Chapter 28: Chapter 28
When Mount Tai One Fist died from Cheon-hwi’s single strike, the members of the Supreme Scenery Squad and the disciples of the Supreme King Sect all surrendered to the Flying Wind Merchant Guild.
And the fire was also quickly suppressed by Go Gye-yeong’s instructions, allowing the Flying Wind Merchant Guild to begin regaining its stability.
The Supreme King Sect’s attack, which initially seemed as if it would smash everything completely, was concluded effortlessly and in vain.
However, the wounds and sacrifices suffered by the Flying Wind Merchant Guild had not healed.
Not only the experts they had struggled to bring along, but also more than half of the servants had all become ghosts of the afterlife.
Was that all?
Even though they had suppressed the fire, the pavilions of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild were either burned or smashed, turning into a pandemonium, and the surroundings were filled with the scent of blood and corpses.
It was to the point where they had to spend an astronomical amount of time and money for at least half a year just to clean up the inside. The damage was so severe that Go Gye-yeong and Yeon Su-ran felt bitter.
However, there was no clear way to overcome this situation.
Billing the Supreme King Sect?
It was impossible unless they were crazy.
They were an Unorthodox Faction of the martial arts world. The moment they billed them, they would rightfully launch a full-scale attack.
Even though they were attacked, they couldn’t ask the government office for help either.
It was obvious they would cut off their tails, claiming it wasn’t their subordinates.
Had they suffered this once or twice?
They had their goods stolen by the Green Woods several times, but the government pretended not to know.
It was an obviously clumsy operation, but they had no choice but to fall for it every time.
Because the government office, which didn’t want to get involved in the affairs of the martial arts world, accepted those words.
‘If it happens like that again this time…….’
Go Gye-yeong’s face distorted.
If the result was the same this time, they would be the ones to suffer headaches.
They would lose the compensation for damages, and it would end up giving a justification to the Supreme King Sect.
“Furthermore, the Supreme King Sect has White Ghost Castle behind them……. Haa.”
Having unknowingly become deeply involved in the martial arts world, sighs did not dry from his mouth.
In the end, there was only one thing to trust.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Strength against strength, the laws of the martial arts world against the laws of the martial arts world.
“There is only the help of the Mount Hua Sect.”
* * *
Inside the most decent room among the ruined pavilions of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild, Cheon-hwi, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, Go Gye-yeong, and Yeon Su-ran sat in a circle around a table.
Then, Go Gye-yeong, who had been sitting, stood up from his seat and politely bowed his head.
“I will never forget the grace you showed in helping our guild.”
At his action, Seol Ran and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were flustered, and all stood up together.
“No.”
“It’s alright.”
“It was naturally something we had to do.”
“If it is Senior Brother Jeok-geom’s matter, it is also our matter.”
Watching the actions of the flustered Plum Blossom Swordsmen, Go Gye-yeong smiled softly.
Usually, when people spoke of martial artists, they didn’t leave a very good impression on merchants.
That was because all martial artists were arrogant and had strong pride.
Furthermore, the martial artists they frequently encountered were the Green Woods or the Eighteen Waterways of the Yangtze River, so they might have developed prejudices.
‘They were ones who thought they could command even a large merchant guild at any time.’
Go Gye-yeong smiled bitterly.
That was because, for them, the sword before their eyes was closer than the laws of the imperial family.
But now, that prejudice was broken.
‘This is the righteous faction, and this is the Mount Hua Sect.’
Despite fighting at the risk of their lives, watching those who felt awkward receiving words of gratitude, a pleased smile did not cease from his lips.
‘It was a good thing I sent Hyeon to the Mount Hua Sect.’
There was a reason why the Daoists of the Mount Hua Sect were respected by the common people.
Then he looked at Cheon-hwi.
Cheon-hwi just sat there with an expression of complete disinterest, regardless of what they did.
It was quite a rude attitude, but he didn’t say anything to him.
The help they received was too great, and he had already heard about him from Jeok-geom.
‘Did he say he was free-spirited.’
While he was looking at Cheon-hwi like that.
“Father.”
Jeok-geom, who had stood up opposite him, gave Go Gye-yeong a look, signaling him to sit down.
“Haha.”
The smiling Go Gye-yeong sat down, and let out a low voice toward Cheon-hwi.
“May I know how many more reinforcements are coming next?”
Cheon-hwi glanced at Go Gye-yeong.
Cheon-hwi looked at Go Gye-yeong’s eyes full of anticipation, and shattered his expectations.
“There are none.”
“……Is that so?”
Go Gye-yeong’s face darkened.
“Benefactor, do you know where it is that is currently targeting our guild?”
“Isn’t it the Supreme King Sect?”
Cheon-hwi answered immediately, as if asking ‘Why are you asking such an obvious thing?’.
“You know. Then do you know what kind of place the Supreme King Sect is?”
“I know roughly. Well, I heard it’s an emerging sect rising recently.”
As soon as Go Gye-yeong heard Cheon-hwi’s answer, he spoke quickly as if he had been waiting.
“It is an Unorthodox Faction that has recently been showing prominence in Shaanxi. Recently, they are a place expanding their power right on the heels of White Ghost Castle…….”
The moment he scanned the Plum Blossom Swordsmen while speaking, Cheon-hwi grasped his intention.
“In other words, the Guild Master is saying that it is uneasy to block their attack with our combat power.”
“To speak honestly, yes.”
Go Gye-yeong made a troubled expression.
It was a discourteous remark, but it was the truth.
The Supreme King Sect was an emerging sect recently displaying its majesty. However, the ones who came as support from the Mount Hua Sect were only six people.
Even that was five Plum Blossom Swordsmen who had just passed their twentieth year and a young commander.
The Supreme King Sect versus six young Daoists of the Mount Hua Sect.
No matter who looked at it, wasn’t it a foolish action trying to break a rock with an egg?
Of course, he knew that the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were a top-tier force in the Mount Hua Sect, and that Cheon-hwi, who commanded them, was outstanding.
However, he couldn’t help but be anxious.
‘I can’t send Hyeon to his death. Moreover, for the sake of the Flying Wind Merchant Guild, the Mount Hua Sect’s reinforcements are unconditionally necessary.’
Having quickly finished calculating, he spilled the information he had obtained a little while ago.
“Of course, I know that the skills of Benefactor and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen are outstanding. However…….”
Go Gye-yeong stopped talking mid-way to gather their gazes, then lowered his voice.
“The Supreme King Sect has a backer.”
“A backer?”
For a moment, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen flinched.
Even just the Supreme King Sect was a considerably massive sect, but if it was their backer…….
“Don’t tell me……”
Go Gye-yeong spoke while sinking his eyes.
“It’s White Ghost Castle.”
“……!”
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen let out groans.
It was exactly as they thought.
‘To think it would be White Ghost Castle of all places.’
Their faces were dyed in despair.
They could have thought the Supreme King Sect was worth trying against, but if it was White Ghost Castle, the story was different.
The six pillars supporting the Four Black Alliances.
One of the Six Imperial Sects, which were massive sects on par with the Nine Great Sects and One Gang, was White Ghost Castle.
Furthermore, wasn’t White Ghost Castle a place counted as the top among the Six Imperial Sects in the past?
Of course, their power had decreased due to the incident thirteen years ago, and they were maintaining a silence close to closing their gates, but who could ignore White Ghost Castle?
Even the Mount Hua Sect, their sworn enemies, could never ignore them.
No, rather, they were even more wary.
Because they knew their combat power well.
“Is it really White Ghost Castle?”
Jeok-geom asked again to confirm.
“It’s hard to believe, but it is.”
“Heo-eo.”
“To think it’s White Ghost Castle.”
Around the time the Plum Blossom Swordsmen dropped their heads.
‘What does it matter if it’s White Ghost Castle?’
Cheon-hwi showed a lukewarm reaction.
He also knew about White Ghost Castle, of course, but he didn’t think much of it.
‘It’s a sect that would be cleaned up just by sending the Sword Demon, so what are they getting scared and surprised about?’
His standards were extraordinary.
That was because he had been the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, a force that no other sect in all of history could look down on as a single faction.
No matter how much White Ghost Castle was spreading its notoriety in the Central Plains, to him, it was no different from a mediocre sect.
While he was letting it go in one ear and out the other, the words he had heard before brushed past him.
‘Come to think of it, wasn’t White Ghost Castle a place that had bad blood with the Mount Hua Sect?’
While he was recalling the ill-fated relationship with White Ghost Castle that Hyeon-do and Hyeon-cheong had fervently talked about until their mouths dried, Go Gye-yeong spoke up.
“Since we know that White Ghost Castle is behind the Supreme King Sect, we must send a letter requesting reinforcements to the Mount Hua Sect.”
Cheon-hwi met eyes with Go Gye-yeong, who was speaking while looking at him, and opened his mouth.
“Well, please take care of that yourself.”
Cheon-hwi had absolutely no interest.
Whether they requested reinforcements from the Mount Hua Sect or whatever.
What did that have to do with him?
He only had to do what he had to do.
“Thank you. Then this humble one will send a letter to the Mount Hua Sect, so please rest comfortably in our guild in the meantime.”
Around the time Go Gye-yeong spoke with relief.
“By the way, when are we eating? At this rate, my stomach is going to stick to my back.”
Cheon-hwi threw out words lightly.
When everyone was flustered by Cheon-hwi’s sudden words, Go Gye-yeong came to his senses.
“Hahaha, I will prepare it right away.”
Speaking with a smile, he whispered to Yeon Su-ran, who was restless next to him.
“Wife.”
“I understand.”
When Yeon Su-ran stood up from her seat and was about to go out.
“While we’re at it, I’d like a meat dish, please.”
“Pardon? A meat dish?”
“……!”
Jeok-geom and Seol Ran tightly closed their eyes, and the rest of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were frightened out of their wits.
“Martial Uncle!”
“What do you mean by meat…….”
“Hahaha.”
Go Gye-yeong, who was watching the Plum Blossom Swordsmen urgently trying to stop Cheon-hwi, also urgently asked.
“Although the Mount Hua Sect is close to the secular world, do you not stay away from meat?”
“Well, they say so, but.”
“Then meat is……”
“I just have to not get caught.”
Seeing Cheon-hwi casually answering as if that was any problem, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen lost their words and were struck dumb.
Fwip…
The flustered Yeon Su-ran glanced at Jeok-geom, but he was nodding his head.
‘Please accept it.’
Yeon Su-ran harbored doubts about that nod for a moment, but accepted the request.
“A, alright.”
She left, and a strange silence flowed in the room until the food arrived.
* * *
Inside the room where darkness had fallen.
“It’s been a while since I’ve eaten a meat dish.”
Was it because he ate a proper meat dish, unlike the meat they just grilled in the Mount Hua Sect, he felt good.
“Plus, there’s even a bed.”
He flopped down onto the bed.
Feeling the soft touch of the bed instead of the hard floor, a satisfied smile naturally formed on his lips.
“But it’s a bit of a shame.”
Cheon-hwi wriggled his fingers.
“They all died before I could even unleash my martial arts to my heart’s content…….”
Muttering, Cheon-hwi suddenly recalled the mission the Sect Leader had repeatedly asked of him.
‘Didn’t he tell me to protect the Flying Wind Merchant Guild from falling into danger?’
While reminiscing, he thought of a way to resolve this mission.
A way to nip the threat directed at the Flying Wind Merchant Guild in the bud, and fulfill this terrible thirst.
“That should do.”
Smiling wickedly, Cheon-hwi stood up from the bed.
Along with that, he strapped the White Lotus Sword he had hung on the wall before washing back onto his waist, and stared blankly at the moon casting its light outside the window.
The bluish moon was split in half, scattering moonlight in all directions.
“The time is just right, too.”
He grabbed the window sill and jumped.
“Let’s get some post-meal exercise.”
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