Chapter 98
Pushaaaak!
A sharp sword blade, imbued with a keen light, pierced the middle-aged man’s lower abdomen.
“Keuuut!”
The flesh and organs were brutally torn apart.
Soon, black blood poured out from the middle-aged man’s stomach like a fountain…
“Are you resentful? Palace Lord Gal.”
Kwajijik!
The white-haired old man with an indifferent expression twisted the sword embedded in the middle-aged man’s stomach and asked coldly.
“Keuuuk! You bastards… you bastards!”
The middle-aged man.
In fact, he was not a middle-aged man.
He was just maintaining a youthful appearance using his internal energy, but he was an old man over seventy.
The bulging solar plexus.
The glittering gaze and the grand physique.
Everything revealed in his appearance allowed one to gauge the old man’s martial arts.
But.
“Palace Lord Gal. It seems you have some lingering attachments. But don’t feel resentful. Not only the Potala Palace, but all of the Western Regions’ martial world has surrendered to our cult. By now, my sworn brother must have conquered even the Small Thunderclap Temple. This is a natural result, just as water flows from top to bottom.”
Palace Lord Gal.
His name was Gal Ryeon-cheon, the lord of the Potala Palace, which could be called the great mountain of the Western Regions’ martial world, and a master of palm techniques who was renowned as one of the five great masters outside the pass.
But today, he had met the wrong opponent.
The opponent was at least stronger than him in martial arts, and had made thorough efforts to swallow up the Unorthodox Path and the regions outside the pass for a long time.
“Right Heavenly Demon Sword… No Yeong-myeong! In the end, you joined hands with the Blood Cult and… you intend to swallow up the world… do you… cough!”
Gal Ryeon-cheon vomited blood and let out a roar with all his might.
At that.
The white-haired old man.
The Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong, snorted.
“I’m sorry, but the name of the [Asura Blood Cult] has now disappeared from the world. It’s just a name that the God of War, Moyong Cheon, erased. But.”
“…”
“The name of the White Lotus Blood Cult will rule the world.”
“You baaaastard!”
Swaeeek!
Dengeong!
Gal Ryeon-cheon’s roar could not continue.
It was because No Yeong-myeong’s Heaven-Shattering Demon Emperor Sword had cleanly separated his head from his torso.
In that moment.
“Kikikik… Great Hero No. There is no mercy in your sword.”
A neutral voice, neither male nor female.
At that ominous voice that gave a cunning feeling, No Yeong-myeong turned his head.
The owner of the voice was none other than the master of the Eastern Depot, the second largest armed force of the imperial court.
It was the eunuch Han.
“He was a man who had to be killed anyway. Sending him off with a single stroke is the greatest mercy.”
No Yeong-myeong disliked the eunuch Han.
Although he was proceeding with the grand plan with the eunuch Han at the recommendation of his sworn brother, the Left Heavenly Demon Sword, Go Eung, No Yeong-myeong was a hero of the Unorthodox Path who had reigned as a master while roaming the forest of swords and daggers, the Jianghu.
He fundamentally disliked the people of the imperial court, and since the eunuch Han was someone who would betray him at any time for the sake of profit, he had not let his guard down in his heart.
“By now, Great Hero Go must have conquered the Small Thunderclap Temple, so your cult will now reveal itself to the entire Jianghu.”
“That’s right. A hero tournament will be held for the election of the new Martial Alliance Leader. Our cult has occupied the Western Regions, so we will participate as a qualification from outside the pass and pressure them with our strength.”
“The work will be much easier.”
“That’s right. If it’s difficult to subdue them, we plan to use the demonic beasts being restored in the research building and not avoid even massacres. So, Eunuch Han, you must also faithfully carry out your role.”
No Yeong-myeong’s statement was, in a word, a statement with a hidden meaning.
“Of course, I will play my part. Rather, you should know that the Eastern Depot is sparing no effort because your cult is neglecting its duties.”
“Our cult has neglected its duties?”
For a moment, No Yeong-myeong’s brow furrowed.
At that, Eunuch Han’s protest came out.
“I have long requested that your cult find a martial artist suffering from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians. But there has been no news.”
Only then did No Yeong-myeong understand Eunuch Han’s words.
“That is a truly difficult task. The only martial artist in the world who suffers from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians and can still control the cold ki is the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon. It’s not like we can just kidnap her, is it?”
“You’re wrong.”
“What?”
“You’ve planted a spy in the Martial Alliance, but your intelligence is so weak. Tsk, tsk.”
As Eunuch Han clicked his tongue and sneered, No Yeong-myeong’s anger flared up.
‘That eunuch bastard with no balls!’
If he had his way, he wanted to tear Eunuch Han to pieces.
But Eunuch Han’s martial arts were not to be trifled with, and there were 30 masters of the Eastern Depot guarding him in the room.
Also, if he killed him, it would be difficult to win over the imperial court, so he had no choice but to endure.
“Eunuch Han. Don’t be sarcastic, and speak so that I can understand. Remember that I am your collaborator, not your subordinate.”
“Kikik. Don’t misunderstand. I just wanted to say that thorough effort is needed.”
“…”
“Among the disciples of the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, there is a child named Myo-seon.”
“By any chance?”
“That’s right. That child, like the Sword Empress Hong-ryeon, suffers from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians, but it is said that she has sublimated it with her martial arts and is controlling the symptoms.”
“It won’t be easy to take a disciple of the Emei Sect.”
“How can we only take the easy path? We must get that child in our hands. We must complete the final stage of the Sunflower Manual and give birth to a martial god.”
“Whether it will be a martial god or a monster, we won’t know.”
“What does it matter? If it helps to obtain the world, whether it’s a martial god or a monster. Kekeke.”
“Alright. Let’s plan it that way.”
No Yeong-myeong, who had finished speaking, turned his body and took a step.
In that moment.
Eunuch Han’s cunning voice was heard again.
“Great Hero No.”
“…”
“This time, you will be able to get your revenge.”
“…Revenge?”
“I heard that you lost an eye to a fifteen-year-old boy. Kikik. Of course, thanks to the efficacy of the Blood River Great Demon Water, you avoided being one-eyed, but how angry you must be. If it were me, I would have given up everything and killed that person first.”
It was a blatant sarcasm.
No Yeong-myeong’s face contorted in red and blue.
“You don’t need to worry about that. As it happens, I’m going to kill that brat this time for sure.”
“But there is a strange rumor. It is said that that brat is currently being mentioned as one of the Ten Great Masters of the Orthodox Path. Isn’t he a truly amazing person? I heard that he is only twenty years old.”
“So what about it?”
“…Ahem. I was just saying to be careful. Since the opponent is said to be so strong, by any chance, Great Hero No…”
“Eunuch Han!”
No Yeong-myeong let out a roar and cut off Eunuch Han’s words.
“Someday, that nosiness of yours will strangle you. Be careful.”
It was a clear killing intent.
But Eunuch Han did not flinch at all and just maintained a relaxed expression.
“Great Hero No’s advice. I will keep it in mind. Kikikik.”
***
“Wow! Is it okay to be this fast? Elder. I lost, hahaha.”
After leaving the North Sea, for the past few days, So-ah had run the hardest and fastest in his life.
No.
It would be more fitting to say that he had flown rather than run, as he had displayed a swift lightness skill…
Nevertheless, Baek In-hwa’s art of shrinking the earth was no match for him.
“Keke! It was a close call. The match ended in a draw.”
“Hey! But what’s not is not. The elder’s art of shrinking the earth. It was truly amazing!”
So-ah could not help but be genuinely impressed.
No matter how amazing the art of shrinking the earth was, he had never thought that he would lose in a long-distance race from the North Sea to Liaoning.
All living things have a limit to their endurance.
In that respect, So-ah, who had infinite stamina, was confident that he was the best in the world at least in the field of endurance…
Baek In-hwa’s art of shrinking the earth had surpassed even that and showed off its skill.
“Hoho. If you covet it, shall I teach you?”
“Can I learn it overnight?”
“Of course, not a chance. To perform the art of shrinking the earth, you have to train for at least 10 years.”
“Phew. I’ll give up my greed. I’d rather practice the Swift Whale Step for 10 more years than learn that.”
“As expected, a thought worthy of a young master who has mastered the martial will. A hundred times, a thousand times, you are right.”
Perhaps because they had become close, they exchanged jokes and walked diligently, and before long, a noisy crowd and a sea of people unfolded before their eyes.
“Ah! The progress of the construction is faster than I thought. To think that they’re already laying the foundation.”
It was the sight of the new home of the Moyong Family, the annex and the main building, being constructed.
And.
So-ah soon led Baek In-hwa and knocked on the door of the Moyong Family.
“Great disciple, Jin So-ah, has arrived!”
***
Moyong Baek, who saw the returned So-ah, was pleased with his shining eyes.
Of course, the chief steward also could not hide his excited expression.
“Young Master Jin! What happened?”
He asked urgently.
At that.
“What do you think happened, Chief Steward? Hehe.”
Seeing So-ah’s expression, Moyong Baek and the chief steward were overjoyed as if they were about to jump.
“Hahaha! So-ah, you did it, didn’t you? I knew you would. There’s no way you would fail!”
“Of course, of course. Is there any way our Young Master Jin would fail!”
There was no such fuss as this.
So-ah, who was also pleased, smiled.
“Keke. Aren’t you praising me too much? It’s embarrassing. By the way, I have someone to introduce to you.”
“Yes?”
“Who is that?”
At the two’s question, So-ah called Baek In-hwa, who was waiting in front of the family head’s office.
“Elder. Please come in.”
At that.
“Ahem!”
Baek In-hwa, with a slightly embarrassed expression, let out a cough and stepped into the room.
“…Who is this elder?”
Moyong Baek asked So-ah with wide eyes.
“Uncle. Chief Steward. The elder is a friend of my grandfather. He came from Goryeo, and his martial arts and special abilities are at a heaven-shaking level. I was also able to handle the matter of the North Sea safely with the elder’s help.”
For a moment, Moyong Baek and the chief steward performed a polite cupped fist salute to Baek In-hwa with startled faces.
“To think that you are a friend of my father! Welcome. I am the family head, Moyong Baek!”
“I am the chief steward of the Moyong Family, elder.”
At their truly polite appearance, Baek In-hwa, who had been shy, also relaxed and performed a cupped fist salute together with a much brighter face.
“I am Baek In-hwa, the head of the Udo-bang in Goryeo. I am deeply moved to meet the son of the great hero Moyong and the chief steward of the great Moyong Family.”
Starting with a simple greeting, a modest banquet was prepared a little later.
***
“Hahaha!”
“Hohoho!”
“Hohot!”
“Kikikik!”
“Kekeke!”
The quiet Moyong Family became noisy for the first time in a while.
Moyong Baek, who had learned that Baek In-hwa was a friend of his father, devoted himself to receiving him with a happy heart, and Yeon So-so and the other family members also tilted cups together.
“So-ah! So you were able to deal with the Snow Mountain Giant with the elder’s help?”
“Yes, Uncle. Although I’ve caught a Ghost Demon Jiangshi in my youth, the stamina of the Snow Mountain Giant was at a terrible level.”
“Since it’s a demonic beast born from absorbing the cold ki and essence of the North Sea. It wouldn’t be an ordinary task to catch it.”
“But it was a good experience.”
“Ahem! By the way, So-ah. It is said that the body of such a demonic beast contains an internal dan that increases internal energy and nourishes the body.”
At Moyong Baek’s words, the corners of So-ah’s mouth rose slyly.
“Ah! You’re asking if there was anything, right? Kekeke.”
“You brat! Do you think I’m interested in the side dishes? I was just asking.”
“I took them.”
“Yes?”
“One for my junior sister and one for my junior brother. And one each for you and my aunt. I came back with a total of four!”
At that.
“What?!”
“Oh my! So-ah. You mean you brought one for this aunt too?!”
The mouths of the Moyong Baek and Yeon So-so couple were about to hang open.
Seeing that, So-ah.
‘Oh my. Our uncle and aunt. They’re losing their dignity as they get older…’
That thought.
Baek In-hwa.
‘Keke! Great Hero Moyong. Your descendants are truly cheerful. You must be smiling in the celestial realm.’
The face of his faint old friend seemed to shimmer.
(End of Chapter)