Chapter 232: His Mockery
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The hall began to stir greatly.
Ximen Yue, Nu-heum, Won Song, and others gathered on both sides of the main path’s training grounds totaled about two hundred people.
Aside from a few belonging to the Swift Wind Squad’s Third Squad, the majority were meeting Cheol Ryu-heun for the first time.
However, everyone recognized him.
The uninvited guest’s identity was White Peak Sword Sect Leader Cheol Ryu-heun.
To be precise, they had immediately recognized the martial attire he was wearing.
The white mountain pattern harmonized with black cotton cloth had symbolized the position of White Peak Sword Sect Leader since ancient times.
But Cheol Ryu-heun wasn’t the only one visiting the Ximen Family.
Murmuring and whispering.
Behind Cheol Ryu-heun, who was leading Divine Wind’s reins and walking, another guest appeared.
“OH?”
“Is that who I think?”
“What day is today?”
A man in his fifties entered the eyes of the crowd.
On the left chest of his loose, bluish clothing, the characters ‘Azure Heaven’ were stylishly embroidered.
He possessed the extraordinary bearing unique to masters – it was Seol Hu-yong the Azure Edge Sword Expert, current Sect Leader of the Azure Heaven Sword Sect.
One of the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province, a figure everyone acknowledged as a powerhouse of the Hunan region, had appeared at the Ximen Family.
So the murmuring could only grow louder.
As the saying goes, a guilty conscience needs no accuser – Third Squad Commander Nu-heum clenched both fists tightly.
Secret Sound Transmission.
Ximen Yue deepened his gaze and replied.
Then secretly inquiring toward Vice Squad Commander Won Song.
Ximen Yue nodded and quietly commanded.
Meaning to be cautious in his actions from now on.
Thus Nu-heum answered through transmitted voice, then sent a silent signal to his subordinates to manage their expressions.
At that moment, the household martial artist who had been guiding them quickly ran forward.
“AH! Third Young Master, you’ve finished your closed-door training. Sect Leader Seol visited after a long time. And the young one there is from White Peak…”
Ximen Yue cut off his words and smiled gently.
“You don’t need to introduce them. They’re the talk of the town. I just heard the rumors.”
It was a gentle-feeling smile as if suppressing his true nature.
“AH, I see.”
“Go back to your post now. I’ll take over as guide.”
“YES. Understood.”
When the gatekeeper hurriedly disappeared, Ximen Yue led his subordinates forward.
Meanwhile, Cheol Ryu-heun gazed beyond the main path flanked by training grounds on both sides and spoke in an indifferent voice.
“This is my first time coming here, and it’s incredibly vast, almost like a castle.”
Azure Edge Sword Expert Seol Hu-yong beside him chimed in.
“Yes. The Ximen Family’s panoramic view is famous in this area. I’m filled with admiration every time I see it.”
True to his words, the splendid pavilions with eaves touching and lined up like clouds were impossibly magnificent.
“It’s the optimal location to use as an advance base.”
“That’s right.”
“Well, of course, the same goes for the opposing camp.”
Seol Hu-yong nodded quietly as if in agreement upon hearing Cheol Ryu-heun’s meaningful words.
Soon Ximen Yue approached them and politely clasped his hands together.
“Welcome, both of you. We welcome your visit to our house. Sect Leader Seol, have you been well?”
“HOHO. Yes, yes. It’s been almost two years.”
“Yes. It’s good to see you again like this.”
Ximen Yue’s gaze soon turned to Cheol Ryu-heun.
“Sect Leader Cheol, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Ximen Yue.”
Having exchanged gazes, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke expressionlessly.
“I’ll skip the formal introduction. Since everyone seems to already recognize me.”
“HAHA. Yes. Sect Leader Cheol. Since those rumors have already spread far and wide, one wouldn’t be a martial artist to not know.”
Having responded thus, Ximen Yue inwardly smirked.
‘HUT, still the same.’
Cheol Ryu-heun’s aura was still empty.
An incomprehensible phenomenon where nothing could be felt at all, as if he had never learned martial arts and was just an ordinary person.
He didn’t understand how such a thing was possible.
He suddenly recalled past events.
The day Netherworld Sword Fork Jeo Gyeom had met his end…
The provocative words Cheol Ryu-heun had uttered while lightly tapping his own forehead with a finger flashed through his mind again.
-All the essence of the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique is in here. If you want it, try subduing me.
He had never anticipated back then.
That this bastard would make such a great name for himself.
‘Anyway, how interesting. Hunan’s Number One Martial God, he says…’
On the other hand, he felt relieved.
The guy seemed unaware.
Of his true nature.
If it were otherwise, he wouldn’t have come here with just Seol Hu-yong.
He remembered the brief conversation he’d had with Cheol Ryu-heun before.
-Why are you holding back that power?
-What are you talking about?
-Playing innocent.
-……
That guy had spoken then as if he’d noticed another power dwelling in his body.
But the situation is different now.
He wouldn’t be able to notice anything anymore.
Why?
Because through closed-door training, both the wondrous applications of Yang Heart Divine Art and the essence of the Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique had reached maximum cultivation level…
Therefore he couldn’t suspect him of being the same person.
This wasn’t arrogance.
It was confidence in high achievement.
Just then, two young men with lofty bearing appeared.
CHEOK, CHEOK, CHEOK…
On the left, the one with a robust, heroic impression was Ximen Family’s eldest son, Gust Sword Knight Ximen Ang.
True to his status as a rising master designated as the next family head, his aura was indeed outstanding.
The young man on the right also boasted a gallant figure.
He possessed an aura no less impressive than eldest son Ximen Ang’s – it was second son Divine Wind Sword Talent Ximen Yu.
When the three of them stood together, it somehow felt dazzling.
That’s how exceptional each of the three brothers’ bearing was.
Ximen Ang and Ximen Yu offered cupped-fist salutes in greeting.
“Sect Leader Seol, it’s truly been a long time. You must be Sect Leader Cheol? I recognized that attire immediately. I am Ximen Ang.”
“I’m the younger brother, Ximen Yu.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Cheol Ryu-heun spoke those words and shifted his gaze.
The spot where his eyes lingered was none other than Nu-heum.
“We’ve met before, so shouldn’t an apology come before a greeting?”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice, Nu-heum felt a pang of guilt.
‘CHIT…!’
Their first meeting from the past.
He hadn’t forgotten that and was bringing it up here.
-Move aside in advance and show some tact, TSK…
-Is that silence supposed to mean something? How annoying.
Those who had uttered such words back then also felt their consciences prick up.
Cheol Ryu-heun’s indifferent voice continued.
“I’m curious whether I still look like a wanderer to you?”
At those words, Ximen Ang tilted his head.
“PARDON? Did Squad Commander Nu commit some rudeness?”
At this, Nu-heum wore a flustered expression.
“AH, UH, THAT IS…”
-It seems you’re a greenhorn unfamiliar with the way of the world just venturing into the martial world. I’m Nu-heum, Third Squad Commander of the Swift Wind Squad of the Ximen Family. Surely you’re not unaware of our household, one of the Seven Great Families? Now, step aside.
-Why should I?
-……!
-You move.
-Watch yourself, wandering swordsman. By the looks of it, you’re in the business of catching wanted criminals, but what audacity to…
Nu-heum honestly confessed that incident and bowed his waist.
“I acted arrogantly. I offer formal apologies.”
Following that, Ximen Yue also spoke with a courteous attitude.
“It was entirely my fault. That forest was originally a place with many bandits, so I had unavoidably issued orders. That if they encountered low-quality types, they should quickly resolve it without creating troublesome situations… So Squad Commander Nu’s group acted aggressively. I apologize. Please rebuke me.”
Ximen Ang at his side scolded politely.
“Squad Commander Nu, you committed a grave error. I told you not to judge people by their appearance alone. What would Sect Leader Cheol think of our family?”
In truth, it was a scolding directed at Ximen Yue, not Nu-heum.
‘Right. Now is the time to bow my head for a moment.’
Quick-witted Ximen Yue bowed his waist again.
“I apologize, Elder Brother. It’s because I’m lacking. I won’t make any excuses.”
Meanwhile, murderous intent writhed within his heart.
Soon Ximen Yu stepped forward to smooth over the awkward atmosphere.
“Sect Leader Cheol, please forgive them generously. The youngest is a boy with proper conduct. If it were otherwise, he would have denied it first.”
Cheol Ryu-heun showed an attitude of complete indifference.
“It’s fine. He cleanly admitted it and apologized.”
“AH…! Thank you for understanding.”
In the instant Ximen Yu’s expression brightened.
FLUTTER-
Along with the sound of clothes fluttering, one person suddenly appeared.
“HAHA. Welcome.”
A swordsman in his fifties greeted them with a bright expression.
He was a figure who exuded mature charm.
The one in martial attire prominently featuring the characters ‘Ximen’ and a pattern symbolizing wind was none other than Whirlwind Sword Lord Ximen Jwa, the Family Head of this Ximen Family.
Seol Hu-yong first clasped his hands together in response.
“Family Head Ximen, it’s been truly a long time.”
“What are you saying, I should have visited sooner.”
Ximen Jwa waved his hands dismissively, then deeply lowered his upper body.
“Sect Leader Cheol! I received secret contact from the Beggar Sect yesterday and have been waiting for when you would arrive at our house.”
It was treatment as if addressing a great senior of the martial world.
Well, that was understandable.
Because Cheol Ryu-heun’s seniority was the highest of this era.
Ximen Yue, Nu-heum, Won Song and others secretly exchanged glances.
The Beggar Sect had contacted them in advance?
They now understood the purpose of Cheol Ryu-heun’s visit.
Cooperation.
A request to lend strength in attacking Sun Moon Demon Cult…
Judging by the circumstances, it was clear they hadn’t yet identified the masked figure’s true identity as Ximen Yue.
Sure enough, Seol Hu-yong spoke in a solemn voice.
“Sect Leader Cheol and I have come to discuss the Sun Moon Demon Cult matter. So could you first convene a leadership meeting?”
“Understood.”
Ximen Jwa readily accepted, then commanded his eldest son Ximen Ang and others.
“Immediately relay the summons to all executives. Of course, you shall attend as well.”
“Yes, Father.”
Thus the three brothers answered in unison.
‘Hmph.’
Ximen Yue inwardly mocked him.
Holding a secret strategy meeting here when he himself was the successor of Sun Moon Demon Cult’s Patriarch…
‘They say the base of the lamp is dark. Foolish lot.’
Whether he knew that or not, Cheol Ryu-heun simply maintained his indifferent expression.
* * *
As dusk fell.
Inside an abandoned house in the forest, First Seat revealed himself.
“HEOK, HEOK, HEOK…”
He leaned against a wall, catching his breath roughly, then looked at the old door ahead and spoke in a quiet voice.
“AH… You came at just the right time.”
His expression seemed to say what a stroke of luck.
A figure standing clearly at the door stepped inside.
It was Lewd Cruel Demon Servant Yo Mong-ji, Yeom Sang-ah’s personal handmaid.
“MY, what happened to you?”
The First Seat spoke with a grave expression.
“KEUM… I suffered severe internal injuries. The matter was too urgent to even have time for energy circulation healing.”
“Whose handiwork?”
“Cheol Ryu-heun… it is.”
“……”
In an instant, a faint strange light rose in Yo Mong-ji’s eyes.
Having caught his breath, First Seat briefly explained the series of events, then added.
“Do you have any healing medicine? I must hurry and inform the Patriarch. That bastard… is able to employ even the essence of Sun Moon Demon Arrival Technique…”
But Yo Mong-ji wore a strange smile.
“Go where?”
“WHAT…?”
“You’ll die here. In ecstasy I’ll bestow upon you.”