Chapter 281: Moving Shadows

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Bisung Guest House in the center of the bustling district.

It was a quite tall and large four-story building with all kinds of luxurious decorations and lanterns hanging abundantly.

Cheol Ryu-heun arrived in front of it, tied Divine Wind’s reins, and took out one ginseng root to feed it.

CRUNCH CRUNCH.

Divine Wind instantly devoured it, then sat down on the ground with a thud to rest.

Ximen Yue, positioned to one side, asked a question.

“Sect Leader Cheol, where do you think the story we heard while passing through the marketplace earlier originated from?”

The rumor that the legendary Divine Martial Sword existed within the Shiwan Mountains.

They had first heard it upon coming here.

It seemed like it hadn’t been long since those words started spreading everywhere…

Yet Cheol Ryu-heun’s reaction was merely indifferent.

“Don’t know, not interested. Why, do you want to go too?”

Ximen Yue laughed wryly and shook his head.

“Hoo, no. My greed for the Divine Martial Sword has now disappeared… but I am curious about the truth behind that rumor.”

“Well, not just you but everyone must feel the same. Let’s eat.”

Cheol Ryu-heun headed toward the guest house entrance.

Ximen Yue, following behind, surveyed the guest house’s exterior and spoke.

“Isn’t this place too high-class to stay just one night?”

“Can even you, who grew up wanting for nothing since childhood, say such things?”

“Ah, well even I… have reflected on things… hearing your words makes me look back on my life once more. Haha…”

A light of reflection passed over the face of Ximen Yue, who let out an awkward laugh.

Past events suddenly came to his mind.

A certain high-class tavern he had stopped by while wandering around to secure the Ghost Shadow Sword Technique.

Sitting on the topmost floor there, he had looked down through the window and sneered.

At the powerless lives of the common people working like ants…

Those bargaining over goods, those enthusiastically soliciting customers, those transporting cargo. He had mocked them all as pathetic creatures.

Although he had been in a state fallen into demonic nature, that was nothing but an excuse.

Due to the influence of privilege consciousness, elitist consciousness, and authority consciousness that had grown little by little without him knowing, he had harbored such a disgraceful mindset.

In any case, it was fortunate he had repented, even if late.

‘I was lost in arrogance. As if their appearances, struggling desperately to earn a single coin, were amusing… when I was just a bit luckier than others.’

Following that, he recalled his father Ximen Jwa’s teaching.

-The position of Family Head is not determined by strength alone. I hope you too will deeply realize that.

‘Yes, Father. I will never forget the true meaning of those words. I will discard my former self and newly reorganize my body and mind.’

While Ximen Yue was making such inner resolutions, Cheol Ryu-heun’s apathetic voice was heard.

“Might as well eat good food since we’ve come a long way. I’m not trying to brag about having money. So don’t complain and follow me.”

“Haha. Yes.”

As they entered, the clamorous sounds of many people chattering struck both their ears.

The first floor of the guest house was completely full.

No matter how much they looked around, there wasn’t a single empty seat.

Soon, the guest house owner greeted them with a troubled expression.

“Oh my, welcome. Could you wait here just a moment? Right now, even the second floor is full… but a seat should open up soon.”

Ximen Yue, having heard those words, glanced upward.

“Are the third and fourth floors all guest rooms?”

“That’s right. A seat should open up on the second floor, so if you wait here a moment…”

Right at that moment.

“Oh!”

A brief exclamation was heard from someone, and soon the gazes of many people moved.

Gazes concentrating on Cheol Ryu-heun and Ximen Yue.

Without exception, they recognized the attire.

“It’s the new Sect Leader of White Peak Sword Sect.”

“Really. That’s definitely the White Peak Sword Sect Leader’s unique martial uniform.”

“Wow, the First Martial God of Hunan that I’ve only heard of in rumors…”

“This is my first time seeing him in person.”

“Same here.”

“There’s a Ximen Family martial artist beside him too.”

“Who is it? His martial uniform looks quite high-class.”

“Isn’t he one of the three young masters?”

“Probably…”

“But why did he appear here? Has that great battle already concluded?”

“Who knows. I haven’t heard any rumors about the outcome yet.”

“Oh wait… could he have come to spar with the Five Elegants of Jiangxi?”

“Oho, that makes sense. A martial world ranking reorganization?”

While everyone was murmuring, some even showed signs of tension.

Martial artists, not ordinary people.

Ximen Yue, feeling burdened by such gazes, asked softly.

“Shall we go somewhere else?”

At that moment, a female swordsman entered through the guest house’s main gate.

CHWARAAK-

Before the curtain that had swung wide to both sides could even settle.

“Ah! You were here!”

The female swordsman discovered Cheol Ryu-heun and Ximen Yue nearby and brightened.

Her voice even mixed with slightly gasping breaths.

As if she had run over here in a fluster.

She seemed to be in her early twenties.

The female swordsman in a jade-colored high-class martial uniform had a refined appearance.

Although her features weren’t those of a typical beauty, she had a good impression that evoked favorable feelings.

Her appearance was neat from head to toe.

Her hair was neatly combed and tied up, her two eyes were clear like the sky, her two cheeks were tinged slightly pink, and her attire was tidy without even a small wrinkle.

Perhaps because of that.

She exuded a certain unapproachable elegance.

Somehow, her atmosphere slightly resembled Ximen Yue’s.

She was surely the precious child of a prestigious family.

Definitely.

Sure enough, characters symbolizing an orthodox martial world prestigious family were embroidered on her dark green martial uniform.

Murong.

That signified a family name.

That’s right.

The female swordsman belonged to the Murong Family, one of the Seven Great Families.

Ximen Yue greeted her with a bright expression.

“Ah! It’s been a while seeing you here, Miss Murong.”

“Yes. It’s really nice to meet you. How long has it been?”

“It’s already been over a year. By the way, did you follow us?”

“That’s right. I saw you passing by that road earlier.”

The female swordsman called Miss Murong soon gazed at Cheol Ryu-heun beside her.

Then, paying proper respects, she spoke politely.

“Sect Leader Cheol, this is my first time formally greeting you. My name is Murong Seol. It’s an honor to see your esteemed face. The moment I saw the horse and attire, I immediately recognized you as Sect Leader Cheol of White Peak Sword Sect. That’s why I followed in such a hurry.”

At that, Cheol Ryu-heun replied expressionlessly.

“Yes, I’ve heard your story at some point too.”

Murong Seol, twenty-two years old this year.

The eldest daughter of Murong Kang, the Family Head of Murong Family whose epithet was Thrusting Sword Elegant Scholar who is one of the Five Elegants of Jiangxi representing the Jiangxi region,

Also.

A swordsmanship prodigy called by the epithet Stone-Piercing Sword Lady.

People commonly said.

That the swordsmanship Murong Seol had mastered was truly powerful martial learning that could lightly pierce even large rocks.

Stone-Piercing Sword Lady was an epithet representing that outstanding thrusting skill.

Murong Seol’s swordsmanship study was based on the family’s traditional martial attributes.

Because since ancient times, all swordsmanship of Murong Family was specialized in thrusting.

Murong Seol asked politely again.

“Who told you?”

“Who else? Obviously Sang-rin.”

“Ah… is he doing well?”

“Well, more or less. If you’re curious, visit our sect later. How long are you going to leave him in unrequited love?”

At those words from Cheol Ryu-heun, Murong Seol blushed.

“Eh! What do you…”

Her flustered expression was evident.

Regardless of that, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke without minding.

“Handle your romances yourselves – do you have separate business?”

He meant why had she followed them.

Murong Seol corrected her expression and spoke while surveying the interior.

“Ah, yes. It’s a bit embarrassing, but… actually, I wanted to invite the Sect Leader Cheol, who is the talk of the town, to our house. Though it’s our first meeting, I braved the discourtesy and followed you. This place has no seats anyway, right? So instead of waiting with difficulty, why not come to our home…”

“You must have been extremely curious about how the battle with Sun Moon Demon Cult concluded.”

“Th-that’s…”

“Did I hit the mark too precisely?”

“…I’m sorry. It’s embarrassing that my intentions were seen through. But it’s not solely because of that. Since I’ve met an esteemed person, I wanted to offer hospitality…”

In an instant, Cheol Ryu-heun cut off her words with a gesture and headed toward the main gate.

“There’s no reason to particularly refuse an invitation. Let’s go.”

When he accepted, Murong Seol brightened and exclaimed.

“Thank you, Sect Leader Cheol! Father will be greatly pleased too!”

The three who came outside mounted Divine Wind’s back side by side.

Cheol Ryu-heun, gripping the reins, asked softly just before departing.

“Rumors about the Divine Martial Sword are rampant. When did they start spreading?”

At that, Murong Seol behind him shook her head.

“Ah, you’ve already heard. It seems to have been from a few days ago. Currently, our family is also investigating the exact details.”

“It’s a baseless rumor.”

“Pardon?”

“Something like the Divine Martial Sword doesn’t exist there. So tell Murong Family not to be needlessly bewitched.”

“Ah… how can you be certain of that…?”

“My intuition is good.”

Cheol Ryu-heun kicked Divine Wind’s belly with a TUK! along with those words.

Simultaneously.

KKWANG!

Divine Wind, carrying the three people, leapt rapidly like a beam of light.

* * *

Poyang Lake, famous as the largest lake within the Jiangxi region.

This place was very wide, enough to be reminiscent of a small sea.

The Murong Family, the swordsmanship prestigious family of Jiangxi region’s orthodox martial world, was located in the city of Nanchang south of the extensive waterfront.

Precisely, it was on a lakeside plain slightly away from the great city.

A certain forest submerged in darkness.

Against the backdrop of the vast water surface rippling under the moonlight, a group quietly appeared.

People with a murderous aura that didn’t match the beautiful lake’s atmosphere.

The total number of the gang dressed in dark capes and carrying iron swords was roughly seventy.

The caped figure at the front soon pointed forward with his finger and spoke in a heavy voice.

“The target.”

Among the trees, far in the distance, a force reminiscent of a small fortress was spread out widely, having made its nest.

It was the Murong Family.

Immediately after, the personnel behind responded with nods.

No voices were heard.

Why?

Because most of them were mutes.

The identity of the personnel was the subordinates of the wanderer who had destroyed the Divine Martial Sword.

Immediately after, the lead caped figure called out.

“Eighth, Ninth, Tenth Middle General.”

At that, the three caped figures standing right behind whispered in soft voices.

“Yes. Grand General.”

“Do you fear death?”

At the question from the figure called Grand General, the three Middle Generals spoke firmly.

“No.”

At that, the Grand General wore a faint smile.

“Indeed, as you should.”

He soon strode forward while continuing.

“This is the final combat trial. Do not disgrace the name of the Eastern Heaven Division… and face death if necessary.”

Immediately after, the three Middle Generals answered in unison.

“We will keep that in mind.”

“Now, let’s go. To the Murong Family. Dye everything in sight with blood.”

The moment the order was given.

SASASASASAT, SASASASASAT, SASASASASAT, SASASASASAT-

About seventy caped figures belonging to Eastern Heaven Division all deployed lightness arts in unison and headed forward.

A wondrous movement possessing both secrecy and swiftness.

The movements were somehow chilling.

It felt as if killing intent was spreading sinuously following the shadows.

The moon floating brightly in the night sky and the dark forest said nothing.

They merely watched silently, holding their breath, as those figures seemingly reeked of blood.