Chapter 194: This and That

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A busy street in Wanju.

Befitting a city connected by all roads and waterways large and small, this street lined with various shops was currently teeming with crowds as if in total chaos.

From taverns, inns, and restaurants to butcher shops, fish markets, apothecaries, bookstores, fabric shops, weapon stores, and general stores – it was truly a sea of people with not a single place that wasn’t crowded with customers.

“Now, now! Attention, attention! Here we have weapons directly imported from Europa (Europe)! These are genuine products sold with government permits! Limited quantity, special sale only today!”

“Fresh specialty goods shipped directly from the Zhejiang region! Pickled shark meat! Discount prices! Buy them quickly! They taste like honey! Hesitate and they’ll be gone!”

“You there, pretty young lady! Come look at this! This is precious silk from Persia! Hoho, how is it? The color is quite lovely, isn’t it?”

“Herbs and fruits guaranteed by the Wudang Sect! Buy two bundles and I’ll take off two coins! Hm? What’s that, customer? Ah, yes, yes! That’s right! Wudang Sect guaranteed! Of course, of course! I’ve been trading with them for over ten years!”

“Hey, hey! You there, the man with his head down! Try this! It’s a great help for nighttime activities! Everyone who’s bought it says they’re full of vigor day and night!”

In the bustling marketplace, the cries of those soliciting customers never ceased.

This scene wasn’t particularly new, as Wanju had always had many people coming and going.

But today, the crowds were especially noisy.

The reason was simple.

It was because of the duel scheduled for tomorrow between White Peak Sword Sect Leader Cheol Ryu-heun and Sword Seal Sect Leader So Cheon-ak.

Hence, more orthodox and unorthodox martial artists than usual were visible on every street and in every shop.

Regardless of whether they were third-rate, second-rate, or first-rate, as if proving the great buzz.

Meanwhile, in one inn, various martial artists had gathered and were debating while drinking.

With tomorrow’s matchup as their drinking companion instead of delicious food.

“Ha, what? You’re predicting Cheol Ryu-heun’s victory?”

“Yes. I’m getting a feeling somehow.”

“I feel the same. Would rumors spread for no reason?”

“You guys, what are you talking about? You believe all that?”

“Well, I don’t believe all of it. But you know too. In the martial world, names don’t rise in vain.”

“Right. It can’t just be empty talk.”

“There are plenty of vain names. I can’t believe it until I see it with my own two eyes.”

“Me too, me too. The opponent is the Sword Seal Sect Leader So Cheon-ak who’s called Severing Finger Sword Venerable. I give high marks to Cheol Ryu-heun’s spirit for readily challenging him, but…”

“What, you don’t rate his strength highly? He already beat even Do Yun.”

“You think the alias Blue Robe Sword Noble is a joke? Do Yun is one of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province too.”

“Look here, I’m not saying it’s a joke – So Cheon-ak has beaten Do Yun too. So simple comparisons are meaningless.”

“Tsk. What do you mean by simple comparison? Cheol Ryu-heun beat him faster. Compared to So Cheon-ak before.”

“Ha! That IS a simple comparison, man. Do you judge a master’s contest just by time?”

“That’s the thing. At that time, So Cheon-ak didn’t even use his ultimate moves.”

“Well, by that logic, Cheol Ryu-heun might have done the same.”

“What same? There’s no one who saw. Apart from the people who lost, as the rumors say, no one knows how Cheol Ryu-heun fought.”

“W-well that’s…”

“It’s just exaggerated rumors.”

“Ah, whatever! He won in any case.”

“Pfft! Logic of miracles.”

“GRK, what’s your problem? You lousy unorthodox fellow…!”

“Oh my. You’re going to bring up factions at a drinking gathering? You want to fight? Mr. Orthodox?”

“You are insolent – you’re just a one-punch job.”

“And you’re a finger.”

“Crazy…!”

“Whoa, whoa! Calm down everyone. Why are you like this? Familiar faces and all. Earlier you were saying let’s get along.”

“Right, don’t fight. Anyway, they say Cheol Ryu-heun provoked Do Yun at that time and proclaimed himself as the Number One Martial God of Hunan as if certain of victory. To dismiss it as mere bravado with that result…”

“But he hasn’t yet competed against the Two Dukes, who are the top of the Five Martial Paragons.”

“Hmm, So Cheon-ak isn’t at the top of the Six Extremes of Hubei either.”

“Ah, let’s call it even. It’ll be decided tomorrow anyway. Let’s just drink.”

At that moment, one martial artist suddenly looked up at the second floor of the inn.

“But that’s been empty since earlier. Who reserved it?”

At that, the martial artist beside him responded.

“Must be rich people from here. I don’t know how many. Well, if not that…”

“If not that?”

“Could be big shots of the orthodox and unorthodox.”

“Could it be the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province or Six Extremes of Hubei? I heard most of them came here.”

In an instant.

SWOOSH-

The curtain hanging at the entrance was swept aside as a man in his fifties wearing gray martial attire appeared.

Simultaneously, the gazes of those present concentrated in that direction all at once.

Clothes gorgeously embroidered with the pattern of the legendary great fish kun, an enormous blade hanging on his back, and a fierce appearance reminiscent of a savage tiger.

The area began to stir.

Everyone recognized who that man was.

That’s right.

You could tell just by the clothes.

Because only one person in the martial world wore gray martial attire embroidered with the kun pattern.

It was Yuk Geum-gang, alias Tai Saber Kun, the third-generation Sect Leader of the unorthodox faction Giant Roc Saber Gate of the Hubei region and a powerhouse ranked among the Six Polar Stars.

The orthodox martial artists in the area looked intimidated.

Because a bigshot from the opposing unorthodox faction had appeared of all things.

Meanwhile, Yuk Geum-gang didn’t even turn his gaze and walked straight ahead, stepping up the stairs to the second floor.

STEP, STEP, STEP…

The sight of Yuk Geum-gang climbing up with that enormous blade strapped to his back was suffocating just to look at.

Soon, when his figure disappeared, voices leaked out from here and there.

“WHEW…”

“Now I can breathe.”

“What an incredible presence indeed.”

“Suddenly I’m curious. Is Wei Ji-am of the Five Martial Paragons, who beat him recently, even more imposing?”

“Shh, shh. He might hear.”

“It was said to be quite fierce, would there be much difference? We’d probably see them all the same.”

“Right. Those people play in different waters.”

After some time passed, another bigshot appeared.

SWOOSH-

Wearing white martial attire embroidered with a jackal and wolf and carrying a treasured blade, it was Jinjo Jeok-je, alias Hungry Wolf Blade Demon, Sect Leader of the unorthodox Jackal Wolf Blade Sect.

The area stirred again.

Following Yuk Geum-gang of the Six Extremes of Hubei, Jinjo Jeok-je of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province had appeared, and the orthodox martial artists somehow felt like they were sitting on needles.

Perhaps the two had arranged this as a meeting place.

As if proving that, Jinjo Jeok-je headed toward the stairs in front.

Immediately after.

SWOOSH, SWOOSH SWOOSH, SWOOSH…

The dangling curtain was swept aside in succession as about twenty sturdy blade practitioners entered.

It was the Jackal Fang Squad , one of the elite forces of the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect and a group directly under the Sect Leader.

They were a group that got their name from being said to have bladework as fierce as a jackal’s fangs.

The ranks of blade practitioners within the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect were distinguished by clothing like any other martial sect, and members of the elite Jackal Fang Squad were famous for wearing dark brown uniforms.

The people in the area knew this fact, so they immediately identified the group’s identity.

“That’s Jackal Fang Squad.”

“Oh… Their dignity is exceptional.”

“Because of the clothes, they look even more like a pack of jackals. So Jinjo Jeok-je reserved the entire second floor.”

“Quite a lot of people from the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect came, it seems. Earlier, someone said Jong Pyeong was here too.”

“Ah! Violent Wolf Blade.”

“Yes. The direct disciple of the Jackal Wolf Blade Sect Leader.”

“He’s a rising powerhouse often compared to Seol Pan-gyo, right?”

“Wait a minute…”

“What?”

“If Jong Pyeong and Cheol Ryu-heun got into an altercation and fought, we could find out the truth of the rumors, couldn’t we? Whether he really has the martial might to send that Seol Pan-gyo flying in one blow or not…”

“Pfft, what are you talking about? The duel is tomorrow. If it were me, I wouldn’t create such an incident.”

“What, you’re not Cheol Ryu-heun, are you? You never know with people.”

“……”

Meanwhile, Jinjo Jeok-je’s group arrived on the second floor.

“You’ve come, Sect Leader Jin Jo.”

Yuk Geum-gang, who had placed his enormous blade against the side of the table, raised one hand in greeting.

Jinjo Jeok-je nodded lightly and took a seat across from him.

“It’s been a while, Sect Leader Yuk.”

Following that, the Jackal Fang Squad also paid their respects politely and took seats at the surrounding tables.

Soon the inn owner came, took their orders, and left, then Jinjo Jeok-je asked while taking a sip of tea.

“Did you come here alone?”

“I only brought a few people. It’s bothersome to drag around subordinates in a string… Sect Leader Jin Jo brought quite a lot.”

“Ha. Isn’t it good to show off our presence on occasions like this? Including the personnel at other inns and those on standby outside, there should be about seventy.”

At that, Yuk Geum-gang grinned and responded.

“I understand. Since those annoying orthodox folk are here too.”

That’s right.

Bringing so many personnel like this was a kind of power play.

“I heard the recent news. The duel with Sect Leader Wei Ji…”

“Hmm, it’s embarrassing.”

“What do you mean embarrassing? Sect Leader Wei Ji is a transcendent powerhouse who competes for the top of the Five Martial Paragons. Moreover, wasn’t it a fierce contest?”

At that, Yuk Geum-gang quietly shook his head after drinking his tea.

“That fierceness… Was intended by Sect Leader Wi Ji.”

“…!”

“He didn’t use his ultimate moves until the end. Just like Severing Finger Sword Venerable did against Blue Robe Sword Noble in the past…”

“Ha, what surprising words. Then it seems certain that Sect Leader Wei Ji’s power has improved further.”

“In any case, I keenly felt the high martial might of the Two Dukes.”

Yuk Geum-gang smiled bitterly and subtly changed the subject.

“The duel tomorrow – how do you predict it, Sect Leader Jin Jo?”

“Regarding Cheol Ryu-heun, there are many rumors that are hard to readily believe…”

Jinjo Jeok-je trailed off, then his eyes flashed.

“…I myself have a mind to personally test that power. That impudence of casually speaking of being the Number One Martial God of Hunan displeases me.”

His lips slowly curved upward.

It was a smile that even felt chillingly murderous.

Yuk Geum-gang returned the smile.

“I feel the same.”

“We’re of one mind. If such an opportunity arises… Please generously yield to me. After all, wouldn’t sorting out our side take priority?”

“Hoho. Of course. But I don’t think there will be an opportunity for us. Having experienced Severing Finger Sword Venerable’s formidable martial might long ago, I know well… I guarantee he is someone who will someday definitely seize the top position among the Six Polar Stars.”

“I’m very much looking forward to it. Tomorrow’s duel.”

But then suddenly.

CRACK!

With a loud sound, the inn wall was smashed and a figure flew rapidly onto the second floor.

“URK!”

“WHAT!”

While everyone was startled.

THUD-!

That figure was slammed hard onto the floor right beside the table where Jinjo Jeok-je and Yuk Geum-gang sat.

In an instant, Jackal Fang Squad’s faces blanched like white paper.

‘NO…!’

Because the identity of the unconscious figure lying like a rag was one of the disciples who had been on standby outside.

“DAMN IT!”

Jinjo Jeok-je let out an angry shout and headed toward outside the inn as Yuk Geum-gang swiftly followed behind.

Not to be outdone, Jackal Fang Squad also all leaped over the second-floor railing and rushed out the entrance.

MURMUR MURMUR.

A tremendous crowd gathered on the main road.

A shocking scene was captured in the vision of Jinjo Jeok-je who had come outside.

“THIS IS…!”

A young man of about twenty standing boldly in the center of where over ten disciples lay collapsed.

Moreover, dangling from one of his hands was his disciple Jong Pyeong, held up by the collar, hanging limply.

Yuk Geum-gang and Jackal Fang Squad who had followed out were also startled upon witnessing that scene.

Soon, the group who saw the unfamiliar young man’s martial attire shouted inwardly.

‘White Peak Sword Sect Leader…!’

Cheol Ryu-heun, wearing an indifferent look, flung Jong Pyeong far forward and said.

“I laid hands on them a bit. This one and that one, since they drew their blades first.”