Rebirth of the Thunder God

"That's not it. Let's talk for a moment. Namgung Hui. It will be a good thing for you too."

Namgung Hui looked at Captain Yang with an interested gaze.

He didn't know how he had found out his identity, but to even make a bargain.

Although his martial power might be weak, his keen eye and courage seemed to be quite good.

"How did you know my identity?"

"The General told me. He said you might come while he was away."

"As expected, the First General is an amazing person. So what do you have to say to me?"

"...If you spare me, I'll give you some good news."

"What makes me trust you? There's no guarantee that the good news is the truth."

Even if the man called Captain Yang confessed a lie right in front of him, Namgung Hui had no way to confirm it.

Since this was the middle of the enemy camp, if he just dragged on time, Captain Yang would be able to save his life.

Even if that wasn't the case, it wouldn't be strange if someone was coming here right now.

Because there would be countless ways to exchange some kind of signal.

'There's no law that says they can't have the artifact I have.'

"I'll provide you with information about the Blood Cult. Anyway, if you deal with the Blood Cult, it will be beneficial to us as well, so isn't it a good thing for both you and us?"

"Using one barbarian to control another. It doesn't sound bad. I'll judge after hearing what kind of information it is."

"No take-backs. Don't think of being shameless after hearing it. Anyway, it will be news that will appeal to you."

"Alright. Stop talking nonsense and just tell me quickly. If you're trying to buy time, I'll kill you right now and leave."

As Namgung Hui even exuded a killing intent, the flustered Captain Yang hurriedly continued.

"Ah, alright. I'll tell you right away. It's about the Dugu family head. I don't know if you know the news that he has come to the Central Plains, but when our association struck the Blood Cult's source of funds, he couldn't stand it and came out. The location is Guiyang, Guizhou Province."

"The capital of Guizhou Province. Coincidentally, the newly formed Iron Blood Alliance has settled there."

Come to think of it, there was no other place to build a nest other than the Guizhou Province area.

Sichuan Province on the left was occupied by the Emei Sect, the Qingcheng Sect, and the Sichuan Tang family.

And below that was the jungle of Yunnan, so there were many shortcomings to make it a residence.

And in Hunan Province on the right was the Golden Merchant Guild, and in Hubei Province above it were the Wudang Sect and the Jegal family.

Other provinces were also full of the Nine Sects One Gang and the Five Great Families.

To settle down without fighting with these forces, there would be no place like Guizhou Province.

'Since the Heretic Alliance has taken the southeast, there's really no other answer than Guizhou Province.'

But the reason why no martial arts forces had settled in Guizhou Province was also because there were no advantages.

It was a plateau where it rained frequently, and since it was a limestone area, it was difficult to farm, and water resources were not abundant.

In other words, it was a barren land.

This was also the context for why there were so many slash-and-burn farmers in Guizhou Province.

And as there were many plateaus good for hiding, bandits and thieves appeared.

'At the level of the Iron Blood Alliance, they won't be defeated by thieves. But the merchant guild that the Dugu family operates might be hit. Don't tell me the Hoicheon Association used the Green Forest to strike the merchant guild?'

A picture was drawn in Namgung Hui's mind.

Roughly, the appearance was a picture of a bandit robbing a merchant guild, but looking closely, it seemed no different from the act of the Hoicheon Association mocking the Blood Cult.

And they were trying to uproot the Blood Cult's source of funds by making Namgung Hui join in.

Although it was clear that they were trying to blow their nose without using their hands, the opponent was eagerly calling for Namgung Hui to pass by.

'They're calling me to get revenge.'

Since Namgung Hui could not forgive the Dugu family head, he nodded to Captain Yang and said.

"This is quite good news. But is Captain Yang's life worth only this much?"

"This is great information. Your greed is excessive. Hidden Dragon."

"Originally, a dragon is a greedy spirit beast. So I'm asking, I'd like you to hand over the name and members of the merchant guild. With your information network, I think you would have prepared that much."

"...You're exactly as the General said. Alright. Here, take it."

Captain Yang handed over a scroll as if he had prepared it in advance.

Namgung Hui took it and quickly scanned it.

[Taejeong Merchant Guild: Approximately twenty members, located in Anshun County, Guiyang.]

Besides that, there was some trivial military power, but there were no masters to pay attention to except for the Dugu family head.

But considering the Dugu family head he had encountered before, he alone was a sufficiently powerful force.

He had exuded a presence that would not be strange at all to receive the title of Demonic Poison among the masters of the Extreme Demonic realm.

Or he might have already received the title of Demonic Poison that Namgung Hui did not know.

'Since the Young Cult Leader has the title of Sword Demon, he might not have gotten it. Anyway. If it's Anshun County, Guiyang, I think I know roughly where it is.'

In the first place, since there were few plains in Guizhou Province, the places where people gathered were fixed.

Perhaps because he had obtained satisfactory information, he did not feel any killing intent towards Captain Yang.

"You're lucky. Captain Yang. There are two people who told me to spare you."

At Namgung Hui's remark, Captain Yang tilted his head.

"One must be the General. Who is the other one? It's not me, is it?"

"Who else would it be? A person of the Divine Spear Yang family who cherishes his blood relatives terribly. Although he's in the afterlife now."

"...! Don't tell me! Are you talking about my older brother?"

"Looking at your face, you do resemble him. He had entrusted his body to the members of the Asura Division."

"Asura Division...! It's definitely my older brother. Don't tell me you killed my brother?"

Captain Yang, even though he knew he was no match, rushed at Namgung Hui again.

Namgung Hui, this time too, avoided his attack, easily subdued his wrist, and said.

"What if I killed him? Are you going to attack me again?"

Captain Yang, as if he had come to his senses late, put on a calm expression and lowered his head.

"...No. I can't ruin my brother's last wish like this. Seeing that my brother even left a last will, it must have been a satisfactory duel."

Originally, generals had many aspects similar to martial artists.

If it was such an honorable death, they would recognize the opponent regardless of whether they were an enemy or an ally.

And without leaving any grudge.

Of course, even if the parties involved just let it go, there were times when the people around them would not forgive it like this.

"Anyway. Since I made a promise with him, I'll spare you today. But there won't be a second time. I only promised him once."

"Alright. But can I ask you one thing?"

"Ask away. If it's not something difficult to answer, I'll tell you."

"Did my brother go peacefully?"

"Well. I don't know if you'll believe me if I say this, but when I promised to spare a member of the Yang family, he closed his eyes with a smile."

At Namgung Hui's answer, Captain Yang put on a complicated expression and closed his eyes.

"So that's how it was. That's how it was. As expected of my brother... Hidden Dragon. Let me ask you one last thing. Did my brother leave any other words?"

If it were the usual Namgung Hui, he would have given him a hard time for asking two questions, but seeing Captain Yang's serious expression, he couldn't bring himself to scold him.

"A last message. I don't think there was anything like that. He did give me one warning. That in the Asura Division of the Green Forest, besides the members of the military, there were origins I should be careful of. At first, I dismissed it as nonsense, but looking back now, I can't just let it go."

"To think my brother went that far. He must have thought very highly of you."

"More than that, his eyes were full of regret. About the General..."

As Namgung Hui mentioned the General, Captain Yang hurriedly covered Namgung Hui's mouth.

He thought it meant he shouldn't even mention the name of the person called the General, but Captain Yang shook his head slightly and sent a telepathic message.

-Don't carelessly utter the word 'General.' There are many listening ears. Of course, telepathy is also dangerous.

-It seems there's some kind of situation. Alright. Let's talk about this again later.

Since Namgung Hui had decided to spare Captain Yang anyway.

And since a lot of time had passed, he had to get out of the Imperial Palace.

Namgung Hui struck Captain Yang's paralyzing acupoint and then retreated from his position.

Although Captain Yang had sent a suspicious telepathic message, he couldn't trust him.

Rather, for that reason, it was better to subdue Captain Yang and leave.

If he just retreated obediently, the arrow of suspicion would fly to Captain Yang.

And so, as Captain Yang stiffened like a log, Namgung Hui quickly headed to the Imperial Palace gate.

The soldier who had been guarding the gate before had been replaced, and his figure was not seen.

This time too, as Namgung Hui presented the jade plaque of the Association, the soldier stepped aside as if to let him pass.

"Confirmed! Please pass!"

Although Namgung Hui's appearance was that of a country bumpkin or a novice scholar, the soldier's gaze at Namgung Hui was that of seeing a high-ranking official.

It meant that the power of the Association was that great within the Imperial Palace.

Although there might be forces like the Right Commander who kept the Association in check, it seemed that the Hoicheon Association had taken its place at the center of power.

'For now, the martial world comes before the Imperial Palace. Let's deal with what I can do well first.'

And so, Namgung Hui, who had passed through the gate of the Imperial Palace, immediately changed his face with the art of disguise and disappeared.

In the empty space he had left, only a desolate wind lingered and then disappeared.

***

Namgung Hui, who had left the Imperial Palace, wanted to leave Beijing immediately and head to Anhui Province, but since he had made a promise before, he could not leave right away.

The matter he had promised with the second disciple of the Hao Faction, On Yuha.

It was a request to stop by an inn for a moment and go to a destination together.

He didn't know if she was asking for an escort or just simple companionship, but it seemed she had some kind of scheme.

Rather than simply accompanying Namgung Hui, it seemed she intended to show him something.

As Namgung Hui arrived at the inn where he had parted with On Yuha, a waiter came out to meet him and guided him.

"Welcome back. Junior Brother. Judging by your expression, it seems the work you went to do went well."

"Well, the harvest was better than I thought. The finishing touches also seem to have been done reasonably well. Ah, the finishing touches are not yet. Because my senior sister's work is left."

"It's not just my work, is it? Then, since you said you don't have time, let's go right away. Follow me."

On Yuha stood up from her seat and strode forward.

As if it was not Namgung Hui who was in a hurry, but her, she even looked rushed.

And so, the place he moved to following On Yuha was an estate in a rather secluded place.

Don't tell me she was going to show him this place.

"This isn't the destination. Wait a moment."

As she had said, after a while, an ordinary carriage stopped in front of the estate.

"Get in. We'll be moving by carriage from here."

"A very secret trip? What's with all this moving around?"

"It's a secret trip. And it's right to do it this way, so that's enough of the nonsense. You also said you're short on time, so let's hurry."

Since she was right, Namgung Hui got on the carriage without a word.

Anyway, even if he traveled a long way by carriage, it was a distance that Namgung Hui could cross in an instant if he performed the Wind God Steps.

It meant it didn't matter if he was away from Anhui Province for a while.

And fortunately, the carriage was running in the direction of Anhui Province.

In the rattling carriage, Namgung Hui asked On Yuha, who was sitting opposite him.

"It seems it's time to tell me the destination. There's no one listening, right?"

"Alright. I'll tell you. We're going to see a traitor of the Hao Faction now."

"A traitor. So you were taking me as a witness and a witness."

"Yes. Although you're a lay disciple, the words of one of the Seven Dragons carry a different weight, don't they? Keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully. Just in time, the traitor is coming over there."

And so, a figure in suspicious attire was seen running.

He was loitering behind an estate in a corner like a dog that needed to poop.

But that figure was extremely familiar to Namgung Hui.

Because it was the First Senior Brother of the Hao Faction, Hae Wicheong.

(End of Chapter)