Rebirth of the Thunder God

Jin Myeongho, a member of the Anti-Heaven Alliance and the young master of the Divine Treasure Fortress.

He thought he was a pretty good friend.

They were in a state of having the Hoicheon Association, which could be called their biggest enemy, as a common enemy.

Moreover, since he had no relationship with the Blood Cult, he was clean, especially in terms of faction.

Besides, hadn't his ancestor, the Fighting Immortal, established the organization called the Divine Treasure Fortress for the recovery of the Sunflower Manual?

When you think about it, it was a relationship that could be called a distant relative.

Namgung Hui stroked the small bead in his bosom and thought.

'And personally, I have business with him. Because he might be able to purify the turbid inner core of the white snake.'

The wicked spirit beast, the white snake, that Namgung Hui had defeated at Qilin Peak.

From its belly, he had been able to obtain an inner core that held a quite powerful energy.

However, perhaps because it was a wicked fellow, compared to the energy it possessed, it was too turbid, so it was ambiguous to use it.

It seemed certain that if one were to consume it, no matter how much of a master they were, they would surely get sick.

That was why, if it were the Divine Treasure Fortress, the descendants of immortals and famous for their alchemy, there would surely be a way to solve it.

But since Namgung Hui was currently in disguise, he couldn't pretend to know him.

Jin Myeongho straightened his attire and cupped his fists in front of the Fist King.

"Jin Myeongho of the Divine Treasure Fortress, a late learner of the martial world, pays his respects to the Great Hero Fist King. It is an honor to meet a hero so famous for his benevolence."

"Hahaha! What hero. And isn't the Divine Treasure Fortress a sect famous for its alchemy? It is I who am honored that you have visited so readily."

And so, starting with Jin Myeongho's greeting, the formally invited people came out one by one and exchanged greetings with the Fist King.

Among them, there were people who had already been acquainted with the Fist King.

And like Jin Myeongho, there were also some who were meeting for the first time.

"Fortress Lord. From Wugang..."

"Great Hero. I am from Xinghai, Qinghai Province..."

Namgung Hui's eyes sparkled for a moment at the words 'Qinghai Province.'

In fact, the Iron Blood Fortress was just a place he was passing through.

Wasn't his original destination the vicinity of the Kunlun Mountains in Qinghai Province?

There existed the clue to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art that the Mad Dragon had told him about.

Although it would not be welcome for the Iron Blood Fortress to be in cahoots with the Hoicheon Association, it was not a big problem for Namgung Hui.

Because it was just troublesome, and the number of beings to be cleared away was just increasing.

But if the Heavenly Demon Divine Art were to fall into another force, the one to be cleared away might rather be Namgung Hui.

That was how much the weight of the name Heavenly Demon Divine Art was different.

Namgung Hui carefully observed the man who had come from Qinghai Province.

'He seems to have suffered quite a bit on his way here. His face is all tanned, and he has torn wounds here and there. His clothes and body are not in good condition.'

His rough Ki was like the raw wild.

That was how much his journey had not been smooth.

Seeing this, Namgung Hui was also a little worried.

Although he had heard that Qinghai Province was not peaceful, if even a peak master had a hard time...

'It might not be just that it's teeming with bandits. Should I ask him separately later?'

Although it would be best to see it with his own two eyes, since that was impossible for now, it was not bad to ask someone who had passed through Qinghai Province.

If it were the experience of a peak master, it would be more than helpful.

Namgung Hui first took in his face and then waited for the Fist King to finish his pleasantries.

"You are also guests, so I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Now, let's go inside."

Although construction was in full swing, it wasn't as if there were no completed pavilions.

The Fist King confidently walked towards the place that exuded the most magnificent and profound beauty among those pavilions.

That place must be his office or residence.

As they entered the pavilion, perhaps because it was a newly built building, the rich scent of wood arose.

Amidst that scent, a resonant voice was heard.

"Salute! Fortress Lord, you have arrived."

"Yes. Was there anything special while I was away?"

"The minor tasks were all handled by the Sima military advisor, so there is nothing of note. However, guests who are difficult for even the military advisor to handle have arrived."

"Guests who are difficult for even the military advisor to handle. Where are they?"

"For now, we have shown them to the guest hall."

"Well done. It seems we'll have to stop by the guest hall first. What will you all do? If you want a separate guest room, I will provide one."

Namgung Hui, as he was curious about the identity of the important guest, stealthily brought it up.

"Great Hero. If it's not a discourtesy, may I ask to accompany you?"

"As for me, it's good because it's not troublesome. What about you, Family Head?"

"Wouldn't it look a bit strange if I were the only one to be left out? I will accompany you."

And so, they followed the Fist King and moved to the guest hall.

Perhaps because the guest hall was in a deep place, they had to walk for a long time.

It was certainly spacious enough to be called a fortress.

"I'm a little sorry to keep making you walk. But since the guest hall is quite spacious. You'll be able to sit and rest inside. At this opportunity, have some refreshments and get acquainted with the famous people. Seeing as the Sima military advisor has guided them to the guest hall, they must be people of great renown."

In fact, this was what Namgung Hui had been aiming for.

How great were they that they had been guided all the way to this deep place separately?

Although Jin Myeongho of the Divine Treasure Fortress was not lacking in fame, he had not been able to enter the interior in the end.

Well, since he was only in the ranks of the later generation masters, it might be a natural result.

The Fist King patted Namgung Hui's shoulder and then threw open the door of the guest hall with all his might.

As soon as the door opened, the faint scent of tea wafted from inside.

Iron Goddess of Mercy.

The type of tea served was quite different from the start.

"I, this Hwangbo so-and-so, have been late in hosting an important guest. I would be grateful if you would understand with a generous heart."

The faces of the guests who had put down their teacups upon hearing the Fist King's voice turned towards Namgung Hui's side.

"Hwangbo Family Head. It's been a long time. Have you been well?"

'No! That person is...!'

A face that Namgung Hui also knew well.

Did he just know him?

He was confident that he had a quite close and deep relationship with his family.

Because it was the Sichuan Tang family, the family that had made various equipment, including the Thunder God Sword that was currently on his back.

And the head of that place had come in person.

When he had visited the Namgung family, hadn't he sent his branch family members or elders first?

That was how highly he evaluated the Iron Blood Fortress.

Although Namgung Hui was a little disappointed, he thought it was a good thing.

Because if it were the Tang Family Head, he could be considered to be on his side.

"Haha! This is a very welcome face. A very precious guest has come from Sichuan. Now, please exchange greetings. The guest here is the hegemon of Sichuan, the head of the Tang family."

"Oh. The Sichuan Tang family. I am truly meeting a noble person. I am Gu Hyeokjin, who has come from Guangxi Province. I lead a small family."

Dugu Jin, as if he were truly surprised, his eyes were wide open for a change.

"This country bumpkin is called Jang Hwang, who has come down from Maoshan. I am currently in charge of the Maoshan Sect, which is now almost forgotten."

"Oho. The Maoshan Sect, isn't that a sect famous for its sorcery? It is a great relief that its lineage is still being passed down."

And so, as Jang Hwang's greeting also ended, now only Namgung Hui had not revealed himself.

Namgung Hui, as the Poison King's gaze turned to him, quickly cupped his fists and offered a greeting.

"This humble one is called Jang Cheol, a ronin. I am overwhelmed to meet the Great Hero Poison King, whom I have admired."

Perhaps because of Namgung Hui's excessive greeting, the expressions of the people in the guest hall changed one by one.

The Poison King, Tang Cheonsang, in front of him, had a strange smile.

And Dugu Jin and the Fist King, who were next to him, respectively, frowned slightly.

Perhaps their feelings were hurt because he was more polite to the Tang Family Head than to them.

"Hoho. Your words are very good. You won't starve to death wherever you go. But I wish to have a private talk with the Hwangbo Family Head. Could you please have your companions withdraw for a moment?"

At the Poison King's dismissal order, the Fist King glanced at his party.

"Go out and look around the garden for a while. The talk won't be long."

Had some talk been exchanged in advance?

How was he so sure that the conversation would be short?

Or perhaps he was that confident.

Anyway, since a dismissal order had been given, they could not stay in the guest hall any longer.

Namgung Hui, who had left the room, walked to the garden with Jang Hwang.

Dugu Jin also stealthily followed, but Namgung Hui didn't particularly pay him any mind.

But unlike Namgung Hui's efforts, Dugu Jin painstakingly approached Namgung Hui's side and spoke.

"It's a good thing. The Fist King is also gone. What on earth did you talk about with that wench Yeon Seohui?"

It was like an interrogation, asking how much he knew.

Now that he had come all the way to the Iron Blood Fortress, he must be concerned that his identity would be exposed.

Because here, unlike the Taejeong Merchant Guild, he had almost no power, and rather, the proportion of orthodox faction members was much higher.

Moreover, if it were the Blood Cult, even the unorthodox faction might not stand still.

"Well. I don't remember how much we talked. Just that the true owner of the merchant guild is her?"

"Really? If you dare to run your mouth incorrectly. It will be you who will be in a predicament."

Although Namgung Hui wanted to return the words in the same way, since there was no need to engage in a war of nerves, he just shrugged his shoulders.

'Let's see who will be the one laughing in the end.'

Namgung Hui suddenly wanted to ask Dugu Jin.

What the current internal situation of the Blood Cult was like.

But even if he were to ask that, there was no way he would answer obediently.

In the first place, to ask that, he would have to reveal that he knew all about his identity.

Namgung Hui pushed aside the rising question for a moment and looked into the pond in the garden.

Carps were playing in a group.

Although they were carps of the same species, the patterns and colors they possessed were quite different.

Just like the martial artists in the Central Plains.

'How nice it would be to live peacefully like a carp. Humans often make choices that are worse than beasts.'

And so, while Namgung Hui was immersed in his thoughts, a presence was felt from the opposite side of the pond.

"I didn't know there was another person in the guest hall besides the Tang Family Head."

The voice that Namgung Hui heard was not unfamiliar.

When he raised his head and looked, it was a woman he was seeing for the first time.

But her eyes were gentle, and her gaze was looking at Namgung Hui with some familiarity.

Namgung Hui looked at her face carefully and then found one awkward part.

'This is a trace of the Art of Disguise. If so, the woman in front of me is...'

"Aren't guests always coming and going? Young lady, what are you doing here alone?"

"Oh my. Can't a woman be treated as a distinguished guest?"

"That's not what I meant. I was asking how you were walking around alone without an escort."

The identity of the woman was none other than the second disciple of the Hao Faction, On Yuha.

Although Namgung Hui had nominally called her 'senior sister,' she was clearly a member of a different sect.

But the fact that they could call each other 'senior brother/sister' nominally was a friendship that could by no means be taken lightly.

As it was, hadn't he just recently exposed Dam Gihae's spying?

The debt that the Hao Faction owed Namgung Hui was not light.

"Young hero. If you're so worried about me, would you mind staying by my side for a while?"

"Brother. For this reason, let's move for a moment."

Jang Hwang glanced at Dugu Jin and then nodded his head.

Dugu Jin also seemed to have no intention of following this far and just stayed at a distance.

Anyway, since the Fist King had said he would call him soon, he couldn't spare much time.

And so, they entered the guest hall where On Yuha had come out from.

At that, she pointed at Jang Hwang with her chin and sent a look as if asking if she could trust him.

"Senior sister. You can trust the Sect Leader of the Maoshan Sect here."

"Really? Alright. And I'll set up a soundproof formation for a moment."

Since she was also a disciple of the Hao Faction's leader, a master of formations, she could easily set up a soundproof formation.

And so, as she even set up the formation, she let out a deep breath as if relieved and continued.

"Phew... I was scared because of that person."

"Do you know who that person is?"

"It's the Dugu Family Head. Did you think I wouldn't know that?"

"Oho. Is this the Hao Faction, indeed. But why were you so nervous?"

"It seems my junior doesn't know that much. If so, this kind senior sister will have to tell you. Listen well. Junior."

On Yuha paused for a moment and then continued.

"The Dugu Family Head, you see. He can read people's emotions."

(End of Chapter)