Chapter 290: A Familiar Face
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Day had broken.
A time just past the hour of the Snake (10 AM).
In a space where cliffs lined up like a folding screen formed a magnificent scenery alongside a vast forest, there stood an antique hall with an air of antiquity.
It was somewhat incongruous.
The fact that such a building was located in a remote mountain valley without any sign of human presence.
The valley where the hall was located was literally a secluded mountain backwater.
It was a place so deep that no people could be found, where human footsteps could hardly reach at all.
Therefore, the hall was clearly built with some purpose in mind.
If not, who would build a house and live in such a place?
Amid the mountain birds chirping and singing, sounds of bickering leaked from inside the hall.
“SERIOUSLY! No, does the old hag have no sleep? Hey! Stop waking me up already!”
“It’s not that I have no sleep, it’s that you have too much. The sun rose long ago, yet you’re still lying there asleep?”
“Enough! Get out! I’m tired.”
“They say morning sleep decreases when you get old, so how is it that you’re still sleeping? tsk tsk. Stop complaining and get up this instant. Before I pour cold water on you.”
“Oh my, even making threats?”
“The valley water was nice and cool because it’s winter. I scooped a gourd-full earlier. Want a taste? Hoho.”
“AARGH! This wicked old hag…! Damn it, fine, I’ll get up!”
“My goodness, that manner of speaking. Don’t you keep forgetting that I’m your elder sister by ten years?”
“You’re bringing up age again at this point. How many times do I have to tell you? Now that we’re growing old together, don’t make distinctions of above and below. When I go outside, I’m old enough to be called the senior citizen.”
The elderly man and woman bickering like so appeared to be around their eighties.
However, their true age was far more than that.
The identity of the old man and old lady was Deviant Eccentric Physician Bo Hwoe and Ink Zither Aged Grandmather Song San.
When Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon Ba Hun Hon’s possessed the Divine Martial Sword and reigned as hegemon of the martial world, they were ultra-pinnacle masters who were called the Thirteen Seats of the World – the tier just below him.
This year, Bo Hwoe was one hundred and one years old, and Song San was one hundred and eleven years old.
They were so elderly that if they went out to the martial world right now, they would be treated as the senior citizens.
Yet both possessed appearances that belied their age, looking hale and hearty.
That in turn meant that, befitting ultra-first-rate supreme masters who had represented the previous era’s martial world, their respective martial cultivation remained at a supreme level.
Perhaps it had even risen further.
There was no way they would have just wasted time after retirement.
Song San soon spoke in a calm voice with a serious expression.
“Little brother, as you know, it’s about time for the person who secretly supports us to reach out.”
Bo Hwoe’s expression also became heavy along with her.
“Hmm, that’s right.”
“So let’s summon just a bit more strength and make efforts while saving time.”
“Yes, elder sister. By the way, I hope what Cheol Ryu-heun said is true.”
“We’ll know when he comes. Whether it’s possible to control the demonic power…”
“Hyang-ah already firmly trusts him. Well, it’s not unreasonable.”
“I too believe that child’s judgment won’t be wrong.”
“Elder sister too… we shouldn’t believe too easily. One should naturally maintain appropriate wariness. Anyway, when he visits, let’s show him our research materials. To test that aptitude and knowledge as well.”
At that moment, faint presences were heard from outside and then.
KKIIK-
The faded door opened to both sides and a figure stepped in.
A woman with a mature figure but a childlike face like a teenage girl.
She was Black Rope Wondrous Lady Na Rae-hyang, one of the Five Elegants representing the Jiangxi region and one of the Four Great Strange Women, as well as Song San’s beloved disciple.
“Master, the two junior sisters haven’t arrived yet. The deadline for return was clearly before the Snake hour today…”
At those words, Song San softly expressed concern.
“Hmm, that’s unusual. Have you checked the entrance path?”
“Yes. Junior sister Jeung is currently waiting for them as we speak.”
Jeung junior sister referred to Bamboo Forest Divine Lady Jeung Ji-rim, one of the Four Great Strange Women.
The two mentioned earlier were the same.
All four of the Four Great Strange Women of the Jiangxi region were disciples that Song San had raised.
“Should we go outside and look? I’m a bit worried for some reason…”
At Na Rae-hyang’s question, Song San pondered briefly and then quietly commanded.
“All right. Just in case, go search outside the formation. Be especially careful of any suspicious presences. If anything happens, flee back here. Because no matter who, it would be difficult to break through the barrier formation that the Heavenly Demon constructed in his lifetime.”
“But…”
“It’s fine. Even if this location is discovered, your safety is more important. I cannot meaninglessly lose you whom I cherish like my life. Especially in preparation for troubled times.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
“Good. Of course, I trust each of your martial prowess.”
When Song San drew a gentle smile, Na Rae-hyang also responded with a smile and headed outside.
Eventually.
Having exited the hall, Na Rae-hyang deployed nimble lightness arts and arrived at a secluded streamside.
At that moment, a young lady in green palace attire approached.
“Unnie, what did Master say?”
She with pure and innocent features was none other than junior sister Jeung Ji-rim.
“She commanded us to go outside the formation and look.”
“Is she worried?”
“Yes. Though she didn’t show it outwardly.”
“As expected… then shall we hurry and move?”
“Yes, let’s go quickly.”
* * *
PEOLLEOKPEOLLEOK-
Two women rapidly traversing the forest with their palace dress skirts fluttering.
It was Na Rae-hyang and Jeung Ji-rim.
Before they knew it, they had come quite far, but there was no sign of the two junior sisters.
‘Strange.’
An ominous premonition encroached upon Na Rae-hyang’s mind.
She had expected to meet each other around here.
For what reason were the two junior sisters’ steps delayed? Had something happened on the way?
In the blink of an eye.
-Jjeong- peopeong…!
Far in that direction, an echo that sounded like a fight was occurring rang faintly.
Simultaneously, the expressions of the two women changed completely.
“Unnie, that’s…!”
“It’s something related to the two junior sisters! Without a doubt!”
Tension was heightened.
Such sounds in this remote place where human footsteps couldn’t reach.
One thought flashed through their minds like lightning.
The mysterious enemy with gu poison that exploded into green flames, which their master Song San had witnessed in the past – had that group perhaps appeared?
The two women immediately operated supreme internal power to increase their movement speed.
PAPAPAPA- PAPAPAPAPA-
At the moment they finally arrived there, the dark brown pupils of Na Rae-hyang and Jeung Ji-rim wavered like ripples.
On the dirt floor beneath a large boulder, a person with a deep stab wound to the side sat bleeding.
A woman in her early thirties clad in a white palace dress.
It was Rare Fragrance Young Lady Si Yu-min, one of the Four Great Strange Women of the Jiangxi region and the second disciple of Song San.
And in front of her stood a young lady wearing a blue vest.
It was Profound and Wondrous Sword Beauty Wang Su-ah, one of the Four Great Strange Women and Song San’s fourth disciple.
CHYUHAAK-!
Along with an eerie sound, a man collapsed after receiving Wang Su-ah’s sword technique.
“Kkeureu…”
He had died, stabbed deeply in the center of his chest.
At that murderous aura, the four swordsmen who had constructed a crescent-shaped encirclement momentarily paused their movements.
Around the ground were numerous corpses that appeared to be their comrades.
At a glance, there were over twenty.
Currently, Wang Su-ah was shielding the injured Si Yu-min.
However.
She too was not in perfect condition.
She had sustained not only minor cuts but internal injury as well.
“How dare you!”
A thunderous shout.
Na Rae-hyang, having burst out that cry and rushed in like a beam of light, wrapped her black rope around the neck of the swordsman on the left side of the encirclement.
PPUDEUDEU- TUHAK-!
The severed head rolled across the ground, scattering fresh blood.
Befitting a powerhouse at the Five Elegants of Jiangxi rank, it was outstanding martial prowess.
Meanwhile, Jeung Ji-rim executed formidable palm techniques to fiercely strike the swordsman on the right side of the encirclement.
PEOHEOEOONG-!
The swordsman’s form, bounced backward by the heavy palm force, collided with an old tree.
PEOGEOK- KKWAJIJIK!
Thus he died with a broken neck.
In that time, Na Rae-hyang had disposed of another swordsman.
Another severed head fell to the ground.
Only one swordsman remained.
Na Rae-hyang gripped the black rope with both hands while emitting a gaze full of killing intent.
“I’ll pull out your tongue and crush your innards to death. But before that, answer me. Where did you come from?”
Contrary to expectations, they were not enemies harboring gu poison.
This was a group she was seeing for the first time.
The swordsman, whose complexion had turned pale, wore brown martial attire that was ordinary.
There wasn’t even a pattern symbolizing anything.
They must be a group hiding their identity.
The frightened swordsman couldn’t even muster the thought to flee.
He seemed to have his mind’s thoughts paralyzed by the overwhelming intangible aura Na Rae-hyang was emitting.
His slightly trembling hands proved it.
Meanwhile, Jeung Ji-rim swiftly tended to Rare Fragrance Young Lady Si Yu-min.
“Unnie, can you hold on? First, let me stop the bleeding…”
“Uuhuk… it was a surprise attack, and… there were so many that I got hit.”
At that moment, the youngest, Profound and Wondrous Sword Beauty Wang Su-ah, added her words.
“Those people, it somehow felt like they were deliberately buying time while fighting. Their purpose for ambushing was vague.”
At that, Jeung Ji-rim wore a faint smile.
“Hoo, they’ll confess everything soon. Since they’ve been caught by that terrifying Unnie Na.”
Sure enough, Na Rae-hyang spoke coldly.
“Look forward to it. Soon the words ‘please kill me’ will come out on their own.”
Her voice seemed to have blades hidden within it.
Right at that moment.
KKWANG!
Simultaneously with a heavy sound, a figure approached from behind the swordsman using agile lightness arts.
It was movement accomplished in the blink of an eye.
In an instant.
HUUUUUUUNG-!
A massive blade descended and cleaved the swordsman’s body cleanly in two.
PUHAAK, PUHAAAK…!
Blood fountains shooting in all directions.
Thus the swordsman’s corpse, split from head to crotch, lost its strength and lay collapsed on the ground.
TEOLSSEOK.
The figure that appeared where the swordsman died smirked and spoke.
“Huhoot. As expected, the Four Great Strange Women were one group.”
The owner of a great sword.
The sword was unfathomably large.
Large enough to rival an adult’s height.
Moreover, his appearance was also unusual.
His features, appearing to be in his fifties, were intense like a wild beast’s.
Madness for slaughter was writhing wildly within his two eyes.
A truly solemn intangible aura.
Shall we call it the presence and dignity of a ferocious and brutal ruler?
The atmosphere was reminiscent of the strongest tier of the current martial world.
And yet… his attire was identical to the dead swordsman group.
Brown martial clothes.
Surely, did that mean he belonged to the same group as the slain swordsman?
Na Rae-hyang instinctively operated supreme internal power.
An opponent she couldn’t fight without giving her all.
That’s what she felt.
The owner of the great sword kicked off the ground and closed the gap.
Toward Na Rae-hyang’s front.
Movement so fast that even an instant felt long.
His technique was the same.
The flash of the blade split the space ahead.
Straight.
HUUUUUUK- SHYUAAAAAT-!
The formidable pressure that burst forth accompanying the sword technique.
Before it, Na Rae-hyang pulled the black rope horizontally with full extension.
JJEOEOEOEONG-!
No sooner had the metallic sound burst out.
TITING!
The solid black rope was ruthlessly severed.
The instant Na Rae-hyang was astonished.
BUUUUUUUK-!
The massive blade carved a wound onto Na Rae-hyang’s body.
Drops of blood scattering in disarray.
From shoulder to side, she was dyed red with wounds.
“Heuuk!”
With a moan from the powerful wind pressure, not only Na Rae-hyang but also Rare Fragrance Young Lady Si Yu-min, Bamboo Forest Divine Lady Jeung Ji-rim, and Profound and Wondrous Sword Beauty Wang Su-ah all retreated in unison.
PEOPEOK, PEOK, PEOPEOK…!
The sound of being shoved into large boulders to the rear.
The middle-aged man who had swung the great sword muttered with a smile.
“A bit too shallow.”
His expression seemed regretful at not cutting through Na Rae-hyang’s body.
He rested the great sword on one shoulder and spoke again.
“Danmok Cheon. That is my name. You must all have heard of it.”
At those words, the expressions of the four women stiffened with a flinch.
Only then did they realize.
Who the owner of that great sword was.
Danmok Cheon.
The one who had used a great sword and spread fearsome martial fame in the previous era’s martial world.
A warrior at the top tier of the Thirteen seats, Great Sword Tyrant Lord.
It was astonishing.
He was known to have already died, yet who knew he was still alive?
However, his true purpose was unknowable.
Why was he doing this?
They weren’t even in a grudge relationship.
At that moment.
SHYUUUUUUUUUNG-
Along with a sound cutting through air.
KWAKWAKKWANG!
A lump of pure white light crossed the void and descended to the ground nearby.
The identity of the white radiance was man and horse.
A single horse and two people.
Following that, the figure gripping the reins looked at Great Sword Tyrant Lord Danmok Cheon and spoke apathetically.
“A familiar face has appeared.”
The owner of that voice was none other than White Peak Sword Sect Leader Cheol Ryu-heun.