Chapter 298: Chapter 298
Hwangbo Won of the Hwangbo Family was filled with confidence.
Although the name of the Hunan Dan Family was spreading widely, compared to the Eight Great Families, it was a place where one could find neither fame nor tradition.
Although they said there were considerable masters, the Hwangbo Family’s power was not weak enough to be frightened by that, so he visited Yueyang gnashing his teeth with the intention of smashing the Hunan Dan Family right away.
“Look at that… it is the Hwangbo Family…!”
“Did they come to retaliate for what happened last time?”
Numerous people whispered looking at the figures of the Hwangbo Family. Not just one or two, but at least dozens.
It was to the extent that it would not be an exaggeration to say that the elites of the Hwangbo Family had come, with only those fairly well-known in the Central Plains.
The appearance of them all walking with swords held was indeed so bloodthirsty that there was not even anyone who blocked their way. The weight that the names of the Eight Great Families and the Heavenly Dao Society carried was just that grand.
There would be no one who did not know the reason they visited Yueyang.
Because everyone had seen Hwangbo Yeong suffer defeat in a wretched state at the Martial World tournament hosted by the royal estate.
Since it was judged that they had come to demand answers from the Hunan Dan Family, everyone looked fearful that a bloodwind might blow in Yueyang for no reason.
“I wonder if offending the Hwangbo Family means turning the entire Heavenly Dao Society into an enemy…”
“But still, it is the Hunan Dan Family of all places. I do not think they will take it lying down easily, though?”
Many people speculated on the fight between the two places.
Although the name of the Hwangbo Family was grand, the rising family, the Hunan Dan Family, was also a place no less impressive.
Since the existence of someone comparable to the Seven Stars was confirmed in this Martial World tournament, they even thought that perhaps the Hwangbo Family might be pushed back.
It was the moment the eyes and ears of the people turned toward the Hunan Dan Family once again.
* * *
‘Just what on earth am I doing?’
Jeok Mu-seong broke into a cold sweat and began hoeing.
Thud! As he struck down with the hoe once, a wide stretch of land flipped and splattered in a straight line.
Although it was clearly work to cultivate a field, the sight of it was indeed fitting to be called shocking. Since he overturned dozens of jang with a single stroke of the hoe, it was no exaggeration to say he worked better than an ox.
“When you are done with that place, do some over there too. I am busy because I have to prepare lunch.”
“…”
Jeok Mu-seong shot a glare at Jang Sam-tae.
If not for Dan Woo-hyun, he would have torn that mouth apart long ago. Just thinking about having suffered under that fellow for several days made anger well up even now.
Still, the reason he could not touch the fellow was that such a strange guy was favored by Dan Woo-hyun.
“What? Why are you glaring? Do you have a complaint?”
For a moment, murderous intent swirled in Jeok Mu-seong’s eyes.
Jang Sam-tae, flinching, trembled and turned his back. Since he assumed a stance as if he would run to Dan Woo-hyun at any moment, in the end, it was Jeok Mu-seong who threw up his hands.
He let out a small sigh.
“…No, it is not that, but what on earth are you planning to do with this wide stretch of land?”
“Can you not tell by looking? We are going to plant crops, of course.”
Jeok Mu-seong’s mouth trembled.
To think they would use Jeok Mu-seong, one of the Five Emperors, for such a trivial matter?
Anger surged, but carving the character for patience in his mind, he composed his breathing several times.
“Then work hard!”
Jang Sam-tae, wearing a bright smile, waved his hand and entered the estate. Perhaps because of the thought of not having to work under this scorching sun, he looked extremely happy.
Although he did not like that situation at all, Jeok Mu-seong let out a sigh as if he had no choice.
‘What is the use of having high martial arts…’
Swish! Raising the hoe, he struck down on the ground just like that.
With a small thud, the ground was excavated in a straight line. That divine power of tearing up an immense area in a single blow was truly grand.
‘When all I do is hoeing and shoveling manure…’
Jeok Mu-seong let out a long sigh.
He had thought that training martial arts was the only hard work. When he bore the name of the Five Emperors and became the leader of the Unorthodox Faction, he had believed he possessed the whole world.
But now, he had ended up reduced to a state of carrying a manure carrier and hoeing.
Because he had not thought in the least that he would do such work, Jeok Mu-seong even thought that all of this was a dream rather than reality.
“…”
Two days ago, he had rebelled against Dan Woo-hyun to escape from this dream that would not wake.
He had swung his fist, acting crazy, but that day Jeok Mu-seong lay as quiet as a dead mouse, unable to even open his eyes all day.
He barely survived crossing the River Styx thanks to Gwon Mu-jin.
‘It would have been better if I had instead…’
Jeok Mu-seong sighed once more and raised the hoe again. As he struck down vertically lightly once more, the ground was torn up.
“Gasp…”
It was precisely then that a voice mixed with surprise was heard.
In that spot stood a peculiar group.
Those wearing yellow martial robes.
Although their number was at most three, seeing as they carried swords, they were undoubtedly martial artists.
The character Hwangbo was embroidered on their chests, and the moment he saw it, Jeok Mu-seong realized.
‘Is it the Hwangbo Family?’
Even so, he swung the hoe lightly with one hand.
His will to dig the ground first rather than attend to the guests seemed stronger.
Because dozens of jang were overturned at once by that single move, the sight was truly shocking.
However, perhaps because Jeok Mu-seong did not think he had displayed any special power, he wiped his flowing sweat and bowed his head.
There was no way such young fellows would recognize his face, but he thought he should not stir up trouble for no reason.
Twisting his lips several times, he spoke.
“What brings you to a place like this?”
The voice that was heard had changed.
If it had been Jeok Mu-seong’s own solemn voice until moments ago, now it was somewhat high-pitched, sounding like the voice of someone who had hosted guests for a long time.
“Ahem… and you are…?”
“I am a person who works for the Hunan Dan Family…? Do you have business with the estate?”
Jeok Mu-seong slightly raised his head.
He saw the man cough heavily.
His face was somewhat pale, but he could not know the reason.
“Are you… truly a servant of the Dan Family?”
“Yes, I am…?”
“…”
The men looked at Jeok Mu-seong with pale expressions without realizing.
In addition, they were being bizarrely careful with their words, and even clasped their hands politely.
“Is there… another like you?”
“Do you mean someone like me?”
He had absolutely no idea what they were talking about.
Jeok Mu-seong wore a peculiar expression.
He wore a puzzled expression, wondering if they were asking if there were more people working.
Since there was a servant named Jang Sam-tae inside, he nodded as if it were natural.
“Yes, there is.”
“…”
In a single moment, the men shut their mouths.
The divine power they had clearly witnessed moments ago was something that made even the word “shocking” look ridiculous. To overturn dozens of jang with at most a single hoe stroke?
It could not be explained simply by saying he possessed extraordinary internal energy.
Yet there was another such person?
“I think that man might be Ma Cheon-gun.”
“Th… That must be so, right?”
He had heard that Ma Cheon-gun wore a black mask.
Although it was a completely different appearance from that, there was no way someone possessing that level of strength was not Ma Cheon-gun.
Just then.
Along with the sound of tearing air, something flew in.
Thud, thud, thud!
At the successive sounds, everyone gasped and turned pale.
What grazed between several men of the Hwangbo Family was none other than blades.
They shot and flew like hidden weapons, narrowly passing between them to lodge into rocks and trees.
“What are these fellows?”
Someone crossed the wall and came outside. Wearing a black mask, he sent a nonchalant gaze while holding a wine bottle in one hand.
“I was almost hit!”
“It is fine as long as you were not hit. Why make a fuss over that?”
Jeok Mu-seong glared fiercely at Sado Hak.
If he had moved even slightly, he would have become a beehive. That was the same for Jeok Mu-seong too.
It was a strike that flew that fiercely, and it seemed he would not have cared even if someone had died.
Jeok Mu-seong frowned and slightly raised his hand.
Internal energy gathered around that hand, and hot air spread to the surroundings.
“Oh?!”
“Gasp!”
Then, the blades lodged in the trees and rocks floated into the air.
Making dozens of them float simultaneously was already something that could not be called a human’s martial prowess, and they flew toward Sado Hak like arrows.
“Look at this bastard?”
Sado Hak lost his temper and reached out his hand in response.
The projected momentum blocked the pouring blades.
As the power of the two clashed in the air, massive pressure spread in all directions.
Crack, crack!
The blades broke apart absurdly.
“To… to perform Telekinesis in that manner…”
Gulp.
The sound of dry saliva being swallowed was heard from the side. That he not only lifted numerous blades using Telekinesis but even crushed them meant a skill comparable to the Five Emperors.
Furthermore, that someone with such terrifying internal energy was merely a servant?
“And that man is… Ma Cheon-gun…!”
Shiver.
Their bodies trembled of their own accord.
This fierce momentum.
It was a power that did not fall behind in the least, even against the massive internal energy performing Telekinesis. Rather, it was fierce enough that it would not be an exaggeration to say he was pushing it back.
Someone like this is at most the Seven Stars?
No.
Undoubtedly an ability comparable to the Five Emperors.
“Ju… Just what kind of place is this…!”
The men of the Hwangbo Family trembled, breaking into a cold sweat. To think there were as many as two people who had surpassed the human realm?
“Could that person be Gwimyeonja?”
Perhaps that could be so.
Although they could not know Gwimyeonja’s identity at all, since some guessed he was a member of the Hunan Dan Family, there was also the possibility that the person who introduced himself as a worker was Gwimyeonja.
Just then.
Boom, boom!
A massive power flew between the two who were confronting each other. A blue flash shot out strongly, scattered the internal energy of the clashing two, and vanished.
At that sight, everyone could not contain their shock.
“Just what are you doing? Tsk tsk… it is not even a kids’ fight…”
Eventually, a person holding a sword appeared in that spot.
Wearing a white mask, he was undoubtedly the Gentleman Sword who appeared in plays.
The men of the Hwangbo Family, who now had no energy left to even be shocked, slumped to the ground and wet their pants.
Soon, the gazes of the three peerless masters turned toward them.
“So, what are these things?”
Someone’s voice, mixed with wonder, was heard.
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