thanks to that, she now possessed a physique that wouldn’t lose to the martial artists of any prominent family. It was satisfying.

“Greetings, Young Master Yeon.”

As she was lost in thought, a group of martial artists in blue attire bowed and greeted her.

They were the Cheongpung Squad, one of the martial forces of the Wi family. They were assigned to protect Wi Ji-yeon during this event.

‘Hmm. This is unexpected. I thought the forces from my uncle’s faction would come.’

The Cheongpung Squad belonged to a neutral faction that had no interest in the family’s politics.

In other words, they were loyal to the family, not to the uncle.

Was there a reason for sending these people?

‘Or maybe it’s simply because they were short on manpower.’

Although she pondered this, Wi Ji-yeon didn’t delve too deeply.

Speculating without clear evidence could lead to erroneous conclusions.

And the possibility of being short on personnel was quite high.

The issues facing the Wi family weren’t limited to the Cheongun Association.

‘There are plenty of matters to deal with once I return.’

Whether from her uncle’s faction or not, the martial forces were members of the Wi family. With so many issues arising, it was unlikely they could easily spare anyone.

Moreover,

“I am Jeong Hwi-yeon. I look forward to working with you, Young Master.”

They hadn’t completely excluded their people.

Jaegyeong Pavilion was known as part of her uncle’s faction, just like the Gamchal Pavilion.

Sending the deputy from such a place meant…

‘They intend to monitor my actions.’

But that was fine.

Wi Ji-yeon maintained a calm demeanor and greeted them with a smile.

“It will be a little over two weeks for this journey, but I look forward to working with all of you. I am Wi Ji-yeon.”

“We look forward to working with you, Young Master!”

The Cheongpung Squad responded loudly.

Wi Ji-yeon looked at them and smiled contentedly.

Even though it was only about ten members from the Cheongpung Squad accompanying her…

‘If a group of martial artists is moving together, there shouldn’t be any annoying incidents on the way.’

The journey to the Cheongun Association should be pleasant.

* *

…or so she thought.

“Ha ha ha! If you don’t want to die, hand over everything loaded in the carriage!”

Wi Ji-yeon looked ahead in disbelief.

What she saw was a group of bandits.

There were about thirty to forty of them, perhaps?

Dressed in shabby clothing but armed with worn axes and spears.

“I didn’t expect to run into bandits with so many martial artists around.”

Wi Ji-yeon muttered with a look of exasperation.

Well, the Green Forest Bandits were known to rob even larger groups than this…

‘But I heard there weren’t any Green Forest Bandits around here?’

Was the information wrong?

Or was there another reason?

In any case, this was not a pleasant situation.

Wi Ji-yeon sighed.

“What should we do, Young Master?”

“What do you mean, what should we do?”

It was clear from their sneering smiles that the bandits had no intention of sparing them.

Even if they did spare them, they couldn’t afford to lose the goods meant for the Cheongun Association.

So the only option was to fight.

“All units, prepare for battle. Protect the horses and the carriage.”

“Prepare for battle!”

With the loud voice of the third captain of the Cheongpung Squad, all members drew their swords.

However, the expressions of both the squad members and the other attendants under their protection were not good.

First of all, the number of bandits was much greater.

Moreover, the third captain had come, which meant that the combat abilities were relatively lacking…

‘Morale is quite low.’

Well, it was understandable.

They hadn’t anticipated this situation.

But Wi Ji-yeon remained calm.

Low morale?

‘Then let’s raise it.’

The method was quite simple.

Wi Ji-yeon turned to the stern-faced third captain.

“Captain, from now on, you must risk your life to protect the carriage.”

“Excuse me? You mean the carriage?”

The captain, who expected to be ordered to protect himself, tilted his head in confusion.

But he hadn’t misheard.

“Yes. If the carefully prepared gifts get damaged, it would be a big problem.”

“But if we only protect, the situation will worsen. Someone needs to break their front line to suppress their morale. Otherwise…”

“In the end, we’ll be surrounded and annihilated. I understand. That’s why I told you to protect the carriage.”

“I’m sorry, Young Master. If I don’t step up, who will break their morale?”

“I will.”

“Excuse me?”

Before he could even hear that answer…

Pah!

Wi Ji-yeon dashed forward.

The third captain’s mouth dropped open.

*   *   *

“What the hell! Young Master!”

A voice of panic echoed from behind.

But Wi Ji-yeon ignored it.

Instead, she drew upon the Immovable King’s Heart Technique and the energy she had accumulated until now.

“What? Just a kid?”

“Why did he suddenly jump out?”

“I don’t know! Does he want to die?”

The nearby bandits chuckled as they blocked her way.

Their eyes were full of confidence, and their movements were relaxed.

Anyone could see they were not tense at all.

Wi Ji-yeon smiled at them and thrust her spear.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Uh…”

In an instant, three holes appeared in the necks of the bandits.

In the blink of an eye.

They couldn’t even wipe the smiles off their faces, just falling with blank expressions.

“This crazy kid!”

The nearby bandit reacted immediately.

He raised his axe high above his head and prepared to strike down.

Thud!

Something lodged into his neck.

It was a dagger thrown by Wi Ji-yeon.

He looked down in disbelief before collapsing.

“Kill him! Kill him!”

“It’s a martial artist! Don’t let your guard down just because he’s a kid!”

The situation flipped.

The bandits, who had been so confident and surrounded them, now focused all their murderous intent on Wi Ji-yeon. But she merely scoffed and brushed it off.

She leaped into the midst of the bandits.

The massacre began.

With every swing of her spear, lives were extinguished.

With every dagger thrown, screams echoed.

Wi Ji-yeon mixed in among the herd like a wolf among sheep.

Her fierce spear movements resembled the mythical Diamond Yaksha.

“Monster…”

Naturally, the bandits couldn’t withstand it.

“It’s a monster! Run away!”

“Ahhhhh!”

The bandits, who had been laughing just moments ago, were now filled with fear and fled in all directions. The leader, trying to rally his subordinates, couldn’t change the situation.

He too lost his head in a single blow from Wi Ji-yeon.

How much time passed?

“Gah…”

The last remaining bandit had a hole pierced through his heart.

Thud.

With a heavy sound, the bandit fell forward.

“Phew.”

Wi Ji-yeon shook off the blood-soaked spear.

It was a complete victory.