Chapter 168: What He Desires

Rejuvenation was the supreme realm of cultivation that seized the flowing years and reversed them.

However, regaining youth didn’t mean the external change – the appearance of the reversed age – was the same for everyone.

It was a natural principle.

Since the aptitude and ability of each martial artist wasn’t identical.

When each achieved Rejuvenation differed, and so did the resulting appearance.

The high and low of Rejuvenation achievement was distinguished by the degree of rejuvenation, and generally, when an elderly person transformed into a young man in his twenties symbolizing youth, it was called the highest realm.

Because the younger the outward appearance became, the greater and deeper the internal energy cultivation one could possess.

Gal Jung-heon was currently in a middle-aged state from that enlightenment.

In other words, he hadn’t reached the highest realm of Rejuvenation.

But still.

The Sun Moon Demon Cult patriarch had an appearance like a boy in his late teens, as if he had repeatedly achieved that regression to youth?

If so, Gal Jung-heon’s words that he suspected two achievements of Rejuvenation were quite credible.

‘Interesting. Well, it probably isn’t that guy from the past.’

The last Sun Moon Demon Cult Master that Cheol Ryu-heun himself had seen during his time as the Divine Martial Sword was a figure called Sun Moon fierce demon Jil Ro-gung – roughly eighty years ago, he had ambitiously invaded this land but was ultimately repelled before the martial prowess of Yaksha Great Sword Ancestor Helian Ryung.

At that time, he had suffered serious damage to his heart meridian, which was directly connected to his life, and passed away not many years after returning to the Sun Moon Demon Cult’s main hall.

The demon Gal Jung-heon had mentioned was definitely the next Sect Master.

“Tell me in more detail.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun spoke expressionlessly, Gal Jung-heon immediately searched his memory and explained.

“Yes. The Sect Master’s name is Aryun-nan… He’s commonly called the Sun Moon Demon Saint. The first time I saw Aryun-nan was thirty-five years ago. A small dispute arose between the Alliance I led and the Sun Moon Demon Cult, and we met to firmly conclude a non-aggression treaty. The moment I saw his appearance, I realized he had achieved Rejuvenation.”

“Was he young?”

“Yes, at that time Aryun-nan was sixty years old – ten years older than me. But he appeared before me with the appearance of someone in their early to mid-twenties. Anyway, after concluding the matter, we had a few more ceremonial meetings, and during that time there was no change in his appearance.”

The story continued.

Two years after that, Gal Jung-heon fought against Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon, the strongest in the martial world, and lost. Then he returned to Nine Demon Alliance and spent time devoted to training, during which he met the Sun Moon Demon Saint Aryun-nan once again.

It was a formal occasion as representatives of the two factions confirming the existing non-aggression treaty.

However.

The meeting was shocking.

Because the appearance of the Aryun-nan who had appeared again had changed from the twenty-something young man he had seen before to a boy in his late teens.

-Wait… Sect Master, that appearance right now…?

-Surprised? As you can see, I’ve gained a small enlightenment in my old age.

-Don’t tell me you’ve additionally achieved Rejuvenation recently?

-Ha… If that’s how it looks, just take it that way. Don’t pry too much. This is just a formality, so it would be best if we both wrapped up quickly and left.

Aryun-nan had been sparing with his words.

But there had been a latent sense of overconfidence in his achievements.

That’s why Gal Jung-heon had intuited.

That he had gained another enlightenment of Rejuvenation and transformed into the appearance of a boy in his late teens…

The meeting was twenty-two years ago.

That was the end of his memories.

A few months after that meeting, Gal Jung-heon’s precious family met with a horrific tragedy, and because of that he had imprisoned himself inside the barrier’s forbidden zone.

“After achieving Rejuvenation about eight or nine years later and coming out, I’ve had no contact with Aryun-nan or anyone from the Sun Moon Demon Cult. I just liquidated the hidden assets of the Alliance, which had become like an abandoned building with no people, and came here to the martial world to quietly live a new life.”

After listening quietly, Cheol Ryu-heun soon muttered briefly.

“It must be considerable.”

“Pardon?”

“That guy’s internal energy level.”

“Yes, that would be so. Having achieved Rejuvenation twice and with twenty-two more years passed on top of that… Hmm, he would already be ninety-five years old.”

“Considering the life-extension power that Rejuvenation grants, maybe he’ll survive to two hundred.”

“Hahaha, hearing you say that, it feels somewhat creepy. But…”

Having trailed off briefly, Gal Jung-heon continued speaking.

“…Is there some connection with what you asked me while we were traveling here? I wonder if that’s why you’re curious about the Sun Moon Demon Cult Patriarch…”

Because he remembered the question Cheol Ryu-heun had asked while riding Divine wind to White Peak Sword Sect this morning.

-While living here, have you ever seen a person who can execute a slashing strike powerful enough to cleave an entire mountain range?

-Pardon?

-Just as I said.

-Well… If someone can execute a slashing strike powerful enough to cleave an entire mountain range, wouldn’t that be a godlike being rather than a human?

-Guess you haven’t then.

-Ah… Yes. As you know, I’ve wandered from place to place while hiding my identity, so I’ve mainly encountered wanderers. But among them, there was no one with such tremendous power.

-Right, I expected as much.

-Is there someone specific you’re looking for?

-Forget it, never mind.

At that time, Gal Jung-heon had gotten a somehow meaningful feeling, and now receiving questions related to the Sun Moon Demon Cult Patriach like this, he was probing to see if there was some connection.

But Cheol Ryu-heun’s reply was.

“What do you mean.”

“Then why…?”

“Just because it seems like it’d be fun.”

“Pardon?”

“Fighting him.”

“…!”

“Aren’t you curious? Him with two Rejuvenation achievements, me with two Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing – which of us is stronger.”

“Well, beyond being curious, what you’re saying is just so sudden…”

“Well, not right away.”

At Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent answer, Gal Jung-heon was all the more puzzled.

‘Ha! Not right away – that means having the fight is definitive…’

Simple competitive spirit?

No, that couldn’t be.

Suddenly, one thing flashed through his mind.

‘The Sun Moon Demon Cult is… Conducting covert activities targeting the martial world!’

In an instant, Cheol Ryu-heun’s Secret Sound Transmission reached his ears.

<I’ll tell you more when the time comes.>

At that, Gal Jung-heon was certain.

‘My guess is correct!’

The Sun Moon Demon Cult was one of the Five Demonic Cults representing the border demonic realm, and in truth was a massive organization that White Peak Sword Sect’s combat power alone couldn’t handle.

Of course, Cheol Ryu-heun was holding down the fort, but that alone wasn’t enough.

Yet.

Why did he get the feeling that he could glimpse leisure within Cheol Ryu-heun’s expressionlessness?

‘Has he already prepared?’

Gal Jung-heon soon laughed inwardly.

Ha.

Right, he said he’d tell me when the time comes, so let’s trust him and wait.

If it were anyone else he might wonder, but if it was Cheol Ryu-heun, who had obtained an ancient fortuitous encounter and possessed unfathomable power, he had surely prepared a method to counter the demonic force.

Having thought so, Gal Jung-heon spoke in a low voice.

“Sect Master, no matter how strong he is, he wouldn’t be at a level capable of executing slashing strikes powerful enough to cleave entire mountain ranges. Honestly, there’s no way such a martial artist exists in this age. So I… Believe you will be victorious.”

Cheol Ryu-heun inwardly smirked.

‘Same as that shit swordsman.’

Head-Severing Yama Seop Pyo had also said something like that before.

-Have you seen anyone who can execute a slashing strike a hundred times more powerful than what I displayed?

-Pardon? Not just ten times but… At that level, they would be the strongest without precedent in all of history. There’s no way such a martial artist exists in this age. But why suddenly ask such a thing…?

Why wouldn’t there be.

There is.

Someone like that.

You don’t know.

The fact that a monster who ruthlessly destroyed the Divine Martial Sword exists.

Having briefly thought of the wanderer, Cheol Ryu-heun answered with a nonchalant gaze.

“Of course I’ll win.”

Then he turned and walked out, saying.

“Let’s leave the talk here, and starting two days from now, spar with Woon-rang.”

“Four Dragon Sword Forms training?”

“Yeah. Like real combat. That way he’ll learn faster.”

“Yes, understood.”

At that moment, Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk appeared in the garden.

“Sect Master, a guest has arrived just now.”

“The Qidiao Sword Family group?”

“Oh, how did you know?”

“Because it’s about time they arrived.”

With those words, Cheol Ryu-heun swiftly disappeared out the door.

* * *

The current Family Head of Qidiao Sword Family, Brilliant Sword Hero Qidiao hwang, had stopped by Azure Hound Trading Company to terminate the contract and then immediately left Baizhou to arrive at White Peak Sword Sect.

He wasn’t alone.

With the relationship with Azure Hound Trading Company, which had built up friendship over a long period to the point of being practically an alliance, now settled, the dispatch mission had naturally ended, so he had brought along the four members of Qidiao Escort Agency.

Thus, after being guided by the Training instructors, the three Guyang brothers, into the guest hall, a bit of time had passed.

BANG-

The guest hall’s lattice door opened and Cheol Ryu-heun appeared.

Following behind, Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk also showed himself.

Immediately after, Qidiao hwang, who had been seated at the table, quickly rose and greeted him respectfully.

“Sect Master Cheol, pleased to meet you. I am Qidiao hwang.”

His character was extraordinary.

One could easily tell just from the fact that though he could rightfully use casual speech, he was using the most respectful form.

As Qidiao hwang showed propriety first, Qidiao Gon and the rest of the Qidiao Escort Agency people also bent at the waist deeply, showing the attitude of addressing a superior.

Cheol Ryu-heun, expressionless as always, received the greeting and spoke.

“It’s fine. Please be seated.”

But at that moment, Qidiao hwang glared.

“Hey, what are you doing!”

When Qidiao Gon and the others flinched in surprise, he pressed again.

“Kneel at once!”

Reminding them they had come to beg forgiveness, Qidiao Gon and the four including him hurriedly knelt on the floor and appealed toward Cheol Ryu-heun.

“Sect Master Cheol, we sincerely apologize for our past wrongdoings!”

“Yes, through this incident we have deeply reflected!”

Following that, Qidiao hwang bent his waist so deeply his forehead nearly touched the table and spoke as the family’s representative.

“Sect Master Cheol, I visited the Red Cat Merchant Guild earlier and heard the full story, then concluded a new negotiation. Guild Master Hui said White Peak Sword Sect wished to give an opportunity for reflection and repentance… The faults of my subordinates are my faults.”

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun, seated in the front chair, sent out formless energy to raise the other’s upper body.

“It’s fine.”

Qidiao hwang, whose body had been lifted by the gentle force, had his eyes wavering like ripples.

‘Ha, how can this be…!’

He was impressed by the exquisite skill with which Cheol Ryu-heun operated formless energy so naturally.

“The past is the past – let’s only discuss the future now. To also save each other’s time.”

“But…”

“I’m not just saying that.”

When Cheol Ryu-heun shook his head and spoke, Qidiao hwang finally felt his heart lighten.

“Yes, understood. Then I’ll get to the main point. I heard through Hall Master Hui that… There’s something specific you desire from our family?”

“I’ll tell you this first. In the future, I plan to make it so Qidiao Escort Agency can use all transport routes in Mount Apo of Hubei region for free.”

The moment Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent words ended, Qidiao hwang wore a startled expression.

“Pardon? That place is Green Forest Alliance’s territory, so how…”

“The Green Forest Alliance Master will publicly announce it soon.”

At that, everyone inside the guest hall wore blank looks.

“…!”

Cheol Ryu-heun spoke without caring.

“In return.”

Gazes quietly shifted.

Thus he looked at the Qidiao Escort Agency members kneeling on one side of the floor and spoke.

“Our Sect needs a number of workers for unpaid service, and I would be grateful if you could supply that labor. Preferably, with people who can handle a blade.”