Rebirth of the Thunder God

Namgung Hui's stealth skills were not the best in the world, but they had reached a certain level.

Hadn't he honed and polished them based on the Ghost Ki Art of the Black Assassination Unit, and had recently even been taught the Danhyul Great Art by Muchi, completing his own unique stealth art?

Moreover, the red bead he had recently obtained also erased Namgung Hui's presence completely.

Despite performing such a high-level stealth art, Dugu Jin was guarding the main gate as if he had expected it.

"As expected, you were a rat. I thought that wench's condition was different from usual."

Although Yeon Seohui thought she had completely deceived Dugu Jin, it seemed that was a big miscalculation.

It seemed Dugu Jin had seen through Yeon Seohui's expressionless face and had read her inner thoughts to some extent.

'Is it that the head of a Demonic Dao Six Families is indeed different?'

As befitting the Dugu family, called the Cold-Blooded Family, it seemed they had a talent for reading others' emotions.

Perhaps because he had been watching Yeon Seohui consistently more than Namgung Hui, he might have noticed that she was different from usual.

The important thing was not how Dugu Jin had found out, but how to get out of the current situation.

'Seeing as the Fist King didn't hold back the Dugu Family Head, there's no guarantee he'll be on my side.'

A situation of trying to gain an advantage like a cunning fox.

Since he was a person whose outside and inside were different, it was difficult to expect help.

"Hey. Maoshan Sect Leader. How can a person who is a sect leader sneak in and out of someone else's house?"

"Ahem. This is not your house either, is it? As far as I know, it belongs to the Taejeong Merchant Guild."

"Did the wench tell you that much? It seems she's really planning to betray me. Well, fine. It was about time to change ships anyway, so it's a good thing. Then, shall we catch the rat first?"

Namgung Hui widened his Ki sense to check if anyone other than the Dugu Family Head was approaching.

Perhaps because he trusted his own martial arts, he hadn't brought any subordinates.

If anything, if he had brought his subordinates, Namgung Hui would have noticed sooner.

Namgung Hui judged that it was better to fight him than to run away.

Because turning one's back on an enemy and running away was a more dangerous thing than he thought.

As it was, since he was carrying Jang Hwang on his back, he, who was defenseless, could be targeted.

'All I have to do is settle the score before his subordinates arrive.'

A quick battle.

Namgung Hui immediately drew his sword.

A preemptive strike always had more gains than losses.

-Kang!

Dugu Jin, who immediately raised his sword to block Namgung Hui's surprise attack.

His murderous sword light rose according to his will without any prior motion.

The fact that he could create Sword Ki with just his will was telling that Dugu Jin's realm had already reached the state of perfection.

In other words, it meant that in terms of realm, there was not much distinction compared to Namgung Hui.

But even if they were at the same realm, their levels were not the same.

Not that he was underestimating him, but one had to cross swords to know who was longer or shorter.

-Karararang!

The sword light flashed and grazed past Jang Hwang's face.

Jang Hwang couldn't come to his senses at the feast of sword strikes unfolding before his eyes.

It was moving so fast and dazzlingly that his soul was about to leave his body.

'I can't tell who's winning. My younger brother can't lose.'

Still, the fortunate thing was that he didn't seem to be pushed back at all by the head of a Demonic Dao Six Families.

If anything, he wished he would not only not be pushed back, but also gain the upper hand.

As if to meet Jang Hwang's expectations, Namgung Hui's sword style changed.

The grand energy gathering on the sword blade was of a nature that even Jang Hwang could fully feel.

And the energy condensing on the sword blade to an excessive degree was fluctuating.

To Jang Hwang, it felt as if the sword was trembling as if it were about to explode.

Perhaps because it wasn't a delusion, even Dugu Jin, who was facing him, showed a startled look.

"What are you trying to do? Are you planning to perish together with me?"

"Don't be ridiculous. There's no way I'd risk my life for someone like you. Just watch."

Cracks began to form on the sword blade that held Namgung Hui's immense energy.

Dugu Jin, who was looking at it with a puzzled expression, now, as if he had realized something, quickly tried to pull his body back.

-Pasasak!

The cracked sword blade finally burst, and fragments scattered in all directions.

And that, while fully imbued with the energy Namgung Hui had infused.

'It was a bit of a waste of a sword to use the Mountain-Shattering Sword Art, but well, as long as I have the Thunder God Sword, it's fine.'

Since Namgung Hui was currently disguised, he had the Thunder God Sword on his back and was using another sword.

Anyway, since the Black Guest was famous as a master of palm techniques, it was fine to fight with his bare hands from now on.

In the first place, the reason Namgung Hui had given up his sword like this was to deal a blow to the careless Dugu Jin.

But it was also largely because he was afraid his identity would be revealed.

Because there might be a part in his sword art that could specify his identity.

Well, even if his identity were to be revealed, he wouldn't be in immediate danger, but because of the Fist King who was secretly watching from a distance, he decided to maintain his disguise a little longer.

Dugu Jin, who couldn't dodge all of the Mountain-Shattering Sword Art, pulled out the sword blade stuck in his arm and said.

"To think it would pierce through even my protective Ki. What amazing power. Then you must have consumed that much inner power, so it must be my turn."

Although he had been unexpectedly hit by Namgung Hui, Dugu Jin was also a master who had long reached the Transformation Realm.

And the martial art he had honed and polished in the Hundred Thousand Mountains was by no means to be taken lightly.

Because he was the head of a family representing the Demonic Dao Six Families.

And so, the moment Dugu Jin's counterattack was about to continue.

"Family Head. Excuse me for a moment."

The Fist King, who had been watching from a distance, separated the two.

At the sudden interference, Dugu Jin's eyebrows twitched as he said.

"Fortress Lord. What are you doing now?"

"As you can see, I'm trying to mediate the fight. The Black Guest here is my guest. It seems there was some misunderstanding. How about we stop here?"

"..."

Dugu Jin stared at the Fist King's eyes for a long time, as if trying to read his mind.

It seemed he was trying to calculate his gains and losses by using an abacus.

Although it was a very frustrating thing to have been struck by Namgung Hui right now, to turn his back on the Iron Blood Fortress here was something only a foolish person would do.

As befitting the name 'Cold-Blooded Family,' he quickly composed his emotions and sheathed his sword.

"Since the Fortress Lord has said so, I can't be stubborn. But what on earth is that Black Guest? He doesn't seem to be a disciple of the Maoshan Sect."

"Have you heard the news that a supreme palm technique has recently appeared in the martial world?"

"As it happens, I heard about it while I was out on a trip a while ago. Was its name the Dark Soul-Destroying Palm? Are you saying that person is the owner of that palm technique?"

"That's right."

Dugu Jin sent a sly look, as if he had figured something out.

A faint greed was also flowing, which was not good from Namgung Hui's perspective.

But despite that, Namgung Hui's expression was only bright.

As if he had obtained what he had intended.

The Fist King also smiled with satisfaction and opened his mouth.

"Then. As men, you will not hold a grudge against each other. Do you both understand?"

"I understand. Although I don't know what that person thinks."

"How can a junior dare to go against the words of the Great Hero Fist King?"

"Good. Now that our business at the manor is over. How about you both come to the Iron Blood Fortress at this opportunity? As it happens, I was thinking of holding a banquet."

"How can I miss it when the Fortress Lord invites me? This Gu Mo will definitely go."

"How can this junior miss it? Rather, I am only grateful for the invitation. But the person here, is his surname Gu?"

Since it was the first time Namgung Hui had heard Dugu Jin's alias, he asked him back.

This was a natural reaction, as he hadn't heard it from Yeon Seohui either.

Dugu Jin glanced at such a Namgung Hui and continued.

"Did that wench not tell you that much? Well, what's the point of scheming now? My name is Gu Hyeokjin. I lead the Gu family."

'The sound is similar to the Ouyang family, so it's even more unpleasant.'

Namgung Hui hid his emotions completely and replied calmly.

"Your name is extraordinary. This humble one's name is Jang Cheol, a mere ronin. A while ago, I undeservedly received the nickname 'Black Guest.' Please call me as you please."

"Alright. Since I seem to be older, I'll speak comfortably. Black Guest."

And so, Namgung Hui and Jang Hwang's party were joined by the Fist King and Dugu Jin's party.

Such an uncomfortable journey continued until Guiyang, where the Iron Blood Fortress was.

Fortunately, since the distance was not far, they were able to finish the uncomfortable journey in half a day.

In the process, Namgung Hui quietly eavesdropped on the conversation between the Fist King and Dugu Jin.

In the first place, the reason for creating such a situation was also to eavesdrop on the conversations that came and went like this.

"Oh my. It's truly unfortunate that something bad happened to the Gu family recently. The Family Head must have many worries."

"It's alright. A bad thing is a bad thing. And a good thing is a separate matter, isn't it? The fact that we can be with the Iron Blood Fortress like this will be a great help to our family."

From what he had heard, it seemed the misfortune that had befallen the Blood Cult was indeed not an ordinary matter.

Because even Dugu Jin, who was called the Cold-Blooded Family, could not hide such a look at all.

'The bloodbath that the Black Tortoise Troupe Leader told me about feels unusual... I hope Seolhwa is safe...'

He had tried to contact her with the communication artifact from time to time, but there was still no news.

At times like this, he resolved to focus more on the matter at hand, recalling the saying that no news is good news.

"Now, now. We've really arrived. The fortress you see over there is the Iron Blood Fortress. Although it's still not much to be called a fortress, I am confident that if you join us, its name will soon not be shameful."

As the Fist King said, it seemed to be lacking a lot to be called a fortress yet.

Workers were still attached and construction was in progress.

And since there were no proper buildings around, it looked desolate.

Still, since it was bustling with people, including the workers, one could also see how much attention the Iron Blood Fortress was receiving.

People in various attires were lined up on the left and right.

The weapons they carried were all unique, so one could roughly guess where they came from.

Of course, in a quiet corner, there was also the typical attire of a Daoist, so it was obvious that even the orthodox faction had dispatched disciples.

Perhaps they had been dispatched as spies rather than to join the Iron Blood Fortress.

The Fist King rather hoped that many people from the orthodox faction would come.

To show them firsthand how much alienation they had given to others until now.

Right now, just by the fact that the disciples of the orthodox faction were pushed into a corner by these crowds, the Fist King's intention was working well.

As the Fist King confidently approached the main gate, the crowd that had recognized him rushed out.

He was so popular that if anyone saw him, they would mistake him for a peerless beauty on a procession.

'Even if a martial arts celebrity appeared, I don't think he would be this popular. The Fist King's reputation must be very good.'

Although Namgung Hui was interested in the level of martial arts, he hadn't particularly investigated their reputations.

In the first place, even if he were to investigate that, would objective information come out?

Since the subjectivity of the person recording was bound to be included in such things, it was right to confirm it with his own two eyes.

The Fist King known to the public was said to have a generous and benevolent personality, but from what Namgung Hui had experienced, he was a serpent.

Putting aside the evaluation of such a Fist King, Namgung Hui examined the approaching faces.

"Thank you all for the welcome, but since there is a guest of honor, I would appreciate it if you would all make way."

As the Fist King subtly raised his momentum, the heroes parted to the left and right with impressed expressions.

It was very difficult to control such wild men, but the Fist King had done it with just a few words.

He was indeed a great man, enough to call himself a fortress lord.

Led by the Fist King, they squeezed through the parted crowd and entered the fortress under construction.

The inside was as wide and desolate as it looked from the outside.

Just by looking at the size, the word 'fortress' was not lacking.

Was such a huge fortress really being built with the permission of the government?

Although he had no way of knowing that far, the Fist King would not have pushed forward with the work without thinking.

The moment they had fully entered the interior, another group of people greeted the Fist King, and there, there was a face that Namgung Hui had also not expected.

He was none other than Jin Myeongho, a member of the Anti-Heaven Alliance and the young master of the Divine Treasure Fortress.

(End of Chapter)