Chapter 300: Chapter 300

“Just what on earth is the meaning of this!?”

Entering the Hunan Dan Family residence, Hwangbo Won shouted loudly. The shout he spat out toward none other than the Sword Emperor Namgung Cheon was mixed with resentment.

Because the Sword Emperor had vanished, Murong Hyeok-mun had caused that uproar.

Thanks to that, the Martial Alliance was disbanded and split into two factions.

Furthermore, passing through numerous incidents, the strength of the Orthodox Faction only grew weaker and weaker.

If only the Sword Emperor had been alive!

The prominent seniors of the Orthodox Faction harbored such regret in their hearts.

Thus, they tried to become the Sword Emperor themselves.

That was the true appearance of those currently leading the Orthodox Faction.

“You smell, so step back a bit.”

Just then, Dan Woo-hyun waved his hand and frowned.

It was because Hwangbo Won had shouted in front of him as he sat on the veranda, leisurely drinking wine.

“Do not try to know, and do not ask. It will do you no good to find out.”

The one who intervened between them and snapped was none other than Sado Hak.

Whether it was to help the troubled Namgung Cheon, or because he disliked Hwangbo Won raising his voice at the Dan Family residence.

Whichever it was, the sense of intimidation his single statement gave transcended imagination.

Hwangbo Won, who had raised his voice, tried to shut his mouth tightly, but as if he was not done speaking yet, he glared at Namgung Cheon and spat out his opinion.

“You must go to the Heavenly Dao Society immediately!”

“I will not go.”

“Why is that? Currently, the Orthodox Faction is…”

“Was it not you all who made the Orthodox Faction like that?”

At the stinging words, Hwangbo Won was at a loss for words.

Strictly speaking, the reason the Orthodox Faction split in two was because of the factional fights that occurred within the Martial Alliance.

Because the existence of the Sword Emperor was gone and the gathered power spread in all directions, a struggle for power naturally broke out.

Furthermore, it was none other than the people of the Eight Great Families who created such a result.

Therefore, it could not be said to be anyone’s fault.

“Go back now. And do not tell anyone that we are here.”

“That is…!”

The moment Hwangbo Won was about to raise his voice in protest.

He felt his spine turn cold.

Startled without realizing it and turning his gaze, he felt the stare of Sado Hak, who sat blankly.

Seeing his extremely displeased expression, it seemed he was thinking of cutting down everyone in this spot if things went wrong.

Sweat broke out in his palms of its own accord.

“I do not care either way, but it is a bit noisy.”

Just then, Dan Woo-hyun, who had been keeping silent mutely, muttered. As his single word fell, a cold chill was felt as if the surroundings had frozen over.

Hwangbo Won trembled without realizing.

‘That person… of the Hunan Dan Family…’

Dry saliva went down of its own accord.

The one commanding three of those called the Five Emperors.

Although he could know how such a thing was possible, he felt to his bones the fact that he was no ordinary figure.

Because the moment he met his eyes, he felt like he would be sucked into an abyss.

‘Perhaps…’

A suspicion arose that he might be stronger than the Sword Emperor.

But he soon dismissed that thought.

If so, it meant that person had risen to the realm of the Three Heavens, which had not appeared for a long time.

Since someone who looked that young could not possibly do so, he thought it was merely a simple illusion.

“I have no interest in either the Hwangbo Family or the Heavenly Dao Society. If you have no further business, leave.”

He nipped it in the bud with resolute words.

No matter what he said, the same words would come out and the same conclusion would fall.

Namgung Cheon would never go to the Heavenly Dao Society, and Hwangbo Won would try to take Namgung Cheon no matter what.

Since he did not want such a noisy situation, it was wise to drive him away.

“What do you mean! I must take the elder…”

As if he would never bend his will, Hwangbo Won clenched his fists to the point of crushing them.

If Namgung Cheon revealed himself again and belonged to the Heavenly Dao Society, the gap would widen enough to seize all the remaining influence of the Martial Alliance.

He did not want to lose such an opportunity.

Just then, Dan Woo-hyun smirked.

Subsequently, Sado Hak also wore a dazed expression.

They seemed to have read Hwangbo Won’t insidious mind in an instant.

“Hahaha.”

The one who burst into laughter just then was none other than Namgung Cheon. Rising slightly from his seat, he looked at Hwangbo Won.

He had to resolve this situation.

Because if Dan Woo-hyun began to step forward, it would become even more perplexing.

As he approached Hwangbo Won slightly, a terrible stench rose. Namgung Cheon frowned, but soon quietly spoke with a relaxed mind.

“Would you follow me for a moment?”

“Where… do you mean?”

“Just a moment will do, just a moment. Ah, you all as well.”

Namgung Cheon glanced at the figures of the Hwangbo Family. Although they were watching each other’s reactions, it was a request from none other than the Sword Emperor.

The martial artists who revered and followed him as members of the Orthodox Faction could not refuse Namgung Cheon’s words.

“This way, this way.”

Namgung Cheon was going in a hurry.

Knowing nothing, Hwangbo Won and his group followed behind Namgung Cheon with puzzled expressions. It was due to a shred of expectation that he might want to speak about something important.

“Ah, that direction is…”

However, Namgung So-hye, who was watching the situation, broke into a cold sweat with a pale face.

In the place where Namgung Cheon dragged them now,

there was a training ground.

And all kinds of weapons good for beating people up were also lined up.

Sure enough, someone’s wailing echoed.

[W… Wait… Aaah!]

* * *

Dan So-mi was out on Yueyang street for the first time in a while. Ju Ji-yak and Hong Jin-rang were with her, and they were spending time looking around the market street here and there, sightseeing, and buying snacks to eat.

“There are really a lot of people?”

Hong Jin-rang frowned.

Since the last Martial World tournament, a significant number of martial artists had flowed into Yueyang. Most were suspected to be wanderers, and they were moving as if waiting for someone or looking for someone.

“They must have come to look for Gentleman Sword and Ma Cheon-gun. Since it is an opportunity to witness their martial arts with their own eyes.”

Ju Ji-yak looked around at the people with an incredulous expression.

Witnessing martial arts did not mean one could learn it. She thought that they might have come because they wanted to form ties with Gentleman Sword or Ma Cheon-gun.

Without even knowing that it would be useless anyway.

“No, is that really true!?”

“Hahaha, I tell you it is so. You will live a long and healthy life.”

“Wahahaha! Thank you, thank you!”

Just then, a voice that captured the children’s ears was heard from somewhere. Turning their heads to look, there was a place where people were gathered.

An old man was sitting there, looking as if he were fortune-telling.

“They said that man is Hyeon Cheong-ja?”

“Huh? Is he not an extremely famous fortune-teller? I certainly heard… that he was killed by the Black Dao Association Leader… was that not the case?”

“Tell me about it.”

Passing people whispered and spoke about the fortune-teller. Although everyone sent looks of doubt wondering if he was a fake, that doubt seemed to gradually disappear at the gasps uttered by those who had their fortunes read.

“Hyeon Cheong-ja?”

“You do not know him, So-mi?”

When So-mi asked, Ji-yak was surprised.

Hyeon Cheong-ja refers to an extremely famous fortune-teller in the Central Plains. Because it was said there was nothing he could not predict correctly, numerous people sought him out.

Since high officials and noble lords would try to have their fortunes read even if they had to pay immense money, it was not strange that his fame spread to the entire Central Plains.

“He… hee, is he that amazing?”

“Yes! I am also seeing him for the first time… but if he really is Hyeon Cheong-ja, it is huge.”

The three children’s eyes sparkled. They wanted to have their fortunes read at least once, but they wore expressions showing they could not even dare due to the line being too long.

Just then, Hyeon Cheong-ja turned his head with a sweep.

Soon, his eyes met Dan So-mi’s, and he grinned.

He motioned. As if to tell her to come here.

“Me?”

When Dan So-mi asked, tilting her head in wonder, Hyeon Cheong-ja nodded. Although she could not know the reason, there was no way she could not go when an adult called.

As Dan So-mi trotted over, Hyeon Cheong-ja looked at the child and smiled.

“Haha, you are a child born with heavenly fortune.”

“He… hee?”

“You have good energy. Although the beginning was not good.”

“You know that?”

“Who is this old man? I am none other than Hyeon Cheong-ja. Since there is nothing I do not know, there is also nothing you can hide before this old man.”

At the spat out words, Dan So-mi’s eyes widened in surprise. Wondering if he really did, she gasped without realizing. She remembered that she had wet the blanket a few days ago but still had not told Dan Woo-hyun.

Hyeon Cheong-ja laughed heartily.

“You are born with everything. But is the thing that moves that fortune… the wind?”

Saying “wind,” Hyeon Cheong-ja paused for a moment. An expression of being quite surprised yet amused was clear. Soon, he clutched Dan So-mi’s hand tightly.

“Ah! It hurts.”

As she felt pain, Dan So-mi frowned.

Simultaneously, Hyeon Cheong-ja quickly let go of her hand.

With a sizzling sound, thick smoke rose from his hand.

“Hmm…”

Hyeon Cheong-ja swallowed a groan, looking at his hand. The surprised expressions of the surrounding people did not even seem to catch his eye.

Having stared at his hand for a long time, Hyeon Cheong-ja looked at Dan So-mi once again.

“Soon, dark clouds will approach.”

“Yes? It is sunny, though?”

Dan So-mi, who looked up at the sky, muttered. It was sunny and not a single cloud was visible. It seemed absolutely impossible for dark clouds to form on such a day.

Hyeon Cheong-ja laughed heartily at that.

Perhaps finding Dan So-mi, who did not understand the meaning, cute, he caressed her head and met her eyes.

At the gaze that seemed to suck her in, Dan So-mi let out a small exclamation of wonder.

“But the light is brighter than the darkness.”

“Is it a good story?”

“Yes. It is a good story.”

Hyeon Cheong-ja smiled gently.

Soon, as if he had nothing more to talk about, he stood up from his seat. Although many people shouted asking him to read their fortunes a bit more, he shook his head and dismissed the people.

Then, he looked down at Dan So-mi.

“I am in a very good mood today. Because I saw a child like you.”

“Hehehe.”

“I will pray that the wind blowing by your side remains near you always.”

In an instant, Hyeon Cheong-ja’s mouth curled up.

She could not know its meaning, but an unknown chill rushed over her.

Dan So-mi, who had been smiling, tightly shut her mouth.

As she retreated a step without realizing, Ju Ji-yak, who was behind, grabbed So-mi’s back. Had she gone back even one step more, she would have surely fallen.

“Wind…?”

“Hahaha, yes, the wind.”

Hyeon Cheong-ja began to walk away briskly.

As if there was no longer any talk to share.

Just like a mysterious figure appearing in stories, he was slowly exiting the market street of Yueyang as the sun set.

Dan So-mi stared blankly at that.

Her head ached slightly at the baffling words.

“What a strange person.”

“Th… That is true.”

The two children tilted their heads.

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