Rebirth of the Thunder God

"W-We are from the Sun God Palace."

"!?"

Namgung Hui momentarily doubted his own ears and tilted his head.

But there was no way there could be anything wrong with his ears, which had even consumed a Heavenly King Pill.

If so, the word Namgung Hui had heard must be correct.

'Are they really people from the Sun God Palace?'

The Sun God Palace.

It was one of the Three Heavens of the Hoicheon Association.

Hadn't it been defeated in the war with the Five Poisons Sect and been annexed by the North Heaven?

Why had they appeared in Qinghai Province, which was no different from the lands outside the Central Plains, not the territory of the Hoicheon Association?

Suddenly, one assumption came to Namgung Hui's mind.

'Rather, since the Sun God Palace was defeated in the war, I can roughly guess their identity.'

The ones who were running away were probably the defeated soldiers who had been pushed out of the succession battle.

Seeing as they had come this far, they must be in a similar situation.

Even if that wasn't the case, it seemed clear that they had made the Kunlun Mountains their refuge.

"But as far as I know, the Sun God Palace was annihilated 20 years ago."

"That is also true. Except for a few of us, everyone else died or was absorbed elsewhere. However, since it doesn't change the fact that it is my root and origin, I said so."

Namgung Hui looked at the man who had regained his composure faster than he had thought and showed an interested expression.

The reason he had brought up the name 'Sun God Palace' was probably to stimulate Namgung Hui's interest.

Because that would increase their own value.

As if the man's intention had worked properly, Namgung Hui asked them in more detail.

"I will escort you to the Kunlun Mountains. Instead, may I hear in detail about the Sun God Palace?"

"Alright! Please ask as much as you want."

"Then from 20 years ago..."

* * *

Namgung Hui came to hear the inside story of the Sun God Palace for quite a long time.

To put it simply, they said they had been defeated in the war with the Five Poisons Sect 20 years ago due to an internal traitor.

That person had not just betrayed them, but had even assassinated the Grand Prince, the most likely successor candidate.

After that, they were helplessly absorbed by the forces of the Hoicheon Association, including the Five Poisons Sect.

In fact, as a single force, they were not in a position to be pushed back by the Five Poisons Sect.

Perhaps because the Hoicheon Association had secretly helped from behind, the Sun God Palace had been defeated by the Five Poisons Sect.

Although the Five Poisons Sect and the Sichuan Tang family were in a temporary truce, hadn't they been waging a war that was not a war?

Although the Five Poisons Sect was not a place to be ignored, it was true that it was somewhat lacking compared to the Sun God Palace or the Sichuan Tang family.

But that was also the standard for a single force.

If they had the huge backer of the Hoicheon Association, it would not be impossible to face both sects.

'There's no place the Hoicheon Association hasn't reached. To think they're controlling not just the Central Plains but even the lands outside the Central Plains.'

Namgung Hui was suddenly a little worried that their evil hands might have reached the Kunlun Mountains.

But unlike the sects mentioned before, the Kunlun Mountains were the sacred ground of the Daoist sect.

No matter how great a force the Hoicheon Association was, as long as the immortals of the Great Kunlun were there, they would not be easily defeated.

"The young lady here is the Second Princess?"

"Yes. Since the Grand Prince has passed away and even the First Princess has been captured by the enemies, she is the most orthodox successor of this generation."

She was indeed a being worth risking one's life to protect.

It seemed that among the direct line of the Sun God Palace, there were no survivors other than that woman now.

"You've been hiding well for 20 years. Why were you discovered recently?"

Around the time the Sun God Palace was defeated in the war.

They had judged that there was no chance of winning as things were and had smuggled out the First Princess and the Second Princess.

But the First Princess had been captured 10 years ago, and now even the Second Princess had been exposed and was being chased.

"We don't know that either. However, we are speculating that there might be a traitor inside. Of course, they are all dead."

The only survivors from the bandits were these two.

Well, anyway, since the future was more important than the past, they would have to survive tenaciously and sharpen the blade of revenge against the Hoicheon Association and the Five Poisons Sect.

"Why are you going to the Kunlun Mountains? As far as I know, the Sun God Palace and the Kunlun Sect have no connection."

"Hmm... How should I explain this?"

As the man glanced at the Second Princess for a moment, this time she stepped forward and opened her mouth.

"From here on, I will speak. In fact, our Sun God Palace is not completely unrelated to the Kunlun Sect. Before our Sun God Palace settled in the south, we were once located in the Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang."

Namgung Hui also had a faint memory of hearing it from his master.

In fact, didn't the hot desert feel more suitable for the Sun God Palace than the south?

But since the south was more livable than such a desert area, it was not strange that they had moved their residence.

"If it's the Taklamakan in Xinjiang, it was relatively close to the Kunlun Sect. Still, were you close enough to be able to take refuge like this?"

"Yes. Originally, this is something I can't tell just anyone, but I must tell you, benefactor. In fact... my maternal grandfather is a Daoist of the Kunlun Sect. It's been more than 30 years, so I don't even know his face."

The Second Princess, who was smiling awkwardly.

Since it was a situation where she had to grab even a rotten rope, she had no choice but to hang on to a single thread of hope.

Still, if blood was thicker than water, it could become her refuge.

Although the Kunlun Sect did not interfere in worldly affairs, they were not harsh Daoists either.

'Of course, this is only valid when the Kunlun Sect has the leisure. They have not yet lifted their seclusion and have almost no exchange with the Central Plains.'

Namgung Hui had come in person to confirm the reason.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, but if he could borrow the power of the Kunlun Sect, it would be a great help.

For that, hadn't he even brought the Kunlun Sect's martial art, the Supreme Clarity Formless Divine Art, from the Imperial Palace's secret repository?

On top of that, he might be able to shake the North Heaven using this woman as a pretext.

"Well, that's fine. Since we were also heading to the Kunlun Mountains anyway, it wouldn't be bad to go together. Instead, there are a few conditions for accompanying us."

At the word 'conditions,' the expressions of the Second Princess and Dancheong hardened.

It seemed that their situation and Namgung Hui's murderous impression had scared them.

A situation where they had no choice but to follow whatever Namgung Hui demanded.

But since Namgung Hui was not such a cold-hearted person, his demands were extremely reasonable.

"You will prepare all the meals. And the burden of expenses is also the same."

"...? That's a matter of course..."

A look as if to say, 'Did you put on airs just to demand something like this?'

But since they couldn't show it openly, the Second Princess and Dancheong just made a rather deflated expression.

At that sight, Namgung Hui grinned and continued.

"Of course, there are more conditions. By any chance, may I see the martial arts of the Sun God Palace?"

No matter how much of a defeated soldier they were, if she was the direct line of the Sun God Palace, she would surely know a few core martial arts.

Originally, demanding an ultimate technique could be a very rude thing, but for them, this might rather be a relief.

Because as long as Namgung Hui was interested in the martial arts of the Sun God Palace, he would not abandon them.

'Of course, they would think that if things go wrong, I could turn on them, steal the martial arts manual, and get rid of them. But there's no way the heir of the Sun God Palace wouldn't have prepared a countermeasure.'

One of the reasons why martial arts were lost.

It was because they were not left as manuals and were only passed down orally.

The saying 'do not pass down to an unworthy person' was also one of these contexts.

Since it was common for unworthy people to covet manuals, they always prepared countermeasures.

They would write the incantations in a secret language to make them difficult to interpret, or they would create a secret cave and hide them away.

The Wind God Steps that Namgung Hui had acquired was also a manual left by the previous Empty Gate Sect Leader.

If it were the Sun God Palace, which possessed a supreme divine art, it was sufficiently possible to hide it.

"...What will you do by looking at the martial arts of the ruined Sun God Palace?"

"If there's something to see and learn, I intend to learn it. Will it be difficult?"

"Although it's difficult, it's not something I can't show you. It's not more important than life..."

"Young lady! Still..."

"Dancheong. Be quiet. In fact, the reason we're being chased is just because our roots are in the Sun God Palace. I'm sick and tired of it now. I'd rather hand over the fact that I'm the heir of the Sun God Palace to someone else."

'Half is sincere.'

And for good reason, just coming from the Central Plains to Qinghai Province here was a march of hardship.

Moreover, with pursuers attached, the journey would not have been comfortable. It must have been a living hell.

But the fact that it was only half sincere meant that half was a lie.

The Second Princess was hesitating now.

Whether she should really tell the ronin in front of her the martial arts of the Sun God Palace.

To her, Namgung Hui proposed.

"How about this? I'll just look at the beginning to see if it's a useful martial art, and when we arrive at the Kunlun Sect, you can tell me the rest of the incantations."

"Is that really okay?"

"Yes. As you saw a moment ago, it's not that I'm trying to see it because I'm lacking in martial arts."

The reason Namgung Hui was trying to see the martial arts of the Sun God Palace was not simply because he was curious about the martial arts of the Sun God Palace.

First, it was to respond more easily when he encountered the disciples of the Sun God Palace later.

And there was also a reason to confirm if the other party was really the heir of the Sun God Palace.

And above all, the reason Namgung Hui wanted to see the martial arts of the Sun God Palace was.

'The Purple Thunder Divine Art is also a martial art of the extreme yang. If so, I might be able to get something from the martial arts of the Sun God Palace. Just as I got inspiration from the Purple Mist Divine Art.'

Even if that wasn't the case, it would be similar to the One Yang Divine Art that Namgung Hui had created.

If he could supplement this, it would be easier for Namgung Hui to be active in various fields.

"Alright. I have the beginning memorized, so I'll tell you through telepathy."

"Young lady..."

Ignoring Dancheong's words, the Second Princess began to recite the martial arts incantations.

-...Have you memorized it all?

-I've memorized it all.

Even though Namgung Hui had fully heard the martial arts incantations, his expression was not particularly bright.

Could it be that she had recited the incantations strangely?

'No. The martial arts incantations are flawless. It's a perfectly normal martial art.'

Nevertheless, the reason Namgung Hui's expression was not bright was not for any other reason, but because of the martial art itself.

The Sun God Palace was a quite powerful sect that represented the lands outside the Central Plains.

Perhaps because of that.

Namgung Hui, who had expected too much, could not help but be disappointed as soon as he heard the incantations of the Sun God Palace.

'The level is too low for me to refer to.'

Perhaps the Second Princess had intentionally recited a low-level martial art.

In the first place, it wasn't as if Namgung Hui had specified that she should tell him a high-level martial art.

'She has a surprisingly clever side. You're going to brush it off like this? If so, I have no choice but to go stronger.'

"Second Princess. As far as I know, there should be a much more outstanding martial art than this."

"Umm... That's right. There must be many great martial arts in the Sun God Palace that I don't know."

"Don't know...? Don't tell me this is all the martial arts you know?"

There was no way the direct line of the Sun God Palace would only know a martial art that was only at the second-rate level.

"Of course, that's not it. I also know a quite high-level martial art, but I can't reveal all my cards from the first meeting. Isn't that right?"

"That's true too, but there's sincerity, isn't there?"

"Honestly, didn't you ask to see if I was a person of the Sun God Palace? I think the incantations I told you should be enough for proof."

Had she come to her senses now?

Far from being scared like before, she was trying to make a deal with Namgung Hui.

Jang Hwang, who was watching this from the side, patted Namgung Hui's back and said.

"Hahaha! Younger brother. Don't be so harsh. She'll tell you when the time is right. If you can't trust that woman. Trust me."

Had Jang Hwang figured something out with his sorcery?

Since Jang Hwang had gone that far, Namgung Hui didn't need to press her.

Because there was enough time until the Kunlun Mountains anyway.

"Alright. If you say so, brother, I'll let it go for now."

"Yes. And the mountain we have to cross is that Zangbo Mountain, right? Let's go quickly. I want to camp out as little as possible."

* * *

Namgung Hui, Jang Hwang, Dancheong, and the Second Princess joined forces and set out on a journey to the Yarlung Zangbo Mountain.

The martial arts of the Second Princess, Jeok Hwarin, were on the outstanding side.

Looking at her Ki alone, she seemed to be at a similar peak level as Jang Hwang, but while all of Jang Hwang's abilities were concentrated in sorcery, Jeok Hwarin, perhaps due to her outstanding enlightenment, used her internal energy really efficiently.

To the point that if her amount of internal energy was supported, she would soon reach the supreme master level.

Moreover, as if they were fed up with running away, their lightness skill was excessively outstanding compared to their martial prowess.

Thanks to that, it seemed they could save some time in crossing Qinghai Province.

Because they had reached the vicinity of the Yarlung Zangbo Mountain in just seven days and nights.

And there was another piece of good news.

The encounter with the bandit group.

They had not yet met the bandit group after the first encounter.

Although it was largely because Namgung Hui had chosen a path where the bandit group would not appear.

What should I say? It was as if the bandit groups were avoiding the vicinity of the Yarlung Zangbo Mountain.

Anyway, thanks to those various reasons, they were able to save more time than they had thought.

Of course, since the process was not easy, the party, except for Namgung Hui, was all exhausted.

"Great Hero Jang Cheol. Let's rest a little before we go."

"I was about to do that anyway."

Namgung Hui, who had at some point finished introducing himself and was even speaking informally.

With the grace of saving their lives, Namgung Hui held the initiative, so no matter how much she was the Second Princess of the Sun God Palace, speaking informally came naturally.

Although Dancheong had expressed some dissatisfaction at first, the various talents that Namgung Hui had shown on the way made his mouth shut on its own.

Especially the skill of using a mountain path that the bandits did not frequent.

And since enough food for four people came out of a small travel pouch, they had no choice but to follow Namgung Hui.

"Then I'll tell you the next martial art once we cross that mountain."

"I hope it's a useful martial art this time."

Namgung Hui set Jang Hwang down on the ground and handed out water pouches to the party.

Although the travel pouch reduced the volume, it did not reduce the weight, so it was Namgung Hui's job to take care of them.

"Great Hero, you're not like a ronin. You're surprisingly kind."

"What do you mean, kind? It's because you're incompetent, so I have no choice but to take it on."

"Younger brother. Are you lumping this older brother in with the incompetent ones?"

"Brother. That's not what I meant."

"Hahaha! It's a joke, a joke."

"See? As expected, you're not like a ronin."

Namgung Hui shook his head and was about to wet his throat.

-Thump, thump, thump!! Thump, thump, thump!!

The roar he had heard at the entrance of Qinghai Province was now rumbling right in front of his nose.

(End of Chapter)