Rebirth of the Thunder God

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

Namgung Hui squinted his eyes at On Yuha's sudden remark and asked.

"Read emotions? What does that mean? Explain in detail."

"It's just as it sounds. Do you know why the Dugu family was called the Cold-Blooded Family?"

"That's because they are so cruel, without blood or tears."

"Well, that's not without its share, but more fundamentally, it's in the characteristics of the martial arts they learn. The Dugu family's heart art is a martial art that controls the middle Dantian."

Martial arts that used the middle Dantian were rare.

Unless it was a sorcery that dealt with the upper Dantian.

Since opening the middle Dantian was quite difficult from the start, it was considerably inferior in terms of efficiency, regardless of the effect.

While the upper Dantian was often opened innately, such cases were rare for the middle Dantian.

'Come to think of it, the Ice Soul Poison did force the middle Dantian to open.'

Hadn't he given Eun Seolrin the Clear Mind Heart Art because of that?

But this was an extremely small part, and for a martial artist to open the middle Dantian, they had to cultivate from the lower Dantian.

If so, there was no reason to give up the lower Dantian, where one had diligently accumulated internal energy, and mainly use the middle Dantian.

To put it simply, the middle Dantian was just a passage.

Even when training the body, one focuses on training the lower and upper body, not the waist or abdomen.

However, it wasn't as if the middle Dantian was completely useless.

Since the middle Dantian was the heart, the martial arts of the middle Dantian often boasted explosive power.

Especially, its power varied greatly depending on emotional fluctuations, and the Soul-Destroying Palm, which Namgung Hui had named instead of the Esoteric Sect's Great Hand Seal, was one such martial art.

However, the fact that the power changed depending on emotional fluctuations meant that there were many risk factors.

If one was not careful, it was easy to fall into Qi deviation, and to aim for intense emotional fluctuations, it was common to walk the unorthodox path rather than the righteous path.

That was why the martial arts of the middle Dantian were usually classified as demonic arts.

"Yes. If so, I can understand why they were called the Cold-Blooded Family. But what is the relationship between that and the talent of reading emotions?"

"I don't know martial arts well, so I can't explain it clearly, but according to the information passed down in the Hao Faction, the Dugu family can get a glimpse of the fragments of emotion by looking into a person's eyes."

"Looking into the eyes. If so, it doesn't seem to be a talent possible with just the middle Dantian. There's a high probability that it's a result of combining the functions of the upper Dantian as well."

When he thought of a martial art that combined the middle and upper Dantians like that, it didn't seem impossible to Namgung Hui either.

Right now, even Namgung Hui himself, as his upper Dantian had opened, didn't he possess the ability to infer the truth or falsehood with his outstanding Ki sense?

When a person tells a lie, a subtle reaction occurs in the heart.

If it were the Dugu Family Head, who had learned the martial arts of the middle Dantian, he would be able to sense and read it more accurately than Namgung Hui.

'But the realm of sensing that is no different from a spiritual eye.'

It wasn't for nothing that mind-reading was called a function of the upper Dantian.

That was how much reading a person's emotions or thoughts was a transcendent ability.

"Anyway, avoid making eye contact with him as much as possible. Or you can try to control it with the martial arts of the middle Dantian."

Namgung Hui understood how Dugu Jin had noticed Yeon Seohui's change, and why he always stared so intently.

And he also had a rough idea of how he had seen through his stealth art.

'When dealing with the Dugu Family Head, the Danhyul Great Art, which slows the heart, would be perfect.'

"Thanks to my senior sister, I've obtained some good information. Thank you."

"Good? Isn't it important information that will be very useful?"

"I have to say, you really know how to make a show of it. By the way, why did you, senior sister, come as the representative of the Hao Faction, not the Sect Leader? Even if it's not the Sect Leader, isn't there also the senior brother?"

"Don't you think I came because they both have their own circumstances?"

"That's true too. Then let me ask you directly. What is the Hao Faction planning to do? Are you planning to join the Iron Blood Fortress?"

On Yuha snorted and opened her mouth.

"Hmm~ Well. What should we do~"

"What do you mean, what should we do? I don't have time, so just answer quickly."

"What do you think we should do, junior? Since you're also a disciple of the Hao Faction, I'd like to hear your opinion."

In Namgung Hui's honest opinion, he would like the Hao Faction to join the Righteous Heaven Alliance, the force he was creating.

But thinking from the Hao Faction's perspective, the Iron Blood Fortress was also a very attractive option.

The Heretic Faction, which had tried to swallow the Hao Faction.

The Martial Alliance, which had the best information organization, the Beggars' Sect.

Both factions would not be in their options.

And the wicked Blood Cult or the Hoicheon Association were needless to say.

If so, there was the Righteous Heaven Alliance, which had not yet been officially launched, and the Iron Blood Fortress. To be honest, the force that Namgung Hui had gathered right now was weaker than the Hao Faction.

The force gathered by the outstanding figure called the Fist King was bound to be better than the Righteous Heaven Alliance in terms of justification and power.

"What's the point of my opinion when I'm just a lay disciple? Isn't the most important thing the Sect Leader's will? What did the Sect Leader say? I think I have the right to hear that much."

"Yes. You've done a lot for our Hao Faction, junior, so you have that much right. Then I'll tell you right away. We..."

The moment On Yuha's words were about to continue.

-Thump, thump, thump!

With the impact of someone roughly knocking on the door from outside, the sound of something breaking was heard.

It seemed someone had broken the soundproof formation.

And at the same time, a single voice was heard.

"Hey. What on earth are you doing that you don't answer when I call? Do I have to go through this much trouble to call you? Come out at once. The Fortress Lord is looking for you."

It was Dugu Jin's voice.

It seemed the private talk between the Poison King and the Fist King was over.

Just as On Yuha was about to speak, the door was flung open.

"When I'm asking nicely, stop what you're doing and come out at once."

How many times in his life had Dugu Jin waited for a subordinate?

Or was he plotting such a thing to interfere for no reason? It was unknown, but since the door was open, they could not continue the conversation.

Namgung Hui, having no choice, stood up from his seat with Jang Hwang.

"Family Head. You must be in a great hurry. Seeing as you have even made such a heavy trip."

"That could be. Because I'm not a leisurely person like you. Then let's go at once."

Dugu Jin took a step and walked ahead.

How would his deal with the Fist King turn out?

And he was very curious about the reason why the Fist King had brought him all the way here.

'Let's deal with the problem in front of me first, leaving the Hao Faction for later.'

The Fist King, the Dugu Family Head, Namgung Hui.

Each had a different scheme.

Although he was a little curious about the Hao Faction's decision, he had a rough idea.

And even if he heard it now, the result would not change.

But from now on, it was different.

Depending on Namgung Hui's conduct, the treatment of the Fist King and the Dugu Family Head would be decided.

Namgung Hui followed Dugu Jin into the guest hall for the negotiation.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time. The Tang Family Head was a tougher person than I expected, so I had a bit of a hard time."

"Still, it seems you've obtained a satisfactory result. Your expression is very bright."

"Haha! As the Family Head says, I did obtain a satisfactory result. Then shall we have our conversation now? Everyone, please sit."

Each sat in the seat where a teacup was placed.

Perhaps because Jang Hwang was not particularly interested in their conversation, he was the first to lift his teacup and savor the scent of the tea.

Then, as if he had thought of something, he put down his teacup again and took something out of his bosom.

'I'm bored. Should I read what conversation went on here? Anyway, my younger brother will tell me the important conversation on his own.'

Jang Hwang, who was more curious about the conversation between the Poison King and the Fist King, began to chant secretly, without the Fist King and Dugu Jin knowing.

Anyway, since chanting was a realm that could be done inwardly, the sound of the incantation would not be heard in their ears.

And so, while Jang Hwang was chanting, the Fist King emptied his teacup in one go and opened his mouth.

"Keuh... I don't know what's so good about drinking such hot tea. I'd rather have wine. Haha! Next time, I'll treat you to some really good wine."

"Alright. I'll look forward to seeing how great the wine the Fortress Lord buys will be. Then, I'd like to hear what kind of story you're going to bring up this time."

As Namgung Hui also gave a small nod, the Fist King erased his smile and continued with a serious expression.

"To be honest, you must also be doubtful. No matter how much of a master one is, giving trust is another matter. But you don't have to worry so much. This is, to put it bluntly, because I'm asking for a dangerous job, separate from trust. In other words, it's a kind of job where survival might be difficult if I were to send in my real people."

"..."

Dugu Jin and Namgung Hui were not very surprised.

In the first place, if it weren't for a matter of this magnitude, he wouldn't have brought them here.

Rather, Namgung Hui was curious about what kind of dangerous job the Fist King had.

"Alright. I'll get straight to the point and tell you what kind of job I'm asking for. First, Family Head Gu, I'd like to ask you for a job in Hainan Island in the south. In fact, no matter how competent my subordinates are, they know almost nothing about the affairs of the distant Hainan Island. It would be a great fortune if they even knew the way. But aren't you based in the south, which is relatively close to Hainan? I thought you would be able to investigate the trends there and bring them back."

Dugu Jin tilted his head and asked.

"Isn't Hainan Island where the Hainan Sect is? I heard that the Hainan Sect there will be joining the Iron Blood Fortress."

"Ah. Rather, that's why I'm sending you. We haven't been able to contact them for half a month. The sect leader of the Hainan Sect is a master of the sword that even I cannot look down on, but he has disappeared. It's certainly suspicious, even from your perspective, right?"

If it were the sect leader of the Hainan Sect, he was at least a supreme master.

Unless someone had intentionally interfered with the Hainan Sect's joining, it didn't make sense for him to suddenly disappear.

Unless a master of that level or stronger had harmed him.

Dugu Jin organized his thoughts for a moment and then readily nodded his head.

"If it's to that extent, I think I can investigate it as much as I want. At this opportunity, I'll get some fresh air and go there myself."

"It was a matter that could have been somewhat unpleasant, but thank you for accepting. Since it's such a serious matter, I will reward you handsomely."

"Oho. Then does that mean you will grant the condition I mentioned before?"

At the word 'condition,' Namgung Hui's eyes sparkled, but since the Fist King ended the conversation with a nod, he did not leak any more information.

"Then it's your turn, Black Guest."

"Yes. Please speak. Great Hero."

"I'd like you to investigate Qinghai Province in the west. A person came from there, and he said it's not an ordinary mess. That dozens of people die there every day."

"..."

Although Namgung Hui pretended to be calm, he couldn't help but be tempted by the words 'Qinghai Province.'

In the first place, it was his next destination.

And hadn't he had a lot of information he wanted to ask the person who had come to the Iron Blood Fortress?

Rather, if he could get the sorted information through the Fist King's mouth, it would be a good thing for Namgung Hui.

"It seems a strange monster has been discovered from the vicinity of Golmud, as if it had come from the west. Well, it could be a person, but most of the witnesses called it a monster. And it's said to be a strong individual, enough to subdue a supreme master in one go. My subordinates are not allowed to be sent due to the busyness of the Iron Blood Fortress right now. But if it's you, you should be able to handle that fellow. Besides, if you're a ronin, you'll be even stronger in such a remote place."

The Fist King had a faint smile, as if he had seen through all of Namgung Hui's realm.

Although he probably didn't know Namgung Hui's true identity.

'It means it's a card that's good to use and then throw away. If so, should I play along a little more?'

To deal with Dugu Jin right away, there were many corners to use him.

To dig out the internal information of the Blood Cult.

Or to get information on the Hainan Sect this time.

Moreover, what Namgung Hui wanted was not just his simple death.

Because a comfortable death would rather be a rest for him.

"Alright. From the perspective of a wandering ronin, isn't the Central Plains and Qinghai Province the same?"

"Thank you for readily accepting. Then what will you do, Sect Leader? If you really want, you can stay in the guest room here. I will treat you as a distinguished guest."

Jang Hwang, who had been closing his eyes for a while, slightly lifted his eyelids and shook his head.

"I'm grateful for the offer, but I think I'll have to follow my younger brother. I'll stay in the guest room after I return."

"If so, I have no choice. Now, everyone, think of this as a down payment and receive this."

The Fist King handed Namgung Hui and Dugu Jin a pouch that looked like a money pouch.

It was certain that a considerable amount of silver was in it, and besides that, there were also letters and some other trivial items.

"When you return, I will bestow upon you a much more precious spirit medicine and silver. So I would appreciate it if you could return as soon as possible."

"Alright. Since you have to strike while the iron is hot, I'll leave right away."

The two people who had started speaking comfortably.

In a way, in their true identities, they might be of equal standing and position.

The Fist King already knew Dugu Jin's identity.

Dugu Jin's tone of voice was rather pleasing.

He patted Dugu Jin's shoulder with a satisfied smile.

And so, Dugu Jin glanced at Namgung Hui and then left.

Now was the situation where Namgung Hui also had to leave the guest hall.

As Namgung Hui stood up from his seat and cupped his fists, the Fist King's heavy palm suddenly grabbed his wrist.

(End of Chapter)