Chapter 67
"... Are you laughing?"
Seeing Jaseong suddenly let out a faint laugh, Han Soweol frowned.
She couldn't discern the meaning behind that laugh.
Moreover, what happened next was even more incomprehensible.
Srrrng―
Jaseong slowly unsheathed his sword.
The sound of the blade sliding out of the scabbard filled the private room.
Witnessing this, Han Soweol and the three guardian warriors wore expressions of disbelief.
"Are you being foolish, or just reckless? You dare to face us while poisoned with Ki Dispersing Poison?"
Han Soweol spoke in a cold voice.
The gazes of the other guardians also turned frosty.
'... How truly foolish. He has no use of his internal energy, yet tries to resist us.'
'Since the lady cherishes him, I intended to show some mercy....'
But it was at that very moment—
Goooo―
Suddenly, golden internal power erupted from Jaseong's body.
"?!"
At that instant, Han Soweol and the three guardians' eyes simultaneously widened.
For someone poisoned with Ki Dispersing Poison to operate internal energy—this was an impossibility.
'How could this be...?!'
Could he have neutralized the Ki Dispersing Poison with internal energy?
But neutralizing poison with internal energy required at least the cultivation of two master levels.
From Han Soweol's perspective, Jaseong's internal energy fell far short of such a level.
'Then how did he break the Ki Dispersing Poison? Unless... he's learned some kind of special internal arts?'
Her guess was spot on.
The reason Jaseong just laughed was that he had used Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula to purify the Ki Dispersing Poison in an instant.
While Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula did not elevate the practitioner to the level of a body immune to all poisons, it was enough to drive out weaker toxins using internal energy.
Fortunately, the Ki Dispersing Poison used by Han Soweol, although a poison, was among the weaker varieties.
It only sealed the ki within the dantian and had no other effect on ordinary people—something Heaven Evading Soul Transformation Formula could easily handle.
'Heaven Evading Flash Sword, eight form: Silent Shock Thunder.'
Jaseong's sword energy cleaved through the air, sending off a blinding flash.
Next, with the flash came a deafening crash!
"Ugh?!"
At the sudden blast, the three guardians instinctively clutched their ears.
Silent Shock Thunder, the eight form of Heaven Evading Flash Sword, was a technique that created a sonic wave with sword energy, temporarily numbing the opponent's auditory nerves.
Those struck would lose their hearing and sense of balance for a time,
and those with weak internal power would even spit blood.
"How dare you!"
Of all, only Han Soweol, possessing profound internal energy, could endure the blast unscathed.
Immediately, she unleashed the secret sword art of the North Sea Ice Palace, the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art.
Kaang!
The chilling force unique to the Ice Lord Asura Sword Art clashed with Jaseong's golden sword energy, and a fierce metallic resonance echoed.
Jaseong, holding back the Celestial Gate Opening Art, defended himself using only the Samadhi Eyes.
And yet, he was able to contend with the peak expert Han Soweol's Ice Lord Asura Sword Art.
He'd witnessed the sword lines of the technique countless times alongside Lee Rin.
Thus, Han Soweol's sword movements were laid bare before his eyes.
Kakang! Kakakang!
Each time Jaseong's sword collided with hers, flashes of surprise appeared in Han Soweol's eyes.
'To think his swordsmanship is at this level... It wasn't just an empty boast that he won the Dark Path Duel Banquet...!'
As Jaseong and Han Soweol exchanged blows, the inn was shattered in all directions.
Eventually, one wall completely gave way, and spectators began to pour in for a look.
And then, just as the duel between Jaseong and Han Soweol crossed the two-hundred-exchange mark—
"Nursemaid! Please, stop!"
Bang—!
The inn's doors burst open, and a woman with jade-like skin rushed in.
It was Lee Rin.
Without hesitation, she leapt between Jaseong and Han Soweol and spread her arms wide.
"Lady!"
The guardians cried out in alarm.
With a resolute expression, Lee Rin looked at Han Soweol.
"Nursemaid, sheath your sword. He is my benefactor."
"Your benefactor?"
"You heard I placed in the Dark Path Duel Banquet, right?"
"Well, that's because your martial arts are exceptional..."
"If not for this great hero here, I would have been eliminated in the preliminaries. No, I might have lost my life at the Dark Path Duel Banquet."
"......!"
Han Soweol's gaze wavered.
Lee Rin continued firmly.
"That's not all. Thanks to the great hero, I even learned the secret technique of Shadowless Divine Thief, the Shadowless Body Technique. See? I've become so fast even the guardians can't catch up."
"My lady..."
"And more than anything... While traveling with him, I've accumulated memories I never could have in the North Sea."
"......"
"I intend to keep journeying the martial world with the great hero, building memories."
Lee Rin declared with unwavering eyes.
Facing her, Han Soweol let out a deep sigh.
'She's still so naïve, my lady.'
To think of making memories in such a ruthless martial world, not knowing how dangerous it is...
With a long sigh, Han Soweol relented and withdrew her murderous intent.
And then she spoke once more.
"The Ice Palace Mistress is here."
Lee Rin's eyes widened greatly.
"What...? Mother? Here in the Central Plains?!"
"Not here in Guangxi Province, rather, up north in Hubei."
"Why is Mother in the Central Plains...."
"It's because of matters with the Murim Alliance."
'... Murim Alliance?'
A puzzled look flashed in Jaseong's eyes.
For the North Sea Ice Palace Mistress—a new external power—to venture into the Central Plains over Murim Alliance affairs? What could be happening?
"I'll explain in detail later. Anyway, if you truly wish to remain in the Central Plains, you must personally go and convince the Mistress."
"......."
"If you can succeed, you may remain in the Central Plains."
At these words, Lee Rin's expression turned complex.
She knew all too well how difficult it was to persuade her mother.
"I'll return in a week."
Han Soweol gave a cupped fist salute as farewell.
Then she turned to Jaseong.
Her gaze was as chilling as a winter wind.
"If you wish to remain at my lady's side, you must come as well—though it may cost you your life."
With those words, the guardians of the North Sea Ice Palace left the inn without a sound.
* * *
After the Ice Palace guardians departed, Jaseong and his party returned to Black Wind Pavilion.
Lee Rin, who always used to walk right beside Jaseong, now trailed several steps behind.
"... I'm sorry, great hero."
"For what?"
"For getting you involved in a fight with the guardians..."
"It's fine. No one got hurt, after all."
Even with Jaseong's calm reply, Lee Rin's face did not brighten.
Her usual cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by a deep shadow.
'I'd best talk to her after finishing my business here.'
To tie up loose ends in the Guangxi Province, Jaseong proceeded to Black Wind Pavilion.
As he entered, he found the corridor lined with members of the Black Wind Society standing at attention.
"Greetings to the new master!"
As Jaseong approached, the Black Wind Society's members trembled and bowed their heads deeply.
There was no longer any hint of rebellion in their eyes.
Only fear and obedience remained.
Step, step—
Jaseong entered the inner chamber where the leaders of Black Wind Pavilion resided.
Located on the top floor, the master's chamber was exceedingly extravagant.
The walls were covered in calligraphy, paintings, and antiques; the chairs made of tiger skin; even the tables adorned with pure gold.
This spectacle made it clear how lavish a life the Black Wind Society's heads had led.
"Greetings to the new master!"
Sixteen men were already assembled in the chamber.
They were the 'commanders of the Black Wind Society' whom Jaseong had summoned.
But on close inspection, none were high-ranking commanders.
They were all low-rank captains and action leaders.
'The big shots always have plots of their own. The smart move is to discipline the lower ranks with both carrot and stick.'
Thinking this to himself, Jaseong sat down on the tiger-skin chair.
At the sight, the captains gulped nervously.
Jaseong stared piercingly at them.
Then, at some point—
Thud—
He tossed each trembling captain a gold bar.
"H-huh...!"
"W-what's the meaning of this, all of a sudden...?!"
As the gold bars landed before them, the captains' eyes went wide.
It was an amount of gold they never thought they'd touch in their lives.
"From now on, you are the new hall masters of the Black Wind Society."
"U-us...?!"
"I am strict with rewards and punishments. If you follow my orders well, you will see more gold than this bar you've received."
"......!!"
"But should you ever disobey or betray me... it will be the end of you in this world."
"W-we pledge our loyalty!"
The new masters rose from their seats and knelt, crying out.
Having witnessed both carrot and stick from Jaseong, their eyes shone with fear mixed with expectation.
To rule over the dark path like this, brute strength alone was not enough.
A special knack for bending men to one's will with words was required.
It was a quality Taoists of the Righteous Faction or greenhouse-raised sons of noble families could never possess.
Raised in the unforgiving Red Light District, Jaseong was more gifted with this quality than anyone.
'Now, all that's needed is time. Soon, the Black Wind Society will become my loyal force.'
Thus, Jaseong completed his first expansion of power.
He now possessed the strength to take one more step toward his foes.
Afterward, he went to see Lee Rin in her guest room.
From the look she gave earlier, it was clear they needed to talk.
Creak—creak—
Stepping on the creaking wooden stairs, Jaseong made his way to Lee Rin's room.
A small inner chamber located in a corner on Black Wind Pavilion's second floor.
However, when Jaseong arrived, Lee Rin was already packed and ready to leave.
The bundle strapped to her back looked heavy, and she wore plain travel clothes instead of her usual fancy garb.
The sunset streaming through the window tinted the side of her face a vivid red.
"I'm sorry, great hero."
Lee Rin turned to Jaseong and spoke softly.
"If I remain with you, I feel I'll keep bringing you trouble."
"......."
"So... I've decided to leave."
Jaseong was momentarily silent.
The air in the room felt heavy and still.
Only the hawking cries of merchants outside broke the silence.
"I don't know when, but let's definitely meet again someday. When I've trained hard in the North Sea and become strong enough to earn everyone's recognition, I'll come seek you out in the martial world."
With that, Lee Rin turned away.
It looked as if she had more to say, her crimson lips trembling, but in the end, she could not bring herself to speak.
But as she turned her back—
"What you said to your nursemaid earlier—did you mean it?"
"... What do you mean?"
"That you want to keep traveling the martial world with me."
"... Of course I meant it."
"Then come with me."
"Huh...? Where?"
"To meet the Ice Palace Mistress."
"What...?!"
Lee Rin's eyes grew wide with surprise.
Meeting her mother, the Ice Palace Mistress, was a perilous affair for any outsider.
Even Nursemaid Han Soweol had warned, "You may have to bet your life."
'Yet he says he'll come with me...'
Lee Rin was anxious.
Yet despite her worries, a radiant glow began to appear on her shadowed face,
like a plum blossom blooming at the end of winter.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Is Jaseong going to meet his mother-in-law?
【「(°ヘ°)?】