Rebirth of the Thunder God

-Kuung!

With a heavy sound, dust billowed up on the dueling stage.

It was because someone had lost consciousness and collapsed on the stage.

At that sight, the audience all nodded as if they had expected it and said.

"As expected, that Yelu-something has collapsed."

"He fought much better than I thought, my heart almost dropped. But I'm glad I won the bet."

As the thick dust cleared, just as the audience had predicted, Yelu Guang was lying face down on the dueling stage.

At the sight of Yelu Guang, Namgung Hui should have been frowning, but instead, he was smiling.

The referee stood up, approached Murong Junseong, and said.

"Murong Junseong. Out of bounds defeat! Yelu Guang is the winner!"

-Murmur, murmur!

The audience, unable to accept it, murmured and even shouted.

"Hey! Referee! That Yelu-something clearly collapsed first. So why is it the Heavenly Dragon's defeat?"

The referee pointed to Murong Junseong's feet and said.

"If you look at his feet here, he was already out of bounds before he extended his sword. The judges' meeting has already taken place. We will not accept any objections."

As if to prove the referee's words.

Dust had settled on Murong Junseong's clearly marked footprints.

The fact that the footprints were made before the dust meant that he had already been knocked out of the dueling stage before Yelu Guang collapsed.

There were still spectators who couldn't accept it, but the martial masters with good eyes nodded slightly and sat back down.

"Damn it! I lost money because of some country bumpkin."

"You may have lost five silver taels, but I bet a full twenty. I don't know what to tell my wife."

Namgung Hui recalled Yelu Guang's hidden move and wore a deep smile.

'Guang used his abundant internal ki. He landed a solid blow on the Heavenly Dragon. That move just now was definitely the Void-Piercing Palm.'

Void-Piercing Palm. Or Sky-Splitting Palm.

It was one of the mysteries of issuing force.

A technique of striking the empty air to launch a palm wind.

Issuing force itself was a high-level technique, so it was difficult to even imitate easily.

In fact, in a duel where sword ki and sword aura were forbidden, it was right to also forbid issuing force, which was a much higher-level technique than sword ki, but the history of the martial arts tournament was not long.

And who would have expected that someone among the young martial artists could perform such a Void-Piercing Palm?

That was why there were quite a few loopholes in the rules of the martial arts tournament.

Even the Art of Controlling the Sword with Ki was not forbidden, so no one could call it a foul even if someone used it.

Of course, a master of that level wouldn't bother to use the Art of Controlling the Sword with Ki against a young martial artist.

Murong Junseong rubbed his abdomen where he had been hit by the Void-Piercing Palm, then finally moved his feet.

It seemed his insides had been shaken, and he had been standing in place to calm himself.

Even if he had known Yelu Guang, he probably hadn't expected the Void-Piercing Palm.

Rather, it might have been the price of his carelessness because he knew Yelu Guang.

"You may not have mastered the ultimate technique, but you have properly inherited the secret art. Hahaha! Yes. It is my defeat. Yelu Guang."

Despite being the loser, Murong Junseong flamboyantly flapped his martial arts robes and exited.

Even at the last moment, he disappeared, kicking up dust, which Namgung Hui found quite displeasing.

'Guang is going to eat dust again.'

"Cough! Cough!"

Coughing up dust, Yelu Guang stood up.

In fact, in terms of injuries, Yelu Guang was much more hurt.

His skin was cut, and blood was flowing freely.

And the side that was pierced at the end, it would be a relief if his intestines weren't damaged.

Namgung Hui jumped down from the audience seats and supported Yelu Guang.

"The people of the Martial Alliance are so heartless. Someone is hurt, and no one steps up? Is there no doctor here?"

Perhaps because Yelu Guang was an outsider, no one seemed to be stepping up.

But perhaps because Namgung Hui had spoken loudly, someone came running with a stretcher and laid Yelu Guang down.

"Young master. Please leave this to our medical hall and return to the audience seats."

"What were you doing all this time, and you're only coming out now?"

"We were delayed because we were getting the stretcher."

"Good grief. You should have prepared such things in advance. If anything happens to my younger brother, you'll be responsible. I may not look like it, but I know the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader..."

Flinch.

When he used the name of the Four Divine Troupe Leader, the people from the medical hall showed a slight sign of surprise.

And for good reason. The Four Divine Troupes were the central institutions of the Martial Alliance.

If Namgung Hui really had a close relationship with the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader, he could intentionally cause them harm.

"Ahem! I understand. We will take care of him with all our heart, so please do not report to the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader."

"We'll see how you do."

The medical hall staff quickly put Yelu Guang on the stretcher and disappeared.

Still, Yelu Guang wasn't severely injured, so there probably wouldn't be any major problems.

With Yelu Guang gone, Namgung Hui's expression hardened, and he moved behind a deserted pavilion.

Then, as if waiting for Namgung Hui, someone approached him with their back to the shadows.

"When did I say you could use my title? It wouldn't be good if our connection was revealed because of that."

It was the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader, who had been watching Namgung Hui and had followed him to a secluded spot.

Namgung Hui looked at the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader and let out a small laugh.

"They already suspect you, so would something like this cause any trouble?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Dark Shadow Brigade Leader mentioned you when he died. And you know the General visited recently, right? The Association has been smelling something for a long time. You're not unaware of that, are you?"

"..."

It was only natural.

The moment he had leaked the weaknesses of the Orthodox Faction members.

There was no way to escape the suspicion of the Hoicheon Association.

Now that Yewol had even reported to the General, the suspicious gazes directed at the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader would only grow stronger.

Namgung Hui using his name could actually act as a variable and provide an opportunity.

"Did Yewol also join you?"

"Since we've decided to be in the same boat, there's no need to hide it. Yes, that's right. Yewol has decided to join us as well."

"The progress is faster than I expected. Then I'll need to adjust my pace as well."

"Speaking of which, since I've shown my cards, shouldn't you show your hidden cards too?"

"Hidden cards... Alright. Take this."

Namgung Hui accepted the letter that the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader handed him and asked.

"What is this?"

"It's a list of people who have been co-opted by the Hoicheon Association. I've specifically selected only the renowned masters of the martial world from there. From now on, it's up to you whether you roast them or boil them."

"Oho..."

For now, it was a great relief that this list hadn't been passed on to the Hoicheon Association.

Now that he had even co-opted Yewol, if she also kept her mouth shut, it meant it wouldn't be passed on to the Hoicheon Association.

Well, what mattered was how much the General had dug up in the meantime, but he would have to endure that much of a loss.

'Reducing the leakage of our strength is always a welcome thing. And if I can just grab their weaknesses and use them...'

It would also work out well for Namgung Hui.

Of course, if he were to wield their weaknesses as he pleased, he would be no different from the Hoicheon Association, but he didn't want to be considerate of people who had done things to have their weaknesses caught in the first place.

'It wouldn't be a bad idea to clean house at this opportunity.'

"Then I'll be on my way. It would be best for you to stay out of sight for the time being as well."

"Did someone from the Association come out?"

"Well. I think Yewol would know more about that than I do."

"Really? Well, I'll make good use of the information, thank you."

The Black Tortoise Troupe Leader, who was about to leave, stopped and added a word.

"It doesn't matter when we're alone, but it would be best for you to show me some respect as well."

Namgung Hui had thought of him as an enemy until now, so he hadn't used any honorifics.

But they had decided to be in the same boat.

And his current appearance was that of an elder, so it was right to show respect.

"Ahem! Then, senior. I look forward to working with you."

"Working with me?"

"I look forward to working with you, sir. Is that better?"

"Is this what it feels like to receive a bow while lying down? Anyway. I look forward to working with you too. Hidden Dragon."

The Black Tortoise Troupe Leader patted Namgung Hui's shoulder and disappeared.

His appearance resembled that of a senior praising his junior, so it was not out of place but rather extremely natural.

Even if others saw it, their meeting would look like a senior giving advice or encouragement to a junior.

'If the people from the Hebei Paeng family saw this, they would think he was giving a warning. Did the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader also aim for this? He's a smarter person than I thought.'

Perhaps because he usually walked around with his eyes half-closed, he couldn't read his inner thoughts, but he definitely felt different from an ordinary person.

Should one say he showed a different kind of intelligence from the scholarly families like the Jegal family or the Gongson family?

'By the way, should I take this opportunity to take Tang Soso and go meet Yewol? I heard she doesn't have a match today, unlike Seolhwa.'

It might be nearly impossible to find Tang Soso among so many spectators, but Namgung Hui was different.

Namgung Hui executed his telescopic vision and scanned the audience seats.

He began to see people he had encountered at some point, here and there.

And in the VIP seats, he saw the people from the Hebei Paeng family who were eyeing him covetously, and also the Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar.

And a face more familiar than anyone else.

Namgung Hui's father, Namgung Uncheon, was also seated.

He had heard about it from his brother beforehand, so he shouldn't have been surprised.

But he was quite flustered to see the person with his father.

'He's with the Moon Maiden Palace Lady. How unexpected.'

There was no rule that said the two couldn't build a friendship, but he wondered if they were close enough to be together even in such a public place.

Well, if they were with the Moon Maiden Palace, it would be a good thing for the Namgung family, but seeing the reclusive Moon Maiden Palace like that was just a little strange.

And more than anything, the strangely bothersome distance between the Moon Maiden Palace Lady and his father was slightly getting on Namgung Hui's nerves.

'Well. My father will take care of it. Let's just find Tang Soso.'

Namgung Hui hadn't been trying to find his father, so he shifted his gaze elsewhere and continued his search for Tang Soso.

Red martial arts robes.

He was able to find her soon enough.

-Soso. Come out to the open space on the right for a moment.

Tang Soso, startled by the sudden telepathic message, shot up from her seat.

Then, realizing the owner of the voice was Namgung Hui, she nodded and came out in the direction Namgung Hui had indicated.

"Why did you call me with a telepathic message? Are you asking me to find Beak Seolhwa?"

"What Seolhwa. I have no business with her. The one I have business with is you."

Tang Soso showed a slight sign of panic, perhaps because she had heard an unexpected answer.

Namgung Hui continued to speak, not caring whether she did or not.

"Someone I know is addicted to drugs, and that person said they would like to see you."

"Ah~ so that's why. I was wondering why you called me. So where do I go now?"

"Full Moon Pavilion."

* * *

The streets of the brothel district were deserted during the day.

It was only natural, as they mainly operated at night.

Still, it wasn't completely empty, as workers were coming and going here and there.

They had to stock up on ingredients and liquor to do business in the evening.

Namgung Hui also entered with Tang Soso through the back door that those workers were using.

Tang Soso, who found such a brothel unbearable, frowned and said.

"You coming and going to a place like this. Does she know?"

"She? Who are you talking about?"

"Beak Seolhwa, of course. I can just let it slide, but I don't think Beak Seolhwa would stay still if she knew you were coming and going to a brothel like this."

"Ah. You were talking about Seolhwa? I've already told her."

"Is that really true?"

"Yes. What would I gain by lying? Anyway. We're almost there, so just get ready."

Tang Soso, who was not pleased with something, clicked her tongue and shook her head.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Yewol. Are you in there?"

"...Come in."

Sreureuk.

When Namgung Hui opened the door and entered, Yewol, who had just finished her makeup, greeted him with a powdered face.

"Welcome. The young lady next to you must be Miss Tang Soso."

"Yes. This is the female warrior Tang Soso you requested. Then, since you have to do a check-up. I'll be outside."

"It's a chance to legally steal a glance at my body, and you're going to be outside?"

"...What nonsense are you talking about. Anyway. I'll be outside, so call me when you're done."

As Namgung Hui hastily went outside, Tang Soso nodded as if she had finally understood something.

"Of course. He wouldn't have been coming and going to a brothel to do that. So you're the one who called me?"

"Yes. Are you perhaps disappointed?"

"What's there to be disappointed about? I'm rather relieved. But if you're coveting someone else's rice cake, you'd better stop."

"Someone else's rice cake... Are you warning me as a member of the Tang family?"

"Let's just say it's advice, not a warning. And it's not my rice cake either. So you don't have to be so wary."

"...I understand."

"Then please take off your clothes and lie down."

Sarak. Sarak.

And so, Tang Soso's examination began.

Namgung Hui expected the examination to end safely soon, but the situation turned out to be more serious than he thought.

From the moment a groan full of pain was heard from inside.

(End of Chapter)