Chapter 307: Don't Worry

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When the seven direct disciples answered in unison and moved toward the door.

“So-geol.”

At Solitary Bamboo Beggar King Ham Geo-ja’s soft call, one man stopped walking and turned his body.

“Yes, Master.”

A beggar in his early forties.

With a sturdy physique and carrying an iron staff, he was Supreme Staff Beggar Chok So-geol, the Sect Leader’s first direct disciple.

Like his master Ham Geo-ja, he was a specialist in exceptional staff techniques, a master renowned throughout the Northern Jianghu.

“As the eldest disciple of our Sect, lead the children below you well and complete the mission. Don’t forget that you are our face…”

“Haha. Would it only be me? All my fellow disciples are the faces of our sect.”

No sooner had Chok So-geol’s words ended than a man in his late thirties put on an deliberately cold expression.

“That’s right. Master, those words are a bit disappointing. Aren’t you favoring the eldest disciple too much?”

Carrying a tribulus mace (a blunt weapon with spikes embedded in an iron hammer), he was the second direct disciple Steel-Gall Brave Beggar Dong Ma-cho.

Hearing that, Ham Geo-ja scratched his head and laughed.

“Ho ho. Right, right. I’m sorry. I misspoke. In front of the famous Steel-Gall Brave Beggar, no less.”

At that, Dong Ma-cho let out a slight laugh before receiving the words with a courteous attitude.

“Master, please don’t worry too much. You know well the eldest disciple’s qualities and abilities, don’t you? When we fought a major battle against Sun Moon Demon Cult recently, he led us excellently. So he will capably handle this matter too.”

Ham Geo-ja, having nodded, smiled again.

“I know. I know very well. What this old man just said wasn’t about the success or failure of the mission but…”

“Yes, we know too. Don’t get hurt, no, don’t let anyone die… that’s what you mean, right?”

Ham Geo-ja nodded again at Dong Ma-cho’s words.

At that moment, Chok So-geol said while wearing a faint smile.

“Master, this is about none other than Sect Master Cheol.”

The remaining six direct disciples who grasped the meaning also quietly wore smiles at the corners of their mouths.

Chok So-geol’s words meant that since it was something planned by the peerless superman of this era, Cheol Ryu-heun, there was no need to worry.

Ham Geo-ja suddenly recalled.

The words of Cheol Ryu-heun who had visited this place before…

-The Divine Martial Sword rumor that has started circulating in various regions is undoubtedly something the mysterious enemy has plotted. Therefore, I intend to use this opportunity to grasp their true nature. I don’t care about the scale of the enemy’s fighting strength arranged in the Shiwan Mountains. Naturally, we are stronger.

‘Numerical superiority is meaningless. Qualitative superiority is what matters. That’s what he meant. Hoot, what is it? This infinite sense of trust…’

A figure who bestowed a greater sense of trust than even Dharma Master Won-gong, the current Shaolin Temple’s Head Abbot who was revered and respected by all.

Truly, Cheol Ryu-heun was a mysterious person the more one thought about him.

As if he had suddenly dropped from the sky, he displayed a formidable presence, and before long, his one body’s martial fame had reached the point of covering all under heaven.

Who else could do such a thing?

And within mere months, at that.

Cheol Ryu-heun’s voice kept surfacing in his mind again.

-The advent of an age of chaos has already been nakedly foretold. So Beggar Sect must also devote even more care to cultivating and developing talent. Now, don’t hold back what you have – pour it all out.

Following those words, Ham Geo-ja had used his authority as Sect Leader to open the treasury, generously bestowing all kinds of elixirs and great techniques to the direct disciples without reservation.

Though there was opposition from some of the leadership, he firmly followed Cheol Ryu-heun’s advice with a resolute stance.

As a result, the direct disciples including Supreme Staff Beggar Chok So-geol and Steel-Gall Brave Beggar Dong Ma-cho had their martial prowess rapidly soar in a short period.

In other words, all seven had firmly established themselves as the core master group second only to himself, the Sect Leader.

Especially.

The youngest disciple at twenty-three years old, Wine-Fragrance Sword Beggar Gi Mo-ban, had exceptional innate talent, so his growth after that arrangement had been particularly outstanding.

Just looking at his age, he was at a level that surpassed Ham Geo-ja’s cultivation in his youth.

At that moment.

Chok So-geol bid farewell again on behalf of everyone.

“Master, then we’ll prepare swiftly and depart.”

“Right, understood. Send word through the branch headquarters’ communication network later.”

“Yes.”

The seven direct disciples, having answered in unison, closed the door and disappeared.

TAK.

Ham Geo-ja, having leaned back deeply in his chair, let his eyes gleam as he muttered inwardly.

‘Hoot… we’ve used up a large amount of the elixirs our Sect had painstakingly gathered, but I have no regrets. Hoarding turns to waste. Right, indeed. Sect Master Cheol, all preparations are complete.’

But at that moment.

TAKTAKTAK, TAKTAKTAKTAK…

The sound of feet quickly stepping on the corridor outside could be heard.

Someone was hurriedly running toward this place.

Sure enough.

BEOLKEOK.

The door opened roughly and an Beggar Sect disciple entered.

“Sect Leader!”

A seventy-year-old man in shabby attire wearing gray rags.

It was Elder Northern Dipper Beggar.

Immediately after, Ham Geo-ja sent a gesture and let out a soft voice.

“Ho ho. Elder Woo, what’s so urgent?”

“Ah, yes! An emergency report from the branch just arrived.”

At Woo Yong’s words, Ham Geo-ja’s expression briefly hardened.

“Wait, could it be that group again…?”

“That’s right. What the enemy targeted wasn’t just the Hidden Wind Gate and Murong Family in the Jiangxi region. On similar days, two other places were also attacked by the caped group and suffered great damage. They barely avoided sect extermination, but…”

“Hmm.”

“According to what the Shanxi and Shandong branch headquarters each confirmed, it’s Silver Stream Sword Hall and Loyalty Mountain Sect.”

At that, a shadow fell across Ham Geo-ja’s face.

“Hmm… Sect Master Cheol’s prediction was indeed correct. He said there was a high possibility that raids were being carried out simultaneously along with the simultaneous spread of rumors… are there no other confirmed places?”

“Not yet, but if we wait, more may emerge.”

Woo Yong’s expression also darkened as he spoke.

“Anyway, our Sect should move according to plan. As Sect Master Cheol requested, don’t be shaken even if the enemy creates a sense of anxiety.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Sect Leader. Ah, also, and…”

“What else is there?”

“Yes. It’s not certain, but it seems two of the four giants our faction is wary of recently departed for the Shiwan Mountains.”

“…!”

“I suspect it’s true, and since one is in the same region anyway, I believe we’ll know the details soon.”

“So the Alliance Leader of Iron Blood Martial Alliance is…”

“Yes.”

“What about the other one?”

“The Castle Lord of Solar Sword Castle, who has finished his closed-door training.”

“My, even though he already has and enjoys so much…”

“Indeed. Human greed really is endless. Even though they both possess Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, upon hearing the rumor about the Divine Martial Sword, their material desires must have been triggered.”

“I wonder if they might interfere with Sect Master Cheol…”

Ham Geo-ja, having trailed off, pictured in his mind the figures just mentioned.

The appearance of these two who were in name and reality positioned at the pinnacle of the entire Northern Unorthodox Jianghu.

* * *

Heavenly Flower Tower – the Jianghu’s finest luxury tavern and Unorthodox information-gathering organization.

A young man was sitting quietly at a table in the seventh-floor private room at its top, waiting for someone.

It was Dark Hall Master Dark Sword Fragrance Mun Bin.

Before long.

SARAKSARAK.

A sound like thin cloth sweeping the floor was heard.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry.”

A pretty voice like a bird chirping gently reached Mun Bin’s ears.

He turned his gaze toward the door and answered with a bright face.

“No, not at all. Waiting was somehow enjoyable.”

“Oh my, your speaking skills have improved a bit. Ho ho.”

A woman entering with a smile.

Could flowers speak?

The appearance of the woman wrapped in a snow-white palace dress was incredibly beautiful.

Hair neatly tied up like a proper young lady of a good family, a sleek forehead as if carefully groomed, eyebrows resembling slender crescent moons, pupils shining clear as sunlit water beneath them, a nose bridge curving up in an elegant line, and lips full and luscious like ripened fruit…

The identity of this voluptuous and sensual beauty in her twenties was White Dream Beauty, the Tower Master of Heavenly Flower Tower.

Perhaps because of her beautiful appearance.

Even the whip hanging at her waist felt like a luxurious ornament.

She soon sat across the table and spoke.

“What brings you here so suddenly? Without any word in advance…”

“I came because I have something to give you.”

“Pardon?”

“A precious item.”

Mun Bin took out a pouch from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“What is it?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

At that, Gongse Dan-yeong immediately opened the pouch.

Inside was a flower.

However.

It had a peculiar shape.

How to describe it – it resembled a brilliant blue bird’s head.

Suddenly, Gongse Dan-yeong was astonished.

“Th-this, could it be…?”

“Hoot. Yes, that’s right. It’s what came to mind in your head just now. The elixir you always wanted to obtain.”

“Blue Bird Divine Flower…!”

“Correct.”

When Mun Bin grinned and nodded, Gongse Dan-yeong’s pupils wavered greatly.

“Heavens, to think it’s really Blue Bird Divine Flower… no, how did you get this?”

Blue Bird Divine Flower was a rare elixir said to have special efficacy in strengthening a woman’s body.

It was said to penetrate the subtle meridians and latent meridians of the body including the lower, middle, and upper dantians, and double one’s energy…

Mun Bin shrugged playfully and said.

“I happened to pick it up on the way. Well, I was lucky.”

“Oh come on, don’t joke around.”

“Haha. Actually, Sect Master Cheol obtained it.”

“Ah…!”

“When I mentioned that Heavenly Flower Tower was in a close relationship with our Hall, he gave this as a gift. Of course, I don’t know where he obtained it. Though well, does that really matter?”

“Is it okay for me to just accept this? We haven’t done anything separately for his White Peak Sword Sect… though we did help Dark Hall.”

“It’s fine. Ah, and I also brought a letter from Sect Master Cheol.”

“He wrote it… for me?”

Mun Bin nodded and took out the letter to hand over.

Gongse Dan-yeong quickly took it, unfolded it, and checked the contents.

Soon, having finished reading, Gongse Dan-yeong showed unexpected eyes.

“I’m… going too?”

“Yes. Sect Master Cheol wants the new rising masters of the Hunan region’s Jianghu to accompany him.”

“Ah…”

“He intends to show… that nameless heinous enemy. That the Jianghu is vast, and there are just as many capable talents.”

“But I’m… still underqualified. I’m worried I might be a useless burden…”

Gongse Dan-yeong, who had mastered the martial art called Jade Silk Whip Technique, was by any measure a famous female martial talent at the first-rate tier.

Her one body’s martial fame was at a level that matched the renowned mid-tier masters of the region.

However, compared to the roster of rising masters included in the plan heading to the Shiwan Mountains, her skill fell behind.

That’s why she didn’t have the confidence to readily accompany them.

But Mun Bin didn’t care.

“Don’t worry.”

“H-how can I not worry? White Peak Sword Sect’s guests are all exceptional geniuses.”

“Hoot, you can develop too. After consuming the Blue Bird Divine Flower.”

“Talking is easy, but for complete awakening it takes quite a while…”

“It won’t take long. Just one night will do.”

An indifferent-feeling voice cutting her off.

‘Ah! Without any presence…!’

Startled, Gongse Dan-yeong turned her head.

There, she saw a young man standing at the door.

The uninvited guest was none other than Cheol Ryu-heun.

“Ah, you’ve come at an opportune time.”

While Mun Bin greeted him with a brightened face, Gongse Dan-yeong, meeting him for the first time, quickly recognized who he was through the attire that symbolized the White Peak Sword Sect Master.

“Ah…! You must be Sect Master Cheol. I-it’s nice to meet you. I’m the Tower Master of Heavenly Flower Tower…”

“I know without you saying. Skip the introduction.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having replied apathetically, pointed at the Blue Bird Divine Flower with a chin gesture.

“Eat that first. You should rise to the ranks of the supreme warrior too, right? If you’re going to become that fellow’s wife.”