Rebirth of the Thunder God

Swoosh!

Suddenly, a fierce momentum flew from behind Ju Hwayeong.

The object that flew, creating a violent piercing sound, was an iron arrow, a cheolsi.

The iron arrow flew as if aiming for the back of Ju Hwayeong's head, but it soon grazed past her side and charged straight towards Namgung Hui.

Clang!

The arrow was not imbued with internal energy, but the tremendous repulsive force was enough to make Namgung Hui's sword tremble.

It was deemed that this was not an arrow shot with mere human strength, but with the aid of a mechanical device.

Because of the appearance of such an iron arrow, Namgung Hui couldn't help but instantly recognize who had shot it.

'It must be Tang Soso's work. Perfect timing. I was looking for her, so this saves me the trouble.'

Namgung Hui intended to take not only Ju Hwayeong but also Tang Soso with him.

In truth, Ju Hwayeong's subordinates here were not his concern.

Although they would likely face a grim fate if left here, if Namgung Hui's final plan succeeded, he might be able to save even them.

Namgung Hui, having deflected the iron arrow, also broke through the Plum Blossom Sword Art that Ju Hwayeong was unfolding.

In fact, Namgung Hui's understanding of the Plum Blossom Sword Art was likely superior to hers.

Not only had he received and read the secret manual from the Sect Leader, but he had also engaged in countless duels with the Plum Blossom Sword God in his past life, so he could block this level with his eyes closed.

As the sword Ki that scattered like plum blossoms was all blocked powerlessly by Namgung Hui, Ju Hwayeong even showed a look of despair.

"I-Impossible! How can the latter half of the stances be blocked so easily..."

"It's blocked easily because your level is significantly lower than mine. Then, will you try to block my sword this time?"

"Fine! Come at me whenever you're ready!"

Although Ju Hwayeong spoke boldly, it seemed her intention was to slyly call Tang Soso over and attack Namgung Hui in a pincer movement.

Tang Soso's eyes, hidden behind a mask, glinted sharply.

As expected, she held a crossbow in her hands.

As she drew the bowstring, Ju Hwayeong nodded and kicked off the ground.

Once again, the Plum Blossom Sword Art unfolded.

Like plum blossoms falling from a branch, sword Ki scattered in all directions.

As the pure white sword Ki raged in the dark night sky, it was a magnificent sight to behold.

Indeed, the Plum Blossom Sword Art was beautiful.

Swoosh!

Contrary to its beauty, the bundle of sword Ki flew as if to tear Namgung Hui to shreds.

"You told me to come at you, yet you take the first move. Well, it's fine if I just break it with the principle of striking first after the opponent has moved."

Namgung Hui also pointed at Ju Hwayeong with his sword fingers and immediately shot his body forward like an arrow.

At the same time, an iron arrow was fired from Tang Soso's crossbow.

As if lightning had flashed, straight lines were drawn from both sides in an instant, meeting at a point.

Clang!

The iron arrow screamed as it split in half like a tree branch.

The plum blossom petals that Ju Hwayeong had scattered also disintegrated into nothing.

Ju Hwayeong's gaze, which had been chasing the empty air in vain, finally turned to Namgung Hui as her mouth opened.

"This is... just the Three Talents Sword Art?"

What Namgung Hui had performed was indeed the Three Talents Sword Art, but it was not a simple one.

It was the True Three Talents Sword Art left behind by Zhang Sanfeng.

Perhaps because it was created by Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang Sect, it contained the Taiji principle of striking first after the opponent has moved.

In a way, a straight line is the simplest path, but it is also the fastest.

It was a different school of thought from the swift sword that pursues extreme speed.

It seemed so simple, yet the truth it contained was endlessly complex.

'The Purple Thunder Divine Art is the same. Lightning also was said to descend from the sky taking the most efficient route.'

Namgung Hui did not stop his attack there.

To achieve his original purpose, he immediately used the Phantom Shadow Steps to leave afterimages, shaking off all of Ju Hwayeong's bodyguards and arriving right in front of her.

"It seems I've won, so excuse me for a moment."

"Insolent fool! Let go of my hand!"

Namgung Hui wanted to retort, 'As if I would let go,' but he felt that a member of the Flying Moon Heavenly Family wouldn't say such a line.

He simply subdued Ju Hwayeong's pressure points and threw her to the ground.

By treating her so roughly, it would be hard for anyone to see him as an ally.

'Now it's Tang Soso's turn.'

Tang Soso, too, seemed to have achieved considerable progress in the time he hadn't seen her, as she was noticeably different from before.

He had passed on the Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers technique containing the Thunder God's insights to her, so it would be strange if she hadn't improved.

And she must have learned a lot from the martial arts tournament, and perhaps having taken a spirit medicine this time, her amount of internal energy had certainly increased.

'It's been quite a while since she entered the supreme master level. She must be at a similar level to Ju Hwayeong.'

Considering Ju Hwayeong was a finalist in the martial arts tournament, it was a great achievement and development.

Should he call her a promising talent of the younger generation?

Then again, it was because she was such a talent that she had entered the Seven Dragons and Six Phoenixes.

But even the reputation and talent of the Poison Phoenix were useless in front of Namgung Hui.

No matter how brightly a firefly shines, it cannot be compared to the sun.

Thud.

As Tang Soso also fell, the soldiers who had been defending Ju Hwayeong began to show signs of panic.

"Wh-what do you intend to do with the Princess!"

"You've asked at a good time. I was just about to tell you what I'm going to do. You people. Do you have a lot of money?"

"Was it money you wanted? We have as much silver as you want, so please release the Princess."

"Ten thousand nyang."

"T-Ten thousand nyang?!"

Honestly, there was no way they would have brought ten thousand nyang of money all the way to Putuo Mountain.

Namgung Hui had just named a price he knew the other party couldn't pay.

Only then could he make the Hoicheon Association spy, who would be hiding in the cracks, feel as if he were a member of the Blood Cult.

For the Blood Cult, which had already suffered a great blow to its merchant guild because of the Hoicheon Association, it might be perfectly natural to retaliate in this way.

Hadn't they always bickered and fought over the three great merchant guilds of the Central Plains?

Princess Ju Hwayeong was a sufficient hostage to demand a huge sum of money for.

In other words, there was no sense of incongruity even if the Blood Cult snatched her and demanded a massive amount of silver.

Namgung Hui, with Ju Hwayeong and Tang Soso tucked under each arm, looked at the soldiers and opened his mouth.

"I will enter the Central Plains via Liaodong. You all can figure out what to do here, whether you turn to porridge or rice. The reason I'm not killing you and leaving you alive is not for any other reason. It's to draw the attention of the imperial army. Since you're alive, go back and prepare even one more nyang of silver. That will increase the chances of the Princess returning safely. If the silver is insufficient, an arm might disappear, so don't harbor any other thoughts. I'll say it again, ten thousand nyang of silver."

As soon as Namgung Hui finished speaking, he shot his body forward and truly headed north, towards the Liaodong region.

The soldiers, standing dumbfounded, could neither do this nor that, and chased Namgung Hui's retreating back with helpless eyes.

Among those gazes, one that shone with unusual brightness stealthily slipped its body away somewhere.

* * *

Having descended from Putuo Mountain, Namgung Hui gently placed Tang Soso and Ju Hwayeong on a deserted island full of reefs that he had spotted earlier and said a word.

"Soso. It's been a while. Seeing as you've gained weight, you must have been eating and living well."

"What?! I'm already upset to death because I've gained weight recently. Huh? This voice. Are you perhaps...?"

As Tang Soso seemed to have realized something, Namgung Hui grinned and continued.

"Yes. It's me, Namgung Hui. My apologies to you as well, Princess. I had no choice if I wanted to get you out. If you're really upset, I'll give you another match later."

By then, he was confident he could give her an even better lesson, unfolding his true ultimate techniques.

Well, if Ju Hwayeong had any sense, she wouldn't pick a fight with Namgung Hui.

Someone who had watched until the finals of the martial arts tournament wouldn't be ignorant of the difference in skill.

"Are you really the Hidden Dragon?"

"Then would I be the Azure Dragon?"

"But where is your partner, and why are you alone?"

"Partner? Ah, if you mean Seolhwa, she had something to attend to, so she couldn't come with me. And is there a law that says I have to stick with her all the time?"

"From what I heard from the young lady of the Tang family here, that's what she said. Anyway. I am truly delighted that you have come to rescue me like this."

Namgung Hui nodded and released the pressure points of Ju Hwayeong and Tang Soso.

At that, Tang Soso massaged her stiff body parts, then glared at Namgung Hui and said.

"Did I really gain weight?"

"A little? You actually look better than before. And it's a good thing, since you can add more weight to your hidden weapon techniques. You seem to focus too much on footwork. Practice some Chin Na instead. It will strengthen your wrist power and also reinforce your weakness in close combat, which is the weakness of hidden weapon techniques. If I have a chance later, I can teach you some Chin Na."

"Really? Can I ask you to?"

"Yes. Chin Na isn't that difficult, so I can teach you anytime I have time."

"Great! No taking it back later. Right. But how did you get in here?"

"Didn't you see me break through earlier?"

"No. That's not it. The imperial army is surrounding this place. The question is how you evaded that many soldiers."

Ju Hwayeong, who was next to her, also seemed curious, as she unconsciously nodded her head.

"That. There's a way. By the way, do you all like fish?"

Ju Hwayeong and Tang Soso looked at each other and tilted their heads.

They didn't know the true meaning of Namgung Hui's question and seemed to be asking each other if they knew what he meant.

"Fish. I eat it raw just fine, but why do you suddenly ask that?"

Namgung Hui looked at Tang Soso and grinned.

"That's because we have to stay here for a while. We'll probably have to stay for about five days."

"Wait a minute. If my ears aren't playing tricks on me, you're saying we have to stay on this deserted island with nothing on it for five days? Don't tell me you're planning to do something strange to us?"

This time, as if in strong agreement with Tang Soso's words, Ju Hwayeong clutched her collar and nodded her head vigorously.

"What do you mean, something strange. Of course not. I've played a little trick on the imperial army. For it to take proper effect, we have to wait for about five days."

"No. Stop talking in riddles and explain it to me clearly."

Namgung Hui plopped down on a wide rock and continued.

"I was just about to explain. Listen carefully. Before I came here, I spread a few rumors. One was that the Blood Cult was seeking revenge. The other was that they were going to kidnap someone to get money."

"Wait. If you pretended to be a Blood Cult member, performed demonic arts, and even kidnapped the Princess..."

"Yes. I intentionally spread the rumors and made the imperial army mistake me for a Blood Cult member."

"Indeed. I also wore this mask because I was afraid my identity would be revealed to the imperial army. But that's fine, but why do we have to stay here for five days?"

"That's because I played another trick on my way here. Before I came here, I pretended to go to Fujian Province."

Ju Hwayeong, who had been listening silently, finally couldn't hold back her curiosity and opened her mouth.

"If so, couldn't you have just said that on Putuo Mountain? And you said you pretended to head to Fujian Province. But on Putuo Mountain, you said you were going to Liaodong in the north. Are you sure you don't have another meaning?"

Namgung Hui fully understood Ju Hwayeong's suspicion and added an explanation.

"That was because there might be a spy from the Hoicheon Association among the Princess's subordinates. There was really no other meaning."

"What? There's a spy from the Association among my subordinates?"

"I'm not certain, but I'm saying it just in case. Honestly, the fact that you were cornered like this also has some suspicious aspects, doesn't it?"

Ju Hwayeong glared for a moment, then she too plopped down on a rock.

Namgung Hui looked at her for a moment, then continued.

"Anyway. I pretended to head to Fujian Province. And in five days, I will really head to Fujian Province."

"No. Wait. You said you pretended to head to Fujian Province, doesn't that mean you're not actually going? Then the imperial army will be guarding it, so what does this mean?"

"I pretended to go to Fujian Province in front of them, and in front of the Princess's subordinates, I said I was going to Liaodong. If there's a spy inside, they will think that the place I'm really heading to is Liaodong. And above all..."

"Stop dragging it out and just say it."

"I used my disguised identity to make the soldiers head to Fujian Province, but do you think they will still be guarding Fujian Province after they find out I'm a fake?"

"Ah! They'll realize it was all a trick and think Fujian Province is a fake. Whether there's a spy or not, they'll think you headed to Liaodong. Since that's the region where the imperial army's influence is weakest."

"That's right. It's a classic feint to the east, strike to the west. So, when the imperial army vacates Fujian Province, we'll spend some time here and then slip out to Fujian Province."

It wasn't for nothing that Namgung Hui had emphasized Fujian Province to the Decurion.

Rather, they must have felt a sense of incongruity at the sight of him excessively concentrating troops in Fujian Province.

On top of that, due to the confrontation with General Yi, it was revealed that Namgung Hui was not the real Centurion.

If so, the order Namgung Hui gave to the Decurion was a strategy that worked extremely favorably for Namgung Hui.

Then it was a clear fact that they would not head to Fujian Province.

Therefore, they would judge that he would concentrate his forces on Fujian Province and advance to the now-vulnerable Liaodong.

Moreover, given the skill of Water-Walking that Namgung Hui had shown, they would think he might really cross the sea.

On top of that, if he was taking Ju Hwayeong, who was involved in treason, a foreign country was indeed the most suitable place.

However, Namgung Hui's plan did not proceed as smoothly as flowing water.

Like a wave crashing in the sea, an unwelcome sound came from Ju Hwayeong's mouth.

(End of Chapter)