The Return of the Sword God

Chapter 76: The Uninvited Guest. -01

“Seems like it will be more than enough as a gift. Thank you for letting me know.”

“I’m glad it was of help.”

Ban Hojin and the Hao Sect Leader looked at each other and smiled.

However, at that sight, Seo Joun’s expression stiffened.

The other three seemed to take it in stride as part of the situation beyond the borderlands, but Seo Joun was different.

Because he had gone to the Northern Sea together with Ban Hojin, Seo Joun knew that this was not merely a matter of casual interest.

‘As expected of the Hao Sect Leader?’

She looked like a kindly old grandmother, but that was merely an outward appearance.

Her true self was a giant who controlled the underworld of the Central Plains.

At that very moment, the Hao Sect Leader was saying it.

That her eyes and ears reached not only the Central Plains but even beyond the borders.

‘And yet, Hyung-nim doesn’t look surprised or flustered at all. Why?’

Until just moments ago, Seo Joun had felt as though the Hao Sect Leader was no different from a grandmother next door.

But the instant she spoke of the Nine Heavens Gate, sweat had formed in his palms.

It was because he could indirectly feel just how terrifying the Hao Sect’s power—its intelligence network—really was.

‘Because it was within his expectations? Or because he already knew from the start?’

Seo Joun was clever, but he still lacked worldly experience.

He knew that about himself very well.

That was why Seo Joun always tried to maintain the mindset of observing everything and learning.

But Ban Hojin’s thoughts were not easy to guess.

‘A gift. He said he received a gift.’

At times like this, one simply had to think from the opposite position.

He had to become Ban Hojin.

The moment he did, the fog that had clouded his mind cleared.

‘Proof of capability.’

The Hao Sect Leader was not trying to threaten them by saying, “We have intelligence.”

She had simply given a gift, purely out of intent.

It was just that the gift was not something tangible, but intangible.

And Ban Hojin had grasped its meaning instantly.

At the same time, the Hao Sect Leader had made her point.

That while their martial might might be lacking, the Hao Sect’s intelligence network was unrivaled under heaven.

‘So this is what they call mind games.’

Seo Joun swallowed dryly.

Once again, the saying that what one sees is not everything came vividly to mind.

“Why do you look like that? Something bothering you?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing. I just had something on my mind.”

“You looked really serious, you know? Your face was completely stiff.”

“Come on, it’s not like that. Just random thoughts.”

Seo Joun waved his hand at Seonwu Bang.

At the same time, he relaxed his expression.

Unless Ban Hojin himself brought up the matter of the Northern Sea first, there was no need for Seo Joun to say anything, so he naturally changed the subject.

“The Nine Heavens Gate, huh. Their poison is pretty dangerous. Even peak masters can turn into a handful of poisoned corpses if they get afflicted.”

“At least it’s fortunate that the Sichuan Tang Family exists. And it’s not that far from Miaojiang, either.”

“Are they really planning an invasion of the Central Plains?”

Since the Hao Sect Leader would not have mentioned the Nine Heavens Gate for no reason, Seonwu Bang wore a worried expression.

If the Nine Heavens Gate truly revealed its ambitions and invaded, the damage would be enormous.

Poison was difficult to master, but its power was overwhelming.

Depending on how it was used, poison could kill hundreds, even thousands, and so Seonwu Bang furrowed his brows.

“If the Nine Heavens Gate were harboring dark intentions, the Beggars’ Sect would have noticed first.”

“Well. The Beggars’ Sect doesn’t know everything.”

Murong Cheok spoke as if it were needless worry, but Seonwu Bang thought differently.

In war, the most dangerous thing was precisely this kind of complacency that Murong Cheok was showing.

By the time one realized the arrow was already under one’s chin, it was too late.

That was why the best course was to prevent things before they happened.

“Come on. Still, it’s the Beggars’ Sect.”

“Peace has lasted too long. And while the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence is impressive, the world is just that vast. If their intelligence network were truly all-encompassing, there wouldn’t have been an invasion from the Neo-Outer Murim in the first place. They would have stopped it before it became a war.”

“…….”

Hearing that, it made sense.

That was why Murong Cheok blinked.

At the same time, he realized what he himself had been overlooking.

That he had trusted and relied on the Beggars’ Sect too much.

Even the current situation lent weight to Seonwu Bang’s words.

If the Beggars’ Sect had known that the Hao Sect Leader was here, they would have shown some kind of reaction, but there had been none at all.

Gulp!

When his thoughts reached that point, goosebumps rose on Murong Cheok’s skin.

He could not take the Hao Sect Leader’s words lightly.

Even that formidable Hao Sect had said they had only found out after deliberately checking.

Which meant that there were other places they did not know about.

“Now you finally realize how serious it is?”

“……It’s just a possibility, isn’t it.”

“And you’re saying you won’t pay attention to it?”

“We should prepare, at least.”

Murong Cheok replied as if giving in.

He did not like admitting it, but there was no harm in preparing.

Wasn’t there a saying that one could never be too cautious?

Even if the possibility was slim, some level of preparation was necessary.

‘Hmm. Joun seems like he knows something.’

Seeing Murong Cheok purse his lips in dissatisfaction, Seonwu Bang glanced at Seo Joun.

He had seen it earlier.

When Ban Hojin and the Hao Sect Leader had exchanged words about the Nine Heavens Gate, Seo Joun had flinched.

On top of that, his face had stiffened, so instinctively Seonwu Bang thought that Seo Joun knew something he himself did not.

‘At least two—no, probably three or even four people know.’

Seonwu Bang’s gaze moved past Seo Joun to Ban Hojin and the Hao Sect Leader, who were still smiling and conversing, and Nan Hee-ju.

But even so, he did not ask rashly.

There would be plenty of chances to ask later.

Besides, it would have been awkward to ask with the Hao Sect Leader present.

---

Despite it being early morning, Ban Hojin’s quarters were filled with scorching heat.

It was because the martial artists had come out at dawn to circulate their energy and perform breathing exercises.

On top of that, the Hao Sect’s escort warriors had joined in.

Clang! Clang!

The moment their circulation and breathing ended, an endless series of sparring matches began.

They kept changing opponents and continued to engage in martial matches.

Yet there was no one who tried to avoid it or found it bothersome.

Rather, every single one of them entered the sparring with eyes blazing brightly.

“Huh? The guests are staying here?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, I didn’t expect this…….”

More visitors arrived at Ban Hojin’s already noisy residence early in the morning.

They were Jeong Hyeon and the second-generation disciples.

By now, the second-generation disciples had naturally begun doing their morning training here, and all of them stared wide-eyed at the people sparring with murderous momentum from early dawn.

“There’s no problem, is there? It’s not like the place is cramped. Honestly, there’s no real reason sparring has to be done only on flat ground. No one knows what kind of environment a real fight will break out in.”

“Well, that’s true too.”

“It’s all experience.”

“But those people seem to have a lot of real combat experience. Is it because they have seniority?”

Jeong Hyeon’s eyes sparkled.

They did not feel as flashy or refined as Ban Hojin’s group, but instead they were unconventional and strong at improvisation.

Those were precisely the things disciples of prestigious families or great sects tended to lack.

Having recognized that at a glance, not only Jeong Hyeon but also the second-generation disciples watched with shining eyes.

“It’s not so much seniority as it is being used to muddy brawls. It’s the kind of experience you need the most right now.”

Brrr!

At the oddly chilling voice, Jeong Hyeon and the second-generation disciples shuddered.

The moment they heard Ban Hojin’s flat, emotionless voice, their bodies twitched reflexively.

“So you’re going to avoid it?”

“N-no way!”

“Shaolin disciples never run away!”

“Frontal breakthrough!”

At the provocation that struck directly at their pride, the second-generation disciples fell for it instantly.

They were still children, after all, and reacted right away.

Seeing that, Ban Hojin wore a satisfied expression.

“You’ve all finished your circulation and breathing, so let’s warm up our bodies together first. Physical conditioning is something you can’t skip even for a single day.”

“Yes!”

Jeong Hyeon and the second-generation disciples followed without complaint.

They did not ask why they had to do it again when Ban Hojin must have already done physical training earlier.

They all knew very well what kind of training Ban Hojin did.

Normally, he wandered around lazily, but when it came to training, Ban Hojin became a complete madman.

“W-wow!”

“T-this is crazy!”

“Isn’t she a fairy?”

“Sambong?”

“No way. I saw all of Sambong last time, and there wasn’t anyone like her.”

As the second-generation disciples ran in a wide circle around the front courtyard used as a training ground, following Ban Hojin, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

They were startled by Nan Hee-ju’s appearance.

Just like yesterday, she was not wearing a veil today, so her beauty was fully revealed.

It looked like she had just washed her hair, as her long hair was still damp and clinging softly.

“Who is she?”

“Why hasn’t a beauty like that become known in the martial world?”

“You didn’t tell us someone like that came yesterday!”

Jeong Hyeon protested to Ban Hojin.

He had shouted without realizing it, overcome by excitement.

But the same was true for the other second-generation disciples.

They looked at Ban Hojin with eyes full of grievance.

“Oh my?”

At that voice, Nan Hee-ju, who had come outside together with the Hao Sect Leader, widened her eyes.

She was startled to see more than ten bald-headed boys suddenly appear in a swarm.

“Did you just raise your voice at me?”

“T-that’s not it!”

“We were just so surprised!”

“We’re sorry!”

At Ban Hojin’s characteristically sharp tone, Jeong Hyeon and the second-generation disciples threw themselves flat onto the ground.

Shouting toward their heaven-like senior uncle was a grave offense, so they prostrated themselves immediately.

Yet even that 모습 looked cute to Ban Hojin.

It seemed Nan Hee-ju and the Hao Sect Leader felt the same, as both covered their mouths and laughed.

“Get up.”

“Yes!”

“We won’t make the same mistake again!”

“Then twenty laps of handstands as the price for letting it slide.”

The second-generation disciples, who had been just starting to rise, all gaped at once.

They were shocked by the unexpected punishment.

Still, since they were guilty, even though they wore sour expressions, they soon began circling the front courtyard upside down on their hands.

“Will they be all right?”

“That’s training too. It strengthens muscles they don’t normally use.”

“Oh. Then should I try it too?”

“In that outfit, it would be tough.”

Nan Hee-ju approached quietly, but Ban Hojin did not even spare her a glance.

Nan Hee-ju noticed, yet she did not seem disappointed.

“I can just change clothes.”

“It’ll be a bit much to keep up with the kids. They may be young, but I trained them properly.”

“It looks that way to me too. Their muscles, I mean.”

Nan Hee-ju showed a faintly impressed expression.

They looked to be in their early teens, yet their entire bodies were packed with solid muscle.

It was not a roughly built physique, but muscles forged through genuine, rigorous training.

Compressed and compressed muscles, one might say.

“They’re not finished yet. They’re still growing. Height is important for men. Well, monks aren’t exactly men, but even for warrior monks who learn long-arm, long-leg techniques, having longer limbs isn’t a bad thing.”

“That’s true. If you have to choose, longer is better than shorter.”

Though her level was low, Nan Hee-ju was also learning martial arts.

She had even learned some basic Golden Grasping Hand techniques, so she could fully understand what Ban Hojin meant.

At the same time, she found herself newly admiring Ban Hojin.

She knew well how difficult it was for a martial artist of Ban Hojin’s caliber to devote this much attention to junior disciples.

“So you do look at height?”

“Rather than height, it’s proportions.”

“Well, sure. If you’re choosing anyway, might as well choose the prettier one. Joun will probably go to bed early at night.”

“Hohoho.”

Nan Hee-ju covered her mouth and laughed.

Even without Ban Hojin explicitly bringing up Seo Joun, she already knew.

She knew that Seo Joun was interested in her.

But unfortunately, Nan Hee-ju’s own interest was directed elsewhere.

‘Master seems to be quietly hoping for it too.’