Chapter 181: Chapter 181
Pungwol Pavilion.
At the top of Pungwol Pavilion, the largest and highest brothel in Xi’an, four men and women gathered.
Lord of Geumhwi Manor.
Lord of Sayu Valley.
Sect Leader of the Seophon Sect.
And a woman who came from the Four Ghosts Gang.
Excluding the unidentified woman, the sect leaders of the Four Hegemons of Sinju, who were making Shaanxi ring loudly, gathered in one place.
The Geumhwi Manor Lord stared at the woman who came in place of the Four Ghosts Gang Leader and opened his mouth.
“I called for the Four Ghosts Gang Leader, but…….”
“As you know, our Gang Leader is injured.”
The woman’s lips curved.
Just by her curving her lips from her expressionless face, a terrible scent of face powder wafted out.
“I had no choice but to come instead. Still, don’t worry. I have already received all authority from the Gang Leader.”
It was a voice too low to be a woman’s.
However, the three sect leaders listening to that voice had their lips completely dry up.
‘As expected, the Four Ghosts Gang also had a backer.’
‘At this rate, everyone is a puppet!’
‘Damn it! I didn’t know she would come in person.’
The edges of the three’s eyes wrinkled.
They were revered in the Jianghu as the Four Hegemons of Sinju, but they knew well that it was not an achievement gained through their own power.
A fox assuming the majesty of a tiger.
They were only borrowing prestige with a backer behind them, and their actual power was no different from a mere Unorthodox faction weakling.
However, that woman alone was different.
Because she was a tiger, not a fox.
“More importantly, we don’t have time, so won’t we quickly proceed with this agenda?”
The woman, who gripped the atmosphere inside the room at once, licked her lips and spoke.
“Our Gang Leader’s body is still unwell, so I have to go quickly.”
At the woman’s words mixed with laughter, the Geumhwi Manor Lord’s impression frowned, but he shook his head with a sigh.
‘Huu, what is the use of saying more. Since we are in the palm of their hands anyway.’
He, who was forming a bitter smile, opened his mouth.
“Understood.”
Following that, the Geumhwi Manor Lord didn’t say any other words, and straightforwardly revealed the reason for having the meeting.
“The reason I called you all this time is one. Won’t we join hands together?”
The Sayu Valley Lord narrowed his eyes.
“Are you saying we should make an alliance?”
Following that, the Seophon Sect Leader also spoke with an expression that he didn’t like the proposal.
“I don’t think there is that level of trust between us.”
The Geumhwi Manor Lord nodded his head.
“I know. How could we build trust among ourselves. Between empty shells, that is.”
His words were calm.
However, the expressions of the two excluding the woman distorted, and their glabella narrowed.
It was because he hit the bullseye.
“What are you trying to say?”
“What are you trying to say?”
The two’s voices rose slightly.
The Geumhwi Manor Lord stared at those two, and let out a low voice.
“But even if we are shells, shouldn’t we combine our strength to stand against the Zhongnan and Mount Hua?”
“…….”
“…….”
As the two shut their mouths, the woman laughed.
“Hoho, that is good.”
As if she liked how the current situation was flowing, she twisted her hair with her hand along with a smile all over her face.
“The Four Ghosts Gang agrees.”
As the woman gave an answer first, the Sayu Valley Lord and Seophon Sect Leader narrowed their glabella.
Since the Geumhwi Manor and Four Ghosts Gang combined their strength, in the end, there were two things decided.
Whether to combine strength together.
Or to fight alone.
And the two’s choice was naturally the safest side.
“Is it an unavoidable choice.”
“Tsk. Let’s do that.”
When the two agreed despite being displeased, the woman twisted the corners of her mouth and asked.
“Then what will you do now? We did combine our strength, but are you going to stay still until the Zhongnan and Mount Hua move?”
The Geumhwi Manor Lord stared at the woman.
Even at the sharp gaze, the woman did not avoid his eyes with a relaxed expression.
“Or are you going to attack first?”
In an instant, the inside of the room shook slightly.
No, it did not shake.
However, the chests of the three gathered sank in an instant, causing an illusion of shaking.
Her voice containing internal energy was enough to shake them up, but the contents contained in those words were also not easy.
Unlike combining strength to guard against the Zhongnan and Mount Hua, striking first had a different texture.
A brief silence flowed.
It was because it was ambiguous to hastily speak the answer to the woman’s question.
A moment of looking at each other’s faces.
“Not right now.”
The Geumhwi Manor Lord, as if he had organized his thoughts, smacked his lips with a serious expression.
“With our current strength, it is hard to push away the Zhongnan and Mount Hua. So how about moving after absorbing all the small and medium sects in Shaanxi?”
The expressions of the Sayu Valley Lord and Seophon Sect Leader, which were slightly stiff, loosened.
“Good.”
“I also agree.”
As the two agreed as if they liked it, the Geumhwi Manor Lord asked the woman who hadn’t answered yet.
“How about your side?”
She curled the corners of her mouth up.
“Let’s do that.”
“Then I will take it that everyone agreed to this pact.”
When the Geumhwi Manor Lord spoke lowly, the woman stood up from her seat and opened her mouth.
“Ah right! Since I have work to do, I will get going first. Later when you are ready, please contact me ‘separately’.”
The woman, who put internal energy into the word ‘separately’, seemed to wink and smile.
Seureureuk…
She disappeared in an instant.
A bizarre phenomenon of disappearing like a ghost.
“……!”
The three were surprised for a moment, but they tried hard to hold their breath and did not act rashly.
How long were they stiff like that.
When the face powder scent filling the room disappeared, the bodies of the three collapsed and buried themselves in the backrests of the chairs.
“Huu.”
“I’m dying.”
“Haa.”
The three, who struggled to let out the breath that filled up to the ends of their throats, looked at each other.
The eyes that seemed exhausted were full of pity and bitterness in mutual sympathy.
The three, who were looking at each other for a moment, smiled bitterly, and stood up from their seats at the same time.
“Then I will call you later.”
“I will wait.”
“Let’s pledge the next time.”
* * *
After the meeting that happened in Pungwol Pavilion.
A wind of blood began to blow in Shaanxi.
It was because after defeating the Zhongnan and Mount Hua, the Four Hegemons of Sinju, who had held their breath, raised their heads. They had no hesitation.
“They’re crazy.”
“Are the Four Hegemons of Sinju trying to wage an all-out war with Mount Hua and Zhongnan!”
“Still, since they are not touching the laymen sects, aren’t they trying to avoid it?”
“Even so, with them pushing like a breaking bamboo, will the Zhongnan Sect and Mount Hua Sect stay still? They will soon clash.”
“They are guys crazy to die.”
Everyone thought the actions of the Four Hegemons of Sinju were like striking a rock with an egg, but.
One day, two days, three days, four days…….
Around the time about forty days had passed.
They changed their minds.
The actions of the Four Hegemons of Sinju were more meticulous than thought, and very swift.
The sects, brothels, and gambling dens under the White Ghost Castle quickly began to be subordinated under them.
Some small and medium sects were collapsing helplessly from their attacks.
Even the former White Ghost Castle absorbing all the Unorthodox factions in Shaanxi was an undertaking close to a great cause that took at least five years of time.
However, the speed was incomparably fast compared to that.
No matter how much they were Unorthodox factions and small and medium sects under the White Ghost Castle, the Four Hegemons of Sinju subdued all of them in a single breath in just two months now.
Only then did everyone realize that the Four Hegemons of Sinju were not ordinary, but the hands they extended had already spread out increasingly.
As if they would soon swallow the entirety of Shaanxi excluding the Zhongnan, Mount Hua, and their laymen sects.
And that aftermath even reached the Mount Hua Sect, which was quietly holding its breath.
At the mountain gate of Mount Hua, the sect leaders of the laymen sects and small and medium sects near Hwayin County were all gathered.
“We need the power of Mount Hua!”
The Pavilion Lord of the Jinmu Pavilion shouted.
Right now, he was angry on the inside.
It was because due to the attack of the Four Hegemons of Sinju this time, the Jinmu Pavilion was burned down, and his family had to live in hiding.
And that wasn’t all.
Most of those gathered here now were those who had been burned down like the Jinmu Pavilion, or had been robbed by the Four Hegemons of Sinju.
“Sect Leader!”
“Please help our sect!”
“At this rate, Shaanxi is in danger!”
Appealing shouts poured out.
The Sect Leader was troubled looking at the sect leaders bowing their heads while taking a fist-and-palm salute.
“Hmm…….”
However, that was also for a moment.
“……Come in for now.”
The Sect Leader, who was agonizing with a complicated face, opened the mountain gate as if he made a decision.
Then, those who were taking a fist-and-palm salute smiled brightly, their eyes sparkling like stars.
The meaning of telling them to come inside must be that he had the intention to listen to their words.
It was because they thought so.
Kkiiik…
The mountain gate of Mount Hua opened, and a few people had their breath taken away at the sight they saw.
Was it not Mount Hua for nothing.
It was a steep and rugged mountain path.
It was to the extent that even they who had learned martial arts felt it would be hard to climb up.
“Follow me well.”
The Sect Leader took a step.
At that moment, they rubbed their eyes.
The Sect Leader who was in front just a moment ago was already halfway up the mountain path with just a single step.
“Heo-eo!”
“To be that fast……!”
Everyone was astonished.
At the same time, satisfied smiles naturally spread on their mouths.
“The Sect Leader’s skill is far superior to what is known to the world!”
“It was good that we came to Mount Hua.”
They all matched each other’s gazes, and soon stepped towards the extremely high mountain path.
How much did they climb up the mountain path like that.
“……Huu.”
Rough breathing sounds could be heard here and there.
Mount Hua’s mountain path was rough.
And steep.
Each and every step was hard.
Especially from the time they arrived at the middle, the relaxedness on their expressions disappeared.
At that time, the Jinmu Pavilion Lord stopped his feet.
He had arrived at the end of the mountain path.
“Huu. Finally……. Eot?!”
The Jinmu Pavilion Lord, who was catching his breath, raised his head, and suddenly stopped the words he was saying.
“Why are you like that?”
“Is something wrong?”
Those following behind looked doubtfully at the suddenly frozen Jinmu Pavilion Lord, and likewise looked forward and stiffened.
It was because there were dozens of Daoists maintaining a formation there, and a sharp momentum to the point of making their throats tingle the moment they saw it was wafting from them.
“……Is this the Mount Hua Sect?”
“S-such intense momentum.”
Their voices trembled slightly.
In the strange formation shown by the Daoists, a tremendous sense of intimidation could be felt, as if seeing a single Divine Sword.
“If it is this level of martial might, no matter the Four Hegemons of Sinju……!”
“We can take revenge.”
Around the time their expressions brightened.
“You’ve formed the formation, right?”
A calm voice was heard.
Turning their eyes following that voice, a handsome young man carrying a scabbard on his shoulder could be seen.
The handsome young man was flicking his scabbard towards the Daoists taking a combined attack formation.
“Then come.”
Everyone was flustered and looked at the handsome young man.
“Who is that?”
“He’s facing that sword formation alone?”
As they were looking on in bewilderment.
Seueuk…
When the party involved, the handsome young man, properly lifted his scabbard, the atmosphere changed.
“……!”
Those who were watching opened their eyes wide.
The intense presence and aura that did not fall behind even against dozens of Daoists alone.
“Was there such a person in the Mount Hua Sect?!”
“I-it’s not the Mount Hua Sect for nothing.”
Around the time they were astonished at the intense presence they felt for the first time in their lives.
“Huu, here we go.”
Jeok-geom and the Flying Sword Squad, who were in the formation of the Flying Sword Formation, showed looks of determination.
And they raised their swords high.
A momentum as if it would cleave the sky erupted, and Jeok-geom let out a shout.
“Haaap!”
Along with an energetic Lion’s Roar, the Flying Sword Squad members simultaneously rushed towards Cheon-hwi.
“The distribution of internal energy is fine now.”
The handsome young man, Cheon-hwi, let out a sigh watching the Flying Sword Formation unfold along with the shout.
“Ehew, to be this honest.”
Cheon-hwi, who spoke bluntly, moved his scabbard.
Huung!
In an instant, dozens of sword shadows appeared, and struck the heads of those who were on guard.
Ttadadadak!
They rolled on the floor.
“Heop! H-how?!”
“We unfolded it perfectly……!”
As the Flying Sword Squad freaked out, Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue saying ‘Tsk tsk’ and opened his mouth.
“Oh please? What do you mean perfect. Where in the world is something perfect. Didn’t I tell you before? Act a little flexibly. Just because it’s the Flying Sword Formation, don’t just blindly rush in, and use irregular attacks too.”
“Kek!”
“Kkeuak!”
Cheon-hwi swung his scabbard even while speaking, chewing them up and pounding them.
“I’m telling you to just do it like this. Can’t you even do this?”
Cheon-hwi, who was whispering, twisted his hand.
At that moment, the scabbard showed a mysterious and profound change, and struck the heads of the Flying Sword Squad members who were still standing all at once.
Peoeok! Peoeok!
Cheon-hwi shook his head seeing the Flying Sword Squad members collapsing while holding their heads one or two.
“Ehew, it really won’t do. Don’t even think about sleeping tonight everyone. For now, run around Mount Hua three times, and do horse stance…….”
“Heok! P-please, anything but that…….”
“S-junior Brother. Can’t we sleep today?”
The Flying Sword Squad members, who hadn’t been able to sleep for two days already, shouted in terror, but.
“Then you should have blocked it well.”
Cheon-hwi didn’t even pretend to hear.
“Did I want something big? I just told you to hold out for exactly one teacup’s time.”
“Iiiik! Where is that easy!”
“Where is that an easy thing?!”
“Then are you going to lose to the Four Hegemons of Sinju, or whatever they are again?”
“…….”
“Besides, why are you complaining so much? Since I, the General Squad Leader, say to do it, you have to do it.”
Cheon-hwi picked his ear, and mocked.
“Huh? What is with those eyes? Are you annoyed?”
“…….”
The Flying Sword Squad members, who had momentarily glared with their eyes, lowered their heads deeply, and shut their mouths.
Before they knew it, they clenched their fists tightly.
‘Are we annoyed? Of course we’re annoyed?!’
The answers to the question Cheon-hwi just asked were all unanimous.
Seventy days since entering training.
Cheon-hwi’s training was terrible and rough.
If it seemed they couldn’t follow the training in the middle, he showed not only the Body Transformation Art but also numerous techniques close to torture!
Under the merciless trainings, it was to the extent their tears didn’t dry day by day.
However, no one among those gathered dared to spit out their thoughts outside their mouths.
That was because those who had already refuted Cheon-hwi’s words or attacked him were trembling and fainted.
However, Cheon-hwi, who was already reading their minds, let out a chuckle.
“If you are so annoyed, then beat me and become the General Squad Leader.”
The Flying Sword Squad members bit their lips.
‘Beat you? Does that even make sense!’
‘You’re saying you won’t yield absolutely!’
Around the time the Flying Sword Squad members were exploding with resentment on the inside, Cheon-hwi lifted his scabbard.
“Then let’s start again.”
In an instant, the scabbard seemed to move, and dozens of afterimages appeared and covered them.
A moment later, Cheon-hwi, who knocked everyone out, wore his scabbard on his waist and turned his head.
“Hmm, for what matter did you come?”
“Follow me.”
The Sect Leader slowly walked out.
The Sect Leader, bearing a soft smile, stroked his beard and smacked his lips.
“I need your opinion before we fight the war with the Four Hegemons of Sinju.”
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