Chapter 150: Chapter 150
As Cheon-hwi returned to his residence.
“Have you come back?”
“Senior Martial Brother. Have you returned?”
The Divine Physician and Danmok Rin welcomed him.
Cheon-hwi glanced at the two of them before picking up the two swords he had left on one side of the residence.
At the sight of him suddenly grabbing his swords, the Divine Physician and Danmok Rin were startled and asked.
“Don’t tell me you are going somewhere again?”
“Senior Martial Brother, don’t tell me you are again…?”
“Because I have a mission.”
“It hasn’t even been that long since you returned, yet you immediately have another mission…”
“Even if it’s you, Senior Martial Brother, another mission is…”
As the two were about to shout something.
Seureuk-
Cheon-hwi left while unfolding the Dark Fragrance Drift.
Escaping his residence so quickly, he arrived at the mountain gate to find two people waiting.
It was Jeok Wun and Ju Go Yul.
“We have been waiting. Martial Uncle.”
“Please take good care of us.”
Ju Go Yul, looking at Cheon-hwi, took a polite martial salute with shining eyes.
“Yes.”
Ju Go Yul’s Adam’s apple bobbed heavily.
He looked that young, but Jeok Wun and the Sect Leader were certain that the Ilhwa Sect would be safe as long as he was there.
‘Just what kind of skills does he possess that…’
At that moment.
Tadadat-
There were two people running over.
It was a man and a woman carrying quite large bundles, and seeing their appearances, Ju Go Yul flinched.
‘Why are Daoists with those appearances…’
The condition of the two was not good.
The man’s one eye was swollen so much that it seemed he couldn’t see ahead.
And what about the woman?
She was a beautiful woman, but there were clear bruise marks on her hands and nape that weren’t hidden by her Daoist robe.
‘…Will it really be alright with these three?’
Just as a small seed of doubt was about to bloom in Ju Go Yul’s heart upon seeing the two.
“Martial Uncle.”
“We have finished all preparations.”
The two men and women, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran, stood in front of Cheon-hwi and readjusted their bundles.
“You guys are quick on your feet.”
Cheon-hwi spoke with satisfaction.
After entering the Seven Plum Blossom Gates, their attitudes had changed a little from before.
Cheon-hwi grinned.
‘As expected, one needs to feel a sense of crisis.’
Until not too long ago, Jeok-geom and Seol Ran’s noses had been infinitely high in the air.
Understandably so, since they had no opponents among the Second-Generation Disciples for a long time, and their internal energy had even increased recently by consuming the White Gold Pill.
It must have felt as if they had gained the world.
But not anymore.
The two realized that they were still lacking after seeing Cheon-hyang and Danmok Rin.
Cheon-hyang’s overwhelmingly superior skills.
On top of that, they had directly witnessed Danmok Rin rapidly rising up the ranks.
The two only then realized reality.
That they still had a long way to go.
Cheon-hwi smiled upon seeing their eyes burning with even more enthusiasm than before.
“You felt that your training was lacking, right?”
“We felt it to our bones.”
“Intoxicated by the White Gold Pill, we temporarily forgot that internal energy isn’t everything.”
“You’ve come to your senses a bit now. Then let’s go fill in what you lack.”
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran couldn’t understand what Cheon-hwi meant, but for now, they nodded their heads up and down and replied.
“Understood.”
“Yes, understood.”
Hearing the two’s answers, Cheon-hwi made a satisfied expression.
After that, he opened his mouth towards Ju Go Yul.
“Then let’s depart now.”
* * *
Yan’an of Shaanxi.
It used to be a place overflowing with people coming and going to sightsee because it had many ancient ruins since old times, but…
Right now, the streets of Yan’a were strangely cold, and silence was flowing.
The reason was simple.
It was because murderous martial artists wielding weapons such as swords, blades, or spears were swaggering through the streets.
“This is practically a battlefield.”
Cheon-hwi, having arrived at Yan’an, chuckled upon seeing those roaming the streets.
The martial artists on the streets glared at each other threateningly and did not lower their guard, ready to strike at any moment.
A disturbing atmosphere permeated the entire street, as if a sword fight would break out immediately if even their shoulders slightly bumped.
‘He had good reason to hurry.’
Around the time Cheon-hwi understood Ju Go Yul’s feelings.
“Those guys are again…”
Ju Go Yul bit his lower lip.
He had been relieved that they arrived in five days thanks to hurrying, but the situation had worsened even more than before he left.
‘Now those bastards have taken over the streets.’
The Yan’a he knew wasn’t like this.
It used to be a street overflowing with people coming and going, laughing and chatting in welcome, but…
Now, not even a trace of that could be seen.
Because the people who used to laugh and chat were hiding in their homes, afraid of the outside, and walking on eggshells around the martial artists who had newly occupied the streets.
It was a completely inverted situation where the guests had ousted the hosts.
‘It’s alright. It’s not too late yet. It will be able to return to the way it was before.’
Ju Go Yul stared at Jeok-geom, Seol Ran, and Cheon-hwi.
‘Since these people are here…’
While he was swallowing his resentment.
“To think that Yan’a has become like this…”
Jeok-geom let out a sigh beside him.
He had come and gone to Yan’an a few times in the past when helping with the Flying Wind Merchant Guild’s matters.
Because of that, he had never even imagined that it would turn out like this.
“It’s severe.”
Seol Ran also wrinkled her nose.
Even though they hadn’t even entered the street yet, murderous intent pierced her body.
When even she was like this, how would it be for those who hadn’t learned martial arts!
She looked at those hiding and holding their breath in their homes with pitiful eyes.
“Martial Uncle.”
“We should.”
Cheon-hwi agreed with her words.
“That’s what we came here for.”
Following that, he asked Ju Go Yul, who was swallowing his anger.
“Where is the Ilhwa Sect?”
“You just need to follow me.”
As Ju Go Yul, who was glaring at those roaming the streets, stepped into the street.
“That guy is from the Ilhwa Sect…”
“That is!”
“…Mount Hua Sect?”
Everyone’s gaze focused on them.
In particular, those who were roaming around murderously flinched for a moment and stepped back slightly upon seeing the Mount Hua Sect’s Daoist robes.
‘As expected of the Mount Hua Sect!’
Ju Go Yul felt a sense of gratification.
They were the ones who would spew murderous intent to somehow harm him whenever he appeared.
But now they were walking backward.
‘I did well to request help.’
Ju Go Yul’s steps became more and more confident.
At that, a few frowned and glared at Ju Go Yul, but that was it.
Seeing the Daoists wearing the Mount Hua Sect’s robes, they stepped aside and made way.
As they kept walking, the group was able to arrive at the Ilhwa Sect a moment later.
“…Is this the right place?”
Cheon-hwi narrowed his brow.
The condition of the Ilhwa Sect was not good.
The main gate was smashed, perhaps having already gone through several battles, and moans could be heard sparsely from within.
“That’s right.”
Ju Go Yul smiled bitterly and replied.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Ju Go Yul went through the broken gate and shouted loudly.
“Father!”
Then, someone from inside hurriedly ran to Ju Go Yul.
It was none other than the Ilhwa Sect Leader, Ju Song.
“G-Go Yul?!”
He staggered once upon seeing Ju Go Yul, as if the strength had left his legs.
“F-Father! Are you alright?”
Seeing Ju Go Yul approach, he immediately grabbed him by the collar and roared.
“You brat! Where did you go!”
“T-That is…”
“You suddenly disappeared, so didn’t I think you were killed by those bastards!”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader bit his lip hard.
It was because if he didn’t, it felt like tears would pour out right this instant.
Seeing the Ilhwa Sect Leader with tears welling in his eyes, Ju Go Yul felt a pang in the bridge of his nose.
“…I am sorry.”
Seeing Ju Go Yul drop his head, the Ilhwa Sect Leader let go of his collar and opened his mouth.
“…Right. Where did you go?”
“I went to the Mount Hua Sect.”
“M-Mount Hua Sect?!”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader jumped up in surprise.
“Why did you go all the way there?”
“I requested help.”
“What are you doing! To cause such an incident while knowing how busy the Mount Hua Sect is right now…”
“Father! Is that important right now?”
This time, Ju Go Yul shouted.
The truth was, it wasn’t that the Ilhwa Sect Leader couldn’t go to the Mount Hua Sect.
He didn’t go.
To repay the favor he owed to the Immortal Heogong who had saved him in the past, he had fulfilled his responsibilities as an affiliated sect.
Thinking that it was his duty.
That was why he was extremely reluctant to reach out to the Mount Hua Sect for this kind of matter.
But Ju Go Yul’s stance was different.
They were an affiliated sect of the Mount Hua Sect, so what was the problem with borrowing their power?
Furthermore.
“The lives of our sect’s disciples are in danger. Yet are you going to turn a blind eye just because you don’t want to owe any more favors to the Mount Hua Sect?”
The Ilhwa Sect was precious to him.
The Ilhwa Sect Leader turned his head and spoke.
“…It is possible with our sect’s own power.”
“So is that why we are in this state right now?”
As the argument between father and son was about to grow fiercer.
“Hmm, the situation is worse.”
A low voice could be heard.
The Ilhwa Sect Leader turned his head in surprise.
Outside the broken main gate, three men and women wearing the Mount Hua Sect’s Daoist robes were standing.
‘Those tassels are…’
His eyes widened.
The plum blossom-shaped tassels attached to the swords hanging from the men and women’s waists were something only the Plum Blossom Swordsmen could wear.
“…You have come from the Mount Hua Sect.”
“That’s right.”
Cheon-hwi smiled and stepped inside.
The Ilhwa Sect Leader was flustered as he watched a young man enter before the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
At that moment, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen also followed him inside.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. I am Jeok-geom of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. I am Seol Ran.”
At the two’s greetings taking a polite bow, the Ilhwa Sect Leader also urgently took a martial salute.
“I am Ju Song, the Ilhwa Sect Leader.”
At that moment, Cheon-hwi surveyed the surroundings.
The Ilhwa Sect Leader quickly scanned him.
‘To think he is someone the Plum Blossom Swordsmen follow.’
He quickly shifted his gaze to his waist.
However, the two swords hanging from his waist did not have any tassels.
‘…He’s someone I’ve never seen before.’
Even just a year ago when he went to the Mount Hua Sect, he had never seen such a person.
“Young hero, what is your Daoist name?”
“I am Cheon-hwi.”
As Cheon-hwi tossed the words out casually.
‘The Cheon generation?’
Hearing that, the Ilhwa Sect Leader was terrified and swallowed his breath.
If it was the Cheon generation, they were the First-Generation Disciples of the Mount Hua Sect, a generation that would soon take responsibility for the Mount Hua Sect.
‘At that young age?’
The Ilhwa Sect Leader hurriedly took a martial salute.
“I welcome you to our sect.”
As he greeted, he smiled bitterly.
It was a tremendous occasion for a Daoist of the Cheon generation and Plum Blossom Swordsmen to come help, but the current situation was unfavorable.
“The situation is not good, so please understand that we cannot properly welcome you.”
“I find that a bit a pity as well, but.”
Cheon-hwi didn’t even say any empty formalities.
The reason he deliberately came all the way to the Ilhwa Sect was to sightsee outside and play and eat.
But that seemed difficult.
“It can’t be helped.”
“I am sorry.”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader lowered his head.
Cheon-hwi looked at him and opened his mouth.
“More than that, where are the places targeting the Ilhwa Sect right now?”
“…Don’t tell me you intend to fight?”
At the question, Cheon-hwi’s lips twisted.
“We have to quickly smash them up.”
“S-Smash them up.”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader burst into bewilderment.
The word choice unbefitting of a Daoist was one thing, but the meaning contained within was also absurd.
“…It will be difficult with just three people.”
Cheon-hwi chuckled.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“H-However, they are dangerous.”
“They?”
The corners of Cheon-hwi’s eyes curved.
“It seems there isn’t just one or two places.”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader frowned.
Recently, there wasn’t just one or two sects that had newly opened in Yan’an.
“There are three places in total.”
“Just perfect.”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes half-opened.
“Where are those three places?”
“That is…”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader swallowed the rest of his words.
No matter if the Mount Hua Sect had sent Plum Blossom Swordsmen, it was impossible with just them.
‘To cause another sacrifice to the Mount Hua Sect that hasn’t been long since losing so many Plum Blossom Swordsmen…’
As he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
“They are the Black Tiger Gang, the Ghost Yoo Sect, and the Soheung Fortress.”
Ju Go Yul answered instead.
“Go Yul!”
The Ilhwa Sect Leader got angry, but…
“Good.”
Cheon-hwi was satisfied.
Since they had come like this anyway, processing it quickly made him feel at ease.
“You know where they are, right?”
“Of course I know.”
“Then let’s go to the closest place first.”
Enjoyed the chapter?
If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!
Support on Ko-fi