Chapter 329: Hidden Blade's Edge
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Before long.
Elite personnel including the core masters of the Sichuan Tang Family and Purple Forest Bewitching Gate assembled at the curved terrain.
Having confirmed the scene of carnage, they showed signs of heightened tension.
Above all, the deaths of the two famous masters struck them as shocking.
Loyalty Literature Sword Corps Hall Master Hot-Blooded Sword Fighter Don Dae-deok and Elegant Feather Martial Gate Master Feather-Soaring Sword Elder Hwang Ji-hwan… warriors at the Three Top Positions and Four Famous Hands level representing the Guizhou and Sichuan regions.
GULP.
In the quiet where someone’s dry swallow could be clearly heard.
“Attention.”
Tang Chun-chu, having stepped atop a small boulder, looked ahead while speaking those words.
When everyone focused their gazes, he issued another solemn voice.
“As you can see, the Shiwan Mountains is very dangerous. Therefore… our family and the Purple Forest Bewitching Gate will cooperate to secure the Divine Martial Sword from now on. I’ve already reached an agreement with Gate Master Sol. So any who have objections may leave.”
His eldest son Tang Yi-yeok clasped his hands before his chest and answered resolutely.
“I will follow Father’s words.”
At that, the Tang Family martial artists gathered beside him also spoke in one voice.
“We will follow.”
Following that, Sol Byeok-ra also looked at her group and commanded.
“From now on, we cooperate with the Tang Family to find the whereabouts of the Divine Martial Sword’s owner. So don’t cause pointless friction. Discord only invites crisis.”
Immediately after, a female swordsman in her thirties paid respectful courtesy.
“Yes, we receive Gate Master’s command.”
She, with impressive voluptuous and seductive curves, was Cheop-nang, the vice gate master of Purple Forest Bewitching Gate bearing the epithet Demon Cunning Sword Rose.
Soon Sol Byeok-ra and Tang Chun-chu exchanged glances.
“Hoho, we should search until midnight, right? We might discover something else.”
“I think the same. First, let’s move while minimizing personnel dispersal. That would be safer…”
“Now we must be wary of the natural formations within the Shiwan Mountains. And the Heretic Cult group too.”
“What is there to worry about? As long as we’ve joined hands, we can readily destroy formations or the Heretic Cult.”
“Kakakaka… as expected, you’re overflowing with confidence. Yes, that’s correct. Rather, the competitors after the Divine Martial Sword are the stumbling blocks. Come, shall we go then?”
Sol Byeok-ra and Tang Chun-chu began movement while leading their subordinate personnel.
Numerous torches cutting across the deep and quiet darkness.
Tang Chun-chu, proceeding along the path, soon muttered inwardly.
‘The Divine Martial Sword… I’ve finally come close to its traces. If I obtain it, our family’s sword path supreme arts will bloom again.’
As with most martial sects, the starting point of Sichuan Tang Family martial arts was also swordsmanship.
However.
Currently, the research and development of sword studies had stagnated.
After the first family head and Jianghu hegemon Poison Sovereign Tang Se-hwa in ancient times, the lineage of martial artists who had mastered the family’s supreme sword techniques had been severed.
They say the flower of martial arts is the sword.
Because the era when they possessed the Divine Martial Sword and reached the pinnacle of the Jianghu was the Sichuan Tang Family’s one and only golden age.
So Tang Chun-chu wanted to revive the family’s sword studies’ reputation.
And then, just in time, rumors related to the Divine Martial Sword reached his ears.
From that point, Tang Chun-chu’s ambition burned strongly.
He would certainly possess the Divine Martial Sword!
Through it, he would recreate the powerful family influence of the golden age in his generation!
Also… like the founder and first family head Poison Sovereign Tang Se-hwa, he would become the strongest and greatest hegemon of the Jianghu!
‘Recently, White Peak Sword Sect Leader Cheol Ryu-heun is being spotlighted as a candidate for the era’s Martial God, but if I seize the Divine Martial Sword… I’ll be able to take the position of undisputed absolute hegemon.’
Tang Chun-chu suddenly turned his head and glanced at Sol Byeok-ra’s face.
At that moment, coincidentally their gazes met.
Sol Byeok-ra smiled as if deliberately acting coquettish.
“Why, do you want to take me as a concubine? Could I possibly be your type?”
At that, Tang Chun-chu quietly let out a wry laugh.
“Nonsense… I was checking if you’re watching carefully. Since you’re so flighty, I thought you might lack focus.”
“Ohoho, I thought you were sneaking peeks because you fell for my looks.”
Those two spoke the same thing inwardly.
‘The moment we secure the Divine Martial Sword, I’ll immediately launch a surprise attack and eliminate them.’
The two who had met eyes smirked, then looked ahead again.
Blades hidden within smiles.
Thus, the Knife Hidden in Smiles was already giving off the scent of blood.
* * *
‘The scent of blood…?’
A man in his fifties paused his legs and frowned.
PAT-
He quickly raised his left hand and clenched it into a fist.
A hand signal meaning to stop.
At that, the thirty or so following behind him halted in place.
CHEOK, CHEOCHEOK…
They were a group of swordsmen dressed in yellow martial attire.
On the left side of each person’s chest, an emblem depicting a mountain dragon (lizard) was embroidered.
That meant only one thing.
Dokgo Sword Family – an Orthodox power of the Henan region.
It was a prestigious sword family that had risen as one of the Seven Great Families after the Namgung Family’s downfall.
The person who had sent the hand signal earlier let out a soft voice.
“Just now, there was definitely…”
His features were quite sharp.
Eyes full of righteous light, yet an unapproachable dignity flowed.
It was truly the air of a master.
A middle-aged man distinguished by a pure white hero’s headband and a loose long robe – his identity was none other than the Dokgo Family Head.
New Province Sword Saint Dokgo In-wang.
An ultra-first-rate swordsman said to rank within the top ten of the entire Henan region.
Even he had appeared in this distant Shiwan Mountains.
The Jiangbei Jianghu, especially the Henan region where Shaolin Temple and the Beggar Sect were located, was famous as an arena where warriors competed.
To rank within the top ten there meant that in other regions, calling him the highest-tier wouldn’t be too far off.
Why else would people say that the master who dominates the Henan region is effectively the strongest of the Jianghu?
The current Shaolin Temple Abbot Dharma Master Won-gong was a representative example.
He had a renowned martial reputation as the strongest master within the Henan region.
Because of that, people didn’t hesitate to point to Dharma Master Won-gong as this era’s practical greatest under heaven.
Of course, since Cheol Ryu-heun’s name value had risen, such sentiments had been shifting.
Either way, that Dokgo In-wang was a top-tier warrior within the Henan region meant he was at a level nearly equal to the highest-tier martial artists of other regions.
In an instant.
The pungent scent of blood wafted thickly on the breeze.
‘As I thought…!’
Dokgo In-wang’s eyes emitted an intense light.
His subordinate swordsmen also belatedly sensed the blood scent and their expressions changed.
“What, the smell of blood…”
“Family Head, it seems a battle has occurred!”
“Something seems amiss.”
At that, Dokgo In-wang spoke while drawing his sword.
“Everyone, follow me! First, we confirm the source of the blood scent!”
“Yes!”
Thus the Dokgo Sword Family group immediately deployed lightness arts.
HWIK, HWIIHWIK, HWIK-
* * *
TADAK, TAK, TADAK…
The sparking bonfire danced as it burned, greeting the deep night.
Though it was winter, this place wasn’t that cold.
Being the south end, the climate was similar to late autumn.
Therefore, just lighting a bonfire was enough to feel sufficiently warm.
In a tranquil atmosphere, various gifted talents of Orthodox and Unorthodox factions were having leisurely conversations.
It was truly a rare sight.
After all, the history of Orthodox and Unorthodox had been marked by confrontation and antagonism.
But the current gathering was a situation transcending faction logic.
They had even been joined by personnel from the Heavenly Demon Cult – the sworn enemy of the Orthodox and Unorthodox Jianghu, representing the demonic path beyond the border.
If someone unaware of the inside story saw this scene, their head would spin with confusion.
In that situation, Hae Su-yeon smiled while gazing at the river sunk in darkness.
“Hoot. It’s nice that everyone gathered like this. Because it’s peaceful.”
At that, Dark Sword Fragrance Mun Bin and White Dream Beauty seated on one side nodded side by side.
Not to be outdone, Mountain Shattering Sword added.
“In a way, the Sun Moon Demon Cult did something significant. They provided the opportunity for this gathering ground to be born. No… it was entirely possible because Sect Leader Cheol exists.”
Violent Wolf Blade, having smirked, quietly agreed.
“You’re right. It’s thanks to our connection with Sect Leader Cheol. If I hadn’t met him, I’d still be a frog in a well. Living only knowing the small sky visible above as the entire world…”
A smile spread on the lips of Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo, who had been quietly listening.
‘Heh, a frog in a well… I was once like that too. It was only just a while ago.’
At that moment, Wudang Sect’s Three Absolutes Azure Crane Chang-woon spoke meaningfully.
“I’m the same. Having come out of the well and seen the ocean, it’s endlessly too vast.”
He meant he was genuinely impressed after encountering the outstanding aura of each rising talent gathered here.
Shaolin Temple’s Central Peak Morning Star Hyo-gak beside him also opened his mouth.
“Yes, this humble monk is the same. I’ve newly realized why they say ‘sky beyond the sky.’ Especially…”
His gaze quietly swept over Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon, Cui Lan and others in turn.
“The guests were most impressive. Ah, of course Young Master Mun is no exception…”
Hae Su-yeon replied with an eye-smile.
“Hoho, thank you.”
Simultaneously, Hyo-gak’s expression completely changed.
HOT FLUSH.
His cheeks suddenly turned bright red.
Was it the effect harmonized with Hae Su-yeon’s beauty and enchanting energy?
No.
Others also had their complexions flush red.
It was a change in complexion occurring regardless of gender.
Right at that moment, a voice crossed through Hyo-gak’s mind.
‘Ah!’
It was what Cheol Ryu-heun had said earlier.
-The reason I had you consume the three divine creatures was to heighten resistance to various poisons. Increased energy on top of that is a bonus. Later, when signals come to each of your bodies, I’ll perform Pushing the Palace Through the Acupoints. Using a method the Martial Immortal of the past researched and created.
That’s right.
The signal had finally come to their bodies.
But Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon, and Mun Bin were different.
There was no change in their complexions.
As if the poison resistance effect had manifested naturally…
In other words, it seemed that power had dissolved into their bodies on its own.
Even so, it wasn’t strange.
Hadn’t Cheol Ryu-heun said earlier?
That since everyone’s skill levels were different, there would be differences accordingly.
However,
Cui Lan’s reaction was unique.
SYUSYUT, SYUSYUT, SYUSYUT…
Diverse currents of heat haze were being emitted, wrapping around her entire body while rotating.
Everyone saw that and immediately caught on.
Ten Complete Anti-Poison Steel Body.
The legendary physique said to absorb toxicity and transform it into internal power.
The mysterious and wondrous ability that only Poison Sovereign Tang Se-hwa, the Jianghu hegemon from three hundred sixty years ago, was said to have possessed – it was likely awakening through Cui Lan’s body.
At that moment.
Everyone whose faces had turned bright red felt their bodies rapidly heating up.
Meanwhile,
Cheol Ryu-heun, who had been conversing separately with Extreme Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak, Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin, Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Beop-yeol and others, sensed the group’s changes and issued an indifferent voice.
“Has the signal come now?”
Those seized by the strange heat answered in unison.
“Yes.”
“Good. Everyone, assume cross-legged positions and perform Energy Circulation and Breath Regulation. Execute.”
“Yes!”
Everyone immediately assumed cross-legged positions in an orderly manner.
Cheol Ryu-heun, having gone to their side, rolled up his sleeves.
Immediately after, when he spread both arms wide, pure white heat haze scattered like strands and was released broadly.
That number was fully several dozen streams.
CHEUCHEUCHEUEU, CHEUCHEUCHEUEU…
Soon each one transformed to resemble human hands.
Just like Thousand-Arm Guanyin.
It was one of the supreme energy cultivation techniques of the Pushing the Palace Through the Acupoints essence that Martial Immortal Dongbang Ya had created.