Rebirth of the Thunder God

The reason there was no trace of Jo Seongho and the Black Spirit was obvious.

Their boat had not run aground.

On the contrary, it was floating far away in the distance.

It had gone so far that it was now only faintly visible.

And the fact that they were visible meant.

'The formation of the area has been dismantled. Was the explosion earlier the aftereffect of the formation breaking?'

In any case. Whatever it was, since the formation had disappeared, Namgung Hui's feet were even freer.

Since the huge, swirling whirlpool had disappeared, there was nothing to hold him back.

Namgung Hui, before the warriors of the black market could flock again, quickly spurred on and pulled the raft.

-Swoosh!

The raft sped forward like a sailboat.

The youngest child among the slaves on the raft said with excitement.

"Wow~! It's so fast! Sister. Open your mouth like this. The wind is coming in."

The girl puffed out her cheeks.

Her appearance was so comical that the leader woman also laughed along.

Namgung Hui, hoping that the slaves' laughter would continue, pulled the raft vigorously.

A moment later, by the time Namgung Hui's internal energy was about to run out, they were able to reach the land.

It was a place opposite the pier where they had boarded the boat before, a place with dense trees that was difficult to observe from the outside.

As the raft came to a complete stop on the land, the slaves got off the raft one by one.

"Sigh... We really escaped."

"That's right. Is this a dream or reality? Ouch! It's not a dream."

There was a slave who pinched his own cheek.

And there was a slave who shed tears of emotion.

No, they could no longer be called slaves.

Since they had completely regained their freedom.

"Benefactor. It's a shameless thing to say, but if we go into Hangzhou like this, we'll surely be suspected. I'm sorry, but could you get us some clothes?"

Since he had decided to help, it would be better to handle it properly.

If they were caught again by the forces of the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance or the black market, the trouble Namgung Hui had gone through would be in vain.

"Alright. But you, come with me. I don't think I'll have enough hands alone."

In fact, Namgung Hui had other plans, but there was no need to say them.

The leader woman readily nodded and said.

"Yes. It would be better if I chose them myself. And if I'm alone, I won't arouse suspicion. Then everyone, hide here. Don't come out under any circumstances."

"Yes, young lady."

"Yes, sister."

Even though they had only been together for a short time, they sincerely followed the woman.

Her charisma and leadership were more outstanding than he had thought.

He became quite curious as to why such a woman had been captured as a slave.

He could find that out later, so he headed for a clothier's shop with the woman.

The streets of Hangzhou were quite bright even at dawn.

All sorts of lanterns were illuminating the world here and there.

And the loud voices of drunkards did not let the dawn sleep.

As Namgung Hui entered the clothier's shop, an employee came running out.

At first, he frowned at the shabbily dressed woman, but he quickly changed his expression after seeing Namgung Hui's fierce face.

"I'd like to buy some clothes."

"Are they for the lady here?"

"Yes. And about ten..."

"For now, I'll just buy one set for myself."

The woman quickly cut off Namgung Hui's words.

Namgung Hui was curious as to why she was only buying one set, but he decided to follow her lead for now.

She must have had some thought.

"Then I'll choose for you..."

"No. It's alright. I'll choose myself."

The woman refused the employee's help and chose the clothes herself.

It was a plain garment, not particularly flashy or decorated.

So much so that it wouldn't remain in one's memory even after seeing it once.

'Yes. It's better not to stand out.'

Her insight was excellent.

However, the employee of the clothier's shop had a bad expression, perhaps because she had bought cheap clothes.

As Namgung Hui paid with iron coins, the woman came out after changing her clothes inside.

She could have thrown away her old clothes, but she was still holding them.

The woman linked her arm with Namgung Hui's and said.

"Brother. Let's go quickly. You have to buy me other things too."

Namgung Hui was slightly bothered by the touch on his arm, but if he reacted awkwardly here, the employee would become suspicious.

Namgung Hui said with a calm expression.

"Yes. Alright."

As Namgung Hui came out to the marketplace again with the woman, the woman whispered softly.

"That clothier's shop just now. It's a branch run by the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance. The employee is probably also affiliated with the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance."

"How did you know that?"

"The members of the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance have a red mark inside. It's usually used to mean, 'We are affiliated with the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance, so don't mess with us.' If we had bought ten sets of clothes, we might have been tracked later. And the reason I called you 'brother' is because we'll arouse less suspicion if we look like lovers."

"I know that without you explaining it. By the way, what's your name?"

"My name is Cheon Yeohwa, Young Master."

"Young Master?"

Namgung Hui had not yet undone his face-changing technique.

His current face was not only fierce, but he also looked to be at least in his late twenties.

In other words, he was not of an age to be called 'Young Master'.

Cheon Yeohwa, as if she understood Namgung Hui's question, smiled and said.

"You can just tell by the way you treat women. You're not married yet, are you? And that face is fake."

"..."

Namgung Hui was curious as to how on earth she had found out.

His voice was also much deeper than Namgung Hui's.

And the face-changing technique he had learned from the Hao Faction Head was also flawless.

'Her insight is quite good. At this rate, she's worth bringing in.'

"Yes. As you said, this face is not mine, and I'm younger than this face. But it would be strange to start using honorifics again, so let's just keep it this way."

"That's fine. Age doesn't matter. What is your name, benefactor?"

Namgung Hui contemplated for a moment whether he should reveal his identity.

If he were to bring her to his side anyway, it was a fact he would have to tell her someday.

And if she heard the name 'Namgung', it would be even easier to draw her in.

"My name is Namgung Hui."

"!? Namgung? Could it be...!"

"Yes. It's the Namgung family, one of the five great families you're thinking of. I'm the youngest son there. Now that we've introduced ourselves, let's go buy the rest of the clothes."

A ripple appeared on the woman's face, which had maintained its composure until now.

Could she have had a connection with the Namgung family?

Or perhaps the fame of the Namgung name was still widespread among the people.

The woman, who had regained her composure, said.

"Ah. Then let's go to that clothier's shop. I saw that there was no mark there."

"Let's do that."

At this clothier's shop, they bought nine sets of clothes.

He had thought she would throw away her old clothes here, but Cheon Yeohwa folded the clothes neatly and said.

"These are the last clothes my parents bought for me. It's a little sad to throw them away here."

"Well, it's not like I'm carrying them, so do as you please. Then are we done with what we need to get?"

"Lastly, let's buy some alcohol. It would be most plausible to disguise ourselves as drunkards."

Nod nod.

It was a good idea, even for Namgung Hui.

Even if they couldn't answer properly at a surprise inspection, they would think it was because they were not yet sober.

They would not have expected people who had just escaped from a slave market to be drinking.

Namgung Hui bought several bottles of cheap liquor from an inn.

For snacks, he bought roasted duck and dumplings, which were easy to pack.

With nine sets of clothes, alcohol, and snacks, the luggage was more than full.

Still, thanks to Cheon Yeohwa's skillful carrying of the clothes, they were able to carry the luggage safely.

"Ah! It's sister!"

A young girl ran out and took some of Cheon Yeohwa's luggage.

Cheon Yeohwa distributed the clothes she had been carrying to each person, and even to Namgung Hui's eyes, the body measurements seemed to be a perfect fit.

He had to admit her insight was truly remarkable.

"Now, we'll drink this alcohol and disguise ourselves as drunkards to get out. We'll split up, so go with the group I've assigned you to. Got it?"

"If the pretty one says so, I'd go even if it's hell. Alright."

"Sister will take care of it. Still, I want to go with you, sister..."

They all followed Cheon Yeohwa's opinion, sending their trust and faith.

Namgung Hui, instead, poured the alcohol and distributed it to the people.

"Actually, I was going to buy the specialty of West Lake, Dongpo pork, but it seemed difficult to pack, so I brought roasted duck instead. It's a shame, but please be satisfied with this."

"Oh my! Benefactor. We also have some shame. We're grateful enough for just the roasted duck."

"Then I'm glad. You'll probably never get to see Hangzhou again, as you'll be sick of it."

"Is the Dongpo pork of West Lake the only best in the world? The Dongpo pork in my hometown is also amazing. Ahem. I'd like to treat you later, benefactor, but it seems that will be difficult."

The people also knew that Namgung Hui was no ordinary person.

They would think that just from the martial prowess he had shown, his fame in the martial world would be widespread.

Of course, right now, Namgung Hui's fame was less than that of a mere member of the younger generation.

That was why he was going to participate in the Martial Alliance tournament to build his fame.

"Then let's eat before it gets cold. And when the sun starts to rise, the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance and the black market will begin their full-scale search, so I pray for your safe escape."

There was a limit to how much Namgung Hui could help alone.

His body was one, and his martial power could not deal with the entire Heretic Practitioners' Alliance.

That was why he was planning to draw in his own people and expand his numbers in the future.

Even Cheon Yeohwa before him was one of those cornerstones.

'Still, there's no talent as outstanding as Seolhwa. Martial power, credibility. Trustworthy people are indeed hard to find.'

As Namgung Hui was thinking about Baek Seolhwa for a moment, Cheon Yeohwa, who had finished organizing the groups, approached and asked.

"Brother. What are you thinking about so hard?"

"Brother? You don't even know how old I am, do you? And there's no need to act anymore."

"Still, we have to get out of here again, so it's better to get used to the title in advance. If I unconsciously call you 'benefactor', people will stare, won't they?"

The case of being called 'benefactor' was quite rare.

And people would be drawn to wonder what kind of person he was to be called 'benefactor'.

Even Namgung Hui himself would surely stop eating and stare if he heard the title 'benefactor' from the side.

"Then do as you please."

"Speak comfortably again."

"Alright. Are the preparations almost done?"

"Yes. Just need to finish this alcohol. Would you like a drink, brother?"

Namgung Hui shook his head.

Not only did he not enjoy alcohol, but it wouldn't be good for Namgung Hui to get drunk as well.

Since he could just perform a new face-changing technique, there was no need to smell of alcohol.

'Jo Seongho and the Black Spirit must have escaped safely. In any case, I have no more business with them.'

He had gotten everything he needed from Jo Seongho.

The restored version of the diary and some decent antiques.

He had also gotten back the elixir of the Potala Palace from the Black Spirit.

On the contrary, he had saved silver.

The fact that she was a descendant of the Jinju Eon family was a little concerning, but Namgung Hui had no connection with the Jinju Eon family.

Not in his past life. And not in his present life.

As Namgung Hui was organizing his thoughts, the people emptied their liquor bottles.

The dumplings and roasted duck, which he had thought he had bought generously, were now just a pile of bones.

Namgung Hui casually said to the people who were patting their full stomachs.

"Now, everyone, please disperse well with your assigned groups. And Cheon Yeohwa, you follow me."

"As expected. With sister's beauty, I knew you'd take her."

"Hey! Do you think the benefactor is such a lecherous person?"

"His face looks like it..."

The girl's words were not particularly wrong.

Even to Namgung Hui's thoughts, his current face was fierce and had lecherous-looking corners of the eyes.

Of course, the girl's words were a little rude.

The person to correct and teach this would be her parents, but the fact that she had been dragged here meant that there was no one to play that role.

Namgung Hui undid his face-changing technique and said.

"Child. Does my face look lecherous now too?"

"Wow! You're so handsome! But who are you, brother?"

The girl was pure.

And as young as she was, she was also ignorant.

A person had changed in front of her, but she seemed to think it was just a different person.

Namgung Hui stroked the girl's head and continued.

"It's your personal opinion to judge a person by their appearance, so I can't say anything about it, but to say it out loud is another matter. Would you feel good if you were called a beggar just because you're shabby?"

"I'm not a beggar..."

"Yes. Just as I'm not a lecherous person even if I have the face from before. Of course, that's not my face, this is my real face."

"But why are you only taking my sister? Isn't it because she's pretty? All the men I've seen were like that..."

The girl's judgment came from experience.

Enough to have accumulated even in her short life.

Men were weak for beautiful women.

Namgung Hui, perhaps because he had developed an immunity to beautiful women, was not tempted by Cheon Yeohwa's beauty.

In fact, two people more beautiful than Cheon Yeohwa immediately came to his mind.

If he thought of his deceased mother, it would be three.

"What was the ability Cheon Yeohwa showed? The things she showed while escaping from the island to here."

"Sister? She was really amazing. She encouraged us and led us when we were trembling. And she's so smart, she must be a genius!"

She praised Cheon Yeohwa with all her passion, even though she was not her blood relative.

That's how outstanding a talent Cheon Yeohwa was.

That was why Namgung Hui was trying to take her.

"That's why this brother is trying to take her. Just as you were dragged here, there must be many other innocent people, right? We need your sister's ability for their revenge."

Of course, the revenge of the people who had been captured as slaves was not the main reason.

But if he told the girl that their revenge would also be carried out, she would be quick to understand.

In the first place, if the black market was also a source of funds for the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance, it was Namgung Hui's enemy.

'And above all, if that General was the one who had been leaking my information, even more so.'

The priority had changed.

At first, he had little interest, but now his attention was focused on the Heretic Practitioners' Alliance and the black market.

The General. He had to catch this man.

Where on earth had he heard about the Thunder Sect?

And he had to find out if he had created this strange object and deciphered the martial arts of the Thunder Sect.

"Then where are you going, brother?"

"The Namgung estate. That's my home."

Namgung Hui actually hesitated for a moment whether he should tell her this.

In case they were caught and mentioned the name 'Namgung estate'.

But to reassure the girl, he needed to mention the name 'Namgung'.

And above all, if he hid the name 'Namgung' here, his sworn brother in heaven would be angry.

"The Namgung estate is one of the five great families! You're a more amazing person than I thought, brother."

"Isn't the martial arts I showed amazing enough?"

"Oh...? Come to think of it, that's right. Hehe."

Namgung Hui, as a lot of time had passed, neatly arranged the girl's hair and stood up from his seat.

"Cheon Yeohwa. You must have heard the story, so I don't need to explain further, right?"

"Yes, brother."

Namgung Hui looked at the remaining people and continued.

"Then I wish you all good luck."

As Namgung Hui left with Cheon Yeohwa, people waved from a distance.

Of course, perhaps because of Cheon Yeohwa's warning, no one shouted.

And so, Namgung Hui seemed to be leaving Hangzhou with Cheon Yeohwa, but they could not leave Hangzhou.

(End of Chapter)